Part 31
[W.6085.] Cuchulain came upon her as she was thus engaged, [1]on his way to the battle,[1] and he did not attack her. He would not strike her a blow from behind. [2]He spared her then because it was not his wont to slay women.[2] [3]"Spare me!" cried Medb. "If I should slay thee, it were just for me," Cuchulain answered.[3] [4]"Arise from hence," said he; "for I deem it no honour to wound thee from behind with my weapons."[4] "I crave a boon of thee this day, O Cuchulain," spake Medb. "What boon cravest thou [5]of me?"[5] asked Cuchulain. "That this host be under thine honour and thy protection till they pass westwards over Ath Mor ('the Great Ford')." [LL.fo.103b.] "Yea, I promise that," said Cuchulain. [6]Then[6] went Cuchulain around the men of Erin, and he undertook a shield-defence on one side of them, in order to protect the men of Erin. On the other side went the governors of the men of Erin. Medb went to her own place and assumed a shield-defence in the rear of the men of Erin, and in this manner they convoyed the men of Erin over Ath Mor westwards.
[1-1] YBL. 52b, 41.
[2-2] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[3-3] YBL. 52b, 41-42.
[4-4] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[5-5] H. 1. 13.
[6-6] H. 1. 13. and Add.
[7]Then Laeg [8]son of Riangabair[8] brought Cuchulain's sword unto him, [9]the 'Hard-headed Steeling' to wit,[9] and Cuchulain took the sword in his hand.[7] Then he [10]stood still and[10] gave a blow to the three bald-topped hills of Ath Luain over against the three Maela ('the Bald Tops') of Meath, so that he struck their three heads off them. [11]And they are in the bog as a witness ever since. Hence these are the Maolain ('the Flat Tops') of Ath Luain. Cuchulain cut them off as a reproach and affront to the men of Connacht, in order that every time men should speak of Meath's three Bald Tops, these in the west should be the answer the 'Three Flat Tops of Ath Luain.'[11]
[7-7] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[8-8] Add.
[9-9] YBL. 52b, 43.
[10-10] YBL. 52b. 45.
[11-11] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[W.6099.] Then [1]when the battle had been lost,[1] Fergus [2]began to view[2] the host as it went westwards of Ath Mor. "It was thus indeed it behoved this day to prove, for following in the lead of a woman," [3]said Fergus.[3] "Faults and feuds have met here to-day," [4]said Medb[4] to Fergus. "Betrayed and sold is this host to-day," [5]Fergus answered.[5] "And even as a brood-mare leads her foals into a land unknown, without a head to advise or give counsel before them, such is the plight of this host to-day [6]in the train of a woman that hath ill counselled them."[6]
[1-1] YBL. 52b, 47-48.
[2-2] Reading with H. 1. 13.
[3-3] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[4-4] YBL. 52b, 48.
[5-5] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[6-6] YBL. 52b, 52.
[7]Then Cuchulain turned to where Conchobar was with the nobles of Ulster before him. Conchobar bewailed and lamented Cuchulain, and then he uttered this lay:--
"How is this, O Cualnge's Hound, Hero of the Red Branch, thou: Great woe, champion, hast thou borne, Battling in thy land's defence!
"Every morn a hundred slain, Every eve a hundred more, While the host purveyed thy fare, Feeding thee with cooling food!
"Five-score heroes of the hosts, These I reckon are in graves. While their women--fair their hue-- Spend the night bewailing them!"[7]
[7-7] H. 1. 13.
* * * * *
[Page 363]
XXVIII
[1]THE BATTLE OF THE BULLS[1]
[W.6121.] As regards Medb, it is related here: [2]She suffered not the hosts to disperse forthwith,[2] but she gathered the men of Erin and led them forth to Cruachan to behold the battle of the bulls [3]and in what manner they would part from one another. For during the while the battle was being fought, the Brown Bull of Cualnge with fifty heifers in his company had been brought to Cruachan.[3]
[1-1] YBL. 41a, 8.
[2-2] H. 1. 13.
[3-3] H. 1. 13 and Add.
As regards the Brown Bull of Cualnge, it is now recounted in this place: When he saw the beautiful, strange land, he sent forth his three bellowing calls aloud. And Finnbennach Ai ('the Whitehorned of Ai') heard him. Now no male beast durst [4]send forth[4] a low that was louder than a moo in compare with him within the four fords of all Ai, Ath Moga and Ath Coltna, Ath Slissen and Ath Bercha. And [5]the Whitehorned[5] lifted his head with fierce anger [6]at the bellowing of the Brown of Cualnge,[6] and he hastened to Cruachan to look for the Brown Bull of Cualnge.
