The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge 23 – Dunn · Verses Across
Literature · Historical Fiction
The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge 23Chapter 22
18
Literature · Historical Fiction
The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge 23
Chapter 22
DunnEnglish
CETHERN'S STRAIT-FIGHT
While now Cuchulain went to bathe in the waters, the hosts went by to the south till they pitched camp at Imorach Smiromrach ('Edge of the Marrow-bath'). [W.4238.] Then said the men of Erin to macRoth the chief runner, to go watch and keep guard for them at Sliab Fuait, to the end that the Ulstermen might not come upon them without warning and unobserved. Thereupon macRoth went from the host southwards as far as Sliab Fuait to spy out the men of Ulster, to learn if any one came after them. MacRoth was not long there when he saw something: a lone chariot on Sliab Fuait making from the north straight towards him. A fierce man, stark-naked, in that chariot coming towards him, without arms, without armour at all save an iron spit in his hand. In equal manner he goaded his driver and his horses at one and the same time. And it seemed to him that he would never in his life come up to the hosts. And macRoth hastened to tell this news at the fort where Ailill and Medb and Fergus were and the nobles of the men of Erin. Ailill asked tidings of him on his arrival. "Aye, macRoth," inquired Ailill; "hast thou seen any of the Ulstermen on the track of the host this day?" "That, truly, I know not," answered macRoth; "but I saw something: a lone chariot coming over Sliab Fuait [W.4252.] from the north straight towards us. A white, grey, wild, stark-naked man in the chariot, without arms or armour at all, except for an iron spit in his hand. In equal manner he prodded his driver and his steeds. It seemed to him he would never in his life come up to the host. A brindled greyhound before him." "Who, thinkest thou, might it be, O Fergus?" asked Ailill. "Is it Conchobar or Celtchar?" "Of a truth, that is not likely," Fergus answered; "meseems it is Cethern son of generous, red-edged Fintan from Line in the north that came there. And if so it be, ye shall be on your guard against him!" Fergus indeed spoke true, that it was Fintan's son Cethern that was come there. And so Cethern son of Fintan came on them, and the camp and the garrison were confounded and he wounded all around him in every direction and on all sides and they wounded him in like manner. And then Cethern left them, and it was thus he went, and the front-guard of the chariot pressed up against his belly to keep his entrails and vitals within him, and his intestines were wound about his legs. He came to the place where was Cuchulain, to be healed and cured, and he demanded a leech of Cuchulain to heal and to cure him. Cuchulain had compassion on his wounds; a bed of fresh rushes was made for him and a pillow set to it. "Come, master Laeg!" cried Cuchulain. "Arise, away with thee to the garrison and camp of the men of Erin and summon [LL.fo.89.] the leeches to come out to cure Cethern macFintain. I give my word, e'en though it be under the [W.4270.] ground or in a well-shut house they are, I myself will bring death and destruction and slaughter upon them before this hour to-morrow, if they come not to minister to Cethern."
[1-1] This heading is taken from the colophon of the episode.
[2-2] YBL. 40a, 9-12.
[3-3] YBL. 40a, 12-13.
[4-4] YBL. 40a, 12-14.
[5-5] Stowe.
[6-6] Stowe.
[1-1] Stowe, and YBL. 41a, 10.
[2-2] YBL. 41a, 11.
[3-3] YBL. 41a, 15.
[4-4] YBL. 40a, 17.
[5-5] YBL. 40a, 17.
[6-6] YBL. 40a, 18.
[7-7] Stowe.
[8-8] Stowe and YBL. 41a, 10.
[9-9] Stowe.
[10-10] Stowe.
[11-11] I have translated from the more circumstantial account in Stowe. LL. has, simply, 'his entrails and bowels outside on him.'
[12-12] YBL. 40a, 21.
[13-13] YBL. 40a, 22.
[14-14] YBL. 40a, 23-24.
[15-15] Stowe.
[1-1] YBL. 40a, 29.
Laeg went his way to the quarters and camp of the men of Erin, and he called upon the leeches of the men of Erin to go forth to cure Cethern son of Fintan. Truth to tell, the leeches of the men of Erin were unwilling to go cure their adversary, their enemy and their stranger-foe. But they feared Cuchulain would work death and destruction and slaughter upon them if they went not. And so they went. As one man of them after the other came to him, Cethern son of Fintan showed him his stabs and his cuts, his sores and his bloody wounds. When the first leech that came looked at him, "thou wilt not live," he declared. "Neither wilt thou for this," replied Cethern. Each man of them that said he would not live and could not be healed, Cethern son of Fintan struck him a blow with his right fist in the front of his forehead, so that he drove the brains out through the windows of his ears and the seams of his skull. Howbeit Cethern son of Fintan killed them till, by reason of him, there had come fifteen[a] leeches of the leeches of the men of Erin, as the historian hath declared in proof thereof:--
"These the leeches of the Tain,
Who by Cethern--bane--did fall.
