bring ye the drove, [10]ye men?"[10] Cuchulain asks.  “From yonder mountain,” Buide answers. [11]"Where are its herdsmen?” Cuchulain asks.  “One is here where we found him,” the warrior answers.  Cuchulain made three leaps after them, seeking to speak [W.2031.] with them, as far as the ford.  Then it was he spoke to the leader[11], “What is thine own name?” said Cuchulain.  “One that neither loves thee nor fears thee,” Buide made answer; “Buide son of Ban Blai am I, from the country of Ailill and Medb.” [1]"Wella-day, O Buide,” cried Cuchulain; “haste to the ford below that we exchange a couple of throws with each other.”  They came to the ford and exchanged a couple of throws there.[1] “Lo, here for thee this short spear,” said Cuchulain, and he casts the spear at him.  It struck the shield over his belly, so that it shattered three ribs in his farther side after piercing his heart in his bosom.  And Buide son of Ban Blai fell [2]on the ford.[2] So that thence is Ath Buidi (’Athboy’) in Crich Roiss (’the land of Ross’).

    [5-5] LU. and YBL. 1318.

    [6-6] Stowe.

    [a] ‘Sixty’ is the number in LU. and YBL.; ‘eight’ in Eg. 93.

    [7-7] Stowe and LU. and YBL. 1319.

    [8-8] Eg. 93.

    [9-9] LU. and YBL. 1320.

    [10-10] Eg. 93.

    [11-11] LU. and YBL. 1322-1325.

    [1-1] Eg. 93.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL 1328.

For as long or as short a space as [3]these bold champions and battle-warriors[3] were engaged in this work of exchanging their two short spears—­for it was not in a moment they had accomplished it—­the Brown Bull of Cualnge was carried away in quick course and career [4]by the eight great men[4] to the camp [5]of the men of Erin[5] as swiftly as any beeve can be brought to a camp. [6]They opined then it would not be hard to deal with Cuchulain if only his spear were got from him.[6] From this accordingly came the greatest shame and grief and madness that was brought on Cuchulain on that hosting.

    [3-3] Eg. 93.

    [4-4] Eg. 93.

    [5-5] Eg. 93.

    [6-6] LU. and YBL. 1330-1331.

As regards Medb:  every ford [7]and every hill[7] whereon she stopped, Ath Medba (’Medb’s Ford’) [8]and Dindgna Medba (’Medb’s Hill’)[8] is its name.  Every place wherein she pitched her tent, Pupall Medba (’Medb’s Tent’) is its name.  Every spot she rested her horselash, Bili Medba (’Medb’s Tree’) is its name.

    [7-7] LU. and YBL 1353.

    [8-8] LU. and YBL 1354.

On this circuit Medb [9]turned back from the north after [W.2047.] she had remained a fortnight laying waste the province[9] [1]and plundering the land of the Picts and of Cualnge and the land of Conall son of Amargin,[1] and having offered battle [2]one night[2] to Findmor (’the Fair-large’) wife of Celtchar [3]son of Uthechar[3] at the gate of Dun Sobairche; and she slew Findmor and laid waste Dun Sobairche; [5]and, after taking Dun Sobairche from her, she brought fifty of [4]her[4] women into the province of Dalriada.[5] [6]Then she had them hanged and crucified.  Whence cometh Mas na Righna (’Queen’s Buttock’) as the name of the hill, from their hanging.[6]