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[1-1] LU. fo. 73a, in the margin.

Then was Ferbaeth son of Ferbend summoned to them, to the tent of Ailill
and Medb. "Wherefore do ye call me to you?" Ferbaeth asked. "In sooth, it
would please us," Medb answered, "for thee to do battle and contend with
Cuchulain, and to ward him off from us on the ford at the morning hour
early on the morrow."

Great rewards they promised to him for making the battle and combat.[2]
[3]Finnabair is given to him for this and the kingdom of his race, for he
was their choice to combat Cuchulain. He was the man they thought worthy of
him, for they both had learned the same service in arms with Scathach.[3]

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1529-1553.

[4]"I have no desire to act thus," Ferbaeth protested. "Cuchulain is my
foster-brother and of everlasting covenant with me. Yet will I go meet him
to-morrow, so shall I strike off his head!" "It will be thou that canst do
it," Medb made answer.[4]

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1538-1540.

[W.2143.] Then it was that Cuchulain said to his charioteer, namely to
Laeg: "Betake thee thither, O master Laeg," said Cuchulain, "to the camp of
the men of Erin, and bear a greeting [LL.fo.74b.] from me to my comrades
and foster-brothers and age-mates. Bear a greeting to Ferdiad son of Daman,
and to Ferdet son of Daman, and to Brass son of Ferb, and to Lugaid son of
Nos, and to Lugaid son of Solamach, to Ferbaeth son of Baetan, and to
Ferbaeth son of Ferbend, and a particular greeting withal to mine own
foster-brother, to Lugaid son of Nos, for that he is the one man that still
has friendliness and friendship with me now on the hosting. And bear him a
blessing. [1]Let it be asked diligently of him[1] that he may tell thee who
[2]of the men of Erin[2] will come to attack me on the morrow."

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1525.

[2-2] Stowe.

Then Laeg went his way to the camp of the men of Erin and brought the
aforementioned greetings to the comrades and foster-brothers of Cuchulain.
And he also went into the tent of Lugaid son of Nos. Lugaid bade him
welcome. "I take [3]that welcome[3] to be truly meant," said Laeg. "'Tis
truly meant for thee," replied Lugaid. "To converse with thee am I come
from Cuchulain," said Laeg, "and I bring these greetings truly and
earnestly from him to the end that thou tell me who comes to fight with
Cuchulain to-day." [4]"Truly not lucky is it for Cuchulain," said Lugaid,
"the strait wherein he is alone against the men of Erin.[4] The curse of
his fellowship and brotherhood and of his friendship and affection [5]and
of his arms[5] be upon that man; even his own real foster-brother himself,
[6]even the companion of us both,[6] Ferbaeth son of Ferbend. [7]He it is
that comes to meet him to-morrow.[7] He was invited into the tent of
[8]Ailill and[8] Medb a while [W.2165.] since. The daughter Finnabair was
set by his side. It is she who fills up the drinking-horns for him; it is
she who gives him a kiss with every drink that he takes; it is she who
serveth the food [1]to him.[1] Not for every one with Medb is the ale[a]
that is poured out for Ferbaeth [2]till he is drunk.[2] Only fifty
wagon-loads of it have been brought to the camp."

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1526-1527.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1528.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1527.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1528.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1532.

[1-1] H. 1. 13.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1535.

[a] In LU. and YBL. it is wine.

Then with heavy head, sorrowful, downcast, heaving sighs, Laeg retraced his
steps to Cuchulain. "With heavy head, sorrowful, downcast and sighing, my
master Laeg comes to meet me," said Cuchulain. "It must be that one of my
brothers-in-arms comes to attack me." For he regarded as worse a man of the
same training in arms as himself than aught other warrior. "Hail now, O
Laeg my friend," cried Cuchulain; "who comes to attack me to-day?" "The
curse of his fellowship and brotherhood, of his friendship and affection be
upon him; even thine own real foster-brother himself, namely Ferbaeth son
of Ferbend. A while ago he was summoned into the tent of Medb. The maiden
was set by his side; It is she who fills up the drinking-horns for him; it
is she who gives him a kiss with every drink; it is she who serveth his
food. Not for every one with Medb is the ale that is poured out for
Ferbaeth. Only fifty wagon-loads of it have been brought to the camp."

