W. A. Clouston - "Flowers from a Persian Garden and Other Papers"

Robert Howlett - "The School of Recreation (1696 edition)"

Mary Greenway McClelland - "Princess"

Unknown - "The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge"

Books of The Times: Perfect Neighbors, Perfect Strangers
Author Solutions, a publisher of print-on-demand books, has acquired Xlibris, a rival self-publisher, expanding its footprint in one of the fastest-growing segments of publishing.

Arts, Briefly: Self-Publishing Company Acquires Its Rival
In Michel Faber’s novel based on the Prometheus myth, a linguist discovers what appears to be a fifth Gospel, a new account of the Crucifixion.

Books of The Times: A 5th Gospel Can Be Like a 5th Wheel
An independent publisher said it was negotiating to release Herman Rosenblat’s discredited memoir, “Angel at the Fence,” as fiction.

Unknown - The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge

U >> Unknown >> The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge




[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1637-1639.

[6-6] Eg. 93.

[7-7] LU. fo. 61, note 7, edition O'Keeffe and Strachan.

[c] Fergus' answer, eight lines in _rosc_, LU. page 61, note 7, edition
of Strachan and O'Keeffe (these lines are not in YBL.), has been
omitted in the translation.

[1-1] Eg. 93 and Eg. 209.

[2-2] Eg. 209.

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1640-1641.

[6-6] Eg. 209.

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] LU. 1643.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1642.]

[10-10] LU. 1644.

[11-11] LU. 1645-1647.

[a] In Eg. 93, this is said by Medb.

Medb sought counsel, what was best to be done with Cuchulain, for she was
sore grieved at all of her host that had been slain by him. This is the
counsel she took: To despatch keen, high-spirited men at one time to attack
him when he would come to an appointment she would make to speak with
him. For she had a tryst the next day with Cuchulain, to conclude the
pretence of a truce with him in order to get a chance at him. She sent
forth messengers to seek him to advise him to come to her, and thus it was
that he should come, unarmed, for she herself would not come but with her
women attendants to converse with him.

The runner, namely Traigtren ('Strongfoot') [1]son of Traiglethan
('Broadfoot')[1] went to the place where Cuchulain was and gave him Medb's
message. Cuchulain promised that he would do her will. "How liketh it thee
to meet Medb to-morrow, O Cuchulain?" asked Laeg. "Even as Medb desires
it," answered Cuchulain. "Great are Medb's deeds," said the charioteer; "I
fear a hand behind the back with her." "How is it to be done [2]by us[2]
then?" asked he. "Thy sword at thy waist," the charioteer answered, "that
thou be not taken off thy guard. For a warrior is not entitled to his
honour-price if he be taken without arms, and it is the coward's law that
falls to him in this manner." "Let it be so, then," said Cuchulain.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

Now it was on Ard ('the Height') of Aignech which is called Fochard to-day
that the meeting took place. Then fared Medb to the tryst and she stationed
fourteen men of those that were bravest of her bodyguard in ambush against
him. These were they: the two Glassine, the two sons of Buccridi, the two
Ardan, the two sons of Licce, the two Glasogma, the two sons of Crund,
Drucht and Delt and Dathen, Tea and Tascur and Tualang, Taur and Glese.

Then Cuchulain comes to meet her. The men rise against him. Fourteen spears
are hurled at him at the same time. The Hound defends himself, so that
neither his skin nor protection (?) is touched and he turns in upon them
and kills them, the fourteen men. Hence these are the 'Fourteen men of
Fochard.' And they are also the 'Men of Cronech,' for it is in Cronech at
Fochard they were slain. And it is of this Cuchulain spake:--

"Good my skill[a] in champion's deeds.
Valorous are the strokes I deal
On the brilliant phantom host.
War with numerous bands I wage,
For the fall of warlike chief--
This, Medb's purpose and Ailill's--
Direful (?) hatred hath been raised!"[b]

[a] With a play on the name _Focherd_, as is explained in the following
paragraph.

[b] Here follow six lines in _rosc_, LU. 1692-1697, edition of Strachan
and O'Keeffe (the passage does not occur in YBL.), of uncertain
meaning; they are omitted in the translation.

This is the reason why the name Focherd clung to that place, to wit: _Fo_
'Good' and _Cerd_ 'Art,' which signifieth 'Good the feat of arms' that
happened to Cuchulain there.

