Note 1-1 — Footnotes.

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 1now1 is. 2In his fifth year he went in quest of warlike deeds among the lads of Emain Macha. In his sixtha year he went to learn skill in arms and feats with Scathach,2 3and he went to woo Emer;3 4in his seventhb 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 5a man-at-arms that is harder,5 6nor a point that is keener, more terrible nor quicker,6 nor a more bloodthirsty wolf, 7nor 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, 8nor a lion that is fiercer, nor a plank of battle,8 nor a sledge of destruction, 9nor 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, 10his dress10 11and his terror,11 his size and his splendour, 12his fame and his voice, his shape and his power,12 his form and his speech, his strength and his feats and his valour, 13his 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 pointa above him, like unto Cuchulain."