As
sweet as the strings of lutes [6]when long sustained they are played by
master players' hands[6] was the melodious sound of her voice and her fair
speech.
[2-2] LU. 24-25.
[b] Right-hand wise, as a sign of a good omen.
[3-3] Stowe.
[4-4] Eg. 1782.
[1-1] Eg. 1782.
[2-2] Eg. 1782.
[3-3] LU. 29.
[4-4] LU. 35-36.
[5-5] LU. 31.
[6-6] Adopting Windisch's emendation of the text.
As white as snow in one night fallen was the sheen of her skin and her body
that shone outside of her dress. Slender and very white were her feet;
rosy, even, sharp-round nails she had; [7]two sandals with golden buckles
about them.[7] Fair-yellow, long, golden hair she wore; three braids of
hair [8]she wore; two tresses were wound[8] around her head; the other
tress [9]from behind[9] threw a shadow down on her calves. [10]The maiden
carried arms, and two black horses were under her chariot.[10]
[7-7] LU. 29.
[8-8] Eg. 1782.
[9-9] Add.
[10-10] LU. 36.
Medb gazed at her. "And what doest thou here now, O maiden?" asked Medb. "I
impart [LL.fo.56a.] to thee thine advantage and good fortune in thy
gathering and muster of the four mighty provinces of Erin against the land
of Ulster on the Raid for the Kine of Cualnge." "Wherefore doest thou this
for me?" asked Medb. "Much cause have I. A bondmaid 'mid thy people am I."
"Who of [W.220.] my people art thou [1]and what is thy name[1]?" asked
Medb. "Not hard, in sooth, to say. The prophetess Fedelm, from the Sid
('the Fairy Mound') of Cruachan, [2]a poetess of Connacht[2] am I."
[3]"Whence comest thou?" asked Medb. "From Alba, after learning prophetic
skill," the maiden made answer. "Hast thou the form of divination?"[b]
"Verily, have I," the maiden said.[3] [4]"Look, then, for me, how will my
undertaking be." The maiden looked. Then spake Medb:--[4]
[1-1] Eg. 1782.
[2-2] Eg. 1782.
[3-3] LU. 39-41.
[b] _Imbass forosna_, 'illumination between the hands.'
[4-4] Eg. 1782.
"Good now,
"Tell, O Fedelm, prophet-maid,
How beholdest thou our host?"
[5]Fedelm answered and spoke:[5]
"Crimson-red from blood they are;
I behold them bathed in red!"
[5-5] Eg. 1782.
[6]"That is no true augury,"[6] said Medb. "Verily, Conchobar [7]with the
Ulstermen[7] is in his 'Pains' in Emain; thither fared my messengers [8]and
brought me true tidings[8]; naught is there that we
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