alour
of each man of them.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Stowe.

* * * * *

[Page 150]

XIV

[1]THE SLAYING OF FERBAETH ('THE WITLESS')[1]

[2]Then again the men of Erin took counsel who would be fit to fight and do
combat with Cuchulain and to ward him off from them on the ford at the
morning-hour early on the morrow. What they each and all said was, that it
would be his own friend and companion and the man who was his equal in arms
and feats, even Ferbaeth son of Ferbend.

[1-1] LU. fo. 73a, in the margin.

Then was Ferbaeth son of Ferbend summoned to them, to the tent of Ailill
and Medb. "Wherefore do ye call me to you?" Ferbaeth asked. "In sooth, it
would please us," Medb answered, "for thee to do battle and contend with
Cuchulain, and to ward him off from us on the ford at the morning hour
early on the morrow."

Great rewards they promised to him for making the battle and combat.[2]
[3]Finnabair is given to him for this and the kingdom of his race, for he
was their choice to combat Cuchulain. He was the man they thought worthy of
him, for they both had learned the same service in arms with Scathach.[3]

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1529-1553.

[4]"I have no desire to act thus," Ferbaeth protested. "Cuchulain is my
foster-brother and of everlasting covenant with me. Yet will I go meet him
to-morrow, so shall I strike off his head!" "It will be thou that canst do
it," Medb made answer.[4]

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1538-1540.

[W.2143.] Then it was that Cuchulain said to his charioteer, namely to
Laeg: "Betake thee thither, O master Laeg," said Cuchulain, "to the camp of
the men of Erin, and bear a greeting [LL.fo.74b.] from me to my comrades
and foster-brothers and age-mates. Bear a greeting to Ferdiad son of Daman,
and to Ferdet son of Daman, and to Brass son of Ferb, and to Lugaid son of
Nos, and to Lugaid son of Solamach, to Ferbaeth son of Baetan, and to
Ferbaeth son of Ferbend, and a particular greeting withal to mine own
foster-brother, to Lugaid son of Nos, for that he is the one man that still
has friendliness and friendship with me now on the hosting. And bear him a
blessing. [1]Let it be asked diligently of him[1] that he may tell thee who
[2]of the men of Erin[2] will come to attack me on the morrow."

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1525.

[2-2] Stowe.

Then Laeg went his way to the camp of the men of Erin and brought the
aforementi