Unknown - The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge

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[1-1] The superscription is taken from Stowe.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 837.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 841.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 841.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 839 and Stowe.

Then came [7]unto them[7] the Crutti Cainbili ('the Tuneful Harpers'), from
Ess Ruaid in the north to amuse them, [8]out of friendship for Ailill and
Medb.[8] They opined it was to spy upon them [9]they were come[9] from
Ulster. [10]When they came within sight of the camp of the men of Erin,
fear, terror, and dread possessed them,[10] and the hosts pursued [W.1450.]
them as never men pursued, far and wide, till they escaped them in the
shapes of deer near the standing stones at Lia Mor ('Great Stone') [1]in
the north.[1] For though they were known as the 'Mellifluous Harpers' they
were [2]druids,[2] men of great cunning and great power of augury and
magic.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

[9-9] Stowe.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 835.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 835.

* * * * *

[Page 88]

VIIIc

[1]THE KILLING OF THE SQUIRREL AND OF THE TAME BIRD[1]

[W.1456.] Then Cuchulain made a threat [2]in Methe[2] that wherever he saw
Medb he would cast a stone at her and that it would not go far from the
side of her head. That he also fulfilled. In the place where he saw Medb
west of the ford he cast a stone from his sling at her, so that it killed
the pet bird that was on her shoulder. Medb passed over the ford eastwards,
and again he cast a stone from his sling at her east of the ford, so that
it killed the tame squirrel that was on her shoulder. Hence the names of
those places are still, Meide in Togmail ('Squirrel's Neck') and Meide ind
Eoin ('Bird's Neck'). And Ath Srethe ('Ford of the Throw') is the name of
the ford over which Cuchulain cast the stone from his sling.

[1-1] The superscription is taken from LU. fo. 64a, in the margin.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 813.

[3]Then Reuin was drowned in his lake. Hence is Loch Reuin. "Your companion
is not afar off from you," cried Ailill to the Mane. They stood up and
looked around. When they sat down again, Cuchulain struck one of them so
that his head was split. "It is well it was thou hast essayed that; thy[a]
mirth was not seemly," quoth Mane the fool; "it is I would have taken his
head off." Cuchulain flung a stone at him, so that his head was split. Thus
these people were slain: Orlam, first of all, on his hill; the three sons
of Arach[a] on their ford; Fertidil in his ... (?); Maenan on his hill. "I
swear by the god by whom my people swear," cried Ailill; "the man that
scoffs at Cuchulain here I will make two halves of. But above all let us
hasten our way by day and by night," Ailill continued, "till we come to
Cualnge. That man will slay two-thirds of your host in this fashion."[3]

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 820-831 and, partly, in Eg. 1782.

[a] Literally, 'your.'

[a] '_Garech_,' LU. and YBL. 827.

[1]Then did the men of Erin deliberate about going to ravage and lay waste
Mag Breg and Meath and the plain of Conall and the land of Cuchulain; and
it was in the presence of Fergus macRoig they discussed it.[1]

[1-1] H. 2. 17.

[W.1465.] The four grand provinces of Erin moved out on the morrow, and
began to harry the plains of Breg and Murthemne. And the sharp, keen-edged
anxiety [LL.fo.69a.] for Cuchulain came over his fosterer Fergus. And he
bade the men of Erin be on their guard that night, for that Cuchulain would
come upon them. And here again he sang in his praise, as we wrote it
before,[b] and he uttered the lay:--

"If Cuchulain, Cualnge's Hound,
And Red Branch chiefs on you come,
Men will welter in their blood,
Laying waste Murthemne's plain!

[4]"Woe to him possesses wealth,
'Less he find a way to 'scape;
And your wives will be enslaved,
And your chiefs fill pools of blood![4]

"Far away he[c] held his course,
Till he reached Armenia's heights;
Battle dared he, past his wont,
And the Burnt-breasts[d] put to death!

"Hardest for him was to drive
Necht's sons from their chieftest haunts;
And the smith's hound--mighty deed--
Hath he slain with single hand!

[W.1483.] "More than this I've naught to say,
As concerns Dechtire's son;
My belief, in troth, is this:
Ye will now meet with your fate."

