[3]in two chariots to Delga,[3] to come up to
Cuchulain where Cuchulain was between Fochain and the sea. [4]There it is
that he was that day, with his back to the pillar-stone at Crich Rois,[4]
playing draughts with Laeg, [5]to wit, his charioteer.[5] [6]The back of
his head was turned towards them that approached and Laeg faced them.[6]
And not a [7]living[7] thing entered the [8]entire[8] plain without Laeg
perceiving it and, notwithstanding, he continued to win every other game of
draughts from Cuchulain. "A lone warrior cometh towards us [9]over the
plain,[9] [10]my master[10] Cucuc," spake Laeg. "What manner of warrior?"
queried Cuchulain. [11]"A fine, large chariot is there," said he.[11]
[12]"But what sort of chariot?"[12] "As large as one of the chief mountains
that are highest on a great plain appears to me [LL.fo.71b.] the chariot
that is under the warrior; [13]and I would liken to the battlements of one
of the vast, royal seats of the province the chariot that is in the
trappings of those horses;[13] as large as one of the noble trees on a main
fort's green meseems the curly, tressed, fair-yellow, all-golden hair
hanging loose around the man's head; a purple mantle fringed with thread of
gold [14]wrapped[14] around him; a golden, ornamented brooch in the mantle
[15]over his breast;[15] [16]a bright-shining, hooded shirt, with red
embroidery of red gold trussed up on his white [W.1819.] skin;[16] a broad
and grey-shafted lance, [1]perforated from _mimasc_[a] to 'horn,'[1]
flaming red in his hand; over him, a bossed, plaited shield, [2]curved,
with an engraved edge of silvered bronze,[2] [3]with applied ornaments of
red gold thereon,[3] and a boss of red gold; a lengthy sword, as long as
the oar[4] of a huge currach [5]on a wild, stormy night,[5] [6]resting
on the two thighs[6] of the great haughty warrior that is within the
chariot.[4]"

[3-3] LU. and YBL. 1153.

[4-4] H. 2. 17.

[5-5] LL., in the margin.

[6-6] LU. and YBL. 1154-1155.

[7-7] H. 2. 17.

[8-8] H. 2. 17.

[9-9] H. 2. 17.

[10-10] H. 2. 17.

[11-11] H. 2. 17.

[12-12] H. 2. 17.

[13-13] H. 2. 17.

[14-14] H. 2. 17.

[15-15] Stowe.

[16-16] H. 2. 17.

[a] Some part of the spear.

[1-1] LU. and YBL. 1159.

[2-2] LU. and YBL. 1158.

[3-3] H. 2. 17.

[4-4] Following Windisch's emendation of the text.

[5-5] H. 2. 17.

[6-6] LU. and YBL.