He was now a man’s full height, but his face was a boy’s face, and his strength and agility amazed all who observed him in his exercises.

“Has thou heard what Cathvah has predicted concerning the youth who is knighted on that day?” said the King.

“Yes,” answered the lad.

“That he will be famous and short-lived and unhappy?”

“Truly,” he replied.

“And doth thy purpose still hold?”

“Yes,” he answered, “but whether it be mine I cannot tell.”

Concobar, though unwilling, yielded to that request.

Loegairey, the Victorious, son of Conud, son of Iliach, the second best knight of the Red Branch and the most devoted to poetry of them all came that night into the hall while the rest slumbered.  The candles were flickering in their sockets.  Darkness invested the rest of the vast hollow-sounding chamber, but there was light around the throne and couch of the King, owing to the splendour of the pillars and of the canopy shining with bronze, white and red, and silver and gold, and glittering with carbuncles and diamonds, and owing to the light which always surrounded the King and encircled his regal head like a luminous cloud, seen by many.  He was looking straight out before him with bright eyes, considering and consulting for the Red Branch while they slept.  Two great men having their swords drawn in their hands, stood behind him, on the right and on the left, like statues, motionless and silent.

Loegairey drew nigh to the King.  Distraction and amazement were in his face.  His dense and lustrous hair was dishevelled and in agitation round his neck and huge shoulders.  He held in his hand two long spears with rings of walrus tooth where the timber met the shank of the flashing blades; they trembled in his hand.  His lips were dry, his voice very low.

“There are horses in the stable of Macha,” he said.

“I know it,” answered the King.

Concobar called for water, and when he had washed his hands and his face, he took from its place the chess-board of the realm, arranged the men, and observed their movements and combinations.  He closed the board and put the men in their net of bronze wire, and restored all to their place.

“Great things will happen on the morrow, O grandson of Iliach,” he said.  “Take candles and go before me to the boys’ dormitory.”

They went to the boys’ dormitory and to the couch of Cuculain.  Cuculain and Laeg were asleep together there.  Their faces towards each other and their hair mingled together.  Cuculain’s face was very tranquil, and his breathing inaudible, like an infant’s.

“O sweet and serene face,” murmured the King, “I see great clouds of sorrow coming upon you.”

They returned to the hall.

“Go now to thy rest and thy slumber, O Loegairey,” said the King.  “When the curse of Macha descends upon us I know one who will withstand it.”