M PRINTED IN IRELAND BY DUBLIN UNIVERSITY PRESS LTD. DUBLIN (g) DUBLIN INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIE TAIN BO GUAILNGE Recension I EDITED BY CECILE O'RAHILLY DUBLIN DUBLIN INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES 1970 CONTENTS Paok NTKODUCTION . .vii-xxiii Acknowledgements xxiv Text ] Translation ]2i> Notes to Text 239 Index to Main Notes 300 Index of Persons 301 Index of Places. Peoples, Rivers 307 INTRODUCTION Táin Bó Cúailngo, the longest and most important tale of the Ulster cycle, has been preserved in three recensions. Recension I, the oldest manuscript version, is the text here edited. The growth and development of TBC and the interrelations of the three recensions have been exhaustively dealt with by Thurneysen in Die irische Helden- und Königsage (pp. 96-244)1. Here it will be sufficient to discuss and compare the four manuscripts which contain a version of Recension I2. These manuscripts are: (1) Lebor na hUidre (U), the oldest surviving manuscript of Irish prose tales, dated ca. 11003; (2) the Yellow Book of Lecan (Y), a late 14th-century manuscript4 ; (3) Egerton 1782 (W), dated early 16th century5; (4) O'Curry MS. 1 (C), a late 16th-centur3' paper manuscript (recently rediscovered)6. (1) U As Best has shown7 Lebor na hUidre is the work of two main scribes whom he called A and M. M has been identified as Mael Muire mac Ceilechair fll068. Later a third scribe, denoted as H, added many interpolations throughout the manuscript9. 1 Cf. also Thurneysen in ZCT ix 418-43, and C. O'Rahilly in Táin Bó Cúailnge from tho Book of Leinster xiv-xvi. - The wholo of Recension I TBC is sometimes iooscly called LU-TBC, the oldest MS. version having been preserved in Lebor na hUidre (LU). TBC2 is the abbreviated reference to the edition published in 1912, TBC having been appropriated for Windisch's edition of LL-TBC (1905) 3 Lebor na Huidre, ed. Bergin and Best (Dublin 1929) 11. 4479-6722. 4 Táin Bó Cúailnge, ed. Strachan and O'Keeffe (Dublin 1912). 5 Táin Bó Cúailnge nach der hs. Egerton 1782, ed. Windisch, ZCP ix 121-58 (1913). tí Táin Bó Cúailnge, ed. Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (Dublin 1966). 7 Ériu vi 161 ff. 8 H. P. A. Oskamp suggests that there may be some doubt about this identification (Voyage of Máel Dúin, Groningen 1970 p. 3). In a recent article (The Reviser of Leabhar na hUidhro, Éigse xv 277-88) Tomáš Ó Concheanainn gives convincing arguments for identifying Maelmuire with the H- interpolator. In the present work I have found it convenient to retain Best's denotation of the three scribes as A, M and H. ft U^ denotes the interpolated version in LU. vn TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE In all four manuscripts the text is incomplete. The following diagram represents roughly the extent of the. text preserved in each of the manuscripts. The numbering of lines is that of the present edition. U 1 2546 Y [lacuna 2057-2310] 200 4150 W [lacun 161 1 ae 939-1028] 8-1710] 1812 C Sbbbbbbbbbbubbbbbbbb ■■»"■■»■•»••■■■■»■a« ••>•■.......""!'' ■»■BBaaaiBBBBMBBBlBJ [lacunae 1300-1371 ľ 3003-3141)] 802 363(5 IIIIlllIIHlHli The text of TBC in LU was begun by A but he wrote only öSaMy53, the remainder of the tale up to 82b where it breaks off being written by M. The interpolator H inserted interlinear words or marginal glosses throughout, and in addition added four passages of some length, one on the spaeo gained by erasure of M's text, two on intercalated vellum sheets and the fourth on the space left blank on p. 82b. These H- interpolations are found incorporated into the text in what survives of W; none of them occur in Y. Even without the H-interpolations it is obvious that U is a compilation. The compiler quotes throughout 'from another version' or 'according to other books' i.e. manuscripts. His reference to 'books' shows that his sources were written ones, not oral. The earliest study of TBC was that of Zimmer in 1887' when the only matter of Recension I available was the incomplete text of UH. In his analysis2 Zimmer compared the LU text in detail with i Über den compilatorischen charakter der irischen Ragentexte im sogenannten Lebor na hUuidro, KZ xxviii 426-554. 2 'Eine der doubletten in LU stimmt immer genau mit der version dei Tun, die uns in LL vorliegt', loc. cit. p. 476. It is not strictly accurate tu imply that the LL-version has no 'doublets'. Repetition of motif's is nul uncommon in Recension II. Cf. Táin xvii-xiw INTRODUCTION IX the equivalent passages of Recension II in LL. He noted the many repetitions, inconsistencies and contradictions of UH and pointed out that where variant versions ('doublets') of an incident were given in U", LL invariably gave only one vorsion. This led him to conclude that Recension I of LU was itself a compilation worked together from two sources, and that one of these sources was the Mid.-Ir, LL-version, the other an older unknown version (or versions) which he called x1. Many years later when the full text of Recension I was available together with Best's notes on the scribes of LU, Thurneysen published his analysis of TBC. He rejected Zimmer's conclusion that the Mid.-Ir. LL-version was one of the sources of Recension I. His theory was that Recension I TBC was a conflation of two parallel Oth-century versions of the whole tale, now lost.2. He. enumerated certain criteria by which one could decide from which of these two sources, which he named A and B, a particular passage or opisode bad been taken. Thus, according to Thumeysen's theory: (1) Conall Cernach is with tho enemy in A, with the Ulstermen inB; (2) in both sources Cú Chulainn has a friend in the enemy camp. In A it is Fiacha mac Fir Febe from Ulster; in B it is Lugaid mac Nóis from Munster; (3) in A the Connacht forces have as allies seven Munster under -kings and the Gailióin; in B their supporters are called ceithre nóicid Erend or Fir Ěrend; (4) in B alone the title of a section (usually at the end) has the words ar Tána or ar Tána Bo Cúaibige added. These criteria for the attribution of some passages to Source A and others to Source B seem quite arbitrary. One could suggest other criteria just as cogent and assume further sources C, D etc. For instance, one might distinguish between the fights in which Cú Chulainn kills his opponent with a sling-shot (usually aimed at the head) and those in which he uses spear or sword. Thus Órlám, Lethan, Lócha and many others are killed by the sling, but Etarcomal and Nad Crantail by the sword. Or again one might 1 His argument might equally well have been that LL was drawn from a versioxi of U as it would appear if stripped of some variants and all interpolations. This is the conclusion I reached in my study of the LL-TBC. - Thurneysen noted that in addition the compiler had some more modern pieces. These were the H-intorpolations of U and W, the passages In Carpat Serda -] Brislech Mór Maige Murthemne, Comruc Fir Diad, Toichim na mBuiden and Tochustal Ulad. TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE note that in the final sentences of certain episodes a dindšenchus baaed on it is given but not in other episodes. No dindšenchus is given in the Macgrdinrada. In Aided Fraich we get both Áth Fraich where Fráech was drowned and Sid Fraich to which his body was taken. Similarly for Lia Ú aland, Áih nBuide etc. But despite the detailed account of Cú Chulainn's encounter with Nad Crantail or with Etarcomal, no place-name is mentioned as resulting from the fight. Again, if there is inconsistency about Conall Cernach, there is also some discrepancy in the role of Bricriu1. At first sight Lugaid mac Nóis would seem to play a much more prominent part than Fiacha in dealing with Cú Chulainn on behalf of Medb and Ailill. The explanation of this seeming prominence lies in the fact that moat of his visits to Cú Chulainn to ask for a truce, to offer terms etc. occur in the long passage called cárugud aile or in the H- interpolations. If we discount these references Lugaid plays no more important a role than Fiacha, certainly a lesser one than Fergus. another of his friends from Ulster. Despite his rejection of Zimmer's suggestion of a two-fold origin of TBC, it seems quite possible that Thurneysen was himself influenced, albeit subconsciously, when he formulated his theory that TBC was a conflation of two sources A and B. Perhaps the most interesting point about U is the contribution made by H to the original text. Thurneysen has dealt at length with these H- interpolations, in particular with those on intercalated vellum leaves pp. 71-72, 75-762. Since these interpolations arc found incorporated into the text in what survives of the W-version, Thurneysen concluded that they were not first inserted into U by the H- interpolator but were drawn by him from a manuscript of the W type which he called w3. The first interpolation, written on an erasure, is the prophetic poem chanted by Fedelm Banfáith. As Thurneysen noted, what we should expect the prophetess to chant here would be a rose, not syllabic verses. If a rose has been erased here, it must have been shorter, for the final lines of the verses have had to be squeezed into 1 This type of inconsistency is very common in a work of some length, not necessarily because two different sources have been used but merely through the carelessness of the compiler or his inability to keep the whole work in mind at the same time. 2 See Thurneysen, Heldensage 236-41, ZCP ix 430-32. Cf, also Tain xxvi-xxvii. 3 The fragmentary W does not contain the whole of p. 72 and it breaks off before pp. 75-76. INTRODUCTION XI the space afforded by the erasure. This is the only H- interpolation which is found also in Recension II.1 There seems 110 reason to doubt that in this instance it was taken by the H-interpolator from a version later than U and like R,cconsion II. The second interpolation, a long passage on an intercalated vellum leaf (71-72)2, is of great interest. In part it contains matter which shows some affinity with the long section called by the scribe córugud aile, the opening and connecting passages of which may have been composed at a later date to introduce and join together what Myles Dillon has called the 'canonical text', that is, the older stratum of verse dialogue or roscada. In part too, this second H-i interpolation offers a re-telling with slight variation of episodes which occur in the later part of the full TBC as it is found in Y and C (and also in Recension II). The linking passages of these episodes may bo compared with those of the roscada in the earlier section. Thus in the córugud aile Cú Chulainn asks Lugais mac Nóis: A popa Lugaid, mim áigetar-sa, in tslúaig'i (1179); in the interpolation he asks Lugaid: Cinnus atú-sa innosi ocon tslóg"1. (1548). In the córugud aile Cú Chulainn demands that the ph3'sicians shall supply him with food every night (11S9-90); reference to Cú Chulainn's being supplied with food by the enemy is made in the interpolation (1551). In the earlier córugud aile Lugaid asks for a truce for his men: Conom raib cairte lat frim budin (1186). There is no suggestion of asking for a truce elsewhere in the main body of the text, but here in this H- interpolation the Connachtmen send to ask Cú Chulainn for a cessation of hostilities, carti chlaidib or for permission to move camp claemchlód ma-gni (1545, 1555, 1564). Terms have already been offered to Cú Chulainn by Fergus, but hero in the H- interpolation other terms are offered to Cú Chulainn and he accepts them (1564-8).3 In both the cónujud aile. and the interpolated passage there is a suggestion that the cess noinden is intermittent; in both it is referred to as a tinnorcan (1219, 1630). 1 A briof interlinear noto in hand H in U but not in W names Flidais among the Connacht notables. Flidais is named also in Recension II. See Táin xxvii n. 1. 2 Tho last 15 lines of 70b (1545-61) are writton on an erasure. The passage erased was undoubtedly the opening of Aided Cuir which H re-tells on 72b in a form slightly expanded to coalesce with Tuirem na Clea on 73a. (The expansion can be measured by comparison with tho equivalent passage in Y). ^ Immediately after the account of Etarcomol's death, H inserted a note between columns in which he refers briefly to the reparations offered to Cú Chulainn and to his being supplied with food, a repetition of his account here on pp. 71-2, Cf. infra 1387*. xii TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE In the langnage of both passages one small quirk of style str ike« one immediately. That is the use of ecmaic, 3 s. pret. protot. of ad-cumaic (ad-cumaing), petrified into a kind of adverb in Mid-Irish and used at the beginning of a sentence. Literally it means 'it happened', hut it corresponds to some such adverbial phrase as 'in fact' or 'actually' in English. In TBC ecmaic occurs in this usage only in the section córugud aile (1044, 1061, 1191, 1211) and in this particular H- interpolation (1599, 1617, 1660). As noted above, Thurneysen's view was that H took this whole passage from a manuscript which contained a variant text independent of TJ. Against this one might suggest that H or his predecessor, with or without the aid of written sources, compiled this long interpolation, re-fashioning some episodes which properly occur later in the full text and introducing them with short passages influenced by the earlier córugud aile or composed by H himself to conform with that córugud. For we should not complete^ reject the possibility that H sometimes offered his own original composition1. Most of the incidents, Bánchath Roehada, Comlann Munremair etc. can be explained as later episodes here out of context, but the passage headed Comrac Con Culaind fri Eindabah strikes a discordant note. It may have been an invention of H. It opens with a two-fold repetition of an earlier passage (1246 ft'.) when Mac Roth goes to offer terms to CÚ Chulainn. Here the messengers are first Maine and then Lugaid, and the girl Einnabah is offered as a bribe to Cň Chulainn. Elsewhere in the text in all three Recensions this offering of the girl is made only to Cú Chulainn's enemies as an inducement to fight Mm. The treatment: of both jester and girl by Cú Chulainn presents some strange features. As I have suggested (infra n. 1600) it seems as if Finnabair's death should have occurred here but that the squeamish scribe shirked describing it or that he knew of the later Imšlige Glendamnach passage in the full version where an account of her death is given. The final sentence (Ní bal tra carli dóib la Coin Culaind iar tain 1608) is contradicted in a later passage, of the same interpolation ('Quitter dano cairdi chlaidib dun for Coin Culaind', for Ailill -| Medh 1686-7). Alternatively the whole passage pp. 71-72 may represent merely another córugud aile, here inserted without regard to congruity or to the continuity of the tale. There can be no doubt that U itself, as distinct from UH, while perhaps incorporating some floating oral 1 I shall deal with this point again in discussing the interpolation on pp. 75-76. INTRODUCTION xm 1 raditions, was based on an assembly of written themes and story-components relating to TBC. Hence the contradictions and inconsistencies which mar the narrative. In the first córugud aile in hand M Cú Chulainn takes a warning to Conchobar (1214), In the late part of TBC in Y the same warning in almost identical words (3425) is taken on behalf of Cú Chulainn to the Ulstermen by his father Súaltaim. This led Thurneysen to suggest that the passage Sírrabacl Súaltaim in Y was a later elaboration based on the earlier incident. Actually Sírrabad Súaltaim occurs where we should logically expect it; the earlier warning seems defimtely premature. Thus in the first córugud aile we get an incident which, I suggest, properly comes later in the tale, just as we get Bánchath Rochada, Comlann Munremair misplaced in the H- interpolation. If in fact this H-interpolation is a córugud aile it must have been borrowed piecemeal by the interpolator. The episodes mentioned are out of context. Aided na Rigamus is a distorted reminiscence of the passage which follows Bángleó Rochada in the Y-continuation; Aided na Maevaide is another version of an incident which occurs in the section Breslech Maigo Muirthemne in all three recensions, while the description of Cú Chulainn's riastrad is a commonplace in TBC and other Ulidian tales. Out of context too are the passages linking these episodes. When the TJlstermen have risen from their cess and begun to fight individually on Cú Chulainn's behalf, the time is long since past when Medb and Ailill would offer terms or ask for a cessation of hostilities. Furthermore the long H- interpolation pp. 71-72 has a certain importance in that it may supply a clue to the dating of the loss of the ending of TBC in LU. Best calculated that ten or more pages of TBC are missing after Comrac Maind. If in fact these missing pages had contained the final part of TBC as we now have it in Y (and C) in the twelfth century when H was at work, it would be hard to explain why, with the later episodes before him, he should insert a vellum leaf in which he gives another version of Bángleó Rochada or another account of Munremar's stone-throwing. So we might conclude that the missing pages of LU must have been already lost bofore the twelfth century1. Zimmer, writing at a time when the different hands in LU had not yet been identified and before the 1 Dr. Oskamp would agree that it is possible that the first foliation was made after the loss of the pages following Comrac Maind. See his Table III PRIA 65 C no. 6. But, as I suggest later, it íb just possible that the LTJ manuscript did not contain the final part of TBC but broke off p". 8211, leaving the text unfinished. x i v TÁIN BÓ OÚAILNCIK full text of Y had been publishod, pointed out with great perspicacity that the long passages LU 5834-952 were quite out of place at this point in the narrative1. The third long interpolation, pp. 75-76-, is also on an intercalated vellum leaf of smaller dimensions than the preceding or following leaves3. The point at which this leaf has been, inserted is noteworthy. It is preceded by a passage (1884-1903) which at this point seems quite out of place and which as I have suggested elsewhere is an obvious interpolation4. Significantly the passage, does not occur in Y. It is a doublet or a mere misplacement of a later passage which tells how on the day after Sesrech Breslige Cú Chulainn dons his festive garb and the women climb on men's shoulders to catch a glimpse of him (2354-70). Before this doublet comes Immaccallam na Mórrígna fri Coin Culainn5, at the end of which in U, but not in Y, is a brief reference to a variant version: Oo-mbad sechtmain dó-som for Áth Grencha -] dotuitted fer each laí i nÁth Grencha laiss ,i. i nÁth Darleisc (1872-3), 'It may be that (according to another version)6 he spent a week at Áth nGrencha and that every day a man fell at his hands in Ath nGrencha, that is. in Áth Tartcisc.'7 If this be the Ath. nGrencha which changed its name to Áth nGabla in an earlier passage8, then the variant quoted 1 lDas stück LU 'jQh, 30—J2h, 24 repräsentiere ein blatt der recension x, welches der redaktor von LU bloss an falscher stelle eingefügt habe' KZ xxviii 520. 2 The last nine lines of 7411 (1904-11) which contain the beginning of the interpolation are written on an erasure. The erased passage is given at the end of 76b and is expanded in order to fill the whole side of the page. Cf. the Y-version of that passage which is shorter and less verbose. 3 See H. P. A. Oskamp, Notes on the History of Lebor na Huidre PRIA 65 C No. 6; Roger Powell, Further Notes on Lebor na Huidro, Ériu xxi 99-102. * Tain xxxv. 0 Windisch, as early as 1887, suggested that the ImmaccalUvm was an interpolation in the main text (IT II2 p. 240). It does not occur in Recension II. 0 The words iar n-araile sticht are to be understood in this type of sentence where the 'conjectural subjunctive1 is used. See Strachan, Subj. Mood §25. 7 Scribe M would seem to have added the identification to link up thi: reference to the passage where the poet Gabran gives the name Áth Tcutcisc to the ford where Loch and Cú Chulainn fought. 3 There Cú Chulainn had beheaded at Ath nGrencha four men sent forward as scouts by Medb and had impaled their heads on a forked pole (gabal), whenco the name Áth nGabla for what had previously been Áth nGrencha (infra 335). 'INTRODUCTION xv here is completely out of place. The compiler of Recension I TBC makes occasionally such asides, as it were, giving a misplaced quotation of a variant1. Here it would seem as if this sentence in U suggested to the H- interpolator the opening passage of the interpolation. It begins with a clumsy repetition of the making of Cú Chulainn's false beard, a stock description in the scribe's repertoire or an echo of another tale in which a similar situation occurred2. Then, despite being urged by the women to fight with a now seemingly bearded Cú Chulainn, Loch postpones the meeting for a whole week. This part of the interpolation may be, I suggest, the original contribution of H himself and not drawn from another version. In a text which must have been frequently handled and which had such a large stock of stereotyped expressions and commonplaces one might well suspect that some of the additions of H (or of his predecessor) were not borrowings from a variant version but rather his own original work3. The compiler of Recension I TBC (U) has tried to follow the geographical indications of Medb's advance in the sequence of events. How far ho has succeeded we cannot always toll as many of the places mentioned, some of which indeed may be mere inventions to provide a dindšenchus, are not now identifiable. But in the two long interpolations pp. 71-72, 75-76 the H-interpolator shows little regard for the proper sequence of events or their geographical location. Thus here, after the account of the week's exploits at Áth nGrencha we move at once to 'Ard Aignech, now called Foeherď where a meeting has been arranged between Medb and Cú Chulainn. (This is a doublet of their earlier meeting at Glenn Fochaine in Recension II and Recension III).4 1 Another instance of such a misplaced reference to a variant occurs after the account of the fight with Cur. It must refer to a very different account of his death. Imšlige Glendamrach, one of the three bloodiest battles on the Táin (2313-4), was fought between Medb's forces and her Munster allies and it occurs at a much later stage in the Y- continuation of TBC after the episode Bángleó Rochada. (3358-63). 2 The same sentence occurs, word for word, in Immaccallam in Dá Thúarad LL 24238-40. See infra n. 1904-5. 3 That some of the H- interpolations in, for example, TBDD were inventions of H himself or of his predecessor seems probable. On a leaf of smallor dimensions 93-94 intercalated by H there are added fourteen descriptions of members of Conaire's household. They are brief, rather abrupt in style and the introductory words of the descriptions as written by M are here omitted. Among the fourteen only one known warrior, Cuscraid Mend, is named. See Nettlau's percipient note on these descriptions RC xiii 201. See also H. P. A. Oskamp loc. cit. p. 126. i The killing of fir Chrónige and the ditidáenchits of Focherd is also a doublet of an earlier passage. See Táin n. 1767-71. XVI TÁIN BO CÚAILNGE In the H- passage Medb is represented as behaving treacherously to Cú Chulainn, pretending to make peace and setting fourteen men to lie in ambush and kill him. We might compare Ailill's perfidious conduct in the other long H- interpolation when he pretends to go in person to offer Pinnabair as a peace-offering to Cú Chulainn. Elsewhere in the main text there is no suggestion of such treachery on the part of Ailill and Medb. An interesting point abut this H- interpolation on pp. 75-71! is that it occurs verbatim at the same point in the tale in Recension III. Thurnoysen concluded that it was taken from UK into Recension III. But nowhere else in Recension III do we find such wholesale borrowing from Recension I1. It is more than probable that here the compiler of Recension III drew on the same source as the H- interpolator or on a copy or part of a copy of UH2. The fourth and last long interpolation in hand H is written on the space left blank (twenty-one lines) on p. 82b3. Above this M had written twenty-three lines, a heading for the next piece between columns and the opening words Foiclis Medb*. The. title of the piece was erased and H wrote on the erasure Comrac Maind. Then he used the opening words in hand M to begin his account, of Mann's fight. Many of the texts in ĽU break off unfinished because of the loss of the following leaves. But they break off in the middle of a sentence only when it is the end of a leaf. Here M stopped short in the middle of a page after writing a title and the two opening words of the next piece. One cannot say with certainty, however, although some points may suggest it that this piece Comrac Maind was H's own invention.. The only other instance when Cú Chulainn fights with an unarmed opponent is in Aided IVaich, itself an early interpolation in TBC as Professor Carney has shown5. The H- interpolator may, if this 1 The verbal forms and general grammatical correctness and the spelling in this passage of Recension III contrast strongly with the garbled verb forms and spelling of much of the rest of the text which had obviously drawn on many sources of varying age. a Five lines of Éle Loga in hand H in LU are also given in Recension 111 (RC xv 74 §123). The same lines are also in C. 3 The only other blank half page in the manuscript is that on 37". It has been filled in with two precatory entries by later scribes. 4 The piece which follows here in Y is Cú Chulainn'3 fight against Gaile Dana and twenty-eight followers. It opens with the words Foklix Medb . . . 6 Like Aided Fraieh, Comrac Maind does not form part of Recension H or Recension IT!. INTRODUCTION xvn passage be his own contribution, have based some features of Mama's fight on that earlier episode. Fraech and Cú Chulainn wrestle in the water; Mann and Cú Chulainn wrestle on land1. The comparison of Mann's qualities with those of Ulster heroes who are named is a distinctive touch not found elsewhere in TBC. A scribe who was familiar with the Lives of Saints would have such comparisons ready to his pen2. The name of Mann, a mighty warrior, does not seem to occur elsewhere3, not even in the long list of great Connacht warriors which is given in Táin Bó Elidais II4. It has never up to now been suggested that the manuscript LU may not have contained any more of TBC than has survived5. But the abrupt dropping of his pen by M is curious, and in fact we have no certain proof that the saga was continued in the manuscript on to the end as it now is in Y. There is however a high degree of probability that the Y- continuation existed in some form when the scribe wrote U. Twice there is reference to the battle called Imšlige Glendamnach which in Y is a sequel to Bángleó Rochada6. In conclusion one might suggest that these H- additions on pp. 71-72, 75-76 represent some of the many disjointed and disconnected themes of TBC which were available to the H- interpolator (or his predecessor ). But we should not rule out the possibility that he sometimes added connecting passages of his own invention. And of course we must admit that he (or his predecessor) inserted the interpolations pretty much at random on pp. 71-72, 75-76. Thurneysen held that the redaction of Recension I TBC was an attempt to collect together all that was available of the tale'. Hence the many variants introduced. In comparison with the unified, 1 See Táin xxxi. 2 See infra n. 2527-9. 3 A brief reference to the fight of Mann and Cú Chulainn is given in a prose dindsenchus of Mag Mandachta, obviously taken from this H- interpolation MD iv 278. 4 Celtic Review ii 124fr. Both Fráech mac Fidaid and Fer Diad mac Damain feature prominently in TBFlid II. 6 By a curious coincidence, but probably no more than a coincidence, Recension III also breaks off after the fight with Ferchu Loingsech: The scribe of Recension III, however, knew of certain episodes which were to follow, namely, Comrac Cailitixi (= Comrac Gaile Dána Recenaion I) and Comrac Fir Diad (RC xv 208 §§ 230, 231). 6 There is also a passing reference to Comrac Fir Diad in the second H- interpolation (1624-5) ^ui perhaps not to the version now extant. 7 'Sein Ziel ist nicht ein künstlerisches Ganzes zu schaffen sondern womöglich keinen der Einzelzüge, die er vorfindet, zu übergehen' Heldensage iOI. 2 xvin TAIN BÓ CÜAILNGE coherent and simplified narrative of Recension II, as found in LL, the LTJ text might be called nothing more than a mass of workshop fragments, not yet assimilated or amalgamated. (2) Y The scribe of that part of YBL which contains TBC was Gilla ísa mac Firbisig1. Y is acephalous, beginning 1. 200; it also has a lacuna which includes the opening part of Breslech Mór Maige Murthemne, but it is the earliest attainable copy of Recension I TBC which carries the tale to its end. Because the version of TBC in Y agrees with U, that is, the uninterpolated LU-version, up to the point where U breaks off, it has been generally assumed that the remainder of the tale in Y is the same version as we should have had if scribe M had finished it. But YBL is of much later transcription than LU and it is possible that the part of Recension I contained only in Y has suffered some change. Here we have as control Recension II, the LL- version. Recension II follows the main narrative of LU as it would appear stripped of variants and of interpolations2. For the continuation of the tale LL agrees more closely with Y. So the question arises: if the M scribe had continued and concluded the saga in the LU manuscript, would his version be what we now have in Y or would he have introduced into that part also references to variant versions and sundry interpolations 1 Only one variant is quoted in the Y- continuation: a second account of the death of Súaltaim3. Again, in the early part of the saga in both U and Y there are long passages of the obscurely worded rhythmical dialogue known as roscada. In the Y- continuation the roscada which occur are not dialogue, and only one is introduced with the archaic formula co cloth x. In Y the roscada are prophecies or exhortations spoken in a trance by various warriors from Ulster or from Connacht. (In the attribution of these prophecies to their speakers the compiler of Y expresses uncertainty; there is no such uncertainty in the LL-version). In the long passage describing the wounds inflicted on Cethern mac Fintain, additional attackers named in Y suggest expansion by some scribe at some time, or possibly an abbreviation by the scribe of LL. Again additional warriors are described in 1 A second scribe takes up -where Gilla ísa breaks off p. 39b6, and gives an inadequate summary of the ending of Comrac Fir Diad. See infra n. 2567. 2 I use 'interpolations' to include not only the H- additions but also some other passages. See Táin xxix-xxxv. 3 See infra n. 3446. INTRODUCTION XIX Toichim na mBuiden. Of course such descriptive lists lend themselves easily to expansion or contraction at all times1. On the other hand the compiler of Y or of his archetype would appear to have at times condensed the narrative and rendered its meaning obscure. For instance, the short passage describing how Conchobar and Celtchair sally forth to attack the enemy in advance of the main army, must be elucidated by reference to Recension II2. In the short episodes which describe how some of the Ulster warriors come to Cú Chulainn's aid, the titles Fiacalgleó Fintain, Bángleó Rochada are given in Y without any explanation. Contrast the LL- version where they are fully explained. There is one point in particular which suggests that the Y- scribe may have taken the continuation from a different compilation. Immediately after the long drawn out Fer Diad episode, obviously a late interpolation, the Y- continuation opens with a list of the chief episodes which follow, Linda na Tánaz. I cannot recall any saga-tale in which a list of this kind breaks into the middle of the narrative. A scribe drawing part of his material from a different compilation might well preface that section with such a list, if only as an economic device4. Thurneysen believed that, besides the two old parallel versions of the whole Táin (A and B) which he postulated, the redactor had access also to many more modern pieces5. Among these he enumerates in U the H- interpolations, and the long passage entitled In Carpat Serda -| Breslech Mór Maige Muthemne which, he suggests, may have been an independent narrative, elaborated and embellished in great detail at a later period. For the Y- continuation, besides the Fer Diad episode, he would place among the more modern pieces 1 Descriptions of twenty bands in Toichim na mBuiden are given in Y and LL, but they do not tally. Against these twenty the IIb Recension (Stowe) describes no less than twenty-nine! See Stowe TBC xi-xiii and n. 4i99ff. 2 This whole passage Thurneysen would assign to a different and later version. 3 In Y there is a scribal addition or invention, Tochustal Fer nÉrend. This is shortened in LL and given as a list of Medb's ferchuitredaig. That this catalogue was a scribal addition seems to be proved by the fact that despite its heading it is not enumerated in the list Dinda na Tána. 4 In Y the whole of the preceding page (40) has been left blank, presumably for the final part of Comrac Fir Diad, not then available for the scribe. See infra n. 2567. This may possibly explain the insertion here of Dinda na Tána; it would serve to ensure a continuation of the narrative in due order, 5 See Heldensage 102-7. XX TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE the long catalogue of warriors, Toohustal Ulad. He would also include Sírrabad Súaltaim on the ground that it is a doublet of an earlier passage1. Further he suggests that Toichim na mBuiden, the long detailed description of the Ulster warriors advancing into battle with their men, may have been an independent passage, expanded and elaborated before its introduction into the tale by tlie redactor2. One can hardly agree, however, with this last attribution. Such descriptive passages were a recognized convention in many of the older tales: Togail Bruidne Da Derga, Fled Bricrend, Siaburcharpat Con Culaind, Tochmarc Emerc, to name only those contained in the oldest manuscript, LTJ. (3) W W contains only fragments of Recension. I. It runs from the beginning up to 1. 938; then there is a lacuna extending to 1. 1028 owing to loss of a leaf, another lacuna from 1. 1618 to 1. 1710, again with loss of a leaf. From 1.1812, the end of the Eer Báeth opisode, the remainder of the test is illegible3. The long H- interpolations of U are found in W where it coincides with TJK, that is, it contains the poem Atchiu f er find and part of the second long interpolation breaking off half way through Comlann Munremair -] Con Roi. Thurneysen postulated a version w as the original from which TJH and W ultimately derived. He assumed that H copied his interpolations from an earlier interpolated version. Against this assumption, we might surmise that H's additions in U were first introduced by H, that successive scribes copied X1H and that many of these copies must have intervened between the 12th century when H worked and the 16th. (4) C C is incomplete. The beginning is wanting; it opens with the description of the boy Cú Chulainn returning to Emain at the end of the Macgnimrada section. It breaks off with the description of 1 The argument that a doublet denotes a different or a later source, will not hold. Cf. Táin xvii-xx. Note that the first 'warning' occurs in what is denoted as a variant. 2 Heldensage 106-7. 3 W was written by two scribes. The first hand is from p. 88a to 8o,b, then the second p. goa to 97b, while the first hand resumes from p. g8a to the illegible end. INTRODUCTION XXI Eógan mao Durthacht in Toichim na mBuiden. There are also gaps owing to loss of leaves1. Essentially C offers the text of UH + the Y continuation. It has sometimes preserved more faithfully the original readings, and is thus of value for a comparison with the text of TJH and Y. The compiler of C had also access to other versions of TBC. He has inserted into the text whole passages from Recension II and from a modernized version of Recension II (of the Stowe type)2. These interpolations have been so clumsily introduced that even without the control of Recension II they would easily have been recognized as foreign elements. In addition to these interpolations from some version of Recension II, C has some extra lines of verse, some of them so imperfectly recorded in comparison with the surrounding text as to give rise to doubts of their origin. These lines may well be attributed to C or to the compiler of his exemplar, and need not necessarily be taken as an essential part of the text3. In the Breslech Maige Murthemne passage, which is practically identical in all three recensions, C alone places the Éle Loga, an incantation to arouse Cú Chulainn, in its proper place. The late interpolation, Comrac Err Diad, is incomplete in C. Though the compiler has drawn some material for the early part of the episode from Recension II, he does not appear to have had the full Recension II version at his disposal. As the editor of C suggests, C:a exemplar may here have been defective. So too was that of Y, and the final summary account of the death of Eer Diad, which in Y has been written in a different hand in part of the space left empty for it in the manuscript, is, astonishingly enough, found also in C with just a slight variation in wording. This would seem to point definitely to the use of a copy of Y. A detailed comparison of C and W where they coincide would suggest that they both derive from the same source. Any small points in which they differ are merely scribal errors or omissions. Where C gives the better reading, it may be that W erred, and 1 A clear and detailed analyBÍB of C and its component parts haa been given by the editor, Pádraig Ó Fiannachta pp. xi-xiii. 2 This use of two versions of TBC is further confirmed by the fluctuation in the form of proper narues: Glenn Fochaine (401-2) = Recension II, Qknd Ochaine (425) = Ochaine of Recension I, Findbéc, wife of Cethern (2411) — Recension I, Inda ingen ÉcJuxid Sálbuide (2427, 2461) — Recension IIb. Another very clear instance of the confusion of two versions is found 11. 2658-69. 3 Two extra lines are added in Éle Loga (1231-2); many extra linea in the FD poems. XXll TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE similarly that C erred when the W- reading is preferable. For we must recognize the fact that small variations in wording, the addition or omission of a phrase, may be attributed to a practised scribe who almost unwittingly changed or corrected his exemplar even as he copied it. These remarks could, of course, be applied to all four manuscripts, U, Y, W, C. Because of such small differences and variations between U and W, and because the H- interpolations occur in exactly the same place in UH and W, Thurneysen felt bound to postulate a version w. Both UH and W go back according to Thurneysen to this common source, expanded and changed from the version which Y represents and which U originally contained before the intervention of H. This theory would hold only if we assume that H himself was not the composer or compiler of the interpolations. If these additions to U were first made by H, as I am inclined to believe, then we may assume that W was based on a later copy of UH plus a copy of the uninterpolated text as we find it in Y. W agrees with UH in the H- additions, but in the main text it sometimes gives the U- reading, sometimes the Y- reading. The same may be said of C. It was of course a common practice at the date of W and C for scribes to work from more than one manuscript. We might instance the Stowe version of TBC based on Recension II but drawing also on Recensions I and III. For the late (15th century 1) version of Comrac Fir Diad as an independent tale Thurneysen maintained that the redactor drew on no less than four manuscript sources! The compiler of C made UH + Y his main text, but also had before him both the older and the more modern version of Recension II. Edition The text of the present edition is a transcript of that part of TBC contained in LU, and for the part missing in LU a transcript of the continuation of TBC in YBL. Readings from other manuscripts are given throughout in footnotes. Punctuation and capitals have been inserted and marks of length have been supplied where omitted by the scribe. The older manuscript, LU, presents some special characteristics. In the opening passages written by the scribe A, the 'middle quantity' of syllables is frequently marked, e.g. cénd, Médb,fordérg, Feidélm1. Occasional instances are found also in the rest of the 1 For this use of the length-mark see D. Greene, Middle Quantity in Irish, Ériu xvi 212-8. INTRODUCTION xxm text written by scribe M. In all cases I have omitted the length mark. The diphthongs éo, iu are sometimes written eo, iu without accent, but the instances of eó, iú far outnumber the others. I have generalized all instances to eó, iú1. Where the scribe uses the mark of length merely to distinguish the letter i, e.g. tochim, ingen, it has been written i. The mark of length occurs frequently in the plural verb-endings -mar, -tar2; I have followed the scribe in these cases. In Mid.-Ir. the O.Ir. verb-ending -th(a)e or -t(a)e (as in 2 s. past sub]., past subj. passive, imperfect passive plural and preterite passive plural) is usually reduced to -t(h)a. In LU- TBC, as in many other Mid.-Ir. texts, the final vowel of these forms is sometimes marked long3. There are instances of this length-mark in passages written by all three hands in LU. I have followed the usage of the scribe. The future and preterite of the copula are sometimes marked long in LU (as they are in the Glosses): nlpá mesc, in tan bá gilla etc. The scribe of Y, on the other hand, hardly ever marks length in vowels. For my transcript I have given the pagination of the facsimile. As one would expect when dealing with a later manuscript, there has been occasion to emend here and there. The scribe is given to misplacing words. He often corrects his original spelling with subscript letters or letters inserted over the line. Words omitted and recognized by him as such are inserted marginally or above or below the line. Secondary lenition of the mediae is often by a later hand. For this part of the text I have frequently drawn on Recension II for variant readings. In a very few instances I have disagreed with the reading of the editors of TBC2, but in these cases I have given their reading in footnotes. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. Ceotle O'Rahilly 1 See J. Carney's note on the rhyme eú:béulu Poems of Blathmac 227-8. Meyer, Misc. Hib. 44, quotes Mid.-Ir. Instances of the rhyme möir-.deöid and ceólda -.cróda. 2 'In the first 800 lines of the LU Tain, there are 42 examples of -tar against 17 of -tar' D. Greene. Ériu xxiv 125. 3 For a full discussion of lengthening in verbal endings see D. Greene, Eriu xxiv 124 ff. Cf. also V. Hull, ZCP xxv 263 who quotes an instance of lengthening of 3 s. pres. subj. ending in the present text: arnacha n-aithgné (LU 5870). XXIV TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I acknowledge gratefully permission to edit the text from manuscripts in their possession given to me by the Council of the Royal Irish Academy and by the Board of Trinity College, Dublin. I owe thanks to Dr. D. A. Binchy without whose encouragement and generous advice I should not have undertaken this edition of TBC; to Professor Brian Ó Culv whom I have consulted with profit at every stage of the work; to Professor E. G. Quin who read the notes to the LTJ-text in typescript and to whom I am indebted for valuable suggestions; to Professor David Greene who read the Introduction and suggested some clarifying additions; finally to Máire, Bean Ui Chinnseala who with cheerfulness, speed and accuraoy undertook the typing of the whole work. U 44SU 55* Táin Bó Cůailnge inso sis TArcomlad1 slóiged mór la Connachtu .i. la hAilill -| la Meidb, -j hetha húaidib cossna tri chóiced aili. Ocus foíte techta ó Ailill co secht macu Mágach i. co hAilill, co Anlúan, co Moccorb2, co Cet, co Én -\ Bascall -\ Dóche, trícha cét la each n-áe, 6 ^ co Cormac Cond Longas mac Conchobair cona 3thríb cétaib3 boí for condmiud laa Connachta. Tecait uile íarum co mbátar hi Crúacmiaib Ai. Tří luirg didiu do Chormac oc tochim do C[h]rúachnaib. In cétna lorg broitt brecca i foroipul co filliud impu. Fortíi10 berrtha4 foraib. sLeíni fo thairirmiuth5 cota ňglún, -\ fotalscéith foraib -\ manaís lethanglas for crund midšing i lláim cech fir. In lorg tánaisi broit dubglasa impu-side -\ lénti co ndercintliud co horcnib sis, ~\ moňga tara cenná síar, -\ lubne gela foraib -\ slega cóicrinne6 irma lámaib. 16 'Ní hé Cormac beus,' oř Medb. Tic an třes lore dano. Broitt chorera impu -] lénte culpatacha fo derggintšlaid co traigthe, -| berfr]thai slechtai co guaille, -\ crom-scéith oo fáebraib condúala impu -| turre rígthige i lláim each fir. 'Is é Cormac inso hifechtsa,' or Medb. 20 Doecmalta dano íarum ceithre cóiced Hérend oo mbátar hi Crůaohnaib Aíi. Ocus nís teilcset a fáthi -| a ndruíd ass sein co cend cóicthigis oc irnaidi šeóin. Asbert Medb íarum fria haraid a lláa documlásat: 'Cach óen scaras sund trá indiu', ol si, 'fria chóem -\ a charait, 26 dobérat maldaohtain form-sa úair is mé dorinól in slúagad sa.' 'An-su didiu,' ol in t-ara, <7co n-imparrá7 in carpat deisel -] co tí nert in tšeúin ara tísam ar frithisi.' »aó f ó [M]: not in W 1 Tarcomlád TJ, Tarchomlad W 2 Modh Corb W *-» trib oataib W; read thríchait cét ? * bértha U, bertha W 6"6 leni fotairindin W 8 cóicrinnô TJ 7~7 co n-impar W l 2 TÁIN BO CÜAILNGE U 4510 In tan didiu dosoi in t-ara forsin carpat -| lotair do thecht ass co 30 n-accatár in n-ingin macdaoht remib. Folt buidi furri. Bratt brecc impe, delg n-óir and. Léino c[h]ulpatach co nderggintšlaid impe. Dá assa co foraib óir impu. Agad fochóel forlethan1. Di 55b broí duba dorchaidi. | Abrait duib dáin2 co mbentaís foscod i mmedón a dá grúaide. Indar latt ropo di partaing imdéntai a 35 beóil. Indar lat ba fross do némannaib boí inna bélaib .i. a fiaclai. Teóra trillsi fuirri .i. dí thriliss immo cend súas3, trilis tára haiss síar co mbenad a dá colptha inna díaid. Claideb corthaire do ŕindruine inna láim, esnaid4 óir and. Tri meic imlisse cechtar a dá súla. Gaisced lasin n-ingin -\ dá ech duba foa carput. 40 'Cia do chomainm-siu?' ol Medb5 frisin n-ingin. 'Fedelm banfili do Chonnachtaib mo ainm-sea,' or ind ingen. 'Can dothéigr or Medb. 'A h Albain iar foglaim filidechta,' or ind ingen.5 'In fil imbass forosna lat V or Medb. 46 'Fil écin,' or ind ingen. 'Décai dam-sa didiu co bbia mo fechtas.' Dosnécce ind ingen íarum. Is and asbert Medb: 'A Feidelm banfáith, co acci" in slúag?' Frisgart Fedelm co n-epert: 60 'Atchíu forderg, atchíu rúad.' 'Ní fír són ém,' ol Medb, 'ar atá Conchobor ina chess i nEmain -j hUlaid imbi co neoch as dech a n-ócc, i ráncatár mo thec[h]ta-sa co tucsat fis scél dam-sa ass.' 'Fedelm banfáith, co acca ar slúag?' ol Medb. 55 'Atchra forderg, atchíu rúad,' ol ind ingen. 'Ní fír són,' ol Medb, 'ar atá 6Celtchar mac Guthidir8 co tríun hUlad imbi i nDún Lethglaisse, -| atá Fergus mac Roeich meic Echdach lénni sund for longais co tríchait chét imbi. Fedelm banfáith, co acca 'ar slúag7?' ol Medb, 60 'Atchíu forderg, atchíu rúad,' ol ind ingen. 'Ní báa ani sin trá,' ol Medb, 'ar bit imserga t círgala -\ fuili for-dergga i each slúag -| i each thaurchomrac dúnaid móir. Déca atheruch dúnd dano -\ abbair a fír frind Feidelm banfáith, co acca 7ar slúag7?' 66 'Atchíu8 forderg, atchíu rúad,' ol Fedelm9. 10Conid and asbert10: a .i. cinnas atchí [A]; not in W 1 le add. W 2 dain U, dam W 3 aechtair W * assnada W 6-s in ras. by M 6-8 Celtchair mac Uithechair W 7~7 sic. W., oin. U 8 achhi UW 9 from this point to end of poem written in ras. by H ío-io om. Vŕ U 4540 TÁTN BÓ CÚAILNGE 3 'Atchíu fer find firfes cles co lín créchta fora chnes1 lúan láith i n-airthiur a chind óenach mbúada a thulehind. 'Fail secht ngemma láith ňgaile for lár a dá imlisse fil fuidrech fora glirmi2 fil leind ndeirg ndrolaig immi. 3'Dofil gnúis as gráto dó4 dobeir mod don banc[h]ureo duní óc is álaind datli dofeith deilb ňdracuin don chath. 'Cosmail innas a gaile fri Coin Culaind Murtheimne ' nocon fetar cúieh in Cú . C[h]ulamd asa caini clú acht rofetur-sa amne is6 forderg in slúag sa de.6 'Atchíu fer mór forsin maig ' dobeir třes dona slógaib cet[h]ri claidbíni cles n-án fil i cechtar a dá lám. | 56a | 'Dá gáe bolga immosbeir cenmothá colg dét i[s] sieg ' ardaric imbert don tslúag sain gním fris téit each n-arm uád. 'Fer i cathíochrus bruit deirg dobeir7 in oosmail each leirg7 ardaslig tar fonnad elé ! cotagoin in ríastarthe delb domárfas fair co se a[t]chíu imrochlád a gné. 1 chnesa W, chnis U 2 ghlaini W (rinne LL) 3 first line reads liar nderggmartra dogni W, this is second line i atchiu add. W ů (bid LL) 6 W here inserts a repetition of Medb'a Question and Fedelm's answer: Fedilm banfáith co acca etc. 7~7 (a choiss for each leirg LL, aicleg. 1) I L i ft TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 'Bo gab toscugud don ohath mani airlestar bid brath dóich lim iss é dobobsaig1 Ců C[h]ulaind mac Súaldaim. 'Slaidíid for slúagu slána fochiuchra for tiugára fáicfidi leis míli cend ní cheil in banfáith Fedelm. 'Snigfid orú a cnesaib curad do láim laích bid lánpudar oirgfid ócu imregat fir do c[h]lairnaib Dedad meic Öin beit cuirp cerbtha caínfit mná la Coin na Čerta atchíu-sa.' Ľ"s ,r.2TN lúan iar samain is and documlaiset. iss cd dollotav J sairdes a Crúachnaib Aíi .i. for Muicc Cruinb, [br Terloch Teóra Crích, for Túaim Mona, for 3Cúil Šibrinne"3, for Fid, foi Bolga,4 for Coltain, for Glúne Gabair, for Mag Trego, for Tethbai túasoirt6 for Tethbai descirt, for Tiarthechta, for Ord, for Slais fadess, for Indiuind, for Carnd, for Oehtrach, for Midi, for Find- glassa Assail, forDeilt, forDelind, for Sailig, for Slaibre, 6for Slechtai Belgatar6, for 6Cúil Sibriimi6, for Ochuind fadess, for hUatu fathúaid, for Dub, for Comur fadess, for Tromma, for Othromma7 sair, for Sláini, for Gort Sláni, for Druim Licoe fadess. for Áth nGabla, for Aidachad, for Féraind fothúaid, for Findabair, for Assi fadess, for ' Drťum Sálfind, for Druim Cain, for Druim mac nDega, for Eódond M6r, for Eódond mBec, for Méthe Tog, for Méthe nEóin, for Druim Cáemtechta, for Scúaip, for Imscúaip, for Cend Ferna, for Baile, for Alle, for Bail Scena, for Dáil Scena, for Fertse, for Ross Lochad, for » i. Loch Carrcin. i o Silind ingin Madchair ro ainmniged. [H]; not in W ' i Carpri [H]; not in W. 1 doburauigh W 2 in margin IT, om. W; list of names ivritten in two cois. äfl V W 3~3 Cuil Sibrille no Sillinne W; read Cúil Silimie 4 Bagnai W '-'for Sléchtai eelgatar U, for Sleohta selgatar W n-« Cuil W ' Fothrumnm W, sic leg. U 4607 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 5 Sale1, for Lochmach, for Ánmag, for Deind, for Deilt, for Dubglaiss2, for Fid Mór", for Colbtha, for Crond hi Ciialngi. "» A Findabair Chúalngi is ass fodáilte in tálóig Hérend fón cóiced do c[h]uingid in tairb. 3Ár ropo thairsiu sin dochótar céin co ráncatar Findabair3. Finit a titulrad. 3Incipit in scél iar n-urd3. 56b | T n scél iar n-urd inso sis 135 Ododeochatár a cétna n-ude a Crúachnaib co mbátár hi Cúil Sibrinne41', asbert Medb fria haraid ara n-indled a noí carpti0 di coro lad cor isin dúnad co n-accad dús cía lasmboth scíth6* -| lasmboth laind techt in tslógaid. Focress a phupall colléic for Ailill -] sudighthe a thincur éter uo c.lioilcthe i brothracha. Fergus mac Róich didiu for láim Ailello isin phupull. Cormac Cond Longas mac Conchobair fora láim-sidi. Conall Cernach fora láim-side. Fiacha mao Fir Febe fora láim-side, man ingine Conchobair. Medb ingen Echách Fedlig fora láim aili do Ailill. Findabair ingen Ailella -\ Medbic fora láim-sidi. Cen- U5 mothá fossu i timthirthidi insin. Tic Medb iar ndéscin in tslóig -\ asbert ba n-espa do chách dul in tslógaid dían téset in trícha cót Galión0. 'Ced ara tánsi na firu?' oř Ailill. 'Ní dá tánsem dam,' ol Medb. 'It ána ind óic. In tan ro mboí 15° cách oc gním a sosta, ro scáig dóib-seom tuga a sosta -| funě a mbíd. In tan ro mboí cách oc praind, ro scáig praind dóib-seom hi suidiu, -] 7ro bátár7 a cruti ocaó n-airfitiud. Is espa/ didiu,' ol Medb, 'a techt. Is foraib bíaid búaid in tslóig.' 'Is airiund arbáget dano,' oř Ailill. 155 'Ní regat lend,' ol Medb. 'Anat didiu,' ol Ailill. 'Nach ainfet dano,' ol Medb. 'Ficht8 fornd iar tiachtain dúin9,' ol si, '-] gébtait ar tír frind,' 'Ceist, cid dogéntar friu,' or Ailill, 'innách maith a n-anad nach 16° a techt ?' " .i. Triiailli [M]; not in W b .i. éit hi fil Loch Carrcín indiu [H]; glosa not in- W c .i. nónbor cairpthech [leg. noí carpait?] no bídsi for leith arná salc[h]ad dendgur in mórslúaig hisi [M]; not in W d .i. lasmad dolig [M] e fora láim-Bidi Fiidais [H]; not in W t .i. ia feles [H]; not in W 1 Aila W 2Dubruais W " ora. W * SibriUe W; read Silinne ■"' losoc W 'na nGalion W ?-7 rob | bátár XT s richŕit W 8 duin W, om. U TÁ1N BÓ CÚAILNGE 'A nguin!' ol Medb. 'Ní chélam as banchomairle,' or Ailill. Ní maith a n-asbir xla sanais ón1,' ol Fregus. 'Ní 'maricfe, úair is áes comhohotaig dúinni 'nar nUltaib, acht má non gontar uli.' 'Cid ed ón dorigénmaís-ni°,' ol Medb, 'ár atú-sa sund mo šain- teglach díb tríchtaib cét,' ol si, '■) atát na secht Mane .i. mo šecht i meic secht tríchait cét. Cotaroí a toccad,'ol si,'.i. Mane Máthramail 1 Mane Athramail -\ Mane Mórgor -] Mane Mingor -\ Mane Móepirt— 1,0 .i. iss éside Mani Milscothach—Mane Andóe t Mane Cotageib Ule— is éside tue cruth a máthar •) a athar -\ a n-ordan díb línaib.' 'Nípá fír són,' ol Fergus. 'Atát secht ríg sund din Mumu -\ trícha cét la cech n-áe comehotach dúinni 'nar nUltaib. Dobér-sa cath duit,' ol Fergus, 'for lár in dúnaid hi tám cosna secht tríchtaib 1,6 cét sin i com thríchait chét f adéin t co tríchait chét na nGalión. Acht ní thacér-sa ani sin,' ol Fergus. 'Airlifim-ni2 na hócu chena conná }? gébat forsin3 tslóg. Secht tríchait | chét déao lenni 4hi sund4, ol Fergus, 'iss é lín ar ndúnaid cenmothá ar ndáescorslúag -| ar mná— ar itá a rígan la each rig sund hi comaitecht Medba—^ cenmothá lsoar maccáemu. Iss é in t-ochtmad trícha chét déac inso .i. trícha cét na nGalión. Fodáilter fón slóg ule.' 'Cumma lem,' ol Medb, 'acht ná robat isin chaír chomraic i táat.' Is ed dogníth and íarum. Fodáilte in Galióin fón slóg. Dollotár ass arna bárach do 5Móin Choíltrae5. Dosnáirthet ocht 18sfichit oss n-allaid and i n-óenalaim. Cúartait impu. Nos gonat íarom. Nach airm thrá i mbuí fer donaib Galiónaib is hé ard- daánaio, acht cóio oss6 arránic in slóg ule díib. Dotháegat iar sudiu i mMag Trego -\ seurit and -) arfognat dóib. Asberat-som is and sin ro gab Dubthach in laid seo: , iw r' ' Atmaid nád chúalaid co sse costecht fri tress8 nDubthaige slúagad n-imdub arubthá fri Findbend mná Ailellá. * ro fétfaimmis a dénora [M]; not i W i-Haissin ni Bon W; read .i. la sanais ón? or place phrase after Fergus? í Airlichfimne W 3 frissin W 4"4 sic W, om. V 5 Móin Choltai W, sic leg. 6 nammá odd. W 7 in marg. U, om. W 8 reis W, sic leg. U 4007 Y 206 TÁ1N BÖ CTJAILNGE 7 'Doficfe in slúagadach gébas ar1 cend éte Murthemne 195 ibait fiaich lugbairtla lacht di gnáis inna muccaide. 'Gébaid Crann fóitech2 friíthu3 nís léicfe i Murthemniu 4con roisc opair fer Féne 20° isin tsléib túad5 Ochaíni.6 'Crib ol Ailill fri Cormac taít co comsaigid7 far mac ní tháet di magaib in búair nach robda8 fúam in tslúaig. 205 'Bid cath inso iarsind úair la Meidb co tríun in tslúaig bíait colnai 8de iné9 de dianub thí in ríatarthe.10 Dosfóbair thrá ind Némain" la sodain i níp si sin adaig ba sámam na dóib la buadris12 ind athig6 triana chotlud. Fosoerdat 13inna buidne13 fo chétóir -] focherd dírna mór din tslóg co luid Medb día chose14. Dothíagat íarom co feótár i nGránairud Tethba túascirt0, 15iar tabairt imthúsa fordallaig forsin slúag dar grellacha -\ dar smthra.15 215 Dobreth robud ó Fergus i suidiu co hUltu ar chondalbi. Bátir-side16 hi cess calléic acht Cú Chulaind i a athair .i. Súaltaim. Dolluid Cú Chulaind -\ a athair iar ríachtain ind robaid ó Fergus co mbátár i nlraird Cuillendd oc frecomét in tslúaig and. 'Attá menma in tsióig ocom1' innocht,' ol Cú Chulainn fri[aj athair. 220 1 .i. in Badb [M]; .i. in badb overhead Y s .i. Dubthaig [M] c .i. Gránard indiu [M]; Irardd indiu W ů .i. Crossa Caíl [M]; not in W 10 lúgbairt TJ 'darW 2 fóethech W 3 ^ TJ, fri hithu W 4 Y begins * thuaid Y « Ochéniu W ' oumscaigid W 8 rouba Y, rubda W 9-» de ine Y, dine W. Read dorne 10rias- tarthé U 12 sic YW, budris V "-i3 inambuidne with b over e Y, ma mbudne W 14 cose YW, sic leg. is-" om. Y 16 bátirsidé U, batirside Y, batareide W " and Y W TÁIN BÓ GÚAILNGE U 4604 Y 221 'Orthao1 úan oo rrobud do Ultaib. Isim écen-sa techt i ndáil Fedelmae Noíchride—.i. i ndáil a hinailte boí i comair Con Culaŕnd i ndormainecht6—dim glinniu fadéin doohóid friae.' "5 Dogní id n-erchomail íarom ría techt -\ soríbais ogum inna menoo, 1 fooheird im úachtar in o[h]orthe. 57b Dobreth didiu túus na conaire2 do Fergus riasin slúag. | Luid Fergus didiu fordul mór fadess3 oo fórsed4 do Ultaib terchomrac slóig. Ar chondailbi doróni-seom sin. 230 Airigthi Ailill t Medb6. Ba and asbert Medb: 'A Ferguis, is8 andam amne oirmas conaire cingme7 fordul fadess nó fothúaid tíagmai tar each n-ailetúaith. ras Atotágathar dia m^b)rath Ailill Aíe lía slúagad. Ní tharat menmain oo se do thús inna conaire. 'Máso chondaľbi dogní 840 ná tuíd inna eohraidi. Bés adchotar nech aile do thosach na conaire.' Ro recair Fergus: 'A Medb, cid not medraisiu 2« ní cosmail fri mrath inse. Is la hTJltu, a ben, trá a tír tarňdotuidisa. 'Ní ar amlessaib in tslúaig tíagu cech fordul a húair. 260 8Do imgabáil8 in mórgeine immandig0 Mag Murthemne. 'Ní arná corad mo ohiall arna fordulu no tíag. Dúb 10i[n] rimgaib10 oed iar tain11 256 Coin Culaind mac Súaltaim.' » .i. eirg [M]; .i. erco W b .i. fó ohlith [H]; .i. hi clith W 1 orthá TJ 2 dirma Y 3 1 budh thuaid add. over the Hne Y, bud túaidh 1 bu dssa "W * foirsed Y, íóiraod W 6 anni sin add. Y W 6 om W. ' inse Y; chingme W B"8 ďimgabail W 9 imraadich Y W 10-10 erasure, ajter dús and then dingaib (d not unlike a) Y; irrimgaib W ii t&in U V 472S Y 243 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 0 Tecait trá co mbátár i nlraird Chuiľlend.0 Eirr -\ Inell, Foich -| Foclílam a nda ara, 1cethri meio Iraird meic Anchinnelb, it éside2 no bítis remain rési[n] slóg do i[m]didnad a [m]bretnas -\ a fortcha -\ a mbrat ar nácha salchadh dendgor in dirma Fogabat-side in n-id focheird Cú Chulaind -\ arigsitar0 in geilt3 geltatár ind eich. Ar 26° geltatar dá ech Súaltaim a fér cona bun a talam. Lelgatár4 im-morro dá ech Con Culaind in n-úir co rrioi na clocha i ndegaid ind feúir. Sudit íarom co tanie in slóg -\ aruspettete a n-áes ciúil. Dosberat i lláim Fergusa meic Róich in n-id. Arléga-side in n-ogum boí isind id. 285 Asbert Medb iar tiachtian: 'Cid frisin n-anaid and4 V 'Aiirnai,' or Fergus, 'frisin n-id n-ucut. Atá ogam inna menuc, 1 iss ed fil and: "Ná tíagar secha co n-étarfer roláa id samlaid cona óenláim, -] óenšlat día tá, -j friseuriur mo phopa Fergus." Fir,' ol 27° Fergus, 'Cú Chulaind rod lá, i it é a eich geltatar in mag so.' Oeus dambeir i lláim in druad, -\ oachain Fergus in laid so sis: 'Id inso, ced sloindnes dún59; Ind id 6cia fo tá a rún6 ? Cía lín ro lá insé, 275 inn úat[h]ed nó in sochaide ? 'In déne erchóit don [ťjšlúag má dooóiset ude n-úad 1 Finnaid, a druíde, ní ar sin cid frisi farebad in t-id.' 2sa 7In druí dixit7: 'Crephnas churad caur rod lá lánaingces for erreda, astúd rureeh aferg i ndá8 °óenfer co n-óenláim ro lá9f. 285 a .i. is fris atberar Grossa Caíl indiu [M]; id. W b [in marg.] nó cethri meic Nera meic Núado meio Taccain ut in alia libris inuenitur [M]; not in W c ,i. atconcotar [M]; not in W a .i. lomraiset [M]; .i. lomraigsitar W e ,i. sennit [M]; not in W ' nó foirg i ndáil ro lá óenfev co n-óenláim [M] i-i om. YW~ i osidé U 3 gleith Y 4 sunn Y W s duind Y dnin W c~6 cid fotha a ruin Y, eia fotha a rúin W 7~7 between cols. U, om. Y a"8 ferg i ndáil Y (fer co ndáil LL) 9"9 rolaa enfer co n-enlaim Y 10 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE u 475V Y 205 'In nach diá réir slúag ind ríg inge má 1ro choilled1 fír conid ro lá úaib nammá óenfer amal fer ro lá. Nocon fetur acht insin ní frisi corthe in t-id.' Id inso .c. s. Asbert Fergus íarom friu : 'Má sáraigthe in n-id se,' ol sé, 'no má thíastá2 šecha, cia beith i lláim duni nó i taig fó glas, riefe i ndead ind fir ro seríb in n-ogum n-ind, i génaid-side guin dune díb ría mmatain mani láa nech úaib id samlaid.' 'Ní háil diiinni ém guin dune din fó chétóir'. ol Ailill. 'Regmai for muncind ind feda3 móir ucut frind ancles4, -] ní ragam tairiseom éter ' | Ra selgatár na budni íarom in fid résna carptib. Iss ed ainm in puirt sin Šlechta. Is and atá Partraige. 6Mad iar n-arailib immorro dorala and so imacallaim éter Medb 1 Fedelm banfáith, amal ro innisimar remoind, -] dano is iarsind freera do rat-si for Medb ro slechtad in fid5 .i. 'Déca dam,' or Medb, 'co bia mo fechtas.' 'Is anso dam,' or ind ingen. 'Níro láim súil toraib isind fid.' 'Is ar6 bias ón7, or Medb. 'Silsimini8 in fid". "Dognither dano ani sin10. "Conid sed11 ainm in puirt sin Šlechta. Peótár íarom i Cúil Sibrille". Ferais snechta mór forru co fernnu 1 fer ■] co drochu carpat. Bá moch a mmatan arna bárach do érgiu. Nírbo hí sin adaig ropa sám12 dóib lasin snechta, -\ ní airgénsat bíada dóib ind adaig sin. Nípo moch didiu dolluid Cú Chulaind asa bandáil. Anais co foilo t oo fothraic. Dotháet íarom for lorg in tslóig. 5 '13Ní má lodmar13 dó,' ol Cú Chulaind, 'ná mertamar Ultu. Ro léicsem slóg forru cen airfius. Cure airdmius dún tarsin14 slóg,' ol Cu Culaind fri Lóeg, 'co fessamar lín in tslóig.' & l. Cennannas [M]; inserted in text W 1-1 ro choillset Y W 2 tistai Y, thiastai W 3 .i. Fid Duin add. Y ~ (fímpíaceci) 4 .). Fid Duin add. W (correct place) 5_5 Sed [read - secundum] alios libros so sis. Iar tiachtain dóib Feda Duin co n-accadar in carpat -| ingen alaind and .i. amal ro indisimar remaind tuas scél Feidelme . Banfátha, combad sund in scél sin -] combad iarsin freera doberad-si for Meidb -to šlechta in fid Y 6 sic U Y, ari W 7 sic MSS.; read and ? Í »BilaimniYW 9 didiu amal sin add. Y lo-io om. Y u-" is reiYW "samamYW """ ni madlodmar Y " ibrain W TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 11 Dogní Lóeg ani sin -\ asbeir fri Coin Culaind: 'Is mesc lim-sa,' ol sé, 'ani siu. xNi ermaisim1.' 'Nípá mesc atchíu acht co rísa,' ol Cú Culaind. 320 'Tair isin2 carpat didiu,' or Láeg. Tic Cú Culaind isin2 carpat -\ focheird airdmius forsin lorg iar céin móir. 'Cid tussu,' oř Láeg, 'ní réid fort.' 'Is assu ém dam-sa,' ol Cú Chulaind, 'oldás dait-siu, air itát tri 326 búada form-sa .i. búaid roisc ^ intliuchta -] airdmessa. Ro láosa didiu trá,' ol sé, 'fomus forsaní sin.a Ocht [t]ríc[h]ait chét déac inso,' ol sé, '3ara rím3. acht forodlad in t-ochtmad trícha chét fón slóg n-ule conid mesc 4fria rím4 .i. trícha chét na nGalión.' Dolluid Cú Chulaind íarom timchell in tslóig co mboí oc 5Ath 33° Grencha5 Benaid gabail i sudiu óenbéim cona c[h]laidiub, -\ sáidsius for medón na glassi cona díchtheth carpat friae di síu nach anall. Dofuircet oco Eirr -j Inell, Fóich i Fóchlam a ndá ara. Benaid-som a cethri cinnu díb 7 focheird for cethóra benna 6na gabla6. Is de atá Áth nGabIa.<> 335 Tíagait íarom eich in c[h]ethrair i n-agid in tslóig, -| a fortchai forderga foraib. Indar leó bá cath boí ara cind isind áth. Dothéit buden úadib do déscin ind átha. Ní acatár ní and acht sucht ind óencharpait •) in gabul cosna cethri cinnu, 1 ainm ogaim íarna seríbend ina tóeb. Rio in slúag uli la sodain. 340 'In diar muintir-ni na cenná ucut?' ol Medb. 'Is diar munitir-ni ón -| is diar forclidib,' or Ailill. Ardléga7 fer díb in n-ogum ro boí i tóeb na gabla .i. 'Óenfer rod lá in gabuil cona óenláim -\ ní théssid sečce conda rala nech úaib8 co n-áenláim cenmothá Fergus.' 345 'Is machtad,' ol Ailill, 'a thraite 9ro bíth9 in cethror.' öS* 'Nápad ed bas machdad | lat,' ol Fergus. 'Bad10 béim na gabla dia11 bun óenbéim, -j mássu óenleód a bun, is erichidiu de, -] a intádud12 in tucht sa, ol ní claide ro clas rempe -] is a íarthur carpait ro lád co n-óenláim.' 350 a [Í7i rnarg.] Is si seo in třes árim is glicu -) is dolgiu dorigned i nHórind . i. árim Con Culaind for feraib Hérend ár Tána, -\ árim Loga for slúag Fomórach, ar Cath Maigi Tured -] árim Ingciúil for slóg Bruidni Da Dergae [M]; incorporated in text W b .i. oc Beloch Caille Móre fri Cnogba atúaid [H]; in text W i~i nisnermaisim W 2 = asin 3-3 for árim tricha cet W *-* fria n-árim W 5-6 si0 w, Áth Grena TJ, Ath Gabla Y 6"6 in craind Y 7 sic for arléga, ardalega Y, with second a below line 8 id samlaid added above line Y 9~9 rombith Y, ronbith W i" bád U u sic Y W, di U " intsathud Y, intšádud W 12 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE V 4S14 Y 322 'Dingaib dind in n-éoin seo, a Fergus,' ol Medb. 'Tuoaid oarpat dam-sa trá,' ol Fergus, 'conda tuc-sa ass co nder-caiss inn óenleód a bun.' Brissis Fergus íarom cethvi carptiu déac día carptib1 combo assa 155charput fessin dosbert a talmain 2co n-aca2 ba hóenlcód a bun. 'Is tabartha do airi,' ol Ailill, 'indass in c[h]eniúil cosa tiagam. Érgnad each uaib a bíad. Nírbo sám dúib3 irraír lasin snechta. Ocus innister dún ní do imt[h]eohtaib -\ airscélaib in c[h]eniúil cosa tiagam.' st0 la and sin trá adfessa dóib imt[h]echta Con Culaind. Imoomairc4 Ailill íarom: 'Inn é Conchobar dorigni seo?' 'Nach hé,' ol Fergus. 'Ní tergad-side co hor críche cen lín catha iinrjii.' J05 'Ceist, inn ó Celtchar mac Uthidir5?' 'Nach hé. Ní thargad-side co hor críche cen lín catha imbi.' 'Ceist, inn é Eógan mac Durt[h]acht?' 'Nachhé,'ol Fergus. 'Ní thargad-side tar or críche6 cen tríchaiť carpat n-imrind imme. Is é fer dogénad in gním,' ol Fergus, 'Cú !"° Chulaind. Is é no benfad a erand óenbémim dia8 bun -j no génad in cethrur ucut °hi prapi9 10ro mbíthá10 -] doragad dochom críche 1 a ara.' 11Inna formolta inso sis11 Q /^"^Innas fir,' or Ailill, 'in Cú rochúalammár la hUltu ? Cia 375 l i háes in gillai sin is irdairc'í' 'Ní handsa ém,' ol F'ergus. 'Inna chóiced bliadain luid dia cluchiu12 cosin maeraid do Emain Machi. Issin tšessecl13 bliadain luid do foglaim gaiscid -\ chless la Scáthaiga14. Isin tsechtmad15 bliadain gabais gaisced. Isin tsechtmad bliadain dec ä80 a áes ind inbaid sea.' 'Inn é sin as andsani fil la Ultu?' ol Medb. a Obicitur Tochmarc Emire de so [M], between columns; Obicitur Tochmarcc nEmire do so W, in margin 1 charpíiŕt» U Y, cairptib W 2-2 co n-acadar Y W 3 sic Y \V, dóib U * Imcomarc U, imohomairo Y, imchomareair W 5 Cuithidir Y, Guthidir W 6 oooooriche U 7 trioha cot Y 8 sic Y W, di U 9~9 in praipi Y, a phraipi W; read a prapi ío-io vonibitha Y AY 11-11 between cols. U, om. here. Y and inserted later; um. W 12 chuindchid gasgid Y, begun as olu . . . and altered, gasgid written overhead u soacht.mad Y 14 -] luid do thochmorc nEmeiľi add. Y lr> ochtmad Y IMS33 Y 34S TÁTN BÓ CÚAILNGE 13 'For each n-aí ém,' ol Fergus. 'Ní fairgéba-su ar do c[h]ind láech bas andsu, ná rind bas áigthidiu 1ná bas altnidi1 2na bas atľilaimi2, nó láth bas luinniu, ná fíach bas feólchairiu, ná comlond u i'u'sa ródsá3 co tríun, ná lóo bas feoc[h]ru, ná cláriud comlaind s85 i ni hord esorethe* ná comla ergaile ná bráth for buidne ná ergaire mórslúaig bas inraici. Ní fuircéba-su and fer rosasad a áes -] a ás -] a erriud -] a oráath, a crlabra, a áinius, a irdareus, a guth,a c[h]ruth, a chumachta, a c[h]rúas, a chless, a gaisced, a béim, a bruth, a barand, a búaid, a bráth, a búadrisi, a foraim, a fómsigi, a fían- 39° choscur, a déni, a t[h]arptigi, a dec[h]rad co cliuss nónbair for each rind amal Choin Culaind.'5 'Ní dénaim-sea báa de sin,' ol Medb. 'I n-óenchorp atá-side. | 59" Fodaim guin. Ní móu gabáil, lasanní is áes ingini macdacht insin -| ní tliángatár a l'ergníma bous.' 305 '"Ní ar ni° són,' ol Fergus. 'Nibo machdad dagním do dénam dó-ssom indiu, ar cid in tan ba sóo-som, batir ferdai a gníma.' 7Na Macgnímrada inso sis7 Q A Lta-som ém,' ol Fergus, 'la máthair -| la athair ocond /~\ Airgdig8 i mMaig Murthemne. Adfessa dó airscéla na 10° macraide i nEmain. Ár but tri chóecait mac and,' ol Fergus, 'oc3 cluchiu10. Is amlaid domel Conchobar a flaith: trian ind lai oc déscin na macraide, a trian n-aill oc irnbirt fidchille, a trian n-aill oo 61 chorma conid gaib cotlad de. Cia bem-ni for longais riam11, ní fil i nÉre óclaig bas amru,' ol Fergus. 405 'Gudid Cú Chulaind día máthair didiu a lécud dochom na macraide. ' "Ní rega," ol a máthair, "condit roib cáemtecht di ánrodaib Ulad." ' "Rochían lim-sa anad fri sodain," ol Cú Chulaind. "Incoisc-siu 410 dam-sa ced leth atá12 Emain." ' "Fathúaidlr amne," ol a máthair, "-] is doraid a n-ude," ol si. "Atá Slíab Fúait etruib." ' "Dober indass fair," ol Cú Chulaind, "amin."13 'Téit ass íarom -\ a scíath süssen laiss -j a bunsach14 -] a lorg áne -\ 415 a líat[h]ráit. Focherded a bunsaig15 ríam conda gebed 18ar loss16 resíu dorotsad17 a bun for lár. l~1 om. Y 2~2 na bas bus athluimo Y 3 radsia Y, rosia W 4 osoircne Y W & Formolta Con Chulaind andsin add. Y 6~6 sic MSS. 7-7 maccerda con culaind so in marg. Y, na maegnímrodha inso W 8-8 sic W, ocond dairggdig U Y ° oca Y W 10 do gross add. W »sicYW.tnn.U 12itáW " sic Y W, amim U i* riam add. Y [misplaced) " bunsach MSS. í«-™ om. Y " dorótsad U 14 TAIN Bó CÚAILNGE 'Téit cosna maccu íarom cen naidm a fóesama forru ár ní théged nech oucu ina cluchimag 1co n-amastá1 a fóesam forro2. Ní fitir-420 soni ani sin.° ' "Non sáraigedar in mac," ol Follomon mao Conohobair, "šech rafetamár is di Ultaib dó. Arguntís3 do. Benaid4 fóo." 'Focherdat a tri cóecta bunsach fair -| arsisetar isin scíath süssen uli les-seom. Focherdat dano a líathróite uli fair-seom -j nos gaib- i!S seom cech óenlíathróit ina ucht. Focherdat dano a5 tri cóectu lorg ána fair. Araolieh-som conach ráncatár hé6, -j gabais airbir díib fria aiss. 'Ríastartha immi-seom i sudiu. Indar lat ba tinnarean' asnort each foltne ina chend lasa comérge conérraoht. Indar lat bá 430 hoíbell tened boí for each óenfinnu de8. ladais indara súil dós conárbo lethiu indás oró snáithaiti. Asoilgg alaile combo móir beóhi midchúaich10. Doérig dia glainíni co rici a hóu. Asoilg a beóhi coa inairddriuch combo éena a inchróes. Atreacht in lúan láith assa mulinch. 436 'Benaid fona maccu íarom. Doscara cóecait mac díib síu rístaís dorus nEmna. Forrumai nónbor díib thorom-sa -) Conchobar. 59' Bamar oc imbirt fidchille. | Lingid-som dano tarsin fidohill i ndegaid ind nónbair. Gaibid Conchobar a rig. ' "Ní maith airráilter in maerad", ol Conchobar. «o ' "Deithbir dam-sa, na popa Chonchobair11," ol sé. "Dosroacht do chluchiu óm thaig, óm máthair -\ óm12 athair, -| ní maith ro mbátar frim." '13"Cia th'ainm-seo?"13 ol Conchobar. ' "Sétanta mac Súaltaim atomehomnaic-se14 -\ mac Dechtere16 do 446 phethar-su. Níba dóig mo chonpére sund." ' "Ced náro nass do fóessam-su dano forsna maccu ?" ol Conchobar. ' "Ní fetar-sa ani sin," ol Cú C[h]ulaind. "Gaib it láim mo fóesom airtho didiu." ' "Atmu,"16 ol Conchobar. 4S0 'La sodain doella-som forsin maeraid sethnón in taige. ' "Ced taí dano dóib innossa?" ol Conchobar. ' "Coro nastar a fóesom- [som]17 form-sa dano," ol Cú Chulaind. a .i. in ges boí foraib [H]; not in W 1~1 co namasta Y W 2 sic W, om. "U, forro in lower marg. Y 3 sic TJ, arguittis (or might be read arguitus) Y, arguintis W l Maaigid with first a partly deleted Y, maidhit W 6 an U Y, ina W 8 om. YW 7 indarcan Y W 8 sic W, om. U, and added over line Y e sic W, om. U Y 10 fidchoioh Y W i1"11 a phopa a Chonchobar Y 12 Oram U and second m deleted 13-13 Qia dia ta .im. so ol Conchobar -] cia th'ainm- 660 Y, cia hainmsi dano W 14 atomcomainmsea Y 15 Deichdene Y 16 .i. foemaim add. W 17 foesamson Y, fóeeamsum W TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 15 ' "Gaib it láim didiu," ol Conchobar. ' "Atmu," ol Cú Chulaind. 'Lotár uli isa cluchemaig íarom -| atarachtatár in maic hi ro slassa 4E6 and. Fosráthatar a mummi •) a n-aiti.' t TT^Echt n-and dano,' or Fergus, 'in tan bá gilla, ní chotlad i P nEmain Macha co matain.' ' "Inndis dam," ol Conchobar fris, "cid ná cotlai."1 ' "2Ní dénaim," or Cú C[h]ulaind,2 "cen chomard frim chend -| frim 48° chossa." 'Dobreth íarom la Conchobar coirthe fria chend -\ araile fria c[h]ossa, -] dognith3 imdai fo leith dó etarro. 'Luid in fecht n-aile dano araile fer día dúscud-som co mben-som dia dur[n]d ina etan co rruc tulchlár ind étain co mboí forsind 406 inchind -\ cor thrascair 4in corthe cá rigid4. ' "Rofes," or Ailill, "robo5 6dor[n]d níad6 -\ ropo rig rúanada." 'Ó sin trá,' ol Fergus, ''ní laimthe-som do dúscaď co ndúsced a óenur.' 8Aided na Maccraide inso8 4,° C ~Y~\ Aí in fecht [n-]aile dano oc áni líat[h]ráiti i mmaig in c[h]luche _£jfri Emain anair. Do leith dano dó a óenur frisna tri cóecto mac. Conboinged9 airthiu íarom 10caoh oluchiu10ind indas sin caidche. "Gabaid in gilla11 oc sudiu imbirt a dor[n]d foraib conid apad cóeca mac díib. Téit for teched la sodain co mboí fa adurt 475 imdai Conchobair. Conérget12 Ulaid imbi. Conérgim-se -) Conchobar lais-seom. Conérig-som fón imdai dano co corastar de in n-imdai cosin tríchait láth ngaile ro boí indi co mboí for lár in tigi. 'Sedait13 Ulaid imbi la sodain isin tig. Córaígmit-ni íarom,' or Fergus, '-j sídaigmít in macraid fris-[s]eom iar sin,' 480 14Cath Eógain meic Derthacht fri16 Conchobar inso14 Oi imnisse chatha eter Ultu -] Eógan mac nDurt[h]acht. Tiagait Ulaid don chath. Fácabar-som inna chotlud. Maiti for Ultu. Fácabar Conchobar -] Cúseraid Mend Macha -| 1 ind emain a chu chulaind add. Y 2~2 om. Y but ni chodlairn add. overhead » dogni Y 4_4 co rigid in coirthe Y 6 rob | bó U, robbad Y, robo W 6~6 dornn caurad Y W 7_' ni laimtiseom diuscad Y, ni laimthisim duacad W 8_8 om. Y W 9 oonbóing U, conboingath Y, conboingeth W 10_1° oca cluehiu W (after caidche) 11-11 sic Y, gabait in gillai U, gaibthi in gillai W 12 sic U, conerged Y, coneirget W; read Co n-éiget ? 13 Saigid. Y 14"14 om. Y 15 sic W, do TJ 16 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE U 4927 Y 442 f 481 sochaide mór1 olchena. Dofúsci-seom a ngol. Sínithi í aróm co mmemdatar2 in dá liio ro bátár irnmi. Hi fíadnaise Bricriu ucut dorónad,' ol Fergus. 'Atraig la sodain. Cotricini-se fris i ndorus ind lia i mé athgaíte. ' "Fuit! Dia do bethu, 3a popa Fergus3," ol sé. "Čate4 Conc[h]-»obar?" ' "Ní etar-sa", ol mé. 'Téit ass íarom. Ba dorcha ind adaig. Fóbair a n-ármach. Co 60* n-aooa ara chind in fer i leth a chind fair -\ leth fir aile fora | muin. ' "Congna lem, a Chú Chulaind," ol sé. "Rom bíth -j tuous leth mo 495 bráthar ar5 mo muin. Beir síst Hm." ' "Ní bér," or sé. 'La sodain focheirt in n-aire dó. Focheird-som de. Immasíni-thar dóib. Doscarthar Cú C[h]ulaind. Co cuala ní, in [m]boidb dinib oollaib. 500 '"Olo damnae laíoh fil and fo ohossaib aurddrag!" 'La sodain fónérig6 Cú Chulaind -\ benaiď a c[h]end de cosind luirg áne -| gabaid immá[i]n líathráite ríam8 dar in mag. ' "In fail mo phopa Conchobar isind ármaig se'í" 'Frisgair-side dó. Téit chuci conid n-acca issiir c[h]lud, -\ ro boí 50S md úir imbi do each leth día díc[h]lith. ' "Cid día tánac9 10isin n-ármag10," ol Conchobar, "co ndeochais úathbás and?" 'Tanócaib asin chlud la sodain. Ní thurcébad sesser linni di t[h]rénferaib Ulad ní bad chalma. 1,1(1 ' "Tair reond don tig ucut," ar Conchobar, nco ndernai tenid dam and.' r 'Ataí-seorn thenid móir dó. ' "Maith didiu," or Conchobar11. "Díanom thísad muce fonaithe %obadam béo12." sis ' "IUg-sa oonda tue," ar Cú Chulaind. 'Téit ass íarom. Co n-accai in fer ocond fulucht i mmedón ind feda, indara lám dó cona gaisoiud inti, ind lám n-aill oc funi in tuircc. Ba mór a úathmaire ind fir. Fanópair-som arapa13 i dobeir14 a chend -| a rmiicc laiss. Loingid Conchobar iar sin in tore. 620 ' "Tíagam díar tig," or Conc[h]obar. i ali add. W 2 memdatar Dipl. Ed. 3"3 a phopa a Fergais Y »sic Y W, cite U 8de odd. W, sic leg. "-" sic Y "W, tím. TJ 14 dombeir W '' for W o fanoraig Y W ~ bennaid U 9 tudchadso Y W 10 isinnarmaigh Y W 12-12 robadam šlan W 13 arappaide W U 4952 Y 4B0 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 17 'Condrecat fri Cúsoraid mac Conchobair. Bátár dano tromgona fair-side. Dobeir Cú Chulaind fora muin. DoUotár íarom a tríur co hEmain Macha.' 1Aided na tri nónbor inso -| in fáth arná laimthé2 a nguin ina oess.1 (, "T~lEcht aile dano bátár Ulaid inna íióendin. N í bi3 nóenden 626 Jj linni íarom4,' for Fergus, 'for mnáib -\ maccaib nach for neoch bis fri críoh nUlad anechtair nach for Coin Culaind -j fora athair. 6Ocus ane ní lamar fuligud forro-som, ar conscescing6 in cess for intí nod goin nó a meth nó a garséle5. 'Tonnccat tri nónbair7 a hlnsib Faíche. Lottar for in n-íarless tan 630 bámár inar nóendin. Égit in bantrocht isind liss. Boí in macrad i mmaig in c[h]luchi. Doíagat-side8 fóna hégme. Amal atohon-catár in macrad na hru duba9 duabsecha, tíagait ar teched ule acht Cú C[h]ulaind a óenur. Imbert-side na lámlecca foraib10 -| a luirg áne foraib. Marbaid nónbor díib •) fácbait cóeca cned fair-seom 635 1 documlat ass íarom olchena. 'Fer dorigni inna gníma sin inraptar lán[a]n a c[h]óic blíadna, nírbo machthad 12cé na thísed co hor cocríchi -]12 cé no éisged13 a cinnu don chet[h]ror ucut.' 14Aided con na cerda inso la Coin Culaind -\ ani día fil Cú Chulaind 540 fair-seom14. £ Tp) Afetammár15 ém in [n]gilla sin,' ol Conall Cernach, '-] ní IX messaite fria fis is dalta dún. Nípu chĺan iarsin gním adchúaid Fergus indossa oo nderna-som bét n-aile. 'Dia forgéui Cauland cerdd óegidacht do Chonc[h]obur18, asbert 646 Cauland íarom nábad sochaide no bertha chueai áir nípu du thír ná ferund dó a fuirec dorigni acht do thorud a dá lám i a tharnaguir. 60b Luid Conchobar íarom i cóeca cairptech17 imbi do neoch I ba sruthom -| ba 18haeregdu inna oaurad.18 ' Adell Conchobar laiss íarom a cluchemag. Ba bés dano dó do grés 560 a n-adall -| a tadall, oc techt -| oc tuidecht, do chuingid 19a bermach-da10 cosna maceu. Co n-aecai íarom Coin Culaind oc áin líathróti i-J- om. Y 2 lamtha W 3 sic Y W, boí TJ * om. W 6~6 am. Y 6 sic TJ, conseiscing W; read conscing 7 nónbor U 8 dothiagadsid© Y, TotVnagatside W 9 added alongside- H, om. Y W 10 om. W, omitt. 11 slaná Y, lana W 12"12 om. Y 13 foisced Y "-14 om. Y, Aidedacht na con do thig Chulaind corda inso W 15 Rofeadarsa Y 1G sic TJ, Conchobur Dipl. Ed. 17 carp- U, cairp- Y W I8-I8 sú U W {for haeregdam na caurad t), airegdu ina churad Y 19-ifi a mbendhacta Y, a rnbennachtan W Q TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE u 4984 Y 495 • na tri cóectu mac, -] birt a ráena forru. In tan ba háin phuill A trnítis no línad-som in poll día líathrótib ■} ní chumcaitis in ic a ersclaige. In tan batir héseom nie dobidctis1 in poll, arach-r hed-som a óenur conná téged cid óenlíathróit ind. In tan bá ■mtrhlrascrad dognítía, dorascrad-som na tri cóectu mac a óenur 2ní chomraiced2 imbi-seom lín a t[h]rascartha. In tan dano bá imdírech dognítis, dosnérged-som uli co mbítís tornochta, -| nocon set) ructaís-seom immorro cid a delg asa brot-som nammá. 'Ba hamra la Conchobar ani sin. Asbert-side in etarbíad 3a animu3 4acht tised dó4 co áes ferdatad. Asbert cách etardabíad. Asbeir Conc[h]obar fri Co[in] Culaind: ' "Tair lem," ol sé, "dond fleid día tíagom 5dáig ot áegi."5 665 ' "Nimda6 sát[h]ech dom c[h]luchi béos, a bobba Conchobair,"7 olingilla. "Ragat-sa infar ndíaid." 'Ó ráncatár uli íarom don8[d fleid],'8 asbert Cauland fri Conc[h]- obar: ' "In frithálid nech infar ndíaid?" ol sé. 670 ' "Náthó," ol Conchobar. Nírbo chuman laiss dál a daltai inna díaid. ' "Atá árchúa lem-sa," ol Culand. "9Tri slabrada fair -] triar cacha slabraide.9 10A hEspáin dosfucad10. Léicther de dáig ar n-indili -j ar cet[h]ra, -\ dúntar in less." 676 'Tic in gilla fo éodain. Fónópair in cú. Nos fethed-som a cluche colléic. Focherded a líathróit -] focherded a loirg11 ina díaid co mbenad in líathróit. Níbo móo in band oldás a chéle. Ocus focheird12 a bunsaig13 inna ndíaid conda gebed14 re totim. Ocus niro t[h]airmesc a c[h]luchi immi ce ro boi in cú ocá ascnam. Torbais 680 Conchobar -\ a muinttV ani sin connárbo étir leó a nglúasacht. Indar leó ní faircbitís i mbethaid ara cind cid ersloicthe in less. In tan didiu dolluid in cú chucai-seom, focheird-seom úad a líathróit -\ a loirg, -| frisindle in coin cona díb lámaib .i. dobeir indara láim dó fri ubull brágat in chon; dobeir araile 15fria chúl15. Bentai frisin 585 corthe16 inna farrad co sescaind17 each ball de a lethe. Mad iar n-arailiu [slicht] immorro is18 a líat[h]róit ro lá-som inna beólu co rruc a inathar thrít. 1 .i. cú doratad dar muir .i. cuilén brotc[h]on [M], not in W 1 dobictis U W, dobiedis Y 2_2 nicon comraiced Y 3~3 an gnima Y W *-* sic W, acht tissed doib TJ acht tiacht doib Y 6"5 fobith ad oegi Y, fobith at óeghi W; leg. dáig at áegi 6 nidoni Y, nidam W 7 a Chonchobair Y 8~8 in rasura H, don flid Y, dond fleidW 9~9 ceithri slabrada fair -\ triar i cind each slabraide W ío-io om. y u aine add. Y W 12 sic TJ Y, foscerded W, leg. focheirded 13 bunsaid U, bunsaich Y, bunsaigh W 14 ar loss add. W 16-16 fri dib culadaib W 18 buí add. W 17 sceasain (sic) Y 18 issi Y TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 19 'Comérgit Ulaid ara ammus, araill díb for1 less, araill for dorus liss. Damberat i n-ucht Conchobair. Fochertar armgrith mór leó .i. mac sethar ind ríg do folmaisiu a báis. Dothéit Culand issa tech la sodain. [ 61" ' "Fo chen duit, a maccáin, fo déig cridi do máthar. Messe immorro, ní mád airgénus fleid. Is bethu immudu 2[mo bethu]2 -\ is trebad immaig mo t[h]rebad i ndegaid mo chona. Conággaib ainech -\ anmain dam-sa," ol sé, "in fer muintire rucead úaim .i. mo chú. Robo din -| dítiu díar feib -] ar3 n-indili. Ropo imdegail cacha slabra dún éter mag -] tech." ' "Ni mór brig sin trá," ol in gilla. "Ebéltair4 culen din chúani6 chétna lem-sa duit, -\ bíam8 cú-sa do imdegail do chethra ■} dot imdegail féin colléic cor ása in cú hísin -\ corop ingníma. Ocus imdíus[-s]a Mag Murthemne uile. Noc[h]o mbérthar úaim-se éit ná halma ass manip aurderg7 lim-sa." ' "Bid Cú C[h]ulaind ťainm-siu íarom," or Cathbad. ' "Maith lem cid ed mo ainm," ol Cú. 'Fer dorigni sin amdar lána a šé blíadna, nípu machdad cé dorónad-side dagním ind inbuid sea in tan ata lána a šecht mblíadna déc,' ol Conall Cernach. 8Aided tri mac Nechta Scéni inso sis8 £ TT^v Ogéni fecht [n-]aile dano,' ol Fiacha mac Fir Febe. IJ'Boí Cathbad druí hi fail a meic .i. Conchobair meic Nessa: Cét fer ndéinmech dó oc foglaim druídechta úad, is é lín doninchoisced Cathbad. Iarmifoacht araili dia felmaccaib9 do sudiu cid díambad maith a llá sa. Asbert Cathbud ócláech no gébad gaisced and forbíad 10a ainm Hérind co bráth ar gním gascid10 1 no mértaís a airscéla co bráth. 'Rochlunethar Cú Chulaind ani sin. Dothéit co Conchubar do chuingid gascid. Asbeir Conchobar: a [in marg.] Nírbo é in třes ců ro boí i n-inchind Congánohnis in cú sin amal is cétfaid do foirktd, ar is do dígail Con Koí for TJltaib dodeochaid Conganchnes -| fota a haithli na Tána cid héside, ■) hi cind a secht mbliadna ro marb-som (.i. Cú Chulaind) coin na cerda. Conid bróc amlaid sin cétfaid na fairni út, ar is a hEspáin tucad cú na cerda amal innister hi curp in sceóil. [M], not in W 1 tar Y, dar W 2_2 om. TJ Y W (cf. is bethu immuig mo bethu, Tářn 899) 3 diár Y * ebéltair TJ, ebéltair W, ebeltar Y 6 chuain Y W 6 bidam W 7 aúrderg TJ, aurrderg Y a~8 De gabail gaiscid do Coin Culaind inso W, om. Y 9 sic Y W, felmaccaim U 10-10 a ainm ar gnimaib gaiscip firu Erend Y, a ainm ar gnim ňgaiscid firu hErenn W ' ' TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE u M43 Y 551 t™ ' "Cia dorinchoisc sen1 duit?" ' "Mo pobba Cathbath," ol Cú Chulaind. «o ' "Rofetammar2 ém," ol Conc[h]obar. 'Pobeir gaí -\ soíath dó. 3Bertaigthus for láv in taige3 conná terno ní dona cúic gaisoedaib déc no bítís di imforcraid hi tegluch Conchobair fri maidm n-airm nó fri gabáil ngaiscid4 do neoch. Cu tardad dó gaisced Conchobair féin. Falloing-side immorro éseom ess -i bertaigthi hé5 -\ bennachais in rig bá gaisced, -| asbert: ' "Céin mair túaith ^ cenél díanid rí in fer assa harm so." 'Dario íarom Cathbad chucu -\ asbeir: ' "In gaisced gebes in gilla?" or Cathbad. ' "Ed," ol Conchobar. 530 ' "Ní sirsan do mac a máthar ém," ol sé. ' "Ced ón, nach tussu ém8 donarchossaig 1" ol Conchobar. ' "Nach mé éoin," ol Cathbad. '"Cid dochana duit 7in bréc7 do inťbirt form, a siřiti?'' ol Conchobar fri Co[in] Culaind. g]b ' "A rí Féne8, ní bréc," | ol Cú Chulaind. "is hé dorinchoisc " [sén] dia felmacaib imbúarach -| rachúala-sa fri hEmain andess. dodeochad-sa chucut-su íarom." ' "Is maith ane in láa," ol Cathbad. "Is glé bid airdairc -\ bid animgnaid9 intí gébas gaisced and acht bid duthain nammá." 6io ' "Arora brígi són!" ol Cú Chulaind. "Acht ropa10 airderc-sa, niaith lim cenco beind11 acht óenlá for domun." 12'A lláa n-aile imchomairc araile fer dona druídib cid díambo maith a 114 sin. 1 "Nech no ragad hi carpat and," for Cathbad, " forbíad a ainm 615 Hérind co bráth." 'Roclunithar íarom Cú C[h]ulaind sin. Dothét-side co Conchobar co n-epert fris: '"A popa Chonchobair13," ol sé, "carpat dam-sa." 