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translated by Kuno Meyer Electronic edition compiled and proof-read by Beatrix Färber Funded by University College, Cork and The HEA via PRTLI 4 First draft, revised and corrected. Extent of text: 9310 words Distributed by CELT online at University College, Cork, Ireland. Text ID Number: T301037 Availability [RESTRICTED] Available with prior consent of the CELT programme for purposes of academic research and teaching only. This book is available for purchase from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (School of Celtic Studies). CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts The present text represents the editor's preface (v-vii), introduction (2-3) and odd pages 341 of the translation. For version B of the Death of Lóegaire Búadach and version B of the Death of Cet mac Mágach no translation is supplied. Text has been checked and proofread twice, all corrections and supplied text being tagged. The electronic text represents the printed text. The editor's corrigenda have been integrated. When a hyphenated word (hard or soft) crosses a line break, the break is marked after the completion of the hyphenated word. There are no instances of hyphenated words crossing a page break. div0=the group of tales; div1=the section comprising one or more versions of the tale; div2=the individual (version of a) tale; paragraphs are marked p. Poems are treated as embedded texts, with stanzas marked lg and metrical lines tagged l. Names of persons (given names), places and group names are not tagged. Direct speech is rendered q; except where it cannot be nested within or outside the apparatus; then it is rendered '. This text uses the DIV2 element to represent the Tale. Created: Translation by Kuno Meyer. Beatrix Färber (ed.) Beatrix Färber (ed.) Beatrix Färber (data capture) It is a remarkable accident that, except in one instance, so very few copies of the death-tales of the chief warriors attached to King Conchobar's court at Emain Macha should have come down to us. Indeed, if it were not for one comparatively late manuscript now preserved outside Ireland, in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, we should have to rely for our knowledge of most of these stories almost entirely on Keating's History of Ireland. Under these circumstances it has seemed to me that I could hardly render a better service to Irish studies than to preserve these stories, by transcribing and publishing them, from the accidents and the natural decay to which they are exposed as long as they exist in a single manuscript copy only. In the well-known list of Irish tales preserved in the Book of Leinster and elsewhere, under the title oitte, i.e. tragical or violent deaths, eight death-stories of Ulster heroes are enumerated as follows: the deaths of Cúchulinn, of Conall (i.e. Conall Cernach), of Celtchar, of Blái the Hospitaller, of Lóegaire, of Fergus (mac Róich), of King Conchobar himself, and of Fiamain. The Death of Cúchulinn forms an episode in the story called Brislech Mór Maige Murthemne; and extracts from the version in the Book of Leinster have been edited and translated by Whitley Stokes, in the Revue Celtique, vol. III., p. 175 ff. It is curious that, apart from this twelfth-century version, we have no copies older than the eighteenth century. These modern copies are enumerated by Prof. D'Arbois de Jubainville in his Catalogue de la Littérature Épique de l'Irlande, p. 15. The Death of Conall Cernach is told in a tale, the full title p.viof which is The Cherishing of Conall Cernach in Cruachan, and the Death of Ailill and of Conall Cernach. It has been edited and translated by me, from the only two existing manuscripts, in the first volume of the Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie, p. 102 ff. The Death of Celtchar son of Uthechar is found in a very fragmentary and illegible condition in the Book of Leinster, p. 118b. Fortunately there exists a second complete copy in the Edinburgh MS. xl, pp. 911.1 It has not hitherto been edited or translated. The Death of Blái the Hospitaller has been preserved only in the Edinburgh MS., where it occupies pp. 1113. It is here for the first time edited and translated. Of the Death of Lóegaire Búadach we have only one ancient copy, again in the Edinburgh MS., pp. 89, hitherto unpublished. There is a shorter and later version, which is practically that of Keating's History, contained in two eighteenth-century mss. in the Royal Irish Academy, numbered 23. G. 21, p. 142, respectively. Copies of these I owe to the kindness of Mr. R. Irvine Best. The Death of Fergus mac Róich is also preserved in a single copy only, again to be found in the Edinburgh MS., p. 5. Our only source hitherto has been Keating's version. The only tale among those enumerated above which has reached us in fairly numerous copies is that of the Death of Conchobar. Prof. D'Arbois de Jubainville, l.c., p. 13, enumerates four manuscripts2 in addition to Keating's account, which is also that of 23. To these a fifth must be added, the version in the Edinburgh MS. XL, pp. 13, which is unfortunately illegible at the beginning.3 Mr. Edward Gwynn has p.viikindly supplied me with a transcript of the version contained in the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum; and Mr. R. I. Best has copied, and placed at my disposal, the version in 23. N. 10, a MS. in the library of the Royal Irish Academy. The tale last mentioned in the list, that of the Death of Fiamain, seems now lost. At least, so far as I know, no copy of it has yet been discovered; nor does Keating give any account of it. Fiamain mac Forrói is mentioned in Tochmarc Emire as one of those Irish youths who were learning feats of arms with Scáthach in Britain when Cúchulinn came there for the same purpose (see Zeitschr. III., p. 250, paragraph 67); and in the poem at the end of that tale (ib., p. 262, l. 8) a Fiamain is enumerated among the young warriors in the Cráeb Rúad at Emain Macha. But whether this was Fiamain mac Forrói or some other Fiamain is doubtful. The only other references to the former that I can find arefirst, one in Cináed húa Hartacáin's poem on the deaths of some of the nobles of Erin, which has been edited and translated by Whitley Stokes in Revue Celtique, vol. xxiii., p. 303 ff. Here he is said to have been slain at Dún mBinne,4 a fort that has not been identified. A battle of Duma Beinne is mentioned in Cath Maige Rath, p. 211. The other reference to Fiamain mac Forrói occurs in a poem in that tale, p. 213: Seven battles around Cathir Conrói, the wrecking of Fiamain mac Forói, the wrecking of Cúrói, together with the seventeen sons of Deda. In addition to these Ulster death-tales, the Edinburgh manuscript contains an account of the death of the redoubtable Connaught warrior Cet mac Magach. Of this story, as it has not hitherto been published, I add an edition and translation. We possess, as stated on page vi, five manuscript copies of Aided Chonchobuir, apart from the account contained in Keating's History. They all differ materially, so that it seemed desirable to print them in extenso. The version in the Edinburgh MS. xl is partly illegible but it appears to be identical in its opening with that of the Book of Leinster. As is common in the tradition of the oldest Irish tales, these five manuscripts either represent different versions of various ages, or attempts to bring these versions into harmony with each other. We can distinguish the following three different accounts of the events which led to Conchobar's death. Once when the men of Ulster were at a gathering, the sun was darkened and the moon turned into the colour of blood. On Conchobar's question as to the cause of this disturbance, the druid Cathbad tells the story of the Crucifixion, dwelling on the fact that Conchobar and Christ were born on the same night. Compare the Compert Conchobuir, Revue Celtique, vi., p. 180. This is the account contained in the third version of the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum (paragraph 4). Slight variants of this version are to be found in the account of the Book of Leinster (paragraph 11), where an earthquake takes the place of the eclipse of the sun, and where the druid' s name is not mentioned, and in the Edinburgh account (paragraph 11), in which Conchobar addresses his question to all his druids. A second version places the gathering at Muirthemne. There, on a certain day, Bachrach, a Leinster poet, arrives from abroad,5 and on the question for news tells the story of the Crucifixion which he p.3has heard on the Continent or in Great Britain. This is the account given most fully in the first version of the Liber Flavus (paragraph 1), mentioned briefly in the Stowe manuscript (paragraph 1), and given as a variant in the Book of Leinster (paragraph 13). In a third version, the Roman consul Altus visits Conchobar, either with presents from Tiberius (23. N. 10, paragraph 1, and Liber Flavus, paragraph 2), or to exact tribute for Octavian (Book of Leinster, paragraph 14), and being himself a Christian, relates the story of the Crucifixion. All versions end very nearly alike; only the account in the Book of Leinster breaks off shortly without mentioning Conchobar's death. The other versions say that Conchobar's pity roused him to fury; he uttered a rhetoric beginning Ba aprainn, seized his weapons, and rushed madly about, either as far as the sea (Lib. Flav., paragraph 4) or cutting down the wood on Lettir Lámraige ( Edinburgh and Stowe version); Mesgegra's brain starts out of his head, and he dies a Christian, the blood gushing from his head being his baptism. Two late versionsthose in the Edinburgh and in the Stowe manuscriptsadd the further history of