[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1508-1509.

    [a] ‘Fiachu,’ LU. and YBL. 1510.

    [4-4] Stowe.

    [5-5] Following Windisch’s emendation of the text.

    [6-6] LU. and YBL. 1512.

    [7-7] LU. and YBL. 1513.

    [8-8] LU. 1513.

    [9-9] LU. and YBL. 1513-1514.

[10]Fergus greeted each one there and this is what he said:[10] “If your engagements and pledges bind you now,” said Fergus, “another warrior ye must send to him yonder on the ford; else, do ye keep to your camp and your quarters here till the bright hour of sunrise on the morrow, for Cur son of Da Loth is fallen.” [11]"We will grant that,” said Medb, “and we will not pitch tents nor take quarters here now, but we will remain where we were last night in camp.[11] [W.2136.] Considering why we have come, it is the same to us even though we remain in those same tents.”

    [10-10] Stowe.

    [11-11] Eg. 93.

[1]The four great provinces of Erin[1] remained in that camp till Cur son of Da Loth had fallen, and Loth son of Da Bro and Srub Dare son of Feradach and [2]Morc[2] son of Tri Aigneach.  These then fell in single combat with Cuchulain.  But it is tedious to recount one by one the cunning and valour of each man of them.

    [1-1] Eg. 93.

    [2-2] Stowe.

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[Page 150]

XIV

[1]THE SLAYING OF FERBAETH (’THE WITLESS’)[1]

[2]Then again the men of Erin took counsel who would be fit to fight and do combat with Cuchulain and to ward him off from them on the ford at the morning-hour early on the morrow.  What they each and all said was, that it would be his own friend and companion and the man who was his equal in arms and feats, even Ferbaeth son of Ferbend.

    [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.