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fcf LIBRAI
IRISH TEXTS SOCIETY
CUMANN NA SGRIBHEANN GAEDHILGE
VOL. XXVIII
[1926] 1933
DUANAIRE FINN
THE BOOK OF THE LAYS OF FIOlNN
PART II
IRISH TEXT, WITH TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH
BY
GERARD MURPHY
^TofTHE mjMp
HHLLUSLPf HILLS, ^
LONDON
PUBLISHED FOR THE IRISH TEXTS SOCIETY BY SIMPKIN MARSHALL, LTD. 4 STATIONERS HALL COURT, E. C. 4
1933
MAR CHUIMHNIUGHADH AR PHROINNSIAS AIRMEAS
FOREWORD
In printing the text the following rules have been observed : The mark of aspiration has been represented by h. Where in the MS a vowel has been written over a letter, r has often been inserted silently in the printed text between the letter and the super- script vowel. Where a consonant. has been written over a letter, a has often been silently inserted. The well-known signs for ar, air, ach (each), co (con), cu, da, m, n, and us, have been ex- panded silently, except in a few instances where it seemed advis- able to indicate the manuscript reading as precisely as possible. All other contracted syllables have been expanded in italics. When the «s-sign stands for uis, the uis has been printed in italics. The ur-sign has been represented variously by ar, air, ur, uir, always in italics. When a contracted syllable containing a long vowel has been expanded, whether silently or in italics, a makron has in certain cases been placed over the long vowel if there is no mark of length visible in the manuscript. The makron has in no instance been supplied over a syllable not contracted in the manu- script. Where a contracted syllable containing an aspirated consonant has been expanded in the printed text, an h in square brackets, [h], has been used to indicate the aspiration if there is no dot over the mark of contraction in the manuscript. Square brackets have also been used in a few instances to supply a letter accidentally omitted by the scribe in uncontracted syllables. Tall e before a broad consonant has been represented by ea where the syllable is short, by e (or e) where long. This is in conformity with the practice of the scribe, who, except in one or two instances, writes ea for the short sound and e (or e) for the long, when he uses the small form of the letter e (In XXIV llrf he wrote ea by mistake
VI
and expressly deleted the a). For the diphthong commonly written ia the scribe often writes ie : this is always printed ie, whether the e in the manuscript be a tall or a small e. The printed text does not follow the manuscript in word-division, the use of hyphens and apostrophes, or the use of capitals.
The present volume contains the whole of the second half of the text of Duanaire Finn. Notes, indices and a glossary to both halves have had to be held over for a further volume which will appear as Volume XXX.
I wish here to express my thanks to my father, Henry Murphy, who first introduced me to Duanaire Finn ; to Dr. R. I. Best,who encouraged me to transcribe and edit this, the second part of the Duanaire, and who gave me much valuable advice ; to Professor Eoin Mac Neill, who consented to let me continue the work of edi- ting begun by him ; to Professor 0. J. Bergin, who gave me the assistance of his unrivalled knowledge of Irish in the solving of many difficult points ; to Dr. A. Knoch, who read my work in manuscript and made some useful suggestions ; to the community of the Franciscan Convent, Merchants' Quay, Dublin, who per- mitted me to work at the manuscript of Duanaire Finn, which is in their possession ; and to the council and officers of the Irish Texts Society, who have done everything in their power to facili- tate the work of editing and proof-reading.
G. M.
CONTENTS
AND ARGUMENT OF THE POEMS.
Page
XXXVI. The Lay of the Smithy 2
Eight of the Fiana, including Fionn and Daolghus, find them- selves on Sliabh Luachra [in Kerry]. A monstrous warrior ap- proaches them. He says that he is Lon, chief smith of Norway, and that he has come to race the Fiana. Thereupon Ire leaps from them. The eight Fian warriors follow him. Lon takes them from Kerry by Limerick through Clare, Galway and Roscommon to the hill of Keshcorran [in South East Sligo]. Lon enters the cave of Keshcorran. In the cave is a smithy with smiths at work. Lon sets about making a sword. Daolghus assists him. Daolghus grows warm till his face glows like a lighted coal. The smiths pre- sent ask who this man can be, using the compound adjective caoilte * slender and hot ' to describe him. Fionn fixing on the adjective decides that Daolghus shall be for ever known as Caoilte. Lon offers the Fian hospitality and presents them with spears and swords, the names of which are given. At sun-rise next morning the Fian, having slept soundly, find themselves once more on Sliabh Luachra,
XXXVII. Fionn's Ancestry 16
Oissin traces Fionn's pedigree. He shows him to be of the Clanna Deadhadh of West Munster.
XXXVII I. The Naming of Dun G/ ire 20
Fionn goes to Dun Brain to woo Daolach. There is a rumour that the Dogheads under their king Cliabhach are approaching. Dubh son of Donn goes by sea to ward them off. The Dogheads plunder the region round Sliabh Collain Mhic Criomhthain. They come upon Dubh and his men asleep and slay them. The stream where Dubh fell is called Dubhghlaise because of him. The Dogheads come to Dun Brain and utter three cries : hence its new name, D<in Gaire, the Fort of Cries, Cliabhach hurls
viii CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT
three javelins. Those whom the javelins struck and the places where they died are named. Gaoine, known also as Mac Lughach and as Caol, comes to the beach and slays Cliabhach. His ex- ploits and the exploits of Faolan and Dubh Droman are recounted. The Dogheads arc defeated. Daolach's marriage to Fionn and her death are referred to. The names of the river Daolach and of Aidhne ( ?) are accounted for. The poem ends with praise of Caol, the name given to Mac Lughach in this port- tion of the poem. His death and burial are mentioned. Certain place-names are incidentally explained.
XXXIX. The Battle of Gabhair ...... 32
The grave of Osgar, son of Garaidh. suggests the story of his death. Fionn went on pilgrimage. Oisin is left as head of the Fian. The king of Ireland was Cairbre Liffeachair. He demands a gift as a sign of his overlordship. Oisin refuses. His demands are given in more precise terms. Osgar, son of Oisin, and Mac Lughach refuse vehemently. War is declared. Cairbre marshals the men of Leinster and Ulster. He sum- mons Osgar, son of Garaidh, from Scotland. The son of Garaidh arrives at Gabhair as the hosts are prepared for battle. Cairbre speaks of the havoc wrought by the House of Baoisgne in Ire- land. The son of Garaidh promises to remember that and his own feud with that House. Aodhan, king of Ulster, bids him do combat with the other Osgar, son of Oisin. The King of Loch- lainn's son is then seen approaching with an army. He has come to help the Fiana. The armies join battle. The King of Lochlainn's son distinguishes himself. Osgar son of Garaidh goes to meet him and slays him. The army from Lochlainn is defeated by Osgar's army. Osgar son of Garaidh then ad- vances against the Fiana. Osgar son of Oisin goes to meet him. The son of Oisin slays the son of Garaidh. Osgar son of Oisin then attacks and slays the High King, Cairbre. The names of others slain in the battle are given.
XL. These Six 58
The six are Lovemaking, Gentleness and High Spirits, on the one hand, to whom are opposed Trouble, Need and Sorrow on the other.
XU. The Bird-Crib ...... . . 60
Who of the Fiana first made and used a bird-crib? Oisin
CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT ix
undertakes to tell. Fionn with sixty warriors is parted from the main body of the Fiana on Sliabh Luachra. A magic mist surrounds them. A tall warrior (later called the son of Tro- ghan) approaches. He carries with him a golden crib with which he catches birds as he goes. He invites the Fian warriors to his house. They go with him to Inbhear da Shal in the East. The warrior leaves them shut up in his castle for seven days. Fionn in the meantime makes a crib on the model of the golden crib. They catch birds and satisfy their hunger. On the se- venth day the warrior returns, thinking to find them dead. Fionn's companions would have killed the warrior, but Fionn protects him. This is the greatest act of clemency ever per- formed by Fionn.
XLII. The standing Stones of Ireland . . . .66
The stone on Tulach Thuaithe is addressed. It tells the story of Mac Lughach and his father Daire. Daire son of Conall was on his way from Gluain Oirthir to Almhain. At Bealach Gabhrain he met the three sons of Ross whose grandfather had been killed by Fionn. They ask him whose man he is. He replies that he is Fionn's. They fight. Daire slays all three. He tells Fionn what happened. Fionn goes north leaving Daire in Almhain. When Daire was healed he followed Fionn. Once Daire was alone and night overtook him near Sith Buidhbh. The fairy hill is opened before him. He is welcomed by Eoch- aidh, king of the fairy hill. Daire and Eochaidh's daughter Lughach lie together. Daire bids her bring the child to Fionn if it be a boy. A son is born. He is called Gaoine. While still a baby he slays a weasel. At the end of a year Lughach brings Gaoine to Fionn. Gaoine picks out his father, Daire, from the assembled Fian. Daire's wife, Aoibhinn, is jealous. Fionn to ease her jealousy declares that the boy will be known by his mother's name rather than by that of his father. He is therefore called Mac Lughach. Lughach takes her son to her father's house in Cluain Cheasain. For seven years Mac Lughach was trained as befitted a king's son. He then entered the Fian. His first love Tuadh, daughter of Aonghus died. For her he planted the stone on Tulach Thuaithe. The other standing stones of Ireland are addressed and those who lie beneath them are named.
XLII I. The Womenfolk of the Fian ..... 100
Fionn's birthplace on the hill of Almhain is pointed out. The names of the mothers and wives of the chief heroes of the
x CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT
Fian are given. Fionn's grief on blinding Dianghus, a member of his deirbhfhine, is mentioned. The place of Fionn's death is told. I lis grave-mound is shown.
XLIV. Lugh's Kinship with certain Members of the Fian 114
Lugh's mother. Eithne, was given as wife, to Tadhg, son of Nuadha. By him she had two daughters Uirne and Muirne. lime was given as wife to Conall. Daire was their son. From Lughach, Fionn's daughter, and Daire sprang Gaoine, called Mac Lughach. Uirne was given as wife to the king of Ulster. The king of Ulster's former wife, the Bodhbh's daughter, turned Uirne into a dog. Uirne as a dog gave birth to Bran and Sgeolang. Lughaidh Lagha had Uirne turned back into a woman. She was given to him as wife. Lughaidh Lagha's sons were Gaol Crodha, Sgiath, Aodh and Iollann. Uirne had seven sons; Muirne one son. Fionn. Thus was Lugh related to certain of the Fian.
XLV. The Kinship of Cnu Dheireoil with Fionn . .118
Eithne, daughter of Balor, was mother of Lugh. Lugh was father of Cmi Dheireoil. Lugh slew Balor. Eithne followed Lugh to Tara. Tadhg asked Lugh to give him his mother, Eithne, in marriage. Muirn, Fionn's mother, was the first child of that marriage. Fionn's kinship with Cmi Dheireoil is clear : Eithne was grandmother to both.
XLVI. The Kinship of Fjamhoin son of Forach wit h Oisin 122
Their mothers were sisters, being both daughters of the Dearg. Righlinn was Fiamhoin's mother. Cruithgheal was the mother of Oisin.
XLVI I. Caoilte's Sword 124
Caoilte's sword is shown. The battles in which it was used and the heroes whom it killed are named. Those who inherited it, from Sithbhac to Fionn, are recounted. When Fionn received it, the Fian cried out that it was not his custom to keep a precious object for himself. Fionn accordingly offered it to the Fian.
llbhe, the daughter of Cormac, famous for her wisdom, de- cides that the Fian should race for the sword. They race. Fionn arrives first at the scabbard, Caoilte at the sword. The case is laid before Aillbhe for decision. She quotes the maxim To every knight is due his horse ', and applying it to the case
CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT xi
laid before her decides that to every sword is due its scabbard and to every scabbard its beilfhleasg. The sword, scabbard and beilfhleasg are therefore awarded to Caoilte. Cormac and the wise judge Fitheal arrive. Fitheal upholds Aillbhe's judge- ment. Cormac then states a case. Fitheal' s goats have strayed and destroyed his garden. Who has to pay for the damage? Aillbhe decides that the gardener must pay. Everyone agrees. The days of Cormac and Fionn are praised. The corruption to come is prophesied.
XLVIII. The Wild Rush of the House of Morna . . 142
From fonn Tuaidhe to Tonn Chi fodhna the House of Morna spread destruction. The list of those they killed and the places where they killed them is given. They promised to defend Tara against three hundred foreigners. Their slayings on that occasion are related. The list of their slayings is continued. It is told how one night they defended Cormac against the House of Baoisgne. On that night Daighre played music till Fionn's 'host fell asleep. The House of Morna then leaped upon them and slew many. The list of those whom they slew is continued. In all they slew five thousand six hundred and twenty six of the House of Baoisgne in their Wild Rush.
XLIX. Fionn's Prophecy 154
Fionn as he sat above the glen at Howth saw a black cloud coming upon Ireland from the north. The cloud, he said, fore- boded the coming of Danair [literally 'Danes']. Then follow references to the conquest of Ireland by the Normans. The personal visit of a king of England to Ireland is next foretold. He will appoint a viceroy. Certain battles are to be fought. A leper will be for seven years king of Ireland. A man from the east will come to Ireland on the leper's advice. The stranger from the east will defeat a warrior known as the Donn. The Donn Fail- gheach will arise and fight three battles. Three years later the Gaels will be slaughtered. The men of Munster will have vengeance for that. Certain battles are referred to. The coming of the son of the king of England is prophesied. That son of the king of England will inaugurate a period of equal law for his people. He will bestow the half of Ireland on his followers, to the anger of the native lords. After him comes a period of injustice. The foreigners and the Gaels will unite against the Panair. They crown the king of Aileach, who is defeated at
xii < I >\Ti:.\ is AND ARGUMENT
Mullaghmast. For thirty years there will be peace. Then the foreigners will come from the east. There will be trouble in Spain too. The battle of Singland, near Limerick, will be fought bj an O'Brien named Tairbhre, who will defeat the foreigners and be made king. Sraonghalach and Aodh the pure, both from Deny, will win victories in the north. Later fresh for- eigners will come and cause fresh trouble.
L. The House of Morn a defend Fionn in Hell . . .168
Fionn appears to Oisin. He tells Oisln that on the night he died the Devil urged the House of Morna to make common cause with him against Fionn. They refused and, with the rest of the Fiana, gathered around Fionn to protect him. The Fiana were defeated and scattered by the demons. For sixty years Fionn was in hell. Then an angel released him for one night that he might visit Oisin. He foretells Oisin's salvation.
LI. Rise up, Oisin 174
Oisin and Caoilte meet. They are baptized by Patrick. Caoilte's death at Tara, apparently caused by Patrick, is referred to.
LI I. Rise up, Osgar ........ 176
Osgar is urged to wreak havoc on his foes. His strength and man fulness are praised.
LI II. The Bell on Druim Deikg 178
oisin hears the note of a bell on Druim Deng. He declares there was sweeter music on Druim Deirg when the Fian used to hunt there. He and Patrick dispute. Oisin tells what the various Fian warriors would have done to Patrick for ringing his little lull, oisin declares that he himself believes in the true God, but that nevertheless the sound of the bell gives him pain.
LIV. The Magic Pig 181
One Sunday the Fian went hunting on the Luachair moun- tains. That evening they encamped. Dubh Dala, son of Maol Garbh, slept outside the encampment. Cluasan, his dog, star- ted a huge pig. The pig slew the dog. On the next day the Fian hunted the pig. She killed many men and dogs. Colla jumped upon her back and wounded her nine times as she ran. Fionn and Conan, aided by others of the Fian, slay the pig. In all
CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT xiii
the pig had killed thirty warriors, nine attendants and one hundred and forty hounds before she herself was killed.
LV. Oisin in Elphin 194
Oisin in his old age recalls the days of his youth. He lam- ents the woes of his present life at Elphin.
LVI. Bran's Departure from the Fian . . . .198
The poet laments the loss of Bran. He praises him above all other hounds. He tells how one day he struck Bran. Bran in astonishment looked at him with tears flowing from his eyes. Bran then ran along the mountain and plunged into the lake. Ever since the going of Bran the hounds of the Fiana utter each evening three cries of woe. Whenever the poet hears a hound baying he thinks of Bran and his heart is full of grief.
LVI I. The Dialogue between OisIn and Patrick . . 204
Oisin praises the days gone by. He boasts of the natural virtues of the Fiana. Patrick rebukes him for dwelling on the past. It is time, he says, for Oisin to think of God.
LVIII. The Chase of Slievenamon 216
Oisin undertakes to tell how many deer fell in the great hunt on Slievenamon. He describes the apparel of the hunters and how they prepared for the chase. Six thousand horned deer fell to them, besides deer of other kind and does. In the evening ten hundred of their hounds were killed by a hundred boars. The Fiana succeed in slaying the boars.
LIX. The coming of Laighne Mor 222
One day the Fian were stationed at Dunbo. Laighne Mor, a Fomorian chieftain, crossed the sea from Scotland to Dunbo. He challenged the Fiana to combat. Fionn and Fearghus go to his tent disguised as poets. They take Cnu Dheireoil
and Blathnaid with them beneath their cloaks. Laighne wel- comes them. Cnii Dheireoil and Blathnaid play wonderful music. Fionn then converses with Laighne. He asks his name and the purpose of his coming. Laighne says he has come to subdue Ireland. He offers Fionn payment for his music. Fionn demands immunity for his property in Ireland. Laighne promises him what he has demanded. Fionn then
xiv CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT
tells who he is. All Ireland, he says, belongs to him. Laighne objects that his promise was to a poet, not to a king. Fionn ex- plains that he is poet as well as king. Laighne ceases to protest and returns in peace to his own country.
LX. The Chase above Lough Derg 234
Fionnloch [in Donegal] was inhabited by a monster. The Fian went to hunt in the mountains above the lake. The mon- ster demanded that fifty horses or else fifty cows be given her each day by the Fian. Albhaidh, son of the King of Greece, who understood the language of animals, interpreted her demand for the Fian. That night the monster was hungry. The next morning she raised a storm on the lake. She came upon the shore. The Fian attacked her. She swallowed many of the Fian including Oisin and Albhaidh. Fionn made a sudden rush and threw the monster on her back. Daire son of Fionn leaped into her mouth. He hewed his way out of her with his knife. Two hundred of the Fiana came alive out of the monster. They had all lost their hair. Conan who had no hair to lose, being bald, lost the skin of the crown of his head. Fionnloch (The White Lake) was known ever after as Loch Dearg (The Red Lake) because of the slaughter of the Fiana made there that day.
LXI. Man ann an and the Fian 240
As the Fian were hunting over Benbulben, a stranger ap- proached them. He had a sword stuck through his head from ear to ear. The stranger placed himself under Fionn's protection. The sword, he said, had been put through his head by Manan- nan with whom he had fought. He asked the Fian to remove it. Conan, against the advice of Fionn, tried to remove the sword. He fell senseless to the ground. Conan's kinsmen, the House of Morna, drew their swords to cut off the strange war- rior's head. Fionn and the whole House of Baoisgne arose to defend the warrior in accordance with the protection promised by Fionn. After much mutual slaughter of the two rival houses I .nil recognizes that Fionn is in the right. Fionn binds the stranger under ijeasa to tell who he is. He is Manannan himself. He bears an implacable hatred to the Fiana. Fionn binds him under geasa to succour Conan. Manannan heals Conan by touching him with his magic sword. Conan thereupon attacks him. The struggle among the Fiana was about to recommence. Manannan put his sword around them so that they became un-
CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT XV
conscious. Their senses did not return to them till the day had passed by.
LXII. The Adventure on Slieve Gullen with Dubh son
OF DlORFADH AND THE PROWESS OF OSGAR . . . 248
One day when Fionn was planning the chase of Slieve Gullen a monstrous warrior approached. Fionn ordered all the Fian to go to oppose him. Conan uttered abusive words. Fionn and Conan dispute. They draw their swords. Then Conan, seized with fear, submits. The Fian enquire of the warrior who he is. His name* is Dubh mac Diorfaidh, the Black One son of Dior- fadh. He has come to bring Ireland to submission. He under- takes to fight alone and unaided a thousand Fian champions. Osgar son of Oisin takes up Dubh's challenge. Caoilte says it is well, for that Osgar's father, Oisin, would never have taken it up. All wonder at this gratuitous insult to Oisin. Caoilte pro- phecies that Oisin will live to be an old man in Crumlin. Oisin demands an explanation. Caoilte declares that Oisin will be an old man living on the charity of the Church. Conan joins violently in the discussion on Caoilte's side. Oisin then attacks Caoilte who flies from him. Oisin catches him and brings him bound among the Fiana. Fionn, Osgar and Cairill decide that Caoilte must pay a heavy fine. Caoilte pays the fine twice over. Then Oisin and he make peace. Dubh son of Dforfadh repeats his challenge. Osgar calls upon Cairill to join with him in ans- wering the challenge. Fionn insults Osgar and his father, Oisin. Osgar replies. He and Fionn argue. Finally Fionn, fearing the consequences of the dispute, gives a large present to Osgar. Osgar and Oisin make peace with Fionn. Dubh again repeats his challenge. Osgar, along with many other Fian champions, goes to meet him. Dubh slays two thousand of the Fiana. Then Osgar attacks him. After a fierce fight Dubh is killed by Osgar. The Fiana cast his corpse into the cave on Slieve Gullen. Oisin now describes to Patrick the honour that used to be accorded him among the Fiana. He enumerates the members of Fionn's household. He tells how every seventh year Caoilte used to entertain all the Fiana at his residence at Carrickfergus. Carrickfergus was also known as Carraig Chinn Choire mic Cais. The reason of the alternative name was as follows. A fierce warrior called Cinn Choire once came from France to Ireland. The Fian opposed him at Carrickfergus. The battle was going hard with the Fian when Osgar slew Cinn Choire. Patrick now asks Oisin to tell of some adventure
xvi CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT
that befell himself. Oisin tells of a quarrel he had with Fionn. Fionn on a certain occasion refused Oisfn's claim to the leader- ship of one half of the Fian. Osgar took up his father's cause. He overpowered all of Fionn s men. Cairill then opposed him. Fionn and Goll try to separate the two heroes. They do not succeed, however, till many of the Fiana had fallen. Fionn recognizes the justice of Oisin's claims. He granted Oisin all he had asked and made him tanist of the Fiana. Patrick here- upon advises Oisin to turn his thoughts to Heaven and the future life. The lay ends with conversation between Oisin and Patrick on this subject.
LXIII. The Coming of the Dearg, Son of Droicheal . . 298
The Dearg son of Droicheal came to Ireland from the Country of the Fair Men in the east. Roighne and Gaol were guarding the harbour at Howth when he arrived there. They fell asleep. While they were asleep, the Dearg landed. Roighne and Gaol awake. The Dearg says he has come to win supremacy over Ireland. He defeat and binds Caol and Roighne. The Dearg then proceeds to Tara. He calls upon Gormac to submit. Cormac refuses. The Dearg slays three successive hundreds of Cormac's folk sent to oppose him. Cormac sends for help to Fionn. On the next day Fionn arrives with three thousand soldiers. Fionn . visits the Dearg in his text. He refuses to yield to the Dearg. The Dearg demands battle with a hundred men. He slays three successive hundreds of the Fiana. Faolan goes to meet the Dearg. The Dearg defeats and binds him. Fionn appeals to Goll for help. He promises Goll a great reward. Goll, disregarding the feud that exists between his kin and the kinsmen of Fionn, goes to fight the Dearg. The fight lasted three days. Eventually Goll slew the Dearg. Fionn gave Goll all he had promised him.
LXIV. Goll's Tomb and the Coming of Magnus the Great 318
Mention of Goll's tomb gives occasion for the tale of the coming of Magnus. Fionn once set to sea without Goll. A fleet from Lochlainn appeared under Magnus the Great. Magnus de- manded battle. Fionn's men counselled surrender. All seemed lost when Goll appeared. He reproved the House of Baoisgne for their cowardice. Goll goes to fight with Magnus. He defeats and slays him. Other persons slain by Goll on other occasions are named.
CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT xvii
LXV. The Magic Cloak 330
A woman with a magic cloak visits the Fian. The virtue of the cloak is this : it tests the modesty of the woman who puts it on. The cloak exposes the immodesty of the wives of the chief men of the Fian. Mac Reithe's wife alone comes through the ordeal with honour. Fionn angrily bids the woman of the magic cloak begone.
ft
LXVI. Fionn's Foray to Tara 336
The argument, but for a few additions, is that of Poem II (See Pt. I, p. viii).
LXVII. The Lay of Airrghean the Great, son of Ancar 362
Fionn forgot to invite Caoilte and Aille to a feast he held at Almhain. The insulted heroes left Ireland and took service with Airrghean, king of Lochlainn. The king's wife fell in love with Aille. She and Aille elope. Caoilte goes with them to Ireland. Airrghean pursues them. Airrghean and his army come into conflict with the Fian. After an eight days' fight Goll slays Airrghean.
LXVI 1 1. The Lay of Beann Ghualann .... 370
Caoilte praises the beauty of Beann Ghualann. He tells of a quarrel between Conan and Mac Lughach that occurred there. The House of Morna and the House of Baoisgne ranged them- selves on either side. A thousand leaders fell that day. Then a giant with an iron harp approached. The music of the harp was so dreadful that the Fian warriors let their weapons fall from their hands. After speech with Conan and more music from the harp the giant carried off their weapons. A month later Fionn summoned Goll to join him in an expedition to the Fuar- dhacht (Cold Land) to recover their arms from the giant. In the Fuardhacht Goll and other Fian warriors performed feats of valour against the giants who dwelt there ; but were it not for the timely arrival of Aonghus of the Brugh, who by magic discomfited the giants and recovered the Fian weapons, it would have gone ill with the Fiana. The Fiana return to Ireland. They go to the Brugh where they receive their weapons from Aonghus.
LXIX. The Chess-game beneath the Yew-tree . . . 402 Oisin and Fionn were playing chess beneath a yew. Fionn's
xviii CONTENTS AND ARGUMENT
enemy, Diarmaid, was hidden in the branches above them. At a critical moment he dropped a berry on the board, thus suggesting the winning move to Oisin. Fionn was angry. Osgar son of Oisin undertakes to defend Diarmaid. Faolan son of Fionn opposes him. The House of Baoisgne, to which both Oisin and Fionn belong, are thus divided among themselves. They fight. From this internecine strife, says Caoilte, came the downfall of Fionn's Fiana.
CORRIGENDA
Corrections have, as a rule, been made only where the reader might be in doubt as to what the editor wished to be read. If no other indication is offered the correct reading is that given after the reference to the line of the page or poem. The contraction " tr " stands for "translation."
p. viii 11. 8-9 : portion, p. xvi 1. 18 : defeats. XXXIX 3a : laoch. XXXIX 41 d (tr.) : strength. XXXIX 53b (tr.) : for
" smooth " XXXIX 61b : XXXIX note
read " long." ainmin[e]. on 61c : mac
Hgk.
XLI note on 14d : inuciirsin
deleted. XLI 18d : ro hinnleadh. XLII 105c (tr.) : Gluinfhionn. XLII Hid : dealbhcaomh. XLIII 16d (tr.) : Fuairbheal. XLIII 19c, 32c (tr.) : Ean-
ghach. XLIII 43b (tr.) : insert
" Himself" after " God." XLV 2b (tr.) : delete comma
after " sweetest." XLV note on lid : chleirigh. XLVII note on 10a : Ltighach- XLVII 44a (tr.) : it is. p. 143 footnote : Shield. XLVIII 21a : sidhe. XLVIII 34b : niadh. XLIX 6a : at-beart. XLIX 20d (tr.) : might think. XLIX 31a (tr.) : for " great "
read " all." LIII note on 18c : sic. LIV note on lie : cii. LIV 9b (tr.) : delete " (?)." LV 2nd line of note on 7d :
deaxmad, tsaoga\. LVI 2nd line of note on 4c :
(ceatramhadh) .
LXII 24c LXII 27a LXII 88d
LIX 10a : enlaoch.
LX note on 3c : mac.
LXI 3b : don.
LXII note on 6b : donchluithe
no iorgaWe. LXII note on 12b : sic. LXII 24b : aoinfhir. : iaobur. : Cdir. (tr) : replace stop
by comma. LXII 128b : oglaoigh ar. p. 288 second footnote : for
142c read 142d. LXIII note on 18b : rdidh. LXIII 55c (tr.) : in. LXIV 8c : do loisc. LXIVnoteon 30a: greadhnach. LXVI 9b (tr.) : overcome. LXVI lib (tr.) : insert colon
after ' there.' LXVI 16d : cloi^Aiomchruaidh. LXVI 22d : ag cur air bar. LXVI 73a (tr.) : twenty-four. LXVI 73b (tr.) : formed. LXVI 75b (tr.) : red. LXVI 84a (tr.) : account. LXVII 5b : laoch. LXVIII 4c : uairsin. LXVIII 18d : translation
" fall " is doubtful. LXVIII note on 31b : mbdgha LXVIII 32b : n-crdha. LXVIII 78c : feind*4A] . LXVIII 94d : tearca.
DUANAIRE FINN
THE BOOK OF THE LAYS OF FIONN
XXXVI [50 b]
1 Sgriobh sin a Brogain sgribhinn
do comradh fhirgrinn fheassach ni d'imteachtoibh mic Cumhaill
do fhulaing mor ttaom ndeacrach
2 EisdeacW re n-abair Oissin
do comradh roimhin rioghlan ni chiiala on cheithrinn chrodha sgel budh cora do sgviobadh
3 Innis a mheic na flatha
do glor bhlasta is beag mbreige sloinn duinn go milis milla sgela fiora na Feine
4 Innis duinn gan dol seacha
narab e in freagra isdlleach cia fath fa ttucadh Caoilte
ar fhear sgaoilte na sgainnear
5 Teagmit la ar Liiachair Dea.gh.adh
da ceathrar crodha in buigean moirsheisear dhuinn mun airdrigh
ionmhuin dream airdmhin fhuilteach
6 . Meise is Daolgus is Diarmaid
. triar fuair a ffianbhoith fulacht tri mic Aonchearda Berra
Finn feine is mac Lughach
2d cora. MS has crodha deleted before cora.
56 buigean. MS has sgain, with a stroke over the n, crossed out before buig (stroke over g). The u of buig has been inserted above the line.
xxxvi
1 Write it, Brogan, a writing, in truly pleasant wise speech, something of the adventures of the son of Cumhall who endured many hard trials.
2 Let us listen to what Oisin says in very mild most pure speech ; I have not heard from the valiant troop a tale it were more fitting to write.
3 Tell, son of the prince, in clear voice of little falsehood : recount for us sweetly and gently the true tales of the Fian.
4 Tell us, without omitting it (let it be no heedless answer), why the breaker up of combats was called Caoilte.
5 We arrive one day on Luachair Deadhadh ; our company was eight brave men, seven of us about the high king : dear was that noble and gentle warlike band.
6 I and Daolghus and Diarmaid, three who obtained roasting in hunting booth, the three sons of the One Craftsman of Beare, Fionn himself and Mac Lughach.
DUANAIRE FINN [XXXVI
7 Gairit duinn ar in tulaigh
cian bhus cumhain an sgelsoin go ttainic sa magh fodbhan oalach morard ar enchois
'si1
8 Iongnad ionnioll an oglaigh
togbhamaid airm re a fhaixtn tri lamha leis ar luamhain
gne in ghualaigh ar 'aghoidh
9 Aonchos faoi ar lar in tsleibhe
don beinn go cheile chugainn aonshuil a cclar a edain
'se ag feghain mheic Cumbaill
10 Ni raibhe acht aonleim dhosan
tar gach ngleann ffodbhan ffasaigh ni roicheadh dho acht ar eigin ,bord a edaigh tar a mhasaiph
[51«] 11 Leine do chiarsnaith chasda
ionar lar/i/na is ruadhbrat cochall mor ciordhubh ciartha
do sheiche fhiadha ar a liar/i/ar
12 Mo na Ian duirn gach milidh
'na chois mhoir dhirigh dubhguirm fuide no crann gach sleighe
6 a ghluin go roiche a modharn
13 Ceinnbdrt don cochall cetna
fan maoil ghlesta mar ghualac/i ba lor do gabadh dhuine | I
sgath a laime 'sa ghruamdhac/tf
~c MS )i;is jjiadh crossed out, with ' no mayh' written above. 10d MS has eiduigh with the first i crossed out.
XXXVI] DUANAIRE FINN
7 We were but a short while on the hill (long will that tale be remembered) till there came to us on the fair-sodded plain a hugely tall warrior with a single foot.
8 Wonderful was the appearance of the war- rior : we take up arms on seeing him : he had three arms swinging : his face was the colour of coal.
9 One foot supported him on the mountain as he approached us from peak to peak : he had one eye in his forehead, and his gaze was on the son of Cumhall.
10 One leap sufficed to carry him over each fair-sodded wild glen. Hardly did the edge of his garment reach over his buttocks.
11 He wore a shirt of twisted waxed thread, a gray tunic and a i ed mantle and a great jet-black waxed hooded cloak of deerskin on the upper portion of his body.
12 His big straight dark-blue foot was more than each warrior's hand could hold : longer than the shaft of each spear was the distance from his knee to his ankle.
13 A headgear for the same cloak was about his head, which had the appearance of (?) coal. The shadow of his hand and his gloom were sufficient danger for us.
6 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXVI
14 Ar ttear/i/ dho ar in tulaiah
BJ
adubairt ar ttoigheacht chugainn gur beannachaid na dee
duit fein a mheic Cumhaill
15 Gur bheannachsa ar Fionn feinnidh
cia tu a enfhjr nach aithn/aMm innis duinn bar n-ainm bunaigh a fhir go gculaidh gcroicinn
16 Lon mac Liomtha mh'ainm baisde
rug me ar aisde gach ceirdi is me is ollamh gabhonn
ag righ Lochlann sa Bheirbhe
17 Liomhthach 6g inghean Bholcain
nirb olc a conach cloinne ni mairg fear fuair mo mhathair rug me 's mo brathair eile
18 D'iarrafaVi coimreatha cubhaidh
tanac chugaibh on Bheirbhe adeirid is luath sibhsi
a dhream is clisde ceirde
19 Geis oirbh is troigh mhna troghain
a \\icht thosaig gach teannta muna leantaoi bhar n-oc/i/ar me go dorus mo cheardcha
20 Lingidh uainn mar ghaoith n-earra/aa
ag dol tar beannaibh sleibhe gur leanamar e in uairsin
beagan d'uaisliph na Feine
XXXVI] DUANAIRE FINN
14 When he had come upon the hill, having approached us, he said, « May the gods bless thee, son of Cumhall. »
15 « May they bless thee too (?) », said Fionn the warrior ; « Who art thou, single man whom I know not? Tell us thy true name, 0 man with the skin garment. »
16 « Lon son of Liomhtha is the name I have been given ; I have mastered the nature of every craft ; it is I who am teacher of smiths to the king of Lochlann in Bergen.
17 « Liomhthach the young, daughter of Bol- can, she had no ill fortune in her children : no obj ect of pity is the man who won my mo- ther, who bore me and my other brother.
18 « To seek an even race I have come to you from Bergen : they say that you are swift, 0 people skilled in craft :
19 « A geas and the pangs of a woman in tra- vail (?) be upon you, ye leaders in every strait, if the eight of you do not follow me to the door of my smithy. »
20 He leaps from us like a spring wind going over mountain tops. We followed him forthwith, a few of the nobles of the Fian.
8 DUANA1RE FINN [XXXVI
21 Do leathtaoibh Liiachra Dheaghaid/i
seach dhorus Bhcalaigh Luimnigh tar sliabh Oigidh tar Eachtghc gliiaismit ar gceitri buidhnzM
22 Buidhcan dhibh sin in gabha
cachgofada 'na iairneis aga mhor aige 6 Dhaolghus
Fionn 'na aonar 'na ndiaighsein
23 Diarmaid & mac hughach
feadh tri ttulach 'na ndeaghaidh meise is tri mic in Cearda
'nar mbuidhin chalma cheatrair
24 Tre Mhagh Main tre Mhagh Maine
cian uainn d'aithle ar tturui's [51 b] a gceann Mhoighe mhoir Mheadhbha tar Ath Bea/bha tar Mucais
25 Laimh re feart Fraoich mhic Fidaigh
nirbh e in siubhal nar shaothrac tar Gleann Cuilt is tar Cruacham ann sin do \\iaihaigh Daolghus
26 A Magh Luirg sios go Seaghais
beirmit cheana ar a cheile do-chuaidh in gobha is Daolghus uainn a maolchnoc Chinn Sleibhe
27 Teagmaoid ucht ar Uaimh Chorainn
ceachaing romainn bar Daolgus fuirigh go foill a ghabha
ni ragha asteach at aonar
22d aonar na and ndiaighsein arc in reverse order in the MS with sign to transpose
26a Staghais : 4a here represents a tall e in the MS (r/.24c where Mheadh- bha is written Mhdadhbha with a small d + a).
XXXVt] DUANAIRE FINN
21 By the side of Luachair Deadhaidh, past the gate of Bealach Luimnigh, over Sliabh Oidhidh, over Eachtghe.we go in four bands.
22 The smith formed one of those bands : everyone was far behind him : he had a big advantage over Daolghus : Fionn came after them unaccompanied.
23 Diarmaid and Mac Lughach were three hills' length behind them : I and the three sons of the Craftsman formed a brave band of four.
24 Through Magh Maoin, through Magh Maine did we go (they were far from us after our journey), into great Magh Meadhbha across Ath Bearbha, over Mucais :
25 Close by the grave of Fraoch son of Fiod- hach (it was no easy going), over Gleann Cuilt and over Cruachain : there Daolghus quickened his pace.
26 From Magh Luirg down to Seaghais, in- deed, we catch up on one another : the smith and Daolghus went from us into the bare hill of Ceann Sleibhe.
27 We come right up to the Cave of Corann : « He has gone before us, » said Daolghus : « Wait awhile, smith : thou shaft not go in alone. »
10 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXVI
28 Tiaghaid ar aon san uamh aidh
Fionn ga ffuabhairt go fearrdha fuarattar builc da seideadh fuarattar ere is ceardcha
29 Inneoin is uird ga mbuakd/i
le trenbhuinne luath lasrach seac/i/ ecloidhme leo arna sineadh 'na mbroim'fr/z dirge dhata
30 Ro raidh Lon fein ga ttoghdha
risin sgoil ndorrdha n-adhbhoil mo chuidsi so 'na henor
gan denamh dona harmoibh
31 Cuiris teanchoir fon teaWaigh
togbhais lia ceithre ndromann do-rinne in gabha is Daolghus urlaighi fhaobhrach udmhall
32 Da ord mora ag in ghabha
& teanchair thaile thaobhglas tri lamha leis ga ffreastaZ
is maith do freagair Daolghus
33 Do-nid lann cruaidhgher crithreach
fa maith biseach re bualadh feadh duirn dhi gan da fhaobhar
'na buinne caomhghlas criiadha
34 Teidhis re cneas na ceardcha
Daolghus ba teann a throda ba deirge na gual gartha
a shmiadh d'aithle na hopra
XXXVI] DUANAIRE FINN 11
28 They go together into the cavern, Fionn pressing upon them manfully : they found bellows a-blowing : they found earth and a forge,
29 Anvils and sledgehammers being smitten and a swift strong blast of flame, seven swords too stretched out in straight and lovely masses ( ?).
30 Lon himself said, beseeching them (?), to the grim and mighty gathering," This alone is my portion of the weapons yet unmade. »
31 He put a tongs into the hearth and lifted a stone with four ridges : the smith and Daolghus carried out some keen and nimble hammering.
32 The smith had two great sledgehammers and a strong gray sided tongs : he had three hands attending to his tools : Daol- ghus responded well.
33 They make a hard sharp sparkling blade of good success (?) in striking : for a hilt's length it lacked two edges, a fair gray shoot of steel.
34 Daolghus grew warm beside the forge (stout were his combats) : redder than glowing coal was his complexion after the work.
12 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXVI
35 Do raidheastar na gaibhne
ba lor gairbhe is gruamdhacAZ
cia in fear eailti gan time shineas in tinnc cruadha
36 Ro raidh Fionn aga ffreagra
fear gach ceisde do shaoradh b udh he sin a ainm choidhche Caoilti da radh re Daolghus
37 Ag sin dhaoibh mar do b&isdeadh
maith a gaisgead[h] 's a gniomhradh Caoilte leis nar ghnath era coir a sgela do sgriobadft
[52 a] 38 Fritheoiltear ar Lon laidir
in coinneamh tainic chugainn dentur teagh loghmar leaptha
bhus cneasta do mac Cumhaill
t
39 Tabhraidh dhoibh fein dha ttaisgidh
liiach an aistir gach aoinfhir do fhreasta/ catha is comhlainn sleagh is gormlann go ffirnimh
•
40 Leigidh dhamhsa Fionn fosaigh
do-bher dho coingir chat ha sleagh dhireach sleagh roidhireach is cloidheamh firdheas fada
41 Tugaid dhuinn na hairm shenta
tar eis a ndenta in liairsin ocht ccloidhmhe is naoi skao/ia
or mhinic cneadha a cruatrf/meimh
XXXVI] DUANAIRE FINN 13
35 The smiths, who were full rough and surly, said, « Who is the slender warm man without weakness who is stretching the bar of steel? »
36 Fionn, who made every problem easy, said answering them, « That shall be his name always : Daolghus shall be called Caoilte. »
37 There you have the manner of his naming (Good were his valour and his deeds). Caoilte who was not wont to refuse, it is fitting to write his tidings.
38 « Let the soldiery who have come to us be attended to », said Lon the strong : « Let a rich bed-chamber be made ready wh'ch will befit the son of Cumhall.
39 « Give them to keep, to each man the price of hisjourney,to do battle and combat, a spear and a blue blade of true fierceness.
40 « Leave stedfast Fionn to me : I shall give him a pair for battle, a straight spear, a very straight spear, and a truly lovely long sword. »
41 They give us the charmed weapons there- upon when they had been made, seven swords and nine spears from which came many wounds out of harsh fierceness.
35 * slender-warm ', in Irish caoilte.
14 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXVI
42 Mac in Luin lann mhic Cumaill
do chuir ar f ulang feoil daoine in Drithlinn ag Diarmaid drec/i/ach in Crech/ach lann chiuaidh Chaoilti
43 Fead & Fi is Fosgadh
mor gcoscar riarn rom-cuirseat cloidhme triar mac in Cearda
mor tteannta riam ro-dhluighseat
44 Ag so um laim Gearr na cColann
do bhiodh toram a ttrodaibh an fic/j/ach ag mac Lughach
ba subach ar ceann chosgair
45 Ba maith ar n-edach dubhdhonn
ar gceol n-en cclumdhonn gcochlac/i um trath eirghe arna mharach dhuine ba sasadh colla
46 D'eirge ghreine arna mharach
ar sliaph langhlan Liiacra ba maith ar lanna leapra
ar sleagha reamhra riiadha
47 Is ionnsa crioch go foircionn
ar in s\uagh foiltfhionn fhiorghlan a sgribhneoir peinnghil Patraic is mairg tarraidh a sgriobadh
Sgiobh [sic]
42b IntheMS daoine, through lackof space, has been written on thelinefol- lowing that to which it belongs, with a full stop after it.
XXXVl] DUANAIRE FINN 15
42 Mac an Luin was the name of Cumhall's sword which caused the flesh of men to suf- fer : Diarmaid of the poems had the Drith- linn : the Crechtach was Caoilte's hard blade.
43 Fead and Fi and Fosgadh (many victories have they won me), these were the swords of the Craftsman's three sons (they broke up many hard situations).
44 Here in my hand is Gearr na gColann which used to be girt on me in fights: MacLughach had the fichtach : he was happy as he went to victory.
45 Good was our dark-brown clothing and our music of brown-plumaged hooded birds : at rising time next day we had had suffi- cient sleep.
46 When the sun rose next day on pure Sliabh Luachra our long swords were good and our thick strong spears.
47 It is hard that there should be a complete end to the fairhaired truly pure host : 0 white-penned writer of Patrick, woe for him who has attained the days when men write about them.
XXXVII
1 Fiafraighis Patraic Macha
d'Oissin mac na flatha
cia tir dot athair a fhir
don Mumham no do Laighnibh
•fe>'
2 Is me inneossas duit sin a Thailghinn a thairrngeartaigh in tir 6 a ttigid na fir clanna Baoisgne mric Deaghafd/i
[52 b] 3 Lios Beag ainm in leasa shiar
a n-Uibh Badhain mhoir na ffian is as do geineadh Fionn faidh mh'athairsi is athair Fhaolain
4 Ba Lios Beag ainm in leasa inar geineadh faidh feasa
ro chinsead go fior na fir
6 chlannoiph disle DeaghaW/i
5 Fionn mac Cumaill go li ccroth meic Baoisgne meic Fir dha Roth
meic Cuinn mhic Garai'dh go ngoil meic Daire dhuinn meic Deaghotrf/z
6 Ceitrimic Daire go ngoil feirdi in tir ar gheinstair
Cii Ri ba ri ar gach tir shoir Baoisgne Fiachaidh is EochazVM
4b inar. The ar in the MS has been inserted above the line. 5b In the MS dha Roth has, through lack of space, been written on the next line with a full stop after it.
XXXVII
1 Patrick of Armagh asked Oisin, the prince's son, « From which country is thy father, 0 man ; from Munster, or from Leinster? »
2 « It is I shall tell thee that, 0 Tailgheann, prophetic one, the land from which come the men, the race of Baoisgne son of Deadh- adh.
3 « Lios Beag is the name of the lios to the west inUi B[h]adhainMhoirnabhFian [the territory of the descendants of great Badh- an of the Warrior Bands] : from it wasFionn the seer sprung, my father and the father of Faolan.
4 « Lios Beag was the name of the lios in which a wise seer was begotten. The men are sprung in truth from the loyal race of Deadhadh.
5 (f Fionn,son of Cumhall of ruddy complexion, son of Baoisgne, son of Fear da Both, son of Conn, son of Garadh the valorous, son of Daire Donn, son of Deadhadh.
6 « The four sons of valorous Daire (the land where they were born was the better, of it), Cu Raoi who was king over every east- ern land,Baoisgne, Fiachaidh andEochaidh.
18 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXVII
7 Cu Ri mac ba sine dhibh
is Baoisgne a ndeaghat'rf/i Chon Ri Fiacha/da ba foixe dho sin & Eochaidh 'na dheaghaidh
8 Mac Baoisgne Garadh na slogh mac do Garadh Conn cathmor
mac Cuinn Fear da Roth nar ffoil is mac d'Fior da Roth Trenmor
9 Mac Trenmhoir Cumhollna ccath mac do Cumall Fionn fathac/?
mac don Fionnsin me budhdhein ionnsa mo bheith for micheill
10 Ag sin mar deaghlaid na fir
6 Dhaire dhonn mac Deagha/f/a gan mo speis a cceol go li tar eis na cceol ad-chluinti
1 1 Den re Crlosd mo dhail go grod ni fuil acht mh' iasacht agad
do lion cumha mo croidhi d'eis na ccmadh fiafraia/ie
Fiafraighis
XXXVII] DUANAIRE FINN id
7 « Cii Raoi was the eldest son, and Baoisgne after Cii Raoi : Fiachaidh was next to him, and Eochaidh after him.
8 « Garadh of the hosts was Baoisgne's son : Conn, great in battle, was a son of Garadh : Fear da Roth, who was not insignificant, > was Conn's son, and Trenmhor was a son of Fear da Roth.
9 « Cumhall of the battles was Trenmhor's son, and wise Fionn was a son of Cumhall : I myself am a son of that Fionn (Hard for me to be in error).
10 « That is how the men branch forth from Daire Donn son of Deadhadh. I am heedless of rich melody since the melodies that used to be heard are gone.
t>v
11 « Quickly arrange my meeting with Christ : I am but lent to thee. Grief has filled my heart for the heroes about whom thou askest. »
XXXVIII
1 A Lorcain mheic Luighdheach lain meic Brenoinn bhaith mic Baodain
an ni dia tta Dim nGaire sam eolach 'na tromghaire
2 Inghe.an do bhoi ag Dubh mac Duinn dar comainm Daolao/i dioghainn
carais Fionn na ffian ffearrdha • an inghean filial inneallda
3 Cuiris eachlach d'iarraida Fhinn feacht dia mbadhmar a cCroimghlinn
do lodmar as go Beinn mBroin da hiarr aidh ar a hathair
[53a] 4 Tricedlaochgongniom ngrod lodma/1 atiiaidh dia tochmharc fuaramar earradh gach fir an oidhchesin on ingin
5 Ba maith leisin ingean uill is ba maith le mere Cumhoill
an toisc tangamar dia tigh & ba maith le a mhuinntir
6 Bo raidh Dirraing mac Doghair & nochar radh fholaigh
do-gephthaoi congal is cath isin maidinsi amarach
bft fholaigh,sic MS (clotted/).
XXXVIII
1 0 Lorcan, son of Lughaidh Lan, son of Brenainn the Foolish, son of Baodan, how Dun Gaire got its name — I know about its heavy cries.
2 Dubh son of Donn had a daughter whose name was great Daolach. Fionn of the manly Fiana loved the modest graceful maiden.
3 She sent a messenger to seek Fionn once when we were in Croimghleann : we went off to Beann Brain to seek her from her father.
4 We went south to woo her, three hundred champions of swift deed : we got from the girl that night an outfit for every man.
5 The great maiden was pleased, and the son of Cumhall was pleased with the mission on which we came to her house ; and his1 people were pleased.
' 6 Diorraing son of Doghar said (and it was no hidden saying), « You shall receive battle and conflict tomorrow morning. »
t,e., Fipiin's,
22 DIANAIRE FINN [XXXVIII
7 Adubairt Fionn flaith na ffian a Dirraing mic Doghair shiar
cia eidir ar tir ar tuinn chuireas iomarghal eadroinn
8 Cliabhach ri Coinceann coir gabhus a ITraig Inheir Moir
ar ttear/i/ co dun Beinne Brain isse chuirius an iorghail
9 Ann sin ro raidh Duph mac Duinn go molbthacb re mac Cumhaill
dingebhsa in loingius Ian
dia ngabhaid sa trachl ttonnbhan
10 Eirgis uainne Dubh mac Duinn
tri c[h]sd deaghlaoch druim ar druim gabhaid seachnoin na fairrge go srothaibh criche Cairbhre
11 Do gapsat Coinchinn chruaidhe fa Cliabac/z go met n-uaille
leigid airgne siar is soir
fo sliabh Collain meic Crimthain
12 Teagaid laimh re traigh atiiaidh tri mhile Coincheannach criiaidh
ro marbhsat ar maidin Dubh cona muinnteir 'na ccodladh
13 Tuitis sis isin sruthair
Dubh mac Duibh oir ba duthain 6 bheith da corp sa ghlaisi do lean 6 Dhubh Dubhghlaisi
86 MS has coincheann co deleted before Inbeir. I0d Cairbhre, sic MS (dotted b)-
XXXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 23
7 Fionn, prince of the Fiana, said, « 0 Dior- raing, son of Doghar of the west, who at all, on land or water, sets contention amongst us? »
8 « Cliabhach, king of the righteous Dogheads who lands at Traigh Inbheir Mhoir ; it is he who having come to the fort of Beann Brain starts the warfare. »
9 Then Dubh, son of Donn,said praiseworthily to the son of Cumhall, « I shall ward off the full fleet if they come upon the wave- white strand. »
10 Dubh, son of Donn, went from us with three hundred goodly warriors in ordered array : they go over the sea to the streams of Crioch Cairbre.
11 The harsh Dogheads came under proud Cliabhach : they make plunderings west and east beneath Sliabh Collain mhic Criomhthain.
12 Three thousand of the Dogheaded ones come beside the strand from the north : in the morning they killed Dubh and his people in their sleep.
13 Dubh, son of Donn, fell down in the stream ; for he was short-lived : from his body's being in the brook Dubhghlaise (Dubh's Brook) remained its name because of Dubh,
24 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXVIII
14 Teagaid iar sin go Dun mBrain leigit tri garrtha gabhaidh
ro lean don dun Dun nGaire od-ratsat tri tromghaire
15 Cuirid fir ar fud fairrge
go rainic Ceann na Cairrge
gur gabh each ceann a cheile a ttrac/i/ Oirir Uirshleibhe
16 Teilgis Cliabhach cleitin cruinn
tre slogh mpic Morn a in morghluinn nir fed coisceim seacha sin rob ail le each e d'oighirf/i
[53 b] 17 Ro theilgsean cleitin eile
go Fionn do budh sgel sgeile go ttorcair Fionn Failbhe d'fuiliugadVi a aonlaimhe
18 Teilgis in treas cleitin cuir go ro marp Glas mac Ingair
go ttorchair Glas a Moigh Mhain do lea/Maobh Droma Decrrgchain
19 Do riacht mac Lugach Lagha go luath docom na tragha
go ttorchair CYiabach sa ghleo do comrac Gaine ghairgbheo
20 Do marb Torcan & Tarbh ro marb Garbhan & Garbh
do marbh Labraigh is Leasgor ar aon Maolan & Measgor
14ft garrtha gabhaidh are in reverse order in the MS with sign to transpose. IQb docom is written as two words (do com) in MS,
XXXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 25
14 They come then to Dun Brain : they utter three cries of danger : Dun Gaire (the Fort of Cries) remained the name of the fort since they gave three heavy cries.
15 They send men over the sea as far as Ceann na Cairrge, and each seized the other's head (?) on the beach of Oirear Uir- shleibhe.
16 Cliabhach hurled a well-directed javelin through the host of the son of Morna the deedful : he could go no step further : every one wished to put him to death.
17 He hurled another javelin towards Fionn (it was a grievous thing), and Fionn Failbhe fell by the wounding his hand had caus- ed.
18 He hurled the third casting javelin and killed Glas son of Iongar : Glas fell in Magh Maoin by the side of Druim Dearg- chaoin.
19 The son of Lughaidh Laghdha came swift- ly to the. strand, and Cliabhach fell in the fight through the valour of Gaoine the fierce and lively.
20 He killed Torcan and Tarbh : he killed Garbhan and Garbh : he killed Labhraigh and Leasgor, Maolan and Measgor togeth- er.
26 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXVIII
21 Marbhuis tri chaoga sa cath don mhanaois moir nric Lughach
ba hainm don laoch ag cur death , in lasin Caol crodha cedac/i
22 Tucadh leis ceann Cliabhach cruaidh go Fionn a ffiadhnuise in tsluaigh
agus fagbais 'na luidhe ag mac Cumaill Almhaine
23 Adhaig is Uath is Uath
a gcomlann ba briiach re briiach na tri galgada gabhaidh ro marbh Faolan fiorlamaia/i
24 Torchair le Faolan mac Finn Accais & Agh is fiislinn
Corran in ceatramad/i con rodus-marbh Ailbhe a aonor
25 Torchair Troma sa traigh shiar le Dubh Droman nar bho dian
gin go ttainic slan da tigh marbh Dubh Droman doih'on
26 Ro mharbh \ucht na ccenn gcon a marbaoTz ba mor in modh
fearrdorn a ffiacoil gach con Ian glaice laich na timcioll
27 An cathsin tuc Fionn fearrda & Coinchinn ceanngarbha
ni tucsat cath 'na des.gh.aidh
acht cath Atha Breo a mBreaghoibh.
XXXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 27
21 The son of Lughaidh killed three fifties in the battle, with the great spear : that day the champion's name as he hurled shafts was Caol Crodha of the hundreds.
22 The. head of harsh Cliabhach was brought by him to Fionn in the presence of the host ; and he left it lying there with the son of Cumhall of Almhuin.
23 Adhaig and * * * and Uath, who were close together in battle, those three dangerous warriors were killed by Faolan of true shot.
24 By the hand of Faolan son of Fionn fell Accais and Agh and fiislinn : * * „. *-*'*'** Ailbhe killed it single- handed.
25 Troma fell on the beach to the west by the hand of Dubh Droman who was not violent ; yet neither did he return home safe ; for dreadful Dubh Droman too was killed.
26 The folk with dogs' heads were killed — to have killed them was a great deed : each dog's tooth was equal to a man's fist, its circuit as much as a warrior could grasp.
27 After that battle which brave Fionn and the rough-headed Dogheads fought, they fought no battle but that of Ath Breo in Breagha.
28 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXVIII
28 Do bhui Daolach 'na deagh a 1V//1 ag moc Cumhaill airmleabhair
gur baithcarf[/i] ag snamh in bhean a Moigh Aird in da Inbhear
29 Do lean Aidhne d'Aidhm'dn shoir do lean Daolach do Daolaigh
bean Finn & a hingean ataid sonna a dha n-inbhear
[54 a] 30 Do rad Fionn a bheannac/if mbiiain do Chaol crodha ba mait buoidh tre bheannar/z/ain fhire Finn tarraidh creideamh in Tailghinn
31 Diarmaid lia Duibhne is Caol is Oissin mac Finn fiorchaomh
ag lamhach ar tir ar tuinn nir teilgseat urchar n-imruill
32 Gach ni do teilgeadh Caol cas ro gonadh e go hamhnus
ni bhlaise.adh biadh no beathaid[/i] ar in talmain tromleathain
33 Inge.an Abhartaigh fuiligh cedsearcus Caoil chedghuinigh
do rad in sleigh mbric mbreacft/aigh do Chaol ina cedsearcaibh
34 Coicc lamha Chaoil ina crann triocha urlach na hiaronn
do budh blaith aluinn a halt^ tuiWeadh 'na dhorn duthracht
^4d. MS has hiar with ' no dhorn ' written over it as a correction.
XXXVIII] DUANAlRE FINN 29
28 The son of Cumhall of the long weapons had Daolach after that till the woman was drowned while swimming in Magh Ard an da Inbhear *.
29 The name Aidhne clung to Aidhne in the east ; the name Daolach clung to Daolach : Fionn's wife and her daughter, their two estuaries are here.
30 Fionn gave his lasting blessing to Caol the valiant and victorious : through Fionn's true blessing he obtained the Tailgheann's faith.
31 When Diarmaid, grandson of Duibhne, and Caol and beautiful Oisin, son of Fionn, were casting on land or on water they never threw a false shot.