Mesgegra's brain, the existence of which is revealed by God to Buite mac Brónaig, abbot of Monasterboice (died ca. D 520), who uses it as a pillow, whence it is known by the name of adart Buiti. In support of this, the Stowe version quotes a poem by Cináed húa Hartacáin, a poet who died in A.D. 975, another copy of which may be found in the Book of Leinster, p. 150 a, l. 26. Lastly, in the Edinburgh version, the incident of Cenn Berraide, who, in all other accounts, carried the king on his back after he had been wounded by Cet at the Ford of Daire Dá Báeth, is shifted and added on at the end, where it is quite out of place. ¶1] Once upon a time the men of Ulster were greatly intoxicated in Emain Macha. Thence there arise great contentions and comparison of trophies between them, even between Conall and Cuchulinn and Loegaire. Bring me, said Conall, the brain of Mesgegra, so that I may talk to the competing warriors. At that time it was a custom with the men of Ulster to take the brains out of the head of every warrior whom they slew in single combat, and to mix lime with them, so that they were made into hard balls. And whenever they were in contention or at comparison of trophies, these were brought to them, so that they had them in their hands. ¶2] Well, Conchobar, said Conall, until the competing warriors perform a deed like this in single combat, they are not capable of comparing trophies with me. That is true, said Conchobar. ¶3] Then the brain was put upon the shelf upon which it was always kept. On the morrow every one went his own way to his sport. Then Cet, the son of Matu, went upon a round of adventures in Ulster. This Cet was the most troublesome pest that was in Ireland. This is the way he went, across the green of Emain, having with him three warriors' heads of the men of Ulster. ¶4] While the jesters (of Emain) were at play with the brain of Mesgegra, this is what one jester said to the other. Cet hears that. He snatches the brain out of the hand of one of them, and carries it off; for he knew that it had been foretold of Mesgegra that he would avenge himself after his death. In every battle and in every combat which the men of Connaught had with those of Ulster, Cet used to carry the brain in his girdle to see whether he could compass a famous deed by slaying a man of Ulster with it. ¶5] Once then Cet went eastwards until he took a drove of cows from the men of the Rosses. The men of Ulster overtook him in pursuit after him. Then the men of Connaught came up from the other side to rescue him. A battle is fought between them. Conchobar himself went into the battle. And it was then that the women of Connaught begged Conchobar to come aside so that they might see his shape. For there was not on earth the shape of a human being like the shape of Conchobar, both for beauty and figure and dress, for size and symmetry and proportion, for eye and hair and whiteness, for wisdom and manners and eloquence, for raiment and nobleness and equipment, for weapons and wealth and dignity, for bearing and valour and race. That Conchobar was faultless indeed. However, it was by the advice of Cet that the women importuned Conchobar. Then he went aside alone to be seen by the women. ¶6] Cet, however, went until he was in the midst of the women. He adjusts the brain of Mesgegra in the sling, and throws it so that it hit the crown of Conchobar's head, so that two-thirds of it entered his head, so that he fell upon his head forward to the ground. The men of Ulster ran towards him, and carried him off from Cet. On the brink of the ford of Daire Dá Báeth6 it was that Conchobar fell. His grave is there where he fell, and a pillar-stone at his head, and another at his feet. ¶7] The men of Connaught are then routed to Scé Aird na Con.7 The men of Ulster are driven eastwards again to the ford of Daire Dá Báeth. Let me be carried out of this! said Conchobar. I shall give the kingship of Ulster to anyone who will carry me as far as my house. I will carry thee, said Cenn Berraide,8 his own attendant. He puts a cord around him, and carries him upon his back to Ardachad9 of the Fews. The attendant's heart broke within him. Hence is the saying Cenn Berraide's kingship over Ulster, to wit, the king upon his back for (only) half the day. ¶8] However, the fight was kept up after the king from one hour of the day to the same hour on the next day, after which the men of Ulster were routed. ¶9] In the meantime his physician was brought to Conchobar, even Fingen. 'Tis he who would know from the smoke that arose from a house how many were ill in the house, and every disease that was in it. Well, said Fingen, if the stone is taken out of thy head, thou wilt be dead forthwith. If it is not taken out, however, I would heal thee, but it will be a blemish for thee. It is easier for us, said the men of Ulster, to bear the blemish than his death. ¶10] His head was then healed; and it was stitched with thread of gold, for the colour of Conchobar's hair was the same as the colour of gold. And the physician said to Conchobar that he should be on his guard lest anger should come on him, and that he should not mount a horse, that he should not have connexion with a woman, that he should not eat food greedily, and that he should not run. ¶11] In that doubtful state, then, he was as long as he lived, even seven years; and he was not capable of action, but remained in his seat only, until he heard that Christ had been crucified by the Jews. At that time a great trembling came over the elements, and the heavens and the earth shook with the enormity of the deed that was then done, even Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, to be crucified without guilt. What is this? said Conchobar to his druid.10 What great evil is being done on this day? That is true, indeed, said the druid who then tells the story of the Crucifixion. Awful is that deed, said Conchobar. That man, now, said the druid, was born in the same night in which thou wast born, even on the eighth before the calends of January, though the year was not the same. ¶12] It was then that Conchobar believed. And he was one of the two men that had believed in God in Ireland before the coming of the p.11Faith, Morann being the other man. Well, now, said Conchobar,11 it is a pity, etc.12 [...] without avenging the Creator.13 ¶13] This rhetoric Conchobar made when Bachrach, a druid of Leinster, told him that Christ was crucified, when Conchobar asked: What wonderful signs are these? etc. ¶14] Or, again, it may have been Altus, the consul who had come to the Gaels from Octavian to seek the tribute, who told Conchobar that Christ was crucified. ¶1] Once upon a time Altus related to Conchobar mac Nessa the crucifixion of Christ. Altus, however, used to visit Conchobar with exchanges of treasures from Tiberius, the son of Augustus the Roman. For at that time stewards of the King of the Romans were equally over the centre of the world and over the islands of the west and east, so that every famous story that would happen there was equally known in the world. ¶2] Hence, in that way, the manner in which the crucifixion of Christ was achieved became known to Conchobar. For Altus told him that it was Christ who had made Heaven and earth, and that to redeem mankind He had assumed flesh. Altus was a believer. 'Tis therefore he told every good thing about the crucifixion of Christ. ¶3] Conchobar believes in Christ; and then he said that if he were near Christ the men of the world would know what he could do in fighting against the Jews that had crucified Christ. Hence Conchobar said: It was a pity, &c.14 without avenging the Creator. ¶4] Thereupon he shook himself(?)15 as if he were going into a battlefield in the presence of Christ, so that Mesgegra's brain jumped out of his head, and then he died there. This is what they say,16 that he was the first pagan who went into the Kingdom of Heaven, because the blood which he had shed was a baptism to him, and (because) he had believed in Christ. ¶1] The men of Ulster were holding a great gathering in the plain of Murthemne. Then towards the gathering came Bochrach, a poet and druid of the men of Leinster, having come out of Leinster after learning poetry. Of him Conchobar asked tidings of Alba and Leth Moga.17 ¶2] There is great tidings indeed, said he, which have happened in the eastern world, even the crucifying of the King of Heaven and Earth by the Jews; and He it is whom seers and druids have prophesied. To save and to rescue the men of the world from the sin of Adam He came from holy heaven; and He assumed flesh from the Virgin Mary without the presence of man18; and to save the human race He went upon the tree of the cross by command of the Jews. About Easter He went from us and arose on the third day after His suffering, viz., Altus also had told this. 'Tis he who used to come with messages and with treasures and precious things from Tiberius Caesar Augustus, even the king of the Romans, and the king of the world, to Conchobar son of Ness, to Emain Macha. For at that time stewards of the king of the world were equally over the centre of the world and in the islands of the setting and rising sun, so that every famous story that happened was equally known in the whole world. ¶3] In that way the manner in which the crucifixion of Christ happened became known to Conchobar. For Altus told him that p.17it was Christ who had made Heaven and Earth, and that He had assumed flesh from the Virgin Mary for the sake of redeeming the human race. Altus himself, however, was a believer. 