The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge. Anonymous

²Here we have what is best of the youths of Ulster, even the division of the Black Banishment.² Here we have what is best of the noble youths of Ulster, even the division of the Galian ('of Leinster'). Furthermore, I myself am bond and surety and guarantee for them, since ever they left their own native land. ³I will give thee battle in the midst of the camp,³ and to me will they hold steadfast on the day of battle. More than all that," added Fergus, "these men shall be no subject of dispute. By that I mean I will never forsake them. ⁴For the rest, we will care for these warriors, to the end that they get not the upper hand of the host.

      "The number of our force is seventeen cantreds, besides our rabble and our women-folk—for with each king was his queen in Medb's company—and our striplings; the eighteenth division is namely the cantred of the Galian.⁴ This division of Leinstermen I will distribute among ⁵all the host of⁵ the men of Erin in such wise that no five men of them shall be in any one place." "That pleaseth me well," said Medb: "let them be as they may, if only they be not in the battle-order of the ranks where they now are in such great force."

      Forthwith Fergus distributed the cantred ⁶of the Galian⁶ among the men of Erin in such wise that there were not five men of them in any one place.

      ^*LL. fo. 57b. Thereupon, the troops set out on their way and march. It was no easy thing ⁷for their kings and their leaders⁷ to attend to that mighty host. They took part in the expedition W. 453. according to the several tribes and according to the several stems and the several districts wherewith they had come, to the end that they might see one other and know one other, that each man might be with his comrades and with his friends and with his kinsfolk on the march. They declared that in such wise they should go. They also took counsel in what manner they should proceed on their hosting. Thus they declared they should proceed: Each host with its king, each troop with its lord, and each band with its captain; each king and each prince of the men of Erin ¹by a separate route¹ on his halting height apart. They took counsel who was most proper to seek tidings in advance of the host between the two provinces. And they said it was Fergus, inasmuch as the expedition was an obligatory one with him, for it was he that had been seven years in the kingship of Ulster. And ²after Conchobar had usurped the kingship and² after the murder of the sons of Usnech who were under his protection and surety, Fergus left the Ultonians, and for seventeen years he was away from Ulster in exile and in enmity. For that reason it was fitting that he above all should go after tidings.

      So ³the lead of the way was entrusted to Fergus.³ Fergus before all fared forth to seek tidings, and a feeling of ⁴love and⁴ affection for his kindred of the men of Ulster came over him, and he led the troops astray in a great circuit to the north and the south. And he despatched messengers with warnings to the Ulstermen, ⁵who were at that time in their 'Pains' except Cuchulain and his father Sualtaim.⁵ And he began to detain and delay the host ⁶until such time as the men of Ulster should have gathered together an army.^{6 7}Because of affection he did so.⁷

      W. 472. Medb perceived this and she upbraided him for it, and chanted the lay:—

      Medb:

      "Fergus, speak, what shall we say?

      What may mean this devious way?

      For we wander north and south;

      Over other lands we stray!"

      Fergus:

      "Medb, why art thou so perturbed?

      There's no treacherous purpose here.

      Ulster's land it is, O queen,

      Over which I've led thy host!"

      Medb:

      "Ailill, splendid with his hosts,

      ¹Fears thee lest thou should'st betray.¹

      Thou hast not bent all thy mind

      To direct us on our way!"

      Fergus:

      "Not to bring the host to harm

      Make these changing circuits I.

      Haply could I now avoid

      Sualtach's son, the Blacksmith's Hound!"^a

      Medb:

      "Ill of thee to wrong our host,

      Fergus, son of Ross the Red;

      Much good hast thou found with us,

      Fergus, in thy banishment!"

      "²If thou showest our foemen love,

      No more shalt thou lead our troops;

      Haply someone else we'll find

      To direct us on our way!²"

      "I will be in the van of the troops no longer," cried Fergus; "but do thou find another to go before them." For all that, Fergus kept his place in the van of the troops.

      The four mighty provinces of Erin passed that night on Cul Silinne. The sharp, keen-edged anxiety for Cuchulain came upon Fergus and he warned the men of Erin to be on their guard, because there would come upon them the rapacious lion, and the doom of foes, the vanquisher of multitudes, and the chief of retainers, the mangler of great hosts, the hand that dispenseth ³treasures,³ and the flaming W. 502. torch, even Cuchulain son of Sualtaim.^a And thus he foreshowed him and chanted a lay, and Medb responded:—

      Fergus:

      "Well for ye to heed and watch,

      With array of arms and men.

      He will come, the one we fear,

      Murthemne's great, deedful youth!"

      Medb:LL. fo. 58a.

      "How so dear, this battle-rede,

      Comes from thee, ^* Roig's son most bold.

      Men and arms have I enough

      To attend Cuchulain here!"

      Fergus:

      "Thou shalt need them, Medb of Ai,

      Men and arms for battle hard,

      With the grey steed's^b horseman brave.

      All the night and all the day!"

      Medb:

      "I