[3]Cuchulain bade Laeg go to Lugaid, that he come to talk with him. Lugaid
came to Cuchulain. "So Ferbaeth comes to oppose me to-morrow," said
Cuchulain. "Aye, then," answered Lugaid.[3] [4]"Evil is this day," cried
Cuchulain. "I shall not be alive thereafter. Two of the same age are we,
two of equal deftness, two of equal weight, when we come together. O
Lugaid, greet him for me. Tell him, also, it is not the part of true valour
to come to oppose me. Tell him to come meet me to-night to speak with me."

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1541-1544.

Lugaid brought back this word to Ferbaeth. [W.2183.] Now inasmuch as
Ferbaeth shunned not the parley,[4] he by no means waited till morn but
he went straightway [1]to the glen[1] [2]that night[2] to recant his
friendship with Cuchulain, [3]and Fiachu son of Ferfebe went with him.[3]
And Cuchulain called to mind the friendship and fellowship and brotherhood
[5]that had been between them,[5] [6]and Scathach, the nurse of them
both;[6] and Ferbaeth would not consent to forego the fight.[a] [7]"I must
fight," said Ferbaeth. "I have promised it [8]to Medb."[8] [9]"Friendship
with thee then is at an end,"[9] cried Cuchulain,[7] and in anger he
left him and drove the sole of his foot against a holly-spit [10]in the
glen,[10] so that it pierced through flesh and bone and skin [11]and came
out by his knee.[11] [12]Thereat Cuchulain became frantic, and he gave a
strong tug and[12] drew the spit out from its roots, [13]from sinew and
bone, from flesh and from skin.[13] [14]"Go not, Ferbaeth, till thou seest
the find I have made." "Throw it then," cried Ferbaeth.[14] And Cuchulain
threw the holly-spit over his shoulder after Ferbaeth, and he would as lief
that it reached him or that it reached him not. The spit struck Ferbaeth in
the nape of the neck,[b] so that it passed out through his [W.2192.] mouth
[1]in front[1] and fell to the ground, and thus Ferbaeth fell [2]backward
into the glen.[2]

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1544-1549.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93, LU. and YBL. 1549.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1550.

[4-4] See page 152, note 4.

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1551-1552.

[a] Reading, with Windisch, from Stowe which gives a better meaning
than LL.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1552-1553.

[8-8] YBL. 1553.

[9-9] Literally, 'Keep thy covenant, then!'

[10-10] LU. and YBL. 1554.

[11-11] LU. and YBL. 1555.

[12-12] Eg. 93.

[13-13] Eg. 93.

[14-14] LU. and YBL. 1556-1557.

[b] See note, page 137.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1559.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1559-1560.

"Now that was a good throw, Cucuc!" cried [3]Fiachu son of Ferfebe,[3]
[4]who was on the mound between the two camps,[4] for he considered it a
good throw to kill that warrior with a spit of holly. Hence it is that
Focherd Murthemni ('the good Cast of Murthemne') is the name of the place
where they were.

[3-3] "Cormac Conlongas son of Conchobar." Eg. 93.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

[5]Straightway Ferbaeth died in the glen. Hence cometh Glenn
Ferbaeth. Something was heard. It was Fergus who sang:--

"Fool's[a] emprise was thine, Ferbaeth,
That did bring thee to thy grave.
Ruin hath come on anger here;
Thy last end in Croen Corann!

Fithi was the hill's old name,
In Croenech in Murthemne.
'Ferbaeth' now shall be the name
Of the plain where Ferbaeth fell!"[5]

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1563-1569.

[a] With a play on the word Ferbaeth, 'a foolish man.'

* * * * *

[Page 155]

XIVa

[1]THE COMBAT OF LARINE MacNOIS[1]

[2]Lugaid spake: "Let one of you be ready on the morrow to go against that
other." "There shall not any one at all be found to go," quoth Ailill,
"unless guile be used. Whatever man comes to you, give him wine, so that
his soul may be glad, and let him be told that that is all the wine that
has been brought to Cruachan: 'It would grieve us that thou shouldst drink
water in our camp.' And let Finnabair be placed on his right hand and let
him be told, 'She shall go with thee if thou bring us the head of the
Contorted.'" So a summons was sent to each warrior, one on each night, and
those words used to be told him. Cuchulain killed every man of them in
turn. At length no one could be got to attack him.[2]

[1-1] LU. fo. 73b, in the margin.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1574-1584 and Eg. 1782. Here Eg. 1782 breaks off.

[W.2197.] [3]"Good,[3] my master Laeg," [4]said Cuchulain,[4] "go for me to
the camp of the men of Erin to hold converse with Lugaid [5]macNois,[5]
[6]my friend, my companion and my foster-brother,[6] [7]and bear him a
greeting from me and bear him my blessing, for he is the one man that keeps
amity and friendship with me on the great hosting of the Cattle-raid of
Cualnge.[7] And discover [8]in what way they are in the camp,[8] whether or
no anything has [W.2199.] happened to Ferbaeth,[a] [1]whether Ferbaeth has
reached the camp;[1] [2]and inquire for me if the cast I made a while ago
reached Ferbaeth or did not reach, and if it did reach him,[2] ask who
[3]of the men of Erin[3] comes to meet me [4]to fight and do battle with me
at the morning hour early[4] on the morrow."

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] Eg. 93 and Eg. 209.

[5-5] Eg. 93 and Eg. 209.

[6-6] Eg. 93.

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1572.

[a] From here to p. 170 is lacking in LL. owing to the loss of a sheet.
This is supplied from Stowe.

[1-1] Stowe. Eg. 209 and H. 1. 13.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

Laeg proceeds to Lugaid's tent. Lugaid bids him welcome. [5]"Welcome to thy
coming and arrival, O Laeg," said Lugaid.[5] "I take that welcome as truly
meant," Laeg replied. "It is truly meant for thee," quoth Lugaid, [6]"and
thou shalt have entertainment here to-night."[6] [7]"Victory and blessing
shalt thou have," said Laeg; "but not for entertainment am I come, but[7]
to hold converse with thee am I come from [8]thine own friend and companion
and[8] foster-brother, [9]from Cuchulain,[9] that thou mayest tell me
whether Ferbaeth [10]was smitten."[10] "He was," answered Lugaid, "and a
blessing on the hand that smote him, for he fell dead in the valley a while
ago." "Tell me who [11]of the men of Erin[11] comes to-morrow to [12]combat
and[12] fight with Cuchulain [13]at the morning hour early on the
morrow?"[13] "They are persuading a brother of mine own to go meet him, a
foolish, haughty arrogant youth, yet dealing stout blows and stubborn.
[14]And he has agreed to do the battle and combat.[14] And it is to this
end they will send him to fight Cuchulain, that he, my brother, may fall at
his hands, so that I myself must then go to avenge him upon Cuchulain. But
I will not go there till the very day of doom. Larine great-grandson
[W.2211.] of Blathmac is that brother. [1]And, do thou tell Cuchulain to
come to Ferbaeth's Glen and[1] I will go [2]thither[2] to speak with
Cuchulain about him," said Lugaid.

[5-5] H. 2. 17 and Eg. 93.

[6-6] Eg. 93.

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] Eg. 93.

[9-9] Eg. 209.

[10-10] Following Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[11-11] Eg. 93.

[12-12] Eg. 93.

[13-13] Eg. 93.

[14-14] Eg. 93.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3]Laeg betook him to where Cuchulain was.[3] Lugaid's two horses were
taken and his chariot was yoked to them [4]and[4] he came [5]to Glen
Ferbaeth[5] to his tryst with Cuchulain, so that a parley was had between
them. [6]The two champions and battle-warriors gave each other welcome.[6]
Then it was that Lugaid spake: [7]"There is no condition that could be
promised to me for fighting and combating with thee," said Lugaid, "and
there is no condition on which I would undertake it, but[7] they are
persuading a brother of mine to come fight thee [8]on the morrow,[8]
to-wit, a foolish, dull, uncouth youth, dealing stout blows. [9]They
brought him into the tent of Ailill and Medb and he has engaged to do
the battle and combat with thee.[9] [10]He is befooled about the same
maiden.[10] And it is for this reason they are to send him to fight thee,
that he may fall at thy hands, [11]so that we two may quarrel,[11] and to
see if I myself will come to avenge him upon thee. But I will not, till the
very day of doom. And by the fellowship that is between us, [12]and by the
rearing and nurture I bestowed on thee and thou didst bestow on me, bear me
no grudge because of Larine.[12] Slay not my brother [13]lest thou shouldst
leave me brotherless."[13]

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1592 and Eg. 93.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1593 and Eg. 93.

