[3-3] YBL. 42b, 38-39.

[4-4] YBL. 42b, 39-43.

[1-1] YBL. 42b, 43-44.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] Stowe.

* * * * *

[Page 285]

XXIIIa

THE RED-SHAME OF MENN FOLLOWETH HERE

[W.4529.] [1]It was then came [2]to them[2] great[1] Menn son of Salcholga,
he from Renna ('the Waterways') of the Boyne [3]in the north.[3] Twelve[a]
men [4]with many-pointed weapons,[4] that was his number. It was thus 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
attacks upon the hosts. Three times their own number fell at their hands
and there fell twelve men of the people of Menn, [5]so that there remained
alive of them but Menn alone.[5] But Menn himself was [6]sorely[6] wounded
in the strait, so that blood ran crimson on him [7]and his followers too
were crimsoned.[7] Then said the men of Erin: "Red is this shame," said
they, "for Menn son of Salcholga, that his people, [8]twelve men,[8] should
be slain and destroyed and he himself wounded till blood ran crimson red
upon him." Hence here is the 'Reddening Shame of Menn,' [9]the name of this
tale on the Spoil of the Kine of Cualnge.[9]

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] YBL. 42b, 45.

[3-3] Stowe.

[a] 'Thirty,' YBL. 42b, 45.

[4-4] YBL. 42b, 46.

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] Stowe.

[7-7] YBL. 42b, 49.

[8-8] Stowe.

[9-9] Stowe.

Then said the men of Erin, it would be no dishonour for Menn son of
Salcholga to leave the camp and quarters, and that the hosts would go a
day's journey back to the [W.4542.] north again, and that Menn should cease
his weapon-feats[a] on the hosts till Conchobar arose out of his 'Pains'
and battle would be offered them at Garech and Ilgarech [1]on the day of
the great battle when the men of Erin and of Ulster would meet together in
combat in the great battle of the Cualnge Cow-spoil,[1] as the druids and
soothsayers and the knowers of the men of Erin had foretold it.

[a] Following Windisch's emendation of the text.

[1-1] Stowe.

Menn son of Salcholga agreed to that, to leave the camp and halting-place.
And the hosts fell back a day's march for to rest and wait, [2]and Menn
went his way to his own land.[2]

[2-2] Stowe.

* * *