'Dobeir-side carpat dó. Forrurim a láim éter dí fertais in m c[h]arpait co mmebaid14 in carpat. Brissis in dá c[h]arpat déac in cruth sin. Doberar dó íarom carpat Conchobair. Foloing-side héseom. 1 sic W, sen added below line over word em, and something deleted between dorinchoisc and duid Y, om. TJ 2 Rafotamar W 3_3 bertaigis forra (•ra added in ras. and space left Y 4 sic Y W, ngasced U 5 for lár héW 6 erasure after ém Y '-'in mbréig W » oc feini W 9 sic MSS. Read anetargnaid? (Straclum) lu ropom (m-slrolcc later) Y, robadli- amW n buan add. Y 12 prefaced by title De techd Con Culaind i carpat inso W ls a Choncobair Y 14 ina laim add Y TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 21 'Téit isin carpat iar sudiu -\ ara Conchobair leiss. Imsoí in t-ara .i. I bor a ainm-side, in carpat foí-seom. ' "Tair asin1 charpat fechtsa2," ol in t-ara. "It cóema na ess heich." 'Am cóem-sa dano, 3a maccán3," ol Cú Chulaind. "Tair riunfn] timchell nEmna nammá, -| rot bia a lúag airi." 'Téit ón dano in t-ara -\ cotnéicnigidar4 Cú Chulaind iar sudiu6 co dáivled forsin slige6 do chelebrad dona maccaib, "ocua condam °60 bcnnachtaís in meic." Gáid dó dano co táirled in sligid dorísi. 0 tháncatár ón dano, asbert Cú Chulaind frisin n-araid: ' "Indaig brot forsin n-echraid trá," ol sé. 1 "Ced leth ón?" ol in t-ara. ' "Céin adindain7 8in tslige8," or Cu Chulaind. 665 'Tecait di šudiu co Slíab Fúait. Forreccat Conall Cernach and. Do Chonall dano dorala imdegail in chóicid a llá sin, fo bíth no bíid each láth gaile do Ultaib a láa hi Sléib Fúait fri snádud neich dothíssad3 co n-airchetul nó do chomroc fri fer, combad and sin condrístá10 fris arná téised nech dochum nEmna cen rathugud 67l) ' "Do šonmigi sin trá," or Conall. "Rob do búaid i choscor11." ' "Eirg-siu trá, a Chonaill, don dún -] rom léic-sea oc forairi12 sund colléic," or Cú Chulaind. ' "Bíd lór són," or Conall, "mád fri snádud neich co n-airchetul13. Mád do chomruc fri fer immorro, is rom són dait-siu co se béus." 675 ' "Bés nípu hécen ón etir," ol Cú Chulaind. "Tíagam etarphort,' 01 Cú Chulaind, "do déscin úan for fertais Locha Echtra. Is gnáth airiseom 14óc féne14 and." ' "Is maith lim," or Conall. 'Tíagait ass íarom. Focheird-seom cloich asa thábaill co mmebaid 68° fertas carpait Conaill Chernaig. ' "Cid frisind rolais in cloich, a maccáin?" or Conall. ' "Do phromad mo lám -\ dirge mo urchair," or Cú Chulaind. "Ocus is bés dúib-si far nUltaib ní réidid tar églinde15. Airc-siu do Emain aridisi, a pliopa Conaill16, -\ rom léic-se sund oc forairi." 685 ' "Maith lim dano," or Conall. 1 isin MSS. 2 a feachtsa Y W 3_3 am (m- stroke added later) maccam Y, a macain W 4 cotneignigeetair Y W 6 im dula lais add. W ft sligid Y W 7 anindain Y, adinnam W; read adnindain 8_8 ar intligi Y, (ar written in large red letters in rasura line-end, int with s written under t in right margin) 9 dodisad Y 10 condrista Y, condrfsta W ]' sin or Conall add. Y 12 forairiri XJ 13 airchethulXT 14-14 oo lono Y, oclono W 16 églindne {in ros. H) U, innglinde Y, aňglinni W JG n Chonaill Y 22 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE 'Ni dechaid | Conall Cernach. sech in magin [sin] iar sudiu. 'Téit Cú Chulaind ass íarom do Loch Echtra -j ní fuaratar1 nech and ara chiund2. Asbert in t-ara fri Coin Culaind ara n-virthaitis do jso Emain co társitís ól and. ' "Ace," ol Cú Chulaind. "Ced sh'ab inso thalii" ol Cú Chulaind. ' "Sh'ab Monduir[n]d3," ol in t-ara. ' "Tiagam co ríšam," ol Cú Chulaind. 'Tíagait íarum co rráncatár. Iar riachtain dóib in tslébe, im-695 cnomarcair Cú Chulaind íarom: ' "Cia carnd ngel inso thall 4i n-úachtor in tslébe4." ' "Findcharnd5", ol in t-ara. ' "Ced mag am' thall?" ol Cú Chulaind. ' "Mag mBreg," ol in t-ara. 700 'Adfét dó dano ainm cech prímdúne eter Themair -] Cenandas. Adfér dó chétamus a n-íathu -\ a n-áthu, a n-airdirci -\ a treba, a ndúne -\ a n-arddindgnu6. Inchosciď dó dano dún tri mac Nechta8 Scéne" .i. Fóill i Fandall ■) Túachella a n-anmand-aidi9. ' "Indat éside asberat," or Cú Chulaind, "nach móo fil do Ultaib i 705 mbethaid oldás 10ro mbeótar-som10 díb?" ' "At é écin," ol in t-ara. ' "Tíagom conda ríšam," or Cú Chulaind. ' "Is gúais dúnn ém," ol in t-ara. ' "Ní día imgabáil u ám tíagma," ol Cú Chulaind. 710 'Tíagait ass íarom -j scorit a n-eochu oc commor mána t aba allandess úas dún a chéle. Ocus sréthe in n-id boí forsin corthe róut a láma isin n-abaind -) léicthe la sruth dáig ba coll ng[e]isse do maccaib Nechta Scéne ani sin. Arigit-side íarom -j dothíagat a ndochum,' Contuli Cú Chulaind íarom ocon chorthe iar lécud ind 716 ide frissin sruth -j asbert frisin n-araid: ' "Ním dersaige fri úathad, nom díusca immorro fri sochaide." 'Ba himecal12 immorro in t-ara colléic •) indlid-side a c[h]arpat -] dosrenga a fortgae -| a forgaimniu ro bátár 13fo Choin13 Culaind úair nach rolámair14 a dúsead. Dáig asbert Cú Chulaind fris-[s]eom ar 720 thús nach dúsced fri húat[h]ed. a .i. ó Inbiur Scéne [H], [in marg.] Fer Ulli mac Lugdach a n-athair -j Nechtan Scéne a mmáthair. Ulaid dano ro marbsat a n-athair. Iss air[i] ro bátár hi cocad faraib [H]j .i. o inber Scene W 1 fuair W 2 cind Y, read ciund 3 Mondaim Y, Modairn W 4-4 om. W & na foraire add, Y 6 mardingnu Y W 7 incho- saic Y 8 Nechtain Y, Nechtan W 9 nan[mandaíde H] U, nanmand Y W lo-io sic W, ro beótarsom U Y n nimgabail W 12 himecail Y «-13 sic y W, for Coin U 14 sic W, rolamar U, rolamadh Y TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 62b e 'Tecait íarom meic Nechta Scéne. ' "Cia fil sund?" ol fer dib. ' "Mac bee dochóid indiu ar esclu1 hi carpat," ol in t-ara. ' "Nipo do soinmige," ol in láech, "1 nírop do fechtnaige dó a chétgabáil gaiscid2. Ná bíd inar tír -\ ná gelat ind eich and ní as3 725 mo," ol in láech. ' "Atát a n-éssi im láim-sea," ol in t-ara. "Nírbo lat-su tollem1 éeraite fris5," ol Ibar frisin láech, "1 attá dano in mac ina chotlud." ' "Nímda6 mac écin," or Cú Chulaind, "acht is do chuingid chomraic fri fer dodeochaid in mac fil and." 73° ' "Is sain lim-sa ón," ol in láech. ' "Bid sain duit-siu innossa issind áth ucut," ol Cú Chulaind. ' "Is tacair7 dait trá," or in t-ara. "Foichle in fer dotháet ar do ehend, Fóill a ainm," or sé, "ar mani thetarrais issin chétforgam, ní therarrais co fescor." 735 ' "Tongu do dia toinges mo thúath, nocon imbéra-som for Ultu a cles sin dorísse | diano tárle mánaís mo phopa Conc[h]obair as mo láim-sea. Bid lám deóraid dó." 'Sréthis fair íarom in sieg co mmebaid a druim třít. Dobeir leiss a fodb8 -] a c[h]end iar sudiu. 740 ' "Foichle in fer n-aile dano," ol in t-ara. "Fannall a ainm-side. Ní trummu do[n]essa9 in n-usce oldás ela nó fandall." ' "Tongu-sa dano nocon imbéra-som for Ultu in cles sin dorissi," ol Cú Chulaind. "Atconnarc-su ém," ol sé, "indas imatiag-sa in lind oc hEmain." 745 'Condrecat íarom issind áth. Gonaid-som dano in fer sin -j dobert a chend -\ a fodb lais. ' "Foichle in fer n-aile dotháet chucut," ol in t-ara. "Túachell a ainm. Ní lessainm dó dano ar ní thuit di arm etir." ' "Ondar dó-ssom in del chlis día mescad, conid nderna retherderg 750 de," or Cú Chulaind. 'Sréthius fair íarom in sl[e]ig conid rallá ina chomsudiu10. Dolluid a dochum íarom -j benaid11 a chend de. Dobert Cú íarom a chend ■) a fodb laiss 12dia araid12 fadessin. 'Co cúala íar sudiu foíd a mmáthar ina ndíaid .i. Nechta Scéne. 755 Dobeir a fodb di šudiu i dobeir na tri cind laiss inna charput, -| asbert: ' "Ní fuicéb trá mo choscur," ol sé, "00 rríus Emain Macha." 1 oesclu Y - ngaiscid U 3 bus W 4 tuilled Y, tuillem W 5 sic W, om. U Y G nidam Y 7 sic W, tacar U, taccar Y 8 íbidb YW 9 doessa with final letter almost dele-ted Y, doess W 1Et chonsudi U, chonsuidiu Y, consuidiu W u bennaid U 12_12 íťo Y W, diaraid U 24 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE V 5154 Y 071 'Documlat ass íarom cona coscor. Is and sin asbert Cú Chulaind 760 frisin n-araid: ' "Dorar[n]gertais-siu dagérim1 dúnd," ol Cú Chulaind, "-] ros-necam a less2 indossa 3di ág3 in tressa4 -| inna íarra fil inar ndiaid." 'Imríadat íarom co Slíab Fúait. Ba hé lúas ind érma domicsat 5jar rnBregaib5 íar ngrísad ind arad6 co togrennitís ind eich fón 'es charpat in [n]gaíth ^ inna heónu for lúamain -\ co táirthed Cú Chulaind in n-urchur dolléced asa thailm ríasú rísad talmain. 'Iar riachtain dóib Slébe Fúait forrecat alma n-oss n-and ara ciund. ' "Cissi slabrai 'in díscer sa7 thall?" ol Cú Chulaind. 770 ' "Oiss alta," ol in t-ara. ' "Cia de," oř Cú Chulaind, "bad ferr la Ultu, a mmarb 8nach áes do breith dóib nó a mbeó?" ' "Is inganto a mbeó," ol in t-ara, "dóib. Ní each óen condric9 samlaid. A mmarb immorro ni fil úadib-seom 10ónach ric10. uNí 775 chumci-siu ón11 a beó nach áe do br[e]ith," ol in t-ara. ' "Cumcim écin," ar Cú. "Indaig12 brot forsna eochu isin mónai." 'Dogni in t-ara ón ani sin. Glenait ind eich isin mónai íarom. Taurlaing Cú Chulaind -\ gabaid in n-oss ba nessom dó -\ ba caímem díb. Slaittius sethnón na móna -\ dammainti f o chétóir. Cumrigis 780 éter dá13 fert in c[h]arpait. 'Co n-accatár ní, éill ngésse ara ciund atheroch. 03" ' "Cia de bad ferr la Ultu," or Cú Chulaind, "a mbeó nó | a mmarbu dóib?" ' "Is a mbeó bereš a n-as beódu -| a n-as ségundo," ol in t-ara. 785 'Lát[h]raid Cú íarom cloich rhbic forna15 heónu co mbí ocht16 n-eónu díb. Inláa afrithisi cloich móir17, co mbí dá én déc díib. Tria tháithbémmewd trá insin uli. ' "Tecmall na heónu dún trá," ol Cú fría araid. "Mád messe dig16 día tabairt," or sé, "conclichfe in dam allaid fort-so." 780 ' «ní réid dam a t[h]echt ém," ol in t-ara. "Ro dáascd imna heochu conná dichtim seceu. Ní étaim dano techt šech nechtar 1 dagimrim Y W 2 cudnod add. W 3~3 claig Y * -] na tóra add. W 6-5 dar Bregaib W 6 do Choin Cudlaind add. W 7-7 imdísciri bí W (read imdíscir sea?) 8_s sic Y, no a mbeo written in ras. (H) TJ, nach a mbéo W with nó a mbeó omitted at sentence end 9 danie with erasure before the word Y, ondarrico W ío-io onach ri Y íi-u ni chumcison U, ni eumgisom on Y, ni cumcisi ón W 12 indnaig Y, atnaig "\V 13 dia Y, di W " do brith add. Y W " forsna W " .un. Y 17 form add. W « theis Y U 5180 Y 701 TÁIN BÓ CÜA1LNGE 25 Hn dá roth" iarndae1 in c[h]arpait ara fáebraige, -| ni dichtim dano šech in dam 2ar ro lín2 a c[h]ongna éter dí fert in c[h]arpait ule." ' "Cing-siu amend día c[h]ongno," or Cú. "Tongu-sa do dia toingte Ulaid, clóenad clóenfat-sa mo c[h]end fair nó in tsúil dogén-sa 795 fris, nocon focher cor día chind riut -] 3noco lémaither3 a glúasacht." 'Dogníth són íarom. Conrig Cú Chulaind inna ésse i tecmalla4 in t-ara inna heónu. Conreraig Cú Chulaind íar sin inna heónu di thétaib ■] refedaib in c[h]arpait. Conid samlaid siu luid do Emain Macha: dam allaid i ndiaid a charpait -] íall gésse oc5 folúamain 8Ü0 úassa i tri cind6 inna c[h]arput. ''Recait iar sin co Emain. ' "Carptech dorét far ňdochum," ol in dercaid i nEmain Macha. "Ardáilfo fuil laiss each dune fil isind lis mani foichlither -| mani dichset mná ernochta friss." 805 'Tossoí-som íarom elár clé a c[h]arpait fri hEmain -] ba gess di ani sin. Ocus asbert Cú Chulaind: "Tongu do dia toingte8 Ulaid mani étar fer do gleó frim-sa, ardáilfe fuil lim9 each áein10 fil isin dún." "Mná ernochta ara chend!" ar Conchobar. 81° 'Tothéit iarom bantrocht nEmna ara chend im Mugainbu mnaí Conchobair meic Nessa, -\ donnochtat a mbruinni friss. "It é óic inso condricfat frit indiu," or Mugainc. 'Eoilgis-[s]eom12 a gnúis. La sodain atnethat láith gaile Emna -\ focherdat i ndabaig n-úarusci. Maitti immi-seom in dabach hísin. 815 In dabach aile dano in ro lád, fichis dornaib de. In tress dabach i ndeochaid iar sudiu, fosngert-side combo chuimsi dó a tess -j a fuacht. Dotháet ass íarom13 -\ dobeir ind rígan íar sudiu .i. Mugain14, bratt ngorm n-imbi -| delg n-argit n-and -| léne chulpatach. Ocus suidid fo glún Chonchobair íarom, -] ba si sin a lepaid do grés iar B20 sudiu. ft .i. fonnod [M] b nó im Féraig secundum alios [M], nó im Feraich W c nó or Férach [M], nó Ferach written overhead Y 1~1 in da roth .i. fonno iarnae Y, na da roth (.i. fonnad) iarňde W 2~2 3Íc \V, árolín TJ 3~3 nochonlinfaithir Y = nícon lilmaither 4 tecnaalta with punc. del. over t U, tecmolta Y, tecmallta W ö for W 6 mac Nechtain Scene add. Y 7 C version begins here 8 toigthe U, tongaid Y. tongte W, toinget C 9 liurn C, om. "U Y W io néen U, oen Y, aenduini W xl Mumhain C 12 foilgisseom T seconds s later over first, folgissom W 13 -| an rigan add. C 14 .i. Mumain no Ferach Y 4 '.- ^ TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE u 520c718Y ™ Lotar íarora timohell Glaisse Cruind co rrici in topor, -\ docóes [ tis *" éter a topor t slíab acht nád étad ó Meidb. Ba ferr la súdi techt tar slíab ara marad a slícht and co bráth ar sár for Ultu. Ansait tri láa K loio _ tri aidchi and sin co cechlatár a n-úir remib, Bernas Báu Cúalngi2. Is and sin geogain Cú Chulaind Crond -| Cóemdele, i ro fer fuire n-imnaise. Atbath cét n-ánrod friss, rind rig, im Roán im Roae im dá senchaid na Tána. Cethri rig ar secht3 fichtib rig atbath laiss forsin nglais chétnai. wis Dollotar iarom for4 Bernas Bó Cúalngi co folodaib -\ indilib Cúalngi co feótár hi nGlind Dáil Imda hi Cúalngi. Botha a ainm in puirt sin úair dogénsat botlia forro and. Do[th]íagat5 árna bárach do Cholptu. Fanóprait6 tri anfót. Conéracht-side friu dano co mbert cét cairptech7 úadib dochom maro. Iss ed ainm in tire in m.* robáte Clúain Carpat. Lotár timchell Colbta iarom dochum a thopair do Bélut Alióin, co feótár oc Líasaib Líac. Iss ed ainm in puirt sin úair doringset liassu fora lóegu and éter Chúalngiu -\ Conailliu. Dollotár íarom dar Glend nGatlaig. Conérracht dano Glaiss Gatlaig friu. Sechaire a '■";: ainm ríam. Glas Gatlaig ó šein úair ba i ngataib dobertatar a Uóegu8, co feótár i nDruim Féne la Conailliu. It é sin trá a n-imthechta ó Chúalňgi co Machairi iarsin tslicht sa. Dogníat immorro augtair9 -] libair aile córugud aile fora n-imthech-taib a Findabair co Conaille .i. 1030 10Orgain Chúalňgi inso sis10 ATbert Medb iar torachtain cáich cona ngabáil11 co mbátár ul hi Findabair Chúalňgi: 'Randtar in dúnad sund,' or Medb. 'Ní rucfaider ind imirgi se for óenchoí. Tíat Ailill la leith na immirgi for [Slige] Midlúachrae 1036 Ragmai-ne12 t Fergus13 for J "Bernas nUlad".' 1-1 in marg. U, om. Y, Oigid TJaland inso C 2 a ainm o sein ille add. C 3 sé Y * dar C 6 dothiagad Y, dothiegait C 6 fanópalt U, fanopart Y, fonoprat C 7 carpaŕ Y C 8 tarrsia add. C, read tairse 9 in dana sa add. Y, W resumes here lo-io ^n marg. (luind H) U, om. Y W C " ngabalaib Y W 12 ragmaitne Y C 13 -] in tarb add. W "-"Bernas Bo nUlad Y C (bó added overhead Y) u Ď3c722ř 92° TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE 33 'Ní ségda,' or Fergus, 'in leth donroacht dind imirgi. Ní rucfaiter na baí tarsin slíab cen raind1.' Dogníth ón, conid de atá Bernas Bó nUlad. Is and sin asbert Ailill fria araid Cuillius: 'Finna dam indiu Meidb -\ Fergus. Ní fetur cid rodanuc don 104° choibdin2 se, 7 bid fó lim donísed3 comartha n-úait.' Dotháet Cuillius in tan bátar hi Cluichrib. Ansait ind lánamain fo deóid t lotar ind óic remib. Dotháet chucu Cuillius ^ ní for-chúalatár in fer forcsi. Ecmaic boí a chlaideb hi farrad Fergusa. Tánísca Cuillius4 asa thrúaill -\ fófácaib5 in trúaill fás. Dotháet1045 Cuillius co Ailill. 'Ameind,' or Ailill. 'Amne dano,' or Cuillius. 'Undar dait sund comartha.' 6'Is maith sin trá,' or Ailill. Tibid cechtar de fria chéle6. 105° 'Amal dondruimin-so,' or Cuillius, 'is amlaid fosfairnec-sa hi comlepaid.' 'Is dethbir disi,' or Ailill. 'Is ar chobair ocon táin dorigni. | Bá maith bláth in c[h]laidib lat,' or Ailill. 'Atnaig fót suide isin carput •) anart léined imbi.' 1055 Atraig Fergus día chlaidiub íarom. 'Aill amaiľ or sé. 'Cid no taí?' ol Medb. 'Olc gním dorignius fri Ailill,' or sé. 'Indnaidid sund co tisa asind fid,' or Fergus, '-] nip machdad lib cid cían co tísor.' 106° Ecmaic ní fitir Medb tesbaid in c[h]laidib. Téit ass -| berid claidiub a arad laiss ina láim. Dogní claidiub craind isind fid. Is de atá Fid Mórdrúalle7 la Ultu. 'Tiagam ass i ndíaid ar cele,' or Fergus. Cotrecat isin maig a slógaib ulib. Arrócbat a pupli. Congairther 1065 Fergus do Ailill do imbirt fidchille. In tan dolluid Fergus don phupull, gabaid Ailill gári fris. Asbert Fergus: 8.r. Fergus dixit8 'Fó fer fris tibther | manip sceó mera mórgnímo merthar | airbiur mo chlaidib mache9 mind | mosdisem calga de Galión10 gáir | manip 107° ed búaid mná misrálastar | di dáil dondlecht | sceó gaib genin almi I 1 comrainn Y (com added later over the line) 2 coibdinil Y C, ooibdil W a tomissed Y, domissed W C 4 Cuillesc {plene) G 6 forfacaib W e"6 om. here and inserted after comlepaid Y 7 Morthruailli Y, Mortrualle W, Mortruailliu C 8_8 in marg. V, in marg. without .r. Y, Feargus dixit W, ut dixit Fergus C 9 maoha Y W C i» gaileonchaib Y, Gáleon W, gaileon C £ u TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE " ^ J sso » . r mórslúag murechaib | fester do sléib auí Nessa níth | do slóg rabríg | cosrife medrathu fer.' i.r. Ailill dixit1 10:» 'Na fer báig,' or Ailill, 'dit dith claidib sceó airdib áth brond rig n lenmonfait 2oes sóe fére2 frit gallnai gáir dait deim Medb ar iltúatha ^thoing fíad ni fairis lim de debuid ar mnáib étsecha-ib ar cía denat torruídet soéo thadet di oaoh airm ar eéo mórglonnaib fechat. 'Suid sis trá,' or Ailill, 'co n-imberam fldchell. Is fo chen do 10» thíchtuV a.r. Ailill dixit3 'Imbeir fidchill sceó búanbach ar bélaib ríg seeó rígnai cluche arafuiretár fo mórslúagu dulecha níbecaumu4 frit cia thochill berae ar is di íarnantaib cungnas ar rignaib ingenaib am mareóla bés ni loss gáubu cétchinta for mnaib meldrígi scéo chara Findabair Fergus rodanae ar búaib búrechaib co slógaib móraib timchella di thuataib5 techtmóirib co n-ilcruth ríg co mbruth dracon co n-anáil n-athrach co mbéim léoman6 dethairith tossaig 'Fergus mac Rossa Róich7.' Gabsait8 imbirt na fer fithchille íarom. Adrethsat na firu óir i low argait tarsin clár crédumae. 9.r. co clos Ailill9 'Ní cóir ríg cóel caíni tria rind umae báis berair is aldu sceó clár airbule islú ataurrid a Medb mórglonnacb sceó fer sanais fri Fergus ar imdígirt cliche cíambre10.' loss n.r. 00 doth ní Medb11 'Léic 12de bríathra12 athig ní déroig13 ruben sceó atúar atmib macrath mín in éri chuairm nita cailtech esbrethach fritoing di thúatha nitat neúit éiti ar buaib sceó foicherthar di gnússi glanficlir Fergus.' I6b 14Co cloth Fergus14. |15.r. Fergus dixit15. 16'A11 amai16,' or Fergus, 17na bríathraib17 ilib imgonm18 ar bélaib iltúath sceó anassaib19 ailfitir sceó sétaib sebortir scéo20 gáib glanfitir sceó rígaib imgenaiter deraga rofír i. dogéntar do ríar.' a ní ágaís ní sdd. in marg. [H] 1-1 in marg. TJ, Ailill dixit without .r. W C ~~- cessoe fera Y, cesso fero W 3-3 in marg. TJ, in marg. without .r. Y * ni becaeumma C 5 thuathaib YWC 6leomainWC 7-7 mcRoeichFergus huaRosainrigruire Y 8 gaibid Y, gabait W, gabaitt C 9-9 in marg. U, concloth Ailill in marg. Y, conelos Ailill, Ailill dixit WC 10 cíaimbre Y W, cia imbre C 11-11 in marg. TJ, in marg. without .r. Y, Concloth ni Medb. Medb dixit W C 12-12 de becc briathra Y W, dod beg briatra C 13 deoraid W, deoraig run C 14-14 Concloth Fergus in marg. Y 15-15 between columns TJ, om. YWC 16-16 iaii a mc y 17-17 niambriathraib Y 1S imgonaim Y, imgonib W, imgonaid C 19 eanesaib Y, sanasaib W, anasaib C 20 scéo added above line TJ, om. Y W, sceo C u ü46S2jY 083 TAIN B(3 CÜAILNGE 35 Anait and ind aidchi sin. Co oúalatár Ailill isin matin ara bárach. Vr. Ailill dixit1. 1105 'Tofil mórglond ar bélaib mórslúaig fri Cruind uisci uí Nessa níthu donteilgfet2 Fir Ol nÉcmacht ar fir fuilglassa de fulib méderath fri dáil dondlechtaig 3sceó mórfer3 taurcbat iltonna fri níach n-amaulach di Ultaib ticfa4.' 5Medb dixit5, «.r. Medb dixit6. lll(> 'Ná fer immoráin a meic Máta mórúallaig scéo gres erreth a ardaib auralig drongtar fir fertar mná búaib remib cennaib slúag demensatár claidib cech uí muinter céochlessaib imbret sceó damaib ágat scéo mnaib berat arbertat mórslúaig di roí Chúalngi contolat in tslúaig.' 7.r. co cloth Fergus7. 1US 'Gremmaigther mórchend for bruinniu drochol tíagait ria ríagaib8 in braiss mórmenmnaig di thuathaib toinget di rígnaib báiget fri namte agát9.' Co cloth ní Medb: 'Déntar, dentar a n-asbeir.' 10.r. Medb dixit10. 1120 'Fót mám midedar de ilsluagaib oengat cen bá Ailill fót chomrnus tabairther.' Tocumlat ass do "Glaiss Cruind. Co cúalatár11 Mane mac Ailella: 10.r. Mane dixit.10 'Díam dían léicthir ar fir find cless scéo máthair athair ar búaib lm bennachaib arciuchlais co rrís mod 12de carp-12, arscin di búaib ardchles no silis roi.' .r. Co cloth ní Fergus. 'Na téig a meic mórglonnaig ni bad chomarli berat co ticfa dit13 chend dit muniul berthair la gilla n-amulach totáet imarrda fri US0 roí búrethar fortoing glaiss boccit cuillte ar silestár i rrichtu airchecht mórglond usci 14for bádfae di dameib14 mórslúag 15ar Aili/i15 guinfa dimecfiter Medb ilgnússi archel a rroib rindechaib.' 'Rom lécid-sa com loingis hi tossuch,' or Fergus, 'ar náro brister fir fer forin gillae, -\ na bai riund -\ in slúag inar ndeóid i na mná ina U36 ndiaid-side.' Co cloth ní Medb. 1-i between columns TJ, om. Y 2 dondotelcfet Y 3-3 sceo decc morfer Y, sceo dec mor fer W, sceo dec morfer C * sa tress add. Y 5-5 om. Y, omitt. 6-6 between cols. U, om. YWC 7-7 between cols. TJ, in marg. without .r. Y, Concloth Fergus, Fergus ait W, Conclos Fergus C 8 rigaib W C 9 8Ceo mnaib berat add. C {taken from preceding speech) lo-io om. YWC li-ii sic W C, do Glaiss Cruindcon co cúalatár TJ, do Glais Chruindchon co eualadar Y 12-12 decarn Y C, de earn W 13 dith Y, di W C "-i1 forbadfae didamib Y, forbadfae di do Meidb W, for badfae dimeidb C 16-16 sic yf o, aril U TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE U 5492 Y 1014 C 313 '"ill» '•■V i.r.2 Medb dixit1. '" 'Pluinte3 a Fergus dit inchaib anmain ar búaib aurscaig4 cot 1' leaib maithib ní thelce Ultu di thnutaib tairbertha tarcoba a gári i luMag nAi forberi dáil sucht.' 5j. Fergus dixit5. 'Aill amai,' or Fergus, 'a Medb co mbaísse nat guth cluniur fo thúathaib nim thorais ar nimthá mac moethlig fri gailte ar Emuin. MVbulli f°r túathaib ni biu rom léic dit leccaib nam iaiTair"" laoiin nalaide7 cúlaid di maithb lessa ar fechtaib.' | "iiso ■'}' m- T. ä t- í -■■ h- Tothét Cú Chulaind co mboí oc Áth Chi'uind ara cind8. "A popa LoígV ol sé fria araid, 'dofil 10na sluagu10 dún.' u.r. Lóeg dixit11. 'Artuag-sa déu,' ol in t-ara, 'firfassa ardchless ar bélaib eirred hi coi ill chumucc12 for echaib sengaib co cungaib argit co ndrochaib ón^aib for búada bertair cichis ar chennaib ríg a conicim toberat búaid aráu scindairecht.' J3.r. Cú C[h]ulaind dixit13. 'Émde, a Laíg,' or Cú Chulaind, 'co ngaba eissi fri mórbúaid Mache "ni srengat14 tar drong fri umed mná muidme tíarmaig derúich mac sceó aitti ailmi fri etnai eocrith sceó Ailill Medba melleth fri imt[h]echt di éiss roslúagaib. 'Adeochosa015,' or Cú Chulaind, 'inna husci16 do chongnam frim. Ateoch nem -\ talmuin -| Cruinn in tsainrethaig.' Gaibid Crón17 cóidech18 friu nís léicfe [i]19 Muirthemniu20 co rroisc21 monar22 Féne isin tSléib túath Ochaíne. La sodain cotnóccaib in t-usci súas co mboí i n-indaib crand. a .i. nan tiagar [M], .i. nontiagar W b .i. dirorbon [M], diroirben swprascr. Y, .i. dirosben W c .i. atgim [H] 1_i between cols. TJ, om. Y W 2 om. C 3 Cluinti lat C i aursclaich Y, aursclaig W C 5_5 between cols. U, om. Y W C 6 numtiagar add. Y '-' cosin dala nde Y and put after fechtaib 8 sic Y W C, ohind U ° a Laig Y W C ío-io menma na sluagh C n-n in marg. U, om. Y W 0 12 cumaing C 13-13 in marg. U, om. Y W, Cu Culaind dixit (.r. om) C 11-14 nit srengat Y C, nith šrengat W lä Ateochsa W C, sic leg. 16 huisceda W C 17 cron Y W, Crand C, read Cronn ia foítech W, faoitioch C; read coídeoh V ? 19 a W, om. U Y C 20 Muirthimiu U 21 SK Y W C, rroiro XX 22 monar fer Y, opair fer W, monur bfer C, read monar fer V 55c 33^91037 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 37 Téit Mane mac Ailella -| Medba ria cách. Araslig Cú Chulaind 1165 forsind áth -\ bátir trícha marcach día muintir isind usci. Toscara Cú Chulaind dá šé ndéc ndagláech1 dib aitherroch immon n-usciu. Focherdat a puiple icond áth sin. Totháet Lugaid mac Nóis 2uí Lomairc2 Allchomaig13 do acallaim Con Culaind trícha marcach. 'Fo ch en dait, a Luigid,' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Dia foigela énlaith4 1170 Mag Murthemni rot bia caudb5 co lleith alailiu día tomna06 dano iasc indbiru rot bia 7éu .i. bratán7 co lleith arailiu rot bíat na tri gaiss .i. gass biroir, gass fochluchta, gass trechlaim. Kot bia fer i n-áth tart ch end.' 'Is torisse,' or Lugaid. 'Feba túathe don mac dodúthracar8.' 1175 'It caíni for slúaig,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Níbu9 dirsan dait do úati ara cind,' or Lugaid. 'Imgéna fír lim-sa i dagláechdacht,' or Cú Chulaind. 'A popa Lugaid10, inim áigetar-sa nin tslúaig11?' 'Tongu do dia12,' or Lugaid, 'ní laimethar óenfer ná días úadib 118° tabairt a fuail i n-imechtur in dúnaid mani bet f íchtib nó tríchtaib13.' 'Bid sain ní dóib-som ón,' or Cú, 'diand ragba-sa díburgud14 asin tailm.' 'Bid adas dait, a Lugaid, in chocéli-si fil dait la hUltu dianom ti-sse brig each fir. Apair-seo trá cid as áil dait,' ol Cú. 1185 'Conom raib cairte lat frim budin.' 'Rot bia acht ro pé comarthae furri. Ocus apair frim popa Fergus bid comardae fora mbudin. Apair frisna legi bíth comardae fora mbudin -j toinget anmehomét frim -j domiced biad each n-óenaidche úadib.' 119° Téit Lugaid úad. Ecmaic buí Fergus hi pupaill la15 Ailill. 67b Cotgair Lugaid imach hé -\ rati fris insain. Co cloth ní Ailill. 16.r. Ailill dixit16. 17'Cáir iss i sanassaib ferthair hi meltmuigib nimrath mórslúagaib18 1195 diar tuathaib tieset19 fo bíth fir Róich aisnethar díndethar fíadon falnathair ar Meidb20 meldulig tonfáir mórehobair. Tíagam .i. tocht taidocht [H] ".i. cadán [ ?H] " .i. día tí [H] MaechYWC 2"2o)jj..Y 3 .i. techt ocus toidscht add. C * ónflaith U 5 cadan Y, caud W, cadhath C 6 tonna Y, tonda W C ' iech W, eo C 8 doduthracair Y, duthracair W, dotnuthraceair C 9 nib W C 10 a Lugaid Y W n-11 om. Y l2 et reliqua add. Y, atonneai mo thuatharM. C 13 ocai add. Y W C, sic leg. 14 doip add. C " sic Y W C, 1 U ^-io between cols. U, om. Y W C 17 .1. prefixed Y W 18 moreluagaich Y, mórslúagid W C 19 Ticcfot W 20 Meidrh TJ :<38 TAIN BÓ CÚAILNGE V 5549 Y 1067 C 360 >"*>■:" j gi^aig co pupaill móirscoith -] scor anacol di leccaib artuirb1 -'■-"*•.;-, . ar dálaib díamraib tascnae tánicc.' řg* im ^ ^ jjjjj-^jj^^ ar Fergus^, 'cen athchomarc don gillu. \ _ •_ o T/u^aid3, eirs cuici dús in raga4 Ailill trícha cét cucum-sa ■ ^ OJomair, a u"<= > & ° "..,' , j;„ Beir dam co tinni do -i taulchuma íina. . . im bid"1. ^ *' , Ťúifc chuci íarom -] rati ins. 'Vů lim-sa ón,' oř Cú Chulaind, 'cia théis.' ■ '«« r )trccat a ndí budin íarom. Bít and cot adaigs. Brisid Cú J ■ Chulaind trícha láech díb cosin tailm. 6\ó co mbetís fiche aidchi and sin amal itberat araili libair6. 'B t olea far n-imt[h]echta,' ol Fergus. 'Toficfat Ulaid assa oíndin 1 cotomélať ar8 Múr8 -| grian. Is ole in chul catha inonfil. iMTaítassdoChúilAirthir.' 1 liemaio dochúaid Cú Chulaind in n-aidche sin do acallaim Ulad. 'N:éla lat?' or Concobar. 9r. Cú C[h]ulaind dixit9. 10 jiná brataitir,' ol Cú Chulaind, 'éti agatair, fir gonaitir.' w* 'Ciche11 brata, ciche11 áig, ciche11 goin?' "Bertius buchae fuile fuirtbe gainne .i. cend fuirtbi áir berthius AiIi'I mac Mátae -j Fergus mac Róich rodána roda clecht claideb 12ť"iida coscar12 eochridi Conchobair cáich -\ codescarfa.' 'Xí mor torbai dait,' or Conchobar. 'Indiu tonánic ar tinorcain J»'inihétnae.' Tŕit ass iar sudiu úadib co n-accai na slúagu oc13 scuchud" ass.14 "Ailill dixit15. 10 íUll amai,' or Ailill. 17'Atchíu carpat condathrind táuthat t.lú.i_;u is bodbdae ardibi fixu i n-áthu argéba bú18 curetha bith a ua tríiliait imbera iar tudecht slúag dí búanaib .i. di Laignib sreithfid rail a mméderad dofóetsat oc imorráin ar búaib Ulad issin n-áth,' 8 .i. oc techt [H], not in W 1 arthuirb Y W, ar túirib C 'sicYWC, Lugaid U 3 aitherraeh add. C 4 rága U ö ádaig U 6_6 no co mbeidis trieha aidcho ťuidsud Y (added after adaig), no co mbetis .xx. aidqi and sut W, no co mbadiss fiche aidchi ann ein C 7 sic TJ Y C, cotnielat W. Read. ootobmélat or cotonmélat ? s~8 itir uir C »-»om.YWC 10 .i. prefixed Y n cisi C 12-12 oonda- coscar Y, conda scara C 1!oU 14iar sodain add. Y 15-15 om. Y W C 1G .1. prefixed in marg. Y 17 1. prefixed in marg. W ls .í. Ulad overhead Y U 557« Y 1094 C 393 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 39 Gonaid Cú Chulaind tríclia laéch díb for Áth Duirn. 'Ní ro ansatar1 íarom conid adaig ráncatár Cúil nAirthir. Gonaid2 trícha3 díb 4i sudiu4 -\ focherdat a pupli and. Buí ara Ailella .i. Cuillius oc nigi na fondad issind áth mattain. 1230 Benti-seom co cloich conid ro marb. Is de attá Áth5 Cuillne hi Cúil Airthir. Rosagat trá co feótár i nDruim f éine la Conailliu amal atrubrumar remoind. Dosnethat Cú Chulaind 6iar suidiu6. Orggaid7 cét fer cacha 1235 aidche díib na tri aidchi mbátár and, Gabais tabaill dóib a hOch-aíniu8 inna farrad. 'Bid dimbúan ar slóg la Coin Culaind iu cruth sa,' ol Ailill. 'Berar imarchor comai úan dó i. ra mbía comméite Maige Murt[h]emne di Maig Aíi -j carpat bas dech | bess i nAíi t timthacht dá fer déac. 1240 Airg mad ferr laiss in mag sa in ro halt -\ tri secht cumal, -\ adgig-nethar dó each ní atbath airi dia thribi -) indili -\ imgéntar laiss immi ocus táet im gélsine-sea9. Is ferr dó oldás célsine óctigernd.' 'Cia ragas fris sin?'10 'Mac Roth sund ucut.' 12« Luid nbr sin11 do Dclga Mac Roth, techtaire Ailella -\ Mcdba—is é timchellas Hérind i n-óenló. Is and bad12 dóig la Fergus bith Con Culaind i nDelga. 'Atchíu fer chucund,' or Láeg fri Coin Culaind. 'Berrad bude • fair. Fethal línda imbi. Lorg anfaid inna láim. Calg dét fóa 1250 choim. Léne c[h]ulpatach co ndergintliud imbi.' 'Cia do láechaib ind rig sin,' or Cú Chulaind13. Imcomairc Mac Roth do Láeg cia díambo chéli. 'Cele dond fir uceut tis,' or Láeg. Boí Cú Chulaind i14 sudiu isin tsnechtu co rrici a dí leiss cen 1255 mether imbi oc escaid a Ióine. Atbeir dano Mac Roth fri Coin Culaind cia díarbo chocéle. 'Cele Conc[h]obair meic Nessa,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Indad fil slondud bas derbu?' 'Is lór sin,' or Cú Chulaind. 128° 'Anáu cia airm sund hi tá Cú Chulaind?' ol Mac Roth. ' -' stu C, ni roachtíitar Y, ni roachtatar U W 2 cu chul- add. Y 3 laech udil. Y W C *-* audiu U, oc suidiu Y, hi suidiu WC 5 om. Y u~6 suidiu U, iar suidiu (iar add. under line) Y, hi suidiu W, ierom C 7 orggait Y, orguin W, oirete G 8 Fochaine C 9 chellsinesa Y, cčlsine W, ceilsinesi C 1» or each add. W C "-" frissin W C, sic leg. 12 sic U mlh d partly expunged, ba W C, sie leg. 13 Rann Meic Roth ocus an aradh add. C {intended as title to foil, passage) 1* ina overhead Y, ina W '4ß TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE V 5604 Y 1122 C 480 'Cid iasbérthá1 iris ť or Cú. Adfét dó. in n-imarohor n-ule amal asrubartmár. í"ž £(4~t 'da no beth Cú in n-occus, ní dingned insein. Ní rriri2 bráthair ^Ň-ÍSř.M« a máthar ar ríg n-aile.' &■?■'€*. Doéth3 ohucai afridisi -\ asbreth friss doléicfithe4 dó a mbad „:4 Roírem na mban ~\ a mbad seiso dind folud arná imbreth in tabaill '*-- forroib i n-aidchi cía nos gonad fri dé. 'Ní dingen,' or Cú. 'Dia ructhar ar mná dóera úan, bíait ar mná '•' wo gáera for bróntib, -\ beim-ni5 cen blicht má ructhar ar mbaí buchta -X úain.' Doéth3 cucai afridissi -| asberar friss ra mbíat na mná dóera -| na baí blichta. •A 'Ní dingén,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Dobérat Ulaid a mná dóera chucu ms j Uige6 t bértair dóermaicni dóib íarom -| imbérat a mblichtach do feólaib hi [n]gaimred.' 'In fil na aill didiuť ol in techtaire. 'Fil,' ol Cú Chulaind, atchosse7 nech dúib.' 1 'Rafetar-sa,' or Fergus, immorro ní less dúib-si9. 'T ní epér frit-su. Dothíasar fair má 'Dam-sa ararocles8 in fer a foilsigud, t Ocus iss ed inso in choma,' or Fergus. '.i. áth forsi ngénathar a gléo -| a chomrac fri óenfer arná ructhar ind éit de sin láa oo n-aidchi dús in táir cobair Ulaá10 fóo. Ocus machdad lim-sa,' ol Fergus, 'a fot oo tecat-side assa cessaib.' 'Is assu ém dúinni,' or Ailill, 'in fer cech laí andás a cét each n-aidchi.' uAided Etarcomail -\ imarchor n-athisc fer nÉrend i mbeólo Fergusa do C[h]oin Chulaind11 ■Ľ LJid Fergus íarom forsin12 n-imarohor n-ísin. Lila13 di šudiu ■ dano Etarcomol mao Eda i Lethrinne,14 macdalta Ailella -] Medba. 'Ní haccobor lem do thecht,' or Fergus, '-] ní ar do miscais. Scíth lim namá oomrac dúib -\ Cú Chulaind. Do šotlacht15 -] do šaisle, » .i. lenaid [M] not in W 1-1 ros berthá U, asbertsa Y, isbertha W, asberthai C '- rirse Y, rirfed WC 3 sic XI = doeth * sic Y W C, om. U ä beimmi Y, beini W, beimna C 6 Hege U with i written over first e, Uigi Y W C 7 reoá atchossed ? 8 araroithcleastar Y, araroichlestair W, araroiclistar C "doibsiTJ «oUltaibYWC "-11 om. Y, Imarchor n-athisc fer nErenn i mbeolu Ferguso so W 12 lasin W, frisin C 13 lilis C 14 létrinne U 15 shotlasu Y C Tj 6629 5 y 1149 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE 41 luinne | -\ ansirce, drús i tarp[th]ige -\ dechrad do chéli .i. Con Culaind. Ní bía maith do for comruc' 129S 'Cani sétir lat-su mo šnádud airi?' or Etarcomol. 'Sétir dano,' ol Fergus, 'acht nammá ní tharda La, rád fri díardain [dó]1. Tecait de2 i ndíb carptib do Delga. Baí Cú Chulaind ind úair sin oc imbirt búanfaig fri Láeg a dí chúlaid-seom friu -] enech Laíg3. 130° 'Atchíu dá charpat chucund,' or Láeg. 'Fer mór dond isin carput toísech. Folt dond oráebach4 fair. Brat corera imbi, eú óir and. Léni chulpatach co ndergintliud imbi. Cromsciath co fáebur chondúala5 fair di findruini. Manaís bréfech8 ó mimusc eo hadairc ina láim. Claideb sithidir loí churaig fora díb slíastaib.' 1305 'Is fás ind laí mór sin doberar lam popa Fergus,' ol Cú Chulaind, 'ar ní fil claideb ina intiuch inge claideb craind. Atchoas dam dano,' ol Cú Chulaind, 'ro gab Ailill a mbáegul inna cotlud, héseom I Medb, -] dorétlaistir a c[h]laidiub ar Fergus -\ dorat día araid dia t[h]oscaid, -] doratad claideb craind ina intech.' 1310 Tic Fergus fó éodain. 'Fo chen sin, 7a phopa Fergus7,' ol Cú. 'Dia tí8 íasc 9i n-inbera9, rot bia hé10 co lleith, araile dia tí íall a mmag, rot bia caúth co lleith, alaili dor[n]d birair nó femair, dornd fochloohta, deog de ganim. Teoht i n-áth ar cend fir má thecra11 ťimaire co comthala 1315 rat bia.' 'Is tarise lim,' ol Fergus. 'Ní do biad doroohtamar. Rofetamar do threbad sund.' Arfoím Cú Chulaind íarom in n-imarchor ó Fergus. Téit Fergus ass íarom. 1320 12Anaid Etarcomol oc déscin Con Culaind. 'Cid dofécai?:' ol Cú. 'Tussu,' ol Etarcomol. 'Mós tairchella ém súil tar sodain,' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Is ed ón atchiu,' ol Etarcomol. 'Ní fetar13 ní ar[n]dott14 áighte 1325 do neoch. Ní acim di grain ná herúath15 ná forlond lino latt. Maccáem tuchtach amne co ngaisciud do [f]id -\ co clesaib ségdaib atotchomnaic' 1-1 a rad fri (.i. ri) diardain dó W, a roth fri diertain doua G 2 didiu C 3 lacuna here in C 4 craaobach XI 5 condualach Y 6 brefnecb Y W 7~7 a popa a Fergáiss Y 8 tonna YW 9 isna haibnib no isna hindberaib Y, isna hinderaib W 10 eú W, read éo n read thecma ? r- Title to foil, passage Comrac Etarcomail -] Con Culand inso inserted here W 13 feicim Y (icim overhead) 14 arňdot Y, arnot W 15 héruath XJ \" ,. TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE u be'-s * 11*1 "■i" <(-ľ QOm cháne,' ol Cú Chulaind, 'nit gén-sa fo bíth Fergus[a]. w ipa(j do snádud immorro1, roptís do renga rigthi -\ do chet[h]ra- * -. in scaílte ricfaitís úaim dochom in dúnaid i ndegaid do charpait.' 'Náchim thomaid im šodain,' ol Etarcomol. 'In cor amra , nenaisc2 -i- comrac fri óenfer, is messe ciatacomraicfe frit di f. raib Hérend i mbárach.' ijií Téit ass íarom. Tintaí afrithisi ó Méthiu -| Cethiu, a n-asbert fria TJo bágus,' ol sé, 'fíad Fergus, comrac fri Coin Culaind i mbárach. \i hassu dún didiu a i[n]dnaide. Toí forsna heochu asin telaig 1 frithisi.' imo Atchi Láeg ani sin -j asbeir fri Coin Culaind: 'Dofil in carpat afrithisi -\ dorala clár clé frinn.' 'Ní fíach opaid,' ol Cú. 3'Ara chind dún sis dond áth co fiasmar,' . Cú Chulaind3. 'Ní accobor lem,' ol Cú, 'a condaigi form.' | J9«. 'Is écen dait-siu ón,' or Etarcomol. Benaid Cú Chulaind in fót baí fó chossaib co torchair ina lige -] a •' t, fora t[h]airr. 'Airg úaim,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Is scíth lem glanad mo lám 1 liut. Fotdáilfind i n-ilpartib ó chíanaib acht manibad4 Fergus.' m: S. .j aláeohu, oon-éciusmo scéla dommo maccaib-] co ndeochus .**?, -2 c0 ndernar comrac fri Coin Culaind.' % Ti t a&s di šaigid Con Culaind -j dolléci a o[h]laideb for Coin jjM .j Lingid-side i n-arddae co mbí in corthe co mmebaid in !" l'"deb i ndé. Siabartha3 im Choin Culaind amal dorigni frisna * " u i nEmain, ^ lingid Cú Chulaind fora scíath-som la sodain co i W a cíhlend de. Bentai aitheroch inna mede anúas co imlind. f^fuitet a cethri gábaiti4 for talmain. Ts and sin íarom asbert Cú Chulaind inso: K 'Má dorochair Nath Crantail bid formách dond imargail. Apraind cen chath isind úair do Medb co triun in tšlúaig.'5 t-v ►. , ■"*•'■ s ■*'-.■ lí-í 6Fagbáil in Tairb iarsin slicht sa so sis6. IS and sin luid Medb co triun in tslóig lé hi Cuib do7 ehuingid in tairb -\ luid Cú Chulaind ina ndiaid. For Sligi Midluachra didiu dochóid-si do indriud Ulad -\ Cruthne co dice Dún Sobarche. Co n-accai ní intí Cú Chulaind: Bude mac Báin ó Šléib Chulind i isin tarb -\ cóic samaisci déac imbi. Sesca láech a lín de muintir "iilella8. Brat hi forcebul im each fer. Dotháet Cú Chulaind ■ ' lUCU. 'Can tucsaid9 a foladT ol Cú Chulaind. 'Ón tsléib ucut,' ol in láech. 'Ceist čate a mbúachaill?' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Atá amal fóndráncamár,' ol in láech. Focheird Cú Chulaind tri bidcu ina ndíaid oc saigid acallma forro ) tice in n-áth. Is and sin asbert frisin toísech: 'Cia ť ainm-siu?' ol sé. 'Nachit aiss, nachit chara—Bude mac Báin,' ol sé. 'Are in gaí se for Bude,' ol Cú Chulaind. Sraithe10 din chertgaí co lluid i nderc a oxaille co mmebaid i ndé '• d óo altarrach resin gaí. Gontai sin fora áth. Is de atá Áth mBude. 1 oáte U, cade Y W, oaiti C 2 morisi Y W, mofrithisi C 3 siartha Y W, siabharthi C 4 gabaidi Y W, gabaitte clis C 6 Aided Nad anntail sin add. in space above last line Y 6~6 om. Y, Fagbail in tairb W ' 25 thur, Bogaine ina grellaig. Tintaí Cú Chulaind aitheruch i mMag Murthemne. Ba diliu laiss imdegail a mennato fessin. Iar tíachtain íarom geogain fíra8 Crochmeb0 .i. Focherda. Fiche fer focherd de. Dosnetarraid oc gabáil dúnaid dóib, deich ndeogbaire -\ deich fénnide. 153° Tintaí Medb aitheruch atúaid ó ro an coícthiges oc inríud in chóicid, ■] ó ro rich cath fri Findmóir10 mnaí Celtchair meic Uthidir11, 1 dosbert cóecait ban iar togail Dúin Sobarchi furri hi crích Dáil Ríatai. Nach airm trá i Cuib in ro sáidi Medb echfleisc, is Bile Medba a ainm. Cách áth -| each dingnai ocár fíu, is Áth -\ Dindgna 1535 Medba a ainm. Condrecat uli íarom oc Focheird éter Ailill -\ Medb ■) in fiallach 12timacht in tarb12. Acht gabais 13a búachaill13 a tarb díb 14conid timachtatár14 taris i mbernai cumaing15 la crand for scíathu. Conid » .i. sét talman [H] » nó Croiniehe [M] 1 .i. gai Con cCulaínd add. C 2~2 between cols. U, om. Y W C 3~3 sic C, Redg cáinte Ailella a comairle U Y W * = no 6 fortharrsu Y, fortharsnu W, fortarsnai C 6~6 talam set se Y W, tolamh set C ,_7 na tri Coirpthiu C 8 om. W 9 Croiniche Y W, Croinice no Croinichiu no Crochine C 10 fri add. V (H) " Cuitheochair Y, Gutbidir W 12-12 timtacht in tarb U, timthacht in tarb Y, thimthacht in tarb W, tim-tachtai an tairp C 13_13aic Y, a mbuachaillU W C 14_liconid timtachtar Y, conitimachtatar W, conid timthachtatar C I6 niinchumaing Y W C TÁIN Bó CÚAILNGE u 582-9 -X 13" J.ÜÜ. ~~___________-•- C 650 48 iwo bertatar cossa na slabrai triasin talmain. Forgemen ainm in búachaUa. Atá1 and iarom 2conid hé2 ainm in c[h]mňc Forgemen3. Ni baí 4imneth foraib4 trá isind aidchi sin acht adchota6 fer do dingbáil Con Culaind for áth namá úadib. is« 6'Guitter cardi chlaidib úand for Coin Culaind,' or Ailill. 'Tíat Lugaid fris,' ol cách. Téit íarom Lugaid día acallaim. 'Cinnus atú-sa innosi ocon tslóg?' for Cú Chulaind. 'Mór ém in cuitbiud condiachtais forro,' for Lugaid, '.i. do raná 1550., ťingena i leth do bó duit. Ocus is trummu leó 'a nguin t do bíathad indá each ní7.' Dothuit fer each laí leis co cend sechtrnaini and sin. Bristir fir fer for Coin Culaind. Láitir fichi8 i n-óenfecht dia šaigid -\ nos geogain-sium uli. ism 'Eirg cuei, a Fergus,' for Ailill, 9'conda raib9 cláemchlód10 magni lais.' Tíagait íarom co mbátár hi Crónig. Iss ed dorochair leiss ar galaib óenfir11 isin magin sin .i. dá Roth, dá Lúan, dá banteolaid, deich ndrúith, deich ndeogbaire, deich Fergusa, seser Fedelmthe, sé »mo Fiacraig. Ro bítha trá sin uli les-[s]ium ar galaib óenfir11. Ó io 71a laiset íarom a puph hi Crónig, ro imráidset cid dogén | tais 12fri Coin Culaind12. 'Rofetur-sa,' ol Medb, 'a n-as maith and. Tíagair úaind día šaigid conda raib carti elaidib úad frisin slóg, -] ra mbía leth na mbó l:«5 fil sundá.' Berair íarom in fis sin chuci. 'Dogén-sa ani13, or Cú Chulaind, 'acht 14nár mil[l]ter úaib-si a n-árach14.' 16Comrac Con Culaind fri Findabair inso15 1670 £ T Mmarchuirther fris,' oř Ailill, 'Findabair do thabairt dó t a I dingbáil dona slógaib.' Téit Mani Aithramail a doohum. Téit-side co lLáeg hi tossiuch. 1 Notta Y, read Atá cnoo ? 2"2 conid de Y C 3 Bo fásastoir em Forgaimoin de sin add. C *-* fortha ďimneadh C 6 adootad Y C, atchotar W 6 here begins H interpolation to I. 1712 '-' ina sin do biathad acus a nguin W C 8 nó trioha add. C 9"9 condon raib W, «to leg., condom raib C l0 cláechlad W, caomolodh C n oenfer U, oinfir W 12-12 om. W C «ámW, eimh C 14-14 na millter uaibsi imbarach W, na ro millter uaibhsiu a marach C 16_16 in rnarg. U TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 49 'Cia díandat céli-siuí1' ol sé. Ní n-arlasair Láeg dano. Asbert Mani fris fo thrí in cruth sin. 'Céli do Choin Culaind,' for sé, '-| nacham forraig nád n-ecma nád 167S benur2 do chend dít.' 'Is lond in fer so,' ol Mani la sóud úad. 'Téit iarom do acallaim Con Culaind. Is and ro boi Cú Chulaind iar [m]béim dei a léned -\ in snechta immi ina šudiu co rici a cris, -| ro léga in snechta immi fercumat fri méit brotha in míled. Asbert16S0 Mani dano ón mud chétna fris-side fo t[h]rí cia díambo chéli. 'Céli Conchobair3, -| nacham forraig. Dianám fórgea immorro ní bas síriu, bíthus di chend dít amal tíscar di lun. 'Ní réid,' ol Mani, 'acallaim na desi seo.' Téit Mani úadib íarom -] adfét do Ailill i do Medb a scéla. 1685 'Táet Lugaid chuci,' 4or Ailill4 i5-\ ara n-airlathar dó in n-ingin6.' Téit Lugaid iar sudiu -\ adfét do C[h]oin Chulaind ani sin. 'A poba Lugaid6,' ol Cú Chulaind, 'is bréc sin.' 'Is bríathar rig assidrubairt,' for Lugaid. 'Ní bia bréc de.' 'Déntar amlaid,' ol Cú Chulaind. 1690 Luid Lugaid úad la sodain -\ adfét do Ailill -] do Medb a n-at[h]esc sin. 'Táet in drúth7 im richt-sa,' or Ailill. '-] mind rig fora c[h]ind, -| 8fasisidar di chain Coin Culaind8 arnacha n-aithgné. Ocus téiti ind ingen leis91 ara naiscea dó hi, -] tecat ass ellom10 fón cruth sin. Ocus 1695 is dóig 11immérthai ceilg11 fón cruth sin fair12 conná fostba sib céin co tí la hUltu don chath.' Téit íarom in drúth cuci 13i ind ingen lais13 -\ ba di chain arlastar Coin Culaind. Téit Cú dia saigtin. Ecmaio atgeóin-sium for erlabrai ind fir combo drúth. Srethis liic telma boi ina láim fair con 160° sescaind ina c[h]end co tue a inc[h]ind ass. Tic dochum na ingini. Benaid a di trilis di -\ sádid liic tríana brat -] tríana lénid, -| sádid corthe | tria medón iii drúith. Atát a ndí chorthi and .i. corthi Findabrach -\ corthi in drúith. Fácbais Cú Chulaind fón cruth si[n] iat. 1606 Tiagair ó Ailill -] ó Medb do iarmóracht a mmuntiri ar ba fota leó ro mbátár. Co n-accassa íarom isin tunidi sin. Atchlos íarom fón dúnchaire uli ani sin. Ní baí trá carti dóib la Coin Culaind iar tain. i céliusiu U 2 benadh W, mbenae O 3 meic Nessa add. W C 4-4 or siat W 6~6 sic U, -\ ara narlathar W, -] ara n-airlathor do an ingen C 6 a Lugaid C ' drai C 8-8 ^ foaissethar do chein Coin Culaind W, 1 fosisidhar do cein Co[i]n gCulaind C 9 T ba do chein o Coin cCulaind arnach n-arrlathorsom -] amach n-aithgno add. C 10 co hollani C ii-n imbertha ceilg W, imberthar celg C 12 sic W C, om. V 13"13 om. W, -j an ingen ina ferrad lais C m TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 1Comlond Munremair -j Con Roí inso1. U 5S83 Y 141 r, C 712 KP mbátár in tslóig and tráth nóna co n-accatar docurethar in I(a forru anair -| a chéli aníar ara cend. Condrecat isind aer. Šlo thuititis éter dúnad Fergusa -\ dúnad nAilella -] dunad Bo both ocond reib sin -j ocond ábairt ón tráth oo 'raile, -\ ro ■j.,ý ä, jn tslúaig inna seseom -\ a scéith fora cennaib día sáerad for '-'■• > ;u na cloch combo lán a mmag dina lecaib. Is dé atá Mag i' CJoohair---< -jfomaic immorro iss é Cú Ruí mac Dáiri dorigni insin. Dodeo- '■'" imid do chobair a muntiri -] boí hi Cotail for cind Munremair3 meic ÍJ" M"'0«rrcind4. Doluid-side ó Emain Macha do chobair Con Culaind co "S\1J":'UrJ j nArd Róich. Rofitir Cú Roí ní bol fer fulaing Munremair 's'o-jjjj tslóg. It é didiu dorigénsat ind ábairt sin etorro a ndís. iÍ-*K Guitter ón tslóg forro bith 'na tost. Dogníat córai íarom Mun- 'U'retnuri Cú Ruí, -\ téit Cú Ruí dia thig t Munrernur do Emain Macha. 'ŕ.'fe- Oous ní thánic Munrernur co lá in chatha5. Ní thánic dano Cú ^'iitlR-jí co comrac Fir Diad. V.J. 'Apraid fri Coin Culaind,' ol Medb ■] Ailill, 'condafn] rab-ni .■"".'ďáemchlód magni leis.' **■ "o. poberar dóib íarom -\ cláemchlóit inncl. • r " Ro scáich noínnin Ulad fo šodain, ar in tan dofluchtraitís asa cess, ; 1IW tictis drécht díb béus forsin slóg conos gabad a tindorcain doridisi. "; - 6Aided na Macraidi inso6 :*? ,; *ľ"l~J 0 imráidset íarom macrad Ulad i nEmain Macho oco. f J^'Tróg dún,' ar šiat 'ar popa Cú Chulaind cen chobair dó.' . 'Ceist ém,' ol Fiachna Fulech mac Fir Febi—derbráthair \1** hli'.e do Fiachaig Fíaldána mac Fir Febi—Vom bía-sa cethern lib co , nleochsaind-sea do 'thabhairt cobra dó de sin7.' I 72* Tlagait tri cóecait mac leis cona lorcaib áni, -\ ba8 sé sin trían -. í1, icraidi Ulad. Atcít9 in slóg cucu tarsa mag. 'Tsfil slóg mór tarsa mag cucund,' or Ailill. w* Kit Fergus día ndéscin. Araill do macraid Ulad inso,' for sé, '-\ do c[h]obair Con Culaind -■* Uuait.' ' 'Eirged buden ara cend,' or Ailill, 'cen fis do Choin Chulaind, ar '} "ii a] comairset fris, ní fáelsaid íat.' 1 in marg. TJ 2 bairnioch C a folio missitig after this point W 7-7 cobair dó oodesin C ei c 3sic W, Munremar U, an Munrembar C 5 morcathae C 6"6 in marg. TJ, 8 sic C, be U 9 atací U, atcíd C t-o V 6012 Y 1441 V, 742 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 51 Tíagait tri cóecait láech ara cend. Immacomthuit dóib conná tadchith1 nech díb i mbethaid ass do gléri na mmac oc Liic Tuill. Is de sin atá Lía Fiachrach meic Fir Febi, ar is and sin ro thuit. 'Dénaid comarli,' for Ailill. 'Gudid Coin Culaind imófor lécud asind inud sa, ar ní ragaid ar écin tairis úair rod leblaing a Ión láith.' Ar bá bós dó-som in tan no linged a Ión láith ind, imréditis a t[h]raigthi iarma2 -| a escata remi i muil a orcan fora lurgnib, -\ indala súil ina chend -| araili fria chend anechtair. Docoised ferchend fora beólu. Nach findae bíd fair ba háthithir dele sciach -| banna fola for each finnu. Ní aithgnéad cóemu ná cairdiu. Cumma no slaided ríam -| íarma2. Is de sin doratsat Fir Ól3 nÉcmacht in ríastartha 4do anmaim4 do C[h]oin C[h]ulaind. 6Bánchath Rochada inso6 FOídis Cú Chulaind a araid co Rochad mac Fat[h]emain di Ultaib co tísad dia chobair. Ecmaic dano ro carastar Finda-bair Rochad ar iss éside ócláech as áildem ro boí la Ultu ind mbaid sin. Téit in gilla 'na dochum Rochadfa] t asbert fris techt6 do fórit[h]in Con Culaind, má dodeochaid asa nóennin7, co tartaitis ceilc immon slóg fri tarrachtaíň dréohta dib dia n-airleoh. Dotháet Rochad atúaid cét láech dó. 'Décaid dún a mmag indiu,' for Ailill. 'Atchíu díriin tarsa mag,' ol in dercaid, '-] máethócláech etarro. Ní thacmainget dó ind óic acht co rici a gúalni.' 'Cia sút, a Fergus?' for Ailill. 'Rochad mao Fathema[i]in,' for sé, '-\ is do c[h]obair Con Culaind dotháet. Rofetur-sa a n-as maith dúib fris,' ol Fergus. 'Táet 72b cét láech úaib lasin | n-ingin út co ria medón in maigi -\ téit ind8 ingen remán9 remib, -j téiti marcach dia acallaim co tí a óenur do acallaim na ingini, -j tabraiter láma tairis, -\ immacurfi sin fogail a muntiri dínd10.' Dogníther íarom amlaid sin. Téit Rochad ar cend in marcaig. 'Dodeochad-sa ó Eindabair ar do chend-so co ndechais dia hacallaim.' Téit íarom dia hacallaim a óenur. Mutti don tslóg immi di each leith. Nos gabar -j fochertar láma tairis. Maidid dano dia muntir- 1 tadoth U with i above line, taithrith C í iarom C 3 nÓl U 4-4 do anm U, d'ainm C 6-6 in marg. TJ, om. C 6 toigeoht C. 7 ces C 8 in | ind U 9 om. C 10 don taluagh C TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE U 5942 Y 1470 C 775 B* ^ m for teohed. Lécair-sium íarom ass -\ fonascar fair can tudecht " t'f rain slóg co tísad ar óen fri Ultu uli1. Dorairngired dó dano " TTindabair do t[h]abairt dó, -\ immásoí2 úadib íar sudiu. ■' Conid Bánchath Rochada insin. lttt 3Aided na Rígamus inso3 1 , f~v Uitter dano cairdi chlaidib dún for Coin Culaind,' for í j-Ailüll Medb. ^^^ Téit Lugaid fris sin t 4dobeir Cú Chulaind in cartini [dó].1 'Tabar fer for áth dam-sa i mbárach,' for Cú Chulaind. iijo Bátár sesiur rígamus la Meidb .i. sé rígdomnai do chlannaib ' Dedad .i. tri Duib Imlig ^ tri Deirg Sruthra. * 'Cid dún,' ar šiat, 'can techt i n-agid Con Culaind?' j Tíagait íarom arna bárach -j geogain Cú Chulaind a sesiur iat. í 6Aided Cáuir5 "»s Guitter dano Cur mac Da Láth dóib im dula for cend Con Culaind. Intí assa teilced-side fuil 6is marb re cind nomaide8. ''Mad dia ngona'7, ol Medb, 'is búaid. Gid hé gontair and dano, .- is dingbáil tromma8 don9 tslóg. Ní réid bith fris 10im longud nó im " ligi-10' "W Téit ass dano. Nírbo maith les-side íarom techt for cend siřiti J amulaig. f ai'jíí gó ém,' ol sé11, '12is cert in bríg doberid dún12. Má rofesind f combad ar cend ind fir se noru faíte, ním foglúasfind féin 13día ŕ éaigid13. Ropad leór lem gilla a chomadais14 dom niuntir 'na agid.' ros 15'Ecca sin!'15 for Cormac Cond Longas. 'Ba hamra dúnni día ndingbaitea fessin hé16.' 'Gpé cruth trá,' ol sé, 'ol is form-sa féin doberar imthésid-si isin L matain i mbárach día éaigid. 17Ním erchoisse guin18 na erri ucut18.' Téit íarom matain muich ara bárach ara chend17 -\ asbeir frisin ■"10slóg tarrgraige18 n-imtechta 20a seta rempo20 ar ba šuba sliged dogénad-sum di t[h]echt ar cend Con Culaind. 20Luid dó íarom20. 1 don oath add. C 2imsaoiC 3_3 add.in marg,\J,om. C i~i doberar * an eairdino do C 5_6 between cols. TJ 6_íi ba marb ro ndé nomaide Y C 7-7 Ma rongona Y, Ma rod gona C b drorama U, truim Y C 9 dom U lo-io im ahuide ná ligi na longu(u)d Y C n-ii Ní oó ém ol se TJ, ni oaomh ol se C, om. Y dom add. at foot of page Y ' an C «oni. Y C add. C {misplacfíd) 2°-20 om. Y W C 12-12 -j isbert fria Meidb is cert in brig dobori «-" gm. Y C i* chomais Y 15"15 é er. 17-17 -] dognith tengraidhe a n-imtechta -] asmbert 18-18 na oirreille ucut Y C 19 tengraige Y W \ U506c78oo1600 TÁIN BO CÚAILNGE 53 t L t L [ L r í (, /^~^011aat> dún, a popa Loíg1S), issa ndúnad co n-airlitherc fj Lugaid mac Nóiss uí Lomairc dús cía dotháet ar mo chend i mbárach. 20Iarfaigther co lléir t a imehomare lat20.' 1740 L Boí Cú Chulaind ac imbert chless isin uair sin .i.1 | 73a 2Turim na cless inso sís2: 3in t-ubullchless3 ^ fáeborc[h]less -| fáenc[h]less -\ cless cletenach -j tétc[h]less i corpc[h]less -] cless caitt -| ich n-erred -| cor ndeled -\ 1715 léim dar néib -j filliud erred náir -| gaí bolga -| baí brasse -] rothchless 1 ochtarchless4 -| cless for análaib t bruud gine -j sian caurad -| béim co commusa -j táithbéim -| dréim fri fogaist co ndírgiud erette fora rind 5co fornadmaim níad náir5. Ro boí dano Cáur oc airimbert6 gascid hi túamaim a scéith co 172° nice trían ind laí fris-seom, t nícon tetarraid béim ná forgab fair la dechrad inna cless -] nícon fitir-seom in fer i n-imforgub friss co n-epert Fiacha mac Fir Febe fri Coin Culaind: 'Fomna in láech fodotben!' Danécai Cú secha. Sraíthi 7in n-ubullchless7 tarraid ina láim co ms lluid iter chobrad -j bróin in scéith co lluid tríana chend ind athig síar8. °Combad10 i nlmšlige Glendamnach dano dofáethsad Cáur uiar n-araile slicht11." Tintaí Fergus frisin slóg. 'Mánop gaib far nglinne12,' ol sé, 'anaid sund 13co bárach13.' 1730 'Níp and,' ol Ailill. 'Regmai diár sostaib afrithisi.' Guitter dano Láth mac Da Bró ara chend amal ro ngess Cáur. Datuit-side dano cadessin. Dointáth14 dano Fergus béus do chór a nglinni15 forru. Ansait and sin trá corrubad and Cáur mac Da Láth i Láth mac Da Bró -j Foirc mac Tri nAignech -] Srubgaile mac ms Eóbith. Ar galaib óenfir16 17ro gáeta17 uli. 18Aided Fir Baíth inso18 (011aab dún, a popa Loíg1S), issa ndúnad co n-airlitherc 1 21Rosoich iarom Láeg21. a nó co fomus [M] b .i. erig [M]; .i. eirg W c .i. co n-iarfaigea [Mj; .i. co ro accilíe W 1 H- interpolation ends 2~2 in marg. U; list in three cols. 3_3 itir iibnllcleas Y W C 4 sic Y, otar U, ocharcless W, otharcles C 5_t* co fonnad maidm niath Y, cona fonaidm niadh nair C 6 airbert Y W C 7~7 m nubaillcleasa Y, don certgai nó don ubullcles C 8 combo marb add. W 9_9 om. W, om. here C, inserted later after afrithisi 10 nó comad Y C ii-ii om. Y 12 sic Y W C, glinne U "-13 sic U W, co arabarach (ara under line) Y, co a bárach C 14 sic TJ Y W, doinntaid C 15 glinni U C 1G óenfer U Y 17~i? ron bithae C 18-I8 in marg. TJ, om. Y C i° a Laig Y 20-20 ^ a flarfaidhedh co lleir ^ a imehomare lat et i-eliqua Y G, iarfaigli co lleir 7 a imehornarec lat et reliqua W 21-21 om> Y W, rosoich Laocch co Lugaid C [ L I IL TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE U 5904 Y 1525 C 828 hen dait,' or1 Lugaid. 'Ní sirsan do Choin Chulaind a L ■, .'.'ed i tó a óenur fri firu Hérend.' ŕ« i'a dot[h]aet ar oend Con Culaind amárach?'2 ■',* ,. „océle3 díb línaib amin, mallacht a gasoid fair, is é théte ara ^}^j\ ' i mbáraoh, Fer Báeth. Doberar Findabair dó airi "i rígi a '*%% °T "vi> *5 ¥í", i~ id Láeg afrithisi co airm i mboí Cú Chulaind1. >í' j*' i"\ , forbáelid mo popa Láeg dia athiusc,' or Cú Chulaind. \ .fét Láeg dó uile5 ani sina5. Ro congrad Fer Báeth hi pupull ■^'■i' "i \ lilll Medb, t asber fris suide for láim Findabrach -\ a tabairt dó ^'VC'-ftr ' w há a tógu ar chomrac fri Coin Culaind. Ba hé fer a dingbála" *£"';% i" r, ,. ba cuma' dán díb línaib la Scáthaig. Doberar fín dó íarom '■'^^Š ojrl ■ mesc, -\ asber fris bá cáem leó-som a Hind sin, ní tobrad acht "Vil» en. - «oatfén leó- Oous ba hí ind ingen no 6ebed láim fora cMuit- iii de. Si haccobor lem,' or Fer Báeth. 'Comalta -] fer | bithchotaig '%&' *v i Cú Chulaind. Ragat-sa ar apa ara chend i mbárach co topach-^ľ'ô.i i chead de.' i', d tú dogéna8,' or Medb. \-Deir Cú Chulaind fri Láeg techt ar cend Lugdach dó co tísad día ■ľ bim. Dotháet Luigid chucai. I x Báeth ane dotháet ar mo chend-sa i mbárach,' or Cú Chulaind. 1 leom ón óm,' ar Lugaid. i'lc dia sin9,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Nícon beó-sa i mbethaid di j .. Dá chomaís sind, dá chomšolam, dá chutrummae, co irsein. A Lugaid, eelebor10 dam. Apair friss dano ní fír dachta dó tuidecht ar mo chend-sa. Apair fris táet ar mo 1-sa ínnocht dom acallaim.' I. ti Luigid friss. In tan nád rimgaib Fer Báeth, luid in n-aidchi i d athchor a chairdessa for Coin Culaind -| Fiacha mac Fir Febe Attaich Cú Chulaind friss a chomaltus -) a mummi díb línaib w &&• ■£*/,-■ i.- ■ .í» "im ■-"■'S ■ '■' "■''if ,\ 1 -I si: ■* *«'■ -i" . •v >■■-. '•'■siŕ &^ ÍT» -&'-' " íaig. 'I im égen trá,' ol Fer Báeth. 'DarindgultM1 12do Meidb12.' 'I'oselba13 do chotach didiu,' ol Cú Chulaind. I id Cú Chulaind fo luinni úad. Fornessa sleig culind isin glind ■ iss Con Culaind co túargab ocá glún súas a cend. Dasrenga ass. i a athesc [M] ».i. ro gellus [M] 1 - J U W, a Y, al (= ol) C 2"2 om. U W C, written overhead between ■Vi - Y 3 00;ci6 q 4-4 om y W 6-5 a aitheso Y W C 6 sie ^ \- 3, ndingbala TJ ' dorighensat add. W !«YC, dogénad U W ' ■ i'cco dia sin Y W C 10 celebair Y n doringiull .i. do gellus C sic Y added later above i 13 sic Y W C, došella U UM2C8561558 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 55 'Ná téig, a Fir Baíth, co n-aicther in fríthi fónúar-sa.' 'Tochrae úait,' ar Fer Báeth. Focheird Cú Chulaind in sleig n-íarom i ndegaid Fir Baíth co 178° n-érrmadair áth a dá chúlad co ndeochaid fora beólo sair co torchair tára aiss issa nglend. 'Focherd sin émľ or Fer Báeth. Is de atá Focherd Murthemne. Nó iss ó Fiacha asrubairť. 1785 'Is beóda do feocherd indiu, a C[h]ú Chulaind,' or sé. Conid de attá Foc[h]erd Murthemne. Atbail fo chétóir Fer Báeth isinn glind. Is de atá Glend Fir Baíth. Co cloth ní, Fergus co n-epert: 179° 'A Fir Baíth is báeth do fecht 'sin magin i tá do fert rosiacht coll xdo chombár1 and is erichid hi Cróen Chorand. F[r]ithi2 ainmnigther a n-ard 1795 co bráth bid Cróenech i mMuirthemniu ó'ndiu bid Focherd a ainrn ind airm i torcha(i)r, a Fir,' 3a Fir Baíth ic.3 'Tarrochair far cele,' or Fergus. 'Eprid in n-iofa in fer sin 180° i mbárach?' 'Icfa écin,' or Cú Chulaind. Foídid Cú Chulaind atheroch Láeg do fis scél dús 4cia cruth imthá-thar4 isin dúnud -\ in bo beó Fer Báeth. Asbert Luigid: 180ä 'Atbath Fer Báeth -j tiat5 Cú Chulaind iar n-úair 6dom acallaim8.' 'Comrac Láríne meic Nóis inso7 N "Ech úaib i mbárach co ellom ar cend far cele,' or Lugaid. 'Ní faigébthar-side etir,' or Ailill8, 'acht má dorónaid9 cóilla occai10. Nach fer dotháeti chucaib, tabraid fín dó corop 181° " .i. ceilg [M] 1~1 do com bar last word written over erasure Y, do corabar W, do comhra rami C 2 Fithi U W, Schi Y, Fiohti G 3 a y;r et reliqua Y W, a Fir C *-*> oia cruth mbotha Y W, ciabo cruth botha G 6 tiad C, dotháet U Y W 6 sic Y W C, do chomacallaim U '-' between cohmms U, om. Y W G 8 Medb C " doronad with o added under n Y, doronta C 10 .i. ceilec add. C TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE U 6049 Y 1577 C 879 gtttcad' 3ro ráté3 fris ani sin. Ní féta nech leó ara ohend menma, -\ asbert[h]ar friss "iss ed nammá fil1 dond fín a Crúachnaib, rosáeth linni do bith-siu for uisciu isin dúnad," T"lierthar Findabair fora desreth -\ asberthar "ragaid ehueut día Jriico cend ind ríastairthe dúinni." ' ■-.»No foító2 oo each láth ngaile a aidche, -\ No tionad-som | caoh fer díb a úai- ATÍ ^ssennad. ľ~ f^ngairther dóib Láríne mac Nóiss olla n-aile bráthair side do T-nead xí" Muman. Ba mór a úallchas. Doberar fín dó -\ doberar Vindabair fora desraid. Tossécai Medb a ndís. ■'■• 'ís mellach lim ind lánamain ucut,' ol si. 'Ba coindme4 a comrac' : 'Ni géb-sa5 dít ém,' or Ailill. 'Ra mbia día tuca cend ind 'rfa&Uirthe dam-sa.' .■ 'Ľobér immorro,' ar Láríne. * Tie Lugaid fo šodain. ?" 'Čate lib i mbárach fer i n-áth?' ■ -'IVite Láríne,' or Ailill. IVthďít Lugaid íarom do acallaim Con Culaind. Conrecat511 i nGli'ttd50 Fir Baíth. Ferais ceehtar de comráichne6 fri araile. i'üso 'Ip dó dodeochad dot acallaim,' or Lugaid. 'Atá at[h]echmatud drňth sotal sund ucut,' ol sé. 'bráthair dam-sa, Láríni a ainm. Dober breV7 immón ingin cétnai. Port chotach didiu ní ruba é, nacham fácba-sa cen brát[h]air. 8Ár is airi doberar-som chucut-su ar duji co forgénmaís ar ndís debuid8. Maith lem chena cé no slaiss co J.lBss l(5ir ar is dar mo therthogu théite.' «ť*" 'p,;^ Láríne ara bárach ar cend Con m Culaind -| ind ingen inna farrad día nertad. Danethat9 Cú Chulaind íarom cen arm laiss. Talliiid-side10 a arm n-airi ar écin. Gabaid íarom éter a dí láim -] .' eotmeil -] fochrotha con sephaind a charmebor ass combo búadartha 1M0 in t-áth dla chacc -j combo thrúallnethe aér na cethararda dia dcmlgur. Ocus focheird co mbaí iter dá láim Lugdach. (Vin robo beó ní thaudchaid a brú for cóir. Ní robai cen clíab-■*"" gular. Níro loing cen airchissecht. Iss é óenfer ar apaidc adroinni droehtémam11 úad-som di neoch cotránic friss ar Tána12. m I laid add. Y W C 2~2 no faidti t added overhead Y, No foidhtm C 8 J no raiti Y C 4 condme (mark over first stroke of m might suggest ra •'•■tg contine os printed in TBC2) Y, ooindfe C 6 gebasa Y mi' ;l and TJ Y « comráichne failte Y 7 uimbi add. C 0 d metat Y, donetha C 10 sic C, dolodsido U, II drochernam Y C 12 Tana Bo Cuailge Y, an Tana C 5»-6a sic C 8-8 om. Y doloidsidi Y TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 57 1Imacallaim na Mórígna fri Coin Culaind inso1 GO n-aca Cú in n-óeben chuci2 co n-étuch each datha impe -\ delb roderscaigthe furri. 'Cé taí-siu?' or Cú Chulaind. 'Ingen Búain3 ind ríg,' or si. 'Dodeochad chucut-su4. Rot charus ar th'airscélaib, -j tucus mo šeótu lim -\ mo indili.' 'Ní maith ém ind inbuid tonnánac, nachis ole ar mbláth, amin gorti. Ní haurussa dam-sa dano comrac fri banscáil céin no mbeó isind níth so.' 5'Bidim chobair-se dait-siu a oc sudiu.'5 'Ní ar thóin6 mná dano gabus-sa inso.' 'Bid7 ansu dait-siu,' or si, 'in tan dorag-sa ar do chend oc comruc frisna firiu. Dorag-sa i rricht esoongan fót c[h]ossaib issind áth co taíthis.' 'Dóchu lim ón oldás ingen rig. Not géb-sa,' or sé, 'im ladair 8co mmebsat t'asnai8 -| bia fond anim sin coro secha bráth bennachtan fort.' "Timorc-sa9 10 in cethri10 forsind áth do dochum-sa, i rricht soide glaisse.' 'Léicfe-sa cloich dait-siu asin tailm co oommart11 do šúil it 74b c[h]ind, -j bía fond anim [sin] coro | secha bráth bennachtan fort.' 'Dorag-sa12 dait i rricht samaisci maíle derce riasind éit co memsat ort forsna iláthu ^ forsna háthu -\ forsna linniu i 13ním aircecha-sa13 ar do chend.' 'Tolécub-sa cloieh deit-siu,' or sé, 'co mmema do fergara14 fót, -) bia fóind anim sin coro secha bráth bennachtan fort.' La sodain téit úad. 15Combad sechtmain dó-som for Átli Grencha -| dofuitted fer each la! i nÁth Grencha laiss ..i. i nÁth Darteisc.15 * .i. dogén-sa congnom latt [M] 1-1 in marg. U, om. Y C 2 cuchi TJ 3 om. C 4 cuchutsu TJ 5-5 bid in chobairse daitsiu oc sudiu U, bia achobera daitseo oc auidiu Y, bidhim cobraisi doitsi occ suidhiu ,i. dogénsa coboir .i. congnainh C 15 oin, which looks very like ain, foil, by long erasure Y 7 sic Y C, bi U 8~8 co mbebois ťasno innat C fl sic MSS.; read timorr-sa? ío-io na ceithri Y, na cetro C ll sic TJ, ma Y, mmuidhe C 12 sic C, Torach U, Torrachsa Y 1;i~13 ní n-airccébhasa C 14 gerrgaire C n-16 om. Y 6 ŕ F.-j? TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE U BI03 V C 031 'í. -í; "fei -JlW v. u» S? "i-1 KT-.-*" »i-1-. *¥■ ;.«. 'Aided Lóich meic Mo Femis insu sis1 Ggssa3 Lóch dano 'mac Emonis3 amal a cliéliu -\ dorairngired dó comméte Maige Murthemne di mín Maigi Ai -] timtacht dá fer déao -\ oarpat secht4 eumal, -j nirbo fin5 laiss comrac fri ■ 11a6. Baí bráthair laiss, Long mac Ebonis cadessin. Dobveth íl j sudiu a tinscra cétna iter ingen -| dechelt -\ carpat -j tir. Téit-side7 ar cend Con Culaind. Gontai Cú Chulaind eo tobrad a i. arb ar beólu a bráthar .i. Lóich. Asbert-side dano dá fessed acht combad8 fer ulc|h]ach'J nod iijonad, 10no mairfed-som hé10 ind. n'Berid grem catha chuci,' ar Medb fria muintir, 'tarsin n-áth viíar co ndigsid taris, -\ blister fir fer fair.' Tíagait na secht Mane mílid i tosoeh conid n-accatar for brú ind uha aníar. Gabaid-som a dillait n-óenaig imbi in láa sin. Iss and " irdringtís na mná na firu día déscin. 'Is sáeth dam,' or Medb, 'nach accini in gilla imma n-ágar sund.' 'Níba slániu de latt do memna,' or Léthrend echaire Ailella, 'dia ■ -aicigther.' Dotháet íarom dochum ind átha laamal bui.12 'Cía fer sucut, a Ferguis?' or Medb. 13 'Gilla araelich claideb co seíath ar búaib mór serig ar mná i b ! raid fodil di fer lessaib ar óenathib Ulad imgóet caín fera fodil di baid rig than mc dían día ngarar Muirthemne Mag masu Cháuland ' i.' Foidring Medb dano na liru la sodain día déscin.11 Is and sin asbortatár na mná fri Coin Culaind dogníthe a c[hjut- ud isin dúnud úair nád baí úloha laiss -| nícon téigtís dagóic acht řiti ara chend. Ba hassu dó ulcha smérthain do dénam leiss. fjonid gní-som" ani sin 15ar dáig cuingthi15 comraic fri for .i. fri 1 óch. 16Gabais íarom Cú C[h]ulaind lán duirnd dind feór -| 17dichac|li]ain" 1 ir17, combo hed domuined each combo ulc[h]a baí lais18. » .1. bricht [H] 1-1 Comrac Lóich annsú C - JJogeassa Y, geisi C :'~:) mat; Mi> 'fis Y 4 tri sechl. C :' uisiu. ni written overhear! Y, fiú C 6 liaimücach add. C ' Téitsidé U 8 bid Y, had (■ " ualm-h i ulach .i. ulcach C m- ln not muirŕidsamh C " " nm. V 12-12 amal mbui G, ani deleted Inj l.h. and a added icií/i airct muri: 13 between coí.s. U. om. C ,4"14 conid gnidsoni U, i:onid digmsom Y, nit ngnisim C is-i"- tiu chuinchid Y C ,B H interpolation her/ins 17"l7 docachain bricqt fair C 1S fair C (■ (1132 Y KU5 C 861 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 59 'Fir,' or in bantroe[h]t, 'is ulc[h]ach Cú Chulaind. Is cubaid do niaid comrac fris.' Oc gressacht Lóich ón dorigénsat-som ani sin. 'Ní digéon-sa1 comrac co cend 2secht lathi2 ó 'ndiu fris,' for Lóch. 'Ní cubaid dúinni cen fóbairt ind fir frisin ré sin,' ol Medb. I! 'Tabram 3fían láech3 each n-aidchi do seile fair 4dús in tairsimmis | 75" a báegal.' Dogníther íarom samlaid. Dothéged fían láech each n-aidchi do šeilg fair-sium4 i nos gonad-som uli. It é seo immorro anmand na fer dorochratar and: secht Conaill, secht nÓengusa, secht nÜargusa 1! secht Celtri, ocht Féic, deich nAilella, deich nDelbaíth, deich Tasaig. It é insin gníma na sechtmaine sin dó-som i nÄth Grencha. Conniacht"5 Medb comarli dús cid dogénad fri Coin Culaind ar ba aincis mór lei an ro bíth leis día slógaib6. Is í oomarli arránio áes féig forúallach do chór i n-óenfeoht día šaichthin7 in tan tiefad i ls n-airis dala 8día aceallaim-si8, ar baí ^ires^ dala9 dissi ara báraoh fri Coin Culaind do dénam sída celci fris día t[h]arrachtam. Foíti-si techta úadi dia šaig[thin] 10arco10 tíasad 'na coinni, -\ bad amlaid tíasad -| sé anarma fo déig ní11 ragad-si acht si cona bantrocht dia áil-seom. l: Ludi in techtairi .i. Traigt[h]rén co airm i mboí Cú C[h]ulaind -| adfét do ait[h]esc Medba. Bágais Cú Chulaind co ndingned samlaid. 'Ced ón, cinnas as áil duit-siu tec[h]t i ndáil Medba i mbárach, a C[h]ú Chulaind?' or Láeg. 1! 13Amal conniacht0 Medb dano12, ol Cú Chulaind. 'At móra glonna Medbi,' ol in t-ara. 'Atágur lám ar cúl aci.' 751' | 'Cinnas as dénta dún samlaid V for sé. 'Do chlaideb f ó t choim,' ol in t-ara, 'arnachat fagthar i mbáegul, ár ní dlig láech a enecland dia mbé i n-écmais a arm. Conid cáin 1! midlaig no ndlig fón samail sin.' 'Déntar amlaid íarom,' ol Cú Chulaind. Is and íarom baí in chomdál i nArd Aignech frisi ráter Fóchaird indiu. Tic íarom Medb isin dáil -\ inlis 13cethri firu déc13 dia sainmuintir 1! fessin do neoch 14as dech engnomma baí14 díb fora chind. At iat a .i. arranic [H] b i. comdal [H] ° .i. ro cuinnig [H] 1 dingensa (' --- sochtmoine O ^M'íallach C i~i om. by Jíonioeoteleiiton V- •"' coniacht .i. ranic C *> muintir C 7 saighid C 8-8 diaccaUaimsi U, die soightin C 9" 9 aires .i. comdal O ío-io ara ( n nad C 12-12 Amal condíacht Medb .i. ro cuindig C 13-13 fichc fer C 14-14 \,a ferr engnamh C TÁIN BÖ CÚA1LNGE ľ (11 li I V 11376 C 090 t-side: dá Glas Sinna dá mac Buecridi, dá Ardáin dá mac Licco. i.-.. Qjg^ Ogma dá mac Cruind, Drúcht -| Delt -\ Dathen, Téa t ' ľ - our t Túalang, Taur1 -j Glese. ľie íarom Cú Chulaind ina dáil. Ataregat ind fir dó. Srethait2 i hri KOÍ déac3 i n-óenfecht fair. Nos dítin Cú íarom eonná riiic-ht d nó fóescham4 fair. Imsoí foíthib larom ^ 5marbthus íat a &Ll^>i,y i ^ finj déac. Conid íat sin cethri fir déac Fócherda5, -] is iat lir "ji£ - , j ,ónige ar isin Chrónig oc Foc[h]eird ro bíta. "* ' »J» ' 'onid de asbert Cú Chulaind: *■.. . ,f 'Fós mo cherd láechdachta | benaim béimend ágmara for slóg síabra sorchaidi. Certaim ág fri ilšlúagaib im díth erred angiondach sceó Medbi -] Ailella. 'altai droohrún derchoblid gossa dubrúin banmassa7 cengait celga úargossa fri8 ág erred anglonnach congeib dagrún degmessa oc ŕir dia ndich dagarliud8 im anglonna fó.' t_'ř ý ", fó .m. ,■'•' '!ombad de sin dano rod lil a n-ainm as Focherd dond inud .i. ;erd .i. maith in cherd gascid9 donecmaic do Choin Culaind and "iL »7K R»-' MM R 'ánic dano Cú Chulaind t dosnetarraid oc gabáil dúnaid -| bit hus Daigri i da Ánli -] cethri Dúngais Imlich díb. Gabais dano Medi; gressacht Lóich andaide. Mór in cutbiud dait,' for si, 'in fer ro marb do bráthair do bith dithugud ar slóig cen techt do chomrac fris, ar is derb lind ní aa siřiti bras birda 10na letheti út10 fri bruth -| feirg niad udo h]eti-siun, i dano is óenmummi forcetail conrotacht dán dúih.' | 12Tánic dano Loch i n-agid Con Culaind do dígail a bráthar .ir, ar donadbacht dó ba ulcha boí lais13. i maith .i. uca mbí degbríathar [H] i\v Tortor O - sretais U, srethitl- O, [sivthaid Kec-, IUJ C 4 ťaoscal C 5~5 marbius fíche f c v Focherdai O '' l»U:rre>< . U, o-}n. C '~~ AJtaie clrochrun dercoiblead j gosni d i brum banmassj Rec III] 8-s om. C 9 laochdachta C 10-]0 na a leithéit C, [mar ó Hec. Ill] n-ii nmav tusne C, [Rec. 1 I L| 12 Y n-xnwr* l~ii om. Y u'TioV700 TÁIN BÖ CÜAILNGE 61 'Tair dond áth úachtarach,' or Loch. 'Nípá isind áth escomon sa condriefem, Jáit hi torchair Long.' Ó thánic íarom do šaigid ind átha,1 bibsat2 ind fir na bú tairis. 'Bíaid tart eise sund indiu,' or Gabrán fili. 1980 Is de atá Áth Darteisc3 -\ Tír Mór Darteisc3 ló sin forsin phurt sin.4 5Ó ro chomraicset íarom ind fir forsind áth -j ó ro gabsat oc glíaid -] oc imesorcain and -| ó ro gab each díb for trúastad a chéli5, focheird ind escongon tri ola im c[h]ossa Con Culaind co mboí 6fáen fortarsna6 isind áth ina ligu. Danautatb7 Loch cosin chlaidiub Bcombu 1986 chróderg in t-áth día fulriud8. 8'01c ón óm,' for Fergus, 'a ngním sin hi fíadnaisi námat8! !lGressod nech úaib, a firu,' for se fria mnintir, 'in fer nár tháeth i n-ascidV 8Atraig Bricriu Nemtlienga mac Carbatha -| gabais for gressacht 199° Con Culaind8. 'Ro scáich do nert10,' ol sé11, 8in tan is8 bratán bee dattrascair in tan dofil Ultu asa cos ehueut. 12Dolig duit gnim n-erred do gabáil fort hi fíadnaisi fer nÉrend ^ láech ansa do13 dingbáil a gaisciud fón samail [sin]12.' u | 1095 La sodain atraig -] benaid in n-escongain co mebdatár a hasnai indi -] co/iiboing in cethri darsna slúagu sair ar écin co mbertatár a puple inna n-adarcaib lasa torandcless darigénsat in dá láth gaile isind áth. Tanautat-som15 in tsod meic tire. Doimairg na bú fair siar. Léicid-soni cloich asa tailm co mebaid a súil ina cind. 200° Téite i nicht samaisce maíle derge16, Muitti riasna búaib forsna linni -] na háthu. Is and asbert-som : u'Ní airciuc17 a n-átha la linni18. Léicid-seom cloich don tsamaisc mail deirg co memaid a gergara19 foi. 2005 20Caehain laid la sodain: 'M'óenurán dam ar étib šech nís n-étaim nís léicim atú ar tráthaib úaraib21 m'óenurán ar iltúathaib. 201° i snil (— a súil) add. C ■'—i a gerrgare C 5~5ahasnaiC " -° oni. Y < fiad C »de i andee add. G 9"9 om. Y C '"no comad Y, conidh C 11~11for Tartescc Y, om. C 12 agus u Tarteiso tucath add. C 13 sic Y siacht TJ C 14-14 forsin ngilli C is Cú add. TJ (scribal misreading of cuci) 18 óenfer TJ i7-i~ eoicer U, cuici added above line Y, and after this a long omission to I. 2311, aia cenn co ngeogoin coiccer C iß sic C, Cend TJ ifl-i9 Yer Tóithle hi Toithlib U 20 sic C, Di U 21"2i Is cuillend .i. is col laind C! TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE U 6273 C 1167 flarßat Serda -\ in Bresleoh Mór Maige Murthemne inso1 f ^"eabsat trá cethri ohóioed Hérend dúnad -] lonngport isin *- li" Móir i mMaig Murthemne, -| ro láiset a n-email búair "braite seoc[h]o fodess hi Clithar Bó Ulad. iis Cú Chulaind ieond fert i ILercaib i comfocus dóib, -| ataís a *-j ,jó tráth nóna na haidchi sin .i. Lóeg mac Ríangabra. ■ftnairc-seom úad grístatinem na n-arm nglanórda úas chind ^cóiced nÉrend re funiud néll na nóna. Dofánic ferg -\ luinni aicsin in tslóig re hilar a bidbad [•)] re himad a námat. Ro gab ieie 1 a soíath -| a c[h]laideb. Crothis a scíath -| cresaigis a j- bertnaigis2 a chlaidem, -\ dobert a srem3 caurad asa brágit 4čratár bánánaig -| boccánaig -| geniti glinni -\ demna aeóir re "^,in na gáre 4dosbertatár ar aird4. 5Cordas mesc ind m forsin tslóg5. Dollotár i n-armgrith cethri chóiced Érend iiaib a sieg -\ a n-arm fodessin co n-erbaltatár cét láech díb do •i cridenes ar lár in dúnaid -\ in longpairt in n-aidchi sin. ■i. as *mbaí Láeg and co n-acca ní, in n-óenfer dar fíartharsna in dfer nÉrend anairtúaid each ndíriuch ina dochum. enfer sund chucvmd innossa, a Chúcán,' or Láeg. äs I fir and sin?' or Cú Chulaind. 1 handsa. Per caín mór and dano. Berrad lethan laiss. časbude fair6. Brat úanide i forcipol immi. Cassán gelairgit rôt úassa bruinne. Léne de šról ríg fo dergindliud do dergór i tri gelcnes co glúnib dó. Dubscíath co calathbúali findruni • gleg cóicrind ina láim. Foga fogablaigi inna farrad. Ingnad efei abairt -\ adabair dogní, acht ní saig nech fair -\ ní saig-seoni ech feib 'nachaa faiced nech hé7. -fír sin, a daltán,' for sé. 'Cia dom chartib síthc[h]aire-sa sein airchiseacht-sa dáig ar bíth foretatár-som in t-imned már inam >séa m'óenur i n-agid cethri n-ollchóiced nÉrend ar Táin Bó ■pgi don chur sa. fír ém do Choin Chulaind anní hísin. A nad-ránic in t-óeláech li mboí Cú Chulaind, argládais i airchissis de. ~rda sin, a Chú Chulaind,' ar sé. T mór side etir8,' for Cú Chulaind. abér-sa dano cobair dait,' ar in t-ócláech. SIC cor between co/s. TJ 2 bertaiges C s siém TJ, reim C ,osmbertatar C [do-rinde St. doberadh ar aird Rec III] id ind [N]omuin forsin sluagh C 6_0 os e casbuide C ,_7 nachat thar nech ixiri dunath cehtre noldcoiced nEvenn C s~8 Ferdai m C, [nim fiióir sidhe Rec. III] U 6307 C 1201 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE 65 1'Cía tai-siu1 éter ť or Cú Chulaind. 'Iss messe do athair a ssídib .i. Lug mac Ethlend.' 'It tromda dano na fuU form-sa. Ba héim dam 2mo ic2.' 2U0 'Cotail-siu sin bic, a Chú Chulaind,' or in t-ócláech, 'do throm-thort[h]im cotulta hicond ferta Lerga co cend teóra láa -| teóra n-aidchi, -\ firfat-sa3 forsna slógaib in n-airet sin.' Canaid a chéle ferdord dó, contuli friss co n-accae nach crecht 4and ropo glan4. 2U6 Is and asbert Lug: 5,r. Éli Loga inso sis5 'Atraí, a meic mór Ulad fót šláncréchtaib curetha fri náimtiu fer melldarath 212° móradaig todonathar dia ferragaib sligethar slúaig immenard nerethar fortacht a síd sóerfudut issin mruig ar conathaib 2126 cot anmuim arfucherthar fóchiallathar óengillae arcUth ar búaib báifedae slig delb silsa riut. 6Ni fil leó do nertááegul 2130 fer do baraind bruthaigte co niurt for do lochtnarntib 7cing it charput7 comglinni is iar sin atrai.' atrai .a.m.6 2135 Teóra lá -| teóra n-aidchi baí Cú Chulaind ina chotlod. Bá dethbir són ém ce ro bai do mét in chotulta boi do mét na a[th]scísi. Ón lúan íar samain sainrud cosin cétaín íar n-imolg níro chotail Cú Chulaind frisin ré sin 8acht mad mani8 chotlad fithisin mbic fria gaí íar medón midlaí -| a chend fora dor[n]d -| a dor[n]d ima gaí -\ a gaí 2140 fora glún, acht ic slaidi -| ic slechtad -| ic airlech -\ ic esorcain cethri n-ollchóiced nÉrend frisin ré sin. Is and sin focherd in láech side lossa -| lubi íci -j slánsén i cnedaib -| i créchtaib, i n-áladaib -\ i n-ilgonaib J Con Culaind, co terno Cú Chulaind ina chotlud cen ráthugud dó etir. 1~l Cia tusae C, [Cía thusa éter Rec. III] 2~2 ind ic (= a n-íce) C 3 fífatsa TJ, ftrfatsai C, [firbat-sa LL] 4-4 ron both pa hoghslan C, [ann rob oghlan Rec. Ill] read and ropa ógšlán 6~6 in rnarg. U, [óle Lugha andso sis inasdech Rec. III] 6-6 in ras, H [also in Rec. Ill] 7~7 cingith earpat U pg at carput C 8-8 mina C, [acht mádh mini Rec. Ill] \ TÁIN BÓ CÚA1LNGE ' ľ,:i4' ''l'ias nil trá amser i llotár in macrad atúaid ó Emain Macha tri ?< ■(■ mac rig do Ultaib im Follamain mac Conchobair -] dosberat a atlia dona slúagaib co torchratár a tri comlín leó -\ torcratár s (j (jano acht Fallamain mac Conchobair. Bágais Fallamain ■ ad ar cůlu co hEmain co bruinni mbrátha -| betha co mberad ' j Ailella leiss cosin mind óir boí úaso. Nírbo réid remi-seom1 úair dofairthetár dá mac Bethe meic Báin, dá mac mumme do Ailill, -| rod gonsat co torchair leó. Vionid Aided na Macraide Ulad insin -\ Fallamna meic Conchobair. Pá Chulainn immorro baí ina šúantairthim cotulta co cend teóra '.", teora n-aidchi hicond ferta i ILergaib. Atracht Cú Chulaind iar asa chotlud i dobert láim dara agid -] dorigni rothmúal2 corcra de3 í*\ mulluch co talmain, t ba nert leiss a menma -\ tíasad i n-óenach nó f* i Jochim nó bandáil nó i cormthech nó i prímóenach do príméonaigib a óclaích?' ar Cú Chulaind. i-1 Jtend 'Cia fot atú-sa isin chotlud sa innosi "Tri lá i tri aidchi,' for in t-ócláech. 'Bon1 mairg-sea de side!' or Cú Chulaind. 'Cid de ón?' or in t-ócláech. 'Na slóig cen [f]ópairt frisin ré sin,' ar Cú Chulaind. Jn« "iJí filet-som ón óm etir,' or in t-ócláech. 'Ceist, 6cia arránic5?' ar Cú Chulaind. 'Lotar in macrad antúaid ó Emain Macha tri choícait mac im I olloniain mac Conchobair do maccaib rig Ülad -\ dobertsat teóra . itha dona slúagaib ri hed na tri lá i na tri n-aidchi hi taí-siu it 1 Aotlud "innossa, -\ torcratár a tri comlín leó -\ torchratár ia macrad • iht Follomain mac Conchobair6. Bágais Foliomain 7co mberad ■>nd Ailella -\ nírbo réid dó-som ón ar ro marbad7.' 'Apraind ná bá-sa for mo nirt de side, úair día mbeind-se for mo n rt ni tóethsitís in macrad feb dorochratár ^ ní tóethsad Follomain ':?" " ac Conchobair.' * 'Cossam archena, 8a Chúcán8, ní haisc dot inchaib -| n í táiľ dot isciud.' *Airis-[s]iu sein innocht dún, a óclaíg,' or Cú Chulainn,' arco ■díglom malle in macraid forsna slúagaib.' f«W <9^rád anét) om aje9)> for jn t-ócláech, 'uair cid mór do chomramaib : dli-| gascid dogné nech 10hit arrad-so10 ní fair bias a nós nach a aliud ich a irdarcus acht is fort-so. Is aire sin nád aniub-sa. Acht Mo som C 2 rothnuall C 3 om. U, nde C, [dhe Reo. Ill I ' vom C '-' cm rodos fuaipre C °-c om. C 7~7 irla C 6-8 a Chu Chulaiml .ir cidat tiuiitho C »-» Nit ainub C '" '" at I'ochairsi (: TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 67 imbir-seo féin do gnim gascid t'óenur forsna slúagu úair ní leó atá commus ťanma don chur sa.' 'Ocus in carpat serda, a mmo phopa Laíg1?' ar Cú Chulaind. 'In 2185 coemnacar a innell 2-] innatá a threlom2 ? Má cotnici a innell ~\ má dotá a threlom, 3na n-innill3, -] mani fil a t[h]relom, nacha n-innill etir.' Is and so4 atracht in t-ara i ro gab a fíanerred aradnachta immi. 79" Bá dond fíanerred aradnachta | sin ro gabastár-som immi a inar 2190 bláith bíannaide is é étrom aerda is é súata srebnaide, is é úagthe osslethair6 6conná gebethar6 ar lúamairecht lám dó anechtair. Ro gabastar-som forbrat faind taris anechtair dorigni Simón Drui do Dáir do rig Román conda darat Dáir do Chonchobar conda darat Conchobar do C[h]oin Culaind conda rairbert Cú Chulaind dia araid. 2195 Ro gabastar in t-ara cétna sin dano a chathbarr círach clárach cethrochair co n-ilur each datha -] each delba dara midgúallib sechtair. Bá somassi dó-som sin t nirbo thortromad. Taraill a lám leiss in gipni ndergbudi mar bad land dergóir do brondór bruthi7 dar or n-inneóni fri[a] étan dó [do] indchomartha a arad- 2200 nachta sech a thigerna. Ro gabastár idata8 aurslaicthi a ech -| a del intlassi ina desra. Ro gabastár éssi astuda a ech iná thúasri .i. aradna a ech 9ina láim chlí9 re imehommus a aradnachta. Is and so10 focheird a lúrecha iarnaidi intlassi immó echaib con-gebethar dóib ó thul co aurdornd11 do gaínib -j birínib i slegínib i 2205 birc[h]rúadib corbo birfocus each fonnod isin charpat sin, corbo chonair letartha12 each n-ulind -\ each n-ind -\ each n-aird -\ each n-airc[h]ind don charput sin. Is and sin focheird bricht comga dara echraid ~\ dara chomalta connárbo léir do neooh isin dúnud -| corbo léir dóib-seom each issin dúnud. Bá deithbir ém cé focherded-som 221° inni sin dáig ar bíth bátár teóra búada aradnaohta forin n-araid in lá sin .i. léim dar boilg -\ foscul ndírich -\ imorchor ndelind. Is and so10 ro gab in caur -\ in eathmílid •] in t-indellchró bodba fer talman, Cú Chulaind mac Súaltaim, ro gab a chatherred catha -| com-raic ■} comlaind imbi13. Bá don c[h]atherred eatha sin -\ chomraic -j 2215 chomlaind ro gab-som immi seoht cneslénti14 flehet cíartha elártha comdlúta bítís bá thétaib -\ rothaib -\ refedaib hi custul fri[a] gelegnes dó arnacha ndee[h]rad a chond nach a chíall ó doficed a lúth 1 a Laig G 2~2 om. C, [-] inata a throlum leat Reo. Ill] 3_3 nonüimill U 4 Bin C 6 sic U, osslethar Dipl. Ed. 6_6 comia gebeth C, sic leg. [conaoh gebhedh Reo. Ill] ' brůthi U, bruintie C s id fodui C i-3 ina láim in ohli U 10 sin C 1J co n-egar add. C, [Ian add. Rec. Ill] 12 duine add. C 13 sic C, om. V [imbi LL, uimi Rec. Ill] l4 cnesloBti U, cneislenti C TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE ľ Mi:. C 1 :iu" luthair R° gabastár a chathcriss ourad taris anechtair do eholm-fb , cruaid choirtohide1 do formna secht ndamšeohed ndartada co bad dó ó thana a thaíb co tiug a oehsaille ro bíth immi ic díehiu rend i err2 t aleg i saiget. Dáig is comma focherditís de -\ mar jfffYdo chloioh nó charraic nó congna 3ro chíulaitís3. Is and sin ro W"bastar a [í]úathroic srebnaide sróill cona cimais do bánór brice f f'a £fi raóethíchtur a medóin. Ro ga | bastár a dond[f |úathróie w Hondlethair ndegšúata do formna cethri ndamšeched ndartada cona 1haib.cb.ris do cholomnaib ferb fua dara fúathróie srebnaide sróiil T? „Mair. Is and so ro gabastár in rígnia a chatharm catha t omraic i comlaind. Ba don chatharm chatha sin íarom4 ro star a ocht claidbíni inia 5arm dét5 ňdrechsolus. Ro gabastár IC ocht slegíni ima šleig cóicrind". Ro gabastár a ocht ngothnatha Bná goth néit". Ro gabastár a ocht cletíni 'ma doil diss. Ro flabastar a ocht scíathu cliss imma chromscíatli ndubderg ina ItéÉed tore taiselbtha ina tul tárla7 cona bil áithgéir ailtnidi imgéir feia hurtimcheull contesefad finna i n-aigid srotha ar áthi -\ ailtni-f "decht i imgéri. Inbaid fogníth 8ind óclaig8 fáeborchless di. is foumma imthescad dá scíath -| dá šleg -\ dá chlaideb. Is and so'-' n. Scab a chĺrchathbarr catha -\ comraic -\ comlaind ima chend asa läeáired gáir chét n-óclách do šírégem cecha oúli -j cecha cerna de. »ďáig is cumma congáirtis de bánánaig -j boceánaig i geniti glinne -] Remna aeóir ríam -\ úaso -} ina imt[h]imchiull each ed no téged re tiestm fola na mmíled t 10na n-angloncl10 sechtair. Ro chress a fe[h]eltar comga taris don tlachtdíllat Tire Tairfn]girc> dobretha Kdó]11 ó aiti druídechta. jĚ Is and so9 cétríastartha im Choin Culaiud co nderna úathbásach1'2 fn-.flrecb.tach n-ingantach n-anaichnid de. Crithnaigset a charíni fjmbi imar erand re sruth nó imar bocšimin fri sruth each m ball -\ . n-alt i each n-ind -\ each n-áge de ó mulluch co talmain. Ro llae Báebglés13 díberge dá churp i mmedón a chrocind. Táncatár a Qraigthe -| a luirgne -\ a glůne co mbátár dá éis. Táncatár a šála fea.orcni -| a escata co mbátár ríam remi. Táncatár tulféthi a orcan ' i mbátár for tul a hirgan combá métithir muldor[n]d míled cech Öecon dermár14 díbide. Srengtha tollféthe a mullaich co mbátár for éioh a muineóil combá métithir cend meic mís each mnUhnoe 'Ta saigetbolg [add. in marg. H] j 1 ooirtighti C 2 [iaemn LL] 3'3 [clo chiuchlaidis Rec-. Ill] * in t.,peihaps by H, TJ, [oni. LL] •"»-■'• [cholg ňdét LL] B [ňclét LL] ':,' [tarla LL] s-s [jn t-óolách LL sic. lecj.] '■> [sin LL, Ker. tli] gjlo-io,m nananglond L, [na n-nňgloml LL] " [.« LL] um. U, [in Ijjfifiaidh dho-son Reo. Ill] in úathbásach U ,3 [sáehc-hless LL] ; w dénnár U ,. R4.., TÁIN BÓ CÚAILINGE 69 (límór duím díreera dímesraigthe díbide. And sin dorigni cúach cera 225 dá gnúis -| dá agid fair. Imslo[i]c indara súil dó ina chend; iss ed mod dánas tairsed fíadchorr [a] tagraim do lár a grúade a hia[r]thor a r\ h]loeaind. hiosceing a sétig co mboí fora grúad sec[h]tair. Ríastartha a bél co úrtrachta1. Srengais in n-ól don fidba chnána cointar éenaig2 a ginchróes3. Táncatár a scoim f a t[h]romma co 226 mbátár ar etelaig ina bél ■) ina brágit. Benais béim n-ulgaib leóman4 don charput úachtarach fora forcli comba métithir molt-80:' ehraeand5 cech slamsrúam thened doniged I ina bél asa brágit. Roclos bloscbéimnech a chride ré chlíab imar glimnaig n-archon hi fotha nó mar leómain ic techta fó mathgamnaib. Atchessa *na 226 ťoinnli bodba -|6 na cithnélla nem c -] na haíble tened trichemrúaid i nnéllaib -j i n-áeraib úasa chind re fiuohud na ferge fírgarge' hitrácht úaso". Ra chasnig a folt imma e[h]end imar craíbred iVlergseíauh i mbcniaid at[h]álta. Ce ro erateá rígaball fó rígthorad immi iss eil mod dá rísad ubull díb dochum talman taris acht ro sesed 227 uhnil for each óenfinna and re frithehassad na ferge atracht dá tul t úaso. Atracht in lúan láith asa étun comba sithethir remithir ainienť' n-óclaícb 10corbo chomfota frisin sróin coro dechrastár oc imhirt na scíath, oc brogad ind arad, oc taibleth na slóg10. Ardithir immorro remithir talcithir tresithir sithidir seólc[h]rand prímlui[n]gi 227 ínóri in buinne díriueh dondfala atracht a fírchléthe a chendmullaig hi eertairdi, co nderna dubchíaich ndruídechta de amal chíaig do ríglu'udiľi in tan tic rí día tincur hi fescur lathe gemreta. 