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diff --git a/38041-h/38041-h.htm b/38041-h/38041-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c6e449f --- /dev/null +++ b/38041-h/38041-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,18538 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + Old Celtic Romances, by P.W. Joyce -- a Project Gutenberg eBook + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-family: "Century Schoolbook", "Book Antiqua", Palatino, serif; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + margin: 1em 0 1em 0; +} + + h1,h2 {margin: 4em 0 2em 0;} + +p { + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1em; + margin: 0 0 0 0; +} + +.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} +.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} +.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} +.b1 {margin-bottom: 1em;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 15%} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.center {text-align: center; + text-indent: 0;} + +.right {text-align: right; + text-indent: 0;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.small {font-size: smaller; + font-weight:normal;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px; + background-color: #EEE; + padding: 0em 1em 1em 1em; +} + +.footnote {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 5%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 77%; text-align: right;} + +.note {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.note .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i1 { + display: block; + margin-left: 1em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i3 { + display: block; + margin-left: 3em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i5 { + display: block; + margin-left: 5em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i6 { + display: block; + margin-left: 6em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + padding: 1em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Celtic Romances, by Unknown + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Old Celtic Romances + +Author: Unknown + +Translator: P. W. Joyce + +Release Date: November 17, 2011 [EBook #38041] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD CELTIC ROMANCES *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Rory OConor and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="616" alt="Cover" title="Cover" /> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> + +<h3><a href="#PREFACE">Preface</a></h3> +<h3><a href="#CONTENTS">Contents</a></h3> + +<h1 style="margin: 5em 0 5em 0;">OLD CELTIC ROMANCES</h1> + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p> + +<h1>OLD +CELTIC ROMANCES</h1> + +<p class="center">translated from the gaelic</p> + +<p class="center p2">BY</p> + +<h3>P.W. JOYCE, M.A., LL.D., T.C.D.<br /> +M.R.I.A.</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>One of the Commissioners for the Publication of<br /> +the Ancient Laws of Ireland<br /> +President of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, Ireland</i></p> + +<p class="center p2">Author of</p> + +<p class="center p2">"A SOCIAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT IRELAND"<br /> +"THE STORY OF ANCIENT IRISH CIVILISATION"<br /> +"A SHORT HISTORY OF IRELAND"<br /> +"A CHILD'S HISTORY OF IRELAND"<br /> +"IRISH NAMES OF PLACES"<br /> +"ANCIENT IRISH MUSIC"<br /> +AND OTHER WORKS RELATING TO IRELAND</p> + +<p class="center p6">"I shall tell you a pretty tale"<br /> +—Coriolanus.</p> + +<div style="float:left; width:50%;"> +<p class="center p4">DUBLIN<br /> +THE EDUCATIONAL CO. +OF IRELAND, LIMITED<br /> +89 TALBOT STREET</p> +</div> + +<div style="float:left; width:50%;"> +<p class="center p4">LONDON<br /> +LONGMANS, GREEN, AND +COMPANY<br /> +39 PATERNOSTER ROW</p> +</div> + +<p class="center" style="clear:both;">1920 +</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>Among the Celtic people of Ireland and the north-west +of Scotland, story-telling has always been a +favourite amusement. In the olden time, they had +professional story-tellers, variously designated according +to rank—ollaves, shanachies, filès, bards, etc.—whose +duty it was to know by heart a number of +old tales, poems, and historical pieces, and to recite +them at festive gatherings, for the entertainment of +the chiefs and their guests. These story-tellers were +always well received at the houses of princes and +chiefs, and treated with much consideration; and on +occasions when they acquitted themselves well, so as +to draw down the applause of the audience, they +were often rewarded with costly presents.</p> + +<p>To meet the demand for this sort of entertainment, +ingenious "men of learning," taking legends or historical +events as themes, composed stories from time +to time; of which those that struck the popular fancy +were caught up and remembered, and handed down<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span> +from one generation of story-tellers to another. In +course of time, a body of romantic literature grew up, +consisting chiefly of prose tales, which were classified, +according to subject, into Battles, Voyages, Tragedies, +Military Expeditions, Cattle-Raids, Courtships, Pursuits, +Adventures, Visions, etc.<a name="FNanchor_I._29" id="FNanchor_I._29"></a><a href="#Footnote_I._29" class="fnanchor">[I.]</a></p> + +<p>Some of these tales were historical, <i>i.e.</i> founded +on historical events, and corresponded closely with +what is now called the historical romance; while +others were altogether fictitious—pure creations of the +imagination. But it is to be observed that even in +the fictitious tales, the main characters are always +historical, or such as were considered so. The old +ollaves wove their fictions round Conor Mac Nessa +and his Red Branch Knights, or Finn and his Fena, +or Luga of the Long Arms and his Dedannans, or Conn +the Hundred-fighter, or Cormac Mac Art; like the +Welsh legends of Arthur and his Round Table, or the +Arabian romances of Haroun-al-Raschid and his Court.</p> + +<p>The greater number of the tales were, as I have +said, in prose. But some were in poetry; and in +many of the prose tales the leading characters are +often made to express themselves in verse, or some +striking incident of the story is repeated in a poetical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span> +form. Not unfrequently the fragments of verse +introduced into a prose tale are quotations from an +older poetical version of the same tale; and hence it +often happens that while the prose may be plain +enough, the poetry is often archaic and obscure.</p> + +<p>At some very early period in Ireland—how early +we have now no means of determining with certainty—Celtic +thought began to be committed to writing; +and as everything seems to have been written down +that was considered worth preserving, manuscripts +accumulated in course of time, which were kept either +in monasteries, or in the houses of the hereditary +professors of learning. But in the dark time of the +Danish ravages, and during the troubled centuries +that followed the Anglo-Norman invasion, the manuscript +collections were gradually dispersed, and a +large proportion lost or destroyed. Yet we have +remaining—rescued by good fortune from the general +wreck—a great body of manuscript literature. Our +two most important collections are those in Trinity +College and in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin; +where we have manuscripts of various ages, from the +year 1100 down to the present century, on every +conceivable subject—Annals, History, Biography, +Theology, Romance, Legend, Science, etc. These +manuscripts, which, it should be remarked, are nearly +all copies from older books, contain a vast collection +of romantic literature: it may, indeed, be said that +there is scarcely one important event in our early +history, or one important native personage or native<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> +legend, that has not been made the subject of some +fanciful story.</p> + +<p>The volume I now offer to the notice of the public +contains eleven tales, selected and translated from +the manuscripts of Trinity College and of the Royal +Irish Academy. Some have been already published, +with original text and <i>literal</i> translation, and are +to be found in the Transactions of various literary +societies, where, however, they are inaccessible to +the general run of readers; and even if they were +accessible, they are almost unreadable, the translations +having been executed, not for literary, but for +linguistic purposes. Others have never been translated +or given to the public in any shape or form +till now.</p> + +<p>Of the whole collection of eleven tales, therefore, +it may be said that they are quite new to the +general mass of the reading public. And furthermore, +this is the first collection of the old Gaelic prose +romances that has ever been published in fair English +translation.</p> + +<p>Scraps and fragments of some of these tales have +been given to the world in popular publications, by +writers who, not being able to read the originals, +took their information from printed books in the +English language. But I am forced to say that many +of these specimens have been presented in a very +unfavourable and unjust light—distorted to make +them look <i>funny</i>, and their characters debased to the +mere modern conventional stage Irishman. There is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span> +none of this silly and odious vulgarity in the originals +of these fine old tales, which are high and dignified +in tone and feeling—quite as much so as the old +romantic tales of Greece and Rome.<a name="FNanchor_II._30" id="FNanchor_II._30"></a><a href="#Footnote_II._30" class="fnanchor">[II.]</a></p> + +<p>A translation may either follow the very words, or +reproduce the life and spirit, of the original; but no +translation can do both. If you render word for word, +you lose the spirit; if you wish to give the spirit and +manner, you must depart from the exact words, and +frame your own phrases. I have chosen this latter +course. My translation follows the original closely +enough in narrative and incident; but so far as mere +phraseology is concerned, I have used the English +language freely, not allowing myself to be trammelled +by too close an adherence to the very words of the +text. The originals are in general simple in style; +and I have done my best to render them into simple, +plain, homely English. In short, I have tried to tell +the stories as I conceive the old shanachies themselves +would have told them, if they had used English +instead of Gaelic.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></p> +<p>In the originals, the stories run on without break +or subdivision;<a name="FNanchor_III._31" id="FNanchor_III._31"></a><a href="#Footnote_III._31" class="fnanchor">[III.]</a> but I have thought it better to +divide the longer ones into chapters, with appropriate +headings.</p> + +<p>In almost all cases I had at my command several +copies of the same story, some of them differing in +phraseology and in minor points of detail, though +agreeing, in the main, in narrative and incident. I +found this a considerable advantage, as it gave me +more freedom in the choice of expression.</p> + +<p>I have made full use of the literal translations of +those tales that have been already published in the +Transactions of the Ossianic Society, in the <i>Atlantis</i>, +in the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, and +in the Journal of the Royal Historical and Archæological +Association of Ireland. But, in order to secure +the advantage of various readings, I compared, in every +case, the published text with at least one copy of the +story, in the Royal Irish Academy, in Trinity College, +or in my own private manuscript collection.</p> + + +<p class="p2">The ancient institution of professional story-telling +held its ground both in Ireland and in Scotland down +to a very recent period; and it is questionable if it +be even yet quite extinct. Within my own memory,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span> +this sort of entertainment was quite usual among the +farming classes of the south of Ireland. The family +and workmen, and any neighbours that chose to drop +in, would sit round the kitchen fire after the day's +work—or perhaps gather in a barn on a summer or +autumn evening—to listen to some local shanachie reciting +one of his innumerable Gaelic tales. The story-teller +never chose his own words—he always had the +story by heart, and recited the words from memory, +often gliding into a sort of recitative in poetical +passages, or when he came to some favourite grandiose +description abounding in high-sounding alliterative +adjectives. And very interesting it was to mark the +rapt attention of the audience, and to hear their +excited exclamations when the speaker came to relate +some mighty combat, some great exploit of the hero, +or some other striking incident. Three years ago, I +met a man in Kilkee, who had a great number of these +stories by heart, and who actually repeated for me, +without the slightest hitch or hesitation, more than +half—and if I had not stopped him would have given +me the whole—of "Cúirt an Mheadhon-Oidhche" +("The Midnight Court"), a poem about six times as +long as Gray's "Elegy."</p> + +<p>I will now proceed to give a few particulars concerning +these tales, including a short account of the +manuscript or manuscripts from which each has been +translated.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center p2 b1">THE THREE TRAGIC STORIES OF ERIN.</p> + +<p>Among the ancient Gaelic tales, three were known as "the three +most sorrowful (tales) of story-telling," or "The Three Tragic +Stories of Erin;" viz., "The Fate of the Children of Usna," "The +Fate of the Children of Lir," and "The Fate of the Children of +Turenn." I have not included the first in this volume, but a +poetical version of it has been written and published by my +brother.<a name="FNanchor_IV._32" id="FNanchor_IV._32"></a><a href="#Footnote_IV._32" class="fnanchor">[IV.]</a></p> + + +<p class="center p2 b1">THE FATE OF THE CHILDREN OF LIR.</p> + +<p>Two translations of this tale have been published: one literal, +with the Gaelic text, by Professor O'Curry, in the <i>Atlantis</i> (Nos. +vii. and viii.); and another, less literal, by Gerald Griffin, in his +"Tales of a Jury-Room."</p> + +<p>The oldest known copies of the tale are, one in the Catholic +University, Dublin, made by Andrew Mac Curtin, a well-known +Gaelic scholar and scribe of the county Clare, who lived between +1680 and 1740; one in Trinity College, Dublin, made by Hugh +O'Daly, in 1758; and one in the British Museum, made by Richard +Tipper of Dublin, in 1718.<a name="FNanchor_V._33" id="FNanchor_V._33"></a><a href="#Footnote_V._33" class="fnanchor">[V.]</a> There is also a very good copy in the +Royal Irish Academy (23. C. 26), of which I made considerable use, +written in or about 1782, by Peter O'Connell, a good Gaelic +scholar of the county Clare. From a comparison of several of +these versions, O'Curry made his copy of the text as published in +the <i>Atlantis</i>.</p> + +<p>There may be, and there probably are, older copies, in Trinity +College, in the British Museum, or elsewhere, if we knew only +where to find them. And this observation applies to several of the +tales that follow, of which we have at hand only modern copies.</p> + + +<p class="center p2 b1">THE FATE OF THE CHILDREN OF TURENN.</p> + +<p>In the Book of Lecan (folio 28), which was compiled by the Mac +Firbises, about <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1416, is a short account, partly in prose and +partly in verse, of the celebrated eric-fine imposed on the three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span> +sons of Turenn, by Luga of the Long Arms, for killing his father +Kian; but this old book does not give the story of the quest for +the fine. The full tale, text and literal translation, has been published +by O'Curry in the <i>Atlantis</i>. There are several good copies +in the Royal Irish Academy: one in 23. G. 10, transcribed by +Patrick Brown of the county Clare, in 1805; another in 23. E. 16, +written out by Michael Oge O'Longan, in 1797; and a third +(imperfect) in 23. M. 47, copied by Andrew Mac Curtin, in 1734.</p> + +<p>There are references to these three sons of Turenn, and to the +manner of their death, in two very old authorities, viz., Cormac's +"Glossary" (about <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 900); and a poem by Flann of Monaster-boice +(who died <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1056), a copy of which is in the Book of +Leinster, written about <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1130.</p> + +<p>In the older references to the sons of Turenn, they are called +Brian, Iuchar, Iucharba; but in some comparatively modern copies +of the tale the names are a little different—for instance, Peter +O'Connell calls them Uar, Iuchar, and Iucharba; and they vary +still further in other copies. I have taken advantage of this +variety to give the names in a more pronounceable form in my +translation.</p> + +<p>In the original, this tale is introduced by an anecdote of Nuada +of the Silver Hand and the two great Dedannan leeches, Midac and +Armedda (<a href="#Page_92">see page 92, <i>infra</i></a>), which has nothing whatever to do +with the story, and which I have omitted.</p> + + +<p class="center p2 b1">THE OVERFLOWING OF LOUGH NEAGH.</p> + +<p>"Leabhar na h-Uidhre," or "The Book of the Dun Cow," from +which this and the two following tales are taken, is the oldest +manuscript of miscellaneous Gaelic literature we possess. It was +transcribed from older books by Maelmuire Mac Ceilechair, who +died <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1106; and it is now deposited in the Royal Irish +Academy, Dublin—or rather, I should say, a large fragment of it, +for the book has suffered much mutilation. This venerable book +may now be said to be in the hands of the public, as it has been +lately reproduced in lithograph fac-simile, and published by the +Council of the Royal Irish Academy, at the Government expense.</p> + +<p>The story of "The Overflowing of Lough Neagh" (called in +the original "The Destruction of Eocho Mac Mairedo") has been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span> +published, with text and literal translation, by the late J. O'Beirne +Crowe, in the Kilkenny Archæological Journal volume for +1870-1.</p> + +<p>In this story I have been obliged to make a few transpositions +in the mere order of the incidents, for the narrative in the original +is in some places very ill arranged.</p> + +<p>It is now nearly eight hundred years since this story was <i>transcribed</i> +from some old authority into "The Book of the Dun Cow;" +and it is singular that the tradition of the formation of Lough +Neagh, by the overflow of an enchanted well which was neglected +by the woman in charge of it, still maintains a vivid existence +among the peasantry. (See on this subject the author's "Origin +and History of Irish Names of Places," Series I. 4th edition, page +176.)</p> + + +<p class="center p2 b1">CONNLA OF THE GOLDEN HAIR, AND THE FAIRY MAIDEN.</p> + +<p>This tale (called in the original "Echtra Condla Cain," "The +Adventures of Connla the Comely") is taken from "The Book of +the Dun Cow." It has been published, with text and literal translation, +by the late J. O'Beirne Crowe, in the Kilkenny Archæological +Journal (volume 1874-5, page 128).</p> + +<p>This is one of the many tales that illustrate the ancient and +widespread superstition that fairies sometimes take away mortals +to their palaces in the fairy forts and pleasant green hills;<a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> of which +the last story in this book—"Oisin in Tirnanoge"—is another +example. This superstition prevailed in Ireland and the Scottish +Highlands as far back as either history or tradition reaches; it +flourished in full vigour within my own memory; and it is scarcely +quite extinct—in Ireland at least—at the present day.<a name="FNanchor_VI._34" id="FNanchor_VI._34"></a><a href="#Footnote_VI._34" class="fnanchor">[VI.]</a> In connection +with the antiquity of this superstition, it must be borne in +mind that the present story was transcribed into "The Book of the +Dun Cow" in or about the year 1100, from some older book; and +that it relates to the time of Conn the Hundred-fighter, king of +Ireland, who reigned in the second century of the Christian era.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center p2 b1">THE VOYAGE OF MAILDUN.</p> + +<p>Of this tale (which is now given to the public for the first time) +the oldest copy is in "The Book of the Dun Cow" (about the year +1100); but it is imperfect at both beginning and end—a portion +having been torn away when the book was mutilated at some +former time. There is a perfect copy in the Yellow Book of Lecan, +in Trinity College, Dublin, and another in the British Museum +(MS. Harl. 5280).</p> + +<p>After I had made a rough translation of the greater part of this +piece, I discovered a good literal translation in manuscript in the +Royal Irish Academy, made by the late J. O'Beirne Crowe, +which was of great use to me, as it helped to explain some strange +terms, and to clear up some obscure passages.</p> + +<p>This voyage would appear from internal evidence to have been +made in the beginning of the eighth century (O'Curry says about +the year 700); for I think it likely that Maildun did actually go +on a voyage, which was afterwards made the framework of the +story. On my translation of this tale, Lord Tennyson founded his +poem "The Voyage of Maeldune."</p> + +<p>Of the <i>Imrama</i> or voluntary sea expeditions (to which the +present story belongs) there are, according to O'Curry (Lect. MS. +Mat. 289), only four remaining, all very ancient. Of these the +best known is the "Voyage of St. Brendan," undertaken in the sixth +century, which was at one time celebrated all over Europe, and +which has been lately made the theme of a fine poem by Denis +Florence M<sup>c</sup>Carthy.</p> + +<p>Another of these <i>Imrama</i> is the "Voyage of the Sons of O'Corra," +which has been described at some length by Professor O'Curry +(Lect. MS. Mat. 289). Of this I have a copy which I made from +the MS. 23. M. 50, Royal Irish Academy (and which I afterwards +carefully compared with another copy lent me by my friend, Mr. W. +M. Hennessy). I made a translation of this story, intending to +print it in the present volume; but as there is a much older and +better copy in the ancient "Book of Fermoy," which I had not +time to consult in detail, I have thought it better to hold back for +the present the strange adventures of the sons of O'Corra. A +beautiful poetical translation of the whole tale has been made by +Mr. T.D. Sullivan of Dublin, and published in his volume of Poems.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center p2 b1">THE FAIRY PALACE OF THE QUICKEN TREES.</p> + +<p>The "Bruighean Caerthainn," or "The Fairy Palace of the +Quicken Trees," which is now translated for the first time, is one of +the most popular of the Gaelic romances. I had three of the Royal +Irish Academy MSS. before me when translating it—viz., 23. C. 30, +transcribed in 1733, by the Irish writer and lexicographer, Andrew +Mac Curtin of the county Clare; 24. B. 15, written in 1841; and +23. L. 24, copied in 1766, by Dermot O'Mulqueen of the county +Clare.</p> + +<p>This is one of a type of stories very common in Gaelic romantic +literature:—One or more of the heroes are entrapped by some +enchanter and held under a spell in a castle, or a cave, or a +dungeon; till, after a series of adventures, they are released by the +bravery or mother-wit of some of their companions. "The Chase +of Slieve Fuad" and "The Chase of Slieve Cullinn" are two other +examples of this class of Gaelic tales.</p> + + +<p class="center p2 b1">THE PURSUIT OF THE GILLA DACKER AND HIS HORSE.</p> + +<p>This is a humorous story of a trick—a very serious practical +joke—played by Avarta, a Dedannan enchanter, on sixteen of the +Fena, whom he carried off to "The Land of Promise;" and of the +adventures of Finn, Dermat O'Dyna, and the others, in their pursuit +of Avarta (who had taken the shape of the Gilla Dacker) to recover +their companions. It may be regarded as belonging to the same +class as the last story.</p> + +<p>O'Curry described the opening of this tale in his Lectures +(MS. Mat. 316); and he was the first, so far as I know, to draw +attention to it. I think it strange that such a story should not +have been noticed before by writers on Gaelic literature; for as a +work of imagination, it seems to me a marvellous and very beautiful +creation.</p> + +<p>The battles fought by the king of Sorca, aided by Finn and his +Fena, against the King of the World, are described at much length +in the original; but I have cut them down to a very short compass; +and I have omitted altogether a long episode towards the end, +which travels away from the main story.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[xv]</a></span></p> + +<p>This tale has never been translated till now. I translated it +chiefly from the Royal Irish Academy MS., 24. B. 28, a well-written +manuscript, which was copied out by Edmond Terry, in +1728: but I kept another good copy beside me for comparison, +viz., that contained in the Royal Irish Academy MS., 23. G. 21, +written in 1795, by Michael Oge O'Longan of Cork, father of Mr. +Joseph O'Longan, now the Irish scribe in the Royal Irish Academy, +and the transcriber in fac-simile of "Leabhar na h-Uidhre," +"Leabhar Breac," and "Leabhar Laighneach."</p> + + +<p class="center p2 b1">THE PURSUIT OF DERMAT AND GRANIA.</p> + +<p>This tale is one of those mentioned in the list contained in the +Book of Leinster, which was written about <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1130 (<a href="#Footnote_I._29">see note, +page iv.</a>); but though this proves the tale to be an ancient one, +I have never come across a copy older than the last century.</p> + +<p>"The Pursuit of Dermat and Grania" has been published, with +text and a very racy idiomatic literal translation, by Mr. Standish +Hayes O'Grady, in the Transactions of the Ossianic Society for +1855, from a comparison of two manuscripts, one of 1780 and the +other of 1842. In addition to Mr. O'Grady's published text, I made +use of another good copy (MS. Royal Irish Academy, 23. G. 21) +written in 1795, by Michael Oge O'Longan, already spoken of.</p> + +<p>I cannot help believing that this fine story originally ended with +the death of Dermat; though in all the current versions (including +Mr. O'Grady's printed text) there is an additional part recounting +the further proceedings of Grania and her sons, after the death of +the hero. But this part is in every respect inferior to the rest—in +language, in feeling, and in play of imagination. It seems to me +very clear that it was patched on to the original story by some +unskilful hand; and I have accordingly omitted it, and ended the +story with the death of Dermat. I have also omitted two short +episodes—that of the <i>cnumh</i> or reptile of Corca Divna, as a mere +excrescence; and Finn's expedition to Scotland for aid against +Dermat. And, for the sake of clearness, I have slightly changed +the place of that part of the tale which recounts the origin of +the Fairy Quicken Tree of Dooros. There are one or two other +trifling but very necessary modifications, which need not be +mentioned here.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[xvi]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center p2 b1">THE CHASE OF SLIEVE CULLINN: THE CHASE OF SLIEVE FUAD: OISIN IN TIRNANOGE.</p> + +<p>In the original Gaelic these are three poetical tales. All three +have been printed, with Gaelic text and literal translation, in the +Transactions of the Ossianic Society: the two first by the late +John O'Daly, and "Oisin in Tirnanoge" by Professor O'Looney. +There are many good copies of these tales in the manuscripts of +the Royal Irish Academy; though of not one of them have I seen +a copy older than the last century.</p> + +<p>"The Chase of Slieve Cullinn" (commonly known as "The +Poem of the Chase") has been translated into English verse by +Miss Brooke; and there is another metrical translation in the <i>Irish +Penny Journal</i> (page 93). And of "Oisin in Tirnanoge," Mr. T.D. +Sullivan has given a graceful poetical rendering in his volume of +Poems, already mentioned.</p> + + +<p class="center p2 b1">PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.</p> + +<p>In this edition there is an additional tale, "The +Fate of the Sons of Usna," a notice of which will +be found at <a href="#Page_x">page x</a>, above.</p> + +<div style="float: left; width: 50%;"><p class="center p2 b1"><span class="smcap">Lyre-na-Grena, Leinster Road, +Rathmines, 1907.</span></p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[xvii]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="table of contents"> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_FATE_OF_THE_CHILDREN_OF_LIR"><span class="smcap">The Fate of the Children of Lir; or, The Four White Swans.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left">CHAPTER</td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ACHAPTER_I">I.</a></td><td align="left">Bove Derg chosen King of the Dedannans,</td><td align="right">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ACHAPTER_II">II.</a></td><td align="left">The Children of Lir,</td><td align="right">4</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ACHAPTER_III">III.</a></td><td align="left">The Four Children of Lir are turned into Four White Swans by their Stepmother,</td><td align="right">6</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ACHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td><td align="left">The Four White Swans on Lake Darvra,</td><td align="right">10</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ACHAPTER_V">V.</a></td><td align="left">The Four White Swans on the Sea of Moyle,</td><td align="right">18</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ACHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td><td align="left">The Four White Swans on the Western Sea,</td><td align="right">26</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ACHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td><td align="left">The Children of Lir regain their Human Shape and die,</td><td align="right">32</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_FATE_OF_THE_CHILDREN_OF_TURENN"><span class="smcap">The Fate of the Children of Turenn; or, The Quest for the Eric-Fine.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_I">I.</a></td><td align="left">The Lochlanns invade Erin,</td><td align="right">37</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_II">II.</a></td><td align="left">The Murder of Kian,</td><td align="right">42</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_III">III.</a></td><td align="left">Defeat and Flight of the Lochlanns,</td><td align="right">47</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td><td align="left">The Eric-Fine on the Sons of Turenn for the Slaying of Kian,</td><td align="right">51</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_V">V.</a></td><td align="left">The Sons of Turenn obtain Mannanan's Canoe, the Wave-Sweeper,</td><td align="right">60</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td><td align="left">The Apples of the Garden of Hisberna,</td><td align="right">63</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td><td align="left">The Gifted Skin of the Pig,</td><td align="right">67</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td><td align="left">The Blazing Spear of the King of Persia,</td><td align="right">71</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_IX">IX.</a></td><td align="left">The Chariot and Steeds of the King of Sigar,</td><td align="right">74<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[xviii]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_X">X.</a></td><td align="left">The Seven Pigs of the King of the Golden Pillars,</td><td align="right">78</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_XI">XI.</a></td><td align="left">The Hound-Whelp of the King of Iroda,</td><td align="right">81</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_XII">XII.</a></td><td align="left">Return of the Sons of Turenn, with part of the Eric-Fine,</td><td align="right">84</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_XIII">XIII.</a></td><td align="left">The Cooking-Spit of the Women of Fincara,</td><td align="right">87</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_XIV">XIV.</a></td><td align="left">The Three Shouts on Midkena's Hill,</td><td align="right">89</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#BCHAPTER_XV">XV.</a></td><td align="left">Return and Death of the Sons of Turenn,</td><td align="right">91</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_OVERFLOWING_OF_LOUGH_NEAGH_AND_THE_STORY_OF_LIBAN_THE_MERMAID"><span class="smcap">The Overflowing of Lough Neagh, and the Story of Liban the Mermaid.</span></a></td><td align="right">97</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#CONNLA_OF_THE_GOLDEN_HAIR_AND_THE_FAIRY_MAIDEN"><span class="smcap">Connla of the Golden Hair and the Fairy Maiden.</span></a></td><td align="right">106</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_VOYAGE_OF_MAILDUN"><span class="smcap">The Voyage of Maildun.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_I">I.</a></td><td align="left">Maildun's Childhood and Youth. He begins his Voyage in Quest of the Plunderers who slew his Father,</td><td align="right">112</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_II">II.</a></td><td align="left">The First Island. Tidings of the Plunderers,</td><td align="right">117</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_III">III.</a></td><td align="left">The Island of the Monstrous Ants,</td><td align="right">119</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td><td align="left">The Terraced Isle of Birds,</td><td align="right">120</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_V">V.</a></td><td align="left">A Monster,</td><td align="right">121</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td><td align="left">The Demon Horse-Race,</td><td align="right">122</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td><td align="left">The Palace of Solitude,</td><td align="right">124</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td><td align="left">The Island of the Wonderful Apple Tree,</td><td align="right">125</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_IX">IX.</a></td><td align="left">The Island of Bloodthirsty Quadrupeds,</td><td align="right">126</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_X">X.</a></td><td align="left">An Extraordinary Monster,</td><td align="right">127</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XI">XI.</a></td><td align="left">The Isle of Red-Hot Animals,</td><td align="right">129</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XII">XII.</a></td><td align="left">The Palace of the Little Cat,</td><td align="right">131</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XIII">XIII.</a></td><td align="left">An Island that dyed Black and White,</td><td align="right">133</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XIV">XIV.</a></td><td align="left">The Island of the Burning River,</td><td align="right">135</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XV">XV.</a></td><td align="left">The Miller of Hell,</td><td align="right">136</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XVI">XVI.</a></td><td align="left">The Isle of Weeping,</td><td align="right">137</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XVII">XVII.</a></td><td align="left">The Isle of the Four Precious Walls,</td><td align="right">139</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII.</a></td><td align="left">The Palace of the Crystal Bridge,</td><td align="right">139</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XIX">XIX.</a></td><td align="left">The Isle of Speaking Birds,</td><td align="right">143</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XX">XX.</a></td><td align="left">The Aged Hermit and the Human Souls,</td><td align="right">143</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXI">XXI.</a></td><td align="left">The Island of the Big Blacksmiths,</td><td align="right">145</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXII">XXII.</a></td><td align="left">The Crystal Sea,</td><td align="right">147</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXIII">XXIII.</a></td><td align="left">A Lovely Country beneath the Waves,</td><td align="right">147<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[xix]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXIV">XXIV.</a></td><td align="left">An Island guarded by a Wall of Water,</td><td align="right">148</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXV">XXV.</a></td><td align="left">A Water-Arch in the Air,</td><td align="right">149</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXVI">XXVI.</a></td><td align="left">The Silver Pillar of the Sea,</td><td align="right">150</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXVII">XXVII.</a></td><td align="left">An Island standing on One Pillar,</td><td align="right">151</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXVIII">XXVIII.</a></td><td align="left">The Island Queen detains them with her Magic Thread-Clew,</td><td align="right">152</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXIX">XXIX.</a></td><td align="left">The Isle of Intoxicating Wine-Fruits,</td><td align="right">156</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXX">XXX.</a></td><td align="left">The Isle of the Mystic Lake,</td><td align="right">157</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXXI">XXXI.</a></td><td align="left">The Isle of Laughing,</td><td align="right">163</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXXII">XXXII.</a></td><td align="left">The Isle of the Blest,</td><td align="right">164</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXXIII">XXXIII.</a></td><td align="left">The Hermit of the Sea-Rock,</td><td align="right">164</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXXIV">XXXIV.</a></td><td align="left">Signs of Home,</td><td align="right">174</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CCHAPTER_XXXV">XXXV.</a></td><td align="left">Maildun meets his Enemy, and arrives Home,</td><td align="right">175</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_FAIRY_PALACE_OF_THE_QUICKEN_TREES"><span class="smcap">The Fairy Palace of the Quicken Trees.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#DCHAPTER_I">I.</a></td><td align="left">Colga, King of Lochlann, invades Erin, and is slain,</td><td align="right">177</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#DCHAPTER_II">II.</a></td><td align="left">Midac, the Son of Colga, meditates Revenge,</td><td align="right">181</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#DCHAPTER_III">III.</a></td><td align="left">Finn is entrapped by Midac, and held by Enchantment in the Palace of the Quicken Trees,</td><td align="right">189</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#DCHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td><td align="left">Innsa, Finn's Foster Son, defends the Ford leading to the Palace of the Quicken Trees,</td><td align="right">196</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#DCHAPTER_V">V.</a></td><td align="left">Ficna, the Son of Finn, defends the Ford,</td><td align="right">203</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#DCHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td><td align="left">Dermat O'Dyna slays the Three Kings of the Island of the Torrent, breaks the Spell with their Blood, and frees Finn,</td><td align="right">213</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#DCHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td><td align="left">The Fight at the Ford with the Foreign Army,</td><td align="right">219</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_PURSUIT_OF_THE_GILLA_DACKER"><span class="smcap">The Pursuit of the Gilla Dacker and his Horse.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ECHAPTER_I">I.</a></td><td align="left">Arrival of the Gilla Dacker and his Horse,</td><td align="right">223</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ECHAPTER_II">II.</a></td><td align="left">Conan and Fifteen of the Fena are carried off by the Gilla Dacker's Horse,</td><td align="right">235</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ECHAPTER_III">III.</a></td><td align="left">Pursuit,</td><td align="right">239</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ECHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td><td align="left">Dermat O'Dyna, in Quest of the Gilla Dacker, encounters the Wizard-Champion at the Well,</td><td align="right">245</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ECHAPTER_V">V.</a></td><td align="left">Dermat O'Dyna in Tir-fa-tonn,</td><td align="right">253</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ECHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td><td align="left">Finn, in Quest of Dermat, fights many Battles,</td><td align="right">259</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ECHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td><td align="left">Finn and Dermat meet,</td><td align="right">265</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#ECHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td><td align="left">Conan and his Companions found and rescued,</td><td align="right">267<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[xx]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_PURSUIT_OF_DERMAT_AND_GRANIA"><span class="smcap">The Pursuit of Dermat and Grania.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_I">I.</a></td><td align="left">Finn, the Son of Cumal, seeks the Princess Grania to Wife,</td><td align="right">274</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_II">II.</a></td><td align="left">Dermat O'Dyna secretly espouses the Princess Grania,</td><td align="right">277</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_III">III.</a></td><td align="left">Flight and Pursuit,</td><td align="right">285</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td><td align="left">The Fastness of the Seven Narrow Doors,</td><td align="right">289</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_V">V.</a></td><td align="left">The Three Sea-Champions and their Three Venomous Hounds on the Track of Dermat and Grania,</td><td align="right">296</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td><td align="left">What Befell the Three Sea-Champions and their Three Venomous Hounds,</td><td align="right">305</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td><td align="left">Sharvan, the Surly Giant, and the Fairy Quicken Tree of Dooros,</td><td align="right">313</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td><td align="left">The Attack of the Witch-Hag,</td><td align="right">330</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_IX">IX.</a></td><td align="left">Peace and Rest at Last,</td><td align="right">332</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#FCHAPTER_X">X.</a></td><td align="left">The Death of Dermat,</td><td align="right">334</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_CHASE_OF_SLIEVE_CULLINN"><span class="smcap">The Chase of Slieve Cullinn,</span></a></td><td align="right">351</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_CHASE_OF_SLIEVE_FUAD"><span class="smcap">The Chase of Slieve Fuad,</span></a></td><td align="right">362</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#OISIN_IN_TIRNANOGECXLIX"><span class="smcap">Oisin in Tirnanoge; or, The Last of the Fena,</span></a></td><td align="right">385</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_VOYAGE_OF_THE_SONS_OF_OCORRACLV"><span class="smcap">The Voyage of the Sons of O'Corra,</span></a></td><td align="right">400</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#THE_FATE_OF_THE_SONS_OF_USNACLXIX"><span class="smcap">The Fate of the Sons of Usna,</span></a></td><td align="right">427</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#NOTES"><span class="smcap">Notes,</span></a></td><td align="right">455</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#LIST_OF_PROPER_NAMES"><span class="smcap">List of Proper Names,</span></a></td><td align="right">471</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"></td><td align="left"><a href="#FOOTNOTES"><span class="smcap">Footnotes,</span></a></td><td align="right"></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2><a name="THE_FATE_OF_THE_CHILDREN_OF_LIR" id="THE_FATE_OF_THE_CHILDREN_OF_LIR"></a>THE FATE OF THE CHILDREN OF LIR;<br /> + +<span class="small">OR,</span><br /> + +<i>THE FOUR WHITE SWANS.</i></h2> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Silent, O Moyle, be the roar of thy water;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Break not, ye breezes, your chain of repose;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While murmuring mournfully, Lir's lonely daughter<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Tells to the night-star her tale of woes.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza right"> +<span class="smcap">Moore.</span> +</div></div> + + + + +<h3><a name="ACHAPTER_I" id="ACHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">BOVE DERG CHOSEN KING OF THE DEDANNANS.</p> + + +<p>After the battle of Tailltenn,<a name="FNanchor_VII._35" id="FNanchor_VII._35"></a><a href="#Footnote_VII._35" class="fnanchor">[VII.]</a> the Dedannans<a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a><a name="FNanchor_VIII._36" id="FNanchor_VIII._36"></a><a href="#Footnote_VIII._36" class="fnanchor">[VIII.]</a> of +the five provinces of Erin assembled in one place of +meeting, to consider on their state, and to choose +a king. For their chiefs said it was better for them +to have one king over all, than to be divided, as +they were, serving sundry lords and princes.</p> + +<p>Now of those who expected the sovereignty for +themselves, the following chiefs were the noblest, +namely:—Bove Derg,<a name="FNanchor_IX._37" id="FNanchor_IX._37"></a><a href="#Footnote_IX._37" class="fnanchor">[IX.]</a> son of the Dagda; his brother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +Angus, of Bruga on the Boyne, who, however, had no +earnest wish to become king, preferring to remain as +he was; Ilbrec of Assaroe; Lir of Shee Finnaha; and +Midir the Haughty of Bri-Leth.<a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<p>Then the chief people went into council, all except +the five above named; and the decision they came to +was to elect Bove Derg, son of the Dagda, king over +the whole of the Dedannan race. When the election +was made known, none of those who were disappointed +took the matter to heart except Lir of Shee Finnaha +alone. And when Lir found that the chiefs had +chosen Bove Derg, he was greatly offended, and +straightway left the assembly in anger, without +taking leave of any one, and without showing any +mark of respect or obedience to the new king.</p> + +<p>When the chiefs heard this, they were wroth; and +they said they would follow him to Shee Finnaha,<a name="FNanchor_X._38" id="FNanchor_X._38"></a><a href="#Footnote_X._38" class="fnanchor">[X.]</a> +and slay him with spear and sword, and burn his +house, because he did not yield obedience to the king +they had elected in lawful council.</p> + +<p>But Bove Derg would not permit them to do so. +"This man," he said, "will defend his territory, and +many will be slain; and I am none the less your king, +although he has not submitted to me."</p> + +<p>Matters remained so for a long time. But at last +a great misfortune happened to Lir, for his wife died +after an illness of three days. This weighed heavily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +on him, and his heart was weary with sorrow after +her. Her death, moreover, was a great event at that +time, and was much spoken of throughout Erin.</p> + +<p>When the tidings reached the mansion of Bove +Derg, where the chief men of the Dedannans were +then assembled, the king said—</p> + +<p>"As Lir's wife is now dead, my friendship would +be of service to him, if he were willing to accept it. +For I have in my house three maidens, the most +beautiful and the best instructed in all Erin, namely, +Eve, Eva, and Alva, my own foster children, and +daughters of Allil of Ara."<a name="FNanchor_XI._39" id="FNanchor_XI._39"></a><a href="#Footnote_XI._39" class="fnanchor">[XI.]</a></p> + +<p>The Dedannans agreed to this, and said that their +king had spoken wisely and truly.</p> + +<p>Messengers were accordingly sent to Lir, and they +were told to say to him—</p> + +<p>"If thou art willing to submit to the king, he will +give thee for a wife one of his three foster children; +and thou shalt have his friendship for ever."</p> + +<p>It was pleasing to Lir to make this alliance; and +accordingly he set out next day from Shee Finnaha +with a company of fifty chariots; and they never +halted or turned aside till they reached the palace of +Bove Derg, on the shore of the Great Lake.<a name="FNanchor_XII._40" id="FNanchor_XII._40"></a><a href="#Footnote_XII._40" class="fnanchor">[XII.]</a> Their +arrival gave much joy and happiness to the king and +his household; for although Lir did not submit at first +to Bove Derg, he was a good man, and was greatly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +beloved by the king himself and by all his subjects. +So Lir and his followers got a kindly welcome; +and they were supplied with everything necessary, +and were well attended to that night.</p> + +<p>Next day, the three daughters of Allil of Ara sat +on the same couch with the queen their foster mother; +and the king said to Lir—</p> + +<p>"Take thy choice of the three maidens, and whichever +thou choosest, she shall be thy wife."</p> + +<p>"They are all beautiful," said Lir, "and I cannot +tell which of them is best; but I will take the eldest, +for she must be the noblest of the three."</p> + +<p>Then the king said, "Eve is the eldest, and she +shall be given to thee if it be thy wish."</p> + +<p>So Lir chose Eve for his wife, and they were +wedded that day.</p> + +<p>Lir remained a fortnight in the king's palace, and +then departed with his wife to his own house, Shee +Finnaha, where he celebrated his marriage by a great +royal wedding feast.</p> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ACHAPTER_II" id="ACHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE CHILDREN OF LIR.</p> + + +<p>In course of time, Lir's wife bore him two children +at a birth, a daughter and a son, whose names were +Finola and Aed. A second time she brought forth +twins, two sons, who were named Ficra and Conn:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +and she died in giving them birth. This was a cause +of great anguish to Lir; and he would almost have +died of grief, only that his mind was turned from his +sorrow by his great love for his four little children.</p> + +<p>When the news of Eve's death reached the +mansion of Bove Derg, the king was in deep grief, +and the people of his household raised three great +cries of lamentation for her. And when their mourning +was ended, the king said—</p> + +<p>"We grieve for our foster child, both on her own +account, and for the sake of the good man to whom +we gave her; for we are thankful for his alliance +and his friendship. But our acquaintance shall not +be ended, and our alliance shall not be broken; for +I will give him her sister to wife, my second foster +child, Eva."</p> + +<p>Messengers were sent to Lir to Shee Finnaha, to tell +him of this; and he consented. So after some time he +came to the king's house to espouse her, and they +were united; and he brought her home with him to +his own house.</p> + +<p>The four children grew up under Eva's care. She +nursed them with great tenderness, and her love for +them increased every day. They slept near their +father; and he would often rise from his own bed at +the dawn of morning, and go to their beds, to talk +with them and to fondle them.</p> + +<p>The king, Bove Derg, loved them almost as well as +did their father. He went many times every year to +Shee Finnaha to see them; and he used to bring them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +often to his palace, where he kept them as long as he +could on each occasion, and he always felt sad when +he sent them home.</p> + +<p>At this time, too, the Dedannans used to celebrate +the Feast of Age<a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> at the houses of their chiefs by +turns; and whenever it happened that the festival +was held at Shee Finnaha, these children were the +delight and joy of the Dedannans. For nowhere +could four lovelier children be found; so that those +who saw them were always delighted with their beauty +and their gentleness, and could not help loving them +with their whole heart.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ACHAPTER_III" id="ACHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE FOUR CHILDREN OF LIR ARE TURNED INTO FOUR +WHITE SWANS BY THEIR STEPMOTHER.</p> + + +<p>Now when Eva saw that the children of Lir +received such attention and affection from their +father, and from all others that came to his house, she +fancied she was neglected on their account; and a +poisonous dart of jealousy entered her heart, which +turned her love to hatred; and she began to have +feelings of bitter enmity for her sister's children.</p> + +<p>Her jealousy so preyed on her that she feigned +illness, and lay in bed for nearly a year, filled with +gall and brooding mischief; and at the end of that +time she committed a foul and cruel deed of treachery +on the children of Lir.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>One day she ordered her horses to be yoked to +her chariot, and she set out for the palace of Bove +Derg, bringing the four children with her.</p> + +<p>Finola did not wish to go, for it was revealed to +her darkly in a dream that Eva was bent on some +dreadful deed of fratricide;<a name="FNanchor_XIII._41" id="FNanchor_XIII._41"></a><a href="#Footnote_XIII._41" class="fnanchor">[XIII.]</a> and she knew well that +her stepmother intended to kill her and her brothers +that day, or in some other way to bring ruin on them. +But she was not able to avoid the fate that awaited +her.</p> + +<p>When they had gone some distance from Shee +Finnaha on their way to the palace, Eva tried to +persuade her attendants to kill the children. "Kill +them, and you shall be rewarded with all the worldly +wealth you may desire; for their father loves me no +longer, and has neglected and forsaken me on account +of his great love for these children."</p> + +<p>But they heard her with horror, and refused, +saying, "We will not kill them. Fearful is the deed +thou hast contemplated, O Eva; and evil will surely +befall thee for having even thought of killing them."</p> + +<p>Then she took the sword to slay them herself; but +her woman's weakness prevented her, and she was not +able to strike them.</p> + +<p>So they set out once more, and fared on till they +came to the shore of Lake Darvra,<a name="FNanchor_XIV._42" id="FNanchor_XIV._42"></a><a href="#Footnote_XIV._42" class="fnanchor">[XIV.]</a> where they +alighted, and the horses were unyoked.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p><p>She led the children to the edge of the lake, and +told them to go to bathe; and as soon as they had +got into the clear water, she struck them one by one +with a druidical<a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> fairy wand, and turned them into +four beautiful snow-white swans. And she addressed +them in these words—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Out to your home, ye swans, on Darvra's wave;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With clamorous birds begin your life of gloom:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Your friends shall weep your fate, but none can save;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For I've pronounced the dreadful words of doom.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>After this, the four children of Lir turned their +faces to their stepmother; and Finola spoke—</p> + +<p>"Evil is the deed thou hast done, O Eva; thy +friendship to us has been a friendship of treachery; +and thou hast ruined us without cause. But the deed +will be avenged; for the power of thy witchcraft is +not greater than the druidical power of our friends to +punish thee; and the doom that awaits thee shall be +worse than ours."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our stepmother loved us long ago;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our stepmother now has wrought us woe:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With magical wand and fearful words,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She changed us to beautiful snow-white birds;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And we live on the waters for evermore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By tempests driven from shore to shore.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Finola again spoke and said, "Tell us now how +long we shall be in the shape of swans, so that we +may know when our miseries shall come to an end."</p> + +<p>"It would be better for you if you had not put +that question," said Eva; "but I shall declare the +truth to you, as you have asked me. Three hundred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +years on smooth Lake Darvra; three hundred years on +the Sea of Moyle, between Erin and Alban;<a name="FNanchor_XV._43" id="FNanchor_XV._43"></a><a href="#Footnote_XV._43" class="fnanchor">[XV.]</a> three +hundred years at Irros Domnann and Inis Glora<a name="FNanchor_XVI._44" id="FNanchor_XVI._44"></a><a href="#Footnote_XVI._44" class="fnanchor">[XVI.]</a> on +the Western Sea. Until the union of Largnen, the +prince from the north, with Decca, the princess from +the south; until the Taillkenn<a name="FNanchor_XVII._45" id="FNanchor_XVII._45"></a><a href="#Footnote_XVII._45" class="fnanchor">[XVII.]</a> shall come to Erin, +bringing the light of a pure faith; and until ye hear +the voice of the Christian bell. And neither by your +own power, nor by mine, nor by the power of your +friends, can ye be freed till the time comes."</p> + +<p>Then Eva repented what she had done; and she +said, "Since I cannot afford you any other relief, +I will allow you to keep your own Gaelic speech; and +ye shall be able to sing sweet, plaintive, fairy music, +which shall excel all the music of the world, and +which shall lull to sleep all that listen to it. Moreover, +ye shall retain your human reason; and ye shall +not be in grief on account of being in the shape of +swans."</p> + +<p>And she chanted this lay—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Depart from me, ye graceful swans;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The waters are now your home:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Your palace shall be the pearly cave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Your couch the crest of the crystal wave,<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> +<span class="i1">And your mantle the milk-white foam!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Depart from me, ye snow-white swans<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With your music and Gaelic speech:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The crystal Darvra, the wintry Moyle,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The billowy margin of Glora's isle;—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Three hundred years on each!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Victorious Lir, your hapless sire,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His lov'd ones in vain shall call;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His weary heart is a husk of gore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His home is joyless for evermore,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And his anger on me shall fall!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Through circling ages of gloom and fear<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Your anguish no tongue can tell;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till Faith shall shed her heavenly rays,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till ye hear the Taillkenn's anthem of praise,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And the voice of the Christian bell!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then ordering her steeds to be yoked to her chariot +she departed westwards, leaving the four white swans +swimming on the lake.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our father shall watch and weep in vain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He never shall see us return again.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Four pretty children, happy at home;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Four white swans on the feathery foam;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And we live on the waters for evermore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By tempests driven from shore to shore.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ACHAPTER_IV" id="ACHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE FOUR WHITE SWANS ON LAKE DARVRA.</p> + + +<p>When Eva arrived at the house of Bove Derg, the +chiefs bade her welcome; and the king asked her why +she had not brought the Children of Lir to him.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Because," she replied, "Lir no longer loves thee; +and he does not wish to intrust his children to thee, +lest thou shouldst harm them."</p> + +<p>The king was greatly astonished and troubled at +this, and he said, "How can that be? For I love +those children better than I love my own."</p> + +<p>But he thought in his own mind that Eva had +played some treachery on them. And he sent messengers +with all speed northwards to Shee Finnaha, +to inquire for the children, and to ask that they might +be sent to him.</p> + +<p>When the messengers had told their errand, Lir +was startled; and he asked, "Have the children not +reached the palace with Eva?"</p> + +<p>They answered, "Eva arrived alone, and she told +the king that you refused to let the children come."</p> + +<p>A sad and sorrowful heart had Lir when he heard +this; and he now felt sure that Eva had destroyed his +four lovely children. So, early next morning, his +chariot was yoked for him, and he set out with +his attendants for the king's palace; and they travelled +with all speed till they arrived at the shore of Lake +Darvra.</p> + +<p>The children of Lir saw the cavalcade approaching; +and Finola spoke these words—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I see a mystic warrior band<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From yonder brow approach the strand;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I see them winding down the vale,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Their bending chariots slow advancing;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I see their shields and gilded mail,<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> +<span class="i1">Their spears and helmets brightly glancing.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ah! well I know that proud array;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I know too well their thoughts to-day:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Dannan host and royal Lir;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Four rosy children they are seeking:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Too soon, alas! they find us here,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Four snowy swans like children speaking!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Come, brothers dear, approach the coast,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To welcome Lir's mysterious host.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, woful welcome! woful day,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That never brings a bright to-morrow!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unhappy father, doomed for aye<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To mourn our fate in hopeless sorrow!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>When Lir came to the shore, he heard the birds +speaking, and, wondering greatly, he asked them how +it came to pass that they had human voices.</p> + +<p>"Know, O Lir," said Finola, "that we are thy four +children, who have been changed into swans and +ruined by the witchcraft of our stepmother, our own +mother's sister, Eva, through her baleful jealousy."</p> + +<p>When Lir and his people heard this, they uttered +three long mournful cries of grief and lamentation.</p> + +<p>After a time, their father asked them, "Is it possible +to restore you to your own shapes?"</p> + +<p>"It is not possible," replied Finola; "no man has +the power to release us until Largnen from the north +and Decca from the south are united. Three hundred +years we shall be on Lake Darvra; three hundred +years on the sea-stream of Moyle; three hundred +years on the Sea of Glora in the west. And we shall +not regain our human shape till the Taillkenn come +with his pure faith into Erin, and until we hear the +voice of the Christian bell."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>And again the people raised three great cries of +sorrow.</p> + +<p>"As you have your speech and your reason," said +Lir, "come now to land, and ye shall live at home, +conversing with me and my people."</p> + +<p>"We are not permitted to leave the waters of the +lake, and we cannot live with our people any more. +But the wicked Eva has allowed us to retain our +human reason, and our own Gaelic speech; and we have +also the power to chant plaintive, fairy music, so sweet +that those who listen to us would never desire any +other happiness. Remain with us to-night, and we +will chant our music for you."</p> + +<p>Lir and his people remained on the shore of the +lake; and the swans sang their slow, fairy music, +which was so sweet and sad, that the people, as they +listened, fell into a calm, gentle sleep.</p> + +<p>At the glimmer of dawn next morning, Lir arose, +and he bade farewell to his children for a while, to +seek out Eva.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The time has come for me to part:—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">No more, alas! my children dear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Your rosy smiles shall glad my heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Or light the gloomy home of Lir.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dark was the day when first I brought<br /></span> +<span class="i1">This Eva in my home to dwell!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hard was the woman's heart that wrought<br /></span> +<span class="i1">This cruel and malignant spell!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I lay me down to rest in vain;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For, through the livelong, sleepless night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My little lov'd ones, pictured plain,<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> +<span class="i1">Stand ever there before my sight.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Finola, once my pride and joy;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Dark Aed, adventurous and bold;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bright Ficra, gentle, playful boy;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And little Conn, with curls of gold;—<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Struck down on Darvra's reedy shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">By wicked Eva's magic power:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, children, children, never more<br /></span> +<span class="i1">My heart shall know one peaceful hour!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Lir then departed, and travelled south-west till he +arrived at the king's palace, where he was welcomed; +and Bove Derg began to reproach him, in presence of +Eva, for not bringing the children.</p> + +<p>"Alas!" said Lir; "it was not by me that the +children were prevented from coming. But Eva, +your own foster child, the sister of their mother, has +played treachery on them; and has changed them by +her sorcery into four white swans on Lake Darvra."</p> + +<p>The king was confounded and grieved at this +news; and when he looked at Eva, he knew by her +countenance that what Lir had told him was true; +and he began to upbraid her in a fierce and angry +voice.</p> + +<p>"The wicked deed thou hast committed," said he, +"will be worse for thee than for the children of Lir; +for their suffering shall come to an end, and they shall +be happy at last."</p> + +<p>Again he spoke to her more fiercely than before; +and he asked her what shape of all others, on the +earth, or above the earth, or beneath the earth, she +most abhorred, and into which she most dreaded to be +transformed.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + +<p>And she, being forced to answer truly, said, "A +demon of the air."<a name="FNanchor_XVIII._46" id="FNanchor_XVIII._46"></a><a href="#Footnote_XVIII._46" class="fnanchor">[XVIII.]</a></p> + +<p>"That is the form you shall take," said Bove Derg; +and as he spoke he struck her with a druidical magic +wand, and turned her into a demon of the air. +She opened her wings, and flew with a scream upwards +and away through the clouds; and she is still +a demon of the air, and she shall be a demon of the +air till the end of time.</p> + +<p>Then Bove Derg and the Dedannans assembled on +the shore of the lake, and encamped there; for they +wished to remain with the birds, and to listen to their +music. The Milesian people<a name="FNanchor_XIX._47" id="FNanchor_XIX._47"></a><a href="#Footnote_XIX._47" class="fnanchor">[XIX.]</a> came and formed an +encampment there in like manner; for historians say +that no music that was ever heard in Erin could be +compared with the singing of these swans.</p> + +<p>And so the swans passed their time. During the +day they conversed with the men of Erin, both +Dedannans and Milesians, and discoursed lovingly +with their friends and fellow nurselings; and at night +they chanted their slow, sweet, fairy music, the most +delightful that was ever heard by men; so that all +who listened to it, even those who were in grief, or +sickness, or pain, forgot their sorrows and their sufferings, +and fell into a gentle, sweet sleep, from which +they awoke bright and happy.</p> + +<p>So they continued, the Dedannans and the Milesians,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +in their encampments, and the swans on the +lake, for three hundred years.<a name="FNanchor_XX._48" id="FNanchor_XX._48"></a><a href="#Footnote_XX._48" class="fnanchor">[XX.]</a> And at the end of that +time, Finola said to her brothers—</p> + +<p>"Do you know, my dear brothers, that we have +come to the end of our time here; and that we have +only this one night to spend on Lake Darvra?"</p> + +<p>When the three sons of Lir heard this, they were +in great distress and sorrow; for they were almost as +happy on Lake Darvra, surrounded by their friends, +and conversing with them day by day, as if they had +been in their father's house in their own natural +shapes; whereas they should now live on the gloomy +and tempestuous Sea of Moyle, far away from all +human society.</p> + +<p>Early next morning, they came to the margin of +the lake, to speak to their Father and their friends +for the last time, and to bid them farewell; and +Finola chanted this lay—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">I.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Farewell, farewell, our father dear!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The last sad hour has come:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Farewell, Bove Derg! farewell to all,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Till the dreadful day of doom!<a name="FNanchor_XXI._49" id="FNanchor_XXI._49"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXI._49" class="fnanchor">[XXI.]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i0">We go from friends and scenes beloved,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To a home of grief and pain;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">And that day of woe<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Shall come and go,<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> +<span class="i1">Before we meet again!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">II.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">We live for ages on stormy Moyle,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In loneliness and fear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The kindly words of loving friends<br /></span> +<span class="i1">We never more shall hear.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Four joyous children long ago;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Four snow-white swans to-day;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">And on Moyle's wild sea<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Our robe shall be<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The cold and briny spray.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">III.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Far down on the misty stream of time,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When three hundred years are o'er,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three hundred more in storm and cold,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">By Glora's desolate shore;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till Decca fair is Largnen's spouse;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Till north and south unite;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Till the hymns are sung,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">And the bells are rung,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">At the dawn of the pure faith's light.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">IV.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Arise, my brothers, from Darvra's wave,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On the wings of the southern wind;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We leave our father and friends to-day<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In measureless grief behind.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah! sad the parting, and sad our flight<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To Moyle's tempestuous main;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">For the day of woe<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Shall come and go,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Before we meet again!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The four swans then spread their wings, and rose +from the surface of the water in sight of all their +friends, till they reached a great height in the air, +then resting, and looking downwards for a moment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +they flew straight to the north, till they alighted on +the Sea of Moyle between Erin and Alban.</p> + +<p>The men of Erin were grieved at their departure, +and they made a law, and proclaimed it throughout the +land, that no one should kill a swan in Erin from that +time forth.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ACHAPTER_V" id="ACHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE FOUR WHITE SWANS ON THE SEA OF MOYLE.</p> + + +<p>As to the children of Lir, miserable was their abode +and evil their plight on the Sea of Moyle. Their +hearts were wrung with sorrow for their father and +their friends; and when they looked towards the +steep, rocky, far-stretching coasts, and saw the great, +dark wild sea around them, they were overwhelmed +with fear and despair. They began also to suffer +from cold and hunger, so that all the hardships they +had endured on Lake Darvra appeared as nothing +compared with their suffering on the sea-current of +Moyle.</p> + +<p>And so they lived, till one night a great tempest +fell upon the sea. Finola, when she saw the sky filled +with black, threatening clouds, thus addressed her +brothers—</p> + +<p>"Beloved brothers, we have made a bad preparation +for this night; for it is certain that the coming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +storm will separate us; and now let us appoint a +place of meeting, or it may happen that we shall never +see each other again."</p> + +<p>And they answered, "Dear sister, you speak truly +and wisely; and let us fix on Carricknarone, for that +is a rock that we are all very well acquainted with."</p> + +<p>And they appointed Carricknarone as their place +of meeting.</p> + +<p>Midnight came, and with it came the beginning of +the storm. A wild, rough wind swept over the dark +sea, the lightnings flashed, and the great waves rose, +and increased their violence and their thunder.</p> + +<p>The swans were soon scattered over the waters, so +that not one of them knew in what direction the others +had been driven. During all that night they were +tossed about by the roaring winds and waves, and it +was with much difficulty they preserved their lives.</p> + +<p>Towards morning the storm abated, and the sea +became again calm and smooth; and Finola swam +to Carricknarone. But she found none of her brothers +there, neither could she see any trace of them when +she looked all round from the summit of the rock over +the wide face of the sea.</p> + +<p>Then she became terrified, for she thought she +should never see them again; and she began to lament +them plaintively in these words—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The heart-breaking anguish and woe of this life<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I am able no longer to bear:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My wings are benumbed with this pitiless frost;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My three little brothers are scattered and lost;<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> +<span class="i2">And I am left here to despair.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My three little brothers I never shall see<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Till the dead shall arise from the tomb:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How I sheltered them oft with my wings and my breast,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And I soothed their sorrows and lulled them to rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">As the night fell around us in gloom!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ah, where are my brothers, and why have I lived,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">This last worst affliction to know?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What now is there left but a life of despair?—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For alas! I am able no longer to bear<br /></span> +<span class="i2">This heart-breaking anguish and woe.<a name="FNanchor_XXII._50" id="FNanchor_XXII._50"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXII._50" class="fnanchor">[XXII.]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Soon after this she looked again over the sea, and +she saw Conn coming towards the rock, with his head +drooping, and his feathers all drenched with the salt +spray; and she welcomed him with joyful heart.</p> + +<p>Not long after, Ficra appeared, but he was so faint +with wet and cold and hardship, that he was scarce +able to reach the place where Finola and Conn were +standing; and when they spoke to him he could not +speak one word in return. So Finola placed the two +under her wings, and she said—</p> + +<p>"If Aed were here now, all would be happy with +us."</p> + +<p>In a little time they saw Aed coming towards +them, with head erect and feathers all dry and radiant +and Finola gave him a joyful welcome. She then +placed him under the feathers of her breast, while +Conn and Ficra remained under her wings; and she +said to them—</p> + +<p>"My dear brothers, though ye may think this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +night very bad, we shall have many like it from this +time forth."