One day, when Patrick had no psalms to sing, but had leisure for feasting and conversation, he went to the house of Oisin, the son of Finn, whose speech was pleasing to his ears. Patrick said: "We welcome you, cheerful old man, and come to visit your home, valiant red-faced hero, who never refused a request. We wish to hear from you, O grandson of Kumal with a strong sword, the story of the greatest misfortune that has befallen the Fenians since you first began to walk in their footsteps."
Oisin said: “I will gladly tell you, O Patrick of sweet psalms, about the greatest misfortune that has ever befallen the Fenians since the heroes of Finn first appeared.
Finn, at the age of heroes, forgot to invite several Fenians, inflamed with anger and indignation, to a feast at Al-main, on the red hill. “Since you did not honor us with the honor of the holiday,” said the sweet-voiced Mac Ronayne, “I and the noble Ailte relieve ourselves for a year from serving Finn.” As they departed, they silently laid their shields and swords on the sides of their ships. Two noble leaders went to Lochlann, the kingdom of brilliant men.
For a year, the handsome fighters were friends of the king - the sharp-armed son of the royal Connhar and Ailte, who never refused a request. The Queen of Lochlann, the land of brown shields, was overcome by a strong passion, which she could not hide, for the long-haired warrior Ailta. With him she carried out her plan and fornicated from the king's bed.
It was an act for which blood was shed. They - the queen and Ailte - set off across the sea to Al-main of heroes, Finn's home. The king of Lochlann at that time was a man who achieved victory in every confrontation - Airgin, son of Einnir, king of ships, very skillful in matters of arms. The king assembled his army and a stronghold of ships, abundantly supplied with supplies. Nine lords united their forces into a daring army of the men of Lochlann. They swore that they would not return from the voyage, leaving Finn behind them. But every sword is good until it is tested in battle.
They boldly sailed their ships to the coast of Ireland and densely positioned their forces near the place where Finn was surrounded by his warriors. A message came to Finn, terrible news that was the cause of grief for many - a challenge to the leaders of Inisfail to the northern shore.
We sent to them the princess, blue-eyed and white-toothed, and sent with her a hundred horses, the best of all that had ever been led by a bridle, and on them a hundred horsemen dressed in satin that shone like the sun.
When she reached the shore, she left the horses behind and walked forward to meet the men of Lochlann. Two golden apples were in her right hand, and there was wood woven on the sleeves of her dress.
Airgin asked: “What news from the people of Finn, O maiden of curled locks?” The maiden said: “Since your wife has broken her marriage vow and is guilty of a dishonorable deed, Finn's friendship is offered to you. You will receive me as a guarantee of the fulfillment of the deed and, if you accept the offer, you will receive friendship and a hundred horses, the best of all that have ever been led by a bridle, and on them a hundred riders, dressed in satin, shining like the sun. You will receive this and a hundred belts - disease cannot strike those whoever girds himself with them, they stop pain and torment; you will receive this and a hundred dishes that were set before the kings of the world - the one whose food is prepared on them will enjoy eternal youth. You will receive this and a hundred ships that cut through the waves with increasing speed, you will receive this and a hundred warriors who earn tribute in a harsh battle. this and a hundred swift hawks, victorious in the air. You will receive this and a hundred fertile mares, and as many white cattle as the valley can accommodate. Having received these gifts, take your wife and make peace with us.”
Airgin said: “I will not make peace with Ailte or with the noble Fenians until I make Finn my prisoner and drive his cattle to the shore.”
The maiden answered: “I tell you, Airgin, in accordance with my judgment in this matter, that, whatever your strength, you will never make Finn
captive and you cannot drive his cattle to the shore. But since my proposals are foolishly rejected, I return, and therefore farewell." Airgin said: "Do not go, O maiden of curled locks, noble princess with a sweet voice; you will accept the precious stones, and I will bind myself to your side forever." The maiden answered: "I return, O leader of these hordes, for I cannot appease the fury of your vengeance, I cannot obtain forgiveness for the reckless couple." The princess turned and rode off to her father's palace. Many silken banners were raised, and soon the Fenians lined up in battle order. Seven times twenty of our best warriors and Ailte himself in the first ranks fell at the hands of the great Airgin, against whom the troops took up arms. When Finn, who had remained silent for a long time, saw the death of his army, he was enraged. He did a lot, urging the Fenians. “Who will defeat Airgin in battle, or will we leave him this triumph over us without vengeance?” Then Goll, the most indomitable of the warriors, answered: “Let me fight Airgin in battle, test the valor of a hero."
Finn said: "Take Mac Anluth and dark-haired Dear-maid, handsome Ciaran and Mac Anlaig to protect yourself from the warrior's wounds - take them two as a shield on each side."
The beating of our troops lasted for eight days without a break. On the ninth day, Goll obtained the head of King Lochlann with a brown shield. No one escaped the blade of the sword or returned from the battle exulting. None of King Lochlann's regiments returned home to their native land. Four times twenty and another five thousand men of glory fell at the hands of Tara and Goll, and two thousand at the hands of Oscar of brave deeds and Cairil the fair-skinned. I will guarantee in the name that you gave me, O Patrick, sweet psalms - there fell from Finn and from me as much as from those four. In that battle, almost half of the Fenians were killed on the southwestern coast; and no more than a third of them survived until sunset.”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru