This is the story of the Exile of the sons of Doel Dermait, of the red branch of the mythology Irish.
Exile of the sons of Doel Dermait
1. There was a famous king who ruled over Ulster, it was Conchobar, son of Ness. On his accession, he made a law: each hero will feed the Ulates one night in the year and the king will treat them seven nights plus four nights, - namely the first night of each of the four seasons, - four young lords each time. The women of the Ulates, to begin with, received from the wife of the warrior who gave the feast: seven oxen and seven pigs, seven casks, seven barrels; seven cans, seven pots, seven cups and seven glasses of beer, seven services of fish, birds and assorted vegetables.
2. One night it was Bricriu's turn with the poisonous tongue: it was up to him to give the party. They brought the whole apparatus of the banquet, they filled Conchobar's big barrel with ladders—it had a ladder outside and one inside, which were used to draw water from it. — The carvers of Conchobar rise to serve the food, and the cupbearers to pour the beer. Bricriu with the poisonous tongue sees them from his couch, in the wooden house, circulating on his left in the room. “They will be famous in the future,” he said, “the feats we will do in the hope of a beer for laughs and a meal for laughs. The young warriors remain still, then run in their place and everyone remains silent. Conchobar, with the silver rod he held in his hand, struck the bronze column which rose beside his shoulder, and which was heard echoing from the four corners of the palace of the Red Bough. He asks Bricriu what has happened: "What have you, O Bricriu," said Conchobar, "to stir up difficulties at the moment when the Ulates desire to begin the meal. — "my dear" and venerated Conchobar," replied Bricriu, "I want nothing to eat or drink, but it is not right for the Ulates to enjoy my banquet without having done, to deserve it, some brilliant action. »
3. At these words rise the twelve heroes of Ulster: Fergus, son of Roeg; Conall the Triumphant, son of Amergin; Loégairé the Victor; Cuchulainn, son of Sualdam; Eogan, son of Durrthacht; Celtchar, son of Uthechar, Blai the Host; Ulster Bad-Tongue Dubthach; Ailill Tongue of Honey; Conall Anglonnach; Munremar, son of Gerrgend; Cethern, son of Fintan. Each of these brave heroes rushed at once to search for the dead in each of the five provinces. Cuchulainn went with fifty combatants into the province of Olnecmacht, over the Duff and the Drowes to the black water, in the territory of Ciarraige. They then divided into two troops: twenty-five went along the river to the east, and twenty-five along the river to the west. Those who walked alongside Cuchulainn were Lugaid with the red belts, and Loeg his coachman, son of Riangabair. They went on like this until they came to the ford of Ferthan, north of Gorra-sur-Achad.
4. There were before them Mané, son of Cet, son of Maga, and three hundred companions who were playing around the black water of the ford of Ferthan. With them was Findchoem, daughter of Eocho Rond; this one to the east. Those who met her were Lugaid with red belts, and Loeg, son of Riangabair. The young girls who accompanied her gathered around her on the mound of Duma Tetach. " Grace ! [she exclaimed.] — "Why do we have to pardon you?" Lugaid asked. "It's because I'm somebody's wife," she replied. "We are going to help her," said Mane's young companions. "Who are you looking for?" Lugaid asked. “Cúchulainn, son of Sualdam,” she replied; “I loved him because of the great things people said to me about him. — "It is," resumed Lugaid, "what earns you the benevolence of Cuchulainn, who is there, at sunset." " - " Grace! she cried. Then Cú Chulainn stops and takes the young companions of Mané under his protection, then makes a hero leap while heading east towards her. She rises in front of him, throws her two hands around his neck and gives him a kiss. " And now? asked Lugaid and Loeg. - " Now? said Cuchulainn. “We have enough deeds: we have three hundred young people to protect and the daughter of the king of O'Mané to take with us to Emain-Macha. »
5. Thereupon Cuchulainn, Lugaid, and Loeg, taking Findchoem with them, rushed northward through the dark night, until they reached the Manach wood, where they saw three fires before them in the forest and nine warriors around each fire. Cuchulainn attacked these warriors; he killed three men, near each fire, and the three chiefs. Then he crossed Mog Ford and headed towards Cruachan Castle through the plain of Ae. There they uttered their cries of victory, so that they were heard even to the castle of Cruachan. Then Cruachan's watchman came up to examine them. He described the stature, appearance and manner of each. 'I do not recognize them,' said Medb, 'unless it be here Cuchulainn, son of Sualdam, with his pupil Lugaid in the red girdles, and with Loeg, son of Riangabair; there Findchoem, daughter of Eocho Rond, king of the O'Mané. Happy is he who possesses it, if it is with the consent of his father and his mother; woe to him if he took it in spite of them! »
6. Thereupon Cuchulainn and his companions go to the gate of the fortress and utter a cry of victory. "Somebody get out," said Medb, "to find out who these young warriors have killed!" So they came, on behalf of Ailill and Medb, to ask for the heads to recognize them. The heads were carried inside the fortress. “Do you recognize them? asked Ailill and Medb. "We don't recognize them," replied the servants. "I recognize them," said Medb; “These are the heads of the three brigands who were constantly looting us. Carry them outside, to the palisade. We go outside to tell Cuchulainn about it. “I swear it by the oath that my nation swears: I will make the palisade dance over their heads, if my heads are not brought back to me. So his heads were brought back to him, Cuchulainn and his companions were introduced into the guest house.
