Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

172 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[205]borne to him of the chatter of Maev's messengers, and how theysaid that if the bull was not yielded willingly it would be taken byforce; and he sent back a message of refusal and defiance. “'Twasknown,” said Maev, “the bull will not be yielded by fair means;he shall now be won by foul.” And so she sent messengers aroundon every side to summon her hosts for the Raid.The Hosting of Queen MaevAnd there came all the mighty men of Connacht—first theseven Mainés, sons of Ailell and Maev, each with his retinue;and Ket and Anluan, sons of Maga, with thirty hundreds of armedmen; and yellow-haired Ferdia, with his company of Firbolgs,boisterous giants who delighted in war and in strong ale. Andthere came also the allies of Maev—a host of the men of Leinster,who so excelled the rest in warlike skill that they were brokenup and distributed among the companies of Connacht, lest theyshould prove a danger to the host; and Cormac son of Conor,with Fergus mac Roy and other exiles from Ulster, who hadrevolted against Conor for his treachery to the sons of Usna.Ulster under the CurseBut before the host set forth towards Ulster Maev sent herspies into the land to tell her of the preparations there beingmade. And the spies brought back a wondrous tale, and onethat rejoiced the heart of Maev, for they said that the Debilityof the Ultonians 143 had descended on the province. Conor theking lay in pangs at Emain Macha, and his son Cuscrid in hisisland-fortress, and Owen Prince of Ferney was helpless as achild; Celtchar, the huge grey warrior, son of Uthecar Hornskin,and even Conall of the Victories, lay moaning and writhing ontheir beds, and there was no hand in Ulster that could lift a spear.Prophetic VoicesNevertheless Maev went to her chief Druid, and demandedof him what her own lot in the war should be. And the Druid143 The cune laid on them by Macha. Sec p. 180.