[4-4] YBL. 47a, 18-19.

    [5-5] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

“Another company there came there too to the same mound in Slane of Meath,” continued macRoth.  “A thick-necked, burly warrior at the head of that troop; black, bushy hair he had; a scarred, crimsoned face he had; a deep-blue-grey, blazing eye in his head; a spear set with eyes of glass, casting shadows over him; a black shield with a hard rim of silvered bronze upon him; a dun-coloured cloak of curly wool about him; a brooch of pale gold in the cloak over his breast; a three-striped tunic of silk [1]with red embroidery[1] next to his skin; a sword with ivory hilt and with ornamentation of thread of gold over his dress on the outside.”  “But, who might that man be?” asked Ailill of Fergus.  “We know him full well,” Fergus made answer.  “He is the putting of hand on strife; a wave of the high sea that drowneth [2]the small streams;[2] he is the man of three shouts; the sea over walls; [3]the venomous destruction of enemies,[3] the man who comes thither.  Muremur (’Thick-neck’) son of Gerrcend (’Short-head’) from Moduirn in the north is the one yonder.”

    [1-1] YBL. 47a, 40.

    [2-2] YBL. 47a, 43.

    [3-3] YBL. 47a, 44.

“Still another company there came to the same mound in Slane of Meath,” continued macRoth. [4]"Not fewer than thirty hundred, the battle line of the troops.[4] A [5]broad-headed,[5] stout warrior, pleasantly found of limb, in the front of that troop; he is dried and sallow; he is wild and bull-like; a dun, round eye, proud in his head; [W.5283.] yellow, very curly is his hair; a red, round shield with hard-silver rim about it he bore; a [1]trebly riveted,[1] broad-plated, long-shafted spear in his hand; a streaked-grey cloak around him; a salmon-shaped brooch of copper in the cloak over his breast; a hooded kirtle girded around him reaching down to his calves; a straightsword with ornaments of walrus-tooth on his left thigh.”  “But who might he be?” [LL.fo.98b.] asked Ailill of Fergus.  “I know him indeed,” Fergus made answer.  “He is the prop of battle; [2]he is the wild heat of anger; he is the daring of every battle;[2] he is the triumph of every combat; he is the tool that pierces, is the man who comes thither.  Connud macMorna, from the Callann in the north, is the man yonder.”

    [4-4] YBL. 47b, 12-13.

    [5-5] Reading with Stowe and H. 1. 13.

“There came still another company to the same mound in Slane of Meath,” continued macRoth. [3]"A company most fair to look upon, most notable both in numbers and in attendance and apparel.[3] It is indeed no lying word, it is with might and storm they gained the hill, so that [4]with the clash of arms they made at the approach of that company[4] they startled the hosts that had arrived there before them.  A man, comely and noble, in advance of that band; most well-favoured to see of the men of the world, whether in shape or form or frame; [5]whether in hair