[1-1] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

“There came also another company to that same mound,” said macRoth. “’Tis the engulphing of the sea for size; red-flaming fire [2]for splendour;[2] a legion for number; a rock for strength; annihilation for battle; thunder for might.  A [3]rough-visaged,[3] wrathful, terrible, ill-favoured one at the head of that band, and he was big-nosed, large-eared, apple-eyed, [4]red-limbed,[4] [5]great-bellied, thick-lipped.[5] Coarse, grizzly hair he wore; a streaked-grey cloak about him; a skewer of iron in the cloak over his breast, so that it reached from one of his shoulders to the other; a rough, three-striped tunic next to his skin; a sword of seven charges of remelted iron he bore on his rump; a brown hillock he bore, namely his shield; a great, grey spear with thirty nails driven through its socket he had in his hand.  But, what need to tell further? [6]All the host arose to meet him, and[6] the lines and battalions were thrown into disorder at the sight of that warrior, as he came surrounded by his company to the hill, in Slane of Meath [7]and the stream of battle-hosts with him."[7] “But who might that man be?” asked Ailill of Fergus.  “Ah, but we know him well,” Fergus made answer.  “He is the half of the battle; he is the head of strife [8]of Ulster;[8] he is the head [9]of combat[9] in valour; [10]he is the storm-wave that drowneth;[10] he is the sea overbounds, the man that is come thither; the mighty Celtchar son of Uthechar, from Lethglass in the north, is the man there!”

    [2-2] YBL. 48a, 30.

    [3-3] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 33.

    [4-4] H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 36.

    [5-5] YBL. 48a, 35.

    [6-6] YBL. 48a, 42.

    [7-7] H. 1. 13 and Stowe.

    [8-8] Stowe.

    [9-9] YBL. 48a, 44.

    [10-10] YBL. 48a, 45-46.

[W.5397.] “There came yet another company thither to the same hill in Slane of Meath,” said macRoth; “one that is firm and furious; one that is ugly and fearful.  A great-bellied, big-mouthed champion, [1]the size of whose mouth is the mouth of a horse,[1] in the van of that troop; with but one clear eye, and [2]half-brained,[2] long-handed.  Brown, very curly hair he wore; a black, flowing mantle around him; a wheel-shaped brooch of tin in the mantle over his breast; a cunningly wrought tunic next to his skin; a great long sword under his waist; a well-tempered lance in his right hand; [LL.fo.99b.] a grey buckler he bore on him, that is, his shield.”

    [1-1] YBL. 48b, 9-10.

    [2-2] YBL. has, ‘broad-headed.’

“Pray, who might that man be?” asked Ailill of Fergus.  “Indeed, but we know him,” Fergus made answer; “the wild, red-handed, [3]rending[3] lion; the fierce, fearful bear that overcometh valour. [4]He is the high doer of deeds, warlike, and fierce,[4] Errge Echbel (’Horse-mouth’), from Bri Errgi (’Errge’s Mound’) in the north, is the one there.”