Erin, and he bound Nathcrantail to go to the ford of combat on the
morrow. They bided there that night,[4] and it seemed long to Nathcrantail
till day with its light came for him to attack Cuchulain. He set out early
on the morrow to attack Cuchulain. Cuchulain arose early [5]and came to his
place of meeting[5] and his wrath bided with him on that day. And [6]after
his night's vigil,[6] with an angry cast he threw his cloak around him, so
that it passed over the pillar-stone [7]near by, the size of himself,[7]
and snapped the pillar-stone off from the ground between himself and his
cloak. And he was aware of naught because of the measure of anger that had
come on and raged in him. Then, too, came Nathcrantail. [8]His arms were
brought with him on a wagon,[8] and he spake, "Where is [W.1987.]
this Cuchulain?" shouted Nathcrantail. "Why, over yonder [1]near the
pillar-stone before thee,"[1] answered Cormac Conlongas son of Conchobar.
"Not such was the shape wherein he appeared to me yesterday," said
Nathcrantail. "Repel yon warrior," quoth Cormac, "and it will be the same
for thee as if thou repellest Cuchulain!" [2]"Art thou Cuchulain?" "And
if I am?" answered Cuchulain. "If thou be truly he," said Nathcrantail, "I
would not bring a lambkin's head to the camp. I will not take thy head, the
head of a beardless boy." "It is not I at all," said Cuchulain; "go find
him around the hill!" Cuchulain hastens to Laeg. "Rub a false beard on me;
I cannot get the warrior to fight with me beardless." This was done for
him. He goes to meet Nathcrantail on the hill. "Methinks that more
fitting. Now fight with me fairly," said Nathcrantail. "Thou shalt have thy
wish, if only we know it," Cuchulain made answer. "I will make a cast at
thee," said Nathcrantail, "and thou shalt not avoid it." "I will not avoid
it except on high," said Cuchulain. Nathcrantail makes a cast at him.
Cuchulain springs on high before it. "'Tis ill of thee to avoid the cast,"
cried Nathcrantail. "Avoid then my cast on high!" quoth Cuchulain.
Cuchulain lets the spear fly at him and it went on high, so that from above
it alighted on Nathcrantail's crown and through him it went to the
ground. "Alas," said he, "the best warrior in Erin art thou," spake
Nathcrantail. "Four and twenty sons have I in the camp. I will go and tell
them what hidden treasure I have and then return for thee to behead me, for
I shall die if the spear be taken out of my head." "It is well," quoth
Cuchulain; "thou shalt come back." Then Nathcrantail returns to the
camp. They all come to meet him. "Where is the madman's head with thee?"
[1]every one asks.[1] "Wait, ye warriors, till I tell my tale to my sons
and return to do battle with Cuchulain."[2]
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] Egerton 93 begins here.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1276.
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1277.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1277-1278.
[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1279.
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1281-1305.
[1-1] LU. 1303.
[W.1992.] Soon came Nathcrantail [3]to seek Cuchulain[3] and he made a wide
sweep with his sword at Cuchulain. [4]Cuchulain leaps on high,[4] so that
the sword encountered the pillar of stone that was between Cuchulain and
his cloak, and the sword broke [5]atwain[5] on the pillar-stone. [6]Then
Cuchulain became filled with rage, as he had been with the boys in Emain,
and[6] he sprang from the ground and alighted on the top of the boss of
Nathcrantail's shield and dealt him a side stroke over the upper edge of
the shield, so that he struck off his head from his trunk. He raised his
hand quickly again and gave him another blow on the top of the trunk so
that he cleft him in twain down to the ground. [7]His four severed parts
fell to the ground.[7] Thus fell Nathcrantail slain by Cuchulain. Whereupon
Cuchulain spoke [8]the verse:--[8]
"Now that Nathcrantail has fallen,
[9]There will be increase of strife![9]
Would that Medb had battle [10]now,[10]
And the third part of the host!"
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1305.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1306.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1307.
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1307-1308.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1310.
[8-8] Stowe.
[9-9] Stowe, and LU. and YBL. 1313.
[10-10] Stowe, and YBL. and LU. 1313.
