castles; three mighty, wheeled-towers like unto mountains, in this wise
placed in position: Three royal castles with their thirty fully armed
battalions, swarming with evil-tongued warriors and with thirty
round-shielded heroes. A bright, beautiful, glistening shield-guard was on
each of the three strong, stout battle-castles, with black, deadly armament
of huge, high, blue, sharp pine-lances, such that one's bent knee would fit
in the socket of each smooth, polished, even and hard spear-head that is on
each huge, terrible, strange shaft of the terrible, awful, heavy,
monstrous, indescribable armament [W.5598.] that I saw. A third part of
each shaft was contained in the socket of the riveted, very long, securely
placed spears; as high as [1]two[1] cubits was each citadel from the
ground; as long as a warrior's spear was the height of each battle-hurdle;
as sharp as charmed sword was the blade of each sickle on the sides and the
flanks of each of [2]Badb's hurdles;[2] on each of the three stout and hard
battle-hurdles they are to be found. Four dark, yet gleaming, well-adorned
doors were on each battle-wheeled tower of the three royal wheeled-towers
which were displayed and spread over the plain, with ivory door-posts, with
lintels of cypress, with stately thresholds set of speckled, beautiful,
strong pine, with their blue, glass door-leaves, with the glitter of
crystal gems around each door-frame, so that its appearance from afar was
like that of bright shining stars. As loud as the crash of a mighty wave at
the great spring-tide, or of a huge heavy fleet upon the sea when toiling
with the oars along the shore, was the similitude of the din and the
clamour and the shouts and the tumult of the multitude and the to-and-fro
of the thirty champions with their thirty heavy, iron clubs that they bear
in their hands. And when the wheeled-towers advance massively and boldly
against the line of heroes, these almost leave behind their arms at the
fierce charge of the outland battalions. Then spring the three hundred
champions with a shout of vengeful anger over the sides and over the front
of the huge iron towers on wheels, so that this it was that checked the
swift course and the great, hasty onslaught of the well-grounded,
swiftly-moving, mighty chariots. The three stout, strong, battle-proof
towers on wheels careered over rough places and over obstacles, over rocks
and over heights. There coursed the thirty entire chargers, powerful,
strong-backed, four abreast, the equal of ninety entire chargers, with
[W.5622.] manes more than big, bold[a] and leaping, with sack-like,
distended nostrils, high-headed, towering, over-powering, wonderful, so
that they shook with their ramping the thick shell of the sad-sodded
earth. They flecked the plain behind them with the foam dripping from the
[1]swift[1] Danish steeds, from the bits and bridles, from the traces and
tracks of the huge, maned, mighty[b] steeds, greater than can be told! They
excited strife with their din of arms. They plunged headlong in their
swift impatience. They aroused great terror at their accoutrement, at their
armour, at their cunning, at their power, at their hugeness, at their
destructive, terrible, hostile vengeance on the four grand, proud provinces
of Erin. Amazing to me was their appearance because of the unwontedness of
their trappings both in form and in garb. Three wonderful flights of birds
with variety of appearance hovered over them. The first flock was all red,
the second flock was white as swans, the third flock as black as ravens.
Three red-mouthed, crow-shaped demons of battle sped around them as swift
as hares, circling the three wheeled towers, and this is what they
prophesied:--
"Sheaves[c] of battle,
Might of quelling,
Ill of war-deeds,
Sating of foul ravens!
Sodden ground, blood-red;
Men low in dust;
Sheaves[c] on sword-blades!"
[6-6] The following passage, to page 342, is taken from Stowe and
H. 1. 13; it is not found in LL.
[1-1] H. 1. 13 and Add. 18,748.
[2-2] That is, the movable towers.
[a] Following the emendation _bairnech_, suggested by Windisch.
[1-1] H. 1. 13.
[b] Following the emendation _moradbal_, suggested by Windisch.
[c] That is, the layers of the slain.
"They wheeled about and brought them twelve[d] battle-pillars of thick,
huge, iron pillars. As thick as the middle of a warrior's thigh, as tall as
a champion's spear was each battle-fork of them, and they placed four forks
under each [W.5646.] wheeled-tower. And their horses all ran from them and
grazed upon the plain. And those forty[a] that had gone in advance descend
clad in armour on the plain, and the garrison of the three battle-wheeled
towers falls to attacking and harassing them, and is attacked and harassed
in turn by those forty champions, so that there was heard the breaking
of shields and the loud blows of hard iron poles on bucklers and
battle-helmets, on coats of mail and on the iron plates of smooth, hard,
blue-black, sharp-beaked, forkèd spears. And in the whole camp there is
none but is on the watch for their fierceness and their wrath and their
cunning and their strangeness, for their fury, their achievements and the
excellence of their guard. And in the place where the forty champions are
and the thousand armed men contending with them, not one of the thousand
had a wounding stroke nor a blow on his opponent because of the might of
their skill in arms and the excellence of their defence withal!"