7. In the morning, Cuchulainn gets up first, takes all his weapons with him and goes to lean against a high stone. The watchman, being at his post that morning, heard in the countryside, towards the south, a dull noise, like the rolls of thunder. He informed Medb. “What is that noise? Medb asked. "Say it yourself," replied the young men; “You know that better than anyone. — "I don't understand what it could be," said Medb, "unless it's the 0'Mané who come down there, in the south, in the footsteps of their daughter." Look again. The lookout looks again. “In fact,” he said, “I see on the plain, to the south, such a cloud that men do not see each other. — "I recognize that," said Medb; it is the breath of the horses and the men of the 0'Mané who come in search of their daughter. Look again! said Medb. “I see,” replied the lookout, “glimmers of fire from the ford of Mog to the mountain of Badgné. It's up to you to explain it, oh Medb! — "It is not difficult," said Medb; “It's the brilliance of the weapons and the eyes of the 0'Mané in the footsteps of their daughter. »
8. At this moment, they saw a troop in the plain, and, at the head, a hero: on his chest a purple mantle, adorned with four golden fringes and which surrounded him four times; on his back a shield with eight brass circles; around him a tunic with silver embroidery, from the knees to the heels; from his head a hair, the color of brass, descended to the flanks of his horse; in his hair a chain of gold, weighing six ounces, hence his name of Eocho Rond; under him a yellow-spotted horse, with a golden bridle; in his hand two javelins adorned with brass nails; in his belt a sword with a golden hilt; finally, at his side, an enchanted spear.
9. No sooner has he seen Cúchulainn than he throws down his spear. against him. Cuchulainn places a charm in front of the spear: the spear turns against Eocho and passes through his horse's neck. The horse rears up and throws its rider down. Cuchulainn comes to him, seizes him in his arms and carries him into the square. It was a dishonor for the O'Manés. Medb and Ailill did not let Eocho and Cú Chulainn go until they had made peace between them. But when Cú Chulainn was about to leave, Eocho said to him: "May you have no rest, neither sitting nor lying down, O Cú Chulainn, until you know what cause brought the three sons of forgotten Doel! »
10. Thereupon Cuchulainn goes to Emain Macha, carrying with him the heads of the warriors he has slain, and his companions relate his adventures. Then he returns to his bench and begins to drink. It seemed to him that his clothes were burning on his body, that the house was burning around him, that the ground was burning under his feet. Addressing those around him: “I believe well,” he said, “young people, that I feel an effect of the curse pronounced against me by Eocho Rond. I will die if I don't get out of here. »
11. Cúchulainn goes outside, after having taken up his arms. Loeg and Lugaid with red belts follow him. At the gate of the square he found himself before a band of nine bronze workmen. They hadn't received their portion of meat and beer, we didn't know they were outside. When they saw Cúchulainn approaching them, they said: “It is fitting that they come and bring us food and drink from the king. — "Do you take me for a steward?" cried Cuchulainn. He rushes at them and cuts off their nine heads.
