Chapter VIII

§ 42. [Thus to the one stead the men of Ulster assembled in councilconcerning the heroes. The three alike haughty and overweening. Theconclusion the Ulster nobles in Conchobar’s following arrived at was, toaccompany the heroes and have the difficulty adjudged at the abode ofAilill mac Magach and of Mève of Cruachan Ai] [12] with reference to theChampion’s Portion and the mutual rivalry of the women. Fine andlovely and majestic the march of the Ultonians to Cruachan. Cuchulainn,however, remained behind the host entertaining the Ulster ladies,[performing] nine feats with apples, nine with javelins and nine withknives, in such wise that one did not interfere with the other.§ 43. Loig mac Riangabra then went to speak with him to thefeat-stead and said: “You sorry simpleton (squinter?), your valour andbravery have passed away, the Champion’s Portion has gone from ye;the Ultonians have reached Cruachan long since.” “Forsooth we have notat all perceived it, my Loig. Yoke us the chariot then,” quoth Cuchulainn.Loig accordingly yoked it and off they started on their march. By that time the Ulstermen had reached Magh Breg. Cuchulainn having beenincited by his charioteer, marched with such speed from Dun Rudraige,the Grey of Macha and the Black Sainglenn racing in such wise with hischariot across the whole province of Conchobar, across Sliav Fuait (thecountry around the Fews) and across the Plain of Bregia, that the thirdchariot arrived first in Cruachan.§ 44. In virtue then of the swiftness and the impetuous speed withwhich all the valiant Ultonians reached Cruachan under [the lead of]Conchobar and the body of princes, a great shaking seized Cruachan, tillthe war-arms fell from the partitions to the ground, seizing likewise theentire host of the hold, till the men in the royal keep were like untorushes in a stream. Mève thereupon spake: “Since the day I took up homein Cruachan I have not until now heard thunder, there being no clouds.”Thereupon Findabair, daughter of Ailill and of Mève, went to the sollerover the high porch of the hold. “Mother dear,” she said, “I see a chariotcoming along the plain.” “Describe it,” quoth Mève, “its form,appearance and style; the colour of the horses; how the hero looks andhow the chariot courses.”§ 45. “Truly, I see,” quoth Findabair, “the two horses that are in thechariot. Two fiery dappled greys, alike in colour, shape and excellence,alike in speed and swiftness, prancing side by side. Ears pricked, headerect, of high mettle and strangely bounding pace. Nostril fine, maneflowing, forehead broad, full dappled; full slim of girth and broad ofchest, manes and tails curled, they career along. A chariot of fine woodwith wicker-work, having two black revolving wheels [and two beautifulpliant reins.[13]] Itsfertsi hard and straight as a sword. Its body ofwicker-work new and freshly polished, its curved yoke silver-mounted.Two rich yellow looped reins. In the chariot a fair man with long curlinghair; his tresses tri-coloured: brown at the skin, blood-red at the middle,as a diadem of yellow gold the hair at the tips. Three halos encircle hisupturned head, each merging into the other. About him a soft crimsontunic, having five stripes of glittering gold. A shield spotted and indented,with a bright edge of bronze. A barbed five-pronged javelinflames at his wrist. An awning of the rare plumage of birds over hischariot’s frame.”§ 46. “We recognise that man,” quoth Mève, “from his description.”“Compeer of kings, an old disposer of conquest,A fury of war, a fire of judgment,A flame of vengeance; in mien a hero,In face a champion, in heart a dragon;The long knife of proud victories which will hew us to pieces;The all-noble, red-handed Loigaire;His the vigour that cuts the leek with the sword-edge—The back-stroke of the wave to the land.”“By the god of my people,” quoth Mève, “I swear if it be with fury ofhostile feeling Loigaire the Triumphant comes to us, that like as leeks arecut to the ground by a sharp knife, such will be the nicety of theslaughter he will inflict on us, whatever our number at Cruachan Ai,unless his glowing fury, wrath and high-dudgeon are guarded againstand assuaged in accordance with his very wish.”§ 47. “Mother dear,” quoth the daughter, “I see anon another chariotcoming along the plain, not a whit inferior to the first.” “Describe it,”said Mève. “Sooth I see,” she quoth, “in the chariot, on the one hand, aroan spirited steed, swift, fiery and bounding, with broad hoof andexpanded chest, taking strong vigorous strides across fords andestuaries, over obstacles and winding roads, scouring plains and vales,raging with triumph. Judge it from the likenesses of soaring birds,among which my very quick eye gets lost from their most smoothcareering in emulous course. On the other a bay horse, with broadforehead, heavy locks and wavy tresses; of light and long dashing pace;of great strength; full swiftly he courses the bounds of the plain, betweenstone enclosures and fastnesses. He finds no obstacle in the land of oaks,careering on the way. A chariot of fine wood with wicker-work, on twobright wheels of bronze; its pole bright with silver mounting; its framestripes of bronze in the arching of the house, which was of oak, with acovering of shingles. It had twelve windows with glass in the openings.The dais of Ailill and of Mève in the centre of the house, with silverfrontings and stripes of bronze round it, with a silver wand by thefronting facing Ailill, that would reach the mid “hips” of the house so asto check the inmates unceasingly. The Ulster heroes went round fromone door of the palace to the other, and the musicians played while theguests were being prepared for. Such was the spaciousness of the housethat it had room for the hosts of valiant heroes of the whole province inthe suite of Conchobar. Moreover, Conchobar and Fergus mac Rôichwere in Ailill’s compartment with nine valiant Ulster heroes besides.Great feasts were then prepared for them and they were there until theend of three days and of three nights.§ 56. Thereafter Ailill inquired of Conchobar with his Ultonianfollowing what was the purport of his march. Sencha narrated the matteron account of which they had come, viz., the three heroes’ rivalry as tothe Champion’s Portion, and the ladies’ rivalry as to precedence at feasts“They could not stand being judged anywhere else than here by thee.”At that Ailill was silent and was not in a happy mood. “Indeed,” quothhe, “it is not to me this decision should be given as to the Champion’sPortion, unless it be done from hatred.” “There is really no better judge.”“Well,” said Ailill, “I require time to consider.” “We really require ourheroes,” quoth Sencha, “for great to timid folks is their value.” “For thatthen three days and three nights suffice for me,” quoth Ailill. “Thatwould not forfeit friendship,” answered Sencha. The Ultoniansstraightway bade farewell; being satisfied, they left their blessing withAilill and Mève and their curse with Bricriu, for it was he who hadincited them to strife. They then departed from the territory of Mève,having left Loigaire and Conall and Cuchulainn to be judged by Ailill.The like supper as before was given to each of these heroes every night