No light thing, in floods of tribes,
That their names are known to me:
"Litte, Luaidren, known o'er sea,
Lot and Luaimnech, 'White-hand' Lonn,
Latheirne skilful, also Lonn,
Laisre, Slanoll 'That cures all.'
"Dubthach, Fintan's blameless son,
Fintan, master Firfial, too,
Maine, Boethan 'Gives not pain,'
Eke his pupil, Boethan's son.
"These the leeches, five and ten,
Struck to death by Cethern, true;
I recall them in my day;
They are in the leeches' roll!"
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] YBL. 40a, 31-33.
[a] 'Fifty or fifteen,' YBL. 40a, 35.
[4-4] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add. 18,748.
[W.4284.] Yea, even the fifteenth leech, it was but the tip of a blow that reached him. Yet he fell lifeless of the great stun between the bodies of the other physicians and lay there for a long space and time. Ithall, leech of Ailill and Medb, was his name.
Thereafter Cethern son of Fintan asked another leech of Cuchulain to heal and to cure him forasmuch as the leeches of the men of Erin had failed him. "Come, master Laeg," quoth Cuchulain, "go for me to Fingin the seer-leech, at 'Fingin's Grave-mound' at Leccan ('the Brow') of Sliab Fuait, him that is leech to Conchobar. Bid him come to heal Cethern son of Fintan."
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] YBL. 40a, 40.
Laeg hastened to Fingin the seer-leech at 'Fingin's Grave-mound' at Leccan of Sliab Fuait, to the leech of Conchobar. And he told him to go cure Cethern son of Fintan. Thereupon Fingin the prophet-leech came with him to where Cuchulain and Cethern were. As soon as he was come, Cethern son of Fintan showed him his stabs and his cuts, his sores and his bloody wounds.
[3-3] Stowe.
XXIIa
CETHERN'S BLOODY WOUNDS
[W.4299.] "Look at this bloody wound for me, O Fingin," said Cethern. Fingin looked at the bloody wound. "Why, it is a slight, unwillingly given wound we behold here," said the leech; "even a wound that some one of thine own blood hath given thee, and no desire or wish had he therefor, and it will not carry thee off at once." "That, now, is true," exclaimed Cethern. "A lone man came upon me there; bushy hair on him; a blue mantle wrapped around him; a silver brooch in the mantle over his breast; an oval shield with plaited rim he bore; a five-pointed spear in his hand; a pronged spare spear at his side. He gave this bloody wound. He bore away a slight wound from me too." "Why, we know that man!" cried Cuchulain; "'twas Illann Ilarchless ('Illann of many feats') son of Fergus macRoig. And he would not wish that thou shouldst fall by his hand, but he gave thee this mock-blow that the men of Erin might not have it to say it was to betray them or to forsake them if he gave it not."
[1-1] The heading is taken from LL.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] YBL. 41b, 19.
"Now look at this bloody wound for me, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. Fingin looked closely into the bloody wound. "Why, 'tis a woman's wanton deed of arms we behold here," said the leech; "namely the wound which a warrior-woman inflicted on thee," said he. "Aye, that is true then," quoth Cethern; "a woman [W.4314.] came upon me there by herself. A woman, beautiful, fair-faced, long-cheeked, tall; a golden-yellow head of hair down to the top of her two shoulder-blades she wore; a smock of royal sammet next to her white skin; two birds of gold on her shoulders; a purple cloak without other colour she had around her; [LL.fo.90a.] a brooch of gold in the cloak over her bosom; a straight, ridged spear, red-flaming in her hand. She it was that gave me this bloody wound. She bore away a slight wound from me too." "Ah, but we know that woman," cried Cuchulain; "Medb daughter of Eocho Fedlech, daughter of the High King of Erin; it is she that came unto us in that dress. A victory and triumph and trophy she had considered it hadst thou fallen at her hands."
[5-5] Stowe.
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] YBL. 41b, 5.
