t him.[7] Cuchulain knocked all of Larine's weapons out of his
hand as one might knock toys out of the hand of an infant. Cuchulain ground
and bruised him between his arms, he lashed him and clasped him, he
squeezed him and shook him, so that he spilled all the dirt out of him,
[8]so that the ford was defiled with his dung[8] [9]and the air was fouled
with his dust[9] and an [10]unclean, filthy[10] wrack of cloud arose in the
four airts wherein he was. Then from the middle of the ford Cuchulain
hurled Larine far from him across through the camp [11]till he fell into
Lugaid's two hands[11] at the door of the tent of his brother. [W.2252.]
Howbeit [1]from that time forth[1] [2]for the remainder of his life[2] he
never got up without a [3]sigh and a[3] groan, and [4]he never lay down
without hurt, and he never stood up without a moan;[4] [5]as long as he
lived[5] he never ate [6]a meal[6] without plaint, and never thenceforward
was he free from weakness of the loins and oppression of the chest and
without cramps and the frequent need which obliged him to go out. Still he
is the only man that made escape, [7]yea though a bad escape,[7] after
combat with Cuchulain on the Cualnge Cattle-raid. Nevertheless that maiming
took effect upon him, so that it afterwards brought him his death. Such
then is the Combat of Larine on the Tain Bo Cualnge.

[5-5] Eg. 209.

[6-6] Eg. 209.

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1602.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1603.

[10-10] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[11-11] LU. and YBL. 1604.

[1-1] Eg. 93, H. 2. 17 and Eg. 209.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3-3] Eg. 209.

[4-4] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1604.

[6-6] Eg. 209.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1607.

* * * * *

[Page 161]

XIVb

[1]THE COLLOQUY OF THE MORRIGAN AND CUCHULAIN[1]

[2]Then Cuchulain saw draw near him a young woman with a dress of every
colour about her and her appearance was most surpassing. "Who art thou?"
Cuchulain asked. "Daughter of Buan ('the Eternal'), the king," she
answered. "I am come to thee; I have loved thee for the high tales they
tell of thee and have brought my treasures and cattle with me." "Not good
is the time thou hast come. Is not our condition weakened through hunger?
Not easy then would it be for me to foregather with a woman the while I am
engaged in this struggle." "Herein I will come to thy help." "Not for the
lo