clatter and clash that he heard there, to wit the shield-shock
of shields and the jangle of javelins and the hard-smiting of swords and
the ring of helmets, the clangour of breast-plates and the rattle of arms
and the fury of feats, the straining of ropes and the whirr of wheels and
the trampling of horses' hoofs and the creaking of chariots, and the deep
voices of heroes and battle-warriors coming hither towards us.

"This was the constant sparkling of shining stars on a bright, clear
night that he saw there and the sparks of red-flaming fire, even the
bloodthirsty, terrible eyes of the champions and battle-warriors from under
beautiful, well-shaped, finely-adorned battle-helmets; eyes full of the
fury and rage they brought with them, against the which neither before nor
since has equal combat nor overwhelming force of battle prevailed, and
against which it will never prevail till the very day of doom and of life!"

"We make not much of that," quoth Medb;[a] [4]"we will await them.[4]
[5]For[5] there are goodly warriors and goodly fighting-men with us to cope
with them." [6]"Thou shall have need of them," answered Fergus.[6] "Truly,
I count not on that, O Medb. For I give my word, thou [W.5087.] shalt find
no host in [1]all[1] Erin, nor in Alba, [2]nor in the western part of the
world from Greece and Scythia westwards to the Orkney Islands, the Pillars
of Hercules, Bregon's Tower and the islands of Cadiz[2] to cope with the
men of Ulster when once their anger comes on them!"

[a] 'Ailill,' YBL. 46a, 23.

[4-4] YBL. 46a, 22.

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] YBL. 46a, 23.

[1-1] YBL. 46a, 24.

[2-2] YBL. 45a, 25-28.

Then did the four grand provinces of Erin pitch camp and make lodgment at
Clartha for that night. They sent forth folk to keep watch and guard
against Ulster, to the end that the Ulstermen might not come upon them
without warning, without notice.

Then it was that Conchobar and Celtchar with thirty hundred bristling
chariot-fighters set forth, till they halted at Slemain Mide ('Slane of
Meath') [LL.fo.96b.] in the rear of the host of Erin. But, though 'halted'
we have said, [3]a very brief halt made they there.[3] Not straightway
pitched they camp, but proceeded for a favourable sign to the quarters of
Ailill and Medb, so they might be the first of all to redden their hands
[4]on the men of Erin.[4]

[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

[4-4] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

[5]Then did macRoth