Before XXI. 1CUCHULAIN AND THE RIVERS1
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Dunn, Joseph
"Now arise, O Emain's Hound;
Now most fits thee courage high.
Ferdiad hast thou thrown—of hosts—
God's fate! How thy fight was hard!"
Cuchulain:
"What avails me courage now?
I'm oppressed with rage and grief,
For the deed that I have done
On his body sworded sore!"
Laeg:
"It becomes thee not to weep;
Fitter for thee to exult!
Yon red-speared one thee hath left
Plaintful, wounded, steeped in gore!"
Cuchulain:
"Even had he cleaved my leg,
And one hand had severed too;
Woe, that Ferdiad—who rode steeds—
Shall not ever be in life!"
W. 3993.Laeg:
"Liefer far what's come to pass,
To the maidens of Red Branch;
He to die, thou to remain;
They grudge not that ye should part!"
Cuchulain:
"From the day I Cualnge left,
Seeking high and splendid Medb,
Carnage has she had—with fame—
Of her warriors whom I've slain!"
Laeg:
"Thou hast had no sleep in peace,
In pursuit of thy great Táin;
Though thy troop was few and small,
Oft thou wouldst rise at early morn!"
Cuchulain began to lament and bemoan Ferdiad, and he spake the words:
"Alas, O Ferdiad," 1spake he,1 "'twas thine ill fortune thou didst not take counsel with any of those that knew my real deeds of valour and arms, before we met in clash of battle!
"Unhappy for thee that Laeg son of Riangabair did not make thee blush in regard to our comradeship!
"Unhappy for thee that the truly faithful warning of Fergus thou didst not take!
"Unhappy for thee that dear, trophied, triumphant, battle-victorious Conall counselled thee not in regard to our comradeship!
2"For those men would not have spoken in obedience to the messages or desires or orders or false words of promise of the fair-haired women of Connacht.