Cuchullain : The Wooing of Emer

A great and famous king, Conchobor son of Fachtna Fathach, once ruled in Emain Macha, and his reign was one of peace and prosperity and abundance and order. His house, the Red Branch, built in the likeness of the Tech Midchuarta in Tara, was very impressive, with nine compartments from the fire to the wall, separated by thirty-foot-high bronze partitions. It had a wooden floor and a tiled roof, and inside there were carvings of red yew. Conchobor's own compartment was in the front of the house, and had a silver ceiling, supported by bronze pillars with golden headpieces inlaid with carbuncles. The light from these glittering fittings meant that inside the house, night was as bright as day.

Hanging from the roof was a silver gong. Whenever Conchobor hit the gong with his royal rod, all the men of Ulster fell silent. There were stalls for twelve chariot-chiefs around the king's compartment. All the bravest warriors were welcome inside at times of feasting, and none would crowd the other. Lavish gatherings were held there of all the splendid warriors of Ulster: games were played, songs were sung, and feats performed. Once, the men of Ulster were there in Emain Macha, drinking from Conchobor's great vat, the iIern-Gual, 'Iron Chasm' or 'Iron Coal'. It could satisfy all the Ulstermen at one sitting, and it would be filled a hundred times every evening. The chariot-chiefs - including: Conall Cernach, son of Amergin; Fergus mac Róich, bravest of the brave; Lóegaire Búadach, son of Connad; Celtchar, son of Uthechar; Dubthach, son of Lugaid; Cuchullain, son of Súaltam; and Scel, son of Barnene, who was the warder of Emain Macha and a great storyteller - 'a story of Scel's' is proverbial - performed their feats on ropes stretched from door to door. They performed the spear feat, the apple feat and the feat of the sword-edge, and Cuchullain outdid them all at feats of skill and speed. The women of Ulster loved Cuchullain for these skills, as well as his looks and the sweetness of his speech. In his kingly eyes were seven bright jewels - four in one eye, three in the other. He had seven fingers on each hand, and seven toes on each foot. He had the gift of prudence (until his warrior's flame came upon him), the gift of feats, the gifts of buanfach and fidchell, the gifts of calculating, prophesy, discernment, and beauty. He had only three faults - that he was too young (his beard had not yet grown, and the other youths gave him a bit of stick about that), too daring, and too beautiful. The men of Ulster got together to discuss Cuchullain, for all their wives and daughters loved him. He didn't have a wife of his own, so they decided to find a maiden whom he would be happy to woo. They figured that a married man would be less likely to ruin their daughters or steal the love of their wives. Besides, they were worried he might die young and leave no son to inherit his unique talents. Conchobor sent nine men into each province of Ireland, into every city and every stronghold, to find the daughter of a king, a chief or a hospitaller who might please Cuchullain, but a year later, they returned empty handed. So Cuchullain went to woo a maiden he knew in Luglochta Logo, called Emer, daughter of Forgall Monach - the Wily. He set off in his chariot, driven by Láeg mac Riangabra. It was so fast that none of the horses or chariots of Ulster could catch it. He found on her playing-field, with her foster-sisters, daughters of the landowners who lived around Forgall's stronghold. They were all learning needlework and fine crafts from Emer. Of all the women of Ireland, Cuchullain had chosen to woo Emer because she had the six gifts: beauty, voice, sweet speech, needlework, wisdom and chastity. He said that would only be interested in a maiden who was his equal in age and form and breeding, and with skill and dexterity, and as Emer possessed all those qualities, and was the best handiworker in Ireland, she was the girl for him. Cuchullain had put on his finest clothes, and went to her to show off his beauty. The maidens, sitting on a bench at the gate of the stronghold, heard the clatter of the horses' hooves, the creaking of the chariot, the cracking of the straps, the grating of the wheels, the rush of the hero, and the clanking of weapons, coming towards them. 'Someone look out,' said Emer, 'and tell us who's coming.' Fial, Emer's sister, said, 'I see two horses, spirited and strong, equal in size and beauty, fierceness and speed, running side by side, their long manes and tails flowing behind them. On the right side of the chariot-shaft, a grey horse, muscular, fierce, swift and wild; on the left, a black horse, spirited and fiery, whose long, curly mane hangs down over his forehead. The beating of their hard hooves turns the solid ground to flame. 'Behind them, a chariot of fine wood and wickerwork travelling on white-bronze wheels. The shaft is of bright silver, mounted on white-bronze, and the yoke is of gold. 'It's driven by a tall, slender freckled man. His hair is bright red and curly, and it's held out of his eyes with a bronze circlet, and tied back with a golden clasp. He wears a tunic with sleeves to his elbows, and he drives the horses with a red-gold goad. 