XVI. Naoinear a chuadhm<ar> fā choill
MS p. 172
[1.] Nenor a quhym< > fa chyill / di
woyn̄ avir cheinni cholin
Woyn̄ awir chinni cholin chon ca mo dorin sin do<y>n̄
[2.] ȝearemir
my lenyt lerga // is
glen̄ fretnich ni glawe
nerg
Is feir nat forrimir
ann maddyt ȝa damis
cholin
[3.] Dearemir
glen dorch dow / glen ȝarwe ȝerrit is gl clae<w >
Is feir nat dorrimir
ann maddit ȝa da’mist
cholin
[4.] Dearimir
scheane ȝrowmmi clywe /
is finni wy leive na ȝe<y>
Is feir nat d an maddit ȝa da’mist cholin
[5.] D/durlis
war wail tawyr wry is down̄ ȝawrane
Is feir nat d ann maddi
ȝa da’mist cholyn̄
[6.] D
/ glen o<r>oychtyt fa forrais awir ossill
Is feir nat forytmar ann maddi ȝa da’mist
cholin
[7.] D
/ finni wy maye / tawyt
wry is kintaylli
Is feir nat d ann maddi
ȝa da’mist cholin
[8.] D
Eirri wlli eddir chonnit & donni
Is feir nat d ann maddit ȝa da’mist cholin
[9.] Gerrid
downit mir sen̄ / sin
feyn̄ poupbill my’tyr
Gin wakcamar tre cach nat di clanni reit na roylayt
[10.] Cach
catc<h>ennit de
we ann / is c cho’che’nit na go’mi’
Cach dru’ma’nit i’ dey
i’ ney / down̄ er chawyr i’ drom̄ <l >
[11.] In
tley a soiltit gi hard </>
er Inn feyn̄ <i’ nagnitȝargk>
In noychtyr ske<e>
cheyltyt cha<ye> we i’ tl<eiy ve r gead>
MS p. 173
[12.] In
tleyg soyltit gi chert
/ er Inni feyn fa gall a ȝlak
(In no<y>cht) Er layr skaye cheilt gin wroyn̄ / weit i’ tly ȝi’ g
[13.] In
tley a soyltit gi
heissill / er Inn feyn i’ nagnit eywre
In neichyr skae ch rwm̄ charri we i’ tley ac mak chru’chon̄
[14.] Leigis
c<k>eiltyt gallan̄
gleit choylis / e
nalwin da reroiwe
Iss<i> myġ lenich (i’) ny’ lanni / i’ dawir is i’ down̄ reillin
[15.] Reggir
E goolle mcmorn̄ //
faynit ke’nard cronwoyn̄
a ȝleyis felane mcfynni
/ agis ni bwlwe a borrin
[16.] Reggir
E ȝa ṁak ma’woe breik / is mcelle o noyebrek
Scay breg mcdaytein dayn̄ </> is keill croit i’ n<a>rm̄ rai ȝeyr
[17.] R
E keinkit nit gelg / agis Illin feyw<ir>ȝerg
Is keill croit / a
croych ȝrinni nat estit goyt Iywrin
[18.] Bi
winni schenwrā/nyt sley
agis mo’wir ni meillit
Agis ra’n wrattich shroill a geirri a maddin ȝeitroeit
[19.] Di
hoykgimir dalwe ȝreynich brattit Inni vor ni faynit
E (meoyr) ⎡oyir⎤ choir she <d>e’nall / fa wor cha’na’ c<h>eintleywe
[20.] Di
h fulling doyrich b / ȝwlle wor vcmorn̄
Menkich weg<a>t
i’ (tl) troyle chroissit / derrit & tossyt foyili<t>
[21.] D
h i’ ni’chenit ooyrri /
b rynich gi ny’mit sloyig
Sroill lay gi’fee kna<w> is keinni / la legkeis fwll gow ⎡fybrin⎤
[22.] D
h ky’nill chach b eillane dairre
M<a>k finni far flaat ni waynit / gilli lay gurre tromley
MS p. 174
[23.] D hoigimir down̄ neiwe / b ossin na girriLaywe ȝarg / b / vcroynan̄e / is oarnay i’ deiwe elli
[24.] D
h skoyb ȝawe / b / oskir iin Nairffee
Ree doll in gach na glaee / me’keit ȝairri skopbe ȝawe
[25.] Di
h i’ loichlynich b ȝarmit E ȝoenich
