The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge Part 52

Then were Fergus' horses fetched for him and his chariot was yoked, and he came forward to the place [5]of combat[5] where Cuchulain was, to inform him [6]of the challenge, that Ferdiad was to fight with him.[6]

[5-5] YBL. fo. 36a, 38.

[6-6] Eg. 209.

[7]"A chariot cometh hither towards us, O Cuchulain!" cried Laeg. For in this wise was the gilla, with his back towards his lord. He used to win every other game of draughts and of chess from his master. Watch and guard of the four airts was he besides. "What manner of chariot is it?" asked Cuchulain. "A chariot like to a royal fort, huge, with its yoke, strong, golden; with its great board of copper; with its shafts of bronze; with its thin-framed, dry-bodied box (?) ... set on two horses, black, swift, stout, strong-forked, thick-set, under beautiful shafts. One kingly, broad-eyed warrior is the combatant in the chariot. A curly, forked beard he wears that reaches below outside over the smooth lower part of his soft tunic, which would shelter fifty warriors on a day of storm and rain under the heavy shield of the warrior's beard. A bent buckler, white, beautiful, of many colours, he bears, with three stout-wrought chains, so that there is room from edge to edge for four troops of ten men behind the leather of the shield which hangs upon the broad back of the warrior. A long, hard-edged, broad, red sword in a sheath woven and twisted of white silver, over the ... of the battle-warrior. A strong, three-ridged spear, wound and banded with all-gleaming white silver he has lying across the chariot."

[7-7] YBL. fo. 36a, 39-36b, 15.

"Not difficult to recognize him," said Cuchulain: "'tis my master Fergus that cometh hither with a warning and with compa.s.sion for me, before all the four provinces of Erin."

[W.3172.] Fergus drew nigh and sprang from his chariot.[7] Cuchulain bade him welcome. [LL.fo.82a.] "Welcome is thy coming, O my master Fergus!"

cried Cuchulain. [1]"If a flock of birds comes into the plain, thou shalt have a duck with half of another. If a fish comes into the river-mouths, thou shalt have a salmon with half of another. A handful of water-cress and a bunch of laver and a sprig of sea-gra.s.s and a drink of cold water from the sand thou shalt have thereafter." "Tis an outlaw's portion, that,"

said Fergus. "Tis true; 'tis an outlaw's portion is mine," answered Cuchulain.[1] "Truly intended, methinks, the welcome, O [W.3174.]

fosterling," said Fergus. "But, [1]were it for this I came, I should think it better to leave it.[1] It is for this I am here, to inform thee who comes to fight and contend with thee at the morning hour early on the morrow." "E'en so will we hear it from thee," said Cuchulain. "Thine own friend and comrade and foster-brother, the man thine equal in feats and in skill of arms and in deeds, Ferdiad son of Daman son of Dare, the great and mighty warrior of the men of Domnann." [2]"As my soul liveth,"[2] replied Cuchulain, "it is not to an encounter we wish our friend to come, and [3]not for fear, but for love and affection of him;[3] [4]and almost I would prefer to fall by the hand of that warrior than for him to fall by mine."[4] "It is even for that," answered Fergus, "thou shouldst be on thy guard and prepared. [5]Say not that thou hast no fear of Ferdiad, for it is fitting that thou shouldst have fear and dread before fighting with Ferdiad.[5] For unlike all to whom it fell to fight and contend with thee on the Cualnge Cattle-raid on this occasion is Ferdiad son of Daman son of Dare, [9]for he hath a h.o.r.n.y skin about him [6]in battle against a man,[6]

[7]a belt,[7] [8]equally strong, victorious in battle,[8] and neither points nor edges are reddened upon it[9] [10]in the hour of strife and anger. For he is the fury of a lion, and the bursting of wrath, and the blow of doom, and the wave that drowneth foes."[10] [12]"Speak not thus!"

cried Cuchulain, "for I swear [11]by my arms of valour,[11] the oath that my people swear, that every limb and every joint will be as soft as a pliant rush in the bed of a river under the point of sword, if he show himself to me on the ford![12] Truly am I here," said Cuchulain, "checking and [W.3185.] staying four of the five grand provinces of Erin from Monday at[a] Summer's end till[b] the beginning of spring, [1]and I have not left my post for a night's disport, through stoutly opposing the men of Erin on the Cattle-lifting of Cualnge.[1] And in all this time, I have not put foot in retreat before any one man [2]nor before a mult.i.tude,[2] and methinks just as little will I turn foot in flight before him."

