with the son of Amargin, came under the cliffs of Fair Head, to the Bay of Murbolg, where huge columns tower upward on the face of the cliff, high as the nests of the eagles; cliffs ruddy and mighty, frowning tremendous across the channel to Cantyre and Islay and far-away Jura.  A third of the ships came to the safer harbor of Larne, where bands of white seam the cliff’s redness, where the great headland is thrust forth northwards, sheltering the bay from the eastern waves.  A third of the fleet came to the strand beside Dundelga, hard by the great hill of earth where was reared the stronghold of Cuculain.

At that same time came Concobar with a thousand men to the fort of Cuculain, and feasting was prepared for him at the House of Delga.  Nor was Concobar long there till he saw the bent spars of sails and the full-crewed ships, and the scarlet pavilions, and the many-colored banners, and the blue bright lances, and the weapons of war.  Then Concobar called on the chiefs that were about him, for the territory and land he had bestowed upon them, and for the jewels he had given them, to stand firm and faithful.  For he knew not whether the ships were ships of his foes, of the Galian of Lagin, now called Leinster, or the Munstermen of great Muma, or the men of Olnemact, called afterwards Connacht; for the estuary of the river and the strand were full of men.

Then Senca son of Ailill answered for the chieftains:  “I give my word, indeed, that Erin holds not a soldier who lays his hand in the hand of a chieftain that is not known to me.  If they be the men of Erin thy foes that are there, I shall ask a truce of battle from them; but if they be thy friends and allies, thou shalt the more rejoice.”

Then Senca son of Ailill went forward to the place where the ships were, and learned that they were the friends in absence of Concobar, come to be his allies against the four provinces of Erin.  Then Concobar spoke to Cuculain: 

“Well, O Cuculain, let the horses of the plain of Murtemni be caught by thee; let four-wheeled chariots be harnessed for them; bring with them hither my friends from the ships in chariots and four-wheeled cars, that feasting and enjoyment may be prepared for them.”

[Illustration:  Gray Man’s Path, Fair Head.]

They were brought in chariots to the feast, and carvers carved for them, and serving-men carried the cups of mead.  Songs were sung to them, and they tarried there till sunrise on the morrow.  Then Concobar spoke again to Cuculain: 

“It is well, Cuculain.  Let messengers now be sent through the lands of the Ulaid to the warriors of the Ulaid, that the foreign friends may be ministered to by them also, while I make my camp here by the river.  And bid the thrice fifty veteran champions come hither to me, that I may have their aid and counsel in battle.”

But Cuculain would not.  Therefore Concobar went himself to summon the veterans.  When they asked the cause of his coming, Concobar answered, “Have you not heard how the four provinces of Erin came against us, bringing with them their bards and singers, that their ravages and devastations might the better be recorded, and burning and plundering our fortresses and dwellings?  Therefore I would make an expedition of hostility against them, and with your guidance and counsel would I make the expedition.”