The Text of Tocmarc Étaíne Part 1

Here is the part of the text of Tocmarc Étaíne we covered in “Tocmarc Étaíne 1: A Fly On the Wall“.

Edited O. Bergin & R. I. Best,

Translated by Isolde Carmody, based on Bergin and Best’s translation.

View Bergin & Best’s edition on CELT

¶1] Bai ri amra for Eirinn do Thuathaib De a chenel, Eochaid Ollathar a ainm.

There was a wondrous king of Ireland, the Tuatha Dé were his people: Eochaid Ollathair his name.

Ainm n-aill do dano an Dagda, ar ba hé dognith na firta & conmidhedh na sina & na toirthe doib.

Another name for him, moreover, was the Dagda [GLOSS: i.e. good god,] for it was he that would perform wonders for them and assess the weather and the harvest.

Ba head asbeirdis combo dé asberthe Dagda fris.

It is because of that that it used to be said that he was called “Dagda”.

Bai ben la hEalcmar an Broga .i. Eithni a hainm.  Ainm n-aill di Boand.

Elcmar of the Brug had a wife: i.e. Eithne was her name.  Another name for her was Boand.

Atacobair an Dagda dó a cairdeas collaidi.

The Dagda desired sexual relations with her.

Aroét an ben on Dagda acht nibad oman Ealcmaire, ar med a chumachtai.

The woman would have accepted the Dagda, except for her fear of Elcmar, on account of the extent of his power.

Faidis an Dagda iarum Ealcmar n-uad for turus co Bres mac nEalathan co Mag nInis, & dogeine an Dagda tincheadla mora for Ealcmar oc dul nuad, cona tisad i fairthi .i. a muichi, & diuchtrais dorcha n-aidchi aire, & argart gortai & itaid de.

Then, the Dagda sent Elcmar away on a journey to Bres mac nElathan, in Mag nInis.

The Dagda performed great incantations on Elcmar as he went from them, so that he might not return quickly i.e. in the morning

He dispelled the darkness of night for him, and he prevented hunger and thirst for him.

Dobert imorchora  mora fair, co torchaidh .ix. mísa fri haenla.  Fo bhith, asbertsom conicfad ider lá & aidchi dia thig afrithisi.

He sent him on great errands, so that nine months went by as one day,

Because he had said that he would return again between day and night to his home.

Luid an Dagda co mnai nEalcmair coléig co mbert mac dó .i. Aengus a ainm, & ba slan an bean dia galar ar cind Ealcmair, & nir airigistair & fuirri a bine .i. teacht a coibligi an Dagdai.

The Dagda went to Elcmar’s wife so that she could bear a son to him i.e. Aengus was his name.

The woman was recovered from her debility [i.e. her pregnancy] behind Elcmar’s back.

He did not notice the fault upon her, i.e. the fact of her lying with [lit: “co-lying”] the Dagda.

 

¶2] Birt an Dagda a mac coleigh for altrom do tig Midir i mBrig Leith i Teathbai.

The Dagda meanwhile brought his son to Midir’s house in Brí Léith in Tethba, to be fostered.

Alta Aengus i ssuidiu co cend .ix. mbliadna.

There Aengus was reared for the space of nine years.

Cluichemag már la Midir i mBrig Leith.

Midir had a great playing-field in Brí Léith.

Tri .l.a mac ann do maccaemaib thiri Erenn, & tri .l. a ingin d’inginaib thiri Erenn.

Three fifties of lads of the young nobles of Ireland were there and three fifties of girls of the daughters of the land of Ireland.

Aengus bá toiseach doib uili ar med a grada la Midir, ar caime a delba & ar suíri a ceneoil.

Aengus was the leader of them all, because of Midir’s great love for him, and the beauty of his shape and the nobility of his people.

Ainm do dano an Mac Ócc, a n-asbert a mathair: ‘Is óc an mac doronad i tosach lai & ro geinir etir & fescur.’

His name [Aengus’] therefore was “The Young Son”, because his mother said; “Young is the son conceived at the beginning of the day and born between then and evening.”

 

¶3] Fearais Aengus deabaid fri Triath mac Feabail (vel Gobair), do Feraib Bolc, ba leaththuiseach don cluichi & ba dalta do Midir.

Now Aengus quarreled with Triath son of Febal (or Gobor) of the Fir Bolg, who was one of the two leaders in the game, and a fosterling of Midir.

Nibo menma la Aengus a acallaim do Thriath, co n-epert: ‘As imnead dam mac an mogad dom acallaim’—ar doruimin Aengus co sin robo Midir a athair, & ba toich do rigi Breag Leith fadeisin, & ni fhidir a chairdeas frisin Dagda an tan sin.