[b] See above, p. 41.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[c] That is, Cuchulain.

[d] That is, the Amazons.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 820-831 and, partly, in Eg. 1782.

After this lay, that was the day that Donn ('the Brown Bull') of Cualnge
came into the land of Margine [1]to Sliab Culinn[1] and with him fifty
heifers of the heifers [2]of Ulster;[2] and there he was pawing and digging
up the earth in that place, [3]in the land of Margine, in Cualnge;[3] that
is, he flung the turf over him with his heels. [4]While the hosts were
marching over Mag Breg, Cuchulain in the meanwhile laid hands on their
camps.[4] It was on the same day that the Morrigan, daughter of Ernmas,
[5]the prophetess[5] of the fairy-folk, came [6]in the form of a bird,[6]
and she perched on the standing-stone in Temair of Cualnge giving the Brown
Bull of Cualnge warning [7]and lamentations[7] before the men of Erin. Then
she began to address him and what she said was this: "Good, now, O luckless
one, thou Brown Bull of Cualnge," so spake the Morrigan; "take heed; for
the men of Erin. [8]are on thy track and seeking thee[8] and they will
come upon thee, and [9]if thou art taken[9] they will carry thee away to
their camp [10]like any ox on a raid,[10] unless thou art on thy guard."
And she commenced to give warning to him in this fashion, [11]telling him
he would be slain on the Tain, and she delivered this judgement[11] and
spake these words aloud:[a]--

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 853.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 857.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 842-843.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 844.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[a] The following passage in '_rosc_' is exceedingly difficult and
obscure, and the translation given here is consequently incomplete and
uncertain.

"Knows not the restless Brown of the [12]truly deadly[12] [W.1502.] fray
that is not uncertain?--A raven's[a] croak--The raven that doth not
conceal--Foes range your checkered plain--[1]Troops on raids[1]--I have a
secret--Ye shall know ... The waving fields--The deep-green grass ... and
rich, soft plain--Wealth of flowers' splendour--Badb's cow-lowing--Wild the
raven--Dead the men--A tale of woe--Battle-storms[b] on Cualnge evermore,
to the death of mighty sons--Kith looking on the death of kin!"

[12-12] LU. and YBL. 846, and Stowe.

[a] The Morrigan, the Irish goddess of battle, most often appeared in
the form of a raven.

[1-1] Reading with H. 2. 17.

[b] Translating _cloe_, as suggested by Windisch.

[2]When the Brown Bull of Cualnge heard those words[2] he moved on to Glenn
na Samaisce ('Heifers' Glen') in Sliab Culinn ('Hollymount') [3]in the
north of Ulster,[3] and fifty of his heifers with him, [4]and his herdsman
accompanied him; Forgemen was the name of the cowherd.[4] [5]And he threw
off the thrice fifty boys who were wont to play on his back and he
destroyed two-thirds of the boys.[5] This was one of the magic virtues of
the Brown Bull of Cualnge: Fifty heifers he would cover every day. These
calved before that same hour on the next day and such of them that calved
not [6]at the due time[6] burst with the calves, because they could not
suffer the begetting of the Brown Bull of Cualnge. One of the magic virtues
of the Brown Bull of Cualnge were the fifty [7]grown[7] youths who engaged
in games, [8]who[8] on his fine back [9]found room[9] every evening [10]to
play draughts and assembly[c] and leaping[10]; [11]he would not put them
from him nor would he totter under them.[11] Another of the magic virtues
of the Brown Bull of Cualnge was the hundred warriors [W.1535.] he screened
from the heat and the cold under his shadow and shelter. Another of the
magic virtues of the Brown Bull of Cualnge was that no goblin nor boggart
nor sprite of the glen dared come into one and the same cantred with
him. Another of the magic virtues of the Brown Bull of Cualnge was his
musical lowing every evening as he returned to his haggard, his shed and
his byre. It was music enough and delight for a man in the north and in the
south, [1]in the east and the west,[1] and in the middle of the cantred of
Cualnge, the lowing he made at even as he came to his haggard, his shed,
and his byre. These, then, are some of the magic virtues of the Brown Bull
of Cualnge.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 854, and H. 2. 17.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 855-856.

