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 the [12]’White[12] [W.2891.] Battle’ of Fergus [1]on the Tain thus far; and it is for this cause it is called the ‘White Battle,’ because no ’blood on weapons’[a] resulted therefrom.[1] [2]They continue their march past Cuchulain and pitch camp in Crich Roiss.[2]

    [4-4] Stowe.

    [5-5] Stowe.

    [6-6] Eg. 93.

    [a] See above, page 99.

    [7-7] Stowe.

    [8-8] Reading with Stowe; LL. has ‘on the slope.’

    [9-9] Stowe.

    [10-10] Stowe.

    [1-1] Eg. 93.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [3-3] Stowe.