It was no marvel that he did good, so excellent
was his training. No marvel men envied his fortune
so great was his gaiety. A merry tale will be found
with the skillful youth; so tall and bright, elegant
and white-footed; this leader of the fair host who
excelled in understanding, comeliness and success.
Who - in short - won all the varied excellences
with the excellence of his sweetness of voice.
His prize for valour, his prize for wisdom, for beauty
or generosity, were not granted to any heir of his age.
Strength in luck, luck with success, a modest heart,
understanding to keep him, curling tresses he had
gotten. When he was injured, the sod that
chanced to be under his white foot, certified it to be
the handsome brown haired prince. The planets
declared it to his curling hair.
~
The like of Maurice, who exalted bards, was Lugh
Longhand; equally great in knowledge was this
valiant compeer equal in sway. At the age of
Maurice, the earls son, he delivered Banbha,
when he, the mighty tree of Bladhma, defeated
the race of the Formorians. At Eamhain in the east,
Lugh the darling of Tara beheld Tara - Rampart
of Té - when he reached it after searching the whole
earth. Lugh, champion of our choice, finds the door
closed: he goes to the smooth even-surfaced wall; |
he strikes the knocker. Where have you come from, the doorkeeper said,
O young red-cheeked man; tall, smooth, strong
and bright?
Answered Lugh, who sought nor shirked no fight
"I am a poet from Eamhain, of the Apple trees,
of swans and yew trees
It is not lawful for you" said the doorkeeper,
"to come to our good house. There is a man
of your art in our stronghold, bright and ruddy one.
The House of Miodhchuairt belongs at this time
to the sons of Ethliu; we must tell of the qualities
of the fair curved house. One of the qualities of the
House of Miodhchuairt, whose borders are smooth,
is that two of one craft are not admitted, fair
and furious one. So many are the arts
of the Tuatha Dé Dannan, bestowers of cloaks,
that you must bring to them an art they do not know
Among my arts - conceal it not to the company
beyond the gate - is leaping on a bubble without
breaking it. Go recount that. Snámh ós éttreóir,
arrying a vat on the ridges of the elbows;
these two arts are in my power; go declare it. Ask
whether there is one of the vigorous throng
that can outrun any steed on the fair soft green,
we promise a race. What i recount is here as an
extra beyond them, and in their own arts, none
is so expert as I: I speak not in anger |