[6-6] Stowe.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[c] Apparently the name of some game.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[1-1] H. 2. 17.

Thereupon on the morrow the hosts proceeded among the rocks and dunes of
the land of Conalle Murthemni. [3]Cuchulain killed no one from Saile ('the
Sea') around Dorthe in the land of Conalle, until he reached Cualnge. At
that time Cuchulain was in Cuince, [2]that is a mountain.[2] He had
threatened that, where he would see Medb, he would hurl a stone at her
head. It was not easy to do this, for it was thus Medb went, with half the
host around her and their canopy of shields over her head.[3] And Medb
ordered a canopy of shields to be held over her head in order that
Cuchulain might not strike her from the hills or hillocks or heights.
Howbeit on that day, no killing nor attack came from Cuchulain upon the men
of Erin, in the land of Murthemne among the rocks and dunes of Conalle
Murthemni.

[2-2] LU. 860.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 858-863.

* * * * *

[Page 93]

VIIId

[1]THE SLAYING OF LOCHE[1]

[W.1552.] The warriors of four of the five grand provinces of Erin bided
their time in Rede Loche in Cualnge and pitched camp and took quarters
therein for that night. Medb bade her fair handmaiden from amongst her
attendants to go for her to the river for water for drinking and washing.
Loche was the name of the maiden. Thereupon Loche went, and fifty[a] women
in her train and the queen's diadem of gold on her head. And Cuchulain
[2]espied them and he[2] [3]put a stone on his sling and[3] cast
[LL.fo.69b.] a stone from his [4]staff[4]-sling at her, so that he broke
the diadem of gold in three pieces and killed the maiden on her plain.
Thence is Rede Loche ('the Plain of Loche') in Cualnge. For Cuchulain had
thought, for want of acquaintance and knowledge, that it was Medb that was
there.

[1-1] LU. fo. 65a, in the margin.

[a] 'forty,' H. 2. 17.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5]From Finnabair of Cualnge the hosts divided and set the country on
fire. They gathered all their women and boys and girls and cattle in
Cualnge together so that they all were in Finnabair. "Ye have not fared
well," quoth Medb; "I see not the bull amongst you." "He is not in the land
at all," replied every one. They summoned Lothar, the cowherd, to Medb.
"Where, thinkest thou, is the bull?" she asked. "I have great fear to
tell," said the cowherd. "The night," said he, "that the Ulstermen fell
into their 'Pains,' the Donn went and three score heifers along with him;
and he is at Dubcaire Glinni Gat ('the Black Corrie of the Osier-glen')."
"Rise," said Medb, "and take a withy between each two of you." And they do
accordingly. Hence is the name, Glenn Gatt, of that glen.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 867-887.]

Then they led the bull to Finnabair. In the place where the bull saw
Lothar, the cowherd, he attacked him, and soon he carried his entrails out
on his horns and together with his thrice fifty heifers he attacked the
camp, so that fifty warriors perished. Hence this is the Tragical Death
of Lothar on the Tain [1]and the Finding of the Bull according to this
version.[1] [2]Thereafter the bull went from them away from the camp and
they knew not whither he had gone from them and they were ashamed. Medb
asked the cowherd if he might know where the bull was. "I trow he is in the
wilds of Sliab Culinn."[2] Then they turned back ravaging Cualnge and they
found not the bull there.[5]

[1-1] YBL. 882, which adds: 'We will not follow it further here.'

[2-2] LU., edition of Strachan and O'Keeffe, page 34, note 16.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 867-887.

