Meath," said macRoth. "Two [3]fair,[3] tender, young warriors at the head
of that company, [5]and both wholly alike. Brown, curly hair on the head of
one of them; fair, yellow hair on that of the other;[5] two green cloaks
wrapped about them; two bright-silver brooches in the cloaks over their
breasts; two tunics of smooth yellow silk next to their skin; bright-hilted
swords on their belts; [6]two bright shields with devious figures of beasts
in silver;[6] two five-pronged spears with windings of pure bright silver
in their hands. Moreover, their years were nigh the same. [7]Together they
lifted their feet and set them down again, for it was not their way for
either of them to lift up his feet past the other."[7]
[3-3] YBL. 48b, 20.
[5-5] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[6-6] YBL. 48b, 22.
[7-7] YBL. 48b, 23-25.
"But, who might they be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "Well do we know them,"
Fergus made answer. "Two single, strong-necked champions are they; two
united flames; two united torches; two champions; two heroes; two
ridge-poles of hosts[a]; two dragons; two thunderbolts; two destroyers (?);
two boars; two bold ones; two mad ones; the two loved ones of Ulster around
their king; [W.5378.] [1]two breach-makers of hundreds; two spencers; the
two darlings of the north of Erin, namely[1] Fiacha and Fiachna have come
thither, two sons of Conchobar son of Fachtna son of Ross Ruad son of
Rudraige."
[a] That is, 'two chiefs of hospitality.'
[1-1] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"There came also another company to that same mound," said macRoth. "'Tis
the engulphing of the sea for size; red-flaming fire [2]for splendour;[2] a
legion for number; a rock for strength; annihilation for battle; thunder
for might. A [3]rough-visaged,[3] wrathful, terrible, ill-favoured one at
the head of that band, and he was big-nosed, large-eared, apple-eyed,
[4]red-limbed,[4] [5]great-bellied, thick-lipped.[5] Coarse, grizzly hair
he wore; a streaked-grey cloak about him; a skewer of iron in the cloak
over his breast, so that it reached from one of his shoulders to the other;
a rough, three-striped tunic next to his skin; a sword of seven charges of
remelted iron he bore on his rump; a brown hillock he bore, namely his
shield; a great, grey spear with thirty nails driven through its socket he
had in his hand. But, what need to tell further? [6]All the host arose to
meet him, and[6] the lines and battalions were thrown into disorder at the
sight of that warrior, as he came surrounded by his company to the hill, in
Slane of Meath [7]and the stream of battle-hosts with him."[7] "But who
might that man be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "Ah, but we know him well,"
Fergus made answer. "He is the half of the battle; he is the head of strife
[8]of Ulster;[8] he is the head [9]of combat[9] in valour; [10]he is the
storm-wave that drowneth;[10] he is the sea overbounds, the man that is
come thither; the mighty Celtchar son of Uthechar, from Lethglass in the
north, is the man there!"
[2-2] YBL. 48a, 30.
[3-3] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 33.
[4-4] H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 36.
[5-5] YBL. 48a, 35.
[6-6] YBL. 48a, 42.
[7-7] H. 1. 13 and Stowe.
[8-8] Stowe.
[9-9] YBL. 48a, 44.
[10-10] YBL. 48a, 45-46.
[W.5397.] "There came yet another company thither to the same hill in Slane
of Meath," said macRoth; "one that is firm and furious; one that is ugly
and fearful. A great-bellied, big-mouthed champion, [1]the size of whose
mouth is the mouth of a horse,[1] in the van of that troop; with but one
clear eye, and [2]half-brained,[2] long-handed. Brown, very curly hair he
wore; a black, flowing mantle around him; a wheel-shaped brooch of tin in
the mantle over his breast; a cunningly wrought tunic next to his skin; a
great long sword under his waist; a well-tempered lance in his right hand;
[LL.fo.99b.] a grey buckler he bore on him, that is, his shield."
[1-1] YBL. 48b, 9-10.
[2-2] YBL. has, 'broad-headed.'
"Pray, who might that man be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "Indeed, but we know
him," Fergus made answer; "the wild, red-handed, [3]rending[3] lion; the
fierce, fearful bear that overcometh valour. [4]He is the high doer of
deeds, warlike, and fierce,[4] Errgè Echbel ('Horse-mouth'), from Bri Errgi
('Errgè's Mound') in the north, is the one there."
