Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
poem/story 58
LECC THOLLCHIND
- Lecc Thollchind, name of import, stands over the margin of the rough mid-sea; well known to me, appropriate, unconcealed, is the story of its true originattend!
- Tollchend, with his rock, was fool to Eochaid son of stern Enna Cendselach: then was the quick fool struck down, when warrior Niall was shorn of strength.
- At the spot where Tollchend also fell, who was no Gael, by the hand of Niall's following, his head and helm were there struck off perforce.
- Fast clave the stout helm to the dark head proud in battle, while round it came the alert troops, to break it and finally dissever.
- They availed not, with all their might, against head or helm, to loose its circling clasp (hide not this!) by blows or force of fire.
- Cast we the head with its covering in the sea southward, said they all in order due: for it concerns the weal of our host: this we counsel, one and all.
- Thereupon the dark head in its helm was cast into the sluggish sea, and it was borne by the chilly waves to the bare Stone we sing of.
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- Nine holes were in the head (it was an ill deed): the holes of its ears, the holes of its cheeks, the holes of its nostrils and its keen grey eyes, the hole under the mill of its mighty mouth.
- When the chilly waves brought the fierce head, as of a swift sea-monster, its name clave to the lofty Stone, the rock whereon its fame settled suddenly.