1 arsin riastrad sin riastarda im Choin Culaind is and sin doreblaing ind err gaseid ina ehathc[h]arpat serda uco n-erraib11 iarnaidib, cona 228 fáebraib tanaidib, cona baceánaib -| cona birc[h]rúadib, cona thair-birib níath, cona nglés aursolcdi, cona thair[n]gib gaíthe bítís ar l'pitsib i íallaib-] fithisib -\ folomnaib don charpat sin. 12Is amlaid boi in earpat sin cona chreit chróestana chróestirim chlesaird clang-dirig13 caurata ara taillfitis ocht n-airm n-indflatha co bias faindle nó 22í gaíthe nó chliabaig dar róe maige. Ro suidiged in earpat sin for dá n-eehaib díana dremna dásachtacha cendbeca eruindbeca eonbeca biruích bascind bruinnederg sesta suachinte sogabálta sodain fo grinnib áillib a fén. Indara hech díb-side oeus sé lugaid lúathlémnech tresmar túagmar traigmar fótmar fochorsid. In23! t-ech aile oeus sé casmongach cascháel coseng seredchóel airgdech.12 1 [iirthrachda Ij.L] - [inécnaig LL Rec. Ill] 3 sic TJ, [ginchrais Ri-c. 1 TT], inchrócs LL, .w leg. 4 [lenmain LL, Rec. Ill] 5 [teóra mblíndan a,hl. LL, Rec. 111] «"«na kine bodba U[LL, om, St. na «■iiinilli hudlibiia Rec. Ill] 7 [fírgaírbe LL] 8 úasto TJ, [úaso LL] ■! x k i:[LJ. aiilimh Sť| "i-io [0,„. jj, st Roc. jn] "-" [cona i'irnil> Llj. cona sennaib St, rnna caľľaibh Rec. III]. Read cona šerraib IJ 1,J [mu. LL St Rec. III] 13 fjic; read colgdírig TÁIN BÓ CÜLAINGE U 6492 Y 1997 O 1323 ■i j soi fooheird torandohless cét -] torondcfh]less dá ohét i Irhless tri cét -\ torandchless oethri cét, -j tarrasair aice for ' ■lohless cúic cét, úair nírbo furáil less in comlín sin do thotim ■ a ehétchumscli -| ina chétchomling catha for cethri chóiccd » ._ í Ocus dotháet ass fón cumma sin ďinsaigid a náraat -| *j, ty,at a charpat mórthimchull cethri n-ollchóiced nÉrend "*" r iig anechtair, 3t dosbert | fóbairt bidbad fó bidbadaib foraib3 "' Iď-eth seól trom fora charpat 4-| dollotar rotha íarnaidi in c[h]ar- mt hi talmain4 corbo leór do dún -| do daingen5 feib dollotar rotha f„ je in charpait hi talmain, uair is cumma atrachtatár cluid -| í'nai ' iB i carrce i táthleca i murgrían in talman aird i n-aird frisna ■ iib íarndaidib súas6 sell sechtair. Is aire focheird in circul dba sin7 mórthimchull cethri n-ollchóiced nÉrend ammaig bair arná teichtis úad -| ná scaíltís immi coros tairsed fri i fri tarrachtain na macraide forro. Ocus dotháet isin cath il ar medón •) fáilgis fálbaigi móra do chollaib a bidbad mór- [h]oll in tšlóig ammaig anechtair 8fo thrí8 ^ dobert fóbairt i fo bidbadaib forro co torchratár bond fri bond -] mede fri ba si "tiget ind árbaig0. Dosrimchell aridisi fa thrí in cruth ■ farcaib cossair sessir impu fá mór- 10thmichull ,i. bond trír fri trír fó chúaird timchill immón dúnad. Conid Sesrech Breslige i n issin Táin, -\ iss ed tres ndírime na Tána .i. Sosrech Breslige lige Glennamnach11 -\ in cath for Gárig -] Irgárig. Acht ba ia cú i ech ■} dune and. !Iss ed atberat araili ro fich Lug mac Eithlend la Coin Culaiud 'Spsrig m Breslige12. 'ý;'ÍL ' '"- Nícon fes immorro a árim -] ni cumangar a rím cía lín dorochair , and do dáescoršlúag, acht ro rímthé a tigernai nammá. It é seo ľ - m» wan-anmand-side13 inna rurech -] inna taísech .i. .r.14 Dá Chrúaid, dá ■*■■"■ Chalad, dá Chĺr, dá Chĺar, dá Ecell, tri Cruim, tri Caurith, tri ä- Combirgi, cethri Feochair, cethri Furachair, cethri Caiss, cethri '.L ■ Potai, cúic Caurith, cúic Cermain, cúic Cobthaig, sé Saxain, sé Dáich, * Sé Dári, secht Rocháid, secht Rónáin, secht Rurthig, ocht Roc[h]-.•"•laid, ocht Rochtaid, ocht Rindaich, ocht Corpri, ocht Mulaich, nác "l aDaigith, náe nDári, náe nDámaig, deich Féic, deich Fiacaich, deich ■ľ' • Fedelmid. ■ řetJ-i fa ■t»" ■ [V-.Üii'' '.b. i &■» .-.TV Ä 1[8ÍnLL] 2 drobretha U, [dobroth LL] 3 [om. LI- St] 4~4 omilt. 'i [om. Roe. Ill] s [dóibh add. Rec. III] 6 šúas Depl. Ed. 7 [sie LL C Roo. III], om. U »-s [om. LL St Roc. III] 9-9 [tigel a. colla LL], tiug a n-armoic/i C 10 Y resumes n Glennammach U i2-J2o;?!.Y 13~ls sic Y, amandside U, a n-anmand-side LL, anmann C u in marg. between cols. TJ, om. Y, names in three cols. V U '"c7^?2013 TAIN BÖ CÚAILNGE 71 Deich líg ar secht1 fic[h]tib ríg ro bi Cú Chulaind i mBresslig Móir Maigi Murthemni. Dírime immorro olchena di chonaib ^ cchaib i imiáib -\ maccaib -] mindaínib -\ drabaršlóg, ar nír érno in tres 233U for do feraib Hérend ccn chnáim lessi nó lethc[h]ind nó lethšúil do biisiud nó cen bithanim tria bithu betha. 2Ocus dotháet úadib iar sin iar tabairt in tressa sin forro, cen fuligud cen fordercad fair lein ná fora g i Ílu ná for ech dia eehaib2. | 81!' 3Túarascbáil Delba Con Culaind so3 2335 DOtháet Cú Chulaind arna bárach do t[h]aidbrŕud in tšlóig -\ do thaisbénad a ch rotha álgin álaind do mnáib -\ bantrochtaib T andľib -j ingenaib i filedaib -] áes dana, úair nír4 míad na mass leiss. in dúaburdelb druídechta tárfás dóib fair ind adaig sin5 i cine. Is aire sin tánic do thaselbad a chrotha álgin álaind 6in lá sin6. 2340 Alaind em in mac thánic and sin do t[h]aselbad7 a chrotha dona slúugaib .i.-Cú Chulaind mac Soaldaim. 8Faircsi tri folt8 fair: dond fri toind cind, cróderg ar medón, mind órbude ardatugethar. Cain cocaisi ind fnilt siu co curend teóra imsrotha9 im c[h]lais a chúlaid, eomha sainalta i óršnáth each finna fathmainnech forscaílte forórda 2345 ilígrais diialfota derscaigt[h]ech dathálaind dara f'ormna siar sell sechtair. Cét cairches coreorglan do dergór órlasrach imma brágit. Cét snáthéicne don charmocol cummascda hi timthacht fria chend. Cethri tibri cechtar a dá grúad .i. tibrc buide -| fibre úane 10-| tibre gorm!" -] tibrc corcra. Secht ngemma do ruthin ruisc cechtar a dá 235° iígľosc. Secht meóir cechtar a dá choss, secht meóir cechtar a dá lám co ngabáil ingiii sebaic, co forgabáil ingne griúin ar each n-aí fo leith díib-sin11. Gabaid-seom dano a díllat n-óenaig n-imbi in láa sin. Baí dá ť-tgud immi .i. fúan caín cóir coreorglan12 corthorach cóicdíabuil. -355 Del g 13h'nd rindargit13 arna ecor ďór intlassi líasa bánbruinni gel i mar bad lóc[h]rand lánsolusta nád chumgaitis súili doíni déicsin14 ar gleóraidecht -] glainidecht. Clíabinar 15sróil sireeda ré chnes15 ľongebethar16 dó co barrúachtar a dondfúathróci donddergi 17míleta (In šról líg17. ľ)ondscíath dondderg dondehorera co cóicroth óir, 23C0 i sŕ Y [L.L] --2 in ms. M, om. Y [LL] 3"3 in marg. U, om. Y C I M.I ■' nil-uu C ä riain add. Y [LL] »-« om. here Y 'in In sin add. Y [misplaced) S~B Tri fuilt batar Y [LL Rec. Ill] « imrotha V. himsrethae C, [sretha Roc. Ill] 10~™ om. Y " in ras. M, dib Y 12 corcaidai Y, [om. LL] 13-13 fiudrnino nó findarcaid Y 14 a dexin 0. [a désgain Rec. Ill] is-is sjr;0 srethnach Y 16-16 c0 ngeibed C, [condriced LL] "-" om. C TÁIN BÖ CÚAILNGE U 6560 Y 204 ô C 1389 bil finddruini fair. Claideb órduir[n]d intlasi co torceltaib1 óir " • n.ardgabáil gaili fora chris. Gaí fota fáeborglas re f aga féig bartach co semmannaib2 óir órlasrach inna farrad issin charpat. M cind isindala láim dó. Deich cind isind láim aile. Ros ecroth fad frisna slúagaib. 3Conid comram aidchi do Choin Chulaind ins- Is and sin frisócbat mná Connacht forsna buidne -| fordringtís ná4 firu do désoin orotha Con Culaind. Foľlaig immorro Medb a Kainech -\ ní lámair taidbsin a gnúsi, acht boí fo damdabaig scíath ar Inion Con Culaind. Conid de sin aabert Dubthach Dóel Ulad: s 'Masu hé in ríastartha biait collai duíne de. | Beite6 éigme im lissu bíait fuind fri airisiu. Biait corthi i llechtaib bid formách do rígmartaib. Ní maith no fichid in cath i lleirg frisin n-oennenach7. Adehíu 8in cruth immoudnaig8 ocht cind inna chuillsennaib. Adchíu fodb leiss i mbrétaib deich cind ina rosétaib". Adchíu dofócrat10 far mná a ngnúis tarsna ergala. nAdchíu far rígna in móir11 ní toccair dond imforrám. Díambad mé bad chomarlid bíad slóg imme di each leith. [12coro gartigtis13 a ré masa é in ríastarde.12']' Conid and ro chán Fergus inso co n-ebairt: 1 toircetlae C 2 sic U, semmanaib Dipl. Ed. 3~3 cimid fobairt aidchi tdo Choin C[h]ulaind for ceithre eoieedaib hErenn dosin Y, Conid fuabairt aidchi di Choin Culaind annsin for cctribh eoiecedhoib Erenn C. dr> chomartha a gasoid -j a engnama LL 4 Muman add. Y, Ulad add. C i in marg. V 6 biait Y C betit LL ' fóendelach LL 8-B in cruth imonaig Y, in cruth imondaigh C, [chruth inn fóendelaich LL cruth inaenellaigh Rec. III] 9 [rothedaibh Rec. III] 1° doíôčbat C sic ley. u-n atchíu-sa far r.'gain máirLL, pari of Hne in ras. V 12-12 om. U Y, sic C [LL Rec. IUI l3 cnirdis C U f C 1425 y 2066 TÁm BÖ CUAILNGE 73 Ber ass Dubthach nDóeltengaid iar cúl in tslóig na srengaid. Nícon dergéni nach maith ó geogain in n-ingenraith Ferais écht ňdochla ňdobail guin Fiachaig meic Conchobair. Nípau chaíniu rocloth dó guin Corpri2 meic Fedelmtheó. Rígi nUlad ní chosnai mac Lugdach meic Casrubai. Iss ed dogní fri doíni 3a nad rubad cosaídi3. 4Bid ole4 la longais nUlad guin a meic nád lánulach. Costud Ulad má dobí adsuífet6 in n-imirgi. 6Sirfid in noíndin hi fot do Ultaib co nderasot6. Biait techta scélmara7 biait rígnai dermara biait créchtai 8fuidb bechtai8 biait buidne airlechtai9. Biait collai fó chossaib biait brain for branfossaib beti10 fáenscéith hi lergaib bid11 cumtach do dibergaib. i between cols. U 2 [Dairi Rec. Ill] 3_3 anad ruband cotsuidi Y, a nad rubai condsaidhe C 4"* Ní maith C [LL Rec. Ill] 5 [consaifet LL] 8~6 Sirfid in noindin hi fot do Ultaib naconerasot Y, Sirfett a náonden a fot do Ulltaibh co nderrissat (added in blank apace by late hand) C, [Scérdait far n-óendili (.i. far nindili marg. gloss) i fat re nUltaib acht co n-éirset LL, Berthar for rigraidh a fad re hUltaibh acht go n-érsed Rec. Ill] 7 seel mara U, 8-8 sic U, fuidbecha Y, fuidbechtai C 9 airslechta Y " betit C [LL] " bi TJ, bid Y C 7 TÁIN B(3 G'ÚAILNGIC II Hill.'. V Li))V'.I Roínfid1 fuil féne fo don la slúag inna ndunechon. Regaid ind longas hi fat do2 Ultaib díanda3 rísat. 4Ní geib coistecht arubthá ber ass Dubthach nDóeltenga4. ber .a. "* ■;.■■ ■! Fergus Dubthach úad iar sin co n-arrasair di[a] šruib fri jnall. cloth ní Ailill co n-ebairt: , fer báig, a Fergus, ar buaib sceó mnáib Ulad aithgén ara aib beit mairt ili sund slig ceni silsiter acht i n-óenferaib eslig isind áth each óenlathiu.' "ßo cloth ní Medb: 'Comérig, a Ailill6, co fíannaib fótrind7 ar duth8 buaib sceó genat •ŕ melchib athaib i ngrenchaib móraib i Uinnib9 dubaib forbrisfet mlund scéo Fergus dánae co loingis Ulad biaith and iartach i aid in chatha memais cauma10 co fil[eda]ibn Féne.' \uCo cloth ní Fergus12. :,'JBanairle baetha nacha auchide nacha cluinte co teintib bláthaib cholet muinter sceó chenel olea anapthai rosrí a chialla con-"det na tádet.' Co cloth Gabrán file: •'Ná briguid briathra sceó laidib rígnaib for bronnaib di thuathaib |ni día messaib blassaib dia fáebra fichi cessóe cía bera na suí orellig na tulle miscais13.' 'Ná fémdit14 far | cele. Taít ara chend isin n-áth,' or Fergus. 'Aúchaide Ailill,' or Medb. -Co cloth ní Ailill: 'Fergus rofitir morthúathaib for far muintir méilaith ní imthecht10 far mbúaib acht cía far slig slattaib i mbúaib dithoing ceóbera di 'far- mór di belgib brassaib.' 4Eaghaid C °- di C 3 diadon C 4"4 om. Y [LL Reo. Ill] ý between cols. U 6 s;c y C, Ailiíid U ' cotriunn Y, fottrind C í8doC 9 sic TJ y, llinib Dipl. Bd.. llindibh C « cocraa C Wfilib U C, fileadib Y ™~™ misplaced U Y C between, nacha and uinte " na 0irbire add. C 14 femtit Y, feimditt C, read féradid • m marg. U 16 imtheit Y /ŕ- 11 "Th^""" TÁIN 13(3 CÚA1LNGE 75 JCo cloth ní Fergus1: .r,2 'Ná fer, a Medb, mórscoith dit loingis bairr brátha iar mbliadain sceó cháthig mná massa iartaige nád imdat dit morchothaib3 día thuathaib tisecet.' 4Imroll Belaig Eóin inso4 2455 Fíacha Fíaldána Dimraith dolluid do acallaim meic sethar a máthar .i. Mane Andóe a ainrn. Dolluid Dócha mac Mágach la Mane nAndóe. Dolluid Dubthach Dóel Ulad la Fíachaich Fialdána Dimraith. Docorastár Dócha gaí for Fiachaig co Uuid i nDubthach. Focheird dano Dubthach gaí for Mane co lluid i 246° nDócha. Dí fieir immorro máthair Dubthaig -j Dócho. Is de atá Imrull Belaig Eúin. Nó is de atá Imroll Belaig Eúin .i. tíagait na slóig do Beluch Eúin. Anait 6a ndí dírim [i] suidiu5. Tie Díarmait mac Con- 2465 chobuir di Ultaib antúaid. 'Eiľged marcach úaib,' or Díarmait, 'co tí Mane dom accallaim dis i ragat-sa dís ara c[h]end.' Condrecat6 íarom. 'Todeochad-sa,' or Díarmait, 'ó Chonchobar co n-erbora fri Medb 247° -j Ailill co relcet na báe ass -j slán uile a ndorónad and -| tabár7 in tarb aniar cosin tarb ille8 co comairset, 9úair ro báge Medb9. 'Ragat-sa,' or Mane, 'co n-apror friu.' Ráti-side dano fri Meidb -j Ailill. 'Ní hétar for Medb ani siu,' or Mane. 2475 'Dénam cóemchlód dá gaisced didiu,' or Díarmait, 'massu ferr latt.' 'Maith lim,' or Mane. Focherd cechtar de gaí for araile conid apthatar a ndís, -j conid Imroll Belaig Eóin ainm na maigni sin. 2480 Maitti a ndírim fo araill. Dofuittet tri fichit10 díb di cechtar dá lína. Is de atá Ard11 in Dírma. 1-1 between cols. U 2 in marg. U 3 mor cathaib C 4~4 in marg. U, om. Y 5_5 in di dirim a suidiu (a added beloxo line) Y, a ndirim i suidhe C 6 an di diss add. C 7 sic XJ, = tabarr, tabair Y C 8 anoir C 9-9 huair rombaigi Medb Y, in bar cetfuid C 10 fer inserted with caret mark C "irC TÁIN BO CÚAILNGĽ u mimi Y i «J 1511 Ipe 'Aided Tamuin Drúith inso1 iruinniset muinter Ailella a mind rig for Tamun drútli. Ní air Ailill a beith fair fessin. Srédis Cú Chulaind cloich fair Áth Tamuin co mmebaid a o[h]end de. e atá Áth Tamuin i Tuga 2im Thamun2. 3Aided Óengussa nieic Óenláma3 VMntaí íarom Óengus mac Óenláma Caíme4, óclach dána di ŤJltaib, in slóg n-ule oo Modaib Loga—is inund ón dano i :rn0(j—co tiei Áth Da Ferta. Nis léic šecha i dosmbidc Ocus asberat hid eólaig im[mus]neblaida5 ríam remain ,is6 fo chlaideb oc Emain Macha acht bid ať galaib óenfir7 itá friss. Brisitfír fer fair íarom -| ra mbeótar i n-écomlond. | fLugn 1 8Comrac Fergusa fri Coin Culaind8 Áet nech úaib ar mo chend-sa,' ar Cú Chulaind, 'oc Áth Da íerta9.' 'Nípa messe, nípá mé!' ol cách assa magin. 'Ní dlegar ibid dom cheniúl. Cía no dligthe, nípad mé dobertais tara má i10 cimbidecht.' ji and gessa do Fergus mac Róich techt ara c[h]end-som. Opaid-«dano dul ar cend a daltai .i. Con Culaind. Dobreth fín do -| ro ■Sad11 co trén ^ ro guded im dula isin comrac. Téit ass íarom ó bás 12ocá etargude12 co tromda. " &bert Cú Chulaind íarom: 'Is 13co nglirmi13 dothéig ar mo chend-sa, 14a popa Fergus14,' ol í/cen claideb inna15 intiuch.' i —Ar gatsai Ailill ass ut praediximus. Is cumma lim-sa etir,' or Fergus. 'Cia nobeth claideb and, ní " oértha fort-su. Teilg traigid dam, a C[h]ú Chulaind,' or Fergus. Teilgfe-so dano dam-sa arísi,' ar Cú Chulaind. * .i. ro fost [M] {misplaced, refers to Nís léic šecha); .i. vo foata C (similarly íro 1-1 in marg. TT, ora. Y 2"2 in Tamuin Y C 3"3 in marg. V, om. i"i Oighidh Aonghusae rneio Aonlaime Gaibhe C * Gaibe Y C * immusneblaid Y, imneablad C 6 sic Y, tíastai» U 7 óenfer U ,_' between cols. TJ, om. Y C 9~9 Toot nech uaib ar mo cendsai i mbuar- 1 oc Ath Da Fertai, ar Cu Chulind C 10 sic Y C, im U u mesta 12-12 oc etarguidi fair Y, oca otarguidi ... fair 0 l:i 13 sic Y C, r '. glinni "U 14-u a mo popae, a Fergus C "itC TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNUE 77 'Samlaid écin,' or Fergus. Is and sin dolléci Cú Chulaind traigid for cúlu re Fergus co rrici Grellig nDol[l]uid ara telced Fergus dó-som traigid i lló in c[h]atha. Tairbling Cú Chulaind íarom hi nGrellaig Dolluid. 25] 'Ara chend dait, a Fergus!' or cách. 'Aicc,' ol Fergus. ''Ní ord erossa. Is robeóda intí fil and. Conom thí de chind chúarda ní reg1.' Tíagait šecha íarom co ngabsat dúnad hi Crích Rosa2. Raclu-nethar són dano Ferchú Loingsech buí for longais re nAilill. Dotháet- 2SI side ar cend Con Culaind. Tri fir déac dano ba hé a lín. Gontai 3Cú Chulaind3 oc Cingit Forchon. Atát a tri líic déac and. 4Comrac Maind4 FOídis Medb 6Mand Muresci mac Dáiri do Domnandchaib do c[h]omrac fri Coin Culaind. Derbráthair side ~\ Daman athair 25í Fir Diad. Ba fer borb brogda íarom im longud -| im ligi in Mand. Fer dothengt[h]ach dobeóil amal Dubthach DóelUlad. Ba fer tailc trebur co sonairte ballraid amal Munremur mac Errcind8. Trénfer tnút[h]ach amal Triscod7 trénfer tigi Conc[h]obair. 'Ragat-sa -\ mé anarma, -) conmél éter mo lámaib hé, ar ní míad nó 25; mas lem arm ďimbirt for siřiti n-amulach amne.' Luid íarom do šaigid Con Culaind. Is and boí-side -\ a ara forsin maig oc frecomét in tálúaig. 'Óenfer cucund sund,' or Láeg 8fri Coin Culaind. 'Cinnas fir ľ ol Cú Chulaind8. 25; 'Fer dubdond tailc tarbda -\ sé anarma.' '8Léic sechot,' ol Cú Chulaind8. Tic cucu la sodain. 'Do c[h]ur chomlaind frit dodeochad-sa,' ol Mand. Gabait íarom for imtrascrad fri ré cían -| "trascraid Coin Culaiwd 25' fo thrí Mand9. Conid greis in t-ara. 'Díambad curadmír do chosnam i nEmain duit,' for sé, 'ropa-datrén10 for ócaib Emna.' Tic a ferg niad -| atraig a bruth míled cor trascair Mand fón corthi coro scor i mminágib. 25- Conid de atá Mag Mandachta .i. Mand Échta .i. écht Maind and.11 1-1 Condom raib di cend cuartai ni ragh ar ni hord irusa damsae. Is vobooda inti fail and C 2 Roia Y C 3-3 Fergus Y 4_4 between cols, in ras. H ň from here to end of col. in ras. by H 6 Geirrcind C 7 Trioscattul C 8_8 om. C 9_9 trasccraiss Mand fo tri Cu Culaintí C 10 — ropadat trén lx U bre-aks off H líniu Y íi|i.:i (J 1635 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE Y 2182 C 1564 tW V ídis Medb arna báraoh nai1 firu fichet ara c[h]eand i ngrellaich . Culaind. Fuiliarnn a ainm ina grellcha fri Áth Fir Dead de Sraitis2 a naí ngaí fichet fair fo chétóir i. Gaili Dána cona , . ma00aib fichet ^ mac a deirbšethar .i. Glas mac Delgna. In '"'(aróm3 rigset a4 láma uili día claidmib, tic Fiacha mac Fir "J- jna ndedhaid asin dúnad. Focheirdd bedg asa charput in *" atcondairc a lláma uile i cind Con Culaind 7 benaid a naí rigthi flehit díb. Is and asbert Cú Chulamd: ■[s cobair 5i n-éimib5 ém a ndorighnis.' ,» mDec sa,' ol Fiacha, 'is tar cotach dúindi ar6 nUltaib. Dia rí i» wh díb a ndúnad, regma-ni ar tríchait7 cét fo gin claidib.' Tongu et reliqua, in tan dorelced mo anál dam-sa,' or Cú Chulaind, •on riefa fer díb-seom a mbeathaid.' ijontais8 Cú Chulamd 9íar sin9 an10 noí fir[u] fichit 7 dá mac ce11 lais occo, dá ócláech dána di Ultaib dollotar do imbirt a '<■ -laiňg forsin12 slóg. Is é a ngním13 insain forsin Táin14 co llotar ",i. -t chath la Coin Culaind. ■ {tí, isin cloich i medón ind átha láthrach tele 15a scéth15 7 a «■i >rnn16 7 a nglúine17. Ocus rolátha a naí coirthi fichit and sin. Comrae Fir Diad 7 Con Culaind so I i IS andsin ro himráided leó-som íarom cia fer bad túalaing ding-bail Con Culaind díb. Adbertsadar -| ro nertsadar 7 ro ráidsetar ceithri cóiced hÉrend cia bad chóir do thabairt for áth i nn-agid i i Culaind. Atrubartadar uili corb é in Conganchnesach a hlrrus 1' mnand, in feidm nach fuilingther t in bairindlecc brátha, a derb-ii. imalta dil dichra fodeisin. Ní baí ic Coin C[h]ulaind cles ná ■ t i,h aice acht mad cles18 in gaí bulgai nammá, 7 cid19 indar leó-som 1 L .i aici-seom a sechna -] a imdegail fair, dáig cnes20 coňgnaidhi imbi, *. :pi]onisgébdis airm ná ilfáebair. Oobretha Medb techta for cend Fir Diad. Nocho tánic Fer Diad i la techtaib hísin. Dobretha Medb ŕilid t áes dána 7 áes glámtha \\ laidi ara chend co nderntais a áerad 7 a aithised 7 a ainfíalad 1 aic C, secht Y 2 sic Y; read sréitius ? or sréithit ? 3 ummorro C 6i- * síc C, om. Y 6-6 sic G, in | inn eimib Y 6 inar C 7 triochac C "Ji- '«cYC 9-9 iarom sin Y 10 a C u TJicei C "«icC, .' in Y "gnimY " sluaigedh inda Tana C 16-" insceth Y, ■ i -ceil.h C i« dornn Y, dom G " gluine Y C 18 sic C F, mo. Y nZead cid de? (gidheadh F) 20 ste C F, om. Y TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 79 coná fagad1 inad a chind for bith co tísad i pupall Medba -\ Aililla for 258° Tána. Tánic Fer Diad leisna techtaib hísin 2ar úaman2 a imderetha dóib. Tucad Findabair, ingen Medba -\ Ailella, fora leathláim. Is í ind Findabair sin no gobad láim ar each cúach 7 ar each copán d'Fir Diad; is í dobeired3 teóra póc fria each copán díb-sin dó; is í no 2685 dáiled ubla f írchubra dar sedlach a léned fair. Is ed adberead-si ba 35b I hé a leandán -\ a toga tochmairc do feraib in tsáegail Fer Diad. Inaim robo sáithech subach sofarbaílig Fer Diad, is and adbert Medb: 'Maith aile, a Fir Diad, in fetair-seo cia fáth 'ma radgoired isin 259° pupull sa?' 'Nád edar-sa ón óm,' ar Fer Diad, 'acht degmaithi fer nÉrind and. Cid écóru mo beith-se and anás each degláechľ 'Nád ed óm ám,' or Medb, 'acht da thobairt charpait tri secht cumal dait -\ timthacht dá fer déac -\ cutruma Maigi Murthemne do 2595 min Moigi Ali, -] bith a Crúachain do grés, i fin do dáil fort and; saíri do chlaindi -\ do cheniúil do grés can chain, cen chobach; mo duileand-dealc óir-sea duit i failet deich fichit unga -| deich fichit leathunga -] deich fichit crosach -] deich fichit cethramthan; Findabair m'ingen-sa 7 ingen Aililla do óenmnaí dait 7 comaid dom 2600 aliasaid-sea. 4Dia ris a leas air sin anúas fogéba na dei ris.' 'Is móra na comada sin 1 na haisceda sin,' or each4. 'Is fir ón,' or Fer Diad. 'Isat móra, 7 cidat móra chena, a Medb, is acot-so fodeisin fáicfidther mad5 dula6 dam-sa i n-aigid mo chomalta 7do chomrac7. 2eo5 'A firu trá', or si or Medb, tri chóir n-indlaig 1 imc[h]osaídi, 'is fir in briathar asbert Cú Chulaind,' mar ná cloised Fer Diad itir. 'Cé guth éiside, a Medb V or Fer Diad. 'Adrubairt, 8a m'anom8,' or sisi, 'nípad furáil leis do thuitim-siu ina airigid gaiscid leis isin chóiced i rragad.' 261° 'Nírbo c[h]óir dó-som a rád ón dáig ní hé mo t[h]ríamnass ná mo midlochos ríam 9i lló nach i n-aidchi9 rofidir orm. Toingim-sa et íeliqua corob10 misi cétfer rofiefa isin maitin imbárach co háth in chomlaind.' 1 fagbad C 2_2 uaman Y, ďuaman C 3 sic C, nobeired Y i_* or each comes after na dei ris Y, dia ris a les ar sin anuas fogebiu dee fris sin do comoíi (said by Medb) Tonccai ar each isat mora na haiscedae C. As mor na comhad sin ar each (7) dia ecomhoillter iad. Dia re na comal uaimsi ol Moaclhbh F 6 sic C, ma Y 6 read dulta 1 '-' nocha reisiub C 9-8 ám aamim C 9~9 a llo nach inn aichdi Y, om. C 10 coro with b inserted later Y, conab C TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE Y 2244 O 1039 ■I «tria búaid i bendaohtain!' or Medb. 'Is ferr leam sin ná ' .anas 1 midlochos do fagbáil occot1, dáig condolb cách 'mo m'.* -h fodesin. Cid córo dó-som sochur Ulad do dénam ar apa a '"*! „r rlíb indás dait-siu sochař chóicid Connacht, dáig at mac rig n macht adcáemnacair ? -U anilaid ro bádar-som oc naidm a cor -] a ndála t dorigniset laid &' 'Rotfia lóg 3mór mbuindi3 co cuit maigi is cailli co saire do chloindi ó 'ndiu co tí bráth. A Fir Diad mic Damá[i]n Atted úas each anáil 4Is cóir dait4 a gabáil ani gabus each.' *. 6'Nocho géb6 cen árach dáig ním láech cen lámach bid trom form-sa amárach 6bid húas dam a feidm6. Cú dlaň comainm Culand 7ní hurisa a ŕulaňg7 is8 amnas an urrand is8 tairptheach in teidm.' 'Ca chán dait a fuireach \ Naisc-siu corbat buideach ar des ríg is ruirech doradsad9 frit láim. Fil sund 10nachad fuirfe10 "rotfia each ní chuingfe11 dáig rofes co muirfi in fer ticfa12 id dáil. , »forte Kade C feidm C "cloragat C '■»tie C 2-2 t is arm isbertt Medb na briathra sai and C 3"3 ocus *-* cid doit cen C 6"6 Ni gebsa G fl-a bud fortren 7~7 Ní hulaňg ni hurisa a fulang Y 8 budh C lo-io noc[at t]uilbthe C n-n sic C, om. Y TÁDÍ BÓ CÚAILNGE 81 369 | 'M géb oen sé euru níba ní bus lugu siu1 donear mo mudu 2i fiadhnaisi in tslúaig2. 3Dánamtora3 m'ardarc 4cencop eéin co comnart4 rachad isin chomrao co5 Coin Culaind eruaid. 'A Medb co méd búafaid nit cerb6 caíme núachair "dearb leam7 is tú is búachail ar Crúachain na clad. Art glór is art gairgnert 8domroiched sról santbrecc8 tue dam th 'or is t'airced 9méd rofairced9 dam. <10Geb brugaid, geib oirgni ocus óes na bairdne10 rodfia-so cen11 acht. Fonaisc lat ar Morand mad áil dait a chomall geib Cairbri Nia Manand is naisc 12ar dá12 mac <13Gébad-sa na rátha do thobairt frim láma ocus gébad écnairo ó Choin Culaind chrúaid.13 'Is14 tusu in cor codnach dá tibér dele drolmach15 16rotfia úaim fa domnach16 níba dál bu[s] sia. A laich blatnig bladmair cech set cáem ar talmain dobérthar daid amlaid is uili rodfia. 1 aul C 2_2 innd bail i mbiat sluaig C 3_3 Danam toirsed C 4-4 cindfet cincob comnart C 6 fri C 6 credb 0 7_7 is derb C 8-8 om. Y, sic C 8"0 between o and f, t added later hand Y, oro fairced C 10-10 ci(jh Domnall na Cairpre | na niadh is na n-airccne C n eidh C 12-12 for a C "-i3 om. C « nach C " sic C, dromlach Y 18-16 o' nju 00 y Domhnach C r i' I i i i I I I 1 I i I I I TÁIN Bó CÚAILNGE 'Findabair na ferga rígan íarthair Elga ar ndíth Con na Cerda, a Fir Diad, rotfía.' Y 2308 C 171» R. PiTlo baí láech amra do Ultaib hi fiadhnaisi na coraidechta sin, -] ¥í íjgjde Fergus mac Róig. Táinic Fergus coa pupall. r'Trúag lim-sa in gníra dogníther isin maidin sea imbárach,' or fepis- s'Cia gním and sin?' for lucht na pupla. Fijj0 degdaltán Cú Chulaind do marbad.' &1Iaith aile, cia nadmaídenn ón?' £>rNí anse. A chomalta dil díchra fodeisin .i. Fer Diadh mac Daniáin.1 Cid ná berid mo bendachtain,' ar Fergus, '-] táet nech Atúb co robud -] co n-airchisecht do Choin Chulaind dús in fácbad jň ii-áth isin martin imbárach?' S,''Dar ar cubus,' for šiat, 'cid tusu fén no beith for áth in chomlaind, Socio ricfamis dot insaigid conici1.' t. 'Maith a gilla,' for Fergus, 'geib dún ar n-eocha -j indill in carpat.' ^' Atracht in gilla -\ 2ro gab na heocho -] ro indill in carpat2. 'ŕ 'lángadar rempo co háth in c[h]omlaind, áit i mbaí Cú Chulaind. fc 'Óencharpat3 chucaind sunn, a C[h]úcacán,4' or Lóegh. Dáig is áml.úd baí in gilla -| a druim fria thigema. —5Dobered leth ímindaigechta -j fi[d]chillaehta fora thigerna5; 6fer foraire -j for- côméta6 for cheithri airdib hÉrind ó šin amach. ^ 'Cindus carpa[i]d ann sin ale?' or Cú Chulaind. * 'Carpat imbar rígráith romóir cona chuingib dronórdaib, cona t[h]arbc[h]lár umaide, cona feirtsib crédumaib, cona c[h]reit cróes- tana cróestirim cleasaird colcda clocatcain curata, for díb echaib .duba dénmecha 'suntig séitrig7 sogabáltaich sodaim ma8 grindib állíb a fén. Óenóclach rígda rosclethan ba chumsclaig in charpoií. •TUlcha dúalach dégablánach fair co soiched dar máethíchtar a ľlnáí thimlenn sis | sel sechtair co nn-aingébad cóeca lóech i lló ^doinindi -\ dertain bith9 fo thromfoithin a ulchu inn óclaich. Crom- jscídth gelscabal brec fair co tri radhaib10 rodénma co taillfed osair- choair ceth[e]óra ndroňg ňdeichenbair fa thairrlethar in scéith -1 om. C -&om. C 2-2 dorigne samlaidh C 3 oenchairp- Y i Chugáin C 6-6 dognith forairi et forcomet C 7~7 sic C, siintrigsigh > [corrupt) «fo C 9 om. C 10 sic Y (mark of aspir. later), 'daib C, rothaibh F TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 83 fil foro thairrsceo thaullethan inn óclaich. Claideb fota fáebur-chrúaid derglethan hi trúaill fichthi1 fíthe findarcait úas chróebat'6 a chnis chathchalma. Sieg thrén thredruimnech co féthan[aib] -\ co fonascaib arcaid báin óengil 2ace tarsin carpat2. 2720 'Ní duilig [a] aithni,' for Cú Chulaind. 'Mo poba Fergus dotháet and co rrobad -j co n-airchisecht dam-sa re ceithri cóicedaib Érend uile.' Doríacht Fergus t tarblaing asa charpat, -\ ferais Cú Chulaind fáilti fris. 2725 'Fo chen do thíachtain, a mo popa, a Fergaisľ bar Cú Chulaind. 'Is tairisi hnd inn fáilti,' for Fergus. 'Is tairisi daid-se ón,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Dia toichle3 4liath léna4 in mag, rodbía-so cadan5 co leith; araile 6dia toichle íasg i n-inberaib6, rodbía éo co leith; araile glac biroiri glac fochlachta -\ 2'30 glac fema[i]r -\ deog usci fuair gainmidi ina deghaid.' 'Is infoglaga in chuid sin,' ar Fergus. 'Is fir ón. Is cuid foglada acum-sa,' for Cú Chulaind, 'dáig atú-sa7 ón lúan iar samain cosin tan sa [-]] ní dechad-sa aidchi n-aidi-dechta acht8 ic trénfastud fer nÉrend ar Táin Bó Cúailgne don chur 2735 sa.' 'Dámad dó sin tísmais,' ar Fergus, 'robad fer[r]di linn a fagbáil, 1 ní dó tángamar.' 'Cid ní chena 'mo tángabar?' or Cú Chulaind. 'Dia indisin dait-siu láech dotháed do c[h]omrocc -\ do c[h]omlond 274° ar do chend-so isin maitin sa imbárach,' for Fergus. 'Findam -] cluineam úait dono,' for Cú Chulaind. 'Do chomalta fadéin .i. Fear Diad mac Damáin.' 'Dar ar mbréithir ám 9nochon ina dáil9 is dech lend no ragmais,' ar Cú Chulaind, '-] nochon ara omun 10c[h]ena acht ar mét a gráda 2745 lind10.' 'Is cóir ecla de,' or Fergus, 'dáig cnes congnai imbi oc comroc fri fer. Nochon nosgabaid airm ná fáebair.' n'Ná ráid-siu itir ón,' or Cú Chulaind,11 <12dáig luigim luigi luigis mo thúath1213coro[b] boigithir fri boigsibind13 for lár aba each n-alt 275° 1 each n-áigi de fo déis mo chloidib-sa diana taiselbai óenfecht dam-sa for áth.' 1 om. C 2~2 ina certsesam isin carpat C 3 taichela C 4~4 id. F, elta on C; read olta én or iall én? 5 caduth C 6~6 om. G, iasg i ninberaib add. in marg. Y 7 om. C 8 sic C, om. Y 9 sic C, nochon an andail Y 10-10 síq y F, om. C. 11-11 uaitsi on eitir C (corrupt) 12-12 Toingimsi do Dia toinges mo thoath C 13-13 combo boicithir boinnsibin C, nach ba luaithe boigšibhen F TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE Y 2370 C 1775 amlaid ro bátar igá rád sin -| dorigénsed in laid and: 'A Chú Chulaind, comal ňglé, adchíu is mithig dui d érge. Dofuil sund chucad re feirc Fer Diad mac Damá[i]n drechdeirg.' 'Atú-sa sunn, ní seól seňg, ag trénfasdod fer nÉrend. Ní berim ar teiched troig ar aba comlainn éinfir. 'xNí do t[h]obairt triamnaid leat a Chú Chulaind cloth míadach1: cneas coňgnai im Fer nDiad na ndroňg risná geb cath ná comlond.' | '2Dá comraicem forsinn áth2 misi is Fer Diad gaiscedgnáth3, %ochon é in scarad cen sceó4 bid fergach ar fáebargleó.' '5Is calma a lám dia lái feirg a llos a c[h]laidib c[h]rúaiddeirg5 nert cét 'na c[h]urp, calma in modh, ní gon rind, ní these fáebar. 'Bi 'tast, ná tacair do scél, a Fergais na n-arm n-imthrén. Tar each feronn, tar each fond dam-sa 6ní ba hanborrlond6.' 'Ro bad ferr leam iná lúag, a Chú Chulaind claidebrúad, co mbad tú doberad sair coscar Fir Diadh dímosaigh.' 1-1 Amnas in fer da lae feirg | a los a claidib orodeirg C 2_2 Mad die . ooírj'sam ar ath C 3 aon na trath C i~i ni ba hi in scartein cen ack'o C 6"5 Amnas in fer fichtib gal | nocha nurusa a troethad C 8-5 = ní ba hanforlann, nocha n-ecomlond C Y 2390 C !80S TÄJN BÓ CT^LN^ gg ^Dober mo c[h]obais cen chain acht ni[m] maith-se ďimarbáig1 2co mba mé búaideóchas de ar mac Damáin meic Dáire2.' 3'85 'Mé tharclaim na slúaig sea soir, lúach mo šáraiehthi d'Ultaib; leam tángatar ó tírib na euraid, na cathmílig. 'Manbad Conchobar 'na c[h]es 2'90 robad c[h]rúaid 3ar comaithehes3 ní thánic Medb Maigi in Scáil turus ríam bad móa congáir. aítá fedm is mó ad láim4: gleó re Fer nDiad mac nDamáin. 27S5 Airm chruaid ehadaid cardid roind bid acot, a C[h]ú Chulaind.' A Culaind. Asa haithli sin: <5Cid immo tánacais, a mo popa, a Fergais?' or Cú Chulaind. 280° 'Isí sin mo thoisc,' or Fergus. 'Maith sén -] solad,' for Cú Chulaind, 'nach nech aile do feraib hÉrenn tánic frisin toisc, acht mani dáildis ceit[h]ri cóiced hÉrenn nile i nn-óenfecht, nephní lem robad re n-énláech dam5.' Tánic Fergus remi iar tain dá pupull6. 2805 Ocus imthúsa Con Culind: 'Cid ní dogéna-so inochtľ or Lóeg. 'Cid ón itir ? 'or Cú Chulaind. 'Is amlaid doraga Fer Diad dot indsaigid-so fo núamaisi figi -| ber[r]tha i foilc[th]i -] fothraiothi, -j ceithre cóicid hÉrenn lais do fégad in chomlaind. Rob áil dam-sa do dula-su co háit a fuig- mo bigthea in córuguď cétna fort co tici fail8 hi fil Emer Foltchaín, co Cairthenn Clúana Da Dam hi Slíab Fúait.' Tánic Cú Chulaind inn ai[d]ohi sin didiu conici sin, -| ro faí ré banchéle fodeisin. 1~1 Atiursa brethir co mbaidh | cen cob maitsi ac imarbaig C 2~2 eurab ma buadaigfes de | do mac Damain meic Dáiri C 3-3 ar oomaigthea C, ab (altered from ar) + ar in margin corneas Y *-4 Ro fil gnimh is mo reit laim C ô_5 this passage before the verses in G (correct place) 6 imuj with ara under line Y (abortive attempt at ocus imthusa of next sentencet) 7 suidigud C 8 baile C TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE Y 2423 C 1827 íLhúsa ó áin amaoh nochon iad ohestnaighther 1sund colléicc1, j,t[h]úsa Fir Diad. i i í-side]2 coa pupull. Ro bo cendgrugánaeh3 mertnech lucht *.ii jjj. Diad in aidchi sin. Demin leó baili i comrecdais dá '•tíh'iLe chomlaind in tsáegail co mbad oomthoitim dóib, nó didiu .to bíad de oc mbad hé a tigerna fén dofáethsad ann. Dáig íi soréid comrac fri Coin Culaind for Tánaid5. iátar imšníma móra for menmain Fir Diad in aidchi sin coná ôTlnKot cotlud dó. Ba dia imshnlmaib móra in[a] tairces do šétaib Jgt- jjjji jngen do légud úad ar apa oomruicc fri hoénfer; mani dernad ,o frisin n-óenfer sin didiu, comrac frisna sé curadaib | arna j. Irašním robo móo aici-som andás sin, dá nataiselbad hfecht for áth do Choin Culaind, demin lais ná bíad commus a §id i'ftch a anma aici bodéin asa hait[h]li. -Ócus atracht6 Fer Diad mochthráth arnabárach. íŕifaith a gilla,' for éisim, 'geib dún ar n-eocho -\ indill in carpat.' "•Dar ar mbréithir ém,' for in gilla, 'ní lía molas dúnd techt in uruis-íi so andás a nemdula.' Ibo" baí-som ic acallaim ind arad -\ dorigni in laid 'mbicc and ac «Egjlsaclifc an arad7: 'Tíagam isan dáil-sea 8do chosnom8 ind fir-sea co rísim in n-áth-sa9 áth forscara10 in badb, hi comdáil Con Culaind dá guin tre cherd11 cumaing 12co rraca12 trít urraind corob de bus marb. 'Robad ferr dúnd13 anad ní ba réid bar mbagar14 biaid neach dámba galar far scarad bid snéid. Techt in ndáil n-alt nUlad is dál dá mbía pudar is fada bus cumain mairg ragas in réim! u anna amach C 2 Tanicsidhe C 3 oendgrugaoh C * ui ba C laich Y, tanai C 6 aatracht Y 7"7 om. C 8~8 sic LL, cor omTC s intathsa Y, ind ath sa C 10 friscera C, fors ňgéra LL ireittLL 12-12 cor rúca Y, cu rug(a) C " lirm C, dúib LL added above line Y, maghar C, magar LL Y 2461 C 1862 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 87 'Écóir anní ráidhi ní hobair níad náire nocho dluig1 áli ní anfam fa[t] dáig. Bi 'tast dínd, a gilli, bid calma ar síst sinne ferr tendi ná timi tíagam isin dáil.' Tíagam Ro gob in gilla na heocho t ro indill in carpat, -| táncadar rempo 2860 asin longport imach. 'A gilla,' for Fer Diad, 'ní oóir i ndénmait, dula cen celebrad do í'eraib hErenn. Impó dúnd agaid 2na n-ech2 t in charpait for feraib hÉrind.' Ro impó in gilla aiged na n-ech t in charpait fo t[h]ri fri feraib 2865 htírenn3. Is and dorala Medb ic sriblad a fúail for urlár in pupaill. 'In cotlad do Ailill innosa V or Medb. 'Nad ed ámh,' ar Ailill. 'In cluine4 do c[h]liamain núa ac celebrad duit?' 'An ed dogní-soni ón?' ar Ailill. 287° 'Is ed écin,' for Medb. 'Acht luigim-sa a luigend mo t[h]úath ná tie arna cosaib cétna chucaib-si in fer dogní in celebrad út.' 'Ar aba ina tairtemar5 dá deigc[h]leamnas didiu,' or Ailill, 'acht co táethsad Cú Chulaind lais, fó linn cémad chomthuitim dóib6. Ane robad ferrdi lind Fer Diad 7do thérnom7.' 2875 Tánic Fer Diad remi co háth in chomlaind. 'Féga lat, a gilla,' or Fer Diad, 'in fil Cú Chulaind forsinn áth.' 'Nád fil ám,' or in gilla. 'Féga lat co maith dún,' or Fer Diad. 'Ní broth bee a falach 8Cú Chulaind8 áit i mbíad,' for in gillai. 28S0 'Is fir, a gilla. Nocho cúalaid Cú Chulaind deglóech nó deigfer do thiaohtain ina agaid cos inndiu for Táin Bó Cúailnge, -| in tráth9 adchúalaid, forácaib in áth.' 'Mór in líach Cú Chulaind do écnach ina fégmais, dáig in cumain lat-su in tan tuesabair in cath do Germán Garbglas úas eochairimlib 2885 38" Mara Toirrían? Ro fácbais-[s]eo | do c[h]laideb oc na slúagaib corob10 é Cú Chulaind ro marb cét lóech icá rochtain -] tucastair dait hé. Ocus in cumain lat ncá rabamar11 an aidchi sin?' or in gilla. 1 read dluig dait? 2_2 a each Y 3 riasiu íbrcoemnagair a lanim- pod add. C * gluine Y, cluino C 5 tartamar[n]i C 6 sic C, om. Y '^ bis Y 8 .c.c Y (Coinc-ulaind TBC2) 9 thrath Y 10 conid C, gurab F 11-11 c;a tech [ir]ronbamar C, ga tech 'na rabhamar F 2855 isin dáil. TÁLN BÓ CÜAILNGE Y 2496 C 1892 . fetar,' or Fer Diad. "tbig1 rechtairi Soáthaigi,' or in gilla, '7 dochódais-[s]iu co sogenda remond isin teaoh ar tús. Dobert in t-aithech ?dond n-áel trebennach dait hi midbach do droma co tarlaio . dít darin dorus imach. Tánic Cú Chulaind isteaoh 7 dobert ^dá c[h]laidiub dond n-aitheoh co nderna dá n-ordain de. Porobo rechtaire2 dáib eret robabair3 isin baili. Dá mbad in • ní epertha co mbadad ferr do lóech anná Cú Chulaind.' "iir j ndernais, a gilla,' for Fer Diad, 'dáig ní ticfaind ar amus in äaind dá mbad ar tús adbertha frim. Cid nach srengai feirtsi äiaxpait fom thaíb 7 mo fogaimen fom chind coro codlaind Soľ íonúar!' for in gilla. 'Is cotlad troch sin ar cind aigi 7 cúanart on a gilla, nach túalaing tusu forairi -| forcomét dam?' am túalaing,' or in gilla, 'acht mina thíastar 4a néllaib nó láer4 dot indsaigid, ná ticfaider anair ná 'niar dot indsaigid cen Ha cen rathugud.' i srengtha fertsi a charpait fó thóeb 7 a fogaimen fó chenn, 7 Kd níro chotail a becc. Oala Con Culaind doberar ar aird. Žaith a mo popa, a Laíg, geib na heocho 7 indill in carbat. Má Fer Diad acar n-irrnaidi, is fada lais.' jfOLtracht in gilla 7 ro gab na hecho 7 ro indill in carpat. Cindis |]bhulaind ina charpat -| tángadar rempo do indsaighid an átha. nthúsa gilla Fir Diad, nírbo chian dó oc forairi co cúala chucu jjairi in charpait. Ro baí ic dúscud a thigemai -| dorigni in & 'Rocluiniur cul carpait dar druing5 n-álaind n-argaid is fúath fír co farpairt úas dreich charpait c[h]rúaid dar Broinfeirtsib Broine dochengait in tsligi re táeb Baili in Bili is búadach in búaid. j^.1 A tig C 2 fer tigia C 3 d added later above first a = robadbair Y §*"* an ellaib (space due to defect in vellum) no aanaer Y read i néllaib nó i laer?, a ninaib 7 aieraib C 5 cuing C LL, sic leg. Y 2520 C 1925 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 89 'Is cú airctech eigis1 is cairptech glan gabus is seabac saer soighes2 a eocho bo deas 3demin lim 4da rua4 5eich charpait in c[h]ua5 dobéra dúnd tres. '6Dorairngert ón uraid6 mairc bias isin tulaig ar cind in c[h]on c[h]ubaid ticfa7 cebed chuin Cú na hEmna Macha Cú co ndelb each datha Cú chreiehi, Cú c[h]atha adeluinim, rocluin8.' Rocl. I 1 aigis C, aiges LL 2 alaidesa LL 3 line omitted here Y; is crodatta in oua C LL 4~* dinruaa C, donrua LL 5-6 is derb niba thuaa C, rafess niba tiia LL 6--NAladgleó Cethirn meic Findtain, Fiacalgleó Fintain, Rúadruca Mind, Bángleó Rochada, Mellgleó Iliach, Airicar nAiad, Aisling nAimirgin, Sírrabad Súaltaim, ■stal nUlad, Aislingi Dubthaich, Aislingthi [Cormaic] Con • es Toichim na rnBuiden, Gleóud1 in Chatha, Damgal na Tarb, XJsa in Duib C[h]úalngni for Táin. íU' m> Caladgleó Cethirn 3inso afec[h]tsa3 ". k Tchiu-sa oarpat tarsin mag atúaid4 indiu,' or Mac Roth, '-| \f\ fer fíndlíath cen gaisced5 acht óendolc n-argaid ina láirn. ••*■ indar lat is derm céttamun fil forsin carpat. Is cumma Lgoin in [n]-araid -\ inna heocho. Is ed hed6 lais nicon tair in SJ6g i mbethaid. Mílchú alath riam.' É'Cia sin, a Fergais?' bar Ailill. 'In dóig bad é Conchobar 7n6 Jtohair7?' l*Nách dóich,' ol Fergus. 'Dóig lim immorro rombad hé Cet-hern ftac fial fóebuirderg Fintain.' flocus ba fir son didiu. pFosnóbair-side íarom tresin dúnad -j gontai-seom sochaidi, -j ffBntar-som co mór co fluid cona inathar ima chosa dochum Con f Chulaind triasin cath. Arceisi de a guin. li'Cuinnig liaig dam-sa,' ol Cethern fri Coin Chulaind. ItDognithi cosair úrlóchra dó 7 frithadart fris. Is and foídis Cú föhulaind Lóeg úad isin duibdúnad8 co Fiacha mac Fir Febe do huindchid legi ~\ asbert nosmairfed-som uile cid fo thalmain no ISetis isin dúnad mani ríastais chucai-som do c[h]omchisiu Cethirn. pfírbo réid lasna leigi anní sin ar ní baí isin dúnad náchidrubad-som. Kgit9 as trá na leigi dia indsaigid. Danéici íarom in cétna liaig fäonánic. 'Nícon bía a mbethaid,' or seiside. 'Nícon bía-so didiu it bethaid,' ol Cethern. Beantai dia dum co Kuilid10 a inchind fora chlúasaib. Marbaid cóecait leigi díib fón indus pan, nó marbaid cóic firu déac díb amin. In fer déidenach níndránic facht ind mbéimme conid corastair i mmúaidhi11. Anachtai-side la |Co[i]n Culaind íarom. W- » gleo C 2~2 (Aus TBC2), Us C 3~3 cetua C 4 sic C, antuaid Y "■ * ann odd. C 6 sic Y, illegible C, read mod 7_7 om. C 8 duaad C 8 Tegit Y, Teeait C i° sic Y, illegible C, read tuiled or tuileud ? n itir sj'na legha eile add. C Y 2776 C 2311 TÁTN BÓ CÚAILNGE 97 Tíagar úaidib co Fíngin fáithliaig .i. liaig Conchobuir, co tísad do choimchisin Con Culaind -| Cethirn. 3190 'Ní maith dait,' or Cú Chulaind fri Cethern, 'na leigi da marbad. Ní fuigébthar for[r]o tuidecht cucut itir1.' 'Ní maith dóib-som didiu epert ind uilc frim-sa.' Air is ed adhered each liaig díb adoféchad ná bad beó ■] ná bad indlego itir, conid iar sin nambenad-som2 cona durn. 8195 Conacadar-som in carpat Fíngin a ndochum, air adcúas dó trummi do Choin Chulaind -\ do Chethem. Téiti Cú Chulaind ara c[h]end. 'Foimte dún Cethern,' or Cú Chulaind, '•) ba di chén ar ro marb cóic leigi déac ocu.' 320° Téit Fíngin cuici. Danéici di chéin. 'Cotumaici-si,' | ol Cethern. 'Is tend3 lim in forgom sa cetadom-ránic4.' 'Bangal báethúallach insin,' or6 Fíngin. 'Is dóig bid fir,' ol Cethern. 'Dománic ben6 máethainech bánai- 3205 nech lecanfata chaínmar7. Mong find fuirri8, -\ dá én óir fora gúalaind, -\ brat tlachtgorm eorcarrda 9hi cennfait impe9. Cóicdornn fuillechta di ór ara druim10. Craísech11 foráith fáebrach étrom ina léim, Claideb benndornach18 iarna imdae 13osé amulach13. Is mór a delb. Is é14 rombí -| cetadomthánic' 321° 'Aill amae!' or Cú Chulaind. 'Meadb Crúachan sin.' 'Fingal étrom induthrachtach inso. Nítbérat,' ol in liaig. 'Is fir,' ol Cethernn. 'Dománic ócláech. Cromscíath co fáebar condúala fair. Sieg c[h]uarrind ina láim. Calc dét 15iarna imda16. 14Trí tuith16 fair. Brat donn i ŕilliud imbi, delg n-argait n-and. 3216 Ruc fuil mbic húaim-sea.' 'Rofetar-sa,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Illand mac Fergusa meic Róig sin.' 'Galach dá féindid andso,' ol in liaig. 'Is fir,' or Cethern. 'Damánic dias. Dá fotalscíath leó, dá fiamchalad arcaid for céchtar de, búaile argait im chechtar n-aí. 322° Di sleig cúierindi leu, féthan arggait imppu. Tuidmaíle foraib. Muinchorach n-argaid im chec[h]tar n-aí.' 'Rosfetar-sa,' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Oil -\ Oichne, dá dalta Aileľla -\ Medba, insin. Nícon17 tíagait a noíndin itir nach erdalta gona duine bis leó-som18. It é19 nodgonad.' 3225 1 afrithisi C 2 nambennadsom Y 3 tinn C 4 citedomranio Y, oetadom[ranio] C 6 orsin Y, ar C 8 laech C ' caoinmar C, read chain már ? 8 fair C 9"9 i cendaitt uimbi C 10 durn C UgaiC 12 bendornaoh Y, bendach C 13~13 sic Y C, omilt. "sic Y C, read í "-15 iarnirada Y, illeg. C w-™ sic Y, illeg. C Read Tuidmaíle {as in LL), tri omitt. 17 sic C, Nico Y n-stroke omitted 1B sic C, ieoso Y m-stroke omitted 19 iet C t t t t t t t [ [ [ [ t í [ TÁIN BÓ CÚAILKGE Y 2S07 C 2341 ol Cethern. 'Coňgraim n-án 'Bun -j Mecon insin di šain- 'Dochótar triat chridi forr-Ní argenus2 a nn-ice,' ol sé, i «3 ' ^•«poiníinoadar dá lóech aili didiu, "'éicside foraib oté ferrnaidi.' '■ ig,usfetar-sa,' ol Cú Chulaind. ňiuintirindríg.' 'S «ípuba ind fuil se1,' ol in liaig. "tharrsnu co ndernsat crois de indut. 'Wl liio immorro di reib eolais co náchatbertais3 'Dergrúathar dá mac4 rig Chailli inso,' ol in liaig. 'Is fir,' ol Cethern. 'Dommánic dias óicfénded oté ŕindliatha " fidc[h]úacn 5cechtar de is mó5. Fir,' ol Cetheni, 'dochóid a mbiur-"ga tresind ala n-aí.' 'Bufafetar-sa,' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Dagóic do mórthelig Meadba jjjgin. Bróen -j Láiréne, dá mac teóra soillse, dá mac rig C[h]ailli.' 'Congal tri níath anísiu,' ol Fíngin6 .i. in liaig. 'Fír,' or sé. 'Dománic triar cutrumai. Rond créduma eturra rocrechta fo eill i luin.' 'Tri trúaill Banba insin di muintir7 C[h]on Raí meic Dáiri.' 'Búrach tri féindetha8 annísiu,' or Fíngin. 'Fír,' or sé. 'Dománic triar ócfénde[d]. Coňgraim9 féindidi foraib. Muntorc10 argaid ninia mbráigit11 each áe -j doni lán do , c[h]ruíseachaib la each n-áe. Adcomaing each fer | díb biur n-indam-sa. Adcomchus-[s]a a mbiur sa tria cechtar de didiu12. Triar13 di féindedaib na hlrúaithi insin,' ol Cú Chulainn. 'Doreclasa14 ara n-amainsi dot guin. Imruidbiset ém,' ol in liaig, 'féithi do chridi indit co n-imreith do chridi indit amail ." ceirtli a fásbolg. 15Ní ricaim15,' ol Fíngin. 'Imathc[h]osán16 tri feólc[h]ar inso,' or Fíngin. 'Is fir,' ol Cethern. 'Dománic triar remar mór ro bádar oc m o muídim ria siu domístais. Tri broine liatha foraib.' 55 'Tri rechtaire Medba t Aililla sin,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Scenb -j Rand -\ Fodail.' 'Tri bémend maitine inso,' or Fíngin. 1-1 Dub in fuil si C 2 sic Y C = argénua ? read argón-sa ? 3 a muchai add. C (i mmucha LL) 'om.YC 6_s sic Y (corrupt), for muin cech ai C, sic leg. 6 Fengme Y 7 muinter Y 8 sic Y, feinnodh C 9 sic C, coTigarman Y 10 sic C, triar muntorc Y (triar misplaced, prob. marginal in exemplar) n-ii jm bragaitt C, sie leg. 12 sie Y, cechtarde dibseom C 13 Triar dano C, om. Y {prob, triar supra l. 3244) 14 (doreclamsa TBC2 but 1 read as unintentional overhead stroke, not m), do[r]occlasai C 16-16 (nir caim TBC2) (second i faint Y), ni ricai(m) C 16 (mathcosan TBC2) Mathehosan C TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE 99 'Fir,' o! Cethern. 'Dománic triar ócfénde[d]. Putrall máile duibe for each n-áe. Cochléne breč lígda im gach n-aé -\ tří lorga iaírn ina lámaib.' 3260 'Tri Fruích Baíscne sin, tri fuis méisi Medba,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Attach dá derbráthar inso,' ol Fíngin. 'Is fir,' or Cethern. 'Damánic dias cétríglach1. Dá brat dub-glasa impu. Dá chromscíath co fáebar c[h]ondúala foraib. Manaís lethanglas for erunn midsing2 i lláim cechtar de.' 3285 'Rofetar,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Cormac Colomon ind ríg -\ Cormac Maíle Ogath,' 'It imfoicsi3 ém inn fuil ro forsat fort,' ol in liaig. 'It c[h]róes dochótar 4a ndís4. Immosrocréchtatar5 a ngái indut6. 'Cungus dá derbráithre inso,' ol in liaigh. 3270 'Dóig,' ol Cethern. 'Domáinic dias ócláech. Folt cass buide forsin dara n-aí, folt cas dond fora chéli. Dá gelscíath leu co túagmílaib óir. 'Claideb dorngel7 8iarna n-imdaib8. BLéini c[h]ul-patach9 co nndergindliud impu.' 'Rusfetar,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Mane Aithremail -\ Maine Máith- 3275 remail andsin.' 'Imrubad meic -j athar inso,' or in liaig. 'Is fir,' ol Cethern. 'Damráncadar dá fer dermóra caindeldercai co mbendaib óir fora cennaib. Claideb órduim foa choim cech fir. Ferbolc impu co tici a ndl aithircc. Ardarcc óir bric im chechtar de.' 328° 'Rosfetar,' or Cú Chulaind.' "Ailill sin t a mac .i. Mane Condus-geb Uile.' 'Ceist cindas atomchíi-sea, a poba a Fíngin?' ol Cethern. 'Ní gó ém,' ol Fíngin, 'nítad tabartha buí duit ar dartaib indosa.10 Céin ba deisib -j tririb, ba herusa do chomehisi' or Fíngin. 'In tan 3285 as slicht slúaig11, ar12 atbéla do anim cip eruth.' Imsoí13 Fíngin in carpat úad la sodain. 'Romseehis-[s]e amail do chéiliu.' Is and tucaib14 dornd dó co mbaí dar dí fert in charpait condreised15 in carpat huile. 329° Is andsin asbert Cú Chulaind: 1 sic C, cetrilach with letter elided after i, no righlach gloss added later in margin Y 2 midhsing aspiration mark added later, no e added above i of •sing Y, miseng C 3 imoicsi with f added later Y, imfaiesi C 4~4 read after ro fersat ? 5 immosrocechatar with o and t added later after -ch- Y, imosroechetar C 6 duit Y, indutt C 7_7 claidib dorngelae C 8~8 sic C, iarna iinda (a added later after n) Y fl_9 leinti culpaidhechai C 10 ar cia dobertha ni tú féin nodus meala add. C lx nit rocar ic motpera forsna sluagadh (sic) add. G ~ ní trócairech 'motbéra forsna slúagaib ? 12 omitt. ? 13 sic C, amsai Y 14 sic Y C 16 conid geia C TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE y 2rtH-2 C 23í' '-dúaig i11 ^uae sengrantae se lat1.' "de atá 2Óchtur Lúi2 hi Crích Rois beós3. córu bid for náimdib immabertha4,' or Cú Chulaind, 'oldás5 • ^jdsin íarom erpais in léig tógu dó, im bad buith fora | huthar nd mbliadna -| beathu dó íarom fa nert tri lá -\ tri n-aidchi fo Stóir do imbirt fora náimdib. Is ed ón íarom 7do thog-sam7. íaroni condiacht Cú Chulaind smiur don léig dia frepaid8. Do-a» smirchomairt10 di chnámaib ina cethra frisi comairnig. is de ygmirombair a Crích Rois. ÖO ro chotail lá co n-aidche iar n-ól in smero11. %ímthat asnai,' or Cethern. 'Tabair asnai oreiti in charpait s;um,' or sé. TJotbía,' or Cú Chulaind. %aň mo gaisced fén 12do beith12 no beth agum-sa,' or sé, 'robad jiu co bráth a ndogénainn.' Imnain samail frisnid13 cosmail a u-adcinu-sa,' or Cú Chulaind. ;ÍCid atchí-si?' ol Cethern. T'Cosmail lim bid hé carpat 14Finde Becce ingine Echdach14 do16 á-so dotáesad cucund.' Conacatar ní: in mnaí16 cosin ňgaisced isin charput. Gaibid Cethern17 a gaisced -\ fosnópair in slóg íarom -\ a chreit a fhlarpait 18i nn-imnaidm fria thairr18 ar mba treisi di. "Berid robud remi isin dúnud in liaig marb19 hí thall adrolla -'dh-som remi ro baí itir collaib na legi n-aile. Is íarom ara omun-som foruirmed mind nAilella20 forsin coirthi. ^bair-som didiu in coirthi ■] benaidh in claideb trít co luid a dornn "'t i ndeadaid21 in c[h]laidib. Is de atá Liaa Toll i Crích Rois. -'Isbrég anísa trá,' or sé. 'Nícon aniub-sa díb ém,' for sé, 'conid-ácor for duine in mind se Ailella.' 'Is íarom conmelt foroib 22laithe co n-aidchi22 23coro gab23 Mane bra chend in mind -j fosfóbair ina charpat remi. Focherd didiu ■"scíath ina diaid conid ro rand cona araid -\ co lluid triasna24 heocho hi talmain. I1 beos add. Y C (misplaced) 2-'2 Uachtar Lua C 3 taken from end of preceding sentence 4 imbertha G, read immotbertha? 6 sic C, ol Y '«crí&aí error) arid attempt to add some letter after 1) 6 leghaib C 7-7 ro ítoghsomh C 8 frebaid Y, freptai C ° Dorigne Cu Chulaind G l0 smir donliaighC 14 -| ierna fotracadh and add. C 12-12 sic Y, om. C, omitt. 13 fnsnad (sic) C 14-14 Findbéice ingine Echaoli G u(laY ls mai (ň- stroke omitted) Y « asa odd. C 18~1S imbi G 19 sic C, in marg. Y 40 nAileillo Y 21 = ňdegaid, ndeadh C 22~22 laithiu oonaithiu Y, la '00 n-aidchi C 23"23 cor gaib | ib Y, coro gaib C 24 trina C Y 2890 C 2421 TAIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 101 Ro iadii in slóg imbi-som íarom. Conmelt-som didiu foraib co torchair eturru amlaid1. 2Fiacalgleó Findtain so sís2 IS íarum dolluid Findtan do dígail a meic doraib. Tri cóecait fer n-imrind dó. Dá gáe for each crunn leu, -\ fochroisse impu. 3330 Dober-sidi secht cathu dóib conná terno nech dia muintir3 acht héseom fesin -\ a mac. Is íarom etarsearthar-side frÍ3-[s]om 4fon amdabaid scíath1, -| anachta la hAilill ara omun-som -| ar nach n-imbred foraib co tísad la Conc[h]obar don chath. Dobert-som cairdi friu-som íarom ar telcod a meic dó. 3335 5Rúadrucca Mind annso sís5 DOlluid Mend mac Salchada chucu íarom, trícha fer n-imrind dó. Docer la Meidb0 íarom dá fer déac díib-som 1 dá fer déc dia muintir-som7 didiu, -j goíta-som fesin calad -| ba forrderg a muinter. Is de atá Rúadrucca Mind. 3310 Doléicsed dúnad iar sin do Miunn -\ ní gegain-side didiu nech díb-som acht insin naroá. | 8Asbreth fris ní bboí ein no mbeith dóib8. Ní adalsad a mendot for Bóaind hi Correndaib. Is and baí-side 1 ní po sár dó telcudh dúnaid dó co taísed don chath la Conc[h]obar. »315 Bángleó Rochada annso I íá íarom dosnáinic Rochad Rigderg mac Faithemain di Ultaib, trícha fer n-imiin[n] dó, -) gabais telaich ina farrad -] arfócarthar isin dúnad. Asbert Findabair íarom ba hé a cétšerc. 'Má rodoarais didiu,' or Ailill 1 Medb, 'guid ossad dó co tí la 3350 Conc[h]obar don chath, -] foí lais ambárach d'adaig.' Dogníth uile 9cen corbo réith a breith fair9. Focres a phupall do šuidiu a Findabair -\ faíd laisin n-ingin. Adfiadar són dona secht rígaib di Muma. Asbert rí díb-side. Dobrethai dam-sa an ingen siu,' ol sé, 'for cóic aitirib déao 10ar 3355 tuideacht in tslúaigid sea10.' 1 ar in calad sin unde Caladgleo Cethirn C 2-a om. C 3 muinter Y 1-4 read after la hAilill, misplaced 5_5 om. C 6 idb on erasure Y, •■end Mond 7 muintersom Y 8-8 ismbred fria ni mbai ein ima mbeí doibh G; read ní boí cín 'no (= 'na) mbeith dóib ? 9~9 -] nibo reith fírsim (sic) a bvoith fair C m-™ am. C 102 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE Y 2921 C 2402 ■ Atamatar a móiršeiser dainbreth1 2da cách2 úadib in cor sin. tó, ^„jt (üa dígail íarom for maccu Ailella i nGlenn Domain. Bátar ''oe foíaire ón tslóg- i" Faráith Medb ón íarom. Faráith in tríoha oét na nGailian ir ráith Ailill- Faráith Fergus. Dooertar3 and secht cét i n-Im- aigi Glindi Domain. Ts he Bángleó Rochada insin -| 4Imšligi Gleanndomnaoh4. Roohúalai Findabair annísin .i. apthain na secht cét triana i fochann5 Atbail ar féili "and sin6. Is de atá Findabair Slébe. Meillgleó nlliach so f" .f DOlhúd chucu íarom hilech senathair Lóegairi Búadaig7 for Áth Feidli. Lóegaire Búadach mac Connaich Buidi meic hlliach. Buí 8icá gairi8 la húa hi Ráith Impail. Dofóccair i »(jochom in tslúaig9 co tóetsad a [njdígail lais. Is amlaid 10dolluid ina charput c[h]retach n-imbi10 cen fogaimen cen fortgai. Dí éengabair buidi fón c[h]arput crín. Ocus línais a charpat n-imbi di c[h]lochaib co mbu lán co tici a focharpat11. Asorggad cách dothéiged dia déchsain ossé tarrnocht lebarpentol " 1 in clapar triasin creit sís. Rathaigis íarom in slóg mdas 12in toichime12 dombert, contibset in fear tarnocht. Is and 13ro choisc13 Dóchae mac Mágach in dáescorslóg ocon chuidmead, -\ asbert-som fri sudiu tára héisi is é no bered a c[h]laideb t no bíad a chend de deuth laí "acht imrobreth-som14 a chumaňg forsi[n] slóg. ' La sodain raithigestair15 in smirc[h]omairt. Adfes dó ba do chnámaib bó nUlad dogníth. Is íarom dogní-som in smirc[h]-omairt n-aile ina farrad co fil in dí smirumair immaille 16di chnámaib | fer 01 nÉcmacht18. Gatais Dócha a chend de-som íarom ďadaich 17i bertai17 dia ' húa. Dogéni cairdes fri suidiu -j baí a c[h]laideb lais. Mellgleó Iliach sin 18uair condidnatib in slóg18. 1 T dam breth Y, dobretha C 2~2 do each aen C 3 docearatar C 4-1 Imsligi Glinne Domain C 5 bithin C 6_e sin Y and space before ward, indsein C. ' buagaich Y 8"» om. C 9~9 don tshmg C ío-io boj ^ oarpat oretaoh n-imbiu C n fogaimen C 12~12 na toichme C 13-13 oonseohao .i. ro ooiso C i4-i* acht ro imbridsom C 16 sic Y, rathaigsim C, read rathaigestair 16-16 s{c y C, misplaced from after n-aile «-" -| bertai ^ bentai Y, et bentais C 18"18 uain condidnatib inelóg Y, ba huime conatib [read cotnatib )in sluagh C TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 103 Airecor nArad ann so DOllotar dochum Thaillten íarum in slóig. Ataroirthet[ar] araid Ulad, tri chóeca a Hin. Dofuitet a1 tri comlín leó -] dofuitet-som foisine. 3390 Roí2 Arad is hed a ainm ind luic i torchratar3 4cona feadain ar Tánaig Bó Cúailrigi4. Aislinge nAimirgin annso Alslingi nAimirgin trá iar sin hi tír Thailten. Dosmbidc5 asa aislingi coná hétad 6dune a ainech do6 i Tailtin. 3395 Is and táinic Cú Raí mac Dáire cusin slóg do chomruc fri Coin Culaind. Adchúas dó ro gab a óenur tri mísa gaimrid fri feraib hErend. Ní ba fearrda la Coin Ruí mac Dáiri7 teacht íarom ara cheand ind fir tregdaithi créchtaigthi, ar ro bíth Cú Chulaind co ndoc[h]aid a áltaib8 dó. Is íaromdobidc Cú Raí díbrucud9 arceann 340() araile fri hAmargine co 'mmafreeraidis na clocha isinn áer. Is íarom gáid Cú Raí inní Amargine im légud ina tána dar Tailtin. Léicsis íarom Amaigin. Nír bo machtad immorro bith ar égin nombertha. Ocus doringelt Cú Ruí dó-som nád bíad i coímthecht in tslóig ón húair sin. Dogníth didiu. Luith Cú Raí 10ón tslóg10 fo chétóir. 3405 In tan íarum adidchondairo Amairgin dosoíset elár clé fri Tailtin -] fri Ráith nAirthir, feccais forro aithirrach. Is ed třes11 ňdíríme na Tána arro marb díb-sin. Ocus a mac Conall Cernach12 anais lais oco thimthirecht di c[h]lochaib -| gaib. Sírrabad Súaldaim annso 341° GEini dongníthea trá ina hí-siu adchuadamar13 rocluinethar Súaltaim14 ó Ráitli Súaltaim i mMaig Muirrthemne búadrugud a meic Con Culaind fri dá mac déc Gaile Dána -j mac a šethar. Is and asbert Súaltaim: 'In nem maides fa muir thar chríoha fa thalam conseara fa gáir 3'115 rao maic se,' ol sé, 're n-éccomlonn?' 1-1 sic C, an Y 2~2 Ré C 3~3 torchar ar Y, toreratar C i~1 om. C, CoTiid Airecor nArad innsin on airegar dobertsat for na trensluagaib add. C 5 dosbiude Y, dosmbedec C 6-6 s{c y; read dune'no lamad a ainech do thaisbénad {or thócbáil) dó or the like, duine dorucath ainech C 7 frisin slog add. Y C {misplaced aloss on fri feraib hÉrend) 8 altaib Y, haltoib C 9 dib dibrucud Y ío-io original reading ofY, a ndiaid added later above, on ts\uag C J1 tris Y 12 chernach Y 13 adchuidimar Y, atcuadamar C 14 suallaith Y . •. . 04 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILŇGE Y 2978 C 2547 ;T)othét íarom dochum a meic. Ba hole la suide1 tuidhecht dó uceai. Cia nongonta ní mbiad-som nert dia dígail. 'Er£ co hUltu,' ol Cú Chulaind, 'i taibret cath fo chétóir donaib >eaib. Mmu thibreat, 2nícon diastar foraib2 co bráth.' Ammanaca3 a athair íarom nícon robai 4ina chorp áit4 | 6forsa -lised5 rind simni nád bad6 tregdaithi. A lám c[h]lé namá doet in • scíath coíca fuile is ed ro baí inti. Farruma do Emain, congair do IJltaib: 'Fir gontair, mná brattar, baí agtharľ " ^ chétna gairm a táeb ind lis, 7anní n-aill7 di thaibled8 in ^diíne an tres gairm íarom for Duma na nGiall i nEmain. Ní frecart nech. Ba airmert di TJUtaib ní labrad nech dib acht9 n Conc[h]obar, ní labrad Conc[h]obar acht1011ressna tríb druídib11. 'Cista brata, cisda gata, cisda henV ol in draí. 'Nos mbe?i,' ol Súaltaim, 'nos gata, no mbrata Ailill mac Máta la heolios Fergusa meic Róig. Ro indertha far muinter co tici Dún Sobairc[h]e. Ructha a mbaí -j a mná -| a n-éti. 12Nís leíci12 Cú Chulaind a Maig Murthemne -\ a Crích Rois tri misa gaimrid. Túaga trá congabait a brat fair. Suip šesca fail ina áltaib13. Ro gáet co ndeohaid a áltaib14 dó. 'Ba huise16,' ol in draí, 'a bás ind fir ro gresi ind ríg.' 'Is deithbir dó,'16 ol Conc[h]obar. 'Is dedbir dó,' ol Ulaid16. 'Is fir a canas Sualda[i]m,' ol Conc[h]obar, 'Ón Man aidche samnai co ricci lúan aidchi imbuile ocor n-indred.' Focherd Súaltaim bedc imach la sodain. Nír lór lais 17a n-aithesc17 r rodbai. Ocus dofuit fora scíath co mbí fáebar conndúala in scéith -~a chenn de. DobeiV 18i nEmain18 aitheiroch a chend forsin scíath ,19isa teach19 -\ asbeir an cend an focol cétna. —20Cia asberat20 "alaili21 is inna c[h]otlud 22ro boí-som22 forsind liaic, -\ is de dorochair '• fora scíath oc diuchtrad. 'Ba romór a núall sa trá,' ol Conchobar. 'Muir ara cendaib, in .nem húasa rhbennaib, talum foa cosaib, dobér-sa cech mboin ina hindis díb ^ each mben -\ cech mac dia tig iar mbúaid chatha.' 1 sic C, suthe Y 2"2 sic Y, ni bia toobail cind doib C 3 f added later . above aca Y, imfaca C i^i ina oharpat (sic) Y, ina corp C (áit omitted) * 5"6 forsa roi setí Y space before s (forsaroi acht TBC2), forsa rosith C 6 ba C -~ »-' anni | naill Y, a n-aill C 8 taib- led Y, taiblib C 9 in marg. Y 10 added later under line Y 11~nfri nech dinaib trib druithib G 12~12Nis ^reilic C 13 aaltaib Y » áltaib Y, haltaib C 15 hisa Y, hussa C M-i« ol in ri ocus ol Ulaid C 17_1'in t-aitese C 18"18 indemain Y C '-- 19_19 sic Y, isin teoh C, read in t-ech after dobeir ? 2°-20 ciasi borad Y, "čias atberat C 21 sic C, alailiu Y 22~22 ro boi so Y C 4* TAIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 105 Forrumai Conchobar íarom láim fora mac, for Findchad Fer mBend. —Is aire asberar do šuidiu fo bith no mbitis benna argaid fair. Tochestol Ulad inso s A Troi, a findchaid! Not foídiu co Dedad1 có inber, co 3455 jT-^Leamain, co Fallach, co hlllann mac Fergossa, co Gabar, co Dorlunsa, co hlmc[h]láriu, co Derg Inderuc, co Feidlimid 2eo Cilar Cétach2, co Fáeladán, co Rochaid mac Faithemain co Rigdond, co Lugaid, co Lugda, co Cathbuith3 có inber, co tri Coir-briu co hAelai, 4co Lae[g] | coa thachur,4 5coa Glend5, oc Senoll 3460 hUathach, co Débul Ardda, co Cethirn mac Findtain [co] Carlaig, Bco Cethern co Eillne6, co Aurothor7, co Mulaig coa dún, cosin rigfilid co hAmii'gin, "cosin nÜathadaich Fodoblaid,8 "cosin Mórrignai9 co Dún Sobairche co hleth, co Roth, co Fiachna có fert, co Dam Dremed, co Andiaraid co Mane mac mBraitharge, co Dam Derg, co 3465 Mod, co Maithes, co hlrmaitliis, co Corp Gliath, 10co Gabar Leigi Line10, co hEchtaich11 kSainmech12, co Saimne, 13co hEchdaich Lath-acli13 co Latharnu, 14co hUma mac Remarbisi41, co Fethain15, co Muinremur mac Gcrrgind, co Senlobair co Canaind nGall, co Follamain, co Lugaid ri Fer mBolc, 16co Laigi Line16, co Búaidgalach, 3470 17co Ambúach17, co Fergna, co Barrene, co hAine, 18co hAirigi nEchbél coa bri18, co Celtchar mac Cuithechair co Lethglais, co Lóegairi Milbél có breó, co tri macaib 19Dromscailt meic Dregamm19, co Drenda, co Drendas, co Cimb, co Cimling, co Cimmene, 20co Fána Caba20 co Fachtna mac Senchath, 21coa ráith21, co Senchaid, co 3475 Scnchairthe, co Briccir, co Bricirne, co Breie, co Búan, co Bairech22, co hÓengus mac Leti, co Fergus mac Leiti, co hÓengus Fer m[B]olg co Bruachar23 co hAlaniaoh in fénnich24 co Slánge, co tri macu Fiachna25 co Cúailňge, co Conall Cernach co Midlúaohair, co Connad 1 co Arclo co Mocn add. C 2~2 oc hilar cetaig C, Chilair chetaig LL 3 Cathbad C, Cathbath LL -t—1 co Laeg coa thöchur LL, sie leg. 5~6 co Geimen coa Glend LL, sie leg. 6_6 oni. LL, omitt. 7 Torothor C, Tarothor LL 8~8 cosin TJathaig Fodoblaid C, cosin nUathaig mBodba LL 9~9 cosin jMorrigain C LL, sie leg. lü-10 c0 Gabarlaig i lLine LL ll om. C, Eocho LL, hEochaidh St 12 saimnech TBC2, om. C, semnech LL 13-13 c0 hEochaid Latách C, co hEochaidh Laithrech St 14.-" Co hUma mac Rémorbsi C, co hUma mac Remarfessig LL 15 Fedain Cualňge LL iti-iG c0 Laeg di Line C, co Lugdaig Line LL 17-17 co Buach C, co hAbach LL ís-ia ... co habra Y, co hAirigi Echbel co Bri C, co hErrgi Echbél co Jiri Evrgí LL 19-19 Trosgail LL, Trioscatail St 2»-29 co Viní na Coba LL 21-21 co haraid Y, coa ráith LL 22 Boaime C, Baraeh LL 28 Bruchur Y, Bruachur C LL 2* feindid C 2& co Ross co Daire co Imchaid add. LL m TÁIN Bó CÚAILNGE Y 3037 C 2815 „ jforna co Felunt1, co Coin Culaind mac Súaltaim co Muir-K'mne co hAimirgin co hEas Rúaid, co Lóeg, co Leiri, 2co mac feitlcľhlolca2 co Coirenda, co 3Coin Rí3 mac Amargin 4coa ľáith4, co efcrtenfíus Fer mBenn Umai, co hOgma nGrianainech, co Brccc, co sihFo uiac nOircne5, co Toillc[h]end, co Saithi, co MogoJl Echbél 6co *ír„gnai6, co Conla Sáeb co hÚarba, co Láegaiľi mBuagach co É%Tmpail, 7°° hAilile nAmargine7 co Tailtin, co Furbaidi Fer Benn ř>eo Seil co Manes8 9co Cúscraid Mend, co Maich9, co Fíngin co ÍKndgabra, co Cremath | co Blae Fichit, co Blae Brugaich, co lir, co hEógan mac Durthacht co Fer[n]mag, 10co hOrd10, SfHco Seirid co Serthe11, co hOblán, co Cuilén, co Cuirther12 co Liana, $■0 jjEithbenne, co Fernél, co Findc[h]ath Slébe Betha, co Talgobain13 roo Bearnas, 14co Mend mac Fer Calca14, co Maigi Dulo, co h f roll co Blárígi, 15co Tibraidi mac nAilcotha15 16co hľala Iňgraimme18 "co ■ Jíaigi Doblo co Ros mac nAilchatha17 18co Mane mac Cruinn18, 19co «rjľindich mac Cruind19 20co Dipsemilid20, 2,co Mál mac Rochraidi21, "rs2Co Muindi mac Munremair22, 23co Fiatach For nDoirre mac Dub- 'thaich23, 24co Muirne Mend24. '^ 26Nírbo andsa thrá do Findchath a techtaireacht 26ar ro bátar2'1 "oóiceth Conchobair huile, each tigerna dib, oc irnaidi Conchobair. 5oo jfach óen trá baí fri hEmain anair -\ antúaid i aníar27 dolotar uile co "mbádar oc Emain Macha. In tan 28bátar and28 adcúaladar bomérge do Chonc[h]obar i nnEmain. Lotar-som sech Eamain "fodeas i ndiaid in tslóig. A cétna tochumluth íarom ó Emain co hírard Cuilleand. ÍS* 'Cid fris n-anaid sund?' ol Conchobar. - 4 sic Y, Felann C, Callaind LL 2_2 sic Y, co Menn mac Salcolco C, co Mend mac Salcholcan LL -l~3 Conri Y, Coin Righ C, Condraid LL - *~4 co haraithi Y, co haraith C, coa ľáith LL r* Oircni C, Forne LL 8-6 co Maigne C 7-7 co hAmerghi Iergiun C, co hAmargin Iarňgiun- naig LL 8~8 co Síl co Mag nTnis hl>, sic leg. °~° co Cumscruidh Mend Macha C, co Causcraid Mead Macha mac Conchobair co Macha LL 10 sic C LL, co Dord Y n-ii co Seirid C, co Serthig (th added over line) LL 12 Cuirechair C, Curethar LL 13 Salgabann C, Talgo- baind LL n-n co Mend mac Fir Chúaland LL 15~15 co Tipritte mac nllchada C, om. LL 16-ití c0 niia ngraimine C, co híalla nllgremma LL 17-17 co Maigi co Blai co Rus niac Ailchada C, co Ros mac nllchroth- aig co Mag Nobla LL 18-is co Mane mac Crunn Y, co Mane mac Cruinn C, om. LL 19-19 c0 Nindid mac Cruinn C (placed last in list), om LL 20-20 co Dinbsid Milid C, om. LL 2i-24 om. LL 22"22 co Muinne, co Miinremar C, co Bunni mac Munremair LL 23-23 c0 Fiachna Fer nDaire mac Dubtaig C, Fidach mac Doraire LL -*'2i om. C LL 6 Aisling Cormaic Con Longes so added before this section Y (misplaced) 26-26 at added above later Y, ro boi C -7 in tan batar and add. Y (jnis-placed) om. C 28-2s om. Q Y 3064 C 2630 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 107 'Oc irnaidi do mac-su,' or in slóg. 'Dochótar co tríchaid cét1 leó 2do Theamraig2 do chuindchid Eire meic Cairpri Níad Fer -\ Fedelme Nóichridi. Condontísat a udá tríchaid cét sin ní ragam don maigin sea.' 'Ní aniub chétus,' ol Conchobar, 'co fesadar fir hÉrend mo 35 diuchtrad-sa asin ches a raba.' Luid Conc[h]obar i Cealtchair tríb cóictib carpai3 co tubartadar4 ocht fichti cend díb óÁth AirthirMidi. Is de atá Ath Féne. Bádar and oc frecomét in tslóig i ocht fichid ban, 5ba si a n-ernail din brait5. Dobretha a cenda and i dofaídi Conc[h]obar -| Celtchair 35: dochum an dúnaid. Is and sin asbert Celtchair fri Conc[h]obar: 'Táibli lethderga la rig n-ága samlaithiu6 co fodbaib fethe dees miomain im chét cróeb di thaile traigead trícha cetharriad cét crúaid neach damela cét im cét druad diar tuns na esbiad fer feraind 35: im druimne Conc[h]obair fochleamar cath clichit a féine rogenetar cath for Gáirich t Irgáirich,' ol sé. —Nó comad hé Cúscraid Mend Macha mac Conc[h]oba[i]r ro chanacl in laig sea in adaig riasin cath for sucht na laidi ro chan 45b Lóegaire | Búadach .i. 'Afraigid, rig Macha. Aurclichid et reliqua,' 3S -| comad isin dúnad tair ro canta. Ba isin n-aidchi7 sin adchondairc Dubthach Dóel Ulad in aislingi a mbádar hid tslóig for Gáirich -] Irgáirich. Is and asbert triana chotlud: Aislingi Dubthaich so 35 'Amra maitne amra mithisi mescfaither slóíg, sóithfidir8 rig, memsite muineóil, ruidfes grian, dommema for tří slúagu slicht slúaig Ulad im Chonchobar, imconsénat a mná, doséset a n-éti isin maitin manairther, arsilsither laich, diroirpiter coin, ardidsiter eich i llenith loth ibther sinis cluipetach di dálaib mórt[h]úath.' 35 Dofochtradar tria chotlud la sin. Cotmesca 9ind Némain9 forsin slóg. Adbail cét fer dib. 10In tan tóeter didiu íarom10 co cúaladar dorís11 Cormac Con Longes, 12nó comad hé Ailill mac Mátae isin dúnad tíar no chanad so12. 13Búadris Aililla13. 35 1 sic C, om. Y 2_2om. C 3 cair[pt]- iuch C, read cairptech 4tucatarC 5-5 ba sed ind email braitti boi oceu C 6_8 domsamlatha C (some letters erased before samlaithiu Y) 7 naichdi Y 8 sóithfidir Y 9_9 ind ornain Y, in demhain C ío-io it (with overhead stroke) tóeter didiu iarom Y, ottorra. Toothar iaromh aitherrach C uom.C i2-i2(nó) Ailill. Aislingti Corpmaic Conloinges nó Ailella C 13-13 huair | Aililla Y (corrupt), om. C '8 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGB Y 30ÍM C 285 "'Mór a ossad, osad Cuilleand. 'Móra cocuir, cocuir Delend1. 'óra 2echgracha, echracha Alais nó Asail2. Móra tedmand, ted-'itíid 3Tuath Breissi3.' Toichim na mBuiden a-nnso C* Éni trá ro gníthea ina físi seo ro airlesatar Connachta a oomairle Ailella -\ Medba -| Fergusa techtaireda úaidib do décsin Ulad dús in torpart[at]ar an mag. Is and sin íarom asbert Ailill: .:'"''ICirc, a Meio Roth, trá,' or Ailill, '-] décca dúnd 4indat ole4 inna ^r isin mag sa Midi 5i tám5. Tuoas-[s]a a mbrait ^ a mbú. Do-"bérad cath dam-sa mad6 tacar dóíb. 'Mani torpartadar didiu' "nísnidnus sund ní bus siriu.' ' Luid Mac Roth iarom do décsain 1 do írccomét in maigi. 8Da 'jithrala8 aithirrech co hAilill 7 Medb -| Fergus. In cétna fecht 'arom doréooaoha Mao Roth húad do accmac Slébe Fúaid, co n-acca jar sin dorrala ina huili fiadmila asin fidbaid co rabadar isin niaig huile. *In fecht n-aili didiu,' or Mac Roth, 'doréceacha úaim in mag co n-acca in tromchiaich ro lín na glendu -| na fantu co nderna na ftilcha9 eturru amail indsi i llochaib. Dommárfas i ar sin ina oíble tened asin mórc[h]iaich sin. Iar suidiu domárfas ilbrechtrad "each illdatha isin bith. Atchondarc10 íar sin nin saignénraith11 7 in ■ mbreisimnich 7 in tornich 7 in gaíth móir—bec nád ruce mo folt dom ľohindi nácharam trascair dar m'aiss | 7 ní bu mór gáeth in loí ehena.' 'Cfld sucat, a Ferguis?' or Ailill. 'Samalta lat.' 'Ní andsa dam-sa a samail ón,' or Fergus. 'Ulaidh indsin ar tíachtain asa ces. It é torpartatar a fid. Imdiong íarom 7 mét imforráin na láth ngaile, is ed forrochraid in fid, is rempu ro ťhechadar na fiadmíla isin mag. An tromeheó atchonnarcais ro Hana fantu, anála na trénfer sein ro lín na glenntu co nderna na -íulcha amail indsi i llochaib eturru. 12In tsaignénrath12 7 13ind fblech13 tened -| in t-ilbrechtrad 14adchondareais-.siu14, a Meic Roth,' or Fergus, 'it é súile na caurad assa cennaib sin doraitniset frit amail "oíble tened. In toirnech immorro-| in bieisimnech15-| in tormgal16 $ 1_I om. here C 2~2 éegracha écgracba aňail 0 3-3 tod Y, tunth '[Bressi] C LL •*-* sic Y, indad foilid C & -s om. c 6 > na Y ^7 before ucas-sa etc. YC 8-8 Do athrala C 9 (tuleha TBC2) 10 Atchondairc Y, Atconarc C 11-11 in šaighnenrath Y (aspiration marks late) 12-12 intsaignenath Y (int saignenach TBC2), in tsaignenrad C 13-13 ;ncj ňaibleoh Y 14-14 adehondairesiu with i added later between c and s Y, atoonairoaissi C 15 sic C, breisbennech Y 1G tromgal Y, tromnelgal C Y 3127 C 2099 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE 109 ľochúalu-su, fetgaire na claideb -j na calg ňdét insin, breisimneach na 3575 n-arm, caulgairi na carpat, basgaire na n-each, nert ina n-errad, búrach ina féndeda, fúaim na mmíled, mórbruth -] ferg -j borrfod ina láth ňgaile oc dechrad dochum in chatha. La mméit inna feirgi -j ind lúthbasa inddar leó ní tairset itir,' or Fergus. 'Artanesamar,' or Ailill. 'Itát óic lind dóib.' 3580 'Ricfa-su a lleas ón,' or Fergus, 'fo bíth ní foigébthar i nnÉrind uili nach a n-iarthar domain, óthá Greciae -\ Sceithiae síar co hlndsi Orcc •] co Colomna Hercoil -\ co Tor mBreogain -\ co hlndsi Gaid, nech foló Ultu foa mbruth -| foa ferg,' or Fergus. Is iarsin íarom luid Mac Roth aridise do décsain toichme fer 3585 nUlad co mboí inna ndúnadh oc Sleamain Midi. Luid íarom aridisi co hAilill -\ Medb t Fergos, -\ adfét scéla derba dóib 'co n-ebert1 Mac Roth acá n-aisnéis: Táinic buiden mór bruthmar brigádach borrfadach isin telaich oc Sleamain Midi,' for Mac Roth. 'Dóig lim immorro 2is árim2 tríchat3 3590 cét int i. Rostellsad4 a n-étaigi díib fo c[h]étóir -\ ro cechladar fert fótmaig5 fo suidiu0 a taísich. Lóech cáem seta fota ard óemind, / caínem do rígaib a clelb, i n-airinach na buidne. Folt findbuidi fair ossé cas deas tóbach druimneach co rrici áth a dá gúaland. Fúan cas corera imbi hi forcipul. Bretnais derseai[g]thech dergóir ina 35!15 brut fora brundib. Rose roglas rochaín ina chind. Coinsiu c[h]orcarda lais ossí fochóel forleathan. Ulcha dégablánach7 erchas órbuidi occa. Léne gel c[h]ulpatach co ndeirgindliud i 46b custol8 imbi. | Claideb órduirn iarna imdae. Gelsoíath co túagmíl- aib óir fair. Manais lethanglas fora chrund midenn9 ina láim. 360° Ailleam di flaithib domain a thochim10 itir slúag -j bruth -\ chruth -\ crrad, éter écosc ■) erúad11 -j báig -j choscor, itir greit 7 grain -] ordan. 'Tánic buiden aile and didiu,' or Mao Roth, 'is tánasti dia séitche itir lín -) costud -j errad -j erúad -j grain. Ócláeoh caín caurata inna hairinach na buidne sin. Brat húainidc imbi hi forcibul. Eó óir 3605 húasa dóit. Folt casbuidi fair. Calc dét12 co n-imdurn diad13 foa chlíu. Léne co n-echlaim i custul cota glún14. Scíath béimnech co fáebar condúala fair. Caindel rígthaigi ina láim, féthan aircit imbe 1 imrith iar eraund co sleig sair15, in céin n-aile dorreith co ticci a dorn. Ocus dofessid in buidin sin for láim chlí thoísich na 381° 3-1 co n-epert C, co neber Y 2-2 is ar Y, is ar with faint bar over is and )ii-strohe over ar C {read as is arm Ed. C) 3 trichaid Y, trichatt C 4 Ro lasat C 5 fotbaig C ° suigiu with no d added later over g Y, suidi C 7 eicside gablanach C 8 costol with no u added later over first o Y, custal 0 0 midsong C 10 thothim Y n erad with fu added beneath Y 12om. C.omitl, 13 diat C (= dét) « ňglun Y 16 siar C 110 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE Y 316-1 C 2735 S«25 '-s 9630 i 47" 8645 , x+kuidne, -| is amlaid doesetar -\ a ňglúne fri talmain -i i in bel a ccíath fria smeoha. Ocus domfárfas atá forminde for erlabva ind ňclaíoh móir borrfadaich as toísech don buidin sin. 'Tánic buiden aile and didiu,' or Mac Roth. 'Is aidbliu1 trícha cét a forcsi. Fer cróda annsam2 3caín cendlethan3 inna hairinach. polt dondchas fair. Ulcha fota indchóel4 dégablach lais. Brat dubglas 5fo las5 hi forcipul imbi. Delg nduillech ďfindruine húasa bruindib. Léne gel c[h]ulpatach co glún. Scíath erradach co túagmílib fair. Máeldorn6 fŕndargait foa choim. Sieg c[h]óicrind ina láim. Dofesid ar bélaib toísich na cétbuidne.' 'Cia sin, a Fergais?' or Ailill. 'Rofetar-sa ém,' or Fergus, 'ina buidni sin .i. Conchobar rí cóicid iSrfnd, is hé deisid forsin fert fótmaig; Sencha mac Aililla, erlabraid TJlad, is é deisid ara bélaib; Cúscraid Mend Macha mac Conchobair, is hé deisidh for láim a athar. Is bés don gaí fil 'na láim ind abairt ucut ria coscor. 7Ní imriraď ríam ná híarom. Is dagáes n-imgona fri fúabairt each nitha tánic sin8,' or Fergus. 'Fogébad a n-acallaim sund,' or Medb. 'Tongu do día toinges mo thúath ém,' or Fergus, 'ní rogénair i nÉrind co se slúag argara TJlad do grés.' 'Tánic buiden aile and didiu,' or Mac [Roth]. 'Is | uilliu tn'chait cét a llín. Lóech mór calma co ňgráin9 -j erúath ossó gormda grísainech ina hairinaeh. Folt dond temnidi fair ossé slimthana fora étan. Cromscíath co fáebar condúala fair. Sieg c[h]óicrind ina láim, foga forgabalach10 ina farrad. Claideb cróda iarna c[h]inddruim. Brat corera hi forcibul imbi, eó óir fora dóit. Léne gel c[h]ulpatach 11cota glún11.' 'Cia sin, a Fergais?' or Ailill. 'Is cor láma ar debaid ém,' or Fergus, 'is cathmílid for12 níth, is bráth for13 bidbadu dodanie ann .i. Eógan mac Durrthacht ri Fernmaigi sin,' ar Fergus. 'Tánic buiden már borrfadaeh aile isin telaich oc Sleamain Midi,' or Mao Roth. 'Ro lásat a n-étaigi tara n-ais. Aňgó didiu is taile dondechadar14 isin telaieh. Tromda in t-erfúath t is mór in grain lsdonuesadforru15. Húathmar in t-airmgrith ro lásad ocon toichim16. Fer eennremar calma caurata inna hairinach ossé cichorda gráinne17. 1 aidblium Y, uaisle (for uilliu '!) G 2 sic Y, annso C, read ossé? 3-3 chain chendlethan Y 4 finncoel G 5-5 folus C (íolus TBC-) 6 mael ňdorn Y, moeldorn C 7~7 sic Y (= ní imrith ?) (ni imre/7iitl TBC2), nimrid C 8 annsin C 9 ngain Y 10 sic Y, forgablacli C u_11 cola nglun Y, coa glun C 12 fri Y (bar LL fri St) " fri Y (bar LL, for St) 14 dond | dechadar Y 16~16 (= rabertatar leo LL) 18 toithim Y 17 grainne Y (sic for granda?) Y 3199 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 111 Folt étrom grelíath fair. Súili buidi móra ina chind. Brat buidi co n-echlaim gil i faithi imbi. Scíath bémnech co fóebar condúalach fair dianechtair. Gaí slindleathan slegfota co mbróen fola iarna c[h]runn -\ gaí a thánaisi co crú bidbud Marná gin ina láim1. 3650 Claideb bémnech már iarna formnu.' 'Cia sin, a Fergais?' or Ailill. 2'Ní imgeb2 comroc ná comlond ná eomrom in láech dodánic .i. Lóegaire Búadach mac Connaig meic Ileoh ó Impuil3 antúaid,' or Fergus. 3655 'Tánic buiden mór aili and didiu i Slemain Midi isin telaich,' or Mao Roth. 'Lóech munremar collach caín i nn-airinach na buidne sin. Folt dubchas fair ossé corera gormaineoh. Rose ňglas lainderda inna chind. Brat odarda fochlaidi4 imbi, bretnas bánairgit and. Dubscíath co mbúailid humae fair. Gaí súilech co 3660 foseadaib ina láim. Léne trebraid co ndeircindliud imbi. Claideb co n-imdornn diad tara étach anechtair.' 'Cia sin, a Fergais?' or Ailill. 'Is cor láma5 ar ugra dodánio. Is tond romara6 báides min-glaisi. Is fer tri ňgretha. Is bráth mbúabthana bidbad dodánio,' 3G65 or Fergus, .i. Muinremur mac Gerrcind ó Moduirn atúaid.' 'Tánic buiden mór aili ann didiu isin telaig i Sleamain Midi,' or Mac Roth. 'Buiden rochaín roálaind itir lín -\ eostud -\ timthaigi7. Es borrfadaeh dofarfobrit8 in tulaig. Forrochroth in slóg an armgrith rolásad oc teacht ind réimme. Lóech eáem gráta i 367° 47b nn-airinach na buidne. Áilldem9 do daínib | a delb itir folt -| rose -] húamain, itir errud -| chruth -j guth -| gili, itir míad ^ méit -| maisi, i itir arm -) ergnas ^ cumtaoh, itir deehelt -\ gaiseed -\ córi, itir feib -\ gaís i cenél.' 'Is é a epert10,' ar Fergos. 'Is luchair dego in fer álaind Feidlimid 3675 dadánic ann. Is borrfadaeh caurad. Is tond anbthine bádis Is gus nád fulangthar co coscraib a aile-o[h]riohaib iar foirtbiu11 a námad .i. Feidlimid Cilair Cétaig ann.' 'Tánio buiden aili and didiu isin telaich i Sleamain Midi,' ar Mac Roth, 'ná[t] húaiti trícha cét.12 Lóech mór oalma odarda cóir 368° comendaisc inna hairinach. Folt dubohas fair. Cromrosc [n-]odarda n-adard ina chind. Fer tarbga taile garb. Brat glas í imbi co ndele argaid ara dóit. Léne gel o[h]ulpatach i eustul imbi. 1-1 iarnaginalaim Y 2_2nimgob Y 3changed to Impiul Y (Immail LL) 4 sic Y, (bachuaslae LL,) read fo chaslói 5 om. Y, (lám LL) 6 (romra LL) 7 timthaidi Y 8 (forrópartatar LL) 9 Aillde Y (m-stroke omitted) 10 (epert chomadas LL) 21 foirtib Y 12 ergal an riam add. Y F'll2 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNCK !riaideb iarna šliasaid. Dercscíath co mbúaili chaladargait fair. "rPaíl tresemnech slindlethan ina láim: 'Cia sin, a Fergais?' or Ailill. 'Ts lonnbruth barand, is laimnid each catha, is búaid cech ergaile Madánic arm: Cormad mac Momai ó Challaind and sain,' or Fergus. 'Tánio buiden aili aim didiu isin telaig oc Slemin Midi,' or Mac ) Ttoth. 'Is toichim slúaig ar méit. Toíseach fil i n-airinach na 'huidne sin ní coimdig láech bad chaíme itir delb -] timthach -] (iecíhlelt. Folt tóbach dergbuidi fair. Gnúis chóir c[h]orcra řphutromae. Aged focháel forlethan. Beóil derga thanaidi. Dét 'níamda némonnda. Guth glan gleórda. ^uinsiu chain c[h]or-í oarda chumdachtach1. Áilldem do delbaib doíne. Brat corera hi íforcibul irnbi. Bretnais foa llánecor de ór húasa bánbruindib. Cúarscíath co túagrnílib ildathacha co cobroth aircid húasa clíu. • Qaí fota fáebarglas la foga féig fobartach ina láim. Claideb óiduirn ř6ir fora muin. Léne c[h]ulpatach co ndergindled imbi i custul.' 'Cia sin, a Fergais?' or Ailill. 'Rofetamar immorro,' or Fergus. 'Is leth gliad ém,' or sé, :''dadánic2 and. Is eláriud comlaind. Is lonnbruth árchon. Ro-řohaid rnac Faithemain ó Brig Dumae, far cliamain, insin, rofoí la ífar n-ingin-si .i. la Findabair.' 'Tánic buiden aile and didiu isin telaich i Sleamain Midi,' or Mac * Roth. 'Lóech oircnech remaršliastach mór i nn-airinach na buidne l sin. Bec nach remithir fer each mball de. Aňgó is fer co talmain,' i ol sé. | 'Folt dub fair. Gnúis chnedach c[h]orcarda lais. Rose imbrecht n-erard ina chind. Fer án athlom samlaid co ngráin 7 >erúath 3co nn-ocaib dafil congraim3 adamra itir étach -] arm -\ ', écosc 1 áni -| erred, conócaib co comrom níad, co n-angloimaib ísamnae4, co mmiad imtholton, 5co saidig5 tar comlond do brisiud0 '■ for forlond, co mbaraind for bidbadu, co n-imthecht for ilehrícha Lecraidi 'cen choméirge'. Ní gó is tailc 8doroacht a íréim8 hi i Sleamo[i]n Midi.' 'Baíthi do gail -| gaisced óm,' ol Fergus, 'baíthi di drúis -] tairp-íthigi, baíthi di nert ^ miadamlai. Tatha didiu di šlúagaib -) airbrib. f.Mo chomalta fén Fergus mac Leiti rí Líne, rind n-ága túaiscirt řhÉrind.' 'Tánic buiden mór borrfadach aili and didiu isin telaig a Sleamain i Midi,' or Mac Roth9. "Errada iňgantai foraib. Lóech cóem sálainn ina hairinach. Búaid crotha huile itir folt -\ rose -) gili, itir 1-1 sic Y, omitt. 1 2 dandanic Y 3~3 sie Y 4 sic Y, read lasamnae ? 6-6 sic Y, read co saigid ? 8 briusiud Y 7_7 read cen chomairge ? (can l chommairge LL) 8"8 (doroachtar rěim TBC2) 9 ergal an riam add. Y TÁIN BÓ CÚATLNGE 113 méit -| costud -] córi. Cúicroth óir fair. Brat húaine hi forcibal imbi. Bretnas1 óir isin brot húasa dóit. Léne gel c[h]ulpatach i custol imbi. Tuiri rígthaigi ina láim. Claideb órduirn iarna 3725 formna.' 'Is bruthmar a bara in chaurad chomramaich dadánig and ém,' or Fergus. 'Amorgene mac Eccetsalaig2 Goband ó Búais atúaid3 ami sin.' 'Tánic buiden aile and didiu isin telaig a Sleamuin Midi,' ar Mac 3730 Roth. 'Is bádud ar méit. Is tine ar áine. Is leó áithigi. Is cath ar lín. 4Is all ar mét. Is oll ar nert1. Is bráth ara bláiriud. Is torand ara tharpt[h]igi. Lóech garbainech5 húathmar i n-airinach '' na buidne sin ossé brúach bélmar. Folt garb grendliath fair, ossé srónmar ballderg. Brat riabain imbi, cúailli iaraind fora brut. 3735 Cromsciath co fáebur comidúala fair. Garbléne trebraid i custol imbi. Liathgaéi már ina láim, tricha semand aire6. Claideb secht mbrotha iarna formnai. Atracht in slóg uile ara chind -| ro lá dírmae din chath imbi oc teacht isin telaig.' 'Is cend erbága dadánic,' or Fergus. 'Is leth catha. Is greit3740 ar gail. Is tond ainbt[h]ine bádas. Is muir dar crícha ,i. Celtchair mac Cuitheochair ó Dún Lethglaisi atúaid.' 'Tánic buiden aile ann didiu isin telaig a Sleamain Midi,' or Mac Roth. 'Lóech óngel ina hairinach. Find huile itir folt -\ abrotchor 48b -| ulcliai -] dcc[h]elt. Scíath co mbúailid7 | óir fair -j claideb co 3745 n-imdorn diad -\ manaís bréifnech ina láim. Adláechda donárlaid a tochim.' Tnmain ém in bethir bailcbéimnech dodanie,' ol Fergus, 'in mathgamain mórglonnach fri hécraidi conboing8 firu: Feradach Find Fechtnach ó Nemiud Slébe Fuait atúaid ann sin.' 375G "Tánic buiden aili and didiu isin telaich a Slemain Midi,' or Mac Roth. 'Láech úathmar mna hairinach ossé brúach bélmar. Méit „ a béil beólu eich. Folt dondehas fair, ossé lethglóir cadissin lethanchend lámíbta. Brat dublúascach9 imbi, roth créda and húasa 10dóit. Bocóit10 líath11 huasa c[h]líu. Manaís muincech ina 3755 deis. Claideb fota 12iarna formnu12.' Ts leó lámderg londandsclech dadánic,' or Fergus. Ts 13art glonnach13 ágmar amnas. Is bruth ar thír nád fulangthar: Eirrgi Echbél ó Bri Eirgi atúaid,' ol Fergus. 1 bratnas Y 2 Eiccitsach Y 3 antuaid Y (n-stroke added later) 4-4 (is aid ar nirt LL, St) 6 garbaineiuch Y 6sic Y (trina eró LL, tria cro St) 7mbuailichY 8conloingY 9 lu erased Y (dublúascach LL) 1» (dondbocöit TBC2) 11 liaeth Y 12-i2 iar formnu Y 13-13 ard glonnach Y (ardglonnach TBC2) (is ó in t-art amnas ágsidi LL, St) TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE S I I I Wánic buiden aile arm didiu isin telaig i Slemain Midi,' or Mac th 'Dá óclóech cáema cosmaili díb línaib iua hairinach. Fuilt ■»■ .j; foraib. Dá gelscíath co túagmílaib argait [foraib]. Atá ■ t. jjjáes eturru. Immalle doaurcbat1 dóib2 a cossa -] fosruimet; ■ * on alt dóib taurcbáil a coss do neachtar de seach araile,' *f: s'Cia sin, a Fergais ?' or Ailill3. 'í 'Dá ánrad, dá anloise, dá rind ága, dá chaur, dá 4chleth bága1, Jh, (jreCj dá thene, dá c[h]athmilid, dá chathchuimnid ergaile, dá i 'j y (já dána, dá t[h]reitill Ulad imma ríg: Fiachna -\ Fiacha, dá *mao Conc[h]obair meic Neasa, dá c[h]ridiscél thúaisoirt Érenn,' or Fergus. 'Tánic buiden ele and didiu isin telaig a Slemain Midi,' or Mac Both. 'Tri hóclaích grísta grata gormanig ina hairinach. Tri hearrtha blaibuidi foraib. Tri broit óendatha impu hi forcibul, "tri delgi óir húasa ndóitib. Teóra léne monasacha co ndergindtliud 'j. custul impu. Tri scéith cosmaili foraib. Tri claidib órduirn íarna fórmnu. Teora slega lethanglasa inna ndeaslámaib. Atá jmáes eturru.' 'Trí5anchinnidChoba6. Tri mórglonnaich Midlúachra. Tri ruirig Both. Tri harsidi Airthir Fúata,' or Fergus. 'Tri meic Fiachna r'"= ind sain i ndegaiď in tairb .i. Rus -\ Dáiri -\ Imohath,' or Fergus. 'Tánic buiden aile and didiu isin telaig i Slemain Midi,' or Mac Both. 'Fer bresta bruthmar ina hairinach. Súile rúaderga curata8 ina chind. Brat brec imbi, roth aircid and. Sciath glas fora chlíu. [Claideb]9 co n-imdorn argaid fó šliasait. Gaí derscai[g]thi l&ÍW' wco nagam10 amainse ina ndeis díglaig11. Léne geal | c[h]ulpatach i custul cota glún. Buiden forderg co fuilib imbi ossé fuileach créchtach cadesin.' 'Is é sin,' or Fergus, 'in dána díchondarcil12. Is é in lamnid leatarthach13. Is é in rob rigthi14 ergaili. Is é in tarb dásachtach. Is é in búadach Baili. Is é in t-anglondach Bernais. Is é in cathchuindich15 Colpt[h]ai. Comla cóicthi16 thuaiscirt hÉrenn .i. Menn mac Sálchada ó Chorannaib. Do dígail a credit foraib17 tánic in fer sin,' or Fergus. 'Tánic buiden aile ami didiu isin telaig a Slemain Midi,' or Mac ■Both, '■) šiat adlóechda18 imt[h]oltonach19. Ócláech odarda mór 1 (doaurcbad TBC2) 2 doib taken from next sentence, omitt. 3~3 In MS. this sentence comes after . . . imma rig 1. 3768 4~4 cit bagid Y s tria Y « th added under b Y (Copha Stowe) ' ndegaich Y 8 curita Y 9 orn. Y 10 conag am Y. read oo n-agaib ? I1~11 diglaig deis Y 12 dichonnarcell Y 13 leathathach Y « rigi Y 15 read oathchuingid 16coicthi Y, read catha? 17 foraib comes after sin Y 18 adloeochda Y 19 immm | toltonach Y Y 3343 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 113 lecanŕota ina hairinach. Folt donn cráebach fair. Brat derg fo loí c[h]aín imbi. Léne dergscoi[g]thi. Dealc n-óir húasa dóit1 />j ina brot. Claideb dercscoi[g]thi co n-imdurnn findarcaid fora c[h]líu. Scíath derg fair. Manaís leathanglas for dúal altchaín uindsenn ina láim.' 380° 'Fer tri mbailcbémend dadánic,' or Fergus. 'Fer tri raiti. 2Fer tri ruti2. Fer tri ramada. Fer tri mbúada. Fer tri ngretha con-boing nitha for náimdiu i n-alailiu crích. Fergnae mac Findchoíme a Coronn sin.' 'Tánic buiden aile and didiu isin telaich i Slemain Midi,' or Mac 3S05 Roth. 'Is aidbliu trícha cét a faircsi. Láech uchtgel rochóem ina hairinach, cosmail fri hAilill ucut itir mét i maisi ■; dec[h]elt i A>-: errad. Mind óir húasa mullach. Brat drgscoi[g]thi imbi hi forcibal. Bretnas óir isin brot fora bruindib. Léne co ndergind-liud i custul imbi. Scíath bémnech co n-imlib óir fair. Tuiri 381° rigthaigi ina láim. Claideb óirduirn iarna formna.' 'Is muir tar glasa dodanie arm ém,' or Fergus. 'Is londbruth loga. Is difulaing a bara fri hécraidi. Furbaidi Fer Benn inn sin,' or Fergus. 