XVI. 1THE VIOLATION OF THE AGREEMENT1 (continued 1)
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Dunn, Joseph
"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!"
W. 3056.
Medb:
"Champions will be surety,
Thou needst not keep hostings.
Reins and splendid horses
Shall be given as pledge!
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',