XX. Aithnidh domh sgéal beag air Fionn
MS p. 220
[1.] Annit doif
skayle beg er finn / ne skayl naċ cwrre i’ s< >
Er vccowle fay maċ
gėlle / fa cowin sen rame ray
[2.] Di
wamyn̄ beggan̄e sloyeġ / (f) ag esroyg ny’ neggin mawle
Di chemyn̄ fa holt yr / ⎡lerr⎤ currych / mor & ben̄ ann
[3.] Keigyt
leith ȝownych mane reiċ / fa maċ ir gneeic er gyt ⎡gart⎤
Fir rair nes is marg a cheit / di ȝowmist er gi teir nert< >
[4.] Derrymir
wlli gi dane / ach finn no wane & gowle
Dethow churryth fa hard keym̄ / wa na reym scoltyt ny’ <don̄>
[5.] Ne
ȝarnyt ta’<ṁ>
na totht / gir ȝoyve calli si fort ȝnaa
yth tetht doy her in nes / derre as mccayve mnâa
[6.] Gilli
a darli no syth ȝraane / is seir mayne nosyt dalwe
I’ ny’ni’ hanyk in gane / di waymi’ feyn̄ rompyt sorwe
[7.] Heg
chuggin gow pupbill finn / & ba’neis gi grin doyt
Reggir mckowle
na hem̄e / i’ bannow beinn gin toyt
[8.] Darri<t>
in reiċ fa mach drac / gi hard di ney’ dathȝlan< >
Ca trawe as danik in wan̄ / toywir skaylli gi gar rown̄<e>
[9.] Neyn
may re heir fa hwne // Innossit gyt crwn my ȝaylle
Ne elli trawe fa nayin grane / nar earis feyn̄ di l<acht f >
[10.] A
reicȝin hwlle gi royd / a ney’ oyk is mach dalwe
In tosga fa dangis in gane / tawir is doyt pen gi darv<e>
[11.] Mi
chomrych ort mas tow finn / di rae rinn i’ makcayve / <m >
Daywis towrloyryt is di loye / gove mi chomre gi loyt tra
[12.] Derrit
in reiċ fa maċ fis / slone’iċ i’ nis ca ter a hee
Coym rayd chomre a wen̄ / er gi far ȝa will i’ greic
[13.] Tay
la feiċ a techt er mvrri / leic is maċ gel er / mi <lor> ⎡lorg< >⎤
Mak re ni sorchir is gear erm̄e / is do fa< > hanm̄ dyr borb
MS p. 221
[14.] Di
churris gessi no chenn / gi berri fin may er saylle
Is naċ bein aggi mir wnee / gar waċ a ȝnee is a awġe
[15.] Di
raye osgir gi gloir mir / far sin di chosk gi reic
Gin gar for finn di ȝes / ne rach tow les mir wneic
[16.] Di
chemyn tetht her stead / leic si wayd os gi far /
Sowle ni farga gi dane / si nwle chadin ȝoyve a w<a>n̄
[17.] Clokgit
tenn tayġne ma chenni / fa nar nar heme is <nar> ⎡<r >⎤
Skaa ȝrwmnyt
ȝow er a ȝes / a dru’lin cles er a clȧ<a>
[18.] Clawe
trome tortoyl naċ gann / gi tenn er teive i’ ir vor
A gy’mirt clas osi chind / is a techt i’ genn tloy
[19.] ȝa
won̄eis ȝasg gi moẏa / a sessow i’ gawlow skay
Er nert er ġask er ȝelle / ne elli fer mir aċ say
[20.] Naill
flaċ & rosk reic / i’ genn i’ ir fa keyve crow
maċ i’ noyth (<fa>) fa gall a ȝayd / is loayt a stayd no gi srow
[21.] Tanik
in stead sin in deir sin far nar wene ris in <nay->
[22.] kegit
leich wemir ann ȝȯnyt ra hy’syth gar nar
Er eggill in nir is a heyth / ne royve leich ȝein ga’ ȝran<e>
[23.] Di
twne mir hanik in deir / darrit in reich fa mach ⎡cl<w>⎤
i’ nachin tow feyn (i’) a wen̄ / i’ na sowd i’ fer a der tow
[24.] Ha’neym
mccoulle a
ynd / is fowir linn a ȝi tane
Targi say mis wra les / ga maċ di thres a Inn aylle
[25.] D<e>rre
oskir & gowle / bi worb coskir lonn ni gach
Nane sessow in gar in tloyt / eddir in far mor si flȧȧċ
[Additional quatrain]
[>>> 26.] <Ne> ȝawe sea / (i) chur[re] ua o skay /
leich na thraa ȝar royve ann
Na gin du<g> ayr mor er ir wane is gin dranik sea feyn̄ fynn
