e a match [W.5242.] for the men of Ulster when once
their anger comes upon them."

"Yet another company there came to the same mound in Slane of Meath," said
macRoth. [1]"Not fewer than a battalion of thirty hundred was in it.[1] A
fair, tall, great warrior [LL.fo.98a.] in the van of that battalion, and he
of fiery spirit, with noble countenance. Brown, dark-coloured hair he wore,
smooth and thin on his forehead; a dull-grey cloak girt around him; a
silver pin in the cloak over his breast; a bright, sleeved tunic next to
his skin; a curved shield with sharp, plaited rim he bore; a five-pronged
spear in his hand; a straightsword with ornaments of walrus-tooth in its
place." "But, who might that be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "In very sooth,
we know him," Fergus made answer. "The putting of hands on strife is he; a
battle-warrior for combat and destruction on foes is the one who is come
there, [2]even[2] Eogan son of Durthacht, [3]king of the stout-handed[3]
Fernmag in the north, is the one yonder."

[1-1] Stowe, H. 1. 13, and, similarly, YBL. 47a, 1.

[2-2] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 47a, 12.

[3-3] Reading with Stowe and H. 1. 13; LL. seems to be corrupt here.

"Another battalion there came thither to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth. "It is surely no false word that boldly they took the
hill. Deep the terror, great the fear they brought with them. [4]Terrible
the clangour of arms they made as they advanced.[4] Their raiment all
thrown back behind them. A great-headed, warlike warrior in the forefront
of the company, and he eager for blood, dreadful to look upon; spare,
grizzly hair had he; huge, yellow eyes in his head; a yellow, close-napped
(?) cloak around him; a pin of yellow gold in the cloak over his breast; a
yellow tunic with lace next his skin; [5]a great, smiting sword under his
waist;[5] in his hand a nailed, broad-plated, long-shafted spear with a
drop [W.5262.] of blood on its edge." "But, who might that be?" asked
Ailill of Fergus. "In truth then, we know him, that warrior," Fergus gave
answer. "Neither battle nor battle-field nor combat nor contest shuns he,
the one who is come thither. Loegaire Buadach ('the Victorious') son of
Connad Buide ('the Yellow') son of Iliach, from Immail in the north, is the
one yonder."

[4-4] YBL. 47a, 18-19.

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

"Another company there came there too to the same mound in Slane of Meath,"
continued macRoth.