two horses like a lord of Day and Night, and of Life and Death.  Truly the might and power of the Long-Handed and Far-Shooting one was upon him that night.  He came to Emain Macha.  The doors of Macha’s stable flew open before him.  He rode the horses into the stable.  Macha’s war-car brayed forth a brazen roar of welcome, the Tuatha De Danan shouted, and the car itself glowed and sparkled.  The horses went to their ancient stalls, the Liath Macha to that which was nearer to the door.  Cuculain took off their bridles and hanged them on the wall.  He went forth into the night.  The horses were already eating their barley, but they looked after him as he went.  The doors shut to with a brazen clash.  Cuculain stood alone in the great court under the stars.  A druidic storm was abroad and howled in the forests.  He thought all that had taken place a wild dream.  He went to his dormitory and to his couch.  Laeg was asleep with the starlight shining on his white forehead; his red hair was shed over the pillow.  Cuculain kissed him, and sitting on the bed’s edge wept.  Laeg awoke.

“Thou wert not well at supper,” said Laeg, “and now thou hast been wandering in the damp of the night, and thou with a fever upon thee, for I hear thy teeth clattering.  I sought to hinder thee, and thou wouldst not be persuaded.  Verily, if thou wilt not again obey me, being thy senior, thou shalt have sore bones at my hands.  Undress thyself now and come to bed without delay.”

Cuculain did so.

“Thou art as cold as ice,” said Laeg.

“Nay, I am hotter than fire,” said Cuculain.

“Thou art ice, I say,” said Laeg, “and thy teeth are clattering like hailstones on a brazen shield.  Ay, and thine eyes shine terribly.”

Laeg started from the couch.  He struck flintsparks upon a rag steeped in nitre, and waved it to a flame, and kindled a lanthorn.  He flung his own mantle upon the bed and went forth in his shirt.  The storm raged terribly; the stars were dancing in high heaven.  He came to the house of the Chief Leech and beat at the door.  The Leech was not in bed.  All the wise men of Emain Macha were awake that night, listening to the portents.

“Setanta, son of Sualtam, is sick,” said Laeg.

“What are his symptoms?” said the Leech.

“He is colder than ice, his eyes shine terribly, and his teeth clatter, but he says that he is hotter than fire.”

The Leech went to Cuculain.  “This is not a work for me,” he said, “but for a seer.  Bring hither Cathvah and his Druids.”  Cathvah and and his seers came.  They made their symbols of power over the youth and chanted their incantations and Druid songs.  After that Cuculain slept.  He slept for three days and three nights.  There was a great stillness while the boy slept, for it was not lawful at any time for anyone to awake Cuculain when he slumbered.

On the third morning Cuculain awoke.  The bright morning sunshine was all around, and the birds sang in Emain Macha.  He called for Laeg with a loud voice and bade him order a division of the boys to get ready their horses and chariots for charioteering exercise and fighting out of their cars.