in me. If, however, before me his
defeat takes place, say thou so to me and praise me and speak me fair, to
the end that the greater may be my courage!" "It shall surely be done so,
if need be, O Cucuc," Laeg answered.

[4-4] Stowe.

Then Cuchulain, too, girded his war-harness of battle and [W.3757.] fight
and combat about him, and performed all kinds of splendid, manifold,
marvellous feats on high that day which he had not learned from any one
before, neither with Scathach nor with Uathach nor with Aife.

Ferdiad observed those feats, and he knew they would be plied against him
in turn. "To what weapons shall we resort [1]to-day[1], O Ferdiad?" asked
Cuchulain. "With thee is thy choice of weapons till night time," Ferdiad
responded. "Let us go to the 'Feat of the Ford,' then," said Cuchulain.
"Aye, let us do so," answered Ferdiad. Albeit Ferdiad spoke that, he deemed
it the most grievous thing whereto he could go, for he knew that in that
sort Cuchulain used to destroy every hero and every battle-soldier who
fought with him in the 'Feat of the Ford.'

[1-1] Stowe.

Great indeed was the deed that was done on the ford that day. The two
heroes, the two champions, the two chariot-fighters of the west of Europe,
the two bright torches of valour of the Gael, the two hands of dispensing
favour and of giving rewards [2]and jewels and treasures[2] in the west of
the northern world, [LL.fo.86b.] [3]the two veterans[3] of skill and the
two keys of bravery of the Gael, [4]the man for quelling the variance and
discord of Connacht, the man for guarding the cattle and herds of
Ulster[4], to be brought together in encounter as from afar, [5]set to slay
each other or to kill one of them[5], through the sowing of dissension and
the incitement of Ailill and Medb.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Reading with Stowe.

[4-4] Eg. 106.

[5-5] Stowe and Eg. 106.

Each of them was busy hurling at the other in those deeds of arms from
early morning's gloaming till the middle of noon. When mid-day came, the
rage of the men became wild, and each drew nearer to the other.

Thereupon Cuchulain gave one spring once from the bank of the ford till he
stood upon the boss of Ferdiad macDaman's shield, seeking to reach his
head and to strike [W.3779.] it from above over the rim of the shield.
Straightway Ferdiad gave the shield a blow with his left elbow, so that
Cuchulain went from him like a bird onto the brink of the ford. Aga