ost and fierce is that company.[2] Some wore red cloaks, others
light-blue cloaks, [LL.fo.100a.] others dark blue cloaks, others green
cloaks; white and yellow jerkins, beautiful and shiny, were over them.
Behold the little, freckled, red-faced lad with purple, [3]fringed[3]
mantle [4]folded about him[4] amongst them in their midst. [5]Fairest of
the forms of men was his form.[5] A salmon-shaped brooch of gold in the
mantle over his breast; a [6]bright, hooded[6] tunic of royal silk with red
trimming of red gold next to his white skin; a bright shield with intricate
figures of beasts in red gold upon it; a boss of gold on the shield; an
edge of gold around it; a small, gold-hilted sword at his waist; a sharp,
light lance cast its shadow over him." "But, who might he be?" asked Ailill
of Fergus. "Truly, I know not," Fergus made answer, "that I left behind me
in Ulster the like of that company nor of the little lad that is in it.
But, one thing I think likely, that they are the men of Temair with [7]the
well-favoured, wonderful, noble youth[7] Erc son of Fedilmid Nocruthach,
[8]Conchobar's daughter,[8] and of Carbre Niafer. And if it be they, they
are not more friends than their leaders here. Mayhap despite his father
[W.5576.] has this lad come to succour his grandfather[a] at this time. And
if these they be, a sea that drowneth shall this company be to ye, because
it is through this company and the little lad that is in it that the battle
shall this time be won against ye." "How through him?" asked Ailill. "Not
hard to tell," Fergus responded: "for this little lad will know neither
fear nor dread when slaying and slaughtering, until at length he comes into
the midst of your battalion. Then shall be heard the whirr of Conchobar's
sword like the yelp of a howling war-hound, or like a lion rushing among
bears, [1]while the boy will be saved.[1] Then outside around the battle
lines will Conchobar pile up huge walls of men's bodies [2]while he seeks
the little lad.[2] In turn the princes of the men of Ulster, filled with
love and devotion, will hew the enemy to pieces. Boldly will those powerful
bulls, [3]the brave warriors of Ulster,[3] bellow as [4]their grandson,[4]
the calf of their [5]cow,[5] is rescued in the battle on the morn of the
morrow."

[1-1] YBL. 49a, 41.

[2-2] YBL. 49a, 42-44.

[3-3] YBL. 49a, 50.

[4-4] YBL. 49a, 50.

[5-5] YBL. 49a, 46-47.

[6-6] YBL. 49a, 52.

[7-7] YBL