l the dry cattle. For the men of Ulster are honourable men and they
would remain wholly without dry kine and milch-kine. They would bring their
free women ye have captured to the querns and to the kneading-troughs and
into bondage and [9]other[9] serfdom [10]besides.[10] [11]This would be a
disgrace.[11] Loath I should be to leave after me this shame in Ulster,
that slave-girls and bondmaids should be made of the daughters of kings and
princes of Ulster." "Is there any offer at all thou wilt accept this time?"
[12]said macRoth[12] "Aye, but there is," answered Cuchulain. "Then wilt
thou tell me the offer?" asked macRoth. "By my word," Cuchulain made
answer, "'tis not I that will tell you." "It is a question, then," said
macRoth. "If there be among you in the camp," said Cuchulain, "one that
knows the terms I demand, let [W.1766.] him inform you, [1]and I will abide
thereby."[1] "And if there be not?"[2] said macRoth. "If there be not,"
said Cuchulain,[2] "let no one come near me any more with offers or with
friendly intercourse [3]or concerning aught other injunction,[3] for,
whosoever may come, it will be the term of his life!"

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] H. 2. 17.

[7-7] Stowe.

[8-8] Stowe.

[9-9] Stowe.

[10-10] Stowe.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] H. 2. 17.

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] Stowe.

MacRoth came back [4]to the camp and station of the men of Erin, to where
Ailill, Medb, and Fergus were,[4] and Medb asked his tidings. "Didst thou
find him?" Medb asked. "In truth, I found him," macRoth replied. "Hath he
accepted [5]the terms?"[5] "He hath not accepted," replied macRoth. "[6]How
so;" said Ailill,[6] "is there an offer he will accept?" "There is one, he
said," [7]answered macRoth.[7] "Hath he made known to thee this offer?"
"This is his word," said macRoth, "that he himself would not disclose it to
ye." "'Tis a question, then," said Medb. "But" (macRoth continued), "should
there be one in our midst that knows his terms, that one would tell it to
me." "And if there be not," [8]said Ailill. "And if there be not,"[8]
(answered macRoth), "let no one go seek him any more. But, there is one
thing I promise [9]thee,"[9] said macRoth; "even though the kingdom of Erin
were [10]given me[10] for it, I for one would not go [11]on these same legs
to that place[11] to parley with him [12]again."[12] [13]"Belike, Fergus
knows," quoth Aili