Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])

poem/story 20

ARD FOTHAID

1. Ard Fothaid—know ye the chieftain whose land it was? the gentle Fothaid Airgthech long possessed it—we hide it not.
2. Many a horror, many a hidden snare wherewith the generous hero contended did Fothaid meet, we know,—Fothaid son of Lugaid, son of Macnia.
3. A month and a half on his soldier's bed he lay here, without deed of blood, under an infliction that robbed his senses, unvisited of kings and princes.
4. He fell asleep at the song of the hen of Boirche, lord of champions; bright Fothaid, the host-leader, returned not to his home.
5. May the radiant Ruler of the seven tranquil spheres, the glorious King of the spear-men, the high noble and puissant King, not cast me into the slumber of an endless trance!