Noar (he<ymc’>) heyth i’ neanich a mach // (vedsche) (awset) ⎡awisiss<it>⎤ ⎡awȝissycht⎤
(o<e>y) ⎡veasche awȝissyt oeyricht⎤
[26.] D h barne a
reybgin / brattyt oskir nair
schanit
Danit coyharme mcgar’ ȝlynni / la ga<r>we
kinni is ke’wir
[27.] D
h creiwe fowllit / b /
clonni var vclowich
Noȧr heyt in nane a
mach / is she wey er i’ dossich
[28.] Di
ri’nimir croit
cach / i’ demchill Inn oyrlach
Ma dudtyt finni fairri
// Eddi ni wane weirchalmit
[29.] Marweis
ni catki’nith linn agis di goywe ni cho’chinni
hutti ni dru’ma’ne wlle i’ deymchill Inni alwin
[30.] Mu’nith
beg fa dassi ȝownit /
in Ny’wir wrow ȝa ȝown< >
Is mach foirrimar ann maddit ȝa da’mist cholin
[31.] ȝearemir Eirre wlli /
eddir cho’ni & dwn̄
is noet cha doirremar
er // [a] feyg cheaddi fear a ȝarwe nen<
> ⎡neno<ur>⎤
Nenor a quhymo< > Ne<n>
Restored text:
1. Naoinear a
chuadhm<ar> fā choill
do bhuain adhbhair chinn <cho[n]lainn>;
bhuain adhbhair chinn <cho[n]lainn>
chon,
cia mó doghrainn ’san domhan? (4)
2. Dh’iarramar
Magh Léana learg
’s Gleann Freithnich na gclaidheamh ndearg;
is fíor nach fuaramar ann
<maide> dhā déa[n]maois <co[n]lann>. (8)
3. D’iarramar
Gleann Dorch[a] dubh,
gleann gharbh Ghearaidh ’s Gl[eann] <Cliabh[ach]>;
is fíor nach d’fhuaramar ann
<maide> dhā déanmaois <co[n]lann>. (12)
4. D’iarramar
Síodhán Dhroma <Cléibh>
is Fionnmhagh Life ’na dhéidh;
is fíor nach d’[fhuaramar] ann
<maide> dhā déanmaois <co[n]lann>. (16)
5. D’[iarramar]
Durlas bhFear bhFáil,
Teamhair Bhreagh is Dún Ghabhráin;
is fíor nach d’[fhuaramar] ann
<maide> dhā dhéanmaois <co[n]lann>. (20)
6. D’[iarramar]
Glean <O Ruachtaigh> –
fā foraois ághmhar uasal;
is fíor nach fuaramar ann
<maide dhā déanmaois <co[n]lann>. (24)
7. D’[iarramar]
Fionnmhagh Máigh,
Teamhair Bhreagh is Ceann tSáile;
is fíor nach d’[fhuaramar] ann
<maide> dhā déanmaois <co[n]lann>. (28)
8. D’[iarramar]
Éire uile
eadar choin agus duine;
is fíor nach d’[fhuaramar] ann
<maide> dhā déanmaois <co[n]lann>. (32)
9. Goirid
dūinne
mar sin,
sinn féin, pobal, muinntir,
gun bhfacamar trí cath[a]
nach do c[h]lainn ríogh nā
rofhlatha. (36)
10. Cath
Caitcheannach do bhí ann,
is c[ath] Coincheannach ’na gcomann;
cath <Drumfháinneach an déidh
a ndéidh>,
<donn air chomhair an Drom[a]
Léith. (40)
11. An
t-sleagh a seóltaoir go h-ard
air Fhionn féin <an aignidh ghairg>,
a n-uachtar sgéith Chaoilte <cháidh>
[a] bhí an t-sleagh < >. (44)
12. An
t-sleagh [a] seóltaoi go ceart
air Fhionn féin, fā geal a ghlac,
air lár sgéith Chaoilt[e] gan
bhróin
[a] bhí an t-sleagh dhan
gc[éadóir]. (48)
13. An
t-sleagh a seóltaoi go h-íosal
air Fhionn féin an aigne <fhaobhraigh>,
a n-íochtar sgéith Ch[aoilte]
rom-char
bhí an t-sleagh ag Mac
Crunnchon. (52)
14. Lēigis
Caoilte galán Glaoidh
chualas <a> nAlmhain dā ríribh,
is a Maigh Léana nan lann,