[d] That is, a battle-pillar or prop for each of the four wheels of
each of the three towers.
[a] This is the first mention of the 'forty.'
"They are hard to contend with for all such as are unfamiliar with them, is
the opinion held of them," spake Fergus, "but they are readily to be dealt
with for such as do know them. These are three battle-wheeled towers,"
Fergus continued, "as I perceive from their account. Once I saw their like,
namely when as prentice I accompanied Darè to Spain, so that we entered the
service, of the king of Spain, Esorb to wit, and we afterwards made an
expedition to Soda, that is, to the king of Africa, and we gave battle to
the Carthaginians. There came their like upon us against the battle-line
wherein we were, an hundred battalions and three score hundred in each
battalion. One of the wheeled-towers won victory over us all, for we were
not on our guard against them. And this is the way to defeat them: To mine
a hole broader than the tower in the ground in the front thereof and cover
over the pitfall; [W.5669.] and for the battle-line to be drawn up over
against it and not to advance to attack, so that it is the towers that
advance and fall into the pit. Lebarcham told me, as I passed over Taltiu,
that the Ulstermen brought these towers from Germany, and the towers held a
third of the exiles of Ulster among them as their only dwelling; and
Cualgae ('a Heap of Spears') is their name, namely battle-penfolds. And
herein have ye the sorest of all hardships, for although all the men of
Erin are drawn up against them, it is the men of Erin that will be
defeated. When they take it upon them to engage in battle they cannot hold
out without a combat. Thus will they remain now till morning, every forty
men of them contending with the others. And this is my advice to you," said
Fergus: "permit me with my division to withstand them, and do ye betake
yourselves to the woods and wilds of Erin, and the Ulstermen shall not find
ye in any place, and I will proceed as an example, depending on my own
men-of-war." "There are men here for ye!" cried Medb. "That will be a force
for yourselves," Fergus made answer.[6]
[6-6] See note 6, page 338.
"Yet another company came there to the same height in Slane of Meath,"
said macRoth. "Not fewer than a division was in it; wild, dark-red,
warrior-bands; [1]bright, clear, blue-purple men;[1] long, fair-yellow
heads of hair they wore; handsome, shining countenances they had; clear,
kingly eyes; magnificent vesture with beautiful mantles; conspicuous,
golden brooches along their bright-coloured sleeves; silken, glossy tunics;
blue, glassy spears; yellow shields for striking withal; gold-hilted,
inlaid swords set on their thighs; loud-tongued care has beset them;
sorrowful are they all, and mournful; sad are the royal leaders; orphaned
the brilliant company without [W.5689.] their protecting lord who was wont
to guard their lands." "But, who may they be?" asked Ailill of Fergus.
"Indeed, we know them well," Fergus made answer. "Furious lions are they;
deeds of battle; the division from the field of Murthemne are they.
[LL.fo.100b.] It is this that makes them cast-down, sorrowful, joyless
[1]as they are,[1] because that their own divisional king himself is not
amongst them, even Cuchulain, the restraining, victorious, red-sworded one
that triumpheth in battle!" "Good reason, in truth, there is for them to be
so," quoth Medb, "if they are dejected, mournful and joyless. There is no
evil we have not worked on them. We have harassed and we have assailed
them, [2]their territory and their land,[2] from Monday at the beginning of
Samaintide till the beginning of Spring.[a] We have taken their women and
their sons and their youths, their steeds and their troops of horses, their
herds and their flocks and their droves. We have razed their hills after
them till they are become lowlands, so that they are level with the
plain. [3]We have brought their lords to bloody stabs and sores, to cuts
and many wounds."[3] "Not so, O Medb!" cried Fergus. "There is naught thou
canst boast over them. For thou didst them no hurt nor harm that yon fine
company's leader avenged not on thee. For, every mound and every grave,
every stone and every tomb that is from hence to the east of Erin is the
mound and the grave, the stone and the tomb of some goodly warrior and
goodly youth [4]of thy people,[4] fallen at the hands of the noble
chieftain of yonder company. Happy he to whom they hold! Woe to him whom
they oppose! It will be enough, e'en as much as half a battle, for the men
of Erin, when these defend their lord in the battle on the morning of the
morrow."