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] Eg. 209.

[9-9] Eg. 93.

[10-10] LU. and YBL. 1595-1596.

[11-11] LU. 1597.

[12-12] H. 2. 17 and Eg. 93.

[13-13] LU. and YBL. 1596-1597.

"By my conscience, truly," cried Cuchulain, [14]kill him I will not,
but[14] the next thing to death will I inflict on him. [15]No worse would
it be for him to die than what I [W.2222.] will give him."[15] "I give thee
leave. [1]It would please me well shouldst thou beat him sorely,[1] for to
my dishonour he comes to attack thee."

[14-14] Eg. 93.

[15-15] Eg. 209.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1597 and Eg. 93.

Thereupon Cuchulain went back and Lugaid returned to the camp [2]lest the
men of Erin should say it was betraying them or forsaking them he was if he
remained longer parleying with Cuchulain.[2]

[2-2] Eg. 93.

Then [3]on the next day[3] it was that Larine son of Nos, [4]brother of
Lugaid king of Munster,[4] was summoned to the tent of Ailill and Medb,
and Finnabair was placed by his side. It was she that filled up the
drinking-horns for him and gave him a kiss with each draught that he took
and served him his food. "Not to every one with Medb is given the drink
that is poured out for Ferbaeth or for Larine," quoth Finnabair; "only the
load of fifty wagons of it was brought to the camp."[a]

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1598.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1585.

[a] Emending the text to agree with the two similar passages above.

[5]Medb looked at the pair. "Yonder pair rejoiceth my heart," said she.[5]
"Whom wouldst thou say?" asked [6]Ailill.[6] "The man yonder, [7]in
truth,"[7] said she. "What of him?" asked Ailill. "It is thy wont to set
the mind on that which is far from the purpose (Medb answered). It were
more becoming for thee to bestow thy thought on the couple in whom are
united the greatest distinction and beauty to be found on any road in Erin,
namely Finnabair, [8]my daughter,[8] and Larine macNois. [9]'Twould be
fitting to bring them together."[9] "I regard them as thou dost," answered
Ailill; [10]"I will not oppose thee herein. He shall have her if only he
brings me the head of Cuchulain."[a] "Aye, bring it I will," said
Larine.[10] [W.2235.] It was then that Larine shook and tossed himself with
joy, so that the sewings of the flock bed burst under him and the mead of
the camp was speckled with its feathers.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1586.

[6-6] Corrected from LL., which has 'Medb.'

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1588.

[a] Literally, 'of the Contorted.'

[10-10] LU. and YBL. 1588-1590.

[1]They passed the night there.[1] Larine longed for day with its full
light [2]to go[2] to attack Cuchulain. At the early day-dawn on the morrow
he came, [3]and the maiden came too to embolden him,[3] and he brought a
wagon-load of arms with him, and he came on to the ford to encounter
Cuchulain. The mighty warriors of the camp and station considered it not a
goodly enough sight to view the combat of Larine; only the women and boys
and girls, [4]thrice fifty of them,[4] went to scoff and to jeer at his
battle.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 209.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1599.

[4-4] H. 2. 17 and Eg. 93.

Cuchulain went to meet him at the ford and he deemed it unbecoming to
bring along arms [5]or to ply weapons upon him,[5] so Cuchulain came
to the encounter unarmed [6]except for the weapons he wrested from his
opponent.[6] [7]And when Larine reached the ford, Cuchulain saw him and
made a rush at him.[7] Cuchulain knocked all of Larine's weapons out of his
hand as one might knock toys out of the hand of an infant. Cuchulain ground
and bruised him between his arms, he lashed him and clasped him, he
squeezed him and shook him, so that he spilled all the dirt out of him,
[8]so that the ford was defiled with his dung[8] [9]and the air was fouled
with his dust[9] and an [10]unclean, filthy[10] wrack of cloud arose in the
four airts wherein he was. Then from the middle of the ford Cuchulain
hurled Larine far from him across through the camp [11]till he fell into
Lugaid's two hands[11] at the door of the tent of his brother. [W.2252.]
Howbeit [1]from that time forth[1] [2]for the remainder of his life[2] he
never got up without a [3]sigh and a[3] groan, and [4]he never lay down
without hurt, and he never stood up without a moan;[4] [5]as long as he
lived[5] he never ate [6]a meal[6] without plaint, and never thenceforward
was he free from weakness of the loins and oppression of the chest and
without cramps and the frequent need which obliged him to go out. Still he
is the only man that made escape, [7]yea though a bad escape,[7] after
combat with Cuchulain on the Cualnge Cattle-raid. Nevertheless that maiming
took effect upon him, so that it afterwards brought him his death. Such
then is the Combat of Larine on the Tain Bo Cualnge.

[5-5] Eg. 209.

[6-6] Eg. 209.

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1602.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1603.

[10-10] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[11-11] LU. and YBL. 1604.

[1-1] Eg. 93, H. 2. 17 and Eg. 209.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3-3] Eg. 209.

[4-4] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1604.

[6-6] Eg. 209.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1607.

* * * * *

[Page 161]

XIVb

[1]THE COLLOQUY OF THE MORRIGAN AND CUCHULAIN[1]

[2]Then Cuchulain saw draw near him a young woman with a dress of every
colour about her and her appearance was most surpassing. "Who art thou?"
Cuchulain asked. "Daughter of Buan ('the Eternal'), the king," she
answered. "I am come to thee; I have loved thee for the high tales they
tell of thee and have brought my treasures and cattle with me." "Not good
is the time thou hast come. Is not our condition weakened through hunger?
Not easy then would it be for me to foregather with a woman the while I am
engaged in this struggle." "Herein I will come to thy help." "Not for the
love of a woman[a] did I take this in hand." "This then shall be thy lot,"
said she, "when I come against thee what time thou art contending with men:
In the shape of an eel I will come beneath thy feet in the ford; so shalt
thou fall." "More likely that, methinks, than daughter of a king! I will
seize thee," said he, "in the fork of my toes till thy ribs are broken, and
thou shalt remain in such sorry plight till there come my sentence of
blessing on thee." "In the shape of a grey she-wolf will I drive the cattle
on to the ford against thee." "I will cast a stone from my sling at thee,
so shall it smash thine eye in thy head" (said he), "and thou wilt so
remain maimed till my sentence of blessing come on thee." "I will attack
thee," said she, "in the shape of a hornless red heifer at the head of the
cattle, so that they will overwhelm thee on the waters and fords and pools
and thou wilt not see me before thee." "I will," replied he, "fling a stone
at thee that will break thy leg under thee, and thou wilt thus be lamed
till my sentence of blessing come on thee." Therewith she went from him.[2]

[1-1] LU. fo. 74a, in the margin.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1609-1629.

[a] Literally, '_non causa podicis feminae_.' The MS. is partly erased
here.

* * * * *

[Page 163]

XV

[1]HERE FOLLOWETH THE COMBAT OF LOCH AND CUCHULAIN ON THE TAIN,[1]
[2]AND THE SLAYING OF LOCH SON OF MOFEMIS[2]

[3]Then it was debated by the men of Erin who would be fitted to fight and
contend with Cuchulain and ward him off from them on the ford at the
morning-hour early on the morrow. What they all agreed was that it should
be Loch Mor ('the Great') son of Mofemis, the royal champion of Munster.[3]
[W.2260.] It was then that Loch Mor son of Mofemis was summoned [4]like the
rest[4] to the pavilion of Ailill and Medb, [5]and he was promised the
equal of Mag Murthemni of the smooth field of Mag Ai, and the accoutrement
of twelve men, and a chariot of the value of seven bondmaids.[5] "What
would ye of me?" asked Loch. "To have fight with Cuchulain," replied
Medb. "I will not go on that errand, for I esteem it no honour nor becoming
to attack a tender, young, smooth-chinned, beardless boy. [6]'Tis not
seemly to speak thus to me, and ask it not of me.[6] And not to belittle
him do I say it, but I have [7]a doughty brother, [8]the match of
himself,"[8] said Loch,[7] "a man to confront him, Long macEmonis, to wit,
and he will rejoice to accept an offer from you; [9]and it were fitting for
him to contend with Cuchulain for Long has no beard on cheek or lip any
more than Cuchulain."[9]

[1-1] YBL. 1630.

