¶1] The counterpart of Allen is in Ulster, for victory in battle, for wizardry; for defending the fair mansions of Banbha, for staying the rapine of Ireland.
¶2] For waging conflicts, for reddening blades, for music, for chessplaying; for seeking of killing and chasing, for desire of foray.
¶3] In the same guise as ever, Allen of the Field of the Gailiain, or its very likeness in a jewel of a firm house of stout masonry, is in Ulster.
¶4] Throughout Ireland, Isle of Bregia, away from the warriors of Leinster, until it reached Fanad of Ulster, Allen hath betaken itself.
¶5] The rampart which the Fian of Fál held is again in Rathmullan, or else a castle similar in structure to that ancient one of Allen.
¶6] There is in Fanad a likeness of soft-swarded Allen in its own guise; such as the warriors of Allen are in it, graceful, bright-weaponed, well-equipped stead.
¶7] Should it be that it is not Allen, this brilliant, marvellous rampart, this other dwelling is a fitting pledge for the bright house of Fionn of Allen.
¶8] Though it were difficult to excel that first Allen of the tribe of Baoisgne, this second Allen—castle with firm, stately towers—is better when looked on.
¶9] Greater is its muster of valiant heroes, more its youths, more its companies of women; more numerous around the long-lashed scion of Murbhach are poets visiting the mansion.
¶10] More numerous the variety of its musicians, its reciters of soothing tales, more numerous the royal host of light-hearted women, ever weaving diverse gilt broideries.
¶11] More numerous the cupbearers dispensing feasts, the children of kings sharing fetters, greater the distribution of the wealth of all in the castle rich in flocks and gentle springs.
¶12] Nobler the household of the dwelling than the followers of Fionn of Allen; the pledge from the Fionn of old will go to the other Fionn of Ulster.
¶13] Thou, Donnell, kindly countenance, art that very Fionn from the land of Fanad—plain of limpid streams and stately rivers—protecting the men of Ulster.
¶14] No hardship or distress shall touch Tirconell of placid streams that thou art not bound to ward off from that country of untilled borders, of swanflocks.
¶15] As far as Moylurg on the other side, as far as the Finn, and to the shores of Tory, thou bright of cheek, it is thine to guard her bays and harbors.
¶16] Watching the couch when the king has lain down to rest, settling disputes, checking quarrels; going for him into battle on their behalf—the greater part of thine obligations I do not recount.
¶17] The rear in defeat, the van in an onslaught, thou, O lord of Fanad, dost form for the chiefs of Conall's glittering-bladed line in the country of the foe.
¶18] Therefore, Donnell, in the pleasant Land of Flann, bright with fair stems, ennumerable privileges are bestowed on thee by the seed of Conall.
¶19] Thou, gracious figure, art entitled to hold the kingship on the death of a high-king, until another king be found by whom she will be possessed.
¶20] Thou, gentle of eye, art entitled to be by O'Donnell's right elbow, that thou, O king, shouldst occupy it ennobles the place.
¶21] When thou art dubbed MacSweeny, thou modest of countenance, yet menacing, the robe of O'Donnell of Derry is given to thee, thou heavy-lashed, stately eye.
¶22] Thou, modest countenance, hast the right to keep a fugitive under protection in thy country for a year without compensation being sought for his deed.
¶23] A cow out of every holding, a swine from every herd, this is thy stipend for defending the province; a ripe stem from the midst of a garden, thou hast the crop of every orchard.
¶24] The king of Conall's race may have sought to exchange estates with thee, thou ruddy countenance, we know of thee that thou hast never attempted to barter.
¶25] Did the race of Dálach give thee two or three times as much as they give, more honor even than that hast thou earned from that race.
¶26] Thou art the favored offspring of Dálach's seed, the pride of their annals, treasure-house for their-peoples, herdsman for safeguarding their triumphs.
¶27] Thou art the eyesight of the host of Bearnas, the steward of their lordship; thou art the fruit excelling beyond all the wood, which succoured the noble race of Conall.
¶28] Thou art their protecting shield on the field of danger, thou leviest the heavy tribute which their fathers exacted from Ireland, it is imposed in every spot.
¶29] Thou art the leader of Suibhne's race, the Fionn of our Plain of Conall; it is thou that imitatest Fionn, thou king of whom Aoibheall told.
¶30] Many prophecies have we from the noble saints of Ireland about thy sleek, soft, yellow head, foretelling the Fionn of Fanad.
¶31] Colum at first foretold to Ulster, land of bright fruit-trees, what the Fionn of Fanad would accomplish for the fair plain of heavily laden woods.
¶32] He foretold that this man would so deal with Leinster, and the Peoples of Tara, that from kick of men meadows would go unmown throughout that Dwelling of Tailte.
¶33] Beyond any other tidings that Séadna revealed as a young and truthful babe did the impetuously-affirming youth tell of the long-haired Fionn of Fanad.
¶34] 'Grievous to me,' said the child, 'it has filled me with dejection, the slaughter that Fionn of the flowing tresses will inflict on your warriors, ye men of Leinster.'
¶35] 'In the land of Leinster—sorrow enough—this Fionn from Fanad will leave but women to till every soil;' even as Colum had spoken.
¶36] Thou art that Fionn from Fanad, it is to thee thine ancient rivals look to fulfil the prophecy, and banish the usurping race from Ushnagh.
¶37] Thou wilt make a slaughter of the Leinstermen, thou, graceful (?) of hand, wilt spread the hue of embers over the white houses of the foreigners; surely Colum will be believed.
¶38] Shortly, MacSweeny, wilt thou boast to the chieftain of our race of Conall the reaving of Fódla from end to end, and the banishment of the foreigners from Ireland.
¶39] Thou, son of Turlogh, hast given tokens worthy of credit that thou art come to-day as the prophesied one to reign over Fanad.
¶40] Allen of the fertile slopes of Leinster—thou, Fionn of Fanad, hast built the counterpart of its timber and its walls, the counterpart of Allen in Ulster.
¶41] A choice of the royal ladies of Ulster hast thou made, thou dark-lashed eye; happy the man who hath first taken her, happy he who made that choice.
¶42] A gentle eye, bright as crystal, hath the daughter of the king of Banagh; lips to which the hue of the berry might be likened, a glowing cheek that never was made to blush.
¶43] Every woman of Ulster would not suit the husband of Gráinne as a companion, none but a generous man would suit her, happy he of whom she is the mate.