The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge Part 28

[10-10] Stowe.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] H. 2. 17.

[13-13] H. 2. 17.

[14-14] H. 2. 17.

[15-15] LU. and YBL. 1190.

[16-16] H. 2. 17.

[17-17] Stowe.

[18-18] Stowe.

The charioteer wheeled the chariot again towards the [W.1871.] ford. They brought the left[a] board to face the pair in a line with the ford. Laeg marked [1]this and he cried[1] [2]to Cuchulain[2]: ("Wist thou) the last chariot-fighter that was here a while ago, O Cucuc?" "What of him?" asked Cuchulain. "He has brought his left board towards us in the direction of the ford." "It is Etarc.u.mul, O gilla, who seeks me in combat. [3]I owe no refusal,[3] but far from pleased am I thereat [4]that he should come and seek combat of me. And unwelcome is his coming,[4] because of the honour of my foster-father [5]Fergus[5] under whom he came forth from the camp [6]of the men of Erin.[6] But not that I would protect him do I thus. Fetch me my arms, gilla, to the ford. [7]Bring me my horse and my chariot after me.[7]

I deem it no honour for myself if [8]the fellow[8] reaches the ford before me." And straightway Cuchulain betook himself to the ford, and he bared his sword over his fair, well-knit spalls and he was ready on the ford to await Etarc.u.mul.

[a] A sign of hostility and an insult.

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1191.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1192.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] H. 2. 17.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

Then, too, came Etarc.u.mul. "What seekest thou, gilla?" demanded Cuchulain.

"Battle with thee I seek," replied Etarc.u.mul. "Hadst thou been advised by me," said Cuchulain, "thou wouldst never have come. [9]I do not desire what thou demandest of me.[9] [10]I have no thought of fighting or contending with thee, Etarc.u.mul.[10] Because of the honour of Fergus under whom thou camest out of the camp [11]and station of the men of Erin,[11] and not because I would spare thee, do I behave thus." [12]"Thou hast no choice but to fight," replied Etarc.u.mul.[12] Thereupon Cuchulain gave him a long-blow whereby [W.1886.] he cut away the sod that was under the soles of his feet, so that he was stretched out like a sack on his back, and [1]his limbs in the air[1] and the sod on his belly. Had Cuchulain wished it it is two pieces he might have made of him. [2]"Hold, fellow.[2] Off with thee now, for I have given thee warning. [3]It mislikes me to cleanse my hands in thee. I would have cloven thee into many parts long since but for Fergus."[3] "I will not go. We will fight on," said Etarc.u.mul. Cuchulain dealt him a well-aimed edge-stroke. [4]With the edge of his sword[4] he sheared the hair from him from poll to forehead, from one ear to the other, as if it were with a light, keen razor he had been shorn. [5]Not a scratch of his skin gave blood.[5] [6]"Hold, fellow.[6] Get thee home now," said Cuchulain, "for a laughing-stock I have made of thee." "I go not,"

[7]rejoined Etarc.u.mul.[7] "We will fight to the end, till I take thy head and thy spoils and boast over thee, or till thou takest my head and my spoils and boastest over me!" "So let it be, what thou saidst last, that it shall be. I will take thy head and thy spoils and boast over thee!"

[8]When now the churl became troublesome and persistent,[8] Cuchulain [9]sprang from the ground, so that he alighted on the edge of Etarc.u.mul's shield, and he[9] dealt him a cleaving-blow on the crown of the head, so that it drove to his navel. He dealt him a second crosswise stroke, so that at the one time the three portions of his body came to the ground. Thus fell Etarc.u.mul son of Fid and of Lethrinn.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1194-1195.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] LU. and YBL. 1195.

[1-1] H. 2. 17.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1197-1199.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1204.

[5-5] H. 2 17.

[6-6] H. 2 17.

[7-7] Stowe and H. 2. 17.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1206-1207.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[10]Then Etarc.u.mul's charioteer went his way after Fergus,[10] and Fergus knew not that the combat had been. For thus was his wont: [11]From the day Fergus took warrior's arms in hand,[11] he never for aught looked back, whether at [W.1904.] sitting or at rising or when travelling or walking, in battle or fight or combat, lest some one might say it was out of fear he looked back, but ever he looked at the thing that was before and beside him. [1]Fergus saw the chariot go past him and a single man in it.[1]

[2]And when[2] Etarc.u.mul's squire came up abreast of Fergus, Fergus asked, "But, where is thy lord, gilla?" "He fell a while since at the ford by the hand of Cuchulain," the gilla made answer. "That indeed was not fair!"

exclaimed Fergus, "for that elf-like sprite to wrong me in him that came under my safeguard [3]and protection[3] [4]from the camp and fort of the men of Erin.[4] Turn the chariot for us, gilla," cried Fergus, "that we may go to [5]the ford of fight and combat[5] for a parley with Cuchulain."

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1208.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

Thereupon the driver wheeled the chariot. They fared thither towards the ford. [6]Fergus turned to rebuke Cuchulain.[6] "How darest thou offend me, thou wild, [7]perverse, little[7] elf-man," cried Fergus, "in him that came under my safeguard and protection? [8]Thou thinkest my club short."[8]

[LL.fo.72b.] [9]"Be not wroth with me, my master Fergus," said Cuchulain.[9]

"After the nurture and care thou didst bestow on me [10]and the Ulstermen bestowed and Conchobar[10] tell me, which wouldst thou hold better, [11]for the Ulstermen to be conquered without anyone to punish them but me alone and[11] for him to triumph and boast over me, or for me to triumph and boast over him? And yet more, [12]of his own fault he fell.[12] Ask his own gilla which of us was in fault in respect of the other; [13]it was none other but he.[13][a] [1]Reproach me not, O Fergus my master." He bent down so that Fergus' chariot went past him thrice. "Ask his charioteer, is it I that have caused it?" "Not thou indeed," answered his charioteer. "He said," Cuchulain went on, "he would not go till either he took my head or he left me his own."[1] [2]Then Etarc.u.mul's gilla related to Fergus how it all befel. When Fergus heard that, what he said was:[2] [W.1921.] "Liefer to me what thou hast done, [3]O fosterling," said Fergus, "that Etarc.u.mul is slain, and[3] a blessing on the hand that smote him, [4]for it is he that was overweening."[4]

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1209.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1210. Probably a proverbial expression.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1210.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.