[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[4-4] YBL. 48b, 16.
"Yet another company there came to the same hill in Slane of Meath," said
macRoth. "A large, noble, [5]fiery[5] man at the head of that company;
foxy-red hair he had; huge, crimson-red eyes in his head; bulging as far as
the bend of a warrior's finger is either of the very large crimson, kingly
eyes he had; a many-coloured cloak about him; [6]a wheel-shaped brooch of
silver therein;[6] a grey shield he bore [7]on his left arm;[7] a slender,
blue lance above him; [8]a bright, hooded shirt tucked around him that
reached down to his knees;[8] [9]a sword with silver hilt at his hip; a
spear remarkable for keenness in his revengeful right hand;[9] a
blood-smeared, becrimsoned company [W.5414.] around him; himself covered
with wounds and blood in their midst."
[5-5] YBL. 48b, 47.
[6-6] YBL. 48b, 49-50.
[7-7] YBL. 48b, 51.
[8-8] YBL. 48b, 52-49a, 1.
[9-9] YBL. 48b, 51-52.
"Now who might he be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "Well do we know him,"
Fergus made answer. "He is the bold, the ruthless, [1]the swift-moving
eagle;[1] the eager lance; the goring beast; [2]the torrent[2] of the
Colbtha; [3]the border-gate of the north of Erin;[3] the triumphant hero
from Bailè; he is the shaft (?); [a] he is the bellowing hero from Bernas
('the Gap'); the furious bull; Menn son of Salcholga, from Rena ('the
Waterways') of the Boyne [4]in the north; he hath come to take vengeance on
ye for his bloody wounds and his sores which ye inflicted on him afore."[4]
[1-1] Translating from Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[2-2] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[3-3] YBL. 49a, 7.
[a] A word has fallen out in the MS.
[4-4] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"Yet another company came thither to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. [5]"High spirited and worthy of one another.[5] A
long-jawed, sallow-faced warrior, [6]huge, broad, and tall,[6] at the head
of that company; black hair on his head; long limbs are his legs; a cloak
of red curly wool about him; a brooch of white silver in the cloak over his
breast; an [7]all-white,[7] linen shirt next to his skin; a gory-red shield
with a boss [8]of gold[8] he bore; a sword with hilt of [9]white[9] silver
on his left side; a sharp-cornered, gold-socketed spear he held over him;
[10]a broad, grey, interwoven spear-head, fairly set on an ashen shaft, in
his hand."[10] "But, who might he be?" Ailill asked of Fergus. "Truly, we
know him," Fergus made answer. [11]"The man of three stout blows has
come;[11] the man of three highways is he; the man of three roads, the
man of three paths, the man of three [W.5431.] ways; the man of three
victories, the man of three triumphs; [1]the man of three shouts; the
man that breaks battles on foes in another province;[1] Fergna son of
Findchoem, king of Burach, [2]from Coronn,[2] [3]royal hospitaller[3] of
Ulster in the north, has come thither."
[5-5] YBL. 49a, 11-12.
[6-6] YBL. 49a, 12-13.
[7-7] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[8-8] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[9-9] YBL. 49a, 17.
[10-10] YBL. 49a, 18-20.
[11-11] YBL. 49a, 20-21.
[1-1] YBL. 49a, 23-24.
[2-2] YBL. 49a, 25.
[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
"Even another company came there to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. [4]"Vaster than a division of three thousand was its
appearance.[4] A large, [5]white-breasted,[5] well-favoured man in the van
of that company. Like to Ailill yonder, with his pointed weapons, the
restrainer, both in features and noble bearing and fairness, both in arms
and apparel, in valour and bravery and fame and deeds. A blue shield
[6]adapted for striking,[6] with boss of gold was [7]upon him.[7] A
gold-hilted sword, [8]the pillar of a palace,[8] [9]along his shoulder[9]
he bore on his left side; a five-pronged spear with gold, in his hand;
[10]an exceeding fine cloak folded about him; a brooch of gold in the cloak
over his breast; a tunic with red ornaments about him;[10] a golden crown
on his head."
[4-4] YBL. 49a, 28.
[5-5] YBL. 49a, 29.
[6-6] YBL. 49a, 34.
[7-7] YBL. 49a, 35, Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[8-8] YBL. 49a, 35.
