All, as they were able, waited on the maid

All, as they were able, waited on the maid; The gaudy cloth for her saddle down to the grass was spread; The horses’ hoofs were hidden by the housing, heavy drooping. Aha! In mood how gleeful was Ireland’s lord, once more a blessing hoping!

When now the time was fitting that he the maid should kiss, All crowded thick about him, in haste to see their bliss. The bosses of their bucklers were now heard loudly clashing, Struck with blows together; each strove to shun the throngs, in uproar crashing.

Now with the dawn of morning, they sent out, far and wide, To give to all the tidings of the coming of the bride, And that, with their master, they erelong would crown her. His queen she was thereafter, and well she earned from him the honor shown her.

It was not deemed becoming that he his love should plight, Since she by birth was queenly, and he not yet a knight: He first, before his lieges, must the crown be wearing; To this his kinsmen helped him, and later of his worth were all men hearing.