The Raid of the Cattle of Flidais &
The Pursuit of the Cattle-raid of Flidais
Táin bó Flidais 7 Toraigecht Tana Bó Flidaise
Glenmasan MS (Edinburg LIII)
Version B
Trans. Donald Mackinnon
ne night a feast of great splendour was given by Ailill and Medb and the Tuatha Taiden1, and the palace of Cruachan was prepared by them. And this was the arrangement in the palace since Fergus came among them. Medb used to sit down first on the royal dais. And Fergus sat at her right hand. Cormac Conloinges sat beside him, and the Dubloinges sat (in order) from Cormac down. Ailill sat on the left hand of Medb with (Conodhar) son of Cecht on his left, and the nobles of Connaught after Conodhar to the doorpost. Cet sat in the champion's seat, with Ferdiadh on the other couch in front of him, and the Gamhanraidh2 after these from the back to the royal dais. Fraoch son of Fidach sat on the royal bench with the seven Maines3 around him. From there to the back bench sat the sons of Fidach, with the red Gaman of Rea, and the sure-footed Gamans, and the smiting Gamans thirty in number, and the attacking Gamans forty, and the slashing Gamans sixty, and the deadly-wounding Gamans ninety, with the lithe Gaman of Sidgal in the champion's seat by the door-post. Eochaidh Rond and Dail Druithne and the family of the son of Cecht were in the champion's seat on the back bench in front of them. The Ollamhs who were in Bricriu's train, viz., Neide and Lugaid and Ferbaoth, and Diangus the druid, and Ferchu Echtach (the daring), and Loingsech of Loch Key, had a seat around him on Medb's couch. On a side seat in front of (Bricriu) were the spencers, and Belca of Brefne with his seven sons, and Nera son of Niadul, with his brother Dungus and his family. Finnabair the daughter of Ailill with her fifty maidens sat in a rectangular gold-gilded compartment in the centre of the hall in front of the princes, and in the full gaze of the men of Ireland. Such was the arrangement of the palace of Ailill and Medb.
Arranged and seated in this order the company drank and made merry until the chiefs were drunk and mellow and loud-voiced. It was then that Fergus and Bricriu engaged in pleasant conversation and delightful discourse. "Do you remember, dear Fergus," said Bricriu, "the stipends which you promised to your people when you left Ulster, viz., sixty chariots with (their) shields and weapons and horses? And you promised to the women of your household three hundred irnas of red gold, as you were wont to give yearly in former times." "I have not such for them, Bricriu," said Fergus; "and I know not how to obtain it, for we are already a great burden upon this province. It is difficult to minister to our people because of our large household and the great number of our lords and nobles and leaders and chiefs and princes and youths and women-folk. And the other four provinces of Ireland could not maintain us as we are maintained here, and indeed we cannot ask them to supply all our needs." "That is a great pity, Fergus," said Bricriu; "I am much distressed that you cannot pay their allowances to your people. And it seems to me that since you have come to Connaught all you are good for is to do the bidding of Medb for her gifts of treasure and ornaments." And while saying this he recited the lay:
Great the pity, Fergus of Emain,
The edge of your high spirit is blunted,
(Doing) the pleasure of Medb, pride of valour,
In return for her stipend.
You uttered brave words,
That your host should not be a single year
Without threescore fair chariots,
With their weapons and many shields;
That the women of your household,
However numerous, would not be
Nigh to the banqueting-house,
Without three hundred irnas of red gold.
There is nothing in your hand this night
Which your friends, though in evil case, can receive;
You are quite without resources,
No condition can be more pitiful.
Great the pity.
Fergus was furious at this language of Bricriu. And the night passed in this wise until the dawn of the morrow. Then Bricriu rose with his three fifties of pupils, and went to have counsel with Medb. "What is your wish, Ollamh?" said Medb. "I desire much to go", said Bricriu, "to seek presents and treasure among the nobles of Gamhanraidh." "I give you permission", said Medb, "and there you will find the noble of highest spirit and generosity and honour in Ireland." Bricriu went forth upon the lawn and fell in with Fergus. "What now, Ollamh?" said Fergus. "I desire to go in search of the wages which you promised to your people." "I desire much that you go on that quest," said Fergus.
Bricriu proceeded westwards from Cruachan, and this is the road which he travelled with his train, viz.: By the left of the Fort of Finn Caom, which is now called the Fort of Cenn Faolad, and over Beola Fasras, now called Beola Coille, and over Crick Cuirc (the territory of Corc), called Crich Airtech, and over Sliab Fairgsin (Prospect hill), called Sliab Lugha, and past the western territory of Lugna son of Firter, now called the territory of West Corann, and (past) Colba Crich Cein (the pillar of the distant land), called Crich Galeng (Leinster), and across Sal Srotha Deirg (the heel of Red Stream), called Merbruin of Moy, and nigh by Loch Con (Dog-loch) and Loch Cuilinn (Holly-loch), and towards Dun Atha Fen (the fortress of the ford of wagons) where Ailill the Fair son of Donald Dualbuide (yellow-locks) resided.
When they arrived upon the green the beautiful picturesque company were seen, and tidings were asked from them forthwith. And they told that this was Bricriu son of Cairbre, the Ollamh of Connaught and Cruachan and all Ireland. When they heard this, the people of the stead, women and men and youths with Ailill the Fair himself and his household at their head, went forth to welcome Bricriu and his train. And he was carried on the shoulders of soldiers and warriors to the presence of Ailill the Fair in the hostel. Ailill and the nobles of Gamhanraidh who were present rose to meet him. And they kissed him thrice, and he was seated beside Ailill the Fair. And they asked him the tidings of Cruachan and Ailill and Medb and Fergus. Bricriu told them all these. Bedrooms were prepared for Bricriu's people, and they were supplied and served with the rarest of drinks and the choicest of good food that night.
Thereafter the king's own house was prepared. And the nobles of Gamhanraidh were brought in and seated in their rightful places according to their rank and station. And these were the household of Ailill the Fair at all times, although a number of them was reckoned (also) the house of Cruachan with Ailill and Medb, viz.: Ferdia son of Daman son of Daire, the great brave warrior, and there were a hundred Ferdias around him; Fraoch son of Fidach with three hundred Fraochs around him; Goll Oilech4 and Goll Acla with three hundred Golls around him (or them); seven hundred Breslenns along with the seven Breslenns of Brefne; Ferderg son of Dolar with three hundred champions of the same name around him; Gaman of Sidgal with three hundred Gamans around him; Duban son of the Gaman with three hundred Dubans around him; and Dartad of Diberg with three hundred Dartads around him. And some say that there was an equal number of others with different names.
Thus was the banquet-hall arranged and seated by Ailill on that night. Messengers were sent for Bricriu, and he was escorted with honour and dignity to the hostel. He was seated beside Ailill the Fair, and his poets were put in a place opposite him. And the freshest of every kind of food and the oldest of every kind of drink were brought into the hostel. And there were served to them - white wine to the princes, very old light mead to the nobles, bragget to the hospitallers, and ale to all and sundry.
And when the nobles and champions were sated with eating and drinking, the warriors became greatly excited by the potency of the liquor. They asked Bricriu whether he had a song or a lay or a poem in honour of Ailill the Fair son of Donald Dualbuide, King of the Gamhanraidh. Bricriu said he had, and the matter passed for a while. But the Gamhanraidh were impatient to hear Bricriu, and they called (for his song) a second and a third time. After that things calmed down a little.
The Bricriu asked his followers to bring him the nine-stringed (harp). They all rose and placed the harp upon its pedestal of red gold beside him at the corner of his seat. Bricriu took it and sang, his choir5 accompanying him, the song which he composed, in cepog to the King, i.e. to Ailill the Fair son of Donald Dualbuide. And this is the song:
I request from Ailill, famous prince,
Three horses to each of us from his land,
A chariot with the (three) vigorous horses
We ask in pure hospitality.
Fifty swords you will give to us,
Fifty clean white tunics ***
A sword ***
From the King whose greatness we recognise.
I ask the like from his numerous warriors,
On viewing his eyes, spacious his stead,
Slaughter to men by the great sea,
Against men of valour their wrath is terrible.
I request6.
I request the son of Donald Dal,
Emperor of Erris, his designation,
The noble soldier whose courage is great and high,
A pillar against angry contentions.
The Gamhanraidh all praised the song. They said they never heard a better. "But one thing, we have a fault to find with the song", said the Gamhanraidh; "we do not understand it". "I will explain it", said Bricriu:
Ailim Ailill, amra an triath
Bid am tre each as a iath
That means that (Ailill) is to give to each one who has come with me three horses, and with every three horses a chariot of white bronze, and two spears with each chariot; and to give to me fifty swords as also the richly ornamented sword of Donald Dualbuide, king of the Gamhanraidh, his father, for that is one of the two, or of the three, best swords in Ireland.
"Ailim lin a leithid luiscc":
That means "I request Ailill and his multitude of heroes".
"Re rompa ruisg, borb a bla":
That is, "On beholding the eye of the royal prince;" "borb a bla", i.e. "great his stead, and many his soldiers".
"Ailill Finn mac Domnaill Dail" :
i.e. "The Emperor of Erris, and the Emperor of Western Europe".
"An seglann is saor mor losg":
That means, "Noble his assemblies, and valorous are his battalions and his conflicts. And that is the meaning of this song", said Bricriu.
"We never heard a better song," said the Gamhanraidh; "it is worth more than all you have asked". And his own award was given to Bricriu just as he sought it in the song. He was three days and three nights in the stead.
One day as Bricriu and Ailill were talking, the former said: "I find no fault with this house, Ailill, save only that you have not a queen worthy of you in your society". "But I have", said Ailill, "even Flidais Foltchain (of the beautiful hair) daughter of Ailill the Black, son of Find. She is in the west in the fort of Rath Morgan, having gone westward to visit the Maol (hummel or hornless cow) Flidais." "What is she?" asked Bricriu. "Easy to tell", said Ailill, "a cow with the gift of milking and milk and full produce; a cow, to wit, which yields in one night sufficient (milk) for three hundred men, besides women and boys".
"Have you brought with you a song in honour of the queen, Bricriu?" asked the chiefs of the Gamhanraidh. "I have assuredly", said Bricriu. "On my conscience", said one of them, "if you had not, your visit to the Gamhanraidh would be ill received, and there would be no prospect of presents." Bricriu then sang the song of the queen to Ailill and the chiefs of the Gamhanraidh. "That is a good song," said Ailill, "and we would recompense you for it, only we fancy that the queen herself will do so. Messengers will be sent in front of you to where Flidais is, and I can promise you that you will not be more pleased with any person in Ireland than with her."
To-morrow morning came, and Bricriu prepared to depart. But for one thing: during the three days and three nights that he was in the place, he did not leave behind him two companions or friends but were, through his machinations and interposition, placed in deadly enmity to each other. Bricriu then left the stead, and guides were sent with him till he came to Dun Morgan, beyond the round hill of Letriach.
When they arrived there, word passed that Bricriu son of Cairbre was on the lawn. The wives and youths and women-folk of the place went forth to meet Bricriu, and to welcome him. And he was carried with dignity and honour by the queen's household over to the stead. And Flidais rose to meet him and kissed him three times, and gave a warm and courteous welcome to his train. A spacious banquet-hall was prepared that night. And Bricriu was seated beside queen Flidais, and the ladies of her household sat on the royal side of the hostel along to the doorpost at the back. And Bricriu's people were seated opposite to them. And they enjoyed their food and sustenance, and they drank and made merry. *** One of the ladies asked whether Bricriu has a song in honour of queen Flidais. "I have, certainly", said Bricriu. "Well then, sing your song", said they. His followers closed round him, and they sang (together) the song which he sang previously (at Ath Fén). And this is the song:
From Cruachan we have come
To Erris in the west of Elga;
In every Dùn we passed, we heard
Of Flidais and her cow.
Flidais the lady of Ailill,
Dear to me the name of his spouse,
Domnall Dualbuide's warrior son,
Bounteous the lady who will not forsake me.
When we came out of Emain,
Our quarrel left no slight track;
The cause of Fergus whose exploits are many,
Brought us in numbers to Cruachan.
From Cruachan.
They all praised the song, and said they never heard a better. And his own award was given in jewels and treasure to Bricriu for his song by Flidais the wife of Ailill the Fair. He was for a whole week in Flidais's house. Still, notwithstanding the number of her women and household, there were not (even) two friends or companions among them, however well disposed previously, but conceived ill-will and distrust and hatred to each other through his intriguings among them during the time he was there.
Flidais asked: "What sort of man is Fergus, Bricriu?" "Why should you ask such a question?" said Bricriu; "for though I had seven heads, and though in each head were seven mouths, and seven tongues in each mouth, and the eloquence of an orator seven times told in each tongue, I could not give (an adequate) appreciation of the man. For I have not seen among the heroes of the word one to compare with him. Not have I ever heard of any such save only Lugh Longhand of Moytura fame, and Hercules son of Amphitrion, the royal warrior of the Greeks, and Hector son of Priam, the royal warrior of the Trojans. And I declare on my conscience that Fergus excels all these heroes in valour and bravery, in beauty and intellect and birth, in spirit and fame and generosity. Further, among the kings of the earth there is none more liberal to his warriors than he. For each samhuin (Martinmas, All-Hallowtide), he gives three thousand chariots, three thousand shields, three thousand swords, three thousand golden *** , three thousand *** , and three thousand diverse-coloured suits of armour to the three thousand sons of kings and lords and princes, champions and warriors and heroes of the clan Rugraide that are in his train. And he it is who gives the stipends which no king ever before gave to the wives of the mercenaries and soldiers, and sons of kings and lords, and champions and warriors and heroes in Ailill and Medb's service."
"He has, at his hand, three thousand irnas of red gold *** and diverse suits of armour for his men. But for one thing, with respect to his deeds of valour in war ***7
"I pledge my word", said Bricriu, "that Fergus fought and won thirty battles". One of these was the battle of Inver Tuagh against Niall Niamhglonnach8 (Bright-deeds), son of red Ros *** where the manly prince and battle warrior R. fell; another was the battle of Carn Eolarg, where the amazon Camallichta fell. There were also the great battle of Carn Eolarg where Bolg son of Bolg son of Eolarg and Eolarg son of E. (and) two fifties (besides) fell: and the battle of Inver Loinne, where fell Finn, son of Innadamar, King of Tara. He it was who won the battle of Maistiu against the whole of the clans of Ros; and the battle of Mullach dub (black-top) of Ros against the clans of Ros as well; and the battle of Mana against Conchobar and the Ultonians; and a stubborn fight against the clans of Durtacht, where Eogan the son of Durtacht was killed; and the battle of Luachra against the clans of Degad; and the battle of the Fort of two Peaks; and the battle of Boirche; and many other battles not here enumerated, in proof of which battles and exploits(?) the historian composed these quatrains:
A mighty man Fergus of the many towers,
Who conquered Conchobar in battle;
There has not been seen his equal in valour,
That issued from Rugraide.
Greater than any son the son of Ros;
Mightier than any hand that of Fergus;
A model to kings is the son of Ros,
For acquiring silver and gold.
He gives three hundred chariots,
With weapons and many shields,
With suitable accoutrements ***
In stipends to his warriors.
I declare of certain knowledge,
And will not boast of it,
That Fergus won ***
Thirty battles in Ireland.
The battle of Luachra over the clans of Degad,
Multitudes he put to shame,
The battle of Maisdiu over the clans of Ros,
And the great battle of Mullach-dub-Ros.
The battle of Boirche, the third I mention,
The battle of Inver Loinne over Bre *** ;
***
And the battle of Rock Eolarg.
***
*** (thirty) hundred irnas of red gold ;
***
To the wives of mercenaries and warriors.
*** on his face nor on his cheek,
(No one) would have refusal from him ;
*** he never spoke falsely,
From the day (he became) a warrior.
Mighty.
"I give my word", said Bricriu, "that Fergus lacks in nothing save that he is not king of Ulster, and that he has not a queen worthy of him". "I am in similar plight, Bricriu," said Flidais, "(I lack nothing) on earth except a suitable husband"(?). "By my word now," replied Bricriu, "I never met a more excellent spouse than (Ailill) the Fair, your husband." "You speak foolishly, Bricriu," said Flidais, "and I will not hear such language from you. For I love Fergus greatly, and when you depart (I ask nothing of you) save to put Fergus under prohibitions as to his coming to carry me away from the Gamhanraidh of consent or compulsion(?)."
Bricriu was wroth when he heard this, and said: "Sad is the evil fate of the man to whom you have given your love. For he never had a wife but eventually hated him. And he has not had a spouse worthy of him, only the society of Medb because of his vigorous manhood. And besides there is another matter which affects his honour, the three torches of valour of the Gael have been slain in Emain Macha while under his safeguard. And during his reign the sun of prosperity did not shine upon the (subject) princes. Further, O queen, I have travelled the world from the city of Muirn Molfaig9 in the north to here, and in all my journeyings I have not seen a better man that Ailill the Fair," added Bricriu.
"Idle talk, Bricriu, which I do not believe", said Flidais. "But you shall have your choice of the treasures of Ireland in return for carrying out my instructions, Bricriu. I shall direct Fergus how to proceed, for I have heard that the men of Ireland are to go as one host to Ulster to carry away the cows of Cuailgne. Let him come for a subsidy of horses, weapons, and armour from the Gamhanraidh, and I shall go with him. And although three thousand stout men of you should come, a suitable wife will be provided for every man of them. And I shall bring with me my hummel cow, the best in Ireland. And if my herds and the Maol Flidais accompany me, they will amply supply the men of Ireland every seventh night." And as she spoke she recited this love-song:
Bricriu, leave me forthwith,
And betake thee to sterile Cruachan;
Lay nine prohibitions10 on the son of Roich,
If he comes not instantly with you.
Though three thousand should come thither,
With Fergus(?) ***
A wife for each man of them
Shall wed with her lord(?)
If I bring my cow and herds,
Flidais shall feed the hosts
Every seventh night,
Should the campaign last for ever.
The folks of the East have vast wealth,
Their poets ***
I shall protect you, floods of valour
Two ***
Lady, you have taken upon you
A great undertaking,
To forsake your brave king
For a ***
He is my rightful spouse,
The man called son of Roich,
His worthy wife I shall be,
(And do thou depart), Bricriu.
Bricriu.
Bricriu thereupon left the stead, and never did Ollamh carry away (such) wealth from women before. He proceeded to the fort of Ath Fen. When the people saw him they all went forth to meet him. They gave him a warm welcome, kissed him often, and asked whether he was not well pleased with Flidais. Bricriu said he was. He stayed that night in the palace of Ath Fen. He rose early on the morrow and asked for his presents and treasures. Thrice fifty warriors were sent with him, one in each chariot of white bronze which he possessed, and their number had the appearance of a large host. He bade farewell to Ailill the Fair and to his chiefs. And he told Ailill that Fergus would come to have parley with him, and to seek aid in horses and armour from the Gamhanraidh.
This is the road on which they travelled:past the end of Dog-loch and the heel of Red-stream into the territory of Breas son of Ealathan, (now) called the land of Fiachra in Meath, and across the silver strand of Ros (now) called the Strand of Eothal, and over the Strath of the Druids (now) called the Strath of Feran, and into the plain of Corand, daughter of Fal son of Fidhga, (now) called the Plain of the son of Aire of Corand of the clans Uaine, and by the little round (or bare) of the head of Old Hill, (now) called the dear beautiful Ceis of Corand, and across the Stream of Fanglen (sloping-glen), (now) called Buill.
At this point Ailill's people turned back, and Bricriu proceeded to Cruachan. And when the vast cavalcade was seen approaching them, all wondered greatly thereat. They thought it was Cet or Conodhar son of Cecht with plunder from Ulster. When Bricriu arrived at Cruachan, he was welcomed, and people asked what this great booty was which he brought with him. "None other", said Bricriu, "than my presents from the Gamhanraidh, from Ailill the Fair and the nobles generally."