It was no matter of pride with Aengus that Triath should speak to him, and he said: ‘It irks me that the son of a slave should hold speech with me,’ for Aengus had believed until then that Midir was his father, and the kingship of Brí Léith his heritage, and he knew not of his kinship with the Dagda.

 

¶4] Friscart Triath co n-epert: ‘Ni ferr liumsa,’ or se, ‘in t-amus dona fes mathair vel athair dom acallaim.’

Triath answered and said: ‘I take it no less ill that a hireling whose mother and father are unknown should hold speech with me.’

Luid Aengus iarum for cai & dubai docum Midir iarna athaisiugud do Triath.

After that, Aengus went to Midir weeping and sorrowful at having been put to shame by Triath.

‘Cid sin?’ ol Midir.

‘What is this?’ said Midir.

‘Triath rom chain, & dorrubai frim eneach nad fil mathair na hathair lium.’

‘Triath has defamed me and cast in my face [= honour] that I have neither mother nor father.’

‘Is gó,’ ol Midir.

‘It is false,’ said Midir.

‘Ceist,’ ol Aengus, ‘cia mo mathair, can dom athair?’

‘Question,’ said Aengus, ‘who is my mother, from where is my father?’

‘Ni hannsa. Eochaid Ollathar do athair,’ ol Midir, ‘& Eithni ben Ealcmair an Broga do mathair. Misi dot alt fó clith ar Ealcmar, arnabad tocrad do denam dia chind.’

‘Not hard. Your father is Eochaid Ollathair,’ said Midir, ‘and Eithne, wife of Elcmar of the Brug, is your mother. It is I that have fostered you unknown to Elcmar, lest it should cause him pain that you were conceived in his despite [lit. “over his head”].’

‘Tairsu liumsa,’ ol Aengus, ‘conomm ardama m’athair, arnach rabasa fo clith ba sire fo aithisib Fer mBolg.’

‘Come with me,’ said Aengus, ‘that my father may acknowledge me, and that I may no longer be kept hidden away under the insults of the Fir Bolg.’

 

¶5] Docomlai Midir iarum & a dalta leis do agallaim Eachach, co mbadur i nUisneach Midi a medon Erenn, ar ba hann bai teach nEachach, daig ba comfadai uad for cach leth ind Eiriu fodeas & fotuaid, sair & siar.

Then Midir set out with his fosterling to converse with Eochaid, and they came to Uisnech of Meath in the center of Ireland, for it is there that was Eochaid’s house, Ireland stretching equally far from it on every side, south and north, to east and west.

Co fairrnechtar Eochaid ara cind a ndail.

They found Eochaid before the assembly.

Congair Midir in ríg leis for leith do agallaim in meic.

Midir called the king aside to converse with the lad.

‘Cid is ail don oglaech-sa nach tainig riam?’

‘What does this youth want who has not come until now?’

‘Is ail do a aidide, dia athair & ferand do tabairt do,’ ol Midir, ‘ar ni comadais do macsu can ferann & tusa a righi nErenn.’

‘He wants to be acknowledged by his father, and for land to be given to him,’ said Midir, ‘for it is not proper that your son should be landless, and you have the kingship of Ireland.’

‘Is fo chean dó,’ ol Eochaid, ‘is mac dam. An ferand dutracarsa dó ni folam fos.’

‘He is welcome,’ said Eochaid, ‘he is my son. But the land I wish him to have is not yet vacant.’

‘Cia ferand sin?’ ol Midir.

‘What land is that?’ said Midir.

‘An Brud fri Boind atuaid,’ ol Eochaid.

‘The Brug, to the north of the Boyne,’ said Eochaid.

‘Cia fil i suidugud?’ ol Midir.

‘Who is in that seat?’ said Midir.

‘Ealcmar,’ ol Eochaid, ‘in fer fil and. Ni hail dam a crad ni bus mo.’

‘Elcmar,’ said Eochaid, ‘is the man who is there. I have no wish to annoy him further.’

 

¶6] ‘Ceist, cisi comairli doberi & don mac sa?’ ol Midir.

‘Question, what advice do you give to this lad?’ said Midir.

‘Tatham do,’ ol Eochaid. ‘Tiad dia Samna isin mBruig, & tuicead gaisgead fair.

‘I have this for him,’ said Eochaid. ‘On the day of Samain let him go into the Brug, and take weapons with him.

