Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])

poem 54

Sinann II

1. Sinann — the reason why it is so named,
   I will declare without deception:
   I will report clearly without perplexity
   its name and its origin.
2. 5] I will declare to each and all
   the origin of bright-streaming Sinann:
   I will not hide the source of its renown,
   I will report the reason of its name.
3. Connla's well, loud was its sound,
   5] was beneath the blue-skirted ocean:
   six streams, unequal in fame,
   rise from it, the seventh was Sinann.
4. The nine hazels of Crimall the sage
   drop their fruits yonder under the well:
   15] they stand by the power of magic spells
   under a darksome mist of wizardry.
5. Together grow, in unwonted fashion,
   their leaves and their flowers: —
   a wonder is this, though a noble quality,
   20] and a wonder their ripening all in a moment.
6. When the cluster of nuts is ripe
   they fall down into the well:
   they scatter below on the bottom,
   and the salmon eat them.

---

p.295

7. 25] From the juice of the nuts (no paltry matter)
   are formed the mystic bubbles;
   thence come momently the bubbles
   down the green-flowing streams.
8. There was a maiden yellow-haired
   30] yonder, sprung of the Tuatha De Danann,
   the sprightly Sinann, bright of face,
   daughter of Lodan Luchair-glan.
9. One night the maiden bethought her, —
   the sweet-voiced red-lipped maiden —
   35] that every sort of fame was at her command
   save the mystic art alone.
10. The maiden, — fair was her form, —
    came on a day to the river
    and saw — it was no paltry matter —
    40] the lovely mystic bubbles.
11. The maiden goes on a lamentable venture
    after them into the green-flowing river:
    she is drowned yonder through her venture;
    so from her is Sinann named.
12. 45] Another version if ye so desire
    ye may get from me concerning white-flowing Sinann;
    though it is to be read in my verse,
    it is no better than the first version.
13. Lind Mna Feile, (I speak truly),
    50] is the name of the pool where she was drowned:
    this is its proper title inherited from her
    if that be the true tale to tell.

---

p.297

14. Another version, I remember,
    — every one in general has heard:
    55] Cu Nuadat — great was his beauty —
    was drowned in the cruel stream.
15. Or perchance Sinann is literally
    by interpretation Sín Morainn:
    or sí in moirenn — might of deeds:
    60] Sinann is fairer than any weather.

---

p.299