[5] [6]"Hold, fellow.[6] Get thee home now," said
Cuchulain, "for a laughing-stock I have made of thee." "I go not,"
[7]rejoined Etarcumul.[7] "We will fight to the end, till I take thy head
and thy spoils and boast over thee, or till thou takest my head and my
spoils and boastest over me!" "So let it be, what thou saidst last, that
it shall be. I will take thy head and thy spoils and boast over thee!"
[8]When now the churl became troublesome and persistent,[8] Cuchulain
[9]sprang from the ground, so that he alighted on the edge of Etarcumul's
shield, and he[9] dealt him a cleaving-blow on the crown of the head, so
that it drove to his navel. He dealt him a second crosswise stroke, so that
at the one time the three portions of his body came to the ground. Thus
fell Etarcumul son of Fid and of Lethrinn.

[9-9] LU. and YBL. 1194-1195.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] LU. and YBL. 1195.

[1-1] H. 2. 17.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1197-1199.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 1204.

[5-5] H. 2 17.

[6-6] H. 2 17.

[7-7] Stowe and H. 2. 17.

[8-8] LU. and YBL. 1206-1207.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[10]Then Etarcumul's charioteer went his way after Fergus,[10] and Fergus
knew not that the combat had been. For thus was his wont: [11]From the day
Fergus took warrior's arms in hand,[11] he never for aught looked back,
whether at [W.1904.] sitting or at rising or when travelling or walking, in
battle or fight or combat, lest some one might say it was out of fear he
looked back, but ever he looked at the thing that was before and beside
him. [1]Fergus saw the chariot go past him and a single man in it.[1]
[2]And when[2] Etarcumul's squire came up abreast of Fergus, Fergus asked,
"But, where is thy lord, gilla?" "He fell a while since at the ford by the
hand of Cuchulain," the gilla made answer. "That indeed was not fair!"
exclaimed Fergus, "for that elf-like sprite to wrong me in him that came
under my safeguard [3]and protection[3] [4]from the camp and fort of the
men of Erin.[4] Turn the chariot for us, gilla," cried Fergus, "that we may
go to [5]the ford of fight and combat[5] for a parley with Cuchulain."

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1208.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

Thereupon the driver wheeled the chariot. They fared thither towards the
ford. [