106.

[4-4] Reading with Eg. 106.

[5-5] Eg. 106.

[6]And he sent it to Cuchulain along the stream.[6]

[6-6] YBL. 39b, 20.

Then it was that Cuchulain let fly the white Gae Bulga from the fork of his
irresistible right foot. [7]Ferdiad began to defend the ford against
Cuchulain, so that the noble Cu arose with the swiftness of a swallow and
the wail of the storm-play in the rafters of the firmament, so that he laid
hold of the breadth of his two feet of the bed of the ford, in spite of the
champion.[7] Ferdiad prepared for the feat according to the testimony
thereof. He lowered his shield, so that the spear went over its edge into
the watery, water-cold river. And he looked at Cuchulain, and he saw all
his various, venomous feats made ready, and he knew not to which of them he
should first give answer, whether to the 'Fist's breast-spear,' or to the
'Wild shield's broad-spear,' or to the 'Short spear from the middle of the
palm,' or to the white Gae Bulga over the fair, watery river.[2]

[7-7] Eg. 209.

[8]When Ferdiad saw that his gilla had been thrown[8] and heard the Gae
Bulga called for, he thrust his shield down to protect the lower part of
his body. Cuchulain gripped the short spear [9]which was in his hand,[9]
cast it [W.3938.] off the palm of his hand over the rim of the shield and
over the edge of the [1]corselet and[1] horn-skin, so that its farther half
was visible after piercing his heart in his bosom. Ferdiad gave a thrust of
his shield upwards to protect the upper part of his body, though it was
help that came too late. The gilla set the Gae Bulga down the stream, and
Cuchulain caught it in the fork of his foot, and [2]when Ferdiad raised
his shield[2] Cuchulain threw the Gae Bulga as far as he could cast
[3]underneath[3] at Ferdiad, so that it passed through the strong, thick,
iron apron of wrought iron, and broke in three parts the huge, goodly stone
the size of a millstone, so that it cut its way through the body's
protection into him, till every joint and every limb was filled with its
barbs.

[8-8] Eg. 106.

[9-9] Stowe.

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] Stowe and Eg. 209.

[3-3] Stowe and Eg. 209.

"Ah, that now sufficeth," sighed Ferdiad: "I am fallen of that! But, yet
one thing more: mightily didst thou drive with thy right foot. And 'twas
not fair of thee for me to fall by thy hand." And he yet spake and uttered
these words:--

"O Cu of grand feats,