W. 34. at spending than he, [1]and for it to be said that I was superior in wealth and treasures to him[1], while no disgrace would it be were one as great as the other[2]. Were my husband a coward, 'twere as unfit for us to be mated, for I by myself and alone break battles and fights and combats, and 'twould be a reproach for my husband should his wife be more full of life than himself, and no reproach our being equally bold. Should he be jealous, the husband with whom I should live, that too would not suit me, for there never was a time that I had not my paramour[3]. 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[4], 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, [5]but it is to me the compensation belongs,"[5] said Medb, "for a man dependent upon a woman's maintenance is what thou art."[6]
"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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Stowe and, similarly Add.
- ↑ A short sentence in LL., which is probably corrupt, is omitted here.
- ↑ Literally, "A man behind (in) the shadow of another."
- ↑ Instead of a ring, which would be given to the bride.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Add. and H. 1. 13
- ↑ For a detailed explanation of this entire passage see H. Zimmer, in the Sitzungsberichte der Köninglich Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 16 Februar, 1911. philosophisch historischen Classe, Seite 217.
