Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race

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as shown by the many points they had in common. It is certain that in customs, manner of life, ethics, ideas of religion, and methods of warfare a striking similarity may be seen between the Greeks as described by Homer and the Britons as Julius C?sar knew them, or the Irish as their own legends reveal them. We must expect to find in their myths and legends a certain resemblance of Celtic ideas to Greek ideas; and if the great Ach

, the Iri

of Achilles cannot show, and in reckless courage, power of inspiring dread, sense of personal merit, and frankness of speech the Irish hero is not inferior to the mighty Greek. The way in which Cuchula

th of C

the day on which he was seven he assumed the arms of a warrior, so much greater was he than the sons of mortal men. Cuchulain had overheard his tutor, Cathbad the Druid, say to the older youths, "If any young man take arms to-day, his name will be greater than any other name in Ireland, but his span of life will be short," and as he loved fa

ain's

found in the country, and she became Cuchulain's chosen bride. Gallant was his wooing, and merry and jesting were her answers to his suit, for though Emer loved Cuchulain at first sight she would not accept him at once, and long they talked together. Finally Emer consented to wed Cuchulain when he had undergone certain trials and adventures for a year, and had accomplished certain feats, a test which she imp

iu's

ster, to a feast at his new dwelling, for he felt sure he could find some occasion to stir up strife at a feast. King Conor, however, and the Red Branch heroes, distrusted Bricriu so much that they refused to accept the invitation, unless Bricriu would give su

u's Fa

many words of praise said: "All good be with you, O Laegaire, win

f I will," s

be head of all the champions of

counsel?" as

warrior who obtains it at this feast will be acclaimed Chief Champion of Erin. When the banquet begins do you bid your chariot-driv

aken from me," quoth Laegaire; but B

eets Cona

ch, Cuchulain's cousin, one of

. "You are our defence and shield, and no foe dare face you

up Conall to command his charioteer to claim the Champion's Portion at Bricriu's feast. Very joyous was Bricriu, and very evilly

Meets

joy and darling, the hero of Ulster, the favourite of all the maidens of Ireland, the greatest warrior of our land! We all live in safety under the pro

e it, or slay any bold man who dares

re he made his preparations for receiving the king, as if nothi

t and th

ting at the feast, Bricriu was forced by his sureties to leave the hall, for men f

ast is worth having; let it be g

chulain's, each on behalf of his master; and when no decision was made by King Conor the three heroes claimed it, each for himself. But Laegaire and Conall united in defyi

three, and we will ask King Ailill and Queen Meave of Connaught to say who is the greatest cha

men's

h air, and Bricriu spied his opportunity. Going down from his watch-tower,

eauty, in birth, in dignity, no woman in Ulster is your equal. If you

any other woman. Bricriu next met Lendabair the Favourite, Conall's wife, and gave her similar flattery and

sun outshines the stars, so do you outshine all other women! You should of right enter the house first, for whoever does so will

bands I

, saying, "It is only a woman's quarrel; Bricriu has stirred up enmity among the wives of the heroes"; and as he spoke Emer reached the hall, having suddenly outrun the others; but the doors were shut. Then followed bitter complaints from Fedelm and Lendabair, both united against Emer, as their husbands had been

Journey t

just and wise man, and will find out the best hero by wizardry and enchantments." When Conor had decided thus, Laegaire and Conall, after some disputation as to who should start first, had their chariots got ready and drove towards Cruachan, but Cuchulain stayed amusing himself and the women in Armagh. When his

ain's

ggle between the hero and these magic steeds had been terrible before he had been able to tame them and reduce them to submission; now he had them yoked to his chario

ve furiously t

e Watches

and she wondered greatly to hear thunder from a clear sky; but her fair

the first?" as

d beard, dressed in purple with gold adornments; and his shie

mighty Laegaire, the Storm of War, the Knife of Vict

hair, a man of clear red and white complexion, wearing a white vest and a cloak

ious," quoth Meave. "Small chance

hed with gold, a long white linen cloak, and a white, gold-embroidered hood. His hair is black, his look draws love, his glance sho

in Co

s voice in anger tells the doom of men; his wrath is fatal. Truly we are but dead if we have

that the earth quakes beneath them, and their soun

he wrath of the heroes of Ulster; thus when they arrived at the dun of Cruachan they found t

plains t

thing as it had occurred-the feast, the dispute for the Champion's Portion, the women's quarre

d you to me, for I shall surely incur

judge of all," r

three days and nights-t

therewith the Ulster men returned to Armagh, leaving

Firs

m, and three magic beasts, in the shape of monstrous cats, were let into the room where the heroes feasted. When they saw them Laegaire and Conall rose up from their meal, clambered up among the rafters, and stayed there all night. Cuchulain waited till one attacked hi

