[12-12] See note 12, page 331.

“Yet another company came to the same mound in Slane of Meath,” said macRoth. [1]"Very heroic and without number it is;[1] steady and dissimilar to the other companies. [2]Strange garments, unlike the other companies they wore.  Famously have they come, both in arms and raiment and dress.  A great host and fierce is that company.[2] Some wore red cloaks, others light-blue cloaks, [LL.fo.100a.] others dark blue cloaks, others green cloaks; white and yellow jerkins, beautiful and shiny, were over them.  Behold the little, freckled, red-faced lad with purple, [3]fringed[3] mantle [4]folded about him[4] amongst them in their midst. [5]Fairest of the forms of men was his form.[5] A salmon-shaped brooch of gold in the mantle over his breast; a [6]bright, hooded[6] tunic of royal silk with red trimming of red gold next to his white skin; a bright shield with intricate figures of beasts in red gold upon it; a boss of gold on the shield; an edge of gold around it; a small, gold-hilted sword at his waist; a sharp, light lance cast its shadow over him.”  “But, who might he be?” asked Ailill of Fergus.  “Truly, I know not,” Fergus made answer, “that I left behind me in Ulster the like of that company nor of the little lad that is in it.  But, one thing I think likely, that they are the men of Temair with [7]the well-favoured, wonderful, noble youth[7] Erc son of Fedilmid Nocruthach, [8]Conchobar’s daughter,[8] and of Carbre Niafer.  And if it be they, they are not more friends than their leaders here.  Mayhap despite his father [W.5576.] has this lad come to succour his grandfather[a] at this time.  And if these they be, a sea that drowneth shall this company be to ye, because it is through this company and the little lad that is in it that the battle shall this time be won against ye.”  “How through him?” asked Ailill.  “Not hard to tell,” Fergus responded:  “for this little lad will know neither fear nor dread when slaying and slaughtering, until at length he comes into the midst of your battalion.  Then shall be heard the whirr of Conchobar’s sword like the yelp of a howling war-hound, or like a lion rushing among bears, [1]while the boy will be saved.[1] Then outside around the battle lines will Conchobar pile up huge walls of men’s bodies [2]while he seeks the little lad.[2] In turn the princes of the men of Ulster, filled with love and devotion, will hew the enemy to pieces.  Boldly will those powerful bulls, [3]the brave warriors of Ulster,[3] bellow as [4]their grandson,[4] the calf of their [5]cow,[5] is rescued in the battle on the morn of the morrow.”

    [1-1] YBL. 49a, 41.

    [2-2] YBL. 49a, 42-44.

    [3-3] YBL. 49a, 50.

    [4-4] YBL. 49a, 50.

    [5-5] YBL. 49a, 46-47.

    [6-6] YBL. 49a, 52.

    [7-7] YBL. 49b, 4-5.

    [8-8] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 49b, 6.

    [a] That is, Conchobar.