'Tis therefore he told the story of Christ well, and Conchobar believed in Christ. ¶4] Or 'tis thus it happened. On the day that Christ was crucified, Conchobar was at a gathering, and the nobles of the men of Ireland around him. Now when darkness came upon the sun, and the moon turned into the colour of blood, Conchobar asked of Cathbad what ailed the elements. Thy own foster-brother, said he, He who was born on the same night as you, is now undergoing martyrdom and has been put on the cross, and that is what this portends. At that Conchobar arises and takes his weapons upon him, and he said: He is indeed my foster-brother and coeval, and 'tis He that was born in the same night with me, and then he made an onslaught from thence until he reached the sea, and he went into it up to his teeth. 'Tis during the onslaught then that Conchobar sang this lay: 'Twas a pity that the Jews after a King's death, &c. ¶5] And thereupon Conchobar said: The men of the world would know what I can do in fighting against the Jews for the sake of the crucifixion of Christ, if I were near Him. Then he rose and made the onslaught, until Mesgegra's brains jumped out of his head, so that Conchobar died forthwith. Hence the Gaels say that Conchobar was the first pagan who went to Heaven in Ireland, for the blood that sprang out of his head was a baptism to him. And then Conchobar's soul was taken to hell until Christ encountered her as He brought the captive host out of hell, so that Christ took the soul of Conchobar with Him to Heaven. ¶1] At the Ford of Daire Dá Báeth, Cet mac Mágach threw the stone at Conchobar, viz., the brain of Mesgegra, king of Leinster. Fingen, the wizard-leech of Conchobar, 'tis he who would not let the stone be taken out of his head. Muma, however, the artificer, 'tis he who put a cover around it outside his head. Bachrach, a Leinster poet, told Conchobar that Christ had been crucified. In Mag Lamraige he told it to him. 'Tis there Conchobar fell in clearing the plain. Seventy-three feet was his length. Fifty feet, however, was the length of Tadg mac Céin, ut dixit poeta, i.e. Flann Mainistrech:19 - Fifty feet, with abundance of delights, among hosts of strong-bridled distinguished men, was the length of the high-king in whom honour was conspicuous, of Tadg mac Céin, from whom are the Cianacht. - Conchobar, famous was his guile, Ness' celebrated son of ruddy beauty, high-king of Ulsterhe deserved itby whom the slope of Lámraige was cut down. In his grave 20 he found seventy-three feet. ¶2] Of that stone which ruined Conchobar the poet21 has sung:22 - O stone yonder upon the cold tomb of ever-famous Buite, the blessed son of Brónach, thou wast a diadem in battles of pursuit while thou wast in the head of the noble son of Ness. - Though thou wast an enemy to him, he hid thee, he nourished thee for seven full years: when he went to avenge the King of laws, 'tis then was found his grave through thee. - The hero whom thou didst hit victoriously thereafter found through thee a draught of poison: to the son of Cathbadmen wailedthou didst deal a drink of a serpent's venom. - Venomous from the south Cet brought thee upon his back from the noble battle of Ailbe, the head of Emain's king thou hast wrecked thereby, brain of the youthful Mesgegra. - From the brake,all know it,to the Ford at Daire Dá Báeth, Cet mac Mágach23 sent thee in violation of a bond from him for a cunning fight. - He cleft with thee, the deed was great, the crown of the king's head, a kingdom of hostages, for 'tis he that was the best hero on whom wind and sun would shine. - What was foretold thee all along,24 woe to the Leinsterman25 in whose company thou wast! thou never partedst from the noble26 d king until thou leftst him in a meeting with death. - On the bare slope of Lámraige hosts of fair bands did homage to thee: thy struggle against thy comrade was rare, until thou fellest there out of his head. - The King who has shaped Heaven has revealed thee to the son of Brónach above Bri Breg; in a strong fortress in which he slept, where there is a multitude of white angels. - Since Bute with grace of fame has slept on thee without treachery, the hosts have eagerly27 humbled28 themselves to thee, until thou changedst colour, O stone! - The brain of Mesgegra in the battle, it was a fight against demons of doomed men; pillow of Bute, until Doom that shall be thy name with every one, O stone! ¶1] Aed mac Ainninne cohabited with Mugain of the Furzy Hair.29 She was the wife of Conchobar; Aed was a poet of Conchobar's. They were found out. ¶2] Then the poet was seized by Conchobar's command, and the poet asked that his death might be drowning, and Conchobar granted him that; whereupon he was taken to be drowned to every lake in Ireland; and he would sing a spell upon the water so that it ebbed away until there was not a drop in it30, so that there was not in Ireland any river or lake that would drown him, until they came with him to Loch Lai in front of Lóegaire's house. He was unable to work the spell upon the lake. However, while they were engaged in drowning him, Lóegaire's steward came out of the liss. Woe is me, Lóegaire! he cried. They could not find in all Ireland a place in which to drown a poet till they came to this stead. Lóegaire arose and took his sword in his hand; and as he was leaping forth he strikes the crown of his head against the lintel of the door, so that it took off the hinder part of his skull, and his brains were scattered over his cloak. And thereupon he slew thirty of the drowners, and Aed escaped from them. And then Lóegaire died. So far the Tragical Death of Lóegaire. (No translation supplied by Meyer. Cf. the version given in Keating's History of Ireland.) ¶1] There was a famous man of the men of Ulster, even Blái the Hospitaller. He owned seven herds of cattle, seven score kine in each herd, and a plough-team with each herd. He also kept a guest-house. Now it was a geis for him that a woman should come in a company to his house without his sleeping with her, unless her husband were in her company. Then Brig Brethach, wife of Celtchar, went to his house. Not good is what thou hast done, woman, said Blái the Hospitaller. Thy coming to me as thou hast come is a geis to me. It is a wretched man, said the woman, that violates his own gessa. 'Tis true. I am an old man, and moreover thou art inciting me, said he. That night he sleeps with her. ¶2] Celtchar came to know that; and he went to seek his wife. Blái the Hospitaller went until he was by the side of Conchobar in the royal house. Celtchar also went until he was on the floor of the royal house. There were Conchobar and Cúchulinn playing a game of fidchell; and Blái the Hospitaller's chest was over the play-board between them. And Celtchar plants a spear through him so that it stuck in the wattle of the wall behind him, so that a drop (of blood) from the point of the spear fell upon the board. ¶3] Forsooth, Cúchulinn! said Conchobar. Indeed, then, Conchobar! said Cúchulinn. The board is measured from the drop hither and thither to know to which of them it was nearer. Now the drop was nearer to Conchobar, and it was the longer till revenge.31 Blái the Hospitaller, however, died. Celtchar escaped until he was in the land of the Déisi of Munster in the south.32 ¶4] This is bad, O Conchobar! said the men of Ulster. This means the death of two. It was enough that we should lose the man who has died, and let Celtchar come (back) to his land, said the men of Ulster. Let him come, then, said Conchobar; and let his son go for him, and let him be his safeguard. At that time with the men of Ulster a father's crime was not laid upon his son, nor a son's crime upon the father. So he went to summon him until he was in the south. ¶5] Wherefore hast thou come, my son? said Celtchar. That thou mayst come to thy land, said the lad. What is my safeguard? I, said the lad. True, said he. Subtle is the treachery which the men of Ulster practise upon me, that I should go on my son's guarantee. Subtle shall be his name and the name of his offspring, said the druid. Stay thou (here), lad, said Celtchar, and I will go there. ¶6] This is done, and hence is Semuine33 in the land of the Déisi. ¶7] However, this is the fine which was demanded for Blái the Hospitaller, to free them from the three worst pests that would come into Ulster in his time. ¶8] Then Conganchnes34 mac Dedad went to avenge his brother, even Curoi son of Daire mac Dedad, upon the men of Ulster. He devastated Ulster greatly. Spears or swords hurt him not, but sprang from him as from horn. ¶9] Free us from this pest, O Celtchar! said Conchobar. Surely I will, said Celtchar. And on a certain day he went to converse with the Horny-skin so that he beguiled him, promising to him his daughter, even Niam daughter of Celtchar, as well as a dinner for a hundred every afternoon to be supplied to him. Then the woman beguiled him, saying to him: Tell me, she said, how you may be killed. Red-hot iron spits have to be thrust into my soles and p.29through my shins. Then she told her father that he should have two large spits made, and a sleeping spell put upon them, and that he should gather a large host to himself. And so it was done. And they went on their bellies, and the spears were thrust into his soles with sledge-hammers and right through his marrow, so that he fell by him. And Celtchar cut off his head, over which a cairn was raised, viz. a stone was placed by every man that came there. ¶10] And this is the second pest, even the Dun Mouse, viz. a whelp which the son of the widow had found in the hollow of an oak, and which the widow had reared till it was big. At last then it turned35 upon the sheep of the widow; and it killed her kine, and her son, and killed herself, and then went to the Glen of the Great Sow.36 Every night it would devastate a liss in Ulster, and every day it lay asleep. Free us from it, O Celtchar! said Conchobar. And Celtchar went into