men of Ulster. Thus stood it among the Ulstermen: It was geis for the
Ulstermen to speak before their king, geis for the king to speak before his
[3]three[3] druids. Thereafter Sualtaim drove on to the 'Flag-stone of the
hostages' in Emain Macha. He shouted the same words there: "Men are
slain, women stolen, cows carried off!" "But who has slain them, and
who has stolen them, and who has carried them off?" asked Cathba the
druid. "Ailill and Medb have, [4]with the cunning of Fergus mac Roig,[4]
overwhelmed you. [5]Your people have been harassed as far as Dûn
Sobairche,"[5] said Sualtaim. "Your wives and your sons and your children,
your steeds and your stock of horses, your herds and your flocks and your
droves of cattle have been carried away. Cuchulain all alone is checking
and staying the hosts of the four great provinces of Erin at the gaps and
passes of the land of Conalle Murthemni. Fair fight is refused him, nor is
he granted single combat, nor comes any one to succour or aid him.
[6]Cuchulain has not suffered them to enter the plain of Murthemne or into
the land of Ross. Three winter months is he there.[6] The youth is wounded,
his limbs are out of joint. Spancel-hoops hold his cloak over him. There
is not a hair from his crown to his sole whereon the point of a needle
could stand, without a drop of deep-red [W.4737.] blood on the top of each
hair, except his left hand alone which is holding his shield, and even
there thrice fifty bloody wounds are upon it. And unless ye avenge this
betimes, ye will never avenge it till the end of time and of life."
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] YBL. 44a, 9.
[4-4] YBL. 44a, 13.
[5-5] YBL. 44a, 13.
[6-6] YBL. 44a, 15.
[LL.fo.94a.] "Fitter is death and doom and destruction for the man that so
incites the king!" quoth Cathba the druid. "In good sooth, it is true!"
[1]said the Ulstermen[1] all together.
[1-1] Stowe.
[2]Thereupon[2] Sualtaim went his way [3]from them,[3] indignant and angry
because from the men of Ulster he had not had the answer that served him.
Then reared Liath ('the Roan') of Macha under Sualtaim and dashed on to
the ramparts of Emain. Thereat [4]Sualtaim fell under his own shield, so
that[4] his own shield turned on Sualtaim and the [5]scalloped[5] edge of
the shield severed Sualtaim's head, [6]though others say he was asleep on
the stone, and that he fell thence onto his shield on awaking.[6] [7]Hence
this is the 'Tragical Death of Sualtaim.'[7]
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] Stowe.
[5-5] YBL. 44a, 28.
[6-6] YBL. 44a, 32-33.
[7-7] Stowe.
The horse himself turned back again to Emain, and the shield on the horse
and the head on the shield. And Sualtaim's head uttered the same words:
"Men are slain, women stolen, cattle lifted, ye men of Ulster!" spake the
head of Sualtaim.
"Some deal too great is that cry," quoth Conchobar; "for yet is the sky
above us, the earth underneath and the sea round about us. And unless the
heavens shall fall with their showers of stars on the man-like[a] face of
the world, or unless the ground burst open in quakes [8]beneath our
feet,[8] or unless the furrowed, blue-bordered ocean break o'er the tufted
brow of the earth, will I restore [W.4756.] to her byre and her stall, to
her abode and her dwelling-place, each and every cow and woman of them with
victory of battle and contest and combat!"
[a] Reading with LL. 5027 and 5975, which gives better meaning than the
expression 'fort-face,' of LL.
[8-8] Stowe.
Thereupon a runner of his body-guard was summoned to Conchobar, Findchad
Ferbenduma ('he of the copper Horn') to wit, son of Fraech Lethan ('the
Broad'), and Conchobar bade him go assemble and muster the men of Ulster.
And in like manner, in the drunkenness of sleep and of his 'Pains,'
Conchobar enumerated to him their quick and their dead, and he uttered
these words:--
"Arise, O Findchad!
[1]Thee I send forth:[1]
A negligence not to be wished (?);
Proclaim it to the chiefs of Ulster!"
[1-1] Reading with YBL. 44a, 41.
[2]The Order of the men of Ulster.[2]
[2-2] Stowe and YBL. 44a, 41.
