The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge Part 77

XXVI

[1]THE DECISION OF THE BATTLE[1]

[W.5727.] It was on that night that the Morrigan,[a] daughter of Ernmas, came, and she was engaged in fomenting strife and sowing dissension between the two camps on either side, and she spoke these words [2]in the twilight between the two encampments[2]:--

"Ravens shall pick The necks of men!

Blood shall gush [3]In combat wild![3]

Skins shall be hacked; Crazed with spoils!

[4]Men's sides pierced[4]

In battle brave, Luibnech near!

Warriors' storm; Mien of braves; Cruachan's men!

[5]Upon them comes[5]

Ruin complete!

Lines shall be strewn Under foot; Their race die out!

Then Ulster hail: To Erna[b] woe!

To Ulster woe: [6]Then Erna hail![6]

(This she said in Erna's ear.) Naught inglorious shall they do Who them await!"

[1-1] YBL. 41a, 7.

[a] The Irish G.o.ddess of war.

[2-2] YBL. 50a, 18-19.

[3-3] YBL. 50a, 19.

[4-4] YBL. 50a, 21.

[5-5] Translating from YBL. 50a, 23; LL. appears to be corrupt.

[b] The Munstermen in Ailill's army.

[6-6] YBL. 50a, 26.

[1]Now Cuchulain was at Fedain Collna near by. Food was brought to him that night by the purveyors, and they were used to come to converse with him by day. He killed not any of the men of Erin to the left of Ferdiad's Ford.[1]

[W.5756.] It was then that Cuchulain spake to Laeg son of Riangabair. "It would surely be unworthy of thee, O Laeg my master," said Cuchulain, "if between the two battle-lines there should happen anything to-day whereof thou hadst no tidings for me." "Whatsoever I shall learn, O Cucucuc,"

answered Laeg, "will be told thee. But, see yonder a little flock coming forth on the plain from the western camp and station now. [LL.fo.101a.]

Behold a band of henchmen after them to check and to stay them. Behold also a company of henchmen emerging from the eastern camp and station to seize them." "Surely, that is so!" exclaimed Cuchulain. "That bodes a mighty combat and is the occasion of a grand battle. The little flock will come over the plain and the band of henchmen [2]from the east and the band of henchmen from the west[2] [3]will encounter one another betimes [4]about the little flock[4] on the great field of battle."[3] There, indeed, Cuchulain spoke true. And the little flock came forth upon the plain, and the companies of henchmen met in fray. "Who gives the battle now, O Laeg my master," Cuchulain asked. "The folk of Ulster," Laeg answered: "that is the same as the young warriors [5]of Ulster."[5] "But how fight they?"

Cuchulain asked. "Like men they fight," Laeg answered. "There where are the heroes of valour from the east in battle, they force a breach through the ranks to the west. There where are the heroes from the west, they lay a breach through the ranks to the eastward." [6]"It would be a vow for them to fall in rescuing their herds," said Cuchulain; "and [W.5774.] now?" "The beardless youths are fighting now," said the charioteer. "Has a bright cloud come over the sun yet?" Cuchulain asked. "Nay, then," the charioteer answered.[6] "I grieve that I am not yet strong enough to be on my feet amongst them. For, were I able to be on my feet amongst them, my breach would be manifest there to-day like that of another!" "But, this avow, O Cucuc," said Laeg: "it is no reproach to thy valour; it is no disgrace to thine honour. Thou hast done bravely in time before now and thou wilt do bravely hereafter."

[1-1] YBL. 50a, 28-31.

[2-2] Stowe and H. 1. 13

[3-3] LL. seems to be defective here.

[4-4] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

[5-5] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

[6-6] YBL. 50a, 39-43.

[1]About the hour of sunrise: "It is a haughty folk that now fight the battle," quoth the charioteer; "but there are no kings amongst them, for sleep is still upon them."[1] "Come, O my master Laeg!" cried Cuchulain; "rouse the men of Ulster to the battle now, for it is time that they come."

[1-1] YBL. 50a, 45-47.

[2]Then, when the sun arose,[2] [3]Cuchulain saw the kings from the east putting their crowns on their heads and relieving their men-at-arms.

Cuchulain told his charioteer to awaken the men of Ulster.[3] Laeg came and roused the men of Ulster to battle, and he uttered these words there:--

"Arise, ye kings of Macha, Valiant in your deeds!

Imbel's kine the Badb doth covet: [4]Blood of hearts pours out!

Goodly heroes' battle rushes in[4]

With deeds of valour!

Hearts all red with gore: Brows turned in flight.

Dismay of battle riseth.

For there was never found One like unto Cuchulain, Hound that Macha's[a] weal doth work!

If it is for Cualnge's kine, Let them now arise!"

[2-2] YBL. 50a, 48.

[3-3] YBL. 50b, 18-23.

[4-4] YBL 50b, 27-29.

[a] Another name for Badb, the battle-fury.

[Page 348]

XXVII

[1]NOW OF THE BATTLE OF GARECH[1]

[W.5804.] Thereupon arose all the men of Ulster at the one time in the train of their king, and at the word of their prince, and to prepare for the uprising in response to the call of Laeg son of Riangabair. And in this wise they arose: stark-naked all of them, only their weapons in their hands. Each one whose tent door looked to the east, through the tent westwards he went, for that he deemed it too long to go round about it.

[1-1] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.

"How arise the Ulstermen now to [2]the battle,[2] O Laeg my master?" asked Cuchulain. "Manfully they rise," said Laeg: "stark-naked all of them, [3]except for their arms only.[3] Every man whose tent-door faces the east, through the tent westwards he goes, for he deems it too long to go round about it." "I pledge my word!" cried Cuchulain: "at a fitting hour have they now in the early day risen around Conchobar!"

[2-2] H. 1. 13, Add., Stowe, and YBL. 50b, 34.

[3-3] YBL. 50b, 34.