* * * * *
[Page 132]
XII
[1]THE FINDING OF THE BULL[1]
[W.2007.] Thereafter [2]on the morrow[2] Medb proceeded with a third of the
host of the men of Erin about her, [3]and she set forth by the highroad of
Midluachair[3] till she reached Dûn Sobairche in the north. And Cuchulain
pressed heavily on Medb that day. [4]Medb went on to Cuib to seek the bull
and Cuchulain pursued her. Now on the road to Midluachair she had gone to
invade Ulster and Cruthne as far as Dûn Sobairche.[4] [5]There it is that
Cuchulain slew all those we have mentioned in Cuib.[5] Cuchulain killed Fer
Taidle, whence cometh Taidle; and [6]as they went northwards[6] he killed
the macBuachalla ('the Herdsman's sons') [7]at their cairn,[7] whence
cometh Carn macBuachalla; and he killed Luasce on the slopes, whence Lettre
Luasc ('the Watery Slopes of Luasc'); and he slew Bobulge in his marsh,
whence Grellach ('the Trampled Place') of Bubulge; and he slew Murthemne on
his hill, whence Delga ('the Points') of Murthemne; [8]he slew Nathcoirpthe
at his trees, Cruthen on his ford, Marc on his hill, Meille on his mound
and Bodb in his tower.[8] It was afterwards then [W.2016.] that Cuchulain
turned back from the north [1]to Mag Murthemni,[1] to protect and defend
his own borders and land, for dearer to him was [2]his own land and
inheritance and belongings[2] than the land and territory and belongings of
another.
[1-1] Stowe, and LU. fo. 70a.
[2-2] Eg. 93.
[3-3] Eg. 93.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1315-1317. Eg. 93 mentions a number of places to
which Cuchulain pursued Medb.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1341.
[6-6] Eg. 93.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1343.
[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1342-1344.
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1345.]
[2-2] Eg. 93.
It was then too that he came upon the Fir Crandce ('the men of Crannach')
[3]from whom cometh Crannach in Murthemne;[3] to wit, the two Artinne and
the two sons of Lecc, the two sons of Durcride, the two sons of Gabul, and
Drucht and Delt and Dathen, Tae and Tualang and Turscur, and Torc Glaisse
and Glass and Glassne, which are the same as the twenty men of Fochard.
Cuchulain surprised them as they were pitching [LL.fo.73b.] camp in advance
of all others--[4]ten cup-bearers and ten men-of-arms they were[4]--so that
they fell by his hand.
[3-3] Eg. 93.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1348.
Then it was that Buide ('the Yellow') son of Ban Blai ('the White') from
[5]Sliab Culinn ('Hollymount'),[5] the country of Ailill and Medb, and
belonging to the special followers of [6]Ailill and[6] Medb, met Cuchulain.
Four and twenty[a] warriors [7]was their strength.[7] A [8]blue[8] mantle
enwrapping each man, the Brown Bull of Cualnge plunging and careering
before them after he had been brought from Glenn na Samaisce ('Heifers'
Glen') to Sliab Culinn, and fifty of his heifers with him. [9]Cuchulain
advances to meet them.[9] "Whence bring ye the drove, [10]ye men?"[10]
Cuchulain asks. "From yonder mountain," Buide answers. [11]"Where are its
herdsmen?" Cuchulain asks. "One is here where we found him," the warrior
answers. Cuchulain made three leaps after them, seeking to speak [W.2031.]
with them, as far as the ford. Then it was he spoke to the leader[11],
"What is thine own name?" said Cuchulain. "One that neither loves thee nor
fears thee," Buide made answer; "Buide son of Ban Blai am I, from the
country of Ailill and Medb." [1]"Wella-day, O Buide," cried Cuchulain;
"haste to the ford below that we exchange a couple of throws with each
other." They came to the ford and exchanged a couple of throws there.[1]
"Lo, here for thee this short spear," said Cuchulain, and he casts the
spear at him. It struck the shield over his belly, so that it shattered
three ribs in his farther side after piercing his heart in his bosom. And
Buide son of Ban Blai fell [2]on the ford.[2] So that thence is Ath Buidi
('Athboy') in Crich Roiss ('the land of Ross').
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1318.
[6-6] Stowe.
[a] 'Sixty' is the number in LU. and YBL.; 'eight' in Eg. 93.
[7-7] Stowe and LU. and YBL. 1319.
[8-8] Eg. 93.
[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1320.
[10-10] Eg. 93.
[11-11] LU. and YBL. 1322-1325.
[1-1] Eg. 93.
[2-2] LU. and YBL 1328.