an dTeamhair ’s an Dún Raoileann. (56)
15. Fhreagair
é Goll mac Morn[a],
féinnidh ceannard Cronnmhón[a],
a <ghlaodh is> Faolán mac
Finn
agus na Builbh a Boirinn. (60)
16. Fhreagair
é dhá mhac <Mainbhe Bric>
<is mac eile ōn
Uaimh B[h]ric>,
Sgiathb[h]reac mac Dathchaoin
déin
is Caol Cródha an airm raighéir. (64)
17. Fhr[eagair]
é Caoince na gcealg
agus Iollann faobhairdhearg,
is Caol Cródha <a[n] ghruaidh
ghrinn>
nach éisdeadh gotha <aifrinn>. (68)
18. Bu
bhinn <sian[a]mhrān> na sleagh
agus monghar na míleadh,
agus [s]rann bhratach sróill
ag éirigh a madain
ghaoithreóidh. (72)
19. Do
thógamar Dealbh Ghréine,
bratach Fhinn mhóir na Féine;
<iomdha uair> chuir sí deannāl
fā mhórChanān Chinn tSléibhe. (76)
20. Do
th[ógamar] Fulang Doghra,
b[ratach] Ghuill mhóir mhic Morn[a];
<minic bhíodh> an t-sróll chrosach
[an] deireadh ’s tosach foghla. (80)
21. D[o]
th[ogamar] an Onchoin Óir,
b[ratach] Raighne go n-iomad slóigh,
sróll lé goinfidhe cnámh[a] is
cinn,
lē lēig[d]ís fuil go faidhbrinn. (84)
22. D[o]
th[ogamar] Coinneal Chath[a],
b[ratach] Fhaoláin <d’airidhe>,
mac Finn fear[dha], flaith na
bhFéin,
gill lé gcuirtha troim[gh]léidh. (88)
23. D[o]
thógamar <Dún Aobhdha>,
b[ratach] Oisēin na <goire>;
Lámh Dhearg, b[ratach] mhic
Rōnain,
<is Órshnáth an dtaoibh oile>. (92)
24. D[o]
th[ógamar] Sguab Ghábhaidh,
b[ratach] Osgair a n-<ármhaigh>;
rē dol an gcath na <gcléithe>,
<minic> dh’éireadh Sguab
Ghábhaidh. (96)
25. Do
th[ógamar] an <Lóch Luinneach>,
b[ratach] Dhiarmaid uí Dhuibhne;
’nuair théigheadh an Fhéin
amach,
bhíodh sí ághasach, uaibhreach. (100)
26. D[o]
th[ógamar] <Bearnā[n] Réabgain>,
bratach Osgair nár <séanadh>,
dana comhainm mac Gar[aidh]
ghlain,
lē <gcearrbhthaoi> cinn is
ceannbhairr. (104)
27. D[o]
th[ógamar] Craobh F[h]uileach,
b[ratach] Cloinne bháirr->mhic Lughaich;
’nuair théigheadh an
Fhéin amach,
is sí bhíodh air an dtosach. (108)
28. Do-rinneamar
cró cath[a]
an dtimcheall Fhinn órfhlath[a],
mā dtuiteadh Fionn feardha,
oide na bhFéin bhfíorchalma. (112)
29. Marbhais na
Caitc[h]eannaigh linn,
agus do gabhadh na Coinchinn;
thuit na <Drumfháinnigh>
uile
an dtimcheall Fhinn Almhain[e]. (116)
30. Muine Beag fā
deasa dhúinn
a nīnbhear Bhrugh[a] <Dhá Dhúin>;
is math fuaramar ann
<maide dhā déanmaois <co[n]lann>. (120)
31. Dh’iarramar
Éire uile
eadar choin agus duin[e],
’s nocha d’fhuaramar air a feadh
céad fear a dhearbhadh naoinear. (124)
Naoinear a chuadhma<r>
Translation:
1. Nine-strong we went into a wood to cut material for <the roof of a dog-house>; to cut material for <the roof of a dogs’ kennel> – what greater affliction [can there be] in the world?
2. We searched Magh Léana of slopes and Gleann Freithnich of the red swords; it is true that we did not find there <timber> of which we could make a <dog-house>.