"Look at this bloody wound for me too, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. Fingin looked at the bloody wound. "Why, the feat of arms of two warriors is this," said the leech; "that is to say, two warriors inflicted these two wounds as one wound upon thee." "Yea, that is true," answered Cethern. "There came two men-at-arms upon me in that place; two, with bushy hair on them; two blue cloaks wrapped around them; brooches of silver in the cloaks over their breasts; a necklace of all-white silver around the neck of each of them; two long shields they bore; two hard chains of silver on each of them; a band of silver around them; two five-pointed spears they bore; a vein of silver around them. They smote me this wound and I smote a little wound on each of them." "Indeed we know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Oll and Othine they, of the bodyguard of Ailill and Medb; they never go to a hosting, to battle or combat, but when the wounding of a man is certain. They would have held [W.4330.] it for victory and triumph and a boast hadst thou fallen at their hands."
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] Stowe.
[5-5] YBL. 41b, 21-26.
[6-6] Stowe.
[7-7] Stowe.
"Look on this bloody wound also for me, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. Fingin looked closely at the bloody wound. "There came upon me a pair of young warriors of the Fian," said Cethern; "a splendid, manly appearance they had. Each of them cast a spear at me. I drave this spear through the one of them." Fingin looked into the bloody wound. "Why, this blood is all black," quoth the leech; "through thy heart those spears passed so that they formed a cross of themselves through thy heart, and thy healing and curing are not easy; and I prophesy no cure here, but I would get thee some healing plants and curing charms that they destroy thee not forthwith." "Ah, but we know them, that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Bun and Mecconn ('Stump' and 'Root') are they, of the bodyguard of Ailill and Medb. It was their hope that thou shouldst fall at their hands."
[1-1] YBL. 41b, 30.
[2-2] Stowe.
"Look at this bloody wound for me, too, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. Fingin examined the bloody wound. "Why, it is the red rush of the two sons of Ri Caile ('the King of the Woods') that is here," said the leech. "Aye, 'tis so," replied Cethern; "there attacked me there two fair-faced, dark-browed youths, huge, with diadems of gold on their heads. Two green mantles folded about them; two pins of bright silver on the mantles over their breasts; two five-pronged spears in their hands." "Why, near each other are the bloody wounds they gave thee," said the leech; "into thy gullet they went, so that the points of the spears struck one another within thee, and none the easier is it to work thy cure here." "We know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "noble youths of Medb's great household, Broen and Brudni, are they, two [W.4352.] sons of Ri teora Soillse ('the King of the three Lights'), that is, the two sons of the King of the Woods. It had been victory and triumph and a boast for them, hadst thou fallen at their hands."
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] YBL. 41b, 41.
[5-5] Stowe.
"Look at this bloody wound for me, too, my good Fingin," said Cethern. Fingin looked into the bloody wound. "The joint deed of two brothers is here," said the leech. "'Tis indeed true," replied Cethern. "There came upon me two leading, king's warriors. Yellow hair upon them; dark-grey mantles with fringes, wrapped around them; leaf-shaped brooches of silvered bronze in the mantles over their breasts; broad, grey lances in their hands." "Ah, but we know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Cormac Colomon rig ('King's pillar') is the one, and Cormac son of Mael Foga, of the bodyguard of Ailill and Medb (the other). What they sought was that thou shouldst fall at their hands."
"Look at this bloody wound for me too, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. [LL.fo.90b.] Fingin looked into that bloody wound. "The assault of two brothers is here," said the leech. "Aye then, 'tis true," answered Cethern. "There came upon me two tender youths there; very much alike were they; curly dark hair on the one of them; curly yellow hair on the other; two green cloaks wrapped around them; two bright-silver brooches in the cloaks over their breasts; two tunics of smooth yellow silk with hoods and red embroidery next their skin; two white-hilted swords at their belts; two bright shields having the likenesses of beasts in white silver they bore; two five-pronged spears with veins of all-white silver in their hands." "Ah, but we know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Mane 'Like to his mother' and Mane 'Like to his father,' two sons of Ailill and Medb; and it would be matter of victory, [W.4377.] triumph and boasting to them, hadst thou fallen at their hands."
[1-1] YBL. 42a, 28.
[2-2] YBL. 42a, 30-31.
[3-3] Stowe.
