Chapter 22

[4]And he spake these warm words, sadly, sorrowfully in praise of Ferdiad:--[4]

[4-4] Eg. 209.

[W.4022.] "There shall not be found the hand of a hero that will wound warrior's flesh, like cloud-coloured Ferdiad!

[1]"There shall not be heard from the gap[a] the cry of red-mouthed Badb[b] to the winged, shade-speckled flocks![1]

[1-1] This difficult sentence is composed of two alliterating groups, which it is impossible to follow in the translation.]

[a] That is, the battle breach.

[b] That is, the fury of war and carnage which appeared in the form of a carrion crow.

"There shall not be one that will contend for Cruachan that will obtain covenants equal to thine, till the very day of doom and of life henceforward, O red-cheeked son of Daman!" said Cuchulain.

Then it was that Cuchulain arose and stood over Ferdiad: "Ah, Ferdiad," spake Cuchulain "greatly have the men of Erin deceived and abandoned thee, to bring thee to contend and do battle [LL.fo.88a.] with me. For no easy thing is it to contend and do battle with me on the Raid for the Kine of Cualnge! [2]And yet, never before have I found combat that was so sore or distressed me so as thy combat, save the combat with Oenfer Aifè,[c] mine one own son."[2] Thus he spake, and he uttered these words:--

"Ah, Ferdiad, betrayed to death. Our last meeting, oh, how sad! Thou to die, I to remain. Ever sad our long farewell!

"When we over yonder dwelt With our Scathach, steadfast, true, This we thought till end of time, That our friendship ne'er would end!

"Dear to me thy noble blush; Dear thy comely, perfect form; Dear thine eye, blue-grey and clear; Dear thy wisdom and thy speech!

"Never strode to rending fight, Never wrath and manhood held, Nor slung shield across broad back, One like thee, Daman's red son!

[W.4051.] "Never have I met till now, Since I Oenfer Aifè slew, One thy peer in deeds of arms, Never have I found, Ferdiad!

"Finnabair, Medb's daughter fair, Beauteous, lovely though she be, As a gad round sand or stones, She was shown to thee, Ferdiad!"

[2-2] Stowe, Eg. 106 and Eg. 209.

[c] That is, Conlaech.

Then Cuchulain turned to gaze on Ferdiad. "Ah, my master Laeg," cried Cuchulain, "now strip Ferdiad and take his armour and garments off him, that I may see the brooch for the sake of which he entered on the combat and fight [1]with me."[1] Laeg came up and stripped Ferdiad. He took his armour and garments off him and he saw the brooch [2]and he placed the brooch in Cuchulain's hand,[2] and Cuchulain began to lament and complain [3]over Ferdiad,[3] and he spake these words:--

"Alas, golden brooch; Ferdiad of the hosts, O good smiter, strong, Victorious thy hand!

"Thy hair blond and curled, A wealth fair and grand. Thy soft, leaf-shaped belt Around thee till death!

"Our comradeship dear; Thy noble eye's gleam; Thy golden-rimmed shield; Thy sword,[a] treasures worth!

[4]"Thy white-silver torque Thy noble arm binds. Thy chess-board worth wealth; Thy fair, ruddy cheek![4]

"To fall by my hand, I own was not just! 'Twas no noble fight. Alas, golden brooch!

[1]"Thy death at Cu's hand Was dire, O dear calf![a] Unequal the shield Thou hadst for the strife!

"Unfair was our fight, Our woe and defeat! Fair the great chief; Each host overcome And put under foot! Alas, golden brooch!"[1]

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Stowe.

[a] Reading with YBL. 39b, 31, as more intelligible than the 'chess-board' of LL., which occurs in the next stanza.

[4-4] YBL. 39b, 31-33.

[1-1] YBL. 39b, 35-39.

[a] A term of endearment which survives in Modern Irish.

