of a white, [1]hornless,[1] red-eared heifer, with fifty heifers about her and a chain of silvered bronze between each two of the heifers. [2]She bursts upon the pools and fords at the head of the cattle.  It was then that Cuchulain said, “I cannot see the fords for the waters."[2] The women [3]came with their strange sorcery, and[3] constrained Cuchulain by geasa and by inviolable bonds [4]to check the heifer for them[4] lest she should escape from him without harm.  Cuchulain made an unerring cast [5]from his sling-stick[5] at her, so that he shattered one of the Morrigan’s eyes.

    [11-11] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [12-12] See page 165, note 12.

    [a] Edited by Wh.  Stokes and E. Windisch, in Irische Texte, Bd.  II,
    SS. 241-254.

    [13-13] Eg. 93.

    [14-14] Eg. 93.

    [15-15] Eg. 209.

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 1722.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 1722.

    [3-3] Eg. 93.

    [4-4] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [5-5] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[6]Now when the men met on the ford and began to fight and to struggle, and when each of them was about to strike the other,[6] the Morrigan came thither in the shape of a slippery, black eel down the stream.  Then she came on the linn and she coiled [7]three folds[7] [8]and twists[8] around the [9]two[9] feet [10]and the thighs and forks[10] of Cuchulain, [11]till he was lying on his back athwart the ford[11] [12]and his limbs in the air.[12]

    [6-6] LU. 1713.

    [7-7] LU. and YBL. 1713.

    [8-8] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [9-9] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [10-10] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [11-11] LU. and YBL. 1714.

    [12-12] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

While Cuchulain was busied freeing himself [13]and before he was able to rise,[13] Loch wounded him crosswise through the breast, [14]so that the spear[a] went through him[14] [15]and the ford was gore-red with his blood.[15] [16]"Ill, indeed,” cried Fergus, “is this deed in the face of the foe.  Let some of ye taunt him, ye men,” he cried to his people, “to the end that he fall not in vain!”

    [13-13] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [14-14] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

    [a] ‘Sword,’ LU. and YBL. 1734.

    [15-15] LU. 1714.

Bricriu Nemthenga (’Of the Venom-tongue’) son of Carbad arose and began to revile Cuchulain.  “Thy strength has gone from thee,” said he, “when a little salmon overthrows thee even now when the Ulstermen are about to come out of their ’Pains.’[16] [1]Hard it would be for thee to take on thee warrior’s deeds in the presence of the men of Erin and to repel a stout warrior clad in his armour!"[1]

    [16-16] LU., edition of Strachan and O’Keeffe, p. 63, note 17. 
    Similarly, YBL. 1714-1716, and Eg. 93.