W. 1563. 2Early2 on the morrow the hosts continued their way 3to lay waste the plain of Murthemne and to sack Mag Breg and Meath and Machaire Conaill ('Conall's Plain') and the land of Cualnge. It was then that the streams and rivers of Conalle Murthemni rose to the tops of the trees, and the streams of the Cronn rose withal, until the hosts arrived at Glaiss Cruinn ('Cronn's Stream').3 And they attempted the stream and failed to cross it 4because of the size of its waves,4 5so that they slept on its bank.5 And Cluain Carpat ('Chariot-meadow') is the name of the first place where they reached it. This is why Cluain Carpat is the name of that place, because of the hundreda chariots which the river carried away from them to the sea. Medb ordered her people that one of the warriors should go try the river. And 6on the morrow6 there arose a great, stout, 7wonderful7 warrior of the 8particular8 people of Medb 9and Ailill,9 Uala by name, and he took on his back a massy rock, 10to the end that Glaiss Cruinn might not carry him back.10 And he went to essay the stream, and the stream threw him back dead, lifeless, with his W. 1571. stone on his back 1and so he was drowned.1 Medb ordered that he be lifted 2out of the river then2 3by the men of Erin3 and his grave dug 4and his keen made4 and his stone raised 5over his grave,5 so that it is thence Lia Ualann ('Uala's Stone') 6on the road near the stream6 in the land of Cualnge.
Cuchulain clung close to the hosts that day provoking them to encounter and combat. 7Four and seven score kings fell at his hands at that same stream,7 and he slew a hundred of their 8armed,8 9kinglike9 warriors around Roen and Roi, the two chroniclers of the Táin. 10This is the reason the account of the Táin was lost and had to be sought afterwards for so long a time.10
Medb called upon her people to go meet Cuchulain in encounter and combat 11for the sake of the hosts.11 "It will not be I," and "It will not be I," spake each and every one from his place. "No caitiff is due from my people. Even though one should be due, it is not I would go to oppose Cuchulain, for no easy thing is it to do battle with him."
12When they had failed to find the Donn Cualnge,12 the hosts kept their way along the river 13around the river Cronn to its source,13 being unable to cross it, till they reached the place where the river rises out of the mountains, and, had they wished it, they would have gone between the river and the mountain, but Medb would not allow it, so they had to dig and hollow out the mountain. W. 1585. before her in order 1that their trace might remain there forever and1 that it might be for a shame and reproach to Ulster.
2They tarried there three days and three nights till they had dug out the earth before them.2 And Bernais ('the Gap') of the 4Foray of Medb and the Gap of the4 Foray of Cualnge is another name for the place ever since, for it is through it the drove afterwards passed. 3There Cuchulain killed Cronn and Coemdele and ...3
The warriors of the four grand provinces of Erin pitched camp and took quarters that night at Belat Aileain ('the Island's Crossway'). Belat Aileain was its name up to then, but Glenn Tail ('Glen of Shedding') is henceforth its name because of the abundance of curds and of milk 5and of new warm milk5 which the droves of cattle and the flocks 6of the land of Conalle and Murthemne6 yielded there 7that night7 for the men of Erin. And Liasa Liac ('Stone Sheds') is another name for it 8to this day,8 and it is for this it bears that name, for it is there that the men of Erin raised cattle-stalls and byres for their herds and droves 9between Cualnge and Conalle.9 10Botha is still another name for it, for the men of Erin erected bothies and huts there.10
The four of the five grand provinces of Erin took up the march until they reached the Sechair 11in the west on the morrow.11 Sechair was the name of the river hitherto; Glaiss Gatlaig ('Osier-water') is its name henceforward. 12And Glaiss Gatlaig rose up against them.12 Now this is the reason it had that name, for it was in osiers and ropes that the men of Erin brought W. 1599. their flocks and droves over across it, and the entire host let their osiers and ropes drift with the stream after crossing. Hence the name, Glaiss Gatlaig. 1Then they slept at Druim Fenè in Conalle. These then are their stages from Cualnge to the plain (of Conalle Murthemni) according to this version. Other authors 2of this Work2 and other books aver that they followed another way on their journeyings from Finnabair to Conalle.1
2After every one had come with their spoils and they were all gathered in Finnabair of Cualnge, Medb spake: "Let the camp be divided here," said Medb; "the foray cannot be caried on by a single road. Let Ailill with half his force go by Midluachair. We and Fergus will go by Bernas Bo Ulad ('the Pass of the Cattle of Ulster')." "Not fair is the part that has fallen to us of the force," said Fergus; "the cattle cannot be driven over the mountain without dividing." This then is done. Hence cometh Bernas Bo Ulad ('the Pass of the Cattle of Ulster').