</p> + +<p>So they continued for a long time on the Sea of +Moyle, suffering hardships of every kind, till one +winter night came upon them, of great wind and of +snow and frost so severe, that nothing they ever before +suffered could be compared to the misery of that night. +And Finola uttered these words—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our life is a life of woe;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">No shelter or rest we find:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How bitterly drives the snow;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">How cold is this wintry wind!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">From the icy spray of the sea,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">From the wind of the bleak north east,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I shelter my brothers three,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Under my wings and breast.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our stepmother sent us here,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And misery well we know:—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In cold and hunger and fear;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Our life is a life of woe!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Another year passed away on the Sea of Moyle; +and one night in January, a dreadful frost came down +on the earth and sea, so that the waters were frozen +into a solid floor of ice all round them. The swans +remained on Carricknarone all night, and their feet +and their wings were frozen to the icy surface, so +that they had to strive hard to move from their +places in the morning; and they left the skin of their +feet, the quills of their wings, and the feathers of +their breasts clinging to the rock.</p> + +<p>"Sad is our condition this night, my beloved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +brothers," said Finola, "for we are forbidden to leave +the Sea of Moyle; and yet we cannot bear the salt +water, for when it enters our wounds, I fear we shall +die of pain."</p> + +<p>And she spoke this lay—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our fate is mournful here to-day;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Our bodies bare and chill,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Drenched by the bitter, briny spray,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And torn on this rocky hill!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Cruel our stepmother's jealous heart<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That banished us from home;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Transformed to swans by magic art,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To swim the ocean foam.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">This bleak and snowy winter day,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Our bath is the ocean wide;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In thirsty summer's burning ray,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Our drink the briny tide.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And here 'mid rugged rocks we dwell,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In this tempestuous bay;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Four children bound by magic spell;—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Our fate is sad to-day!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>They were, however, forced to swim out on the +stream of Moyle, all wounded and torn as they were; +for though the brine was sharp and bitter, they were +not able to avoid it. They stayed as near the coast +as they could, till after a long time the feathers of +their breasts and wings grew again, and their wounds +were healed.</p> + +<p>After this they lived on for a great number of +years, sometimes visiting the shores of Erin, and sometimes +the headlands of Alban. But they always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +returned to the sea-stream of Moyle, for it was destined +to be their home till the end of three hundred years.</p> + +<p>One day they came to the mouth of the Bann, +on the north coast of Erin, and looking inland, they +saw a stately troop of horsemen approaching directly +from the south-west. They were mounted on white +steeds, and clad in bright-coloured garments, and as +they wound towards the shore their arms glittered +in the sun.</p> + +<p>"Do ye know yonder cavalcade?" said Finola to +her brothers.</p> + +<p>"We know them not," they replied; "but it is +likely they are a party of the Milesians, or perchance +a troop of our own people, the Dedannans."</p> + +<p>They swam towards the shore, to find out who +the strangers were; and the cavalcade on their part, +when they saw the swans, knew them at once, and +moved towards them till they were within speaking +distance.</p> + +<p>Now these were a party of the Dedannans; and +the chiefs who commanded them were the two sons of +Bove Derg, the Dedannan king, namely, Aed the Keen-witted, +and Fergus the Chess-player, with a third part +of the Fairy Host.<a name="FNanchor_XXIII._51" id="FNanchor_XXIII._51"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXIII._51" class="fnanchor">[XXIII.]</a> They had been for a long time +searching for the children of Lir along the northern +shores of Erin, and now that they had found them, +they were joyful; and they and the swans greeted +each other with tender expressions of friendship and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +love. The children of Lir inquired after the Dedannans, +and particularly after their father Lir, and +Bove Derg, and all the rest of their friends and +acquaintances.</p> + +<p>"They are all well," replied the chiefs; "and they +and the Dedannans in general are now gathered +together in the house of your father, at Shee Finnaha, +celebrating the Feast of Age,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> pleasantly and agreeably. +Their happiness would indeed be complete, only that +you are not with them, and that they know not where +you have been since you left Lake Darvra."</p> + +<p>"Miserable has been our life since that day," said +Finola; "and no tongue can tell the suffering and +sorrow we have endured on the Sea of Moyle."</p> + +<p>And she chanted these words—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ah, happy is Lir's bright home to-day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With mead and music and poet's lay:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But gloomy and cold his children's home,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For ever tossed on the briny foam.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our wreathèd feathers are thin and light<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When the wind blows keen through the wintry night:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet oft we were robed, long, long ago,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In purple mantles and furs of snow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">On Moyle's bleak current our food and wine<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Are sandy sea-weed and bitter brine:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet oft we feasted in days of old,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And hazel-mead drank from cups of gold.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our beds are rocks in the dripping caves;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our lullaby song the roar of the waves:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But soft rich couches once we pressed,<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> +<span class="i0">And harpers lulled us each night to rest.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Lonely we swim on the billowy main,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through frost and snow, through storm and rain:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Alas for the days when round us moved<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The chiefs and princes and friends we loved!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My little twin brothers beneath my wings<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lie close when the north wind bitterly stings,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Aed close nestles before my breast;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thus side by side through the night we rest.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our father's fond kisses, Bove Derg's embrace,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The light of Mannanan's<a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> godlike face,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The love of Angus<a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>—all, all are o'er;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And we live on the billows for evermore!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>After this they bade each other farewell, for it was +not permitted to the children of Lir to remain away +from the stream of Moyle. As soon as they had +parted, the Fairy Cavalcade returned to Shee Finnaha, +where they related to the Dedannan chiefs all that +had passed, and described the condition of the children +of Lir. And the chiefs answered—</p> + +<p>"It is not in our power to help them; but we are +glad that they are living; and we know that in the +end the enchantment will be broken, and that they +will be freed from their sufferings."</p> + +<p>As to the children of Lir, they returned to their +home on the Sea of Moyle, and there they remained +till they had fulfilled their term of years.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ACHAPTER_VI" id="ACHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE FOUR WHITE SWANS ON THE WESTERN SEA.</p> + + +<p>And when their three hundred years were ended, +Finola said to her brothers—</p> + +<p>"It is time for us to leave this place, for our period +here has come to an end."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The hour has come; the hour has come;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Three hundred years have passed:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We leave this bleak and gloomy home,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And we fly to the west at last!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">We leave for ever the stream of Moyle;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On the clear, cold wind we go;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three hundred years round Glora's isle,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Where wintry tempests blow!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">No sheltered home, no place of rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">From the tempest's angry blast:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fly, brothers, fly, to the distant west,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For the hour has come at last!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>So the swans left the Sea of Moyle, and flew westward, +till they reached Irros Domnann and the sea +round the isle of Glora. There they remained for +a long time, suffering much from storm and cold, and +in nothing better off than they were on the Sea of +Moyle.</p> + +<p>It chanced that a young man named Ebric, of +good family, the owner of a tract of land lying along +the shore, observed the birds and heard their singing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +He took great delight in listening to their plaintive +music, and he walked down to the shore almost every +day, to see them and to converse with them; so that +he came to love them very much, and they also loved +him. This young man told his neighbours about the +speaking swans, so that the matter became noised +abroad; and it was he who arranged the story, after +hearing it from themselves, and related it as it is +related here.</p> + +<p>Again their hardships were renewed, and to describe +what they suffered on the great open Western +Sea would be only to tell over again the story of their +life on the Moyle. But one particular night came, of +frost so hard that the whole face of the sea, from Irros +Domnann to Achill, was frozen into a thick floor of +ice; and the snow was driven by a north-west wind. +On that night it seemed to the three brothers that +they could not bear their sufferings any longer, and +they began to utter loud and pitiful complaints. +Finola tried to console them, but she was not able +to do so, for they only lamented the more; and then +she herself began to lament with the others.</p> + +<p>After a time, Finola spoke to them and said, +"My dear brothers, believe in the great and splendid +God of truth, who made the earth with its fruits, and +the sea with its wonders; put your trust in Him, and +He will send you help and comfort."</p> + +<p>"We believe in Him," said they.</p> + +<p>"And I also," said Finola, "believe in God, who is +perfect in everything, and who knows all things."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>And at the destined hour they all believed, and +the Lord of heaven sent them help and protection; +so that neither cold nor tempest molested them from +that time forth, as long as they abode on the +Western Sea.</p> + +<p>So they continued at the point of Irros Domnann, +till they had fulfilled their appointed time there. And +Finola addressed the sons of Lir—</p> + +<p>"My dear brothers, the end of our time here has +come; we shall now go to visit our father and our +people."</p> + +<p>And her brothers were glad when they heard this.</p> + +<p>Then they rose lightly from the face of the sea, +and flew eastward with joyful hopes, till they reached +Shee Finnaha. But when they alighted they found +the place deserted and solitary, its halls all ruined and +overgrown with rank grass and forests of nettles; +no houses, no fire, no mark of human habitation.</p> + +<p>Then the four swans drew close together, and they +uttered three loud mournful cries of sorrow.</p> + +<p>And Finola chanted this lay—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">What meaneth this sad, this fearful change,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">That withers my heart with woe?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The house of my father all joyless and lone,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its halls and its gardens with weeds overgrown,—<br /></span> +<span class="i3">A dreadful and strange overthrow!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">No conquering heroes, no hounds for the chase,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">No shields in array on its walls,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No bright silver goblets, no gay cavalcades,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No youthful assemblies or high-born maids,<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> +<span class="i3">To brighten its desolate halls!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An omen of sadness—the home of our youth<br /></span> +<span class="i3">All ruined, deserted, and bare.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Alas for the chieftain, the gentle and brave;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His glories and sorrows are stilled in the grave,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">And we left to live in despair!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">From ocean to ocean, from age unto age,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">We have lived to the fulness of time;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through a life such as men never heard of we've passed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In suffering and sorrow our doom has been cast,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">By our stepmother's pitiless crime!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The children of Lir remained that night in the +ruins of the palace—the home of their forefathers, +where they themselves had been nursed; and several +times during the night they chanted their sad, sweet, +fairy music.</p> + +<p>Early next morning they left Shee Finnaha, and +flew west to Inis Glora, where they alighted on a +small lake. There they began to sing so sweetly that +all the birds of the district gathered in flocks round +them on the lake, and on its shore, to listen to them; +so that the little lake came to be called the Lake of +the Bird-flocks.</p> + +<p>During the day the birds used to fly to distant +points of the coast to feed, now to Iniskea of the +lonely crane,<a name="FNanchor_XXIV._52" id="FNanchor_XXIV._52"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXIV._52" class="fnanchor">[XXIV.]</a> now to Achill, and sometimes southwards +to Donn's Sea Rocks,<a name="FNanchor_XXV._53" id="FNanchor_XXV._53"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXV._53" class="fnanchor">[XXV.]</a> and to many other islands<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +and headlands along the shore of the Western Sea, but +they returned to Inis Glora every night.</p> + +<p>They lived in this manner till holy Patrick came +to Erin with the pure faith; and until Saint Kemoc +came to Inis Glora.</p> + +<p>The first night Kemoc came to the island, the +children of Lir heard his bell at early matin time, +ringing faintly in the distance. And they trembled +greatly, and started, and ran wildly about; for the +sound of the bell was strange and dreadful to them, +and its tones filled them with great fear. The three +brothers were more affrighted than Finola, so that she +was left quite alone; but after a time they came to +her, and she asked them—</p> + +<p>"Do you know, my brothers, what sound is this?"</p> + +<p>And they answered, "We have heard a faint, +fearful voice, but we know not what it is."</p> + +<p>"This is the voice of the Christian bell," said +Finola; "and now the end of our suffering is near; +for this bell is the signal that we shall soon be freed +from our spell, and released from our life of suffering; +for God has willed it."</p> + +<p>And she chanted this lay—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Listen, ye swans, to the voice of the bell,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The sweet bell we've dreamed of for many a year;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its tones floating by on the night breezes, tell<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> +<span class="i1">That the end of our long life of sorrow is near!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Listen, ye swans, to the heavenly strain;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">'Tis the anchoret tolling his soft matin bell:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He has come to release us from sorrow, from pain,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">From the cold and tempestuous shores where we dwell!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Trust in the glorious Lord of the sky;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He will free us from Eva's druidical spell:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be thankful and glad, for our freedom is nigh,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And listen with joy to the voice of the bell!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then her brothers became calm; and the four +swans remained listening to the music of the bell, till +the cleric had finished his matins.</p> + +<p>"Let us sing our music now," said Finola.</p> + +<p>And they chanted a low, sweet, plaintive strain of +fairy music, to praise and thank the great high King +of heaven and earth.</p> + +<p>Kemoc heard the music from where he stood; and +he listened with great astonishment. But after a +time it was revealed to him that it was the children +of Lir who sang that music; and he was glad, for it +was to seek them he had come.</p> + +<p>When morning dawned he came to the shore of +the lake, and he saw the four white swans swimming +on the water. He spoke to them, and asked them +were they the children of Lir.</p> + +<p>They replied, "We are indeed the children of +Lir, who were changed long ago into swans by our +wicked stepmother."</p> + +<p>"I give God thanks that I have found you," said +Kemoc; "for it is on your account I have come to this +little island in preference to all the other islands of +Erin. Come ye now to land, and trust in me; for it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +in this place that you are destined to be freed from +your enchantment."</p> + +<p>So they, filled with joy on hearing the words of +the cleric, came to the shore, and placed themselves +under his care. He brought them to his own house, +and, sending for a skilful workman, he caused him to +make two bright, slender chains of silver; and he put +a chain between Finola and Aed, and the other chain +he put between Ficra and Conn.</p> + +<p>So they lived with him, listening to his instructions +day by day, and joining in his devotions. They +were the delight and joy of the cleric, and he loved +them with his whole heart; and the swans were so +happy that the memory of all the misery they had +suffered during their long life on the waters caused +them neither distress nor sorrow now.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ACHAPTER_VII" id="ACHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE CHILDREN OF LIR REGAIN THEIR HUMAN SHAPE +AND DIE.</p> + + +<p>The king who ruled over Connaught at this time was +Largnen, the son of Colman; and his queen was +Decca, the daughter of Finnin,<a name="FNanchor_XXVI._54" id="FNanchor_XXVI._54"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXVI._54" class="fnanchor">[XXVI.]</a> king of Munster,—the +same king and queen whom Eva had spoken of in her +prophecy long ages before.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> +<p>Now word was brought to queen Decca regarding +these wonderful speaking swans, and their whole +history was related to her; so that even before she +saw them, she could not help loving them, and she +was seized with a strong desire to have them herself. +So she went to the king, and besought him that he +would go to Kemoc and get her the swans. But +Largnen said that he did not wish to ask them from +Kemoc. Whereupon Decca grew indignant; and she +declared that she would not sleep another night in the +palace till he had obtained the swans for her. So +she left the palace that very hour, and fled southwards +towards her father's home.</p> + +<p>Largnen, when he found she had gone, sent in +haste after her, with word that he would try to procure +the swans; but the messengers did not overtake +her till she had reached Killaloe. However, she returned +with them to the palace; and as soon as she +had arrived, the king sent to Kemoc to request that +he would send the birds to the queen; but Kemoc +refused to give them.</p> + +<p>Largnen became very angry at this; and he set out +at once for the cleric's house. As soon as he had +come, he asked the cleric whether it was true that +he had refused to give the swans to the queen. And +when Kemoc answered that it was quite true, the +king, being very wroth, went up to where the swans +stood, and seizing the two silver chains, one in each +hand, he drew the birds from the altar, and turned +towards the door of the church, intending to bring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +them by force to the queen; while Kemoc followed +him, much alarmed lest they should be injured.</p> + +<p>The king had proceeded only a little way, when +suddenly the white feathery robes faded and disappeared; +and the swans regained their human shape, +Finola being transformed into an extremely old woman, +and the three sons into three feeble old men, white-haired +and bony and wrinkled.</p> + +<p>When the king saw this, he started with affright, +and instantly left the place without speaking one +word; while Kemoc reproached and denounced him +very bitterly.</p> + +<p>As to the children of Lir, they turned towards +Kemoc; and Finola spoke—</p> + +<p>"Come, holy cleric, and baptise us without delay, +for our death is near. You will grieve after us, O +Kemoc; but in truth you are not more sorrowful at +parting from us than we are at parting from you. +Make our grave here and bury us together; and as I +often sheltered my brothers when we were swans, so +let us be placed in the grave—Conn standing near me +at my right side, Ficra at my left, and Aed before my +face."<a name="FNanchor_XXVII._55" id="FNanchor_XXVII._55"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXVII._55" class="fnanchor">[XXVII.]</a></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Come, holy priest, with book and prayer;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Baptise and shrive us here:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Haste, cleric, haste, for the hour has come,<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> +<span class="i1">And death at last is near!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dig our grave—a deep, deep grave,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Near the church we loved so well;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">This little church, where first we heard<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The voice of the Christian bell.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">As oft in life my brothers dear<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Were sooth'd by me to rest—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ficra and Conn beneath my wings,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And Aed before my breast;<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So place the two on either hand—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Close, like the love that bound me;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Place Aed as close before my face,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And twine their arms around me.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Thus shall we rest for evermore,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">My brothers dear and I:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Haste, cleric, haste, baptise and shrive,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For death at last is nigh!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then the children of Lir were baptised, and they +died immediately. And when they died, Kemoc +looked up; and lo, he saw a vision of four lovely +children, with light, silvery wings, and faces all radiant +with joy. They gazed on him for a moment; but +even as they gazed, they vanished upwards, and he +saw them no more. And he was filled with gladness, +for he knew they had gone to heaven; but when he +looked down on the four bodies lying before him, he +became sad and wept.</p> + +<p>And Kemoc caused a wide grave to be dug near +the little church; and the children of Lir were buried +together, as Finola had directed—Conn at her right +hand, Ficra at her left, and Aed standing before her +face. And he raised a grave-mound over them, placing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +a tombstone on it, with their names graved in Ogam;<a name="FNanchor_XXVIII._56" id="FNanchor_XXVIII._56"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXVIII._56" class="fnanchor">[XXVIII.]</a> +after which he uttered a lament for them, and their +funeral rites were performed.</p> + + +<p class="p2">So far we have related the sorrowful story of the +Fate of the Children of Lir.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2><a name="THE_FATE_OF_THE_CHILDREN_OF_TURENN" id="THE_FATE_OF_THE_CHILDREN_OF_TURENN"></a>THE FATE OF THE CHILDREN OF TURENN;<br /> + +<span class="small">OR,</span><br /> + +<i>THE QUEST FOR THE ERIC-FINE.</i></h2> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i5">For the blood that we spilled,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">For the hero we killed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Toil and woe, toil and woe, till the doom is fulfilled!<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_I" id="BCHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE LOCHLANNS INVADE ERIN.</p> + + +<p>When the Dedannans<a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> held sway in Erin, a prosperous +free-born king ruled over them, whose name was +Nuada of the Silver Hand.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + +<p>In the time of this king, the Fomorians,<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> from +Lochlann,<a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> in the north, oppressed the Dedannans, and +forced them to pay heavy tributes; namely, a tax on +kneading-troughs, a tax on querns, and a tax on +baking flags; and besides all this, an ounce of gold +for each man of the Dedannans. These tributes had +to be paid every year at the Hill of Usna;<a name="FNanchor_XXIX._57" id="FNanchor_XXIX._57"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXIX._57" class="fnanchor">[XXIX.]</a> and if +any one refused or neglected to pay his part, his nose +was cut off by the Fomorian tyrants.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> +<p>At this time a great fair-meeting was held by the +king of Ireland, Nuada of the Silver Hand, on the +Hill of Usna. Not long had the people been assembled, +when they saw a stately band of warriors, all +mounted on white steeds, coming towards them from +the east; and at their head, high in command over all, +rode a young champion, tall and comely, with a countenance +as bright and glorious as the setting sun.</p> + +<p>This young warrior was Luga of the Long Arms.<a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> +He was accompanied by his foster brothers, namely, +the sons of Mannanan Mac Lir; and the troop he led +was the Fairy Host from the Land of Promise.<a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> + +<p>Now in this manner was he arrayed. He rode the +steed of Mannanan Mac Lir,<a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> namely, Enbarr of the +Flowing Mane: no warrior was ever killed on the +back of this steed, for she was as swift as the clear, +cold wind of spring, and she travelled with equal ease +on land and on sea. He wore Mannanan's coat of +mail: no one could be wounded through it, or above +it, or below it. He had on his breast Mannanan's +breast-plate, which no weapon could pierce. His +helmet had two glittering precious stones set in front, +and one behind; and whenever he took it off, his face +shone like the sun on a dry day in summer. Mannanan's +sword, The Answerer, hung at his left side: +no one ever recovered from its wound; and those who +were opposed to it in the battle-field were so terrified +by looking at it, that their strength left them till they +became weaker than a woman in deadly sickness.</p> + +<p>This troop came forward to where the king of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +Erin sat surrounded by the Dedannans, and both +parties exchanged friendly greetings.</p> + +<p>A short time after this they saw another company +approaching, quite unlike the first, for they were grim +and fierce and surly looking; namely, the tax-gatherers +of the Fomorians, to the number of nine nines, who +were coming to demand their yearly tribute from the +men of Erin. When they reached the place where the +king sat, the entire assembly—the king himself among +the rest—rose up before them. For the whole Dedannan +race stood in great dread of these Fomorian +tax-collectors; so much so that no man dared even +to chastise his own son without first seeking their +consent.</p> + +<p>Then Luga of the Long Arms spoke to the king +and said, "Why have ye stood up before this hateful-looking +company, when ye did not stand up for us?"</p> + +<p>"We durst not do otherwise," replied the king; +"for if even an infant of a month old remained seated +before them, they would deem it cause enough for +killing us all."</p> + +<p>When Luga heard this he brooded in silence for a +little while, and then he said, "Of a truth, I feel a +great desire to kill all these men!"</p> + +<p>Then he mused again, and after a time, said, "I +am strongly urged to kill these men!"</p> + +<p>"That deed would doubtless bring great evil on +us," said the king, "for then the Fomorians would be +sure to send an army to destroy us all."</p> + +<p>But Luga, after another pause, started up, exclaiming,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +"Long have ye been oppressed in this manner!" +and so saying, he attacked the Fomorians, dealing red +slaughter among them. Neither did he hold his hand +till he had slain them all except nine. These he +spared, because they ran with all speed and sat nigh +the king, that he might protect them from Luga's +wrath.</p> + +<p>Then Luga put his sword back into its scabbard, +and said, "I would slay you also, only that I wish you +to go and tell your king, and the foreigners in general, +what you have seen."</p> + +<p>These nine men accordingly returned to their own +country, and they told their tale to the Fomorian +people from beginning to end—how the strange, noble-faced +youth had slain all the tax-collectors except +nine, whom he spared that they might bring home the +story.</p> + +<p>When they had ended speaking, the king, Balor<a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> of +the Mighty Blows and of the Evil Eye, asked the +chiefs, "Do ye know who this youth is?"</p> + +<p>And when they answered, "No," Kethlenda,<a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> +Balor's queen, said—</p> + +<p>"I know well who the youth is: he is the +Ildana,<a name="FNanchor_XXX._58" id="FNanchor_XXX._58"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXX._58" class="fnanchor">[XXX.]</a> Luga of the Long Arms, the son of your +daughter and mine; and it has been long foretold that +when he should appear in Erin, our sway over the +Dedannans should come to an end."</p> + +<p>Then the chief people of the Fomorians held<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +council; namely, Balor of the Mighty Blows, and his +twelve sons, and his queen Kethlenda of the Crooked +Teeth; Ebb and Sencab, the grandsons of Neid; Sotal +of the Large Heels; Luath the Long-bodied; Luath the +Story-teller; Tinna the Mighty, of Triscadal; Loskenn +of the Bare Knees; Lobas, the druid; besides the nine +prophetic poets and philosophers of the Fomorians.</p> + +<p>After they had debated the matter for some time, +Bres, the son of Balor, arose and said, "I will go to +Erin with seven great battalions of the Fomorian +army, and I will give battle to the Ildana, and I will +bring his head to you to our palace of Berva."<a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<p>The Fomorian chiefs thought well of this proposal, +and it was agreed to.</p> + +<p>So the ships were got ready for Bres; abundant +food and drink and war stores were put into them, +their seams were calked with pitch, and they were +filled with sweet-smelling frankincense. Meantime +the two Luaths, that is to say, Luath the Story-teller +and Luath of the Long Body, were sent all over Lochlann +to summon the army. And when all the fighting +men were gathered together, they arrayed themselves +in their battle-dresses, prepared their arms, and set +out for Erin.</p> + +<p>Balor went with them to the harbour where they +were to embark, and when they were about to go on +board, he said to them—</p> + +<p>"Give battle to the Ildana, and cut off his head. +And after ye have overcome him and his people, put +your cables round this island of Erin, which gives us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +so much trouble, and tie it at the sterns of your ships: +then sail home, bringing the island with you, and +place it on the north side of Lochlann, whither none +of the Dedannans will ever follow it."</p> + +<p>Then, having hoisted their many-coloured sails and +loosed their moorings, they sailed forth from the +harbour into the great sea, and never slackened speed +or turned aside from their course till they reached the +harbour of Eas-Dara.<a name="FNanchor_XXXI._59" id="FNanchor_XXXI._59"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXXI._59" class="fnanchor">[XXXI.]</a> And as soon as they landed, +they sent forth an army through West Connaught, +which wasted and spoiled the whole province.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_II" id="BCHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE MURDER OF KIAN.</p> + + +<p>Now the king of Connaught at that time was Bove +Derg, the son of the Dagda,<a name="FNanchor_XXXII._60" id="FNanchor_XXXII._60"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXXII._60" class="fnanchor">[XXXII.]</a> a friend to Luga of the +Long Arms. It chanced that Luga was then at Tara,<a name="FNanchor_XXXIII._61" id="FNanchor_XXXIII._61"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXXIII._61" class="fnanchor">[XXXIII.]</a> +and news was brought to him that the Fomorians +had landed at Eas-Dara, and were spoiling and wasting +the province. He immediately got ready his steed, +Enbarr of the Flowing Mane; and early in the morning, +when the point of night met the day, he went to the +king and told him that the foreigners had landed, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +that they had wasted and plundered the province of +Bove Derg.</p> + +<p>"I shall give them battle," said Luga; "and I wish +to get from thee some help of men and arms."</p> + +<p>"I will give no help," said the king; "for I do not +wish to avenge a deed that has not been done against +myself."</p> + +<p>When Luga heard this reply he was wroth, and +departing straightway from Tara, he rode westward. +He had not travelled long when he saw at a distance +three warriors, fully armed, riding towards him. Now +these were three brothers, the sons of Canta; namely, +Kian and Cu and Kethen; and Kian was Luga's +father. And they saluted each other, and conversed +together for a time.</p> + +<p>"Why art thou abroad so early?" said they.</p> + +<p>"Cause enough have I," replied Luga; "for the +Fomorians have landed in Erin, and have wasted the +province of Bove Derg, the son of the Dagda. It is +well indeed that I have met you, for I am about +to give them battle, and I wish now to know what aid +I shall get from you."</p> + +<p>"We will go into the battle with you," said they; +"and each of us will ward off from you a hundred of +the Fomorian warriors."</p> + +<p>"That, indeed, is good help," said Luga; "but, for +the present, I wish you to go to the several places +throughout Erin where the Fairy Host<a name="FNanchor_XXXIV._62" id="FNanchor_XXXIV._62"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXXIV._62" class="fnanchor">[XXXIV.]</a> are abiding, +and summon them all to me."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> +<p>The three brothers accordingly separated, Cu and +Kethen going south, while Luga's father, Kian, turned +his face northwards, and rode on till he came to Moy +Murthemna.<a name="FNanchor_XXXV._63" id="FNanchor_XXXV._63"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXXV._63" class="fnanchor">[XXXV.]</a> He had not been long travelling over +the plain when he saw three warriors, clad in armour +and fully armed, coming towards him. These were +three Dedannan chiefs, the sons of Turenn, and their +names were Brian, Ur, and Urcar. Now these three and +the three sons of Canta were at deadly feud with +each other, on account of an old quarrel, and whenever +they met there was sure to be a fight for life or death.</p> + +<p>As soon as Kian saw these three, he said, "If my +two brothers were now with me, we should have a +brave fight; but as they are not, and as I am only one +against three, it is better to avoid the combat." So +saying, he looked round, and seeing near him a herd +of swine he struck himself with a golden druidical<a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> +wand, and changed himself into a pig; and he quickly +joined the herd.</p> + +<p>No sooner had he done so than Brian, the eldest +of the sons of Turenn, said to his brothers, "Tell me, +my brothers, do you know what has become of the +warrior that we saw just now approaching us on the +plain?"</p> + +<p>"We saw him," said they, "but we know not +whither he has gone."</p> + +<p>"You deserve great blame," said he, "that you are +not more watchful while traversing the country during +this time of war. Now I know what has happened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +to this warrior; he has changed himself, by a druidical +spell, into a pig; and he is now among yonder herd. +And whoever he may be, of this be sure—he is no +friend of ours."</p> + +<p>"This is an unlucky matter," said they; "for as +these pigs belong to one of the Dedannans, it would be +wrong for us to kill them; and even if we should do +so, the enchanted pig might escape after all."</p> + +<p>"But," answered Brian, "I think I can manage to +distinguish any druidical beast from a natural one; +and if you had attended well to your learning, you +would be able to do the same."</p> + +<p>Saying this, he struck his brothers one after the +other with his golden druidical wand, and turned them +into two fleet, slender, sharp-nosed hounds. The +moment he had done so they put their noses to the +earth, and, yelping eagerly, set off towards the herd on +the trail of their enemy. When they had come near, +the druidical pig fell out from the herd, and made +towards a thick grove that grew hard by; but Brian +was there before him, and drove his spear through his +chest.</p> + +<p>The pig screamed and said, "You have done an ill +deed to cast your spear at me, for you know well who +I am."</p> + +<p>"Your voice, methinks, is the voice of a man," said +Brian; "but I know not who you are."</p> + +<p>And the pig answered, "I am Kian, the son of +Canta; and now I ask you to give me quarter."</p> + +<p>Ur and Urcar, who had regained their shape and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +come up, said, "We will give you quarter indeed, and +we are sorry for what has happened to you."</p> + +<p>But Brian, on the other hand, said, "I swear by the +gods of the air, that if your life returned to you seven +times, I would take it from you seven times."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Kian, "as you will not grant me +quarter, allow me first to return to my own shape."</p> + +<p>"That we will grant you," said Brian; "for I often +feel it easier to kill a man than to kill a pig."</p> + +<p>Kian accordingly took his own shape; and then he +said, "You indeed, ye sons of Turenn, are now about +to slay me; but even so, I have outwitted you. For +if you had slain me in the shape of a pig, you would +have to pay only the eric-fine<a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> for a pig; whereas, +now that I am in my own shape, you shall pay the +full fine for a man. And there never yet was killed, +and there never shall be killed, a man for whom a +greater fine shall be paid, than you will have to pay +for me. The weapons with which I am slain shall +tell the deed to my son; and he will exact the fine +from you."</p> + +<p>"You shall not be slain with the weapons of a +warrior," said Brian; and so saying, he and his +brothers laid aside their arms, and smote him fiercely +and rudely with the round stones of the earth, till they +had reduced his body to a disfigured mass; and in this +manner they slew him.</p> + +<p>They then buried him a man's height in the earth; +but the earth, being angry at the fratricide,<a name="FNanchor_XXXVI._64" id="FNanchor_XXXVI._64"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXXVI._64" class="fnanchor">[XXXVI.]</a> refused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +to receive the body, and cast it up on the surface. +They buried him a second time, and again the body +was thrown up from beneath the clay. Six times the +sons of Turenn buried the body of Kian a man's +height in the earth, and six times did the earth cast it +up, refusing to receive it. But when they had buried +him the seventh time, the earth refused no longer, and +the body remained in the grave.</p> + +<p>Then the sons of Turenn prepared to go forward +after Luga of the Long Arms to the battle. But as +they were leaving the grave, they thought they heard +a faint, muffled voice coming up from the ground +beneath their feet—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">The blood you have spilled,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">The hero you've killed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shall follow your steps till your doom be fulfilled!<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_III" id="BCHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">DEFEAT AND FLIGHT OF THE LOCHLANNS.</p> + + +<p>Now as to Luga. After parting from his father, he +journeyed westward till he reached Ath-Luan,<a name="FNanchor_XXXVII._65" id="FNanchor_XXXVII._65"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXXVII._65" class="fnanchor">[XXXVII.]</a> thence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +to Ros-Coman, and over Moy-Lurg to the Curlieu Hills, +and to the mountain of Kesh-Corran, till he reached +the "Great Plain of the Assembly," where the foreigners +were encamped, with the spoils of Connaught around +them.</p> + +<p>As he drew nigh to the Fomorian encampment, +Bres, the son of Balor, arose and said—</p> + +<p>"A wonderful thing has come to pass this day; for +the sun, it seems to me, has risen in the west."</p> + +<p>"It would be better that it were so," said the +druids,<a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> "than that matters should be as they are."</p> + +<p>"What else can it be, then?" asked Bres.</p> + +<p>"The light you see," replied the druids, "is the +brightness of the face, and the flashing of the weapons +of Luga of the Long Arms, our deadly enemy, he +who slew our tax-gatherers, and who now approaches."</p> + +<p>Then Luga came up peacefully and saluted them.</p> + +<p>"How does it come to pass that you salute us," said +they, "since you are, as we know well, our enemy?"</p> + +<p>"I have good cause for saluting you," answered +Luga; "for only one half of my blood is Dedannan; +the other half comes from you; for I am the son of +the daughter of Balor of the Mighty Blows, your +king.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> And now I come in peace, to ask you to give +back to the men of Connaught all the milch cows you +have taken from them."</p> + +<p>"May ill luck follow thee," said one of the Fomorian +leaders, in a voice loud and wrathful, "until thou +get one of them, either a milch cow or a dry cow!"</p> + +<p>And the others spoke in a like strain.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Luga put a druidical spell upon the plundered +cattle; and he sent all the milch cows home, each to +the door of her owner's house, throughout all that +part of Connaught that had been plundered. But the +dry cows he left, so that the Fomorians might be +cumbered, and that they might not leave their encampment +till the Fairy Host should arrive to give +them battle.</p> + +<p>Luga tarried three days and three nights near +them, and at the end of that time the Fairy Host +arrived, and placed themselves under his command. +They encamped near the Fomorians, and in a little +time Bove Derg, son of the Dagda, joined them with +twenty-nine hundred men.</p> + +<p>Then they made ready for the fight. The Ildana +put on Mannanan's coat of mail and his breast-plate; +he took also his helmet, which was called Cannbarr, +and it glittered in the sun with dazzling brightness; +he slung his broad, dark-blue shield from his shoulder +at one side; his long, keen-edged sword hung at his +thigh; and lastly, he took his two long, heavy-handled +spears, which had been tempered in the poisonous +blood of adders. The other kings and chiefs of the +men of Erin arrayed their men in battle ranks; +hedges of glittering spears rose high above their +heads; and their shields, placed edge to edge, formed +a firm fence around them.</p> + +<p>Then at the signal they attacked the Fomorians, +and the Fomorians, in no degree dismayed, answered +their onset. At first a cloud of whizzing javelins flew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +from rank to rank across the open space, and as the +warriors rushed together in closer conflict, their spears +were shivered in their hands. Then they drew their +gold-hilted swords, and fought foot to foot and shield +to shield, so that a forest of bright flashes rose high +above their helmets, from the clashing of their keen-tempered +weapons.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the fight, Luga looked round, and +seeing at some distance, Bres, surrounded by his +Fomorian warriors, dealing havoc and death among +the Dedannans, he rushed through the press of battle, +and attacked first Bres's guards so fiercely that in +a few moments twenty of them fell beneath his blows.</p> + +<p>Then he struck at Bres himself, who, unable to +withstand his furious onset, cried aloud—</p> + +<p>"Why should we be enemies, since thou art of my +kin? Let there be peace between us, for nothing can +withstand thy blows. Let there be peace, and I will +undertake to bring my Fomorians to assist thee at +Moytura,<a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> and I will promise never again to come +to fight against thee."</p> + +<p>And Bres swore by the sun and the moon, by the +sea and land, and by all the elements,<a name="FNanchor_XXXVIII._66" id="FNanchor_XXXVIII._66"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXXVIII._66" class="fnanchor">[XXXVIII.]</a> to fulfil his +engagement; and on these conditions Luga granted +him his life.</p> + +<p>Then the Fomorians, seeing their chief overcome, +dropped their arms, and sued for quarter. The Fomorian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +druids and men of learning next came to Luga +to ask him to spare their lives; and Luga answered +them—</p> + +<p>"So far am I from wishing to slay you, that in +truth, if you had taken the whole Fomorian race +under your protection, I would have spared them."</p> + +<p>And after this, Bres, the son of Balor, returned to +his own country with his druids, and with those of +his army who had escaped from the battle.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_IV" id="BCHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ERIC-FINE ON THE SONS OF TURENN FOR THE +SLAYING OF KIAN.</p> + + +<p>Towards the close of the day, when the battle was +ended, Luga espied two of his near friends; and he +asked them if they had seen his father, Kian, in the +fight. And when they answered, "No," Luga said—</p> + +<p>"My father is not alive; for if he lived he would +surely have come to help me in the battle. And now +I swear that neither food nor drink will I take till +I have found out who has slain him, and the manner +of his death."</p> + +<p>Then Luga set out with a small chosen band of +the Fairy Host, and he halted not till he reached the +place where he had parted from his father. And from +that he travelled on to the plain of Murthemna, where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +Kian had been forced to take the shape of a pig to +avoid the sons of Turenn, and where they had slain +him.</p> + +<p>When he had come near to the very spot, he +walked some little way before his companions, and +the stones of the earth spoke beneath his feet, and +said—</p> + +<p>"Here thy father lies, O Luga. Grievous was +Kian's strait when he was forced to take the shape +of a pig on seeing the three sons of Turenn; and here +they slew him in his own shape!"</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">The blood that they spilled,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">The hero they killed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shall darken their lives till their doom be fulfilled!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Luga stood for a while silent, pondering on these +words. But as his companions came up, he told them +what had happened; and having pointed out the spot +from which the voice came, he caused the ground to +be dug up. There they found the body, and raised it +to the surface; and when they had examined it, they +saw that it was covered all over with gory wounds +and bruises.</p> + +<p>Then Luga spoke after a long silence, "A cruel +and merciless death has my beloved father suffered at +the hands of the sons of Turenn!"</p> + +<p>He kissed his father's face three times, and again +spoke, grieving, "Ill fare the day on which my father +was slain! Woful is this deed to me, for my eyes see +not, my ears hear not, and my heart's pulse has ceased +to beat, for grief. Why, O ye gods whom I worship,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +why was I not present when this deed was done? +Alas! an evil thing has happened, for the Dedannans +have slain their brother Dedannan. Ill shall they fare +of this fratricide, for its consequences shall follow +them, and long shall the crime of brother against +brother continue to be committed in Erin!"</p> + +<p>And he spoke this speech—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A dreadful doom my father found<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On that ill-omened even-tide;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And here I mourn beside the mound,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Where, whelmed by numbers, Kian died,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">This lonely mound of evil fame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That long shall bear the hero's name!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Alas! an evil deed is done,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And long shall Erin rue the day:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There shall be strife 'twixt sire and son,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And brothers shall their brothers slay;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vengeance shall smite the murderers too,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And vengeance all their race pursue!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The light has faded from mine eyes;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">My youthful strength and power have fled<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Weary my heart with ceaseless sighs;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ambition, hope, and joy are dead;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And all the world is draped in gloom—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The shadow of my father's tomb!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then they placed the hero again in the grave, and +they raised a tomb over him with his name graved in +Ogam;<a name="FNanchor_XXXIX._67" id="FNanchor_XXXIX._67"></a><a href="#Footnote_XXXIX._67" class="fnanchor">[XXXIX.]</a> after which his lamentation lays were sung, +and his funeral games were performed.</p> + +<p>When these rites were ended, Luga said to his +people, "Go ye now to Tara, where the king of Erin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +sits on his throne with the Dedannans around him; +but do not make these things known till I myself +have told them."</p> + +<p>So Luga's people went straightway to Tara, as he +had bade them; but of the murder of Kian they said +naught. Luga himself arrived some time after, and +was received with great honour, being put to sit high +over the others, at the king's side; for the fame of his +mighty deeds at the battle of the Assembly Plain had +been noised over the whole country, and had come to +the ears of the king.</p> + +<p>After he was seated, he looked round the hall, and +saw the sons of Turenn in the assembly. Now these +three sons of Turenn exceeded all the champions in +Tara, in comeliness of person, in swiftness of foot, +and in feats of arms; and, next to Luga himself, they +were the best and bravest in the battles against the +Fomorians; wherefore they were honoured by the king +beyond most others.</p> + +<p>Luga asked the king that the chain of silence<a name="FNanchor_XL._68" id="FNanchor_XL._68"></a><a href="#Footnote_XL._68" class="fnanchor">[XL.]</a> +should be shaken; and when it was shaken, and when +all were listening in silence, he stood up and spoke—</p> + +<p>"I perceive, ye nobles of the Dedannan race, that +you have given me your attention, and now I have +a question to put to each man here present: What +vengeance would you take of the man who should +knowingly and of design kill your father?"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> +<p>They were all struck with amazement on hearing +this, and the king of Erin said—</p> + +<p>"What does this mean? For that your father has +not been killed, this we all know well!"</p> + +<p>"My father has indeed been killed," answered +Luga; "and I see now here in this hall those who slew +him. And furthermore, I know the manner in which +they put him to death, even as they know it themselves."</p> + +<p>The sons of Turenn, hearing all this, said nothing; +but the king spoke aloud and said—</p> + +<p>"If any man should wilfully slay my father, it is +not in one hour or in one day I would have him put +to death; but I would lop off one of his members +each day, till I saw him die in torment under my +hands!"</p> + +<p>All the nobles said the same, and the sons of +Turenn in like manner.</p> + +<p>"The persons who slew my father are here present, +and are joining with the rest in this judgment," said +Luga; "and as the Dedannans are all now here to +witness, I claim that the three who have done this +evil deed shall pay me a fitting eric-fine for my father. +Should they refuse, I shall not indeed transgress the +king's law nor violate his protection; but of a certainty +they shall not leave this hall of Micorta<a name="FNanchor_XLI._69" id="FNanchor_XLI._69"></a><a href="#Footnote_XLI._69" class="fnanchor">[XLI.]</a> till the +matter is settled."</p> + +<p>And the king of Erin said, "If I had killed your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +father, I should be well content if you were willing +to accept an eric-fine from me."</p> + +<p>Now the sons of Turenn spoke among themselves; +and Ur and Urcar said, "It is of us Luga speaks this +speech. He has doubtless found out that we slew his +father; and it is better that we now acknowledge the +deed, for it will avail us naught to hide it."</p> + +<p>Brian, however, at first set his face against this, +saying that he feared Luga only wanted an acknowledgment +from them in presence of the other Dedannans, +and that afterwards he might not accept a +fine. But the other two were earnest in pressing him, +so that he consented, and then he spoke to Luga—</p> + +<p>"It is of us thou speakest all these things, Luga; +for it has been said that we three have been at enmity +with the three sons of Canta. Now, as to the slaying +of thy father Kian, let that matter rest; but we are +willing to pay an eric-fine for him, even as if we had +killed him."</p> + +<p>"I shall accept an eric-fine from you," said Luga, +"though ye indeed fear I shall not. I shall now name +before this assembly the fine I ask, and if you think +it too much, I shall take off a part of it.</p> + +<p>"The first part of my eric-fine is three apples; the +second part is the skin of a pig; the third is a spear; +the fourth, two steeds and a chariot; the fifth, seven +pigs; the sixth, a hound-whelp; the seventh, a cooking-spit; +and the eighth, three shouts on a hill. That is +my eric," said Luga; "and if ye think it too much, say +so now, that I may remit a part; but if not, then it +will be well that ye set about paying it."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So far," said Brian, "we do not deem it too +great. It seems, indeed, so small that we fear there is +some hidden snare in what you ask, which may work +us mischief."</p> + +<p>"I do not deem my eric too small," said Luga; +"and now I engage here, before the assembled Dedannans, +that I will ask no more, and that I will seek +no further vengeance for my father's death. But, as I +have made myself answerable to them for the faithful +fulfilment of my promise, I demand the same guarantee +from you, that you also be faithful to me."</p> + +<p>"Alas that you should doubt our plighted word!" +said the sons of Turenn. "Are we not ourselves +sufficient guarantee for the payment of an eric-fine +greater even than this?"</p> + +<p>"I do not deem your word sufficient guarantee," +answered Luga; "for often have we known great +warriors like you to promise a fine before all the +people, and afterwards to go back of their promise."</p> + +<p>And the sons of Turenn consented, though unwillingly, +for they grieved that their word should be +doubted. So they bound themselves on either side—Luga +not to increase his claims; and the sons of +Turenn, on their part, to pay him the full fine. And +the king of Erin and Bove Derg, son of the Dagda, +and the nobles of the Dedannans in general, were +witnesses and sureties of this bond.</p> + +<p>Then Luga stood up and said, "It is now time +that I give you a full knowledge of this eric-fine.</p> + +<p>"The three apples I ask are the apples of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +Garden of Hisberna,<a name="FNanchor_XLII._70" id="FNanchor_XLII._70"></a><a href="#Footnote_XLII._70" class="fnanchor">[XLII.]</a> in the east of the world, and +none others will I have. There are no apples in the +rest of the world like them, for their beauty and for +the secret virtues they possess. Their colour is the +colour of burnished gold; they have the taste of honey; +and if a wounded warrior or a man in deadly sickness +eat of them, he is cured immediately. And they are +never lessened by being eaten, being as large and +perfect at the end as at the beginning. Moreover +any champion that possesses one of them may perform +with it whatsoever feat he pleases, by casting it from +his hand, and the apple will return to him of itself. +And though you are three brave warriors, ye sons of +Turenn, methinks you will not find it easy to bring +away these apples; for it has been long foretold that +three young champions from the Island of the West +would come to take them by force, so that the king +has set guards to watch for your coming.</p> + +<p>"The pig's skin I seek from you belongs to Tuis, +the king of Greece. When the pig was alive, every +stream of water through which she walked was turned +into wine for nine days, and all sick and wounded +people that touched her skin were at once cured, +if only the breath of life remained. Now the king's +druids told him that the virtue lay, not in the pig +herself, but in her skin; so the king had her killed and +skinned, and he has her skin now. This, too, ye valiant +champions, is a part of my eric-fine which you will +find it hard to get, either by force or by friendship.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> +<p>"The spear I demand from you is the venomed +spear of Pezar, king of Persia. Its name is Slaughterer. +In time of peace, its blazing, fiery head is always kept +in a great caldron of water, to prevent it from burning +down the king's palace; and in time of war, the +champion who bears it to the battle-field can perform +any deed he pleases with it. And it will be no easy +matter to get this spear from the king of Persia.</p> + +<p>"The two steeds and the chariot belong to Dobar, +king of Sigar.<a name="FNanchor_XLIII._71" id="FNanchor_XLIII._71"></a><a href="#Footnote_XLIII._71" class="fnanchor">[XLIII.]</a> The chariot exceeds all the chariots +in the world for beauty of shape and goodliness of +workmanship. The two noble steeds have no equal +for strength and fleetness, and they travel with as +much ease on sea as on land.</p> + +<p>"The seven pigs I demand are the pigs of Asal, +the king of the Golden Pillars. Whoever eats a part +of them shall not suffer from ill health or disease; and +even though they should be killed and eaten to-day, +they will be alive and well to-morrow.</p> + +<p>"The hound-whelp belongs to the king of Iroda,<a name="FNanchor_XLIV._72" id="FNanchor_XLIV._72"></a><a href="#Footnote_XLIV._72" class="fnanchor">[XLIV.]</a> +and his name is Failinis. He shines as brightly as +the sun in a summer sky; and every wild beast of the +forest that sees him falls down to the earth powerless +before him.</p> + +<p>"The cooking-spit belongs to the warlike women +of the island of Fincara. They are thrice fifty in +number, and woe to the champion who approaches<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +their house; for each of them is a match for three +good warriors in single combat; and they never yet +gave a cooking-spit to any one without being overcome +in battle.</p> + +<p>"The hill on which I require you to give three +shouts is the Hill of Midkena, in the north of Lochlann.<a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> +Midkena and his sons are always guarding this hill, +for they are under gesa<a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> not to allow any one to +shout on it. Moreover, it was they that instructed my +father in championship and feats of arms, and they +loved him very much; so that even if I should forgive +you his death they would not. And, though you +should be able to procure all the rest of the eric-fine, +you will not, I think, succeed in this, for they will +be sure to avenge on you my father's death.</p> + +<p>"And this, ye sons of Turenn, is the eric-fine I +demand from you!"</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_V" id="BCHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE SONS OF TURENN OBTAIN MANNANAN'S CANOE, +"THE WAVE-SWEEPER."</p> + + +<p>The sons of Turenn were so astounded on hearing +this eric-fine that they spoke not one word; but rising +up, they left the meeting, and repaired to the house +of their father Turenn.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<p>He heard their story to the end, and then said, +"Your tidings are bad, my sons, and I fear me you are +doomed to meet your death in seeking what the +Ildana asks. But the doom is a just one, for it was +an evil thing to kill Kian. Now as to this eric-fine: it +cannot be obtained by any living man without the +help of either Luga himself or of Mannanan Mac Lir;<a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> +but if Luga wishes to aid you, ye shall be able to +get it. Go ye now, therefore, and ask him to lend you +Mannanan's steed, Enbarr of the Flowing Mane. If +he wishes you to get the full eric-fine, he will lend +you the steed; otherwise he will refuse, saying that +she does not belong to him, and that he cannot lend +what he himself has got on loan. Then, if ye obtain +not the steed, ask him for the loan of Mannanan's +canoe, the Wave-sweeper, which would be better for +you than the steed; and he will lend you that, for he +is forbidden to refuse a second request."</p> + +<p>So the sons of Turenn returned to Luga, and +having saluted him, they said—</p> + +<p>"It is not in the power of any man to obtain this +eric-fine without thy own aid, O Luga; we ask thee, +therefore, to lend us Mannanan's steed, Enbarr of the +Flowing Mane."</p> + +<p>"That steed is not my own," said Luga; "and I +cannot lend that which I have myself obtained on +loan."</p> + +<p>"If that be so," said Brian, "then I pray thee lend +us Mannanan's canoe, the Wave-sweeper."</p> + +<p>"I shall lend you that," replied Luga; "it lies at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +Bruga of the Boyne;<a name="FNanchor_XLV._73" id="FNanchor_XLV._73"></a><a href="#Footnote_XLV._73" class="fnanchor">[XLV.]</a> and ye have my consent to +take it."</p> + +<p>So they came again to their father, and this time +Ethnea, their sister, was with him; and they told +them that Luga had given them the canoe.</p> + +<p>"I have much fear," said Turenn, "that it will +avail you little against the dangers of your quest. +Nevertheless, Luga desires to obtain that part of the +eric that will be useful to him at the battle of Moytura,<a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> +and so far he will help you. But in seeking +that which is of no advantage to him, namely, the +cooking-spit, and the three shouts on Midkena's Hill, +therein he will give you no aid, and he will be glad +if ye perish in your attempts to obtain it."</p> + +<p>They then set out for Bruga of the Boyne, accompanied +by their sister Ethnea, leaving Turenn lamenting +after them. The canoe they found lying in the +river; and Brian went into it and said—</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that only one other person can +sit here along with me;" and he began to complain +very bitterly of its smallness. He ceased, however, +at the bidding of Ethnea, who told him that the +canoe would turn out large enough when they came +to try it, and that it was under strict command not to +let any one grumble at its smallness. And she went +on to say—</p> + +<p>"Alas, my beloved brothers, it was an evil deed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +to slay the father of Luga of the Long Arms! and +I fear you will suffer much woe and hardship on +account of it."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Ethnea.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The deed was a dark one, a deed full of woe,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Your brother Dedannan to slay;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And hard and relentless the heart of your foe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The bright-faced Ildana, that forced you to go,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">This eric of vengeance to pay!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">The Brothers.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, cease, sister Ethnea, cease thy sad wail;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Why yield to this terror and gloom?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Long, long shall the poets remember the tale,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For our courage and valour and swords shall prevail,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Or win us a glorious tomb!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Ethnea.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then search ye, my brothers, go search land and sea;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Go search ye the isles of the East.—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Alas, that the cruel Ildana's decree<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Has banished my three gentle brothers from me,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On this fearful and perilous quest!<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_VI" id="BCHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE APPLES OF THE GARDEN OF HISBERNA.</p> + + +<p>After this the three brothers entered the canoe, +which they now found large enough to hold themselves +and their arms, and whatsoever else they wished +to bring; for this was one of its secret gifts. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +then bade their sister farewell, and, leaving her weeping +on the shore, they rowed swiftly till they had got +beyond the beautiful shores and bright harbours of +Erin, out on the open sea.</p> + +<p>Then the two younger brothers said, "Now our +quest begins: what course shall we take?"</p> + +<p>Brian answered, "As the apples are the first part of +the fine, we shall seek them first."</p> + +<p>And then he spoke to the canoe, "Thou canoe of +Mannanan, thou Sweeper of the waves, we ask thee +and we command thee, that thou sail straightway to +the Garden of Hisberna!"</p> + +<p>The canoe was not unmindful of the voice of its +master, and obeyed the command without delay, +according to its wont. It took the shortest way across +the deep sea-chasms, and, gliding over the green-sided +waves more swiftly than the clear, cold wind of March, +it stayed not in its course till it reached the harbour +near the land of Hisberna.</p> + +<p>Brian now spoke to his brothers, "Be sure that +this quest is a perilous one, since we know that the +best champions of the country, with the king at their +head, are always guarding the apples. And now in +what manner, think you, is it best for us to approach +the garden?"</p> + +<p>"It seems to us," answered his brothers, "that we +had better go straight and attack these champions, and +either bring away the apples, or fall fighting for them. +For we cannot escape the dangers that lie before us; +and if we are doomed to fall in one of these adventures,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +it may, perchance, be better for us to die here than to +prolong our hardships."</p> + +<p>But Brian answered, "Not so, my brothers; for it +becomes a warrior to be prudent and wary as well as +brave. We should now act so that the fame of our +skill and valour may live after us, and that future men +may not say, 'These sons of Turenn did not deserve to +be called brave champions, for they were senseless and +rash, and sought their own death by their folly.' In +the present case, then, what I counsel is this: Let us +take the shape of strong, swift hawks; and as we +approach the garden, have ye care of the light, sharp +lances of the guards, which they will certainly hurl at +us: avoid them actively and cunningly, and when the +men have thrown all, let us swoop down and bring +away an apple each."</p> + +<p>They approved this counsel; and Brian, striking +his two brothers and himself with a druidical magic +wand, all three were changed into three beautiful +hawks. Then, flying swiftly to the garden, they +began to descend in circles towards the tops of the +trees; but the sharp-eyed guards perceived them, and +with a great shout they threw showers of venomous +darts at them. The hawks, however, mindful of +Brian's warning, watched the spears with keen glances, +and escaped them every one, until the guards had +thrown all their light weapons. Then, swooping +suddenly down on the trees, the two younger brothers +carried off an apple each, and Brian two, one between +his talons and the other in his beak; and the three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +rose again into the air without wound or hurt of any +kind. Then, directing their course westward, they +flew over the wide sea with the speed of an arrow.</p> + +<p>The news spread quickly through the city, how +three beautiful hawks had carried off the apples; and +the king and his people were in great wrath. Now +the king had three daughters, very skilful in magic +and cunning in counsel; and they forthwith transformed +themselves into three swift-winged, sharp-taloned +griffins, and pursued the hawks over the +sea. But the hawks, when they saw they were +pursued, increased their speed, and flew like the wind, +and left their pursuers so far behind that they +appeared to the griffins like three specks on the +sky. Then the angry griffins let fly from their eyes, +and from their open beaks, bright flashes of flame +straight forward, which overtook and blinded the +hawks, and scorched them, so that they could bear the +heat no longer.</p> + +<p>"Evil is our state now," said Ur and Urcar, "for +these sheets of flame are burning us, and we shall +perish if we do not get relief."</p> + +<p>"I will try whether I cannot relieve you," said Brian; +and with that he struck his brothers and himself with +his golden druidical wand; and all three were instantly +turned into swans. The swans dropped down on the +sea; and when the griffins saw the hawks no longer +straight before them, they gave up the chase. And +the sons of Turenn went safely to their canoe, bringing +the apples with them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_VII" id="BCHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE GIFTED SKIN OF THE PIG.</p> + + +<p>After resting a little while, they held council as to +their next journey; and what they resolved on was +to go to Greece, to seek the skin of the pig, and to +bring it away, either by consent or by force. So they +went into the canoe, and Brian spoke—</p> + +<p>"Thou canoe of Mannanan, thou Sweeper of the +Waves, we ask thee and we command thee that thou +sail with us straightway to Greece!"</p> + +<p>And the canoe, obeying as before, glided swiftly +and smoothly over the waves, till the sons of Turenn +landed near the palace of the king of Greece.</p> + +<p>"In what shape, think you, should we go to this +court?" said Brian.</p> + +<p>"We think it best," answered the others, "to +go in our own shapes; that is to say, as three bold +champions."</p> + +<p>"Not so," said Brian. "It seems best to me that +we should go in the guise of learned poets from Erin; +for poets are held in much honour and respect by the +great nobles of Greece."</p> + +<p>"It is, indeed, hard for us to do that," answered his +brothers, "for as to poems, we neither have any, nor +do we know how to compose them."</p> + +<p>However, as Brian would have it so, they consented, +though unwillingly; and, tying up their hair<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +after the manner of poets, they knocked at the door of +the palace. The door-keeper asked who was there.</p> + +<p>"We are skilful poets from Erin," said Brian, "and +we have come to Greece with a poem for the king."</p> + +<p>The door-keeper went and gave the message.</p> + +<p>"Let them be brought in," said the king, "for it is +to seek a good and bountiful master whom they may +serve faithfully that they have come so far from Erin."</p> + +<p>The sons of Turenn were accordingly led in to the +banquet hall, where sat the king surrounded by his +nobles; and, bowing low, they saluted him; and he +saluted them in return, and welcomed them. They sat +at the table among the company, and joined the feast +at once, drinking and making merry like the others; +and they thought they had never seen a banquet hall +so grand, or a household so numerous and mirthful.</p> + +<p>At the proper time the king's poets arose, according +to custom, to recite their poems and their lays for the +company. And when they had come to an end, Brian, +speaking low, said to his brothers—</p> + +<p>"As we have come here as poets, it is meet that +we should practise the poetic art like the others; +therefore now arise, and recite a poem for the king."</p> + +<p>"We have no poems," they replied, "and we do +not wish to practise any art except the art we have +learned and practised from our youth, namely, to fight +like brave champions, and to take by valour and force +of arms that which we want, if we be stronger than +our enemies, or to fall in battle if they be the +stronger."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That is not a pleasant way of making poetry," +said Brian; and with that he arose and requested +attention for his poem. And when they sat listening, +he said—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">To praise thee, O Tuis, we've come to this land:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like an oak among shrubs, over kings thou dost stand:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy bounty, great monarch, shall gladden the bard;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the <i>Imnocta-fessa</i> I claim as reward.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Two neighbours shall war, with an O to an O;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A bard unrequited—how dreadful a foe!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy bounty shall add to thy wealth and thy fame;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the <i>Imnocta-fessa</i> is all that I claim.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Your poem would doubtless be thought a very +good one," said the king, "if we were able to judge of +it; but it is unlike all other poems I have ever heard, +for I do not in the least understand its sense."</p> + +<p>"I will unfold its sense," said Brian.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">To praise thee, O Tuis, we've come to this land:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like an oak among shrubs, over kings thou dost stand:<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"This means that as the oak excels all the other trees +of the forest, so dost thou excel all the other kings of +the world for greatness, nobility, and generosity.</p> + +<p>"'<i>Imnocta-fessa.</i>' <i>Imnocta</i> means 'skin,' and <i>fessa</i> +'a pig.' That is to say; thou hast, O king, the skin of +a pig, which I desire to get from thee as a guerdon +for my poetry.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Two neighbours shall war, with an O to an O;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A bard unrequited—how dreadful a foe!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"<i>O</i> means 'an ear;' that is to say, thou and I shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +be ear to ear fighting with each other for the skin, if +thou give it not of thy own free will.</p> + +<p>"And that, O king, is the sense of my poem."