"Now that oath will I take," answered back to them Fraech, "and the task ye have asked will do!" So he tarried that night till the morning's light; and they feasted the whole night through; And then homewards bound, with his comrades round, rode Fraech when the night was spent, And to Ailill and Maev an adieu he gave, and away to their land they went. TAIN BO FRAICH Part I LITERAL TRANSLATION FRAECH, son of Idath of the men of Connaught, a son he to Befind from the Side: a sister she to Boand. He is the hero who is the most beautiful that was of the men of Eriu and of Alba, but he was not long-lived. His mother gave him twelve cows out of the Sid (the fairy mound), they are white-eared. He had a good housekeeping till the end of eight years without the taking of a wife. Fifty sons of kings, this was the number of his household, co-aged, co-similar to him all between form and instruction. Findabair, daughter of Ailill and Medb, loves him for the great stories about him. It is declared to him at his house. Eriu and Alba were full of his renown and the stories about him. To Fraech[FN#14] was Idath[FN#15] father, A Connaught man was he: And well we know his mother Who dwells among the Shee;[FN#16] Befind they call her, sister To Boand,[FN#17] the Fairy Queen; And Alba ne'er, nor Erin, Such grace as Fraech's hath seen. Yet wondrous though that hero's grace, His fairy lineage high, For years but few his lovely face Was seen by human eye. [FN#14] Pronounced Fraych. [FN#15] Pronounced Eeda. [FN#16] The Fairies. [FN#17] Pronounced with the sound of "owned." Fraech had twelve of white-eared fairy-cattle, 'Twas his mother those cattle who gave: For eight years in his home he dwelt wifeless, And the state of his household was brave; Fifty princes, whose age, and whose rearing, And whose forms were as his, with him played; And his glory filled Alba and Erin Till it came to the ears of a maid: For Maev and Ailill's[FN#18] lovely child, Fair Findabar, 'twas said, By tales of Fraech to love beguiled, With Fraech in love would wed. [FN#18] Pronounced Al-ill. After this going to a dialogue with the maiden occurred to him; he discussed that matter with his people.