Heroic Legends Of Ireland Part 14

[1. p.r.o.nounced Crow-han.]

{p. 14} LITERAL TRANSLATION.

They alight in front of the dun. They tent their steeds, and they loose the chase-hounds. They (the hounds) chase the seven deer to Rath-Cruachan, and seven foxes, and seven hares, and seven wild boars, until the youths kill them in the lawn of the dun. After that the chase-hounds dart a leap into Brei; they catch seven otters. They brought them to the elevation in front of the chief rath. They (Fraech and his suite) sit down there.

A message comes from the king for a parley with them. It is asked whence they came, they name themselves according to their true names, "Fraech, son of Idath this," say they. The steward tells it to the king and queen. "Welcome to them," say Ailill and Maev; "It is a n.o.ble youth who is there," says Ailill, "let him come into the Liss (outer court)." The fourth of the house is allotted to them. This was the array of the house, a seven fold order in it; seven apartments from fire to side-wall in the house all round. A rail (or front) of bronze to each apartment; a part.i.tioning of red yew under variegated planing all.

{p. 15} To the fort came the youths, from their steeds they leapt, for the steeds and the stabling cared, And they loosed the hounds that in leash they kept, for the hunt were the hounds prepared; Seven deer, seven foxes and hares, they chased to the dun on Croghan's plain, Seven boars they drave, on the lawn in haste the game by the youths was slain: With a bound they dashed into Bree, whose flood by the lawns of Croghan flows; Seven otters they caught in its stream, and brought to a hill where the gateway rose.

'Twas there that Fraech and the princes sat at the castle-gate to rest, And the steward of Croghan with Fraech would speak, for such was the king's behest: Of his birth it was asked, and the men he led all truth to the herald spake: {100} "It is Idath's son who is here," they said, and they gave him the name of Fraech.

To Ailill and Maev went the steward back of the stranger's name to tell; "Give him welcome," said they: "Of a n.o.ble race is that youth, and I know it well; Let him enter the court of our house," said the king, the gateway they opened wide; And the fourth of the palace they gave to Fraech, that there might his youths abide.

Fair was the palace that there they found, Seven great chambers were ranged it round; Right to the walls of the house they spread, Facing the hall, where the fire glowed red: Red yew planks, that had felt the plane, {110} Dappled the walls with their tangled grain: {p. 16} LITERAL TRANSLATION.

Three plates of bronze in the skirting of each apartment. Seven plates of bra.s.s from the ceiling (?) to the roof-tree in the house.

Of pine the house was made; it is a covering of s.h.i.+ngle it had externally. There were sixteen windows in the house, and a frame of bra.s.s, to each of them; a tie of bra.s.s across the roof-light. Four beams of bra.s.s on the apartment of Ailill and Medb, adorned all with bronze, and it in the exact centre of the house. Two rails of silver around it under gilding. In the front a wand of silver that reached the middle rafters of the house. The house was encircled all round from the door to the other.[1]

They hang up their arms in that house, and they sit, and welcome is made to them.

[1. It should be noted that it is not certain whether the word "imdai," translated apartments, really means "apartments" or "benches." The weight of opinion seems at present to take it as above.]

{p. 17} Rails of bronze at the side-walls stood, Plates of bronze had made firm the wood, Seven bra.s.s bolts to the roof-tree good Firmly the vaulting tied.

All that house had of pine been made, Planks, as s.h.i.+ngles, above were laid; Sixteen windows the light let pa.s.s, Each in a frame of the s.h.i.+ning bra.s.s: High through the roof was the sky seen bright; {120} Girder of bra.s.s made that opening tight, Under the gap it was stretched, and light Fell on its gleaming side.

All those chambers in splendour excelling, The midmost of all in the ring, Rose a room, set apart as the dwelling Of Queen Maev, and of Ailill the king.

Four bra.s.s columns the awning supported For their couch, there was bronze on the wall; And two rails, formed of silver, and gilded, {130} In that chamber encircled it all: In the front, to mid-rafters attaining, Rose in silver a wand from the floor; And with rooms was that palace engirdled, For they stretched from the door to the door.

'Twas there they went to take repose, On high their arms were hung; And down they sank, and welcome rose, Acclaimed by every tongue.

{p. 18} LITERAL TRANSLATION.