[1-1] This seems out of place here; it is not found in Stowe nor in
H. 1. 13.
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[4-4] Stowe.
[a] See notes a and b, page 182.
"I heard a great uproar there, west of the battle or to [W.5711.] its
east," said macRoth. "Say, what noise was it?" asked Ailill of Fergus.
"Ah, but we know it well," Fergus made answer: "Cuchulain it was, straining
to go, sick as he is, to battle, wearied at the length of his lying sick on
Fert Sciach ('Thorn-mound') under hoops and clasps and ropes, and the men
of Ulster do not permit him to go because of his sores and his wounds,
inasmuch as he is not fit for battle and is powerless for combat after his
encounter with Ferdiad."
True indeed spake Fergus. Cuchulain it was, wearied at the length of his
lying supine on Fert Sciach under hoops and clasps and ropes. [1]"But,
there is one thing more to tell," said Fergus: "unless he be held back now,
he will surely come to the battle!"
Thus far the Companies of the Táin Bó Cúalnge[1] [2]mustered by Conchobar
and the men of Ulster.[2]
[1-1] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[2-2] H. 1. 13.
Then came two women lampoonists from the camp and quarters of the men of
Erin; [3]their names,[3] Fethan and Collach, to wit; and they stood with a
feint of weeping and wailing over Cuchulain, telling him of the defeat of
Ulster and the death of Conchobar and the fall of Fergus in combat.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4]Now Conchobar proceeded with his troops till he pitched camp nearby his
companions. Conchobar asked a truce of Ailill till sunrise on the morrow,
and Ailill granted it for the men of Erin and the exiles, and Conchobar
granted it for the men of Ulster, and thereupon Conchobar's tents were
pitched. In this way the ground was bare between them, and the Ulstermen
came thither at sunset.[4]
[4-4] YBL. 50a, 11.
* * * * *
[Page 345]
XXVI
[1]THE DECISION OF THE BATTLE[1]
[W.5727.] It was on that night that the Morrigan,[a] daughter of Ernmas,
came, and she was engaged in fomenting strife and sowing dissension between
the two camps on either side, and she spoke these words [2]in the twilight
between the two encampments[2]:--
"Ravens shall pick
The necks of men!
Blood shall gush
[3]In combat wild![3]
Skins shall be hacked;
Crazed with spoils!
[4]Men's sides pierced[4]
In battle brave,
Luibnech near!
Warriors' storm;
Mien of braves;
Cruachan's men!
[5]Upon them comes[5]
Ruin complete!
Lines shall be strewn
Under foot;
Their race die out!
Then Ulster hail:
To Erna[b] woe!
To Ulster woe:
[6]Then Erna hail![6]
(This she said in Erna's ear.)
Naught inglorious shall they do
Who them await!"
[1-1] YBL. 41a, 7.
[a] The Irish goddess of war.
[2-2] YBL. 50a, 18-19.
[3-3] YBL. 50a, 19.
[4-4] YBL. 50a, 21.
[5-5] Translating from YBL. 50a, 23; LL. appears to be corrupt.
[b] The Munstermen in Ailill's army.
[6-6] YBL. 50a, 26.
[1]Now Cuchulain was at Fedain Collna near by. Food was brought to him that
night by the purveyors, and they were used to come to converse with him by
day. He killed not any of the men of Erin to the left of Ferdiad's Ford.[1]
[W.5756.] It was then that Cuchulain spake to Laeg son of Riangabair. "It
would surely be unworthy of thee, O Laeg my master," said Cuchulain, "if
between the two battle-lines there should happen anything to-day whereof
thou hadst no tidings for me." "Whatsoever I shall learn, O Cucucuc,"
answered Laeg, "will be told thee. But, see yonder a little flock coming
forth on the plain from the western camp and station now. [LL.fo.101a.]
