Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [88]
These two went out to the house where Gabalglinde was attended. ‘Who is it?’ he asked. ‘Cromm Deróil and Fóen-glinde son of Dedad,’ they replied, ‘to ask you if there is a prophecy or a prediction concerning the coming of the Ulaid, and whether any provision has been made.’ ‘There have long been prophecies and predictions, and there is a provision, and it is this: an iron house with two wooden houses about it, and a house of earth underneath with a very sturdy iron stone on top. All the dead wood and fuel and tinder are to be packed into the house of earth until it is quite full, for it was prophesied to us that the chieftains of Ulaid would gather one night in the iron house. There are about the feet of the bed seven chains of fresh iron for binding and making fast; fasten them about the seven pillars on the green outside.’
Cromm Deróil and Fóenglinde son of Dedad returned to Ailill and Medb and the chieftains of the province, then, and told them what provision had been made for the Ulaid. ‘Let one of my people and one of yours go to meet them, Cú Ruí,’ said Medb. ‘Who should go?’ asked Cú Ruí. ‘The same pair,’ said Medb, ‘that the Ulaid might be welcomed by me and the chieftains of the province of Connachta and by you and the chieftains of the province of Mumu.’ ‘I will be able to tell by the man who receives the welcome whether they have come for peace or war,’ said Cú Ruí. ‘If it is Dubthach Dóeltenga who answers, they have come to fight; but if it is Senchae son of Ailill, then they have come in peace.’
Cromm Deróil and Fóenglinde son of Dedad went to greet the Ulaid on the green. ‘Welcome, welcome, most noble and valorous high king of Ulaid, from Medb and Ailill and the chieftains of the province of Connachta,’ said Cromm Deróil. ‘Welcome, welcome, most valorous high king of Ulaid,’ said Fóenglinde son of Dedad, ‘from Cú Ruí son of Dáre and the chieftains of the two provinces of Mumu that are in the fort yonder.’ ‘We accept your welcome, as does the king,’ said Senchae son of Ailill. ‘It is not to fight or do evil that the Ulaid have come but on an intoxicated spree from Dún Dá Bend Clíu Máil maicc Úgaine; and we considered it dishonourable to leave the territory without spending a night in it.’
The messengers then returned to Medb and Ailill and Cú Ruí and Echu and the chieftains of the three provinces and related these words. Poets and musicians and entertainers were sent to the Ulaid until a house could be prepared for their entertainment and amusement. Messengers were also sent to the Ulaid, to ask their best warrior to choose a house. At this, a contention arose among the Ulaid: one hundred champions, all equally valorous, rose as one for their weapons, but Senchae son of Ailill pacified them, saying ‘Let Cú Chulaind go, since it is for the sake of his house that you came, and accept his protection until he returns.’ Cú Chulaind rose, then, and the Ulaid rose as one behind him. He examined the largest house in the place, and that was the iron house, about which the two wooden houses were.
After that, attendants came to look after the Ulaid; a huge bonfire was kindled, and their portions of food and drink were served. As night approached, the servants and attendants slipped away one by one, and, when the last servant left, he locked the door after him. The seven chains of fresh iron were wrapped round the house and fastened about the seven pillars on the green outside. Three fifties of smiths with their bellows were brought to fan the flames; three circles were made round the house, and the fire was kindled from above and below until its heat reached the iron house from below. At