] That is, the battle breach.

[b] That is, the fury of war and carnage which appeared in the form of
a carrion crow.

"There shall not be one that will contend for Cruachan that will obtain
covenants equal to thine, till the very day of doom and of life
henceforward, O red-cheeked son of Daman!" said Cuchulain.

Then it was that Cuchulain arose and stood over Ferdiad: "Ah, Ferdiad,"
spake Cuchulain "greatly have the men of Erin deceived and abandoned thee,
to bring thee to contend and do battle [LL.fo.88a.] with me. For no easy
thing is it to contend and do battle with me on the Raid for the Kine of
Cualnge! [2]And yet, never before have I found combat that was so sore or
distressed me so as thy combat, save the combat with Oenfer Aife,[c] mine
one own son."[2] Thus he spake, and he uttered these words:--

"Ah, Ferdiad, betrayed to death.
Our last meeting, oh, how sad!
Thou to die, I to remain.
Ever sad our long farewell!

"When we over yonder dwelt
With our Scathach, steadfast, true,
This we thought till end of time,
That our friendship ne'er would end!

"Dear to me thy noble blush;
Dear thy comely, perfect form;
Dear thine eye, blue-grey and clear;
Dear thy wisdom and thy speech!

"Never strode to rending fight,
Never wrath and manhood held,
Nor slung shield across broad back,
One like thee, Daman's red son!

[W.4051.] "Never have I met till now,
Since I Oenfer Aife slew,
One thy peer in deeds of arms,
Never have I found, Ferdiad!

"Finnabair, Medb's daughter fair,
Beauteous, lovely though she be,
As a gad round sand or stones,
She was shown to thee, Ferdiad!"

[2-2] Stowe, Eg. 106 and Eg. 209.

[c] That is, Conlaech.

Then Cuchulain turned to gaze on Ferdiad. "Ah, my master Laeg," cried
Cuchulain, "now strip Ferdiad and take his armour and garments off him,
that I may see the brooch for the sake of which he entered on the combat
and fight [1]with me."[1] Laeg came up and stripped Ferdiad. He took his
armour and garments off him and he saw the brooch [2]and he placed the
brooch in Cuchulain's hand,[2] and Cuchulain began to lament and complain
[3]over Ferdiad,[3] and he spake these words:--

"Alas, golden brooch;
Ferdiad of the hosts,
O good smiter, strong,
Victorious thy hand!

"Thy hair blond and curled,
A wealth fair and grand.
Thy soft, leaf-shap