</p> + +<p>"Thy poem would have been a very good one," +said the king, "and I would have given it due meed +of praise if my pig's skin had not been mentioned in +it. But it is a foolish request of thine, O ferdana,<a name="FNanchor_XLVI._74" id="FNanchor_XLVI._74"></a><a href="#Footnote_XLVI._74" class="fnanchor">[XLVI.]</a> +to ask for that skin; for, even though all the poets +and men of science of Erin, and all the nobles of the +whole world were to demand it from me, I would +refuse it. Nevertheless, thou shalt not pass unrewarded, +for I will give thee thrice the full of the skin +of red gold—one for thyself, and one for each of thy +brothers."</p> + +<p>"Thy ransom is a good one, O king," said Brian; +"but I am a near-hearted and suspicious man, and +I pray thee let me see with my eyes thy servants +measure the gold, lest they deal unfairly with me."</p> + +<p>The king agreed to this; so his servants went with +the three sons of Turenn to the treasure-room, and one +of them drew forth the skin from its place, to measure +the gold. As soon as Brian caught sight of it, he +sprang suddenly towards the servant, and, dashing +him to the ground with his right hand, he snatched +the skin with his left, and bound it hastily over his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>Then the three drew their keen swords, and rushed +into the banquet hall. The king's nobles, seeing how +matters stood, surrounded and attacked them; but the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +sons of Turenn, nothing daunted by the number of +their foes, hewed down the foremost and scattered the +rest, so that scarce one of the whole party escaped +death or deadly wounds.</p> + +<p>Then at last Brian and the king met face to face, +nor was either slow to answer the challenge of the +other. They fought as great champions fight, and it +was long doubtful which should prevail; but the end +of the combat was, that the king of Greece fell by the +overpowering valour of Brian, the son of Turenn.</p> + +<p>After this victory, the three brothers rested in the +palace till they had regained their strength, and healed +up their wounds by means of the apples and the pig's +skin; and at the end of three days and three nights +they found themselves able to undertake the next +adventure.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_VIII" id="BCHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE BLAZING SPEAR OF THE KING OF PERSIA.</p> + + +<p>So, after holding council, they resolved to go to seek +the spear of the king of Persia; and Brian reminded +his brothers that now, as they had the apples and the +skin to aid them, it would be all the easier to get +the spear, as well as the rest of the fine.</p> + +<p>Leaving now the shores of Greece with all its blue +streams, they went on board the canoe, which, at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +Brian's command, flew across the wide seas; and soon +they made land near the palace of Pezar, king of +Persia. And seeing how they had fared so well in +their last undertaking, they resolved to put on the +guise of poets this time also.</p> + +<p>And so they put the poet's tie on their hair, and, +passing through the outer gate, they knocked at the +door of the palace. The door-keeper asked who they +were, and from what country they had come.</p> + +<p>"We are poets from Erin," answered Brian; "and +we have brought a poem for the king."</p> + +<p>So they were admitted and brought to the presence +of the king, who seated them among the nobles of his +household; and they joined in the drinking and the +feasting and the revelry.</p> + +<p>The king's poets now arose, and chanted their +songs for the king and his guests. And when the +applause had ceased, Brian, speaking softly, said to +his brothers—</p> + +<p>"Arise, now, and chant a poem for the king."</p> + +<p>But they answered, "Ask us not to do that which +we are unable to do; but if you wish us to exercise +the art we have learned from our youth, we shall do +so, namely, the art of fighting and overcoming our +foes."</p> + +<p>"That would be an unusual way of reciting +poetry," said Brian; "but I have a poem for the king, +and I shall now chant it for him."</p> + +<p>So saying, he stood up; and when there was +silence, he recited this poem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In royal state may Pezar ever reign,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like some vast yew tree, monarch of the plain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May Pezar's mystic javelin, long and bright,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bring slaughter to his foes in every fight!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When Pezar fights and shakes his dreadful spear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whole armies fly and heroes quake with fear:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What shielded foe, what champion can withstand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The blazing spear in mighty Pezar's hand!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Your poem is a good one," said the king; "but +one thing in it I do not understand, namely, why you +make mention of my spear."</p> + +<p>"Because," answered Brian, "I wish to get that +spear as a reward for my poem."</p> + +<p>"That is a very foolish request," said the king, +"for no man ever escaped punishment who asked me +for my spear. And as to your poetry, the highest +reward I could now bestow on you, and the greatest +favour these nobles could obtain for you, is that I +should spare your life."</p> + +<p>Thereupon Brian and his brothers started up in +great wrath and drew their swords, and the king and +his chiefs drew their swords in like manner; and they +fought a deadly fight. But Brian at last, drawing +forth one of his apples, and taking sure aim, cast it at +the king and struck him on the forehead; so that +Pezar fell, pierced through the brain.</p> + +<p>After this Brian fought on more fiercely than +before, dealing destruction everywhere around him; +but when the chiefs saw that their king had fallen, +they lost heart and fled through the doors, till at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +length none remained in the banquet hall but the +three sons of Turenn.</p> + +<p>Then they went to the room where the spear was +kept; and they found it with its head down deep in +a great caldron of water, which hissed and bubbled +round it. And Brian, seizing it boldly in his hand, +drew it forth; after which the three brothers left the +palace and went to their canoe.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_IX" id="BCHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE CHARIOT AND STEEDS OF THE KING OF SIGAR.</p> + + +<p>Resting now for some days from their toil, they +resolved to seek the steeds and chariot of the king +of Sigar; for this was the next part of the Ildana's +eric-fine. So they commanded the canoe, and the +canoe, obedient to their behest, glided swiftly and +smoothly over the green waves till they landed in +Sigar. Brian bore the great, heavy, venomed spear +in his hand; and the three brothers were of good +heart, seeing how they had succeeded in their last +quest, and that they had now three parts of the fine.</p> + +<p>"In what shape think you we should go to this +court?" said Brian.</p> + +<p>"How should we go," answered the others, "but in +our own shapes, namely, as three hostile champions,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +who have come to get the chariot and steeds, either +by force or by good will?"</p> + +<p>"That is not what seems best to me," said Brian. +"My counsel is, that we go as soldiers from Erin, +willing to serve for pay; and should the king take us +into his service, it is likely we shall find out where +the chariot and steeds are kept."</p> + +<p>His brothers having agreed to this, the three set +out for the palace.</p> + +<p>It happened that the king was holding a fair-meeting +on the broad, level green before the palace; +and when the three warriors came near, the people +made way for them. They bowed low to the king; +and he asked them who they were, and from what +part of the world they had come.</p> + +<p>"We are valiant soldiers from Erin," they answered, +"seeking for service and pay among the great kings of +the world."</p> + +<p>"Do you wish to enter my service?" asked the +king: and they answered, "Yes." So they made a +covenant with each other—the king to place them in +a post of honour and trust, and they to serve him +faithfully, and to name their own reward. Whereupon +the brothers entered the ranks of the king's +body-guard.</p> + +<p>They remained in the palace for a month and a +fortnight, looking round and carefully noting everything; +but they saw nothing of the chariot and steeds. +At the end of that time Brian said to his brothers—</p> + +<p>"It fares ill with us here, my brothers; for we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +know nothing of the chariot and steeds at this hour, +more than when we first came hither."</p> + +<p>The others said this was quite true, and asked if +he meant to do anything in the matter.</p> + +<p>"This is what I think we should do," answered +Brian. "Let us put on our travelling array, and take +our arms of valour in our hands; and in this fashion +let us go before the king, and tell him that unless he +shows us the chariot and steeds, we shall leave his +service."</p> + +<p>This they did without delay; and when they had +come before the king, he asked them why they came +to his presence so armed and in travelling gear.</p> + +<p>"We will tell thee of that, O king," answered +Brian. "We are valiant soldiers from Erin, and into +whatsoever lands we have travelled, we have been +trusted with the secret counsels of the kings who +have taken us into their service; and we have been +made the guardians of their rarest jewels and of all +their gifted arms of victory. But as to thee, O king, +thou hast not so treated us since we came hither; for +thou hast a chariot and two steeds, which exceed all +the chariots and steeds in the world, and yet we have +never seen them."</p> + +<p>"A small thing it is that has caused you to prepare +for departure," said the king; "and there is, +moreover, no need that you should leave my service; +for I would have shown you those steeds the day you +came, had I only known that you wished it. But ye +shall see them now; for I have never had in my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +service soldiers from a distant land, in whom I and +my people have placed greater trust than we have +placed in you."</p> + +<p>He then sent for the steeds, and had them yoked to +the chariot—those steeds that were as fleet as the clear, +cold wind of March, and which travelled with equal +speed on land and on sea.</p> + +<p>Brian, viewing them narrowly, said aloud, "Hear +me, O king of Sicily. We have served thee faithfully +up to this time; and now we wish to name our own +pay, according to the covenant thou hast made with +us. The guerdon we demand is yonder chariot and +steeds; these we mean to have, and we shall ask for +nothing more."</p> + +<p>But the king, in great wrath, said, "Foolish and +luckless men! Ye shall certainly die because you have +dared to ask for my steeds!"</p> + +<p>And the king and his warriors drew their swords, +and rushed towards the sons of Turenn to seize them.</p> + +<p>They, on the other hand, were not taken unaware; +and a sore fight began. And Brian, watching his +opportunity, sprang with a sudden bound into the +chariot, and, dashing the charioteer to the ground, he +seized the reins in his left hand; then, raising the +venomed spear of Pezar in his right, he smote the +king with its fiery point in the breast, so that he fell +dead. And the three brothers dealt red slaughter +among the king's guards, till those who were not slain +scattered and fled in all directions. So they fared in +this undertaking.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_X" id="BCHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE SEVEN PIGS OF THE KING OF THE GOLDEN +PILLARS.</p> + + +<p>After resting till their wounds were healed, Ur and +Urcar asked where they should go next.</p> + +<p>"We shall go," said Brian, "to Asal, the king of +the Golden Pillars, to ask him for his seven pigs; for +this is the next part of the Ildana's eric-fine."</p> + +<p>So they set out; and the canoe brought them +straightway to the land of the Golden Pillars, without +delay and without mishap. As they drew nigh to +the harbour, they saw the shore lined with men all +armed. For the fame of the deeds of these great +champions had begun to be noised through many +lands; how they had been forced to leave Erin by the +hard sentence of the Ildana; and how they were +seeking and bearing away the most precious and +gifted jewels of the world to pay the fine. Wherefore +the king of the Golden Pillars had armed his people, +and had sent them to guard the harbours.</p> + +<p>The king himself came down to the beach to meet +them. As soon as they had come within speaking +distance, he bade them stay their course; and then he +asked them, in an angry and chiding tone, if they were +the three champions from Erin, who had overcome +and slain so many kings.</p> + +<p>Brian answered, "Be not displeased with us, O<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +king for in all this matter we are not to blame. The +Ildana has demanded a fine which we perforce must +pay; for we have promised, and the Dedannans are +our guarantee. If the kings to whom he sent us had +given us peaceably the precious things we demanded, +we would gladly have departed in peace; but as they +did not, we fought against them, unwillingly indeed +and overthrew them; for no one has as yet been able +to withstand us."</p> + +<p>"Tell me now," said the king, "what has brought +you to my country?"</p> + +<p>"We have come for thy seven pigs," answered +Brian; "for they are a part of the fine."</p> + +<p>"And in what manner do you think ye shall get +them?" asked the king.</p> + +<p>Brian answered, "Thou hast heard, O king, how +the Ildana has brought us to these straits, and we +must pay him the fine, every jot, or else we shall die +at the hands of our people. Thou, perchance, wilt have +pity on our hardships, and give us these pigs in token +of kindness and friendship, and if so we shall be +thankful; but if not, then we will fight for them, and +either bring them away by force, after slaying thee +and thy people or fall ourselves in the attempt."</p> + +<p>Hearing this, the king and his people went into +council; and after debating the matter at full length, +they thought it best to give the pigs peaceably, seeing +that no king, however powerful, had as yet been able +to withstand the sons of Turenn.</p> + +<p>The three champions wondered greatly when this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +was told to them; for in no other country had they +been able to get any part of the fine without battle +and hardship, and without leaving much of their blood +behind them. So they were now very glad; and +thanked Asal and his people.</p> + +<p>The king then brought them to his palace, and +gave them a kind welcome; and they were supplied +with food and drink to their hearts' desire, and slept +on soft, downy beds. So they rested after all their +weary journeys and toils.</p> + +<p>When they arose next morning, they were brought +to the king's presence, and the pigs were given to +them; and Brian addressed the king in these words—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The prizes we've brought to this land,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">We have won them in conflict and blood;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But the gift we have sought at thy hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That gift thou hast freely bestowed.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The red spear rewarded our deeds,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When Pezar the mighty we slew;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the fight for the chariot and steeds,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ah, long shall the Sigarites rue!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Great Asal! in happier days,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When our deeds bring us glory and fame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Green Erin shall echo thy praise,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And her poets shall honour thy name!<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_XI" id="BCHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE HOUND-WHELP OF THE KING OF IRODA.</p> + + +<p>"Whither do you go next, ye sons of Turenn?" asked +Asal.</p> + +<p>"We go," answered Brian, "to Iroda, for Failinis, +the king's hound-whelp."</p> + +<p>"Then grant me this boon," said the king, "namely, +that ye let me go with you to Iroda. For my daughter +is the king's wife; and I will try to prevail on him +that he give you the hound-whelp freely and without +battle."</p> + +<p>This they agreed to. But the king wished that +they should go in his own ship; so it was got ready, +and they went on board with all their wealth; and +it is not told how they fared till they reached the +borders of Iroda. The shores were covered with fierce, +armed men, who were there by orders of the king +to guard the harbour; and these men shouted at the +crew, warning them to come no farther; for they +knew the sons of Turenn, and well they knew what +they came for.</p> + +<p>Asal then requested the three champions to remain +where they were for a time, while he went on shore +to talk with his son-in-law. Accordingly he landed, +and went to the king, who, after he had welcomed +him, asked what had brought the sons of Turenn to +his country.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They have come for your hound-whelp," answered +Asal.</p> + +<p>And the king of Iroda said, "It was an evil +counsel you followed, when you came with these +men to my shores; for to no three champions in +the world have the gods given such strength or such +good luck as that they can get my hound-whelp, +either by force or by my own free will."</p> + +<p>"It will be unwise to refuse them," replied Asal. +"They have overpowered and slain many great kings; +for they have gifted arms that no warrior, however +powerful, can withstand; and behold, I have come +hither to tell you what manner of men these are, that +you might be advised by me, and give them your +hound-whelp in peace."</p> + +<p>So he pressed him earnestly; but his words were +only thrown away on the king of Iroda, who spoke +scornfully of the sons of Turenn, and refused Asal's +request with wrathful words.</p> + +<p>Asal, much troubled at this, went and told the +sons of Turenn how matters stood. And they, having +without delay put on their battle-dress, and taken +their arms in their hands, challenged the king of +Iroda and his people. Then began a very fierce and +bloody battle; for though nothing could stand before +the sons of Turenn, yet the warriors of Iroda were +many and very brave. So they fought till the two +younger brothers became separated from Brian, and +he was quite surrounded. But as he wielded the +dreadful spear of Pezar, with its blazing, fiery point,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +his enemies fell back dismayed, and the ranks were +broken before him, so that those who crossed his path +stood in a gap of danger.</p> + +<p>At length he espied the king of Iroda, where he +fought hedged round by spears; and he rushed through +the thick of the battle straight towards him, striking +down spears and swords and men as he went. And +now these two valiant warriors fought hand to +hand a stout and watchful and fierce battle—for the +others fell back by the king's command; and it was +long before any advantage was gained on either side. +But though to those who looked on, Brian seemed +the more wrathful of the two, yet he held back his +hand, so as not to slay his foe; and this it was, indeed, +that prolonged the combat, for he sought to tire out +the king. At length, watching his opportunity, Brian +closed suddenly, and, seizing the king in his strong +arms, he lifted him clean off the ground, and bore him +to where Asal stood. Then, setting him down, he +said—</p> + +<p>"Behold thy son-in-law; it would have been +easier to kill him three times over than to bring him +to thee once!"</p> + +<p>When the people saw their king a prisoner, they +ceased fighting; and the end of all was that peace +was made, and the hound-whelp was given over to +the sons of Turenn. Then they took their leave, and +left the shores of Iroda in friendship with the king +and with Asal his father-in-law.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_XII" id="BCHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">RETURN OF THE SONS OF TURENN, WITH PART OF +THE ERIC-FINE.</p> + + +<p>Now we shall speak of Luga of the Long Arms. It +was revealed to him that the sons of Turenn had +obtained all those parts of the fine which he wanted for +the battle of Moytura;<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> but that they had not yet got +the cooking-spit, or given the three shouts on Midkena's +Hill. So he sent after them a druidical spell, +which, falling on them soon after they had left Iroda, +caused them to forget the remaining part of the fine, +and filled them with a longing desire to return to +their native home. Accordingly they went on board +their canoe, bringing with them every part of the fine +they had gotten already; and the canoe glided swiftly +over the waves to Erin.</p> + +<p>At this time Luga was with the king at a fair-meeting +on the plain before Tara; and it was made +known to him secretly that the sons of Turenn had +landed at Bruga of the Boyne. He left the assembly +anon, telling no one; and he went direct to Caher-Crofinn<a name="FNanchor_XLVII._75" id="FNanchor_XLVII._75"></a><a href="#Footnote_XLVII._75" class="fnanchor">[XLVII.]</a> +at Tara, and, closing the gates and doors +after him, he put on his battle array, namely, the +smooth Greek armour of Mannanan Mac Lir, and the +enchanted mantle of the daughter of Flidas.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> +<p>Soon after, the sons of Turenn were seen approaching; +and as they came forward, the multitude flocked +out to meet them, gazing with wonder at the many +marvellous things they had brought. When the three +champions had come to the royal tent, they were +joyfully welcomed by the king and by the Dedannans +in general; and then the king spoke kindly to them, +and asked if they had brought the eric-fine.</p> + +<p>"We have obtained it after much hardship and +danger," they replied; "and now we wish to know +where Luga is, that we may hand it over to him."</p> + +<p>The king told them that Luga was at the assembly; +but when they sent to search for him, he was +nowhere to be found.</p> + +<p>"I can tell where he is," said Brian. "It has been +made known to him that we have arrived in Erin, +bringing with us gifted arms that none can withstand; +and he has gone to one of the strongholds of Tara, to +avoid us, fearing we might use these venomed weapons +against himself."</p> + +<p>Messengers were then sent to Luga to tell him +that the sons of Turenn had arrived, and to ask him +to come forth to the meeting, that they might give +him the fine.</p> + +<p>But he answered, "I will not come to the meeting +yet; but go ye back, and tell the sons of Turenn to +give the fine to the king for me."</p> + +<p>The messengers returned with this answer; and +the sons of Turenn gave to the king for Luga all the +wonderful things they had brought, keeping, however<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +their own arms; after which the whole company went +into the palace.</p> + +<p>When Luga was told how matters stood, he came +to where the king and all the others were; and the +king gave him the fine. Then Luga, looking narrowly +at everything that had been given up to him, said—</p> + +<p>"Here, indeed, is an eric enough to pay for any +one that ever yet was slain, or that shall be slain +to the end of time. But yet there is one kind of fine +that must be paid to the last farthing, namely, an +eric-fine; for of this it is not lawful to hold back +even the smallest part. And moreover, O king, thou +and the Dedannans whom I see here present, are +guarantees for the full payment of my eric-fine. Now +I see here the three apples, and the skin of the pig, +and the fiery-headed spear, and the chariot and +steeds, and the seven pigs, and the hound-whelp; +but where, ye sons of Turenn, is the cooking-spit +of the women of Fincara? And I have not heard +that ye have given the three shouts on Midkena's +Hill."</p> + +<p>On hearing this, the sons of Turenn fell into a +faintness like the faintness before death. And when +they had recovered they answered not one word, but +left the assembly and went to their father's house. +To him and their sister Ethnea they told all that +had befallen them; and how they should set out on +another quest, as they had forgotten part of the eric-fine +through the spells of Luga.</p> + +<p>At this Turenn was overwhelmed with grief; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +Ethnea wept in great fear and sorrow. And so they +passed that night. Next day, they went down to the +shore, and their father and sister went with them +to their ship, and bade them farewell.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_XIII" id="BCHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE COOKING-SPIT OF THE WOMEN OF FINCARA.</p> + + +<p>Then they went on board their ship—for they had +Mannanan's canoe no longer—and they sailed forth +on the green billowy sea to search for the Island of +Fincara. For a whole quarter of a year they wandered +hither and thither over the wide ocean, landing +on many shores and inquiring of all they met; yet +they were not able to get the least tidings of the +island.</p> + +<p>At last, they came across one very old man, who +told them that he had heard of the Island of Fincara +in the days of his youth; and that it lay not on the +surface, but down deep in the waters, for it was sunk +beneath the waves by a spell in times long past.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> + +<p>Then Brian put on his water-dress, with his helmet +of transparent crystal on his head, and, telling his +brothers to await his return, he leaped over the side +of the ship, and sank at once out of sight. He walked +about for a fortnight down in the green salt sea,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +seeking for the Island of Fincara; and at last he +found it.</p> + +<p>There were many houses on the island; but one he +saw larger and grander than the rest. To this he +straightway bent his steps, and found it open. On +entering, he saw in one large room a great number of +beautiful ladies, busily employed at all sorts of embroidery +and needlework; and in their midst was a +long, bright cooking-spit lying on a table.</p> + +<p>Without speaking a word, he walked straight to +the table, and, seizing the spit in one hand, he turned +round and walked towards the door. The women +neither spoke nor moved, but each had her eyes fixed +on him from the moment he entered, admiring his +manly form, his beauty, and his fearlessness; but +when they saw him about to walk off with the spit, +they all burst out laughing; and one, who seemed +chief among them, said—</p> + +<p>"Thou hast attempted a bold deed, O son of +Turenn! Know that there are thrice fifty warlike +women here, and that the weakest among us would +be able of herself to prevent thee taking this cooking-spit, +even if thy two brothers were here to help thee. +But thou art a brave and courageous champion, else +thou wouldst not have attempted, unaided, to take it +by force, knowing the danger. And for thy boldness +and valour, and for the comeliness of thy person, we +will let thee take this one, for we have many others +besides."</p> + +<p>So Brian, after thanking them, brought away the +spit joyfully, and sought his ship.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ur and Urcar waited for Brian in the same spot +the whole time, and when he came not, they began to +fear that he would return no more. With these +thoughts they were at last about to leave the place, +when they saw the glitter of his crystal helmet down +deep in the water, and immediately after he came to +the surface with the cooking-spit in his hand. They +brought him on board, and now all felt very joyful and +courageous of heart.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_XIV" id="BCHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE THREE SHOUTS ON MIDKENA'S HILL.</p> + + +<p>The three brothers next sailed away towards the +north of Lochlann, and never abated speed till they +moored their vessel near the Hill of Midkena, which +rose smooth and green over the sea-shore. When +Midkena saw them approaching, he knew them at +once, and, coming towards them armed for battle, he +addressed them aloud—</p> + +<p>"You it was that slew Kian, my friend and pupil; +and now come forth and fight, for you shall not leave +these shores till you answer for his death."</p> + +<p>Brian, in no degree daunted by the fierce look and +threatening speech of Midkena, sprang ashore, and +the two heroes attacked each other with great fury.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +When the three sons of Midkena heard the clash of +arms, they came forth, and, seeing how matters stood, +they rushed down to aid their father; but just as they +arrived at the shore, Midkena fell dead, cloven through +helmet and head by the heavy sword of Brian.</p> + +<p>And now a fight began, three on each side; and if +men were afar off, even in the land of Hisberna, in +the east of the world, they would willingly come the +whole way to see this battle, so fierce and haughty +were the minds of those mighty champions, so skilful +and active were they in the use of their weapons, so +numerous and heavy were their blows, and so long did +they continue to fight without either party giving +way. The three sons of Turenn were at last dreadfully +wounded—wounded almost to death. But neither +fear nor weakness did this cause them, for their valour +and their fury arose all the more for their wounds, +and with one mighty onset they drove their spears +through the bodies of their foes; and the sons of +Midkena fell before them into the long sleep of death.</p> + +<p>But now that the fight was ended, and the battle-fury +of the victors had passed off—now it was that they +began to feel the effects of their wounds. They threw +themselves full length on the blood-stained sward, and +long they remained without moving or speaking a +word, as if they were dead; and a heavy curtain of +darkness fell over their eyes.</p> + +<p>At last Brian, raising his head, spoke to his +brothers to know if they lived, and when they +answered him feebly, he said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"My dear brothers, let us now arise and give the +three shouts on the hill while there is time, for I feel +the signs of death."</p> + +<p>But they were not able to rise.</p> + +<p>Then Brian, gathering all his remaining strength, +stood up and lifted one with each hand, while his own +blood flowed plentifully; and then they raised three +feeble shouts on Midkena's Hill.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="BCHAPTER_XV" id="BCHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">RETURN AND DEATH OF THE SONS OF TURENN.</p> + + +<p>Making no further delay, he led them to their ship, +and they set sail for Erin. While they were yet +far off, Brian, gazing over the sea towards the west, +suddenly cried out—</p> + +<p>"Lo, I see Ben Edar<a name="FNanchor_XLVIII._76" id="FNanchor_XLVIII._76"></a><a href="#Footnote_XLVIII._76" class="fnanchor">[XLVIII.]</a> yonder, rising over the +waters; and I see also Dun Turenn farther towards +the north."</p> + +<p>And Ur answered from where he reclined with +Urcar on the deck, "If we could but get one sight of +Ben Edar methinks we should regain our health and +strength; and as thou lovest us, and as thou lovest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +thy own renown, my brother, come and raise our +heads and rest them on thy breast, that we may see +Erin once more. After that, we shall welcome either +life or death."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Ur.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O brother, torch of valour, strong of hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Come, place our weary heads upon thy breast;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And let us look upon our native land,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Before we sink to everlasting rest!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Brian.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Belovèd sons of Turenn, woe is me!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">My wounds are deep, my day of strength is past;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet not for this I grieve, but that I see<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Your lives, my noble brothers, ebbing fast!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Ur.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Would we could give our lives to purchase thine;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ah, gladly would we die to ease thy pain!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For art thou not the pride of Turenn's line,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The noblest champion of green Erin's plain?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Brian.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">That mighty Dannan healer, Dianket;<a name="FNanchor_XLIX._77" id="FNanchor_XLIX._77"></a><a href="#Footnote_XLIX._77" class="fnanchor">[XLIX.]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i1">Or Midac, who excelled his sire in skill;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The maiden-leech, Armedda, mightier yet,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Who knew the herbs to cure, the herbs to kill:<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, were they here; or had we now at hand<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Those gifted apples from the distant East;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then might we hope to reach our native land,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And live again in joy and peace and rest!<br /></span> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Ur.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Brother, methinks could we but see once more<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ben Edar's slopes, or Bregia's<a name="FNanchor_L._78" id="FNanchor_L._78"></a><a href="#Footnote_L._78" class="fnanchor">[L.]</a> dewy plain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tailltenn,<a name="FNanchor_LI._79" id="FNanchor_LI._79"></a><a href="#Footnote_LI._79" class="fnanchor">[LI.]</a> or Bruga's<a name="FNanchor_LII._80" id="FNanchor_LII._80"></a><a href="#Footnote_LII._80" class="fnanchor">[LII.]</a> mystic mansion hoar,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Our blood would course in health and strength again.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Or let us once behold our father's home,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Or winding Liffey down by Ahaclee,<a name="FNanchor_LIII._81" id="FNanchor_LIII._81"></a><a href="#Footnote_LIII._81" class="fnanchor">[LIII.]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Old Frevan's hill,<a name="FNanchor_LIV._82" id="FNanchor_LIV._82"></a><a href="#Footnote_LIV._82" class="fnanchor">[LIV.]</a> or Tara's<a name="FNanchor_LV._83" id="FNanchor_LV._83"></a><a href="#Footnote_LV._83" class="fnanchor">[LV.]</a> regal dome;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Then welcome death or life, whiche'er may be!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>So Brian raised their heads and rested them on his +breast, and they gazed on the rocky cliffs and green +slopes of Ben Edar while the ship wafted slowly +towards land.</p> + +<p>Soon after this they landed on the north side of +Ben Edar, from which they made their way slowly +to Dun Turenn. And when they had reached the +green in front of the house, Brian cried out—</p> + +<p>"Father, dear father, come forth to thy children!"</p> + +<p>Turenn came forth and saw his sons all wounded +and pale and feeble.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> +<p>And Brian said, "Go, beloved father—go quick to +Tara, and quickly return. Bring this cooking-spit +to Luga, and tell him that we have given the three +shouts on Midkena's Hill. Say that we have now paid +the full eric-fine, and bring back from him the apples +of the Garden of Hisberna, to heal our wounds, else +we die."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Brian.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Father, our wounds are deadly; nought can save<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thy children's lives but Luga's friendly hand:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go, seek him, father—fare thee fast—and crave<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The healing apples from Hisberna's land!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Turenn.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In vain, my sons, ye seek to fly your doom;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The stern Ildana's mind too well I know:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Alas! far liefer would he see your tomb,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Than all the treasures all this world could show!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center"><span class="smcap">Brian.</span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But he is just; and though his sire we slew,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Have we not paid full eric for the deed?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The great Ildana is our kinsman too,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And will relent in this our time of need.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then go, my father, thou art swift and strong;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Speed like the wind—why linger here to mourn?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go straight to Luga's home, nor tarry long;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Or, father, we shall die ere thou return!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Turenn set out and travelled like the wind till he +reached Tara, where he found Luga.</p> + +<p>He gave him the cooking-spit, and said, "Behold, +my three sons have now paid thee the full eric-fine, +for they have given the three shouts on Midkena's +Hill. But they are wounded even unto death; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +now give me, I pray thee, the apples from the Garden +of Hisberna, to cure them, else they die."</p> + +<p>But Luga refused, and turned away from Turenn.</p> + +<p>Turenn hastened back to his sons with a sorrowful +heart, and told them that he had failed to get the +apples.</p> + +<p>Then Brian said, "Take me with thee to Tara. I +will see him, and perchance he may have pity on us, +and give us the apples."</p> + +<p>And it was done so. But when Brian begged for +the apples, Luga said—</p> + +<p>"I will not give them to thee. If thou shouldst +offer me the full of the whole earth of gold, I would +not give them to thee. Thou and thy brothers committed +a wicked and pitiless deed when you slew my +father. For that deed you must suffer, and with +nothing short of your death shall I be content."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">For the blood that you spilled,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">For the hero you killed—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The deed is avenged, and your doom is fulfilled!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Brian turned away and went back to his brothers, +and, lying down between them, his life departed; and +his brothers died at the same moment.</p> + +<p>Then their father and their sister stood hand in +hand over their bodies, lamenting. And Turenn spoke +this lay—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, pulseless is my heart this woful hour,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">My strength is gone, my joy for ever fled;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three noble champions, Erin's pride and power,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">My three fair youths, my children, cold and dead!<br /></span> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mild Ur, the fair-haired; Urcar, straight and tall;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The kings of Banba<a name="FNanchor_LVI._84" id="FNanchor_LVI._84"></a><a href="#Footnote_LVI._84" class="fnanchor">[LVI.]</a> worthy both to be;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Brian, bravest, noblest, best of all,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Who conquered many lands beyond the sea:<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Lo, I am Turenn, your unhappy sire,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Mourning with feeble voice above your grave;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No life, no wealth, no honours I desire;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A place beside my sons is all I crave!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>After this Turenn and Ethnea fell on the bodies +of the three young heroes and died.</p> + +<p>And they were all buried in one grave.</p> + + +<p class="p2">This is the story of the Fate of the Children of +Turenn.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="THE_OVERFLOWING_OF_LOUGH_NEAGH_AND_THE_STORY_OF_LIBAN_THE_MERMAID" id="THE_OVERFLOWING_OF_LOUGH_NEAGH_AND_THE_STORY_OF_LIBAN_THE_MERMAID"></a>THE OVERFLOWING OF LOUGH NEAGH,<br /> +<span class="small">AND THE</span><br /> +STORY OF LIBAN THE MERMAID.</h2> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p>In the days of old a good king ruled over Muman,<a name="FNanchor_LVII._85" id="FNanchor_LVII._85"></a><a href="#Footnote_LVII._85" class="fnanchor">[LVII.]</a> +whose name was Marid Mac Carido. He had two +sons, Ecca and Rib. Ecca was restless and unruly, +and in many ways displeased the king; and he told +his brother Rib that he had made up his mind to +leave his home, and win lands for himself in some far +off part of the country. Rib tried hard to dissuade +him; but though this delayed his departure for a +while, he was none the less bent on going.</p> + +<p>At last Ecca, being wrought upon by his stepmother +Ebliu (from whom Slieve Eblinne<a name="FNanchor_LVIII._86" id="FNanchor_LVIII._86"></a><a href="#Footnote_LVIII._86" class="fnanchor">[LVIII.]</a> was +afterwards named), did a grievous wrong to his +father, and fled from Muman with all his people; +and his brother Rib and his stepmother Ebliu went +with him. Ten hundred men they were in all,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +besides women and children; and they turned their +faces towards the north.</p> + +<p>After they had travelled for some time, their +druids<a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> told them that it was not fated for them to +settle in the same place; and accordingly, when they +had come to the Pass of the two Pillar Stones, they +parted.</p> + +<p>Rib and his people turned to the west, and they +journeyed till they came to the plain of Arbthenn. +And there the water of a fountain burst forth over the +land, and drowned them all; and a great lake was +formed, which to this day is called the Lake of Rib.<a name="FNanchor_LIX._87" id="FNanchor_LIX._87"></a><a href="#Footnote_LIX._87" class="fnanchor">[LIX.]</a></p> + +<p>Ecca continued his journey northwards; and he +and his people fared slowly on till they came near +to Bruga<a name="FNanchor_LX._88" id="FNanchor_LX._88"></a><a href="#Footnote_LX._88" class="fnanchor">[LX.]</a> of the Boyne, the palace of Mac Indoc, +where they were fain to rest. No sooner had they +halted, than a tall man came forth from the palace, +namely, Angus Mac Indoc of the Bruga, son of the +Dagda, and commanded them to leave the place +without delay. But they, being spent with the toil +of travel, heeded not his words, and, pitching their +tents, they rested on the plain before the palace. +Whereupon Angus, being wroth that his commands +were unheeded, killed all their horses that night.</p> + +<p>Next day, he came forth again, and he said to +them, "Your horses I slew last night; and now, unless +ye depart from this place, I will slay your people +to-night."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p><p>And Ecca said to him, "Much evil hast thou +done to us already, for thou hast killed all our horses. +And now we cannot go, even though we desire it, for +without horses we cannot travel."</p> + +<p>Then Angus brought to them a very large horse +in full harness, and they put all their goods on him. +And when they were about to go, he said to them—</p> + +<p>"Beware that ye keep this great steed walking +continually; not even a moment's rest shall ye give +him, otherwise he will certainly be the cause of your +death."<a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<p>After this they set out again, on a Sunday in the +mid-month of autumn, and travelled on till they +reached the Plain of the Grey Copse,<a name="FNanchor_LXI._89" id="FNanchor_LXI._89"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXI._89" class="fnanchor">[LXI.]</a> where they +intended to abide. They gathered then round the +great steed to take their luggage off him, and each was +busy seeing after his own property, so that they forgot +to keep the horse moving. And the moment he +stood still, a magic well sprang up beneath his feet.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<p>Now Ecca, when he saw the well spring up, was +troubled, remembering Angus's warning. And he +caused a house to be built round it, and near it he +built his palace, for the better security. And he chose +a woman to take care of the well, charging her strictly +to keep the door locked, except when the people of the +palace came for water.</p> + +<p>After that the King of Ulad,<a name="FNanchor_LXII._90" id="FNanchor_LXII._90"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXII._90" class="fnanchor">[LXII.]</a> that is to say, Muridach,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +the son of Fiaca Findamnas (who was grandson of +Conal Carna of the Red Branch<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>) came against Ecca +to drive him forth from Ulad. But Ecca made a stout +fight, so that he won the lordship of half of Ulad from +Muridach. And after that his people settled down on +the Plain of the Grey Copse.</p> + +<p>Now Ecca had two daughters, Ariu and Liban, +of whom Ariu was the wife of Curnan the Simpleton. +And Curnan went about among the people, foretelling +that a lake would flow over them from the well, and +urging them earnestly to make ready their boats.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Come forth, come forth, ye valiant men; build boats, and build ye fast!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I see the water surging out, a torrent deep and vast;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I see our chief and all his host o'erwhelmed beneath the wave;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Ariu, too, my best beloved, alas! I cannot save.<br /></span> +<span class="i4">But Liban east and west shall swim<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Long ages on the ocean's rim,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">By mystic shores and islets dim,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">And down in the deep sea cave!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>And he ceased not to warn all he met, repeating +this verse continually; but the people gave no heed to +the words of the Simpleton.</p> + +<p>Now the woman who had charge of the well, on a +certain occasion forgot to close the door, so that the +spell was free to work evil. And immediately the +water burst forth over the plain, and formed a great +lake, namely the Lake of the Copse. And Ecca and +all his family and all his folk were drowned, save only +his daughter Liban, and Conang, and Curnan the +Simpleton. And they buried Ariu, and raised a +mound over her, which is called from her Carn-Arenn.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>Of Conang nothing more is told. But as to +Curnan, he died of grief after his wife Ariu; and he +was buried in a mound, which is called Carn-Curnan +to this day in memory of him.</p> + +<p>And thus the great Lake of the Copse was formed, +which is now called Lough Necca,<a name="FNanchor_LXIII._91" id="FNanchor_LXIII._91"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXIII._91" class="fnanchor">[LXIII.]</a> in memory of +Ecca, the son of Marid. And it was the overflow of +this lake which, more than all other causes, scattered +the Ultonians over Erin.</p> + +<p>Now as to Liban. She also was swept away like +the others; but she was not drowned. She lived for +a whole year with her lap-dog, in her chamber beneath +the lake, and God protected her from the water. At +the end of the year she was weary; and when she +saw the speckled salmon swimming and playing all +round her, she prayed and said—</p> + +<p>"O my Lord, I wish I were a salmon, that I +might swim with the others through the clear green +sea!"</p> + +<p>And at the words she took the shape of a salmon, +except her face and breast, which did not change. +And her lap-dog was changed to an otter, and attended +her afterwards whithersoever she went, as long as she +lived in the sea.</p> + +<p>And so she remained swimming about from sea to +sea for three hundred years; that is to say, from the +time of Ecca, the son of Marid, to the time of Comgall +of Bangor.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p> + +<p>Now on one occasion, Comgall sent Beoc, the son<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +of Indli, from Bangor to Rome, to talk with Gregory<a name="FNanchor_LXIV._92" id="FNanchor_LXIV._92"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXIV._92" class="fnanchor">[LXIV.]</a> +concerning some matters of order and rule. And when +Beoc's curragh<a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> was sailing over the sea, he and his +crew heard sweet singing in the waters beneath them, +as it were the chanting of angels.</p> + +<p>And Beoc, having listened for a while, looked down +into the water, and asked what the chant was for, and +who it was that sang.</p> + +<p>And Liban answered, "I am Liban, the daughter +of Ecca, son of Marid; and it is I who sang the chant +thou hast heard."</p> + +<p>"Why art thou here?" asked Beoc.</p> + +<p>And she replied, "Lo, I have lived for three hundred +years beneath the sea; and I have come hither to +fix a day and a place of meeting with thee. I shall +now go westward; and I beseech thee, for the sake +of the holy men of Dalaradia,<a name="FNanchor_LXV._93" id="FNanchor_LXV._93"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXV._93" class="fnanchor">[LXV.]</a> to come to Inver +Ollarba<a name="FNanchor_LXVI._94" id="FNanchor_LXVI._94"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXVI._94" class="fnanchor">[LXVI.]</a> to meet me, on this same day at the end of +a year. Say also to Comgall and to the other holy +men of Bangor, all that I say to thee. Come with +thy boats and thy fishing-nets, and thou shalt take +me from the waters in which I have lived."</p> + +<p>"I shall not grant thee the boon thou askest," said +Beoc, "unless thou give me a reward."</p> + +<p>"What reward dost thou seek?" asked Liban.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p><p>"That thou be buried in one grave with me in my +own monastery," answered Beoc.</p> + +<p>"That shall be granted to thee," said Liban.</p> + +<p>Beoc then went on his way to Rome. And when +he had returned, he related to Comgall and to the +other saints of the monastery at Bangor, the story of +the mermaid. And now the end of the year was nigh.</p> + +<p>Then they made ready their nets, and on the day +appointed they went in their boats to Inver Ollarba, a +goodly company of the saints of Erin. And Liban was +caught in the net of Fergus of Miluc:<a name="FNanchor_LXVII._95" id="FNanchor_LXVII._95"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXVII._95" class="fnanchor">[LXVII.]</a> and her head +and shoulders were those of a maiden, but she had the +body of a fish.</p> + +<p>Now the boat in which she was brought to land +was kept half full of sea water, in which she remained +swimming about. And many came to see her; and all +were filled with wonder when they saw her strange +shape and heard her story.</p> + +<p>Among the rest came the chief of the tribe of +Hua-Conang, wearing a purple cloak; and she kept +gazing at him earnestly. The young chief, seeing this, +said to her—</p> + +<p>"Dost thou wish to have this cloak? If so, I will +give it to thee willingly."</p> + +<p>But she answered, "Not so: I desire not thy +cloak. But it brings to my mind my father Ecca;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +for on the day he was drowned, he wore a cloak of +purple like thine. But may good luck be on thee for +thy gentleness, and on him who shall come after thee +in thy place; and in every assembly where thy successor +sits, may he be known to all without inquiry."</p> + +<p>After that there came up a large-bodied, dark-visaged, +fierce hero, and killed her lap-dog. Whereupon +she was grieved; and she told him that the +heroism of himself and his tribe should be stained +by the baseness of their minds, and that they should +not be able to defend themselves against injuries till +they should do penance, by fasting, for her sake.</p> + +<p>Then the warrior repented what he had done, and +humbled himself before her.</p> + +<p>And now there arose a contention about her, as to +whom she should belong. Comgall said she was his, +forasmuch as she was caught in his territory. But +Fergus urged that she belonged to him by right, as it +was in his net she was taken. And Beoc said he had +the best right of all to her, on account of the promise +she had made to him.</p> + +<p>And as no one could settle the dispute, these three +saints fasted and prayed that God would give a judgment +between them, to show who should own Liban.</p> + +<p>And an angel said to one of the company, "Two +wild oxen will come hither to-morrow from Carn-Arenn, +that is to say, from the grave-mound of Liban's sister, +Ariu. Yoke a chariot to them, and place the mermaid +in it; and into whatsoever territory they shall bring +her, she shall remain with the owner thereof."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>The oxen came on the morrow, as the angel had +foretold. And when they were yoked, and when Liban +was placed in the chariot, they brought her straightway +to Beoc's church, namely to Tec-Da-Beoc.</p> + +<p>Then the saints gave her a choice—either to die +immediately after baptism, and go to heaven; or to +live on earth as long as she had lived in the sea, and +then to go to heaven after these long ages. And the +choice she took was to die immediately. Whereupon +Comgall baptised her; and he gave her the name of +Murgen, that is, "Sea-born," or Murgelt, that is "Mermaid."</p> + +<p>And she is counted among the holy virgins, and +held in honour and reverence, as God ordained for her +in heaven; and wonders and miracles are performed +through her means at Tec-Da-Beoc.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="CONNLA_OF_THE_GOLDEN_HAIR_AND_THE_FAIRY_MAIDEN" id="CONNLA_OF_THE_GOLDEN_HAIR_AND_THE_FAIRY_MAIDEN"></a>CONNLA OF THE GOLDEN HAIR,<br /> +AND THE FAIRY MAIDEN.</h2> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p>Connla of the Golden Hair was the son of Conn +the Hundred-fighter.<a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> One day as he stood with his +father on the royal Hill of Usna,<a name="FNanchor_LXVIII._96" id="FNanchor_LXVIII._96"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXVIII._96" class="fnanchor">[LXVIII.]</a> he saw a lady a +little way off, very beautiful, and dressed in strange +attire. She approached the spot where he stood; +and when she was near, he spoke to her, and asked +who she was, and from what place she had come.</p> + +<p>The lady replied, "I have come from the Land +of the Living<a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>—a land where there is neither death +nor old age, nor any breach of law. The inhabitants +of earth call us Aes-shee,<a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> for we have our dwellings +within large, pleasant, green hills. We pass our time +very pleasantly in feasting and harmless amusements, +never growing old; and we have no quarrels or +contentions."</p> + +<p>The king and his company marvelled very much; +for though they heard this conversation, no one saw +the lady except Connla alone.</p> + +<p>"Who is this thou art talking to, my son?" said +the king.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> +<p>And anon she answered for the youth, "Connla +is speaking with a lovely, noble-born young lady, +who will never die, and who will never grow +old. I love Connla of the Golden Hair, and I have +come to bring him with me to Moy-mell,<a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> the plain +of never-ending pleasure. On the day that he comes +with me he shall be made king; and he shall reign +for ever in Fairyland, without weeping and without +sorrow. Come with me, O gentle Connla of the +ruddy cheek, the fair, freckled neck, and the golden +hair! Come with me, beloved Connla, and thou +shalt retain the comeliness and dignity of thy form, +free from the wrinkles of old age, till the awful day +of judgment!"</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Thy flowing golden hair, thy comely face,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy tall majestic form of peerless grace,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That show thee sprung from Conn's exalted race.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>King Conn the Hundred-fighter, being much +troubled, called then on his druid,<a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> Coran, to put forth +his power against the witchery of the banshee<a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>—</p> + +<p>"O Coran of the mystic arts and of the mighty +incantations, here is a contest such as I have never +been engaged in since I was made king at Tara—a +contest with an invisible lady, who is beguiling +my son to Fairyland by her baleful charms. Her +cunning is beyond my skill, and I am not able to +withstand her power; and if thou, Coran, help not, my +son will be taken away from me by the wiles and +witchery of a woman from the fairy hills."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>Coran, the druid, then came forward, and began +to chant against the voice of the lady. And his +power was greater than hers for that time, so that +she was forced to retire.</p> + +<p>As she was going away she threw an apple to +Connla, who straightway lost sight of her; and the +king and his people no longer heard her voice.</p> + +<p>The king and the prince returned with their +company to the palace; and Connla remained for +a whole month without tasting food or drink, except +the apple. And though he ate of it each day, it +was never lessened, but was as whole and perfect in +the end as at the beginning. Moreover, when they +offered him aught else to eat or drink, he refused +it; for while he had his apple he did not deem +any other food worthy to be tasted. And he began +to be very moody and sorrowful, thinking of the +lovely fairy maiden.</p> + +<p>At the end of the month, as Connla stood by +his father's side among the nobles, on the Plain of +Arcomin, he saw the same lady approaching him from +the west. And when she had come near, she addressed +him in this manner—</p> + +<p>"A glorious seat, indeed, has Connla among +wretched, short-lived mortals, awaiting the dreadful +stroke of death! But now, the ever-youthful people +of Moy-mell, who never feel old age, and who fear +not death, seeing thee day by day among thy friends, +in the assemblies of thy Fatherland, love thee with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +a strange love; and they will make thee king over +them if thou wilt come with me."</p> + +<p>When the king heard the words of the lady, he +commanded his people to call the druid again to him, +saying—</p> + +<p>"Bring my druid, Coran, to me; for I see that +the fairy lady has this day regained the power of her +voice."</p> + +<p>At this the lady said, "Valiant Conn, fighter +of a hundred, the faith of the druids has come to +little honour among the upright, mighty, numberless +people of this land. When the righteous law shall be +restored, it will seal up the lips of the false, black +demon; and his druids shall no longer have power to +work their guileful spells."</p> + +<p>Now the king observed, and marvelled greatly, +that whenever the lady was present, his son never +spoke one word to any one, nay, even though they +addressed him many times. And when the lady had +ceased to speak, the king said—</p> + +<p>"Connla, my son, has thy mind been moved by the +words of the lady?"</p> + +<p>Connla spoke then, and replied, "Father, I am +very unhappy; for though I love my people beyond +all, yet I am filled with sadness on account of this +lady!"</p> + +<p>When Connla had said this, the maiden again +addressed him, and chanted these words in a very +sweet voice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>—</p> + + +<p class="center p2">THE CHANT OF THE FAIRY MAIDEN TO CONNLA OF +THE GOLDEN HAIR.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center">I.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">A land of youth, a land of rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">A land from sorrow free;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">It lies far off in the golden west,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">On the verge of the azure sea.<br /></span> +<span class="i4">A swift canoe of crystal bright,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">That never met mortal view—<br /></span> +<span class="i4">We shall reach the land ere fall of night,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">In that strong and swift canoe:<br /></span> +<span class="i6">We shall reach the strand<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Of that sunny land,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">From druids and demons free;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">The land of rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">In the golden west,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">On the verge of the azure sea!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center">II.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A pleasant land of winding vales, bright streams, and verdurous plains,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where summer all the live-long year, in changeless splendour reigns;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A peaceful land of calm delight, of everlasting bloom;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Old age and death we never know, no sickness, care, or gloom;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">The land of youth,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Of love and truth,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">From pain and sorrow free;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">The land of rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">In the golden west,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">On the verge of the azure sea!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center">III.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">There are strange delights for mortal men in that island of the west;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The sun comes down each evening in its lovely vales to rest;<br /></span> +<span class="i5">And though far and dim<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> +<span class="i5">On the ocean's rim<br /></span> +<span class="i5">It seems to mortal view,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">We shall reach its halls<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Ere the evening falls,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">In my strong and swift canoe;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">And ever more<br /></span> +<span class="i6">That verdant shore<br /></span> +<span class="i5">Our happy home shall be;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">The land of rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">In the golden west,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">On the verge of the azure sea!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0 center">IV.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It will guard thee, gentle Connla of the flowing golden hair,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It will guard thee from the druids, from the demons of the air;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My crystal boat will guard thee, till we reach that western shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where thou and I in joy and love shall live for evermore:<br /></span> +<span class="i5">From the druid's incantation,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">From his black and deadly snare,<br /></span> +<span class="i5">From the withering imprecation<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Of the demon of the air,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It will guard thee, gentle Connla of the flowing golden hair:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My crystal boat will guard thee, till we reach that silver strand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where thou shalt reign in endless joy, the king of the Fairy-land!<a name="FNanchor_LXIX._97" id="FNanchor_LXIX._97"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXIX._97" class="fnanchor">[LXIX.]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>When the maiden had ended her chant, Connla +suddenly walked away from his father's side, and +sprang into the curragh, the gleaming, straight-gliding, +strong, crystal canoe. The king and his people saw +them afar off and dimly, moving away over the bright +sea towards the sunset. They gazed sadly after them, +till they lost sight of the canoe over the utmost +verge; and no one can tell whither they went, for +Connla was never again seen in his native land.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="THE_VOYAGE_OF_MAILDUN" id="THE_VOYAGE_OF_MAILDUN"></a>THE VOYAGE OF MAILDUN.</h2> + +<p class="center">AN ACCOUNT<br /> +OF THE ADVENTURES OF MAILDUN AND HIS CREW,<br /> +AND OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS THEY SAW DURING THEIR VOYAGE +OF THREE YEARS AND SEVEN MONTHS, IN THEIR CURRAGH,<a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a><br /> +ON THE WESTERN SEA.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_I" id="CCHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">MAILDUN'S CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. HE BEGINS HIS +VOYAGE IN QUEST OF THE PLUNDERERS WHO SLEW +HIS FATHER.</p> + + +<p>There was once an illustrious man of the tribe of +Owenaght<a name="FNanchor_LXX._98" id="FNanchor_LXX._98"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXX._98" class="fnanchor">[LXX.]</a> of Ninus, Allil Ocar Aga by name, a goodly +hero, and lord of his own tribe and territory. One +time, when he was in his house unguarded, a fleet +of plunderers landed on the coast, and spoiled his +territory. The chief fled for refuge to the church of +Dooclone; but the spoilers followed him thither, slew +him, and burned the church over his head.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> +<p>Not long after Allil's death, a son was born to +him. The child's mother gave him the name of +Maildun; and, wishing to conceal his birth, she brought +him to the queen of that country, who was her dear +friend. The queen took him to her, and gave out that +he was her own child, and he was brought up with +the king's sons, slept in the same cradle with them, +and was fed from the same breast and from the same +cup. He was a very lovely child; and the people who +saw him thought it doubtful if there was any other +child living at the time equally beautiful.</p> + +<p>As he grew up to be a young man, the noble +qualities of his mind gradually unfolded themselves. +He was high-spirited and generous, and he loved +all sorts of manly exercises. In ball-playing, in +running and leaping, in throwing the stone, in chess-playing, +in rowing, and in horse-racing, he surpassed +all the youths that came to the king's palace, and won +the palm in every contest.</p> + +<p>One day, when the young men were at their +games, a certain youth among them grew envious of +Maildun; and he said, in an angry and haughty +tone of voice—</p> + +<p>"It is a cause of much shame to us that we have +to yield in every game, whether of skill or of strength, +whether on land or on water, to an obscure youth, +of whom no one can tell who is his father or his +mother, or what race or tribe he belongs to."</p> + +<p>On hearing this, Maildun ceased at once from +play; for until that moment he believed that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +was the son of the king of the Owenaght, and of the +queen who had nursed him. And going anon to +the queen, he told her what had happened; and he +said to her—</p> + +<p>"If I am not thy son, I will neither eat nor drink +till thou tell me who my father and mother are."</p> + +<p>She tried to soothe him, and said, "Why do you +worry yourself searching after this matter? Give +no heed to the words of this envious youth. Am +I not a mother to you? And in all this country, +is there any mother who loves her son better than +I love you?"</p> + +<p>He answered, "All this is quite true; yet I pray +thee let me know who my parents are."</p> + +<p>The queen then, seeing that he would not be +put off, brought him to his mother, and put him +into her hands. And when he had spoken with +her, he asked her to tell him who his father was.</p> + +<p>"You are bent on a foolish quest, my child," +she said; "for even if you knew all about your +father, the knowledge would bring neither advantage +nor happiness to you; for he died before you were +born."</p> + +<p>"Even so," he replied, "I wish to know who he +was."</p> + +<p>So his mother told him the truth, saying, "Your +father was Allil Ocar Aga, of the tribe of Owenaght +of Ninus."</p> + +<p>Maildun then set out for his father's territory; +and his three foster brothers, namely, the king's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +three sons, who were noble and handsome youths like +himself, went with him. When the people of his +tribe found out that the strange youth was the son +of their chief, whom the plunderers had slain years +before, and when they were told that the three +others were the king's sons, they gave them all a +joyful welcome, feasting them, and showing them +much honour; so that Maildun was made quite happy, +and soon forgot all the abasement and trouble he +had undergone.</p> + +<p>Some time after this, it happened that a number +of young people were in the churchyard of Dooclone—the +same church in which Maildun's father had been +slain—exercising themselves in casting a hand-stone. +The game was to throw the stone clear over the +charred roof of the church that had been burned; and +Maildun was there contending among the others. A +foul-tongued fellow named Brickna, a servant of the +people who owned the church, was standing by; and +he said to Maildun—</p> + +<p>"It would better become you to avenge the +man who was burned to death here, than to be +amusing yourself casting a stone over his bare, burnt +bones."</p> + +<p>"Who was he?" inquired Maildun.</p> + +<p>"Allil Ocar Aga, your father," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"Who slew him?" asked Maildun.</p> + +<p>"Plunderers from a fleet slew him and burned him +in this church," replied Brickna; "and the same +plunderers are still sailing in the same fleet."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<p>Maildun was disturbed and sad after hearing this. +He dropped the stone that he held in his hand, folded +his cloak round him, and buckled on his shield. And +he left the company, and began to inquire of all he +met, the road to the plunderers' ships. For a long +time he could get no tidings of them; but at last some +persons, who knew where the fleet lay, told him that +it was a long way off, and that there was no reaching +it except by sea.</p> + +<p>Now Maildun was resolved to find out these +plunderers, and to avenge on them the death of his +father. So he went without delay into Corcomroe,<a name="FNanchor_LXXI._99" id="FNanchor_LXXI._99"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXI._99" class="fnanchor">[LXXI.]</a> +to the druid<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> Nuca, to seek his advice about building +a curragh, and to ask also for a charm to protect him, +both while building it, and while sailing on the sea +afterwards.</p> + +<p>The druid gave him full instructions. He told +him the day he should begin to build his curragh, and +the exact day on which he was to set out on his +voyage; and he was very particular about the number +of the crew, which, he said, was to be sixty chosen +men, neither more nor less.</p> + +<p>So Maildun built a large triple-hide curragh,<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> +following the druid's directions in every particular, +chose his crew of sixty, among whom were his two +friends, Germane and Diuran Lekerd; and on the day +appointed put out to sea.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> +<p>When he had got only a very little way from the +land, he saw his three foster brothers running down +to the shore, signalling and calling out to him to +return and take them on board; for they said they +wished to go with him.</p> + +<p>"We shall not turn back," said Maildun; "and +you cannot come with us; for we have already got +our exact number."</p> + +<p>"We will swim after you in the sea till we are +drowned, if you do not return for us," replied they; +and so saying, the three plunged in and swam after +the curragh.</p> + +<p>When Maildun saw this, he turned his vessel +towards them, and took them on board rather than +let them be drowned.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_II" id="CCHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE FIRST ISLAND. TIDINGS OF THE PLUNDERERS.</p> + + +<p>They sailed that day and night, as well as the whole +of next day, till darkness came on again; and at midnight +they saw two small bare islands, with two great +houses on them near the shore. When they drew +near, they heard the sounds of merriment and laughter, +and the shouts of revellers intermingled with the loud +voices of warriors boasting of their deeds. And listening +to catch the conversation, they heard one warrior +say to another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"Stand off from me, for I am a better warrior than +thou; it was I who slew Allil Ocar Aga, and burned +Dooclone over his head; and no one has ever dared to +avenge it on me. Thou hast never done a great deed +like that!"</p> + +<p>"Now surely," said Germane and Diuran to +Maildun, "Heaven has guided our ship to this place! +Here is an easy victory. Let us now sack this house, +since God has revealed our enemies to us, and delivered +them into our hands!"</p> + +<p>While they were yet speaking, the wind arose, and +a great tempest suddenly broke on them. And they +were driven violently before the storm, all that night +and a part of next day, into the great and boundless +ocean; so that they saw neither the islands they had +left nor any other land; and they knew not whither +they were going.</p> + +<p>Then Maildun said, "Take down your sail and +put by your oars, and let the curragh drift before the +wind in whatsoever direction it pleases God to lead +us;" which was done.</p> + +<p>He then turned to his foster brothers, and said to +them, "This evil has befallen us because we took you +into the curragh, thereby violating the druid's directions; +for he forbade me to go to sea with more than +sixty men for my crew, and we had that number +before you joined us. Of a surety more evil will come +of it."</p> + +<p>His foster brothers answered nothing to this, but +remained silent.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_III" id="CCHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLAND OF THE MONSTROUS ANTS.</p> + + +<p>For three days and three nights they saw no land. +On the morning of the fourth day, while it was yet +dark, they heard a sound to the north-east; and +Germane said—</p> + +<p>"This is the voice of the waves breaking on the +shore."</p> + +<p>As soon as it was light they saw land and made +towards it. While they were casting lots to know +who should go and explore the country, they saw +great flocks of ants coming down to the beach, each of +them as large as a foal. The people judged by their +numbers, and by their eager and hungry look, that +they were bent on eating both ship and crew; so +they turned their vessel round and sailed quickly +away.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Their multitudes countless, prodigious their size;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Were never such ants seen or heard of before.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They struggled and tumbled and plunged for the prize,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And fiercely the famine-fire blazed from their eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">As they ground with their teeth the red sand of the shore!<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_IV" id="CCHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE TERRACED ISLE OF BIRDS.</p> + + +<p>Again for three days and three nights they saw no +land. But on the morning of the fourth day they +heard the murmur of the waves on the beach; and as +the day dawned, they saw a large high island, with +terraces all round it, rising one behind another. On +the terraces grew rows of tall trees, on which were +perched great numbers of large, bright-coloured birds.</p> + +<p>When the crew were about to hold council as to +who should visit the island and see whether the +birds were tame, Maildun himself offered to go. So +he went with a few companions; and they viewed +the island warily, but found nothing to hurt or +alarm them; after which they caught great numbers +of the birds and brought them to their ship.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A shield-shaped island, with terraces crowned,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And great trees circling round and round:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From the summit down to the wave-washed rocks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There are bright-coloured birds in myriad flocks—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their plumes are radiant; but hunger is keen;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">So the birds are killed,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Till the curragh is filled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the sailors embark on the ocean green!<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_V" id="CCHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">A MONSTER.</p> + + +<p>They sailed from this, and on the fourth day discovered +a large, sandy island, on which, when they came near, +they saw a huge, fearful animal standing on the beach, +and looking at them very attentively. He was somewhat +like a horse in shape; but his legs were like the +legs of a dog; and he had great, sharp claws of a blue +colour.</p> + +<p>Maildun, having viewed this monster for some +time, liked not his look; and, telling his companions to +watch him closely, for that he seemed bent on mischief, +he bade the oarsmen row very slowly towards land.</p> + +<p>The monster seemed much delighted when the ship +drew nigh the shore, and gambolled and pranced about +with joy on the beach, before the eyes of the voyagers; +for he intended to eat the whole of them the moment +they landed.</p> + +<p>"He seems not at all sorry to see us coming," said +Maildun; "but we must avoid him and put back from +the shore."</p> + +<p>This was done. And when the animal observed +them drawing off, he ran down in a great rage to the +very water's edge, and digging up large, round pebbles +with his sharp claws, he began to fling them at the +vessel; but the crew soon got beyond his reach, and +sailed into the open sea.