The Muster of the Men of Ireland
The Muster of the Men of Ireland Here
Ailill Mac Matae sang that night before the battle, and said: 'Arise, arise,' etc. 2
As for Cuchulainn, this is what is told here now.
'Look for us, O my friend, O Loeg, how the Ulstermen are fighting the battle now.'
'Like men,' said the charioteer.
'Though I were to go with my chariot, and Oen the charioteer of Conall Cernach with his chariot, so that we should go from one wing to the other along the dense mass, neither hoofs nor tyres shall go through it.'
'That is the stuff for a great battle,' said Cuchulainn. 'Nothing must be done in the battle,' said Cuchulainn to his charioteer, 'that we shall not know from you.'
'That will be true, so far as I can,' said the charioteer. 'The place where the warriors are now from the west,' said the charioteer, 'they make a breach in the battle eastwards. Their first defence from the east, they make a breach in the battle westwards.'
'Alas! that I am not whole!' said Cuchulainn; 'my breach would be manifest like the rest.'