Early Irish Myths and Sagas (26 page)

‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a large-eyed, broad-thighed, broad-shouldered, huge, tall man with a splendid tawny cloak about him. Seven smooth black hoods about him, each upper one shorter, each lower one longer. There were nine men on either side of him, and in his hand a dreadful iron club, one end violent, the other mild. This is his game and his feat: he lays the
violent end across the heads of the nine men so that they die in an instant; then he lays the gentle end across them so that they are brought back to life in an instant.’

‘Wondrous that description,’ said Medb. ‘Many guises has the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘That is the Dagdae Mar, son of Eithliu, the good god of the Túatha Dé Danand. He has mingled with the host this morning to stir up trouble and strife, but no one of the host has seen him.’

‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a stout, broad-faced man, brawny and black-browed, broad-countenanced and white-toothed, with neither garment nor apparel nor weapon nor blade but only a well-kneaded dark leather apron that reached to his armpits. Each of his limbs was as stout as a large man. The entire Cland Dedad could not lift the stone pillar outside, but he raised it and performed the apple feat with it, from one finger to the other. Then he put it down as if it were a wisp of thistle, all fluff and lightness.’

‘Sturdy, stout and strong that description,’ said Medb. ‘Mighty the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Triscatail Trénfer he, the strongman of Conchubur’s house. He has slain three nines with no more than an angry look.’

‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a young lad, almost a child, bound and fettered. Three chains round each leg and a chain round each arm; three chains round his neck, and seven, men holding each chain, seventy-seven men in all. He turned strongly and powerfully and overthrew the seventy-seven men, dealing with them as lightly and swiftly as he would have dealt with puffballs. When he perceived the smell of his enemies, when he struck the head of a man against a projecting clod or against a rock of stone, then that man would say “It is not
for valour or glory that this trick is performed, but by reason of the food and drink in the fort.” The lad blushed and fell silent and went about with them a while until the same wave of savagery overcame him.’

‘Destructive and intractable that description, indeed,’ said Medb. ‘Destructive and intractable the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘He is the son of the three champions of whom I spoke a short while ago: Uma son of Reman-fissech, Errge Echbél and Celtchair son of Uthechar. That many of the host are needed to guard him and to restrain his valour when he goes to the land of his enemies. Úanchend Arritech he, and he is only eleven years old, and never has he consumed a portion of food that he did not offer to everyone in the house.’

‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a rabbly sort of band. One man among them was balding, with short, black hair, bulging, great eyes – one bright – in his head, and a smooth, blue, Ethiopian face. A dappled cloak wrapped round him, a brazen pin in the cloak at his breast and a long bronze crook in his hand. A sweet little bell he had, too. He plied his horsewhip upon the host and brought joy and merriment to the high king and to the entire host.’

‘Comic and risible that description,’ said Medb. ‘Comic the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Rómit Rigóinmit, Conchubur’s fool. No want or sorrow that has ever afflicted the Ulaid has not departed when they saw Rómit Rígóinmit.’

‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a bright, just-greying man in a hooded chariot over very tall horses. He had a huge, multicoloured cloak with golden threads about him, and a gold bracelet on each arm, and a gold ring on each finger, and weapons with gold
ornamentation. Nine chariots preceded him, nine followed and nine were on either side.’

‘Regal and dignified that description,’ said Medb. ‘Regal and dignified the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ Ailill asked. ‘Not difficult that,’ Cú Ruí said. ‘Blaí Briugu son of Fiachnae from Temuir na hArdda, and he needs nine chariots about him everywhere he goes, and of the entire host he listens to their speech alone. Seldom do they talk to anyone but him.’

‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a vast, kingly troop, with one man standing before it. Bristling dark hair he had. A gentle blush in one cheek, a furious red blush in the other – a kind, civil answer on the one hand, an angry answer on the other. On his shoulders an open-mouthed leopard; in his hands a white-fronted shield, a bright-hilted sword and a great warrior’s spear the height of his shoulder. When its ardour came upon the spear, he gave the butt a blow against the palm of his hand, and a bushel full of fiery sparks broke out along the point and the blade. Before him was a cauldron of dark blood, a dreadful pool of night made through druidry from the blood of dogs and cats and druids, and the head of the spear was submerged in the poisonous liquid whenever its ardour came upon it.’

