5] loved him, daughter," [6]quoth Ailill and Medb,[6]
"sleep with him this night and crave for us a truce of him for the hosts,
until [7]with Conchobar[7] he encounters us on the day of the great battle
when four of the grand provinces of Erin will meet at Garech and Ilgarech
in the battle of the Foray of Cualnge."

[1-1] The LU. version of the 'White-fight,' which occurs much earlier
(fo. 72a, edition of Strachan and O'Keeffe, lines 1457 and fol.), is
incorporated with the LL. version above.

[2-2] LU. 1457.

[3-3] YBL. 43a, 6.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] LU. 1458.

[6-6] LU. 1460-1463.

[a] 'One hundred fighting men,' LU. 1463.

[7-7] LU. 1463-1472.

[1-1] LU. 1458.

[2-2] Stowe.

[a] Literally, 'whisper.'

[3-3] YBL. 43a, 10.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] YBL. 43a, 10.

[6-6] YBL. 43a, 10

[7-7] YBL. 43a, 11.

[8]This then is done. Rochad sets forth to meet the horseman. "I am come,"
says the horseman, "from Finnabair to meet thee that thou come to speak
with the maiden." Thereupon Rochad goes alone to converse with her. The
army surrounds him on all sides; he is seized and hands are laid on him;
his followers are routed and driven in flight. Afterwards he is set free
and bound over not to oppose Ailill's host till the time he will come with
all the warriors of Ulster. Also they promise to give Finnabair to him.[8]

[8-8] LU. 1472-1478.

Rochad son of Fathemon accepted the offer [9]and thereupon he left them[9]
and that night the damsel slept with him.

[9-9] LU. 1478-1479.

An Under-king of Munster that was in the camp heard the tale. He went to
his people to speak of it. "Yonder maiden was plighted to me [10]on fifteen
hostages[10] once long ago," said he; "and it is for this I have now come
on this [W.4568.] hosting." Now wherever it happened that the seven[a]
Under-kings of Munster were, what they all said was that it was for this
they were come. [1]"Yonder maiden was pledged to each of us in the bargain
as our sole wife, to the end that we should take part in this warfare."
They all declared that that was the price and condition on which they had
come on the hosting.[1] "Why," said they, [2]"what better counsel could we
take?[2] Should we not go to avenge our wife and our honour on the Mane
[3]the sons of Ailill[3] who are watching [4]and guarding[4] the rear of
the army at Imlech in Glendamrach ('Kettle-glen's navel)?"