"Welcome to you," say Ailill and Medb. "It is that we have come for," says Fraech. "It shall not be a journey for boasting[1] this," says Medb, and Ailill and Medb arrange the chess-board after that. Fraech then takes to the playing of chess with a man of their (?) people.

It was a beauty of a chess-board. A board of findruine in it with four ears[2] and edges of gold. A candle of precious stones at illuminating for them. Gold and silver the figures that were upon the table. "Prepare ye food for the warriors," said Ailill. "Not it is my desire," said Medb, but to go to the chess yonder against Fraech." "Get to it, I am pleased," said Ailill, and they play the chess then, and Fraech.

His people were meanwhile at cooking the wild animals. "Let thy harpers play for us," says Ailill to Fraech. "Let them play indeed!" says Fraech. A harp-bag[3] of the skins of otters about them with their adornment of ruby (or coral), beneath their adornment of gold and silver.

[1. This is the rendering in the Yellow Book of Lecan, considered by Meyer to be the true reading. The Book of Leinster text gives "aig-baig," a word of doubtful meaning. The Eg. MS. has also a doubtful word.

2. The "ears" were apparently handles shaped like ears. The same word is used for the rings in the cloaks, line 33 above.

3. Meyer translates this: "the concave part of the harp."]

{p. 19} By the queen and the king they were welcome made, the strangers they turned to greet; {140} And their courtesy graciously Fraech repaid: "'Twas thus we had hoped to meet."

"Not for boasting to-day are ye come!" said Maev; the men for the chess she set: And a lord of the court in the chess-man sport by Fraech in a match was met.

'Twas a marvellous board of findruine fair was prepared, when they played that game, Four handles, and edges of gold it had, nor needed they candles' flame; For the jewels that blazed at the chess-board's side, a light, as from lamps, would yield; And of silver and gold were the soldiers made, who engaged on that mimic field.

"Get ye food for the chiefs!" said the king; said Maev, "Not yet, 'tis my will to stay, To sit with the strangers, and here with Fraech in a match at the chess to play!"

"Let thy game be played!" said Ailill then, "for it pleaseth me none the less:"

{150} And Queen Maev and Fraech at the chess-board sate, and they played at the game of chess.

Now his men, as they played, the wild beasts late caught were cooking, they thought to feed; And said Ailill to Fraech, "Shall thy harpmen play?" "Let them play," said Fraech, "indeed:"

Now those harpers were wondrous men, by their sides they had sacks of the otter's skin, And about their bodies the sacks were tied, and they carried their harps within, With st.i.tches of silver and golden thread each case for a harp was sewed; And, beneath the embroidery gleaming red, the s.h.i.+mmer of rubies showed!

{p. 20} The skin of a roe about them in the middle, it was as white as snow; black-grey eyes in their centre. Cloaks of linen as white as the tunic of a swan around these ties.[1] Harps of gold and silver and bronze, with figures of serpents and birds, and hounds of gold and silver: as they moved those strings those figures used to run about the men all round.

They play for them then so that twelve of the people[2] of Ailill and Medb die with weeping and sadness.

Gentle and melodious were the triad, and they were the Chants of Uaithne[3] (Child-birth). The ill.u.s.trious triad are three brothers, namely Gol-traiges (Sorrow-strain), and Gen-traiges (Joy-strain), and Suan-traiges (Sleep-strain). Boand from the fairies is the mother of the triad: [1. This is the Egerton version, which is clearly right here. The Book of Leinster gives: "These figures accordingly used to run," &c., leaving out all the first part of the sentence, which is required to make the meaning plain.

2. The Book of Leinster omits "of Ailill and Medb."

3. p.r.o.nounced something like Yew-ny.]

{p. 21} At every one of the harpers' waists was girded the hide of a roe, And black-grey spots in its midst were placed, but the hide was as white as snow; And round each of the three of them waved a cloak, as white as the wild swan's wings: {160} Gold, silver, and bronze were the harps they woke; and still, as they touched the strings, The serpents, the birds, and the hounds on the harps took life at the harps' sweet sound, And those figures of gold round the harpmen rose, and floated in music round.

Then they played, sweet and sad was the playing, Twelve of Ailill's men died, as they heard; It was Boand[1] who foretold them that slaying, And right well was accomplished her word.

'Tis the three Chants of Child-Birth Give names to those Three; Of the Harp of the Dagda[2]

{170} The children they be.

