e, for there
never was a time that I had not my paramour[b]. Howbeit, such a husband
have I found, namely in thee thyself, Ailill son of Ross Ruad ('the Red')
of Leinster. Thou wast not churlish; thou wast not jealous; thou wast not a
sluggard. It was I plighted thee, and gave purchase-price to thee, which
of right belongs to the bride--of clothing, namely, the raiment of twelve
men, a chariot worth thrice seven bondmaids, the breadth of thy face of red
gold[c], the weight of thy left forearm of silvered bronze. Whoso brings
shame and sorrow and madness upon thee, no claim for compensation nor
satisfaction hast thou therefor that I myself have not, [2]but it is to me
the compensation belongs,"[2] said Medb, "for a man dependent upon a
woman's maintenance is what thou art."[d]

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

[3-3] Stowe and H. 1. 13.

[4-4] Stowe and Add.

[a] That is, from the supreme king of Ireland.

[5-5] Stowe and Add.

[6-6] Stowe and Add.

[1-1] Stowe and, similarly Add.

[a] A short sentence in LL., which is probably corrupt, is omitted
here.

[b] Literally, "A man behind (in) the shadow of another."

[c] Instead of a ring, which would be given to the bride.

[2-2] Add. and H. 1. 13.

[d] For a detailed explanation of this entire passage see H. Zimmer,
in the _Sitzungsberichte der Koeninglich Preussischen Akademie der
Wissenschaften_, 16 Februar, 1911. _philosophisch historischen Classe,
Seite 217_.

"Nay, not such was my state," said Ailill; "but two brothers had I; one of
them over Temair, the other over Leinster; namely, Finn, over Leinster, and
Carbre, over Temair. I left the kingship to them because they were [W.52.]
older but not superior to me in largess and bounty. Nor heard I of province
in Erin under woman's keeping but this province alone. And for this I came
and assumed the kingship here as my mother's successor; for Mata of Muresc,
daughter of Magach [1]of Connacht,[1] was my mother. And who could there be
for me to have as my queen better than thyself, being, as thou wert,
daughter of the High King of Erin?" "Yet so it is," pursued Medb, "my
fortune is greater than thine." "I marvel at that," Ailill made answer,
"for there is none that hath greater treasures and riches and wealth than
I: yea, to my knowledge there is not."

[1-1] Add. and H. 1. 13.

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