Conn Cétchathach, son of Feidlimid Rechtmar, son of Tuathal Techtmar, son of Feradach Findfechtnach, son of Crimthand Nia Nair, son of Lugaid Riabh nDerg, son of the three white triplets, ¹ even Bres and Nar and Lothar, the names of the son of Ethach Find, ² was once at Tara of the kings, in the noble conspicuous dwelling of Ireland, for a period of nine years, and there was nothing lacking to the men of Ireland during the time of the said king, for, indeed, they used to reap the corn three times in the year. And his helpmate was Eithne Taebhfada, daughter of Brislind Binn, the king of Norway. He loved her dearly.

After their living a long time together the woman died, even Eithne, and was buried with honour in Tailltiu; for Tailltiu was one of the three chief burial-places of Ireland, namely, the Fair of Tailltiu, and the Brugh, and the cemetery of Cruachan. And he was dejected on account of his wife Eithne's death, and it weighed so heavily on him, that he was unable any longer to rule or govern the kingdom. And there was nothing lacking to Ireland at that time but one thing only, that the king of Ireland should not have found a helpmate worthy of him in her stead.

One day, however, he was all alone; and he went straight out of Tara until he came to Ben Edair meic Etgaith. There he bewailed and lamented his wife and helpmate. It was on that very day the Tuatha Dé Danann happened to be gathered in council in the Land of Promise, because of a woman who had committed transgression, and whose name was Bécuma Cneisgel, daughter of Eogan Inbir, that is, the wife of Labraid Luathlam-ar-Claideb, ³ and Gaidiar Manannan's son it was that had committed the transgression. And this was the sentence passed on her as regards herself: to be driven forth from the Land of Promise, or to be burned according to the counsel of Manannan, and Fergus Findliath, and Eogan Inbir, and Lodan son of Lir,  p.153 and Gaidiar, and Gaei Gormsuilech, and Ilbrec son of Manannan. And their counsel was to banish her from the Land of Promise. And Manannan said not to burn her lest her guilt should cleave to the land or to themselves.

Messengers came from Labraid to the house of Oengus of the Brugh, his own son-in-law; for it was a daughter of Labraid's who was the wife of Oengus of the Brugh, and her name was Nuamaisi. And it was for this reason messengers were despatched, in order that Bécuma Cneisgel should not find a place for her head in any of the sidh-mounds of Ireland. Accordingly she was banished beyond the expanse of the sea and the great deep; and it was into Ireland in particular she was sent, for the Tuatha Dé Danann hated the sons of Mil after they had been driven out of Ireland by them.

It is thus the maiden was. She had a lover in Ireland, even Art son of Conn Cétchathach, and Art did not know that he was her lover. As for the maiden, she found a coracle which had no need of rowing, but leaving it to the harmony of the wind over sea she came to Ben Edair meic Etgaith. Thus was the maiden. She had a green cloak of one colour about her, with a fringe of red thread of red gold, and a red satin smock against her white skin, and sandals of findruine on her, and soft, yellow hair, and a grey eye in her head, and lovely-coloured teeth, and thin red lips, black eyebrows, arms straight and fair of hue, a snowy white body, small round knees, and slender choice feet, with excellence of shape, and form, and complexion, and accomplishments. Fair was the attire of that maiden, even Eogan Inbir's daughter. One thing only, however, a woman was not worthy of the high-king of Ireland who was banished for her own misdeed.

When she came Conn was on Ben Edair, sorrowful, restless, and lamentful, bewailing his wife. The maiden recognized him as the high-king of Ireland, and she brought her coracle to land and sat down beside Conn. Conn asked tidings of her. The maiden answered, and said that she was come from the Land of Promise in quest of Art, whom she had loved from afar, ⁴ because of the tales about him. And she said that she was Delbchaem daughter of Morgan. “I would not come between thee and thy choice of courtship,” said Conn, “though I have no wife.” “Why hast thou no wife?” said the maiden. “My  p.155 helpmate died,” replied Conn. “What then shall I do?” said the maiden; “is it with thee or with Art that I shall sleep?” “Make thine own choice,” replied Conn. “This is my choice,” said the maiden, “since thou dost not accept me: let me have my choice of courtship in Ireland.” “I see no defects in thee for which it were right to refuse thee, unless they are concealed in thee.”

