[1-1] Stowe.

“I ask, then, whether Eogan son of Durthacht, King of Fernmag, would have come?” “In sooth, it is not likely.  For, had he come hither, the pick of the men of Fernmag would have come with him, battle he would give them, before him they would break, and it is not he that would be routed.”

“I ask, then:  Who would be likely to have come to us?  Is it likely that he would have come, Celtchai son of Uthechar?” “No more is it likely that it was he.  A shame it would be to make light of him in his absence, him the battle-stone for the foes of the province, the head of all the retainers and the gate-of-battle of Ulster.  And even should there be against him in one place and one mass and one march and one camp, and on one and the same hill all the men of Erin from the west to the east, from the south to the north, battle he would give them, before him they would break and it is not he that would be routed.”

“I ask, then:  Who would be like to have come to us?” [2]asked Ailill.[2] [3]"I know not,” Fergus replied,[3] “unless it be the little lad, my nursling and Conchobar’s.  Cuchulain (’the Wolf-dog of Culann the Smith’) he is called. [4]He is the one who could have done the deed,” answered Fergus.  “He it is who could have lopped the tree with one blow from its root, could have killed the four with the quickness wherewith they were killed and could have come to the border with his charioteer."[4]

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [3-3] Stowe.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 337-340.

[W.843.] “Of a truth,” spake Ailill, “I heard from ye of this little boy once on a time in Cruachan.  What might be the age of this little boy now?” “It is by no means his age that is most formidable in him,” answered Fergus.  “Because, manful were his deeds, those of that lad, at a time when he was younger than he [1]now[1] is. [2]In his fifth year he went in quest of warlike deeds among the lads of Emain Macha.  In his sixth[a] year he went to learn skill in arms and feats with Scathach,[2] [3]and he went to woo Emer;[3] [4]in his seventh[b] year he took arms; in his seventeenth year he is at this time."[4] “How so!” exclaimed Medb.  “Is there even now amongst the Ulstermen one his equal in age that is more redoubtable than he?” “We have not found there [5]a man-at-arms that is harder,[5] [6]nor a point that is keener, more terrible nor quicker,[6] nor a more bloodthirsty wolf, [7]nor a raven more flesh-loving,[7] nor a wilder warrior, nor a match of his age that would reach to a third or a fourth [LL.fo.62a.] the likes of Cuchulain.  Thou findest not there,” Fergus went on, “a hero his peer, [8]nor a lion that is fiercer, nor a plank of battle,[8] nor a sledge of destruction, [9]nor a gate of combat,[9] nor a doom of hosts, nor a contest of valour that would be of more worth than Cuchulain.  Thou findest not there one that could equal his age and his growth, [10]his dress[10] [11]and his terror,[11] his size and his splendour, [12]his fame and his voice, his shape and his power,[12] his form and his speech, his strength and his feats and his valour, [13]his smiting, his heat and his anger,[13] his dash, his assault and attack, his dealing of [W.857.] doom and affliction, his roar, his speed, his fury, his rage, and his quick triumph with the feat of nine men on each sword’s point[a] above him, like unto Cuchulain.”