For as long or as short a space as [3]these bold champions and
battle-warriors[3] were engaged in this work of exchanging their two short
spears--for it was not in a moment they had accomplished it--the Brown Bull
of Cualnge was carried away in quick course and career [4]by the eight
great men[4] to the camp [5]of the men of Erin[5] as swiftly as any beeve
can be brought to a camp. [6]They opined then it would not be hard to
deal with Cuchulain if only his spear were got from him.[6] From this
accordingly came the greatest shame and grief and madness that was brought
on Cuchulain on that hosting.
[3-3] Eg. 93.
[4-4] Eg. 93.
[5-5] Eg. 93.
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1330-1331.
As regards Medb: every ford [7]and every hill[7] whereon she stopped, Ath
Medba ('Medb's Ford') [8]and Dindgna Medba ('Medb's Hill')[8] is its
name. Every place wherein she pitched her tent, Pupall Medba ('Medb's
Tent') is its name. Every spot she rested her horselash, Bili Medba
('Medb's Tree') is its name.
[7-7] LU. and YBL 1353.
[8-8] LU. and YBL 1354.
On this circuit Medb [9]turned back from the north after [W.2047.] she had
remained a fortnight laying waste the province[9] [1]and plundering the
land of the Picts and of Cualnge and the land of Conall son of Amargin,[1]
and having offered battle [2]one night[2] to Findmor ('the Fair-large')
wife of Celtchar [3]son of Uthechar[3] at the gate of Dûn Sobairche; and
she slew Findmor and laid waste Dûn Sobairche; [5]and, after taking Dûn
Sobairche from her, she brought fifty of [4]her[4] women into the province
of Dalriada.[5] [6]Then she had them hanged and crucified. Whence cometh
Mas na Righna ('Queen's Buttock') as the name of the hill, from their
hanging.[6]
[9-9] LU. and YBL 1348-1349.
[1-1] Eg. 93.
[2-2] Eg. 93.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] Eg. 93.
[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1351-1352.
[6-6] Eg. 33.
Then came the warriors of four of the five grand provinces of Erin at the
end of a long fortnight[a] to camp and station [7]at Fochard,[7] together
with Medb and Ailill and the company that were bringing the bull.
[a] Omitting _ar mis_ (LL.), which is not found in the other MSS.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1355.
* * * * *
[Page 136]
XIIa
THE DEATH OF FORGEMEN
[W.2054.] And the bull's cowherd would not allow them [1]to carry off[1]
the Brown Bull of Cualnge, so that they urged on the bull, beating shafts
on shields, till they drove him into a narrow gap, and the herd trampled
the cowherd's body thirty feet into the ground, so that they made fragments
and shreds of his body. Forgemen was the neatherd's name. [2]And this is
the name of the hill, Forgemen.[2] This then is the Death of Forgemen on
the Cattle-prey of Cualnge. [3]Now there was no peril to them that night so
long as a man was got to ward off Cuchulain from them on the ford.[3]
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1359.
[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1360-1361.
* * * * *
[Page 137]
XIIb
[1]HERE IS NARRATED THE SLAYING OF REDG THE LAMPOONIST[1]
[W.2061.] When the men of Erin had come together in one place, both Medb
and Ailill and the force that was bringing the bull to the camp and
enclosure, they all declared Cuchulain would be no more valiant than
another [2]of the men of Erin[2] were it not for the wonderful little trick
he possessed, the spearlet of Cuchulain. Accordingly the men of Erin
despatched from them Redg, Medb's[a] jester, to demand the light javelin
[3]of Cuchulain.[3]
[1-1] LU. page 70b, in the margin.
[2-2] Eg. 93.
[a] 'Ailill's,' LU. and YBL. 1332 and Eg. 1782.
[3-3] Stowe.
So Redg [4]came forward to where Cuchulain was and[4] asked for the little
javelin, but Cuchulain did not give him the little javelin [5]at once[5];
he did not deem it good and proper to yield it. [6]"Give me thy spear,"
said the jester. "Nay then, I will not," answered Cuchulain; "but I will
give thee treasure." "I will not take it," said the jester. Then he wounded
the jester because he would not accept from him what he had offered him.[6]
Redg declared he would deprive Cuchulain of his honour [7]unless he got the
little javelin.[7] Thereupon Cuchulain hurled the javelin at him, so that
it struck him in the nape of the neck[b] and fell out through his mouth on
the ground. And the only words Redg uttered were these, "This precious gift
is readily [W.2072.] ours," and his soul separated from his body at the
ford. Therefrom that ford is ever since called Ath Solom Shet ('Ford of
the Ready Treasure'). And the copper of the javelin was thrown into the
river. Hence is Uman-Sruth ('Copperstream') ever after.
