was,
[5]and next to the other in numbers and attendance, in accoutrements and
fearfulness and horror.[5] A [6]great,[6] [7]hero-like,[7] well-favoured
warrior was there likewise at the head of that company; fair-yellow hair he
wore; a bright, curly beard about his chin; a green mantle wrapped around
him; a bright-silvern pin in the mantle at his breast; a brown-red,
soldier's tunic under red interweaving of red gold trussed up against his
fair skin down to his knees; a candle of a king's house[a] in his hand,
with windings of silver and bands of gold; wonderful the feats and games
performed with the spear in the hand of the youth; the windings of silver
ran round it by the side of the bands of gold, now from the butt to the
socket, while at other times it was the bands of gold that circled by the
side of the windings of silver from socket to spear-end; a smiting shield
with [W.5195.] plaited edge he bore; a sword with hilt-pieces of ivory, and
ornamented with thread of gold on his left side. This warrior took his
station on the left of the leader[1] of the first company[1] who had come
to the mound, and his followers got them seated around him. But, though we
have said they sat, they did not verily seat themselves at once, but
[2]they sat thus,[2] with their knees on the ground and the rims of their
shields against their chins, so long it seemed to them till they should be
let at us. But, one thing yet: Meseemed that [LL.fo.97b.] the great, fierce
youth who led the troop stammered grievously [3]in his speech.[3]

[5-5] YBL. 46b, 8-9.

[6-6] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

[7-7] YBL. 46b, 9.

[a] That is, 'a flaming-red spear.'

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

[2-2] YBL. 46b, 19.

[3-3] YBL. 46b, 21.

"Still another battalion there came to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. "Second to its fellow in number and followers and
apparel. A handsome, broad-headed warrior at the head of that troop;
dark-yellow hair in tresses he wore; an eager, dark-blue eye rolling
restlessly in his head; a bright, curled beard, forked and tapering, at his
chin; a dark-grey cloak with fringes, folded around him; a leaf-shaped
brooch of silvered bronze in the mantle over his breast; a white-hooded
shirt [4]reaching to his knees[4] [5]was girded[5] next to his skin; a
bright shield with raised devices of beasts thereon he bore; a sword with
white silver hilt in battle-scabbard at his waist; the pillar of a