32 Everything at which swift Caol cast was killed mercilessly : it enjoyed neither food nor life on the heavy broad earth.
33 It was the daughter of fierce Abhartach, hundred-slaying Caol's first love,who gave the speckled charmed spear to Caol in her first ecstasies of love.
34 Its shaft measured five lengths of Caol's arm : its iron part was thirty inches : its joining was smooth and lovely : * * *
(1) « The High Plain of the two £stuaries ».
30 DUANAIRF FINN [XXXVIII
35 Duthracht Duirn buidhe bhiiadhac/i a hainm a ghaois aniiabhar
Duthracht sleagh Abhartaigh linn do lean a hainm don abhoinn
36 Mar do ghlantaoi in ga glas a hlnbea/' in da Eachlus
do bhi an sruLh mear amoigh ina dhiaigh go dearg on fhuil
37 Sabharn tuc in brat bladhach do Chaol crodha comramhach
tug inor ingantac/i leis
nach gontaidhi faoi no thaireis
38 Sabharn ba bean hhunaidh do Caol mor asin Mumhain
is hi dus-rad Caol gan chloinn trena sidhe sa sabhrainn
39 Marbh Caol re cois Patraic fein ihuaidh isin Midhe moighreidh
gur adhnacht a cCrosaibh Caoil mac Lughac[/i] ann da lea//itaoibh
40 Is misi Feargus feine fada dam tar eis na Feine
ro chosnus mo chuid don traigh sa lathairsin a Lorcain
A Lorcain
38c, d This couplet in the MS immediately follows 37a, b with 'dearmad' written in in the margin and a cross indicating that 37c, d and 38a, b are to be transposed from the position they occupy at the end of the poem. Between 38d and 39a the whole of stanza 38 has been written in again, partly between the lines, partly in the margin, crddha replacing mor in 38b.
XXXVill] DUANAIRE FINN 31
35 Yellow victorious Diithracht Duirn (Eager- ness of Hand) was its name : his wisdom was excessive pride (?). Diithracht, the spear of fair Abhartach, its name clung to the river.
36 When the gray spear used to be cleaned out of Inbhear an da Eachlas, then was the rapid stream without red from the blood.
37 Sabharn gave the famous mantle to valiant triumphant Caol : she gave also a wonderful tunic, beneath which or through which it was impossible to inflict a wound.
38 Sabharn was the true wife of great Caol of Munster. It is she who brought childless Caol through her fairy hills (?)
39 Caol met his death beside Patrick himself in the north, in Meath of the smooth plains ; and he was buried in Crosa Caoil with the son of Lughaidh beside him.
40 I am Fearghus himself : long have I linge- red after the Fiana : I defended my portion of the beach on that field 0 Lorcan.
XXXIX
1 A Oisin cia in feart dona ga ffuil in luige fada
sloinn duinn a seanoir gan oil cia in feart 6s na feartoibh
2 Cia in feart do claidhead go mor a Oisin go n-imad slogh
a fhad is med a luighe uime atii da fhiafraighe
[54 b] 3 Cia in laoch ro hadhlaiceadh ann a niheic Finn nar ob comhlann sloinn duinn a seanoir ma-le fearr leinn na comradh eile
4 Lease Horn a innisin duibh lomlan mo cli dia cumhaidh
in lion sloigh ro torchair ann d'fianoibh Albon is Eirionn
• 5 Na habairsi sin a fhir a Oisin a fhir eolaigh
rachaid sloigh in beatha biiain a fhir aitheasaigh armriiaidh
6 Treig do cumha creid budhdhein a mheic Finn ba laochdha leim gaph creidiom coir gan sen a tug dot uidh na soisge'/a
XXXIX
1 Oisin, what sad mound is this that holds the long grave? Tell us, blameless old man, what grave-mound it is which is thus greater than the rest.
2 What grave is this that has been heaped big,
0 Oisin of the many hosts? Because of its length and the greatness of its buriaj space
1 ask thee the question.
3 Who is the hero that lies buried in it, son of Fionn who never refused battle? Tell us that too, old man : we would prefer it to other conversation.
4 I am loath to tell you : my breast is filled with grief for the number of the host that fell there of the Fiana of Scotland and Ireland.
5 Say not so, 0 man,0 wise man, Oisin : the hosts of the lasting world will pass, suc- cessful man of the strong weapons.
6 Cease thy grieving, and thyself believe, son of Fionn of the warrior leap : accept without denial the correct faith : pay heed to the Gospels-
34 DUANAIRE FINN [XXX IX
7 A Patraic an rim anois go ffreagrainn ar fhiafraighis
go sloinninn a clileinVy/i chaidh cia dar claoidheadh an feartan
8 Feart Osgair mhic Garadh fheil feart fhir aitheasaia/i airmgheir
feart laoich go n-iomat ttreideadA feart curadh feart firfheindead/i
9 Feart laoich do chuireadh catha is do commbriseaoVi craoiseacha
feart airdrigh go ngniom treinfhir feart mic Morna moirfheindid/i
10 Ata uirsgel agam dhuit
a Patraic dia mbeantar cluig
ar sluaghoz'Wi Teamra gan fheall 's ar fhianoibh aille Eireann
11 Smuainis mac Cumhaill gan on airdrigh oireagdha Almhan
an cuimdhe ceann na n-uile athair teann na trocaire
12 Gluaisis dia oilithre uainn mac Muirne gusin morbuaidh
is tri chaoga laoch gan ceilg
do mhuinntir Fhinn faobufrdeirg
13 Is e ba tigearna ann sin
a nEirmn alainn iubhraigh
fear borb brighmor um creachoi"M Cairbre lionmar Lifeachair
\2b MS has -;h'tagh with ' n<3 biiaidh ' written in above as a correction.
XXXIX1 DUAXAIRE FIXX 35
7 0 Patrick, have patience with me now, that I may answer what thou hast asked, that I may tell, holy cleric, for whom the grave was dug.
8 Itisthegraveof Osgar son of Garaidhthegen-
erous, the grave of a successful man whose weapons were sharp, the grave of a hero with many good qualities, the grave of a champ- ion, the grave of a true warrior.
9 It is the grave of a hero who fought battles and smashed spears, the grave of a high king of soldierly deed, the grave of the son of Morna, the great warrior.
10 I have a tale for thee, Patrick, for whom bells are rung, concerning the guileless hosts of Tara and the beautiful Fiana of Ireland.
11 The faultless son of Cumhall, noble high king of Almhain, bethought him of (?) the Lord, the head of all, the sure father of mercy.
12 The greatly gifted son of Muirne went from us on a pilgrimage, and with him went thrice fifty warriors without deceit of the people of redbladed Fionn.
13 The ruler at that time in beautiful Ireland of the yew trees was a man violent and forceful in plunderings, Cairbre Lifeachair of the numerous following.
30 DUANAIRE FINtf [XXXIX
14 Meisi i n-ionadh Finn fhearrdha am triath is am thighearna
ba he ar ttinol riogdha in reim tri riiadhcata do roifhein
15 Meisi & Caoilti na ccath Osgar & mac Lughach
Goth Gaoithe do beireadh buaidh is meic eile Chaoilti crannruaidh
[55 a] 16 Domhnall mac Caoilti rom-car & Teghmall tren talcar
Colla mac Caoilti ni chel is in fear firluath Faoillen
17 Bai ag Cailte cumhain leinn ceathrar eile nach airmhim
fir do ladh tossach goile laoich nar obtach n-irghaile
18 Fionn mac Breasail fa borb dhe & Fionn ban ua Baoisgni
Dolbh Sgeine ba fear go neimh & Feargus firfhilidh
19 Aodh mac Finn ba fear go cceill & Faolan a mhacsein
Baoisgne mac Finn fear go rath & in Dearg deigheanach
20 Dis oile ba hionmhain liom
do cloinn Bhaoisgni na mbeimionn fa borb a mbrosgor 'sa mbrigh da mac Osgair mic Oisin
XXXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 37
14 I was in the place of manly Fionn as lord and ruler : three strong battalions of fine soldiery was our strength (it was a kingly course).
15 I was there and Caoilte of the fights, Osgar and Mac Lughach, Goth Gaoithe who gained victory and the other sons of Caoilte of the stout shafts
16 Domhnall, son of Caoilte who loved me, was there, and strong stubborn Teaghmall, Colla, son of Caoilte (I shall not hide it) and the truly swift man, Faoillean.
17 Caoilte (I remember it) had four other sons whom I do not mention, men who deliver- ed battle before all, champions who were not wont to refuse conflict.
18 There too were Fionn son of Breasal who was indeed violent and Fionn Ban, grandson of Baoisgne, Dolbh Sgeine (he was a fierce man) and Fearghus, the true poet.
19 Aodh son of Fionn was there (he was a man of sense), and Faolan his son, Baoisgne son of Fionn (a fortunate man) and the Dearg * * *.
»
20 Two others who were dear to me of the race of Baoisgne of the blows were there : violent was their clamour and their vigour, the two sons of Osgar son of Oisin.
38 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXIX
21 Dursan learn aireamh a laoch
's a fieindeadh Huilrach ffiorghaoth le himat a ttaoisseach ffian - tan do biodhmaois ar aonrian
22 Laithe duinn ina diaigh sin
a nAlmhain a n-ibhthe miodh
a ndiin mheic Cumhaill na ttreabh ag 61 is ag oirfideadh
23 Gluaisis teachta go hAlmhain mac Corbmac in t-6g zngbaidh
d'iarroidh chomhadh ar in ffein no a mbeith uile dha mhireir
24 Ann sin fuighlimsi gan fheall re teac/z/oibh airdrigh fiireann
sloinnidh bhar ttosga gan oil 6 Choirbre lonn Liffeachair
25 Seilg Eirionn do leigean do do ri Teamhra nar chan go
gan luadh ciosa 6 sin amach no go ttoir an brath braonach
26 Adubai/t Osgar amhra ba he in milidh mor calma
sealg Eirionn ni tiubram uainn do Cairbre coscrach crannrriadh
27 Ro raidh mac Lughach go luath do-dhenam tabach trentiiath
sealg Eirionn do-ghentar linn no go ttigidh mac Cumhaill
26 b mor calma are written separately in the MS as in the printed text,
XXXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 39
21 It is sad for me to count up their champions and their fierce truly wise warriors and the number of their captains of warbands when we used to be together.
22 One day after that we were in Almhain where mead was drunk, in the fort of the. son of Cumhall of the dwellings, drinking and making minstrelsy.
23 The ruthless warrior, Cormac's son, sent messengers to Almhain to seek a gift from the Fian, saying if it were refused they would all be rebels.
24 Then I speak without guile to the messengers of Ireland's high king : « Tell without blame the purpose for which passionate Cairbre Lifeachair has sent you. »
25 « He asks that the hunting of Ireland be given up to him, to the king of Tara who has told no lie, and that henceforward, till the sad judgement day come, no mention of tribute be made. »
26 Wondrous Osgar, the greatly brave hero, said : « Never shall we give away the hunting of Ireland to conquering stout- speared Cairbre. »
27 Mac Lughach said swiftly : « We shall lay a levy on the strong communities ; the hunting of Ireland will be carried out by us till the son of Cumhall returns. »
in DUANAIRE FINN [XXXIX
28 Cuirmitne teach/a go fior
go mac Cormaic aibhlibh gniomh
go Teamraigh nach treabhdaois groidh a mbiodh Cairbre Liffeachair
[55 b]29 Innisit sgela gan fheall
na teacta d'airdrigh Eirionn fograid cath ogal eangach for Cairbre na claoinTeamrac
30 Tinoilis Cairbri na ccreach colamhainteanna Teamhrach
timairgis Laighneac/ia leis
is sliiagh Cruachan go coimhdheis
31 Cruinnigit \J\aidh Eamhna fa Cairbri chosgrach Chearma
ba he a ttinol lith nar lag seac/i/ gcatha fraochdha iicm[h]ar
32 Do-ronsam comairle chriiaidh Fiena Eirionn a n-enuair
cath do tabairt gan chairde do righ Eirionn imairdhe
"&*
33 Cuiris teachta go hAlbain mac Cormaic in t-6g angbairfh go hOsgar mac Garadh fheil fa borb cosaar a caithreim
Jol
34 Maith do freagradh ag Osccar teachta in righ od-chiialastar
triallaid tar in ffairrge ffiiair drich cced do ghleire ghlansluaigh
30c Laighneacha. The MS contraction (a dotted stroke) would normally be expanded Laighni^h. 3\d /icm[h[ar. The MS has fie with an undotted stroke over the c.
XXXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 41
28 We send messengers truly to Cormac's son (a mighty deed), to Tara unploughed by horses, where dwelt Cairbre Lifeachair.
29 The messengers tell the tidings without dec- eit to the high king of Ireland ; they give notice of angry loud battle to Cairbre of sloping Tara.
30 Raiding Cairbre gathered the stout Col- umns of Tara : he collected to him the Leinstermen and the host of Cruachain,as was fitting.
31 The Ulstermen from Eamhain gather around conquering Cairbre of Cearma ; their muster (no weak festival) was seven wroth and angry battalions.
32 We, the Fiana of Ireland, straightway made a stern resolve, to give battle without delay to the king of lofty Ireland.
33 Cormac's son, the ruthless warrior, sent messengers to Scotland to Osgar, son of generous Garaidh, who triumphed violently as he swept through battle.
34 Osgar responded well when he had heard the king's messages : he goes over the cold sea with ten hundreds,thc pick of a bright host.
42 DUANAIRE FINN [XNNIX
35 Rainic roimhe go Teamraigh Osgar mac Garaidh ghreadhnaidh
ri Teamra 6 nach fiiair ann sin tainic roimhe go Gabhair
36 Nior airigli airdrigh Teamrach an t-6g alainn ildhealbhach
no go ffacaioTi sa ffaiche deich cced curadh coirighthe
37 Laoch rompabarighdhareim mac Garadh an airm aithgheir
dho ro budh comainm Osgar nir b'fearr laoch um thuarustal
38 Eirghis in ri 'na aghaidh
mac Cormaic chruaidh chostadaio/i fearais failti fris gan fheall suidhis ar deis righ Eirionn
39 Inbhaidhdhuitdolobadha ro raidh Coirbri go dana
do tabairt leinne ma-lle a n-aghaidh Fhinn Almhaine
40 Ni mhair a Osgair re headh acht triar calma curadh
nachar thuiteadair uile
le cloinn Bhaoisgne bharrbhuidhi
41 Cuimhneochadsa dhuitsi sin a ri Eirionn go moirneimh
a Chairbre clioir gan anadh dhoibh treisi na tromfhaladh
XXXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 43
35 Osgar, son of glad Garaidh advanced to Tara. When he found not the king of Tara there he went on to Gabhair.
36 The high king of Tara di dnot perceive the lovely beauteous warrior till he saw upon the field ten hundred ordered champ- ions.
37 Before them was a hero who moved as a king, the son of Garaidh of the keen arms : his name was Osgar : no warrior better earned his pay.
38 The king went to meet him, the son of harsh restraining Cormac : he welcomed him without deceit : he sate him on the right hand of Ireland's king.
39 « The time », said Cairbre boldly, « at which thou hast been brought to join us against Fionn of Almhain, is the day of battle.
40 « For some time past, 0 Osgar, there have been left alive three brave champions only who have not fallen by the race of fair- headed Baoisgne. »
41 « I shall remember that to thee, 0 king of Ireland of great ferocity, 0 righteous un- delaying Cairbre ; and for their part I shall remember the strenghtof the heavy feud. »
44
DUANAIRE FINN
[XXXIX
[56 a]42 Ro raidh ri Uladh go rath
Aodhan angbaidh anghlonnach cubhaidh bar ccomlann ma-le tu fein 's a' t-Osgar eile
43 Glor nar bh'ionraidh dhuitsi e a ri Uladh go gcaoimhgne
ni imtigh talmhain na ttor laoch budh ioncomlainn d'Osgar
44 Do-bersa briathar oile
a ri Eamhna iathghloine
nar gabh sgiath no cloidheam corr laoch da seachonainn comhlann
45 Gairit ro bamar ann sin
a mheic Carploinn a chleirigh no go ffacamar san magh deich gced catharmach curadh
46 Laoch rompa go sgeith ccorcra go n-earradh saor somholta
go luirigh ffirthrein ffearrdha go gceinnbeirt oir oireaghdha
47 Go sleig rinnghasta roireidh go lainn ffada ffaobairgheir
fogha coir is ceis oile bai a laim in cathaighe
48 Ba he sin in laoch fuileach
mac righ Lochlann liiathghuineac/i for tteasdaibh tainic 6 a thigh on Bheirbhe bhainghlain bhothaigh
1
XXXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 45
42 The prosperous king of Ulster, ruthless warlike Aodhan, said : « It were right that you should do combat together, thou and the other Osgar. »
43 « It is a sentence thou shouldst never have uttered, king of Ulster of lovely appearance : there goes not upon the crowded earth a warrior who could do combat with Osgar.
44 «But I too have something to say, 0 king of Eamhain of the bright territory, that no warrior on whose account I would avoid combat ever bore shield or jutting sword.))
45 Short time were we there,son of Calpurnius, cleric, till we saw armed for battle in the plain ten hundred champions.
46 Before them was a hero with a purple shield and noble garments that lent themselves to praise, with a truly strong brave corselet and a lordly helmet of gold.
47 He had a lance excellently pointed and very even and a long keen-edged sword : in his hand the warrior held a good javelin and another spear.
48 That was the warlike hero, the son of the king of the swift-wounding Lochlanns, who had come from fair pure Bergen of the huts to win fame ( ?).
46 DUANA1RE FINN [XXXIX
49 Fostaighim Osgar go ngrain is mac righ Lochlann d'enlaimh
mo-ghenor triath ga ttarla da dheich cced curaidh calma
50 Mac righ Lochlann ba lonn goil # geallais diongbhail meic Garai'dh
mor in feidm freagra d'Osgar fear a theasta um tuarusta/
51 Cuirthear linn a chleirigh caidh ar moigh Gabhra go morgrain
sonn sgiath is geirreann nar mhin um triath Kirionn 's um Oisin
52 Tiagmaid a cceann a cheile ba curata ar ccoimeirge
leigmit tri gaire cinnte go gclos iatt a ffirminnte
53 Diubraicmit ar a cheile ba curata ar ccoimeirge
teascmid dar lannaibh leabra ar luireacha loinnearrdha
54 Ba hiomdha sgiath 'na blodhaibh ar moigh Gabhra graineamhail
& corp go gcrec/i/oibh dhe 6 ar n-eachtaibh ar a cheile
55 Do radsam torannchleas teann sinne is muinntir righ fiirionn
nir sguiriomar don treas te gur dithaigh each a cheile
54cgcrechtoibh. Thee represents a tall e. In54dtheea of eachtaibh represents a small e\a. 55a Spacing as in MS.
XXXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 47
49 Simultaneously I hold back dreadful Osgar and the king of Lochlainn's son : happy for the chief who had twice ten hundred stalwart champions.
50 The king of Lochlainn's son of angry courage promised to ward off the son of Garaidh :it was a big task to stand against Osgar, a man so famed for hired service.
51 On the dread plain of Gabhair, chaste cleric, we set a fence of shields and sharp ungentle points around the lord of Ireland and Oisin.
52 We go to meet one another : valiant was our uprising : we utter three certain ( ?) cries which were heard through the firmament.
53 We cast at one another (valorous was our uprising) : with our smooth swords we hew our shining corselets.
54 Many a shield was in fragments on the hateful plain of Gabhair, and many a body too lay wounded from the deeds we did on one another.
55 We made a stout display (?), we and the king of Ireland's folk : we did not cease from the hot conflict till all were annihilat- ed.
48
DUANA1RE FINN
[XXXIX
[56 b] 56 Tucc ceim cruadh as ar n-ucht mac righ Lochlann na longport cona deich gced curadh cain re gaisgeadh re gnathiorgoil
57 Ro marbh ced gacha cearna
sa cath crodha choimhfhearrdha tainic fein 'na chro catha mac uasal an ardfhlatha
58 Od-chlos sin d'Osgar uallach an cur calma catbhuadhac[/f]
freagria's mac Garadh go lonn mac righ loingleabatr Lochlann
59 Saitid do chur in catha an dis curadh comhfhlatha
corcraid a sleagha ma-le a ngeilchneasoibh a cheile
60 Nochtaid a lanna liomtha
an dis crodha coimfhiochdha
ar sgaoileadh a sgiath mballghlan mairg tarrai'd/i in chathirghail
61 Ba he sin in brath fire cia comlann rob ainmin[e]
dar thuit mac righ Lochlann lir do laim Oscair mhic Garaidh
62 Deich gced na Lochlannac/i lonn ro thuitseatar bonn ar bhonn
le deic cced mic Garadh ghloin nochar chabhair dar bfianoibh
61cm crigh have been written in reverse order in the MS with sign to trans- pose.
XXXlX] DUANAIRE FINN 49
56 The son of the king of Lochlainn of the harbours made a hardy step on our behalf with his ten hundred goodly warrious, to do heroism and customary battle.
57 At each corner he killed a hundred in the brave manly battle : the noble son of the high prince came in person in his battle enclosure.
58 When proud Osgar, the bold battle- victorious warrior heard of that, the son of Garaidh angrily replied to the son of the king of Lochlainn of the graceful ships.
59 The two equally princely champions adv- ance to do battle : they mutually make crimson their spears each in the other's white skin.
60 They unsheathe their polished swords,those two valorous fierce men : their clearly speckled shields having been loosened, it was woe for him who reached the battle conflict.
61 That was the true dealing of doom (What fight more ungentle has there been ?), when the son of the king of populous Lochlainn fell by the hand of Osgar, son of Garaidh.
62 The ten hundred sent by the passionate Lochlannaigh fell chose together before the ten hundred belonging to pure Garaidh's son (it was no help to our Fiana).
50 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXIX
63 Tug a aghoidh oirne dream deaghmac Garaidh na ngeirreann
nir gabhadh ris rioghdha in reim gur dhithaigh pairt dar ngnaithfhein
64 Dearcuis Osgar eile air
ag sloighe in chatha crecn/aigh
tig 'na chuinne anba in gnimb deaghmhac aitheasach Oisin
65 Od-connairc mac Garadh fheil dianreim Osgair go micheill
leigis liadha coscar chaigh ar Osgar mhor do dhingbhail
66 Tucsat ann sin beim ar bheim in dis curadh ba coimhreil
tollaid da sleagoibh seacda a sgeith aille oirgreanta
67 Fuaim a lann ba laochdha in troid cian 6 ionadh in comhraic
's a gcroidheadha ag rodhail reann ag gearradh chnamha is chathbharr
68 A Patraic ni dearnadh riamh a ffogus no a n-eidirchian
ni dingentar go la in Luain a measraightear na morshluaigh
69 Sochtaid fir Eirionn uile
ag eisteacM re a n-ur\uidhe
no gur tuit mac Garadh gloin do laim aitheasaigh Osgair
XXXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 51
63 The good son of Garaidhof the sharp points set his face towards us...: no one went ag- ainst him (it was a kingly course)till he had annihilated a portion of our standing Fian.
64 The other Osgar looked upon him hewing down the injured battalion : the good suc- cessful son of Oisin comes against him (it was a mighty deed).
65 When the son of generous Garaidh saw sense-
less Osgar's vehement course, he abandoned triumphing over the rest to ward off great Osgar.
66 Then those two equally bright heroes gave blow for blow : with their hard spears they pierce their beautiful gold-graven shields.
67 The noise of their blades (it was a heroic fight) [could be heard] far from the place of battle, while their hearts (?) kept distributing spear-points, cutting bones and helmets.
68 0 Patrick, never have [such deeds] been done near or far, and never will [such deeds] be done till the last day on which the great hosts are judged.
69 The men of Ireland all are silent listening to their blows till the son of pure Garaidh fell by Osgar's successful hand.
52 DUANAIRE FINN XXXIX]
[57 a] 70 Ata liom do mheabhair ghloin
deich geed meanmnach mic Garadh gur chuir Osgar go roghrod a gcoscar 'sa gcriiadhchomhrac
71 Eirgis fearg adhblial ann sin
iar cciorrbhadh a chuirp choimhghil a gcoinne righ Eirionn ain rohudh deacair a n-eadrain
72 Timceall in cro catba is teaghlac an ardflatha
gur chuir ar in catha cruaidh ag roc/i/ain Cairbre crannriiaidh
73 Togbhais Cairbri in sgiath uallac/t
's an lann breacA/ach bhithbhuadhac/i togbhais in da sleigh go neim a n-aghaidh Osgair echtaigh
74 Leigid liaidhi in sleigh seadhmhair go mac Oisin liirfheadhmaigh
go ndeachaid/z thrid in tsleigh theann corp in churaidh gur chroighearr
75 Le hOsgar maith ro freagradh is urchur fuair airleagadh
do theasc ceann Cairbre go neimh do bheim curata cloidheimh
76 Od-connairc Oscar Eamhna nach raibhe fein infheadhma
teid dia choiriugad/i mun ccath ar cho\&m\\n oibh na Teamhrach
76a MS has angbhaidh with ' no Eamhna ' written in above the line as a cor- rection.
[XXXIX DUANAIRE FINN 53
70 Well do I bear in mind the son of Garaidh's spirited ten hundred, and that Osgar conquered them and gave them hard battle very quickly.
71 Then, his white body having been lacerated, great anger arose [in him] against the splendid king of Ireland : it would have been hard to separate them.
72 He encircled the battle enclosure and the household of the high prince, and made a slaughter of the hardy battalioirwhile advan- cing towards Cairbre of the strong shafts.
73 Cairbre raised his proud shield and his magic ever- victorious sword : he raised his two fierce spears against deedful Osgar.
74 He casts from him the stout (?) spear to- wards the son'of Oisin who did great service : the stout spear went through him and blood- ily wounded the hero's body.
75 Osgar replied well (it is a shot that got repayment [ ?]) : he cut off fierce Cairbre' s head with a mighty sword stroke.
76 When Osgar of Eamhain saw that he himself was unfit for service, he goes against the Columns of Tara to receive the blame of the fight.
54 DUANAIRfc FINN [XXXIX
77 Deich gced is tri catha ar sliiaigh ar moigh Gabra go morbhiiaidh
ba he ar ttinol ag teacht as fiche ced ieindeadh foltchas
78 Fada damh dia n-aireamh sin a mic Calprainn a chleirigh
ag feitheamh a ffeart go ndath ar moigh goirtiomdha Gabhra
79 Go riomtar gaineamh mara ar aon agus reltana
ni haireamhtar trian a ttrin . ar marb Osgar mac Oisin
80 Creidim duit a cleirigh chaoimh a Patraic iodhain foltchaoimh
is creidim do righ neamhdha gwab e mo tigearna
81 Barran mac Milidh don moigh Togan mac Daire Breatlmaigh
tuitid in dis ba garbh goil do laim aitheasaigh Osgair
82 Tuitis ri Uladh liom fein Aodhan aiteasaigh aigmheil
a los sgeith is chloidhimh chuirr ar lathair chatha is comlainn
[57 b] 83 Ro thuit ri Laighean na learg
le hOsccar chruaidh cloidheamhdhearg tuitid laochraidh Laighean de le deaghchloinn chosgraigh Chaoilti
81a m^c MS 1ms don, witii • iiu mac' written above it as a correction.
XXXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 55
77 Our hosts numbered ten hundred and three battalions onthevictoriousplain of Gabhair : our muster as we came out was twenty hundred curly-haired warriors.
78 Long have I been reckoning them up, son of Calphrann, cleric, watching their beauti- ful graves on the many-fielded plain of Gabhair.
79 Until both sea sand and stars be counted one third of the third of those whom Osgar, son of Oisin, killed may not be reckoned.
80 I believe in thee, gentle cleric, pure Patrick of the soft locks, and I believe in the heaven- ly King, that he is my lord.
81 Barran, son of Mllidh don Mhoigh, Togan son of Daire Breathnach, those two men of rough courage fall by Osgar's sucessful hand.
82 By me the king of Ulster fell, Aodhan the . . . and terrible, by means of shield and jutting sword on the field of battle and combat.
83 The king of Leinster of the slopes fell by hardy red-sworded Osgar : the warriors of Leinster fall too by Caoilte's goodly triumphant children.
56 DUANAIRE FINN [XXXIX
84 Ro bhasaidh Cairbre go neimh Forlamh mac fir Cliuirb crechtaigh
tri bronaibh do laimh Osgair le mac Garadh gormrosccaigh
85 Le Barran mac MWidh Mhuaidh taoth seaca/ mic Chaoilti crannruaidh
da mac Osgair reil go n-agh do thuitseat fos le Barran
86 Mor in gniom do-ronadh ann Osgar is airdrigh fiireann
Art mac Cairbre lion a shluaigh is Mac Lughac/i go lanbhuaidh
87 Seac/i/ meic Chaoilte ba garbh goil & Osgar mac Garaidh
ro thuitseat ba borb a mbrigh 's da mac Osgaz> mhic Oisin
88 Da mac righ Laighean na long ro thuitsead tra bonn ar bhonn
mac le hOsgar ba garbh gnimh is mac eile le hOisin
A Oisin
84c bronaibh. MS has n with a dotted stroke overit (= a vowel or vowels aspirated consonant).
XXXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 57
84 Fierce Cairbre put to death Forlamh, son of wounding Fear Corb : * * * by the son of blue-eyed Garaidh.
85 By Barran son of Milidh Muaidh fell strong-shafted Caoilte's seven sons, and the two sons of bright warlike Osgar fell by Barran.
86 Great was the deed done there : Osgar and the high king of Ireland, Art son of Cairbre, with all his host, and Mac Lugh- ach of full victory (?).
87 The seven sons of Caoilte of rough courage and Osgar, son of Garaidh, those fell (their vigour was violent), and the two sons of Osgar, son of Oisin.
88 The two sons of the king of Leinster of the ships fell close together, a son of Osgar who was rough in deed and ano- ther son of Oisin.
XL
1 An seisior
triar a ttigim ar deisiol
triur frithir fallsa focham is triur coirpseang cnisgeal
2 An deacair
is isi a' bhean rom-tachair
taibhseach sliocht a dha gegbhonn ni hettrom mar a saltair
3 An tsuirghe
macamh meallta gach buidhne gerb annsa i na in t-anam agam ni ffuil a cuimne
4 An reidhe
mo-chean neach diarab ceile
dhi riamh ni deachaid/i rogha fearr ina gach togha sbreidhi
5 An eigion
pudarlach 6 16 in cheidfhir
treisi naid mna na cruinne smac/)/ uirre nochan eidir
6 An mheanma
rioghan ur bhuilidh breaghdha
gidh inmhain an bhean bhunaidh dhamh 6 'nuraidh ni tharla
[58 a] 7 An chumha
uimpe bhid na bruit dubha ni mo-chean bean a lera ni hiad a sgela is lugha
An
XL
1 These six : three to whom (?) I come going righthandwise,three who are vehement treacherous and crooked and three who are slender of body and white of skin.
2 Trouble : she is the woman who has come to me ; manifest is the trace of her two feet ; where she treads she treads not lightly.
3 Lovemaking : she who beguiles every comp- any ; though she be dearer than life I have no memory of her.
4 Mildness : happy the person to whom she is companion ; preference has never gone from her (to another) ; she is better than the choicest dowry.
5 Necessity : a surly wretch from the day of the first man, stronger than all women ; to control her is impossible.
6 High spirit : a noble courteous and excel- lent queen ; though the woman herself be dear, since last year she has not come to me.
7 Grief : she wears black garments ; I welcome not a woman so diligent (?) : her tidings are not least.
XLI
1 Cliabhan cuill cia do-roine innisidh a sheanoire
& do-rinne cleas cuir agaibh ar tus ar enoibh
2 An ccluineann t.u a sheanoir thall an ceist a chuireas in Tailgheann
innis mar is aithnidh dhuit an cheist ad chuireas Patraic
3 Laithe n-aon dia raibhe Fionn
ar sliabh Liiachra na lainghlionn go ttarla se ar leith on fhein tri f ichit laoch go lainmhein
4 Ro bhadhmar gin gur threorach go neamhshadhal aineolach
fa cheo ndraoitheacft/a ndoirche no g«r chinnseam comhairle
5 Silleadh da ttug thairis siar Finn mac Cumhaill flaith na fFian
ad-chi oglach ard aistreac
go n-earradh ndearg ndeaghmhaiseach
6 Do bhai ar deaslaim in fhir mhoir cliabhan dathalainn deargoir
do ghabhadh mar budh mian lais a ngabadh d'enoibh thairis
2d ad, sic MS,
XLI
1 « A hazel bird-crib : who made one, tell, ancient men ; and tell which of you first played the jerking (?) trick upon birds. »
2 « Dost thou hear, thou ancient man, the question which the Tailgheann puts ? Answer, according to thy knowledge, the question Patrick asks. »
3 One day when Fionn was on SliabhLuachra
of the full glens he chanced to be apart from the Fian with three score willing warriors.
4 Although we were strong we were uneasy and ignorant, beneath a dark magic mist, till we decided on a plan. •
5 As Fionn, son of Cumhall, prince of the Fiana, glanced out towards the west,he sees a tall roving warrior clad in a handsome red suit.
6 On the big man's right hand was a beau- tifully coloured bird-crib of red gold : he caught as he wished what birds went past him.
62 DUANAIBE FINN [XLI
7 Sa ttulaigh ttaobhalainn ttruim tainic in t-6glach chugainn
is ro bheannaigh dhuinne tra do briathraibh glcsta glana
8 Dia ttigthae lim lin d'fheadhna a Fhinn na fFian ffiorchalma
sean gach dighe do-bher dhibh & nua gacha seanbhidh
9 Ro eirgeamorr siias go grod muinntir Fhinn na n-arm n-urnocht
gidh ar leas ni tainic dhe leinne nir leasg an eirghe
10 Gluaisis romhainn in fear mor do leanamar e 's ba trogh
go cathair Inbhir dha Shal ait ar hinnleadh in cliabhan
11 Ar ndol don fior mhor amach uainn tar dorus na caithrcrch
comla ghairbhiarainn gan mhoill iadhais an uairsin orainn
12 Seacht lo go n-oidhche gan bhiadh dhuinn sa ch&thr aigh cladhard criadh
[58 b] gan aoinneach do teac/i/ diar ffios
do chian no do comhfhogus
13 Ar aithris in chliabhain chuir ar saith enaigh gach einfhir
do-rinne Fionn cliabhan cuill dhuinn nir seachmidh in fhoghluim
go ffaghmaois on chliabhan chuir
ar saith enaigh gach einfhir
8c dhibh. MS has dtunbh with the o deleted.
XLI] DUANAIRE FINN 63
7 The warrior came towards us on the fair- sided heavy hill, and indeed greeted us in polished pure words.
8 « If thou and all thy band come with me, 0 Fionn of the truly brave Fiana, I shall give you what is old in every drink and what is new in every ancient food. »
9 We, the people of Fionn of the unsheathed weapons, rose up quickly : although no good came of it to us, we were not slow to rise.
10 The big man went before us : we followed him (and it was sad) to the stronghold of Inbhear dha Shal where the crib was prepared.
11 When the big man had gone out from us beyond the gate of the stronghold, without delay he closed a door of rough iron upon us.
12 For seven days and nights we were in the high-ditched earthen fortress without food ; and no one came to see us from far or near.
13 In imitation of the jerking (?)crib,to secure sufficient birdcatching for every man, Fionn made a hazel crib (the lesson was not negl- ected ( ?) by us), that we might get from the jerking (?) crib sufficient birdcatching for every man of us.
G4 DUANAIRE FINN [XLI
14 A gcionn scacht laithe mar sin tig mac Troghain diar ffeghain
do mhcas se nach rabhsam beo dier ndicheannad i n-enlo
15 teagmaid aniar is anoir
fa mac Troghain an uairsoin
ar tteacht duinn uime go rcacht nochar foghain do a draoithcrcM
16 Beiris Fionn uainn in fear dearg rissein ger adhbal ar iiearg
& cuiris slan da thigh
gin gur dheoin leinn a chleirigh
17 lochl is fearr do-rinne riam deaghmcfc Cumaill flaith na fFian
fear dearg d'idhlacadh slan & sinne d'eadradhan
18 Ag sin iocht do-rinne Finn
a chleirigh na mbachall mionn an fear do imbread gach n-agh leis ro hinn leadh in cliabhan
19 A Chaoilte ge atii go fann
na leig learn dia n-abair breg aoinneach budh commaith le Fionn in ffacaidh til riamh red re
20 Fo a anam cona chorp
acht gidh dubh anocht mo li ni bhi commaith einigh Finn a nduine re a linn a ccli
CliabhAn
14d MS has inuairsind eleted and ' no indnld ' written above it as a correction. 196 learn. The ea represents a tall c in MS. 19d red. The e represents a tall e in MS.
XLI] DUANAIRE FINN 65
14 At the end of seven days spent thus the son of Troghan comes to see us: he thought we were not alive, and came to behead us all on one day.
15 We come from all sides about the son of Troghan then : when we came round him in fury his magic availed him nothing.
16 Fionn bore the red man away, though our anger was great against him ; and he sent him safe to his house, although we did not so will it, 0 cleric.
17 The best act of clemency ever done by the good son of Cumhall, prince of the Fiana, was to conduct the red man safe and to ward us off.
18 There, 0 cleric of the jewelled croziers, is an act of clemency done by Fionn, the man who practised all valour : by him was the crib prepared.
19 0 Caoilte, although I am weak, do not let it pass if I speak a lie : any person as good as Fionn sawest thou ever in thy time?
20 « As regards his soul and his body (though tonight my appearance is gloomy) no man living in his age had nobility equal to that of Fionn. »
XLII
1 A Lia Thulcha Tuaithe shuas gus ttigdis curaidh go gcruas
dainim da gach ergna uaiph narsat berla go mbithbhuaidh
2 A n-us deach Gaoidhealg is glor & ciall bhuih'd/i blathmhor
ag cur ciiart fom chli do chin gurab siiairc ag seanchaid[/i]ibh
3 Na sgela ro shirseam ort innis damsa radii gan \ocht
gacha nona lor do bhrath sgela mora Mhic Lughac/i
[59 a] 4 Os duinne fein tuc Dia dil re a n-innisin re a n-airimh
cia dia mbeinn dia sena ar seilg sgela meic Daire drechderrg
5 Daire dearg mac Conaill chain mheic Oika/la mhic Eoghain
isse sin athair airmhid
ag Mac Lughac/i lanfhailidh
6 hughaidh roime d'agalloimh Fhinn Daire a gCluain Oirrthir aoibhinn
tar gach ardbrugh gusan moigh suaill nach rainic go hAlmhaigh
lc ergna. The e represents a tall e in the MS.
XLII
1 « 0 stone above on Tulach Thuaithe, to which hardy heroes used to come, every science has suffered injury through you, because speech of lasting virtue is not in your power. »
2 All who are (?) best in language and utter- ance and in fine smooth-great (?) sense have come (?) with questions (?) around my body so that it may be pleasant for historians.
3 « The tidings which we have asked of thee tell to me (a faultess saying) : every even- ing (it is sufficient, betrayal [?]) tell the great tidings of Mac Lughach. »
4 Since it is to us dear God gave them that they might be told and recounted, why should I deny tidings of the son of red-faced Daire to [one(?)] hunting [for them(?)]?
5 Daire the Red, son of goodly Conall, son of Oilill, son of Eoghan, him they reckon as father to full-joyous Mac Lughach.
6 Daire from pleasant Cluain Oirrthir went to converse with Fionn : going over every high country to the plain he had almost reached Almhain.
OS DUANAIRE FINN [XL 1 1
7 An tan tainic Daire donn bealach Gabhrain na ngarbhghlonn
ro iadhsat uime ar in ngurt tri meic Rossa go riiadhf hult
8 Teagaid ag fiefraidhe sgel do Dhaire uasal airmgher
ro raidh ba he Fionn fearrdha a triath is a thighearna
9 Ni hi so do conair choir raidhid meic Rossa romhoir
isse in Fionnsin lith go ngoil ro bhassaigh ar seanathair
10 Canaidh cred is maith ann ar Daire mor na ccathbharr
acht ar marbadh fein fir dhe madh hi crioch bhar ccomairle
11 Ni iarrmaid comai'rle ar neach a oga tigidh d'einleath
is fior in f ath gan aga
's bar n-airm diomor difhreagra
12 Tri nonbhair ro bhattar sin tri meic Rosa go roghail
& nonbhar do Dhaire ba he lion a gcomhairmhe
13 Tuitid tri meic Rosa reidh d'armaibh Dhaire detrg burf/idJiein
gidheadh do marbadh uile muinntear Dhaire dhualbhuidhe
XLII] DUANAIRE FINN 69
7 When brown Daire came by Bealach Gabhrain of the rough deeds, the three sons of Ros of the red hair closed about him on the field.
8 They come to question noble sharp-weapon- ed Daire. He said manly Fionn was his chief and lord.
9 « This is not thy proper path, » say the sons of mighty Ros : « it is that Fionn (a festival of valour) who slew our grand- father. »
10 « Say what you consider right in that case, » said great Daire of the helmets : « un- less, in truth, the end of your counsel be our death. »
11 «We ask counsel of none : 0 warriors, come together : the cause is true without... and your weapons... »
12 The three sons of valorous Ros were thrice nine strong, and Daire had nine : their full number was so.
13 The three sons of smooth Ros fall by RedDaire's own weapons ; but yellow-hair- ed Daire's people were all killed.
70 DUANAIRE FINN [XLII
14 Innisidh a sg^/a iar sin
do mac Cumhaill a hAlmhain
ba maith le Fionn flaith na fFian gach a ndearna in righniadh
15 Fuirigh sunn a nAlmhain fhiiair ag so meisi ag dol budhthuaidh
agad leigheas go lion gceird a chur fhosaigh fhaobaj'rdheirg
16 An tan tainic leigheas Ian & ro bhai go hogshlan
gliiaisis i ndeaghaid/i in tsluaigh arna leigheas go lanbhuaidh
17 La dia raibhe 'na aonar Daire dearg nar dreachaoradh
[59b] a ttosach oidhche fiiaire
ag Sith Buidhbh go moruaille
18 Suidhis in iemdidh iar sin tuirrseach d'aithle a aistir
go ttuc dia uidh in t-amus a anshodh cona ocobhrus
19 Ad-chi & ni a gcodhladh brugh alainn dia oslagadh
slogh gan tuirrsi & muirn mor soillsi & cuirm go gcomol
20 Teid sa mbrugh in feindidh fial fiadhaightear e soir is siar
suidhis Daire 'na deagha*7//i tuc a airm ar aighleandoibh
lid mdruaille. In the MS mor and uaille are separated.
XLIIJ DUANAIRE FINN 71
14 He then tells his tidings to the son of Cumh- all from Alhmain. Fionn, prince of the Fiana, was pleased with all that the royal warrior had done.
15 « Wait here in cold Almhain, for I am going north, being cured by numerous arts, 0 staid hero of the red blades. »
16 When a full cure had come about, and he was whole and sound, he went after the host having been cured successfully.
17 One day Red Daire, who was never scathing- ly (?) satirized, was alone, in the beginning of a cold night, by the Fairy Hill of Rodhbh of great pride.
18 The warrior sat down weary after his journey, and then the soldier realized how miserable and hungry he was.
19 He se es, and 'twas not in sleep, a lovely mansion disclosed, with a griefless host and great merriment, light and ale and convivial drinking.
20 The generous warrior goes into the mansion : he is received with honour on all sides : Daire sat down thereupon and placed his weapons on racks.
72 DUANAIRE FINN [XLII
21 Fritheoiltear e sa tigh thall
go maith ag Tiiadh De Dhanann ro eirigh go dian iar sin teid eidir an ingheanrazd/j
22 Boi dalta ag righ in tsiodha dierb ainm Eochaidh ailtmhilla
bean tsubac/i nar ckmeadh ceill Lughach laimgheal a hainmsein
23 An tan ad-connairc Daire
an mnaoi gceinnfhinn go n-aille ro tidhlaic dhi searc ni saobh maith le meanmam in macaoim
24 Faoidhid sa dun ar aon
Daire 's an ainnear fholtcaomh gur foillsigh do Dhaire iar sin gurbh am lamhnaidh don ingin
25 Madh torrach tra thu a bhean ro raidh ria Daire dreic/igheal
tug leat go Fionn fath gan gheis madh mac bheire gan eisleis
26 Budh maith mac berthor ann ro raidh Eochaidh go hinmhall
foigheola/rf/i mor maine amach budh e a ainm Gaine Gaisgeadhac/i
27 An uair tainic a hinhaidh
is ro dhesdaigh re a troimiodhnoi6/i
■
rug si mac ba caoime h\adh diar comainm Gaine glegheal
23c MS has nir deleted before ni,
XLIIJ DUANAIRE FINN 73
21 He is well attended to in that house by the Tuath De Danann ; afterwards he arose eagerly and goes among the maidens.
22 The king of the fairy hill, whose name was Eochaidh of the Smooth Joints, had a foster child, a pleasant woman whose good sense was never impeached : Lughach of the White Hands was her name.
23 When Daire saw the fairheaded beautiful woman he bestowed love upon her (it is not false) ; his soul was pleased with the maiden.
24 They sleep together in the fort, Daire and the softhaired maiden. Later she (?) rev- ealed to Daire that the time had come for the maiden to give birth.
25 « If thou come to be with child, 0 woman, » bright-faced Daire said, « and if it be a son thou bearest, bring him with thee to Fionn without fail (it is a cause with no prohibition). »
26 « Good is the son who will be borne, » Eoch- aidh said slowly : « he shall harry out much wealth : his name shall be Gaoine the Champion. »
27 When her time had come, and her heavy pangs had left her, she bore a son of fairest fame whose name was bright Gaoine.
71 DUANAIRE FINN [XLII
28 Tainic fo tri tar a bel
is amlaidh ro-chuala in sgel istig ag triall a bhiadhtha in eas alainn aimriadhta
29 Gabhais in eas 'na laim laich mor an obair meic bhig bhaith
an eass ina laim ro lean no gur eirigh an inghean
30 Ro hinniseadh in gniom ghlan tainic each dia coimhfegadh
an eas i laim in leinimh nir fedadh a n-imdeaghail
[60a] 31 Gidh be do innisfeadh thall
eidir sloghaibh na saorchlann iss e sin gan taidhe amach ceidgnimh laimhe mic Lughach
32 Ro bhoi bliadhain sa dun dhe aga mhathair butf/idheine
is tainic a ccionn bliadhna
go Fionn fossciidh firniamhdha
33 Do luidh leis a mhathair mhin dia innisin don airdrigh
is do rad dho a ccogar chain gurb e Daire a dheaghathair
34 Mar tangattar Fiana Fail
go teagh Fhinn uile d'enlaimh ro shuidhseat an slogh ier sin mar do bhiadh 61 a nAlmain
XLII] DUANAIRE FINN 75
28 Thrice there came across his mouth — so have I heard the tale — seeking to be fed within, a beautiful untamed weasel.
29 He seized the weasel in his hero hand (it was great work for a little tender boy) : the weasel remained in his hand till the girl arose.
30 The clear deed was told : every one came to view it — the weasel in the child's hand : they could not be separated.
31 It matters not who should tell it, there amid the freeborn hosts : that, without concealment . . ., is the first deed of Mac Lughach's hand.
32 He was for a year then in the fort with his own mother, and when a year was ended he came to stedfast truly bright Fionn.
33 His gentle mother went with him to tell everything to the high king, and she confided to him as a fair secret that his good father was Daire.
34 When the Fiana of Ireland came all together to the house of Fionn, the host sat down as though there was to be drinking in Al- mhain.
76 DUANAIRE FINN [XLII
35 Iar suidhe don Fhein uile
a ttigh mhoir na hAlmhuine
tugadh go Fionn ba dearg dreach Lughach cona mac muirneach
36 Gabhais in leanam ar laim Fionn nar adhair d'iomarbhaidh
7 do toirbhir dho poig
don mac alainn gan urchoid
37 A mheic aithin h'athair fein adubatrt Finn flaith go gceill
ameasg caich gidh feidm doih'an & eirg dha innsaigidh
38 Ger lionmar an Fian uile eidir righ agus ruire
suidhis a n-ucht Dhaire dhil an mac ba haille a nAlmam
39 Gabhais ed bean Dhaire dhil iar ffaixin in mheic mheirghil
d'olc as a haithle nir fhan on mac ar n-aithne a athor
40 Is hi bean do bhoi ag Daire Aibhinn 6g go n-iolghaire
bean gan tacha each na oir ingean data meic Dimhoir
41 Na dena ed a Oibhinn fhial adubairt Fionn flaith na fFian
raghoidh dhuit is heart go mblaid/i sloindeadh in mheic 6 a mathair
38a In the MS uile precedes an Fian with sign to transpose.
38rf This line preceded by ' no ' has been written as a correction over a deleted ropv of line 39 b. The deleted copy reads ier for the iar of 39 b.
41« adibhinn [sic] is written as one word in the MS. The 6 has been altered from an original i.
XLII] DUANAIRE FINN 77
35 When all the Fian were seated in the great house of Almhain, Lughach and her darling son were brought to Fionn of the red countenance.
36 Fionn, who was no lover of contention, took the child by the hand, and bestowed a kiss on him, on the beautiful innocent boy.
37 « Boy, recognize thy father, » said Fionn the wise prince : « recognize him in the midst of all, though it be hard to do, and go to him. »
38 Although the gathered Fian, including king and chieftain, were many, the boy, the loveliest in Almhain, took his seat in dear Daire's bosom.
39 Jealousy seized dear Daire's wife when she had seen the white-fingered boy : after the recognition of his father by the boy she never ceased to bear him ill-will.
40 Daire's wife was young Aoibhinn of much laughter, a woman who had no lack of steeds or gold, the lovely daughter of Diomhor's son.
41 « Do not be jealous, generous Aoibhinn, » said Fionn, prince of the Fiana : « it will be granted to thee (it is a famous act) that the son be named from his mother. »
78 DUANAIRE FINN [XLII
42 Beir leat ar Fionn mac Lughach in naoidhe suilbhir subhach
a inghean dhata mar dhoigh budh he in dalta go ttrenghoil
43 Ann sin rug le mac LughacA an inghean seghainn subhach
go teagh a hathor uallaigh
go Guam Cheasain chathbhuadaj'a/z
44 Go ceann sea.cht mbliadnan iar sin ro bhoi in mac aga mhathair
[60 b] dia oileumhain anba in gniomh
samalta d'adhbar airdriogh
45 Tig sa fFeiu 6 sin amach
ba maith a luth 's a lamhaca mar tainic gniomha goile d'ua na rioghna roghloine
46 Ceidbhean do rad searc go sochla Tiiadha ingean ard Aongusa
isi do rad thiiaidh ga tigh a ttulaz'aa liaine fosaigh
47 Mac Lughach ar aon is Fionn ro saith in gcloich os a cionn
os feart Tiiaidhe attaoissi ann sin a liog liaine aith Ihosaidh
48 Is he ro saith in lia lorn giolla uallach ur ettrom
ge do mharbh aibhlibh niadh do saith le a laimh in laochliag
42c In the MS ghoil go has been crossed ont before dhoigh, 46a do rad sic MS.
[XLII DUANAIRE FINN 79
42 « Take with thee, » said Fionn, « Mac Lughach, the cheerful genial child : 0 lovely flame-like girl, he will be a fosterling of great valour. »
43 Then the comely pleasant girl took Mac Lughach with her to her proud father's house, to Cluain Cheasain Chathbhuadhaigh [the Meadow of battle- victorious Ceasan].
44 For seven years after that the boy was with his mother being reared (mighty the deed) like a prince eligible for high-king- ship.
45 From that on he was a member of the Fian : when the time came for the bright queen's offspring to do soldierly deeds, his agility and his casting were good.
46 The first woman to whom he gave honourable love was Tuadh, the tall daughter of Aon- ghus : it is she whom he laid, by his house in the north, in a firm green mound.
47 Mac Lughach and Fionn together planted the stone over her : above the grave of Tuadh thou art, 0 sharp firm green stone.
48 He who planted the bare stone was a proud generous agile lad : ... (a hero's might) he planted with his hand this warrior stone.
80 DUANAIRE FINN % [XLIt
49 A cloch ata a tTeamhair Breagh
ro saith Fionn tre maith meanman fut ata Aillen amhra an siodhaighe saorcalma
50 A cloch Feadha Gaibhle glain ro shaith Finn nar ob iorghail
ata Dianartac/z mar dhoigh fut is Dearg mac Dianartaigh
51 Is fear roghain ba garbh grain Domnall mac Finn mic Cuain
flit ata & is dearbh dhe
Conn leidmheach mac Lathairne
52 A cloch Chairn Fhearadhaia/i uill ro shaith mac crodha Cumhaill
is f utsa ro cuireadh dhe Daighre ceoilbhinn cruitire
53 A cloch ata ar Moigh Raighne ro saith Finn flaith go saidhbre
ata Goll fut mar deirtear & Raighne roiscleathan
54 A cloch ata a n-Almhain uill ro saith go moch mac Cumhaill
Daolgus mac Cairill chais chain tii os loighe in laoich laidir
55 A cloch Mhoighe Dithlain dhein ro saith Fionn in treasa threin
fut ata Dolbh Sgoinne in sgail & Fionnlaoch 6g adhnair
49 c aid. is followed by an erasure of two letters. Aillen : the e represents a tall einMS. 51a A faint indistinguishable (erased?) letter is to be seen
in the MS between (ear and roghain.
XLII] DUANAIRE FINN 81
49 0 stone in Tara of Bregia, planted by Fionn through excellence of spirit, beneath thee lies wondrous Aillen, the noble brave fairy.
50 0 stone of pureFiodh Gaibhle, planted by Fionn who refused not combat, Dianartach like a flame lies beneath thee and Dearg, son of Dianartach.
51 A man of great woundings (?), rough and dreadful, Domhnall, son of Fionn, son of Cuan , lies beneath thee too ; also (it is certain) eager Conn, son of Lathairn.
52 0 stone of Cam Fearadhaigh Uill [the Cairn of mighty Fearadhach] planted by the brave son of Cumhall, it is beneath thee was laid melodious Daighre, the harper.
53 0 stone upon Magh Raighne, planted by Fionn, the wealthy prince, Goll is beneath thee, as is told, and Raighne of the great eyes.
54 0 stone in mighty Almhain, planted early by the son of Cumhall, thou art over the grave of the strong hero, Daolghus, son of good Cairioll the curly.
55 0 stone of Magh Diothlain Dein [the Plain of eager Diothlan], planted by Fionn who battled stoutly, beneath thee lies Dolbh Sgoinne,the hero, and young modest Fionn- laoch.
82 UUANAIRE FINN [XLIt
56 A clochiid Aonaigh Pataoin
is fud ataid na deaghmacaoimh Patan mac righ mhara hlocht ionmhain laoch ata fon ffiort
57 A cloch shleibhe Collain criiaidh gus a gceimnighdis ar sliiaigh
as red thaobh ad-bath in fear in laoch Collan coisreamhar
[61a] 58 A cloch ata a nGrein mar Ghloin do saith go moch Maoil Eanaigh is leis ro cuireadh gan cheilg uas cionn mic Dhaire drechdhei'rg
59 A cloch Cronnmhona an catha ro saith Fionn fear in ratha
fud ataid in triar ba trom neimh Conn Codhnach is Cuingidh
60 A cloch ata a nDun os Loch
ro raidh Fionn narbho hoglach
is fud ata Bodhmann binn
is Fiacoil Aoi mac Conchind ocht meic Bodhmainne go mbuaidh in cuire calma comhcruaidh
61 A cloch ata a nDruim Sgartha do saith Fionn fear in ratha
fud ata Druim Sionna slan giolla do thuit le Conan
&a
62 A clochud Teamra Luachra
ro shaiuh Finn feindiV//i fuachdha
fud do cuireadh ni fios foill
Blathnoid bheag is Cnu l)earo\\
57c red. The c represents a tall e in .MS.
59rf Codhnach. MS has Condhnuch with the first n deleted.
60 b rdidh, sic US.
XLII] DUANAIRE FINN
56 Thou stone of Aonach Pataoin, beneath thee lie goodly youths — Patan, son of the king of Muir nlocht : dear is the hero who lies beneath the grave.
57 0 stone of Sliabh Collain Chruaidh [the Mountain of hardy Collan], whither our hosts used to march, it is beside thee died the hero, Collan the thick-footed.
58 O stone in gleaming Grian planted early by Maoil Eanaigh : by him was the stone planted without deceit above the son of red-faced Daire.
59 0 stone of Cronnmhoin of the battle,planted by Fionn the fortunate, beneath thee are those very fierce three, Conn, Codhnach and Cuingidh.
60 0 stone in Dun 6s Loch planted by Fionn who was no youth, beneath thee lies mus- ical Bodhmann and Fiacoil Aoi, son of Concheann,also the seven sons of conquer- ing Bodhmann, that valiant hardy band.
61 0 stone on Druim Sgartha, planted by fortunate Fionn, beneath thee lies Druim Sionna the sound, a lad who fell by Con- an.
62 Thou stone of Teamhair Luachra planted by Fionn, the angry warrior, beneath thee was laid (no small knowledge) little Blathnaid and Cnu Dhearoil.
84 DUAXAIRE FINN [XLII
63 A cloch Ollarbha gan fheall a ttorchair airdrigh Eirionn
fud ata Leagan luaimneach & Ronan rouaibhreach
64 A cloch Seisginn Uairbhe.oil fhuair ro saith Einn ba gnath go mbwaidh
fud ata in laoch ba dearg ga Sgiath Breag mac Loga Lagha
65 Dubhchosach Dubhthnuthach donn dha mac Morna na morghlonn
ataid fud sunna re seal
is Iubhar mac righ Laigean
66 A cloch ata a nDruim Righe do shaith Fionn flaith ar ffine
is fud ata Cairioll coir & Colla mor ua Conbhroin
67 A clochud Cairn Fhearadha/o/* fhuair ro saith Fionn codhnacA ar sluaigh
fud ata curaidh na ngiall
Lughaidh mac Con mheic Mhaicniadh
68 A cloch mor ata sa Raith
do saith Fionn feindidh foltbhlaith fud ataid arna ffolach Clidhna is Ciabhan casmhongacn
69 A cloch ata ar Tuinn Cliodhna ro saith Einn na n-echt n-imdha
ri Easpainne na n-arm nger fud ata Rinnal roithren
XLIIJ DUANAIRE FINN 85
63 0 stone of Ollarbha without deceit, where fell Eire's high king, beneath thee lies rushing Leagan and haughty Ronan.
