sal 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]

[6-6] H. 2. 17.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1116-1118.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[10-10] LU. and YBL. 1120.

[1] H. 2. 17.

[2] H. 2. 17.

[3] LU. and YBL. 1135.

[4] H. 2. 17.

MacRoth went his way back [5]to the camp of the men of Erin to where Ailill
and Medb and Fergus were.[5] "What! Didst thou not find him?" Medb
asked. "Verily, [6]I know not, but[6] I found a surly, angry, hateful,
wrathful gilla [7]in the snow[7] betwixt Fochain and the sea. Sooth to say,
I know not if he were Cuchulain." "Hath he accepted these proposals [8]from
thee?"[8] "Nay then, he hath not." And macRoth related [9]unto them all his
answer,[9] the reason why he did not accept them. "It was he himself with
whom thou spakest," said Fergus.

[5] H. 2. 17.

[6] H. 2. 17.

[7] H. 2. 17.

[8] Stowe.

[9] Stowe.

"Another offer shall be made him," said Medb. "What is the offer?"
asked Ailill. "There shall be given to him [W.1747.] the yeld cattle
and the noblest of the captive women of the booty, and his sling shall
be checked from the hosts, for not pleasant is the thunder-feat he
works on them every evening." "Who should go make this covenant?"
[1]said they.[1] "Who but macRoth [2]the king's envoy,"[2] [3]said
every one.[3] "Yea, I will go," said macRoth, "because this time I
know him."

[1-1] H. 2. 17.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4]Thereupon[4] macRoth [5]arose and[5] came to parley with Cuchulain. "To
parley with thee am I come this time [6]with other terms,[6] for I wis it
is thou art the renowned Cuchulain." "What hast thou brought with thee
now?" [7]Cuchulain asked.[7] "What is dry of the kine and what is noblest
of the captives [8]shalt thou get,[8] and hold thy staff-sling [LL.fo.71a.]
from the men of Erin and suffer the men of Erin to go to sleep, for not
pleasant is the thunder-feat thou workest upon them every evening." "I
accept not that offer, because, as amends for their honour, the Ulstermen
will kil