f
Uthider which was found in the battle of Mag Tured, this is in the hand
of Dubthach Chafer of Ulaid. That feat is usual for it when it is ripe
to pour forth a foeman's blood. A caldron full of poison is needed to
quench it when a deed of man-slaying is expected. Unless this come to
the lance, it flames on its haft and will go through its bearer or the
master of the palace wherein it is. If it be a blow that is to be given
thereby it will kill a man at every blow, when it is at that feat, from
one hour to another, though it may not reach him. And if it be a cast,
it will kill nine men at every cast, and one of the nine will be a king
or crown-prince or chieftain of the reavers.

"I swear what my tribe swears, there will be a multitude unto whom
tonight the _Luin_ of Celtchar will deal drinks of death in front of the
Hostel. I swear to God what my tribe swears that, in their first
encounter, three hundred will fall by that trio, and they will share
prowess with every three in the Hostel tonight. And they will boast of
victory over a king or chief of the reavers, and the three will chance
to escape."

"Woe," says Lomna Druth, "to him who shall wreak the Destruction, were
it only because of that trio!"

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

THE ROOM OF THE THREE MANX GIANTS

"There I beheld a room with a trio in it. Three men mighty, manly,
overbearing, which see no one abiding at their three hideous crooked
aspects. A fearful view because of the terror of them. A ... dress of
rough hair covers them ... of cow's hair, without garments enwrapping
down to the right heels. With three manes, equine, awful, majestic, down
to their sides. Fierce heroes who wield against foeman hard-smiting
swords. A blow, they give with three iron flails having seven chains
triple-twisted, three-edged, with seven iron knobs at the end of every
chain: each of them as heavy as an ingot of ten smeltings. Three big
brown men. Dark equine back-manes on them, which reach their two heels.
Two good thirds of an oxhide in the girdle round each one's waist, and
each quadrangular clasp that closes it as thick as a man's thigh. The
raiment that is round them is the dress that grows through them. Tresses
of their back-manes were spread, and a long staff of iron, as long and
thick as an outer yoke was in each man's hand, and an iron chain out of
the end of every club, and at the end of every chain an iron pestle as
l