Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])

poem 18

Alend

1. Alend, meeting place for our youths,
   rath of Art with his royal roads:
   the chariot pole of victory was he on its plain
   till Fal, son of Fidga, found it:
2. 5] The grave where Conchend planted his roofpole,
   the son of Fergna, a hero of fair fame,
   field-captain of Lugaid, hewer of targes;
   the seat that was Setna Long-staff's:
3. The stead where dwelt stern Messdelmond,
   10] by him was reared its lofty wall;
   from its springs a draught was drained
   by Mess Scegra the Scot of Leinster:
4. The lawn of Ruamand, where the spear-point grew red,
   with the sties of the honourable prince;
   15] a lovely land, a perfect citadel,
   the soller where dwelt Andrithir:
5. The demesne of Fergus Fairge
   a proud and eminent heritage:
   the portion of nimble Find mac Rosa
   20] the royal keep of Bressal Bregaman:
6. Luchdond, who scarred cheeks–alas!,
   from Gabran even unto Ath Cliath!
   in Fal Segi would he swim the water,
   dire were his deeds around Alend:

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p.83

7. 25] A furious (?) bear, a flame of valour,¹²
   a resting-place giving vigour to heroes
   in the time of Nia Corb (brave chief!)
   thou wast a home of the wise, O Alend!
8. The chariot of Cathair, coffer of treasures;
   30] valiantly did he encompass the leaders of herds;
   burden of all discourse (clear fact!)
   is the high king of Emain and Alend.
9. The chess-board of Fiachu, victorious king,
   fiery dragon (stout his body!);
   35] he drove red spear-points through kings,
   he chained the battalions of Aled.
10. The hill of Bressal Beolach the valorous,
    to him belonged Tuaim Tenbath Temair,
    upon spruce steeds the famous king
    40] brandished the weapons of Alend.
11. A lordly river visits it,
    the Segais which flows from Sid Nechtain,
    and Life, swiftest his waters:
    they beat upon the bare plain of Alend.
12. 45] Three mighty men made essays of trenchings,
    Burech, Fiach, and Aururas:
    it is they who without flagging (clear fact!)
    dug the rampart of Alend.

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p.85

13. Buirech cast from him straightway
    50] across the rampart (no weakling he!)–
    a stone he cast from his spear-arm;
    and that is the ail in Alend.
14. Here dwelt the wife of the strong-limbed,
    heroic daughter of Lugaid;
    55] the clan was not disgraced by her repute;¹³
    from her came the royal name of Alend.