[W.4092.] "Come, O Laeg my master," cried Cuchulain; "now cut open Ferdiad and take the Gae Bulga out, because I may not be without my weapons." Laeg came and cut open Ferdiad and he took the Gae Bulga out of him. And Cuchulain saw his weapons bloody and red-stained by the side of Ferdiad, and he uttered these words:--

"O Ferdiad, in gloom we meet. Thee I see both red and pale. I myself with unwashed arms; Thou liest in thy bed of gore!

"Were we yonder in the East, Scathach and our Uathach near, There would not be pallid lips Twixt us two, and arms of strife!

"Thus spake Scathach trenchantly (?), Words of warning, strong and stern: 'Go ye all to furious fight; German, blue-eyed, fierce will come!'

"Unto Ferdiad then I spake, And to Lugaid generous, To the son of fair Baetan,[b] German we would go to meet!

"We came to the battle-rock, Over Lake Linn Formait's shore. And four hundred men we brought[c] From the Isles of the Athissech!

"As I stood and Ferdiad brave At the gate of German's fort, [LL.fo.88b.] I slew Rinn the son of Nel; He slew Ruad son of Fornel!

[W.4122.] "Ferdiad slew upon the slope Blath, of Colba 'Red-sword' son. Lugaid, fierce and swift, then slew Mugairne of the Tyrrhene Sea!

"I slew, after going in, Four times fifty grim, wild men. Ferdiad killed--a furious horde-- Dam Dremenn and Dam Dilenn!

"We laid waste shrewd German's fort O'er the broad, bespangled sea. German we brought home alive To our Scathach of broad shield!

"Then our famous nurse made fast Our blood-pact[a] of amity, That our angers should not rise 'Mongst the tribes of noble Elg!

"Sad the morn, a day in March, Which struck down weak Daman's son. Woe is me, the friend is fall'n Whom I pledged in red blood's draught![a]

"Were it there I saw thy death, Midst the great Greeks' warrior-bands, I'd not live on after thee, But together we would die!

"Woe, what us befel therefrom, Us, dear Scathach's fosterlings, Me sore wounded, red with blood, Thee no more to drive thy car!

"Woe, what us befel therefrom, Us, dear Scathach's fosterlings, Me sore wounded, stiff with gore, Thee to die the death for aye!

"Woe, what us befel therefrom, Us, dear Scathach's fosterlings, Thee in death, me, strong, alive. Valour is an angry strife!"

[b] That is, Ferbaeth.

[c] That is, as prisoners.

[a] Referring to the Celtic custom of binding an alliance by each of the parties thereto drinking the blood of the other.

"Good, O Cucuc," spake Laeg, "let us leave this ford now; too long are we here!" "Aye, let us leave it, O my master Laeg," replied Cuchulain. "But every combat and battle I have fought seems a game and a sport to me compared with the combat and battle of Ferdiad." Thus he spake, and he uttered these words:--

[W.4164.] "All was play, all was sport, Till came Ferdiad to the ford! One task for both of us, Equal our reward. Our kind, gentle nurse Chose him over all!

"All was play, all was sport, Till came Ferdiad to the ford! One our life, one our fear, One our skill in arms. Shields gave Scathach twain To Ferdiad and me!

"All was play, all was sport, Till came Ferdiad to the ford! Dear the shaft of gold[a] I smote on the ford. Bull-chief of the tribes, Braver he than all!

"Only games and only sport, Till came Ferdiad to the ford! Lion, furious, flaming, fierce; Swollen wave that wrecks like doom!

"Only games and only sport, Till came Ferdiad to the ford! Lovèd Ferdiad seemed to me After me would live for aye! Yesterday, a mountain's size-- He is but a shade to-day!

"Three things countless on the Táin Which have fallen by my hand: Hosts of cattle, men and steeds, I have slaughtered on all sides!

"Though the hosts were e'er so great, That came out of Cruachan wild, More than third and less than half, Slew I in my direful sport!

