[a] MSS.:  ‘ye.’

    [3-3] Stowe, and, similarly, Eg. 106, Eg. 109 and H. 1. 13.

    [4-4] Stowe, and, similarly, Eg. 209, Eg. 106 and H. 1. 13.

    [5-5] Eg. 106.

    [6-6] YBL. 37b, 9.

    [7-7] YBL. 37b, 10.

    [a] MS.:  ‘his.’

    [1-1] YBL. 37b, 22.

Ferdiad’s horses were now brought forth and his chariot was hitched, and he set out [2]from the camp[2] for the ford of battle when yet day with its full light had not come there for him. [3]"My lad,” spake Ferdiad, “it is not fitting that we make our journey without bidding farewell to the men of Erin.  Turn the horses and the chariot for us towards the men of Erin.”  Thrice the servant turned the heads of the horses and the chariot towards the men of Erin.  Then he came upon Medb letting her water from her on the floor of the tent.  “Ailill, sleepest thou still?” asked Medb.  “Not so!” replied Ailill.  “Dost hear thy new son-in-law taking farewell, of thee?” “Is that what he doth?” asked Ailill. “’Tis that, verily,” Medb made answer; “but I swear by what my tribe swears, not on the same feet will the man who makes that greeting come back to you.”  “Howbeit, we have profited by a happy alliance of marriage with him,” quoth Ailill; “if only Cuchulain falls by his hand, I should be pleased if they both fell, yet would I prefer that Ferdiad should escape.”

    [2-2] YBL. 37b, 24.

    [3-3] YBL. 37b, 25-38a, 25.

Ferdiad came to the ford of combat.  “Look, my lad!” said Ferdiad, “is Cuchulain on the ford?” “That he is not,” replied the gilla.  “Look well for us,” said Ferdiad.  “Cuchulain is not a little speck where he would be in hiding,” answered the gilla. “’Tis true, then, my lad; till this day Cuchulain hath not heard of a goodly warrior coming to meet him on the Cow-spoil of Cualnge, and now when he has heard of one, he has left the ford.”

“Shame for thee to slander Cuchulain in his absence.  Rememberest thou not when ye gave battle to German Garbglas above the borders of the Tyrrhene Sea, thou leftest thy sword with the hosts, and it was Cuchulain who slew a hundred warriors till he reached it and brought it to thee?  And mindest thou well where we were that night?” the gilla asked further.  “I know not,” Ferdiad answered.  “At the house of Scathach’s steward,” said the other; “and thou wentest ... and proudly in advance of us all into the house.  The churl gave thee a blow with his three-pointed fork in the small of the back, so that thou flewest like a bolt out over the door.  Cuchulain came in and gave the churl a blow with his sword, so that he made two pieces of him.  I was their house-steward whilst ye were in that place.  If it were that day, thou wouldst not say thou wast a better warrior than Cuchulain.”  “Wrong is what thou hast done, O gilla,” said Ferdiad; “for I would not have come to the combat, hadst thou spoken