P. 303 b, 513 b, III, 515 b. Robert le Diable in Luzel’s ballad, II, 24
f, when one year old, was as big as a child of five.
At the age of five, Cuchulinn sets out for his uncle’s court, where he
performs prodigies of strength. In his seventh year he is received among
the heroes, etc.: Zimmer, Göttingische Gelehrte Anzeigen, 1890, pp.
519–20. Merlin, when two years old, “speaks and goes,” and defends his
mother before the justice: Arthour and Merlin, vv. 1069–70, ed. Turnbull
for the Abbotsford Club, p. 41. Ögmundr when seven years old was as
strong as a full-grown man: Örvar-Odds Saga, c. 19, Rafn, Fornaldar
Sögur, II, 241. The three-nights-old son of Thórr and Járnsaxa removes
the foot of Hrungnir from the neck of his father when all the gods have
tried in vain. He also speaks. Skáldskaparmál, c. 17. “The Shee an
Gannon was born in the morning, named at noon, and went in the evening
to ask his daughter of the king of Erin:” Curtin, Myths and Folk-Lore of
Ireland, p. 114. Cf. p. 223, where a champion jumps out of the cradle.
(G. L. K.)