[3]Go thou forward to Derg,[3] to Deda at his bay, to Lemain, to Follach,
to Illann [4]son of Fergus[4] at Gabar, to Dornaill Feic at Imchlar, to
Derg Imdirg, to Fedilmid [5]son of Ilar Cetach of Cualnge[5] at Ellonn, to
Reochad [6]son of Fathemon[6] at Rigdonn, to Lug, to Lugaid, to Cathba at
his bay, to Carfre at Ellne, to Laeg at his causeway, to Gemen in his
valley, to Senoll Uathach at Diabul Ard, [LL.fo.94b.] to Cethern son of
Fintan at Carrloig, [7]to Cethern at Eillne,[7] to Tarothor, to Mulach at
his fort, to the royal poet Amargin, to Uathach Bodba, to the Morrigan at
Dûn Sobairche, to Eit, to Roth, to Fiachna at his mound, to Dam drend, to
Andiaraid, to Manè Macbriathrach ('the Eloquent'), to Dam Derg ('the Red'),
to Mod, to Mothus, to Iarmothus at Corp Cliath, to Gabarlaig in Linè, to
Eocho Semnech in Semne, [8]to Eochaid Laithrech at Latharne,[8] to
Celtchar son of Uthecar in Lethglas, to Errgè Echbel ('Horsemouth') at
Bri Errgi ('Errgè's Hill'), to Uma son of Remarfessach ('Thickbeard')
at Fedain [W.4819.] in Cualnge, to Munremur ('Thickneck') son of
Gerrcend ('Shorthead') at Moduirn, to Senlabair at Canann Gall ('of the
Foreigners'), to Fallomain, to Lugaid, [1]king of the Fir Bolg,[1] to
Lugaid of Linè, to Buadgalach ('the Victorious Hero'), to Abach, [2]to
Fergna at Barrene,[2] to Anè, to Aniach, [3]to Abra,[3] to Loegaire Milbel
('Honey-mouth'), at his fire (?), to the three sons of Trosgal at Bacc
Draigin ('Thornhollow'), to Drend, to Drenda, to Drendus, to Cimb, to
Cimbil, to Cimbin at Fan na Coba ('the Slope of ...), to Fachtna son of
Sencha at his rath, to Sencha, to Senchainte, to Bricriu, to Briccirne son
of Bricriu, to Brecc, to Buan, to Barach, to Oengus of the Fir Bolg, to
Oengus son of Letè, [4]to Fergus son of Letè,[4] to ...[a] (?), to
Bruachar, to Slangè, to Conall Cernach ('the Victorious') son of Amargin at
Midluachar, to Cuchulain son of Sualtaim at Murthemne, to Menn son of
Salcholga at Rena ('the Waterways'), to the three sons of Fiachna, Ross,
Darè and Imchad at Cualnge, to Connud macMorna at the Callann, to Condra
son of Amargin at his rath, to Amargin at Ess Ruaid, to Laeg at Leirè, to
Oengus Ferbenduma ('him of the copper Horn'), to Ogma Grianainech
('Sun-faced') at Brecc, to Eo macFornè, to Tollcend, to Sudè at Mag
Eol in Mag Dea, to Conla Saeb at Uarba, to Loegaire [5]Buadach ('the
Triumphant')[5] at Immail, to Amargin Iarngiunnach ('the Darkhaired') at
Taltiu, [LL.fo.94c.] to Furbaide Ferbenn ('the man with Horns on his
helmet') son of Conchobar at Sil in Mag Inis ('the Island-plain'), to
Cuscraid Menn ('the Stammerer') of Macha son of Conchobar at Macha, to
Fingin at Fingabair, to Blae 'the Hospitaller of a score,' to Blae 'the
Hospitaller of six men,' to Eogan son of Durthacht at Fernmag, to Ord at
Mag Sered, to Oblan, to Obail at Culenn, to Curethar, to Liana at Ethbenna,
to Fernel, to Finnchad [W.4892.] of Sliab Betha, to Talgoba [1]at Bernas
('the Gap'),[1] to Menn son of the Fir Cualann at Mag Dula, to Iroll at
Blarinè, [2]to Tobraidè son of Ailcoth,[2] to Ialla Ilgremma ('of many
Captures'), to Ross son of Ulchrothach ('the Many-shaped') at Mag Dobla, to
Ailill Finn ('the Fair'), to Fethen Bec ('the Little'), to Fethan Mor ('the
Big'), to Fergus son of Finnchoem ('the Fair-comely') at Burach, to Olchar,
to Ebadchar, to Uathchar, to Etatchar, to Oengus son of Oenlam Gabè ('the
one-handed Smith'), to Ruadri at Mag Tail, [3]to Manè son of Crom ('the
Bent'), to Nindech son of Cronn, to ... (?), to Mal macRochraidi,[3] to
Beothach ('the Lively'), to Briathrach ('the Wordy') at his rath, to
Narithla at Lothor, to the two sons of Feic, Muridach and Cotreb, to Fintan
son of Niamglonnach ('of brilliant Exploits') at Dun da Benn ('the
two-gabled Dûn'), to Feradach Finn Fechtnach ('the Fair and Upright') at
Nemed ('the Shrine') of Sliab Fuait, [LL.fo.95a.] to Amargin son of
Ecetsalach ('the grimy Smith') at the Buas, to Bunnè son of Munremar, to
Fidach son of Dorarè, [4]to Muirnè Menn ('the Stammerer').[4]
[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[4-4] YBL. 44a, 46.