to yield the Champi

s cats were let

aegaire. "We are used to fight

econd

also might test them. When they arrived, and had feasted, Laegaire was sent out that night to fight the witch

as the youngest, went last, and he too was being beaten, when the taunts of his chariot-driver, who was watching, aroused him, and he beat the

l's

so much that he fled to Cruachan and told Meave and Ailill that Ercol had killed the other two. When Cuchulain arrived

to Avoid Stri

th of the two disappointed heroes. He and Queen Meave consulted long together, and at length Meave pro

o your wife the right to walk first of all the women of Ulster. In token thereof we give you this cup of bronze with a silver bird embossed, to be seen

hey gave a silver cup, with a bird embossed in gold, and to him they p

en Meave had to entreat him to come to their private room. There they gave him a golden cup, with a bir

n of the

durst ask how they had sped. That evening, at the banquet, when the Champion's Portion was set aside, Laegai

ispute began all over again. King Conor would have allowed Cuchulain's claim, but Laegaire vowed that his rival had bribed Ailill and Meave with great treasures to give him the

pions Vi

e welcomed them, and bade them watch the dun for one night each, beginning with Laegaire, as the eldest. Laegaire took up his sentinel's post outside the dun, and Curoi's wife worke

ghts Laegair

e show of fight; but the giant took him up, squeezed him so tightly as nearly to slay him, and then threw him over the magic wall of the dun, where the others found him lying

aire had done, and likewise did not confess how he had been thrown

ain's

tes and wall were secured by magic spells, so that none could enter. Vainly he watched

nd fell upon the hero; but he fought hard and slew them, and beheaded them. A second and a third time similar groups

Dr

the dun, and seemed ready to devour everything in its way. When the dragon perceived him it soared swiftly into the air, and then gradually sank towards him, opening its terrible jaws. Cuchulain sprang up, giving his wonderful he

owards him, openin

Worsted by

is a bad night." "It will be worse yet for you," said Cuchulain. The giant, as he had done with the other heroes, threw oaks, but just missed him; and when he tried to grapple with him the hero leaped up with drawn sword.

Re-enter

es had jumped over the magic walls. Twice he boldly essayed to leap the lofty wall, and twice he failed; then in his wrath his great strength came upon him, the hero-light

"That is the sigh of a weary conqueror, not of a be

Deci

e Championship should go to Cuchulain? I know by my magic skill what he has

g the People of the Hills who came to conquer us and to give him the Championship.

's wife. So they bade her farewell, and went back to the Red Branch House in Armagh, with the dispute sti

the St

k in the hall they saw a terrible stranger coming into the room. He was gigantic in stature, hideous of aspect, with ravening yellow eyes. He wore a skin roughly sewn together, and a grey cloak over it, and he sheltered hi

to be our candlestick, or would you burn the house down? Is

gs am I come. I seek that which I cannot find in the whole wo

Agre

greement?" ask

lster, heroes of the Red Branch, have won the palm through the wide world for courage, honour, strength, truth, and generosity; do you, therefore, find me a man to keep this agreeme

ced for lack of a man to keep his word," said King

ccepts the

conversation, "there will be a champion this very moment. Stoop down, f

ard that the axe severed the head from the body and struck deep into the block. Then the body of Uath arose, took up the

y of Uat

s all," they whispered, as they looked pityingly at Laegair

and Conal

sound as before the terrible blow, bearing his axe, and eager to return the stroke. Alas! Laegaire's heart had failed him and he did not come, and the st

made a new agreement with Uath. Conall gave a blow which beheaded Uath, but again, when the stranger returne

Accepts th

ster had failed him he again taunted the

Great heroes are you all! Not one among you has bravery enough to face me! Where is that childish youth Cuchulain! A poor mi

hulain, "but I will keep my

is likely, is it not? And you

the deadly axe, and severed the gia

n Stands

led like the others, who now were present. The champion, however, showed no signs of failing or retreat. He sat sorrowfully in

s place till all is over. Death is coming to me very surely, but I

day Uath strode int

Cuchulain?

m," was t

e fear of death lies heavy on you; but at least yo

wards Uath, as he stood with the great a

ion and Cuchu

e block; but Uath was not satisfied. "

said Cuchulain. "Slay me now speedily, f

orm. When the axe came down with a terrific sound all men looked fearfully at Cuchulain. The descending axe had not even touched him; it had come down with the blunt side on the

ay forth, and the Champion's Portion at all feasts; and to your wife I adjudge the first place among all the women of Ulster. Woe to him who dares to dispute this decision!" Thereupon Curoi