Page:The Celtic Review volume 3.djvu/28

 Rh hastily left the place. He fared forward lightly and speedily from the field over brushwood, grass, and water; and halted not in his race until he reached the Bath of Cruachan Ai. And he found Meare and Oilill before him in their well-ordered banqueting-house. When he arrived he threw himself down dead lifeless across the floor. Meave and Oilill asked his news. He told them wildly that the Dubloinges were slain, and that Fergus and Dubthach and Angus were prisoners; 'and I alone am the only living son of woman or man among all the Ultonians who went on that expedition,' said Bricne. 'Who would dare to do such deeds,' said Maeve, 'and who could compass the slaughter of such high-spirited men with their numerous battalions and champions?' 'I saw no one there, of a truth,' replied he, 'save the people of the king, and I have never seen a king's household higher in courage or greater in number than they. And if you had not forsaken us, Meave,' added Bricne, 'neither the men of Domnann nor the Gamhanraidh could harm us ought.' And as they spoke thus, they said the lay:—

'In this guise, O enduring Bricne, Whence your toilsome journey? Your white lips seem almost An omen of grave tidings.'

'I have terrible tidings; We were taken at disadvantage; All the Ultonians have fallen With the descendant of Ros of Rugraide.'

'Who would dare, who did dare, Who did the mighty smiting? Considering your brave battalions. Who could compass your slaughter?'

'I saw none there of a truth. Save only the king's household, I never saw up till now A royal household more powerful.

'You who devised this ambuscade,' I say it to your face, Meave, 'If you had not betrayed us A troop of Domnanns would not dare to attack us.'