’The man of expeditions will come
Who will defend (?) Murthemne. 
Ravens will drink milk of ——­ [Note:  Some kenning for blood?]
From the friendship of the swineherds.

’The turfy Cronn will resist them;
[Note:  i.e. the river Cronn.  This line is a corruption of a reference which occurs later, in the account of the flooding of the Cronn, as Professor Strachan first pointed out to me.]
He will not let them into Murthemne
Until the work of warriors is over
In Sliab Tuad Ochaine.

’"Quickly,” said Ailill to Cormac,
“Go that you may ——­ your son. 
The cattle do not come from the fields
That the din of the host may not terrify them(?).

’"This will be a battle in its time
For Medb with a third of the host. 
There will be flesh of men therefrom
If the Riastartha comes to you."’

Then the Nemain attacked them, and that was not the quietest of nights for them, with the uproar of the churl (i.e.  Dubthach) through their sleep.  The host started up at once, and a great number of the host were in confusion, till Medb came to reprove him.

Then they went and spent the night in Granard Tethba Tuascirt, after the host had been led astray over bogs and over streams.  A warning was sent from Fergus to the Ulstermen here, for friendship.  They were now in the weakness, except Cuchulainn and his father Sualtaim.

Cuchulainn and his father went, after the coming of the warning from Fergus, till they were in Iraird Cuillend, watching the host there.

‘I think of the host to-night,’ said Cuchulainn to his father.  ’Go from us with a warning to the Ulstermen.  I am forced to go to a tryst with Fedelm Noichride, [Note:  Gloss incorporated in the text:  that is, with her servant,’ etc.] from my own pledge that went out to her.’

He made a spancel-withe [This was a twig twisted in the form of two rings, joined by one straight piece, as used for hobbling horses and cattle.] then before he went, and wrote an ogam on its ——­, and threw it on the top of the pillar.

The leadership of the way before the army was given to Fergus.  Then Fergus went far astray to the south, till Ulster should have completed the collection of an army; he did this for friendship.  Ailill and Medb perceived it; it was then Medb said: 

’O Fergus, this is strange,
What kind of way do we go? 
Straying south or north
We go over every other folk.

’Ailill of Ai with his hosting
Fears that you will betray them. 
You have not given your mind hitherto
To the leading of the way.

’If it is in friendship that you do it,
Do not lead the horses
Peradventure another may be found
To lead the way.’

Fergus replied: 

’O Medb, what troubles you? 
This is not like treachery. 
It belongs to the Ulstermen, O woman,
The land across which I am leading you.