Cuchulain Accepts the Challenge
When Uath found that a second hero of Ulster had failed him he again taunted them all with cowardice and promise-breaking.
“What! is there not one man of courage among you Ulstermen? You would fain have a great name, but have no courage to earn it! Great heroes are you all! Not one among you has bravery enough to face me! Where is that childish youth Cuchulain! A poor miserable fellow he is, but I would like to see if his word is better to be relied on than the word of these two great heroes.”
“A youth I may be,” said Cuchulain, “but I will keep my word without any agreement.”
Uath laughed aloud. “Yes! that is likely, is it not? And you with so great a fear of death!”
Thereupon the youth leapt up, caught the deadly axe, and severed the giant’s head as he stood with one stroke.