was in it.  And he made a rush at it like a blast of wind and drave the sword through the stone pillar till it went up to its pommel, [8]so that his fist went through it after the sword.[8] “Deceit is here,” cried Cethern son of Fintan, “and on me have ye worked this deceit.  And I swear an oath, till there be found among ye [9]of the men of Erin[9] one that will put yon royal dress about him and the golden shawl, I will not stay my hand from them, slaughtering and destroying withal!”

    [4-4] YBL. 42b, 22.

    [5-5] Stowe.

    [6-6] Stowe.

    [7-7] Stowe

    [8-8] YBL. 42b, 24.

    [9-9] Stowe.

Mane Andoe son of Ailill and Medb heard that, and he put [10]his father’s[10] royal raiment about him and the golden shawl [11]and the diadem on his head, and he snatched them up in his chariot before him[11] and dashed off through the midst of the men of Erin.  Cethern son of Fintan pursued him closely and hurled his shield the length of a cast at him, [W.4454.] so that the chiselled rim of the shield clave him[a] to the ground, with chariot, driver, and horses. [1]When the men of Erin saw that,[1] they surrounded Cethern on every side [2]and made him a victim of spears and lances,[2] so that he fell at their hands in the strait wherein he was.  Wherefore ‘Cethern’s Strait-Fight and the Bloody Wounds of Cethern’ [3]is the name of this tale.[3]

    [10-10] Stowe.

    [11-11] YBL. 42b, 29-30.

    [a] Omitting i tri, ‘in three’; it is not found in Stowe or in YBL.
    and seems out of place here.

    [1-1] Stowe.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [3-3] Stowe.

[4]His wife, Finna[b] daughter of Eocho Salbuide (’Yellow-heel’) stood over him and she was in great sorrow, and she made the funeral-song below:—­

    “I care for naught, care for naught;
    Ne’er more man’s hand ’neath my head,
    Since was dug the earthy bed,
    Cethern’s bold, of Dun da Benn!

    “Kingly Cethern, Fintan’s son;
    Few were with him on the ford. 
    Connacht’s men with all their host,
    For nine hours he left them not!

    “Arms he bore not—­this an art—­
    But a red, two-headed pike;
    With it slaughtered he the host,
    While his anger still was fresh!

    “Felled by double-headed pike,
    Cethern’s hand held, with their crimes,[c]
    Seven times fifty of the hosts,
    Fintan’s son brought to their graves!

    “Willa-loo, oh, willa-loo! 
    Woman’s[d] wandering through the mist. 
    Worse it is for him that’s dead. 
    She that lives may find a man![e]

    “Never I shall take a man[e]
    Of the hosts of this good world;
    Never shall I sleep with man;
    Never shall my man with wife!