"Never trod in battle's ring; Banba[b] nursed not on her breast; Never sprang from sea or land, King's son that had larger fame!"

[a] That is, Ferdiad.

[b] An old name for Ireland.

Thus far [1]the Combat of Ferdiad with Cuchulain[1] and the Tragical Death of Ferdiad.

[1-1] Stowe and Eg. 209.

* * * * *

[Page 268]

XXI

[1]CUCHULAIN AND THE RIVERS[1]

[2]Now while the hosts proceeded from Ath Firdead ('Ferdiad's Ford') southwards, Cuchulain lay in his sickbed in that place.[2] [LL.fo.89a.] Then came certain men of the Ulstermen thither to help and succour Cuchulain. [W.4205.] [3]Before all,[3] Senoll Uathach and the two sons of Gegè: Muridach and Cotreb, to wit. And they bore him to the streams and rivers of Conalle Murthemni, to rub and to wash his stabs and his cuts, his sores and his many wounds in the face of these streams and rivers. For the Tuatha De Danann ('the Tribes divine of Danu') were wont to put herbs and plants of healing and a curing charm in the waters and rivers of the territory of Conalle Murthemni, to help and to succour Cuchulain, so that the streams were speckled and green-topped therewith.

[1-1] This sub-title is supplied by Windisch.

[2-2] YBL. 40a, 1-2.

[3-3] YBL. 40a, 3.

Accordingly these are the names of the healing rivers of Cuchulain:--

Sas, Buan, [4]Buas,[4] Bithslan, Findglas ('Whitewater'), Gleoir, Glenamain, Bedg, Tadg, Telameit, Rind, Bir, Brenidè, Dichaem, Muach, Miliuc, Cumung, Cuilind, Gainemain, Drong, Delt, Dubglas ('Blackwater').

[4-4] Stowe.

[5]Then was the grave of Ferdiad dug by the men of Erin and his funeral games were held.[5]

[5-5] Stowe.

* * * * *

[Page 269]

XXII

[1]CETHERN'S STRAIT-FIGHT[1]

[2]While now Cuchulain went to bathe in the waters, the hosts went by to the south till they pitched camp at Imorach Smiromrach ('Edge of the Marrow-bath').[2] [W.4238.] Then said the men of Erin to macRoth the chief runner, to go watch and keep guard for them at Sliab Fuait, to the end that the Ulstermen might not come upon them without warning and unobserved. Thereupon macRoth went [3]from the host southwards[3] as far as Sliab Fuait [4]to spy out the men of Ulster, to learn if any one came after them.[4] MacRoth was not long there when he saw something: a lone chariot on Sliab Fuait making from the north straight towards him. A fierce man, stark-naked, in that chariot coming towards him, without arms, without armour at all save an iron spit in his hand. In equal manner he goaded his driver and his horses [5]at one and the same time.[5] And it seemed to him that he would never in his life come up to the hosts. And macRoth hastened to tell this news [6]at the fort[6] where Ailill and Medb and Fergus were and the nobles of the men of Erin. Ailill asked tidings of him on his arrival. "Aye, macRoth," inquired Ailill; "hast thou seen any of the Ulstermen on the track of the host this day?" "That, truly, I know not," answered macRoth; "but I saw something: a lone chariot coming over Sliab Fuait [W.4252.] [1]from the north[1] straight towards us. A [2]white, grey,[2] wild, stark-naked man in the chariot, without arms or armour at all, except for an iron spit in his hand. In equal manner he prodded his driver and his steeds. It seemed to him he would never in his life come up to the host. [3]A brindled greyhound before him."[3] "Who, thinkest thou, might it be, O Fergus?" asked Ailill. [4]"Is it Conchobar or Celtchar?"[4] "Of a truth, [5]that is not likely,"[5] Fergus answered; "meseems it is Cethern son of [6]generous, red-edged[6] Fintan [7]from Linè in the north[7] that came there. [8]And if so it be, ye shall be on your guard against him!"[8] Fergus indeed spoke true, that it was Fintan's son Cethern that was come there. And so Cethern son of Fintan came on them, and the camp and the garrison were confounded and he wounded all around him in every direction and on all sides [9]and they wounded him in like manner.[9] And then [10]Cethern[10] left them, [11]and it was thus he went, and the front-guard of the chariot pressed up against his belly to keep his entrails and vitals within him,[11] [12]and his intestines were wound about his legs.[12] He came to the place where was Cuchulain, to be healed and cured, and he demanded a leech of Cuchulain to heal and to cure him. [13]Cuchulain had compassion on his wounds;[13] [14] a bed of fresh rushes was made for him and a pillow set to it.[14] "Come, master Laeg!" cried Cuchulain. [15]"Arise,[15] away with thee to the garrison and camp of the men of Erin and summon [LL.fo.89.] the leeches to come out to cure Cethern macFintain. I give my word, e'en though it be under the [W.4270.] ground or in a well-shut house they are, I myself will bring death and destruction and slaughter upon them before this hour to-morrow, if they come not [1]to minister to Cethern."[1]

