to disperse. Each of them went to the house of his father and mother, of
his foster-mother and foster-father. Then the little lad went on the trail
of the party, till he reached the house of Culann the Smith. He began to
shorten the way as he went with his play-things. [1]He threw his ball and
threw his club after it, so that it hit the ball. The one throw was no
greater than the other. Then he threw his staff after them both, so that it
reached the ball and the club before ever they fell.[1] [2]Soon the lad
came up.[2] When he was nigh to the green of the fort wherein were Culann
and Conchobar, he threw all his play-things before him except only the
ball. The watch-dog descried the lad and bayed at him, so that in all the
countryside was heard the howl of the watch-hound. And not a division of
feasting was what he was inclined to make of him, but to swallow him down
at one gulp past the cavity [LL.fo.64a.] of his chest and the width of his
throat and the pipe of his breast. [3]And it interfered not with the lad's
play, although the hound made for him.[3] And the lad had not with him any
means of defence, but he hurled an unerring cast of the ball, so that it
passed through the gullet of the watch-dog's neck and carried the guts
within him out through his back door, and he laid hold of the hound by the
two legs and dashed him against a pillar-stone [4]that was near him, so
that every limb of him sprang apart,[4] so that he broke into bits all over
the ground.[a] Conchobar heard the yelp of the ban-dog. [5]Conchobar and
his people could not move; they weened they would not find the lad alive
before them.[5] "Alas, O warriors," cried Conchobar; "in no good luck
[W.1029.] have we come to enjoy this feast." "How so?" asked all. "The
little lad who has come to meet me, my sister's son, Setanta son of
Sualtaim, is undone through the hound." As one man, arose all the renowned
men of Ulster. Though a door of the hostel was thrown wide open, they all
rushed in the other direction out over the palings of the fortress. But
fast as they all got there, faster than all arrived Fergus, and he lifted
the little lad from the ground on the slope of his shoulder and bore him
into the presence of Conchobar. [1]They put him on Conchobar's knee. A
great alarm arose amongst them that the king's sister's son should have
been all but killed.[1] And Culann came out, and he saw his slaughter-hound
in many pieces. He felt his heart beating against his breast. Whereupon he
went into the dûn. "Welcome thy coming, little lad," said Culann, "because
of thy mother and father, but not welcome is thy coming for thine own
sake. [2]Yet would that I had not made a feast."[2] "What hast thou against
the lad?" queried Conchobar. "Not luckily for me hast thou come to quaff
my ale and to eat my food; for my substance is now a wealth gone to waste,
and my livelihood is a livelihood lost [3]now after my dog.[3] [4]He hath
kept honour and life for me.[4] Good was the friend thou hast robbed me of,
[5]even my dog,[5] in that he tended my herds and flocks and stock for me;
[6]he was the protection of all our cattle, both afield and at home."[6]
"Be not angered thereat, O Culann my master," said the little boy. [7]"It
is no great matter,[7] for I will pass a just judgement upon it." "What
judgement thereon wilt thou pass, lad?" Conchobar asked. "If there is a
whelp of the breed of that dog in Erin, he shall be reared by me till he be
fit to do [W.1049.] business as was his sire. [1]Till then[1] myself will
be the hound to protect his flocks and his cattle and his land [2]and even
himself[2] in the meanwhile. [3]And I will safeguard the whole plain of
Murthemne, and no one will carry off flock nor herd without that I know
it."[3]
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 515-518.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 514.
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 518-519.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 525.
[a] According to the LU.-YBL. version, Cuchulain seized the hound with
one hand by the apple of the throat and with the other by the back.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 519-521.
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 529-530.
[2-2] LU and YBL. 532.
[3-3] Stowe, YBL. and LU. 533-534.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 334.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 535.
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 536.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 537.
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] Literally, 'thyself,' LU. and YBL. 539.
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 540-541.
"Well hast thou given judgement, little lad," said Conchobar. "In sooth,
we [4]ourselves[4] could not give one that would be better," said
Cathba.[a] "Why should it not be from this that thou shouldst take the name
Cuchulain, ('Wolfhound of Culann')?" "Nay, then," answered the lad; "dearer
to me mine own name, Setanta son of Sualtaim." "Say not so, lad," Cathba
continued; "for the men of Erin and Alba shall hear that name and the
mouths of the men of Erin and Alba shall be full of that name!" "It
pleaseth me so, whatever the name that is given me," quoth the little
lad. Hence the famous name that stuck to him, namely Cuchulain, after he
had killed the hound that was Culann's the Smith's.