[1-1] YBL. 36b, 27-28.

[7-7] YBL. fo. 36a, 39-36b, 15.

[1-1] YBL. 36b, 18-24.

[2-2] Literally, 'I say our confession.'

[3-3] Stowe, Eg. 209, Eg. 106.

[4-4] Eg. 106.

[5-5] Eg. 106.

[6-6] YBL. fo. 36b, 38.

[7-7] Eg. 106.

[8-8] Eg. 106.

[9-9] Stowe and Eg. 209, and, similarly, YBL. 36b, 37.

[10-10] Eg. 106.

[11-11] Eg. 106.

[12-12] YBL. 36b, 38-43

[1-1] YBL. 36b, 25-26.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3]And thus spake he, that it was not fear of Ferdiad that caused his anxiety for the fight, but his love for him. [3]And, on his part, so spake Fergus, putting him on his guard [4]because of Ferdiad's strength,[4] and he said these words and Cuchulain responded:--

Fergus: "O Cuchulain--splendid deed-- Lo, 'tis time for thee to rise.

Here in rage against thee comes Ferdiad, red-faced Daman's son!"

Cuchulain: "Here am I--no easy task--[c]

Holding Erin's men at bay; Foot I've never turned in flight In my fight with single foe!"

Fergus: "Dour the man when anger moves, Owing to his gore-red glaive; Ferdiad wears a skin of horn, 'Gainst which fight nor might prevails!"

Cuchulain: "Be thou still; urge not thy tale, Fergus of the mighty arms.

On no land and on no ground, For me is there aught defeat!"

Fergus: "Fierce the man with scores of deeds; No light thing, him to subdue.

Strong as hundreds--brave his mien-- Point p.r.i.c.ks not, edge cuts him not!"

Cuchulain: "If we clash upon the ford, I and Ferdiad of known skill, We'll not part without we know: Fierce will be our weapon fight!"

Fergus: [W.3214.] "More I'd wish it than reward, O Cuchulain of red sword, Thou shouldst be the one to bring Eastward haughty Ferdiad's spoils!"

Cuchulain: "Now I give my word and vow, Though unskilled in strife of words, It is I will conquer this Son of Daman macDare!"

Fergus: "It is I brought east the host, Thus requiting Ulster's wrong.

With me came they from their lands, With their heroes and their chiefs!"

Cuchulain: "Were not Conchobar in the 'Pains,'

Hard 'twould be to come near us.

Never Medb of Mag in Scail On more tearful march had come!"

Fergus: "Greatest deed awaits thy hand: Fight with Ferdiad, Daman's son.

Hard stern arms with stubborn edge,[b]

Shalt thou have, thou Culann's Hound!"

[a] Stowe and H. 1. 13: 'before'; YBL. 36b, 24: 'after.'

[b] 'Till Wednesday after Spring,' is the reading of H. 1. 13.

[3-3] Stowe, and, similarly, Eg. 209.

[4-4] Stowe.

[c] Literally, 'no meagre sail.'

[b] Or, 'which quatrains love (?),' a cheville.

[1]After that,[1] Fergus returned to the camp and halting-place [2]of the men of Erin,[2] [3]lest the men of Erin should say he was betraying them or forsaking them, if he should remain longer than he did conversing with Cuchulain. And they took farewell of each other.[3]

[1-1] YBL. 37a, 22.