Niall Niamglonnach ('of the brilliant
Exploits') from Dun da Benn [1]in the north,[1] was father of Cethern son
of Fintan. And he came to save the honour of Ulster and to avenge his son
upon the hosts. Thrice fifty [2]with many pointed weapons[2] was his
number. And thus it was they came, and two spear-heads on each shaft with
them, a spear-head on the top and a spear-head at the butt, so that it made
no difference whether they wounded the hosts with the points or with the
butts. They offered three[a] battles to the hosts. And thrice their own
number fell at their hands, and there fell also the people [LL.fo.91b.] of
Fintan son of Niall, all excepting Fintan's son Crimthann alone,[3] so that
there did not escape any of his people excepting himself and his son.[3]
This one was saved under a canopy of shields by Ailill and Medb. [4]And the
son was separated from him, his father Fintan, and was saved by Ailill out
of fear of Fintan and in order that Fintan might not wreak his fury on them
till he should come with Conchobar to the battle.[4] Then said the men of
Erin, it would be no disgrace for Fintan son of Niall to withdraw from the
camp and quarters, and that they would give up Crimthann son of Fintan to
him, and then the hosts would fall back a day's march to the north again;
and that he [W.4515.] should cease from his deeds of arms against the hosts
till he would come to encounter them on the day of the great battle at the
place where the four grand provinces of Erin would clash at Garech and
Ilgarech in the battle of the Cattle-reaving of Cualnge, as was foretold by
the druids of the men of Erin. Fintan son of Niall consented to that, and
they gave over his son to him. [1]He made friendship with them then when
his son had been restored to him.[1] He withdrew from the camp and station,
and the hosts marched a day's journey back to the north again, to stop and
cease their advance. [2]Thereafter Fintan went to his own land.[2] In this
manner they found each man of the people of Fintan son of Niall and each
man of the men of Erin, with the lips and the nose [3]and the ear[3] of
each of them in the teeth and tusks of the other [4]after they had used up
their arms.[4] The men of Erin gave thought to that: "This is a tooth-fight
for us," said they; "the tooth-fight of Fintan's people and of Fintan
himself." So this is the 'Tooth-fight' of Fintan.

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] YBL. 42b, 36.

[a] 'Seven,' YBL. 42b, 38.