W. 186. ¹Thus the four provinces of Erin gathered in Cruachan Ai.¹ They pitched their camp and quarters that night, so that a thick cloud of smoke and fire rose between the four fords of Ai, which are, Ath Moga, Ath Bercna, Ath Slissen and Ath Coltna. And they tarried for the full space of a fortnight in Cruachan, the hostel of Connacht, in wassail and drink and every disport, to the end that their march and muster might be easier. ²And their poets and druids would not let them depart from thence till the end of a fortnight while awaiting good omen.² And then it was that Medb bade her charioteer to harness her horses for her, that she might go to address herself to her druid, to seek for light and for augury from him.

IV. THE FORETELLING^a

W. 194. When Medb was come to the place where her druid was, she craved light and augury of him. "Many there be," saith Medb, "who do part with their kinsmen and friends here to-day, and from their homes and their lands, from father and from mother; and unless unscathed every one shall return, upon me will they cast their sighs and their ban, ¹for it is I that have assembled this levy.¹ Yet there goeth not forth nor stayeth there at home any dearer to me than are we to ourselves. And do thou discover for us whether we ourselves shall return, or whether we shall never return."

And the druid made answer, "Whoever comes not, thou thyself shalt come." ²"Wait, then," spake the charioteer," let me wheel the chariot by the right,^b that thus the power of a good omen may arise that we return again."² Then the charioteer wheeled his chariot round and Medb went back ³again,³ when she espied a thing that surprised her: A lone virgin ⁴of marriageable age⁴ standing on the hindpole of a chariot a little way off drawing nigh her. And thus the maiden appeared: Weaving lace was she, and in her right hand was a bordering rod of silvered W. 204. bronze with its seven strips of red gold at the sides. A many-spotted green mantle around her; a bulging, strong-headed pin ¹of gold¹ in the mantle over her bosom; ²a hooded tunic, with red interweaving, about her.² A ruddy, fair-faced countenance she had, ³narrow below and broad above.³ She had a blue-grey and laughing eye; ⁴each eye had three pupils.^{4 5}Dark and black were her eyebrows; the soft, black lashes threw a shadow to the middle of her cheeks.⁵ Red and thin were her lips. Shiny and pearly were her teeth; thou wouldst believe they were showers of white pearls that had rained into her head. Like to fresh Parthian crimson were her lips. As sweet as the strings of lutes ⁶when long sustained they are played by master players' hands⁶ was the melodious sound of her voice and her fair speech.

As white as snow in one night fallen was the sheen of her skin and her body that shone outside of her dress. Slender and very white were her feet; rosy, even, sharp-round nails she had; ⁷two sandals with golden buckles about them.⁷ Fair-yellow, long, golden hair she wore; three braids of hair ⁸she wore; two tresses were wound⁸ around her head; the other tress ⁹from behind⁹ threw a shadow down on her calves. ¹⁰The maiden carried arms, and two black horses were under her chariot.¹⁰

Medb gazed at her. "And what doest thou here now, O maiden?" asked Medb. "I impart ^*LL. fo. 56a. to thee thine advantage and good fortune in thy gathering and muster of the four mighty provinces of Erin against the land of Ulster on the Raid for the Kine of Cualnge." "Wherefore doest thou this for me?" asked Medb. "Much cause have I. A bondmaid 'mid thy people am I." "Who of W. 220. my people art thou ¹and what is thy name¹?" asked Medb. "Not hard, in sooth, to say. The prophetess Fedelm, from the Sid ('the Fairy Mound') of Cruachan, ²a poetess of Connacht² am I." ³"Whence comest thou?" asked Medb. "From Alba, after learning prophetic skill," the maiden made answer. "Hast thou the form of divination?"^b "Verily, have I," the maiden said.^{3 4}"Look, then, for me, how will my undertaking be." The maiden looked. Then spake Medb:—⁴

"Good now,

⁵Fedelm answered and spoke:⁵

⁶"That is no true augury,"⁶ said Medb. "Verily, Conchobar ⁷with the Ulstermen⁷ is in his 'Pains' in Emain; thither fared my messengers ⁸and brought me true tidings⁸; naught is there that we need dread from Ulster's men. But speak truth, O Fedelm:—

