Domhnall
- How is that, O slender Suibhne?
thou wert leader of many hosts;
the day the iniquitous battle was fought
at Magh Rath thou wert most comely.- Like crimson or like beautiful gold
was thy noble countenance after feasting,
like down or like shavings
was the faultless hair of thy head.- Like cold snow of a single night
was the aspect of thy body ever;
blue-hued was thine eye, like crystal,
like smooth, beautiful ice.- Delightful the shape of thy feet,
not powerful methinks was thy chieftainship;
thy fortunate weapons—they could draw blood—
were swift in wounding.- Colum Cille offered thee
Heaven and kingship, O splendid youth,
eagerly (?) thou hast come into the plain
from the chief prophet of Heaven and earth.
- Said Colum Cille,
steadfast prophet of truth,
'as many of you as come over the strong flood
will not all return from Erin.'- I offered Congal Claon
when we were together
the blessing of all the men of Erin;
great was the mulct for one egg.- If thou wilt not accept that from me,
O fair Congal, son of Scannal,
what judgment then—deed of great moment—
wilt thou pass upon me?Congal:
- (These) will I accept from thee if thou deemest it well:
give me thy two sons,
thy hand from thee, likewise thy stately wife,
thy daughter and thy eye blue-starred.Domnall:
- Thou shalt not have but spear to spear,
I shall be evermore lying in wait for you,
this is our speech about the bondage;
take thou the full of my curse!- Thy body will be a feast for birds of prey,
ravens will be on thy heavy silence,
a fierce, black spear shall wound thee,
and thou shalt be laid on thy back, destitute.- My bane from land to land
art thou alone beyond each king,
yet I have befriended thee
since the day thy mother brought thee forth.
- 'Tis there the battle was fought—
at the stead in Magh Rath—
there was a drop on a gleaming sword;
so fell Congal Claon.