The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge, page 199 by Unknown
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'[a] resulted therefrom.[1] [2]They continue their march past Cuchulain and pitch camp in Crich Roiss.[2]
[4-4] Stowe.
[5-5] Stowe.
[6-6] Eg. 93.
[a] See above, page 99.
[7-7] Stowe.
[8-8] Reading with Stowe; LL. has 'on the slope.'
[9-9] Stowe.
[10-10] Stowe.
[1-1] Eg. 93.
[2-2] Stowe.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] Stowe.
[5-5] Stowe.
[6-6] LU. and YBL. 2154-2155.
[7-7] Stowe.
[8-8] Stowe.
[9-9] Stowe.
[10-10] LU. and YBL. 2157.
[11-11] Eg. 93.
[12-12] Eg. 93.
[1-1] Eg. 93.
[a] A traditional tag; it occurs again, page 216.
[2-2] LU. and YBL. 2158-2159.
[Page 209]
XIXa
HERE NOW COMETH THE HEAD-PLACE OF FERCHU
[W.2893.] Ferchu Longsech ('the Exile'), [1]a wonderful warrior from Loch Ce, outlawed from his land by Ailill and Medb,[1] although of the Connachtmen, was engaged in battle and plunder with Ailill and Medb. From the day these came to the kingship, there never was a time that he fared to their camp or took part in their expeditions or shared in their straits or their needs or their hardships, but he was ever at their heels, pillaging and plundering their borders and land. At that time he sojourned in the eastern part of Mag Ai. Twelve[a] men was his muster. He learned that a single man checked and stopped four of the five grand provinces of Erin from Monday at Summer's end till the beginning of Spring, slaying a man on the ford every one of those days and a hundred warriors every night. He weighed his plan privily with his people. "What better plan could we devise?" quoth he, "than to go and attack yonder man that checketh and stoppeth four of the five grand provinces of Erin, and bring his head and his arms with us to Ailill and Medb? However great the injuries and wrongs we have done to Ailill and Medb, we shall obtain our peace therefor, if only that man fall by our hand." [2]He made no doubt that if Cuchula