[1-1] This heading is taken from the colophon of the episode.

[2-2] YBL. 40a, 9-12.

[3-3] YBL. 40a, 12-13.

[4-4] YBL. 40a, 12-14.

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] Stowe.

[1-1] Stowe, and YBL. 41a, 10.

[2-2] YBL. 41a, 11.

[3-3] YBL. 41a, 15.

[4-4] YBL. 40a, 17.

[5-5] YBL. 40a, 17.

[6-6] YBL. 40a, 18.

[7-7] Stowe.

[8-8] Stowe and YBL. 41a, 10.

[9-9] Stowe.

[10-10] Stowe.

[11-11] I have translated from the more circumstantial account in Stowe. LL. has, simply, 'his entrails and bowels outside on him.'

[12-12] YBL. 40a, 21.

[13-13] YBL. 40a, 22.

[14-14] YBL. 40a, 23-24.

[15-15] Stowe.

[1-1] YBL. 40a, 29.

Laeg went his way to the quarters and camp of the men of Erin, and he called upon the leeches of the men of Erin to go forth to cure Cethern son of Fintan. Truth to tell, the leeches of the men of Erin were unwilling to go cure their adversary, their enemy and their stranger-foe. But they feared Cuchulain would work death and destruction and slaughter upon them if they went not. And so they went. As one man of them [2]after the other[2] came to him, Cethern son of Fintan showed him his stabs and his cuts, his sores and his bloody wounds. [3]When the first leech that came looked at him, "thou wilt not live," he declared. "Neither wilt thou for this," replied Cethern.[3] Each man of them that said he would not live and could not be healed, Cethern son of Fintan struck him a blow with his right fist in the front of his forehead, so that he drove the brains out through the windows of his ears and the seams of his skull. Howbeit Cethern son of Fintan killed them till, by reason of him, there had come fifteen[a] leeches of the leeches of the men of Erin, [4]as the historian hath declared in proof thereof:--

"These the leeches of the Táin, Who by Cethern--bane--did fall. No light thing, in floods of tribes, That their names are known to me:

"Littè, Luaidren, known o'er sea, Lot and Luaimnech, 'White-hand' Lonn, Latheirnè skilful, also Lonn, Laisrè, Slanoll 'That cures all.'

"Dubthach, Fintan's blameless son, Fintan, master Firfial, too, Mainè, Boethan 'Gives not pain,' Eke his pupil, Boethan's son.

"These the leeches, five and ten, Struck to death by Cethern, true; I recall them in my day; They are in the leeches' roll!"[4]

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] YBL. 40a, 31-33.

[a] 'Fifty or fifteen,' YBL. 40a, 35.

[4-4] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add. 18,748.

