each of them was
grey with the brains of the other,' YBL. 52b, 13-14.

[5-5] YBL. 52b, 14-17.

[6-6] YBL. 52b, 21.

[7-7] H. 1. 13 and Add.

[8-8] YBL. 52b, 24.

[1-1] YBL. 52b, 24-25.

[2-2] H. 1. 13 and Add.

[3-3] YBL. 52b, 27.

[4-4] YBL. 52b, 28.

[a] See page 207.

[5-5] H. 1. 13 and Add.

[6-6] YBL. 52b, 29-33.

Fergus gave ear to that word of Cuchulain, and he turned and made his three
great strides of a hero [7]back from Cuchulain and turned in flight from
him.[7] And as he turned [8]with his company of three thousand warriors and
the Leinstermen following after Fergus--for it is under Fergus' warrant
they had come[8]--[9]and the men of Munster,[9] there turned all the men of
Erin.

[7-7] H. 1. 13 and Add.

[8-8] H. 1. 13 and Add.

[9-9] YBL. 52b, 33.

[W.6065.] [1]Then[1] the men of Erin broke their ranks westwards over the
hill. The battle raged around the men of Connacht, [2]around Ailill and his
division and around Medb with hers and around the Mane with theirs and the
mac Magach with theirs.[2] At midday Cuchulain came to the battle. At the
time of sunset at the ninth hour [3]as the sun entered the tresses of the
wood,[3] [4]when man and tree were no more to be known apart, Medb and[4]
the last company of the men of Connacht fled in rout westwards over the
hill.

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

[2-2] H. 1. 13 and Add.

[3-3] YBL. 52b, 36.

[4-4] H. 1. 13 and Add.

At that time there did not remain in Cuchulain's hand of the chariot but a
handful of its spokes around the wheel, and a handbreadth of its poles
around the shell, with the slaying and slaughtering of the four grand
provinces of Erin during all that time.

Then Medb betook her to a shield-shelter in the rear of the men of Erin.
Thereafter Medb sent off the Brown Bull of Cualnge along with fifty of his
heifers and eight of her runners with him around to Cruachan, to the end
that whoso might and whoso might not escape, the Brown Bull of Cualnge
should get away safely, even as she had promised.

Then it was that the issue of blood came upon Medb, [5]and she said: "Do
thou, Fergus, undertake[5] a shield-shelter in the rear of the men of Erin
till I let my water flow from me." "By my troth," replied Fergus, "'tis an
ill hour for thee to be taken so." "Howbeit there is no help for me," Medb
answered; "for I shall not live if I do not void water!" Ferg