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The king of Lochlin at that time was a man that obtained the 

 vi6lory in every conteft — Erragon, the fon of Annir of fhips, a 

 king well fkilled in deeds of arms. The king colleded his 

 army, and a firm fleet, well furniftied with ftores. Nine princes 

 joined their forces, a martial band of the men of Lochlin. 

 They took an oath on their voyage that they would not re- 

 turn, and leave Fin behind them : But every fword is good 'till 

 tried in combat. 



■^They fleered their fleet boldly to the coaft of Ireland, and 

 clofely encamped their forces near to where Fin was fur- 

 rounded with his warriors. A meflTage came to Fin, a dreadful 

 tale, that was the caufe of forrow to many — A challenge' to 

 the chiefs of Innisfail upon the northern fhore. We fent 

 them the king's daughter of the blue eyes and white teeth, 



' This ftanza is thus otherwife written in the edition of Perth, p. 306 : 



Thogndiir an Albaijl nrd, 

 Seach criocha Eirion nan cofg teanti, 

 'S ami Albuin kathatm na '/n Fiann, 

 Thiigadar an TrLith air traiilh. 



That is, " They raifed up tlie lofty flandard towards the coafts of Ireland of the 

 «• ftrong fwords, and brcuglit the Ptinc« (Erragon) on fliore towards fpacious Alm- 



" huin 