⁹"That is no true augury.⁹ Cuscraid Mend ('the Stammerer') of Macha, Conchobar's son, is in Inis Cuscraid ('Cuscraid's Isle') in his 'Pains.' Thither fared my messengers; naught need we fear from Ulster's men. But speak truth, O Fedelm:—

"Eogan, Durthacht's son, is in Rath Airthir ('the Eastern Rath') in his 'Pains.' Thither went my messengers. Naught need we dread from Ulster's men. But speak truth, O Fedelm:—

"Celtchar, Uthechar's son, is in his fort ¹at Lethglas¹ in his 'Pains,' ²and a third of the Ulstermen with him.² Thither fared my messengers. Naught have we to fear from Ulster's men. ³And Fergus son of Roig son of Eochaid is with us here in exile, and thirty hundred with him.³ But speak truth, O Fedelm:—

"Meseemeth this not as it seemeth to thee," quoth Medb, "for when Erin's men shall assemble in one place, there quarrels will arise and broils, contentions and disputes amongst them about the ordering of themselves in the van or rear, at ford or river, over who shall be first at killing a boar or a stag or a deer or a hare. But, ⁴look now again for us and⁴ speak truth, O Fedelm:—

Therewith she began to prophesy and to foretell the coming of Cuchulain to the men of Erin, and she chanted a lay:—

Thus far the Augury and the Prophecy and the Preface of the Tale, and the Occasion of its invention and conception, and the Pillow-talk which Ailill and Medb had in Cruachan. ¹Next follows the Body of the Tale itself.¹

W. 301. and the Beginning of the Expedition and the Names of the Roads which the hosts of the four of the five grand provinces of Erin took into the land of Ulster. ¹On Monday after Summer's end^{1 2}they set forth and proceeded:²

³South-east from Cruachan Ai,³ by Mag Cruimm, over Tuaim Mona ('the Hill of Turf'), by Turloch Teora Crich ('the Creek of three Lands'), by Cul ('the Nook') of Silinne, by Dubloch ('Black Lough'), ⁴by Fid Dubh ('Black Woods'),⁴ by Badbgna, by Coltain, by the Shannon, by Glune Gabur, by Mag Trega, by Tethba in the north, by Tethba in the south, by Cul ('the Nook'), by Ochain, northwards by Uatu, eastwards by Tiarthechta, by Ord ('the Hammer'), by Slaiss ('the Strokes'), ⁵southwards,⁵ by Indeoin ('the Anvil'), by Carn, by Meath, by Ortrach, by Findglassa Assail, ('White Stream of Assail'), by Drong, by Delt, by Duelt, by Delinn, by Selaig, by Slabra, by Slechta, where swords hewed out roads before Medb and Ailill, by Cul ('the Nook') of Siblinne, by Dub ('the Blackwater'), by Ochonn ⁶southwards,⁶ by Catha, by Cromma ⁷southwards,⁷ by Tromma, ⁸eastwards⁸ by Fodromma, by Slane, by Gort Slane, ⁹to the south of⁹ Druim Liccè, by Ath Gabla, by Ardachad ('Highfield'), W. 356. ¹northwards¹ by Feorainn, by Finnabair ('White Plain'), by Assa ²southwards,² by Airne, by Aurthuile, by Druim Salfind ('Salfind Ridge'), by Druim Cain, by Druim Caimthechta, by Druim macDega, by the little Eo Dond ('Brown Tree'), by the great Eo Dond, by Meide in Togmaill ('Ferret's Neck'), by Meide in Eoin, ('Bird's Neck'), by Baille ('the Town'), by Aile, by Dall Scena, by Ball Scena, by Ross Mor ('Great Point'), by Scuap ('the Broom'), by Imscuap, by Cenn Ferna, by Anmag, by Fid Mor ('Great Wood') in Crannach of Cualnge, ³by Colbtha, by Crond in Cualnge,³ by Druim Cain on the road to Midluachar, ⁴from Finnabair of Cualnge. It is at that point that the hosts of Erin divided over the province in pursuit of the bull. For it was by way of those places they went until they reached Finnabair. Here endeth the Title. The Story begineth in order.⁴