3. We searched black Gleann Dorcha, rough Gleann Gearaidh and Gleann <Cliabhach>; it is true that we did not find there <timber> of which we could make a <dog-house>
4. We searched Síodhán Dhroma <Cléibh>, and then Fionnmhagh Life; it is true that we did not find there <timber> of which we could make a <dog-house>.
5. We searched Durlas Fear bhFáil, Tara of Breagha and Dún Ghabhráin; it is true that we did not find there <timber> of which we could make a <dog-house>.
6. We searched Gleann <Ó Ruachtaigh> – it was a splendid, lofty forest; it is true that we did not find there <timber> of which we could make a <dog-house>.
7. We searched Fionnmhagh Máighe, Teamhair Bhreagh and Ceann tSáile; it is true that we did not find there <timber> of which we could make a <dog-house>.
8. We searched the whole of Ireland, both dogs and men; it is true that we did not find there <timber> of which we could make a <dog-house>.
9. We were not long thus – we ourselves, our people and our company – until we saw three battalions which did not consist of the children of a king or great noble.
10. A battalion of Catheads was there, and a battalion of Dogheads along with them; [and] a battalion of <Curly Backs>, one after another, <of brown colour, opposite Druim Léith>.
11. Any spear that was directed on high against Fionn himself whose spirit was warlike – that spear was [caught] < > in the upper part of noble Caoilte’s shield.
12. Any spear that was directed accurately against Fionn himself whose hand was white – that spear was [caught] forthwith in the middle of cheerful Caoilte’s shield.
13. Any spear that was directed low against Fionn himself whose spirit was <keen> – that spear was [caught] in the lower part of the shield of Caoilte son of Crunnchú who loved me.
14. Caoilte let out a resounding yell which was heard, indeed, in Almhain, in Magh Léana of the sword-blades, in Teamhair and in Dún Raoileann.
15. Goll son of Morna, the fian-warrior and leader at Crunnmhóin, answered his shout, as did Faolán son of Fionn, and the Builbh from Boireann.
16. The two sons of <Mainbhe Breac> answered it, <and another lad from Uamh Bhreac>; so too did Sgiathbhreac son of impetuous Dathchaoin, and Caol Cródha with the very sharp weapon.
17. Caoince of the wily ways answered it, as did Iollann of the red-edged blades, and Caol Cródha <of beautiful cheek> who would not listen to the words <of a Mass>.
18. Sweet was the <whizzing> of the spears and the clamour of the warriors and the whirring of satin banners rising in a morning of frosty wind.
19. We raised Image of Sun, the banner of great Fionn of the Fian; <on many occasions> it caused a hot conflict around great Conán of Ceann Sleibhe.
20. We raised Prop of Lamentation, the banner of great Goll son of Morna; frequently this cross-bearing satin banner <would be [present]> at the beginning and end of an attack.
21. We raised the Enfield of Gold, the banner of Raighne with the numerous host – a satin banner by which bones and heads would be wounded, and by which they would cause blood to flow to the ankles.
22. We raised Torch of Battle, the banner of <a particular> Faolán, the son of manly Fionn, the noble of the Fiana – a lad by whom a strenuous battle would be fought.
23. We raised <Comely Citadel>, the banner of Oiséan of <filial affection>; Red Hand, the banner of the son of Rónán, <and Golden Thread on the other side>.
24. We raised Terrible Sheaf, the banner of Osgar in <the field of slaughter>; before entering the battle of <close ranks>, Terrible Sheaf would frequently rise.
25. We raised the <Lively Light>, the banner of Diarmaid Ua Duibhne; when the Fian would sally forth, it would be proud and valorous.
26. We raised <Notched One of Ripping>, the banner of Osgar who was not <blessed> and who was also called the son of bright Garadh; by him heads and headgear used to be <lopped off>.
27. We raised Bloody Tree, the banner of the family of the <excellent> son of Lughach; when the Fian would sally forth, this banner would be at their head.
28. We formed a ring of battle around Fionn, the golden noble, lest manly Fionn should fall, the father of the truly brave Fiana.
29. The Catheads <were killed> by us, and the Dogheads were captured; all of the <Curly Backs> fell around Fionn of Almhain.
30. Muine Beag was the most convenient [place] for us in Inbhear Brugha <Dá Dhúin>; there we successfully found <timber> of which we could make a <dog-house>.
31. We searched the whole of Ireland, both dogs and men, and we did not find in its length and breadth a hundred men who could match [our] nine.