[4-4] Stowe.
[a] The name of Conchobar's druid.
"A little lad did that deed," [LL.fo.64b.] added Cormac Conlongas son of
Conchobar, "when he had completed six years after his birth, when he slew
the watch-dog that hosts nor companies dared not approach in the same
cantred. No need would there be of wonder or of surprise if he should come
to the edge of the marches, if he should cut off the four-pronged fork, if
he should slay one man or two men or three men or four men, now when his
seventeen years are completed on the Cattle-driving of Cualnge!"
* * * * *
[Page 60]
VIIb
[1]THE TAKING OF ARMS BY CUCHULAIN AND[1]
[2]THE SLAYING OF THE THREE SONS OF NECHT SCENE IS NOW TOLD HERE[2]
[W.1068.] "The little lad performed a third deed in the following year,"
said Fiachu son of Firaba. "What deed performed he?" asked Ailill.
[1-1] Eg. 1782.
[2-2] LU. fo. 61a, in the margin.
"Cathba the druid was [3]with his son, namely Conchobar son of Ness,[3]
imparting [4]learning[4] to his pupils in the north-east of Emain, and
eight[a] [5]eager[5] pupils in the class of druidic cunning were with
him. [6]That is the number that Cathba instructed.[6] [7]One of them[7]
questioned his teacher, what fortune and presage might there be for the day
they were in, whether it was good or whether it was ill. Then spake Cathba:
"The little boy that takes arms [8]this day[8] shall be splendid and
renowned [9]for deeds of arms[9] [10]above the youths of Erin [11]and the
tales of his high deeds shall be told[11] forever,[10] but he shall be
short-lived and fleeting." Cuchulain overheard what he said, though far
off at his play-feats south-west of Emain; and he threw away all his
play-things and hastened to Conchobar's sleep-room [12]to ask for arms.[12]
"All [W.1077.] good attend thee, O king of the Fenè!" cried the little lad.
"This greeting is the speech of one soliciting something of some one. What
wouldst thou, lad?" said Conchobar. "To take arms," the lad made answer.
"Who hath advised thee, little boy?" asked Conchobar. "Cathba the druid,"
said the lad. "He would not deceive thee, little boy," said Conchobar.
Conchobar gave him two spears and a sword and a shield. The little boy
shook and brandished the arms [1]in the middle of the house[1] so that he
made small pieces and fragments of them. Conchobar gave him other two
spears and a shield and a sword. He shook and brandished, flourished and
poised them, so that he shivered them into small pieces and fragments.
There where were the fourteen[a] suits of arms which Conchobar had in
Emain, [2]in reserve in case of breaking of weapons or[2] for equipping the
youths and the boys--to the end that whatever boy assumed arms, it might be
Conchobar that gave him the equipment of battle, and the victory of cunning
would be his thenceforward--even so, this little boy made splinters and
fragments of them all.
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 547.
[4-4] Stowe.
[a] 'One hundred' is the number in LU. and YBL. 547.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 548.
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 548.
[7-7] Stowe.
[8-8] LU. and YBL. 550.
[9-9] LU. and YBL. 551.
[10-10] LU. and YBL. 551-552.
[11-11] Stowe.
[12-12] LU. and YBL. 553.
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 557.
[a] 'Fifteen,' LU. and YBL. 556; 'seventeen,' Stowe.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 557.
"Truly these arms here are not good, O Conchobar my master," the stripling
cried. "Herefrom cometh not what is worthy of me." Conchobar gave him his
own two spears and his shield and his sword. He shook and he brandished, he
bent and he poised them so that tip touched butt, and he brake not the arms
and they bore up against him, [3]and he saluted the king whose arms they
were.[3] "Truly, these arms are good," said the little boy; "they are
suited to me. Hail to the king whose arms and equipment these are. Hail to
the land whereout he is come!"
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 559-560.