Behold a band of henchmen after them to check and to stay them. Behold also
a company of henchmen emerging from the eastern camp and station to seize
them." "Surely, that is so!" exclaimed Cuchulain. "That bodes a mighty
combat and is the occasion of a grand battle. The little flock will come
over the plain and the band of henchmen [2]from the east and the band of
henchmen from the west[2] [3]will encounter one another betimes [4]about
the little flock[4] on the great field of battle."[3] There, indeed,
Cuchulain spoke true. And the little flock came forth upon the plain, and
the companies of henchmen met in fray. "Who gives the battle now, O Laeg my
master," Cuchulain asked. "The folk of Ulster," Laeg answered: "that is the
same as the young warriors [5]of Ulster."[5] "But how fight they?"
Cuchulain asked. "Like men they fight," Laeg answered. "There where are the
heroes of valour from the east in battle, they force a breach through the
ranks to the west. There where are the heroes from the west, they lay a
breach through the ranks to the eastward." [6]"It would be a vow for them
to fall in rescuing their herds," said Cuchulain; "and [W.5774.] now?" "The
beardless youths are fighting now," said the charioteer. "Has a bright
cloud come over the sun yet?" Cuchulain asked. "Nay, then," the charioteer
answered.[6] "I grieve that I am not yet strong enough to be on my feet
amongst them. For, were I able to be on my feet amongst them, my breach
would be manifest there to-day like that of another!" "But, this avow, O
Cucuc," said Laeg: "it is no reproach to thy valour; it is no disgrace to
thine honour. Thou hast done bravely in time before now and thou wilt do
bravely hereafter."
[1-1] YBL. 50a, 28-31.
[2-2] Stowe and H. 1. 13
[3-3] LL. seems to be defective here.
[4-4] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[5-5] Stowe and H. 1. 13.
[6-6] YBL. 50a, 39-43.
[1]About the hour of sunrise: "It is a haughty folk that now fight the
battle," quoth the charioteer; "but there are no kings amongst them, for
sleep is still upon them."[1] "Come, O my master Laeg!" cried Cuchulain;
"rouse the men of Ulster to the battle now, for it is time that they come."
[1-1] YBL. 50a, 45-47.
[2]Then, when the sun arose,[2] [3]Cuchulain saw the kings from the east
putting their crowns on their heads and relieving their men-at-arms.
Cuchulain told his charioteer to awaken the men of Ulster.[3] Laeg came and
roused the men of Ulster to battle, and he uttered these words there:--
"Arise, ye kings of Macha,
Valiant in your deeds!
Imbel's kine the Badb doth covet:
[4]Blood of hearts pours out!
Goodly heroes' battle rushes in[4]
With deeds of valour!
Hearts all red with gore:
Brows turned in flight.
Dismay of battle riseth.
For there was never found
One like unto Cuchulain,
Hound that Macha's[a] weal doth work!
If it is for Cualnge's kine,
Let them now arise!"
[2-2] YBL. 50a, 48.
[3-3] YBL. 50b, 18-23.
[4-4] YBL 50b, 27-29.
[a] Another name for Badb, the battle-fury.
* * * * *
[Page 348]
XXVII
[1]NOW OF THE BATTLE OF GARECH[1]
[W.5804.] Thereupon arose all the men of Ulster at the one time in the
train of their king, and at the word of their prince, and to prepare for
the uprising in response to the call of Laeg son of Riangabair. And in this
wise they arose: stark-naked all of them, only their weapons in their
hands. Each one whose tent door looked to the east, through the tent
westwards he went, for that he deemed it too long to go round about it.
[1-1] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
"How arise the Ulstermen now to [2]the battle,[2] O Laeg my master?" asked
Cuchulain. "Manfully they rise," said Laeg: "stark-naked all of them,
[3]except for their arms only.[3] Every man whose tent-door faces the east,
through the tent westwards he goes, for he deems it too long to go round
about it." "I pledge my word!" cried Cuchulain: "at a fitting hour have
they now in the early day risen around Conchobar!"
[2-2] H. 1. 13, Add., Stowe, and YBL. 50b, 34.
[3-3] YBL. 50b, 34.
Then spake Conchobar to Sencha son of Ailill: "Come, O Sencha my master,"
said Conchobar; "stay the men of Ulster, and let them not go to the battle
till there come the strength of a good omen and favourable portent, till
the sun mounts to the roof-tree of heaven and sunshine fills the glens and
lowlands and hills and watch-towers of Erin."
[W.5822.] They tarried there till the strength of a good omen came and a
favourable portent, till sunshine filled the glens and slopes and heights
and watch-towers of the province.