'Tánic buiden aile and didiu isin telaig i Sleamain Midi,' or Mac 3815 Roth. 'Adláechda díáirme,' ol Mac Roth. 'Errada inganta écsamla impu seach na buidne oleheana. Is bladach dodechadar / ". didiu itir arm -\ étach -\ errodh. Slóg mór borrfadach isin buidin. Mac brecderg ina hairinach. Áildem do delbaib dorne a delb. 3Ergal án riam3. Sciath taulgel ina láim co cobrud óir fair -\ bil 382° óir imbi. Gaí áith étrom co foscod ina láim. Brat corcra cor-tharach i forcibul imbi, dele n-arcuid isin brot ara bruindib. Léne 49b gel c[h]ulpatach co ndergind[liud] imbi. Claideb | órduirn tara étach aneachtair.' Contúaissi Fergus la sodain. 3825 'Ní fetar-sa ém,' or Fergus, 'indas in meic sin la hUltu, acht óen bad dóig lim beidis hé fir Themra immon mac cóir n-amra n-oir[d]-nidi im Ere mac Coirpre Niad Fer ■] ingine Conc[h]obair. Ní 'mmuscarat tairrid. Dichmairc a athar dodeachaid in fer sin do chobair a senathar. Is 4triana ág4 in meic sin,' or Fergus, 'brisfi[t]- 3830 hir5 in cath foraib. Nicon aithigi6 in mac sin húath ná homun oc far šaigid etorro a medón fa[r] catha. Bad ferrda bhúrigfite láithi gailli fer nUlad oc teasarcain luig7 a cridi 8oc sligi in chatha remib8. 1 doidib Y 2~2 added later in margin Y 3~3 sic, omitt. 1 {marginal note'!) 4_4 trianag with a added under last a Y 6 t faint, as if erased 6 read aiccigi 7 luig and o written over u= loig 8~8 oc sligid in chatha Y TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE v ;i;!7ľ jcfe uile eil condolba oc aicsin in meic isind nítli már sin1. .. uechlastar rucht claidib Conc[h]obair amail gloim n-árchon ic u äorcaia in meic. Focicher Cú Chulaind tri múru doíne immon th oo saigid in meic bic. Bith condalb donuapérat láith gaili fer '/ i.lJlad in díáirmi,' or Fergus. "■■ 'Is fota learn trá,' or Mac Roth, 'bith fri haisnéis ineich adcondarc 'i acht dodechad2 etarport co fis scél dúib-se.' ■ 'Dofucais,' ar Fergus. - 'Ní thánic didiu Conall Cernach cona inórbuidin,' or Mac Roth. "\í thángadar tri meic Conc[h]oba[i]r cona tri cóectaib3 cét. Ní ■ánic trá Cú Chulaind and iarna chréchtunugud i nn-écomlund. Vht masa err óenc[h]arpait,' oř Mac Roth, 'namniá is dóig bad n-é .. ;o thánic arm. 'Dá each dronchara fona c[h]arpat ité scúablebra baslethna - "i -lethna fosseňga ardchenda túagmair gobc[h]óela bolcšróna. Dá ■■ joch ňduba tairchisi. Fonnaid réidi ruirthecha. Ciet urard i| esachtach. Pupull 4uainidi huaitne4 intnaise5. Ócláech isřn >r ' arpat sin, cetherlethan corcaineach. Súasmáel cas círdub fair ticci áth a dá ghualand. Cethochruss no ceatharfochrus bruit i irg imbi. Ceithri claidbíni6 clis hi cechtar a dó dhóit. Claideb ■ duirn fora chlíu. Sciath -\ sieg lais. Ceit[h]ri cncslénti' fichit *" ,■ bi fo thétaib -| refedaib. Ara ara bélaib. Dá chúlaid ind arads ": sna heocho. Na éisi ina ladair riam sair. Fithchell for .scarad ■ arra. Leth afairnedi ór buidi, anaill ba defindruine. Búanbach ' i díb slíastaib. Naí cles do choř dó a n-ardai.' 'Cia sin, a Fergais ?' or Ailill. 'Ní anse,' or Fergus. 'Cú Chulaind mac Soaltaim a sídaib -| 1 ■ ieg mac Riangabra a ara Con Culaind insain,' or Fergus. 'Mór do chétaib trá t mílib,' or Mac Roth, 'doroacht in dúnad0 sa ' l lad. | Mór do churadaib -| do thrénieraib i láthaib gaile roachtadar .' ifaind isinn áonach. Mór do buidnib didiu,' oř Mac Roth, 'ro I itar 10oc torachtain10 in dúnaid e[h]étna do neoch ná toracht -j 11 ■ tánic an dúnad "an [tan] dodechad-sa11. Acht namá,' or Mac I: >th, 'nocho tarneastair mo rose for tulaich ná din[d]gna do neoch ' siacht mo áúil óthá Áth Fir Diad co rici Sleama[i]n Midi acht for t "i i dune.' Ter12 muinter adchondaircais ém,' or Fergus. oc sHgi in catha remib add. Y (repetition). - dodoechaid Y :I sie *"i read tríchtaib 4~4 read úainide or úaine ? 5 sic Y, read intlaiso ? tricht binni Y (corrupt) 7 sic leg., cleithini Y, or read Ióinti ? 1 "araid Y * dunaid Y 10 oca toraclitar Y """mi dodo- c idsa Y is sic Y V 3414 TÁIN B Ó CÚAILNGE 117 Luid Conc[h]obar trá cona slógaib co ngab dúnad hi comochraib dia c[h]élib. Guitir1 dál ó C[h]onc[h]obar do2 Ailill co turcbáil ngréne arabárach, -] basísestar Ailill ar feraib hÉrend -\ ar in longess, I basisestar Conc[h]obar ar IHtaib, ^ focertar pupaill Conc[h]obair3 íarom. 4Is heth moth4 ba fornocht talam eturru t 5daneccab 3ä75 hXJlaid5 re fuincd ngréne. Is aim sin asbert in Mórrígan isin dorbles itir in dá dúnad: 'Crenaid brain bráigde fer. Bruinded6 fuil. Feochair cath. Coinmid luind. Mesctuich tuind taib im thuill im níthgalaib iar luinmich luud fianna fetal ferda fir Crúaohan cotasorith imm ard- 388° bith 'euirither cath ar cosa alailiu7 cén mair hUltaib, mairc Iarnaib, mairc d'Ultaib immorro, cén mair Iarnaib. 8Is ed dobreth hi clu[a]saib Iairn8, mairc hUltaib ol niscainedar a ngle.' Ro baí Cú Chulaind trá oo Fedain Chollna ina n-arrad. Dobreth hiad dó ó na bri[u]gadaib in n-aidchi sin •} dothéigdis dia acallaim 3885 fri dé. Ní rubai neach díib clíu do Áth Fir Diad. 'Huinse albani asin dúnad aniar 'sin dúnad sair,' ol in t-ara fri Coin Culaind. 'Huindse oeithern gilla ara cend.' 'Conricfet in gilla sin,' or Cú Chulaind. 'Regaid in t-albani tarsi n mag. Tntí nád géba acorthi9 regaid do chobair na ngiľla.' 3890 Dogníth són íarom amail asindubairt Cú Chulaind. 'Cindus nondfechad gilla Ulad in cath V 'Is fearrda,' ol in t-ara. 'Ba bág dóib-som a10 toitim oo tesorcain a n-éiti,' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Ocus anosa V 3885 'Na óclacha amulc[h]acha nodfechad indosa,' ol in t-ara. 'In tánic néll solus forsin ngréin beós?' for Cú Chulaind. 'Nathó ém,' ol in t-ara. 'Apraind nachimbaí-si nert do theacht cuou,' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Consinter chena indiu,' ol in t-ara, im thráth turebála gréne. 3900 'Aes úallach ŕiches in cath indossa,' ol in t-ara, 'acht nád fil rígu and air is cothid beós dóib.' Is and asbert Faohtnai in tan donórcaib grían: —Nó is hé Conc[h]-obar ro chán trená chodlad: 'Comérgid, ríg11 Macha morglomiaich. Muinter fial. Meilid3905 fáebra. Fichith cath. Claidig búrach. Bendaich scíathu. Scítha láma. Labra a n-éiti. Ecórai cosnadae. 12Concherd cách cath13 50" ar cosa araile12. Laith tigernach dodaircéba. Liblait a rrém. | Bid 1 Guithir Y 2 da Y 3 read fer nÉrend ? 4 = la ed mod ß~6 sic Y, read dúnad nlJ!n//? u (brunnid LL) 7~7 (Cuiľthor cath ba chossaib avnilo LL) R-8 (iss od dobert i clúais nÉrand LL) 9 (a eorti TBC2) 10 an Y ľ i-í (letter deleted after -i) Y "-i2 (Curther cath ba chossaib araile LL) ]3 each Y 118 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE *.* í* *t ferrda fid forsa saig -j forsa ieasad. 1Ibaib dagda doirp a fuile1. '"..»«-rWaid cauma chridi a rigna tuidicfaid. Eblaid a samgubae conimed fuileaoh féraoh fót forsa lestais forsa sestais. Comérgid, , "^ jig Macha.' 'Cia ro chachain so V or each. -Jf '. 'Conc[h]obar mac Nesa,' or set. —Nó 'Fachtna ro chachain,' ' _ ins ol set. V* 'Cotlaid, cotlaid acht far cathais!' *; Co cloth2 Lóegairi Búadach: 'Afraigid, rig Macha. Aurc[h]laidig3 far mbú. Tesorcid far mbroit. Inneossartar Connachta di aird hUisnich diupart taib SBOjmdid loissither feithi selais donrun elár Gáirigi.' ■"^í 'Cia ro chachain so?' or each. - "' 'Láegairi Búadaeh mae Cormaid Buidi meic Ileoh. Cotlaid. ft D cotlaid,' 4for siat4, '[acht] far cathais.' 'Anaid fris beós,' ol Cono[h]obar 'co taureba5 grian co mmaith hi 1 Hiss nglennaib -\ hi tuaigebraeTiaib6 na hErend7.' An tan adehondairc Cú Chulaind na ríga anair oc gabáil a mind fora cennai -| oc tesorcain8 na mbuiden, asbert Cú Chulaind fria araid 9ara ndiusead9 Ultu. Ocus asbert in t-ara:—Nó is é Amar-gind mac Eioit in fili asbert: ■oso 'Comérgid, rig Macha mórglondaich. Muintir fial. Miandaigther *"' Bodb bú Imbial10. Insernd crú cridi. Inreith nith niaba nertaid gal cridi crú for telaib nó for tinn teched .i. for toind teiced tercbaid nó teilend isnis nithu. Ní frith fri Coin Culaind cosmail Con Cul-aind conben mian Macha mochtrád más ar búaibCúail[n]gi. Comér-935 gid..' Com. '■ 'Dosruisces,' ol in t-ara. 'Samlaid dodeoehadar 'sin chath tornocht acht a n-armo namá. In tí dia tá11 dorus a pupaill sair is třít siar dodeochaid.' 940 'Is degc[h]obair eigne12,' ol Cú Chulaind. Imthúsa Ulad trá ní de leantar sund calléic. Imthús immorro fer nÉrind, ootagart Badb -\ Bé Néit -\ Némain forru ind aidchi sin for Gáirig -\ Irgáirich conidapad cét lóech díb ar úathbás. Nírbo hísin adaig ba sámam13 dóib. ä;. 1-1 (ibait deoga duirbbi fola LL) 2 concloith Y 3 aurclaidmig with m-stroke added later Y 1~i for sin Y 5 taurebail (sic) Y 6 tuaigebraib with later stroke over r 7 hairend Y (h added above line) s teroroain Y 8-9 arnandiuscad (n-slroke later) Y 10 sic for Imbail (Immail LL) 11 da Y 12 (ěigme TBC2) 13 samu Y v ;usi TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 119 Tochos[t]ul Fear nÉrend andso 3945 R O chachain Ailill mac Mátae in n-aidchi sin riasin oath co n-epert: 'Atraí, a Thriagt[h]réin. Nodfoídiu co tří Conaire Slébe Mis, tri Lesfind1 Lúachra, tří Meid Corpthe Loste, tri Buidir Búaisi, tri Boidb Búaidnigi, tří Búaideltaich Berba2, tri Muredaich Marga, tri 395° Lóegairi Leici Dergi, tri Suibne S[i]úire, tri Échtaig Áne, tirí Doíl Eirrig, tri 3Damaieh Dergderce3, tri Bratrúaid Lacha Rí, tri Miel-leth4 Lacha Érni, tri Bresail Bodgna, tří hAmalgaid Aii, tri Fiach-raid 5Feda Némain5, tri Nechtain Maigi Murisci, tri Meic Amra Esa Rúaid, tri Ruirig Aigle, tri Bruchair Glais Febrad, tri Conaill 3955 51:l Collamrach, | tri Féic6 Findabrach, tri Coirpre Cliach, tri Mane Milscoth, tri 'Descostaig Droma7, tri Fintain Femin, tri Rathaich8 Raigne, tri Et[er]scéle Etarbáine, tri Gúaire Gaible, tri Áeda Aidne, tri Mongaich Mitaine, tri Dúadaid Áine, tri 9Gairb Glunnraidi9, tri 10Discirt hÚaga10, tri Leathluind Linti, tri Coinchind Shile, tri 396° Dauioh Leamna, tri Cellohair hTJmuill, tri Coscraich Clothra, tri Bairrchais Eilli, tri Dáiri Tibrat Find, tri hAirt xlArda Ladlarn11, tri Muredaich Maigi Femin, tri Congbaidi Cliach, tri Mordai Mosoth, tri Roir Rois Buiti, tri Anraid Turbi, tri hEitirscél Temraoh, tri Galgaidi Goain, tri Feradaid Foltc[h]ais, tri Feidmnig Rotail, 3965 tri Scáil Soobail, tri hAilill hTJaiti, tri Gortaich Granaisc, tri Mea-saieh Maethla, tri hUilleith Arda Airthir, tri Coirp Cláiri, tri hAirt Arda, tri Foimdig hlrruis, tri hlllai[n]d hÉrend, tri Sochaidi Sinna, tri Brónaig Bethra, tří Mongaid Muecruma, tri Mochmaidne Maigi Aii, tri Tigernmais Túath Ambrais, tri hÉchtaich Findabrach, tri 397° Cormaic hUiscrend, tri hUidir Buaile, tri Ruis Ruscae, tri Fearad Find, tri hAthchuirp Tulcha, tri Túathail Tanni, tri Maccáeeh Femrag, tri Lóegairi Berramnach, tri Fidaig Saigthi, tri Cormaio Cauanach, tří Coirbri Luiňgi, tri hUidir Conc[h]obair, tri Glais meic Cathbath, tri Duib Drúad, tri hAirich Cluichiur, tri Laiten Luiged, 3975 tri Conc[h]obair Collsen, tri Elair Deiuais, tri Fiadail Duinergin, tri hAirich Insi hUan, tri Níth Atha Croíbe, tr! hÓengusa Uisce, tri Fiach Fernna nlmbais, tri Duirn, tri Bailcbruindi, 12trí Moín Maigi12, tri Cais Cuile, tri Triúin13 Maigi Éle, tri Sruthmair Maigi Ochtair, 1 (Lussin LL, Les Find TBC2) 2 (Breg LL) 3-3 Damaioh Derg . . . re Y (Dámaltaig Dercderce LL) * (Nnelleth TBC2, Malleith LL) b~h fedňmain Y (Feda Némain LL) 6 (Find LL) 7~7 (Desoertaig Dromma Fornochta LL) 8 (Rótanaig LL) 9-9 (Gairbglunraidi TBCS) I0-10 (Discir Thuaga TBC2) ] 1_11 perhaps gen. of Ard Ladrann i2-i2sio Y, read Moenmaigi u-ith preceding names and omit tří ^3 truin Y / 120 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE •*■-;,* 51» rVŕ-it- .**.• >?.'' .'&• ■'ľí~ ÄÖf r;*» *- -' iV. jjri Glonnmair Maigi Leathain, tří Dommair Maigi hUisce, tří Claisderg Tethba, tří Tigirn Taince tri1 Tibraidi Talindi,' ľero[h]uidred Per nÉreand inso, each triar oenmot[h]á an robí di Chulaind díib riam. Tmthúsa Con Culaind immorro is ed indister sund coléic: 'ľég dúind, a mo popa a Loíg, oindus fechtha Ulaid in cat h indosa.' 'Is ferda,' ol in t-ara. 'Cia conualaind-se mo charpat -\ Oen ara Conaill C[h]ernaich didiu ina charput[-]]co tíasmais ón eite2 di araile siarsind indiu3, ní regad crua ná fonnad4 třít.' 'Is damna mórgliad sin.' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Ní derntar isin cath,' or Ců Chulaind fria araid, 'ní nád fesur úaid.' 'Bid fir ón do neooh connisor-sa de,' ol in t-ara | 'Airm i tát ind láith gaile indosa aníar,' ol in t-ara, 'berait toilc isin chath sair. A commiét oétna anair beraid tolo isin chath siar.' 'Abrand ná badim slán-sa,' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Ropad réill mo tholc-sa and a cuma cháich.' Is and sin táncadar ina ferchuitreda5 ind athšlógaid6. 7I n-inam7 trá hi tuladar fianna íarom don chath for Gáirich -] Irgáirich sis ann sin didiu8 thánic ind noí carpaíí 9di féindidib inna Irúaithi. Triar remib di thraig. Nírbo mailli dolotar olmbátar in charpcuí. Nistailce Medb isin chath [acht] ar srengail nAililla10 asi n chath mád fair no maidset nó ar guin Conchobair mád fair bad lén. Is íarom ro indis a ara do Choin Culaind bith do Ailill -| do Meidb og guidhi Fergusa im thecht isin cath ^ asbertadar fris nárbo cliol dó ar doradsad mór do maith dó fora lonnges. 'Má no bith ém mo c[h]laideb acom-sa,' ol Fergus, 'beitis lir leam-sa cendae fer nfor óeib scíath11 andáte bommann ega hi ngrellig dormice echrad ríg ó ro roietar12 13i tír13.' Is and sin dorad Fergus in lugu sa: 'Tongu et reliqua mebsaitis lim-sa glaini fer dia mbráigde, bráigde fear la ňdóite, dóite14 fer la n-uille15, uille16 fer la17 rigthe, rigtlic18 fer la ndorndaib, domna fer la17 méra, méra fer la n-ingne, ingne.13 fer la forcléthi, forcléthi fer la medón, medón19 fer la slíasta, slíasta fer la nglúne, glúne fer la colp[th]a, colpthai fer la traigthe, traigthi 1 omitt. 2 oiti with no o over o Y 3~3 sic Y (iar n-idnaib na n-arm LL = iar n-indaib) read merely indiu ? 4 fonnaid Y ň -a aihlcd under -d Y, omit ina and read forohuitred ? (ferchuitrodaig LL) 6 (ät!i slSgaid TBC2) '-? in I inam Y (Inmain TBC2) 8"8 Is ami didiu sin Y 9 (ocairptig St) ll> nAileollo Y "-H sie LL, St, uae {altered to Uae) sceith- Y, 12 read roithetar ? 13~13 itir udth d under first i Y (ditír TBC2) 14 rigthi Y " nuaillo Y l6 uile Y 1? lan Y 1» om. Y is modon Y Y 3552 TÁľN BÓ CÚAILNGE 121 fer la méra, méra fer la n-ifn]gne. 1Doruchtfaid a méderad1 na 4C háeru feib dodrimsired2 beach i Hó áinle.' Is and sin asbert Ailill re araid: 'Domiced3 in claideb cuilleis4 toind. Tongu do dia toingeas mo thúath mád meso a bláth lat indiu olldás a llaithi dondmbiurt-sa duit isin letir5 i crích nUlad, cia no beidis fir hÉrind ocot anocol4I airim-sa, nítansitis.' Is íarom dobreth a c[h]laideb do Fergus, -\ asbert Ailill: 'Geib do c[h]laideb. Ci assor-seo hÉriu húand, ferfaid for Gáirig dia macaib mórlóech. Mád la fir n-einech nád bad fomn n-imbrae do barann borrfad barainn fiad nUlad errathaib. La diusoud 4I Gáirigi for fótaib fesar la maten forderg.' 'Fo chen colad miel macrad, caladcfh]olc claideb Leidi lasinta huath óenhúair bodba beisemil macrad nai ar doirsib ata re tánic a ndigail diu. Pa feithi fairtbe a cend consuidfeana cotaigfe coimdiu in claidiub sa cordib combaig aithscélaib. Ní firba foraib galnas 4t 52" mo chlaidiub. Atan rí úallach | ria feraib hÉrend.' 'Is liach do thoitim i roí remur,' or Fergos fri hAilill. Cotogart Badb -| Bé Néit i Néamain forro in aidchi sin for Gáirich 1 Irgáirich, 6conid apad6 cét lóech díb ara úathbás. Nírbo si sin adaich ba sáimiu7 dóib. 4l Gaibid Fergus 8a suidiu8 a gaisced -) imasaí isin chath -\ glanais berná cét isin chath cona c[h]laideb ina díb lámuib. Gabais Medb íarom [a] gaisced 9t forfóbair9 isin chath i maidter rempi10 fo thrí conad ed rosoí in cúal gaí fora cúlu. 'Ní fetar,' ol Conc[h]obar fria muintir bátar imme, 'cia resa maid 4I in cath frind atúaid. Geibid-si sunn in cath didiu co ndechar-sa fora chind.' 'Gébma-ne11 íarom i mbalei tám,' ar na hóca, 'acht maní maidi in talam found nó an nem anúas 12foraind, nícon memsam-ne12 de sund.' Farrumae íarom Conc[h]obar ar cind Fergusa. Tócbaid in4 scíath fris .i. ind Óchaín, scíath Conc[h]obair. Cetheóra benna óir fair, ceithre sethnecha13 óir thairrse. Benaid Fergus tri bémind fair nád comairnic cid bil a scéith dó-som fora cend. 'Cia di Ultaib argab in scíath?' ol Fergus. 1-1 (do-rucht faid am ederad TBC2) 2read dodrimthired ? 3 domiceb Y 4 — coilles (choilles LL) ö liter Y 6_6 conidbad Y 7 sic Y = sámam 8-8 read ar suidiu (iar 3.) 1 9~9 fer (with stroke over f) -] foebar Y (or read furri 1 fóbair) 10 (rempo LL) ngemaneY 12-12 foraindiconmemsamne Y 13 sic Y = sethnacha (sethrachaib LL, sethnachaib St) 10 t'122 TÄIN BÓ CÚAILNGE \W« f** š>ŕ> 'Jer as1 ferr -].... 2' ol Conchobar, '-] rodatuo for longes i nn-adba ü ailtai -\ sindach -\ dotningéba anndiu ar gail gaiscid3 fiad feraib J^rend.' jjjinidir Fergus la sodain bém ndígla dá díb lámaib for Conc[h]obar 0 comránic 1gráinni in chloidib4 fri talmain iarna chúl. Focherd j Cormao Con Longes láma for suidiu ^ íadaid a dí láma 'ma rigid. 'SAinbohellaeh ainbchellach5, a mo popa a Fergaisľ ol Cormac. '6Foichleaoh n-airfoichlech6 insin, a popa Fergais. Náimtidi in chairdine, huise for náimde. Ro called for cairde. Olcai bém en d benai, a popa a Fergais,' ol Cormae. i 'Ceist, oóioh bíu?' ol Fergus. 'Ben a tri telcha tarsiu7. Toi do láim. Slig immud do each leith -i nísnairle. Imráid8 ainech nUlad nádcon fárebad. Nícon fáicéb-thar muna9 fácabtha triut-sa indiu.' 'Airg-siu 'na leath n-aill, a Chonchobair,' ol Cormac fria athair. 'Nícon mela in fer sa a baraind for Ultu ní bus móo sund.' Imsoí as Fergus. Arsligi cét lóech di Ultaib lasin eétna comroc cosin claideb co comairnic fri Conall Cernach. 'i°Ba ramór10 in brig sin,' ar Conall Cernach, 'for túaith -| cenél ar thóin mná drúithi.' » 'Ceist, cid dogén, a fírlaích ?' or sé. 'Slig11 na tulchu tairrsiu -\ na dusu impu,' or Conall Cernach. Sligis Fergus na tulchai íarom coro ben a teóra máela Midi dá thrí béimennaib. Rocluinethar Cú Chulaind la sodain ina builli dobert Fergus forsna tulcha nó for scíath Conc[h]obair fodeisin. s 'Cóich benas na bailcbémenda12 móra imc[h]iana sa?' or Cú Chulaind. 'Iadais crú chridi. Conscar bara bith. Dos | cara trait túaga.' Frisgart Lóeg co n-epert: 'Bentus forgu fear Fergus mac Róich rodána. Fuile formách 'n-áir13, an fer Fergus mac Róeich. Ro cleth claideb carpaŕí "hi sithbiu14 15coná roacht15 eochraidi mo popa Conc[h]obair mórc[h]ath.' Is and asbert Cú Chulaind: 'Fúasailc16 thrait túaga. Tuigthir fuil firu. Firfidir cleas claideb. ' Caithfídir dé daíne.' 1 some letters deleted after as Y 2 MS. partly illeg. iss oo ol ilatoi (tentative reading) corrupt for -\ as ó oldaí? 3 caisc- Y 4*~4 gj-mni in claideb Y 6-5 read Ainbchellach nád ainbchellach ? 6~6 read Foichlech nád n-airfoichlech ? ' iarsiu Y (dar cendaib na slúag LL) 8 (imrap TBC2) 9naY (/ make out a faint mu overhead) 10-10 (bara mór TBC2) nCligY 12 baücbemendasa Y 13 nane (sic) Y (n-áir LL) 14~14 (a ssídib LL) 15~15 (rasiacht LL) 16 fuaisailc Y (oslaicc LL) » V 3613 TÁLN BÓ CÚAILNGE 123 Scendit la sodain a šuip šesca as a n-ardai eiret téiti uiseóc M n-áer1 7 scendit a thúaga de co mbádar i Maig Thúag la Condaehta. Rethaid immorro anaill 2ille as2. Gabaid a fuile ergraim [de]3. Ocus benaid cend ceachtair de in dá inailte fri araile combo liath ceachtar de de inchind a séitche. —Dolotar do fásguba fair-seom 401 ó Meidb conroimsitis a fuile fair -j do ebert madma for hUlltu -| toitim Fergusa hi frecor in chatha, ar adroas4 a thedacht-som isin chath. —Riasdardha imbi 7 dobretha dó secht cneslénti fichit no bídis imbi fo thétaib 7 refedaib oc teacht hi cath, 7 gabaid a charpat fria ais cona chreit t a díb fonnodaib -\ dofóbair dochom Fergusa 40: timchell in chatha. 'To! ille, a popa Fergais,' ol Cú Chulaind. Ocus ní frecart co fa thrí. 'Tongu do dia toingthe hUIaid,' ol sé, 'notninus amail negar forcor hi lunggu. Rega thorut amail téti bot tar catt. Atotiurr amail411 asoirc ben baíd a mac' 'Cia do feraib hÉrend asber frim-sa so V or Fergus. 'Cú Chulaind mac Soaltaim ^ mac sethar Conchobair,' ol Cú Chulaind, '7 immomimgaib-sea,' or sé. 'Ro gellas-[s]a cid ed ón,' ol Fergus. 411 <6Dó duit5 didiu,' ol Cú Chulaind. 'Maith,' ol Fergus. 'Romimgabais-[s]iu in tan basat6 tretholl-sa.' Luid Fergus as íarom in tan sin cona thríchtaib' cét. Lotar didiu in Gaileóin 7 na Muimnich, 7 fácbaid noí tríchaid cét Medba 7 Ailella 7 a secht mac isin chath. Meadón laí is and dolluidh Cú Chulain 41 isin ehath. Amail doluid grian hi folt feda is and ro memaid lais forsin mbuidin ndéidenaich, 8conná tuairthet8 don charput acht dorn dona hasnaib imon creit 7 dorn dona fer[t]sib imon droch. Tarraid Cú Chulaind íarom Meidb oc teacht isin9 cath. 'Nomanaig!'ol Meadb. 41 'Cid guin nodgonam11 ba deithbir dam,' or Cú Chulaind. Rosnanacht íarom húair nád gonad mná. Adnaig idnacol forru síar co lotar for Ath Lúain [7] tairis didiu. Beanaid tri bémend10 cona c[h]laidiub forsin licc i nn-Áth Lúain. Máelana Átha Lúain a n-ainm. 4l; An tan trá ro memaid in cath, is and asbert Meadb fri Fergus: 'Correcad lochta -| fulachta sund indiu, a Fergais,' ar si. 1_1 lna . . . line end, unfinished Y (immorro TBC2) (i clóthib aeóir 7 firmiminti LL) 2_2 (illeas TBC2) 3 sic LL, om. Y 4 adragas with o written overhead between r and a Y (deletion of -ag- overlooked 1) 5~5 do thuit Y 6 asat with small faint b added above first a Y 7 51c Y, read thrichait 8-8 connatathrith with one or two letters erased at end Y (corinat aithrith TBC2) 9 = asin 10 bemaend Y 11 sic Y, read nodgonainn? TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE Y 3646 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 25-62 "'■Allthose who part here today from comrade and friend will curse '* a for it is I wn0 have mustered this hosting.' 'Wait then,' said the charioteer, 'until the chariot has turned •ght-handwise to strengthen the good omen so that we may come : ack again.' When the charioteer turned back the chariot and they were hout to descend, they saw in front of them a grown maiden. She i ^ yellow hair. She wore a vari-coloured cloak with a golden pin 11 it and a hooded tunic with red embroidery. She had shoes with olden fastenings. Her face was oval, narrow below, broad above. I [er eyebrows were dark and black. Her beautiful black eyelashes ast a shadow on to the middle of her cheeks. Her lips seemed to be lade of -partaing. Her teeth were like a shower of pearls between ' er lips. She had three plaits of hair: two plaits wound around her ead, the third hanging down her back, touching her calves behind. la her hand she carried a weaver's beam of white bronze, with olden inlay. There were three pupils in each of her eyes. The íaiden was armed and her chariot was drawn by two black horses. 'What is your name,' asked Medb of the maiden. 'I am Feidelm, the poetess of Connacht,' said the maiden. 'Whence do you come?' asked Medb. 'From Albion after learning the art of divination,' answered the íaiden, 'Have you the power of prophecy called imbas forosna ?' 'I have indeed,' said the maiden. 'Look for me then and tell me how it will fare with my hosting.' Then the maiden looked and Medb said: '0 Feidelm Prophetess, how do you see the fate of the army V Feidelm answered and said: T see it bloody, I see it red.' 'That is not so,' said Medb, 'for Conchobor lies in his debility in ilmain together with the TJlstermen and all the mightiest of their 'arriors, and my messengers have come and brought me tidings of nem. 0 Feidelm Prophetess, how do you see our host?' asked 'ledb again. T see it blood-stained, I see it red,' said the maiden. 'That is not so,' said Medb, 'for Celtchar mac Uthidir is in Dun .ethglaise together with a third of the men of Ulster, and Fergus mac toeioh meic Echdach is here in exile with us with three thousand len. 0 Feidelm Prophetess, how do you see our host?' T see it blood-stained, I see it red,' answered the maiden. 'That matters not indeed,' said Medb, 'for in every muster and in very army assembled in a great encampment there are quarrels and 11. 63-106] TRANSLATION 127 strife and bloody woundings. So look once more for us, and tell us the truth. O Feidelm Prophetess, how do you see our host?' 'I see it blood-stained, I see it red,' said Feidelm and she spoke as follows: T see a fair man who will perform weapon-feats, with many a wound in his flesh. A hero's light is on his brow. His forehead is the meeting-place of many virtues. 'In each of his eyes are the seven jewel-bright pupils of a hero. His spearpoints (?) are unsheathed. He wears a red mantle with clasps. 'His face is beautiful. He amazes women-folk. This lad of handsome countenance looks in the battle like a dragon. 'Like is his prowess to that of Cú Chulainn of Murthemne. I know not who is this Cú Chulainn of fairest fame, but this I do know, that by him the army will be bloodily wounded. T see a tall man in the plain who gives battle to the host. In each hand he holds four small swords with which to perform great deeds. 'He attacks with his gáe bolga and also with his ivory-hilted sword and his spear. He can ply them on the host. Each weapon as he casts it has its own special use. 'This man wrapped in a red mantle sets his foot on every battle-field. Across the left wheel-rim of his chariot he attacks them. The distorted one kills them. I see that he has changed from the form in which hitherto he has appeared to me. 'He has moved forward to the battle. Unless heed be taken, there will be destruction. I think that it is Cú Chulainn mac Súaldaim who now comes to you. 'He will lay low your entire army. He will slaughter you in dense crowds. Ye will leave with him a thousand severed heads. The prophetess Feidelm does not conceal your fate. "J28 1'ÁľN BÓ CÚAILNGE |ll. H)7-i:iH Kď } 'Blood will flow from heroes' bodies. Much harm will be ■^ wrought by the hand of this hero. He will kill warriors; the K men of Clanna Dedad meic Sin will flee. Men's bodies will be ? hacked and women will weep because of the Hound of the F Smith whom I now see.' On the Monday after the autumn festival of Samain they set out. They travelled south-east from Crúachain Ai, past Mucc Cruinb, •oast Terloch Teóra Críeh, past Túaim Mona, past Cúil Silinne", oast Fid, past Bolga, past Coltain, past Glúne Gabair, past Mag Trego, past northern Tethba6, past southern Tethba, past Tiar-thechta, past Ord, southwards past Slais, past Indeóind, past Cam, past Ochtrach, past Mide, past Findglassa Assail, past Delt, past Delind, past Sailig, past Slaibre, past Šlechta (where they hewed down the trees), past Cúil Sibrinne, southwards past Ochuinn, northwards past TJata, past Dub, southwards past Comur, past Tromma and eastwards past Fothronima, past Sláne and Gort Sláni, southwards past Druim Licce, past Ath Gabla, past Ardachad, northwards past Féraind, past Findabair, southwards past Aisse, past Druim Sálfind, past Druim Cain, past Druim mac nDcga, past Eódond Mór and Eódond Bee, past Méthe Tog[maill] and Méthe Eóin; past Druim Cáemtechta, past Scúap and Imscúap, past Cend Ferna, past Baile, past Aile, past Bail Scena and Dáil Scena, past Ferste, past Ross Lochad, past Sále, past Lochmach, past Anmag, past Deind, past Delt, past Dubglais, past Fid Mórc, past Colptha, past Crond in Cúailnge. From Findabair in Cúailnge the armies of Ireland spread out over the province in quest of the Bull. For they had gone past all these places before reaching Findabair. Here ends the introductory part. The story in due order now begins. The Story in Due Order When they had come on the first stage of their journey from Crúachain to Cúil Silinne, the site of Loch Cairrcin today, Medb told her charioteer to harness her nine chariots1 for her that she might " i.e. Loch Carrcin, and it got its name from Silend daughter of Madchar b i.e. Cairpre c i.e. Trualli 1 i.e. she was always accompanied by nine chariots, so that the dust raised by the great army should not soil her. II. I'.l!» -m| TRANSLATION 121) drive around the encampment and see who among them was reluctant and who was glad to go on the hosting. Now his tent was pitched for Ailill and his equipment was placed therein, both beds and blankets. Fergus mac Róich was next to Ailill in his tent. Cormac Conn Longas, son of Conchobor, was next to him. Then came Conall Cernach, with Fiacha mac Fir Febe, the son of Conchobor's daughter, beside him. Medb, the daughter of Eochu Feidlech was on the other side of Ailill, with Finnabair, the daughter of Ailill and Medb, beside her and Flidais next to Finnabair. This was not counting the servants and attendants. After she had surveyed the host, Medb came back and said that it would be vain for the rest to go on that expedition if the division of the Gailióin went also. 'Why do you belittle the men?' asked Ailill. T am not belittling them,' said Medb. 'They are splendid warriors. When the others were making their shelters, the Gailióin had already finished thatching their shelters and cooking their food. When the rest were eating, they had already finished their meal and their harpers were playing to them. So it is useless for them to go on this expedition,' said Medb, 'for it is they who will take credit for the victory of the army.' 'Yet it is for us they fight,' said Ailill. 'They shall not go with us,' said Medb. 'Let them stay here then,' said Ailill. 'Indeed they shall not,' said Medb. 'They will overpower us when we have come back and seize our land.' 'Well then, what shall be done with them,' asked Ailill, 'since neither their staying nor their going pleases you?' 'Kill them!' said Medb. 'I shall not deny that is a woman's counsel,' said Ailill. 'You speak foolishly,' said Fergus in a low voice. It shall not happen unless we are all killed, for they are allies of us Ulstermen.' 'Nevertheless,' said Medb, 'we could do it. For I have here with me my own household retinue numbering two divisions, and the seven Maines are here, my seven sons, with seven divisions. Their luck can protect them,' said she. 'Their names are Maine Máth-ramail, Maine Aithremail, Maine Mórgor, Maine Mingor, Maine Mó Epirt, who is also called Maine Milscothach, Maine Andóe and Maine Cotageib Uile—he it is who has inherited the appearance of his mother and his father and the dignity of them both.' 'That will not be,' said Fergus, 'There are here seven kings from Munster, allies of us Ulstermen, and a division with each king. TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE [11. 174-209 jsou»1 11 give you battle in the middle of the encampment where we supported by those seven divisions, by my own division and "l . division of the Gailióin. But I shall not argue the point,' l L\ reus. 'We shall arrange the warriors of the Gailióin so that ' - hall not prevail over the rest of the army. Seventeen divi- ■' said Fergus, 'is the number here in our encampment, not g the camp-followers and our boys and our women-folk— •a, b chief here in Medb's company has brought his wife. The Th, ai\x division is that of the Gailióin. Let them be distributed ÜffOii^hout all the host.' ' '11 are not,' said Medb, 'provided that they do not remain in the jsu battle array in which they now are.' 'I'M ■ then was done; the Gailióin were distributed among the host. VtxI. morning they set out for Móin Choltna. There they met th • 'ght score deer in a single herd. They encircled them and feljul them. Wherever there was a man of the Gailióin, it was he ' ho ŕ >t a deer, for the rest of the host got only five of the deer. :(v !ame on then to Mag Trego and there they encamped and p.i'i)d food for themselves. Ace rding to one version it was then that Dubthach chanted this ,Íay: "Admit that hitherto ye have not heard nor listened to the n mce-speech of Dubthach. A fierce hosting lies before you, i. 'itending for Findbenn, the bull of Ailill's wife. ■1 here will come a leader of armies who will try to recover the . ittle of Murthemne. Because of the companionship of the t'vo swineherds, ravens on the battle-field will drink men's i:»d. I he watchful river Crann will offer them resistance and will i. t let them cross into Murthemne until the work of warriors :- finished in the mountain north of Ochaine. ' 'Quickly," said Ailill to Cormac, "come and hold back your • ■a." None comes from the plains where the cattle graze but !■ affrighted (?) by the din of the army. 'l'i due course a battle will be fought here with Medb and a '-! ird of the army. Men's corpses will then lie here if the ' said Lugaid. * 'Grant me fair play and goodly combat,' said Cú Chulainn. '0 friend Lugaid, do the army hold me in fear ?' 'I swear by the god of my people,' said Lugaid, 'that not one man or two dare go outside the camp to make water unless they go in companies of twenty or of thirty.' 'It will be a fine tiling for them,' said Cú Chulainn, 'if I begin to pelt them with stones from my sling. If every man's strength is put forth against me, it will be right for you, Lugaid, (to remember) your alliance with the men of Ulster. Tell me now what it is that ,you want.' 'I want a truce from you for my company.' 'You shall have that provided that they bear a special sign (that I "may recognize them.) And tell my friend Fergus that his company too should bear a special sign. Tell the physicians to make their company also bear a sign and let them swear to preserve my life and send me food every night.' Lugaid left him then. Now it chanced that Fergus was in his "■tent with Ailill. Lugaid called him out and gave him the message. Ailill was heard speaking: 'Cair iss i sanassaib . . . Let us go with a small army, to a choice "tent and an encampment. . . ' 'I swear by the god of my people that it is not so,' said Fergus, •unless I ask the lad. Come, Lugaid, go and ask him if Ailill and his division of three thousand may join together with my company. Take him an ox and a flitch of bacon and a barrel of wine.' Then Lugaid goes to him and gives him that message. 'I do not mind if he go,' said Cú Chulainn. So the two companies joined them. They remained there until 'night. Cú Chulainn wounded thirty of their warriors with stones from his sling. -Or, as some books tell it, they remained there for twenty "nights. 'Your journeyings will be unpleasant,' said Fergus. 'The ' Tflstermen will recover from their debility and they will crush us into the dust and gravel. We are ill-placed for battle. Come on to řCúil Airthir.' It happened that Cú Chulainn went that night to speak with the ^ men of Ulster. 'What tidings have you?' asked Conchobar. 'Women are taken captive,' said he, 'cattle are driven away, men !M6 slain.' 11. 1215-1251] TRANSLATION 159 'Who takes them captive ? Who drives them away ? Who kills them?' '. . . The man foremost in slaughter and killing, Ailill mac Máta, carries them off and Fergus mac Róich, the brave one, who wields a sword . . .' 'That is not of much benefit to you,' said Conchobar. 'Today we have been smitten (by the cess) as before.' ■ Thereafter Cú Chulainn left them. He saw the army going forth. Ailill spoke: 'Alas! I see a chariot with bright points ... he will slay men in fords and capture cows, and the thirty will act when the army has come from Laigin. Blood will flow from headless necks. They will fall fighting for the cattle of the Ulstermen in the ford.' Cú Chulainn killed thirty of their warriors at Äth Dum. They made no stop then until at nightfall they reached Cúil Airthir. He killed thirty of them at that spot and they pitched their tents there. Ailill's charioteer, Cuillius, was at the ford early in the morning washing the wheels of the chariot. Cú Chulainn hit him with a stone and killed him. Hence the place-name Ath Cuillne in Cúil Airthir. They travelled on then and spent the night in Druim Feine in Conaille, as we have related above. Cú Chulainn attacked them there. On each of the three nights that they were there he killed a hundred of them. He let fly at them with his sling from Ochaŕne near them. 'Our army will not long survive with Cú Chulainn attacking us in this fashion,' said Ailill. 'Let an offer of terms from us be made to him, namely, that he shall have an extent of Mag nAi equal to Mag Muirtliemne, the best chariot in Mag nAi and the equipment of twelve men. Or, if he prefer, this plain in which he was reared and thrice seven cumala. And all that has been destroyed in his household or among his cattle shall be made good, and he shall be compensated for it. And let him take service with me, it is better for him than to be in the service of a princeling.' 'Who will go on that mission?' they asked. 'Mac Roth yonder.' Mac Roth, the messenger of Ailill and Medb—he it is who could go all round Ireland in one day—went to Delga on that mission, for Fergus believed that Cú Chulainn was in Delga. T see a man coming towards us,' said Láeg to Cú Chulainn. 'He has yellow hair. He wears the linen garments of his office. In his hand a great club and at his waist an ivory-hilted sword. He wears a hooded tunic with red insertion.' L60 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE [11. 1252-1286 'That is one of the king's warriors,' said Cú Chulainn. Mac Roth asked Láeg whose vassal he was. 'Vassal to yonder man below,' said Láeg. Cu Chulainn was sitting stark-naked in the snow which reached jp to his thighs, examining his shirt for lice. So Mac Roth asked 06 Chulainn whose vassal he was. 'Vassal of Conchobor mac Nessa,' said Cú Chulainn. 'Have you no more definite description ?' 'That is sufficient,' said Cú Chulainn. 'Where is Cú Chulainn then?' asked Mac Roth. 'What would you say to him?' said Cú Chulainn. So Mac Roth told him the whole message as we have (already) •elated. 'Even if Cú Chulainn were here near at hand, he would not agree o that. He will not exchange his mother's brother for another dng.' Once again Cú Chulainn was visited (by Mac Roth) and he was ■old that he would be given the noblest of the (captured) women «id the dry kine on condition that he should not ply his sling on ;hem by night even if he killed them by day. 'I will not agree,' said Cú Chulainn. 'If our base-born women are iarried off, then our noble women will work at querns, and if our nilch cows are taken away we shall be left without milk.' A third time Cú Chulainn was visited by Mac Roth and he was old that he would get the base-born women and the milch cows. 'I will not agree,' said Cú Chulainn. 'The Ulstermen will take heir base born women to bed and base offspring will be born to hern, and they will use their milch cows for meat in the winter.' 'Is there anything else then?' asked the messenger. 'There is,' said Cú Chulainn, 'but I shall not tell you. It will be igreed to if some one (else) tell you.' 'I know what it is,' said Fergus. 'The man has arranged that I hould make it known. But indeed it is of no advantage to you. These then are the terms: that for a day and a night the cattle shall lot be taken away from the ford on which he shall fight in single lombat, in the hope that help may come from the Ulstermen to him. Vnd I find it strange,' said Fergus, 'that they are so long in recover-ng from their debility.' 'It is better for us indeed, said Ailill, 'to lose one man every day han a hundred men every night.' 11. 1287-1322] TRANSLATION 161 The death of Etarcomol and the terms offered by the men of Ireland as told to Cú Chulainn by Fergus: Then Fergus went on that mission. Etarcomol, the son of Ed and Leithrinn, fosterson of Ailill and Medb, followed Fergus. T do not wish you to go,' said Fergus, 'and it is not out of hatred of you that I say so, but I dislike the thought of a fight between you and Cú Chulainn because of your pride and insolence and because of the fierceness and violence, the boldness and fury of your opponent, Cú Chulainn. No good will come of your encounter.' 'Can you not protect me from him?' said Etarcomol. T can,' said Fergus, 'provided that you do not provoke a quarrel.' They set off then for Delga in two chariots. At that time Cú Chulainn was playing draughts with Láeg: the back of his head was towards them and Láeg was facing them. T see two chariots coming towards us,' said Láeg. 'There is a tall dark man in the first chariot. He has dark bushy hair. He wears a purple cloak in which is a golden brooch, and a hooded tunic with red insertion. He carries a curved shield with a scalloped rim of white gold. In his hand he holds a broad spear with perforations from point to upper shaft (?). Across his thighs a sword as long as a boat's rudder.' 'That great rudder carried by my master Fergus is empty,' said Cú Chulainn, 'for there is no sword in the scabbard, only a sword of wood. I have been told,' said Cú Chulainn, 'that Ailill came unawares upon Fergus and Medb as they slept, and he took away Fergus's sword and gave it into the keeping of his charioteer, and a wooden sword was put into its scabbard.' At that point Fergus arrived. 'Welcome, master Fergus,' said Cú Chulainn. 'If fish swim into the estuaries you shall have a salmon and a half; or else if a flock of birds fly over the plain you shall have a barnacle goose and the half of another; or you shall have a handful of cress or seaweed, a handful of laver, a drink from the sand. I shall to go the ford to encounter an opponent if he challenge (you) and you shall be guarded until you shall have slept.' T trust your welcome,' said Fergus, 'but it is not for food that I have come. I know what provisions you have here.' Then Cú Chulainn received the message from Fergus, and Fergus departed. Etarcomol remained behind gazing at Cú Chulainn. 'What are you looking at V said Cú Chulainn. TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [II. 1323-13G0 'You,' said Etarcomol. 'An eye can soon glance over that,' said Cú Chulainn. 'So I see,' answered Etarcomol. 'I see no reason why ai^one ■ hould fear you. I see in you no horror or fearfulness or superiority .-. numbers. You are merely a handsome youth with wooden ■weapons and fine feats of arms.' 'Though you revile me' said Cú Chulainn, 'I will not kill you because of Fergus. But for your being under his protection, í would have sent back your distended loins and your dismembered body behind your chariot to the encampment.' 'Do not threaten me thus,' said Etarcomol. 'As for the wonderful agreement you made, namely, to engage in single combat, it is I who •'will be the first of the men of Ireland to fight with you tomorrow.' Then he went away, but he turned back again from Méithe and Ceithe, saying to his charioteer: 'I boasted in the presence of Fergus that I would encounter Cú "Chulainn tomorrow. It is not easy for me, however, to wait until then. Turn the horses back again from the hill.' Láeg saw what was happening and said to Cú Chulainn: 'The chariot is coming again and has turned its left side to us.' 'That is a challenge which must be met,' said Cú Chulainn. 'Let .us go down to meet him at the ford and find out (what he wants). í do not wish to do what you ask,' said Cú Clmlainn (to Etar-*oomol). 'You must do it, however,' said Etarcomol. Cú Chulainn struck the sod beneath his feet and he fell prostrate "with the sod on his belly. 'Begone!' said Cú Chulainn. 'I am loath to dip my hands in your blood. I should have cut you into pieces just now but for lergus.' 'We shall not part like this,' said Etarcomol, 'until I carry off your head or until I leave my head with you.' 'The latter is what will happen,' said Cú Chulainn. Then Cú Chulainn struck him with his sword under his armpits so that his garments fell off him, but he did not cut his skin. 'Begone then!' said Cú Chulainn. 'No,' said Etarcomol. Cú Chulainn touched him then with the edge of his sword and cut hair off as cleanly as if it had been shaved off with a razor. e did not even scratch his skin. Then since the fellow was oublesome and pertinacious, he struck him on the crown of his head and clove him down to the navel. II. 1361-1397] TRANSLATION 163 Fergus saw the chariot go past with only one man in it. He turned back to scold Cú Chulainn. 'It was wicked of you, you whippersnapper,'said he, 'to violate my protection (of Etarcomol). You think my club is short.' 'Do not be angry with me, master Fergus,' said Cú Chulainn,'. . . Do not reproach me, master Fergus.' He bowed down and let Fergus's chariot go past him three times. 'Ask his charioteer if I was the one who instigated the fight.' 'Indeed it was not you,' said Etarcomol's charioteer. 'He said,' went on Cú Chulainn, 'that he would not go away till he carried off my head or left his own head with me. Which would you prefer, master Fergus V 'Indeed I prefer what has been done,' said Fergus, 'for it is he who was insolent.' Then Fergus put a spanceling band through Etarcomol's heels and dragged him behind his own chariot to the camp. Whenever Etarcomol's body went over rocks, one half would part from the other; when the path was smooth, the two parts would come together again. Medb looked at him. 'That was not kind treatment for a young hound, Fergus,' said Medb. 'It is no source of annoyance to me,' said Fergus, 'that the mongrel should have waged battle with the great hound for whom he was no match.' Then Etarcomol's grave was dug and his headstone was planted in the ground; his name was written in ogam and he was mourned. That night Cú Chulainn did not attack them with his sling. The Death of Nad Crantail 'What man have you got to encounter Cú Chulainn tomorrow?' asked Lugaid. 'They will give you him tomorrow,' said Maine son of Ailill. 'We can get no one to encounter him,' said Medb. 'Let us make a truce with him till a man be sought for him.' A truce was granted them. 'Whither will you send,' asked Ailill, 'to seek a man to encounter Cú Chulainn?' 'There is no one in Ireland to be got for him,' said Medb, 'unless Cú Roi mac Dáire or Nad Crantail the warrior be brought.' 3L64 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE [11.1308 -1434 ' One of Cú Roí's followers was in the tent. 'Cú Roí ^^ n°ť come,' said he. 'He thinks that enough of his 'people have already come.' 'Let a message be sent to Nad Crantail then.' Jlaine Andoi went to Nad Crantail. They related their tidings ohim. 'Come with us for the sake of the honour of Connacht.' 'I will not,' said he, 'unless Findabair is given to me.' He came with them then. They brought his weapons in a cart "from the east of Connacht to the encampment. 'You shall get Findabair,' said Medb, 'as a reward for encountering •yonder man.' 'I shall do so,' said he. That night Lugaid came to Cú Chulainn. 'Nad Crantail is coming to meet you tomorrow. Alas for you! You will not stand out against him.' 'That is no matter,' said Cú Chulainn. __According to another version it was then that Cú Chulainn ■chanted the verse: 'If Nad Crantail should fall.'— On the morrow Nad Crantail went forth from the camp, taking with him nine stakes of holly, sharpened and charred. Cú Chulainn •was there engaged in fowling, with his chariot beside him. Nad Crantail cast a stake at Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn sprang on to the top of that stake but it did not hinder him in his fowling. '"Similarly with the other eight stakes. When Nad Crantail cast the "ninth stake, the flock of birds flew away from Cú Chulainn who went in pursuit of them. Then, like a bird himself, he stepped on to "the points of the stakes, going from one stake to another, pursuing -the birds that they might not escape him. They were all certain, however, that Cú Chulainn was fleeing from Nad Crantail. 'That Cú Chulainn of yours,' said Nad Crantail, 'has taken to 'flight before me.' 'It was to be expected,' said Medb, 'if goodly warriors opposed •him, that the sprite would not hold out against bold men.' Fergus and the Ulstermen were grieved to hear this. Fiacha mac t Fir Febe was sent by them to upbraid Cú Chulainn. 'Tell him,' said Fergus, 'that it was fine for him to attack the warriors as long as he acted bravely. It is better for him, however, *to hide himself when he flees from a single opponent, for it is no "greater dishonour for him than for the rest of the Ulstermen.' * 'Who boasted that I fled?' asked Cú Chulainn. 'Nad Crantail,' said Fiacha. II. 1435-1469] TRANSLATION 165 'If he had boasted of the feat I had performed in his presence, it would have become him better,' said Cú Chulainn. 'But he would not boast if only he had a weapon in his hand. You know that I kill no man unarmed. So let him come tomorrow and stand between Ochaino and the sea, and however early he come, he shall find me waiting there and I shall not flee from him.' Cú Chulainn ended the meeting, and he cast his mantle around him after his night watch, but he did not notice the great pillar-stone as big as himself which was beside him and he covered it over between himself and his mantle and sat down beside it. Then Nad Crantail arrived. His weapons were brought by him in a wagon. 'Where is Cú Chulainn?' he asked. 'There he is over there,' said Fergus. 'That is not how he appeared to me yesterday,' said Nad Crantail. 'Are you the famous Cú Chulainn?' 'And what if I am?' said Cú Chulainn. 'If 3'ou are,' said Nad Crantial, 'then until I carry the head of a little lamb to the camp, I shall not take back your head which is the head of a beardless boy.' T am not Cú Chulainn at all,' said Cú Chulainn. 'Go round the hill to him,' Cú Chulainn came to Láeg. 'Smear a false beard on me. The champion refuses to fight with me since I am beardless.' So it was done for him. He went to meet Nad Crantail on the hill. T think that better,' said Nad Crantail. 'Grant me fair play now.' 'You shall have it provided that we know it.' said Cú Chulainn. 'I will throw a cast at you,' said Nad Crantail, 'and do not avoid it.' 'I shall avoid it only by leaping upwards,' said Cú Chulainn. Nad Crantail threw a cast at him and Cú Chulainn leapt upwards as it came. 'You do ill to avoid the cast,' said Nad Crantail. 'Avoid my cast upwards also,' said Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn threw the spear at him but it was upwards he threw so that the spear came down on the crown of Nad Crantail's head and went through him to the ground. 'Indeed,' he cried, 'you are the best warrior in Ireland! I have twenty-four sons in the encampment. Let me go and tell them what 166 TÁIN BÓ GÚAILNGE [11. 1470-1503 h'dden treasures I have. And I shall come back so that you may , jjead me for I shall die if the spear is taken out of my head.' 'Good,' said Cú Chulainn, 'provided that you eome back again.' Then Nad Crantail went to the encampment. They all came forth to meet him. 'Where is the head of the distorted one that you have brought?' they all asked. 'Stay, 0 warriors, until I tell my tale to my sons and go back again to fight with Cú Chulainn.' He went off to meet Cú Chulainn and cast his sword at him. Cú Chulainn leapt up so that the sword struck the pillar-stone and broke in two. Cú Chulainn was distorted as he had been when with the boys in Emain. Thereupon Cú Chulainn leapt on to Nad Cran-tail's shield and cut off his head. He struck him again on his headless neck (and split him) down to the navel and Nad Crantail fell in four sections to the ground. Then Cú Chulainn spoke these words: 'If Nad Crantail has fallen, there will be increase of strife. Alas that I do not now give battle to Medb with a third of the host!' The Finding of the Bull according to this Version Then Medb went with a third of the army to Cuib in search of the bull and Cú Chulainn followed them. She went along Slige Mid-lúachra then as far as Dún Sobairche to harry the Ulstermen and the Cruithne. Cú Chulainn caught sight of Buide mac Báin from Sliab Cuilinn with the bull and fifteen heifers. Sixty warriors of Ailill's household formed his company, each man wrapped in a mantle. Cú Chulainn came towards them. 'Whence have you brought the cattle V asked he. 'From yonder mountain,' answered the warrior. 'Tell me, where is their cow-herd?' said Cú Chulainn. 'He is where we found him,' said the warrior. Cú Chulainn gave three leaps to follow them as far as the ford, seeking to have speech with them. Then he spoke to their leader. 'What is your name?' said he. 'One who hates you not, who loves you not, Buide mac Bain,' said he. 'Here is this spear for Buide,' said Cú Chulainn. II. 1504-1539] TRANSLATION 167 He cast a small spear at him and it went into his armpit, and his liver on the other side broke in two at the impact of the spear. Cú Chulainn killed him at his ford. Hence the place-name Áth mBuide. Thereupon the bull was brought into the encampment. Then they decided in debate that if Cú Chulainn were deprived of his javelin, he would be no more formidable (than anyone else). The Death of Redg the Satirist Then Redg the satirist went, on Ailill's advice, to ask Cú Chulainn for the javelin, that is, Cú Chulainn's spear. 'Give me your spear,' said the satirist. 'No indeed,' said Cú Chulainn, 'but I will give your treasure.' 'I shall not accept that,' said the satirist. So he wounded the satirist since he did not accept what was offered him, and Redg said that he would bring dishonour on him (by satire) unless he got the javelin. So Cú Chulainn threw the javelin at him and it went right through his head. 'This treasure was quickly delivered indeed,' said the satirist. Hence the name Ath Tolam Set. There is also a ford to the east ofthat place where the copper from the spear landed. Umarrith (Umašruth) is the name ofthat ford. It was in Cuib that Cú Chulainn killed all those that we have mentioned, namely, Nath Coirpthe at his trees, Cruthen on his ford, Meic Búachalla at their cairn, Marc on his hill, Meille in his stronghold, Bodb in his tower, Bogaine in his marsh. Cú Chulainn turned back again into Mag Muirthemne. He preferred to guard his own homeland. After going there he killed the men of Crochen (or Crónech), that is, Focherda, he cast off t went}' men. He come upon them as they were setting up camp, ten cupbearers and ten warriors. Medb turned back again from the north when she had remained there for a fortnight, ravaging the province, and when she had fought a battle against Fíndmór the wife of Celtchar mac Uthidir. After the destruction of Dún Sobairche in the territory of Dál Riada against Findmór she carrried off fifty women captives. Wherever in Cuib Medb planted her horsewhip is named Bile Medba. Every ford and every hill by which she spent the night is named Ath Medba and Dindgna Medba. Then they all met at Focherd, Ailill and Medb and the men who drove the bull. His herdsman took the bull from them but by beating their shields with sticks they drove the bull across into a • 168 TÄIN BÓ CÚAILNOF [H. 1510-1.577 narrow pass and the cattle trampled tho herdsman into the ground, gis name was Forgemen. And the hill there is called Forgemen. Their only anxiety that night was to get some one from among them to contend with Cú Chulainn at the ford. 'Let us ask Cú Chulainn for a truce,' said Ailill. 'Let Lugaid go on that mission,' said they all. So Lugaid went to speak with him. 'What do the army think of me now? asked Cú Chulainn. 'They think that the request you made of them is a great disgrace, namely, that they should return to you your women and girls and half your cattle. But they think it more grievous than anything else that you should go on killing them and yet be provided with food by them.' Then every day for a week a man fell there at Cú Chulainn's hands. Terms of fair play were broken against him; twenty men were sent to attack him all together, but he killed them all. 'Go to him, Fergus,' said Ailill, 'and ask if he will allow us to move camp.' So they went then to Crónech. In that place there fell by him in single combat two men called Roth, two called Lúan, two female thieves, ten jesters, ten cupbearers, ten men called Fergus, six called Fedelm and six called Fiachrach. All these were killed by him in single combat. Then when they had pitched their tents in Crónech, they debated as to what they should do about Cú Chulainn. 'I know what is right in this matter,' said Medb. 'Send a message asking him to grant a truce with the host and say that he shall have half the cattle that are here.' That message was taken to him. 'I shall do so,' said Cú Chulainn, 'on condition that you do not violate the agreement.' The Meeting of Cú Chulainn and Finnabair 'Let a proposal be made to him,' said Ailill. 'He shall have Finnabair provided he keep away from the host.' Maine Aithremail went to him, and he went first to Láeg. 'Whose vassal are you?' he asked. Láeg did not address him. Maine asked him the same question three times. 'I am Cú Chulainn's vassal,' said Láeg, 'and do not plague me lest perchance I strike your head off.' 'What a bad-tempered fellow!' said Maine turning away from him. 11.1578-1011] TRANSLATION 169 So thou Maine went to speak to Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn had taken off his shirt and was sitting in the snow up to his waist while around him the snow had melted a man's length, so great was the fierce ardour of the warrior. Maine asked him three times in the same way whose vassal he was. 'Conchobor's vassal, and do not plague me. If you bother me any more, I shall cut off your head as the head is cut off a blackbird'. 'It is not easy to speak to these two,' said Maine. He left them then and told Ailill and Medb what had happened. 'Let Lugaid go to him,' said Ailill, 'and speak to him (and offer him) the maid.' So Lugaid went and gave Cú Chulainn the message. 'Friend Lugaid,' said Cú Chulainn, 'this is a trick.' 'It is the word of a king,' said Lugaid. 'There will be no trickery.' 'So be it done,' said Cú Chulainn. Thereupon Lugaid went from him and told that answer to Ailill and Medb. 'Let the jester go disguised as me,' said Ailill, 'wearing a king's crown on his head. And let him stand far away from Cú Chulainn that he may not recognize him. And the girl shall go with him and he shall betroth her to Cú Chulainn. They shall come away quickly then and very likely you will deceive Cú Chulainn in that way and he will not hinder you until such time as he comes with the Ulstermen to the great battle.' So the jester went, accompanied by the maid, to Cú Chulainn and from afar off he addressed him. Cú Chulainn went to meet them. But in fact he recognized by the man's speech that he was a jester. He threw at him a sling-stone which he had in his hand and it went into the jester's head and drove his brains out. He came to the girl. He cut off her two plaits and thrust a stone through her mantle and her tunic. Then he thrust a stone through the middle of the jester. Their two pillar-stones are still there, Finnabair's stone and the jester's stone. Cú Chulainn left them thus. Messengers came from Ailill and Medb in search of their people, for it seemed to them that they had long been gone. They were found in that plight. The whole story spread through the camp. Thereafter there was no truce between them and Cú Chulainn. The Combat of Munremar and Cú Roí When the hosts were there in the evening, they saw one stone thrown at them from the east and another thrown to meet it from the 13 170 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 1612-1644 "west. The stones collided in the air and they kept falling between JTergus's camp and that of Ailill and that of the Érainn. This performance went on until the same time next day, and the hosts were standing, holding their shields over their heads to protect them from the battle-stones, until the plain was foil of stones. |[ence the name Mag Clochair. In fact it was Cú Rui mac Dáire who had done this; he came to help his followers and he was in Cotail facing Munremar mac (Jerrcinn. Munremar had come from Emain Macha to Ard Róich i,o the assistance of Cú Chulainn. Cú Roi knew that there was no one in the army who could withstand Munremar. So they both i »rried on this performance (with the stones). The host begged them to desist. Then Munremar and Cú Roi made peace and Cú Roi went to his house while Munremar returned to Emain Macha and did not come (again) until the day of the great hattle. Cú Roi, however, did not come until the fight with Fer Diad. 'Ask Cú Chulainn,' said Medb and Ailill, 'to allow us to move . amp.' They were given permission and they moved camp. By this time the debility of the Ulstermcn was at an end. As they awoke from their torpor, some of them kept still attacking the army until they were once more smitten by their affliction. The Death of the Youths Then the youths of Ulster took counsel together in Emain Macha. 'Alas for us,' said they, 'that our friend Cú Chulainn should be left unaided!' 'Tell me,' said Fiaohna Fuileeh mac Fir Febi, a brother of Fia-hach Fialdána mac Fir Febi, 'shall I have a band of fighters from among you so that I may go and help him thus V Thrice fifty boys, a third of the youths of Ulster, went with him, larrying their hurleys. The army saw them approaching across the plain. 'There is a great host coming towards us across the plain,' said Ailill. Fergus went to see them. 'Those are some of the boys of Ulster,' he said, 'and they are coming to help Cú Chulainn.' 'Let a band of armed men go to meet them,' said Ailill, 'but without Cú Chulainn's knowledge, for if they meet with him, you will not withstand them.' 11. 1645-1678] TRANSLATION 171 Tlirice fifty warriors went to encounter them. Both sides fell and not one of those splendid boys escaped alive at Lia Toll. Hence the place-name Lia Fiachrach meic Fir Febi for it is there he fell. 'Take counsel,' said Ailill. 'Ask Cú Chulainn to let you leave this place for you will hardly escape from him now that his hero's flame has sprung forth.' For it was usual with him that when his hero's flame sprang forth his feet would turn to the back and his hams turn to the front and the round muscles of his calves would come on to his shins, while one eye sank into his head and the other protruded. A man's head would go into his mouth. Every hair on him would be as sharp as a spike of hawthorn and there would be a drop of blood on every hair. He would recognise neither comrades nor friends. He would attack alike before him and behind him. Hence the men of Connacht named Cú Chulainn the Distorted One. The Bloodless Fight of Rochad Cú Chulainn sent his charioteer to Rochad mac Fathemain of Ulster to ask him to come to his aid. Now it happened that Finnabair was in love with Rochad for he was the handsomest of the Ulster warriors of the day. The charioteer went to Rochad and asked him to come and help Cú Chulainn if he had recovered from his debility, and he suggested that they should set a snare for the host to entrap some of them and kill them. Rochad came from the north with a hundred men. Scan the plain for us today,' said Ailill. T see a troop coming across the plain,' said the watchman, 'and a youthful warrior among them. He towers shoulder-high above the other warriors.' 'Who is that, Fergus?' asked Ailill. 'Rochad mac Fathemain,' said he, 'and he comes to help Cú Chulainn. I know what you must do,' said Fergus. 'Send a hundred men with the maid yonder as far as the middle of the plain, and let the maid go in front of them. A messenger shall go and speak to Rochad and ask him to come alone to talk to the maid, and then let him be seized and that will save us from attack by his followers.' This was done then. Rochad went to meet the messenger. T have come to you from Finnabair to ask you to go and speak with her.' 172 TÁ1N BÓ CÚAILNGE [li. 1070 nox -. So he went alone to speak with her. The host rushed about him 0n all sides; he was captured and seized. His followers took to ■ fljght. Afterwards he was released and bound over not to attack the kost until he came with all the Ulster-men. He was promised that ]fjnnabati should be given to him, and then he went away from them. That is the Bloodless Fight of Rochad. The Death of the Royal Mercenaries 'Let CÚ Chulainn be asked for a truce for us,' said Ailill and Medb. Lugaid went with that message and Cú Chulainn granted the truce. 'Send a man to the ford for me tomorrow,' said Cú Chulainn. There were with Medb six royal mercenaries, that is, six royal heirs of Clanna Dedad, to wit, three called Dub from Imlech, and three called Derg from Sruthair. 'Why should we not go against Cú Chulainn?' said they. So they went to meet him on the morrow and Cú Chulainn killed the six of them. The Death of Cm-Then Cúr mac Da Lath was asked by them to encounter Cú Chulainn. He from whom Cúr drew blood died before the ninth day. 'If he kill Cú Chulainn,' said Medb, 'it means victory. If he is himself killed, it will be a relief to the host. It is not pleasant to consort with Cúr eating and sleeping.' So Cúr went forth. But he disliked going to encounter a beardless whipper-snapper of a boy. 'In truth,' said he, 'ye make little account of me. Had I known that I was sent against this man, I should not have stirred to meet him. I should think it enough to send a boy of his own age from my followers to encounter him.' 'Nay,' said Cormac Cond Longas. 'It would be a wonderful thing for us were you yourself to repel him.' 'However that be,' said Cúr, 'since I have been entrusted with this task, ye shall go on your w7ay early tomorrow for it will not take me long to kill that young deer.' 11. 1709-17401 TRANSLATION 173 So early in the morning on the morrow he went to meet Cú Chulainn, and he told the host to start on their journey for it would be a joyful expedition for him to go and meet Cú Chulainn. So he went off. Cú Chulainn at that time was practising feats. A List of the Feats The ball-feat, the blade-feat, the feat with horizontally-held shield, the javelin-feat, the rope-feat, the feat with the body, the cat-feat, the hero's salmon-leap, the cast of a wand, the leap across . , . , the bending of a valiant hero, the feat of the gae bolga, the feat of quickness (?), the wheel-feat, the eight-men feat, the over-breath feat, the bruising with a sword, the hero's war-cry, the well-measured blow, the return-stroke, the mounting on a spear and straightening the body on its point, with the bond of a valiant champion. For a third of the day Cúr was plying his weapons against him protected by the boss of his shield, and no blow or thrust reached Cú Chulainn in the wild excitement of his feats, nor did he realise that the man was attacking him until Fiacha mac Fir íebe cried to him: 'Beware of the man who is attacking you! Cú Chulainn glanced at Cúr and cast the ball-feat which he held in his hand so that it went between the boss and the centre of the shield and back through the fellow's head. —According to another version it was in (the battle of) Imslige Glendamnach that Cúr fell.— Fergus turned to the host. 'If your surety binds you,' said he, 'stay here until tomorrow.' 'Not here,' said Ailill, 'but we shall go back to our encampment.' Then Láth mac Da Bró was asked to fight him even as Cúr had been asked. He too fell. Fergus turned again to enforce their surety. So they remained there until there were slain Cur mac Da Láth and Láth mac Da Bró and Foirc mac Tri nAignech and Srub-gaile mac Eóbith. These men were all killed in single combat. The Death of Fer Báeth 'Go for me, friend Láeg, to the encampment and consult Lugaid mac Nóis uí Lomairc, and find out who is coming to fight me tomorrow. Question him closely and greet him.' 174 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [U. 1741-1777 Láeg went off then. 'Welcome!' said Lugaid. 'Cú Chulainn is indeed in unluckj' plight, fighting single handed against the men of Ireland.' 'Who is coming to fight him tomorrow ?' 'It is Fer Báeth—bad luck to him in his fighting!—who goes to meet him tomorrow, Fer Báeth, the comrade of us both. He has been given Finnabair for doing so and sway over his own people.' Láeg returned to where Cú Chulainn was. 'My friend Láeg is not glad of the answer he got,' said Cú Chulainn. Láeg recounted it all to him, telling him how Fer Báeth had been summoned to Ailill and Medb in their tent and told to sit beside Finnabair and that she would be given to him as a reward for fighting with Cú Chulainn, for he was her chosen lover. They considered that he was a match for Cú Chulainn for they had both learnt the same art of war with Scáthach. Fer Báeth was plied with wine until he was intoxicated. He was told that they prized that liquor for only fifty wagon-loads of it had been brought by them. And the maiden used to serve him his share of the wine. '[ do not wish to go,' said Fer Báeth. 'Cú Chulainn is my foster brother and bound to me by solemn covenant. Nevertheless I shall go and oppose him tomorrow and cut off his head.' 'You will be the man to do it,' said Medb. Cú Chulainn told Láeg to go and ask Lugaid to come and speak with him. Lugaid came to him. 'So it is Fer Báeth who comes to oppose me tomorrow,' said Cú Chulainn. 'It is he indeed,' said Lugaid. 'It is an evil day,' said Cú Chulainn. 'I shall not survive this encounter. We two are of equal age, of equal swiftness and of equal weight. Leave me now so that we may meet, and tell him that it is unworthy of his valour that he should come against me. Ask him to come and meet me and speak to me tonight.' Lugaid told this to Fer Báeth. Since Fer Báeth did not avoid the conflict, he went that night accompanied by Fiacha mac Fir Febe, to renounce his friendship with Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn adjured him by his foster-brotherhood and by their common foster-mother Scáthach. 'T must fight,' said Fer Báeth. 'I have promised to do so.' 'Renounce your bond of friendship then,' said Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn went away from him in anger. He trampled a sharp shoot of holly into his foot and it came up to his knee and appeared there. Cú Chulainn pulled it out. 11. 1778-1817] TRANSLATION 175 'Do not go away, Fer Báeth, until you see what I have found.' 'Throw it here,' said Fer Báeth. Then Cú Chulainn threw the holly shoot after Fer Báeth and it struck the depression at the back of his neck and went out through his mouth, and he fell on his back in the glen. 'That is indeed a throw,' said Fer Báeth. From this comes the place-name Focherd Muirthemne. —Or (according to another version), Fiacha said: 'Your throw is lucky today, Cú Chulainn.' Whence the place-name Focherd Muirthemne.— Fer Báeth fell dead at once in the glen. Whence the place-name Glend Fir Baith. Fergus was heard saying: '0 Fer Báeth, foolish is your expedition on this spot wherein is your grave. Ruin has reached you there ... in Cróen Corand. The hill is named Frithe; forever it will be Cróenech in Muirthemne. Henceforth its name will be Focherd, the place in which you fell, 0 Fer Báeth.' 'Your opponent has fallen,' said Fergus. 'Tell me, will that man give compensation tomorrow?' 'He will indeed,' said Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn sent Láeg again to find out how matters stood in the camp and whether Fer Báeth was alive. Lugaid said: 'Fer Báeth has died, and tell Cú Chulainn to come presently to talk with me.' The Combat of Láiríne mac Nóis 'Let one of you go speedily tomorrow to meet your opponent,' said Lugaid. 'No one will be got,' said Ailill, 'unless ye employ some trickery in this matter. Give wine to every man that comes to you until he is gladdened in mind, and tell him: "That is all that is left of the wine that was brought from Cruachain. We are grieved that you should have only water to drink in the camp."—and let Finnabair be placed at his right hand, and tell him: "You shall have her if you bring back to us the head of the distorted one." ' A message was sent to each warrior on his night, and he was told that. But Cú Chulainn killed each of them in turn. At last no one could be got to oppose him. 176 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [U. 1818-1850 Láríne mac Nóis, brother of Lugaid King of Munster, was summoned to them. His pride was over-weening. He was plied with wine and Finnabair was placed at his right hand. Medb looked at the two. 'I think that couple well matched,' said she. 'A marriage between them would be fitting.' 'I shall not oppose you,' said Ailill. 'He shall have her if he bring me the head of the distorted one.' 'I shall do so indeed,' said Láiríne. Thereupon Lugaid arrived. 'What man have ye got to send to the ford tomorrow ?' 'Láiríne is going,' said Ailill. Then Lugaid went to speak with Cú Chulainn. They met in Glend Fir Baith. Each greeted the other in friendly fashion. 'This is why I have come to speak with you,' said Lugaid. There is a boorish fellow, foolish and arrogant, yonder, my brother who is called Láiríne. He is being tricked about the same girl. By our friendship do not kill him, do not leave me without my brother, for he is being sent to you in order that we two may quarrel. But I am willing for you to give him a sound thrashing, for it is against my wishes he goes.' On the morrow Láiríne came to meet Cú Chulainn and the maiden came with him to encourage him. Cú Chulainn came unarmed to attack him, and forcilby took his weapons from Láiríne. Then ho seized him with both hands and squeezed him and shook him until he drove his excrement out of him and the water of the ford was turbid with his dung and the air of the firmament was polluted with his stench. Then Cú Chulainn threw him into Lugaid's arms. As long as Láiríne lived, his inward parts never recovered. Ho was never without chest-disease; he never ate without pain. Yet he is the only man of all those who met Cú Chulainn on the Tain who escaped from him, even though it was a poor escape. The Conversation of the Mórrígan with Cú Chulainn Cú Chulainn saw coming towards him a young woman of surpassing beauty, clad in clothes of many colours. 'Who are you?' asked Cú Chulainn. 'I am the daughter of Búan the king,' said she. 'I have come to you for I fell in love with you on hearing your fame, and I havo brought with me my treasures and my cattle.' 11. 1851-1885] TRANSLATION 177 'It is not a good time at which you have come to us, that is, our condition is ill, we are starving (?). So it is not easy for me to meet a woman while I am in this strife.' 'I shall help you in it.' 'It is not for a woman's body that I have come.' 'It will be worse for you', said she, 'when I go against you as you are fighting your enemies. I shall go in the form of an eel under your feet in the ford so that you shall fall.' 'I prefer that to the king's daughter,' said he. 'I shall seize you between my toes so that your ribs are crushed and you shall suffer that blemish until you get a judgment blessing.' 'I shall drive the cattle over the ford to you while I am in the form of a grey she-wolf.' 'I shall throw a stone at you from my sling so and smash your eye in your head, and you shall suffer from that blemish until you get a judgment blessing.' 'I shall come to you in the guise of a hornless red heifer in front of the cattle and they will rush upon you at many fords and pools yet you will not see me in front of you.' 'I shall cast a stone at you,' said he, 'so that your legs will break under you, and you shall suffer thus until you get a judgment blessing.' Whereupon she left him. —(According to one version) he was a week at Áth nGreacha and every day a man fell by him at Áth nGrencha, that is, at Áth Darteisc. The Death of Loch Mac Mo Femis Then Loch mac Emonis was summoned like the others and he was promised the extent of Mag Muirthemne in the arable land of Mag nAi, the equipment of twelve men, and a chariot worth seven cumala. But he scorned to encounter a mere lad. He had a brother, namely Long mac Ebonis. The same payment was offered to him, the maiden, the raiment, chariot and land. Long went to meet Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn killed him and he was brought back dead and set down before his brother Loch. Then Loch said that if he knew that it was a bearded man who killed his brother he would himself kill him in revenge. 'Attack him vigorously,' said Medb to her men, 'over the ford from the west, so that ye may cross the river, and let terms of fair play be broken against him.' 78 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE [II. 1886-1925 e The seven Maines, the warriors, went first and saw him on the yjjk of the ford to the west. That day Cú Chulainn put on his native apparel. The women kept climbing on the men's shoulders i get a glimpse of him. 'I am grieved,' said Medb, 'that I do not see the lad around whom they gather there.' 'You would be no more joyful for seeing him,' said Lethrend, l's groom. ghe came then to the ford where he was. 'Who is that man yonder, Fergus?' asked Medb. 'Alad who defends with sword and shield . . . if it be Cú Chulainn.' So Medb too climbed on the men to get a look at him. : Then the women told Cú Chulainn that he was jeered at in the mp since he was beardless and goodly warriors did not oppose a, only mere boys. It were better for him to put on a beard of Jackberry juice. So this he did in order to seek combat with a -own man, that is, with Loch. Then Cú Chulainn took a handful of grass and chanted a spell over jt and they all thought that he had a beard. 'Yes,' said the women, 'Cú Chulainn is bearded. It is fitting that I warrior should fight with him.' '* This they said in order to goad Loch. 'I shall not fight with him until the end of seven days from today,' ,id Loch. , 'It is not right for us to leave him unattacked for that length of 'me,' said Medb. 'Let us send a band of warriors to seek him out fevery night in the hope of catching him unawares.' It was done thus. Every night a band of warriors would go ooking for him and he used to kill them all. These are the names 'those that fell there: seven called Conall, seven called Óengus, even called TJargus, seven called Celtre, eight called Fiac, ten ailed Ailill, ten called Delbaeth, ten called Tasach. Those were i deeds during that week at Áth nGrencha. Medb sought counsel as to what she would do against Cú Chulainn, or she was sorely perturbed by the number of her army that was lain by him. The plan she decided on was to send brave and arro-men to attack him all together when he should come to a *ndez-vous with her to parley with her. For she had made a tryst 'th Cú Chulainn for the next day to make a mock peace with him . so capture him. She sent a messenger to him asking him to "pme and meet her, and stipulated that he should come unarmed .' she herself would come to him accompanied only by her women Ittendants. IL 1926-1972] TRANSLATION 170 The messenger, Traigthrén, went to where Cú Chulainn was and gave him Medb's message. Cú Chulainn promised that he would do as she asked. 'How do you intend to go and meet Medb tomorrow, Cú Chulainn,' asked Láeg. 'As Medb asked me,' said Cú Chulainn. 'Many are Medb's treacherous deeds,' said the charioteer. 'I fear that she has help behind the scenes.' 'What should we do then?' said he. 'Gird your sword at your waist,' said the charioteer, 'so that you may not be taken unawares. For if a warrior is without his weapons, he has no right to his honour-price, but in that case he is entitled only to the legal due of one who does not bear arms.' 'Let it be done so then,' said Cú Chulainn. The meeting was in Ard Aignech, which is today called Fochaird. Then Medb came to the meeting and she set in ambush for Cú Chulainn fourteen men, the most valorous of her own household. These are they: two called Glas Sinna, sons of Briocride, two called Ardán, sons of Lice, two called Glas Ogna, sons of Crond, Drúcht and Delt and Dathen, Tea and Tascur and Tualang, Taur and Glese. Then Cú Chulainn came to meet her. The men rose up to attack him and all together they threw fourteen spears at him. Cú Chulainn took shelter from them and not a spear touched his skin or surface. Then he attacked them and killed the fourteen men. Those are the fourteen men of Fochaird, and they are (also) the men of Crónech for they were killed in Crónech at Fochaird. Of this deed Cú Chulainn said: 'Splendid is my heroic deed. I strike fearsome blows against a brilliant spectral army. I wage battle against many hosts to destroy valiant warriors together with Ailill and Medb . . . There comes treachery, coldly impetuous, to strike against valiant warriors who take wise well-judged counsel from one who can well advise them to perform heroic deeds.' So it was from that exploit that Focherd remained as the name of the place, that is, fó cerd, good was the feat of arms which Cú Chulainn performed there. Then Cú Chulainn came and found them pitching camp and he killed two men called Daigre, two called Ánle and four Dúngais Imlich among them. So Medb began to incite Loch. 'It is a great shame for you,' said she, 'that the man who killed your brother should be destroying our army and that you do not go to do battle with him. For we are sure that a sharp, boastful lad 180 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 1973-2010 like yonder fellow will not stand out against the rage and fury of "auch as you, and anyway it was the same fostermother and teacher -mho taught you both the arts of war.' ' So Loch, since he saw that Cú Chulainn had a beard, came to :attack him to avenge his brother's death. 'Come to the upper ford,' said Loch. 'We shall not meet in the Jluted ford where Long fell.' ** When Cú Chulainn came to the ford, the men drove the cattle across. 'There will be lack of water here today,' said Gabrán, the poet. ' Hence the names Ath Darteisc and Tír Mór Darteise ever since for that place. Then when the combatants met on the ford and began to fight and to strike one another and when each began to belabour the other, the eel twined itself in three coils round Cú Chulainn's feet so that he fell prostrate athwart the ford. Loch ' attacked him with the sword until the ford was blood-red with his gore. ' 'That is indeed a wretched performance in the presence of the enemy!' said Fergus. 'Let one of you taunt the man, ruy men,' , said he to his people, 'lest he fall in vain.' Bricriu Nemthenga mac Carbada rose up and began to incite Cú Chulainn. ' 'Your strength is exhausted,' said he, 'if a punj' opponent overthrows you now that the Ulstermen are on their way to you, recovered from their torpor. It is hard for you to undertake a hero's deed in the presence of the men of Ireland and to ward off a formidable opponent with your weapons in that way.' \ Whereupon Cú Chulainn arose and struck the eel and its ribs "were broken within it, and the cattle rushed eastwards over the {army, carrying off the tents on their horns, so great was the thunder-feat of the two warriors in the ford. The she-wolf attacked him and drove the cattle on him westwards. He threw a stone from his sling and her eye broke in her head. Then she went in the guise of a red hornless heifer and the cattle stampeeded into the streams and fords. Cú Chulainn said then: 'I cannot see the fords for the streams.' He cast a stone at the red hornless heifer and her leg broke. Thereupon Cú Chulainn chanted: 'I am here all alone, guarding the flocks. I neither hold them back nor let them go. In the cold hours I stand alone to oppose many peoples. 11. 2011-2048] TRANSLATION 181 'Let some one tell Conchobar that it is time for him to come to my aid. The sons of Mágu have carried off their cows and shared them out amongst them. 'One man alone may be defended but a single log will not catch fire. If there were two or three, then their firebrands would blaze up. 'My enemies have almost overcome me, so many single combats have I fought. I cannot now wage battle against splendid warriors as I stand here alone.' Then it was that Cú Chulainn did against the Mórrígan the three things that he had threatened her with in the Táin Bó Regamna. And he overcame Loch in the ford with the gáe bolga which the charioteer threw to him downstream. He attacked him with it and it entered his body through the anus, for Loch had a horn-skin when he was fighting with an opponent. 'Retreat a step from me,' said Loch. Cú Chulainn did so, so that it was on the other side (of the ford) that Loch fell. Hence the place-name Áth Traiged in Tír Mór. Then the terms of fair play were violated against Cú Chulainn on that day when five men came simultaneously to attack him, namely, two called Crúaid, two called Calad and one named Derothor. Single-handed Cú Chulainn slew them. The place is called Ooicsius Focherda and Cóicer Oengoirt. Or else it is because Cú Chulainn was fifteen days in Focherd that the name Cóicsius Focherda comes in the Táin. Cú Chulainn pelted them (with sling-stones) from Delga so that no living creature, neither man nor beast, could get past him to the south between Delga and the sea. The Healing of the Mórrígan While Cú Chulainn lay thus in great weariness, the Mórrígan came to him in the guise of an old crone, one-eyed and half-blind and engaged in milking a cow with three teats. He asked her for a drink. She gave him the milk of one teat. 'She who gave it will at once be whole,' said Cú Chulainn. 'The blessing of gods and of non-gods be on you!' —The magicians were their gods but the husbandmen were their non-gods.— Thereupon her head was made whole. Then she gave him the milk of the second teat, and her eye was healed. She gave him the milk of the third teat, and her leg was cured. 182 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE [11. 2049-2082 —And it is suggested that on each occasion he said: 'The judgment 0f blessing be on you!'— 'But you told me,' said the Mórrígan, 'that I should never get healing from you.' 'Had I known that it was you,' said Cú Chulainn, 'I should never have healed you.' —In another version the name of this tale in the Tain is Riam-drong Con Culainn for Tarthesc.