“For no lengthier day have I sat in such play,” said Maev, “since I here first came.”  “And well may the day have seemed long,” said Fraech, “for three days and three nights was the game!” Then up started Maev, and in shame she blushed that the chiefs she had failed to feed; To her husband, King Ailill, in wrath she rushed:  “We have both done a goodly deed!  For none from our stores hath a banquet brought for the youths who are strangers here!” And said Ailill, “In truth for the play was thy thought, and to thee was the chess more dear.”  “We knew not that darkness had come,” said Maev, “’tis not chess thou should’st thus condemn; Though the day had gone, yet the daylight shone from the heart of each sparkling gem; Though the game we played, all could meal have made, had men brought of the night advice, But the hours sped away, and the night and the day have approached and have fled from us thrice!” “Give command,” said the king, “that those wailing chants, till we give them their food, be stilled.”  And food to the hands of each they gave, and all with the meat were filled; And all things merrily went, for long the men with a feast were fed, For, as feasting they sat, thrice rose the day, thrice night above earth was spread.

They brought Fraech, when that banquet was ended,
To the House of Debate, which was near,
And they asked of his errand:  “In friendship,
For a visit,” said Fraech, “am I here!”
“And ’twas joy that we felt, when receiving
This your host,” said the king, “ye have brought
Much of pleasure to all, and with grieving,
When ye go, shall your presence be sought!”

“Then,” said Fraech, “for a week we abide here.” 
For two weeks in that dun they abode: 
And the Connaught men pressed round to view them,
As each eve home from hunting they rode.

Yet Fraech was sad, with Findabar
A word he sought in vain;
Though he in truth from home so far
Had come that word to gain.

Fraech, as night was ending,
Sprang from out his bed;
Sought the brook, intending
There to lave his head.

There King Ailill’s daughter
Stood, and there her maid: 
They that hour from water
Sought the cleansing aid.

“Stay,” he cried, and speaking
Caught the maiden’s hand;
“Thee alone as seeking,
I have reached this land: 

Here am I who sought thee,
Stay, and hear me woo!”
“Ah! thy speech hath brought me
Joy,” she said, “most true;

Yet, thy side if nearing,
What for thee can I?”
“Maid!” he cried, “art fearing
Hence with me to fly?”

“Flight I hold disloyal,”
Answered she in scorn;
“I from mother royal,
I to king was born;

What should stay our wedding? 
None so mean or poor
Thou hast seemed, nor dreading
Kin of mine; be sure: 

I will go! ’tis spoken,
Thou beloved shalt be! 
Take this ring as token,
Lent by Maev to me!