thirty hundred to inflict the revenge of battle and prowess upon Ailill and
Medb. Ailill arose [W.5129.] with his thirty hundred to meet him. Medb
arose with her thirty hundred. The Manè arose with their thirty hundred.
The sons of Maga arose with their thirty hundred. The Leinstermen and the
Munstermen and the people of Temair arose and made interposition between
them, so that on both sides each warrior sat down near to the other and
near by his arms.
Meanwhile a hollow array of men was made by Medb to face Conchobar and a
[1]warlike[1] band of thirty hundred ready to close in from behind.
Conchobar proceeded to attack the circle of men, [2]to force an opening.[2]
And he was far from seeking any particular breach, but he worked a small
gap, broad enough for a man-at-arms, right in front over against him in the
circle of combatants, and effected a breach of an hundred on his right
side, and a breach of an hundred on his left, and he turned in on them, and
mingled [3]among them[3] on their ground, and there fell of them eight
hundred fully brave warriors at his hands. And thereafter he left them
without blood or bleeding from himself and took his station in Slane of
Meath at the head of the men of Ulster.
[1-1] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[2-2] Reading with Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"Come, ye men of Erin!" cried Ailill. "Let some one go hence to scan the
wide-stretching plain of Meath, to know in what guise the men of Ulster
come to the height in Slane of Meath, to bring us an account of their arms
and their gear [4]and their trappings, their kings and their royal
leaders,[4] their champions and battle-warriors and gap-breakers of
hundreds and their yeomen, [5]to which to listen will shorten the time for
us."[5] [LL.fo.97a.] "Who should go thither?" asked all. "Who but macRoth
the chief runner," Aililla[a] made answer.
[4-4] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[5-5] Following Stowe.
[a] 'Fergus,' H. 1. 13 and Stowe.
MacRoth went his way till he took his station in Slane [W.5151.] of Meath,
awaiting the men of Ulster. The Ulstermen were busied in marching to that
hill from gloaming of early morn till sunset hour in the evening. In such
manner the earth was never left naked under them during all that time,
every division of them under its king, and every band under its leader, and
every king and every leader and every lord with the number of his force and
his muster, his gathering and his levy apart. Howbeit, by sunset hour in
the evening all the men of Ulster had taken position on that height in
Slane of Meath.
MacRoth came forward with the account of their first company to the place
where Ailill and Medb and Fergus were and the nobles of the men of
Erin. Ailill and Medb asked tidings of him when he arrived. "Come,
macRoth," quoth Ailill, "tell us in what manner of array do the Ulstermen
advance to the hill of Slane in Meath?" "Truly, I know not," answered
macRoth, "except [1]this alone:[1] There came a fiery, powerful, most
well-favoured company upon the hill of Slane in Meath," said macRoth. "It
seemed, on scanning and spying, that[a] thrice thirty hundred[a] warriors
were in it. [2]Anon[2] they all doffed their garments and threw up a turfy
mound for their leader to sit on. A youth, slender, long, exceeding great
of stature, fair to behold, proud of mien, in the van of the troop. Fairest
of the princes of the world was he in the midst of his warriors, as well in
fearsomeness and in awe, in courage and command; fair-yellow hair, curled,
delicately arranged in ridges and bushy had he [3]reaching to the nape of
his neck;[3] a comely, clear-rosy countenance he had, [4]narrow below and
broad above;[4] a deep-blue-grey, angry eye, devouring. [W.5175.] and
fear-inspiring, in his head; a two-forked beard, yellow, fairly curled, on
his chin; a purple mantle with fringes and five-folded wrapped around him;
a [1]conspicuous,[1] salmon-shaped brooch of [2]red[2] gold in the mantle
over his breast; a shining-white, hooded shirt under red interweaving of
red gold he wore next his white skin; a bright-white shield with figures of
beasts of red gold thereon; a gold-hilted, hammered sword in one of his
hands; a broad and grey-green lance-head [3]on an ashen shaft[3] in the
other; [4]the pillar of a king's house on his back.[4] That warrior took
his station on the top of the mound, so that each one came up to him and
his company took their places around him.