Then came Cuchulain and he overtook [1]the hosts[1] pitching camp, and
there were slain the two Daigri, the two Anli and the four Dungai of
Imlech. And there Medb began to urge on Loch: "Great is the scorn that is
made of thee," said she, "that the man that killed thy brother should be
destroying our host [2]here before thee[2] and thou not attack him. For
sure we are that such as he yonder, that great and fierce madman, will not
be able to withstand the valour and rage of a warrior such as thou
art. And, further, from one and the same instructress the art was acquired
by you both."[12]

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[12-12] LU. 1647-1708 and Eg. 93 (_Revue Celtique_, t. xv. 1894,
pp. 64-66).

[W.2283.] "I will go forth and attack him," cried Loch. Loch went to attack
Cuchulain, [1]to take vengeance on him for his brother,[1] [2]for it was
shown him that Cuchulain had a beard;[2] so they met on the ford where Long
had fallen. "Let us move to the upper ford," said Loch, "for I will not
fight on this ford," since he held it defiled, [3]cursed and unclean,[3]
the ford whereon his brother had fallen. [4]Now when Cuchulain came to look
for the ford, the men drove the cattle across.[4] [5]"The cattle[5] [6]will
be across thy water here to-day," said Gabran[6] [7]the poet.[7] [8]Hence
cometh Ath Tarteise ('the Ford over thy Water') and Tir Mor Tarteise ('the
Great Land over thy Water').[8] Thereafter they fought on the upper ford
[9]between Methe and Cethe at the head of Tir Mor,[9] [10]and they were for
a long space and time at their feats wounding and striking each other.[10]

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1709 and Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93 and LU. 1709.

[3-3] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[4-4] LU. and, partly, YBL. 1711.

[5-5] YBL. 1711.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1711.

[7-7] LU. 1712.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1712.

[9-9] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[10-10] Eg. 93.

Then it was that the Morrigan daughter of [11]Aed[11] Ernmas came from the
fairy dwellings to destroy Cuchulain. For she had threatened on the
Cattle-raid of Regomain [a] that she would come to undo Cuchulain what time
he would be [13]in sore distress[13] when engaged in [14]battle and[14]
combat with a goodly warrior, [15]with Loch,[15] in the course of the
Cattle-spoil of Cualnge. Thither then the Morrigan [W.2293.] came in the
shape of a white, [1]hornless,[1] red-eared heifer, with fifty heifers
about her and a chain of silvered bronze between each two of the heifers.
[2]She bursts upon the pools and fords at the head of the cattle. It was
then that Cuchulain said, "I cannot see the fords for the waters."[2] The
women [3]came with their strange sorcery, and[3] constrained Cuchulain by
geasa and by inviolable bonds [4]to check the heifer for them[4] lest she
should escape from him without harm. Cuchulain made an unerring cast
[5]from his sling-stick[5] at her, so that he shattered one of the
Morrigan's eyes.

[11-11] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[12-12] See page 165, note 12.

[a] Edited by Wh. Stokes and E. Windisch, in _Irische Texte_, Bd. II,
SS. 241-254.

[13-13] Eg. 93.

[14-14] Eg. 93.

[15-15] Eg. 209.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1722.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1722.

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[5-5] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[6]Now when the men met on the ford and began to fight and to struggle, and
when each of them was about to strike the other,[6] the Morrigan came
thither in the shape of a slippery, black eel down the stream. Then she
came on the linn and she coiled [7]three folds[7] [8]and twists[8] around
the [9]two[9] feet [10]and the thighs and forks[10] of Cuchulain, [11]till
he was lying on his back athwart the ford[11] [12]and his limbs in the
air.[12]

[6-6] LU. 1713.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1713.

[8-8] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[9-9] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[10-10] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[11-11] LU. and YBL. 1714.

[12-12] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

While Cuchulain was busied freeing himself [13]and before he was able to
rise,[13] Loch wounded him crosswise through the breast, [14]so that the
spear[a] went through him[14] [15]and the ford was gore-red with his
blood.[15] [16]"Ill, indeed," cried Fergus, "is this deed in the face of
the foe. Let some of ye taunt him, ye men," he cried to his people, "to the
end that he fall not in vain!"

[13-13] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[14-14] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[a] 'Sword,' LU. and YBL. 1734.

