[2]Then the men of Erin held counsel who would be fit to fight and contend with Cuchulain and drive him off from the men of Erin.[2] [3]"What man have ye to face Cuchulain to-morrow?” asked Lugaid.  “They will give him to thee to-morrow,” answered Mane son of Ailill.  “We find no one to meet him,” quoth Medb; “let us have a truce with him then till a man be found to oppose him.”  This they obtain.  “Whither will ye turn,” asked Ailill, “to find the man to oppose Cuchulain?” “There is not in Erin,” Medb answered, “one that could be got to meet him unless Curoi macDare come, or Nathcrantail the warrior.”  A man of Curoi’s people was in the tent.  “Curoi will not come,” said he; “he weens enough of his people have come!” “Let a message be sent then for Nathcrantail."[3] [W.1941.] Then arose a huge warrior of Medb’s people, Nathcrantail by name. [4]Mane Andoe (’the Unslow’) goes to him.  They tell him their message.  “Come with us for the sake of the honour of Connacht.”  “I will not go,” said he, “unless they give Finnabair to me.”  Afterwards he goes with them.  They bring his armour in a car from the east of Connacht and place it in the camp.[4] [5]Then was Nathcrantail called into the tent of Ailill and Medb.[5] [6]"Wherefore am I summoned to ye?” Nathcrantail asked.  “It would please us well,” Medb replied, “werest thou to fight and contend with Cuchulain on the ford and ward him off from us at the morning hour early on the morrow.[6] [1]Thou shalt have Finnabair,” said Medb, “for going to fight yonder man.”  “I will do it,” said he.[1] [2]He engaged to undertake the battle and combat and that night be made ready, and early on the morrow Nathcrantail arose for the battle and combat and he took his warlike implements with him to the fight, and though early he arose, Cuchulain arose still earlier.[2] [3]That night Lugaid came to Cuchulain.  “Nathcrantail comes to meet thee to-morrow.  Alas for thee, thou wilt not withstand him.”  “That matters not,” Cuchulain made answer.[3][a]

    [1-1] Stowe, and LU. fo. 69a, in the margin.

    [2-2] Stowe, and, similarly, H. 2. 17.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 1233-1242 and Eg. 1782.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 1242-1246.

    [5-5] H. 2. 17.

    [6-6] H. 2. 17.

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 1246-1247.

    [2-2] H. 2. 17.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 1248-1250.

    [a] Here follows one line (1251 in LU., edition of Strachan and
    O’Keeffe, and almost similarly in YBL.) which seems to refer to some
    saying of Cuchulain’s about Nathcrantail which we cannot locate.