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(U84 12.151-205)

Theº figure seated on a large ^|1threelegged fourlegged^1| stool was that of a broadshouldered, deepchested, stronglimbed, blueeyed, redhaired, shaggybearded, widemouthed, largenosed, longheaded, deepvoiced, barekneed, brawnyhanded, hairylegged, ruddyfaced, sinewyarmed hero. From shoulder to shoulder he measured several ells and his eggshaped knees ^|1were^1| covered wi, as was the rest of his body wherever visible, with a strong growth of tawny prickly hair ^|1in hue and toughness^1| similar to the mountain gorse^|1, (^1| fucta montanis^|1)^1|. The widewinged nostrils, from which bristles of the same tawny hue projected, were of such capacity that in within their cavernous obscurity the fieldlark might easily have lodged her nest. The eyes in which a tear and a smile strove ever for the mastery were of the dimension of a goodsized cauliflower. A powerful current of warm steaming breath issued at regular intervals from the profound cavity of his mouth while in rhythmic regularity the loud strong hale reverberations of his heart resounded deeply causing the ground and the walls of the building to vibrate and tremble not unpleasantly.

He wore a long sleeveless garment of saffron wool, reaching to the knees in a loose kilt, and this was bound about his waist with a girdle of plaited ^|1rushes riverrushes^1|. Beneath this he wore trews of deerskin, cunningly sewn with gut. Across his shoulders was flung a
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manyfoldedº cloak of dark seagreen which was clasped together at the breastbone by a brooch or torc of mottled marble. He wore on his legs buskinlike stocks dyed with the purple of lichens while his l extensive feet were encased wi in brogues of ^|1raw^1| cowhide laced with strips of the same beast. From his girdle rung a row of seastones which jangled at every movement and on which were graven with rude yet striking art the heads of various famous heroes, Cuchulin, Rory O'More, Conn of Hundred Battles, Niall of Nine Hostages, Brian of Thomond, the ardri Malachy, Art Mac Murragh, Shane O'Neill, Owen Roe, Patrick ^|1Sarsfield^1|, Red Hugh O'Donnell, Don Philip O'Sullivan Beare. A javelin spear of pointed granite rested near him while at his feet reposed a savage animal of the dog tribe whose stertorous snoring announced that he was sunk in uneasy slumber, a ^|1fact supposition^1| confirmed by repressed growls and convulsive movements which his master silenced from time to time by quieting blows of a formidable cudgel ^|1rudely^1| fashioned out of paleolithic stone.