thou 1and what is thy name1?" asked Medb. "Not hard, in sooth, to say. The prophetess Fedelm, from the Sid ('the Fairy Mound') of Cruachan, 2a poetess of Connacht2 am I." 3"Whence comest thou?" asked Medb. "From Alba, after learning prophetic skill," the maiden made answer. "Hast thou the form of divination?"b "Verily, have I," the maiden said.3 4"Look, then, for me, how will my undertaking be." The maiden looked. Then spake Medb:—4
"Good now,
"Tell, O Fedelm, prophet-maid,
How beholdest thou our host?"
5Fedelm answered and spoke:5
"Crimson-red from blood they are;
I behold them bathed in red!"
6"That is no true augury,"6 said Medb. "Verily, Conchobar 7with the Ulstermen7 is in his 'Pains' in Emain; thither fared my messengers 8and brought me true tidings8; naught is there that we need dread from Ulster's men. But speak truth, O Fedelm:—
"Tell, O Fedelm, prophet-maid,
How beholdest thou our host?"
"Crimson-red from blood they are;
I behold them bathed in red!"
9"That is no true augury.9 Cuscraid Mend ('the Stammerer') of Macha, Conchobar's son, is in Inis Cuscraid ('Cuscraid's Isle') in his 'Pains.' Thither fared my messengers; naught need we fear from Ulster's men. But speak truth, O Fedelm:—
W. 233.
"Tell, O Fedelm, prophet-maid,
How beholdest thou our host?"
"Crimson-red from blood they are;
I behold them bathed in red!"
"Eogan, Durthacht's son, is in Rath Airthir ('the Eastern Rath') in his 'Pains.' Thither went my messengers. Naught need we dread from Ulster's men. But speak truth, O Fedelm:—
"Tell, O Fedelm, prophet-maid,
How beholdest thou our host?"
"Crimson-red from blood they are;
I behold them bathed in red!"
"Celtchar, Uthechar's son, is in his fort 1at Lethglas1 in his 'Pains,' 2and a third of the Ulstermen with him.2 Thither fared my messengers. Naught have we to fear from Ulster's men. 3And Fergus son of Roig son of Eochaid is with us here in exile, and thirty hundred with him.3 But speak truth, O Fedelm:—
"Tell, O Fedelm, prophet-maid,
How beholdest thou our host?"
"Crimson-red from blood they are;
I behold them bathed in red!"
"Meseemeth this not as it seemeth to thee," quoth Medb, "for when Erin's men shall assemble in one place, there quarrels will arise and broils, contentions and disputes amongst them about the ordering of themselves in the van or rear, at ford or river, over who shall be first at killing a boar or a stag or a deer or a hare. But, 4look now again for us and4 speak truth, O Fedelm:—
"Tell, O Fedelm, prophet-maid,
How beholdest thou our host?"
"Crimson-red from blood they are;
I behold them bathed in red!"
Therewith she began to prophesy and to foretell the coming of Cuchulain to the men of Erin, and she chanted a lay:—
W. 255.
"aFair, of deeds, the man I see;
Wounded sore is his fair skin;
On his brow shines hero's light;
Victory's seat is in his face!
"Seven gems of champions brave
Deck the centre of his orbs;
Naked are the spears he bears,
And he hooks a red cloak round!
"Noblest face is his, I see;
He respects all womankind.
Young the lad and fresh his hue,
With a dragon's form in fight!
"I know not who is the Hound,
Culann's hight,b 1of fairest fame1;
But I know full well this host
Will be smitten red by him!
"Four small swords—a brilliant feat—
He supports in either hand;
These he'll ply upon the host,
Each to do its special deed!
"His Gae Bulga,c too, he wields,
With his sword and javelin.
Lo, the man in red cloak girt
Sets his foot on every hill!
"Two spears 2from the chariot's left2
He casts forth in orgy wild.
And his
