Note 10-10 — Footnotes.
Joseph Dunn translation
Fergus came up 10to where Cuchulain was10 and he sprang from the chariot, and Cuchulain bade him 11a hearty11 welcome. 12"Welcome to thine arrival and thy coming, O my master Fergus!" cried Cuchulain; "and a night's W. 1831. lodging shalt thou have here this night."12 1"Thy hospitality and eke thy welcome1 I take for true," Fergus responded. "Verily, it is truly meant for thee," said Cuchulain; "for comes there a brace of birds into the plain, thou shalt have a wild goose with half the other. If fish rise to the river-mouths, 2to the stones or waterfalls,2 thou shalt have a salmon with as much again. Thou shalt have a handful of watercress and a handful of sea-grass and a handful of laver 3and a drink from the sand3 4afterwards.4 If thou hast a fight or combat 5with warrior before thee,5 I myself will go in thy stead to the ford. 6I will bear the fight that thou mayest return safe to the camp and the fort of the men of Erin on the morrow,6 7and thou shalt lie on a litter of fresh rushes till heavy sleep and slumber come on thee,7 8and I will watch and guard thee as long as thou sleepest."8 "Well, then, 9mayest thou have victory and blessing, O fosterling," said Fergus.9 "We know of what sort is thy hospitality on this occasion, on the Cow-spoil of Cualnge. 10But, not to claim that are we come,10 11a night's hospitality of thee, but to fulfil and make good the terms thou askest.11 As for this compact which thou hast asked of the men of Erin, single-handed combat with one man, thou shalt have it. It is for that I am come, to bind thee thereto, and do thou take it upon thee." "I pledge myself truly," said Cuchulain, 13provided fair play and single-handed combat be granted to me.13 "And, O, my master Fergus, 14do thou take upon thee the pact," said Cuchulain. "I bind myself to it," replied Fergus.14 W. 1841. And no longer than that did he remain in parley, lest the men of Erin should say they were betrayed or deserted by Fergus for his disciple. Fergus' two horses were brought and his chariot was harnessed and he went back.