"Then Cathba the druid chanced to come into the tent, and what he said was,
"Hath he yonder taken arms?" [W.1101.] Cathba asked. "Aye, then, it must
be," Conchobar answered. "Not by [1]his[1] mother's son would I wish them
to be taken this day," said Cathba. "How so? Was it not thyself advised
him?" Conchobar asked. "Not I, in faith," replied Cathba. "What mean'st
thou, bewitched elf-man?" cried Conchobar [2]to Cuchulain.[2] "Is it a lie
thou hast told us?" [LL.fo.65a.] "But be not wroth [3]thereat,[3] O my
master Conchobar," said the little boy. [4]"No lie have I told;[4] for yet
is it he that advised me, [5]when he taught his other pupils this
morning.[5] For his pupil asked him what luck might lie in the day, and he
said: The youth that took arms on this day would be illustrious and famous,
[6]that his name would be over the men of Erin for ever, and that no evil
result would be on him thereafter,[6] except that he would be fleeting and
short-lived. [7]To the south of Emain I heard him, and then I came to
thee."[7] "That I avow to be true," spake Cathba. [8]"Good indeed is the
day,[8] glorious and renowned shalt thou be, [9]the one that taketh
arms,[9] yet passing and short lived!" "Noble the gift!" cried Cuchulain.
[10]"Little it recks me,[10] though I should be but one day and one night
in the world, if only the fame of me and of my deeds live after me!"
[1-1] Reading with Stowe, LU. and YBL. 563.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 566.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 567.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 567.
[6-6] Stowe.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 568.
[8-8] LU. and YBL. 569.
[9-9] LU. and YBL. 570.
[10-10] Stowe.
"[11] Another day one of them asked of the druids for what that day would
be propitious. "The one that mounts a chariot to-day," Cathba answered,
"his name will be renowned over Erin for ever." Now Cuchulain heard that.
He went to Conchobar and said to him, "O Conchobar my master, give me a
chariot!" He gave him a chariot.[11] [W.1113.] "Come, lad, mount the
chariot, for this is the next thing for thee."
[11-11] LU. and YBL. 573-577.
"He mounted the chariot. [1]He put his hands between the two poles of the
chariot,[1] and the first chariot he mounted withal he shook and tossed
about him till he reduced it to splinters and fragments. He mounted the
second chariot, so that he made small pieces and fragments of it in like
manner. Further he made pieces of the third chariot. There where were the
seventeen[a] chariots which Conchobar kept for the boy-troop and youths in
Emain, the lad made small pieces and fragments of them and they did not
withstand him. "These chariots here are not good, O my master Conchobar,"
said the little boy; "my merit cometh not from them." "Where is Ibar[b] son
of Riangabair?" asked Conchobar. "Here, in sooth, am I," Ibar answered.
"Take with thee mine own two steeds for him yonder, and yoke my chariot."
Thereupon the charioteer took the horses and yoked the chariot. Then the
little boy mounted the chariot [2]and Conchobar's charioteer with him.[2]
He shook the chariot about him, and it withstood him, and he broke it
not. "Truly this chariot is good," cried the lad, "and this chariot is
suited to me." [3]The charioteer turned the chariot under him.[3] "Prithee,
little boy," said Ibar, [4]"come out[c] of the chariot now[4] and let the
horses out on their pasture." "It is yet too soon, O Ibar," the lad
answered. [5]"The horses are fair. I, too, am fair, their little lad.[5]
[6]Only[6] let us go on a circuit of Emain to-day [7]and thou shalt have a
reward therefor,[7] to-day being my first day of [W.1132.] taking arms, to
the end that it be a victory of cunning for me."
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 578.
[a] 'Twelve,' LU. and YBL. 579.
[b] The name of Conchobar's charioteer.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 580-581 and Eg. 1782.
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 581.
[c] Following the emendation suggested by Strachan and O'Keeffe, page
23, note 21.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 582.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 583.
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 584.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 585.
"Thrice they made the circuit of Emain. "Leave the horses now to their
grazing, O little boy," said Ibar. "It is yet too soon, O Ibar," the little
lad answered; "let us keep on, that the boys may give me a blessing to-day
the first day of my taking arms." They kept their course to the place where
the boys were. "Is it arms he yonder has taken?" each one asked. "Of a
truth, are they." "May it be for victory, for first wounding and triumph.