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A horrible monster, with blazing eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In shape like a horse and tremendous in size,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Awaiting the curragh, they saw;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">With big bony jaws<br /></span> +<span class="i6">And murderous claws,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">That filled them with terror and awe:<br /></span> +<span class="i6">How gleeful he dances,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">And bellows and prances,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">As near to the island they draw;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Expecting a feast—<br /></span> +<span class="i6">The bloodthirsty beast—<br /></span> +<span class="i4">With his teeth like edge of a saw:<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Then he ran to the shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">With a deafening roar,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Intending to swallow them raw:<br /></span> +<span class="i6">But the crew, with a shout,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Put their vessel about,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">And escaped from his ravenous maw!<a name="FNanchor_LXXII._100" id="FNanchor_LXXII._100"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXII._100" class="fnanchor">[LXXII.]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_VI" id="CCHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE DEMON HORSE-RACE.</p> + + +<p>After sailing a long distance, they came in view of +a broad, flat island. It fell to the lot of Germane to go +and examine it, and he did not think the task a +pleasant one. Then his friend Diuran said to him—</p> + +<p>"I will go with you this time; and when next it +falls to my lot to visit an island, you shall come with +me." So both went together.</p> + +<p>They found the island very large; and some distance +from the shore they came to a broad green<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +race-course, in which they saw immense hoof-marks, +the size of a ship's sail, or of a large dining-table. They +found nut-shells, as large as helmets, scattered about; +and although they could see no one, they observed all +the marks and tokens that people of huge size were +lately employed there at sundry kinds of work.</p> + +<p>Seeing these strange signs, they became alarmed, +and went and called their companions from the boat to +view them. But the others, when they had seen them, +were also struck with fear, and all quickly retired +from the place and went on board their curragh.</p> + +<p>When they had got a little way from the land, they +saw dimly, as it were through a mist, a vast multitude +of people on the sea, of gigantic size and demoniac +look, rushing along the crests of the waves with great +outcry. As soon as this shadowy host had landed, +they went to the green, where they arranged a horse-race.</p> + +<p>The horses were swifter than the wind; and as +they pressed forward in the race, the multitudes raised +a mighty shout like thunder, which reached the crew +as if it were beside them. Maildun and his men, as +they sat in their curragh, heard the strokes of the +whips and the cries of the riders; and though the race +was far off, they could distinguish the eager words of +the spectators:—"Observe the grey horse!" "See +that chestnut horse!" "Watch the horse with the +white spots!" "My horse leaps better than yours!"</p> + +<p>After seeing and hearing these things, the crew +sailed away from the island as quickly as they were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +able, into the open ocean, for they felt quite sure that +the multitude they saw was a gathering of demons.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A spacious isle of meadowy plains, with a broad and sandy shore:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two bold and trusty spies are sent, its wonders to explore.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mysterious signs, strange, awful sights, now meet the wanderers' eyes:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vast hoof-marks, and the traces dire of men of monstrous size:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And lo! on the sea, in countless hosts, their shadowy forms expand;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They pass the affrighted sailors by, and like demons they rush to land;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They mount their steeds, and the race is run, in the midst of hell's uproar:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then the wanderers quickly raise their sails, and leave the accursèd shore.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_VII" id="CCHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE PALACE OF SOLITUDE.</p> + + +<p>They suffered much from hunger and thirst this +time, for they sailed a whole week without making +land; but at the end of that time they came in sight of +a high island, with a large and very splendid house +on the beach near the water's edge. There were two +doors—one turned inland, and the other facing the sea; +and the door that looked towards the sea was closed +with a great flat stone. In this stone was an opening, +through which the waves, as they beat against the +door every day, threw numbers of salmon into the +house.</p> + +<p>The voyagers landed, and went through the whole +house without meeting any one. But they saw in one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +large room an ornamented couch, intended for the head +of the house, and in each of the other rooms was a +larger one for three members of the family: and there +was a cup of crystal on a little table before each couch. +They found abundance of food and ale, and they ate +and drank till they were satisfied, thanking God for +having relieved them from hunger and thirst.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Aloft, high towering o'er the ocean's foam,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The spacious mansion rears its glittering dome.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Each day the billows, through the marble door,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shoot living salmon floundering on the floor.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Couches that lure the sailors to recline,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Abundant food, brown ale, and sparkling wine;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tables and chairs in order duly placed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With crystal cups and golden goblets graced.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But not a living soul the wanderers found;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Twas silence all and solitude profound.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They eat and drink, give thanks, then hoist their sail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And skim the deep once more, obedient to the gale.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_VIII" id="CCHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLAND OF THE WONDERFUL APPLE TREE.</p> + + +<p>After leaving this, they suffered again from hunger, +till they came to an island with a high hill round it +on every side. A single apple tree grew in the middle, +very tall and slender, and all its branches were in like +manner exceedingly slender, and of wonderful length, +so that they grew over the hill and down to the sea.</p> + +<p>When the ship came near the island, Maildun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +caught one of the branches in his hand. For three +days and three nights the ship coasted the island, +and during all this time he held the branch, letting +it slide through his hand, till on the third day +he found a cluster of seven apples on the very end. +Each of these apples supplied the travellers with food +and drink for forty days and forty nights.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_IX" id="CCHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLAND OF BLOODTHIRSTY QUADRUPEDS.</p> + + +<p>A beautiful island next came in view, in which +they saw, at a distance, multitudes of large animals +shaped like horses. The voyagers, as they drew +near, viewed them attentively, and soon observed that +one of them opened his mouth and bit a great piece +out of the side of the animal that stood next him, +bringing away skin and flesh. Immediately after, +another did the same to the nearest of his fellows. +And, in short, the voyagers saw that all the animals +in the island kept worrying and tearing each other +from time to time in this manner; so that the +ground was covered far and wide with the blood +that streamed from their sides.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In needless strife they oft contend,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A cruel, mutual-mangling brood;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their flesh with gory tusks they rend,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And crimson all the isle with blood.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_X" id="CCHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">AN EXTRAORDINARY MONSTER.</p> + + +<p>The next island had a wall all round it. When they +came near the shore, an animal of vast size, with a +thick, rough skin, started up inside the wall, and ran +round the island with the swiftness of the wind. +When he had ended his race, he went to a high +point, and standing on a large, flat stone, began to +exercise himself according to his daily custom, in the +following manner. He kept turning himself completely +round and round in his skin, the bones and flesh +moving, while the skin remained at rest.</p> + +<p>When he was tired of this exercise, he rested a +little; and he then began turning his skin continually +round his body, down at one side and up at the other +like a mill-wheel; but the bones and flesh did not +move.</p> + +<p>After spending some time at this sort of work, he +started and ran round the island as at first, as if to +refresh himself. He then went back to the same spot, +and this time, while the skin that covered the lower +part of his body remained without motion, he whirled +the skin of the upper part round and round like the +movement of a flat-lying millstone. And it was in +this manner that he spent most of his time on the +island.</p> + +<p>Maildun and his people, after they had seen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +these strange doings, thought it better not to venture +nearer. So they put out to sea in great haste. The +monster, observing them about to fly, ran down to the +beach to seize the ship; but finding that they had got +out of his reach, he began to fling round stones at +them with great force and an excellent aim. One of +them struck Maildun's shield and went quite through +it, lodging in the keel of the curragh; after which the +voyagers got beyond his range and sailed away.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In a wall-circled isle a big monster they found,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">With a hide like an elephant, leathery and bare;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He threw up his heels with a wonderful bound,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And ran round the isle with the speed of a hare.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But a feat more astounding has yet to be told:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He turned round and round in his leathery skin;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His bones and his flesh and his sinews he rolled—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He was resting outside while he twisted within!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then, changing his practice with marvellous skill,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">His carcase stood rigid and round went his hide;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It whirled round his bones like the wheel of a mill—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He was resting within while he twisted outside!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Next, standing quite near on a green little hill,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">After galloping round in the very same track,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While the skin of his belly stood perfectly still,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Like a millstone he twisted the skin of his back!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But Maildun and his men put to sea in their boat,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For they saw his two eyes looking over the wall;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And they knew by the way that he opened his throat,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He intended to swallow them, curragh and all!<a name="FNanchor_LXXIII._101" id="FNanchor_LXXIII._101"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXIII._101" class="fnanchor">[LXXIII.]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XI" id="CCHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLE OF RED-HOT ANIMALS.</p> + + +<p>Not daring to land on this island, they turned away +hurriedly, much disheartened, not knowing whither to +turn or where to find a resting-place. They sailed for +a long time, suffering much from hunger and thirst, +and praying fervently to be relieved from their +distress. At last, when they were beginning to +sink into a state of despondency, being quite worn +out with toil and hardship of every kind, they +sighted land.</p> + +<p>It was a large and beautiful island, with innumerable +fruit trees scattered over its surface, bearing +abundance of gold-coloured apples. Under the trees +they saw herds of short, stout animals, of a bright red +colour, shaped somewhat like pigs; but coming nearer, +and looking more closely, they perceived with astonishment +that the animals were all fiery, and that their +bright colour was caused by the red flames which +penetrated and lighted up their bodies.</p> + +<p>The voyagers now observed several of them +approach one of the trees in a body, and striking +the trunk all together with their hind legs, they +shook down some of the apples and ate them. In +this manner the animals employed themselves every +day, from early morning till the setting of the sun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +when they retired into deep caves, and were seen no +more till next morning.</p> + +<p>Numerous flocks of birds were swimming on the +sea, all round the island. From morning till noon, +they continued to swim away from the land, farther +and farther out to sea; but at noon they turned round, +and from that to sunset they swam back towards the +shore. A little after sunset, when the animals had +retired to their caves, the birds flocked in on the +island, and spread themselves over it, plucking the +apples from the trees and eating them.</p> + +<p>Maildun proposed that they should land on the +island, and gather some of the fruit, saying that it +was not harder or more dangerous for them than for +the birds; so two of the men were sent beforehand to +examine the place. They found the ground hot under +their feet, for the fiery animals, as they lay at rest, +heated the earth all around and above their caves; +but the two scouts persevered notwithstanding, and +brought away some of the apples.</p> + +<p>When morning dawned, the birds left the island +and swam out to sea; and the fiery animals, coming +forth from their caves, went among the trees as usual, +and ate the apples till evening. The crew remained +in their curragh all day; and as soon as the animals +had gone into their caves for the night, and the birds +had taken their place, Maildun landed with all his +men. And they plucked the apples till morning, and +brought them on board, till they had gathered as much +as they could stow into their vessel.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XII" id="CCHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE PALACE OF THE LITTLE CAT.</p> + + +<p>After rowing for a long time, their store of apples +failed them, and they had nothing to eat or drink; so +that they suffered sorely under a hot sun, and their +mouths and nostrils were filled with the briny smell +of the sea. At last they came in sight of land—a +little island with a large palace on it. Around the +palace was a wall, white all over, without stain or +flaw, as if it had been built of burnt lime, or carved +out of one unbroken rock of chalk; and where it +looked towards the sea it was so lofty that it seemed +almost to reach the clouds.</p> + +<p>The gate of this outer wall was open, and a number +of fine houses, all snowy white, were ranged round +on the inside, enclosing a level court in the middle, +on which all the houses opened. Maildun and +his people entered the largest of them, and walked +through several rooms without meeting with any +one. But on reaching the principal apartment, they +saw in it a small cat, playing among a number of +low, square, marble pillars, which stood ranged in a +row; and his play was, leaping continually from the +top of one pillar to the top of another. When the +men entered the room, the cat looked at them for a +moment, but returned to his play anon, and took no +further notice of them.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>Looking now to the room itself, they saw three +rows of precious jewels ranged round the wall from +one door-jamb to the other. The first was a row of +brooches of gold and silver, with their pins fixed in +the wall, and their heads outwards; the second, a row +of torques of gold and silver; and the third, a row of +great swords, with hilts of gold and silver.</p> + +<p>Round the room were arranged a number of +couches, all pure white and richly ornamented. +Abundant food of various kinds was spread on +tables, among which they observed a boiled ox and a +roast hog; and there were many large drinking-horns, +full of good, intoxicating ale.</p> + +<p>"Is it for us that this food has been prepared?" +said Maildun to the cat.</p> + +<p>The cat, on hearing the question, ceased from +playing, and looked at him; but he recommenced his +play immediately. Whereupon Maildun told his +people that the dinner was meant for them; and +they all sat down, and ate and drank till they were +satisfied, after which they rested and slept on the +couches.</p> + +<p>When they awoke, they poured what was left +of the ale into one vessel; and they gathered the +remnants of the food to bring them away. As they +were about to go, Maildun's eldest foster brother asked +him—</p> + +<p>"Shall I bring one of those large torques away +with me?"</p> + +<p>"By no means," said Maildun; "it is well that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +we have got food and rest. Bring nothing away, +for it is certain that this house is not left without +some one to guard it."</p> + +<p>The young man, however, disregarding Maildun's +advice, took down one of the torques and brought it +away. But the cat followed him, and overtook him +in the middle of the court, and, springing on him like +a blazing, fiery arrow, he went through his body, and +reduced it in a moment to a heap of ashes. He then +returned to the room, and, leaping up on one of the +pillars, sat upon it.</p> + +<p>Maildun turned back, bringing the torque with +him, and, approaching the cat, spoke some soothing +words; after which he put the torque back to the +place from which it had been taken. Having done +this, he collected the ashes of his foster brother, and, +bringing them to the shore, cast them into the sea. +They all then went on board the curragh, and continued +their voyage, grieving for their lost companion, +but thanking God for His many mercies to them.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XIII" id="CCHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">AN ISLAND THAT DYED BLACK AND WHITE.</p> + + +<p>On the morning of the third day, they came to another +island, which was divided into two parts by a wall +of brass running across the middle. They saw two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +great flocks of sheep, one on each side of the wall; +and all those at one side were black, while those at +the other side were white.</p> + +<p>A very large man was employed in dividing and +arranging the sheep; and he often took up a sheep +and threw it with much ease over the wall from one +side to the other. When he threw over a white sheep +among the black ones, it became black immediately; +and in like manner, when he threw a black sheep +over, it was instantly changed to white.</p> + +<p>The travellers were very much alarmed on witnessing +these doings and Maildun said—</p> + +<p>"It is very well that we know so far. Let us now +throw something on shore, to see whether it also will +change colour; if it does, we shall avoid the island."</p> + +<p>So they took a branch with black-coloured bark +and threw it towards the white sheep, and no sooner +did it touch the ground than it became white. They +then threw a white-coloured branch on the side of the +black sheep, and in a moment it turned black.</p> + +<p>"It is very lucky for us," said Maildun, "that we +did not land on the island, for doubtless our colour +would have changed like the colour of the branches."</p> + +<p>So they put about with much fear, and sailed +away.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XIV" id="CCHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLAND OF THE BURNING RIVER.</p> + + +<p>On the third day, they came in view of a large, broad +island, on which they saw a herd of gracefully shaped +swine; and they killed one small porkling for food. +Towards the centre rose a high mountain, which they +resolved to ascend, in order to view the island; and +Germane and Diuran Lekerd were chosen for this task.</p> + +<p>When they had advanced some distance towards +the mountain, they came to a broad, shallow river; +and sitting down on the bank to rest, Germane dipped +the point of his lance into the water, which instantly +burned off the top, as if the lance had been thrust into +a furnace. So they went no farther.</p> + +<p>On the opposite side of the river, they saw a herd +of animals like great hornless oxen, all lying down; +and a man of gigantic size near them: and Germane +began to strike his spear against his shield, in order to +rouse the cattle.</p> + +<p>"Why are you frightening the poor young calves +in that manner?" demanded the big shepherd, in a +tremendous voice.</p> + +<p>Germane, astonished to find that such large +animals were nothing more than calves, instead of +answering the question, asked the big man where the +mothers of those calves were.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They are on the side of yonder mountain," he +replied.</p> + +<p>Germane and Diuran waited to hear no more; but, +returning to their companions, told them all they had +seen and heard; after which the crew embarked and +left the island.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XV" id="CCHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE MILLER OF HELL.</p> + + +<p>The next island they came to, which was not far off +from the last, had a large mill on it; and near the +door stood the miller, a huge-bodied, strong, burly man. +They saw numberless crowds of men and horses laden +with corn, coming towards the mill; and when their +corn was ground they went away towards the west. +Great herds of all kinds of cattle covered the plain as +far as the eye could reach, and among them many +wagons laden with every kind of wealth that is +produced on the ridge of the world. All these the +miller put into the mouth of his mill to be ground; +and all, as they came forth, went westwards.</p> + +<p>Maildun and his people now spoke to the miller, +and asked him the name of the mill, and the meaning +of all they had seen on the island. And he, turning +quickly towards them, replied in few words—</p> + +<p>"This mill is called the Mill of Inver-tre-Kenand, +and I am the miller of hell. All the corn and all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +riches of the world that men are dissatisfied with, or +which they complain of in any way, are sent here to +be ground; and also every precious article, and every +kind of wealth, which men try to conceal from God. +All these I grind in the Mill of Inver-tre-Kenand, and +send them afterwards away to the west."</p> + +<p>He spoke no more, but turned round and busied +himself again with his mill. And the voyagers, with +much wonder and awe in their hearts, went to their +curragh and sailed away.<a name="FNanchor_LXXIV._102" id="FNanchor_LXXIV._102"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXIV._102" class="fnanchor">[LXXIV.]</a></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XVI" id="CCHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLE OF WEEPING.</p> + + +<p>After leaving this, they had not been long sailing +when they discovered another large island, with a great +multitude of people on it. They were all black, both +skin and clothes, with black head-dresses also; and +they kept walking about, sighing and weeping and +wringing their hands, without the least pause or rest.</p> + +<p>It fell to the lot of Maildun's second foster brother +to go and examine the island. And when he went +among the people, he also grew sorrowful, and fell to +weeping and wringing his hands, with the others.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +Two of the crew were sent to bring him back; but +they were unable to find him among the mourners; +and, what was worse, in a little time they joined the +crowd, and began to weep and lament like all the +rest.</p> + +<p>Maildun then chose four men to go and bring back +the others by force, and he put arms in their hands, +and gave them these directions—</p> + +<p>"When you land on the island, fold your mantles +round your faces, so as to cover your mouths and noses, +that you may not breathe the air of the country; and +look neither to the right nor to the left, neither at the +earth nor at the sky, but fix your eyes on your own +men till you have laid hands on them."</p> + +<p>They did exactly as they were told, and having +come up with their two companions, namely, those who +had been sent after Maildun's foster brother, they seized +them and brought them back by force. But the other +they could not find. When these two were asked +what they had seen on the island, and why they began +to weep, their only reply was—</p> + +<p>"We cannot tell; we only know that we did what +we saw the others doing."</p> + +<p>And after this the voyagers sailed away from the +island, leaving Maildun's second foster brother behind.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XVII" id="CCHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLE OF THE FOUR PRECIOUS WALLS.</p> + + +<p>The next was a high island, divided into four parts +by four walls meeting in the centre. The first was a +wall of gold; the second, a wall of silver; the third, a +wall of copper; and the fourth, a wall of crystal. In +the first of the four divisions were kings; in the second, +queens; in the third, youths; and in the fourth, young +maidens.</p> + +<p>When the voyagers landed, one of the maidens +came to meet them, and leading them forward to a +house, gave them food. This food, which she dealt out +to them from a small vessel, looked like cheese, and +whatever taste pleased each person best, that was the +taste he found on it. And after they had eaten till +they were satisfied, they slept in a sweet sleep, as if +gently intoxicated, for three days and three nights. +When they awoke on the third day, they found themselves +in their curragh on the open sea; and there was +no appearance in any direction either of the maiden or +of the island.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XVIII" id="CCHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE PALACE OF THE CRYSTAL BRIDGE.</p> + + +<p>They came now to a small island, with a palace on it, +having a copper chain in front, hung all over with a +number of little silver bells. Straight before the door<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +there was a fountain, spanned by a bridge of crystal, +which led to the palace. They walked towards the +bridge, meaning to cross it, but every time they stepped +on it they fell backwards flat on the ground.</p> + +<p>After some time, they saw a very beautiful young +woman coming out of the palace, with a pail in her +hand; and she lifted a crystal slab from the bridge, and, +having filled her vessel from the fountain, she went +back into the palace.</p> + +<p>"This woman has been sent to keep house for Maildun," +said Germane.</p> + +<p>"Maildun indeed!" said she, as she shut the door +after her.</p> + +<p>After this they began to shake the copper chain, +and the tinkling of the silver bells was so soft and +melodious that the voyagers gradually fell into a +gentle, tranquil sleep, and slept so till next morning. +When they awoke, they saw the same young woman +coming forth from the palace, with the pail in her +hand; and she lifted the crystal slab as before, filled +her vessel, and returned into the palace.</p> + +<p>"This woman has certainly been sent to keep house +for Maildun," said Germane.</p> + +<p>"Wonderful are the powers of Maildun!" said she, +as she shut the door of the court behind her.</p> + +<p>They stayed in this place for three days and three +nights, and each morning the maiden came forth in the +same manner, and filled her pail. On the fourth day, +she came towards them, splendidly and beautifully +dressed, with her bright yellow hair bound by a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +circlet of gold, and wearing silver-work shoes on her +small, white feet. She had a white mantle over her +shoulders, which was fastened in front by a silver +brooch studded with gold; and under all, next her +soft, snow-white skin, was a garment of fine white +silk.</p> + +<p>"My love to you, Maildun, and to your companions," +she said; and she mentioned them all, one after another, +calling each by his own proper name. "My love to +you," said she. "We knew well that you were coming +to our island, for your arrival has long been foretold +to us."</p> + +<p>Then she led them to a large house standing by the +sea, and she caused the curragh to be drawn high up +on the beach. They found in the house a number +of couches, one of which was intended for Maildun +alone, and each of the others for three of his people. +The woman then gave them, from one vessel, food +which was like cheese; first of all ministering to +Maildun, and then giving a triple share to every +three of his companions; and whatever taste each +man wished for, that was the taste he found on it. +She then lifted the crystal slab at the bridge, filled +her pail, and dealt out drink to them; and she knew +exactly how much to give, both of food and of +drink, so that each had enough and no more.</p> + +<p>"This woman would make a fit wife for Maildun," +said his people. But while they spoke, she went from +them with her pail in her hand.</p> + +<p>When she was gone, Maildun's companions said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +to him, "Shall we ask this maiden to become thy +wife?"</p> + +<p>He answered, "What advantage will it be to you +to ask her?"</p> + +<p>She came next morning, and they said to her, +"Why dost thou not stay here with us? Wilt thou +make friendship with Maildun; and wilt thou take +him for thy husband?"</p> + +<p>She replied that she and all those that lived +on the island were forbidden to marry with the sons +of men; and she told them that she could not +disobey, as she knew not what sin or transgression +was.</p> + +<p>She then went from them to her house; and on +the next morning, when she returned, and after she +had ministered to them as usual, till they were +satisfied with food and drink, and were become +cheerful, they spoke the same words to her.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow," she replied, "you will get an +answer to your question;" and so saying, she walked +towards her house, and they went to sleep on their +couches.</p> + +<p>When they awoke next morning, they found +themselves lying in their curragh on the sea, beside +a great high rock; and when they looked about, they +saw neither the woman, nor the palace of the crystal +bridge, nor any trace of the island where they had +been sojourning.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XIX" id="CCHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLE OF SPEAKING BIRDS.</p> + + +<p>One night, soon after leaving this, they heard in the +distance, towards the north-east, a confused murmur +of voices, as if from a great number of persons singing +psalms. They followed the direction of the sound, +in order to learn from what it proceeded; and at +noon the next day, they came in view of an island, +very hilly and lofty. It was full of birds, some +black, some brown, and some speckled, who were +all shouting and speaking with human voices; and +it was from them that the great clamour came.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XX" id="CCHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE AGED HERMIT, AND THE HUMAN SOULS.</p> + + +<p>At a little distance from this they found another +small island, with many trees on it, some standing +singly, and some in clusters, on which were perched +great numbers of birds. They also saw an aged man +on the island, who was covered thickly all over with +long, white hair, and wore no other dress. And when +they landed, they spoke to him, and asked him who +he was and what race he belonged to.</p> + +<p>"I am one of the men of Erin," he replied. "On<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +a certain day, a long, long time ago, I embarked in a +small curragh, and put out to sea on a pilgrimage; +but I had got only a little way from shore, when my +curragh became very unsteady, as if it were about +to overturn. So I returned to land, and, in order +to steady my boat, I placed under my feet at the +bottom, a number of green surface sods, cut from one +of the grassy fields of my own country, and began my +voyage anew. Under the guidance of God, I arrived +at this spot; and He fixed the sods in the sea for me, +so that they formed a little island. At first I had +barely room to stand; but every year, from that time +to the present, the Lord has added one foot to the +length and breadth of my island, till in the long +lapse of ages it has grown to its present size. And +on one day in each year, He has caused a single tree +to spring up, till the island has become covered with +trees. Moreover, I am so old that my body, as you +see, has become covered with long, white hair, so that +I need no other dress.</p> + +<p>"And the birds that ye see on the trees," he +continued, "these are the souls of my children, and +of all my descendants, both men and women, who +are sent to this little island to abide with me according +as they die in Erin. God has caused a well of ale +to spring up for us on the island: and every morning +the angels bring me half a cake, a slice of fish, and a +cup of ale from the well; and in the evening the same +allowance of food and ale is dealt out to each man +and woman of my people. And it is in this manner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +that we live, and shall continue to live till the end +of the world; for we are all awaiting here the day of +judgment."</p> + +<p>Maildun and his companions were treated hospitably +on the island by the old pilgrim for three days and +three nights; and when they were taking leave of +him, he told them that they should all reach their +own country except one man.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXI" id="CCHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLAND OF THE BIG BLACKSMITHS.</p> + + +<p>When they had been for a long time tossed about +on the waters, they saw land in the distance. On approaching +the shore, they heard the roaring of a great +bellows, and the thundering sound of smiths' hammers +striking a large glowing mass of iron on an anvil; and +every blow seemed to Maildun as loud as if a dozen +men had brought down their sledges all together.</p> + +<p>When they had come a little nearer, they heard +the big voices of the smiths in eager talk.</p> + +<p>"Are they near?" asked one.</p> + +<p>"Hush! silence!" says another.</p> + +<p>"Who are they that you say are coming?" inquired +a third.</p> + +<p>"Little fellows, that are rowing towards our shore +in a pigmy boat," says the first.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>When Maildun heard this, he hastily addressed the +crew—</p> + +<p>"Put back at once, but do not turn the curragh: +reverse the sweep of your oars, and let her move stern +forward, so that those giants may not perceive that +we are flying!"</p> + +<p>The crew at once obey, and the boat begins to +move away from the shore, stern forward, as he had +commanded.</p> + +<p>The first smith again spoke. "Are they near +enough to the shore?" said he to the man who was +watching.</p> + +<p>"They seem to be at rest," answered the other; +"for I cannot perceive that they are coming closer, and +they have not turned their little boat to go back."</p> + +<p>In a short time the first smith asks again, "What +are they doing now?"</p> + +<p>"I think," said the watcher, "they are flying; for +it seems to me that they are now farther off than they +were a while ago."</p> + +<p>At this the first smith rushed out of the forge—a +huge, burly giant—holding, in the tongs which he +grasped in his right hand, a vast mass of iron sparkling +and glowing from the furnace; and, running down to +the shore with long, heavy strides, he flung the red-hot +mass with all his might after the curragh. It fell +a little short, and plunged down just near the prow, +causing the whole sea to hiss and boil and heave up +around the boat. But they plied their oars, so that +they quickly got beyond his reach, and sailed out into +the open ocean.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXII" id="CCHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE CRYSTAL SEA.</p> + + +<p>After a time, they came to a sea like green crystal. +It was so calm and transparent that they could see +the sand at the bottom quite clearly, sparkling in the +sunlight. And in this sea they saw neither monsters, +nor ugly animals, nor rough rocks; nothing but the +clear water and the sunshine and the bright sand. +For a whole day they sailed over it, admiring its +splendour and beauty.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXIII" id="CCHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">A LOVELY COUNTRY BENEATH THE WAVES.</p> + + +<p>After leaving this they entered on another sea, which +seemed like a clear, thin cloud; and it was so transparent, +and appeared so light, that they thought at +first it would not bear up the weight of the curragh.</p> + +<p>Looking down, they could see, beneath the clear +water, a beautiful country, with many mansions surrounded +by groves and woods. In one place was a +single tree; and, standing on its branches, they saw +an animal fierce and terrible to look upon.</p> + +<p>Round about the tree was a great herd of oxen +grazing, and a man stood near to guard them, armed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +with shield and spear and sword; but when he looked +up and saw the animal on the tree, he turned anon +and fled with the utmost speed. Then the monster +stretched forth his neck, and, darting his head +downward, plunged his fangs into the back of the +largest ox of the whole herd, lifted him off the ground +into the tree, and swallowed him down in the twinkling +of an eye; whereupon the whole herd took to flight.</p> + +<p>When Maildun and his people saw this, they were +seized with great terror; for they feared they should +not be able to cross the sea over the monster, on +account of the extreme mist-like thinness of the +water; but after much difficulty and danger they got +across it safely.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXIV" id="CCHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">AN ISLAND GUARDED BY A WALL OF WATER.</p> + + +<p>When they came to the next island, they observed +with astonishment that the sea rose up over it on +every side, steep and high, standing, as it were, like a +wall all round it. When the people of the island saw +the voyagers, they rushed hither and thither, shouting, +"There they are, surely! There they come again for +another spoil!"</p> + +<p>Then Maildun's people saw great numbers of men +and women, all shouting and driving vast herds of +horses, cows, and sheep. A woman began to pelt the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +crew from below with large nuts; she flung them so +that they alighted on the waves round the boat, +where they remained floating; and the crew gathered +great quantities of them and kept them for eating.</p> + +<p>When they turned to go away, the shouting ceased: +and they heard one man calling aloud, "Where are +they now?" and another answering him, "They are +gone away!"</p> + +<p>From what Maildun saw and heard at this island, +it is likely that it had been foretold to the people that +their country should some day be spoiled by certain +marauders; and that they thought Maildun and his +men were the enemies they expected.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXV" id="CCHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">A WATER-ARCH IN THE AIR.</p> + + +<p>On the next island they saw a very wonderful thing, +namely, a great stream of water which, gushing up out +of the strand, rose into the air in the form of a rainbow, +till it crossed the whole island and came down +on the strand at the other side. They walked under +it without getting wet; and they hooked down from +it many large salmon. Great quantities of salmon of +a very great size fell also out of the water over their +heads down on the ground; so that the whole island +smelled of fish, and it became troublesome to gather +them on account of their abundance.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>From the evening of Sunday till the evening of +Monday, the stream never ceased to flow, and never +changed its place, but remained spanning the island +like a solid arch of water. Then the voyagers +gathered the largest of the salmon, till they had as +much as the curragh would hold; after which they +sailed out into the great sea.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXVI" id="CCHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE SILVER PILLAR OF THE SEA.</p> + + +<p>The next thing they found after this was an immense +silver pillar standing in the sea. It had eight sides, +each of which was the width of an oar-stroke of the +curragh, so that its whole circumference was eight +oar-strokes. It rose out of the sea without any land +or earth about it, nothing but the boundless ocean; +and they could not see its base deep down in the +water, neither were they able to see the top on +account of its vast height.</p> + +<p>A silver net hung from the top down to the very +water, extending far out at one side of the pillar; +and the meshes were so large that the curragh in full +sail went through one of them. When they were +passing through it, Diuran struck the mesh with the +edge of his spear, and with the blow cut a large +piece off it.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do not destroy the net," said Maildun; "for what +we see is the work of great men."</p> + +<p>"What I have done," answered Diuran, "is for the +honour of my God, and in order that the story of our +adventures may be more readily believed; and I shall +lay this silver as an offering on the altar of Armagh, +if I ever reach Erin."</p> + +<p>That piece of silver weighed two ounces and a half, +as it was reckoned afterwards by the people of the +church of Armagh.</p> + +<p>After this they heard some one speaking on the +top of the pillar, in a loud, clear, glad voice; but they +knew neither what he said, nor in what language he +spoke.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXVII" id="CCHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">AN ISLAND STANDING ON ONE PILLAR.</p> + + +<p>The island they saw after this was named Encos;<a name="FNanchor_LXXV._103" id="FNanchor_LXXV._103"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXV._103" class="fnanchor">[LXXV.]</a> +and it was so called because it was supported by a +single pillar in the middle. They rowed all round it, +seeking how they might get into it; but could find +no landing-place. At the foot of the pillar, however, +down deep in the water, they saw a door securely +closed and locked, and they judged that this was +the way into the island. They called aloud, to find +out if any persons were living there; but they got +no reply. So they left it, and put out to sea once +more.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CCHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLAND QUEEN DETAINS THEM WITH HER MAGIC +THREAD-CLEW.</p> + +<p>The next island they reached was very large. On one +side rose a lofty, smooth, heath-clad mountain, and +all the rest of the island was a grassy plain. Near the +sea-shore stood a great high palace, adorned with +carvings and precious stones, and strongly fortified +with a high rampart all round. After landing, they +went towards the palace, and sat to rest on the +bench before the gateway leading through the outer +rampart; and, looking in through the open door, +they saw a number of beautiful young maidens in +the court.</p> + +<p>After they had sat for some time, a rider appeared +at a distance, coming swiftly towards the palace; and +on a near approach, the travellers perceived that it was +a lady, young and beautiful and richly dressed. She +wore a blue, rustling silk head-dress; a silver-fringed +purple cloak hung from her shoulders; her gloves were +embroidered with gold thread; and her feet were laced +becomingly in close-fitting scarlet sandals. One of the +maidens came out and held her horse, while she dismounted +and entered the palace; and soon after she +had gone in, another of the maidens came towards +Maildun and his companions and said—</p> + +<p>"You are welcome to this island. Come into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +palace; the queen has sent me to invite you, and is +waiting to receive you."</p> + +<p>They followed the maiden into the palace; and the +queen bade them welcome, and received them kindly. +Then, leading them into a large hall in which a plentiful +dinner was laid out, she bade them sit down and +eat. A dish of choice food and a crystal goblet of +wine were placed before Maildun; while a single dish +and a single drinking-bowl, with a triple quantity of +meat and drink, were laid before each three of his +companions. And having eaten and drunk till they +were satisfied, they went to sleep on soft couches +till morning.</p> + +<p>Next day, the queen addressed Maildun and his +companions—</p> + +<p>"Stay now in this country, and do not go a-wandering +any longer over the wide ocean from island +to island. Old age or sickness shall never come upon +you; but you shall be always as young as you are at +present, and you shall live for ever a life of ease and +pleasure."</p> + +<p>"Tell us," said Maildun, "how you pass your life +here."</p> + +<p>"That is no hard matter," answered the queen. +"The good king who formerly ruled over this island +was my husband, and these fair young maidens that +you see are our children. He died after a long reign, +and as he left no son, I now reign, the sole ruler of +the island. And every day I go to the Great Plain, +to administer justice and to decide causes among my +people."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Wilt thou go from us to-day?" asked Maildun.</p> + +<p>"I must needs go even now," she replied, "to give +judgments among the people; but as to you, you will +all stay in this house till I return in the evening, and +you need not trouble yourselves with any labour or +care."</p> + +<p>They remained in that island during the three +months of winter. And these three months appeared +to Maildun's companions as long as three years, for +they began to have an earnest desire to return to their +native land. At the end of that time, one of them +said to Maildun—</p> + +<p>"We have been a long time here; why do we not +return to our own country?"</p> + +<p>"What you say is neither good nor sensible," +answered Maildun, "for we shall not find in our own +country anything better than we have here."</p> + +<p>But this did not satisfy his companions, and they +began to murmur loudly. "It is quite clear," said +they, "that Maildun loves the queen of this island; +and as this is so, let him stay here; but as for us, +we will return to our own country."</p> + +<p>Maildun, however, would not consent to remain +after them, and he told them that he would go away +with them.</p> + +<p>Now, on a certain day, not long after this conversation, +as soon as the queen had gone to the Great Plain +to administer justice, according to her daily custom, +they got their curragh ready and put out to sea. They +had not gone very far from land when the queen came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +riding towards the shore; and, seeing how matters +stood, she went into the palace and soon returned +with a ball of thread in her hand.</p> + +<p>Walking down to the water's edge, she flung the +ball after the curragh, but held the end of the thread +in her hand. Maildun caught the ball as it was +passing, and it clung to his hand; and the queen, +gently pulling the thread towards her, drew back the +curragh to the very spot from which they had started +in the little harbour. And when they had landed, she +made them promise that if ever this happened again, +some one should always stand up in the boat and +catch the ball.</p> + +<p>The voyagers abode on the island, much against +their will, for nine months longer. For every time +they attempted to escape, the queen brought them +back by means of the clew, as she had done at first, +Maildun always catching the ball.</p> + +<p>At the end of the nine months, the men held +council, and this is what they said—</p> + +<p>"We know now that Maildun does not wish to +leave the island; for he loves this queen very much, +and he catches the ball whenever we try to escape, in +order that we may be brought back to the palace."</p> + +<p>Maildun replied, "Let some one else attend to the +ball next time, and let us try whether it will cling to +his hand."</p> + +<p>They agreed to this, and, watching their opportunity, +they again put off towards the open sea. The +queen arrived, as usual, before they had gone very far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +and flung the ball after them as before. Another man +of the crew caught it, and it clung as firmly to his +hand as to Maildun's; and the queen began to draw +the curragh towards the shore. But Diuran, drawing +his sword, cut off the man's hand, which fell with the +ball into the sea; and the men gladly plying their oars, +the curragh resumed her outward voyage.</p> + +<p>When the queen saw this, she began to weep and +lament, wringing her hands and tearing her hair with +grief; and her maidens also began to weep and cry +aloud and clap their hands, so that the whole palace +was full of grief and lamentation. But none the +less did the men bend to their oars, and the curragh +sailed away; and it was in this manner that the +voyagers made their escape from the island.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXIX" id="CCHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLE OF INTOXICATING WINE-FRUITS.</p> + + +<p>They were now a long time tossed about on the great +billows, when at length they came in view of an island +with many trees on it. These trees were somewhat +like hazels, and they were laden with a kind of fruit +which the voyagers had not seen before, extremely +large, and not very different in appearance from +apples, except that they had a rough, berry-like rind.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> + +<p>After the crew had plucked all the fruit off one +small tree, they cast lots who should try them, and +the lot fell on Maildun. So he took some of them, +and, squeezing the juice into a vessel, drank it. It +threw him into a sleep of intoxication so deep that he +seemed to be in a trance rather than in a natural +slumber, without breath or motion, and with the red +foam on his lips. And from that hour till the same +hour next day, no one could tell whether he was living +or dead.</p> + +<p>When he awoke next day, he bade his people to +gather as much of the fruit as they could bring away +with them; for the world, as he told them, never produced +anything of such surpassing goodness. They +pressed out the juice of the fruit till they had filled +all their vessels; and so powerful was it to produce +intoxication and sleep, that, before drinking it, they +had to mix a large quantity of water with it to +moderate its strength.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXX" id="CCHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLE OF THE MYSTIC LAKE.</p> + + +<p>The island they came to next was larger than most of +those they had seen. On one side grew a wood of +yew trees and great oaks; and on the other side was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +a grassy plain, with one small lake in the midst. +A noble-looking house stood on the near part of the +plain, with a small church not far off; and numerous +flocks of sheep browsed over the whole island.</p> + +<p>The travellers went to the church, and found in +it a hermit, with snow-white beard and hair, and all +the other marks of great old age. Maildun asked +who he was, and whence he had come.</p> + +<p>He replied, "I am one of the fifteen people, who, +following the example of our master, Brendan of +Birra,<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> sailed on a pilgrimage out into the great ocean. +After many wanderings, we settled on this island, +where we lived for a long time; but my companions +died one after another, and of all who came hither, +I alone am left."</p> + +<p>The old pilgrim then showed them Brendan's +satchel,<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> which he and his companions had brought +with them on their pilgrimage; and Maildun kissed it, +and all bowed down in veneration before it. And he +told them that as long as they remained there, they +might eat of the sheep and of the other food of the +island; but to waste nothing.</p> + +<p>One day, as they were seated on a hill, gazing out +over the sea, they saw what they took to be a black +cloud coming towards them from the south-west. They +continued to view it very closely as it came nearer and +nearer; and at last they perceived with amazement +that it was an immense bird, for they saw quite plainly +the slow, heavy flapping of his wings. When he +reached the island, he alighted on a little hillock over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +the lake; and they felt no small alarm, for they thought, +on account of his vast size, that if he saw them, he +might seize them in his talons, and carry them off over +the sea. So they hid themselves under trees and in +the crannies of rocks; but they never lost sight of the +bird, for they were bent on watching his movements.</p> + +<p>He appeared very old, and he held in one claw a +branch of a tree, which he had brought with him over +the sea, larger and heavier than the largest full-grown +oak. It was covered with fresh, green leaves, and was +heavily laden with clusters of fruit, red and rich-looking +like grapes, but much larger.</p> + +<p>He remained resting for a time on the hill, being +much wearied after his flight, and at last he began to +eat the fruit off the branch. After watching him for +some time longer, Maildun ventured warily towards +the hillock, to see whether he was inclined to mischief; +but the bird showed no disposition to harm him. +This emboldened the others, and they all followed +their chief.</p> + +<p>The whole crew now marched in a body round the +bird, headed by Maildun, with their shields raised; +and as he still made no stir, one of the men, by +Maildun's directions, went straight in front of him, +and brought away some of the fruit from the branch +which he still held in his talons. But the bird went +on plucking and eating his fruit, and never took the +least notice.</p> + +<p>On the evening of that same day, as the men sat +looking over the sea to the south-west, where the great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +bird first appeared to them, they saw in the distance +two others, quite as large, coming slowly towards them +from the very same point. On they came, flying at a +vast height, nearer and nearer, till at last they swooped +down and alighted on the hillock in front of the first +bird, one on each side.</p> + +<p>Although they were plainly much younger than the +other, they seemed very tired, and took a long rest. +Then, shaking their wings, they began picking the old +bird all over, body, wings, and head, plucking out the +old feathers and the decayed quill points, and smoothing +down his plumage with their great beaks. After +this had gone on for some time, the three began +plucking the fruit off the branch, and they ate till +they were satisfied.</p> + +<p>Next morning, the two birds began at the very +same work, picking and arranging the feathers of the +old bird as before; and at midday they ceased, and +began again to eat the fruit, throwing the stones and +what they did not eat of the pulp, into the lake, till the +water became red like wine. After this the old bird +plunged into the lake and remained in it, washing +himself, till evening, when he again flew up on the +hillock, but perched on a different part of it, to avoid +touching and defiling himself with the old feathers +and the other traces of age and decay, which the +younger birds had removed from him.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the third day, the two younger +birds set about arranging his feathers for the third +time; and on this occasion they applied themselves to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +their task in a manner much more careful and particular +than before, smoothing the plumes with the +nicest touches, and arranging them in beautiful lines +and glossy tufts and ridges. And so they continued +without the least pause till midday, when they ceased. +Then, after resting for a little while, they opened their +great wings, rose into the air, and flew away swiftly +towards the south-west, till the men lost sight of them +in the distance.</p> + +<p>Meantime the old bird, after the others had left, +continued to smooth and plume his feathers till evening; +then, shaking his wings, he rose up, and flew +three times round the island, as if to try his strength. +And now the men observed that he had lost all the +appearances of old age: his feathers were thick and +glossy, his head was erect and his eye bright, and he +flew with quite as much power and swiftness as the +others. Alighting for the last time on the hillock, +after resting a little, he rose again, and turning his +flight after the other two, to the point from which he +had come, he was soon lost to view, and the voyagers +saw no more of him.</p> + +<p>It now appeared very clear to Maildun and his +companions that this bird had undergone a renewal of +youth from old age, according to the word of the +prophet, which says, "Thy youth shall be renewed as +the eagle." Diuran, seeing this great wonder, said to +his companions—</p> + +<p>"Let us also bathe in the lake, and we shall +obtain a renewal of youth like the bird."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<p>But they said, "Not so, for the bird has left the +poison of his old age and decay in the water."</p> + +<p>Diuran, however, would have his own way; and +he told them he was resolved to try the virtue of the +water, and that they might follow his example or not, +whichever they pleased. So he plunged in and swam +about for some time, after which he took a little of +the water and mixed it in his mouth; and in the end +he swallowed a small quantity. He then came out +perfectly sound and whole; and he remained so ever +after, for as long as he lived he never lost a tooth +or had a grey hair, and he suffered not from disease +or bodily weakness of any kind. But none of the +others ventured in.</p> + +<p>The voyagers, having remained long enough on +this island, stored in their curragh a large quantity +of the flesh of the sheep; and after bidding farewell +to the ancient cleric, they sought the ocean once +more.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now once again, when winds and tide combine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The flying curragh cleaves the crested brine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far to the west an island rose to view,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With verdant plains, clear streams, and mountains blue.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An aged hermit, bred in Erin's land,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Welcomed and blessed the chieftain and his band;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Brought food and drink, and bade them rest awhile,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And view the wonders of that lovely isle.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lo, from the sea, three birds of monstrous size,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With vast wings slowly moving, cleave the skies;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And as they nearer drew, the sailors saw<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One held a fruit branch firmly in his claw.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down by the dear, mysterious lake they light,<br /></span> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> +<span class="i0">Eat from the branch, and rest them from their flight.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">The aged bird, with plumes decayed and thin,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Paused on the brink awhile, then, plunging in,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He bath'd and smooth'd his feathers o'er and o'er,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shook his great wings and rested on the shore.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Now while the other two his plumes arrange,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through all his frame appears a wondrous change:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His eyes grow bright, his head erect and bold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His glossy plumage shines like burnished gold;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Free from old age, his glorious form expands;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In radiant youth and beauty proud he stands!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Such was the gift that lake of wonder gave;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Such was the virtue of its mystic wave.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXXI" id="CCHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLE OF LAUGHING.</p> + + +<p>They next came to an island with a great plain extending +over its whole surface. They saw a vast +multitude of people on it, engaged in sundry youthful +games, and all continually laughing. The voyagers +cast lots who should go to examine the island; and +the lot fell upon Maildun's third foster brother.</p> + +<p>The moment he landed he went among the others +and joined in their pastimes and in their laughter, +as if he had been among them all his life. His companions +waited for him a very long time, but were +afraid to venture to land after him; and at last, as +there seemed no chance of his returning, they left +him and sailed away.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXXII" id="CCHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ISLE OF THE BLEST.</p> + + +<p>They came now to a small island with a high rampart +of fire all round it; and that rampart revolved continually +round the island. There was one large open +door in the rampart; and whenever the door, in its +involution, came in front of them, they could see almost +the whole island through it, and all that was therein.</p> + +<p>And this is what they saw: A great number of +people, beautiful and glorious-looking, wearing rich +garments adorned and radiant all over, feasting +joyously, and drinking from embossed vessels of red +gold which they held in their hands. The voyagers +heard also their cheerful, festive songs; and they +marvelled greatly, and their hearts were full of gladness +at all the happiness they saw and heard. But +they did not venture to land.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CCHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE HERMIT OF THE SEA-ROCK.</p> + + +<p>A little time after leaving this, they saw something +a long way off towards the south, which at first they +took to be a large white bird floating on the sea, and +rising and falling with the waves; but on turning +their curragh towards it for a nearer view, they found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +that it was a man. He was very old, so old that he +was covered all over with long, white hair, which +grew from his body; and he was standing on a broad, +bare rock, and kept continually throwing himself on +his knees, and never ceased praying.</p> + +<p>When they saw that he was a holy man, they +asked and received his blessing; after which they +began to converse with him; and they inquired who +he was, and how he had come to that rock. Then the +old man gave them the following account:—</p> + +<p>"I was born and bred in the island of Tory.<a name="FNanchor_LXXVI._104" id="FNanchor_LXXVI._104"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXVI._104" class="fnanchor">[LXXVI.]</a> +When I grew up to be a man, I was cook to the +brotherhood of the monastery; and a wicked cook I +was; for every day I sold part of the food intrusted +to me, and secretly bought many choice and rare +things with the money. Worse even than this I +did; I made secret passages underground into the +church and into the houses belonging to it, and I +stole from time to time great quantities of golden +vestments, book-covers adorned with brass and gold, +and other holy and precious things.</p> + +<p>"I soon became very rich, and had my rooms filled +with costly couches, with clothes of every colour, both +linen and woollen, with brazen pitchers and caldrons, +and with brooches and armlets of gold. Nothing was +wanting in my house, of furniture and ornament, that +a person in a high rank of life might be expected to +have; and I became very proud and overbearing.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> +<p>"One day, I was sent to dig a grave for the body +of a rustic that had been brought from the mainland +to be buried on the island. I went and fixed on a +spot in the little graveyard; but as soon as I had +set to work, I heard a voice speaking down deep in +the earth beneath my feet—</p> + +<p>"'Do not dig this grave!'</p> + +<p>"I paused for a moment, startled; but, recovering +myself, I gave no further heed to the mysterious +words, and again I began to dig. The moment I did +so, I heard the same voice, even more plainly than +before—</p> + +<p>"'Do not dig this grave! I am a devout and holy +person, and my body is lean and light; do not put +the heavy, pampered body of that sinner down upon +me!'</p> + +<p>"But I answered, in the excess of my pride and +obstinacy, 'I will certainly dig this grave; and I will +bury this body down on you!'</p> + +<p>"'If you put that body down on me, the flesh will +fall off your bones, and you will die, and be sent to +the infernal pit at the end of three days; and, moreover, +the body will not remain where you put it.'</p> + +<p>"'What will you give me,' I asked, 'if I do not +bury the corpse on you?'</p> + +<p>"'Everlasting life in heaven,' replied the voice.</p> + +<p>"'How do you know this; and how am I to be +sure of it?' I inquired.</p> + +<p>"And the voice answered me, 'The grave you are +digging is clay. Observe now whether it will remain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +so, and then you will know the truth of what I tell +you. And you will see that what I say will come to +pass, and that you cannot bury that man on me, even +if you should try to do so.'</p> + +<p>"These words were scarce ended, when the grave +was turned into a mass of white sand before my face. +And when I saw this, I brought the body away, and +buried it elsewhere.</p> + +<p>"It happened, some time after, that I got a new +curragh made, with the hides painted red all over; and +I went to sea in it. As I sailed by the shores and +islands, I was so pleased with the view of the land +and sea from my curragh that I resolved to live +altogether in it for some time; and I brought on board +all my treasures—silver cups, gold bracelets, and ornamented +drinking-horns, and everything else, from the +largest to the smallest article.</p> + +<p>"I enjoyed myself for a time, while the air was +clear and the sea calm and smooth. But one day, the +winds suddenly arose and a storm burst upon me, +which carried me out to sea, so that I quite lost sight +of land, and I knew not in what direction the curragh +was drifting. After a time, the wind abated to a +gentle gale, the sea became smooth, and the curragh +sailed on as before, with a quiet, pleasant movement.</p> + +<p>"But suddenly, though the breeze continued to +blow, I thought I could perceive that the curragh +ceased moving, and, standing up to find out the cause, +I saw with great surprise an old man not far off, +sitting on the crest of a wave.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He spoke to me; and, as soon as I heard his voice, +I knew it at once, but I could not at the moment call +to mind where I had heard it before. And I became +greatly troubled, and began to tremble, I knew not +why.</p> + +<p>"'Whither art thou going?' he asked.</p> + +<p>"'I know not,' I replied; 'but this I know, I +am pleased with the smooth, gentle motion of my +curragh over the waves.'</p> + +<p>"'You would not be pleased,' replied the old man, +'if you could see the troops that are at this moment +around you.'</p> + +<p>"'What troops do you speak of?' I asked. And +he answered—</p> + +<p>"'All the space round about you, as far as your +view reaches over the sea, and upwards to the clouds, +is one great towering mass of demons, on account of +your avarice, your thefts, your pride, and your other +crimes and vices.'</p> + +<p>"He then asked, 'Do you know why your +curragh has stopped?'</p> + +<p>"I answered, 'No;' and he said, 'It has been +stopped by me; and it will never move from that +spot till you promise me to do what I shall ask +of you.'</p> + +<p>"I replied that perhaps it was not in my power +to grant his demand.</p> + +<p>"'It is in your power,' he answered; 'and if you +refuse me, the torments of hell shall be your doom.'</p> + +<p>"He then came close to the curragh, and, laying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +his hands on me, he made me swear to do what he +demanded.</p> + +<p>"'What I ask is this,' said he; 'that you throw +into the sea this moment all the ill-gotten treasures +you have in the curragh.'</p> + +<p>"This grieved me very much, and I replied, 'It +is a pity that all these costly things should be lost.'</p> + +<p>"To which he answered, 'They will not go to loss; +a person will be sent to take charge of them. Now +do as I say.'</p> + +<p>"So, greatly against my wishes, I threw all the +beautiful precious articles overboard, keeping only +a small wooden cup to drink from.</p> + +<p>"'You will now continue your voyage,' he said; +'and the first solid ground your curragh reaches, there +you are to stay.'</p> + +<p>"He then gave me seven cakes and a cup of watery +whey as food for my voyage; after which the curragh +moved on, and I soon lost sight of him. And now I +all at once recollected that the old man's voice was +the same as the voice that I had heard come from the +ground, when I was about to dig the grave for the +body of the rustic. I was so astonished and troubled +at this discovery, and so disturbed at the loss of all +my wealth, that I threw aside my oars, and gave myself +up altogether to the winds and currents, not caring +whither I went; and for a long time I was tossed +about on the waves, I knew not in what direction.</p> + +<p>"At last it seemed to me that my curragh ceased +to move; but I was not sure about it, for I could see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +no sign of land. Mindful, however, of what the old +man had told me, that I was to stay wherever my +curragh stopped, I looked round more carefully; and +at last I saw, very near me, a small rock level with +the surface, over which the waves were gently laughing +and tumbling. I stepped on to the rock; and the +moment I did so, the waves seemed to spring back, +and the rock rose high over the level of the water; +while the curragh drifted by and quickly disappeared, +so that I never saw it after. This rock has been my +abode from that time to the present day.</p> + +<p>"For the first seven years, I lived on the seven +cakes and the cup of whey given me by the man who +had sent me to the rock. At the end of that time +the cakes were all gone; and for three days I fasted, +with nothing but the whey to wet my mouth. Late +in the evening of the third day, an otter brought me +a salmon out of the sea; but though I suffered much +from hunger, I could not bring myself to eat the fish +raw, and it was washed back again into the waves.</p> + +<p>"I remained without food for three days longer; +and in the afternoon of the third day, the otter +returned with the salmon. And I saw another otter +bring firewood; and when he had piled it up on the +rock, he blew it with his breath till it took fire and +lighted up. And then I broiled the salmon and ate +till I had satisfied my hunger.</p> + +<p>"The otter continued to bring me a salmon every +day, and in this manner I lived for seven years longer. +The rock also grew larger and larger daily, till it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +became the size you now see it. At the end of seven +years, the otter ceased to bring me my salmon, and +I fasted for three days. But at the end of the third +day, I was sent half a cake of fine wheaten flour and +a slice of fish; and on the same day my cup of watery +whey fell into the sea, and a cup of the same size, filled +with good ale, was placed on the rock for me.</p> + +<p>"And so I have lived, praying and doing penance +for my sins to this hour. Each day my drinking-vessel +is filled with ale, and I am sent half a wheat-flour +cake and a slice of fish; and neither rain nor +wind, nor heat, nor cold, is allowed to molest me on +this rock."</p> + +<p>This was the end of the old man's history. In the +evening of that day, each man of the crew received +the same quantity of food that was sent to the old +hermit himself, namely, half a cake and a slice of fish; +and they found in the vessel as much good ale as +served them all.</p> + +<p>The next morning he said to them, "You shall +all reach your own country in safety. And you, +Maildun, you shall find in an island on your way, the +very man that slew your father; but you are neither +to kill him nor take revenge on him in any way. +As God has delivered you from the many dangers you +have passed through, though you were very guilty, +and well deserved death at His hands; so you forgive +your enemy the crime he committed against you."</p> + +<p>After this they took leave of the old man and +sailed away.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center p2">THE OLD HERMIT'S STORY.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The storms may roar and the seas may rage,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">But here, on this bare, brown rock,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I pray and repent and I tell my beads,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Secure from the hurricane's shock.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For the good, kind God, in pity to me,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Holds out His protecting hand;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And cold nor heat nor storm nor sleet,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Can molest me where I stand.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I robbed the churches and wronged the poor,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And grew richer day by day;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But now on this bare, brown ocean rock,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A heavy penance I pay.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A bloated sinner died unshrived,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And they brought his corse to me—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Go, dig the grave and bury the dead,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And pray for the soul set free."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I dug the grave, but my hands were stayed<br /></span> +<span class="i1">By a solemn and fearful sound,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For the feeble tones of a dead man's voice<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Came up from the hollow ground!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><i>The dead monk speaks up from the grave</i>—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Place not that pampered corse on mine,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For my bones are weak and thin;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I cannot bear the heavy weight<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of a body defiled by sin.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I was a meek and holy man;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">I fasted and watched and prayed;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A sinner's corse would defile the clay<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Where my wasted body is laid.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>The old hermit continues his story</i>—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The voice then ceased, and I heard no more<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Its hollow, beseeching tone;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then I closed the grave, and left the old monk<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To rest in his coffin alone.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My curragh sailed on the western main,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And I saw, as I viewed the sea,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A withered old man upon a wave;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And he fixed his eyes on me.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He spoke, and his voice my heart's blood froze,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And I shook with horror and fear:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Twas the very voice of the dead old monk<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That sounded in mine ear!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><i>The dead monk speaks again</i>—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Far from my grave the sinner's corse<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In unhallowed clay lies deep;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And now in my coffin, undefiled,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">For ever in peace I sleep.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go, live and pray on the bare, brown rock,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Far out in the stormy sea;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A heavy penance for heavy crimes,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And heaven at last for thee!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><i>The old hermit ends his story</i>—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And here I live from age to age;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">I pray and repent and fast;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An otter brings me food each day,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And I hope for heaven at last.