[1-1] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[a-a] 'Thirty hundred,' Stowe, H. 1. 13, and YBL. 46a, 47.
[2-2] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13, and, similarly, YBL. 46a, 42.
[4-4] YBL. 46a, 47.
[1-1] YBL. 46a, 44.
[2-2] YBL. 46a, 44.
[3-3] YBL. 46b, 3.
[4-4] Stowe and H. 1. 13. That is, 'a great spear.'
"There came also another company to the same height in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. "Second of the two divisions of thirty hundred it was,
[5]and next to the other in numbers and attendance, in accoutrements and
fearfulness and horror.[5] A [6]great,[6] [7]hero-like,[7] well-favoured
warrior was there likewise at the head of that company; fair-yellow hair he
wore; a bright, curly beard about his chin; a green mantle wrapped around
him; a bright-silvern pin in the mantle at his breast; a brown-red,
soldier's tunic under red interweaving of red gold trussed up against his
fair skin down to his knees; a candle of a king's house[a] in his hand,
with windings of silver and bands of gold; wonderful the feats and games
performed with the spear in the hand of the youth; the windings of silver
ran round it by the side of the bands of gold, now from the butt to the
socket, while at other times it was the bands of gold that circled by the
side of the windings of silver from socket to spear-end; a smiting shield
with [W.5195.] plaited edge he bore; a sword with hilt-pieces of ivory, and
ornamented with thread of gold on his left side. This warrior took his
station on the left of the leader[1] of the first company[1] who had come
to the mound, and his followers got them seated around him. But, though we
have said they sat, they did not verily seat themselves at once, but
[2]they sat thus,[2] with their knees on the ground and the rims of their
shields against their chins, so long it seemed to them till they should be
let at us. But, one thing yet: Meseemed that [LL.fo.97b.] the great, fierce
youth who led the troop stammered grievously [3]in his speech.[3]
[5-5] YBL. 46b, 8-9.
[6-6] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[7-7] YBL. 46b, 9.
[a] That is, 'a flaming-red spear.'
[1-1] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[2-2] YBL. 46b, 19.
[3-3] YBL. 46b, 21.
"Still another battalion there came to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. "Second to its fellow in number and followers and
apparel. A handsome, broad-headed warrior at the head of that troop;
dark-yellow hair in tresses he wore; an eager, dark-blue eye rolling
restlessly in his head; a bright, curled beard, forked and tapering, at his
chin; a dark-grey cloak with fringes, folded around him; a leaf-shaped
brooch of silvered bronze in the mantle over his breast; a white-hooded
shirt [4]reaching to his knees[4] [5]was girded[5] next to his skin; a
bright shield with raised devices of beasts thereon he bore; a sword with
white silver hilt in battle-scabbard at his waist; the pillar of a king's
palace he bore on his back. This warrior took his station on the hill of
turf facing the warrior who first came to the hill, and his company took
their places around him. But sweet as the tone of lutes in masters' hands
when long sustained, so seemed to me the melodious sound of the voice and
the speech of the youth conversing with the warrior who first came to the
hill and offering him every counsel."
[4-4] YBL. 46b, 30.
[5-5] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"But who might that be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. [W.5218.] "Truly, we know
him well," Fergus made answer. "This, to wit, is the first hero for whom
they threw up the mound of turf on the height of the hill and whom all
approached, namely, Conchobar son of Fachtna Fathach son of Ross Ruad son
of Rudraige, High King of Ulster, and son of the High King of Erin. [1]It
is he that sat on the mound of sods.[1] This, to wit, is the stammering,
great warrior," [2]Fergus continued,[2] "who took station on [3]his
father[3] Conchobar's left, namely, Cuscraid Menn ('the Stammerer') of
Macha, Conchobar's son, with the sons of the king of Ulster [4]and the sons
of the princes of the men of Erin[4] close by him. This is the spear he saw
in his hand, even the 'Torch of Cuscraid,' with its windings of silver and
bands of gold. It is the wont of that spear that neither before nor after
do the silver windings run round it by the side of the bands of gold but
only on the eve of a triumph. Belike, it is almost before a triumph they
course round it now.
