6]Fergus turned to rebuke Cuchulain.[6] "How darest thou offend me,
thou wild, [7]perverse, little[7] elf-man," cried Fergus, "in him that
came under my safeguard and protection? [8]Thou thinkest my club short."[8]
[LL.fo.72b.] [9]"Be not wroth with me, my master Fergus," said Cuchulain.[9]
"After the nurture and care thou didst bestow on me [10]and the Ulstermen
bestowed and Conchobar[10] tell me, which wouldst thou hold better, [11]for
the Ulstermen to be conquered without anyone to punish them but me alone
and[11] for him to triumph and boast over me, or for me to triumph and
boast over him? And yet more, [12]of his own fault he fell.[12] Ask his own
gilla which of us was in fault in respect of the other; [13]it was none
other but he.[13][a] [1]Reproach me not, O Fergus my master." He bent down
so that Fergus' chariot went past him thrice. "Ask his charioteer, is it I
that have caused it?" "Not thou indeed," answered his charioteer. "He
said," Cuchulain went on, "he would not go till either he took my head or
he left me his own."[1] [2]Then Etarcumul's gilla related to Fergus how it
all befel. When Fergus heard that, what he said was:[2] [W.1921.] "Liefer
to me what thou hast done, [3]O fosterling," said Fergus, "that Etarcumul
is slain, and[3] a blessing on the hand that smote him, [4]for it is he
that was overweening."[4]

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1209.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1210. Probably a proverbial expression.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1210.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] H. 2. 17.

[13-13] H. 2. 17.

[a] Lines 1212-1216 LU. and YBL. (Edition of Strachan and O'Keeffe) are
omitted in the translation.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1216-1220.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1222.

So then they bound two spancels about the ankle-joints of Etarcumul's feet
and he was dragged along behind his horses and chariot. At every rock that
was rough for him, his lungs and his liver were left on the stones and the
rugged places. At every place that was smooth for him, his skilfully
severed limbs came together again round the horses. In this wise he was
dragged through the camp to the door of the tent of Ailill and Medb:
"There's your young warrior for you," cried Fergus, "for 'Every restoration
together with its restitution' is what the law saith."[a] Medb came forth
to the door of her tent and she raised her [5]quick, spli