La side & caincomraic sin la firu Erenn, & ni bi neach a fhuath a cheili and, & bied Ealcmar a Cnuc Shide an Broga cen gaisced fair acht gablan findchuill ina laim, & a brat diabal imi, & dealg n-oir ina brutt, & tri .l. isin cluichimuigh ara belaib oca cluichi, & teis Aengus chuici, & domaithi do dia marbad, & is tacar do nin rubai .i. nir gona acht coro ingealla a réir dó,

That is a day of peace and good relations among the men of Ireland, on which no one is angry at another: And Elcmar will be in the Síd-hill of the Brug, unarmed save for a fork of white hazel in his hand, his cloak doubled around him and a gold pin in his cloak, and three fifties playing before him in the playing-field; and let Aengus go to him and threaten to kill him. But it is proper that he does not, provided he promise him his wish.

& bad sí riar Aengusa rigi laí co n-aidchi isin Bruigh, & ní leicisiu a ferand do Ealcmar co targha mo reirsea, & bad ed tacra Aengusa iar tiachtain is i mbithdisli dorochair do a ferand ar anacal Ealcmair arnach ro marbad;& is rigi laí co n-aidchi conatechoir, & asbeirsom ‘is laib & aidchib dochaiter an doman.’

And let this be the wish of Aengus, that he be king for a day and a night in the Brug; and see that you not yield the land to Elcmar till he submit [himself] to my decision; and when he comes let Aengus’ plea be that the land has fallen to him in fee simple for sparing Elcmar and not slaying him, and that what he had asked for is kingship of day and night, as it is said, ‘it is in days and nights that the world is spent.’

 

¶7] Dochomlai Midir iarsin dia crich & a dalta lais, & gabais Aengus gaisced immon Samain sin ar cind, & doluid isin mBruig, & foceird Aengus eisce im Ealcmar co n-ingeall do dia anmain rigi lai co n-aidchi ina ferand.

Then Midir sets out for his land, and his foster-son along with him, and on the Samain following, Aengus having armed himself came into the Brug and made a feint at Elcmar, so that he promised him in return for his life kingship of day and night in his land.

Anais in Mac Óc ann a lla n-isin fo cetoir & in n-aidchi d’adhaig a rigi an tiri & muindter Ealcmair dia reir.

The Mac Óc immediately stayed there that day and the following night as king of the land, Elcmar’s household being subject to his wish.

Doluid Ealcmar arabarach do faedredh a feraind don Mac Óc, & bages bada mora occa.

The next day Elcmar came to claim his land from the Mac Óc, and threatened him greatly.

Asbert in Mac Ócc ní leicfed a ferann uad conid reilgedh a reir an Dagda ara mbelaib fer nErenn.

The Mac Óc said that he would not yield up his land until he should put it to the decision of the Dagda in the presence of the men of Ireland.

 

¶8] Fogellat iarum an Dagda. Concertasidhe cor & caich amal a indell.

Then they appeal to the Dagda, who adjudged each man’s contract in accordance with his undertaking.

‘Is lasin n-oclaech sa a feacht sa a ferand as da reir seo’, ol Ealcmar.

‘It is to this youth then the land belongs from this decision,’ said Elcmar.

‘Is deithbir ón,’ ol an Dagda; ‘ro slecht do baegholsa llo sidhe & caíncomraic. Tartais do ferann ar th’anacal, ar ba caime lat do ainim oldas do thír, & rot biasu tír limsa chena, nábó hingoiri duit oldas an Brug.’

‘It is best,’ said the Dagda. ‘You were taken unawares on a day of peace and good relations. You gave your land for mercy shown to you, for your life was dearer to you than your land, yet you shall have land from me that will be no less profitable to you than the Brug.’

‘Cia hairm son?’ ol Ealcmar.

‘Where is that?’ said Elcmar.

‘Cleiteach,’ ol an Dagda, ‘cusna tri tirib fil ime, do macraid gach día isin Bruig ar do belaib oca cluichi, la hurthorad Boindi do thomailt duit asin ferann sa.’

‘Cleitech,’ said the Dagda, ‘with the three lands that are round about it, your  youths playing before you every day in the Brug, and you shall enjoy the fruits of the Boyne from this land.’

‘Is maith,’ ol Ealcmar, ‘dogentar samlaid,’ & beirthi i n-imirghi a Cleitech. lar sin dognith dún and lais, & anais an Mac Óc isin Bruig ina ferand.

‘It is well,’ said Elcmar; ‘likewise it will be done.’ And he made a visit to Cleitech, and built a stronghold there, and the Mac Óc abode in the Brug in his land.

 

¶9] Iar sin doluid Midir dia bliadna do aithreos a daltai don Bruig, co fairnic an Mac Óc for duma Sidhe an Brogha a llau na Samna, & na dí macraid ara belaib oca cluichi isin Bruig, & Ealcmar fora duma Cleitich alla andes oca ndeicsin.

Then Mider came on that day year to the Brug on a visit to his fosterling, and he found the Mac Óc on the mound of Síd in Broga on the day of Samain, with two companies of youths at play before him in the Brug, and Elcmar on the mound of Cleitech to the south, watching them.

Astui debaid itir na macu issin Bruig.

A quarrel broke out among the youths in the Brug.

‘Nirod gluaisea,’ ol Midir frisin Mac Óc, ‘fo dháig Ealcmair, arnara torbara a mmagh. Ragadsa do edargairi etam.’

‘Do not move yourself,’ said Midir to the Mac Óc, ‘because of Elcmar, lest he come down to the plain. I will go myself to make peace [lit. negotiate] between them.’

Luid iarum Midir, & níbó reidh dó a n-edarscarad.

Then Midir went, and it was not easy for him to separate them.

Doleicidh bir cuilind do Midir, co tobert a lethshuil asa chind ocon edargairi.

A point [-ed stick] of holly was thrown at Midir as he was intervening, and it knocked one of his eyes out.

Doluid Midir & a lethshuil ina durn docom an Meic Óic, & asbert fris: ‘Ní má tudchadhsa do fhis scel uait, conam fil fo athais, sech ní rochim fon ainim a tir doroacht do imchaisin, & a tir oa tudchadh ní róás in fecht sa.’

Midir came to the Mac Óc with his one-eye in his hand and said to him: ‘Would that I had not come on a visit to you, to be put to shame, for with this blemish I cannot behold the land I have come to, and I cannot now return to the land I have left.’

 

¶10] ‘Bidh gó son,’ ol an Mac Óc. ‘Raghasa có Dían Cecht co tudchaid dot íc, & bid lat do ferand fodein & bid lat an ferand sa, & bid slan do shuil cen athais cen ainim airi.’

‘That shall not be,’ said the Mac Óc. ‘I shall go to Dian Cécht that he may come and heal you, and your own land shall be yours and this land shall be yours , and your eye shall be whole again without shame or blemish because of it.’

Luid an Mac Óc co Dian Cecht ‘co ndeachaidis liumsa,’ ar se, ‘do tesarcain mo aidi ro cailled dia Samna isin Bruig.’

The Mac Óc went to Dian Cécht. ‘[…] that you may go with me,’ said he, ‘to save my foster-father who has been hurt in the Brug on the day of Samain.’

Doluid Dían Cecht & icais Midir corbó slán.

Dian Cécht came and healed Midir, so that he was whole again.

‘Is maith mó turas ifeachtsa,’ ol Midir, ‘o rom icad.’

‘Good is my travel now,’ said Midir, ‘since I am healed.’

‘Bid fir ón,’ ol in Mac Ócc. ‘Ansu sund co ceand mbliadna co n-aicter mo fiallachsa & mo muindtersa & mo theglach & mo ferand.’

‘That will be so,’ said the Mac Óc. ‘Stay here for a year that you may see my host and my folk, my household and my land.’

 

¶11] ‘Nocho n-anab,’ ol Midir, ‘acht minam bé a lógh airi.’

‘I will not stay,’ said Midir, ‘unless I have a price for it.’

‘Cid logh ón?’ ol an Mac Óc.

‘What price is that?’ said the Mac Óc.

‘Ni hannsa. Carpad bus fiú .uii. cumala,’ ol Midir, ‘& deichealt mo dingmala, & ingen bus ailldem a nEirind.’

‘Not hard. A chariot worth seven cumals,’ said Midir, ‘and a cloak befitting me, and the most beautiful girl in Ireland.’

‘Ata liumsa on,’ ol an Mac Óc, ‘an carpat & in deichealt bus dingmala duit.’

‘I have that,’ said the Mac Óc, ‘the chariot, and the cloak befitting you.’

‘Atá dono,’ ol Midir, ‘inn ingen doroscai di ingenaib Ereenn ar chruth.’

‘There is moreover,’ said Midir, ‘the girl that surpasses all the girls in Ireland in shape.’

‘Cissi airm i tá?’ ol an Mac Óc.

‘Where is she?’ said the Mac Óc.

‘Atá la hUltaib,’ ol Midir, ‘ingen Ailella, Edain Echraidi ingen ríg na raindi airtherthuaiscertaighi na hErenn, is i as cainem & is minem & is morailldem a nErinn.’