[15-15] LU. 1714.

Bricriu Nemthenga ('Of the Venom-tongue') son of Carbad arose and began to
revile Cuchulain. "Thy strength has gone from thee," said he, "when a
little salmon overthrows thee even now when the Ulstermen are about to come
out of their 'Pains.'[16] [1]Hard it would be for thee to take on thee
warrior's deeds in the presence of the men of Erin and to repel a stout
warrior clad in his armour!"[1]

[16-16] LU., edition of Strachan and O'Keeffe, p. 63, note 17.
Similarly, YBL. 1714-1716, and Eg. 93.

[1-1] LU. fo. 63, note 19, edit. Strachan and O'Keeffe, and Eg. 93.

[2]Then[2] [3]at this incitation[3] [4]Cuchulain arose,[4] [5]and with his
left heel he smote the eel on the head,[5] [6]so that its ribs broke within
it[6] [7]and he destroyed one half of its brains after smashing half of its
head.[7] [8]And the cattle were driven by force past the hosts to the east
and they even carried away the tents on their horns at the thunder-feat the
two warriors made on the ford.[8]

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1716.

[3-3] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1717.

[5-5] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1717.

[7-7] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1718-1720.

[W.2302.] The Morrigan next came in the form of a rough, grey-red
bitch-wolf [9]with wide open jaws[9] [10]and she bit Cuchulain in the
arm[10] [11]and drove the cattle against him westwards,[11] [12]and
Cuchulain made a cast of his little javelin at her, strongly, vehemently,
so that it shattered one eye in her head.[12] During this space of time,
whether long or short, while Cuchulain was engaged in freeing himself, Loch
wounded him [13]through the loins.[13] Thereupon Cuchulain chanted a
lay.[a]

[9-9] Eg. 209.

[10-10] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[11-11] LU. and YBL. 1721.

[12-12] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17, and, similarly, LU. and YBL. 1721.

[13-13] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[a] The three stanzas of this lay in YBL. (four in LU.) are found, with
slight changes, in the lay on page 172fl.

[14]Then did Cuchulain to the Morrigan the three things he had threatened
her on the Cattle-raid of Regomain,[14] and his anger arose within him and
he [LL.fo.75a.] wounded Loch with the Gae Bulga ('the Barbed-spear'), so
that it passed through [W.2307.] his heart in his breast. [1]For truly it
must have been that Cuchulain could not suffer the treacherous blows and
the violence of Loch Mor the warrior, and he called for the Gae Bulgae from
Laeg son of Riangabair. And the charioteer sent the Gae Bulga down the
stream and Cuchulain made it ready. And when Loch heard that, he gave a
lunge down with his shield, so that he drove it over two-thirds deep into
the pebbles and sand and gravel of the ford. And then Cuchulain let go the
Barbed-spear upwards, so as to strike Loch over the border of his hauberk
and the rim of his shield.[1] [2]And it pierced his body's covering, for
Loch wore a horn skin when fighting with a man,[2] [3]so that his farther
side was pierced clear after his heart had been thrust through in his
breast.[3]

[14-14] LU. and YBL. 1732.

[1-1] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1735-1736.

[3-3] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[4]"That is enough now," spake Loch; "I am smitten by that.[4] [5]For thine
honour's sake[5] [6]and on the truth of thy valour and skill in arms,[6]
grant me a boon now, O Cuchulain," said Loch. "What boon askest thou?"
"'Tis no boon of quarter nor a prayer of cowardice that I make of thee,"
said Loch. "But fall back a step from me [7]and permit me to rise,[7] that
it be on my face to the east I fall and not on my back to the west toward
the warriors of Erin, to the end that no man of them shall say, [8]if I
fall on my back,[8] it was in retreat or in flight I was before thee, for
fallen I have by the Gae Bulga!" "That will I do," answered Cuchulain, "for
'tis a [9]true[9] warrior's prayer that thou makest."

[4-4] Eg. 93.

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] Eg. 93.

[7-7] Stowe.

