“Take the birds along with thee, O Ibar,” cried the lad [5]to his charioteer.  If I myself go to take them,” he added, “the wild deer will spring upon thee."[5] “I am in sore straits,” answered Ibar; “[6]I find it not easy to go."[6] “What may it be?” asked the lad.  “Great cause have I. [7]The horses have become wild, so that I cannot go by them.[7] If I stir at all from where I am, the chariot’s iron wheels will cut me down [8]because of their sharpness[8] and because of the strength and the power and the might of the career of the horses.  If I make any move, the horns of the deer will pierce and gore me, [9]for the horns of the stag have filled the whole space between the two shafts of the chariot."[9] “Ah, no true champion art thou any longer, O Ibar,” [10]said the lad;[10] [11]"step thus from his horn.[11] [12]I swear by the god by whom the Ulstermen swear,[12] because of the look I shall give at the horses they will not depart from the straight way; at the look I shall give at the deer they will bend their heads in fear and awe of me; [13]they will not dare move,[13] and [W.1346.] it will be safe for thee e’en though thou goest in front of their horns.” [1]And so it was done.  Cuchulain fastened the reins.[1] [2]Then[2] [3]the charioteer[3] [4]went and collected the birds, and he bound them to the hind poles and to the thongs and the traces of the chariot.[4] [5]Thus it was that he proceeded to Emain Macha:  the wild deer behind his chariot, and the flock of swans flying over the same, and the three heads of the sons of Necht Scene [6]and the jewels, treasures and wealth of their enemies arranged[6] in his chariot.[5]

    [5-5] LU. and YBL. 698-699.

    [6-6] LU. and YBL. 699.

    [7-7] LU. and YBL. 700.

    [8-8] LU. and YBL. 702.

    [9-9] LU. and YBL. 703.

    [10-10] Stowe.

    [11-11] LU. and YBL. 703.

    [12-12] LU. and YBL. 704.

    [13-13] LU. and YBL. 706.

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 707.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 708.

    [4-4] Stowe.

    [5-5] LU. and YBL. 709-711.

    [6-6] H. 2. 17.

“[7]Thereupon[7] they went on till [8]bravely, boldly, battle-victoriously, boastingly, blade-redded,[8] they reached [9]the fair plain of[9] Emain.  It was then Lebarcham, [10]the watch in Emain Macha,[10] [11]came forth and[11] discerned them, she, the daughter of Aue (’Ear’) and of Adarc (’Horn’) [12]and she hastened to Conchobar’s house, her eye restless in her head and her tongue faltering in her jaw.[12] “A single chariot-fighter is here, [13]coming towards Emain Macha,"[13] cried Lebarcham, “and his coming is fearful.  The heads of his foes all red in his chariot with him.  Beautiful, all-white birds he has hovering around in the chariot.  With him are wild, untamed deer, bound and fettered, shackled and pinioned.  And [14]I give my word,[14]