The Metrical Dindshenchas (Irish Place-Lore in Verse) (1903) - Page 14

THE FORT OF ESA original: RATH ESA

Here, we believe, she rested,

after reaching a spirited goal:

the daughter of Echu Aireman original: Echdach Aireman; a legendary High King of Ireland

and of noble Étain original: Étaine áine.

Esa was the daughter's name;

from her comes the name Rath Esa.

A hundred of every kind of animal, without exception,

were brought by her; it was a triumph of tradition original: búaid mbésa.

Midir A lord of the Tuatha Dé Danann who lived in the fairy mound of Brí Léith reared that fair woman

with the drinking of wine and mead.

For nine years that girl stayed

in Brí Léith—a noble arrangement.

In spite of Echu Aireman,

Midir carried off the festive Étain

from Fremainn The king’s royal seat, likely Frewin Hill in County Westmeath, though he was of noble rank,

leaving Banba A poetic name for Ireland in sorrow.

Withered-footed Codal A druid or seer in Irish mythology said:

"There is no need for you to search for her;
she has been in Brí Léith from the very start;
that is the direction she went in her courtship." 20

Alongside Echu Aireman

went the hosts of noble Ireland

from Fremainn—though he was of noble rank—

to destroy the stronghold of Brí Léith.

The following section lists variations of the text found in different historical manuscripts (identified by the letters L, R, B, Y, M, S, etc.).

LRBYMSS₂S₃HV. 2. tíchtain (coming)] tíchtu in manuscript L. bruthmar (spirited)] bruthmair in manuscript S. 6. is di (from her)] is de in RBM; uaithi, etc. in YS₂; is uaithi, etc. in HS. 8. buaid (triumph)] búan (lasting) in L. mbésa (of custom)] LRB; fheasa (of knowledge) in M; mesa, messa, etc. in all other manuscripts. 9. roalt (reared)] ronalt in S₂; dalt in RMHSY. ben (woman)] mnai (woman/wife) in RBMS. 13. Tar cend (In spite of/Above the head of)] do chinn in L. 14. n-ólaig (festive/of drinking)] eolaigh (skilled/wise), etc. in SS₂. 15. ciarb aireglan (though he was of bright dignity)] LL; gerb oreglan in V; ciarb airerclan in R; ciarboreagail in M.