"Come, O Sencha my master," said Conchobar; "rouse the men of Ulster to
battle, for it is time for them to proceed thither." Sencha roused the men
of Ulster to battle, and he spake these words:--
"Now shall Macha's kings arise,
Large-hearted folk!
Weapons let them shatter:
Let them fight the battle:
Let them plow the earth in anger:
Let them strike on shields!
[1]Wearied all the hands;[1]
Herds loud bellowing:
Steadfast the resistance:
Furious the retainers:
Battle-lines shall prostrate fall
'Neath the feet of others!
[2]Prince and lord prepare for battle.[2]
Perish [LL.fo.101b.] shall their race!
[3]Manful contest there shall be;[3]
Their foes they lie in wait for
And slay them all to-day!
Deep draughts of blood they drink:
Grief fills the hearts of queens:
[4]Tender lamentations follow:
Till soaked in blood shall be the grassy sod
On which they're slain,
To which they come.[4]
If for Cualnge's kine it be,
[5]Let Macha's kings![5] Let them arise!"
[1-1] Reading with YBL 50a, 52.
[2-2] From a conjectural emendation of YBL. 50a, 54.
[3-3] YBL. 50b, 1.
[4-4] YBL. 50b, 3.
[5-5] YBL. 50b, 5.
Not long was Laeg there when he witnessed something: the men of Erin all
arising at one time, taking their shields and their spears and their swords
and their helmets, and urging the men-of-war before them to the battle. The
men of Erin, every single man of them, fell to smite and to batter, to cut
and to hew, to slay and to destroy the others [W.5859.] for a long space
and while. Thereupon Cuchulain asked of his charioteer, of Laeg son of
Riangabair, at the time that a bright cloud came over the sun: [1]"Look for
us![1] How fight [2]the Ulstermen[2] the battle now, O my master Laeg?"
"Like men they fight," Laeg answered. "Should I mount my chariot, and En,
Conall [3]Cernach's ('the Victorious')[3] charioteer, his chariot, and
should we go in two chariots from one wing to the other on the points of
the weapons, neither hoof nor wheel nor axle-tree nor chariot-pole would
touch [4]the ground[4] for the denseness and closeness and firmness with
which their arms are held in the hands of the men-at-arms at this time."
[1-1] YBL. 51a, 45.
[2-2] YBL. 51a, 45.
[3-3] Stowe, H. 1. 13, Add. and YBL. 51a, 47.
[4-4] Stowe and Add.
"Alas, that I am not yet strong enough to be amongst them [5]now!"[5] cried
Cuchulain; "for, were I able, my breach would be manifest there to-day like
that of another," spake Cuchulain. "But this avow, O Cucuc," said Laeg:
"'tis no reproach to thy valour; 'tis no disgrace to thine honour. Thou
hast wrought great deeds before now and thou wilt work great deeds
hereafter."
[5-5] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
Then began the men of Erin to smite and to batter, to cut and to hew, to
slay and to destroy the others for a long space and while. Next came to
them the nine chariot-fighters of the champions from Norseland, and the
three foot-warriors along with them, and no swifter were the nine
chariot-men than the three men on foot.
Then came to them also [6]on the ford of hosting[6] the governors of the
men of Erin. And this was their sole office [7]with Medb[7] in the battle:
to smite to death Conchobar if it were he that suffered defeat, and to
rescue Ailill and Medb if it should be they were defeated. And these are
the names of the governors:
[6-6] YBL. 51b, 6.
[7-7] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
* * * * *
[Page 351]
XXVIIa
[1]HERE FOLLOWETH THE MUSTER OF THE MEN OF ERIN[1]
[W.5883.] The three Conarè from Sliab Mis, the three Lussen from Luachair,
the three Niadchorb from Tilach Loiscthe, the three Doelfer from Deill, the
three Damaltach from Dergderc, the three Buder from the Buas, the three
Baeth from Buagnige, the three Buageltach from Mag Breg, the three Suibnè
from the Siuir, the three Eochaid from Anè, the three Malleth from Loch
Erne, the three Abatruad from Loch Ri, the three macAmra from Ess Ruaid,
the three Fiacha from Fid Nemain, the three Manè from Muresc, the three
Muredach from Mairg, the three Loegaire from Lecc Derg, the three Broduinde
from the Berba, the three Bruchnech, from Cenn Abrat, the three Descertach
from Druim Fornacht, the three Finn from Finnabair, the three Conall from
Collamair, the three Carbre from Cliu, the three Manè from Mossa, the three
Scathglan from Scairè, the three Echtach from Ercè, the three Trenfer from
Taitè, the three Fintan from Femen, [LL.fo.102a.] the three Rotanach from
Rognè, the three Sarchorach from Suidè Lagen, the three Etarscel from
Etarbane, the three Aed from Aidnè, the three Guarè from Gabal.[a]
[1-1] YBL. 50b, 41.
