The gatekeeper wondered at the sight of the wee man, and went to report the matter to King Fergus.

"Is he less," asked Fergus, "than my dwarf and poet AEda ?" "Verily," said the gatekeeper, "he could stand upon the palm of AEda's hand and have room to spare." Then with much laughter and wonder they all trooped out, lords and ladies, to the great gate to view the wee man and to speak with him.

But Eisirt, when he saw them, waved them back in alarm, crying, "Avaunt, huge men; bring not your heavy breath so near me; but let yon man that is least among you approach me and bear me in." So the dwarf AEda put Eisirt on his palm and bore him into the banqueting hall.
Then they set him on the table, and Eisirt declared his name and calling.

The King ordered that meat and drink should be given him, but Eisirt said, "I will neither eat of your meat nor drink of ale." "By our word," said Fergus, "'tis a haughty wight; he ought to be dropped into a goblet that he might at least drink all round him." The cupbearer seized Eisirt and put him into a tankard of ale, and he swam on the surface of it.

"Ye wise men of Ulster," he cried, "there is much knowledge and wisdom ye might get from me, yet ye will let me be drowned!" "What, then ?" cried they.