A famous king was over Leinster, even Ronan son of Aed. And Ethne daughter of Cumascach son of Eogan of the Deisi of Munster was by his side. She bore a son to him, Mael-Fothartaig son of Ronan, a son the most famous that ever came into Leinster. In his honor all would rise at gatherings and campings and games and fairs and fights and shooting contests. He was the desire of all their maidens and the darling of all their young women, Mael-Fothartaig.
His mother died. For a long while Ronan was without a wife. Why do you not take a wife? said his son. You were better with a wife by your side. I am told, said Ronan, Eochaid, the king of Dunseverick in the north, has a fair daughter. Truly, you are not a mate for a girl, said the youth. Will you not take a sedate woman? That would be more fitting than a little skittish thing of a girl. It was impossible to hinder him. Ronan went and slept with her
She came down from the north. Where is your son, Ronan? said she; I am told you have a good son. I have indeed, said Ronan, a son the best there is in Leinster. Then let him be summoned to me that he may receive me and that he may receive my people and my treasures and my jewels. He shall come indeed, said Ronan. Then Mael-Fothartaig came and made great welcome to her. You shall have love, said the youth. Whatever we shall get of jewels and treasures for loving Ronan, it shall go to you. I am well pleased, said she, that you should act for my advantage.
A fair young woman was in attendance on her. The queen sent her forthwith to Mael-Fothartaig to solicit him, but the young woman dared not give the message lest Mael-Fothartaig should kill her. Then the queen vowed to her that she would strike off her head unless she spoke. Mael-Fothartaig was playing a game of chess with his two foster-brothers, Dorm and Congal, the two sons of his foster-father. They were always about him. The young woman drew near them and began playing chess with them. Then she attempted to give the message but she dared not. She blushed, and the men noticed it. Mael-Fothartaig went away. What is it that you want to say? Congal said to the woman. It is not I that want it, said she, but the daughter of Eochaid would like to have Mael-Fothartaig as a lover. Do not say it, woman, said Congal. You will be dead
One day the young woman turned to Mael-Fothartaig weeping. What ails you, woman? said he. The daughter of Eochaid is threatening to kill me, said she, for my not pleading with you that she may meet with you. A likely story! said he. It was not bad of you that you have taken a safeguard. Woman, he said, if I were thrust into a fiery coal-pit that would make ashes and dust of me three times, I would not meet with the wife of Ronan, though all should blame me for it. I will go away, to avoid her. Thereupon he went with fifty warriors into Scotland. He found great welcome with the king of Scotland. He had hounds for hares, hounds for boars, hounds for deer. Bur Doilin and Daithlenn, two hounds of Mael-Fothartaig, would kill every quarry in turn before them. Every host that was routed before the king of Scotland, and every fight that was won, it was the doing of Mael-Fothartaig.
What is this, O Ronan? said the men of Leinster. Did you send Mael-Fothartaig out of the land? You shall die by us unless be return. This news was brought to Mael-Fothartaig, and he came back from Scotland. This is where he chanced to come from the east, to Dunseverick. Great welcome was made for him. You do wrong, Mael-Fothartaig, said Eochaid, that you do not go with our daughter. To you we gave her, and not to yon old churl, Ronan. Bad is that indeed, said MaeI Fothartaig. He went to Leinster and they gave him a great welcome. The same young woman slept with him. I must have that man from you, said the daughter of Eochaid to her attendant, or death upon your head! The queen's attendant told Mael-Fothartaig. What shall I do in this matter, Congal? said Mael-Fothartaig. Give me a reward for it, said Congal, and I will keep the woman off you so that she shall no longer think of you. You shall have my horse with its bridle, and my clothing, said Mael-Fothartaig. Nought will I take, said Congal, save thy two hounds, so that they shall be in my entire possession. You shall have them, said Mael-Fothartaig. Go then tomorrow, said Congal, and hunt at the ‘Cows of Aife.' (The Cows of Aife are stones which are on the side of the mountain.)
It seemed long to her till morning. On the morrow they went to the tryst, and saw Congal before them. Whither away, harlot? he said. You can be about no good walking about alone, or about anything unless coming to a tryst with a man. Go home, he said, and take a curse. Congal went with her to her house. And they saw her coming towards them once more. Is it thus, said Congal, you want to disgrace the king of Leinster, you vile woman! If I see you again, I shall take your head and put it on a stake before the face of Ronan. A bad woman to disgrace him in ditches and brakes going alone to meet a lad. He laid a horse-whip on her and left her in her house. I will spout a jet of blood in your face, said she.
Ronan came home. Mael-Fothartaig's men came into the house before him. He stayed alone outside hunting. Where is Mael-Fothartaig tonight, Congal? said Ronan. He is out doors, said Congal. Woe is me, my son to be abroad alone, and the number to whom he gives good things! You have made us deaf with talking about your son, said his wife.