[4-4] Eg. 93.
[5-5] Eg. 93.
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1333-1336.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1337.
[b] More literally, 'in the pit of his occiput.'
[1]"Let us ask for a sword-truce from Cuchulain," says Ailill. "Let Lugaid
go to him," one and all answer. Then Lugaid goes to parley with him. "How
now do I stand with the host?" Cuchulain asks. "Disgraceful indeed is the
thing thou hast demanded of them," Lugaid answers, "even this, that thou
shouldst have thy women and maidens and half of thy kine. But more grievous
than all do they hold it that they themselves should be killed and thou
provisioned."
Every day there fell a man by Cuchulain till the end of a week. [2]Then[2]
faith is broken with Cuchulain. Twenty are despatched at one time to attack
him and he destroys them all. "Go to him, O Fergus," says Ailill, "that he
may vouchsafe us a change of place." A while after this they proceed to
Cronech. These are they that fell in single combat with him in that place,
to wit: the two Roth, the two Luan, two women-thieves, ten fools, ten
cup-bearers, the ten Fergus, the six Fedelm, the six Fiachu. Now these were
all killed by him in single combat.
[2-2] Eg. 1782.
When their tents were pitched by them in Cronech they discussed what they
had best do with Cuchulain. "I know," quoth Medb, "what is best here. Let
some one go to him from us for a sword-pact from him in respect of the
host, and he shall have half the cattle that are here." This message they
bring to him. "I will do it," said Cuchulain, "provided the bond is not
broken by you[1] [3]to-morrow.[3]"
[1-1] LU. 1362-1379.
[3-3] Eg. 1782.
* * * * *
[Page 139]
XIIc
[1]HERE IS TOLD THE MEETING OF CUCHULAIN AND FINNABAIR[1]
[2]"Let a message be sent to him," said Ailill, "that Finnabair my daughter
will be bestowed on him, and for him to keep away from the hosts." Manè
Athramail ('Fatherlike') goes to him. But first he addresses himself to
Laeg. "Whose man art thou?" spake Manè. Now Laeg made no answer. Thrice
Manè addressed him in this [3]same[3] wise. "Cuchulain's man," Laeg
answers, "and provoke me not, lest it happen I strike thy head off thee!"
"This man is mad," quoth Manè as he leaves him. Then he goes to accost
Cuchulain. It was there Cuchulain had doffed his tunic, and the [4]deep[4]
snow was around him where he sat, up to his belt, and the snow had melted a
cubit around him for the greatness of the heat of the hero. And Manè
addressed him three times in like manner, whose man he was? "Conchobar's
man, and do not provoke me. For if thou provokest me any longer I will
strike thy head off thee as one strikes off the head of a blackbird!" "No
easy thing," quoth Manè, "to speak to these two." Thereupon Manè leaves
them and tells his tale to Ailill and Medb.
[1-1] LU. fo. 71a, in the margin.
[2-2] LU. 1380-1414.
[3-3] Eg. 1782.
[4-4] Eg. 1782.
"Let Lugaid go to him," said Ailill, "and offer him the girl." Thereupon
Lugaid goes and repeats this to Cuchulain. "O master Lugaid," quoth
Cuchulain, "it is a snare!" "It is the word of a king; he hath said it,"
Lugaid answered; "there can be no snare in it." "So be it," said Cuchulain.
Forthwith Lugaid leaves him and takes that answer to Ailill and Medb. "Let
the fool go forth in my form," said Ailill, "and the king's crown on his
head, and let him stand some way off from Cuchulain lest he know him; and
let the girl go with him and let the fool promise her to him, and let them
depart quickly in this wise. And methinks ye will play a trick on him thus,
so that he will not stop you any further till he comes with the Ulstermen
to the battle."
Then the fool goes to him and the girl along with him, and from afar he
addresses Cuchulain. The Hound comes to meet him. It happened he knew by
the man's speech that he was a fool. A slingstone that was in his hand he
threw at him so that it entered his head and bore out his brains. He comes
up to the maiden, cuts off her two tresses and thrusts a stone through her
cloak and her tunic, and plants a standing-stone through the middle of the
fool. Their two pillar-stones are there, even the pillar-stone of Finnabair
and the pillar-stone of the fool.