* * * * *

[Page 95]

VIIIe

[1]THE KILLING OF UALA[1]

[W.1563.] [2]Early[2] on the morrow the hosts continued their way [3]to lay
waste the plain of Murthemne and to sack Mag Breg and Meath and Machaire
Conaill ('Conall's Plain') and the land of Cualnge. It was then that the
streams and rivers of Conalle Murthemni rose to the tops of the trees, and
the streams of the Cronn rose withal, until the hosts arrived at Glaiss
Cruinn ('Cronn's Stream').[3] And they attempted the stream and failed to
cross it [4]because of the size of its waves,[4] [5]so that they slept on
its bank.[5] And Cluain Carpat ('Chariot-meadow') is the name of the first
place where they reached it. This is why Cluain Carpat is the name of that
place, because of the hundred[a] chariots which the river carried away from
them to the sea. Medb ordered her people that one of the warriors should go
try the river. And [6]on the morrow[6] there arose a great, stout,
[7]wonderful[7] warrior of the [8]particular[8] people of Medb [9]and
Ailill,[9] Uala by name, and he took on his back a massy rock, [10]to the
end that Glaiss Cruinn might not carry him back.[10] And he went to essay
the stream, and the stream threw him back dead, lifeless, with his
[W.1571.] stone on his back [1]and so he was drowned.[1] Medb ordered that
he be lifted [2]out of the river then[2] [3]by the men of Erin[3] and his
grave dug [4]and his keen made[4] and his stone raised [5]over his
grave,[5] so that it is thence Lia Ualann ('Uala's Stone') [6]on the road
near the stream[6] in the land of Cualnge.

[1-1] LU. fo. 65a, in the margin.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] LU. 887, a gloss.

[a] H. 2. 17 has 'fifty charioteers.'

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 889.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 889.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[1-1] H. 2. 17.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 891.

Cuchulain clung close to the hosts that day provoking them to encounter and
combat. [7]Four and seven score kings fell at his hands at that same
stream,[7] and he slew a hundred of their [8]armed,[8] [9]kinglike[9]
warriors around Roen and Roi, the two chroniclers of the Tain. [10]This is
the reason the account of the Tain was lost and had to be sought afterwards
for so long a time.[10]

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 900.

[8-8] Stowe and H. 2. 17.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[10-10] H. 2. 17; the story of the finding of the Tain is told in the
_Imtheacht na Tromdhaimhe_ ("The Proceedings of the Great Bardic
Institution"), edited by Owen Connellan, in the Transactions of the
Ossianic Society, vol. v, 1857, pp. 103 fl.

Medb called upon her people to go meet Cuchulain in encounter and combat
[11]for the sake of the hosts.[11] "It will not be I," and "It will not be
I," spake each and every one from his place. "No caitiff is due from my
people. Even though one should be due, it is not I would go to oppose
Cuchulain, for no easy thing is it to do battle with him."

[12]When they had failed to find the Donn Cualnge,[12] the hosts kept their
way along the river [13]around the river Cronn to its source,[13] being
unable to cross it, till they reached the place where the river rises out
of the mountains, and, had they wished it, they would have gone between the
river and the mountain, but Medb would not allow it, so they had to dig and
hollow out the mountain [W.1585.] before her in order [1]that their trace
might remain there forever and[1] that it might be for a shame and reproach
to Ulster.

[11-11] Stowe.

[12-12] H. 2. 17.

[13-13] LU. and YBL. 893.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 895.

[2]They tarried there three days and three nights till they had dug out the
earth before them.[2] And Bernais ('the Gap') of the [4]Foray of Medb and
the Gap of the[4] Foray of Cualnge is another name for the place ever
since, for it is through it the drove afterwards passed. [3]There Cuchulain
killed Cronn and Coemdele and ...[3]

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 896.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 898-899.

The warriors of the four grand provinces of Erin pitched camp and took
quarters that night at Belat Aileain ('the Island's Crossway'). Belat
Aileain was its name up to then, but Glenn Tail ('Glen of Shedding') is
henceforth its name because of the abundance of curds and of milk [5]and of
new warm milk[5] which the droves of cattle and the flocks [6]of the land
of Conalle and Murthemne[6] yielded there [7]that night[7] for the men of
Erin. And Liasa Liac ('Stone Sheds') is another name for it [8]to this
day,[8] and it is for this it bears that name, for it is there that the men
of Erin raised cattle-stalls and byres for their herds and droves
[9]between Cualnge and Conalle.[9] [10]Botha is still another name for it,
for the men of Erin erected bothies and huts there.[10]