Then spake Ailill to his charioteer Cuillius: "Find out for me to-day Medb and Fergus. I wot not what hath led them to keep thus together. I would fain have a token from thee." Cuillius went where Medb and Fergus wantoned. The pair dallied behind while the warriors continued their march. Cuillius stole near them and they perceived not the spy. It happened that Fergus' sword lay close by him. Cuillius drew it from its sheath and left the sheath empty. Then Cuillius betook himself to Ailill. "Well?" said Ailill. "Well, then," replied 3Cuillius;3 "thou knowest the signification of this token. As thou hast thought," continued Cuillius, "it is thus I discovered them, lying together." "It is so, then." Each of them laughs, at the other. "It is well so," said Ailill; "she had no choice; to win his help on the Táin she hath done it. Keep the sword carefully by thee," said Ailill; "put it beneath thy seat in the chariot and a linen cloth wrapped round it."
When Fergus got up to take his sword, "Alas!" cried he. "What aileth thee?" Medb asked. "An ill deed have I done Ailill," said he. "Wait thou here till I come out of the wood," said Fergus, "and wonder not though it be long till I come." It happened that Medb knew not of the loss of the sword. Fergus went out taking his charioteer's sword with him in his hand, and he fashioned a sword from a tree in the wood. Hence is Fid Mor Thruailli ('Great Scabbard-Wood') in Ulster.
"Let us hasten after our comrades," said Fergus. The forces of all came together in the plain. They raised their tents. Fergus was summoned to Ailill for a game of chess. When Fergus entered the tent Ailill laughed at him.a
Cuchulain came so that he was before Ath Cruinn ('the Ford of the Cronn'). "O master Laeg," he cried to his driver, "here are the hosts for us." "I swear by the gods," said the charioteer, "I will do a mighty feat in the eyes of chariot-fighters, in quick spurring-on of the slender steeds; with yokes of silver and golden wheels shall they be urged on (?) in triumph. Thou shalt ride before heads of kings. The steeds I guide will bring victory with their bounding." "Take heed, O Laeg," said Cuchulain; "hold the reins for the great triumph of Macha, that the horses drag thee not over the mass at the ... (?) of a woman. Let us go over the straight plain of these ... (?). I call on the waters to help me," cried Cuchulain. "I beseech heaven and earth and the Cronn above all."
Therewith the water rose up till it was in the tops of the trees.
Manè son of Ailill and Medb marched in advance of the rest. Cuchulain slew him on the ford and thirty horsemen of his people were drowned. Again Cuchulain laid low twice sixteen warriors of theirs near the stream. The warriors of Erin pitched their tents near the ford. Lugaid son of Nos 1grandson of Lomarc1 Allcomach went to parley with Cuchulain. Thirty horsemen were with him. "Welcome to thee, O Lugaid," cried Cuchulain. "Should a flock of birds graze upon the plain of Murthemne, thou shalt have a wild goose with half the other. Should fish come to the falls or to the bays, thou shalt have a salmon with as much again. Thou shalt have the three sprigs, even a sprig of cresses, a sprig of laver, and a sprig of sea-grass; there will be a man to take thy place at the ford." "This welcome is truly meant," replied Lugaid; "the choice of people for the youth whom I desire!" "Splendid are your hosts," said Cuchulain. "It will be no misfortune," said Lugaid, "for thee to stand up alone before them." "True courage and valour have I," Cuchulain made answer. "Lugaid, my master," said Cuchulain, "do the hosts fear me?" "By the god," Lugaid made answer, "I swear that no one man of them nor two men dares make water outside the camp unless twenty or thirty go with him." "It will be something for them," said Cuchulain, "if I begin to cast from my sling. He will be fit for thee, O Lugaid, this companion thou hast in Ulster, 1if the men oppose me one by one.1 Say, then, what wouldst thou?" asked Cuchulain. "A truce with my host." "Thou shalt have it, provided there be a token therefor. And tell my master Fergus that there shall be a token on the host. Tell the leeches that there shall be a token on the host, and let them swear to preserve my life and let them provide me each night with provision."
