[9-9] LU. 1264.

    [10-10] LU. and YBL. 1268.

[W.1969.] Thereupon Fiachu went to address Cuchulain.  Cuchulain bade him welcome.  “I trow that welcome to be truly meant, but it is for counsel with thee I am come from thy fosterer Fergus.  And he has said, ’It would be a glory for thee to oppose the hosts for as long or as short a space as thou doest valiantly [1]with them;[1] but it would be fitter for thee to hide thyself than to fly before any one of their warriors!’” “How now, who makes that boast among ye?” Cuchulain asked.  “Nathcrantail, of a surety,” Fiachu answered.  “How may this be?  Dost not know, thou and Fergus and the nobles of Ulster, that I slay no charioteers nor heralds nor unarmed people?  And he bore no arms but a spit of wood.  And I would not slay Nathcrantail until he had arms.  And do thou tell him, let him come here early in the morning, [2]till he is between Ochaine and the sea, and however early he comes, he will find me here[2] and I will not fly before him!”

    [1-1] Stowe.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 1273-1275.

[3]Fiachu went back to the camp[3] [4]and to the station of the men of Erin, and he bound Nathcrantail to go to the ford of combat on the morrow.  They bided there that night,[4] and it seemed long to Nathcrantail till day with its light came for him to attack Cuchulain.  He set out early on the morrow to attack Cuchulain.  Cuchulain arose early [5]and came to his place of meeting[5] and his wrath bided with him on that day.  And [6]after his night’s vigil,[6] with an angry cast he threw his cloak around him, so that it passed over the pillar-stone [7]near by, the size of himself,[7] and snapped the pillar-stone off from the ground between himself and his cloak.  And he was aware of naught because of the measure of anger that had come on and raged in him.  Then, too, came Nathcrantail. [8]His arms were brought with him on a wagon,[8] and he spake, “Where is [W.1987.] this Cuchulain?” shouted Nathcrantail.  “Why, over yonder [1]near the pillar-stone before thee,"[1] answered Cormac Conlongas son of Conchobar.  “Not such was the shape wherein he appeared to me yesterday,” said Nathcrantail.  “Repel yon warrior,” quoth Cormac, “and it will be the same for thee as if thou repellest Cuchulain!” [2]"Art thou Cuchulain?” “And if I am?” answered Cuchulain.  “If thou be truly he,” said Nathcrantail, “I would not bring a lambkin’s head to the camp.  I will not take thy head, the head of a beardless boy.”  “It is not I at all,” said Cuchulain; “go find him around the hill!” Cuchulain hastens to Laeg.  “Rub a false beard on me; I cannot get the warrior to fight with me beardless.”  This was done for him.  He goes to meet Nathcrantail on the hill.  “Methinks that more fitting.  Now fight with me fairly,” said Nathcrantail.  “Thou shalt have thy wish, if only we know it,” Cuchulain made answer.  “I will make a cast at thee,” said Nathcrantail, “and thou