a wood and brought out a log of alder; and a hole was dug in it as long as his arms, and he boiled it in fragrant herbs and in honey and in grease until it was soft and tough. Celtchar went towards the cave in which the Dun Mouse used to sleep, and he enters the cave early before the Dun Mouse came after the slaughter. It came, and its snout raised high in the air at the smell of the wood. And Celtchar pushes the wood out through the cave towards it. The hound takes it in his jaws, and puts his teeth into it, and the teeth clave in the tough wood. Celtchar pulls the wood towards him; and the hound pulls at the other side; and Celtchar puts his arm along the log (inside) and took its heart out through its jaws so that he had it in his hand. And he took its head with him. ¶11] And that day, at the end of a year afterwards, cow-herds were by the side of the cairn of Horny-skin, and heard the squealing of whelps in the cairn. And they dug up the cairn and found three whelps in it, viz. a dun hound, and a hound with small spots, and a black hound. The hound with the small spots was given as a present to Mac Datho of Leinster; and for its sake multitudes of the men of Ireland fell in the house of Mac Datho, and Ailbe was the name of that hound.37 And it would be to Culand the smith that the p.31dun hound was given, and the black hound was Celtchar's own Dóelchú. It let no man take hold of it save Celtchar. Once upon a time Celtchar was not at home, and the hound was let out, and the people of his household could not catch it; and it turned among the cattle and the flocks, and at last it would destroy a living creature every night in Ulster. ¶12] Free us from that pest, O Celtchar! said Conchobar. Celtchar went towards the glen in which the hound was, and a hundred warriors with him, and three times he calls the hound until they saw it coming towards them, making straight for Celtchar until it was licking his feet. It is sad, indeed, what the hound does, said all. I will no longer be incriminated for thy sake! said Celtchar, giving it a blow with the lúin38 of Celtchar, so that he brought out its heart, whereupon it died. Woe! cried everybody. 'Tis true, said he, as he raised the spear, when a drop of the hound's blood ran along the spear and went through him to the ground, so that he died of it. And his lament was set up and his stone and tomb were raised there. So this is the Tragical Death of Blái the Hospitaller, and of Horny-skin, and of Celtchar the son of Uthechar. ¶1] Fergus was in exile in Connaught after his honour had been violated in the matter of the sons of Usnech; for he was one of the three guarantors that were given to them, the other two being Dubthach Chafertongue and Cormac Conlonges the son of Conchobar. These were all in exile in the west to the end of fourteen years, and (during all that time) wailing and trembling in Ulster never ceased through them,39 but there were wailing and trembling every night. 'Tis he who slew Fiachra the son of Conchobar, and Gerg the son of Illand, and Eogan the son of Durthacht.40 By him, even Fergus, the Táin was brought. Many deeds he did while in the household of Ailill and Medb; and he and his people were more often abroad in the land than in Ailill's household. Three thousand was the number of the exiled company; and his comrade in Ailill's household was Lugaid the blind poet, to wit, a brother of Ailill's was that Lugaid. ¶2] Once after deeds of valour they were by the lake41 on Mag Ai, where they had a large encampment, in which games and gatherings were held. Now on a certain day the whole host went into the lake to bathe. Go down, O Fergus, said Ailill, and drown the men. They are not good in water, said Fergus. Nevertheless he went down. Medb's heart could not bear that, so that she went into the lake. As Fergus entered the lake, all there was of gravel and of stones at the bottom of the lake came to the surface. Then Medb went till she was on the breast of Fergus, with her legs entwined around him, and then he swam around the lake. And jealousy seized Ailill. Then Medb went up. ¶3] It is delightful what the hart and the doe are doing in the lake, O Lugaid, said Ailill. Why not kill them? said Lugaid, who had never missed his aim. Do thou have a cast at them! said p.35Ailill. Turn my face towards them! said Lugaid, and bring a lance to me! Fergus was washing himself in the lake, and his breast was towards them. And his chariot is brought to Ailill, so that it was near him; and Lugaid threw the lance, so that it passed out through his back behind. The cast has gone home! said Lugaid. That is true, said all; it is the end42 of Fergus. ¶4] How sad, said Lugaid, if I should have killed my foster-brother and comrade innocently. My chariot to me! said Ailill. All the host began to flee, each man towards the shore, both the exiled and the men of Connaught. Fergus draws out the lance and hurls it after Ailill, so that it passed through the deerhound which was between the two hind-shafts of the chariot. Thereupon Fergus came out of the lake, and straightens himself out upon the hill by the side of the lake; and his soul passed out of him forthwith. And his grave is there still. ¶1] Once upon a time Cet went into Ulster to seek the slaying of a man, a thing he often did (viz., to slay Ulstermen), for from his childhood he never went without the slaughter of an Ulsterman.43 ¶2] So he went westwards, having the heads of thrice nine men of Ulster with him. And Conall Cernach was then sent upon his track to Brefne in Connaught (for winter-snow had fallen), until in an empty house he found him and his charioteer cooking their meal. The horses, however, were under the chariot outside. ¶3] This is Cet, said Conall, and it is not fitting for us to fight with him on account of his ferocity and his fierceness. He is a savage man, said Conall. Woe! said the charioteer, no good comes over thy lips, not to storm the house in which is the pest that is harrying Ulster, and it is no shame for thee to fall in combat together with him; for such is his courage until now.44 O father, said Conall, I shall not give my life to any hero of the men of Ireland; but I shall put a token upon the horses. Conall snatches a lock out of the mane of the horses, and puts a wisp upon the front of the chariot, and goes away eastward to Ulster. ¶4] Woe, Cet! said the charioteer. Not woe, said Cet. It is well that he has spared the horses. This is Conall('s doing), said he, and from this there shall be friendship, and it will be well. Woe, said the charioteer, that the man who has made a laughter of the men of Connaught should put disgrace upon thee, and thy name will not endure till Doom without thy killing him or putting him to flight this evening. Right indeed, said Cet. They went after him as far as Cet's Ford. ¶5] Now, Conall! said Cet. What is that, Cet? said Conall. Thou shalt not escape to-day, O evil one, said Cet. That is my opinion too, said Conall, turning towards him. And each of them smites the other, so that their shouting and their panting, and the [...] of the horses, and the [...] of their charioteers (?) inciting the heroes who were in the ford were heard throughout the wilderness, until both fell to this side and that. Cet, however, died forthwith, and Conall fell into a swoon. ¶6] And Conall awoke out of his swoon. Take the horses with thee to the men of Ulster, said he, before the men of Connaught 45 However, the lad was unable to lift him into the chariot, and so he bids him farewell, and he went home. Now, this is bad, said Conall, that a single man of Connaught should have wounded me,46 while I have vowed that no single man of Connaught should kill me. And I had rather than the kingship of the world that some one of Connaught should wound me again, so that the slaying of me should not rest with one man of Connaught. ¶7] Bélchú of Brefne, however, was the first to come there. This is Cet, said he. And here is Conall, said he. And henceforth Ireland will be happy, since these two slaughter-hounds have fallen, who ruined Ireland between them. So saying, he set the butt-end of his spear on Conall. Take away47 thy spear from me, O father, said Conall. Thou art alive, said Bélchú. No thanks to thee, said Conall, I am alive. I see it, O Conall, said Bélchú, thou wouldst have me slay thee. But I shall not do so, for thou art dead as it is. Thou wouldst not dare to wound even my cloak, said Conall, thou wretched old woman. I shall not kill thee now, but there is something else. I shall carry thee with me to my house, and thou shalt be healed with me; and when thou art whole, I shall fight with thee. ¶8] So then he lifts him on his back, half dragging him behind, until he reached his house. And he brought physicians to him until he was whole. It will be even so, said Bélchú to his sons, this man will escape from me and will do us no good. Kill ye the man p.41before he goes from us! Come then to him all of you to-morrow-night, when I will leave the house open before you, and kill him in his bed. The man of affliction and great woe, even Conall, knew the evil intent which was (harboured) against him. ¶9] Close the house! said Conall to Bélchú. He goes forward and leaves the house open. Well now, Bélchú, said Conall, come into my bed. Nay, said Bélchú. Off with thy head! said Conall, unless thou come into the bed. It must needs be, said Bélchú. Then Bélchú closed the house. When Bélchú had fallen asleep, Conall opens the house. The sons of Bélchú come towards the bed in which their father was and put their three spears through him, so that they killed him. And then Conall arises and plies his sword upon them, so that their brains were scattered about the walls. And he carries their four heads with him eastward until he reached his house before it was morning. So that is the Death of Cet and of Bélchú of Brefne with his sons. (No translation supplied by Meyer. Keating's History of Ireland, section 34, p. 205.)