‘She is in Ulster,’ said Midir, ‘Ailill’s daughter Étaín Echraide [“of the Horse-herd”] daughter of the king of the north-eastern part of Ireland. She is the dearest and gentlest and loveliest in Ireland.’

 

¶12] Luid in Mac Óg dia cuinchidh co mbaí a Muigh Inis og tigh Ailella.

The Mac Óc went to seek her until he came to Ailill’s house in Mag nInis.

Ferthai failti friss, & anais teora haidchi and.

He was made welcome, and he stayed three nights there.

Raidhis a aitheasc & sluindti ar cenel .

He told his mission and announced his name and people.

Asbert ba do chuindchid Edaine doluid.

He said that it was in quest of Étaín that he had come.

‘Nis tiber deit,’ ol Ailill , ‘dágh ní rochaim bá fort ar suiri do cheniul, ar med do cumachtai & cumachta th’athar. Cach a dénai frim ingin do meboil ni rochar fort itir.’

‘I will not give her to you,’ said Ailill, ‘for I can in no way profit by you, because of the nobility of your family, and the greatness of your power and that of your father. If you put any shame on my daughter, no redress whatsoever can be had of you.’

‘Níba hedh ón,’ ol an Mac Og, ‘nois ciursa díttso fó chetoir.’

‘It shall not be so,’ said the Mac Óc. ‘I will buy her from you immediately.’

‘Rod bia son,’ ol Ailill.

‘You shall have that,’ said Ailill.

‘Findamni uaitsiu,’ ol an Mac Og.

‘State your demand,’ said the Mac Óc.

‘Ni hannsa,’ ol Ailill. ‘Dá magh dég do shlaidhi uaidsiu damsa im ferandsa do neoch fil fo dithraib, & fedaib, co rabad do grés fri geilt do ceithrib & fri trebad do dainib, fri cluichi & ceiti, fri dab & dunadha indtib.’

‘Not hard,’ said Ailill. ‘You shall clear for me twelve plains in my land that are under wilderness and wood, so that they may be at all times for grazing cattle and for habitation to me, for games and assemblies, gatherings, and strongholds.’

 

¶13] ‘Dogentar,’ ol in Mac Óg. Dothaet dia thig, & caínis a imnead frisin Dagda.

‘It shall be done,’ said the Mac Óc. He returns home and bewailed to the Dagda the strait he was in.

Dognither la suide .xii. mag do shlaidhi a n-aenaidchi a ferand Ailella.

The latter caused twelve plains to be cleared in a single night in Ailill’s land.

It e anmanda na muigi ann so .i. Mag Macha, Mag Leamna, Mag nItha, Mag Tochair, Mag nDula, Mag Techt, Mag Li, Mag Liné, Mag Murthemné.

These are the names of the plains: Mag Macha, Mag Lemna, Mag nÍtha, Mag Tochair, Mag nDula, Mag Techt, Mag Lí, Mag Line, Mag Murthemne.

O doronadh tra ind opair sin lasin Mac Óg, luid dochum Ailella do chuindchid Édaine.

Now when that work had been accomplished by the Mac Óc he went to Ailill to demand Étaín.

‘Níis bera,’ ol Ailill, ‘co ruga da primusce déc asin ferand sa docum mara do neoch fil a tibradaib & mointib & seiscnib, do thabairt thoraid o muirib do thuathaib & cenelaib, do thirmugudh thiri & talman.’

‘You will not get her,’ said Ailill, ‘until you draw out of this land to the sea twelve great waters that are in wells and bogs and moors, so that they may bring produce from the seas to peoples and kindreds, and drain the earth and the land.’

 

¶14] Doluidside dono dochum an Dagda do chaíniud a imnid fris.

He came again to the Dagda to bewail the strait he was in.

Dognith la suidhi da primusce déc do dirghiudh dochum mara a n-aenaidchi iar sin. Ni haicesa and riam co tici sin.

Thereupon the latter caused twelve great waters to course towards the sea in a single night. They had not been seen there until then.

It e anmanda ‘na n-usce .i. Find & Modornn & Slena & Nas & Amnas & Oichén & Or & Banda & Samair & Lóche.

These are the names of the waters: Find and Modornn and Slena and Nas and Amnas and Oichén and Or and Banda and Samaír and Lóche.

Ó ro scachadar tra na hopra sa, doluid an Mac Og do acallaim Ailella do chuindchid Etaine chuici.

Now when these works were accomplished the Mac Óc came to converse with Ailill in order to claim Étaín.

