Matheson Collection > Fianaigecht

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The Chase of Sid na mBan Finn and the Death of Finn
1. A great extensive chase was held hy Finn and by the valorous,
red-weaponed^fl«a of Ireland throughout Sid na mBan Finn and Sid
ar Femen and the eastern part of the Plain of Femen and the slopes
of Luachair Dedad. And the chiefs of the^a» and their noble tribes
went with the royal leader of the /««a to hold that chase, even the
children of Baiscne and the children of Moma and the children of
Dubh-dithribh and the children of Nemnann and the children of Ronan
and the children of Smol and the tribe of Dubh da bhoirenn and all the
other ordinary ^«w.
2. The chase was arranged and spread by them throughout the
woods and wildernesses and sloping glens of the lands nearest to
them, and throughout smooth, delightful plains and close -sheltering
woods and broad-bushed, vast, oak forests. And each man of the
Jiana of Ireland went separately to his mound of chase and his site of
throwing and his gap of danger, as* they were wont to arrange
every victorious chase before that. But on that day it was not the
same for them as on every other day, for the chase failed them, so
that they found neither wild swine nor hare nor wolP nor badger nor
deer nor hind nor roe nor fawn on which any one of them might
redden his hand that day. And that night they spent in sorrow and
disgrace ; and on the morrow they rose in the early bright morning ;
and the chase was extended by them along the Shannon of green
currents and throughout lofty, cold Slieve Aughty and throughout
the ancient Plain, of Adhai" son of Timor ; but that day also the luck
of the chase failed them as it had done on the first day.
3. However, in the momiag of the third day they arranged their
«ager, nimble-footed packs of hounds jointly throughout Sescenn na
nAighe and the districts nearest to it. But that day also they had no
response, but as on every other day. Great was the astonishment of
1 The MS. has ' where.'
2 The MS. has hrec ' trout.' Bead bréch, which is translated.