mouth that rests when it ought,’ i.e., that does not utter more than is necessary.
p. 98. an oiḋċe a ṫug Culann Ceard. From this exploit the hero received his name. See p. 170 and Index of proper names infra.
p. 107. ag cluiċe … aige, ‘pursuing the flocks of birds in order that they should leave him a supply of food for the night,’ i.e., trying to kill enough birds for his sustenance till morn. According to one MS. ‘iseaḋ ba ḃeaṫa do Ċ. (TBC p. 259).
„ „ ní fearr riaṁ é, ‘things could not be better.’
p. 108. a anam air, ‘his life depending on it.’
p. 110. aon ní ać, ‘all but,’ ‘almost.’
p. 120. iompáil ó ḋeas aḃaile agus B’l’áṫa Cliaṫ d’ḟágáilt ar an mbóṫar againn, ‘to turn south for home and leave us ‘Dublin on the road,’ i.e., to show us a clean pair of heels. This phrase is used commonly for the purpose of expressing a sudden and unexpected desertion. Irish speakers introduce it bodily into their English. ‘I left them B’l’áṫa Cliaṫ ar an mbóṫar,’ i.e., ‘I showed them a clean pair of heels.’ It is even common to hear people say, ‘I left them Dublin on the road.’ Cf. Séadna, p. 131.
p. 128. gaoi bolga, this spear was used in a fight at a ford, when the combatants were standing in water. It was sent down the stream by the attendant, and the warrior caught it between his toes and stabbed upwards with it at his opponent. See the description in O’Curry’s Manners and Customs II. 308, III. 450–1, and the story of its origin, ibid. 311. The ‘feat’ of the gaoi bolga was known to Cú Chulainn alone, and this was his only advantage over Fear Diadh, who was equally skilled with him in the remainder of these devices. (TBC pp. 437–9.)
p. 132. bíon sé lá ar an ḃfear is breáġṫa, etc., ‘one day he is about the finest man eye ever rested upon, another day he is so awful that anyone who looked at him would not be the better of it.’
p. 145. ṫugais d’éiṫeaċ. The poss. d’ seems peculiar to this phrase; t (or ṫ) is regular before a vowel. tugais t’éiṫeaċ is also said.
p. 158. an Liaċ Maċa, the Gray of M., Cú Chulainn’s horse. The touching devotion of this animal to its master is related in the story of Cú Chulainn’s death, R.C. III. p. 175 ff.
p. 165-6 níor ḋearg, etc., ‘neither spearpoint nor blade has ever yet drawn blood from him.’
p. 170. ag deargaḋ láṁ, ‘reddening his hands,’ ‘fleshing his weapon.’
„ „ fear ná gaḃaḋ, etc., ‘a man whom neither spearpoints nor blades could affect.’
