Note 7-7 — Footnotes.

It was then the men of Erin debated who would be 7fitted7 to witness 8the fight8 of the bulls. They all agreed that it should be Bricriu son of Carbad 9that were fitted for that office.9 For, a year before this tale of the Cualnge Cattle-raid, Bricriu had gone from the one province into the other to make a request of Fergus. And Fergus had retained W. 6134. him with him waiting for his treasures and goods. And a quarrel arose between him and Fergus at a game of chess.a And he spake evil words to Fergus. Fergus smote him with his fist and with the chess-man that was in his hand, so that he drave the chess-man into his head and broke a bone in his head. Whilst the men of Erin were on the foray of the Táin, all that time Bricriu was being cured at Cruachan. And the day they returned from the expedition was the day Bricriu rose. 1He came with the rest to witness the battle of the bulls.1 2And this is why they selected Bricriu,2 for that Bricriu was no fairer to his friend than to his foe. 3"Come, ye men of Erin!" cried Bricriu; "permit me to judge the fight of the bulls,3 4for it is I shall most truly recount their tale and their deeds afterwards."4 And he was brought 5before the men of Erin5 to a gap whence to view the bulls.