[5-5] Stowe.
[6-6] YBL. 44a, 45.
[7-7] YBL. 44b, 7-8.
[8-8] YBL. 44b, 28-29, Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[1-1] H. 1. 13 and YBL. 44b, 36.
[2-2] YBL. 44b, 40-41.
[3-3] YBL. 44b, 44.
[4-4] Stowe and YBL. 44b, 14.
[a] The readings are corrupt.
[5-5] YBL. 44b, 44.
[1-1] Reading with YBL. 45a, 14; LL. is corrupt.
[2-2] YBL. 45a, 3.
[3-3] YBL. 45a, 7.
[4-4] YBL. 45a, 14.
It was nowise a heavy task for Finnchad to gather this assembly and
muster which Conchobar had enjoined upon him. For all there were [5]of
Ulstermen[5] to the east of Emain and to the west of Emain and to the north
of Emain set out at once for the field of Emain in the service of their
king, and at the word of their lord, and to await the recovery of
Conchobar. Such as were from the south of Emain [6]waited not for
Conchobar, but[6] set out directly on the trail of the host and on the
hoof-prints of the Táin.
[5-5] Stowe.
The first stage the men of Ulster marched under Conchobar was [7]from
Emain[7] to the green in Iraird Cuillinn [W.4932.] that night. "Why now
delay we, ye men?" Conchobar asked. "We await thy sons," they answered;
"Fiacha and Fiachna who have gone [1]with a division[1] from us [2]to
Tara[2] to fetch Erc son of thy daughter Fedlimid Nocruthach ('Nine-shaped'),
son also of Carbre Niafer [3]king of Tara,[3] to the end that he should
come with the number of his muster and his troops, his levy and his forces
to our host at this time. [4]Until these two divisions come to us, no
further advance will we make from this place."[4] "By my word," exclaimed
Conchobar; "I will delay here no longer for them, lest the men of Erin hear
of my rising from the weakness and 'Pains' wherein I was. For the men of
Erin know not even if I am still alive!"
[6-6] Stowe.
[7-7] Stowe and YBL. 45a, 24.
[1-1] YBL. 45a, 26.
[2-2] YBL. 45a, 27.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] YBL. 45a, 29.
Thereupon Conchobar and Celtchar proceeded with thirty hundred
spear-bristling chariot-fighters to Ath Irmidi ('the Ford of
Spear-points'). And there met them there eight-score huge men of the
body-guard of Ailill and Medb, with eight-score women [5]of the Ulstermen's
women[5] as their spoils. Thus was their portion of the plunder of Ulster:
A woman-captive in the hand of each man of them. Conchobar and Celtchar
struck off their eight-score heads and released their eight-score
captive-women. Ath Irmidi ('the Ford of Spear-points') was the name of the
place till that time; Ath Fenè is its name ever since. It is for this it is
called Ath Fenè, because the warriors of the Fenè from the east and the
warriors of the Fenè from the west encountered one another in battle and
contest man for man on the brink of the ford.
[6]Touching the four grand provinces of Erin, they encamped at Slemain Midè
('Slane of Meath') that night, and[6] Conchobar and Celtchar returned that
night to the green in Iraird Cuillinn hard by the men of Ulster. Thereupon
Celtchar aroused the men of Ulster.
[5-5] Stowe.
[6-6] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
* * * * *
[Page 306]
XXIVa
[1]THE AGITATION OF CELTCHAR[1]
[W.4954.] It was then that Celtchar [2]in his sleep[2] uttered these words
[3]to Conchobar[3] in the midst of the men of Ulster in Iraird Cuillinn
that night:[a]--
"Thirty hundred chariot-men;
An hundred horse-companions stout;
An hundred with an hundred druids!
To lead us will not fail
The hero of the land,
Conchobar with hosts around him!
