Text items (beta)

§§ 3–4

§ 3. Conchobar suggests that if a boy could perform such feats (§ 2), then the adult men of the island from which he has come would be able to pulverise them. He orders that someone should meet the boy and prevent him from setting foot on land.

The duty falls on Condere mac Echach, because Conchobar regards him as a man gifted with good sense (cíall) and eloquence (erlabrae).

§ 4. Condere meets the boy just as the latter arrives on the strand. Condere tells him to halt and to make his destination and kindred (cenél) known to him. The boy refuses to do so.

Agents

Condere mac EchachCondere mac Echach

Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

See more Connla mac AífeConnla (var. Connláech) or Conla; or Óenfir Aífe (‘Aífe’s only son’)
son of Cú Chulainn and Aífe; tragically killed in single combat by his honour-bound father
See more Conchobar mac NessaConchobar mac Nessa
Conchobar mac Nessa
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
king of the Ulaid in tales of the Ulster Cycle; son either of Cathbad or Fachtna Fáthach (father) and Ness (mother); husband of Mugain; father of Cormac Cond Longas, Cúscraid Mend Macha, Furbaide Fer Bend and Fedelm Noíchrothach; fosterfather of Cú Chulainn.
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Places

Tráig ÉiseTráig Éise

No description available

§ 5.

The boy turns away [as a sign of hostility?], but Condere utters a retoiric, beg. Tinta frim, a mo maic, in which he tries to assuage the boy.

Although the address is obscure and corrupt in the manuscript, it may be tentatively summarised as follows:

The boy is addressed as a mighty hero, with the ‘pride’ (ardán) of an Ulster warrior.
There is no need for him to oppose the Ulaid. In fact, he should turn to Condere, to Conchobar mac Nessa and to other men of the Ulster court: Sencha mac Ailella [with mac coscra co ilcloin emended to mac coscrach Oilella], Cethern mac Fintain, Amirgin n-éices, Cúscraid [MS: Cumscraid], Conall Cernach and Blaí Briugaid. He would be welcomed by them and receive the king’s protection.
Condere has come to detain the youth (?).

The boy responds with a retoiric of his own (beg. Rotbía-so didiu t-acallam):

He boasts about the feats which he performed earlier; with the variant detail that he has used little spears to strike the birds, without any need for the salmon’s leap.
He does not allow anyone to overcome him.
He tells Condere to go back and ask the Ulaid if they will challenge him to single combat or bring a host to oppose him. Condere himself is advised to return because he is no match for him.

Condere suggests that someone else should converse with the boy and goes off.

Devices

retoiric or rosc(ad)metrical forms
retoiric or rosc(ad)

id. 27794

non-rhymed, usually alliterative type of verse; typically known for being cryptic or abstruse

Agents

Condere mac EchachCondere mac Echach

Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

See more Connla mac AífeConnla (var. Connláech) or Conla; or Óenfir Aífe (‘Aífe’s only son’)
son of Cú Chulainn and Aífe; tragically killed in single combat by his honour-bound father
See more Conchobar mac NessaConchobar mac Nessa
Conchobar mac Nessa
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
king of the Ulaid in tales of the Ulster Cycle; son either of Cathbad or Fachtna Fáthach (father) and Ness (mother); husband of Mugain; father of Cormac Cond Longas, Cúscraid Mend Macha, Furbaide Fer Bend and Fedelm Noíchrothach; fosterfather of Cú Chulainn.
See more Sencha mac AilellaSencha mac Ailella

Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

See more Cethern mac FintainCethern mac Fintain
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
an old chariot-warrior of the Ulstermen in an episode of the Táin bó Cúailnge (recensions I and II)
See more Amairgen mac EccitAmairgen mac Eccit (Salaig)
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
(chief) poet of the Ulaid in the Ulster Cycle of tales; son of Eccet Salach
See more Cúscraid Mend MachaCúscraid Mend Macha
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
warrior in the Ulster Cycle, son of the Ulster king Conchobar mac Nessa.
See more Conall CernachConall Cernach
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
Warrior of the Ulaid in the Ulster Cycle; son of Amergin and Findchóem. In Irish genealogies, he is presented as an ancestor of the kings of the Dál nAraidi and the Uí Echach Coba.
See more Blaí BriuguBlaí Briugu
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
hostel-keeper (briugu) in the Ulster Cycle of tales
See more UlaidUlaid
A people and kingdom in early Ireland, from which the province of Ulster takes its name.

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Places

Tráig ÉiseTráig Éise

No description available

Included

Beg. Tinta frim, a mo maic (retoiric) • Rotbía-so didiu t-acallam (retoiric)

Verse beg. Tinta frim, a mo maic, attributed to: Condere mac EchachCondere mac Echach

Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

Retoiric.

Verse beg. Rotbía-so didiu t-acallam, attributed to: Connla mac AífeConnla (var. Connláech) or Conla; or Óenfir Aífe (‘Aífe’s only son’)
son of Cú Chulainn and Aífe; tragically killed in single combat by his honour-bound father
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Retoiric.