[8-8] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[9-9] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

And Cuchulain stepped back, [10]so that Loch fell on his face, and his soul
parted from his body and Laeg despoiled him.[10] [11]Cuchulain cut off his
head then.[11] Hence cometh [W.2314.] the name the ford bears ever since,
namely Ath Traged ('Foot-ford') in Cenn Tire Moir ('Great Headland').
[1]It was then they broke their terms of fair fight that day with
Cuchulain, when five men went against him at one time, namely the two
Cruaid, the two Calad and Derothor. All alone, Cuchulain killed them. Hence
cometh Coicsius Focherda ('Fochard's Fortnight') and Coicer Oengoirt ('Five
Warriors in one Field'). Or it may be, fifteen days Cuchulain passed in
Fochard and it is hence cometh Coicsius Focherda on the Tain.[1]

[10-10] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[11-11] LU. fo. 77a, in the margin.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1739-1743.

And deep distress[a] possessed Cuchulain that day [2]more than any other
day[2] for his being all alone on the Tain, [3]confronting four of the five
grand provinces of Erin,[3] [4]and he sank into swoons and faints.[4]
Thereupon Cuchulain enjoined upon Laeg his charioteer to go to the men of
Ulster, that they should come to defend their drove. [5]And, on rising,
this is what he said:[5] [6]"Good, O Laeg, get thee to Emain to the
Ulstermen, and bid them come henceforward to look after their drove for I
can defend their fords no longer. For surely it is not fair fight nor equal
contest for any man for the Morrigan to oppose and overpower him and Loch
to wound and pierce him."[6] And weariness of heart and weakness overcame
him, and he gave utterance to a lay:--

"Rise, O Laeg, arouse the hosts,
Say for me in Emain strong:
I am worn each day in fight,
Full of wounds, and bathed in gore!

"My right side and eke my left:
Hard to say which suffers worse;
Fingin's[b] hand hath touched them not,
Stanching blood with strips of wood!

[W.2329.] "Bring this word to Conchobar dear,
I am weak, with wounded sides.
Greatly has he changed in mien,
Dechtire's fond, rich-trooped son!

"I alone these cattle guard,
Leave them not, yet hold them not.
Ill my plight, no hope for me,
Thus alone on many fords!

"Showers of blood rain on my arms,
Full of hateful wounds am I.
No friend comes to help me here,
Save my charioteer alone!

"Few make music here for me,
Joy I've none in single horn.
When the mingled trumpets sound,[a]
This is sweetest from the drone!

"This old saying, ages old:--
'Single log gives forth no flame;'
Let there be a two or three,
Up the firebrands all will blaze!

"One sole log burns not so well
As when one burns by its side.
Guile can be employed on one;
Single mill-stone doth not grind!

"Hast not heard at every time,
'One is duped'?--'tis true of me.
That is why I cannot last
These long battles of the hosts!

"However small a host may be,
It receives some thought and pains;
Take but this: its daily meat
On one fork is never cooked!

"Thus alone I've faced the host,
By the ford in broad Cantire;
Many came, both Loch and Badb,
As foretold in 'Regomain!'[b]

"Loch has mangled my two thighs;
Me the grey-red wolf hath bit;
Loch my sides[c] has wounded sore,
And the eel has dragged me down!

"With my spear I kept her off;
I put out the she-wolf's eye;
[W.2371.] And I broke her lower leg,
At the outset of the strife!

"Then when Laeg sent Aife's spear,[a]
Down the stream--like swarm of bees--
That sharp deadly spear I hurled,
Loch, [1]Mobebuis'[1] son, fell there!

"Will not Ulster battle give
To Ailill and Eocho's lass,[b]
While I linger here in pain,
Full of wounds and bathed in blood?

[LL.fo.75b.] "Tell the splendid Ulster chiefs
They shall come to guard their drove.
Maga's sons[c] have seized their kine
And have portioned them all out!

"Fight on fight--though much I vowed,
I have kept my word in all.
For pure honour's sake I fight;
'Tis too much to fight alone!

"Vultures joyful at the breach
In Ailill's and in Medb's camp.
Mournful cries of woe are heard;
On Murthemne's plain is grief!

"Conchobar comes not out with help;
In the fight, no troops of his.
Should one leave _him_ thus alone,
Hard 'twould be his rage to tell!

[1]"Men have almost worn me out
In these single-handed fights;
Warrior's deeds I cannot do,
Now that I must fight alone!"[1]

[a] Literally 'repentance.'

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[5-5] Eg. 93.

[6-6] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[b] Physician to King Conchobar.

[a] Following Windisch's emended reading of LL.

[b] See above, page 168, note a.

