Extraits

Ferdia, dead by their deceit,

Our last meeting I lament.

You are dead and I must live

To mourn my everlasting loss.

When Ferdia was fill and in good humour, Medb said:

'Well now, Ferdia, do you know why you where brought to our tent?'

'I know the noblest men in Ireland are here,' Ferdia said. 'Why shouldn't I be here too, as well as these fine warriors?'

'That isn't the reason,' Medb said.

A warrior without his weapons is not under warrior's law; he is treated under the rule for cowards.

Nes the daughter of Eochaid Sálbuide of the yellow heel was sitting outside Emain with her royal women about her. The druid Cathbad from the Tratraige of Mag Inis passed by, and the girl said to him:

'What is the present hour lucky for?'

'For begetting a king on a queen,' he said.

The queen asked him if that were really true, and the druid swore by God that it was: a son conceived at that hour would be heard of in Ireland for ever. The girl saw no other Male near, and she took him inside with her.

She grew heavy with a child. It was in her womb for three years and three months. And at the feast of Othar she was delivered.