"What sort of house is the house of Ailill the Fair?" asked Medb of Bricriu. "The best I ever visited", said Bricriu. "And besides," added he, "I have not seen one to equal it, since I went to travel the globe along with Fergus." Medb was wroth because any house in the world was named as superior to her own. "You ought not to provoke me to a quarrel, Bricriu," said Medb. "I do not," said Bricriu. "And yet in Ailill Finn's palace are to be found the greatest number of ollamhs and poets and jesters and women's playthings and boys and children; champions and warriors and battle-soldiers and valiant troops; country banquets, and town hospitallers. For this number of champions of like names are there, viz., Ferdia son of Daman with three hundred Ferdias in his train; Fraoch son of Fidhach with three hundred Fraochs: three hundred Golls with Goll Oilech and Acla; three hundred Gamans with Gaman of Sidgal; three hundred Dubans with Duban son of Gaman; three hundred Dartads with Dartad of Diberg; three hundred Fosgamuins with the three Fosgamuins of Erris; and three hundred Breslenns with the seven Breslenns of Brefne. And I declare on my honour, Medb, that there are as many again of different names." Although Medb hated the Gamhanraidh, it pleased her to hear her own warriors' praises. And Bricriu continued his laudation of the palace of Ailill the Fair, and recited the lay:
I fared forth on a visit from Cruachan Ai,
I declare to you, on a certain road;
Goodly the prince whose palace I quickly reached,
Goodly his worth spouse.
I arrived at the castle of the ford of wagons,
I told many a tale there,
At Ailill the Fair's, warrior of Erris,
Son of the king of the Domnanns.
Taller than all others the people of that castle,
Handsomer its men, pleasanter their disposition:
Three hundred eight times told are there
Of champions of like names.
Three hundred valorous Ferdiads are there
With Ferdiad son of Daman;
Three hundred Fraochs abide there
With Fraoch son of Fidach.
Three hundred Gamans, bold in strife,
With Gaman of Sidgal,
Three hundred Dubans, of merciless grip,
With Duban, that goodly youth.
Three hundred Fosgamuins, a truthful statement,
With the three Fosgamuins of Erris;
Three hundred Golls with polished spears,
With Goll Oilech and Acla.
Three hundred Dartads, a loyal band,
Around Dartad of Diberg;
Three hundred Breslenns, of like devotion,
With the seven Breslenns of Brefne.
Louder than all shouts the shout
Of this household, of majestic mien;
There are as many others again,
Whose tribe names are different.
I have not seen in Ireland, I say it deliberately,
A household to compare with this,
The palace of Ailill with its many spears,
The populous palace to which I fared.
I fared.
"You are right in your praise of the palace of Ailill the Fair", said Medb; "nevertheless mine is much the superior of the two. The valour of my heroes and champions is greater. My chiefs and my dependents are more numerous. Greater in number are my youths and women-folk; my jewels and treasures; my cows and cattle. My soldiers are nobler born and more valiant. My musicians, artists, and scientists are more numerous. So are my ollamhs and jesters and dwarfs; my slaves and my little children; my women-folk and female attendants. My resources and material for banquets are superior, apart from the (grandeur of the) palace of Cruachan. For there is not in (all) Ireland a mansion that equals or compares with it in size and beauty and adornment; in the number of its courts and rooms and windows; in the amount of its gold and treasure and precious stones."
"For there are to be seen thrice fifty principal rooms surrounding my own fair, beautifully-shaped, crystal-adorned room, with its four golden pillars, the top of each mounted with gems of flashing precious stones, which are covered with four diverse coverlets from morn till eve. And when these covering are removed from the pillars they gleam in the face of all beholders. In addition to this, fifty champions of mine are in attendance upon Fergus and Cormac Conloinges son of Conchobar. And there are, besides, Finnabair and red Cainner with their fifty attendant maidens, not to speak of our ollamhs and men of learning."
"I do not profess to dispute with you" said Bricriu. "And yet, the palace of Ailill is the grandest in Ireland. This is the description of that mansion. There are thrice fifty principal rooms, and thrice inferior couches around a principal couch, on a polished floor of copper, without a speck of dust or permanent blotch. Fourteen chairs are round its doors. As to Ailill's room: thrice fifty warriors wearing golden helmets attend there, with thrice fifty royal maidens dressed in gold, and thrice fifty royal pages, besides poets and ollamhs. Fifty birds are round that bed with heads all silver-white, with beautiful golden plumage on the head of each, and with white chains flashing with gems between each two birds save one. A musical ball of gold on the end of each of these chains. And when wind blows gently over roof or skylight or window of that mansion, the melody of these musical balls is as sweet as that of the strings of a lyre touched by the fingers of a sage. At Ailill's back is a partition of silver and white bronze which, proceeding upwards through the building, forms the ridge of the palace. Fifty golden helmets protect the girls and maidens. There are, moreover, thrice fifty kings' helmets around Ailill the Fair himself." And while saying this he repeated the lay:
A wonderful palace the palace of Ailill,
I have come away from it well pleased;
Many a champion is there, in truth,
Many a king, many a lord.
Thrice fifty rooms are there,
With lofty walls reaching to the roof;
In each individual room of them
Fifty (warriors) are conspicuously seen.
The beautiful room of Ailill
Delightful a feast within it;
With its gleaming walls of brass,
Its beautiful pillars of red gold.
The bottom of that couch
Of pure white silver for its lord to rest upon,
Its middle of brass
Its upper part of yellow gold.
There move round that couch
Its birds never ceasing,
Sweeter than human music
To listen to their warble.
(Decked with) crystal and carbuncle,
The four golden pillars;
Fifty crystal lamps
Are a-light in the pleasant, peopled room.
Fifty chains of special pattern
Of the gold of the peaceful holy land,
My mouth does not utter a lie,
Upon each two birds in the dwelling.
A polished floor of copper
In whatever direction I approach it:
Seven score men, fit warriors,
Are the guardians of the king's bed.
A partition of silver and white bronze
To the back of the incomparable(?) Ailill,
In the room of many swords,
Which joins to the wall of the roof.
Thrice fifty champions carousing
Of princes and nobles;
Thrice fifty champions in waiting
Of youths and gentlemen.
Fifty goblets of white silver,
For drinking intoxicating mead;
Fifty polished trenchers of copper;
Fifty cups, fifty beakers.
Thrice fifty golden helmets,
Around the maidens in the abode;
And thrice fifty kings' helmets;
Truly wonderful palace.
Wonderful.
All the chiefs of the men of Ireland said they never heard a nobler description of mansion. Thereupon the disputation ceased. Medb was sorry that she entered upon a dispute with Bricriu. Still, because it was on account of her own virulence and combativeness that he debated with her, she made Bricriu welcome. "We will regard you all the more", said she "that you have spoken so well".
The great palace of Cruachan was thereupon prepared, and Medb and Ailill and Fergus and Cormac and all the chiefs sat down (to the banquet). The ollamhs were seated, and Bricriu sat opposite Fergus. When the others were making merry, Bricriu said: "Yonder, Fergus are the hundred and fifty chariots with their horses and shields, and the three hundred mantles, and the three thousand irnas of red gold which you promised to the women of your household, in order to provide armour of diverse pattern for your warriors." "The luck and the blessing are yours, Bricriu," said Fergus; "the wealth is great and the ownership (thereof) vast." Another while was passed in drinking and enjoyment, when Fergus and Cormac and Dubthach and Angus son of One-hand Gaba came to have talk with Bricriu. "Little did you know, my dear Fergus, that I have been a-courting for you," said Bricriu. "What scrape have you got me into now, Bricriu?" said Fergus. As they spoke thus, the following staves were repeated between them:
Little have you thought now,
Great Fergus, son of Ros,
That I was making a tryst for you,
With ladies of gentle bearing.
I say to you, son of Cairbre,
Though you debate the matter hard,
The lands are kindly,
However rough the witnesses.
Now withdraw your words,
A taboo is upon you, and the pangs of a woman11,
If you do not carry away from her home
The queen of featful Ailill.
Do not say, shameless one,
What is unseemly,
We shall not get in our day (elsewhere),
Our position in Connaught.
You have cast your valour aside,
Since you have left your castle,
Your prowess and dread have taken wings,
Your vigour has all but vanished.
Little.
Upon hearing what the son of greyheaded Cairbre said, (Dubthach12) gave a violent kick to Bricriu, so that the back of the ollamh was forthwith in the great blazing fire, and it was all the attendants could do to save him from being singed and his back burned.
There was great confusion in the hostel because of this. Many of the Ultonians drew their weapons, and the tribes of Taidiu responded to the uproar. Medb raised her head and suddenly asked: "What have you done to the ollamh, Ulstermen?" said she. "What has often hurt him," replied Dubthach, "that sharp loud tongue of his." Fergus resented greatly this public insult to Bricriu. He longed to attack Dubthach, but the Dubloinges prevented him. Medb and Ailill blamed all and sundry for dishonouring Bricriu in their presence. The women and youths of Cruachan were all pleased at the great insult which Bricriu received, and they said that no tongue ever deserved punishment more than his; for there were not in Cruachan (even) two who loved each other ever so much, but Bricriu managed to put deadly and irreconcilable enmity between them.
The matter passed for that night. When the morrow's morning came Fergus and the Dubloinges summoned Bricriu to a place apart, and inquired of him: "How does this tryst hang together?" "I (only) tell you," said Bricriu, "what Flidais asked you to do, viz., to go to the Gamhanraidh for a subsidy of horses and weapons and armour, and that she would come away from you with her herds and her hummel cow, the best in Ireland, and would bring along with her three thousand women fit to mate with kings and lords to meet your people, i.e. a wife for every man of them; and should you carry these away, they will sustain the men of Ireland every seventh night, both men and women, youths and children, each night. Do you deliberate upon that proposal." added Bricriu. "And if you go on that expedition, it will be an omen of great contests and the cause of disaster. For you will have instant combat and vigorous fighting from the featful dexterous champions and the nimble battalions of the warriors of the Gamhanraidh". "That means", said Fergus, "that you do not (intend to) accompany us to the (country of the) Gamhanraidh, Bricriu". "I do not, great prince", said Bricriu, "for you will not miss me; and (moreover) the feeble's proper (home) is in Emain." "That will not be so, Bricriu," said Fergus, "if you come not with us willingly, you will come in spite of you, to save your hair and pile." "I shall go", said Bricriu, "and I shall rue it". And while talking thus, he chanted this lay, Fergus replying:
Tidings for you, generous Fergus,
Mild son of Roigh, not peaceful tidings,
Flidais has bestowed upon you, omen of great deeds,
I know it well, great manifest love.
Should you abide here, she has laid upon you,
If to your sorrow, nine taboos this night.
I shall go west, and carry her away with me,
A lightsome task to go in quest of her.
If him I saw in the west be hale and well,
Should his ire arise, the slope will be red;
"I give my word", said Ailill the Fair,
"He shall be the first to be sent adrift on sea."
I see the hosts of Cruachan, numerous though you be,
Your strength will be of small account in opposing the king:
You folks here, should you go west,
Will encounter genuine feats of arms.
You people here, though distressful to me,
Birds of prey will wheel over your heads;
Hands will be in mould; lips will be pale;
Slaughter will be rife: birds (of prey) will be gorged.
Should Donald and his hosts attack you,
They will obtain booty, it will not be a slight encounter;
Should Fermenn son of Daire the Red be there,
He will make a charge; the dead on the field (will be many).
Should the host of Goll Acla from the west come,
His force will be well led, the dead will be numerous;
I will not accompany you, I am not over strong,
I will stay here, that is best for me.
Foolish Bricriu, you shall come with me,
In the shelter of my shield, protection from a hundred lances.
I am now labouring under heavy sickness,
Restore me, O hero, to my home.
Come with me, willingly, sweet-voiced Bricriu,
Or you will come instantly to save your head.
I shall accompany you, an omen of tears;
My lot is hard, true the tale.
Tidings for you.
They resolved to go on that quest. And thereafter they went over to Cruachan, and Ailill and Dubthach sat down to play chess for a while. That was the very time when Fergus went to have parley with Ailill and Medb. He sought permission to go to the Gamhanraidh for a subsidy of weapons and armour; and he received leave readily from Ailill and Medb. Dubthach was asked whether he was not ready to accompany them. "You go forward", said Dubthach, "and tell me where you mean to stay this night." "I know", said Medb, "in the house of Moda Minadhmadadh, my chief steward, in the fort of Red-ford on the black river of Brea, call the Ford of *** on the (river) Suck."
The Dubloinges and Fergus fared forth and arrived at the fort of Red-ford. Moda Minadhmadadh rose to meet them, and kissed Fergus and Cormac Conloinges, and welcomed all the chiefs of the Dubloinges. They were served and ministered to thereafter, for he (Moda) had a great and excellent banquet ready for Ailill and Medb. For that royal hostel was a great Rath, and he (Moda) was moreover the principal steward of the province. Besides there were there a triad (of rules) which a cerd observed, viz., point thrusts(?), and furious combat, and respite in fighting; and a triad which an hospitaller observed, viz., the ever full caldron, and welcome to every company, and refusal to none. And they were there until close of day. Their proceedings thus far.
With respect to Dubthach: the afternoon found him still in Cruachan; he lost the game, and he was loudly and derisively laughed at. He rose up angrily and asked his servant whether the horses had been caught, or the chariot yoked. "There they stand", said the lad. The horses were brought to Dubthach. He stepped into his chariot and drove to the castle of Red-ford. And when the attendants of the Dubloinges saw Dubthach (approaching) they cursed him. Dubthach alighted from his chariot and proceeded to Fergus's quarters. Every one made way for him.
As to Dubthach's servant, he looked round and found the horses of the Dubloinges, the horses of Fergus, as likewise those of Moda, each in a paddock apart. He approached the stable boys of the Dubloinges, and they laughed at him, and would not permit him or his horses to find room with them. He went to Fergus's men and they repulsed him. He then approached the landlord's servants. "Death and destruction to you!" said they, "if the whole world were to receive you as we do, you would get no resting-place in it." The lad scoured the stead three times, and he could find no place for his horses, nor bed nor food nor fare (for himself). When everything failed him he came to where his master was, and this is what he said: "The servant of a bad master I must be, seeing that I am this night without food or drink or bed."
Dubtach sat up when he heard this, and said: "How is it, Moda," said he, "that you do not provide food and drink and a sleeping-place for my servant?" "With respect to sleeping-houses," said Moda, "I have not a single one save that which is common to all the company, and neither your servant nor that of any other warrior shall find room therein. As to food," added Moda, "if one man's surfeit does not satisfy your servant, he will be the surfeit of nine." Dubthach was furious at the answer, and the two quarrelled. And Dubthach was eager to rise, but was not permitted. However, when he ceased to be observed Dubthach rose up and gave a sword blow to Moda, which cut him in two.
Fergus rose up thereupon, but the Dubloinges rose also and held him back. And Fergus never after met with anything to compare with the slaughter of Moda by Dubthach. And they passed that night anxiously until the morrow's morning came. And Fergus rose up and approached Moda Minadhmadadh's body, and was greatly lamenting him, and spoke this: "Woeful is the deed which you have done, Dubthach", said he "and evil was your deed in Emain, when you slew Fiacha son of Conchobar and Daire son of Fedelmid. And cruel were the other murders you have done, viz., the murder of Laidis and Lennabair, the two daughters of Eogan son of Durtacht, and Moirenn of the white neck, the wife of Fatneck (Munremar) son of Eirgiu13, and Ethne of the fair head, wife of Errge House-mouth. And it is not (desire of) renown that caused you to do this deed." And as he spoke thus he recited the lay:
O Dubthach, thou has betrayed us,
For long thou hast brought shame to us;
Though thy deed this might is evil,
So were thy doings in Emain.
Fiacha the Fair, son of Conchobar,
By thine hand he fell;
The death of Daire son of Fedelmid,
Though it was he, was not a deed to benefit.
Moirenn white-neck thou hast slain,
Wife of Fat-neck, without shame,
Ethne fair-head thou hast wounded,
Wife of Errge, a cruel quarrel.
Laidis and Lennabair,
'Tis thine hand that mangled them;
The fair Edain from Berramain,
Thou hast destroyed her also.
Moda Minnadhmad has fallen by thine hand,
Medb's great artificer who committed no crime;
Although thou doest savage deeds,
It is not from the hardness of thine heart.
Thou hast been the cause of our exile,
Although thou canst not aid us now;
Thou hast ruined the sway of Fergus,
A wild deed thou hast done, O Dubthach.
O Dubthach.
Thus was that night passed. They rose on the morrow anxiously and sorrowfully. Fergus moved about mournfully; and severely reproaching his chiefs, said: "we shall no longer have place or power in Connaught after this deed which we have done."
These tidings reached Cruachan, and the people yelled and roared when they heard them. Medb rose and gathered her household together. She greatly pressed the Maines, and sent messengers for Cet and the sons of Magach, urging them to pursue the Dubloinges closely and avenge the terrible murder which they committed. But Ailill was restraining her, and said: "I shall have no part in these proceedings", said Ailill. "Our dependants shall not be put to death for their violent deeds; nor shall our allies fall for their crimes; and neither shall we make an enemy for a season of the greatest riever and raider in Europe." The pursuit of Fergus thereupon ceased.
The proceedings of Fergus are related now. They deliberated as to what they should do, and they resolved to proceed westwards. They arrived that night at the house of Airne son of Dub Docladh, the fort of the Airnes' Loch. And Airne son of Dub (the Black), and his seven brothers, i.e. the Airnes after whom the loch is named, rose and gave a warm and courteous welcome to Fergus. And the hospitaller's house was put in order by them. Fergus, Cormac Conloinges, and the other chiefs, were then brought into the hostel. The house was arranged comfortably and luxuriously and Fergus was seated. Airne son of Dub Docladh, sat beside Fergus, and Cormac Conloinges sat beside him. And the seven Airnes, the hospitaller's brothers, sat beside Cormac. The seven noblest of the heroes of the Dubloinges sat (next). And Breac and Nainnesg, the hospitaller's two sons, sat in the champions' seat opposite to them. Uaithne Bright-breast, son of Conall Cernach sat down, with Goibnenn son of Luirgnech beside him. And the couches were filled, alternately, by the chiefs of Fergus and of the Airnes. They were ministered to and served with mead and wine and flesh and the choicest of every kind of food. And the stout heroes were plied with liquor until the company were merry and sated, and became excited with drunkenness and unreason.
When bedtime came, his couch was made ready for Fergus, and their couches were made ready for all the high nobles. Each of them thereupon sprang into his bed and Dubthach was left alone upon the floor. Dubthach asked, "Where is my bed?" said he. "Inquire of your own friends", replied Airne. When Dubthach heard this he began to fasten a quarrel upon Airne. Fergus heard the violent language of the champions, and rose from very shame to punish Dubthach for his ill tongue. And the Dubloinges rose to shield Dubthach from Fergus. The womenfolk and non-combatants of the stead gathered in a menacing manner. All the people in the fort now heard the uproar, and they all, Fergus's folk and those of Airne, came at once to the castle. And they pacified the folk in the royal hostel and saved Dubthach from injury. Cormac Conloinges and Airne son of Dub Docladh went forth to view the crowd and found it no easy task to separate the two parties. Threescore of the people of these warriors fell in the house or outside. Then each of them joined his own people, and they had an anxious and disturbed time of it until day with its full light came.
Fergus rose very early and gathered his chiefs around him. He came upon the lawn, and bade farewell to the Airnes in angry mood. He then placed a front and rear guard upon his goodly champions. They left the country hurriedly, and did not halt upon that march and on rush until they reached the fort of Ath Fen, when they sent Bricriu to the stead to herald them.