To those harpers a fairy Is mother, of yore To that Harp, men call Child-Birth, Queen Boand the three bore.

They are three n.o.ble brothers, And well are they known; They are kindly and gentle, And tuneful of tone.

[1. p.r.o.nounced with sound of "owned."

2. The Dagda seems to have been the chief G.o.d of the old Celtic mythology.]

{p. 22} LITERAL TRANSLATION.

it is from the music which Uaithne, the Dagda's harp, played that the three are named. The time the woman was at the bearing of children it had a cry of sorrow with the soreness of the pangs at first: it was smile and joy it played in the middle for the pleasure of bringing forth the two sons: it was a sleep of soothingness played the last son, on account of the heaviness of the birth, so that it is from him that the third of the music has been named.

Boand awoke afterwards out of the sleep. "I accept," she says, "thy three sons O Uaithne of full ardour, since there is Suan-traide and Gen-traide, and Gol-traide on cows and women who shall fall by Medb and Ailill, {p. 23} One is Joy-Song, one Sorrow's, {180} One, "Song that gives Sleep,"

And the Harp's strains, their father's, Remembered they keep.

For when Boand was at bearing, Came Sorrow the first, From the Harp, its strings tearing With cry, Sorrow burst.

Then there came to her pleasure For birth of a boy; And a sweet smiling measure {190}The Harp played, 'twas Joy.

And she swooned in her anguish, For hard the third birth: From the Harp, her pains soothing, Sleep's strain came on earth.

Then from Boand pa.s.sed her slumber, And, "Uaithne,"[1] she cried, Thy three sons, thou sharp Child-Birth, I take to my side.

Cows and women by Ailill And Maev shall be slain; {200} For on these cometh Sorrow, And Joy, and Sleep's strain: [1. p.r.o.nounced something like Yew-ny.]

{p. 24} LITERAL TRANSLATION.

men who shall perish by the hearing of art from them."

They cease from playing after that in the palace: "It is stately it has come," says Fergus. "Divide ye to us," says Fraech to his people, "the food, bring ye it into the house." Lothur went on the floor of the house: he divides to them the food. On his haunches he used to divide each joint with his sword, and he used not to touch the food part: since he commenced dividing, he never hacked the meat beneath his hand.

They were three days and three nights at the playing of the chess on account of the abundance of the precious stones in the household of Fraech. After that Fraech addressed Medb. "It is well I have played against thee (i.e. have beaten thee)," he says, "I take not away thy stake from the chess-board that there be not a decay of hospitality for thee in it."

{p. 25} Yea, and men, who these harpers, Thy children, shall hear, By their art to death stricken, Shall perish in fear."

Then the strains died away in the palace, The last notes seemed to sink, and to cease: "It was stately," said Fergus, "that music."

And on all came a silence, and peace.

Said Fraech, "The food divide ye!

Come, bring ye here the meat! "

And down to earth sank Lothar, On floor he set his feet; He crouched, on haunches sitting, The joints with sword he split; On bones it fell unerring, No dainty part he hit!

Though long with sword he hewed, and long Was meat by men supplied, His hand struck true; for never wrong Would Lothar meat divide.

Three days at the chess had they played; three nights, as they sat at the game, had gone: And they knew not the night for the sparkling light from the jewels of Fraech that shone; But to Maev turned Fraech, and he joyously cried, "I have conquered thee well at the chess!

Yet I claim not the stake at the chess-board's side, lest thy palace's wealth be less."

{p. 26} LITERAL TRANSLATION.

"Since I have been in this dun this is the day which I deem longest in it ever," says Medb. "This is reasonable," says Fraech, "they are three days and three nights in it." At this Medb starts up. It was a shame with her that the warriors were without food. She goes to Ailill: she tells it to him. "A great deed we have done," said she, "the stranger men who have come to us to be without food." "Dearer to thee is playing of the chess," says Ailill. "It hinders not the distribution to his suite throughout the house. They have been three days and three nights in it but that we perceived not the night with the white light of the precious stones in the house." "Tell them," says Ailill, "to cease from the lamenting until distribution is made to them." Distribution is then made to them, and things were pleasing to them, and they stayed three days and three nights in it after that over the feasting.

It is after that Fraech was called into the house of conversation, and it is asked of him what brought him. "A visit with you," said he, "is pleasing to me." "Your company is indeed not displeasing with the household," said Ailill, "your addition is better than your diminution."

