“Still another [4]great, fierce[4] company came to the same hill in Slane of Meath,” macRoth continued. [5]"A battle-line with strange garments upon them,[5] steadfast, without equal.  A [6]comely,[6] handsome, [7]matchless,[7] untiring warrior in the van of this company; [8]the flower of every form, whether as regards hair, or eye, or whiteness; whether of size, or followers or fitness.[8] Next to his skin a blue, narrow-bordered cloth, with strong, woven and twisted hoops of silvered bronze, with becoming, sharp-fashioned buttons of red gold on its slashes and breast-borders; a [9]green[9] mantle, pieced together with the choicest of all colours, [10]folded about him;[10] [11]a brooch of pale gold in the cloak over his breast;[11] five circles of gold, [LL.fo.99a.] that is, his shield, he bore on him; a tough, obdurate, straight-bladed sword for a hero’s handling hung high on his left side.  A straight, fluted spear, flaming red [12]and venomous[12] in his hand.”  “But, who might that be?” asked [W.5342.] Ailill of Fergus.  “Truly, we know him well,” Fergus made answer. [1]"Fiery is the manner of the warlike champion who has so come thither.[1] The choice flower of royal poets is he.  He is the rush on the rath; he is the way to the goal; fierce is his valour, the man that came thither; Amargin son of the smith Ecetsalach (’the Grimy’), the noble poet from the Buas in the north, is he.”

    [4-4] YBL. 48a, 16.

    [5-5] YBL. 48a, 17.

    [6-6] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 18.

    [7-7] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

    [8-8] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 19-20.

    [9-9] YBL. 48a, 21.

    [10-10] YBL. 48a, 21.

    [11-11] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and, similarly, YBL. 48a, 22.

    [12-12] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

    [1-1] YBL. 48a, 24-25.

“There came yet another company there to the same hill in Slane of Meath,” continued macRoth.  “A fair, yellow-haired hero in the front rank of that band.  Fair was the man, both in hair and eye and beard and eyebrows and apparel; a rimmed shield he bore; a gold-hilted, overlaid sword on his left side; in his hand, a five-pointed spear that reflected its glare over the entire host, [2]and a hollow lance in his hand.  Hero-like was his coming!"[2]

    [2-2] YBL. 48b, 1-2.

“But who was that man?” asked Ailill of Fergus.  “In sooth, we know him well,” Fergus made answer.  “Cherished, in truth, is that warrior by the people, he that to us is come thither; cherished, the stout-blow-dealing beast; cherished, the bear of great deeds against foes, [3]with the violence of his attack.[3] Feradach Finn Fectnach (’the Fair and Righteous’) from Nemed (’the Grove’) in Sliab Fuait in the north, is the one that is come there.”

    [3-3] Reading with Stowe and H. 1. 13.