‘Niss bera conda dergle, ol niam biasa ní di maith na hingine iarna breith daitsiu acht a rrus fo cedoir.’

‘You shall not get her till you purchase her, for after you have taken her, I shall have no profit of the girl beyond what I shall get now.’

‘Cid condaighi chucum a fecht sa?’ ol an Mac Óg.

‘What do you require of me now?’ said the Mac Óc.

‘Condaigim’, ol Ailill, ‘comthrom na hingine damsa deór & argad, ar is i sin mo chuid dia lóg; an ndorignisiu co sé, dia claind & dia chenéol a torbai.’

‘I require,’ said Ailill, ‘the girl’s weight in gold and silver, for that is my portion of their price; all that you have done up to now, the profit of it goes to her folk and her kindred.’

‘Dogentar,’ ol in Mac Óg. Fochres for lar thigi Ailella, & dobreth a cutromu airi dé ór & argad.

‘It shall be done,’ said the Mac Óc. She was placed in the middle of Ailill’s house, and her weight of gold and silver was given for her.

Forfhacbad and índmasin la hAilill, & birt Mac Óg Edain lais dochum a thighi.

That wealth was left with Ailill, and the Mac Óc brought Étaín home with him.

 

¶15] Ferais Midir failti frissin daim sin. Foidh Etaín la Midir in oidchi sin, & dobreath dechelt a dingmala & a carpad do arabarach & ba buidech dia dalta.

Midir made that company welcome. That night Étaín has sex with Midir, and on the morrow a cloak befitting him and a chariot were given to him, and he was thankful to his foster-son.

Anais iarum bliadain lain isin Bruig a fail Aengusa. Dochoid Midir dia chrich dia bliadna do Brigh Leith, & birt Edaín leis.

After that he stayed a full year in the Brug with Aengus. On that day year Midir went to his own land, to Brí Léith, and he brought Étaín with him.

Asbert an Mac Óg fri Midir in la luidhi uadh: ‘Faitchius duit frisin mnai na mbere lat fo diach na mná uathmairi amaindsi fil ar do chind co meid fis & éolus & cumachtai feib ro ngab a cenel,’ ol Aengus.

On that day he went from him the Mac Óc said to Midir, ‘Give heed to the woman you take with you, because of the terrible witch-woman that awaits you, with all the vision and knowledge and power that belongs to her race,’ said Aengus.

‘Sech ata mo briatharsa & mo comairghi fria ar Tuatha Dé Danann’ .i. Fuamnach bean Midir di claind Beothaig meic Iardanel. Ba gaeth & ba trebar & ba heolach hi fis & cumachtai Tuath De Danann, ar bá Bresal drui roda alt co n-arnas do Midir.

‘Also she has my word and my safeguard before the Tuatha Dé Danann, that is, Fuamnach wife of Midir, of the family of Beothach son of Iardanél. She was wise and prudent and knowledgeable in the vision and power of the Tuatha Dé Danann, for the druid Bresal had fostered her until she was betrothed to Midir.’

 

¶16] Feraisi failti fria a fer .i. fri Midir, & raidis an ben már di brian friú. ‘Tairsiu, a Midir,’ ol Fuamnach, ‘coro thaispenar duit do tech & do thechta feraind cona dá cathair ingen in rig dom aithis.’

¶16] She made her husband welcome, i.e. Midir, and the great woman spoke words to them. ‘Come, O Midir,’ said Fuamnach, ‘that I may show you my [her?] house and your portion of land with its two royal daughters’ seats, for my pleasure.’

Dorochell Midir la Fuaimnig a ferand n-uili, co tarfaid do a dliged & do Edain, & dobert Édain dorisi fri Fuaimnigh iar sin.

Midir went round all his land with Fuamnach, and she showed all his rightful land to him and to Étaín. And after that he brought Étaín again to Fuamnach.

Luidh Fuamnach reimib isa teach cotalta i codlad, & asbert fri hEdain: ‘Suide somna i tudchadh.’

Fuamnach went before them into the sleeping chamber wherein she slept, and she said to Étaín: ‘The seat of a good woman have you come into.’

Amal dofeisigh Edain isin cathair for lar an taigi nos ben Fuamnach co fleiscc caerthinn corcrai co nderna & lind n-usci dí for lar in tighi, & dothaed Fuamnach coa haite, co Bresal, & do leic Midir in tech don usciu dorigni do Édain. Baí Midir iar sin cen mnaí.

