The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge, page 219 by Unknown
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of the combat and the battle came upon him. [11]But most troubled in spirit was he that he should allow all the treasures to pass from him, and the maiden, by reason of combat with one man. Unless he fought with that one man, he must needs fight with six champions on the morrow. What tormented him more than that was, should he once show himself on the ford to Cuchulain he was certain he would never have power of head or of life ever after. And Ferdiad arose early on the morrow.[11] [W.3252.] And he charged his charioteer to take his horses and to yoke his chariot. The charioteer sought to dissuade him [1]from that journey.[1] [2]"By our word,"[2] said the gilla, "'twould be better for thee[a] [3]to remain than to go thither," said he; "for, not more do I commend it for thee than I condemn it."[3] "Hold thy peace about us, boy!" quoth Ferdiad, [4]"for we will brook no interference from any one concerning this journey.[4] [5]For the promise we gave to Medb and Ailill in the presence of the men of Erin, it would shame us to break it; for they would say it was fear or dread that caused us to break it. And, by my conscience, I would almost liefer fall myself by Cuchulain's hand than that he should fall by mine on this occasion. And should Cuchulain fall by my hand on the ford of combat, then shall Medb and many of the men of Erin fall by my hand because of the pledge they extorted from me, and I drunken and merry.[5] And in this manner he spake, [6]conversing with the charioteer,[6] and he uttered these words, [7]the little lay that follows, urging on the charioteer,[7] and the henchman responded:--
Ferdiad: "Let's haste to th' encounter,
To battle with this man; The ford we will come to, O'er which Badb will shriek! To meet with Cuchulain, To wound his slight body, To thrust the spear through him So that he may die!"
The Henchman: [W.3266.] "To stay it were better;