Myths and legends ; the Celtic race . hus harrying the host, andhis boyish deeds, some of which have been already toldin this narrative, are recounted. The Charioteei* of Orlam The host proceeded on its way next day, and thenext encounter with Cuchulain shows the hero in akindlier mood. He hears a noise of timber being cut,and going into a wood he finds there a charioteerbelonging to a son of Ailell and Maev cutting downchariot-poles of holly, tor, says he, we havedamaged our chariots sadly in chasing that famous deer,Cuchulain. Cuchulain—who, it must be remembered,was at ordinary times a slig
Myths and legends ; the Celtic race . hus harrying the host, andhis boyish deeds, some of which have been already toldin this narrative, are recounted. The Charioteei* of Orlam The host proceeded on its way next day, and thenext encounter with Cuchulain shows the hero in akindlier mood. He hears a noise of timber being cut,and going into a wood he finds there a charioteerbelonging to a son of Ailell and Maev cutting downchariot-poles of holly, tor, says he, we havedamaged our chariots sadly in chasing that famous deer,Cuchulain. Cuchulain—who, it must be remembered,was at ordinary times a slight and unimposing figure,though in battle he dilated in size and underwent afearful distortion, symbolic of Berserker fury—helpsthe driver in his work. Shall I, he asks, cut thepoles or trim them for thee ^ Do thou the trim-ming, says the driver. Cuchulain takes the poles bythe tops and draws them against the set of the branchesthrough his toes, and then runs his fingers down themthe same way, and gives them over as smooth and208. Cuchulain in Battle J. C. Leyendecker 208 THE BATTLE^FRENZY OF CUCHULAIN polished as if they were planed by a carpenter. Thedriver stares at him. I doubt this work I set thee tois not thy proper work,* he says. Who art thouthen at all ? I am that Cuchulain of whom thouspakest but now.* Surely I am but a dead man,**says the driver. Nay,** replies Cuchulain, I slaynot drivers nor messengers nor men unarmed. But run,tell thy master Orlam that Cuchulain is about to visithim.** The driver runs off, but Cuchulain outstripshim, meets Orlam first, and strikes off his head. Fora moment the host of Maev see him as he shakes thisbloody trophy before them ; then he disappears fromsight—it is the first glimpse they have caught of theirpersecutor. The BattlcFrenzy of Cuchulain A number of scattered episodes now follow. Thehost of Maev spreads out and devastates the territoriesof Bregia and of Murthemney, but they cannot advancefurther into Ulster. Cuchulain h
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectcelticl, bookyear1910
