[FN#70] Pronounced Kell-ny.

THE RAID FOR THE CATTLE OF REGAMON

LITERAL TRANSLATION

In the time of Ailill and Medb, a glorious warrior and holder of land dwelt in the land of Connaught, and his name was Regamon.  He had many herds of cattle, all of them fair and well-shaped:  he had also seven daughters with him.  Now the seven sons of Ailill and Medb loved these (daughters):  namely the seven Maine, these were Maine Morgor (Maine with great filial love), Maine Mingar (Maine with less filial love), Maine Aithremail (Maine like his father), Maine Mathremail (Maine like his mother), Maine Milbel (Maine with the mouth of honey),[FN#71] Maine Moepert (Maine too great to be described), Maine Condageb-uile (Maine who combined all qualities):  now this one had the form both of father and mother, and had all the glory that belonged to both parents.

[FN#71] The name of Maine Annai, making an eighth son, is given in Y.B.L., but not in the Egerton Ms.

The seven daughters of Regamon were the three Dunann, and the four Dunlaith;[FN#72] from the names of these is the estuary of Dunann in western Connaught, and the Ford of Dunlaith in Breffny.

[FN#72] So Egerton, which Windisch follows here; the reading of Y.B.L. is Dunmed for the daughters, and Dumed for the corresponding ford.

Now at a certain time, Ailill and Medb and Fergus held counsel together.  “Some one from us,” said Ailill, “should go to Regamon, that a present of cattle may be brought to us from him; to meet the need that there is on us for feeding the men of Ireland, when the kine are raided from Cualgne.”  “I know,” said Medb, “who would be good to go thither, if we ask it of them; even the Maine; on account of their love for the daughters.”

His sons were called to Ailill, and he spoke with them.  “Grateful is he, and a better journey does he go,” said Maev, “who goes for the sake of his filial love.”  “Truly it shall be that it is owing to filial love that we go,” said Mani Morgor.  “But the reward should (also) for this be the better,” said Mani Mingar; “it stands ill with our heroism, ill with our strength.

It is like going from a house into the fields, (going) into the domains or the land of foes.  Too tenderly have we been brought up; none hath let us learn of wars; moreover the warriors are valiant towards whom we go!”

They took leave of Ailill and Medb, and betook themselves to the quest.  They set out, seven times twenty heroes was the number, till they were in the south of Connaught, in the neighbourhood of the domain of Corcomroe[FN#73] in the land of Ninnus, near to the burg.  “Some of you,” said Mani Morgor, “should go to find out how to enter into the burg; and to test the love of maidens.”  Mani Mingar, with two others, went until he came upon three of the maidens at the water-springs, and at once he and his comrades drew their swords against them.  “Give life for life!” said the maiden.  “Grant to me then my three full words!” said Mani Mingar.  “Whatever thy tongue sets forth shall be done,” said the maiden, “only let it not be cows,[FN#74] for these have we no power to give thee.”  “For these indeed,” said Mani, “is all that now we do."[FN#75]