[1-1] YBL. 46b, 36.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] YBL. 46b, 40.
[4-4] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"The well-favoured, broad-headed warrior who seated himself on the hill in
the presence of the youth who first came on the mound, namely is Sencha son
of Ailill son of Maelcho 'the Eloquent' of Ulster, he that is wont to
appease the hosts of the men of Erin. But, yet a word more I say: It is not
the counsel of cowardice nor of fear that he gives his lord this day on the
day of strife, but counsel to act with valour and courage and wisdom and
cunning. But, again one word further I say," added Fergus: "It is a goodly
people for performing great deeds that has risen there early this day
around Conchobar!" "We make not much of them," quoth Medb; "we have goodly
warriors and stout youths to deal with them." "I count not that for much,"
answered Fergus again; "but I say this word: Thou wilt not find in Erin nor
in Alba a host to be a match [W.5242.] for the men of Ulster when once
their anger comes upon them."
"Yet another company there came to the same mound in Slane of Meath," said
macRoth. [1]"Not fewer than a battalion of thirty hundred was in it.[1] A
fair, tall, great warrior [LL.fo.98a.] in the van of that battalion, and he
of fiery spirit, with noble countenance. Brown, dark-coloured hair he wore,
smooth and thin on his forehead; a dull-grey cloak girt around him; a
silver pin in the cloak over his breast; a bright, sleeved tunic next to
his skin; a curved shield with sharp, plaited rim he bore; a five-pronged
spear in his hand; a straightsword with ornaments of walrus-tooth in its
place." "But, who might that be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "In very sooth,
we know him," Fergus made answer. "The putting of hands on strife is he; a
battle-warrior for combat and destruction on foes is the one who is come
there, [2]even[2] Eogan son of Durthacht, [3]king of the stout-handed[3]
Fernmag in the north, is the one yonder."
[1-1] Stowe, H. 1. 13, and, similarly, YBL. 47a, 1.
[2-2] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 47a, 12.
[3-3] Reading with Stowe and H. 1. 13; LL. seems to be corrupt here.
"Another battalion there came thither to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. "It is surely no false word that boldly they took the
hill. Deep the terror, great the fear they brought with them. [4]Terrible
the clangour of arms they made as they advanced.[4] Their raiment all
thrown back behind them. A great-headed, warlike warrior in the forefront
of the company, and he eager for blood, dreadful to look upon; spare,
grizzly hair had he; huge, yellow eyes in his head; a yellow, close-napped
(?) cloak around him; a pin of yellow gold in the cloak over his breast; a
yellow tunic with lace next his skin; [5]a great, smiting sword under his
waist;[5] in his hand a nailed, broad-plated, long-shafted spear with a
drop [W.5262.] of blood on its edge." "But, who might that be?" asked
Ailill of Fergus. "In truth then, we know him, that warrior," Fergus gave
answer. "Neither battle nor battle-field nor combat nor contest shuns he,
the one who is come thither. Loegaire Buadach ('the Victorious') son of
Connad Buidè ('the Yellow') son of Iliach, from Immail in the north, is the
one yonder."
[4-4] YBL. 47a, 18-19.
