[W.3172.] Fergus drew nigh and sprang from his chariot.[7] Cuchulain bade him welcome. [LL.fo.82a.] “Welcome is thy coming, O my master Fergus!” cried Cuchulain. [1]"If a flock of birds comes into the plain, thou shalt have a duck with half of another.  If a fish comes into the river-mouths, thou shalt have a salmon with half of another.  A handful of water-cress and a bunch of laver and a sprig of sea-grass and a drink of cold water from the sand thou shalt have thereafter.”  “Tis an outlaw’s portion, that,” said Fergus.  “Tis true; ’tis an outlaw’s portion is mine,” answered Cuchulain.[1] “Truly intended, methinks, the welcome, O [W.3174.] fosterling,” said Fergus.  “But, [1]were it for this I came, I should think it better to leave it.[1] It is for this I am here, to inform thee who comes to fight and contend with thee at the morning hour early on the morrow.”  “E’en so will we hear it from thee,” said Cuchulain.  “Thine own friend and comrade and foster-brother, the man thine equal in feats and in skill of arms and in deeds, Ferdiad son of Daman son of Dare, the great and mighty warrior of the men of Domnann.” [2]"As my soul liveth,"[2] replied Cuchulain, “it is not to an encounter we wish our friend to come, and [3]not for fear, but for love and affection of him;[3] [4]and almost I would prefer to fall by the hand of that warrior than for him to fall by mine."[4] “It is even for that,” answered Fergus, “thou shouldst be on thy guard and prepared. [5]Say not that thou hast no fear of Ferdiad, for it is fitting that thou shouldst have fear and dread before fighting with Ferdiad.[5] For unlike all to whom it fell to fight and contend with thee on the Cualnge Cattle-raid on this occasion is Ferdiad son of Daman son of Dare, [9]for he hath a horny skin about him [6]in battle against a man,[6] [7]a belt,[7] [8]equally strong, victorious in battle,[8] and neither points nor edges are reddened upon it[9] [10]in the hour of strife and anger.  For he is the fury of a lion, and the bursting of wrath, and the blow of doom, and the wave that drowneth foes."[10] [12]"Speak not thus!” cried Cuchulain, “for I swear [11]by my arms of valour,[11] the oath that my people swear, that every limb and every joint will be as soft as a pliant rush in the bed of a river under the point of sword, if he show himself to me on the ford![12] Truly am I here,” said Cuchulain, “checking and [W.3185.] staying four of the five grand provinces of Erin from Monday at[a] Summer’s end till[b] the beginning of spring, [1]and I have not left my post for a night’s disport, through stoutly opposing the men of Erin on the Cattle-lifting of Cualnge.[1] And in all this time, I have not put foot in retreat before any one man [2]nor before a multitude,[2] and methinks just as little will I turn foot in flight before him.”

    [1-1] YBL. 36b, 27-28.

    [7-7] YBL. fo. 36a, 39-36b, 15.

    [1-1] YBL. 36b, 18-24.

    [2-2] Literally, ‘I say our confession.’