Bricriu went to the place where Ailill the Fair was, and he was recognised. All went forth to meet him, and they gave him a genuine and hearty welcome. They kissed him many times, and asked tidings from him. And Ailill said, "Oblige me by carrying Bricriu over to the castle." Bricriu was thereupon brought to the stead. Lofty and very delightful bowers, and richly furnished sleeping apartments, were prepared and strewn with fresh rushes for Bricriu and his party, and they were told to go to their rooms where they would be served and attended to. "We shall on no account go", said Bricriu, "for a greater and nobler guest than we has come, i.e. Fergus son of Roigh, to hold converse and to make alliance with you, and to seek assistance in weapons and armour from you and from the Gamhanraidh, for, apart from Ailill and Medb, there is no one in Ireland whose friendship he desires as much s yours". "His coming and arrival are alike pleasing to me", said Ailill. "He will receive horses and armour and warlike weapons as a guerdon of his visit; and the Gamhanraidh will join him on any quest and expedition he pleases." And they were blithe to welcome Fergus. "How far distant is Fergus?" asked Ailill. "He is quite nigh", said Bricriu. Ailill thereupon made ready a spacious royal mansion for Fergus son of Roigh.
Now when the mansion was put in order and made ready Ailill said to Bricriu, "Let us go inside and have our repast." They went; and the freshest of every food and the oldest of every noble drink were brought to them, and they became merry and loud-voiced and reckless. The mind of the ollamh was excited by the strength of the liquor and the fickleness of ill-luck; and the quantity and frequency of the streams of old mead (which he quaffed) altogether confused Bricriu's senses. He bent over Ailill and said "Good now, Ailill, do you know the quest on which Fergus has come to this place?" "No, I do not", said Ailill. "For your wife has he come", said Bricriu, "to carry her away in elopement and secrecy." "Is she herself privy to that plot, ollamh?" asked Ailill. "She is, assuredly", said Bricriu, "for it was she who put him under prohibitions, if he did not come to carry her away from the Gamhanraidh of her free will or by violence. And she promised that she would bring with her the hummel cow, the best in all Ireland, as well as her other herds. And she undertook to feed the men of Ireland every seventh night on the great expedition of Tain bo Cuailgni." "I should much wish that his quest were different", said Ailill. The subject was dropped then, and they continued drinking.
As to Fergus now. He marshalled his people and formed the Dubloinges in three vast brave weapon brilliant divisions, and in three imposing princely great powerful battalions, and in three magnificent huge grand cohorts. The first battalion of the champions consisted of two thousand fighting warriors under the command of Cormac Conloinges son of Conchobar of the élite of the crown princes of the royal race of Rugraide, armed with purple-brown beautifully-coloured very large and tall shields, with mantles ornate and of one colour, with well-fitting dun-coloured edge-figured tunics, with scalloped smooth-white finely-woven smocks, and with slender gray figured sharp swords of steel, and with sharp bladed smooth-polished long-pointed spears, and with closely-fitted fully-carved long strong and flashing coats of mail, and with handsome hair plated soft satin collars, and with well-fitting beautifully-shaped gem-flashing headpieces.
Their gentry, their nobles and princes, surrounded Fergus the high king. These carried gold-adorned smooth gussetted green-coloured shields on the left hand of each hero, and long terror-striking bloody spears, and long timely-tempered sharp-pointed swords on their thighs. They wore green smooth-edged gold-fringed mantles, fastened on their breasts with richly-figured white-silver brooches, while very elegant kingly-beautiful diadems adorned with magic scrolls covered the brow of each noble.
Their seniors and elders, their wise counsellors, their men of trust and knowledge, were in the rear of the Dubloinges. Their mercenaries, their strong officers, and the hired troops, formed the last company. These wore blue peaked mantles, and the powerful men carried long sharp-headed sword-pointed spears, and yellow purple-speckled variegated diverse-coloured banners waved over them.
They marched forward in this order to the castle of Ath Fen. And when the people of the place saw that fairy brilliant well-disposed host approaching they went to the windows and on the ramparts of the cattle to behold and view them. And they were all impressed with the spectacular display.
Fergus then appeared upon the lawn. And when the Gamhanraidh saw them, they all went forth with Ailill the Fair to welcome Fergus. They were put into a sleeping house, for the Gamhanraidh had prepared a spacious mansion for the reception of the Dubloinges. And these were placed there, and they put their arms and numerous weapons upon the racks.
Then the chiefs of the Gamhanraidh were summoned by Ailill the Fair. He asked them how Fergus should be lodged, whether in the guest house or in Ailill the Fair's own palace. "That should be asked of himself and of his chiefs rather than of us", said they. "But it has been asked of you" (said Ailill). "We should prefer", said they, "that Fergus and his principal men should be in the same house with Ailill the Fair and the chiefs of the Gamhanraidh, so that Fergus and Ailill can observe the goodwill and friendship of both parties." Messengers were sent for them then, and they were brought to the palace. And thus they were seated; two of Fergus's chiefs on either side of each one of Ailill the Fair's chiefs, and two of Ailill the Fair's chiefs on either side of each one of Fergus's chiefs, to provide against their wrath and fury, in case anger or dispute or quarrel should arise among them, for these were the two (foremost) tribes of the chivalry and bravery of Conn's Half14, the Gamhanraidh of Irrus Domnann and the predatory troops of the clan Rugraide.
Ailill the Fair asked Fergus whether they (two) should sit side by side, or each sit among his own chiefs. "The value of the welcome is its sincerity", said Fergus. Ailill thereupon went to his couch and sat in his royal seat and ordered Fergus beside him. And until now Fergus was not used to such treatment, for in every assembly in which he was present not (even) a king dared to issue a command to another except through Fergus; and no one ever dared to sit (even) on a throne before he (Fergus) was seated, until he came to the palace of Ailill the Fair, that haughty and renowned king of the Gamhanraidh. He would yield his own seat to no man. But as for Fergus, he took the seat assigned to him, for he would not condescend to dispute with Ailill about a matter of precedence, being certain that eventually he would punish (that potentate) for this disrespect to him.
But one thing. They drank and made merry, and Ailill the Fair and Fergus engaged in pleasant talk. Ailill asked Fergus what brought him to Irrus Domnann on this occasion. "I have come to ask assistance in weapons and armour from you and the Gamhanraidh, and to make the acquaintance of you all." "That is not your object as we have heard", said Ailill, "and folks say that you never conceal anything if questioned about it." "What do you mean by that?" said Fergus. "What I have heard", said Ailill, "is that it is for my wife you have come, to carry her away willingly or by force.". "I do not deny it", said Fergus. "It were indeed better if it could be denied," said Ailill; "but look here, if you mean to act thus, Fergus", added Ailill, "repeat this talk to none. But go early on the morrow to the Ford of the Game, by the Dún of slaughter, taking your charioteer, and he who returns of us two shall have the lady." "Agreed", said Fergus. Their affairs thus far.
As to Bricriu: When his first stage of drunkenness passed, he began to look all round the house. And he saw the flush of anger in the faces of Fergus and Ailill. A fit of repentance for what he had done seized him, and he went forth from the house. And he saw the place being filled from east and west, north and south with battalions in battle array and hosts under arms. When Bricriu saw this he went in and asked Ailill what these battle cohorts and great armed hosts were that came, filling all the place. "My people and my household these", replied Ailill the Fair. "They have come to celebrate the Samain (Hallowmas fair) on the morrow." And Bricriu went forth again and saw a great company due south of him, a company, to wit, dark very large in close array, with brown mantles fringed with silver round them all, with broad woollen smocks, and with broad gray-blue swords in their hands flashing, and great sharp spears with long shafts and thick for a stout hero's grip, and brown broad-tufted very large shields. A stately sedate very tall youth marched in front of the noble company who maintained perfect discipline among them, Ailill recognised them, and this lay was composed on the occasion:
A squadron is approaching the castle,
They are not the men to retreat,
With mantles brown coloured
And shields of like colour.
Dark men with hero's strength,
With smocks shining white in the sun;
Tall men of black complexion
Who have come from the great sea.
Grey swords in their hands,
Which strike deadly in conflict
Spears pennoned, large,
Men very tall, not to be gainsaid.
I recognise the hosts,
Those men of high spirit
Angus son of Echtach from over (the sea)
And the youthful warriors of Aran.
They are men hard to contend with,
Their protection is hard to obtain,
These men will not be slain,
Till the grass is soaked with their blood.
(A squadron) is.
Then Bricriu went forth, and viewed the lawn all around. And he saw a large squadron seated upon the edge of the green. They appeared to be two hundred in number; the half of them clothed in purple mantles of one shade and fringed; the other half in green diverse coloured mantles. There sat in the centre of them a man with fair curly hair, sedate, alert, handsome, of ruddy face and lisping tongue. Ailill recognised them, and this lay was made:
There is a troop upon the plain,
Where they can be seen;
About two hundred in number,
With weapons and many shields.
A hundred in purple mantles,
Men handsome worthy of high praise;
An hundred in green mantles
Fair and truly gallant men.
There is one in the hand,
The fairest of the world's men;
A tall hero with fair hair,
And of melodious utterance.
That is the great Muiredach,
Son of Ailill, numerous his host;
He will not flee while life lasts,
Or he becomes a changed man.
There is.
After that lay Bricriu went forth again upon the green, and looked about him. And he was amazed at the multitude of people and the ranked battalions which he saw coming to the place. He returned within and said to Ailill: "There is a great squadron now on the hill to the west. They look about four hundred warriors in number. Five brown-haired distinguished noble heroes clad in leaders' dress are in the front of the host; a straight light-brown man in bright armour is in the rear of the numerous company; while a broad-headed, curly-haired, mild-spoken, fair-skinned man is in the midst of the battle warriors, commanding them." "I recognise that other troop", said Ailill. And as they spoke thus Bricriu recited the lay and Ailill responded thereto:
Another squadron there on the hill,
They come not from the east but from the west;
Hosts most eager at the hunt,
In their purple blood-red array.
There are in front of the company
Five heroes, fierce their spears;
There is in the rear, a space apart,
A rough straight light-brown youth.
In the midst of the soldiers,
A tall, noble *** youth,
A man fit to decide every case
That may arise in Ireland's courts.
Gamhanraidh all of them,
With Gaman of Sidgal;
A man whose sway and good humour is absolute,
And whose troops are the handsomest.
Another squadron there.
Then Bricriu went forth again upon the green, and he kept gazing around him on every side. And he saw the gallant very large crowds, and the serried ranks, and the squadrons in beautiful mantles, and the vast daring multitudes. Great terror took hold of him and he returned within again. Ailill asked "Any news, Bricriu?" "I have, indeed", replied Bricriu; "for until the sand of the sea is counted up, and the leaves of the forest, and dew upon grass, and grass upon green, the hosts and armed troops, the foot champions and battle-soldiers of the king, and the mercenaries upon the green of this castle at the present time cannot be numbered." "My people these", said Ailill the Fair, "who have come to hold this fair on the morrow."
And Bricriu went forth again, and he saw a troop in the green in the south-west. And this is their description, as Bricriu related it:
Here is a mighty squadron,
Of men well-shaped and stern,
Bright their complexion ***
Four hundred and twelve their number.
A purple shield on the left hand of each champion
Of the chiefs that cannot be challenged;
In the diadems of the princes,
Spikelets green of one colour.
A dark man in front of the company,
His household consists of four hundred lords;
Two-colours distinguish the lord of havens,
White skin, face purple like cruan.
These are the clans of Find
***
Accompanying Fraoch of Rea
The mighty will march as you see them.
There are.
Bricriu went (again) upon the green, and kept viewing the four airts of the earth around him. He saw not an airt of them, but with hosts and multitudes coming to the place. And he saw a great vast squadron coming straight from the north of dark very tall men, dressed in short cloaks all of one colour, and with brown very lofty shields on the shoulders of the manky warriors. The equal of these in size or soldierly bearing had not (hitherto) come upon the green. As Bricriu was describing them he recited the lay:
This is the greatest squadron,
Of a truth no falsehood;
There has not come up till now
A troop to match them.
In the company in front
Are four hundred sedate champions;
In the rear company
Are four hundred equally conspicuous.
There are other four hundred,
Tall fierce champions;
Each warrior fitly armed
In the great squadron in the centre.
A shield on the back of each hero,
Speckled and very large;
There is a heavy unwieldy stone,
Fastened to each white shield.
These are the men from the north,
From the borders of Assaroe
Aedh and Angus of equal valour,
The two noble sons of black-footed Curnan.
A squadron of highest courage
That comes in their splendid form;
There are not (men) of greater daring or strength,
I declare unto you.
This is.
Bricriu went forth once again, and viewed the green all round. And he saw an unknown strange troop coming from the north in the track of the first squadron, about two hundred in number. Each hero had a spear, and each battle-soldier a very large stone in the hollow of his shield. In the centre of the warriors marched a very tall brave beardless man with plaited curls of saffron-yellow hair. Bricriu went within and told these tidings to Ailill, and this lay was recited by the two of them:
You who look on the hosts,
View them in the line of your spear;
If you recognise them, tell me
What this great company on the field is.
Describe to me, persistent Bricriu,
The distinctive garb of the warriors,
That I may give to you
An account of each individual.
I judge them to be two hundred fierce warriors,
Taller than the men of other troops,
Red their shields, yellow their hair,
From the north they have come.
With two hundred broad spears,
As they come into the thick of conflict;
With two hundred heavy champion stones
Fastened to their curved shields.
A tall beardless stammering warrior,
Is he around whom the hosts sit,
Over his crown there flows
Hair curly beautiful soft smooth.
These men, I tell you,
Are the chivalry of Muigh Eme;
The tall man, pride without deceit,
Is Fermenn son of the handsome Dara the Red.
War to those against whom they fight,
Whenever their ire arises;
Happy indeed the chief
With whom they take up arms, O man.
Thou.
Now as to Ailill the Fair. He made himself pleasant to Fergus, and this is what he said to him: "What has brought you to this country, Fergus?" asked Ailill. "You have heard already", replied Fergus. "In the case, I shall not give of my wealth to my hurt", said Ailill. "I, for one, shall not taste your food or your drink", rejoined Fergus, "for I have never slain (a man) after partaking of his food." And Fergus went out. Ailill whispered to Fergus: "Let not the Gamhanraidh hear this. But betake thee early to the Ford of the Game, and let no one hear of it but your charioteer. And no one shall hear of it from me but my charioteer. Let us fight, and whichever of us survives shall have the lady." Fergus went out and Dubthach and Angus followed at his heel. They asked what the cause of his wrath was, but he did not like to tell them. And he charged them to tell no one else. He then told them. Dubthach requested (Fergus) to allow himself to fight Ailill. Fergus said that he had given up the idea of fighting (Ailill) on that issue, for he was by no means a worthy opponent of his; and thereupon this lay was repeated by them:
Fergus, will you abide
Every fierce angry quarrel?
Why should you undertake
This conflict in preference to me.
It does not become you to meet him,
The man is not of your rank;
To succour him might be suitable work for you,
Not to avenge (his insolence).
Ailill the Fair, the lordly prince,
Prince of Erris in the west of Ireland,
Is not a fitting opponent
To the famous King of Ulster.
I shall hurl this sharp-pointed spear
Against Ailill of the Ford of Fernas;
There is not my equal in the fight,
Saving you only, Fergus.
Fergus.
Fergus thereupon went to his sleeping apartment, and the night passed. He arose early on the morrow, and wakened his attendant, who caught the horses and yoked the chariot. Early though they arrived they found Ailill at the Ford. And the two brandished their very sharp, mighty-swift, easily-hurled weapons against each other, and made a fierce but undecisive attack. The warriors handled the weapons dexterously, so that there was no mark nor blood on the princes until the day dawned on the heroes.
Dubthach and Angus observed that Fergus has gone forth, and they seized their weapons and made for the Ford. They found the champions fighting at the Ford, and each of them made a thrust at Ailill, and Ailill made a thrust at each of them. Cormac Conloinges son of Conchobar and Uaithne Bright-breast son of Conall Cernach observed that Fergus had gone out. And Cormac (and Uaithne) went forth. They saw the heroes fighting, and when they did they approached them. And (Cormac) made a thrust at Ailill. Uaithne made another thrust at him, and Ailill wounded both of them. Birrdeg son of Ruad and Edar son of Eogaoth, and Fiach son of Fireba thereafter went forth, and each of them attacked Ailill, and Ailill inflicted deep wounds on each mighty man of them. Then Goibnenn son of Luirgnech and Suanach son of Salgaba, foster-brother of Cormac, and Lugaid Lamderc (Redhand) son of D*** and Sith *** son of Edgat went to the scene of the conflict, and each of them struck at Ailill, and Ailill wounded each man of them. "How is it, servant of Ailill", said Fergus's servant, "that you did not tell your mighty chiefs the dire extremity in which (Ailill) is?" "It is a vow of mine", replied the lad, "as long as the combat is equal to say nothing about it."
And so it was that from the end of the night until full afternoon they fought in this furious fashion. There were heard throughout the camp the clash of swords raised on high, the clang of blades against helmets, and the whistle of spears mid the tempestuous winds. The din was heard in the tent of the clan Fidach. These rose up furiously madly angrily valiantly courageously recklessly so that their rush and tramp were heard in the clouds of heaven and in the hollows of trees and rough rocks; the wild dangerous urgently-persistent uproar of the Gamhanraidh as they rose up; the *** of the warriors as they donned their armour; the shout of the youth at their sudden awakening; the frown of the young folks as they rose reluctantly; the inciting and counselling of the champions and warriors as they pressed the mighty, and urged the attendants, and hurried the swift-footed to exert their battle-frenzy and avenge their enmity on the Dubloinges. They marched forth very swiftly in close columns sharply pointed very lofty terrible, and in roughly marshalled doggedly furious battalions and in agile troops with banners displayed on red standards, and arrived at the place of conflict and the scene of hard blows.
Then the Dubloinges gathered fiercely terribly restlessly recklessly wrathfully firmly, and formed themselves into a phalanx warlike victorious steel-edged awe-inspiring rough, and into a bulwark broad and stern hero-valiant thick-shafted hero-furious, and into a palisade pointed red-tipped fateful dangerous speckled pale purpled. They marched forward in that order in dense masses insatiable large-speared, ***, and in select powerful featful rock-firm columns, and selected a spacious trampled field at the eastern angle of the Ford. They and the Gamhanraidh shouted vigorously and exultantly on seeing each other, so that their pæan reached the clouds. And over the heads of the hosts the great heavy showers of brandished spears and flashing sharp-pointed deadly venomous javelins shout out the light.
And the thick-shafted battle spears of the champions were twisted, and the shafts were bent and broken in splinters against the battle shields; and walls echoed the din; and coats of mail were shortened by the frequent hacking of them; and heroes were slashed through their valorous chests; and heads were cloven through helmets; and hair was twisted by curved blades, and eyes were blinded by the fierce red streams of blood that fell thickly upon the ground. The battle became at once a series of duels and strife, so that far away from the actors could be heard the onset of valiant soldiers, the mighty efforts of the champions, the onrush of the crown princes, the thunder of the lords, the clamour of the troops warding off danger, the sword play of the brave foot-soldiers in all parts of the field; the spirit and eagerness of the young and tender warriors; the ire of the stalwart men as they were being hacked; the arrogance of the gentry towards the plebeians; the loud voices of the nobles and officers and warriors in pressing the fight, inciting the charge, and urging the heroes.
Now when their battle supports reached the others Fergus and Angus and Dubtach charged their shields Ailill alone, and he with his three shields charged them. Fergus leapt back, brandished his battle spear, and wounded Ailill below the belt. Ailill brandished his great broad spear from shaft to point and wounded Fergus right valiantly. Dubthach and Angus wounded Ailill, and he in turn fiercely wounded them to such purpose that the heroes were a mass of gore from the spear-thrusts.
When the Gamhanraidh heard clearly these three terrible blows upon the single shield of Ailill the Fair, the flower of the fiery chivalry of the Gamhanraidh of Erris responded, viz. the slim Gaman of Sidgal and his two (brother) Gamans along with him. The three brothers delivered three tremendous fateful but indecisive blows of their shields upon Fergus, which the latter met with fury and effect. (Other) three mighty valiant men of the same Gamhanraidh joined the fight, and gave three furious compelling blows to the high king which were heard by all the chiefs.
