[3-3] Stowe, Eg. 209, Eg. 106.

    [4-4] Eg. 106.

    [5-5] Eg. 106.

    [6-6] YBL. fo. 36b, 38.

    [7-7] Eg. 106.

    [8-8] Eg. 106.

    [9-9] Stowe and Eg. 209, and, similarly, YBL. 36b, 37.

    [10-10] Eg. 106.

    [11-11] Eg. 106.

    [12-12] YBL. 36b, 38-43

    [1-1] YBL. 36b, 25-26.

    [2-2] Stowe.

[3]And thus spake he, that it was not fear of Ferdiad that caused his anxiety for the fight, but his love for him. [3]And, on his part, so spake Fergus, putting him on his guard [4]because of Ferdiad’s strength,[4] and he said these words and Cuchulain responded:—­

       Fergus:  “O Cuchulain—­splendid deed—­
               Lo, ’tis time for thee to rise. 
               Here in rage against thee comes
               Ferdiad, red-faced Daman’s son!”

    Cuchulain:  “Here am I—­no easy task—­[c]
               Holding Erin’s men at bay;
               Foot I’ve never turned in flight
               In my fight with single foe!”

       Fergus:  “Dour the man when anger moves,
               Owing to his gore-red glaive;
               Ferdiad wears a skin of horn,
               ’Gainst which fight nor might prevails!”

    Cuchulain:  “Be thou still; urge not thy tale,
               Fergus of the mighty arms. 
               On no land and on no ground,
               For me is there aught defeat!”

       Fergus:  “Fierce the man with scores of deeds;
               No light thing, him to subdue. 
               Strong as hundreds—­brave his mien—­
               Point pricks not, edge cuts him not!”

    Cuchulain:  “If we clash upon the ford,
               I and Ferdiad of known skill,
               We’ll not part without we know: 
               Fierce will be our weapon fight!”

       Fergus:  [W.3214.] “More I’d wish it than reward,
               O Cuchulain of red sword,
               Thou shouldst be the one to bring
               Eastward haughty Ferdiad’s spoils!”

    Cuchulain:  “Now I give my word and vow,
               Though unskilled in strife of words,
               It is I will conquer this
               Son of Daman macDare!”

       Fergus:  “It is I brought east the host,
               Thus requiting Ulster’s wrong. 
               With me came they from their lands,
               With their heroes and their chiefs!”

    Cuchulain:  “Were not Conchobar in the ‘Pains,’
               Hard ’twould be to come near us. 
               Never Medb of Mag in Scail
               On more tearful march had come!”

       Fergus:  “Greatest deed awaits thy hand: 
               Fight with Ferdiad, Daman’s son. 
               Hard stern arms with stubborn edge,[b]
               Shalt thou have, thou Culann’s Hound!”