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[Page 287]

XXIIIb

HERE FOLLOWETH THE ACCOUTREMENT OF THE CHARIOTEERS

[W.4551.] Then came the charioteers of the Ulstermen to them. Thrice fifty
was their number. They offered three battles to the hosts. Thrice their
number fell at their hands, and the charioteers themselves fell on the
field whereon they stood. Hence this here is the 'Accoutrement of the
Charioteers.' [1]It is for this cause it is called the 'Accoutrement of the
Charioteers,' because it is with rocks and with boulders and with clumps of
earth they accomplished the defeat of the men of Erin.[1]

[1-1] Stowe.

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[Page 288]

XXIIIc

[LL. fo. 92a.] [1]THE WHITE-FIGHT OF ROCHAD NOW FOLLOWETH[1]

[W.4556.] [2]Cuchulain despatched his charioteer to[2] Rochad [3]Rigderg
('Red-king')[3] son of Fathemon, [4]from Rigdorn in the north,[4] [5]that
he should come to his aid.[5] He was of Ulster. [6]The gilla comes up to
Rochad and tells him, if he has come out of his weakness, to go to the help
of Cuchulain, that they should employ a ruse to reach the host to seize
some of them and slay them. Rochad set out from the north.[6] Thrice
fifty[a] warriors was his number, and he took possession of a hill fronting
the hosts. [7]"Scan the plain for us to-day," said Ailill. "I see a company
crossing the plain," the watchman answered, "and a tender youth comes in
their midst; the other warriors reach but up to his shoulder." "Who is that
warrior, O Fergus?" asked Ailill. "Rochad son of Fathemon," he answered;
"and it is to bring help to Cuchulain he comes. I know what ye had best do
with him," Fergus continued. "Let a hundred warriors go from ye with the
maiden yonder to the middle of the plain and let the maid go before them,
and let a horseman go tell Rochad to come alone to hold converse with the
maid and let hands be laid on him, and thus shall be removed all fear of
his people from us.[7] Finnabair, [W.4558.] daughter of Ailill and Medb,
perceived that and she went to speak to her mother thereof, even to Medb.
[1]Now it happened that Finnabair loved Rochad. It is he was the fairest
young warrior in Ulster at that time.[1] [2]And Finnabair disclosed her
secret and her love[a] to her mother.[2] "Truly have I loved yonder warrior
for a long time," said she; "and it is he is my sweetheart, [3]my first
love[3] and mine own choice one in wooing [4]of the men of Erin."[4] "An
thou hast [5]so[