Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [87]
‘Regal and dignified that description,’ said Medb. ‘Regal and dignified the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ Ailill asked. ‘Not difficult that,’ Cú Ruí said. ‘Blaí Briugu son of Fiachnae from Temuir na hArdda, and he needs nine chariots about him everywhere he goes, and of the entire host he listens to their speech alone. Seldom do they talk to anyone but him.’
‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a vast, kingly troop, with one man standing before it. Bristling dark hair he had. A gentle blush in one cheek, a furious red blush in the other – a kind, civil answer on the one hand, an angry answer on the other. On his shoulders an open-mouthed leopard; in his hands a white-fronted shield, a bright-hilted sword and a great warrior’s spear the height of his shoulder. When its ardour came upon the spear, he gave the butt a blow against the palm of his hand, and a bushel full of fiery sparks broke out along the point and the blade. Before him was a cauldron of dark blood, a dreadful pool of night made through druidry from the blood of dogs and cats and druids, and the head of the spear was submerged in the poisonous liquid whenever its ardour came upon it.’
‘Poisonous that description, indeed,’ said Medb. ‘Poisonous the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Dubthach Dóeltenga, a man who has never earned the thanks of anyone. When the Ulaid go out together, he goes out alone. He has the death-dealing Lúin of Celtchair on loan, and the cauldron of very red blood is before him since otherwise the spear would burn its shaft or the man carrying it, and it is prophesying battle.’
‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw another band, with a sleek, ancient, hoary-white man standing before it. He had a bright cloak about him with fringes of pure white silver, a handsome pure white tunic next to his skin, a glittering white sword under his cloak and a bronze branch the height of his shoulder. As sweet as music was his voice; very loud and slow was his speech.’
‘Judicial and wise that description, indeed,’ said Medb. ‘Judicial and wise the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Senchae Már son of Ailill son of Máelchlód from Carnmag Ulad, a good speaker among mortal men and a peacemaker among the Ulaid. A man of the world from sun to sun, a man who can make peace with three fair words.’
‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw an ardent, very handsome band. A youthful lad with curly yellow hair stood before it, and the judgement that the man before him could not give he gave.’
‘Wise and clever that description,’ said Medb. ‘Wise and clever the one described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who is it, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Caín Caín-brethach son of Senchae son of Ailill he, and the judgement that his father cannot give he gives.’
‘Outside and to the east of the fort,’ said Cromm Deróil, ‘I saw a dreadful foreign trio with short bristling shaggy hair and foreign, dun-coloured clothing; they carried short brazen spears in their right hands and iron clubs in their left. None of them spoke to each other, and none of the host spoke to them.’
‘Foreign and servile that description,’ said Medb. ‘Foreign and servile those described,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘Who are they, then?’ asked Ailill. ‘Not difficult that,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘They are the three doorkeepers of Conchubur’s royal house: Nem and Dall and Dorcha.’
That was the description of the first troop to reach the green. The great druid had no more descriptions for Cú Ruí to interpret. ‘The Ulaid are yonder, then,’ said Medb. ‘They are, indeed,’ replied Cú Ruí. ‘Was this predicted or prophesied that you know of?’ asked Medb, ‘I do not know that