[27.] Hanik in leich
bi wac tlacht / lay feit is lay nart no gen̄n
Aggis foddeis woyn̄ in ven̄ di we gar a ȝolin Inn
[28.] Tu< >k mcmorn̄ in turchir dane /
gi croy no ȝey din tleyġ
Neir anni i’ turchir nar hay / ȝa sky gin darny da wl< >
MS p. 222
[29.] Di crach oskir
fa mor ferg / a chrissi ȝerg ȝa layv<e> < >
Agis marweis stayd i’ Ir / moir in teaaċ a ri’nych lai
[30.] No<o>r hut in stead er in
lerg / ȝi’poe la ferg is la feich
Agis fokgris borbe in teme / corik er in kegit leich
[31.] In
teiwe moe ȝi’syth fene is dinn / kegit leiċ nar heim no <ȝa>
Gar waaċ in cessow sin drost / di ȝyle in gosk lanyt la< >
[First additional quatrain]
[>>> 32.] Mir
wee kegit leich garwe in daall in narm ȝo gi loor
Wemost gin choyvir fa smach da goyvys woyn̄ i’ car<t> < >
[33.] Varric
da willi gi marri / gi dane di gi far ȝew sin
D<o> veimist wlli fa hur mir hw ac coryk fir
[34.] Chaywill
tre nenor gi
moy / sin nirrill chroy solli di s<c
r>
Ca croy caywill ni dre cheill / er gi eine dew sin a ch<ur>
Hic —
[35.] Di
ȝrwt gowle in nagni vir / gw leddirt i’ ir i’ gor <roy>
Ca bea chewic ead in sin / bi ȝarve in gell is in gloa
[Second additional quatrain]
[>>> 36.] Di
weic i’ glywe gin tocht a clyich chorp & skay
Co mach chorik sen a <d>eis ne aykych reis er mi ray
[37.] Horchir mcmorn̄ lai lawe mcre nyt sorchir skaylle <m >
Is markg trayve an danik in ven̄ / fa hut i’ far i’ ga< >
[Third and fourth additional quatrains]
[>>> 38.] Elegir
aggin ag in es fer bi wat(s) tres is gneiwe
Cur⎡rir⎤ fa wrayċ gi moẏeir / fane oẏr i’ na’no<ir> mi r< ht>
[>>> 39.] Deyth
bleyin ȝoolle i’ narm naye in leich worb nar lay<ich> i’ <ga>
mcmorn̄ fa
deyis lamm gai leygis ac finn ni <fleyg>
[40.] Is er tuttwm in
Ir wor / in gar ȝi choyn̄ croy i’ keme /
Di we ney’ re heir fa hwne / bleyġin ac finn ansyt nan<e>
[41.] Flann
mcmorn̄ croy
in cas / hor bas fa mor in teach<t>
Hic — Ne
royve leic a danik as / ȝe<i>ve gin a chneic lane <d >
[42.] Mathirsyt feine bi wath tlacht
neaċ a wackyt reyve < >
In nis os derri (din) dym ȝneic / Er Inn is a’nit doth <sk >
Annit doth <skay >
Restored text:
1. Aithnidh
domh sgéal beag air Fionn –
ní sgéal nach cuirthe an s<uim é> –
air Mhac Cumhaill fá math goil;
fā cumhain soin rém ré. (4)
2. Do bha<ma[r]-n[e]>
beagán sluaigh
aig Eas Ruaidh na n-éigin mall;
do-chí<mi[d]-n[e]> fā sheól air lear
curach mór & bean ann. (8)
3. Caogad laoch
dhūinne mán rígh,
fā math ar gníomh air gach gart;
fir <dh>ár n-éis is mairg a chí;
do ghabhmaois air ga[ch] tír neart. (12)
4. D’éirgheamar
uile go dian,
ach Fionn na bhFian & Goll,
d’fheitheamh churaigh fā h-ard céim
bha ’na réim sgoltadh nan dt<onn>. (16)
5. Ní dhearna <támh[a]>
nā tocht
gur ghabh caladh ’sa phort ghnáth;
a’ teacht dó thar an eas
d’éirigh ás macaomh mná. (20)
6. Gile
a deallradh nas a’ ghrian,
is saoir[e] [a] mian nās a dealbh;
an inghean tháinig an gcéin,
do bha<ma[r]-n[e]> féin roimpe soirbh. (24)
7. Thig
chugainn go puball Finn,
& beannuighis go grinn dó;
fhreagair Mac Cumhaill ’na thím
an beannughadh binn gan tó. (28)
8. D’<fharraid>
an rí fā math dreach
go h-ard de[n] nighin dathghloin
cā treabh as dtáinig an bhean –