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The tempests roar and the billows rage,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">But God holds forth His hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And cold nor heat nor storm nor sleet,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Can harm me where I stand.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CCHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">SIGNS OF HOME.</p> + + +<p>Soon after they saw a beautiful verdant island, with +herds of oxen, cows, and sheep browsing all over its +hills and valleys; but no houses nor inhabitants were +to be seen. And they rested for some time on this +island, and ate the flesh of the cows and sheep.</p> + +<p>One day, while they were standing on a hill, a +large falcon flew by; and two of the crew, who happened +to look closely at him, cried out, in the hearing +of Maildun—</p> + +<p>"See that falcon! he is surely like the falcons of +Erin!"</p> + +<p>"Watch him closely," cried Maildun; "and observe +exactly in what direction he is flying!"</p> + +<p>And they saw that he flew to the south-east, without +turning or wavering.</p> + +<p>They went on board at once; and, having unmoored, +they sailed to the south-east after the falcon. +After rowing the whole day, they sighted land in the +dusk of the evening, which seemed to them like the +land of Erin.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="CCHAPTER_XXXV" id="CCHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">MAILDUN MEETS HIS ENEMY, AND ARRIVES HOME.</p> + + +<p>On a near approach, they found it was a small island; +and now they recognised it as the very same island +they had seen in the beginning of their voyage, in +which they had heard the man in the great house +boast that he had slain Maildun's father, and from +which the storm had driven them out into the great +ocean.</p> + +<p>They turned the prow of their vessel to the shore, +landed, and went towards the house. It happened +that at this very time the people of the house were +seated at their evening meal; and Maildun and his +companions, as they stood outside, heard a part of +their conversation.</p> + +<p>Said one to another, "It would not be well for us +if we were now to see Maildun."</p> + +<p>"As to Maildun," answered another, "it is very well +known that he was drowned long ago in the great +ocean."</p> + +<p>"Do not be sure," observed a third; "perchance +he is the very man that may waken you up some +morning from your sleep."</p> + +<p>"Supposing he came now," asks another, "what +should we do?"</p> + +<p>The head of the house now spoke in reply to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +the last question; and Maildun at once knew his +voice—</p> + +<p>"I can easily answer that," said he. "Maildun has +been for a long time suffering great afflictions and +hardships; and if he were to come now, though we +were enemies once, I should certainly give him a +welcome and a kind reception."</p> + +<p>When Maildun heard this he knocked at the door, +and the door-keeper asked who was there; to which +Maildun made answer—</p> + +<p>"It is I, Maildun, returned safely from all my +wanderings."</p> + +<p>The chief of the house then ordered the door to be +opened; and he went to meet Maildun, and brought +himself and his companions into the house. They +were joyfully welcomed by the whole household; new +garments were given to them; and they feasted and +rested, till they forgot their weariness and their +hardships.</p> + +<p>They related all the wonders God had revealed to +them in the course of their voyage, according to the +word of the sage who says, "It will be a source of +pleasure to remember these things at a future time."</p> + +<p>After they had remained here for some days, +Maildun returned to his own country. And Diuran +Lekerd took the five half-ounces of silver he had cut +down from the great net at the Silver Pillar, and laid +it, according to his promise, on the high altar of +Armagh.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="THE_FAIRY_PALACE_OF_THE_QUICKEN_TREES" id="THE_FAIRY_PALACE_OF_THE_QUICKEN_TREES"></a>THE FAIRY PALACE OF THE QUICKEN TREES. +<a name="FNanchor_LXXVII._105" id="FNanchor_LXXVII._105"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXVII._105" class="fnanchor">[LXXVII.]</a></h2> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="DCHAPTER_I" id="DCHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">COLGA, KING OF LOCHLANN, INVADES ERIN, +AND IS SLAIN.</p> + + +<p>Once upon a time, a noble, warlike king ruled over +Lochlann,<a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> whose name was Colga of the Hard +Weapons. On a certain occasion, this king held a +meeting of his chief people, on the broad, green plain +before his palace of Berva.<a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> And when they were +all gathered together, he spoke to them in a loud, +clear voice, from where he sat high on his throne; +and he asked them whether they found any fault +with the manner in which he ruled them, and +whether they knew of anything deserving of blame +in him as their sovereign lord and king. They +replied, as if with the voice of one man, that they +found no fault of any kind.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> +<p>Then the king spoke again and said, "You see +not as I see. Do you not know that I am called +King of the Four Tribes of Lochlann, and of the +Islands of the Sea? And yet there is one island +which acknowledges not my rule."</p> + +<p>And when they had asked which of the islands +he meant, he said—</p> + +<p>"That island is Erin of the green hills. My +forefathers, indeed, held sway over it, and many of +our brave warriors died there in fight. There fell +the great king, Balor of the Mighty Blows;<a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> his son +Bres<a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> also; and his queen, Kethlenda of the Crooked +Teeth;<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> there, too, fell Irann and Slana, sisters of +the king; and many others that I do not name. +But though our hosts at last subdued the land and +laid it under tribute, yet they held it not long; for +the men of Erin arose and expelled our army, regaining +their ancient freedom.</p> + +<p>"And now it is my desire that we once more sail +to Erin with a fleet and an army, to bring it under +my power, and take, either by consent or by force, the +tributes that are due to me by right. And we shall +thereafter hold the island in subjection till the end +of the world."</p> + +<p>The chiefs approved the counsel of the king, and +the meeting broke up.</p> + +<p>Then the king made proclamation, and sent his +swift scouts and couriers all over the land, to muster +his fighting men, till he had assembled a mighty army +in one place.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>And when they had made ready their curve-sided, +white-sailed ships, and their strong, swift-gliding +boats, the army embarked. And they raised their +sails and plied their oars; and they cleft the billowy, +briny sea; and the clear, cold winds whistled through +their sails; and they made neither stop nor stay, till +they landed on the shore of the province of Ulad.<a name="FNanchor_LXXVIII._106" id="FNanchor_LXXVIII._106"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXVIII._106" class="fnanchor">[LXXVIII.]</a></p> + +<p>The King of Ireland at that time was Cormac Mac +Art,<a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> the grandson of Conn the Hundred-fighter.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> +And when Cormac heard that a great fleet had come +to Erin, and landed an army of foreigners, he straightway +sent tidings of the invasion to Allen<a name="FNanchor_LXXIX._107" id="FNanchor_LXXIX._107"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXIX._107" class="fnanchor">[LXXIX.]</a> of the +green hill-slopes, where lived Finn,<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> and the noble +Fena<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> of the Gaels.</p> + +<p>When the king's messengers had told their tale, +Finn despatched his trusty, swift-footed couriers to +every part of Erin where he knew the Fena dwelt; +and he bade them to say that all should meet him +at a certain place, near that part of the coast where +the Lochlann army lay encamped. And he himself +led the Fena of Leinster northwards to join the muster.</p> + +<p>They attacked the foreigners, and the foreigners +were not slow to meet their onset; and the Fena +were sore pressed in that battle, so that at one time +the Lochlanns were like to prevail.</p> + +<p>Oscar, the son of Oisin,<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> when he saw his friends +falling all round him, was grieved to the heart;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +and he rested for a space to gather his wrath and +his strength. Then, renewing the fight, he rushed +with fury towards the standard of Colga, the Lochlann +king, dealing havoc and slaughter among those +foreigners that stood in his track. The king saw +Oscar approach, and met him; and they fought a +deadly battle hand-to-hand. Soon their shields were +rent, their hard helmets were dinted with sword-blows, +their armour was pierced in many places, and +their flesh was torn with deep wounds. And the end +of the fight was, that the king of the foreigners was +slain by Oscar, the son of Oisin.</p> + +<p>When the Lochlanns saw their king fall, they +lost heart, and the battle went against them. But +they fought on nevertheless, till evening, when their +army entirely gave way, and fled from the field. +And of all the nobles and princes and mighty chiefs +who sailed to Erin on that expedition, not one was +left alive, except the youngest son of the king, whose +name was Midac. Him Finn spared on account of +his youth; with intent to bring him up in his own +household.</p> + +<p>After the Fena had rested for a time, and buried +their dead, they turned their faces southward, and +marched slowly towards Allen, bringing their sick +and wounded companions. And Finn placed Midac +among the household of Allen, treating him honourably, +and giving him servants and tutors. Moreover, +he enlisted him in the Fena, and gave him a high +post as befitted a prince.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="DCHAPTER_II" id="DCHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">MIDAC, THE SON OF COLGA, MEDITATES REVENGE.</p> + + +<p>After this things went on as before, while Midac +grew up towards manhood, and hunted and feasted +with the Fena, and fought with them when they +fought. But he never lost an opportunity of making +himself acquainted with all their haunts and hunting-grounds, +their palaces and fortresses, and in particular +with their manner of carrying on war.</p> + +<p>It happened one day that Finn and some of his +leading chiefs were in council, considering sundry +matters, especially the state and condition of the +Fena; and each chief was commanded by Finn to +speak, and give his opinion or advice on anything +that he deemed weighty enough to be debated by +the meeting.</p> + +<p>And after many had spoken, Conan Mail, the son +of Morna, stood up and said—</p> + +<p>"It seems to me, O king, that you and I and the +Fena in general are now in great danger. For you +have in your house, and mixing with your people, a +young man who has good cause of enmity towards +you; that is to say, Midac, the son of the king of +Lochlann. For was it not by you that his father and +brothers and many of his friends were slain? Now I +notice that this young prince is silent and distant, and +talks little to those around him. Moreover, I see that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +day after day he takes much pains to know all matters +relating to the Fena; and as he has friends in Lochlann, +mighty men with armies and ships, I fear me the day +may come when this prince will use his knowledge to +our destruction."</p> + +<p>The king said that all this was quite true, and he +asked Conan to give his opinion as to what should be +done.</p> + +<p>"What I advise in the matter is this," said Conan, +"that Midac be not allowed to abide any longer in +the palace of Allen. But as it is meet that he should +be treated in a manner becoming a prince, let him be +given a tract of land for himself in some other part of +Erin, with a home and a household of his own. Then +shall we be freed from his presence, and he can no +longer listen to our counsels, and learn all our secrets +and all our plans."</p> + +<p>This speech seemed to Finn and the other chiefs +reasonable and prudent, and they agreed to follow the +advice of Conan Mail.</p> + +<p>Accordingly Finn sent for the prince, and said to +him—</p> + +<p>"Thou knowest, Midac, that thou hast been brought +up from boyhood in my household, and that thou hast +been dealt with in every way as becomes a prince. +Now thou art a man, and standest in no further need +of instruction, for thou hast learned everything needful +for a prince and for a champion of the Fena; and +it is not meet that thou shouldst abide longer in the +house of another. Choose, therefore, the two cantreds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +that please thee best in all Erin, and they shall be +given to thee and to thy descendants for ever as a +patrimony. There thou shalt build houses and a homestead +for thyself, and I will help thee with men and +with cattle and with all things else necessary."</p> + +<p>Midac listened in silence; and when the king had +done speaking, he replied in a cold and distant manner +and in few words, that the proposal was reasonable +and proper, and pleased him well. And thereupon he +chose the rich cantred of Kenri on the Shannon, and +the cantred of the Islands lying next to it on the +north, at the other side of the river.<a name="FNanchor_LXXX._108" id="FNanchor_LXXX._108"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXX._108" class="fnanchor">[LXXX.]</a></p> + +<p>Now Midac had good reasons for choosing these +two territories beyond all others in Erin. For the +river opens out between them like a great sea, in +which are many islands and sheltered harbours, where +ships might anchor in safety; and he hoped to bring a +fleet and an army into Erin some day, to avenge on +Finn and the Fena the defeats they had inflicted on his +countrymen, and above all, the death of his father and +brothers. And being bent on treachery, he could not +have chosen in all Erin a territory better suited for +carrying out his secret designs.</p> + +<p>So these two cantreds were bestowed on Midac. +Finn gave him also much cattle and wealth of all +kinds; so that when his houses were built, and when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +he was settled in his new territory, with his servants +and his cattle and his wealth all round him, there +was no brugaid<a name="FNanchor_LXXXI._109" id="FNanchor_LXXXI._109"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXXI._109" class="fnanchor">[LXXXI.]</a> in Erin richer or more prosperous +than he.</p> + +<p>For fourteen years Midac lived in his new home, +growing richer every year. But the Fena knew +nothing of his way of life, for he kept himself apart, +and none of his old acquaintances visited him. And +though he was enrolled in the ranks of the Fena, he +never, during all that time, invited one of them to his +house, or offered them food or drink or entertainment +of any kind.</p> + +<p>One day, Finn and the Fena went to hunt in the +district of Fermorc,<a href="#Footnote_LXXXII._110" class="fnanchor">[LXXXII.]</a> and over the plains of Hy Conall +Gavra.<a name="FNanchor_LXXXII._110" id="FNanchor_LXXXII._110"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXXII._110" class="fnanchor">[LXXXII.]</a> And when all was arranged and the chase +about to begin, Finn himself, and a few of his companions, +went to the top of the hill of Knockfierna<a name="FNanchor_LXXXIII._111" id="FNanchor_LXXXIII._111"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXXIII._111" class="fnanchor">[LXXXIII.]</a> to +see the sport; while the main body of the Fena scattered +themselves over the plain with their dogs and +attendants, to start the deer and the wild boars and +all the other game of the forest.</p> + +<p>Then Finn's people pitched their tents, and made +soft couches of rushes and heather, and dug cooking-places<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a>; +for they intended the hill to be the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +resting-place of all who chose to rest, till the chase was +ended.</p> + +<p>After Finn and his companions had sat for some +time on the hill, they saw a tall warrior coming +towards them, armed in full battle array. He wore a +splendid coat of mail of Lochlann workmanship, and +over it a mantle of fine satin dyed in divers colours. +A broad shield hung on his left shoulder, and his +helmet glittered in the morning sun like polished +silver. At his left side hung a long sword, with +golden hilt and enamelled sheath; and he held in +his right hand his two long, polished, death-dealing +spears. His figure and gait were wonderfully +majestic, and as he came near, he saluted the king +in stately and courteous words.</p> + +<p>Finn returned the salutation, and spoke with him +for a while; and at length he asked him whence he +had come, and if he had brought any tidings.</p> + +<p>"As to the place I came from," he answered, "that +need not be spoken of; and for news, I have nothing +to tell except that I am a ferdana,<a name="FNanchor_LXXXIV._112" id="FNanchor_LXXXIV._112"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXXIV._112" class="fnanchor">[LXXXIV.]</a> and that I have +come to thee, O king of the Fena, with a poem."</p> + +<p>"Methinks, indeed," replied Finn, "that conflict +and battle are the poetry you profess; for never have +I seen a hero more noble in mien and feature."</p> + +<p>"I am a ferdana nevertheless," answered the +stranger; "and if thou dost not forbid me, I will prove +it by reciting a poem I have brought for thee."</p> + +<p>"A mountain-top is not the place for poetry," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +Finn; "and moreover, there is now no opportunity +either for reciting or listening. For I and these few +companions of mine have come to sit here that we may +view the chase, and listen to the eager shouts of the +men, and the sweet cry of the hounds.</p> + +<p>"But if you are, as you say," continued Finn, "a +ferdana, remain here with us till the chase is ended; +and then you shall come with me to one of our +palaces, where I shall listen to your poem, and bestow +on you such gifts as are meet for a poet of your +rank."</p> + +<p>But the strange champion answered, "It is not +my wish to go to your palace; and I now put you +under gesa,<a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> which true heroes do not suffer, that you +listen to my poem, and that you find out and explain +its meaning."</p> + +<p>"Well then," said Finn, "let there be no further +delay; repeat your poem."</p> + +<p>So the hero recited the following verse:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I saw a house by a river's shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Famed through Erin in days of yore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Radiant with sparkling gems all o'er,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its lord deep skilled in magical lore;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No conqueror ever defiled its floor;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No spoiler can rive its golden store;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fire cannot burn its battlements hoar;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Safe it stands when the torrents pour;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Feasting and joy for evermore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To all who enter its open door!<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Now if thou hast learned a champion's lore,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Tell me the name of that mansion hoar,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">With roof of crystal and marble floor—<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The mansion I saw by the river's shore.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I can explain that poem," said Finn. "The mansion +you saw is Bruga of the Boyne,<a name="FNanchor_LXXXV._113" id="FNanchor_LXXXV._113"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXXV._113" class="fnanchor">[LXXXV.]</a> the fairy palace +of Angus, the Dedannan prince, son of the Dagda, +which is open to all who wish to partake of its feasts +and its enjoyments. It cannot be burned by fire, or +drowned by water, or spoiled by robbers, on account +of the great power of its lord and master; for there is +not now, and there never was, and there never shall +be, in Erin, a man more skilled in magic arts than +Angus of the Bruga."</p> + +<p>"That is the sense of my poem," said the stranger; +"and now listen to this other, and explain it to me if +thou canst"—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I saw to the south a bright-faced queen,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With couch of crystal and robe of green;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A numerous offspring, sprightly and small,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Plain through her skin you can see them all;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Slowly she moves, and yet her speed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Exceeds the pace of the swiftest steed!<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Now tell me the name of that wondrous queen,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">With her couch of crystal and robe of green.<a name="FNanchor_LXXXVI._114" id="FNanchor_LXXXVI._114"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXXVI._114" class="fnanchor">[LXXXVI.]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"I understand the sense of that poem also," said +Finn. "The queen you saw is the river Boyne, +which flows by the south side of the palace of Bruga. +Her couch of crystal is the sandy bed of the river; and +her robe of green the grassy plain of Bregia,<a name="FNanchor_LXXXVII._115" id="FNanchor_LXXXVII._115"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXXVII._115" class="fnanchor">[LXXXVII.]</a> through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +which it flows. Her children, which you can see +through her skin, are the speckled salmon, the lively, +pretty trout, and all the other fish that swim in the +clear water of the river. The river flows slowly indeed; +but its waters traverse the whole world in seven years, +which is more than the swiftest steed can do."</p> + +<p>"These are my poems," said the champion; "and +thou hast truly explained their meaning."</p> + +<p>"And now," said Finn, "as I have listened to thy +poetry and explained it, tell us, I pray thee, who thou +art and whence thou hast come; for I marvel much +that so noble a champion should live in any of the five +provinces of Erin without being known to me and my +companions."</p> + +<p>Then Conan Mail spoke. "Thou art, O king, the +wisest and most far-seeing of the Fena, and thou hast +unravelled and explained the hard poetical puzzles of +this champion. Yet, on the present occasion, thou +knowest not a friend from a foe; for this man is +Midac, whom thou didst bring up with much honour +in thine own house, and afterwards made rich, but +who is now thy bitter enemy, and the enemy of all +the Fena. Here he has lived for fourteen years, +without fellowship or communication with his former +companions. And though he is enrolled in the order +of the Fena, he has never, during all that time, invited +thee to a banquet, or come to see any of his old +friends, or given food or entertainment to any of the +Fena, either master or man."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>Midac answered, "If Finn and the Fena have +not feasted with me, that is none of my fault; for my +house has never been without a banquet fit for either +king or chief; but you never came to partake of it. +I did not, indeed, send you an invitation; but that you +should not have waited for, seeing that I was one of +the Fena, and that I was brought up in your own +household. Howbeit, let that pass. I have now a +feast ready, in all respects worthy of a king; and I +put you under gesa that you and the chiefs that are +here with you, come this night to partake of it. I +have two palaces, and in each there is a banquet. One +is the Palace of the Island, which stands on the sea; +and the other is the Palace of the Quicken Trees, which +is a little way off from this hill; and it is to this that +I wish you to come."</p> + +<p>Finn consented; and Midac, after he had pointed +out the way to the Palace of the Quicken Trees, left +them, saying he would go before, that he might have +things in readiness when they should arrive.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="DCHAPTER_III" id="DCHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">FINN IS ENTRAPPED BY MIDAC, AND HELD BY ENCHANTMENT +IN THE PALACE OF THE QUICKEN TREES.</p> + + +<p>Finn now held council with his companions, and they +agreed that the king's son, Oisin, and five other chiefs, +with their followers, should tarry on the hill till the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +hunting party returned, while Finn went to the palace +with the rest.</p> + +<p>And it was arranged that Finn should send back +word immediately to the party on the hill, how he +fared; and that Oisin and the others were to follow +him to the palace when the hunting party had +returned.</p> + +<p>Those that remained with Oisin were Dermat +O'Dyna; Fatha Conan, the son of the son of Conn; +Kylta Mac Ronan; Ficna, the son of Finn; and Innsa, +the son of Swena Selga.</p> + +<p>And of those who went with Finn to the Palace of +the Quicken Trees, the chief were Gaul Mac Morna; +Dathkeen the Strong-limbed; Mac Luga of the Red +Hand; Glas Mac Encarda from Beara; the two sons +of Aed the Lesser, son of Finn; Racad and Dalgus, the +two kings of Leinster; Angus Mac Bresal Bola; and +the two leaders of the Connaught Fena, namely, Mac-na-Corra +and Corr the Swift-footed.</p> + +<p>As Finn and his party came nigh to the palace, +they were amazed at its size and splendour; and they +wondered greatly that they had never seen it before. +It stood on a level green, which was surrounded by a +light plantation of quicken trees, all covered with +clusters of scarlet berries. At one side of the little +plain, very near the palace, was a broad river, with +a rocky bank at the near side, and a steep pathway +leading down to a ford.</p> + +<p>But what surprised them most was that all was +lonely and silent—not a living soul could they see in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +any direction; and Finn, fearing some foul play, would +have turned back, only that he bethought him of his +gesa and his promise. The great door was wide open, +and Conan went in before the others; and after +viewing the banqueting hall, he came out quite +enraptured with what he had seen. He praised the +beauty and perfect arrangement of everything, and +told his companions that no other king or chief in all +Erin had a banqueting hall to match the hall of +Midac, the son of Colga. They all now entered, but +they found no one—neither host nor guests nor +attendants.</p> + +<p>As they gazed around, they thought they had +never seen a banquet hall so splendid. A great fire +burned brightly in the middle, without any smoke, +and sent forth a sweet perfume, which filled the whole +room with fragrance, and cheered and delighted the +heroes. Couches were placed all round, with rich +coverlets and rugs, and soft, glossy furs. The curved +walls were of wood,<a name="FNanchor_LXXXVIII._116" id="FNanchor_LXXXVIII._116"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXXVIII._116" class="fnanchor">[LXXXVIII.]</a> close-jointed and polished like +ivory; and each board was painted differently from +those above and below; so that the sides of the room, +from floor to roof, were all radiant with a wonderful +variety of colours.</p> + +<p>Still seeing no one, they seated themselves on the +couches and rugs. Presently a door opened, and +Midac walked into the room. He stood for a few +moments before the heroes, and looked at them one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +after another, but never spoke one word; then, turning +round, he went out and shut the great door behind +him.</p> + +<p>Finn and his friends were much surprised at this; +however, they said nothing, but remained resting as +they were for some time, expecting Midac's return. +Still no one came, and at length Finn spoke—</p> + +<p>"We have been invited here, my friends, to a +banquet; and it seems to me very strange that we +should be left so long without attendance, and without +either food or drink. Perhaps, indeed, Midac's attendants +have made some mistake, and that the feast +intended for this palace has been prepared in the +Palace of the Island. But I wonder greatly that such +a thing should have happened."</p> + +<p>"I see something more wonderful than that," said +Gaul Mac Morna; "for lo, the fire, which was clear +and smokeless when we first saw it, and which +smelled more sweetly than the flowers of the plain, +now fills the hall with a foul stench, and sends up +a great cloud of black, sooty smoke!"</p> + +<p>"I see something more wonderful than that," said +Glas Mac Encarda; "for the boards in the walls of +this banquet hall, which were smooth and close-jointed +and glorious all over with bright colours when +we came, are now nothing but rough planks, clumsily +fastened together with tough quicken tree withes, and +as rude and unshapen as if they had been hacked and +hewed with a blunt axe!"</p> + +<p>"I see something more wonderful than that," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +Foilan, the son of Aed the Lesser; "for this palace, +which had seven great doors when we came in, all +wide open, and looking pleasantly towards the sunshine, +has now only one small, narrow door, close +fastened, and facing straight to the north!"</p> + +<p>"I see something more wonderful than that," said +Conan Mail; "for the rich rugs and furs and the +soft couches, which were under us when we sat here +first, are all gone, not as much as a fragment or a +thread remaining; and we are now sitting on the +bare, damp earth, which feels as cold as the snow +of one night!"<a name="FNanchor_LXXXIX._117" id="FNanchor_LXXXIX._117"></a><a href="#Footnote_LXXXIX._117" class="fnanchor">[LXXXIX.]</a></p> + +<p>Then Finn again spoke. "You know, my friends, +that I never tarry in a house having only one door. +Let one of you then, arise, and break open that +narrow door, so that we may go forth from this foul, +smoky den!"</p> + +<p>"That shall be done," cried Conan; and, so saying, +he seized his long spear, and, planting it on the floor, +point downwards, he attempted to spring to his feet. +But he found that he was not able to move, and +turning to his companions, he cried out with a groan +of anguish—</p> + +<p>"Alas, my friends! I see now something more +wonderful than all; for I am firmly fixed by some +druidical spell to the cold clay floor of the Palace of +the Quicken Trees!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> +<p>And immediately all the others found themselves, +in like manner, fixed where they sat. And they +were silent for a time, being quite confounded and +overwhelmed with fear and anguish.</p> + +<p>At length Gaul spoke, and said, "It seems clear, +O king, that Midac has planned this treachery, and +that danger lies before us. I wish, then, that you +would place your thumb under your tooth of knowledge,<a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> +and let us know the truth; so that we may +at once consider as to the best means of escaping from +this strait."</p> + +<p>Whereupon Finn placed his thumb under his +tooth of knowledge, and mused for a little while. +Then suddenly withdrawing his thumb, he sank +back in his seat and groaned aloud.</p> + +<p>"May it be the will of the gods," said Gaul, "that +it is the pain of thy thumb that has caused thee to +utter that groan!"</p> + +<p>"Alas! not so," replied Finn. "I grieve that my +death is near, and the death of these dear companions! +For fourteen years has Midac, the son of the king of +Lochlann, been plotting against us; and now at last +he has caught us in this treacherous snare, from which +I can see no escape.</p> + +<p>"For in the Palace of the Island there is, at this +moment, an army of foreigners, whom Midac has +brought hither for our destruction. Chief over all +is Sinsar of the Battles, from Greece, the Monarch of +the World, who has under his command sixteen warlike +princes, with many others of lesser note. Next<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +to Sinsar is his son, Borba the Haughty, who commands +also a number of fierce and hardy knights.</p> + +<p>"There are, besides, the three kings of the Island +of the Torrent, large-bodied and bloodthirsty, like +three furious dragons, who have never yet yielded to +an enemy on the field of battle. It is these who, by +their sorcery, have fixed us here; for this cold clay +that we sit on is part of the soil of the enchanted +Island of the Torrent, which they brought hither, +and placed here with foul spells. Moreover, the +enchantment that binds us to this floor can never +be broken unless the blood of these kings be sprinkled +on the clay. And very soon some of Sinsar's +warriors will come over from the Palace of the +Island, to slay us all, while we are fixed here helpless, +and unable to raise a hand in our own defence."</p> + +<p>Full of alarm and anguish were the heroes when +they heard these tidings. And some began to shed +bitter tears in silence, and some lamented aloud. +But Finn again spoke and said—</p> + +<p>"It becomes us not, my friends, being heroes, to +weep and wail like women, even though we are in +danger of death; for tears and lamentations will avail +us nothing. Let us rather sound the Dord-Fian,<a name="FNanchor_XC._118" id="FNanchor_XC._118"></a><a href="#Footnote_XC._118" class="fnanchor">[XC.]</a> +sweetly and plaintively, according to our wont, that +it may be a comfort to us before we die."</p> + +<p>So they ceased weeping, and, joining all together, +they sounded the Dord-Fian in a slow, sad strain.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="DCHAPTER_IV" id="DCHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">INNSA, FINN'S FOSTER SON, DEFENDS THE FORD LEADING +TO THE PALACE OF THE QUICKEN TREES.</p> + + +<p>Now let us speak of Oisin, and the party who +tarried with him on the hill of Knockfierna. When +he found that his father Finn had not sent back a +messenger as he had promised, though the night was +now drawing nigh, he began to fear that something +was wrong; and he said to his companions—</p> + +<p>"I marvel much that we have got no news from +the king, how he and his companions have fared in +the Palace of the Quicken Trees. It is clear to me +that he would have fulfilled his promise to send us +word, if he had not been hindered by some unforeseen +difficulty. Now, therefore, I wish to know who will +go to the palace and bring me back tidings."</p> + +<p>Ficna, the son of Finn, stood forth and offered +to go; and Finn's foster son, Innsa, the son of Swena +Selga, said he would go with him.</p> + +<p>They both set out at once, and as they travelled +with speed, they soon reached the plain on which +stood the Palace of the Quicken Trees; and now the +night was darkening around them. As they came +near to the palace, they marvelled to hear the loud, +slow strains of the Dord-Fian; and Innsa exclaimed +joyfully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"Things go well with our friends, seeing that +they are amusing themselves with the Dord-Fian!"</p> + +<p>But Ficna, who guessed more truly how things +really stood, replied—</p> + +<p>"It is my opinion, friend, that matters are not +so pleasant with them as you think; for it is only +in time of trouble or danger that Finn is wont to +have the Dord-Fian sounded in a manner so slow +and sad."</p> + +<p>While they talked in this wise, it chanced that +the Dord-Fian ceased for a little space; and Finn +hearing the low hum of conversation outside, asked +was that the voice of Ficna. And when Ficna +answered, "Yes," Finn said to him—</p> + +<p>"Come not nearer, my son; for this place teems +with dangerous spells. We have been decoyed hither +by Midac, and we are all held here by the foul sorcery +of the three kings of the Island of the Torrent."</p> + +<p>And thereupon Finn told him the whole story +of the treachery that had been wrought on them, +from beginning to end; and he told him also that +nothing could free them but the blood of those three +kings sprinkled on the clay.</p> + +<p>Then he asked who the second man was whom +he had heard conversing with Ficna; and when he +was told that it was Innsa, the son of Swena Selga, +he addressed Ficna earnestly—</p> + +<p>"Fly, my son, from this fatal place! Fly, and save +my foster child from the treacherous swords of the +foreigners; for they are already on their way hither!"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Innsa quickly answered, "That I will never +do. It would, indeed, be an ungrateful return to a +kind foster father, to leave thee now in deadly strait, +and seek my own safety."</p> + +<p>And Ficna spoke in a like strain.</p> + +<p>Then Finn said, "Be it so, my sons; but a sore +trial awaits you. Those who come hither from the +Palace of the Island must needs pass the ford under +the shadow of these walls. Now this ford is rugged +and hard to be crossed; and one good man, standing +in the steep, narrow entrance at the hither side, might +dispute the passage for a time against many. Go +now, and defend this ford; and haply some help may +come in time."</p> + +<p>So both went to the ford. And when they had +viewed it carefully, Ficna, seeing that one man +might defend it for a short time almost as well as +two, said to Innsa—</p> + +<p>"Stay thou here to guard the ford for a little time, +while I go to the Palace of the Island to see how the +foreigners might be attacked. Haply, too, I may +meet with the party coming hither, and decoy them +on some other track."</p> + +<p>And Innsa consented; and Ficna set out straightway +for the Palace of the Island.</p> + + +<p class="p2">Now as to the Palace of the Island. When Midac +returned in the morning, and told how Finn and his +people were held safe in the Palace of the Quicken +Trees, the foreigners were in great joy. And they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +feasted and drank and were merry till evening; when +an Irla<a name="FNanchor_XCI._119" id="FNanchor_XCI._119"></a><a href="#Footnote_XCI._119" class="fnanchor">[XCI.]</a> of the King of the World spoke in secret +to his brother, and said—</p> + +<p>"I will go now to the Palace of the Quicken Trees, +and I will bring hither the head of Finn the son of +Cumal; and I shall gain thereby much renown, and +shall be honoured by the King of the World."</p> + +<p>So he went, bringing with him a goodly number +of his own knights; and nothing is told of what +befell them till they arrived at the brink of the ford +under the Palace of the Quicken Trees. Looking +across through the darkness, the Irla thought he saw +a warrior standing at the other brink; and he called +aloud to ask who was there, and whether he belonged +to the noble or the ignoble races of the world.</p> + +<p>And when Innsa answered that he belonged to the +household of Finn, the son of Cumal, the Irla said—</p> + +<p>"Lo, we are going to the Palace of the Quicken +Trees, to bring Finn's head to the King of the World; +and thou shalt come with us and lead us to the door."</p> + +<p>"That, indeed," replied Innsa, "would be a strange +way for a champion to act who has been sent hither +by Finn to guard this ford. I will not allow any foe +to pass—of that be sure; and I warn you that you +come not to my side of the ford!"</p> + +<p>At this the Irla said to his knights, "Force the +ford: then shall we see if yonder hero can fight as +well as he threatens."</p> + +<p>And at the word, they rushed through the water,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +as many as could find room. But only one or two at +a time could attack; and the young champion struck +them down right and left as fast as they came up, +till the ford became encumbered with their bodies.</p> + +<p>And when the conflict had lasted for a long time, +and when they found that they could not dislodge +him, the few that remained retired across the ford; +and Innsa was fain to rest after his long combat.</p> + +<p>But the Irla, seeing so many of his knights slain, +was mad with wrath; and, snatching up his sword +and shield, he attacked Innsa; and they fought a long +and bloody fight.</p> + +<p>Now the Irla was fresh and strong, while Innsa +was weary and sore wounded; and at length the +young hero fell in the ford, and the Irla beheaded +him, and, exulting in his victory, brought the head +away.</p> + +<p>Finn and his companions, as they sat in miserable +plight in the Palace of the Quicken Trees, heard the +clash of arms at the ford, and the shouts and groans +of warriors; and after a time all was still again; and +they knew not how the fight had ended.</p> + +<p>And now the Irla, thinking over the matter, +deemed it unsafe to go to the Palace of the Quicken +Trees without a larger body of knights; so he returned +towards the Palace of the Island, intending to +bring Innsa's head to the King of the World. When +he had come within a little distance of the palace, he +met Ficna, who was then on his way back to the +ford; and seeing that he was coming from the Palace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +of the Island, he deemed that he was one of the +knights of the King of the World.</p> + +<p>Ficna spoke to him, and asked whither he had +come.</p> + +<p>"I come," replied the Irla, "from the ford of the +Palace of the Quicken Trees. There, indeed, on our +way to the palace, to slay Finn the son of Cumal, we +were met by a young champion, who defended the +ford and slew my knights. But he fell at length +beneath my sword; and, lo, I have brought his head +for a triumph to the King of the World!"</p> + +<p>Ficna took the head tenderly, and kissed the +cheek thrice, and said, sorrowing—</p> + +<p>"Alas, dear youth! only this morning I saw the +light of valour in those dim eyes, and the bloom of +youth on that faded cheek!"</p> + +<p>Then turning wrathfully to the Irla, he asked—</p> + +<p>"Knowest thou to whom thou hast given the +young warrior's head?"</p> + +<p>And the Irla replied, "Hast thou not come from +the Palace of the Island, and dost thou not belong to +the host of the King of the World?"</p> + +<p>"I am not one of his knights," answered Ficna; +"and neither shalt thou be, after this hour!"</p> + +<p>Whereupon they drew their swords, and fought +where they stood; and the foreign Irla fell by the +avenging sword of Ficna, the son of Finn. Ficna +beheaded him and returned to the ford, bringing the +head, and also the head of Innsa. And when he had +come to the ford, he made a grave of green sods on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +the bank, in which he laid the body and the head +of Innsa, sometimes grieving for the youth, and sometimes +rejoicing that his death had been avenged.</p> + +<p>Then he went on to the Palace of the Quicken +Trees, bringing the Irla's head; and when he had +come nigh the door, he called aloud to Finn, who, +impatient and full of anxious thoughts, asked—</p> + +<p>"Tell us, Ficna, who fought the battle at the ford, +and how it has ended."</p> + +<p>"Thine own foster son, Innsa, defended the ford +against many foes, whose bodies now encumber the +stream."</p> + +<p>"And how is it now with my foster son?" asked +Finn.</p> + +<p>"He died where he fought," replied Ficna; "for +at the end, when he was weary and sore wounded, +the foreign Irla attacked him, and slew him."</p> + +<p>"And thou, my son, didst thou stand by and see +my nursling slain?"</p> + +<p>"Truly I did not," answered Ficna. "Would that +I had been there, and I would have defended and +saved him! And even now he is well avenged; for I +met the Irla soon after, and lo, I have brought thee +his head. Moreover, I buried thy nursling tenderly +in a grave of green sods by the ford."</p> + +<p>And Finn wept and said, "Victory and blessings +be with thee, my son! Never were children better than +mine. Before I saw them, few were my possessions +and small my consideration in Erin; but since they +have grown up around me, I have been great and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +prosperous, till I fell by treachery into this evil plight. +And now, Ficna, return and guard the ford, and +peradventure our friends may send help in time."</p> + +<p>So Ficna went and sat on the brink of the ford.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="DCHAPTER_V" id="DCHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">FICNA, THE SON OF FINN, DEFENDS THE FORD.</p> + + +<p>Now at the Palace of the Island, another Irla, whose +name was Kironn, brother to him who had been slain +by Ficna, spoke to some of his own followers—</p> + +<p>"It is long since my brother left for the Palace +of the Quicken Trees; I fear me that he and his +people have fared ill in their quest. And now I +will go to seek for them."</p> + +<p>And he went, bringing a company of knights well +armed; and when they had come to the ford, they saw +Ficna at the far side. Kironn called out and asked +who he was, and asked also who had made such a +slaughter in the ford.</p> + +<p>Ficna answered, "I am one of the household +champions of Finn the son of Cumal, and he has sent +me here to guard this ford. As to the slaughter of +yonder knights, your question stirs my mind to wrath, +and I warn you, if you come to this side of the ford, +you will get a reply, not in words, but in deeds."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Kironn and his men rushed through the +water, blind with rage, and struck wildly at Ficna. +But the young hero watchfully parried their strokes +and thrusts; and one after another they fell beneath +his blows, till only a single man was left, who ran +back with all speed to the Palace of the Island to tell +the tale. And Ficna sat down on the brink, covered +all over with wounds, and weary from the toil of +battle.</p> + +<p>When these tidings were brought to the palace, +Midac was very wroth, and he said, "These men +should not have gone to force the ford without my +knowledge; for they were far too few in number, and +neither were they bold and hardy enough to meet +Finn's valiant champions. I know these Fena well, +and it is not to me a matter of surprise that the Irla +and his people fell by them.</p> + +<p>"But I will now go with a choice party of my own +brave men; and I will cross the ford despite their +guards, and slay Finn and all his companions in the +Palace of the Quicken Trees.</p> + +<p>"Moreover, there is one man among them, namely, +Conan Mail,<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> who of all the men of Erin has the largest +appetite, and is fondest of choice eating and drinking. +To him will I bring savoury food and delicious drink, +not, indeed, to delight him with eating and drinking, +but that I may torment him with the sight and smell +of what he cannot taste."</p> + +<p>So, having got the food, he set out with a chosen +band; and when he had arrived at the ford, he saw a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +warrior at the far side. He asked who he was, and +finding that it was Ficna, he spoke guilefully to him.</p> + +<p>"Dear art thou to me, Ficna, dearer even than all +the rest of Finn's household; for during the time I lived +among the Fena, you never used me ill, or lifted a hand +to either man or dog belonging to me."</p> + +<p>But Ficna spurned his smooth words, and replied, +"While you lived among the Fena, there was not a +man among them that had less to do with you than I. +But this I know, that you were treated kindly by all, +especially by my father Finn, and you have repaid +him by ingratitude and treachery."</p> + +<p>When Midac heard this speech he was filled with +wrath, and no longer hiding his evil mind, he ordered +Ficna with threats to leave the ford. But Ficna +laughed with scorn, and replied—</p> + +<p>"The task is easy, friend Midac, to dislodge a +single champion; and surely it is a small matter to you +whether I stand in this narrow pass or abandon my +post. Come forward, then, you and your knights; but +here I will remain to receive you. I only regret you +did not come sooner, while my blood was hot, and +before my wounds grew stiff, when you would have +got a better welcome!"</p> + +<p>Then Midac ordered forward his knights, and they +ran eagerly across the ford. But Ficna overthrew +them with a mighty onset, like a hawk among a flight +of small birds, or like a wolf among a flock of sheep. +When Midac saw this, he buckled on his shield and +took his sword. Then, treading warily over the rough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +rocks, and over the dead bodies of his knights, he +confronted Ficna, and they attacked each other with +deadly hate and fury.</p> + + +<p class="p2">We shall now speak of those who remained on +Knockfierna. When Oisin found that the two heroes +did not return as soon as he expected, he thus +addressed his companions—</p> + +<p>"It seems to me a long time, my friends, since +Ficna and Innsa went to the Palace of the Quicken +Trees; methinks if they have sped successfully they +should have long since come back with tidings of +Finn and the others."</p> + +<p>And one of his companions answered, "It is plain +that they have gone to partake of the feast, and it +fares so well with them that they are in no haste to +leave the palace."</p> + +<p>But Dermat O'Dyna of the Bright Face spoke and +said, "It may be as you say, friend, but I should like +to know the truth of the matter. And now I will +go and find out why they tarry, for my mind misgives +me that some evil thing has happened."</p> + +<p>And Fatha Conan said he would go with him.</p> + +<p>So the two heroes set out for the Palace of the +Quicken Trees; and when they were yet a good way +off from the ford they heard the clash of arms. They +paused for a moment, breathless, to listen, and then +Dermat exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"It is the sound of single combat, the combat of +mighty heroes; it is Ficna fighting with the foreigners,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +for I know his war-shout. I hear the clash of swords +and the groans of warriors; I hear the shrieks of the +ravens over the fairy-mansions, and the howls of the +wild men of the glens! Hasten, Fatha, hasten, for +Ficna is in sore strait, and his shout is a shout for +help!"</p> + +<p>And so they ran like the wind till they reached the +hill-brow over the river; and, looking across in the dim +moonlight, they saw the whole ford heaped with the +bodies of the slain, and the two heroes fighting to the +death at the far side. And at the first glance they +observed that Ficna, being sore wounded, was yielding +and sheltering behind his shield, and scarce able +to ward off the blows of Midac.</p> + +<p>Then Fatha cried out, "Fly, Dermat, fly! Save our +dear companion! Save the king's son from death."</p> + +<p>And Dermat, pausing for a moment, said, as if +communing with himself—</p> + +<p>"This is surely an evil plight: for if I run to the +other side, the foreigner, being the more enraged for +seeing me, will strike with greater fury, and I may not +overtake the prince alive; and if I cast my spear, I may +strike the wrong man!"</p> + +<p>But Fatha, overhearing him, said, "Fear not, Dermat, +for you never yet threw an erring cast of a spear!"</p> + +<p>Then Dermat, putting his finger in the silken loop +of his spear, threw a deadly cast with unerring aim, +and struck Midac, so that the iron spear-head went +right through his body, and the length of a warrior's +hand beyond.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Woe to the man," exclaimed Midac—"woe to +him whom that spear reaches: for it is the spear of +Dermat O'Dyna!"</p> + +<p>And now his wrath increased, and he struck at +Ficna more fiercely than before.</p> + +<p>Dermat shouted to him to hold his hand and not +slay the king's son; and as he spoke he rushed down +the slope and across the ford, to save the young +hero. But Midac, still pressing on with unabated +strength and fury, replied—</p> + +<p>"Had you wished to save the prince's life, you +should have spared mine: now that I have been +wounded to death by your spear, Finn shall never see +his son alive!"</p> + +<p>Even as he spoke, he raised his sword for a mighty +blow; and just as Dermat, shouting earnestly, was +closing on them, he struck the prince lifeless to the +earth, but fell down himself immediately after.</p> + +<p>Dermat came up on the instant, and looked sadly +at his friend lying dead. Then, addressing Midac, he +said—</p> + +<p>"If I had found thee dead, I would have passed +thee untouched; but now that I have overtaken thee +alive, I must needs behead thee, for thy head will be +to Finn a worthy eric<a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> for his son."</p> + +<p>And so saying, he struck off Midac's head with one +sweep of his heavy sword.</p> + +<p>Dermat now repaired to the Palace of the Quicken +Trees, leaving Fatha to watch the ford till his return. +And when he had come near, he called aloud and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +struck the door with his heavy spear, for his wrath +had not yet left him; but the door yielded not.</p> + +<p>Finn knew the voice, and called out impatiently, +"Do not try to enter here, Dermat, for this place is +full of foul spells. But tell us first, I pray thee, who +fought that long and bitter fight; for we heard the +clash of arms and the shouts of warriors, but we know +nothing more."</p> + +<p>"Thy noble son, Ficna," returned Dermat, "fought +single-handed against the foreigners."</p> + +<p>"And how fares it with my son after that battle?"</p> + +<p>"He is dead," answered Dermat; "first sore +wounded by many foes whom he slaughtered, and +afterwards slain by Midac, the son of Colga. But thy +son is avenged; for though I came to the ford indeed +too late to save him, I have slain Midac, and here +I have brought thee his head as an eric."</p> + +<p>And for a long time Dermat heard no more.</p> + +<p>At last Finn spoke again and said—</p> + +<p>"Victory and blessings be with you, Dermat, for +often before did you relieve the Fena from sore straits. +But never have we been in such plight as this. For +here we sit spell-bound, and only one thing can release +us, the blood of the three fierce kings of the Island of +the Torrent sprinkled on this clay. Meantime, unless +the ford be well defended, the foreigners will come and +slay us. In you, Dermat, we trust, and unless you aid +us well and faithfully now, we shall of a certainty +perish. Guard the ford till the rising of the sun, for +then I know the Fena will come to aid you."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I and Fatha will of a certainty keep the enemy +at bay," replied Dermat; and he bade them farewell +for a time, and was about to return to the ford: but +Conan Mail, with a groan, said—</p> + +<p>"Miserable was the hour when I came to this +palace, and cold and comfortless is the clay on which I +sit—the clay of the Island of the Torrent. But worst +of all to be without food and drink so long. And +while I sit here, tormented with hunger and thirst, +there is great plenty of ale and wine and of rich, +savoury food yonder in the Palace of the Island. I +am not able to bear this any longer; and now, Dermat, +I beseech you to bring me from the palace as much +food as I can eat and a drinking-horn of wine."</p> + +<p>"Cursed be the tongue that spoke these selfish +words!" said Dermat. "A host of foreigners are now +seeking to compass your death, with only Fatha and +myself to defend you. Surely this is work enough for +two good men! And now it seems I must abandon my +post, and undertake a task of much danger, to get +food for the gluttonous Conan Mail!"</p> + +<p>"Alas, Dermat-na-man!"<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> replied Conan, "if it +were a lovely maiden, with bright eyes and golden hair, +who made this little request, quickly and eagerly you +would fly to please her, little recking of danger or +trouble. But now you refuse me, and the reason is +not hard to see. For you formerly crossed me four +times in my courtships; and now it likes you well to +see me die of hunger in this dungeon!"</p> + +<p>"Well, then," said Dermat, "cease your upbraiding,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +and I will try to bring you food; for it is better to +face danger than to suffer the revilings of your foul +tongue."</p> + +<p>So saying, he went back to the ford to Fatha, +where he stood watching; and after he had told him +how matters stood, he said to him—</p> + +<p>"I must needs go to the Palace of the Island, to +get food for Conan Mail; and you shall guard the +ford till I return."</p> + +<p>But Fatha told him that there was food and drink +enough at the other side of the ford, which Midac had +brought from the palace, and urged him to bring a +good meal of this to Conan.</p> + +<p>"Not so," said Dermat. "He would taunt me with +bringing him food taken from the hands of dead men; +and though one may recover from his blow, it is not +so easy to recover from the venom of his tongue."<a name="FNanchor_XCII._120" id="FNanchor_XCII._120"></a><a href="#Footnote_XCII._120" class="fnanchor">[XCII.]</a></p> + +<p>So he left Fatha at the ford, and repaired to the +Palace of the Island.</p> + +<p>As he drew nigh, he heard the noise of feasting +and revelry, and the loud talk and laughter of men deep +in drink. Walking tiptoe, he peered warily through +the open door, and saw the chiefs and the knights +sitting at the tables; with Sinsar of the Battles and +his son Borba high seated over all. He saw also +many attendants serving them with food and drink, +each holding in his hand a large ornamented drinking-horn, +filled with wine.</p> + +<p>Dermat entered the outer door softly, and stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +in a dark part of the passage near the door, silent and +stern, with sword drawn, watching his opportunity. +And after a time one of the attendants, unsuspecting, +passed close to him; when Dermat, with a swift, sure +blow, struck off his head. And he snatched the +drinking-horn from the man's hand before he fell, so +that not a drop of the wine was spilled.</p> + +<p>Then, laying the drinking-horn aside for a moment, +he walked straight into the hall, and taking up one +of the dishes near where the king sat, he went out +through the open door, bringing with him both dish +and drinking-horn. And amidst the great crowd, and +the drinking, and the noise, no one took the least +notice of him, so that he got off without hindrance +or harm of any kind.</p> + +<p>When he reached the ford, he found Fatha lying +fast asleep on the bank. He wondered very much +that he could sleep in the midst of such a slaughter; +but knowing that the young warrior was worn out +with watching and toil, he left him lying asleep, and +went to the Palace of the Quicken Trees with the +food for Conan.</p> + +<p>When he had come to the door, he called aloud to +Conan and said—</p> + +<p>"I have here a goodly meal of choice food: how +am I to give it to thee?"</p> + +<p>Conan said, "Throw it towards me through +yonder little opening."</p> + +<p>Dermat did so; and as fast as he threw the food, +Conan caught it in his large hands, and ate it up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +ravenously. And when it was all gone, Dermat +said—</p> + +<p>"I have here a large drinking-horn of good wine: +how am I to give it to thee?"</p> + +<p>Conan answered, "There is a place behind the +palace where, from a rock, you may reach the lower +parapet with a light, airy bound. Come from that +straight over me, and break a hole in the roof with +your spear, through which you can pour the wine +down to me."</p> + +<p>Dermat did so; and as he poured down the wine, +Conan, with upturned face, opened his great mouth +and caught it, and swallowed it every drop.</p> + +<p>After this Dermat came down and returned to the +ford, where he found Fatha still asleep; and he sat +beside him, but did not awaken him.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="DCHAPTER_VI" id="DCHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">DERMAT O'DYNA SLAYS THE THREE KINGS OF THE +ISLAND OF THE TORRENT, BREAKS THE SPELL +WITH THEIR BLOOD, AND FREES FINN.</p> + + +<p>Tidings were brought to the Palace of the Island that +Midac and all whom he led were slain at the ford; +and the three kings of the Island of the Torrent said—</p> + +<p>"The young king of Lochlann did wrong to make +this attempt without asking our counsel; and had we +known of the thing we would have hindered him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +For to us belongs the right to behead Finn and his +companions, since it is the spell-venom of the clay +which we brought from the Island of the Torrent that +holds them bound in the Palace of the Quicken Trees. +And now, indeed, we will go and slay them all."</p> + +<p>So they set out with a strong party, and soon +reached the ford. Looking across in the dim light, +they saw Dermat, and called aloud to ask who he was.</p> + +<p>"I am Dermat O'Dyna," he replied, "one of Finn's +champions. He has sent me to guard this ford, and +whoever you are, I warn you not to cross!"</p> + +<p>Then they sought to beguile Dermat, and to win +him over by smooth words; and they replied—</p> + +<p>"It is a pleasure to us to meet you, Dermat; for +we are old friends of yours. We are the three kings +of the Island of the Torrent, your fellow-pupils in +valour and all heroic feats. For you and we lived +with the same tutors from the beginning; and you +never learned a feat of arms that we did not learn +in like manner. Leave the ford, then, that we may +pass on to the Palace of the Quicken Trees."</p> + +<p>But Dermat answered in few words, "Finn and +his companions are under my protection till morning; +and I will defend the ford as long as I am alive!"</p> + +<p>And he stood up straight and tall like a pillar, and +scowled across the ford.</p> + +<p>A number of the foreigners now rushed towards +Dermat, and raging in a confused crowd, assailed him. +But the strong hero met them as a rock meets the +waves, and slew them with ease as they came within<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +the range of his sword. Yet still they pressed on, +others succeeding those that fell; and in the midst of +the rage of battle, Fatha started up from his sleep, +awakened by the crashing of weapons and the riving +of shields.</p> + +<p>He gazed for a moment, bewildered, at the combatants, +and, seeing how matters stood, he was wroth +with Dermat for not awakening him; so that he ran +at him fiercely with drawn sword. But Dermat +stepped aside, and, being angry, thus addressed him—</p> + +<p>"Slake thy vengeance on our foes for the present: +for me, the swords of the foreigners are enough, +methinks, without thine to aid them!"</p> + +<p>Then Fatha turned and attacked the foe, and his +onset was even more deadly than that of Dermat; so +that they fell before him to the right and left on the +ford.</p> + +<p>And now at last the three kings, seeing so many +of their men falling, advanced slowly towards Dermat; +and Dermat, unterrified, stood in his place to meet +them. And their weapons clashed and tore through +their shields, and the fight was long and furious; till at +last the champion-pride and the battle-fury of Dermat +arose, so that the three dragon-like kings fell slain +one by one before him, on that ford of red slaughter.</p> + +<p>And now, though smarting with wounds, and breathless, +and weary, Dermat and Fatha remembered Finn +and the Fena; and Dermat called to mind what Finn had +told him as to how the spell was to be broken. So he +struck off the heads of the three kings, and, followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +by Fatha, he ran with them, all gory as they were, to +the Palace of the Quicken Trees.</p> + +<p>As they drew nigh to the door, Finn, knowing +their voices and their footsteps, called aloud anxiously +to ask how it fared with the combatants at the ford; +"For," said he, "the crashing and the din of that +battle exceeded all we have yet heard, and we know +not how it has ended."</p> + +<p>Dermat answered, "King of the Fena, Fatha and +I have slain the three kings of the Island of the +Torrent; and lo, here we have their heads all bloody; +but how am I to bring them to thee?"</p> + +<p>"Victory and blessings be with you, Dermat; you +and Fatha have fought a valiant fight, worthy of the +Fena of Erin! Now sprinkle the door with the blood."</p> + +<p>Dermat did so, and in a moment the door flew +wide open with a crash. And inside they saw the +heroes in sore plight, all pale and faint, seated on the +cold clay round the wall. Dermat and Fatha, holding +the gory heads by the hair, sprinkled the earth under +each with the blood, beginning with Finn, and freed +them one by one; and the heroes, as they found the +spell broken, sprang to their feet with exulting cries. +And they thanked the gods for having relieved them +from that perilous strait, and they and the two +heroes joyfully embraced each other.</p> + +<p>But danger still threatened, and they now took +counsel what they should do; and Finn, addressing +Dermat and Fatha, said—</p> + +<p>"The venom of these foul spells has withered our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +strength, so that we are not able to fight; but at sunrise +they will lose their power, and we shall be strong +again. It is necessary, therefore, that you still guard +the ford, and at the rising of the sun we shall relieve +you."</p> + +<p>So the two heroes went to the ford, and Fatha +returned with food and drink for Finn and the others.</p> + + +<p class="p2">After the last battle at the ford, a few who had +escaped brought back tidings to the King of the World +and his people, that the three kings of the Island of +the Torrent had fallen by the hands of Dermat and +Fatha. But they knew not that Finn and the others +had been released.</p> + +<p>Then arose the king's son, Borba the Haughty, who, +next to the king himself, was mightiest in battle of all +the foreign host. And he said—</p> + +<p>"Feeble warriors were they who tried to cross this +ford. I will go now and avenge the death of our +people on these Fena, and I will bring hither the head of +Finn the son of Cumal, and place it at my father's feet."</p> + +<p>So he marched forth without delay, with a large +body of chosen warriors, till he reached the edge of the +ford. And although Dermat and Fatha never trembled +before a foe, yet when they saw the dark mass drawing +nigh, and heard the heavy tread and clank of +arms, they dreaded that they might be dislodged and +overpowered by repeated attacks, leaving Finn and +the rest helpless and unprotected. And each in his +heart longed for the dawn of morning.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> + +<p>No parley was held this time, but the foreigners +came straight across the ford—as many abreast as +could find footing. And as they drew near, Dermat +spoke to Fatha—</p> + +<p>"Fight warily, my friend: ward the blows of the +foremost, and be not too eager to slay, but rather look +to thy own safety. It behoves us to nurse our strength +and prolong the fight, for the day is dawning, and +sunrise is not far off!"</p> + +<p>The foreigners came on, many abreast; but their +numbers availed them naught, for the pass was narrow; +and the two heroes, one taking the advancing party +to the right, and the other to the left, sometimes +parried and sometimes slew, but never yielded an inch +from where they stood.</p> + +<p>And now at last the sun rose up over the broad +plain of Kenri; and suddenly the withering spell went +forth from the bones and sinews of the heroes who sat +at the Palace of the Quicken Trees, listening with +anxious hearts to the clash of battle at the ford. Joyfully +they started to their feet, and, snatching up their +arms, hastened down to the ford with Finn at their +head; but one they sent, the swiftest among them, to +Knockfierna, to take the news to Oisin.</p> + +<p>Dermat and Fatha, fighting eagerly, heeded not +that the sun had risen, though it was now indeed +glittering before their eyes on the helmets and arms +of their foes. But as they fought, there rose a great +shout behind them; and Finn and Gaul and the rest +ran down the slope to attack the foreigners.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + +<p>The foreigners, not in the least dismayed, answered +the attack; and the fight went on, till Gaul Mac +Morna and Borba the Haughty met face to face in the +middle of the ford, and they fought a hard and deadly +combat. The battle-fury of Gaul at length arose, so +that nothing could stand before him, and, with one +mighty blow, he cleft the head from the body of Borba.</p> + +<p>And now the foreigners began to yield: but they +still continued to fight, till a swift messenger sped to +the Palace of the Island, and told the great king, +Sinsar of the Battles, that his son was dead, slain by +Gaul; and that his army was sore pressed by the Fena, +with Finn at their head.</p> + +<p>When the people heard these tidings, they raised a +long and sorrowful cry of lamentation for the king's +son; but the king himself, though sorrow filled his +heart, showed it not. And he arose and summoned +his whole host; and, having arranged them in their +battalions and in their companies under their princes +and chiefs, he marched towards the battle-field, +desiring vengeance on the Fena more than the glory +of victory.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="DCHAPTER_VII" id="DCHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE FIGHT AT THE FORD, WITH THE FOREIGN ARMY.</p> + + +<p>All the Fena who had gone to the chase from Knockfierna +had returned, and were now with Oisin, the son +of Finn. And the messenger came slowly up the hill-side,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +and told them, though with much difficulty, for +he was weary and breathless, the whole story from +beginning to end, of Finn's enchantment, and of the +battles at the ford, and how their companions at that +moment stood much in need of aid against the +foreigners.</p> + +<p>Instantly the whole body marched straight towards +the Palace of the Quicken Trees, and arrived on the +hill-brow over the ford, just as the King of the World +and his army were approaching from the opposite +direction.</p> + +<p>And now the fight at the ford ceased for a time, +while the two armies were put in battle array; and +on neither side was there any cowardice or any desire +to avoid the combat.</p> + +<p>The Fena were divided into four battalions. The +active, bright-eyed Clann Baskin marched in front of +the first battalion; the fierce, champion-like Clann +Morna led the second; the strong, sanguinary Mic-an-Smoil +brought up the third; and the fourth was led +forward by the fearless, venomous Clann O'Navnan.</p> + +<p>And they marched forward, with their silken +banners, each banner-staff in the hand of a tall, trusty +hero; their helmets glittering with precious gems; +their broad, beautiful shields on their left shoulders; +with their long, straight, deadly lances in their hands; +and their heavy, keen-edged swords hanging at the +left side of each. Onward they marched; and woe to +those who crossed the path of that host of active, high-minded +champions, who never turned their backs on +an enemy in battle!</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + +<p>And now at last the fight began with showers of +light, venomous missiles; and many a hero fell even +before the combatants met face to face. Then they +drew their long, broad-bladed swords, and the ranks +closed and mingled in deadly strife. It would be vain +to attempt a description of that battle, for it was hard +to distinguish friend from foe. Many a high-souled +hero fell wounded and helpless, and neither sigh nor +groan of pain escaped them; but they died, encouraging +their friends to vengeance with voice and gesture. +And the first thought of each champion was to take +the life of his foe rather than to save his own.</p> + +<p>The great king Finn himself moved tall and +stately from battalion to battalion, now fighting in the +foremost ranks, and now encouraging his friends and +companions, his mighty voice rising clear over the +clash of arms and the shouts of the combatants. And +wherever he moved, there the courage of the Fena rose +high, and their valour and their daring increased, so +that the ranks of their foes fell back thinned and +scattered before them.</p> + +<p>Oscar, resting for a moment from the toil of battle, +looked round, and espied the standard of the King +of the World, where he stood guarded by his best +warriors, to protect him from the danger of being +surrounded and outnumbered by his foes; and the +young hero's wrath was kindled when he observed +that the Fena were falling back dismayed wherever +that standard was borne.</p> + +<p>Rushing through the opposing ranks like a lion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +maddened by dogs, he approached the king; and the +king laughed a grim laugh of joy when he saw him, +and ordered his guards back; for he was glad in +his heart, expecting to revenge his son's death by +slaying with his own hand Finn's grandson, who was +most loved of all the youthful champions of the Fena. +Then these two great heroes fought a deadly battle; +and many a warrior stayed his hand to witness this +combat. It seemed as if both should fall; for each +inflicted on the other many wounds. The king's rage +knew no bounds at being so long withstood, for at +first sight he despised Oscar for his youth and beauty; +and he made an onset that caused Oscar's friends, as +they looked on, to tremble; for during this attack the +young hero defended himself, and no more. But now, +having yielded for a time, he called to mind the actions +and the fame of his forefathers, and attacked the king +in turn, and, with a blow that no shield or buckler +could withstand, he swept the head from the king's +body.</p> + +<p>Then a great shout went up from the Fena, and the +foreigners instantly gave way; and they were pursued +and slaughtered on every side. A few threw away +their arms and escaped to the shore, where, hastily +unmooring their ships, they sailed swiftly away to +their own country, with tidings of the death of their +king and the slaughter of their army.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="THE_PURSUIT_OF_THE_GILLA_DACKER" id="THE_PURSUIT_OF_THE_GILLA_DACKER"></a>THE PURSUIT OF THE GILLA DACKER +AND HIS HORSE.</h2> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ECHAPTER_I" id="ECHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">ARRIVAL OF THE GILLA DACKER AND HIS HORSE.</p> + + +<p>One day in the beginning of summer, Finn, the son +of Cumal, the son of Trenmore O'Baskin,<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> feasted the +chief people of Erin at Allen<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> of the broad hill-slopes. +And when the feast was over, the Fena reminded +him that it was time to begin the chase through the +plains and the glens and the wildernesses of Erin.</p> + +<p>For this was the manner in which the Fena were +wont to spend their time. They divided the year +into two parts. During the first half, namely, from +Beltane to Samin,<a name="FNanchor_XCIII._121" id="FNanchor_XCIII._121"></a><a href="#Footnote_XCIII._121" class="fnanchor">[XCIII.]</a> they hunted each day with their +dogs; and during the second half, namely, from Samin +to Beltane, they lived in the mansions and the betas<a name="FNanchor_XCIV._122" id="FNanchor_XCIV._122"></a><a href="#Footnote_XCIV._122" class="fnanchor">[XCIV.]</a> +of Erin; so that there was not a chief or a great lord +or a keeper of a house of hospitality in the whole +country that had not nine of the Fena quartered on +him during the winter half of the year.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p><p>Finn and his chiefs now held council as to which +of the provinces of Erin they should begin with; +and they chose Munster for the first chase.</p> + +<p>Next day they set out, both dogs and men; and +they travelled through Offaly,<a name="FNanchor_XCV._123" id="FNanchor_XCV._123"></a><a href="#Footnote_XCV._123" class="fnanchor">[XCV.]</a> and by one side of +Fera-call, and to Brosna of Slieve Bloma, and by +the Twelve Mountains of Evlinn, till they came to +Collkilla, which is now called Knockainy.</p> + +<p>The chase was then set in order, and they scattered +themselves over the broad plains of Munster. They +began at Ardpatrick,<a name="FNanchor_XCVI._124" id="FNanchor_XCVI._124"></a><a href="#Footnote_XCVI._124" class="fnanchor">[XCVI.]</a> and they hunted over Kenn-Avrat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +of Slieve-Keen, and over Coill-na-drua, which +is now called the district of Fermoy; over the fruitful +lands of Lehan, and over the confines of Fermorc, +which is now called Hy Conall Gavra. Then south +to the patrimony of Curoi Mac Dara, and by the +shores of Loch Lein; afterwards along the blue-streamy +Suir, by Caher-Dun-Isca, over the great +plain of Femin, and across the speckled summit of +Slieve-na-man-finn; all over East Munster and West +Munster, as far as Balla-Gavran on the one side, +and on the other across the Shannon to Cratloe, +near Limerick of the blue waters.</p> + +<p>In short, there was not a plain or a valley, a wood +or a brake, a mountain or a wilderness, in the two +provinces of Munster, that they did not hunt over +on that occasion.</p> + +<p>Now it chanced at one time during the chase, +while they were hunting over the plain of Cliach,<a name="FNanchor_XCVII._125" id="FNanchor_XCVII._125"></a><a href="#Footnote_XCVII._125" class="fnanchor">[XCVII.]</a> +that Finn went to rest on the hill of Collkilla, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +is now called Knockainy; and he had his hunting-tents +pitched on a level spot near the summit. Some +of his chief heroes tarried with him; namely, his son +Oisin; the valiant Oscar, the son of Oisin; Gaul Mac +Morna of the Mighty Deeds; Finn's shield-bearer, +Skeabrac; Kylta Mac Ronan; Dermat O'Dyna of +the Bright Face; Ligan Lumina the Swift-footed; +Conan Mail of the Foul Tongue; and Finn Ban Mac +Bresal.</p> + +<p>When the king and his companions had taken +their places on the hill, the Fena unleashed their +gracefully shaped, sweet-voiced hounds through the +woods and sloping glens. And it was sweet music +to Finn's ear, the cry of the long-snouted dogs, as +they routed the deer from their covers, and the +badgers from their dens; the pleasant, emulating +shouts of the youths; the whistling and signalling +of the huntsmen; and the encouraging cheers of the +mighty heroes, as they spread themselves through the +glens and woods, and over the broad, green plain of +Cliach.</p> + +<p>Then did Finn ask who of all his companions +would go to the highest point of the hill directly +over them, to keep watch and ward, and to report +how the chase went on. For, he said, the Dedannans<a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> +were ever on the watch to work the Fena mischief by +their druidical spells, and more so during the chase +than at other times.</p> + +<p>Finn Ban Mac Bresal stood forward and offered +to go: and, grasping his broad spears, he went to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +top, and sat viewing the plain to the four points of +the sky. And the king and his companions brought +forth the chess-board and chess-men,<a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> and sat them +down to a game.</p> + +<p>Finn Ban Mac Bresal had been watching only +a little time, when he saw on the plain to the east, +a Fomor<a name="FNanchor_XCVIII._126" id="FNanchor_XCVIII._126"></a><a href="#Footnote_XCVIII._126" class="fnanchor">[XCVIII.]</a> of vast size coming towards the hill, +leading a horse. As he came nearer, Finn Ban +observed that he was the ugliest-looking giant his +eyes ever lighted on. He had a large, thick body, +bloated and swollen out to a great size; clumsy, +crooked legs; and broad, flat feet, turned inwards. +His hands and arms and shoulders were bony and +thick and very strong-looking; his neck was long +and thin; and while his head was poked forward, his +face was turned up, as he stared straight at Finn +Mac Bresal. He had thick lips, and long, crooked +teeth; and his face was covered all over with bushy +hair.