— Then Fergus demanded of his sureties that Cú Chulainn should get fair play. So they came to oppose him in single combat, and he killed the five men of Cend Coriss or of Dún Chind Coross which is now called Delgu Murthemne. Then Cú Chulainn killed Fota in his field; Bó Mailce on his ford; Sálach in his marsh, Muinne in his stronghold; Lúar in Lethbera and Fer Toithle in Toithle. Wherever any one of those men fell their names have remained for ever in those districts. Cú Chulainn also killed Traig and Dorna and Derna, Col and Mebal and Eraise at Méthe and Cethe on this side of Ath Tire Móir. These were three druids and their wives. Then Medb sent out a hundred men of her household to kill Cú Chulainn but he slew them all at Áth Chéit Chúile. Whereupon Medb said: 'Indeed we deem it a crime that our people should be slain!' Whence the place-names Glais Chró and Cuillenn Cind Dúm and Áth Céit Chúle. The Scythed Chariot and Bresleeh Mór Maige Muirthemne Then the four provinces of Ireland pitched their camp at the place called Bresleeh Mór in Mag Muirthemne. They sent their share of the cattle and booty on ahead southwards to Clithar Bó Ulad. Cú Chulainn took up position at the mound in Lerga close beside them, and his charioteer, Láeg mac Riangabra, kindled a fire for him in the evening of that night. Cú Chulainn saw afar off, over the heads of the four provinces of Ireland, the fiery glitter of the bright gold weapons at the setting of the sun in the clouds of evening. Anger and rage filled him when he saw the host, because of the multitude of his foes and the great number of his enemies. He seized his two spears and his shield and his sword. He shook his shield and brandished his spears and waved his sword, and he uttered a hero's shout deep in his throat. And the goblins and 11.2083-2116] TRANSLATION 183 sprites and spectres of the glen and demons of the air gave answer for terror of the shout that he had uttered. And Némain, the war goddess, attacked the host, and the four provinces of Ireland made a clamour of arms round the points of their own spears and weapons so that a hundred warriors among them fell dead of fright and terror in the middle of the encampment on that night. As Láeg was there he saw a single man coming straight towards him from the north-east across the encampment of the men of Ireland. 'A single man approaches us now, little Cú,' said Láeg. 'What manner of man is there?' asked Cú Chulainn. 'A man fair and tall, with a great head of curly yellow hair. He has a green mantle wrapped about him and a brooch of white silver in the mantle over his breast. Next to his white skin he wears a tunic of royal satin with red-gold insertion reaching to his knees. He carries a black shield with a hard boss of white-bronze. In his hand a five-pointed spear and next to it a forked javelin. Wonderful is the play and sport and diversion that he makes (with these weapons). But none accosts him and he accosts none as if no one could see him.' 'That is true, lad,' said he. 'That is one of my friends from the fairy mounds come to commiserate with me, for they know of my sore distress as I stand now alone against the four great provinces of Ireland on the Foray of Cúailnge.' It was indeed as Cú Chulainn said. When the warrior reached the spot where Cú Chulainn was he spoke to him and commiserated with him. 'Bravo, Cú Chulainn,' said he. 'That is not much indeed,' said Cú Chulainn. '1 shall help you,' said the warrior. 'Who are j'ou V asked Cú Chulainn. 'I am your father, Lug mac Ethlend, from the fairy mounds.' 'My wounds are indeed grievous. It were time that I should be healed.' 'Sleep now for a little while, Cú Chulainn,' said the warrior, 'your heavy slumber at the mound in Lerga for three days and three nights, and (hiring that time I shall fight against the hosts.' Then he chanted a low melody to him which lulled him to sleep until Lug saw that every wound he bore was quite healed. Then Lug spoke: 184 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 2117-2164 The Incantation of Lug 'Arise, 0 son of mighty Ulster now that your wounds are healed . . . Help from the fairy mound will set you free ... A single lad is on jjis guard . . . Strike . . .and I shall strike with you. They havo no strong length of life, so wreak your furious anger mightily on your vile (?) enemies. Mount your safe chariot, so then arise.' For three days and three nights Cú Chulainn slept. It was right that the length of his sleep should correspond to the greatness of his weariness. From the Monday after Samain until the Wednesday after the festival of Spring Cú Chulainn had not slept except when he dozed for a little while after midday, leaning against his spear with his head resting on his clenched fist and his fist holding his spear and his apear on his knee, but he kept striking and cutting down, slaying and killing the four great provinces of Ireland during all that time. Then the warrior from the fairy mound put plants and healing herbs and a curing charm in the wounds and cuts, in the gashes and many injuries of Cú Chulainn so that he recovered during his sleep without his perceiving it at all. It was at this time that the youths came southwards from Emain Macha, thrice fifty of the kings' sons of Ulster led by Fallamain, the son of Conchobar. Thrice they gave battle to the host and three times their own number fell by them, but the youths fell too, all except Fallamain mac Conchobair. Fallamain vowed that he would never go back to Emain until he carried off Ailill's head with its golden diadem. No easy task was it that faced him. For the two sons of Beithe mac Báin, the sons of Ailill's fostermother and fosterfather, came up with him and wounded him so that he fell dead at their hands. That is the Death of the Youths from Ulster and of Fallamain mac Conchobair. Cú Chulainn, however, lay in a deep sleep at the mound in Lerga until the end of three days and three nights. Then he rose up from his sleep and passed his hand over his face and blushed crimson from head to foot. His spirits were as high as if he were going to an assembly or a march or a tryst or a feast or to one of the great assemblies of Ireland. 'How long have I been asleep now, O warrior %' asked Cú Chulainn. 'Three days and three nights,' answered the warrior. 'Woe is me then!' said Cú Chulainn. 'Why is that?' asked the warrior. 'Because the hosts have been left unattached for that length of time,' said Cú Chulainn. 11. 2165-2203] TRANSLATION 185 'They have not indeed,' said the warrior. 'Why, how was that?' asked Cú Chulainn. 'The youths came south from Emain Macha, thrice fifty of the kings' sons of Ulster, led by Fallamain mac Conchobair and during the three days and three nights that you were asleep, they fought three times with the hosts, and three times their own number fell by them and the youths themselves fell, all except Fallamain mac Conchobair. Fallamain swore that he would carry off Ailill's head, but that proved no easy task for he was killed himself.' 'Alas that I was not in my full strength, for had I been, the youths would not have fallen as they did, nor would Fallamain have fallen.' 'Fight on, little Cú, it is no reproach to your honour, no disgrace to your valour.' 'Stay here with us tonight, O warrior,' said Cú Chulainn, 'that together we may take vengeance on the host for the death of the boys.' 'Indeed I shall not stay,' said the warrior, 'for though a man do many valorous and heroic deeds in your company, the fame and glory of them will redound not on him but on you. Therefore I shall not stay. But exert your valour, yourself alone, on the hosts, for not with them lies any power over your life at this time.' 'What of the scythed chariot, my friend Láeg?' said Cú Chulainn. 'Can you yoke it and have you its equipment ? If you can yoke it and have its equipment, then do so. But if you have not its equipment, do not yoke it.' Then the charioteer arose and put on his warlike outfit for chariot-driving. Of this outfit which he donned was his smooth tunic of skins, which was light and airy, supple and filmy, stitched and of deerskin, which did not hinder the movement of his arms outside. Over that he put on his overmantle black as raven's feathers. Simon Magus-had made it for Darius King of the Romans, and Darius had given it to Conchobar and Conchobar had given it to Cú Chulainn who gave it to his charioteer. This charioteer now put on his helmet, crested, flat-surfaced, rectangular with variety of every colour and form, and reaching past the middle of his shoulders. This was an adornment to him and was not an encumbrance. His hand brought to his brow the circlet, red-yellow like a red-gold plate of refined gold smelted over the edge of an anvil, which was a sign of his charioteer status to distinguish him from his master. In his right hand he took the long spancel of his horses and his ornamented goad. In his left he grasped the thongs to check his horses, that is, the reins of his horses which controlled his driving. 14 '86 TÁIN B Ó CÚAILNGE [11. 2204-2240 Then he Pu^ on his horses their iron inlaid armour, covering tliem from forehead to forehand and set with little spears and sharp nts and lances and hard points, and every wheel of the chariot was closely studded with points, and ever}' corner and edge, every ' nd and front of the chariot lacerated as it passed. Then he cast apr -•otective spell over his horses and over his companion, so that -they «"ere not visible to anyone in the camp, yet everyone in the ,ca»P was visible to them. It was right that he should cast this spell, for on that day the charioteer had three great gifts of charioteering, to wit, léim dar boilg, foscul ndirich and imorchor ndelind. Then the champion and warrior, tire marshalled fence of battle of all the men of earth who was Cú Chulainn, put on his battle-array of fighting and contest and strife. Of that battle-array which he put 0n were the twenty-seven shirts, waxed, board-like, compact, which used to be bound with strings and ropes and thongs next to his fair body that his mind and understanding might not be deranged whenever his rage should come upon him. Outside these he put on his hero's battle-girdle of hard leather, tough and tanned, made from the choicest part of seven yearling ox-hides which covered him from the thin part of his side to the thick part of his armpit. He wore it to repel spears and points and darts and lances and arrows, for they used to glance from it as if they had struck on stone or rock or horn. Then ho put on his apron of filmy silk with its border of variegated white gold against the soft lower part of his body. Outside his apron of filmy silk he put on his dark apron of pliable brown leather made from the choicest part of four yearling ox-hides with his battle-girdle of cows' hides about it. Then the royal hero took up his weapons of battle and contest and strife. Of these weapons were his eight small swords together with his ivory-hilted bright-faced sword. He took his eight little spears with his five-pronged spear. He took his eight little javelins with his ivory-handled javelin. He took his eight little darts together with his deil chliss. He took his eight shields together with his curved dark-red shield into the boss of which a show boar would fit, with its sharp, keen razor-like rim all around it, so sharp and keen and razor-like that it would cut a hair against the current. Whenever the warrior did the 'edge-feat' with it, he would slash alike with shield or spear or sword. Then he put on his head his crested war-helmet of battle and strife and conflict, ľrom it was uttered the shout of a hundred warriors with a long-drawn-out cry from every corner and angle of it. For there used to cry from it alike goblins and sprites, spirits of the glen and demons of the air 11. 2241-2278] TRANSLATION 187 before him and above him and around him wherever he went, prophesying the shedding of the blood of warriors and champions. He cast around him his protective cloak made of raiment from Tir Tairngire, brought to him from his teacher of wizardry. Then a great distortion came upon Cú Chulainn so that he became horrible, many-shaped, strange and unrecognizable. All the flesh of his body quivered like a tree in a current or like a bulrush in a stream, every limb and every joint, every end and every member of him from head to foot. He performed a wild feat of contortion with his body inside his skin. His feet and his shins and his knees came to the back; his heels and his calves and his hams came to the front. The sinews of his calves came on to the front of his shins, and each huge round knot of them was as big as a warrior's fist. The sinews of his head were stretched to the nape of his neck and every huge immeasurable, vast, incalulable round ball of them was as big as the head of a month-old child. Then his face became a red hollow (?). He sucked one of his eyes into his head so deep that a wild crane could hardly have reached it to pluck it out from the back of his skull on to his cheek. The other eye sprang out on to his cheek. His mouth was twisted back fearsomely. He drew back his cheek from his jawbone until his inward parts were visible. His lungs and his liver fluttered in his mouth and his throat. His upper palate clashed against the lower in a mighty pincer-like movement (?) and every stream of fiery flakes which came into his mouth from his throat was as wide as a ram's skin. The loud beating of his heart against his ribs was heard like the baying of a bloodhound ... or like a lion attacking bears. The torches of the war-goddess, virulent rain-clouds and sparks of blazing fire, were seen in the air over his head with the seething of fierce rage that rose in him. His hair curled about his head like branches of red hawthorn used to re-fence a gap in a hedge. If a noble apple-tree weighed down with fruit had been shaken about his hair, scarcely one apple would have reached the ground through it, but an apple would have stayed impaled on each separate hair because of the fierce bristling of his hair above his head. The hero's light rose from his forehead, as long and as thick as a hero's fist and it was as long as his nose, and he was filled with rage as he wielded the shields and urged on the charioteer and cast sling-stones at the host. As high, as thick, as strong, as powerful and as long as the mast of a great ship was the straight stream of dark blood which rose up from the very top of his head and dissolved into a dark magical mist like the smoke of a palace when a king conies to be waited on in the evening of a winter's day. 188 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 2279-2315 After being thus distorted, the hero Cú Chulainn sprang into his jythed chariot, with its iron points, its thin sharp edges, its hooks and its steel points, with its nails which were on the shafts and thongs and loops and fastenings in that chariot. Thus was the chariot: it had a framework of narrow and compact opening, high enough for great feats, sword-straight, worthy of a hero. In it would fit eight sets of royal weapons, and it moved as swiftly as a swallow or as the wind or as a deer across the level plain. It was drawn by two swift horses, fierce and. furious, with small round pointed heads, with pricked ears, with broad hoofs, with roan breast, steady, splendid, easily harnessed to the beautiful shafts (?) of Cú Chulainn's chariots. One of these horses was i lithe (?) and swift-leaping, eager for battle, arched of neck, with great hoofs which scattered the sods of the earth. The other horse had a curling mane, and narrow, slender feet and heels. Then Cú Chulainn performed the thunderfeat of a hundred and s the thunderfeat of two hundred, the thunderfeat of three hundred » and the thunderfeat of four hundred. And at the thunderfeat of five hundred he ceased for he thought that that was a sufficient number to fall by him in his first attack and in his first contest of battle against the four provinces of Ireland. And in that manner *- he came forth to attack his enemies and drove his chariot in a wide circuit outside the four great provinces of Ireland. And he drove his chariot furiously so that the iron wheels sank deep into the ground casting up earth sufficient to provide fort and fortress, for there arose on the outside as high as the iron wheels dykes and boulders and rocks and flagstones and gravel from the ground. He made this warlike encirclement of the four great provinces of Ireland so that they might not flee from him nor disperse around Mm until he pressed them close to take vengeance on them for the deaths of the youths of Ulster. And he came across into the middle of their ranks and three times he threw up great ramparts of his enemies' corpses outside around the host. And he made upon them the attack of a foe upon his foes so that they fell, sole of foot to sole of foot, and headless neck to headless neck, such was the density of the carnage. Three times again he encircled them in this way leaving a layer of six corpses around them, that is, the soles of three men to the necks of three men, all around the encampment. So that the name of this tale in the Táin is Sesrech Breslige, the Sixfold Slaughter. It is one of the three slaughters in which the victims cannot be numbered, the three being Sesrech Breslige and Imshlige Glennamnach and the battle at Gáircch and Irgáirech. But on this occasion hound and horse and man suffered alike. 11. 2316-2347] TRANSLATION 189 —Other versions say that Lug mac Eithlend fought beside Cú Chulainn in the battle of Sesrech Breslige. Their number is not known nor is it possible to count how many of the common soldiery fell there, but their leaders alone have been reckoned. Here follow their names: two men called Crúaid, two called Calad, two called Cir, two called Ciar, two called Ecell, three called Crom, three called Caurath, three called Combirge, four called Feochar, four called Furachar, four called Cass, four called Fota, five called Caurath, five called Cerman, five called Cobthach, six called Saxan, six called Dach, six called Dáire, seven called Rochaid, seven called Rónán, seven called Rúrthech, eight called Rochlad, eight called Rochtad, eight called Rindach, eight called Cairpre, eight called Mulách, nine called Daigith, nine called Dáire, nine called Dámach, ten called Fiac, ten called Fiacha, ten called Fedelmid. Seven score and ten kings did Cú Chulainn slay in the battle of Breslech Mór in Mag Muirthemne, and a countless number besides of hounds and horses, of women and boys and children, and of the common folk. For not one man in three of the men of Ireland escaped without his thigh-bone or the side of his head or one eye being broken or without being marked for life. Then Cú Chulainn, after he had fought that battle against them, came from them with no wound or gash inflicted upon himself or his charioteer or on either of his horses. The Description of Cú Chulainn Cú Chulainn came on the morrow to survey the host and to display his gentle and beautiful form to women and girls and maidens, to poets and men of art, for he held not as honourable or dignified the dark magical appearance in which he had appeared to them the previous night. So for that reason he now came on this day to display his beautiful fair appearance. Beautiful indeed was the youth who thus came to display his form to the hosts, namely, Cú Chulainn mac Súaltaim. He seemed to have three kinds of hair: dark next to his skin, blood-red in the middle and hair like a crown of gold covering them outside. Fair was the arrangement of that hair with three coils in the hollow in the nape of his neck, and like gold thread was each fine hair, loose-flowing, bright-golden, excellent, long-tressed, splendid and of beautiful colour, which fell back over his shoulders. A hundred bright crimson ringlets of flaming red-gold encircled his neck. líiO TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 2348-2387 M- round his head a hundred strings interspersed with carbuncle- „jg, Four shades (?) in each of his cheeks, a yellow shade and a leen, a blue shade and a purple. Seven brilliant gem-like pupils each of his noble eyes. Seven toes on each of his feet; seven ngers on each of his hands with the grasp of a hawk's claws and he grip °f a hedghog's claws in each separate toe and finger. go on that day he donned his festive apparel, namely, a fair untie, well-fitting, bright purple, fringed, five-folded. A white rQoch of silver inset with inlaid gold over his white breast as it were bright lantern that men's eyes could not look at by reason of its rilliance and splendour. Next to his skin he wore a tunic of illiy satin reaching to the top of his dark apron, dark-red, soldierly, ť royal satin. He carried a dark-red purple shield with fivo , acentric circles of gold and a rim of white bronze. At his girdle ung, ready for action, a golden-hilted, ornamented sword with leat knobs of red gold at its end. In the chariot beside him was a ,iig shining-edged spear together with a sharp attacking javelin with ivets of burning gold. In one hand he held nine heads, in the .her ten, and these he brandished at the hosts. Those were the íophies of one night's fighting by Cú Chulainn. Then the women of Connacht climbed up on the hosts and the .omen of Munster climbed on men's shoulders that they might (.hold the appearance of Cú Chulainn. But Medb hid her face and i.red not show her countenance, but through fear of Cú Chulainn she .'altered under a cover of shields. That is why Dubthach Dóel Ulad said (these verses): 'If this is the distorted one, men's corpses will lie here and cries will be heard around the courts. There will be tales in the lands(?). 'Headstones will be erected over graves. More and more kings will be slain. Not well do ye fight on the battle-field against that champion. 'I see how he drives around with eight severed heads on the cushions of his chariot. I see the shattered spoils he brings and ten heads as trophies. 'I see how your woman-folk raise their heads above the battle ^~„ (to see him), but I see that your great queen does not seek to come to the fight. 11. 23S8-2427] TRANSLATION 191 'Were I your counseller, then warriors would lie in ambush all around him so that they might cut short his life, if this is the distorted one.' Then Fergus chanted these verses : 'Take Dubthach Déoltengaid away. Drag him to the rear of the arnry. He has done nought of good since he slew the maidens (in Ulster). 'He performed a wicked and ill-omened deed when he killed Fiacha, the son of Conchobar. Nor was the slaying of Coirpre, son of Fedelmid, any less wicked. 'Dubthach, the son of Lugaid mac Casruba, does not contend for the lordship of Ulster, but this is how he treats them; those not killed he sets at loggerheads. 'The Ulster exiles will grieve if their beardless lad is slain. If the Ulster army come upon you, they will turn back the herds. "The debility of the Ulstermen will be greately prolonged before they finally recover. 'Messengers will bring great tidings. Great queens will be there. Men's wounded bodies will be mangled and many slaughtered. 'Corpses will be trampled underfoot. Vultures will feast. Shields will lie flat on the battle fields. Marauders will find shelter. 'Warriors' blood will be spilt on the ground by this army of ours in human shape. If they get there, the exiles will penetrate far into Ulster. 'He cannot heed the prophecy of what lies before you. Take Dubthach Dóeltenga away.' Thereupon Fergus hurled Dubthach away from him and he landed flat on his face outside those who stood there. 92 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 2428-2471 Then Ailill was heard saying: '0 Fergus, do not fight against the women and cattle of Ulster. r can see by their mountain passes that many will be killed there. ■ Strike even though they will be struck down only one by one. He slays them in the ford every day.' Then Medb was heard: •0 Ailill, arise with war-bands . . . (Your) sons will kill in nasses (?) and on fords, in great sandy places and in dark pools. And Fergus the brave and the exiled warriors will be victorious. After the battle there will be restitution . , .' Then Fergus spoke: 'Do not listen to the foolish counsels of a woman. Hear them not. . •' Then Gabrán the poet spoke: 'Speak no words ... do not earn hatred.' 'Refuse not your opponent. Come to meet him at the ford,' said Fergus. 'Hear Ailill!' said Medb. Ailill was heard speaking: 'Fergus knows . . . ' Then Fergus was heard: '0 Medb, do not send the great heroes of your mighty exiles . . .' The Mis-throw at Belach Eóin Fíacha Fíaldána Dimraith came to have speech with the son of ^'his mother's sister, whose name was Maine Andóe. Dócha mac Mágach came with Maine Andóe and Dubthach Dóel Ulad came with "Fíacha Fíaldána Dimraith. Dócha cast a spear at Fiacha and it went into Dubthach. Then Dubthach cast a spear at Maine and it went into Docha. The mothers of Dubthach and Dócha were also two sisters. Hence the name Imroll Belaig Eúin, the Miscast at Belach Eúin. —Or, according to another version, the origin of the name Imroll Belaig Eúin is as follows: The hosts came to Belach Eúin. Both armies halted there. Diarmait mac Conchobair came from the north from Ulster. 'Send a messenger,' said Diarmait, 'asking Maine to come with . one man to parley with me, and I shall go with one man to meet him.' Then they met. 'I have come from Conchobar,' said Diarmait, 'to ask you to tell Medb and Ailill that they must let all the cattle (they have taken) go and their depredations will be overlooked. And let the bull from 11. 2472-2504] TRANSLATION 193 the west be brought hither to the bull (Donn Cúailnge) that they may encounter each other, for so Medb has promised.' 'I shall go and tell them,' said Maine. So he gave the message to Medb and Ailill. 'These terms cannot be got from Medb,' said Maine. 'Well then, let us exchange weapons,' said Diarmait, 'if you prefer.' 'I am willing,' said Maine. Each of them cast a spear at the other and both of them died, so that Imroll Belaig Eóin is the name of that place. The army rushed upon the opposing force. Three score of them fell on each side. Hence the name Ard in Dirma. The Death of Taman the Jester Ailill's people put his king's crown on Taman the Jester. Ailill himself did not venture to wear it. Cu Chulainn cast a stone at him at the place called Áth Tamuin and smashed his head. Whence the names Áth Tamuin and Tuga im Thamun. The Death of óengus mac Óenláime Then Óengus mac Óenláime Gaibe, a bold warrior of the Ulster-men, turned back the whole army at Moda Loga (which is the same name as Lugmod) as far as Áth Da Ferta. He did not allow them to go farther and he pelted them with stones. Learned men say that he would have driven them on before him to be put to the sword at Emain Macha if only they had encountered him in single combat. But they did not grant him fair play. They killed him as he fought against odds. The Meeting of Fergus and Cú Chulainn 'Let one of you come to meet me at Áth Da Ferta,' said CÚ Chulainn. 'It will not be I!' 'It will not be I!' cried one and all from the place where they were. 'No scapegoat is owed by my people, and even if he were, it is not I who would go in his stead as a victim.' Then Fergus was begged to go against him. But he refused to encounter his foster-son, Cu Chulainn. He was plied with wine then until he was greatly intoxicated, and again he was asked to go and fight. So then he went forth since they were so earnestly importuning him. »ist TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 2505-2538 Then Oú Chulainn said: It is with (a feeling of) security you come against me, master raus, seeing that you have no sword in your scabbard.' —For, as we have already told, Ailill had stolen it from the tbbard.— I care not indeed,' said Fergus. 'Even if there were a sword in it, yould not be wielded against you. Retreat a step from me, Cú ,ulainn.' You in turn will retreat before me,' said Cú Chulainn. Even so indeed,' answered Fergus. Then Cú Chulainn retreated before Fergus as far as Grellach illuid so that on the day of the great battle Fergus might retreat fore him. afterwards Cú Chulainn dismounted (from his chariot) in Grellach fluid. Go after him, Fergus!' they all cried. Nay,' said Fergus. 'Until my turn come round I shall not go, for s no easy task for me. That man is too lively for me.' They went on then and pitched camp in Crích Rois. Ferchú ingsech, who had been exiled by Ailill, heard of this and came to »unter Cú Chulainn. Thirteen men was the number of his ce. Cú Chulainn killed them at the place called Cimrit Forcbon. eir thirteen headstones mark the spot. The Fight with Mand Medb sent Mand Muresci, the son of Dáire of the Domnannaig, tu fight against Cú Chulainn. Mand was own brother to Daman, 'he father of Fer Diad. This Mand was a violent fellow, excessive lii eating and sleeping. He was scurrilous and foul-spoken like Uabthach Dóel Ulad. He ivas strong and active and mighty of limb like Munremar mac Errcind. He was a fierce champion like Triscod, the strong man of Conchobar's household. T shall go forth unarmed and crush him in my bare hands, for [ .-.'Drn to use weapons against a beardless whippersnapper.' So Mand went to attack Cú Chulainn who, with his charioteer, u is on the plain keeping a look-out for the host. 'A man comes towards us,' said Láeg to Cú Chulainn. 'What manner of man?' asked Cú Chulainn. 'A dark, strong, fierce man who comes unarmed.' 'Let him go past,' said Cú Chulainn. Thereupon Mand came to them. 11. 2539-2570] TRANSLATION 195 'I have come to fight against you,' said Mand. Then they fell to wrestling for a long time and thrice did Mand throw Cú Chulainn, so that the charioteer urged him on, saying: 'If you were striving for the hero's portion in Emain,' said Láeg, 'you would be powerful over the warriors there.' So then his hero's rage and his warrior's fury arose in Cú Chulainn, and he dashed Mand against the pillarstone and shattered him into fragments. Hence the name Mag Mandachta, that is, Mand Échta, which means the death of Mand was there. The next day Medb sent twenty-nine men against him to Cú Chulainn's bog. Fuiliarn is the name of the bog which is on this side of Ath Fir Diad. These men were Gaile Dáne and his twenty-seven sons and his sister's son, Glas mac Delgna. At once they cast their twenty-nine spears at Cú Chulainn. Then as they all readied for their swords, Fiacha mac Fir Febe came after them out of the encampment. He leapt from his chariot when he saw all their hands raised against Cú Chulainn, and he struck off their twenty-nine forearms. Then said Cú Chulainn: 'What you have done is timely help.' 'Even this little,' said Fiaeha, 'is in breach of our covenant for us Ulstermen. If any one of them reach the encampment (to tell of it), our whole division will be put to the sword.' T swear my people's oath,' said Cú Chulainn, 'that now that I have drawn my breath, not one of those men shall get there alive.' Thereupon Cú Chulainn killed the twenty-nine men, with the two sons of Ficce helping him in the killing. These were two brave warriors of Ulster who had come to exert their might against the host. That was their exploit on the Foray until they came with Cú Chulainn to the great battle. In the stone in the middle of the ford there is still the mark of the boss of their (twenty-nine) shields and of their fists and knees. Their twenty-nine headstones were erected there. The Fight of Fer Diad and Cú Chulainn Then they debated among themselves as to which man would be capable of repelling Cú Chulainn. The four provinces of Ireland named and confirmed and decided whom they should send to the TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 71-2605 to meet Cú Chulairm. They all declared that it was the horned man from Irrus Domnann, the one whose attack cannot be Axaed, the battle-stone of doom, Cú Chulainn's own dear foster--ther. Cú Chulainn possessed no feat that Fer Diad had not, „ept only the feat of the gáe bulga. And they thought that Fer ~ad could avoid even that and protect himself from it, for he had a Sjjj.skin which weapons and swords could not pierce. jáedb sent messengers for Fer Diad, but he did not come with *0se messengers. Then Medb sent to fetch him poets and artists d satirists who might satirise him and disgrace him and put him shame, so that he would find no resting-place in the world until j should come to the tent of Medb and Ailill on the Foray. So t fear that he should be put to shame by them Fer Diad came with 'ose messengers. Finnabair, the daughter of Medb and Ailill was placed at his side. was she who handed Fer Diad every goblet and cup; it was she ho gave him three kisses with every one of those cups; it was she ho gave him fragrant apples over the bosom of her tunic. She ept saying that Fer Diad was her beloved, her chosen lover from "mong all the men of the world. When Fer Diad was sated and cheerful and merry, Medb said: 'Well now, Fer Diad, do you know why you have been summoned j this tent?' 'I know not indeed,' said Fer Diad, 'except that the nobles of the en of Ireland are here, so why should it be less fitting for me to be ere than any other nobleman?' 'That is not why, indeed,' said Medb, 'but (you have been sum- oned for us) to give you a chariot worth thrice seven cumala, the quipment of twelve men, the equivalent of Mag Muirthemne in the rable land of Mag nAl, permission to remain at all times in Crúachu 'th wine poured for you there, and your descendants and your race he free for ever from tax or tribute, and my leaf-shaped brooch pf gold in which there are ten score ounces and ten score half-ounces nd ten score crosachs and ten score quarters bestowed on you, d Finnabair, my daughter and Aililľs, as your wedded wife, and y own intimate friendship. And in addition to that, if you require it, you will get the gods as guarantee.' 'Those gifts are great,' said they all. 'That is true,' said Fer Diad. 'They are indeed great. But great though they be, Medb, you will keep them yourself if I am to > and fight with my foster-brother.' 11. 2606-2662] TEANSLATION 197 '0 my men,' said Medb, intending to stir up strife and dissension and speaking as if she had not heard Fer Diad at all, 'what Cú Chulainn said is true.' 'What did he say, Medb?' asked Fer Diad. 'He said, my friend, that he thought you should fall by his choicest feat of arms in the province to which he would go.' 'It was not right for him to say that for he never found weakness or cowardice in me, day or night. I swear by my people's god that I shall be the first man to come tomorrow morning to the ford of combat.' 'A blessing on you ľ said Medb. 'I prefer that rather than finding weakness or cowardice in you. Every man has kindly feeling for his own people. So is it any more fitting for him to work for Ulster's weal since his mother was of Ulster, than for you to seek the good of Connacht, for you are the son of a Comiacht king?' Even as they bound their covenants and made this compact, they made a song there: 'You shall have, a reward of many bracelets, and a share of plain and forest, together with freedom for your posterity from today until doomsday. O Fer Diad mac Damáin, you shall receive beyond all expectation. It is right for you to accept what all others accept.' T shall not accept anything without surety for no warrior without skill in casting am I. It will be an oppressive task for me tomorrow. The exertion will be hard for me. A Hound called the Hound of Culann, it will not be easy to resist him. Hard the task, great the disaster.' 'What avails it for you to delay ? Bind it as it may please you by the right hand of kings or princes who will go surety for you . . . You shall have all that you ask, for it is certain that you will kill him who will come to encounter you.' T shall not consent unless I get six sureties—let it not be less— before performing my exploits in the presence of the army. Were I to have my wish ... I shall go to fight with brave Cú Chulainn.' '0 Medb great in boastfulness! The beauty of a bridegroom does not touch you. I am certain that you are master in Crúachu of the mounds. Loud your voice, great your fierce strength. Bring me satin richly variegated. Give me your gold and your silver in the amount that they were offered to me.' TÁIN B Ó CÚAILNGE [11. 2663-2708 , uVgfce landowner or reaver, take the bardic folk as sureties. You ^j]! certainly have them. Take Morand as security if you wish rfor fulfilment (of my promises). Take Cairbre Nia Mailand, and - take our two sons.' - «j shall take those sureties as guarantees, and I shall sing a requiem for brave Cú Chulainn.' 'You are the heroic leader to whom I shall give my circular . brooch. You shall have until Sunday, no longer shall the ' respite be. O strong and famous warrior, all the finest treasures on earth shall thus be given to you. You shall have them all.' 'Finnabair of the champions, the queen of the west of Inis '* Elga, when the Hound of the Smith has been killed, you shall have, O Fer Diad.' A wonderful warrior of the Ulstermen, Fergus mac F*óig, was Isent when they made that compact. Fergus came to his tent. *Woe is me for the deed that will be done tomorrow morning!' 'What deed is that V asked those in the tent. 'The killing of my noble foster-son, Cú Chulainn.' 'Why, who makes such a boast?' 'His own dear foster-brother, Fer Diad mac Damáin. Why do not take my blessing and one of you go with a friendly warning Cú Chulainn in the hope that he might not come to the ford morrow morning.' *We swear,' said they, 'that even if you yourself were at the ford, e would not go there to you.' ,'Well, driver,' said Fergus, 'harness our horses and yoke the ariot.' The charioteer arose and harnessed the horses and yoked the ariot. They came forward to the ford of combat where Cú Chulainn was-í'A single chariot is coming towards us, little Cú,' said Láeg. ;For the charioteer had his back turned to his master.—He used win every second game of draughts and chess from his master. part from that he acted as sentinel and watchman on t lie four rts of Ireland. 'What manner of chariot?' asked Cú Chulainn. 'A chariot like a great palace, with yoke of solid gold and u ong panel of copper, with its shafts of bronze, its frame with 11. 2709-2748] TRANSLATION 199 narrow compact opening, high and sword-straight, fit for a hero, drawn by two black horses, active, spirited, vigorous, easily yoked, ... A single royal, wide-eyed warrior is driven in the chariot. He has a thick, forked beard reaching down past the soft lower part of his navel. It would protect fifty warriors on a day of storm and rain if they were under the deep shelter of the hero's beard. He carries a curved variegated shield with white shoulder piece and three beautiful concentric circles. A litter-bed for four bands of ten men would fit upon the hide which stretches across t lie broad circumference of the warrior's shield. He has a long, hard-edged, broad, red sword in a sheath with interlaced design of bright silver . . . Over the chariot he holds a strong, three-ridged spear with rings and bands of pure white silver.' " 11 is not hard to recognize him,' said Cú Chulainn. 'That is my muster Fergus, coming to give me a friendly warning against all the ('our provinces of Ireland.' Fergus arrived and descended from his chariot. Cú Chulainn I lade him welcome. 'Your arrival is welcome, master Fergus,' said Cú Chulainn. 'I trust that welcome,' said Fergus. ' You may well trust it,' said Cú Chulainn. 'If a flock of birds fly across the plain, you shall have a wild goose and a half: or if fish conic to the estuaries, you shall have a salmon and a half, or else a handful of watercress, a handful of la ver and a handful of seaweed, and after that a drink of cold sandy water.' 'That is a meal fit for an outlaw,' said Fergus. Thai is so. I have an outlaw's portion,' said Cú Chulainn, 'for from the Monday after Samain until now I have not spent a night entertained as guest, but have been strongly holding back the men of Ireland on the Foray of Cúailnge.' ' I f we had come for hospitality,' said Fergus, 'we should be all the better pleased to get it, but that is not why we have come.' 'Why then have you come?' asked Cú Chulainn. 'To tell you that a warrior will come to fight and do combat with you tomorrow morning,' said Fergus. 'Let us know who it is and hear it from you,' said Cú Chulainn. 'It is your own foster-brother, Fer Diad mac Damáin,' '1 vow that he is not the one we would prefer to meet,' said Cú Chulainn, 'not through fear of him indeed, but rather because of our great love for him.' 'It is right to four him,' said Fergus, 'for he has a horn-skin when he fights with an opponent, and neither weapons nor sharp points can pierce it.' 200 TAIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [U. 2749-2793 'Do not say that,' said Cú Chulainn, 'for I swear the oath of my people that his every joint and limb will bend beneath my sword-point as pliantly as a rush in mid-stream, if he once appear before me on the ford.' As they spoke thus, they made a lay: 'O Cú Chulainn—clear covenant—I see that it is time for you to rise. Fer Diad mac Damáin of the ruddy countenance comes here to meet you in his wrath.' 'I am here strongly holding back the men of Ireland—no easy task. I do not retreat one step to avoid encounter with a single opponent.' 'It is not that I attribute cowardice to you, O famed Cú Chulainn, but Fer Diad of the many followers has a horn-skin against which no fight or combat can prevail.' 'When I and Fer Diad the valorous meet at the ford, it will not be a fight without fierceness. Our sword-fight will be wrathful.' 'Strong is his hand which wreaks his anger with his hard red sword. There is the strength of a hundred in his body; brave is the hero. The point of weapons wounds him not, the edge of weapons cuts him not.' 'Hold your peace! Do not argue the matter, O Fergus of the mighty weapons. Over every land and territory there will be no fight against overwhelming odds for me.' '0 Cú Chulainn of the red sword, I should prefer above any reward that you were the one to take the spoils of proud Fer Diad eastwards.' 'I vow clearly, though I am not given to vaunting, that I shall be the one to triumph over the son of Daman mac Dáire.' 'It was I who, in requital for the wrong done me by the Ulster-man, collected and brought these forces to the east. With me the heroes and the warriors came from their own lands.' 'Were it not that Conchobar lies in his debilit}', our meeting would indeed be hard. Medb of Mag in Scáil has never come on a more uproarious march.' 11. 2794-2832] TRANSLATION 201 'A greater deed now awaits your hand—to fight with Fer Diad mac Damáin. Have with you, O Cú Chulainn, weapons harsh and hard and famed in song.' After that, Cú Chulainn asked: 'Why have you come, master Fergus 1" 'That is my message,' said Fergus. 'It is a happy augury,' said Cú Chulainn, 'that it was not someone else from among the men of Ireland who brought that message. But unless all the four provinces of Ireland join together (to attack me), I think nothing of a warning against the coming of a single warrior.' Thereafter Fergus came back to his tent. Concerning Cú Chulainn: 'What will you do tonight V asked Láeg. 'What indeed?' said Cú Chulainn. 'Fer Diad will come against you freshly beautified, washed and bathed, with hair plaited and beard shorn, and the four provinces of Ireland will come with him to watch the fight. I should like you to go to where you will get the same adorning, to the spot where Emer Fholtchain is, to Cairthenn Clúana Da Dam in Sliab Fuait.' So on that night Cú Chulainn came to that place and spent the night with his own wife. His doings apart from that are not recorded here now, but those of Fer Diad. Fer Diad came to his tent. Sullen and dispirited were those in Fer Diad's tent that night. They felt certain that when the two world champions met, they would both fall, or else that the result would be the fall of their own lord. For it was no easy matter to encounter Cú Chulainn on the Foray. That night great anxieties preyed upon Fer Diad's mind and kept him awake. One great anxiety was the fear that he would lose all the treasures and the maid offered to him for engaging in single combat. For if he did not fight that one man, he must fight with six warriors on the next day. But there weighed upon him a greater anxiety than all that: he was sure that if he once appeared before Cú Chulainn on the ford, he would no longer have power over his own body or soul. And Fer Diad arose early on the morrow. 'My lad,' said he, 'harness our horses and yoke the chariot.' 'On my word,' said the charioteer, 'it is no more advisable for vis to go on this expedition than not to go at all.' 15 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 2833-2880 \a Fer Diad spoke to the charioteer, he made this little song to 3 him on: 'Let us go to this encounter, to contend with this man, until we reach that ford above which the war-goddess will shriek. Let uS go to meet Cú Chulainn, to wound his slender body, so that a spear-point may pierce him and he may die thereof.' 'It were better for us to stay here. The threats ye will exchange will not be mild. There will be one to whom sorrow will come. Your fight will be short. An encounter with a fosterling of the Ulstermen is one from which harm will come. It will long be remembered. Woe to him who goes on that course!' What you say is wrong, for diffidence does not become a warrior. You must not show timidity. We shall not stay here for you. Be silent, lad! We shall presently be brave, for stoutness of heart is better than cowardice. Let us go to the encounter.' The charioteer harnessed the horses and prepared the chariot, and y drove forward out of the camp. My lad,' said Per Diad, 'it is not right for us to go without bidding swell to the men of Ireland. Turn back the horses and chariot i face the men of Ireland.' Three times the charioteer turned horses and chariot to face the n of Ireland. Medb was urinating on the floor of the tent. Is Ailill asleep now?' asked Medb. No indeed,' said Ailill. Do you hear your new son-in-law bidding you farewell ?' Is that what he is doing?' asked Ailill. It is indeed,' said Medb. 'But I swear my people's oath that he o is so bidding you farewell will not return to you on his own feet.' Because of what we have gained by this marriage,' said Ailill, 1 s care not if both of them fall, provided that Cú Chulainn is killed him. But indeed we should be the better pleased if Fer Diad :aped.' Per Diad came forward to the ford of combat. Look and see, lad, if Cú Chulainn is at the ford.' said Fer Diad. 'He is not,' said the charioteer. 'Look closely for us,' said Fer Diad. 'Cú Chulainn is no small hidden trifle, wherever he might be.' d the charioteer. 11. 2881-2920] TRANSLATION 203 'That is so, driver. Until today Cú Chulainn never heard of a brave warrior or a noble opposing him on the Foray, and when he did hear of one, he went from the ford.' 'It is shameful to revile him in his absence, for do you remember how ye both fought against Germán Garbglas above the shores of the Tyrrhene Sea and you left your sword with the enemy hosts, and how Cú Chulainn slew a hundred warriors to get it back for you, and how he gave it to you ? And do you remember where we were that night ?' 'I do not know,' said Fer Diad. 'We were in the house of Scáthach's steward,' said the charioteer, 'and you were the first of us to go eagerly and proudly into the house. The churlish fellow struck you in the small of your back with the three-pronged fork and pitched you out the door. Cú Chulainn came in and struck the fellow with his sword and clove him in twain. As long as ye remained in that stead, I acted as your steward. If it were that day now, you would not say that you were a better warrior than Cú Chulainn.' 'You have done wrong (not to speak before this), driver,' said Fer Diad, 'for if you had told me that at first, I should not have come to the fight. Why do you not pull the shafts of the chariot under my side and the skin-coverings beneath my head that I may sleep a while ?' 'Alas!' said the charioteer, 'such a sleep is the sleep of a doomed one faced by stag and hounds.' 'Why then, driver, are you not capable of keeping watch for me ?' 'I am,' said the driver, 'and unless they come out of the clouds and the air to attack you, none shall come from east or from west to fight with you without due warning.' The shafts of his chariot were pulled beneath his side, and his skin-coverings placed under his head, and yet he slept not at all. Now as regards Cú Chulainn: 'Good, my friend Láeg, harness the horses and prepare the chariot. If Fer Diad is awaiting us, he will deem it long.' The charioteer arose. He harnessed the horses and he yoked the chariot. Cú Chulainn mounted the chariot and they drove forward towards the ford. As for Fer Diad's charioteer, he was not long on the watch when he heard the rumble of a chariot approaching them. As he awoke his master, he made this lay: 'I hear the sound of a chariot with fair yoke of silver. (I perceive) the form of a man of great size, rising above the front of the strong chariot. TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE [U. 2921-2963 'past Broinfeirste Broine they advance along the road, past the side of Baile in Bile. Victorious is their triumph. • 'A plundering Hound drives, a bright chariot-fighter harnesses, a noble hawk lashes his steeds towards the south. I am - certain that he will come ... He will give us battle. '"Woe to him who is on the hill awaiting the worthy Hound. Last year I foretold that he would come at some time, the Hound of Emain Macha, the Hound with beauty of every colour, the Hound of spoils, the Hound of battle. I hear him - and he hears (us). A description of Cú Chulainn's chariot, one of the three principal chariots in story-telling, on the Foray of Cúailnge: ow does Cú Chulainn look to you?' said Fer Diad to his chario- 3 see,' he answered, 'a beautiful roomy chariot of white crystal, i,h solid gold yoke, with great sides of copper, with shafts of ■onze, with lungeta of white gold, with framework of narrow cornet opening and fair awning, a framework in which heroic feats are "played and which would hold seven sets of weapons fit for -ces. Beautiful is the seat for its lord which that chariot con-ins, the chariot of Cú Chulainn which travels with the swiftness of swallow or a great deer hastening across a plain on high ground, ch is the speed and swiftness with which they drive for it is wards us they travel. That chariot is drawn by two horses with all round heads, round-eyed, prick-eared, broad-hoofed, red-'ested, steady, splendid, easily harnessed . . . One of these horses strong, swift-jumping, battlesome, with great hoofs and skittish . . He other horse has curling mane, narrow slender feet, small heels, I, The chariot has two dark black wheels and there is a chariot- -le of bronze with enamel of beautiful colour. There are two amented golden bridles. ,.-'In the chief place in that chariot is a man with long curling hair. e wears a dark purple mantle and in his hand he grasps a broad- eaded spear, bloodstained, fiery, flaming. It seems as if he has ~ee heads of hair, to wit, dark hair next to the skin of his head, lood-red hair in the middle and the third head of hair covering him e a crown of gold. Beautifully is that hair arranged, with three oils flowing down over his shoulders. Like golden thread whose lour has been hammered out on an anvil or like the yellow of bees 11. 29G4-3010] TRANSLATION 205 in the sunshine of a summer day seems to me the gleam of each separate hair. Seven toes on each of his feet; seven fingers on each of his hands.1 In his eyes the blazing of a huge fire. His horses' hoofs maintain a steady pace. In front of him is a charioteer fully worthy of his master. He has curling jet-black hair, a great head of hair. He wears a full-skirted hooded cape with an opening at Iris elbows and a light-grey mantle. 2In his hand he holds a beautiful golden horsewhip2 with which he goads the horses along whatever road the valorous warrior3 in the chariot travels . . . And Fer Diad said to his charioteer: 'Arise, lad,' said Fer Diad. 'Too highly do you extol that man. Prepare the weapons for our encounter with him at the ford.' 'If I were to turn my face in the direction to which my back is now turned, I think that the shafts of the chariot would pierce the nape of my neck.' '0 lad,' said Fer Diad, 'too highly do you extol Cú Chulainn, for he has not given you a reward for your praise.' And as he described him, he said: 'It is time now for help for this is no deed of friendship (?). Be silent. Do not praise him for he is no overhanging doom. If you see the hero of Cúailnge with his proud feats, then he shall be dealt with by us. Since it is for reward, he shall soon be destroyed.' 'If I see the hero of Cúailnge with his proud feats, he does not flee from us but towards us he comes. Though skilful, he is not grudging. For his excellence we praise him. He runs and not slowly but like the swift thunderbolt.' 'So greatly have you praised him that it is almost ground for a quarrel. Why have you chosen him (for praise) since he came forth from his dwelling ? Now they are challenging him and attacking him, and only cowardly churls come to attack him.' Not long afterwards they met in the middle of the ford, and Fer Diad said to Cú Chulainn: 'Where do you come from, Cua?' 1 A warrior's grasp in his hands (gloss) 2-2 In his hand a goad of white silver (alternative reading incorporated in text) 3 He is his fi'iend (gloss, incorporated in text) ?206 TÄIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [U. 3011-3064 jor cúa is the word for squinting in old Irish and Cú Chulainn had seven pupils in his royal eyes, two of which were asquint. But this was more an adornment than a disfigurement to Cú Chulainn, and if he had had a greater bodily blemish, Fer Diad would undoubtedly have taunted him with that. And as Fer Diad proclaimed this> ne ma(ie a lay and Cú Chulainn made answer until the lay was ended. 'Whence do you come, O Cúa, to fight with fresh strength? Your flesh will be blood-red above the steam of your horses. Woe to him who comes as you do, for it will be as vain as the kindling of a fire with one stick of firewood. You will be in need of healing if you reach your home again.' 'I have come, a wild boar of troops and herds, before warriors, before battalions, before hundreds, to thrust you beneath the waters of the pool. In anger against you and to prove you in a many-sided encounter, so that harm may come to you as you defend your life.' 'How shall we meet ? Shall we groan over corpses as we meet at the ford ? Shall it be with strong spear-points or with hard swords that you will be slain before your hosts if your time has come? 'Before sunset, before nightfall, if you are in straits . . . When you meet with Boirche, the battle will be bloody. The Ulstermen are calling you. They have taken you unawares (?) Evil will be the sight for them. They will be utterly defeated.' 'You have come to the gap of danger. The end of your life is at hand. Sharp weapons will be wielded on you. It will be no gentle purpose. A great champion will slay (you). Two shall meet in conflict. You shall not be the leader of even three men from now until doomsday. 'When we were with Scáthach, by dint of our wonted valour we would fare forth together and traverse every land. You were my loved comrade, my kith and kin. Never found I one dearer to me. Sad will be your death. 11. 3065-3113] TRANSLATION 207 'Leave off your warning. You are the most boastful man on earth. You shall have neither reward nor remission for you are no outstanding hero. Well I know that you are but a nervous lad, you with the heart of a fluttering bird, without valour, without vigour. 'Too much do you neglect your honour that we may not do battle, but before the cock crows your head will be impaled on a spit. O Cú Chulainn of Cúailnge, frenzy and madness have seized you. All evil shall come to you from us, for yours is the guilt.' Then Cú Chulainn asked his charioteer to urge him on when he was overcome and to praise him when he was victorious fighting against his opponent. So his charioteer said to him: 'Your opponent goes over you as a tail goes orer a cat. He belabours you as flax-heads (?) are beaten in a pond. He chastises you as a fond woman chastises her son.' Then they betook themselves to the 'ford-feat,' and did all that Scáthach had taught both of them. They performed wonderful feats. After that Cú Chulainn leapt on to Fer Diad's shield, and Fer Diad cast him off three times into the ford, so that the charioteer kept on inciting him once more. Cú Chulainn swelled and grew big as a bladder does when inflated. His size increased so that he was bigger than Fer Diad. 'Look out for the gaí bulgaľ cried the charioteer and cast it to him downstream. Cú Chulainn caught it between his toes and cast it at Fer Diad into his anus. It was as a single barb it entered but it became twenty-four (in Fer Diad's body). Thereupon Fer Diad lowered his shield. Cú Chulainn struck him withihe spear above the shield, and it broke his ribs and pierced Fer Diad's heart. 'Strong is the spear-shaft cast by your right hand. My ribs like spoils are broken; my heart is gore. Well did I fight, but I have fallen, O Cúa!' 'Alas, O noble warrior! O brave Fer Diad! O strong and beautiful smiter, your arm was victorious.' ' Our friendship was fair, O delight of my eyes! Your shield had a golden rim. Your sword was beautiful. 208 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3114-3157 'Your ring of white silver on your noble hand. Your chess-set of great worth. Your cheeks were rosy and beautiful. 'Your curling yellow hair was thick—a fair jewel. Your girdle, supple and ornamented, you wore around your side. 'Alas! my loved one, that you should fall at the hand of Cú Chulainn! Your shield which you wore against force afforded you no protection. 'Our fight. . . our sorrow, the din of our battle. Fine was the great champion. Every army was defeated and trampled underfoot. Alas! O noble warrior, Fer Diad! 'All was play and pleasure until I met with Fer Diad in the ford. Alas for the noble champion laid low there at the ford. 'All was play and sport until I met with Fer Diad at the ford. I thought that beloved Fer Diad would live after me for ever.' While the enemy hosts were going south from Ath Fir Diad, Cú Chulainn lay there wounded until Senoll Úathach came to him ahead of the others and Senoll was there with the two Meic Fice. They brought Cú Chulainn back to the streams of Conaille Muirthemne to heal and bathe his wounds therein. These are the names of those rivers: Sás, Buan Bithshlán, Finnglas, Gleóir, Bedg, Tadg, Talaméd, Rind, Bir, Breinide, Cumang, Cellend, Gaenemain, Dichu, Muach, Miliuc, Den, Delt, Dubglaise. While Cú Chulainn went to bathe in those rivers, the army went south past him and made their encampment at Imorach Smirom-rach. Mac Roth left the army and went north to watch out for the men of Ulster, and he came to Slíab Fúait to find out if he might see anyone pursuing them. He told them that he saw only one chariot. The Chief Episodes of the Táin The Hard Fight of Cethern mac Fintain, the Tooth-fight of Fintan, the Red Shame of Mend, the Bloodless Fight of Rochad, the Humorous Fight of Iliach, the Missile-throwing of the Charioteers, the Trance of Aimirgin, the Repeated Warning of Súaltaim, the 11. 3158-3190] TRANSLATION 209 Mustering of the Ulstermen, the Trance of Dubthach, the Trance of Cormac Con Longes, the Array of the Companies, the Final Decision in Battle, the Fight of the Bulls, the Adventures of Dub Cúailnge on the Foray. The Hard Fight of Cethern 'I see a chariot coming across the plain from the north today,' said Mac Roth, 'and (in the chariot) a grey-haired man, unarmed except for a silver spike which he holds in his hand. It seems as if the mist of May surrounds the chariot. With the spike he pricks both charioteer and horses, for he thinks he will scarcely reach the host alive. Before him runs a brindled hunting-dog.' 'Who is that, Fergus V asked Ailill. 'Is it likely to be Conchobar or Celtchair?' 'It is not likely,' said Fergus. 'But I think it might be Cethern, the generous, red-sworded son of Fintan.' And so indeed it was. Then Cethern attacked them throughout the encampment and killed many. And he himself was grievously wounded and came from the fighting to Cú Chulainn, with his entrails lying about his feet. Cú Chulainn had compassion on him for his wounding. 'Get me a physician,' said Cethern to Cú Chulainn. A litter-bed of fresh rushes with a pillow on it was prepared for him. Then Cú Chulainn sent Láeg to Fiacha mac Fir Febe in the encampment of the banished Ulstermen to seek physicians, and said that he would kill them all even if they were to take refuge underground in the encampment unless they came to him to cure Cethern. The physicians found this no pleasant prospect for there was none in the camp whom Cethern would not wound. However the physicians came forth to see Cethern. The first physician who came to him examined him. 'You will not live,' said he. 'Neither will you,' said Cethern, and struck him a blow with his fist which caused his brains to gush out over his ears. In the same way he killed fifty physicians, or he killed fifteen of them. The last man received only a glancing blow which caused him to swoon. He was later rescued by Cú Chulainn. They sent messengers then to Fingin, the seer-physician, Con-chobar's own physician, asking him to come and examine Cú Chulainn and Cethern. 210 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3191-3224 'It is not right for you,' said Cú Chulairm to Cethern, 'to kill the physicians. It will not be possible to get any (more) of them to come to you.' 'It was not right for them to give me a bad prognosis.' For each physician who examined him used to say that he would not live, that he was not curable, so then Cethern used to strike him with his fist. They saw Fingin's chariot approaching, for he had been told that Cú Chulainn and Cethern were in distress. Cú Chulainn went to meet him. 'Examine Cethern for us,' said Cú Chulainn, 'but do so from a distance, for he has killed fifteen of their physicians.' Fingin came to Cethern. He examined him from afar off. 'Examine me,' said Cethern. 'This first thrust that I received I find painful.' 'Those are wounds inflicted by a proud and foolish woman,' said Fingin. 'It is likely that it is so,' said Cethern. 'There came to me a tall beautiful woman with pale, tender face and long cheeks. She had long fair hair and two golden birds on her shoulder. She wore a dark purple hooded mantle. On her back she carried a shield five hands in breadth and overlaid with gold. In her hand a javelin, keen, sharp-edged and light. A sword with pointed hilt across her shoulders. Great was her beauty. She it was who first came to me and wounded me.' 'Aye indeed,' said Cú Chulainn. 'That was Medb from Crúachu.' 'These are slight wounds inflicted unwillingly by a kinsman. They will not prove fatal,' said the physician. 'That is so,' said Cethern. 'A warrior came to me. He carried a curved shield with scalloped rim. In his hand a spear with bent point, across his shoulders an ivory-hilted sword. He had a crest of hair and wore a brown cloak in which was a silver pin wrapped about him. He got a slight wound from me.' 'I know him,' said Cú Chulainn. 'That was Illann, the son of Fergus mac Róig.' 'This is the attack of two warriors,' said the physician. 'That is true,' said Cethern. 'Two men came to me. They bore long shields, each with two hard chains of silver and a silver boss. They had two five-pronged spears round which was a silver ring. They had thick heads of hair and each man wore a necklet of silver.' 'I know them,' said Cú Chulainn. 'Those were Oil and Oichne, the two foster-sons of Ailill and Medb. They never go to an 11. 3225-3257] TRANSLATION 211 assembly but that they are sure to kill someone. It was they who wounded you.' 'Two other warriors came to me,' said Cethern. 'They had splendid bright equipment and they themselves were manly.' 'I know them,' said Cú Chulainn. 'Those were Bun and Mecon of the king's household.' 'These wounds are grave,' said the physician. 'They have gone right through your heart and pierced it tranversely. I cannot undertake to heal them. Yet I have such skill that they may not prove fatal.' 'This is the bloody onset of the two sons of the King of Caill,' said the physician. 'That is true,' said Cethern. 'There came to me two grey-haired warriors, each carrying a wooden vessel on his back. Indeed,' said Cethern, 'this spear pierced one of them.' T know them,' said Cú Chulainn. 'They were noble warriors from Medb's great household. They were Bróen and Láiréne, the two sons of three lights, the two sons of the King of Caill.' 'This is the attack of three warriors,' said Fingin, the physician. 'That is true,' said he. 'There came to me three men of equal size, linked together with a chain of bronze . . .' 'Those were the three warriors of Banba, followers of Cú Raí mac Dáire.' 'This is the onset of three champions,' said Fingin. 'That is true,' said he. 'Three champions came to me bearing the equipment of warriors. Each had a silver chain around his neck and carried a handful of javelins. Each man of them thrust a spear into me, and I thrust this spear into each of them.' 'Those were three of the warriors of Irúath,' said Cú Chulairm. 'For their fierceness they were chosen to kill you,' said the physician. 'Indeed they have severed the sinews of your heart within you so that it rolls about in you like a ball of thread in an empty bag.' 'I cannot cure (you) (?),' said Fingin. 'This is the attack of three bloody-minded men,' said Fingin. 'That is so,' said Cethern. 'Three tall stout men came to me. They were inciting me even before they reached me. They had three grey heads of hair.' 'Those were the three stewards of Medb and Ailill, Scenb and Rand and Fodail,' said Cú Chulairm. 'These are three hostile blows,' said Fingin. 212 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3258-3290 'True,' said Cethern. 'Three warriors came to me. Each had a head of thick black hair and wore a vari-coloured cape. They carried in their hands three iron clubs.' 'Those were the three called Fráech Baíscne, the three table-servants of Medb,' said Cú Chulainn. 'This is the attempt of two brothers,' said Fingin. 'That is true,' said Cethern. 'There came to me two choice warriors. They wore dark-grey mantles and carried curved shields with scalloped rim. Each had in his hand a broad shining spear on a slender shaft.' 'I know them,' said Cú Chulainn. 'They were Cormac Colomon ind Rig, and Cormac Maile Ogath.' 'Numerous indeed are the wounds they both inflicted on you,' said the physician. 'They have pierced your throat and their spears moved about within you.' 'These are the wounds inflicted by two brothers,' said the physician. 'That is likely,' said Cethern. 'Two warriors came to me. One had curling yellow hair, the other curling brown hair. They bore white shields ornamented with animal designs in gold. Each had a white-hilted sword across his shoulder. They wore hooded tunics with red insertion.' 'I know them,' said Cú Chulainn. 'Those were Maine Aithremail and Maine Máithremail.' 'These are the thrusts delivered by father and son,' said the physician. 'That is so,' said Cethern. 'There came to me two huge men with shining eyes, wearing golden diadems on their heads. Each man had at his waist a golden-hilted sword. Scabbards reaching to the haft of each sword and a ring1 of variegated gold around each.' 'I know them,' said Cú Chulainn. 'That was Ailill with his son, Maine Condasgeb Uile.' 'What prognosis do you give me, master Fingin V asked Cethern. 'In truth,' said Fingin, 'you should not exchange your grown cows for yearlings now. As long as your attackers were numbered only in twos and threes, it were easy to cure you. But when you bear wounds inflicted by many, you are destined to die in any case,' With that Fingin turned the chariot away from him. 'You pronounce judgment on me like the rest,' (said Cethern). So he struck Fingin a blow of his fist so that he fell across the shafts of the chariot and the whole chariot resounded. 1 reading Stowe 11. 3291-3327] TRANSLATION 213 Then said Cú Chulainn: 'That is a wicked kick of yours for an old man (!).' Hence is still the name Úachtar Lúa in Crich Rois. 'You should have attacked enemies rather than physicians,' said Cú Chulainn. Then the physician Fingin offered Cethern a choice: either to lie sick for a year and then survive, or straightaway to have sufficient strength for three days and three nights to attack his enemies. The latter is what Cethern chose. Then Cú Chulainn asked for marrow for the physician to cure Cethern. He made a marrow-mash from the bones of the cattle he encountered. Hence the name Smirommair in Crich Rois. After absorbing the marrow, Cethern slept for a day and a night. T have no ribs,' complained Cethern. Tut the ribs of the chariot-frame in me.' 'You shall have that,' said Cú Chulainn. 'If I had my own weapons,' said Cethern, 'the deeds I should perform would be remembered for ever.' 'What I see now seems fine,' said Cú Chulainn. 'What do you sec?' asked Cethern. T think it is the chariot of your wife Find Bee, the daughter of Eochu, coming towards us.' They saw the woman bringing Cethern's weapons in the chariot. Cethern seized his weapons and attacked the host then with the framework of his chariot bound to his belly to give him more strength. That physician, who had escaped from Cethern and lain unconscious among the corpses of the other physicians now carried a warning of Cethern's arrival into the encampment. Then through fear of Cethern, Ailill's crown was put upon the pillar-stone. Cethern rushed at the pillar-stone and drove his sword through it and his fist after the sword. Hence the place-name Li a Toll in Crich R.ois. 'This is a trick!' he cried. T shall not cease to attack you until 1 see this diadem of Ailill on one of you.' Then for a day and a night he attacked them, until Maine put the diadem on his head and came forward in his chariot. Cethern threw after Maine his shield which split him and his charioteer and went right through the horses into the ground. Then the host hemmed Cethern in on all sides and he attacked them and fell dead among them so doing. 214 TÁIN BO CUAILNGE [11. 3328-3356 The Tooth-Fight of Fintan Fintan came then to avenge his son's death on them. Thrice gfty armed men was the number of his company. They had two spear-heads on each shaft and they were wrapt in mantles. Fintan fought seven battles with the enemy and none of his men escaped, only he himself and his son. Then through fear of Fintan his son was separated from him and was rescued by Ailill under a shelter of shields on condition that Fintan should not attack them until he came with Conchobar to the great battle. So Fintan made a truce with them for delivering his son to him. The Red Shame of Mend Then there came to them Mend mac Sálchada with a band of thirty armed men. Twelve of them fell at Mend's hand and twelve of his own people fell too. Mend himself was grievously wounded while his men were red with blood. Hence the name Ruadrucca Mind, the Red Shame of Mend. Afterwards they evacuated the encampment for Mend and he killed no more of them save only the twelve. He was told that no guilt attached to them for they had not gone near his dwelling by the Boyne in Coirenna. For in fact it was no disgrace to yield the encampment to him until he should come with Conchobar to the great battle. The Bloodless Fight of Rochad Then there came to them Rochad Rigderg mac Faithemain of Ulster with thirty armed men. He took up his position on a hillock near them, and his arrival was announced in the encampment. Then Finnabair said that he was her first love. 'If you have loved him,' said Ailill and Medb, 'crave a truce of him until such time as he comes with Conchobar to the great battle, and spend tomorrow night with him.' All this was done, though it was not easy to get him to come. Rochad's tent was pitched for him at the place called Finnabair, and he spent the night with the girl. This was told to the seven kings from Munster. One of them said: 'I was promised this girl on the surety of fifteen men, in requital for coming on this hosting.' 11. 3257-3390] TRANSLATION 215 All seven of them confessed that the same bargain had been made with each of them. So they went to take revenge for it on the sons of Ailill in Glenn Domain where they were guarding the rear of the army. Medb rushed to the rescue. So did the division of the Leinster-men. So too Ailill and Fergus. Seven hundred fell there in the battle of Glenn Domain. That is Bángleó Rochada and Imšlige Glenndomnach. Finnabair heard of this, namely, that seven hundred men had died because of her. She fell dead there of shame. Hence the place-name Finnabair Sléibe. The Humorous Fight of Iliach. There came then to them at Áth Feidle Iliach, the grandfather of Lóegairo Búadach who was son of Connad Buide meic Iliach. Iliach was being cared for with filial piety by his grandson in Ráith Immail. He announced to the host that they would die at his hand in revenge. So he came in this wise: in his shaky, worn-out chariot, without rugs or covering, drawn by two old sorrel nags. And he filled his chariot with stones as high as the skin-coverings. He kept striking all those who came to gaze at him, stark-naked as he was, long-membered, with the clapar down through the frame of the chariot. Then the host noticed in what manner he came and they mocked the naked man. Dócha mac Mágach checked the jeering of the rabble. And for that Iliach told Dócha that at the day's end he, Dócha, should take Iliach's sword and strike his head off, provided only that Iliach had exerted all his strength against the host. At that point Iliach noticed the marrow-mash. He was told that it had been made from the bones of the cows of Ulster. So then he made another marrow-mash from the bones of the men of Connacht beside it, so that the two marrow-mashes are there together. Then in the evening Dócha struck off Iliach's head and carried it to his grandson. He made peace with him and Láegaire kept Iliach's sword. That is Mellgleó Iliach, (so called) because the host laughed at him. The Missile-throwing of the Charioteers The army came to Tailtiu then. The charioteers of Ulster, in number thrice fifty, attacked them. Three times their own number fell by the charioteers, and they themselves fell. 216 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3391-3418 Roí Arad is the name of the spot where they fell together with their tackle on the Foray. The Trance of Aimirgin This then is the trance of Aimirgin in Tailtiu. In his trance Aimirgin pelted them so that no man could be found to raise his head in Tailtiu. Then came Cú Raí mac Dáire to the host to fight against Cú Chulainn. He was told how Cú Chulainn had opposed the men of Ireland single-handed during the three months of winter. Cú Raí thought it did not befit a man to attack one stabbed and wounded, for Cú Chulainn had been wounded and lost much blood. So then Cú Raí hurled stones directly against Aimirgin, instead of Cú Chulainn, and the stones collided in the air. Cú Raí asked Aimirgin to let the cattle go past Tailtiu. Aimirgin permitted it. However it was not to be wondered at that they were carried off with difficulty. Cú Raí promised Aimirgin that he would not remain with the host from that time on. So it was done. Cú Raí went away from the host at once. When Aimirgin saw that they challenged him by turning the left board of their chariots to Tailtiu and Ráith Airthir, he began once more to pelt them. This is one of the three (slaughters) which cannot be counted, namely, the great number of them that he killed. And his son Conall Cernach remained by him, furnishing him with stones and darts. The Repeated Warning of Súaltaim While these events which we have related were taking place, Súaltaim from Ráith Súaltaim in Mag Muirthemne heard how his son had been harassed by the twleve sons of Gaile Dána and his sister's son. Then said Súaltaim: 'Is it the sky that cracks, or the sea that overflows its bounderies, or the earth that splits, or is it the loud cry of my son fighting against odds?' Then he went to his son. But Cú Chulainn was not pleased that he should come to him, for though he was wounded, Súaltaim would not be strong enough to avenge him. U. 3419-3453] TRANSLATION 217 'Go to the men of Ulster,' said Cú Chulainn, 'and let them give battle to the warriors at once. If they do not, vengeance will never be taken on them.' Then his father saw that there was not on Cú Chulainn's body a spot which the tip of a rush could cover which was not pierced, and even his left hand which the shield protected bore fifty wounds. Súaltaim came to Emain and called out to the men of Ulster: 'Men are slain, women carried off, cattle driven away!' His first shout was from the side of the court, his second from the ramparts of the royal residence, his third from the Mound of the Hostages in Emain. No one answered, for it was tabu for the Ulstermen that any of them should speak before Conchobar, and Conchobar, spoke only before the three druids. 'Who carries them off? Who drives them away? Who slays them?' asked the druid. 'Ailill mac Máta slays them, carries them off, drives them away, with the guidance of Fergus mac Róig,' said Súaltaim. 'Your people have been harassed as far as Dún Sobairche. Their cows, their women-folk and their cattle have been carried off. Cú Chulainn has not let them come into Mag Muirthemne and Crich Rois during the three months of winter. Bent hoops (of wood) hold his mantle (from touching him). Dry wisps plug his wounds. He has been wounded and bled profusely (?).' 'It were right,' said the druid, 'that one who so incited the king should die.' 'It is right that he should,' said Conchobar. 'It is right,' said the Ulstermen. 'What Súaltaim says is true,' said Conchobar. 'From the Monday on the eve of Samain until the Monday on the eve of Spring we have been ravaged.' Thereupon Súaltaim leapt forth, unsatisfied with the answer he had got, and he fell on to his shield and the scalloped rim of the shield cut off his head. The horse brought his head on the shield back into Emain, and the head uttered the same words. —Though others say that he had been asleep on the stone and on waking had fallen from it on to his shield. 'Too loud was that shout indeed,' said Conchobar. '(I swear by) the sea before them, the sky above them, the earth beneath them that I shall restore every cow to its byre and every woman and boy to their own homes after victory in battle.' Then Conchobar laid an injunction on his son Findchad Fer Bend. —He was so called because he bore horns of silver. 16 218 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3454-3497 The Muster of the Ulstermen 'Arise, 0 Findchad! I send you to Dedad in his inlet, to Leamain, to Fallach, to Illann mac Fergusa, to Gabar, to Dorlunsa, to Imchlár, to Feidlimid Cilair Cétaig, to Fáeladán, to Rochaid mac Faithemain at Bigdonn, to Lugaid, to Lugda, to Cathbath in his inlet, to the three Cairpres, to Aela, to Láeg at his causeway, to Geimen in his valley, to Senoll Úathach at Diabul Arda, to Cethern mac Fintain at Carlag, to Torathor, to Mulaig in his fortress, to the royal poet Aimirgin, to the Úathadach Fodoblaid, to the Mórrígan at Dun Sobairche, to Ieth, to Roth, to Fiachna at his mound, to Dam Dremed, to Andiaraid, to Maine mac Braitharge, to Dam Derg, to Mod, to Maithes, to Irmaithes, to Corp Cliath, to Gabarleig in Line, to Eochaid Sainmech in Saimne, to Eochaid Lathach at Latharna, to Uma mac Remarbisi in Fedan, to Muinremur mac Gerrgind, to Senlobair at Canainn Gall, to Follamain, to Lugaid ri Fer mBolc, to Laige Line, to Búaidgalach, to Ambúach, to Fergna, to Barrene, to Äine, to Errgi Echbél at his hill, to Celtchar mac Cuithechair in Lethglais, to Láegaire Milbél at Breo Láegairi, to the three sons of Dromscalt mac Dregamm, to Drenda, to Drendas, to Cimb, to Cimling, to Cimmene, to Fána Caba, to Fachtna mac Senchath in his rath, to Senchaid at Senchairthe, to Briccir, to Bricirne, to Breic, to Buan, to Bairech, to Óengus mac Leiti, to Fergus mac Leiti, to Óengus Fer mBolg, to Braachur, to Alamiach the warrior at Slánge, to the three sons of Fiachna in Cúailnge, to Conall Cernach in Midlúachair, to Connad mac Morna in Callainn, to Cú Chulainn mac Súaltaim in Muirthemne, to Aimirgin at Eas Rúaid, to Lóeg, to Léiri, to Menn mac Salcholca at Coirenna, to Cú Ri mac Armargin in his rath, to Óengus For Benn Umai, to Ogma Grianainech, to Brecc, to Eo mac Oircne, to Toillchenn to Saithe, to Mogoll Echbél in Magna, to Conla Sáeb, to Úarba, to Láegaire Búadach in Immail, to Alile Amargine in Tailtiu, to Furbaide Fer Benn, to Seil, to Manes, to Cúscraid Menn Macha, to Fingin at Finngabra, to Cremath, to Blae Fichit, to Blae Brugaich, to Fesair, to Eógan mac Durthacht in Fernmag, to Ord, to Seirid, to Serthe, to Oblán, to Cuilén, to Curether at Liana, to Eithbenne, to Fernél, to Finnchath at Sllab Betha, to Talgobain at Bernas, to Menn mac Fer Calca, of Maig Dula, to íroll, to Blairige at Tibraite mac Ail-chatha, to Ialla Ingraimme of Mag Dobla, to Ros mac Ailchatha, to Mane mac Cruinn, to Nindich mac Cruinn, to Dipsemilid, to Mál mac Rochraidi, to Muinne mac Munremair, to Fiatach Fer nDoiire mac Dubthaig, to Muirne Menn. 11. 3498-3533] TRANSLATION 219 It was not difficult, however, for Findchad to deliver that summons, for all of the province of Conchobar, every lord among them, was awaiting Conchobar. All those who were east or north or west of Emain came now to Emain Macha. When they had assembled they heard that Conchobar had recovered from his debility in Emain. They went on past Emain to the south in pursuit of the (enemy) host. The first stage of their journey was from Emain to Iraird Cuillenn. 'What are you waiting for here?' asked Conchobar. 'We are waiting for your sons,' said the host. 'They have gone with a company of soldiers to Tara to seek Ere, the son of Cairbre Nia Fer and of Feidelm Noichride. We shall not leave this spot, until the two companies come to join us.' 'I shall not wait, indeed,' said Conchobar, 'until the men of Ireland learn that I have recovered from the debility in which I have been.' So Conchobar and Celtchair went off with thrice fifty chariot fighters, and brought back eight score (enemy) heads from Ath Airthir Mide. Hence the name Áth Féne. These men had been there keeping guard against Conchobar's army. Their share of the booty was eight score women. Their heads were brought there and Conchobar and Celtchair sent them to the encampment. Then Celtchair said to Conchobar: 'Ramparts with bloodstained sides and a valorous king . . . with spoils of war ... On Conchobar's behalf we prepare for battle. His warriors rouse themselves. Battle will be fought (1) at Gáirech and Irgáirech,' said he. —Or it may have been Cúscraid Menn Macha, the son of Conchobar, who chanted this song of exhortation on the night before the great battle, after Lóegaire Búadach had chanted his song: 'Arise, kings of Macha. Be on your guard etc.', and it may have been sung in the eastern encampment. That was the night when Dubthach Dóel Ulad saw a vision in which the army stood at Gáirech and Irgáirech, and in his trance he spoke: The Vision of Dubthach 'A wonderful morning for a battle, a wonderful time when armies will be thrown into confusion, kings will be overthrown, men's necks will be broken and the sand will be red with blood. Three armies will be overcome in the wake of the army led by Conchobar. ' 220 TÄIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3534^3568 í They will defend their womenfolk. Their herds will come on the morning after. Heroes will be slain. Hounds will be checked. Horses will be destroyed . . . from the assemblies of great tribes.' Thereupon he awoke from his trance. The war-goddess attacked the host. A hundred of them fell dead. When they fell silent (?) they heard Cormac Con Longes once more—Or it may have been Ailill mac Máta chanting in the encampment in the west. The Trance of Ailill 'Great is the truce, the truce of Cuillenn. Great the parleys, the parleys of Delend. Great the cavalcades (?), the cavalcades of Asal. Great the afflictions, the afflictions of Túath Bressi.' The March of the Companies Now while these prophetic visions were happening the men of Connacht, on the advice of Ailill and Medb and Fergus, decided to send messengers to see if the men of Ulster had reached the plain. Then said Ailill: 'Go, Mae Roth, and find out for us if those men are in this plain of Meath where we now are, I have carried off their cattle and their prey. They will give me battle if they so wish. But if they have not reached the plain, I shall not await them here any longer.' So Mac Roth went to reconnoitre the plain. He returned again to Ailill and Medb and Fergus. The first time Mac Roth gazed into the distance around Slíab Fúait, he saw that all the wild beasts had come out of the wood into the whole plain. 'The second time I looked out over the plain,' said Mac Roth, '1 saw that a dense mist had filled the glens and valleys, so that the hills between them rose up like islands in lakes. Then I saw sparks of fire flashing in that dense mist, and I seemed to see the variegation of every colour in the world. Then I saw the lightning and I heard the din and the thunder, and I felt a great wind which almost blew the hair from my head and threw me on my back, and yet the wind that day was not strong.' 