Lugaid went from him. It happened that Fergus was in the tent with Ailill. Lugaid called him out and reported that (proposal of Cuchulain's) to him. Then Ailill was heard:a
"I swear by the god, I cannot," said 3Fergus,3 "unless I ask the lad. Help me, O Lugaid," said Fergus. "Do thou go to him, to see whether Ailill with a division may come to me to my company. Take him an ox with salt pork and a keg of wine." Thereupon Lugaid goes to Cuchulain and tells him that. "'Tis the same to me whether he go," said Cuchulain. Then the two hosts unite. They remain there till night, 4or until they spend thirty nights there.4 Cuchulain destroyed thirty of their warriors with his sling. "Your journeyings will be ill-starred," said Fergus (to Medb and Ailill); "the men of Ulster will come out of their 'Pains' and will grind you down to the earth and the gravel. Evil is the battle-corner wherein we are." He proceeds to Cul Airthir ('the Eastern Nook'). Cuchulain slays thirty of their heroes on Ath Duirn ('Ford of the Fist'). Now they could not reach Cul Airthir till night. Cuchulain killed thirty of their men there and they raised their tents in that place. In the morning Ailill's charioteer, Cuillius to wit, was washing the wheel-bands in the ford. Cuchulain struck him with a stone so that he killed him. Hence is Ath Cuillne ('Ford of Destruction') in Cul Airthir.'2
W. 1603. The four grand provinces of Erin proceeded till they pitched camp and took quarters in Druim En ('Birds' Ridge') in the land of Conalle Murthemni, 1and they slept there1 that night, 2as we said before,2 and Cuchulain held himself at Ferta Illergaib ('the Burial-mound on the Slopes') hard by them that night, and he, Cuchulain, shook, brandished and flourished his weapons that night. 3Every night of the three nights they were there he made casts from his sling at them, from Ochaine nearby,3 so that one hundred warriors of the host perished of fright and fear and dread of Cuchulain. 4"Not long will our host endure in this way with Cuchulain," quoth Ailill.4 Medb called upon Fiachu son of Ferfebè of the Ulstermen to go parley with Cuchulain, to come to some terms with him. "What terms shall be given him?" asked Fiachu son of Ferfebè. "Not hard to answer," Medb replied: "He shall be recompensed 5for the loss of his lands and estates,5 for whosoever has been slain of the Ulstermen, so that it be paid to him as the men of Erin adjudge 6according to the will of the Ulstermen and of Fergus and of the nobles of the men of Erin who are in this camp and encampment.6 Entertainment shall be his at all times in Cruachan; wine and W. 1614. mead shall be poured *LL. fo. 70a. out for him. 1He shall have from the plain of Ai the equal of the plain of Murthemne and the best chariot that is in Ai and the equipment of twelve men. Offer, if it please him more, the plain wherein he was reared and thrice seven bondmaids.1 And he shall come into my service and Ailill's, for that is more seemly for him than to be in the service of the lordling with whom he is, 2even of Conchobar son of Fachtna Fathatch.2
Accordingly this was the greatest word of scorn and insult spoken on the Cow-Raid of Cualnge, to make a lordling of the best king of a province in Erin, even of Conchobar.
