ght away those three,
and they are in Conaire's house as sureties that, while Conaire is
reigning, the Fomorians destroy neither corn nor milk in Erin beyond
their fair tribute. Well may their aspect be loathy! Three rows of teeth
in their heads from one ear to another. An ox with a bacon-pig, this is
the ration of each of them, and that ration which they put into their
mouths is visible till it comes down past their navels. Bodies of bone
(i.e. without a joint in them) all those three have. I swear what my
tribe swears, more will be killed by them at the Destruction than those
they leave alive. Six hundred warriors will fall by them in their first
conflict, and a man for each of their weapons, and one for each of the
three themselves. And they will boast a triumph over a king or chief of
the reavers. It will not be more than with a bite or a blow or a kick
that each of those men will kill, for no arms are allowed them in the
house, since they are in 'hostageship at the wall' lest they do a
misdeed therein. I swear what my tribe swears, if they had armour on
them, they would slay us all but a third. Woe to him that shall wreak
the Destruction, because it is not a combat against sluggards."

"Ye cannot," says Ingcel, etc. "And whom sawest thou there after that?"

THE ROOM OF MUNREMAR SON OF GERRCHENN AND BIRDERG SON OF RUAN AND MAL
SON OF TELBAND

"I beheld a room there, with a trio in it. Three brown, big men, with
three brown heads of short hair. Thick calf-bottoms (ankles?) they had.
As thick as a man's waist was each of their limbs. Three brown and
curled masses of hair upon them, with a thick head: three cloaks, red
and speckled, they wore: three black shields with clasps of gold, and
three five-barbed javelins; and each had in hand an ivory-hilted sword.
This is the feat they perform with their swords: they throw them high
up, and they throw the scabbards after them, and the swords, before
reaching the ground, place themselves in the scabbards. Then they throw
the scabbards first, and the swords after them, and the scabbards meet
the swords and place themselves round them before they reach the ground.
Liken thou that, O Fer rogain!"

"Easy for me to liken them! Mal son of Telband, and Munremar son of
Gerrchenn, and Birderg son of Ruan. Three crown-princes, three champions
of valour, three heroes the best behind weapons in Erin! A hundred
heroes will fall by them in their first conflict, and they will share
prow