Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
poem 16
Dun Crimthaind
- Well I fared on a glorious adventure
from the assembly in
[...]
cold Usnech;
much sea and much land were traversed
by the king's son, on that gallant journey.
- 5] I went on a way, a track not rapid,
through the deceitful wiles of women,
into the land that ocean encloses,
which has a white wall of pure silver.
- I happened on a host
10] over the cheek of glorious Mag Eolairg;
thrice nine fifties, kings thrice nine,
that was their number in their muster.
- I brought away the horned polished beaker
of Tuathal across the salt of the ocean-road;
15] thrice nine draughts, that was its content,
he pressed from a single grain, goodly its metal.
- I brought the chess-board of white-skinned Guaire
from the waves of ocean, with numbers of exploits;
there was not found under heaven a treasure to surpass it,
20] wherein are three hundred bright gems.
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- I brought the shirt of fierce Lug
to my country from the water of the Irish sea;
all of refined red gold,
that was inwoven7 from bridle to head.
- 25] I brought the fierce flashing sword
of Congal, author of dreadful havoc;
it was a treasure of the kings of Inis Fail,
a hundred golden snakes along its blade.
- I brought a shield that was Daire Derg's
30] from the field where spear-casts wounded men:
thrice nine arrows of pale silver
round the rim wrought by the graver's tool.
- I brought the old spear of Mac Da Dend
with his head it was no bloody trophy;
35] from sunrise to sunset is none
would know of what wood is its shaft.
- I brought the brooch of swift Labraid
son of Aed Abrat, after battle;
thrice nine gems of carbuncle, set in rows
40] were ranged upon it in its centre8.
- I brought the two hounds of Canu the musical;
it was no idle man's work that broke them;
worth a hundred couples over sea
was the white chain that was on them.
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- 45] I brought the stone, with its polished chain,
of Tuathal mac Smail pleasant possession;
the bottom set with rings of pale metal,
with woven chains down its side.
- I brought the sling of Mac Da Des
50] perfect the work, only for death;
there is not between earth and heaven
one fit to praise him, pure of soul.9
- I brought also the tinder-box of Fiachu's henchman:
it was the debt of a steadfast man, a head across his back:
55] this was its
[...]
for a man,
a green splinter, a sliver of thick-leaved holly.
- I brought the horse-whip with thirty strands
of Ruadri Ruad of the famous royal house;
with its strands in twisted plaits
60] from the plant that is shining white as the sun.
- There came upon us many a furious warrior
on every field in noble Erin;
during our night at Druim Da Roth
weeping and woe subdued us.
- 65] In Bend Etair of the terrible conflicts,
which the sea visits in its shining ways,
there is a stronghold whose famous breakwater
is the great wall of Lugaid's son, fit for story.
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- Many a mighty chariot have I broken,
70] I have gained silver and gold;
not false is all this but true,
on a kingly adventure well I fared.
p.129