pied the lone warrior and knew that it was
Cuchulain.[2] It was not fair fight nor combat with one they vouchsafed
him, but at one and the same time the twelve men fell upon him [3]so that
their spears sank up to their middles into his shield.[3] Cuchulain on his
part [4]drew his sword from the sheath of the Badb to attack them, and he
fell to to cut away their weapons and to lighten his shield. Then he[4]
turned on them, [5]front and back, to the left and the right,[5] and
straightway he smote off their twelve heads; [6]and he engaged in a
furious, bloody and violent battle with Ferchu himself, after killing his
people. And not long did it avail Ferchu thus, for he fell at last by
Cuchulain,[6] [7]and Cuchulain cut off Ferchu's head to the east of the
ford.[7] And he set up twelve stones in the earth for them, and he put the
head of each one of them on its stone and he likewise put Ferchu Longsech's
head on its stone. Hence Cinnit Ferchon Longsig is [8]henceforth the name
of[8] the place where Ferchu Longsech left his head [9]and his twelve men
theirs and their arms and their trophies,[9] to wit, Cenn-aitt Ferchon
('the Head-place of Ferchu').

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[a] 'Thirteen,' LU. and YBL. 2161, and Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[1-1] Eg. 93.

[2-2] Eg. 93.

[3-3] Eg. 93.

[4-4] Eg. 93.

[5-5] Eg. 93.

[6-6] Eg. 93.

[7-7] Eg. 93.

[8-8] Stowe.

[9-9] Eg. 93.

* * * * *

[Page 211]

XIXb

[1]MANN'S FIGHT[1]

[2]Medb despatched Mann son of Muresc son of Dare, of the Dommandach, to
fight with Cuchulain. Own brothers were he and Daman, Ferdiad's father. A
man, rough, inordinate in eating and sleeping was this Mann. An ill-tongued
foul-mouthed man like Dubthach Doel ('Black-tongue') of Ulster. A man,
stout, mighty, with strength of limb like Munremur ('Thick-neck') son of
Gerrcend ('Short-head'). A fiery champion like Triscoth, the strong man of
Conchobar's household. "I will go," said he, "and unarmed, and I will grind
him between my hands, for I consider it no honour nor credit to use arms
against a beardless madcap such as he."

[1-1] LU., fo. 82, in the margin.

Therewith he went to attack Cuchulain. There he was, himself and his
charioteer on the ford watching the host. "A lone warrior approacheth us
here," cried Laeg to Cuchulain. "What manner of man?" asked Cuchulain. "A
dark, black man, strong, bull-like,