Cuchulain left them in this plight. A party was sent out from Ailill and
Medb to search for their people, for it was long they thought they were
gone, when they saw them in this wise. This thing was noised abroad by all
the host in the camp. Thereafter there was no truce for them with
Cuchulain.[2]
[2-2] LU. 1380-1414.
* * * * *
[Page 141]
XIId
[1]HERE THE COMBAT OF MUNREMAR AND CUROI[1]
[2]While the hosts were there in the evening they perceived that one stone
fell on them coming from the east and another from the west to meet it. The
stones met one another in the air and kept falling between Fergus' camp,
the camp of Ailill and the camp of Nera. This sport and play continued from
that hour till the same hour on the next day, and the hosts spent the time
sitting down, with their shields over their heads to protect them from the
blocks of stones, till the plain was full of the boulders, whence cometh
Mag Clochair ('the Stony Plain'). Now it happened it was Curoi macDarè did
this. He had come to bring help to his people and had taken his stand in
Cotal to fight against Munremar son of Gerrcend.[a] The latter had come
from Emain Macha to succour Cuchulain and had taken his stand on Ard ('the
Height') of Roch. Curoi knew there was not in the host a man to compete
with Munremar. These then it was who carried on this sport between them.
The army prayed them to cease. Whereupon Munremar and Curoi made peace, and
Curoi withdrew to his house and Munremar to Emain Macha and Munremar came
not again till the day of the battle. As for Curoi, he came not till the
combat of Ferdiad.
[1-1] LU. fo. 71b, in the margin.
[a] Here a sheet is missing in Eg. 1782.
[2-2] LU. 1415-1486.
"Pray Cuchulain," said Medb and Ailill, "that he suffer us to change our
place." This then was granted to them and the change was made.
The 'Pains' of the Ulstermen left them then. When now they awoke from their
'Pains,' bands of them came continually upon the host to restrain it again.
* * * * *
[Page 143]
XIIe
[1]THE SLAUGHTER OF THE BOY-TROOP[1][a]
Now the youths of Ulster discussed the matter among themselves in Emain
Macha. "Alas for us," said they, "that our friend Cuchulain has no one to
succour him!" "I would ask then," spake Fiachu Fulech ('the Bloody') son of
Ferfebè and own brother to Fiachu[b] Fialdana ('the Generous-daring') son
of Ferfebè, "shall I have a company from you to go to him with help?"
[1-1] LU. fo. 71b, in the margin.
[a] The LU. version of the episode is given under XVIIa, page 184.
[b] Fiachna, in LU. 1436.
Thrice fifty youths accompany him with their play-clubs, and that was a
third of the boy-troop of Ulster. The army saw them drawing near them over
the plain. "A great army approaches us over the plain," spake Ailill Fergus
goes to espy them. "Some of the youths of Ulster are they," said he, "and
it is to succour Cuchulain they come." "Let a troop go to meet them," said
Ailill, "unknown to Cuchulain; for if they unite with him ye will never
overcome them." Thrice fifty warriors went out to meet them. They fell at
one another's hands, so that not one of them got off alive of the number of
the youths of Lia Toll. Hence is Lia ('the Stone') of Fiachu son of
Ferfebè, for it is there that he fell.
"Take counsel," quoth Ailill; "inquire of Cuchulain about letting you go
from hence, for ye will not go past him by force, now that his flame of
valour has risen." For it was usual with him, when his hero's flame arose
in him, that his feet would turn back on him and his buttocks, before him,
and the knobs of his calves would come on his shins, and one eye would be
in his head and the other one out of his head. A man's head would have gone
into his mouth. There was not a hair on him that was not as sharp as the
thorn of the haw, and a drop of blood was on each single hair. He would
recognize neither comrades nor friends. Alike he would strike them before
and behind. Therefrom it was that the men of Connacht gave Cuchulain the
name Riastartha ('the Contorted One').
* * * * *
[Page 145]
XIIf
[1]THE SLAUGHTER OF THE KING'S BODYGUARD[1]
"Let us ask for a sword-truce from Cuchulain," said Ailill and Medb. Lugaid
goes to him and Cuchulain accords the truce. "Put a man for me on the ford
to-morrow," said Cuchulain. There happened to be with Medb six royal
hirelings, to wit: six princes of the Clans of Deda, the three Dubs ('the
Blacks') of Imlech, and the three Dergs ('the Reds') of Sruthair, by
name. "Why should it not be for us," quoth they, "to go and attack
Cuchulain?" So the next day they went and Cuchulain put an end to the six
of them.[2]
[1-1] LU. fo. 72b, in the margin.
