XXIIa. 1CETHERN'S BLOODY WOUNDS1
Joseph Dunn translation
XXIIa. 1CETHERN'S BLOODY WOUNDS1
"Look at this bloody wound for me, too, my good Fingin," said Cethern. Fingin looked into the bloody wound. "The joint deed of two brothers is here," said the leech. "'Tis indeed true," replied Cethern. "There came upon me two leading, king's warriors. Yellow hair upon them; dark-grey mantles with fringes, wrapped around them; leaf-shaped brooches of silvered bronze in the mantles over their breasts; broad, grey lances in their hands." "Ah, but we know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Cormac Colomon rig ('King's pillar') is the one, and Cormac son of Mael Foga, of the bodyguard of Ailill and Medb (the other). What they sought was that thou shouldst fall at their hands."
Thus far the "Bloody Wounds" of the Táin.
"I care for naught, care for naught; Ne'er more man's hand 'neath my head, Since was dug the earthy bed, Cethern's bold, of Dûn da Benn!
"Kingly Cethern, Fintan's son; Few were with him on the ford. Connacht's men with all their host, For nine hours he left them not!
"Arms he bore not—this an art— But a red, two-headed pike; With it slaughtered he the host, While his anger still was fresh!
"Felled by double-headed pike,
Seven times fifty of the hosts,
Fintan's son brought to their graves!
"Willa-loo, oh, willa-loo!
Worse it is for him that's dead.
"Never I shall take a mane Of the hosts of this good world; Never shall I sleep with man; Never shall my man with wife!
W. 4485.
Where our hosts were wont to go.
Dear the water, soft and sweet;
"Sad the care, oh, sad the care, Cualnge's Cow-raid brought on me: Cethern, Fintan's son, to keen. Oh that he had shunned his woe!
"Great the doings, these, oh, great, And the deed that here was done: I bewailing him till death, Him that has been smitten down!
"Finna, Eocho's daughter, I,
Found a fight of circling spears.
Had my champion had his arms: