before him,
and the knobs of his calves would come on his shins, and one eye would be
in his head and the other one out of his head. A man's head would have gone
into his mouth. There was not a hair on him that was not as sharp as the
thorn of the haw, and a drop of blood was on each single hair. He would
recognize neither comrades nor friends. Alike he would strike them before
and behind. Therefrom it was that the men of Connacht gave Cuchulain the
name Riastartha ('the Contorted One').

* * * * *

[Page 145]

XIIf

[1]THE SLAUGHTER OF THE KING'S BODYGUARD[1]

"Let us ask for a sword-truce from Cuchulain," said Ailill and Medb. Lugaid
goes to him and Cuchulain accords the truce. "Put a man for me on the ford
to-morrow," said Cuchulain. There happened to be with Medb six royal
hirelings, to wit: six princes of the Clans of Deda, the three Dubs ('the
Blacks') of Imlech, and the three Dergs ('the Reds') of Sruthair, by
name. "Why should it not be for us," quoth they, "to go and attack
Cuchulain?" So the next day they went and Cuchulain put an end to the six
of them.[2]

[1-1] LU. fo. 72b, in the margin.

[2-2] See page 141, note 2.

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[Page 146]

XIII

[1]THE COMBAT OF CUR WITH CUCHULAIN[1]

[W.2076.] The men of Erin discussed among themselves who of them would be
fit to attack [2]and contend with[2] Cuchulain, [LL.fo.74a.] [3]and drive
him off from them on the ford at the morning-hour early on the morrow.[3]
And what they all said was that Cur ('the Hero') son of Da Loth should be
the one to attack him. For thus it stood with Cur: No joy was it to be his
bedfellow or to live with him. [4]He from whom he drew blood is dead ere
the ninth day.[4] And [5]the men of Erin[5] said: "Even should it be Cur
that falls, a trouble [6]and care[6] would be removed from the hosts;
[7]for it is not easy to be with him in regard to sitting, eating or
sleeping.[7] Should it be Cuchulain, it would be so much the better." Cur
was summoned to Medb's tent. "For what do they want me?" Cur asked. "To
engage with Cuchulain," replied Medb, [8]"to do battle, and ward him off
from us on the ford at the morning hour early on the morrow."[8] [9]Cur
deemed it not fitting to go and contend with a beardless boy.[9] "Little ye
rate our worth. Nay, but it is wonderful how ye regard it. Too tender is
the youth with whom ye compare me. Had I known