.

"I ask, then, whether Eogan son of Durthacht, King of Fernmag, would have
come?" "In sooth, it is not likely. For, had he come hither, the pick of
the men of Fernmag would have come with him, battle he would give them,
before him they would break, and it is not he that would be routed."

"I ask, then: Who would be likely to have come to us? Is it likely that he
would have come, Celtchai son of Uthechar?" "No more is it likely that it
was he. A shame it would be to make light of him in his absence, him the
battle-stone for the foes of the province, the head of all the retainers
and the gate-of-battle of Ulster. And even should there be against him in
one place and one mass and one march and one camp, and on one and the same
hill all the men of Erin from the west to the east, from the south to the
north, battle he would give them, before him they would break and it is not
he that would be routed."

"I ask, then: Who would be like to have come to us?" [2]asked Ailill.[2]
[3]"I know not," Fergus replied,[3] "unless it be the little lad, my
nursling and Conchobar's. Cuchulain ('the Wolf-dog of Culann the Smith')
he is called. [4]He is the one who could have done the deed," answered
Fergus. "He it is who could have lopped the tree with one blow from its
root, could have killed the four with the quickness wherewith they were
killed and could have come to the border with his charioteer."[4]

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 337-340.

[W.843.] "Of a truth," spake Ailill, "I heard from ye of this little boy
once on a time in Cruachan. What might be the age of this little boy now?"
"It is by no means his age that is most formidable in him," answered
Fergus. "Because, manful were his deeds, those of that lad, at a time when
he was younger than he [1]now[1] is. [2]In his fifth year he went in quest
of warlike deeds among the lads of Emain Macha. In his sixth[a] year he
went to learn skill in arms and feats with Scathach,[2] [3]and he went to
woo Emer;[3] [4]in his seventh[b] year he took arms; in his seventeenth
year he is at this time."[4] "How so!" exclaimed Medb. "Is there even now
amongst the Ulstermen one his equal in age that is more redoubtable than
he?" "We have not found there [5]a man-at-arms that is harder,[5] [6]nor a
point that is keener, more terrible nor quicker,[6] nor a more bloodthirsty
wolf, [7]nor a raven more flesh-loving,[7] nor a wilder warrior, nor a
match of his age t