IV. These are the events that brought about the telling of 'Mongán's Frenzy.'

Gaelic omitted...

p. 57

IV. These are the events that brought about the telling of 'Mongan's Frenzy.' ¹

Findtigernd, ² Mongán's wife, besought Mongán to tell her the simple truth of his adventures. He asked of her a respite of seven years. It was granted. Then that period arrived. The [15] men of Ireland had a great gathering at Usnech in Meath, the year of the death of Ciarán the son of the Carpenter, and of the slaying of Túathal Maelgarb, ³ and of the taking of the kingship by Diarmait. ⁴ The hosts were on (the hill of) Usnech. A great hail-storm came upon them there. Such was its greatness [20] that the one shower left twelve chief streams in Ireland for ever. Mongán with seven men arose and went from the cairn aside, and his queen and his shanachie Cairthide, son of Marcán. Then they saw something, a prominent stronghold

p. 58

with a frontage of ancient trees. They go to it. They went into the enclosure. They go into a marvellous house there. A covering of bronze was on the house, a pleasant bower over its windows. Seven conspicuous men were there. Within [5] the house there was a marvellous spread of quilts and covers, and of wonderful jewels. Seven vats of wine there were. Mongán was made welcome in the house. He stayed there. He became intoxicated. It was then and there that Mongán sang the 'Frenzy' to his wife, since he had [10] promised he would tell her something of his adventures. It seemed to them it was not very long they were in that house. They deemed it to be no more but one night. However, they were there a full year. When they awoke, they saw it was Rathmore ¹ of Moy-Linny in which they were.

Footnotes

57:1 lit. The occasion of Mongán's 'Frenzy' this here. Baile Mangáin or Mongán's 'Frenzy ' or 'Vision' was the title of a tale which is now lost; though one MS. (H) gives this title to the present tale. As to other tales called Baile, see O’Curry, MS. Materials, F. 385.

57:2 i.e. 'Fair Lady.' In the tale printed above, p. 46, 14, she is called Breótigernd 'Flame-Lady.'

57:3 According to the Four Masters these two events happened A-D. 538.

57:4 Diarmait, the son of Cerball or Cerrbél, became king of Ireland A.D. 539 (F.M).

58:1 Monggán's own palace in co. Antrim.