[d] That is, a battle-pillar or prop for each of the four wheels of
    each of the three towers.

    [a] This is the first mention of the ‘forty.’

“They are hard to contend with for all such as are unfamiliar with them, is the opinion held of them,” spake Fergus, “but they are readily to be dealt with for such as do know them.  These are three battle-wheeled towers,” Fergus continued, “as I perceive from their account.  Once I saw their like, namely when as prentice I accompanied Dare to Spain, so that we entered the service, of the king of Spain, Esorb to wit, and we afterwards made an expedition to Soda, that is, to the king of Africa, and we gave battle to the Carthaginians.  There came their like upon us against the battle-line wherein we were, an hundred battalions and three score hundred in each battalion.  One of the wheeled-towers won victory over us all, for we were not on our guard against them.  And this is the way to defeat them:  To mine a hole broader than the tower in the ground in the front thereof and cover over the pitfall; [W.5669.] and for the battle-line to be drawn up over against it and not to advance to attack, so that it is the towers that advance and fall into the pit.  Lebarcham told me, as I passed over Taltiu, that the Ulstermen brought these towers from Germany, and the towers held a third of the exiles of Ulster among them as their only dwelling; and Cualgae (’a Heap of Spears’) is their name, namely battle-penfolds.  And herein have ye the sorest of all hardships, for although all the men of Erin are drawn up against them, it is the men of Erin that will be defeated.  When they take it upon them to engage in battle they cannot hold out without a combat.  Thus will they remain now till morning, every forty men of them contending with the others.  And this is my advice to you,” said Fergus:  “permit me with my division to withstand them, and do ye betake yourselves to the woods and wilds of Erin, and the Ulstermen shall not find ye in any place, and I will proceed as an example, depending on my own men-of-war.”  “There are men here for ye!” cried Medb.  “That will be a force for yourselves,” Fergus made answer.[6]

    [6-6] See note 6, page 338.

“Yet another company came there to the same height in Slane of Meath,” said macRoth.  “Not fewer than a division was in it; wild, dark-red, warrior-bands; [1]bright, clear, blue-purple men;[1] long, fair-yellow heads of hair they wore; handsome, shining countenances they had; clear, kingly eyes; magnificent vesture with beautiful mantles; conspicuous, golden brooches along their bright-coloured sleeves; silken, glossy tunics; blue, glassy spears; yellow shields for striking withal; gold-hilted, inlaid swords set on their thighs; loud-tongued care has beset them; sorrowful are they all, and mournful; sad are the royal leaders; orphaned the brilliant company without [W.5689.] their protecting lord who was wont to guard their