'In the chariot is a dark, sad man, the most beautiful in Ireland. He wears a crimson, five-folded cloak, fastened on his white chest with a brooch of inlaid gold, and a white, hooded shirt. Seven red dragon-gems in each of his eyes; blue-white sparks flashing from his blood-red cheeks; a shower of pearls in his mouth; eyebrows as black as charcoal. His eyes burn with a look of love. 'A golden-hilted sword rests on his thighs, and a blood-red spear with a formidable blade is fastened to the copper frame of the chariot. On his shoulder, a crimson shield with a rim of silver, ornamented with golden animal designs. 'He leaps the hero's salmon leap, and performs many other amazing feats. This is no ordinary chariot-chief.' Cuchullain arrived at where the maidens were sitting, and wished a blessing on them. Emer lifted her beautiful face to him, and said, 'May God make smooth the path before you.' 'May you be safe from all harm,' he replied. 'Where have you come from?' said Emer. 'Not hard to tell,' said Cuchullain. 'From the cover of the sea, over the great secret of the Túatha Dé Danann, and the foam of the two steeds of Emain Macha; over the Morrigan's garden, and the great sow's back; over the glen of the great dam, between the god and his prophet; over the marrow of the seeress, between the boar and his dam; over the washing-place of the horses of Dea; between the king of Ana and his servant, to Monnchuile of the four corners of the world; over the great crime and the remnants of the great feast; between the great vat and the little vat, until I came here, to Lug's Gardens, to the daughters of Forgall, nephew of Tethra the king of the Fomóire. But enough about me. Tell me about yourself.' 'Not hard to tell, indeed,' Emer replied. 'Tara among women, fairest of maidens, a paragon of chastity, a prohibition that is not heeded, a watcher who sees no-one. A modest women is a dragon, to whom no-one dares come near. A king's daughter is a hearth of hospitality, a road that cannot be entered. I have champions who watch me and guard me, in case anyone comes to carry me off against their will and my father's.' 'Who are these champions who guard you?' said Cuchullain. 'They are: two Luis, two Luaths - Luath and Lath Goible, son of Tethra; Triath and Trescath, Brian and Bolor, and Bas son of Omnach; eight Connlas; and Conn son of Forgall. Every one of them has the strength of a hundred and the feats of nine. 'And it would be hard to tell you of all the powers of Forgall himself. He is stronger than any labourer, wiser than any druid, and more perceptive than any poet. It'll take more than your fancy feats to fight him, for he is the very epitome of manly deeds.' 'You don't count me among those strong men?' said Cuchullain. 'Have you performed famous deeds?' 'I swear to you,' said Cuchullain, 'my deeds will be recounted among the deeds of the most glorious heroes.' 'How strong are you?' 'I'll tell you,' he said. 'At my weakest, I'm a match for twenty. A third of my strength is enough for thirty. On my own, I can fight off forty. Under my protection, a hundred are safe. Warriors avoid the battlefield for fear of me, and whole armies flee before me.' 'Not bad for a boy,' said Emer, 'But you aren't a fully-fledged chariot-chief yet.' 'I have been well brought up by my foster-father Conchobor, among chariot-chiefs and champions, jesters and druids, poets and learned men, nobles and landlords, and I have learned all their manners and gifts.' 'And who were they, these illustrious foster-fathers of yours?' said Emer. 'Sencha of the Fair Speech taught me to be wise and quick-witted. Blai the Hospitaller brought me up because of his blood ties, and he taught me hospitality. Fergus mac Róich fostered me, and taught me fighting skills and bravery. I learned excellence in speech at the knee of Amergin the poet. His wife Finnchoem reared me, so Conall Cernach is my foster-brother. And my mother's father Cathbad taught me knowledge of the gods. All the men of Ulster have had a hand in my upbringing. 'I was called into being by Lug, son of Conn mac Ethlenn, when my mother Deichtine visited the house of the Mighty One of the Brug na Bóinde. And what about you? How have you been raised here in Lug's Gardens?' 'Not hard to tell, indeed,' Emer replied. 'I was brought up in ancient virtues, in lawful behaviour, chastity, the dignity of a queen. I possess every virtue a woman can possess.' 'And fine virtues they are indeed,' said Cuchullain. 'Isn't it right that we should be together? I've never met a girl before that I can talk to like this.' 'One more question,' said Emer. 'Have you a wife already?' 'No, I don't,' he replied. 'I may not marry before my older sister, Fial, who you see beside me,' said Emer. 'She is excellent in handiwork.' 'But it's not her I've fallen in love with. Besides, I have never accepted a woman who has known a man before, and I have been told she used to belong to Coirpre Niafer.' While they were talking, Cuchullain saw Emer's breasts over the top of her dress. 'I see a fair plain,' he said. 'I could rest my weapon there.' 'No-one comes to this plain unless he has killed a hundred at every ford from the Ford of Scenn Menn at Ollbuine to Banchuing Arcait, where swift Brea breaks the brow of Fedelm.' 