Part 28

[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.

"Yet another company there came thither to the same hill in Slane of 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.