[a] YBL. 50b-51a has more than three times as many names as are
enumerated here.
Then said Medb to Fergus. "It were truly a thing to boast of for thee, [2]O
Fergus," said she,[2] "werest thou [W.5943.] to use thy mightiness of
battle [1]vehemently[1] without stint amongst us to-day, forasmuch as thou
hast been driven out of thine own land and out of thine inheritance;
amongst us hast thou found land and domain and inheritance, and much
good-will hath been shown thee!"
[2-2] Stowe, Add. and H. 1. 13.
[1-1] Stowe, Add., and H. 1. 13.
[2]Thereupon Fergus uttered this oath: "I swear," _et reliqua_, "jaws of
men I would break from necks, necks of men with arms, arms of men with
elbows, elbows of men with wrists, wrists of men with fists, fists of men
with fingers, fingers of men with nails, nails[a] of men with scalps,
scalps of men with trunks, trunks of men with thighs, thighs of men with
knees, knees of men with calves, calves of men with feet, feet of men with
toes, toes of men with nails,[2] so that [3]heads of men over shields[3]
would be as numerous [4]with me[4] as bits of ice [5]on the miry
stamping-ground[5] [6]between two dry fields[6] that a king's horses would
course on. Every limb of the Ulstermen [7]would I send flying through the
air[7] before and behind me this day [8]like the flitting of bees on a day
of fine weather,[8] if only I had my sword!"
[2-2] I have given preference to the reading of YBL. 51b, 18-30.
[a] A word is omitted here in the MS., presumably for, 'nails.'
[3-3] YBL. 51b, 19-20.
[4-4] YBL. 51b, 19.
[5-5] YBL. 51b, 20.
[6-6] Adopting Windisch's emendation of the text.
[7-7] YBL. 51b, 31.
[8-8] YBL. 51b, 32.
At that Ailill spoke to his own charioteer, Ferloga, to wit: "Fetch me a
quick sword that wounds the skin, O gilla," said Ailill. [9]"A year to-day
I put that sword in thy hand in the flower of its condition and bloom.[9] I
give my word, if its bloom and condition be the worse at thy hands this day
than the day I gave it [10]thee[10] on the hillside of Cruachan Ai [11]in
the borders of Ulster,[11] though thou hadst the men of Erin and of Alba to
rescue thee from me to-day, they would not all save thee!"
[9-9] Stowe and YBL. 51b, 35.
[10-10] Stowe.
[11-11] YBL. 51b, 36.
[W.5956.] Ferloga went his way, and he brought the sword with him in the
flower of its safe-keeping, and fair flaming as a candle. And the sword was
placed in Ailill's hand, and Ailill put it in Fergus' hand, and Fergus
offered welcome to the sword:[a] "Welcome, O Calad Colg[b] ('Hardblade'),
Letè's sword!" said he. "Weary, O champion of Badb! On whom shall I ply
this weapon?" Fergus asked. "On the men-of-war around thee," Medb answered.
"No one shall find indulgence nor quarter from thee to-day, unless some
friend of thy bosom find it!"
[a] Here follows in YBL. 51b, 38-57 a difficult passage in _rosc_ which
I have omitted in the translation. Only a portion of it has been
preserved in LL. and is here translated.
[b] Reading with Stowe, II. 1. 13, Add. and YBL. 51b, 45.
Whereupon, Fergus took his arms and went forward to the battle, [1]and he
cleared a gap of an hundred in the battle-ranks with his sword in his two
hands.[1] Ailill seized his weapons. Medb seized her weapons and entered
the battle. [2]The Manè seized their arms and came to the battle. The
macMagach seized their arms and came to the battle,[2] so that thrice the
Ulstermen were routed before them from the north, till Cualgae[c] and sword
drove them back again. [3]Or it was Cuchulain that drove the men of Erin
before him, so that he brought them back into their former line in the
battle.[3]
[1-1] YBL. 52a, 6-8.
[2-2] Stowe, and, similarly, Add.
[c] The name of the wheeled towers described above, page 338 fl.
[3-3] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.