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Electronic edition compiled by Beatrix Färber Proof corrections by Hilary Lavelle and Beatrix Färber Funded by University College, Cork and The HEA via the LDT Project and PRTLI 4 First draft, revised and corrected. Extent of text: 9590 words Distributed by CELT online at University College, Cork, Ireland. Text ID Number: G301037 Availability [RESTRICTED] Available with prior consent of the CELT programme for purposes of academic research and teaching only. This book is available for purchase from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (School of Celtic Studies). CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts The present text represents the editor's preface (vvii), introduction (23) and even pages 442 of the translation. The editor's addenda and corrigenda have been integrated. Text has been checked and proofread twice, all corrections and supplied text being tagged. Expansions are marked ex. Footnotes are incorporated and numbered sequentially. The electronic text represents the printed text. When a hyphenated word (hard or soft) crosses a line break, the break is marked after the completion of the hyphenated word. There are no instances of hyphenated words crossing a page break. div0=the group of tales; div1=the section comprising one or more versions of the tale; div2=the individual (version of a) tale; paragraphs are marked p. Poems are treated as embedded texts, with stanzas marked lg and metrical lines tagged l. Names of persons (given names), places and group names are not tagged. Direct speech is rendered q; except where it cannot be nested within or outside the apparatus; then it is rendered '. This text uses the DIV2 element to represent the tale. Created: By unknown scribes in medieval monastic scriptoria. Date range: 600900. Beatrix Färber (ed.) Beatrix Färber (ed.) Beatrix Färber (ed.) Beatrix Färber (data capture) Hilary Lavelle (ed.) Data capture company (text capture) It is a remarkable accident that, except in one instance, so very few copies of the death-tales of the chief warriors attached to King Conchobar's court at Emain Macha should have come down to us. Indeed, if it were not for one comparatively late manuscript now preserved outside Ireland, in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, we should have to rely for our knowledge of most of these stories almost entirely on Keating's History of Ireland. Under these circumstances it has seemed to me that I could hardly render a better service to Irish studies than to preserve these stories, by transcribing and publishing them, from the accidents and the natural decay to which they are exposed as long as they exist in a single manuscript copy only. In the well-known list of Irish tales preserved in the Book of Leinster and elsewhere, under the title oitte, i.e. tragical or violent deaths, eight death-stories of Ulster heroes are enumerated as follows: the deaths of Cúchulinn, of Conall (i.e. Conall Cernach), of Celtchar, of Blái the Hospitaller, of Lóegaire, of Fergus (mac Róich), of King Conchobar himself, and of Fiamain. The Death of Cúchulinn forms an episode in the story called Brislech Mór Maige Murthemne; and extracts from the version in the Book of Leinster have been edited and translated by Whitley Stokes, in the Revue Celtique, vol. III., p. 175 ff. It is curious that, apart from this twelfth-century version, we have no copies older than the eighteenth century. These modern copies are enumerated by Prof. D'Arbois de Jubainville in his Catalogue de la Littérature Épique de l'Irlande, p. 15. The Death of Conall Cernach is told in a tale, the full title p.viof which is The Cherishing of Conall Cernach in Cruachan, and the Death of Ailill and of Conall Cernach. It has been edited and translated by me, from the only two existing manuscripts, in the first volume of the Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie, p. 102 ff. The Death of Celtchar son of Uthechar is found in a very fragmentary and illegible condition in the Book of Leinster, p. 118b. Fortunately there exists a second complete copy in the Edinburgh MS. xl, pp. 911.1 It has not hitherto been edited or translated. The Death of Blái the Hospitaller has been preserved only in the Edinburgh MS., where it occupies pp. 1113. It is here for the first time edited and translated. Of the Death of Lóegaire Búadach we have only one ancient copy, again in the Edinburgh MS., pp. 89, hitherto unpublished. There is a shorter and later version, which is practically that of Keating's History, contained in two eighteenth-century mss. in the Royal Irish Academy, numbered 23. G. 21, p. 142, respectively. Copies of these I owe to the kindness of Mr. Irvine Best. The Death of Fergus mac Róich is also preserved in a single copy only, again to be found in the Edinburgh MS., p. 5. Our only source hitherto has been Keating's version. The only tale among those enumerated above which has reached us in fairly numerous copies is that of the Death of Conchobar. Prof. D'Arbois de Jubainville, l.c., p. 13, enumerates four manuscripts2 in addition to Keating's account, which is also that of 23. To these a fifth must be added, the version in the Edinburgh MS. XL, pp. 13, which is unfortunately illegible at the beginning.3 Mr. Edward Gwynn has p.viikindly supplied me with a transcript of the version contained in the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum; and Mr. Best has copied, and placed at my disposal, the version in 23. N. 10, a MS. in the library of the Royal Irish Academy. The tale last mentioned in the list, that of the Death of Fiamain, seems now lost. At least, so far as I know, no copy of it has yet been discovered; nor does Keating give any account of it. Fiamain mac Forrói is mentioned in Tochmarc Emire as one of those Irish youths who were learning feats of arms with Scáthach in Britain when Cúchulinn came there for the same purpose (see Zeitschr. III., p. 250, paragraph 67); and in the poem at the end of that tale (ib., p. 262, l. 8) a Fiamain is enumerated among the young warriors in the Cráeb Rúad at Emain Macha. But whether this was Fiamain mac Forrói or some other Fiamain is doubtful. The only other references to the former that I can find arefirst, one in Cináed húa Hartacáin's poem on the deaths of some of the nobles of Erin, which has been edited and translated by Whitley Stokes in Revue Celtique, vol. xxiii., p. 303 ff. Here he is said to have been slain at Dún mBinne,4 a fort that has not been identified. A battle of Duma Beinne is mentioned in Cath Maige Rath, p. 211. The other reference to Fiamain mac Forrói occurs in a poem in that tale, p. 213: Seven battles around Cathir Conrói, the wrecking of Fiamain mac Forói, the wrecking of Cúrói, together with the seventeen sons of Deda. In addition to these Ulster death-tales, the Edinburgh manuscript contains an account of the death of the redoubtable Connaught warrior Cet mac Magach. Of this story, as it has not hitherto been published, I add an edition and translation. We possess, as stated on page vi, five manuscript copies of Aided Chonchobuir, apart from the account contained in Keating's History. They all differ materially, so that it seemed desirable to print them in extenso. The version in the Edinburgh MS. xl is partly illegible but it appears to be identical in its opening with that of the Book of Leinster. As is common in the tradition of the oldest Irish tales, these five manuscripts either represent different versions of various ages, or attempts to bring these versions into harmony with each other. We can distinguish the following three different accounts of the events which led to Conchobar's death. Once when the men of Ulster were at a gathering, the sun was darkened and the moon turned into the colour of blood. On Conchobar's question as to the cause of this disturbance, the druid Cathbad tells the story of the Crucifixion, dwelling on the fact that Conchobar and Christ were born on the same night. Compare the Compert Conchobuir, Revue Celtique, vi., p. 180. This is the account contained in the third version of the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum (paragraph 4). Slight variants of this version are to be found in the account of the Book of Leinster (paragraph 11), where an earthquake takes the place of the eclipse of the sun, and where the druid' s name is not mentioned, and in the Edinburgh account (paragraph 11), in which Conchobar addresses his question to all his druids. A second version places the gathering at Muirthemne. There, on a certain day, Bachrach, a Leinster poet, arrives from abroad,5 and on the question for news tells the story of the Crucifixion which he p.3has heard on the Continent or in Great Britain. This is the account given most fully in the first version of the Liber Flavus (paragraph 1), mentioned briefly in the Stowe manuscript (paragraph 1), and given as a variant in the Book of Leinster (paragraph 13). In a third version, the Roman consul Altus visits Conchobar, either with presents from Tiberius (23. N. 10, paragraph 1, and Liber Flavus, paragraph 2), or to exact tribute for Octavian (Book of Leinster, paragraph 14), and being himself a Christian, relates the story of the Crucifixion. All versions end very nearly alike; only the account in the Book of Leinster breaks off shortly without mentioning Conchobar's death. The other versions say that Conchobar's pity roused him to fury; he uttered a rhetoric beginning Ba aprainn, seized his weapons, and rushed madly about, either as far as