XXIVa. 1THE AGITATION OF CELTCHAR1
Joseph Dunn translation
XXIVa. 1THE AGITATION OF CELTCHAR1
"Thirty hundred chariot-men; An hundred horse-companions stout; An hundred with an hundred druids! To lead us will not fail The hero of the land, Conchobar with hosts around him! Let the battle line be formed! Gather now, ye warriors! Battle shall be fought At Garech and Ilgarech On aftermorrow's morn!"
On that same night Cormac Conlongas, Conchobar's son, spake these words to the men of Erin at Slemain Midè that night:—
W. 4973.
"A wonder of a morning,
When hosts will be confused,
When forth breaks the battle,
The seven chieftains before,
Of Ulster's host round Conchobar!
Their women will they defend,
For their herds will they fight
At Garech and Ilgarech,
On the morning after the morrow!
Hounds cut to pieces,
Steeds overwhelmed!"4
"Great be the morn,
The morn of Meath!
Great be the truce
"Great be the fight,
Great, too, the steeds,
The steeds of Assal!
"Great be the plague,
Great be the storm,
Ulster's battle-storm round Conchobar!
"Their women will they defend, For their herds will they fight At Garech and Ilgarech, On the morning after the morrow!"