[8-8] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [1-1] Stowe.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 1745.

    [3-3] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

* * * * *

[Page 177]

XVIa

[1]THE HEALING OF THE MORRIGAN[1]

[W.2410.] [2]Great weariness came over Cuchulain after that night, and a great thirst, after his exhaustion.[2] Then it was that the Morrigan, daughter of Emmas, came from the fairy dwellings, in the guise of an old hag, [3]with wasted knees, long-legged,[3] [4]blind and lame,[4] engaged in milking a [5]tawny,[5] three-teated [6]milch[6] cow before the eyes of Cuchulain.[a] And for this reason she came in this fashion, that she might have redress from Cuchulain.  For none whom Cuchulain ever wounded recovered therefrom without himself aided in the healing.  Cuchulain, maddened with thirst, begged her for a milking.  She gave him a milking of one of the teats [7]and straightway Cuchulain drank it.[7] “May this be a cure in time for me, [8]old crone,” quoth Cuchulain, “and the blessing of gods and of non-gods upon thee!” said he;[8] and one of the queen’s eyes became whole thereby.  He begged the milking of [9]another[9] teat. [10]She milked the cow’s second teat and[10] gave it to him and [11]he drank it and said,[11] “May she straightway be sound that gave it.” [12]Then her head was healed so that it was whole.[12] He begged a third drink [W.2418.] [1]of the hag.[1] [2]She milked the cow’s third teat[2] and gave him the milking of the teat [3]and he drank it.[3] “A blessing on thee of gods and of non-gods, O woman! [4]Good is the help and succour thou gavest me."[4] [5]And her leg was made whole thereby.[5] [6]Now these were their gods, the mighty folk:  and these were their non-gods, the folk of husbandry.[6] And the queen was healed [7]forthwith.[7] [8]"Well, Cuchulain,[8] [9]thou saidst to me,” spake the Morrigan, “I should not get healing [10]nor succour[10] from thee forever.”  “Had I known it was thou,” Cuchulain made answer, “I would never have healed thee.”  Or, it may be Drong Conculainn (’Cuchulain’s Throng’) on Tarthesc is the name of this tale in the Reaving of the Kine of Cualnge.[9]

    [1-1] LU. fo. 77a, in the margin.

    [2-2] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [3-3] Eg. 93.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 1748.

    [5-5] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [6-6] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [a] Reading fiadnaisse.

    [7-7] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [8-8] Eg. 93.

    [9-9] Stowe.

    [10-10] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [11-11] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [12-12] LU. and YBL. 1753.

    [1-1] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [2-2] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [3-3] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.