Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER V: TALES OF THE ULTONIAN CYCLE 149The Curse of MachaThe centre of interest in Irish legend now shifts from Tara toUlster, and a multitude of heroic tales gather round the Ulsterking Conor mac Nessa, round Cuchulain, 132 his great vassal, andthe Red Branch Order of chivalry, which had its seat in EmainMacha.The legend of the foundation of Emain Macha has already beentold. 133 But Macha, who was no mere woman, but a supernaturalbeing, appears again in connexion with the history of Ulster in avery curious tale which was supposed to account for the strangedebility or helplessness that at critical moments sometimes fell,it was believed, upon the warriors of the province.The legend tells that a wealthy Ulster farmer named Crundchu,son of Agnoman, dwelling in a solitary place among the hills,found one day in his dūn a young woman of great beauty andin splendid array, whom he had never seen before. Crundchu,we are told, was a widower, his wife having died after bearinghim four sons. The strange woman, without a word, set herselfto do the houshold tasks, prepared dinner, milked the cow, andtook on herself all the duties of the mistress of the household. Atnight she lay down at Crundchu's side, and thereafter dwelt withhim as his wife; and they loved each other dearly. Her name wasMacha.One day Crundchu prepared himself to go to a great fair orassembly of the Ultonians, where there would be feasting andhorse-racing, tournaments and music, and merrymaking of allkinds. Macha begged her husband not to go. He persisted. [179]“Then,” she said, “at least do not speak of me in the assembly,for I may dwell with you only so long as I am not spoken of.”It has been observed that we have here the earliest appearancein post-classical European literature of the well-known motiveof the fairy bride who can stay with her mortal lover only so long132 Pronounced “Koohoo´lin.”133 See p. 150.