But we deem it too soon for thee to take arms, because thou departest from
us at the game-feats." "By no means will I leave ye, but for luck I took
arms this day." "Now, little boy, leave the horses to their grazing," said
Ibar. "It is still too soon for that, O Ibar," the lad answered. [1]"Ply
the goad on the horses," said he. "What way, then?" the charioteer
asked. "As far as the road shall lead," answered Cuchulain.[1] "And this
great road winding by us, what way leads it?" the lad asked. "What is that
to thee?" Ibar answered. "But thou art a pleasant wight, I trow, little
lad," quoth Ibar. "I wish, fellow, to inquire about the high-road of the
province, what stretch it goes?" "To Ath na Foraire ('the Ford of
Watching') in Sliab Fuait it goes," Ibar answered. "Wherefore is it called
'the Ford of Watching,' knowest thou?" "Yea, I know it well," Ibar made
answer. "A stout warrior of Ulster is on watch and on guard there [2]every
day,[2] so that there come no strange youths into Ulster to challenge them
to battle, and he is a champion to give battle in behalf of the whole
province. Likewise if men of song leave the Ulstermen [LL.fo.65b.] and the
province in dudgeon, he is there to soothe them by proffering treasures and
valuables, and so to save the honour of the province. Again, if men of song
[W.1155.] enter the land, he is the man that is their surety that they win
the favour of Conchobar, so that songs and lays made for him will be the
first to be sung after their arrival in Emain." "Knowest thou who is at the
ford to-day?" "Yea, I know," Ibar answered; "Conall Cernach ('the
Triumphant'), the heroic, warlike son of Amargin, royal champion of Erin,"
Ibar answered. "Thither guide us, fellow, that so we reach the ford."
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 589-590.
[2-2] Stowe.
"Onwards they drove into sight of the ford where was Conall. [1]Now it fell
to Conall Cernach to guard the province that day. For each champion of
Ulster spent his day on Sliab Fuait to protect him that came with a lay or
to fight with a warrior, so that some one would be there to meet him, in
order that none might come to Emain unperceived.[1] "Are those arms he
yonder has taken?" asked Conall. "Of a truth, are they," Ibar made
answer. "May it be for victory and for triumph and first wounding," said
Conall; "but we think it too soon for thee to take arms, because thou art
not yet capable of deeds. Were it surety he needed, he that should come
hither," he continued, "so wouldst thou furnish a perfect warrant amongst
the Ulstermen, and the nobles of the province would rise up to support thee
in the contest." "What dost thou here, O Conall my master?" asked the
lad. "Watch and ward of the province, lad, I keep here," Conall made
answer. "Do thou go home now, O master Conall," said the lad, "and leave
me the watch and guard of the province to keep here." "Say not so, little
son," replied Conall; [2]"'twould be enough, were it to protect one that
came with a song; were it to fight with a man, however, that is still too
soon for thee[2]; thou art not yet able to cope with a goodly warrior."
"Then, will I keep on to the south," [W.1172.] said the little boy, "to
Fertas ('the Bank') of Loch Echtrann for a while; [1]champions are wont to
take stand there;[1] perchance I may redden my hands on friend or on foe
this day." "I will go, little boy," said Conall, "to save thee, that thou
go not alone [2]into peril[2] on the border." "Not so," said the lad. "But
I will go," said Conall; "for the men of Ulster will blame me for leaving
thee to go alone on the border."
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 592-596.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 599-601.
[1-1] LU.and YBL. 603.
[2-2] Stowe.
"Conall's horses were caught for him and his chariot was yoked and he set
out to protect the little boy. When Conall came up abreast of him,
Cuchulain felt certain that, even though a chance came to him, Conall would
not permit him to use it. He picked up a hand-stone from the ground which
was the full of his grasp. He hurled it from him [3]from his sling[3] the
length of a stone-shot at the yoke of Conall's chariot, so that he broke
the chariot-collar[a] in two and thereby Conall fell to the ground, so that
the nape of his neck went out from his shoulder. "What have we here, boy?"
asked Conall; [4]"why threwest thou the stone?"[4] "It is I threw it to see
if my cast be straight, or how I cast at all, or if I have the stuff of a
warrior in me." "A bane on thy cast and a bane on thyself as well. E'en
though thou leavest thy head this time with thine enemies, I will go no
further to protect thee." "'Twas what I craved of thee," answered he; "for
it is geis amongst you men of Ulster to proceed, after a mishap has
befallen your chariots. [5]Go back[5] [6]to Emain,[6] [7]O Conall, and
leave me here to keep watch." "That pleaseth me well," replied Conall.[7]
Conall turned back northwards again to the Ford of Watching. [8]Thereafter
Conall Cernach went not past that place.[8]
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 604.
