IV
THE FORETELLING[1]
W. 194.When Medb was come to the place where her druid was, she craved light and augury of him. "Many there be," saith Medb, "who do part with their kinsmen and friends here to-day, and from their homes and their lands, from father and from mother; and unless unscathed every one shall return, upon me will they cast their sighs and their ban, [2]for it is I that have assembled this levy.[2] Yet there goeth not forth nor stayeth there at home any dearer to me than are we to ourselves. And do thou discover for us whether we ourselves shall return, or whether we shall never return."
And the druid made answer, "Whoever comes not, thou thyself shalt come." [3]"Wait, then," spake the charioteer," let me wheel the chariot by the right,[4] that thus the power of a good omen may arise that we return again."[3] Then the charioteer wheeled his chariot round and Medb went back [5]again,[5] when she espied a thing that surprised her: A lone virgin [6]of marriageable age[6] standing on the hindpole of a chariot a little way off drawing nigh her. And thus the maiden appeared: Weaving lace was she, and in her right hand was a bordering rod of silvered
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