Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [64]
‘The Death of Aífe’s Only Son’ is the source, at some distance, for Yeats’s play On Baile’s Strand.
The Death of Aífe’s Only Son
Cú Chulaind went to study weaponry with Scáthach nÚa-naind daughter of Airdgeme so that he might master feats. Aífe daughter of Airdgeme went to him there, and when she left she was pregnant, and he told her that she would bear a son. ‘You are to keep this golden thumb ring,’ he said, ‘until the boy can wear it. When that time comes, let him follow me to Ériu. Let him turn aside for no one, and let him identify himself to no one, and let him refuse to fight no one.’
After seven years the boy went to seek his father. The Ulaid were assembled at Trácht Éise, and they saw the boy out on the sea, in a bronze ship, with golden oars in his hands. He had a heap of stones in the boat, and he placed these in his slingshot and dealt stunning blows to the birds overhead, so that the creatures were knocked unconscious; afterwards he revived them and sent them back into the air. He performed the jaw feat with his hands until his upper jaw reached his eye. After that, he modulated his voice until he had laid the birds low a second time, and he revived them a second time as well.
‘Woe, indeed,’ said Conchubur, ‘to the land to which yonder lad comes. If the great men from his island were to arrive, they would pound us to dust, inasmuch as a mere boy performs such feats. Let someone go to meet him, and let him not enter this country.’ ‘Who should go to meet him?’ ‘Who but Condere son of Echu,’ answered Conchubur. ‘Why should Condere go?’ asked everyone. ‘Not difficult that,’ replied Conchubur, ‘Whatever good sense and eloquence may be required, Condere will possess it.’ ‘I will go to meet him,’ said Condere. Condere went, then, and he met the boy as the latter came ashore. ‘Far enough that, little boy, until you tell us where you come from and who your family is.’ ‘I will not identify myself to any man,’ said the boy, ‘and I will not turn aside for any man.’ ‘You will not enter this country until you have identified yourself,’ said Condere. ‘I will continue the journey on which I have come,’ said the boy.
The boy turned away, then, but Condere said ‘Turn to me, my boy. You are capable of great deeds. You are the stuff of blood. The pride of the warriors of Ulaid is in you. Conchubur welcomes you. Your jaws and spears away from the left side of your chariot, lest the warriors of Ulaid rise against you. Conchubur invites you to come to us. An ear for you if you turn towards me. Come to Conchubur, the impetuous son of Ness; to Senchae, the victorious son of Ailill; to Cethernd of the red sword edge, the son of Findtan, with a fire that wounds battalions; to Amorgen the poet; to Cúscraid of the great hosts. I welcome you; Conall Cernach invites you to stories, songs and the laughter of war heroes. Blaí Briugu would be greatly distressed if you journeyed on past him, he being a hero; moreover, to shame so many is not right. I, Condere, arose to meet the boy who detains champions. I vowed that I would meet this boy, though he has neither beard nor manly hair, provided he is not disobedient to the Ulaid.’
‘Good your coming,’ said the boy, ‘for now you will have your conversation. I have modulated my voice. I have left off casting unerringly from chariots. I have collected a beautiful flight of birds by shooting far-flying little spears at them, and moreover without the hero’s salmon leap. I have vowed great feats of arms lest anyone lay siege against me. Go and ask the Ulaid whether they wish to come against me singly or in a host. Turn back, now, for, even if you had the strength of a hundred, you would not be worthy to detain me.’
‘Let someone else come to talk to you, then,’ said Condere. He returned to the Ulaid and repeated the conversation, and Conall Cernach said ‘The Ulaid will not be shamed while I am alive.’ He went to meet the boy, saying ‘Delightful your games, little boy.’ ‘They will not be any the less so for you,’ answered the boy. He placed