[a] In LU. and YBL., 'the shaft of the chariot.'
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 605-606.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 608.
[6-6] LU. 608.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 609-610.
[8-8] LU. and YBL. 610.
[W.1192.] As for the little boy, he fared southwards to Fertas Locha
Echtrann. He remained there till the end of the day [1]and they found no
one there before them.[1] "If we dared tell thee, little boy," spoke Ibar,
"it were time for us to return to Emain [LL.fo.66a.] now; for dealing and
carving and dispensing of food is long since begun in Emain, and there is a
place assigned for thee there. Every day it is appointed thee to sit
between Conchobar's feet, while for me there is naught but to tarry among
the hostlers and tumblers of Conchobar's household. [2]For that reason,[2]
methinks it is time to have a scramble[a] among them." "Fetch then the
horses for us." The charioteer fetched the horses and the lad mounted the
chariot. "But, O Ibar, what hill is that there now, the hill to the north?"
the lad asked. "Now, that is Sliab Moduirn," Ibar answered. [3]"Let us go
and get there," said Cuchulain. Then they go on till they reach it.[3]
[4]When they reached the mountain, Cuchulain asked,[4] "And what is that
white cairn yonder on the height of the mountain?" "And that is Finncharn
('the White Cairn') of Sliab Moduirn," Ibar answered. "But yonder cairn is
beautiful," exclaimed the lad. "It surely is beautiful," Ibar answered.
"Lead on, fellow, till we reach yonder cairn." "Well, but thou art both a
pleasant and tedious inquisitor, I see," exclaimed Ibar; "but this is my
first [5]journey and my first[5] time with thee. It shall be my last time
till the very day of doom, if once I get back to Emain."
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 612.
[2-2] Stowe.
[a] Or, more literally, 'a clawing match.'
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 615-616.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 616.
[5-5] Stowe.
"Howbeit they went to the top of the hill. "It is pleasant here, O Ibar,"
the little boy exclaimed. "Point out to me Ulster on every side, for I am
no wise acquainted with the land of my master Conchobar." The horseman
[W.1211.] pointed him out Ulster all around him. He pointed him out the
hills and the fields and the mounts of the province on every side. He
pointed him out the plains and the dûns and the strongholds of the
province. "'Tis a goodly sight, O Ibar," exclaimed the little lad. "What is
that indented, angular, bordered and glenny plain to the south of us?"
"Mag Breg," replied Ibar. "Tell thou to me the buildings and forts of that
plain." The gilla taught him [1]the name of every chief dûn between Temair
and Cenannas,[1] Temair and Taltiu, Cletech and Cnogba and Brug ('the
Fort') of Mac ind Oc. [2]He pointed out to him then[2] the dûn of the
[3]three[3] sons of Necht Scenè ('the Fierce'): [4]Foill and Fandall and
Tuachall, their names;[4] [5]Fer Ulli son of Lugaid was their father, and
Necht [6]from the mouth of the[6] Scenè was their mother. Now the Ulstermen
had slain their father; it was for that reason they were at war with
Ulster.[5] "But are those not Necht's sons, that boast that not more of the
Ulstermen are alive than have fallen at their hands?" "The same, in sooth,"
answered the gilla. "On with us to the dûn of the macNechta," cried the
little boy. "Alas, in truth, that thou sayest so," quoth Ibar; [7]"'tis
a peril for us."[7] [8]"Truly, not to avoid it do we go," answered
Cuchulain.[8] "We know it is an act of great folly for us to say so, but
whoever may go," said Ibar, "it will not be myself." "Living or dead, go
there thou shalt," the little boy cried. "'Tis alive I shall go to the
south," answered Ibar, "and dead I shall be left at the dûn, I know, even
at the dûn of the macNechta."
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 620.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 623.
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 623.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 624.
[5-5] LU. 623, marginal note.
[6-6] LU. 623, gloss.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 627.
