e will
chance to escape therefrom though wounded. What then? Even on account of
this man only the Destruction should not be wrought."

"Long live he who should spare him!" says Lomna Druth.

"Ye cannot," says Ingcel, etc.

THE ROOM OF THE SWINEHERDS

"I beheld a trio in the front of the house: three dark crowntufts on
them: three green frocks around them: three dark mantles over them:
three forked ...(?) above them on the side of the wall. Six black
greaves they had on the mast. Who are yon, O Fer rogain?"

"Easy to say," answers Fer rogain: "the three swineherds of the king,
Dub and Donn and Dorcha: three brothers are they, three sons of Mapher
of Tara. Long live he who should protect them! woe to him who shall slay
them! for greater would be the triumph of protecting them than the
triumph of slaying them!"

"Ye cannot," says Ingcel, etc.

THE ROOM OF THE PRINCIPAL CHARIOTEERS

"I beheld another trio in front of them: three plates of gold on their
foreheads: three short aprons they wore, of grey linen embroidered with
gold: three crimson capes about them: three goads of bronze in their
hands. Liken thou that, O Fer rogain!"

"I know them," he answered. "Cul and Frecul and Forcul, the three
charioteers of the King: three of the same age: three sons of Pole and
Yoke. A man will perish by each of their weapons, and they will share
the triumph of slaughter."

THE ROOM OF CUSCRAD SON OF CONCHOBAR

"I beheld another room. Therein were eight swordsmen, and among them a
stripling. Black hair is on him, and very stammering speech has he. All
the folk of the Hostel listen to his counsel. Handsomest of men he is:
he wears a shirt and a bright-red mantle, with a brooch of
silver therein."

"I know him," says Fer rogain: "'tis Cuscraid Menn of Armagh,
Conchobar's son, who is in hostageship with the king. And his guards are
those eight swordsmen around him, namely, two Flanns, two Cummains, two
Aeds, two Crimthans. They will share prowess with every one in the
Hostel, and they will chance to escape from it with their fosterling."

THE ROOM OF THE UNDER-CHARIOTEERS

"I beheld nine men: on the mast were they. Nine capes they wore, with a
purple loop. A plate of gold on the head of each of them. Nine goads in
their hands. Liken thou."

"I know those," quoth Fer rogain: "Riado, Riamcobur, Riade, Buadon,
Buadchar, Buadgnad, Eirr, Ineirr, Argatlam--nine charioteers in
apprenticeship with the three chief charioteers of