that they themselves should be killed and thou
provisioned."

Every day there fell a man by Cuchulain till the end of a week. [2]Then[2]
faith is broken with Cuchulain. Twenty are despatched at one time to attack
him and he destroys them all. "Go to him, O Fergus," says Ailill, "that he
may vouchsafe us a change of place." A while after this they proceed to
Cronech. These are they that fell in single combat with him in that place,
to wit: the two Roth, the two Luan, two women-thieves, ten fools, ten
cup-bearers, the ten Fergus, the six Fedelm, the six Fiachu. Now these were
all killed by him in single combat.

[2-2] Eg. 1782.

When their tents were pitched by them in Cronech they discussed what they
had best do with Cuchulain. "I know," quoth Medb, "what is best here. Let
some one go to him from us for a sword-pact from him in respect of the
host, and he shall have half the cattle that are here." This message they
bring to him. "I will do it," said Cuchulain, "provided the bond is not
broken by you[1] [3]to-morrow.[3]"

[1-1] LU. 1362-1379.

[3-3] Eg. 1782.

* * * * *

[Page 139]

XIIc

[1]HERE IS TOLD THE MEETING OF CUCHULAIN AND FINNABAIR[1]

[2]"Let a message be sent to him," said Ailill, "that Finnabair my daughter
will be bestowed on him, and for him to keep away from the hosts." Mane
Athramail ('Fatherlike') goes to him. But first he addresses himself to
Laeg. "Whose man art thou?" spake Mane. Now Laeg made no answer. Thrice
Mane addressed him in this [3]same[3] wise. "Cuchulain's man," Laeg
answers, "and provoke me not, lest it happen I strike thy head off thee!"
"This man is mad," quoth Mane as he leaves him. Then he goes to accost
Cuchulain. It was there Cuchulain had doffed his tunic, and the [4]deep[4]
snow was around him where he sat, up to his belt, and the snow had melted a
cubit around him for the greatness of the heat of the hero. And Mane
addressed him three times in like manner, whose man he was? "Conchobar's
man, and do not provoke me. For if thou provokest me any longer I will
strike thy head off thee as one strikes off the head of a blackbird!" "No
easy thing," quoth Mane, "to speak to these two." Thereupon Mane leaves
them and tells his tale to Ailill and Medb.

[1-1] LU. fo. 71a, in the margin.

[2-2] LU. 1380-1414.

[3-3] Eg. 1782.

[4-4] Eg. 1782.

"Let Lugaid go to him," said Ailill, "and offer him the gir