Page:The ancient Irish epic tale, Táin bó Cúalnge (Dunn).djvu/414

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368
Táin Bó Cúalnge

W. 6192. there the liver of the Whitehorned. [1]Some [2]learned men[2] say, it is from the liver of the Whitehorned which fell from the Brown of Cualnge, that Ath Truim ('Liverford') is called.[1]

He raised his head haughtily and shook the remains of the Whitehorned from him over Erin. He sent its hind leg away from him to Port Largè ('Port of the Hind Leg'). He sent its ribs from him to Dublin, which is called Ath Cliath ('Ford of the Ribs' or 'of the Hurdles').

He turned his face northwards then, [3]and went on thence to the summit of Sliab Breg, and he saw the peaks[3] and knew the land of Cualnge, [4]and a great agitation came over him at the sight of his own land and country,[4] and he went his way towards it. In that place were women and youths and children lamenting the Brown Bull of Cualnge. They saw the Brown of Cualnge's forehead approaching them. "The forehead of a bull cometh towards us!" they shouted. Hence is Taul Tairb ('Bull's Brow') ever since. [5]Then he went on the road of Midluachar to Cuib, where he was wont to be with the yeld cow of Darè, and he tore up the earth there. Hence cometh Gort Buraig ('Field of the Trench').[5]

*LL. fo. 104b.*Then turned the Brown of Cualnge on the women and youths and children of the land of Cualnge, and [6]with the greatness of his fury and rage[6] he effected a great slaughter [7]amongst them.[7] He turned his back to the hill then and his heart broke in his breast, even as a nut breaks, [8]and he belched out his heart like a black stone of dark blood.[8] [9]He went then and died between Ulster and Ui Echach at Druim Tairb. Druim Tairb ('Bull's Back') is the name of that place.[9]

  1. 1.0 1.1 H. 1. 13 and Add.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Add.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
  5. 5.0 5.1 YBL. 53a, 26-28.
  6. 6.0 6.1 H. 1. 13 and Add.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Translating from Stowe.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.
  9. 9.0 9.1 YBL. 53a, 28-29.