Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

150 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[180]as certain conditions are observed, such as that he shall not spyupon her, ill-treat her, or ask of her origin.Crundchu promised to obey the injunction, and went to thefestival. Here the two horses of the king carried off prize afterprize in the racing, and the people cried: “There is not in Irelanda swifter than the King's pair of horses.”“I have a wife at home,” said Crundchu, in a moment offorgetfulness, “who can run quicker than these horses.”“Seize that man,” said the angry king, “and hold him till hiswife be brought to the contest.”So messengers went for Macha, and she was brought beforethe assembly; and she was with child. The king bade her preparefor the race. She pleaded her condition. “I am close upon myhour,” she said. “Then hew her man in pieces,” said the kingto his guards. Macha turned to the bystanders. “Help me,” shecried, “for a mother hath borne each of you! Give me but a shortdelay till I am delivered.” But the king and all the crowd in theirsavage lust for sport would hear of no delay. “Then bring up thehorses,” said Macha, “and because you have no pity a heavierinfamy shall fall upon you.” So she raced against the horses, andoutran them, but as she came to the goal she gave a great cry,and her travail seized her, and she gave birth to twin children. Asshe uttered that cry, however, all the spectators felt themselvesseized with pangs like her own and had no more strength than awoman in her travail. And Macha prophesied: “From this hourthe shame you have wrought on me will fall upon each man ofUlster. In the hours of your greatest need ye shall be weak andhelpless as women in childbirth, and this shall endure for fivedays and four nights—to the ninth generation the curse shall beupon you.” And so it came to pass; and this is the cause of theDebility of the Ultonians that was wont to afflict the warriors ofthe province.Conor mac NessaThe chief occasion on which this Debility was manifested was