" What think'st thou, Ferragon ? "
" The gentlest speech
Within doors gives the loudest cheer afield.
Methinks to spoil this house will try our strength."
" And it shall try it : and our strength shall bear
That and worse trial. Say, what sawest thou next
Within the house ? Begin from the right hand."
" To rightward of the great door in the midst
A bench I saw : ten warriors sat thereon.
The captain of the ten was thus. His brow
Thick and high arching o'er a gray clear eye :
A face long-oval, broader-boned above :
A man whose look bespoke adventure past
And days of danger welcome yet to come,
Though sadden'd somewhat, haply by remorse
For blood ill-spilt or broken vows or both.
His mantle green, his brooch and sword-hilt gold."
" What captain this, conceiv'st thou, Ferragon .'' "
" I know him ; verily a man of might ;
A man of name renown'd in field and hall ;
Cormac Condlongas, long the banish'd son
Of Conor son of Nessa. When his sire
Through love of Deirdre broke his guarantees
Pledged to his step-sire, Fergus son of Roy,
For Usnach's sons' safe-conduct, Cormac, he.
Through love of Fergus and through stronger love