W. 389. On the first stage the hosts went ¹from Cruachan,¹ they slept the night at Cul Silinne, ²where to-day is Cargin's Lough.² And ³in that place³ was fixed the tent of Ailill son of Ross, ⁴and the trappings were arranged, both bedding and bed-clothes.⁴ The tent of Fergus macRoig was on his right hand; Cormac Conlongas, Conchobar's son, was beside him; Ith macEtgaith next to that; Fiachu macFiraba, ⁵the son of Conchobar's daughter,⁵ at its side; ⁶Conall Cernach at its side,⁶ Gobnenn macLurnig at the side of that. The place of Ailill's tent was on the right on the march, and thirty hundred men of Ulster beside him. And the thirty hundred men of Ulster on his right hand had he to the end that the whispered talk and conversation and the choice supplies of food and of drink might be the nearer to them.

Medb of Cruachan, ⁷daughter of Eocho Fedlech,⁷ moreover, was at Ailill's left. Finnabair ('Fairbrow'), ⁸daughter of Ailill and Medb,⁸ at her side, ⁹besides servants and henchmen.⁹ Next, Flidais Foltchain ('of the Lovely Hair'), wife first of Ailill Finn ('the Fair'). She took part in the Cow-spoil of Cualnge after she had slept with Fergus; and she it was that every seventh night brought sustenance W. 404. in milk to the men of Erin on the march, for king and queen and prince and poet and pupil.

Medb remained in the rear of the host that day in quest of tidings and augury ^*LL. fo. 57a. and knowledge. ¹She called to her charioteer to get ready her nine chariots for her,^{1 2}to make a circuit of the camp² that she might learn who was loath and who eager to take part in the hosting. ³With nine chariots^a she was wont to travel, that the dust of the great host might not soil her.³ Medb suffered not her chariot to be let down nor her horses unyoked until she had made a circuit of the camp.

Then, ⁴when she had reviewed the host,⁴ were Medb's horses unyoked and her chariots let down, and she took her place beside Ailill macMata. And Ailill asked tidings of Medb: who was eager and who was loath for the warfare. "Futile for all is the emprise but for one troop only, ⁵namely the division of the Galian ('of Leinster'),"⁵ quoth Medb. ⁶"Why blamest thou these men?" queried Ailill. "It is not that we blame them," Medb made answer.⁶ "What good service then have these done that they are praised above all?" asked Ailill. "There is reason to praise them," said Medb. ⁷"Splendid are the warriors.⁷ When the others begin making their pens and pitching their camp, these have finished building their bothies and huts. When the rest are building their bothies and huts, these have finished preparing their food and drink. When the rest are preparing their food and drink, these have finished eating and feasting, ⁸and their harps are playing for them.⁸ When all the others have finished eating and feasting, these are by that W. 422. time asleep. And even as their servants and thralls are distinguished above the servants and thralls of the men of Erin, so shall their heroes and champions be distinguished beyond the heroes and champions of the men of Erin this time on this hosting. ¹It is folly then for these to go, since it is those others will enjoy the victory of the host.¹" "So much the better, I trow," replied Ailill; "for it is with us they go and it is for us they fight." "They shall not go with us nor shall they fight for us." ²cried Medb.² "Let them stay at home then," said Ailill. "Stay they shall not," answered Medb. "³They will fall on us in the rear and will seize our land against us.³" "What shall they do then," Finnabair^a asked, "if they go not out nor yet remain at home?" "Death and destruction and slaughter is what I desire for them," answered Medb. "For shame then on thy speech," spake Ailill; "⁴'tis a woman's advice,⁴ for that they pitch their tents and make their pens so promptly and unwearily." "By the truth of my conscience," cried Fergus, ⁵"not thus shall it happen, for they are allies of us men of Ulster.⁵ No one shall do them to death but he that does death to myself ⁶along with them!"⁶

"Not to me oughtest thou thus to speak, O Fergus," then cried Medb, "for I have hosts enough to slay and slaughter thee with the division of Leinstermen round thee. For there are the seven Manè, ⁷that is, my seven sons⁷ with their seven divisions, and the sons of Maga with their ⁸seven⁸ divisions, and Ailill with his division, and I myself with my own body-guard besides. We are strong enough here to kill and slaughter thee with thy cantred of the Leinstermen round thee!"

