hannon, what is the cause thereof? I will relate (it) without deceit;
without riddle, in luminous speech,
I will declare its name and origin.
Trans. Maud Joynt
1.
hannon, what is the cause thereof?
I will relate (it) without deceit;
without riddle, in luminous speech,
I will declare its name and origin.
2. I will recount to each and all
the rise of Shannon pure of stream;
I will not hide its fair renown,
I will declare the cause of its name.
3. The well of Connla great of cheer
was 'neath the dark blue-rimmed sea;
seven streams whose fame was not alike (flowed) from it,
Shannon among the seven.
4. Round about that well
were set nine hazel-trees of Crimall sage;
(wrapt) through a spell of sovran power
are they in dark druidic mist.
5. At the same time — as is not wont —
their leaves and blossoms grow;
a marvel — though a virtue rare! —
that they should ripen all at once.
6. As soon as the nuts are ripe,
they fall from high into the well below,
where they are scattered through its midst,
so that the salmon eat them.
7. From the juice of the nuts — no portion mean ! —
are formed the bubbles of wisdom ;
thence at all seasons (to earth) they come,
borne on (the bosom of) bright-green streams.
8. There was a yellow-crested maid yonder
among the De Danann tribes,
Sinann the feateous, of aspect pure,
daughter of Lotan Lucharmar.
9. The maiden bethought her once at night,
the sweet-voiced red-lipt womanly maid,
how her condition had every (gift of) fame,
save the (gift of) wisdom alone.
10. At day when the maiden of comely form
came to the river,
she beheld — no mean destiny was hers! —
the beauteous bubbles of wisdom.
11. The maiden went — aspiring quest ! —
after them into the emerald stream ;
in poursuit of them yonder she was drowned,
so that from her is the Shannon (named).
12. Another shaping, if ye desire,
I put on the Shannon of shining stream;
though others besides me read it so,
'tis no better than the first account.
13. The name of the pool where she was drowned
(I aver) is "the Noble Lady's Pool";
'tis but her due, for from her (it comes),
as is truth to tell.
14. (Yet) another story I recall
which all have heard far and wide;
'twas Nuada's hound of beauty great
that perished in the cruel stream.
15. Or it may be that "Sinann", rightly read,
is "Sin Mórainn", ["Morann's collar"] by interpretation ;
the custom of Morann in grandeur of deeds,
fairer than any collar that!)
Sources : Maud Joynt, Miscellany presented to Kuno Meyer
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