“The well-favoured, broad-headed warrior who seated himself on the hill in the presence of the youth who first came on the mound, namely is Sencha son of Ailill son of Maelcho ‘the Eloquent’ of Ulster, he that is wont to appease the hosts of the men of Erin.  But, yet a word more I say:  It is not the counsel of cowardice nor of fear that he gives his lord this day on the day of strife, but counsel to act with valour and courage and wisdom and cunning.  But, again one word further I say,” added Fergus:  “It is a goodly people for performing great deeds that has risen there early this day around Conchobar!” “We make not much of them,” quoth Medb; “we have goodly warriors and stout youths to deal with them.”  “I count not that for much,” answered Fergus again; “but I say this word:  Thou wilt not find in Erin nor in Alba a host to be a match [W.5242.] for the men of Ulster when once their anger comes upon them.”

“Yet another company there came to the same mound in Slane of Meath,” said macRoth. [1]"Not fewer than a battalion of thirty hundred was in it.[1] A fair, tall, great warrior [LL.fo.98a.] in the van of that battalion, and he of fiery spirit, with noble countenance.  Brown, dark-coloured hair he wore, smooth and thin on his forehead; a dull-grey cloak girt around him; a silver pin in the cloak over his breast; a bright, sleeved tunic next to his skin; a curved shield with sharp, plaited rim he bore; a five-pronged spear in his hand; a straightsword with ornaments of walrus-tooth in its place.”  “But, who might that be?” asked Ailill of Fergus.  “In very sooth, we know him,” Fergus made answer.  “The putting of hands on strife is he; a battle-warrior for combat and destruction on foes is the one who is come there, [2]even[2] Eogan son of Durthacht, [3]king of the stout-handed[3] Fernmag in the north, is the one yonder.”

    [1-1] Stowe, H. 1. 13, and, similarly, YBL. 47a, 1.

    [2-2] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 47a, 12.

    [3-3] Reading with Stowe and H. 1. 13; LL. seems to be corrupt here.

“Another battalion there came thither to the same mound in Slane of Meath,” continued macRoth.  “It is surely no false word that boldly they took the hill.  Deep the terror, great the fear they brought with them. [4]Terrible the clangour of arms they made as they advanced.[4] Their raiment all thrown back behind them.  A great-headed, warlike warrior in the forefront of the company, and he eager for blood, dreadful to look upon; spare, grizzly hair had he; huge, yellow eyes in his head; a yellow, close-napped (?) cloak around him; a pin of yellow gold in the cloak over his breast; a yellow tunic with lace next his skin; [5]a great, smiting sword under his waist;[5] in his hand a nailed, broad-plated, long-shafted spear with a drop [W.5262.] of blood on its edge.”  “But, who might that be?” asked Ailill of Fergus.  “In truth then, we know him, that warrior,” Fergus gave answer.  “Neither battle nor battle-field nor combat nor contest shuns he, the one who is come thither.  Loegaire Buadach (’the Victorious’) son of Connad Buide (’the Yellow’) son of Iliach, from Immail in the north, is the one yonder.”