I
would repose now for a while and rest myself before the battles
and hard combats which await me this day. Wherefore, good Laeg,
let down the sides and seats of the chariot, that I may repose
myself for a little and take a short sleep."
For just then precisely an unwonted drowsiness and desire for
slumber possessed Cuculain.
"Witless and devoid of sense art thou," answered Laeg, "for who
but an idiot would think of sweet sleep and agreeable repose in a
hostile territory, much more in full view of those who look out
from a foeman's dun, and that dun, Dun-Mic-Nectan?"
"Do as I bid thee," said Cuculain. "For one day, if for no other,
thou shalt obey my commands."
Laeg unyoked the chariot and turned the great steeds forth to
graze on the druidic lawn, which was never done before at any
time. He let down the chariot and arranged it as a couch, and his
young master laid himself therein, composing his limbs and
pillowing tranquilly his head, and he closed his immortal eyes.
Very soon sweet slumber possessed him. Laeg meanwhile kept watch
and ward, and his great heart in his breast continually trembled
like the leaf of the poplar tree, or like a rush in a flooded
stream.
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