'I see a fair plain,' repeated Cuchullain. 'I could rest my weapon there.' 'No-one comes to this plain unless he has achieved the feat of leaping over three walls; killing three groups of nine men with one blow, yet leaving my three brothers, one of whom is in each group, unharmed; and then, accompanied by them and my foster-sister, bringing my weight in gold out of Forgall's stronghold.' 'I see a fair plain. I could rest my weapon there.' 'No-one comes to this plain unless he has gone without sleep from Samain to Imbolc, from Imbolc to Beltine, and from Beltine to Bron Trogain.' 'Everything you have commanded, I will do,' said Cuchullain. 'Your offer is accepted,' said Emer. 'But one more question: who are you?' 'I am the nephew of the man who disappears in another in the wood of Badb,' he replied. 'I am the hero of the plague that befalls dogs.' After that, Cuchullain left, and they said nothing more to each other that day. As they were leaving, Láeg asked Cuchullain what they had been talking about, and he explained that he had been wooing Emer. They had had to disguise their words, because if Forgall knew, he wouldn't give his consent. He then related and explained everything that had been said, and this passed the time until they returned to Emain Macha, where they spent the night. Emer's foster-sisters all told their parents about the young man who had come in his splendid chariot, and the conversation he had with Emer, which they hadn't understood. Their parents all told Forgall that Emer had been talking to Cuchullain. 'It's true,' said Forgall, 'the madman from Emain Macha has been here talking to Emer, and she has fallen in love with him. But it'll do them no good - I'll put a stop to it.' So Forgall the Wily went to Emain Macha, disguised as an envoy from the king of the Gauls, to talk to Conchobor. He brought him golden treasures, and Gaulish wine, and all sorts of good things. He was given a great welcome. On the third day he sent away his men, and Cuchullain, Conall and the other chariot-chiefs were praised before him. He agreed that the chariot-chiefs performed marvellously, but that if Cuchullain were to go to Domnall the Soldierly in Alba, his skill would be even greater; and that if he went to Scáthach to learn the feats of arms, he would be greater than all the warriors of Europe. Forgall suggested this in the hope that Cuchullain would never return. If he became Scáthach's friend, he hoped that would lead to his death through her wildness and fierceness. Cuchullain agreed to go, and Forgall bound himself to give Cuchullain whatever assistance he desired, if he left within a certain time. Forgall went home, and the warriors got up in the morning and prepared to do as they had vowed. Cuchullain, Lóegaire Búadach and Conchobor set out that morning. Some say Conall Cernach went with them as well. But first Cuchullain went agross Mag Breg to visit Emer. He talked to her before getting on board ship, and she told him it had been her father who had suggested the trip in order to stop the two of them meeting. She told him to be on his guard wherever he went, in case Forgall tried to destroy him. They both promised to be faithful to each other until they met again, unless one of them should die in the meantime. They bade each other farewell, and Cuchullain left for Alba. When they came to Domnall in Alba, he taught them to heat up a flagstone with bellows, and perform on it until their soles were black and livid. He taught them to climb a spear and perform on its point. Domnall's daughter Dornolla fell in love with Cuchullain. She was incredibly ugly, with enormous knees, back-to-front feet, dark grey eyes and a jet-black face. She had a large forehead, and rough, straggly, bright red hair wound round her head. Cuchullain refused her, and she swore revenge. Domnall said that Cuchullain could not gain complete knowledge of the arts of war until he went to Scáthach, who lived in the east of Alba. So the four Ulstermen set off across Alba, but Dornolla raised a vision of Emain Macha before them, which neither Conchobor nor Conall nor Lóegaire could go past. Dornolla's plan had been to separate Cuchullain from his companions, and it worked. Other versions say that it was Forgall the Wily who raised the vision in the hope that Cuchullain would turn back, and thus be shamed by his failure to fulfil his vow; or, that if he were to proceed to Scáthach alone, he would be more likely to be killed. But Cuchullain's will was strong, and he persevered without his companions. But when Cuchullain realised his comrades were no longer with him, he stopped from sorrow and fatigue. He didn't know where to find Scáthach, but he had sworn to his comrades that he wouldn't return to Emain Macha until he had found her. He was lost. After a while he saw a terrible beast, like a lion, coming towards him. It kept its eye on him, but didn't attempt to harm him. Whichever way he tried to go, the beast blocked his way, so he took a leap onto its back. He didn't guide it, but let it go where it wanted, and they travelled for four days. At the end of that time, they came to the limits of the inhabited world, and saw an island where some lads were rowing in a small boat. The lads laughed to see such a fearsome beast doing service to a man. Cuchullain leapt off its back. The beast left him then, and he bade it farewell. He carried on, and came to a house deep in a glen. Inside was a beautiful maiden. 