the top of each hair, save the left hand alone which is holding my
shield, and even there thrice fifty bloody wounds are upon it. [7]And let
them straightway give battle to the warriors,[7] and unless they avenge
this anon, they will never avenge it till the very day of doom and of
life!"

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] Stowe.

[7-7] YBL. 43b, 49.

Sualtaim set out on Liath ('the Roan') of Macha as his only horse, with
warning to the men of Ulster. And when [W.4716.] he was come alongside of
Emain, he shouted these words there: "Men are slain, women stolen, cattle
lifted, ye men of Ulster!" cried Sualtaim.

He had not [1]the answer[1] that served him from the Ulstermen, and
forasmuch as he had it not he went on further to the rampart of Emain. And
he cried out the same words there: "Men are slain, women stolen, cattle
lifted, ye men of Ulster!" cried Sualtaim.

[1-1] Stowe.

And [2]a second time[2] he had not the response that served him from the
men of Ulster. Thus stood it among the Ulstermen: It was geis for the
Ulstermen to speak before their king, geis for the king to speak before his
[3]three[3] druids. Thereafter Sualtaim drove on to the 'Flag-stone of the
hostages' in Emain Macha. He shouted the same words there: "Men are
slain, women stolen, cows carried off!" "But who has slain them, and
who has stolen them, and who has carried them off?" asked Cathba the
druid. "Ailill and Medb have, [4]with the cunning of Fergus mac Roig,[4]
overwhelmed you. [5]Your people have been harassed as far as Dun
Sobairche,"[5] said Sualtaim. "Your wives and your sons and your children,
your steeds and your stock of horses, your herds and your flocks and your
droves of cattle have been carried away. Cuchulain all alone is checking
and staying the hosts of the four great provinces of Erin at the gaps and
passes of the land of Conalle Murthemni. Fair fight is refused him, nor is
he granted single combat, nor comes any one to succour or aid him.
[6]Cuchulain has not suffered them to enter the plain of Murthemne or into
the land of Ross. Three winter months is he there.[6] The youth is wounded,
his limbs are out of joint. Spancel-hoops hold his cloak over him. There
is not a hair from his crown to his sole whereon the point of a needle
could stand, without a drop of deep-red [W.4737.] blood on the top of each
hair, except his left hand alone whic