IX. THE PROPOSALS
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Dunn, Joseph
W. 1603. The four grand provinces of Erin proceeded till they pitched camp and took quarters in Druim En ('Birds' Ridge') in the land of Conalle Murthemni, 1and they slept there1 that night, 2as we said before,2 and Cuchulain held himself at Ferta Illergaib ('the Burial-mound on the Slopes') hard by them that night, and he, Cuchulain, shook, brandished and flourished his weapons that night. 3Every night of the three nights they were there he made casts from his sling at them, from Ochaine nearby,3 so that one hundred warriors of the host perished of fright and fear and dread of Cuchulain. 4"Not long will our host endure in this way with Cuchulain," quoth Ailill.4 Medb called upon Fiachu son of Ferfebè of the Ulstermen to go parley with Cuchulain, to come to some terms with him. "What terms shall be given him?" asked Fiachu son of Ferfebè. "Not hard to answer," Medb replied: "He shall be recompensed 5for the loss of his lands and estates,5 for whosoever has been slain of the Ulstermen, so that it be paid to him as the men of Erin adjudge 6according to the will of the Ulstermen and of Fergus and of the nobles of the men of Erin who are in this camp and encampment.6 Entertainment shall be his at all times in Cruachan; wine and W. 1614. mead shall be poured *LL. fo. 70a. out for him. 1He shall have from the plain of Ai the equal of the plain of Murthemne and the best chariot that is in Ai and the equipment of twelve men.
Offer, if it please him more, the plain wherein he was reared and thrice seven bondmaids.1 And he shall come into my service and Ailill's, for that is more seemly for him than to be in the service of the lordling with whom he is, 2even of Conchobar son of Fachtna Fathatch.2
Accordingly this was the greatest word of scorn and insult spoken on the Cow-Raid of Cualnge, to make a lordling of the best king of a province in Erin, even of Conchobar.
Then came Fiachu son of Ferfebè to converse with Cuchulain. Cuchulain bade him welcome. "3Welcome thy coming and thine arrival, O Fiachu," said Cuchulain.3 "I regard that welcome as truly meant," 4said Fiachu.4 "It is truly meant for thee" 5replied Cuchulain5; "6and thou shalt have a night of hospitality this night." "Victory and a blessing attend thee, O fosterling," replied Fiachu. "Not for hospitality am I come, but6 to parley with thee am I come from Medb, 7and to bring thee terms."7 "What hast thou brought with thee?" "Thou shalt be recompensed for whatsoever was destroyed of Ulster which shall be paid thee as best the men of Erin adjudge. Entertainment shalt thou enjoy in Cruachan; wine and mead shall be poured out for thee and thou shalt enter the service of Ailill and Medb, for that is more seemly for thee than to be in the service of the lordling with whom thou art." "Nay, of a truth," answered Cuchulain, "I would not sell my mother's brothera for any other king!" "Further," 8continued Fiachu,8 "that W. 1627. thou comest to-morrow to a tryst with Medb and Fergus in Glenn Fochaine.
1Therewith Fiachu left behind a wish for long life and health with Cuchulain.1
Accordingly, early on the morrow, Cuchulain set forth for Glenn Fochaine. Likewise Medb and Fergus went to meet him. And Medb looked narrowly at Cuchulain, and her spirit chafed her at him that day, for no bigger than the bulk of a stripling did he seem to her. "Is that yonder the renowned Cuchulain thou speakest of, O Fergus?" asked Medb, 2"of whom it is said amongst ye Ulstermen that there is not in Erin a warrior for whom he is not a match and mighty combat?" "Not in Erin alone, did we say," Fergus made answer; "but there is not in the world a warrior for whom he is not a match and mighty combat."2 And Medb began to address Fergus and she made this lay:—
Medb:
"If that be the noble Hound,
Of whom ye of Ulster boast,
What man e'er stout foe hath faced,
Will fend him from Erin's men!"
Fergus:
"Howe'er young the Hound thou seest,
That Murthemne's Plain doth course,
That man hath not stood on earth
Whom he'd crush not with his might!"
Medb:
"We will bring this warrior terms;
If he slight them, he is mad:
Half his cows, his women, half.
He shall change his way of fight!"
Fergus:
"My wish, that yell not o'ercome
This Hound from proud Murthemne!
Deeds he fears not—fierce and bright—
This I know, if it be he!"
"Accost Cuchulain, O Fergus," said Medb. "Nay, then," quoth Fergus, "but do thou accost him thyself, for ye are not asunder here in the valley, in Glenn Fochaine." W. 1653. And Medb began to address Cuchulain and she made a lay, 1to which he responded:1
Medb:
"Culann's Hound, whom quatrains praise,a
Keep thy staff-sling far from us;
Thy fierce, famed fight hath us ruined,
Hath us broken and confused!"
Cuchulain:
"Medb of Mur, he, Maga's son,
No base arrant wight am I.
While I live I'll never cease
Cualnge's raid to harass sore!"
Medb:
"If thou wilt take this from us,
Valiant chief, thou Cualnge's Hound;