we were ill-matched together, inasmuch as I am great [LL.fo.54a.] in largess and gift-giving, and it would be a disgrace for my husband if I should be better [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[a].  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[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.”