[2-2] LU. fo. 74b, between the columns.

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1631.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1631-1633.

[6-6] Eg. 209.

[7-7] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[8-8] Eg. 93.

[9-9] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[W.2266.] [1]Thereupon[1] Long was summoned to the tent of Ailill and Medb,
and Medb promised him great gifts, even livery for twelve men of cloth of
every colour, and a chariot worth four[a] times seven bondmaids, and
Finnabair to wife for him alone, and at all times entertainment in
Cruachan, and that wine[b] would be poured out for him.

[1-1] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[a] 'Thrice.' Eg. 209.

[b] 'Ale,' Eg. 209.

[2]They passed there that night and he engaged to do the battle and combat,
and early on the morrow[2] went Long [3]to the ford of battle and combat[3]
to seek Cuchulain, and Cuchulain slew him and [5]they brought him dead into
the presence of his brother, namely of Loch. And Loch [4]came forth and
raised up his loud, quick voice and[4] cried, had he known it was a bearded
man that slew him, he would slay him for it.[5] [6]And it was in the
presence of Medb that he said it.[6] [7]"Lead a battle-force against him,"
Medb cried to her host, "over the ford from the west, that ye may cross,
and let the law of fair fight be broken with Cuchulain." The seven Mane the
warriors went first, till they saw him to the west of the edge of the
ford. He wore his festive raiment on that day and the women clambered on
the men that they might behold him. "It grieves me," said Medb. "I cannot
see the boy because of whom they go there." "Thy mind would not be the
easier for that," quoth Lethrenn, Ailill's horseboy, "if thou shouldst see
him." Cuchulain came to the ford as he was. "What man is that yonder, O
Fergus?" asked Medb.[c] And Medb, too, climbed on the men to get a look
[W.2272.] at him.[7] [1]Then[1] Medb called upon [2]her handmaid for two
woman-bands,[2] [3]fifty or twice fifty[3] of her women, to go speak with
Cuchulain and to charge him to put a false beard on. The woman-troop went
their way to Cuchulain and told him to put a false beard on [4]if he wished
to engage in battle or combat with goodly warriors or with goodly youths of
the men of Erin;[4] [5]that sport was made of him in the camp for that he
had no beard, and that no good warrior would go meet him but only madmen.
It were easier to make a false beard:[5] "For no brave warrior in the camp
thinks it seemly to come fight with thee, and thou beardless," [6]said
they.[6] [7]"If that please me," said Cuchulain, "then I shall do it."[7]
Thereupon Cuchulain [8]took a handful of grass and speaking a spell over it
he[8] bedaubed himself a beard [9]in order to obtain combat with a man,
namely with Loch.[9] And he came onto the knoll overlooking the men of Erin
and made that beard manifest to them all, [10]so that every one thought it
was a real beard he had.[10] [11]"'Tis true," spake the women, "Cuchulain
has a beard. It is fitting for a warrior to fight with him." They said that
to urge on Loch.[11] Loch son of Mofemis saw it, and what he said was,
"Why, that is a beard on Cuchulain!" "It is what I perceive," Medb
answered. Medb promised the same great terms to Loch to put a check to
Cuchulain. [12]"I will not undertake the fight till the end of seven days
from this day," exclaimed Loch. "Not fitting is it for us to leave that man
unattacked for all that time," Medb answered. "Let us put a warrior every
night to spy upon him if, peradventure, we might get a chance at him." This
then they did. A warrior went every night to spy upon him and he slew them
all. These are the names of the men who fell there: the seven Conall, the
seven Oengus, the seven Uargus, the seven Celtri, the eight Fiach, the ten
Ailill, the ten Delbrath, the ten Tasach. These are the deeds of that week
on Ath Grenca.

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