nce he, the king, assumed
his sovereignty, to wit: As soon as he arose, forthwith in settling the
cares and affairs of the province; thereafter, the day he divided in three:
first, the first third he spent a-watching the youths play games of skill
and of hurling; the next third of the day, a-playing draughts and chess,
and the last third a-feasting on meat and [4]a-quaffing[4] ale, till sleep
possessed them all, the while minstrels and harpers lulled him to sleep.
For all that I am a long time in banishment because of him, I give my
word," said Fergus, "there is not in Erin nor in Alba a warrior the like
of Conchobar."

[1] Reading with LU. and YBL. 367.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 368-369.

[3-3] Eg. 1782.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 371.

"And the lad was told the tales of the boys and the boy-troop in Emain; and
the child said to his mother, he would go to have part in the games on the
play-field of Emain. "It is too soon for thee, little son," said his
mother; "wait till there go with thee a champion of the champions of
[W.880.] Ulster, or some of the attendants of Conchobar to enjoin thy
protection and thy safety on the boy-troop." "I think it too long for that,
my mother," the little lad answered, "I will not wait for it. But do thou
show me what place lies Emain [1]Macha."[1] [2]"Northwards, there;[2] it is
far away from thee," said his mother, "the place wherein it lies, [3]and
the way is hard.[3] Sliab Fuait lies between thee and Emain." "At all
hazards, I will essay it," he answered.

[1-1] Eg. 1782.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 376-377.

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 377.

"The boy fared forth and took his playthings with him. [4]His little
lath-shield[4] he took, and his hurley of bronze and his ball of silver;
and he took his little javelin for throwing; and his toy-staff he took with
its fire-hardened butt-end, and he began to shorten the length of his
journey with them. He would give the ball a stroke [LL.fo.62b.] with the
hurl-bat, so that he sent it a long distance from him. Then with a second
throw he would cast his hurley so that it went a distance no shorter than
the first throw. He would hurl his little darts, and let fly his toy-staff,
and make a wild chase after them. Then he would catch up his hurl-bat and
pick up the ball and snatch up the dart, and the stock of the toy-staff had
not touched the ground when he caught its tip which was in the air.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 380.

"He went his