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By Root 646 0

we have youths who have strolled about the border.’ ‘The worth of your young men will be tested tonight, Conchubur,’ said Senláech of the Araid, from Crúachu Con Alad in the west. ‘Often enough I have left them sitting in the muddy water of Lúachair Dedad; often enough they have left fat oxen with me.’ ‘The ox you left with us was fatter,’ said Muinremur son of Gerrgend, ‘for it was your own brother, Crúaichniu son of Rúadluim from Crúachu Con Alad.’ ‘Crúaichniu was worth no more,’ replied Lugaid son of Cú Ruí, ‘than Inloth Már son of Fergus son of Léti, whom Echbél son of Dedad left dead at Temuir Lúachra.’ ‘What do you say,’ boasted Celtchair son of Uthechar, ‘to my having killed Congachnes son of Dedad and taken his head?’

At length one man triumphed over all Ériu: Cet son of Mágu from Connachta. He hung his weapons over those of everyone else; then he took knife in hand and sat down to the pig, saying ‘Find among the men of Ériu one to match me in feats – otherwise I will carve the pig.’ Inasmuch as his equal had not been found, the Ulaid fell silent. ‘Just look at that, Lóegure,’ said Conchubur at length. Lóegure spoke then: ‘It is not right that Cet should carve the pig before our very eyes.’ Cet answered ‘One moment, Lóegure, that I might speak with you. You Ulaid have a custom: every one of you who takes arms makes Connachta his object. You came to the border, then, and I met you; you abandoned your horses and chariot and charioteer and escaped with my spear through you. Is that how you propose to take the pig?’ Lóegure sat down.

A tall fair warrior arose from his couch and said ‘It is not right that Cet should carve the pig before our very eyes.’ ‘Who is this?’ asked Cet. ‘Óengus son of Lám Gabuid,’ said the Ulaid, ‘and a better warrior than you.’ ‘Why is his father called Lám Gabuid?’ ‘Why indeed?’ the Ulaid asked. ‘I know why,’ said Cet. ‘Once I came east. There was screaming. People came, Lám Gabuid too, and he cast his great spear at me, but I threw it back so that it cut off his hand and left it on the ground. What could bring his son to challenge me?’ Óengus sat down.

‘On with the contest, or I will carve the pig,’ said Cet. ‘It is not right that Cet should carve the pig,’ said another tall, fair Ulaid warrior. ‘Who is this?’ asked Cet. ‘Éogan son of Durthacht, the king of Fernmag.’ ‘I have seen him before,’ said Cet. ‘Where have you seen me?’ asked Éogan. ‘At the entrance to your house, when I was stealing your cattle. Everyone in your land screamed, and that brought you. You cast a spear at me that stuck in my shield; I cast the same spear back at you so that it went through your head and put out one eye. That is why you are one-eyed before the men of Ériu.’ Éogan sat down.

‘On with the contest, Ulaid,’ said Cet. ‘You will not carve the pig yet,’ said Muinremur son of Gerrgend. ‘Is this Muinremur?’ asked Cet. I have finally cleaned my spears, Muinremur. It is not six days since I took three warriors’ heads about the head of your first-born son from your land.’ Muinremur sat down.

‘On with the contest!’ said Cet. ‘You will have that!’ said Mend son of Salchad. ‘Who is this?’ asked Cet. ‘Mend son of Salchad,’ said everyone. ‘What next!’ said Cet. ‘Now sons of herdsmen with nicknames are challenging me. I am the priest who baptized your father with that name, for I struck his heel with my sword so that he took but one foot away. What could bring the son of a one-footed man to challenge me?’ Mend sat down.

‘On with the contest!’ said Cet. ‘You will have that!’ said a large, grey, very ugly Ulaid warrior. ‘Who is this?’ asked Cet. ‘Celtchair son of Uthechar,’ said everyone. ‘Just one moment, Celtchair, unless you want to crush me immediately. I arrived at the entrance to your house once; there was screaming and everyone came to the door and you with them. You cast your spear at me, but I cast another spear at you so that it pierced your thighs and your testicles. Since then you have fathered no sons or daughters. What could bring you to challenge me?’ Celtchair sat down.

‘On with the contest!’ said Cet.