Matheson Collection > Fianaigecht

THE CHASE OF SID NA MEAN FINN 87
with variegated, beautiful bosses of pale gold, and with delightful studs
of bronze, and with twisted stout chains of old silver ; and to protect
the hero's head in battle he seized his crested, plated, four-edged helmet
of beautiful, refined gold with bright, magnificent, ciystal gems and
with flashing, full-beautiful, precious stones which had been set in it
by the hands of master-smiths and great artists.
32. And in that way he went forth, ■a famous tree of upholding
battle, and a bush of shelter for brave warriors, and a stable stake
for hosts and multitudes, and a protecting door- valve for warriors
■and battle-soldiers of the western world ; nor did he stop in his
course until he reached the brink of the ford. Truly it was no
wonder that the kingship of Ireland and Scotland and the headship
of the fiana of the whole world should be in the hands of Finn son
of Cumhall at that time; for he was one of the five masters in every
great art, and one of the three sons of comfort to Ireland, even Lugh
Longhand, son of Cian, who ousted the race of Fomorians from Ire-
land ; and Brian of Bóromha, son of Cennédigh, who brought Ireland
out of bondage and oppression so that there was not a winno wing-
sheet of any kiln in Ireland without a Norse slave to work it until
Brian cast them out; and Finn son of Cumhall, the third son of
comfort to Ireland, who expelled from Ireland marauders and
reavers and horrible things and monsters and many beasts and full
many a fleet of exiles and every other pest. And there came a
murrain to Ireland from one corner to another; and for a whole year
Finn fed the men of Ireland and put seven cows and a bull in every
single steading in Ireland.'
33. Now however that illustrious, puissant . . . senior came and
pledged the small host that was with him to behave bravely against
the army before them. And the fifteen hundred ^«w- warriors that
were with Finn rose at the powerful urging of the voice of their
lord ; and each warrior leapt into his coat of mail and grasped his
sword and seized his lance, so that they were a mass of shield and
sword and helmet around Finn son of Cumhall and Cédach Ciothach,
the son of the king of Norway, and around Laeghaire of the swift
blows, the son of Dubh, son of Sálmhor, son of the king of the men
1 Quoted from Coffadh Gael re Gallaih, p. 116, 1. 9 : co ná rabí cáthleuh ó Beind
Ediiii- CO Tech Duind iar nErind gaa Gall i ndáiri fair.