12. It departs from Emain Macha towards the south-east and advances to the place where the mountain of the rider now stands, that is to say Armagh: it was then a forest. The blacksmiths of Conchobar were there busy with work they did for the king. They were counting on spending the night without eating or drinking. When they saw the three warriors advancing towards them, "It is fitting," they said, "that they bring us food and drink from the king." — "Do you take me for a steward?" cried Cuchulainn. He rushes at them and cuts off their nine heads. Then he moves away and, heading east towards the shore, comes face to face with Dun Delca.
13. The king's sonScotland had just arrived there with a troop of sailors bringing satin, silk and drinking horns for Conchobar. The latter sent his people to meet them, but they did not go as far as the ship. When the sailors saw Cûchulainn approaching them: “It is fitting,” they said, “that someone should come to meet us. The waves and the reefs have tired us so much!” — “Do you take me for a steward?” » replied Cuchulainn. He rushes upon them in the vessel and cuts off all the heads, until he comes to the king's son.- "Mercy, O Cuchulainn," he cried; “that’s because we didn’t recognize you. » — “Do you know what cause caused the three sons of the forgotten Doel to leave their country? » asked Cuchulainn. “I do not know,” replied the young warrior; “but I possess a seafaring charm; I will give it to you, you will have my ship, and you will no longer be in ignorance. » Cûchulainn gave him his spear, engraved an inscription on it in ogamic characters, and said to him: “Leave and go to my bench, at Emain Macha. » The son of the king of Scotland took his baggage and advanced across the country, until they came to meet him.
14. Cúchulainn installed himself on the ship, spread the sails and left. He sailed one day and one night and anchored near a large island. This island was very beautiful and of an imposing aspect: all around, a silver rampart and above a brazen palisade; inside, houses whose roof was supported by brass beams. Cuchulainn advances into the island and enters the fortress. He sees there a house with brass columns and a hundred and fifty beds in this house; a chessboard, a checkerboard and a harp near each bed. He sees, moreover, in this abode, a white-haired [royal] couple [Riangabair and Finnabair] dressed in cloaks of purple with dark red-gold pins on these cloaks; finally three young women, all three of the same age, of the same beauty, and gold lace with a brass weave in front of each of them.
15. The king greeted Cuchulainn and his companions in a friendly way: “Welcome among us, O Cuchulainn, for Lugaid's sake; welcome, O Loeg, on account of your father and your mother! The women made the same greeting. "We are delighted," replied Cuchulainn; “Never, until now, have we found a friendly welcome. "You will find him today," said the king. "Do you know," asked Cuchulainn, "what caused the sons of Doel the Forgotten to leave their country?" — "I shall know," said the king, "their sister and their brother-in-law are on the island which is over there to the south." There were three pieces of iron in front of the fire; they were thrown in, they turned red, then the three young women got up and each of them put one in the vat. Cúchulainn, Lugaid and Loeg all three went into the tub and bathed there, then they were brought three drinking horns full of mead, they were given a bed, on the bed a blanket and a variegated plaid.
16. No sooner were they there than they heard the sound of arms, the sound of the horn and the tumult of the jugglers. Then they saw fifty warriors advancing towards the house, bringing twenty-five pigs and twenty-five oxen, each carrying a cup of hazelnut mead. So they looked at those fifty warriors outside. They then saw that there was another man with them, and each one was carrying a load of firewood on his back, except only this man who was at the head of them. He wore a purple cloak going around his chest five times and fastened with a golden pin, a hooded tunic of dazzling whiteness and embroidered with red; he had a spear and a javelin, he held in his hand a sword with a golden hilt. He entered the house in front of his people and welcomed Cuchulainn: “Welcome among us, O Cuchulainn, for Lugaid's sake; welcome among us, O Loeg, because of your father and your mother! »
17. The fifty brave warriors made the same wish to Cuchulainn, to Lugaid and to Loeg. Then they brought the pigs and the oxen and put them in the boilers until they were cooked. A meal for one hundred people was served to Cuchulainn and his two companions, and the rest was distributed to the other warriors. Beer was brought to them until they were drunk. Then came to them a desire: "How will Cuchulainn sleep?" [he said]. "Do I have a choice?" said Cuchulainn. "You have it," replied the hero; “Here are Riangabair's three daughters: Eithné, Etan and Etain. Also here are their three brothers: Eochaid, Aed and Oengus; their father Riangabair and their mother Finnabair, storyteller of Riangabair. The brothers are better known as Loeg, Id and Sedlang.