When Étaín sat down in the chair in the middle of the house, Fuamnach struck her with a purple rod of rowan, and she turned into a pool of water in the middle of the house; and Fuamnach comes to her fosterfather Bresal, and Midir left the house to the water into which Étaín had turned. After that Midir was without a wife.

 

¶17] Doghni tes in tened & ind aeoir & combruith na talman imfortacht ind usci co ndernai cruim din lind ro baí for lar in tighi, & dogní iar sin cuil corcrai don chruim sin.

The heat of the fire and the air and the simmering of the ground aided the water so that the pool that was in the middle of the house turned into a worm, and after that the worm became a purple fly.

Ba meid ceand fir as chaineam ro baí isin tír. Ba bindi cuslendaib & crotaib & cornairib fuaim a foghair & easnad a heiti.

It was as big as a man’s head, the most beautiful in the land. Sweeter than pipes and harps and horns was the sound of her voice and the melody of her wings.

Doaitnidis a suili amal lega loghmara isnaib reib doirchib. Arghaireadh itaidh & gortaidh do neoch a boladh & a blath ima teighedh.

Her eyes would shine like precious stones in the dark. The fragrance and the bloom of her would turn away hunger and thirst from any one around whom she would go.

No ícadh saetho & gallra & teadmanda fursitin na mbraen foceirded dia heitib dinni imma theighedh. Coneitged & imthiged la Midir sechnoin a feraind amal no téiged.

The spray of the drops she shed from her wings would cure all sickness and disease and plague in any one round whom she would go. She used to attend Midir and go round about his land with him, as he went.

Arbiathad sluagu i ndalaib & airechta i n-dunadaib clostecht frihae & a deicsiú. Rofidir Midir rop si Etain ro boi is in richt sin, & ni thuc mnai cen ro boi an chuil sin ina comaidecht, & arambiathadsom a deicsiu.

To listen to her and gaze upon her would nourish hosts in gatherings and assemblies in camps. Midir knew that it was Étaín that was in that shape, and so long as that fly was attending upon him, he never took to himself a wife, and the sight of her would nourish him.

Contuiled fria fogur, & dofusced in tan dotheighedh chuici nech nachad caradh.

He would fall asleep with her humming, and whenever any one approached who did not love him, she would awaken him.

 

¶18] Doluid Fuamnach do athreos Midir iar tanaib, & dolodar na tri dei Danand lé dia comairghi .i. Lugh & Dagda & Oghma. Ferais Midir athcosan mor fri Fuamnaig, & asbert fria na ragadh uadh mane beith nert na comairghi dodoucsat.

After a time Fuamnach came on a visit to Midir, and along with her as sureties came the three gods of Danu, i.e. Lug and the Dagda, and Ogma. Midir reproached Fuamnach exceedingly and said to her that she should not go from him were it not for the power of the sureties that had brought her.

Asbert Fuamnach nabad aithrech le in gnim doghene, ar ba ferr lé in gnim maith di fein oldás dia seitché, & cebedh si maigen a nÉre a mbeith, ni biadh acht oc aimles Édaine cen no mbeith a mbíu, ciabadh hé richt a mbeith.

Fuamnach said that she did not repent of the deed she had done, for that she would rather do good for herself than to another, and that in whatsoever part of Ireland she might be she would do nothing but harm to Étaín so long as she lived, and in whatsoever shape she might be.

Dobertsi dicelta mora & tecosca [gap: extent: two letters]ndé o Bresal Edarlam on drai do indarba & focrai Edaine o Midir, air rofhidirsi an chuil chorcra ro baí ic airfidedh Midir rob sí Édain, fo dhaigh ná rochar Midir mnaí in tan atchidh an chuil corcrai, & níba sam ceól na hól na longadh in tan nach aicedh & nach cluinedh a ceol & a foghar.

She brought powerful incantations and spells […] from Bresal Étarlam the druid to banish and warn off Étaín from Midir, for she knew that the purple fly that was delighting Midir was Étaín herself, for whenever he saw the purple fly, Midir loved no other woman, and he found no pleasure in music or in drinking or eating when he did not see her and hear the music of her and her voice.

Fogluaisi Fuamnach gaeth n-ammais & druidechta co tarfaided Édain o Brig Leith, cona hédadh barr na bili na tulach na dingna forsa n-airsed i nÉre co cend .uii. mbliadna, acht for cairgib mara & for trethnaib tond & imsnam an aeoir, conda tarla dia .uii. mbliadna for imbel i n-ucht an Meic Oic for duma an Broga.

