[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 aforementioned 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