The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge

2The four grand provinces of Erin were side by side and against Cuchulain, from Monday before Samain-tidea to Wednesday after Spring-beginning, and without leave to work harm or vent their rage on the province of Ulster, while yet all the Ulstermen were sunk in their nine days' 'Pains,' and Conall Cernach ('the Victorious') sought out battle in strange foreign lands paying the tribute and tax of Ulster. Great was the plight and strait of Cuchulain during that time, for he was not a day or a night without fierce, fiery combat waged on him by the men of Erin, until he killed Calatin with his seven and twenty sons and Fraech son of Fiadach and performed many deeds and successes which are not enumerated here. Now this was sore and grievous for Medb and for Ailill.2

5With one accord5 they declared that it should be Ferdiad son of Daman son of Darè, the great and valiant warrior of the men of Domnann, 6the horn-skin from Irrus Domnann, the irresistible force, and the battle-rock of destruction, the own, dear, foster-brother of Cuchulain.6 W. 3005. 1And fitting it was for him to go thither,1 for well-matched and alike was their manner of fight and of combat. Under the same instructresses had they done skilful deeds of valour and arms, when learning the art with Scathach ('the Modest') and with Uathach ('the Dreadful') and with Aifè ('the Handsome'). 2Yet was it the felling of an oak with one's fists, and the stretching of the hand into a serpent's nest, and a spring into the lair of a lion, for hero or champion in the world, aside from Cuchulain, to fight or combat with Ferdiad on whatever ford or river or mere he set his shield.2 And neither of them overmatched the other, save in the feat of the Gae Bulga ('the Barbed Spear') which Cuchulain possessed. Howbeit, against this, Ferdiad was horn-skinned when fighting and in combat with a warrior on the ford; 3and they thought he could avoid the Gae Bulga and defend himself against it, because of the horn about him of such kind that neither arms nor multitude of edges could pierce it.3

Then were messengers and envoys sent 4from Medb and Ailill4 to Ferdiad. Ferdiad denied them their will, and dismissed and sent back the messengers, and he went not with them, for he knew wherefore they would have him, to fight and combat with his friend, with his comrade and foster-brother, 5Cuchulain.5

Then did Medb despatch the druids 6and 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, 7to mock at him and revile and disgrace him,7 that they might raise three blisters on his face, Blame, Blemish and Disgrace, 8that he might not find a place in the world to lay his head,8 W. 3021. if he came not 1with them1 2to the tent of Medb and Ailill on the foray.2

Ferdiad came with them for the sake of his own honour and 3for 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 4Ferdiad4 was come 5into the camp,5 6Medb and Ailill beheld him, and great and most wonderful joy possessed them, and they sent him to where their trusty people were, and 6he was honoured and waited on, and choice, well-flavoured strong liquor was poured out for him till he became drunken and merry. 7Finnabair, 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 passed 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 8And when Medb got Ferdiad drunken and merry,8 great rewards were promised him if he would make the fight and combat.

9When 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 nobles 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 thee9 a chariot worth foura times seven bondmaids, and the apparel of two men and ten men, of cloth of every colour, W. 3028. and the equivalent 1of the Plain of Murthemne1 of the rich Plain of Ai, 2and 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 3thy son, or for thy grandson, or for thy great-grandson, till the end of time and existence;3 4this 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, 5my daughter and Ailill's,5 to be thine own one wife, 6and 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