'What was that, Fergus V said Ailill. 'Identify it.' 'It is not hard for me to recognize what it is,' said Fergus. 'Those are the men of Ulster now recovered from their debility. It was they who rushed into the wood. It was the multitiude, the greatness and the violence of the warriors that shook the wood. It is 11. 3569-3602] TRANSLATION 221 from them the wild beasts fled into the plain. The dense mist you saw which filled the valleys was the breath of those champions which filled the glens and made the hills to rise among them like islands in lakes. The lightning and the flashes of fire and the varied colours that you saw, Mac Roth', said Fergus, 'were the eyes of the warriors flashing in their heads like sparks of fire. The thunder and the din and the great uproar that you heard, that was the whistling of swords and ivory-hilted rapiers, the clatter of weapons the creaking of chariots, the hoof-beats of the horses, the might of the chariot-fighters the loud roaring of the warriors, the shouts of the soldiers, the ardour and anger and fierceness of the heroes as they rushed in fury to battle. So great is their anger and excitement that they think they will never arrive.' 'We shall await them,' said Ailill. 'We have warriors to encounter them.' 'You will need them,' said Fergus. 'For not in all Ireland nor in the western world from Greece and Scythia westwards to the Orkneys and the Pillars of Hercules and to Tor Breogain and the Islands of Gades,' will anyone be found who can withstand the men of Ulster when they are in their rage and anger.' After that Mac Roth went once more to survey the march of the men of Ulster and came to their encampment in Slemain Mide. He came back to Ailill and Medb and Fergus, and gave them a detaded description, and describing them he spoke as follows: 'There came on to the hill at Slemain Mide,' said Mao Roth, 'a great company, fierce, powerful, proud. I think that it numbered three thousand. At once they cast off their garments and dug up a turfy mound as a seat for their leader. A warrior, fair, slender, tall, pleasant, led that company. Fairest in form among kings was he. He had yellow hair, curled, well-arranged, trimmed and wavy, which reached to the hollow between his shoulders. He wore a purple mantle wrapped about him with a beautful brooch of red gold in the mantle over his breast. He had shining, beautiful eyes. His countenance was crimson and comely, narrow below, broad above. He had a forked beard, very curly, golden-yellow. He wore a white hooded tunic with red insertion. Across his shoulders he had a gold-hilted sword, and he carried a white shield with animal designs in gold. In his hand he held a broad shining spear on a slender shaft. His array was the finest of~all the princes of the world, alike as regards followers and fierceness and beauty, equipment and garments, as regards terror and battle and triumph, prowess and fearsomeness and dignity.' 222 TAIN BÓ CÜAILNGE [11. 3603-3634 'There came too another company,' said Mac Roth. 'They were almost the same as the other in numbers and arrangement and equipment, in dreadfulness and fearsomeness. A fair heroic warrior in the van of that company. A green cloak wrapped about him and a golden brooch on his shoulder. He had yellow curling hair. He carried an ivory-hilted sword at his loft side. He wore a bordered (?) tunic reaching to his knee. He carried a smiting shield with scalloped rim. In his hand a spear like a palace torch with a silver band around it which runs now back from shaft to spearhead, now down again to the grip. That company took up position on the left hand of the leader of the first band. And the position they took was with knee to ground and shield-rim held to chin. It seemed to me that the tall haughty warrior who led that band stammered in his speech. 'There came yet another band,' said Mac Roth. 'It looked to be more than three thousand. A valiant man, handsome and broad headed, was in the van. He had brown curling hair and a long, forked, fine-haired beard. A dark-grey fringed cloak was wrapped about him, with a leaf-shaped brooch of white gold over his breast. He wore a white hooded tunic reaching to his knee. He carried a variegated shield with animal designs. A sword of bright silver with rounded hilt at his waist, and a five-pronged spear in his hand. He sat down in front of the leader of the first company.' 'Who were those, Fergus?' asked Ailill. 'We know those companies indeed,' said Fergus. 'It was Con-chobar, the king of a province in Ireland, who sat down on the mound of turf. It was Sencha mac Ailella, the eloquent speaker of Ulster, who sat down in front of Conchobar. It was Cúscraid Menn Macha, Conchobar's son, who sat at his father's hand. That spear which Cúscraid has is wont to behave thus before victory; at no other time does the ring run (up and down). Those who came there were goodly men to inflict wounds in the attack of every conflict,' added Fergus. 'They will find men to answer them here,' said Medb. 'I swear by my people's god,' said Fergus, 'that until now there has not been born in Ireland an army which could ever check the Ulster-men.' 'There came still another company,' said Mac Roth, 'in number more than three thousand. In the van was a tall, valiant warrior, hideous, fearsome, swarthy and with fiery countenance. He had dark brown hair which lay smooth and fine over his forehead. He carried a curved shield with scalloped rim. In his hand he had a 11. 3635-3670] TRANSLATION 223 five-pronged spear and with it a pronged javelin. He bore across his back a bloodstained sword. Around him was wrapped a purple mantle with a golden brooch on his shoulder. He wore a white hooded tunic reaching to his knee.' 'Who was that, Fergus?' asked Ailill. 'He who came there is the starting of strife, a warrior for conflict, the doom of enemies, to wit, Eógan mac Durrthacht, King of Farney,' said Fergus. 'Another great, haughty band came on to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth. 'They cast off their garments. In truth they marched valiantly to the hill. Great the horror and vast the fear they brought with them. Terrible the clatter of arms they made as they marched. In the van of the company a man, big-headed, valiant, heroic, fierce and hideous. He had fine grizzled hair and great yellow eyes. A yellow mantle with a white border wrapped around him. Outside this he carried a smiting shield with scalloped rim. In his hand he held a spear, broad-bladed and longheaded with a drop of blood on its shaft, and a similar spear with the blood of enemies along its edge. A great smiting sword across his shoulders.' 'Who was that, Fergus?' asked Ailill. 'The warrior who came there shuns not battle nor conflict nor contest. It was Lóegaire Búadach mac Connaid meic Iliach from Immail in the north,' said Fergus. 'Another great company came to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth. 'A handsome warrior, thick-necked, corpulent, led that company. He had black curling hair and he was swarthy-faced with ruddy cheeks. Shining grey eyes in his head. He wore a dun-coloured mantle of curly wool in which was a brooch of white silver. He carried a black shield with boss of bronze, and in his hand he held a shimmering perforated (?) spear. He wore a plaited tunic with red insertion. Outside his garments he carried an ivory-hilted sword.' 'Who was that, Fergus?' asked Ailill. 'He who came is the stirring up of strife. He is the stormy wave which overwhelms streamlets. He is the man of three shouts. He is the threatening doom of enemies,' said Fergus. 'That was Munremur mac Gerrcind from Modorn in the north.' 'There came still another great company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth. 'A company beautiful and splendid in numbers and arrangement and equipment. Proudly they made for the hill. The clatter of arms they made as they advanced shook 224 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3671-3704 the whole army. A handsome and noble warrior led that company. Most beautiful of men was his appearance, alike for hair and eyes and skin, alike for equipment and appearance, and voice and fairness, for dignity, size and honour, for arms and excellence and for garments and weapons and proportion, for worth and wisdom and lineage.' 'That is his (exact) description,' said Fergus. 'That handsome man Feidlimid who came there is the brilliance of fire, the proud hero, the stormy wave which engulfs, the force, which cannot be endured, with victories in other lands after he has slaughtered his enemies (at home). That was Feidlimid Cilair Cétaig.' 'There came still another band to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth, 'no fewer than three thousand in number. In the front of the band a tall, valiant warrior, of dusky complexion, well-proportioned . . . He had black curling hair, round eyes, dull and haughty in his head. He was a strong, bull-like, rough man. He wore a grey mantle with a silver pin on his shoulder, and a white hooded tunic was wrapped around him. He carried a sword on his thigh and bore a red shield with a boss of hard silver. In his hand was a broad-bladed spear with three rivets.' 'Who was that, Fergus?' asked Ailill. 'He who came there is the fierce ardour of anger, the one who dares (?) every conflict, who wins every battle. That was Comiad mac Mornai from Callann,' said Fergus. 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mao Roth. 'In size it appears an army. Not often is found a hero finer in form and equipment and garments than the leader in the van of that company. He had trimmed auburn hair. His face was comely, ruddy, well-proportioned, a face narrow below and broad above. His lips were red and thin, his teeth shining and pearl-like, his voice loud and clear. His was the most beautiful of the forms of men. He wore a purple mantle wrapped around him with a brooch inlaid with gold over his white breast. On his left side a curved shield with animal emblems in many colours and a boss of silver. In his hand a long spear with shining edge and a sharp, aggressive dagger. On his back a sword with golden hilt. A tunic, hooded and with red insertion, wrapped about him.' 'Who was that, Fergus?' asked Ailill. 'We know him indeed,' said Fergus. 'He who came there is indeed a worthy adversary, he is the dividing of a combat, he is the fierce ardour of a blood-hound. That was Rochaid mac Faithe-main from Brig Dumae, your son-in-law, he who wedded your daughter Finnabair.' 11. 3705-3739] TRANSLATION 225 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth. 'A warrior brawny-legged, thick-thighed and tall in the forefront of that company. Each of his limbs was almost as thick as a man. In truth he was every inch a man,' said he. 'He had black hair and a ruddy, scarred countenance. A noble eye of many colours in his head. A splendid, eager man was he thus with fearsomeness and horror. He had wonderful equipment in clothes and weapons and raiment and splendour and attire . . . with the triumphant exploits of a warrior, with splendid deeds, with eager pride, avoiding equal combat to vanquish overwhelming numbers, with fierce anger towards enemies, attacking many enemy lands without protection (?). In truth the company came boldly to Slemain Mide.' 'He had (?) valour and prowess indeed,' said Fergus, 'he had (?) hot-bloodedness and violence, strength and diginity in the armies and troops. It was my own foster-brother, Fergus mac Leiti, King of Line, the point of perfection in battle in the north of Ireland.' 'There came another great, haughty company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth. 'They wore wonderful garments. A handsome, noble warrior in the van. He had every endowment of beauty in hair and eyes and fairness, in size and demeanour and proportion. He carried a shield made of five concentric circles of gold. He wore a green mantle wrapped about him with a golden brooch in the mantle above his shoulder, and a white hooded tunic. A spear like the turret of a royal palace in his hand, a gold-hilted sword across his shoulders.' 'Fierce is the anger of the victorious hero who came there,' said Fergus. 'That was Amorgene mac Eccetsalaig from Búas in the north.' 'There came another company on to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mao Roth, 'in size like the overwhelming sea, in brightness like fire, in fierceness like a lion, in numbers a battalion, in greatness like a cliff, in strength like a rock, in combativeness like doom, in violence like thunder. A coarse-visaged, fearsome warrior in the forefront of that company, big-bellied, thick-lipped, big-nosed, red-limbed, with coarse grizzled hair. He wore a striped cloak pinned with an iron stake, and carried a curved shield with scalloped rim. He wore a rough plaited tunic and in his hand he held a great grey spear with thirty rivets. Across his shoulders he carried a sword tempered seven times by fire. All the army rose up to meet him and the host was thrown into confusion as he went towards the hill.' 226 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3740-3772 'He who came there is the leader of battle,' said Fergus. 'He is a worthy adversary. He is a hero in prowess. He is (like) a stormy wave which overwhelms. He is (like) the sea pouring across boundaries. That was Celtchair mac Cuithechair from Dún Lethglaise in the north.' 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Both. 'A warrior, altogether fair led them. Fair in all points was he, hair and eyebrows and beard and clothing. He carried a shield with golden boss and a sword with ivory hilt. In his hand he had a great perforated spear. Bravely did the troop advance.' 'Splendid indeed is the strong-smiting hero who came there,' said Fergus, 'the valiant warrior who performs great deeds against enemies and destroys men! That was Feradach Find Fechtnach from Nemed Sléibe Fúait in the north.' 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Wide,' said Mac Both. 'A fearsome warrior in front of that company, big-bellied, thick-lipped. His lips were as thick as those of a horse. He had brown curling hair, bright cheeks too, and a broad head and long arms. A black swinging mantle around him with a round brooch of bronze over his shoulder. A grey shield across his left side. A great spear with neck-rings in his right hand, a long sword across his shoulders.' 'He who came is (like) a lion fiercely combative with bloodstained paws,' said Fergus. 'He is the warlike, valorous hero of heroic deeds. He is (like) a fiery, unendurable blast of heat across the land. That was Eirrge Echbél from Bri Eirrge in the north,' said Fergus. 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth, 'led by two fair, youthful warriors, both alike. They had yellow hair. They carried two white shields with animal designs in silver. A slight difference of age between them. Together they raised and set down their feet; it is not their wont for one to lift his foot before the other. 'Who are those, Fergus?' asked Ailill. 'Those are two warriors, two bright flames, two points of perfection in battle, two heroes, two combative chiefs, two dragons, two fiery ones, two champions, two fighters, two scions, two bold ones, the two beloved by the Ulstermen around their king. They are Fiachna and Fiacha, two sons of Conchobar mac Nesa, the two loved ones of the north of Ireland.' 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth. 'At their head three noble, fiery swarthy-faced 11. 3773-3806] TRANSLATION 227 warriors. They had three heads of long yellow hair. Three mantles of the same colour wrapped about them with three golden brooches above their shoulders. They wore three . . . tunics with red insertion. They carried three similar shields, with golden-hilted swords across their shoulders and broad shining spears in their right hands. There was a slight difference of age between them.' 'Those are the three great champions of Cuib, the three valorous ones of Midluachair, the three chiefs of Roth, the three veterans of Airther Fúata,' said Fergus. 'Those are the three sons of Fiachna who have come in purusit of the Bull, to wit, Rus and Dáire and Imchad,' said Fergus. 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth. 'A fine and fierce man in the forefront. Red eyes full of courage in his head. A vari-coloured mantle around him in which was a circular brooch of silver. He carried a grey shield on his left side, a sword with silver hilt on his thigh, and in his avenging right hand a splendid spear with sharp points (?). He wore a white hooded tunic reaching to his knee. Around him was a company bloodstained and wounded, and he too was covered with blood and wounds.' 'That,' said Fergus, 'is the bold and ruthless one. He is the daring one (?) who rends. He is the boar (?) of battle. He is the mad bull. He is the victorious one from Bade, the valorous one from Bernas, the champion of Colptha, the protector of the north of Ireland, namely, Menn mac Sálchada from Coranna. It is to take vengeance on you for their wounds that that man has come.' 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth, 'and they were heroic and eager. At their head a tall, sallow-faced, long-cheeked warrior. He had brown, bushy hair. He wore a red mantle of fine wool and a golden brooch in the mantle over his shoulder. He wore a fine tunic. On his left side he had a splendid sword with bright silver hilt. He carried a red shield and in his hand he held a broad shining spear on a beautiful shaft (?) of ash. 'It was the man of three stout blows who came there,' said Fergus, 'the man of three roads, the man of three paths, the man of three highways, the man of three triumphs, the man of three battle-cries who is victorious over foes in other lands. That was Fergna mac Findchoime from Coronn.' 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Mide,' said Mac Roth. 'It appeared greater than three thousand in number. A handsome, fair-breasted warrior in the van of that 228 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3807-3841 company. He was like Ailill yonder in size and dignity, in dress and equipment. He wore a golden diadem on his head. A beautiful cloak was wrapped around him with a golden brooch in the cloak over his breast. He wore a tunic with red insertion. He carried a smiting shield with golden rims and in his hand a spear like the turret of a palace. Across his shoulders he had a gold-hilted sword.' The man who came there is (like) the sea inundating rivers,' said Fergus. 'It is the fierce ardour of a warrior. His rage against his foes cannot be borne. That was Furbaide Fer Benn.' 'There came still another company to the hill in Slemain Mide, heroic, countless in number,' said Mac Roth. 'They wore strange garments unlike those of the other companies. Glorious were their weapons and their equipment and their raiment as they came. In this company was a great, proud army led by a little freckled lad. His form was the most beautiful of all men's forms. In his hand a white-bossed, gold-studded shield with rim of gold. He held a light sharp spear which shimmered. He was wrapped in a purple, fringed mantle, with a silver brooch in the mantle over his breast. He wore a white hooded tunic with red insertion and carried outside his garments a golden-hilted sword.' Thereupon Fergus fell silent. 'Indeed I know not,' said Fergus, 'anyone like that little lad among the Ulstermen, but in fact I should think it likely that those might be the men of Tara with the fine, noble lad who is Ere, the son of Cairpre Nia Fer and of Conchobar's daughter . . . Without asking permission of his father, that boy has come to the assistance of his grandfather. It is because of that lad that you will be defeated in battle. He will experience neither dread nor fear as he makes for you in the middle of your own army. Bravely will the warriors of Ulster roar as they hew down the army before them, rushing to rescue their beloved lad. They will all feel the ties of kinship when they see the boy in that great conflict. Like the baying of a blood-hound will be heard the sound of Conchobar's sword as he comes to the boy's rescue. Cú Chulainn will cast up three ramparts of (dead) men around the battle as he rushes towards that little lad. Mindful of their kinship with the boy, the warriors of Ulster will attack the vast (enemy) host.' 'I find it tedious,' said Mac Roth, 'to recount all that I saw, but I have come at any rate to bring you tidings.' 'You have (indeed) brought (tidings),' said Fergus. 11. 3842-3877] TRANSLATION 229 'Conall Cernach, however, did not come with his great company,' said Mac Roth, 'nor did the three sons of Conchobar with then-three divisions. Nor did Cú Chulainn come for he has been wounded fighting against odds. Except only that a single chariot-warrior who came there is probably he. 'The chariot was drawn by two strong-haunched steeds, with flowing tail and broad hoofs, broad in back and thin in flank, with head held high and arched neck, with thin mouth and flaring nostrils. Two black, firm (?) wheels, smooth easily-running rims, framework high and creaking and a green ornamented awning. There was a warrior, broad, ruddy-faced, in that chariot. He had a curly jet-black head of hair reaching to the hollow between his shoulders. He wore a red girded mantle. In each hand he carried four daggers and at his left side a gold-hilted sword. He had both shield and spear. He wore twenty-four shirts tied wth cords and ropes. In front of him was a charioteer whose back was turned to the horses and who held the reins between his ringers in front of him. A chess-board spread between the two, half the chessmen of yellow gold, the other half of white gold. His thighs rested on another boardgame, a bilanbach. He cast nine feats aloft (I).' 'Who were those, Fergus?' asked Ailill. 'Easy to tell,' said Fergus. 'Those were Cú Chulainn the son of Súaltaim from the fairy mounds and Lóeg mac Riangabra, Cú Chulainn's charioteer.' 'Many hundreds indeed and many thousands,' said Mac Roth, 'came to this encampment of the Ulstermen. Many heroes and champions and warriors raced their horses to the assembly. Many more companies who had not arrived at the encampment when I (first) came were coming there now. But indeed wherever my eye fell on hill or height in all the space visible to me between Ath Fir Diad and Slemain Mide, I saw nothing save men and horses.' 'It was indeed a brave (.?) company that you saw,' said Fergus. Then Conchobar and his army went and made camp beside the others. He asked Ailill for a truce until sunrise on the morrow, and Ailill guaranteed it on behalf of the men of Ireland and the exiled Ulstermen while Conchobar guaranteed it for the men of Ulster. The 'men of Ireland's1 tents were pitched, and before sunset there was scarcely a bare patch of earth between them and xthe encampment of the Ulstermen.1 Then the Mórrígan spoke in the dusk between the two encampments, saying: 1-1 translating conjectural emendation 230 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE [11. 3878-3920 'Ravens gnaw the necks of men. Blood flows. Battle is fought Hail to the men of Ulster! Woe to the Érainn! Woe to the men of Ulster! Hail to the Érainn!' These were the words she whispered to the Érainn: 'Woe to the men of Ulster for they have not ■won (?) the battle.' Cú Chulainn was beside them in Fedain Collna. Food was brought to him from the hospitallers that night. They used to go and converse with him by day. He killed no one north of Ath Fhir Diad. 'See a little flock coming from the western encampment to the encampment in the east,' said the charioteer to Cú Chulainn, 'and see a band of youths come to meet them.' 'Those youths will meet and the flock will go across the plain. He who will not accept quarter will go to help the youths.' It happened afterwards as Cú Chulainn had said. 'How do the youth of Ulster fight the battle ?' 'Bravely,' said the charioteer. 'It were right that they should fall in rescuing their flock,' said Cú Chulainn. 'And now?' 'The beardless young warriors are fighting now,' said the charioteer. 'Has a bright cloud come across the sun yet ?' asked Cú Chulainn. 'No indeed,' said the charioteer. 'Alas that I have not the strength to go to them!' said Cú Chulainn. 'There is fighting here already today,' said the charioteer at sunrise. 'It is proud folk who are now fighting the battle, but there are no leaders for they are still asleep.' It was at sunrise that Fachtna spoke. —Or (according to another account) Conchobar chanted these words in his trance: 'Arise, O valiant kings of Macha, generous people! Sharpen your swords. Fight the battle. Dig a trench. Strike your shields. Men's hands are weary. Their flocks are loud voiced . . . They all fight with one another . . . Sorrow will fill the heart of their queen so that the grassy sod on which they might strike, and on which they might go should be covered with blood. Arise, kings of Macha.' 'Who has chanted these words?' asked they all. 'Conchobar mac Nesa,' they answered. 'Or Fachtna chanted them. •—Sleep on, sleep on but set your sentinels.' Láegaire Bůadach was heard speaking: 'Arise, kings of Macha. Strike your kine with the sword. Protect your booty ... He will smite all the world on the plain of Gáireoh.' 11. 3921-3956] TRANSLATION 231 'Who has chanted that V they all asked. 'Láegaire Bůadach mao Connaid Buidi meic Iliach. Sleep on, sleep on but set your sentinels.' 'Wait on a while,' said Conchobar, 'until the sun has risen well above the glens and mounds of Ireland.' When Cú Chulainn saw the chiefs from the east putting on their diadems and coming to the rescue of the troops, he told his charioteer to arouse the men of Ulster. The charioteer spoke. —Or else it was the poet Amargin mac Eicit who spoke: 'Arise, valiant kings of Macha! A generous people. The war-goddess desires the kine of Immail. The blood from men's hearts spreads around . . . None like Cú Chulainn was found. Arise!' T have aroused them,' said the charioteer. 'They have come into battle stark-naked except for their weapons. He whose tent-opening faces east, has (in his eagerness) come out westwards through the tent. 'That is speedy help in time of need,' said Cú Chulainn. The doings of the men of Ulster are not described for a while. But as for the men of Ireland, Badb and Bé Néit and Némain shrieked above them that night in Gáirech and Irgáirech so that a hundred of their warriors died of terror. That was not the most peaceful night for them. The Muster of the Men of Ireland That night before the battle Ailill mac Máta chanted these words: 'Arise, O Traigthrén! I send you to the three Conaires from Sliab Mis, the three Lesfinds from Lúachair, the three Meid Corpthe Loste, the three called Bodar from the river Búas, the three called Boclb from the river Búaidnech, the three called Búageltach from the river Barrow, the three Muiredachs from Mairge, the three Láegaires from Lee Derg, the three Suibnes from the river Suir, the three Échtachs from Áine, the three Doil Eirrig, the three called Dámach from Loch Derg, the three Bratrúaid from Lough Ree, the three Mielleths from Lough Erne, the three called Bresal Bodgna, the three Amalgaids from Mag nAi, the three Fiachras from Fid Némain, the three Nechtans from Mag Muirisce, the three Mao Amras from Es Rúaid, the three Ruirechs from Crúacha Aigle, the three called Bruchar from Glais Febrat, the three Conalls from Collamair, the three called Fiac from Finnabair, the three Cairbres 232 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [11. 3957-3986 0f Cliu, the three called Mane Milscoth, the three Descertachs of Promm Fornochta, the three Fintans from Fernen, tlie three Rathachs from Mag Raigne, the three Eterscéls of Etarbán, the three Guaires of Fid Gaible, the three Aeds from Mag nAidne, the three Mongaohs of Mitain, the three Dúadaid Áine, the three Gairb Glunnaidi, the three Deiscirt "Uaga, the three Lethluind Linti, the three Coinchind Shile, the three Dauich of Llamain, the three Celtchair of Umall, the three Coscrachs of Clothra, the three Barrchais from Eille, the three Dáires from Tipra Find, the three Arts from Ard Ladrann, the three Muiredachs from Mag Femin, the three Congbaidi of Cliu, the three Morda Mosad, the three Roir of Ros Buite, the three Ánrad of Tráig Thuirbe, the three Eterscéls of Tara, the three Galgaidi Goain, the three Feradaig Foltchais, the three Feidmnig Rotail, the three Scáil Sobail, the three Ailill Uaiti, the three Gortaig Granaisc, the three Mesaig Maethla, the three Uilleith of Ard Airthir, the three called Corb from Clár, the three called Art from Ard, the three called Foimdech from Irrus, the three Illands of Ireland, the three Sochaide from Shannon, the three Brónachs from Bethra, the three Mongachs from Mag Mucruma, the three Moch-maidne from Mag nAi, the three called Tigernmas from Túath Ambrais, the three Échtachs from Finnabair, the three Cormacs of Uiscre, the three called Odar from Buaile, the three Ruis Ruscae, the three Ferad Find, the three Athchuirp Tulcha, the three Túathail Tarmi, the three Maccáech Femrag, the three Láegaires from Berramain, the three Fidaig Saigthi, the three called Cormac Cúanach, the tliree called Cairbre Luingi, the three called Odar Conchobair, the three Glais meic Cathbad, the three Duib Drúad, the three Airrig Cluichiur, the three Laitne Luiged, the three called Conchobar Collsen, the three Elair Deiuais, the three Fiadail Duinergin (?), the three Airig Inse TJan, the three Niths from Áth Craíbe, the three called Óengus Uisce, the three Fiach Ferna nlmbais, the three called Dorn, the three Bailebroindi from Móenmag, the three Cais Cuile, the three called Trén from Mag Éle, the three called Sruthmar from Mag nOchtair, the three called Glonnmar from Mag Lethan, the three called Dornmar from Mag nUisci, the three Glaisderg from Tethba, the three Tigirn Taince from Tiprait Talindi.' These triads made up what was called the Ferchuitred of the men of Ireland, not counting those of them whom Cú Chulainn had previously killed. Tidings of Cú Chulainn are now told: 'Look for us, my friend Láeg, and see how are the men of Ulster fighting now.' 11. 3987-4019] TRANSLATION 233 'Bravely (they fight),' answered the charioteer, 'If I were to go today in my chariot and Oen, the charioteer of Conall Cernach, in his chariot and if we were to travel from one wing (of the army) to the other, no hoof of horse or wheel of chariot would go through (to the ground).' 'The makings of a great fight are there,' said Cú Chulainn. 'Let nothing be done in the battle,' said he to his charioteer, 'that I shall not hear an account of from you.' 'That will be so insofar as I can do it,' said the charioteer. 'Now as for the warriors from the west, they make a breach eastwards through the battle-line. The same number of warriors from the east breach the battle-line westwards.' 'Alas that I am not healed,' said Cú Chulainn, 'or my breach too would be clearly seen there like that of all the others.' Then came the ferchuitred, the triads of that second mustering. When the warriors came afterwards to the battle at Gáirech and Irgáirech, there also arrived the nine chariots of the warriors from Irúath. In front of them were three men on foot who travelled no more slowly than the chariots. Medb allowed them into battle only to drag Ailill out of the conflict if the enemy defeated him, or to kill Conchobar if it were he who was overcome. Then his charioteer told Cú Chulainn that Ailill and Medb were begging Fergus to go into battle. They said that it was not wrong of him to do so for they had shown him great generosity in his exile. 'If I had my own sword,' said Fergus, 'men's heads cut off by me would be as numerous on their shields as hailstones in a swamp to which the king's horses come when they have travelled swiftly into the land.' Then Fergus swore this oath: 'I swear my people's oath that I would strike men's jawbones from their necks, men's necks from shoulders, men's shoulders from elbows, men's elbows from forearms, men's forearms and their fists, men's fists and their fingers, men's fingers and their nails, men's nails and the crowns of their heads, men's crowns and their trunks, men's trunks and their thighs, men's thighs and their knees, men's knees and their calves, men's calves and their feet, men's feet and their toes, men's toes and their nails. Their headless necks would sound in the air (?) like a bee flying to and fro on a day of fine weather.' Then said Ailill to his charioteer: 'Bring me the sword that cuts (men's) flesh. I swear the oath of my people that, if its condition be worse with you today than on 17 234 TÁIN BO CÚAILNGE [11. 4020-4055 the day I gave it to you on the hillside in the territory of Ulster, even though the men of Ireland were protecting you against me, they would not save you.' Then hia sword was given to Fergus and Ailill said: 'Take your sword. Though you may smite Ireland, a great warrior of her sons will fight at Gáirech . . . For honour's sake do not wreak your fierce anger on us in the presence of the chariot -fighters of Ulster . . .' 'Welcome, O hard blade, the sword of Leite! . . . My sword shall not inflict slaughter on you. I am a proud leader as I stand before the men of Ireland.' 'A pity that you should fall on a crowded (?) field of battle!' said Fergus to Ailill. That night Badb and Bé Néit and Némain shrieked above them at Gáirech and Irgáirech so that a hundred of their warriors fell dead of fright. That was not the most peaceful night for them. Then Fergus seized his weapons and turned towards the fighting, and holding his sword in both hands he cleared a passage for a hundred through the line of battle. Medb too, took up her weapons and rushed into battle. Thrice she was victorious until a phalanx of spears turned her back. 'I wonder,' said Conchobar to his people, 'who is it who is victorious in the fight against us in the north. Do ye stay here in the battle until I go against him.' 'We shall hold the spot where we now stand,' said the warriors, 'but unless the ground quakes beneath us or the heavens fall down on us, we shall not flee from here.' Then Conchobar went to meet Fergus. He raised against him his shield, the Óchaín, which had four golden points and four coverings of gold. Fergus struck three blows on it but not even the rim of the shield above his head touched Conchobar. 'Who of the men of Ulster raises the shield (against me) V asketi Fergus. 'One who is better (than you),' said Conchobar. 'One who drove you into exile to dwell with wolves and foxes, one who today will hold you at bay in the presence of the men of Ireland by dint of Ins own prowess.' Thereupon Fergus, holding the sword in both hands, aimed a vengeful blow at Conchobar, and the point of the sword touched the ground behind him (as he swung it back). Cormac Con Loinges laid hands on him and grasped him by the arm. 11. 4056-4088] TRANSLATION 235 'That is harsh yet not harsh, friend Fergus,' said Cormac. 'That is cautious yet not over-cautious, friend Fergus. Friendship proves hostile. Behold your enemies, your friends have been destroyed. Wicked are these blows that you strike, friend Fergus.' 'Tell me,' said Fergus, 'whom shall I strike?' 'Strike the three hills above them. Turn your hand and strike on all sides of you. Heed them not (?). Remember the honour of the Ulstermen which has not been lost. It will not be lost unless it be through your fault today.' 'Go in some other direction, Conchobar,' said Cormac to his father. 'This man will no longer wreak his fierce anger here on the men of Ulster.' Fergus turned away. With his sword he slew a hundred warriors among the Ulstermen in his first onslaught, until he came face to face with Conall Cernach. 'Too great is that force which you exert against (your own) people and race, following a wanton woman as you do,' said Conall Cernach. 'What shall I do, O warrior?' asked Fergus. 'Strike the hills beyond them and the trees about them,' said Conall Cernach. Then Fergus smote the hills and with three blows struck off the (tops of the) three hills in Meath (now called) Máela Midi, the fiat-topped hills of Meath. CÚ Chulainn heard the blows which Fergus had struck on the hills, or (those he had struck) on the shield of Conchobar. 'Who strikes those great strong blows in the distance?' asked Cú Chulainn. 'Blood seals up the heart. Anger destroys the world. Quickly it loosens the dressings of my wounds.' Láeg answered saying: 'The finest of men strikes them, Fergus mac Róig, the dauntless, The (coming of the) hero Fergus mac Róig means wounds and increase of slaughter. The sword was hidden in the chariot-pole so that the cavalcade of my master Conchobar did not arrive at the great battle.' Then said Cú Chulainn: 'Quickly unfasten the hoops over my wounds. Men are covered in blood. Swords will be wielded. Men's lives will be ended.' Thereupon the dry wisps which plugged his wounds sprang out of him (and rose up) as high as a lark soars in the air, and the wooden hoops (túaga) sprang from him as far as Mag Túag in Connacht. They flew out of him in all directions. His wounds 236 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [H. 4089-1122 took violent effect on him and he struck the heads of the two handmaidens one against the other so that each of them was grey with tne brains of the other. —These handmaidens had been sent by Jledb to pretend to lament over him so that his wounds might break out afresh and to tell him that the Ulstermen had been defeated and that Fergus had fallen opposing them because Cú Chulainn had been unable to join the battle. —Then Cú Chulainn was distorted (with rage). The twenty-seven shirts which he used to wear going into battle, tied to him with ropes and cords, were now brought to him, and he took on his back his chariot with its framework and two wheels and went round the battle towards Fergus. 'Turn hither, master Fergus!' cried Cú Chulainn, but (though he said this) three times Fergus did not answer. 'I swear by the god by whom Ulstermen swear,' said Cú Chulainn, 'that I shall drub you as flax-heads (?) are beaten in a pool. I shall go over you as a tail goes over a cat. T shall smite you as a fond woman smites her son.' 'Who among the men of Ireland speaks to me thus?' said Fergus. 'Cú Chulainn mac Súaltaim, the son of Conchobar's sister,' said Cú Chulainn, 'and hold back from me now.' T have promised to do that,' said Fergus. 'Begone then,' said Cú Chulainn. T agree,' said Fergus, 'for you refused to encounter me when you were pierced with wounds.' So at that juncture Fergus and his division of three thousand went away. The men of Leinster and the men of Mu nster went away too, and nine divisions, those of Medb and of Ailill and of their seven sons, were left in the battle. It was midday when Cú Chulainn came to the battle. When the sun was sinking behind the trees in the wood, he overcame the last of the bands, and of the chariot there remained only a handful of the ribs of the framework and a handful of the shafts round the wheel. Then Cú Chulainn overtook Medb going from the battle-field. 'Spare me!' cried Medb. 'If I were to kill you, it would be only right for me,' said Cú Chulainn. But he spared her life then because he used not to kill women. He convoyed them west to Áth Lúain and across the ford too. He struck three blows of his sword upon the flagstone in Áth Lúain. They (i.e. the hills) are called Máelana Áth a Lúain. Now when they were finally routed Medb said to Fergus: 'Men and lesser men (?) meet here today, Fergus.' 11. 4123-4155] TRANSLATION 237 'That is what usually happens,' said Fergus, 'to a herd of horses led by a mare. Their substance is taken and carried off and guarded as they follow a women who has misled them.' In the morning after the battle the bull was taken away, and he met the bull Finnbennach in combat in the place now called Tarbga in Mag nAi.—Tarbga means Bull-sorrow or Bull-battle. — Roi Dedond was the former name of that hill. Everyone who had survived the battle now did nothing except to watch the two bulls fighting. Bricriu Nemthenga had been in the west convalescing after Fergus had fractured his skull with the chessmen. He came now with all the rest to watch the bulls' fight. In their violent struggle the two bulls trampled on Bricriu and so he died. That is the tragical death of Bricriu. The Donn Cúailnge's foot was impaled on the horn of the other bull. For a day and a night he did not draw his foot away, until Fergus urged him on and struck his hide with a rod. 'It was bad luck,' said Fergus, "that the belligerent old calf that was brought here and because of whom many now lie dead should dishonour his clan and lineage.' Thereupon Donn Cúailnge drew back his foot. His leg broke and his opponent's horn sprang out on to the mountain beside him. So Sliab nAdarca was afterwards the name of that place. He carried off the Finnbennach then for a day and a night's journey and plunged into the lake beside Crúachu, and he came out of it with the loin and shoulder blade and liver of his opponent on his horns. The hosts advanced then with intent to kill him, but Fergus did not allow it and insisted that he should go wherever he pleased. So then the bull made for his own land. As he came he drank a draught in Finnleithe and left there the shoulder-blade of his opponent. That land was afterwards called Finnleithe. He drank another draught at Áth Lúain and left the other bull's loin there. Hence the name Áth Lúain. At Iraird Cuillinn he bellowed so loudly that he was heard throughout the province. He drank again in Troma. There the liver of his opponent fell from his horns. Hence the name Troma. He went then to the place called Étan Tairb and rested his forehead against the hill at Áth Da Fherta. Hence the name Etan Tairb in Mag Muirthemne. Thereafter he travelled along Slige Midlúachra to Cuib—it was in Cuib he used to abide with the dry cows of Dáire—and there he pawed up the earth. Hence the place-name Gort mBúraig. Then he went on and died in Druim Tairb between Ulster and Uí Echách. That place is called Druim Tairb. 238 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE [H. 4156-4159 Ailill and Medb made peace with the Ulstermen and Cú Chulainn. ľor seven years after that no one was killed between them in Ireland. Finnabair remained with Cú Chulainn and the men of Connacht returned to their own land, while the Ulstermen went in triumph to Emain Macha. Finit. Amen. NOTES TO TEXT 4 co hAilill Thumeysen noted the anomaly of Aililľs sending messengers to himself. But the Ailill here referred to is no doubt Ailill Ardágach mac Mágach. He is mentioned with his brother Cet mac Mágach in Bruiden Da Chocae (his death is recorded there, Stokes's edition §61). The LL-compiler seems to have shared Thurneysen's opinion; for Ailill he substitutes Scannall mac Mágach. Anachronistically Ailill Ardágach is said in Cath Airtig (Best's edition §15) to have been killed by Conall Cernach and Scannall together with him: Dorochair Ailill Ardágach -] Scandal da mac Magach la Conall Cernach. 5 trícha cét la each n-de Lit. thirty hundred, but often used to denote merely a great number of fighting men. See F. J. Byrne, 'Tribes and Tribalism in Early Ireland', Ériu xxii 159fr*. where it is noted that the term was a conventional estimate of a tuath's whole population, but was applied secondarily to the sh'tagad or 'rising out'. Note, however, that some scribes of early texts took the term literally and further defined it as deich cét ar fichit cét (Táin 4244-5, 4259). In general I have translated it as 'a division' (of fighting men). 6 co Cormac Cond Longas Despite the soubriquet Cormac does not play a dominant role as leader of the exiled Ulstermen. Rather it is Fergus who is the important figure. In the LL- version messengers are sent to both Cormac and Fergus (Táin 155-6); in the Stowe version, which was influenced no doubt by Recension I, only Cormac and the dubloingea are summoned (162-3). Fergus, Cormac and Dubthach, the three who had guaranteed the safety of Meic Uisnig, were the three leaders of the exiled Ulstermen. cona thríb cétaib One would expect cona thríchait cét here, but W has also 'three hundred1. In two later passages in this text Fergus is said to have had 3,000 followers (infra 58, 175). In this passage in Recension II the exiles under Cormac and Fergus are said to number 3,000 {deich cét ar fichit cét a Hin Tain 156). In TBFlid. II in some verses enumerating the chiefs of Medb's army we get the lines Fuil ann Cormac Gonloingea j Tri deich cet ar n-a coimes (Celt. Rev. iii 120). Cf. also Tricha cet rop e lín na llongsi LL 34477 (Longes mac nUsnig); similarly in Aided Fergusa maic Róich (Death-Tales 32 §1). 8 hi Cruachnaib At T. F. O'Rahilly suggested that Gruachain may have been in origin a plural tribal name, as the dative Cruachnaib suggests. From a gen. pi. Cruachan (as in Ráth Cruachan) a new nominative Cruachu gen. Cruachan and Cruachna and dat. Gruachain was formed (EIHM 26 n. 2). 9 Tri luirg ... In Bruiden Da Chocae Cormac Cond Longas draws up his men as here in three bands (Diroine Cormac tri luirg de oc techt a Gruachain §8), and they number three hundred (tri cét laech i lin ib.). Stokes asserted that the triple division and the description of the bands (which is close in wording to the description here) were 'obviously imitated from Táin Bó Cualngi LL 55a-55b\ and Thurneysen agrees with Stokes (Heldensage 588). 240 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE Bruiden Da Chocae is preserved only in late MSS., but Thurneysen who attributes the extant version to the 13th century postulates a gth-century version of the tale. Its title is found in saga-lists A and B, and it is referred to by Cinaed Ó hArtacáin. So one might well take the opposite view and suggest that this passage in LU-TBC was influenced by an old version of Bruiden Da Chocae in the number 300 and in the wording of the descriptions. For a triple division of troops with a detailed description of their appearance and equipment compare the opening passage of Tochmarc Ferbe. The beginning of that tale is lost owing to a lacuna in the MS., but part of the second band's description and the whole of the third are given. Note that it is the hero of the tale, Maine Mórgor, who leads the third band as Cormac does here and in Bruiden Da Chocae (in irea buiden dana .i. in buiden i mbai Mani fodéin LL 33459). u fo thairinniuth This would seem to be the old vn. of do-airindi, but one would expect it to read oc tairinniuth, 'descending, falling', but fo th. here = 'fold, drape'. It has been generally taken as a scribal error for the common fo derointliud (as in 11. 13, 18) but it is strange that both Eg. 1782 and LL should have the same misreading. (LL reads ba tarniud). See Tain 158m 27 co n-imparrá This form has generally been taken as 1 sg. pres. subj. of imm-íoí, trans. See note by Sommerfelt, Ériu viii 126, who compares the form ara tintarrad Thes. II 314. I suggest that it may be 3 sg. pres. subj. intrans. here used without a reflexive pronoun. Cf. 3 sg. ar nachn-impairae Corm. Y 756, 'so that he may not turn round', with refloxive pronoun. There are many instances of imrn-soi, intrans., without reflo.xivo pronoun. Soo Contributions. deisel The right-hand course, the direction of the sun, was believed to be auspicious. 29 dosoi forsin carpat Dosoi is generally transitive. But cf. Toiforsna heochu infra 1338. I suggest that dosoi for means 'turns back'. In the Recension II equivalent of 1. 1338 for cúlu is inserted: Impá dún in carpat, a gillai, aria for cúlu Táin 1629-30, ... or ecu! Stowe 1672. 34 dipartaing Partaing is generally taken to be from Parthica, 'Parthian leather dyed scarlet'. See TBFr2 92m 37 claideb corthaire A weaver's beam. Generally claideb garmnae as in LU 7700 (TBDD). More explicitly in Recension II she is said to be weaving a fringe: Is amlaid boi ind ingen ic figi chorrthairi ^ claideb findruine ina láim dciss Táin 185-6, that is, weaving threads in a magical manner to enable her to prophesy the coming battle. See Stowe TBC 199m and Addendum. 39 Qaisced lasin n-ingin This is not in Recension II. One would not expect Feidelm to carry arms if she was also carrying a weaver's beam. Possibly this was an addition by some scribe who misunderstood claideb corthaire. 43 A hAlbain Following Dr. Knott (Irish Classical Poetry, p. 8) I have taken Alba here as = 'Albion' i.e. Britain, rather than in the later sense of 'Scotland'. iar foglaim filidechta The word filidecht is here used with its original meaning, the art of the fili, the seer or diviner. NOTES TO TEXT 241 44 imbass Jorosna 'divination which illuminates1. A detailed description of the practice of this rite is given by Cormac in his Glossary. See further EIHM 3391. 51 atá Conchobor ina chess The cess Ulad, also called cess noinden or noinden Ulad (later cess noideri), was a mysterious incapacity or torpor which at times afflicted the Ulstermen. There are two accounts of the origin of the cesSy one found only in a single MS (Harl. 5280) and which does not really give any clear explanation, the other in LL and later MSS. (A critical edition of the second from four late MSS. was published by V. Hull, Celtica viii 28-29). According to the second tale the cess was due to the curse of Macha, forced when pregnant to race against the king's horses. She prophesied that when the province was in its greatest danger the Ulster warriors would have only the strength of a woman in childbirth (nert mná siúil ba hed no bid la each Jer di Ultaib Jri saegal nónbair isind noe[n]den LL 14578-9). On the basis of this tale some scholars have suggested that the cess was a survival of the practice known as couvade. Recently Tomáš Ó Broin has dealt at length with cess noinden Ulad in Éigse x, xii, xiii, and has suggested that it is the remains of a seasonal fertility myth, here representing the death of winter decay and the spring rebirth (Éigse x 288). This theory would fit in well with the implication in Recension II TBC that the cess lasted from Samain until the beginning of Spring (Feb. 1). Recension I agrees with this when in the Breslech Maige Murthemni section we are told that Cú Chulainn had fought single-handed ón lúan iar Samain cosin cétaín iar n-imolg (infra 2138). Again in Sírrabad Sůaltaim (3434) he is said to have defended the province tri mísa gaimrid. There is also however in Recension I a suggestion that the attack of cess was intermittent. In a long passage denoted by the scribe as côrugud aile containing many roscada and obviously belonging to the oldest stratum of TBG we are told that Cú Chulainn goes to Conchobor to warn him of the enemy's attacks, but Conchobor tells him that the warning is useless and comes too late: Indiu tonánic ar tinorcuin in chitnae (1219-20), 'Today we have been smitten (by the cess) as before'. The H-interpolator later takes up the same point and borrows the word tinnorcain when he tries to explain how the Ulsterman Munremar can come to fight with Ců Roi. 'At this point the noinden Ulad came to an end. According as they awoke (from their, cess) a band of them kept attacking the (enemy) host until they were once more smitten (by their cess)1 infra 1629-30. It is mainly in TBC that we find reference to cess Ulad. But in the account of the death of Cú Chulainn, both the fragmentary LL- version and the modern tale Breisleach Mór Muighe Muirtheimhne tell us that Cú Chulainn was killed while the "Ulstermen lay prostrate in their cess, unable to defend him. (cf. LL 14096-7, Compert Con C. pp. 78, 87, 125). The word noinden which Stokes connected with Lat. nundinae (ACL ii 426) is generally taken to mean a nine-fold period. Cf. noinden Ulad quasi novem dies, ar is i re laithe nobitis iain cess O'Mulo. 835. The later cess noiden (which may perhaps have originated in a scribe's omission of the n- stroke, as e.g. LL 14579) may have helped to reinforce the couvade theory, noíden being taken as ^en. of noidiu> 'infant'. (For rejection of this point see Tomas ó Broin, Éigse xiii 165fr.). For -nd- > -d- see my note Éigse xvi 252. The cess noinden has generally been translated by 'debility* or 'affliction'. Thurneysen renders it 'der Schwachezustand der Ulter1 (Heldensage 359). 242 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE O'Curry (M & C II 319) talks of the Ulstermen rising 'from their enchanted gleep* (a rendering which I find appealing). Elsewhere he calls it 'torpor', 'lethargy'. Tomas ó Broin who translates it 'prostration' notes (Ěígse xii 110) that the verbs used in connection with cess denote an awakening or rising from a somnolent condition. (Note, however, that in is hé Conchobar rochan tretia chodlad infra 3903-4 the reference is not to the cess but tu 0 trance in which Conchobar chants a prophetic rose). For the meaning of 'torpor, sleep', cf. cess -\ auan (Teanga Bithnua) Ériu ii 112. In poetry in the later language ces naiden occurs with the meaning 'torpor', 'state of inactivity'. Beid sa?i eríchse i geeas naoidhean TD 20.27; Créad í an time nó an bhuige nó an mhéirtne [ ... [ nó an ceas naoin do bhios dá dtráochal Five Pol. Poems I 139. In a 17th-century poem by Fear Flatha O Gnóm the poet unrewarded by his patron is compared to the cuckoo which does not sing in the harsh winter weather. (No ornithologists, the so poets! They seem to think that the migratory cuckoo hibernates in this country). Thus: Ní thógaibh ceann is ní chán ceól | ó dhubhas dreach an aieór, and he speaks of ceas naoidhean an eóin annaimh | san aimsir fhuair iodh-lannaigh (L.C1.A.B. 164). The silence of the cuckoo is referred to again in a love-poem describing the beauty of a woman's hair (Dánta Gr.2 13.6): A tú ar do chéibh chleachtsholais j ealta chuach i gceas naoidhean. This has been elegantly translated by Robin Flower as 'Your golden locks close clinging j like bird-flocks of strange seeming J silent with no sweet singing.' The comparison of locks of hair with flocks of birds may sound bizarre. But it is of course impossible to bring out in English the play on the word?; cvach, 'a cuckoo' and cttach, 'a curling lock of hair, a ringlet'. 54 Fedelm, nominative = vocative. Again 58, 63. Contrast the fiist occurrence 48, A ŕeidelm. Similarly in Recension II: a Feidelm (Táin 204, 208, 213), but Feidelm when Medb's question and Feidelm 3 answer form a couplet. Thus: 'Feidelm ban/aid, cia facci ar slúag ľ 'Atchnt■■ ford erg forro, atchiu rúad.' (Táin 209-10, 214-5, 224-5, 230-31) This usage has been called 'the omission of the vocative particle1. But it is really nominative used for vocative. It is occasionally found in Mid.-Ir. in verse (metri gratia) or in a rose passage. An Old-Irish example occurs in the Irish Gospel of Thomas where we get Joseph §130 for a Ioseph. Seo Dr. Dillon, Serglige Con Culainn 337m and Thurneysen's note in ScM2 p. 27. Thurneysen implies the use of nominative for vocative when he takes at comsa mac Finchaíme frim §15.11 as meaning 'thou art a match for me, son of F.' and expands mc of the MS as mac not meic. In the same rose on which ho comments we get Fochen Conall §15.9 and again Fochen Get | Cet mac Mágoch §15.13-14, which I take to mean 'Hail, Conall', 'Hail, Cet, Cet mac Mágach'. In Serglige Con Culaind cf. also Fochen Labraid Lúathlám ar claideb (178, 192» 205, 213) and Fochen Cú Chulainn (646). Contrast with these Fochen a Chonaill chain Chuirc, the opening words of a rose LL 3700g. At the end of the present text a rose begins Comtrgid, rig Macha (3905, 3911), 'Arise, kings of M.\ but in Breslech Muige Muirtheme in LL we get Comtrgid, a jiru Herend (I3925)- For the use of nominative for vocative, but with the vocative particle, see note by Bergin, Ériu ix 92-4. NOTES TO TEXT 243 It seems probable that there was an omission here in LU's exemplar. In Recension II Conchobor, Celtchar and Eógan mac Durthacht are named here. Note that in the passage preceding the Macgnimrada these three are named in both recensions. 67-112 Thurneysen suggested that this H- interpolated poem may have been written in the space afforded by the erasure of a roscad which is what one would expect from Fedelm Banŕáith. This poem, is the only H- interpolation of LU which is also found in LL. Thurneysen noted that the LL- poem was closer in wording to the LU-version than to that of W (ZCP ix 431). 73 ßl fuidrech fora glinni I have taken the LL- reading and tentatively translated 'His spear-points are unsheathed'. O'Clery glosses fuidhreach as fodhérach .i. nochtadh. In the RIA Dictionary the W- reading is translated 'his jaw is stripped, laid bare (?).' This may be a reference to Cú Chulainn's distortion, but if so the first line of the next quatrain contradicts the idea. In the H 3.18 Glossary five lines of this poem are quoted, this being the first of them and fuidre not fuidrech is the form given: Fuidhre .i. ainm do lie oidhre, ut est Fil oidhre for a nglaine etc. (Ériu xiii 71 §123). This makes even less sense in the context. 84 Here W inserts a repetition of Medb's question Co accai ar sluagh? and Fedelm's answer, thus dividing the poem in two (ZCP ix 123). 89 Dá gáe bolga immosbeir The meaning given to the verb immbeir here in Contribb. is 'carries around1, with this the only example. (I note that Faraday translates 'Two gáe bolga he carries them'). But I suggest that imm-beir here is used with the reflexive pronoun, 'he attacks'. In Mid. Ir. the infixed pronoun -3- has spread and is often used for 3 s.m., particularly as a reflexive. Cf. dosléci Cú Chulaind riam (infra 869-70), noa ditin {infra 1946). In a prose equivalent of this line one would expect immosbeir forro. Cf. for the meaning of imm-beir + reflexive: rodn-imbeir form amal fôélaid etir chaircha TTr2 1433, and (with independent pronoun as reflexive) Bo imbretar iatfor[s\na sluagaib ib. 946. Thurneysen seemed to take the line as meaning that Cú Chulainn possessed two gáe bolga, reading dáy 'two', but there is no reference in the saga to more than one. Note how carefully is described in the Fer Diad episode of Recension II the procedure by which the one and only gáe bolga had to be retrieved from the victim's body. In Recension II the line reads A gáe bulga mar domber (Táin 256). Dá < dia is infrequent in this text. But in the BMMM episode we get is cumma imthescad dá scíath -j dá ěleig •} dá chlaideb (infra 2237). It is perhaps worth noting that in that part of LL-TBC corresponding to the LU portion dia and dá occur in about equal proportion. In the remainder of the LL-version dá predominates. 94 I have given the translation of LL here. 100 mani airlestar A modal use of preterite according to E. G. Quin (Hermathena cxvii 54). 114 For the marginal .r. before the list of place-names see my note Celtica x 146-8 and compare a similar use infra 2320 before a list of leaders slain by Cú Chulainn. 244 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE 116 for Cúil Sibrirme Better Cúil Silinne as in LL and in the alternative reading in W. Again infra 137 read hi Cúil Süinne. See Gwynn'a noto on Turloch Silinde MD III p. 547. In the prose dindshenchus of Loch mBlonac it is called Cúil Silinde a Maigh Ai (ib. 546). This was in Co. Roscommon (now Kilcooley) and is to be distinguished from Cúil Sibrinni 121, Cúil Sibrille 309, which is glossed by hand M as an old namo for Cennunnus or Kol Is, Co. Meath. The two places have been confusod in Hogun's Onomasticoti. 120—1 for Slechtai selgatar For the place and the derivation of iU name see the later passage infra 11. 305-8. The meaning is clearer hero in Recension II: for Šlechta conselgatar claidib ria Meidb -j Ailill Táin 287. by Šlechta which was cleared by swords for Medb's and Ailill's passage'. Con-relative + selgatar 3 pi. pret. of sligid. Cf. BDD2 912. 132-3 Ár ... Findabair This sentence is not in W and reads like a scribal comment. 143 Note the inclusion of Conall Cemach among the exiles. According to Cóir Anmann §281 Fiacha was son of Conall Cernach: Feabh inghen Choncho-bair maic Nessa bá ben do Chonall Cernach i -] rug mac do .i. Fiacha -] is eissidhe Fiacha mac Fir Feba. According to FB Conall's wife was Lendabnir ingen Eógain meic Durthacht (LU 8234). 1450 Flidais It is impossible to tell whether this interpolation means that H had knowledge of a version like Recension II (which here was influenced by TBFlid. II), or whether Recension II drew on another version known to H. The first explanation seems more likely. Soe supra n. 67-11 2. 148 in tricha cit Galión The Galióin were a Laginian tribe. See EIHM 92-95, 99. T. F. O'Rahilly always spells the name Gálioin. He notes that a few verse example show the vowel of the first syllable as long. But in LU-TBC (and in LL-TBC) it is never marked long. T. F. O'Rahilly suggests that Ga- and Qá were probably both in use. See also op. cit. 459-61. I note, also, in Recension II in a poem not represented in Recension I giall: Galinu. (gp.).' grian: Qalian (gp.) Tain 414-5, 422-3. 158 Ficfit fornd In RIA Dictionary this instance and ono other (doubtful) are given under feccaid (for) with the meaning 'turns (on or against)'. I take the meaning to be 'attacks'. Cf. imm-soi fo = 'attacks' and do-ella for id. Thus amsol fólhu Táin 804 = doella-som forsin macraid infra 450. (In a later passage we get feccaia forro aithirrach 3407, 'ho attacked them again'). The W- reading is fichfit for, 'they will prevail against, conquer.' 164 Ní maith a n-asbir This sentence has generally been taken by translators as spoken by Ailill. I attribute it to Fergus. La sanais on presents a difficulty if we take it as the beginning of Fergus's remarks. It was probably parenthetical. I am inclined to put it after ol Fergus and translate '(that was said) in a low voice', though the usual phrase is a sanais. Cf. sanais .%. cogar O'Cl. On the other hand if we read .i. la sanais on where it stands in both MSS., we might take sanais in the meaning of 'bad advice, instigation*. Thus: 'What you say is wrong, it is meant as instigation. Faraday mistranslates 'With this folk, said F. it shall not happen.' W. Krause discusses the phrase ZCP xxii 134-5, but does not offer any helpful solution. The suggested reading losin n-oís ón ní 'maricfe will hardly do. The preposition with imm-ric is do not la. Cf. BDD2 703 n. NOTES TO TEXT 245 190 Here we find marginal .r. before verses in a syllabic metre. But the poem, obscure in part, is a prophecy of evil to come, which is what we should oxpoct in a rose. For a short discussion of this poem see Táin Introd. pp. xxxiii-xxxiv. l93 Z'"1 Findbend Called Findbennach in the introductory section of Recension II, but not mentioned by name again in Recension I until the final battle between Finnbennach (4126) and Dond Cúailnge. In these two bulls were re-incarnated the two swineherds of the aid referred toll. 196-7. Finnb&nd Ai -] in Dond Cnalngi a n-anmand hi tan batar da iharb LL 32996-7. 196 lugbairt lacht Lit. 'the milk of the garden', here metaphorically u.sod for 'the blood of the battle-field'. 198 C rann jó-itech In RIA Dictionary the adjective is derived from jot, "a sod', and translated 'containing sods, earthy, turfy,' a meaning which does not seem appropriate here. I take the adjective to bo from/dť, 'watchfulness1. Cf. fatchias i jót Táin 400. The quatrain is repeated (infra 1160) where the reading is Oaibid Crón cúidech jríu, which I take to be for Cronn coidech, 'the riser C. lamenting*. Cf. caiteach 'a mourner' Eg. Gl. 185 = caíthech, ca i dech < cai. In the later passage C reads Granu jaoitioch, (-faoitheachfy, tlie adj. probably from jaíd, 'outcry', hence 'lamenting', or 'loud-voiced'. Or perhaps a misreading of Crann faitech which would mean 'the watchful river C i.e. watchful on behalf of the Ulstermen. O'Clery glosses jot as ji tit-each. 19B jriithii There are a few instances of this form of 3 pi. prep, with suihxod pronoun. See Thurn. Gramm, p. 515. ■2 1 o Dosjóbair thrá ind Némain Again in the BMMM passage: cordas jnenc hid Némain forsin tslóg (2084-5). The same expression occurs three times again in the later part of the tale in YBL, twice after a rose {as it occurs here after verses the equivalent of a rosc)t once where it seems out of place (3942-4). Némain or Nemam (the length of the first vowel varies but is always long in the LU- text) was the war-goddess, wife of Néid who was dia catha la ijcinti Goidcl (Corm. §965). The phraso seems to bo a figurative way of saying that the army was roused to battle-fury. It is generally followed by a description of forces thrown into confusion and a number of them dying of fright. It has usually been translated literally as 'the Némain (war-goddess) attacked them'. It might perhaps be rendered better by 'war-frenzy seized them.' As a common noun némain (némain) means 'battle-fury, frenzy*. Cf. rojhéch Suibhne suas iarum co ro lion nemain *) dobhar ~\ ddsacht Buile S. (Mod. and Mod. Series) §11-194, which in O'Clery's MS reads -} rolion nemain - ddsacht c. 211 la biiadris ind athig triana chotlud Meyer (Contribb.) gives the meaning 'disturbance' for buadris in this passage, but in his Addenda he quotes from a poem in berla na filed: doráis buadhris um thuil .i. do chonnac aisling am chodladh (ZCP v 448 §6) and gives the meaning Vision'. Aisling and biiadris (and brinna) are used meaning the mystic trance in which a poet or seer prophesies. In the latter part of the text in Recension II the words Biiadris Celtchair and so innossa (Táin 4127) are prefixed to a rose. In a similar context in the YBL version aisling is the word used. 246 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE ai 1-2 joscerdat inna buidne Meaning doubtful. The RIA Dictionary e.v.jo-ceird 11(b) gives the meaning of this sentence as 'form ranks' (no doubt taking the Y reading). But that does not seem appropriate here as they certainly break ranks in the next sentence. 228-9 co fórsed do Ultaib terchomrac sloig In RIA Dictionary it is suggested that this is past subj. of fo-reith. But the Y- reading co joirsed ■= co toirsed seems to be the correct one. Here we have a confusion of jo-ricc, ro-icc and do-airic. Compounds of -ice are often confused in Mid. Ir. Cf. for example co tairnic dö raind na muici Anecd. v 15 = co rrúnic dó mind na mmucci LL 13216. 231 is andam Gwynn (Hermathena 1933 p. 145) suggests the rendering 'Tis an empty country this way—what sort of road are we marching V, taking andam as sb. = 'an unfrequented place.' 256-7 Eirr -] Indell, Foich -\ Fochlam The marginal note in hand M suggests that the compiler had a version like that of LL (I ?) before him. This note is lacking in both Y and W. For a full discussion of these four men see Táin n. 604-627. 261 Lelgatár .i. lomraiset 'They licked, that is, they stripped bare'. Note the later form of the verb in the gloss in W. 284 jergindá I can make no sense of this. E. G. Quin suggests reading ferg i tá (nasalized t spelt d, Gramm. 147). The LL- reading of the couplet is Qostud ruirech, jer co ndáil 1 ras cuir óenfer dá ócnlúim (Táin 492-3), 'tho containment of chiefs, with their followers {jer co ndáil = co ndáil jer), one man cast it with one hand'. 294-7 ^n a n°te entitled 'The magic withe in Táin Bó Cúailnge1 (Ériu ix 159) Bergin corrects previous translators of this passage. I have of course rendered the sentence in LU according to Bergin's interpretation. The LL-version gives a similar meaning. Of „the withe Bergin says: 'I leave to folk-lorists the discussion of the magic writing, which cannot be held, but will escape and warn the writer if it be disregarded'. The Stowe paraphrase of the passage seems to give better sense . . . da rabsabair jo talmain no i ttig jo dunad, doghena guin duine dioph Ha ttrath erghi do lo imbarach (522-3). To get such a meaning LU would require too drastic an emendation: cia beithe i lláim dune . . . riefe inbar ndiaid in jer ro scrib in n-ogum etc. But the reading of LU and Y may be due to an early scribal error and the meaning may originally have been as in Stowe, that the writer of the ogam would rind and kill them even if they were imprisoned or locked up. Cf. a later passage where Cú Chulainn threatens the Cormacht physicians: 7 asbert nosmairjed-som uile cid jo thalmain no betis isin dúnad (3178—9 and similarly C 2284-5) = direct speech in Recension II: gid jo thalmain beit nó i tig jo iadad, is missi conáirgeba bás 1 éc -] aided jorro Táin 3637-8. 307 Is ar bias ón UY It is difficult to make sense of this. I have adopted the helpful emendation of E. G. Quin, Is ar[a]bia son. 315 Ni má lodmar . . . ná mertamar The syntax of n-á mertamar is difficult to explain. Are we to understand it as = ni ma mertamar. Stokes (Addenda to Subj. Mood p. 132) confesses himself unsure of the construction. NOTES TO TEXT 247 32 7a The long marginal note in hand M has been taken over by the Stowe compiler, but is not in the LL- version. 352-3 co ndcrcaiss One would expect co ndercastar, but the sentence is confused with and anticipates 1. 355. In U there is a full stop after ass, but punctuation in this MS is not always reliable. 362 ff. Recension II adds a fourth question (after the reference to L'onchobor): Dóig i una r tísed Cúscraid Mend. Madia mac Conchobair ó Inis Cúscraid Táin 701-2. 382 ff. Ni jairgéba-su etc. A similar passage is found in a eulogy of Uú Chulainn by Emer in Fled Bricrend (LU 8445-54) where it is preceded by the list of Cú Ghulainn's 'feats', and the whole passage marked by a marginal .r. See note Celtica x 146-7. 396 Ni ar ni son. All three MSS. have the same reading. I can only suggest that some such word as áirmide, áirmiihi, part, of necess. of ad-rimi, is to be understood after Ni. Cf. ní áirmithi ar ní Wb. 8CI3, 'it is not to be accounted as anything'. The equivalents in Recension II are Ni focclam-ne On, ar Fergus (Táin 736); Ni fior son, ar Fergus {Stowe 761). Or simply take tho U- reading to be the equivalent of Ni ni dom é, 'It is of no concern to me' ? 400 ocond Airgdig Pokorný suggested this reading (ZCP x 453) taking tho name to ho from arg, 'hero' -)- tech, i.e. 'hero-house'. LL has icon Airdig (Táin 739) but Stowe reads icon Airgthic (765). In Compert Conchobair (RC vi 177) the stone on which Conchobar was born is said to have been jri hAirgdhigh aniar. Cf. also Aircthech glossed nomen regionis, (the usual gloss on a place-name in the poem) Voyage of Bran p. 9, §120. 403 oc imbirt fidchille Fidchell, a board-game, which for convenience* sake I have translated 'chess' elsewhere. Taken in RIA Dictionary to be fid r ciall, 'wood-intelligence' (= W. gwyddbwyll). Meid has an interesting suggestion (TBFr.2 p. 29) that ciall here is O-Ir. ciall, 'trickery'. Cf. infra 1809 acht má dorónaid céill occai. For a discussion of fidchell see D. Greene, Ériu xvii 7; E. Mac White, Éigse v 26ff. 414 Dober indass fair Here LL reads Dobér-sa ardnies furri amne Táin 757 {f'-iri'i roforring of course to Emain). Indass would seem to be for indmus vn. of ind-midcthar. For the disappearance of aspirated -m- cf, loss of -&- in atbiur > atiur, nirbo > niro etc., and see Zimmer KZ xxviii 327—8. 422 Argunťis do All three MSS are corrupt here. For a suggested emendation see Stories from Tain3 Glossary. 428-34 There is no reference to a distortion at this point in Recension II. Zinuner believed that these lines were quite superfluous here and an obvious interpolation (KZ xxviii 485). The sentence Benaid jona maccu 435 follows naturally on from 1. 422. Note, however, that in the fight with Nad Crantail Cú Chulainn was distorted amal dorigni jrisna maccu i nEmain (infra 1478-9). Again the description of Cú Chulainn's distortion in the H-interpolation (infra 1651-7) seems completely out of place and may have been built by the interpolator on the sentence in Aided Nad Crantail. The tradition seems to have been that whenever Cú Chulainn got angry he was distorted. Cf. a passage in Scéla Chonchobuir LL 12537-42. 248 TÁIN BO CÚAILNGE 431—a combo móir beólu midchúaich The reading is . . . fidchóich, 'of a wooden bowl', in Y W. This would seem to be the stock phrase. Cf. in the description of the gigantic Goll mac Carbad: Samla beolo fidchuaich indara súil dó fria chind dianecktair LL 12636. 432 do-érig, synonymous with do-rig, 'lays bare'. 433 coa inairddriuch Cf. 2 airdrech Contribb. ? Some part of face ? Or the word inairddriuch may show the same formation as inchróes and mean 'that which is contained between the ribs'. O'Davoren 176 gives airdriu .i. esna ut est asoilg a beoil go airdriuch translated by Stokes 'his lips open as far as (his) rib'. In the Glossary in TCD H 3.18 we find ardrach A. e3nach ut est i Táin: a beóil co hardrach. Ardrach and esnach are collectives. In other passages referring to Cú Chulainn's distortion and in particular to the distortion of his lips we find an adverb co urtrachta; Bíastarda a bei co urihrachda Táin 2276; Eiastartha a bél co urtrachta infra 2259. Again in Fled Bricrend: Sia[ba]rthar co urtrachta im Choin Culaind LU 8880. Windisch would connect this word with airdrech, 'an apparition', hence co urtrachta, 'spectrally, fearsomely'. Thus the reading coa inairddriuch in LU and YBL, may be a scribal error for co urtrachda in their exemplar, or conversely co urtrachda which, it must be noted, occurs only in connection with distortion, may be a scribal misreading of coa airdriuch or coa inairddriuch. 433 a inchróes Generally translated 'gullet', but see note Celtica x 140—142, where I suggest the meaning 'inward parts'. 457—539 These episodes are not in Recension II. See Táin Introd. xxxiv-xxxv where I suggest that the passage has been added by some compiler. It will be noted how different in tone this passage is from the rest of the macgnimrada. In particular the style of Cath Eógain meic Derthacht with its short abrupt sentences is in sharp contrast to the description, for example, of Cú Chulainn taking up arms and riding in a chariot for the first time. In the short tale Do Fallsigud Tána Bó Cuailňge in LL 32879-32909, in an enumeration of the remscéla of the Táin, we get the following: Atberai dano is di remscelaib De Thecht Con Culaind do thaig Culaind Cherdda, De Gabail gascid do Choin Chulaind & dia did i carpat, Dia luid Cú Chulaínd do Emain Mocha cosna.maccu. Acht is i curp na Tána adfiadtar na tri sceóil dedencha-sa (32905-9). These are the three episodes of Recension II, though they do not occur there in exactly that order. 457—8 ní chotlad . . . co matain See note by E. G. Quin, Hermathena xcix 51 who suggests that co matain may be compared with co aidchi > caidchi, with negative '(n)ever'. He compares co fescor infra 735 = coidchi. 470 Aided na Maccraide This occurs three times as a title to an episode in this Recension; here and in an H-interpolation 1631, and finally in Breslech Mór Maige Murthemne 2153 which would seem to be its original place. 476 Conérget Ulaid imbi Against all MSS. readings I should like to suggest that the passage originally read Co n-éiget Ulaid imbi. Conérgim-se -\ Conchobar lais-seom, 'The Ulstermen raised a cry of alarm against him, but I and Conchobar stood by him.' It is easy to see how co n-éiget would be contaminated by the verb con-érig in the following two sentences. In a passage of NOTES TO TEXT 249 Tochmarc Étaíne occurs the sentence Conérget in tslúaig imón rig vir mélacht for r o LU 10911 which may well have been for Co-n-éiget.. . For the meaning 'stand by' in the second sentence cf. a passage in TBFr. After Fráech has skilfully cast back Ailill's spear and pierced his garments with it we get the sentence La ssiii cotéirget ind óic la Ailill (TBFr2 216-7), which I take to mean that the warriors rose up to defend him (against further attacks). 482 Eógan mac Durthacht Eógan is often represented as in a feud with Conchobar and the rest of the Ulstermen. Cf. LL 34455. 486 Hi fiadnaise Bricriu ucut This implies of course that Bricriu is actually present among the exiled Ulstermen as Fergus is speaking. Here the name is not declined. In the final part of TBC in YBL the gen. is Bricrend. 489 Fuiti Originally 'cold!', expressing a shiver, as in the well-known poem on Winter, but sometimes a blank interjection which like amael takes its colour from the context. Here it seems no more than an addition to the greeting Dia do betha. Dia do bethu\ Mod. Ir. Dé do bheathal or Sé do bheathal 'Welcome'. See Éigse x 96-102 where Professor R. A. Breathnach suggests that the phrase is dia — 'enough' followed by the partitivo, a common usage in chevilles in poetry. Cf. a similar use of lór. Betha then would be the shortened form of the dative. One would have expected an occasional instance of the dative form bethaid to occur. (Bethaid is the dative form which is used throughout TBC). One might also have expected to find the addition oiduit or duib occurring sometimes. The meaning 'Enough of life' i.e. 'Long life' would fit in well with the answer always given in current Irish Go mairir i bhfadl But this answer would equally well Buit the meaning 'May God be your life!' i.e. 'God preserve you!' or 'May God give you life!' Thus the phrase would be a juxtaposed subject and predicate with the verb (optative subjunctive) omitted, {corop) Dia do betha. Cf. the opening line of a poem Narab Dia do betha, a bháisl (Ériu viii 92). In Echtra Nerai the king of the sid says to Nera: Fo dia do betho assin galur hir-rabo! translated by Meyer 'Welcome alive from the sickness in which thou wert!' (RC x 222). Here we might take fo as the preposition rather than the adjective fó, 'good1. (But cf. Fiadha Ä. fo Dhía Ä. Dia maith O'Cl.). Thus the meaning would be 'May your life be under (the protection of) God!' i.e. predicate + subject with the verb corop omitted. An alternative explanation, if not too far-fetched, would be that the formula here was influenced by the common Fo chen\ Cf. a shortened form of the Echtra Nerai phrase which occurs in the tale Erchoitmed Ingine Gulidi. Gulide's daughter goes out to welcome Feidilmid mac Crimthainn and the men of Munster. Luid [ind inge?i] co riacht na slógu -\ atbert: Fo dia, a Feidilmid cot slogaib archena,' translated by Meyer 'Hail, O F., with thy hosts as well' (Hib. Min. 66 §6). Here Fo dia could well be replaced by Fo chen. (In a text from Rawl. B. 502 Meyer takes the sentence Dia ar a bethaid as = 'God preserve her life', and from it assumes Dia ar do bethaid as an alternative to Dia do betha. But in a footnote (ZCP ii 135) he acknowledges that he may have punctuated wrongly and that the sentence should read Is bennachda dún Dia ar a bethaid i.e. 'God be praised that she is still alive!'.) In the later language at any rate dia in the phrase was definitely felt to be Dia, 'God'. Note the plural Dia bar mbetha, a daltada inmaine (RC xxxv 205) where the force of 'Hail!' or 'Welcome' alone remains for the sentence 18 250 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE is spoken by Maelsuthain to the spirits of three of his dead pupils who have appeared to him. Similarly of course in the sentence quoted above Nárab Dia do betha, a bhúisl 'No welcome to you, O Death'. That a Christian greeting should occur in the early pagan tale of TBC need cause no surprise. A monkish scribe might well inadvertently substituto it for some such phrase as Mo chen, Fo chen in his exemplar. So a 14th-century poet, Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh, writing of an episode in the mythical Second Battle of Moytura makes the doorkeeper of Tara invite Lugh to enter with the words: Tair san dúnadh. Dia do belhal 'Entor the fortress. Welcome!' (Irish Bardic poetry 17 §45). 501 La sodain fónérig Y reads faneraig. Possibly the U-reading is a scribal error (with /d-for fa-) for fanópair. Cf. infra fanópair-som 518 and fónópair 575. It is suggested (Stories from Tain3 Glossary) that fo-irig means 'rises to attack'. See RIA Dictionary s.v. 525 Ní bi nóenden . . . This would seem to bo a direct quotation from the tale Noinden Ulad: Ni biid trd in ces-sa for rnndib -\ macaib, -\ for Coin Culand ar nirbo do Ullaib do, nach for each óen no-biid frisin erích anechtair Celtics viii 29.65-6. 528-9 -j ane . . . garséle This sentence which is not in Y reads like a scribal addition. 532 Here U alone reads doiagat. Again infra 1017. In both instances Y reads dothiagad. One would expect the verb do-tit here. Cf. Tancaisiu fon egim IT i 101.24; Éighthi in muccid co tánic túath in dá Maine fae BDD2 210. T. F. O'Rahilly, quoting from a conversation with Bergiu, says that tho form doiagat is due to the influence of tiagat which owing to its original t-looked as if it were a compound of do- (Hermathena 1926 164). Might the U-spelling indicate that -th- had become -h- and was omitted 1 Thus in the present text we find dorissi 661, arisi 2511, i.e. -th- > h is omitted. Cf. dothoel ina frithlurg afrihisi Trip.2 412. In the present text we also find afrithisi 1341, aridisi 685, this spelling where -d- alternates with -th- showing that -th- was not always pronounced -h-, 559 co mbítía tomochta The use of the substantive verb here is remarkable. See Bergin, Ériu xii 226. I note that in Stories from Táin3 tho phraso is altered to comtis iornocht. 561-2 Asbert-side in [n]-etarbiad a gnimu acht Used do co des ferdatad In Stories from Táin3 the readings taken are ... a ngnimau . . . dóib, and in the Glossary s.v. 'etar-bi (or etar-bent)' the translation given is 'whether there would be a distinction between their deeds provided they reached manhood'. In the context this does not make very good sense; Conchobor is amazed at the little boy's prowess in games and must be referring to him rather than to his playmates. The compiler of Recension II certainly took Conchobor's words to refer to Cú Chulainn: Amae a ócu, bar Conchobor, mo chin tir aaa tánic in mac bee atchld dá mbetis na gnimu óclachais aice feib alál na macgnima. Ni comdas a rád, ar Fergus. Feib aire in mac bee atrésat a gnimu óclachais his Táin 843-6, 'Ah my warriors, said Conchobor, happy is the land from which came the little boy ye see if his manly deeds were to be like his boyish exploits. It is not right to speak thus, said Fergus, for as the little NOTES TO TEXT 251 boy grows, so also will his deeds of manhood increase with him*. Stowe has a similar passage (876-9). I Bhould therefore read ... a gnimu . .. dó. See note by M. A. O'Brien, Erin xi 161-2, who reads as I do and translates 'He asked would there be something corresponding to his present deeds when he reached manhood.' 573 a hEspáin dosfucad This has been taken as a scribal interpolation here. It may well have been a footnote copied into the text. Here -a- (if not Mid. Ir. eztension of -s- to all genders), has a relative function, but no relative would be required in such a sentence in early Mid. Ir. 578 bunsaid the reading of LTJ here is noteworthy. Again infra mullaid 1360 for mullaig. Confusion between -d slender and -g slender begins in the 12th century. See Hermathena xx 192. 585-6 Mad iar n-arailiu [sticht] . . . Mad iar n-arailib supra 303 and Mád iar n-araili sticht infra 873. See Zimmer, KZ xxviii 489 and note by E. G. Quin, Studia Coltica ii 95. Note that for this passage Recension II combines both versions of the killing. The boy cast the ball into the hound's gaping jaws and then seized him and dashed him to pieces against a standing-stone (Táin 881-5). 594a The marginal note in hand M does not agree with the account of the three hounds in Conganchnes*s brain given in Aided Cheltchair (Death Tales p. 28 §11). There is also a discrepancy in the age attributed to Cú Chulainn in this note., hi cind a secht mbliadna. Cf. 605 amdar lána a sé bliadna. So too in Kocension II: i cind sé mbliadan arna brith Táin 916. 602 For ass here Vendryes suggests reading acht and translates 'unless I do not consider them visible i.e. worthy of being seen' Ériu xvi 2 if. 618 Cia dorinchoisc sen duit Do-inchoisc trans, means 'instructs, teaches*, often 'instructs in druidic art.' Cf. note on tecosc Éigse xi 214-5. But do-inchoisc sén, (ainšén) do x = 'prophesies good fortune (ill fortune) for x\ In the tale Longes Chonaill Chuirc, Core is banished to Scotland by Crimthan mac Fidaig with a secret ogam writing on his shield asking that he be put to death. His friend Gruibne changes the instructions on the shield and says: Cia rot lessaigestar, or se, cossind ogumsa fit it scíath ? Nip sen dorinchossig (LL 37024-5), translated by V. Hull 'It was not good fortune that it indicated', with footnote 'lit. that it has instructed' (PMLA 56.1941). 'It boded you ill* might perhaps give a closer rendering, lit. 'It was not good fortune that it foretold1. 624 Falloing-side immorro éseom In Stories from Táin3 (p. 11) this is emended to F-a-lloing-som side immurgu. Similar emendations for 11. 651-2. 631 Nach tussu ém donarchossaig ... In Stowe TBC this passage reads Nach tusa do t[h]eagaisc sén dó ? (986-7) and Cú Chulainn says Is é do t[h]egaisc sen dam-sa (990). 633 Cid dochana duit in brie do imbirt form Note the W-reading in mbréig. This older syntactical construction, with the accusative governed by the main verb + dative of verbal noun preceded by do, is not uncommon in Mid. Ir., as e.g. Bo triall-som dano in n-áes ndána do marbad SC 836. See Celtica viii 164. 252 TÁIN BO CÚAILNGE 639 animgnaid In Stories from T á in3 it is suggested this is a corruption of anetargnaid. In RIA Contributions the meaning given for ainclargnaid is 'unrecognized, unknown, strange', but like ingnad it may be a eulogistic term 'wonderful, remarkable', with an- an intensive prefix, not a negative. The -] for et with stroke overhead for -cit- might easily be read as -im-. 