oned greetings to the comrades and foster-brothers of Cuchulain.
And he also went into the tent of Lugaid son of Nos. Lugaid bade him
welcome. "I take [3]that welcome[3] to be truly meant," said Laeg. "'Tis
truly meant for thee," replied Lugaid. "To converse with thee am I come
from Cuchulain," said Laeg, "and I bring these greetings truly and
earnestly from him to the end that thou tell me who comes to fight with
Cuchulain to-day." [4]"Truly not lucky is it for Cuchulain," said Lugaid,
"the strait wherein he is alone against the men of Erin.[4] The curse of
his fellowship and brotherhood and of his friendship and affection [5]and
of his arms[5] be upon that man; even his own real foster-brother himself,
[6]even the companion of us both,[6] Ferbaeth son of Ferbend. [7]He it is
that comes to meet him to-morrow.[7] He was invited into the tent of
[8]Ailill and[8] Medb a while [W.2165.] since. The daughter Finnabair was
set by his side. It is she who fills up the drinking-horns for him; it is
she who gives him a kiss with every drink that he takes; it is she who
serveth the food [1]to him.[1] Not for every one with Medb is the ale[a]
that is poured out for Ferbaeth [2]till he is drunk.[2] Only fifty
wagon-loads of it have been brought to the camp."

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1526-1527.

[5-5] LU. and YBL. 1528.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1527.

[7-7] LU. and YBL. 1528.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1532.

[1-1] H. 1. 13.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1535.

[a] In LU. and YBL. it is wine.

Then with heavy head, sorrowful, downcast, heaving sighs, Laeg retraced his
steps to Cuchulain. "With heavy head, sorrowful, downcast and sighing, my
master Laeg comes to meet me," said Cuchulain. "It must be that one of my
brothers-in-arms comes to attack me." For he regarded as worse a man of the
same training in arms as himself than aught other warrior. "Hail now, O
Laeg my friend," cried Cuchulain; "who comes to attack me to-day?" "The
curse of his fellowship and brotherhood, of his friendship and affection be
upon him; even thine own real foster-brother himself, namely Ferbaeth son
of Ferbend. A while ago he was summoned into the tent of Medb. The maiden
was set by his side; It is she who fills up the drinking-horns for him; it
is she who gives him a kiss with every drink; it is she who serveth his
food. Not for every one with Medb is the ale that is poured out for
Ferbaeth. Only fifty wagon-loads of it