Let the battle line be formed!
Gather now, ye warriors!
Battle shall be fought
At Garech and Ilgarech
On aftermorrow's morn!"
[1-1] This title is supplied by the present writer.
[2-2] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[3-3] YBL. 45a, 38.
[a] I can make nothing of the first four lines of the following poem,
and they are consequently omitted from the translation. The translation
of the remainder of the _rosc_ is largely conjectural.
[4]Or it was Cuscraid Menn ('the Stammerer') of Macha, Conchobar's son, who
sang this lay on the night before the battle ...,[b] after the lay 'Arise
ye Kings of Macha' which Loegaire Buadach ('the Victorious ') sang.[4]
[4-4] YBL. 45a, 45-45b, 2.
[b] There is a small gap in the MS.
On that same night Cormac Conlongas, Conchobar's son, spake these words to
the men of Erin at Slemain Midè that night:--
[W.4973.] "A wonder of a morning,
A wondrous [1]time![1]
When hosts will be confused,
[2]Kings[2] turned back in flight!
[3]Necks will be broken,
The sand[a] made red,[3]
When forth breaks the battle,
The seven chieftains before,
Of Ulster's host round Conchobar!
Their women will they defend,
For their herds will they fight
At Garech and Ilgarech,
On the morning after the morrow!
[4]Heroes will be slaughtered then,
Hounds cut to pieces,
Steeds overwhelmed!"[4]
[1-1] YBL. 45b, 7.
[2-2] Reading with YBL. 45b, 8; LL. has 'hosts'.
[3-3] YBL. 45b, 8-9.
[a] Or, 'the sun.'
[4-4] YBL. 45b, 11-14.
On that same night, Dubthach Doel ('the Scorpion')[b] of Ulster [5]saw the
dream wherein were the hosts at Garech and Ilgarech. Then it was[5] he
uttered these words [6]in his sleep[6] among the men of Erin at Slemain
Midè that night:--
"Great be the morn,
The morn of Meath!
Great be the truce
The [7]truce[7] of Culenn!
"Great be the fight,
The fight of [8]Clartha![8]
Great, too, the steeds,
The steeds of Assal!
"Great be the plague,
The plague of Tuath-Bressi![c]
Great be the storm,
Ulster's battle-storm round Conchobar!
"Their women will they defend,
For their herds will they fight
At Garech and Ilgarech,
On the morning after the morrow!"
[5-5] YBL. 45b, 4-5.
[6-6] YBL. 45b, 5-6.
[7-7] YBL. 45b, 19.
[8-8] Reading with Stowe.
[b] See note, page 198.
[c] Probably Connacht.
[W.5003.] Then [1]when the hosts were assembled at Garech and Ilgarech,[1]
Dubthach was awakened from his sleep, so that Nemain brought confusion on
the host and they fell trembling in their arms under the points of their
spears and weapons, so that an hundred warriors of them fell dead
[LL.fo.95b.] in the midst of their camp and quarters at the fearfulness of
the shout they raised on high. Be that as it would, that night was not the
calmest for the men of Erin that they passed before or since, because of
the forebodings and predictions and because of the spectres and visions
that were revealed to them.
[1-1] YBL. 45b, 4-5.
* * * * *
[Page 309]
XXV
[1]HERE FOLLOWETH THE ARRAY OF THE HOST[1]
[2]While these things were being done, the Connachtmen by the counsel of
Ailill, Medb, and Fergus, resolved to send messengers from thence to spy
out the men of Ulster, to make certain if they had taken possession of the
plain.[2] [W.5011.] Said Ailill: "Truly have I succeeded," said he, "in
laying waste Ulster and the land of the Picts [3]and Cualnge[3] from Monday
at Summer's end till Spring's beginning. We have taken their women and
their sons and their children, their steeds and their troops of horses,
their herds and their flocks and their droves. We have laid level their
hills after them, so that they have become lowlands and are all one height.
For this cause, will I await them no longer here, but let them offer me
battle on Mag Ai, if so it please them. But, say here what we will, some
one shall go forth [4]from us[4] to watch the great, wide plain of Meath,
to know if the men of Ulster come hither. And, should the men of Ulster
come hither, I will in no wise be the first to retreat [5]till battle be
given them,[5] for it was never the wont of a good king to retreat."
[1-1] YBL. 45b, 22.
