Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [85]
‘Regal the description,’ said Medb. ‘Regal the people described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who are they, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘The tall warrior in the middle is Conchubur son of Fachtnae Fáthach, the worthy, rightful king of Ulaid, descendant of the kings of Ériu and Albu, The man on his right, with face as white as snow, is Findtan son of Níall Níamglonnach, ruler of one third of Ulaid; the small, dark-browed man on Conchubur’s left is Cú Chulaind son of Súaltaim. Ferchertnae son of Coirpre son of Iliu is the very bright, fair man performing weapon feats overhead. Chief poet of the chief poets of the Ulaid he is, and rearguard when Conchubur invades the territory of his enemies. Whoever wishes to speak with the king must speak with this man first.’
‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a swift, handsome trio, all fitted out like champions. Two of them were youthful; the third lad, however, had a forked, dark-shining beard. These three came so swiftly and so lightly that they did not remove the dew from the grass; no one in the great host sees them, and yet they see the entire host.’
‘Gentle and light and peaceable the description,’ said Medb. ‘Gentle and peaceable the people described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who are they?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Three noble youths of the Túatha Dé Danand they: Delbáeth son of Eithliu and Óengus Óc son of the Dagdae and Cermait Milbél. They arrived at dawn today to stir up strife and contention, and they have mingled with the host, and it is true that the host cannot see them but that they can see the host.’
‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a valorous warriorlike band led by a distinguished trio. One was dark and furious, and one was fair and truly handsome; but the third was strong and stout and mighty, with short, reddish yellow hair that shone like the crown of a birch tree at the end of autumn or like a brooch of pale gold. He had a forked, dark brown beard the length of a warrior’s hand, and his face was like the shining foxglove or a fresh ember. The three bore dark red warrior’s shields, great multipointed spears, and heavy, powerful swords, and their apparel was fair and glittering.’
‘Warlike and heroic that description, indeed,’ said Medb. ‘Warlike and heroic the people described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who are they, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘The three chief warriors of Ulaid they are, the two Conalls and Lóegure: Conall Ánglonnach son of Iriel Glúnmár and Conall Cernach son of Amorgen and Lóegure from Ráith Immel.’
‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a frightful, unfamiliar trio standing before their band. Three linen tunics were next to their skin; three woolly, dun grey mantles covered the tunics; three iron stakes fastened the mantles at the breast. Their hair was dark and bristling, and they carried gleaming dun shields with hard, bronze bosses, spears with broad, flat heads, and swords with gold hilts. Like the cry of a strange hound on the scent the snorting and bellowing each of these men makes when he catches the sound of an enemy in the fort.’
‘Savage and heroic that description,’ said Medb. ‘Savage and heroic the people described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who are they, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘The three battle-stays of Ulaid they: Uma son of Remanfissech of Fedan Chúailnge, Errge Echbél of Brí Errgi and Celtchair Már son of Uthechar of Ráith Celtchair at