obar
smitten by Fergus macRoig. "Come, O Laeg my master," cried Cuchulain: "who
dares thus smite [2]with those strong blows, mighty and far-away,[2] the
Ochain of Conchobar my master, and I alive?" [3]Then Laeg made answer,
saying: "The choice of men, Fergus macRoig, the very bold, smites it:--[3]

"Blood he sheds--increase of slaughter--
Splendid the hero, Fergus macRoig!
Hidden had lain Fairyland's chariot-sword!
Battle now hath reached the shield,
Shield of my master Conchobar!"

[2-2] YBL. 52a, 52.

[3-3] YBL. 52b, 1-2.

[4]"How far have the hosts advanced, O Laeg?" Cuchulain asked. "They have
come to Garech," Laeg answered. "I give my word for that," Cuchulain cried;
"they will not come as far as Ilgarech, if I catch up with them! [4]Quickly
unloose the bands, gilla!" cried Cuchulain. [5]"Blood covers men. Feats of
swords shall be done. Men shall be spent therefrom!"[5]

[4-4] Stowe.

[5-5] YBL. 52b, 7-8.

[6]Since Cuchulain's going into battle had been prevented, his twisting fit
came upon him, and seven and twenty skin tunics were given to him that used
to be about him under strings and cords when going into battle.[6]
[LL.fo.103a.] Then Cuchulain gave a mighty spring, so that the bindings of
his wounds flew from him to Mag Tuag ('the Plain of the Bows') in Connacht.
His bracings went from him to Bacca ('the Props') in Corcomruad [7]in the
district of Boirenn,[7] [8]His supports sprang from him to [9]Rath[9] Cinn
Bara ('the Rath of Spithead') in Ulster, and likewise his pins flew from
him to Rath Clo ('the Rath of the Nails') in the land of the tribe of
Conall.[8] The dry wisps that were stuffed in his wounds rose to the roof
[W.6040.] of the air and the sky as highest larks fly on a day of sunshine
when there is no wind. Thereupon, his bloody wounds got the better of him,
so that the ditches and furrows of the earth were full of streams of blood
and torrents of gore.

[6-6] YBL. 52b, 17-20.

[7-7] Stowe and Add.

[8-8] Stowe.

[9-9] Add. and H. 1. 13.

[1]Some of the narrators aver that it was the strength of the warrior and
champion that hurled these things [2]to the aforementioned places;[2] but
it was not that, but his powerful friends, the fairy-folk, that brought
them thither, to the end to make famous his history, so that from them
these places are named.[1]

[1-1] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.

[2-2] Add.

This was the first expl