</p> + +<p>He was fully armed; but all his weapons were +rusty and soiled and slovenly looking. A broad +shield of a dirty, sooty colour, rough and battered, +hung over his back; he had a long, heavy, straight +sword at his left hip; and he held in his left hand +two thick-handled, broad-headed spears, old and rusty, +and seeming as if they had not been handled for +years. In his right hand he held an iron club, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +he dragged after him, with its end on the ground; +and, as it trailed along, it tore up a track as deep +as the furrow a farmer ploughs with a team of oxen.</p> + +<p>The horse he led was even larger in proportion +than the giant himself, and quite as ugly. His +great carcase was covered all over with tangled, +scraggy hair, of a sooty black; you could count his +ribs, and all the points of his big bones through +his hide; his legs were crooked and knotty; his +neck was twisted; and as for his jaws, they were +so long and heavy that they made his head look +twice too large for his body.</p> + +<p>The giant held him by a thick halter, and seemed +to be dragging him forward by main force, the animal +was so lazy and so hard to move. Every now and +then, when the beast tried to stand still, the giant +would give him a blow on the ribs with his big iron +club, which sounded as loud as the thundering of a +great billow against the rough-headed rocks of the +coast. When he gave him a pull forward by the +halter, the wonder was that he did not drag the +animal's head away from his body; and, on the other +hand, the horse often gave the halter such a tremendous +tug backwards that it was equally wonderful +how the arm of the giant was not torn away from +his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Now it was not an easy matter to frighten Finn +Ban Mac Bresal; but when he saw the giant and his +horse coming straight towards him in that wise, he +was seized with such fear and horror that he sprang<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +from his seat, and, snatching up his arms, he ran down +the hill-slope with his utmost speed towards the king +and his companions, whom he found sitting round the +chess-board, deep in their game.</p> + +<p>They started up when they saw Finn Ban looking +so scared; and, turning their eyes towards where he +pointed, they saw the big man and his horse coming +up the hill. They stood gazing at him in silent +wonder, waiting till he should arrive; but although +he was no great way off when they first caught sight +of him, it was a long time before he reached the +spot where they stood, so slow was the movement of +himself and his horse.</p> + +<p>When at last he had come up, he bowed his head, +and bended his knee, and saluted the king with great +respect.</p> + +<p>Finn addressed him; and after having given him +leave to speak, he asked him who he was, and what +was his name; from which of the three chief divisions +of the world he had come, and whether he belonged +to one of the noble or ignoble races; also what was +his profession or craft, and why he had no servant +to attend to his horse—if, indeed, such an ugly old +spectre of an animal could be called a horse at all.</p> + +<p>The big man made answer and said, "King of the +Fena, I will answer everything you ask me, as far as +lies in my power. Whether I come of a noble or of an +ignoble race, that, indeed, I cannot tell, for I know not +who my father and mother were. As to where I came +from, I am a Fomor of Lochlann<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> in the north; but I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +have no particular dwelling-place, for I am continually +travelling about from one country to another, serving +the great lords and nobles of the world, and receiving +wages for my service.</p> + +<p>"In the course of my wanderings I have often +heard of you, O king, and of your greatness and +splendour and royal bounty; and I have come now to +visit you, and to ask you to take me into your service +for one year; and at the end of that time I shall fix +my own wages, according to my custom.</p> + +<p>"You ask me also why I have no servant for this +great horse of mine. The reason of that is this: at +every meal I eat, my master must give me as much +food and drink as would be enough for a hundred men; +and whosoever the lord or chief may be that takes me +into his service, it is quite enough for him to have to +provide for me, without having also to feed my +servant.</p> + +<p>"Moreover, I am so very heavy and lazy that I +should never be able to keep up with a company on +march if I had to walk; and this is my reason for +keeping a horse at all.</p> + +<p>"My name is the Gilla Dacker,<a name="FNanchor_XCIX._127" id="FNanchor_XCIX._127"></a><a href="#Footnote_XCIX._127" class="fnanchor">[XCIX.]</a> and it is not without +good reason that I am so called. For there never +was a lazier or worse servant than I am, or one that +grumbles more at doing a day's work for his master. +And I am the hardest person in the whole world to +deal with; for, no matter how good or noble I may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +think my master, or how kindly he may treat me, it is +hard words and foul reproaches I am likely to give +him for thanks in the end.</p> + +<p>"This, O Finn, is the account I have to give of +myself, and these are my answers to your questions."</p> + +<p>"Well," answered Finn, "according to your own +account, you are not a very pleasant fellow to have +anything to do with; and of a truth there is not +much to praise in your appearance. But things may +not be so bad as you say; and, anyhow, as I have +never yet refused any man service and wages, I will +not now refuse you."</p> + +<p>Whereupon Finn and the Gilla Dacker made covenants, +and the Gilla Dacker was taken into service for +a year.</p> + +<p>Then the big man turned to Conan Mail, and +asked him whether the foot-service or the horse-service +had the better pay among the Fena; and Conan +answered that the horsemen had twice as much pay as +the footmen.</p> + +<p>"If that be so," replied the Gilla Dacker, "I will +join the horse-service, as I have a fine steed of my +own; and indeed, if I had known this before, I would +certainly have come hither on horseback, instead of +walking.</p> + +<p>"And now, as to this same horse of mine, I find I +must attend to him myself, as I see no one here worthy +of putting a hand near him. So I will lead him to the +nearest stud, as I am wont to do, and let him graze +among your horses. I value him greatly, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +and it would grieve me very much if any harm were to +befall him; so," continued he, turning to the king, "I +put him under your protection, O king, and under the +protection of all the Fena that are here present."</p> + +<p>At this speech the Fena all burst out laughing, to +see the Gilla Dacker showing such concern for his +miserable, worthless old skeleton of a horse.</p> + +<p>Howbeit, the big man, giving not the least heed to +their merriment, took the halter off the horse's head, +and turned him loose among the horses of the Fena.</p> + +<p>But now, this same wretched-looking old animal, +instead of beginning to graze, as every one thought he +would, ran in among the horses of the Fena, and began +straightway to work all sorts of mischief. He cocked +his long, hard, switchy tail straight out like a rod, and, +throwing up his hind legs, he kicked about on this side +and on that, maiming and disabling several of the +horses. Sometimes he went tearing through the +thickest of the herd, butting at them with his hard, +bony forehead; and he opened out his lips with a +vicious grin, and tore all he could lay hold on, with +his sharp, crooked teeth, so that none were safe that +came in his way either before or behind. And the end +of it was, that not an animal of the whole herd +escaped, without having a leg broken, or an eye +knocked out, or his ribs fractured, or his ear bitten off, +or the side of his face torn open, or without being in +some other way cut or maimed beyond cure.</p> + +<p>At last he left them, and was making straight +across to a small field where Conan Mail's horses were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +grazing by themselves, intending to play the same +tricks among them. But Conan, seeing this, shouted +in great alarm to the Gilla Dacker, to bring away his +horse, and not let him work any more mischief; and +threatening, if he did not do so at once, to go himself +and knock the brains out of the vicious old brute on +the spot.</p> + +<p>But the Gilla Dacker took the matter quite cool; +and he told Conan that he saw no way of preventing +his horse from joining the others, except some one put +the halter on him and held him, which would, of +course, he said, prevent the poor animal from grazing, +and would leave him with a hungry belly at the end +of the day.</p> + +<p>He said, moreover, that as he had no horse-boy, +and must needs do everything for himself, he thought +it quite time enough to look after his horse when he +had to make ready for a journey. "But," said he to +Conan, "there is the halter; and if you are in any fear +for your own animals, you may go yourself and bring +him away from the field."</p> + +<p>Conan was in a mighty rage when he heard this; +and as he saw the big horse just about to cross the +fence, he snatched up the halter, and running forward, +with long strides, he threw it over the animal's head +and thought to lead him back. But in a moment the +horse stood stock still, and his body and legs became +as stiff as if they were made of wood; and though +Conan pulled and tugged with might and main, he +was not able to stir him an inch from his place.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> + +<p>He gave up pulling at last, when he found it was +no use; but he still kept on holding the halter, while +the big horse never made the least stir, but stood as if +he had been turned into stone; the Gilla Dacker all +the time looking on quite unconcernedly, and the +others laughing at Conan's perplexity. But no one +offered to relieve him.</p> + +<p>At last Fergus Finnvel, the poet, spoke to Conan, +and said, "I never would have believed, Conan Mail, +that you could be brought to do horse-service for any +knight or noble in the whole world; but now, indeed, +I see that you have made yourself a horse-boy to an +ugly foreign giant, so hateful-looking and low-born +that not a man of the Fena would have anything to +say to him. As you have, however, to mind this old +horse in order to save your own, would it not be better +for you to mount him, and revenge yourself for all the +trouble he is giving you, by riding him across the +country, over the hill-tops, and down into the deep +glens and valleys, and through stones and bogs and all +sorts of rough places, till you have broken the heart in +his big, ugly body?"</p> + +<p>Conan, stung by the cutting words of the poet, and +by the jeers of his companions, jumped upon the +horse's back, and began to beat him mightily with his +heels, and with his two big, heavy fists, to make him +go; but the horse seemed not to take the least notice +and never stirred.</p> + +<p>"I know the reason he does not go," said Fergus +Finnvel; "he has been accustomed to carry a horseman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +far heavier than you, that is to say, the Gilla Dacker; +and he will not move till he has the same weight on +his back."</p> + +<p>At this Conan Mail called out to his companions, +and asked which of them would mount with him, and +help to avenge the damage done to their horses.</p> + +<p>"I will go," said Coil Croda the Battle Victor, son +of Criffan; and up he went. But the horse never +moved.</p> + +<p>Dara Donn Mac Morna next offered to go, and +mounted behind the others; and after him Angus +Mac Art Mac Morna. And the end of it was, that +fourteen men of the Clann Baskin and Clann Morna<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> +got up along with Conan; and all began to thrash the +horse together, with might and main. But they were +none the better of it, for he remained standing stiff +and immovable as before. They found, moreover, that +their seat was not at all an easy one—the animal's +back was so sharp and bony.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ECHAPTER_II" id="ECHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">CONAN AND FIFTEEN OF THE FENA ARE CARRIED +OFF BY THE GILLA DACKER'S HORSE.</p> + + +<p>When the Gilla Dacker saw the Fena beating his horse +at such a rate, he seemed very angry, and addressed +the king in these words—</p> + +<p>"King of the Fena, I now see plainly that all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +fine accounts I heard about you and the Fena are +false, and I will not stay in your service—no, not +another hour. You can see for yourself the ill usage +these men are giving my horse without cause; and +I leave you to judge whether any one could put up +with it—any one who had the least regard for his +horse. The time is, indeed, short since I entered your +service, but I now think it a great deal too long; so +pay me my wages, and let me go my ways."</p> + +<p>But Finn said, "I do not wish you to go; stay on +till the end of your year, and then I will pay you all +I promised you."</p> + +<p>"I swear," answered the Gilla Dacker, "that if this +were the very last day of my year, I would not wait +till morning for my wages, after this insult. So, wages +or no wages, I will now seek another master; but from +this time forth I shall know what to think of Finn +Mac Cumal and his Fena!"</p> + +<p>With that the Gilla Dacker stood up as straight as +a pillar, and, turning his face towards the south-west, +he walked slowly away.</p> + +<p>When the horse saw his master leaving the hill, he +stirred himself at once and walked quietly after him, +bringing the fifteen men away on his back. And when +the Fena saw this they raised a loud shout of laughter, +mocking them.</p> + +<p>The Gilla Dacker, after he had walked some little +way, looked back, and seeing that his horse was +following, he stood for a moment to tuck up his skirts. +Then, all at once changing his pace, he set out with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +long, active strides; and if you know what the speed +of a swallow is, flying across a mountain-side, or the +dry, fairy wind of a March day sweeping over the +plains, then you can understand the swiftness of +the Gilla Dacker, as he ran down the hill-side towards +the south-west.</p> + +<p>Neither was the horse behindhand in the race; for, +though he carried a heavy load, he galloped like the +wind after his master, plunging and bounding forward +with as much freedom as if he had nothing at all on +his back.</p> + +<p>The men now tried to throw themselves off; but +this, indeed, they were not able to do, for the good +reason that they found themselves fastened firmly, +hands and feet and all, to the horse's back.</p> + +<p>And now Conan, looking round, raised his big +voice, and shouted to Finn and the Fena, asking them +were they content to let their friends be carried off in +that manner by such a horrible, foul-looking old spectre +of a horse.</p> + +<p>Finn and the others, hearing this, seized their arms +and started off in pursuit. Now the way the Gilla +Dacker and his horse took was first through Fermorc,<a name="FNanchor_C._128" id="FNanchor_C._128"></a><a href="#Footnote_C._128" class="fnanchor">[C.]</a> +which is at the present day called Hy Conall Gavra; +next over the wide, heathy summit of Slieve Lougher;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +from that to Corca Divna; and they ran along by +Slieve Mish, till they reached Cloghan Kincat, near +the deep green sea.</p> + +<p>During all this time Finn and his people kept +them in view, but were not able to overtake them; +and Ligan Lumina, one of the swiftest of the Fena, +kept ahead of the others.</p> + +<p>The horse now passed by Cloghan Kincat without +in the least abating his speed; and when he had +arrived on the beach, even at the very water's edge, +Ligan overtook him, and caught him by the tail with +his two hands, intending to hold him till the rest of +the Fena came up. He gave a mighty pull back; but +the horse, not in the least checked by this, made no +more ado but plunged forward through the waves, +dragging Ligan after him hanging at his tail. And +Ligan now found that he could neither help his friends +nor free himself, for his two hands clung fast to the +tail of the horse.</p> + +<p>And so the great horse continued his course without +stop or stay, bringing the sixteen Fena with him +through the sea. Now this is how they fared in the +sea, while the horse was rushing swiftly farther and +farther to the west: they had always a dry, firm strand +under them, for the waters retired before the horse +while behind them was a wild, raging sea, which +followed close after, and seemed ready every moment +to topple over their heads. But, though the billows +were tumbling and roaring all round, neither horse nor +riders were wetted by as much as a drop of brine or +a dash of spray.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ECHAPTER_III" id="ECHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">PURSUIT.</p> + + +<p>Now as to Finn and the others. They stood on the +bank over the beach, watching the horse and men till +they lost sight of them in the sea afar off; and then +they sat them down, weary after their long chase, and +full of sadness for the loss of their companions.</p> + +<p>After a long silence, Finn spoke and asked the +chiefs what they thought best to be done. But they +replied that he was far beyond them all in knowledge +and wisdom; and they told him they would follow +whatsoever counsel he and Fergus Finnvel, the poet, +gave them. Then Finn told Fergus to speak his mind; +and Fergus said—</p> + +<p>"My counsel is that we go straightway to Ben +Edar,<a name="FNanchor_CI._129" id="FNanchor_CI._129"></a><a href="#Footnote_CI._129" class="fnanchor">[CI.]</a> where we shall find a ship ready to sail. For +our forefathers, when they wrested the land from the +gifted, bright-complexioned Dedannans, bound them by +covenant to maintain this ship for ever, fitted with +all things needful for a voyage, even to the smallest +article, as one of the privileges of Ben Edar; so that +if at any time one of the noble sons of Gael Glas<a name="FNanchor_CII._130" id="FNanchor_CII._130"></a><a href="#Footnote_CII._130" class="fnanchor">[CII.]</a> +wished to sail to distant lands from Erin, he should +have a ship lying at hand in the harbour ready to +begin his voyage."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p><p>They agreed to this counsel, and turned their steps +without delay northwards towards Ben Edar. They +had not gone far when they met two noble-looking +youths, fully armed, and wearing over their armour +beautiful mantles of scarlet silk, fastened by brooches +of gold. The strangers saluted the king with much +respect; and the king saluted them in return. Then, +having given them leave to converse, he asked them +who they were, whither they had come, and who the +prince or chief was that they served. And the elder +answered—</p> + +<p>"My name is Feradach, and my brother's name is +Foltlebar; and we are the two sons of the king of +Innia. Each of us professes an art; and it has long +been a point of dispute between us, which art is the +better, my brother's or mine. Hearing that there is +not in the world a wiser or more far-seeing man than +thou art, O king, we have come to ask thee to take +us into thy service among thy household troops for a +year, and at the end of that time to give judgment +between us in this matter."</p> + +<p>Finn asked them what were the two arts they +professed.</p> + +<p>"My art," answered Feradach, "is this: If at +any time a company of warriors need a ship, give me +only my joiner's axe and my crann-tavall,<a name="FNanchor_CIII._131" id="FNanchor_CIII._131"></a><a href="#Footnote_CIII._131" class="fnanchor">[CIII.]</a> and I am +able to provide a ship for them without delay. The +only thing I ask them to do is this—to cover their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +heads close, and keep them covered, while I give the +crann-tavall three blows of my axe. Then I tell them +to uncover their heads; and lo, there lies the ship in +harbour, ready to sail!"</p> + +<p>Then Foltlebar spoke and said, "This, O king, +is the art I profess: On land I can track the wild duck +over nine ridges and nine glens, and follow her without +being once thrown out, till I drop upon her in her +nest. And I can follow up a track on sea quite as +well as on land, if I have a good ship and crew."</p> + +<p>Finn replied, "You are the very men I want; and +I now take you both into my service. At this +moment I need a good ship and a skilful pilot more +than any two things in the whole world. And +though our own track-men, namely, the Clann +Navin, are good, yet we now need some one still +more skilful, to follow the Gilla Dacker through +unknown seas."</p> + +<p>Then the two brothers asked Finn what strait he +was in at that moment, and why he wanted a ship +and pilot so much. Whereupon Finn told them the +whole story of the Gilla Dacker's doings from beginning +to end. "And we are now," said he, "on our +way to Ben Edar, to seek a ship, that we may follow +this giant and his horse, and rescue our companions."</p> + +<p>Then Feradach said, "I will get you a ship—a +ship that will sail as swiftly as a swallow can +fly!"</p> + +<p>And Foltlebar said, "I will guide your ship in +the track of the Gilla Dacker till ye lay hands on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +him, in whatsoever quarter of the world he may have +hidden himself!"</p> + +<p>And so they turned back to Cloghan Kincat. And +when they had come to the beach, Feradach told them +to cover their heads; and they did so. Then he +struck three blows of his axe on the crann-tavall; +after which he bade them look. And lo, they saw a +ship, fully fitted out with oars and sails, and with all +things needed for a long voyage, riding before them +in the harbour!</p> + +<p>Then Kylta Mac Ronan went to the top of a high +hill; and, turning his face inland, he uttered three +mighty shouts, which were taken up by the people of +the next valley, and after them by those of the next +valley beyond. And so the signal spread, till a shout of +alarm was heard in every plain and hill-side, glen and +valley, wood and wilderness, in the two provinces of +Munster. And when the Fena heard these shouts, they +ceased anon from their sports and pastimes; for they +knew their king was in danger or strait of some kind. +And they formed themselves into ranks and troops +and battalions, and began their march; and it is not +told how they fared till they reached Cloghan Kincat.</p> + +<p>Finn told them the whole story of the Gilla +Dacker and his horse, and how he had carried away +Conan and fifteen others to some far-off island in the +Western Ocean. He also showed them the ship, and +told them that he himself and a chosen band of the +Fena were about to sail westward in quest of their +friends.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> + +<p>And Oisin asked him how many of the chief men +of the Fena he wished to take with him.</p> + +<p>Finn replied, "I foresee that this will be a perilous +quest; and I think all the chiefs here present few +enough to bring with me."</p> + +<p>"Say not so, O king," said Oisin; "too many have +gone already, and some must be left behind to guard +the country, and to keep order. If fifteen good men +go with you, and that you find the others, the whole +party will be a match for any foe you are like to meet +in these western lands."</p> + +<p>And Oscar and Gaul Mac Morna spoke in like +manner.</p> + +<p>To this Finn agreed. Then he picked out fifteen +men, the bravest and best, the most dexterous at the +sword, and the swiftest of foot among the Fena.</p> + +<p>The question then arose, who should lead the Fena +in the king's absence; and what they agreed on was +that Oisin should remain behind and take command, +as he was the eldest and bravest and wisest of the +king's sons.</p> + +<p>Of those who were chosen to go with Finn, the +chief men were Dermat O'Dyna; Gaul Mac Morna; +Oscar, the son of Oisin; Aed Beg, the son of Finn; +Fergus Finnvel, the poet; the three sons of Encarda; +and Feradach and Foltlebar, the two sons of the king +of Innia.</p> + +<p>So the king and his party took leave of Oisin and +the rest. And sad, indeed, were they on both sides; +for no one knew how far the king might have to sail<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +among unknown seas and islands, or how long he +should be away from Erin, or the spells and dangers +he and his men might encounter in this pursuit.</p> + +<p>Then they went on board, and launched their ship +on the cold, bright sea; and Foltlebar was their pilot +and steersman. And they set their sail and plied +their slender oars, and the ship moved swiftly westward +till they lost sight of the shores of Erin; and +they saw nothing all round them but a wide girdle of +sea. After some days' sailing, a great storm came from +the west, and the black waves rose up against them, +so that they had much ado to keep their vessel from +sinking. But through all the roaring of the tempest, +through the rain and blinding spray, Foltlebar never +stirred from the helm or changed his course, but still +kept close on the track of the Gilla Dacker.</p> + +<p>At length the storm abated, and the sea grew +calm. And when the darkness had cleared away, +they saw to the west, a little way off, a vast rocky cliff +towering over their heads to such a height, that its +head seemed hidden among the clouds. It rose up +sheer from the very water, and looked at that distance +as smooth as glass, so that at first sight there seemed +no way to reach the top.</p> + +<p>Foltlebar, after examining to the four points of +the sky, found the track of the Gilla Dacker as far +as the cliff, but no farther. And he accordingly told +the heroes that he thought it was on the top of +that rock the giant lived; and that, anyhow, the +horse must have made his way up the face of the +cliff with their companions.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the heroes heard this they were greatly +cast down and puzzled what to do; for they saw +no way of reaching the top of the rock; and they +feared they should have to give up the quest and +return without their companions. And they sat down +and looked up at the cliff, with sorrow and vexation +in their hearts.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ECHAPTER_IV" id="ECHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">DERMAT O'DYNA, IN QUEST OF THE GILLA DACKER, +ENCOUNTERS THE WIZARD-CHAMPION AT THE WELL.</p> + + +<p>When now they had been silent for a time, Fergus +Finnvel, the poet, arose and said—</p> + +<p>"My friends, we have here amongst us one who +has been fostered and taught from the child to the +man, by Mannanan Mac Lir<a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> in Fairyland, and by +Angus,<a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> the wisest of the Dedannans, at Bruga of the +Boyne. He has been carefully trained by both in +everything a warrior should learn, and in much +druidical lore besides; so that he is skilled beyond +us all in manly arts and champion-feats. But now +it seems that all his arts and accomplishments go +for nought, seeing that he is unable to make use of +them just at the time that we stand most in need +of them. On the top of that rock, doubtless, the +Gilla Dacker lives, and there he holds Conan and +the others in bondage; and surely this hero, who now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +sits idly with us here in our ship, should be able to +climb up the face of that cliff, and bring us back +tidings of our dear friends and companions."</p> + +<p>When Dermat O'Dyna heard this speech, his +cheek grew red with shame, and he made this +reply—</p> + +<p>"It is of me you have spoken these words, Fergus. +Your reproaches are just; and though the task is +hard, I will attempt to follow the track of the Gilla +Dacker, and find out some tidings of our friends."</p> + +<p>So saying, Dermat arose, and girded on his +armour, and put on his glittering helmet. He hung +his sword at his left hip; and he took his two long, +deadly spears, one in each hand, namely, the Crann-boi +and the Ga-derg;<a name="FNanchor_CIV._132" id="FNanchor_CIV._132"></a><a href="#Footnote_CIV._132" class="fnanchor">[CIV.]</a> and the battle-fury of a warrior +descended on him, so that he looked a dreadful foe to +meet in single combat.</p> + +<p>Then, leaning on the handles of his spears, after +the manner of skilful champions, he leaped with a +light, airy bound on the nearest shelf of rock. And +using his spears and his hands, he climbed from ledge +to ledge, while his companions watched him anxiously +from below; till, after much toil, he measured the +soles of his two feet on the green sod at the top +of the rock. And when, recovering breath, he turned +round and looked at his companions in the ship far +below, he started back with amazement and dread at +the dizzy height.</p> + +<p>He now looked inland, and saw a beautiful country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +spread out before him:—a lovely, flowery plain +straight in front, bordered with pleasant hills, and +shaded with groves of many kinds of trees. It was +enough to banish all care and sadness from one's heart +to view this country, and to listen to the warbling of +the birds, the humming of the bees among the flowers, +the rustling of the wind through the trees, and the +pleasant voices of the streams and waterfalls.</p> + +<p>Making no delay, Dermat set out to walk across +the plain. He had not been long walking when he +saw, right before him, a great tree laden with fruit, +overtopping all the other trees of the plain. It was +surrounded at a little distance by a circle of pillar-stones; +and one stone, taller than the others, stood +in the centre near the tree. Beside this pillar-stone +was a spring well, with a large, round pool as clear +as crystal; and the water bubbled up in the centre, +and flowed away towards the middle of the plain in +a slender stream.</p> + +<p>Dermat was glad when he saw the well; for he +was hot and thirsty after climbing up the cliff. He +stooped down to take a drink; but before his lips +touched the water, he heard the heavy tread of a +body of warriors, and the loud clank of arms, as if +a whole host were coming straight down on him. +He sprang to his feet and looked round; but the +noise ceased in an instant, and he could see nothing.</p> + +<p>After a little while he stooped again to drink; +and again, before he had wet his lips, he heard the +very same sounds, nearer and louder than before. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +second time he leaped to his feet; and still he saw no +one. He knew not what to think of this; and as he +stood wondering and perplexed, he happened to cast +his eyes on the tall pillar-stone that stood on the +brink of the well; and he saw on its top a large, +beautiful drinking-horn, chased with gold and +enamelled with precious stones.</p> + +<p>"Now surely," said Dermat, "I have been doing +wrong; it is, no doubt, one of the virtues of this well +that it will not let any one drink of its waters except +from the drinking-horn."</p> + +<p>So he took down the horn, dipped it into the +well, and drank without hindrance, till he had slaked +his thirst.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had he taken the horn from his lips, +when he saw a tall wizard-champion<a name="FNanchor_CV._133" id="FNanchor_CV._133"></a><a href="#Footnote_CV._133" class="fnanchor">[CV.]</a> coming towards +him from the east, clad in a complete suit of mail, +and fully armed with shield and helmet, sword and +spear. A beautiful scarlet mantle hung over his +armour, fastened at his throat by a golden brooch; +and a broad circlet of sparkling gold was bended in +front across his forehead, to confine his yellow hair, +and keep it from being blown about by the wind.</p> + +<p>As he came nearer, he increased his pace, moving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +with great strides; and Dermat now observed that he +looked very wrathful. He offered no greeting, and +showed not the least courtesy; but addressed Dermat +in a rough, angry voice—</p> + +<p>"Surely, Dermat O'Dyna, Erin of the green plains +should be wide enough for you; and it contains abundance +of clear, sweet water in its crystal springs and +green bordered streams, from which you might have +drunk your fill. But you have come into my island +without my leave, and you have taken my drinking-horn, +and have drunk from my well; and this spot +you shall never leave till you have given me satisfaction +for the insult."</p> + +<p>So spoke the wizard-champion, and instantly +advanced on Dermat with fury in his eyes. But +Dermat was not the man to be terrified by any hero +or wizard-champion alive. He met the foe half-way; +and now, foot to foot, and knee to knee, and face to +face, they began a fight, watchful and wary at first, +but soon hot and vengeful, till their shields and +helmets could scarce withstand their strong thrusts +and blows. Like two enraged lions fighting to the +death, or two strong serpents intertwined in deadly +strife, or two great opposing billows thundering +against each other on the ocean border; such was the +strength and fury and determination of the combat +of these two heroes.</p> + +<p>And so they fought through the long day, till +evening came, and it began to be dusk; when suddenly +the wizard-champion sprang outside the range<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +of Dermat's sword, and leaping up with a great +bound, he alighted in the very centre of the well. +Down he went through it, and disappeared in a +moment before Dermat's eyes, as if the well had +swallowed him up. Dermat stood on the brink, +leaning on his spear, amazed and perplexed, looking +after him in the water; but whether the hero had +meant to drown himself, or that he had played some +wizard trick, Dermat knew not.</p> + +<p>He sat down to rest, full of vexation that the +wizard-champion should have got off so easily. And +what chafed him still more was that the Fena knew +nought of what had happened, and that when he +returned, he could tell them nothing of the strange +hero; neither had he the least token or trophy to show +them after his long fight.</p> + +<p>Then he began to think what was best to be done; +and he made up his mind to stay near the well all +night, with the hope of finding out something further +about the wizard-champion on the morrow.</p> + +<p>He walked towards the nearest point of a great +forest that stretched from the mountain down to the +plain on his left; and as he came near, a herd of +speckled deer ran by among the trees. He put his +finger into the silken loop of his spear, and, throwing +it with an unerring cast, brought down the nearest of +the herd.</p> + +<p>Then, having lighted a fire under a tree, he skinned +the deer and fixed it on long hazel spits to roast, +having first, however, gone to the well, and brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +away the drinking-horn full of water. And he sat +beside the roasting deer to turn it and tend the fire, +waiting impatiently for his meal; for he was hungry +and tired after the toil of the day.</p> + +<p>When the deer was cooked, he ate till he was +satisfied, and drank the clear water of the well from +the drinking-horn; after which he lay down under the +shade of the tree, beside the fire, and slept a sound +sleep till morning.</p> + +<p>Night passed away and the sun rose, bringing +morning with its abundant light. Dermat started up, +refreshed after his long sleep, and, repairing to the +forest, he slew another deer, and fixed it on hazel +spits to roast at the fire as before. For Dermat had +this custom, that he would never eat of any food left +from a former meal.</p> + +<p>And after he had eaten of the deer's flesh and +drunk from the horn, he went towards the well. But +though his visit was early, he found the wizard-champion +there before him, standing beside the pillar-stone, +fully armed as before, and looking now more +wrathful than ever. Dermat was much surprised; but +before he had time to speak the wizard-champion +addressed him—</p> + +<p>"Dermat O'Dyna, you have now put the cap on all +your evil deeds. It was not enough that you took my +drinking-horn and drank from my well: you have +done much worse than this, for you have hunted on +my grounds, and have killed some of my speckled +deer. Surely there are many hunting-grounds in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +Erin of the green plains, with plenty of deer in them; +and you need not have come hither to commit these +robberies on me. But now for a certainty you shall +not go from this spot till I have taken revenge for +all these misdeeds."</p> + +<p>And again the two champions attacked each other, +and fought during the long day, from morning till +evening. And when the dusk began to fall, the +wizard-champion leaped into the well, and disappeared +down through it, even as he had done the day before.</p> + +<p>The selfsame thing happened on the third day. +And each day, morning and evening, Dermat killed a +deer, and ate of its flesh, and drank of the water of the +well from the drinking-horn.</p> + +<p>On the fourth morning, Dermat found the wizard-champion +standing as usual by the pillar-stone near +the well. And as each morning he looked more angry +than on the morning before, so now he scowled in a +way that would have terrified any one but Dermat +O'Dyna.</p> + +<p>And they fought during the day till the dusk of +evening. But now Dermat watched his foe narrowly; +and when he saw him about to spring into the well, he +closed on him and threw his arms round him. The +wizard-champion struggled to free himself, moving all +the time nearer and nearer to the brink; but Dermat +held on, till at last both fell into the well. Down they +went, clinging to each other, Dermat and the wizard-champion; +down, down, deeper and deeper they went; +and Dermat tried to look round, but nothing could he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +see save darkness and dim shadows. At length there +was a glimmer of light; then the bright day burst +suddenly upon them; and presently they came to the +solid ground, gently and without the least shock.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ECHAPTER_V" id="ECHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">DERMAT O'DYNA IN TIR-FA-TONN.<a name="FNanchor_CVI._134" id="FNanchor_CVI._134"></a><a href="#Footnote_CVI._134" class="fnanchor">[CVI.]</a></p> + + +<p>At the very moment they reached the ground, the +wizard-champion, with a sudden effort, tore himself +away from Dermat's grasp and ran forward with great +speed. Dermat leaped to his feet; and he was so +amazed at what he saw around him that he stood +stock still and let the wizard-champion escape: a +lovely country, with many green-sided hills and fair +valleys between, woods of red yew trees, and plains +laughing all over with flowers of every hue.</p> + +<p>Right before him, not far off, lay a city of great +tall houses with glittering roofs; and on the side +nearest to him was a royal palace, larger and grander +than the rest. On the level green in front of the +palace were a number of knights, all armed, and +amusing themselves with various warlike exercises +of sword and shield and spear.</p> + +<p>Straight towards this assembly the wizard-champion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +ran; which, when Dermat saw, he set off in +pursuit, hoping to overtake him. But the wizard-champion +had too long a start, and when he reached +the exercise green, the knights opened to the right +and left, leaving a broad way through which he +rushed. He never halted or looked behind till he had +got inside the palace gate; and the moment he had +passed in, the knights closed their ranks, and stood +facing Dermat with threatening looks and gestures.</p> + +<p>Nothing daunted, Dermat held on his pace towards +them; and now those of the front rank started forward +with spears and swords, intending to crush him +at once, and hew his body to mincemeat. But it was +not terror nor weakness nor a desire of flight that this +produced in Dermat, for his battle-fury was on him; +and he rushed through them and under them and +over them, as a hawk rushes among a flight of sparrows, +or like a whale through a shoal of little fishes, +or like a raging wolf among a flock of sheep, or like +a vast billow among a fleet of small vessels, or like a +great brown torrent rushing down the steep side of +a mountain, that sweeps everything headlong before it. +So did Dermat cleave a wide laneway through the +hosts, till, from a solid band of warriors, he turned +them into a scattered crowd, flying in all directions. +And those that did not fall by his hand, ran hither +and thither, some to hide themselves in the thick +forests and remote, wooded glens of the surrounding +country; while others rushed in through the outer +gate of the palace, and shut themselves up in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +strongest part of the fortress, neither did they deem +themselves safe till they had shot home every bolt, +and securely fastened every strong iron lock.</p> + +<p>At last not a living soul remained on the green, +and Dermat sat down, weary after his battle-toil, and +smarting all over with wounds. He was grieved and +downcast also, for he knew not where he was, and he +saw no chance that he should be able either to find any +tidings of the friends he was in search of, or to return +to his companions in the ship.</p> + +<p>At length, being quite overcome with weariness, he +fell into a deep sleep. After sleeping for some time, he +was awakened by a smart blow. He started up, and +saw a young man standing over him, tall, and of a +commanding appearance, with long, golden hair, and a +manly, open countenance. Now this young man had +come to Dermat, and finding him asleep in such a dangerous +place, he struck him with the flat of his sword +to awaken him. In an instant Dermat sprang to his +feet and seized his arms; but the youth addressed him +in a friendly voice, and said—</p> + +<p>"Dermat O'Dyna, put up your arms; I am no +enemy, and I have come, not to harm, but to serve +you. This, indeed, is a strange place for you to fall +asleep, before the very door of the castle, and within +sight of your enemies. Come now with me, and I will +give you a better place to sleep in, where you will also +get a welcome and kindly entertainment."</p> + +<p>This speech pleased Dermat very much; and he +thanked the young man and went with him. After<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +walking for some time, they came to a large splendid +house, and passing through the outer gate they entered +the banqueting hall. There they found a noble company +of twelve score and ten knights, and almost as +many beautiful ladies, with their long hair falling on +their shoulders, shining like the golden flower of the +marsh-flag, and gentle and modest in their looks and +conversation. They wore mantles of scarlet satin, +and each mantle was fastened in front by a brooch +of burnished gold.</p> + +<p>The company sat at tables round the walls of the +banquet hall, some feasting, some playing chess, and +some listening to the music of harps. When the two +heroes entered, all the knights and ladies rose and +received them with much respect, and they welcomed +Dermat and invited him to join their entertainment. +But the young prince—for he was in truth a prince—pointing +to Dermat's clothes and arms, all soiled +and stained, told them that he had endured much +toil that day, and that he wanted rest and refreshment.</p> + +<p>He then brought Dermat away, and ordered the +attendants to prepare a bath in a great caldron. He +put soothing balsams and healing herbs into it with +his own hands, and when Dermat had bathed he was +immediately healed of his wounds, and he came forth +refreshed and cheerful. The prince then directed that +his clothes should be put aside, and had him clad in +rich garments like the others.</p> + +<p>Dermat now joined the company, and ate and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +drank, for he had taken neither food nor drink since +he had made his meal on the deer early that morning +near the well; after which he talked and was cheerful +with the others. Then rose up the harpers, and the +professors of divers arts and sciences, and one after +another they played their sweet music, and recited +their poems and their tales of the heroes of the olden +time. And when they had ended, the knights gave +them gifts of gold and silver and jewels. At last the +company broke up, and Dermat was shown to a bed +richly ornamented, and soft with the red feathers of +wild fowl, and soon he fell into a sound sleep after his +long day's adventures.</p> + +<p>Now Dermat marvelled much at all he saw and +heard; and he knew not what place he was in, or who +the people were, that had treated him with such kindness. +So next morning, when the company had again +assembled, he stood up, and addressed the prince with +gentle words and modest demeanour; and this is what +he said—</p> + +<p>"I am much surprised, O prince, at what I have +seen, and at all that has befallen me in this land. +Though I am here a stranger, thou hast shown me +much kindness, and these noble knights and ladies +have permitted me to join their sports, and have +treated me with much gentleness and consideration. +I wish to know, then, who thou art, O prince, and what +country this is, of which I have never before heard, +and who is the king thereof. Tell me also, I pray +thee, the name of the champion who fought with me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +for four days at the well, till at last he escaped from +me at the palace."</p> + +<p>The prince replied, "I will tell you all, Dermat, as +you have asked, concealing nothing. This country is +Tir-fa-tonn; the champion who fought with you is +called the Knight of the Fountain, and that very +champion is king of this land. I am the brother of +the king, and my name is the Knight of Valour. +Good reason indeed have I to be kind to you, Dermat +O'Dyna, for though you do not remember me, I spent +a year and a day in the household of Finn the son of +Cumal.</p> + +<p>"A part of this kingdom belongs by right to me. +But the king and his son have seized on my patrimony, +and have banished me from the palace, forcing me to +live here in exile with a few of my faithful followers.</p> + +<p>"It is my intention, however, to make war on the +king for my part of the kingdom; and right glad I am +that you have come hither, for I would rather have +you on my side than all the other Fena put together, +for your nobleness of mind and your valour in battle.</p> + +<p>"I have here in my household seven score and ten +heroes, all champions of great deeds; and if you consent +to aid me, these shall be placed under your command. +By day you shall fight against the king of +Tir-fa-tonn and his son, and by night you shall feast +and rest and sleep with me in this palace. If you +enter into friendship with me and fight on my side, +well I know that I shall win back my right without +delay."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dermat agreed to this. So he and the Knight of +Valour made a covenant; and, placing hand in hand, +they pledged themselves to observe faithfully the +conditions of the league of friendship.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ECHAPTER_VI" id="ECHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">FINN, IN QUEST OF DERMAT, FIGHTS MANY BATTLES.</p> + + +<p>As to Finn Mac Cumal and those that remained behind +with him in the ship, I will now relate what befell +them.</p> + +<p>It was now many days since Dermat had left them, +and they marvelled much that he did not return with +tidings of the Gilla Dacker. At length, when they +began to be alarmed, the two sons of the king of Innia +offered to go in search of him; but Finn said no, +for that they should all go together.</p> + +<p>So Feradach and Foltlebar took all the cables and +ropes they could find in the ship, and tied them end +to end in hard, sure knots, till they had a rope long +enough to reach from the top of the rock to the +bottom. Then they clambered up the steep face of +the cliff, bringing with them the end of the rope; and +one by one they drew up Finn and the rest. And +when they looked round, they were as much surprised +and delighted as Dermat was at the look of the +country.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> + +<p>Foltlebar now made a search, and soon found the +track of Dermat; and the whole party set out to walk +across the plain, Foltlebar leading the way. Having +travelled some distance, they saw the great fruit tree +afar off; and, turning to the left, they found a place +where a fire had been lighted, and near it the remains +of several meals of deer's flesh. By this they knew +that it was here Dermat had slept, for all were well +aware of his custom not to eat of what was left from +a meal.</p> + +<p>They then went towards the tree, and there they +found the traces of deadly combat—the ground all +trampled and ploughed up, and a broken spear handle +lying at the brink of the well. While they stood +pondering on these things, with anxious hearts, they +saw a horseman at a distance, speeding towards them +across the plain. In a little while he came up and +reined in.</p> + +<p>He was a young man of majestic mien, fair and +noble of countenance; and he rode a beautiful chestnut +steed, with a bridle of twisted gold, and a saddle +of surpassing splendour, ornamented all over with +gold and jewels.</p> + +<p>He alighted and saluted Finn and the Fena, and +told them they were welcome to his country, for that +he was king; and he put his hand on Finn's neck and +kissed his cheek three times. Then he invited them +to go with him, saying that the Plain of the Fountain +was a comfortless resting-place after a long journey.</p> + +<p>Finn's heart was glad at this, for he and his companions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +were weary; and they set out to walk across +the plain with the young king. Having walked a +good distance, they came in sight of a noble palace, +with tall towers and carved front. As they came near, +they were met by a company of knights on the level +green in front, who welcomed them with gentle words. +And so they passed into the palace. A bath was prepared, +and they bathed and were refreshed after their +toils. Then they sat down to supper; and while they +ate and drank, the harpers played for them, and the +poets told their tales and sang their songs.</p> + +<p>They slept that night in the palace; and next +day they mingled with the knights on the green, +and took part in their games and pastimes. In the +evening they sat down to a feast. The people of the +palace were ranged at tables according to rank and +inheritance, every man in his proper place.</p> + +<p>Then the feast went on; and abundance of the +newest food and of the oldest drink was served out; +and they ate of the savoury food, and drank of the +sparkling wines and of the strong ales, till they +became merry and gently intoxicated. And Finn +could not call to mind that he ever saw an entertainment +in the house of either king or chief better +ordered. In this manner they were feasted and +entertained for three days and three nights.</p> + +<p>At the end of that time a meeting was held by +the king on the palace green. And Finn stood up +and said—</p> + +<p>"Tell me, I pray thee, thy name and the name of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +this country, which I have never seen before, or even +heard of."</p> + +<p>"This country," replied the king, "is called Sorca, +of which I am king; and although you know us not, +we know you well, for the fame of your deeds has +reached even to this land. But now I wish to know +why you have come hither; also the reason why you +have brought so few companions, and where the rest +have tarried."</p> + +<p>Then Finn told him the whole story from beginning +to end; how the Gilla Dacker and his great +horse had carried off sixteen of their chief men; "And," +added Finn, "I and these fifteen companions of mine +are now in quest of them."</p> + +<p>The king replied, "This is a dangerous undertaking; +and you and your fifteen men, valiant even +as you are, are too few to venture into unknown lands, +where you may meet with many enemies. Now my +knights are brave and generous, and they love battle +and adventure. Wherefore I will place a band of them +under your command, who will follow you whithersoever +you go, and who will not be behindhand even +with the Fena in facing hardship and danger."</p> + +<p>Finn stood up to thank the king; but before he +had time to speak, they saw a messenger speeding +towards them across the plain from the north-west, +breathless, and begrimed all over with mud and dust. +When he had come in presence of the company, he +bowed low to the king, and, standing up, waited +impatient for leave to speak.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p> + +<p>The king asked him what news he had brought +and he replied—</p> + +<p>"Bad and direful news I have for thee, O king. A +foreign fleet has come to our shores, which seems to +cover all the sea, even as far as the eye can reach; +and until the stars of heaven are counted, and the +sands of the sea, and the leaves of the woods, the hosts +that are landing from their black ships shall not be +numbered. Even already they have let loose their +plunderers over the country, who are burning and +spoiling the farmsteads and the great mansions; and +many noble heroes and keepers of houses of hospitality, +and many people of the common sort, have +been slain by them. Some say that it is the King +of the World and his host, who, after conquering every +country he has yet visited, has come now to ravage +this land with fire and sword and spear, and bring it +under his power; but I know not if this be true. +And this, O king, is the news I bring thee."</p> + +<p>When the messenger had ended, the king spoke +nought, though his countenance, indeed, showed +trouble; but he looked earnestly at Finn. Finn +understood this to mean that the king sought his +help; and, with clear voice, he spoke—</p> + +<p>"Thou hast been generous to me and my people +in our day of need, O king of Sorca; and now thou +shalt not find the Fena lacking in grateful memory +of thy kindness. We will, for a time, give up the +pursuit of the Gilla Dacker, and we will place ourselves +under thy command, and help thee against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +these marauders. Neither do I fear the outcome of +this war; for many a time have we met these +foreigners on the shores of Erin and elsewhere, and +they have always yielded to us in the battle-field."</p> + +<p>The king of Sorca was glad of heart when he +heard these words; and he sent his swift scouts all +over the country to gather his fighting men. And +when all had come together, he arranged them in +fighting order, and marched towards the shore where +the foreigners were spoiling the land. And they met +the plundering parties, and drove them with great +slaughter back to their ships, retaking all the spoils.</p> + +<p>Then they formed an encampment on the shore, +with ramparts and deep ditches and long rows of +pointed stakes all round. And each day a party of +the foreigners landed, led by one of their captains, +who were met by an equal number of the men of +Sorca, led by one of the Fena; and each time they +were driven back to their ships, after losing their best +men.</p> + +<p>When, now, this had continued for many days, +the King of the World called a meeting of the chiefs +of his army, and asked their counsel as to what should +be done. And they spoke as one man, that their best +chiefs had fallen, and that they were in worse case +now for overcoming the men of Sorca than they were +at first; that their sages and prophets had declared +against them; and that they had met with ill luck +from the day of their arrival. And the advice they +gave the king was to depart from the shores of Sorca,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +for there seemed no chance of conquering the country +as long as the Fena were there to help the king.</p> + +<p>So the king ordered the sails to be set, and he left +the harbour in the night with his whole fleet, without +bringing the king of Sorca under subjection, and +without imposing tribute on the people.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ECHAPTER_VII" id="ECHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">FINN AND DERMAT MEET.</p> + + +<p>When the people of Sorca and the Fena arose next +morning, not a ship was in sight; and they began +to rejoice greatly, finding themselves freed from this +invasion. And while the king and Finn, with the +chiefs and people, stood eagerly conversing on all these +matters, they saw a troop at a distance coming towards +them, with banners and standards and arms glittering +in the morning sun. Now they wondered much who +these might be; and Finn desired that some one might +go and bring back tidings.</p> + +<p>So Fergus Finnvel went with a few followers, and +when he was yet a good way off, he knew Dermat +O'Dyna at the head of the troop, and ran forward +with joy to meet him. And they embraced, even as +brothers embrace who meet after being long parted. +Then they came towards the assembly; and when the +Fena saw Dermat they shouted with joy and welcome<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +And Dermat, on his part, could scarce restrain the +excess of his joyfulness; for, indeed, he did not expect +to meet his friends so soon; and he embraced them +one by one, with glad heart, beginning with Finn.</p> + +<p>Then Finn inquired from Dermat all particulars, +what places he had visited since the day he had +climbed up the rock, and whether he had heard any +news of their lost companions; and he asked him also +who were they—those valiant-looking fighting men—he +had brought with him.</p> + +<p>Dermat told him of all his adventures from first to +last—of his long combat at the well with the Knight +of the Fountain, of his descent to Tir-fa-tonn, and how +the Knight of Valour had entertained him hospitably +in his palace. He related also how he headed the men +of the Knight of Valour, and made war on the king +of Tir-fa-tonn (who was also called the Knight of the +Fountain, the wizard-champion who fought with +Dermat at the well), whom he slew, and defeated his +army.</p> + +<p>"And now," continued he, bringing forth the Knight +of Valour from among the strange host, "this is he +who was formerly called the Knight of Valour, but +who is now the king of Tir-fa-tonn. Moreover, this +king has told me, having himself found it out by his +druidical art, that it was Avarta the Dedannan (the +son of Illahan of the Many-coloured Raiment) who +took the form of the Gilla Dacker, and who brought +the sixteen Fena away to the Land of Promise,<a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> where +he now holds them in bondage."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> + +<p>Finn and the young king then put hand in hand +and made covenants of lasting friendship with each +other. And the Fena were much rejoiced that they +had at last got some tidings of their lost companions.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="ECHAPTER_VIII" id="ECHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">CONAN AND HIS COMPANIONS FOUND AND RESCUED.</p> + + +<p>Now after they had rested some days in the palace of +the king of Sorca, Fergus Finnvel told Finn that it +was time to begin once more their quest after Conan +and the others. They held council, therefore; and the +resolution they came to was to return to the rock at +the spot where they had turned aside from the track +of the Gilla Dacker, and to begin their search anew +from that. And when both the king of Sorca and +the king of Tir-fa-tonn would have sent men with +them, Finn thanked them, but said that the small +party of Fena he had with him were quite enough for +that adventure.</p> + +<p>So they took leave of the two kings, and went +back to the rock, and Foltlebar at once found the +track. He traced it from the very edge of the rock +across the plain to the sea at the other side; and they +brought round their ship and began their voyage. +But this time Foltlebar found it very hard to keep on +the track; for the Gilla Dacker, knowing that there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +were not in the world men more skilled in following +up a quest than the Fena, took great pains to hide +all traces of the flight of himself and his horse; so +that Foltlebar was often thrown out; but he always +recovered the track after a little time.</p> + +<p>And so they sailed from island to island, and from +bay to bay, over many seas and by many shores, ever +following the track, till at length they arrived at the +Land of Promise. And when they had made the land, +and knew for a certainty that this was indeed the +Land of Promise, they rejoiced greatly; for in this +land Dermat O'Dyna had been nurtured by Mannanan +Mac Lir of the Yellow Hair.</p> + +<p>Then they held council as to what was best to be +done; and Finn's advice was that they should burn +and spoil the country, in revenge of the outrage that +had been done to his people. Dermat, however, would +not hear of this. And he said—</p> + +<p>"Not so, O king. The people of this land are of all +men the most skilled in druidic art; and it is not well +that they should be at feud with us. Let us rather +send to Avarta a trusty herald, to demand that he +should set our companions at liberty. If he does so, +then we shall be at peace; if he refuse, then shall we +proclaim war against him and his people, and waste +this land with fire and sword, till he be forced, even +by his own people, to give us back our friends."</p> + +<p>This advice was approved by all. And then Finn +said—</p> + +<p>"But how shall heralds reach the dwelling of this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +enchanter; for the ways are not open and straight, as +in other lands, but crooked and made for concealment, +and the valleys and plains are dim and shadowy, and +hard to be traversed?"</p> + +<p>But Foltlebar, nothing daunted by the dangers +and the obscurity of the way, offered to go with a +single trusty companion; and they took up the track +and followed it without being once thrown out, till +they reached the mansion of Avarta. There they +found their friends amusing themselves on the green +outside the palace walls; for, though kept captive in +the island, yet were they in no wise restrained, but +were treated by Avarta with much kindness. When +they saw the heralds coming towards them, their joy +knew no bounds; they crowded round to embrace +them, and asked them many questions regarding their +home and their friends.</p> + +<p>At last Avarta himself came forth, and asked who +these strangers were; and Foltlebar replied—</p> + +<p>"We are of the people of Finn Mac Cumal, who +has sent us as heralds to thee. He and his heroes +have landed on this island, guided hither by me; and +he bade us tell thee that he has come to wage war +and to waste this land with fire and sword, as a +punishment for that thou hast brought away his +people by foul spells, and even now keepest them in +bondage."</p> + +<p>When Avarta heard this, he made no reply, but +called a council of his chief men, to consider whether +they should send back to Finn an answer of war or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +of peace. And they, having much fear of the Fena, +were minded to restore Finn's people, and to give him +his own award in satisfaction for the injury done to +him; and to invite Finn himself and those who had +come with him to a feast of joy and friendship in the +house of Avarta.</p> + +<p>Avarta himself went with Foltlebar to give this +message. And after he and Finn had exchanged +friendly greetings, he told them what the council had +resolved; and Finn and Dermat and the others were +glad at heart. And Finn and Avarta put hand in +hand, and made a league of friendship.</p> + +<p>So they went with Avarta to his house, where +they found their lost friends; and, being full of gladness, +they saluted and embraced each other. Then a +feast was prepared; and they were feasted for three +days, and they ate and drank and made merry.</p> + +<p>On the fourth day, a meeting was called on the +green to hear the award. Now it was resolved to +make amends on the one hand to Finn, as king of the +Fena, and on the other, to those who had been brought +away by the Gilla Dacker. And when all were +gathered together, Finn was first asked to name his +award; and this is what he said—</p> + +<p>"I shall not name an award, O Avarta; neither +shall I accept an eric from thee. But the wages I +promised thee when we made our covenant at Knockainy, +that I will give thee. For I am thankful for the +welcome thou hast given us here; and I wish that +there should be peace and friendship between us for +ever."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Conan, on his part, was not so easily satisfied; +and he said to Finn—</p> + +<p>"Little hast thou endured, O Finn, in all this +matter; and thou mayst well waive thy award. But +hadst thou, like us, suffered from the sharp bones and +the rough carcase of the Gilla Dacker's monstrous +horse, in a long journey from Erin to the Land of +Promise, across wide seas, through tangled woods, and +over rough-headed rocks, thou wouldst then, methinks, +name an award."</p> + +<p>At this, Avarta, and the others who had seen +Conan and his companions carried off on the back of +the big horse, could scarce keep from laughing; and +Avarta said to Conan—</p> + +<p>"Name thy award, and I will fulfil it every jot: +for I have heard of thee, Conan, and I dread to bring +the gibes and taunts of thy foul tongue on myself and +my people."</p> + +<p>"Well then," said Conan, "my award is this: that +you choose fifteen of the best and noblest men in the +Land of Promise, among whom are to be your own +best beloved friends; and that you cause them to +mount on the back of the big horse, and that you +yourself take hold of his tail. In this manner you +shall fare to Erin, back again by the selfsame track +the horse took when he brought us hither—through +the same surging seas, through the same thick thorny +woods, and over the same islands and rough rocks and +dark glens. And this, O Avarta, is my award," said +Conan.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now Finn and his people were rejoiced exceedingly +when they heard Conan's award—that he asked from +Avarta nothing more than like for like. For they +feared much that he might claim treasure of gold and +silver, and thus bring reproach on the Fena.</p> + +<p>Avarta promised that everything required by +Conan should be done, binding himself in solemn +pledges. Then the heroes took their leave; and +having launched their ship on the broad, green sea, +they sailed back by the same course to Erin. And +they marched to their camping-place at Knockainy, +where they rested in their tents.</p> + +<p>Avarta then chose his men. And he placed them +on the horse's back, and he himself caught hold of +the tail; and it is not told how they fared till they +made harbour and landing-place at Cloghan Kincat. +They delayed not, but straightway journeyed over the +selfsame track as before, till they reached Knockainy.</p> + +<p>Finn and his people saw them afar off coming +towards the hill with great speed; the Gilla Dacker, +quite as large and as ugly as ever, running before the +horse; for he had let go the tail at Cloghan Kincat. +And the Fena could not help laughing heartily when +they saw the plight of the fifteen chiefs on the great +horse's back; and they said with one voice that +Conan had made a good award that time.</p> + +<p>When the horse reached the spot from which he +had at first set out, the men began to dismount. Then +the Gilla Dacker, suddenly stepping forward, held up +his arm and pointed earnestly over the heads of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +Fena towards the field where the horses were standing; +so that the heroes were startled, and turned round +every man to look. But nothing was to be seen +except the horses grazing quietly inside the fence.</p> + +<p>Finn and the others now turned round again, with +intent to speak to the Gilla Dacker and bring him +and his people into the tents; but much did they +marvel to find them all gone. The Gilla Dacker and +his great horse and the fifteen nobles of the Land of +Promise had disappeared in an instant; and neither +Finn himself nor any of his chiefs ever saw them +afterwards.</p> + + +<p class="p2">So far we have related the story of the pursuit of +the Gilla Dacker and his horse.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="THE_PURSUIT_OF_DERMAT_AND_GRANIA" id="THE_PURSUIT_OF_DERMAT_AND_GRANIA"></a>THE PURSUIT OF DERMAT AND GRANIA.</h2> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_I" id="FCHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">FINN, THE SON OF CUMAL, SEEKS THE PRINCESS +GRANIA TO WIFE.</p> + + +<p>On a certain day, Finn, the son of Cumal, rose at early +morn in Allen of the broad hill-slopes, and, going forth, +sat him down on the green lawn before the palace, +without companion or attendant. And two of his +people followed him, namely, Oisin his son, and Dering +the son of Dobar O'Baskin.</p> + +<p>Oisin spoke to him and asked, "Why, O king, +hast thou come forth so early?"</p> + +<p>"Cause enough have I indeed," replied Finn; "for +I am without a wife since Manissa, the daughter of +Garad of the Black Knee, died; and who can enjoy +sweet sleep when his life is lonely like mine, with no +wife to comfort and cheer him? This, my friends, is +the cause of my early rising."</p> + +<p>And Oisin said, "Why should you be without a +wife if you desire one? For there is not, within the +sea-circle of green Erin, a maiden that we will not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +bring you, either by consent or by force, if you only +turn the light of your eyes on her."</p> + +<p>Then Dering spoke and said, "I know where there +is a maiden, who in all respects is worthy to be thy +wife."</p> + +<p>And when Finn asked who she was, Dering +replied—</p> + +<p>"The maiden is Grania, daughter of king Cormac,<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> +the son of Art, the son of Conn the Hundred-fighter; +the most beautiful, the best instructed, and +the most discreet in speech and manner of all the +maidens of Erin."</p> + +<p>"There has been strife between me and Cormac for +a long time," said Finn, "and it may happen that he +will not give me his daughter in marriage. But go ye +to Tara in my name, you and Oisin, and ask the +maiden for me: if the king should refuse, so let it be; +but I can better bear a refusal to you than to myself."</p> + +<p>"We will go," said Oisin; "but it is better that no +man know of our journey till we return."</p> + +<p>So the two heroes took leave of Finn and went +their way; and nothing is told of what befell them till +they reached Tara. It chanced that the king was at +this time holding a meeting; and the chiefs and great +nobles of Tara were assembled round him. And when +the two warriors arrived, they were welcomed, and +the meeting was put off for that day; for the king +felt sure that it was on some business of weight they +had come.</p> + +<p>After they had eaten and drunk, the king, sending<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +away all others from his presence, bade the two chiefs +tell their errand. So Oisin told him they had come +to seek his daughter Grania in marriage for Finn the +son of Cumal.</p> + +<p>Then the king said, "In all Erin there is scarce a +young prince or noble who has not sought my daughter +in marriage; and she has refused them all. And it is +on me that the ill feeling and reproach caused by her +refusals have fallen; for she has ever made me the +bearer of her answers. Wherefore now you shall +come to my daughter's presence, and I will not mention +the matter to her till she give you an answer +from her own lips: so shall I be blameless if she refuse."</p> + +<p>So they went to the apartments of the women, at +the sunny side of the palace. And when they had +entered the princess's chamber, the king sat with her +on the couch and said—</p> + +<p>"Here, my daughter, are two of the people of Finn +the son of Cumal, who have come to ask thee as a wife +for him."</p> + +<p>And Grania, giving, indeed, not much thought to +the matter, answered, "I know not whether he is +worthy to be thy son-in-law; but if he be, why should +he not be a fitting husband for me?"</p> + +<p>The two messengers were satisfied with this answer, +and retired. And Cormac made a feast for them; and +they ate and drank and made merry with the chiefs +and nobles of the palace; after which the king bade +them tell Finn to come at the end of a fortnight to +claim his bride.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> + +<p>So the two heroes returned to Allen, and told how +they had fared in their quest. And as all things come +at last to an end, so this fortnight wore slowly away; +and at the end of the time, Finn, having collected +round him the chief men of the seven standing +battalions of the Fena to be his guard, marched to +Tara. The king received him with great honour, +and welcomed the Fena, and they were feasted with +the nobles of Erin in the great banquet hall of +Micorta.<a name="FNanchor_CVII._135" id="FNanchor_CVII._135"></a><a href="#Footnote_CVII._135" class="fnanchor">[CVII.]</a> And the king sat on his throne to enjoy +the feast with his guests, having Finn on his right +hand, and on his left the queen, Etta, the daughter +of Atan of Corca; and Grania sat next the queen, +her mother, on the left. And all the others sat +according to their rank and patrimony.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_II" id="FCHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">DERMAT O'DYNA SECRETLY ESPOUSES THE +PRINCESS GRANIA.</p> + + +<p>Now while the feast went on, it chanced that Dara of +the Poems, one of Finn's druids, sat near Grania. And +he recited for her many lays about the deeds of her +forefathers; after which a pleasant conversation arose +between them. And when they had talked for some +time, she asked him—</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> +<p>"What means all this feasting? And why has +Finn come with his people on this visit to my father +the king?"</p> + +<p>Dara was surprised at this question, and answered, +"If thou dost not know, it is hard for me to know."</p> + +<p>And Grania answered, "I wish, indeed, to learn +from you what has brought Finn to Tara."</p> + +<p>"It is strange to hear thee ask this question," said +the druid. "Knowest thou not that he has come to +claim thee for his wife?"</p> + +<p>Grania was silent for a long time after hearing +this. And again she spoke—</p> + +<p>"If, indeed, Finn had sought me for his son Oisin, +or for the youthful Oscar, there would be nothing to +wonder at; but I marvel much that he seeks me for +himself, seeing that he is older than my father."</p> + +<p>Then Grania meditated in silence; and after a time +she said to the druid—</p> + +<p>"This is a goodly company, but I know not one +among them, except only Oisin, the son of Finn. Tell +me now who is that warrior on the right of Oisin."</p> + +<p>"That knightly warrior," answered the druid, "is +Gaul Mac Morna the Terrible in Battle."</p> + +<p>"Who is the youthful champion to the right of +Gaul?" asked Grania.</p> + +<p>"That is Oscar, the son of Oisin," said the druid.</p> + +<p>"Who is the graceful and active-looking chief sitting +next Oscar?" asked the princess.</p> + +<p>"That is Kylta Mac Ronan the Swift-footed," said +the druid.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Next to Kylta Mac Ronan sits a champion with +fair, freckled skin, raven-black curls, a gentle, handsome, +manly countenance, and soft voice: pray who is he?"</p> + +<p>"That is Dermat O'Dyna of the Bright Face, the +favourite of maidens, and beloved of all the Fena for +his high-mindedness, his bravery, and his generous +disposition."</p> + +<p>"Who is he sitting at Dermat's shoulder?" asked +Grania.</p> + +<p>"That is Dering, the son of Dobar O'Baskin," +replied the druid; "a valiant champion, and also a +druid and a man of science."</p> + +<p>Then Grania called her handmaid, and said to her, +"Bring me the large jewelled, gold-chased drinking-horn +that lies in my chamber."</p> + +<p>The handmaid brought the drinking-horn; and +Grania, having filled it to the brim, said—</p> + +<p>"Take it now to Finn from me, and tell him that I +desire him to drink from it."</p> + +<p>The handmaiden did so, and Finn took a full +draught. He passed the drinking-horn to the king, +and the king drank; and after him the queen. Then +again Grania bade the handmaid bring it to Carbri of +the Liffey, the king's son; and she ceased not till all +she wished to drink had drunk from the gold-chased +horn. And after a little time, those who had drunk +fell into a deep sleep, like the sleep of death.</p> + +<p>Then the princess rose from her seat, and, walking +softly across the hall, sat down near Dermat O'Dyna; +and with downcast eyes and low voice, she said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"Wilt thou, Dermat, return my love if I give it +to thee?"</p> + +<p>Dermat heard her at first with amazement and +alarm. Then for a moment, even before he was aware, +his heart leaped with joy; but when he bethought him +of his duty to his chief, he hardened his mind, and +answered with cold looks and words—</p> + +<p>"The maiden who is betrothed to Finn, I will not +love; and even if I were so minded, I dare not."</p> + +<p>And with eyes still cast down, Grania said, "I +know well it is thy duty, and not thy heart, that +prompts thee to speak so. Thou seest how it is with +me; and I am forced to speak more boldly than a +maiden should. Finn has come to ask me for his +wife; but he is an old man, even older than my father, +and I love him not. But I love thee, Dermat, and I +beseech thee to save me from this hateful marriage. +And, lest thou think that my love for thee is only a +passing fancy, hear now what befell.</p> + +<p>"Of a day when a hurling match was played on the +green of Tara, between Mac Luga and the Fena on the +one side, and Carbri of the Liffey and the men of Tara +on the other, I sat high up at the window of my sunny +chamber to see the game. Thou didst remain sitting +with some others that day, not meaning to take part +in the play. But at last, when the game began to go +against thy friends, I saw thee start up; and, snatching +the hurlet from the man nearest to thee, thou didst +rush into the thick of the crowd; and before sitting +down thou didst win the goal three times on the men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +of Tara. At that hour my eyes and my heart were +turned to thee; and well I knew thee to-day in this +banquet hall, though I knew not thy name till the +druid told me. At that same hour, too, I gave thee +my love—what I never gave, and never will give, to +any other."</p> + +<p>Then was Dermat sore troubled. He strove with +himself, but strove in vain; for he could not help +loving the princess with his whole heart. Yet none +the less did he hide his thoughts; for his duty to his +chief prevailed. And with looks and words cold and +stern, he replied—</p> + +<p>"I marvel greatly that thou hast not given thy love +to Finn, who deserves it much better than any other +man alive. And still more do I marvel that thou hast +lighted on me beyond all the princes and nobles of +Tara; for truly there is not one among them less worthy +of thy love than I. But that thou shouldst be my +wife, by no means can this be; for even were I to +consent, there is not in Erin a fastness or a wilderness, +however strong or remote, that could shelter us from +Finn's vengeance."</p> + +<p>Then Grania said, "I read thy thoughts; and +I know thou art striving against what thy heart +prompts. And now, O Dermat, I place thee under +gesa,<a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> and under the bonds of heavy druidical spells—bonds +that true heroes never break through, that +thou take me for thy wife before Finn and the others +awaken from their sleep; and save me from this +hateful marriage."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p> + +<p>And Dermat, still unyielding, replied, "Evil are +those gesa thou hast put on me; and evil, I fear, will +come of them. But dost thou not know, princess, that +whenever Finn sleeps at Tara, it is one of his privileges +to have in his own keeping the keys of the great gates; +so that even if we so willed it, we should not be able +to leave the fortress?"</p> + +<p>"There is a wicket gate leading out from my apartments," +said Grania, "and through that we shall pass +forth."