655-6 It cóema na heich Takan by translators as said by Cú Chulamn. Obviously it is Ibor who implies that now that the boy has seen how fine the horses are, he should alight. But see infra note on cáem 1754- Could 'small' rather than cáem 'fine' possibly be the meaning intended here ? 663 indaig brot forsin n-echraid The same use of ind-aig brot, 'ply the goad' occurs again infra 776. The commoner phrase is aigid brot, or saigid brot. Cf. Saig brot dún forsin n-echraid Táin n 52; Saigis Láeg brot forin n-echraid LL 12585 (Aided Guill -\ Gairb) and aig brot forin n-echraid ib. 12742, 12807. In the Fer Diad episode we get ic indsaidi brot forsin n-echraid 2971 = ic indsaige broit . . . 727-8 tollem écraite fris 'to show yourself unfriendly to him'. In Stories from Táin3 Strachan in the Glossary s.v. tuillem translates this 'to incur enmity (i.e. from the Ulstermen by slaying Cú Chulainn).' But as the W- reading shows the idiom here is tuillem écraite fri nech = 'to incur someone's enmity'. The word fris is essential to give the meaning. Cf. Nirb áil don rig -\ don rigain cosa tancaibair tuliem ecraitifrib LU 8978-80 (FB), 'to show themselves unfriendly to you.' The genitive is sometimes used instead of/ri in such sentences, so it is possible that the U- reading was originally tollem a écraite. Cf. chum gan a dhiomdha do thuilleadh Stapleton 119. {diomdha = di -\- buide, so this is the opposite of tuillem buide, for which see ZCP xviii 206-12). 738 lám deóraid See note by Vernam Hull (ZCP xvii 70-71) who takes lám deóraid to be a proverbial expression meaning 'death, destruction1. 779 Slaittius . . . dammainti Strachan (ZCP ii 485) takes the affixed pronoun of slaittius to refer to the horses and that of dammainti to refer to the deer. I have followed his translation. I suggest, however, that there may be some doubt. The scribe may have misread Slaitti sethnón ... or we may have here an early instance of confusion of affixed pronouns. Cú Chulainn is not in the chariot. He has dismounted to catch the deer, and lashing the horses to a gallop would not tame the deer. If we take the sentence cumrigis ... as preceding this one it would make sense of Strachan's rendering. 787 Tria tháithbémmend ... In Aided Aenfir Aife the boy Conla brings birds down alive with stones from his sling: dosleged tathbem forsna heonu congebead na airberthe dib it e beoa, conda leiged uad isinn aer doridisi Eriu i 114 §2. Again in Seirgligi Con Culaind, Cú Chulainn brings down birds. but in this instance not with slingstones but with his sword: ataig táithbéim dia chlaidiub dóib (SC 49). Then he distributes the birds among the womenfolk. One may conclude that the birds were alive and that the women coveted them as pets. Cf. Medb's petta eóin. 804 ardáilfe fail laiss each dune Again 809 ardáilfe fuil Urn each dein where only C has the reading Hum. (The editors of YBL- TBC dn not take NOTES TO TEXT 253 the verb as impersonal and suggest reading ardáliub in the second occurrence). Here arddili is used impersonally with fuil accusative and the preposition la denoting the agent who sheds the blood. In the equivalent passage in Recension III the verb feraid is used impersonally and the preposition oc denotes the agent: ferfaidh cru dar cuiged Conchobuir anocht aigi ZCP viii 538.14. Cf supra 309 ferais snechta mór forru, lit. 'it poured great snow on them*, snechta accusative, i.e. 'it snowed heavily on them.' Other instances of a transitive verb used impersonally with la for agent occur again in no tróistfed lais in cloich fria cend (970), 'he would throw the stone at her head'; Is and romemaid lais forin mbuidin (4111-2). With these examples cf. nimirchói nach g čin {— céin) libsiWb. 7a 11, translated'I shall not be delayed with you for any long time' (but I take libsi to mean 'by you'). For a discussion of the usage see Vendryes, Sur l'emploi impersonnel du verbe, Celtica iii 193-4. See also Pedersen VG ü 310-11. 806 clár cli Here a geis, but sometimes a challenge to battle. See infra 1341. 808 The form toingthe in U is a corruption of toingte the regular 3 pi. relative form, which we find supra 794-5. 815 focherdat i ndabaig n-úarusci Cf. similar passages in Seirglige Con Culaind LU 3793-5 and in Brislech Mór Maige Murthemni LL 13763-8. 823 nipo machdad . . . See Prof. B. G. Quin's article on the Irish Modal Preterite, Hermathena cxvii 45-62. cia chonbósad-saide I have adopted Strachan's emendation. Should we perhaps read cia chonbósa[d]-ide^ I have taken notragad (U Y) nodragad (W) as an early instance of substitution of conditional with infixed pronoun for imperfect subjunctive. Téit for ~ 'attacks' (Contribb.) but perhaps = 'overcomes'. Cf. érgid for hUltul ZCP X 318 z. If we omitted cia before notragad, the use of conditional might be explained. Thurneysen quotes an instance of subj. with cia co-ordinated with an indicative without cia. Cia beid (subj.) Crist indib-si et is (indie) bco ind anim tri sodin Wb, 4a6. Strachan suggested 'an idiomatic use of trdgid, exhausts, ebbs' (reading no trágad), but no other instance of trágid for is recorded. 831 One would expect the sentence Lingid Fergus darsin n-omnai ina charput to come here. In all versions of Recension I it comes after the interpolated Aided Fraich. I take it that the sentence was delayed by the interpolation of that episode. There would be no point in Medb's request Discart din in n-écin fil fornd etc. unless they were in difficulty about leaping across the felled tree. On the other hand the interpolation is clumsy, for their predicament is the felled tree which prevents the advance of the army, but killing Cú Chulainn which is what Fráech is asked to do and attempts to do is not the help needed. For a full discussion of the Aided Fraich episode see Professor James Carney, Studies in Ir. Lit. and History pp. 66-76. Cf. also Táin Introd. pp. xxix—xxxi. 856 for colaind Fraich meic Idaid In the three other MSS. . . . maic Fidaid, See note on the name TBFr2 2. 864 cuitbiud, 'mockery' > cause for mockery or derision, hence 'disgrace, shame'. Used in this sense by the H-interpolator here and again 1549, 1971- Again in hand H in TBFlid. LU 1604. In hand M in the present 254 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE text the word is used with the usual meaning 'mockery' (infra 1899-1900,). In FM iv 934.11 we get f o mhéla f cuitbhedh. 868 Aided Órláirn Órlám mac Ailella is loved by Dartaid daughter of Eochu Bee, and brings her cows to help in the cattle-raid of Cúailngo (TBDar-tadalTii2 194). 869-70 Dosléci Cú Ghulaind riam The translation suggested in the Contributions is 'lets them go before him (?)' which hardly suits the context. The equivalent sentence in Recension II is the exact opposite in meaning. Luid Cú Ghulaind riam remain rempu Táin 1219. Zimmer translates the LU sentence as 'C.C. macht sich vorher'. I take -s- here to be 3 s.m. reflexive pronoun, a Mid. Ir. usage, and the meaning to be 'he goes forward.' Compare in a later passage fosfóbair ina charpat remi 3323 = tdinic reme tri Idr f er ňHérend Táin 3805. In Tochmaro Emere when Cú Chulainn is angered by Bricriu: Nos bertaigend co ráemid in cholcid boífoí LU 10478 [H]. Contrast in Recension II the description of Dáire's gratification: Sa mberlaig co r aim-detar úammand a cholelhech fal Táin g8. 906 brisfed = no brisfed. Note do replacing no in Y. 910 For the reading an tri n-araid see note by Bergin, Ériu xi 147. 911 dá macdalta ind rig This refers to Eirr and Inell (supra 256-7). Note that no reference is made to their charioteers who were killed with them. Similarly in Recension II only the two sons of Nera are mentioned here. 913 Bentatar... Again 927. An analogical formation based on bertatar. Thus berim: bertatar; benim; bentatar. 918-9 ni fir trd . . . cen chinaid Omitted in W. It is hard to see any reason for killing the charioteer at this point. Possibly it was because he had dropped Órlám's head from his back as he neared the fort (902), but this seems inadequate. Note that Cú Chulainn also killed the throe charioteers of meio Gárach, probably because he had been attacked by six men at once. Again when he kills Cuillius, the charioteer of Ailill, it was probably because he had taken Fergus's sword. 932 Ni ma lodsaid dó This is the reading of C only; the other MSS. read Ba mad lodsaid. Cf. infra 981 Ni ma lodsaid dó. It is of course possible that Ba mad lodsaid used ironically is here the correct reading. 938 toingthe See supra n. 808. Here one might have expected the singular form with túath as supra 736: Tongu do dia toinges mo thúalh. 939 Tail ass . . . dund 'Come on ... I beg you' Dúnd ethical dative as often used courteously with imperative. Cf. Airisiu sein innocht dun infra 2178. I take the spelling tdet to be a mere scribal slip. I note that in a later passage where U Y W all read Tail ass (infra 1210) C again spells as Taot. This passage is quoted in Contribb. as an impersonal construction 3 s. ipv. with do of person, and translated 'let us set out'. 947 Dagéini .i. tic In Scél Baili Binnbérlaig where the 16c. MS. H 3.18 reads Tainic infer atuaigh dia torrachtain (MS. Mat. p. 472), Harl. 5280 has Dogene an uir [Latin loanword] atuaid dia torrachtain (RC xiii 221.10). The NOTES TO TEXT 255 Harleian text contains besides loanwords borrowings from Berla na Filed. In LU 10996 Ethe \_.i. dognither M] lasin óclaic[h], etha = itum est, translated by Meyer, Voyage of Bran. I 52, 'They went with the warrior'. Cf. the later use of do-gni = 'goes'. 947-8 Anais cadessin . . . Faraday translated 'He waited himself to meet C.C' Cadesin here is an intensive or emphatic word, re-inforcing both subject and verb. Ailill has just ordered the army to travel in haste on to Cúailnge in order to avoid further bloodshed. But Lethan disregards the order. The full force of Anais cadessin . . . here is 'He actually stood his ground and waited to encounter C.C In other instances of cadessin in the present text the English rendering might be 'moreover, too', or colloquially 'into the bargain'. See infra 1733, 3787. Another instance Baí bráthair laiss, Long mac Ebonis cadessin (infra 1878) = Bai bráthair laiss .i. Long mac E. Cf. semi-archaic English 'even' = 'to wit, namely'. In current Irish féin might replace cadessin in such a sentence. L. mac E. fein, 'none other than L. mac E.' Cadessin is generally equated with fadessin. Pedersen (VG ii 153) analysed as cid 4- pronoun + demonstrative. But Professor David Greene points out the objections to this analysis in his note on fa-dessin Ériu xxi 93-4. He adds, however, that 'the otherwise inexplicable ca- may have arisen from the influence of cid eseom, "even he".' Cadessin sometimes seems to retain the force of such a phrase. The sentence Anais cadessin . . . might have been Cid éseom (or Cid Lethan) anais ara chend. There seems no doubt that cadessin, cadéin, céin are analogical formations based on fadessin, fadtin, fein. (Sin enclitic with personal pronouns is, as Professor Greene pointed out, never found in O.Ir. But late instances of cid esen, cid isen occur in Stowe TBC 3971, 3990 = cid hlside in the older LL- version, Táin 4007, 4030). Cadessin, emphatic, is always postfixed or parenthetical; cid éseom, cit iat-side etc. generally prefixed or parenthetical. But cf. Bagat-sa ara chind cid me LL 33066. Is it possible that cadessin comes from cid f essin 1 Cf. ní comalnatsom cid feissne recht gl. neque enim qui circumeiduntur legem custodiunt Wb. 20c 22. This is translated 'even they themselves fulfil not the law'. I should omit 'themselves'; cid feissne is adequately rendered by 'even'. In the 1827 edition of the Pauline epistles the reading is Óir an dream sin féin atá timchill-ghearrlha ní choimhéuduid siad an reacht, where féin = 'even'. Again torand hi freendaire indib cadesin Sg. 150^2 is translated 'a signification in the present in them themselves'. I suggest omitting 'themselves' and adding 'too'. Ataat tuisil indib cadésin Sg. i88a2 I should render 'there are cases in them also'. In Immram Curaig Maíle Duin, the voyagers come to an island whose inhabitants cease not from weeping. One of the crew lands -\ gabais coi Zed. Two more go to bring him back and fecsit cadesne for col, 'they too fell to weeping' (LU 1773). 954 forrumai for fosruma, the Y reading. 955 Allechtu = the Fury Allecto Thurneysen thought that identification of the Mórrígan with Allecto showed a direct acquaintance with Aeneid vii 323í. But Gerard Murphy noted (Éigse viii 157 n.4) that Allecto is also mentioned in a Mid. Ir. gloss on A mra Choluim Chille and that in an eleventh-century Anglo-Saxon glossary she is identified with the Valkyrie. He suggests 256 TÁIN BÖ CÚAILNGE that such identification was probably a mere commonplace in the Irish and Anglo-Saxon schools and in no way denoted direct borrowing. in Mórrígan {Mórrigan MS.) In LL the form is Mórrigu; Stowe agrees with Recension I and both forms are found in Recension III. The oldest instance is in the Vatican MS. Regina 215 where lamia monstrum in feminae figura is glossed morigain (with one -r- as later in this text 1. 1845). The first element mor- is said to be cognate with OHG ?nara and AS. maere (the second element in Eng, nightmare, Fr. cauchemar). See KZ xxxviii 468. Folk-etymology changed mor- to mór-. 957-62 Wolfgang Krause has given a tentative German translation of this passage in ZCP xxiii. In Y I. (i.e. laid) is prefixed to this rose. In Recension III it is called roscad and is said to be a prophecy of his death to Donn Cúailnge: Da ghabh aga faisntia -j aga innisinn dó go muirfidhe é ar tanaidh -j do rinne in rosgadh sa ann (ZCP viii 541.7-8). 976 Sraiihus di c[h]loich Lit. 'He pelted her with a stone', i.e. 'He threw a stone at her1. For the form srai beside the regular s-preterite sréia see Eriu xviii 92. Like do-bidci aréid (sreid) is used in the sense of 'casts, hurls' as in Srethait cethri got deac i n-óenfecht fair infra 1945-6 as well as with the meaning 'pelts, shoots ať, with object of the person or thing cast at and de, di for the missile; araithe din chertgai 1504. It may be noted that in this text when sreid is used with the meaning 'casts, flings' it sometimes has an anticipatory infixed pronoun: sréthi in n-id . . . isin n-abaind (711), 'he cast (it) the withe into the river1. 1000 Conéracht Glaiss Chruind friu Thurneysen has compared this rising of the river to impede the army to a passage in the Iliad where the Scamander rises against Achilles (Heldensage 96, ZCP x 207-8). This might be taken as an incident common to early heroic literature, but, as Professor W. B. Stanford acutely notes (PRIA 70 c 3, p. 32 n. 68), such sudden flooding of rivers is not known in Ireland but was common in Mediterranean rivers. On the other hand, may not such river-floods have been common in Ireland at a very early period and the memory of them preserved in tradition ? Recension II makes no definite mention of these floods, merely noting that the army tried to cross Glais Chruind and failed, and that the river swept a hundred chariots off to sea (Táin 1349-52). 1003 gabais liic móir Lia is generally masculine. But cf. oc Liac Mór supra 945 and ic Líic Móir Táin 1270. This may merely be an instance of a feminine adjective used with accusative of a masculine noun, for which see M. A. O'Brien, Celtica ii 346; iv 102. 1011-2 1 ro Jer Juire n-imnaise Meaning obscure. RIA Dictionary quotes a gloss Juire A. bran (KZ xxxiii 83). W. Krause suggested reading Juiri ace. of Juire 'furia' (ZCP xxii 142). Possibly we have here another instance of a scribe's deliberate choice of archaic obsolete words. Cf. supra 947- 1012 Atbath cit n-ánrod friss rind rig Meaning of rind rig is obscure. Recension III here reads -] marbhais cetfer n-armach n-innrigtha dib im JRaen -] im Hi (-]) im dha hsenchaidh na tana, gurab ed sin rue tain arnugha -\ ar iaradh in fad ro boi (ZCP viii 543.19-21). A possible emendation of the Recension I reading might be Atbath cit n-ánrod n-inríge frias. NOTES TO TEXT 257 1030-1234 This córugud aile is something more than what the Bcribe denotes elsewhere as sticht sain. It gives a long series of roscada which obviously date from the oldest tradition of the Táin. But the framework in which these roscada are set has obviously been devised by some compiler. In part it is a re-telling of incidents which occur elsewhere in the tale. But it also contains matter not found in the other recensions. 1033-4 ^n tne division of the cattle-prey there is an echo of a passage in Táin Bó Regamain (or may it be that TBReg. echoes this passage of TBC ?). Maine Mórgor, driving off the cattle of Regamon to the help of Ailill and Medb, says: Bandtar in almu sa i ndé . . , 1 in slog, is romor for aenchae uile iad IT II2 229. That is the YBL- reading; that of Eg. 1782 is closer in wording to TBC: 1 rantar in cetra, ar ni rucfiter ar oenchoe (ib.). There is here a repetition of the derivation of the place-name Bernaa Bó nJJlad (— the earlier and more lucidly explained Bernas Bó Cúailnge 1007-10). 1039 ff. This account of the stealing of Fergus's sword shows some discrepancy. Cf. the references to the same incident in Aided Etarcomail and Comrac Fergusa where it is implied that Ailill, not his charioteer, had taken the sword. See Táin Introd. pp. 1-li. 1069-73 In Indo-Celtica, Gedächtnisschrift für Alf Sommerfeit pp. 35-6 Dr. Binchy has given for this passage a text based on the four MSS. of TBC I, marking the separate rhythms and giving an annotated translation. He has very kindly given me permission to use his translation of this rose. For the rest of the passage 1075^. I have given my own inadequate and tentative rendering. 1160-3 This is a repetition of a quatrain chanted by Dubthach in an earlier passage (198-201), or Dubthach's quatrain is a repetition of this passage. Thurneysen, who attributes the whole section called córugud aile to B, says that this quatrain has been taken over from an earlier A-passage (Heldensage 150 n.2). 1170-4 Cú Chulainn's welcome to Lugaid is couched in the same terms as his welcome to Fergus in a later passage (which Thurneysen assigns to A). This greeting was a set formula; we find it twice more, 1312-6 and in Comrac Fir Diad 2728-31. In translating alailiu, arailiu as 'or else1 I have adopted the brilliant suggestion of E. Gordon Quin (Studia Celtica ii 93-5). Quin would render it as 'You shall have a goose and a half. Alternatively if fish swim' etc. For this usage see Gramm, p. 239 and Bergin's note Ériu xiv 29. The punctuation of LU with full stop after both alailiu and arailiu may be disregarded; it merely indicates that the scribe no longer understood the meaning of the dat. sg. arailiu. One might have expected an early copyist to substitute nó for arailiu; against this would be the fact that the form occurred in a stock phrase. In the later language the usage was certainly not understood. Thus in the late version of the Comrac Fir Diad tale in Franciscan MS. 16 (Thur-neysen's Version IV), the passage reads: da ttaighle liath léna an magh rod-biasa caghan go leth -j da ttaighle iasg an inmhear rodbhiasa eigne go leih -j biaidh aroile dom bioluir etc. (ZCP x 280.10-12). Best edited to ... eigne go leth aroile -] dorn etc. but the misplacement of aroile shows the scribe's uncertainty and his attempt to emend the phrase as it probably Btood in his original. 258 TAUST BÓ CÚAILNGE « t. !l l íl ií j - * 1171—4 gass fochluchta Again infra 1314. F ochladit is the edible sea-weed known as laver. Plunkett gives the form j'ochladí s.v. laver. The go-called 'laver-breaď, a delicacy peculiar as far as I know to the South Wales sea-ports, is made from this plant. Fochlacht occurs several times in guile Suibne, always in association with biorar, 'watercress'. In Fealsúnacht Aodha Mhio Dhomhnaill we get falacht 'water-parsley'. Falacht is maith an luibh í so Una bruith air uisge ^ asúdeeol 1303 § 38. 1187-90 Cf. another passage 1550—1 in an interpolation where reference is also made to Cú Chulainn's being provisioned by the enemy. In Recension II there is no mention of food supplied to Cú Chulainn, but in Recension III one of the terms of peace offered him is A biaihad -\ a eided in fad bheas ar tánaidh (ZCP viii 547). Peculiar to this passage in Recension I is the limitation of the truce to Fergus's force, to the physicians and to Aililľs men when joined to those of Fergus. 1210 Tait ass do Chúil Airthir I take tait as 2 pi. imperative of do-tct, and these words to be part of Fergus's speech. Other translators read as f lit ass . . . ('He goes thence to C.A.' Faraday). The following episode Ecmaic ... Áih Duirn (1211-27) interrupts the narrative and is inserted before we are told that they reached Cúil Airthir (1228). 1214-5 This is the same warning as that which Súaltaim takes to C'on-chobor in the later part of the tale. 1219-20 These words of Conchobor seem to imply that the cess was an intermittent affliction. 1227—8 The C- reading niro ansatar gives better sense. At some period a scribe must have read the n- stroke as being over -s-, and taken it as -acht-. 1256 oc escaid For etymology of escaid see note by M. A. O'Brien, Celtica iii 171-2. 1266 Doéth (again 1272). As noted in the Diplomatic Edition the aspiration mark over the -t is faint. Zimmer (KZ xxx.23) read as doit and took it to be for do-ihét. But note that the verb in the next sentence is passivo in both instances. Doeth is here the preterite passive. Cf. Do-eth 0 Ailill 1 0 Meidb do chungid in chon Sc. M.2 §1.3 where the variant readings for do-eth are Tancas . . ., Do-ihoet techta . . . , Do-tiagait techta ... In the present text it is obviously Mac Roth who goes on the mission. We might translate 'Ho was visited once more (by Mao Roth)'. 1284 asset cessaib The use of the plural is noteworthy. 1297 ní iharda a rád fri dlardain In Stories from Tain3 taken as ní tardae aradfri diardain, arad 'ladder' used in a figurative sense. It is translated there 'provided thou dost not provoke a quarrel'. Note that the Stowe paraphrase agrees with this translation: acht nat cuing e Jen ugra no imreasain 1618). See note on passage by editor of C. 1315 má thecra Strachan (Stories from Táin3 p 103) suggests that this may be a scribal error for má thec?na, 3 s. pros. subj. of do-ecmaing. But see note by M, A. O'Brien, Ériu x 160, who takes the verb to be *to-ess-gair, 'call forth, challenge'. 1337 fiad Fergus These words are in contradiction to the stipulation made by Fergus when he consented to let Etarcomal accompany him. In Y fiad is followed by the genitive, fiad ŕergais. NOTES TO TEXT 259 1341 dorala clár cl é f rinn This was a challenge to fight. In Recension II Cú Chulainn comments on thÍ3 sentence of Láeg: Etarcumul sain, a gillai, condaig comrac cucum-sa Táin 1637. 1348 glanad mo lám inniut Lit. 'to wash my hands in you', i.e. 'in your blood'. In the Rawl. B 512 version of Scéla Mucce Meic Da Thó the same idiom occurs. Cet says to Munremur: Mé ro glan mo lám f á deóid innat (So. M.2, p. 11 §i2a), 'I have dipped my hand in your blood at last'. Other translators render: 'I am loath to cleanse my hands in you' (Faraday). 'I don't want to have to clean my hands on your account' (Greene). The idiom I use seems to give the essential meaning. 1360 mullaid in LU. Cf. supra n. 578. 1363 Is garit mo lorg latt. I have translated this literally, taking the meaning to be 'You do not expect me to chastise you'. For a suggestion of another meaning for the phrase see note by M. A. O'Brien, Etudes Celt, iii 169-71. 1383-4 Ní toerád dam . . . coin móir Tocrád 'act of annoying, torment'. In this sense the word occurs twice in Stowe TBC (703, 829). In both Stowe and Tain it is a synonym of confere. Thus N iba dóig mo chonpére sund 445 = Ní lat-sufo dóig lim-sa mo chrád ďjagbáil samlaid Táin 797 {. . . tocrad Stowe). In the Contributions this sentence is quoted s.v. do-cuirethar (without do before glieid) from YBL, ni tocrad dam int aitheach gleid frisin coin moir, and translated 'should not have engaged in fight with* {dam left untranslated). In LL the equivalent passage reads Giarso dual don athiuchmatvd saigid for sin n-árchoin Táin 1691, 'what right had the mongrel to attack the bloodhound?' In Stowe and Recension III do gleo is the reading: Cid fa badh dual don aithechmadadh anuasal techt do gleo no dJesorccain frisin arcoin iorgaile Stowe 1730—1; Carsa dual don aithechmhadudh tocht do ghleo ~\ d'imrisin risin drchoin irghaile ZCP viii 553. 1388 ff The Nad Crantail episode is the one which varies most in the three recensions. (See Zimmer, KZ xxviii 500-505; Thurneysen ZCP ix 434 and Táin n.16960".). The Recension I version contains some motifs found in other episodes, e.g. Lugaid warns Cú Chulainn of Nad Crantail's attack (= Fer Báeth episode). Nad Crantail refuses to fight with a beardless boy ( = Loch mac Mo Femis episode). Nad Crantail is the first man to ask for and be promised Finnabair as a reward for encountering Cú Chulainn. Cur is merely told that it would be a valiant deed to fight Cú Chulainn. (We may discount the H- interpolation which describes how Ailill tries to pacify Cú Chulainn by offering him Finnabair). Then Fer Báeth is promised the maid. So is Láiríne mac Nóis, and again she is named among the inducements offered to Loch and Long. 1438-9 cid moch donté For do-n-d-té, with the usual infixed neuter pronoun. 1444 Cdte MS. Again 1473. Strachan suggested (Ériu i 10) that the cede of LIT was apparently associated with ait. Cf. later edit. 1446 domarfds For the accent on the final a rather than the first see Glossary BDD2 s.v. do-adbat. 260 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 1474 do mmo maccaib For this reduplication of -??i-- see KZ xxxviii pp. 468-9. 1478-9 This account of the distortion might well be omitted here. In Recension II (LL but not S to we) Cú Chulainn's distortion occurs when he wraps his mantle around the pillar-stone. This would explain why Nad Crantail failed to recognize him on the second day. 1491 Bude mac Bain In Recensions II and III he is called Bxidt mac Bdin Blai. Cf. a passage in Fled Bricrend where Sencha send* the three Ulster warriors for a decision about the curadmir to a B aide mac Bdin (LU 8996-7)- In the dindshenchas of Sliab Callann (MD iv 170) Buide mac Báin is said to have owned Callann, one of the three hounds from the brain of Conganchness. See supra footnote to 1. 594. Buide's hound was killed by Donn Cúailnge. Sliab Callann = Slieve Gallion, Co. Derry, but in this passage of TBC Buide comes as we should expect from Slieve Gullion, in Armagh. Though near at hand in Armagh Buide is one of the Connacht warriors. In LL he is called Buide mac Bain Blai do chrich Ailella -j Medba Táin 1772. 1498 Aid amal fondráncamair I take amal here to mean 'where'. To translate 'as we found him' would not answer the question. Again infra 1892 Dothdet iarum dochum ind dtha amal but, which I translate '. . . to the ford where he was'. This instance occurs in a passage which is nut in Y. In C it reads \ . . amal mbui {950-1), with asm deleted by a later hand and a added with a caret mark so as to give the reading ... a mbui. To the emen-dator, at any rate, amal here meant 'where'. Amal, temporary conjunction. 'when', could come to mean 'where'. Cf. Fr. ou meaning 'whore' and 'when', la maison oů je suis né, íe jour oü je suis parti. Again áit i, airm i, port i could mean 'where' or 'when'. Ait i n-accai [.i. in tarb] in búachuil íofábair cucui supra 990—1, 'where {or when) the bull caught sight of the herdsman, he made for him'. In Comrac Fir Diad : Demin leo baili i comrecdais dá úaitne chomlaind in tsaegail co mbad comthoitini dôib {2818-9), 'when they would meet'. Other instances in Recension II Táin 1272, 3922. In Recension III the answer to Cú Chulainn's question 'Where is the herdsmen?' is Ait a fuil gu n-arlaither ris, 'Where he is, speak to him' (RC xiv 257 §14). 1508 Perhaps we should insert chách after ansu. LL reads nábud chalmu chách Cú Chulaind menibeth in clessin ingantach bai aice, clettin Con Culaind (Táin 1805-6). 1511 The C-reading a comairliu Ailella seems the better one here. In RIA Contributions a comarli is quoted from this passage as meaning 'with intent, designedly'. But such a meaning does not seem to occur elsewhere; a comairli x, 'on the advice of x\ is the usual expression. 1522 Humarrith = Umaáruth. Cf. O'Clery, umharradh .i. umha snah .i. sruth an umha. 1537-8 1 in fiallach timtacht in tarbh Timtacht for timmacht = do-immacht, 'that drove away the bull'. Cf. the readings of C and LL and conid timachtatár in the next line. 1541 Atá and . . . = Aid amlaid . . . = Is amlaid aid . . . NOTES TO TEXT 261 1543 adchota adcotad Y and C. The U- reading is for O. Ir. adcotae, pass. subj. 1558 ay galaib óenjer is the reading of U here and 1736, 2493. Again in TBDD ar galaib óenfer LU 7283. 1572 ff. T lit Mani etc. This is a repetition of the earlier passage where Mac Roth goes to parley with Cú Chulainn (1246 ff.) 1577 la soud úad A verbal noun phrase with la is common in the H- interpolations in LU. Thus in an H-passage in Fled Bricrend there occur five instances: la eirgi sú-qs co opund 8381 and again 8522, 8536, 8545-6. However, there are two instances of the usage in hand M in Immram Curaig Maílc Dúin (1798, 1805). 1586 ara n-airlathar dó in n-ingin Something omitted after ara n-airlathar (read ara- n-arlathar as in W). Some such words as -j ara tairgea or i ara naiscea may have been dropped after the first verb. Alternatively we might simply omit dó. 1594. 1 fasisidar di chain Coin Culaind arnach n-aithgné Strachan (Deponent Verb p. 62) gives fasisidar as 3 s. subj. (= ipv.), 'he shall stop'. 1 take it that ho assumed a change of proverb and took the form to stand for arsisidar, in which case we should read di chéin ó Choin Culaind, The idiom di chéin. 6 does not seem to occur except in C. The efforts of the C-rici'ibe to get the sense here are remarkable. A better reading for the whole sentence would be 1 ara n-arlathar di chéin Coin Culaind. Cf. a few lines later ba di chéin arlastar Coin Culaind (1598—9). 1600 I believe that the death of Finnabair was really intended here (cf. A tát a lidí chorthi and 1603), but tho interpolator shirked it and softened the details of Cú Chulainn's attack on the girl. The cutting off of hair as an insult is a common motif. Cf. in Recension II Aided Etarcumuil where Cú Chulainn, having shorn off Etarcumul's hair, says: Dó duit ifechtsa ar dobiurt 'mound, boss of shield', see note by D. Greene, Celtica iv 44. 1 733 Do-itUáth The same spelling in Y W. Can it be intended for pret. pass.? C has doinntaid (819), possibly influenced by the later simple verb tintdid. Contrast Tintai 1729. Or does the spelling -dth suggest that broad -th was silent? Note infra 2503 ro mesca = ro mescad. In LL- TBC we get f ó íeis gid no ríssed (— gia no rÍ3sed) Táin 1901; in LL-Togail Troi re ndeo lai =* re ndeod lai LL 31080, 31138. In these instances broad -d was obviously silent. 1745 mallacht a gascid fair As I have suggested in Celtica x 145—6 this sentence may have originally been a marginal imprecation made by some scribe, but taken by later scribes as part of Lugaid's speech. 1748 Sóid Láeg etc. This sentence which is here written in rasura is in C but is omitted in Y W, 1751 7 a tabairt dó . . . The sense would be clearer and better if we read -j a tabairt dó ar chomrac fri 0.(7. ar ba si a thogu. C reads ar ba si a toghae and omits the words "] a tabairt dó. 1753 Fer Báeth learned the arts of war with Cú Chulainn when he went to Scáthach (Tochm. Emere LU 10432). 1754 bá cáem leó-som a Hind sin In the Glossary from H 3.18 this sentence is quoted: Gaem ,i. beg, ut est ba caem leósom in Unn (Ériu xiii 67 §79). One must take this gloss with reserve; in this particular glossary other glossea show misunderstanding. In the Contributions s.v. caem I (a) the H 3.18 gloss is said to be a mistake, and the sentence is translated 'they considered that wine precious'. This was the meaning I took for it in translating LL-TBC. But curiously enough I find Plunkett giving caomh s.v. exiguus {beag, mion, baoideach, caomh); and s.v. exilis he gives caomh, fineálta, beag, s.v. exilitas caomhacht. The meaning of the sentence is not much altered even if we take cáem to mean 'little'. If they have but little of the liquor, they will prize it, consider it precious. O'Davoren (6484) also gives caem .i. terc; O'Clery, coemh no caomh .i. beag. 1755-6 ba hi ind ingen no gebed láim fora c[h]uit-seom de In pagan times the acceptance by the bridegroom of a drink offered to him by the bride was -supposed to denote mutual consent to the marriage (T. F. O'Rahilly, Ériu xiv 15), No doubt this passage is a relic of old beliefs. 1758-9 co lopachtur This strange form seems to be intended for 1 sg. pres. subj. of do-boing. It is found in all MSS. For an ingenious explanation of its origin see S t rachán, ZCP ii 480 n.i. Or possibly it was a misreading of co topasar, pres. subj. pass. 1765 N icon beó-sa i mbethaid Subjunctive form usod for future, 1767 Co comairsem I cannot explain this use of the subjunctive unless wo take it with celeboir dam. 'Leave me now, Lugaid, until we meet', (or 'so that we may meet'), but even then, the order of words is strange. Possibly the meaning is acht co comairsem, 'if only we meet.' 264 TÁIN BÖ CÚAILNGE 1775 Doselba do chotack Thurneysen would read Do šelba do chotach and translate 'deines Besitzes ist nun dein Bund', taking selba as predicative genitive. It is suggested in RIA Contributions s.v. selb III that doěelba is 2 s. pres. subj. of do-selba, used as imperative. This is borne out by the Recension III reading: Sealbaighim-sea do chadad -\ do charadrad it leith badesin (RC xiv 260 §36), 'I renounce, hand back (into your possession)'. See selbaigid (c) Contribb. = 'assigns to, gives into possession of. Cf. Do-selbi fein tra do praind Mon. Tall. 48.26, 'Keep thy meal for thyself.' 1785 .No iss é Fíacha . . . This is the version given in Recension II. In Recension III it is Cormac Con Loinges who praises Cú Chulainn's cast (RC xiv 261 §40). 1790 Co cloth ni . . . This formula usually introduces a roscad. 1806 The C- reading is the correct one here, Mid. Ir. Hat 3 s. ipv. The reference is to the later meeting of Lugaid and Cú Chulainn in Glenn Fir Baith. Cf. the reading of Recension III where Lugaid is speaking to Láeg; -] raidh-siu r é Coin Culainn taidhecht go gleand Fhir Baith go n-ngaillium a chele ann (RC xiv 263 §49}. 1834 ar dúig co forgénmais A corrupt form of do-gni. Cf. supra 545 Via forgéni Cauland cerdd óegidecht do Conchobar. See RIA Diet. s.v. for-gni. cé no slaiss for cé na slaiss. 1837 Danethat Cú Chulaind This has been translated 'C.C. attacks him'. "We might read Danetha, 'he approaches him1. C. reads Donetha Cú lais cen armb (903) for which the editor of C suggests reading Danetha Cú cen arm lais. The Y-reading donetat (= da-n-autat) would mean 'attacks him.' 1838 C gives the correct reading Tallaid-side {901}, the simple verb tallaid < do-alla. 1845 The title is found only in LU. For this passage see Táin Introd. xxxi-xxxii. 1848 Cé tai-siut The substantive verb is commonly found with interrogative cia. Again infra 2108 Cia tai-siu eterl i860 t'asnai In the passage Slánugud na Mórrígna it is her head which is healed, not her ribs. 1862 Timorc-sa Thurneysen (Gramm. 373) suggests that this is likely to be an error for timorr. His suggestion is supported by the future tense of the other threats: Dorag-sa, Not géb-sa etc. The mistake must go back to an early exemplar; all three MSS. have timorc. 1867 ním aircecha-sa Reduplicated future of ad-ci with ro. 1872-3 Combad sechtmain etc. This is omitted in Y. It refers to a variant version, and in fact it is on these sentences that H or H's predecessor has built part of the long interpolation beginning 1. 1904. In the interpolation, however, more than one man a night is killed by Cú Chulainn. It is probable that the mention here of a week spent in Áth nGrencha suggested Loch's NOTES TO TEXT 265 postponement of his fight for a week, and tliat despite the fact that Cú Chulainn now appears to be bearded and the womenfolk urge Loch to fight him. Logically, if the H- interpolation was from another version, these sentences Combad sechtmain etc. should come after 1. 1883. Áth Dartetsc = Áth Tarteiac. Again 1981. Nazaliaed í written d. 1883 no vxairfed-som he The object pronoun suggests that this passage is of later date, and probably a scribal addition. 1884-98 Omitted in Y, but in C. This passage is obviously a doublet of a later passage. See Táin Introd. xxxv. 1902 conid gnidsom MS. The same spelling for 3 s. pres. ind. of do-gni occurs in Mon. Tall. 129.6. Or possibly here intended as an imperfect— it was his custom to do so when fighting with a grown man ? 19°4~5 Here there is a clumsy repetition of the making of the false beard, already told 1. 1902. An interesting point about this passage is that it echoes one in Immacallam in Dá Thúarad in LL. Bricriu tells Néide that he cannot be ollam in Emain Macha because he ia young and beardless: Qabais Neide lán a duirn dond [f]eór 7 focheirt brict fair conid ed dommuned ca-ch ba ulcha bai fair (24238-40). 1923 Both techt and techta occur as singular. See Táin 2095. For Ludi in- techlairi 1926 C has Luith an lechlae (979). arco tiasad Again bad amlaid tiasad (= no ihéised). The vocalism of the radical syllable is irregular. Again 1. 2157 in the Breslech Muige Murthemne passago which is later in language than the rest of the text. Such forms aro common in LL-TBC. "na coinni T. F. O'Rahilly notes that this is the earliest instance of coinnc, 'meeting', which he has found. It does not occur elsewhere in LU (Celtica i 371). 1924 -] se anarma For anarmda. Again in another H-interpolation 1 iné anarma 2530. Recension III here reads 1 gomadh amlaidh thísadh sé anarmdha, RC xv 64 §73. Cf. dodhealba = dodelbda Fianaig 58.12, somesga = somescda lb. 58.18, and the common bodba = bodbda. 1932 A similar remark in Bruiden Da Chocae: At mora glonda Medbae. Ni coir dia namait a cor i n-eslís (RC xxi 312.§30). 1943-4 Drúcht -\ Delt -] Dathen The same three names occur as those of dnilemain in Bruiden Da Derga (BDD2 1154-5) and as those of deogbairi in 'The Second Battle of Moytura' (RC xii 78 §65). In these contexts the names (Dew, Moisture, Glistening) are more appropriate than here where they are given to Cú Chulainn's opponents. Obviously, here as elsewhere, the interpolator drew on his recollections of other tales. In Cath M. Tuired there are nine names in all, two of the remaining six being Taei and Glesi. 1974 is óoimummi forcetail conrotacht dán dúib ConrotacIU for con-rotairj. In the Diplomatic Edition this is printed is o énmummi . • . the editors taking the verb as passive. There are sporadic instances in Middle Irish of passive forms used for active. For instances see Zimmer KZ xxviii 363. In the present text it occurs only occasionally e.g. dobretha, dobreth 2297-98, 19 266 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE ro chress 2242. Other instances from LU are; Is de asbrcth Fergus for Tána inso 1457 (MU); 7s disi ro chel in senchaid na runna sa 3062 Alt Deichtine in mac 10590 (Comp. CC). We may also note that the spelling en- for óen-never occurs in the LU text. I975"~95 This continuation of the passage overlaps in the H- interpolation that of Y. It is interesting to note the difference between the two accounts. the H- written one being more detailed and altogether more verbose. Y has probably the original version here as elsewhere, but H wished to fill in the space at his disposal. :979 ^ thánic íarom . . . one would expect in Mórrígan after the- verb. bibsat is preterite formed on the future of bongicl. Cf. 1 combo-ing in cethri darsna slúaga sair 1997. Possibly the C-reading is the better one here, hidcaid used transitively. Cf. do-bidci; 'pelts at, strikes'. 2003 Is and asbert-som: lNi airciu a n-átha la linni.' In C these words are followed by -\rla which suggests that they may have been the opening line of a rose, 2025 i fichid LócJi . . . cosin gai bolga Fichid hero used with personal object. If the meaning was 'fights with' one would have expected fichid jri (or for) Loch. Cf. Fessa in milid LU 10921, 'I shall overcome the warrior'. 2026 Gaibthi dó See note by Strachan, ZCP ii 486. Tho meaning 'he takes it to him* must = 'he attacks him with it'. 2031-5 This fight is not mentioned in Reconsions II and III. It is repeated again later. The names dá Chrúaid, dá Chalad would appear to have been taken from tho list of the leaders killed by Cú Chulainn at Breslech Mór (infra 2320-1). See n.2320 ff. 2036—7 de dunin ná cethir For this generic use of de with singular noun see note by Professor Mac Cana Ľriu xx 212-4. (A similar use of the preposition o in Welsh, as Professor Mac Cana points out). The equivalent passage in LL- TBC reads . . . barémid nech díb a aged do soud fodess in lá sin do choin nó ech nó duine Tain 2101-2; . . . do choin no d'ech na do dhuine Stowe TBC 2140. 2043 I n-iam (imam. MS.) The n-stroke and the m-stroke are easily confused in LU. At first glance I read this passage in the manuscript l\h Dobert-si blegon smi dó i n-ian. Bid slán doduc. (There is of course no punctum -tion in the manuscript here). I n-ian, 'in a drinking-vessel', makes good sense in the context. I would suggest that it is at least possible that an early scribe copied inian as inmra and that the mistake was repeated by subsequent copyists. In fact the ??i-stroke is given for the ?i-stroke elsewhere- in this text in LU. Thus supra 1828-9 Conrecat im Ölend Fir Baith, where C reads i nGleu-d F.B. and infra 2506 where U has coin glinni against co nglinni in Y and C. The spelling ininm is found, only in U and Y in Recension I. C omits the words. But the later compilers of Recensions II and III clearly touk iniam to be for i n-éim, 'quickly, forthwith'., which is the reading they give in this passage. bid slán For bad slaní Imperative rather than future. Cf. the Recension II sentence: I n-éim rop slán (Táin 2110). NOTES TO TEXT 267 2057 Zimmer (KZ xxx 77), taking the reading as etha Cú, (which is also the reading of the Diplomatic Edition), would explain etha as a passive form used as 3 sg. pret. active (like dobretha). But Strachan disagrees (ZCP ii 483 n.2) and dismisses the passage as 'not clear' to him. I take the verb as passive and cú as intended for an unfinished cuici (which is the Y- reading). C substitutes ara c[K]enn for cuici. 2058 ff. There is obviously an omission here in LU before cóicer. Some such words as Táncaíar ara chend are needed. Y reads Is and iarum etha or galaib óenfir cuici 2057 after which there is a long omission in the MS. C has 7s and sin eihai ar galaibh aoinfir ara cenn co ngeogoin coiccer Gind Goiris no Duin Cind Goris etc. (1154-5). The Recension III reading is of interest here; And sin tvgadh cuigiur chuigi siun arnamharach d'[i~\erthain chomlaind ris -j geoghain G.G. iad condrochradar les, gurab cuigiur Ghind Chuirsighi iderar rlu. Iss edh sco anmanna in chuigir sin .i. Dá Ghrúaidh -j da Chaladh -j Derothor RC xv 71 §§96-8. So obviously this passage 2057fr. is merely a repetition of the earlier passage 2031-5 where Cú Chulainn is said to have lulled five at Cóicsius Focherda. Possibly the names given here in the second passage should bo fivo not six. Omit Fer Toithlel He seems to bo the same as the F er Tedil already killed (supra 936). The main difforonco between tho two passages is that in the first all five attack him togethor, in the second they moot him in single combat. 2072 ff. In Garpat Serda -| in Breslech Mór. This long descriptive passage is, as Thurneysen noted, later in language and style than the rest of the tale in Recension I. It has become a more or less self-contained episode. The whole passage 2073-2332 is practically identical in all three recensions. (There is a long omission in YBL, and Eg. 1782 does not go beyond 1. 1811). The title of the piece Breslech Maige Muirthemne has been taken over for the late version of the tale Oided Chon Culainn. 2074 isin Breslig M air The place-name anticipates the coming battle. In Recension III the men of Ireland encamp at Áth Alad Fhind i Maig Murlhemne (§113). 2084 re úathgráin na gúre dosbertatár Stowe TBC and Recension III have a better reading. Note the -s- in relative verb dosbertatár which shows lateness of composition. 2084-5 Cordas mese ind Némain forsin tslóg Mescaid for with or without reflexive pronoun = 'attacks'. Cf. ro mesc barin slúag é LL 23026 (CRR); do mesc sin co soinnib ar na sluagaib Celtic Rev. iv. 114 y. 2090 a Chúcán Again 2176. This diminutive is found only in this section in the LU- text. Here LL reads a Chúcúcán (Táin 2139). In Comrac Fir Diad YBL has a Chúcacán (2702) occurring in a similar context when Láeg warns his master of an arrival. 2098 feib nachas faiccd nech hi A late use of pronoun object together with infixed pronoun. 2100 dáig ar biih Again 2211. This double conjunction is common in LL- TBC. See Táin n.50. It occurs only twice in this text, both instances in this late section. 208 TÁIN BÓ CÚATLNOK 2IOO-I joretatár-som in t-imned már inam juil-sca For a tentative-explanation of this use of the nominative see Celtica viii 164 n.2. Recension II and C have nominative also. Recension III reads jorcadarson (sic) ind nith mor inarjuilim-sea (§120). 2105—10 Ferda sin . , . mo ic These lines are omitted in Recension 11. 2106 Ní mór side elir In C the answer given is Ferda i e ice ein (1200) which recalls the wording of a passage in Ech tra Nerai: lFerdoi sin, a Nero'.' 'Feurdo ecinľ ol Nerai RC x 214 §4. See my note Éigso xvi 326. Possibly the original reading hero was Ní móirithir, 'not su great' i.o. a disclaimer, 'not really'. The phrase ní móirithir in this sense occurs twice in LL 14405, 37264. Both passages are cited by Bergin in a noto on the equative form móirithir Eriu xiv 141. He compares lir treated as a positive with the normal equative ending added to form a now equative liridir (Aisl. M.C.). So móir: móirithir. 2111 ff. In the LL- version the visitor from the sid (unnamed) tolls Cú Chulainn to sleep for a short time. Then Cú Chulainn sleeps for three days and three nights, and while he sleeps, the warrior from faery puts enchanted herbs of healing in his wounds so that he recovers can ralhugvd dó ctir (Táin 2153-66). 2114 Canmd a chile jerdord do The form fordurd of (J (/or- emphatic particle -f dord, 'murmuring, chanting') is preferable, but I note that Zimmer (KZ xxviii 534) translates jerdord, as 'männerbass'. The original reading may have boon fodord. Cf. O'Clery'a gloss on jodhord: murmur no briathra nach abairthear go hard. Incidentally we should note that the jordord is not to be taken as referring to the Éle Loga which is chanted by Lug after Cú Chulainn has been completely healed and which calls on him to arise from sleep. 2114-5 co n-accae nach c ľ eckt and rop óyáhhi {ropo glan MS.) lit. 'until he saw every wound that he bore (that it) was completely healed'. Crécht is accusative and rop(a) relative. For this construction see Celtica ii 348-9: viii 162. Cf. the example cited by M. A. O'Brien in Celtica ii: Otchonneatar . , . in mboin deirg . . . corbo coland duine. 2114 if. Obviously two versions of Cú Chulainn's healing havo here been combined. One version is that of Recension II: Lug puts healing herbs into Cú Chulainn's wounds and he is healed as ho sleeps. In the other version he is lulled to sleep by Lug and sleeps on until Lug sees that all his wounds are completely healed. The telescoping of the two versions and the consequent misplacing of the Éle Loga here are more clearly seen in a comparison with the C- version. In C after the words Ba héim dam mo ic comes the sentence Canaid a cheliu jordord ndo contaili jris co medon lai ura barach con faca nach [credit] ron both pa hogkslan (1203-5), ^'hile the Éle Loga comes in the natura! place after Cú Chulainn awakes from a sleep of three days and three nights (but a contradiction here with the sentence contaili jris co medon lai ura barach). The Éle Loga is meant of course to rouse- Cú Chulainn to action, 2130-4 These five lines of Éle Loga in hand H are also found in Recension III (RC xv 74 §123). NOTES TO TEXT 20!) 2139 acht mad mani chotlad Similarly Recension III: acht rnádh mini chotladh. Acht mad is omitted in C. Recension II is acht mani chotlad (Táin 2160). We might compare with mad mani the mad dia which occurs commonly in LL- TBC, but is rarely found in LU except in H- interpolations. Cf. supra Mud dia ngona 1697 where Y has Ma rongona and C has Ma rodgona. Exceptionally in hand M múd dia nderscaigtlier LU 7476 (TBDD). 2157 ba nert leiss a menma 'his spirit was invigorated'. The same use of nert occurs in Serglige Con Culainn 232: ba nertiti leis a mernna na ecéla, 'his spirits wore all the moro invigorated, rose all the higher, for hearing the tidings'. Professor Dillon (Glossary SC s.v. nerlaid) took nertiti to be formed from past participle neriae -f- -de, -te. In the construction of copula 4- la, the predicate may be a noun, as here in ba nert leiss, or an adjective. Occasionally the noun predicate is inflected like an adjective. Thus is fuath Horn, 'I hate'; ní thánag-sa Ham a n-inad ba fúaithi lium-sa nd si, 'any spot I hated move', Comp. C.C. 87.24-25 (OCC); ní fualhaide le neach againn a chéile é, 'none of us hates the other more because of that' CF2 146-7. I take nertiti of SC to be a similar inflection of nert. Noteworthy here is the use of ocas before imperf. subj. = amail 'as if, as though'. In the later language we get amail ocas. See Contribb. s.v. amail II. For the form tiasad see supra n. 1923. 2166 Ceist cia arrdnicl This is the past tense of cia-(r)ricc, ce-(r)ric which glosses quid ergo, quid igitur etc. See Gramm. §458. In Recension II it has been altered to Ceist cia rodas Jópairl (Táin 2185). One might of course lake cia arrúnic literally, 'who has arrived?' 2173 Apraind See Vendryes, Lexique litymologique s.v. apraind. Vendryes, quoting a suggestion by Dr. Binchy that apraind is a form of 1 sg. imperfect subjunctive of asbnir. comments 'L'hypothese est trěs séduisante'. 2178 areo ndíglom The conjunction areo = ara is very common in the LL-Táin. In this recension it occurs only in this passage and in an H-mterpolation ar^o tiasad supra 1923. 2181 ní fair bias a nós The rolative verb after a periphrasis is late Mid.-Ir. It occurs elsewhere in interpolated passages of LU e.g. 2395 (H) Scéla Lai Brátha; 2740, 2742, 2745 (H) Scéla na Esérgi etc. 2185 The abrupt introduction of Lácg here suggests that the original of LU and LL had an omission. Contrast Recension III which before the words Ocus in carpat serda . . . tells of the departure of Lug (unlike LU and LL, there is in recension III no reference to Lug's having fought beside Cu Chulainn at Sesrech Brcslige 'according to another version'). Then in Recension III Cú Chulainn addresses to Láeg almost the same words as he has spoken to Lug (which might account for an omission here): Maith a m[o] phoba a Laigh, bhar O.G., tegum imall[e] do dhighail na macraidhi ama slúagh-nibh. Rachaidse let on, bliar Lácg (§132). 2194 do Ddir do rig Román A confusion of Romans and Persians. The Recension III compiler replaces Ddir with Ner (Nero). 2195 conda rairbert = conda tairbert See Translators' Notes §197, Gramm, p, 686. 270 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 2208 bricht comga Recension III reads celtair chomgha. Cf. infra 2243 celtar comga, 2212 The exact nature of these feats of chariot-driving is obscure. One might translate: 'leaping across a chasm, straight driving, the carrying of a goad.' 2213 ro gab etc. Here Recension III offers a better reading Is anns-in ro eirigh in cur . . .-] do ghabhasdair etc. (RC xv 77 §138). 2223 ro chíulaitís The Recension III reading would suggest some compound of clichid. Possibly ro- is for con- or jo- here, conclich, 'clashes', jochlich, id. In this later passage interchange of verbal particle in what would be relative position in late Mid. Ir, would not be surprising. The meaning is clear in the Stowe reading: da-ig as ionann consgincdis de -\ marbadh do cloich no congna de benfaidis (2280—1). 2230 ima arm dít Recension II has inia cholg ňdét {Táin 2247) and Recension III has iman colg nded (§158), perhaps a better reading. 2231 The marginal note -] a saigetbolg added in hand H seems an anachronism. The use of arrows as weapons is rarely mentioned in the early sagas. Cf. ic dichur gai -\ rend -j err 1 sieg -j saiget supra 2221-2. Again in a description of Cú Chulainn's shield the same phrase is vised LL 24895. Saiget-bolc occurs in the Second Battle of Moytura (RCxii 98). 2234 ina tul tárla The meaning of tdrla is obscure. See Tain n.2251. Or should we begin a new sentence Tarla . . . ? 2236 Inbaid jognith Fognith = dognith, change of proverb, jo- for do-, in relative position. Stowe has An tan do-ghni . . . (2291). 2242 Bo chres8 A passive form used as active. Cf. 1974 conrolacht, and 2297, 2298 dobretha, dobreth, 2246 a charini Meyer Contribb. takes this as diminutive of cara, 'shank, haunch'. O'Clery's gloss cairin ,i. jeoil gan saill would seem to be the correct meaning. Cf. Plunkett s.v. lardarium ('a larding stick where with cookes used to draw lard through flesh') crann saille re thairrngeann cocaire saill thrid cairin. Here the plural form = 'the flesh of his whole body'. 2251 tuljéthi Tul- intensive prefix, like tarb-. Recension III here reads tarbéthi (= larbjhéthi). 2259 co úrtrachta See supra n. 433. 2260 comtar écnaig a ginchróes For my suggested reading inchróes see supra n. 433. LL reads comtar inécnaig a inchróes Táin 2277; Stowe has comba leir a inne -\ a inathar tara bhél 2316. 2261-2 béim n-ulgaib leóman The word ulgaib is obscure. Cf. Bodelľs agus sméaróid dhearg iona láimh noch do bhean sé leis a niolghaibh don altóir Isaiah 6.6, 'having a live coal in his hand which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar'; and in Stair an Bhiobla III 116.17: do ghlac an iolgaib ann a lairrih -\ do thóig smeuraid no athinne don teinidh. 2265-6 na klne MS. In a footnote in the Diplomatic Edition of LIT coinnli ia given as the reading of Stowe, but in fact the words na klne bodba -j are omitted in Stowe. LL has the same contracted form as LU. Coindli is the reading of Recension III (§150). NOTES TO TEXT 271 2272 ff. The Stowe reading airtim (— airtem) makes better sense here and is the word commonly used as a measure of length in such descriptions. Cf. in a similar but shorter description of Cú Chulainn's distortion: K o theiged indala súil ina chend -j araile ass jot airthema LL 12540 (Scéla Choncholmir). The sentence from corbo chomjota to slóg might well be omitted here as it is in Recensions II and III. It is quite superfluous. It was probably part of a 'run' which the scribe inserted unthinkingly. Cú Chulainn has not yet begun his attack on the host, and in this section of TBC there is no reference to a sling (oc taibleth = 'shooting from a sling') in the description of Cú Chulainn's weapons. 2283-gi The description of Cú Chulainn's chariot and horses here is superfluous. It occurs only in LU. The carpat serda has already been described 2280-3. This description of chariot and horses is a set piece which occurs again in Comrac Fir Diad. It is found for the third time in an unlikely context at the end of the tale where Mac Roth says that Cú Chulainn has not joined the Ulstormen but proceeds to describe his chariot and horses (infra 3847-58). 2285-6 clangdirig seems to be a scribal error for the adjective colgdirech which is common in descriptions of a chariot. 2288 biruich pi. of birach, or birulch from biróach. Cf. gabair . . . bir-duasach TTebe 2279, 'prick-eared'. 2289 lug aid epithet for a horse. The meaning is obscure. 2290 jótmar Dr. Knott (RIA Dictionary) suggests 'skittish' as the meaning (from 2 jól), but in his edition of tho modern Breisleach Maighe Muirtheimne Van Hamel suggests jôdmhar, 'spreading large sods'. In the description of horses galloping it was a commonplace to describe the sods cast up by their hooves as dark birds flying through the air. jochorsid Civen merely as 'epithet for a horse' in RIA Dictionary. It is spelt jocharsaid infra 2954, jocharrsaigh ZC1? x 299.1. 2291 airgdech Another epithet for a horse the meaning of which is obscure. 2296 ďinsaigid a námat Elision also in C and in Stowe but LL and Recension III have do innsaigid a námat (Táin 2304). 2297, 2299 dobretha, dobreth Passive form for active. 2299-2301 Omit either d.ollotar . . . hi talmain or the sentence jeib . . . hi talmain 1 The first sentence is omitted in Recension III, the second in Stowe. But LL agrees with LU. 2320 ff. The names are in three columns and ,r. is inserted between columns. The .?*,-symbol here probably denotes a chanted list, learnt by rote. See note C'eítica x 146-8. 2332-4 These lines are not in Y. Note the use of the word gilla — 'charioteer', in this text generally confined to interpolations in LU and common throughout Comrac Fir Diad and later passages in Y. After this sentence Recension III reads Gorub e in carbad seardha conigi sin. Finid. Amen. (RC xv 202 §171)- This reinforces Thurneysen's suggestion that the long descriptive passage 2072-2334 may have been a separate piece later incorporated in the text. 272 TÁIN BO OÚAILNGK 2341 in mac thánic Aspiration of relative is noteworthy. 2344 íeóra iměrotha teorae himsrethae C, teóra sretha Reo. Ill, either of which readings would give better sense. 2352 co forgabáil ingne griúin Faraday translates 'griffin.' probably taking as grlbin, dimin. of grib. But such a form does not seem to be attested, nor do we get the spelling u = bh elsewhere in this text. O'Clery gives griun .i. graineóg, 'a hedgehog'. 2357 nád chumgaitis súili doíni déicsin Probably we should road a déicsin as in C. See Táin n.2360. 2361 Claideb . . . co torceltaib oir Tore- used here as an intensive. (Cf. tarb- in tarbjéthi). Elta is always used in the plural. 2365 Oonid comram aidchi sin Comram, 'succossful exploit' or 'trophy'. I prefer the more concrete translation here. Altered to jóbairt, 'attack', in Y and C, possibly because the Bcribe realized that Cú Chulainn had killed more of the enemy than the heads he brandished. Recension II alters to do chomartha a gascidy and Recension III substitutes for the phrase jaidhbh fir ina brédibh etarru (cf. 1. 2382 in the poem which follows). 2368 Follaig Medb a hainech . . . Contrast with the earlier passage (1889-98), an obvious interpolation though not in hand H, where Medb insists on seeing Cú Chulainn. 2371 Conid de sin . . . There is here in Recensions II and III an explanatory passage (which has been taken ovor by C); Dubthach is filled with jealousy on seeing that his wife too tries to catch a glimpse of the wonderful Cú Chulainn. Dubthach is addressing the men of Ireland and speaks of far mná and jar rigan. 2383 deich cind ina rothědaibh, 'tied together', is the reading of Recension III. 2386 For this line, part of which is in raaura hand M, LL has Adchhi-sa jar rígain móir. After I.2389 a half-quatrain is missing. It is found in C and in Recensions II and III. 2388-91 Meyer has drawn attention to curtain couplets in deibide metre where the usual order of rhyme-words is reversed (Misc. Hib. 15-16). 2393 Ber ass Dubthach nDóeltengaid The first three quatrains oi Fergus's verses are quoted in Mesca Ulad LU 1458-69. 2396 ó geogain in n-ingenraith This refers to Dubthach's having killed the maidens of Ulster in revenge for the betrayal of Meio Usnig (-j ingenrad Ulad do marbad do Dubthach LL 34474). Cf also Celtic Rev. 1.216. 2398, 2400 Fiacha mac Conchobuir, Ooirpre mac Fedelmtheo According to the LL- version of Longes Mac nUsnig Dubthach killed Mane mac Conchobuir and Fiachna mac Feidilmi (LL 34469-70). The Coirpre here mentioned does not seem to occur elsewhere. Recension III here reads . . . guin Fhiachaig mic Co-nchobhair . . . guin Dairi mic Fhedhlimtheo (RC xv 205 §198) which agrees with the tradition of Oided Mac nUsnig in the Glenmasan MS. according to which Dubthach killed Fiacha mac Conchobair and Daire mac Fedlimthi NOTES TO TEXT 273 (Celtic Rev. I 212, 214; II 118). In the quatrain quoted in MľU the names are Fiacha viae Conchobair and Maine mac Fedelmtheo, an obvious confusion of the two names in the LL- version of Longes Mac nUsnig. 2407 costud Ulad má dobí LL has costud Ulad danfor tí Táin 2420. 2409-10 It is difficult to make much sense of these lines. In C they have been added in a blank space by a late hand. Recension II reads: Scérdait jar n-óendili {.i. jar nindili marginal note) i jat j re nUltaib acht co n-éirset Táin 2423-4. I have read sínfid for sirfid here. Cf. the later lines Regaid ind Jongas hi jat do Ultaib (2421-2). 2418 bi in U. but bid Y and C. The U-spelling is probably a mere scribal error as do lid for do luid LU 10192. 2428—54 This passage is not in Recensions II and III. 2455 ff. The order of events is different in Recension II. The death of óengus mac Óenláime comes immediately after the poem spoken by Fergus (supra 2393-2424). 2455~63 Thi8 is not an encounter between Connachtmen and Ulster-men aroused from their torpor, but a clash between men of the dubloinges and Connachtmen. Fiacha was accompanied by Dubthach Dóel Ulad. He does not seem to occur elsewhere, but was the son of one of Medb's sisters. Dócha casts a spear at Fiacha but hits Dubthach; Dubthach throws a spear at Maine but hits Dócha. Neither Mane nor Fiacha has been hit. So Thurneysen is wrong when he implies in a note on Mellgleó Iliach (Heldensage 196 n.2.) that Mano Andóe had been killed. In fact there ia no mention of killing in this version of Imroll Belaig Eóin, merely of wounding. 2464-82 For this second version of Imroll Belaig Eóin see Táin Introduction p.xxxii. 2471 1 slán uile a ndorónad and In RIA Contributions s.v. slán II (d) slán here is taken as a noun and the translation of this sentence is 'restitution for all that was don© there'. I take slán to be an adjective with s. preceding copula form (bal) omitted, slán being the legal term 'exempt from liability', and the meaning to bo 'what has been done there will be completely free from liability' i.e. 'no compensation will be demanded for whatever depredations the Connacht army has committed in Ulster territory'. Note that this passage, an obvious interpolation in Recension I, is the only one in which the Ulstermen are represented as offering terms to Medb and Ailill. 2472 úair robáge Medb The C-scribe, given to the use of archaic terms, here reads co comairset in bar celjuid (1503). Cf. i cedjuid a jo .i. a fiadhnaiH a tiagema, gloss in a poem in Berla na Filed ZCP v 483. 2488-94 According to Táin Bó Flidais II in the Glenmasan MS. óengus mac Óenláime was with the dubloinges in Connacht (Ériu viii 134). (In this connection we may note that in the other versions of Táin Bó Flidais the three exiles who go to ask Ailill Find for cattle are Fergus mac Róig, Dubthach Dóeltenga and Fergus mac óenláimi (LU 1579). I suggest that the third man was named as in the Glenmasan MS. version óengus, not Fergus). Of this passage in TBC Thurneysen remarks that the Ulstermen are now recovering from their debility; he assumes that óengus has come from Emain. 274 TÄIN BÓ CÚAILNGE But we might perhaps take it that this was a move on the part of one of the exiled Uistermen to hold up the progress of the Connacht forces. In the LL-list of Ulster warriors summoned to battle by Conchobor Oengus occurs, but he is not in the YBL-list. Such inconsistency means little, however. Conall Cernach, said in Recension I to be among the exiles, is one of those summoned in both LL and YBL. An even more glaring inconsistency appears in Cath Ruis na Rig which is a sequel as it were to TBC. Despite the account of his death in TBC, in CRR Oengus mac Óenláma Gabae is one of the messengers sent by Conchobor to his foreign allies (LL 22755). We might compare the role of Óengus here with the even moro forceful intervention of another exile, Fiacha mac Fir Febe (infra 2550 ff.). 2496-7 00 Áth Da íerta As the C-reading shows these words aro spoken by CÚ Chulainn. The editors of TBC2 end Cú Chulairm's speech at mo chend-sa, and the passage is translated accordingly by Faraday. 2514 There is no mention of Orellach Dolluid in Reeonsions II and III. 2515 Tairbling In the other recensions we are told that Cú Chulainn fled in his chariot (Táin 2501; Rec. Ill §213). 2517-8 The order of sentences is better in C, and that is what has been translated. The title Bánchomrag Ferghusa is given at the end of the episode and explained in Recension III; Qurub e Bánchomrag Ferghusa ar Tanaidh connigi sin -] is uitni aderar bánchomrag to doigh ní bhi juil for jácbhur dhe (§215). This explanation would justify reading Bánchalh Rochada in the 1-1- interpolation supra 1658 ff. Rochud was set froo uuwoundud. 2519-22 This episode is much expanded in Recensions II and III. 2523-46 This H- interpolation is found of course only in LU. 2527-9 Fer dolhengt[h]ach . . . amal Dubthach etc. These comparisons seem to echo a type of passage which occurs commonly in the Lives of the Saints where the saint in question is compared to various OT characters. Compare, for example, a passage in the Tripartite Life: F irailiihir, amal Abrdam. Cendais dílgadach ó chridiu, amal Moysi. Salmchetlaid molbtltaide. amal Dabid. Etsúd n-ccnai, amal Solmoin etc. (Trip.2 3063-5). 2529 Triscod In the fragment of MU in LU the name is Triscoth, Vriscoth. In the LL-version of MU he is called Trisgatal trénfher titji Con-chobair LL 35046. He is described among the Uistermen in the Stowe version of TBC (4537) where he is again called Trioscatal trénfer ligi Conchobair. 2548 Fuiliarnn In Recension II Fuil Iairn is given at the end of this passage as the name of the place where these men fought with Cú Chulainn: Is aire alberar Fuil Iairn ris dáig báe Juil dar fáebor and (Táin 2604). Cú Chulainn's opponents are named in Recension II as Calatin Dána cona šecJu maccaib fichet-\ a ua Glas mac Delga (2534-5). 2561 Here we are simply told that Cú Chulainn killed all twenty-nine of his opponents. In Recension II this episode is much expanded and includes a vividly described little incident in which Glas mac Delga escapes from tho slaughter but is pursued right into the Connacht camp by Cú Chulainn who cuts off his head. The incident evidently appealed to the compiler of C; he NOTES TO TEXT 275 inserts it clumsily into what is otherwise the Recension I version. After recounting the killing of Glas he goes on to say Gontais Cu Chulaind ierum a noi firafichit (1590), though of course only twenty-eight were still alive. 2561-2 i dá mac Ficce lais occo . . . This passage, which is not in Recension II, seems to be a scribal addition. Nowhere else in TBC do Uistermen fight by the side of Cú Chulainn. Throughout the narrative the emphasis is on his single-handed defence of Ulster. When the Uistermen finally recover from the cess and come to Cú Chulainn's aid, they fight individually against the men of Ireland e.g. Cethern, Fintan, Rochad etc. In LL but not in Recension I, these two warriors, called dá mac fieicge, Muridach -\ Cotreib, are named in the list of Uistermen summoned to Conchobar (Táin 4096). They are also mentioned as helping to bathe Cú Chulainn's wounds at the end of Comrac Fir Diad in both recensions: dá mac Fice infra 3145, dá mac Oégge .i. Muridach -\ Cotreb (Táin 3599). 2565 Atá isin cloich ... I take the whole sentence to refer to Cú Chulainn's opponents and have emended accordingly; rolátha a nai coirthi ßchü and sin foJlowing immediately proves this. In Recension II, after the account of the killing of the twenty-nine we get: Conid marihanach ar láv in átha Joss in chloch 'ma ndemsat a sróengal -j a n-imresón. Inad elta a claideb inti -] a ňglúne -j a n-ullend -\ erlanna a sieg (Táin 2600-2), 'And there still remains on the bed of the ford the stone around which they fought and struggled, and on it the mark of their sword-hilts and of their knees and elbows and of the hafts of their spears.' 2567 ff. Comrac Fir Diad must originally have been an independent tale, later incorporated into TBC. It is the only episode in the Táin which is listed separately in the saga-list in LL. The motif of the tale, a duel with a foster-brother who had studied the arts of war along with Cú Chulainn, is found in earlier episodes, the fight with Fer Báeth and the fight with Loch. Furthermore Loch has a horn-skin like Fer Diad, and like him too he is slain by the ga bulga. Thurneysen, judging by language and metres, would date the composition of Comrac Fir Diad to the nth century. But some form of the tale must already have existed in the 10th century. (See Stowe TBC xxiv n.3). At a later date, possibly 15th century, the episode was again reconstituted and elaborated as an independent tale. This version has been called Version IV by Thurneysen. In the following notes and in the variants quoted in footnotes to text I refer to it as F (taking as typical the 17c. Franciscan MS. text edited by Best, ZCP x 276 ff.). In all the later versions of the tale it is obvious that the compilers drew largely on other passages of TBC. Either they had MSS. of TBC before them (Thurneysen assumed, for instance, that the composer of F drew on four different manuscript versions of the Táin), or they knew these passages by heart. Thus in F a passage from Recension II TBC is quoted in the description of Fergus's arrival, exact in its account of the missing sword even to the opening words Bliadain riasin seel so. So too the Fer Diad episode in YBL frequently echoes earlier passages in TBC. The account of the fight is unfinished in YBL. The scribe breaks off p. 39b6. The remainder of the column has been filled in by a different hand. 276 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGK The whole of p. 40 had been left blank, presumably for the final part of the tale, not then available to the main scribe. On p. 40 the second hand has written fifteen lines in column a. The space filled in by this scribe 39^, 40a, contains a summary of the final part of the tale and some strange and confused verses which seem to be written from the memory of three poems in Recension II. 2571 in Conganchnesach , . . Fer Diad is named here in Recension II: Fer Diad mac Damdin meic Dare, in milid mórchalma ďjuraih Ľomnand (Tain 2609/-10). 2575 dáig cnea coňgnaidhi imbi Cf. ar ba conganchnes oc comruc fri fer boi la Loch (supra 2027). 2577-78 Dobretha Passive with active meaning. 2583 Txicad Findabair . . . This passage is not in Recension II here, but occurs there in the account of the fight with Fer Báeth. Similarly in tho same episode in LU (supra 1755) there is a brief reference: ba hi ind ingcn no gebed láimfora c[h]uit-seom. 2599 deich fichit crosach Crosach was a standard of weight for rjold or silver. See note by Dr. Binchy, Ériu xx 56. 2600-1 ■) comaid dom šliasaid-sea Tho editors of TBC- punctuate differently. They end Medb's speech with tho word jogcba (2601), and begin a new sentence which they print Nadeiris, or each. (Inexplicably W. L. Faraday translated this as 'He does not need it, said every ono1, and her rendering has been adopted by T. Kinsella). The YBL scribe is given to misplacing words. It seems likely thai air sin anuas should come immediately after comaid dom -šliasaid-sea. In this passage in LL Fer Diad is offered not Medb's intimacy but in t-eô óir báe i mbrut Medba fair anuas (Táin 2634), . . .fair sin anuas (Stowe). Moreover the words dia Ha a leas do not seem applicable to Medb's offer of intimacy. Note that in the variant readings it is Medb who offers tho gods as guarantee. I have punctuated and translated accordingly. As mentioned above, in Recension II Medb offers Fer Diad not her friendship but merely her golden brooch (Táin 2634). But in the introductory section of TBC peculiar to Recension II Medb offers Dáire mac Fiachna, in payment for the loan of the bull, cardes mo šliasta-sa fessin (Táin 86-7). In TBFlidais II Medb sends to ask the leaders of the Gamanrad, including Fer Diad, for their help and offers in payment righe na Gamanraidhi . . . agits feis a Cruachain do gres, agus cairdes mo shliasda-sa fos (Celtic Review iii 124). 2609 a m'anom Cf. Maiih am a m'anam a Chathbaid LL 22681, 23042 (CRR). This term of endearment is particularly common in the later texts Acallam na Seňorách and Cath Finntrága. 2613 corob misi cétfer......The -b is added later. Here corob is 3 s. future. See note Celtica vii 34-5. 2615 Dotria búaid -| bendachtain In AS the phrase is Ad-rae buaid -] hermacht. See note by Myles Dillon, Stories from Acallam Glossary s.v. ad-rae. As Dr. Dillon notes, the verb ad-rae is sometimes taken as if 2 s. = 'may you get' and the nouns are accusative as here. Thus At-rae buaid -] bennachtain Grail 1690, 2981; Aire buaidh •) beannachtain CF2 317. NOTES TO TEXT 277 2633 bid hitas dam a feidm Here LL reads bud tairpech in teidm (Táin 2654). This reading and that of C suggest that here húas — úais, 'difficult'. 2637 There are two extra stanzas inserted here in C, LL and St. 2641 doradsad Perhaps a better reading doragat in LL and C. 2659 The lino missing here, Domroiched sról santbrecc, Meyer (Misc. Hib. p. 40) would translate 'satin as variegated as one may desire*. 2662 Gcb brugaid geib oirgne Windisch suggests Brugaid and Airgne, and compares the names Brig Brugaid, Blai Brugaid. 2686 lio bai leech amra . . . This introduction of Fergus as a character not yet mentioned in the tale has given weight to the argument that Comrac Fir Diad was originally an independent tale later incorporated into TBC. The passage occurs only in Y. 2G87-98 This passage is also in F. It does not occur hero in Recension II, but it is found in the fight of Cú Chulainn with Calatín Dána and his sons (Táin 2546fr.). There Fergus's appeal is answered at once by Fiacha who, in both versions, goes to the aid of Cú Chulainn. The passage fits better where it. occurs in Recension II. The answer given here by Fergus's followers (2697-8) does not ring true but it occurs also in F. 2ÜH8 -in gnÍDi dogníther isin ma-id in sea imbdrach "Present tense — future also in tho passage of Recension II mentioned in preceding note. In a passage of Oided Chloinne Uisnig, Glenmasan MS., Lobarcham says to meic Uisnig: is falu lim fas an gn-im dot biter anocht a nlSmain Coltic Review Í 122, referring (.0 what will happen later that night. 2698 conici One would expect conic-i sin, but connice = 'to him* occurs Táin 207, 1241. 2703 -] a druiiufria thigerna This would bo the normal seating of charioteer and warrior. Cf. ara ara bélaib common in such descriptions. The two sentences which follow I take to be parenthetical remarks which might be compared to such a sentence as la é timchcllas Hérind i n-óenló (supra 1246-7) said of Mac Roth when he is first mentioned. (In F, however, Láeg is definitely stated to bo playing a board-game with his back to Cú Chulainn). The reference to draughts and. chess (I give these translations of buanfach and Jidchell for convenience) in this passage is perhaps an echo of an earlier description of a visit made by Fergus to Cú Chulainn, in which Láeg, playing chess, is said to be facing Fergus while Cú Chulainn has his back to him (supra 1300). 2703-4 dobere d (read no bered'i) leth brandaigecliia ~\ fidchillachta fora ihigcrmi This is explained by an earlier passage in Recension II: -\ no beted each ra chichi for Coin Culaind asin búanbaig (Táin 1577). Windisch notes tho gloss in Recension III: doberedh a ara leth air .%. gach re cluichi air (ZCP viii 549.23). 2706-23 There is no description of Fergus and his chariot here in Recension II. This was a stereotyped passage which flowed easily from the scribe's [icn. Jt is more detailed than the description of Fergus in an earlier passage where he comes to bring terms to Cú Chulainn). Note the elaborate description of Fergus's sword here although Fergus had no sword in his scabbard. 278 TÁIN Bó CÚAILNGE In the earlier account Cu Chulainn interrupts Laeg's description to explain how Fergus had lost his sword (supra 1306-10). Cú Chulainn's offer of hospitality (2728-31) echoes the earlier passage 1312-6, and LL (Táin 1595-1600). 2710—1 ma grindib állib a fén See infra n.2592-3. 2711 ba chumsclaig in charpait lit. 'under the movement of the chariot'. I take cumslaig (cumsclach) to be from cumscugud (con-od-scuich) 'moving, motion', with intrusive I. O'Clery gives cumhsgal Ä. gluasachd no corrughad. Cf. the later Donegal form of cumscuigim with epenthetic r, cosgraim cusgraim (Gadelica I 70-71). A form cumhscnaighidh occurs CF2 439. 27I4_5 Editors of TBC2 read cromsciathigel but their second i is merely a stroke made by the scribe or some owner of the MS. to denote division of words. The C reading seems preferable here—Cromsciath brec scabalgel. The Y scribe often confuses the order of words. 2715 co tri radhaib The F reading seems the correct one here. Ornamentation of circles was common on shields. Cf. in the description of Cú Chulainn: Dondsciath . . . co cóicroth óir . . .fair (supra 2360) and sciath co cóicroth óir fair BDD2 674, 882. rodénma gs. as adj., 'very beautiful'. Cf. the F reading Geilsciath . . . go ttri rothaibh caoimhdhenmhtha ZCP x 279. 2717 tairrsceo See BDD2 Glossary s.v. tairsciu, where it is explained as 'part of a shield'. Here it does not seem to be part of a shield unless we read inn óclaich after in ecéiíh and translato 'on tho leather covering of the warrior's shield which is over its broad-based tairisce\ Tho meaning 'circumference' might perhaps suit. 2718-9 úas chróebaib a chnis It is difficult to decide the meaning of this phrase, which here takes the place of the usual iama imda or iarna chindruim. Is cróeb used like gee = 'limb' ? Ones frequently means not 'skin' but 'body'. 2728-9 liath léna C's elta in (1752) would seem to be the correct reading. But curiously enough F reads liath léna, and so does Rec. Ill in a different context (ZCP viii 550.18). The meaning 'crane' is tentatively suggested for liath léna in Contributions, but a collective noun seems called for here. 2800 Cid immo tdnacaist A repetition of the question supra 2739; better omitted here. But see C-reading. 2887 corob 3 s. pros. ind. Contrast corob 2613, 2750 where it is 3 s. fut. 2898 feirtsi in charpait 2907 fcrisi a charpait Similarly in F. The reading in Recension II seems to make better sense: Scar dom fortcha -\ forge-men mo cliarpait fóm and so (Táin 2831), 'Spread the coverings and rugs of my chariot beneath me here'. 2941 ff. Túarascbáil charpait Con Oulaind Omitted in C. Obviously quite irrelevant here. A mnemonic passage suggested to the scribe by the poem Atcluiniur cul carpait. Cf. the insertion of a superfluous description of Cú Chulainn's chariot and horses in the Breslech Maigi Murthemne passage which occurs in LU (and C), but not in Recensions II and III. NOTES TO TEXT 279 In LL and F a shorter description of chariot and horses (but not of Cú Chulainn and Laeg) comes immediately after the verses beginning Is mithig in chabhair (Tám 2914-25, ZCP x 284). The end of this passage in Y (2965-73) seems corrupt. It contains some scribal misreadings, but I tentatively suggest that the compiler has also incorporated in the text overhead or marginal glosses or alternative readings. Only on such an assumption can I make any sense of some passages. What may seem drastic emendations are supported in the notes by quotations from other toxts. 2g4i in tres primcharpat Probably the three chariots were those of Cú Chulainn, of Lóegaire Búadach and of Conall Cernach. Cf. the description of those three by Finnabair in Fled Bricrend (LU 8590-8702). 2942 for Tánaich = for Tánaidh. 2944-5 cuing dronórda occurs in a similar description LU 8672 (FB) Tarbchlár Tarb- a mere intensive Cf. tarblaich, 'mighty warriors' CF2 282 and a similar use of tore- in torcasnach 'strong ribs' ib. 1269. 2946 co lungetaib Some parts of a chariot but the meaning is obscure. The word docs not seem to occur elsewhere, and may be a scribal error. There is a mark ('acute accent' Edd. TBC2) over the g. We might take this as a deleting mark and road lunctaib, dp. of loinit (loinid), 'a churn-dash', here with some such meaning as 'pistons' or perhaps the front shafts (as opposed to feirtse, thoso at the back). 2948 contacmaing In RIA Contributions s.v. do-acmaing, this verb is taken as intransitive — 'traverses'. I take the meaning to be tacmaing, 'encompasses, includes' + relative con-, and translate 'which that chariot contains'. 2949 co lúas . . . cliabaigi allaid Gliabach m. and f. (cliabag ?) is the name of some swiftly-running wild animal. O'Clery gives cliabach .i. cú dllaidh, but this may be no more than a guess. In the LL description of Cú Chulainn's horses (Táin 2920-4) their swiftness is compared to that of tétag allaid 'a mighty stag'. See note on tét- 'mighty', by G. Murphy, Celtica iii 318-9. Cf. supra 2285-6 co lúas faindle nó gaíthe nó chliabaig. 2950 is é tricius i dithius The commoner forms of these abstract nouns are tricce, dithe. In the modern version of Aided Con Culainn we get ■is é sin gliccus -} trice . . . cingit na heich (Comp. Con C. 100.24) wüh a variant reading tricas. Áithe = 'swiftness' occurs MU2 566, 650, 666. imorogct soems corrupt. One would expect some such verb as immriadat. U\ Contributions imorogct is taken as 3 pi. pros. ind. of imm-roich, 'reaches'. is chucaind imthigit As the sense requires the verb here is do-icc. Cf. ?',.¥ citcaind tic infra 2994 Im- is prefixed to the verb which is taken as relative, a iate usage after periphrasis. For another instance of relative im- cf. Nicon berat a drúcht dindfeór ar áihi ~\ imétrummi im-tháncatar MU2 566, with variant . . . taneadar. Dafd here used = fil. But Fil fer . . . Fil didiu imbi-sidi . . . 2957-8. 2951 coirrbega Perhaps a misreading of corrderga which we get in LU 6910. Meyer, Contribb., gives corr-bec, 'small-snouted', taking corr as = 'point, peak, prow of a ship', hence a horse's nose. 280 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE Q952 bascind Read the common adj. baslelhnat 2952-3 f° grindib áillib a [j]én The same phrase supra 2289, 2710-1. The meaning is obscure. Grinde, 'faggot, bundle', will hardly suit here. The usual meaning of fén is 'wagon' (as supra I.1755). Here gpl. seems to refer to some parts of the chariot. lugaid Meaning uncertain. Faraday translates 'supple'. 2953 fótmar focharrsid See supra n. 2290. 2955 The reading dreich must bo wrong. Cf. da ndroch duba tairchisi LU 8595 (FB), 9260 (Siaburcharpat Con C). 2956 crúanatai From cruan-data 1 2957 i n-airinach in charpail sin The usual meaning of airennch is 'front, van'. Here, as it refers to CÚ Chulainn, we must take it to mean 'chief position'. Contrast Ara comsid cirdub i n-airenuch in charpail LL 24904, in a description of Láeg. 2962 teóra imérotha 1mm- + sruih, 'an encircling stream' is suggested in RIA Contributions, but a form imrolh occurs in an earlier passage 2344 where LU has imsrotha. Possibly iméretha is a better reading. In the description of Cú Chulainn in the BMMM episode in Recension I'll we read Cain congairsi infhuilt sin concuirther Uora sretha im chlais a chúlaidh EC x v 203 § 174. In the same passage C reads teorae himsrethae (1373) ■ 2966 Here the MS reads Gem co fosaib which I take as intended for Géim comfossaid icobsaid), 'a firm, steady pace'. 2967 The editors of TBC2 print Groib glee laich ina lämaib. We might emend to Gróeb glaici laich, 'a branch to fit a hero's grasp', but for the following ina lämaib, which we should have to alter to ina láim. So I have suggested that we read cróib as a misplaced gloss on crúithib, and that the sentence Glac laích ina lámaib should come after secht meóir ar each láim. 2969-72 Printed in TBC2 Cochall citech imbe co fuashicud. Da duileml echlasc urchäin orda in[a] láim -\ brat findglas imbi etc. Fiiashicud vn. oi fuaslaici, 'loosens, opens', does not occur elsewhere in tho concrete sense ot the opening of a cloak or cape. But airslocud does occur with this meaning. In a description of Láeg beginning Ara ara bélaib isin charpai which occurs twice in LU we find the sentence Coichline ettech immi co n-aurslocvd ara dib n-ullennaib 9277 (Siaburcharpat Con C.) 10235-6 (Tochm. Emero), Cf. also the Dagdae's cape: Cochline co bac a da ullevd ItC xii 86. I note that in the RIA Contributions the punctuation of the TBC-editors has been accepted and da duilcndechlasc urchäin orda is tran-'ated (s.v. duillend) as 'two leaf-shaped riding whips'. Bul why two, especially as we also have brot fitidaircit ina láim"! Furthermore one would expect 1 brat findglas imbi to come immediately after the mention of his cochall. In the description of Láeg's attire given in Bresleeh Maigi Murthemne, stress is laid on the necessity of leaving his arms free to drive the horses. Cf. supra 2190—2. I suggest that some scribe inserted echlasc . . . ina láim as an alternative reading to avoid the repetition of brot in ic insaidi brot. In the description of Laeg's equipment in the passages referred to above, viz., Siaburcharpat Con Culaind and Tochmaro Emero, we got the sentence Bruitne di derijó, ina láim dia taircellad a eochu (LU 9278, 10236). Cf. also in a description of NOTES TO TEXT 281 Láeg in the mnemonic passage Cathcharpat Serda LL i89a~b: Flese arggit gil i lláim ind arad ic sobrostugud na hechraide na tiagat céirn forddail acht ammar as dees -j as less ~[ as licht [read lith] lassin óclach atchonnac [i.e. Cú Chulainn] LL 249>3-5- 2972-3 The editora of TBC2 here print c[h]arpat. Arsad a chaich. They read carp in the right-hand margin; I can see only the letter c which I also read faintly on the left-hand margin before the following line. The scribe did not understand his original; he writes Arpad (as I read it) with a capital A and probably added c in the margin when he realized his blunder. The editors of TBC2 have a note on the word they read as chaich: 'There has been an attempt to add e at the end'. I can distinctly read chaicle which I take as = choicle. A choicle atacomnaic = a choicle é, 'He is his friend (comrade)' which one might take to be a misplaced gloss on in milid mórglonnach. 