“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.
Cuchulain Stands the Test
The next day the Red Branch heroes watched Cuchulain to see what he would do. They would not have been surprised if he had failed like the others, who now were present. The champion, however, showed no signs of failing or retreat. He sat sorrowfully in his place waiting for the certain death that must come, and regretting his rashness, but with no thought of breaking his word.
With a sigh he said to King Conor as they waited: “Do not leave this place till all is over. Death is coming to me very surely, but I must fulfil my agreement, for I would rather die than break my word.”
Towards the close of day Uath strode into the hall exultant.
“Where is Cuchulain?” he cried.