</p> + +<p>"That I cannot do," answered Dermat; "for it is +one of my gesa<a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> never to enter a king's mansion, or +leave it, by a wicket gate."</p> + +<p>And Grania answered, "I have heard it said that +every true champion, who has been instructed in all +the feats that a warrior should learn, can bound over +the highest rampart of a fort by means of the +handles of his spears; and well I know that thou art +the most accomplished champion among the Fena. I +will now pass out through the wicket gate; and even if +thou dost not follow, I will fly alone from Tara."</p> + +<p>And so she went forth from the banquet hall.</p> + +<p>Then Dermat, much doubting how to act, spoke to +his friends and asked counsel of them. And first he +addressed Oisin, the son of Finn, and asked him how he +should deal with the heavy gesa-bonds that had been +laid on him by the princess; and what he should do +in the case.</p> + +<p>"You are blameless in regard to these bonds," +answered Oisin; "and I counsel you to follow Grania; +but guard yourself well against the wiles of Finn."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O dear friend Oscar," spoke Dermat again, "what +think you is best for me to do, seeing that these heavy +gesa-bonds have been put on me?"</p> + +<p>"I say you should follow Grania," answered Oscar; +"for he, indeed, is but a pitiful champion who fears to +keep his bonds."</p> + +<p>"What counsel do you give me, Kylta?" said +Dermat to Kylta Mac Ronan.</p> + +<p>"I say," answered Kylta, "that I would gladly give +the world's wealth that the princess had given me her +love; and I counsel you to follow her."</p> + +<p>Last of all, Dermat spoke to Dering, the son of +Dobar O'Baskin, and said, "Give me your judgment in +this hard matter, friend Dering."</p> + +<p>And Dering answered, "If you espouse Grania, I +foresee that your death will come of it, which grieves +me even to think of; but even so, I counsel you to +follow the princess rather than break through your +gesa."</p> + +<p>And Dermat, doubting even still, asked for the last +time, "Is this, my friends, the counsel you all give?"</p> + +<p>And they all answered, "Yes," as with the voice of +one man.</p> + +<p>Then Dermat arose and put on his armour and his +helmet; and he took his shield, and his two heavy +spears, and his sword. And with tears he bade farewell +to his dear companions; for well he knew that it would +be long before they should meet again; and he foresaw +trouble and danger.</p> + +<p>Then he went forth to where the steep side of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +inner mound overlooked the outer rampart; and, +placing his two spears point downwards, and leaning +on them after the manner of skilful champions, with +two light, airy bounds he cleared rampart and ditch, +and measured the length of his two feet on the level +green outside. And there the princess met him; and +he said to her, with voice and manner still distant and +stern—</p> + +<p>"Evil will certainly come of this espousal, O princess, +both to thee and to me. Far better would it be +for thee to choose Finn and to pass me by; for now +we shall wander without home or rest, fleeing from +his wrath. Return, then, princess, return even now +through the wicket gate, for the sleepers have not yet +awakened; and Finn shall never learn what has +happened."</p> + +<p>But Grania, gentle and sad indeed, but quite +unmoved, replied, "I will never return; and until death +takes me I will not part from thee."</p> + +<p>Then at last Dermat yielded and strove no longer; +and putting off his sternness of manner and voice, he +spoke gently to the princess and said—</p> + +<p>"I will hide my thoughts from thee no more, +Grania. I will be thy husband, all unworthy of thee +as I am; and I will guard thee and defend thee to the +death from Finn and his hirelings."</p> + +<p>And they plighted their faith, and vowed solemn +vows to be faithful to each other as man and wife for +ever.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_III" id="FCHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">FLIGHT AND PURSUIT.</p> + + +<p>Then Grania showed Dermat the fenced meadow +where her father's horses grazed, and bade him yoke +two horses to a chariot. And when he had done so, +he and Grania sat in the chariot and travelled with +all speed westward, till they reached Ath-Luan.<a name="FNanchor_CVIII._136" id="FNanchor_CVIII._136"></a><a href="#Footnote_CVIII._136" class="fnanchor">[CVIII.]</a></p> + +<p>And when they had come to the ford, Dermat said, +"Finn will doubtless pursue us, and it will be all the +easier for him to follow our track, that we have the +horses."</p> + +<p>And Grania answered, "As we are now so far from +Tara, we may leave the chariot and horses here, and +I will fare on foot henceforward."</p> + +<p>So they alighted from the chariot; and Dermat, +leading one of the horses across, left them both some +distance above the ford, one at each side of the river. +And he took up Grania in his strong arms, and +brought her tenderly across the ford, so that not even +the sole of her foot, or the skirt of her mantle was +wetted. Then they walked against the stream for +a mile, and turned south-west, till they reached the +Wood of the two Tents.<a name="FNanchor_CIX._137" id="FNanchor_CIX._137"></a><a href="#Footnote_CIX._137" class="fnanchor">[CIX.]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p><p>In the midst of the wood, where it was thickest, +Dermat lopped off branches and wove a hut, where +they rested. And he brought Grania the wild animals +of the wood to eat, and gave her the water of a clear +spring to drink.</p> + +<p>As to Finn, the son of Cumal, I will now tell what +befell him. When the king and his guests arose from +their sleep at early dawn next morning, they found +Dermat and Grania gone; and a burning jealousy seized +on Finn, and his rage was so great that for a time +all his strength left him. Then he sent for his tracking-men, +namely, the Clann Navin; and he commanded +them forthwith to follow the track of Dermat and +Grania. This they did with much ease as far as Ath-Luan, +while Finn and the others followed after; but +when they had come to the ford, they lost the track. +Whereupon Finn, being now indeed easily kindled to +wrath, told them that unless they took up the track +again speedily, he would hang every man of the Clann +Navin on the edge of the ford.</p> + +<p>So the trackers, being sore afraid, searched upwards +against the stream, and found the two horses where +they had been left, one on each side of the river. And +going on a mile further, they came to the spot where +Dermat and Grania had turned from the river; and +there they lighted on the south-west track, Finn and +the Fena still following. And when the Clann Navin +had pointed out to Finn the direction of the track, he +said—</p> + +<p>"Well do I know now where we shall find Dermat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +and Grania; for of a certainty they have hidden themselves +in the Wood of the two Tents."</p> + +<p>Now it chanced that Oisin, and Oscar, and Kylta, +and Dering were present when Finn spoke these +words; and they were troubled, for they loved Dermat. +And going aside, they held council among themselves, +and Oisin spoke—</p> + +<p>"There is much likelihood, friends, that Finn +speaks truth; for he is far-seeing, and judges not +hastily. It is needful, therefore, that we send Dermat +warning, lest he be taken unawares. My counsel is +that you, Oscar, find out Finn's hound, Bran, and tell +him to go to the Wood of the two Tents with a +warning to Dermat; for Bran does not love his own +master Finn better than he loves Dermat."</p> + +<p>So Oscar called Bran secretly, and told him what +he should do. Bran listened with sagacious eye and +ears erect, and understood Oscar's words quite well. +Then, running back to the rear of the host, so that +Finn might not see him, he followed the track without +once losing it, till he arrived at the Wood of the +two Tents. There he found Dermat and Grania +asleep in their hut, and he put his head into Dermat's +bosom.</p> + +<p>Dermat started up from his sleep, and seeing Bran, +he awakened Grania, and said—</p> + +<p>"Here is Bran, Finn's hound; he has come to warn +me that Finn himself is near."</p> + +<p>And Grania trembled and said, "Let us take the +warning, then, and fly!"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Dermat answered, "I will not leave this hut; +for however long we fly, we cannot escape from Finn; +and it is not worse to fall into his hands now than at +any other time. Howbeit, they shall not come into +this fastness unless I permit them."</p> + +<p>Then great fear fell on Grania; but, seeing Dermat +gloomy and downcast, she urged the point no further.</p> + +<p>Again Oisin spoke to his three companions and +said, "I fear me that Bran may not have been able to +baffle Finn, or that some other mischance may have +hindered him from finding Dermat; so we must needs +send him another warning. Bring hither, therefore, +Fergor, Kylta's errand-man."</p> + +<p>And Kylta brought forward Fergor.</p> + +<p>Now this Fergor had a voice so loud that his shout +was heard over the three nearest cantreds.</p> + +<p>So they caused him to give three shouts that +Dermat might hear. And Dermat heard Fergor's +shouts, and, awakening Grania from her sleep, said to +her—</p> + +<p>"I hear the shout of Fergor, Kylta's errand-man. +And he is with Kylta, and Kylta is with Finn; and I +know that my friends have sent me this warning, as a +sign that Finn himself is coming."</p> + +<p>And again Grania trembled and said, "Let us take +this warning and fly!"</p> + +<p>But Dermat answered, "I will not fly; and we +shall not leave this wood till Finn and the Fena overtake +us. Howbeit, none shall come into this fastness +unless I permit them."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span></p> + +<p>And Grania was in great fear; but this time +Dermat looked gloomy and stern, and she pressed the +matter no further.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_IV" id="FCHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE FASTNESS OF THE SEVEN NARROW DOORS.</p> + + +<p>Now as to Finn. He and the others went forward +till they reached the Wood of the two Tents. And he +sent forward the Clann Navin to make search; who +went, and having made their way to the thickest +part of the wood, they came to a fence which they +could not cross.</p> + +<p>For Dermat had cleared a space round his hut, and +surrounded it with a fence that no man could pierce, +with seven narrow doors of strong poles woven with +saplings, to face seven different parts of the wood.</p> + +<p>Then the Clann Navin climbed up to a high tree +branch, and looked over the fence; and they saw +Dermat with a lady. And when they had returned, +Finn asked them if Dermat and Grania were in the +wood. And they answered—</p> + +<p>"Dermat, indeed, is there, and we saw a lady with +him; but whether she be Grania or not we cannot +tell, for we know not the princess."</p> + +<p>"May ill luck attend Dermat, and all his friends for +his sake!" said Finn. "I know he is in this wood; +and he shall never leave it till he give me quittance +for the injury he has done me."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p> + +<p>And Oisin said, "Certain it is, that you, Finn, are +blinded by jealousy; else you would never think that +Dermat would await you on this plain, with no +stronger fastness to shelter him from your wrath than +the Wood of the two Tents."</p> + +<p>To which Finn, being angry, replied, "Your words +will profit you nothing, Oisin; neither will your +friendship for Dermat avail him aught. Well I knew, +indeed, when I heard Fergor's three shouts, that it +was ye who caused him to shout, as a warning signal +to Dermat; and I know also that ye sent my dog +Bran to him with another warning. But these warnings +will not avail you; for he shall never leave this +wood till he pay me such eric<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> as I seek for the +injury he has done me."</p> + +<p>Then Oscar spoke and said, "Surely, Finn, it is +mere folly to believe that Dermat would wait here for +you, knowing, as he does, that you seek his head."</p> + +<p>As Oscar spoke these words, they arrived at the +fence; and Finn answered, "Who then, think you, +has cleared the wood in this manner, and fenced the +space with this strong, sheltering enclosure, and fitted +it with these narrow doors? But indeed," added he, +"I will find out the truth of the matter in another +way." So, raising his voice a little, he called out, +"Tell us now, Dermat, which of us is telling truth, +Oscar or I."</p> + +<p>And Dermat, who would not hide when called on, +answered from within, "You never erred in your +judgment, O king: Grania and I are here; but none +shall come in unless I permit them."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Finn placed his men around the enclosure, a +company at each narrow door; and he said to each +company, "If Dermat tries to escape by this door, +seize him and keep him securely for me."</p> + +<p>Now when Grania saw these preparations, and +overheard Finn's words, she was overcome with fear, +and wept and trembled very much. And Dermat had +pity on his wife, and comforted her; and he kissed her +three times, bidding her be of good cheer, for that all +would be well with them yet.</p> + +<p>And when Finn saw this—for he stood with some +others viewing the hut from a mound at a little +way off—a flame of burning jealousy went through +his heart; and he said—</p> + +<p>"Now of a certainty Dermat shall not escape +from me; and I shall have his head for all these +injuries!"</p> + +<p>Now Angus of Bruga,<a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> the wisest and most skilled +in magic arts of all the Dedannan race, was Dermat's +foster father. For he had reared him from childhood, +and had taught him all the arts and accomplishments +of a champion; and he loved him even as a father +loves his only son.</p> + +<p>And it was revealed to Angus that Dermat was in +deadly strait So he arose and travelled on the wings +of the cool, east wind, neither did he halt till he +reached the Wood of the two Tents; and he passed +into the hut without being perceived by Finn and his +men. And when Dermat saw the old man his heart +leaped with joy.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span></p> + +<p>Angus greeted Dermat and Grania, and said, +"What is this thing thou hast done, my son?"</p> + +<p>And Dermat answered, "The princess Grania, +daughter of the king of Tara, asked me to take her +for my wife, putting heavy gesa-bonds on me; and I +did so, and we fled from her father's house. And +Finn, the son of Cumal, has pursued us with intent to +kill me, for he sought the princess to wife for himself."</p> + +<p>And Angus said, "Come now, children, under my +mantle, one under each border, and I will bring you +both away from this place without the knowledge of +Finn."</p> + +<p>But Dermat answered, "Take Grania; but for me, +I will not go with you. However, I will leave this +place; and if I am alive I will follow you. But if +they slay me, send the princess to her father, and tell +him to treat her neither better nor worse on account +of taking me for her husband."</p> + +<p>Then Dermat kissed Grania, and bade her be of +good cheer, for that he feared not his foes. And +Angus placed her under his mantle, and, telling Dermat +whither to follow, went forth from the enclosure without +the knowledge of Finn and the Fena. They +turned south then, and nothing is told of what befell +them till they came to the Wood of the two Sallows, +which is now called Limerick.</p> + +<p>Now as to Dermat. After Angus and Grania had +left him, he girded on his armour, and took his sharp +weapons in his hands; and he stood up tall and +straight like a pillar, meditating in silence for a space.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> +Then he went to one of the seven narrow doors, and +asked who was outside.</p> + +<p>"No enemy of thine is here, but Oisin and Oscar, +with the men of the Clann Baskin. Come out to us, +and no one will dare to harm thee."</p> + +<p>"I must needs find the door where Finn himself +keeps guard," answered Dermat; "so I will not go out +to you."</p> + +<p>He went to the second narrow door, and asked who +was there.</p> + +<p>"Kylta Mac Ronan with the Clann Ronan around +him. Come out at this door, and we will fight to the +death for thy sake."</p> + +<p>"I will not go out to you," answered Dermat; "for +I do not wish to bring Finn's anger on you for treating +me with kindness."</p> + +<p>He went to another narrow door, and asked who +was there.</p> + +<p>"Conan of the Grey Rushes and the Clann Morna. +We are no friends to Finn; but thee we all love. +Come out to us, then, and no one will dare to harm +thee."</p> + +<p>"Of a certainty I will not go out at this door," +answered Dermat; "for well I know that Finn would +rather see you all dead than that I should escape!"</p> + +<p>He went to another narrow door, and asked who +was there.</p> + +<p>"A friend and a dear comrade of thine is here; +Cuan, the chief of the Munster Fena, and his Munster +men with him. Thou and we come from the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> +territory; and if need be we will give our lives in +fight for thy sake."</p> + +<p>"I will not go out to you," said Dermat; "for it +would bring Finn's sure displeasure on you to act +kindly towards me."</p> + +<p>He went to another narrow door, and asked who +was there.</p> + +<p>"Finn, the son of Glore of the Loud Voice, chief of +the Fena of Ulster, and the Ulster men around him. +Thou and we come not from the same territory; but +we all love thee, Dermat; and now come forth to us, +and who will dare to wound or harm thee?"</p> + +<p>"I will not go out to you," replied Dermat; "you +are a faithful friend of mine, and your father in like +manner; and I do not wish you to earn the enmity of +Finn on my account."</p> + +<p>He went to another narrow door, and asked who +was there.</p> + +<p>"No friend of thine! Here stand the Clann Navin +watching for thee; namely, Aed the Lesser, and Aed +the Tall, and Gonna the Wounder, and Gothan the +Loud-voiced, and Cuan the Tracker, with all their men. +We bear thee no love; and if thou come out at this +door, we shall make thee a mark for our swords +and spears!"</p> + +<p>And Dermat answered, "Lying and mean-faced +dogs! It is not fear of you that keeps me from going +forth at this door; but I do not wish to defile my +spear with the blood of your shoeless, tracking vagabonds!"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> + +<p>And he went to another narrow door, and asked +who was there.</p> + +<p>"Finn, the son of Cumal, the son of Art, the son of +Trenmore O'Baskin, and with him the Leinster Fena. +No love awaits thee here; and if thou come forth we +will cleave thee, flesh and bones!"</p> + +<p>"The door I have sought I have found at last!" +cried Dermat; "for the door where thou, Finn, +standest, that, of a certainty, is the very door by +which I shall pass out!"</p> + +<p>Then Finn charged his men, under pain of death, +not to let Dermat pass. But Dermat, watching an +unguarded place, rose by means of his two spears +with a light, airy bound over the fence, and alighted +on the clear space outside; and running swiftly forward, +was in a moment beyond the reach of sword and +spear. And so dismayed were they by his threatening +look, that not a man attempted to follow him.</p> + +<p>Then, turning southward, he never halted till he +came to the Wood of the two Sallows, where he found +Angus and Grania in a warm hut, with a boar fixed on +hazel spits roasting before a great flaming fire. Dermat +greeted them; and the spark of life all but leaped +from Grania's heart with joy when she saw him.<a name="FNanchor_CX._138" id="FNanchor_CX._138"></a><a href="#Footnote_CX._138" class="fnanchor">[CX.]</a> So +he told them all that had befallen him; and they ate +their meal and slept in peace that night, till the morning +of next day filled the world with light.</p> + +<p>Then Angus arose with the dawn, and said to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> +Dermat, "I will now depart, my son; but Finn will +still pursue you, and I leave you this counsel to +guide you when I am gone. Go not into a tree having +only one trunk; never enter a cave that has only one +opening; never land on an island of the sea that has +only one channel of approach; where you cook your +food, there eat it not; where you eat, sleep not there; +and where you sleep to-night, sleep not there to-morrow +night!"</p> + +<p>So Angus bade them farewell; and they were sad +after him.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_V" id="FCHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE THREE SEA-CHAMPIONS AND THEIR THREE VENOMOUS +HOUNDS ON THE TRACK OF DERMAT AND +GRANIA.</p> + + +<p>After Angus was gone, Dermat and Grania journeyed +westward, keeping the Shannon on their right, till they +reached the Rough Stream of the Champions, which +is now called the Laune.<a name="FNanchor_CXI._139" id="FNanchor_CXI._139"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXI._139" class="fnanchor">[CXI.]</a> They rested there; and +Dermat killed a salmon with his spear, and fixed it on +a hazel spit to broil on the near bank; and he crossed +the river with Grania, to eat it on the further bank, as +Angus had told him. And after they had eaten, they +sought a sleeping-place further west.</p> + +<p>They rose early next morning, and journeyed still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> +west, till they reached the Grey Moor of Finnlia.<a name="FNanchor_CXII._140" id="FNanchor_CXII._140"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXII._140" class="fnanchor">[CXII.]</a> +There they met a man of great size, noble in gait and +feature, but with arms and armour not befitting his +appearance. Dermat greeted him, and asked who he +was; and he replied—</p> + +<p>"My name is Modan, and I am seeking a lord +whom I may serve for pay."</p> + +<p>"If I take you into my service," asked Dermat, +"what can you do for us?"</p> + +<p>"I will serve you by day and watch for you by +night," answered Modan.</p> + +<p>Whereupon they entered into bonds of agreement +with one another, Modan to serve by day and watch +by night, and Dermat to pay him wages.</p> + +<p>Then the three went westward till they reached +the river of Carra,<a name="FNanchor_CXIII._141" id="FNanchor_CXIII._141"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXIII._141" class="fnanchor">[CXIII.]</a> and Modan lifted Dermat and +Grania with the greatest ease, and bore them dry +across the stream. From that further west to Beha,<a name="FNanchor_CXIV._142" id="FNanchor_CXIV._142"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXIV._142" class="fnanchor">[CXIV.]</a> +and Modan bore them over this stream in like manner. +Here they found a cave, on the side of the hill over +that part of the sea called Tonn Toma,<a name="FNanchor_CXV._143" id="FNanchor_CXV._143"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXV._143" class="fnanchor">[CXV.]</a> namely, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> +hill of Curra-Kenn-Ammid; and Modan prepared a +couch of soft rushes and birch tops in the innermost +part of the cave, for Dermat and Grania. After this +he went to the nearest wood and cut him a long, +straight quicken tree rod; and, having put a hair and +a hook on the rod, and a holly berry on the hook, he +stood on the brink of the stream, and with three casts +he hooked three salmon. Then he put the rod by for +next day; and, putting the hook and the hair under +his girdle, he returned to Dermat and Grania. And +he broiled the fish, and they ate their meal, Modan +giving the largest salmon to Dermat, the second in +size to Grania, and keeping the smallest for himself. +After which Dermat and Grania went to sleep in the +cave, and Modan kept watch and ward at the mouth, +till morning arose with its abundant light.</p> + +<p>Dermat rose early and set out for the nearest high +hill, to look round the country, telling Grania to keep +watch at the mouth of the cave while Modan slept. +Having come to the top of the hill, he viewed the country +all round to the four points of the sky; and after a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span> +little while, he saw a fleet of black ships approaching +from the west. When they had come near enough to +the shore, a company of nine nines landed at the very +foot of the hill where Dermat stood. He went to +them, and, after greeting them, asked who they were, +and from what country they had come.</p> + +<p>"We are three sea-champions from the Iccian Sea,<a name="FNanchor_CXVI._144" id="FNanchor_CXVI._144"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXVI._144" class="fnanchor">[CXVI.]</a> +who are at the head of this troop," replied they, "and +our names are Ducoss, Fincoss, and Trencoss;<a name="FNanchor_CXVII._145" id="FNanchor_CXVII._145"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXVII._145" class="fnanchor">[CXVII.]</a> and we +have come hither at the suit of Finn the son of Cumal. +For a certain chief named Dermat O'Dyna has rebelled +against him, and is now an outlaw, flying through the +country from one fastness to another. And Finn has +asked us to come with our fleet to watch the coast, +while he himself watches inland, so that this marauder +may no longer escape punishment. We hear, moreover, +that this Dermat is valiant and dangerous to attack, +and we have brought hither three venomous hounds to +loose them on his track, and scent him to his hiding-place: +fire cannot burn them, water cannot drown +them, and weapons cannot wound them. And now +tell us who thou art, and whether thou hast heard any +tidings of this Dermat O'Dyna."</p> + +<p>"I saw him, indeed, yesterday," answered Dermat. +"I know him well too, and I counsel you to follow +your quest warily; for if you meet with Dermat O'Dyna +you will have no common man to deal with."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p><p>Then he asked if they had got any wine in their +ships. They replied that they had; so he asked that +a tun might be brought, as he wished to drink; and he +told them he would show them a champion-feat after +he had drunk. Two men were accordingly sent on +board for a tun of wine. When they had brought it, +Dermat raised it in his arms and drank; and the +others drank in like manner till the tun was empty.</p> + +<p>Then he said, "I will now show you a champion-feat +that Dermat O'Dyna taught me; and I challenge +any man among you to do it after me. And from this +you may learn what manner of man you will have to +deal with, should you have the ill luck to meet with +Dermat himself."</p> + +<p>So saying, he brought the tun to the crest of the +hill, and set it down at the edge of a steep cliff. Then, +leaping up on it, he turned it cunningly aside from +the cliff, and let it roll down the smooth slope of the +hill till it reached the very bottom, while he himself +remained standing on it the whole time. And three +times did he do this while the strangers looked on.</p> + +<p>But they laughed, mocking him, and said, "Do +you call that a champion-feat indeed? Truly, you +have never in your life seen a good champion-feat!"</p> + +<p>Thereupon one among them started up and brought +the tun to the top of the hill, intending to do the same +feat; and, placing it on the edge of the cliff, he leaped +up on it. And while he stood on it, Dermat pushed it +with his foot to set it going. But the moment it +moved, the man lost his balance, and while the tun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +went rolling down the face of the hill, he himself fell +over the cliff, and was dashed to pieces on the sharp +edges and points of the rocks.</p> + +<p>Another man tried the same thing, and he in like +manner fell down and was killed among the rocks. +And the end of the matter was, that before they would +acknowledge themselves beaten, fifty of their men +attempted the feat, and every man of the fifty fell over +the cliff and was killed. So the others went on board +their ships, gloomy and heart-sore.</p> + +<p>Dermat returned to the cave, and Grania's heart +was glad when she saw him. Modan went then, and +putting the hair and the hook on the rod as before, he +hooked three salmon; and he went back to the cave and +broiled them on hazel spits. And they ate their meal; +and Modan kept watch and ward, while Dermat and +Grania slept in the cave, till the pleasant morning +filled the world with light.</p> + +<p>Dermat rose up with the dawn, and telling Grania +to keep watch while Modan slept, he went to the same +hill, and found the three sea-champions with their +men on the shore before him. He greeted them, and +asked whether they wished for any more champion-feats. +But they answered that they would much +rather he would give them some tidings of Dermat +O'Dyna. Whereupon he said—</p> + +<p>"I have seen a man who saw him this very morning. +And now I will show you a champion-feat he +taught me, in order that you may know what is before +you, should you meet with Dermat O'Dyna himself."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span></p> + +<p>When he had said this, he threw off helmet and +tunic and armour, till only his shirt remained over his +brawny shoulders; and, taking the Ga-boi,<a name="FNanchor_CXVIII._146" id="FNanchor_CXVIII._146"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXVIII._146" class="fnanchor">[CXVIII.]</a> the spear +of Mannanan Mac Lir, he fixed it firmly in the earth, +standing point upwards. Then, walking back some +little way, he ran towards the spear, and, rising from +the earth with a bird-like bound, he alighted softly on +the very point; and, again leaping off it, he came to the +ground on his feet without wound or hurt of any kind.</p> + +<p>Then arose one of the strange warriors and said, +"If you call that a champion-feat, it is plain that you +have never seen a good champion-feat in your life!"</p> + +<p>And so saying, he ran swiftly towards the spear +and made a great bound; but he fell heavily on the +sharp point, so that it pierced him through the heart, +and he was taken down dead. Another man attempted +the feat, and was killed in like manner; and before +they ceased, fifty of their men were slain by Dermat's +spear. Then they bade him draw his spear from the +earth, saying that no more should try that feat; and +they went on board their ships.</p> + +<p>So Dermat returned to the cave; and Modan +hooked three salmon; and Dermat and Grania ate +their meal and slept till morning, Modan keeping watch.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span></p> +<p>Next morning, Dermat went to the hill, bringing +two strong forked poles cut from the wood. He found +the three sea-champions with their men on the shore; +and he greeted them, and said—</p> + +<p>"I have come to-day to show you a champion-feat I +learned from Dermat O'Dyna, that you may know what +to expect if you should meet with Dermat himself."</p> + +<p>He then fixed the poles standing firmly in the +earth; and he placed the Morallta, that is, the long +sword of Angus of the Bruga, in the forks, edge upwards, +the hilt on one, and the point on the other, +binding it firmly with withes. Then, rising up with a +bound, he alighted gently on the edge; and he walked +cunningly three times from hilt to point, and from +point to hilt, and then leaped lightly to the earth +without wound or hurt. And he challenged the +strangers to do that feat.</p> + +<p>Then one arose and said, "There never yet was +done a champion-feat by a man of Erin, that one +among us will not do likewise."</p> + +<p>And he leaped up, intending to alight on his feet; +but he came down heavily on the sharp edge, so that +the sword cut him clean in two. Another tried the +same, and was killed also; and, they ceased not till as +many were killed that day by Dermat's sword as were +killed on each of the two days before.</p> + +<p>When they were about to return to their ships, +they asked him had he got any tidings of Dermat +O'Dyna; and he answered—</p> + +<p>"I have seen him this day: I will now go to seek<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> +him, and methinks I shall bring him to you in the +morning."</p> + +<p>Then he returned to the cave; and he and Grania +ate their meal, and slept that night, while Modan kept +watch.</p> + +<p>Next morning, Dermat arose with the dawn, and +this time he arrayed himself for battle. He put on +his heavy armour—no man who wore it could be +wounded through it, or above it, or beneath it. He +hung the Morallta at his left hip, the sword of Angus +of the Bruga, which never left anything for a second +blow; and he took his two thick-handled spears, the +Ga-derg and the Ga-boi, whose wounds no one ever +recovered.</p> + +<p>Then he awakened Grania, telling her to keep +watch till he returned, that Modan might sleep. And +when she saw him so arrayed, she trembled with fear, +for she well knew that this was his manner of preparing +for battle. And she asked him what he meant +to do to-day, and whether Finn's pursuers had found +them. But he, to quiet her fears, put off the matter +lightly, and said, "It is better to be prepared, lest the +enemy come in my way;" and this soothed her.</p> + +<p>So he went to the hill, and met the strangers on +the shore as before. And they asked him had he any +tidings to give them of Dermat O'Dyna.</p> + +<p>He answered, "He is not very far off, for I have +seen him just now."</p> + +<p>"Then," said they, "lead us to his hiding-place, that +we may bring his head to Finn the son of Cumal."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That would, indeed, be an ill way of repaying +friendship," answered he. "Dermat O'Dyna is my +friend; and he is now under the protection of my +valour: so of this be sure, I will do him no +treachery."</p> + +<p>And they replied wrathfully, "If thou art a friend +to Dermat O'Dyna, thou art a foe to Finn; and now +we will take thy head and bring it to him along with +the head of Dermat."</p> + +<p>"You might indeed do that with much ease," +answered Dermat, "if I were bound hand and foot; +but being as I am, free, I shall defend myself after my +usual custom."</p> + +<p>Then he drew the Morallta from its sheath, and, +springing forward to meet them as they closed on him, +he clove the body of the foremost in two with one +blow. Then he rushed through them and under them +and over them, like a wolf among sheep, or a hawk +among sparrows, cleaving and slaughtering them, till +only a few were left, who hardly escaped to their ships.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_VI" id="FCHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">WHAT BEFELL THE THREE SEA-CHAMPIONS AND THEIR +THREE VENOMOUS HOUNDS.</p> + + +<p>After this Dermat returned to the cave without +wound or hurt; and he and Grania ate and slept, and +Modan watched till morning. Then he repaired to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +hill, fully armed as before, and standing right over the +ships, he struck his hollow-sounding shield<a name="FNanchor_CXIX._147" id="FNanchor_CXIX._147"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXIX._147" class="fnanchor">[CXIX.]</a> with his +spear for a challenge, till the whole shore and the surrounding +hills re-echoed. And Ducoss straightway +armed himself and came ashore to fight Dermat single +hand.</p> + +<p>Now Dermat by no means wished to slay his foe +immediately, being, indeed, intent on worse punishment. +So he closed with Ducoss; and the two champions, +throwing aside their weapons, seized each other round +the waists with their sinewy arms. Then they twisted +and tugged and wrestled in deadly silence; and their +swollen sinews strained and crackled; and the earth +trembled beneath their feet; like two great writhing +serpents, or like two raging lions, or like two savage +bulls that strive and struggle to heave each other with +horns interlocked. Thus did the heroes contend; till +at last Dermat, heaving Ducoss on his shoulder, dashed +him helpless and groaning to the ground; and instantly +seizing him, he bound him in hard iron bonds.</p> + +<p>Fincoss came next against Dermat, and after him +Trencoss; but he overcame them both, and bound them +with like bonds; and then, leaving the three writhing +with pain, he said to them—</p> + +<p>"I would strike off your heads, but that I wish to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> +prolong your torment; for none can release you from +these bonds till you die!"</p> + +<p>Dermat then returned to the cave; and he and +Grania ate their meal and slept that night, Modan +watching. In the morning, Dermat told Grania all +that had happened from beginning to end; how fifty +of the foreigners had been killed each day for the first +three days; how he had slain a much greater number +on the fourth day; and how he had overcome and +bound the three sea-champions in hard iron bonds.</p> + +<p>"I have left them bound on the hill," continued +he, "instead of killing them; because I would rather +their torment to be long than short. For there are +only four men in Erin that can loosen the bonds I tie; +that is to say, Oisin, and Oscar, and Mac Luga, and +Conan Mail; and I think no one of these will free +them. Finn will doubtless hear of their state, and the +news will sting him to the heart. But he will know +that we are here; so we must now leave this cave, to +escape him, and also to escape the three venomous +dogs."</p> + +<p>So they came forth from the cave, and travelled +eastward till they came to the Grey Moor of Finnlia; +and whenever Grania was tired, or when they had to +walk over rugged places, Modan lifted her tenderly +and carried her, without ever being in the least tired +himself. And so they journeyed, till they reached the +broad, heathery slopes of Slieve Lougher;<a name="FNanchor_CXX._148" id="FNanchor_CXX._148"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXX._148" class="fnanchor">[CXX.]</a> and they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> +sat down to rest on the green bank of a stream that +wound through the heart of the mountain.</p> + +<p>Now as to the sea-strangers. Those of them that +were left alive landed from their ships, and coming to +the hill, found their three chiefs bound tightly, hand +and foot and neck. And they tried to loose them, but +only made their bonds the tighter. While they were +so engaged, they saw Finn's errand-woman coming +towards them, with the speed of a swallow, or of a +weasel, or of the swift, cold wind blowing over a +mountain-side. When she had come near, she greeted +them, and, seeing the bodies of the slain, she asked +who it was that had made that fearful slaughter.</p> + +<p>"Tell us first," said they, "who art thou that +makest this inquiry?"</p> + +<p>"I am Derdri of the Black Mountain, the errand-woman +of Finn the son of Cumal," she replied; "and +he has sent me hither to look for you."</p> + +<p>And they said, "We know not who made this +slaughter; but we can tell thee his appearance, for +that we know well. He was a tall warrior, with a +fair, handsome, open countenance, and jet-black, curly +hair. He has been three days fighting against us; +and what grieves us even more than the slaughter of +our men is that our three chiefs lie here bound by +him so firmly that we are not able to loose them from +their bonds."</p> + +<p>"Alas, friends!" said Derdri; "you have sped but +badly at the very beginning of your quest; for this +man was Dermat O'Dyna himself. And now loose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> +your three venomous dogs on his track without delay; +and I will return and send Finn to meet you."</p> + +<p>Then they brought forth the three hounds, and +loosed them on the track of Dermat; and leaving one +of their druids to attend to the three fettered chiefs, +they followed the hounds till they came to the cave, +where they found the soft, rushy bed of Dermat and +Grania. From that they fared east, and crossing the +Carra, and the Grey Moor of Finnlia, and the Laune, +they reached at length the broad, heathy Slieve +Lougher.</p> + +<p>As Dermat sat by the mountain stream with +Grania and Modan, looking westward, he saw the +silken banners of the foreigners at a distance as they +approached the hill. In front of all marched three +warriors with mantles of green, who held the three +fierce hounds by three chains. And Dermat, when he +saw the hounds, was filled with loathing and hatred +of them. Then Modan lifted Grania, and walked a +mile with Dermat up the stream into the heart of +the mountain.</p> + +<p>When the green-clad warriors saw them, they +loosed one of the three hounds; and when Grania +heard his hoarse yelps down the valley, she was in +great dread. But Modan bade her not fear, for that +he would deal with this hound; and then, turning +round, he drew forth from beneath his girdle a small +hound-whelp, and placed it on the palm of his hand. +There it stood till the great hound came up raging, +with jaws wide open; when the little whelp leaped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> +from Modan's hand down the dog's throat, and broke +his heart, so that he fell dead. And after that the +whelp leaped back again on Modan's hand; and Modan +put him under his girdle.</p> + +<p>Then they walked another mile up the stream +through the mountain, Modan bringing Grania. But +the second hound was loosed, and soon overtook them; +and Dermat said—</p> + +<p>"I will try the Ga-derg on this hound. For no +spell can guard against the magic spear of Angus of +the Bruga; and I have heard it said also that there +is no charm that can shield the throat of an animal +from being wounded."</p> + +<p>Then, while Modan and Grania stood to look, +Dermat, putting his finger into the silken loop of the +spear, threw a cast, and drove the spear-head down +the hound's throat, so that the entrails of the brute +were scattered about; and Dermat, leaping forward, +drew the spear, and followed Modan and Grania.</p> + +<p>After they had walked yet another mile, the third +hound was loosed; and Grania, seeing him coming on, +said, trembling—</p> + +<p>"This is the fiercest of the three, and I greatly fear +him; guard yourself, Dermat, guard yourself well +against this hound!"</p> + +<p>Even while she spoke, the hound overtook them +at the place called Duban's Pillar-stone; and as they +stood looking back at him, Dermat stepped in front +of Grania to shield her. The hound rose with a great +spring over Dermat's head to seize Grania; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> +Dermat grasped him by the two hind legs as he +passed, and, swinging him round, he struck his carcase +against a rock and dashed out his brains.</p> + +<p>Then, putting his tapering finger into the silken +string of the Ga-derg, he threw the spear at the foremost +of the green-clad knights, and slew him. He +made another cast of the Ga-boi and brought down +the second warrior; and, drawing the Morallta, he +sprang on the third, and swept off his head.</p> + +<p>When the foreigners saw their leaders slain, they +fled hither and thither in utter rout. And Dermat +fell upon them with sword and spear, scattering and +slaughtering them, so that there seemed no escape for +them, unless, indeed, they could fly over the tops of +the trees, or hide themselves under the earth, or dive +beneath the water. And when Derdri of the Black +Mountain saw this havoc, she ran, panic-stricken and +crazed with fright, off the field towards the hill where +the three kings lay bound.</p> + +<p>Now as to Finn. Tidings were brought to him of +what happened to the three sea-kings, and how they +were lying bound in hard bonds on the hill over Tonn-Toma. +So he set out straightway from Allen, and +travelled by the shortest ways till he reached the hill. +And when he saw the three champions, he was grieved +to the heart; for he knew of old that the iron fetters +bound by Dermat slew by slow torment, and that +none could loose them except Oisin, or Oscar, or Mac +Luga, or Conan Mail.</p> + +<p>And Finn asked Oisin to loose the bonds and +relieve the kings.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I cannot do so," answered Oisin, "for Dermat +bound me under gesa<a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> never to loose any warrior +that he should bind."</p> + +<p>He next asked Oscar; but the young warrior +answered, "None shall be released by me who seeks to +harm Dermat O'Dyna. Fain would I indeed put +heavier bonds on them."</p> + +<p>And when he asked Mac Luga and Conan, they +refused in like manner.</p> + +<p>Now while they were speaking in this wise, they +saw the errand-woman, Derdri of the Black Mountain, +running towards them, breathless and with failing +steps, and her eyes starting from the sockets with +terror. And Finn asked her what tidings she had +brought.</p> + +<p>"Tidings indeed, O king, tidings of grievous +mishap and woe!" Whereupon she told him all that +she had seen—how Dermat O'Dyna had killed the +three fierce hounds, and had made a slaughter of the +foreigners. "And hardly, indeed," she cried, "hardly +have I myself got off scathless with the news!"</p> + +<p>The three kings, hearing this, and being worn out +with the straitness and torment of their bonds, died at +the same moment. And Finn caused them to be +buried in three wide graves; and flagstones were +placed over them with their names graved in Ogam;<a name="FNanchor_CXXI._149" id="FNanchor_CXXI._149"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXI._149" class="fnanchor">[CXXI.]</a> +and their funeral rites were performed. Then, with +heart full of grief and gall, Finn marched northwards +with his men to Allen of the green hill-slopes.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_VII" id="FCHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">SHARVAN, THE SURLY GIANT, AND THE FAIRY QUICKEN +TREE OF DOOROS.</p> + + +<p>Now touching Dermat and Grania. They travelled +eastward from Slieve Lougher, through Hy Conall +Gavra, keeping the Shannon on their left, till they +reached the Wood of the two Sallow Trees, which is +now called Limerick. Here they rested; and Dermat +killed a wild deer, and they ate of its flesh, and drank +pure spring water, and slept that night. Next morning +Modan bade them farewell, and left them. And +Dermat and Grania were sad after him, for he was very +gentle, and had served them faithfully.</p> + +<p>On that same day they departed from the Wood of +the two Sallows; and nothing is related of what befell +them till they arrived at the Forest of Dooros, in the +district of Hy Ficra<a name="FNanchor_CXXII._150" id="FNanchor_CXXII._150"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXII._150" class="fnanchor">[CXXII.]</a> of the Moy, which was at that +time guarded by Sharvan the Surly, of Lochlann.</p> + +<p>Now this is the history of Sharvan the Surly, of +Lochlann. On a certain occasion, a game of hurley +was played by the Dedannans against the Fena, on the +plain beside the Lake of Lein of the Crooked Teeth.<a name="FNanchor_CXXIII._151" id="FNanchor_CXXIII._151"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXIII._151" class="fnanchor">[CXXIII.]</a> +They played for three days and three nights, neither +side being able to win a single goal from the other +during the whole time. And when the Dedannans<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> +found that they could not overcome the Fena, they +suddenly withdrew from the contest, and departed +from the lake, journeying in a body northwards.</p> + +<p>The Dedannans had for food during the game, and +for their journey afterwards, crimson nuts and arbutus +apples and scarlet quicken berries, which they had +brought from the Land of Promise.<a name="FNanchor_CXXIV._152" id="FNanchor_CXXIV._152"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXIV._152" class="fnanchor">[CXXIV.]</a> These fruits +were gifted with many secret virtues; and the Dedannans +were careful that neither apple nor nut nor +berry should touch the soil of Erin. But as they +passed through the Wood of Dooros, in Hy Ficra of +the Moy, one of the scarlet quicken berries dropped on +the earth; and the Dedannans passed on, not heeding.</p> + +<p>From this berry a great quicken tree<a name="FNanchor_CXXV._153" id="FNanchor_CXXV._153"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXV._153" class="fnanchor">[CXXV.]</a> sprang up, +which had the virtues of the quicken trees that grow +in Fairyland. For its berries had the taste of honey, +and those who ate of them felt a cheerful flow of +spirits, as if they had drunk of wine or old mead; and +if a man were even a hundred years old, he returned +to the age of thirty, as soon as he had eaten three of +them.</p> + +<p>Now when the Dedannans heard of this tree, and +knew of its many virtues, they would not that any +one should eat of the berries but themselves; and they +sent a Fomor<a name="FNanchor_CXXVI._154" id="FNanchor_CXXVI._154"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXVI._154" class="fnanchor">[CXXVI.]</a> of their own people to guard it, namely, +Sharvan the Surly, of Lochlann; so that no man dared +even to approach it. For this Sharvan was a giant of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span> +the race of the wicked Cain, burly and strong; with +heavy bones, large, thick nose, crooked teeth, and one +broad, red, fiery eye in the middle of his black forehead. +And he had a great club tied by a chain to an iron +girdle which was round his body. He was, moreover, +so skilled in magic that fire could not burn him, water +could not drown him, and weapons could not wound +him; and there was no way to kill him but by giving +him three blows of his own club. By day he sat at +the foot of the tree, watching; and at night he slept +in a hut he had made for himself, high up among the +branches.</p> + +<p>Into this land Dermat came, knowing well that he +should be safe there from the pursuit of Finn. For +Sharvan did not let any of the Fena hunt in Hy Ficra. +And neither they nor any others dared to come near +the great Wood of Dooros, for dread of the giant; so +that the land around the quicken tree for many miles +was a wilderness.</p> + +<p>Dermat, leaving Grania behind in safe shelter, went +boldly to the giant, where he sat at the foot of the +tree, and told him he wished to live amidst the woods +of Hy Ficra, and chase its wild animals for food. +Whereupon the giant, bending his red eye on him, told +him, in words few and surly, that he might live and +hunt where he pleased, as long as he did not take +and eat the berries of the quicken tree.</p> + +<p>So Dermat built him a hunting-booth near a spring, +in the thick of the Forest of Dooros; and, clearing a +space all round, fenced it with strong stakes interwoven<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span> +with tough withes, leaving one narrow door +well barred and secured. And they lived in peace for +a time, eating the flesh of the wild animals of Dooros, +which Dermat brought down each day in the chase, +and drinking the water of the well.</p> + +<p>Now let us speak of Finn, the son of Cumal. One +day, soon after his return to Allen, as he and his +household troops were on the exercise green before the +palace, a company of fifty horsemen were seen approaching +from the east, led by two taller and nobler +looking than the others. Having come near, they +bowed low and greeted the king; and when he asked +them who they were, and from whence they had come, +they answered—</p> + +<p>"We are enemies of thine, who now desire to make +peace; and our names are Angus, the son of Art Mac +Morna, and Aed, the son of Andala Mac Morna. Our +fathers were present at the battle of Knocka,<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> aiding +those who fought against thy father, Cumal, when he +was slain; for which thou didst afterwards slay them +both, and didst outlaw us, their sons, though indeed +we were blameless in the matter, seeing that we were +not born till after the death of Cumal. However, we +have come now to ask this boon of thee: that thou +make peace with us, and give us the places our fathers +held in the ranks of the Fena."</p> + +<p>"I will grant your request," answered Finn, "provided +you pay me eric for the death of my father."</p> + +<p>"We would indeed pay thee eric willingly if we +could," answered they; "but we have neither gold,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> +nor silver, nor cattle, nor wealth of any kind to +give."</p> + +<p>And then Oisin spoke and said, "Ask them not for +eric, O king; surely the death of their fathers should +be eric enough."</p> + +<p>But Finn replied, "Of a truth, I think, Oisin, that +if any one should slay me, it would not be hard to +satisfy you in the matter of an eric. But, indeed, none +of those who fought at Knocka against my father, and +none of their sons, shall ever get peace from me, or join +the Fena, without such eric as I demand."</p> + +<p>Then Angus, one of the two, asked, "What eric +dost thou require, O king?"</p> + +<p>"I ask only one or the other of two things," +answered Finn; "namely, the head of a warrior, or +the full of my hand of the berries of a quicken tree."</p> + +<p>"I will give you counsel, ye sons of Morna, that +will stand you in good stead, if you follow it," said +Oisin, addressing the two strange chiefs; "and my +counsel is, that you return to the place from whence +you came, and seek this peace no longer. Know that +the head the king seeks from you is the head of +Dermat O'Dyna, the most dangerous of all the Fena to +meddle with, who is well able to defend himself, even +if you were twenty times as many as you are; and +who will certainly take your heads if you attempt to +take his. Know also that the berries Finn seeks from +you are the berries of the quicken tree of Dooros. +And it is hard to say if this be not a more perilous +quest than the other; for the quicken tree belongs to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> +the Dedannans, who have sent Sharvan, the surly +giant of Lochlann, to guard it day and night."</p> + +<p>But the two chiefs, unmoved by what they had +heard from Oisin, said that they would rather perish +in seeking out the eric than return to their mother's +country. So, leaving their people in the care of Oisin, +they set out on their quest. They travelled through +the Wood of the two Sallows, and from that to Dooros +of the Moy, where they found the track of Dermat +and Grania, and followed it till they came to the +hunting-booth. Dermat heard their voices and footsteps +outside, and, snatching up his weapons, went to +the door and asked who was there.</p> + +<p>"We are Aed, the son of Andala Mac Morna, and +Angus, the son of Art Mac Morna," they replied. "We +have come hither from Allen of Leinster, to get either +the head of Dermat O'Dyna, or a handful of the +berries of the quicken tree of Dooros; for Finn, the +son of Cumal, has demanded of us that we bring him +either the one or the other, as an eric for the killing +of his father."</p> + +<p>Dermat laughed when he heard this, and said, +"Truly this is not pleasant news for me to hear, for +I am Dermat O'Dyna. But however, friends, I am +not willing to give you my head, and you will find it +no easy matter to take it. And as for the berries, +these are quite as hard to get; for you will have to +fight the surly giant Sharvan, who cannot be burned +with fire, or drowned with water, or wounded with +weapons. But woe to the man who falls under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span> +power of Finn, the son of Cumal. And you have come, +methinks, on a bootless quest; for even if you should +be able to bring him either of the two things he asks +for, he will not grant you the place or the rank ye +seek after all. And now," asked Dermat, "which of +the two do ye wish to strive for first, my head or the +quicken berries?"</p> + +<p>And they answered, "We will do battle with thee +first."</p> + +<p>So Dermat opened the door, and they made ready +for the combat. Now this is the manner in which +they agreed to fight: to throw aside their weapons, +and to use the strength of their hands alone. And if +the sons of Morna were able to overcome Dermat, they +should take his head to Finn; but if, on the other +hand, they were overpowered and bound by Dermat, +their heads should be in like manner forfeit to him. +But the fight was, indeed, a short one; for these two +chiefs were even as children in Dermat's hands, and +he bound them in close and bitter bonds.</p> + +<p>Now when Grania heard of the berries of the +quicken tree, she was seized with a longing desire to +taste them. At first she strove against it and was +silent, knowing the danger; but now she was not able +to hide it any longer, and she told Dermat that she +should certainly die if she did not get some of the +berries to eat. This troubled Dermat, for he did not +wish to quarrel with the giant Sharvan; but, seeing +that harm might come to Grania if she did not get the +berries, he told her he would go and get some for her, +either by good will or by force.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the sons of Morna heard this, they said, +"Loose these bonds, and we will go with thee and help +thee to fight the giant."</p> + +<p>But Dermat answered, "Not much help, indeed, +could ye give me, as I think, for the mere sight of this +giant would be enough to unman you. But even were +it otherwise, I would not seek your help, for if I fight +at all I shall fight unaided."</p> + +<p>And they said, "Even so, let us go. Our lives are +now forfeit to thee, but grant us this request before we +die, to let us see thee fight this giant."</p> + +<p>And he consented to this.</p> + +<p>So Dermat went straightway to the quicken tree, +followed by the two sons of Morna; and he found the +giant lying asleep at the foot of the tree. He dealt +him a heavy blow to awaken him, and the giant, +raising his head, glared at him with his great red eye, +and said—</p> + +<p>"There has been peace between us hitherto; do +you now wish for strife?"</p> + +<p>"I seek not strife," answered Dermat; "but the +Princess Grania, my wife, the daughter of king +Cormac Mac Art, longs to taste of these quicken +berries; and if she does not get them she will die. +This is why I have come; and now I pray you give +me a few of the berries for the princess."</p> + +<p>But the giant answered, "I swear that if the +princess and her child were now dying, and that one +of my berries would save them, I would not give it!"</p> + +<p>Then Dermat said, "I do not wish to deal unfairly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span> +with you; and I have accordingly awakened you from +your sleep, and made my request openly, wishing for +peace. But now understand that before I leave this +spot, I will have some of these quicken berries, whether +you will or no."</p> + +<p>When the giant heard this, he rose up, and, seizing +his club, dealt Dermat three great blows, which the +hero had much ado to ward off; nor did he escape +without some hurt, even though his shield was tough +and his arm strong. But now, watching narrowly, +and seeing that the giant expected to be attacked with +sword and spear, he suddenly threw down his weapons +and sprang upon him, taking him unguarded. He +threw his arms round his body, and, heaving him +with his shoulder, hurled him with mighty shock to +the earth; and then, seizing the heavy club, he dealt +him three blows, dashing out his brains with the +last.</p> + +<p>Dermat sat down to rest, weary and breathless. +And the sons of Morna, having witnessed the fight +from beginning to end, came forth rejoiced when they +saw the giant slain. Dermat told them to drag the +body into the wood and bury it out of sight, lest +Grania might see it and be affrighted; and when they +had done so, he sent them for the princess. When she +had come, Dermat said to her—</p> + +<p>"Behold the quicken berries, Grania: take now +and eat."</p> + +<p>But she answered, "I will eat no berries except +those that are plucked by the hands of my husband."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span></p> + +<p>So Dermat stood up and plucked the berries; and +Grania ate till she was satisfied. And he also plucked +some for the sons of Morna, and said—</p> + +<p>"Take these berries now, friends, as much as you +please, and pay your eric to Finn; and you may, if +you are so minded, tell him that it was you who slew +Sharvan the Surly, of Lochlann."</p> + +<p>They answered, "We will bring to Finn as much +as he demanded, one handful and no more; and we +grudge even so much."</p> + +<p>Then they thanked Dermat very much; for he +had given them the berries, what they should never +have been able to get for themselves; and though +their lives were forfeit to him, he had not so much as +mentioned the matter, but had allowed them to return +freely. And after bidding Dermat and Grania farewell, +they went their ways.</p> + +<p>After that Dermat left his hunting-booth, and he +and Grania lived thenceforth in Sharvan's hut among +the branches. And they found the berries on the top +of the tree the most delicious of all; those on the +lower branches being as it were bitter in comparison.</p> + +<p>When the sons of Morna reached Allen, Finn +asked them how they had fared, and whether they +had brought him the eric: and they answered—</p> + +<p>"Sharvan, the surly giant of Lochlann, is slain; and +here we have brought thee the berries of the quicken +tree of Dooros as eric for the death of thy father, +Cumal, that we may have peace from thee, and be +placed in our due rank among the Fena."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span></p> + +<p>Finn took the berries and knew them; and he +smelled them three times, and said—</p> + +<p>"These, indeed, are the berries of the quicken tree +of Dooros; but they have passed through the hands of +Dermat O'Dyna, for I smell his touch. And sure I +am that it was Dermat, and not you, who slew +Sharvan, the surly giant. It shall profit you nothing, +indeed, to have brought me these berries; neither will +you get from me the peace you seek, nor your place +among the Fena, till you pay me fair eric for my +father's death. For you have gotten the berries not +by your own strength; and you have, besides, made +peace with my enemy. And now I shall go to the +Wood of Dooros, to learn if Dermat abides near the +quicken tree."</p> + +<p>After this he gathered together the choice men +of the seven battalions of the Fena, and marched with +them to Dooros of Hy Ficra. They followed Dermat's +track to the foot of the quicken tree, and found the +berries without any one to guard them; and they ate +of them as much as they pleased.</p> + +<p>Now it was noon when they had come to the +tree; and the sun shone hot, and Finn said—</p> + +<p>"We shall rest under this tree till evening come, +and the heat pass away; for well I know that Dermat +O'Dyna is on the tree among the branches."</p> + +<p>And Oisin said, "Truly your mind must be +blinded by jealousy, if you think that Dermat O'Dyna +has waited for you on that tree, since he knows well +that you seek his head."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span></p> + +<p>Finn answered nothing to this speech, but called +for a chess-board and men.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> And he and Oisin sat +down to a game; while Oscar and Mac Luga and +Dering, the son of Dobar O'Baskin, sat near Oisin +to advise him; for Finn played against them all. +They played on for a time warily and skilfully, till +at last Oisin had only one move to make; and Finn +said—</p> + +<p>"One move more would win you the game, Oisin, +but I challenge all your helpers to show you that +move." And Oisin was puzzled.</p> + +<p>Dermat had been viewing the game from the +beginning, where he sat among the branches; and he +said, speaking to himself—</p> + +<p>"Pity that you should be in a strait, Oisin, and I +not near to advise your move."</p> + +<p>Grania, sitting near, overheard him, and said, "It +is a small matter whether Oisin win or lose a game; +far worse is it for you to be in this hut, while the +men of the seven battalions of the Fena are round +about you, waiting to kill you."</p> + +<p>Then Dermat, not giving heed to Grania's words, +plucked a berry, and, flinging it down with true aim, +struck Oisin's chess-man—the man that should be +moved. And Oisin moved the man, and won the +game against Finn.</p> + +<p>The game was begun again, and it went on till it +came to the same pass as before, Oisin having to make +only one move to win, but that move hard to make +out. And again Dermat threw a berry and struck<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> +the right man; and Oisin made the move, and won +the game.</p> + +<p>A third time the game went on, and Dermat struck +the chess-man as before; and Oisin won the game the +third time. Whereupon the Fena raised a mighty shout.</p> + +<p>"I marvel not that you should win the game, +Oisin," said Finn, "seeing that you have the best +help of Oscar, and the zeal of Dering, and the skill +of Mac Luga; and that, along with all, you have been +prompted by Dermat O'Dyna."</p> + +<p>"It shows a mind clouded by great jealousy," said +Oscar, "that you should think that Dermat O'Dyna +is in that tree waiting for you to kill him."</p> + +<p>"Which of us tells truth, Dermat," said Finn, +looking up, "Oscar or I?"</p> + +<p>"You, Finn, have never yet erred in your judgment," +answered Dermat from the tree; "for indeed +I am here with the princess Grania, in the hut of +Sharvan, the surly giant of Lochlann."</p> + +<p>And, looking up, Finn and the others saw them +plainly through an opening in the branches.</p> + +<p>But now Grania, seeing the danger, began to +tremble with great fear, and to weep; and Dermat, +taking pity on her, comforted her and kissed her +three times.</p> + +<p>And Finn, seeing this, said, "Much more than this +did it grieve me the night you espoused Grania, and +brought her away from Tara before all the men of +Erin; but even for these kisses you shall certainly +pay quittance with your head!"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span></p> + +<p>Whereupon Finn, being now bent on killing +Dermat, arose, and ordered his hirelings to surround +the tree, catching hand in hand, so as to leave no gap; +and he warned them, on pain of death, not to let +Dermat pass out. Having done this, he offered a suit +of armour and arms, and a high place of honour among +the Fena, to any man who would go up into the tree, +and either bring him the head of Dermat O'Dyna, or +force him to come down.</p> + +<p>Garva of Slieve Cua<a name="FNanchor_CXXVII._155" id="FNanchor_CXXVII._155"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXVII._155" class="fnanchor">[CXXVII.]</a> started up and said, "Lo, +I am the man! For it was Dermat's father, Donn, +that slew my father; and I will now avenge the deed."</p> + +<p>And he went up the tree.</p> + +<p>Now it was revealed to Angus of the Bruga that +Dermat was in deadly strait; and he came to the tree +to his aid, without the knowledge of the Fena; and +Dermat and Grania were filled with joy when they +saw the old man.</p> + +<p>And when Garva, climbing from branch to branch, +had come near the hut, Dermat dealt him a blow with +his foot, which dashed him to the ground among the +Fena. And Finn's hirelings cut off his head on the +spot, for Angus had caused him to take the shape of +Dermat; but after he was slain he took his own +shape, so that all knew that it was Garva of Slieve +Cua that had been killed.</p> + +<p>Then Garva of Slieve Crot<a name="FNanchor_CXXVIII._156" id="FNanchor_CXXVIII._156"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXVIII._156" class="fnanchor">[CXXVIII.]</a> said, "It was Dermat's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span> +father, Donn, that slew my father; and I will +now avenge the deed on Dermat."</p> + +<p>So saying, he went up the tree. But Angus gave +him a blow which hurled him to the ground under +the shape of Dermat, so that the hirelings fell on him +and slew him. And then Finn told them that it was +not Dermat they had killed, but Garva of Slieve Cua.</p> + +<p>Garva of Slieve Gora<a name="FNanchor_CXXIX._157" id="FNanchor_CXXIX._157"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXIX._157" class="fnanchor">[CXXIX.]</a> next started up, and said +that his father had been slain by Dermat's father; and +he began to climb up the tree to take Dermat's head +in revenge. But Dermat flung him down like the +others, while Angus gave him for the time the shape +of Dermat, so that the hirelings slew him.</p> + +<p>And so matters went on till the nine Garvas had +fallen; namely, Garva of Slieve Cua, Garva of Slieve +Crot, Garva of Slieve Gora, Garva of Slieve Mucka,<a name="FNanchor_CXXX._158" id="FNanchor_CXXX._158"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXX._158" class="fnanchor">[CXXX.]</a> +Garva of Slieve-more, Garva of Slieve Luga, Garva +of Ath-free, Garva of Slieve Mish, and Garva of +Drom-more. And full of grief and bitterness was the +heart of Finn, witnessing this.</p> + +<p>Then Angus said he would take Grania away from +that place of danger. And Dermat was glad, and +said—</p> + +<p>"Take her with thee; and if I live till evening I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> +will follow you. But if Finn slays me, send her to +Tara to her father, and tell him to use her well."</p> + +<p>Then Dermat kissed his dear wife; and Angus, +having thrown his mantle round her, passed out from +the tree without the knowledge of the Fena, and went +straightway to Bruga of the Boyne.</p> + +<p>After Angus and Grania had gone, Dermat, +addressing Finn from the tree, said—</p> + +<p>"I will now go down from this tree; and I will +slaughter many of thy hirelings before they slay me. +For I see that thou art resolved to compass my death; +and why should I fear to die now more than at a +future time? There is, indeed, no escape for me, even +should I pass from this place unharmed; since I can +find no shelter in Erin from thy wrath. Neither have +I a friend in the far-off countries of this great world +to give me protection, seeing that I have from time to +time dealt defeat and slaughter among them, every +one, for thy sake. For never have the Fena been +caught in any strait or danger, that I did not venture +my life for them and for thee. When we went to +battle, moreover, I was always in front of you; and I +was always behind you when leaving the field. And +now I care no longer to seek to prolong my life; but +of a certainty thou shalt purchase my death dearly, +for I shall avenge myself by dealing destruction +among thy hirelings."</p> + +<p>"Dermat speaks truly," said Oscar; "and now let +him have mercy and forgiveness; for he has suffered +enough already."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I swear that I will never grant him peace or +forgiveness to the end of my life," answered Finn, +"till he has given me the eric I seek from him for the +injury he has done me; that is to say, his head."</p> + +<p>"Shame it is to hear thee say so, and a sure mark +of jealousy," answered Oscar. "And now I take the +body and life of Dermat under the protection of my +knighthood and valour; and I pledge the word of a +true champion, that sooner shall the firmament fall on +me, or the earth open up and swallow me, than that +I shall let any man harm Dermat O'Dyna!"</p> + +<p>Then, looking upwards, he said, "Come down now, +Dermat, and thou shalt certainly go in safety from +this place; for as long as I am alive, no man will dare +to offer thee hurt!"</p> + +<p>Then Dermat, choosing that side of the tree where +the men stood nearest to the trunk, walked along a +thick branch unseen, and, leaning on the shafts of his +spears, he sprang forward and downward with a light, +airy bound, and alighted outside the circle of those +who stood round with joined hands; and in a moment +he was beyond the reach of sword and spear. And +Oscar joined him, looking back threateningly, so that +no man of Finn's hirelings durst follow.</p> + +<p>So the two heroes fared on together, crossing the +Shannon; and nothing is told of what befell them till +they reached Bruga of the Boyne, where they met +Angus and Grania. And Grania was almost beside +herself with joy when she saw Dermat without wound +or hurt of any kind. And the two champions were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> +welcomed by Angus; and Dermat related to him and +Grania the whole story, how he had escaped from +Finn and his hirelings, Oscar helping. And as Grania +listened, her spirit almost left her, at the deadly +peril Dermat had passed through.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_VIII" id="FCHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ATTACK OF THE WITCH-HAG.</p> + + +<p>Now as regards Finn. After the departure of Dermat +and Oscar, his heart was filled with anger and bitterness, +and he vowed he would never rest till he had +revenged himself on Dermat. And, leaving the Wood +of Dooros, he marched eastward till he reached Allen. +Making no delay, he ordered his trusted servants to +make ready his best ship, and to put therein food and +drink for a voyage. Then going on board, he put out +to sea; and nothing is told of him till he reached the +Land of Promise,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> where his old nurse lived.</p> + +<p>When he appeared before her, she gave him a joyful +welcome. And after he had eaten and drunk, she +asked him the cause of his journey, knowing that +some weighty matter had brought him thither. So he +told her the whole story of what Dermat O'Dyna had +done against him; and said that he had come to seek +counsel from her how he should act. "For," he said, +"no strength or cunning of men can compass his death; +magic alone can overmatch him."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then the old woman told him that she would go +with him next day and work magic against Dermat. +Whereupon Finn was much rejoiced, and they rested +that night.</p> + +<p>Next day, they set out, Finn and his people and +his nurse; and it is not told how they fared till they +reached Bruga of the Boyne. And the men of Erin +knew not that they had come thither, for the witch-hag +threw a druidical mist round them, so that no +man might see them.</p> + +<p>It chanced that Dermat hunted that day in the +forest, alone; for Oscar had gone from Bruga the day +before. When this was known to the witch-hag, she +caused herself to fly into the air by magic, on a water-lily, +having by her spells turned the pale flat leaf +into a broad millstone with a hole in the middle. +And, rising over the tops of the trees, she floated on +the clear, cold wind, till she had come straight over +the hero. Then, standing on the flat millstone, she +began to aim deadly poisoned darts at him through +the hole. And no distress Dermat ever suffered could +compare with this; for the darts stung him even +through his shield and armour, the witch having +breathed venomous spells on them.</p> + +<p>Seeing at last that there was no escape from +death unless he could slay the witch-hag, he seized +the Ga-derg, and, leaning backwards, flung it with +sure aim at the millstone, so that it went right +through the hole, and pierced the hag; and she fell +dead at Dermat's feet. Then he beheaded her, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> +brought the head to Angus of the Bruga; and he +related to him and to Grania how he had escaped that +great danger.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_IX" id="FCHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">PEACE AND REST AT LAST.</p> + + +<p>Angus arose next morning, and, going to Finn, asked +him whether he would make peace with Dermat. +Finn, seeing that he was worsted in every attempt +against the hero, and that moreover he had lost his +nurse and many of his men, told Angus that he was +weary of the quarrel, and that he was fain to make +peace on whatever terms Dermat should choose.</p> + +<p>He next went to Tara to the king, Cormac, the +grandson of Conn. Him he asked in like manner +whether he was willing to grant Dermat peace and +forgiveness; and Cormac answered that he was quite +willing.</p> + +<p>Then he came to Dermat and said, "Peace is better +for thee: art thou willing now to be at peace with +Finn and Cormac?"</p> + +<p>And Dermat answered, "Gladly will I make peace, +if they grant me such conditions as befit a champion +and the husband of the princess Grania."</p> + +<p>And when Angus asked what these conditions +were, he answered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"The cantred which my father had, that is to say, +the cantred of O'Dyna,<a name="FNanchor_CXXXI._159" id="FNanchor_CXXXI._159"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXXI._159" class="fnanchor">[CXXXI.]</a> without rent or tribute to the +king of Erin; also the cantred of Ben-Damis,<a name="FNanchor_CXXXII._160" id="FNanchor_CXXXII._160"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXXII._160" class="fnanchor">[CXXXII.]</a> namely, +Ducarn of Leinster. These two to be granted to me +by Finn; and he shall not hunt over them, nor any +of his Fena, without my leave. And the king of +Erin shall grant me the cantred of Kesh-Corran,<a name="FNanchor_CXXXIII._161" id="FNanchor_CXXXIII._161"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXXIII._161" class="fnanchor">[CXXXIII.]</a> as +a dowry with his daughter. On these conditions will +I make peace."</p> + +<p>Angus went to Finn, and afterwards to the king, +with these conditions. And they granted them, and +forgave Dermat all he had done against them during +the time he was outlawed. So they made peace. +And Cormac gave his other daughter to Finn to wife.</p> + +<p>Dermat and Grania went to live in the cantred of +Kesh-Corran, far away from Finn and Cormac; and +they built a house for themselves, namely, Rath-Grania, +in which they abode many years in peace. +And Grania bore Dermat four sons and one daughter. +And his possessions increased year by year, insomuch +that people said that no man of his time was richer +than Dermat, in gold and silver and jewels, in sheep, +and in cattle-herds.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="FCHAPTER_X" id="FCHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE DEATH OF DERMAT.</p> + + +<p>Now when many years had passed, Grania said one +day to Dermat—</p> + +<p>"It is surely a thing unworthy of us, seeing the +greatness of our household and our wealth, and the +number of our folk, that we should live in a manner +so much removed from the world. And in a special +manner it is unbecoming that the two most illustrious +men in Erin have never been in our house, namely, +my father the king, and Finn the son of Cumal."</p> + +<p>For indeed she had not seen her father since the +night she had left Tara with Dermat, and her heart +yearned for him.</p> + +<p>"Wherefore say you this, Grania?" answered +Dermat; "for though there is indeed peace between +us, they are both none the less enemies of mine; and +for this reason have I removed my dwelling far apart +from them."</p> + +<p>And Grania said, "Their enmity has surely +softened with length of time: and now I would that +you give them a feast: so shall we win back their +friendship and love."</p> + +<p>And in an evil hour Dermat consented.</p> + +<p>For a full year were they preparing for that great +feast, and when it was ready, messengers were sent to +invite the king, with his house-folk, and Finn, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> +the chief men of the seven batallions of the Fena. So +they came, with their attendants and followers, their +horses and dogs; and they lived for a whole year in +Rath-Grania, hunting and feasting.</p> + +<p>It chanced one night, at the end of the year, long +after all had gone to rest, that Dermat heard, through +the silence of the night, the distant yelping of a +hound; and he started up from his sleep. But Grania, +being scared, started up also, and, throwing her arms +round him, asked him what he had seen.</p> + +<p>"I have heard the voice of a hound," answered +Dermat; "and I marvel much to hear it at midnight."</p> + +<p>"May all things guard thee from harm!" said +Grania. "This is surely a trap laid for thee by the +Dedannans, unknown to Angus of the Bruga: and now +lie down on thy bed again."</p> + +<p>Dermat lay down, but did not sleep, and again he +heard the hound's voice. He started up, and this time +was fain to go and look to the matter; but Grania +caught him and kept him back a second time, saying +that it was not meet for him to seek a hound whose +voice he heard in the night.</p> + +<p>A gentle slumber now fell on Dermat, and he slept +through a good part of the night. But the yelping of +the hound came a third time, and awakened him, so +that he started up; and it being now broad day, he +told Grania that he would go to seek the hound, and +find out why he was abroad in the night.</p> + +<p>And though Grania consented, she felt, she knew +not why, ill at ease; and she said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"Bring with you the Morallta, the sword of +Mannanan Mac Lir, and the Ga-derg,<a href="#Footnote_CXXXIV._162" class="fnanchor">[CXXXIV.]