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] H. 2. 17.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 909.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

The four of the five grand provinces of Erin took up the march until they
reached the Sechair [11]in the west on the morrow.[11] Sechair was the name
of the river hitherto; Glaiss Gatlaig ('Osier-water') is its name
henceforward. [12]And Glaiss Gatlaig rose up against them.[12] Now this is
the reason it had that name, for it was in osiers and ropes that the men of
Erin brought [W.1599.] their flocks and droves over across it, and the
entire host let their osiers and ropes drift with the stream after
crossing. Hence the name, Glaiss Gatlaig. [1]Then they slept at Druim Fene
in Conalle. These then are their stages from Cualnge to the plain (of
Conalle Murthemni) according to this version. Other authors [2]of this
Work[2] and other books aver that they followed another way on their
journeyings from Finnabair to Conalle.[1]

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] LU. and YBL. 910.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 912-914.

[2-2] YBL. 914.

* * * * *

[Page 99]

VIIIf

[1]THE HARRYING OF CUALNGE FOLLOWETH HERE BELOW[1]

[2]After every one had come with their spoils and they were all gathered in
Finnabair of Cualnge, Medb spake: "Let the camp be divided here," said
Medb; "the foray cannot be caried on by a single road. Let Ailill with half
his force go by Midluachair. We and Fergus will go by Bernas Bo Ulad ('the
Pass of the Cattle of Ulster')." "Not fair is the part that has fallen to
us of the force," said Fergus; "the cattle cannot be driven over the
mountain without dividing." This then is done. Hence cometh Bernas Bo Ulad
('the Pass of the Cattle of Ulster').

[1-1] LU. fo. 65b, in the margin.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 916-1197, omitting 1079-1091.

Then spake Ailill to his charioteer Cuillius: "Find out for me to-day Medb
and Fergus. I wot not what hath led them to keep thus together. I would
fain have a token from thee." Cuillius went where Medb and Fergus wantoned.
The pair dallied behind while the warriors continued their march. Cuillius
stole near them and they perceived not the spy. It happened that Fergus'
sword lay close by him. Cuillius drew it from its sheath and left the
sheath empty. Then Cuillius betook himself to Ailill. "Well?" said Ailill.
"Well, then," replied [3]Cuillius;[3] "thou knowest the signification of
this token. As thou hast thought," continued Cuillius, "it is thus I
discovered them, lying together." "It is so, then." Each of them laughs, at
the other. "It is well so," said Ailill; "she had no choice; to win his
help on the Tain she hath done it. Keep the sword carefully by thee," said
Ailill; "put it beneath thy seat in the chariot and a linen cloth wrapped
round it."

[3-3] LU. 930.]

When Fergus got up to take his sword, "Alas!" cried he. "What aileth thee?"
Medb asked. "An ill deed have I done Ailill," said he. "Wait thou here till
I come out of the wood," said Fergus, "and wonder not though it be long
till I come." It happened that Medb knew not of the loss of the sword.
Fergus went out taking his charioteer's sword with him in his hand, and he
fashioned a sword from a tree in the wood. Hence is Fid Mor Thruailli
('Great Scabbard-Wood') in Ulster.

"Let us hasten after our comrades," said Fergus. The forces of all came
together in the plain. They raised their tents. Fergus was summoned to
Ailill for a game of chess. When Fergus entered the tent Ailill laughed at
him.[a]

[a] Here follows in LU. and YBL. 946-1020, Eg. 1782, a most difficult
passage, rendered more obscure by the incorporation of glossarial
notes into the body of the text. It is almost incapable of
translation; it consists of a dialogue or series of repartees during a
game of chess, in which Ailill taunts Fergus on the episode just
narrated and Fergus replies.

Cuchulain came so that he was before Ath Cruinn ('the Ford of the Cronn').
"O master Laeg," he cried to his driver, "here are the hosts for us." "I
swear by the gods," said the charioteer, "I will do a mighty feat in the
eyes of chariot-fighters, in quick spurring-on of the slender steeds; with
yokes of silver and golden wheels shall they be urged on (?) in triumph.
Thou shalt ride before heads of kings. The steeds I guide will bring
victory with their bounding." "Take heed, O Laeg," said Cuchulain; "hold
the reins for the great triumph of Macha, that the horses drag thee not
over the mass at the ... (?) of a woman. Let us go over the straight plain
of these ... (?). I call on the waters to help me," cried Cuchulain. "I
beseech heaven and earth and the Cronn above all."