‘Poisonous that description, indeed,’ said Medb. ‘Poisonous the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Dubthach Dóeltenga, a man who has never earned the thanks of anyone. When the Ulaid go out together, he goes out alone. He has the death-dealing Lúin of Celtchair on loan, and the cauldron of very red blood is before him since otherwise the spear would burn its shaft or the man carrying it, and it is prophesying battle.’

‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil,
‘I saw another band, with a sleek, ancient, hoary-white man standing before it. He had a bright cloak about him with fringes of pure white silver, a handsome pure white tunic next to his skin, a glittering white sword under his cloak and a bronze branch the height of his shoulder. As sweet as music was his voice; very loud and slow was his speech.’

‘Judicial and wise that description, indeed,’ said Medb. ‘Judicial and wise the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Senchae Már son of Ailill son of Máelchlód from Carnmag Ulad, a good speaker among mortal men and a peacemaker among the Ulaid. A man of the world from sun to sun, a man who can make peace with three fair words.’

‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw an ardent, very handsome band. A youthful lad with curly yellow hair stood before it, and the judgement that the man before him could not give he gave.’

‘Wise and clever that description,’ said Medb. ‘Wise and clever the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Caín Caín-brethach son of Senchae son of Ailill he, and the judgement that his father cannot give he gives.’

‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a dreadful foreign trio with short bristling shaggy hair and foreign, dun-coloured clothing; they carried short brazen spears in their right hands and iron clubs in their left. None of them spoke to each other, and none of the host spoke to them.’

‘Foreign and servile that description,’ said Medb. ‘Foreign and servile those described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who are they, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘They are the three doorkeepers of Conchubur’s royal house: Nem and Dall and Dorcha.’

That was the description of the first troop to reach the green. The great druid had no more descriptions for Cú Ruí to interpret. ‘The Ulaid are yonder, then,’ said Medb. ‘They are, indeed,’ replied Cú Ruí. ‘Was this predicted or prophesied that you know of?’ asked Medb, ‘I do not know that it was,’ answered Cú Ruí. ‘Is there anyone in the fort who might know?’ Medb asked. ‘There is the ancient of Cland Dedad,’ said Cú Ruí, ‘that is, Gabalglinde son of Dedad, who is blind and who has been attended in the fort for thirty years.’ ‘Let someone go to ask him was this prophesied and what provision was made for it,’ said Medb. ‘Who should go?’ asked Cú Ruí. ‘Let Cromm Deróil and Fóen-glinde son of Dedad go,’ Medb replied.

These two went out to the house where Gabalglinde was attended. ‘Who is it?’ he asked. ‘Cromm Deróil and Fóen-glinde son of Dedad,’ they replied, ‘to ask you if there is a prophecy or a prediction concerning the coming of the Ulaid, and whether any provision has been made.’ ‘There have long been prophecies and predictions, and there is a provision, and it is this: an iron house with two wooden houses about it, and a house of earth underneath with a very sturdy iron stone on top. All the dead wood and fuel and tinder are to be packed into the house of earth until it is quite full, for it was prophesied to us that the chieftains of Ulaid would gather one night in the iron house. There are about the feet of the bed seven chains of fresh iron for binding and making fast; fasten them about the seven pillars on the green outside.’

Cromm Deróil and Fóenglinde son of Dedad returned to Ailill and Medb and the chieftains of the province, then, and told them what provision had been made for the Ulaid. ‘Let one of my people and one of yours go to meet them, Cú Ruí,’ said Medb. ‘Who should go?’ asked Cú Ruí. ‘The same pair,’ said Medb, ‘that the Ulaid might be welcomed by me
and the chieftains of the province of Connachta and by you and the chieftains of the province of Mumu.’ ‘I will be able to tell by the man who receives the welcome whether they have come for peace or war,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘If it is Dubthach Dóeltenga who answers, they have come to fight; but if it is Senchae son of Ailill, then they have come in peace.’