18 Cuchulainn sang two lines;
"I don't know who Etan will sleep with,
But I know very well that the white Etan will not sleep alone. "
She slept with him, and in the morning he gave her a gold ring that weighed half an ounce. Then we went to accompany him until he saw in the distance the island where Condla the Thin, called Corrbacc, lived and Achtland [his wife], daughter of the forgotten Doel. He rows towards the island, and with each movement he imparts to his boat, it rises to the height of the summit of the island.
19. Condla the Slender was on the island, her head leaning against a high stone to the west of the island, her feet against another high stone to the east of the island, and Achtland was cleaning her head. . When he heard the sound of the ship coming towards land, he got up and blew in front of him with such violence that a wave rose on the sea. His breath came back against him. Thereupon Cuchulainn spoke to him, and Condla the Slender answered him: “However great your anger may be, heroes who come yonder, we do not fear you; the soothsayers did not announce that this island was to be ravaged by you. Come to the island, and you will be welcome. »
20. Then Cu Chulainn landed on the island. Achtland welcomed him and waved. “Do you know,” asked Cúchulainn, “what caused the sons of forgotten Doel to leave their country? – “I know it,” said Achtland, “and I will go with you, that you will find them, for it has been announced that their salvation will come from you. Achtland got up and walked into the ship, near them.
21 Her husband sang verses:
“What does this senseless journey mean, O woman!
What are you going to do on the seas?
Because [he is not sure]
May the ship that carries you lead you pleasantly to port. »
22. Achtland answered singing:
"Condla the Thin,
My goal is beyond the seas;
A burning desire sets my heart ablaze:
I want to save [my nephews] sons from forgotten Doel;
Their memory was so quickly lost! "
23. Achtland therefore entered the ship, gave a sign of the eye, then informed Cuchulainn and his companions of what it was important for them to know. “Look at that white rampart over there,” she said, “that's where Coirpré le Beau is. "Doel's brother forgot him," they replied. They then saw the white rampart, and found two women who were there busy cutting rushes. Cuchulainn addresses these women and asks them: "What is the name of this country where I am arriving?" One of the women stood up and sang the following:
24. “The country you have just approached here,
Troops of couriers graze there in the plain;
Seven kings are at ease there, occupying their domain;
Seven wins are there hovering over each of them.
Seven rulers around dominate the shore.
You think that's where our greatness ends.
To each sovereign seven women obey,
At the feet of each woman a king pays homage to her.
To our kings, seven herds of couriers, seven armies,
Seven victories near them watching over their states;
In front of our sovereigns speaks the right of combat
Seven defeats fleeing to the sea pushed back.
For each of our kings, a great fight in the plain;
For each sovereign, seven fights. A thief
Can't get out of here; when such is the greatness
From a country, to come there is a vain pretension.
The country you have just approached in these places,
Troops of couriers graze there in the plain;
Seven kings are at ease there, occupying their domain;
Seven wins are there hovering over each of them.
25. At these words, Cuchulainn rushed at her and gave her such a blow on the head that the brains jumped out above the ears. “It's a bad deed you just did,” the other woman told him, “but it was predicted that you would come here to do harm. Woe to me for not having been the one to whom you spoke. — "I address it to you now," said Cuchulainn. What is the name of the men who are here? “It is easy to say: Dian, son of Lugaid; Leo, son of Iachtan; Eogan at Blanc-Coursier, Fiachna Fuath, Coirpré le Beau, Cond Sidi, Senach Salderc. »
They are looking for the red fight;
They fight bloody battles,
With twenty flank wounds,
With troops of heroes,
With countless assaults. »
26. Thereupon they went towards the fortress, and Loeg took the woman's cloak on his back until they came to the front of the enclosure. The woman then leaves them, enters the fortress and tells what has been done to them. "They have not done badly," said Coirpré le Beau; "That's exactly what they would do to people of a lunatic." He rushes outside. Cúchulainn attacked him, and they fought from morning until the end of the day, and neither gained the slightest advantage over the other. One after another their swords prevailed; one after another their shields shattered. "It is true," said Cuchulainn. And he took his Gai bulge. “Grace, O Cuchulainn! said Coirpré le Beau. And he throws his weapons away from him; he takes Cúchulainn in his arms, whom he carries into the city, for whom he prepares a bath, and near whom the king's daughter slept that night. Cúchulainn asked him: “What is the cause that brought out of their country [your nephews], the sons of the forgotten Doel? Coirpré le Beau told him the whole story, from beginning to end.