Then came Fiachu son of Ferfebè to converse with Cuchulain. Cuchulain bade him welcome. "3Welcome thy coming and thine arrival, O Fiachu," said Cuchulain.3 "I regard that welcome as truly meant," 4said Fiachu.4 "It is truly meant for thee" 5replied Cuchulain5; "6and thou shalt have a night of hospitality this night." "Victory and a blessing attend thee, O fosterling," replied Fiachu. "Not for hospitality am I come, but6 to parley with thee am I come from Medb, 7and to bring thee terms."7 "What hast thou brought with thee?" "Thou shalt be recompensed for whatsoever was destroyed of Ulster which shall be paid thee as best the men of Erin adjudge. Entertainment shalt thou enjoy in Cruachan; wine and mead shall be poured out for thee and thou shalt enter the service of Ailill and Medb, for that is more seemly for thee than to be in the service of the lordling with whom thou art." "Nay, of a truth," answered Cuchulain, "I would not sell my mother's brothera for any other king!" "Further," 8continued Fiachu,8 "that W. 1627. thou comest to-morrow to a tryst with Medb and Fergus in Glenn Fochaine.
1Therewith Fiachu left behind a wish for long life and health with Cuchulain.1
Accordingly, early on the morrow, Cuchulain set forth for Glenn Fochaine. Likewise Medb and Fergus went to meet him. And Medb looked narrowly at Cuchulain, and her spirit chafed her at him that day, for no bigger than the bulk of a stripling did he seem to her. "Is that yonder the renowned Cuchulain thou speakest of, O Fergus?" asked Medb, 2"of whom it is said amongst ye Ulstermen that there is not in Erin a warrior for whom he is not a match and mighty combat?" "Not in Erin alone, did we say," Fergus made answer; "but there is not in the world a warrior for whom he is not a match and mighty combat."2 And Medb began to address Fergus and she made this lay:—
Medb:
Fergus:
Medb:
Fergus:
"Accost Cuchulain, O Fergus," said Medb. "Nay, then," quoth Fergus, "but do thou accost him thyself, for ye are not asunder here in the valley, in Glenn Fochaine." W. 1653. And Medb began to address Cuchulain and she made a lay, 1to which he responded:1
Medb:
Cuchulain:
Medb:
Cuchulain:
Medb:
Cuchulain:
Medb:
When this lay was finished, Cuchulain accepted none of the terms which she had offered. In such wise they parted in the valley and withdrew in equal anger on the one side and on the other.
The warriors of four of the five grand provinces of Erin pitched camp and took quarters for three days and three nights at Druim En ('Birds' Ridge') in Conalle Murthemni, but neither huts nor tents did they set up, nor did they W. 1688. engage in feasts or repasts, nor sang they songs nor carols those three nights. And Cuchulain destroyed a hundred of their warriors every night ere the bright hour of sunrise on the morrow.
LL. fo. 70b. "Our hosts will not last long in this fashion," said Medb, "if Cuchulain slays a hundred of our warriors every night. Wherefore is a proposal not made to him and do we not parley with him?" "What might the proposal be?" asked Ailill. "Let the cattle that have milk be given to him and the captive women from amongst our booty. And he on his side shall check his staff-sling from the men of Erin and give leave to the hosts to sleep, 1even though he slay them by day."1 "Who shall go with that proposal?" Ailill asked. "Who," answered Medb, "but macRoth the 2chief2 runner!" "Nay, but I will not go," said macRoth, "for I am in no way experienced and know not where Cuchulain may be, 3and even though I should meet him, I should not know him.3" "Ask Fergus," quoth Medb; "like enough he knows 4where he is.4" "Nay, then, I know it not," answered Fergus; "but I trow he is 5in the snow5 between Fochain and the sea, taking the wind and the sun after his sleeplessness last night, killing and slaughtering the host single handed." And so it truly was. 6Then on that errand to Delga macRoth set forth, the messenger of Ailill and Medb. He it is that circles Erin in one day. There it is that Fergus opined that Cuchulain would be, in Delga.6
Heavy snow fell that night so that all the 7five7 provinces of Erin were a white plane with the snow. And Cuchulain doffed the seven-score waxed, boardlike tunics which were used to be held under cords and strings next his skin, in order that his sense might not be deranged when W. 1709. the fit of his fury came on him. And the snow melted for thirty feet all around him, because of the intensity of the warrior's heat and the warmth of Cuchulain's body. And the gilla 1remained a good distance from him for he1 could not endure to remain near him because of the might of his rage and the warrior's fury and the heat of his body. "A single warrior approacheth, O Cuchulain," cried Laeg 2to Cuchulain.2 "What manner of warrior is he?" asked Cuchulain. "A brown, broad-faced, handsome fellow; 3a yellow head of hair and a linen ornament round it3; a splendid, brown, 4hooded4 cloak, 5with red ornamentation,5 about him; a fine, bronze pin in his cloak; a leathern three-striped doublet next his skin; two gapped shoes between his two feet and the ground; a white-hazel dog-staff in one of his hands; a single-edged sword with ornaments of walrus-tooth on its hilt in the other. "Good, O gilla," quoth Cuchulain, "these be the tokens of a herald. One of the heralds of Erin is he to bring me message and offer of parley."