[W.4284.] Yea, even the fifteenth leech, it was but the tip of a blow that reached him. Yet he fell lifeless of the great stun between the bodies of the other physicians and lay there for a long space and time. Ithall, leech of Ailill and Medb, was his name.

Thereafter Cethern son of Fintan asked another leech of Cuchulain to heal and to cure him [1]forasmuch as the leeches of the men of Erin had failed him.[1] "Come, master Laeg," quoth Cuchulain, "go for me to Fingin the seer-leech, at 'Fingin's Grave-mound' at Leccan ('the Brow') of Sliab Fuait, [2]him that is[2] leech to Conchobar. Bid him come to heal Cethern son of Fintan."

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] YBL. 40a, 40.

Laeg hastened to Fingin the seer-leech at 'Fingin's Grave-mound' at Leccan of Sliab Fuait, to the leech of Conchobar. And he told him to go cure Cethern son of Fintan. Thereupon Fingin the prophet-leech came [3]with him to where Cuchulain and Cethern were.[3] As soon as he was come, Cethern son of Fintan showed him his stabs and his cuts, his sores and his bloody wounds.

[3-3] Stowe.

* * * * *

[Page 273]

XXIIa

[1]CETHERN'S BLOODY WOUNDS[1]

[W.4299.] [2]"Look at this bloody wound for me, O Fingin," said Cethern.[2] Fingin looked at the bloody wound. "Why, it is a slight, unwillingly given wound we behold here," said the leech; [3]"even a wound that some one of thine own blood hath given thee, and no desire or wish had he therefor,[3] and it will not carry thee off at once." "That, now, is true," exclaimed Cethern. "A lone man came upon me there; bushy hair on him; a blue mantle wrapped around him; a silver brooch in the mantle over his breast; an oval shield with plaited rim he bore; a five-pointed spear in his hand; a pronged spare spear at his side. He gave this bloody wound. He bore away a slight wound from me too." "Why, we know that man!" cried Cuchulain; "'twas Illann Ilarchless ('Illann of many feats') son of Fergus [4]macRoig.[4] And he would not wish that thou shouldst fall by his hand, but he gave thee this mock-blow that the men of Erin might not have it to say it was to betray them or to forsake them if he gave it not."

[1-1] The heading is taken from LL.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] YBL. 41b, 19.

"Now look at this bloody wound for me, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. Fingin looked closely into the bloody wound. "Why, 'tis a woman's wanton deed of arms we behold here," said the leech; [5]"namely the wound which a warrior-woman inflicted on thee," said he.[5] "Aye, that is true then," quoth Cethern; "a woman [W.4314.] came upon me there by herself. A woman, beautiful, fair-faced, long-cheeked, tall; a golden-yellow head of hair [1]down to the top of her two shoulder-blades she wore; a smock of royal sammet next to her white skin;[1] [2]two birds of gold on her shoulders;[2] a purple cloak without other colour she had around her; [LL.fo.90a.] a brooch of gold in the cloak over her bosom; a straight, ridged spear, red-flaming in her hand. She it was that gave me this bloody wound. She bore away a slight wound from me too." "Ah, but we know that woman," cried Cuchulain; "Medb daughter of Eocho Fedlech, daughter of the High King of Erin; it is she that came unto us in that dress. A victory and triumph and trophy she had considered it hadst thou fallen at her hands."

[5-5] Stowe.

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] YBL. 41b, 5.

"Look at this bloody wound for me too, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. Fingin looked at the bloody wound. "Why, the feat of arms of two warriors is this," said the leech; [3]"that is to say, two warriors inflicted these two wounds as one wound upon thee."[3] "Yea, that is true," answered Cethern. "There came two [4]men-at-arms[4] upon me in that place; two, with bushy hair on them; two blue cloaks wrapped around them; brooches of silver in the cloaks over their breasts; a necklace of all-white silver around the neck of each of them; [5]two long shields they bore; two hard chains of silver on each of them; a band of silver around them; two five-pointed spears they bore; a vein of silver around them.[5] [6]They smote me this wound and I smote a little wound on each of them."[6] "Indeed we know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Oll and Othinè they, of the bodyguard of Ailill and Medb; they never go to a hosting, [7]to battle or combat,[7] but when the wounding of a man is certain. They would have held [W.4330.] it for victory and triumph and a boast hadst thou fallen at their hands."

