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Prev | Next | Contents | Main Page [FN#132] A conjecture: MS. tossad. chomairi. Fuan corcair imbi, ocus mong or-budi fair co brainni him. Tunic purple about him, and hair gold-yellow on him to edges
of his two shoulders. Eye lustrous gray in his head. Spear five-pointed in his hand.
Shield white-bossed in his hand with gems of gold on it. Was silent Eochaid, for not
he knew of his being in the Tara the night before, and not was opened the Liss
at that hour. He came under protection of Eochaid thereon; said Eochaid then,
welcome to the hero whom we know not. It is for that we have come, said the
(young) warrior. We know thee not, said Eochaid. I know thee indeed, said the
warrior. What (is) thy own name? said Eochaid. Not illustrious that, said he,
Mider of Bri Leith. What brought thee? said Eochaid. To play at chess
with thee, said he. I am good myself truly, said Eochaid, at chess-play. Its essaying
to us! said Mider. Is, said Eochaid, the queen in her sleep, it is hers the house
where is the chessboard. There is here yet, said Mider, a chessboard which is not
worse. Was true that, a board of silver and men of gold, and shining in every
direction on that board of costly stones, and a men-bag of woven chains of brass.
Set out Mider the chessboard thereupon. Play! said Mider. Not will I play, except
for a stake, said Eochaid. What stake shall be here? said Mider. Equal to me, said
Eochaid. Thou shalt have from me, said Mider, if thou carry off my stake,
50 horses of dark-gray, and they with dappled heads, blood-red, with ears pricked high,
chests broad, nostrils distended, feet thin, strong, keen, ? vehement,
very high, spirited, easily stopped,
thereupon is, placed earth and gravel and stones on the bog. Over foreheads
of oxen then were yokes among men of Ireland till that very night, when
it was seen (tbLat they were) among people of the Mounds on their shoulders. It was done
so by Eochaid, so that hence is to himself (the name of) Echaid Airem, for
it is by him first was put yoke on necks of oxen for land of Ireland. This
is then there word which was on lips of the host at making of the causeway:
Put into hand
place (it) into hand
noble (are) oxen for hours after sunset
very heavy request
it is not known to whom (is) gain
to whom harm from the causeway over moor of Lamrach.
There would not be in the world a causeway which is better, if not (men) had been at
the seeing them. Was left on that account a breach there thenceforth. Thereupon came
the steward to Echaid, and made known tales of the great serving band, that he saw
before him, and said that there was not on the chariot pole of life a power
that excelled it. When they were at their talking they saw Mider (come)
to them. High ? girt (he was), and evil face (was) on him.? Rose ?[FN#134] Eochaid,
and gave welcome to him. It is for that we have come, said Mider. It is cruel and is
senseless thou art to me, great hardship and great suffering thy bestowing on me
I used to get what seemed good to thee still but is angry my mind against thee.
Not anger against anger: to thyself the thing that shall choose thy mind, said Eochaid.
It shall be done then, said Mider. Shall we play at chess? said Mider. What stake
shall be there? said Eochaid. The stake that wishes each of the two parties, said
Mider. Is carried off stake of Echaid in that very place. Thou hast carried off my
stake, said Echaid. If wish to me (had been) I could have carried it off long since,
said Mider. Question what wishest thou from myself? said Echaid. Two arms about
Etain, and a kiss from her, said Mider. Was silent Echaid thereon, and said,
thou shalt come in a month from to-day, (and) shall be given to thee that very thing. The
year before the coming of Mider to Echaid for playing of the chess was he at
wooing of Etain, and nothing was found by him. This is the name used to give Mider
to her: fair-haired lady, so that thence he said:
O fair-haired lady, wilt thou come with me
into a land marvellous, that is music?
(thus) is the top of the head, of primrose the hair there,
is colour of snow the body to the head:
It is there not will be 'mine' or 'thine,'
white teeth there, black eyebrows,
is colour of eyes number of our hosts, Prev | Next | Contents | Main Page
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