‘That,’ said Fergus, ’is the bold one, unsparing; that is the tearing; it is the boar [Note:  Ir. rop, said to be a beast that wounds or gores.] of combat, it is the mad bull; it is the victorious one of Baile; it is the warlike one of the gap; it is the champion of Colptha, the door of war of the north of Ireland:  that is, Menn Mac Salchalca from Corann.  To avenge his wounds upon you has that man come,’ said Fergus.

‘Another company has come there to the hill, to Slemon Midi,’ said Mac Roth, ’and they very heroic, mutually willing.  A warrior grey, great, broad, tall, before it.  Hair dark, curly, on him; a cloak red, woollen, about him; a shirt excellent; a brooch of gold over his arms in his cloak; a sword, excellent, with hilt of white silver on his left; a red shield has he; a spear-head broad-grey on a fair shaft [Note:  Conjecture; the Irish is obscure.] of ash in his hand.

‘A man of three strong blows who has so come,’ said Fergus; ’a man of three roads, a man of three highways, a man of three gifts, a man of three shouts, who breaks battles on enemies in another province:  Fergrae Mac Findchoime from Corann is that.’

‘Another company has come there to the hill, to Slemon Midi,’ said Mac Roth.  ’Its appearance is greater than a cantred.  A warrior white-breasted, very fair, before it; like to Ailill yonder in size and beauty and equipment and raiment.  A crown of gold above his head; a cloak excellent folded about him; a brooch of gold in the cloak on his breast; a shirt with red ornamentation round about him; a shield wound-giving with rims of gold; the pillar of a palace in his hand; a sword gold-hilted on his shoulders.’

‘It is a sea over rivers who has so come, truly,’ said Fergus; ’it is a fierce glow of fire; his rage towards foes is insupportable:  Furbaidi Ferbend is that,’ said Fergus.

‘Another company has come there to the hill, to Slemon Midi,’ said Mac Roth.  ‘Very heroic, innumerable,’ said Mac Roth; ’strange garments, various, about them, different from other companies.  Famously have they come, both in arms and raiment and dress.  A great host and fierce is that company.  A lad flame red before it; the most beautiful of the forms of men his form; ... a shield with white boss in his hand, the shield of gold and a rim of gold round it; a spear sharp, light, with in his hand; a cloak purple, fringed, folded about him; a brooch of silver in the cloak, on his breast; a shirt white, hooded, with red ornamentation, about him; a sword gold-hilted over his dress outside.’

Therewith Fergus is silent.

‘I do not know indeed,’ said Fergus, ’the like of this lad in Ulster, except that I think it is the men of Temair about a lad proper, wonderful, noble:  with Erc, son of Coirpre Niafer and of Conchobar’s daughter.  They love not one another; ——­ without his father’s leave has that man come, to help his grandfather.  It is through the combat of that lad,’ said