Summary: In "Fled Bricrenn 1: The Feasting Hall", we discussed the so-called Ulster Women's War of Words. This is where the partners of the three contending heroes take turns to boast of their own greatness as well as that of their men-folk. Here is the first of these poetic weapons, here weilded by Fedelm Nóicride, partner to Lóegaire Búadach. The text is taken from the Codex Vossianius version of Fled Bricrenn. You can read George Henderson's translation (based on the Lebor na hUidre version) here. It is marked as Section 22 in both versions. You can listen to Isolde reading the Old Irish and her translation here: §22 Isbert Fedilm Nocridi, ben Laegairi Buadaigh: Fedelm of the Noble Heart [Henderson renders this “Fresh Heart”, which seems an awkward epithet], the wife of Lóegaire the Triumphant, said: .R. “Roscad” - marks a passage of non-syllabic alliterative poetry Codumbert-sa bru soer sruith I was born of a womb of noble descent dim cloinn comcineoil offspring from my great people cin-siu do curp rigna sceo rig I am born from the body of a queen with a king richt forcaine costud manifestation of arrangement of graciousness conid cruth buidech bertar uaim so that I am called “satisfying shape” noithim crut cain. I am celebrated for fair form. Consert la febha feniu Strewn with the qualities of the People [Féni] fogart gen-siu genuss Generously, I was conceived in purity luchdonn laimdercc Loecairi The captaincy [?] of Loegaire’s red hand lin bemand mbalc mbuada full of striking glorious victories berus ar iath n-Ulad it gives to the land of the Ulaid arslig cricha comnamat. On the way [to?] the territories of mutual enemies. Imusdich immusdecrathar imgoin airri From him, defence and protection from wounding airdercai laechaib Laegairi famous warriors of Loegaire lin a bhuadhai bias os cech laech. The compliment of his victories is greater than every hero. Cid na budsi in Feidilmmsi Findcoemh Why should not Fedelm Fair-Lovely crutbuaduch buageltach gifted of form, a guardian, cichsed ria cech mnai step before every woman hi tech medrach Midcuarta? Into the intoxicating Mead-circling hall?
