Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])

poem 56

Sliab n-Echtga II

  1. Fair, fair is noble Echtge,
    the home of the grim-bladed warriors,
    the ground where the sons of Erc used to dwell,
    the place of Dublaithe near Dergderc:
  2. 5] A notable place of Echtga, Oenach Find,
    if there were leisure I could tell of it:
    there never was before me, there shall not be after me,
    any man better versed in the account thereof.
  3. Famous were two women who desired it,
    10] who used to frequent the rugged mountain,
    Echtge daughter of strong Dedad,
    and Echtach daughter of Lodan.
  4. Though the smooth mountain be named
    from Echtge, daughter of Dedad,
    15] whatever title was called after her,
    the mountain's name is Sliab Echtaige.
  5. Barrier of the bloody battles,
    frontier of the hundred-slaying companies:
    a bold pack of hounds used to penetrate it
    20] with their rough-brown squadrons.
  6. The abode which was contested yonder
    by Clann Gairb of the Tuatha De Danann
    the strong place where settled Dolb Drennach,
    where the piper Crochan used to dwell.

    7. p.307

  7. 25] Crochan of Cruachu's bands
    sallied on an unlucky foray:
    he fell by the hand of Dolb son of Dailem,
    who gained a victory and a vaunt.
  8. There settled valiant Dolb,
    30] on the spot of the great slaying:
    from the head he bore off in his hand,
    thence comes the name Cend Crochain.
  9. Caille Candain, Clochar Guill,
    Ross Da Corr, and Druim Dicuill,
    35] Druim Cairn, Druim Crochain, Druim Cais,
    Druim Bainb, Druim Lochan Leth-glais,
  10. Loch Greine (Grian was Find's daughter),
    Loch Ibrach in Ibar-glend,
    the loch by which Trom Torach settled,
    40] over which the raucous heron cries,
  11. Loch Cipp, Loch Cori, Loch Cno,
    Loch Bricc, Loch Bairchi, Loch Bo,
    Loch na mBarc, at Both in Mail,
    Loch Eitte, Loch Ethludain,
  12. 45] Loch ind Eich, Loch ind Aige,
    Loch na Druad, Loch na Daime,
    Loch Laig, Loch na Fer Fuinid,
    Loch Nechtain, Loch Athguinig.
  13. Ath na hOirgne, Ath na nOss,
    Ath na nDam, my two doors
    50] Ath Dergmona, Ath Dega,
    Ath Aithlessa ind Feindeda.

    14. p.309

  14. Ath na hEigme, Ath na nOc,
    Ath na Raite itir Da Rot,
    55] Ath Ruba, Ath Roiss Murchon,
    Ath Dimma maic Edlicon,
  15. Ath ind Escrai, Ath Uidir
    Ath Mor, Ath Mothair Muinig,
    Ath in Mil, Ath na Meirge,
    60] Ath Luinge, Ath Leth-dergge,
  16. Ath na Licce, Ath in Luain,
    the havoc of Ath Callain northward,
    Ath Feda, Ath Ferta in Daill,
    Ath Lethan, Lechta Conaill,
  17. 65] South thereof Caille Conrui,
    against which the young men displayed their feats of force:
    Caille Natfraich was its name thenceforth,
    till Oengus Tirech possessed it:
  18. Its third name in after days,
    70] after battles, after combats,
    was Caille Lugdach, from the red-sworded warrior,
    the fierce hero, Lugaid Lam-derg.
  19. The might of the young men extending from southward,
    Find the poet prince had foretold it:
    75] "The reaving shall be wrought by Connaught,
    though Munstermen enjoy the spoil."
  20. Towards Leth Cuinn lies the smooth side of the mountain
    of noble rugged Echtga,
    and its rough side, till the mighty Doom,
    80] is turned to great Leth Moga Nuadat.

    21. p.311

  21. I have praised Dal Cais of the hundreds,
    I have found no occasion to reproach its men, —
    thy Dal Cais, that trains the poets,
    where I used to see none ungenerous.
  22. 85] Once on a time I, Fland, was light of heart,
    when I was on the road to the noble clans:
    I found not in glorious Banba
    a people superior in clemency and prowess.
  23. A man of theirs happened to meet me
    90] northward in Mag Find of Tir Mane:
    he was on hire for an easy year,
    earning one cow and one cloak.
  24. He said to me, in his wisdom,
    "Chant me the lore of my people:
    95] sweet is it to my heart to hear."
    He bought the work without bargain.
  25. Thereupon I chant him the lay:
    it chanced that he was not displeased therewith
    all he had earned, — it was no scanty phrase —
    100] he gave it me all together.
  26. The just Dal Cais heard of it:
    he gained honour in their assembly:
    they gave him — the bright scions —
    ten cows for every quarter.
  27. 105] Scarcity of vesture or food was never heard of
    in the Dal Cais or their king:
    that friendly line, as has been heard,
    can never be brought to wretchedness.
  28. Arise and declare to Brian,
    110] whether near, or soon, or far,
    he shall not fall without a battle
    until his gift of life, allotted span be accomplished.

    29. p.313

  29. He shall be high-king over martial Erin —
    hide it not from him, O Ilbrechtach: —
    115] there hears not music, there buys not today
    any king that has fairer possessions.
  30. Speak to MacCoscraig in the north,
    to the stag that won Tuaim Doss-glan:
    let him shun the far-famed Cuil,
    120] or he shall be plunged in wretchedness.
  31. Tadc mac Faelan, prince of noble Fal,
    Corr Buide and Cend Gecain,
    bore away from me my share of sin;
    they slew me foully.
  32. 125] Well did Christ, who loved me, ordain
    the murder they committed:
    I am in the portion of the King of Crosses:
    they are deprived of happiness.
  33. I was Fland, the ardent poet;
    130] kings were once submissive to my high command
    though I was a guide, I was not weak:
    learned and fortunate was I.
  34. Ciaran is chief of all saints under heaven,
    save only the great Father among his folk:
    135] I was chief of the sweet-voiced bards,
    who were served by poesy, noble and fortunate.

    35. p.315