[9-9] YBL. 49a, 35.
[10-10] YBL. 49a, 31-34.
"But, who might that be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "Ah, but we know him
well," Fergus made answer. [11]"Truly, the sea over rivers is the one that
is come thither; the wild rage of fire; not to be borne is his wrath
against foes;[11] the root of all manhood; the assault of overwhelming
power; the annihilation of men is he that is come thither. Furbaide Ferbenn
son of Conchobar, from Sil in Mag Inis in the north, is there."
[11-11] YBL. 49a, 36-38.
[12]"Yet another company came to the mound in Slane [W.5444.] of Meath,"
continued macRoth. "A sharp, proud folk; a stately, royal company, with
their apparel of many colours, as well white and blue and black and purple,
so that to a king could be likened each spirited, chosen man in the noble,
most wonderful troop. A feast for the eyes of a host, to gaze on their
comeliness and their garb, as if it was going forth to some great
surpassing assembly was each single man of that company. A trine of noble,
distinguished men were in the front rank of that company. The first man of
them with a dark-grey mantle fringed with gold thread about him; a brooch
of gold in the mantle over his breast; a tunic of rare silk next to his
skin; sandals of lamb's skin he wore. Not many men in the world are
better-favoured than is he. A light-yellow head of hair he has; a
bright-faced sword with ivory hilt and with coils of gold thread, in his
right hand. He flings on high the tooth-hilted sword, so that it falls on
the head of the middle man but it simply grazes it. He catches it up in the
air again, so that it falls on the head of the other man, and the first man
catches it in his hand, and it divided not a ringlet nor the skin of the
head of either of them, and these two men did not perceive it. Two brown,
rich-hued, bright-faced youths; reddish-grey mantles around them;
white-silver brooches in their mantles over their breasts; a bright-hilted
sword under their waists; purple sandals they wore; as sweet as strings of
lutes when long sustained in players' hands was the voice and song of one
of the men, so that enough of delight it was to the host to listen to the
sound of his voice. Worthy of a king or of a prince was each man in that
company as regards apparel and appearance; thou wouldst think, at the sight
of them, they were all kings. Neither spears nor swords do they bear, but
their servants bear them."
[12-12] The following passage extending to page 337 is not found in
LL. owing to the loss of a leaf. It is translated here from Stowe with
the help of H. 1. 13 and Add. 18,748.
"An over-proud body is that," quoth Ailill; "and who may they be, O
Fergus?" he asked. "I know full well," [W.5466.] replied Fergus; "the poets
of Ulster are they, with that Fercerdne the fair, much-gifted, whom thou
sawest, even the learned master of Ulster, Fercerdne. 'Tis before him that
the lakes and rivers sink when he upbraids, and they swell up high when he
applauds. The two others thou sawest are Athirnè the chief poet, whom none
can deny, and Ailill Miltenga ('Honey-tongue') son of Carba; and he is
called Ailill 'Honey-tongue' for that as sweet as honey are the words of
wisdom that fall from him."
"There came yet another company to the mound in Slane of Meath," said
macRoth. "A most terrible, dreadful sight to behold them. Blue and pied and
green, purple, grey and white and black mantles; a kingly, white-grey,
broad-eyed hero in the van of that company; wavy, grizzled hair upon him; a
blue-purple cloak about him; a leaf-shaped brooch with ornamentation of
gold in the cloak over his breast; a shield, stoutly braced with buckles of
red copper; yellow sandals he wore; a large, strange-fashioned sword along
his shoulder. Two curly-haired, white-faced youths close by him, wearing
green cloaks and purple sandals and blue tunics, and with brown shields
fitted with hooks, in their hands; white-hilted swords with silvered bronze
ornaments they bore; a broad, somewhat light countenance had one of
them. One of these cunning men raises his glance to heaven and scans the
clouds of the sky and bears their answer to the marvellous troop that is
with him. They all lift their eyes on high and watch the clouds and work
their spells against the elements, so that the elements fall to warring
with each other, till they discharge rain-clouds of fire downwards on the
camp and entrenchments of the men of Erin."