Then the maiden asked her own judgment of Conn, and it was granted her. And they made a union, Conn and the maiden, and she bound him to do her will. And her judgment was that Art should not come to Tara until a year was past. And his mind was vexed because of this, namely, the banishing of his son from Ireland without cause. After that they both set out for Tara; and the maiden left her coracle in the clefts of the rocks in shelter and concealment, for she knew not when she might need that coracle again.

Art was at Tara then playing fidchell, and Cromdes, Conn's druid, along with him. And the druid said: “a move of banishment of thine, my son, and because of the woman thy father marries thou art being banished.” The king and his wife arrived at the place, and his son is brought to him straightway. And Conn said to Art: “Leave Tara and Ireland for a year, and make thy preparation at once, for I have pledged myself to this.” And the men of Ireland deemed it a great wrong that Art should be banished for the sake of a woman. Notwithstanding, Art left Tara that night, and Conn and Bécuma were a year together in Tara, and there was neither corn nor milk in Ireland during that time. And the men of Ireland were in the greatest difficulty about that matter. And the druids of all Ireland were sent with the help of their science and their true wisdom to show what had brought that dreadful evil into Ireland. And it was declared to them; and the druids related to the king of Tara and the nobles of Ireland the cause of the evil. Because of the depravity of Conn's wife and her unbelief it was sent. And it was related, through whom their deliverance would be possible, namely, that the son of a sinless couple should be brought to Ireland and slain before Tara, and his blood mingled with the soil of Tara. This was told to Conn, and he knew not in what place that boy was. And he assembled the men of Ireland in one place, and said to them: “I will go in quest of that sinless boy; and do you give the kingdom of Ireland to Art yonder so long as I am away,  p.156 and, moreover, let him not leave Tara while I am absent until I come again.”

Then Conn proceeded straight to Benn Edair, and he found a coracle there. And he was a fortnight and a month on the sea wandering from one isle to another without knowledge or guidance save that of trusting to the course of the stars and the luminaries. And seals and leviathans, and adzeheads(?) ⁵ and porpoises, and many strange beasts of the sea rose up around the coracle, and swiftly uprose the waves, and the firmament trembled. And the hero began all alone (?) to navigate the coracle until he came to a strange isle. He landed and left his coracle in a secret lonely place. And it is thus the island was, having fair fragrant apple-trees, and many wells of wine most beautiful, and a fair bright wood adorned with clustering hazel-trees surrounding those wells, with lovely golden-yellow nuts, and little bees ever beautiful humming over the fruits, which were dropping their blossoms and their leaves into the wells. Then he saw near by a shapely hostel thatched with birds' wings, white, and yellow, and blue. And he went up to the hostel. 'Tis thus it was, with doorposts of bronze and doors of crystal, and a few generous folk withim. He saw the queen with her large eyes, whose name was Rigru Roiscclethan, ⁶ daughter of Lodan from the Land of Promise, that is, the wife of Daire Degamra, son of Fergus Fialbrethach from the Land of Wonders. Conn saw there in the midst of the hostel a young man with excellence of shape and form, in a chair of crystal, even Segda Saerlabraid, son of Daire Degamra, that was his name.

Conn sat down on the bedside of the hostel, and was ministered unto, and his feet washed. And he knew not who had washed his feet. Before long he saw a flame arising from the hearth, and the hero was seized by the hand to guide him to the fire, and he went towards the fire. Then food-laden boards of the house with varied meats rose up before him, and he knew not who had given them to him. After a short space he saw a drinking-horn there, and he knew not who had fetched the horn. Then the dishes are removed from him. He saw before him a vat excellent and finely wrought of blue crystal, with three golden hoops about it. And Daire Degamra bade Conn  p.159 go into the vat and bathe, so that he might put his weariness from him. And Conn did so, and he was ⁷ A fair cloak was thrown over the king, and he awoke refreshed. Food and nourishment was set before him. He said that it was geis for him to eat by himself. And they answered that there was no geis at all among them, save that none of them ever ate with the other. “Though no one has eaten,” said the young man, even Segda Saerlabraid, “I will eat along with the king of Ireland, so that he may not violate his geis.” And they lay in the same bed that night.

