"Hottest of timber is the green oak; he will give you a pain in the head if you use him overmuch, a pain in the eyes will come from his biting fumes.
"Full-charged with witchcraft is the alder, the hottest tree in the fight; burn assuredly both the alder and the whitehorn at your will.
"Holly, burn it in the green and in the dry; of all trees in the world, holly is absolutely the best.
"The elder-tree of the rough brown bark, burn him to cinders, the steed of the Fairy Folk.
"The drooping birch, by all means burn him too, the tree of long-lasting bloom.
"And lay low, if it pleases you, the russet aspen; late or early, burn the tree with the quaking plumage.
"The yew is the venerable ancestor of the wood as the companion of feasts he is known; of him make goodly brown vats for ale and wine.
"Follow my counsel, O man of the smoke, and it shall go well with you, body and soul."
So Iubdan continued in Emania free to go and come as he pleased; and all the Ulstermen delighted to watch him and to hear his conversation.
One day it chanced that he was in the chamber of the Queen, and saw her putting on her feet a very dainty and richly embroidered pair of shoes. At this Iubdan gave a laugh. "Why dost thou laugh?" said Fergus. "Meseems the healing is applied very far from the hurt," replied Iubdan. "What meanest thou by that?" said Fergus. "Because the Queen is making her feet fine in order, O Fergus, that she may attract thee to her lips," said Iubdan.