64 0 stone of cold Seisgeann Uairbheoil planted by Fionn who was ever victorious, beneath thee lies the hero of the red spear, Sgiath Breag, son of Lugh Lagha.
65 Dubhchosach andbrownhairedDubhthnuth-
ach, the two sons of Morna of the great expoits, they have been here beneath thee for some time, and Iubhar, son of Leinster's king.
66 0 stone on Druim Righe planted by Fionn, prince of our race, beneath thee are right- eous Cairioll and great Colla, grandson of Conbhron.
67 Thou stone of cold Cam Fearadhaigh planted by Fionn, chieftain of our host, beneath thee lies the hostage-holding champion, Lughaidh, son of Cii, son of Maicnia [recte Lughaidh (called Mac Con) son of Maicnia].
68 0 great stone in the Raith planted by Fionn, the smooth-haired warrior, Cliodhna and curly-headed Ciabhan lie hidden be- neath thee.
69 0 stone on Tonn Cliodhna planted by Fionn of the many deeds, the king of Spain of the sharp weapons, mighty Rionnal, lies beneath thee.
86 DUANAIFiF FINN [XL 1 1
70 A chloch mhor ata a gCuan Dor ro shaith Finn go neart ffaobar
Tor mhac Diancrotha go ngoil ri Easpainne fot eochair
[611)] 71 A chloch Glaisi Cro in Chomair ro shaith Fionn lerbh ait ollaimh fud ata Sgoran na sgiath mac righ Breatan na mboirbtriath
72 A cloch ata a gCionn Mhara ro shaith Fionn in fiorchara
f lid ata Cas cuilfhionn caidh is Gotha Gaoithe mac Ronain
73 A cloch Bhcalaigh Chonghlais gairbh ro saith Finn ar nach ffrith faill
fiid ata Art og an aigh
nar ob cath nar char bannail
74 A cloch Finntragha an air truim ro shaith mac calma Cumaill
mac righ Uladh Goll go ngoil fiid ata is Caol mac Crimthain
75 A cloch ata ar moin Mhacha do sait Fionn fear in ratha
ata fot ardbrugh ni chel
righ Alban Dcidgheal Duirbhel
76 A cloch mhor ata ar Moigh Linn ro shaith mac Cumaill airmgrinn
Tud ata in triath nar lag rian
ceann na slogh Coinnceann coimfhial
736 saith : .MS lias rqith with r deleted and sign to insert s,
XLII] DUANAIRE FINN 87
70 0 great stone in Cuan Dor planted by strongly-armed Fionn, Tor, king of Spain, son of brave Dianchruth, lies beneath thy brink.
71 0 stone of Glaise Cro an Chomair planted by Fionn who loved learned men, beneath thee lies shielded Sgoran, son of the king of Britain of the turbulent lords.
72 0 stone who art in Ceann Mara, planted by Fionn, the true friend, beneath thee lies fairhaired pure Cas and Goth Gaoithe, son of Ronan.
73 0 stone of rough Bealach Conghlais planted by Fionn who was never found unprepared, beneath thee lies young val- orous Art, who refused no fight and loved not women's company.
74 0 stone of Fionntraigh of the heavy slaughter planted by the valiant son of Cumhall, the king of Ulster's son, Goll the brave, lies beneath thee, andCaolson of Criomhthan.
75 O stone upon the bog of Macha planted by Fionn the fortunate, beneath thy tall mass [?] (I shall not conceal it) lies the king of Alba, Deidgheal Duirbhel.
76 0 great stone upon Magh Linn planted by the son of Cumhall of the lovely weapons, beneath thee lies the chieftain who was not weak in power, generous Coincheann, leader of the hosts.
88 DUANAIRE FINN [XLII
77 A cloch ata a tTraigh Li loir
ro shaith Finn tigcarna ar sloigh uch mo cuma aibhlibh niadh fiid ata Fearghus finnliatb
78 A cloch mor ata ar Sliabh Mis ro shaith Finn flaith gan eislis
ata Daire ba dearg dreach fiid 'na luighe is Flann fuileach
79 A chloch ata ag Cam Sealba/aZi ro shaith mac CumhaZZZ armglain
fiid ata in laoch ba teann treoir Sealbac/j in Berla 6 Bhreaghbhoinn
80 A cloch mhor ata ag in Eas
do shaith mac Cumhaill airmdheas fud ata laoch gan doghra Geibhtine dheagmac Morna
81 A cloch ata 'gCionn Tire
ro shaith Fionn flaith ar ndhine Finn mac Cuain 'na luighe fiid ata is mac Geibhtine
82 A cloch Eachrusa in fheoir truim ro shaith mac calma CumaZZZ
fiid ata laoch ba garbh grain Dubhan mac Cais meic Cannain
83 A cloch ata sa Bhlarna fiid ataid in dis aghdha
's an da Art don taobh oile nirbh e in fianlaoch fingoile
78a MS has sia crossed out before Sliabh.
19b MS has m deleted, followed by a crossed out calma, before Cum/jaill.
19d -bhoinn. The dotted b in the MS seems to be an m turned into a b,
81c MS has m deleted between the u and the d of Cuain.
82a MS has a deleted eo, partly erased, before Eachrusa,
XLIIJ DUANAIRE FINN 89
77 0 stone in Traigh Li Loir [the strand of great Li] planted by Fionn, lord of our host : woe and alas ! (champions' greatnesses) beneath thee lies fair-gray Fearghus.
78 0 great stone upon Sliabh Mis planted by Fionn, the watchful prince, Daire of the red countenance liesbeneath thee, and Flann the fierce.
79 0 stone at Carn Sealbhaigh planted by the son of bright-armed Cumhall, beneath thee is the hero strong in might, Sealbhach the Eloquent (?), from Breaghmhoin.
80 0 great stone beside the Eas planted by the son of Cumhall of the fair weapons, beneath thee is a griefless hero, Geibhthine the good son of Morna.
81 0 stone in Ceann Tire, planted by Fionn prince of our race, Fionn son of Cuan lies beneath thee, and Geibhthine's son.
82 0 stone of Eachrosofthe rich grass, planted by the brave son of Cumhall, beneath thee is a rough and dreadful hero, Dubhan son of Cas, son of Cannan.
83 0 stone who art in Blarney, beneath thee are two daring men, and on the other side the two Arts : it was no murderous compa- ny-
90 DUANAIRE FINN [XL 1 1
84 A clock Tulcha Cheapain chain ro thogaibh Goll in ghaisgidh
[62 a] flit do fagbhadh ger cheim criiaidh
Oapan mac Morna mhongraazdh
85 A cloch Dhunaidh na n-Ochiar fud ataid tri deagocMair
ocht mic Copthaia/j ocht mic Cuinn ocht meic Ursgaith Atha Truim
86 A cloch ata a gCuillinn Chliach ros-togaibh Feargus finnliath
gidh be rod-cuirfeadh tar ais do gep aoVi seoid is ionmhufs
87 A chloch Bheinne Muilt nar mhaoth o do saith Daire in deaghlaoch
ataoi gan deacair mar dhoigh os cionn leaptha Mhaoil Eanaigh
88 A chloch Gaphra ba garbh grain ro shaith Caoilti mac Ronain
fo attaid in dis ba garbh gal mac Lughac/? & Osgar
89 A cloch Thulcha in comlainn chrizaidh umar thoc/i/adar na sliiaigh
fiid ata deaglaoch go ngoil Osgar mac Garaidh greadhnaza/i
90 A clochso Gaphra thiiaidh rus-togaibh Finn faobarchruaidh
Cairbre Liffeachair nar lag fud ata cona dheaghmhac
Sod MS has tri with ' no ocht' written in above the line as a correction.
XLII] Dl" ANA IRE FINN 91
84 0 stone of Tulach Cheapain Chain [Good Ceapan's Hill] raised by gallant Goll, beneath thee was left (although it was a hard step) Ceapan son of red-haired Morna.
85 0 stone of Diinadh na nOchtar, beneath thee are three good bands of eight : the eight sons of Cobhthach, the eight sons of Conn, the eight sons of Ursgath of Ath Truim.
86 0 stone in Cuilleann Cliach whom fair- gray Fearghus raised, he who Overturned thee would get jewels and riches.
87 0 unsoft stone of Beann Muilt, since Daire, the good warrior, planted thee, thou standest untroubled like a flame above Maol Ean- aigh's bed
88 0 stone of Gabhair of fierce horror, planted by Caoilte, son of Ronan, beneath whom lie two men of. fierce courage, Mac Lughach and Osgar —
89 0 stone of Tulach an Chomhlainn Chruaidh [the Hill of the hard Battle] around whom the hosts grew silent, beneath thee is a good hero of courage, Osgar, son of gladsome Garadh.
90 0 stone here on Gabhair in the north whom Fionn of the hard blades raised, Cairbre Liff eachair,who was no weakling,lies beneath thee, along with his good son,
92 DUANAIRE FINN [XLII
91 A clochso theas sa chnoc chorr rus-togaibh Oisin armlonn
dha mac righ Lochlann tar lear fud ataid in da threinfear
92 A clochso oile theas tshiar
in mhaicne ba mor soimhiadh se mic Chaoilti ba garbh goil fud is deaghmac Osgair
93 A cloch AthaBarrain bhuain umar ghaireador ar sliiaigh
urchor tug Osgar ard
dar thuit Barran briatargharg
94 A cloch ata a cCarn Craoibhe ro shaith Fionn flaith Formaoi'Ze
is fud ro cuireadh Flann ruadh in tuir calma chloidimriiadh
95 A cloch ata a gCrois Aodha
ro saith Finn ba fear aobhdha is fud do cuireadh gan oil an deaghlaoch Aodh mac Garaidh
96 A clochud Ghlaisi Builge
ro shaith Finn mor mac Muirne is fudsa ro cuireadh dhe Daire deidgheal is Daighre
97 A cloch lanmhor 6 Luighdheac is lem croidhe fein is cuimhneach
as fud ro cuiread 's ni a ngioll Dubhan dian & Moingfhionn
97b lem : the c represents a tall e in the MS.
XLII] DUANAIRE FINN 93
91 0 stone here in the south on the steep hill, raised by Oisin of the angry weapons,the two sons of the king of Lochlainn beyond the sea — beneath thee are those two men of might.
92 Thou other stone here in the south-west, a family of great glory lies beneath thee, the six sons of Caoilte of fierce courage, and the good son of Osgar.
93 0 stone of Ath Barrain Bhuain [the Ford of long-lived Barran], around whom our hosts cried out, it was by a cast of tall Osgar' s that rough-speeched Barran fell.
94 0 stone in Carn Craoibhe planted by Fionn, prince of Formaoil, beneath thee Flann Ruadh, the bold strong-sworded chieftain1, has been laid.
95 0 stone in Cros Aodha planted by comely Fionn, beneath thee has been laid without blame the good hero, Aodh son of Gar- aidh.
96 Thou stone of Glaise Builge planted by great Fionn, son of Muirne, beneath thee Daire of the white teeth and Daighre have been laid.
97 0 full great stone of Ui Luighdheach, my heart remembers it, beneath thee were laid irrevocably (?) eager Dubhan and Moing- fhionn.
(1) Literally ' pillar ' (Bergin).
94 Dt'ANATRE FINN [XLII
[62 b] 98 A cloch Atha Glinne caoin cain ro saith Finn in flaithfheindio'n
Logharn ua Baoisgne go mbuaidh furl ata in feind idfl fiorcn'widh fear ba maith luth ar lathair is Daolgus a dea/bhrathair
99 A cloch Dhunaid Lodhaim loir is fiid ata in cuire coir
coigear mac Diarmada dein mar aon is Echtach airmgheir
100 A cloch ata a n-Eachthghe aird fud ata gcr mor in mhairg
Sealbac/z ua Duibhne ba deas oigfear ris nar chiall coimmeas iar gcur dea/gair Feine Finn maidin a marbhtha a gCruimglinn
101 A cloch Aonaigh Cairn mhic Tail ro shaith mac Rosa rinnbhlaith
rod-fhagbarf/i go cliste dhe os cionn chiste Chroinfhinne
102 A cloch ata ar Sliabh Aillbhe ro shaith Fionn flaith gan doilghe
is fud ro cuireadh nir mhiadh linn Aillbhe ard usdlach airmgrinn
103 A cloch Croimghlinne ba glas ro thogaibh Fionn fioramhnus
do-gebhtha agat go gcail mor do sgeloibh Bruacharain
104 A chloch Chinn Mhorna is dearg dreach ro shaith Fionn ba linmar creach
is fudsa ro cuireadh dhe Dubhan mac Breasoil Bhoirne
XLTI] DUANAIRE FINN 95
98 0 stone of fair Ath Glinhe planted by Fionn, the princely warrior, Logharn, grandson of victorious Baoisgne, that hardiest warrior is beneath thee (a man whose activity on the field was good) ; Daolghus, his brother, lies beneath thee too.
99 0 stone of Diinadh Lodhairn Loir [the
Fortress of great Lodharn], beneath thee lies
a righteous company, the five sons of eager
Diarmaid, and Fxhtach of the sharp weapons
with them.
100 0 stone in high Eachtghe, beneath thee (though it was a great grief) lies Sealbhach, grandson of lovely Duibhne, a youth with whom it were not wise to make comparison : having made a fierce slaughter of Fionn's Fian, on the morning of his death in Cruim- ghleann, [he was buried beneath thee].
101 0 stone of Aonach Cairn mhicTail planted by the son of Ross of the smooth points, thou wert left skilfully above Croinfhinne' s coffin (?).
102 0 stone upon Sliabh Ailbhe planted by Fionn, a prince without harshness, beneath thee was laid (we thought it no honour) tall proud Ailbhe of the lovely weapons.
103 O stone of green Croimghleann whom Fionn the truly fierce raised, with thee (full of fame) might be found many tales concern- ing Bruacharan.
104 O stone of Ceann Morna is dearg dreach1, planted by Fionn of the numerous raids, beneath thee has been laid Dubhan son of Breasal of Boireann.
1 'The Head of Morna who is red of face '.
96 DUANAIRE FINN [XLTI
105 A cloch ata n-Eic/i/ghe aird uill isi ro shaith mac Cumhaill
ata (Huinfhinn mac Morna fud is Dolor gan doghra
106 A chloch Mhoighe Line lain
ro shaith Fionn fein dia laochlaimh is fud do cuircadh gan oil Duibhgreann dana mac Doghair
107 A chloch Tolcha Fiadhmhoir fiiair ro thogaibh Fionn faobharchraaidh
fo a ttaid in triar ba garbh gal ri Alban 's a dhis brathar
108 A chloch ata a tTailltin teinn
ro shaith mac Cumhaill airmgrinn Iodhlann og ro budh mor miadh fud ata in feinnidh firfhial
«
109 A chloch Atha Glonnaidh ghloin ros-togaibh Goll glunladair
attaoi os da Dhuph dhata
calma crodha curata Dubh mac Morna ro liiadh goil Dubh Roid mac Maoil Tnuthaigh
[63a]110 A cloch ata a gCinn Chluidh chriiaidh ro saith Fionn deaghfhlaith ar sluaigh fud ata DuphthacA mac Duibh laoch ba harrac/i/a a n-iorghail
111 A cloch mor ata sa mBrugh ro shaith Aongus 'na aonor is fudsa ro cuireadh dhe Diarmaid dealbhcamoh ua Duibhne
107c a tl&id. MS has attdd.
109e In the MS the a of liiadh has been added in below the line.
110a MS has dor deleted before Chluidh.
XL 1 1] DU ANA IRE FINN ttf
105 0 stone in high huge Eichtghe (it is this stone that the son of Cumhall planted), Gluinfhinn son of Morna is beneath thee and cheerful Dolor.
106 0 stone of Magh Line Lain [the Plain of full Line] planted by Fionn himself with his hero hand, beneath thee bold Duibhghreann, son of Doghar, was blamelessly laid.
107 0 stone of Tulach Fhiadhmhoir Fhuair [The Hill of cold Fiadhmhar (?)], raised by Fionn of the hard blades, beneath whom lie three men of fierce courage, the king of Alba and his two brothers —
108 0 stone who art in stout Taillte planted by the son of Cumhall of the good weapons, beneath thee lies that truly generous warrior, young Iodhlann of great honour.
109 O stone of Ath Glonnaidh Ghloin [the Ford of pure Glonnadh] whom strong-kneed Goll raised, thou art above two lovely valorous mettlesome soldierly Dubhs, Dubh son of Morna, who spoke of ( ?) bravery and Dubh Roid son of Maol Tnuthaigh.
110 O stone who art in Ceann Gluidh Chruaidh [Hard-ditch Head] planted by Fionn, good prince of our host, beneath thee lies Dubh- thach,son of Dubh, a hero powerfulin battle.
111 0 great stone in the Brugh planted single- handed by Aonghus,beneath thee was laid beauteous Diarmaid, grandson of Duibhne,
.Vs ' -£-x
£&U3LW HILLS,
08 DUAXAIRE FINN [XLII
112 A cloch ata a nDruim Chriadh chain is fuel ro cuireadh Finn fe'mdidh
fear ba hiolardha ced sgiath tigearna laoch gcalma coimhfial
113 Go n-airrchisi Mac Muire Finn mac Cumaill Almhaine
go ruga leis codhnaibh niadh in fear ro saith gach rilia
114 Athair is Mac Ri talmhan Iosa Criosd dar ccomadhradh
rom-fagbad a ndiaigh na fFian go crion arsaidh aradhliath
Alia
112rf MS has what looks like a crossed out after tigear ; the na is written as a separate word ; coimhjial has been written as a correction beneath a crossed out cloidimhruadh.
XLII] DUANAIRE FINN &9
112 0 stone in fair Druim Criadh, beneath thee was warrior Fionn laid, a man who had many hundreds of shields, lord of brave generous warriors.
113 May the Son of Mary have mercy on Fionn, son of Cumhall of Almhain ; may He take with Him (a champion's ...) the man who planted each royal stone.
114 May the Father and the Son who is king of earth, Jesus Christ, be equally worshipped : I have been left after the Fiana withered, old and gray-templed.
XI. Ill
1 Ag so in fod inar ghein Fionn nochan eadh nach meabhair liom
Muirn math air in meic mhoir deighmheic Cumaill meic Treinmoir
2 Oisin mac Finn fear go neimh ro geineadh a gCluain loch /air
ingean Dheirg a mhathair mhaith ierna toirrceadh on righfhlaith
3 Aine inghean in Deirg bzzd/idhein mathair Feargusa fhirthrein
ceile Eathach Gunat glain aga mboi Banba blzaoVzain
4 Is hi robudh bean do Gholl Sgannlach ingean do Conall
Dearp comalta Cuinn go ngoil matair Chuinn oile is Chodnaiyh
5 Lughach laimgheal ingean Fhinn mathair Gaine in ghaisgi'rf/t grinn
Daire dearg mac Finn na ffleadh athair Ghaire na ccorrsleao/i
6 Baine mathair in da riogh ingean righ Connacht na ngniomh
mathair Fheidhlimid/i in oir & Cumaill mhic Trenmhoir
5d Gh&ire, sic MS.
XLIII
1 Here is the spot where Fionn was born (I know this if nought else). Muirne was mother of this great son who was the good son of Cumhall, son of Trenmhor.
2 Oisin, son of Fionn, a fierce man, was born in Cluain Iochtair : his good mother was Dearg's daughter, made pregnant by the royal prince.
3 Aine, the Dearg's own daughter, was the mother of truly strong Fearghus : she was the spouse of bright Eochu Gunnat who held Banbha for a year.
4 She who was wife to Goll was Sgannlach, a daughter of Conall : Dearbh, brave Conn's foster-sister, was mother of an- other Conn and of Codhnach.
5 Whitehanded Lughach, Fionn's daughter, was mother of Gaoine of good valour : Red Daire, son of feasting Fionn, was father of Gaoine (?) of the peaked spears.
6 Baine, mother of the two kings, was the deedful king of Connaught's daughter: she was the mother of Feidhlimidh of the Gold, and of Cumhall, son of Trenmhor.
102 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIII
7 Bean Luighdheach Laga don linn Dathchaoin ingean Taidg thaoibhsheing.
tJain ingean Crimhthain ni eel mathair Bhainb Sionna na sed
8 Cruithgheal siur Ghuill Peine Fail mathair Aodha meic Ronain
Aoiffe ingean Aodha Rinn an leirg bean meic Leith Liiacra laimhdheirg
[63 b] 9 Cana inghean Chiothruaidh ni chel i fo bean d'Fearghus Finbhel
Loch inghean Maicniadh gan gheis mathair Nhadhat Finn eigis
10 Lathoirt inghean Dha Neasa tri teora bliadhan rus-beara
mathair Osgair i dana
ron-boi ag Oisin naoi mbliadhna
11 Muirionn ag Oisin go beacht seacht mbliadhna dhi re draoitheac/*/
mathair a thri mac oile ingean Chualann Ciochmhuine
12 Da ingean Cumhoill sa fp'ein Sidhe & Siianach budhdhein
Siianach mathair Fhiachra dhe is Sidhe mathair Chaoilte
13 Ainnear inghean Bharrain na Hleadh bean Chaoilti chruaidh na gcorrshleaa/i
ingean brughadh on Bhoin ffeil mathair Teadhmaill is Pliaillein
U)a Neasa. The ea represents a tall e in the MS. 106 beara. The ea represents a tall e in the MS. JOc dana. MS has dna with a stroke over the na.
XLIII] DUANAIRE FINN 103
7 The wife of Lughaidh Lagha from the Pool was Dathchaoin, graceful Tadhg's daughter. Uain, Criomhthan's daughter (I shall not hide it), was the mother of Banbh Sionna of the jewels.
8 Cruithgheal, the sister of Goll of the Fiana of Ireland, was the mother of Aodh son of Ronan. Aoiffe, daughter of Aodh Rinn from the Slope, was the wife of redhanded Liath Luachra's son.
9 Cana, daughter of Ciothruadh (I shall not hide it), she it is who was wife to Fearghus Finbhel. Loch daughter of Maicnia, with- out prohibition, was the mother of Nuadha Fionn FJgeas [Fair Nuadha the Poet].
10 Lathoirt, daughter of Dha Neasa (?), thrice three years... She moreover (?) was the mother of Osgar. She lived with Oisin for nine years.
11 Muirionn verily was Oisin's wife: seven years she spent at magic : she was the mother of his three other sons, and was daughter of Cuala Ciochmhuine.
12 Cumhall had two daugthers in the Fian.Sidhe and Suanach herself : Suanach wasFiachra's mother, and Sidhe mother of Caoilte.
13 Ainnear, feasting Barran's daughter, was the wife of hardy Caoilte of the peaked spears : she was the daughter of a hospitaller from the generous Boyne, and was mother of Teadhmall and Faoillen.
104 DUANAIRE FINN XLIII]
14 Da mac Crochnaide caise seinge seimhe sulghlaisi
ionmhoin dis buadhach on Brugh Diarma/d uallac/i is Osgar
15 Anmanna mac Diarmada duinn re hingin Cormaic ui Chuinn
DonnchaoTi is SealbacA na sluagh Eochaidh ard & Iruath
16 Mathair triair ba calma in chlann Connla Aodh & Iollann
tri hliadhna ag Diarmai'd dha dheoin Dubhinbhir ingean Fhuairbheoil
17 Luchar ingean Maicniadh mhuaidh rug da mac d'Fionn i n-enuair
Aodh beag 7 Aodh foda marbh d'aithle na moropra
18 Aine ag mac Cumhaill gan oil ni tug mnaoi 'na deaghaid
Daolghus ba hainm da hathair mac Lir Sithe Fionnachafrfft
19 Ceatrar ag Trenmor sluaghach Criomall Cumall cathlihiiadac/i
Conall 7 Aodh Eangach
ba ceathrar mear moirmeanmnach
20 Is ceist ar seanchadTiaibh sunn in triar mac ro bhoi ag Cumall
fionn 7 Fiothal fior damh is Feindidh feta fiorghlan
XLIII] DUANAIRE FINN 105
14 Curly slender smooth gray-eyed Crochnaid's two sons (a dear conquering pair from the Brugh) were proud Diarmaid and Osgar.
15 The names of the sons of brown Diarmaid by the daughter of Cormac, grandson of Conn, are Donnchadh and Sealbhach of the hosts, Eochaidh the tall and Ioruath.
16 One who was mother of three ('t was a brave family), Connla, Aodh and Iollann, was of her own will for three years with Diarmaid : [her name was] Dubhinbhir, daughter of Fuairbheol.
17 Luchar, daughter of good Maicnia, bore two sons to Fiohn together, Aodh the Little and Aodh the Tall: she was dead when the great labour was over.
18 Aine was the wife of the son of blameless Cumhall : he married no woman after her : Daolghus was her father's name, the son of Lir of Siodh Fionnachaidh.
19 Trenmhor of the hosts had four sons, Criomhall, battle-victorious Cumhall, Conall and Aodh Eangach : they were four swift magnanimous heroes.
20 It is a problem for historians here to name Cumhall's three sons : they were Fionn and Fiothal (I speak truth) and comely truly pure Feindidh.
10G DUANAIRE FINN [XLIII
21 Ingean righ Broatan go mbiiaidh mathair in Fheindcfld/i armruaidh
mathair a mheic Chail nar ffann ingean righ Innsi Finnghall
22 Rug dha mac do Caol go gcail ingein Finn mhoir mic Cuain
Daolgus ba dian ag dail arm iss in laoch laidir Lodharn
[64a] 23 Bodhmann malhair Fithil fheil ceist ar seancha/rfnibh iadsein & Cumhall a athair Fithil osna hardfhlathaibh
24 Clann da dheirbhseatar ma-le EochazoTi Fionn Fiach'aitfn Suidhe
Crimall is Aodh anosa Conall athair Dhiengasa
25 Cnucha inghean righ Alban mathair Fhiacra go n-Bidbladh
Taisi taoibhgheal a siiiir choir ba hi mathair mic Trenmoir
26 Ba hi mathair Cairill chain Maoin ingean Smoil a Mumhain
Aine ingean Ealcmhair anoir mathair Fhearrdhomhain airmhigh
27 Teide ingean Chail Smirrga mathair Guill na n-arm n-imdha da mac dheg um (iholl na nglac rug in rioghan do Chormac
21c Chail, sic MS.
22b Finn, etc. In place of t hese words 1 he scribe first wrote riyh Innsi Fionnghall (cf. 21 d). lie afterwards wrote Finn, etc. with a mark showing that they were to replace the words first written.
XLIII] DUANAIRE FINN 107
21 The daughter of the victorious king of Britain was the mother of strong-weaponed Feindidh : the mother of his son Caol who was not weak was the king of Inis Fionn- ghall's daughter.
22 The daughter of great Fionn, son of Cuan, bore two sons to famed Caol, Daolghus who dealt weapons vehemently and the strong hero, Lodharn.
23 Bodhmann was the mother of generous Fitheal (These men are a problem for historians),and Cumhall was his father, fath- er of Fitheal exalted above high princes.
24 The children of two sisters together were Eochaidh the Fair, Fiachaidh Suighdhe, Criomhall and now ( ?) Aodh : Conall was the father of Dianghus.
it>j
25 Cnucha, daughter of the king of Alba, was mother of Fiachra of great renown : fair- sided Taise, his good sister,was the mother of Trenmhor's son.
26 Fair Cairioll's mother was Maoin, daughter of Smol of Munster. Aine, daughter of
' Ealcmhar from the east, was the mother of armed Feardhomhan.
27 Teide, daughter of Caol Smiorrgha, was the mother of Goll of the many weapons : gripping Goll and twe lve other sons did the queen bear to Cormac.
108 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIII
28 Mathair seac/i* mac ndeg oile
do chloinn mhoir mhoingbhuidhi isi do rug do Dhaighre on leirg Aillbhe ingean LabraidA laimhdeirg
29 Samhadir ingean Finn breagdha bean mheic Oilea/la fhearrdha
rug Tinnle Cnodhbhu is Connla is Mogh Corb chatha Gabra
30 Creidhe ingean Coirbre on linn ba hi bean Chaoil i Neamhnainn
Aoiffe ingean Trenmoir anoir mathoir Chaoil cona bhrathair
31 Bean Conaill mic Trenmoir thuaidh Aillinn shir Daigre dreacnniaidh
& isi rug re a radh
dis mac Diangus is Ronan
32 Da mac ag Conall gan chradh Ronan is Diengus dreac/mar
aonmac maith ag Aodh Eangarn Conbron cetach caithreandadi
33 Mac Conbroin Dianghus na ndamh
mac dhosein Cairioll comhlan ieindidh mia an bhiiaing] ba hiia d'ua Conbroin Cairill
ieindidh niia an bhuainghloir re a linn
34 Athoir Cairill Diangus Donn le[i]s nar gabh cath no comhlann mac do Conall Diangus Fionn 'se ba mo agh a n-Eirinn
34ft le[i]s : the c represents a tall e in MS.
34c The / of fionn in the MS looks like two (or three) blotted out letters changed to /.
XLIII] DUANAIRE FINN 109
28 The mother of seventeen other sons, all big and with yellow hair (it is sh e who bore them to Daighre from the SIope),wasAilbhe,daugh- ter of red-handed Labhradh.
29 The wife of brave Oilill's son was Samhaoir, daughter of excellent Fionn: sheboreTinnle, Cnodhbha and Connla and Mogh Corb of the battle of Gabhair.
30 The wife of Caol, grandson of Neamhnann, was Creidhe,daughter of Cairbre of the Pool : the mother of Caol and of his brother was Aoiffe, daughter of Trenmhor from the east.
31 Aillinn, daughter of red-faced Daighre was the wife of Conall, son of northern Tren- mhor ; and it is she who bore (that it might be told of) two sons,Dianghus and Ronan.
32 Untroubled Conall had two sons, Ronan and Dianghus of the modest countenance. Aodh Eangach had one good son, Conbhron of the hundreds, bearer of battle-points.
33 Dianghus of the companies was the son of Conbhron : Cairioll the complete, that warrior ever voiceful (?) in his time, was a son of his ;& Cairill was grandson to Con- bhron's grandson.
34 Dianghus the Rrown was Cairioll's father ...Dianghus the Fair was son to Conall : he was the bravest man in Ireland.
110 DUANAtRE FINN |XLIII
35 Ni raibh mac ag Diangus Fionn 6 ro dalladh e le Fionn
acht Diangus d'eg 'na leabaidh a gCionn Droma Finnteagair.
36 Nir codail Fionn oidhche riamh gur bho lionmar a chlann 's a fhian
[64 b] gan deoir fhola 'na cridhe tre dalladh a dheirbhfhine
37 Gan dol a gcath le mac Cuinn dha bhron mora mhic Cumhaill
beiih 'na ffarradh rob fhusa 's gan dallad/i Dhianghusa
38 Nir urmais ar a leas
nir mhian leis 61 no aoibhneas ro bhi seacht la gan labra gerbh e ba fearr urlabhra
39 An tan do-chluineada Fionn fein dalladh Diangusa dretcnreidh
a eineach a chiall 's a chruth do-bheiread/i uaidh in t-aonguth
40 Bas Finn a mBroic ar ndul di do easgar um lig nDoire
bas Crimaill a Loch dha Dhall taoth a ccat Cnuch Cumall
41 Gidh Fithil ba laige lamh don triar brathar go moragh
comhlann da ched leis gan len gur thuit re Feargus Finbhel
40d Cnuch, sic MS.
XLIII] DUANAIRE FINN 111
35 Dianghus the Fair had no son after he had been blinded by Fionn. Rather did Dian- ghus die in his bed at the Head of Druim Finnteagair.
36 Fionn never slept a night (although his children and his Fian were numerous) without a bloody tear in his heart for the blinding of his deirbhfhine.
37 These were the son of Cumhall's two great griefs : he wished that he had not joined battle with Conn's son, for to be with them would have been easier ; and he wished that he had not blinded Dianghus.
38 He could find no way of bettering his case : he desired neither drinking nor pleasure : he was seven days without speaking though he was preeminent in eloquence.
39 Whenever Fionn himself heard of the blinding of smoothfaced Dianghus, that single utterance would rob him of honour, sense and beauty.
40 Fionn met his death in Broic after she [i. e. Aine] had died : [Daire's fall occurred by Leac Daire] : Criomhall met his death in Loch Dha Dhall : Gumhall fell in the battle of Cnucha.
41 Even Fithiol, who of the three very valo- rous brothers was weakest of hand,engaged two hundred without mishap till he fell by Fearghus Finbhel.
112 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIII
42 Is e sud in feart fo f f nil Fionn mac Cnmaill is a athair
is Criomall cian ro-clos & Daire donnsholus
43 Triiagh mo sgaradh risin fFein fearr dam adhrad/i De buaVidhein
mar a rugad Fionn go ngne adetnmsi ribh as e
Ag
[XLIII DUANAIRE FINN 113
42 Yonder is the mound beneath which lies Fionn, son of Cumhall, and his father and Criomhall (far has it been heard) and Dai re the brown and bright.
43 Alas for my parting with the Fian ! I had better turn to the worship of God. This, I tell you, is the place where Fionn was born.
XLIV
1 Cairdius Logha re droing don Fhein is meabhair liomsa burtTidhein
ge do-chodar uile in slogh ad-bhiursa gan iomargho
2 Mathair Logha Eithne ard do radadh isein do Tadhg
uaithe ro chinsead sliocht saor Tuirn mhor & Muirn mhuncaomh
3 Tugad do Conall ni chel an rioghan Uirne aithbhel
rug si mac 's nir bho donus an flaith Daire dedsolus
4 Mac do Dhaire mac Lughach an giolla seghainn subhach
Lughach mgean Finn go mbriogh mathair Gaine na nglainghniomh
5 Naisgis Fionn flaith na gcuradh Tuirn le deaghtriath Uladh
ro bhoi ag in righ go rath go ttarla taobhtrom torrach
[65a] 6 Bean do bhoi roimpe ag in righ ingean Buidhph ba mor a brigh a riocht con ba mor in sgel ro chuir si Uirne aithbhel
XLIV
1 I remember how Lugh and a portion of the Fian were related. Although the host has all gone I tell it without falsehood.
2 Tall Eithne was Lugh's mother : she was given to Tadhg : from her sprang a noble progeny, great Tuirn1 and smooth-necked Muirn.
3 To Conall was given (I shall not conceal it) the queen, Uirne Sharpmouth : she bore a son (and it was no misery) princely Daire of the bright teeth.
4 The comely pleasant lad Mac Lughach was son to Daire : Lughach, daughter of forceful Fionn, was the mother of Gaoine of the clear deeds.
5 Fionn, the prince of heroes, bound Tuirn1 to the good lord of Ulster : she lived with that prosperous king and so became heavy and with child.
6 The king had a wife before her, the very powerful daughter of Bodhbh : she cast Uirne Sharpmouth into the shape of a hound (a great tale to tell).
1 sic, rede Uirne.
116 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIV
7 Assaighthear in rioghan reidh i ttigh Feargusa fhinnleith
go rug si ba caomh in clann Bran ar aon & Sgeolang
8 Ro fhuagair hughaidh Lagha oir ba heisein a slana
a cor as deilbh chon go teann a ffiadhnuise ffear nKireann
9 Tugadh do Lughaid/i Lagha an rioghan fhial fiormhalla
rug si mac Sgiath fuileach is Caol crodha cedghuineach
10 Ceithre mic LughaieZn Lagha ro brisdis cath go dana
Caol cedguineach corcras crann Sgiath breac Aodh & Iollann
11 Moirsheisior do cloinn ni chel is eadh rug Uirne aithbhel
da triar mac ba meabhair Horn d'ardmhathaifc/z liaisle Ereann
12 A aonmac ro bhoi ag Muirn mhin nocharbh e ba measa dhibh
flaith ar ffulaing mionn ar sloigh Fionn mac CumaiZZ meic Tre'nmhoir
13 Ba he sin cairdeas nar lag
da ingean Taidg moir mhic Niiadat gin go mairit fein ro-feas mairidh budhdhein a ccairdeas
XLIV] DUANAIRE FINN 117
7 The gentle queen is delivered ( ?) in Fear- ghus Finnliath's house : she bore both Bran and Sgeolang, a lovely offspring.
8 Lughaidh Lagha, who was her surety,issued a mandate that she should be freed firmly from hound's form in the presence of the men of Ireland.
9 The modest truly gentle queen was given to Lughaidh Lagha : she bore a son, warlike Sgiath, and valiant hundred-slaying Caol.
10 These are Lughaidh Lagha's four sons (boldly did they conquer in battle), hun- dred-slaying Caol who makes his spear crims- on, speckled Sgiath, Aodh and Iollann.
11 Seven children (I shall not hide it) did Uirne Sharpmouth bear : twice three sons have I remembered, who ranked among the high nobles of Ireland.
12 Gentle Muirn had one son, yet was he not the least, the prince who sustained us, the diadem of our host, Fionn, son of Cumh- all, son of Trenmhor.
13 That was the strong kinship of the two daughters of great Tadhg son of Nuadha. Although they themselves, as is known, ex- ist no more, their kinship itself ( ?) remains,
XLV
1 Innis a.Oisin echtaigh
an aignidh gleghloin ghusmhair an raibh gaol ag Cnaoi DeiVeoil
re Fionn in chineoil cruthghloin
'S>J
2 Cnu Deireoil cnii mo cridhe
ceol is binne da gciiala sed is fearr boi a sithbrugh
an ghein brigmar bhuadlia
3 Ba he in ghein ghasta ghlormar
ba he in ceol nosmar neimhsearbh le a ccoideoldis fir ghonta
deagmac Logha meic Eithlinn
4 Lugh mor mac Cein nnc Cainti
mac mna ba haille i nEn'nn ba hi Eithne ingean Bhalair
bean in fhuilt cladhaigh cheibhfhinn
5 Ar ngabhail righe nEreann
do Lugh na mbeimionn mbailctren [65b] ro bhasaigh fine Fomra
neimh a fhoghla san aier
6 Iar marbad/i Bhaloir bheimnigh
do Lugh an eidigh fearrdha tainic Eithne ingean Bhaloir
'na dheagoidh go teagh Theamra
XLV
1 Tell, mighty Oisin, of the clear pure active mind : was Cnii Dheireoil related to Fionn of the cleanly shaped kindred?
2 Cnu Dheireoil, the nut of my heart, the sweetest, music I have heard, the best jewel that ever was in fairy mansion, the pow- erful gifted one !
3 He was an excellent glorious offspring, maker of famed non-discordant music at which wounded men might sleep, the good son of Lugh, son of Eithne.
4 Great Lugh, son of Cian, son of Cainte, was son to the loveliest woman in Ireland : that woman of the billowing fair-tressed hair was Eithne, Balor's daughter.
5 When Lugh of the stout strong blows had assumed the kingship of Ireland, his fierce airy (?) plundering brought death on the Fomorian race.
6 When Balor of the blows had been killed by Lugh of the manful clothing, Eithne, Balor's daughter, followed him to the house of Tara.
120 DUANAIRE FINN [XLV
7 Tainic Tadg mor mac Nuadhat
feadhan uasal san aonach ba maith fiadhoin na feisi
d'iarraidh Eithne ar a haonmac
8 Do radad dho an deighbhean
do Tadhg ba calma in deighfear ro bhoi 'na haonmhnaoi aige go ttainic a dhianoigeadn
9 Ba hi ceidghein na deisi
on feisin a ttigh Theamra Muirn ingean Taidg mic Nuadhat in bean ba huaso cearda
10 Ag sin a ngaol re cheile
a cleirigh tainic chugainn Eithne ingean Bhaloir bhadhaigh mathair mathar mic Cumaill
11 Guidh ar mh'anmain a cleirigh
aga bfuil leighionn laingrinn do-ghebhair 6 righ Parrthais
neamh dom anmain a Tailghinn
12 Guidh ar anmain Chnu Dheireoil
fa binn cineoil a gcoimseinm giolla ro gabhadh diiana
ni chuala ceol a coimmbinn
Innis
lid Tailghinn. MS has ' chleirigh no Tailghinn '.
XLV] DUANAIRE FINN 121
7 Great Tadhg, son of Nuadha, came with a noble band to the fair (The witnesses of the marriage were good) to seek Eithne from her only son.
8 The lady was given to him, to Tadhg, the brave excellent man : she was his sole wife till his stern death came.
9 The first child born to those two as a result of that marriage in the house of Tara was Muirn daughter of Tadhg, son of Nuadha, the woman of noble accomplishments.
10 There is their relationship to one another, 0 cleric who hast visited us: Eithne, daughter of warlike Balor, was the mother of the mother of the son of Cumhall.
11 Pray for my soul, 0 cleric of the full pleas- ant learning : Heaven will be obtained for my soul from the King of Paradise, 0 Tailgheann.
12 Pray for the soul of CniiDheireoil who was musical by nature when men played to- gether, a lad who uttered poems : never did I hear music so sweet.
XLVI
1 Fiamhain mac Foraigh go fior & Oisin mac in riogh
ger imchian eattorra sin
da deirbhsiur a dha mathair
2 Righlinn fionn mgean in Deirg mathair Fiamhoin lith gan ceilg
Cruithgheal ingean Deirg go mblaidh mathair Oisin iolchrothafan
3 Gidh tearc neach ga ffuil eol nochan eidir a aithcheo
clann da dezrbseatar na fir Oisin mac Finn is Fiamhoin
FiAMHain
XLVI
1 Fiamhain, son of Forach, in truth, and Oisin, son of the king, though a great dist- ance lay between those men their two mothers were two sisters.
2 Righlinn the fair, daughter of the Dearg, was Fiamhoin's mother (a guileless fest- ival). Cruithgheal, daughter of renowned Dearg, was mother of comely Oisin.
3 Though few know it, it is impossible to deny it : Oisin son of Fionn and Fiamhain were the children of two sisters.
XLVII
1 Iss e sud colg in laoich lain Chaoilti meic roglain Ronain ar in tulaigh os Druim Lir is i a lamh fein rus-folaigh
[66 a] 2 Adersa riot a laoich luinn
a Diarmaid moir mhic Cearbhoill nocha gciiala cloidheamh cruaidh ba fearr aitheas is ardbuaidh
3 Ro marb se ced ag Ath Liiain is ced a tTulaigh Mongruaidh
an treas ced a fFiodh dha Bhan an ceathramhad[7i] ced a nDurmagh
4 Maith ro himreadh thu gan feall a gcath Fionntragha na mbeimionn
& tu a laim in laoich lain Chaoilti mic roglain Ronain
5 An coigeadh ced ag Ath Liiain do macroidh e&chaigh armriiaidh
an seisead[/i] ced meabhoir linn ag Ath na nfig ar Sionainn
6 Dit ro cuireadh cath Cuailgne ier ttcacht 6 Inbear Mhuaidhe
cath do chaoineadar mna amach da ttorcair Conoll cedach
XLVII
■
1 That is the blade of the perfect warrior, of Caoilte, Ronan's bright son. His own hand hid it on the hill above Druim Lir.
2 I shall tell thee, fierce warrior, great Diarmaid, son of Cearbhall, never did I hear of a hard sword that excelled it in success and high victory.
3 It slew a hundred at Ath Luain and a hundred at Tulach Mongruadh, a third hundred in Fiodh dha Bhan, a fourth hun- dred in Durmhagh.
4 Well wert thou wielded without deceit in the battle ofVentry of the blows, when thou wert in the hand of the perfect warrior, Caoilte, Ronan's bright son.
5 A fifth hundred of mounted stout- weaponed youths did it slay at Ath Luain, a sixth hundred (we remember it) at Ath na nfig on the Shannon.
6 By thee was the battle of Cuailgne fought when thou hadst come from Inbhear Muai- dhe, a battle mourned to the full (?) by women, where Conall of the hundreds fell.
126 DUANAIRE FINN . [XLVII
7 Dit ro marbadh Core is Cian seal beag o Teamraigh aniar
& dit go ngairbe ngluinn
do thuit Loingseach mac Domn ainn
8 Dit ro marbad[/t] gan meaboi'Z an Liath a Luachair Deaghoz'dA
nochar e in t-echt gan dioghail duinn nir choir a commaoidhiomh
9 Fear gach enla sa mbliad[/?]ain is eadh ros-marb dar bfianoibh
fa Conan fa Mhac in Luin
ni rangattar a leas a athghuin
10 Dit ro marbaoTi mac Luighdheach seal beag uasan Ath Buidhneach
do lamhac/i Finn na Feine do budh cruaidh in coimeirge
11 Iris caillighe Glinne Marc
tuc in cloidheam do Sithbhac mairidh fo a chruth gan a gne is dearbh liomsa gurab e
12 Sithbhac fos do-rad dia mac
in cruaidh claisleatan coimneart d'eis Poil meic Coirbre treoraia/z a gcathoibh nirb aineolac/i
13 Coirbre garbhsron triath ba teann dual do oireachus Eireann
eulais 6 Choirbri nar lag 6 Trenmor go a deaghmac
10a Luighdheach in the MS is preceded by a crossed out Luchach.
XLVII] DUANAIRE FINN 127
7 By thee were killed Core and Cian a little to the west of Tara, and by thee with rough- ness of deed fell Loingseach, son of Domh- nann.
8 By thee, without deceit, was killed the Liath of Luachair Dheadhoidh : that deed was not unavenged : we had no right to boast of it.
9 He killed from our Fiana a man every day in the year, led by Conan and Mac an Luin. They had no need to wound him a se- cond time.
10 By thee was the son of Lughaidh killed a little above the Ath Buidhneach, by the dexterity of Fionn of the Fian (It was a hardy uprising).
11 Iris, the hag of Gleann Marc, gave the sword to Sithbhac : it retains its shape and appearance (?) ; I am certain that this is it(?).
12 Sithbhac then gave to his son the broad- grooved stout steel weapon after (?) Pol son of strong Coirbre, who showed no ignorance in battles.
13 Coirbre Garbhshron, a firm lord, to whom the sovranty of Ireland was due — from that Coirbre who was no weakling it passed — from Trenmhor, to his good son.
128 DUANAIRE FINN IXLVII
14 Do-rad Trenmor gan iarraidh in cloidheamhsin da chliamhoin
do-rad in cliamhoin nar lag arna iarraidh dha deaghmac
15 Do-rad Cumall e dha'eis do Crimall ag so a fhaisneis
[66 b] ge ata se go cohhsaidh coir
uch is aisaidh in seanoir
16 An Criomallsin uas gach dionn rus-toirbeir e dha deoin d'Fionn
do thoirbhir Fionn mor in ro d'Fianoibh Eirionn a n-aonlo
17 Ann sin tiagaid FianaFail a n-aonionadh a n-aondhail
ba gairid leo teacht uile | go haonach na hAlmhaine
18 Ann sin adubafrt Fionn Fail cred fo ttangobai'r san dail
do breith uaim deimhin go ngoil ar ceann mh'einigh tangabhair
19 Iongnadh leinn a Finn aistrigh sed agaibh is e a ttaisgidh
tussa in coigeadh gan fheall is fearr eineach d'iath Eireann
20 Ag sud dhaoibhsi in cloidheam coir ar mac Cumaill mic Treinmoir
on 16 aniu go brath na mbett ar mo seilbh ni bhiaidh a coime'd
kLVlIj . DUANAIRE FINN 129
14 Trenmhor gave that sword unasked to his kinsman by marriage, and his strong kinsman gave it, when asked, to his good son.
15 Cumhall gave it after him to Criomhall (I tell it now) : though he is steady and true, alas ! he is an aged old man.
16 That Criomhall, highest of princes, pres- ented it of his own will to Fionn : Fionn on that same ( ?) day presented it (a great excess) to the Fiana of Ireland.
17 Then the Fiana of Fal gather in one place in one assembly : it did not take long for all to come to the fair of Almhain.
18 Then Fionn of Fal said « Why have you come to the assembly ? To take something from me, I am certain : to receive of my generosity you have come »
19 « We wonder, roving Fionn, that you should have a precious article laid by : you, with- out deceit, are one of the five most generous men in the land of Ireland. »
20 « There for you is the good sword, » said the son of Cumhall, son of Trenmhor. « From today till the calamitous day of doom its sheath shall not be in my possession. »
130 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVII
21 Caidhe mar do-beire dhoibh ro raidh Oisin a gcedoir
an e a chosnam as a neart
no in crannchar cubaidh coimneart
22 Aigillidh ingm i Cuinn
in rioghan 6 Theamr aigh truim is i bainbretiomh gan feall is fearr a n-inis Eireann
23 Ann sin ro chan Aillbhe chaidh in bhean dob fearr ciall do mnaibh
seanbrethir so go brath mbil denadh each ceart in cloidhim
24 Denaidhsi coimrith a gcein eidir reidh & aimreidh
ce be dibh bus deach rus-reath rod-ria in cloidim claisleathan
25 Ann sin reathaid Fiana Fail a n-aonchonair as in dail
ni fhaca coimrith ba mo a n-aonionad a n-aonlo
26 Ann sin do-choidh Caoilti don Fhein eidir reidh & aimreidh
ba he Fionn budh foixe dho is fior is ni hiomargho
27 Tarraidh Caoilte in cloidiom caidh tarraid[/ij Fionn in truaill 'na laimh
rug Caoilti an cloidheam glan an truaill d'Fionn mor Alman
22c The e in -bretiomh represents a tall e in MS.
22d is fearr comes before gan feall in the MS with sign to transpose.
23c The ea in sean- represents a tall e in MS.
XLVII] DUANAIRE FINN 131
21 « How dost thou give it to them? » said Oisin straightway. « Shall they contend for it by their strength, or shall they use even equal lottery ? »
22 « Consult the daughter of Conn's grandson , the queen from heavy Tara : she (without deceit) is the best woman judge in the island of Ireland. »
23 Then chaste Aillbhe, wisest of women, made pronouncement (this will be a proverb for ever) : « Let each man establish his claim to the sword.
24 « Hold a race afar over smooth ground and rough. He among you who shall have run best will get the broad-grooved sword. »
25 Then the Fiana of Fal all run on the one track from the assembly : never did I see a greater race in one place on one day.
26 Then Caoilte went from the Fian over smooth ground and rough : next to him was Fionn (It is true and no lie).
27 Caoilte obtained the pure sword : Fionn obtained the sheath in his hand. Caoilte got the clean sword : the sheath went to great Fionn of Almhain.
132 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVI1
28 Damsa ceart a Caoilti chriiaidh fon gcloidheamsin cona truaill
ad-clad fiadhoin sunn go glan gur a n-aoinf eacht tarramar
[67 a] 29 Do-bersa ceart na caingne mar as fearr bherus Aillbhe
mad fearr leat munbudh treorach beraidh Fithiol fireolac/i
30 Do-ghen bar gceart ar Aillbhe sol deachus sibh a rogairge
breith dhaor oraibhsi re headh is mairg duine do beradh
31 Do hudh e sin is ceart coir
ar mac Cumaill meic Trenmhoir
acht gemadh ail duinn teacht ris is duinne ro breathnaighis
32 Na habairsi sin a ri
gin gub ail lim sibh gan ni aderad Fithil na mbreath dlighidh gach laoch a deigheach
33 Dia ndlighidh cloidheamh a truaill a meic Cumaill cloidheamcriiaidh
dligidh in truaill sgel go li in beilfhleasg oir go gcaoimli
34 Ag slid duitsi a Chaoilti chriiaidh in cloidheamsin cona truaill
& ag slid suairc in se'd beilfhleasg oir go n-imcoime'd
XLVII] DUANAIRE FINN 133
28 « Grant justice, hardy Caoilte, concerning that sword with its sheath : witnesses here see clearly that we reached them together. »
29 « I shall admit the rights of the case as Aillbhe shall best adjudge. If you prefer, if the judgement be not one to follow, truly wise Fithiol shall give judgement. »
30 « I shall decide between you, » said Aillbhe, « before you grow too violent : woe to the person who should now give judgement against you. »
31 « That would be the correct decision, » said the son of Cumhall, son of Trenmhor : « even though we should wish to oppose it (?) thou hast judged in our favour. »
32 « Say not so, 0 king : though I would not have you deprived of everything, Fithiol of the judgements would say « To every knight is due his good horse. »
33 « If to a sword is due its sheath, 0 son of hard-sworded Cumhall, to the sheath (a goodly tale) the gold edge-ring of lovely appearance is due.
34 « There for you, hardy Caoilte, is that sword with its sheath, and there (a pleasing jewel) is the gold edge-ring and guard.
131 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVII
■
35 tri fichit uinge d'or dhearg mar do innill Iollann dearg
iss eadh ata suairc a li
ar in mbeilfhleisg go gcaoimli
36 Deich cced each is deich cced bo is do-bheradh ni budh mo
ar son in cloidhim go maoin targaidh dho Fionn a Formaoil
37 Mar tairnic duinn ceart na ffear dirim cairpteaca na ndeighfear
Fithiol is Flaithri amach ad-ciam cugainn is Cormac
38 Ceiltear uainn ceart na caingne iss eadh adubairt Aillbhe
mo breithsi munbudh treorach beraidh Fithil fireolach
39 Fearaid failti Fiana Fail
risin gcaom gconchar gcomchair gizr suidheadar ar deis Finn an ceathrar uallach airmgrinn
40 Sona go ttigit leasa adubairt Fionn faidh feasa
mo ceart is Caoilte gan on daoibhsi tig a leasughad/i
41 Sgel agamsa duit a Finn adubairt Cormac caomgrinn
sib si & Aillbhe uas gach modh is ail leinn diar siodhughatfn
37c amach, sic MS (dotted c).
XLVII] DUANAIRE FINN 135
35 « Upon the edge-ring of lovely appearance are three score ounces of red gold as pre- pared by Iollann the Red (pleasant their sheen). »
36 A thousand steeds and a thousand cows (and more would he have given) Fionn of Formaoil offers him for the precious sword.
37 When the men's case had come, to an end, we see approaching us a band of good men in chariots, Fithiol and Flaithri, his son, and Cormac.
38 « Let the decision of the case be concealed by us, » said Aillbhe. « If my judgement be not sound Fithiol the Wise will give judge- ment. »
39 The Fiana of Fal welcome the handsome noble1 allrighteous one, and the four proud well-armed men sat at Fionn's right hand.
40 « All is well till claims arise, » said Fionn the wise prophet : « It is for you to settle my case and faultless Caoilte's. »
41 « I have something to tell you, Fionn, » said handsome pleasant Cormac : « We would have you and most honoured Aill- bhe to make peace between us.
1 conchar, originally 'fond of hounds ', later has a vague meaning ' noble excellent '.
136 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVII
12 Gabhoir Fithil crodh gan \ochl do-deachadar am lupgort [67 6] do itheadar mo losa dhe
's do millseador mo blath blaithi
43 Innisidh Fionn na sgela
's ni roibh Caoilti dia sen a
an breathsin rug Aillbhe doibh rus-mol an ceathrar comcoir
44 Nochan eadarsa nach iad ro mhill lubhgort Atha Liag
teagaid mo gobhair am dhail gan fostadh gan iomgabhail
45 Buachail a ndiaigh na ngopar gan eagla gan iomomhan
is buachail oile gan \ocht agatsa thall ad lubhgort
46 Do-ghen bar gceart ar Aillbhe nocha bhiii dia comairle
iocadh in lubhgartoir ribh ar millseat gabhair Fithil
47 Ag sin breath do bhermaois fein ro raidh Cormbac go gcoimcheill
is i do bermaois uile
ar mac Cumaill Almhaine
48 Fleadh agamsa duit a Fhinn adubairt Cormac caoimhgrinn
aire tanac ar do cionn
mar onoir d'Fianoibh Eireann
43b Fionn is crossed out in the MS before Caoilti.
Aid Cumaill in MS comes after Almhaine with sign to transpose,
XLVII] DUANAIRE FINN 137
42 « Fithiol's goats, a flawless herd, came into my garden : they ate my plants there- by, and destroyed my flowers.
*43 Fionn gives the particulars and Caoilte did not deny them : that judgement which Aillbhe passed for them the allrighteous four upheld.
44 « I do not know but that it si they who destroyed the garden of Ath Liag. My goats come to me without stopping or straying ( ?) »
45 « A herd follows the goats without fear or terror, and you too, without fault, have a guardian there in your garden. »
46 « I shall decide your case, » said Ailbhe : « I shall not take (?) advice about it (?). Let the gardener pay you for all that Fith- iol's goats destroyed. »
47 « That is the judgement we ourselves would have given, » said Cormac the sensible. « It is the judgement all of us would have given, » said the son of Cumhall of Almhain.
48 « I have a feast for you, Fionn, » said handsome pleasant Cormac : « my purpose in coming to see you was to do honour to the Fiana of Ireland. »
* This quatrain should clearly be read before 41.
138 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVII
49 Deich cced do taoiseachaibh Fian lodmar go Teamraigh na ngiall
gan caolbhaidh gan caingean locht Aillbe caomnar 's a banntrac/i*
50 Coig tratha duinn a tTeamraigh
a ttigh in riogh mhoirmeanmnaigh ag caitheam bidh is leanna ba haoibhinn ar n-airrdheana
51 Suairc in tuarustal dar Horn dus-rad Cormac da dheoin d'Fionn
tri fichid uinge d'or dearg & caoga cii croibhdhearg
52 Caoga ceangaltach na gcorn caoga fithchioll go ndath ngorm
& caoga each n-aonaigh
do mac Cumaill armfhaobhrato/i
53 Maith righe Cormaic is Finn mairg fuil na ndiaigh a nEiri/m
ba he bleaghan gach bo abhus Ian a sreabhainn re a tomhus
54 Mairg tair an aimseir dia n-eis re a hinnisin re a haisneis
budh sladaighe fir domham bradaige mna a gcuikad/?oibh
55 Reacfaigtear iasg mara moir risna Gallaibh a gcedoir
ar ttoigheac/jf docum tire budh comartha drochrighe
XLVII] . DUANAIRE FINN 139
49 We went, ten hundred captains of fians, to Tara of the hostages, with no lack of amity, no fault-finding, gentle modest Aillbhe and her ladies with us.