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] YBL. 41b, 21-26.

[6-6] Stowe.

[7-7] Stowe.

"Look on this bloody wound also for me, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. Fingin looked closely at the bloody wound. "There came upon me a pair of young warriors of the Fian," [1]said Cethern;[1] "a splendid, manly appearance they had. Each of them cast a spear at me. I drave this spear through the one of them." Fingin looked into the bloody wound. "Why, this blood is all black," quoth the leech; "through thy heart those spears passed so that they formed a cross of themselves through thy heart, [2]and thy healing and curing are not easy;[2] and I prophesy no cure here, but I would get thee some healing plants and curing charms that they destroy thee not forthwith." "Ah, but we know them, that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Bun and Mecconn ('Stump' and 'Root') are they, of the bodyguard of Ailill and Medb. It was their hope that thou shouldst fall at their hands."

[1-1] YBL. 41b, 30.

[2-2] Stowe.

"Look at this bloody wound for me, too, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. Fingin examined the bloody wound. "Why, it is the red rush of the two sons of Ri Cailè ('the King of the Woods') that is here," said the leech. "Aye, 'tis so," replied Cethern; "there attacked me there two fair-faced, dark-browed youths, huge, with diadems of gold [3]on their heads.[3] Two green mantles folded about them; two pins of bright silver on the mantles over their breasts; two five-pronged spears in their hands." "Why, near each other are the bloody wounds they gave thee," said the leech; "into thy gullet they went, so that the points of the spears struck one another within thee, and none the easier is it to work thy cure here." "We know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; [4]"noble youths of Medb's great household,[4] Broen and Brudni, are they, [5]two[5] [W.4352.] sons of Ri teora Soillse ('the King of the three Lights'), that is, the two sons of the King of the Woods. It had been victory and triumph and a boast for them, hadst thou fallen at their hands."

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] YBL. 41b, 41.

[5-5] Stowe.

"Look at this bloody wound for me, too, my good Fingin," said Cethern. Fingin looked into the bloody wound. "The joint deed of two brothers is here," said the leech. "'Tis indeed true," replied Cethern. "There came upon me two leading, king's warriors. Yellow hair upon them; dark-grey mantles with fringes, wrapped around them; leaf-shaped brooches of silvered bronze in the mantles over their breasts; broad, grey lances in their hands." "Ah, but we know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Cormac Colomon rig ('King's pillar') is the one, and Cormac son of Mael Foga, of the bodyguard of Ailill and Medb (the other). What they sought was that thou shouldst fall at their hands."

"Look at this bloody wound for me too, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. [LL.fo.90b.] Fingin looked into that bloody wound. "The assault of two brothers is here," said the leech. "Aye then, 'tis true," answered Cethern. "There came upon me two tender youths there; very much alike were they; curly [1]dark[1] hair on the one of them; curly yellow hair on the other; two green cloaks wrapped around them; two bright-silver brooches in the cloaks over their breasts; two tunics of smooth yellow silk [2]with hoods and red embroidery[2] next their skin; [3]two[3] white-hilted swords at their belts; two bright shields having the likenesses of beasts in white silver they bore; two five-pronged spears with veins of all-white silver in their hands." "Ah, but we know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Manè 'Like to his mother' and Manè 'Like to his father,' two sons of Ailill and Medb; and it would be matter of victory, [W.4377.] triumph and boasting to them, hadst thou fallen at their hands."

[1-1] YBL. 42a, 28.

[2-2] YBL. 42a, 30-31.

[3-3] Stowe.