Conn arose on the morrow, and complained to the household of his need and his trouble. “What is thy need?” said they. “That Ireland is without corn and milk for a year now.” “Why hast thou come hither?” “In quest of your son,” replied Conn, “if you are willing; for it has been told us that it is through him our deliverance will come, namely, that the son of a sinless couple should be invited to Tara, and afterwards bathed in the water of Ireland; and it is you that possess the same, so let this young man, even Segda Saerlabraid be given up.” “Alas,” said Daire son of Fergus Fialbrethach, “we would not lend our son for the kingship of the world; for never did his father and mother come together except when yonder little boy was made; and moreover our own fathers and mothers never came together save at our making.” “Evil is the thing ye say,” said the young man, “not to respond to the king of Ireland; I will go myself with him.” “Do not say that, son,” said the household. “I say that the king of Ireland should not be refused.” “If that is so,” said the household, “it is thus we shall let thee go from us, under protection of the kings of all Ireland, and Art son of Conn, and Finn son of Cumall, and the men of art, so that thou shalt come back safe to us again.” “All that shall be given,” said Conn, “if I can.”

As for Conn and his coracle, after having met the adventure, it was only a sail of three days and three nights for them to Ireland. The men of all Ireland were then gathered in assembly awaiting Conn at Tara. And when the druids saw the young man with Conn, this is the counsel they gave: to slay him and mingle his blood with the blighted earth  p.161 and the withered trees, so that its due mast and fruit, its fish, and its produce might be in them. And Conn placed the young man he had brought with him under the protection of Art and Finn, and the men of art, and the men of Ireland. Then, however, the latter did not accept that, but the kings  ⁸ it at once, even Conn, and Finn, and Art Oenfer, and they were all outraged as regards the youth.

As soon as they had finished this counsel, the young man cried out with a loud voice: “O men of Ireland, leave me alone in peace (?), since ye have agreed to slay me. Let me be put to death, as I shall say myself,” said the youth. Just then they heard the lowing of a cow, and a woman wailing continually behind it. And they saw the cow and the woman making towards the assembly. The woman sat down between Finn and Conn Cétchathach. She asked tidings of the attempt of the men of Ireland, that the innocent young man should be put to death in despite of Finn, and Art, and Conn. “Where are those druids?” “Here,” said they. “Find out for me what those two bags are at the cow's sides, namely, the bag at each side of her.” “By our conscience,” said they, “we know not indeed.” “I know,” said she, “a single cow that has come here to save that innocent youth. And it is thus it will be done to her: let the cow be slaughtered, and her blood mixed with the soil of Ireland and with the doors of Tara, and save the boy. And moreover, there is something which it were more fitting for you to take heed to, that is, when the cow is cut up, let the two bags be opened, and there are two birds inside, a bird with one leg, and a bird with twelve legs.”

And the cow is slaughtered and the birds taken out of her. And they were beating their wings in the presence of the host. “It is thus we shall discover which is the stronger if they encounter.” Then the one-legged bird prevailed over the bird with twelve legs. The men of Ireland marvelled at that. Said the woman, “Ye are the bird with the twelve legs, and the little boy the bird with one leg, for it is he who is in the right.” “Take those druids there,” said the maiden, “for it were better for them to die, and let them be hanged.” And the young man was not put to death. Then the woman rose up and called Conn aside, and spoke as follows: “Put this sinful woman away  p.163 from thee, even Bécuma Cneisgel, daughter of Eogan Inbir, and wife of Labraid Luathlam-ar-claideb, for it is through transgression she has been driven out of the Land of Promise.” “That is good counsel,” said Conn, “if I could put her away; but since I cannot, give us good advice.” “I will,” said the woman, “for it is worse it will be, a third of its corn, and its milk, and its mast to be lacking to Ireland so long as she will be with you.” And she took leave of them then and went off with her son, even Segda. And jewels and treasures were offered to them, but they refused them.

