File:Myths and legends; the Celtic race (1910) (14780315151).jpg

Identifier: mythslegendscelt00roll (find matches)
Title: Myths and legends ; the Celtic race
Year: 1910 (1910s)
Authors: Rolleston, T. W. (Thomas William), 1857-1920
Subjects: Celts Celts Celtic literature Legends, Celtic
Publisher: Boston : Nickerson
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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is faithful friend, who had died for the safety of hishouse and would never guard it more. Give me/* then said the lad Setanta, a whelp ofthat hound, O Cullan, and I will train him to be all toyou that his sire was. And until then give me shieldand spear and I will myself guard your house ; neveihound guarded it better than I will.** And all the company shouted applause at the generouspledge, and on the spot, as a commemoration of hisfirst deed of valour, they named the lad Cuchulain,^the Hound of Cullan, and by that name he was knownuntil he died. Cuchulain Assumes Arms When he was older, and near the time when hemight assume the weapons of manhood, it chanced oneday that he passed close by where Cathbad the Druid 1 It is noticeable that among the characters figuring in theUltonian legendary cycle many names occur of which the wordCu (hound) forms a part. Thus we have Curoi, Cucorb, Bealcu,&c. The reference is no doubt to the Irish wolf-hound, a fine typeof valour and beauty. 184
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The Hound of Cullan 184 CUCHULAINS COURTSHIP OF EMER was teaching to certain of his pupils the art of divina-tion and augury. One of them asked of Cathbadfor what kind of enterprise that same day might befavourable ; and Cathbad, having worked a spell ofdivination, said : The youth who should take uparms on this day would become of all men in Erinmost famous for great deeds, yet will his life be shortand fleeting. Cuchulain passed on as though hemarked it not, and he came before the king. Whatwilt thou ? asked Conor. To take the arms ofmanhood, said Cuchulain. So be it, said the king,and he gave the lad two great spears. But Cuchulainshook them in his hand, and the staves splintered andbroke. And so he did with many others ; and thechariots in which they set him to drive he broke topieces with stamping of his foot, until at last the king*sown chariot of war and his two spears and sword werebrought to the lad, and these he could not break, dowhat he would ; so this equipment he retaine

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