"It befits thee not thus to speak to me," said Fergus, W. 439. "for I have with me here ¹in alliance with us Ulstermen,¹ the seven Under-kings of Munster, with their seven cantreds. ²Here we have what is best of the youths of Ulster, even the division of the Black Banishment.² Here we have what is best of the noble youths of Ulster, even the division of the Galian ('of Leinster'). Furthermore, I myself am bond and surety and guarantee for them, since ever they left their own native land. ³I will give thee battle in the midst of the camp,³ and to me will they hold steadfast on the day of battle. More than all that," added Fergus, "these men shall be no subject of dispute. By that I mean I will never forsake them. ⁴For the rest, we will care for these warriors, to the end that they get not the upper hand of the host.

"The number of our force is seventeen cantreds, besides our rabble and our women-folk—for with each king was his queen in Medb's company—and our striplings; the eighteenth division is namely the cantred of the Galian.⁴ This division of Leinstermen I will distribute among ⁵all the host of⁵ the men of Erin in such wise that no five men of them shall be in any one place." "That pleaseth me well," said Medb: "let them be as they may, if only they be not in the battle-order of the ranks where they now are in such great force."

Forthwith Fergus distributed the cantred ⁶of the Galian⁶ among the men of Erin in such wise that there were not five men of them in any one place.

^*LL. fo. 57b. Thereupon, the troops set out on their way and march. It was no easy thing ⁷for their kings and their leaders⁷ to attend to that mighty host. They took part in the expedition W. 453. according to the several tribes and according to the several stems and the several districts wherewith they had come, to the end that they might see one other and know one other, that each man might be with his comrades and with his friends and with his kinsfolk on the march. They declared that in such wise they should go. They also took counsel in what manner they should proceed on their hosting. Thus they declared they should proceed: Each host with its king, each troop with its lord, and each band with its captain; each king and each prince of the men of Erin ¹by a separate route¹ on his halting height apart. They took counsel who was most proper to seek tidings in advance of the host between the two provinces. And they said it was Fergus, inasmuch as the expedition was an obligatory one with him, for it was he that had been seven years in the kingship of Ulster. And ²after Conchobar had usurped the kingship and² after the murder of the sons of Usnech who were under his protection and surety, Fergus left the Ultonians, and for seventeen years he was away from Ulster in exile and in enmity. For that reason it was fitting that he above all should go after tidings.

So ³the lead of the way was entrusted to Fergus.³ Fergus before all fared forth to seek tidings, and a feeling of ⁴love and⁴ affection for his kindred of the men of Ulster came over him, and he led the troops astray in a great circuit to the north and the south. And he despatched messengers with warnings to the Ulstermen, ⁵who were at that time in their 'Pains' except Cuchulain and his father Sualtaim.⁵ And he began to detain and delay the host ⁶until such time as the men of Ulster should have gathered together an army.^{6 7}Because of affection he did so.⁷

W. 472. Medb perceived this and she upbraided him for it, and chanted the lay:—

Medb:

Fergus:

Medb:

Fergus:

Medb:

"I will be in the van of the troops no longer," cried Fergus; "but do thou find another to go before them." For all that, Fergus kept his place in the van of the troops.

The four mighty provinces of Erin passed that night on Cul Silinne. The sharp, keen-edged anxiety for Cuchulain came upon Fergus and he warned the men of Erin to be on their guard, because there would come upon them the rapacious lion, and the doom of foes, the vanquisher of multitudes, and the chief of retainers, the mangler of great hosts, the hand that dispenseth ³treasures,³ and the flaming W. 502. torch, even Cuchulain son of Sualtaim.^a And thus he foreshowed him and chanted a lay, and Medb responded:—

Fergus: