Daimid ána for lindib.

Daimid ána for lindib.

(he endures/allows * cups * on * pools)

He risks silver cups at wells.

The implication is “he puts his authority to the test”. “Sanas Cormaic” (No. 48) explains that kings used to test their power to maintain law and order by placing valuable cups, usually made of silver, at wells so that thirsty people could refresh themselves. Needless to say, no theft of cups was clear evidence that the king’s law was strong.

In “Acallam na Senórach”, a much later text, Caílte tells Coscrach na Cét about a stone with a hollow in it that contained, during the reigns of Conn and Art and Cormac and Cairbre Lifechair, an arm-band made of 160 ounces of red gold. “Do bói d’ fhebus rígi na ríg na lamad nech a breith leis,” explained Caílte. (“So excellent was the reign of the kings that no one dared steal it.”)

Topics: Proverbial Sayings