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

poem/story 69

LÉGE

  1. The legend of Lége, a name of peculiar import in ballads and in books, is clear as ye expound it, according as the reader reads it.
  2. Liag was daughter of stout Trescat, son of long-lived Troscach, son of Belach, son of Booz, son of highborn Agall, son of Malarn, son of Licorb,
  3. son of Siabart, son of
    [...]
    Clarach, son of Coltach, son of Smirdub, son of Mercell, son of fierce Lecdub, son of Iachdub, son of Liburn,

  4. p.249

  5. son of Latharn, by whom evil deeds were set afoot, son of Soalt, son of Sibort, son of Succat, son of Stairn long-tooth, son of hard-groaning flat-faced Salt,
  6. son of Carr, son of Fot, son of Ifit, son of Filist, with the vigour of thirty men, son of Ham, that bore spears without shield, son of Noah, son of Lamech.
  7. This is the pedigree of Liag (enough for me) from Trescat to mighty Noah, according to the kindly keen men of learning: no misleading guide is the legend.
  8. Liag was the name of that eager woman, sister to Morc, great son of Dele; Conand, high-mettled son of Faebur, was brother to the woman whose praise we noise abroad.
  9. In full measure, ye may believe, did Liag receive tribute from her friends: there was laid on Erin for a time an impost of thrice fifty measures from every hearth.
  10. They that brought the proper tribute to the imperious woman, huge of build, were Conand son of Faebur, the feast-maker, and Morc, great son of Dele.
  11. From these was the tribute brought: from Clann Nemid, in their sore need, from Semion, from tall Fergus, from generous right-fierce Erglan.

  12. p.251

  13. That tribute that was then devised was thrice fifty measures—no sparing levy: two full thirds of corn and butter, the third third of milk.
  14. On Clann Nemid that tribute lay heavy; it was ground for strife, and they proclaimed war without surrender against Morc and Conand Big-head.
  15. Those men came to give battle, and their march prospered; they came upon proud Liag, and she was struck down by her enemies.
  16. It was Fergus Red-side that spoiled her and left her lifeless—an exploit that freed his home from want—before joining battle with her friends.
  17. She demanded of fair-haired Fergus, as there should be no head over his head, that her name might be on the land to call it by—it was her glory.
  18. Thereupon battle was joined, to the rout of the Fomoire: very fierce was the challenge on that account, because of the woman's murder.
  19. Side to side was the battle fought, a melee of swords and spears, wherein fell Morc (great his fame), and Conand of the trophies.

  20. p.253

  21. When Conand was slain in the fight, and Morc too—the greater the triumph! when they were cut down in the carnage, the Fomoire were routed.
  22. Here was found the tale, as it is to-day, whence Lége has its name: hide it not perversely from any man, for the story of the place is true.