V
[The Herald]
"Here comes a single champion towards us, O Cuchulain," said Laegh (Cuchulain's charioteer). "What sort of a champion is he?" said Cuchulain. "A brown-haired, broad-faced, beautiful youth; a splendid brown cloak on him; a bright bronze spear-like brooch fastening his cloak. A full and well-fitting shirt to his skin. Two firm shoes between his two feet and the ground. A hand-staff of white hazel in one hand of his; a single-edged sword with a sea-horse hilt in his other hand." "Good, my lad," said Cuchulain; "these are the tokens of a herald."—Description of the herald MacRoath in the story of The Tain bo Chuailgné.—O'Curry's "Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish," Vol. II., p. 301.