Part 2 (1/2)

[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 pa.s.sage see H. Zimmer, in the _Sitzungsberichte der Koninglich Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften_, 16 Februar, 1911. _philosophisch historischen Cla.s.se, 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 kings.h.i.+p 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 a.s.sumed the kings.h.i.+p 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.

[Page 5]

II

[1]THE OCCASION OF THE TaIN[1]

[W.62.] Then were brought to them the least precious of their possessions, that they might know which of them had the more treasures, riches and wealth. Their pails and their cauldrons and their iron-wrought vessels, their jugs and their keeves and their eared pitchers were fetched to them.

[1-1] Add. and Stowe.

Likewise, their rings and their bracelets and their thumb-rings and their golden treasures were fetched to them, and their apparel, both purple and blue and black and green, yellow, vari-coloured and gray, dun, mottled and brindled.

Their numerous flocks of sheep were led in from fields and meeds and plains. These were counted and compared, and found to be equal, of like size, of like number; however, there was an uncommonly fine ram over Medb's sheep, and he was equal in worth to a bondmaid, but a corresponding ram was over the ewes of Ailill.

Their horses and steeds and studs were brought from pastures and paddocks.

There was a noteworthy horse in Medb's herd and he was of the value of a bondmaid; a horse to match was found among Ailill's.

Then were their numerous droves of swine driven from woods and shelving glens and wolds. These were numbered and counted and claimed. There was a noteworthy boar With Medb, and yet another with Ailill.

Next they brought before them their droves of cattle [W.77.] and their herds and their roaming flocks from the brakes and wastes of the province.