27. The next day Coirpré le Beau is informed that Eocho Glass is coming to give him battle. Coirpré and Cûchulainn go towards the valley to meet Eocho Glass, the strong warrior. “Has anyone come to the valley? O poor warriors,” said Eocho Glass. "Somebody came there," replied Cuchulainn. "It is not a pleasant voice," said Eocho Glass, "than the voice of the grimacing hero of Ireland." They come to blows in the valley. Cuchulainn leaps up and stands on the edge of his opponent's shield. His adversary, with his powerful breath, pushes him back into the sea. Cúchulainn leaps up again and finds himself on the hump of Eocho's shield. Eocho's breath throws him back into the sea. Cúchulainn leaps up and finds himself on Eocho's body. Eocho's breath pushes him away, and Cuchulainn falls into the sea. “Woe to me! cried Cuchulainn. He then throws his Gai bulge upwards, which falls on Eocho's chainmail helm, goes through his head and crashes into the ground. Eocho spins around and falls stretched out.
28. Cuchulainn comes to him, takes off his chainmail helm which descends to his shoulders, and cuts off his head with his sword. From east and west rushed into the valley the side whom Eocho had outraged, they bathed in his blood, and all washed away their outrage. Then the sons of forgotten Doel leave for their country. Cúchulainn goes with Coirpré into the fortress. He spent the night there and left in the morning, carrying large and magnificent presents that Coirpré had given him. He returns to the island, where Condla and his wife were, and tells them of his adventures. Then he headed north, until he reached the island where Riangabair was; he slept there with Riangabair's wife, and told his story to her and her husband. He left in the morning to land in the land of the Ulates. He went to Emain-Macha. He had been kept his share of beer and food. Then he related his adventures and his travels to Conchobar and the brave heroes of Ulster in the palace of the Red Bough.
29. Then he went to the castle of Cruachan, to Ailill, to Medb and to Fergus, and he told them what had happened to him. Then Eocho Rond was summoned, and Cuchulainn sang:
“Prince Eocho Rond, Findchoem your daughter here.
It was she who caused my hazardous journey.
With Eocho dit Glas, I had a hard fight.
Well ! I repent, I aspire to marriage!
I see nine artisans, I see nine blacksmiths;
Their only fault was that we met them.
Then I see nine merchants - sad worried mood!
Driven by fury, I cut off their heads.
I reach the island of Doel at daybreak.
From the fierce Coirpré I approach the stay.
We come to blows; — it is a dark cloud,
And my sharp sword strikes countless blows.
My fight with Coirpré, it's a fight of death
On the seashore, the vast gray plain.
His sword, then mine, seems to decide the fate;
Then it's his shield, then mine that breaks.
After that, my fight with the beautiful Coirpré,
Without shields, is only a moment to last.
Then peace, sleep; it was a short while.
In the morning, Eocho Glass in combat awaits us.
He struck a hundred blows on my bloody sword.
Everywhere I have triumphed over senseless perils.
Then I came back to this shining star,
Who guided me everywhere in the midst of dangers.
What you were asking, now I know;
The sons of the forgotten taught me well,
And the wicked Coirpré whom I had spared.
But, thinking of Findchoem, I felt regret. »
Prince Eocho Rond, Findchoem your daughter here,
It was she who caused my hazardous journey.
With Eocho dit Glas, I had a hard fight.
Well ! I repent, I aspire to marriage!
Thereupon Cuchulainn made peace with Eocho Rond, and Findchoem, daughter of Eocho, remained with Cuchulainn, who went to Emain-Macha with a large triumphal escort.
The reader understands why this story is called: “Festin de Bricriu. It is also given the title: "Exile of the sons of the forgotten Doel." »