[8-8] LU. and YBL. 628.
"They push on to the dûn [1]and they unharness their horses in the place
where the bog and the river meet south [W.1227.] of the dûn of the
macNechta.[1] And the little boy sprang out of the chariot onto the
green. Thus was the green of the dûn, with a pillar-stone upon it and an
iron band around that, and a band for prowess it was, and there was a
writing in ogam at its joint, and this is the writing it bore: 'Whoever
should come to the green, if he be a champion, it is geis for him to depart
from the green without giving challenge to single combat.[1] The lad
deciphered the writing and put his two arms around the pillar-stone. Just
as the pillar-stone was with its ring, he flung it [2]with a cast of his
hand[2] into the moat, so that a wave passed over it. "Methinks," spake
Ibar, "it is no better now than to be where it was. And we know thou shalt
now get on this green the thing thou desirest, even the token of death,
yea, of doom and destruction!" [3]For it was the violation of a geis of
the sons of Necht Scenè to do that thing.[3] "Good, O Ibar, spread the
chariot-coverings and its skins for me that I may [LL.fo.66b.] snatch a
little sleep." "Woe is me, that thou sayest so," answered the gilla; "for a
foeman's land is this and not a green for diversion." [4]And Cuchulain said
to the gilla, "Do not awaken me for a few but awaken me for many."[4] The
gilla arranged the chariot-coverings and its skins [5]under Cuchulain, and
the lad fell asleep on the green.[5]
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 629.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 630.
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 631.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 634-635.
[5-5] Stowe.
"Then came one of the macNechta on to the fair-green, to wit, Foill son of
Necht. [6]Then was the charioteer sore afraid, for he durst not waken him,
for Cuchulain had told him at first not to waken him for a few.[6] "Unyoke
not the horses, gilla," cried Foill. "I am not fain to, at all," answered
Ibar; "the reins and the lines are still in my hand." "Whose horses are
those, then?" Foill asked. [W.1246.] "Two of Conchobar's horses," answered
the gilla; "the two of the dappled heads." "That is the knowledge I have of
them. And what hath brought these steeds here to the borders?" "A tender
youth that has assumed arms amongst us [1]to-day for luck and good
omen,"[1] the horseboy answered, "is come to the edges of the marshes to
display his comeliness." "May it not be for victory nor for triumph, [2]his
first-taking of arms,"[2] exclaimed Foill. [3]"Let him not stop in our land
and let the horses not graze here any longer.[3] If I knew he was fit for
deeds, it is dead he should go back northwards to Emain and not alive!" "In
good sooth, he is not fit for deeds," Ibar answered; "it is by no means
right to say it of him; it is the seventh year since he was taken from the
crib. [4]Think not to earn enmity,"[a] Ibar said further to the warrior;
"and moreover the child sleepeth."[4]
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 635-638.
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 641.
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 642.
[a] That is, the enmity of the Ulstermen by slaying Cuchulain.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 644-645.
"The little lad raised his face from the ground and drew his hand over his
face, and he became as one crimson wheelball from his crown to the
ground. [5]"Not a child am I, at all, but it is to seek battle with a man
that this child here is come.[5] Aye, but I am fit for deeds!" the lad
cried. [6]"That pleaseth me well," said the champion;[6] "but more like
than what thou sayest, meseemeth, thou art not fit for deeds." "Thou wilt
know that better if we go to the ford. But, go fetch thy weapons, for I see
it is in the guise of a churl thou art come, and I slay nor charioteers nor
grooms nor folk without arms." The man went apace after his arms.
[7]"Now[7] thou shouldst have a care for us against yonder man [8]that
comes to meet thee,[8] little lad," said Ibar. "And why so?" [W.1262.]
asked the lad. "Foill son of Necht is the man thou seest. Neither points
nor edges of weapons can harm him." "Not before me shouldst thou say that,
O Ibar," quoth the lad. "I will put my hand to the lath-trick for him,
namely, to the apple of twice-melted iron, and it will light upon the disc
of his shield and on the flat of his forehead, and it will carry away the
size of an apple of his brain out through the back of his head, so that it
will make a sieve-hole outside of his head, till the light of the sky will
be visible through his head."
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 645-646.
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 647.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 649.
[8-8] LU. and YBL. 649.