“Not to me oughtest thou thus to speak, O Fergus,” then cried Medb, “for I have hosts enough to slay and slaughter thee with the division of Leinstermen round thee.  For there are the seven Mane, [7]that is, my seven sons[7] with their seven divisions, and the sons of Maga with their [8]seven[8] divisions, and Ailill with his division, and I myself with my own body-guard besides.  We are strong enough here to kill and slaughter thee with thy cantred of the Leinstermen round thee!”

    [7-7] LU. 179.

    [8-8] Add.

“It befits thee not thus to speak to me,” said Fergus, [W.439.] “for I have with me here [1]in alliance with us Ulstermen,[1] the seven Under-kings of Munster, with their seven cantreds. [2]Here we have what is best of the youths of Ulster, even the division of the Black Banishment.[2] Here we have what is best of the noble youths of Ulster, even the division of the Galian (’of Leinster’).  Furthermore, I myself am bond and surety and guarantee for them, since ever they left their own native land. [3]I will give thee battle in the midst of the camp,[3] and to me will they hold steadfast on the day of battle.  More than all that,” added Fergus, “these men shall be no subject of dispute.  By that I mean I will never forsake them. [4]For the rest, we will care for these warriors, to the end that they get not the upper hand of the host.

    [1-1] LU. 184.

    [2-2] Reading with Stowe; LL. appears to be corrupt.  This was the name
    given to Fergus, Cormac and the other exiles from Ulster.

    [3-3] Eg. 1782.

“The number of our force is seventeen cantreds, besides our rabble and our women-folk—­for with each king was his queen in Medb’s company—­and our striplings; the eighteenth division is namely the cantred of the Galian.[4] This division of Leinstermen I will distribute among [5]all the host of[5] the men of Erin in such wise that no five men of them shall be in any one place.”  “That pleaseth me well,” said Medb:  “let them be as they may, if only they be not in the battle-order of the ranks where they now are in such great force.”

    [4-4] LU. 187-192.

    [5-5] Eg. 1782.

Forthwith Fergus distributed the cantred [6]of the Galian[6] among the men of Erin in such wise that there were not five men of them in any one place.

    [6-6] Stowe and Add.

[LL.fo.57b.] Thereupon, the troops set out on their way and march.  It was no easy thing [7]for their kings and their leaders[7] to attend to that mighty host.  They took part in the expedition [W.453.] according to the several tribes and according to the several stems and the several districts wherewith they had come, to the end that they might see one other and know one other, that each man might be with his comrades and with his friends and with his kinsfolk on the march.  They declared that in such wise they should go.  They also took counsel in what