Bécuma chanced to be out on the green then, and she saw Conn's son playing fidchell there. It was not agreeable for Art to see his enemy. “Is that Conn's son Art?” said she. “It is indeed,” said they. “Geis to him,” said she, “unless he play fidchell with me for stakes.” And this was told to Art son of Conn. And a fidchell was brought to them then, and they played, and Art won the first game. “This is a game on thee, girl,” said Art “That is so,” said she. “And geis on thee,” said he, “if thou eat food in Ireland until thou procure the warrior's wand which Cúrói son of Dare had in his hand when taking possession of Ireland and the great world, and fetch it to me here.”

Then the girl proceeded to the dewy light-bespeckled brugh, wherein was Oengus, with his dear wife at his side, even Nuamaisi daughter of Labraid. However she searched most of the sidh mounds of Ireland, and found no tidings of the wand until she came to the sidh of Eogabal, and a welcome was given her here from Aine, daughter of Eogabal. For indeed they were two foster-sisters. “Thou wilt get thy quest here,” said she; “and take yonder thrice fifty youths with thee until thou come to the stronghold of Cúrói on the top of Sliabh Mis.” And they found it there, and she was rejoiced thereat.

Thereupon she set out for Tara, and she brought the wand to Art, and laid it upon his knees. The fidchell was brought to them, and they play. And the men of the sidh began to steal the pieces. Art saw that, and said, “The sidh men are stealing the pieces from us, girl; and it is not thou that art winning the game, but they.” “This is a game on thee,” said the girl. “It is so indeed.” said the young man; “and give thy judgment.” “I will,” said she; “even this, that you shalt not eat food in Ireland until thou bring with thee Delbchaem, the daughter  p.165 of Morgan.” “Where is she?” said Art. “In an isle amid the sea, and that is all the information that thou wilt get.”

Art set out for Inber Colptha; and he found a coracle with choice equipment on the shore before him. And he put forth the coracle, and travelled the sea from one isle to another until he came to a fair, strange island; and fair was the character of that island, full of wild apples and lovely birds, with little bees ever beautiful on the tops of the flowers. A house, hospitable and noble, in the midst of the island, thatched with birds' wings, white and purple, and within it a company of blooming women, ever beautiful, among them Creide Firalaind, daughter of Fidech Foltlebor.

A hearty welcome was then given to him, and food set before him, and tidings are asked of him. And he said that he was come from Ireland, and that he was the King of Ireland's son, and his name was Art. “That is true,” said she. After that she put out her hand, and gave him a variegated mantle with adornments of burnished gold from Arabia, and he put it on him, and it was sufficient for him. “'Tis true,” said she, “that thou art Conn's son Art, and it is long since thy coming here has been decreed.” And she gave him three kisses, dearly and fervently. And she said, “Look at the crystal bower.” And fair was the site of that bower, with its doors of crystal and its inexhaustible vats, for, though everything be emptied out of them, they are ever full again.

He remained a fortnight and a month in that island, after which he took leave of the girl, and related his errand. “'Tis true,” said she, “that is thine errand; and it will be no little time until the maiden will be found, for the way is bad thither, and there is sea and land between thee and her, and, even if thou dost reach it, thou wilt not go past it. There is a great ocean and dark between thee and deadly and hostile is the way there; for that wood is traversed as though there were spear-points of battle under one's feet, like leaves of the forest under the feet of men. There is a luckless gulf of the sea full of dumb-mouthed beasts on this side of that immense wood. And an immense oak forest, dense and thorny before that mountain, and a narrow path through it, and a dark house in the mysterious wood at the head of the same path, with seven hags and a bath of lead awaiting thee, for thy coming there has been  p.167 fated. And there is somewhat more grievous still, even Ailill Dubhdedach son of Mongan Minscothach. And weapon cannot harm him. And there are two sisters of mine there, daughters of Fidech Foltlebor, Finscoth and Aeb their names. There are two cups in their hands: a cup filled with poison, and one filled with wine. And the cup which is on thy right hand drink therefrom when thou hast need. And near at hand is the stronghold of the maiden. Thus it is, with a palisade of bronze round about it, and a man's head on every stake of it, after being slain by Coinchend, save on one stake alone. And Coinchend daughter of the king of the Coinchind, the mother of the girl, even Delbchaem daughter of Morgan.”