50 We were five days in Tara in the house of the magnanimous king consuming food and ale : our enjoyment was apparent.
51 A pleasing reward, to my thinking, did Cormac give of his own accord to Fionn, sixty ounces of red gold and fifty red-pawed hounds ;
52 Fifty binders (?) of the drinking-horns, fifty chess sets of blue colour and fifty show horses to the son of keen-weaponed Cumhall.
53 Good was the kingship of Cormac and Fionn : woe for him who is in Ireland after them : every cow here milked the measured full of her udder.
54 Woe for him who reaches the age after theirs, to speak and tell of it : all men will be robbers and women thieves in store rooms.
55 The fish of the great sea will be sold to the foreigners immediately they have been brought to land : it will be a sign of evil kingship.
140 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVII
[68 a]56 A ndiaigh na naom go n-aille cleirigh dhiana dioghaire
ag folair chrabhaidh go heacht is iad fein nocha ndingneat
57 Gidh olc na cleirigh gan bhrigh measa go mor na hairdrigh
gidh olc na righa rabhaigh measa na maoir threintaphaigh
58 Dia labhraid cluig a gceaWaibh gidh ard leighionn gach seanoidh
nocha mo do-cluin Criost caidh no sanais isin camair
59 Nochan feadar cred do-dhen fil mo rose ag silcadh der
cloidhiomh Caoilti ba caom gne is meabhair leamsa gurab e
Ise
XLVI11 DUANAIRE FINN 141
56 After the beauteous saints will come fierce and violent clerics strictly enjoining piety, and they themselves will not practise it.
57 Though the worthless clerics be bad, worse far will be the high kings : though bad the warning (?) kings, worse again the strongly exacting stewards.
58 Though (?) bells sound in churches, though high be the learning of every synod, chaste Christ hears it no more than an announ- cement at daybreak.
59 I know not what I shall do : my eye is shedding tears : I remember that this is comely Caoilte's sword.
XLVIII
1 Deargriiathar cloinne Morna sochaz'tf[/i]e dia ttugsat dogra
o Tuinn Tiiaidhe nir treas tim budftdheas go Cliodhna cheinnfinn
2 Ro marbsat a nDiin da Bheann Maine & Dian is Deileann
ionmhain triar ar gcur a neirt meic Feardhomhain moir feirceirt
3 Do marbhsat a nGleann Umha Uaithne fionn mac Finnumha
ro marbsat a cCarn Alloidh Faolan 7 Follamhoin
4 Ro marbsat na tri Finn
is na tri Duinn cinn ar chinn ro marbsat is rob olc liom in seanoir crimnac/i Crimall
5 Do marbsat TuathaZ nar thim do marbhsat Aodh is Oilill
do marbsat Tadg ina tigh & Fionn ban mac Breasail
6 Ro marbhsat Sgiath breac buadac/z ro marbhsat Aongus usd\ach
ro marpsat mo dha daltan dil Leagan liiaimhneac/i a Luachair
2a In the MS the Bh of Bheann is a d altered to what is apparently intended to represent a dotted b. 6a There is a very slight space between sgiath and breac in the MS.
XLVIII
1 The red rush of Morna's children : they gave sorrow to many, from Tonn Tuaidhe (it was no weak onset) southwards to Cliodhna of the fair head.
2 They killed in Dun da Bheann Maine and Dian and Deileann, a dear three who had put forth their strength, the sons of Fear- dhomhan son (?) of Feirceart.
3 They killed in Gleann Umha Uaithne the Fair son of Fionnumha.They killed in Cam Alloidh Faolan and Follamhoin.
4 They killed the three Fionns and the three Donns side by side. They killed (I liked it not) the . . . old man Criomh- all.
5 They killed Tuathal who was not weak. They killed Aodh and Oilill. They killed Tadhg in his house and Fionn the Fair, son of Breasal.
6 They killed victorious Sgiath Breac1. They killed proud Aonghus. They killed my dear fosterling Leagan the Swift from Luachair.
1 Literally * Speckled Shlied '.
144 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVllI
7 Do loiscseat Formaoil na fFian go n-iomat geimhiol is giall
do marbhsat Raighne go rath do loisgseat Aillbhe uallac/i
8 Ro marpsat a tTulac/z Og Iollann mac Finn is deaghOg
Og mac Finn fear go rath uaidhe sloinntear in tulach
9 Aodh 6 Geimhnain nar laga & Aodh 6 hl)aineagda
Aodh o Teamhair ro-chlos ro marbhsat uile a gClaonros
10 A gClaonros mac n-Uisneach n-ard sochaidhe dia ttuscat mairg
mar ar fhagoibh Caoince ciath
mo macsa fein forrac/z niadh budh e ainm na tulcha dhe go tti in brath Cainsgiath Chaoinche
11 Caoince cearr a cCionn Tire Aodh mac Aodha is lie
[68 b] Aodh & lie & Bran
is leosan do-rochrador
12 Tri died allmarrach ar cai um Bhaire um Labraid/i Gai
do geallsatar damh ni breg Alma uile do choimhed
13 Tugattar deargar na ffear Bodiimann luchoir laingheal
nochar fagaibhseat 'na bea.th.aidh ingean Iochtoir airmleathain
10c ciath sic. 11* is. In the MS the a of an original as has been crossed
out and i substituted beneath. 12a MS has chdoga deleted before chid.
XLVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 145
7 They burned Formaoil of the Fiana with much fettering and hostage-taking. They killed Raighne the fortunate. They burned proud Aillbhe.
8 They killed in Tulach Og Iollann, son of Fionn, and goodly Og : Og, son of Fionn, a prosperous man, from him the hill is named.
9 Aodh, grandson of Geimhnan... and Aodh, grandson of Uainidh (?), Aodh of Tara (it has been heard), they killed them all in Claonros.
10 In Claonros of the sons of high Uisneach were there many to whom they caused woe : there did Caoinche my own son (a warrior's overthrow) leave his shield : from that the name of the hill shall ever be Cainsgiath Chaoinche.
11 Caoince the Crooked in Ceann Tire, Aodh son of Aodh, and lie, Aodh and lie and Bran fell by them.
12 Three hundred foreigners on the march led by Baire and Labhraidh Gaoi promised me (no lie) to guard all Almha.
13 They made a red slaughter of the men : they did not leave bright full fair Bodhmann, daughter of broad-weaponed Iochtar, alive.
146 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVIII
14 Ro marbadar na tri died
um Bhaire um habhr aidh ni breg marbsat Bodlimann lith ngal & ro gonsat Sgannal
15 A gcionn hliadhna nocha go ba marbh Sgannal do gaibh cro
tren rom-gabh sniom arna dul Almha do heith gan Sgannal
16 Ced rioghan nach liiaidhearf[/i] claon da died um an da macaomh
ro marbhsat mor in sgeile
um Uathach fhionn Almhaine
17 Ro marbhsat a Port Omna Breasal is Core is Connla
do ghonsat Oissin budMhein & Cairioll go gcaoimhcheill
18 Naoi mic Iobhair is Iochtair deich meic Cuinn deich mmchidh
ro marbhsat ag Druim os Traigh um Finndeirb ingm Cannain
19 Do marbhsat ag Druim os Loch Oih71 mor maith d'ar tteaglach
is uime adeirthear Druim Bron mar ar marbarf/i Oilt'/l mor
20 Druim Broin 6 bhron Feine Finn on laithe do thaot Oih'/l
nochar codlus oidhche shaimh 6 do mavhadh mac Faolain
14a na. The a has been added in below the line in place of an erased /.
XLVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 147
14 They killed the three hundred (no lie) around Baire and Labhraidh. They killed Bodhmann (a festival of feats), and they wounded Sgannal.
15 In a year (no falsehood) Sgannal had died of blood-darts1 : when he had gone, mightily did grief seize me that Almha should be without Sgannal.
16 A hundred queens who never spoke untruth (and two hundred around the two youths) did they kill (great misery) about fair Uathach of Almha [?].
17 They killed, in Port Omna, Breasal and Core and Connla. They wounded Oissin himself and Cairioll of excellent sense.
18 The nine sons of Iobhar and Iochtar, the ten sons of Conn, the ten... they killed at Druimos Traigh around Finndearbh, daught- er of Cannan.
19 They killed at Druim 6s Loch great Oilill, a prince of our household. Therefore is it called Druim Bron (The Ridge of Sorrows) where great Oilill was killed.
20 It is Druim Broin (The Ridge of Sorrow) from the sorrow of Fionn's Fian, since the day that Oilill fell : I have not slept soundly for a night since the son of Fao- lan was killed.
1 * Blood- darts ' in Irish is a conventional phrase, meaning , the pernicious effects of an unhealed wound '.
i48 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVIII
21 Meic sidhe assin Mumhain mhais dainim dhuinn bheith 'na ffegmais
is iad do tuidhcad/i go prap a mbotha do ruscoibh slat
22 Ro marbhsat Taidhme 'na dhiin teaglach ro budh dainim dhiin
& Breasal mac Bratha & Coirbrc Claonratha
23 Do loisceadar Criiacha Ceard
's a ingean Luchair laimhdhearg do marbhattar 'na hinis a shiur budndhein Maighinis
24 As sin dhi'iin ba cuairt chonuis go Buaib'rf/z an Aondorais
rugsam orra truagb an dail urn Leitribh cruaidhe Collain
25 Adubairt Goll do glor ard go rioghdba & go rogharg
na faghbliadh Finn sibh amoigh a maca Cormaic cneisgbil
26 Tabhraidh dhamh mo chruit go n-or adubairt Daighre dreac/imhor
go seinnear i mor in modh go gcuirinn each 'na ccodhladh
27 Ann sin dus-radadh a chruit go mac Morna fa binn puirt
[69 a] no gar codailseat uile
le mac Morna mungbhuidho
XLVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 149
21 They were lads from goodly Munster : it is hard for us to be without them : it is they who used to thatch their booths swiftly with peelings of rods.
22 They killed Taidhme in his fort (a house- hold which was injurious to us) and Breasal son of Brath and Coirbre of Claonraith.
23 They burned Cruacha the Craftsman and his daughter Luchair of the red hands : they killed in her island his own sister Maighinis.
24 From that we went on (it was a fighting visit) to Buaile an Aondoruis (the One- doored Enclosure) : we came upon them (a woeful meeting) about the hard Slopes of Collan.
25 Goll said in a loud voice regally and very roughly, « Let not Fionn find ye without, 0 sons of white-skinned Cormac. »
26 Give me my gilded harp said large-faced Daighre till I play it (a great deed) so as to put everyone asleep.
27 Then his harp was brought to the son of Morna whose melodies were sweet, till sleep came to them all by the playing of the son of yellow-haired Morna.
150 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVIII
28 An tan ro hudh codladh dhoibh teagmaid cuca lin ar sloigh
isseadh ron-mosgail miadh ngal gair na Feine ga marbaoTi
29 Ro fagsat da ttrien a n-arm
ro marbsat Feargus foltgarbh do marbsat teannta re muir Garb Crot Garb Greine 6 Ghlasmhuir
30 Ann sin do-cuadhmar 'na ndail go feis tighe Forannain
dha c[h]ed dar muinntir go ngoil ro marbsat an oidhchesoin
31 Ro marbhatar Saltran seang ro marbhadar Guaire cearr
do marbhadar gerb olc linn
tri mic Luighdeach meic Croimchinn
32 Ro marbhsat Gille Uallcha ag teacht 6 Teamhair Luachra
ro marpattar truagh in dail Feindidh mac Finn mic Cuain
33 Ro marbattar Cirre caol
ro marbattar Duph & Daol
ro marbsat ar Moigh Line Dealan cuanna cruitire
34 Ro mharpador Faolchu fial mo macsa fein iorrach nia dh
ro marbsat mo mac eile Maol Dearg ro ba moirsgeile
29b MS has da deleted before Feargus.
$2d mac. MS has mic with the ic crossed out and c written above the m (= mac).
XLVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 151
28 When they were asleep we come to them with all our host: what awakened us (battle honour!) was the cry of the Fian being slain.
29 They left two thirds of their arms. They killed Fearghus of the rough hair : they killed (a hard pressing by the sea [ ?]) Garbh Crot, Garbh Greine of Glasmhuir.
30 Then we went to meet them to the feast in Forannan's house : twohundred of our brave folk did they kill that night.
31 They killed slender Saltran : they killed Guaire the crooked : they killed, though we liked it not, the three sons of Lughaidh, son of Croimcheann.
32 They killed Gille. Uallcha coming from Teamhair Luachra : they killed (a woeful event) Feindidh, son of Fionn, son of Cuan.
33 They killed Cirre the Slender : they killed Dubh and Daol : they killed on Magh Line comely Dealan, the harper.
34 They killed generous Faolchu, my own son (a warrior's overthow) : they killed my other son, Maol Dearg (it was a great grief).
152 DUANAIRE FINN [XLVIII
• 35 Ro marp attar na tri
ar in leirg uas Cnucha cuirr ro baitheadair ar in muir na tri Deirg 6 Shleibh Ditraibh
36 Ro marpaderr Faolchii fial ro marbadar Core is Cian
ro marbhsat Mongan on tuinn 7 Conan mac ■ Crimthain
37 Ro marpadar hughaidh lonn ro marpsat Cairche crom
ro loiscseat ced cuaine con a tTulaigh liaine Archon
38 Tulach Archon 6 ar con ainm na tulcha mor in modh
Tulach Airde a ainm roimhe 6 aird con Mic Fiodhba?'rf/ie
39 Seisior fiche ar se ched
ar choig mhile mor in bed
do cloinn Bhaoisccne mor in modh
do thuit ar in deargruatar
Dearg
35a MS sic (word omitted).
35c marb has been deleted in the MS before baitheadair.
XLVIII]
DUANAIPxE FINN
153
35 They killed the three ... on the slope above steep Cnucha : they drowned on the sea the three Deargs from Sliabh Dioth- raibh.
«
36 They killed generous Faolchu : they killed Core and Cian : they killed Mongan from the wave and Conan, son of Criomhthan.
37 They killed passionate Lughaidh and Cair- che the. Bent. They burned a hundred dog-litters in green Tulach Archon.
38 Tulach Archon from dr con (slaughter of dogs) is the. hill's name (a great honour). Tulach Airde was its name before that from the collar (aird) of the hound of Mac Fiodh- bhaidhe (The Son of Woodland).
39 Five thousand six hundred and twenty six (great the deed) of the children of Baoisgne ('twas a great work) fell in the red rush.
XLIX
1 A Oissin in raidhe rinn
ni d'faisdine mic Cumhaill ar tairrngir in ri go rath aingi'Z go fior do adhradh
2 Inneosat duit sgel gaidh grinn a Patraic moir mic Calprainn
& budh cradh led chroidhe gach dal ga ttu ag tarrngoire
3 Suidhe do-rinne Fionn shoir os glinn ag Beinn liir fidoir
[69 b] go fiacaidh nell tiugh atiiaidh gor much Eirinn re heniiair
4 Is iad ba foixe don righ do mac Cumaill Almhaini
meisi & Osgar go ngrain & Caoilti mac Ronain
5 Briatraighim ar tus miadh ngal d'Fionn mor avdUaith Almhan
cred in nell dorcha atuaidh ro much Eirinn re henuair
6 Ann atbeart Caoilti croidhc re mac Cumaill Almhaine
tabhair h'ordain fad dhett fis is na leig sinn a n-ainfhis
XL IX
1 « Oissin, canst thou tell us something of the prophecy of the son of Cumhall? Did the prosp- erous king predict that angels truly . . . ? »
2 I shall tell thee a clear tale of hardship, great Patrick, son of Calpurnius, and every event I am predicting will be torment to thy heart.
3 Once Fionn took his seat in the east above the glen at fresh Beann fidair when he saw a thick cloud coming from the north covering Ireland in an instant.
4 Those nearest the king, the son of Cumhall of Almhain, were myself and dread Osgar and Caoilte son of Ronan.
5 I first speak (Battle honour!) to great Fionn, high prince of Almhain : « What is that dark cloud from the north which has covered Ireland in an instant ? »
6 Then dear Caoilte said to the son of Cumhall of Almhain ; « Put thy thumb beneath thy tooth of knowledge and leave us not in ignorance. »
156 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIX
7 Truagh sin a Chaoilti chroidhe is cian uait in tairrngire
measgfaid Danair tar Muir Meann a n-uilc ar fhearoibh Eireann
8 Millfidh siad Eire uile eidir mhagh mhin is muine
fri re da c[h]cd mb\iad[h]am mbil in Fodla fon gceinneamhain
9 Ni ffuighit siad do rath ann nach mo is dith dhoibh a fhulang
gach a marptar ann miadh ngle bidh amrath da n-ierdraighe
10 Fear Diardaoin tig ar a gcionn olc a iermairt d'iath Eirionn
Mac Murchadha in diabhal di'ir budh siabhradh sin a n-iumpudh
11 Bidhat olc reimhins in righ biaidh a aras ar dimbrigh
gan mac gan iarmhua go mbladh gid iargno Horn ar labhraaTi
12 Laighin ar tiis daortar ann saoth lem chroidhisi a chomhall
gan righ orra achi iarla duph gan fiana dia n-anacal
13 Loitid Midhe is Mumha mhas nocha lugha in t-olc amhnus
go mbeid fad o dioghail duibh uch budh doiligh in dioghail
12b lem : The e represents a tall e in MS.
12c, d In place of this couplet 13c,d was first written and then crossed out, •with mbe"id for mbeid and dighail for dioghail in line 13c and nach for uch in line 13d.
[XLIX DUANAIRE FINN 157
7 « It is woe, dear Caoilte. The prophecy lies in the distant future. The Danair crossing Muir Meann will force their wickednesses on the men of Ireland.
8 « They will destroy all Ireland both cultivated plain and brake : for two hundred full ( ?) years that will be Ireland's fate.
9 « They shall get no prosperity there the suffer- ing (?) of which shall not be greater loss for them (?). All who are killed there (clear fame) shall bring ill-luck on their posterity.
10 « On Thursday a man comes before(?) them (the consequences of his action will be bad for the land of fiire) Mac Murchadha, the cruel devil (Their turning will be a bewitching [?]).
11 « That king's reign will be evil : his house will be powerless, without son or famous descendant, though what has been said causes me grief.
12 «The Leinstermen are the first to suffer bondage (sad to my heart that it should come to pass), having no king but a black earl, having no warrior bands to protect them.
13 « They destroy Meath and goodly Munster (the fierce evil will be no less), and they will be far from black vengeance. Alas ! the vengeance will be difficult.
158 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIX
14 Oirghialla is Ulaidh an aigh daorfaightear iad don aonplaigh
futliaibh go danardha dil beid Connac/i/a go crithir
15 Siol Conaill is Eoghain fheil fon daoiresin fon deighreir
beit futhaibh go ciamhair cain re triocha b\iad[h]am bunaidh
16 Ticc chuca ri Saxan saibh dia n-easchoma dia n-anaoibh
go mbeir a ngeill tar Muir Meann olc a mhein d'fearoibh Eireann
17 Fagbaid fear 'na ionadh ann re siubhal reacht is remionn
fear firinne adearor riss gidh dichleith is fear fuiris
18 Cedchath chuirit ni dalbh dil
ni. cath e acht maidhm do ghnuisiWi cath Cnucha ar tri cathoip dhe mar do ordaig[h] Ri neimhe
[70a] 19 Aimseir medhoin a fheadha ni deireoil a imneadha
dia mbiaidh lobar gidh saoth lim se&cht mb\iad[h]na a righe nEin'onn
20 Go ttig trenfear oile anoir tre comairle in lobhair
go ccuirionn go lonn dar libh rissin Donn cath an einfhir
16a In the MS tar has been erased before saibh. lib remionn. The e represents a tall e in MS. 17c adearor. The ea represents a small e + a.
XLIX] DUANAIRE FINN 159
14 « Oirghialla and bold Ulidians, they will be doomed by the same plague. Connaught will be trembling beneath them savagely and dearly.
15 « The seed of Conall and of generous Eoghan will be beneath that bondage and goodly discipline : they will be beneath them mournfully and well for thirty solid years.
16 « The king of the false Saxons comes to them to their undoing and distress, and takes their hostages over Muir Meann (He is evilly disposed to the men of Ireland).
17 « They leave a man in his place there for . . . of laws and courses : he will be called a man of truth...
18 « The first battle they fight (it is no fond false- hood) will be no battle but an utter (?) rout. The battle of Cnucha and three other battles will follow as ordained by the King of Heaven.
19 « In the very middle of his time his troubles will not be trifling, when a leper will be (though I like it not) for seven years in the kingship of Ireland.
20 « Till comes another champion from the east through the counsel of the leper and fights the Battle of the Single Man (?) with the Donn fiercely, as ye think.
160 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIX
21 Rod-bath in t-aoinfhear don cath aim claoitear a reim 's a rath
budh len don lobar iar sin
tren a omhan dia mhuinntir
22 Eireochaid/i in Donn Failgeach feta fossaidh firchaingneach
cuirthear gan fhatha le a linn tri catha leis a nEirinn
23 Cuirfe cath a nAth Seanoigh
6 a mbeid Gaoidhil fo mheabhoil do thuit gleo GaoideaZ sa chath & aoinfhear allmhurrach
24 In fear donnsin gan deile budh sonn fola is fionghaile
do-thaot do galar uaire gan cophair na caomuaille
25 A gcionn tri mbliad[/i]an iar soin cuirthear ar ar Ghaoidhiolaibh
nach saoilionn duine 'na dhiaigh gan Gaoidhil uile a n-airdghliaidh
2G Digheoltar in t-ar ier soin
mar nach nar ag Mhuimhneachoiph ar reabhradh na ngall ngaisctrf/i a fFeapra thall tarrustazr
27 Da cath dibh sin a Mumhain in treas do-bheraid Ulaidh & cath sa Midhe mhais Ri neimhe ga ccoimaitchis
24c In the MS uaille has been followed by the correction ' no uaire ' . 266 Mhuimhneachoiph, sic MS (both ms dotted).
XLIX] DUANAIRE FINN 161
21 « The Single Man is killed in the fight : there his career and good fortune are upset. It will be woe to the leper after that : great his fear for his people.
22 « The Donn Failgheach will arise, comely, stead- fast and truth-seeking : three battles will be fought without cause by him in Ireland in his time.
23 « He will fight a battle in Ath Seanoigh as a result of which the Gaels will be in shame : many (?) Gaels fell in the battle and one of the foreigners.
24 « That brown un churlish (?) man will be a staff of blood and murder : he will fall by a sudden (?) disease, his (?) fair pride availing him ( ?) nothing.
25 « Three years after that a slaughter of Gaels is made, and there is no one but imagines after it that the Gaels are all in great dissension(?).
26 « The slaughter will be avenged after that in a way that will be no shame to the Munstermen. In February the activity ( ?) of the bold foreigners will be punished (?).
27 « Two of those battles will be in Munster : the Ulstermen will fight the third and there will be one battle in goodly Meath. The King of Heaven ...
162 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIX
28 Tic mac righ Saxan tar sal cien lim 's ni ar a ghradh
budh da thoigheacht go fior dhe cuirtear Danoir tar saile
29 An macsin tig tar in sal
go n-imat Gall go neamhgradh nocha ndingne righe reidh go cur na tire a n-aimreidh
30 Coimhriaghoil soir is abhus ga chineadh ar aoncadhus
re tomhus ted is troigheadh tig dia eis in t-ainndligead/i
31 Tidhlaicfidh leath Eireann uile don \ucht tiucfus leis tar tuinn
go ndighlaid in \ucht abhus go fiorchruaidh orra a tturus
32 Do-gnit connailbhe go caidh Goill & Gaoidz'Z d'enlaimh
a n-aghoidh na nDanor ndur madh lamhor Horn a n-iompiidh
33 Fearoid in cath cruaidh go cain beodha do-nit a thaistil
marptar e 's a sluaigh ier sin
don taoiph thuaidh do Moigh Maistean
[70 6]34 Rioghait ri Oiligh amhra docum in catha calma
marbhtar e 's a sluaigh go fior a gcath Maistean na moirgniom
30c In' MS tige has been crossed out before tdd.
31a uile. The e in MS is an I changed into a small e.
33c abhus has been deleted in the MS, with a sign to insert ier sin in its place.
'64b docum is writlen as two words (do cum) in MS.
XLlXj DUANAIRE FINN 163
28 « The son of the king of England comes over the sea (I long for his coming but not for love of him) : truly a result of his coming will be the sending of the Danair across the sea.
29 « That son who comes over the sea with many- foreigners, unloved, he will not exercise ordered kingship till the country be thrown into dis- order.
30 « In the east and here his race, in equal honour, enjoy the same law for measurement by line and foot. After him comes evil legislation.
31 « He will bestow the half of great Ireland on those who accompany him over the wave, till the folk here take fierce vengeance on them for their journey.
32 « The Gaill and Gaoidhil holily 4make peace together against the cruel Danair (If I may dare to turn them [?]).
33 « Well do they give brave battle : they make their marches with spirit. He and his hosts are killed after that to the north of Magh Maistean.
34 « They crown the king of wondrous Aileach for the stout battle : he and his hosts are truly killed in the battle of Maiste of the great deeds.
164 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIX
35 Dcich mb\iad[h]na. fichead go holl gan chath & gan comhlann
gan neach 'na n-aghoidh fo neimh seal a samhail 'na samhloibn
36 Go tteagoitt na Goill anoir do dioghail orra a n-armhoigh
on Easpainn adhbhail andeas ni cabhoir in comhfaitcheas
37 Cath Saingeal cuirfidhear ann a n-aithfithear fir Eireann
ni cuirfit Gaoidhil no Goill a shamhoil sin a n-Einnn
38 An cathsin adeirim ribh ann bhias roirighe Saingil
beid Danoir go bronach dhe budh dreamhoin a n-armhoighe
39 Rioghait Tairbhre do shiol mBriain do chur in catha go ngliaidh
go soiris assin Mumhain mhoir go cubaidh siol in gallghloir
40 Tri la dho ag cur in catha re macoibh na n-anfhlatha
a gcionn tri laithe go mb\adh tair a maithe do marbhadh
41 Eirgid coig coigidh Eireann futhoibh go rathoibh reimionn
go ndiongoibh in duileam dil do gach cuigead a coinnimh
36d»The dotted m of comhfaitcheas looks more like i + a dotted n. 41a, 42a Eirgid. In each case there seems to be a faint dot over the d ( = Eirgidh).
XLIX] DUANAIRE FINN 165
35 « Thirty long years will there be without fight or combat, with no one in in the world against them. For a while ...
36 « Then the Gaill come from the east to avenge their slaughter on them. The equal anxiety (?) caused by great Spain in the south will be no help.
37 « The battle of Saingeal will be fought there, in which battle the men of Ireland will be revenged. Neither Gaoidhil nor Gaill will fight another battle like it in Ireland.
38 « That battle of which I speak to you, there will the high royalty of Saingeal be: the Danair will be sorrowful by reason of it : their slau- ghters will be dreadful.
39 « They make Tairbhre of the race of Brian king to fight the fierce battle, to drive (?) the race of foreign speech duly out of great Munster.
40 « He will be three days fighting the battle against the tyrants' sons. After three glorious days he will succeed in slaying their nobles.
41 « The five provinces of Ireland arise under them (?) in prosperous career, and the dear Creator repels from each province the soldiery quartered on it.
1G6 DUANAIRE FINN [XLIX
42 Eirgid ua na righ reabhach bhios fo shiol na Saxanach
do dichur in cinidh cuil
do hudh dlighead[h] a dhenuimh
43 Eirgis Sraonghalach Doire go gcuirionn a n-ar uile
go ceann miosa on chath amach gabhoid orra dia fforrach
44 Sraongalach 6 Dhoire atuaidh & Aodh iodhan go mbiiaidh
gidh cia fri senadh atuaidh teit docom neimhe fo bhuaidh
45 Ni leanfam go leig ni bhus mo tar eis gall n-iir is anrodh
gidh mor a loc/i/a lera is mo anois a n-aithmhela
46 Patraic mac Alprainn go mhloidh orus fortail for dheamhnoibh
sireadh sossadh reidh 6n righ d'Osgar dam fein is d'Oisin
A Oisin 44d In MS docom is written as two words.
XLIX]
DUANAIRE FINN
167
42 « The descendant of the. deedful ( '?) kings, who is subject to the seed of the Saxons, arises to banish the wicked race (To do so would be just- ice).
43 « Sraonghalach of Doire arose and slaughters them all. For a month on from that battle they attack and oppress them.
44 « Sraonghalach from northern Doire and vict- orious Aodh the pure. Whoever it be by (?) whom he was blessed ( ?) in the north, he goes to Heaven victoriously.
45 « For the present we shall continue no further, past the coming of new foreigners and trouble : though their clear faults be great, greater now is their repentance.
46 « May Patrick son of Calpurnius of fame, since he is strong against demons, seek a pleasant abode from the King for Osgar, myself and Oisin ».
1 A Oisin fuirigh ar Dhia na himidh uaim ni bhus sia tabhair aithne mar hudh gar is misi anam t'athar
[71a] 2 Ueh ni tabbraim aithne fort
a Finn acht ge caomh do corp
ba halainn do dbealbh do dreach ag dol uaim tar gach n-aonach
3 Deacair aithne orm a fhir a Oisin a mheic mheirgil
iomat mo pian mett mo glial iad ata agom treagdad/i
4 In cedoidhche do-chuadhus d'eg d'fios na croine mor in bed
dar chogain si me sa glinn uchan nir chonair airdrigh
5 Ann sin ad-beart Ifreann fein eirgith slaidhtear Fionn on Fein
buailidh tuargidh e go teann na bioth agoibh a dithioll
6 Mar ba dursan leo mo len anmanna na fFein ffiortren
teagoit cugom mor in modh & trialloit mo chosnam
2d uaim. In the MS a, /has been deleted and an m-stroke placed over the uai.
1 Stay, Oisin, for God's sake : go no further from me. Know me (it should be easy1) : I am thy father's soul.
2 « Ah me ! I know thee not,0 Fionn, though thy body be beautiful : thy form and face, as thou didst go from me over every fair- green, used to be lovely. »
3 It is hard to recognize me, 0 man, Oisin, lad of the white fingers : all my pains . . . . . . , they are tormenting me.
4 The first night I died and went to meet the Swarthy One (?) (a great injury), when she did chew me in the glen, alas ! it was no journey for a high king.
5 Then the Infernal One himself said, « Arise, let Fionn be cut down by the Fian : strike, smite him stoutly : neglect him not ».
6 When the souls of the truly strong Fiana were saddened by my woe, they come to me (great deed) and prepare to defend me.
laterally, ' as would be easy ' (or ' probable ' ?)
170 DUANAIRE FINN [L
7 An cumhain leat a Ghuill gloin do mac Cumhaill a hAlmhoin
do marbadft sa carraic tall is do sgaradh ret anam
8 Ro ionnarb se clann Mhorna ro imbhir orra doghra
ro bhasaidh na milte fear
do cloinn Mhorna na gcorrsleaa/i
9 Dia ndeacham sios ar do cionn ar Conan maol ni leasg liom
da ttugam beim tar do ceann na tisam fein as ifreann
10 In cumhain leat a Ghuill glain do mac Cumaill 6 Theamraigh
do marpadhsa mor in modh & marbadh do bhrathor
11 Ge do-rinne seision sin deaghmac Cumhaill a hAlmhain
truagh gan neart ceud am corp cain do taba/rt Fhinn 6 dheamhnai&A
12 Ionmhain buidhion tainic ann sios do comrac tar mo ceann
anam Guill ba feirde in dail anam Daigre anam Conain
13 Anam Airt oig mic Morna ge do-rinneas ris dogra
anam Osgair ro claoi cath & anam Mheic Lughach
Id ret anam. MS has re tanam.
L] DUANAIRE FINN 171
7 « Dost thou bear in mind, bright Goll, against the son of Cumhall of Almhain, how thou wert killed there on the rock and parted from thy soul?
8 « He banished the children of Morna : he wrought woe on them : he slew thousands of the children of Morna of the jutting spears. »
9 « If we go down for thee », said bald Conan, « it worries me not, if only we strike a blow on thy behalf, that we ourselves come not out of Hell. »
10 « Dost thou bear in mind, bright Goll, against the son of Cumhall of Tara, that thou wert killed (a great deed) and thy brother x also ? »
11 « Though he, the good son of Cumhall of Almhain, did that, woe is me that I have not the strength of a hundred in my fair body to rescue Fionn from the demons. »
12 Dear the company who came down there to fight on my behalf, the soul of Goll (the event was the better of it), the soul of Daigh- re, the soul of Conan,
13 The soul of young Art, son of Morna, though I had wrought him woe, the soul of battle - conquering Osgar and the soul of Mac Lughach.
(*) 'brother', 'brothers', 'kinsman', 'kinsmen' are all possible translations.
172 DUANAIRE FINN [L
14 Ro iadhsat umam ar gach Ieath anmanna na cceitri riiadhcath
sgaoiltear iad ba cruaidh in teidm soir siar seachnoin ifeirn
15 Uch tri fichid bliadhsm buan ro bhi misi a n-iframn fhuar
no go ttainic Righ neimhe gur fech orm tre trocaire
16 Ann sin ro-siacht aingea/ De uchagan ba geal a ghne
ba he radh an aingil rim a Finn fagoibhsi ifrind
17 Do rugusa learn ar luas tigim ar bord iffn'/m suas
mile deamhan don tsluagh gorm ro lean me ar luas a hifiorn
[71 b] 18 Dia madh liomsa an bioth ban eidir crann is cloich is chlar
uaim a n-onoir mo Dhe dhuinn ar teac/iZ aonoidhche a hifn'onn
19 Eirigh anois go Sith Truim ait ar cuireadh Cu Culainn
leat fein neamh 6 Righ neimhe amach o 16 in measra£<7/ithe
20 Ag sin turus do-chpidh Fionn mar do ordaigh Ri na rionn
dar fhiahaigh sgela go min do Patraic & d'Oisin
A OisiN
L] DUANAIRE FINN # 173
14 They closed around me on every side, the souls of the four stout battalions : they are scattered ('t was a hard strain) east and west all over Hell.
15 Ah me! for three score long years I was in cold Hell, till the King of Heaven came and looked upon me in mercy.
16 Then arrived God's angel (oh ! but his sem- blance was bright). The angel's word to me was, « Fionn, leave thou Hell. »
17 I hurried off and come up to the edge of Hell. A thousand demons of the black1 host followed me swiftly out of Hell.
18 If I owned the fair world with its trees and stones and plains, [I would give all]j[away in honour of my noble God, for letting me leave Hell for one night.
19 Go now to Sioth Truim where CuChulainn was buried : Heaven will be thine by the gift of its King from the day of judgment on.
20 There is the journey Fionn went by command of the King of the stars, on which occasion he gently asked for tidings from Patrick and Oisin.
(1) literally ' blue '.
LI
1 Eirigh suas a Oissin
a mheic Finn meic Cumaill meic Trenmoir i Bhaoisgne ag sin Caoilte cugainn
2 Bithi ar aon go subac/j
a mheic righ na Feine denoidh go ceart comhlan bar gcomradh re cheile
3 Ro bhaist Patraic baismhin
iad a ndeireadh a n-aoise tug se Art ar Oisin & Conn ar Caoilte
4 Ag sin daoip bas Caoilte
m«c reidh Ronain reabhroidA a ndeireadh a lathoir
a baihadh a tTeamhroigh
5 Do tuit mac na flatha
le horchar in cleirigh Oisin ger tren talcar on urchor nir eirigh
filRIGH
LI
1 Rise up,Oissin, son of Fionn, son of Cumh- all, son of Trenmhor, grandson of Baoisgne : there Caoilte approaches.
2 Be ye both joyful, 0 son of the king of the Fian : hold converse with one another correctly and completely.
3 Patrick of the smooth hands baptized them at the end of their days : he called Oisin Art and Caoilte Conn.
4 There you have the manner of Caoilte's death, the mild son of sportive Ronan : in the last days of his vigour he was drowned in Tara.
5 The prince's son fell by the cast of the cleric : Oisin, though he was stout and obstinate, never rose after that cast.
LII
1 Eirigh siias a Osgair
ro-fheas is tu in bunadh gidh lor med na ndeighfear dingoibh dinn ced curadh
2 Imthigh trithibh is tairrsiph
gursat maola meidhe geibh sgieth eangach uaine is cloideam go ngeire
3 Geiph sgieth is geibh cloidhim
is airm niadh rod-rubha geibh liiirigh rod-meala
nar maoidhit do thubha
4 Is mor in gniom dhamhsa
a ffiadhnui'se m'fiadhan dearlacadh mo naoidhion
a gcionn a naoi mbliadhan
5 Ni tiucfa is ni thainic
ba fearr lamh na luighe is ni ffuil crann sleighe is sia dus-sia a nduine
6 Mairg re ttiubhra a treisi
le a cloidhiom go ngeire 6 thig fearg a laime
in fear dearg is deine
Eirigh
4c dearlacadh. The ea represents a tall e in MS.
Hd An erased g is still to be seen faintly in the MS after fear.
LII
1 Rise up, Osgar : it is known that thou art the main-stay. Though sufficient be the size of the good men, ward off from us a hundred champions.
2 Go through them and over them that their necks be left headless. Take green many- pieced shield and sword of sharpness.
3 Take shield and take sword (They are hero's weapons that could slay thee) : take a corselet (May it last thee all thy life 1) lest they boast that they have wounded thee.
4 'T is a great deed for me in the presence of my witnesses to give away my child just nine years old.
5 There shall not come, and never has come one better in deed or word ; and no spear- shaft is there that will penetrate further into any man.
6 Woe for him on whom he will exert his strength with his sword of sharpness, when the wrath of his hand has come — that red man most fierce.
LIII
[72 a] 1 Faoidh cluig do-chiiala a nDruim Dheirg mar a ndendis in Fian seilg ni ehuala riam roime soin guth cluig a fforaois fhiadhaigh
2 Faoidh cluig do-chiiala a nDruim Dheirg mar a ndendis in Fhian seils agus ni cuala rem re aonguth ami budh binne
*t>
"t>"
3 Faoidh cluig do-ciiala a nDruim Dheirg mar a ndendis in Fhian seilg
binne liom ar tteacht ar slogh an dord Fian ga ttinol
4 Faoidh chluig do-cuala a nDruim Dheirg mar a ndendis in Fhian seilg
binne liom ar tteacht amach in fhead do-niodh Mac Lughach
5 Annamh le coill Droma Deirg faoidh cluig innti leirg do leirg
fa minca don al chuaine dekeadh oidhche adhfhuaire
6 Cia in trii chleiri(//jso shiar bheanus a cluigin go dian
nach eistionn re guth na ccon ata sa ghlionn 'na fhorradh
2c rem. The e represents a tall e in the MS.
Lin
1 The note of a bell have I heard in Druim Deirg where the Fian were wont to hunt : never before did I hear the sound of a bell in a hunting forest.
2 «The note of a bell have I heard in Druim Deirg where the Fian were wont to hunt, and never in my day did I hear a sound more sweet. »
3 The note of a bell have I heard in Druim Deirg where the Fian were wont to hunt : more sweet to me, when our hosts had come, was the Dord Fian gathering them.
4 The note of a bell have I heard in Druim Deirg where the Fian were wont to hunt : more sweet to me on sallying forth was the whistle Mac Lughach used to give.
5 Seldom has there been in the wood of Druim Deirg the note of a bell from slope to slope : more often has the late night been bitterly cold for the litter of young wolves.
6 Who is this miserable cleric to the west, who rings his little bell violently, who does not hearken to the cry of the hounds in the glen beside him?
180 DUANAIRE FINN' [LI 1 1
7 Gidh binn leatsa guth na gcon & gidh adba/' meanman
is binne leisin Righ in neach eisteas comradh na ccleiirar/i
8 Gidh binn leatsa a n-abrait soin & gidh maith led meanmain
is binne buireac/i in doimh mhir no in ceol chanaid na cle'iriyh
9 Ad-connarcsa fir sa moigh nac eistfeadh re guth do cluig
is do iuicieadh marb ma-le tusa is do cleir ig[h] uile
10 Binne liom um trath eirghe cearca fraoich a mbeannuibh sleibhe
no guth an cleirigh astigh ag meighhgh ag meigeallai'<//i
11 A Oisin innis sgela
is na leig sinn fo mhela
creud do-dendis riomsa dhe fan cluiginso bheanuimse
12 Do-bheirimsi briatar go fior luighim fo anmain mo riogh
go mbeanfadh do clog ad ceann no go mbeithea gan anam
13 Da gcluinead/i Garbh Doire dian faoidh cluig sa chillso hsiar
do rachad go grod asteach
's do brisf eadh clog na ccleireac/z
86 led. The e represents a tall e in the MS. 136 hsiar. The h represents an h in the MS.
LITI] DUANAIRE FINN 181
7 « Though sweet to thee the cry of the hounds, and though it cause thy spirits to rise, more pleasing to the King is he who listens to the clerics' words. »
8 Though sweet to thee what they say, and though it please thy mind, the roar of the swift stag is more sweet than the music the clerics chant.
9 I have seen men in the plain, who would not listen to the sound of thy bell, and who would leave thee and all thy clerics dead together.
10 I would sooner at rising time hear grouse on mountain peaks than the voice of the cleric indoors bleating like a sheep or a goat.
11 « 0 Oisin, tell it, and leave lis not ashamed : what would they do to me for ringing this little bell?»
12 I truly give my word, and I swear by the soul of my king that he would strike thy bell on thv head till thou wert lifeless.
13 Had fierce Garbh Doire heard the sound of a bell in this western church, he would have soon gone in and broken the clerics' bell.
182 DUANAIRE FINN [LIIT
14 Da gcluincadn Fionn in feind/rf/i faoidli do cluigin a cleirigh
do rachadh ad ceann gan acht is ni roickadh uait imteaeW
15 Da gcluinead/i Conan na fFian faoidh in cluigsi riom aniar
cleirigh bheata do bheith ann do beidis uile gan anam
16 Da gchuneadh Caoilti croidhe fear nar opthac n-iorghaile
[72 b] do rachadh asteach gan ghaoi
's do hrisfcadh bar gcluigini
17 Uchan is cradh lem chroidhe sgaradh re leirg Maonmhoighe
is rissin \Aochraidh ffeilsin rem fhein is rem deigheixibh
18 Is me Oisin deaghmhac Finn creidim Dia thuas a Thailginn
ge atu atu anocM gan fhein gan mhaoin is pian lira faoidh in chluigf/i
FAOiDH
166 opthac. There is a mark (an accent?) over the o. 17a, d : lem, rem, rem. The e in each case represents a tall e in MS. 17b Maonmhoighe. There is an imperfect letter (a?) crossed out before the second o.
18c atu atu, si MS.
LIII] DUANAIRE FINN 183
14 Had Fionn, the warrior, heard the sound of thy little bell, 0 cleric, he would assured- ly have gone to meet you and you would not have been able (?) to escape.
15 Had Conan of the Fiana heard the note of this bell that comes to me from the west, though all the clerics of the world had been there they would have all been lifeless.
16 Had dear Caoilte heard it, a man who did not refuse battle, he would have gone in (no lie) and broken your little bells.
17 Ah me ! it is torture to my heart to part from the slope of Maonmhagh and from those generous heroes, from my fian and my good poets.
18 I am Oisin, Fionn's good son : I believe in the God above, 0 Tailgeann. Though to- night I am without fian, without wealth, the bell's note gives me pain.
17, 18 fian as a common noun means 'a war-band', as a proper noun 'the Fian (or Fiana)', i. e., Fionn's Warband (or Warbands).
LIV
1 Domhnach lodmair tar Luachair dar cuirsiom seilg urn Cruachain
urn bordaibh Locha Lein Lir
um bruachaibh Ghleanna Faoinneallaig7i
2 Cuirmid ar mna uainn ier sin ar Hilidh ar n-oirfidio/i
do lodmair a ndiaigh ar mban & ar UWeadh ffiorghlan
3 Do roinnseamar sinn budhdhein don taoibh aniar do Loch Lein
battar gille glana ann
nach geaWadh ni gan chomhall
4 In gnaithFian 6 Leamhain siar] um Coirthe um Dhoire na fFian
um Gleann mBroic is um Gleann Con um Gleann Duine dha Dhubhthar
5 Clann Morna laimh re Loch Lein aoibhinn doibh 6 shleibh do shleibh
ionmhain crobhaing dhileas dhron ar nach ffuighbithe baeghal
6 Aos ogbaidh soir agus siar in lasin fa fhlaith na fFian
a gceartmheadhon na sealga gondaois doimh dhoinndhearga
6c In the MS mod has been deleted bzlore-mheadMn.
LIV
1 One Sunday we went over Luachair and hunted about Cruachain, about the borders of Loch Lein Lir, around the edges of Gleann Faoinneallaigh.
2 Thereupon we dismiss our women, our poets and our musicians : we went on after [the departure of] our women and our truly pure poets.
3 We scattered ourselves on the western side of Loch Lein : there were clean lads there who would promise no thing they would not fulfill.
4 The standing Fian spread themselves west- ward from Leamhain, around Coirthe and
Doire na bhFian, around Gleann mBroic and Gleann Duine dha Dhubhthar.
5 The sons of Morna were beside Loch Lein : it was pleasant for them to pass from moun- tain to mountain : dear was that loyal firm cluster in whom no weakness1 might befound.
6 There were young men to east and west that day under the Fian chieftain : in the very centre of the chase they used to slay red- brown stags.
badghal literally 'danger', ,hence 'unguarded spot', unguarded moment' ' opportunity for an enemy to harm one'.
18G DUANAIRE FINN [LIV
7 Gapmaoid longport lith gan oil tortach ar seilg in lasoin
suidhighmid longport gan tar adit Dubh Dala a aona/an
8 Codhlais mac Maoil Gairbh amuigh gairit do no gur mhuscail
biodhghais a sdgneadh gan tlas beiridh ruatar tre uathbhas
9 Tairringis Cluasan a ceann cain as a haird aloinn eagair
duisgis in cii go ngairbhe arracht muice moraidhble
10 Gearr do battar 'na garadh ar n-eirge dhi da falach
fagbhais in gcoin fa mhela da goinidibh gairbhghera
11 Imdhis in mhuic uainn don leirg is fagbhais in gcoin fa mairg
cii Dubh Dhala fa a choin is claoidhis a feart fodbaigh
12 As sin do go longport Finn 's nir cheil ar in fFein ffoiltfhinn
muc do luathmharbadA a chon 's a dol uadha gan fhostadh
[73 a] 13 A Dbuibh Dhala a laoich gan \ocht adubairt Fionn faobarnocft/
in mhuic 'sa tuaruscbhail sin ni fuighbitbear i a n-aisgidh
lb In the MS the first t of torlach somewhat resembles a d.
8a Codhlais, sic MS. 8c biodhghais, sic MS. lie cii, sic MS.
LIV] DUANATRE FINN 187
7 We encamp (a blameless festival) : our chase that day was fruitful : we pitch our camp without disgrace, excepting Dubh Dala alone.
8 The son of Maol Garbh slept without : it was but a short time till he awoke : his unweary mind leaped : he rushes in horror.
9 Cluasan raised her goodly head from out her lovely ornamented (?) collar : the fierce hound started a monstrous huge great
Pig-
10 They were but a short time in the pig's den after she had arisen from her hiding- place when she left the hound in sore plight with her rough sharp tusks ( ?).
11 The pig went from us down the slope and left the hound in woe. Dubh Dala wept for his hound and dug her sodded grave.
12 Thence did he go to Fionn's camp, and con- cealed not from the fairhaired Fian that a pig had swiftly killed his hound and escap- ed from him unhindered.
13 Dubh Dala, blameless warrior, said Fionn of the unsheathed weapons: the pig of whom that is the description will not be easily captured.
188 DUANAIRE FINN [LIV
14 Arna mbarach dhuinn da scilg sochaid[h]e. do-rad fa mairg
iadhmaid uimpe aniar 's anoir fa dheisceart Bhearnuis Baogblaian
15 Ad-ciam chugainn in muic mir ina hairacht anaithnidh
ina ruatrtr tresan fFein mar sidhe con da coneill
16 Tarla urcar do cloich chruinn ar a gnuis 6 mac Cumhaill
gur bris a dreich dorcha dhuibh gar leig tri garrtha gabaidh
17 Beartuia/rim buille chuice ni d'imgabhail na muice
go ndeachaid/i tresan gcloich gcruaidh 's nir dearg ar in muic mbongr uaidh
18 A hecta ag Bealach Bheime 6 mhaidin go trath eirghe
triar ar fichid radh nach breg is tri coin teasda do ched
19 Maol Tuile is Tadg miadh ngle in da mac hudh so ag Caoilti
do thuit le ar lathair goile & Conn mac Cabhlaighe
20 Colla do hudh neassa dhi fa duibhfheadhaifi/j Formaoile
ga hiompodh do ag Sgairbh Chomair
lingis in mbuic morghlonnaia/i
LTV] DUANAIRE FINN 189
14 On the morrow we hunted her : many did she bring to grief : we close around her from east and west to the south of Bearnus Baoghlach.
15 We see the swift pig approach us, as an unknown monster, rushing through the Fian as a hound springs from its leash.
16 A round stone cast by the son of Cumhall hit her in the face, breaking her gloomy black jowl, so that she gave three cries of distress.
17 I aim a blow at her, not intending to avoid the pig (?) ; it passed through the hard stone and drew no blood from the red-maned pig.
18 Her slayings at Bealach Beime from morn- ing to rising time were twenty-three men (a saying that is no lie) and a hundred hounds all but three.
19 Maol Tuile and Tadhg (bright honour), Caoilte's two youngest sons, fell by her on the field of combat, and Conn mhac Cabh- laighe.
20 Colla, who was nearest her about the black woods of Formaoil, leapt the deedful pig as he turned her at Sgairbh Ghomair.
190 DUANAIRE FINN [LIV
21 As sin di go hAth Chluig Colla nochar chuir da muin
go ttug naoi ngon do sgin
ar in ffuath n-eitigh n-ainmhin
22 Anais Conan agus Fionn ag Sruibh Dairbreacft ar a chionn
& nir lughaide a ngrain
re huath no re hiomgabhail
23 Anais Faolan fear go gceill eidir in muic & in Fein
gur chuir corrgha nar beag neimh go ceart triana dha seiridh
24 Tairbeiris Conan a dhi shleigh ar an arracht n-anaithnidh
cuiris di shleigh Conain fein 'na mblodhaiph go hard aigmeiZ
25 Diubraicis Fionn sleigh oile ar in slios ngarp nginoidhe
do ghoin is do bhuail ier sin is do marbh i 'na deaghoidh
26 A n-aoinfeacM do Colla chain
's do Mac Lughach ar lathair is do tuit in muic ar lar
le Fionn 7 le Conan
27 Naoi ngilla 7 tricha fear eidir thus agus deireadh
do-rochair le miste ar sealg is seacht fichid cii croibhdearg
22d no follows re in the MS with sign to transpose.
L1V] DUANAIRE FINN 191
21 From there she proceeded to Ath Cluig : she did not dislodge Colla from her back, and he gave nine woundings of a knife to the horrible ungentle phantom.
22 Conan and Fionn awaited the beast at Srubh Dairbhreach : their honor, as regards terror and avoidance ( ?), was none the less for that.
23 Faolan (a man of sense) remained between the pig and the Fian and put a stinging pointed spear right through her two heels.
24 Conan launched his two spears upon the unknown monster. She made morsels of Conan's own two spears loftily and terribly.
25 Fionn hurled another spear against the rough . . . side : after that he wounded and struck her and thereupon slew her.
26 Goodly Colla and Mac Lughach were at the same instant on the spot, and the pig fell to earth at the hands of Fionn and Conan.
27 Nine lads and thirty men, counting beginn- ing and end, fell by her (It saddened our chase), and seven score red-footed hounds.
192 DUANAIRE FINN [LIV
[73b] 28 Deich cced muc is deich gced agh isin seac/i/mainsin tar lear
is se c[h]sd mil moighe amach ar seilg a sin go Domnach
Domhnach
LIV] DUANAIRE FINN 193
28 Ten hundred pigs and ten hundred deer... and six hundred hares was our hunting spoil from that on till Sunday.
LV
1 Is fada anocht a n-Oil Finn
fada linn an oidhche areir in la aniu ge fada damh
do budh leor fad in laoi ane
2 Fada liom gach la dha ttig
ni mar sin fa cleacMadh dhiiin mo bheith a ffegmais na fFian do cuir sin mo ciall ar ccuil
3 Gan aonach gan ceol gan cruit
gan brondadh cruidh gan gniom greadh gan diol ollamhan ar or
gan ealadhoin gan 61 fleadh
4 Gan bheit ag suirghe no ag seilg
in da cheird le a raibhe ar suil gan deabaidh gan denamh creach
gan beith ag foghluim elects luith
5 Gan earradb gaisgidh do ghnath
gan imbi'rt mar budh gnath leinn gan snamh re laochraitf/i gan locht is fada anocht a n-Oil Finn
6 Fada mo saoghal tar eis na fFian
ni cneasta na budh cian linn ba hiad in laochrarf/i gan locht is fada anocht a n-Oil Finn
LV
1 Time passes wearily in Elphin tonight : last night I thought it passed wearily too ; and though wearily I find today go by, yesterday lacked nothing in its weary length.
2 Wearisome to me is each succeeding day : it was not so we used to be : my being part- ed from the Fiana has upset my wits.
3 No gatherings, no music, no harps, no be- stowal of wealth, no deeds of horsemanship, no rewarding of the learned with gold, no art, no festive drinking.
4 No courting or hunting, the two crafts we looked forward to, no fighting, no raiding, no learning of athletic feats.
5 Never any equipment of war, nor playing [of games] as was our wont, no swimming with blameless warriors — Time passes wearily in Elphin tonight.
6 Wearisome is my life after the Fiana : it is right that I should find it so : they were blameless warriors ■ — Time passes wearily in Elphin tonight.
196 DUANAIRE FINN [LV
7 Is don tsaoga/ mar ata me
truagh a Dhe mar ata sinn am aonar ag tarruing cloch
is fada anocht a n-Oil Finn
8 Sir a Patraic dhiiin ar Dhia
fios an ionaidh a mbia sinn no in saorfa m'anam ar olc is fada anocht a n-Oil Finn
Is FADA
7c? After this Verse the first couplet of the quatrain (7c, d) is repeated, with deavmad written in the margin on each side. In the recopied couplet Isaogal is replaced by tsaogal and truagh by truagh.
LV] DUANAIRE FINN 197
7 And my worldly plight — sad it is that I am so, 0 God : all alone drawing stones — Time passes wearily in Elphin tonight.
8 Patrick, on my behalf ask God to let it be known in what place I shall be, or whether he will save my soul from evil — Time passes wearily in Elphin tonight.
LYI
1 Mairg fuil ar h'iarraidh a Bhrain is sgaradh cuirp re hanmain
liair nachad-faguim a Bhrain ni charuim ni ar talmhain
2 An lamh dar bhuaileas Bran dursan nach liom do sgaradh
nach beinn a mbeathai dh abhus dursan nach d'eg do-chuadhus
3 Ri na gcon do biodh am laim os leicnibh Sleibhe Collain
is ni raibhe ar bith go mbaigh cu ar a mbeith a tuaruscbdi/
4 Da taobh geala do bhi ag Bran earboll nua corcra gleghlan
[74 a] ceatramha corcra go roinn
otha earboll go hiardruim
5 Ceithre cosa gorma faoi
re himteac/i/ oidhche & laoi
cruibh uaine nar teacA/sat baigh ingne ettroc/i/a iuchain
6 Rose dreagain ina ceann coir ris nir fedadh iomarbhaidh aluinn agus caomh a clii mo is gasta na gach miolchu
4c ceatramha. The MS contraction (a dotted stroke) should normally have been extended adh (ceatramhadb).
LVI
1 Woe for him who has lost thee, Bran : it is the parting of soul and body : since I find not thee, 0 Bran, I love no thing on earth.
2 The hand with which I struck Bran, alas ! that it was not parted from me. So that I might not be here alive, alas ! that I did not meet my death.
3 The king of hounds who used to be held by me on the sides of Sliabh Collain — there was not on the boastful earth a hound who could be praised as Bran could be.
4 Two white sides had Bran and a fresh crim- son shining tail. His crimson haunch was well apportioned, stretching from his tail to the end of his back (?).
5 He had four blue feet for going by night and day, green paws that . . . not battle and gleaming pale-red claws.
6 He had a fierce eye in his shapely head. It was impossible to contend with him. Beau- tiful and lovely was his fame. He was swift- er than all hare-hounds.
200 DUANAIRE FINN [LVI
7 In cu ba hairde sa Fein thigead gan cromadh fo a blein
is a ceann ba gasta in roinn ba comard e rem ghualainn
8 Ceithre mil do leiginn uaim
miol budhdheas is miol budhthuaidh miol siar agus miol soir do bidis uile a mbel Bhrain
9 Da mbeith dmeadh laoi gun fFein gan seilg gan fhiadhacft do chein
do bheradh a gcuid a coill do bi&ihiadh Bran 6 Bhoirinn
10 Is aire do bhuaileas Bran
is mor n-uair ba haithreacn dhamh gair na ccon is na sealga risna fiadhaibh foirdearga
11 Tugus buille d'eill buidhe dho go HaWgibh fionndruine
do-chiiaidh an idh oir 'na ceann mairg do-rinne in gnim roitheann
12 longnadh leis a bhualad/i damh do bhoi aihaidh gom feghadh
gur silseat frasa dera tar a rosgaibh rinnghera
13 Olc sen far togbadh in lamh olc sen ro tairngeadh go han
olc sen do-righneadh in be'adg mairg do-rinne in gniom rogharg
Id rem. The c represents a tall e In the MS.
9d biathfadh. The MS contraction (a dotted 7) here expanded qdfi would normally have been expanded eadh.
LVI] DUANAIRE FINN 201
7 The tallest of the Fian dogs would pass beneath his groin without stooping : his head (it was a cunning distribution) was as high as my shoulder.
