Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])

poem 67

Find-Loch Cera

  1. I will tell you how the White Loch purely bright
    received, for a year and a day,
    that which turned it white enduringly, —
    for it is I that have certain knowledge.
  2. 5] When Patrick, famed for holiness,
    dwelt on blessed Cruach Patrick, greatly suffering,
    (labour and sorrow was that time!)
    protecting warrior-women and warrior-men,
  3. God sent, to comfort him at that season,
    10] a flock of birds angelic, purely bright,
    over the clear loch unremittingly
    they sang a chorus, a gentle admonition.
  4. This was their auspicious summons:
    "O Patrick, rise and come!
    15] O protector of the Gaels, bright in glory!
    O golden exalted star!"
  5. In numbers they smote the lake
    with their smooth-shadowing wings
    so that the ruffled surface unsunned
    20] showed like sheen of silver.
  6. This it is that gave rise to the bright name
    of Find-loch Cera, scene of combats,
    as I have heard in every church:
    this glorious meaning I declare.

    7. p.381