'Welcome, Cuchullain,' she said. He asked her how she knew him, and she told him that they had both been foster-children of Wulfkin the Saxon, and had learned sweet speech from him. She gave him food and drink, and he left her and continued his journey. Then he met a brave youth called Eochaid Bairche, who gave him the same welcome. They talked together, and Cuchullain asked him how to get to Scáthach's stronghold. The young man showed him how to cross the Plain of Ill-Luck that was ahead of him. On the nearer half of the plain, a traveller's feet would freeze to the ground; on the farther half the grass would rise and hold them fast on its blades. The youth gave Cuchullain a wheel, and told him to follow its track across one half of the plain; he also gave him an apple, and told him that its track would lead him across the other half. He warned him that beyond the plain was a glen with a single, narrow path through it. The glen was full of monsters sent by Forgall to destroy him. Beyond that, a terrible mountain stronghold lay between him and Scáthach's house. Then Cuchullain bade farewell to the youth, and they wished blessings on each other. The youth told him how to win honour at Scáthach's house, and prophesied about his future exploits. Cuchullain took his leave of him and went on. He followed the youth's instructions, and crossed the plain and the perilous glen safely. He arrived at a camp where Scáthach's pupils were, and asked them where she was. 'On that island over there,' he was told. 'How do I get there?' he asked. 'Over the Cliff Bridge, which no-one can cross unless he has trained in arms.' The bridge was low at either end and high in the middle, and whenever anyone stood on one end, it would tip up and throw him off. Some versions say that a crowd of Irish warriors were there, studying under Scáthach, and that they were: Fer Diad son of Daman, Noisiu son of Uisliu, Lóch Mór son of Mofemis, and Fiamain son of Fora; and many others besides. But this version doesn't mention them at this point. Cuchullain tried to cross the bridge three times, and failed each time. The other pupils jeered at him. His ríastrad came upon him, and he made the hero's salmon leap and landed right in the middle of the bridge. He was then able to reach the other side before the bridge tipped up and threw him off. He went up to the door of the stronghold, and knocked it with the butt of his spear, so hard that it went through it. Scáthach was told. 'This must be someone who has had full training elsewhere,' she said. She sent her daughter Úathach to find out who he was. When she saw him, she was so moved by desire she was speechless. She went to her mother and sang his praises, and she resolved to sleep with him that night. Scáthach approved of this course of action, so she pretended to be a servant, and served him food and water. But he hurt her, breaking her finger. Hearing her shriek, the army of the stronghold ran to help. Their champion, Cochor Crufe, stood forward to fight Cuchullain, but Cuchullain defeated and killed him. Scáthach was sorrowful at the death of her champion, and told Cuchullain to take his place. On the third day Úathach advised Cuchullain that, if he had come to achieve a hero's valour, he should make the hero's salmon leap to reach Scáthach, who sat in the great yew tree when teaching her sons, Cuar and Cett. He should set his sword between her breasts and demand three wishes: that she teach him without neglect; that he might marry Úathach without the payment of a bride-price; and that she should foretell his future, for she was a prophet. Cuchullain did as she said. He went to where Scáthach was, placed his feet on the two edges of the weapons chest, and put the point of his sword to her heart. 'Death hangs over you!' he said. 'Name your demands,' said Scáthach. 'If you can utter three demands in one breath, I will grant them.' Cuchullain made his demands as Úathach had told him. Úathach was given to him, and he was taught skill in arms. During the time Cuchullain was with Scáthach, and was the husband of Úathach, there was a famous man of Munster called Lugaid mac Nois, a foster-brother of Cuchullain, who was the grandson of the renowned king of Munster, Alamiach. He went east with twelve chariot-chiefs of the kings of Munster, to woo the twelve daughters of Coirpre Niafer. But it turned out all the girls were already betrothed. When Forgall the Wily heard about this, he went to Tara and told Lugaid that the best maiden in Ireland, both in beauty and handiwork, was in his house and unmarried. Lugaid was most pleased, and Forgall betrothed Emer to him. He also betrothed twelve of his foster-daughters to the twelve chariot-chiefs. Lugaid came to Forgall's stronghold for the wedding. But when Emer was brought to him, she took his cheeks in her hands, and laid it on the truth of his honour and his life that she loved Cuchullain, that her father was against it, and that anyone else who took her as his wife would suffer loss of honour. For fear of Cuchullain, Lugaid didn't dare marry Emer, and returned home.