. and YBL. 806-807.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 808-812.

* * * * *

[Page 86]

VIIIb

[1]THE COMBAT OF LETHAN AND CUCHULAIN[1]

[W.1439.] There came also Lethan ('the Broad') to his ford on the Nith in
the land of Conalle Murthemni, to fight with Cuchulain. [2]He was angered
at what Cuchulain had wrought.[2] He came upon him at the ford. Ath Carpait
('Chariot-ford') is the name of the ford where they fought, for their
chariots were broken in the combat on the ford. It is there that Mulcha,
[3]Lethan's charioteer,[3] fell on the [4]shoulder of the[4] hill between
the two fords, [5]for he had offered battle and combat to Laeg son of
Riangabair.[5] Hence it is called Guala Mulchi ('Mulcha's Shoulder') ever
since. It is there, too, that Cuchulain and Lethan met, and Lethan fell at
Cuchulain's hands and he smote his head from his neck on the ford and left
it therewith, that is, he left the head with the trunk. Wherefore the name
of the ford [6]of the Nith[6] was called Ath Lethain ('Lethain's Ford')
ever since in the district of Conalle Murthemni.

[1-1] The superscription is taken from Stowe.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 837.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 841.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 841.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 839 and Stowe.

Then came [7]unto them[7] the Crutti Cainbili ('the Tuneful Harpers'), from
Ess Ruaid in the north to amuse them, [8]out of friendship for Ailill and
Medb.[8] They opined it was to spy upon them [9]they were come[9] from
Ulster. [10]When they came within sight of the camp of the men of Erin,
fear, terror, and dread possessed them,[10] and the hosts pursued [W.1450.]
them as never men pursued, far and wide, till they escaped them in the
shapes of deer near the standing stones at Lia Mor ('Great Stone') [1]in
the north.[1] For though they were known as the 'Mellifluous Harpers' they
were [2]druids,[2] men of great cunning and great power of augury and
magic.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

[9-9] Stowe.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 835.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 835.

* * * * *

[Page 88]

VIIIc

[1]THE KILLING OF THE SQUIRREL AND OF THE TAME BIRD[1]

[W.1456.] Then Cuchulain made a threat [2]in Methe[2] that wherever he saw
Medb he would cast a stone at her and that it would not go far from the
side of her head. That he also f