[c] Literally, 'liver.'

[a] That is, the 'barbed' spear.

[1-1] Reading with MS. Stowe.

[b] That is, Medb.

[c] That is, the followers of Ailill.]

[1-1] LU. page 64, note 5, edition of Strachan and O'Keeffe.

[2]Although Cuchulain spoke thus, he had no strength for Laeg to leave
him.[2]

[2-2] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

This then is the Combat of Loch Mor ('the Great') son of Mofemis against
Cuchulain on the Driving of the Kine of Cualnge.

* * * * *

[Page 175]




XVI

[1]THE VIOLATION OF THE AGREEMENT[1]


[2]Then were five men sent against Cuchulain on the morrow to contend with
him and he killed them, so that they fell by his hand, and 'the Five
of Cenn Cursighi' was their name.[2] [W.2400.] Then it was that Medb
despatched six men at one and the same time to attack Cuchulain, to wit:
Traig ('Foot') and Dorn ('Fist') and Dernu ('Palm'), Col ('Sin') and
Accuis[a] ('Curse') and Eraise ('Heresy'), three druid-men and three
druid-women, [3]their three wives.[3] Cuchulain attacked them, [4]the six
of them, and struck off their six heads,[4] so that they fell at his hands
[5]on this side of Ath Tire Moire ('Big Land's Ford') at Methe and
Cethe.[5]

[1-1] This heading is supplied by Windisch.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[a] LU. 1764, H. 2. 17 and Eg. 93 have for this, _Mebul_, 'Shame.'

[3-3] LU. 1767.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] LU. 1766-1767.

[6]Then it was that Fergus demanded of his sureties that fair-dealing
should not be broken with Cuchulain. And it was there that Cuchulain was at
that time,[6] [7]that is, at Delga Murthemni. Then Cuchulain killed Fota in
his field, Bomailce on his ford, Salach in his homestead, Muine in his
fort, Luar in Lethbera, Fertoithle in Toithle. These are the names of these
lands forever, every place in which each man of them fell.[7]

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1759-1760.

[7-7] LU. 1761-1765.

Forasmuch as covenant and terms of single combat had been broken with
Cuchulain, Cuchulain took his sling in hand that day and began to shoot at
the host from Delga ('the Little Dart') in the south, [8]in Murthemne.[8]
Though [W.2406.] numerous were the men of Erin on that day, not one of them
durst turn his face southwards [1]towards Cuchulain, towards the side where
he was[1] [2]between Delga and the sea,[2] whether dog, or horse, or
man. [3]So that he slew an hundred warriors till came the bright hour of
sunrise on the morrow.[3]

[8-8] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1745.

[3-3] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

* * * * *

[Page 177]




XVIa

[1]THE HEALING OF THE MORRIGAN[1]


[W.2410.] [2]Great weariness came over Cuchulain after that night, and a
great thirst, after his exhaustion.[2] Then it was that the Morrigan,
daughter of Emmas, came from the fairy dwellings, in the guise of an old
hag, [3]with wasted knees, long-legged,[3] [4]blind and lame,[4] engaged in
milking a [5]tawny,[5] three-teated [6]milch[6] cow before the eyes of
Cuchulain.[a] And for this reason she came in this fashion, that she might
have redress from Cuchulain. For none whom Cuchulain ever wounded recovered
therefrom without himself aided in the healing. Cuchulain, maddened with
thirst, begged her for a milking. She gave him a milking of one of the
teats [7]and straightway Cuchulain drank it.[7] "May this be a cure in time
for me, [8]old crone," quoth Cuchulain, "and the blessing of gods and of
non-gods upon thee!" said he;[8] and one of the queen's eyes became whole
thereby. He begged the milking of [9]another[9] teat. [10]She milked the
cow's second teat and[10] gave it to him and [11]he drank it and said,[11]
"May she straightway be sound that gave it." [12]Then her head was healed
so that it was whole.[12] He begged a third drink [W.2418.] [1]of the
hag.[1] [2]She milked the cow's third teat[2] and gave him the milking
of the teat [3]and he drank it.[3] "A blessing on thee of gods and of
non-gods, O woman! [4]Good is the help and succour thou gavest me."[4]
[5]And her leg was made whole thereby.[5] [6]Now these were their gods, the
mighty folk: and these were their non-gods, the folk of husbandry.[6] And
the queen was healed [7]forthwith.[7] [8]"Well, Cuchulain,[8] [9]thou
saidst to me," spake the Morrigan, "I should not get healing [10]nor
succour[10] from thee forever." "Had I known it was thou," Cuchulain made
answer, "I would never have healed thee." Or, it may be Drong Conculainn
('Cuchulain's Throng') on Tarthesc is the name of this tale in the Reaving
of the Kine of Cualnge.[9]

[1-1] LU. fo. 77a, in the margin.