"Look at this bloody wound for me, too, O Fingin my master," said Cethern. "There came upon me a pair of young warriors of the Fian there. A brilliant appearance, stately-tall and manlike, they had; wonderful garments from far-away countries upon them. Each of them thrust the spear he had at me. Then I thrust this spear through each of them." Fingin looked into the bloody wound. "Cunning are the bloody wounds they inflicted upon thee," said the leech; "they have severed the strings of thy heart within thee, so that thy heart rolls about in thy breast like an apple in motion or like a ball of yarn in an empty bag, and there is no string at all to support it; and there is no means to cure thee or to save thee, and no healing can I effect here." "Ah, but we know those twain," quoth Cuchulain; "a pair of champions from Norway who, because of their cunning and violence, have been sent particularly by Ailill and Medb to slay thee; for not often does one ever issue alive from their combats, and it would be their will that thou shouldst fall at their hands."
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe and YBL. 42a, 1.
[4-4] Stowe.
[5-5] Stowe.
"Look upon this bloody wound for me too, my good Fingin," said Cethern. Fingin looked at that bloody wound in like manner. "Why, the alternate woundings of a son and his father we behold here," answered the leech. "Yea, it is so," quoth Cethern; "two tall men, red as torches, came upon me there, with diadems of burnished gold upon them; kingly garments they wore; gold-hilted, hammered swords at their girdles, with scabbards of pure-white silver, with a cunningly ornamented and delicate embossing and supports of mottled gold outside upon them. "Ah, but we know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Ailill and his [W.4399.] son are they, Mane 'That embraces the traits of them all.' They would deem it victory and triumph and a boast shouldst thou fall at their hands."
[6-6] Stowe.
Thus far the "Bloody Wounds" of the Tain.
"Speak, O Fingin prophetic leech," spake Cethern son of Fintan; "what verdict and what counsel givest me now?" "This verily is what I say to thee," replied Fingin the prophetic leech: "Count not on thy big cows for yearlings this year; for if thou dost, it is not thou that will enjoy them, and no profit will they bring thee." "This is the judgement and counsel the other surgeons did give me, and certain it is it brought them neither advantage nor profit, and they fell at my hands; and none the more will it bring thee advantage or profit, and thou shalt fall at my hands!" And he gave Fingin a strong, stiff kick with his foot, and sent him between the chariot's two wheels and the creaking of the chariot might be heard afar off.
[1-1] Stowe.
"Oh, but vicious is the kick from the old warrior," cried Cuchulain; "'twould be more fitting if thou shouldst ply it on foes than on leech!" Hence, from this saying, is the name Uachtar Lua ('the Height of the Kick') in the land of Ross from then until this day.
[2-2] YBL. 42a, 50-51.
Nevertheless [LL.fo.91a.] Fingin the prophet-leech gave his choice to Cethern son of Fintan: A long illness for him and afterwards to obtain help and succour, or a red[a] healing for the space of three days and three nights, so that he might then employ his strength on his enemies. What Cethern son of Fintan chose was a red healing for the space of three days and three nights, to the end that he might then vent his anger and strength on his enemies. For what he said was that there would not be found after him any one he would rather have vindicate or avenge him than himself. [W.4420.] Thereupon Fingin the prophetic leech asked of Cuchulain a vat of marrow wherewith to heal and to cure Cethern son of Fintan. Cuchulain proceeded to the camp and entrenchment of the men of Erin, and whatsoever he found of herds and flocks and droves there he took away with him. And he made a marrow-mash of their flesh and their bones and their skins; and Cethern son of Fintan was placed in the marrow-bath till the end of three days and three nights. And his flesh began to drink in the marrow-bath about him and the marrow-bath entered in within his stabs and his cuts, his sores and his many wounds. Thereafter he arose from the marrow-bath at the end of three days and three nights, and he slept a day and a night after taking in the marrow. "I have no ribs more," said Cethern; "put the ribs of the chariot-box into me." "Thou shalt have it," Cuchulain made answer. It was thus Cethern arose, with a slab of the chariot pressed to his belly so that his entrails and bowels would not drop out of him. "Had I my own weapons," said Cethern, "the story of what I would do would live forever!"
[a] That is, 'extreme or drastic.'
[3-3] Stowe.
[1-1] YBL. 42b, 7.
[2-2] YBL. 42b, 8-9.
[3-3] YBL. 42b, 10-11.
That was the time when his wife came from the north, from Dun da Benn ('Fort of the two Gables'), and she brought his sword with her, even Finna daughter of Eocho. "What seest thou?" asked Cethern. "Meseems," answered Cuchulain, "'tis the chariot of little Finna, Eocho's daughter, thy wife, that comes nigh us." And they saw the woman, with the arms in the chariot. Cethern son of Fintan seized his arms and proceeded to attack the men of Erin, with the chariot-box bound around his back, for he was not the stronger therefor. But this is to be added: They sent a warning before him; Ithall,[a] physician of Ailill and Medb, had remained as one dead of [W.4436.] the great stun from the blow of Cethern among the bodies of the other leeches for a long space and time, and continued in that state till then; at last he rose and rushed to the encampment, and he, the leech that had alone escaped from Cethern, brought the alarm to the camp.