[5-5] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"Another company there came there too to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. "A thick-necked, burly warrior at the head of that
troop; black, bushy hair he had; a scarred, crimsoned face he had; a
deep-blue-grey, blazing eye in his head; a spear set with eyes of glass,
casting shadows over him; a black shield with a hard rim of silvered bronze
upon him; a dun-coloured cloak of curly wool about him; a brooch of pale
gold in the cloak over his breast; a three-striped tunic of silk [1]with
red embroidery[1] next to his skin; a sword with ivory hilt and with
ornamentation of thread of gold over his dress on the outside." "But, who
might that man be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "We know him full well,"
Fergus made answer. "He is the putting of hand on strife; a wave of the
high sea that drowneth [2]the small streams;[2] he is the man of three
shouts; the sea over walls; [3]the venomous destruction of enemies,[3] the
man who comes thither. Muremur ('Thick-neck') son of Gerrcend ('Short-head')
from Moduirn in the north is the one yonder."
[1-1] YBL. 47a, 40.
[2-2] YBL. 47a, 43.
[3-3] YBL. 47a, 44.
"Still another company there came to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. [4]"Not fewer than thirty hundred, the battle line of
the troops.[4] A [5]broad-headed,[5] stout warrior, pleasantly found of
limb, in the front of that troop; he is dried and sallow; he is wild and
bull-like; a dun, round eye, proud in his head; [W.5283.] yellow, very
curly is his hair; a red, round shield with hard-silver rim about it he
bore; a [1]trebly riveted,[1] broad-plated, long-shafted spear in his hand;
a streaked-grey cloak around him; a salmon-shaped brooch of copper in the
cloak over his breast; a hooded kirtle girded around him reaching down to
his calves; a straightsword with ornaments of walrus-tooth on his left
thigh." "But who might he be?" [LL.fo.98b.] asked Ailill of Fergus. "I know
him indeed," Fergus made answer. "He is the prop of battle; [2]he is the
wild heat of anger; he is the daring of every battle;[2] he is the triumph
of every combat; he is the tool that pierces, is the man who comes
thither. Connud macMorna, from the Callann in the north, is the man
yonder."
[4-4] YBL. 47b, 12-13.
[5-5] Reading with Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"There came still another company to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. [3]"A company most fair to look upon, most notable both
in numbers and in attendance and apparel.[3] It is indeed no lying word, it
is with might and storm they gained the hill, so that [4]with the clash of
arms they made at the approach of that company[4] they startled the hosts
that had arrived there before them. A man, comely and noble, in advance of
that band; most well-favoured to see of the men of the world, whether in
shape or form or frame; [5]whether in hair or eyes or fearfulness; whether
in voice or brightness or knowledge or adornment; whether in rank or wisdom
or kindred;[5] whether in arms or apparel; whether in size or worth or
beauty; whether in figure or valour or conduct." [6]"Who might that man be,
O Fergus?" asked Ailill.[6] "Then it is surely no lying word," Fergus made
answer: "A fitting saying is this, 'No fool 'mongst the naked'[a] is he who
[W.5299.] comes thither. He is the foe of all others; he is a power
irresistible; the storm-wave that drowneth, the glitter of ice is that
well-favoured man. Fedilmid [1]son of[1] [2]Ilar Cetach of Cualnge,[2] from
Ellonn in the north, is he yonder, [3]with trophies from other lands after
dealing destruction to his enemies."[3]
[1-1] YBL. 47b, 20.
[2-2] YBL. 47b, 21-22.
[3-3] YBL. 47a, 48-49.
[4-4] YBL. 47a, 50-51.
[5-5] YBL. 47b, 1-3.
[6-6] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[a] A proverbial saying, the exact force of which we cannot determine.
The reading of H. 1. 13 may be translated, 'No fool on a board (or
shield ?),' that is, a clown or tumbler (?).
[1-1] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[2-2] Reading with Stowe.
[3-3] YBL. 47b, 9-10.