8 I used to loose four hares, one south, one north, one west, one east. Bran used to have them all in his mouth !
9 If the Fian's day had ended with no spoils won afar in chase and hunt, he would bring their meal from the wood : Bran from Burren would feed them.
10 This is why I struck Bran (Many a time have I regretted it) : the hounds and hunt were crying to the deep-red deer.
Ill gave him a blow of a yellow thong decor- ated with rings of white bronze. The golden circlet entered his head. Woe for him who did the overbearing deed !
12 He wondered at being struck by me : for a while he looked at me, and then streams of tears poured from his piercing eyes.
13 111 the omen under which the hand was raised ; ill the omen when it was splendidly drawn ( ?) ; ill the omen when the movement was made. Woe for him who did the cruel deed !
202
[LVI
DUANAIRE FINN
14 Tairngidh uaim a heill go trie gur bhris in mhuince airgid
dar theith go moch ar in sleibh gur ling sa loch a luathleim
15 Tri hualla gacha nona ag ar gconartoibh crodha
coin na Feine ag iarraidh Bhrain 's an Fhian uile go ciamhair
16 Ni chiiala guth con ag seilg ar moigh ar moin ar morleirg
6 do sgarus rem choin ngairg na beith mo croidhe fo mairg
Mairg
Ag sin duit a chaiptin Samhairle. & da ffaghuinn ni budh mo ina sin do Dhuanaire Finn rena sgriobadh do-dhenainn dhaobhsi eMisi Aodh 0 Docartaigh do sgriobh a n-Oisdin. in .12. Februari. 1627.
16c rem. The e represents a small e in MS.
Scribal Note disdin. The d looks something like a b.
LVI] DUANAIRE FINN 203
14 He pulls his leash hastily from me, breaking the silver neck-chain, and soon fleeing along the mountain plunged with a swift leap into the lake.
15 Three cries every evening were uttered by our brave dogs : it was the Fian hounds seeking Bran, while the Fian were all in gloom.
16 I have never heard the voice of a hound a-hunting on plain, on bog, or spreading slope, since I parted with my bold hound, but that woe would come upon my heart.
There you are, Captain Somhairle, and if I could get more than that of Fionn's Poembook to write I would do it for you. I, Aodh 0 Dochartaigh, wrote this, in Ostend, the 12th of February, 1627.
LVII
[74 b] 1 A Oisin as fada do shiian
eiridh siias is eisd na sailm 6 thairnic do liith is do rath
do chuirthea cath a ngleo garbh
2 Do thairnic mo liith is mo rath
6 nach mairionn cath ag Fiond i ccleircibh ni fhuil mo speis no ceol da n-eis ni binn liom
3 Ni chiialais a ccomhmaith do ceol
6 thus domain mhoir gus anocht ta tu arsaidh aimglic liath
ge do dhiolta cliar ar cnoc
4 Dq dhiolainnsi cliar ar cnoc
a Patraic gidh docht do run as mairg dhuit do chain mo chruth is nach ffuair me guth ar tus
5 Do-chual ceol as icarr no an ceol
ge raor mholus tu in chliar sgalgarnach luin Leitrear/i Laoi
's a' (aoidheadh do-niodh in Dord Fian
6 Smolach guithbhinn Ghleanna in Sgail
monghar na mbarc 'buain re tracht budh binne liom trosd na ccon na do sgol a chlein'0/2 chaidh
LVII
1 Oisin, thy slumber is long : rise up and listen to the psalms, now that your activity and prosperity are over : you used to do battle in fierce war.
2 My activity and prosperity are over since Fionn no longer has a battalion. After them I care not for clerics, nor is music sweet to me.
3 You never heard such good music from the be- ginning of the great world till tonight. You are old, stupid and grey, though once you used to reward learned men on hilltops.
4 I used to reward learned men on hilltops, 0 Pat- rick, though you keep such secrets closely ( ?). It is an ill deed for you to revile my condition wit- hout first hearing what I had to say ( 7)1.
5 I have heard music better than their music, though you praise the clergy highly : the chatter of the blackbird of Leitir Laoi and the sound made by the Dord Fian.
6 The sweet-voiced thrush of Gleann an Sgail, the noise of the ships as they touched the shore : the cry of the hounds was more musical to me than thy chant, holy cleric.
1 Or perhaps ' seeing that I did not receive blame at first '.
206 DUANAIRE FINN [LVII
7 Da ghadar d[h]eg do bhi ag Fionn
an uair do leigthi fa Glionn Raith budh binne liom a n-oific chiuil 's a n-aghoidh on tSitiir amach
8 An uair do shuidhiodh Fionn ar cnoc
shinnti gan locht in Dord Fian chuireadh 'na ccodladh na sluaigh mo-nuar budh binne led in chliar
9 Cnu Dheireoil enii mo chuirp
abhac beag do bhi ag Fionn
an uair do shinne adh cuir is puirt
do bhiodh se 's a cruit qo binn
&"
10 Blathnaid bheag an inghean 6g
tug moid re fear fon ngrein acht Cnii Dheireoil 7 si
och a ri budh binn a mbeil
11 Do budh mian le Fionn na ffleadh
siansan con a ffad ar sliabh coin allta ag fagbhail a cciian
mordhail na sluagh dob e a mian
12 Iomdha mian do bhi ag Fionn
nach ccuirtear a suim id dhiaigh ni mhairionn Fionn no na coin
's ni mairfe tu a Oisin na ccliar
13 As mo an sgel Fionn no sinn
b na 'ttainic ler linn riamh a ndeachaid/i is na ffuil beo
dob fearr fa or Fionn na fFian
13 b ler : the e represents a tall e in MS.
LVII] DUANAIRE FINN 207
7 Fionn had twelve hounds : when they were let loose in Gleann Raith their tuneful chanting, as they swept away from the river Suir, was more musical to me.
8 When Fionn took his seat on a hill the Dord Fian would be faultlessly sounded. It used to put all men asleep: alas! they would [now?] find the clergy more musical.
9 Cnii Dheireoil, the nut of my body, was a little dwarf of Fionn's ; when he played tunes and melo- dies he and his harp were musical.
10 Little Blathnaid, the young maiden, who pledged her troth to no man beneath the sun excepting Cnu Dheireoil (?) ... — Ah me! 0 King, their mouths were musical.
11 A thing beloved of feasting Fionn was the music of hounds far off on a mountain, wolves leaving their lairs, the pomp of the hosts : it was that he loved.
Patrick : 12 Many were the things beloved of Fionn of which no heed is taken now that he has gone. Fionn and the hounds live no more and you shall cease to live, Oisin of the clerics.
Oisin : 13 Fionn is more important than we and than all who have ever lived in our time : Fionn of the Fian was better as regards gold than all who have gone and all who are alive.
208 DUANAIRE FINN [LVII
14 Tug se naoi gcatha sa fFraingc
naoi bhfichid cath a nEirinn uill on tsruth ar baisdeadh Crlosd
do theigh a chios go Toigh in Duinn
15 Tug se naoi ccatha sa Spain
airdrigh Lochlann a laim leis beach/ do bhi in domhan fa chios 'se budh righ isin Greig Bhig
16 Lochland 's an Innia mhor
tigeadh a n-6r go teach Fhinn ni roibhe coimmeas ris 6 Chrlosd ni fhacus ri os a chionn
[75 a] 17 Mairg dhamh do hanadh dha eis gan mo speis a muirn no a cceol um damh crion d'aithle na sliiagh as damh is truagh a beith beo
18 Truagh a Thailginn an sgel
bheith a ndiaigh na ffear go fann ag eisdeacht re ceol na gclog
as me um sheanoir bhocht dhall
19 Da mairiodh Fionn is an Fian
do fhuicfinn cliar na ccros do leanfuinnsi fiadh a ngleann
is budh mian learn bheith re a chos
20 Sir a Patraic dhuinn ar do Dhia
neamh d'Fionn na bFian is da chloinn dena guidhe risin fflaith
ni chiiala a commaith rem linn
17c crion. MS cas cion with a puncium delens under the i and another i su- perscript over the c.
20d rem : the e represents a tall e in MS.
LVII] DUANAIRE FINN 209
14 He fought nine battles in France, nine score battles in great Ireland. His sway extended from the stream where Christ was baptized to Teach an Duinn.
15 He fought nine battles in Spain : the High King of Norway was his captive : the whole world was tributary to him : he was king in Lesser Greece.
16 The gold of Norway and great India came to Fionn's house. Since Christ's time no one can be compared to him. I have seen no king more exalted than he.
17 Alas for me who have been left behind him. I have no care for merriment or music. I am a worn out stag whose herds have left him. Woful for me to be alive !
18 It is a piteous thing, 0 Adzehead, to be left behind them in my weakness, listening to the music of the bells, a poor blind old man.
19 If Fionn and the Fian lived I would leave the cross- bearing clergy : I would follow a deer in a glen, and I should love to be at his heels.
20 Patrick, ask from your God, I pray you, that Fionn of the Fiana and his children reach Heaven. Make prayer for the prince : never in my time did I hear of one to equal him.
210 DUANAIRE FINN [LVII
21 Ni iarrfa meisi neamh d'Fionn
a fhir nach grinn ler eirigh m'fearg gurab e a mhian rena linn
beith a nglionn ag siansan sealg
22 Da mbeithea faris in fFein
a chleirigh na ccliar 's na clog ni tiubhra th'aire do Dhia acht riar chliar & suol
■'&"
23 Ni threigfinnsi Mac De Bhi
ar a ttainic a ccli thoir is tiar a Oisin in fuighle bhuig
olc do-chuaidh dhuit diol na ccliar
24 Gach ar pronn tii 7 Fionn d'or
olc do-chuaidh dho 7 duit ata se a n-ifreann 'na gheall mar do-denadh feall 7 broid
25 Beag do chreidfinn dot ghlor
a chleirio/i na leabar mban ni roibhe Fionn na coimfhial ag duine no ag Dia a lamh
26 Ata se a n-ifrionn a laim
fear fa saimh do bhronnadh or a ndiol a easurradhais ar Dhia ta se a ttigh na bpian fa bron
27 Da mbeith clanna Morna astigh
no chlann Bhaoisgne fir fa tren do-bherdaois sin Fionn amach no bhiadh in teach aca fen
2lb ler : the e represents a tall e. 21 c rena is written re na in MS (small e).
22a The ea of mbeithea is obscured by a blot. 26d fa has been inserted above the line in the MS. 27 (iMS has ag crossed out before aca.
LVII] DUANAIRE FINN
Patrick : 21 I will not seek Heaven for Fionn, unpleasant man against whom my anger has arisen ; for what he loved in his day was to be in a glen amid the clam- our of the chase.
Oisin : 22 If you had been along with the Fian, 0 clerk of the clergy and the bells, you would have paid no heed to God, but to giving due treatment to learned men and scholars.
211
Patrick : 23 I would not desert the Son of the Living God for all who have come in the flesh, east or west. Oisin of weak judgement (?)1,your rewarding of learned men has ended badly for you.
24 All the money you and Fionn bestowed has ended badly for him and for you : he is in Hell because of it ; for he practised treachery and violence.
Oisin : 25 Little faith would I put in your words, 0 clerk of the white books. Neither Fionn nor anyone so generous as he has been kept in bondage by man or God.
Patrick : 26 He is prisoner in Hell, that man who benignly bestowed gold. On account of his want of faith in God he is in sorrow in the house of torments.
Oisin : 27 Were the children of Morna there, or the children of Baoisgne (they were stout men), they would carry Fionn out, or else themselves take possession of the house.
1 Or « of soft speech » ?
212 DUANAIRE FINN [LVII
28 Da maireadh Faolan is Goll
Diarmaid donn is Osgar aigh a n-eintigh riam dar chom Dia ni bhiadh Fionn na fFian a laimh
29 Coig coigidh 'Eireann fa seach
's na seacht ccatha boi san fFein ni tiubhraidis Fionn amach ger mhor a nea/t is a ttrein
30 A Patraic is truagh in sgel
an fear fial do bheith fo gblas croidhe gan aingidheac/?/ gan fhuath croidhe cruaidh ag cosnamh cath
31 As egcoir nar mhaith le Dia
or is biadh 'thabhairt do neach nir er se tren no truagh
ifreann fiiar mas e a theach
[75 b] 32 Cred do-rinne Fionn re Dia
acht riar na cellar is na sgol is treas mor re bronnadh oir
is treas fos re meadhair chon
33 'S a gheall re meadhair na ccon
is re riar na sgol gach la is gan smaoithiugh ar Dhia ata Fionn na fFian a laimh
34 Ata sgel agam ar Fhionn
ni raibh ionn acht se fir dheg gabhsam ri Sacsan na ffleadh chuiriomar cath ar righ Greg
LVII] DUANAIRE FINN
28 Did Faolan and Goll live, Rrown Diarmaid and Osgar the Rold, never would Fionn of the Fiana be in captivity in any house made by God.
213
Patrick : 29 The five separate provinces of Ireland and the seven battalions of the Fian could not bring Fionn out, though their power and strength were great.
Oisin : 30 Patrick, 't is a pitiful thing that the generous man should be imprisoned, a heart without wic- kedness or hatred, a stout heart to do battle.
31 It is unjust that God should not be pleased with the giving to people of gold and food. Fionn refused neither strong nor weak, if cold Hell is his house.
32 What did Fionn do against God but attend to the learned and scholars, now giving up much time to the bestowal of gold, another time joyfully following hounds?
Patrick : 33 Fionn of the Fiana is imprisoned on account of the joy of the chase and the attention he devoted to the learned every day without a thought of God.
Oisin : 34 I know a tale about Fionn : sixteen men only were there there : we captured the festive king of Engand : we went to war with the king of Greece.
214 DUANAIRE FINN [LVII
35 Do gabsam an Innia ar fad
ba mor ar neart is ar ttren do cuiriomar cath ar righ Frangc dar do laim ni abruim breg
36 Do gabhamar Maghnus mor
mac righ Lochlann na long mbreac rangamar gan ghuin gan sgis
do chuirmis ar ccios a ffad
37 A sheanoir do shaobh do chiall
beag in sgel gan a mbeith beo a raiph do shluagaibh ann sin
ni bhia as ni fhuil acht mar cheo
38 A Patraic na mbachall mbreac.
ni rachadh leat aithis Fhinn nir er se duine fa or
ni thug a mbreig moid no mionn
39 Tabhairsi th'aire duit fein
6 atathaoi gan ceill abhus tabair th'aire duit a triiaigh
tapair dot uaidh th'aire anos
A Oisin
LVII] DUANAIRE FINN
35 We took the whole of India (Our strength and might were great) : we went to war with the king of the Franks. By your hand, I tell no lie.
215
36 We captured Magnus the Great, son of the King of Norway of the speckled ships ; we arrived back unwounded, unwearied : we made distant lands tributary to us.
Patrick : 37 0 ancient man, who have perverted your reason : you make little account of their being alive no more : all those hosts of past time shall be, and already are, but mist.
Oisin : 38 Patrick of the speckled croziers, you could not find fault with Fionn : he never refused anyone as re- gards gold : he never perjured himself nor took false oath.
Patrick : 39 Do you, now that you are here in your folly, turn your thoughts upon yourself : reflect on your own case, poor wretch : turn your thoughts now to your tomb.
LVIII
1 La da ndeachaidh Fionn na bFian
do sheilg ar Sliabh na mBan fFionn tri mhile 'mathaibh na fFian
. ni deachaidh sgiamh os ar gcionn
2 A Oisin is binn linn do ghlor
beannac/?/ fos ar anmuin Fbinn 7 innis ca mhed fiadh
do thuit ar Sliabh na mBan fFionn
3 Budh mor na creacha dar sliiagh
dar a ndeachaidh uaim 's ni sbleadh ar thuit ar Sliabh na mBan bFionn d'fiadhach re Fionn na Hleadh
4 Innis rod roimhe gach sgel
beannac/2/ ar do bhel gan go in mbiodh eideadh no airm ag dul do sheilg libh gach 16
5 Do biodh eideadh 7 airm
ag dul do sheilg linn mar sin ni bhiodh Mndidh dhinn dom dhoigh gan Ieinidh sroil is da choin
6 Gan cotun sithe seimh
is luireach bharraidh gheir ghlain 's gan ceinnbeirt clochorrdha chorr 's da sleidh a ndorn gach fir
LVIII
Oisin : 1 One day Fionn of the Fiana went to hunt on Sliabh na mBan bhFionn, with three thousand good men of the Fiana : we were unsurpassed in our splendour.
Patrick : 2 Oisin, I love the sound of your voice, and a blessing to Fionn's soul too, and tell how many deer fell on Sliabh na mBan bhFionn.
Oisin : 3 Great spoils for our men (I swear it by all I have lost, and it is no exaggeration) was the prey that fell to festive Fionn on Sliabh na mBan bhFionn.
Patrick : 4 Speak out before anything else — A blessing on your unlying mouth! — Used you to take war- raiment or arms with you each day when you went hunting ?
Oisin : 5 We carried war-raiment and arms whenever we so went hunting. I believe there was no warrior amongst us without a satin shirt and two hounds,
6 Without a soft smooth wadded tunic and a corselet of sharp clean tow, an upstanding jewelled and gild- ed headpiece and two spears in each man's hand,
218 DUANAIRE FINN [LVIII
7 Gan sgiath uaine hhe'ircadh buaidh
is lann chriiaidh re sgoi\teadh cionn [76 a] da sirthea in domhan fa seach
ni raibhe neach budh fearr no Fionn
8 As e dob fearr eineach is agh
ni deachaid/i lamh 6s a cionn dul do thaistiol na ccuan ngeal gan faicsin ar fear mar Fhionn
9 Cath eagair do-chiiadhmar siar
do seilg ar Sliabh na mBan fFionn a Patraic a cheann na ccliar
dob alainn grian 6s ar ccionn
* »
10 An uair do shuidheadh Fionn ar ccoin
dob iomdha anoir is aniar guth gadhair ag dol do chnoc ag dusgadh thorc & fiadh
11 Do biodh Fionn 7 Bran
'na suidhe seal ar in sliabh gach fear dhiobh a n-ionadh sealg no gur eirigh cealg na bfiadh
12 Leigiomar tri mhile cu
dob fearr luth is do bhi garg do marbh gach cu diobh da fhiadh sul do cuireadh iall 'na n-aird
13 Marbhamar se mhile fiadh barr
ar in ghleannn do bhi fan tsliabh a nfegmais aighe 7 fearb
ni dearnad sealg mar sin riamh
[LVIII DUANAIRE FINN 219
7 Without a green conquering shield and a hard sword for splitting heads — Did you search the world man by man, you would have found no one better than Fionn.
8 He was the noblest and bravest : never was he overpowered : one might go voyaging through all bright havens without looking upon a man like Fionn.
9 An ordered battalion we set out westwards to hunt on Sliabh na mBan bhFionn. Patrick, head of the clergy, the sun was lovely above our heads.
10 When Fionn had arranged our hounds, manifold from east and west were the voices of dogs taking to the hill, starting boars and deer.
11 Fionn and Bran would be awhile seated on the mountain. Every man would be in his hunting position till the hidden (?) deer arose.
12 We loosed three thousand hounds who were both fierce and exceedingly active : every one of them killed two deer before the leashes were replaced in their collars.
13 We killed six thousand horned deer in the valley beneath the mountain, not counting hornless deer (?) and does : such a hunt had never been before,
220
DUANAIRE FINN
14 Dob e de\rcad[h] ar sealga thiar
a cleirigh na cellar 's na cclog deich cced cu go slabhrairf/z n-6ir do thuit urn noin re Ccd tore
[LVIII
15 Do thuitsiod linnc na tuirc
rinne na huile ar in leirg muna beitb ar luinn is ar lamb, chuirfidis ar ar bFein
16 A Patraic na mbacball bfiar
ni faca me tbiar no thoir sealg enlaoi ar Fhianuibh Finn
re mo linn budh mo ina soin
17 Ag sin sealg do-rinne Fionn
a mic Carploinn na mbionn mblaith na gair cheolan isin chill do budh binne liom in la
La
15d bFein sic MS.
l(5ct MS mb&n deleted before bfiar.
LVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 221
14 The end of our hunt in the west, 0 clerk of the clergy and the bells, was the slaying of ten hundred gold-chained hounds by a hundred boars.
15 The boars who did the ill deeds were slain by us on the slope : were it not for our fierceness and our skill (?) they would have made slaughter of the Fian.
16 Patrick of the crooked croziers, never in my time did I see, east or west, a single day's hunting of Fionn's Fiana which was greater than that.
17 That is the tale of a hunt held by Fionn, 0 son of Calpurnius of the smooth croziers (?). More musical to me than the din of church bells were the sounds of that day.
LIX
1 La da rabhamar a nDiin Bo Fian Eirionn lion a ttionol
coime'd ciiain fa ceim deacair 6 Chairbri lionmar Lifeachair
2 Gearr do bhadhmo/' ann sin a mic Alproinn a chleiriaA
go ttainic chugainn Laighne mor aonmac righ na fForaor
3 Bliadhain fa thri roimhe soin
nach deachaidfJYJ laoch dhinn tar muir le huamhan in fhir mhoir a chleirigh adeir an chanoin
4 Ar tteacht dhosan tar Albain motaighimid anfa na fairge
6 iomramh lamh in fir moir 's 6 buillighibh ramh an Fomoir
5 A mic Blaighe ingine in Deirg beannac/i/ ar do bhel gan cheilg
& innis duinn mar soin
a ndearnabhair 's a' fearsain
6 Do leagad leision a sheoil
a bportaibh dileann nar choir
's do-rinne eachreidh amach o n-ainmnigtear in t-ollamhach
4a MS has fairge deleted with « no Albain » written above as a correction. Gc amach. There is a dot, probably accidental, on the m in the MS.
LIX
Oisin : 1 One day we, the Fian of Ireland in full- as- sembly, were in Dun Bo, sent by (?) Cair- bre Lifeachair of the hosts as a garrison for the haven (it was a difficult proceeding).
2 We were but a short time there, 0 cleric, son of Calpurnius, when Laighne the Great, only son of the King of the Fomorians, came to us.
3 Before that, a year's length had gone by three times without any one of us crossing the sea, for dread of the great man, 0 cleric who announce the Gospel.
4 When he had passed over Scotland we notice the disturbance of the sea caused by the hand-rowing of the big man, the oar- strokes of the Fomorian.
Patrick : 5 0 son of Bladh, the Dearg's daughter, a blessing on your guileless mouth ! Tell us then all that ye and that man did.
Oisin: 6. He directed (?) his sails towards us (?) in the ocean havens, and succeeded in rea- ching (?) Eachreidh (?) from which the Ollmhach (?) takes its name.
224 DUANAIRE FINN [LIX
7 Dob e dob cloidcamh catha don mhacsin an ardfhlatha
lorg fhairsing d'iaronn chriiaidh
tri c[h]ed caor iarainn 'na lealhgriiaidh
[76 b] 8 Do bhi coimhe'rf fan luirg mboir lomnan d'airgead 7 d'or
's do clochaib biiadha oile d'uaislibh Thire Tairngoire
9 Ar ttiacht dhosan a ttir do leig beiceadh nar chaol d' iarr aidh trodain in fear & teagmhala in milidh
10 Ni raibhe en laoch 'nar fFein go roiche soir a nda ttrian
nach ttiubhradA dar n-uaish'6/i maith fel coidhche ar a thiiarusdaZ
11 'S i comhairle do-rinne Fionn le cloinn Morna is rena ccloinn
dul go pupaZ in fir mhoir a riocht fhileacZA a ccedoir
12 Gliiaisios Fionn feasa is Feargus Cnu Dheireoil & Blathnad
go riac/z/sat in popaZ coir
do bhi ag mac righ na fFomhoir
13 Beannaidhis Fionn don fhear mhor & Feargus ba binn glor
ni fhacattar thiar no thoir riamh leitheid in mluh'dn
Id c[h]6d, MS has « xx » with, « no .c. » written above as a correction.
LIX] DUANAIRE FINN 225
7 The battle-sword of that High Prince's son was a broad club of hard iron with three hundred iron knobs on one of its sides.
8 The big club had a case around it all full of silver and gold and other precious stones ... the Land of Prophecy.
9 When he came to land he gave a roar that was not narrow : the man was seeking battle, the warrior conflict.
10 There was no champion in our Fian .... who would not have given to our nobles . . . as his wage.
11 Fionn, in conclave with the children of Morna and their children, decided to go straightway to the tent of the big man in the guise of a poet.
12 Wise Fionn and Fearghus, Cmi Dhearoil and Blathnaid set out till they reached the goodly tent of the Fomorian king's son.
13 Fionn and sweet-voiced Fearghus greeted the big man. They had never seen, west or east, the equal of the warrior.
0K OF THE ASSUtip^
^LeZLEY HfLLS,
226 DUANAIRE FINN [LIX
14 Suidhis 'na pupal ann soin a n-onoir do na filead/iuibh
cuiris Feargus da laim cle & Fionn fein da deissein
15 Beiris chuige fana brot Cnii Dheireoil & Blathnot
sinnid an ceol sithe siiain
re ngabadh draoithe deaghdhuain
16 Fiafraidhis mac Cumhaill fheil don oglaoch liathmar aigmheil
caidhe h'ainm bunaidh go beac/i/ no ca tir a ffuil .th'imteac/i/
17 Mac righ na bFomorach thoir misi a dhraoi uasail iodhain
Laighne mor mh'ainm bunaidh ag cur ghliaidh gach aonchuraidh
18 Innis a churaidh chalma do raidh Fionn fa mor meanma
caidhe in fath tangais anoir go hEiri/m alainn iasgaigh
19 Inneosa me dhuitsi soin a dhraoi uasail iodhain
an fath fa tangus om thoigh go hEirinn aloinn iiibhraigh
20 Maithe Eireemn bheith a ngiaWaibh 's a ccios cugam gaclm bliadhain
no gan lion sioluidhe d'fior d'fagbhail a nEirinn iodhain
LIX] DUANAIRE FINN 227
14 He seated himself thereupon in his tent in honour of the poets. He set Fearghus on his left hand and Fionn himself to the right of Fearghus.
15 Fionn placed Cmi Dhearoil and Blath- naid beneath his cloak. They play that soft soothing music to which druids used to sing a good song.
16 The son of generous Cumhall asked the dread and terrible warrior : « What is your true name accurately, and to what land do you make your way? »
17 « I, 0 noble pure druid, am the son of the Fomorian king in the east. My true name as I do battle with all champions is Laighne Mor. »
18 « Tell, bold champion », said courageous Fionn, « for what reason did you leave the east to come to delightful fish-abounding Ireland ? »
Laighne : 19 I will tell you that, pure and noble druid. I shall tell you the reason for which I have left my home to come to delightful yew-clad Ireland.
20 I have come that the nobles of Ireland might be in bondage and pay yearly tribute to me, or that no man sufficient to ( ?) propag- ate the race (?) be left in holy Ireland.
228 DUANAIRE FINN [LIX
21 Iomdha laoch romhad riam tainic go hEirinn d'iarraidh gliadh
einneach dhibh nir thill tar ais uainn soir a hEir/nn fhodghlais
22 A ttainic chuca thoir is tiar 's a raibhe a nEirim? rompo riamh
ni thiiibhrainn ait suidhe d'fior d'eagla comlainn na ccuradh
23 Fiafraidhis an curadh calma da draoithibh go med meanma
caidhe in diol is diol libh a dhraoithe aille iodhan «
24 Do-ghebha sibh airgead is or is gach ni is ail le bur ccoir
do-ghebha uaimsi astighsi gach ni ata ar bur n-ainnisi
25 Draoithe sinn Ian d'eagna do raidh Fionn ris da fhreagra
cadhas uaitsi dhgidh sinn ar h'eineach* as cadh iarruim
26 Do gheall go ttiubhradhsan soin cadhas don chleir go cubaidh
[77 a] gion do bhiadh na bheathrtirf/i abhus
do gheall nach airgf ead[h] eigius
27 Tabhair do bhriatar leis soin
do raidh mac Cumhaill a hAlmhuin ar a bheith diolus re do linn da ngabhann linne dh'Eirinn
LIX] DUANAIRE FINN 229
Fionn : 21 Many a hero before you has come to Ire- land seeking combat : not one of them left green-sodded Ireland to return back from us to the east.
Laighne : 22 To no man, east or west, of all who have gone there, and to no man of all who had been in Ireland before them would I yield my seat for fear of warrior-battle.
Oisin : 23 Then the bold warrior asked his courageous druids, « What payment do you consider worthy, 0 pure and delightful druids ?
24 « You shall get silver and gold and every thing you wish for your use : you shall have from me in this house everything of which you are in need. »
25 « We are druids full of wisdom », said Fionn to him in reply, « you owe us reverence : it is that I ask for by all you hold honour- able. »
26 He promised to give that, to give due rever- ence to learned folk. He promised as long as he lived in this world to harm no poet.
27 « Swear to that, » said the son of Cumhall from Almha. « Swear to respect loyally as long as you live whatever we own of Ireland. »
230 DUANAIRE FINN [LIX
28 Tugsan briatar gan gho nach sirfeerdn air rena bheo
no ar draoi da ttiocfadh 'na teach cios no cain no cahhalach
29 Mithe duit imtheacM tar h'ais dearbh go ndearnais do thurais
liomsa anois.gabhus Eire
's me Fionn flaith na fiorFheine
30 Mas tusa Fionn na Feine
do raidh in t-oglaoch go bfeile ni thugus briatar re hais acht do draoithibh gan ainbfeas
31 Draoi sinn a churaidh chalma do raidh Fionn fa mor meanma
mo ghliocus nir shannon neach dar thaisdil in bioth braonach
32 Ag aighnius ort ni bhiadh sinn
a Fhinn mic Cumhaill airmghrinn 6 thugus briatar gan ghaoi denam sith treigiom eissiodh
33 D6-rinne se sith go coir
Fionn mac Cumaill mic Trenmoir dho fein is d'Eirinn uile mor in geilleadh enduine
34 Toimhsis Fionn gan fhius do
n t-oglaoch 's ni hiomargho ba hadhbhal re aithris duit fad an oglaoich 's a leathad
LIX] DUANAIRE FINN 231
28 He gave his untying oath that he would never in his lifetime ask him or any druid who visited his house to pay tribute, tax, or impost.
29 « You may as well return : clearly you have completed your journey, for Ireland belongs to me. I am Fionn, prince of the true Fian. »
30 « If you are Fionn of the Fian, » said the generous warrior, « I swore no oath to anyone but to learned druids. »
31 « I am a druid, brave warrior, » said courag- eous Fionn : « My skill has been surpassed by no one of all who have walked upon the dewy world. »
Laighne : 32 I will not argue with you, Fionn, son of keen-weaponed Cumhall. Since I have given my untying word, let us make peace and abandon strife.
Oisin : 33 Fionn, son of Cumhall, son of Trenmhor, made peace righteously for himself and all Ireland (Great was that yielding of a single person).
34 Fionn (It is no lie) measured the warrior without his knowing it. The weight and breadth of that warrior would be huge to relate to you.
232 DUANAIRE FINN [LIX
35 Seacht ccomfada Fhinn fein boi ar fad a Laighne thren
's a dha chomhfhad ar tracht fa mor in trenoglach
36 Teid Fionn a gcionn a shloigh beiris leis fion & feoil
eire chaogad gearran croin do mhiodh is do brogoid
37 Beirthear oidhcheacft/ on fhear thren ni chuala a leitheid 6 chleir
& on oidhchesin iar sogh ainmnightmr Purt a Righol
38 Gluaisis an t-oglaoch uainne tar na tonnaibh taobhuaine
ceileabhnn's da cleir re hais buidheach an Fian da thurus
39 Do-bheirimsi dhuit a mhoid a Patraic tainic on Roimh
nach rabhamar fein no clanna Cuinn a tteann budh measa ar bfulang
40 As me Oisin do bronnadh oir do gradh na tfileadh a ccedoir
ge ataim anocht fa bhron le smuaintiugarf/i gach enlo
La
LIX] DUANAIRE FINN 233
35 Stout Laighne measured in height seven lengths of Fionn himself, and in breadth (?) two lengths. That stout warrior was large.
36 Fionn goes to meet his men. He took with him wine and meat, the load of fifty yellow nags of mead and bragget.
37 Entertainment such as I never heard of clergy giving is given by the stout man ; and from that night spent in merriment Port an Rioghoil has been named.
38 The warrior went off over the green-sided waves. He bade farewell to the learned men he left behind (?). The Fian were pleased with his journey.
39 I swear it to you, Roman Patrick : neither we nor the race of Conn were ever in a more intolerable difficulty.
40 I am Oisin who used to bestow gold straight- way out of love for poets, although tonight I am sorrowful, through thinking every day.
LX
1 In cciiala tu Fiana Finn
a Patraic mhoir mic Alproinn
ag eirghe 6s ceann Locha Deirg mar aon is each ag coimhsheilg
2 Peisd do bhi ar loch in tsleibhe le a ttugadh ar na Feine
fiche ced no ni is mo da ttug si eg a n-enlo
"[77 b] 3 Oglaoch maith do bhi ag Fionn go deimhin duit a Thailghinn Albhaidh an Oir mac righ Greg do thuigeadh glor 6 gach peist
4 In ttuige an ni adeir in peisd do raidh Albhaidh risin fFein
caoga each no caoga bo do chur cuice gach aonlo
5 Innis go bfuighe si soin
a Albhaidh an chrotha glain fearr sin no enlaoch lonn do thuitim leisi a ccomhlann
6 An peisd an oidhchesin gan bhiadh codhlaidh 's nir smuaintz'o/z in Fhian
ar tteacht na maidne go moch do chuir anfa ar in ffionnloch
2c ffuair has been deleted in the MS after nd.
3c mac. There is a dot, probably accidental, over the m,
LX
Caoilte : 1 Have you heard this tale of Fionn's Fiana,
great Patrick, son of Calpurnius : how they went up above Lough Derg, all together, for a general hunt?
2 There was a monster in the mountain lough who made slaughter of the Fian. Two thous- and or more did she kill in a single day.
Fian :
3 Fionn (This, 0 Adzehead, is certain) had a good warrior, Albhaidh of the Gold, son of the King of Greece, who understood the language of all monsters.
4 « Do you understan d what the monster says ? » said Albhaidh to the Fian : « she must have fifty horses or fifty cows given her every day. »
5 Say, 0 clean-shaped Albhaidh, that she will get that. It is better so than that any fierce champion should fall by her in battle.
Caoilte: 6 The monster sleeps (?) without food that
night, and the Fian thought not of it (?). When the early morning came she raised a storm, on the white lake.
23G DUANAIRE FINN [LX
7 Ar tteacht don pcistl ar in ttracht do leigiodar in Fhian gair
dob iomdha ag brisiodh a croinn iliomad laoch 'na timchioll
8 Eidir sin 7 mead[h]6n don 16
do budh lia ar mairbh na ar mbeo budh sambail re sliiagh oile uireasbaoTi ar laochraidhe
9 Do sluigeadh le mac rig Greg is Oisin fa mor in bed
'se do sluigeadh le go beacht fear & ced a n-aoinfheac/i/
10 Nior sluigeadh mac Cumhaill le
no in mheid do bhi amoigh dhd Fhein 's ni raibhe dhiobh gan dul thart acht beagan beag a mbel imtheacht
11 Do shluig si Daolghus is Goll Fionn mac Rossa na ccomhlann
Conan Maol sgel nar mho Diarmaid taobhgheal Tre/imhor
12 Tug Fionn in sitheadh prap glacais in peisd ar alt
& tug car go dian di gur chuir a cliabh anairde
13 Mar do-connairc Daire mac Finn rifheindid/j is si cionn a ccionn tug leim a mbel na piasta dob e in sithead aimhrialta
LX] DUANAIRE FINN 237
7 When the monster came upon the shore the Fian gave a cry : many were the numer- ous warriors who crowded round her brea- king their spearshafts.
8 Between that and midday those of us who had fallen were more numerous than those who still lived. Our missing warriors were like a second army.
9 She swallowed the son of the King of Greece and Oisin ('t was a great disaster). One hundred and one persons is an accurate telling of the number she swallowed at one gulp.
10 She did not swallow the son of Cumhall nor those of his Fian who were away from the camp (?) ; and only a few who were on the point of moving off had escaped passing [down her gullet] (?).
11 She swallowed Daolghus and Goll, Fionn mac Rossa of the battles, Conan Maol (a less important matter), Dermot of the white sides, Trenmhor.
12 Fionn gave a sudden rush : he gripped the monster by one of her joints, and giving her a sharp twist put her lying on her back
i
13 When Daire son of Fionn saw the warrior- chieftain and the monster at grips (?), he leaped into her mouth (It was a wild rush).
1 Literally : « put her chest up ».
238 DUANAIRE FINN [LX
14 Ar ndul do Dhaire 'na cliabh ann sin do chuimhni^/i a sgian
ar a hasgaill tig amach
dob i in chosgairt iongantach
15 Da c[h]ed beo aisde don Fhein Oisin is mac righ Greg
comhrac budh beodha na soin annamh duine go ccualaidTi
16 An da ched tainic amach
do bhadar gan fholt gan edach maith do cheas Fiana Finn a ffuairsiod riamh a nEirinn
17 Tunis Conain nar choir
'steach a mbroinn an bheathaidh mhoir mar nach roibhe gruag ar a chionn nir an leadhb ar a chloiginn
18 Fionnloch dobh ainm don loch ar tus a chor a chleireach
do an Loch Dearg air re a bheo 6 ar na Feine a n-enlo
19 Tri la 7 mi 7 bliaghain
do bhi Loch Dearg fa dhiamhair 6 la marbhtha Fiana Finn go deimhin duit a Thailghinn
[78 a] 20 As me Caoilti a ndiaigh na fFian a Patraic do dhealbhus grian na sgela do innsim dhuit iomdha duine do-chua\aidh
In
16c cheas. The ea represents a tall e in the MS.
18a dobh ainm is divided do bhainm in MS (the bh = a dotted b).
186 a chor a is written as one word, achora, in the MS.
LX] DUANAIRE FINN 239
14 When Daire had passed into her chest he bethought him of his knife : he comes out at her armpit (T was a wonderful slaughter).
15 Two hundred of the Fian came forth from her alive, and with them Oisin and the son of the King of Greece. Few people have heard of a battle livelier than that.
16 The two hundred who came forth were hair- less, and their clothes were gone. Well did the Fiana of Fionn pay for anything they ever won in Ireland.
17 Conan's unseemly journey into the belly of the huge beast resulted thus : as he had no hair on his head to lose, no strip [of skin] remained on his skull.
18 Fionnloch (White Lake) had been the lough's name in the beginning... Loch Dearg (Red Lake) became its name for ever by reason of that single day's slaughter of the Fian.
19 For three days, a month and a year from the day Fionn's Fiana met their death Lough Derg was in gloom ('T is a fact, 0 Adzehead).
20 I am Caoilte left behind the Fiana, 0 Patrick shaper of the sun. The tale I tell you has been heard by many.
LXI
1 La da ndeachat'rf/j Fionn na bFian do sheilg ar Beinn Gulbain siar
go bfacamar ag tocht co each oglaoch go n-egcosg neamhghnath
2 Do-conncamar chugainn sa magh oglaoch mor go meid mhikadh
cloidhiom trid a cheann gan chair go rainic in chluas go cheile
3 Beannaighis in t-6glaoch mor don righfeindid/i fath gan bhron
7 beannaighis do Gholl ghlan 7 suidhis 'na fharradh
4 Ar bhar ccuimridhe damh fein a rifheindj'd/i feasaigh fheil
fam iodhlacadh uaibh gan fheall a Fhiana aille Eireann
5 A oglaigh tainic sa ccnoc do raidh Conan faobarnoc/i/
cia chuir in cloidiom id cheann no cia re ndearnuis comlann
6 Do-rindeasa comhlann cruaidh le Manannan na m6rs\uagh
's e do chuir cloidheamh um ceann is ris do-rinnius comlann
LXI
1 One day Fionn of the Fiana had gone west- ward to hunt over Beann Gulbain when we saw a warrior of strange appearance coming to meet us all.
2 We saw approaching us in the plain a great warrior of soldierly size. A sword was through his head (no fault) stretching from ear to ear.
3 The big warrior greeted the chieftain (a griefless matter), and he greeted bright Goll and sat by his side.
4 « I cast myself on your protection, wise generous chief, trusting that you conduct me loyally from you, lovely Fiana of Ire- land. »
5 « 0 warrior who have come to this hill, » said Conan of the unsheathed blades. « Who put that sword in your head, or with whom did you do combat? »
6 « I did hard combat with Manannan of the great hosts : it is he fixed a sword in my head : it is with him I did combat.
242 DUANAIRE FINN [LXl
7 Ataim fo gheasaibh o shoin fan domhan uile d'iarraidh
ni fhuarus aoinneach ann do bheanfa in cloidiom asam
8 Tanac cugaibhsi a Fian chuala bar tteisd thoir is thiar
ar bar n-eineach tabhraidh damh beanaidh asam in cloidheam
9 Do raidh Conan don taobh thall beanfad in cloidiom as do cheann
no beanfadsa gan fheall damh an ceann diot is a' cloidheam
10 Na bean as arsa Fionn fein
a Conain mhaoil mhir gan cheill ga fios nach ttiucfa sa magh dograinge a ndiaigh in chidhimh
11 Maith Horn dograing do theacht as do raidh Conan maol gan cheis
tug sithe prapdha go ngoil 7 glacais in cloidhiom
12 Tuitis Conan ar lar dhe
gan sbionnad/i a n-alt no a n-aighe beith mar sin acht ger nar dho gan neart ann mna seola
13 Mar do-connairc clann Morna mhoir Conan maol ag faghail broin
tairrngid a ccloidhme go nimh do ghearrad/i chinn in gruaga igh
lie, d Instead of this couplet the scribe first copied 12 c, d, then deleted it and wrote the correct couplet in the margin with sign to insert. The deleted couplet reads n6ir for n&r and dhd for dho of 12c and nt, with a stroke above for nt with the ear (eir) compendium above of 12 d.
136 MS has m&oil with the i deleted.
LX1] DUANAIRE FINN 243
7 « Since that I have been under geasa binding me to search the whole world. I have found no one there to take the sword out of me.
8 « I have come to you, 0 Fian, having heard you spoken of east and west. Of your honour grant me [what I ask] : take out of me the sword. »
9 Conan who was on the other side said, « I shall remove the sword from your head, or else, in sooth, I shall remove both head and sword. »
10 « Do not remove it, » said Fionn himself, « mad senseless Conan Maol. Who can tell but that trouble might come upon the plain (?) after the sword ? »
1 1 « I would like trouble to result from it, » said stout (?) Conan Maol. He gave a sud- den bold rush and seized the sword.
12 Thereupon Conan fell to the ground without vigour in joint or juncture [of his body], though it was shameful for him to be like that, weaker than a woman in travail.
13 When the children of great Morna saw Co- nan Maol in distress, they draw their fierce swords to cut off the head of the gmagach.
244 DUANAIRE FINN [LXI
14 Eirgis Fionn don taobh oile is nochtais a cholg nimhe
eirgid clanna Baoisgne mhear do dhul a n-aghaid in gruagaigh
15 Eirgid ann sin as gleo garbh Fian Eireann go n-imad n-arm
nir sguirsiod da gcleasaib gail gur basgadar naoi nonmhair
16 Rachadsa ar do kith a Fhinn do raidh Goll fa pairt grinn
[78 b] do budh coir ar ttuitim dhe
ar mbrisiodh do cuimridhe
17 Cuirim fo gheasoibh thu ar Fionn crdd fa ttangais re olc linn
muna n-innisi a gruagaigh thall ge tii do Tuath De Danann
18 As me Manannan mac Lir mor m'fioch 7 m'fala ribh
as i mo thoisg om thigh com bar ttuitim re cheile
19 Ni muirfimne sinn fein duit a gruagaigh uasail oirrdefrc
cuirim gach ceisd ort mur ghrain muna bfoire tii ar Co nan
20 Tairrngeas ger crodha an ceim an cloidheamh as a cheann fein
fagbais a chionn 'na dhiaigh slan toimsios a dhias re Conan
15a clanna b has been deleted in the MS before ann sin.
LXI] DUANAIRE FINN 245
14 Fionn arose on the other side and bared his biting blade. The families of swift Baoisgne (?)arise to go against the gruagach.
15 Then arise the many-weaponed Fian of Ireland ('Twas a turbulent fight). They ceased not from their deeds of bravery till they had laid low nine times nine.
16 « I shall side with thee, 0 Fionn, » said Goll ('Twas a pleasing decision [ ?]). « It is right that we should be slain for having violated your safe conduct. »
17 « I put you under geasa », said Fionn, « [to tell] why you came to do us injury. ['T is a breach of your geasa,] 0 gruagach yonder, if you tell us not who of the Tuath De Danann you are. »
18 « I am Manannan mac Lir : my wrath and enmity against you are great. I left my home for this, that you might all fall at one another's hands. »
19 « We shall not kill ourselves for you, noble illustrious gruagach. I put you under horr- id ( ?) geasa if you do not succour Conan. »
20 He drew the sword out of his own head (though that was a bold proceeding). His head he left whole when he had drawn it out : its blade he measured alongside Conan.
246 DUANAIRE FINN [LXI
21 Do eiridh Conan slan de on leagadh ar a raibhe
nirbh i sin an eirge ghar do nocht Conan a cloidhiora
22 Tug Conan agaidh ann ar Manannan na morlann
do thog Fionn a sgiath go mblaidh os cionn Manannain mheanmnaig'/i
23 Gach duine dhiobh don Fhein ag dul a leitb a arm fein
gach fear dhiobh le cleasaibh gail teacht ar fhioch is ar fhalaidh
24 Cuiris gruagach in fhuilt fhinn a cloidheam fein 'na timchill
nir fidir neach d'uair no trath gur gabh uatha ar lar in la
La
LXI] DUANAIRE FINN 247
21 Then Conan arose whole from the spot where he had been thrown down ( ?). That was no helpful rising : Conan unsheathed his sword.
22 Conan faced Mananna n of the great blades there. Fionn raised his glorious shield over bold Manannan.
23 Every one of the Fian was moving towards his own arms, every man of them preparing to meet (?) wrath and enmity with feats of bravery.
24 The fairhaired gruagach put his own sword about them. Not one of them knew anything of ( ?) hours or divisions of time till the day had gone by.
LXII
1 La do bhi sealg Shleibhe Guilleann da hinnioll re mac Cumhaill
go fhacamar oglaoch gabhaidh cugainn os na firmaintibh
2 Brot ciordhubh fa dorcha dath is comartha ardfhlath
fa dorcha dealb in fir mhoir do bhi chugainn ar anbhoin
3 Enshuil ar mire gan ghean
a cceann an fir fa maith denam
mar dorn gach curaidh sa fFein 'na sroin churata aigmheil
4 Da craoisigh catha 'na laimh
is cloidheamh Ieathan go morghrain is lorg don iarrann nar thim ag an oglaoch re a ghualainn
5 Mur connairc maithe na fFian
cuca in t-arracht nar maith sgiamh glacaidh gach fear a dha sleidh a sgiath 's a cholg 'na aghaidh
6 Togbais Fionn in colg nimhe ga mbiodh buaidh gach iorgaile
is teachaid an Fhian ann sin tiomcill m£c Cumaill armghloin
lc fhacamar, sic MS (dotted /)
2c dealb. MS has dath deleted with dealb written above it.
6ft iorgaile, MS has « aonchlutthe no forgaile. &
LXII
Oisfn : 1 One day the son of Cumhall was preparing the chase of Slieve Gullen when we saw a dangerous warrior approaching us over the true bogs.
2 [He had] a jet-black mantle of dark colour and the insignia worn by high princes (?). The big man approaching us distresstully was of dark appearance.
3 One unpleasant frenzied eye had that well- built man in his head. His bold and terrible nose equalled the fist of any Fian champion in size.
4 In his hand he had two battle spears and a sword that was broad and very horrible. Slung upon the warrior's shoulder was a stout iron club.
5 When the Fian nobles saw this monstrous unlovely fellow approaching, every man takes his two spears,his shield and his sword to oppose him.
6 Fionn lifted that keen blade which was ever victorious in battle. Then the Fian gather round the bright-weaponed son of Cumh- all.
250 DUANA1RE FINN [LXII
7 Adubhairt Fionn re neart a sloigh is re mathoibh clann Tre'nmoir
is re cloinn Morna go ngoil dhul a n-aghoidh in treinfhir
8 Adupairt Conan mac Morna fear mallac/j/ach miolabhra
as romhor b'eaglusa 'Fhinn roime an oglaochso cbugainn
[79 a] 9 Nior gabh eagla misi riamh
a Chonain mhaoil nach maith sgiamh do bheanfainn do cbeann diot anois muna bfechainn dot ainbfios
10 Commaith mo chinnsi a fhir nir marbadh re do mhuinntei'r
's nir chosain tu gnaoi duit fein timcioll Aile no aoinsgeil
11 Mur do-chuala/dh flaith na fFian Conan da fhreagra go dian
nochiais a chloidheam nar thim
a n-am catha no comhlainn
12 Noc/i/ais Conan a lann a cceartaghoidh mhic mhic Cumaill
tug sitheadb diochra dana a ccoinne an righ dingmhala
13 Adubairt Conan go ngruaim le mac Miiirne na mo[r]shliiaa/i
do-bherainn comhairle duit a fhir gan anmhuin re mo dheabairf/i
Id MS has gruagaigh deleted before treinfhir. 12b mhic mhic, si MS,
XLIIJ DUANAIRE FINN 251
7 Fionn ordered the assembled strength (?) of his host and the nobles of the families of Trenmhor and Morna's brave descendants to go to meet the champion.
8 Conan son of Morna, a man of oaths and abusive speech, said : « Very great, 0 Fionn, is your fear of this warrior coming towards us. »
Fionn : 9 Never did fear seize me, unlovely Conan Maol. Had I not regard for your folly I should strike your head from you forth- with.
Conan : 10 Never did your folk bring down a head as good as mine ; nor did you secure your will concerning Aile or any other matter.
Oisin : 11 When the prince of the Fiana heard Conan answering him violently, he bared his sword that was never feeble at the moment of battle or combat.
12 Conan bared his blade in direct opposition to the son of Cumhall. He rushed eagerly and boldly to meet the worthy king.
13 Conan the gloomy said to the son of Muirne of the great hosts, « I should advise you, 0 man, not to wait for my attack. »
252 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
14 Mur do-c\ma\aidh Fionn agha Conan da sirchaineadh
glacais a dha shleidh go ngail is gabhais iad 'na fhochair
15 Aduba/rt Conan go treith ag iompodh irsigh a sgeith
gapuim red choimridhe a Fhinn is do-bheirim an urruim
16 Do thug Fionn nar er neach an comairce dho ar eineach
adubairt re Conan ann sin imtheac/i/ ameasg a mhuinntir
17 Sgela an oglaoigh 6 chianuibh inneosad dhuit a chleirigh
tainic se chugainn ann sin d'iarraidh catha ar ar muinntir
18 Do fiahaigh misi sgela dhe
do fhiafraio/i Caoilte is Mac Reithe ga criocha cinel duit a fhir no ca tir a ffuil t'athoir
19 Dubh mac Diorfaidh as ainm damh is Mac Suirnn mo sloinncad/i
as i mo thoisg om thigh gabhail gheiWidh gach naonmhuir
20 RaogaZ a Dhuibh mic Diorfaidh dhuit an eac/j/rasin d'innsin
go ttiucfa at aonor ann 'gabhail geilliaTi ffear nEireann
15c red. The e represents a talj e in the MS.
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 253
14 When valorous Fionn heard Conan's contin- ued abuse, he grasped his two brave spears and held them near him.
15 Conan said weakly, turning the strap of his shield, « I accept your protection, Fionn, and I make obeisance. »
16 Fionn, who never refused anyone, generous- ly granted the protection : he then bade Conan go among his people.
17 [Now], 0 cleric, I shall tell you of the warrior [we mentioned] a while ago : he came to us then to seek combat from our folk.
18 I made enquiry of him, as did also Caoilte and Mac Reithe, « What territory, what race is yours, 0 man, or in what land does your father dwell ? »
Warrior : 19 Dubh mac Diorfaidh is my name and Mac Suirnn my surname. The object of my jour- ney from home is to win submission from everyone.
Oisin : 20 It is dangerous for you, 0 Dubh son of Diorfadh, to tell of that expedition — that you should come alone to win submission from the men of Ireland.
254 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
21 Da mbeith sloigh dhomhain uile ar mh'ineac 's ar mh'impidhe
ni thiubhrainn Horn dhibh tar sal do shluagh acht me um aonaran
22 Do freagradh sud go luath
le hOsgar do-bheiirad/i gach biiadh ga lion fhognus duit a fhir 'dhul do comrac at aghoidh
23 Ge do fhiafroidh tu sin diom as romor b'eagla is th'imsniomh
as e lion toghaim as gach tir
do thocht a n-aghoidh mo moirgnimh
24 Deich cced curaidh go ngail
dha shleidh a ndorn gach aoin fhir
deich cced cloidhiom is fearr faobur deich cced sgieth da n-imdhidan
25 Do ihiahaigh Conan do guth mhor go hiomard ameasg na slogh
cia hagoibh don Fhein fhearrda theid ar son a thigea/na
[79 b] 26 Do labhair Osgar Eamhna
macamh na fFian ffiorchalma rachad fein ar son m'athar ar mo son fein 's mo seanathor
27 Coir do theid tusa ann sin do raidh Caoilte fa maith rith an t-athair ata agad a fhir nocho cathach e a n-iorghail
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN
Warrior : 21 Were all the hosts of the world ready to come at my demand and request, I would not bring any of them, excepting myself alone, over the sea with me as an army.
Oisin : 22 He was quickly replied to by Osgar the vic- torious, « What number is it usual for you( ?), 0 man, to have sent to do combat with you? »
255
Warrior : 23 Though you have asked me that, your fear and anxiety are very great. This is the number I choose from every land to oppose my great deeds :
24 One thousand valorous champions, each one with two spears in his hand, and one thousand swords of keenest edge and one thousand shields protecting them.
Oisin : 25 From amid the hosts Conan asked very loudly in a great voice, « Which of you members of the manly Fian advances on behalf of his chieftain ? »
26 Osgar of Eamhain, the youthful one of the truly brave Fiana, spoke : « I shall advance on behalf of my father, on my own behalf and on that of my grandfather. »
27 « Rightly do you advance there », said Caoil- te, the excellent runner : « that father of yours, 0 man, is no fighter in a combat. »
256 DUANAIRE FINN
28 Do eisdiodar Fiana Finn ar a' tulaigh 6s ar cciond
do shaoilsead nach roibhe sa fFein aoinneach 6 a ffuighinn toibheim
29 Cred do-rinne Oisin rit
a fhir labhrus go haimghlic
cred do-bheir tu da ch&ineadh da aithis no da imdeargadh
30 Ni dhuitsi do-bherainn sgela a Osgair aird in fheadhma
ni mo is d'Oisin na nglonn bhias 'na seanoir a cCroimlinn
31 Robhorb an ni do labhra
a mhic cholamhnaigh Theamhra tuitfe tii liomsa a fhir a n-eruic do dhul fam athair
32 Do-beirim do shlansa fuim a Osgair ge maith do clu
7 slan chloinne th'athor a mhic Oisin ardfhlatha
33 Iarruim ar Osgar na ngniom ngle leigion eadrom is Caoilti
ionnus go ndioghlainn an sar do fuarus 6 mac Ronan
34 Leigiom eadrad 7 se
do raidh Osgar fa maith gne 7 tapair fein do ghleo ar mac Ronain iomorro
[LXII
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN
28 Fionn's Fiana upon the hill above us listen- ed. They had thought there was no one in the Fian from whom I should receive an insult.
Osgar : 29 What has Oisin done against you, 0 man who speak foolishly? What causes you to abuse him, to insult him, or revile him?
Caoilte : 30 I would not give any information to you, high mighty Osgar, any more than I would to deedful Oisin who shall be an old man in Grumlin.
Osgar
31 You speak overboldly,0 lad of the Columns of Tara : you shall fall by me, 0 man, in payment of your attack on my father.
Caoilte : 32 I accept your challenge, Osgar, though your fame is good, and the challenge of your father's family, 0 son of the high prince Oisin.
Oisin : 33 I ask Osgar of the bright deeds to leave it between me and Caoilte, so that I might avenge the insult I had received from the son of Ronan.
34 « I leave it between you and him », said Os- gar of the goodly appearance, « and do you then yourself do battle with the son of Ronan. »
258 DUANAIRE FINN [LXll
35 Fiafraighimsi go hard ard
do mac Cronnchair go fiorgharg cred tug e dom chaineadh dom aithis dom imdeargad/i
36 As i freagra fiiair misi
6 Chaoilti aigeantac/i chlisde
go mbeinnsi ar deireadh chaich ag iaxraidh na ndeachamhan
37 Adubatrt fear millte na fFian Conan maol coinntinneach cian
na tugadh se urraim dhuit 's nar mo bhias se agad
38 Maith do dhlighfea sin a fhir do chongnam beith am aghoidh
do bris me an corn ar do chionn a mBruighin Cheise Corainn
39 Maith do dioghlomai/ne sin a maidin catha Cnocha
do marbhamar Cumhall go mbuaidh is da ttrian a tromshluaioh
40 Ni chuimhneochum fala anois dhuit a Conain cheannsholais
fearr linn do beith os cionn chlair ag bualadh dorn is famer
41 Maith aithnidhimsi in t-adhbar do-bheir ort gan teacht fam gh&badh
ar cheasta fhaophar mo loinn is ar eagla mo comlainn
39ft MS has Concha with a sign to transpose n and o.
LXH] DUANAIRE FINN
35 Loudly, very loudly and most haughtily I ask the son of Cronnchar what caused him to abuse, insult and revile me.
259
36 The answer I got from clever and intelligent Caoilte was that I should be left seeking tithes when all were gone.
37 Quarrelsome and wearisome (?) Conan Maol, the upsetter of the Fiana, said, « Let him show you no respect, and may you prize him no whit more. »
Conan
38 It would be indeed right for you, 0 man, to lend your assistance in opposition to me : I broke the goblet on your head in the Bruighean of Ceis Corainn.
