Note 1-1 — Footnotes.

W. 6085. Cuchulain came upon her as she was thus engaged, 1on his way to the battle,1 and he did not attack her. He would not strike her a blow from behind. 2He spared her then because it was not his wont to slay women.2 3"Spare me!" cried Medb. "If I should slay thee, it were just for me," Cuchulain answered.3 4"Arise from hence," said he; "for I deem it no honour to wound thee from behind with my weapons."4 "I crave a boon of thee this day, O Cuchulain," spake Medb. "What boon cravest thou 5of me?"5 asked Cuchulain. "That this host be under thine honour and thy protection till they pass westwards over Ath Mor ('the Great Ford')." *LL. fo. 103b. "Yea, I promise that," said Cuchulain. 6Then6 went Cuchulain around the men of Erin, and he undertook a shield-defence on one side of them, in order to protect the men of Erin. On the other side went the governors of the men of Erin. Medb went to her own place and assumed a shield-defence in the rear of the men of Erin, and in this manner they convoyed the men of Erin over Ath Mor westwards.