with wrists, wrists of men with fists, fists of men
with fingers, fingers of men with nails, nails[a] of men with scalps,
scalps of men with trunks, trunks of men with thighs, thighs of men with
knees, knees of men with calves, calves of men with feet, feet of men with
toes, toes of men with nails,[2] so that [3]heads of men over shields[3]
would be as numerous [4]with me[4] as bits of ice [5]on the miry
stamping-ground[5] [6]between two dry fields[6] that a king's horses would
course on. Every limb of the Ulstermen [7]would I send flying through the
air[7] before and behind me this day [8]like the flitting of bees on a day
of fine weather,[8] if only I had my sword!"

[2-2] I have given preference to the reading of YBL. 51b, 18-30.

[a] A word is omitted here in the MS., presumably for, 'nails.'

[3-3] YBL. 51b, 19-20.

[4-4] YBL. 51b, 19.

[5-5] YBL. 51b, 20.

[6-6] Adopting Windisch's emendation of the text.

[7-7] YBL. 51b, 31.

[8-8] YBL. 51b, 32.

At that Ailill spoke to his own charioteer, Ferloga, to wit: "Fetch me a
quick sword that wounds the skin, O gilla," said Ailill. [9]"A year to-day
I put that sword in thy hand in the flower of its condition and bloom.[9] I
give my word, if its bloom and condition be the worse at thy hands this day
than the day I gave it [10]thee[10] on the hillside of Cruachan Ai [11]in
the borders of Ulster,[11] though thou hadst the men of Erin and of Alba to
rescue thee from me to-day, they would not all save thee!"

[9-9] Stowe and YBL. 51b, 35.

[10-10] Stowe.

[11-11] YBL. 51b, 36.

[W.5956.] Ferloga went his way, and he brought the sword with him in the
flower of its safe-keeping, and fair flaming as a candle. And the sword was
placed in Ailill's hand, and Ailill put it in Fergus' hand, and Fergus
offered welcome to the sword:[a] "Welcome, O Calad Colg[b] ('Hardblade'),
Lete's sword!" said he. "Weary, O champion of Badb! On whom shall I ply
this weapon?" Fergus asked. "On the men-of-war around thee," Medb answered.
"No one shall find indulgence nor quarter from thee to-day, unless some
friend of thy bosom find it!"

[a] Here follows in YBL. 51b, 38-57 a difficult passage in _rosc_ which
I have omitted in the translation. Only a portion of it has been
preserved in LL. and is here translated.

[b] Reading with Stowe, II. 1. 13, Add. and YBL. 51b, 45.

Whereupon, Fergus took his arms and went forward to t