"Still another battalion came thither to the same hill in Slane of Meath,"
macRoth proceeded. [4]"It is the array of an army for greatness.[4] Not
often is a warrior seen more handsome than the warrior that is in the front
rank of that company. Bushy, red-yellow hair he wore; [5]his countenance
comely, ruddy, well-formed;[5] his face [6]slender below,[6] broad above; a
deep-blue-grey, beaming eye, and it flashing and laughing in his head; a
well-set, shapely man, tall, slender below and broad above; red, thin lips
he had; teeth shining and pearl-like; [7]a clear, ringing voice;[7] a
white-skinned body; [8]most beautiful of the forms of men;[8] [9]a purple
cloak wrapped around him;[9] a brooch of gold in the mantle over his
breast; a [10]hooded[10] tunic of royal silk with a red hem of red gold he
wore next to his white skin; a bright, [11]curved[11] shield with
[12]wonderful,[12] [13]many-coloured[13] devious figures of beasts in red
gold thereon [14]and with hollows of silver he bore at his left side;[14] a
gold-hilted, inlaid sword [15]hanging from his neck[15] at his left side; a
long, grey-edged spear [W.5313.] along with a cutting bye-spear of attack,
with thongs for throwing, with fastenings of silvered bronze, in his hand."
[4-4] YBL. 47b, 26.
[5-5] YBL. 47b, 29-30; Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[6-6] Translating from YBL. 47b, 30, Stowe and H. 1. 13; LL. has, 'very
beautiful.'
[7-7] YBL. 47b, 32.
[8-8] YBL. 47b, 34, Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[9-9] Reading with Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[10-10] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 47b, 40-41.
[11-11] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 47b, 36.
[12-12] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[13-13] YBL. 47b, 37.
[14-14] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 47b, 37.
[15-15] YBL. 47b, 40.
"But who might that man be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "We know him full
well," Fergus made answer. "He is half of a battle; he is the dividing[a]
of combat; he is the wild rage of a watchhound, the man who is come
thither; Rochad son of Fatheman, from Rigdonn in the north, is he
yonder. [1]Your son-in-law is he[1]; [2]he wedded your daughter, namely
Finnabair,[2] [3]without dower, and he brought neither marriage-gift nor
bride-price to her."[3]
[a] That is, 'a single-handed warrior,' translating from YBL. 47b, 43
and Stowe.
[1-1] YBL. 47b. 45.
[2-2] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 47b, 46.
[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"Another battalion there came to the same hill in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. "A stalwart, thick-thighed, [4]gross-calved[4] warrior
at the head of that company; little but every limb of him as stout as a
man. Verily it is no lying word, he is a man down to the ground," said he.
"Brown, bushy hair upon his head; a round-faced, ruddy countenance
[5]covered with scars[5] he had; a flashing, proud eye in his head;
a splendid, dexterous man was there, in this wise: Accompanied by
black-haired, black-eyed youths; with a red, flaming banner; [6]with terror
and fearsomeness; with wonderful appearance, both of arms and apparel and
raiment and countenance and splendour; with converse of heroes; with
champions' deeds;[6] with wilful rashness, so that they seek to rout
overwhelming numbers outside of equal combat, [7]with their wrath upon
foes, with raids into hostile lands,[7] with the violence of assault upon
them, without having aught assistance from [W.5327.] Conchobar. [1]It is no
lying word, stiffly they made their march, that company to Slane of
Meath."[1]
[4-4] YBL. 47b, 48, Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[5-5] YBL. 48a, 2, Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[6-6] Stowe, and, similarly, YBL. 48a, 4-6, H. 1. 13.
[7-7] YBL. 48a, 8-9, and, similarly, Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[1-1] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and, similarly, YBL. 48a, 10-11.
"But, who might he be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "Aye then we know him,"
Fergus made answer. "A thirst for valour and prowess; a thirst for madness
and fury; [2]a man of strength and of courage, of pride and of greatness of
heart[2] is he that came thither. The welding of hosts and of arms; the
point of battle and of slaughter of the men of the north of Erin, mine own
real foster-brother himself, Fergus son of Letè, [3]the king[3] from Linè
in the north, is the man yonder!"
[2-2] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[3-3] YBL. 48a, 14.
