king's
palace he bore on his back. This warrior took his station on the hill of
turf facing the warrior who first came to the hill, and his company took
their places around him. But sweet as the tone of lutes in masters' hands
when long sustained, so seemed to me the melodious sound of the voice and
the speech of the youth conversing with the warrior who first came to the
hill and offering him every counsel."

[4-4] YBL. 46b, 30.

[5-5] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

"But who might that be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. [W.5218.] "Truly, we know
him well," Fergus made answer. "This, to wit, is the first hero for whom
they threw up the mound of turf on the height of the hill and whom all
approached, namely, Conchobar son of Fachtna Fathach son of Ross Ruad son
of Rudraige, High King of Ulster, and son of the High King of Erin. [1]It
is he that sat on the mound of sods.[1] This, to wit, is the stammering,
great warrior," [2]Fergus continued,[2] "who took station on [3]his
father[3] Conchobar's left, namely, Cuscraid Menn ('the Stammerer') of
Macha, Conchobar's son, with the sons of the king of Ulster [4]and the sons
of the princes of the men of Erin[4] close by him. This is the spear he saw
in his hand, even the 'Torch of Cuscraid,' with its windings of silver and
bands of gold. It is the wont of that spear that neither before nor after
do the silver windings run round it by the side of the bands of gold but
only on the eve of a triumph. Belike, it is almost before a triumph they
course round it now.

[1-1] YBL. 46b, 36.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] YBL. 46b, 40.

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

"The well-favoured, broad-headed warrior who seated himself on the hill in
the presence of the youth who first came on the mound, namely is Sencha son
of Ailill son of Maelcho 'the Eloquent' of Ulster, he that is wont to
appease the hosts of the men of Erin. But, yet a word more I say: It is not
the counsel of cowardice nor of fear that he gives his lord this day on the
day of strife, but counsel to act with valour and courage and wisdom and
cunning. But, again one word further I say," added Fergus: "It is a goodly
people for performing great deeds that has risen there early this day
around Conchobar!" "We make not much of them," quoth Medb; "we have goodly
warriors and stout youths to deal with them." "I count not that for much,"
answered Fergus again; "but I say this word: Thou wilt not find in Erin nor
in Alba a host to b