“Well,” said the old man, “you can try.”
Next morning breakfast was ready for Cian; he rose, washed his hands and face, prayed for mercy and strength, ate, and going to the pole of combat gave the greatest blow ever given before on it.
“Run out,” said the king to the Tongue-speaker; “see who is abroad.”
“What do you want?” asked the Tongue-speaker of Cian.
“The king’s daughter and Glas Gainach,” said Cian.
The speaker hurried in and told the king. The king went out and asked, “Are you the man who wants my daughter and Glas Gainach?”
“I am,” answered Cian.
“You will get them if you earn them,” said the king.
“If I do not earn them, I want neither the daughter nor the cow,” replied Cian.