When the man with all his
force, fury, and venom had discharged his last shaft and seen it,
too, shoot screaming beneath the aerial feet of the hero, he
roared so terribly that the shores and waters of the Boyne and the
surrounding woods and groves returned a hollow moan, and, laying
his right hand on the hand-grip of his sword, he rushed upon
Cuculain. At that moment Cuculain poised the broad-bladed spear of
Concobar Mac Nessa and cast it at the man, who was now very near,
and came rushing on like a storm, having his vast sword drawn and
flashing. That cast no one could rightly blame whether as to force
or direction, for the brazen blade caught the son of Nectan full
on breast under the left pap and tore through his thick and strong
armour and burst three rib bones, and fixed itself in his heart,
so that he fell first upon his knees, stumbling forward, and then
rolled over on the plain and a torrent of black blood gushed from
his mouth and nostrils.
"That was indeed a brave cast," said Laeg, "for the coat is the
thickness of seven bulls' hides, and plated besides, and the rib-
bones, through which Concobar's great spear impelled by thee hath
burst his victorious way, are stronger than the thigh-bones of a
horse; but pluck out the spear now, for it is beyond my power to
do so, and stand well upon thy guard, for the two combats past
will be as child's play to that which now awaits thee.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181