The Metrical Dindshenchas (Irish Place-Lore in Verse) (1903) - Page 15

Glosses: the Meadow of Midir --- m. 7. Q = Two fields E.A. [Eochaid Airem] + Etain Eas [Esa] - Midir page 31 - E.A. page 10 - E.A.

Mael Duib
Tradition
Commentary

THE FORT OF ESA original: RATH ESA; "Rath" refers to a circular earthen fort

Here she settled, as we believe,

after reaching a goal she eagerly sought:

the daughter of Eochaid Airem A legendary High King of Ireland

and of the noble Etain.

Esa was the young woman's name;

from her, the Fort of Esa takes its name.

A hundred of every kind of beast, without exception,

were brought by her—it was a chosen tribute.

Midir A lord of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a supernatural race kept the beautiful woman

providing her with wine and mead to drink;

for nine years the girl stayed

at Brí Léith Midir’s fairy mound, located in modern County Longford, serving with the spirit of a handmaid.

Despite the wishes of Eochaid Airem,

Midir carried off the festive Etain

from Fremainn Frewin Hill in County Westmeath, the High King’s seat, even though she was of noble beauty;

thus she left behind a mournful Ireland original: Banba.

Codal of the withered foot A druid or seer said:

"You do not need to search for her;

our search begins at Brí Léith;

for that is where she has gone for love."

Alongside Eochaid Airem

came the armies of noble Ireland

from Fremainn—even though she was of noble beauty—

to plunder the shining Brí Léith.

The following notes compare word choices across different medieval manuscripts (abbreviated as L, R, B, Y, M, etc.).

Though she was of noble beauty, etc., and the rest. 16. until she left] until she left in Manuscript L; she left in Manuscripts B and S; she left, etc. in Manuscripts R, M, Y, S₂, and H. 17. he said] he said, etc. in Manuscripts L and M. 19. for] her in Manuscripts Y and S; after in Manuscripts H, S₃, and V. 20. it is that side/direction] it is that side, etc. in Manuscripts H and S₂; to that side in Manuscript M; it is there in Manuscript S. she went] she went in Manuscripts L and R; she went in Manuscripts S and S₂; she went in Manuscript H. 21. with] was in Manuscript L. 23. of noble beauty] Manuscript L; noble... beauty in Manuscript Y; of noble space in Manuscript S; unstable journey in Manuscript S₂; surrounding in Manuscript M; of noble beauty, etc. the rest: see Notes.