"Still another [4]great, fierce[4] company came to the same hill in Slane
of Meath," macRoth continued. [5]"A battle-line with strange garments
upon them,[5] steadfast, without equal. A [6]comely,[6] handsome,
[7]matchless,[7] untiring warrior in the van of this company; [8]the flower
of every form, whether as regards hair, or eye, or whiteness; whether of
size, or followers or fitness.[8] Next to his skin a blue, narrow-bordered
cloth, with strong, woven and twisted hoops of silvered bronze, with
becoming, sharp-fashioned buttons of red gold on its slashes and
breast-borders; a [9]green[9] mantle, pieced together with the choicest of
all colours, [10]folded about him;[10] [11]a brooch of pale gold in the
cloak over his breast;[11] five circles of gold, [LL.fo.99a.] that is, his
shield, he bore on him; a tough, obdurate, straight-bladed sword for a
hero's handling hung high on his left side. A straight, fluted spear,
flaming red [12]and venomous[12] in his hand." "But, who might that be?"
asked [W.5342.] Ailill of Fergus. "Truly, we know him well," Fergus made
answer. [1]"Fiery is the manner of the warlike champion who has so come
thither.[1] The choice flower of royal poets is he. He is the rush on the
rath; he is the way to the goal; fierce is his valour, the man that came
thither; Amargin son of the smith Ecetsalach ('the Grimy'), the noble poet
from the Buas in the north, is he."
[4-4] YBL. 48a, 16.
[5-5] YBL. 48a, 17.
[6-6] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 18.
[7-7] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[8-8] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 19-20.
[9-9] YBL. 48a, 21.
[10-10] YBL. 48a, 21.
[11-11] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and, similarly, YBL. 48a, 22.
[12-12] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[1-1] YBL. 48a, 24-25.
"There came yet another company there to the same hill in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. "A fair, yellow-haired hero in the front rank of that
band. Fair was the man, both in hair and eye and beard and eyebrows and
apparel; a rimmed shield he bore; a gold-hilted, overlaid sword on his left
side; in his hand, a five-pointed spear that reflected its glare over
the entire host, [2]and a hollow lance in his hand. Hero-like was his
coming!"[2]
[2-2] YBL. 48b, 1-2.
"But who was that man?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "In sooth, we know him
well," Fergus made answer. "Cherished, in truth, is that warrior by the
people, he that to us is come thither; cherished, the stout-blow-dealing
beast; cherished, the bear of great deeds against foes, [3]with the
violence of his attack.[3] Feradach Finn Fectnach ('the Fair and
Righteous') from Nemed ('the Grove') in Sliab Fuait in the north, is the
one that is come there."
[3-3] Reading with Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[4]"Another company there came to the mound in Slane of Meath," continued
macRoth. "Three bold, high-spirited youths of noble countenance, [5]fiery
and noble,[5] in the front rank of that company. Three cloaks of the one
colour [6]they wore folded[6] upon them; [7]three close shorn, blae-yellow
heads; three gold brooches over their arms; three sleeved tunics with
embroidery of red gold, girded around them;[7] three shields wholly alike
they bore; [8]three gold-hilted swords on their shoulders;[8] three
five-pointed, [W.5360.] [1]broad and grey-green[1] spears in their
[2]right[2] hands." "Who were those men there?" Ailill asked. "I know,"
Fergus answered; "the three princes of Roth, the three champions of Colph,
the three of Midluachair, great in achievements, three seasoned warriors of
the east of Erin, to wit, the three sons of Fiachna in quest of their bull
are there, even Ros and Darè and Imchad, for theirs was the possession of
the Brown Bull of Cualnge. Even had they come alone, they would have
offered you battle in defence of their bull and their drove, even though
before them the enemy should not be routed."[4]
[4-4] Stowe, and, partly, YBL. 48b, 33-45.
[5-5] YBL. 48b, 34.
[6-6] YBL. 48b, 36.
[7-7] YBL. 48b, 35-38.
[8-8] YBL. 48b, 39.
[1-1] YBL. 48b, 40.
[2-2] YBL. 48b, 40.