[2-2] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1748.

[5-5] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[6-6] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[a] Reading _fiadnaisse_.

[7-7] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[8-8] Eg. 93.

[9-9] Stowe.

[10-10] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[11-11] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[12-12] LU. and YBL. 1753.

[1-1] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[2-2] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[3-3] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[4-4] H. 2. 17 and Eg. 93.

[5-5] LU. and YBL 1755.

[6-6] A gloss incorporated in the text of LL., LU., YBL., Stowe,
H. 2. 17. and Eg. 93.

[7-7] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[8-8] Eg. 93.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1755-1758.

[10-10] Eg. 93.

[11]Then it was she alighted in the form of a royston crow on the bramble
that grows over Grelach Dolair ('the Stamping-ground of Dolar') in Mag
Murthemni. "Ominous is the appearance of a bird in this place above all,"
quoth Cuchulain. Hence cometh Sge nah Einchi ('Crow's Bramble') as a name
of Murthemne.[11]

[11-11] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

Then Medb ordered out the hundred [12]armed[12] warriors [13]of her
body-guard[13] at one and the same time to assail Cuchulain. Cuchulain
attacked them all, so that they fell by his hand [14]at Ath Ceit Cuile
('Ford of the First Crime').[14] "It is a dishonour for us that our people
are slaughtered in this wise," quoth Medb. "It is not the first destruction
that has befallen us from that same man," replied Ailill. Hence Cuilenn
Cind Duni ('The Destruction of the Head [W.2426.] of the Dun') is
henceforth the name of the place where they were,[1] the mound whereon Medb
and Ailill tarried that night.[1] Hence Ath Cro ('Gory Ford') is the name
of the ford where they were, [2]and Glass Cro ('River of Gore') the name of
the stream.[2] And fittingly, too, because of the abundance of gore and
blood that went with the flow of the river.

[12-12] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[13-13] LU. 1768.

[14-14] LU. 1769.

[1-1] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[2-2] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17, and, similarly, LU. 1771.

* * * * *

[Page 180]




XVII

THE GREAT ROUT ON THE PLAIN OF MURTHEMNE FOLLOWETH HERE BELOW


[W.2431.] [1]That night[1] the warriors of four of the five grand provinces
of Erin pitched camp and made their station in the place called Breslech
Mor ('the Great Rout') in the Plain of Murthemne. Their portion of cattle
and spoils they sent on before them to the south to the cow-stalls of
Ulster. [LL.fo.76a.] Cuchulain took station at Ferta ('the Gravemound') at
Lerga ('the Slopes') hard by them. And his charioteer kindled him a fire on
the evening of that night, namely Laeg son of Riangabair. Cuchulain saw far
away in the distance the fiery glitter of the bright-golden arms over the
heads of four of the five grand provinces of Erin, in the setting of the
sun in the clouds of evening. Great anger and rage possessed him at their
sight, because of the multitude of his foes, because of the number of his
enemies [2]and opponents, and because of the few that were to avenge his
sores and his wounds upon them.[2]

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[3]Then Cuchulain arose and[3] he grasped his two spears and his shield and
his sword. He shook his shield and brandished his spears and wielded his
sword and sent out the hero's shout from his throat, so that the fiends and
goblins and sprites of the glens and demons of the air gave answer for the
fearfulness of the shout [4]that he lifted on [W.2444.] high,[4] until
Nemain, [1]which is Badb,[1] brought confusion on the host. The warriors of
the four provinces of Erin made such a clangour of arms with the points of
their spears and their weapons that an hundred [2]strong, stout-sturdy[2]
warriors of them fell dead that night of fright and of heartbreak in the
middle of the camp and quarters [3]of the men of Erin at the awfulness of
the horror and the shout which Cuchulain lifted on high.[3]

Copyright (c) 2007. topmasterworks.com. All rights reserved.