Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
poem 60
Mag nAidni
- Mag Aidne, a plain blest with increase,
with wealth and with noble name:
the men of Mag Aidne of the horses,
men that are not stinting in strife:
- 5] I proclaim that I am going to tell of them
to a host, beautiful and vast,
bringing their legend, the story of their noble origin,
from my fruit-laden homestead.
- Four and twenty fit rath-building serfs
10] in company, by regular covenant:
the vigour of the kingly men, the rath-builders,
was a glory of Clan Miled.
- Twice twelve goodly plains,
a possession of fair fame, no false prosperity,
15] they cleared successfully, — love ye them! —
for the children of loud-shouting Golam.
- One of them was son of fair Allguba,
a hand that misbecame not Erin,
a strong warrior that practised digging
20] and used to clear great plains.
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- Digging up of woods with their stumps,
construction of raths on royal hills:
there was wont to be made in glowing pyres
fire for encampment and expedition.
- 25] His noble fingers used to drip fire
whenever it was the will of the brave prince,
when they assembled together by day:
his two hands made fire every night.
- Therefore the kingly man demanded
30] a wood from the sons of great Mil
to level it, a name full of pleasantness,
that it might be a home for his kindly race.
- It claims, free from fierceness and sorrow,
its name from huge Aidne,
35] because he brought a people from the oakwoods,
so that a great race dwells in the plains thereof.
- It is there the famous man died,
as noble great Segais relates;
whence the appellation of the hosts till now
40] is the great surname of Mag Aidne.
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