2973 Printed is bee leis inn Eiriu in TBC2. The use of the article with Eiriu is unusual but not unknown. See Toohm. Étaíne, Ériu xii 12 §5; Death-Tales p. 38 §7. But I can make no sense at all of this sentence. Even emending to is bee leis a n-eire, 'Their burden is light to him', there is nothing to which 'their burden' could refer. I have not attempted to translate it. 2977 Dá n-impóind . . . The exact force of this remark is obscure. The sentence occurs also in F where it reads: Dia n-iompaidhinn m'aghaid don leih a tla mo chul, dar liom do rachdaois na hairm indillte fuilid chugad triom (ZCP x 285). 2979 romór molaid-siu = romôr molai-siu supra 2975. The spelling ■(a)id for the ending of 2 s. pres. ind. occurs fairly often in late Mid. Ir. texts, when slender -d had become silent. An instance occurs in W: India dam, ol Gcmchobor friss, cedh na cotlaid (ZCP ix 131.21) = Cid nó cotlai U Y. There are several instances in Life of S. Féchín (RC xii), Stair Nuadat Find Femin (ZCP xiii) etc. See CF2 819m 2999 Bee nár choriair ehonais Conas, 'contention, quarrel'. An adjective conasach occurs in Carswell's translation of Knox's Liturgy: daoine conasacha 180.19, 'contentious persons'. Plunkett gives conaiseach . . . trio-bloideach s.v. afflagrans. 3082-3153 Written by a different hand. 3146 for cúlaib ailli This is quoted in Contributions s.v. all, 'cliff'. But the Recension II reading seems to justify the suggested emendation: & rucsatar leá é go glassib ~\ go aibnib crichi Gonaüle Murthemne do thuargain 1 do nige a chneda -] a chréchta etc. Tain 3659-61. do ice -| búalad a c[K}récht Again 3149 dia búalad asna huscib. Búalad in the sense of 'rubbing (vigorously)'. Cf, melid used similarly in TBFr2 232, and túargain in the LL- passage just quoted. 3151 Dolluid Mac Roth ón tslóg f odes .Fodea must be wrong here. Read fothuaid. Or omit; probably f odes was copied carelessly from the preceding sentence. 3154-60 This list is not in Recension II. It interrupts the flow of the narrative very abruptly. Possibly its insertion here denotes a different source from that of the earlier part of TBC. 20 282 TÁIN BÓ GÚAILNGE Airecor n Ar ad, Aislingi n Aimirgin} Tochestul nVlad. There is a tendency to prefix n- to proper names beginning with a vowel in titles. For instance Longus nUlad Anecd. ii 43.16. In an H-interpolatiou wo even find 11. pi. Fir nól nEcmacht {supra 1656) where the tendency extends to a proper name not in a title. 3161 Caladgleó Cethirn This long passage may not have formed part of the original tale. As Comrac Fir Diad is an elaboration'of a duel fought by Cú Chulainn and onö of the men of Connacht, so this passage is an expansion of an attack on the enemy made by an Ulsterman in support of Cú Chulainn. Some of Cethern's opponents are obvious o.g. Medb, Illann mac Fergusa, the Maines and Ailill, but others do not appear elsewhere in the tale. Note, however, that the names Bun and Mecon occur in TBDD and also Bróen (and Bruitne of LL and Stowe). Thurneysen (Heldensage 192 11.2) remarked that the composer of this passage, containing as it does several invented names, cannot have been well acquainted with the warriors of Connacht. It is remarkable that though Fín gin Fáithliaig is expressly asked to come and cure both Cethern and Cú Chulainn, there is no further reference here to Cú Chulainn's injuries. Not until the episode Aislingi Aimirgin aro Cú Chulainn's wounds referred to again. Though in the final passage of Comrao Fir Diad some of the Ulstermen aro said to have taken Cú Chulainn to bathe his wounds and heal him in the rivers of Conaille Muirthemne (do ice -] bualad a credit do uscib Conailli), yet he is still unhealed in Aislin.ge Aimirgin ami Sírrobad Súaltaim. 3164 is denn céttamun fil forsin carpal In HIA Contributions this is quoted s.v. denn, 'hue, colour'. Probably it is d end, 'smoke, mist'. O'Clery quotes deann céideamliain .i. U nó cheó bealtaine. Cf. Brat at-chondarc immi, is coibéa ~\ ceó cétamain. Is sain dath ~\ écosc caclui húaire tadbal fair. Ailliu each dath alailiu BDD2 997-9- Ceó cétamain, 'mist of May', seems to denoto iridescence, the shimmering or change of colour as tho wearer of the mantle or the chariot moves. The sentence does not occur in Recension II. 3164-5 is cuma congoin ... I take this as an instance oi relative con-. Cf. the parallel passage in "Recension II: Is cmnma congonand a avoid -j a eocho Tain 3623-4. 3165 Is ed lied lais etc. This seems to be corrupt. The r o may be such an idiom, but no other instance is attested. I suggest reading is ed mod la-is. Cf. O'Clery, obviously quoting this phrase from TBC, is eadh modh lais .i. as teann obair lais. Vendryes (Vend. Lex. s.v. mod) would distinguish mod, 'maniere, facon' from mod, 'labour, peine'. (O'Clery has modh A. obair). Tho phrase is ed mod má (or dá) = 'scarcely' is common. Cf. supra 2256-7 iss ed mod d-dnas tairsed fiadchorr a tagraim do láv a grúade. Similarly in LL, but in Stowe is contapairt go dtairsed fiadhcorr a toghraim do lá?- a grúaidi {2312-3). The meaning of both idioms is 'scarcely, almost'. But note dá with is ed mod and co with is contabairt. But is ed mod occurs without dá or má. O'Davorcn §1258 reads modh A. contabairt, id est asedh modh jortalla ind tri mcr A. is inbechtain dia dtalla inn tri mer isin \n\eoch. Wrongly expanded by Stokes and mistranslated ? He expands ut est acht for ut est (a)sedh and translates 'save a space whereon the ends of three fingers fit.' Correctly 'ut est the tops NOTES TO TEXT 283 of three fingers can scarcely fit'. A similar expansion occurs in Stokes's edition of Aided Guill -j Gairb (RC xv 404,5), and is repeated in the Diplomatic Edition, LL 12637 ^^ř mod ma 'dresed corr in tšúil anaill do ind a grúade which I would read [a]sed mod (3 MS.). In this passage of TBC I take Is ed mod lais nicon tair in slóg i mbethaid to mean 'he thinks he will scarcely reach the army (and find them) alive'. Compare the equivalent sentence in Recension II: Actis indar leis ní hé rajúrsed na slúago 'na mbethaid itir Táin 3616; Dar leis ni beraidh i mbethaidh arna sluaghaibh Stowe 3528. I note that where the idiom occurs in Recension III TBC (in the Breslech Muige Murthemne passage) the wording is is ed a mod. Thus is edh a mhodh nach tairseadh fiadchorr toghraim uirri (RC xv 199 §145) (= 2256-7). Iss edh a hodh dha croitea righabhall. . . nach roisedh ubhall dibk etc. ib. §151 (= 2270). The spelling a hodh is to be noted. Again in Cea Ulad from Harl. 5280 (ZCP viii 120) ~\ esse uhud de sen no gaipioih esse in c[h]arpait. In his edition of the text (ZCP xxix. 311) Vernara Hull suggests the reading iss é a mod . . , and translates 'hardly on that account did he ever grasp the reins of the chariot'. 3166 Milchú alath Ham This sentence is not in Recension II. It seems irrelevant here. One would not expect a hunting hound to accompany a warrior bent on hostilities. In general Buch hounds are represented as accompanying warriors whose equipment and entourage are elaborately described o.g. secht milchoin i slabradaib argait LL 33126 (TBFr.); >Secr milcoin imma charpat i slabradaib argit ib. 33490—1 (Tochm. Ferbe). 3174 arceisi de a guin In RIA Contributions s.v. ar-ccissi (b) this is translated 'complains', a rendering based on O'Clery's airchisi de a gum A. éccaoinidh sé a gain. But éccaoinid, trans., may mean 'mourns for, pities'. Cf. Stowe TBC 3006, 4389. 3177 isind duibdúnad C reads isin dunad 2283. Possibly duibdúnad is a mere scribal error, duib- should have been deleted. The exiled Ulstermen are called dubloinges only in the late Stowe TBC: trlcha cet na dubloingsi (357)- co Fiacha No mention of Fiacha here in LL or Stowe. 3178 do chuindchid legi Npl. for gpl. In Recension III, but not in Recensions I and II, one of the stipulations made by Fergus when offering conditions to Cú Chulainn is that Medb's physicians shall attend any of the Ulstermen wounded when fighting on Cú Chulainn's behalf (ZCP viii 547). 3179 do c[h]omchisvn Cethirn See note on cumcaisiu Éigse xiv pt. I PP- 54-5- 3185 co tuilid a inchind fora chlúasaib C is illegible here. Recension II has imperfect indicative for the whole sentence: da benad . . . béim dá dum . . . co tabrad a inchind dar senistrib a chhías Táin 3647-8. But we should hardly expect bentai . . , co tvilcd hore in Y. It is just possible that inchind, singular is here taken in plural sense with plural agreement of verb and that we should read co tuilet (t and d are easily confused in this MS.). In Aided Conchobuir (in LL 14300-2) we find verbs and conjugated prepositions in the plural referring to inchind. See note on inchróes Celtica x 142—4. 284 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 3185-6 Marbaid cóecait leigi diib As Thumeysen pointed out (Heldensage 191) this is not a variant version but a scribal mistake corrected at once by nó marbaid cóic firu déac dib. C shows confusion, referring to sixteen physicians in one passage, to fifty in another. 3187-8 Anachtai-side la Coin Culainn iarom Not in Recension II. Perhaps a scribal addition here, a vague remembrance of a sentence in the episode Fiacalgleó Fintain infra 3333, where Cú Chulainn is said to have rescued a son of Fintan. 3190 do choimchisin Recension II reads do leiges Chethirn here (Tain 3658). 3ig4 adoféchad The editors of TBC2 suggest that this is for ad-da-féchad. Perhaps for atdécad from verb ad-déci. 3199 ba di chén Probably to be read bad (ipv.) di chén, rather than ba 3 s, pres. subj. 3205 Domdnic ben In Recension II Illand Ilarchless comes first in the list of Cethem's attackers. Possibly this accounts for the description in C domannicc laeck . . . and for the insertion of ose amxdach and is é rombi in both Y and C. There certainly is some confusion here; possibly part of some other description has slipped in. Medb is fully armed in Recension I; in Recension II she carries only a spear. Here there are three descriptions of attackers not found in Recension II, viz., Tri truaill Banba, Tri Fruich Baiscne and tri rechtaire Ailella agit-s Medba. 3205-6 ben . . . chainmar This is the only recorded instance of this adjective. Possibly we should read ben . . . chain már. Cf. the equivalent passage in LL: Ben chain . . . mór (Táin 3678), and that in Stowe: Ben mor chaoin . . . tainic cucam (3600-1). 3207-8 Côicdomn . . . ara druim Cf. cocdhurn .i. sgiath O'Cl. A shield on her back seems excessive together with claideb . . . iarna imdae. This might account for C's alteration of ara druim to ara dum. We should expect some such sentence as cóicroth . , . ara dôit to follow the description of the mantle. Cóicroth means 'a brooch of five circles' as well as 'a shield'. Cf. Fúan . . . n-imbi. Cóicroth óir airgdide and LU 8601 (FB). See Stowe TBC Glossary s.v. In IX Medb has a golden brooch (ed óir) on her breast. Fuillechta Part, of fo-slig, 'smears'. Here in sense of 'overlaid'. 3212 Fingal, . . This is glossed by the compiler of Stowe TBC as cnedh tue duine dot coirpfhine fort (3588). Both Fergus and Fintan were of the Clann Rudraige. For the plural Nit berat referring to fingal see note Celtica x 142. 3224-5 Nicon tiagait a noindin itir . . . See Táin n. 3691-2 for a different translation from mine suggested to me by Gordon Quin. There must have been two meanings for noinden. Cf. noenden .i. tinol, ut est ardncendin sluaigh .i, tinol sluaigh mhoir O'Dav. §1297. This is the meaning I have taken here. 3228 Bun -j Mecon The same names are given for two of the king's guards in TBDD, LU 7672-3 (H). NOTES TO TEXT 285 3230 Duba ind fhuil se Plural adj. when Juil sing. = 'wounds'. Again plural verb and adj. in It imfoicai ém inn juil ro fersat fort 3268. See Celtica x. 141. 3231 co ndernsat crois de Ve must refer to cride. More usually the expression refers to the weapon as a cros, e.g. of a sieg: corbo chross tall tarsna triana chliab iar tregdad a chride LL 33654 (Tochm. Ferbae); of a gai: co rabi 'na crois triit TTr2 980. The LL reading here in TBC is co nderna chroia dib trlt chride Táin 3699, drb referring to the two spears thrust into Cethern by Bun and Mecon. 3231 LL reads -\ ní jurchancaim-se a ice and so Táin 3700. Better a n-icc as in Y C. 3233 Dergrúathar dá mac rig Chailli Meyer (Contribb.) suggested that dá Hgchailli of Y was du. of rigchaindel, caindel used figuratively = 'famous warrior'. But such a spelling of cainnle does not seem to be attested. Meyer may have been influenced by dá mac teóra soillae. Should we read dá mac rig chaille «= 'the two sons of an outlawed king* ľ 3235 fidchúach See note Celtica x 144-6. 3238 Bróen -j Láiréne Bróen 7 Brudni Táin 3712. In TBDD one of Conaire's dáilemain is named Broen {LIT 7545) and one of his two table-attendants is called Bruthni (ib. 7691). 3241 rocrechta fo eill 7 luin Similarly C. I cannot translate. The account of the tri trúaill Banba is very laconic. It does not occur in Recension II. 3252 I read Imathcosan here in Y. In the MS. all the words referring to an attack on Cethern, viz. Qalach, Dergrúathar, Congál, Búrach eto. are written with a large capital reaching into the left margin. The / of Imathcosan in the margin is blurred, but quite legible. The editors of TBC2 read mathcosan. Athchomadn is sometimes used = 'attack, onslaught'. Cf. Roba thromm in t-indargain 7 rap amnas in t-immairc 7 rop aithgér in t-athehomsán darat each da cheile dina sluagaib TTr2 2003-5. See note on achmasán Echtra Uilliam 3013. For the spelling cf. nirbat scelach athcosaánach LU 3496, where the meaning would seem to be 'aggressive' rather than 'reproachful'. 3254 Tri broine Hatha foraib Braine, 'top, tip, prow (of a boat)', like barr came to mean 'a head of hair'. In Foltfoclxaa . . .fair co sniged co brainni a imda LL 33486 it means 'top'. But in ben . . , co mbraine barráin biih-ruaid MD iii 278.30 it means 'hair'. 3269 immo&rocréchtatar Y originally read immosrocechatar which, I suggest, may have originally been immosrethatar. The verb maybe imm-reitht 'runs about, moves about'. Cf. supra 3250 co n-imreith do chridi indit. I note that in a later passage in LL- TBC the verb imm-reith is used with reflexive pronoun infixed: la béa don taleg sin nochos imrethet impe riam ná híaram na féťhana . . . & Í3 dóig gombad gar re coscar ros imreittis impe and so innossa Táin 4351-3. See also TBC (C) n. 2377. dait Better the reading of C, indut, 3283 Cindas alomchíi-aea Here ad-ci is used with more or less the same meaning as *com-ad-ci, of which the vn. occurs supra 3179 and again 3285. This perhaps explains the form Cindas atcoimchi-ai in C (2389), a confusion of the two verbs. 286 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 3284 There seems to be an omission here in Y. C has taken the LL reading: dáig ní tu ros mela -] ní iharmnaigfet dait (Táin 3762-3), 'it is not you who will enjoy them and they will bring you no profit1. 3286 Heading my suggested emendation of the C addition the meaning would be: 'You will show no mercy attacking a great army, for you are destined to die in any case'. See note by editor of C 2392-3 for alternative suggestions. slicht sluaig I take slickt here to mean 'track', lit. 'when it is the wake of an army', i.e. the wounds left behind on Cethem's body by the attacks of many opponents. Thumeysen (Heldensage 192) paraphrases 'aber da eine ganzes Heer seine Spur in Cethern zurückgelassen habe'. Unless we include the sentence added in C, the word ar should be omitted before atbéla. 3289 Is and tucaib dom dó Tucaib possibly for locaib, tócaib (the ó is short in the earlier language), but one would not expect 6 > u: I have no other instance of do-fócaib with dorn. Perhaps a scribal misreading of tue buille dá durnn dó or tocaib a lávm ^ tue dom dó 1 Actually dorn is not the word to be expected here. Better lúa as in Recension II: Agus dobretha trénlúa tarpech dá chows uad riss Táin 3766. Lúa is needed here to explain the place-name Úachtar Lúa. 3289-90 co ndreised in carpat huile The verb dreisid is given in Contributions as of doubtful meaning. I connect with dresacht, and adj. dresach-lach, commonly used referring to the noisy creaking of a chariot. 3293 As Bometimes happens in this MS. the word beós is misplaced. (It is also misplaced in C). Cf. Qorop de alá Úachtar Lúa i Ořích Ruiss ó sein análi gosindiu Táin 3768-9; Conadh de ata Uachtar Lna i cOrích Rois beos Stowe 368g. 3294-5 oldás for legi The Y sentence is quoted by Thurneysen (Gramm. 232) as an exceptional use of ol without a verb. I have taken the C reading and assume that the reading ol in Y is a mere scribal error. 3299—3301 Here the recensions differ. In Recension II it is Cú Chulainn who kills the cattle. Here in Y the passage is ambiguous, perhaps intentionally so if the scribe thought that the gravely wounded Cú Chulainn could not be expected to kill the cattle. 3300 smirchomairt Synonymous with smirammair. See Táin n. 3777. 3308 Jrisnid (< *frisndid), fri + copula. Cf. condid (conid), óndid, diandid (dianid) etc. Mistaken for negative by the C scribe. 3310 carpat Finde Becce She is called Finda ingen Echách in LL, Táin 3788, Inda ingen Eachach Salbuidhi Stowe 3725. The name is Findbec in Talland Étair (LL 13428) and in Fled Brierend (LU 8408). The C compiler, drawing on both Y and Stowe, has in one passage carpat Findbéice (2411) and in another Inda ingen EcJiach Salbuidi (2427). 3315 marb is written in the margin in Y. I have adopted the reading of C which puts marb after in liaig. We might perhaps read instead . . . ro bai marb itir collaib n« legi. Cf. Dorala-saide marb de múaíd móir éter choUaib na llega aile Táin 3790. For marb in the sense 'unconscious' see CF2 n. 1338. NOTES TO TEXT 287 3322 Is iarom conmell foroib I take the verb to bo meilid with con-, relative prefix. In the older language a relative would not be required here. Or possibly the verb is con-meil. I have no other instance of the idiom meilid for, 'he attacks', but meilid seoms to be used like imm-beir. Cf. arna media .i. ama himri O'Davoren 63, rmd nicon mela in f er sa a baraind for Ultu ní bus móo infra 4065. laithe co n-aidclte One would expect 'three days and three nights'. Cf. supra 3287, where he is promised nert tri lá -\ tri n-aid-chi to attack his enemies. In Recension II the three days and nights are the time spent by Cethern in the marrow-mash. Some confusion here. Mane Specifically Maine Andóe in Recension II. 3328 Fiacalgleó Findtain No explanation of the name is given here, and for it we must turn to Recension II: Is amlaid ra geibthe in f er de muntir Fintain mcic Néill -] in f er ďferaib Hérend ■) beóil -j sróna cáich díb i ndétaib -\ i fiaclaib a chéile Táin 3831-2, to which Stowe adds ar dtairesin a n-arm, to explain why Fintan's men were reduced to fighting with their teeth. 3332-3 fori amdabaid sciath (Read fat) That the words are misplaced here is shown by the LL reading: Ro hainced-saide fo amdabaig sciath la hAilill -\ la Meidb TAin 3821. 3336 Rúadrucca Mind Again the name is explained in Recension II: And sain ra ráidselar fir Hérend: Is rúad in rucce se, bar iat-sum, do Mend . . . a munter do marbad ~\ do mudugud -\ a guinféin corop růsti rúadderg fair Táin 3843-5- 3337 tricha fer n-imrind dó In Recension II Dá fer déc ba sed a lin-saide Táin 3838, a better reading, for it was the total destruction of his force while he himself was merely wounded which caused Mend's 'blush of shame'. 3342-3 'There was no crime to be laid to their charge'. Alternatively one might read ní boí ein 'no (= 'no) mbeith dóib, 'There was no reason (lit. fault) for them [Mend's people] to be at enmity with them [the men of Ireland] or 'for them to attack them'. Cf. nl nach ein aile no taid dom Wb. I9a26, 'it is nut any other fault that makes you vexed with me'. The C reading would seem to support this meaning. 3346 Bángleó Rochada Thurneysen takos as bangleó, 'Weibskampf. It is of course a fight fought because of Finnabair. But bangleó should mean 'a fight fought by a woman'. Cf. bangal supra 3204 which O'Clery glosses gail nó gaisgeadh mná. Meyer, Contribb., gives bángleó, 'a bloodless fight'. Again in LL here the title is explained: Is and sain ra ráidsetarfír Hérend: Is bán in gleó sa, bar iat-som, do Reochaid . . . ocht cét láech lánchalma do thutlim trina ag -j Irina accais -] a dul féin cen Juligud gen fordergad fair Táin 3890-2. 3352-3 Focres a phupall do iuidiu a Findabair I take Findabair here to bo the place-name. Cf. infra 3365 Is de atá Findabair Siebe. (For tho place-name Findabair, 'white water', which is of frequent occurrence in Ireland see Hermathena 1933 210-12). But Thurneysen seems to have taken as ó Findabair, for he renders it 'Sie schlägt ein Zelt für ihn auf und schläft bei ihm (Heldensage 195). 288 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE 3358-9 Bálar oc forairi ón tslóg Hardly to be taken as a scribal misreading of oc /. an talúaig The preposition ó here denotes that they had been sent to watch on behalf of the army. Cf. the equivalent passage in Recension II: oc foraire dar eis in télúaig Táin 3879. 3365 Atbail arjéili and sin In BIA Diet. s.v. féile the reading or [a] feile sin, 'from the shame of that' is suggested. Emendation unnecessary if we take C- reading. 3366 I have taken the first element in Mellghó as mell, 'pleasant' ('playful' Í) Cf. Mellbretha. I base this on contibset in fear tamocht 3376 and the final sentence of the passage 3386. The compiler of Recension II on the other hand has taken mell to mean 'a round mass, a round missile'. His closing sentence is la aire atberar Mellgleó nlliach Ha ddig de chlochaib ■) chorthib ^ táthleccaib móra fogní-aeom a gleó Táin 3929-30. 3375 clapar Meaning doubtful. See Contributions. 3387 Airecor nArad For airecor meaning 'a hail of missiles' see Stowe TBC n.3898. In Stowe alone an explanation of the name is given: Aa de at-berar aireagar n-aradh uair is do clochaib -| do corthib 1 do tháthlecaibh in talman ro cuirait ár bfer nErenn (3897-9). Airecor nArad is a doublet of Aided na Macraido in the earlier part of the tale. 3399-3400 co ndechaid a dltaib dó I have attempted to justify my translation of this passage in Stowe TBC n.3986. If the meaning were, as has been suggested by previous translators, that his joints had been dislocated (reading altaib pi. of alt), one might have expected not an impersonal use of téit but something like co ndechaid each alt dó aaa inad. Cf. ro laad cech alt aaa choir damm Ml. 44a2, 'My every joint has been put from its proper place'. In the description of the wounded Cú Chulairm in the episode Sirrabad Súaltaim the emphasis is wholly on bleeding and loss of blood. 3408-9 o mac Conall Gemach No reference to Conall Cernach here in Recension II. The sentence reads like a scribal addition. 3413 fri dá mac dec Oaile Dána -] mac a sethar The remarkable point here is that there is no reference to the fight with Per Diad. LL reads ri Calatín Dána cono iecht maccaib fichet ^ ra húa Táin 3984. Stowe TBC alone adds t re Fer Diad ier sin. See Táin Introd. xxiii-xxiv. There is a confusion here in Y with the fight against Ferchu Loingsech and his twelve followers. Recension III shows a somewhat similar confusion of the two episodes when a passage describing the fight with Gaile Dána and his sons occurs in Recension III in the fight with Ferchú Loingsech and his twelve men (RC xv 207 §§225-6). 3421-3 Note that there is no reference to Ců Chulainn's having been healed by the rivers of Conaille Murthemne. But that passage occurs in the later interpolated Comrac Fir Diad. 3415-6 In nem maides ... A common motif. The speaker first asks if any of two or three cataclysms is taking place and finally asks the question to which the answer is affirmative. Cf. an almost exactly similar passage in Talland Étair where Ců Chulainn hears the groan of his fosterling Mess Dead: la nem maidea nó ia muir thrdgea nó talam conacara no búriud mo daltai-ae NOTES TO TEXT 289 oc tmbirt zcomluindfair LL 134x1—2 (with statements, not questions). Compare also a passage in TBDD. At the sound of Dond Désa's sons* landing, Conaire says that it is an earthquake or a cataclysm caused by the leviathan which surrounds the globe striking the earth with its tail or—finally—the boat of Dond Désa's sons coming to land (BDD2 591-4). 3427 for Duma na nOiall Called Leco na nQiall in Recension II, which explains foraind liaic 3446, liaic as. of lia. See Bergin's note on lia Ériu xii 217. Lecc and lia were sometimes confused. 3428-9 Ba airmert di Ultaih . . . Acht has twice been added later in Y. Here the compiler has confused re n-, ria n- with fri (ri). The original reading must have been something like ní labrad neck dib ria Conchobar; ní labrad Conchobar riasna druldib. This is the reading in Recension II and in MU. Cf. Oeias ď Ultaih labrad rena rig, gets don rig labrad rena druidib Táin 4017. Again MU2 234-5. 3430 Cista brata . . . This is a repetition (or doublet) of an earlier passage in the section called córugud aile {1211-8). There it is Cú Chulainn who takes the account of the foray to Conchobar. I have expanded cisda ben where the editors of TBC2 take it as cisdabeir. In the earlier passage in LXJ the question asked is ciche brata, eiche áig, eiche goin (1215). 3434-5 Túaga . . . The use of these hoops is explained more fully in Stowe TBC when Cú Chulainn complains of his grave wounds to Súaltaim: Atá do met mo chnedh -j mo chrecht conach fuilngim mo earradh no mo ededh do buain re mo cneo3 conadh tuagha urchuill congbas mo brat os mo chionn (3965-7). In AS these hoops are called lúbáin findchuill, 'bent twigs of white hazel': corub lubá[i]n findchuill ro boi ac imfhulung a n-étaig tarsu ina coaaair-leapaid chró AS 5201-2. 3442 a n-aithesc n.» but m. in C. 3444-5 One of the passages where the compiler of Y or of Y's exemplar has condensed the narrative and so distorted the meaning. I would take iaa tech to be a misreading and misplacement of in t-ech, and read Dobeir in t-ech i nEmain aitherroch a chend forsin aciath. (Although often in Y ind emain is the spelling for ind Némain, we can hardly read Dobeir ind Némain etc. hero). In Recension II Súaltaim goes on his mission to the Ulstermen mounted on the Liath Macha: Túnic Súaltaim reime forin Liath Macha ďóeneoch Táin 4009. Then when Súaltaim receives an unsatisfactory answer driuch-traie [lingia Stowe] in Liath Mocha ba Súaltaim 1 tánic reime fa urdreich na hEmna. Ia and sain imsui a aciath féin bar Súaltaim co tópacht bil a acéith féin o chend de Súaltaim Luid in t-ech féin bar cúlu arís i nEmain -] a scíath barainn eoch ~\ in cend bar sin aciath Táin 4035-9. It íb this last sentence which is distorted in Y. I am not convinced that the Y reading iaa tech is the original one. If it were, we should have to assume that the LL- compiler, like the present editor, read Dobeir in t-ech etc., and then added all the details about Súaltaim's arriving on horseback, the sudden shying of the Liath Macha and Sualtaim's consequent fall. One remembers too that messengers were frequently sent on hoseback. Hence echlach, marcoch = 'messenger'. 290 TÁIN BÖ CÚAILNGE 3445 1 asbeir an cend an focol cétna The common motif of a severed head speaking. See Táin 4039 n. 3446 is inna choilud ro boi-som In the earlier passage of whir-h Rírrabad Súaltaira is a doublet, Cú Chulainn takes the warning to Conchobor and the passage is introduced with the words ,r. Cú Chulaind dixit (1213), that is, the whole passage, Cú Chulainn's message, Conchobar's question, Cú Chulainn's answer all form a rose. Such a rose was commonly spoken in a mystic trance. The only possible explanation of Súaltaim's falling asleep here is that the scribe took his message Fir gontair, mná brattar, bai agthar as a rose, or the beginning of one. 3448 ff. Muir ara cendaib . . . That the sentence has the force of a vow is Bhown by the equivalent passage in Recension II (Táin 4042-7). Of. infra 4043-4. 3451 Forrumai . . . láim fora mac The samo meaning as in him do gabáil ar x. Cf. Ra gab láim ara araid ara ňgabad a eochu Táin 2800-1, 'He ordered his charioteer to harness his horses'. 3454~97 For this catalogue see Táin n. 4054-4100 and Stowu TBC n. 4011-24. Of the twenty leaders described later in the section Toichim na mBuiden fourteen are mentioned here. Noteworthy in the catalogue is the inclusion of Illann mac Fergusa who was with his father in Connacht and had attacked Cethern mac Fintain. Though Cethern's death has been recorded already, he too is included here. 3502 comérge do Chonchobar The same meaning here as in mo d í acht rad-sa asin chea a raba, as Conchobar himself calls ib (3510-1) — Rocensinn IT mo chomérgi-sea aasin león -] assin chess i rraba (Táin 4115). It refers to Conchobar's recovery from the debility rather than his rising up in arms. 3508 a ndá tríchaid cét sin That is, the Lister division which had gone to fetch Ere and Erc's own division. 3512-6 This episode is told in very obscure fashion in Y and C. Thanks to Recension II we can discern the meaning. Some such sentence as that in LL {<£ baralsat [ = doralsať] dôib and ocht fichtifer mór do sainmuntir Ailella 1 Medba Táin 4118-9) might be inserted after trib cóictib cairptech, and the sentences cu tubartadar . . . Féne put after din brau. There is inconsistency here. If Conchobar and Celtchair kill 160 of the enemy at this point, Aililľs doubt as to whether the Ulstermen are on the march (3549fr.) is inexplicable. Probably this passage, like the later one in LL where Conchobar fights in person against Medb and her forces (Táin 4228-78), is from another version. Thurneysen (Heldensage 105) suggests that for Sírrabad Súaltaim and this paragraph there stood in the old version a brief account of the Ulstermen arising from their debility and marching against the enemy army. 3515 dojaidi For do-s-faldi, 'sends them'. 3540 huair Aililla MS. Corrupt. Not in C. I have suggested that it is a scribal misreading of Buadris A. Cf. in Recension II Buadris Celtchair and so innossa, prefixed to a rose, Taible lethderg etc., spoken by Celtchair Táin 4127. NOTES TO TEXT 291 3562 Atchondarc . . . in gaíth móir Cf. co n-acasa in gaith n-úair . . . bee nád rue ar jolt diar cennaib LU 9240-1 (Siaburcharpat C.C.). Again in Togail Troi: Is i eanad gaithi adúari . . . atchonnacaia LL 32221-2. For this interchange of a verb descriptive of a sense we might compare W. clywed, 'hearing', which is also used of 'smelling', 'tasting.' 3574 in tormgal (tromgal MS.) In the corresponding passage of Táin the collocation toirm -j torann occurs three times 4179, 4191, 4312. Dr. Dillon has remarked on the fact that many of the -gal compounds refer to noise (Celtica viii 197 n.5). Here -gal intensifies torm. The C- compiler must have found the spelling tromgal in his exemplar. He changes it to tromnélgal which does not refer to noise but means 'cloud-rack'. Cf. CCath. 470. 3590 Ar is at the line-end: Is ar I trichaid cét inti. The reading in LL is: Dóig rifarcsin -\ rifégad trička cét indi Táin 4298. 3605-6 Eó óir húasa dóit Again Eó óir fora dóit 3636. Dóit (earlier doé) means 'upper arm, shoulder' and is frequently given as the position of brooch or pin. Cf. Milech air ecair ina bruit uasa gelgualand LL 39463 (MTJ). (I note that in a passage in Táin Bó Fraích 236 Dr. Meid misunderstood dóit and translated milech as 'bracelet', TBFr2 ign). In the present text we have Tri delgi óir húasa ndóitib 3774, and in Recension II Délgi órda airegda | iar ndótib dendglana Táin 4563-4). 3611-2 a ňglúne fri talmain i imbel a sciatk fria smecha That is, each man is ready and eager to attack, one knee to the ground, and shield held in defensive position. Recension II makes this clearer by adding ara fat lea go léctar chucaind Táin 4326-7, 'in their eagerness to be let at us.' Cf. Ro bdtar didu ara chind -\ immbél a aciath fria smechu Trip.2 468, expressing the hostile attitude of Láegaíre's people to Patrick. 3618 Sciath erradach The meaning of the adj. is doubtful. O'Clery gives sgiath erreadhach .%. eangach: and engach is used of a shield Stowe TBC 4543, and in many other texts = 'variegated*. 3630 slúag argara XJlad Argara here for gen. of airgaire vn. of ar-gair. Cf. am teist ergaire cluichi Fél. 150, 'I am a proof of the prohibition of sport', with v.l. in 15c. Franciscan MS. argairthi. The reading of Recension II is slúag acallma JJlad Táin 4364. 3635 f°9a forgabalach ina farrad Phrase omitted LL, fogae fogablaighi {— fogablaigthi) Stowe TBC 4325-6. Cf. supra 2096. 3635-6 iarna c[h~]inddmim Some part of body. I assume that the meaning is as in iarna imdae, iarna Jormna* 3680 Ergal án riam See Celtica x 147-8 where I suggest that this was originally a marginal note here misplaced. Again 3721, 3820. I have not translated the sentence which means some such wish as 'Good luck to him in his fight!' 3681 comendaisc Meaning obscure. 3681 Cromrosc Crundrosc Táin 4401, cronnrosg Stowe TBC 4356 'a round eye'. In the same passage Táin has Crundsciath derg (4402) corresponding to dercsciath here. O'Clery gives crom-roac .i. gormrosg Ä. súile gorma nó glasa. We might take the first element of cromrosg to be a confusion with cromsciath which is not uncommon. Cf. infra 3736 and supra 2233. The better reading is that of Recension II. 292 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE 3687 laimnid The meaning 'one who dares' is suggested in Contributions. 3694-5 Cuinsiu chain c\K\orcarda chumdachtach Perhaps better omitted in this passage. Already gnuia and aged have been described. But I note that in the description of Cormac Cond Longas in TBDD we get first Aiged fochdel forlethan followed by other details and finally Coinso choir chain chorcorda lau (LU 7081). 3701 la leth gliad Again is leth catha 3740 In Táin I have translated 'He is half a battle (in himself)'—perhaps too literal a rendering. 'Fitting opponent in battle' is the meaning given in Contributions. 3716 Baithi The -th- has been taken over from the present táthai, 'he has'. One would expect some such word as lór to follow, Baithi l ár do gail etc. 3723 cúicroth óir fair Caechruth (read cúicroth) óir fair ,i. a aciath Táin 4452. Cf. also aciath co cóicroth óir fair LU 7080 (TBDD) In the Second Battle of Moytura Stokes translates Coicroith oir uara muin as "Five circlets of gold on his neck' (RC x 60 §16). It refers to his shield on his back. The sentence comes between the description of spears and of sword. 3752-3 Méit a béil beólu eich The accusative beólu because the sentence is taken as the equivalent of Métiťhir a béil beólu eich. Cf. Samla beolo fidchuaich indara aúil dó LL 12636, where samla too is the equivalent of an equative. 3753 For my rendering of lethglóir see Stowe TBC Glossary s.w. lethgabar, lethgleóir. O'Clery was mistaken when he glossed lethglebie as leathahúil ghlóire, which actually means 'a wall-eye'. Plunkett gives, under glaucoma, glóireacht a aúil eich, aúil ghlóire. 3755 húosa dóit MS has dot with mark over 0, probably due to an attempt to insert i. Editors of TBC2 read . . . huasa . dondbocoit . . . 3771-80 The three sons of Fiachna are not described here in LL though they are named among those summoned by Findchad. Stowe TBC includes them here, no doubt drawing on Recension I. 3785 Here Recension II has merely Qae gorm tanaide úasa Táin 4509-10 We might take the Y- reading to be for co n-ag anmas {oag am amainse MS.) or co n-agaib amainae. For the plural of ag cf. the description of Mac Cécht's spear: Cethri traigid tromthomsidi éter a dá n-ag LU 7284-5, 'between its two points'. 3788-9 Is é in lamnid leatarthach Possibly the same word as supra 3687. But luibne, 'a casting spear', fig. 'a warrior', is the term used here in Recension II: in lumne léitmenach Táin 4513, anlubne létmech Stowe TBC 4423. 3791 Comla, 'a door-valve', fig. 'a (protecting) hero'. Comla catha is common, so also comla ergaili. Or we might read here comla chothaigthe, as in Fianaigecht 86.9. 3825 Contuaiasi here, like ar-tuaiai, must mean 'falls silent.' Contrast contúaaiaet fria uli LU 1450, 'they all listened to him'. If the meaning were 'he listens to him' we should expect the addition of fris. NOTES TO TEXT 293 3828-9 JVi 'mmuscarat tairrid. Corrupt ? Perhaps originally a marginal note; the text reads smoothly without it. The sentence has been taken over and still further corrupted in both LL and Stowe. 3833 oc teasarcain luig a cridi Laeg, 'calf =* 'favourite, beloved, darling1. LL reads oc teasarcain laig a mbô Táin 4559; Stowe has ic teasarcain a n-úa 4590. 3834 Dos-icfe Dos-uicfe MS. with deleting mark above u, 3839 ff. From this point on the narrative in Y is disconnected, jerky and obviously inaccurate or corrupt here and there. Recension II on the other hand has a smooth-flowing narrative with events recorded in logical sequence. 3842 Ní thánic didiu Conall Černoch coiia mórbuidin Conall Cernach and his men are described, however, in Stowe TBC 4551-67. So also are the three sons of Conchobar ib. 4539-50. For remarks on this point see Stowe TBC Introduction pp. xii-xiii. 3847-58 The description of chariot, horses, warrior and charioteer is quite superfluous here. The unequal combat referred to (iarna chréchtnugud ■i nn-écomlund) is Cú Chulainn's fight with Gaile Dána and his sons. 3848 foaseňga An attempt has been made to delete the first s. Read foscnga. See BDD2 Glossary s.v. foaeng, 'leanflanked*. 3850 Pupull uainidi huaithne Here huaithne is perhaps a scribal change of reading for the first adjective. Faraday begins a new phrase Uaithne intnaise, 'the pillars carved'. But uaithne as part of a chariot does not occur elsewhere. intnaise If not a by-form of eanaisae, part, of in-snaid, 'inlaid', we might take as meant for intlaise. 3852 Cethochruss nó ceatharfochrus A scribal correction of the first word ? Cetharfochrua may = cethirdiabail. But the form cathfochrua occurs (supra 93) Fer i cathfochrua bruit deirg. Fochrua,fo -f cria. 3853 Text corrupt, but again there is an echo of the early verses so it is possible to correct. Cf. Cethri claidbíni, des n-án I fil i cechtar a dá lám (supra 87-8). Dóit here used = 'hand'. 3854 Again text corrupt. Cf. aecht cneslénti fichet (supra 2216) in the description of Cú Chulainn's attire. 3856 ina ladair I have translated 'between his fingers', but as he is engaged in playing chess it may mean 'between his toes'. 3857-8 Búanbach . . . ardai The exact relevance of these sentences here is obscure. 3860 a sidaib It was Lug mac Ethlend, not Súaltaim, who was Cú Chulainn's father a sidaib. 3870 Fer muinter ... I can make no sense of this. Should we read something like Ferda muinter t Or is it a scribe's guess at an illegible line in his exemplar, e.g. Formna fer nlllad adchonnarcaia émt About one third of the line is blank after the words or Fergus. Something was written in the blank space and overflowed into the margin. Unfortunately it has been erased so completely that nothing of it can now be read. 294 TAUST BÓ CÜAILNGE 3872-3 7 baaisestar A. . . . -j basiseatar C. = jo-sisestar. In a note on the conjunction agus Celtica ix 131-2 I have given instances of interchange of preverb in a non-relative verb after ocus. The interchange ba- \ jo- is common, 3874-6 I have given the MS. reading in the text. The translation would be: 'Then Conchobar's tents were pitched. There was scarcely a bare patch of earth between them [i.e. between the tents], and the Ulstermen came before sunset.' I think the emended reading gives better sense. We have already been told Luid Conchobar trá cona šlógaib co ngab di'inad hi comochraib dia chélib. Pupaill Conchobair would be a repetition, so I have suggested pupaill jer nÉrend. Further I suggest eturru -j dúnad nUlad, taking eturru to refer to fir Erend. Only with a copyist as careless as the scribe of Y would one suggest such drastic emendations. 3877 itir in dá dúnad LL reads oc indloch 7 oc etarchossalt éter na dá dúnad chechtarda Táin 4601. The two encampments referred to are that of Conchobar (Luid Conchobar . . . co ngab dúnad supra 3871) and that of the men of Ireland (reading focertar pupaill jer nÉrend supra 3874 as I have suggested). 3881-2 mairc Iarnaib , . , cén mair Iarnaib 'Woe to the Érainn . . ■ Hail to the Érainn'. According to T. F. O'Rahilly this was a simple scribal blunder; the scribe took the word to be iarn, 'iron' (Ériu xiv 8 n. 8). LL reads Bó mair Ěmo Táin 4606-7. 3882-3 Is ed dobreth hi cluasaib I aim Read hi cluasaib Erann. Dobreth with active meaning, probably intended for asbert. Cf. LL- reading. 3884-6 Dobreth biad dó . . . Not in Recension II here, but twice in Comrac Fir Diad of that recension we get the sentences: Raptar biattaig Brega dano do Ohoin Gulaind. Tictis dá acaldaim fri dé .i. each n-aid che Táin 3133-4, 3176-7. This passage in Y would seem to be an echo of the LL-passages. It is not really relevant here. In the LL- Comrac Fir Diad it follows a sentence which tells us that the men of Ireland supplied Fer Diad with food. 3894 Bá bág dóib-aom .. . Bag in sense of 'obligation, bond'. In LL- TBC Ba bág ám dait-siu ga doberťha do greimm catha . . . lind Táin 4704-5 = Ba coir duit-si , . . do grem catha do tabairt . . . linde Stowe TBC 4812-3. 3903-4 Nó is hé Conchobar . . . This uncertainty as to the attribution of the various roscada is peculiar to Y. Again infra 3928. Cf. also supra 3523, 3538 where the rose beginning Taibli lethderga etc. is attributed first to Celtchair, and then in an afterthought, 'possibly it was chanted by Cúscraid Mend Macha.' No uncertainty at any point in Recension II. 3905 Comérgid, rig Macha Again infra 3911-2, 3930 and Ajraigid, rig Macha 3918. For nominative used as vocative see supra n. 54. 3927 oc terorcain MS. LL has ac tulargain na mbuden rempu Táin 4667. The verbal noun must have been indistinct in the exemplars of both Y and LL. 3939 More clearly explained in Recension II with the words ara jat leis tiachtain timchell Táin 4644, 'deeming it too long to go around (to the opening of the tent)'. NOTES TO TEXT 295 3940 Is degchobair eigne The editors of TBC2 read . . . ěigme, adding The m is doubtful' in a footnote. I read eigne plainly, but there is a later prolongation of the final bar of the n. Is degóir éigmi Táin 4648-9, which Windisch took to be for degúair éimgi and translated 'eine gute Stunde geeigneter Zeit', Marstrander suggested the reading degjhóir éigme, 'goodly help in answer to a cry of distress.' One of the late Recension IIb MSS. actually reads deaghjhóir eimhghe (Stowe TBC p. 152 n.5). 3941 Imthúsa TJ lad . . . This is a turn of phrase found both in Comrac Fir Diad and in the continuation of TBC Recension I, in YBL. It does not occur in the LIT portion of TBC. The phrase is used when one topio has been dealt with and a different character now appears. Here it seems to denote a breaking off in the narrative to introduce an interpolation Tochustul Fer nÉrend. When the interpolation finishes the narrative returns to Cu Chulaind with the words Imthúsa Con Culaind immorro is ed indister sund coléic. (3984). 3945 Tochostul Fear nÉrend This catalogue of warriors summoned to Ailill was evidently intended by the compiler of ľ to be a counterblast to the earlier list of warriors summoned to Conchobar, Tochestul TJlad supra. As I have noted (Stowe TBC p. 196) there is one big difference between the two lists: in Tochustul Fer nÉrend none of the men named appear earlier or subsequently in the fighting nor are there any well-known figures among them. The list would seem to have been one memorized by scribes. It has been drawn on in the r5th-century tale Cath Finntrága to provide the names of the Túatha De Danann chiefs who came to the aid of the Fianna. Again in Toruigecht Diarmada -j Gráinne a more garbled version of the CF list occurs (ITS xlviii 50-52). In LL only thirty-three triads are named against the hundred and one of Y. There are echoes of names found elsewhere in Irish tales, in particular some triads which occur in Fled Bricrend and Togail Bruidne Da Derga. See Stowe TBC p. 196. 3982 Fcrchuidred Fer nÉrend See Stowe TBC n.4795. A member of the jerchuitred was jerchuitredach. In LL the list of names is preceded by And sain dariachtatar chucu-som *na jerchuitredaig jer ňHérend Táin 4689. 3985-9 This passage comes earlier in Recension II before the catalogue of warriors. The phrase ní regad crua nájonnad třít is made clearer in LL by the addition ara dlús -j ara dehnne 7 ara daiňgne coňgbaither a n-airm i llámaib na mmíled itráthsa Táin 4676-7, 'so densely, so firmly and so strongly are their weapons held in the hands of the soldiers now'. 3997 I have suggested the reading jerchuitred ind athšlógaid, 'the triads of tho second mustering'. The editors of TBC2 have ina jerchuidreda ('the a has been added later beneath') ind äth slögaid which Faraday translates 'the men of the body guard [came] to the ford of the hosting'. I take aihslógad to refer to Tochustul Fer nÉrend; the first slógad was Tochustul TJlad. 3997-8 I n-inam trá hi tuladar fianna iarom . . . For the last two words I suggest that the exemplar of the Y compiler was partly illegible. The obvious roading would be fir Érend. 4001 Nístailcc Medb . . . The scribe often misplaces words. Here I suggest that he has displaced a whole sentence which should rightly come after jerchuitred ind athšlógaid supra 3997. As it stands here in Y it is the 296 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE warriors from. Irúath who act as bodyguard for Medb and Ailill. In Recension II it is the ferckuitredaig. Before the list of warriors in LL, ferchuiiredaig fer ňHérend, we get the sentence ba hed a ňgnim uile 'sin chath ar bith gona Conckobair diambad fair bad róen -j ar bith aňcthe Ailella -j Medba dámbad forro conmebsad Táin 4689-91. Cf. Maidid for Meidb iar sin . . . -j nos berat na ferchutredaig aas hi iar sin amal ba bés dóib LL 34125-6 (Tochm, Ferbae), where they certainly act as Medb's bodyguard. 4004 nárbo chol dó 'that it would not be wrong for him1, with the overtone of the guilt attached to one attacking his own kinsmen. 4015 doruchtfaid Some corruption here í One would expect a transitive verb with object na haeru. There is a word drocht (2 drocht Contribb.) meaning 'dark, obscure*. Might one read drochtfaid na haeru, 'will darken the air' ? The meaning given in Contribb. for ruchtaid 'emits a rucht or sound of some kind* will hardly fit here. 4020 isin letir Í crich nUlad In LL barin lettir i Crúachnaib Ai Táin 4715. See my note on this discrepancy Táin Introd. 1-li. 4027 Fo chen etc. This is spoken by Fergus in answer to Ailill's rose. This is made clear in Recension II: Acua firia Fergus jalte riain daideb. lMo chen Caladbolg, claideb Leite', bar éaium etc. Táin 4719í". 4032 do thoitirn i roi remur Remur does not seem to give sense. I have met no other instance of it used figuratively = 'crowded'. Should we read remum ,'before me', Mid. Ir. for Hum. 4033-5 Not in Recension II. The passage, which is a repetition of earlier ones, seems out of place here. 4047 fairt thairrae Sciath fluctuates in gender (especially for pronominal prepositions) even in the same sentence, as here. Cf. BDD2 977, 978 where dó refers to aciath in one line and tarae in the next. 4049 Gia . . , argab in sciatht One would expect the addition frirn. Táin reads Gia concoňgbathar aciath rum-aa (4748). Argab here used with same meaning as do-furgaib, 'raises'. Cf. tócbaid in aciath fria supra 4045-6. 4056 Ainbchellach [nád] ainbchellach O'Clery has ainbhcheallach .i. ainmin nó garb. For the idiom cf. Mét mo boithe—bee nád bee EIL 8.10a, and Atconnarcatar úadib mod nad mod A. in fat roaiacht ind radairc a roiac LTJ 10056-7. 4066-73 Not in Recension II. The passage is a repetition of Fergus's encounter with Cormac. There is actually no definite implication here that Conall Cernach is with the Ulstermen. Note that Fergus asks him the same question as he asks Cormac who is with the Connacht forces. 4074 nô for sciath Gonchobair fodeisin The alternative here is the Recension II version. 4088 Eethaid {= rethait) immorro anaill ille aa 'They sprang out of him hither and thither*. The scribe, probably re-reading the sentence, misunderstood and took it to be for immar anáil i léa 'like air in a bladder', a stereotyped simile. Hence he made a marginal note am ( — amail), intended as a correction of .vm. {== immorro). Qabaid (= gabait) a fuile ergraim de = Ra gabaat a Juli ilgremma de Táin 4791-2. Lit. 'His wounds took hold of him, prevailed over him.' NOTES TO TEXT 297 4089 cend ceachtair de in dá inaüte In Recension II it is two female satirists (dá banchánti) who come from the Connacht encampment to feign to lament over Cú Chulainn and to bring him news of defeat. They are first mentioned after Toichim na mBuiden (Táin 4596-9) where their names are given as Fethan and Collach, and they are mentioned again in this passage, as in Y, where they are called Fethan and Golla (Táin 4793-6). Their killing is described there as the first exploit performed by Cú Chulainn after rising from his sickbed. 4092 ar adroaa ... I assume that the scribe forgot to put marks of deletion under -ag-, Cf. at-róa o thairmeac, 'he could not be prevented' Fingal Ronáin 14; at-roaa techt ar in orggain ib. 397. 4093 aecht cnealénti fichit Similarly 27 in the BMMM episode supra 2216, but 24 in the description given by Mac Roth 3854. 4099 notninua . . . The verb nigid, 'washes', comes to mean 'washes vigorously, drubs1. See note s.v. nigid Stowe TBC Glossary. 4102 Gia do Jeraib Hérend . . . One would expect Gia di Ultaib ... as supra 4049 or merely Gia as in Recension II. 4106 Dó duit (do thuit MS.) The scribe's ŕ and d are hard to distinguish sometimes, but here he definitely has thuit. I take it that the scribe of his exemplar had the same confusion of t and d. For dó duit, 'begone', cf. O'Clery's dó .i. chuige, dó dhuit .i. chuige duit. In the Etarcomal episode where Recension I reads Airgg uaim (supra 1348) Recension II has Dó duit (Táin 1649). Cf. also Táin n. 80. 4107 With the scribe's correction of aaat to basat cf, Gia bátar do gnima in tan ropsa (v. 11. ropaat, basat) gilla? Tec. Conn. §82. The scribe altered because of the past romimgabais-siu. We might omit that verb, however, and read Maith, or Fergus, in tan aaat tretholl-aa, 'I agree, said Fergus, since you are pierced with wounds'. But emendation is pointless here for obviously the compiler had quite forgotten the details of the earlier episode, Comrac Fergusa fri Coin Culainn. In that incident Medb asks Fergus to fight with Cú Chulainn. After much persuasion he goes, but Cú Chulainn retreats from him on condition that at a later date, on the occasion of the great battle, Fergus will in return retreat before Ců Chulainn, and in doing so will induce the men of Ireland to follow his example. There is no reference to Cú Chulainn's being wounded. The passage where Fergus makes his promise is not told in any great detail in Recension I: Teilg traigid dam, a Ghú Ghulaind, or Fergus. Teilgfe-so dano dam-sa arisi, ar Gú Ghulaind . . . Is and ain dolléci Gú Ghulaind traigid for culu re Fergus . . . ara telced Fergus dó-aom traigid i Hó in chatha (supra 2510—4). In Recension II it is described in more detail (Táin 2494-9). In the present passage, as it is given in Recension II, only Cú Chulainn speaks. He reminds Fergus of his earlier promise: Ro gellaiaiu teicked remum-ao inbaid bad chríchtach crÓlinnech treťholl mé for cath na Tána dáig ro thechiuaa romat-sa ar do chomlond féin for Tánaid (Táin 4809-11). The Stowe compiler adds an tan nach raibi do cloidemh agat-sa (4935). 4109 fácbaid We may take as active 'they, i.e. the Gaileóin and the Muimnig, leave (behind)', or as used intransitively with passive sense 'they i.e. the forces of Medb and Ailill, are left'. See RIA Diet. s.v. fo-ácaib II (a). 21 298 TÁIN BÓ CÜAILNGE 4118 tairia Perharjs for do-airis Mid. Ir, = O.Ír. (arrasair proL. ní do-airissedar. But to whom does the singular verb refer? To Cú Chulninn? I suggest reading -\ tairia, 'and across (the ford)'. The phrase used in Recension II is dar Ath Mór siar Tain 4837, 4841-2. 4118-9 Beanaid tri b émeud . . .forsin lice A plural noun might be better. Recension II reads -j rabert beim dona tri Máélánaib Átlia Lúain i n-agid 71a tri Máela Mide goro ben a tri cindu dib Táin 4843-5. This was a counterblast to the three blows struck by Fergus on the Máela Mide (supra 4072). 4122 Correcad lochia -j fulachla Meaning obscure. Obviously some proverbial saying with a play on words. 4129 The reference to the quarrel between Fergus and Bricriu (Fchtru Nerai RC x 212) is much more detailed in Recension II, and so is the account of Bricriu*s death. I have translated tor, 'sorrow, pain', rather freely as the context demanded. Original reading probably i n-othor ? 4134 conidgres Fergus In Recension II it is Connac Cond Longe* (Táin 4886-8). 4138 co mebaid a fergaire The context suggests that it was the Donu Cúailnge's leg which was broken as he drew it away from the Finnbennaclťs horn. However the Stowe compiler, using a copy of Recension I, takes over this sentence (which is not in LL) and definitely states that it was Donn Cúailnge who broke Finnbennach's log: coro bhrís a gcrrgara do bailie (5050). 4141 Berlins Ham iarom. The meaning is 'he carried her' or 'he carried them'. Neither meaning will suit hero unless we assume that the Y- scribe has omitted a sentence, found in Recension II, which describes the Donn Cúailnge coming from Crúachu with the body of Finnbennach a mangled mass (ina ascarnaig) on his horns (Táin 4894-6). (Plunkett gives a sea mach s.v. stupa, the coarse part of flax, tow hards, hence a tangled mass. Here ascarnach describes the mangled remains of Finnbennach). Assuming that the Y-scribe had overlooked some such passage bertiua could refer to aacarnach f. It would perhaps be too bold an emendation to read berthi as, 'He (D.C) carries him (F.) off.' Alternatively beirlhi as could be taken to mean 'he betakes himself, he goes'. Cf. beirihi i n-imirghi a Cleitech, 'he made a flitting to C Tochm. É tain e, Ériu xii 146 §8, lit, 'betakes himself. But if we took this to be the meaning here, it does not explain how he emerged from the hike with the shattered body of his opponent impaled on his horns. A final suggestion to explain bertius: in Mid. Ir. Mio infixed pronoun •s- has spread beyond its bounds and is frequently used for 3 s.m. May bertius be an instance of -us, the suffixed pronoun, used = 'him' ? An instance occurs in SerglJgo Con Culaimi; Tofobairt iar sin Senách Siabo/ih« . . . -marbthus Cú Chulaind LU 3790 (H). I note that Thurneysen, influenced no doubt by the reading of Recension II, gives the gist of this sentence as 'Der Donn Cúailnge tragt nun den Finnbennach einen Tag und eine Nacht auf den Hörnern' (Heldensage 217). uide lá co n-aidche One would expect laí, but here lá co n-aidche is taken as an indeclinable phrase. NOTES TO TEXT 299 4142 co tulaid dó ass = 'and he came away out of it (the lake)'. In Contributions s.v. do-tit (g) this sentence is taken as an impersonal construction with dô of the person. I take dó to be used, adverbially here, like English 'off or 'away'. There are several instances of this use of dó in LL- TBC, e.g. Lotar . . . na echlacha dó co tech Dare Táin 88, Lotar na echlach-a ar cul do samlaid ib, 141. In LU alone in Aided Cúir, we get the sentence Luid dó iarom (1711 H), 'He went off then'. 4155 Dru im Tairb One would expect an explanation of this place-name as of all the others. LL-TBC has Tue a druim risin tilaig Táin 4916, but does not give the place-name. 4156-9 This last paragraph in which the death of Finnabair is ignored is purely a scribal addendum. We might compare the ending of the tale called Fled Bricrend -j Longes Mac nDuil Dermait in the same MS. written by the same scribe (YBL 1 i4b-i 17b): Is iarsin didiu dogensad cairdea -j Eocho Rond, 1 anaid Findchoem la Coin Culaind. Dodeachaid iar suidiu [siudiu MS.] do Emain Macha co morcoscor. Is de sin ata Fled Bricrenn ar in sceol sa. Ainm aili do didiu Loinges mac Duil Diarmait, Finit (IT II 185. 296-300). The resemblance in wording is too striking to be mere coincidence. INDEX TO MAIN NOTES alaÜiu, arailiu (adverbial), 'or else' 1170-4 Allechtu 955. amal, 'where' 1498 anaül ille 4088 anam (a m'anom) 12609 anarma 1924 apraind 2173 arco 2178 at gar a 3630 aspiration of relative 2341 bag, 'obligation, bond' 3894 biruich 2288 braine 3254 buadris 211, 354-0 cadessin 947—8 cdem 1754 (see also 655-6) cairini 2246 cess Ulad (noinden) 51 cia arrdnic 2166 clangdirech 2285-6 cliabach 2949 co matain 457-8 co topachtur 1758-9 coinne 1923 contuaisi 3825 corob (fut.) 2613, 2750; (pres. ind.) 2887 cros 3231 erosoch 2599 cúicroth, cóicroth 3207-8, 3723 cuitbiud 864 dagéini Ä. tic 947 dái<7 ar 6ií/t 2100 degchóbair éigne 3940 denn céttamun 3164 Día do bethu 489 dd (in adverbial use) 4106, 4142 doiagat 532 do-inchoisc sen 618 ďtííŕ 3605-6 do-selba 1775 do-soi (for) 29 doŕría (6úaid i 6emwic/i.rain) 2615 dreisid 3289-90 ergal án riam 3680 Jer da sin 2106 fichid (trans.) 2025 fochlacht 1171-4 fáitech 198 fótmar 2290 frisnid 3308 /m'Z, 'wounds' 3230 Galióin 148 gri7řa = ara 1662, 2332 lartiaib = Érnaib 3881-2 imatheosán, athehomsán, 'attack' 3252 imthúsa 3941 infixed pronoun -s- 89, 869-70, i n-iam 2043 /a (agent with impersonal verb) 804 lamnid 3788-9 leih (brandaigechta) 2703-4 lethgleóir 3753 liaih léna 2728-9 mad mani, mad dia 1697, 2139 marginal .r. (before catalogue) 114; (before syllabic verse) 190 má thecra 1315 meilid (for) 3322 mellgleó 3366 mod {is ed mod) 3165 ■ind Néma-in 210 noinden = tinól 3224-5 nominative for vocative 54, 3905 oldás 3294-5 passive form for active 1974, 2242 2297. 2577 saiget 2231 tormgal 3574 tuaga 3434-5 luillem éeraite (fri) 727-8 INDEX OF PERSONS tri Aeda Aidne 3958. Ailill 2, 4, 149, Ailill mac Matae 1217, 3539; g- Ailella 145, 870, 890. Ailill [Ardágach mac Mágach] 4. tří hAilill hTJaiti 3966. deich riAilella 1916. Aimirgin See Amairgin. Aindiaraid 3465. dá Äinle 1969. tri hAirig Cluichiur 3975. tri h Airig Insi Üan 3977. tri hAirt Arda Ladrann 3962; tri hAirt Arda (repetition) 3967-8. Alamiach 3478. Allechtu 955. The Fury Allecto. Amairgin cosin rigfüid co hA. 3462-3; Amargiri 3403, 3406, g. Aimirgin 3393. 3394. a- Amargine 3401, 3402; Amorgene mac Ecetsalaig Goband 3728; Amargind mac Eicit (sie) 3928"9-Amargin co hAimirgin co hEas Rúaid 3481. tri hAmalgaid Al 3953. Ambuach 3471. Ánlůan mae Mágach 4. tri Änraid Turbi 3964. dá Ardáin, dá mac Licce 1942. tri hAthchuirp Tulcha 3972. Badb 2ioa, 3942, 4033. tří Bailcbroindi Móenmaige 3978. Bairech 3476 (n. loe. 1). tri Bairrchais Eille 3962. Barrene 3471 (n. loe. ?). Bascall mac Mágach 5. Bé Néit 3942, 4033. Blae Brugaid 3488. Blae Fichit 3488. Bláirige 3493. Bodb 1525, tri Boidb Búaidnige 3950. Bogaine 1526. Boirche 3043. (Possibly a common nmin = 'strong man, warrior? See Contribb. s.v.). Bo Mailce 2060. tri Bratruaid Locha RÍ 3952. Brecc 3483. Breic 3476. tri Bresail Bodgna 3953. Bricir 3476. Bricirne 3476. Bricrin Nemtbenga mac Carbada 1990, 4129, g. Bricriu 485, Bricrinn (sic for Bricrenn) 4132. Bróen mac Big Caille 3235. tri Brónaig Bethra 3969. Bruachur 3478; tri Bru[a]chair Glais Febrat 3955. Bůadgalach 3470. tri Buaideltaig Berba 3950. Bůan g. Búain 1849. Búan 3476. Boide mac Báin 1491, 1502. tri Buidir Búaisi 3949. Bun 3228. Cairbre Nia Manand 2667. ceithre Caiss 2322. tri Cais Cuile 3979. dá Chalad 2032, 2321. Cathbad Drui 603, 610, 612, 613, 3459. tri Caurith 2321. cůic Caurith 2323. Celtchar mac Guthidir 56, C. mac Uthidir 365, Celtchar mac Cuithe-chair 3472, g. Celtchair meic Uthidir 1532; n. Celtchair (Y) 3512, 3517, Celtchair mac Cuitheochair 3741-2. tri Celtchair Umuill 3961. secht Celtri 1916. cuic Cermain 2323. Cet mao Mágach 5. Cethern mac Fintain 3169, 3175, 3461, g. Cethirn 3161, 3190. dá Chiar 2321. Cimb 3474. Cimling 3474. Cimmene 3474. dá Chir 2321. cuic Cobthaig 2323. Cóemdele ion. tri Coinchind Shile 3960. tri Coirbri 3459-60. 302 TÄIN BÓ CÚAILNGE tri Coirp Cláiri 3967. triJCoirpre Cliach 3956. tri Coirpri Luingi 3974- ocht Coirpri 2325. Coirpre mao Fedelmtheo 2400. Col 2064. tri Combirgi 2322. secht Conaill 1915. tri Conaill Collamrach 3955-6. tri Conairi Sléibe Mis 3948. Couall Cernach 143, 542, 666, 3479, 4067, g. Conaill Chernaig 681, 3988, voc. a Chonaiil 672. Conchobar mao Nessa 51, 402, 436 et passim, g. Conchobair meic Nessa 610, 476, 589, voc. a' popa Chonchobair 440, 648. tri Conchobair Collsen 3976. tri Congbaidi Cliach 3963. Conla Sáeb 3485. Connad mac Morna 3479-80, 3688. Cormao Colomon ind Rig 3266. Cormac Cond Longas mac Conchobair (C. Con Longes Y) 6, 9, 16, 1705. Cormao Maile Ogath 3266-7. tri Cormaio Cůanach 3973-4. tri Cormaic Uiscrenn 3971. Corp Gliath (read Cliach) 3466. Cf. TBDart. 149 ff. tri Coscraig Clothra 3961. Cremath 3488. Cronn ion. dá Chrůaid 2032, 2320. tri Cruim 2321. Cruthen 1524. Ců Chulaind mao Sůaltaim 102, 217, 220 et passim, g. Con Culaind 262, 1169, voc. a Chú Chulaind 494, 1930, a. Coin Culaind 255, 318, d. Coin Chulaind 1657, 1742; dimin. voc. a Chúcán 2176, a Chúcacán 2702. Cuilén 3490. Cuillius ara Conchobair 1039, 1042, 1045. Culand Cerd (Cauland) 545, 546, 567. Ců Ri mac Amargin 3482. Ců Roi mao Dáire 1396, 1617, 1620, g. Con Roi 1398, 1609. Cur mac Da Láth (Cáur) 1695, 1720, 1727. g- Cáuir 1694. Curethar 3490. Cůscraid Mend Macha mac Conchobair 484, 521, 3487, 3523, 3624. sé Dáich 2323. náe nDaigith 2326. dá Daigri 1969. Dáir rí Román 2194. Dáire mac Fiachna 3780. sé Dáiri 2324. náe nDáiri 2326. tri Dáiri Tiprat Find 3962. Daithen 1943- (cf- BDD2 > >55)- Dam Derg 3465. Dam Dremed 3464-5- náe nDámaig 2326. tri Damaig Dergderce 3952. Daman athair Fir Diad 2525. tri Dauig Leamna 3961. Dechtere g. 444. Dedad 3455. tri Deirg Sruthra 1691. tri Deiscertaig Droma [Fornochta] 3957-tri Deisciľt Úaga 3960. deich nDelbaíth 1916. Delt 1943. (Cf. BDD2 1155). Derg Inderuc 3457 Dernu 2064. Derothor 2032. Diarmait mac Conchobair 2465-6. 2467, 2470. Cf. CA §255. Díliu mac Gárach 909. Dócha mac Mágach 5, 2457, 3377, g, Dóche 2462. tri DoílEirrig 3951-2. tri Dornmair Maigi Uisce 3980. Domu 2064. Drenda 3474 (n. loc. ?). Drendas 3474 (n. loc. ?). Drúcht 1943^ (Cf. BDD2 1155). tri Důadaid Áine 3959 Dubthach Dóel Hlad 189, 2371, 2426, 3527, mac Lugdach meic Caorubai 2402, g. Dubthaige (v.) 191, Dubthaig 21 ib, 3530. tri Duib Drúad 3975. tri Duib Imhg 1691. tri Duirn 3978. sé Důngail Irruis 860. ceithre Dúngais Irnlig 1969. dá Ecell 2321. INDEX OF PERSONS 303 co hEchdaich (read Eochaid) Lathach 3467-8. co hEchtaich {read Eochaid) Sainmech 3467-tri Échtaig Ane 3951. tri Échtaig Findabrach 3970. Eirr mac Iraird 256, 333. Birrge Echbél (Airigi) 3471-2, 3758-9. Eithbenne 3491 (n. loc. ?). tri Eitirscél Temrach 3964. tri Elair Deiuais 3976. Emer Foltchaín 2811. Én mac Mágach 5. Eo mac Oircne 3484. Eógan mac Durthacht 367, 482, 3489, 3640, g. Eógain meic Derthacht 481. Eraise 2065. Ere mac Cairpre Niad Fer i Fedelme Nóichridi 3828, g. Eire 3507. Etarcomol mac Eda -\ Leithrinne 1290, 1296, 1321, g. Etarcomail 1287. tri Eterscéle Etarbáne 3958. Fachtna mac Senchath 3475. Fáeladáu 3458. Fallach 3456. Fandall mac Kechta Scéne 703, 741. deich Fedelmid 2327. seser Fedelmthe 1559. acht Féic 1916. deich Féic 2326. tri Féic Findabrach 3956. Feidelm Baníáith 49, 54, 304, Fedclm banfili 41, voc. a Feidelm B. 48. Feidelm Nóichride g. Fedelmae Nóichridi 223, 3507-8. Feidlimid Cilair Cétaig 3457-8. 3678. tri Feidmnig Rotail 3965. ceithre Feochair 2322. Férach 81 ib, 812°. tri Ferad Find 3971-2. Feradach Find Fechtnach 3750. tri Feradaig Foltchais 3965. Fer Báeth 1746, 1750, 1757, g. Fir Baíth 1788, 1829, voc. 1778, 1791. Ferchú Loíngsech 2520. Fer Diad mac Damáin 2577, 2581, 2592, g. Fir Diad 2577, 2781, 2818, voc. a Fir Diad 2590. Fergna mac Findehoíme 3471, 3803. Fergus mac Leite 3477, 3718. Fergus mac Róich (Roeich) meic Echdaich 57, 141, 1217 et passim, Fergus mac Rossa Róich (rose) 1088, g. Fergusa 264, 1044,3546, voc. a Fergus 351, 15551 1669, a Fergais 231, 1893, 2775, a popa Fergus 489, 1312, 1364, a popa Fergais 4097, a mo popa a Fergais 2726, a popa a Fergais 4059. deich Fergusa 1559. Fernél 3491- Fer Tedil 936. Fer Toithle 2061-2. Fer Ulli mac Lugdach 703". Fiacha mac Conchobair 3768, g. Fiachaig 2398. Fiacha mac Fir Febe 143, 822, 1428, 1725. 177'-Fiacha Fialdána Dimraith 2456, 2458-9, d. Fiachaig Fialdána mac Fir Febe 1635-deich Fiachaig 2326. tri Fiach Fernna nlmbais 3978. Fiachna 3464. Fiachna mac Conchobair 3768. Fiachna Fuilech mac Fir Febe 1634. (= Fiacha mac Fir Febe supra). g. Fiachrach meic Fir Febe 1647. sé Fiachraig 1560. tri Fiachraig Feda Némain 3953-4. tri Fiadail Duinergin 3976. Fiatach Fer Doirre mac Dubthaig 3496. tri Fidaig Saigthi 3973. Find Bee g. Finde Becco 3310. Wife of Cethern mac Findtain. Findabair ingen Ailella -\ Medba 145, 1570, 3349, 4158. g- Findabrach 1604, 1751. Findchad Fer Benn 3451-2, 3498, voc. a Fiňdchaid 3455. Findchad Sléibe Betha 3491. Findmór ben Celtchair 1532. Findtan 3329, g. Findtain 3328. Fíngin Fáithliaig 3189, 3196, 3201, co Fíngin 3487. tri Fintain Femin 3957. Flidais i45e. Fochlam mac Iraird 257, 333. Fodail rechtaire Ailella -\ Medba 3256. Fcich mac Iraird 256, 333. Foil! mac Nechta Scéne 703, 734. 304 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE tri Foimdig Irruis 3968. Foiro mae Tri nAignech 1735. Follomain mao Conchobair 2146, 2168, 2171, 347'» Fallamain 2148, Follomon 421, g. Fallamna 2153. Fotgemen 964, 1540. Fota 2060. ceithre Fotai 2323. Fráech 834, 839, 844, g. Fraich 833, 853, Fraich meic Idaid 856. tri Fruich Baiscne 3261. ceithre Furachair 2322. Furbaide Fer Beim 3486, 3813. Gabrán File 2441. Gaile Dána 2549, g. id. 3413. tri Gairb Gluwiraidi 3959- tri Qalgaidi Goain 3965. Germán Garbglas 2885. tri Glais meio Cathbad 3974-5. tri Glaisderg Tethba 3981. Glas mao Delgna 2550. dá Glas Ogma, dá mac Cruind 1943. dá Glas Sinna, dá mac Buccridi 1942. Glese 1944. tri Glonnmair Maigi Lethain 3980. tri Gortaig Granaiso 3966. tri Gůaire Gaible 3958. Ibor (Ibar) ara Conchobair 654, 728. Ieth 3464. Uiach (Dech) 3367, g. id. 3369. tri hlllaind hErend 3968. niand mao Fergnsa meic Róig 3217, 3456. Imcbath mac Fiachna 3780. Inell mao Iraird 256, 333. Ingcél g. Ingoiúil 327a. Irmaitbes 3466. troll 3492- Lieg (Lóegi 317, 318, 321 etc., voc. a Loíg 1148, a Laíg 1155. Láegaire (Lóegaire) Bůadach mac Connaid Buidi meic Iliach 3368, 3485, 3525, 3922. Láegaire Milbél 3473. tri Láegaire Berramnach 3973. tri Láegaire Licci Dergi 3951. Láiréne mac Rig Cbaille 3238. Láirine mac Nóis 1818, 1824, 1827, g. 1807. tri Laiten Luiged 3975. Látb mao Da Bró 1732, 1735. tri Lesflnd Lůachra 3949. Lethan 947, g- Lethain 946, 952. tri Lethluind Linte 3960. Léthrend echaire Ailella 1890. Loch Mór mac Emonis 1875, 1975, g. Lóich 1881, 1908, Lóich meic Mo Femis 1874. Lócha 974. g- id- 973- 977- Lon mac Gárach 909. Long mac Ebonis 1878, 1978. Lothar 983, 991, g. Lóthair 994. dá Lůan 1558. Lůar 2061. Lug mac Ethlend 2109, 2316, g. Logá 2117 = Lug (Lámíata), g. Logá 327s. Lugaid mac Nóis uí Lomairc Allchomaig n68, H75. 1177 etc. L. rí Muman 1819, Luigid 1805, g. Lugdach 1761, 1841, voc. a Lugaid 1184, 1201, a Luigid 1170. Lugaid rí Fer mBolg 347°. co Lugaid 3459 {repetition?). dá Mac Bethe meic Báin 2151. dá Mac Ficce 2561-2, 3145. Mac Roth 1245, 1246, 1253 etc., voc. a Meic Roth 3549. tri Maccáech Femrag 3972-3. Máenén (Máenán) Drůth 932, 936. Maine (name of seven sons of Ailill and Medb) na secht Mane 1886, Mane (unspecified) 2467, 3322, Maine mac Ailella i Medba 1165, Mane mac Ailella 1123, 1390. Maine Andóe 170, 2457, 2460. Maine Atbramail 169, 1572, 1574, 1577 etc, M. Aithremail 3275. Maine Cotageib TJile 169, M. Condusgeib TJUe 3281-2. Maine Máthramail 168, M. Máithremail 3=75-6. Maine Mingor 169. Maine Móepirt (= M. Milscothach) 169-70. Maine Mórgor 169. Maine mac Cruinn 3494. Maine mac Braitharga 3465-tri Maine Milscoth 3956-7. Maithes 3466. INDEX OF PERSONS 305 Mál mao Rochraidi 3495. Cf. MD iv 130.92. Mand Muiresci mao Dáire 2524, 2527, g. Maind 2523, 2546. Maro 1525. Mebul 2064. Mecon 3228. Medb ingen Echách Fedlig 144 et passim, g. Medba 871, 890, 926 etc., Medbi 1932, d. Meidb 903, 974, 1008. tri Meic Amra Esa Růaid 3954-5- Meio Bůachalla 1524-5. tri Meid Corpthe 3949- Meille 1525. Mend mac Sálchada 3337, 379a. [Mend] mao Sálcholca 3481-2, Mend mao Fer Calca (corrupt repetition ?) 3492. Mes Láech 909. Mes Letban 909. Mes Lir 909-10. tri Mesaig Maethla 3966-7. tri Mielleth Locha Erne 3952-3. Moccorb mac Mágach 5. tri Mochmaidne Maige Ai 3969. Mogoll Echbél 3484. tri Mongaig Mitaine 3959. tri Mongaig Mucruma 3969. Morand 2665. tri Mórda Mosoth 3963. in Mórrigan 955, 2040, 2051, g. na Mórrígna 1845, 2038, frisin Mórrígain 2024, coBin Mórrígain (sic leg.) 3463. Mugain ben Conchobair 811, 813, 818. Muinne 2061. Muinne mao Muinremair 3496. Muinremur mac Gerrcind 1623, 3469, 3666, M. mac Errcind 2528, g. Munremair 1609, 1618, 1620. tri Muiredaig Maige Femin 3963. tri Muiredaig Marga 3950. Muirne Mend 3497- Mulacb 3462 (co Mulaig coa dun MS., name taken from Dun Mulaig). ocht Mulaig 2325. Mulcha ara Lethain 952. Nad Crantail (Nath C.) 1397,1410,1415, g. id. 1388. Nath Coirpthe 1524. Nechta Scéne (Nechtan Scéne 703s, Nechtain Y, Nechtan W) g. id. 702, 713, 721. tri Nechtain Maige Muirisce 3954. in Némain 210, 2085, 3537, Némain {without article) 3942, 4033. Nera mao Nůado meic Taccain 257". Nindich mac Cruind 3495. tri Níth Átha Croibe 3977- Oblán 3490. Óea ara Conaill Chernaig 3987. Ôengus mac Óenláma Gaibe 2489, g. Oengussa meic Oenláma 2488. Ôengus Fer Benn Uma 3483. Ôengus Fer Bolg 3477. Öengus mac Leiti 3477. tri höengusa Uisce 3977. secht nôengusa 1915. Ogma Grianainich 3483. Oichne 3223. Oil 3223. Ord 3489. Órlám mac Ailella -\ Medba g. Orláim 825, 868, 870, 890, 897. Rand rechtaire Ailella -\ Medba 3256. tri Rathaig Raigne 3957-8. Redg Cáinte 1511, g. id. 1510. Reůin 928. ocht Rindaig 2325. Roae sencbaid na Tána 1012. Roán senchaid na Tána 1012. Rochad Rigderg mao Faithemain (Rochaid Y) 1659, 1665, 1670, 3458, 3702-3, g. Rochada 1658, 1662,1684. ocht Rochaid 2324. ocht Rochlaid 2324-5. ocht Rochtaid 2325. tri Roir Rois Buite 3964. secht Rónáin 2324. Ros mac Ailchatha 3494. Roth 3464. dá Roth 1558. tri Rnirig Aigle 3955. triRuis Ruscae 3971. secht Rurthaig 2324. Rus mac Fiachna 3780. Sálach 2061. sé Saxain 2323. tri Seáil Sobail 3966. Scáthach 3089, g. Scáthaigi 2890, la Scáthaig 1753. Scenb rechtaire Ailella -\ Medba 3255. Sencha mao Ailella 3623. 306 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE Senchaid 3475. Senlobair 3469. Senoll TJathach 3144-5: 3460-" • Sétanta mao Sůaltaim 1 Deohtere 444 (= Cú Chulainn). Simon Druí 2193. tri Sochaidi Sinna 3968. Srubgaile mao Eóbith 1735. tri Sruthmair Maige Ochtair 3979. Sůaltaim 217, 3414, 3431. S- id- 255. 261, 3410. tri Suibne Siůire 3951. Tamun Drůth 2484, g. Tamuin Drúith 2483. deich Xasaig 1917-Tascur 1944. Taur I944-Téa 1943. tri Tigernmais Túath Ambrais 3970. tri Tigirn Taince Tipraiti Talindi 3981 Toillchenn 3484. Torathar (Aurothor U) 3462. Traig 2064 Traigthrén techtaire Medba 1921i. vor. n Thraigthréin 3948. Triscod tréníer tigi Conchobair 2520. tri Triům Maige Éle 3979-Tůachell mao Nechta Scéue 703. 748. Tůalang 1944. tri Túathail Tanni 3972. Ůalu 1003, g. Üaland 1002. 100G. Úalu mao Gárach 909. secht núargusa 1915. Uathadach Fodoblaid 34G3 (""'' TJathach Bodbda os in LL?). tri hUidir Buaile 3971. tri hUidir Conchobair 3974-tří hUilleith Arda Airthir 3967. Uma mac Remarbisi 3468. C ľ. MU- 99. 620. INDEX OF PLAGES, PEOPLES, RIVERS Aelai 00 hA. 3460. Aidne g. (= Mag nAidne) 3958. Aigle g. (= Cruach Aigle) 3955. Now Croaghpatrick in Connacht. Áine co hÁ. 3471, g. Áine 3951, 3959. Airgdech (Airgthech) ocond Airgdig 400. Airther Fúata g. Airthir F. 3779. Aisse for Assi 124. Alba a hAlbain 43. N. Britain. Ánmag for Á. 129. Ard g. Arda 3968. Ardachad for A. 124. Ard Aignech (= Focheird) 1938. Ard Airthir g. Arda A. 3967. Ard in Dirma 2482. Ard Ladrann g. Arda Ladlarn {sic) 3962. Ard Róich 1620. Asal g. Asail 3542. Áth Airthir Mide 3513. Áth mBuide 1506. Áth Carpat 951-2. Áth Céit Chúile 2068, 2071. Áth Craíbe g. Átha Croíbo 3977. Áth Cruinn 1147. Áth Cuillne 1231. Áth Da Ferta 2491, 2496, 4151. Áth Duirn 1227. Áth Feidle 3368. Áth Féne 3513. Áth Fir Diad 2548, 3868, 3886. Now Ardee, Co. Louth. Áth Fraích 853. Áth Fůait 837. Ath nGabla (= Ath nGrencha) 335. Áth nGrencha 330-1, 1872, 1917. N. of Knowth, Co. Meath. Áth Lethan (for Níth) 950. Áth Lúain 4118, 4119, 4147, 4148, g. 4119. Athlone. Áth Medba 1535. Áth Taiten {read Taíden?) 859. Áth Tamuin 2486, 2487. Áth Tarteisc (Darteisc) 1873, 1981. Áth Tire Móir 2065. Áth Tolam Sét 1520. Áth Traiged 2029-30. Báil Scéna for B.S. 128. (Ball Scéna LL.) Baile for B. 127, g. Baili 3790. Baile in Bile 2923. Banba g. id. 3242. Ireland. Bedc 3148. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Belach nÁne 832. Belach Caille Móire 335". N. oj Knowth. Belach Eóin 2464, g. Belaig Eóin (Eúin) 2455. 2463. 2464, 2480. Bélat Alióin 1021. Berba g. id. 3950. Bernas co B. 3492, g. Bernais 3790. Bernas Bó Cúailnge 1010, 1015. Bernas Bó nUlad 1035, 1038. Berramain g. Berranmach 3973. Bile Medba 1534-5. Bir 3148. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Bithšlan 3147. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Bóann for Bóaind 3343. B. Boyne. Bodgna (Badgna) g. id. 3953. Bolga for Bolga 117. Botha 1016. Brega g. Breg, d. Bregaib 764. Plain S. and S. W. of Dundalk. Brenaide 3148-Breslech Mór 2074, 2328-9. Bri Eirrgi 3759. Bríg Dumae 3703. Broinfeirste 2921. Buaidnech g. Búaidnigi 3950. A Leinster river. Búaile g- id. 3971. Búan 3147. Búas ó Búais 3728. River Bush. Bůas g. Buaiai 394g. (Must be a different river). Cainbile g. 942. Cairthenn Cluana Da Dam 2812. Callann co Callaind (Felunt Y C, corrupt) 3480, ó Challaind 3688. Canainn Gall co Canaind nGall 3469. 308 TABS! BÓ CÚAILNGE Carn for Carnd 119. Cf. Mag Cairn, Co. Roscommon. co Carlaig 3461. Ceithe 2065. Cellenn 3148. A river in Canaille Muirthemne. Cenannas 309*, 700. Now Kells, Co. Meath. Cenn Coriss g. 2058. Cenn Ferna 127. Cingit Ferchon 2522. Clann Dedad d. olannaib Dedad meio Šin no, olannaib Dedad 1690. Clár g. Cláiri 3967. Clitnar B6 nTJlad 2075. Cliu g. Cliach 3956, 3963. Clothra g. id. 3961. Clúain Carpat 1020. Cluichiur g. id. 3975. Cluichre (th-) d. 1042. Cnogba 3356. Knowth, on N. side of Boyne. Cóicer Éngoirt 2034. Cóicsius Fooherda 2033. Coirenna (Coranna) hi Correndaib 3343, 00 Coirenda 3482, ó Chorannaib 3792. Colomna hEreoil 3583. The Pillars of Hercules, Calpe and Abyla. Colptha for Colbtha 130, do Cholptu 1018, g. Colbta 1021, Colpthai 3791. lor Coltain 117. Cf. Áth Coltna. lor Comur 122. Conaille (Muirthemne) la ConailHu g47, 1223, 00 Conaille 1029, g. Conailli 3146. Level part of present Co. Louth from Cúailnge to the Boyne. Connachta 2, 3545, d. Connachtaib 41, g. Connacht 1403, 1405, 2619. Connacht, the men of Connacht. Coronn 3804. CotailhiC. 1618. Cremath co C. 3488. Crlch Rois 2519, 3293, 3301, 3319. Cróen Chorann 1794. Cróinech (Cróeneoh) 1796, hi Crónig 1561, isin Chrónig 1949, g. fir Chrónige 1948-9. Croun (Crann) 130, 198, 1160. A river in Cúailnge. Crossa Call (= Iraird Cuillenn) 219", 256". Crůachu, Crúachain g. Crúachan 3211, 3880, 4142, d. Crúaohnaib Aí 8, 22, Crúachnaib 136, a Crúachain 2596, ar Crúachain 2657. Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon. Cruithne g- 1490. The Pictish district of Down and Antrim-. Cúailnge 130, 966, 968, g. 956, 961, 978 Cooley, Co. Louth. Cuib 1488, 1524, 1534, 4153, g. Coba 3778. Cf. Mag Coba, part of barony of Iveagh. Cúil Airthir 1210, 1228, 1232. Cuil Sibrinne (Sibrilli) 121, 309. Old name of Kells. Coil Silinne 116, 137. Now Kilcooley, Co. Roscommon. Cuillenn Cinn Duin 2071. Cuinche 969, 976. Cumang 3148. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. for Dáil Scena 128. Dál Riata g. Dáil Riatai 1533-4- S. Co. Antrim. lorDeilti20. (forDeilt 129. Cf. Delt). lor Deinn 129. (Cf. 3149). Delga 1246, 1248, 1299, 2036. D. Muirthemne 2058. Dimdalk, Co. Louth. for Delinn 120. Delt 3149. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Den 3149. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Dergdero g. Dergderce (= Loch Derg- derce) 3952. L. Derg. near Killaloe. co Diabal Arda (Débul A.) 3461. Dichu 3148. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Dindgna Medba 1535. Dísert Lóchait 871. Domnannaig d. Domnandchaib 2524. A tribe in Connacht. Druim Baiscne 863. Druim Cáemtechta 126-7. Druim Cain 125. Druim Féne 1026, 1233. In Conaille Muirthemne. Druim Fornochta g. Droma [F.] 3957. INDEX OP PLACES, PEOPLES, RIVERS 309 Druim Licce 123. Druim Mac nDega 125. Druim Sálíinn 125. Druim Tairb 4155. Between Ulaid and Ui Echách. íor Dub 122. Dubchaire Glinne Gaitt 987. for Dubglais 129. Dubglaise 3148. (Prob, same as preceding). A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Duma na nGiall 3427. In Emain. Dun Cinn Coriss (= Deign Murthemne ind inbuid se) 2058. Dun Lethglaise 57, 3742. JV01« Down-patrick, Co. Down. Dún Sobairche 1490, g. 1533, 3432-3, 3464. Dunseverick, Co. Antrim. co Eillne 3462. Elg g. Elga 2682. Ireland. Emain 51, 401, 411. E. Machi 377, K. Mucha 45O, 523, g. Emna 436, 658, 670. Capital of Ulster, now represented by Navan Fort, Co. Armagh. Eódonn Bee 126. Eódonn Mór 125. Érainn g. Érand 1613, Iairn (mis-spelt) 3883, d. Iarnaib (mis-sj^elt) 3881. Ériu g. Érend 2079, 2089, 2101, Hérend 2073, 2296, 2570, a. Hérind 614, 645, d. i nÉre 405, i nHére 1396. Espáin 573. Spain. Ess Růaid 942, co hE.R. 3481, g. Esa Búaid 3955. Assaroe, Co. Donegal. Etan Tairb 4150-1, 4152. In Mag Muirthemne. Etarbán g. Etarbáine 3958. Fána Caba 3474-5. Fedan Chollna oc Fedain ChoUna 3884. (Bead oc Fedain Chúailnge ?) Fedan co Fethain 3468. Cf. LL- reading. Fernen g. Feniin 3957. Mag Femin, a plain near Cashel, Co. Tipperary. íor Férainn 124. Fernmag co Fermnag 3489, g. Fern- maigi 3641. Famey, Co. Monaghan. íor Fertse 128. co Fesair 3489. Fid 116 (= FidDúin Y). Fid Mórdrůaille (-thrůailli) 130, 1063. Fid Némain g. Feda Némain 3954. Finnabair 124,133,1029. F. Chúailnge '3'. 978, 980. "032-Finnabair g. Findabrach 3956, 3970. Finnabair Sléibe 3353, 3365. Finncharn 697. (F. na Foraire Y, F. Sléibe Moduirn LL). Finngabair co Findgabra 3488. Finnglas 3147. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. for Finnglassa Assail 119-20. Finnleithe 4145, 4146. Fir Ol nÉcmacht 1107, 1656, g. 3383. Men of Connacht. Focherd 1797, 1965, oc Focheird 1537, hi Focheird 2035; F. Muirthemne 1784, 1787, g. Focherda 1948. Now Faughart, Co. Louth. Forgemen 1542. Fornocht 861. for Fothromma (Othromma U) 122. Fuiliarnn 2548. Gabal g. Gaible 3958. co Gabar 3456. Gailióin in Galióin 183, 4109, g. Galiou 148, 181, Gailian 3360, d. Galiónaib 186. A people of N. Leinster. Gainemain 3149. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Gáirech for Gárig -\ Irgárig 2314, for Gairich-| Irgairich 3522, 3943, 3998, g. Gáirigi 4026. (See Stowe TBC Glossary p. 280). Glais Chró (Chrau) 2071. Glais Chruinn (= Cronn) 1000, 1123, g. Glaisse Cruind 1007. Glais Febrat g. 3955. Glais Gatlaig 1024, 1025. Glenn Domain 3358, g. Glindi Domain 3362-Glenndomain g. Glenndomnach 3363. Glenn Dáil Imda 1016. Glenn Fir Baith 1788-9, 1829. Glenn Gatt 98g. Glenn Gatlaig 1024. Gleóir 3147« A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Glune Gabair 117. Gort mBůraig 4154. 310 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE ßort Sláae 123. Gránaired Tethba Tůaiscirt 214 (= Gránard). Gránard 214°. Oranard, Co. Longford. Granasc g. Granaisc 3966. Greciae 3582. Greece. Grellach Dolluid 2514, 2515. Now Girley S. of Keils. (See BC xii 8). Gúala Muleha 953. co hlalla Ingraimme 3493. co hlmchláriu {rede co hlmchláir) 3457. Immail { = Ráith Immail) co hlmpail 3486, ó Impuil 3654. Imorach Smiromiach 3150. for Imscúaip 127 Indeóin for Indiúin 119. Inis TJan g. Insi iJan 3977. Inse Faíche d. Insib Faíche 530. Inse Gaid 3583. Inse Ore 3582-3. Iraird Cuillenn (= Crossa Caíl) 219, 256, 869, 3504, 4148. Six miles due W. of Keils, Go. Heath. Irgáirech See Gáireoh. E. Gáirech. Irrus g. Irruis 3968. I. Domnann 2571-2. Erris barony, N. W. Co. Mayo. Irúath g. na hlrúaithi 3248, 3999. Norway. Here probably some mythical northern land. (See Windisch TBC 625 n. 8 and Contribb. s.v. Irúait). Laigin d. Laignib 1225. Leinster, Leinstermen. Latharna co Lathamu 3468. Lame Co. Antrim. Leec Derg g. Leici Dergi 3951. Léire co Léiri 3481. Lemain co Leamain 3456. Lemain g. Leamna 3961. Lerga 2112, i lLercaib 2076, 2155. Lethbera d. 2061. Lethglais (= Dun Lethglaise) 3472. Now Downpatrick, Co. Down. Lia Fiachrach (meic fir Febe) 1647. Lía Mór oc Líac Mór 945. Lia Toll 3319 (i crich Rois). Lia Tuill 1646. Lia Tíalann 1006. co Liana 3490. Liasa Liac 1022. Line g. id. 3470, 3718. Cf. Mag Line, Moylinny. Loch Carrcin 137" Loch Echtra g. Locha E. 677. Loch Érne g. Lacha Érni 3953. L. Erne, Co. Fermanagh. Lochmach for Lochmach 12g. Loch Reóin 928. Loch Rí (Rib) g. Lacha Rí 3952. L. Ree on the Shannon. Lúachair g. Lúachra 3949. Lugmod249i. Louth. Macha g. id. 3525, 3905, 3912. Machaire (Conaille) 1027. Máelana Átha Lúain 4119- Maethail g. Maothla 3967. Mag nAí 1141, d. Maig Aíi 1240, g. 1876, 2596, 3969-70. A plain in Roscommon. Mag nAidne g. Aidne 3958. A plain in Co. Galway. Mag mBreg 699, g. 954. Plain between Liffey and Boy ne. Mag Clochair 1615-6. Mag nDobla g. 3494. Mag nDula g. 3492. Mag nÉle g. 3979. Mag Femin g. 3963. Mag nlnis (Manes MS.) 3487. Mag Lethan g. Maigi Letha in 3980. Mag Mannachta 2546. Mag Mucceda 827. Mag Muiresce g. 3954. Now Murrisk in Connacht. Mag Muirthemne 251, 1527, g. 1239, 1876. Plain S. of Dundalk. Mag nôchtair g. 3979. Mag in Scail g. 2792. Mag Trega 117, 188. Moytra, Co. Longford. Mag Túag 4087. In Connacht. Mag nUisce g. 3980. Marga g. id. 3950. Méithe hi Méthiu 921, oc Méthiu 2065. Méithe Tog[maill] 126, 924. Méithe nEóin 126, 925. Mide 119- Midlúachair 3479, g. Midlúachra 3778. Miliucc 3149- A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Mitain g. Mitaine 3959. INDEX OP PLACES, PEOPLES, RIVERS 311 Móda Logá (^ Lugmod) d. 2490. I'OUtll. Modorn ó Modnirn 3666. Móenmag g. Móenmaigi 3978. Móin Choitna 184. Mosoth g. 3963. (Read Maigo Mossaid'!). Muach 3149. -I river in Conaille Muirthemne. Muco Cruinb for Muice C. 115. Mucrama g. 3969 (— Mag Mucruma). Muimnig Muim:úch 4109, g. Muimnech. Mimslermen. Muir Toirrían g. Mam T. 2886. The Tyrrhenian Sea. Muirthemne c» M. 3480-1. Mrunu d. Miuiui 3354.. g. Muman 1819. Mnmder. Nemed Sléibe Fúait 3750. Nith 947, 950. R. Dee, Co. Louth. Ochaíne a. Oduiíne 201, 1163, Ochíne 1438. for Ochuind 121. Partraige 302. To tlie S.W. of Keils. Raigne g. 3958 (^ Mag Raigno). _-l plain in Co. Kilkenny. Ráith Airthir 3407. Ráith Immail 3369. Láegaire Buadach'.i fort. Ráith Sůaltaim 3.112. In Mag Muirthemne. Réid Lócha 977. In Gúaihuje. Rigdonn co Rigdond 3459. Rinn 3148. .4 river in Conaille Muirthemne. Roi Arad 3391. Roi Dedonn (— Tarbga) 4127. Ros Buite g. Rois Buiti 3964. Ros Lochitd 128. Roth g. id. 377g. vi) Roth 3464. for Sále 12g. na Sajli Imdoľthi (Iindoírchi) g67. for Sailig 120. eo Saimne 3467 (read Semne). co Saiíhi 3484. Sás 3147- --1 river in Conaille Muirthemne. Sceithiae 3582. Scytliia. for Scúaip 127. Sechaire 1024. co Sel co Manes (read co Síl co Mag Inis) 3487. co Senchairthe 3476. co Seirid co Serthe (read co Mag Sered) 349°-Síd Fraích 857. Sinann g. Sinna 3968. R. Slmnnon. Siúir g. Siúire 3951. R. Suir. for Slaibre 120. íor Sláini 123. co Slánge 3478. for Slais 118. Šlechta 120, 302. Slemain Midi 3586, 3590, 3642. Slané, a few miles N.W. of Midlingar. Sliab nAdarea 4139. Slíab Betha g. 3491. Now Slieve Bcagh on, confines of Fermanagh and Monaghan. Slíab Culind hi Sléib Chulind 963, ó Šléib Chulind 1491, g. Siebe Culind 998. Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh. Slíab Fúait 413, co Slíab Fúait 666, hi Sléib Fúait 668, g. Slébe Fúaid 3555- The Fews Mts., Co. Armagh. Slíab Mis g. Slébe Mis 3948. Slíab Monduirn 692. Slige Midlúachra 1034, 1489, 4152-3. The road leading N. from Tara. Smirommair 3301. Smarmore in Louth. Tadg 3148. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Tailtiu co Tailtin 3486, i Tailtin 3395, 3402, g. Tauten 3394. Teltown, Co. Meath. Talamét 3148. A river in Conaille Muirthemne. Tamlachta Órláim 871. Tannig. 3972. Tarbga 4126. Tarteisc 2054. Temair 700, d. Teroraig 3507, g. Temrach 3964, Temra 3827. Tara. Temair Chúailnge 956. Terloch Teóra Crích 115-6. Tethba Deiscirt 118. Nearly all Co. Longford. Tethba Tůaiscirt 117. Western half of Westmealh. g. Tethba 3981. 312 TÁIN BÓ CÚAILNGE Tíarthechta u 8. Tipra Finn g. Tibrat Find 3962. Tír Marocéni 966. Tir Mór 2030. T. M. Tarteiso (Darteisc) 1981. Tír Tairngire g. 2243. Toltbie d. Toíthlib 2062. Tor Breogain 3583. In Spain. Tráig Thuirbe g. Turbi 3964. Turvey, N. Co. Dublin. Troma 122, 4150, d. Tromuib 4149. Tůaim Móna 116. Tůath Ambrais g. 3970. Túath Bressi g. 3543. Tulaeb. g. Tuloha 3972. Uachtar Lůa (Óchtar Lúi) 3293. Uarba 3485. Uata 121. Ui Echách 4154-5- Present baronies oj Upper and Lower Iveagh, Co. Down. Uiscre g. Uiscrend 3971. Uisnech g. Uisnieh 3919. Now Usnagh Hill, Co. Westmeath. ülaid 476, 479, 525, g. Ulad 409, 509, a. Ultu 246, 374, d. Ultaib 228, 422, 668. Ulster, men 0/ Ulster. Umall g. TJmuill 3961. Now the Owles, Co. Mayo. Umarrith 1522. (Umansruth LL). CORRIGENDA p. xix 1.20 for as an economic device read as a mnemonic devine p. 140 1.20 for smite read smith U-S 2, '2 M 19. MRZ 91