brother of mine to come fight thee [8]on the morrow,[8] to-wit, a foolish, dull, uncouth youth, dealing stout blows. [9]They brought him into the tent of Ailill and Medb and he has engaged to do the battle and combat with thee.[9] [10]He is befooled about the same maiden.[10] And it is for this reason they are to send him to fight thee, that he may fall at thy hands, [11]so that we two may quarrel,[11] and to see if I myself will come to avenge him upon thee.  But I will not, till the very day of doom.  And by the fellowship that is between us, [12]and by the rearing and nurture I bestowed on thee and thou didst bestow on me, bear me no grudge because of Larine.[12] Slay not my brother [13]lest thou shouldst leave me brotherless."[13]

    [3-3] Eg. 93.

    [4-4] Eg. 93.

    [5-5] LU. and YBL. 1592 and Eg. 93.

    [6-6] LU. and YBL. 1593 and Eg. 93.

    [7-7] Eg. 93.

    [8-8] Eg. 209.

    [9-9] Eg. 93.

    [10-10] LU. and YBL. 1595-1596.

    [11-11] LU. 1597.

    [12-12] H. 2. 17 and Eg. 93.

    [13-13] LU. and YBL. 1596-1597.

“By my conscience, truly,” cried Cuchulain, [14]kill him I will not, but[14] the next thing to death will I inflict on him. [15]No worse would it be for him to die than what I [W.2222.] will give him."[15] “I give thee leave. [1]It would please me well shouldst thou beat him sorely,[1] for to my dishonour he comes to attack thee.”

    [14-14] Eg. 93.

    [15-15] Eg. 209.

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 1597 and Eg. 93.

Thereupon Cuchulain went back and Lugaid returned to the camp [2]lest the men of Erin should say it was betraying them or forsaking them he was if he remained longer parleying with Cuchulain.[2]

    [2-2] Eg. 93.

Then [3]on the next day[3] it was that Larine son of Nos, [4]brother of Lugaid king of Munster,[4] was summoned to the tent of Ailill and Medb, and Finnabair was placed by his side.  It was she that filled up the drinking-horns for him and gave him a kiss with each draught that he took and served him his food.  “Not to every one with Medb is given the drink that is poured out for Ferbaeth or for Larine,” quoth Finnabair; “only the load of fifty wagons of it was brought to the camp."[a]

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 1598.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 1585.

    [a] Emending the text to agree with the two similar passages above.

[5]Medb looked at the pair.  “Yonder pair rejoiceth my heart,” said she.[5] “Whom wouldst thou say?” asked [6]Ailill.[6] “The man yonder, [7]in truth,"[7] said she.  “What of him?” asked Ailill.  “It is thy wont to set the mind on that which is far from the purpose (Medb answered).  It were more becoming for thee to bestow thy thought on the couple in whom are united the greatest distinction and beauty to