Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Táin Bó Cúalnge from the Book of Leinster (Author: [unknown])
section 10
Then there rose up a great and valiant warrior of Medb's
household, called Nath Crantail, and he came to attack Cú
Chulainn. He scorned to bring with him any arms except thrice
nine spits of holly which were sharpened, charred and pointed by
fire. And Cú Chulainn was on the pond before
him.And as for the pond, it was not safe but there were
nine spits fixed in it, and Cú Chulainn used not to miss a
single spit of them.Then Nath Crantail cast a spit at
Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn stepped on to the upper
point of the spit which Nath Crantail had cast. Nath Crantail
cast a second spit. He cast a third spit and Cú Chulainn
stepped from the tip of the second spit on to the tip of the last
spit.
Then the flock of birds flew out of the plain. Cú
Chulainn pursued them as swift as any bird,
that they might not escape him but might leave him that evening's
meal. For what sufficed
p.186
{line 1708-1742}
and served Cú Chulainn on the Foray of
Cúailnge was fish and fowl and venison. However
Nath Crantail was sure that Cú Chulainn fled in defeat
from him, so he went forward to the door of the tent of Medb and
Ailill and lifted up his voice: This famous Cú Chulainn
of whom ye speak said Nath Crantail, has fled in rout
before me just now. We knew said Medb, that that
would happen, and that if only goodly heroes and warriors came to
meet him, the young and beardless sprite would not withstand
resolute men. For when a goodly warrior came to him, he did not
hold out against him but was routed by him. Fergus heard that
and he was greatly grieved that any man should taunt Cú
Chulainn with having fled. And Fergus told Fiachu mac Fir Aba to
go and speak with Cú Chulainn. And tell him that it was
seemly for him to attack the hosts as long as he performed deeds
of valour upon them but that it were fitter for him to hide
himself rather than to flee before a single warrior from among
them. Then Fiachu came to speak with Cú Chulainn.
Cú Chulainn bade him welcome. I trust that welcome, but
I have come to speak to you from your fosterfather Fergus. He
said that it was seemly for you to attack the hosts as long as
you did deeds of valour but that it were more fitting for you to
hide yourself than to flee before a single man of their
warriors. Why, who among you boasts of that? asked
Cú Chulainn. Nath Crantail said Fiachu. Why, do
you not know, you and Fergus and the nobles of Ulster, that I do
not wound charioteers or messengers or folk unarmed? No weapons
had Nath Crantail, only a wooden spit, and I would not wound him
until he had a weapon. Tell him to come to me here early in the
morning tomorrow and I shall not flee from him. It seemed
long to Nath Crantail until it was bright day for him to attack
Cú Chulainn. Early on the morrow he came to attack him.
Cú Chulainn rose early on that day, and a fit of rage came
on him, and he angrily cast a fold of his cloak around him so
that it wrapped itself round the pillarstone, and he dragged the
pillarstone out of the ground between himself and his cloak. And
he knew nothing of this because of the greatness of his rage, and
he became distorted. Then came Nath Crantail and said: Where
is this Cú Chulainn? Over yonder said Cormac
Cond Longas mac Conchobuir. That is not how he appeared to me
yesterday said Nath Crantail. Then repel yon warrior
said Cormac and it is the same as if you repelled Cú
Chulainn.
p.187
{line 1743-1779}
Then Nath Crantail came and cast his sword at Cú
Chulainn, and it struck the pillarstone which was between
Cú Chulainn and his cloak, and the sword broke on the
pillarstone. Cú Chulainn jumped from the ground to the top
of the boss of Nath Crantail's shield and dealt him a return blow
past the top of the shield and cut off his head from his trunk.
Quickly he raised his hand again and dealt him another blow on
the top of the trunk and cut him into two severed parts down to
the ground. Thus fell Nath Crantail by the hand of Cú
Chulainn. Thereafter Cú Chulainn said:
If Nath Crantail has fallen, there will be increase of
strife. Alas that battle cannot now be given to Medb with a third
of the host!