ught back
to the camp [7]behind thy horses and chariot!"[7] "But threaten me no
longer [W.1858.] in this wise, [1]Cuchulain[1]!" [2]cried Etarcumul;[2]
"for the [3]wonderful[3] terms thou didst exact of the men of Erin, [4]that
fair play and[4] combat with one man [5]should be granted thee,[5] none
other of the men of Erin but mine own self will come to-morrow [6]at morn's
early hour on the ford[6] to attack thee."

[1-1] Reading with H. 2. 17.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1178-1180.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1181.

[5-5] Stowe; LL. reads 'I know.'

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1182-1183.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[1-1] H. 2. 17.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1185.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] H. 2. 17.

"Come out, then," [7]said Cuchulain,[7] "and howso early thou comest, thou
wilt find me here. I will not fly before thee. [8]Before no man have I put
foot in flight till now on the Plunder of the Kine of Cualnge and neither
will I fly before thee!"[8]

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

Etarcumul returned [9]from Methe and Cethe,[9] and began to talk with his
driver. "I must needs fight with Cuchulain to-morrow, gilla," said
Etarcumul, [10]"for I gave my word to go."[10] "'Tis true, thou didst,"
quoth the charioteer. [LL.fo.72a.] "Howbeit, I know not wilt thou fulfil
it." "But what is better [11]for us,[11] to fulfil it to-morrow or
forthwith to-night?" "To our thinking," said the gilla, "albeit no victory
is to be won by fighting to-morrow, there is still less to be gained by
fighting to-night, for thy combat [12]and hurt[12] is the nearer." "[13]Be
that as it may," said he[13]; "turn the [14]horses and[14] chariot back
again [15]from the hill[15] for us, gilla, [16]till we go to the ford of
combat,[16] for I swear by the gods whom I worship, I will not return
[17]to the camp[17] till the end of life and time, till I bring with me the
head of that young wildling, [18]even[18] the head of Cuchulain, for a
trophy!"

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1188.

[10-10] Stowe.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] H. 2. 17.

[13-13] H. 2. 17.

[14-14] H. 2. 17.

[15-15] LU. and YBL. 1190.

[16-16] H. 2. 17.

[17-17] Stowe.

[18-18] Stowe.

The charioteer wheeled the chariot again towards the [W.1871.] ford. They
brought the left[a] board to face the pair in a line with the ford. Laeg
marked [1]this and he cried[1