Now was macRoth arrived at the place where Laeg was, "6How now6! What is thy title as vassal, O gilla? "macRoth asked. "Vassal am I to the youth up yonder," the gilla made answer. MacRoth came to the place where Cuchulain was. 7Cuchulain was sitting in the snow there up to his two hips with nothing about him ... his mantle.7 "8How now8! What is thy name as vassal, O warrior?" asked macRoth. "Vassal am I to Conchobar son of Fachtna Fathach, 9son of the High King of this province."9 "Hast not something, 10a name10 more special than that?" "Tis enough for the nonce," answered Cuchulain. "Haply, thou knowest where I might find that famous Cuchulain of whom the men W. 1729. of Erin clamour now on this foray?" "What wouldst thou say to him that thou wouldst not to me?" asked Cuchulain. "To parley with him am I come on the part of Ailill and Medb, with terms and friendly intercourse for him." "What terms hast thou brought with thee for him?" "The milch-kine and the bondwomen of the booty he shall have, and for him to hold back his staff-sling from the hosts, for not pleasant is the thunder-feat he works every evening upon them." "Even though the one thou seekest were really at hand, he would not accept the proposals thou askest." "1How so, then," said macRoth1; "for the Ulstermen, as amends for their honour and in reprisal for injuries and satires and hindrances 2and for bands of troops and marauders,2 will kill 3for meat in the winter3 the milch-cows ye have captured, should they happen to have no yeld cattle. And, what is more, they will bring their bondwomen to bed to them, and thus will grow up a base progeny on the side of the mothers in the land of Ulster, 4and loath I am to leave after me such a disgrace on the men of Ulster.4
MacRoth went his way back 5to the camp of the men of Erin to where Ailill and Medb and Fergus were.5 "What! Didst thou not find him?" Medb asked. "Verily, 6I know not, but6 I found a surly, angry, hateful, wrathful gilla 7in the snow7 betwixt Fochain and the sea. Sooth to say, I know not if he were Cuchulain." "Hath he accepted these proposals 8from thee?"8 "Nay then, he hath not." And macRoth related 9unto them all his answer,9 the reason why he did not accept them. "It was he himself with whom thou spakest," said Fergus.
"Another offer shall be made him," said Medb. "What is the offer?" asked Ailill. "There shall be given to him W. 1747. the yeld cattle and the noblest of the captive women of the booty, and his sling shall be checked from the hosts, for not pleasant is the thunder-feat he works on them every evening." "Who should go make this covenant?" 1said they.1 "Who but macRoth 2the king's envoy,"2 3said every one.3 "Yea, I will go," said macRoth, "because this time I know him."