Howbeit it was a source of terror and dread to those engaged in that fight to listen to the screaming of carrion crows and birds of prey of bird-flocks and bird-tribe, the howling of dogs and dog-packs hungering for carnage and entrails, the watching of wild birds, and fluttering of the birds of the air as they swooped down on wounded men. For there indeed within a short space could be seen many a warrior sorely wounded, many a champion mangled, heroes with their hands hacked, lords fallen, chiefs mortally wounded, princes outdone, yeomen with bosoms ripped, stout men hacked, troops with bloody mantles, heads cut, eyes half-blinded, lips locked and pale, eyes turned, breasts panting, knees cross-swaying, and feet chopped. So that after the fierce encounters the field was one continuous ominous confused tumult of wounded lords and churls, and one stout strong firm-armed phalanx of broken shafts whittled swords and cloven helmets, and one purple path of broken swords and carcases wound-gaping foam-bubbling all-bloody. The slaughters were multiplied and the field made impassable by the number of spears and swords and battle-shields, the hacked and mangled carcases, the unwieldy warriors stark dead, the high-spirited soldiers destroyed, and the attendants as they lay hideous and swollen(?). Such was the slaughter by the Gamhanraidh in that fight, in which fell a countless host of the Dubloinges,(not less than) a thousand in number.
Now when Fergus saw his people being slain and destroyed, and the Gamhanraidh gaining upon them, he began (afresh) to show his royal military spirit,wielding the heavy swords, laying mighty men low, plying the gapped spears, hurling the shafts, piercing princes, cutting bodies in two, annihilating troops, cleaving shields, driving home his blows, and rousing his wrath; for according to the historians Fergus's wrath did not attain to its full fury until he waded ankle deep in blood. He stretched forth his hand for his sword the Hard-blade and found it not in its scabbard. And this is how it was: one day as he was in dalliance with Medb by a hazel-tree in Cruachan Ailill caught them in the act. And he removed the Hard-blade from its sheath and put a wooden blade in its stead. When Fergus observed this, he thought the Connaught men had done it to insult him. So he ordered Bricriu to go and tell Cormac Conloinges to leave the fight with as many of his people as he could bring with him. "But as for myself I shall not retreat one foot during my career or my course." Bricriu went to the Ultonians and told his message to them. Cormac then withdrew from the battle when he saw that the forces of the Gamhanraidh were so much superior, and covered the retreat of his men.
But as to Fergus. He and Dubthach and Angus were ever attacking Ailill with their shields. When Gaman of Sidgal observed this he approached them, and made a very valiant thrust at Fergus, who made a furious thrust at him. Goll Oilech and Goll Acla sought them, and each made a thrust at Fergus who gave an avenging blow to each of them. Then came Aodh son of Echtach and Angus son of Echtach, and each of them made a thrust at Fergus's shield, and he made a thrust at each of them. Duban son of the Gaman then made for him. He gave a stinging stroke to Fergus which the latter instantly returned with interest. Thereupon the seven Breislenns of Brefne sought him all at once; and each made a thrust at him, but Fergus gave as good as he got to each stout man of them.
And now all the Gamhanraidh went to attack him in this wise, and last of all went Fraoch son of Fidach. When he arrived he did not allow the men to attack Fergus further, but ordered the Gamhanraidh to seize him. They instantly surrounded him, and secured him with chain and lock and shackle. They fettered and bound the royal soldier very firmly with these. They also seized Angus and Dubthach. Moreover when Fergus and Angus and Dubthach were thus captured, he ordered a battalion of the Gamhanraidh to pursue Cormac and the Dubloinges.
When Bricriu saw Fergus and Dubthach and Angus made prisoners and their people slain, his mind forsook its seat. His feet trembled under him; his fingers were benumbed; his heart beat furiously; his sense became paralysed, and his vision distorted. He instantly kilted his clothes about him, and hastily left the place. He fared forward lightly and speedily from the field over brushwood, grass, and water; and halted not in his race until he reached the Rath of Cruachan Ai. And he found Medb and Ailill before him in their well-ordered banqueting-house. When he arrived he threw himself down dead lifeless across the floor. Medb and Ailill asked his news. He told them wildly that the Dubloinges were slain, and that Fergus and Dubthach and Angus were prisoners; "and I alone am the only living son of woman or man among all the Ultonians who went on that expedition", said Bricriu. "Who would dare to do such deeds," said Medb, "and who could compass the slaughter of such high-spirited men with their numerous battalions and champions?" "I saw no one there, of a truth", replied he, "save the people of the king, and I have never seen a king's household higher in courage or greater in number than they. And if you had not forsaken us Medb," added Bricriu, "neither the men of Domnann nor the Gamhanraidh could harm us ought." And as they spoke thus, they said the lay:
In this guise, O enduring Bricriu,
Whence your toilsome journey?
Your white lips seem almost
An omen of grave tidings.
I have terrible tidings;
We were taken at disadvantage;
All the Ultonians have fallen
With the descendant of Ros of Rugraide.
Who would dare, who did dare,
Who did the mighty smiting?
Considering your brave battalions,
Who could compass your slaughter?
I saw none there of a truth,
Save only the king's household,
I never saw up till now
A royal household more powerful.
You who devised this ambuscade,
I say it to your face, Medb,
If you had not betrayed us
A troop of Domnanns would not dare to attack us.
I can give my oath truly,
In the presence of the five kings,
That I did not sanction the fair fight,
And neither did Ailill.
If you are not the cause of the disaster,
Muster your battalions;
Assert your strength and courage
And avenge the treachery to the full.
In this guise.
Now Ailill and Medb were greatly grieved at hearing these tidings. And they summoned the chiefs of the four great provinces of Ireland to their presence, for these were in Cruachan at the time, having been brought thither by Ailill and Medb to go on the Raid of the cows of Cuailgne in Ulster. And these are the high chiefs who were there, to wit, Lugaid son of Curoi, and Eochaid son of Fingen son of Luchta, and Eochaid Gusmar (strong) son of Tigernach Tetbannach son of Degad, and Eochaid Faobar (edge, weapon) his brother, and Lugaid son of Nos, and Loch son of the Feibis, and Angus son of Mesgedra son of the King of Leinster, and MacNia son of Finn son of Ros, and Angus son of Eochu Aincenn, and Illann the Fair son of Fergus, and Conodar son of Cecht, and the chiefs of Dal(d)ruithne, Eochaid Rond and the men of Craobh, MacMagach and the men of Mag Maon, and the men of Remhand, and the men of Coill Anchosnama son of Umhor, and the men of Erna, the Maines, and the tribes of Taidiu.
These chiefs were all brought to Ailill and Medb. And Medb told them of the outrage by the Gamhanraidh, and of Fergus and his people being slain while under her own safeguard. And she besought the chiefs of Ireland to go along with her to avenge her honour upon the Gamhanraidh. They undertook to go upon that expedition. And they were indeed glad to do so; for their champions and warriors were certain that they would win renown and fame and distinction by going. For they were convinced that no small tribe in the world were a match for them because of their number, and the excellence of their heroes and men of valour. And Medb held parley with Lugaid son of Curoi, and asked help and counsel of him, and (they) said the lay:
O Lugaid!
Give suitable counsel to me,
Fergus has been destroyed, alas!
A deed of great loss to me.
Noble Medb!
A man unpraised is feeble,
So also is one without power,
For every law brings evil in its train.
Undertake the task with courage,
As is right as is fitting;
March in front of us to avenge him,
Assert your valour, O Lugaid.
O Lugaid.
Thereupon Medb rose and ordered the tribes of Taidiu to horse. And the hosts followed her in their cohorts. And thus were these battalions marshalled: Lugaid son of Curoi, and Eochaid Gusmar son of Tigernach Tetbannach, in command of the clans of Degad; Lugaid son of Nos, and Loch son of Feibis, and Eogan the Fair son of Fingen, in command of the (men of the) province of Eochu son of Luchta; MacNia son of Finn son of Ros, and Eochaid Faobar, and Eochaid Ainchend son of Eochu, in command of (the men of) the province of Gailian15; and finally, Angus son of Mesgedra in command of the men of Leinster.
When their plans were made, and their stations and routes fixed, they marched forward. And this is the road which Medb with her chiefs and cavalry followed, viz., across the smooth plain of Ai, and over the east of Sliabh Trebland, and across the top of Cruad-Luachra, and across the Black-river of Brea, and across the western part of the race of Forcall's land, and across the Moor of Coindeadh, and over the Old-roads of Senchan, and southward of Forannan, and across the Ford of Black-river called the wild Ford, and across the end of Hard-ridge, when they halted and encamped at the end of the Loch of the descendant of Arthur, now called the Loch of the Airnes. And their foot (soldiers) and followers advanced to meet them across the woods of Ciarraig, and by the short cuts of the eastern territory of Broadupland until they reached the spot where Medb and Ailill and the (men of the) other provinces were. They encamped in the Fort of Airne son of Fer (man) Dochla that night. They found that hostel deserted by its people. But it was by no means emptied of its provisions, for they found an ample supply of food and drink there. The hosts (of Medb) sat down to fully enjoy the rich banquet, without tendering thanks to the hospitaller. And they were there quietly and comfortably the whole evening.
When night came his sons and people gathered around Airne. They were a short space apart from (Medb's) people, and they resolved to attack the great hosts secretly, and to avenge their wrongs and their eviction upon them. They came to the skirts of the camp and killed thrice fifty battle-armed champions of Medb's people. They themselves all escaped (safely) thereafter. The camp was greatly terrified and alarmed because of this, and the tidings were reported to Ailill and Medb. Medb said that she would assuredly avenge this outrage, and added that Airne had well avenged his hospitality upon them, and recited the lay:
That is the food with inhospitality,
Which the Black of the Airnes has given to me;
His peace is dispeace,
He has inflicted his cruelty upon us.
Three fifties of our hosts
They have slain, great the calamity;
Though by them these have fallen,
By me they shall long be remembered.
I vow it and declare it,
I swear it upon mine own weapons,
That from this we shall not move
Until we avenge the deed sixfold.
That is.
Thereafter Medb sent the Maines with her own people and household to oppose Airne, and to watch and observe the hosts. She urged and exhorted the Maines vigorously. They left the place, and proceeded to watch the movements of Airne; for he and his people were threatening and challenging the chiefs. They and the Maines fought, and there was great slaughter on both sides. One thousand battle-armed warriors of the Maines' people fell; and Airne son of Dub Dochla with all his people fell there on that morning, save only the two sons of the hospitaller, Breac and Nainnesg, who fled in terror before the mighty men. Medb and Ailill and all the chiefs went to view the slaughter, and Medb praised her men greatly, and expressed her gratitude to the Maines, and said the lay:
Here are the proofs of heroism,
Our thanks to the warriors of Ulster,
Airne son of the Black ***
His head is here, cleft in twain.
Does the renowned Ailill hear
Of the great victory of the Maines?
A fight with heroes of great valour,
The fruit thereof is neither food nor clothing.
Airne to our joy had fallen,
We have slain full ten hundred;
He fought his combats manfully,
Though sad his plight now.
Here are.
His tomb was dug by them there, his tombstone was set up and his grave made, together with the tomb of his brothers. Their heads and feet were thrown into the lake, whence its name, Loch of the Airnes, ever since. And they were viewing the loch and the hostel, while Medb related the story of the royal hostel, and described it clearly. And while doing so, she said the lay:
The house of Airne!
Hostile though its people have been;
Few have found it so
Save only those here present(?).
Fifty caldrons there a-boiling;
Fifty vats there for feasting;
There could be accommodated within its walls
Four and four hundred guests.
The two sons of the king ***
Both Breac and Nainnesg;
Each was a match for fifty,
When contention was rife.
My testimony regarding the hostel is,
The house of Airne of the numerous household,
That no one during my time
Entered it without being satisfied.
The house.
Thereafter they marched forward without halt or rest until they arrived at the eastern border of Mothar, and past the west of the plain of Sanas, and by the Loch of the Smithy, when they halted and encamped at the fort of Nochta, daughter of Dearg (the Red) son of Dolar. And Nochta challenged the men of Ireland to conflict. The conflict to which she challenged she challenged them was a race to the top of Prospect Hill, now called Nemthainn O'Awlay. They then raced against her. And to each as he broke down in the race she would turn, and give him a stroke of her sword and sweep his head off. In this fashion she slew nine times nine men, to wit, Eogan Gar son of Ailill with his leading men. Medb entreated Lugaid son of Curoi to save them from Nochta. Lugaid raced against her until they reached the middle of the ascent, when Nochta broke down. When she did so, Lugaid turned around, and with a blow swept her head from off her body. He brought it to Medb. Medb was pleased thereat, and took to praising Lugaid, and composed the lay:
A glorious deed that of yours, O Lugaid!
My darling, the hero under whom we march;
The death of our men is loss indeed,
Thrice nine nine have been cut down.
Thrice nine nine of our champions
Made for the top of the hill (?);
None of them escaped from
The daughter of Dearg of evil purpose.
There are in the cairn west of the knoll,
The bodies of the men not far distant;
Nine champions, her victims, are
Above her head near her dwelling.
The woman who slew Eogan Gar,
The son of Ailill, (with) nine nine (others),
O Lugaid, with (?) the half of the host,
Her death by thine hand is great victory.
A glorious deed.
Lugaid was pleased with this eulogy by Medb, And they departed thence on the morrow for the stronghold of Ailill the Fair at Ath Fen.
They were now formed in seven brave battalions of equal numbers. And they were drawn up in ranks terrible warlike (tastefully) variegated (as to colour),armed with shields, some purple and of one colour; others smooth, green; others dark, close-plaited, very tall; others spotted, tough-boarded, speckled-yellow; and still others edged, of hard wood, diverse-coloured; and with swords some of which were *** blue, iron-grey, gold-plaited; others slender-grey, smooth-bladed, figured; others heavy, broad-bladed, strong; and with spears (some) thick-shafted, steel-pointed, five-barbed; others beautiful, well-finished, gold-socketted; others long, well-tempered, sharp-edged; and with coats of mail well-fitting, triple-plaited; and with helmets handsome, ornamented; and with battle implements fit for heroes; and with battle maces; and with hooks for feats; and with warlike javelins. Great was the beauty and splendour of the array and appearance of that numerous host, with their dresses of many and diverse colours of blue and purple, green and yellow and speckled, and every other colour by which cloth is dyed, ornamented with gold and silver and gems of crystal and carbuncles. And to behold them at the juncture of time with their many keen many-edged weapons, with their banners wide-spread, pale-purpled, many-coloured, strange and terrible, with the thunder of their chariots, the tramp of the heavy infantry, and the uproar of the great and numerous hosts, would suffice to cause terror and shock.
They were not long there when the mighty Torna, a great valiant soldier of Ailill the Fair's people, appeared. He challenged them to combat. Six churls answered the challenge, Torn and Maol from the division under Lugaid son of Curoi, Meron and Midhna from that of Ailill and Medb, and Rubne and Rodan from the squadron of Finn son of Ros. And the six churls maintained the conflict against Torna furiously, recklessly, violently, madly, stubbornly, with their heavy well-made ***, and their thick-shafted, broad-headed spears, and their great rusty(?) swords. And Torna sustained the combat briskly, dexterously, and stoutly, nimbly against the churls. He circled round them as a hawk circles round the birds of air. And he made a little heap of them, and forthwith cut off their six heads. Thereafter he attacked those in front of him, and wreaked his wrath upon them. They, on the other hand, surrounded him and slew him with their spears. His tomb was thereafter dug and his lament made. And they made a very great mound over (his grave) which is called the mound of Torna since.
The men of Ireland marched forward to Ath Fen, and they halted and encamped there. Goll Oilech with his seven sons and three hundred champions of his name attacked and instantly slew many of the hosts. He slew a hundred armed stout warriors in this onset. The stronghold of Ailill the Fair was put under the charge of Lugaid the son of Curoi that the Dubloinges might hear of it, and that in a body they would attack Ailill the Fair. The men of Ireland were divided in two investing columns around that castle, Lugaid son of Curoi with the half of the men of Ireland under his command, and Medb with her hosts forming the other half. And Goll Oilech engaged them in a terrible stone fight until morning, and allowed them neither sleep nor rest. And he killed Medb's two horses, whence the name of that place thereafterEch Oilech (Horse of Oilech).
On the morrow thereafter they went to Femdail Knoll, Goll with his chiefs still slaying and exterminating them. The two columns occupied separate camps that night: Lugaid son of Curoi at Flitting River, and Medb at Stone Mound. Fermenn and Dara Derg his father with three thousand men attacked the Munstermen and Lugaid son of Curoi. Fermenn engaged the Munstermen in a furious stone battle, so that the warriors were not able to have food or drink or slumber or sleep during that night. Dara Derg and his son harassed the hosts in this stone fight as Goll Oilech did, and committed similar havoc among them. And they slew a countless number in the fight of that night. The knoll on which Medb encamped that night was called Stone Knoll, from the huge stones which the combatants hurled at each other; and the fort was called Red Fort from the red carcases and the pool-streams of deep red blood poured out there. That night was passed in great anxiety.
They moved forward on the morrow. But numbers of the Gamhanraidh overtook them and did not permit them to proceed any distance, for they slew fifty stalwart and highly distinguished warriors of their number that day, as well as the hero-warrior Legan with his people, after whom the stream of Legan is named. They encamped that night at Meeting Knoll. It received its name from the meeting of the four great provinces of Ireland there.
Goll Oilech parted from the men of Ireland that night, and proceeded to Dun Flidais where Ailill the Fair and Fergus were. For after Fergus was captured in the battle of Ath Fen he was brought to Flidais's castle. And he was tied to the very great pillar of the palace in the presence of Flidais, and they used to expose him to the queen daily at the morning meal. Fergus felt this outrage more than any strait in which he ever was. And the youths and children of the great camp used to crowd around him and make him the subject of derision, and of silly mockery and laughter continually. Goll Oilech went on his course to the house where Ailill the Fair and Fergus were, and told them that the (men of the) four provinces of Ireland were come into their territory. Ailill the Fair asked Goll Oilech which of the chiefs of the men of Ireland had come. He (Goll) told him, and recited the lay:
They are here at your door,
Stalwart men from the plain of Ai in battle order;
There are seven battalions linked together
Of the four great provinces of Ireland.
With Ailill and Medb from their land,
The Maicne under the seven Maines;
Under Lugaid son of the Hound of battles,
And under the seven sons of Magach.
With Angus son Mesgedra,
The hosts of Galian, handsome their form;
With Angus son of the son of Ros,
And with Illann son of Fergus.
With Eochaid Gusmar from his land,
Son of Tigernach Tetbannach;
With Eochaid Faobhar, firm his tread,
And with Eochaid Aincend.
With Lugaid son of Nos from the south;
With Loch the great son of Moda Feibis;
With Lugaid son of Curoi to oppose you;
With Eogan the Fair son of Fingen.
Cormac Conloinges is there,
With three thousand of a following;
The exiles of Ulster, with hardly one absent,
Are there, be it known to you.
They are.
After making this lay Goll Oilech turned back from the west the men of Ireland, and attacked them fiercely so that a multitude of them fell that night. The men of Ireland left Meeting Knoll on the morrow. The Gamhanraidh thereupon closed round and permitted them neither to march nor halt, but kept them like cows in a fold tortured by the heat. Such was the ring which the Gamhanraidh made round the men of Ireland. And in the fight Fermenn son of Dara Deg cast a spear at Medb. Medb bent her head to avoid the weapon, which hit red Cainner the daughter of Ailill and Medb, and pierced her heart in her bosom, so that she fell dead. The girl was taken out of her chariot thereafter, and Medb began to dig her grave and made the lay:
Dig ye the grave of Cainner
Lying here on the mound slain;
Fermenn son of Dara Derg
Threw the spear which caused her death.
Red Cainner daughter of Ailill
And Medb, she is the victim,
At the mound of the shade,
The darling of the warriors of Emain.
The spouse of Lugaid son of Curoi,
During seven (short) days, delight of valour;
Raise her pillar above her grave stone,
Dig ye her grave.
Let (her grave) be dug.
Thereupon the grave of the girl was made beside the river, so that Cainner became the name of the river and Glen Cainner the name of the glen. And the hosts raised a great wail of sorrow over her, and Lugaid son of Curoi almost died lamenting her.
The Irish host immediately thereafter moved westwards across Glen Cainner, and on to the Glen of Destruction where many of the Irish chiefs were put to death, and across Glen Calraide where Calraide son of bald Birrach fell. And during that time the Gamhanraidh ceased not slaying and destroying them, so that many of their chiefs fell, and among them Gris and R*** and Ruicne, the three satirists of Ailill and Medb, as also the three fierce hounds that guarded them. They went thereafter westward and still west across Muincenn to the stronghold of Fort Morgan, otherwise called Dun Flidais of the fair hair, on the hill above Loch Letriach. The men of Ireland pitched fort and camp around Fort Morgan south and north.
As to Medb. The chiefs of the great host were brought to her tent, viz., Lugaid son of Curoi, Angus son of Mesgedra, Lugaid son of Nos, and Loch the great son of Moda Feibis. These chiefs held counsel, for fear and dread seized them all upon seeing the fort of Ailill the Fair. They said that were the chiefs of the Gamhanraidh united with those in the fort the Irish host would be powerless against them. "I have a plan for you", said Medb: "let messages and messengers be sent from me to them, and let liberal terms be offered them, i.e. to Ferdia son of Daman, and to Cet son of Magach, and to Fraoch son of Fidach, and to Angus son of Echtach. These are the terms, viz., the kingship of the Gamhanraidh to be offered to each of them, unknown to the others; and permanent quarters in Cruachan; and alliance with my blood in addition16." The Irish chiefs were all pleased with this proposal. "Who will go with that message?" said they all. "Who but grey Carra, the female messenger?" said Medb.
Grey Carra fared forth to Fraoch son of Fidach's castle, and told him of the purpose of her visit. Fraoch accepted the terms forthwith. She then went to the fort of Ferdia, and she mentioned the same conditions to him. Ferdia accepted them all. The end of it was that there was not a leader of nine men among the Gamhanraidh but she held parley with him, and promised to each of the heroes apart the kingship of the Gamhanraidh, and they all on their part promised to be loyal to Medb. They forsook Ailill the Fair in this wise. And not one of them knew that these terms were promised to any other save to himself alone. The she-messenger then returned to where Medb and the Irish chiefs were.
As to Ailill the Fair. When he saw the Irish host around his castle he summoned his household and his counsellors. They after deliberation resolved to send messengers to the Gamhanraidh asking them to fix a day (for mustering) with the people. His two chief messengers were summoned Engan out of his fort and Edar out of his glen. And they were sent with messages to Ros Inver-two-salmon (now) called Assaroe, to the two sons of Curnan black-foot, viz., Angus and Aodh; to the youth of the plain of Eine, and to the soldiers of the same plain; to the seven Breislenns of Breifne with their three hundred champions of like name, from hill to sea; to Curnan black-foot; to D*** Sligech (?Shell ridge); to Dartadh of Diberg with his sons, viz., the two Reds; to Iatha son of Etarbha, to the fair fort of Cungahead, to the lovely Ainchend daughter of Goll Oilech, to B*** of the plain of Oilech; to the loyal friends of Ailill the Fair, from lake to sea and from grove to castle; to the seven sons of Ailill the Fair with their following of seven hundred champions; to Gaman of Sidgal in Dun-end-hill with his hundred impetuous Gamans; to Duban son of Gaman in Dun-thorn; to the seven Fosgamans of Erris, with the Red Gaman of Rea in Dun-two-stags; to the seven Echaids of Imrenn in Dun-one-man; to the seven Dartadhs of Ailill the Fair in Dun Inver-two-cataracts; to Etarbha son of Nuatha in his dùn; to Ilar Nuatha son of Etarbha in his glen. He (Edar) thereupon departed.
And Engan, the other chief messenger, went in a south-westerly direction for the portion of the Gamhanraidh who lived to the south, viz., Aodh son of Echtach in Dun-round-hill; to the stout warriors Cairbre son of Dubthach in Dun-curve-glen; to Muiredach the stammerer son of Ailill the Fair in the fort of Great-hill called Plain-hill; to red-haired Fidach in the fort of Leitriach; to Moncha in Moy-glen; and to Angus son of Echtach in Aran; to Ros son of Great-gaman in Wester-Boirenn; to the stalwart Uada son of Roigh in Easter-Boirenn; to Rod son of Ros in Rod-hill; to Mongach the warrior in Inver; to Angus son of Ailill the Fair in Dun-gleor; to the seven sons of gentle Ibar in Glen of lovely cataract; to Failbe Ros son of Black-of-two-waves in Ros of slaughter; to Fraoch son of Fidach in Port Erris; to Etarbha son of Nuatha and to the two daughters of Etarbha in Glen-coibedh; to Bec in Boirenn; to Illann son of Echtach in Finn-letter; to Genann son of Faobhar in Letter-Genann; to the Red of Rea in Dun-osra, called Croagh Patrick; to Cobthach of Kintail in Dun-Easter; to Conn Cimidh; to Modha Mighnel; to the mild-judging Caei son of Fidach in Letter-caei; to warlike Eo son of Fidach in Dun-ros-plain; to Uamna daughter of Fidach in Dun Inver-two-waves; to the seven sons of Ibar, and to Achill; to Goll Acla; to the seven Blacks from Wester Fair Isle; to the seven Teimens from Easter Fair Isle; to the seven Bloodhounds from Isle Smooth-plain; to the seven Watchdogs from Shadow Isle; to the seven Finns from Finnan's Isle; to red-eared Eitne in Dun Treathan; to Tuaidh in Gap-letter; to Fiachra the Fair son of Faobhar in Dun Fiachra; to the three Fosgamans of Erris in Dunmore; to Ferderg (red man) son of Dolar in Red-fort; to Dubthach the black in Dun-one-man; to Donald Yellowlocks king of the Gamhanraidh in Dun Tuaith; to Ferdia son of Daman in Dun-of-the-heads, and to his two sons Guas and Gosa; to Flann the tall son of Fidach in the fort of Crunn-hill; to Muincenn the warrior in Dub-above-loch; to Daire the Red in Dun Daire; to Gulbann the grey; to Findchan of the tombs; to Dartadh of Diberg.
These are the chiefs of the Gamhanraidh who were enumerated in the Raid of the cows of Flidais. And no one was included in that muster save their chiefs and great nobles, their princes and mighty men, their lords and counsellors. And this was the subject of that thread of instruction which the poet Ailill son of Fer-da-loch (Lord of two lakes), and uterine brother to Cet son of Magach, composed, in which he said:
Up, Engan, and away!
Summon our people;
Make for us, as hastily as possible,
Their gathering and muster.
Here are of hosts, I ween,
The four great provinces of Ireland,
Commanded by Ailill and Medb from Magh (Ai);
By fierce Angus and Lugaid.
By the seven Maines renowned in war,
By the seven sons of Magach;
Three thousand brave Galians,
Under seven chiefs of Domnann race.
There are *** of Medb,
Their strength and efficiency are great,
Three thousand seven times told,
Of Ultonians here in one camp.
We are here to meet them, as you see us,
You can tell the Gamhanraidh,
If we have to wait for them long,
We will be then in evil case.
Go to Dun-round-hill the fair,
Summon to your side Aodh son of Echtach;
Go without danger to Dun-curve-glen,
Fetch the stout warrior Cairbre.
Go to the fort of Great-hill,
To Muiredach, leader of hosts;
To Dun Leitriach of fame,
For Fidach the red-haired.
Before venturing on the wave
Visit Muncha son of Moda in Moy-glen;
Go then westward to Aran,
And bring hither Aodh son of Echtach.
Reach Wester Boirenn by the sea,
Where dwells Ros on of Great-gaman;
Go to Easter Boirenn, and luck attend you,
For the excellent and stalwart Uada.
Seek Rod son of Ros in his hill,
From which there is no distant prospect;
Thereafter visit Sonnach,
And fetch hither the warrior Mongach.
Angus son of Ailill the Fair
Bring from the beautiful Dun-gleor;
Go to Ridge of lovely cataract,
To the seven sons of fair Ibar.
From the Failbe Ros in Ros of slaughter,
Guide the son of Black-of-two-waves to us;
Then on to Port Erris,
And being with you Fraoch son of Fidach.
Go to the fair fort of Cunga-head,
To Etarbha son of Nuatha;
Interview Eabha the fine warrior,
Bring with you Beg from Boirenn.
Reach Letter, delight and valour,
Where Genann son of Faobhar abides;
To the Red Gaman of Rea, ever his own,
In Dun-two-stags above Royal-hill.
To the dear Cobthach of Kintail,
In Dun-Easter with splendour;
To Conn Cimidh with his hundreds of champions
To Modha Mighnel hasten.
To Dun-ros-plain, honour without reproach,
To the warlike Eo son of Fidach;
To Dun Inver-two-waves also,
To Uamna daughter of Iubar.
To the seven sons of the majestic Iubar
From the cave, from Achill;
To Goll Acla, fierce his valour,
With his four hundred champions.
Go to west of Fair Isle,
Bring with you the three Blacks from Dael;
From the splendid easter Fair Isle
The seven Teimens with cordiality.
The seven Bloodhounds with their forces,
Bring from Isle Smooth-plain;
The seven Watchdogs of Shadow Isle;
The seven Finns from Finnan's Isle.
To Dun Treathan to Trethan,
To valiant red-eared Ethne;
To Cern *** to Tuaidh should you come
Bring with you the two women of Tuaidh.
Reach his Dun, stern his valour,
Fiachra the Fair, of keen blade;
Go to Dunmore without resting,
To the three Fosgamans of Erris.
Go to Ferderg in his Dun,
To the son of Dolar of vast schemes;
To Dun-one-man also,
The seat of Dubthach the black.
From Dun Tuaithi without violence
Invite hither Donald Yellowlocks;
Tell the king of mighty deeds,
That I am here in great straits.
Reach Dun-of-the-heads with alacrity,
And bring Ferdia son of Daman;
As also his two sons,
Guas and Gosa the aggressive.
To the fort of fair Crunn-hill,
To Flann the tall son of Fidach;
To Muincenn the wild warrior,
To (Dun)-above-loch where he bides.
Reach Duban of great prowess,
Son of Gaman in Dun-thorn;
Let the hero come to me here,
With all his host and troops.
Find Daire the red in his Dun;
Gulbann the grey, resolute in purpose;
Findchan of the tombs besides;
And Dartadh of Diberg.
Three hundred champions with each of them,
Such is their muster;
Deliver to these this message of verity;
Go to seek them, and away!
Up!
As to Engan. He fared forth towards the Gamhanraidh to their several habitations, from the river Drowes in the north to Wester Boirenn in the south, and from Cuchulainn's Leap to Ros of two great forests called Luimnech, and to the hill of Grey-foot son of Luibnech, called the hill of the very bleak Esarg: and to the secluded lovely-hued thick-wooded havens of Devenish; and from the delightful ever-sheltered wide-viewing peak of Echlapar to the rich(?) blue-waved white-beached harbours of Tor-isle in the north of the same extensive plain; for this was the territory and goodly land of the Gamhanraidh. Their proceedings thus far.
As to the men of Ireland. When they arrived at Flidais's Dun they halted and pitched their camp there. It was then that four select mighty men of prowess of Medb's very brave people set forth to win renown and fame among the Gamhanraidh. These were their names,Carra son of Carra Congna, and Mongach the warrior, and Letriach Red-hand, and Cuillend stalwart champion. And these were the warriors whom they selected to fight against, viz., Carra son of Carra Congna against Aodh son of Echtach in Dun Round-hill, and Mongach the soldier against Muiredach the stammerer, son of Ailill the Fair, in Dun Letriach, and the victorious Cuillend against Flann son of Fidach in his Dun in Letter, and Letriach Red-hand against Muincend the warrior in Dun-above-Loch.
Now the proceedings of Carra son of Carra Congna are the first recorded here. He went to Aodh son of Echtach's castle, and Aodh son of Echtach met him. And he (Aodh) began to address the stout man and recited the lay:
Thou who hast come to my walls,
Say what has brought thee to my Dun,
What is thy name, so please you?
Declare at once who you are.
My family name, I take pride in it(?),
Is Carra son of Carra Congna;
What has brought me from my home,
Is to seek Aodh son of Echtach.
I have left Medb, great her renown,
At Dun Flidais, numerous her host,
Challenging Ailill there,
And the warriors of Irrus Domnann.
Pity to have come from the great muster,
And to have parted from the huge hosts;
The quest that brought thee here,
Thou shalt rue it, O warrior.
Thou.
After reciting this lay the warriors fought. And they made a brave heroic stern wrathful angry fight. They broke their shields and bent their swords in the conflict. In the event the veteran Aodh son of Echtach mastered Carra son of Carra Congna and cut off his head in that duel.
Mongach went to challenge Muiredhach the stammerer, son of Ailill the Fair, to combat. Muiredach said that he would on no account decline to fight the stout warrior, and they made the lay thereafter:
Thou biggest of big men,
I shall not decline your challenge:
Why should I avoid you, as matters are,
The fixing of conditions does not lie with you?
Should you carry my message to the castle,
You will have assurance of protection,
Seek from Muiredach the stammerer,
A duel with Mongach Bald-head.
I am the great Muiredach;
Mine this fortress and its hosts;
I assure you we shall not be sought after,
No one will offer to separate us.
Mongach, great is your arrogance,
In seeking a meeting with me,
Your boasts are those of a vain man,
I tell you of a truth.
O man.
They then fought an angry valorous and well-sustained duel, and a fearful indecisive contest with steel blades, and a fierce reckless unheard-of quarrel, until the combatants were one mass of gore and hacked flesh. Eventually Mongach fell in the fierce onset, and Muiredach cut his head off his body.
Letriach, a valorous soldier of Medb's army, went forth to meet the warrior Muincenn (Hairy-head) who was the herd of the Maol Flidais. Letriach's great desire was to carry away the Maol Flidais and her herdsman; for he boasted among his people that he would do so. He viewed the cattle in angry mood. Muincenn met the warrior, and had speech with him, when this lay was recited:
Thou who pursuest a champion's career,
Many warriors hast thou overcome;
(Still) thou shalt not carry away without a struggle,
My herds that are in the wood.
Churl in charge of the cows,
You seem to have but few to assist you
Have you, indeed, any,
Or are you alone at your task?
I am here, as you see me,
Tending the Maol;
No warrior, with pleasure unmixed,
Shall take her away without a struggle.
"I would not quarrel wit you about your herds,"
Said the great valiant warrior,
"If you would go straight to your home"
"And leave your cattle here"
Thou.
Letriach told Muincenn to surrender the Maol Flidais, and that he would give him quarter. But Muincenn was too proud to allow any champion in the world to carry away his herds and cattle by force. The warriors forthwith buckled on their shields, and grasped their long sharp-pointed spears in the centre, and their steel-hard broad-grooved swords by the hilts. And the two battle-soldiers fought a sturdy valorous duel; and their swords were bent against the wooden shields, and their spear-(shafts) whittled by the perpetual thrusts, and their heads were bowed by the sword blows, and wounded by the battle maces, and their sides were cut through the heavy coats of mail, until finally their weapons were rendered useless. Then they stretched their hands across each other's mighty shoulders. And they had a wrestling bout, furious, sustained, and strong, so that they twisted each other's stout bodies, and strained ribs and sides, and pulled each other's heads to the ground. Rough streams in big drops of thick sweat poured from the faces of the champions, and from the shoulders of the brave warriors, and from the sides of the mighty soldiers in that struggle. At length Muincenn was overcome and prostrated and heavily thrown in that stout encounter. The hero was bound and tied and fettered in the issue of the contest. Letriach raised him on his shoulders thereafter. He spoke to him in upbraiding scornful derisive language. He said that he would bring the warrior into the presence of Medb. Muincenn replied that for a season he could do well without that honour. "Your leave will not be asked in the matter", said Letriach. And they recited this lay then:
Come quickly, Muincenn,
Aloft on my back,
If I bring you eastwards
Ravens will drink your blood.
What road will you bring me,
O Letriach, with speed?
I would prefer to be on my feet,
Though it be pleasanter to be carried.
You will see Medb
And Ailill the king;
Till this day, during my career,
I have been on your track.
I shall carry you
To the nine-pronged spits;
Your bed will be made red hot,
You will be cast into it.
That will be your lot,
Your efforts will be of no avail;
This night your pith is feeble;
Birds of prey will peck at your entrails.
Come, Muincenn.
After this lay Letriach moved from the scene of the conflict full speedily, with Muincenn the warrior on his back.
Muincenn was fully alive to the fact that his friends who could protect him were not nigh him, nor a sufficient number of supporters within reach. He felt besides quite convinced that should Letriach manage to carry him away speedily, a violent and certain death awaited him. Letriach did not proceed far when Muincenn the warrior by a sudden vigorous spring freed his limbs bravely and valorously from the cords and hard fetters by which he was bound, so that the champion was able to fling his hands about and struggle with his feet. When his feet caught a firm footing on the ground, he wound his powerful well-trained arms most firmly around the arms of the royal warrior, so that the champion could neither turn nor fight nor wrestle nor struggle. He then planted his knee to intercept the other's foot, and pressed the noble warrior backwards so that he fell under him prone. He fettered and bound the battle-warrior securely, and said that he would now give a return ride to the veteran. Letriach inquired in what direction he meant to carry him. "I shall not bring you to Ailill and Medb", said Muincenn, "but back to the margin of this dark lake, and speedily drown you, and the lake will assuredly be named after you, for you will never again come in search of cattle." And they said the lay:
Come, Letriach, on my back,
You will now, in turn, be carried;
You will receive such treatment
As you have given to me.
What road will you take,
Muincenn, answer briefly?
Not to the presence of your champions
That they may rejoice at seeing you.
But, to reply to your inquiry,
We shall quietly go forward
To the borders of this lake,
And to your swift destruction.
You will be effectually drowned
Under the waves of this winter lake;
From you most assuredly,
The dark loch will be named.
Your plundering career,
Letriach, will come to a close(?),
In quest of cattle, a mad venture,
Wretched man, speed through the waves.
Move.
After this lay Muincenn raised Letriach aloft on his shoulders, and went to the edge of the lake full swiftly. And in a twinkling he seized Letriach in his two hands and flung the royal warrior into the lake, so that the stout soldier was drowned in the dangerous water-pools of the dark-lake, which was afterwards named after him. Muincenn thereafter wended his way to his herds and cattle which he tended right carefully.
Then also Cuilenn, a battle-warrior of Medb and Ailill's people, fared forward to challenge Flann the Tall son of Fidach to fight and combat. He proceeded to Flann's castle and the people were startled at his array, his appearance, and exceeding uncouthness. The doorkeeper asked tidings from him,whence he came, and the purpose of his visit. He said that he came to challenge Flann the Tall son of Fidach to a duel. "And you go, doorkeeper", said he, "and tell Flann that there is a man of renown here inviting him to combat." "What is your name?" asked the doorkeeper. "Cuilenn is my name", replied he, "and I am the man destined to slay Flann the Tall. It is because of this that I have come to challenge him to battle and combat." And they said the lay:
Doorkeeper of Flann's castle,
One is here seeking combat,
A stout warrior of Medb's army;
Say so to your lord yonder (in his castle).
Warrior of haughty speech,
Tell me your name,
That I may report it within, yonder,
To Flann the tall son of Fidach.
I am Cuilenn, big and stern,
'Tis I will slay Flann the Tall;
I kill a hundred in the day of battle,
No lie, doorkeeper.
Doorkeeper.
Flann the Tall thereupon went forth to meet Cuilenn and said to him: "Cuilenn, if you possess sufficient strength and valour bide a fight with me." "I shall certainly do so", replied Cuilenn. The two fought fiercely, sternly. Each of them struck at the other with his shield, and the scratching sound of shield bosses as they were broken by the stout blows of these foremost champions was heard to the clouds of heaven. Flann the Tall son of Fidach raised his dangerous active right hand and aimed a blow at the head of the rough champion Cuilenn with the iron mace which he had in his hand. Cuilenn bent and turned aside his head and raised his shield high above his shoulders. The large and broad mace came down on the centre of Cuilenn's shield and on the top of his skull. The blow cleft the shield with its trappings, and crushed Cuilenn's head into fragments so small that not a bit of his brain of the size of a sloe could be found together. Cuilenn fell by that terrible blow. Thereafter (Flann) by a stroke of his sword cut off his head.
At the same time a great brave warrior and a wound-dealing veteran and a mighty commander among the nobles of Ireland, Uaithne Bright-breast son of Conall Cernach, resolved to seek fame and renown among the Gamhanraidh. And he purposed to go and attack and plunder the castle and good stead of Fraoch son of Fidach. Ailill and Medb were made aware of this resolve (of Uaithne). He fared forth to the territory and kindly land of the numerous and fiery clan Fidach. He seized great spoils, and committed many deeds of violence among them. Fifty of the youths of the clan Fidach fell in with him, and he attacked them savagely, relentlessly. While he was at his hardest slaying and destroying them, Fraoch son of Fidach the stout sternly-avenging champion came upon him. He addressed them and at once inquired who they were. "Uaithne Bright-breast son of Conall Cernach", said he. "A son of a friend of mine", replied Fraoch. "We two at one time made alliance and friendship. I passed my word that I would never attack Conall or any of his family, and he did likewise to me. And seeing things have happened thus, do you leave my herds and cattle unmolested, and cease slaying the youths." And he said the lay:
Leave off the conflict, Uaithne,
And abide by prudent counsel;
Many the heroes of great valour,
Do not practise excessive cruelty.
Son of a friend and foster brother,
I declare a truth not to be gainsaid,
I shall not inflict my slaughter-feat upon you,
From my regard for the warriors of Ulster.
Son of victorious Conall,
Leave my herds and property,
Our hosts have in turn overtaken you,
Here is one who will not desert you.
But Uaithne would have none of that counsel at Fraoch's entreaty or that of his clan. He fell upon the youths and slew a very great number of them. Fraoch again addressed and advised him. "Cease slaying my people" said he; "otherwise you will incur my wrath and that of this angry and spirited clan, whose cattle you have harried and whose youths you have slain. And leave off this strife in which you are engaged, and I shall forgive what you have done against my honour and that of the clan Fidach." Uaithne answered and thus spoke: "I shall not restrain my triumph nor my valour, nor shall I go back on my promise and vow to Ailill and Medb and the four great provinces of Ireland." He sprang upon the youths and slew them. The great brave warrior Fraoch was furious at this, and he made a fierce attack on Uaithne who fell in that encounter.
The proceedings of Medb and Ailill and the four great provinces of Ireland. They were before the castle of Ailill the Fair during seven years (or days), and a duel of six men was witnessed each day during that time. These were the names of the men who fought that duel, Cairbre and Aed and Amalgaidh, three sons of Ailill the Fair. And their opponents were Gaeiar son of Birrderg son of the Red, and Loiched son of Ithar son of the Red, and Aidgeall son of Angus son of One-hand Gaba. The champions made a brave skilful dexterous very spirited fierce unfaltering featful sword-swift cross-hacking ever-furious bloody heavy-wounding fight. The seventh day found them during the whole time, and they all declared that they never saw a duel of six men better matched. Ailill and Medb and the nobles of Ireland extolled them, and Medb said these words:
I behold a well matched contest,
The fight of six champions,
The three sons of Ailill from the fortress,
And the three manly champions (who oppose them).
Gaeiar son of Birrberg son of the Red,
And the stopping Cairbre of many feats;
Loiched son of Ithar from afar,
And Aed of the mighty blows.
The son of Angus son of One-hand,
The fierce squat Aidgeall,
The noble stutterer Amalgaidh,
(Fighting,) man to man, I behold them.
I behold.
Now these six proud grim stately noble warriors, the choice of the princes, fought each against his opponent a well-sustained stout and sprightly duel, smiting overpowering side-hacking, swelling(?) wounding raging, until the six noble champions all fell together on the field of contest.
Then the three death-dealing Eochaidhs, three sons of Tigernach Tetbannach son of Degad, challenged the three Anguses of Baghna to duel and combat. And when they arrived at the scene of conflict each champion faced his opponent. The stalwart men hurled vaunting words at each other, and Medb incited the sons of Tigernach and recited the lay:
Three sons of Tigernach,
Quit ye well in the fight;
Make a manly attack
On the three Anguses of Baghna.
Wage a worthy combat
Against the sons of *** Ailill;
For well matched in deeds of valour,
Are sons of kings and queens.
Three Eochaidhs, three Anguses,
Let each of them hew at the other;
A fair fight as they stand
The three couples4 side by side.
Three.
The duel was then fought quickly furiously nimbly. Each circled his opponent aiming at a fatal blow under the rim of his white shield and through the chinks of his speckled mail until the six fell together, so that not a man of them came out alive.
Thereafter the three Breslenns of Breifne challenged the men of Ireland to a duel, to which the three Glas-Airgeds responded. These were three sons of Nuada Necht, the three torches of valour of the Tribes of Taidiu, and bosom fosterlings of Ailill and Medb besides. (In this case) the warriors were not well matched; three young inexperienced irresolute lads against three valiant brave champions. And so it was: the three powerful men and the three hounds of war, viz., the three Breslenns of Breifne prevailed in the unequal combat over the three handsome excellent sons of the high king, i.e., the three Glas-Airgeds, and slew the three. Medb and Ailill were greatly grieved thereat. She was distressed for having undertaken the expedition because of this deed alone. And she made these quatrains:
I repent me of my counsel,
Not to have stayed (at home) is cause of sorrow;
No pleasure to me my three fosterlings
To oppose three champions.
My quarrels were foolish
They have, Ailill, brought about this disaster;
The slaughter of the three sons of Nuada Necht
Was not the object of this expedition.
Should satisfaction for the death of the three Glas-Airgeds
Not be demanded of me,
I still would be sorely grieved
For having allowed them to fight the three Breslenns.
I repent me.
The proceedings of the four great provinces of Ireland are not related now, but those of Ailill the Fair and Fergus son of Roigh who were in the fort opposite. Ailill said: "A foolish quest brought Medb thither," said he; "for had I no men of valour except those inside this fort, the men of Ireland would never be able to take it." He was listened to in silence. The Ailill and his household went upon the ramparts of the fortress to view the hosts of the Irishmen, and no one remained in the castle except Fergus and Flidais with her female attendants. And this is what Fergus said: "Flidais," said he, "the men of Ireland have heard of our mutual love, and were I to leave you here, you would never afterwards be held in the same regard as hitherto. What ought we to do in this case?" "I know for certain what we shall do", said Flidais; "for I have a great feast prepared for Ailill; and I shall ply him with the choicest of the banquet until the high prince gets into a state of drunkenness and unreason and until his mind becomes greatly excited. When you see him in that condition, say that the men of Ireland attack the fortress but feebly. And he will reply: "Do you think they would attack it more valorously if you were along with them?" Then you say that if the might of your arm were aiding them, they would have captured it long before now. When he hears these words his unreason and high spirit will cause him to set you free."
Then Ailill entered the great palace and Flidais pressed the fiery liquor of that rich feast upon him. The drinking hall was set in order by the champions of the Gamhanraidh. Ailill sat among them on the royal dais of the hostel and Flidais with her retinue on the opposite side facing him, while Fergus sat in the champions' seat with Dubthach and Angus beside him. And when the arranging and seating were completed they were plied with drink until the nobles were intoxicated and loquacious. That was the time and season when the messengers of Flidais and Fergus reached stoutly and quickly with the view to capture it speedily, and to give three sudden startling shouts around the stead so that Ailill could hear them.
Then the men of Ireland proceeded to attack the fortress, and they gave three great mighty shouts around the fort. Then Fergus remarked: "The four great provinces of Ireland attack the stronghold in a feeble dispirited fashion." Ailill raised his head and looked at him. Fergus observed again: "I have myself seen troops that would attack it more valiantly than these." "Which troops were these?" asked Ailill. "Those who accompanied myself in exile", said Fergus, "when we captured the stronghold of Muirn Molfaig, and the other cities of Uarda." "It seems to me", said Ailill, "that you are of opinion that if you were among them, you and they would capture this fort forthwith." "By my conscience, then," replied Fergus, "were I outside and at liberty with the men of Ireland, I would have taken your fort long ago, and you yourself would be deprived by me of your triumph and your head." "I give my word", said Ailill, "that I shall forthwith set you free to join the men of Ireland and ascertain if this be so." Thereupon Ailill the Fair arose and removed their fetters and chains from Fergus and Dubthach and Angus son of One-hand Gaba; and they went forth from the castle to join the men of Ireland.
When the men of Ireland saw Fergus approaching them from the fort they all rose as one man quickly keenly fiercely hastily, buckling their shields, grasping their smooth-red sharp-pointed spears in the centre, and their stout blow-dealing swords by the hilts. And they donned their battle armour, viz., their well-fitting thrice-plaited shirts of mail and their handsome gem-studded helmets, and they marshalled themselves in three very large brave battalions. They all rose and donned their battle armour, and the host unanimously resolved to demolish Ailill the Fair's stronghold, to slay himself and to carry Flidais away.
Then Fergus joined the men of Ireland, and they all made him welcome and asked him regarding the state of the place from whence he came. "I have left there", said he, "the man of highest resolution and courage and spirit, and the man who holds hosts and multitudes in greatest contempt, whom I have ever met. He has dared you and me, men of Ireland, to take his castle by force." His own people especially made Fergus welcome. Bricriu addressed him with great freedom, and persistently reproached the veteran. He said that never before did he brave the hero-warrior thus. Fergus replied that the fact of his being without his sword, together with numbers attacking him, that enabled them to capture him. And they recited the lay:
Rarely have you been seen, Fergus,
Without pride or distinction;
Pity that death overtook you not,
Before one could see you (in this plight).
As the result of your adventures,
Your valour has vanished;
I grieve to behold you,
Your looks are so changed.
A hard case (was mine), son of Cairbre,
The number of the mighty weapons,
And of the men to wield them,
It was a dreadful doom.
The crash of cleaving shields,
It was no slight encounter;
My fight at the ford
Had almost burst the ground.
My being without a sword
After my spear broke;
That the conflict was stern
I do not conceal, and do not thou.
Without a weapon in my hand,
When the fight raged furiously;
The rushes were savage;
Enough of venom was there.
Where wert thou, Dubthach?
And thou, Angus, the fierce and fiery?
Two who would go to the fight
With zest and joy.
There would be bloody blades;
You two alone would turn the tide of battle;
To this day you would sustain the brunt of it,
If only you were there.
Rarely.
Now when the men of Ireland saw Fergus approaching them, they resolved to abandon the fortress and not to face the attacks of the Gamhanraidh. Fergus swore by his weapons of valour that should all the men of Ireland turn from the fort he would not do so until he was forced to. And he beseeched Medb and the Irish chiefs to stay with him to harry and destroy Ailill the Fair's castle, for he was ashamed of the disgrace which Ailill subjected him to. Such was the influence of Medb over the men of Ireland that they were constrained to remain with Fergus. They all resolved to attack the fortress on the morrow's morning. The four great provinces of Ireland and the Dubloinges together with them thereupon proceeded to the attack. And Ailill and Medb and Fergus urged them on strongly, and they attacked the fortress forthwith. And they sounded their sduic and sdorgana in gage of battle, and they raised vast terrific shouts. When Ailill the Fair heard these shouts he rose up speedily, spurred on his household, marshalled his troops, and ordered the doors to be opened. The men of Ireland were amazed when they saw Ailill opening the gates of the fortress. And as to Ailill himself, he was surprised and confounded to find the battalions and phalanxes of the troops, the heroes and champions and battle-soldiers of the warriors and chieftains, ready to withstand him at that juncture of time, numerous though they were. Howbeit, loud was the uproar, and fierce the fury, and mighty the onset, and rare the thunder-feat, and daring the hero-charge which the troops of the Gamhanraidh and the household of Ailill the Fair made on the men of Ireland, so that multitudes fell on either side.
As to Ailill the Fair himself. No one could withstand him in fight or charge wherever he turned his face, so that men without number fell by his hand. The four great provinces of Ireland were routed that day. Their ranks were totally broken by the afternoon. (Ailill) returned to the fortress thereafter with the triumph of exulting victory over the men of Ireland. The place was thereupon closed up. They then sat down to the banquet, and kept drinking and enjoying themselves until the full light of day shone upon them. And so it was that during six days (they fought) in this wise. Ailill was not a single day during this time without victory on his side. And even on the seventh day he defeated the men of Ireland, so that seven hundred men from each of the four provinces of Ireland fell on that day. The seven hundred who opposed him all fell, save only seven score. And he returned to the stead in the afternoon. They were pursued to the gate of the castle. The place was closed thereafter. He then doffed his battle-armour, and forthwith summoned his people to council. And this is what he said to them: "All the Gamhanraidh have forsaken us", said he, "because of the deceit of Medb and the guile of Fergus and the interposition of Ailill and the very liberal bribes of the Maines. And it is certain that I should fall at this time on the expedition of Tain bo Flidais. For my druids have foretold to me that I should fall on account of my wife, and by the hands of Medb and Ailill and Fergus. Where is my trusty attendant, Dub Dogair?" continued he. "Haste you to the Gamhanraidh, and reprove them. Tell Ferdiad son of Daman that he has kept troth only with respect to the false promises for which he forsook his prince. Say to Fraoch son of Fidach likewise. And say to Donald Yellowlocks, seeing that the whole of Gamhanraidh will not join him, not to risk conflict with the great hosts of Medb or the might of Fergus or the merciless animosity of Ailill." And as he sent the attendant on this mission, he repeated the following staves:
Fare forth, Dub Dogair,
Before this battle is fought,
And carry my commands
To the warriors of the western world.
Charge the hero of the fortresses,
The generous man, to join us,
Unless the manly chief leaves me
To face the warriors of Emain alone.
Declare to Fraoch son of Fidach,
That hero of the banquet halls,
That his lord's grave stone is fixed upon,
By the warriors of Emain.
Say to Donald without delay
The warrior of many prowess,
Let not the illustrious king,
Pursue the great predatory hosts of Medb.
Should Angus my dear capable son
Come from bright Dungleor,
The noble lusty warrior will advance,
And Dubthach Dubgha will come.
Will come also, if he knows (our strait)
Cairbre from bright rugged Dun Ros,
Not far from him(?) to Ailill,
Eochaid from grey-topped Boirenn.
To this hour there failed not
Their renown nor their honour,
I regarded Goll of Acla and Ailech
Loyal adherents of mine.
The nobles will carry my body
Forthwith to Ard-railech;
A troop of the stout warriors,
Will come to view my triumph.
They will fix in the ground
My sword and my spear;
They will place my stone over my grave;
They will celebrate my funeral games.
My turf grave will be dug
By the warriors, great in their wrath,
They will turn lefthandwise
My face to blood-red Cruachan.
Dub Dogair departed on his mission and promised to return to Ailill by daybreak on the morrow should he secure the adhesion of the Gamhanraidh. He went forward on his journey, and pressed hard every man of the Gamhanraidh to whom he came to join (Ailill). The proceedings of the servant thus far.
The movements of Ailill the Fair are now dealt with. After the servant departed he summoned a large number of his people and addressed them: "Fight the battle hard on the morrow, beloved people", said Ailill, "for Medb will assuredly plant her shield in the gate of your fortress; and Fergus will do the same, and Ailill and Cormac Conloinges and the Maines and the son of Magach and Lugaid son of Curoi and Lugaid son of Nos and Loth (son) of the Feibis and Angus son of Mesgedra and Eogan the Fair son of Fingen; and they will break down your stead, and raze your walls, and slay yourselves, and carry away your cattle and your wealth." "That is a hard case indeed, O king," said they, "we are too few to fight the battle, being in all three men short of one hundred". "Seeing that is all you can muster", replied he, "you shall all die. But those who show courage and prowess do not die. Fight then valiantly for yourselves and your lord." "Had your evil counsel and the treachery of your wife not frustrated our efforts," (said they,) "we would not have allowed Fergus out (of the fortress), and the four great provinces against us. But the treachery of your wife and of Medb has circumvented us. And the Gamhanraidh have besides forsaken both you and us. But there is no need whatever to ask us to defend you, for while a single man among us lives, neither wound nor spear-thrust shall reach you from any of Ireland's men." "(My) blessing upon you" said he, "and my curse on those who have deserted me. For if I had along with me Fraoch and Ferdiad and Dubthach Dubda and Ferderg son of Dolar and Gaman of Sidgal the four great provinces of Ireland would be unable to conquer us." And as he spoke thus he recited the lay:
Warriors, fight the battle
Which Medb will wage to-morrow;
She will plant her shield on your ramparts;
She will destroy your royal fort.
Crown prince and great lord,
Son of Donald Yellowlocks,
We are but few for deeds of valour,
Three short of one hundred champions.
If you are three short of one hundred
You shall all die, I ween;
(But) those who act valiantly do not die;
Fight the battle; defend your prince.
A forlorn hope for an hundred champions
(To face) the Leinstermen and the warriors of Ulster,
Medb and the merciless Lugaid,
Ailill and Fergus, mighty men.
What men can do we shall do,
Young Ailill, high king,
If so be that we fall,
An equal number of the enemy shall perish.
While a man of us lives,
Valorous red-armed Ailill,
The attack of the divisions of the four great provinces of Ireland,
Will not win at you (to slay or maim).
Donald will come with heroic rush,
He will wage war, he will lead the charge.
More grieved am I than if death were at my throat,
For the straits in which the mighty lord will be.
Had I Fraoch and Ferdiad,
And the fiery Dubthach Dubgha,
And Ferderg son of Dolar, to fight with me,
We would clear the field in front of us.
Had I been fairly dealt by,
And with an equal number of men and spears,
Numerous though Medb's soldiers are,
her warriors would find their (last) home here.
I have been deserted through the enmity of Medb
By the truly brave Gamhanraidh;
I should not forsake any of her warriors
Possessed of valour and courage.
Warriors.
After this lay was recited the night was passed in despondent mood, without drink or joy or elation of mind or spirit. His people reproached Ailill bitterly for allowing Fergus out of his hands. The morrow's morn found them engaged in this kind of talk. Then they arose speedily, resolutely, and every stalwart man of them donned his weapons and armour. And they all made a ring round their high king, Ailill the Fair. And Ailill addressed them, and this is what he said: "I know for certain", said he, "that the men of Ireland will surmount our walls this day, for our numbers are insufficient to defend the place, seeing that the Gamhanraidh have deserted us." He then recalled his own shortsightedness and Flidais's treachery, and added: "I myself perceive that it is up to this day, and no longer, that good luck has attended me." He then urged his sons and numerous household to quit themselves valiantly. "Open the gates of the castle", said he, "and follow me, and I shall clear a path in front of you. An let no one among you who can win through this fight turn back, for I shall be unable to protect you. I shall assuredly be the prime object of the men of Ireland's attentions this day. But, my trusted people, if I am stoutly supported, and able to avoid the men of Fergus or a duel, I have sent a messenger to Certan the steward, instructing him to bring my ship, to meet me in my extremity, to the harbour of Certan Nook, south-east from this fortress. This is (the place) now called "Strand-bay of Certan Head"." When Ailill the Fair had finished this address, he ordered his household to rise speedily, resolutely, recklessly, and made a well-devisedcourageous onrush, and a quick-stepping confident unanimous dash to the gates, and throw down the door-values under their feet, and bend their heads to the ***, and rouse their spirits to the emergency, and bring down their swords heavily upon the bodies (of their foes), and splinter the spears against their battle-shields, and give short shrift to the numerous troops. And so it was: Ailill's household rose quickly in obedience to the urgent pressing commands of their lord. And they made a broad, flaming palisade of thick staves, and a terrible, hideous, sharp-weaponed phalanx around Ailill the Fair to guard him. Their proceedings thus far.
The doings of Medb and Ailill and the men of Ireland generally are related now. When Fergus joined them and when they had learned from the messengers that the Gamhanraidh would not oppose them or support Ailill, they went to Ailill and Medb's tent to hold counsel. These were the nobles and high chiefs who went there,Fergus son of Roigh and Cormac Conloinges and all the chiefs of the Dubloinges; the Maines and the son of Magach son of Cecht, and the Dal Druithne of the Galians and of the Tribes of Taidiu; Lugaid son of Curoi, and Lugaid son of Nos, and Loth son the Feibis, and Eogan the Fair son of Fingin son of Luchta, and Angus son of Mesgedra, and MacNia son of Finn son of Ross and all the high chiefs of Ireland. And they concluded lit. "said" to destroy the walls, and to break down the strong keep, and to level the fortress to the ground, and to slay Ailill with his household; and not to permit a king of the same race ever to occupy it, or a man of the Gamhanraidh ever to rebuild it; and to carry away Flidais and her cows, with the Maol Flidais and her herds. There were many Connaught men who winced at this decision although they could not gainsay the haughty language of Medb.
Then Fergus son of Roich rose up with his troops and charged the provinces to rise also. He pressed the Connaught men with special vehemence. And he vowed that he would not leave the stead until all within it fell, or until he and his champions should fall in the attack. Then he charged the provinces to make a quick, reckless, and bold onset on the fortress to destroy it.
When Ailill the Fair saw these very large and terrible companies, and the thick, very tall, brown-bannered forests, and the red-shafted, sharp-pointed (spears) of these turbulent battalions, and the stalwart, stern, rough-tongued comrades he made a firm resolve to fight them. His fury rose at the violence (threatened), his cheek became of permanent purple hue, and he urged on his household and family. He called to mind his wrongs and injuries. He surrounded the champions and warriors, and made a circuit round the stronghold and stout fortress. He scattered the hosts and multitudes. He routed the young warriors and the high champions. He threw into confusion those on the lawn and in the courtyard, and made them into layers and unwieldy groups and detached fragments and heaps, so that they became riven and split and exhausted divisions, and that those who after (that onslaught) were left in wretched plight on the green were a helpless crowd side-pierced, axe-hewed, decimated, in disarray, hideous, full of wounds, ***. (On the other hand) that band of brothers were dispersed and scattered, parted and sundered, so that not so many as six of them remained together for attack, or five for a charge, or four for counsel, or as many as three in one place, or even two unseparated. A phalanx of death surrounded the troops; their strength was crushed, and (all) save Ailill and his sons fell in that carnage.
As for (Ailill) himself, his death-dealing blows were (like) a fight with a bear, his attacks the destruction of hounds, his powerful charge the thinning of flocks, his rush the feeding of vultures, and his attack the omen of victory over nobles. He made seven powerful, fierce and haughty rushes at the foe, and seven hundred champions from each province fell fighting him and his sons. Then Ailill viewed the four airts of the hill, and wherever he looked he saw not a battalion or division or fighting company but was making for him to attack him And he took note that his household were slain, his clan destroyed, and his friends all fallen. He thereafter made up his mind to quit the scene, for the night before he made provision that his shop be brought to Kintra (Strand-end) of Tursgar Nook, to meet him in his need. And he instructed Certan to await him there, and if a friend of his he would meet(?) him.
Now when Fergus saw Ailill in this predicament, with hardly a champion or chief along with him, and deserted by his tribes and clans, he compared him to a noble lion of Africa with a pack of hounds howling around him (as he stood surrounded) by ranks of battle-warriors and numerous troops, while no one dared to attack him because of his renown and skill and fury and might, (knowing) that he would be vanquished because of the fear which his terrible mien inspired.
Ailill raised his head above his battle shield, and swept his eye over the royal troops. He saw not a man of his household but had fallen. He heard the exultant shout of his people as they were being cut down, and he felt sorely that he could not aid them. He put his sword hurriedly in its sheath, and brought his shield down straight on the slope of his back, and grasped his shooting weapon in his right hand, and faced due west.
The whole host followed him. Fergus vehemently urged on the Dubloinges. The warriors and heralds of the host quickly overtook him. But no one dared to face or attack him. He made a sweep round to wound or slay each man as he won up to him. Then he proceeded on his way. Thus did Ailill march on his course in the strength of his skill (in arms) and valour until he arrived at Kintra of Tursgar, called now the Strand of Certan Head. There Fergus overtook him. When Certan saw Ailill, with all the men of Ireland following, approaching him, he backed the vessel out from the shore. Others say that it was from hatred to Ailill that (Certan) deprived him of the use of the ship, because his wife had previously been wiled from him.
As to Fergus and the chiefs of the men of Ireland, they arrived at Kintra of Tursgar. Also with respect to Ailill the Fair: when he found that his own servant deprived him of his ship, he turned to face the men of Ireland. And Fergus addressed him: "Ill have you kept your word, Ailill" said Fergus, "and far have you fled. Bide now a duel with me." And while saying so, he spoke as follows:
Will you bide the scene of conflict,
Prince of the western land of Elga?
Let us take a turn at the deadly sword fight;
Let us cleave shields by fierce blades.
Remember the force of your old speech at the Ford of White Chariot;
You ought not, stout man, to belie your word.
Well chosen the place to which you have fled.
You have had a fierce attack on the nobles of Leinster,
You have slain many Munstermen;
Destroyed many of Medb's host;
You have vaunted over the illustrious(?) Clans of Roigh,
Ever since the day of the blazing(?) battle.
Brave words you have threatened;
You have undertaken the beheading of me;
Numerous the witnesses on this field.
I am a champion hard to vanquish.
Come and do not dally.
Will you bide?
Ailill replied deliberately, guardedly, to this hard, violent, implacable, angry, unforgiving, and malicious language. And while doing so he said these words:
I will bide thee, royal hireling;
Grant us a fair fight;
Let each restrain his supporters.
Let us have a turn at hard hewing.
Impossible for me hold the Dubloinges in check.
The troth of their champions fails.
Spring-tide current of Rugraide.
The wave of Tursgair is my emblem.
My match as a warrior is rare to find.
I maintain the fight in battle strife.
I shall lay your pride in the dust.
Your martial career has come to a close.
You have been for long a source of trouble throughout Banba, ***
Poor your fame as a provincial king;
Evil your record as a mighty prince;
Drunkard of Emain of Ardmacha;
Itinerating with tribes in cosy exile;
Maintainer of hound-packs;
Nursing long sleep in fair hostels;
Stay of Medb's harlotry;
The stock of jest and jibe;
The darling of queens' ladies' maids.
I will bide.
Then rose up the two immovable pillars and the two unconquerable bears, and the two imperishable oaks, and the two ferocious lynxes, and the two glorious, wide-spreading, full-blossomed, old trees, and the two grandest yew-trees ever seen in the woods of Ireland, Ailill the Fair and Fergus son of Roigh. Then Fergus recalled his wrongs and disgrace, and all the insults, which he endured at the hands of the Gamhanraidh from first to last. The two battle warriors thereupon took to sword play, and made fierce attacks upon each other for a long time and sustained period. It was not an easy matter to distinguish, or indeed to see, the two for any length of time, because of their extreme virulence and enmity, and the hard hammering of their blows.
But one thing: Ailill fell by the swift, strong, furious, angry, destructive blows of Fergus. Fergus beheaded him on the spot. His four and twenty sons fell along with him, and seven hundred of his household besides, as they defended him around the castle and on the beach, as also Garb (the Rough) son of Cet son of Magach, and the seven Eochaidhs of Erris, and the seven Breslenns of Breifne, and the Anguses of Baghna, and fifty Domnanns, and multitudes of others who are not enumerated along with them, for the force of the four great provinces of Ireland was mightier than theirs.
Fergus moved forward thereafter to Raith Morgan, bringing the head of Ailill the Fair with him. And thus he found Flidais with her women-folk in the company of Medb and Ailill on the lawn. And Fergus ordered Ailill the Fair's head to be laid on the ground before Flidais. Thereafter he began to court her, and said to her: "There is my love-token for you, queen," said he.
(Flidais) was far from pleased (with the gift); for although she had previously loved the son of Ros she now repented, and her mind changed on finding that (Ailill) was slain on her account. And Flidais and her fair retinue began to lament loudly for Ailill, and to declare his good qualities, and to relate his great goodness and his liberality to all and sundry. Flidais ordered her female attendants to dress the head, and said:
Dress ye the head of the king,
Ailill of many exploits;
Stars have not looked down upon
A head the equal of Ailill's.
I bear testimony to Donald's son,
Although his head has been severed;
If his hands only were left,
He was Ireland's worthiest man.
I attest regarding Donald's son,
Although his head has been severed;
That he never had fewer people
Than two thousand carousing with him.
I attest regarding Donald's son,
Although his head has been severed,
That Cruachan after him shall never have
A king or reputation equal to his.
I attest regarding Donald's son,
Although his head has been severed;
That there never raised shield in fight,
A hero more valiant against his foe.
This is the testimony of truth,
From the first day he ascended the throne,
He refused none in food or in raiment;
He never offered insult to any.
'Twas wrong what Bricriu did;
The noble warrior of Erris is headless,
Seeing it has been parted from his body
We shall fitly dress it.
Dress fitly, sweet ladies,
This head that once was Ailill's;
You shared the joy of the hero;
'Tis meet that you should dress (his head).
Dress.
After the lay (was sung) Ailill the Fair's head was suitably dressed, and Flidais sent poets and sages to bury it along with Ailill the Fair's body. And a grave was dug for them in the same place there17.
The Pursuit of the Cattle-raid of Flidais here.
The end of it was that the fort of Ailill the Fair was captured and destroyed. The host was divided in three divisions thereafter: a third was set apart to attend specially to Medb; a third put under Fergus, who went to Dun Engan Moor for the Maol Flidais; and remaining third under Lugaid, son of Curoi, who proceeded to Glen Mughaighe, where a large number of the chiefs of the men of Ireland were destroyed by the Gamhanraidh, to drive away the cattle.
It was then that Donald Yellowlocks heard of the battle having been fought, of his son with his chiefs having been slain, his fort destroyed, and his cattle and wealth and wives carried away by the Irishmen. And he began to lament his son and to declare his praises, and said:
A great calamity the death of Ailill,
The high king of the west of Elga,
Multitudes are in sorrow;
Mighty his arm in times of stress.
The right to spacious Ireland,
Was his among kings and lords,
His cattle and great wealth
Were carried away hastily.
Goodly the palace of the king of numerous hosts;
Goodly his household bold and brave;
Many cups and goblets,
East, west, throughout his palace.
Four hundred and twenty
Battalions active and nimble,
Those who were ranked there,
Were all of like names.
And there were as many again
Who bore different names.
****
****
Good his fortune and his reign,
His troops and his glorious men;
To him no dishonour clung,
His household was very numerous,
Great.
As to Fergus: he proceeded forthwith, accompanied by herdsmen and guides from Flidais, to seek the Maol and rouse her up. They went by Lake Letriach and came to the deep dell in which the Maol was put with her large herds, to avoid the hosts and to escape from the numerous troops. Fergus sent his men to gather the cattle quickly together, and they speedily collected the herds and cattle. They found the Maol Flidais lying down. And they were ordering her to rise. She refused. They again urged her vehemently, and still she did not rise. They were pressing her hard for the third time, but they could not remove her from where she lay. Then Fergus approached, for he was amazed at the behaviour of the crowd as they stood over her in the resting-place. And when he heard of the state of matters, he requested those usually about her to order her up. They said that they never saw her act in this listless manner before, and that they believed it was grief for her lord that prostrated her. Fergus approached her, and angrily attacked her. He gave her a thrust with the hilt of his weapon, when she groaned because of the injurious treatment. He struck her again incontinently, and yet she did not move. He struck her the third time with passion, still she did not give heed to him. But one thing: Fergus struck the cow nine heavy, grievous blows quickly in succession to rouse her up. Over the four airts of Ireland her bellow and lowing groans were heard as they were forcing her to leave her accustomed haunts and face the terrors of being violently driven away. There was not a lord of mansion or stead of the chivalry of the Gamhanraidh but heard the moan and became aware of the violent death of Ailill the Fair. Whence it was that this was the strongest muster they made to avenge Ailill the Fair. Fergus ordered his men to beat her, seeing that she refused to leave her resting-place at his instance, in case the poets would laugh18 at him. Then Bricriu said that the cow would rise forthwith at his bidding. Fergus promised presents to him for rousing her up. And Bricriu spoke thus:
Rise, marvellous cow,
Maol Flidais whose milk is sweet;
Leave Erris with its rough furze,
For it never provided pasture fit for you,
On its red(?) precipices,
Only your devotion to Ailill (made it endurable);
Your herdsmen were beguiled,
While he lorded it there.
Seeing that the warrior no longer lives,
Your days of plenty(?) are also gone.
Remain no longer on these cold hills
But accompany us on our royal road,
To Cruachan of the green haughs.
For the wife of Ailill also comes,
With us on this journey;
And if report be true,
You and she came together out of fairy dwellings.
I shall declare the terms
Which Fergus now offers you,
Magh Aei where "Whitehorn19" dwells will be your home,
To feed upon and consort with him;
Over its kingly knolls and swards, surrounded by your numerous (subject) herds
Lonely(?) and joyless your devotion now that Ailill is gone.
If you fear *** the weapons of Fergus,
Bide not the wrath of the stout son of Ros,
But rise at my bidding.
The (Maol Flidais) left her dwelling without further delay at Bricriu's solicitation. The Dubloinges gathered the herds speedily, and drove them in front by Lake Letriach to the round knolls of Glen Mughaighe to meet Medb and Ailill and the sturdy chefs of the kindly host.
As to Luigdech, son of Curoi, and the third of the men of Ireland's host: they harried the whole of Southern Erris from Letter (slope) Fidach to Glen Mudhaighe. And they experienced very great hardship in these forays. For Muiredach the Stammerer, son of Ailill the Fair, and the clans of Finn and the chivalry of the Gamhanraidh from every part of Cruachan Oighle caught them up. And they slew many of the chiefs of their people, as also Senchan the Little and Senchan the Big and two cow-lords of Medb's people, and they were able to carry along with them only small remnants(?) of the herds to the (camp of the) Irish host.
The men of Ireland made their chief camp there. And Muiredach the Stammerer pursued Lugaid son of Curoi that night to the very centre of the Irish camp, and continued attacking the whole host until the morning. That was the night in which he slew Legan the Druid, Ailill and Medb's musician. And this was the manner of his (slaying). His sleeping quarters were between the apartment of Ailill and of Medb in the royal tent. Muiredach heard him in the very end of the night, chanting music and minstrelsy to Ailill and Medb on a beautiful golden timpan. Muiredach knew that it was in Ailill and Medb's tent (the musician) lodged. He forthwith grasped his golden spear and with lightning speed hurled it at the tent, when it pierced the musical instrument and the breast of the artist so that he was killed outright where he lay. Medb rose early to view him, and all were lamenting him. His death greatly affected Medb. She ordered his grave to be dug, and recited (the lay):
Legan Drai!
Many will mourn for him;
I promised him when coming to his death,
That he would reach his home again.
Alas! never more shall Legan return
To his own house again;
Our musician and our druid,
Whom we also made our sage.
For his weight of red gold,
I would not part with the master of the delightful arts.
But now, day and night under red clay,
And mould over his pale cheek.
When Muiredach the Stammerer came,
He wounded fatally the sage;
Often did he sing a song to me,
He was my darling, Legan Drai.
Legan Drai.
The adventures of the great Cet son of Magach are given here. He remained on the field behind the men of Ireland, burying his sons and fosterlings. When their graves were made he moved forward in the track of the men of Ireland. In following our steps he was much hampered by the incessant attack on the men of Ireland and the holding of them up at the fords and passes of Erris. Three very brave warriors of Medb's people fell in with him, Eignech Little and Eignech Big and Siadal son of Sirtachtar. The three fell by the hand of Cet. And Cet said that he slew them all by mistaking them for the pursuers. He pressed the Gamhanraidh in their pursuit of the men of Ireland so hard that he alone constituted a third of the smiting force in the pursuit.
Then Donald Yellowlocks with his stout troops from Dun Tuath joined in the pursuit to avenge the high king Ailill the Fair on the veterans of Ireland. He sent messengers everywhere urging the Gamhanraidh to follow him to avenge Ailill the Fair. He himself did not wait for their reply, but went forward in close, persistent pursuit of the men of Ireland until he reached the place where Ailill, Fergus, Medb, and all the chiefs of the men of Ireland were, arranged in orderly battalions, after Fergus and the chiefs of Ireland, with the (collected) plunder and booty and the Maol Flidais, joined them. Now Medb thought that they could not be tracked or followed in leaving the country on that march, seeing that Ailill the Fair alone fell, and that her covenant with the Gamhanraidh was so firm.
As to the Gamhanraidh. After they heard of the fate of their lord, they did not keep their compact with the troops, but proceeded (at once) to avenge him. Donald Yellowlocks was the first to overtake (the Irish host) with his pack of hounds along with it. These eagerly attacked the hosts so that the men of Ireland were forced forthwith to face them because of the furious and dangerous grip with which the wolf-dogs seized them. They and Donald's soldiers were with ardour destroying and beheading each warrior of the men of Ireland whom they fell upon. Fergus and the Dubloinges went to shield the men of Ireland from them, and he and the wolf-dogs fought forthwith. Fergus went in his chariot, and when a specially dangerous and powerful wolf-dog of Donald's saw him in the chariot it made a fierce and very sudden spring at him. Fergus with Fergarbh (Rough-man) his charioteer stood watchfully to meet the attack. The dog disregarding their weapon to deliver a blow, the chariot gave way under him, for it was not able a sustain the weight of the three powerful individuals at one and the same time, and its wheels and shafts and axles broke right away. When Fergus could not obtain a firm foothold in the chariot he leapt out, carrying his weapons with him. And when his warriors followed him the dog made an angry, fierce, and venomous rush with her teeth at Fergarbh. She caught the small of his body (i.e. his neck) firmly in the big-fanged, open mouth, and tore his head from his body. And when she failed to find Fergus near she seized on the horses, attacked them furiously, and killed them forthwith. When the men of Ireland saw Fergus leaving his chariots unsupported, panic almost seized them. Donald's people, and the dogs, and the first muster of the heroes of the Gamhanraidh slew a great many of the followers of Medb and Ailill and Fergus in that scare, and wrought many losses and disasters upon them. Fergus felt shamed at the check he experienced, and turned back again to the broken chariot, which he had abandoned. He found his charioteer and horses mangled by Donald's dog. He gave a look of triumph at her, and grasped his spear to crush her. He made a quick, well-aimed cast at her, when the spear entered her head, and, after piercing it, fixed itself in the ground, so that her life left her in that spot.
Fergus compelled the whole of those who fought and harassed them to retreat, and then they deliberated as to their journey and marches, their routes and ***. They all proceeded to leave Erris-Domnann without delay. Fergus and the Dubloinges kept in the rear of the men of Ireland. They were not long on the march when they saw Donald's banners gleaming red in pursuit of them. The Gamhanraidh went and joined him at one place in quivering and blazing-venomous battalions to avenge Ailill the Fair on the men of Ireland. Fergus urged the Dubloinges to make all haste to meet Donald. The Dubloinges stoutly opposed the Gamhanraidh in order to prevent the effective force of the pursuers from getting at the men of Ireland, and (thus) to maintain the honour of Fergus. They attacked Donald in a body, and in the first brush hurled a battle spear at the stout warrior. He, without moving from the spot on which he stood, raised his shield, and the broad battle spear with sure aim hit the great shield. The mighty king's followers met that charge, and hurled weapons without numbers and with deadly aim against the Ulster men.
