Then Conaire again asked for a drink. ‘A drink to me, O fosterer, O Mac cecht! 'Tis equal to me what death I shall go to, for anyhow I shall perish.’
Then Mac cecht gave a choice to the champions of valour of the men of Erin who were in the house, whether they cared to protect the King or to seek a drink for him.
Conall Cernach answered this in the house—and cruel he deemed the contention, and afterwards he had always a feud with Mac cecht.—‘Leave the defense of the King to us,’ says Conall, ‘and go thou to seek the drink, for of thee it is demanded.’