Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
poem 77
Inber Buada
- Inber Muada this place is named,
it is right for the learned to tell its story:
what was the excellence whence.the name comes,
from which the Muaid got its famous title?
- 5] I will tell you, for well I know
every excellence whence its name is derived:
the knowledge shall be set forth in the middle of my book,
without fault or forgetfulness.
- Parthalon of Port Breg came
10] from Greece 'tis an ancient harbour
to the land of Elg in good sooth:
the martial soldier was a chief in every art.
- In Inis Samer free from grief,
there Parthalon came to land,
15] where the troop of eight found a shore
when they reached Banba, land of ceaseless conflict.
- Parthalon of the harbours hoped
that the rivers of Erin would give him help:
every law had departed from his band of men:
20] seldom did host or company visit them.
- Though it was long since he left his home Parthalon,
in whom the noble men believed,
he found not a fish till he reached mead-loving Muaid;
the hosts were quarrelling along the marshy ground.
p.421
- 25] "Full of excellences is the vast river-mouth,"
said Parthalon, primal lord of ships;
"its origin shall be crowned with excellences
by the hosts that visit it continually."
- Inber Muada, in after-times
30] the learned shall be telling thereof;
till the Doom of the eager throngs arrive,
let every ford and river-mouth cease to vie with it!
p.423