[4-4] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[5-5] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[6-6] H. 1. 13 and Add.
It was then the men of Erin debated who would be [7]fitted[7] to witness [8]the fight[8] of the bulls. They all agreed that it should be Bricriu son of Carbad [9]that were fitted for that office.[9] For, a year before this tale of the Cualnge Cattle-raid, Bricriu had gone from the one province into the other to make a request of Fergus. And Fergus had retained [W.6134.] him with him waiting for his treasures and goods. And a quarrel arose between him and Fergus at a game of chess.[a] And he spake evil words to Fergus. Fergus smote him with his fist and with the chess-man that was in his hand, so that he drave the chess-man into his head and broke a bone in his head. Whilst the men of Erin were on the foray of the Táin, all that time Bricriu was being cured at Cruachan. And the day they returned from the expedition was the day Bricriu rose. [1]He came with the rest to witness the battle of the bulls.[1] [2]And this is why they selected Bricriu,[2] for that Bricriu was no fairer to his friend than to his foe. [3]"Come, ye men of Erin!" cried Bricriu; "permit me to judge the fight of the bulls,[3] [4]for it is I shall most truly recount their tale and their deeds afterwards."[4] And he was brought [5]before the men of Erin[5] to a gap whence to view the bulls.
[7-7] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[8-8] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[9-9] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[a] The story is told in 'The Adventures of Nera,' published in the _Revue Celtique_, t. x, p. 227.
[1-1] YBL. 53a, 4-5.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[4-4] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[5-5] H. 1. 13.
[6]So they drove the Brown Bull the morning of the fight till he met the Whitehorned at Tarbga in the plain of Ai: or Tarbguba ('Bull-groan'), or Tarbgleo ('Bull-fight'); Roi Dedond was the first name of that hill. Every one that had lived through the battle cared for naught else than to see the combat of the two bulls.[6]
[6-6] YBL. 52b, 52-53a, 3.
Each of the bulls sighted the other and there was a pawing and digging up of the ground in their frenzy there, and they tossed the earth over them. They threw up the earth over their withers and shoulders, and their eyes blazed red [LL.fo.104a.] in their heads like firm balls of fire, [7]and their sides bent like mighty boars on a hill.[7] Their cheeks and their nostrils swelled like smith's bellows in a forge. And each of them gave a resounding, deadly blow to the other. Each of them began to hole and to gore, to endeavour to slaughter [W.6151.] and demolish the other. Then the Whitehorned of Ai visited his wrath upon the Brown Bull of Cualnge for the evil of his ways and his doings, and he drave a horn into his side and visited his angry rage upon him. Then they directed their headlong course to where Bricriu was, so that the hoofs of the bulls drove him a man's cubit deep into the ground after his destruction. Hence, this is the Tragical Death of Bricriu [1]son of Carbad.[1]
[7-7] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[1-1] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
Cormac Conlongas son of Conchobar saw that, [2]and the force of affection arose in him,[2] and he laid hold of a spearshaft that filled his grasp, and gave three blows to the Brown Bull of Cualnge from ear to tail, [3]so that it broke on his thick hide from ear to rump.[3] "No wonderful, lasting treasure was this precious prize for us," said Cormac, "that cannot defend himself against a stirk of his own age!" The Brown Bull of Cualnge heard this--for he had human understanding[a]--and he turned upon the Whitehorned. [4]Thereupon the Brown of Cualnge became infuriated, and he described a very circle of rage around the Whitehorned, and he rushed at him, so that he broke his lower leg with the shock.[4] And thereafter they continued to strike at each other for a long while and great space of time, [5]and so long as the day lasted they watched the contest of the bulls[5] till night fell on the men of Erin. And when night had fallen, all that the men of Erin could hear was the bellowing and roaring. That night the bulls coursed over [6]the greater part of[6] all Erin. [7]For every spot in Erin wherein is a 'Bulls' Ditch,' or a 'Bulls' Gap,' or a 'Bulls' Fen,' or a 'Bulls' Loch,' or a 'Bulls' Rath,' [8]or a 'Bulls' Back,'[8] it is from them[7] [9]those places are named.[9]
[2-2] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[3-3] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[a] See note [d], page 28, _supra_.
[4-4] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[5-5] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[6-6] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[7-7] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[8-8] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[9-9] Add.
