[10-10] Stowe.

    [11-11] H. 2. 17.

    [12-12] H. 2. 17.

    [1-1] H. 2. 17, and, similarly, Stowe.

    [2-2] H. 2. 17.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 1170 and H. 2. 17.

    [4-4] H. 2. 17.

    [5-5] H. 2. 17.

    [6-6] H. 2. 17.

    [7-7] H. 2. 17.

    [8-8] Reading with Stowe.

    [9-9] H. 2. 17.

    [10-10 Stowe.

    [11-11] H. 2. 17.

    [13-13] H. 2. 17.

    [14-14] H. 2. 17.

Etarcumul tarried behind gazing for a long time at Cuchulain.  “At what starest thou, gilla?” asked Cuchulain.  “I look at thee,” said Etarcumul.  “In truth then, thou hast not far to look,” said Cuchulain. [1]"There is no need of straining thine eye for that; not far from thee within sight, thine eye seeth what is not smaller than I nor bigger.[1] If thou but knewest how angered is the little creature thou regardest, myself, to wit!  And how then do I appear unto thee gazing upon me?” “Thou pleasest me as thou art; a comely, [2]shapely,[2] wonderful, beautiful youth thou art, with brilliant, striking, various feats.  Yet as for rating thee where goodly warriors are or forward youths or heroes of bravery or sledges of destruction, we count thee not nor consider thee at all. [3]I know not why thou shouldst be feared by any one.  I behold nothing of terror or fearfulness or of the overpowering of a host in thee.  So, a comely youth with arms of wood and with showy feats is all thou art!"[3] [4]"Though thou revilest me,"[4] said Cuchulain, “it is a surety for thee that thou camest from the camp under the protection of Fergus, [5]as thou well knowest.[5] For the rest, I swear by my gods whom I worship, were it not for the honour of Fergus, it would be only bits of thy bones and shreds of thy limbs, [6]thy reins drawn and thy quarters scattered[6] that would be brought back to the camp [7]behind thy horses and chariot!"[7] “But threaten me no longer [W.1858.] in this wise, [1]Cuchulain[1]!” [2]cried Etarcumul;[2] “for the [3]wonderful[3] terms thou didst exact of the men of Erin, [4]that fair play and[4] combat with one man [5]should be granted thee,[5] none other of the men of Erin but mine own self will come to-morrow [6]at morn’s early hour on the ford[6] to attack thee.”

    [1-1] Reading with H. 2. 17.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 1178-1180.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 1181.

    [5-5] Stowe; LL. reads ‘I know.’

    [6-6] LU. and YBL. 1182-1183.

    [7-7] H. 2. 17.

    [1-1] H. 2. 17.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 1185.

    [4-4] H. 2. 17.

    [5-5] H. 2. 17.

    [6-6] H. 2. 17.

“Come out, then,” [7]said Cuchulain,[7] “and howso early thou comest, thou wilt find me here.  I will not fly before thee. [8]Before no man have I put foot in flight till now on the Plunder of the Kine of Cualnge and neither will I fly before thee!"[8]