[1]Or it may be this from which cometh Imroll Belaig Eoin:  The hosts proceed to Belach Eoin (’Bird-pass’).  Their two troops wait there.  Diarmait macConchobar of the Ulstermen comes from the north.  “Let a horseman start from you,” cries Diarmait, “that Mane may come with one man to parley with me, and I will go with another man to parley with him.”  A while thereafter they meet “I am come,” says Diarmait, “from Conchobar, with commands to Ailill and Medb that they let the cows go and make good all the ill they have done here and bring hither the bull[a] from the west to meet the other bull,[b] to the end that they may encounter, since Medb has pledged it.”  “I will go,” says Mane, “to tell them.”  He takes this message to Medb and Ailill.  “This cannot be had of Medb,” Mane reported.  “Let us make a fair exchange of arms, then,” says Diarmait, “if perchance that pleaseth thee better.”  “I am content,” replies Mane.  Each of them casts his spear at the other so that both of them die, and hence the name of this place is Imroll Belaig Eoin.  Their forces rush upon one another.  Three-score of each force fall.  Hence is Ard in Dirma (’the Height of the Troop’).[1]

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 2114-2128.

    [a] The ‘White-horned.’

    [b] The ‘Brown of Cualnge.’

* * * * *

[Page 204]

XVIIIb

HERE NOW FOLLOWETH THE DISGUISING OF TAMON

[W.2837.] Then said the men of Erin to Tamon the fool that he should don the garments of Ailill and the king’s golden shawl, and go to the ford that was close before them.  So he put the garments and golden shawl of Ailill upon him. [1]Ailill’s people placed the king’s diadem on the head of Tamon the fool, for Ailill dared not wear it himself,[1] and he went on to the ford under their eyes.  The men of Erin began to scoff and to shout and jeer at him.  “It is a disguising of Tamon (’a Stump’) for thee, O Tamon the fool,” they cried, “with the dress and the golden shawl of Ailill upon thee!” When Cuchulain saw him, it seemed to him in his ignorance and lack of knowledge that it was Ailill himself that was there.  And he slung a stone from his staff-sling at him so that [2]his head was broken thereby[2] and Tamon the fool was smitten lifeless where he was on the ford.  Hence Ath Tamuin (’the Ford of a Stump’) [3]is the name of that ford ever since[3] and ‘the Disguising of Tamon’ [4]is the name of the tale.[4]

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 2129.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 2131.

    [3-3] Stowe.

    [4-4] Stowe.

* * * * *

[Page 205]

XIX

[1]THE BATTLE OF FERGUS AND CUCHULAIN[1]