[FN#35] Pronounced, apparently, Ech-ay, the ch like the sound in "loch."
"I will not go thither at a woman's call," said Cuchulain. "Let Laeg then go," said the lady, "and let him bring to thee tidings of all that is there." "Let him depart, then," said Cuchulain; and Laeg rose up and departed with Liban, and they came to the Plain of Speech, and to the Tree of Triumphs, and over the festal plain of Emain, and over the festal plain of Fidga, and in that place was Aed Abra, and with him his daughters.
Then Fand bade welcome to Laeg, and "How is it," said she, "that Cuchulain hath not come with thee?" "It pleased him not," said Laeg, "to come at a woman's call; moreover, he desired to know whether it was indeed from thee that had come the message, and to have full knowledge of everything." "It was indeed from me that the message was sent," she said; "and let now Cuchulain come swiftly to seek us, for it is for to-day that the strife is set." Then Laeg went back to the place where he had left Cuchulain, and Liban with him; and "How appeareth this quest to thee, O Laeg?" said Cuchulain. And Laeg answering said, "In a happy hour shalt thou go," said he, "for the battle is set for to-day;" and it was in this manner that he spake, and he recited thus:
I went gaily through regions,
Though strange, seen before:
By his cairn found I Labra,
A cairn for a score.
There sat yellow-haired Labra,
His spears round him rolled;
His long bright locks well gathered
Round apple of gold.
On my five-folded purple
His glance at length fell,
And he said, "Come and enter
Where Failbe doth dwell."
In one house dwells white Failbe,
With Labra, his friend;
And retainers thrice fifty
Each monarch attend.
On the right, couches fifty,
Where fifty men rest;
On the left, fifty couches
By men's weight oppressed.
For each couch copper frontings,
Posts golden, and white;
And a rich flashing jewel
As torch, gives them light.
Near that house, to the westward,
Where sunlight sinks down,
Stand grey steeds, with manes dappled
And steeds purple-brown.