Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The destruction of Da Derga's Hostel (Author: [unknown])

section 157

When Mac cecht went across the third ridge towards the house, 'tis there were twain striking off Conaire's head. Then Mac cecht strikes off the head of one of the two men who were beheading Conaire. The other man then was fleeing forth with the king's head. A pillar-stone chanced to be(?) under Mac cecht's feet on the floor of the Hostel. He hurls it at the man who had Conaire's head and drove it through his spine, so that his back broke. After this Mac cecht beheads him. Mac cecht then spilt the cup of water into Conaire's gullet and neck. Then said Conaire's head, after the water had been put into its neck and gullet:

    1. A good man Mac cecht! an excellent man Mac cecht!
      A good warrior without, good within,
      He gives a drink, he saves a king, he doth a deed.
      Well he ended the champions I found.
      He sent a flagstone on the warriors.
      Well he hewed by the door of the Hostel
      [...]
      Fer lé,
      So that a spear is against one hip.
      Good should I be to far-renowned Mac cecht
      If I were alive. A good man!
After this Mac cecht followed the routed foe.


p.324