THE FORT OF ESA original: RATH ESA

This is the fourfold task
that Eochaid Airem performed,
with many a distinguished company, 55

and a count original: "tale"; meaning a tally or counting of shields and swords:

[To build] a causeway across the Bog of Lamraige,
[to clear] original: "[to plant]"; the mythological task was actually the clearing or tilling of the wilderness the woods growing wild over Brefne,
to clear stones from the lowlands original: "Bottoms"; referring to fertile low-lying ground of great Meath original: Mide, 60

and [to spread] rushes over Tebtha Modern-day Teffia, a territory in Westmeath and Longford.

"O daughter, ask of me,"
said Eochaid; "tell me now
which fortress among my fortresses [you desire],
and it shall be granted to you by me." 65

Then it was that she chose
the Fort of Esa original: Rath Esa, a precinct with a beautiful lawn;
a seat from which she might keep watch The original text's "plunder" is marked with a (?) in the OCR, suggesting uncertainty; given the context of a royal seat, "overlook" or "keep watch" is a likely alternative,
and from which she might see three other great fortresses:

The Mound of the Brug original: Síd in Broga; the great passage tomb at Newgrange of the roads, 70

one of the three fortresses built correctly, fit for a hundred men,
The Mound of the Hostages original: Duma Giall in Tara,
and fair Dun Crimthaind Crimthann's Fort in Howth.

Then was [the Fort] granted
by Eochaid—a promise without deceit— 75

along with everything she requested,
with plenty of treasures inside.

Midir, after the truce had expired,
came regarding the bold challenge original: "award"; here meaning a settlement or claim
to Eochaid once more, 80

regarding the same rightful business.

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67. would ennoble M; as if he would see, etc. YHSS₂; as he would see, etc. S₃V: see Notes. 68. field] L; would see, etc. others. 69. of the roads] of the mouths, etc. RBYMSS₃H; of the showers S₂. 70. the] i L. hundred-fold] L; first seat R; first seat B; first seat M; first seat (?) Y; first one, etc. others. 71. of the Hostages in] L; of the Hostages in RY; of the Hostages that, etc. MS; of the Hostages S₂; of the Hostages BS₃H. 73–76.] not in L. 74. saying] meeting S₂. 75. whatever] something, etc. YSS₃. 77. violation original: cúl] destruction L. 78. about the] about LL. 79. once more] L; again, etc. others.