Cromm Deróil and Fóenglinde son of Dedad went to greet the Ulaid on the green. ‘Welcome, welcome, most noble and valorous high king of Ulaid, from Medb and Ailill and the chieftains of the province of Connachta,’ said Cromm Deróil. ‘Welcome, welcome, most valorous high king of Ulaid,’ said Fóenglinde son of Dedad, ‘from Cú Ruí son of Dáre and the chieftains of the two provinces of Mumu that are in the fort yonder.’ ‘We accept your welcome, as does the king,’ said Senchae son of Ailill. ‘It is not to fight or do evil that the Ulaid have come but on an intoxicated spree from Dún Dá Bend Clíu Máil maicc Úgaine; and we considered it dishonourable to leave the territory without spending a night in it.’

The messengers then returned to Medb and Ailill and Cú Ruí and Echu and the chieftains of the three provinces and related these words. Poets and musicians and entertainers were sent to the Ulaid until a house could be prepared for their entertainment and amusement. Messengers were also sent to the Ulaid, to ask their best warrior to choose a house. At this, a contention arose among the Ulaid: one hundred champions, all equally valorous, rose as one for their weapons, but Senchae son of Ailill pacified them, saying ‘Let Cú Chulaind go, since it is for the sake of his house that you came, and accept his protection until he returns.’ Cú Chulaind rose, then, and the Ulaid rose as one behind him. He examined the largest house in the place, and that was the iron house, about which the two wooden houses were.

After that, attendants came to look after the Ulaid; a huge
bonfire was kindled, and their portions of food and drink were served. As night approached, the servants and attendants slipped away one by one, and, when the last servant left, he locked the door after him. The seven chains of fresh iron were wrapped round the house and fastened about the seven pillars on the green outside. Three fifties of smiths with their bellows were brought to fan the flames; three circles were made round the house, and the fire was kindled from above and below until its heat reached the iron house from below. At that, the host outside the house sent up a shout, and the Ulaid fell silent. Bricriu said ‘Ulaid, what is this great heat that burns our feet? A whisper is clearer to me than a shout is to anyone else: it seems to me that we are being burned from above and below and that the house is locked.’ ‘This is how we will find out,’ said Triscatail Trénfer, and he rose and kicked at the iron door, but it neither creaked nor groaned nor yielded. ‘Not good the feast you have prepared for the Ulaid, Cú Chulaind,’ said Bricriu, for you have led us into the lair of the enemy.’ ‘Not so, Bricriu,’ said Cú Chulaind, ‘for I will perform a feat with my Crúadin that will enable the Ulaid to leave.’
¹
Cú Chulaind thrust his sword up to the hilt into the iron house and the two wooden houses. ‘There is an iron house here,’ he said, ‘between two houses of wood.’ ‘The worst of all tricks that,’ said Bricriu.

*

… should visit them, my club will slay them.’ ‘Let me go,’ said Triscoth, ‘for anyone that I gaze upon with my wrathful look will die.’ ‘Let me go,’ aid Réordae Drúth. ‘Let me,’ said Nía Natrebuin Chró. ‘Let me,’ said Dóeltenga. ‘One of us will go,’ said Dub and Rodub. Everyone rose against his fellow, then, but Senchae said ‘Do not quarrel over this. The man the Ulaid choose should go, even if he is not the best warrior here.’ ‘Which of us is that?’ asked the Ulaid.
‘Cú Chulaind should go, even though he is not the best warrior here,’ said Senchae.

They rose and went to the courtyard, then, and Cú Chulaind led them. ‘Is this sprite the best warrior of the Ulaid?’ Findtan asked. With that, Cú Chulaind leapt up to the top of the courtyard, and he leapt valorously upon the front bridge so that the weapons in the fort all fell from their racks. The Ulaid were then taken into a house of oak with a vaulted roof and a door of yew three feet thick and two iron hooks and an iron bolt. This house was strewn with guilts and coverlets. Cromm Deróil brought their weapons and bade them sit down, and Cú Chulaind’s weapons hung overhead.

‘Heat water so that they may wash,’ said Ailill, and food and beer were brought to the Ulaid until they were intoxicated. Cromm Deróil visited them once more to see if there was anything else they might like. And when they were intoxicated, Senchae called for attention, and they all listened. ‘Give now your blessing to the sovereign to whom you have come, for he has been munificent. No hand in a poor field here. He has provided an abundance of food and beer – no need to complain about the preparations.’ ‘That is true,’ said Dóeltenga. ‘I swear by what my people swear by, there will return to your land only what the birds might carry away in their claws – the men of Ériu and Albu will inhabit your land and take your women and goods and break the heads of your children against stones.’