Fuamnach stirred up a wind of assault and magic so that Étaín was wafted (?) from Brí Léith, and for seven years she could not find a summit or a tree or a hill or a promentory in Ireland on which she could settle, but only rocks of the sea and the ocean waves, and (she was) floating through the air until seven years from that day when she lighted on the fringe ? on the breast of the Mac Óc as he was on the mound of the Brug.

 

¶19] As i airm asbert in Mac Óg:

There it was that the Mac Óc said

in Mac Óg

 

‘Fo chen Edain imtechtach imnedhach

‘Welcome, Étaín, wanderer careworn,

Adrualaidh mórgaibthiu la gaithi Fuaimnighi.

you that have encountered great dangers through the wisdom of Fuamnach

Ní fuair fos na subae do thaebu

None have yet had the pleasure of your sides

tairisi fri Midir muindteras me fein

fitting to Midir of my own people

fomruair gnimach co sluagaib sochaidhi

(who) busily prepared for rich hosts

slige dithrebé diupa ná domna imorchraid

a way (through) the wilderness, cutting away excess earth

n-indbaissa Ailella ingini is digbal dimuin

the gift (for) Ailill’s daughter is removal of the profitless [land]

conid do dibel truag

until your speechless sorrow

domainig iar tain fo chean f.o.c.e.n.

brought you at last onto my head.  Welcome.

 […rhetoric, untranslated.]

 

¶20] Ferais an Mac Óg failti frisin n-ingin .i. frisin cuil corcrai & dosnimthasa i llai a broit fria bruindé.

The Mac Óc made the girl welcome, that is, the purple fly, and gathered her in his bosom in the fleece of his cloak.

Nó beir docom a thaige & a grianain co seinistrib soillsib fri teacht as & ind, & dobreth tlacht corcrai uimpi, & no himchuire in grianán sin lasin Mac Óg cach leth no theigedh, & ba hand contuiled cach n-aidchi oca comaidecht do airic menman, conda táinic a sult & a feth

He brought her to his house and his sun-bower with its bright windows for going out and in, and a purple covering was put on her; and that sun-bower was carried by the Mac Óc everywhere he would go, and it was there he would sleep every night by her side, comforting her, until her gladness and colour came to her again.

& no línta an grianan sin o luibib boladhmáraib ingantaib, combo dhe do forbredsi do bolad & blath na luibhi sainemla loghmairi sin.

And that sun-bower was filled with fragrant and wondrous herbs, and she grew (better) on the fragrance and bloom of those special precious herbs.

 

¶21] Adcuas do Fuamnaig a ngrad & an miadh doradad di lasin Mac Óg.

Fuamnach was told of the esteem and honour that was bestowed by the Mac Óc on her [Étaín].

Asbert Fuamnach fri Midir: ‘Congarar deit do dalta co ndernta corai frib dib línaib, & co ndechas for iarair Édaine.’

Fuamnach said to Midir, ‘Let your fosterling be called to you that I may make it right between you both, and I will go to ask for Étaín.’

Dothaed techt co Mac nÓc o Midir, & luidis dia acallaim,

A messenger comes to the Mac Óc from Midir, and he went to speak to him.

& doluid Fuamnach timcheall colleic co mbaí isin Bruigh, & dobert an athaig cedna fo Édain condo bert asan grianan foran imluamain forsa roibe ríam, co cend .uii. mbliadna fo Erinn,

Meanwhile Fuamnach came by a circuitous way until she was in the Brug, and she sent the same blast on Étaín, which carried her out of her sun-bower on the same flying-around she had been on before for the space of seven years throughout Ireland.

conda timart athach gaithi ar troige & lobrai & conda chorastar for cleithe thighe la hUlltu i mbatar ic ól, co torchair issin n-airdigh n-óir ro baí for laim mna Édair, in cathmiled o Inbér Chichmaine, a coiced Concobuir, condo sloicsidhe lassin dig bai isin lestur coimperta di shuide foa broind combo hingen iar tain.

The blast of wind drove her along in misery and weakness until she alit on the rooftree of a house in Ulster where folk were drinking, and she fell into the golden beaker that was before the wife of Étar, the champion from Inber Cíchmaine, in the province of Conchobar, so that she swallowed her with the drink that was in the vessel, and in this way she was conceived in her belly and became afterwards her daughter.

Dobreth ainm dí .i. Edain ingen Édair. Di bliadain déc ar mili tra o gein tuiseach Edaíne o Ailill cosin ngein déigenach o Edar.

She was given a name, i.e. Étaín daughter of Étar. Now it was a thousand and twelve years from the first begetting of Étaín by Ailill until her last begetting by Étar.