4Thereupon4 macRoth 5arose and5 came to parley with Cuchulain. "To parley with thee am I come this time 6with other terms,6 for I wis it is thou art the renowned Cuchulain." "What hast thou brought with thee now?" 7Cuchulain asked.7 "What is dry of the kine and what is noblest of the captives 8shalt thou get,8 and hold thy staff-sling *LL. fo. 71a. from the men of Erin and suffer the men of Erin to go to sleep, for not pleasant is the thunder-feat thou workest upon them every evening." "I accept not that offer, because, as amends for their honour, the Ulstermen will kill the dry cattle. For the men of Ulster are honourable men and they would remain wholly without dry kine and milch-kine. They would bring their free women ye have captured to the querns and to the kneading-troughs and into bondage and 9other9 serfdom 10besides.10 11This would be a disgrace.11 Loath I should be to leave after me this shame in Ulster, that slave-girls and bondmaids should be made of the daughters of kings and princes of Ulster." "Is there any offer at all thou wilt accept this time?" 12said macRoth12 "Aye, but there is," answered Cuchulain. "Then wilt thou tell me the offer?" asked macRoth. "By my word," Cuchulain made answer, "'tis not I that will tell you." "It is a question, then," said macRoth. "If there be among you in the camp," said Cuchulain, "one that knows the terms I demand, let W. 1766. him inform you, 1and I will abide thereby."1 "And if there be not?"2 said macRoth. "If there be not," said Cuchulain,2 "let no one come near me any more with offers or with friendly intercourse 3or concerning aught other injunction,3 for, whosoever may come, it will be the term of his life!"
MacRoth came back 4to the camp and station of the men of Erin, to where Ailill, Medb, and Fergus were,4 and Medb asked his tidings. "Didst thou find him?" Medb asked. "In truth, I found him," macRoth replied. "Hath he accepted 5the terms?"5 "He hath not accepted," replied macRoth. "6How so;" said Ailill,6 "is there an offer he will accept?" "There is one, he said," 7answered macRoth.7 "Hath he made known to thee this offer?" "This is his word," said macRoth, "that he himself would not disclose it to ye." "'Tis a question, then," said Medb. "But" (macRoth continued), "should there be one in our midst that knows his terms, that one would tell it to me." "And if there be not," 8said Ailill. "And if there be not,"8 (answered macRoth), "let no one go seek him any more. But, there is one thing I promise 9thee,"9 said macRoth; "even though the kingdom of Erin were 10given me10 for it, I for one would not go 11on these same legs to that place11 to parley with him 12again."12 13"Belike, Fergus knows," quoth Ailill.13 Therewith Medb looked at Fergus. "What are the terms yonder man demands, O Fergus? "Medb asked. 14"I know what the man meant to disclose.14 I see no advantage at all for ye in the terms he demands," Fergus replied. "15But15 what are those terms?" asked Medb. "16Not difficult to say," replied Fergus.16 "That a single champion of W. 1782. the men of Erin 1be sent1 to fight 2and contend2 with him every day. The while he slayeth that man, the army will be permitted to continue its march. Then, when he will have slain that man, another warrior shall be sent to meet him on the ford. Either that, or the men of Erin shall halt and camp there till sunrise's bright hour in the morning. 3And, by the ford whereon his single-handed battle and fight takes place, the cattle shall not be taken by day or by night, to see if there come to him help from the men of Ulster. And I wonder," continued Fergus, "how long it will be till they come out of their 'Pains.'3 4Whatever Ulstermen are injured or wounded nearby him, your leeches shall heal them and ye shall not be paid for the price of their healing. Whatever daughter of kings or of princes of the men of Erin shall love him, ye shall bring her to him together with her purchase and bride-price.4 And further, Cuchulain's food and clothing shall be provided by you, 5so long as he will be5 on this expedition." 6"Good, O Fergus,"6 asked Ailill,a 7"will he abate aught of these terms?" "In sooth, will he," replied Fergus; "namely, he will not exact to be fed and clothed by you, but of himself will provide food and clothing."7
"By our conscience," said Ailill, "this is a grievous proposal." "What he asks is good," replied Medb; "and he shall obtain those terms, for we deem it easier to bear that he should have one of our warriors every day than a hundred every night." "Who will go and make known those terms to Cuchulain?" "Who, then, but Fergus?" replied Medb. "8Come now, O Fergus," said Medb; "take upon thee to fulfil and make good those terms to him."8 "Nevermore!" said Fergus. "Why not?" asked Ailill. 9"I fear ye will not make true and fulfil them for W. 1792. me." "They will truly be fulfilled," said Medb.9 (Then said Fergus:) "Bonds and covenants, pledges and bail shall be given for abiding by those terms and for their fulfilment towards Cuchulain." "I abide by it," said Medb, and she fast bound Fergus to them in like manner.