[7-7] Stowe.

[8]Then arose Fergus with his thirty hundred to intervene between them, and that was a hand for that mighty work.[8] And a mediation was made between them so that each of them sat down near the other and hard by his arms.  Howbeit before the intervention took place, eight hundred[b] very valiant warriors of them had fallen [9]in the slaughter of Glenn Domain (’Deep Glen’).[9]

    [8-8] Stowe.

    [b] ‘Seven hundred,’ YBL. 43a, 24 and Stowe.

    [9-9] YBL. 43a, 25.

Finnabair, daughter of Ailill and Medb, had tidings that so great a number of the men of Erin had fallen for her sake and on account of her.  And her heart broke in her breast even as a nut, through shame and disgrace, so that Finnabair Slebe (’Finnabair of the Mount’) is the name of the place where she fell, [10]died and was buried.[10]

    [10-10] Stowe.

[W.4585.] Then said the men of Erin, “White is this battle,” said they, “for Rochad son of Fathemon, in that eight hundred exceeding brave warriors fell for his sake and on his account, and he himself goes[1] safe and whole to his country and land[1] without blood-shedding or reddening on him.”  Hence this is the ‘White-fight’ of Rochad.

    [1] Stowe.

* * * * *

[Page 292]

XXIIId

HERE FOLLOWETH ILIACH’S CLUMP-FIGHT

[W.4590.] [1]Then came to them[1] Iliach son of Cass son of Bacc son of Ross Ruad son of Rudraige. [2]He was at that time an old man cared for by his son’s son, namely by Loegaire Buadach (’the Victorious’) in Rath Imbil in the north.[2] It was told him that the four grand provinces of Erin even then laid waste and invaded the lands of Ulster and of the Picts [3]and of Cualnge[3] from Monday at Summer’s end till the beginning of Spring, [4]and were carrying off their women and their cows and their children, their flocks, their herds and their cattle, their oxen and their kine and their droves, their steeds and their horses.[4] He then conceived a plan [5]in his mind[5] and he made perfect his plan privily with his people.  “What counsel were better for me to make than to go and attack the men of Erin [6]and to use my[a] strength on them[6] and have [7]my boast and[7] victory over them, and thus avenge the honour of Ulster.  And I care not though I should fall myself there thereafter.”

    [1-1] YBL. 43a, 29.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [3-3] Stowe.

    [4-4] Stowe.

    [5-5] Stowe.

    [6-6] Stowe.

    [a] The MS. has ‘his.’

    [7-7] Stowe.