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 of that size and colour." Then he spoke to the men: "Who are you, young men, and where do you come from?"

"We are princes, sons of the King of Norway, and have travelled across the sea from the east to meet you, lord of the Fians," they answered.

"What do you seek, or what is your need?" asked Fionn.

"We have heard of your fame as a warrior, and we wish to take service with you," they replied.

"Are you good fighters?" questioned Fionn. "No one can enter the Fianna who has not strength in his arm and unfailing courage in his heart. He must be courteous to his enemies, and loyal to his friends, and truth must be on his tongue always. If a man enters the Fianna Eireann, and after entering fails in either of these things, then the Fians cast him out, and disgrace rests on him whereever he goes."

"We pledge you our word," said they, "that in neither of these things shall we ever fail. Nor are we without knowledge, for certain