[6-6] H. 2. 17.

    [7-7] LU. and YBL. 1116-1118.

    [8-8] H. 2. 17.

    [9-9] H. 2. 17.

    [10-10] LU. and YBL. 1120.

    [1] H. 2. 17.

    [2] H. 2. 17.

    [3] LU. and YBL. 1135.

    [4] H. 2. 17.

MacRoth went his way back [5]to the camp of the men of Erin to where Ailill and Medb and Fergus were.[5] “What!  Didst thou not find him?” Medb asked.  “Verily, [6]I know not, but[6] I found a surly, angry, hateful, wrathful gilla [7]in the snow[7] betwixt Fochain and the sea.  Sooth to say, I know not if he were Cuchulain.”  “Hath he accepted these proposals [8]from thee?"[8] “Nay then, he hath not.”  And macRoth related [9]unto them all his answer,[9] the reason why he did not accept them.  “It was he himself with whom thou spakest,” said Fergus.

    [5] H. 2. 17.

    [6] H. 2. 17.

    [7] H. 2. 17.

    [8] Stowe.

    [9] Stowe.

“Another offer shall be made him,” said Medb.  “What is the offer?” asked Ailill.  “There shall be given to him [W.1747.] the yeld cattle and the noblest of the captive women of the booty, and his sling shall be checked from the hosts, for not pleasant is the thunder-feat he works on them every evening.”  “Who should go make this covenant?” [1]said they.[1] “Who but macRoth [2]the king’s envoy,"[2] [3]said every one.[3] “Yea, I will go,” said macRoth, “because this time I know him.”

    [1-1] H. 2. 17.

    [2-2] H. 2. 17.

    [3-3] Stowe.

[4]Thereupon[4] macRoth [5]arose and[5] came to parley with Cuchulain.  “To parley with thee am I come this time [6]with other terms,[6] for I wis it is thou art the renowned Cuchulain.”  “What hast thou brought with thee now?” [7]Cuchulain asked.[7] “What is dry of the kine and what is noblest of the captives [8]shalt thou get,[8] and hold thy staff-sling [LL.fo.71a.] from the men of Erin and suffer the men of Erin to go to sleep, for not pleasant is the thunder-feat thou workest upon them every evening.”  “I accept not that offer, because, as amends for their honour, the Ulstermen will kill the dry cattle.  For the men of Ulster are honourable men and they would remain wholly without dry kine and milch-kine.  They would bring their free women ye have captured to the querns and to the kneading-troughs and into bondage and [9]other[9] serfdom [10]besides.[10] [11]This would be a disgrace.[11] Loath I should be to leave after me this shame in Ulster, that slave-girls and bondmaids should be made of the daughters of kings and princes of Ulster.”  “Is there any offer at all thou wilt accept this time?” [12]said macRoth[12] “Aye, but there is,” answered Cuchulain.  “Then wilt thou tell me the offer?” asked macRoth.  “By my word,” Cuchulain made answer, “’tis not I that will tell you.”  “It is a question, then,” said macRoth.  “If there be among you in the camp,” said Cuchulain, “one that knows the terms I demand, let [W.1766.] him inform you, [1]and I will abide thereby."[1] “And if there be not?"[2] said macRoth.  “If there be not,” said Cuchulain,[2] “let no one come near me any more with offers or with friendly intercourse [3]or concerning aught other injunction,[3] for, whosoever may come, it will be the term of his life!”