opined then it would not be hard to
deal with Cuchulain if only his spear were got from him.[6] From this
accordingly came the greatest shame and grief and madness that was brought
on Cuchulain on that hosting.

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

[5-5] Eg. 93.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1330-1331.

As regards Medb: every ford [7]and every hill[7] whereon she stopped, Ath
Medba ('Medb's Ford') [8]and Dindgna Medba ('Medb's Hill')[8] is its
name. Every place wherein she pitched her tent, Pupall Medba ('Medb's
Tent') is its name. Every spot she rested her horselash, Bili Medba
('Medb's Tree') is its name.

[7-7] LU. and YBL 1353.

[8-8] LU. and YBL 1354.

On this circuit Medb [9]turned back from the north after [W.2047.] she had
remained a fortnight laying waste the province[9] [1]and plundering the
land of the Picts and of Cualnge and the land of Conall son of Amargin,[1]
and having offered battle [2]one night[2] to Findmor ('the Fair-large')
wife of Celtchar [3]son of Uthechar[3] at the gate of Dun Sobairche; and
she slew Findmor and laid waste Dun Sobairche; [5]and, after taking Dun
Sobairche from her, she brought fifty of [4]her[4] women into the province
of Dalriada.[5] [6]Then she had them hanged and crucified. Whence cometh
Mas na Righna ('Queen's Buttock') as the name of the hill, from their
hanging.[6]

[9-9] LU. and YBL 1348-1349.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1351-1352.

[6-6] Eg. 33.

Then came the warriors of four of the five grand provinces of Erin at the
end of a long fortnight[a] to camp and station [7]at Fochard,[7] together
with Medb and Ailill and the company that were bringing the bull.

[a] Omitting _ar mis_ (LL.), which is not found in the other MSS.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1355.

* * * * *

[Page 136]

XIIa

THE DEATH OF FORGEMEN

[W.2054.] And the bull's cowherd would not allow them [1]to carry off[1]
the Brown Bull of Cualnge, so that they urged on the bull, beating shafts
on shields, till they drove him into a narrow gap, and the herd trampled
the cowherd's body thirty feet into the ground, so that they made fragments
and shreds of his body. Forgemen was the neatherd's name. [2]And this is
the name of the hill, Forgemen.[2] This then is the Death of Forgemen on
the Cattle-prey of Cualnge. [3]Now there was no peril to them that night