among [6]the entire host of[6] the men of Erin, [7]so that their number is not clear, namely, that of the cantred of Leinstermen."[7] [8]This here is the third cunningest [9]and most difficult[9] reckoning that ever was made in Erin.  These were:  The reckoning by Cuchulain of the men of Erin on the Tain, the reckoning by Lug Lamfota (’Long-hand’) of the host of the Fomorians [10]in the Battle of Moytura,[10] and the reckoning by Incel of the host in the Hostel of Da Derga.[8]

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 294-295.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 297.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 297.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 297-298.

    [5-5] LU. and YBL. 298-299.

    [6-6] LU. and YBL. 302.

    [7-7] LU. and YBL. 302.

    [8-8] Stowe.

    [9-9] LU. fo. 58a, in the margin.

    [10-10] LU. fo. 58a, in the margin.

Now, many and divers were the magic virtues that were in Cuchulain [11]that were in no one else in his day.[11] Excellence of form, excellence of shape, excellence of build, excellence [W.661.] in swimming, excellence in horsemanship, excellence in chess and in draughts, excellence in battle, excellence in contest, excellence in single combat, excellence in reckoning, excellence in speech, excellence in counsel, excellence in bearing, excellence in laying waste and in plundering from the neighbouring border.

    [11-11] Stowe, and LU. fo. 58a, 24, marginal note.

“Good, my friend Laeg.  Brace the horses for us to the chariot; lay on the goad for us on the horses; drive on the chariot for us and give thy left[a] board to the hosts, to see can we overtake the van or the rear or the midst of the hosts, for I will cease to live unless there fall by my hand this night a friend or foe of the men of Erin.”

    [a] A sign of enmity.

Then it was that the charioteer gave the prick to the steeds.  He turned his left board to the hosts till he arrived at Turloch[b] Caille More (’the Creek of the Great Wood’) northwards of Cnogba na Rig (’Knowth of the Kings’) which is called Ath Gabla (’the Ford of the Fork’). [1]Thereupon Cuchulain went round the host till he came to Ath Grenca.[1] He went into the wood at that place and sprang out of his chariot, and he lopped off a four-pronged fork, root and top, with a single stroke [2]of his sword.[2] He pointed and charred it and put a writing in ogam on its side, and he gave it a long throw from the hinder part of his chariot with the tip of a single hand, in such wise that two-thirds of it sank into the ground and only one-third was above it [3]in the mid part of the stream, so that no chariot could go thereby on this side or that.[3]

    [b] Belach (’the Pass’), Eg. 1782.

    [1-1] Eg. 1782.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 304.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 305.