{p. 27} "For no lengthier day have I sat in such play," said Maev, "since I here first came."

"And well may the day have seemed long," said Fraech, "for three days and three nights was the game!"

Then up started Maev, and in shame she blushed that the chiefs she had failed to feed; {230} To her husband, King Ailill, in wrath she rushed: "We have both done a goodly deed!

For none from our stores hath a banquet brought for the youths who are strangers here!"

And said Ailill, "In truth for the play was thy thought, and to thee was the chess more dear."

"We knew not that darkness had come," said Maev, "'tis not chess thou should'st thus condemn; Though the day had gone, yet the daylight shone from the heart of each sparkling gem; Though the game we played, all could meal have made, had men brought of the night advice, But the hours sped away, and the night and the day have approached and have fled from us thrice!"

"Give command," said the king, "that those wailing chants, till we give them their food, be stilled."

And food to the hands of each they gave, and all with the meat were filled; And all things merrily went, for long the men with a feast were fed, {240} For, as feasting they sat, thrice rose the day, thrice night above earth was spread.

They brought Fraech, when that banquet was ended, To the House of Debate, which was near, And they asked of his errand: "In friends.h.i.+p, For a visit," said Fraech, "am I here!"

"And 'twas joy that we felt, when receiving This your host," said the king, "ye have brought Much of pleasure to all, and with grieving, When ye go, shall your presence be sought!"

{p. 28} LITERAL TRANSLATION.

"We shall stay here then," says Fraech, "another week." They stay after that till the end of a fortnight in the dun, and they have a hunt every single day towards the dun. The men of Connaught used to come to view them.

It was a trouble with Fraech not to have a conversation with the daughter: for that was the profit that had brought him. A certain day he starts up at the end of night for was.h.i.+ng to the stream. It is the time she had gone and her maid for was.h.i.+ng. He takes her hand. "Stay for my conversing," he says; "it is thou I have come for." "I am delighted truly," says the daughter; "if I were to come, I could do nothing for thee." "Query, wouldst thou elope with me?" he says.

{p. 29} "Then," said Fraech, "for a week we abide here."

For two weeks in that dun they abode: And the Connaught men pressed round to view them, As each eve home from hunting they rode.

Yet Fraech was sad, with Findabar A word he sought in vain; Though he in truth from home so far Had come that word to gain.

Fraech, as night was ending, Sprang from out his bed; Sought the brook, intending There to lave his head.

There King Ailill's daughter Stood, and there her maid: They that hour from water Sought the cleansing aid.

"Stay," he cried, and speaking Caught the maiden's hand; "Thee alone as seeking, I have reached this land: Here am I who sought thee, Stay, and hear me woo!"

"Ah! thy speech hath brought me Joy," she said, "most true; Yet, thy side if nearing, What for thee can I?"

"Maid!" he cried, "art fearing Hence with me to fly?"

{p. 30} LITERAL TRANSLATION.

"I will not elope," says she, "for I am the daughter of a king and a queen. There is nothing of thy poverty that you should not get me ( i.e. thy poverty is not so great that thou art not able to get me) from my family; and it shall be my choice accordingly to go to thee, it is thou whom I have loved. And take thou with thee this ring," says the daughter, "and it shall be between us for a token. My mother gave it to me to put by, and I shall say that I put it astray." Each of them accordingly goes apart after that.

"I fear," says Ailill, "the eloping of yon daughter with Fraech, though she would be given to him on solemn pledge that he would come towards us with his cattle for aid at the Spoil." Fraech goes to them to the house of conversation. "Is it a secret (cocur, translated "a whisper" by Crowe) ye have?" says Fraech. "Thou wouldest fit in it," says Ailill.

{p. 31} "Flight I hold disloyal,"

Answered she in scorn; "I from mother royal, {280} I to king was born; What should stay our wedding?

None so mean or poor Thou hast seemed, nor dreading Kin of mine; be sure: I will go! 'tis spoken, Thou beloved shalt be!

Take this ring as token, Lent by Maev to me!

'Twas my mother who bid me to save it, {290} For the ring she in secret would hide; 'Tis as pledge of our love that I gave it, As its pledge it with thee should abide.

Till that ring we can freely be showing I will tell them I put it astray!"