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 Donn. "Bove Derg himself, with many hundreds of warriors, will be here; Angus Oge, from Brugh-na-Boinne, with his people; and Lir, from Slieve Fuad, with all his followers, and probably many others."

"It will indeed be a great fight," said Fionn joyfully, "and many noble deeds will be wrought before the sun rises again." Then he turned to the Fians: "My comrades, we must fight as we have never fought before, if we wish to see our homes and any of the Fianna again."

"O Fionn," they cried indignantly, "have you ever known us to lack courage or show faintness in the time of danger?"

"If I travelled all the quarters of the earth," Fionn answered, "I could find none more fearless than you; and having you with me I would go forth cheerfully against unnumbered enemies." Then, addressing Donn: "When do you think the Tuatha de Danann will attack you?"

"When the day is merging into the darkness of night, for that is their hour of power," Donn replied.