Now, while they were thus in that place, they heard the rattle of Labraid’s chariot as he approached the island.  “The spirit of Labraid is gloomy to-day,” said Liban, “I will go and greet him.”  And she went out, and she bade welcome to Labraid, and she spoke as follows: 

Hail! the man who holdeth sword, the swift in fight! 
Heir of little armies, armed with javelins light;
Spears he drives in splinters; bucklers bursts in twain;
Limbs of men are wounded; nobles by him slain. 
He for error searcheth, streweth gifts not small,
Hosts of men destroyeth; fairer he than all! 
Heroes whom he findeth feel his fierce attack;
Labra! swiftest Sword-Hand! welcome to us back!

Labraid made no reply to her, and the lady spoke again thus: 

Welcome! swift Labra,
Hand to sword set! 
All win thy bounty,
Praise thou shalt get;
Warfare thou seekest,
Wounds seam thy side;
Wisely thou speakest,
Law canst decide;
Kindly thou rulest,
Wars fightest well;
Wrong-doers schoolest,
Hosts shalt repel.

Labraid still made no answer, and she sang another lay thus: 

Labra! all hail! 
Sword-wielder, swift: 
War can he wage,
Warriors can sift;
Valiant is he,
Fighters excels;
More than in sea
Pride in him swells;
Down in the dust
Strength doth he beat;
They who him trust
Rise to their feet
Weak ones he’ll raise,
Humble the strong;
Labra! thy praise
Peals loud and long!

“Thou speakest not rightly, O lady,” said Labraid; and he then spoke to her thus: 

O my wife! naught of boasting or pride is in me;
No renown would I claim, and no falsehood shall be: 
Lamentation alone stirs my mind, for hard spears
Rise in numbers against me:  dread contest appears: 
The right arms of their heroes red broadswords shall swing;
Many hosts Eochaid Juil holds to heart as their king: 
Let no pride then be ours; no high words let there be;
Pride and arrogance far should be, lady, from me!

“Let now thy mind be appeased,” said the lady Liban to him.  “Laeg, the charioteer of Cuchulain, is here; and Cuchulain hath sent word to thee that he will come to join thy hosts.”

Then Labraid bade welcome to Laeg, and he said to him:  “Welcome, O Laeg! for the sake of the lady with whom thou comest, and for the sake of him from whom thou hast come.  Do thou now go to thine own land, O Laeg!” said Labraid, “and Liban shall accompany thee.”

Then Laeg returned to Emain, and he gave news of what he had seen to Cuchulain, and to all others beside; and Cuchulain rose up, and he passed his hand over his face, and he greeted Laeg brightly, and his mind was strengthened within him for the news that the lad had brought him.