“Tabhair sgéala go gar dhúinn.” (32)
9. “Nighean
mé Ríogh Thír fā Thuinn,
inneósad go cruinn mo dháil;
ní fheil treabh fā n-iadhann grian
nar iarras fian do <fhlaith Fáil>.” (36)
10. “A
ríoghan shiubhail ga[ch] ród,
a nighean óg as math dealbh,
an toisg fā dtáingis an gcéin
tabhair fhios domh féin go dearbh.” (40)
11. “Mo
chomraigh ort mās tú Fionn,”
do ráidh rionn an macaomh <mná>;
“d’fheabhas t’urlabhra is do luaidh,
gabh mo chomraigh go luath tráth.” (44)
12. D’<fharraid>
an rí fā math fios,
“Sloinnich a nis cia th’air do thí;
<gabhaim> réd chomraigh, a bhean,
air ga[ch] fear dhā bhfeil an <gcrí>.” (48)
13. “Tá
le fíoch a’ teacht air muir
laoch as math goil air mo lorg,
mac Ríogh na Sorcha as géar airm,
is dó fā h-ainm Daighr[e] borb. (52)
14. “Do
chuireas geasa ’na chionn
go beireadh Fionn mé air sáil,
is nach beinn aige mar mhnaoi
gēr mhath a ghnaoi is a ágh.” (56)
15. Do
ráidh Osgar go glóir mir,
[an] fear sin do choisg ga[ch] rígh,
“Gion gur fóir[eadh] Fionn do gheis,
ní rach[adh] tú leis mar mhnaoi.” (60)
16. Do-chí<mi[d]-n[e]>
teacht air stéad
laoch [i]s a mhéad ōs ga[ch] fear,
siubhal na fairge go dian
’san iúl chéad<na> ghabh a’ bhean. (64)
17. Clogad
teann <teine> mā cheann,
fān fhear nār thim is <nār thréith>,
sgiath dhruimneach dhubh air a dheis,
a[n] <druimleān> cleas air a c[h]l<é>. (68)
18. Claidheamh
trom toirteil nach gann
go teann air taobh an fhir mhóir,
ag imirt c[h]leas ōs a chionn
is a’ teacht an gcionn [an] t-slóigh. (72)
19. Dhá
mhonaois ghaisg[e] go mbuaidh
a’ seasamh an gabhlaibh sgéith;
air neart, air ghaisg[e], air ghoil,
ní fheil fear mar [soin] ach sé. (76)
20. Néal
flath[a] & rosg ríogh
an gceann an fhir fā caomh cruth;
math a shnuadh, fā geal a dhéad,
is luaithe a stéad nā ga[ch] sruth. (80)
21. Táinig
an stéad sin an dtír,
’s an fear nār mhín ris an <Fhéin>
[
]
22. Caogad
laoch bhíomar ann;
dhūinne rē h-innse gēr náir,
air eagal an fhir is a fhích
ní roibhe laoch dhínn gan ghráin. (86)
23. Do
t[h]uinn mar tháinig an dtír,
d’<fharraid> an rí fā math cl<ú>,
“An aith<in> tú féin, a bhean,
an é súd an fear adeir tú?” (90)
24. “Aithnim,
Mhic Cumhaill, a Fhinn,
is <fomhair> linn é dha t’Fhéin;
tairgidh sé mis[e] bhreith leis,
gē math do threis, a Fhinn fhéil.” (94)
25. D’éirigh
Osgar & Goll
bu bhorb cosgar lonn ’na gcath,
’nan seasamh an gar an t-slóigh,
eadar an fear mór ’s a[n] flaith. (98)
>>> 26. <Ní
ghabhadh sé cúradh ō sgéith>
laoich <nā tréith> dhār roibhe ann
nō gun <dtug> ár mór air ar bhFéin
is gun d’ráinig sé féin Fionn. (102)
27. Tháinig
an laoch bu mhath tlacht
lé fioch is lé neart ’na gcionn,
agus fuadais bhuainn an bhean
do bhí gar a ghualainn Fhinn. (106)
28. Tug
Mac Morn[a] an t-urchar dian
go cruaidh ’na dhiaidh don t-sleigh;
níor fhan an t-urchar nār thréith
dha sgéith gon dearna dá bhl<oigh>. (110)
29. Do
c[h]rath Osgar fā mór fearg
a chraoiseach dhearg dhā láimh <[chlé]>,
agus marbhais stéad an fhir;
mór an t-éacht a rinneadh lé. (114)
30. ’Nuair
thuit an stéad air an leirg
dh’iompuigh lē fearg is lē fíoch,
agus fógrais, borb an taom,
cómhrag air an c[h]aogaid laoch. (118)
31. An
taobh muigh dhiom-sa féin ’s d’Fhionn,
