[5]With one accord[5] they declared that it should be Ferdiad son of Daman son of Dare, the great and valiant warrior of the men of Domnann, [6]the horn-skin from Irrus Domnann, the irresistible force, and the battle-rock of destruction, the own, dear, foster-brother of Cuchulain.[6] [W.3005.] [1]And fitting it was for him to go thither,[1] for well-matched and alike was their manner of fight and of combat.  Under the same instructresses had they done skilful deeds of valour and arms, when learning the art with Scathach (’the Modest’) and with Uathach (’the Dreadful’) and with Aife (’the Handsome’). [2]Yet was it the felling of an oak with one’s fists, and the stretching of the hand into a serpent’s nest, and a spring into the lair of a lion, for hero or champion in the world, aside from Cuchulain, to fight or combat with Ferdiad on whatever ford or river or mere he set his shield.[2] And neither of them overmatched the other, save in the feat of the Gae Bulga (’the Barbed Spear’) which Cuchulain possessed.  Howbeit, against this, Ferdiad was horn-skinned when fighting and in combat with a warrior on the ford; [3]and they thought he could avoid the Gae Bulga and defend himself against it, because of the horn about him of such kind that neither arms nor multitude of edges could pierce it.[3]

    [5-5] Eg. 106.

    [6-6] YBL. 2204-2206.

    [1-1] Stowe.

    [2-2] Eg. 106.

    [3-3] YBL. 2208-2209.

Then were messengers and envoys sent [4]from Medb and Ailill[4] to Ferdiad.  Ferdiad denied them their will, and dismissed and sent back the messengers, and he went not with them, for he knew wherefore they would have him, to fight and combat with his friend, with his comrade and foster-brother, [5]Cuchulain.[5]

    [4-4] Stowe.

    [5-5] Stowe.

Then did Medb despatch the druids [6]and the poets of the camp,[6] the lampoonists and hard-attackers,[a] for Ferdiad, to the end that they might make three satires to stay him and three scoffing speeches against him, [7]to mock at him and revile and disgrace him,[7] that they might raise three blisters on his face, Blame, Blemish and Disgrace, [8]that he might not find a place in the world to lay his head,[8] [W.3021.] if he came not [1]with them[1] [2]to the tent of Medb and Ailill on the foray.[2]

    [6-6] Stowe, Eg. 106, Eg. 209.

    [a] Literally, ‘the cheek-blisterers.’

    [7-7] YBL. 2213.

    [8-8] YBL. 2214.

    [1-1] Stowe.

    [2-2] YBL. 2214.