Poems MacCarthy, Florence Denis
Poems MacCarthy, Florence Denis
Poems MacCarthy, Florence Denis
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78<br />
Of followers and non-combatants who there<br />
Were with the men of Erin, from the camp<br />
South-westward broke away, and fled the Ford.<br />
At the edge-feat of swords they were engaged<br />
When this surprise occurred, and it was then<br />
Ferdiah an unguarded moment found<br />
Upon Cuchullin, and he struck him deep,<br />
Plunging his straight-edged sword up to the hilt<br />
Within his body, till his girdle filled<br />
With blood, and all the Ford ran red with gore<br />
From the brave battle-warrior's veins outshed.<br />
This could Cuchullin now no longer bear<br />
Because Ferdiah still the unguarded spot<br />
Struck and re-struck with quick, strong, stubborn strokes;<br />
And so he called aloud to Laegh, the son<br />
Of Riangabra, for the dread Gaebulg.<br />
The manner of that fearful feat was this:<br />
Adown the current was it sent, and caught<br />
Between the toes: a single spear would make<br />
The wound it made when entering, but once lodged<br />
Within the body, thirty barbs outsprung,<br />
So that it could not be withdrawn until<br />
The body was cut open where it lay.<br />
And when of the Gaebulg Ferdiah heard<br />
The name, he made a downward stroke of his shield,<br />
To guard his body. Then Cuchullin thrust<br />
The unerring thorny spear straight o'er the rim,<br />
And through the breast-plate of his coat of mail,<br />
So that its farther half was seen beyond<br />
His body, after passing through his heart.<br />
Ferdiah gave an upward stroke of his shield,<br />
His breast to cover, though it was "the relief<br />
After the danger." Then the servant set<br />
The dread Gaebulg adown the flowing stream;<br />
Cuchullin caught it firmly 'twixt his toes,<br />
And from his foot a fearful cast he threw<br />
Upon Ferdiah with unerring aim.<br />
Swift through the well-wrought iron apron guard<br />
It passed, and through the stone which was as large