"Who might that be, O Fergus?" asked Ailill. "I know him," replied
Fergus; "the foundation of knowledge; the master of the elements; the
heaven-soaring one; he that blindeth the eyes; that depriveth his foe
[W.5488.] of his strength through incantations of druids, namely Cathba the
friendly druid, with the druids of Ulster about him. And to this end he
makes augury when judging the elements, in order to ascertain therefrom how
the great battle on Garech and Ilgarech will end. The two youths that are
about him, they are his own two sons, to wit Imrinn son of Cathba and
Genonn Gruadsolus ('Bright-cheek') son of Cathba, he that has the somewhat
light countenance. Howbeit it will be hard for the men of Erin to withstand
the spells of the druids."
"Yet another company there came to the mound in Slane of Meath," continued
macRoth. "A numberless, bright-faced band; unwonted garments they wore; a
little bag at the waist of each man of them. A white-haired, bull-faced man
in the front of that company; an eager, dragon-like eye in his head; a
black, flowing robe with edges of purple around him; a many coloured,
leaf-shaped brooch with gems, in the robe over his breast; a ribbed tunic
of thread of gold around him; a short sword, keen and hard, with plates of
gold, in his hand; they all came to show him their stabs and their sores,
their wounds and their ills, and he told each one his sickness, and he gave
each a cure, and what at last happened to each was even the ill he foretold
him." "He is the power of leechcraft; he is the healing of wounds; he is
the thwarting of death; he is the absence of every weakness, is that man,"
said Fergus, "namely Fingin the prophet mediciner, the physician of
Conchobar, with the leeches of Ulster around him. It is he that knoweth
the sickness of a man by the smoke of the house wherein he lies, or by
hearing his groans. Their medicine bags are the sacks which thou sawest
with them."
"Another company came to the mound in Slane of Meath," continued macRoth.
"A powerful, heavy, turbulent company; they caused uproar in their deeds of
arms [W.5512.] for the accomplishment of brilliant feats;[a] they tore up
the sad-sodded earth with the strength of their bitter rage, for the mighty
princes of the proud province of Conchobar would not allow them to proceed
to the great camp till all should be arrived. Two youths, swarthy and huge,
in the front of that company; soft, playful eyes in their heads; about
them, dark-grey tunics with silver pins set with stones; great, horn-topped
swords with sheaths they bore; strong, stout shields they bore; hollow
lances with rows of rivets, in their hands; glossy tunics next to their
skin." "We know well that company," quoth Fergus; "the household of
Conchobar and his vassals are those; their two leaders, Glasnè and Menn,
two sons of Uthechar."
[a] There is a gap here in both Stowe and H. 1. 13, and consequently
the translation is uncertain.
"There came yet another band to the mound in Slane of Meath," continued
macRoth; "to wit, a band of a numerous body of henchmen. A black, hasty,
swarthy, ..., man in the front rank of that band; seven chains around his
neck; seven men at the end of each chain; these seven groups of men he
drags along, so that their faces strike against the ground, and they revile
him until he desists. Another terrible man is there, and the ponderous
stone which powerful men could not raise, he sets on his palm and flings on
high to the height a lark flies on a day of fine weather; a club of iron at
his belt." "I know those men," quoth Fergus: "Triscoth the strong man of
Conchobar's house; it is he that flings the stone on high. Ercenn son of
the three stewards, he it is in the chains."
"There came [1]another[1] large, stately company to the mound in Slane of
Meath," macRoth went on. "Three, very curly-headed, white-faced youths in
the van of that troop; three curly-red kirtles with brooches of silvered
bronze was the apparel they wore about them; three [W.5535.] sparkling
tunics of silk with golden seams tucked up about them; three studded
shields with images of beasts for emblems in silvered bronze upon them and
with bosses of red gold; three very keen swords with guards adorned with
gold thread along their shoulders; broad-bladed javelin-heads on ashen
shafts in their hands." "Who might that be there, O Fergus?" asked Ailill.
"That I know," answered Fergus: "the three venoms of serpents; three
cutting ones; three edges; three watchful ones; three points of combat;
three pillars of the borders; three powerful companies of Ulster; three
wardens of Erin; three triumph-singers of a mighty host are there," said
Fergus, "the three sons of Conchobar, namely Glas and Manè and Conaing."
[1-1] H. 1. 13.