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[Page 366]
XXIX
[1]ACCOUNT OF THE BROWN BULL OF CUALNGE[1]
[2]A journey of a day and a night the Brown Bull carried the remains of the Whitehorned till he came to the loch that is by Cruachan. And he came thereout with the loin and the shoulder-blade and the liver of the other on his horns.[2] [W.6168.] It was not long before the men of Erin, as they were there [3]in the company of Ailill and Medb[3] early on the morrow, saw coming over Cruachan from the west the Brown Bull of Cualnge with the Whitehorned of Ai in torn fragments hanging about his ears and horns. The men of Erin arose, and they knew not which of the bulls it was. "Come, ye men!" cried Fergus; "leave him alone if it be the Whitehorned that is there; and if it be the Brown of Cualnge, leave him his trophy with him!"
[1-1] YBL. 41a, 8.
[2-2] YBL. 53a, 13-16.
[3-3] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[4]Then it was that the [5]seven[5] Manè arose to take vengeance on the Brown Bull of Cualnge for his violence and his valour. "Whither go yonder men?" asked Fergus. "They go to kill the Brown of Cualnge," [6]said all,[6] "because of his evil deeds."[4] "I pledge my word," [7]shouted Fergus:[7] "what has already been done in regard to the bulls is a small thing in compare with that which will [W.6179.] now take place, [1]unless with his spoils and victory ye let the Brown of Cualnge go from you into his own land."[1]
[4-4] Stowe and Add.
[5-5] Add.
[6-6] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[7-7] H. 1. 13, Stowe and Add.
[1-1] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[2]Then the Brown Bull of Cualnge gave forth the three chiefest bellowings of his throat in boast of his triumph, and fear of Fergus held back the men of Erin from attacking the Brown Bull of Cualnge.[2]
[2-2] H. 1. 13.
[3]Then[3] went the Brown Bull of Cualnge [4]to the west of Cruachan.[4] He turned his right[a] side towards Cruachan, and he left there a heap of the liver [5]of the Whitehorned,[5] so that thence is [6]named[6] Cruachan Ai ('Liver-reeks').
[3-3] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[4-4] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[a] As a sign of friendliness.
[5-5] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[6-6] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[7]Next he [8]came to his own land and[8] reached the river Finnglas ('Whitewater'), and, [9]on coming,[9] he drank a draught from the river, and, so long as he drank the draught, he let not one drop of the river flow by him. Then he raised his head, and the shoulder-blades of the Whitehorned fell from him in that place. Hence, Sruthair Finnlethe ('Stream of the White Shoulder-blade') is the name given to it.[7]
[7-7] Stowe.
[8-8] YBL. 53a, 18.
[9-9] YBL. 53a, 18.
He pursued his way [10]to the river Shannon,[10] to the brink of Ath Mor ('the Great Ford'), [11]and he drank a draught from it, and, as long as he drank the draught, he let not one drop of the river flow past him. Then he raised his head, so that the two haunches of the Whitehorned fell from him there;[11] and he left behind the loin of the Whitehorned in that place, so that thence cometh Athlone ('Loinford'). He continued eastwards into the land of Meath to Ath Truim. [12]He sent forth his roar at Iraird Cuillinn; he was heard over the entire province. And he drank in Tromma.[12] [13]As long as he drank the draught, he let not one drop of the river flow past him.[13] And he left behind [W.6192.] there the liver of the Whitehorned. [1]Some [2]learned men[2] say, it is from the liver of the Whitehorned which fell from the Brown of Cualnge, that Ath Truim ('Liverford') is called.[1]
[10-10] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[11-11] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[12-12] YBL. 53a, 22.
[13-13] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[1-1] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[2-2] Add.
He raised his head haughtily and shook the remains of the Whitehorned from him over Erin. He sent its hind leg away from him to Port Largè ('Port of the Hind Leg'). He sent its ribs from him to Dublin, which is called Ath Cliath ('Ford of the Ribs' or 'of the Hurdles').
He turned his face northwards then, [3]and went on thence to the summit of Sliab Breg, and he saw the peaks[3] and knew the land of Cualnge, [4]and a great agitation came over him at the sight of his own land and country,[4] and he went his way towards it. In that place were women and youths and children lamenting the Brown Bull of Cualnge. They saw the Brown of Cualnge's forehead approaching them. "The forehead of a bull cometh towards us!" they shouted. Hence is Taul Tairb ('Bull's Brow') ever since. [5]Then he went on the road of Midluachar to Cuib, where he was wont to be with the yeld cow of Darè, and he tore up the earth there. Hence cometh Gort Buraig ('Field of the Trench').[5]
[3-3] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[4-4] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[5-5] YBL. 53a, 26-28.
