There is a maiden in the noble (?) house
Surpassing the women of Éire,
She steps forward, with yellow hair,
Beautiful, many-gifted she.
Her discourse with each in turn
Is beauteous, is marvellous,
The heart of each one breaks
With longing and love for her.
The noble maiden said:
"Who is that youth whom we do not know?
If thou be he, come hither awhile—
The gillie of the Man from Murthemne."[98]
I went to her slowly, slowly,
Fear for my honour seized me,
She asked me, "Comes he hither,
The famous son of Dechtire?"
(Laegh addresses Cuchulain)
Alas, that he[99] went not long ago,
And every person asking it,
That he might see, as it is,
The mighty house that I have seen.
If all Éire were mine,
And the kingdom of Magh Breg of gold,
I would give it (no small test)
Could I frequent the place where I have been!
FOOTNOTES:
[97] Lit. "ear."
[98] i.e. Cuchulain, whose home-lands lay in the Plain of Murthemne, in the district of Co. Louth; Laegh was Cuchulain's charioteer.