Then the Cronn opposes them,[a]
Holds them back from Murthemne,
Till the heroes'[b] work is done
On the mount of Ocaine![c]

[a] That is, the men of Erin.

[b] That is, Cuchulain and Laeg.

[c] See above, page 97.

Therewith the water rose up till it was in the tops of the trees.

Mane son of Ailill and Medb marched in advance of the rest. Cuchulain slew
him on the ford and thirty horsemen of his people were drowned. Again
Cuchulain laid low twice sixteen warriors of theirs near the stream. The
warriors of Erin pitched their tents near the ford. Lugaid son of Nos
[1]grandson of Lomarc[1] Allcomach went to parley with Cuchulain. Thirty
horsemen were with him. "Welcome to thee, O Lugaid," cried Cuchulain.
"Should a flock of birds graze upon the plain of Murthemne, thou shalt have
a wild goose with half the other. Should fish come to the falls or to the
bays, thou shalt have a salmon with as much again. Thou shalt have the
three sprigs, even a sprig of cresses, a sprig of laver, and a sprig of
sea-grass; there will be a man to take thy place at the ford." "This
welcome is truly meant," replied Lugaid; "the choice of people for the
youth whom I desire!" "Splendid are your hosts," said Cuchulain. "It will
be no misfortune," said Lugaid, "for thee to stand up alone before them."
"True courage and valour have I," Cuchulain made answer. "Lugaid, my
master," said Cuchulain, "do the hosts fear me?" "By the god," Lugaid made
answer, "I swear that no one man of them nor two men dares make water
outside the camp unless twenty or thirty go with him." "It will be
something for them," said Cuchulain, "if I begin to cast from my sling. He
will be fit for thee, O Lugaid, this companion thou hast in Ulster, [1]if
the men oppose me one by one.[1] Say, then, what wouldst thou?" asked
Cuchulain. "A truce with my host." "Thou shalt have it, provided there be
a token therefor. And tell my master Fergus that there shall be a token on
the host. Tell the leeches that there shall be a token on the host, and let
them swear to preserve my life and let them provide me each night with
provision."

[1-1] LU. 1041.

[1-1] Literally, 'if there oppose me the strength of each single man.'

Lugaid went from him. It happened that Fergus was in the tent with Ailill.
Lugaid called him out and reported that (proposal of Cuchulain's) to him.
Then Ailill was heard:[a]

[a] The sense of this proposal of Ailill's, omitted in the translation
(LU. 1064-1069 and Eg. 1782), is not clear.

"I swear by the god, I cannot," said [3]Fergus,[3] "unless I ask the
lad. Help me, O Lugaid," said Fergus. "Do thou go to him, to see whether
Ailill with a division may come to me to my company. Take him an ox with
salt pork and a keg of wine." Thereupon Lugaid goes to Cuchulain and tells
him that. "'Tis the same to me whether he go," said Cuchulain. Then the two
hosts unite. They remain there till night, [4]or until they spend thirty
nights there.[4] Cuchulain destroyed thirty of their warriors with his
sling. "Your journeyings will be ill-starred," said Fergus (to Medb and
Ailill); "the men of Ulster will come out of their 'Pains' and will grind
you down to the earth and the gravel. Evil is the battle-corner wherein we
are." He proceeds to Cul Airthir ('the Eastern Nook'). Cuchulain slays
thirty of their heroes on Ath Duirn ('Ford of the Fist'). Now they could
not reach Cul Airthir till night. Cuchulain killed thirty of their men
there and they raised their tents in that place. In the morning Ailill's
charioteer, Cuillius to wit, was washing the wheel-bands in the ford.
Cuchulain struck him with a stone so that he killed him. Hence is Ath
Cuillne ('Ford of Destruction') in Cul Airthir.'[2]

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