[7]before
the expedition of the Tain,[7] Ailill had found Fergus going to a tryst
with Medb on the hillside in Cruachan and his sword on a [8]branch[8] near
by him. And Ailill had torn the sword from its sheath and put a wooden
sword in its stead and vowed he would not restore him the sword till came
the day of the great battle, [9]when the men of Erin would clash in the
great battle of the Cualnge Cattle-raid at Garech and Ilgarech.[9] [10]"It
is a perilous thing for thee to come to a place of fight, O my master
Fergus, without thy sword."[10] "It matters not to me, O fosterling,"
replied Fergus; "for had I a sword in this, it never would cut thee nor be
plied on thee. But, by [W.2874.] the honour and training I bestowed upon
thee and the Ulstermen and Conchobar bestowed, [1]by the troth of thy
valour and knighthood[1] I adjure thee, give way before me this day in the
presence of the men of Erin!" "Truly I am loath [2]to do that,"[2] answered
Cuchulain, "to flee before any one man on the Cattle-spoil of Cualnge."
"Nay then it is not a thing to be taken amiss by thee," said Fergus; "for I
in my turn will retreat before thee when thou wilt be covered with wounds
and dripping with gore and pierced with holes in the battle of the Tain.
And when I alone shall turn in flight [3]before thee,[3] so will all the
men of Erin also flee [4]before thee in like manner."[4] So zealous was
Cuchulain to do whatever made for Ulster's weal that he had his chariot
brought to him, and he mounted his chariot and he went in confusion and
flight [5]from Fergus in the presence[5] of the men of Erin. [6]As far as
Grellach Dolluid ('the Stamping-place at Dolluid') he fled, in order that
Fergus might give way before him on the day of the battle.[6] [7]When[7]
the men of Erin saw that, [8]they were joyful, and what they said was
this:[8] "He is fled from thee! He is fled from thee, O Fergus!" cried
all. "Pursue him, pursue him [9]quickly,[9] O Fergus," Medb cried, "that he
do not escape thee." "Nay then," said Fergus, "I will pursue him no
further. [10]It is not like a tryst. Yon fellow is too speedy for me.[10]
For however little ye may make of the flight I have put him to, none of the
men of Erin, [11]not even four of the five provinces of Erin[11] could have
obtained so much as that of him on the Cow-creagh of Cualnge. For this
cause, till the men of Erin take turns in single combat, I will not engage
again with this same man." Hence here we have