caogad laoch nār thim ’na <dháil>;
gēr mhath an <ciseadh> ’s an dtrosd,
do gheall an gcosg lēna <láimh>. (122)
>>> 32. Mur[a] bheith caogad laoch garbh
an dáil a n-arm dhó go leór,
bheimís gan chobhar fā smacht
dā geobhadh s[é] bhuainn an ceart <[cóir>]. (126)
33. Bheireadh
dá bhuille go mear
go dian do ga[ch] fear dhíobh sin;
do bheimís uile <fo úir>
<mar thrúth[a]> ag comhraig fir. (130)
34. Cheangail
trí naoinear go mbuaidh
’san iorghail chruaidh sul do <sguir>,
gē cruaidh ceangal na dtrí chaol
air ga[ch] aon díobh sin a <chur>. (134)
>>> (Alternative position indicated in MS for quatrain 41 below)
35. Do
dhruid Goll an aignidh mhir
go liodairt an fhir an gar <dhó>;
gē b’é chífeadh iad an soin,
bu gharbh an goil is an gleó. (138)
>>> 36. Do bhí an gclaidhmhe gan tocht
a’ claoidh[e] chorp & sgéith;
co math <c>omhrag sin a[g] dís
ní <fhaicfead> [a-]rís air mo ré. (142)
37. Thorchair
Mac Morn[a] lé láimh
mac Ríogh na Sorcha, sgéal <muar>;
is mairg treabh an dtáinig an bhean
fā thuit an fear an <gar> <[dho chuan]>. (146)
>>> 38. Adhlaicthear againn ag an Eas
fear bu mhath treas is gníomh
cuirear fā bhráigh[e] ga[ch] meóir
fáinne óir <a n-onóir> mo <ríogh>. (150)
>>> 39. Deich bliadh<n[a]> Gholl <na>
n-arm n-áigh,
[dh]an laoch bhorb nār thláith an <gcath>,
Mac Morn[a], fā deighfhios liom,
’gā leigheas ag Fionn na <fleadh>. (154)
40. Is
air tuitim an fhir mhóir
an gar dho chuan, cruaidh an céim,
do bhí nighean Ríogh Thír fā Thuinn
bliadhain ag Fionn anns an Fhéin. (158)
41. Flann
mac Morn[a], cruaidh an cás,
fhuair bás, fā mór an t-éacht;
ní roibh laoch [dh]ā dtáinig as
dhíobh gan a <chrí> lán <d[o chréacht]>. (162)
42. M’athair-sa
féin bu mhath tlacht,
neach [dh]ā bhfacaidh riamh <[níor éar]>;
anois ō ’s deireadh dom ghníomh,
air Fhionn is aithnidh domh <sgéal>. (166)
Aithnidh domh <sgéal>
Translation:
The author of this is Osgar1. I know a little tale about Fionn – it is not a tale to be despised – about Cumhall’s son whose valour was good; I shall remember it all my days.
2. We were with a small band at Eas Ruaidh of the slow-moving salmon, when we saw under sail upon the ocean a large coracle with a woman in it.
3. As fifty warriors we surrounded the king, and our deeds were fine on every field; alas for him who sees [only] the men who have succeeded us; our strength prevailed over every land.
4. We all arose in haste, except Fionn of the Fiana and Goll, to await the coracle which was bounding high, and cleaving the waves in its course.
5. It did not stop or slacken speed until it made harbour in the accustomed port; as it came across the waterfall, a young woman stepped out of it.
6. Her radiance was whiter than the sun, and her disposition was even nobler than her form; we ourselves were well-mannered when we met the maiden who had come from afar.
7. She came towards us to Fionn’s tent, and she courteously greeted him; in his own time the Son of Cumhall replied to the sweet audible greeting.
8. The king of fine countenance enquired aloud of the girl with bright complexion, [and asked] from what land she had come – “Give us information without delay.”
