The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge. Anonymous

south of⁹ Druim Liccè, by Ath Gabla, by Ardachad ('Highfield'), W. 356. ¹northwards¹ by Feorainn, by Finnabair ('White Plain'), by Assa ²southwards,² by Airne, by Aurthuile, by Druim Salfind ('Salfind Ridge'), by Druim Cain, by Druim Caimthechta, by Druim macDega, by the little Eo Dond ('Brown Tree'), by the great Eo Dond, by Meide in Togmaill ('Ferret's Neck'), by Meide in Eoin, ('Bird's Neck'), by Baille ('the Town'), by Aile, by Dall Scena, by Ball Scena, by Ross Mor ('Great Point'), by Scuap ('the Broom'), by Imscuap, by Cenn Ferna, by Anmag, by Fid Mor ('Great Wood') in Crannach of Cualnge, ³by Colbtha, by Crond in Cualnge,³ by Druim Cain on the road to Midluachar, ⁴from Finnabair of Cualnge. It is at that point that the hosts of Erin divided over the province in pursuit of the bull. For it was by way of those places they went until they reached Finnabair. Here endeth the Title. The Story begineth in order.⁴

VI. THE MARCH OF THE HOST

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      W. 389. On the first stage the hosts went ¹from Cruachan,¹ they slept the night at Cul Silinne, ²where to-day is Cargin's Lough.² And ³in that place³ was fixed the tent of Ailill son of Ross, ⁴and the trappings were arranged, both bedding and bed-clothes.⁴ The tent of Fergus macRoig was on his right hand; Cormac Conlongas, Conchobar's son, was beside him; Ith macEtgaith next to that; Fiachu macFiraba, ⁵the son of Conchobar's daughter,⁵ at its side; ⁶Conall Cernach at its side,⁶ Gobnenn macLurnig at the side of that. The place of Ailill's tent was on the right on the march, and thirty hundred men of Ulster beside him. And the thirty hundred men of Ulster on his right hand had he to the end that the whispered talk and conversation and the choice supplies of food and of drink might be the nearer to them.

      Medb of Cruachan, ⁷daughter of Eocho Fedlech,⁷ moreover, was at Ailill's left. Finnabair ('Fairbrow'), ⁸daughter of Ailill and Medb,⁸ at her side, ⁹besides servants and henchmen.⁹ Next, Flidais Foltchain ('of the Lovely Hair'), wife first of Ailill Finn ('the Fair'). She took part in the Cow-spoil of Cualnge after she had slept with Fergus; and she it was that every seventh night brought sustenance W. 404. in milk to the men of Erin on the march, for king and queen and prince and poet and pupil.

      Medb remained in the rear of the host that day in quest of tidings and augury ^*LL. fo. 57a. and knowledge. ¹She called to her charioteer to get ready her nine chariots for her,^{1 2}to make a circuit of the camp² that she might learn who was loath and who eager to take part in the hosting. ³With nine chariots^a she was wont to travel, that the dust of the great host might not soil her.³ Medb suffered not her chariot to be let down nor her horses unyoked until she had made a circuit of the camp.

      Then, ⁴when she had reviewed the host,⁴ were Medb's horses unyoked and her chariots let down, and she took her place beside Ailill macMata. And Ailill asked tidings of Medb: who was eager and who was loath for the warfare. "Futile for all is the emprise but for one troop only, ⁵namely the division of the Galian ('of Leinster'),"⁵ quoth Medb. ⁶"Why blamest thou these men?" queried Ailill. "It is not that we blame them," Medb made answer.⁶ "What good service then have these done that they are praised above all?" asked Ailill. "There is reason to praise them," said Medb. ⁷"Splendid are the warriors.⁷ When the others begin making their pens and pitching their camp, these have finished building their bothies and huts. When the rest are building their bothies and huts, these have finished preparing their food and drink. When the rest are preparing their food and drink, these have finished eating and feasting, ⁸and their harps are playing for them.⁸ When all the others have finished eating and feasting, these are by that W. 422. time asleep. And even as their servants and thralls are distinguished above the servants and thralls of the men of Erin, so shall their heroes and champions be distinguished beyond the heroes and champions of the men of Erin this time on this hosting. ¹It is folly then for these to go, since it is those others will enjoy the victory of the host.¹" "So much the better, I trow," replied Ailill; "for it is with us they go and it is for us they fight." "They shall not go with us nor shall they fight for us." ²cried Medb.² "Let them stay at home then," said Ailill. "Stay they shall not," answered Medb. "³They will fall on us in the rear and will seize our land against us.³" "What shall they do then," Finnabair^a asked, "if they go not out nor yet remain at home?" "Death and destruction and slaughter is what I desire for them," answered Medb. "For shame then on thy speech," spake Ailill; "⁴'tis a woman's advice,⁴ for that they pitch their tents and make their pens so promptly and unwearily." "By the truth of my conscience," cried Fergus, ⁵"not thus shall it happen, for they are allies of us men of Ulster.⁵ No one shall do them to death but he that does death to myself ⁶along with them!"⁶

      "Not to me oughtest thou thus to speak, O Fergus," then cried Medb, "for I have hosts enough to slay and slaughter thee with the division of Leinstermen round thee. For there are the seven Manè, ⁷that is, my seven sons⁷ with their seven divisions, and the sons of Maga with their ⁸seven⁸ divisions, and Ailill with his division, and I myself with my own body-guard besides. We are strong enough here to kill and slaughter thee with thy cantred of the Leinstermen round thee!"

      "It befits thee not thus to speak to me," said Fergus, W. 439. "for I have with me here ¹in alliance with us Ulstermen,¹ the seven Under-kings of Munster, with their seven cantreds.