Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
poem 61
Moenmag
- Moenmag who was the Moen whence the plain is named,
that was royally spacious beyond all battle-fields?
it got the noble and joyous name
from good Moen son of Allguba.
- 5] Along with the goodly Clann Miled,
Moen was brought by the powerful prince
Labraid Luchair, whose fame decays not,
to begin the enduring custom of noble shaving.
- Two arts had Moen (active employ)
10] whereby the noble prince got his reward:
the business of shaving the gap above the fringe
and of clearing a plain of great woods.
- The warrior free from grief got a heritage
from Eber, from Eremon,
15] so Moen, whose thrust was piercing
the tenant-land of the sons of Fordub.
- Moen first received (lasting his fame)
by his science reward for much shaving
(the company of historians declares it at Samain),
20] in reward for shaving he got Berra-main.
- Berra-main, noble guerdon of shaving,
Moen of the kingly household got it
from the children of Golam of the shouts,
so that they might be famous for unfailing generosity.
p.337
- 25] He it was who was shaved here first
(he was not urged thereto without sure knowledge)19
Forbarr the wright of the hosts, a sight!
His fair cheek first was shaved.
- Here is the pleasant legend of Moenmag,
30] renowned above all places of resort mark it!
in honorific clear-tongued discourse,
an assurance of fame not dependent on applause.
- There are four Moens, excellent in judgments,
the best I have heard of on populous earth:
35] but this Moen, slender, of peaceful fame,
though they were kingly, he was passing strong.
- Moen son of Etna, the eager poet,
Moen son of Ugaine of the keen weapons,
Moen Moraind of Inber Ella
40] I praise Moen son of Ailell.
- There was found, through the noble fame of each, a derivation
for Moenmag, for Berra-main:
among lords of kine is named
from these Moens, Moenmag.
p.339