the sea (Lib. Flav., paragraph 4) or cutting down the wood on Lettir Lámraige ( Edinburgh and Stowe version); Mesgegra's brain starts out of his head, and he dies a Christian, the blood gushing from his head being his baptism. Two late versionsthose in the Edinburgh and in the Stowe manuscriptsadd the further history of Mesgegra's brain, the existence of which is revealed by God to Buite mac Brónaig, abbot of Monasterboice (died ca. A.D 520), who uses it as a pillow, whence it is known by the name of adart Buiti. In support of this, the Stowe version quotes a poem by Cináed húa Hartacáin, a poet who died in A.D. 975, another copy of which may be found in the Book of Leinster, p. 150 a, l. 26. Lastly, in the Edinburgh version, the incident of Cenn Berraide, who, in all other accounts, carried the king on his back after he had been wounded by Cet at the Ford of Daire Dá Báeth, is shifted and added on at the end, where it is quite out of place. ¶1] Bái mesca mór for Ulto fecht n-and i nEmain Macha. Do-curidar didiu immarbága móra & comrama eturro .i. etir Chonall & Coinculaind & Lóegaire. Tucaid dam-sa ar Conall inchind Meissgegra co ro-acilliur ócu na comram.6 Ba bés d' Ultaib ind inbaid sin cach curaid nomarbdais ar galaib óenfir nogatta a n-inchind assa cendaib & commesctha áel airthib co ndénad líathróite crúade díb. Ocus intan nobítis i n-immarbáig nó chomramaib dobertis dóib co mbítis inna lámaib. ¶2] Maith, a Chonchobuir, ar Conall, na co ndernat óic na comram écht fón innas-sa ar galaib7 óinfir, nídat túalngi comram frim-sa. Is fír ón, ar Conchobur. ¶3] Doratad íarum forsin forud fora mbíd dogrés ind inchind. Luid cách a lethi arnabárach dia cluchiu. Dolluid dano Cet mac Matach do chúairt ectra la Ulto. Béist ass andsam robói i nHérinn in Cet. Ised dolluid-side dar faidchi na hEmna & tri láechcind leis do Ultaib. ¶4] Intan bátar na ónmite 'co cluchiu do inchind Meisgegra, issed atbert ind ónmit fri araile. Rocluinedar Cet aní sin. Ethaid side in n-inchind al-láim indala n-ái & berid leiss, ó rofitir Cet robói i tarngere do Messgegra a dígail iarna écaib. Cach cath & cach irgal nobíd do Chonnachtaib fri Ulto dobered Cet in n-inchind inna chriss dús in tetarthad écht n-amra d' Ultaib do marbad di. ¶5] Fecht and didiu dolluid-seom intí Cet sair co tuc tánai mbó a Feraib Ross. Donarraid i n-íarmóracht Ulaid ina diaid. Doriachtatar dano Connachtai dond leith aile dia thessarcain-seom. Fechair cath eturro. Dolluid Conchubur féin issin cath. Conid andsin gádatar mná Connacht do Conchobur tuidecht for leith do déscin a delba dóib. Fobíth ní rabi for talmain delb duini amail deilb Conchobuir .i. etir chruth & deilb & dechelt, etir mét & córe & cutrummae, etir rosc & folt & gile, etir gáis & álaig & erlabra, etir erriud & áne & écosc, etir arm & immad & orddan, etir gnáis & gaisced & chenél. Nírbo lochtach tra intí Conchobur. A comairli immorro in Cheit rogabsat na mná ailgis do Chonchobur. Luid íarum for leth a óinur dia déscin dona mnáib. ¶6] Dolluid Cet immorro co mbúi etir na mná immedón. Nos-indlethar Cet inchind Mesgegra isin tábaill & nosteilc conidtarla i m-mullach Conchobuir co mbátar a dá trían inna chind & co torchair-seom isa cend8, co tarla fri lár.9 Focherddat Ulaid chuci10 conidrucsat ó Chet. For brú Átha Daire Dá Báeth is and dorochair11 Conchobar. Atá a lige and12 baile i torchair & corthe fria chend & corthe fria chossa.13 ¶7] Maidid tra for Connachta14 co Sciaig15 Aird na Con16. Dobertar Ulaid sair doridisi17 co Áth Daire Dá Báeth. Mo18 brith-se ass! ar Conchobur. Dobér ríge nUlad do neoch nombéra connici mo thech. Notbér-sa, ar Cend Berraide, ar a gilla fadéin. Dobeir-side lomain imme & nombeir for a muin co Arddachad Slébe Fuáit. Maidid a chride isin gillu. Conid de sin atá ríge Cind Berraide for Ultaib .i. in rí for a muin leth ind lái. ¶8] Conócbad trá in debaid ón tráth co araile dar éis in ríg. Co ráimid19 for Ulto íarsin. ¶9] Doberar tra a liaig co Conchobar .i. Fingen. Iss éside nofinnad don díaid nothéiged20 don tig in lín nobíd i ngalur 'sin tig ocus cech galar nobíd and. Maith,21 or Fingen, dia taltar22 in chloch as do chind biat marb23 fo chétóir. Mani tucthar ass immorro, not-ícfaind & bid athis duit.24 Is asso dún ar Ulaid ind athis oldás25 a éc-som. ¶10] Ro-íccad26 íarum a chend27 & rofúaged co snáth28 óir29, ar ba cumma dath fuilt Conchobuir & dath inn óir. Ocus asbert in liaig fri Conchobar co mbeth i fomtin .i. ar ná tísad a ferg dó & ná digsed for ech & ná etraiged mnái & ná rocaithed biad co anfeta & ná rethed.30 ¶11] Robói dano31 isin chuntabairt sin céin32 robo beó .i. secht mbliadna & nírbo engnamaid, acht a airisium inna suidi nammá .i. naco cúala Críst do chrochad do Iudaidib.33 Tánic and side34 crith mór forsna dúli35 & rochrithnaig nem & talam la mét36 in gníma darónad and37 .i. Isu Críst mac Dé bí do chrochad cen chinaid.38 Cráet so? ar Conchobur fria drúid. Cia olc mór dogníther isind lathiu-sa indiú? Is fír ón ém, ar in drúi. Is mór in gním sin, ar Conchobur. In fer sin dano ar in drúi i n-óenaidchi rogein & rogenis-siu .i. i n-ocht calde Enair cen cop inund bliadain.39 ¶12] Is andsin rochreiti40 Conchobar.41 Ocus issé sin indara fer42 rochreti43 do Día i nHérinn44 ría tiachtain creitmi é .i. Morand45 in fer aile. Maith tra, ar Conchobar.46 Ba hapraind nadáil cuardríg p.10nar nagg atumbeoir irricht chrúadchurad cichtis cichtis mo beoil. concichlais crúas mór miled. maidm nitha muáid nimslóig serbairlech. sordnifed soerchobair la Críst congénaind. gáir báeth baruléim for leth amlan Chomded lanscél céchointir crochad ríg ba moo coirp arí ardrach adamrai. tumcichthe ingním itinol tairisem treóin uasal i Coimded coimthecht congnam cáin bé la Dia dílgadach dia chobair. cáin forlund fóbenaind. cáin comlund crothfind Críst arnemthuir. nipu scíth ce chéssaitís coirp chriad. ciarbo ar Críst cáid cumachtach cia dú dún nadrochem rád dúr derchóinte runortar inarmen mona miad nadríg roachtmar roncráidi crochad Críst ma chotóchaimmis ba hassu nadbemmis iar n-ardrach écomnart úasal rí rocés croich crúaid ar dóine digmaig dia ráith ragaind-se bás achtu flaith for leccaind fochil n-éca nabuni nemthuir necht remiteised dochoimrid mo chride clúas in ardrach nguba ar mu dia indscib nadríg roacht co fír fortacht fritumthá brón báis conatbiur ar omun dom dul druib. cen dúlemain dígail. ¶13] Is and doringni Conchohar in rethoric se dia ro-innis Bachrach drúi de Lagnib do Chonchobur Críst do chrochad, dia ra-iarfaig Conchobar: Ciata airde ingantacha so? &c. ¶14] Nó dano co mbad é Altus in consul dodechaid ó Ochtauín do chungid in chísa co Gáédelaib no-innised do Chonchobur Críst do chrochad. ¶1] Bái Conchobar mac Nesai fechtus n-ann. Atfét dó Altus crochad Críst. Altus immorro is hé dothathaiged co clóemclódaib séd ó Tibir mac Augaist ríg Rómán co Conchobar mac Nesa. Ar ba cuma bátar rechtairea ríg Rómán in n-aimsir sin for medón in uetha & for indsip fuinid & turcbálai, co mba comderb isin mbith nach sgél n-airdirc forcumcad ann. ¶2] Ba derb 'diu la Conchobur fon n-innus sin in cruth forcúaid crochad Críst. Ar atfét dó Altus ba hé C ríst dorosat nem & talmain & is airi arfóit colainn ar tathcreicc in cineda dóenai. Ba cretmech Altus, is aire atféd cech maith im crochad Críst. ¶3] Concreid Conchobur do Chríst & is íarum asmbert Conchobur rofestais fir in betha a chumang oc cathugud fri hIudaidi crochsiti Críst, ma nubeth hi comfogus do Chríst. Is de ismbert Conchubar: Ba haprainn nandáil cuart ríg narnaic atum fir hi richt cróad-churad cichtis mo beóil conciuchlis crúas már militha maidm netho móith n-imdai slúag searbairlech soistnefeit soircobur la Críst congaib geanam gáir báith for leth enæ lan Coimdid ba rolanscel cichointir crochath fir ba inmoo mo corp canæ n-artríg n-adamrai n-airerni atumcichtæ gním fir hi tinól tairisem triun uaisib in Coimded cháith cumachtaigh can be ein lam dee ndílgodag do cobur can forlonn foabeaba rinn cach comlann croithfinn la Críst arnenitir ní bu scíth cichestæ ar Críst cáth cumachtoch cid dudamr dun dercóinti din reil rochuinem nadnea nderagam.i. dígal duir choirp crochsiti ríg dorearoosat ronort47 inni menman med nadrig roachta mar roncráide crochad Críst ma chutooccaibmis atbelmais ba hasa artrag écomnart hóasal rí rocés croich coirtar doine ndicmairc diasait noregainn hi mbás atumflait for leicib fa chel necombaine inmain artriun do comrath mo chridea cloas imartrach atguhai arumeda inscibin na roacht fír furtacht Críst fritombrón báis cuadhair airomun airimud tomdrub cen duileman dígail. ¶4] Is iar sin cotnoscrastur amail bid oc techt hi rói cathai ar bélaip Críst co sesceand asa chinn an inchinn Meisgedra & conidebilt ind ar sin. Ised isberat dee iarum is é cét-gentlide48 docóid hi flaith nimea, fobith robad hathais dó ind fuil donescmacht49 & rocreit é do Chríst. ¶1] Budh dáil mór la hUlltu a Muigh Muirthuimni. Doluidh50 iarum Bochrach fili & drái51 do Loighnibh docum na dála iar toidhicht dó a Laighnibh iar foghluim filidechta. Fiafraiges52 Concubur scéla Alban & Leatha Mogha dó. ¶2] Atá sgél mór éimh ol sé, dorónnadh isin bith thoir .i. crochad rígh neimhi & talman la hIubhdaibh & is é rotirchansat fáidhi & dráidhthi. Do íc & do teasraguin dáini an domuin do phecadh Ádhaim dodeachaid ó næmneimh co roét coluinn ó Muiri óighinghin cen láthair freasguil, cor'luidh53 a crand croichi la hIudhaib do ícc an ceineóil dænna. Imon cáisc docúaidh úainn & atraacht isin treas ló iarna césadh .i. roinnis dono Altus, iss é tiged54 co n-aitheasguibh & cu sédaibh & co máinibh ó Tibir Sesair Aughuist rígh Rómán & ó ríg an domhuin co Concubur mac Neasa do Eamhuin Macha. Ar ba cuma bádar reachtuireadha rígh an domuin isinn aimsir sin for meadhón an beatha & a n-innsibh fuinidh55 gréine & turgabála, co mba comhderbh isin bith uili nach sgél airderc56 foscumadh ann. ¶3] Ba derbh le