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 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] [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 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 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 passage is reported in indirect discourse;
    consequently, instead of ‘thy,’ LL. has ‘his.’