Then Fergus in a loud voice ordered his soldiers not to exchange weapons or blades with the enemy, but to leave him and Donald to make a stout fight on that spot, seeing that it was by his hand that Donald's son fell. Fergus's people then gave way, and the Gamhanraidh were also forced to cease aiding Donald. They cleared a broad, tramped-down space for the heroes on which to fight, for Fergus was anxious to ward off Donald's bold, sternly-venomous might from the men of Ireland at that juncture, and Donald was eager to make a fierce onslaught on Fergus in revenge of Ailill the Fair. Each hurled his battle-weapons furiously at the other as was the habit of the champions, but the weapons made no impression on them because of the proof of their armour and their breast-coverings. Then the (two) battle-soldiers closed with each other. They mutually pressed home their attack, they battered each other's heads and shields and helmets very fiercely, so that the whole of the four great provinces of Ireland heard the din. The men of Ireland turned their faces to gaze at them, and the chivalry of the Gamhanraidh who had joined in the pursuit watched the contest of these mighty men from their side, for they were firmly convinced that neither of the two would give way in that encounter, because of the ferocity of their swift blows, and the wariness of their defence, and the greatness of their enmity, and their overpowering strength. The two wielded their weapons against each other so furiously, viciously, venomously, threateningly, that shields were cleft, and mails hacked, and helmets twisted in that conflict. The fray did not cease until their hands got tired through (prolonged) exertion and their feet failed to support them. And great though the force was with which the battle-warriors smote each other, not a drop of blood was on the body of either. They observed that the men of Ireland were getting impatient as they looked on, and besides exhaustion and lassitude seized themselves, since neither of them was able to wound or maim the other. So they parted from that conflict skin-whole on either side.
Great vast wonder seized the men of Ireland on seeing those two might men parting (in this manner). They moved forward without delay to the hill of Dun Engan and to Glen Cruach, with all the Gamhanraidh in pursuit and committing great slaughter upon them. Thus the Gamhanraidh acted on their march: they carried with them the heads of all the men of Ireland who they slew, leaving their bodies behind, until they reached the glen in which the men of Ireland camped. And no sooner were they there than the pursuers were upon them in front and rear, fiercely attacking them. They made a heap of the men of Ireland's heads there, whence the name (of the place), Heap of the Heads. That night was passed there in great anxiety.
They fared forth early on the morrow, and Meran the warrior overtook them. He engaged the heroes with zest, and slew many soldiers, among them Legan, son of Lusg ***, a worthy warrior of Ailill and Medb's army, whence the name the Stream of Legan. They marched from that place in great anxiety to the slope of the hill of Finn, where Caillderg son of Lilach overtook them. This man attacked them with great violence, as if he were the only one who engaged in the pursuit, for not a mighty chief of Ireland's men met him but fled before him. And Buinne Beimennach (Blow-dealer), a battle warrior of Ailill and Medb's people, went forth to withstand and engage him. The two fought in the view of the men of Ireland on that field until Buinne Beimennach fell by the hand of the son of Lilach on that spot.
The men of Ireland left that place, and they did not halt on that march until they encamped in Glen-da-Aran on that night. Full of wounds, streaming with blood, and sorely bruised were the best of the men of Ireland that night after the charge of the Gamhanraidh, so that not one among them save Fergus only had any strength or valour left in him. Thus they were on that night. They rose up early on the morrow, after their physicians had bound up and dressed all their wounds and sores. Their non-combatants slowly went in front, while they themselves were in the rear drawn up in ranked battalions for the defence of these. For there was not a knoll they passed (but they had to face) the Gamhanraidh, whose chiefs had mustered and collected from all quarters to attack them, for affection and anger and contrition took hold of them, so that there was not a freeman of their people from Inver Luimnech to Drowes whose heart was not (now) bent on punishing the men of Ireland and thoroughly avenging (the death of) Ailill the Fair.
The men of Ireland heard this, and dread and great fear took hold of them all. They made little progress on that day, the Gamhanraidh harassed them so, and they encamped at the north end of Conloch that night. They sent Cormac Conloinges and Lugaid son of Curoi with a number of the Irish warriors to explore the road on which they marched out of the country, and to find out whether there was a mustering or gathering in pursuit of them from that quarter. They were so sorely pressed that night that they were obliged to tie the Maol Flidais to a pillar by the door of Medb's tent. The scouts returned early on the morrow, and informed them that the whole force of the Gamhanraidh were on the level ground at the head of Conloch, and the news reduced them all to silence.
They held counsel, and resolved to keep the front of their booty and battalions towards the path which the champions guarded, as if to show (the enemy) that the whole of their assembled force were to march in the direction (but meanwhile) they would endeavour to find opportunity to march secretly by another route. Such was their disposition during the whole of that fair day until night, while the enemy were hustling and harassing them. They had the command of neither road nor path, the warriors having all come together to one place to oppose them. Thus they were ready when next night came to march secretly back to the land of Breas, and thus get out of that danger. They sat down as though there was no way open for them; while the Gamhanraidh encamped in another place on the road on which, as they thought, the chiefs meant to travel. They were in that position, each watching the other, until night came. When night fell on the men of Ireland they all left the camp, save Fergus and the sentinels who remained to guard the rear until their fighting force along with the booty and sick people should all pass on. Fergus with his stout troops followed slowly and warily.
They had not proceeded far on that march when the Gamhanraidh became aware of this manoeuvre, and their scouts made known their escape. The Gamhanraidh then furiously pursued the men of Ireland. But they hardly made up with the troops until they reached Mag Bron, because of the deception practised upon them. Many of their warriors overtook them there, and inflicted great slaughter on the men of Ireland, which was a cause of grief and sorrow to their chiefs, whence the name of the place"Field of Sorrow".
As to the men of Ireland: they proceeded in vast numbers to Red Stream. And they did not wait for the rear to come up, but plunged forthwith into the river, so that a vast number of their women and children were drowned and lost. Only their strong men and battle chiefs and principal champions and cavalry were able to ford the river. And their losses since the time they carried the Maol Flidais away cannot be reckoned.
As to Fergus: he marched in the rear of the host, accompanied by the Dubloinges. The last of them were at the ford opposing the Gamhanraidh when they saw the main body of the force approaching them in fighting order. They did not allow Fergus time to view them, but made him follow the men of Ireland across the ford. The Irishmen crossed the mouth of the ford, but they were hardly over sooner than the Gamhanraidh at another crossing. Both parties raised a loud exulting shout at the ford, the Irishmen boasting that they escaped the Gamhanraidh in spite of them, the Gamhanraidh vaunting about the number of Irishmen slain by them. The men of Ireland counted their host and troops there, and only seven battalions of the champions were found to have crossed the Ford of Lecon on that day, and to have made for Bres territory after that onslaught. The rear were not able to march from that spot before the Gamhanraidh held up the champions as formerly, being chagrined at their having escaped their troops through the dangerous traps (laid for them).
Medb summoned marvellous courage when she perceived the confused state of matters under the chiefs. She kept in the rear of the stout warriors. The Gamhanraidh were vigorously pressing the pursuit with the view to reach and to crush Medb. She did not blench or shrink from the situation, but kept her place valiantly in front of the hosts who needed her help so much that she did not find opportunity ***20 so that Lecan became the name of that ground and spot thereafter. She then quickly entered her chariot, took her place gallantly among the warriors, and firmly kept step in the line.
The men of Ireland thereupon marched without delay, the Gamhanraidh fiercely pursuing them. Donald Yellowlocks overtook them there. The chiefs of the men of Ireland were greatly alarmed at his approach, for all the Gamhanraidh gathered round him, having left the place where they had hitherto been hewing and hacking. When the men of Ireland saw Donald pressing the charge home, they all bitterly reproached Fergus for (the issue of) his former duel with Donald. When Fergus heard these accusations great shame seized him for not having protected the stalwart men from Donald. He beseeched the Dubloinges vehemently to display great courage and to check Donald's attack. They all resolved to oppose him, and they sought opportunity (to slay him). Donald hurried the attack after crossing the Ford of Champions. And Fergus met him there. They fought on the brink of the ford, and none of the men of Ireland were able to intervene until they were battering each others' shields in conflict. Donald's men and Fergus's men joined in the fight, each to aid his lord and chief. These households pounded each other in the conflict until they fell side by side in the battle-fight. Fergus and Donald fought that combat in the view of the men of Ireland so furiously that his friend could not render aid or assistance to either, until Donald (at last) fell under the powerful blows of Fergus. And no sooner did the warrior reach the ground than Fergus and the men of Ireland were obliged to leave him where he fell, without stripping him of his armour.
They proceeded in the track of the retreating party closely pursuing them, and the host never experienced greater hardships than in the retreat from the strand of Ros airgid (silvern). Nevertheless they endured every calamity and loss that befel them until the darkness of night came to them. They encamped that night in great anxiety in the north of the land of Corann, and were obliged to tie the Maol Flidais to a pillar of stone, the knoll being called "Maol's Knoll" ever after. The Gamhanraidh surrounded them until full daylight came to the hosts, when, upon full daylight coming, their champions were engaged in promiscuous fighting; and the march of the hosts from that spot was almost a rout, so that they were not able to loose the Maol from the pillar to which she was tied.
Muiredach the Stutterer son of Ailill made a rush in front of the mighty host, and found by chance Flidais and her female attendants there. He carried her away with him forthwith. And he let the hosts past until he reached the centre of the men of Ireland's camp, where he reached the centre of the men of Ireland's camp, where he found the Maol Flidais tied to the pillar. He instantly loosed. He then sent word to the Gamhanraidh to cease fighting, and forbidding further pursuit. He told them how he found Flidais and the Maol Flidais with the booty. The Gamhanraidh thereupon ceased their attack, and the pursuit came to an end. And the chiefs of the men of Ireland proceeded with Medb to Cruachan.
Muiredach the Stutterer and the chiefs of the Gamhanraidh, with Flidais and her women-folk and her herds, turned back west on the same road on which they came, until they reached the place where Donald Yellowlocks fell. And thus they found him, with a band of his attached people and devoted friends around him keeping guard over him. They all encamped around him there that night. They build a turf grave over him early on the morrow. And Muiredach the Stutterer composed an elegy upon him and said:
Sad the fate of Donald Yellowlocks,
From Dun Tuaith without his forces,
His pursuit of the foray, unsupported,
Caused his speedy death.
Donald ought not to have braved
The great Dubloinges of Medb;
His death was a cruel deed,
A loss to those who loved him.
The mighty lord of Erris delayed not,
Until we could have joined him in the strife;
Woe to the king who waits not for his troops,
Before engaging in stern warfare
Ailill (fell) before his father,
Of the death revealed to him,
That he would die ***
Without aid from his warriors.
Through Ailill the Fair, the husband of Flidais,
Met his death in his dread career,
Greater to us the loss of Donald
Through enmity and pride;
Woe to those who went on that quest,
Where fell the noble warrior;
To be lifeless in the slaughter,
The foray was indeed a disastrous one.
Sad.
When they had completed the grave of the battle-soldier and raised a *** pillar (in his memory), they moved forward quickly until they reached the Ford of Lecan that day. They encamped there quite worn out. And they went over their exploits and their sufferings, and the story of the raid and the pursuit, upon which the poet composed the following quatrains:
Here was fought a valorous fight,
It was featful, above the fair ***
Fierce and dexterous *** it was,
Over the raid of fair Flidais's red cows.
Goodly the Maol, great her ***
Her produce exceeded that of every other,
Fifty boys, with three hundred valorous heroes,
Would be fed by her milk.
The host was divided in three,
(The chiefs surrounded the cattle),
A third of brilliant Leinstermen,
A third of fighting Ulstermen.
The remaining third were Connaught men,
Powerful like a flood the warriors;
Although the roll of praise were closed,
(Still) would be found fiery warriors by the sea.
The cow was lying on the ground;
A great chief found the herd;
Thrice were efforts made to rouse her,
The host could not accomplish it.
Then came Fergus himself,
A fierce impetuous dragon of goodly presence;
He looked south, he looked north,
He stood up when he struck the Maol.
Fergus struck the hummel cow
Thrice in the presence of this host;
Her low and moan were heard
East, south, and north.
Strenuous arm and mighty hand,
Keen in vigorous onslaught;
Hacked carcases under red clay,
Beyond a river of the west.
Donald's hound sped from his castle,
With fifty relentless hounds following;
She destroyed the prince's stately chariot,
She slew his truly generous charioteer.
Fergus killed the slim hound,
With the polished spear that pierced her head
On the field above the glen,
The son of Roich's horses were slaughtered.
Then came the *** Donald,
Tough and strong as an oak was he;
There with matchless strength he discharged
A hundred deadly shots in quick succession.
Fergus made a mighty, powerful thrust
At the featful *** Donald;
“Let the hosts be restrained from impetuous blow
Let us two fight it out ruthlessly."
They fought where they stood,
Equal in valour, equal in arms;
A marvel it was, no blood on their body,
No wound was found on either.
As they thrust vigorously,
And charged strenuously;
And soon (it ended), as we judged,
In the glen by Heap-of-heads.
Meran ran through the fight,
A flow (of sweat) from his visage;
He wielded a heavy club, rough the shiver,
He slew Legan by the stream.
Boinne from the hill was slain,
His blows did not lack force,
On the slope of the woody hill of Finn,
He fell by the hand of the fierce son of Lilach.
They fought other fights equally glorious,
Above ***
They made a bright large camp,
In the glen above spacious Aran.
They chose their camp with knowledge,
On the slope above the seaport to the south:
They place troops with sure judgment
On the precipitous side of Loch Cuile.
The mighty chiefs were forceful men,
The mould of their graves was bloody,
Terrible was the deed of the son of Roich,
Fair, specious, stern.
***
***
On the one spot ***
Let him lie alone after the hosts (have departed).
They departed stealthily soon after,
It was a great confused movement;
They marched in fear and trembling,
Across the ford of Lecan, across the Moy.
Seven battalions the number of the host,
With Fergus son of Roich who commanded them:
They fought many a fight,
Against the braves mustered here.
Here.
The Gamhanraidh placed Muiredach the Stutterer on his father's throne thereafter. And some learned persons say that he had Flidais with him there for a season; and that she, with the Maol Flidais in her train, went to Lake Letriach to hide her secret. And nothing is known of her from that day to this. Thus far then the Raid of Flidais's cows and the Pursuit thereof.
Finit. Amen.
Notes:
1. O'Flaherty (Ogygia III, chap.XI) says that the three principal tribes of Connaught were the Gamhanraidh, the Fir Craibi, and the Tuatha Taidhen. These last , of whom little is recorded, seem to have lived in the neighbourhood of Cruachan. The name is found only in the gen., Taiden; the nom. would be Taildiu. Does it connect with taid, "thief", taidhe, "theft" ? The other tribes mentionned by O'Falherty are spoken of later.
2. Gamanraidh : A people of whom one hears, outside this MS., very little, although their pri,cipal champions, such as Ferdiad and Fraoch mac Fidhaigh, are well known. The writer of this saga lays stress on the might and wealth and nimbers of these people. Their territory is decribed later on. In another passage the Gamhanraidh of Iorrus Domnann and the troops of Clann Rugraide are said to be the foremost of the chivalry of Leth Cuinn. The people, or a portion of them, were under the juridiction of Connaught, but their chiefs seemed to consider themselves practically independent. The name is collective. An individual is Gamain, while a chief is named Duban mac an gamna. In old and modern Gaelic , gen. gam(h)na, is a "stirk". The Gamhanraidh may without much risk of error be called "the stirk-folk". They were a pre-Gaelic people of the Fir-bolg race.
3. The seven Maines were sons of Ailill and Medb. Their individual names are given in Irische Texte III.
4. Goll Oilech: Oilech is written in full only once, although the same name appears frequently. It is somewhat uncertain whether Goll Oilech and Goll Acla may not be one and the same person. Goll Oilech often appears alone, but a common form is Goll Oilech 7 Acla. Here the repetition of Goll before Acla and the non-aspiration of t in timchell point to two persons.
5. The explicite statement that Bricriu sang to the accompniment of the harp, and that his cliar (choir) sang with him, is interresting. So at Dun Morgan (infra), his sgol join the poet in singing the song in honour of queen Flidais.
6. The repetition of the first word suggests that the song originally ended here, and that the last quatrain was afterwards added.
7. From this point to near the foot of col.28 the MS. is, apart from detached words and phrases, undecipherable.
8. The Martial Career of Conghal Cláringhneach (quoted here as Cc), recently published by the Irish Text Society (vol. V), throws some light on this chapter in the early career of Fergus. Fergus attached himself to the party of Conghal in the year in which the former "first took possession of his territory", and shared in all his adventures until the latter was enthroned monarch of Ireland. Their people destroyed Dun da Beann, the seat of Niall Niamhghlonnach, in the absence of its lord, and took his wife Craobh, daughter of Durtacht, and sister of Eogan, prisoner. The lady, preferring death to captivity, threw herself into the Bann and was drowned. Afterwards they fought and slew Niall himself at Aonach Tuaighe, no doubt the Inb(er Tuaighe) of our MS. The name of the father of Finn, slain at Inver Loinne, is practically illegible. But there is enough to show that Innadmar, otherwise Findatmar monarch of Ireland in his day, and father of the reigning high king, Lughaidh Luaighne, is meant. Cath Boirche may be the battle fought against Boirche Casurlach (Cc. 168, 172) after the return of Fergus and Conghal from Norway. The Mourne Mountains were of old called Beanna Boirche. Cath Mana was fought against Conchobar at a later period, no doubt after Fergus's revolt in consequence of the murder of the sons of Uisnech. The "stubborn fight" with Eogan son of Durtacht, where Eogan was slain, has already been described (v. supra, vol. I. p. 226). Carn Eolairg, or Carraig Eolairg, is said to have been in the neighbourhood of Derry. Maistiu is now Mullaghimast, co. Kildare.
9. Later in the MS. Fergus refers to his adventures in Uardha (the cold land), where this city was situated. A detailed account of this expedition is given in Cc. p. 112 et seq.
10. In his report to Fergus (infra), Bricriu mentions one or two of the nine prohibitions that Flidais laid upon him.
11. Among the geasa which Beiuda, daughter of the King of Lochlann, imposed on Conghal Clairingnech and his followers was troigh mhna troghuin which is rendered "pangs of a woman in childbirth", a reference, no doubt, to the noinden or "couvade" of the Ulstermen ; v. Cc. pp. 112-13 note 6. In the MS. troguin joins to the next line.
12. I infer that it was Dubthach who kicked Bricriu from his quarrelsome disposition, and from the fact that it was he who immediately afterwards explained to Medb the cause of Bricriu's disgrace.
13. Elsewhere Munremar is described as son of Gerrchend.
14. The reader will remember that the descriptive name Leith Cuinn (Conn's Half) was unknown until Conn Cetchathach, who lived, according to the traditional chronology, in the second century, and Mogh Nuaghat divided Ireland between them, the northern part being known as Leith Cuinn and the southern as Leith Mogha. The boundary was, roughly, from Dublin to Galway Bay.
15. Gailian frequently equates with Leinster. Here the territories of the two tribes are distinguished.
16. Lit. "thigh-alliance". It will be remembered that at a later date, as recorded in T.B.C. p.15, the unscrupulous Medb instructed MacRoth, her messenger, to offer, among other favours, her cairdes sliasta to Dare of Cualgne for the loan of the famous bull, the Dond Cualgne. Nor will it be forgotten that she likewise promised the hand of her daughter Findabair to each warrior who would undertake to fight Cuchulainn at the Ford.
17. The Tain bó Flidaise, as given in this MS., ends here. It is seen to be quite different from the Tain bó Flidais, which at one time formed one of the remscela of the Tain bó Cualgne, and which is printed by Professor Windisch from LL. and Eg. in Ir. T., vol. II p.208 et seq. What follows in this MS. is the Toraigheacht or "pursuit" by the Gamhanraidh for the recovery of the Tain. It will be observed that the title Toraigheact Tana bo Flidaise is not given in Y.B.L. Tain is "driving", "raid", especially of cattle, occasionally as below, and also in the modern language, used for "herds" simply. Tóir, tóraigheacht (S. G. tórachd) is the pursuit for the recovery by the proper owners of the creach or booty. The words figure largely in Gaelic literature.
18. One should expect here aoiredar, "satirize," rather than gairedar, "laugh at". But even the laugh of the poets would be unbearable to Fergus.
19. The Finn-bennach, "white-horn", is no doubt Ailill of Cruachan's famous bull which figures so conspicuously in the Tain Bó Cuaigne. A white horn nowadays is rather a demerit with cattle fanciers.
20. A gap of several lines.
Sources : Donald Mackinnon, Celtic Review 1,2, 3, 4
