Dian Cecht
HE WHO IS SWIFT WITH POWER
MEMORIA OF DIAN CECHT
Brother of Nuadha and Goibhniu,
Brother of Oll, Forus and Fir
Father of Miach and Ochtruil,
Father of Cu, Cethern and Cian,
Father of Airmhid and Eadaoin,
Grandfather of Lugh of the Red spears,
Grandfather of Cairpre the Poet
The chanter,
Sage of leech-craft,
He who travels the extended ways,
He who journeys over weak, unsound bodies,
Architect of the herb-full pool,
Healer of the kings Eye,
Maker of the Silver Hand,
Restorer of kingship,
Healer of wounds grievous and grim,
Giver of sound limbs.
Swift and powerful judge,
Slayer of a hundred,
Deliverer of strong and mighty blows,
Maker of great gory wounds against the Fir Bolg
Singing of lancets,
Slaughterer of the sons of Gann,
Destroyer of the Three-fold Serpent,
Perpetrator of the four blows,
He who buries his own son
If Miach be not, Airmhid will remain.
Brayer of every herb,
He who succours grateful kings,
Lord of spells under guidance,
Lord of the Harper of Magh Corrain.
©Robert J. Smith, 2023, London
MEMORIA OF CLANN DIAN CECHT
Hail Oll, Foras and Fir,
Brothers of Diancecht,
Handsome, haughty and armed,
They of the Hill of the Three,
They who discern the herb-filled pool.
Hail Ochttriuil,
First Child of Diancecht,
Chanter of the well,
Power of Age.
Hail Miach,
Fourth Child of Diancecht,
Herb-jointed,
Discounted by many,
Healer of the Three blows,
Device of art,
Cleanser of nine,
Chanter of nine,
Fire of nine,
He who removes bright flowers from black reeds,
He who turns silver to flesh.
Hail Airmhid,
Daughter of Diancecht,
Sieve of Recording,
She who knows the worth of fields,
Fitting digger,
grain healer;
She who gives water to the dead,
She who remains.
Hail Eadaoin,
Daughter of Diancecht,
Ward of sleepers,
Healer of the king’s eye,
Sweeter than harps and pipes, her voice,
Fragrance that turns away hunger,
Bloom that turns away thirst,
Spray of wings that cures sickness and disease,
She who thrives on goodly precious herbs,
She who regains colour at night,
She who turns virtue for healing,
Gift of cup-bearing.
© Robert J. Smith, 2023, London