They brought Fraech, when that banquet was ended, To the House of Debate, which was near, And they asked of his errand: "In friendship, For a visit," said Fraech, "am I here!" "And 'twas joy that we felt, when receiving This your host," said the king, "ye have brought Much of pleasure to all, and with grieving, When ye go, shall your presence be sought!" "Then," said Fraech, "for a week we abide here." For two weeks in that dun they abode: And the Connaught men pressed round to view them, As each eve home from hunting they rode. Yet Fraech was sad, with Findabar A word he sought in vain; Though he in truth from home so far Had come that word to gain. Fraech, as night was ending, Sprang from out his bed; Sought the brook, intending There to lave his head. There King Ailill's daughter Stood, and there her maid: They that hour from water Sought the cleansing aid. "Stay," he cried, and speaking Caught the maiden's hand; "Thee alone as seeking, I have reached this land: Here am I who sought thee, Stay, and hear me woo!" "Ah! thy speech hath brought me Joy," she said, "most true; Yet, thy side if nearing, What for thee can I?" "Maid!" he cried, "art fearing Hence with me to fly?" "Flight I hold disloyal," Answered she in scorn; "I from mother royal, I to king was born; What should stay our wedding? None so mean or poor Thou hast seemed, nor dreading Kin of mine; be sure: I will go! 'tis spoken, Thou beloved shalt be! Take this ring as token, Lent by Maev to me! 'Twas my mother who bid me to save it, For the ring she in secret would hide; 'Tis as pledge of our love that I gave it, As its pledge it with thee should abide. Till that ring we can freely be showing I will tell them I put it astray!" And, the love of each other thus knowing, Fraech and Finnabar went on their way. "I have fear," said the king, "that with Fraech yon maid to his home as his wife would fly; Yet her hand he may win, if he rides on the Raid with his kine when the time draws nigh." Then Fraech to the Hall of Debate returned, and he cried: "Through Some secret chink Hath a whisper passed?" and the king replied, "Thou would'st fit in that space, I think!" "Will ye give me your daughter?" said Fraech: said the king, "In sight of our hosts she goes; If, as gift to suffice for her marriage price, thy hand what I ask bestows." "I will give thee what price thou dost name," said Fraech, "and now let its sum be told!"' "Then a sixty steeds do I claim," said the king, "dark-grey, and with bits of gold; And twelve milch-cows, from their udders shall come the milk in a copious stream, And by each of the cows a white calf shall run; bright red on its ears shall gleam; And thou, with thy harpers and men, shalt ride by my side on the Cualgne[FN#10] Raid, And when all thy kine driven here shall stand, shall the price of her hand be paid!" [FN#10] Pronounced Kell-ny.