In my purse then I hid it; thy daughter,
Who had lost it, with care for it sought;
And the day that I went to that water
Was the news of her search to me brought: 

And I asked what reward she would give me,
If the gem in her hand should be placed;
And she answered that I, if I found it,
For a year by her love should be graced.

But not then could the ring be delivered: 
For afar in my chamber it lay: 
Till she gave me the sword in the river,
We met not again on that day.

’Twas then I saw thee open
My purse, and take the ring: 
I watched, and towards the water
That gem I saw thee fling: 

I saw the salmon leaping,
The ring it caught, and sank: 
I came behind, and seized it;
And brought the fish to bank.

Then I wrapped it up close in my mantle;
And ’twas hid from inquisitive eyes;
And in Finnabar’s hand have I placed it: 
And now there on the platter it lies!”

Now all who this or that would know
To ask, and praise began: 
Said Finnabar, “I’ll never throw
My thoughts on other man!”

Now hear her word,” her parents cried,
“And plight to her thy troth,
And when for Cualgne’s[FN#13] kine we ride
Do thou redeem thine oath.

[FN#13] Pronounced Kell-ny.

And when with kine from out the east
Ye reach our western land;
That night shall be thy marriage feast;
And thine our daughter’s hand.”

“Now that oath will I take,” answered back to them Fraech, “and the task ye have asked will do!” So he tarried that night till the morning’s light; and they feasted the whole night through; And then homewards bound, with his comrades round, rode Fraech when the night was spent, And to Ailill and Maev an adieu he gave, and away to their land they went.

TAIN BO FRAICH

Part I

LITERAL TRANSLATION

Fraech, son of Idath of the men of Connaught, a son he to Befind from the Side:  a sister she to Boand.  He is the hero who is the most beautiful that was of the men of Eriu and of Alba, but he was not long-lived.  His mother gave him twelve cows out of the Sid (the fairy mound), they are white-eared.  He had a good housekeeping till the end of eight years without the taking of a wife.  Fifty sons of kings, this was the number of his household, co-aged, co-similar to him all between form and instruction.  Findabair, daughter of Ailill and Medb, loves him for the great stories about him.  It is declared to him at his house.  Eriu and Alba were full of his renown and the stories about him.

To Fraech[FN#14] was Idath[FN#15] father,
A Connaught man was he: 
And well we know his mother
Who dwells among the Shee;[FN#16]
Befind they call her, sister
To Boand,[FN#17] the Fairy Queen;
And Alba ne’er, nor Erin,
Such grace as Fraech’s hath seen. 
Yet wondrous though that hero’s grace,
His fairy lineage high,
For years but few his lovely face
Was seen by human eye.