Fergus gave ear to that word of Cuchulain, and he turned and made his three great strides of a hero [7]back from Cuchulain and turned in flight from him.[7] And as he turned [8]with his company of three thousand warriors and the Leinstermen following after Fergus—­for it is under Fergus’ warrant they had come[8]—­[9]and the men of Munster,[9] there turned all the men of Erin.

    [7-7] H. 1. 13 and Add.

    [8-8] H. 1. 13 and Add.

    [9-9] YBL. 52b, 33.

[W.6065.] [1]Then[1] the men of Erin broke their ranks westwards over the hill.  The battle raged around the men of Connacht, [2]around Ailill and his division and around Medb with hers and around the Mane with theirs and the mac Magach with theirs.[2] At midday Cuchulain came to the battle.  At the time of sunset at the ninth hour [3]as the sun entered the tresses of the wood,[3] [4]when man and tree were no more to be known apart, Medb and[4] the last company of the men of Connacht fled in rout westwards over the hill.

    [1-1] H. 1. 13 and Add.

    [2-2] H. 1. 13 and Add.

    [3-3] YBL. 52b, 36.

    [4-4] H. 1. 13 and Add.

At that time there did not remain in Cuchulain’s hand of the chariot but a handful of its spokes around the wheel, and a handbreadth of its poles around the shell, with the slaying and slaughtering of the four grand provinces of Erin during all that time.

Then Medb betook her to a shield-shelter in the rear of the men of Erin.  Thereafter Medb sent off the Brown Bull of Cualnge along with fifty of his heifers and eight of her runners with him around to Cruachan, to the end that whoso might and whoso might not escape, the Brown Bull of Cualnge should get away safely, even as she had promised.

Then it was that the issue of blood came upon Medb, [5]and she said:  “Do thou, Fergus, undertake[5] a shield-shelter in the rear of the men of Erin till I let my water flow from me.”  “By my troth,” replied Fergus, “’tis an ill hour for thee to be taken so.”  “Howbeit there is no help for me,” Medb answered; “for I shall not live if I do not void water!” Fergus accordingly came and raised a shield-shelter in the rear of the men of Erin.  Medb voided her water, so that it made three large dikes, so that a mill[a] could find room in each dike.  Hence the place is known as Fual Medbha (’Medb’s Water’).

    [5-5] H. 1. 13 and Add.

    [a] It is not uncommon in folk-tales that lakes, rivers, etc. arose
    from the micturition of a giant or fairy.  Reading with Add.

[W.6085.] Cuchulain came upon her as she was thus engaged, [1]on his way to the battle,[1] and he did not attack her.  He would not strike her a blow from behind. [2]He spared her then because it was not his wont to slay women.[2] [3]"Spare me!” cried Medb.  “If I should slay thee, it were just for me,” Cuchulain answered.[3] [4]"Arise from hence,” said he; “for I deem it no honour