Heavy snow fell that night so that all the [7]five[7] provinces of Erin were a white plane with the snow.  And Cuchulain doffed the seven-score waxed, boardlike tunics which were used to be held under cords and strings next his skin, in order that his sense might not be deranged when [W.1709.] the fit of his fury came on him.  And the snow melted for thirty feet all around him, because of the intensity of the warrior’s heat and the warmth of Cuchulain’s body.  And the gilla [1]remained a good distance from him for he[1] could not endure to remain near him because of the might of his rage and the warrior’s fury and the heat of his body.  “A single warrior approacheth, O Cuchulain,” cried Laeg [2]to Cuchulain.[2] “What manner of warrior is he?” asked Cuchulain.  “A brown, broad-faced, handsome fellow; [3]a yellow head of hair and a linen ornament round it[3]; a splendid, brown, [4]hooded[4] cloak, [5]with red ornamentation,[5] about him; a fine, bronze pin in his cloak; a leathern three-striped doublet next his skin; two gapped shoes between his two feet and the ground; a white-hazel dog-staff in one of his hands; a single-edged sword with ornaments of walrus-tooth on its hilt in the other.  “Good, O gilla,” quoth Cuchulain, “these be the tokens of a herald.  One of the heralds of Erin is he to bring me message and offer of parley.”

    [7-7] Stowe.

    [1-1] H. 2. 17.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 1112.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 1112.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 1113.

    [5-5] LU. and YBL. 1114.

Now was macRoth arrived at the place where Laeg was, “[6]How now[6]!  What is thy title as vassal, O gilla? “macRoth asked.  “Vassal am I to the youth up yonder,” the gilla made answer.  MacRoth came to the place where Cuchulain was. [7]Cuchulain was sitting in the snow there up to his two hips with nothing about him ... his mantle.[7] “[8]How now[8]!  What is thy name as vassal, O warrior?” asked macRoth.  “Vassal am I to Conchobar son of Fachtna Fathach, [9]son of the High King of this province."[9] “Hast not something, [10]a name[10] more special than that?” “Tis enough for the nonce,” answered Cuchulain.  “Haply, thou knowest where I might find that famous Cuchulain of whom the men [W.1729.] of Erin clamour now on this foray?” “What wouldst thou say to him that thou wouldst not to me?” asked Cuchulain.  “To parley with him am I come on the part of Ailill and Medb, with terms and friendly intercourse for him.”  “What terms hast thou brought with thee for him?” “The milch-kine and the bondwomen of the booty he shall have, and for him to hold back his staff-sling from the hosts, for not pleasant is the thunder-feat he works every evening upon them.”  “Even though the one thou seekest were really at hand, he would not accept the proposals thou askest.” “[1]How so, then,” said macRoth[1]; “for the Ulstermen, as amends for their honour and in reprisal for injuries and satires and hindrances [2]and for bands of troops and marauders,[2] will kill [3]for meat in the winter[3] the milch-cows ye have captured, should they happen to have no yeld cattle.  And, what is more, they will bring their bondwomen to bed to them, and thus will grow up a base progeny on the side of the mothers in the land of Ulster, [4]and loath I am to leave after me such a disgrace on the men of Ulster.[4]