[2-2] YBL. 45b, 23-26.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[5-5] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"Who should fitly go thither?" asked all. "Who but macRoth our chief runner
yonder," [6]answered another group of them.[6]
[6-6] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[W.5023.] MacRoth went his way to survey the great wide-spreading plain of
Meath. Not long was macRoth there when he heard something: A rush and a
crash and a clatter and a clash. Not slight the thing he judged it to be,
but as though it was the firmament itself that fell on the man-like face of
the world, or as though it was the furrowed, blue-bordered ocean that broke
o'er the tufted brow of the earth, or as though the ground had gone asunder
in quakes, or as though the forest fell, each of the trees in the crotches
and forks and branches of the other. But why give further accounts! The
wood's wild beasts were hunted out on the plain, so that beneath them the
grassy forelocks of the plain of Meath were not to be seen.
MacRoth hastened to tell this tale at the place where were Ailill and Medb
and Fergus and the nobles of the men of Erin. MacRoth related the whole
matter to them.
"What was that there, O Fergus?" asked Ailill; [1]"to what likenest thou
it?"[1] "Not hard [2]for me to say what it resembled.[2] It was the rush
and tramp and clatter that he heard," said Fergus, "the din and thunder,
the tumult and turmoil [3]of the Ulstermen.[3] It was the men of Ulster
[4]arising from their 'Pains,'[4] who have come into the woods, the throng
of champions and battle-heroes cutting down with their swords the woods in
the way of their chariots. This it was that hath put the wild animals to
flight on the plain, so that the grassy forelocks of the field of Meath are
hidden beneath them!"
[1-1] YBL. 46a, 2.
[2-2] YBL. 46a, 1-2.
[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[4-4] YBL. 46a, 3-4.
Another time macRoth surveyed the plain and he saw something: A heavy, grey
mist that filled [5]the glens and the slopes,[5] [6]the upper void and
veil,[6] the space between the heavens and earth. It seemed to him that
[7]the hills[7] were islands in lakes that he saw rising up out of the
sloping [W.5044.] valleys of mist. It seemed to him they were wide-yawning
caverns that he saw there leading into that mist. It seemed to him it was
all-white, flaxy sheets of linen, or sifted snow a-falling that he saw
there through a rift in the mist. It seemed to him it was a flight of many,
varied, wonderful, numerous birds [1]that he[a] saw in the same mist,[1] or
the constant sparkling of shining stars [LL.fo.96a.] on a bright, clear
night of hoar-frost, or sparks of red-flaming fire. He heard something: A
rush and a din and a hurtling sound, a noise and a thunder, a tumult and a
turmoil, [2]and a great wind that all but took the hair from his[b] head
and threw him[c] on his[b] back, and yet the wind of the day was not
great.[2] He hastened on to impart these tidings at the place where were
Ailill and Medb and Fergus and the nobles of the men of Erin. He reported
the matter to them.
[5-5] YBL. 45b, 40-41.
[6-6] Stowe.
[7-7] YBL. 45b, 41.
[a] MS.: 'I.'
[1-1] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[2-2] YBL. 45b, 46-46a, 1.
[b] MS. 'my.'
[c] MS. 'me.'
"But what was that, O Fergus?" asked Ailill. "Not hard to say," Fergus made
answer. "This was the great, grey mist that he saw which filled the space
between the heavens and earth, namely, the streaming breath both of horses
and men, the smoke of the earth and the dust of the roads as it rose over
them with the driving of the wind, so that it made a heavy, deep-grey misty
vapour thereof in the clouds and the air.
"These were the islands over lakes that he saw there, and the tops of hills
and of heights over the sloping valleys of mist, even the heads of the
champions and battle-heroes over the chariots and the chariots withal.
These were the wide-yawning caverns that he saw there leading into that
mist, even the mouths and the nostrils of the horses and champions exhaling
and inhaling the sun and the wind with the speed of the host. These were
the all-white, flax-like cloths that he saw there or the streaming
[W.5066.] snow a-falling, to wit the foam and the froth that the bridles of
the reins flung from the bits of strong, stout steeds with the stress,
[1]with the swiftness and strength and speed[1] of the host.
[1-1] H. 1. 13.
"These were the flights of many, various, wonderful, numerous birds that he
saw there, even the dust of the ground and the top of the earth [2]and the
sods[2] which the horses flung from their feet and their hoofs and arose
[3]over the heads of the host[3] with the driving of the wind.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe.
"This was the rush and the crash and the hurtling sound, the din and the
thunder, the clatter and clash that he heard there, to wit the shield-shock
of shields and the jangle of javelins and the hard-smiting of swords and
the ring of helmets, the clangour of breast-plates and the rattle of arms
and the fury of feats, the straining of ropes and the whirr of wheels and
the trampling of horses' hoofs and the creaking of chariots, and the deep
voices of heroes and battle-warriors coming hither towards us.