Art then set out after he had been instructed by the girl until he came to the crest of that hapless sea full of strange beasts. And on all sides the beasts and great sea-monsters rose up around the coracle. And Art son of Conn donned his battle attire, and engaged them warily and circumspectly. And he began to slaughter them and maim them until they fell by him.

After that he came to the forest wild where the Coincuilind and the wicked, perverse hags were, and Art and the hags encountered. It was not a fair encounter for him, the hags piercing and hacking at him until morning. Nevertheless the armed youth prevailed over that hapless folk. And Art went on his way using his own judgment until he came to the venomous icy mountain; and the forked glen was there full of toads, which were lying in wait for whoever came there. And he passed thence to Sliabh Saeb beyond, wherein were full many lions with long manes lying in wait for the beasts of the whole world.

After that he came to the icy river, with its slender narrow bridge, and a warrior giant with a pillar-stone, and he grinding his teeth on it, namely, Curnan Cliabhsalach. Nevertheless they encountered, and belike indeed Art overcame the giant, so that Curnan Cliabhsalach fell by him. And he went thence to where Ailill Dubhdedach son of Mongan was. And 'tis thus that man was, a fierce champion was he; no weapon would harm him, or fire burn or water drown him. Then Art and he took to wrestling, and they made a manly .... combat, a stern, heroic, equally-sharp fight. And Ailill Dubhdedach began abusing Art, and they were haranguing one another.  p.169 But Art overcame the giant, so that his head came off the back of his neck. After that he wrecked the stronghold; and he seized his wife, and he sought to do her injury until she told him the way to Morgan's stronghold, and the Land of Wonders.

It was there Coinchend Cendfada, Morgan's wife, was; and she had the strength of a hundred in battle or conflict. She was the daughter of Conchruth, king of the Coinchind. And the Druids had foretold her that if ever her daughter should be wooed, in that same hour she would die. Therefore, she put to death everyone that came to woo her daughter. And it was she that had organized the hags with the bath of lead to meet him, and Curnan Cliabhsalach son of Duscad, the door-keeper of Morgan's house. And it was she that had put Ailill Dubhdedach in the way of Art son of Conn, because Art would come on that expedition to woo her daughter, as it had been foretold him. And it was she that had contrived the venomous steeds, ⁹ and the icy bridge, and the dark forest with the Coincuilind and the ... toads, and the mountain full of lions, and the hapless sea-gulf.

Thus came Art to the stronghold which he was in quest of, even Morgan's stronghold, and pleasant it was. A fair palisade of bronze was round about it, and houses hospitable and extensive, and a stately palace .... in the midst of the stead. An ingenious, bright, shining bower set on one pillar over the stead, on the very top, where that maiden was. She had a green cloak of one hue about her, with a gold pin in it over her breast, and long, fair, very golden hair. She had dark-black eyebrows, and flashing grey eyes in her head, and a snowy-white body. Fair was the maiden both in shape and intelligence, in wisdom and embroidery, in chastity and nobility. And the maiden said: “A warrior has come to the stead to-day, and there is not in the world a warrior fairer in form, or of better repute.” “It is true,” said she, “he is Art; and it is long since we have been preparing for him. And I will go into a house apart,” said she, “and do thou bring Art into the bower; for I fear lest the Coinchend may put him to death, and have his head placed on the vacant stake before the stronghold.”

With that Art went into the bower, and when the  p.171 women-folk saw him they made him welcome, and his feet were bathed. After that came the Coinchend, and the two daughters of Fidech along with her, Aebh and Finscoth, for to pour out the poison and the wine for Art.

As for the Coinchend: the amazon arose and put on her fighting apparel, and challenged Art to combat. And it was not Art who refused a fight ever. So he donned his fighting gear, and before long the armed youth prevailed over the Coinchend; and her head came off from the back of her neck, and he placed it on the vacant stake in front of the fortress.

