its socket he
had in his hand. But, what need to tell further? [6]All the host arose to
meet him, and[6] the lines and battalions were thrown into disorder at the
sight of that warrior, as he came surrounded by his company to the hill, in
Slane of Meath [7]and the stream of battle-hosts with him."[7] "But who
might that man be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "Ah, but we know him well,"
Fergus made answer. "He is the half of the battle; he is the head of strife
[8]of Ulster;[8] he is the head [9]of combat[9] in valour; [10]he is the
storm-wave that drowneth;[10] he is the sea overbounds, the man that is
come thither; the mighty Celtchar son of Uthechar, from Lethglass in the
north, is the man there!"

[2-2] YBL. 48a, 30.

[3-3] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 33.

[4-4] H. 1. 13 and YBL. 48a, 36.

[5-5] YBL. 48a, 35.

[6-6] YBL. 48a, 42.

[7-7] H. 1. 13 and Stowe.

[8-8] Stowe.

[9-9] YBL. 48a, 44.

[10-10] YBL. 48a, 45-46.

[W.5397.] "There came yet another company thither to the same hill in Slane
of Meath," said macRoth; "one that is firm and furious; one that is ugly
and fearful. A great-bellied, big-mouthed champion, [1]the size of whose
mouth is the mouth of a horse,[1] in the van of that troop; with but one
clear eye, and [2]half-brained,[2] long-handed. Brown, very curly hair he
wore; a black, flowing mantle around him; a wheel-shaped brooch of tin in
the mantle over his breast; a cunningly wrought tunic next to his skin; a
great long sword under his waist; a well-tempered lance in his right hand;
[LL.fo.99b.] a grey buckler he bore on him, that is, his shield."

[1-1] YBL. 48b, 9-10.

[2-2] YBL. has, 'broad-headed.'

"Pray, who might that man be?" asked Ailill of Fergus. "Indeed, but we know
him," Fergus made answer; "the wild, red-handed, [3]rending[3] lion; the
fierce, fearful bear that overcometh valour. [4]He is the high doer of
deeds, warlike, and fierce,[4] Errge Echbel ('Horse-mouth'), from Bri Errgi
('Errge's Mound') in the north, is the one there."

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

[4-4] YBL. 48b, 16.

"Yet another company there came to the same hill in Slane of Meath," said
macRoth. "A large, noble, [5]fiery[5] man at the head of that company;
foxy-red hair he had; huge, crimson-red eyes in his head; bulging as far as
the bend of a warrior's finger is either of the very large crimson, kingly
eyes he had; a many-coloured cloak about him; [6]a w