The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge Part 26

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] Stowe and H. 2. 17.

[6-6] H. 2. 17.

[a] 'Medb,' H. 2. 17.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

"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. "[8]Come 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.

[8-8] H. 2. 17

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[Page 115]

X

[1]THE VIOLENT DEATH OF ETARc.u.mUL[1]

[W.1798.] Fergus' horses were brought and his chariot was. .h.i.tched [2]and Fergus set forth on that errand.[2] And two horses were brought for Etarc.u.mul son of Fid and of Lethrinn, a soft youth of the people of Medb and of Ailill. [3]Now Etarc.u.mul followed Fergus.[3] "Whither goest thou?"

Fergus demanded. "We go with thee," Etarc.u.mul made answer. [4]"And why goest thou with me?" asked Fergus.[4] "To behold the form and appearance of Cuchulain, and to gaze upon him, [5]for he is unknown to me."[5] "Wilt thou do my bidding," said Fergus, "thou wilt in no wise go thither." "Why shall I not, pray?" [6]"I would not have thee go," said Fergus; "and it is not out of hatred of thee, only I should be loath to have combat between thee and Cuchulain.[6] Thy light-heartedness, [7]thy haughtiness and thy pride[7] and thine overweeningness (I know), but (I also know) the fierceness and valour and hostility, the [8]violence and vehemence[8] of the youth against whom thou goest, [9]even Cuchulain.[9] And methinks ye will have contention before ye part. [10]No good will come from your meeting."[10] "Art thou not able to come between us [11]to protect me?"[11]

[W.1806.] "I am, to be sure," Fergus answered, "provided thou thyself seek not the combat[1] and treat not what he says with contempt."[1] "I will not seek it," [2]said Etarc.u.mul,[2] "till the very day of doom!"

[1-1] LU. fo. 68a, in the margin.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1145.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1145.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1147-1149.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1149.

[8-8] Stowe.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1150.

[10-10] LU. and YBL. 1150.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1152.

[2-2] Stowe and H. 2. 17.

Then they went their ways [3]in two chariots to Delga,[3] to come up to Cuchulain where Cuchulain was between Fochain and the sea. [4]There it is that he was that day, with his back to the pillar-stone at Crich Rois,[4]

playing draughts with Laeg, [5]to wit, his charioteer.[5] [6]The back of his head was turned towards them that approached and Laeg faced them.[6]

And not a [7]living[7] thing entered the [8]entire[8] plain without Laeg perceiving it and, notwithstanding, he continued to win every other game of draughts from Cuchulain. "A lone warrior cometh towards us [9]over the plain,[9] [10]my master[10] Cucuc," spake Laeg. "What manner of warrior?"

queried Cuchulain. [11]"A fine, large chariot is there," said he.[11]

[12]"But what sort of chariot?"[12] "As large as one of the chief mountains that are highest on a great plain appears to me [LL.fo.71b.] the chariot that is under the warrior; [13]and I would liken to the battlements of one of the vast, royal seats of the province the chariot that is in the trappings of those horses;[13] as large as one of the n.o.ble trees on a main fort's green meseems the curly, tressed, fair-yellow, all-golden hair hanging loose around the man's head; a purple mantle fringed with thread of gold [14]wrapped[14] around him; a golden, ornamented brooch in the mantle [15]over his breast;[15] [16]a bright-shining, hooded shirt, with red embroidery of red gold trussed up on his white [W.1819.] skin;[16] a broad and grey-shafted lance, [1]perforated from _mimasc_[a] to 'horn,'[1]

flaming red in his hand; over him, a bossed, plaited shield, [2]curved, with an engraved edge of silvered bronze,[2] [3]with applied ornaments of red gold thereon,[3] and a boss of red gold; a lengthy sword, as long as the oar[4] of a huge currach [5]on a wild, stormy night,[5] [6]resting on the two thighs[6] of the great haughty warrior that is within the chariot.[4]"

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1153.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] LL., in the margin.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1154-1155.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] H. 2. 17.

[13-13] H. 2. 17.

[14-14] H. 2. 17.

[15-15] Stowe.

[16-16] H. 2. 17.

[a] Some part of the spear.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1159.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1158.