Now concerning Art son of Conn and Delbchaem daughter of Morgan. That night they lay down merry, and in good spirits, the whole stronghold in their power, from small to great, until Morgan king of the Land of Wonders arrived; for indeed he was not there at the time. Then, however, Morgan arrived, full of wrath, to avenge his fortress and his good wife on Art son of Conn. He challenged Art to combat. And the young man arose, and put on his battle-harness, even his pleasant, satin mantle, and the white light-speckled apron of burnished gold about his middle. And he put his fine dark helmet of red gold on his head. And he took his fair, purple, embossed shield on the arched expanse of his back. And he took his wide-grooved sword with blue hilt, and his two thick-shafted, red-yellow spears, and they attacked each other, Art and Morgan, like two enormous stags, or two lions, or two waves of destruction. And Art overcame Morgan, and he did not part from him until his head had come off his neck. After which Art took hostages of Morgan's people, and also possession of the Land of Wonders. And he collected the gold and silver of the land also, and gave it all to the maiden, even Delbchaem daughter of Morgan.

The stewards and overseers followed him from the land, and he brought the maiden with him to Ireland. And they landed at Ben Edair. When they came into port, the maiden said: “Hasten to Tara, and tell to Bécuma daughter of Eogan that she abide not there, but to depart at once, for it is a bad hap if she be commanded to leave Tara.”

And Art went forward to Tara, and was made welcome. And there was none to whom his coming was not pleasing, but the wanton and sorrowful Bécuma. But Art ordered the  p.172 sinful woman to leave Tara. And she rose up straightway lamenting in the presence of the men of Ireland, without a word of leave-taking, until she came to Ben Edair.

As for the maiden Delbchaem, the seers, and the wise men, and the chiefs were sent to welcome her, and they came to Tara luckily and auspiciously. And the nobles of Ireland asked tidings of his adventures from Art; and he answered them, and made a lay.

Thus far the Adventures of Art son of Conn, and the Courtship of Delbchaem daughter of Morgan.

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Extent: 5950 words

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Manuscript source for the Irish text

• RIA, Book of Fermoy, pp. 149-145.

Literature

1. Henri D'Arbois de Jubainville, Essai d'un catalogue de la littérature épique de l'Irlande: Précédé d'une étude Sur les Manuscrits en Langue Irlandaise Conservés Dans les Isles Britanniques et Sur le Continent (Paris, 1883).
2. Eugene O'Curry, On the Manners and Customs of the ancient Irish: a series of lectured delivered by the late Eugene O'Curry; edited, with an introduction, appendixes, etc. by W. K. O'Sullivan. 3 vols., (London, Edinburgh and Dublin 1873; repr. Dublin 1996).

The edition used in the digital edition

‘The Adventures of Art Son of Conn, and the Courtship of Delbchaem’ (1903). In: Ériu‍ 2, part 1. Ed. by Richard Irvine Best, pp. 149–173.

You can add this reference to your bibliographic database by copying or downloading the following:

@article{T301046,
  editor 	 = {Richard Irvine Best},
  title 	 = {The Adventures of Art Son of Conn, and the Courtship of Delbchaem},
  journal 	 = {Ériu},
  volume 	 = {2, part 1 },
  address 	 = {Dublin},
  publisher 	 = {School of Irish Learning},
  publisher 	 = {Hodges, Figgis and Co. Ltd.},
  date 	 = {1903},
  pages 	 = {149-173}
}
 T301046.bib

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The electronic edition covers page 149 and odd pages 151 to 173. The List of Names of Persons on p 172 has been omitted.

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Correction: Text has been proof-read twice.

Normalization: The electronic text represents the edited text. Text supplied by the editor is marked sup resp="RIB.

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Segmentation: div0=the tale/saga; div0=the paragraph. Paragraphs are numbered.

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Creation: In the Middle Irish period, based on earlier models. c.900-1200

Language usage

• Some words in the notes are Early Modern Irish. (ga)
• Introduction and translation are in English. (en)

Keywords: tale; prose; medieval; kings cycle; echtra (adventure-tale); Book of Fermoy; English translation

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