[LL.fo.104b.] Then turned the Brown of Cualnge on the women and youths and children of the land of Cualnge, and [6]with the greatness of his fury and rage[6] he effected a great slaughter [7]amongst them.[7] He turned his back to the hill then and his heart broke in his breast, even as a nut breaks, [8]and he belched out his heart like a black stone of dark blood.[8] [9]He went then and died between Ulster and Ui Echach at Druim Tairb. Druim Tairb ('Bull's Back') is the name of that place.[9]
[6-6] H. 1. 13 and Add.
[7-7] Translating from Stowe.
[8-8] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
[9-9] YBL. 53a, 28-29.
[1]Such, then, is the account of the Brown Bull of Cualnge, and the end of the Táin by Medb of Cruachan daughter of Eocho Fedlech, and by Ailill son of Maga, and by all the men of Ulster up to this point.[1] [2]Ailill and Medb made peace with the men of Ulster and with Cuchulain. For seven years there was no killing of men amongst them in Erin. Finnabair remained with Cuchulain, and the Connachtmen went to their own land, and the men of Ulster returned to Emain Macha with their great triumph. _Finit. Amen._[2]
[1-1] Translating from H. 1. 13 and Add.
[2-2] YBL. 53a, 29-33.
* * * * *
[W.6206.] A blessing be upon all such as shall faithfully keep the Táin in memory as it stands here and shall not add any other form to it.[a]
[a] With this the Irish text concludes: What follows is in Latin.
* * * * *
I, however, who have copied this history, or more truly legend, give no credence to various incidents narrated in it. For, some things herein are the feats of jugglery of demons, sundry others poetic figments, a few are probable, others improbable, and even more invented for the delectation of fools.
* * * * *
[Page 371]
INDEX AND PRONUNCIATION OF THE MORE FREQUENTLY OCCURRING PLACE AND PERSONAL-NAMES.
It will simplify matters for the English reader if the following points respecting the pronunciation of proper names in medieval Irish, are borne in mind:
Each _simple_ word is accented on the first syllable.
Pronounce:
á (long), as in _aught_; a (short), as in _hot_. c with slender vowels (e, i), as in _king_; never as _s_. c with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _car_; never as _s_. ch with slender vowels (e, i), as in German _Ich_; never as in _church_. ch with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in German _Buch_; never as in _church_. d with slender vowels (e, i), as in French _dieu_. d with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _thy_. é (long), as in _ale_; e (short), as in _bet_. g with slender vowels (e, i), as in _give_; never as _j_. g with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _go_; never as _j_. gh with slender vowels (e, i) is slender ch _voiced_. gh with broad vowels (a, o, u) is broad ch _voiced_. í (long), as in _feel_; i (short), as in _it_. mh and bh intervocalic with slender vowels, as _v_. mh and bh intervocalic with broad vowels, as _w_. ó (long), as in _note_; o (short), as in _done_. s with slender vowels (e, i), as in _shine_; never as _z_. s with broad vowels (a, o, u), as _s_. t with slender vowels (e, i), as in _tin_. t with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _threw_. th, like _h_. ú (long), as in _pool_; u (short), as in _full_.
The remaining consonants are pronounced almost as in English.
