orn,
The morn of Meath!
Great be the truce
The [7]truce[7] of Culenn!

"Great be the fight,
The fight of [8]Clartha![8]
Great, too, the steeds,
The steeds of Assal!

"Great be the plague,
The plague of Tuath-Bressi![c]
Great be the storm,
Ulster's battle-storm round Conchobar!

"Their women will they defend,
For their herds will they fight
At Garech and Ilgarech,
On the morning after the morrow!"

[5-5] YBL. 45b, 4-5.

[6-6] YBL. 45b, 5-6.

[7-7] YBL. 45b, 19.

[8-8] Reading with Stowe.

[b] See note, page 198.

[c] Probably Connacht.

[W.5003.] Then [1]when the hosts were assembled at Garech and Ilgarech,[1]
Dubthach was awakened from his sleep, so that Nemain brought confusion on
the host and they fell trembling in their arms under the points of their
spears and weapons, so that an hundred warriors of them fell dead
[LL.fo.95b.] in the midst of their camp and quarters at the fearfulness of
the shout they raised on high. Be that as it would, that night was not the
calmest for the men of Erin that they passed before or since, because of
the forebodings and predictions and because of the spectres and visions
that were revealed to them.

[1-1] YBL. 45b, 4-5.

* * * * *

[Page 309]

XXV

[1]HERE FOLLOWETH THE ARRAY OF THE HOST[1]

[2]While these things were being done, the Connachtmen by the counsel of
Ailill, Medb, and Fergus, resolved to send messengers from thence to spy
out the men of Ulster, to make certain if they had taken possession of the
plain.[2] [W.5011.] Said Ailill: "Truly have I succeeded," said he, "in
laying waste Ulster and the land of the Picts [3]and Cualnge[3] from Monday
at Summer's end till Spring's beginning. We have taken their women and
their sons and their children, their steeds and their troops of horses,
their herds and their flocks and their droves. We have laid level their
hills after them, so that they have become lowlands and are all one height.
For this cause, will I await them no longer here, but let them offer me
battle on Mag Ai, if so it please them. But, say here what we will, some
one shall go forth [4]from us[4] to watch the great, wide plain of Meath,
to know if the men of Ulster come hither. And, should the men of Ulster
come hither, I will in no wise be the first to retreat [5]till battle be
given them,[5] for it was never the