He (M.-F.) came in then and was drying his shins at the fire, and Congal by his side. His jester Mac Glass was at his games
Hear this, Ronan, said she. Sing that again, said she.
- It is cold against the whirlwind
For any one herding the cows of Aife.
Said she:
- It is cold against the whirlwind
For any one herding the cows of Aife.
(That is, neither did I come, nor did you take the cows with you.) It is true this time, said Ronan. There was a warrior by Ronan's side, Aedan son of Fiachna Lara. O Aedan, said he, a spear into Mael-Fothartaig, and another into Congal! When. Mael-Fothartaig had turned his back to them by the fire, Aedan planted the spear in him, so that he put its points through him, as he was on his seat. As Congal rose Aedan thrust a spear into him, so that it passed through his heart. The jester jumped up. Aedan sent a spear after him so that it brought his bowels out.
- It is a vain herding,
With no kine, with no lover to meet.
You have wrought enough on the men, O Aedan! said Mael-Fothartaig from his seat.
Thereafter the three died. They were taken into a house apart. Ronan went and sat at the head of his son three days and three nights.
- O Mac Glass,
Gather your bowels in,
Though you know no shame,
Churls are laughing at you.
But Donn, Mael-Fothartaig's foster-brother, Congal's brother, went with twenty horsemen to Dunseverick. They docoyed
Then said Ronan, sitting at the head of his son:
- It is cold against the whirlwind
For any one herding the cows of Aife.
That is a vain herding,
With no cows, with no one to love.
- Cold is the wind
In front of the warriors' house:
They were dear warriors
That were between me and the wind.
- Sleep, daughter of Eochaid,
Great is the bitterness of the wind:
Woe is me, Mael-Fothartaig
Is slain for the guilt of a lustful woman.
The daughter of Eochaid (said):
- Sleep, daughter of Eochaid,
There is no rest for me though thou sleep not,
To see Mael-Fothartaig
In his shirt full of blood.
- Woe is me, O corpse in the corner,
That wast the mark of many eyes,
The sin that we committed,
It was thy torment after thy banishment.
Then came Donn and threw the head of Eochaid on his daughter's breast, and her mother's head and her brother's head. Thereupon she arose and threw herself on to her knife, so that it came out through her back.
- Sleep, daughter of Eochaid,
Men are not mad:
Though thou hast wetted thy mantle,
it is not my son thou dost bewail.
Then said Ronan:
- Eochaid has got but one shirt
After having been in a mantle:
The sorrow that is on Dun Ale
is on Dunseverick.
- Give ye food, give drink
To the hound of Mael-Fothartaig,
And let some one else give
Food to the hound of Congal
- Give ye food, give drink
To the hound of Mael-Fothartaig,
The hound of the man that would give food
To any one, whatever reward he might get.
- Sad to me is the torture of the hound Dathlenn,
With rods of steel over her sides,
Our reproach is not on her,
It is not she who sold our dear ones.
- Doiline
[...]
Thrusting her head into the lap of one after another,
Seeking one whom che will not find.
- The men, the youths, the horses,
That were around Mael-Fothartaig,
They would not envy any one's cheer,
While their chief was alive.
- The men, the youths, the horses,
That were around Mael-Fothartaig,
They would do without
[...]
They would run a race of steeds.
- The men, the youths, the horses,
That were around Mael-Fothartaig,
Many a time they would set up
Triumphant shouts after lasting victories.
- The men of Mael-Fothartaig,
I allow that they were not insignificant;
Not well they stood by a man
Who would come when they needed him.
- My son Mael-Fothartaig,
Whose abode was the tall forest,
Kings and royal princes
Would not part from him without great respect.
- My son Mael-Fothartaig
Traversed Scotland of coasts:
He was a warrior among hosts of warriors,
When he would achieve his deeds on them.
- My son Mael-Fothartaig,
He was the support of the host:
The white tall flashing salmon
Hath taken a cold dwelling.
Then the men of Leinster around Ronan began keening. Ronan is thrown on his back. They go on the track of Aedan, and he is seized by Mael-Fothartaig's two sons, Aed and Mael-Tuile. Aed wounded him and riddled him with a spear. Let me get up, warriors, said Ronan, unless you wish to kill me. Is the man dead? said he. Dead indeed, said the warriors. Who killed him? said he. Aed slew him, said the warriors. Did Mael-Tuile wound him? said he. No, said the warriors. May he not wound a man till Doom! said he. But the palm of prowess and of valor to the boy that slew him.
Then said Ronan:
- It is a great thing
For the son of a churl to slay the son of a king;
That was clear on his day of death
To Aedan, son of Fiachna Lara.
At that a spout of blood broke over his lips and he died forthwith.
- This battle on the plain
I await without Mael-Fothartaig:
Awaiting the new fight,
He does not support the old champion.
That is how Ronan slew his son.