The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge Part 14

[1-1] Eg. 1782.

[2-2] LU. fo. 61a, in the margin.

"Cathba the druid was [3]with his son, namely Conchobar son of Ness,[3]

imparting [4]learning[4] to his pupils in the north-east of Emain, and eight[a] [5]eager[5] pupils in the cla.s.s of druidic cunning were with him. [6]That is the number that Cathba instructed.[6] [7]One of them[7]

questioned his teacher, what fortune and presage might there be for the day they were in, whether it was good or whether it was ill. Then spake Cathba: "The little boy that takes arms [8]this day[8] shall be splendid and renowned [9]for deeds of arms[9] [10]above the youths of Erin [11]and the tales of his high deeds shall be told[11] forever,[10] but he shall be short-lived and fleeting." Cuchulain overheard what he said, though far off at his play-feats south-west of Emain; and he threw away all his play-things and hastened to Conchobar's sleep-room [12]to ask for arms.[12]

"All [W.1077.] good attend thee, O king of the Fene!" cried the little lad.

"This greeting is the speech of one soliciting something of some one. What wouldst thou, lad?" said Conchobar. "To take arms," the lad made answer.

"Who hath advised thee, little boy?" asked Conchobar. "Cathba the druid,"

said the lad. "He would not deceive thee, little boy," said Conchobar.

Conchobar gave him two spears and a sword and a shield. The little boy shook and brandished the arms [1]in the middle of the house[1] so that he made small pieces and fragments of them. Conchobar gave him other two spears and a shield and a sword. He shook and brandished, flourished and poised them, so that he shivered them into small pieces and fragments.

There where were the fourteen[a] suits of arms which Conchobar had in Emain, [2]in reserve in case of breaking of weapons or[2] for equipping the youths and the boys--to the end that whatever boy a.s.sumed arms, it might be Conchobar that gave him the equipment of battle, and the victory of cunning would be his thenceforward--even so, this little boy made splinters and fragments of them all.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 547.

[4-4] Stowe.

[a] 'One hundred' is the number in LU. and YBL. 547.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 548.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 548.

[7-7] Stowe.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 550.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 551.

[10-10] LU. and YBL. 551-552.

[11-11] Stowe.

[12-12] LU. and YBL. 553.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 557.

[a] 'Fifteen,' LU. and YBL. 556; 'seventeen,' Stowe.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 557.

"Truly these arms here are not good, O Conchobar my master," the stripling cried. "Herefrom cometh not what is worthy of me." Conchobar gave him his own two spears and his shield and his sword. He shook and he brandished, he bent and he poised them so that tip touched b.u.t.t, and he brake not the arms and they bore up against him, [3]and he saluted the king whose arms they were.[3] "Truly, these arms are good," said the little boy; "they are suited to me. Hail to the king whose arms and equipment these are. Hail to the land whereout he is come!"

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 559-560.

"Then Cathba the druid chanced to come into the tent, and what he said was, "Hath he yonder taken arms?" [W.1101.] Cathba asked. "Aye, then, it must be," Conchobar answered. "Not by [1]his[1] mother's son would I wish them to be taken this day," said Cathba. "How so? Was it not thyself advised him?" Conchobar asked. "Not I, in faith," replied Cathba. "What mean'st thou, bewitched elf-man?" cried Conchobar [2]to Cuchulain.[2] "Is it a lie thou hast told us?" [LL.fo.65a.] "But be not wroth [3]thereat,[3] O my master Conchobar," said the little boy. [4]"No lie have I told;[4] for yet is it he that advised me, [5]when he taught his other pupils this morning.[5] For his pupil asked him what luck might lie in the day, and he said: The youth that took arms on this day would be ill.u.s.trious and famous, [6]that his name would be over the men of Erin for ever, and that no evil result would be on him thereafter,[6] except that he would be fleeting and short-lived. [7]To the south of Emain I heard him, and then I came to thee."[7] "That I avow to be true," spake Cathba. [8]"Good indeed is the day,[8] glorious and renowned shalt thou be, [9]the one that taketh arms,[9] yet pa.s.sing and short lived!" "n.o.ble the gift!" cried Cuchulain.

[10]"Little it recks me,[10] though I should be but one day and one night in the world, if only the fame of me and of my deeds live after me!"

[1-1] Reading with Stowe, LU. and YBL. 563.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 566.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 567.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 567.

[6-6] Stowe.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 568.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 569.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 570.

[10-10] Stowe.

"[11] Another day one of them asked of the druids for what that day would be propitious. "The one that mounts a chariot to-day," Cathba answered, "his name will be renowned over Erin for ever." Now Cuchulain heard that.

He went to Conchobar and said to him, "O Conchobar my master, give me a chariot!" He gave him a chariot.[11] [W.1113.] "Come, lad, mount the chariot, for this is the next thing for thee."

[11-11] LU. and YBL. 573-577.

"He mounted the chariot. [1]He put his hands between the two poles of the chariot,[1] and the first chariot he mounted withal he shook and tossed about him till he reduced it to splinters and fragments. He mounted the second chariot, so that he made small pieces and fragments of it in like manner. Further he made pieces of the third chariot. There where were the seventeen[a] chariots which Conchobar kept for the boy-troop and youths in Emain, the lad made small pieces and fragments of them and they did not withstand him. "These chariots here are not good, O my master Conchobar,"

said the little boy; "my merit cometh not from them." "Where is Ibar[b] son of Riangabair?" asked Conchobar. "Here, in sooth, am I," Ibar answered.

"Take with thee mine own two steeds for him yonder, and yoke my chariot."

Thereupon the charioteer took the horses and yoked the chariot. Then the little boy mounted the chariot [2]and Conchobar's charioteer with him.[2]

He shook the chariot about him, and it withstood him, and he broke it not. "Truly this chariot is good," cried the lad, "and this chariot is suited to me." [3]The charioteer turned the chariot under him.[3] "Prithee, little boy," said Ibar, [4]"come out[c] of the chariot now[4] and let the horses out on their pasture." "It is yet too soon, O Ibar," the lad answered. [5]"The horses are fair. I, too, am fair, their little lad.[5]

[6]Only[6] let us go on a circuit of Emain to-day [7]and thou shalt have a reward therefor,[7] to-day being my first day of [W.1132.] taking arms, to the end that it be a victory of cunning for me."

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 578.

[a] 'Twelve,' LU. and YBL. 579.

[b] The name of Conchobar's charioteer.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 580-581 and Eg. 1782.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 581.

[c] Following the emendation suggested by Strachan and O'Keeffe, page 23, note 21.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 582.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 583.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 584.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 585.