Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])

poem/story 65

DRUIM SUAMAIG I

  1. It is Druim Suamaig that ye are crossing, with its hosts and its fairy people: under the hill of songs, in darkness, lies Suamach son of Samguba.
  2. He was a soothsayer and a poet—truth I tell: he was a scholar and a ready shanachie: Suamach, exempt from the toils of war, was once a fosterer of kings' sons.

  3. p.237

  4. The daughter pure and bright of Gaimgelta son of Rodba son of Tuag Tuile, even Caindlech (none blamed her beauty), was spouse to Suamach.
  5. They twain between them reared Cormac, chief of these outlaws, dread-shouting son of the king of Ulaid, in the country of fair Cruachan's warriors.
  6. When Cormac, that lusty sapling in bloom of beauty, advanced out of the west from Cruachan, that no fame outshines, to seize the kingship of Ulaid:
  7. When Cormac, dangerous foeman, reached Da Choca's Hall of Judgements, undimmed by faintness, he met death in fatal fire.
  8. Suamach hastened across the rivers, he and his proud stern mate, as far as the massy Hill of Tears, to stop him and stay his steps.
  9. (The Dagda's tears—for the Hill is his—the warrior king of Colt let fall in mourning for Aed of Ath No, over his pyre on the mighty hill.)
  10. When the brave boy's foster parents reached the spot, without faltering, they see the flames of ruin fringing the blazing Hall.
  11. ‘I see the smoke of the slaying of Cormac where he lies on a bitter bed’, said Suamach: ‘the nursling that was my pride till now: let me live no longer after him!’

  12. p.239

  13. Caindlech bewailed him, even as she loved, and loosened her fair bright locks: she found her death-bed and her dirge at forlorn Ard Caindlech.
  14. The name of the hills—it is not hidden—is called from the death of that pair: far-seen with no faint lustre over the plain is the legend of Druim Suamaig.