clear, white, shorn spot was upon him, as if a cow had licked
it. A [10]fair, laced[10] green[a] mantle about him; a silver pin therein
[11]over his white breast, so that the eyes of men could not look at it for
its gleam and its brightness.[11] A [12]hooded[12] tunic of thread of gold
about him. [13]A magnificent, fair-coloured, dark purple shield he bore.
Two hard, five-pointed spears in his hand. A diadem of gold round his
head.[13] And the lad was seated between the two feet of Conchobar, [14]and
that was his couch ever after,[14] and the king began to stroke his
close-shorn hair.

[4-4] LU. and YBL. 726.

[5-5] Stowe.

[6-6] LU. 726.

[7-7] H. 2. 17. Thurneysen, _Zeitschrift fuer Celtische Philologie_, Bd.
VIII, S. 538, note 13, understands this to mean, 'a bluish purple cloak
was thrown around him.'

[8-8] Stowe and H. 2. 17.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[a] 'Blue,' LU. and YBL. 727 and Eg. 1782.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] LU. and YBL. 727.

[13-13] H. 2. 17.

[14-14] LU. and YBL. 728.

[W.1381.] "A mere lad accomplished these deeds at the end of seven years
after his birth," [1]continued Fiachu son of Fiarba;[1] "for he overcame
heroes and battle-champions at whose hands two-thirds of the men of Ulster
had fallen, and these had not got their revenge on them until that scion
rose up for them. No need then is there of wonder or of surprise, though he
came to the border, though he slew one man or two men or three men or four
men, [2]though he cut off the four-headed pole with one cut and one blow of
his shining sword[2] when now are fulfilled his seventeen years at the time
of the Tain Bo Cualnge."

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 729-730.

[2-2] H. 2. 17.

[3]Albeit gladness, joy and happiness was the part of the men of Ulster for
that, sorrow, grief and unhappiness was the part of the men of Erin, for
they knew that the little lad that had done those deeds in the time of his
boyhood, it would be no wonder if he should do great deeds of valour in the
time of his manhood.[3]

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

These, accordingly, are some of the youthful exploits of Cuchulain on the
Raid for the Kine of Cualnge, and the Prologue of the Tale, and the Names
of the Roads and the March of the Host up to this Point.

The Story proper is this which follows now.

* * * * *

[Page 80]

VIIc

[1]BELOW IS A S