Page:Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry - Meyer.djvu/95

 Forty years stoutly thou wast in the hand of
 * Allen's high-king,

With Murigan of mighty deeds thou never wast a
 * year without battle.

In Wexford Murigan, the King of Vikings, gave
 * thee to Carroll:

While he was upon the yellow earth Carroll gave
 * thee to none.

Thy bright point was a crimson point in the battle
 * of Odba of the Foreigners,

When thou leftest Aed Finnliath on his back in
 * the battle of Odba of the noble routs.

Crimson was thy edge, it was seen; at Belach
 * Moon thou wast proved,

In the valorous battle of Alvy's Plain throughout
 * which the fighting raged.

Before thee the goodly host broke on a Thursday
 * at Dun Ochtair,

When Aed the fierce and brilliant fell upon the
 * hillside above Leafin.

Before thee the host broke on the day when Kelly
 * was slain,

Flannagan's son, with numbers of troops, in high
 * lofty great Tara.

Before thee they ebbed southwards in the battle of
 * the Boyne of the rough feats,

When Cnogva fell, the lance of valour, at seeing
 * thee, for dread of thee.

Thou wast furious, thou wast not weak, heroic was
 * thy swift force,

When Ailill Frosach of Fál fell in the front of the
 * onset.