The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge Part 50

Then did Medb despatch the druids [6]and the poets of the camp,[6] the lampoonists and hard-attackers,[a] for Ferdiad, to the end that they might make three satires to stay him and three scoffing speeches against him, [7]to mock at him and revile and disgrace him,[7] that they might raise three blisters on his face, Blame, Blemish and Disgrace, [8]that he might not find a place in the world to lay his head,[8] [W.3021.] if he came not [1]with them[1] [2]to the tent of Medb and Ailill on the foray.[2]

[6-6] Stowe, Eg. 106, Eg. 209.

[a] Literally, 'the cheek-blisterers.'

[7-7] YBL. 2213.

[8-8] YBL. 2214.

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] YBL. 2214.

Ferdiad came with them for the sake of his own honour and [3]for fear of their bringing shame on him,[3] forasmuch as he deemed it better to fall by the shafts of valour and bravery and skill, than to fall by the shafts of satire, abuse and reproach. And when [4]Ferdiad[4] was come [5]into the camp,[5] [6]Medb and Ailill beheld him, and great and most wonderful joy possessed them, and they sent him to where their trusty people were, and [6]he was honoured and waited on, and choice, well-flavoured strong liquor was poured out for him till he became drunken and merry. [7]Finnabair, daughter of Ailill and Medb, was seated at his side. It was Finnabair that placed her hand on every goblet and cup Ferdiad quaffed. She it was that gave him three kisses with every cup that he took. She it was that pa.s.sed him sweet-smelling apples over the bosom of her tunic. This is what she ceased not to say, that her darling and her chosen sweetheart of the world's men was Ferdiad.[7] [8]And when Medb got Ferdiad drunken and merry,[8] great rewards were promised him if he would make the fight and combat.

[3-3] YBL. 2215.

[4-4] Stowe and Eg. 209.

[5-5] Stowe and Eg. 209.

[6-6] Eg. 106.

[7-7] YBL. 2216-2221.

[8-8] Eg. 106.

[9]When now Ferdiad was satisfied, happy and joyful, it was that Medb spoke: "Hail now, Ferdiad. Dost know the occasion wherefore thou art summoned to this tent?" "I know not, in truth," Ferdiad replied; "unless it be that the n.o.bles of the men of Erin are here. Why is it less fitting for me to be here than any other good warrior?" "'Tis not that, forsooth,"

answered Medb: "but to give thee[9] a chariot worth four[a] times seven bondmaids, and the apparel of two men and ten men, of cloth of every colour, [W.3028.] and the equivalent [1]of the Plain of Murthemne[1] of the rich Plain of Ai, [2]and that thou shouldst be at all times in Cruachan, and wine be poured out for thee there; the freedom of thy descendants and thy race forever,[2] free of tribute, free of rent, without constraint to encamp or take part in our expeditions, [LL.fo.81b.] without duress for [3]thy son, or for thy grandson, or for thy great-grandson, till the end of time and existence;[3] [4]this leaf-shaped golden brooch of mine shall be thine, wherein are ten-score ounces, and ten-score half ounces, and ten-score scruples, and ten-score quarters;[4] Finnabair, [5]my daughter and Ailill's,[5] to be thine own one wife, [6]and mine own most intimate friendship, if thou exactest that withal." "He needs it not," they cried, one and all; "great are the rewards and gifts!"[6]

[9-9] YBL. 2221-2225.

[a] 'Thrice seven,' YBL. 2226, Stowe, and Eg. 209.

[1-1] YBL. 2227.

[2-2] YBL. 2228.

[3-3] In LL. this pa.s.sage is reported in indirect discourse; consequently, instead of 'thy,' LL. has 'his.'

[4-4] YBL. 2229-2231.

[5-5] YBL. 2231-2232.

[6-6] YBL. 2232-2234.

Such were the words of Medb, and she spake them here and Ferdiad responded:--

Medb: "Great rewards in arm-rings, Share of plain and forest, Freedom of thy children From this day till doom!

Ferdiad son of Daman, More than thou couldst hope for, Why shouldst thou refuse it, That which all would take?"

Ferdiad: "Naught I'll take without bond-- No ill spearman am I-- Hard on me to-morrow: Great will be the strife!

Hound that's hight of Culann, How his thrust is grievous!

No soft thing to stand him; Rude will be the wound!"

Medb: "Champions will be surety, Thou needst not keep hostings.

Reins and splendid horses Shall be given as pledge!

[W.3056.] Ferdiad, good, of battle, For that thou art dauntless, Thou shalt be my lover, Past all, free of cain!"

Ferdiad: "Without bond I'll go not To engage in ford-feats; It will live till doomsday In full strength and force.

Ne'er I'll yield--who hears me, Whoe'er counts upon me-- Without sun- and moon-oath, Without sea and land!"

Medb: "Why then dost delay it?

Bind it as it please thee, By kings' hands and princes', Who will stand for thee!

Lo, I will repay thee,[a]

Thou shalt have thine asking, For I know thou'lt slaughter Man that meeteth thee!"

Ferdiad: "Nay, without six sureties-- It shall not be fewer-- Ere I do my exploits There where hosts will be!

Should my will be granted, I swear, though unequal, That I'll meet in combat Cuchulain the brave!"

Medb: "Domnall, then, or Carbre, Niaman famed for slaughter, Or e'en folk of barddom, Natheless, thou shalt have.

Bind thyself on Morann, Wouldst thou its fulfilment, Bind on smooth Man's Carbre, And our two sons, bind!"

Ferdiad: "Medb, with wealth of cunning, Whom no spouse can bridle, Thou it is that herdest Cruachan of the mounds!

High thy fame and wild power!

Mine the fine pied satin; Give thy gold and silver, Which were proffered me!"

Medb: [W.3100.] "To thee, foremost champion, I will give my ringed brooch.

From this day till Sunday, Shall thy respite be!

Warrior, mighty, famous, All the earth's fair treasures Shall to thee be given; Everything be thine!

"Finnabair of the champions (?), Queen of western Erin, When thou'st slain the Smith's Hound, Ferdiad, she's thine!"

Ferdiad: [1]"Should I have Finnabair to wife, Falls of Ai and Cruachan too, And to dwell for alway there, I'd not seek the deedful Hound!

"Equal skill to me and him--"

Thus spake Ferdiad withal-- "The same nurses raised us[a] both, And with them we learned our art.

"Not for fear of battle hard, n.o.ble Eocho Fedlech's maid, Would I shun the Blacksmith's Hound, But my heart bleeds for his love!"

Medb: "Thou shalt have, dear, bright-scaled[b] man,[c]

One swift, proud, high-mettled steed.

Thou shalt have domains and land And shalt stay not from the fight (?)!"

Ferdiad: "But that Medb entreated so, And that poets' tongues did urge, I'd not go for hard rewards To contend with mine own friend!"

Medb: "Son of Daman of white cheeks, Shouldst thou check this heroes' Hound, E'er so long thy fame will live, When thou comest from Ferdiad's Ford!"[1]