The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge Part 36

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1572.

[a] From here to p. 170 is lacking in LL. owing to the loss of a sheet.

This is supplied from Stowe.

[1-1] Stowe. Eg. 209 and H. 1. 13.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

Laeg proceeds to Lugaid's tent. Lugaid bids him welcome. [5]"Welcome to thy coming and arrival, O Laeg," said Lugaid.[5] "I take that welcome as truly meant," Laeg replied. "It is truly meant for thee," quoth Lugaid, [6]"and thou shalt have entertainment here to-night."[6] [7]"Victory and blessing shalt thou have," said Laeg; "but not for entertainment am I come, but[7]

to hold converse with thee am I come from [8]thine own friend and companion and[8] foster-brother, [9]from Cuchulain,[9] that thou mayest tell me whether Ferbaeth [10]was smitten."[10] "He was," answered Lugaid, "and a blessing on the hand that smote him, for he fell dead in the valley a while ago." "Tell me who [11]of the men of Erin[11] comes to-morrow to [12]combat and[12] fight with Cuchulain [13]at the morning hour early on the morrow?"[13] "They are persuading a brother of mine own to go meet him, a foolish, haughty arrogant youth, yet dealing stout blows and stubborn.

[14]And he has agreed to do the battle and combat.[14] And it is to this end they will send him to fight Cuchulain, that he, my brother, may fall at his hands, so that I myself must then go to avenge him upon Cuchulain. But I will not go there till the very day of doom. Larine great-grandson [W.2211.] of Blathmac is that brother. [1]And, do thou tell Cuchulain to come to Ferbaeth's Glen and[1] I will go [2]thither[2] to speak with Cuchulain about him," said Lugaid.

[5-5] H. 2. 17 and Eg. 93.

[6-6] Eg. 93.

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] Eg. 93.

[9-9] Eg. 209.

[10-10] Following Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[11-11] Eg. 93.

[12-12] Eg. 93.

[13-13] Eg. 93.

[14-14] Eg. 93.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3]Laeg betook him to where Cuchulain was.[3] Lugaid's two horses were taken and his chariot was yoked to them [4]and[4] he came [5]to Glen Ferbaeth[5] to his tryst with Cuchulain, so that a parley was had between them. [6]The two champions and battle-warriors gave each other welcome.[6]

Then it was that Lugaid spake: [7]"There is no condition that could be promised to me for fighting and combating with thee," said Lugaid, "and there is no condition on which I would undertake it, but[7] they are persuading a brother of mine to come fight thee [8]on the morrow,[8]

to-wit, a foolish, dull, uncouth youth, dealing stout blows. [9]They brought him into the tent of Ailill and Medb and he has engaged to do the battle and combat with thee.[9] [10]He is befooled about the same maiden.[10] And it is for this reason they are to send him to fight thee, that he may fall at thy hands, [11]so that we two may quarrel,[11] and to see if I myself will come to avenge him upon thee. But I will not, till the very day of doom. And by the fellowship that is between us, [12]and by the rearing and nurture I bestowed on thee and thou didst bestow on me, bear me no grudge because of Larine.[12] Slay not my brother [13]lest thou shouldst leave me brotherless."[13]

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1592 and Eg. 93.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1593 and Eg. 93.

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] Eg. 209.

[9-9] Eg. 93.

[10-10] LU. and YBL. 1595-1596.

[11-11] LU. 1597.

[12-12] H. 2. 17 and Eg. 93.

[13-13] LU. and YBL. 1596-1597.

"By my conscience, truly," cried Cuchulain, [14]kill him I will not, but[14] the next thing to death will I inflict on him. [15]No worse would it be for him to die than what I [W.2222.] will give him."[15] "I give thee leave. [1]It would please me well shouldst thou beat him sorely,[1] for to my dishonour he comes to attack thee."

[14-14] Eg. 93.

[15-15] Eg. 209.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1597 and Eg. 93.

Thereupon Cuchulain went back and Lugaid returned to the camp [2]lest the men of Erin should say it was betraying them or forsaking them he was if he remained longer parleying with Cuchulain.[2]

[2-2] Eg. 93.

Then [3]on the next day[3] it was that Larine son of Nos, [4]brother of Lugaid king of Munster,[4] was summoned to the tent of Ailill and Medb, and Finnabair was placed by his side. It was she that filled up the drinking-horns for him and gave him a kiss with each draught that he took and served him his food. "Not to every one with Medb is given the drink that is poured out for Ferbaeth or for Larine," quoth Finnabair; "only the load of fifty wagons of it was brought to the camp."[a]

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1598.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1585.

[a] Emending the text to agree with the two similar pa.s.sages above.

[5]Medb looked at the pair. "Yonder pair rejoiceth my heart," said she.[5]

"Whom wouldst thou say?" asked [6]Ailill.[6] "The man yonder, [7]in truth,"[7] said she. "What of him?" asked Ailill. "It is thy wont to set the mind on that which is far from the purpose (Medb answered). It were more becoming for thee to bestow thy thought on the couple in whom are united the greatest distinction and beauty to be found on any road in Erin, namely Finnabair, [8]my daughter,[8] and Larine macNois. [9]'Twould be fitting to bring them together."[9] "I regard them as thou dost," answered Ailill; [10]"I will not oppose thee herein. He shall have her if only he brings me the head of Cuchulain."[a] "Aye, bring it I will," said Larine.[10] [W.2235.] It was then that Larine shook and tossed himself with joy, so that the sewings of the flock bed burst under him and the mead of the camp was speckled with its feathers.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1586.

[6-6] Corrected from LL., which has 'Medb.'

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1588.