39 Well did we avenge that on the morning of the Battle of Cnucha : we slew conquering Cumhall and two thirds of his mighty host.
Oisin : 40 We will not cherish the memory of that griev- ance against you now, 0 Conan of the shin- ing head : we would rather have you seated at table fist-hammering and ...
Conan : 41 Well do I recognize the reason which prev- ents you coming within danger-distance(?) : you dread (?) the keenness of my sword, and you are afraid to fight me.
260 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
42 Leigiom diom tagra Conain ni raipe speis liom 'na te&gmdil
mar nar chuireas brigh 'na laimh 'na atais no 'na mhorrdhail
[80 a] 43 Do-rinneas rioth tre lar an tsluaigh dar chuireas Chaoilti ar anbhuain do-chuaidh uaim ar luas a chos go rainic se go Durlus
44 Tiompoim 6 Dhurlus tar ais do aimdheoin Caoilti coimdheas
ger maith rioth mic Ronain teinn go huaim mhoir Sleibhi Guilleand
45 Ni dhearnus comnaidAe coidhche no go rugas ar Chaoilte
go ttuccus creapailti rem loinn Caoilte ameasg Fhian Eireann
46 Adubairt mac Cumhaill mheadhraia/i ar ffaicsin Caoilti chedaigh
liomsa dhul fana bhreith fein 's go ndenadh mo dheaghreir
47 Adubhrusa nach denainn sith le Fionn fa maith fos is brigh
's nach ttiubhrainnsi mo lamh na laimh no go millinn mac Ronain
48 As i sith do ceangail Fionn do ceangail Osgar is Cairioll
da c[h]ed cuach 6 Chaoilti damh da c[h]cd corn da c[h]ed cloidhiom
43ft Chaoilti, sic MS.
44d Guilleand. The MS has 7 (= ayus, ei, eit, ead, etc.) with a stroke (=n) over it.
■i^c rem. The e represents a tall e in the MS.
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 261
Oisin : 42 I cease this discussion with Conan. I was free from care as regards (?) meeting him; for I made little account of his prowess, his slandering, or his pomp.
43 By a rush I made through the centre of the host I left Caoilte in evil plight. He went from me as fast as his feet could carry him till he reached Thurles.
44 Against his will I turn comely Caoilte hack from Thurles, though the stout son of Ronan was a good runner, [and I chase him] to the great cave of Slieve Guile n.
45 I never rested till I had caught Caoilte and by means of my sword had brought him fettered among the Fiana of Ireland.
46 When Caoilte, captain of hundreds, was seen by the son of joyous Cumhall, he bade me pass beneath his own jurisdiction, saying he would give me good award.
47 I said that I would not make peace with Fionn, the strong and steadfast, and would not place my hand in his hand till I had ruined the son of Ronan.
48 The terms laid down bv Fionn, Osgar and Cairioll were that Caoilte should pay me two hundred goblets, two hundred drink- ing horns and two hundred swords.
262 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
49 Gach a ndubaf'rt Fionn agha 7 a oiread eile gan cairde
fuarus a n-a.oinieacht urn laim suil do sgaoilius do mac Ronain
50 Do tug misi briatar dho do tug Osgar nar chan go
nach ttiubhramaois achmusan go mbroid do Chaoilti ar son a ndubaz'rt
51 Do-rinniomar sith sulchair misi is Caoilti mac Cronnchair
tugamar frais pog ann sin ar slios sron 7 aighthe
52 Adubairt an Dubh mac Diorf aidh goth is aibhseach re n-innsin
tigidh do troimdeab aidh riom a ardmaithe Fhian Eirionn
53 Tugaidh comrac talchar tren damhsa go mbuailinn beim
no tugaidh braighde go ngoil
6 gach taoiseach naoi naonmhair
54 Adubhairt Osgar fa maith gniom re Cairioll mac in airdriogh
teachmaoidne do comrac ris
7 millmid a ainbfios
55 Prap adubairt flaith na fFian le mo mac maith is liom fein
ar mhailheas an domain dil nach rachmaois ris do dheabaida
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 263
49 All that brave Fionn said, and as much again forthwith, I received all together in my hand before I set the son of Ronan free.
50 I pledged my word to him, and so did Osgar who told no lie, that we would cast no galling reproach1 at Caoilte for what he had said.
511 and Caoilte son of Cronnchar made happy peace. We bestowed a shower of kisses then on side, nose and face.
52 The Black One son of Diorfadh said (T is a magniloquent utterance to relate), « Come to grave battle with me, lofty nobles of the Fiana of Ireland.
53 « Give stubborn stout battle to me that I may strike a blow ; or give hostages bravely, nine times nine hostages from every chieftain ».
54 Said deedful Osgar to Cairioll, the High King's son, « We are coming to battle against him and we [shall] bring to naught his folly. »
55 Quickly the prince of the Fiana said to my good son and me that not for all the good things of this dear world would we oppose him in fight
1 Literally « reproach with captivity ».
264 DUANAIRE FINN ILXII
56 Adubairt Osgar nar thim glor nar bfosaidh re mac Cumhaill
do mhill do comairle an Fian a mhic Cumhaill na morcliar
57 Adubairt Osgar glor eile nar choir re Fionn Almhuine
as urusa braighde gill
do gabhail ar FhienazM Eirinn
58 Ann sin adupairt Faolan cain ag eirghe ar son a athar
[80b] roborb a Osgair Eamhna labhras tii re tigearna
•
59 Adubhairt Fionn go feargac/z
le hOsgar grinn mearmeanmn ach
muna ndearna dioghaltus ort a fhir ni bhiad fein um beathaid[a]
60 Mun beith an Dubh mac Diorfaz'aTz ag iarr aidh catha ar mo muinntir
do digheoluinn ort a fhir
a nden tu d'imreasain am aghaidh
61 Amlaidh sin do-nimsi riot
a mic Cumhaill na n-arm nglic do sheac/z/ ccatha is tu fein do bheith uile dom mireir
62 Ge teann do labhrus tii a fhir liom fein is le mo mhuinntir
biaidh t'athair ag iomchor chlog & leabhur na sagart
57* Almhuine. MS has Almhuile with the second I deleted and a stroke (= n) over the ui. 58d re tigearna, sic MS,
596 MS has greadhnach deleted after grinn<
LXI1] DUANAIRE FINN 265
56 Osgar who was not feeble made this un- stable remark to the son of Cumhall, « Your counsel has been the ruin of the Fiana, 0 son of Cumhall of the great bardic companies. »
57 Osgar said another thing that was not right to Fionn of Almhain : « It is easy to take hostages in pledge from the Fiana of Ireland. »
58 Then goodly Faolan arising on behalf of his father said, « Too boldly, Osgar of Eamhain, do you speak to your lord ».
59 Fionn said angrily to pleasant quick- spirited Osgar, « Either I shall cease to live or I shall have vengeance on you, 0 man.
60 « Were it not that the Black One son of Diorfadh is seeking battle from my folk, I should avenge on you, 0 man, all your contentious acts against me. »
Osgar : 61 So do I continue to act towards you, son
of Cumhall of the dexterous weapons, though you yourself and your seven bat- talions be all opposed to me.
Fionn : 62 Though you speak confidently to me and my folk, 0 man, your father will carry priests' bells and books.
266 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
63 Fearr Horn m'athair is me fein do beith ar deireadh na fFian
no bheith ag ithe smaoise mo lamh mar bhios tusa go hamhnar
64 Le fios do gabhus tii neart & re feabhus t'inntleacn/
& re cognam do mher
ag iarraidh fheasa gach aoinsgel
65 Do sguir Fionn da tagra do sgar rena troimeagla
do gheall go ttiubhradh or glan dho 7 airgead fionngheal
66 Fiche dabhach d'or bhuidhe is oiread eile d'fiondruine
ceithre-fichid cuilen con do tug mac Cumaill d'Osgar
67 Do-rinne misi is Osgar sith le Fionn fa maith fos is brigh
tugamar ar lamh 'na laimh fa cur leis ami gach aondhail
68 Do labhair in t-arracht 's a' fuath do chuir eagla ar gach morsluagh
gur mhithe leis comhrac teann d'faghail 6 Fhianaibh Eirionn.
69 Do bhrosdaigh mac Cumaill ann soin ar Osgar dhul san iomghuin
do brosdaigh ar Cairill chedach
's ar Gholl chalma chaithreimeac/i
65ft do sguir has been crossed out in the MS and do sgar •written above it with sign to insert.
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 267
Osgar : 63 I would sooner that my father and I be left when the Fiana are gone than eat the marrow of my hands, as you are shameless- ly wont to do.
64 You obtain your power by knowledge and the excellence of your intellect and by chewing of your fingers, inquiring into everything.
Oisin : 65 Fionn ceased arguing with him : he aban- doned his great fear : he promised he would give him pure gold and silver fair and white.
66 Twenty vessels of yellow gold and as many again of white bronze, eighty hound pups — all that did the son of Cumhall give to Osgar.
67 I and Osgar made peace with stedfast mighty Fionn : we laid our hands in his hand, pledging to help him in everything.
68 Then spoke the monstrous apparition who had terrified every mighty army, saying he thought the moment ripe for the Fiana of Ireland to give him stout battle.
69 Then the son of Cumhall urged Osgar to advance to the fray : he urged Cairill of the hundreds and brave triumphant Goll,
268 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
70 Do freagrad/z sin go luath
le hOsgar do hhehcadh gach buadh
do glac meirge sroil na mban ffionn boi re hagaidh ghleo na ngerlann
71 Do glac a cloidhiom liomtha 's a dha mhanaois iorghala
do glac a sgeith druimneach breac dob fearr seoladn is inntleacht
72 Do cheangaiZ in treinfear da chorp earradh catha tre cruaidhneart
mar sin do-chuaidh Osgar aigh do chosg an athaigh go morgrain
73 Gidh be chifeadh mo mac
's a dha mhanais 'na ghealglaic
mairg neach do theigeomad/? ris d'iarraidh teacht faoi no thairis
[81 a] 74 A ttainic roimhe is 'na dhiaigh a n-Eirinn thoir & tiar
do muirfead Osgar re a loinn da ffagadh comtrom comloinn
75 D'ionnsoidhe comraic in fhir do-cuaidh Cairioll is Osgor
is Mac Lughac/z fa maith dreach & Fiachra mac Eathach
76 Do-chiiaidh Aodh beag mac Finn & Faolan na ngerlann
& Diarmaid donn dana .da ced curadh comdhala
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 269
70 Victory-winning Osgar responded quickly : he grasped the silken Standard of the Fair Women which was intended for sharp- bladed conflict.
71 He grasped his polished sword and his two battle spears : he grasped his speckled ridgy shield that was most excellently direc- ted and most cunningly contrived.
72 The champion bound a battle suit in hard strength to his body. Thus did bold Osgar go to hold back the very horrid giant.
73 Whoever had seen my son with his two spears in his white hand — Woe for him who should meet him, trying to come under him or over him ( ?) !
74 Were he given fair battle Osgar would have slain with his blade all who ever came to Ireland, whether east or west, before or after his time.
75 CairiolLand Osgar, along with Mac Lughach of the comely countenance and Fiachra mac Eathach, advanced to fight with the man.
76 Aodh the Little, son of Fionn, Faolan of the sharp blades and bold brown-haired Diarmuid, with two hundred assembly warriors, advanced also.
270 DUANAIRE FINN [LXll
77 Do-chuaidh Goll nar lag lamh do-chuaidh Caoilti 7 Conan
do-chuaidh Garaidh mor na nglonn 7 Osgor mac Croimchinn
78 Do-chiiaidh Liath Luacra fa borb treas fear lonn longportac/j coimdheas
& Fionn ban mac Breasail lamli nar treith a n-imreasain
79 Do-chuaidh dha mac Osgair go mbladh nar teip cosgar na congnamh
tri Finn tri hAodhain on leirg tri Faolain Leitreac/z Loinndeirg
80 Do-chiiaidh clann in Liath Luacra com an oglaoigh ger uathmhar
is clann Chaoilte fa borb sdair is Gal Gaoithe a mbrathair
81 An mheid do-cuadaz-san uile do denamh na hiorghaile
fa mo a n-eagla roim an f he ar no a eagla as e 'na enar
82 Do sheolada/- aghoidh a n-arm ar an arrac/i/ nar maith dealbh
do chaithsead a sleadha go nimh leis an aitheach tren laidir
83 Tug seision bualadh teand d'Osgar & do Cairill
do trasgair a n-aoinfeac/i/ re a laim Caoilte is Garaidh is Conan
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 271
77 Goll whose hand was not weak, Caoilte and Conan, great Garaidh of the deeds and Osgar son of Croimcheann advanced.
78 [With them] went the Grey Man of Luach- air who was fierce in onset, an angry well-built fellow suited for a camping life, and Fionn the White,son of Breasal,whose hand was not weak in a fray.
79 Osgar's two famous sons, who never failed to conquer or bear help, advanced with the three Fionns, the three Aodhans from the slope, the three Faolans of Leitir Loinndeirg.
80 The children of the Grey Man of Luachair went towards the warrior, though he was dreadful ; with them went the children of Caoilte, whose rush was fierce, and Gal Gaoithe their kinsman.
81 All those who went to fight that battle were more frightened of the man than he of them, though he was alone.
82 They directed their weapons against that monster of uncomely appearance : they cast their fierce spears at the stout strong giant.
83 He gave a stiff beating to Osgar and Cair- ill : by his hand he laid Caoilte, Garaidh and Conan low at the same instant.
272 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
84 Tug se sitheadh dian dana d'aimdeoin na fFian ffiorcalma
do marp se ger maith a lamh Gal Gaoithe mac mic Ronain
85 Do mharp se Crimtann mac Guill
's da c[h]sd trenfear da fhoirinn
do mharbh se deich cced ann sin ag a mbiodh fian is muinntir
86 Fiche taoiseach fa maith neart do marbh se d'Fianaibh Connacht
do t«c ar budh mo ina soin ar Fhein Alban is Rhreatain
87 Do marbh se Roighne mac Finn sgel is doilge da n-innsim
& mac oile dhamhsa
nir ffearr laoch a chomhaosa
88 A n-fegmais mo mhicsi is mic Finn Gal Gaoithe is Criomtai7?n meic Guill
Baoithin mic Croimcinn nar lag is chloinne Caoilte mo charad
89 Dob e ar n-easbad[h] on fhear mhor tainic chugainn on Easroimh
fiche ced sgieth nar lag
tuit leis in Duph sa ccomhrac
90 Mur do-connairc mo macsa fein urlaidhe an oglaoigh aigmheil
do-chiiaidh 'na aghaidh reim teann da iarr aidh cuige a ccomlann
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 273
84 He gave a bold swift rush in spite of the truly brave Fiana : he killed, though he was dexterous, Gal Gaoithe, son of Ronan's son.
85 He killed Criomhthann son of Goll and two hundred fighting men of his following : he killed ten hundred then who had war- bands and retainers.
86 Twenty right strong captains did he kill of the Fiana of Connacht : he wrought still greater slaughter on the Fian of Scotland and Britain.
87 He killed Roighne son of Fionn (the . saddest tale of all I tell), and yet again a
son of my own whom no warrior of his age excelled.
88 Not counting my own son and Fionn's son, Gal Gaoithe and Criomhthann son of Goll, Baoithin son of Croimcheann the unfeeble and the children of my beloved Caoilte.
89 Our loss at the hands of the big man who came to us from Easroimh was two thous- and unfeeble shield-bearing warriors who fell by the Black Man in the battle.
90 When my own son had seen [the havoc wrought by] the terrible warrior s blows, he went to meet him (a confident course), seeking him out for himself in conflict.
274 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
[81 b | 91 Do dhruid in t-oglaoch nar ob troid 'na choinne d'iarraid/i comhraic
nir fechadTi a ngaisgeada no 'ngail laoch darbh anta rena iorghail
92 Cioth fola cioth cailce criiaidh baoi da ccorpaibh a n-enuair
7 cioth teineadh go nim
do bhi d'armoibh na mhileadh
93 Do bhi fos cuideac/ifo oile os a cceann san iorghaile
cioth brainen timcioll a n-arm
ag in cuideachta uathmair aghghairbh
94 Ni tiubhartar 's ni tugadh riamh comrac mar sin thoir no thiar
baoi idir Osgar na nglonn
6 a' Dubh sa comlann
95 Tug Osccor luathbheim borb don arracht rena morcholg
dar sgoilt se a sgieth go lar
7 smior smeannta a mhuineil
96 Tug in t-oglaoch buille oile d' Osgar na n-arm ttinntid/ze
dar sgoilt a mheirge 's a sgieth tainic 6 criochuibh na hAisia
97 Tug Osgar buille nar thlaith don arracht rena dheaslaimh
da ndearna da leith dha chneas dhi nir fedadh a leighius
92d The dot over the m of mhileadh is blurred. Perhaps the scribe has tried to erase it. 93d uathmair or uathm&r (contraction = ur-sign).
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 275
91 The warrior who' never shirked a fight moved towards him to seek battle. As regards valour or bravery no champion had been seen fit to await his onset.
92 Together a shower of blood and a cruel shower of chalk came from their bodies ; while from the weapons of the warriors issued a fierce shower of fire.
93 They had other company too above their heads as they fought, a shower of ravens around their weapons — That was a dread and hateful company.
94 Never, east or west, has been or shall be fought a combat such as that between Osgar of the deeds and the Dubh[when they . met J in the battle.
95 Osgar with his great sword gave a fierce swift blow to the monster, splitting his shield to the earth and the marrow of the vertebrae (?) of his neck.
96 The warrior gave a return blow to Osgar of the fiery arms, splitting his standard and his shield, which had come from the lands of Asia.
97 Osgar with his right hand gave a blow that was not feeble to the monster, making two halves of his skin : it was impossible to cure him of that.
276 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
98 Marbhtar an fear treasborb teann le hOsgar nar ob comlann
an fearsin ger mhor a grain
do mharp Osgar re a dheaghlaimh
99 Leigtbear tri garrtha catha
a tteaglach an ardfhlatha
ar son thuitim an fhir mhoir
do chuir Fiena Finn ar anbhuain
1 00 Togtar in t-oglaoc/z linn
go huaim mhor Shleibhe Guillinn tugamar urchar asteach isin mbrogh mhor don aitheach
101 On c[h]ed la do-righneadh sealg linn a n-Eirinn go hiomard
as e in fear morsin dna- —
is mo do chuir dar morcathaiWi
102 Sgela Osgair 'na deaghaidh dhuit do brigh chosgair in chomhruic
badar leagha Eireann faris re feadh bliadhna da leighius
103 Fa hiomdha sgieth 'na dha cuid ar Sliabh Guilleann on mortroid
7 corp mileadh gan brigh
6 mac Diorfaidh na moirgnimh
104 Do rachadh ar fflaithius uile risin aitheach n-aingidhe
ar mbraighde 7 ar n-6r glan do-bher adh uainn mun beith Osgar
98c The g of ger is written over a partly erased n.
101c dna — . MS has dna with a long stroke stretching over all three letters.
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 277
98 The stout battle-fierce man is killed by Osgar who shirked not combat. Osgar by his good hand slew that man, though the horror he caused was great.
99 Three warcries were uttered in the High
Prince's palace for the falling of the big man who had brought Fionn's Fiana to distress.
100 We bore the warrior to the great cave on Slieve Gullen : we hurled the giant into the great palace.
101 Since first we hunted gloriously in Ireland, it is that great man ... who most of all ...
102 Here for you are the subsequent tidings of Osgar : as a result of the victory of that fight the leeches of Ireland were with him for a year attending him.
103 Many a shield was in two halves on Slieve Gullen as a result of the great fight, and many a soldier's body without vigour by reason of the son of Diorfadh of the great deeds.
104 All our sovereignty would have passed to the wicked giant : he would have carried off our hostages and our pure gold were it not for Osgar.
278 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
105 Baoi Osgar ba cuimhneach linn on lasin Shleibhe Guilleann
tri raithe 'na luidho abhus 6 nimh a chr echt da leigh ius
106 Ni hiongnad tuirrsi do beith orm a chleir igh na leabhor ngorm
ni mhair Osgor na Fionn
na Fian Osruidhe urn timchioll
107 Ge ataim a ndeireadh mo neirt a Patraic is me a n-aimhrioc/?/
dhamh do berrthi ceannus chloinne Finn an liair do suidhmis a cCruimlinn
[82 a]
108 Damh do-berthi tosach suidhe a ndeaghaiaTi Fhinn Almhuine Goll is Osgar da eis sin fa gair cosgair dar iFienaibh
109 Caoilti is Diarmaid 6 Duibhne
dream nar sgaoilteach 6 bhuidhm'Wi is Osgar mac Garaidh nar thlaith choisgead gach cosgar ionraith
110 Garaidh is Mac Lughach lonn Faolan is Cairill ceithirbheann
do andaois ar m'fhocal uile fa hiad sgath gach iorghuile
111 Deich mic fhichead comluinn ced do bhi is ni himarbhreg
ag m'athairsi a chlein'oa cbaidh an uair do suidhmis d'enlaimh
J07c, 108a, -bentfii, -pertfii. The e in each case -= a tall e in MS,
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 279
105 After that day on Slieve Gullen Osgar, I remember, was nine months lying here being healed from the pain of his wounds.
106 No wonder I am sad, clerk of the blue books : Osgar lives not, nor Fionn, nor the Fian of Ossory around me.
107 Although I am at the end of my strength, 0 Patrick, and my appearance other than it was, to me used to be given the headship of the children of Fionn when we seated ourselves in Cruimlinn.
108 To me used the first place to be given after Fionn of Almhuin : then came Goll and Osgar ('T was a victory-cry for our Fiana).
109 Caoilte and Diarmuid 6 Duibhne, a group who were not stragglers from troops (?), as also Osgar son of Garaidh the un- feeble, who used to check every famous victory ( ?).
110 Garaidh and angry Mac Lughach, Faolan and four-peaked Cairill, all awaited my word : they were the protection of every battle.
111 Thirty sons who could fight hundreds had my father, holy cleric (and it is no lie), when we took our seats all together.
280 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
112 Ni biodh mac againn gan ceol an uair theighmis d'athol
's gan da c[h]ed curadh ag gach mac is tri chaoga do bhanntracM
113 Deich cced fichead teaghlach Fhinn d'airdfhein criocha Lochlann
a n-fegmais gach mic dhiobh sin boi ag mac Cumaill do muinntir
114 Deich fichit 7 deich cced
do thaoiseachuibh is ni breg
a n-fegmais mic riogh go ngoil do biodh againn fan sgainnir
115 Gan taoiseach da n-aireum fein nach biodh naonmar do gnaithfhein
gan mnaoi is giolla is da choin innilt is cupla gadar
116 Gacha seachtmadh bliadhuin binn do ceilti fiadhach mic Cumaill
nach ffagmais uiread in mhil re bliadhuin uile d'entaoibh
117 Do chongmadh mac Ronain co rath mac Cumhaill guna ardcath
proinn c\h\sd 6 Chaoilte go ngail gach n-oidhche a laimh gach einfhir
118 Fa buan ar freasdol do mhiodh fa mor ar meisge 6 chornazM
fa maith ar n-oirfideaoT? bhinn a n-onoir Fhinn mic Cumhaill
LXII] DUANA.IRE FINN 281
112 When the time for repeated drinking arrived1 there was no one amongst us, his sons, hut had music, each of us having in addition two hundred warriors and one hundred and fifty women-folk.
113 Thirty hundred men, Fionn's retainers, drawn from the high Fian of the lands of Lochlainn, not counting every one of those sons,formed the son of Cumhall's household.
114 Ten score and ten hundred captains (and it is no lie), not counting valorous kings' sons, had we to support us in battle.
115 There was no captain... who had not a permanent company of nine, a wife, a man-servant and two hounds, a maid- servant and a couple of dogs.
116 Every goodly (?) seventh year the son of Cumhall's game used to be concealed, so that not even a hare could we find any- where for a whole year.
117 The gracious son of Ronan would keep the son of Cumhall and his noble battalion. A meal sufficient for a hundred did brave Caoilte give each night into every man's hand.
118 Mead was continuously served to us : the drinking-horns made us very drunk : good was our tuneful music in Fionn son of Cumhall's honour.
1 Literaliy « When we used to go for (the purpose of) repeated-drinking'.
282 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
119 Fa maith ar nduanta molta 's ar leapthacha donncorcra
maith riar gach fileodh 's gach damh re bliadhain 6 mac Ronan
120 Ni roibhe enri sa fFein
no taoiseach calma coimhthrein nach biodh file fana laimh ar gheall Chaoilte mhic Ronain
121 Bliadhain dhuinne mar sin fare Caoilte 'na bruighin
gan tacha cuirme no ceoil gan dith muirne no comhoil
122 As i bruighean a mbeithmis fein fare Caoilte fa maith sgeimh
a cCarraic Chinn Choire mic Cais ris a raitior Carruic Fearguis
123 Cred fa ttugadh Cinn Choire os diot is coir a iiosr aighe
ar dhunadh Fhearguts mic Roich sloinntear leat duinn a seanoir
124 As in fFraingc cian 6 shoin Cinn Choire is e is cumhain
[82b] as uaithe tainic anall
do gabhail gheillidh ffear nEireann
125 Cuiris teac/ifa uadha ann soin go mac Cumaill a hAlmhuin
d'iarrairf/i gheille ar Finn 7 sgur do sheilg Eirinn
1216 The dotted g of bruighin has been written over an original d.
123c Rdich. A gloss in the margin in non-Gaelic script and a different ink to that of t he text reads : « Nota Fergussium /. Roghii fecisse nomen PetreFergussii. » The handwriting appears to be that of the glossator who has written marginal glosses on the copy of Acallam na Sen6ra.ch which is bound with the Duanaire,
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 283
119 Good were our poems of praise and our brown-purple beds. For a year all poets and learned men were well looked after by the son of Ronan.
120 There was no king or brave powerful captain in the Fian who had not a poet beneath his hand pledged for by Caoilte son of Ronan.
121 For a year we were like that with Caoilte in his residence, with no scarcity of ale or music, with no lack of mirth or convi- viality.
122 The mansion where we used to be with handsome Caoilte was Carraig Chinn Choire mic Cais, now called Carrick-Fergus.
Patrick : 123 Tell us, old man, seeing that you are the person to ask about it, why Cinn Choire was given as a name to the fortress of Fearghus Mac Roich.
Oisin : 124 Cinn Choire (this is remembered) came long ago from France : hither did he come from that land to win submission from the men of Ireland.
125 He sent an envoy then to the son of Cumhall of Almhain, demanding that Fionn submit and cease hunting in Ireland.
284 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
126 Do-bhcirim briathor anois do raidh Conan maol an ainfhis
muna beithea a ffiadhnuise Fhinn go mbeith do cheann gan cholainn
127 Do-bheirimsi briatar oile do raidh oglaoch Chinn Choire
da leigthi eadrom is tu a fhir go rachainn riot do dheabaidh
128 Ni ffuighe comrac ann sunn a oglaoigh a- mac Cumhaill
na biodh ceastan ort a fhir as tu ameasg mo mhuinntire
129 Beir leat uaim go Cinn Choire go ffuighe se iorghuile
's nach bfaghtar sealg Eireann uainn . mura marbhtar sinn a n-enuair
130 Gluaisis an t-oglaoch nar dheas uainn co Cinn Choire mic Cais
innsios don fhear tainic tar tuinn an freagra fiiair 6 mac Cumai'//
131 Luidhim fom armoibh curadh do raidh Cinn Choire go humhal
go bfuighinn urraim ffecrr Fail da mbeittis uile d'enlaimh
132 Togbhais Cinn Choire air ann soin naoi fichit ced do cheduibh
gluaismid chuige go teann ceithre catha cum comhluinn
126c beithea. MS has beithiea with the i deleted.
129rf mura. MShasmur(perhapstobeexpanded/nar)a//oj?, with ffag deleted.
130d MS has tainic tar tu deleted with fiiair written above.
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 285
126 « I declare herewith, » said ignorant Con- an Maol, « that were you not in the presence of Fionn your head should be without a body. »
127 « I on my part declare, » said Cinn Choire's warrior, « that if you and I were let fight it out together l, 0 man, I would meet you in combat. »
128 « Battle will not be given you here in this place, 0 warrior, » said the son of Cumh- all. « Have no fear, 0 man, while among my people.
129 « Bear with you this reply from me to Cinn Choire, that battle will be given him, and that the hunting rights of Ireland shall not be won from us unless we be all killed together. »
130 The ugly warrior went from us to Cinn Choire rm'c Cais : he told him who had come across the sea the answer the son of Cumh- all had given him.
131 « I swear by my champion's weapons, » said Cinn Choire humbly, « that I would win homage from the men of Ireland were they all together. »
132 Of hundreds Cinn Choire then took on (?) himself nine score hundred. We advance stoutly to the fight four battalions strong.
1 Literally « if (it) were left between me and you ».
286 DUANA1RE FINN [LXII
133 Teagmaoid da cheile sinn fein
's a' t-oglaoch liathmar aigmheil ag saorcarruic na long mbreac mar a ttogthaoi sdair na longport
134 Tugamar tuireann grangca sinne is ogiaoigh na Fraingce
dar tuit an Fian bonn re bonn re Cinn Choire sa ccomlann
135 Ge do marbad/i ar sluaigh ionn re Cinn Choire na mbeimionn
nir ffearr do mhuinntir in fir do thuitsiod linn sa deabaid/i
136 Tug a aghaidh ar Osgar amhra mor in t-adhbar doimheanma
Cinn Choire mic Cais mic Cinn mairg ler chaith a comhlann
137 Marbhtar Cinn Choire mic Cais sgel is mo tainic thairis
re mo macsa tuit gan fhea'l fear do gabh neart mic Cumaill
138 Da mbeith sgribhionn 7 peann agam dhuit a mhic legheinn
ni aireomhainn leat no trian ar marbh Osgar a ccath riamh
139 Triiagh a Mhuire mar taimse fein a n-Ard Soileach na moirsgel
gan gaisgeadA curadh gan creach ameasg choradA chleireach
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 287
133 We and the dread terrible warrior meet at the noble rock of the speckled ships where the ... of the harbours used to be raised (?).
134 We and the warriors of France made a horrid (?) onslaught; and the Fian fell thickly1 by the hand of Cinn Choire in the struggle.
135 Though our hosts were slain there by Cinn Choire of the blows, his men were in no better case : they fell by us in the fray.
136 Cinn, of Coire son of Cas son of Cinn, (Woe for him against whom he cast (?) in ( ?) bat- tle !) turned towards wondrous Osgar ('T was a strong reason to be downhearted).
137 Cinn Choire mic Cais is slain (the greatest tale that has been told concerning him) : by my son fell honourably the man who overpowered the son of Cumhall.
138 Had I script and pen for you, 0 student, I could not reckon the half or the third of all whom Osgar ever killed in battle.
139 My plight in Ard Soileach of the great tales is woful, 0 Mary — no heroic warfare, no raiding, in the midst of a choir of clerics.
1 Literally « footsole by footsole ».
2cS8 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
140 Ar gradh h'einigh a Oisin fheil innis duinn ni dot caithreim 6 atai a ndeireadh do neirt innis duinn treas dot imteac/i/
[8;> a] 141 La da rabhamar ag^ol
Fian Eirionn lion ar ttionol go ttarla imreasain ann eadrom fein is mac Cumai/Z
142 Cred tarla eadroip ann soin a Oisin in crotha glain
no cred fa ndearnuts troid let athoir a Oisin oirrdeirc
143 As e adbar far eiridh m'fearg
le mac CumaZZZ na ccuach ndearg
d'iarroidh leat thaoiseach na fFien a sgieth 's a craoiseach ar aonrien
144 As i freagra fuarus 6 Fhionn an uair chanus in t-uraigioll
nach ffuighionn ceannus ona chloinn da mbeith se fein gan marrthainn
145 Adubhairt liomsa glor eile Fionn mac Cumbaill Almhuine
nacli ffuighinn fein no mo mac ac/zZ cuid d'FienaiM Connacht
146 Do tug meisi briatar dho do tug Osgar nar cllan go
nach beinnsi reidh 7 Fionn
go ffaghainn gach ni do shirfinn
140c atai. The accent is over the a (atdi) in the MS. 142c letalhoir. MS has le tathoir.
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN
Patrick : 140 For the sake of your honour, generous Oisin, tell us something of your triumph- ing : since you are at the end of your strength tell us some fight of your advent- ures.
289
Oisin : 141 One day when we, the assembled"! Fian of
■
Ireland, were drinking, a quarrel sprang up between me and the son of Cumhall.
Patrick : 142 What occurred between you then, Oisin of the bright form? Why, illustrious Oisin, did you fight with your father?
Oisin : 143 The reason my anger was roused against
the son of Cumhall of the red goblets was that I asked for half of the captains of the Fiana, [half] of their shields and spears all together
144 The answer I got from Fionn, when I uttered these words, was that I should not receive headship from his children even though he himself were no longer alive.
145 Fionn son of Cumhall of Almhain said another thing to me, that neither I nor my son should receive any more than a part of the Fiana of Connacht.
146 I swore, and unlying Osgar swore, that I should not have done with Fionn till I had got everything I might demand.
290 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
147 Rominic iarrus tu a fhir geill is troid ar mo mhuinntir
's go ffuil da fear d[h\eg dom chloinn do-dhenadh fa leith riot comlann
148 Ni fada go fechfadsa fein
do raidh Osgar fa mor caithreim cia is treise m'athair no sibh mas e atathaoise dh'iarraidA
149 Do eiridh Osgar Eamhna le tarcuisne a thighearna
a ffuair 'na seasamh sa dun do trasgair iad a n-enchuil
150 Gach neach da ffuair 'na suidhe a mbruighin Fhinn Almhuine
do chuir 'na sheasam go teann gion gar cead le mac Cumhaill
151 Do ekigh Cairioll gan on d'i&rraidh urrama ar Osccor
do gheall a ffiadhnuis chaicch misi is Osgar do diongmhail
152 Tugsat aghaidh gidh reim theann ar a cheile com comhlainn
sa torainn fa borb a ttreas Osgar is Cairill coimbdheas
153 Adubairt moc Muirne go mbuaidh re mac Morna go moruaill
dealaidhe re cheile go liiath Cairill is Osgar armriiadh
150a MS has what looks like the beginning of an a before the e of neach. 151a MS has oil deleted before on.
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 291
Fionn : 147 Too often, 0 man, do you ask for hostages and battle from my folk, though there are twelve of my children who separately would fight you.
Oisin : 148 « It will not be long till I test that in perr son », said Osgar mighty in triumph, « till I test who is the stronger, you or my father, if it is tbat you seek »,
149 Osgar of Eamhain arose by reason of the insult cast at his lord. All whom he found standing up in the fortress he laid low in one corner.
150 Every one whom he found seated in Fionn of Almhain's palace he boldly made stand up, though the son of Cumhall willed it not.
151 Flawless Cairioll arose to seek respect from Osgar. He promised publicly that he would ward me and Osgar off.
152 They faced one another for battle, though it was a confident course. Fiercely they fought in the fray, Osgar and comely Cai- rioll.
153 The victorio us son of Muirne said to the very proud son of Morna, « Quickly se- parate Cairioll and stout-armed Osgar ».
292 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
154 Ar a ffuil do mhaithius ad dhiin a mic Cumaill fa maith run
nocha rachainn leo dom ghoin no go sguirid da ndeab a id/i
155 Eirgeann 6 Baoisgne borb is mac Morna na morcholg
'chosg na troda ar a raibh nimh tarla ag Cairill 's ag Osgor
156 Dob i easbaidh Finn ann sin suil do coisgeadh a mhuinntir
da c[h]ed fear flaithis gan on 6 laimh aithisaio/i Osgair
157 Sul do coisgeadh fearg Osgair no Chairill on cruadhchosgar
dob iomdha ann laoich ghonta & crechta cruadhchorcra
[83 b] 158 Ge rinneadh slid uile linn le hOsgar is re Cairill
luaithe d'furail Fionn na ffleadh sith orainn no d'iarramar
159 Do tairgeadh gach dara sealg gach dara lann faobardearg
gach dara cu da chonaibh
da cholgaibh da craoiseachuibh
160 Gach dara \eath da gach cath gach dara sleadh on righflaith
gach dara comrac 6 Fhionn gach dara diiain a cCroimlionn
[LXII DUANAIRE FINN 293
Goll : 154 For all the wealth in your fortress, secretive
son of Cumhall, I would not go with them to be wounded till they cease from their fight.
155 The fierce grandson of Baoisgne and the son of Morna of the great blades arise to check the bitter struggle that had come about between Cairioll and Osgar.
156 Before Fionn's folk were checked his loss there by Osgar's successful hand was two hundred flawless men of authority.
157 Before the anger of Osgar or Cairioll had been checked by the harsh triumphing, there were many injured heroes and wounds cruel and crimson.
158 Though all that was done by us, by Osgar and Cairioll, feasting Fionn enjoined peace upon us before we asked for it.
159 Every second hunt was offered us, every second red-edged sword, every second one of his hounds, of his blades, of his spears.
160 The second half of every battalion and every second lance were given us by the royal prince ; every second combat was granted us by Fionn, every second poem in Croimlionn,
294 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
161 Gach dara cuid d'61 fleadh gach dara ceol d'oirfideadh
gach dara corn ar a lar gach dara ciiach is copan
162 Tugadh tanuisdeacht damh fein an uairsin 6 ihlaith na fFian
tanuisteac/?/ a n-6ir 's a ccon sul rainic in t-6r Osgar
163 Ionarbh i sin do chuidsi don Fhein a Oisin go righe reidh
an 't aghoidh do bhadar no leat na ceithre morchatha a n-aoinfheac/i/
164 Do-bheirim do lamsa inois
a Patraic 6 taoi 'teacht thairis
nach rabhasa no mo mac fein gan ceithre catha do gnaithFe'in
165 Iarrsa ar Airdrigh na ndul a Oisin airrhgeir uir
a ttug tii 'chathaibh ann soin iarr a mhaitheamh dot anmuin
166 Maithsi 7 Ri nimhe
damsa a ndearnus d'io'rghaile
tabhair neamh mas rogha libh damsa ar son do Thigearna
167 Dena ineach gan dith dhuit fein berus furtacht dar ngnaithFhein
iarr neamh d'Osgar 7 d'Fionn ar Mac ingine Anna is Iaichim
\t)7b ngnaith-, The first n has. been written above the line with sign to insert.
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN
161 Every second share of festal drinking, every second melody of minstrelsy, every second drinking horn on its base(?), every second goblet and cup.
162 The office of tanist was given me on that occasion by the ruler of the Fiana, tan- istry as regards their gold and dogs, be- fore the gold came to Osgar (?).
Patrick : 163 Was that your share of the Fian, Oisin of mild kingship? The four great divisions taken together, were they against you or for you ?
295
Oisin : 164 I swear now by your hand, Patrick, since you refer to it, that neither I nor my son lacked four permanent Fian divisions.
Patrick : 165 Ask the High King of the elements, noble Oisin of the sharp weapons, ask Him to pardon your soul all the fights you fought then.
Oisin : 166 May you and the King of Heaven forgive me all the quarrelling of which I have been guilty. So please you, grant me Heaven on behalf of your Lord.
167 Make supplication which without injuring yourself will bring relief to our standing Fian. Ask for Heaven for Osgar and Fionn from the Son of Anne and Joachim's daughter.
2^6 DUANAIRE FINN [LXII
168 Iarr neamh do mac Morna mhear iarr do Chaoilti iarr do Gharad/z
iarr neamh do Mac Lughach lonn 7 d'Osgor mac Croimchinn
169 A Oisin ni shirfe me
neamh do mac Cumaill na da Fein 's gur binne leo gotha con no bheith ag guidhe in Duilimh
170 Da mbeith iiil agad ar in fFein a chleirigh nach ffuil dom reir
hudh binne leat no denomh trath bheith 'na ccaomtach re henla
La
LXII] DUANAIRE FINN 297
1 68 Ask for Heaven for the swift son of Morna, for Caoilte, for Garadh, for turbulent Mac Lughach and for Osgar son of Croimcheann.
Patrick : 1 69 Oisin, I will not seek Heaven for the son of Cumhall nor his Fian, seeing that they preferred the voices of hounds to supplica- tion of the Creator.
Oisin : 170 Did you know the Fian, 0 cleric who oppose
my will, you would "prefer to be in their company for a single day than to perform the Hours.
LXIII
1 Aithreos caithreim in fir moir tainic anoir fo dheaghbhiiaidh treinfear do bhi Ian da ghail an Dearg dana mac Droichil
2 Briatar tug in laoch Ian suil tainic cugainn tar sal
nach gebhadh gan geilleatf/? ar ais 6 gach treinfear dha fheabhus
3 Fa thasg na fFian dob fearr gail trialluis in Dearg mac Droichil
anoir 6 Crich na fFear fFionn go tir oirirmhin Eirionn
[84 a] 4 Ar ttiacht a ttir don laoch lonn ar ar himreadh egcomlond
gabhais an Dearg deidgeal ciian a mBeinn Edair na morslu agh
5 Do bhi dias nar cumang dail
ag coime'd in chiiain chobhairbhain Raighne na rod mac Finn 's a' Caol crodha mac Criomthuinn
6 Nior choimheid siadsan an ciian do thuitsiod 'na ttoircim siiain
tainic bare in fhir. mhoir
ar in tra.cht fa a cceartcomair
LXIII
1 I shall tell of the warlike course of the big man who came triumphantly from the east, a fighting man full of valour, the bold Dearg son of Droicheal.
2 Before coming to us over the sea the per- fect warrior swore that he would not re- turn without submission from every cham- pion however excellent.
3 To meet (?) the Fiana who were bravest of all, the Red Man son of Droicheal came from the east from the Country of the Fair Men to Ireland where the land is good.
4 When the turbulent warrior who was over- come (?) in battle, the Red One of the white teeth, landed, he harboured [his ship] in Reann Iidair of the great hosts.
s>*
5 Guarding the foam-white haven were two who were in no wise limited *, Raighne of the Roads son of Fionn and Caol the Valiant son of Criomhthann.
6 They did not guard the haven : they fell into a heavy slumber ; and the big man's barque came upon the strand right in front of them.
1 Literally « whose condition was not narrow (or ' contracted ') »,
300 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIII
7 Leimis an Dearg fa maith dreach i ttir le crannuib a craoiseach
tug a bharc arna snoidhe
ar in tracht gheal ghainmhidhe
8 Folt fionnbhuidhe mar or cheard os cionn amhalchach ngruadhndearg
dha dheirc ghorma go ngloine os gealghniiis an mhilidhe
9 Lann nimhe le leadradh corp ag in laoch d'eagla chomhraic
mionn cumdaigh clochorrdha corr mun mbiodbaidn sochma siilghorm
10 Da shleidh crannrighne chatha a laimh mhic an ardfhlatha
sgiath 6rdhuidhe re gualainn chli ag mac uasal an airdri
11 Geall gaisgidh in domain thoir do chosain in Dearg mac Droichil
ar mhed ar neart ar dheilbh ghloin ar comlann cheart ar chedoibh
12 Eirigheas Raighne na roda 's a' Caol csdgoineac crodha
gabhaid a n-airm ina laimh & reathaid 'na comdhail
13 Innis sgela dhuinn a fhir mhoir oruinn tainic coimed in chuain
dha mac righ go sarbhuaidh sinn d'Fianuibh lanuaisle Eirinn
8 c In MS g has been deleted before the c of dheirc.
12 c laimh. MS has lamhuibh with uibh deleted and i written in beneath the d,
LXIII] DUANAIRE FINN 301
7 The Dearg who was comely of countenance leaped ashore by means of the shafts of his spears :his boat which had been chipped ( ?) he brought upon the white sandy beach.
8 On a beardless red-cheeked head was fair- yellow hair like smiths' gold, while above the soldier's fair countenance were two bright blue eyes.
9 The warrior, lest he should have to do battle, had a biting blade to hack bodies : the calm blue-eyed enemy wore an up- standing ornamented diadem set with gold and [precious] stones.
10 In the hand of the High Prince's son were two battle spears with tough shafts : the noble son of the High King had a gilded shield on his left shoulder.
11 The prize of valour of the Orient had been won by the Dearg son of Droicheal for size, strength, purity of feature and right combating of hundreds.
12 Raighne of the Roads and Caol the Valiant, wounder of hundreds, arose. They grip their weapons in their hands and run to meet him.
13 « Give tidings to us, great man : to guard the haven has fallen to our lot : two very victorious kings' sons are we of the wholly noble Fiana of Ireland. »
302 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIII
•
14 Asan ccrich o ttanac anois nirb iomdha neach um ainbfius
misi in Dearg mac righ na fFionn ag iarraidh airdrioghdac/i/ Eirionn
15 Do chan Raighne an aigm'da mhir go dian risin Dearg mac Droichil
ni ghebha tusa a laoich lain urruim no geilleadA ffear fFail
16 Acht ge borb sibhsi a dhias laoch canus formad & fioch
cia do bhacfadh diom a gabhail a glacadh no a hiongabhail
17 Da n-airmhinn duitsi gach fear
a Dheirg moir mhic an ardflath iomdha laoch aderadh ann go ngebhadh re do chomhlann
18 Cait a ffuil einneach dhiobh sin do raidh an Dearg mac Droichil
go ffechmaois re cheile ar f fioch is ar n-aimhreidhe
19 Do briathra ge borb linn
bar Caol crodha mac Criomhthuinn ag sud misi dot chlaoi anois a laoichiid tainic thairis
20 Go Caol crodha fa dearg dreach freagrais in Dearg dasac/i/ach
' go ffearg mhoir is go ffioch mairg ar ar bhuail in trenlaoch
led The n of hiongabhd.il has what seems to be the beginning of a stroke over it.
186 MS has bhi deleted before rriidh.
18c gd. MS has gi with the e changed to o.
LXIII] DUANAIRE FINN 303
14 «In the country whence I have come now there were not many who did not know of me : I am the Dearg son of the King' of the Fair Men, and I seek the highkingship of Ireland ».
15 Quickwitted Raighne declared vehemently to the Dearg son of Droicheal, « You shall not, perfect warrior, receive the homage or submission of the men of Ireland. »
16 Though you are an overbearing twain, 0 warriors announcing envy and wrath, who would prevent me receiving it, seizing it or avoiding (?) it?
17 «Were I to enumerate each man for you, great Dearg son of the High Prince, there are many warriors who would say there that they would go to fight you.»
18 «Where is any one of those? » said the Dearg son of Droicheal, « so that we may try out our fury and stubbornness against one another. »
19 « Though we find your words fierce, » said Caol Crodha son of Criomhthann, « here come I to overthrow you now, 0 warrior who have mentioned it ».
20 To Caol the Valiant who was red of coun- tenance the angry Dearg responded with great wrath and fury. Woe for him upon whom the strong warrior showered his blows !
304 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIII
21 Do-rinne an Dearg comlann cniaidh 's a' Caol crodha go moruaill
dobh i sin in torann chleas teann ag sgoilteadn sgieth is chathbharr
22 Dob i iomthusjia deisi san irgail nar thairise
ceanglin's an Dearg rodglan rod an Caol crodha sa comrac
[84b] 23 Gluaisis Raighne na rod nar thim d'eis in Chaoil crodha creapall mac righ na Feine gan tar cum in treinfhir 'na comdhal
24 Dob iomdha cleasa gala san imreasain eattorra
gur ceangail ger crodha an ceim Raighne na rod go luathbheim
25 Ge maith an gniomh 's na gala duit sinn ar aon do cheangol
sgaoil ar ccreapall a laoich luinn is beir leat sinne id timcioll
26 Sgaoilius an Dearg na ccleas bfraoch cuibhreach na deisi deaghlaoch
naiscis a briathor ar gach fear nach ttiupraidis airm 'na aghoidh
27 Tig cugainn go Teamroigh go Cormac an mhoirtheaghlaich
mac Droichil na ngeirreann mbuadh go triath Teamhra na ccaomsluao/i
21c dobh. The bh represents a dotted b. The words are divided do bhi in MS (c/. Dob i, 22a, representing Do bi in MS).
21b Cormac. MS has comrac with the m deleted and an m-stroke over the r.
[LXIII DUANAIRE FINN 305
21 The Dearg and Valiant Caol of great pride did cruel combat. That was the stout fray, splitting shields and helmets.
22 This is what happened to the two in the insecure conflict : the ruddy-clear ruddy Dearg bound Caol the Valiant in the battle.
23 After Caol the Valiant had been shackled unfeeble Raighne of the Roads, the undis- graced son of the Fian king, went towards the champion to meet him.
24 Many were the feats of valour performed in the struggle between them, till he bound (though it was a valiant proceeding) Raigh- ne of the Roads by a swift blow.
25 Though good the deed and good these exploits of yours by which we are both bound, loosen our chains, fierce warrior, and take us with you.
26 The Dearg of the furious feats loosed the fetters of the two good warriors : he made each man swear not to use arms against him.
27 The son of Droicheal of the victorious sharp spears comes to us in Tara, to Cormac of the great household, to Tara's lord of the lovely hosts.
306 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIII
28 Eirghid laochraidh Teamhra fir mora dhiochra dhealbha
dob iomda fear dronnbrait sroil timcheall Cormaic a ccedoir
29 Do raidh triath Teamra gan on suidhidh a chliar calma churadh
ni huamhan daoibh meirghe in fhir na togbaidh airm 'na aghaidh
30 Suidhis trenfheara Fail d'eis a cheile 'na comdhail tigidh chuctha go dana an fear forasda fiormhalla
ft
31 Ar tteacht ar in ffaichthe dho do mac Droichil na morghleo
don 6g inneallta chuimsi leigtear in rod righshoillsi
32 Beannaighis an Dearg do glor bhinn do triath Teamra go haoibhinn
freagrais an flaith gon dogra caithmihd/i na trenfhoghla
33 Ar suidhe do mac righ na fFionn fiafraighis dhe airdrigh Eireann
benefit do thurais go Teamhraigh innis a laoich moirmheanmnaigh
34 Beac/i/ mo thuraisi duit
a mic Airt curata 'Cormaic
geiUeadh Eirionn dob ail bom no frais blieimionn 'na timcioll
32c MS has gon dogra (wordspacing sic).
34a mo. The m has been altered from an original d.
LXIII] DUANAIRE FINN 307
28 The warriors of Tara, great eager shapely men, arise. At once many a man in brown( '?) satin cloak was around Cormac.
29 The flawless lord of Tara said, « Be seated brave band of champions: you have no need to fear the man's flag : raise not your arms against him. »
30 The fighting men of Ireland seated them- selves one after another in his presence. The stately truly gentle man comes towards them boldly.
31 When he, the son of Droicheal of the great fights, came upon the lawn the path of royal dignity ( ?) is left to the well-equipped seemly warrior.
32 The Dearg in a musical voice greeted pleasantly the lord of Tara. The un- gloomy prince answered the mightily plun- dering battle-champion.
33 When the son of the King of the Fair Men had sat down the High King of Ireland questioned him : « Particulars of your journey to Tara, give to us, great- spirited warrior. »
34 «Here are the particulars of my journev for you, Cormac son of valiant Art : I would have Ireland surrendered or a show- er of blows concerning it ».
308 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIII
35 GeiWeadh Eirionn tar muir ge minic do sirdis treinfhir
ni frith is fuighthear go brach a tabhach re haonoglach
36 0 nach bfaghuimsi a Chormaic flaitheas liaidsi gan comhrac
togh comhrac ced curadh
uaid a mhic airdgrinn chubhaidh
37 Cuiris Cormac ced calma
do chlaoi an oigfhir allmu/rdha do thogsan re feirg nar lag meirge 'na ccoinne a ccomrac
38 Dob e iomthus mhic righ na fFionn thuit an cedsin 'na comlann
is da ched oile fa gniom dho do chlaoi an Deirg a n-enlo
39 Mur do-chonnraic airdri Teamhra an Dearg ag denam airligh
seolais teac/i/a liadh go liiath co mac Cumhaiil na morsluagh
40 'iig chugainn arna mharac/i mac Cumaill go mordhalach
tri mhile gaisgt'ad/iach glan
nar thim easbhadhach sgainnear
41 Failm oir fa chionn gach fir do mhuinntir Finn a hAlmuin
sgieth lite go n-amlad/i n-6ir go n-earradh sithe saorsroil
35c MS has ni fuighthear is frith with sign to transpose fuighthear and frith.
LXIII] DUANAIRE FINN 309
35 «Though champions crossing the sea often have sought submission from Ireland, no warrior has succeeded or ever shall succeed in winning tribute from her ».
36 « Since I cannot win kingship from you, Cormac, without battle, choose a fighting force of a hundred warriors to represent you, 0 extremely pleasant seemly lad. »
37 Cormac sent a hundred brave men to overthrow the young stranger. He with no slight anger raised his standard against them in battle.
38 This was the fortune of the son of the King
of the Fair Men : those hundred men fell fighting with him and yet another two hundred ('T was a great deed he did), overthrown by the Dearg in a single day.
39 When Tara's High King saw the Dearg wreaking slaughter, he sent word quickly to the son of Cumhall of the great hosts.
40 The son of Cumhall comes to us proudly on the morrow with three thousand bright champions who were not weak or found to be wanting in a fight.
41 Every man of Fionn of Almhuin's folk had a golden helmet around his head, a plaited shield with gold marking and soft garments of noble satin.
310 DUANA1RE FINN ILXIII
[85 a] 42 Ar tteacht ann isin ffaichthe
don tsluagh churadh choirighthe
togbhais an Dearg fa maith tlacn/ pupall ordha ioldhathach
43 Ar ndul do mac righ na fFionn uainn asteach 'na pupall
togbhais tri mhile cleas liiith
fa maith in t-adhbhar iomthnuith
44 Fearais Cormac gan time failte re Fionn Almhuine
fuair sluagh mic Muirne na ccreach pog is cuirm a tigh Theamhrach
45 Do-chuaidh mac Cumhaill fheil cum in pupaill don c[/z]edreim
& beannaighis don Dearg don laoch anaithnidh iomard
46 Mur do bheannuidh in flait gan tar freagrais an Dearg dreachnar
iarrais comha go luath lonn ar mac Cumhaill no comlann
47 Ge maith do neartsa a fhir
do raidh flaithfheindirfa Almhan ni thairbheorsa braighde dhuit a Dheirg ar eagla comhruic
48 Mas chugainn do thaWaigh sibh a laochrada leidmeach Laighean
ar chomhlann ced umhal sinn uaid a mhic Cumhaill airmgrinn
LXIII] DUANAIRE FINN 311
42 When the marshalled host of heroes had come there upon the lawn the well-clad Dearg raised a gilded many-coloured tent.
43 When the King of the Fair Men's son had gone from us into his tent, he performed three thousand athletic feats ('T was a good reason to be envious).
44 Cormac the unfeeble welcomed Fionn of Almhain. The army of the raiding son of Muirne got kisses and ale in the house of Tara.
45 The son of generous Cumhall went to the tent straightway. He greeted the Dearg, that unknown lofty warrior.
46 When the blameless prince had saluted him the Dearg of modest countenance made answer : he demanded swiftly and fiercely that the son of Cumhall give him either presents or battle.
47 « Though good your power, 0 man », said the warrior prince of Almhain, « I shall not offer you hostages, 0 Dearg, through fear of battle. »
48 « If you have come to meet me,brave war- riors of Leinster, I am agreeable to do combat with a hundred of your men,sharp- weaponed son of Cumhall. »
312 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIII
49 Do chuir mo ri c^d ann sin dochum in Deirg da mhuinntir
um Dhorn urn Dhonn mac in Sgail & um Chonn mac Conain
50 Do thuit Conan mac in Leith leis 7 in Dorn nar threith
do chlaoi rena laim gan locht tri c[li]ed feargach iaobarnocht
51 Mur do-connairc mo ri ann sin ar chlaoi in Dearg da mhuinntir
do brosd aigh a chip catha do chosg mic an ardfhlatha
52 Eirghis Faolan go ffeirg mhoir gabhais a mheirg saorsnath sroil
do-chiiaidh do chosg in laoich lain mairg do brosdaidh 'na chomhdhail
53 Ann sin teasgaid a lanna
ar a ccneasuibh cruithgheala
's do redhbattar a n-airm aigh ar a cheile sa teagmhail
54 Glacaid compair a cheile d'eis na hurlaidhe aigmheile
no gar ceangladh leisin Dearg Faolan crodha na ccniadhcheard
55 A mhic Morna nach meata
a mhir crodha na crodhac/i/a
coisg dhinn comhrac an fir mhoir a cheann gaisg idh na morshlogh
53c r$dhbattar. The e represents a tall e in the MS.
LXIII] DUANAIRE FINN 313
49 My king then sent a hundred of his people against the Dearg led by Dora, Donn son of the Sgal and Conn son of Conan.
50 Conan son of the Liath fell by him and the Dora who was not feeble. He overthrew with his faultless hand three hundred angry men whose blades were bared.
51 Then when my king saw what numbers of his people the Dearg laid low he urged on his battle phalanx to check the High Prince's son.
52 Faolan arose in great anger : he grasped his noble-threaded satin standard and went to check the perfect warrior (Woe for him who hastened to meet him !).
53 Then they cut their swords upon their skins which were white of form (?), and they destroyed their dangerous weapons upon one another in the fray.
54 They gripped one another's chests when the terrible smiting was over, till valiant Faolan of the hard crafts was bound by the Dearg.
55 « Son of Morna who are not cowardly, valiant portion of valour, ward off the big man's battling, 0 foremost n bravery of the great hosts.