"This was the constant sparkling of shining stars on a bright, clear
night that he saw there and the sparks of red-flaming fire, even the
bloodthirsty, terrible eyes of the champions and battle-warriors from under
beautiful, well-shaped, finely-adorned battle-helmets; eyes full of the
fury and rage they brought with them, against the which neither before nor
since has equal combat nor overwhelming force of battle prevailed, and
against which it will never prevail till the very day of doom and of life!"
"We make not much of that," quoth Medb;[a] [4]"we will await them.[4]
[5]For[5] there are goodly warriors and goodly fighting-men with us to cope
with them." [6]"Thou shall have need of them," answered Fergus.[6] "Truly,
I count not on that, O Medb. For I give my word, thou [W.5087.] shalt find
no host in [1]all[1] Erin, nor in Alba, [2]nor in the western part of the
world from Greece and Scythia westwards to the Orkney Islands, the Pillars
of Hercules, Bregon's Tower and the islands of Cadiz[2] to cope with the
men of Ulster when once their anger comes on them!"
[a] 'Ailill,' YBL. 46a, 23.
[4-4] YBL. 46a, 22.
[5-5] Stowe.
[6-6] YBL. 46a, 23.
[1-1] YBL. 46a, 24.
[2-2] YBL. 45a, 25-28.
Then did the four grand provinces of Erin pitch camp and make lodgment at
Clartha for that night. They sent forth folk to keep watch and guard
against Ulster, to the end that the Ulstermen might not come upon them
without warning, without notice.
Then it was that Conchobar and Celtchar with thirty hundred bristling
chariot-fighters set forth, till they halted at Slemain Midè ('Slane of
Meath') [LL.fo.96b.] in the rear of the host of Erin. But, though 'halted'
we have said, [3]a very brief halt made they there.[3] Not straightway
pitched they camp, but proceeded for a favourable sign to the quarters of
Ailill and Medb, so they might be the first of all to redden their hands
[4]on the men of Erin.[4]
[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[4-4] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[5]Then did macRoth go again to view the hosting of the men of Ulster, so
that he reached their encampment at Slane of Meath.[5] It was not long
macRoth had been there when he saw something: An incomparable, immense
troop of horsemen in Slane of Meath coming straight from the north-east. He
hastened forward to where were Ailill and Medb and Fergus and the chiefs of
the men of Erin. Ailill asked tidings of him on his arrival: "Say,
macRoth," queried Ailill; "sawest thou aught of the men of Ulster on the
trail of the host this day?" "Truly I know not," answered macRoth; "but I
saw an incomparable, immense troop of horsemen in Slane of Meath coming
straight from the north-east." "But how many numbered the horse-troop?"
asked Ailill. "Not fewer, meseemed, [W.5107.] than thirty hundred fully
armed chariot-fighters were they, even ten hundred and twenty hundred fully
armed chariot-fighters," macRoth made answer.
[5-5] YBL. 46a, 28-31.
"So, O Fergus," quoth Ailill, [1]"those are the warriors of Ulster with
Conchobar![1] How thinkest thou to terrify us till now with the smoke and
dust and the breath of a mighty host, while all the battle-force thou hast
is that we see yonder!"
[1-1] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"A little too soon belittlest thou them," Fergus retorted; "for mayhap the
bands are more numerous than is said they are."
"Let us take good, swift counsel on the matter," said Medb; "for yon huge,
most fierce, most furious man will attack us we ween, Conchobar, to wit,
son of Fachtna Fathach ('the Giant') son of Ross Ruad ('the Red') son of
Rudraige, himself High King of Ulster and son of the High King of Erin. Let
there be a hollow array of the men of Erin before Conchobar and a force of
thirty hundred ready to close in from behind, and the men shall be taken
and in no wise wounded; for, no more than is a caitiff's lot is this
whereto they are come!" Wherefore this is the third most derisive word that
was spoken on the Cattle-lifting of Cualnge, even to take Conchobar [2]and
his people[2] prisoners without wounding, and to inflict a caitiff's lot on
the ten hundred and twenty hundred who accompanied the kings of Ulster.
[2-2] Stowe.
And Cormac Conlongas son of Conchobar heard that, and he knew that unless
he took vengeance at once upon Medb for her great boast, he would not
avenge it till the very day of doom and of life.