Aed: to rime with _Day_
Aed Ernmas: the father of the Morrigan
Ai: _see_ Mag Ai
Aidne: a district comprising the barony of Kiltartan, in the south-west of the County Galway
Aifè: one of the three women-teachers of Cuchulain and Ferdiad (pronounced _Eefe_)
Ailè: north-east of Baile, on Medb's march from Cruachan into Ulster
Ailill: king-consort of Queen Medb, dwelling in Cruachan Ai (pronounced _Ayeleel_)
Ailill Find Miltenga: one of the chief heroes of Ulster
Ailill macMailchlo: father of Sencha
Ainè: _see_ Cnoc Ainè
Airnè: north-east of Assè
Alba: Scotland
Amargin Iarngiunnach: a leading Ulster hero; father of Conall Cernach and brother of Iliach (pronounced _Avergin_)
Ane: a district in which is Knockaney in the County Limerick
Ardachad: north of Druim Liccè
Ard Ciannachta: a place in the barony of Ferrard, in the County Louth
Ard Cuillenn: in Ulster, east of Moin Coltna
Ard Macha: Armagh
Assail: a place in Meath
Assè: north of Finnabair (Fennor), on Medb's march out of Connacht into Ulster
Ath: 'a ford' (pronounced _Ah_)
Ath Aladh Ind: a ford in the Plain of Murthemne
Ath Berchna: in Connacht, north-west of Croohan, near Bellanagare; it may be for Ath Bercha, in East Roscommon, and on or near the Shannon
Ath Buide: the village of Athboy, in the territory of Ross, County Meath
Ath Carpat: a ford on the river Nith (now the Dee), in the County Louth
Ath Ceit Chule: a ford on the river Glais, in Ulster
Ath Cliath: Dublin
Ath Coltna: in Connacht, south-west of Ath Moga and south-east of Cruachan
Ath Cro: a ford in Murthemne
Ath da Fert: a ford in Sliab Fuait, probably in the south of the barony of Upper Fews, County Armagh
Ath Darteisc: a ford in Murthemne
Ath Feidli: a ford in Ulster
Ath Fene: _see_ Ath Irmidi
Ath Firdead: Ardee, a ford and a small town on the river Dee, in the County Louth
Ath Gabla: a ford on the Boyne, north of Knowth, in the County Meath (pronounced _Ah gowla_)
Ath Grenca: the same as Ath Gabla
Ath Irmidi: the older name of Ath Fene, south of Iraird Cuillinn
Ath Lethain: a ford on the Nith, in Conalle Murthemni
Ath Luain: Athlone, on the Shannon, on the borders of Connacht and Meath
Ath Meislir: a ford in Sliab Fuait, in Ulster
Ath Moga: the present Ballymoe, on the river Suck, about ten miles to the south-west of Cruachan, County Galway
Ath Mor: the old name for Ath Luain
Ath na Foraire: on the road between Emain and Loch Echtrann
Ath Slissen: Bellaslishen Bridge; a ford on the Owenure River, near Elphin, in Connacht
Ath Solomshet: a ford, probably in Ulster
Ath Srethe: a ford in Conalle Murthemni
Ath Tamuin: a ford, somewhere in Ulster
Ath Traged: at the extremity of Tir Mor, in Murthemne
Ath Truim: Trim, on the river Boyne, in the County Meath
Aue: a slave in the household of King Conchobar
Aurthuile: north-east of Airne
Bacca: in Corcumruad
Bacc Draigin: a place in Ulster
Badb: the war-fury, or goddess of war and carnage; she was wont to appear in the form of a carrion-crow. Sometimes she is the sister of the Morrigan, and, as in the Táin Bó Cúalnge, is even identified with her (pronounced _Bive_)
Badbgna: now Slieve Bawne, a mountainous range, in the barony of Ballintubber, in the east of County Roscommon
Baile: north-east of Meide ind Eoin, on Medb's march from Connacht into Ulster
Baile in Bile: on the way to Ardee
Bairche: Benna Bairche, the Mourne Mountains, north of Dundalk, in Ulster
Ball Scena: north-east of Dall Scena
Banba: an old name for Ireland
Banna: now the Bann, a river in Ulster
Becaltach: grandfather of Cuchulain
Bedg: a river in Murthemne
Belat Aileain: probably between Cualnge and Conalle Murthemni
Belach Caille More: north of Cnogba
Benna Bairche: _see_ Bairche
Berba: the Barrow, a river in Leinster
Bercha: on or near the Shannon, near Bellanagare, in East Roscommon
Berchna: probably for Bercha
Bernas: the pass cut by Medb from Louth into Armagh; probably the "Windy Gap" across the Carlingford Peninsula
Betha: see Sliab Betha
Bir: the name of several rivers; probably Moyola Water, a river flowing into Lough Neagh
Bithslan: a river in Conalle Murthemni
Blai: a rich Ulster noble and hospitaller
Boann: the River Boyne
Bodb: the father of Badb
Boirenn: Burren, in the County Clare
Branè: probably a hill not far from Ardee, in the County Louth
Breslech Mor: a fort in Murthemne
Brecc: a place in Ulster
Brega: the eastern part of Meath
Brenide: a river in Conalle Murthemni, near Strangford Lough
Bricriu: son of Carbad, and the evil adviser of the Ulstermen
Bri Errgi: stronghold of Errge Echbel, in the County Down
Brigantia: Betanzos, in Galicia, on the north coast of Spain
Bri Ross: a hill to the north of Ardee, in the County Louth
Brug Meic ind Oc, or, as it is also called,
Brug na Boinde: Brugh on the Boyne, near Stackallen Bridge, County Meath, one of the chief burial-places of the pagan Irish