This is the story of the Death of Fergus Mac Roig, of the red branch of the mythology Irish.
The Death of Fergus Mac Roig
1. How did the tragic death of Fergus Mac Roig take place? It's not difficult.
Fergus was in exile in Connaught after his honor was trampled on by the sons of Usnech. For he was one of the three sureties given to them, the other two being Dubthach Lazytongue, and Cormac Conlonges the son of Conchobar. They went into exile in the west until the end of fourteen years, and during that time there was mourning and fear in Ulster because of them, but there was mourning and fear every night. It was he who killed Fiachra, son of Conchobar, and Gerg, son of Illand, and Eogan, son of Durtacht. It was by this Fergus meme that the Cooley Cow Raid was conducted. He performed many great deeds while in the house of Ailill and Medb. Three thousand was the number of the company exiled with him. And his companion in the house of Ailill was Lugaid Dalleces, namely Ailill's own brother.
2. One day, after valiant deeds, they went near the lake of the plain of Ai where they established their camp and where they had games and meetings. At one point the whole army went to bathe in the lake. “Come, O Fergus,” said Ailill, “and overwhelm men! – “They are no good in the water,” Fergus said. Nevertheless he went. Medb's heart couldn't take it and she rushed to the lake. Now, as Fergus entered the lake, all the pebbles and gravel at the bottom rose to the surface. So Medb moved until she was against Fergus' chest and she wrapped her legs around him. And he swam around the lake. Jealousy seizes Ailill. Then Medb got out of the lake and walked away.
3. "It's delicious what the deer and the doe do in the lake, O Lugaid! said Ailill. – “Why not kill them? said Lugaid who had never missed his target. “Do you want to aim for them? said Ailill. “Turn my face towards them,” said Lugaid, “and bring me a spear. Fergus was washing in the lake and his chest was turned towards them. Ailill's chariot was brought close to him, Lugaid threw the spear so that it passed through Fergus' back. » The blow went to the goal! said Lugaid. “That's right,” they all said, “it's the end of Fergus. " (the text Irish plays on the meaning of the word bruinne which means both 'end' and 'chest')
4. – “It is distressing,” said Lugaid, “if I killed my foster-brother and companion unintentionally. “Let my chariot be brought in,” said Ailill. The whole army began to flee, each going for the shore, the exiles as well as the men of Connaught. Fergus snatched the spear and threw it at Ailill so that it pierced the greyhound that was between the chariot shafts. So Fergus came out of the lake, went up on the hill, by the side of the lake, there he stood real straight, and his soul left him immediately. And his tomb is still there. And that is the tragic death of Fergus.