[4-4] YBL. 42b, 13.
[5-5] YBL. 42b, 14.
[6-6] YBL. 42b, 16.
[7-7] YBL. 42b, 17.
[8-8] YBL. 42b, 18-19.
[a] See above, page 272.
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] YBL. 42b, 20.
"Hark, ye men of Erin," shouted the leech; "Cethern son of Fintan comes to attack you, now that he has been healed and cured by Fingin the prophetic leech, and take ye heed of him!" Thereat the men of Erin in fear put Ailill's dress and his golden shawl and his regal diadem on the pillar-stone in Crich Ross, that it might be thereon that Cethern son of Fintan should first give vent to his anger on his arrival. Eftsoons Cethern reached the place where he saw those things, namely Ailill's dress and his golden shawl around the standing-stone in Crich Ross, and he, being unaware and weetless, conceived it to be Ailill himself that was in it. And he made a rush at it like a blast of wind and drave the sword through the stone pillar till it went up to its pommel, so that his fist went through it after the sword. "Deceit is here," cried Cethern son of Fintan, "and on me have ye worked this deceit. And I swear an oath, till there be found among ye of the men of Erin one that will put yon royal dress about him and the golden shawl, I will not stay my hand from them, slaughtering and destroying withal!"
[4-4] YBL. 42b, 22.
[5-5] Stowe.
[6-6] Stowe.
[7-7] Stowe
[8-8] YBL. 42b, 24.
[9-9] Stowe.
Mane Andoe son of Ailill and Medb heard that, and he put his father's royal raiment about him and the golden shawl and the diadem on his head, and he snatched them up in his chariot before him and dashed off through the midst of the men of Erin. Cethern son of Fintan pursued him closely and hurled his shield the length of a cast at him, [W.4454.] so that the chiselled rim of the shield clave him[a] to the ground, with chariot, driver, and horses. When the men of Erin saw that, they surrounded Cethern on every side and made him a victim of spears and lances, so that he fell at their hands in the strait wherein he was. Wherefore 'Cethern's Strait-Fight and the Bloody Wounds of Cethern' is the name of this tale.
[10-10] Stowe.
[11-11] YBL. 42b, 29-30.
[a] Omitting i tri, 'in three'; it is not found in Stowe or in YBL. and seems out of place here.
[1-1] Stowe.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe.
His wife, Finna[b] daughter of Eocho Salbuide ('Yellow-heel') stood over him and she was in great sorrow, and she made the funeral-song below:--
"I care for naught, care for naught;
Ne'er more man's hand 'neath my head,
Since was dug the earthy bed,
Cethern's bold, of Dun da Benn!
"Kingly Cethern, Fintan's son;
Few were with him on the ford.
Connacht's men with all their host,
For nine hours he left them not!
"Arms he bore not--this an art--
But a red, two-headed pike;
With it slaughtered he the host,
While his anger still was fresh!
"Felled by double-headed pike,
Cethern's hand held, with their crimes,[c]
Seven times fifty of the hosts,
Fintan's son brought to their graves!
"Willa-loo, oh, willa-loo!
Woman's[d] wandering through the mist.
Worse it is for him that's dead.
She that lives may find a man![e]
"Never I shall take a man[e]
Of the hosts of this good world;
Never shall I sleep with man;
Never shall my man with wife!
[W.4485.] "Dear the homestead, 'Horse-head's Dun,'[a]
Where our hosts were wont to go.
Dear the water, soft and sweet;
Dear the isle, 'Isle of the Red!'[b]
"Sad the care, oh, sad the care,
Cualnge's Cow-raid brought on me:
Cethern, Fintan's son, to keen.
Oh that he had shunned his woe!
"Great the doings, these, oh, great,
And the deed that here was done:
I bewailing him till death,
Him that has been smitten down!
"Finna, Eocho's daughter, I,
Found a fight of circling spears.
Had my champion had his arms:
By his side a slaughtered heap!"
[4-4] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add. 18,748.
[b] Reading Finna, to agree with the reading in LL., supra, page 279. Inna, in Stowe, etc.
[c] That is, unshrived of their sins (?), a Christian intrusion