Conchubhur fón innus sin an cruth forcúaidh crochadh Críst. Ar ro-innis Altus dó ba hé Críst dorinni57 neamh & p.16talumh. Et is aire arroét colann ó Muiri óigh ar taithchreich an ceineóil dænna. Ba creidmheach dono Altus féin. Is aire atfét arsgéla Críst co maith. Concreid Concubur a Críst. ¶4] Nó is amlaid so atcæmnacair hé. Budh58 Concubur i ndáil & maithi fer nÉirenn uime an lá rocrochadh Críst.59 Antan dodechaidh teimheal forsin ngréin & rosúi60 ésga a ndath fola rofiarfaigh61 Concubur immorro do Cathbad62 dúss cid rombádar na dúile. Do comhalta-sa, ar sé, in fer rogéanair a n-óenaidchi frit, anosa martar docuirthi(?) fair & doradadh a croich63 hé & isé sin chanuid anní sin. Atraigi trath Concubur súas la sodhuin64 & gabaid a gaisgedh fair & atbert: Is é sin éimh ol sé, mo comalta-sa & mo comáis & is é rogéanair a n-ænoidchi frium & rogob iarum deargail ótá sin co ro-acht isin fairrgi & cur'luidh65 innti conruigi a fiacuil. Is oc in deargail iarum rogobh Concubur an láid66 si: Ba aprainn na hIdhuil co hard iar n-éguibh righ & rl. ¶5] Ocus as iarsin asbert Concubur: Rofeasdais fir in beatha mo cumang ac cathugud fri67 hIudaidhibh68 tre crochad Críst dia mbeinn a comfogus dó. Is iarsin attraacht & rosgobh forsin deargail cur' sceinn incinn Mesgeagra69 as a cinn & conearbailt Concubur fochétóir. Conadh desin adberat na Gæidhil70 conadh hé Concubur cét-geinntlide71 docóidh docum neimhi a nÉirinn, fobíth robo baithis dó in fuil dobidg72 asa cinn. Et as annsin rucadh ainim Concobuir a n-ifrinn gu comraiced73 Críst fria74 ac te:uir75 na broide a hifrinn, co tuc Críst leis anim Concabair docum neimhi. ¶1] Ceat mac Mádach rotheilg in cloich .i. inchind Miscedhra rígh Laighen for Concubur hic Áth Dhaire Dá Bhæth. Finghen fáthliaig Concobuir is é ná roléig in cloich do thabairt asa chind. Muma immorro in cerd iss é dorat cumdach impe ria cenn amuich. Bacrach file do Laighnibh ro-indis do Chonchubar Críst do chrochad. I Maigh Lámrighe atchúaidh dó. Is annsin dorochair Concobar ac glanadh in mhaighe. Trí traighthi sechtmogat ina fot. Cóica traiged immorro i fedh Taidhg mic Céin, ut dixit poeta .i. Flann Mainistrech: - Cóica traighedh tólaibh tlacht fa slóghaib sainfear srianbalcc fad in airdrígh inar'76 léir gart,77 Taidhg mic Céin ótáit Cianacht. - Concobur, cloithech a celg, mac noithech Nessa níabdherg, airdrígh Ulad, rodlecht de, dia roslecht lerg Lámraidhe. Ina lecht, ní laimthi liacc, fúair trí traighthi sechtmogat. ¶2] Is don cloich sin romudaig78 Conchobur rochan in fili: - A chloch thall for elaid79 úair Buite búain maic Brónaig báin, ropsa80 mind i tressaib tóir dia mba i cind81 maic Nessa náir. - Ciapsat82 náma dó rot-chelt,83 secht mbliadna lána rot-alt:84 dia luid85 do dígail Ríg recht, is and fo-fríth86 a lecht latt. - Láech frisralais co mbúaid87 chain fúair lat loimm88 tonnaid íar sin: for mac Cathbath, cóinsit fir, dális dig di89 nathrach90 neim. - Neimnech dotuc91 Cet an-dess a tress ard Ailbe fria aiss, cenn ríg Emna orgsi leiss, a inchinn Meis-gegra glaiss. - Dotarlaic92 dar árach úad93 Cet mac Mágach94 fri gliaid ngáeth95 ón muni rofitir cách co Ath ic96 Daire Dá Báeth. - Scoiltis dít, ba mór in97 gním, mullach in ríg rígi gíall, ar is é ba ferr do láech darsa taitned gáeth is grían. - A ndor-airngred98 duit ót áis, mairg Laignech irraba99 gnáis, nír' scarais100 frisin ríg ráin co rosfargbais101 i ndáil102 báis. - For Lettir Lámraigi luimm rotgíallsat103 druing na fían find, do104 gleó frit chomthach ba gand co torchar105 and assa chinn. - Fotroilsig106 Rí rodelb nem do mac Brónaig úas brí107 Breg, i ndún daingen i n-rotail108 i fail ilar109 angel ngel. - Ó chonattail fritt cen brath Buti co rath rúamnai cloth, tairnit duit in tslúaig110 for ruth111 co rochlóemchlais112 cruth, a chloch. - Inchind Meiss-gegra 'sin chath, ropo gleó fri demna113 troch, adart Buti co tí bráth bud114 é th'ainm la cách, a chloch. ¶1] Áed mac Ainninne dochomraic re Mughain {MS page 9} Aitinchairchech & ben Conchobair in Mugain115 sin. Fili Conchobair in tÁed. Rofes forro a mheith amlaid. ¶2] Iarsin rohergabad la Conchobar in fili & rochuinnig116 in fili comad hí a aided a bádud117 & ro[...]118 Conchobar dó inní sin & nobertha iarsin dia bádud dochum gach locha a nÉrinn & nocanad som bricht forsan usci, go mbenta gach tráig & co nach bíd banna ann, co ná raibi a nÉrinn abann119 ná loch nobáidfed, co ndechus lais do Loch Lái a ndorus tighe Lóegairi. Roféimid som in hricht forsin loch. Antan didiu robás ac a bádud, as ann doriacht rechtairi Lóegaire asin lis amach. Fé amai, a Lóegaire! or sé, ní fríth a nÉrinn baile a mbáitea in file co ráinic in baili si. Atracht intí Lóegaire & geibid a chlaidem ina láim & ac léim dó imach benaid a mullach imon fordorus go ruc in leth iartharach do cloicenn de, co mbói sprethach a inchinde for ab rot & romarb som iardain tríchait do lucht in báiti & roélo Aod úatha & atbath Lóegairi iartain. Conid hí Aided Lóegairi connuici sin. ¶1] File imoro do bhí aig121 Conchubhur dá ngoirthidhe122 Aodha mac Aininn; & do ligheadh air Mhaghán bean Connchubhuir é: & air na fionnachtain sin do Chonchubhar as í breith rug air a chur123 dá bháthadh go Loch Laoghaire; & tangadar drong ris air fógradh an ríghe gusan loch dá bháthadh; & air na faicsin sin do reachtaire Laoghaire Bhuadhaigh tét go Laoghaire & adúbhairt nách raibh áit a nEirinn ina mbáithfidhe an file acht ina dhoras-sin; leis sin loingios Láoghaire amach & tarla fárdhorus an tighe re cúl a chinn gur bhris a seicne & gur fóireadh an file leis, & éagas féin air an láthair sin: gonabh í124 sin Críoch Láoghaire Bhuadhaigh. ¶1] Ní hansa. Fer amra robúi de Ultaib125 .i. Blái briuga. Secht n-airgeda leis.126 Secht fichit bó cecha airgi & seisred127 cecha airgi. Tech n-óiged128[...] Ba geiss dó129 dano130 ben for dámrud dia thig131 cen feiss dó-som132 le, meni beth a fer ina fochair. Doluid didiu133 Bríg Brethach ben Cheltchair134 dia thig-som.135 Ní maith a ndoronais,136 a ben, ar Blái briuga. Is geiss dam-sa do thuidecht chucum137 amal táncais. Is fer trúag, ar in ben,138 loites139 a gessi féin.140 Is fír. Isim senóir-si & acum gressacht atái dano,141 ar se. Fóid lee142 in aidchi sin. ¶2] Dofitir Celtchar inní sin & doluid for iarair a mná.143 Luid Blái briuga co mbái for lethláim Conchobair isin rígthig.144 Luid dano Celtchar ina diaid co mbói for lár in rígthige.145 Is and robái Conchobar & Cúchulaind ac imirt fidchille & robái bruinne Blai briugad tarsin fidchill etarru & clannaid Celtchar in gái trit co mbái isin cleith iarna cúl, co táinic hanna do rind in gái co mbái forsin fidchill. ¶3] Amin, a Chúchulaind! ar Conchobar. Amin dano,146 a Chonchobair! ar Cúchulaind. Toimsither147 in fidchell ón banna anunn & ille148 dús cia díb diarbo foicsi.149 Foicsi in hanna dano150 do Chonchobur & rob siadi co dígail151 íarsin. Atbath immorro152 Blai briuga. Atrulla153 Celtchar co mbúi isna Déisib Muman tess.154 ¶4] Is olc so, a Chonchobair! ar Ulaid Is toitim Déisi annso. Ropo lór in fer marb diar n-esbud155 & ticed Celtchar156 da tír, ar Ulaid. Ticed dano,157 ar Conchobar, & eirged158 a mac for a cend & téiged i commairge fris.159 Ní160 gebtha dono cin ind athar forsin161 mac iná162 cin in maic forsin athair ac Ultaib in tan sin. Luid sidein didiu dia gairm163 co mbói thess.164 ¶5] Cid dia tutchaidh, a macáin? or sé Condigid siumh don tír, uar in gilla. Cisse comairce dotaot frim? ol sé Misi, ol in gilla. Fír, ol sé. Is séimh in muin doberat165 Ulaid ummum-sa techt for muin mo mic. Bid séimh a ainm & ainm a cheneóil,166 ar in drúi. An-sa, a gilla! for sé, & ragat-sa anunn.167 ¶6] Dogníther ón & is de atá Semuine isna Déisib. ¶7] Isí immorro168 éraicc conattecht169 im Blái briugaid, na trí fochaide ata annsom170 doticfad171 la Ultu ina remes172 do dingbáil díb. ¶8] Doluid didiu Conganchnes mac Dedad do dígail a bráthar for Ultu .i. Cúrúi173 mac Daire maic Dedad. Rofásaigestar Ultu co mór.174 Níngeibtis 175 gái nó chlaidib, acht noscendis ass amal de chongnu.176 ¶9] Díngaib dín in fochaid seo,177 a Cheltchair! ar Conchobar. Maith ám, ar Celtchar, & luid dia acallaim in Chonganchnis laa n-óen178 co tard muin uime,179 gur gell a ingin dó .i. Níab180 ingen Cheltchair & proind céit cecha nóna dia tairiuc. Co tard181 in ben bréic uime co n-epert fris: Innis dam-sa, ar sí, amal marbthar tú.182 Bera derga iarnaidi do tapairt im183 bonnaib & tria mo luirgnib. p.28Co n-epert si184 riana hathair co ndernta dá bir móra lais & co tardta bricht súain fair & co tarcumlad slóg mór cuici. & dorónad amlaid. Et docóas ar a tarr co tardad na beru co n-ordaib ina bonnaib & sechnóin a smera con dorchair lais, co tall a cend de, co tardad carn for a cend .i. cloch cacha fir tánaic ann. ¶10] Et isí fochaid tánaise iarsin .i. in luch donn.i. cuilén fúair mac na baintrebthaigi a cúas omna & ronalt an bantrepach co mba mór. Fadeoigh dono dofell ar cóerchu na bantrebthaigi & romarb a bú & a mac & romarb feisin hí féin & docóid iarsin co Glenn na Mórmuici. Les gach n-aidchi nofásaighedh la Ultu & ina cotlud cach dia. Díngaib dín, a Celtchair! ar Conchobar, & téit Celtchar a fidbaid co tuc cep ferna as & gur ro-{MS page 11}clas comfada a lama & gur roberbh a lusaib tuthmara & a mil & a mbeoil gur bo bog righin. Téit Celtchar dochum na derca a cotlad in luch dunn & gabaid isin derc moch siu tísad in luch dond iarsan orcuin. Tic side & a srón a n-airde la tuth in croinn & léicid Celtchar in crann tarsan derc amach cuici. Gabaid in chú ina beolu co tard a fiacla inn & rolen na fiacla isin maidi righin. Srengaid Celtchar in crann cuici & srengaid in chú isin leth anaill & donbeir Celtchar a láim iarsin cep co tard a chridi tar a bél, co raibi ina dorn & ruc a cend lais. ¶11] Ocus in lá a cinn bliadna iarsin bátar búachailli a táib cairn Congoncnis, co cúaladar iachtad na cuilén isin cairn & rotochladar in carn & fúaradar trí cuiléna ann .i. cú odur & cú minbrec & cú dub. Rucad in cú minbrec a n-ascaid do Mac Dáthó do Laignib & is impi dotuit sochaidi do feraib Érenn a tig Maic Dáthó & Ailbi ainm na con sin, & co mad do Culand cerda dobertha in chú odur & in chú dub Daolcú p.30Celtchair feisin. Ní léiced side a gabáil do duine acht do Celtchar. Fecht ann ní bái Celtchar abus & do léiced in cú amach & forféimditer185 in muinter a gabáil & dosái forsna cethra & forna hindili & nomilled bí gach n-aidchi la Ultu fo deoid.186 ¶12] Dínguib didiu in fochaid187 ut, a Celtchair! ar Conchobar. Luid Celtchar dochum in glenna 'na mbói in cú & cét laoch lais & gairmid in coin fo thrí, co facadar in coin cucu & nosdírgenn co Celtchar co mhói ac lige a cos. Is trúag ám ann-dogní an cú, ar cách. Ní bíu-sa fot cinaid ní bus mó, ar Celtchar & atnaig builli don lúin Celtchair, co ruc a cride trithi & co fúair bás íarsin. Fé amai! ar cách. As fír, ar sé la turgbáil an gái súas, gur féimid bróen fola d'fuil na con cuici ar fut an gái co ndechaid trít co talmain, co mbo marb de. & rolaad a gáir guil & rotógbad a lia & a lecht ann. Conid hí sin Aided Blái Briugad & Congoncnis & Celtchair maic Uithechair. ¶1] Búi Fergus for luinges i Connachtaib iarna sárugud im maccuib Usnech, úair is é in tres comairci tucad friu & Dubthach Dóeltenga & Cormac Conlonges mac Conchobair. Bátar dono uili tíar forsan loingis co cend cethri mbliadna déc & ní an dono gul ná crith leo a nUltaib, acht gul & crith gach n-oidhchi. Is é romarb Fiachraig mac Conchobair & is é romarb188 Geirgi mac nIlleda & as é romarb Eogan mac Durthact. Is lais tucad in táin189 .i. la Fergus. Mór tra do gnímaib dorine sium a tegluch Ailello & Medba & ba minca nobíd som & a muinter ar fot in tíre cena ná isin tegluch. Trícha cét rob é lín na loingsi & is é roba fer cumtha dó-som a tegluch Ailello .i. Lugaid Dailléigis .i. bráthair do Oilill in Lugaid sin. ¶2] Bátar ann iar ngnímaib acon loch ar Mag Ái. Dúnad mór leo .i. cluichi190 & céti ann. Laa n-aon ann dono luid in slóg uili isi n loch dia fothrucad. Erg sís, a Fergus, ar Ailill & báid na firu! Nít maith a n-usci, ar Fergus. Luid-som sís ar ái sin. Nír fulaing a cridi do Meidb co ndechaid isin loch. Mur docúaid Fergus isin loch dorala ana mbui do grenaig & do clochaib a n-íchtar an locha co raibi for úachtar uli. Luid Medb didiu co raibi for a bruindi-sium & a gabla ime & co taircell-som in loch annsin & rogab ét Ailill. Doluid didiu súas Medb. ¶3] Is álaind a ndogní191 an dam, a Lugaid, & an eilit isin loch, ar Ailill. Cid nach gontar? or Lugaid & ní tuc urcor n-imraill ríam. Teilg-su dún orchur forru! ar Ailill. Impó m'agaid192 p.34cuctha, or Lugaid, & tabraid gái dam. Robúi Fergus aca nige asin loch & a bruinni fria & tucad a carpat docum Oilello co mbúi ina farrad & do teilc Lugaid urcor don gái co mbói triana druim síar sechtair.193 {MS page 6} Doriacht an t-urchur! ar Lugaid. Is fír on, ar cách, atát bruindi Fergusa. ¶4] Trúag sin, ar Lugaid, mo chomalta & m' fer cumtha do marbad dam-sa cin cinaid. Mo carpat dam-sa! ar Ailill. Téit in slóg uili for teiched, cach fer a leth fri tír etir luinges & Connachta. Gataid Fergus194 an gái as & teilcid a ndiaid Ailello co ndechaid tresin milcoin búi etir dá fertas in carpait. Luid Fergus íarum asin loch & nusdírgenn forsan tulaig a taeib in locha & luid a anum as focétóir & atá a lige ann fós. ¶1] Luidh Cet fecht ann a crích nUlad do chuinghid gona duine, inní ba minic lais .i. Ulaid do goin, úair ní dechaid asa nóendin ríam cen guin Ultaig. ¶2] Luid sium síar íarum & trí nói195 cinn do Ultaib lais & docuredh íarum Conall Cernach for a lurg co Bréfni Connacht. Laad snechta an gemrid do sunnrad, co fúair Conall a fástig hé ac fuine a chotach196 & a ara. Bátar tra na eochu fón carpat amuich. ¶3] Is é Cet so, ar Conall, & ní fíu dúin comrac fris ar a doilghi & ar a cródacht. Is amnus in fer fil and, ar Conall. Fé amai! ol in t-ara, ní maith tig tar do beólu, in péist fil for dígail Ulad cen gabáil tige fair & ní meabal tra comtuitim duit fris, oir atá dia beódacht197 connuic so. A athair, ar Conall, ní tibur m' anum do láith gaili fer nÉrenn & dobér tra comartha forsna eochu. Gadaid Conall dúal a muing na n-eoch & dobeir andlochtan a cinn in carpait & téit as sair co hUltu. ¶4] Fé, a Ceit! ar an t-ara. Ní fé, ar Cet, is maith in t-anocul tuc for na heocha. Conall so, ar sé, & biaid caradrad de & bid maith hé. Fé amae! or in t-ara, in fer rolá ár Connacht do tabairt méla fort & ní toircéba t'ainm co bráth can a bás nó can a rúacad a fescur. Maith ám, ar Cet. Lotar ina diaid co hÁth Ceit. ¶5] Amin, a Chonaill! ar Cet. Cid sin, a Ceit? ar Conall. Ní racha as aniu, a clóain, or Cet. Dóig lem, or Conall ac intód198 cuici & nothúairgenn {MS page 8} cách díb a chéili co clos fon díthrub uli a ngníthech & a mbolcfadach & gáir na scur &[...]199 an anr-200 ac láigedh na láth ngaili robátar isin áth, co torchair cechtarde anunn & anall. Marb immorro Cet fo cétóir & dororchair Conall a nél. ¶6] Ocus dúscid Conall asa nél. Ber lat na hechu co hUltu, or sé, ar ná romaigset Connachta cetus. Faroféimid in gilla tra a tócbáil-som ina carpat & ceilebraid in gilla dó íarum & luid dia tig. Olc so tra, or Conall, aonfer do Connachtaib & rogellus-sa ám, ar sé, nacham muirfed aonfer do Chonnachtaib & robo ferr lem má ríge in domuin nech do Chonnachtaib dom athguin co ná bad for aon fer do Chonnachtaib nobeith mo marbad. ¶7] Bélchu Bréfni tra, is é tánic ar tús. Cet so, or sé Conall dono sunna, ar sé & bid201 maith an Ériu festa, or sé, ó dotorchair in dá árchoin so doloitsitar an Éiriu eturra, la tabairt airlaindi a tsligi for Conall. Fair t'irlaind dím, a athair! or sé. At beó, ar Bélchú. Ní buide202 frit ón, ar Conall, am beó-sa. Fír, a Conaill, ar Bélchú, ac cuincid do gona atái form-sa & ní dingén-sa, oir is marb cena tú. Ní lémtha cid mo brat do goin, ar Conall, a caillech trúag! Nítmairbfet-sa203 tra, acht atá ní cena, ar sé. Notbér lem dom tig & not-ícfaiter acum & madat204 slán immorro caithfet frit. ¶8] Iarsin tra tócbaid for a muin & a leth ina diaid, co ráinic a tech & dobeir leaga cucui gur bo slán. Bid fír, ar Bélchú fria maccaibh, raga in fer sa úaim & ní dingna ar les. Marbaid in fer resiu dech205 Tigid iarum cucui uili amárach d'agaid, co facar-sa in airecul fosclaicthi ar bar cinn & marbaid é ina lebaid. Rofitir fer in imnid & an uile móir .i. Conall in mídúthracht robói dó. ¶9] Dún in tech! ar Conall fri Bélcoin. Téit sair & fácaid in tech fuslaicthi. Maith didiu, a Bélchú, ar Conall, tarr am lebaid-sa! Ní tó, or Bélchú. Do cenn dít-sa, ar Conall, mina tísi isin lebaid. Bid éicin, ar Bélchu. Dúnaid206 didiu Bélchú in tech. Iar cotlud do Bélchoin fuslaicid207 Conall an tech. Dothecait maic Bélchon dochum na imdaidi a mbái a n-athair & doberait a tri sligi trit gur marbsat & eirgid Conall íarsin & imrid a claidem forra co mbói spreathach a n-incinni im na fraighthaib & beridh a ceithri cinnu lais sair, co ríacht a thech résiu roba matin. Conid hí Aided Ceit & Bélchon Bréfni cona maccaib in sin. ¶1] Ba tréinfear an Ceat so & fa biodhbha biothfoghlaidh air Ulltaibh é feadh a ré. Lá n-aon dá ndeachaidh an Ceat so a nUlltaibh ag deanamh díbfeirge amhuil fá gnáith leis go ttárla sneachta mór fán am sin ann; & ag tille do & trí ceinn laoch air gad aige do marbadh leis 'san turras208 sin, thig Conall Cearrnach air a lorg gur chuir fá ghreim é ag Áth Cheat, gur chomruic siad le chéile, gur thuit Ceat 'san chomhlann & gur tromghoineadh Conall féin, gur thuit a néal air an láthair iair ttréigion iomaid fola do. & leis sin tig Béalchú Bréifne, tréinfear eile do Chonnachtaibh do láthair. Mar fuair Ceat marbh & Conall a ccrothaibh báis adubhairt gur mhaith an sgéal an dá onnchoin sin dá ttáinig aighmhille Éireann do bheith isna hannrachtaibh sin. ¶2] As fíor sin, air Conall, & a ndíol a ndearrna mise d'ulc air Chonnachtaibh riamh marbh-sa me! As uime adubhairt Conall sin do brígh go madh fearr leis ná flaithios Éireann laoch eigin eile209 dá p.42ghoin ionnus nach beth clú a mharbhtha air aonlaoch amháin do Chonnachtaibh. Ní mhuirfid, air Béalchú, oir as geall re bheith marbh dhuit an riocht ina bhfuile. Gidheadh, béar liom thú & cuirfead leighios ort & más téarmóidh210 ód othrus211 duit, do dhéan comhrac áenfir leat go ndíoghaltar liom ort gach dochar & gach díth dár himreadh leat air Chonnachtaibh. ¶3] Agus leis sin cuirios iomchar faoi & beirios leis dá thig féin é, gur chuir leighios air ann go beth dá chréachtaibh cneasda. Mar do mheas umorro Béalchú eision ag tearnó & a neart féin a teacht arís ann, do ghabh eagla ré Conall é & ollmhuighthear triur laoch da chlainn ré Béalchoin re marbhadh Chonaill tré feall 'san oidhche air a leabaidh. Gidheadh, fuair Conall dóigh air chogar212 na ceilge sin, & an oidhche do bhí a bharra213 fán ccloinn teacht ag déanamh na feille, adubhairt Conall le Béalchoin go ccaithfeadh malairt leaptha d' fághail uaidh no go muirfeadh. & leis sin luigheas Béalchú gér leisg é a leabaidh Chonaill & do luigh Conall ina leabaidh sin, go ttángadar an triur laoch sin fá chlainn do Bhéalchoin d' ionsuighe na leaptha ina mbíodh Conall, gur mharbhadar a n-athair a riocht Chonaill. ¶4] Mar do mhoithigh Conall iad sin iar marbhadh a n-athar ina riocht féin, do ling ortha & marbhthar leis iad a ttriur & díthcheanntar leis iad mar aon lena n-athair, go rug airnamháireach a ccinn dá ccomh-mhaoidheamh go hEamhuin. Gonadh ag muidheamh an ghníomha sin atá an file 'san rann so: Gonadh é sin marbhadh Ceit mic Mághach & Bhéalchon gona thriur mac go roich so; gidheadh as iomdha éacht adhbhal eile do féadfaidhe do chomhmhuidheamh air Chonall fuigfiom don chur so gan cur síos ann so. - Fá do chearrdaibh Conaill Chearnaigh ionnradh Manann, mór an modh, is goin trí mac Béalchón Bréifne iar ngoin214 athar215 na ttrí ccon.