314 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIII
56 Leat fein do thus dala trian comhadh trian edala
deich cced uinge d'or fa tri uaimsi dhuit ar in t-airdri
57 Ge do fogradh ret fine clanna Morna mongbhuidhe
do-bheur fein mo chongnam leat a ri na Feine dot fhurtac/i/
58 Do-chuaidh Goll nar fulaing tar 'na chulaidh eididh iomlan
do thog re dasacht nar thim na hairm shenta cum comhlainn
59 Tucc in Dearg do chlaoidhe Guill na hairm nimhe do bhi a ccoigill
is tig go diomsach dana
go fiochmar a n-am theagmhala
60 Ann sin cuimhnighid a bfearga na fir bhorba soidhealbhdha
[85b] ag snoighe chlogad is cheann do bhi mac Droichil is Iollann
61 Fechaid digheann a ccleas ar a cheile sa mortreas
tochtaid fir Ein'onn uile
re clos bheimionn na hiorghaile
62 Ona ccomrac re tri la fa tuirrsioch mic & mna
no gur torchradh in Dearg ann re mac Morna na mbeimionn
57a MS has H tfine.
59ft MS has shenta with « no nimhe » -written above the line as a correction.
62 c Some letters (re?) have been erased before in.
LXII1] DUANAIRE FINN 315
56 « To commence with, a third of all presents, a third of all wealth will be given you ; and three times one thousand ounces of gold shall I hand over to you, » said the High King.
57 « Though the race of yellowhaired Morna was outlawed by your kinsmen, I shall lend you my aid, king of the Fian, to relieve you. »
58 Goll who brooked no insult clad himself in his complete suit of armour : he raised with no feeble fury the charmed weapons for battle.
59 The Dearg, that he might overthrow Goll, took the fierce weapons which were in reserve and advances proudly, boldly and wrathfully at the moment of meeting.
60 Then those fierce shapely men bethink them of their reasons for wrath. The son of Droicheal and Iollann began hew- ing helmets and heads.
61 They try their hardest (?) feats on one another in the great fight. The men of Ireland all keep silent to hear the blows of the battle.
62 Boys and women were weary by reason of their three days' conflict, till the Dearg was felled there bv the son of Morna of the blows.
316
DUANAIRE FINN
[LXIII
63 Da leigthi suan no codhladh
do laoch na ndearg ngruadhchorcra treisi Eirionn do-gebhthaoi leis bhiadh a mbraighde 'na loingeas
64 Othar bliadhna luidhe Guill 6 chomhrac in laoich luinn
i ttigh righ Teamhra go bfios baoi mac Morna dha leighios
65 Do fiiair Goll ar geaWadh dho 6 mhac Cumhaill is ni go
ba buidheach an flaith go mbuaidh 6 comrac Iollainn armruaidh
66 Do-rinne an Dearg dithchioll borb fa dhith inne ona morcholg
thuit tri died uainne 'na troid is se died do mhuinntir Cormaic
67 As me Feargus file. Finn
do gnaithfeind/6/? mhic Cumhaill 6 thoisg na ffearsin ar ttos trian a ngaisgidh ni aithreos
A
63ft Word- order sic in MS.
LXIII] DUANAIRE FINN 317
63 Had the warrior of the red-purple cheeks been granted slumber or sleep he would have won sway over Ireland : their hostages would have been in his ships.
64 A sick man for one year — so long was Goll in bed (?) as a result o f the fight with the fierce warrior : in the house of the wise king of Tara did the son of Morna rec- eive treatment.
65 Goll got all he had been promised from the son of Cumhall (and it is no lie). The vic- torious prince was grateful by reason of stoutarmed Iollann's fight.
66 The Dearg did fiercely all he could. We were in need by reason of his great blade. Three hundred of us fell fighting with him and six hundred of Cormac's men.
67 I am Fearghus, Fionn's poet, of the stand- ing Fiana of the son of Cumhall. Since those men began their journeying (?) not a third of their valour may I tell.
LXIV
1 Leac/z/ Guill do chraidh mo croidhe treinfear Eirionn iobhruidhe
ionmhuin taobh fon leacht ata tearc laoch re roiph iomarbaidh
2 Trenfhear do chloinn Morna mhear do ghabh geiWeadh in domhain
6 fhearaibh Eirionn aille go crich oirrdeirc Easpainne
3 Ger mhaith Trenmor is Fionn ger mhaith Baoisgne is Cumall
do ghabh Iollann a ngeill uile idir triath is rodhuine
4 Naoi naonmafr do-cuadhmar amach do mhaithibh na fFian ffuilteac/z
fa Fhionn is fa Gharad/i ghlan fa Bhaoisgne is fa Osgar
5 Do gabhamar d'airde na mbeann Fionn flaithfheindzd/i gan loWann
'gabhail geiMidh na mara ar na tonnoibh taobhghlana
6 Don taobh thuaith do Thir na tTracht do-conncomar iomarcadh bare
iad ag seo\adh sa chuan gleannach fiche cid long LochlannacA
2a mhear. The ea represents a tall e in the MS.
LXIV
1 The. tomb of Goll, champion of yew-clad Ireland, has grieved my heart. Beloved the side that lies beneath that tomb. Few were the warriors who could vie with him (?).
2 He was a champion numbered among the swift sons of Morna. He subdued the world, from the men of lovely Ireland as far as the illustrious land of Spain.
3 Though Trenmhor and Fionn were good : though Baoisgne and Cumhall were good, Iollann won hostages from them all, both chief and high personage.
4 Nine times nine of us,nobles of the blood- thirsty Fiana, set out led by Fionn, pure Garadh, Baoisgne and Osgar.
5 We set off from the towering cliffs (?) (Fionn the royal chieftain was there, but not Iollann) to win mastery over the sea upon the clear-sided waves.
6 To the north of the Land of the Beaches we saw a large number of vessels sailing to- wards the glenny harbour. They were two thousand ships from Lochlainn.
320 DUANAIRE FINN (LXIV
7 Fiche csd do thainic ann Maghnus mor mac righ Lochlann
do bhi cBd ar gach sgairbh sa chabhlach is nir mheirbh in trentheaghlarn
8 Tainic Maghnus mor a ttir go huaman is go haimnin
doloisc 6 fhraoch go tuinn an taobh fa a ttarla dh'Eirinn
9 Comhrac fhichead ced ar a' traigh iarraidh Maghnus da dheaslaimh
7 geallais da laimh chli
go ttroidfeadn leisan airdri
10 Cuiris fios go Fionn Fail Magnus mor do theac/i/ 'na dhail
's nach gebadh gan comrac teann d'fagai/ 6 fhearuibh Eireann
11 As e comairle tug a shliiagh d'Fionn mac Cumai/Z armriiadh
[86a] an tir d'fhagbhail don fhior
sul do muirfead/i a mhuinntior
12 Do gabhadar ag imteaca/ ann sin 's do gabh uamhan na fir
iad ag dail a mbarc ar tuinn an trathsin tainic Iollann
13 Fiafraighis Iollann tre fheirg
a Fhinn mic Cumaill airmdheirg crsd do rug ort a fhir far fhagbhais damsa Eire
LXIV] DUANAIRE FINN 32i
7 Magnus the Great, son of the king of Loch- lainn, had come two thousand strong. The fleet contained a hundred men for every shallow(?). That mighty body of retainers was not feeble.
8 Magnus the Great came to land awfully and ungently. He burned the part of Ire- land where he found himself, from the heather to the sea.
9 Magnus desires to do battle on the strand with his right hand against two thousand, and with his left he promised to fight the High King.
10 He sent word to Fionn of Ireland that Magnus the Great had come to him and would accept nothing but that firm batt- le be given him by the men of Ireland.
11 His army advised Fionn son of Cumhall of the stout weapons to leave the land to the man before he should slay his people.
12 Then they set about departing, and terror seized the men. They were apportioning their vessels to the sea. At that moment Iollann came.
13 Iollann angrily asked : « Pied-weaponed Fionn son of Cumhall, what, 0 man, has led you to leave Ireland to me? »
322 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIV
14 Oglach mor ag teacht anall cugainn as iartar Lochlann
do gabh geiMeadh Eirionn uile
le neart a chloidhim chrobhuidhe
15 Ga ffuil maithe na Feine nac[h] dendaois ris coimheirghe
nach ttiubraidis comlann teann do Maghnus mac righ Lochlann
16 Ga ffuil Fionn mac Cumaill fheil ga ffuil Osgar na Oisin
ga ffuil Caoilte claoidhis cath Gal Gaoithe no mac Lughach
17 Ga ffuil Fear Logha na n-eac
ga ffuil Diarmaid deaghbhreatach ga ffuil Daire mac Smoil no Cairill 6 Conbhroin
18 Ga ffuil Chaoilti coisgfeadh an ri
Faolan no Aodh mac Finn no clann a' Chearda na sed
do choisgfeaaTz mor cced a nglinn
19 Ca ffuil Fear Logha nach ffiiair guth
no Lugha mac Cairill aird no Fionn mac Dubhain na cciiach 6 Theamhraia/i Liiachra na sealg
20 Ca ffuil do ghairbhteaglac/jsaVFhinn
Fian Locha Lein no do chlann da mac ri Lochlann na seol
nach ttiubhradaois dho gleo arm
U)b na, sic MS. 16c claoidhis, sic MS, but beneath the i is a mark which
seems to be part of an incompleted o (= claoidhiosl).
18a Chaoilti. The dot over the c may be accidental. 20c da, sic MS.
LXIV] DUANAIRE FINN 323
14 « It is a great warrior who lias come hither to us from the west of Lochlainn and has won the submission of all Ireland by the strength of his yellow-socketted sword. »
15 aWhere are the Fian nobles that they would not rise up against him, that they would not give firm battle to Magnus son of the King of Lochlainn?
16 « Where is Fionn son of generous Cumhall ? Where is Osgar, or Oisin ? Where is Caoilte who wins battles, Gal Gaoithe, or Mac Lughach ?
17 «WThere is Fear Logha of the steeds ? Where is Diarmaid of the good j udgments ? Where is Daire son of Smol, or Cairioll grandson of Conbhron?
18 « Where is Caoilte who would check the king, Faolan, or Aodh son of Fionn, or the bejewelled children of the Craftsman who would hold up many hundreds in a glen?
19 « Where is Fear Logha who never received blame, orLughason of exalted Cairioll, or Fionn son of Dubhan of the goblets from Teamhair Luachra of the hunts?
20 « Where, Fionn, is your own rough house- hold, the Fian of Loch Lein, or your sons, that they would not give armed combat to the son of the King of Norway of the sails ?»
324 DUANAIRE FINN [LXlV
21 Dar do laimh a Ghuill greadhnaia/i ar n-airiom dhuit mo theaglai'a/i
dob i'earr led dhul fan talam ghlas no dhul do Lroid le Maghnus
z2 Dar do laim a Ghuill griiama ni tig duine beo uadha
suil do claoidhfitear uaidh don fhior cuirida se siuagh a ttalniain
23 Dar do laim a Ghuill go ngrain ni lamhann duinc dhul 'na dhail
treisi a luinne ined a bhuille truime treine a brathbhuille
24 Gur thoilidh Maghnus mear 6 taoi 'na mac ardfhlatha
6 nach biiaih'rf/i duine eile buille air a n-iorghaile
25 Airde a sgeithe os clar ochta guirme geire a loinn corcra
gan coimmeas ris fon grein grinn acht tusa fein a Illinn
26 Tabhair do ghea\\ad[h\ 's do gheillearf/z a Fhinn moir & dena
gan gheillettfiTi Ghuill no Gharaidh 'chur a luing re mac allmurr a ia/i
27 Damadh tusa a ldilainn fheil do-bheradh comrac as ar IFein
chuirfinn mo braighde id theach amach a cCruachain Connacht
LX1V] DUANAIRE FINN 325
• 21 « By your hand, exultant Goll, now that you have reckoned up my household, they would sooner go beneath the green earth than go to fight with Magnus.
22 « By your hand,gloomy Goll, no one escapes
from him alive. Before a grave be dug for the man he will send a host to bur- ial.
23 «By your hand, fearsome Goll, no one dares approach him because of the strength of his wrath, the magnitude of his blow, the weight and power of his stroke of doom.
24 « . • • •
since no one else will strike a blow against him in battle.
25 «[By reason of] theheight of his shield above the expanse of his chest, the blueness and sharpness of his crimson blade, he has no equal under thekeensun but you, 0 Iollann.
26 ((Promise and grant this to me,great Fionn (and carry out your promise), that you will never send a token of submission from Goll or Garadh in any ship with a foreigner's son. »
27 « If you, generous Iollann, were the man from our Fian to give him battle, I would send my hostages to your house away in Cruachain in Connacht. »
326 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIV
28 0 nach bfaghaim isin fFein fear da fhreasdal acht me fein
rachad do troid ar bhar ccionn le Maghnus mac righ Lochlann
29 Tairgeas Fionn do Maghnus mor comtrom loUainn don deargor
[8&b] 's a' comrac do shinead/i amach go maidin arna mharach
30 Ann adubairt Goll greadhnac/i ionmhuin croidhe mear meadhrac/z
gomadh fearr leis comrac an fir ina maithius na talma/?
31 Comhraicis Iollann ar a' traigh & Maghnus lamh ar laimh
teid uatha isna neWaibh nimhe morshlaim theineadh thinntighe
32 Ar sathad/7 na sleadh sibhneach
a ccneasuibh na ccuradh ccaithnimhneach tig do sheamannaiM na sleadh lasair uaine & folradh
33 Cuirdis ceatha tola ruaidhe osna lannoibh sleasiiaine
an uair budh dearg in talamh ghlas tig fearg Iollainn re Maghnus
34 Tug lollann in beim deas os bile sgeithe Maghnuis
tcasgaidh an lamh gniomach ghlan ann sin de go thalmain
30a g eadhnnch. The ea represent a tall c in the MS (In the same word in LXIV 21 it represents a small e + a, with the sign of length in an uncertain position) 344 go lhalnvdin, sic MS (dotted t),
LXIV] DUANAIRE FINN 327
28 Since I find in the Fian no man to deal with him but myself, I shall go to fight on your behalf with Magnus son of the King of Lochlainn.
29 Fionn offered Magnus the Great Iollann's weight in red gold provided that he made the fight last till morning on the fol- lowing day.
30 Then exultant Goll (Dear was that swift merry beloved man) said he would rather fight the man than [own] the wealth of the world.
31 lollann and Magnus fought hand to hand on the beach. A great streak of flaming fire goes from them into the clouds of heaven.
32 When the rush-like spears had been thrust in the skins of the battle- fierce warriors, a green flame and a blood-jet come from the rivets of the spears.
33 They sent showers of red blood over the green-sided swords. When the green earth was red, Iollann's anger against Magnus begins.
34 lollann delivered a dexterous blow over the edge of Magnus's shield. Then he cuts off to the earth his bright deedful hand.
328 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIV
35 Togbais in lamh anairde ionmum croidhe go ngairge
beanuis a cheann da bhraghuid bhain is glacais e 'na dheaslaimh
36 Gach comhrac tigeadh go fior
go Teamhraigh rathmhair na riogh Iollann fear da ccosg uile 's do chosnamh na hAlmhuine
37 Do thuit le laimh echtaigh Ghuill triar ingean Chonarain chuirr
Iartrac/z is Camog chas & Guillionn ogharghlas
38 Do thuit lartrach re laimh Ghuill is Guillionn ogharglas aoibhinn
mo-nuar do thuit rena loinn is Iolaran mac righ Lochlann
39 Measa liom Osgar Eamhna chmreadh mor ccosgor ccalma
na sluaigh in bheatha go beacht & bid uile fo enleacht
LEACht
35a Tdgbais. The MS contraction (Idgb, with a stroke over the loop of the b) would in the Duanaire normally stand for ttigban, or, less usually, tdgbann. 376 MS has Chonair&in with the first i deleted,
LXIVj DUANAIRE FINN 329
35 He raised the hand aloft (Dear was that fierce beloved man). He struck his head from his white neck and took it in his right hand.
36 Everyone who used to come truly to pros- perous Tara of the kings seeking combat, Iollann was the man to check them all and to defend Almhain.
37 Conaran the Odd's three daughters fell by Goll's deedful hand, lartrach and curly Camog and pale-grey Guillionn.
38 lartrach fell by Goll's hand and pale-grey pleasant Guillionn (Alas for all who fell by his blade !) and Iolaran son of the King of Lochlainn.
39 Dearer to me Osgar of Eamhain, who used to win many brave victories, than all the hosts of the world, though they were all beneath a single tomb.
LXV
1 La da raibh Fionn ag ol
a n-Almhain ar bheagan sloigh seisior ban & seisior fear giolla Sc innilt uchtghlan
2 Fionn ann & Diarmazd gan on mac Reithe Oisin is Osgar
Conan maol nar lag ar muir ann & mna na se laochsin
3 An uair do gabh meisge na mna do-chuadar dha iomradh
nach raibh ar talmain trie seisior ban bii comionnraic
4 Do raidh Fionn fath gan on colach ceirdeach e an domhan
cidh maith sibhsi is iomdha bean nar fheis riam acht re haoinfear
5 Ni fada do badar mar soin
an uair tainic bean da ffechain aonbrat uimpe go n-aille & i 'na haontshnaithe
6 Fiafraighis mac Cumhaill ain d'ingin in bhruit ortshnaith
a bhean in bruit go n-aille gad bheir tu gan aontshnaite
6d gad is written above the line with a sign to insert it ; bheir is followed by a word afterwards crossed out and blotted : this word was probably the ann of lb.
LXV
1 One day Fionn was drinking in Almhain, having only a few folk with him, six women and six men, a man-servant and a fair- hosomed maid-servant.
2 Fionn was there and flawless Diarmaid, Mac Reithe, Oisin and Osgar : Conan Maol, who was no feehle sailor, was there, and the wives of those six heroes.
3 When the drink had gone to the women's heads they started boasting that there were not on the populous (?) earth six women so pure.
4 Fionn said (He had good reason) : « The world is full of sin and wile. Though you be good there are many women who have lain with one husband only. »
5 They were not long so when a woman came to test them. She wore a single beautiful cloak, being clad in a single thread (?).
6 The son of glorious Cumhall asked the maiden with the golden-threaded cloak : « 0 woman of the lovely cloak, what in- duces you to wear not a thread ? »
332 DUANAIRE FINN [LXV
7 Biiaidh an bhruit go n-aille bean ann gan aontshnaithe
nach bfaghann a diol don bhrot acht bean aoinfhir gan rolocht
[87 a] 8 Tabhair an brat do mo mhnaoi fein do raidh Conan maol gan cheill
go bfechmaois don bhreithir mhir glor na mban 6 chianuibh
9 Glacais bean Conain in brat & gabhuis uimpe go prap fa geis ar a mein go beach t mar do leig ris a n-aoinfheac/i/
10 Mar do-connairc Conan maol an brat ag fiWeadh fana taobh
togbhais a chraoiseac gan on & marpais an ingin
11 Glacais bean Diarmada shaoir an brat 6 mhnaoi Conain mhaoil
gerbh isi in tsaoi gan \ocht nir iolaigh se a gealocht
12 Glacais bean Osgair a ccein an brat comfada coimreidh
ger ffada in brot sgothach fionn nior fholaigh se a himlionn
13 Glacais bean Oisin amhra an brat fa ciiis labhra
an t-edach nar foghain di fa nar dhi a chur uimpe
8b Condn is written above the line with sign to insert it. llc,d In the MS this couplet conies after 12b. It has had .a. written in front of it. The couplet 12c, d comes after Mb and has had .b, written in front of it.
LXV] DUANAIRE FINN 333
7 « The lovely cloak possesses this virtue that if a woman without a single thread [about her] puts it on, the cloak will not suffice to cover her, unless she be the bla- meless wife of one husband only. »
8 « Give the cloak to my wife, » said foolish Conan Maol, « that we may test that mad word, that recent saying of the women. »
9 Conan's wife took the cloak and put it about her hastily
10 When Conan Maol saw the cloak rumpl- ing up beneath her side he raised his flaw- less spear and killed the maiden.
11 The wife of noble Diarmaid took the cloak from Conan Maol's wife. Though she was an excellent and faultless woman, it did not cover her white breast.
12 Osgar's wife from far away took the long even cloak. Though the choice fair cloak was long it did not cover her middle.
13 The wife of wondrous Oisin took the cloak (T was a matter for comment). It was shame for her to put about her the garment which did not fit her.
334
DUANAIRE FINN
[LXV
14 Glacais Maighean bean Fhinn an brat fa cuis mhighrinn
do chrap is do cruaidh mar soin an brat siias fana cliiasai'Wi
15 Tabhair in brat do raidh mac Reithe dom mhnaoi 's ni cuis cleithe
go ffechmaois an ionann dail dhi is dona cgdmhnaibh
16 Noc/ifais bean mhic Reith in taobh & gabhais uimpe an brat lancaomh
do-chuaidh in brat sleamhuin slan dhi go ladhair a laodagcm
17 An pog tugus gan fhios
do mac i Duibhne do Dhiarmaid do rachadh in brat dam go lar muna bheith sin 'na haonaran
18 Racha misi uaibh amach
is fuicfe me bar tteac a mhna sgel ni ffuil agaibh oram sgel agam oruibh ata
19 Beir do mha.Wa.cht imthigh uainn do raidh mac Cumai// armruaidh
d'fagbhais sinn fa mhela bhroin na tarr dar ffechain enlo
La da
LXV] DUANAIRE FINN 335
14 Maighean, Fionn's wife, took the cloak ('T was a cause of discontent). The cloak thereupon shrunk and stiffened up beneath her ears.
15 « Give the cloak », said Mac Reithe, « to my wife (and it is no matter for conceal- ment), till we see is it the same with her as with the first women. »
16 Mac Reithe's wife bared her side and put the all-lovely cloak about her. The smooth perfect cloak went on her as far as the middle of her little toe.
17 « The kiss I gave unwittingly to Mac I Dhuibhne, Diarmaid — the cloak would reach the ground for me but for that one kiss. »
18 « I shall go forth from you,and I shall leave your house, 0 women. You have nothing to tell against me. I have something to tell against you. »
19 « Depart, and carry with you a curse, » said the stout-weaponed son of Cumhall : « you have left us sorry and ashamed : come not to see us any day. »
LXVI
1 In cumhain leat a Oisin fheil ar tturus go Teamhraigh threin
da ochtor fa bronntoir brot lucht comhoil corn um Chormac
2 Do-bheirim briathor go mbaidh a mhic Cronnchair meic Rondi'n
gur me is fearr sna fremhoibh fis annsna sgelaibhsin d'fiarfaia/us
3 In meisce tuc ar Cormac
ar Fionn gur fhogair comhrac dar chuir anuadal in dail 's dar fogair a n-iomarbd id/i
4 Adupairt Cormac rem athair mac Airt mic Cuinn c[/i]e'dcathaia/i
go ccuirfead/i tre fsdaidh dhe Fionn fo gabhail choire
[87b ] 5 Gach a ttarla eadrainn is e
adubairt Fionn flaith na Feine ge teann gach cruaidh re ccuire hudh learn buaidh gach encluithe
6 Da ccomraiciom riot aris a Cormaic da mbeanum cis
ni budh maithfeac me sa dail is budh aithreac an iomarbdid/i
3c Before chuir, tuit has been deleted. 4a rim athair. MS has r6 mathair.
LXVI
1 « Do you remember, generous Oisin, our visit to strong Tara, twice eight men, givers of cloaks, men who used to drink up goblets in Cormac's company? »
Oisin : 2 I pledge my word and vow, son of Cronn- char, son of Ronan, that I am best in the roots of knowledge as regards the affairs about which you have asked.
3 Drunkenness affected Cormac so that he challenged Fionn to battle
and when he challenged them to contend with him.
4 Cormac, son of Art, son of Conn of the Hundred Battles, said to my father that through vindictiveness he would make Fionn pass under the caldron fork.
5 « Everything that happened between us and him, » said Fionn, prince of the Fian — « Though stout ... I always won the game.
6 « If again we meet you in fight, Cormac from whom we levy tribute, I shall not. be forgiving in the encounter, and the strif ■• shall be rued.
338
duanairp: FINN
[LXVI
7 As nar dhaoibh tri deich ccatha
a n-agaidh Cumhaill an ardfhlatha ger maith fir Mhidhe 'na dhail nir diongaibh sibh a aonlaimh
8 Acht muna a bheithis fir Mumhan is Connac/z aigh na ccuradh
ni thiubhrfld/i seim sleidhe d'fhior do chloinn oile Fheidhlimearf/j
9 Adubairt mac Morna mor Garadh na ccath nachar chlodh
as granna na damannta a Fhinn beirthisi ar clannaib caomhChuinn
10 Nocha deachaidh ret athair re Cumhall os na cathaib
a comeirge a ccoinne Chuinn an fear fa roireidh eadroinn
1 1 Fiafrcro/iais Fionn do Gharadh ar suidhe dho 'na fharradb
os tusa do bhi ann cionnus do marbad/i Cumhall
12 Fiche ced do bhi 'na aghaidh ata leamsa do mheabhair
6 mhaidin go trathnona marbhadh Cumhaill chrodha is 6 trathnona amach go trath eirghe arna mharach
13 Ced ar 'aghaidh ced ar a a chul ced ar aghaidh a dha shul
ced ar gach aidhe da chorp cain ced ar gach laim da lamhaiph
10a ret athair. MS has re tathair. 13a a a, sic MS.
13d </ach has been written above the line with sign to insert.
LXVI] BUANAIRE FINN 339
7 « 'T is a shame for you to have brought thirty battalions against Cumhall the High Prince. Though the men of Meath encount- ered him well, you did not ward off his single hand.
8 « Had it not been for the men of Munster and the Connachtmen of the warriors, a spear's rivet he would not have given to any one of the rest of Feidhlimidh's house. »
9 Then said the son of great Morna, Garadh of the battles who was not ov rcome, « Ugly are the . . . , Fionn, that you give to the race of comelv Conn.
!->'
10 a Your father did not succeed, Cumhall, head of the battalions, when he rose against Conn, the man who was very mild among us
11 Fionn asked Garadh, having sat down along with him, « Since you were there how was Cumhall killed ? »
12 « Two thousand were against him (I re- member it). From morning till evening the slaying of valiant Cumhall lasted, and from evening on to rising time next day.
13 « A hundred before him, a hundred behind him, a hundred before his two eyes, a hundred for every joint of his goodly body, a hundred for each hand of his hands.
340 DU AN A IRE FINN
14 Ceithre ced urn an Liath Luachra tainic o iarihor Cruachna
do marbh Criomtann Cas gan ceilg re cloidhiom glas mar glaisleirg
15 Naoi bfichit do macaibh riogh do thuit le Bodhmainn go fior
fuarus imsmomh an uilc mhoir 6 inghin daithghil Trenmhoir
16 Da died deg curaidh catha do bhi urn Chonn chedchatha
do tuit sa Cnucha chriiaidh
le laim Cumhaill cioidMomchruaidh
17 Conn 7 Goll da laim dheis & a' Liath a Liiachras
fir Eirionn a ccro catha i ttimcioll an ardflatha
18 Do bhiomuirne. se fir dheg
do chlandaift/i Morna is ni breg
do shaithiomar sleadh gach fir a ccorp Cumhaill caithmhilid/i
19 Cionnus do freagair se sin 's na beir beim ar in milidh
beannacM duit 's na can acht coir gemadh fuath leat ckmna Trenmoir
20 Da bheim fan bheim on fhior 6 Chumhall on chaithmhilidh
do budh commaoin a chara i ccommaoin gach aonghona
[LXVI
10a deg. The t represents a tall e in the .\ls, 20b u. -MS has 6n with the n deleted.
LXVI] DUANAIRE FINN 341
14 « Four hundred, led by the Grey Man of Luachair, who had come from the west of Cruaehain, did Criomhthann Cas the guile- less slay with a sword that gleamed like a green hillside.
15 « Nine score kings' sons fell by Bodhmann in truth : the white-coloured daughter of Trenmhor grieved me by that great dam- age.
16 « Twelve hundred battle warriors led by Conn of the Hundred Battles fell on cruel Cnucha by the hand of hard-sworded Cumhall.
17 « Conn and Goll were at his right and the Grey Man from Luachair : the men of Ireland were in a battle phalanx around the High Prince.
18 « We were sixteen men of the House of Morna (and it is no lie) : we thrust every man a spear into the body of Cumhall the champion. »
19 « How answered he that (and slander not the champion)? A blessing to you, speak but justice, though you hate the race of Trenmhor. »
4
20 « Two blows for one gave the man, Cumh- all, the champion. The striker's1 friend wa> the payment paid for each single wound.
1 Literally ' his '.
342 DUANAIRE FINN
121 Da leigmis codladh ttri ttrath do Cumall ger mor re a radh
ni rachadh neach slan da thoigh 6 aonlaim Cumhaill chrecA/aigh
[88 a] 22 As olc linne do mhucha
do cuireapair cath ("nucha
go mbeithmis fein ar an magh ag'cur air ha ccolamhnach
23 As maith dhuitsi do mucha do tucamar cath Cniicha
do beanfaidhe dhiot do ceann mar do beanadh do Chumhall
24 Do dioghail tusa a hathair
a Fhinn mhoir os na cathoiph as benefit do catlia cruaidhe orainn fan iJanha hratiiaine
25 Do marbhais in Liath Luachra fear comhluinn c?rf ger uathm«r
sgel mor a nEirinn uile 's a thuitim 1c lienduine
26 Da marhainnsi Goll glan & clannmaicne a atlior
nir eruic liom e am athair
's a' Liath 6 Charn fFionnaehair
27 Digheoladsa 'nois mh'athair
ni ceileahlisa ortsa c a Gharaidh ni sgarfaightmr m'fioclisa rihh go soithe sibh go dith einfhir
ILXVI
22b Cn.'cha. There is a blot between the u and the ch. 26a Goll. .MS has gloll with the first / deleted. 266 claim- maicne is written as two words in MS.
LXV1] DUANAIRE FINN 343
21 « Had we given three days' sleep to Cumhall (though he was a great man to tel! of), no one would have escaped home safe from the single hand of wounding Cumhall. »
22 « We are grieved at your . . . — You fought the battle of Cnucha — so that we ourselvesrmight have been on the plain slaughtering your Column-men. »
23 « Your . . . is a good thing for you — We fought the battle of Cnucha — Your head1 would have been cut off as Cumhall's was cut off.
24 « You have avenged your father, great Fionn who rule the battalions : your cruel battles against us throughout green- cloaked Banbha are authentic.
25 « You killed the Grey Man of Luachair who could fight a hundred, though he inspired dread. His falling by a single pers- on was a great tale in all Ireland. »
26 « Had I killed bright Goll and his father's descendants and the Grey Man from Cam Fionnachair, I should deem it no price for my father.
27 « I shall now avenge my father (I will not hide it from you, Garadh). My wrath shall not be withdrawn from you till it reach you, even to the destruction of every(?) single man. »
.",11
DUANAIRE FINN
JLXV1
28 Adupairt Cormac ag an 61 aitheascc nar bhinn re a shlogh
do-ghebhairsi comhrac sleadh a Fhinn & treig Garaidh
29 Ann sin a dub flirt Osgar aitheasg fa borb a bhrosgar
ata fear do comraic astoigh
fead do bheith Fionn a fFrangcoiWi
30 Rangas in guthsin Cairbre mac righ na hEirionn airde
ta fear do comhraicsi dba chloinn gion go mbeith Cormac i n-Eirinn
31 Mur do-ehiialus Osgar aigh & Cairbre. ag iomarbhaidh
dhaibh nior diocbra ga nighe cor nach ffiorfa an fhaisdini
32 Raidhimsi re Ciothruaidh cain mflc in Chaogaid mar do dbligh
gabh an diiain cbeirdide dhaibh ni huair feirge no iomarbatflTi
33 Do eirigh Ciothruaidh caomh cas gabhais a dhuain shaoirsheanchuis
ler chomhchoisg uile na sluaigh liaisle na BanJ)a a n-enuair
34 Do eisdiodflr na sluaigh uile 's do eisd Cormac ciilbhuidhe ■
no gur gabh Ciothruaidh a dhuain ar slios an toighe thaobhruaidh
30c This line originally ended with astigh {cf. 29 c) : astigh was then deleted and dha chloinn added on. 30d z n-Eirinn. MS lias inr with a stroke over
the /•. The same contraction occurs in Pt. I, xiv 16(7. 31 c. MS has ndinge
with « no nighe » written above as a correction. 34a MS has uile na
sluaigh with sign to transpose. 3 1 d MS has iaoighe with the a deleted.
LXVI] DUANAIRE FINN 345
J8 Cormac in the midst of the drinking said (a speech that his host did not relish), « You shall receive combat of spears, O Fionn. Deal no more with Garadh. »
29 It was then that Osgar said (a speech that rang out rudely), « There is a man to do combat with you in this house, [even] while Fionn would be in France. »
30 That word reached Cairbre, son of the king of high Ireland, « There is a man to do combat with you among his sons, though Cormac were not in Ireland. »
31 When I heard bold Osgar and Cairbre quarrelling . . .so that he shall not bring the forecast true.
32 I say to good Ciothruaidh, son of the Caogad, as was his due, « Sing that artful song to them : it is no time for wrath and conflict. »
33 Comely curly Ciothruaidh arose : he sang his song of noble history by which he checked on the instant all the noble hosts of Banbha.
34 All the hosts listened, and yellow-haired Cormac listened, until Ciothruaidh had sung his song by the flank of the side- strong house.
346
DUANATRE FINN
[LXVI
35 Mo-ghenar do ghabh an duain ler comhchoisg uile na sliiaigh
is gan bheith d'faill ar in dail acid a n-airm uile do ghahdil
36 Bronntar ar Ciothriiaidh chedach uainn d'airgead 7 d'edach
ba bedail dho feifl 's da cbloinn a fi'uair se d'edail eadroinn
'M Gan codhladh duinn is daiph idir fear is mac is mhna
each uile i cceann a cheile ar eagla na coimeirghe
;>8 Arna marach dhuinn is dhaibh do roinnsiomar iomarbhaidh do seamsamar ar ngaigne 's do ceanglamor comhairle
'.V.) Se fir dheg dhuinn ar foghail
do clannoib Baoisgne bldthbhonaifffi [<S8bJ tre iomarbhaidh Fhinn eangbaidh is Cormaic 6 chlaoinTeamhraiaA
10 Do an againn claim Mhorna do ah clann Guill gan dogra
do an clann Ronain go nim 's do imgeadar ar ccomhaghaidh
11 Breatnuighis Faolan go nimh creach do dhenum an lasin
nir leig misi an creach
go spreidis sluaigh na Teamhrach
37c MS has ceann deleted before each.
38c seamsamar. The ea represents a tall e in the MS.
'Mb biJthbhonaigh. MS has blgbhon with a dotted stroke over the n (bh = a dotted b), the g being deleted and having a dotted t and an accent written above the line between it and the l.
40d imgeadar. The first two letters arc badly formed : they may not be im.
LXVI] DU ANA IRE FINN 347
35 Happy for him who sang the song by which he restrained all the host, when there was no way of settling the affair(?) but that they should seize all their weapons.
36 So much silver and clothing is bestowed by us on Ciothruaidh of the hundreds [that] what he got of wealth among us was a fort- une for himself and his children.
37 No sleep for us or for them, for man or boy or women : every one was standing before the other ( V) for fear of the outbreak.
38 On the morrow we and they distributed contention . . . and we fixed on a counsel.
39 Sixteen men were we on foray, of the House of Baoisgne . . . , by reason of the quarrel of fierce Fionn and Cormac from sloping Tara.
40 The House of Morna stayed with us, and the House of Goll without sadness, and the House of Ronan of fierceness, and they went . . .
11 Fierce Faolan thought to make a cattle- raid on that day. I did not permit the raid till the hosts of Tara should be scattered ( ?).
348
DUANAIRE FINN
fLXVl
12 Gliiaismid romhainn 6 Theamhair meirge senta ar ar sle&dhaibh
's nir ffoiiann linn 'nar n-aghaidh ar ccoimlion do Gaoidhealai&/i
43 Teigmidne go hAongus Og mac in Daghdha na nglanrod
do ceanglamar as Aongus sith 's do threigiomar eissith
1 1 Do-chuadhmar ar ciiairt aigh ar creich go Tesmhraigh fodbhain na se fir dhegsa go heachl is Aongus dar ngiollac/if
45 Ba hiad so na se fir dheg a Chaoilte 's ni hiomarbreg eolach misi 's ni fath fann na n-airiomh is na n-anmann
46 A haon misi fein b«fi/idhein a dho Osgar go micheill
a tri Fear Logha go mbuaidh
a ceathair Cairioll 6 Corrbhriiain
47 An cuigeadh A odh beag ratha an seisiodh moc Lughach
an seac/imiadh Diarmai'd go ffios 7 in t-oc/i/madb Daolghas
48 A naoi m'athairsi fein Fionn
a deich Fearrdhamhain na rionn a baondeg Colla caomh cas a do dheg Raighne roscgl^as
i.s /» MS has g deleted before the dotted cot deich.
LXVIj DUANAIRE FINN 349
42 We proceed from Tara, charmed banners on our spears : we did not consider an equal number of the Gaoidhil too many for us.
43 We go to Aonghus the Young, the Dagh- dha's son of the clean roads. We and Aonghus made peace and forsook strife.
44 We went on a daring visit, on a foray to fair-sodded Tara, just these sixteen men, and Aonghus guiding us.
45 These were the sixteen men, my Caoilte, and it is no falsehood. I am learned (and it is no feeble cause) . . .
46 I my very self was number one : two was foolish Osgar : three Fear Logha the vic- torious : four Cairioll (') Corrbhruain.
47 The fifth was Aodh the Little . . . : the sixth Mac Lughach : the seventh wise Diarmaid ; and the eighth Daolghus.
48 Number nine was my own father Fionn : ten Feardhamhain of the pointed weapons : eleven Colla, comely, ringleted : twelve eye-grey Raighne.
350 DUANAIRE FINN
1(.) A tri deg Feargus fionn fial
giolla na ccreach 's na ccaomhsgiath a ceathair deg Faolan mac Finn 's a' cuigead/l deg Iollann
[LXVI
50 A se deg Goll mac Morna t>iolla d'feiniWi Cronnmhona
feindidn geal in ghaisgirf/i grinn taistiollrtc/i aoiniear n-Eirinn
fi1
51 Suidhmidne asttoigh a tTeamhair a longport na n-ollanum
ag 61 's ag imbezrt ar linn
i ttigh mhoir airdrigh Eirionn
52 Adupairt airdrigh Teamhra breithiomh a n-aois ealadhna
ata tusa a laimh a Fhinn a aonbharr aigh na hEirionn
53 Muna leige tu dhiot a fhir sealg Teamra & Tailltion
Uisneach Mhidhe is min eiian Ealma Laigea/j na morshiagh sealg Eirionn 6 sin amach no tti se in brath breathach
54 Adupai'rt Osgar eur/j/acli
an macamh mear moircrec/i/ach ni gel)htar is misi shin na se fir deg go hiomlan
55 Do tairrngeamor se sgeana deg i'irinne so is ni breg
do marbamar fear gach fir
do muinntir in n'gh i tTeamhair
LXVI] DUANAIRE FINN 35:
49 Thirteen fair generous Fearghus, the lad of cattle-raids and comely shields : fourteen Faolan son of Fionn ; while the fifteenth was Iollann.
50 Number sixteen was Goll son of Morna, a lad of the Fiana of Crunnmhoin, a bright warrior of pleasant valour, the visitor of the men x of Ireland.
51 We sit within in Tara in the hostel of the learned men, drinking and plying the beer in the great house of the High King of Ireland.
52 The High King of Tara, judge of their men of learning, said, «You are a prisoner, Fionn, summit of valour in Ireland,
53 « Unless, 0 man, you yield your hunting rights in Tara and Taillte, unless you yield Uisneach of Meath of the smooth harbours and Almha of Leinster of the great hosts, and your hunting rights in Ireland from that on till the dooming judgment day. »
54 Mighty Osgar, the swift much-wounding youth, said, « As long as I am whole all these sixteen men shall not be captured ».
55 We drew sixteen knives (This is truth and no lie) : we slew every one a man of the king's folk in Tara.
1 Literally ' single men ' (' one- men ')•
352 DUANAIRE FINN [LXV1
56 Rangamar doirsi in diiin gasraidh oglach narbh aniir
[89aJ do-chuadbmar ar in ffaichc amach an dream aigeantac/z uaihhreach
57 Do glacamar deg cced bo
i tTeamraio/i ger mbor in ro
suil rangamar Tailltean na mbrot rug orainn Cairbre is Cormac
58 Tionoilit anoir 's aniar Cairbre is Cormac ar aonrian
ni faca riamh oireacn/
triatb budh tinne toraidheac/i/
59 Gearr do bbadbmar mar soin go ffacamar sa ffaiche ffergloin
fleasg ach 6g deidgheal donn euc/i/ach urrunta edtrom
60 Sded uaipreach foliiaimhneac/i faoi ag an oglaocb go n-iomad ngnaoi cluasa beaga tar a ceann meadhon seang aradli ettrom
61 'S e tainic cugainn ann soin Aongus Og an broglia l)bionngbloin
siodbguidhe do Tuzxthaibh De giolla ar nar luidh iomarbhe
62 Feidm do gabb Aongus uainn an lasin re hucht in tsluaigh
an creach d'iomain gan fbeall no diongmdi/ fear nEireann
57« deg, sic MS (tall e). 59b In the MS / has been deleted before sa.
{Mb bhionnghloin. The dot printed after the b as h stands over the follow- ing o in the MS. II may rather be a punctum delens, or perhaps a merely accident- al mark.
LXVI] DUANAIRE FINN :.5°,
56 We reached the doors of the fort, a band of youths who were not ignoble : we went out upon the green, a proud, spirited group.
57 We took ten hundred cows in Tara (though it was a great excess). Ere we reached Taillte of the cloaks, Cairbre and Cormac overtook us.
58 They gather from east and from west, Cairbre and Cormac on one track. Never had I seen a levy of lords sturdier in pursuit.
59 We were but a short time thus when we saw on the clean and grassy green a young white-toothed brown-haired stripling, bold, daring and light.
60 The warrior of the very pleasing countenan- ce was mounted on a proud rushing steed. The steed's ears were small above its head, its middle was slender, its bridle was light.
61 He who came to meet us then was Aonghus the Young of the bright and melodious Brugh, a fairyman of the Tuatha De, a lad on whom no blame was ever laid.
62 A service which Aonghus undertook for us that day in front of the army was to drive the spoil loyally or else to ward off the men of Ireland.
354 DUANAIRE FINN . [LXVl
63 Gach mart do cuirthi don creich do cuireadh Aonghus fa druim a eich gach fear da marpthaoi don toir d'fadbflrf/i Aongus a ccedoir
64 Do cuirsiom se siiaitheantais dheg anairde 's ni hiomarbhreg
ar mbreith don toir ar Fhein Fhinn ar ndul duinn a ccro comb/inn
65 Se bannlamha deg do srol nar ghile an chailc a ccedoir
os cinnbheirt Fhinn na fleadhol giolla do shiol Eiriomhon
66 Caorthann fana Ian duille cum a mheas go mortruime
do bin os cinnbeirt Osgair
fear churtha na ccruadhch osgair
67 Geg don iubhar bharrchas bhlaith suaiteantus Diarmada dreachnair
6 Duibhne do dhioladh gach drong fear suirghe fionnbhan Eirionn
68 A ccrannoig chinnbheirte Guill mic Morna maith do fhulaing
do bhi an piobaire 's a piob cain da seinm aige san iorgail
69 A ccinnbeirt Fhaolain mic Finn bratach sroil go ccrann ndioghainn
a ccinnbeirt Iollainn go ngail naoi sleadha liaine on iorghail
63ft Aonghus. The dot over the (j, printed as h, may be an accidental mark. 65c The // of jleadhdl seems to have been written over other (now illegible) letters as a correction.
LXVI] DUANAIRE FINN 355
63 Every steer that was parted from the prey, Aonghus used to lay it across ( ?) his horse's back. Every man that was slain of the pur- suers, Aonghus immediately despoiled him.
64 We raised aloft sixteen emblems (and it is no lie) when the pursuit had reached Fionn's Fian and we had formed a battle phalanx.
65 There were sixteen cubits of satin, than which no chalk was ever (?) whiter,above the helmet of Fionn of the drinking-feasts, a lad of the race of Eireamhon.
66 A rowan-tree with plenty of leaves and with its very weighty fruit was above Osgar's helmet, the man who won hard victories.
67 A branch of the curly-topped smooth yew was the emblem of Diarmaid of the modest counte nance, 0 Duihhne who used to reward each company, the wooer of the fair women of Ireland.
68 In the spike (?)of Goll son of Morna's hel- met (Well did he endure) was a piper play- ing his good pipe in the battle.
60 In the helmet of Faolan son of Fionn was a satin flag with a stout shaft. In the helmet of valorous Iollann were nine green spears from the (?) battle.
356
DUANAIRE FINN
[LXVI
70 A ccinnbei'rt Fhir Lugha a hOil da ghadhor coimbhinne cheoil
mac Lughach faolan do ghail
fiadh 'na chinnbei'rt cluiirr chumhdai gh
71 A ccinnbdrt Chairill mic Finn crann dearg go nduille ndioghainn
crann loinge 's a sheol a ccrois um cinnbeirt fein. do-chonncos
[89b]
72 A ccinnbei'rt Aodh bhig mhic Finn barr teineadh uirrthe do shaoilim
do cuir eagla ar thoir na ccreach borb a ruaig don ts\ uagh dhaoineach
73 Ceithre bannlamha fichit fire
as eadh baoi don tsrol dob aoibhni suaitheantus Raighne mhic Finn don tsluagh orrdairc aoibhinn
74 Da bhannlaimh deg do srol dearg
a ccinnbei'rt Chaoilte na moirchcalg a ccinnbei'rt Colla caoim choir da chuirr go niamh an deargoir
7.") Fleasg fhWeadh don or cheard go cceithre ccrannoga d'or dhcarg
os cinnbeirt Fhearguis mic Finn airdfile Fhian Eiriond
76 Eire gach aonlaoich ac/i/ e fein do chasnaoi ghleghil shoilleir
a ccinnbei'rt Fearrdhambain na rosg nglan fear fa hesgaidh a ndeahaidh
70c faolCrn, sic MS.
71a MS has Fiona with the o deleted.
LXVI] DUANAIRE FINN 357
70 In the helmet of Fear Logha from Oil were two equally tuneful melodious hounds. Mac Lughach who was full of valour had a deer in his erect decorated helmet.
71 In the helmet of Cairioll son of Fionn was a red tree with luxuriant foliage. A ship's mast with sail cross- wise was to be seen in my own helmet.
72 In the helmet of Aodh the Little son of Fionn — on it was a fiery top which I think (?) terrified the rescuers of the prey. The numerous host found his rush fierce.
7'.) Just twenty -four true cubits of the plea- santcst satin form d the emblem of Rai- ghne son of Fionn lor the illustrious pleasant host.
74 Twelve cubits of red satin were there in the helmet of Caoilte of the great wiles. In the helmet of comely righteous Colla were two herons gleaming like red gold.
75 A poet's wand of craftsmen's gold with four pegs(?) of re '. gold surmounted the helmet of Fearghus son of Fionn, chief poet of the Fiana of Ireland.
76 There were enough bright shining wood- shavings (?) to weigh down any warrior but himself in the helmet of Feardham- hain of the bright eyes, a man who was agile in battle.
35 8 DUANAIR E F I N X [LXVI
77 Tuganurirne riiaig chalma leanomar filelorg fhearrdha
do gabhamar Cdrmac na n\nidh do gonamw Coirbre cnisgheal
78 Nocha dearnamar sith
Ie Cormac fa mor ar mbrigh
no go raibh fan inbhior thall a ffiadhnui.se fhear nEirionn
79 Mur do-connai>c Fionn na ifleadh Corm«c thall fan innbhear
do-chuaidh fein fan chionn oi'e caithmil/rf/j aid Almame
80 Mar do-connr«Yc Faolan fial an t-ionnbhior ar flaith na fFian
tug in buille meafdha mear gearrais ar dho in t-innhhior
81 Gearrais an iris ccaoim ecuirr gearrais in coire eaomhchruind
do cuir in cloidhiom cain
ar fead shear/?/ ttroighthe a ttalmam
82 Do leig amach ri Eirionn
giolla breaghdha liaismheirsheang is tugadh a bhreath fein d'Fionn mo sgela dhuit a Thailghinn
83 Do thogsani ann sin anairde
ar dhithceann sinn 's ar marbadli 's do euiriomr//- ar shleaghaip eed do eeannaibh erodcorga
81c MS lias coire deleted with « no cloidhiom » added as a correction. 82b breaghdha : the e'a represents a tall e in the MS.
\
LXVI] DUANA1RE FINN 359
77 We made a bold rout : we . . . : we eaptured Cormac of the feasts : we wounded skirt-white Cairbre.
78 We made no peace with Cormac (Our power was great) till he was there under the pointed spit in the presence of the men of Ireland.
7(J When Fionn of the feasts saw Cormac there under the pointed spit, he went himself under the other end, the high champion of Almhain.
80 When generous Faolan saw the pointed spit on the prince of the Fiana, he gave a quick swift blow and cleft in two the point- ed spit.
81 He cleft the lovely prominent thong : he cleft the beautiful round caldron : he sent the goodly sword for seven feet's length into the earth.
82 He freed the king of Ireland, a fine lad the fingers of whose hand were slender, and Fionn was given his own will. There is my account for you, Adzehead.
83 We then raised aloft all we had beheaded and all who had been slain, and we placed on spears a hundred blood-red heads.
360
DUANAIRE FINN
fLXVl
84 Ag sin duit ar sgela gidh be bheith aga sena
as craobh don aoinbilesin inn a mhic ingine Cumhaill
In cuMain
LXVI] DUAXAIRE FIXX 361
84 That is my a count for you, whoever may deny it. We are a branch of that one tree, 0 son of Cumhall's daughter.
LXVII
1 La da raibh Padraic a nDiin
psailm ar 'uigh \s gan e ag 61 tainic go tigh Oisin mic Finn os leis fein hu binn a ghlor
2 Dia do bheatha a sheanoir shuairc
cugad ar cuairt tainic s'nn a laoch mileata fa dearg dreach fior nar er neach fa ni
3 Sgeala is inaith learn d'faghail uait
'iia Cumhaill fa criiaidh colg in teann is mo a raibh an Fhian 6 ataoir riam ar a lorg
4 Aithrcsa duit a dearbh
a chleirigh uir na psalm mbinn in teann is mo a raibh na fir
6 do geinead[h] Fiana Fiana Finn
5 Dearmad fleidhe do-rinne Fionn
a n-Almain re linn na aoch ar chuid don Fhein 6 Druim Dearg gur eirigh a ffearg 's a ffioch
0 Arna ndearmad fan 61
in dias laocb fa doigh linn tug mac Cronnchair is Aille. ur
freiteach bliadhna re mur Finn
'.'xi Sgeala, MS has small e +a ; learn, Ms has tall e (no a). 4a Aithresa : the c = tall c. Id Fiana Fiana, sic MS.
LXVII
1 One day when Patrick was in Down, not drinking but intent on psalms, he came to the house of Oisin son of Fionn, for he loved the sound of his voice.
2 « (lod bless you, pleasant old man, I have come to visit you, soldierly hero of the red face who in truth never refused anyone anything.
'<> « I should like to have an account from you, grandson of Cumhall whose sword was hard, of the greatest strait in which the Fian found themselves, since you are always tracing their history. »
4 I shall recount, all particulars concerning it, generous cleric of the melodious psalms, concerning the greatest strait in which those men found themselves from the first days of Fionn's Fiana.
5 Once in Almhain in the days of those heroes Fionn forgot some of the Fian of Druim Dearg on the occasion of a least, so that their anger and wrath were aroused.
(1 When those two heroes .
had been forgotten as regards the drinking, they, the son of Cronnchar and Aille the Generous, forswore Fionn's walled fort for a year.
364
DUANAIRE FINN
[LXVII
7 Do-nid gan ogal ;i ttriall
in laochraid/i far bfedmar sinn .^luaisis in da fheindiaVi gheal
go righ Lochlann na sreath slim
8 Muinntearus bliadhna ris in righ
don dis laoch fa dearg dreach [90a] do mac Cronnchair na sleadh ger 's do Aille fein nar er neach
9 Ba he ri Lochlann 's a sliiaigh
fear re mberthaoi biiaidh gach aigh Airrgeann mac Ancuir na long laoch fa maith dorn is lamh
10 Tuc bean ri Lochlann na'sgiath
gradh go dian nach raibh co deas d'Aille greadhnach an airm gheir leo sa cheilg go ndearnad feis
11 Triallaid do leabaidh in riogh
ag sin in gniom rer doirteadh fuil go hAlmuin Laigean na fFian tugadar a ttriall 6 mhuir
12 Tionoilis ri Lochlann a sluagh
an cabhlac/j cruaidh do bhi go deas ocht righto deg san hair
as e tainic dha shliiagh leis
13 Glacaid an aibheis go hard
co hiath Eirionn na n-arm n-aigh go h Almoin Laighean na FFian tugsat a ttriall 6 traigh
Id MS lias LaiV/eaii deleted before Lochlann. There is a dot over the o of Loch'
hum as we] as over the c (= rh).
LXVIIj DUANAIRE FIXX 365
7 Those heroes about whom we were jealous set out wrathfully : the two white warriors went off to the king of Lochlainn of the smooth ranks.
8 For a year the two red-faced heroes were members of the king's household, the son of Cronnchar of the sharp spears and Aille himself who refused no one.
9 The king of Lochlainn and its hosts was a man who used to win victory in all war- fare, Airrgheann son of Ancar of the ships, a hero whose fist and hand were good.
10 The wife of the king of Lochlainn of the shields bore violent and unseemly love to blithe Aille of the sharp weapons, and so they lay with one another deceitfully.
11 They go to the king's bed — There is the deed for which blood was spilt — From the sea they journeyed to Almhain of the Fiana in Leinster.
12 The king of Lochlainn mustered his host, the hardy fleet which was good to look upon. Eighteen kings all together,that was the portion of his host which came with him.
13 They cross the deep mightily to the land of Ireland of the bold weapons.To Almhain of the Fiana in Leinster they made their' way from the beach.
366 DUANAIRE FINN
14 Sgaoilid a bpuible go Math
ri Luclilann 's a sluagh nar tliim ar na tulchaiph do bhi amuigh
a ngar don brugh a raibhe Fionn
to Furailis Fionn cumha mhor
don tsloghsin tainic a ccein 's do righ Locblann na ccolg st'an re cheile 's a bean fein
16 Do raidli in Locldannach borb
re a dhoigh 's a chor a gcein nach gebhadh comba fan grein is Fionn fein do beith da eis
17 Deich ccinnbn'rt fieheat don Fhein
is Ail le fein ar tus do thuit re laim Airrginn mhoir sul tainic na sloigh a ndliis
18 Fiafrfn7//ris Fionn flaith na ccuach
do maithibh uaisle innsi Fail cia do ghebhadh Airrgheann na ttreas sul do rachmaois leis ar sal
19 Nir beisd<w//z sin re Goll
sunn catha nar cmread[h\ ar gcul misi is Airrgheann na ttreas
leigthear eadrainn cleas hith
20 Mac Lughach is Osgar lonn
Fear Reamor crom is mac Leg dot dhidion ar bhuille in ri
beirgac/ia ttaofbh dot sgeith
(LXVII
2(1/) Leg. The e = a tall e.
20d MS has f/ach att&oibh.
LXVII] DUANAIRE FINN 367
14 The king of Lochlainn and his unfeeble host spread their tents quickly on the hills without, near the residence where Fionn was.
15 Fionn proposed a great present tor that host which had come from afar and for the king of Lochlainn of the ancient swords, along with his own wife.
16 The fierce Lochlannach said, regarding his hope of (?) sending him away, that he would accept no present beneath the sun if Fionn himself were to he [left living] after him.
17 Thirty helmets of the Fian, and Aille him- self first of all, fell by the hand of great Airrgheann before the hosts joined battle.
18 Fionn, the prince who owned goblets, asked the lofty nobles of Inis Fail who would capture Airrgheann of the fights to prevent us going over the sea with him.
19 Goll did not listen silently to that, a battle hero who was never repelled : « I and Airr- gheann of the fights, let us be permitted to try together feats of activity. »
20 « Mac Lughach and wrathful Osgar, Fear Reamhar the bent and the son of Liag, take on each side of your shield to pro- tect you against the king's blows. »
16 Lochlannach = Norseman, Scandinavian. 20 Fear Reamhar = Fat Man.
368 DUANA 1 1 \ E FINN [LXVI I
21 Eirchid do chosnamh a ttriath
Airrgionn fein nar caomh ciall seacht ccatha dheas is tiiaith
don tsluagh budh fearr tainic riamh
22 Mur ndeachaidf/j fear dhiobh faoi chre
no sa sbeire re luth ein do sluagh righ Lochk/nn na ccrioch nir pill aris 'na thir fein
2:> Da ttugthaoi comtrom arm
do mac Ancair hudh hard ceim a n-Eirinn na ngaisgeadac/i ffial ni mairfead/zdis Fian da eis
24 Cpsmaile chomhraic na ffear
ni faicfe me go tti in brath eeann righ Lochlann na sgieth ndonn do mhaoidh doll san ochtmadh la
25 Do-bczrim fo anmuin mo righ
gurb e ar ndith ar tteac/i/ as fear is ceirtleith na fFian
do fagadh san tsliabh ar in taobh dheas
26 Do bhi misi fein san ruaig
a Padraic bheirius biiaidh ar each is ge go ttainic me as
ni dearnadh mo leas san la
La
Iomlanachadh in line do leisce a bheith folamh Misi Aodh do sgriobh
21d tainic riamh has been deleted by a later hand and fiud ghrtan written in
the margin. The scribal note at the end of poem LXVI I has been written so as to look like
a line of verse.
LXVII] DUANAIRE FINN 369
21 They arise to protect their lord, Airrgheann himself whose sense was not good, seven hattalions, south and north, of the hest host that ever was.
22 Of the host of the king of Lochlainn of the territories not one returned alive to his own land, unless he went heneath the earth or into the skies with the activity of a bird.
23 Had the son of Ancar who advanced lofti- ly been granted equality in respect of weap- ons, no Fian would have existed after him in Ireland of the generous champions.
24 A combat like the combat of those men I shall not see till the end of time. On the eighth day Goll had the head of the king of Lochlainn of the brown shields to boast of.
