[3-3] YBL. 2234.

    [1-1] Eg. 106, Eg. 209.

    [2-2] Eg. 209.

    [a] The word is illegible in the manuscript.

    [3-3] Eg. 106.

    [1-1] Eg. 209.

    [3-3] Reading with Eg. 209.

“Ye men,” spake Medb, in the wonted fashion of stirring up disunion and dissension, [4]as if she had not heard Ferdiad at all,[4] “true is the word Cuchulain speaks.”  “What word is that?” asked Ferdiad.  “He said, then,” replied Medb, “he would not think it too much if thou shouldst fall by his hands in the choicest feat of his skill in arms, in the land whereto he should come.”  “It was not just for him to speak so,” quoth Ferdiad; “for it is not cowardice or lack of boldness that he hath ever seen in me [5]by day or by night.[5] [6]And I speak not so to him, for I have it not to say of him.[6] And I swear by my arms [7]of valour,[7] if it be true that he spoke so, I will be the first man of the men of Erin to contend with him on the morrow, [8]how loath soever I am to do so!"[8]

    [4-4] YBL. 2238.

    [5-5] YBL. 2242.

    [6-6] Eg. 106.

    [7-7] Eg. 209.

    [8-8] Eg. 106.

[9]And he gave his word in the presence of them all that he would go and meet Cuchulain.  For it pleased Medb, if Ferdiad should fail to go, to have them as a witness against him, in order that she might say it was fear or dread that caused him to break his word.[9] “A blessing [10]and victory[10] upon thee for that!” said Medb; “it pleaseth me more than for thee to show fear and lack of boldness.  For every man loves his own land, and how is it better for him to seek the welfare of Ulster, [11]because his mother was descended from the Ulstermen,[11] than for thee to seek the welfare of Connacht,[2] [12]as thou art the son of a king of Connacht?"[12]

    [9-9] Eg. 106.

    [10-10] YBL. 2244.

    [11-11] YBL. 2247.

    [12-12] YBL. 2248.

Then it was that Medb obtained from Ferdiad the easy [W.3163.] surety of a covenant to fight and contend on the morrow with six warriors [1]of the champions of Erin,[1] or to fight and contend with Cuchulain alone, if to him this last seemed lighter.  Ferdiad obtained [2]of Medb[2] the easy surety, [3]as he thought,[3] to send the aforesaid six men for the fulfilment of the terms which had been promised him, should Cuchulain fall at his hands.

    [1-1] Stowe and Eg. 209.

    [2-2] Stowe, Eg. 209 and Eg. 106.

    [3-3] A gloss, in LL.