¶1] Codal, whence its name? Not hard to say. A high-king held sway over Erin; Eochaid Ollathair was his name, and his other name was The Dagda. He divided Erin among the Tuatha Dé Danann. He gave Mag Fliuchross to his son Aed. Now Aed had a soldier, set over that land, Codal Round-breast; and he had a very fair wife, Eachrad, daughter of Garann Big-knee. Aed, the Dagda's son, fell in love with her, and sent his druid to solicit her favours. The woman replied that she would not leave her husband for the high-king of Erin. Aed learns that the woman has refused him. He went to talk with the Dagda, and told him how he had been rejected by Garann's daughter, and declared that he should never be well until he mated with her. ‘Let her be taken from him by force’, said the Dagda. ‘I fear lest the Tuatha Dé should rise at such a deed, and turn upon thee, and a great evil come thereof.’ ‘Let come of it what may,’ said the Dagda; ‘better so, than that thou shouldst pine for her love, and never possess her. Take Codal prisoner,’ said he, ‘and then sleep with his wife.’ So was it done. Codal is made prisoner by Aed, and his wife brought to him, and he slept with her. They carry off Codal with thrice nine men to guard him. There came word of this to Garann and Danainn and Gorm, daughter of Danainn, and Sen son of Sengann, as they were feasting at Garann's house. They left their feasting and pursued after Aed, and took his house over his head, and his household were slaughtered, but he himself escaped. They carry the woman with them to Garann and his son Gruad. The Dagda musters his household and his sons, Aed, Cermait caem and Aengus, with Aengus's fosterer, Midir, and Bodb Derg. The kin of Eogan of Inber rise to help Garann and Codal, and battle is imminent. Thereafter they make peace at the bidding of Elcmaire the judge. This was his award; that the land where Codal was wronged should be assigned to him in satisfaction of his honour, and in quittance of the wrong done to him; and that he should not seek vengeance on Aed on that score for ever. Securities are given to him to that effect, as to ownership of the land, and they part on these terms. Hence it was that Codal's name clove to the
- The giant Dagda's son gave his love unprofitably, without shame, to the wife of his friend Codal, Echrad of the wanton glance.
- The stronghold where that was done fell to Codal, skilled in secrets of spear-craft; Aed's mortal danger and Codal's wounding were encountered face to face.
- ‘Let me lay the vast dwelling in the dust, O king of the circling stars! and let my name rest on the hill, even on well-named wound-dealing Codal.’