9. “I am the daughter of the King of the Land under the Sea, and I shall tell my business in a word; there is not a land which the sun encircles where I have not sought a fian-band of <the noble of Fáil>.”
10. “O princess who has travelled every road, you young maiden of beautiful form, tell me truly the errand on which you have come from afar.”
11. “If you are Fionn, I seek your protection,” said the young lady to us; “because of the excellence of your speech and your reputation, grant me protection very speedily.”
12. The king of good knowledge asked, “Give the name of the one who is pursuing you; <I grant> you protection, lady, from every man who lives.”
13. “A warrior of great valour is coming in fury over the sea in my pursuit – the son of the King of Sorcha of sharp weapons, who is called Fierce Daighre.
14. “I laid injunctions against him that Fionn would take me over the sea, and that I would not be his wife, although his reputation and his valour were good.”
15. Osgar of the reckless talk – that man who subdued every king – said, “Although Fionn should not stand by your injunction, you would not go with him as his wife.”
16. We saw approaching on a steed a warrior who surpassed all men in stature, travelling swiftly over the ocean on the same course as the woman had taken.
17. There was a firm <flame-coloured> helmet about the head of this man who was no soft weakling; he had a black ridged shield on his right side, and the <tub> of tricks on his left.
18. A massive ample heavy sword was firmly fastened on the large man’s side, and he was performing feats above his head as he came to meet the host.
19. Two warlike excellent spears stood in the forks of his shield; for might, for prowess and for valour, no man could be compared with him.
20. This man of splendid form had the air of a prince in his countenance, and the eyes of a king; he had a fine appearance, his teeth were shining white, and his steed was swifter than every stream.
21. That steed [then] came ashore with the man who was not gentle to the Fian [ ]
22. We were there as a group of fifty warriors, and although it brings shame on us to say it, every single one of us was terrified for fear of that man and his fury.
23. When he came ashore from the sea, the king of good repute asked, “Do you know, lady, whether this is the man about whom you speak?”
24. “I know him, Fionn son of Cumhall – we think he is <a giant> <compared with> your Fian; he will attempt to carry me away with him, though your strength is good, generous Fionn.”
25. Osgar and Goll arose – terrible was the fierce slaughter when they fought – and they stood close to the host, between the large man and the prince.
26. <He could not be beaten off by the shield> of a hero <or leader> who was there until he caused a great slaughter of our Fian, and until he himself reached Fionn.
27. The warrior of fine appearance came to meet them with fury and might, and he drove away from us that lady, who was close to Fionn’s shoulder.
28. Valiantly the Son of Morna hurled after him a swift cast of the spear; the forceful cast did not stop until it had split his shield in two.
29. Osgar, whose wrath was great, hurled his red lance from his <left> hand, and he slew the warrior’s steed; great was the feat performed by the lance.
30. When the steed fell upon the slope, the warrior turned in rage and wrath, and – savage his fit of fury – he challenged the fifty warriors to a fight.
31. Besides myself and Fionn, fifty dauntless warriors went to meet him; although their <foot-play> and battle-din were good, he vowed to slaughter them with his hand.
32. If fifty warriors under arms had not been sufficient to deal with him, we would have been helpless under his power, had he received <fair play> from us.
33. He would give two blows fiercely and swiftly to each of those men; we would all have been <under the ground> <like wretches> [if we had engaged him] in single combat.
34. He triumphantly tied up three groups of nine men in the stern fray before he ceased, even although it was difficult to bind all of them by means of the three narrow parts of their bodies.
35. Goll of the wild spirit came near to hack at the man at close quarters; whoever would see them there [would agree that] their prowess and strife were ferocious.
36. Their swords did not cease from cleaving bodies and shields; as good a combat as that between two men I shall not see again in my time.
37. The Son of Morna felled with his hand the son of the King of Sorcha – a great tale; woe to the land to which that woman came, for whose sake the man was killed beside <the harbour>.
38. That man of great strength and great deeds was buried by us at the Fall; <in honour> of my king, a gold ring was placed on the upper part of each finger.
39. Goll, the son of Morna and a savage warrior who was not soft in a fight, was being healed – well do I know it – for ten years with Fionn of the feasts.
40. And after the mighty man had fallen beside the harbour – a sad event – the daughter of the King of the Land under the Sea remained a year with Fionn among the Fian.
41. Flann son of Morna – a difficult predicament – was killed, which was no small achievement; of the warriors who escaped, there was not one whose <body> was not covered in <wounds>.
42. My own father, a man of good appearance, never refused anyone whom he saw; now, since my deeds are at an end, I know a tale about Fionn.