Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
Ath Cliath Medraige
- When I was wont to wend thither,
to the Ford of the generous, joyous, noble men,
I was instructed, through lore of battles,
in the true tale of the Ford of Fences.
- 5] It was a home of shields and skenes,
with plenty of stake-fences and of troops:
blood-stained were its braves
in victories won by the kingly Maines:
- The Ford, where men were covered with blood
10] when wounded by the wonted lances:
when they were vanquished miserably,
bright-cheeked men were slain:
- The Ford where the Clanna Dedaid waged
red strife on a foray
15] against the seven Manes, a journey that stretched far,
with their three thousand kernes.
- Ill was the cause whence that name arose,
though tremendous was the conflict
about the reaving of Dartaid's loved kine,
20] whereby great warriors were slaughtered.
- Eochu the Little, son of pure Cairpre,
king of warlike Cliu, low of stature,
came from Cullend, instructed in knowledge,
to the Ford of the mellay.
- 25] In fear at the coming of the chieftains,
the kings of the raths, the noble Maines,
made round the ford to fence it
fences of black-thorn and of red-thorn.
- From these fences in sooth,
30] in the meadows of noble Elg,
is named Ath Cliath, with its strong tribes,
where I was wont to wend.