lay was finished, Cuchulain accepted none of the terms which she
had offered. In such wise they parted in the valley and withdrew in equal
anger on the one side and on the other.

The warriors of four of the five grand provinces of Erin pitched camp and
took quarters for three days and three nights at Druim En ('Birds' Ridge')
in Conalle Murthemni, but neither huts nor tents did they set up, nor did
they [W.1688.] engage in feasts or repasts, nor sang they songs nor carols
those three nights. And Cuchulain destroyed a hundred of their warriors
every night ere the bright hour of sunrise on the morrow.

[LL.fo.70b.] "Our hosts will not last long in this fashion," said Medb, "if
Cuchulain slays a hundred of our warriors every night. Wherefore is a
proposal not made to him and do we not parley with him?" "What might the
proposal be?" asked Ailill. "Let the cattle that have milk be given to him
and the captive women from amongst our booty. And he on his side shall
check his staff-sling from the men of Erin and give leave to the hosts to
sleep, [1]even though he slay them by day."[1] "Who shall go with
that proposal?" Ailill asked. "Who," answered Medb, "but macRoth the
[2]chief[2] runner!" "Nay, but I will not go," said macRoth, "for I am in
no way experienced and know not where Cuchulain may be, [3]and even though
I should meet him, I should not know him.[3]" "Ask Fergus," quoth Medb;
"like enough he knows [4]where he is.[4]" "Nay, then, I know it not,"
answered Fergus; "but I trow he is [5]in the snow[5] between Fochain and
the sea, taking the wind and the sun after his sleeplessness last night,
killing and slaughtering the host single handed." And so it truly
was. [6]Then on that errand to Delga macRoth set forth, the messenger of
Ailill and Medb. He it is that circles Erin in one day. There it is that
Fergus opined that Cuchulain would be, in Delga.[6]

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1128.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1109-1111.

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 war