Ossian Collection > Reliquiae Celticae > Volume 2

THE BOOK OF CLANKANALD. 263
the lithe Luga of Long Anns. John received a similar one in the
name of the One Father to protect him in battles against the
uruiies of his enemies. And there was put over that battle mail-
coat an encircling belt, which was battle victorious, brilliant with
blue stones, powerful, showv, branchy, artificial, ridgy, liard, with
good clasps made of bronze, with figures of flying birds on its
borders. An artist exercised his best skill in making that
excellent girdle. And there w'as put over that an angular cape,
gold bordered, even, with lilue stones, of fine material, pointed,
precious, buckled, close-fine, attractive, delectable, gold bordered,
corded, ornamental, that the eye in continually looking at it
would be melted by the brilliancy of the powerful cape.
And there was given to the powerful warrior, at the time of
tlie meeting, a helmet of security, which was ^^rosperous, crested,
victorious, life preserving, whitish blue, excellent, awe striking,
elegantly bordered, branch stoned ; a star of prosperity in con-
flicts was that diadem ornamented with blue stones, never sub-
dued in battles ; fury seizes the armies on beholding that precious
helmet.
And there was on tiic noble side of that powerful man a sword
which was sharp, serviceable, long, verj- hard, sound, straight, of
smooth surface, long bladed and of equal power throughout its
full length. Mac-an-Luin was the like of it, which Fionn the
Fenian Chief had ; or the sword of the victorious Osgur, in the
celebrated battle of Ventry ; or such another blade as Cuchulinn
of the Red Branch had, the son of the peaceful Sualtam ; or the
fine slaughtering sword of the battle victorious Connal Cernach,
b}- which was effected the Red Raid. And although celebrated
were their names, John happened to have better than any of
them.
And he put on his fair hands his full military gloves that they
should be a protection to the palms of his hands against the
impression of the white ivory hilt made by the force of many
blows in striking the powerful warriors.
And he received an axe which was blue-sided, thin, light,
sharp-edged, substantial, of true steel re melted (tempered),
which had been possessed by a manly giant, namely, the Baron
of the Piaid, with the terrible blows of which by the hero the
powerful men were defeated. In the time of the rebellion this
battle axe was in the possession of his lord, i.e., Macdonald, to
whom it had been presented.
On concluding their Council, settling their controversies, rising
of their champions, removing their difficulties, they unanimously
united with the noble son of Alexander, the heroic King of Fingall,
in turning their faces against foreigners, in parties, in numerous