[FN#48] The Irish is Fernmag; written Fearnmhuidh in the late manuscript of this part of the tale.
This is the Tree of their race, and an account of the kinships of some of the Champions of the Red Branch, which is given here before we proceed to speak of the Deeds of Cuchulain:
’Twas Cathbad first won Magach’s love, and arms around her threw; From Maelchro’s loins, the Battle Chief, his princely source he drew; Two, more in love she knew, of these the wrath was long and dread, Fierce Rossa, named the Ruddy-Faced, and Carbre, thatched with red.
To all the three were children born, and all with
beauty graced, To Cathbad, and to Carbre Red, and
Rossa Ruddy-faced; A gracious three indeed were they
to whom she gave her love,
Fair Magach, brown the lashes were that slept her
eyes above.
Three sons to Rossa Ruddy-faced as children Magach bore; To Carbre sons again she gave, the count of these was four; And three white shoots of grace were hers, on these no shame shall fall; To Cathbad children three she bare, and these were daughters all.
To Cathbad, who in wizard lore and all its arts had might, Three daughters lovely Magach bore, each clothed in beauty white; All maids who then for grace were famed in grace those maids surpassed, And Finuchoem,[FN#49] Ailbhe twain he named, and Deithchim named the last.
[FN#49] Pronounced Finn-hoom, Ail-vy, and Die-himm.
To Finnchoem, wizard Cathbad’s child, was born
a glorious son,
And well she nursed him, Conall wild, who every field
hath won;
And Ailbhe glorious children bare in whom no fear
had place,
These Ardan, Ainnle, Naisi were, who came of Usnach’s
race.
A son to Deithchim fair was born, a bright-cheeked
mother she;
She bore but one: Cuchulain of Dun Delga’s
hold was he:
Of those whom Cathbad’s daughters reared the
names full well ye know,
And none of these a wound hath feared, or therefore
shunned a foe.