by the men of Ulster. Thereupon
Celtchar aroused the men of Ulster.

[5-5] Stowe.
[6-6] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

* * * * *

[Page 306]

XXIVa

[1]THE AGITATION OF CELTCHAR[1]

[W.4954.] It was then that Celtchar [2]in his sleep[2] uttered these words
[3]to Conchobar[3] in the midst of the men of Ulster in Iraird Cuillinn
that night:[a]--

"Thirty hundred chariot-men;
An hundred horse-companions stout;
An hundred with an hundred druids!
To lead us will not fail
The hero of the land,
Conchobar with hosts around him!
Let the battle line be formed!
Gather now, ye warriors!
Battle shall be fought
At Garech and Ilgarech
On aftermorrow's morn!"

[1-1] This title is supplied by the present writer.

[2-2] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

[3-3] YBL. 45a, 38.

[a] I can make nothing of the first four lines of the following poem,
and they are consequently omitted from the translation. The translation
of the remainder of the _rosc_ is largely conjectural.

[4]Or it was Cuscraid Menn ('the Stammerer') of Macha, Conchobar's son, who
sang this lay on the night before the battle ...,[b] after the lay 'Arise
ye Kings of Macha' which Loegaire Buadach ('the Victorious ') sang.[4]

[4-4] YBL. 45a, 45-45b, 2.

[b] There is a small gap in the MS.

On that same night Cormac Conlongas, Conchobar's son, spake these words to
the men of Erin at Slemain Mide that night:--

[W.4973.] "A wonder of a morning,
A wondrous [1]time![1]
When hosts will be confused,
[2]Kings[2] turned back in flight!
[3]Necks will be broken,
The sand[a] made red,[3]
When forth breaks the battle,
The seven chieftains before,
Of Ulster's host round Conchobar!
Their women will they defend,
For their herds will they fight
At Garech and Ilgarech,
On the morning after the morrow!
[4]Heroes will be slaughtered then,
Hounds cut to pieces,
Steeds overwhelmed!"[4]

[1-1] YBL. 45b, 7.

[2-2] Reading with YBL. 45b, 8; LL. has 'hosts'.

[3-3] YBL. 45b, 8-9.

[a] Or, 'the sun.'

[4-4] YBL. 45b, 11-14.

On that same night, Dubthach Doel ('the Scorpion')[b] of Ulster [5]saw the
dream wherein were the hosts at Garech and Ilgarech. Then it was[5] he
uttered these words [6]in his sleep[6] among the men of Erin at Slemain
Mide that night:--

"Great be the m