J. F. Campbell Collection > Transactions of the Ossianic Society > Volume 4

73
0. Conan the bald, saith Fionn, [Ard ;
Remain thou in the dark recesses of the cave of Leath-
As it is thou who can shout most loudly,
To warn us of the approach of the enemy.
If to the cave I sliall go, Fionn,
To watch for troubles, or for hosts
Alone, without more of the Fians,
May I be pierced through the middle.
Ill it becometh thee, Conan the bald,
To refuse Fionn, saith Mac Lughaidh ;
Who is king" over the Fians,
In battle, in food, and in gold.
Although Fionn be king over the Fians,
son of Lughaidh, saith Conan ;
'Tis not likely that I must go
Alone to the cave of Leath-Ard.
There's not among all the Fenians, saith Mac Lughach,
One who can shout so loudly as thou ;
And all the Fenians shall hear thy voice.
If the foe comes near the Ard.
Speak no more of this to me,
son of Lughaidh of the smooth limbs ;
For Fionn or the Fians I shall not go there —
1 refuse it during my life.
1 UAiri) leAc Sin"? the cave of Leath Ard ; or, Lahard. Mr. Daniel
Sheelian, of Ardagh, Newcastle West, county of Limerick, who has been
often on the top of Knockanar, near Bally bunion, says, that there is a cave
there, and a spot which to this day is called Lahard ; which circumstance
alone is sufficient to identify Ci)oc.Ai)-iviTt as the scene of the battle.