[2-2] See page 141, note 2.
* * * * *
[Page 146]
XIII
[1]THE COMBAT OF CÛR WITH CUCHULAIN[1]
[W.2076.] The men of Erin discussed among themselves who of them would be
fit to attack [2]and contend with[2] Cuchulain, [LL.fo.74a.] [3]and drive
him off from them on the ford at the morning-hour early on the morrow.[3]
And what they all said was that Cûr ('the Hero') son of Da Loth should be
the one to attack him. For thus it stood with Cûr: No joy was it to be his
bedfellow or to live with him. [4]He from whom he drew blood is dead ere
the ninth day.[4] And [5]the men of Erin[5] said: "Even should it be Cûr
that falls, a trouble [6]and care[6] would be removed from the hosts;
[7]for it is not easy to be with him in regard to sitting, eating or
sleeping.[7] Should it be Cuchulain, it would be so much the better." Cûr
was summoned to Medb's tent. "For what do they want me?" Cûr asked. "To
engage with Cuchulain," replied Medb, [8]"to do battle, and ward him off
from us on the ford at the morning hour early on the morrow."[8] [9]Cûr
deemed it not fitting to go and contend with a beardless boy.[9] "Little ye
rate our worth. Nay, but it is wonderful how ye regard it. Too tender is
the youth with whom ye compare me. Had I known [10]I was sent against
him[10] I would not have come myself. I would have lads [11]enough[11] of
[W.2086.] his age from amongst my people to go meet him on a ford."
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] Eg. 93.
[3-3] Eg. 93.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1488.
[5-5] Eg. 93.
[6-6] Stowe.
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1491.
[8-8] Eg. 93.
[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1491-1492.
[10-10] LU. and YBL. 1492-1493.
[11-11] Stowe and LU. and YBL. 1493.
"Indeed, it is easy to talk so," quoth Cormac Conlongas son of
Conchobar. "It would be well worth while for thyself if by thee fell
Cuchulain." [1]"Howbeit," said Cûr, "since on myself it falls,[1] make ye
ready a journey [2]for me[2] at morn's early hour on the morrow, for a
pleasure I will make of the way [3]to this fight,[3] [4]a-going to meet
Cuchulain.[4] It is not this will detain you, namely the killing of yonder
wildling, Cuchulain!"
[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1496-1497.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1499-1500.
[5]There they passed the night.[5] Then early on the morrow morn arose Cûr
macDa Loth [6]and he came to the ford of battle and combat; and however
early he arose, earlier still Cuchulain arose.[6] A cart-load of arms was
taken along with him wherewith to engage with Cuchulain, and he began to
ply his weapons, seeking to kill Cuchulain.
[5-5] Eg. 93.
[6-6] Eg. 93.
Now Cuchulain had gone early that day [7]to practise[7] his feats [8]of
valour and prowess.[8] These are the names of them all: the Apple-feat, and
the Edge-feat, and the Level Shield-feat, and the Little Dart-feat, and the
Rope-feat, and the Body-feat, and the Feat of Catt, and the Hero's
Salmon-leap,[a] and the Pole-cast, and the Leap over a Blow (?), and the
Folding of a noble Chariot-fighter, and the Gae Bulga ('the Barbed
Spear') and the Vantage (?) of Swiftness, and the Wheel-feat, [9]and the
Rim-feat,[9] and the Over-Breath-feat, and the Breaking of a Sword, and the
Champion's Cry, and the Measured Stroke, and the Side Stroke, and the
Running up a Lance and standing erect on its Point, and the Binding of the
[10]noble[10] Hero (around spear points).
[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1500.
[8-8] Stowe.
[a] "The Salmon-leap--lying flat on his face and then springing up,
horizontally, high in the air."--J.A. Synge, "The Aran Islands," page
111, Dublin, 1907.
[9-9] YBL. 1504.
[10-10] LU. 1506.
[W.2121.] Now this is the reason Cuchulain was wont to practise early every
morning each of those feats [1]with the agility of a single hand, as best a
wild-cat may,[1] in order that they might not depart from him through
forgetfulness or lack of remembrance.
[1-1] An obscure gloss in LL.