Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [96]
After that, they had a pleasant time enjoying the feast. On one side of the illustrious Conchubur, the glorious high king of maid, gathered the kings and chiefs, and on the other side were the queens: Mugain Attencháithrech daughter of Echu Feidlech and wife of Conchubur son of Ness, Fedelm Noíchride daughter of Conchubur (nine forms she displayed, and each was lovelier than the last), Fedelm Foltchaín (Conchubur’s other daughter and the wife of Lóegure Búadach), Findbec daughter of Echu and wife of Cethernd son of Findtan, Brig Brethach wife of Celtchair son of Uthechar, Findige daughter of Echu and wife of Éogan son of Durthacht, Findchóem daughter of Cathub and wife of Amorgen Íarngiunnach, Derborcaill wife of Lugaid Réoderg son of the three Finds of Emuin, Emer Foltchaín daughter of Forgall Manach and wife of Cú Chulaind son of Súaltaim, Lendabair daughter of Éogan son of Durthacht and wife of Conall Cernach, and Níam daughter of Celtchair son of Uthechar and wife of Cormac Cond Longes son of Conchubur. There was no counting the number of beautiful women at that feast.
And yet the women began once again to squabble over their men and themselves, with the result that the three heroes all but resumed their combat. Senchae son of Ailill rose and shook his staff, and the men of Ulaid fell silent. He spoke words to chasten the women, but Emer continued to praise her husband. Thereupon Conall Cernach said ‘Woman, if your words are true, let that lad of feats come here, that I might oppose him.’ ‘Not at all,’ said Cú Chulaind, ‘for I am tired and broken to pieces. Today, I will eat and sleep, but I will not undertake combat.’ All this was in fact true, by reason of Cú Chulaind’s encounter that day with the Líath Machae by the shore of Lind Léith near Slíab Fúait. The horse had come towards him from the lake, Cú Chulaind had put his arms round its neck, and the two of them had circled all Ériu until at last night fell and the horse was broken. (Cú Chulaind found the Dub Sainglend in the same way, at Loch Duib Sainglend.) Cú Chulaind went on: ‘Today the Líath Machae and I have sought out the great hostels of Ériu: Brega, Mide, Múrese, Muirthemne, Macha, Mag Medba, Currech, Cletech, Cernae, Lía, Líne, Locharna, Fea, Fernen, Fergna, Urros, Domnand, Ros Roigne, Anni Éo. Better every feat of sleeping, dearer food than anything else. I swear by the god my people swear by, if I had my fill of food and sleep, there would be no trick or feat that any man could meet me at.’
It happened, thus, that the dispute over the champion’s portion arose again. Conchubur and the chieftains of Ulaid intervened to pronounce judgement, and Conchubur said ‘Go now to the man who will undertake to decide this matter, Cú Rui son of Dáre.’ ‘I will agree to that,’ said Cú Chulaind. ‘So will I,’ said Lóegure. ‘Let us go, then,’ said Conall Cernach. ‘Let horses be brought and yoked to Conall’s chariot,’ said Cú Chulaind. ‘Alas!’ said Conall. ‘Indeed,’ replied Cú Chulaind, ‘for everyone knows well the clumsiness of your horses and the slowness of your gait and bearing and the great ponderousness with which your chariot moves; each wheel digs a ditch, so that everywhere you leave a track that is visible to the Ulaid for a year.’ ‘Do you hear that, Lóegure?’ Conall asked. ‘Indeed – but it is not I who have been disgraced and embarrassed. I am quick to cross fords – many fords – and I breast storms of many spears in front of the youths of Ulaid. I will not grant the superiority of kings until I have practised my chariot feats before kings and heroes in single chariots, over difficult and treacherous terrain, in wooded places and along enemy borders, in order that no single-charioted hero might dare to meet me.’
With that, they yoked Lóegure’s chariot, and he sprang into it; he drove across Mag Dá Gabul and Berrnaid na Forare and Áth Carpait Fergussa