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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So that it could not be withdrawn until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

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