"Yet another company there came to the mound in Slane of Meath," said
macRoth. "Stately, in beautiful colours, gleaming-bright they came to the
mound. Not fewer than an army-division, as a glance might judge them. A
bold, fair-cheeked youth in the van of that troop; light-yellow hair has
he; though a bag of red-shelled nuts were spilled on his crown, not a nut
of them would fall to the ground because of the twisted, curly locks of his
head. Bluish-grey as harebell is one of his eyes; as black as beetle's
back is the other; the one brow black, the other white; a forked,
light-yellow beard has he; a magnificent red-brown mantle about him; a
round brooch adorned with gems of precious stones fastening it in his
mantle over his right shoulder; a striped tunic of silk with a golden
hem next to his skin; an ever-bright shield he bore; a hard-smiting,
threatening spear he held over him; a very keen sword with hilt-piece of
red gold on his thigh." "Who might that be, O Fergus?" asked Ailill. "I
know, then," replied Fergus: "it is battle against foes; it is the inciting
of strife; it is the rage of a monster; it is the madness of a lion; it is
the cunning of a snake; it is the rock of the [W.5558.] Badb; it is the sea
over dikes; it is the shaking of rocks; it is the stirring of a wild host,
namely Conall Cernach ('the Victorious'), the high-glorious son of Amargin,
that is come hither."[12]
[12-12] See note 12, page 331.
"Yet another company came to the same mound in Slane of Meath," said
macRoth. [1]"Very heroic and without number it is;[1] steady and dissimilar
to the other companies. [2]Strange garments, unlike the other companies
they wore. Famously have they come, both in arms and raiment and dress. A
great host and fierce is that company.[2] Some wore red cloaks, others
light-blue cloaks, [LL.fo.100a.] others dark blue cloaks, others green
cloaks; white and yellow jerkins, beautiful and shiny, were over them.
Behold the little, freckled, red-faced lad with purple, [3]fringed[3]
mantle [4]folded about him[4] amongst them in their midst. [5]Fairest of
the forms of men was his form.[5] A salmon-shaped brooch of gold in the
mantle over his breast; a [6]bright, hooded[6] tunic of royal silk with red
trimming of red gold next to his white skin; a bright shield with intricate
figures of beasts in red gold upon it; a boss of gold on the shield; an
edge of gold around it; a small, gold-hilted sword at his waist; a sharp,
light lance cast its shadow over him." "But, who might he be?" asked Ailill
of Fergus. "Truly, I know not," Fergus made answer, "that I left behind me
in Ulster the like of that company nor of the little lad that is in it.
But, one thing I think likely, that they are the men of Temair with [7]the
well-favoured, wonderful, noble youth[7] Erc son of Fedilmid Nocruthach,
[8]Conchobar's daughter,[8] and of Carbre Niafer. And if it be they, they
are not more friends than their leaders here. Mayhap despite his father
[W.5576.] has this lad come to succour his grandfather[a] at this time. And
if these they be, a sea that drowneth shall this company be to ye, because
it is through this company and the little lad that is in it that the battle
shall this time be won against ye." "How through him?" asked Ailill. "Not
hard to tell," Fergus responded: "for this little lad will know neither
fear nor dread when slaying and slaughtering, until at length he comes into
the midst of your battalion. Then shall be heard the whirr of Conchobar's
sword like the yelp of a howling war-hound, or like a lion rushing among
bears, [1]while the boy will be saved.[1] Then outside around the battle
lines will Conchobar pile up huge walls of men's bodies [2]while he seeks
the little lad.[2] In turn the princes of the men of Ulster, filled with
love and devotion, will hew the enemy to pieces. Boldly will those powerful
bulls, [3]the brave warriors of Ulster,[3] bellow as [4]their grandson,[4]
the calf of their [5]cow,[5] is rescued in the battle on the morn of the
morrow."
[1-1] YBL. 49a, 41.
[2-2] YBL. 49a, 42-44.
[3-3] YBL. 49a, 50.
[4-4] YBL. 49a, 50.
[5-5] YBL. 49a, 46-47.
[6-6] YBL. 49a, 52.
[7-7] YBL. 49b, 4-5.
[8-8] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 49b, 6.
[a] That is, Conchobar.
[1-1] YBL. 49b, 17.
[2-2] YBL. 49b, 18.
[3-3] YBL. 49b, 19-20.
[4-4] Stowe; that is, Erc son of Fedlimid, Conchobar's daughter.]
[5-5] 'Of their heart,' YBL. 49b, 13.