hey never go to a hosting, [7]to battle or combat,[7] but when
the wounding of a man is certain. They would have held [W.4330.] it for
victory and triumph and a boast hadst thou fallen at their hands."

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] YBL. 41b, 21-26.

[6-6] Stowe.

[7-7] Stowe.

"Look on this bloody wound also for me, O Fingin my master," said Cethern.
Fingin looked closely at the bloody wound. "There came upon me a pair of
young warriors of the Fian," [1]said Cethern;[1] "a splendid, manly
appearance they had. Each of them cast a spear at me. I drave this spear
through the one of them." Fingin looked into the bloody wound. "Why, this
blood is all black," quoth the leech; "through thy heart those spears
passed so that they formed a cross of themselves through thy heart, [2]and
thy healing and curing are not easy;[2] and I prophesy no cure here, but I
would get thee some healing plants and curing charms that they destroy thee
not forthwith." "Ah, but we know them, that pair," quoth Cuchulain; "Bun
and Mecconn ('Stump' and 'Root') are they, of the bodyguard of Ailill and
Medb. It was their hope that thou shouldst fall at their hands."

[1-1] YBL. 41b, 30.

[2-2] Stowe.

"Look at this bloody wound for me, too, O Fingin my master," said
Cethern. Fingin examined the bloody wound. "Why, it is the red rush of the
two sons of Ri Caile ('the King of the Woods') that is here," said the
leech. "Aye, 'tis so," replied Cethern; "there attacked me there two
fair-faced, dark-browed youths, huge, with diadems of gold [3]on their
heads.[3] Two green mantles folded about them; two pins of bright silver on
the mantles over their breasts; two five-pronged spears in their hands."
"Why, near each other are the bloody wounds they gave thee," said the
leech; "into thy gullet they went, so that the points of the spears struck
one another within thee, and none the easier is it to work thy cure here."
"We know that pair," quoth Cuchulain; [4]"noble youths of Medb's great
household,[4] Broen and Brudni, are they, [5]two[5] [W.4352.] sons of Ri
teora Soillse ('the King of the three Lights'), that is, the two sons of
the King of the Woods. It had been victory and triumph and a boast for
them, hadst thou fallen at their hands."

[3-3] Stowe.

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

[5-5] Stowe.

"Look at this bloody wound for me, too, my good Fingin," said Cethern.
Fingin looked into the bloody wound. "The jo