that man!" cried Cuchulain; "'twas
Illann Ilarchless ('Illann of many feats') son of Fergus [4]macRoig.[4] And
he would not wish that thou shouldst fall by his hand, but he gave thee
this mock-blow that the men of Erin might not have it to say it was to
betray them or to forsake them if he gave it not."

[1-1] The heading is taken from LL.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] YBL. 41b, 19.

"Now look at this bloody wound for me, O Fingin my master," said
Cethern. Fingin looked closely into the bloody wound. "Why, 'tis a woman's
wanton deed of arms we behold here," said the leech; [5]"namely the wound
which a warrior-woman inflicted on thee," said he.[5] "Aye, that is true
then," quoth Cethern; "a woman [W.4314.] came upon me there by herself. A
woman, beautiful, fair-faced, long-cheeked, tall; a golden-yellow head of
hair [1]down to the top of her two shoulder-blades she wore; a smock of
royal sammet next to her white skin;[1] [2]two birds of gold on her
shoulders;[2] a purple cloak without other colour she had around her;
[LL.fo.90a.] a brooch of gold in the cloak over her bosom; a straight,
ridged spear, red-flaming in her hand. She it was that gave me this bloody
wound. She bore away a slight wound from me too." "Ah, but we know that
woman," cried Cuchulain; "Medb daughter of Eocho Fedlech, daughter of the
High King of Erin; it is she that came unto us in that dress. A victory and
triumph and trophy she had considered it hadst thou fallen at her hands."

[5-5] Stowe.

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] YBL. 41b, 5.

"Look at this bloody wound for me too, O Fingin my master," said Cethern.
Fingin looked at the bloody wound. "Why, the feat of arms of two warriors
is this," said the leech; [3]"that is to say, two warriors inflicted these
two wounds as one wound upon thee."[3] "Yea, that is true," answered
Cethern. "There came two [4]men-at-arms[4] upon me in that place; two, with
bushy hair on them; two blue cloaks wrapped around them; brooches of silver
in the cloaks over their breasts; a necklace of all-white silver around the
neck of each of them; [5]two long shields they bore; two hard chains of
silver on each of them; a band of silver around them; two five-pointed
spears they bore; a vein of silver around them.[5] [6]They smote me this
wound and I smote a little wound on each of them."[6] "Indeed we know that
pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Oll and Othine they, of the bodyguard of Ailill
and Medb; t