Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])

poem 33

Loch Dachaech

1. Hither came
   strangers from afar
   with a mighty warrior-band,
   Cicul son of Goll,
   5] son of strong Tuathmar,
   from Sliab Amor.
2. This was the number
   of the king's following
   strewn in rout, —
   10] three hundred men
   with spear shafts,
   each on a single leg.
3. With the king went
   his gentle mother
   15] an invader of strength,
   the burden of song,
   Loth Luamnach,
   swift as a lion.
4. He brought with him
   20] his wife to the feast
   on the right of the host,
   Fuata Be Fail:
   she advanced into the conflict
   into the encounter of vengeance.

---

p.187

5. 25] Thus went she
   over the sea-pregnant,
   to the noble harbour
   of famous Dachsech,
   till her womb bore:
   30] her only daughter.
6. Blemished her offspring,
   the blind misshapen daughter
   feeble of health;
   Dachaech was her name
   35] at all times and places,
   designation of suffering.
7. As she reached the ground
   this was the strife,
   with peril, not of bloodshed,
   40] she ran betimes,
   she leapt into the lough
   to drown herself quite.
8. Hence is given,
   from the woman's name,
   45] this title
   unto Loch Dachaech;
   an ill occasion had
   this noble nomenclature.
9. This was her motive,
   50] to conquer in battle
   against the Cland Miled;
   weary was the palm thereby,
   the rod was measured
   upon the flesh of royal men.

---

p.189

10. 55] Every man there was of them,
    every woman of might,
    they came not back:
    by my conscience since then!
    'twas a luckless journey
    60] whereon they came.

---

p.191