25 I swear by the soul of my king that our loss as we came out of it was one man more than a fair half of the Fiana, who were left on the mountain on the southern side.
26 I was myself in the rout, 0 Patrick who conquer everyone, and although I came out of it, I was not any the better of that dav.
A filling out of the line for I am loath that it should be empty. It is I, Aodh, who have written this.
LXVTII
[90bl 1 Dul)hach sin a Bheann Ghualann
a bheand na nuabharr ccruthach a n-aimsir in Tailgbinn
dob alainn bheith ar do mhullach
2 Dob iomdba bean 7 giolla
ar do lios a Bbeann Ghualann ortsa is laoch laidir
a beann blathmhor duire bhuabhall
3 Gotha gadhar id gleanntoibh
ar mhucaibh alta da ffiadhach gach feindidh da ttigeadh a lath air 's a ccoin aille ar iallach
4 Dob iomdha do chruite ceoilbhinn
os leirgfinn oirliath ghlaise or da bhronnadh an uair sin
gabhail dhuan go n-iomad maisi
5 Is c do-gheibheadh 6 gach feindidh
da raibh sa fFein an uairsin tallonn oir gacha miosa
dob e ciosa Daighre dhuanaigh
G An uairsin a Bheann Ghualann
nir ffuath linn fad thaobhaibh anocht is tearc mo charaid och ni mhairit mo ghaolta
2n MS has Do bdlainn with bdlainn deleted and biomdha written after it. ]/' The word-spacing is thai of the MS.
LXVIII
1 What gloom ! Beann Ghualann, mountain of the fresh shapely peaks. In the Adze- head's time it was lovely to be on your sum- mit.
2 Many a woman and lad used to be on your lios, Beann Ghualann, and many a strong champion upon you, flowery cornel-groved mountain.
3 Dogs' voices in your glens following wild pigs and pursuing them ! All the champions who used to arrive there with their beauteous hounds on leash !
4 Many were your music-sweet harps above the white gold-grey streamy slope. In that time there was bestowal of gold, chanting of poems of great beauty.
5 This is what Daighre of the Lays got from each warrior who was in the Fian at that time, a talent of gold every month : it was his tribute.
C) In that time, Beann Ghualann, we hated not to be along your slopes. Tonight my friends are few. Ah me ! my kinsmen live no more.
'M2 DUANAIftE FINN [LXVIII
7 Ag eisdeac/i/ ret ealtuin
& beathach na n-or n-allta ])cann ar ar bheannaidh in Tailghionn dob alainn do banntrar/?/
8 Tothain do choillteach diamhra
dob iomdha iara ar do craxmaibh do bhruic ger shaimh a sealga
niorl)h annamh do laoidh e&llaidh
9 Duinne gerb adbbhar meanma
ag eisdeac/j/ re labhra h'iolar ])a liinn gotlia do dhobhran & comradh do sionnach
10 Fa binn duallan do chonart
is h'uallghort nirbh annamh organ do dhamh dilionn
do ceol faoilionn & ealadh
11 Do mhonogasa caomh corcra
biorar fochla & gleoran re triar inghean Cais Cuailgne fa binn leosan a n-abhran
12 Nuallan do chorr san oidhche
cearca fraoiche do shleibhe re cheile is ceol do choinchionn
dob aoilthinn bheith da n-eisdear/i/
13 Siansan binne do smaolach
as mor in t-adbar cumhadh is maith togbadh bron dot bhannail is feardin do crann cluthmar
la ret ealtuin. MS has re tealtuin.
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 373
7 As they listened to your bird-flock and the wild-bordered birch-land (A hill sanc- tified by the Adzehead's presence !) your womenfolk were lovely.
8 The martens of your mysterious woods! Many were the squirrels on your trees. Though your badger hunts were pleasant, your wild fawns were not few.
9 Though listening to the chatter of your eagles caused our spirits to rise, sweet too were the voices of your otters and the call- ing of your foxes.
10 Melodious was the cry of your dog-packs Not rare was your . . . , the belling of your mighty stags, the music of your seagulls and swans.
1 1 Your lovely purple bog-berries, cress, brook- lime and cuckoo-flower ! The three daughters of Cas Cuailgne, they loved their song (?).
12 The clamour of your herons at night, the grouse of your moor land, along with the music of your linnets (?), to listen to them was pleasant.
13 The sweet singing of your thrushes (T is a great cause for grief), well did it - - and the ringdoves of your sheltering trees - raise sorrow from your womenfolk.
374 DUANAIRE FINN [LXVIII
14 Ag eisdeac/i/ ret fiadhach
fa binn re triath na hAlmhan do budh cluthmar bheith id dhiamhroibh dob iomdha mialta id ghleanntaiWi
15 Dob iomdha cnuasach 6d choilltibh
re mnaibh fionna na Feine do chaora fa cnuas cumhra do shugha is do smera
16 Subha craobh & talman
cneamh & airnead feithlionn fa minic do ghairbhmeas
a n-aimsir Fheine Eirionn
17 Ba haoibhinn h'inbhear iasgach
os leirg fherghloin glaoithbinn •dnocht atam co har saidh
do chaitheas m'aimsir aoibhinn
18 Is cumhuin learn a .thulach
mac Lughac/j ort is Conan iad ag imirt an trathsin
's as tainic ar n-orcradh
19 Ni raibh feindidh a lathair
's as tainic ar ndrochdhal nach gcusdaidh an iiairsin
an dorn busdleadh ar Conan
[Ola] 20 Eirgis Conan 'na sheasamh
is beiris alpadh ar 'armoibh fa hadhuathmar an uairsin Conan fa cruaidh a tteannta
14a ret fiadhach. MS has re Ijiadhach.
19d This line preceded by « no » has been wrilten as a correction beneath a duplicate of 2(W,
LXVIIIj DUANAIRE FINN 375
14 The lord of Almhain loved to listen to your hunting. There was shelter in your hidden recesses. In your glens the hares were many.
15 Your woods afforded a rich harvest to the fair women of the Fian. Your berries, your small fruits and your blackberries formed a fragrant crop.
16 Raspberries and strawberries, cress and sloes, woodbine — Your coarse fruit was plentiful ( ?) in the time of tbe Fian of Ire- land.
17 Your fishy estuary was pleasant above a grass-pure call-sweet slope. Tonight I am aged : I have spent my pleasant days.
18 I remember Mac Lughach and Conan upon you, 0 hill. They were playing at that mom- ent. It was the cause of our fall.
19 There was no champion present (Our ill luck came from this) but heard at that time the blow struck upon Conan.
20 Conan stood up and clutched at his arms. Very dreadful at that instant was Conan who was hardy in a strait.
376 DUANATRE FINN [LXVIII
21 Do raidh Aodh mac Garaidh
ger leanam nior laoch lonnda dar do laimhsi a mhic Lughach bu pudhar dhuit in dornsa
22 Ni briathar tug mac Lughach
's maith is cumhain a Padraic beag mo speis id leitheid
nir theithius a n-am gabhaidh
23 Eirgis ann sin fearg Aodh
is mairg laoch d'fan rena thoruinn an briatar tug mac Lughach
car mo cubhais do chomhaill
24 Tainic mac Dobair dhamhaigh
ann sin do chabhair im'c Lughach is fearg Aodh da ffreasdol dob i an iorgail churadh
25 Tainic Goll 7 Garaidh
Seinen 7 Fear Faophair dcich cced do clannaibh Dubhain ann sin do choime'd Aodha
26 Tainic clanna Neamhnaid
\ucht leanam na clanna Baoisgne da sleidh 7 sgieth uaine
ar gualainn gacha taoisigh
27 Tainic aicme Da Bhoirionn
dob iad an foirionn crodha gerbh iomdha cleas liithmar
ag congnam re clandai'6/i Morao
22a Ni : sic MS.
25ft Seinen, The e of the last syllabic represents a small c in the MS.
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 377
21 Aodh son of Garaidh, though hut a child and no fierce warrior, said : « By your hand, Mac Lughach, this hlow will turn ill for you. »
22 The word Mac Lughach uttered (Patrick, I remember it well) was, « Little do I heed such as you. I have never fled in time of danger. »
23 Then was Aodh's anger roused. Woe for the champion who awaited his onset ! The word Mac Lughach uttered, by my conscience he fulfilled it.
24 The son of Dobhar of the bardic companies came then to help Mac Lughach. Aodh's anger met them. That was a heroes' battle.
25 Then came Goll and Garaidh, Seine n and Fear Faobhair and ten hundred of the house of Dubhan to guard Aodh.
26 The house of Neamhnann, followers of the house of Baoisgne, came. On every captain's shoulder were two spears and a green shield.
27 The race of Da Bhoirionn came. They were a sturdy band, though they had many an active feat (?). They came to assist the house of Morna.
•>
78 DUANAIRE FINN [LXVIII
28 Tainic fa mor in tamhail
do cabhair clanna Baoisgne fir nar threith a n-am teannta
dol) iad clanna Duibh Dhiorma
29 Clanna Coinbroin re blollann
dream nar cumang re cliaraibh fiche ced do sgiathaibh geala
d'fearuibh nar seachain cliamhain
30 Tainic Corr chosluath chedghoineacn
ar colbna chloinne Morna buidhion fa niamdha maisi
fiche ced do sgiethai&n gorma
31 Do-chiiaidh misi fein Caoilte
faris o mBaoisgne mbreagha dhuinne gerbh ard meanma
fiche ced do sgiethai'6/i dearga
32 Tigid cugainn do lathair
'na mbrointiftn n-agha n-6rdha a Dhia is mairg chom a ttainic an trathsin clanna Morna
33 A Padraic a chleir io/i Fhodla
do thuit re cheile sa ffionnghleo deich cced taoiseach ieindeadh ar n-egnach 6 an aonlo
34 Ag sin duit a Padraic
sgel amhaidh ar an imirt dorn do buailearfn an lasin 's as tainic. in miUeadh
2{)d cliamh&in.MS has cliamhr&fn with the r deleted (mh = doited /?i-stroke over the first a). 316 mbreughu. IMS rnbdgha with a small e over the loop of the b (uncertain what letter the accent should go with : yh = dotted </),
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 379
2<S There came (T was a great . . . ) to assist the house of Baoisgne, certain men who were not feeble in a moment of diffic- ulty, the house of Dubh Diorma.
2(.) The house of Conbhron, a group who were not stingy towards poets, [sided] with Iollann. They numbered twenty hundred white shields, men who never avoided ...
30 Corr the swift-footed, wounder of hundreds, came on the side of the house of Morna. [He brought] a band who were bright in beauty, twenty hundred blue shields.
31 I myself, Caoilte, went alongside the fine grandson of Baoisgne, though our courage was high. [My band numbered] twenty hundred red shields.
32 They come to meet us in brave golden masses. Woe to him, 0 God, to whom the house of Morna came at that time.
33 Patrick, cleric of Ireland, in that inter- necine strife fell ten hundred leaders of warriors . . . whose loss we had to lam- ent (?) as a result of that single day.
34 There, Patrick, you have a .' . . account of the game. From a fist-blow struck on that day the destruction came.
380 DUANAIRE FINN [LXV1II
35 Aitheac mor co ccruit n-iarnaigh
san aird aniar gac[ft] ndireac/i tainic chugainn tar guch region nirbh e sin in fear sitheach
36 Ar tteac/i/ ameasg ar ttionoil
don aitheach romhor adhbhal re fuaim a cruite gairbhe
do tuit ar n-airm as ar lamaibh
37 Ni raibhe neach beo 'na sheasamh
ris in cheolsin nar mbaith siansa dath an ghuail ar an aitbeach
is dath in tsneac/i/a ar 'fhiaclaifr/i
[91 b] 38 Cuiris e fa gheasoibh
Conan nar maith cialla fear na cruite millte
mura n-innsc«rf se sgela
39 Ge do chuiris me fo gheasoibh
as me ameasg na Feine a Chonain mhaoil na mallar/?/ bu haithreac duit mo sg^la
40 Ni gheillim dom chineadh
do hoileadh me sa fFuarrdhaeht gebha dhaoibh an aoire
nach sinnfeadh Daighre duanach
41 (iabhais diiain do Conan
nior 1'forail gan bheith seitreach gach a raibh dhiobh 'na ccaomhthach do-chuadar a lathair eg a
384 mura n-innsmd, MS has mur aninnsead, 40d MS has Daoif/hrc wilh the o deleted,
LXVIII] DU ANA IRE FINN 381
35 A great giant with an iron harp appeared in the western quarter, coming stra'ght towards us over every district. He was no peaceful man.
36 When the huge enormous giant had come among our gathering, at the sound of his rude harp our weapons fell from our hands.
37 By reason of that ill-sounding music not a living person remained standing. The giant was the colour of coal and his teeth the colour of snow.
38 Conan, who was not wise, put the man of the destructive harp under geasa if he would not give an account [of himself].
39 « Though you have put me under geasa in the midst of the Fian, Conan Maol of the oaths, the account I give will be a source of sorrow to you.
40 « I yield not to my folk. I was reared in the Cold Land. I shall chant you an air (?) such as Daighre of the Lays could not play. »
41 He chanted a lay to Conan. One must needs cease to be strong. All of those who were in their company went into the presence of death.
382 DUANAIRE FINN [LXVIII
42 Togbhais leis airm na Feine
ger lor a' mheidsin d'eire nir fag ga no lann faobhrar/i ag laoch ann no ag giolla
43 Sdiren mac in Ghairbh Ghluim'aa
nior ffeas dhuinne san domha/i feadh miosa dhuinn gan lathar fagbais a Ian go boghar
44 Teid teaca/aire go mac Morna
6 Fhionn na gcaomhchorn ccumdaigh a triall as Eirinn iathghloin
d'iarraid/z mzc in Gairbh GhluiniaA
45 Tigid a cceann na miosa
clanna Baoisgne go trenmhear naoi ffichit ced ar in ccnocsa cia ta anocht gan enfhear
40 Do-rinne Goll is mac Cumhaill sith do comall an iiairsin is tugadar a lamha
ann a laim Daighre dhiianaigh
47 Gluaismid ann a n-einf eacht
in dream nar threith a congnamh as sin go Traigh na tTreinfhear fa buidhean leidmeach lutlimar
AS As sin duinn don Fbuarrdac/i/
as mairg do-chuaio'a 'nar tz/rus dhuinn fa hadbar egnaigh
mar raibhe Edbhar is Ludar
426 MS has m deleted before I6r.
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 383
42 He bore off the weapons of the Fian, though that was load enough. He left no spear or edged sword to warrior there or servant.
43 Sdiren son of the Garbh Gluineach, we knew not whether he existed ( ?). For a month we were without vigour. He left many deaf.
44 A messenger goes to the son of Morna from Fionn of the beauteous decorated drinking- horns, that he should go from bright-landed Ireland to seek the son of the Garbh Gluin- each.
45 When the month was ended the house of Baoisgne come stoutly and swiftly .There we- re nine score of hundreds on this hill, though not one man is on it tonight.
46 Goll and the son of Cumhall concluded peace at that time, and they laid their hands there in the hand of Daighre of the Lays.
47 Thereupon we, a group who were not weak in aiding, set out together thence for Traigh na dTreinfhear. We were a vigor- ous active band.
48 Thence we passed over to the Cold Land. Woe for those who went on our journey ! The land where were Edbhar and Ludar was a cause of complaint to us.
384 DUANA1RE FINN [LXVII1
49 Tigid chugainn dar ffechain
buidhean nach eisdfcatf[/i] diiana Troitheasdal is Crom na Cairrge
is Troiglen on (ihleann LJathmar
50 Tri mic Crom na Cairrge
fir nach ttiiipradh cairde chatha dob adhbar dithe dar ndaoinibh beit fa lamail)h in triar athach
51 As iad anmanna in triairsin
na taoisigh nar ghlan gnee ger chuimseach iad a ccathaibh Sithire Sitre 7 Seitre
52 Tainic cugainn buidhean dhordha
a ccomrac ba mor baoghal tri fichit fear co luirgn ife/i
tainic fuirne mic Faobhair
53 Tainic Aitheach in Corrain
nior fforail ar ml)eitli daoineach buidhean ar dath na ndeamhan
deich cced aitheach nar ffaodhbha
54 Ar tteac/j/ don Garbh ghliiineach
cugainn 's a luireach croicinn ensuil a cclar 'edain
is deich da dhenam 'na aice
55 Dob fearr leinne a Padraic
's a ^tainic linn dar Feinnibh an mheidsin do sluagh hi'midh go mbeithmis uile a n-Eirinn
albynee. MS i/ne t>. 53d ff&odhbha, sic MS.
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 385
49 They come to us to look at us, a band who would not heed poems, Troitheasdal and Crom na Cairrge and Troighlen from the Dread Glen.
50 The three sons of Crom na Cairrge, men who would give no respite in battle : to be beneath the hands of those three giants was a cause of destruction to our men.
51 The names of those three, those leaders who though powerful in battles were not clean of face, were Sithire, Sitre and Seitre.
52 A grim crowd approached us (To fight them entailed many dangers). The bands of the son of Faobhar approached, three score men with clubs.
53 The Giant of the Reapinghook came (We must needs be numerous) with a band coloured like demons, a thousand uncomely giants.
54 When the Garbh Gluineach came towards us with his corselet of skin, with one eye in his forehead and ten being made bes- ide him (?),
55 We, 0 Patrick, and those of our Fiana who had come with us, that amount of the west- ern host, would have preferred to be all in Ireland.
386 DUANAIRE FINN [LXV1II
[92 a] ^6 Do-chuadhmar do chur in catha na haith igh is Fian Eirionn sa maidin arna mharach
dol) docair airiom a gceimionn
57 Teid do cosg Crom na Cairrge
fa meanma curadh ar a sgath fa dion dhuinne
a lamh ar ccrila nir cuireadh
58 Do raidh Osgar mac Oisin
coisgfe misi mac Faobhair annsa maidin arna mharach
re neart mo laime am aonar
59 Do raidh Diarmm'd 6 Duihhne
fear fa cuimhneach a n-am catha Traoillen on Gleann LJathmor coisgfeadsa a n-am tachair
60 Do raidh triur mac in Cearda
nir glor nar calma in trathsin tri mic Crom na Cairrge
coisgfe sinne a n-uair ghabhaidh
61 Do raidh Sinen mac Morna
's an fear dordha Conan
dias mac in Ghairbh Ghluiniff/l
a ccosg dhuinne ni furail
62 Do raidh Aodh mac Garaidh
nirhh e in t-athus nar chiiimhneach an t-6igfhear fa hard meanma
coisgfeadsa in Garbh Gluineach
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 387
56 We, the giants and the Fian of Ireland, went to fight the battle next morning. It was hard to count their steps.
57 Goll goes to check Crom na Cairrge. It showed a hero's spirit. We were sheltered when he protected us. His hand never received a set-back.
58 Osgar son of Oisin said, « I shall restrain the son of Faobhar tomorrow morning, alone, by the strength of my hand. »
59 Diarmaid O Duibhne, a man who was thoughtful (?) in time of battle said, « Tra- oillen from the Dread Glen, I shall check him in the time of conflict ».
60 The three sons of the Smith said (It was a brave word at such a moment), « We shall check the three sons of Crom na Cairrge in the hour of danger. »
61 Seinen, son of Morna, and the grim man, Conan, said, « We must check the two sons of the Garbh Gluineach. »
62 Aodh son of Garaidh (That was a memorable (?) triumph), the high-spirited young man, said,« I shall check the Garbh Gluineach. »
:<„S8 DUANAIRE FINN \hXVUl
{)?> Gabhais re comhrac Luduir
mac Lughac/i na n-arm ffapbhrac/i do comhrac risin ffearsin
is mairg rachad/i 'na aonor
64 Troitheasdol ger laoch londa
san a luirefhearsaid chatha gabhais Art og mac Morna
rena comhrac a n-am tachair
I
65 Coisgfeam ar clann Neamhnaid
& gearrfam a saoghal tri fichit fear co luirgm'M
do mhuinntir foirne mi'c Faobair
66 Coisccfiom Aitheach in Chorrain
do raidh Barran mac Morno 7 coisgfiom a mhuinntir
buidhean go ndeilb ndordha
67 A Padraic a chara anma
fearg na laoch oir do eirigh dob iomdha sgieth da sgoltadh ann 7 osnadh feindidh
68 Dob e dal Crom na Cairrge
is Guill meanmnaiV//} mic Morno nach dearnairf/i dias san domhan a commaith sin do comhrac
69 Tuitis Crom na Cairrge
re neart laime Ghuill fhao])hraia/i faoi sgeith Iollainn sa tachar
dol) iomdha fear dar laocliraiW/i
i)4b gan, sic MS.
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 389
63 Mac Lughach of the edged weapons went to fight Ludar. Woe for him who should ad- vance alone to fight that man !
64 Troitheasdal (though with [ ?] his battle club he was a fierce warrior) young Art son of Morna went to fight in the time of conflict.
65 « We », said the descendants of Neamhnann, « shall restrain three score men with clubs of those belonging to the son of Faobhar's band, and we shall cut short their lives. »
66 « We shall check the Giant of the Reaping- hook, » said Barran son of Morna, « and we shall check his people, a band of grim appearance. »
67 Patrick, friend of my soul, when the heroes' wrath had arisen, many were the shields being split there and many the warriors' sighs.
68 Crom na Cairrge and spirited Goll son of Morna' s behaviour was such that no two in the world ever fought so good a fight.
69 Crom na Cairrge, fell by the strength of weaponed Goll's hand. Many a man of our champions was shielded by Iollann in the fray.
390 DUANAIRE FINN [LXVIII
70 Do thuit re hOsgar amhra
ger chalma in tear mac Faobuir minic do fhoir sinn 6 bhaoghal an lamhsin nar claoidh f«d7i
71 Traoithlen on Ghleann Uathmar
's an fear 6 Luacliair DheaghaidA darb ainm M«c I Dhuibhne dias rer doilghe deabhaidh
72 Tainic ann sin a shaogbal
Traoillen ger laoch londa re cleasaibb goile I Dhuibhne leannan suirge na Fodhla
[92 b| 73 Ba maith comhrac in Ghairbh Ghluiniffft is Aodh liithmair na ngerlann is fa tearc a samhail
san chathsin Fheine Eirionn
74 Ba maith Goll is Garaidh
Seinen is Fear Foghla Osgar is Diarmaid deidgheal
is Aodh echtsLch mac Morna
75 Ni raibhe neach dhiobh a nguasac/^
ina feind/rtV? nasal armach nach deachaidh Goll da ehabhair 's maith is cumain a Padraic
7(i Tigeadh 'cabhair chloinne Morna mar luas aidh orrdfltrc allaid/j 's do cabhair chloinne Baoisgne
mar sitheadh gaoithe Enrraigh
70n In the MS re is followed by a second re deleted.
lid This line preceded by « no » has been written as a correction above a du- plicate of T2d (leannan and Fodla appearing for leannan and Fodhla),
LXVIII] DUANATRE FINN 391
70 The son of Faobhar, though he was a brave man, fell by wondrous Osgar. That hand which was never overcome rescued us often from danger.
71 Traoillen from the Dread (den and the man from Luachair Dheadhaidh, whose name was Mac I Dhuibhne, were two with whom it was difficult to contend.
72 His life finished then for Traoillen, though he was a fierce warrior, by reason of the battle feats of O Duibhne, the greatest woo- ing lover in Ireland.
73 The fight between the Garbh Gluineach and active Aodh of the sharp swords was good, and there were few like them in that battle of the Fian of Ireland.
74 Goll and Garaidh were good, Seinen and Fear Foghla, Osgar and white-toothed Diarmaid and deedful Aodh son of Morna.
75 Not one of them, nor any noble armed cham- pion, was in danger but Goll went to his help. I remember it w ell, Patrick.
76 He used to come to the help of the house of Morna with the swiftness of a noble wild stag, and to the help of the house of Baoisgne like a blast of spr ing wind.
392 DUANAIRE FINN [LXVIII
77 A Padraig a chleirigh Fodhla
an ttainig riamh iongnadb no in Garbh do chlaoidh rc hAodlia 7 laghad a aoise
78 Ar ttuitim don cuigear calma
don tsluagh gharbhsin na n-aitcac/i A Padraic dob iomdha feindt'rf h] a n-eigean san tachar
79 Tainic cugainn aongruag ach
an trath ba cruaidhe dar H\athaibh 's a emit carthanach cheoilbhinn leis ar teoruinn na faithche
80 Go n-asaibh airgid fhinnghil
fa colpaip seimhe soillsi co lor do chlochaibh bi'iadba
Itroga cuanna don or j)ronnta
81 Leine don tsleamhuin sioda
go ndeilbh griolibdha 7 naithrcach do bhi fo chneas in gruagaigh ionar siiaithnirfA sodhathach
82 Fleasg oir arna heagar
fana fholt fada fionncbas cloidheamh ordbuirn co ndealtaife^ is brat corcra fana caombchneas
83 As dar gcabbair tainic cbugainn
an fcarsin go cculaidh roigrinn an ceol do shinn in gruagw/j ni cualamar a coimhbinn
78</ n-eigean. The ea represents a tall c in the MS. 80rf pronnta, sic MS. 81a Wordspacing as in MS.
82c /idea//aibh. MS has ndeallt with the second I deleted and a dotted stroke over the /,
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 39
77 Patrick, cleric of Fodla, did any miracle ever occur other than the defeat of the Garbh by Aodh, when one thinks how few were his years ?
78 After those five hrave warriors of that rude host of giants had fallen, there were many champions, Patrick, in hard case in the fray.
79 A single gruagach approached us when it was going hardest with our princes, carrying with him, on the edge of the lawn, his friendly music-sweet harp.
80 He wore gaiters (?) of white and gleaming silver with plenty of precious stones ar- ound(?) his smooth shining calves. He had neat shoes of proven (?) gold.
81 A shirt of smooth silk with imagery of griffons and of serpents was about the wizard's skin. He wore a distinguished pleasantly coloured tunic.
82 An ordered band of gold was about his long fair curly hair. He had a gold-hilted sword with . . . and a purple cloak around his fair skin.
83 That man with the very pleasant clothes had come to us to help us. We had heard no music so sweet as that which the gruagach played.
o
;;94 DUANAIRE FINN [LXVTTT
84 Teid uainn ameasg na n-aitheach
an fear gradhach gruamdha is eu[i]ris iad 'na ccoWadh
na troithe 6 thir na FuarrdhacM
85 Fearais doghairceo eadroinn
's na fir nar chuimseach cialla cuiris iad ar seachmall
as na ffacadar na Fiana
86 Truagh misi ag denam crab aidh
's me ag caoineadfi c.loinnc Baoisgne 's da mbiainn a tttis mo shlainte go ttreigfinn crabhaidh choidhchi
87 Na habair sin a Chaoilte
da ffaicthea aoibbneas nimhe ni thiubhratba h'aire d'Fienaibh ina d'iarsma do chloinne
88 Da ffaictba triath na bAlmha
ina oig Eamna go n-aille 'na luidhc a leapthaft [h] sealga
id meanmtrin ni bhiadh crahadh
89 Olc in rial! a seanoir
rachaid roshlogh na cruinne ni ffuil neach diobh na d'iarsma
nach biaidh fa breitli Rigb na n-uile
[93 a] 90 A Padraic casbail Eirionn
is truagh \ucht na gceimionn ccalma do breitli uaimse don tsaoghal 's me am aonar ag crabhadh
■sir- cu[i]ris ( cis with u written over the c) has been written above the line with si^n to insert.
85r In the MS iad follows ar seachmall with sif<n to transpose.
85d as na ffacadar, sic MS.
88a ffaictha. The mark of aspiration in the MS is over the c rather than the t.
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 395
84 The lovable gloomy man goes from us among the giants and lulled them to sleep, those monsters (?) from the Land of Coldness.
85 He produced a dark mist between us and the men who had no control over their wits. He set them wandering so that they did not see the Fian.
8(i Alas ! that I should be practising piety while lamenting the house of Baoisgne, for if I were in the prime of my health I should abandon piety for good and all.
87 « Say not that, Caoilte.Were you to see the joy of Heaven you would pay no heed to Fiana or the remnants of your kin. »
88 Were you to see the lord of Almha or the beauteous warriors of Eamhain lying in hunting beds, piety would have no place in your thoughts.
89 « That is bad reasoning, old man. The great host of the world will go. There is no one of them, . . . but will come under the judgment of the King of all. »
90 Patrick, apostle of Ireland, it is sad that those brave-stepping folk should be snatched from me out of the world and that I should be left alone with my piety.
:m DUANAIREFINN [LXVIII
91 Aithris sgela in gruagaigh
's ar mair d'liaisleibh na Feine is dena caoineas a Chaoilte is Linn Horn ni dot sgeiaibh
92 Tangam«r gan ar liiathbharc
tar eis uathbhais in catha fa gairid linn in saile
co criocaibh aillc Breatan
93 Ba maith in liaigh in gruagw/j
a Padraic uasail a erlaimh tug duinne go deimhin
luibhe leighis ar ccrechta
94 (iluaismid 6 criochaife/i Breatan
co bruachaift/z Saxan saoire a Patraic do-ni na fearta
is ann fa tearca ar ndaoine
95 Ar tteac/j/ go cricb Saxan
ni fhacamar in gruagacb do fhoir sinn 6 ghaphadh I so in treas adhbhar liathmar
96 Teid uainn d'iarraid/j feasa
iear freasdail gaclm deaglisbluaigb fuaraniflr 6 gach tcaghlach
sgela an uairsin fa deagbbuaidli
«)7 Aongus Og ar Fionn femdidh car mar e riamb ni fhaca 's e do fhoir sinn o ghuasac/i*
as tir uathmair na n-aith eac[h]
92a gan, sic MS. 93c The e of deimhin is an a converted into a tall c.
946 br + the beginning of a tall e has been deleted before saxan. 95d Wordspacing as in MS. 96a df has been deleted before d'l'arraidh.
976 ni has been inserted in the MS alter the rest of the line had been written.
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 397
91 « Tell about the gruagach and those who still lived of the Fian nobles, thus doing me a kindness, Caoilte, for I love to hear some- thing of your stories. »
92 We came with (?) our swift vessel after the terror of that night (We thought the sea- passage short) to the lovely territories of Britain.
93 The gruagach was a good leech, noble Pa- trick, our patron. He gave us, for certain, herbs to heal our wounds.
94 We go from the lands of Britain to the shores of noble Saxonland. Patrick, worker of miracles, there our people were few.
95 When we arrived in the land of the Saxons we did not see the gruagach who had saved us from danger and from the battle (*?).. .
96 The man who gave battle to every good host goes from us to seek for information. We received from every household at that time accounts of his good victory.
97 « Aonghus Og, » said Fionn the warrior, « never did I see a friend (?) like him. It is he who rescued us from peril, [and brought us] from the dread land of the giants.
398 DUANAIRE FINN [LXVIII
98 Ta a ttaisgirtVi a mBrugh Boinne
bar cculaigh comhluinn 7 (hatha ta thai! san mBrugh dheidgheil
bar n-airm ghera is bar sleadha
99 Gabhmaid cuan a mBcinn Edair
ag dul d'fechain ar n-arma tar eis Saxana d'imteacht
fa l)uidhean chlistc chalma
100 Tangamar go Brugh Boinne
gusan ccuraidh 6g uasal Aongus Og mac in Daghda fuaramar failti an uairsin
101 Tri hoidhche a mBrugh Boinne
fa maith ar sogh gan easbaidh fuaramar uile ar n-arma
tainic meanma dar fflathaiM
102 Da c[h]ed bo 6 Gholl ghaibhtheach
do mac in Daghdha dreachuir urad oile 6 mac Cumai//
dias nar cumhang fo creachai&[/i]
103 Go ffoirfeadh sinne as gach amhgar
dob e geallar/a Aongui.s in Brogha ar gcabhair as gach eigion
a Dhia is mo-genar ag a raibhe
104 Gluaismid ar enshlighe
\uchl churtha ghleo gaibhtheach anois is adbar osnadli
na fir do cosnadh laithreach
99c MS has Saxanach with the ch (=-= dotted c) deleted.
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 399
98 « In Brugh Boinne your suits of battle and conflict are laid by. There in the. ivory- white Brugh are your sharp weapons and your spears. »
99 We land at Beann fidair to go to see our weapons, after the Saxons had gone.We(?) were a clever brave crowd.
100 We came to Brugh Boinne, to the young noble warrior, Aonghus the Young, son of the Daghdha. We were given welcome on that occasion.
101 [We were] three nights in Brugh Boinne. Our entertainment was good and noth- ing was lacking to it. We all got our weap- ons. Courage came to our princes.
102 Perilous Goll gave two hundred cows to the fresh-faced Daghdha's son ; Mac Cumh- aill as many again. They were two who were not stingy in distributing spoils.
103 The promise given by Aonghus of the Brugh was to rescue us in every strait, to help us out of every hardship. O God, happy the man on whose side he was !
104 We go on one path, we the fighters of perilous battles. Now those men who defended the field of combat are a reason for sighs.
400 DUANAIRE FINN |LXVIII
105 Tug me seal co seitreach
do ffada mo leim a tTeamhrai^/j do imidh niamh mo crotha anocht ataim go harsaidh
10G As me Caoilte am aonar
ni hiongnad mo bheit co cumthacA Fionn is Osgar is Diarmcnd
's 'na ndeaghaz7/[/j] ataim go dubach
DuBach
Da ffagainn ni budh mo ina a ffuarus do sgribhebhuinn iad A n-Oisdin. in. 6. Augustus 1627
LXVIII] DUANAIRE FINN 401
105 I passed a period in full vigour. My leap in Tara was long. The beauty of my form has departed. I am old tonight.
106 I am Caoilte, all alone. No wonder that I am mournful. Since Fionn, Osgar and Diar- maid have gone, I have been in gloom.
Could I find more than I have found I would write them. Ostend, the 6th of August, 1627.
LXIX
[03b] 1 Cumain Horn an imirt
do bhi ag flaith na fFian re cbeile 's a mac
fa an iubharsa thiar
2 Suidhid um an n-iubhar
idir olc is maith ag fraisimirt na fichille Oisin 's a' flaith
3 Suidhim fein and
agus mo dhias mac ar gualuinn dheis Find nocar linn narbh ait
4 Is diom gorthaidhi Caoilti
mac Cronncuir mic Ronain i ttigh Floinn do baisdearf/i
me le mac Muirne na mordhaimh
5 Do cuireadh in cedchluithi
ar Oisin le Fionn o ataim da innisin
is maith is cumhain Horn
(i Ar in dara cluithe
tainic in t-olc braith
as aim do leig Diarmaid
an chaor as a laimh
2b maith. II is doubtful whether there is not a murk of aspiration over the m in the MS. 2c fraisimirt. MS frais imirt (two words).
LXIX
1 I remember the game which the prince of the Fiana and his son played together, be- neath this western yew.
2 They sit around the yew, both good and bad. . . playing chess, Oisin and the prince.
3 I myself sit there with my two sons, by Fionn's right shoulder. We found it indeed pleasant.
4 It is I who used to be called Caoilte, son of Cronnchar, son of Ronan. In the house of Flann was I named l by 2 the son of Muirne of the great bardic companies.
5 Fionn won the first game against Oisin, since I am telling the tale. Well do I re- member.
6 During the second game the terrible evil occurred. It was then Diarmaid dropped the berrv from his hand.
1 Or perhaps ' baptized '. 2 Or ' along with \
404 1)1 'AN A I UK FINN [LXIX
7 Mar do-connairc Oisin
an chaor ar in cclar togbus i go prap
as cuirios fear 'na ha it
8 Do haithn/riom in chaor
an uairsin le Fionn adnbhairt se go faobhrach ata neoch os ar ccionn
9 Aduhairt Fionn fialghasta
laoch curata cnismhin teagusc direach Diarmada is imbirt athlamh Oisin
10 Ni imeora in fichiollsa
feasda eidcir na Fianuibh go bfaghar don duladhso
a' neoch ataoim d'iarraid/i
11 Aduhairt Osgar deaghthapaid/i
mflc Oisin fheil iiir cia dona fearuibhsi
neoch ina ffuil do dhuil
12 Adul)hairt rifheinidh Almhan
fear diolta na ndamh na cuir misi ar mearachadh acht ge mait do lamb
13 Aduhairt Osgar deaghthapaiVM
da freagra gan daoirsi damsa na tabhair tathaoir
trem bheith do chlandtai6/j Baoisgne
LXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 405
7 When Oisin saw the herry on the board he lifted it quickly and put a man in its place.
8 The berry was recognized at that moment by Fionn. He said sharply, « There is some- one above us. »
9 Excellent generous Fionn, a soldierly smooth-skinned warrior, said, « Diarmaid's accurate instruction and Oisin's nimble play —
10 « I shall not play this chess-game any more among the Fiana till I find on this occasion the man I am looking for ».
1 1 Very active Osgar, the son of generous noble Oisin,said, «Which of these is the man whom you desire? »
12 The warrior chief of Almha, a rewarder of bards, said, « Do not set me mad, even though your prowess is good. »
13 Very active Osgar said answering him like a freeman, « Insult me hot, for I am of the house of Baoisgne. »
406 IH'ANAIRE FINN [LXIX
14 Is ann sin adubairt Faolan
mac do bhi ag Fionn as robhorb linn a Osgair do labbrns tri linn
15 Ge romor thusa
is ge borb do raite ni thiubhrainn enni ar eagla do laimhe
10 Ge mor sibsi as t'atbair
is bar ccatba gan time berad Horn 0 Duibhne
6 chlannuibh Baoisg[n]e uile
17 As mor in briatar enlaoigb
do raidli Goll na mbeimionn go mberadh laocb da n-aimdheoin 6 thionol hfear nEirionn
[94a] 18 Tusa Horn nir brostai^/jius
a Goill na ccosgor lanmbor na enneach dom freagra
ac/}/ clann bagarrtoc/j Trenmhoir
19 Os mor sin adubbrais
a fhir na c'comlann ndeacraeb dena do dhiol urlaidhc
Ian ccuimrt^r/je do glacuis
20 An coimirce a ndeaebusa
a ffiadbnuiic ffear nEirionn ni heaguil damb duine a buain diom ar eigin
18a broslmghius : ]\IS bvoostaighius with the second o deleted.
LXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 407
14 Then Faolan, a son of Fionn's, said, « We think that you speak too rudely to us, Os<;ar.
15 « Though you are very great and though your words are rude, I would yield nothing for fear of your hand. »
16 « Though you and your father and your stout battalions are great, I shall carry O Duihhne off from the whole house of Baois- gne. »
17 « That is a great word for a single warrior, » said Goll of the blows, « that he would carry off a warrior from the gathered men of Ireland in their despite. »
18 « I have not provoked you against me, Goll of the full-great victories ; nor have I provoked anyone to reply to me, except the threatening house of Trenmhor. »
19 « Since you have spoken thus, 0 man of the troublesome battles, do your due share of smiting in the matter of this safe conduct you have undertaken. »
20 « The safe conduct I have undertaken in the presence of the men of Ireland, there is no fear as far as I am concerned that anyone will force me to forgo it.
408 DUANAIRE FINN [LXIX
21 Tarra anuas a Diarmoid
is gabhuim thu do laim do cosnumh ar Fhaolan is air Fianaibh Fail
22 Ann sin tainic Diarmuid
cugainn is niorbh e ar leas dob iomdha laoch againne do dicheannaafi san treas
23 Tiaguid mo clannsa
agus Faolan mac Find do dhenam na hmlaidhi ro hudh lanolc linn
24 Ni fhaca is ni chuala
urlaid/ie hudh treine na claim Fhinn is Osgair ag gearrarf/j corp a cheile
25 Ann sin adubairt Conan
do chuimhniughad/i na fala ■ leig do chlannrt/M Baoisgne
cuirp a ceile do gearr«d[/i]
26 Ag so in t-uirsgel lire
dhuit a chleinV/// chaigh in trath fa raibhe imreasain ideir Fianaibh Fail
27 A ttimcioll na himirta
do bhi ag iob^/r drol is di tainic ar ttuitimne Fiana Finn gan on
CuMHain
LXIX] DUANAIRE FINN 409
21 « Come down, Diarmaid, I undertake to protect you against Faolan and pgainst the Fiana of Ireland. »
22 Then Diarmaid came to us, and it was not for our good. Many a warrior among us was beheaded in the fray.
23 My sons and Faolan, Fionn's son, go to lay about them. We thought it a great evil.
24 I never saw nor heard of a stouter smiting than when the families of Fionn and Osgar were hewing one another's bodies.
25 Then Conan, that he might revive the mem- ory of the feud, said, « Let the house of Baoisgne hew one another's bodies. »
2(> Here, holy cleric, you have the true relation of the occasion on which there was strife between the Fiana of Ireland,
27 Concerning the game played beside the firm (?) yew. From that game came our downfall, the downfall of Fionn's flawless Fiana.
The text of Duanaire Finn ends with this poem. For an account of entries in other hands on fol. 94a-94& see Pt. I, p. xvin, 11. 13-18 ; p. xxi, 11. 29-35 <ef. also Rev. Paul Walsh : Gleanings from Irish Manuscripts, pp. 86-87).
IRISH TEXTS SOCIETY
— :E1:—
OFFICERS 1927.
PRESIDENT- PROFESSOR DOUGLAS HYDE, D.Litt., LL.D., M.R.I.A.
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■2.
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IRISH TEXTS SOCIETY
The Twenty-eighth Annual Meeting of the Irish Texts Society was held on Saturday, 29th January, 1927, in the library of the Irish Literary Society, London.
Mr. Robin Flower, D.Litt., Chairman of the Executive Council, presided.
The Minutes of the last Annual Meeting, held on the 30th January, 1926, were taken as read. The Honorary Secretary read the
TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
The Council are glad to announce that the much delayed volume containing the translation of the Poems of Tadhg Dall 0 Huiginn was distributed to members in July, 1926. The volume, like its predecessor, containing the text of the poems, has been exceedingly well received.
Miss Winifred Wulff's edition of Rosa Anglica, a translation of part of John of Gaddesden's Text Book of Mediaeval Medicine (Vo. 25), is now nearing completion. The introduction deals with Irish Medical Manuscripts and there will be a glossary of the terms used in mediaeval medicine. The work contains chapters on various diseases and is a valuable piece of modern Irish writing.
At the time of his death, Dr. Standish Hayes O'Grady left, practi- cally completed, an interesting historical tract, known as the Triumphs of Turlough (O'Brien) [Caithreim Toirdealbaigh) or Wars of Thomond. It deals with the wars between the O'Briens and de Clares from the twelfth to the middle of the fourteenth century, and fills a gap in the history of Munster, as no other known tract goes over exactly the same ground. It was written by Sean MacRory MacGrath, chief poet of the Dalcais, in 1459.
The work was to have been published by the Cambridge University Press, and a number of copies had been printed off at the time of Dr. O'Grady's death. The Council of the Society have taken over the publication of the work (text and translation) and have purchased the copyright and sheets, and both volumes (Vols. 26 and 27) will shortly be ready for distribution.
Mr. Robin Flower has in preparation The Great Blasket, a collec- tion of tales dealing with the life of the Great Blasket Island, Co. Kerry, in the nineteenth century. A number of poems are in- cluded, with stories illustrating their subjects.
The volume will be followed by the same editor's collection of mediae val translations into Irish chiefly of new Testament Apocrypha, including versions in Irish of the " Harrowing of Hell " and of the " Assumption of the Blessed Virgin."
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Ordinary Members.
Cork County Carnegie Library. Aodh de Blacam, Dublin. Miss M. Doyle, London. Rev. M. J. Houlihan, Mass. U.S.A. Shane Leslie, London. T. McGreevy, London. Liam Mag Floinn, Waterford. James McNeill, High Commissioner, London.
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The following members have resigned : —
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The Council regret to announce the deaths of F. J. Bigger, Belfast ; Sir Charles Brett, Belfast ; The Right Hon. M. F. Cox, Dublin ; The Rev. A. O'Rourke, Manchester.
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The re-election of the out-going members of the Council — Mr. Robin Flower, Mr. M. J. Fitzgerald and Mr. A. M. Freeman — was carried on the proposal of Dr. Crone, seconded by Dr. England and supported by The Rev. T. O'Sullivan.
The re-election of Professor Douglas Hyde as President of the Society, of Miss Eleanor Hull and Mr. T. D. FitzGerald as Joint Honorary Secretaries, and of Dr. England as Hon. Treasurer, was carried unanimously on the proposal of Mr. James Buckley, seconded by The Rev. T. O'Sullivan.
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The Rev. P. S. Dinneen's new and enlarged edition of the Society's Irish-English Dictionary is now (Nov. 1927) ready and is pub- lished by the Educational Company of Ireland, Ltd., 89 Talbot Street, Dublin (price 12/6 ; post free 13/-).
In offering their congratulations to the Editor and to his assistants on the completion of their long and arduous task, and in thanking them for the courage and ardour which they have brought to bear upon it, the Council of the Society desire at the same time to acknowledge the goodwill shown towards the undertaking by the Government of Saorstat Eireann in voting, in the year 1924, the sum of one thousand pounds towards the cost of the work. Without this help, it would have been impossible for the publishers to have offered the work to the public at the small price of 12s. 6d. net. The Council also wish to acknowledge the friendly help of a number of individuals and others who have subscribed to the loan and donation funds. A full list of names will be published in the report of the Society for the year 1927.
The following extracts from the preface to the Dictionary will be of interest : —
" The first edition of the Dictionary appeared, under the same editorship, in 1904. The stereotype plates of that edition having been destroyed in the Dublin fires in 1916, the preparation of the present edition began the following year. In this edition, a page equal in capacity to about i2/5 pages of the first edition, has been employed, and the total number of pages amounts to 1340, as against some 820 pages of the first edition. By this means and by com- pression and word grouping, space has been found for about 2.\ times the amount of matter contained in the first edition.
"As a complete re-casting of the book did not appear advisable, it seemed best to follow the style and arrangement of the original work, but the present edition is practically a new work. The materials for the work have been drawn from the living language of Irish-speaking Ireland as well as from the written remains of the modern literature.
" Early modern Irish has been given special attention ; and occasional incursions have been made into still earlier strata of the language when it seemed profitable to do so. Recently-minted words and forms have been but sparingly admitted though homage is paid to the growth of the language as revealed in current literature. The orthography adopted is generally that of the traditional usage, with certain accepted modifications, and is
practically identical with that employed in the first edition. Be- sides the numerous tales, tracts, poems, etc., that have been explored in the preparation of this work, it has been computed that about 300 vocabularies, earlier and modern, printed and in MS., have been searched for the greater part of the book.
" An effort has been made to secure as much representative provincial Irish in word and phrase as possible. Even from those counties and districts in which the tide of Irish has ebbed, words and phrases have been obtained. It will thus appear that no corner of Ireland has been left unexplored though it is not pretended that nothing has been left for other workers to glean.
" The work contains paradigms of the irregular verbs and a very useful section on aids to pronunciation."
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(Signed) T. A. ENGLAND, Hon. Treasurer.
The undersigned, having had access to all the Books and Accounts of the Society, and having examined the foregoing statements and verified them with the Books, Deeds and Documents, etc., relating thereto, now signs the same as found to be correct.
(Signed) ROBERT W. FARRELL, F.L.A.A., Certified Accountant. 22nd January, 1927.
8
GENERAL RULES
:0:-
Objects.
1.- — The Society is instituted for the purpose of promoting the publication of Texts in the Irish Language, accompanied by such Introductions, English Translations, Glossaries and Notes as may be deemed desirable.
Constitution.
2.- — -The Society shall consist of a President, Vice-President, an Executive Council, a Consultative Committee and Ordinary and Life Members.
Officers.
3.- — The Officers of the Society shall be the President, two Honorary Secretaries and the Honorary Treasurer.
Executive Council.
than ten other Members, to whom the Executive Council may add by co- optation not more than two members, who shall retire annually.
4. — The entire management of the Society shall be entrusted to the Executive Council, consisting of the Officers of the Society and not more
j-t j _n i\/r_-_li_ j._ i___ .li__ tt j.: /-> ;i „j,i t,„ —
5. — All property of the Society shall be vested in the Executive Council, and shall be disposed of as they shall direct by a two- thirds majority.
6. — Three members of the Executive Council shall retire each year by rotation at the Annual General Meeting, but shall be eligible for re-election, the Members to retire being selected according to seniority of election, or, in case of equality, by lot. The Council shall have power to co-opt Members to fill up casual vacancies occurring throughout the year. Any Member of Council who is absent from five consecutive Ordinary Meetings of the Council to which he (or she) has been duly summoned, shall be considered as having vacated his (or her) place on the Council.
Consultative Committee.
7. — The Consultative Committee, or individual Members thereof, shall give advice, when consulted by the Executive Council, on questions relating to the publications of the Society, but shall not be responsible for the manag'e- ' ment of the business of the Society.
Members.
8. — Members may be elected either at the Annual General Meeting, or from time to time, by the Executive Council.
Subscription.
9. — The Subscription for each Member of the Society shall be £1. Is. Od. per annum (American subscribers, |5), entitling the Member to one copy (post free) of the volume published by the Society for the year, and giving the right to vote on all questions submitted to the General Meeting of the Society. Regular members, whose subscriptions have been paid up to date, may, however, fill up gaps in their sets of back volumes, prior to volume 22, at 10/6 a volume. The payment of a single sum of £12 12s. Od. (Colonial or foreign members ^13 0s. Od., American members 65 dollars) entitles to life membership. Life members will receive one copy of each volume issued subsequently to the receipt of this sum by the Society.
10. — Subscriptions shall be payable in advance on 1st January in each year.
11. — Members whose Subscriptions for the year have not been paid are
not entitled to any volume published by the Society for that year, and any Member whose Subscription for the current year remains unpaid, and who receives and retains any publication for the year, shall be held liable for the payment of the full published price, viz. 25/- of such publication.
12. — The publications of the Society shall not be sold to persons other than members, except at the advanced price of 25/-.
13.— Members whose Subscriptions are in arrear shall not have the right of voting at the Annual General Meeting of the Society.
14. — Members wishing to resign must give notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary, before the end of the year, of their intention to do so ; otherwise they will be liable for their subscriptions for the ensuing year.
Editorial Fund.
15. — A fund shall be opened for the remuneration of Editors for then- work in preparing Texts for publication. All subscriptions and donations to this fund shall be purely voluntary, and shall not be applicable to other purposes of the Society.
Annual General Meeting.
16. — A General Meeting shall be held each year in the month of January, or as soon after as the Executive Council shall determine, when the Council shall submit their Report and the Accounts of the Society for the preceding year, and ' When vacant seats on the Council shall be filled up, and the ordinary business of a General Meeting transacted.
Audit. 17. — The Accounts of the Society shall be audited each year by an auditor appointed at the preceding General Meeting.
Changes in these Rules. 18. — With the notice summoning the General Meeting, the Executive Council shall give notice of any change proposed by them in these Rules. Ordinary Members proposing any change in the Rules must give notice thereof in writing to the Honorary Secretary seven clear days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.
LIST OF IRISH TEXTS SOCIETY'S PUBLICATIONS
-a-
(Out of print)
(i.) 510LLA an f 1U5A. [The Lad of the Ferrule]
Q&CzpA Ctoinne TI15 na n-1onuAi-oe. [Adventures of the Children of the King of Norway] Edited by PROFESSOR DOUGLAS HYDE, D.Litt., LL.D.
(Out of print)
(2.) ptet> Onicnen-o [The Feast of Bricriu] (From Leabhar na h-Uidhre). Edited by GEORGE HENDERSON, M.A., Ph.D.
(Out of print) See Volume 3a New Edition.
(3.) "Optica -Ao-OAsiin tli TUtaiUe [The Poems of Egan O'Rahilly] Edited, chiefly from mss. in Maynooth College, by
The REV. P. S. DINNEEN, M.A., D.Litt.
(Volume for 1909) (See No. 3)
(34) "O .dried Aot>d5dm tli HAtAitte [New Edition of the Poems of Egan O'Rahilly]
Revised by PROFESSOR TADHG O DONNCHADHA and The REV. P. S. DINNEEN, M.A., D.Litt.
(Volume for 1901)
(4.) ■pofuir "pedfd dp 6ir»inn [History of Ireland. By Geoffrey Keating. Part I. ' (See Vols. 8, 9, 15)
Edited by the late DAVID COMYN, M.R.I.A.
II
{Volume for 1902)
(5.) GAitfeim C0115A1L ClAit\in$m$ [The Martial Career of Conghal Clairinghneach]. Edited by The REV. P. M. MacSWEENEY, M.A.
(Volume for 1903)
(6.) Virgil's .ZEneid, the Irish Version, from the Book of Ballymote.
Edited by The Rev. GEORGE CALDER, B.D., D.Litt.
(Volume for 1904)
(7.) "OuAnAi^e firm. The Poem Book of Finn. [Ossianic Poems]. Edited by PROFESSOR JOHN MacNEILL, D.Litt.
(Volume for 1905)
(8.) pop ay "peatM aj\ 6ittinn [History of Ireland]. By Geoffrey Keating. Part II.
Edited by The REV. P. S. DINNEEN, M.A., D.Litt.
(See Vols. 4, 9, and 15)
(Volume for 1906)
(9.) pofvAr fe^r-a a|\ 6i|\inn [History of Ireland]. By Geoffrey Keating. Part III. Edited by The REV. P. S. DINNEEN, M.A., D.Litt.
(See Vols. 4, 8, and 15)
(Volume for 1907)
(10.) Two Arthurian Romances [Gagc^a TTlACAoirh An 1olAin Aguf eAdc^A ah TtlA-ottA 1tlAoit] Adventures of the Eagle Boy and Crop Eared Dog. Edited by PROFESSOR R. A. S. MACALISTER, M.A.. D.Litt.
12
(Volume for 1908)
(n.) Poems of David O'Bruadair. (Part I.)
Edited by The REV. J. MacERLEAN, S.J.
(See Vols. 13, 18)
(Volume for 1909 — see 3a supra.)
(Volume for 1910)
(12.) Buile Suibhne Geilt, A Middle-Irish Romance. Edited by J. G. O'KEEFFE.
(Volume for 1911)
(13.) Poems by David O'Bruadair. (Part II.) Edited by The REV. J. MacERLEAN, S.J.
(See Vols. 11, 18)
(Volume for 1912 — Out of print)
(14.) An Irish Astronomical Tract, based on a Mediaeval Latin version of a work bv Messahalah. Edited by the late MAURA POWER, M.A.
(Volume for 1913)
(15.) po|\Ai" "peAfA aj\ 6ifitin [History of Ireland]. By GEOFFREY Keating. Part IV. Containing the Genealogies, Synchronisms and an index, including the elucida- tion of place names and annotations to Parts I., II., III. (See Vols. 4, 8, 9 supra.) Compiled and Edited by REV. P. S. DINNEEN, M.A., D.LiTT.
(Volume for 1914)
(16.) Life of St. Declan of Ardmore and Life of St. Mochuda of Lismore. Edited by The REV. P. POWER, M.R.I.A.
13 {Volume for 1915)
(17.) Poems of Turlogh O'Carolan and additional Poems. Edited by PROFESSOR TOMAS O'MAILLE, M.A., Ph.D.
(Volume for 1916)
(18.) Poems of David O'Bruadair. (Part III.) Edited by The REV. J. MacERLEAN, S.J.
(See Vols. 11, 13)
(Volume for 1917)
(19.) S-AttAlxAf Seftmr Tfloif [The Wars of Charlemagne] Edited by PROFESSOR DOUGLAS HYDE, D.Litt, LL.D.,
(Volume for 1918)
(20.) lotnAfUJAj nA bpneA-o [The Contention of the Bards] Part I. Edited by The REV. LAMBERT McKENNA. S.J.J M.A.
(Volume for 1919)
(21.) 1omAt\ti>A5 tia typileAD (Part II.)
Edited by The REV. LAMBERT McKENNA, S.J., M.A.
(Volume for 1920)
(22.) Poems of JZa-os "OaU O tith^um (Vol. 1. Text.) Edited by ELEANOR KNOTT.
(Volume for 1921)
(23.) Poems of Cat)5 X)aII O nil 151™ (Vol. 11. Translation.) By ELEANOR KNOTT.
*4
(Volume for 1922)
^24.) The Pursuit of ^pu^ro Spian-fotur-.
Edited from a Ms. in Trinity College, Dublin, by CECILE O'RAHILLY, M.A.
(Volume for 1923)
(25.) Rosa Anglica. An Early Modern Irish Translation of Part of John of Gaddesden's Text-Book of Mediaeval Medicine. Edited by WINIFRED P. WULFF, M.A. (ready early in 1928).
(Volume for 1924)
(26.) CAicf6im CoifOeAlt>Ai$ [The Triumphs of Turlough].
Edited by DR. STANDISH HAYES O'GRADY. (Vol. I. Text). (ready early in 1928).
(Volume for 1925)
(27.) CAitfeiin CoitvoeAUMij; [The Triumphs of Turlough].
Edited by DR. STANDISH HAYES O'GRADY (Vol. II., Trans- lation), (ready early in 1928).
(Volume for 1926)
(28.) The Great Blasket. A Collection of tales told by ComAf O CiAionicAinn and recorded by Robin Flower, D.Litt., with poems by Se^n O "Oumnfleitte {in preparation) .
(Volume for 1927)
(29.) The Harrowing of Hell and other New Testament Apocrypha. Edited and translated irom Irish Manuscripts of the 15th century, with a critical study of the sources and with notes. By ROBIN FLOWER, D.Litt. (in preparation).
Other Volumes in Preparation.
The revised edition of the Society's Larger Irish-English Diction- ary (1340 pp.), edited by Rev. P. S. Dinneen, M.A. (price 12/6 net ; post free 13/-) can now be purchased from The Educational Company of Ireland, Ltd., 89 Talbot Street, Dublin. The Smaller Irish-English Dictionary (237 pp.) by the same editor, can still be had of Messrs. M. H. Gill & Son, 50 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin, and of Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall & Co., 4 Stationers' Hall Court, London, E.C.4 (price 3/- net.).
Duanaire Finn
Duanaire Finn.pt. 2.
PB
1347 .17 v.28 cop.2
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