Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [68]
Cú Chulaind walked out then until he reached the stone, and there he saw the woman in the green cloak. ‘Good this, Cú Chulaind,’ she said. ‘Not good for me your journey here last year,’ he replied. ‘Not to harm you did we come, but to seek your friendship. Indeed, I have come to speak to you of Fand, the daughter of Áed Abrat: Manandán son of Ler has left her, and she has now given her love to you. My name is Lí Ban, and I bear a message from my husband, Labraid Lúathlám ar Cladeb: he will send Fand to you in exchange for one day’s fighting against Senach Síaborthe and Echu luil and Éogan Indber.’ ‘Indeed, I am not fit to fight men today,’ answered Cú Chulaind. ‘That is soon remedied: you will be healed, and your full strength will be restored.’ ‘Where is this place?’ ‘In Mag Mell. Now I must return,’ said Lí Ban. ‘Let Lóeg go with you to visit your land,’ said Cú Chulaind. ‘Let him come, then,’ said Lí Ban.
Lí Ban and Lóeg then went to see Fand. When they arrived, Lí Ban seized Lóeg by the shoulder and said ‘Do not leave this place today, Lóeg, save under a woman’s protection.’ ‘Being protected by women has not exactly been my custom,’ replied Lóeg. ‘A pity it is not Cú Chulaind who is here now,’ moaned Lí Ban. ‘I too would rather he were here,’ said Lóeg.
They went, then, to the side facing the island, where they saw a bronze boat crossing the lake and coming towards them. They entered the boat and crossed to the island; there, they found a doorway, and a man appeared. Lí Ban asked the man:
Where is Labraid Lúathlám ar Cladeb,
head of the troops of victory,
victory above a steady chariot,
he who reddens spear points with blood?
The man answered her, saying:
Labraid is fierce and vigorous;
he will not be slow, he will have many followers.
An army is being mustered; if Mag Fidgai is crowded,
there will be great slaughter.
They entered the house, then, and saw three fifties of couches and three fifties of women lying on them. These women all greeted Lóeg, saying ‘Welcome, Lóeg, for the sake of the woman with whom you have come, and for the sake of the man from whom you have come, and for your own sake.’ Lí Ban asked ‘Well, Lóeg? Will you go to speak with Fand?’ ‘I will, provided I know where we are.’ ‘Not difficult that – we are in a chamber apart.’ They went to speak with Fand, and she welcomed them in the same way. Fand was the daughter of Áed Abrat, that is, fire of eyelash, for the pupil is the fire of the eye. Fand is the tear that covers the eye, and she was so named for her purity and beauty, since there was not her like anywhere in the world.
As they stood there, they heard the sound of Labraid’s chariot coming to the island, and Lí Ban said ‘Labraid is angry today. Let us go and talk to him.’ They went outside, and Lí Ban welcomed Labraid, saying:
Welcome, Labraid Lúathlám ar Cladeb!
Heir of troops,
of swift spearmen,
he smites shields,
scatters spears,
wounds bodies,
slays free men,
sees slaughter.
More beautiful than women,
he destroys hosts
and scatters treasures.
Assailant of a warrior band, welcome!
Labraid did not answer, so Lí Ban spoke on:
Welcome, Labraid Lúathlám ar Cladeb Augral
Prompt to grant requests,
generous to all,
eager for combat.
Battle-scarred his side,
dependable his word,
forceful his justice,
amiable his rule,
skilful his right hand,
vengeful his deeds –
he cuts down warriors.
Welcome, Labraid!
As Labraid still remained silent, Lí Ban recited another poem:
Welcome, Labraid Lúathlám ar Cladeb!
More warlike than youths,
prouder than chieftains,
he destroys valiant adversaries,
fights battalions,
sieves young warriors,
raises up the weak,
lays low the strong.
Welcome Labraid!
‘What you say is not good, woman,’ replied Labraid, and he recited this poem:
I am neither proud nor arrogant, woman,