</a> Angus's spear; +for there may be danger."</p> + +<p>But Dermat, regarding the matter lightly, and +forced by fate to the worse choice, answered—</p> + +<p>"How can danger arise from such a small affair? +I will bring the Begallta and the Ga-boi;<a name="FNanchor_CXXXIV._162" id="FNanchor_CXXXIV._162"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXXIV._162" class="fnanchor">[CXXXIV.]</a> and I will +also bring my good hound Mac-an-coill, leading him +by his chain."</p> + +<p>So Dermat went forth, and he delayed not till he +reached the summit of Ben-Gulban,<a name="FNanchor_CXXXV._163" id="FNanchor_CXXXV._163"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXXV._163" class="fnanchor">[CXXXV.]</a> where he found +Finn; and Dermat, offering him no salute, asked him +who it was that held the chase. Finn answered—</p> + +<p>"Some of our men came out from Rath-Grania at +midnight with their hounds; and one of the hounds +coming across the track of a wild boar, both men and +dogs have followed it up. I indeed would have held +them back, but the men were eager, and left me here +alone. For this is the track of the wild boar of +Ben-Gulban, and they who follow him are bent on a +vain and dangerous pursuit. Often has he been +chased; and he has always escaped, after killing many +men and dogs. Even now thou canst see in the +distance that the Fena are flying before him; and he +has slain several this morning. He is coming towards +this hillock where we stand; and the sooner we get +out of his way the better."</p> + +<p>But Dermat said he would not leave the hillock +through fear of any wild boar.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span></p><p>"It is not meet that thou shouldst tarry here," +answered Finn. "Dost thou not know that thou art +under gesa<a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> never to hunt a boar?"</p> + +<p>Dermat answered, "I know nothing of these gesa; +wherefore were they placed on me?"</p> + +<p>And Finn said, "I will tell thee of this matter, for +well do I remember it. When thou wert taken to +Bruga of the Boyne, to be fostered by Angus, the son of +Angus's steward was fostered with thee, that he might +be a companion and playmate to thee. Now the +steward, being a man of the common sort, agreed to +send each day to Bruga, food and drink for nine men, +as a price for having his son fostered with thee—thy +father, Donn, being one of the nobles of the Fena. +And thy father was accordingly permitted to visit the +house of Angus when it pleased him, with eight +companions, and claim the food sent by the steward; +and when he did not come, it was to be given to +Angus's house-folk.</p> + +<p>"It chanced on a certain day that I was at Allen +of the broad hill-slopes, with the chief men of the +seven battalions of the Fena. And Bran Beg O'Bucan +brought to my mind, what indeed I had forgotten, +that it was forbidden to me to sleep at Allen more +than nine nights one after another, and that the next +would be the tenth.</p> + +<p>"Now this restriction had not been placed on any +of the Fena save myself, and they all went into the +hall except thy father and a few others. Then I +asked where we should get entertainment for that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span> +night. And thy father, Donn, answered that he would +give me entertainment at Bruga of the Boyne; where +food and drink awaited himself and his companions +whenever he visited Angus. Donn said, moreover, +that he had not been to see his son for a year, and +that we were sure to get a welcome.</p> + +<p>"So Donn and I and the few that were with us +went to the house of Angus, bringing our hounds; and +Angus welcomed us. And thou and the steward's son +were there, two children. After a while we could see +that Angus loved thee, Dermat, very much, but that +the house-folk loved the son of the steward; and thy +father was filled with jealousy, that the people should +show fondness for him and not for thee.</p> + +<p>"After night had fallen, it chanced that our hounds +quarrelled over some broken meat we had thrown to +them, and began to fight in the court; and the women +and lesser people fled from them hither and thither. +The son of the steward happened to run between thy +father's knees, who, calling now to mind how the +people favoured him more than thee, gave him a sudden +strong squeeze with his knees, and killed him on the +spot. And, without being seen by any one, he threw +him under the feet of the hounds.</p> + +<p>"When at last the dogs were put asunder, the child +was found dead; and the steward uttered a long, +mournful cry. Then he came to me and said—</p> + +<p>"'Of all the men in Angus's house to-night, I +have come worst out of this uproar; for this boy was +my only child. And now, O Finn, I demand eric<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span> +from thee for his death; for thy hounds have slain +him.'</p> + +<p>"I told him to examine the body of his son, and +that if he found the mark of a hound's tooth or nail, I +would give him eric. So the child was examined, but +no hurt—either bite or scratch—was found on him.</p> + +<p>"Then the steward laid me under fearful bonds +of druidical gesa,<a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> to find out for him who slew his +son. So I called for a chess-board and some water, and, +having washed my hands, I put my thumb under my +tooth of knowledge;<a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> and then it was revealed to +me that the boy had been slain by thy father. Not +wishing to make this known, I now offered to pay eric +for the boy; but the steward refused, saying that he +should know who killed his son. So I was forced to +tell him: whereupon he said—</p> + +<p>"'It is easier for Donn to pay me eric than for any +other man in this house. And the eric I demand is +that his son be placed between my knees: if the lad +gets off safe, then I shall follow up the matter no +further.'</p> + +<p>"Angus was very wroth at this; and thy father +would have struck off the steward's head if I had not +come between and saved him.</p> + +<p>"The steward said no more, but went aside and +brought forth a druidical magic wand, and, striking his +son with it, he turned him into a great bristly wild +boar, having neither ears nor tail. And, holding the +wand aloft, he chanted this incantation over the +boar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"By this magical wand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By the wizard's command,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I appoint and decree,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For Dermat and thee,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The same bitter strife,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The same span of life:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In the pride of his strength,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou shalt slay him at length:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lo, Dermat O'Dyna<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lies stretched in his gore;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Behold my avengers,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The tusks of the boar!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And thus is decreed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For Donn's cruel deed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sure vengeance to come—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His son's bloody doom;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By this wand in my hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By the wizard's command!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"The moment he had ended the incantation, the +boar rushed out through the open door, and we knew +not whither he betook himself.</p> + +<p>"When Angus heard the steward's words, he laid +a command on thee never to hunt a wild boar, that so +thou mightest avoid the doom foretold for thee.</p> + +<p>"That same boar is the wild boar of Binbulbin; +and he is now rushing furiously towards us. Come, +then, let us leave this hill at once, that we may avoid +him in time!"</p> + +<p>"I know nothing of these incantations and prohibitions," +replied Dermat; "or if, as thou sayest, they +were put on me in my boyhood, I forget them all now. +And neither for fear of this wild boar of Ben-Gulban +nor of any other wild beast will I leave this hillock. +But thou, before thou goest, leave me thy hound, Bran, +to help and encourage my dog, Mac-an-coill."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will not leave him," answered Finn; "for often +has Bran chased this boar, and has always barely +escaped with his life. And now I leave; for lo, here +he comes over yonder hill-shoulder."</p> + +<p>So Finn went his ways, and left Dermat standing +alone on the hill. And after he had left Dermat +said—</p> + +<p>"I fear me, indeed, that thou hast begun this chase +hoping that it would lead to my death. But here will +I await the event; for if I am fated to die in this spot, +I cannot avoid the doom in store for me."</p> + +<p>Immediately the boar came rushing up the face of +the hill, with the Fena following far behind. Dermat +loosed Mac-an-coill against him, but to no profit; +for the hound shied and fled before him at the first +glance. Then Dermat said, communing with himself—</p> + +<p>"Woe to him who does not follow the advice of a +good wife! For this morning Grania bade me bring +the Morallta and the Ga-derg; but I brought instead +the Begallta and the Ga-boi, disregarding her counsel."</p> + +<p>Then, putting his white taper finger into the silken +loop of the Ga-boi, he threw it with careful aim, and +struck the boar in the middle of the forehead; but to no +purpose, for the spear fell harmless to the ground, +having neither wounded nor scratched the boar, nor +disturbed even a single bristle.</p> + +<p>Seeing this, Dermat, though indeed he knew not +fear, felt his courage a little damped. And thereupon +drawing the Begallta from its sheath, he dealt a blow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span> +on the boar's neck, with the full strength of his +brawny arm. But neither did he fare better this +time; for the sword flew in pieces, leaving the hilt in +his hand, while not a bristle of the boar was harmed.</p> + +<p>And now the boar rushed on him as he stood +defenceless, and with furious onset hurled him headlong +to the earth; and, turning round, he gashed the +hero's side with his tusk, inflicting a deep and ghastly +wound. Turning again, he was about to renew the +attack, when Dermat flung the hilt of the sword at +him, and drove it through the skull to his brain, so +that the brute fell dead on the spot.</p> + +<p>Finn and the Fena now came up, and found Dermat +lying pale and bleeding, in the pangs of death. And +Finn said—</p> + +<p>"It likes me well, Dermat, to see thee in this +plight; only I am grieved that all the women of Erin +cannot see thee also. For now, indeed, the surpassing +beauty of thy form, that they loved so well, is gone +from thee, and thou art pale and deformed!"</p> + +<p>And Dermat answered, "Alas, O Finn! these words +surely come from thy lips only, and not from thy heart. +And indeed it is in thy power to heal me even now if +thou wilt."</p> + +<p>"How should I heal thee?" asked Finn.</p> + +<p>"It is not hard for thee to do so," answered Dermat. +"For when, at the Boyne, the noble gift of foreknowledge +was given to thee,<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> this gift also thou didst +receive—that to whomsoever thou shouldst give a drink +of water from the closed palms of thy two hands, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span> +should be healed from sickness or wounds, even though +he stood at the point of death."</p> + +<p>"Why should I heal thee by giving thee drink +from my hands?" replied Finn. "For of a certainty +thou of all men dost least deserve it from me."</p> + +<p>"Thou surely speakest hastily, not remembering +past services," answered Dermat. "Well, indeed, do I +deserve that thou shouldst heal me. Dost thou forget +the day thou didst go with the chiefs and nobles of +the Fena, to the house of Derca, the son of Donnara, to +a banquet? And even as we sat down, and before the +feast began, Carbri of the Liffey, son of Cormac, +with the men of Tara, and of Bregia, and of Meath, +and of Carmna, surrounded the palace, intent on slaying +thee and all thy people. And they uttered three +great shouts, and threw firebrands to burn the palace +over our heads. Then thou didst arise and prepare to +issue forth, but I put thee back and bade thee enjoy +thy feast; and, leaving the banquet untasted, I rushed +forth with a chosen few of my own men, and quenched +the flames. Thrice we made a circuit of the palace, +dealing slaughter amongst thy foes, so that we left +fifty of them dead after each circuit. And having put +Carbri and his men to flight, we returned to join the +feast. Had I asked thee for a drink that night, gladly +wouldst thou have given it to me. And yet, not more +justly was it due to me then than it is now."</p> + +<p>"Ill dost thou deserve a healing drink from me, or +any other favour," said Finn; "for it was thy part to +guard Grania the night we came to Tara; but thou<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span> +didst espouse her secretly, and didst fly with her from +Tara, knowing that she was betrothed to me."</p> + +<p>"Lay not the blame of that on me," said Dermat; +"for Grania put me under heavy gesa, which for all the +wealth of the world I would not break through—no, +not even for life itself. Neither did I rest on my own +judgment in the matter; for well thou knowest that +Oisin, and Oscar, and Dering, and Mac Luga counselled +me to the course I took.</p> + +<p>"And now, O Finn, I pray thee let me drink from +thy hands, for I feel the weakness of death coming on +me. And thou wilt not gainsay that I deserve it, if +thou wilt only remember the feast that Midac, the son +of Colga, made for thee in the Fairy Palace of the +Quicken Trees.<a name="FNanchor_CXXXVI._164" id="FNanchor_CXXXVI._164"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXXVI._164" class="fnanchor">[CXXXVI.]</a> To this feast Midac invited thee and +thy companions; while to the Palace of the Island he +brought secretly the King of the World with a great +host, and the three kings of the Island of the Torrent, +with intent to slay thee and all thy Fena.</p> + +<p>"Now Midac caused some of the clay of the Island +of the Torrent to be placed under you, with foul spells, +in the Palace of the Quicken Trees, so that your feet +and your hands clove to the ground. And it was +revealed to thee that the King of the World was about +to send a chief with a troop of warriors, to slay you, +helpless as you were, and to bring him your heads to +the Palace of the Island.</p> + +<p>"But at that same time, I came to thee outside the +Palace of the Quicken Trees; and thou didst make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span> +known to me your deadly strait. Then did I take +thee, Finn, and those who were with thee, under the +protection of my knighthood and valour; and I went +to the ford to defend it against the foreigners.</p> + +<p>"And after a little time the three dragon-like +kings of the Island of the Torrent came towards the +palace: but I defended the ford, and, venturing my +life for thee, I bore their attack and slew them all +three. And I swept off their heads, and brought them, +all gory as they were, in the hollow of my shield, to +the palace where you lay miserably bound; and, sprinkling +the clay with the blood, I broke the spell and set +you free. And had I asked thee for a drink on that +night, O Finn, of a surety thou wouldst not have +refused me.</p> + +<p>"And many another deadly strait did I free you +from, since the day I was admitted among the Fena, +always putting myself forward to the post of danger, +and perilling my life for your safety; and now why +dost thou requite me with this foul treachery?</p> + +<p>"Moreover, many a king's son and many a brave +warrior hast thou slain; and thou hast earned the +enmity of powerful foes: neither is there yet an end of +it. For the day will come—I see it even now—a day +of direful overthrow and slaughter,<a name="FNanchor_CXXXVII._165" id="FNanchor_CXXXVII._165"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXXVII._165" class="fnanchor">[CXXXVII.]</a> when few, alas! of +the Fena will be left to tell the tale. Then thou shalt +sorely need my help, O Finn, and sorely shalt thou +rue this day. I grieve not, indeed, for thee, but for my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span> +dear, faithful companions—for Oscar and Mac Luga +and Dering, and more than all for Oisin, who shall long +outlive the others in sad old age.<a name="FNanchor_CXXXVIII._166" id="FNanchor_CXXXVIII._166"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXXVIII._166" class="fnanchor">[CXXXVIII.]</a> Alas! how deadly +shall be their strait when I am not near to aid +them!"</p> + +<p>Then Oscar, moved with pity even to tears, +addressing Finn, said, "Although I am nearer akin to +thee, O king, than to Dermat, yet I cannot suffer that +he die, when a drink from thy hands would heal him. +Bring him, then, a drink without delay."</p> + +<p>And Finn answered, "I know of no well on this +mountain from which to bring drink."</p> + +<p>"Therein thou speakest not truth," said Dermat; +"for thou knowest that not more than nine paces from +thee, hidden under yonder bush, is a well of crystal +water."</p> + +<p>Thereupon Finn went to the well, and, holding his +two hands tightly together, he brought up some of the +water, and came towards Dermat; but after he had +walked a little way, he let it spill through his fingers, +saying that he was not able to bring water in his +hands so far.</p> + +<p>"Not so, Finn," said Dermat. "I saw thee that of +thy own will thou didst let it spill. And now, O king, +hasten, for death is on me."</p> + +<p>Again he went to the well, and was bringing the +water slowly, while Dermat followed the dripping +hands with his eyes; but when Finn thought of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span> +Grania he let the water spill a second time. And +Dermat, seeing this, uttered a piteous sigh of anguish.</p> + +<p>And now was Oscar no longer able to contain his +grief and rage; and he said, "I swear, O king, if thou +dost not bring the water, that only one of us two—thou +or I—shall leave this hill alive!"</p> + +<p>Hearing Oscar's words, and seeing the frowning +looks of the others, Finn dipped up the water a third +time, and was hastening forward; but before he had +got half-way, Dermat's head dropped backwards, and +his life departed.</p> + +<p>And all the Fena present raised three long loud +cries of sorrow for Dermat O'Dyna.</p> + +<p>Then Oscar, looking fiercely on Finn, spoke and +said, "Would that thou thyself lay dead here instead of +Dermat! For now indeed the noblest heart of the Fena +is still; and our mainstay in battle and danger is gone. +Ah! why did I not foresee this? Why was I not told +that Dermat's life was linked with the life of the wild +boar of Ben-Gulban? Then would I have stayed this +chase, and put off the evil day!"</p> + +<p>And Oscar wept; and Oisin, and Dering, and Mac +Luga wept also, for Dermat was much loved by all.</p> + +<p>After a time, Finn said, "Let us now leave this +hill, lest Angus of the Bruga overtake us. For +although we had no hand in Dermat's death, nevertheless +he may not believe us."</p> + +<p>So Finn and the Fena departed from the hill, Finn +leading Dermat's dog, Mac-an-coill. But Oisin, and +Oscar, and Dering, and Mac Luga turned back, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span> +with tears, threw their mantles over Dermat; after +which they followed the others.</p> + +<p>Grania sat that day on the highest rampart of +Rath-Grania, watching for Dermat's return; for a dark +fear haunted her mind on account of this chase. And +when at last the Fena came in view, she saw Dermat's +dog led by Finn; but not seeing Dermat himself, she +said—</p> + +<p>"Ah me! what is this I see? Surely if Dermat +were alive, it is not by Finn that Mac-an-coill would +be led to his home!"</p> + +<p>And as she spoke she fell forward off the rampart, +and lay long in a swoon as if her spirit had fled, +while her handmaid stood over her, weeping and distracted. +And when at last she opened her eyes, then +indeed they told her that Dermat was dead; and she +uttered a long and piteous cry, so that her women and +all the people of the court came round her to ask the +cause of her sorrow. And when they were told that +Dermat had perished by the wild boar of Ben-Gulban, +they raised three loud, bitter cries of lamentation, +which were heard in the glens and wildernesses +around, and which pierced the clouds of heaven.</p> + +<p>When at length Grania became calm, she ordered +that five hundred of her people should go to Ben-Gulban, +to bring home the body of Dermat. Then, turning to +Finn, who still held Mac-an-coill in his hand, she +asked him to leave her Dermat's hound; but Finn +refused, saying that a hound was a small matter, and +that he might be allowed to inherit at least so much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span> +of Dermat's riches. When Oisin heard this, he came +forward and took the hound from the hand of Finn +and gave him to Grania.</p> + +<p>At the time that the men left Rath-Grania to go +for the body of Dermat, it was revealed to Angus that +the hero was lying dead on Ben-Gulban. And he set +out straightway, and travelling on the pure, cool wind, +soon reached the mountain; so that when Grania's +people came up, they found him standing over the +body, sorrowing, with his people behind him. And +they held forward the wrong sides of their shields in +token of peace.</p> + +<p>Then both companies, having viewed the dead +hero, raised three mighty cries of sorrow, so loud and +piercing that they were heard in the wastes of the +firmament, and over the five provinces of Erin.</p> + +<p>And when they had ceased, Angus spoke and said, +"Alas! why did I abandon thee, even for once, O my +son? For from the day I took thee to Bruga, a +tender child, I have watched over thee and guarded +thee from thy foes, until last night. Ah! why did I +abandon thee to be decoyed to thy doom by the guileful +craft of Finn? By my neglect hast thou suffered, +O Dermat; and now, indeed, I shall for ever feel the +bitter pangs of sorrow!"</p> + +<p>Then Angus asked Grania's people what they had +come for. And when they told him that Grania had +sent them to bring the body of Dermat to Rath-Grania, +he said—</p> + +<p>"I will bring the body of Dermat with me to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span> +Bruga of the Boyne; and I will keep him on his bier, +where he shall be preserved by my power, as if he +lived. And though I cannot, indeed, restore him to +life, yet I will breathe a spirit into him, so that for +a little while each day he shall talk with me."</p> + +<p>Then he caused the body to be placed on a golden +bier, with the hero's javelins fixed one on each side, +points upwards. And his people raised the bier and +carried it before him; and in this manner they +marched slowly to Bruga of the Boyne.</p> + +<p>Grania's people then returned; and when they had +told her the whole matter, though she was grieved at +first, yet in the end she was content, knowing how +Angus loved Dermat.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="THE_CHASE_OF_SLIEVE_CULLINN" id="THE_CHASE_OF_SLIEVE_CULLINN"></a>THE CHASE OF SLIEVE CULLINN.</h2> + +<p class="center">IN WHICH IT IS RELATED HOW FINN'S HAIR WAS CHANGED IN ONE DAY +FROM THE COLOUR OF GOLD TO SILVERY GREY.<a name="FNanchor_CXXXIX._167" id="FNanchor_CXXXIX._167"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXXXIX._167" class="fnanchor">[CXXXIX.]</a></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p>Culand, the smith of the Dedannans,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> who lived at +Slieve Cullinn,<a name="FNanchor_CXL._168" id="FNanchor_CXL._168"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXL._168" class="fnanchor">[CXL.]</a> had two beautiful daughters, Milucra +and Aina. They both loved Finn,<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> and each sought +him for her husband.</p> + +<p>As they walked together one evening near Allen,<a name="FNanchor_CXLI._169" id="FNanchor_CXLI._169"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXLI._169" class="fnanchor">[CXLI.]</a> +they fell to talking of many things; and their conversation +turning at last on their future husbands, +Aina said she would never marry a man with grey +hair.</p> + +<p>When Milucra heard this, she resolved with herself +that if she could not get Finn, she would plan so that +he should not marry her sister Aina. So she departed +immediately, and, turning her steps northwards, she +summoned the Dedannans to meet her at Slieve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span> +Cullinn. Having brought them all together, she +caused them to make her a lake<a name="FNanchor_CXLII._170" id="FNanchor_CXLII._170"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXLII._170" class="fnanchor">[CXLII.]</a> near the top of +the mountain; and she breathed a druidical virtue on +its waters, that all who bathed in it should become +grey.</p> + +<p>On a morning not long after this, Finn happened +to be walking alone on the lawn before the palace +of Allen, when a doe sprang out from a thicket, and, +passing quite close to him, bounded past like the +wind. Without a moment's delay, he signalled for his +companions and dogs; but none heard except his two +hounds, Bran and Skolan. He instantly gave chase, +with no other arms than his sword, Mac-an-Lona, and +accompanied only by his two dogs; and before the +Fena<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> knew of his absence, he had left Allen of the +green slopes far behind.</p> + +<p>The chase turned northwards; and though the +hounds kept close to the doe, the chief kept quite +as close to the hounds the whole way. And so they +continued without rest or pause, till they reached +Slieve Cullinn, far in the north.</p> + +<p>Here the doe made a sudden turn and disappeared;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span> +and what direction she took, whether east or west, +Finn knew not, for he never caught sight of her after. +And he marvelled much that any doe in the world +should be able to lead Bran and Skolan so long a +chase, and escape from them in the end. Meantime +they kept searching, Finn taking one side of the hill +and the dogs another, so that he was at last left quite +alone.</p> + +<p>While he was wandering about the hill and +whistling for his hounds, he heard the plaintive cry +of a woman at no great distance; and, turning his +steps towards the place, he saw a lady sitting on the +brink of a little lake, weeping as if her heart would +break. Never before did the chieftain see a maiden +so lovely. The rose colour on her cheeks was +heightened by her grief; her lips were like ruddy +quicken berries; the delicate blossom of the apple +tree was not more white than her neck; her hair fell +in heavy golden ringlets on her shoulders; and as she +looked up at the chief, her eyes beamed like stars on +a frosty night.</p> + +<p>Finn accosted her; and, seeing that she ceased her +weeping for a moment, he asked her had she seen +his two hounds pass that way.</p> + +<p>"I have not seen thy hounds," she replied, "nor +have I been at all concerned in the chase; for, alas, +there is something that troubles me more nearly, a +misadventure that has caused me great sorrow!"</p> + +<p>And as she spoke these words, she burst out +weeping and sobbing more bitterly than before.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span></p> + +<p>Finn was greatly moved at this, so much so, that +he quite forgot all about his hounds and his own +troubles; and he asked her—</p> + +<p>"What is the cause of this great grief, gentle +lady? Has death robbed you of your husband or +your child, or what other evil has befallen you? I am +much concerned to see a lady in such distress; and +I wish you to tell me if anything can be done to +lighten your sorrow, or to remove the cause of it?"</p> + +<p>She replied, "I had a precious gold ring on my +finger, which I prized beyond anything in the world; +and it has fallen from me into the water. I saw it +roll down the steep slope at the bottom, till it went +quite out of my sight. This is the cause of my sorrow, +and thou canst remedy the mishap if thou wilt. The +Fena are sworn never to refuse help to a woman in +distress; and I now put on thee those gesa<a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> that true +heroes dare not break through, to search for the ring, +and cease not till thou find it and restore it to me."</p> + +<p>Though the chief had indeed at the moment no +inclination to swim, he could not refuse a prayer urged +in this manner. So he plunged in without a moment's +hesitation, and examined the lake on all sides, diving +and searching into every nook and cranny at the +bottom.</p> + +<p>After swimming in this manner three times round +and round the lake, he found the ring at last; and, +approaching the lady, he handed it to her from the +water. The moment she had got it she sprang into +the lake before his eyes, and, diving down, disappeared +in an instant.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span></p> + +<p>The chief, wondering greatly at this strange behaviour, +stepped forth from the water; but as soon as +his feet had touched the dry land, he lost all his +strength, and fell on the brink, a withered, grey old man, +shrunken up and trembling all over with weakness. +He sat him down in woful plight; and soon his +hounds came up. They looked at him wistfully and +sniffed and whined around him; but they knew him +not, and, passing on, they ran round the lake, searching +in vain for their master.</p> + +<p>On that day the Fena were assembled in the +banquet hall of the palace of Allen; some feasting and +drinking, some playing chess, and others listening to +the sweet music of the harpers. While all were in this +wise pleasantly engaged, Kylta Mac Ronan<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> stood +up in the midst, and said in the hearing of all—</p> + +<p>"I have observed, friends, that our master and king, +Finn the son of Cumal, has not been amongst us to-day, +as is his wont; and I wish to know whither he +has gone."</p> + +<p>This speech caused a sudden alarm amongst us; +for no one knew aught of the chief, or was aware till +that moment that he was absent at all; and we knew +not wherefore he had disappeared or whither he had +gone. In the midst of our anxious tumult, the +envious and foul-mouthed Conan Mail<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> stood up, and +said—</p> + +<p>"I have never heard sweeter music than your +words, Kylta! The Fena are now about to seek for +their king; and my only wish is that their quest may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span> +last for a whole year, and that it may prove a vain +search in the end! Be not cast down, however, O +Fena; if you should fail to find the son of Cumal, you +will not be so ill off as you think; for I will undertake +to be your king from this time forth!"</p> + +<p>Though we were at the time more inclined to be +sad than mirthful, being weighed down with much +anxiety, we could not help laughing when we heard +the loud, foolish talk of Conan Mail; but we took +no further notice of him.</p> + +<p>Inquiring now from the lesser people about the +palace, we found that the chief and his two dogs had +followed a doe northwards. So, having mustered +a strong party of the Fena, we started in pursuit. +Kylta and I took the lead, the rest keeping close +behind; and in this order we followed the track, +never taking rest or slackening speed till we reached +Slieve Cullinn.</p> + +<p>We began to search round the hill, hoping to find +either the chief himself or some person who might +give us tidings of him. After wandering among +brakes and rough, rocky places, we at last espied a +grey-headed old man sitting on the brink of a lake. +I went up to him to ask a question, followed by the +rest of the Fena. At first I thought he might be a +fisherman who had come up from the plains to fish; +but when we came near him, he seemed so wretched +an old creature, all shrivelled up, with the skin +hanging in wrinkles over the bare points of his bones, +that I felt quite sure he was not a fisherman, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span> +he was reduced to that state more by sickness and +want than by old age.</p> + +<p>I asked the poor old man if he had seen a +noble-looking hero pass that way, with two hounds, +chasing a doe. He never answered a word, neither +did he stir from where he sat, or even look up; but at +the question, his head sank on his breast, and his +limbs shook all over as with palsy. Then he fell into +a sudden fit of grief, wringing his hands and uttering +feeble cries of woe.</p> + +<p>We soothed him and used him gently for a time, +hoping he might speak at last; but to no purpose, for +he still kept silent. Then at last growing impatient, +and thinking that this might be a mere headstrong +humour, we drew our swords, and threatened him +with instant death if he did not at once tell us all he +knew of the chief and his hounds—for we felt sure he +had seen them. But he only lamented the more, and +still answered nothing.</p> + +<p>At last, after this had gone on for some time, and +when we were about to leave him, he beckoned to +Kylta Mac Ronan; and when Kylta had come near, +the old man whispered into his ear the dreadful secret. +And then we all came to know the truth. When we +found that the withered old man was no other than +our beloved king, Finn, himself, we uttered three +shouts of lamentation and anger, so loud and prolonged +that the foxes and badgers rushed affrighted +from their dens in the hollows of the mountain.</p> + +<p>Conan now stepped forward, looking very fierce;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span> +and, unsheathing his sword with mighty bluster, he +began in a loud voice to revile Finn and the Fena +with the foulest language he could think of. And he +ended by saying that he meant to slay the king that +moment—</p> + +<p>"Now, O Finn Mac Cumal, I will certainly strike +off your head; for you are the man that never gave me +credit for valour, or praised my noble deeds in battle. +Ever since your father, Cumal of the Hosts, was slain +on the field of Knocka<a name="FNanchor_CXLIII._171" id="FNanchor_CXLIII._171"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXLIII._171" class="fnanchor">[CXLIII.]</a> by the Clann Morna<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> of the +Golden Shields, you have been our bitter foe; and it is +against your will that any of us are now alive. I am +very glad to see you, Finn Mac Cumal, brought down +to what you now are; and I only wish that the rest of +the Clann Baskin<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> were like you. Then should I +very soon make short work of them all; and joyful to +me would be the task of raising a great carn to their +memory!"</p> + +<p>To which Oscar replied with great scorn, "It is +not worth while drawing a sword to punish thee, +Conan Mail, vain and foolish boaster as thou art; and +besides, we have at present something else to think of. +But if it were not for the trouble that now lies heavy +on us on account of our king, I would of a certainty +chastise thee by breaking all the bones of thy mouth +with my fist!"</p> + +<p>"Cease, Oscar," returned Conan, in a voice still +louder than before; "cease your foolish talk! It is +actions and not words that prove a man; and as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span> +the noble warlike deeds done in past times by the +Fena, it was by the Clann Morna they were performed, +and not by the chicken-hearted Clann Baskin!"</p> + +<p>The fiery Oscar could bear this no longer. He +rushed towards Conan Mail; but Conan, terrified at +his vengeful look, ran in amongst the Fena with great +outcry, beseeching them to save him from the rage of +Oscar. We straightway confronted the young hero, +and checked him in his headlong career; and after +much ado, we soothed his anger and made peace between +him and Conan.</p> + +<p>When quietness was restored, Kylta asked Finn +how this dread evil had befallen him, who was the +enchanter, and whether there was any hope of restoring +him to his own shape. Finn told him that it +was the daughter of Culand the smith who had transformed +him by her spells. And then he recounted +how she had lured him to swim in the lake, and how, +when he came forth, he was turned into a withered +old man.</p> + +<p>We now made a framework litter of slender poles, +and, placing our king on it, we lifted him tenderly +on our shoulders. And, turning from the lake, we +marched slowly up-hill till we came to the fairy palace +of Slieve Cullinn, where we knew the daughter of +Culand had her dwelling deep under ground.<a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> Here +we set him down, and the whole troop began at once +to dig, determined to find the enchantress in her cave-palace, +and to take vengeance on her if she did not +restore our chief.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span></p> + +<p>For three days and three nights we dug, without a +moment's rest or pause, till at length we reached her +hollow dwelling; when she, affrighted at the tumult +and at the vengeful look of the heroes, suddenly +started forth from the cave and stood before us. She +held in her hand a drinking-horn of red gold, which +was meant for the king. Yet she appeared unwilling, +and held it back, notwithstanding the threatening +looks of the Fena. But, happening to cast her eyes on +the graceful and manly youth, Oscar, she was moved +with such admiration and love for him that she wavered +no longer, but placed the fairy drinking-horn in the +hands of the king. No sooner had he drunk from it, +than his own shape and features returned, save only +that his hair remained of a silvery grey.</p> + +<p>When we gazed on our chief in his own graceful +and manly form, we were all pleased with the soft, +silvery hue of the grey hairs. And, though the enchantress +appeared ready to restore this also, Finn +himself told her that it pleased him as it pleased the +others, and that he chose to remain grey for the rest +of his life.</p> + +<p>When the king had drunk from the horn, he +passed it to Mac Reth, who drank from it in like +manner and gave it to Dering. Dering, after drinking, +was about to hand it to the next, when it gave a +sudden twist out of his hand, and darted into the +loose earth at our feet, where it sank out of sight. +We ran at once to recover it; but, though we turned +up the earth deeply all round, we were not able to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> +find the drinking-horn. This was a disappointment +that vexed us exceedingly, for if we had all drunk +from it, we should have been gifted with a foreknowledge +of future events.</p> + +<p>A growth of slender twigs grew up afterwards +over the spot where it sank into the ground; and this +little thicket is still gifted with a part of the virtue of +the golden drinking-horn. For any one who looks on +it in the morning fasting, will know in a moment all +things that are to happen that day.</p> + +<p>So ended the Chase of Slieve Cullinn; and in this +wise it came to pass that Finn's hair was turned in +one day from golden yellow to silvery grey.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="THE_CHASE_OF_SLIEVE_FUAD" id="THE_CHASE_OF_SLIEVE_FUAD"></a>THE CHASE OF SLIEVE FUAD.</h2> + + +<p>IN WHICH IT IS RELATED HOW AILNA, THE WIFE OF MERGAH OF THE +SHARP SPEARS, IN ORDER TO BE REVENGED ON THE FENA FOR +THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND, TRANSFORMED HERSELF INTO A DEER, +AND DECOYED THEM TILL SHE GOT THEM INTO THE POWER OF HER +BROTHER, DRYANTORE, A GIANT AND AN ENCHANTER; HOW HE +THREW THEM INTO A DUNGEON, WITH INTENT TO KILL THEM; +AND HOW THEY WERE IN THE END SET FREE BY CONAN MAIL.<a name="FNanchor_CXLIV._172" id="FNanchor_CXLIV._172"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXLIV._172" class="fnanchor">[CXLIV.]</a></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p>Finn and the Fena<a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> went one day to hunt at Slieve +Fuad.<a name="FNanchor_CXLV._173" id="FNanchor_CXLV._173"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXLV._173" class="fnanchor">[CXLV.]</a> When they had come very near to the top +of the mountain, a deer suddenly bounded from a +thicket right before them, very large and fierce, with +a great pair of sharp, dangerous antlers. At once they +loosed their dogs and gave chase; and those who were +scattered here and there about the hill gave up +the pursuit of smaller game to join the main body +for it was very seldom they fell in with a deer that +promised better sport.</p> + +<p>She led them through rugged places, over rocks +and bogs, and into deep glens. The hounds several +times surrounded her; but she fought her way with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span> +so much strength and fury that she always escaped, +after killing many of the dogs and disabling some +of the men.</p> + +<p>Soon she left Slieve Fuad behind, nor did she +slacken speed till she reached the green hill of Lidas, +while the hunters and dogs followed in full chase +close behind. She then made her way across the +open country to a rugged and bushy hill—the hill of +Carrigan;<a name="FNanchor_CXLVI._174" id="FNanchor_CXLVI._174"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXLVI._174" class="fnanchor">[CXLVI.]</a> and here they suddenly lost her among +the rocks and thickets. They searched round the hill +without avail, north, south, east, and west, till all, both +men and dogs, were quite scattered; and Finn and +Dara the Melodious were left alone.</p> + +<p>At length Finn's dog, Skolan, started the deer once +more, and again the chase began. Back over the selfsame +course she ran, by the hill of Lidas, and straight +on towards Slieve Fuad, Finn and Dara close on her +track; while the main body of the Fena followed far +behind, guided by the cries of the dogs.</p> + +<p>When the deer reached Slieve Fuad, she again took +cover and disappeared at the very spot where they +had first started her; and the two chiefs, after beating +the thickets on every side, were at length forced to +give up the search.</p> + +<p>A druidical mist now rose up, darkening the air, +and enfolding them on every side; so that they lost +their way. They tried many times to regain the +path, but to no purpose; for they only lost themselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span> +more and more among the quagmires and thickets. +At last they sat down to rest, weary and baffled; and +Dara played a mournful strain on his timpan; after +which they sounded the Dord-Fian,<a name="FNanchor_CXLVII._175" id="FNanchor_CXLVII._175"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXLVII._175" class="fnanchor">[CXLVII.]</a> as a signal to +their friends.</p> + +<p>When the Fena heard the Dord-Fian sounding afar +off, they felt sure that their leader was in trouble +or strait of some kind; and they started to his relief, +making northwards straight towards the point from +which they thought the signal came. But they had +not gone far when they heard it sounding from the +east, and altered their course accordingly. Again it +changed to the west; and no sooner had they set +forward in that direction than it seemed to come from +the south. In this manner were they led hither and +thither, till they became quite bewildered; and they +found themselves no nearer to those they were in +search of, for every time they heard the Dord-Fian, +it seemed as far off as ever.</p> + +<p>Meantime Finn and Dara, after resting for a time, +again started off, intent on trying once more to reach +their friends; for they heard their shouts, and knew +they were seeking them. As they were making their +way through the thick fog, they heard a voice at a +little distance, as if from one in distress; and, turning +their steps that way, they met a young woman, very +beautiful, and very pleasing in manner, but looking +weary and sore perplexed, and all over in sad plight +from the bogs and brambles.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span></p> +<p>Finn accosted her in a gentle voice, asking how +she came to be alone in a place so wild.</p> + +<p>She replied, "I and my husband were journeying +along over the plain, when we heard the melodious +cry of hounds; and he left me to follow the chase, +telling me to continue along the same path, and +promising to rejoin me without delay. But this fairy +fog has risen around me, and I have lost my way, +so that I know not now in what direction to go."</p> + +<p>Finn then asked her name and the name of her +husband.</p> + +<p>"My husband's name is Lavaran, and mine is +Glanlua. But I perceive that you are one of the +Fena; and indeed I think, from your arms and from +your noble mien, that you must be the great chief +Finn himself. If this be so, I place myself under +your protection; and I know well that you will lead +me safely out of this place to my husband; for the +Fena never yet refused their help to a woman in +distress."</p> + +<p>Finn replied, "You are quite right, lady, for I am +Finn; and this chase that has parted you and your +husband belongs to me. We will certainly take you +under our protection, and we will neither abandon +you on this mountain, nor suffer any one to harm you. +But as to leading you to your husband, it is not at +present in our power to do that; for you must know, +lady, that we also have been set astray by this magical +fairy fog. Nevertheless, we will do the best we can; +and now you had better come with us."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span></p> + +<p>So the three set forward in the direction they +thought most likely to lead to the open plain.</p> + +<p>After walking for some time, they heard a low, +sweet strain of fairy music; and they stopped to +listen. It seemed to be near them and around them +in the fog, so that Finn thought it came from the spot +where the lady stood; and she thought it came from +Finn or Dara: and the music was followed by shouts +and noise, as if from a great company. When the +noise ceased, the music began again more sweetly than +before; so that they felt heavy, and as if inclined to +sleep. Still more drowsy and powerless they became +as they listened; and at last they all three sank on +the ground, in a trance deep and deathlike.</p> + +<p>After a time they awoke, and slowly regained their +senses; though they were so weak that they could +scarcely move. The fog had cleared away, leaving +the air bright and warm; and when they were able to +look around, they found themselves on the margin of a +blue lake. The part of the lake that lay in front +of them was narrow, and quite calm and smooth; but +on each side, to the right and left, it opened out into +two broad, green-bordered seas, with great waves +tumbling wildly about, as if the waters were torn up +by whirlwinds. But where they sat, not a breath was +blowing. And looking across the narrow part, they +saw a stately palace right before them on the opposite +shore.</p> + +<p>As they were gazing at all these strange things, +silent and much astonished, they saw a warrior coming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> +forth from the palace, in size like a giant, rough and +fierce-looking, with a beautiful woman by his side. +The two walked quickly down to the shore, and, +plunging in, they swam straight across the middle +of the lake. And Dara and Glanlua, turning to Finn, +said—</p> + +<p>"Of a surety, it is not for our good yonder +strangers are approaching; but to work us treachery +and mischief!"</p> + +<p>This forecast turned out to be true. The large +warrior and the beautiful lady had no sooner gained +the land than they came up to Finn and his two +companions; and without speaking a word, the giant +seized them roughly, and led them down to the shore +of the lake. For the two heroes were still so weak +from the spell of the fairy music that they were not +able to raise a hand to defend either the lady or themselves.</p> + +<p>The giant and his companion, making no delay, +plunged in, and swam back towards the palace, +bringing the three with them; and as soon as they +had reached the shore, the strange warrior, addressing +Finn in a fierce and surly manner, said—</p> + +<p>"For a long time have I sought Finn Mac Cumal, +the evil-minded and crafty; and now, O Finn, now +that thou hast been by a well-laid plan cast under +my power, I will take good care that thou shalt not +escape till I take revenge, even to the full, for all +the injuries thou hast done to me and to my sister!"</p> + +<p>Finn listened to this speech with much surprise,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span> +for he could not call to mind that he had ever seen the +hero before; and he said—</p> + +<p>"Tell me, I pray thee, who thou art; for I know +thee not; neither do I know of any injury thou hast +suffered at my hands. Thou art, indeed, large of body, +and fierce and boastful in speech; but know that +to take revenge on a foe who is unable to defend +himself, is a deed quite unbecoming a hero!"</p> + +<p>The large man replied, "Do you not remember the +treachery you practised on Mergah of the Sharp +Spears, and on my sons, two fair youths, whom you +slew by unfair means, at the battle of Knockanare?<a name="FNanchor_CXLVIII._176" id="FNanchor_CXLVIII._176"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXLVIII._176" class="fnanchor">[CXLVIII.]</a> +Well indeed do I know thee, Finn, for I am Dryantore, +and this is Ailna my sister, the wife of Mergah. She +is left without her husband, and I without my sons, +by your cruel wiles; for it was by fraud and foul +play, and not by fair fighting, that you gained the +battle of Knockanare, and slew Mergah and his host!"</p> + +<p>"I remember well," said Finn, "that they all fell +on the battle-field; but it was not by craft or +treachery. Mergah of the Sharp Spears came with +a mighty host to conquer Erin, and lay it under +tribute. But they were met at Knockanare, and every +man of them slain in fair, open fight, though not +without sore loss to the Fena."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span></p> +<p>"You may say what you please on the matter," +said Dryantore; "but it is quite enough for me that +you have slain Ailna's husband and my two sons. +And now, indeed, I shall take revenge—of that be +sure—both on you and on all the Fena that come +within my reach."</p> + +<p>And having so spoken, he began without more +ado to bind Finn, Dara, and Glanlua in strong fetters; +and having done so, he threw them into a dungeon, +where he left them without food or drink or comfort +of any kind.</p> + +<p>Meantime the Fena ceased not to search for their +king. They knew, by the sad strain they had heard +in the distance, and by the strange manner in which +the music had shifted from place to place, that he was +caught under some druidic spell; and they vowed they +would never rest till they had found him and punished +the enchanter, whoever he might be.</p> + +<p>Next day, Ailna visited the dungeon; and Finn +addressed her—</p> + +<p>"Hast thou forgotten, Ailna, that when thou didst +come to Erin after the death of thy husband, Mergah +of the Sharp Spears, the Fena received thee hospitably, +and, pitying thy distress, treated thee with much +kindness? But for this thou hast indeed given us an +ungrateful and unbecoming return; for thou hast shut +us up in this dungeon, without food or drink, having, +by guileful druidical spells, taken away our strength."</p> + +<p>"I remember very well," said Ailna, "that you +treated me kindly. But you killed my husband; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span> +I am well pleased that it has now come to my turn +to avenge his death. I do not feel the least pity +for you; and I only wish that the whole of the Fena +were with you in that dungeon, to be dealt with by +my brother."</p> + +<p>Then, casting her eyes on Glanlua, she began to +upbraid her in bitter words for having been in the +company of Finn and Dara. But Glanlua explained +the matter, saying that she had never seen either +of the chiefs before, and that it was only by chance +she had fallen on them when she had lost her way +in the fog.</p> + +<p>"If that be so," said Ailna, "it is not just that you +should be punished for the evil deeds of the others."</p> + +<p>And she went and told Dryantore, who came forthwith +to release the lady.</p> + +<p>Glanlua took leave of Finn and Dara, and left the +prison, grieving much for their evil plight; for she +was grateful for their kindness on the mountain. +Ailna led her to the palace; and, having placed food +before her, bade her eat. But Glanlua, being overcome +by weakness, suddenly fell into a swoon, and remained +for a long time without sense or motion, like +one dead. When at last she opened her eyes, she saw +Ailna standing near, holding in her hand a golden +drinking-horn. And Ailna gave her to drink, and +immediately the spells lost their power; and she +regained her strength; and the bloom and beauty of +her countenance returned.</p> + +<p>But now she bethought her of the two heroes;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span> +and, remembering their dismal plight in the dungeon, +she became sorrowful, and began to sigh and weep. +And when Ailna and Dryantore came to know the +cause of her tears, they told her with much severity +that Finn and Dara deserved their punishment; and +that both should stay in prison till the time had come +to put them to death.</p> + +<p>"I seek not to release them from prison or to save +them from death," said Glanlua; "but that they are +left without food and drink—this it is that moves me +to pity."</p> + +<p>And Dryantore said, "If only that has caused your +tears, you may, if you so please, bring them food. +Besides, I do not mean to put them to death immediately. +I shall let them live yet awhile, that I may +decoy by them the other Fena, who are now wandering +hither and thither in quest of their chief. And it is +my firm belief that in a little time I shall have them +all in that dungeon."</p> + +<p>So Glanlua went to the prison, bringing food and +drink, and Ailna went with her. They found the +heroes sitting on the floor, sorrowing, their strength +and activity all gone; for the music-spell still held +them, and they suffered also from want of food. And +when they saw the two ladies, they shed bitter tears. +Glanlua, on her part, wept with pity when she looked +on the wasted face of the chief. But not so Ailna; +she was pleased at their distress, for her heart was +hardened with vengeance, and she longed for the time +when they should suffer death. Howbeit, Glanlua<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span> +placed food and drink before them, and they ate and +drank and were strengthened for the time.</p> + +<p>When the two ladies returned, Dryantore asked +Glanlua if it were true what he had heard, that Dara +was a favourite among the Fena; and why it was that +they loved him so.</p> + +<p>Glanlua replied, "I only know that he is a very +skilful musician; for I never heard melody sweeter +than the strains he played yesterday, when I met +himself and Finn in the fog."</p> + +<p>"I should like very much to hear this music," said +Dryantore, "if it be so melodious as you say;" and as +he spoke these words he went towards the dungeon.</p> + +<p>And when he had come to the door, he said to +Dara, in a loud, harsh, surly voice—</p> + +<p>"I have heard that you are a skilful musician, and +can play very sweet strains. I wish you to play for +me now that I may know if this be true."</p> + +<p>To which Dara replied, "If I had the Fena around +me, I could delight them with the melody of my +timpan; but as for you, guileful and cruel as you are, +I do not believe that you can take any pleasure in +music. Moreover, how can you expect that I should +play sweet music for you, seeing that I am shut up +here in this dismal dungeon, and that all manly +strength and cheerfulness of mind have left me +through your foul spells?"</p> + +<p>"I will take off the spells if only you play for +me," said Dryantore; "and if your strains be as delightful +as I have heard reported, I will bring you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span> +forth from your prison, and I will keep you for ever +in my castle, and you shall play for me whensoever I +wish for music."</p> + +<p>"I shall never consent to be released, neither will +I play any music for you, so long as my chief lies in +bondage and under enchantment," said Dara; "for I +grieve not indeed for myself, but for him."</p> + +<p>Dryantore replied, "I will lift the spells from both +of you for a time; but as to releasing Finn, that is a +matter I do not wish to talk of now."</p> + +<p>Whereupon Dryantore removed the spells, and the +heroes regained their strength and courage.</p> + +<p>Dara then played a low, sweet tune; and Dryantore, +who had never before heard such music, listened +with delight and wonder. He was so charmed that +he called Ailna and Glanlua, that they also might +hear; and they were as much delighted as the giant. +But what pleased Glanlua most was to see the heroes +restored to their wonted cheerfulness.</p> + +<p>Now all this time the Fena were seeking among +the glens and hollows of the mountain for Finn and +Dara. After walking for some time over a stony +and rugged way, a faint strain of music struck on +their ears. They stopped to listen, breathless; and +every man knew the sound of Dara's timpan; and +they raised a shout of gladness, which reached Finn +and Dara in their dungeon. At the same moment +they came in view of the palace, and they drew their +swords and put their shields and spears in readiness, +as men do going to battle. And they went forward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span> +warily, for they feared foul play, and their hearts had +a forecast that a foe was near. But, indeed, they little +deemed what manner of foe they should meet.</p> + +<p>When Dryantore heard the shouts, he hid himself +from the view of the Fena, and forthwith betook him +to his magic arts. And again the spell fell on the two +heroes, and their strength departed; and Dara's hand, +losing its cunning, trembled on the strings, so that his +music became dull and broken.</p> + +<p>And when Dara's music ceased, the Fena heard +a low, hoarse murmur, which, growing each moment +louder, sounded at last like the hollow roar of waves. +And anon their strength and their swiftness left +them, and they fell to the ground every man, in a +deep trance as if they slept the sleep of death.</p> + +<p>Then Dryantore and Ailna came forth, and having +bound them one by one in strong, hard fetters, they +roused them up and led them helpless and faltering to +the dungeon, where they shut them in with Finn and +Dara.</p> + +<p>The Fena looked sadly on their king; and he, on +his part, shed bitters tears to think that he had +decoyed them—though, indeed, he had done so +unwittingly—into the hands of their foe.</p> + +<p>In the midst of their sighs and tears they heard +the loud voice of the giant, who, looking in on them +from the open door, addressed them—</p> + +<p>"Now at last, ye Fena, you are in my safe keeping. +Truly you have done great deeds in your time, but +yet, methinks, you will not be able to escape from this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span> +prison till I have taken just vengeance on you for +slaying Mergah of the Sharp Spears, and my two +sons, at the battle of Knockanare!"</p> + +<p>And having so spoken, he shut the door and went +his way.</p> + +<p>When he came to the palace, he found that Glanlua's +husband, Lavaran, had been there. Upon which +he fell into a mighty rage; for he feared to let any +man know the secrets of the palace; and he feared also +that Lavaran might try to aid Finn and the others. +He inquired of the two ladies whither he had gone; +but they replied they did not know. He then began +to search through the rooms, and, raising his voice, he +called aloud for Lavaran; and the Fena, even in their +dungeon, heard the roar quite plainly.</p> + +<p>Lavaran, hearing him, was sore afraid, and answered +from a remote part of the palace. And as he +came forward, the giant placed him under his spells, +and, having bound him, flung him into the dungeon +with the others.</p> + +<p>Dryantore's fury had not in the least abated; and, +entering the dungeon, he struck off the heads of +several of the Fena with his great sword, saying he +would visit them each day, and do in like manner till +he had killed them all.</p> + +<p>During this time the Fena were unable to defend +themselves; for, besides that their strength had gone +out from their limbs on account of the spells, they +found that from the time the enchanter entered the +prison, they were all fixed firmly in their places, every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span> +man cleaving to the ground, in whatsoever position he +chanced to be, sitting, lying, or standing. And Finn +shed tears—even tears of blood in sight of all—seeing +his men fall one by one, while he had to look on without +power to help them.</p> + +<p>After Dryantore had in this manner slain several, +he approached Conan Mail,<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> with intent to end that +day's work by cutting off his head; and as it chanced, +Conan was lying full length on the floor. Now Conan, +though he was large-boned and strong, and very boastful +in his speech, was a coward at heart, and more +afraid of wounds and death than any man that ever +lived.</p> + +<p>So when he saw Dryantore coming towards him +with his sword in his hand all dripping, he shouted +aloud—</p> + +<p>"Hold thy hand, Dryantore! Hold thy hand for a +little while, and be not guilty of such treachery!"</p> + +<p>But the giant, not heeding in the least Conan's +words, raised his sword with his two hands and rose +on tiptoe for a mighty blow. Then Conan, terrified +beyond measure, put forth all his strength to free +himself, and bounded from the floor clear outside the +range of the sword; but left behind him, clinging to +the floor, all the skin of his back, even from the points +of his shoulders to the calves of his legs.</p> + +<p>When he saw the giant still making towards him +in a greater rage than ever for missing his blow, he +again cried aloud—</p> + +<p>"Hold your hand this time, Dryantore! Is it not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span> +enough that you see me in this woful plight? For +it is plain that I cannot escape death. Leave me, +then, to die of my wounds, and slay me not thus +suddenly!"</p> + +<p>Dryantore held his hand; but he told Conan that +he would for a certainty kill him next time he came, +if he did not find him already dead of his wounds. +Then he stalked out of the dungeon, and, shutting +close the door, left the Fena in gloom and sadness.</p> + +<p>Though Lavaran had been only a little while in +the palace, he made good use of his time, and now +approaching Finn, he whispered in his ear—</p> + +<p>"There is that in yonder palace which would +free us from those accursed spells if we only could +get at it."</p> + +<p>And when Finn asked what it was, he replied, +"A magical golden drinking-horn of wondrous virtue. +I saw it in the palace among many other precious +jewels."</p> + +<p>And when Finn again questioned him how he +knew of its secret power, he said—</p> + +<p>"Glanlua, my wife, told me. For she said that, +being herself at the point of death, Ailna fetched this +drinking-horn and bade her drink. And when she +had drunk, she was immediately freed from spells and +sickness. She told me, moreover, that it would remove +the spell from the Fena, and bring back their strength +and heal their wounds, if they could get to drink +from it."</p> + +<p>Conan, being near, overheard this conversation;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> +and he inwardly resolved that he would try to secure +the drinking-horn, if perchance he might be able to +heal his wounds by means of it.</p> + +<p>Not long after, the giant again came to the prison, +sword in hand, and addressed Conan in these words—</p> + +<p>"Come forward now, O big, bald man, for I am +about to fulfil my promise to you! Come forward, +that I may strike off your large head; for I see that +your wounds have not killed you!"</p> + +<p>But Conan, instead of coming forward, fell back +even to the farthest part of the dungeon, and replied—</p> + +<p>"You must know, Dryantore, that I, of all men +alive, am the most unwilling to die any death unworthy +of a brave hero. You see my evil plight, all +wounded and faint from loss of blood; and, being as I +am a valiant warrior, it would surely be a shameful +thing and a foul blot on my fame, to be slain while in +this state. I ask only one favour—that you cure me +of my wounds first. After this, you may put me to +death in any manner that is most agreeable to you."</p> + +<p>To this Dryantore consented, seeing that Conan +was secure; and he called to Ailna and bade her fetch +him the magical golden drinking-horn. "For I wish," +said he, "to heal the wounds of yonder big, bald man."</p> + +<p>But Ailna replied, "Of what concern are his +wounds to us? Is it not better that he should die +at once, and all the other Fena with him?"</p> + +<p>Conan spoke out from where he stood, "Lovely +Ailna, I seek not to escape death. I ask only to be +healed first and slain afterwards!"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ailna went to the palace and soon returned, bringing, +not the drinking-horn, but a large sheepskin, +covered all over with a long growth of wool. Dryantore +took it from her, and doing as she told him, he +fitted it on Conan's back, where it cleaved firmly, so +that his wounds were all healed up in an instant.</p> + +<p>As long as Conan lived afterwards, this sheepskin +remained on his back; and the wool grew upon it +every year, even as wool grows on the back of a living +sheep. And from that time forth, the other Fena were +always mocking him and laughing at him and calling +him nicknames.</p> + +<p>As soon as Conan felt his wounds healed, he again +spoke to the giant—</p> + +<p>"It is my opinion, Dryantore, that it would be a +very unwise thing for you to put me to death. I see +plainly you want a servant. Now, although I am +large of bone and strong of body, and very brave +withal, still I am very harmless. And if you let me +live, I shall be your servant for ever, and you will find +me very useful to you."</p> + +<p>The giant saw the force and wisdom of Conan's +words; and he felt that he wanted a servant very +much, though he never perceived it till that moment, +when Conan reminded him of it.</p> + +<p>So he said, "I believe, indeed, Conan, that your +words are truth. Wherefore, I will not put you to +death. You are now my servant, and so shall you be +for the rest of your life."</p> + +<p>He then led Conan forth from the dungeon towards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span> +the palace; and he was in such good humour at having +got a servant, that he forgot to kill any of the Fena on +that occasion.</p> + +<p>He called to him Ailna and Glanlua, to tell them +of what he had done. And he said to them—</p> + +<p>"I find that I need a servant very much. Wherefore, +I have made Conan my servant. And I am now +about to free him from the spell and give him back +his strength by a drink from the golden drinking-horn, +so that he may be able to wait on me and do my +work."</p> + +<p>For Conan, though his wounds were healed, was +still so weak from the spell that he was scarce able +to walk.</p> + +<p>"I do not at all approve what you have done," +said Ailna. "It would be, methinks, much better to +put him straightway to death along with all the +others. As long as he is with us as our servant, I +shall never think myself free from danger; for the +Fena are treacherous all alike."</p> + +<p>"As for the other Fena," replied Dryantore, "you +need not be in any trouble on their account, for their +time is short. As soon as I have got Conan free from +the spell, I will go straight to the dungeon and kill +them, every man. And when they are fairly put out +of the way, it seems to me that we need not fear +danger from this big, bald man with the sheepskin on +his back."</p> + +<p>When Ailna heard that the death of the Fena was +near at hand, she no longer gainsaid her brother. So<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> +Dryantore led Conan to the palace; and placing the +magical drinking-horn in his hand, bade him drink. +And Conan drank; and immediately his strength and +his spirits returned.</p> + +<p>Now it so happened, while these things went on, +that Finn asked Dara to play one of his sweet, sad +tunes, that they might hear the music of his timpan +before they died. And Dara took his timpan, and +began to play; and historians say that no one either +before or since ever played sweeter strains.</p> + +<p>At the very moment that Conan had finished +drinking, he and Dryantore heard the music sounding +faintly in the distance; and the giant opened the door +and stood on the threshold to listen. He was so +charmed that he quite forgot all about Conan and the +drinking-horn; and finding that he could not hear +the music plainly enough where he stood, he walked +hastily towards the dungeon, leaving Conan behind +with the drinking-horn in his hand.</p> + +<p>No sooner had he gone out than Conan hid the +drinking-horn under his cloak, and went to the +dungeon after him.</p> + +<p>And when the giant saw him he said, "Why have +you followed me; and what business have you here? +Are you not my servant; and why have you come +without being bidden by me?"</p> + +<p>"I thought," replied Conan, "that you were about +to put the Fena to death; and I came to look at them +once more before they died."</p> + +<p>Then suddenly Dryantore bethought him of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span> +drinking-horn, and he said, "Where is the golden +drinking-horn I gave you?"</p> + +<p>"I left it," said Conan, "just where I found it in +the palace."</p> + +<p>The giant ran hastily towards the palace to secure +the drinking-horn; and no sooner was he out of sight +than Conan, drawing forth the horn, put it to the lips +of each to drink, beginning with Finn. Only Finn +and Oscar had drunk, when they heard the heavy +steps of the giant running towards the dungeon; and +now they saw that he was indeed inflamed with fury. +Oscar seized his great, polished spear, and sprang to +the door; and the others raised a mighty shout of +joy; while Conan went on releasing the heroes one +by one.</p> + +<p>When Dryantore saw Oscar, he uttered a roar of +rage and disappointment; and then called aloud to +Ailna to come to him. And she came forth; and +when she saw how matters stood, she was seized with +such grief and terror that she dropped down and died +immediately. Glanlua was standing near at hand, +rejoicing at the release of her husband and friends; +but when she saw Ailna fall to the ground dead, she +became sad, and, stooping down, wept over her.</p> + +<p>All this Oscar saw from where he stood; and it +was with much ado he checked his tears. For though +my son was the bravest of the heroes, and the most +terrible in battle, he had a gentle heart, and never saw +a woman or a child in distress without being moved +to pity.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Conan felt not the least pity. On the contrary, +he was very glad to see Ailna dead; and he told +Oscar that it was very well she was out of the way, +for that she was a vicious woman, and had wrought +the Fena much trouble and woe.</p> + +<p>And now Oscar, casting his eyes again on Dryantore, +hardened his heart for battle, and addressed the +giant in these words—</p> + +<p>"It has at last come to pass, O Dryantore, that +you are in the power of the Fena; and there is no +escape for you, though you are a large and strong giant, +and a druid with powerful magical spells. But the +Fena never yet treated an enemy ungenerously. You +indeed dealt unfairly and treacherously with us; and +meant to kill us all, after having taken away our +strength and valour by your black, guileful magic. +But even so, we give you your choice; and we challenge +you now to single combat with any of our +champions you may wish to choose."</p> + +<p>To which Dryantore replied, "It is very true that +the Fena have prevailed over me; and it is a just +punishment for my folly in releasing Conan the Bald +from my spells. I desire single combat. I will fight +the Fena one after another, till I either fall myself +or slay them all; and I will begin with you!"</p> + +<p>Oscar then took his shield and made ready for +battle. Meantime the giant, harbouring great wrath +against Conan, approached him unawares; and when +he had come near enough, he sprang suddenly on him, +and aimed a blow with all his might at his head. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span> +Conan, springing aside, barely escaped the edge of the +sword; and, running in great fear, called to Oscar +with great outcry to save him from the giant.</p> + +<p>Then Oscar ran between; and he and the giant +fought a long and fierce fight, while we looked on +with anxious hearts. The giant was furious and +strong; but my son was active and watchful and +fearless of heart; and Dryantore at length fell at the +door of his own palace, pierced through and through +by the long, smooth spear of Oscar.</p> + +<p>When the Fena saw the giant fall, they raised +three mighty shouts of joy. And Glanlua brought +the magic drinking-horn to Oscar, from which he +drank, so that his wounds were healed, and his +strength straightway returned to him.</p> + +<p>The Fena then went into the palace, where they +found food in great plenty, with wine and mead in +golden bowls and drinking-horns. And they ate and +drank and made merry; after which they rested that +night on soft beds and couches.</p> + +<p>When they awoke in the morning, all was changed. +The palace and the lake were gone; and the heroes +found themselves lying on the heathy side of Slieve +Fuad, at the selfsame spot where they had first +started the deer; with the morning sun shining +brightly over their heads.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="OISIN_IN_TIRNANOGECXLIX" id="OISIN_IN_TIRNANOGECXLIX"></a>OISIN IN TIRNANOGE;<a name="FNanchor_CXLIX._177" id="FNanchor_CXLIX._177"></a><a href="#Footnote_CXLIX._177" class="fnanchor">[CXLIX.]</a><br /> + +<span class="small">OR,</span><br /> + +THE LAST OF THE FENA.</h2> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<blockquote> +<p>[According to an ancient legend, Finn's son, Oisin, the hero-poet, +survived to the time of St. Patrick, two hundred years (the +legend makes it three hundred) after the other Fena. On a +certain occasion, when the saint asked him how he had lived +to such a great age, the old hero related the following story.]</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>A short time after the fatal battle of Gavra,<a name="FNanchor_CL._178" id="FNanchor_CL._178"></a><a href="#Footnote_CL._178" class="fnanchor">[CL.]</a> where +so many of our heroes fell, we were hunting on a dewy +morning near the brink of Lough Lein,<a name="FNanchor_CLI._179" id="FNanchor_CLI._179"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLI._179" class="fnanchor">[CLI.]</a> where the +trees and hedges around us were all fragrant with +blossoms, and the little birds sang melodious music on +the branches. We soon roused the deer from the +thickets, and as they bounded over the plain, our +hounds followed after them in full cry.</p> + +<p>We were not long so engaged, when we saw a +rider coming swiftly towards us from the west; and +we soon perceived that it was a maiden on a white<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span> +steed. We all ceased from the chase on seeing the +lady, who reined in as she approached. And Finn and +the Fena were greatly surprised, for they had never +before seen so lovely a maiden. A slender golden +diadem encircled her head; and she wore a brown robe +of silk, spangled with stars of red gold, which was +fastened in front by a golden brooch, and fell from +her shoulders till it swept the ground. Her yellow +hair flowed far down over her robe in bright, golden +ringlets. Her blue eyes were as clear as the drops of +dew on the grass; and while her small, white hand +held the bridle and curbed her steed with a golden +bit, she sat more gracefully than the swan on Lough +Lein. The white steed was covered with a smooth, +flowing mantle. He was shod with four shoes of pure +yellow gold, and in all Erin a better or more beautiful +steed could not be found.</p> + +<p>As she came slowly to the presence of Finn, he +addressed her courteously in these words—</p> + +<p>"Who art thou, O lovely youthful princess? Tell +us thy name and the name of thy country, and relate +to us the cause of thy coming."</p> + +<p>She answered in a sweet and gentle voice, "Noble +king of the Fena, I have had a long journey this day, +for my country lies far off in the Western Sea. I am +the daughter of the king of Tirnanoge, and my name +is Niam of the Golden Hair."</p> + +<p>"And what is it that has caused thee to come so +far across the sea? Has thy husband forsaken thee; +or what other evil has befallen thee?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My husband has not forsaken me, for I have +never been married or betrothed to any man. But I +love thy noble son, Oisin; and this is what has brought +me to Erin. It is not without reason that I have +given him my love, and that I have undertaken this +long journey: for I have often heard of his bravery, his +gentleness, and the nobleness of his person. Many +princes and high chiefs have sought me in marriage; +but I was quite indifferent to all men, and never consented +to wed, till my heart was moved with love for +thy gentle son, Oisin."</p> + +<p>When I heard these words, and when I looked on +the lovely maiden with her glossy, golden hair, I was +all over in love with her. I came near, and, taking +her small hand in mine, I told her she was a mild star +of brightness and beauty, and that I preferred her to +all the princesses in the world for my wife.</p> + +<p>"Then," said she, "I place you under gesa,<a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> which +true heroes never break through, to come with me on +my white steed to Tirnanoge, the land of never-ending +youth. It is the most delightful and the most renowned +country under the sun. There is abundance +of gold and silver and jewels, of honey and wine; and +the trees bear fruit and blossoms and green leaves +together all the year round. You will get a hundred +swords and a hundred robes of silk and satin, a +hundred swift steeds, and a hundred slender, keen-scenting +hounds. You will get herds of cows without +number, and flocks of sheep with fleeces of gold; a +coat of mail that cannot be pierced, and a sword that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span> +never missed a stroke and from which no one ever +escaped alive. There are feasting and harmless pastimes +each day. A hundred warriors fully armed +shall always await you at call, and harpers shall +delight you with their sweet music. You will wear +the diadem of the king of Tirnanoge, which he never +yet gave to any one under the sun, and which will +guard you day and night, in tumult and battle and +danger of every kind. Lapse of time shall bring +neither decay nor death, and you shall be for ever +young, and gifted with unfading beauty and strength. +All these delights you shall enjoy, and many others +that I do not mention; and I myself will be your wife +if you come with me to Tirnanoge."</p> + +<p>I replied that she was my choice above all the +maidens in the world, and that I would willingly +go with her to the Land of Youth.</p> + +<p>When my father, Finn, and the Fena heard me say +this, and knew that I was going from them, they +raised three shouts of grief and lamentation. And +Finn came up to me and took my hand in his, saying +sadly—</p> + +<p>"Woe is me, my son, that you are going away +from me, for I do not expect that you will ever return +to me!"</p> + +<p>The manly beauty of his countenance became quite +dimmed with sorrow; and though I promised to +return after a little time, and fully believed that I +should see him again, I could not check my tears, as +I gently kissed my father's cheek.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span></p> + +<p>I then bade farewell to my dear companions, and +mounted the white steed, while the lady kept her seat +before me. She gave the signal, and the steed galloped +swiftly and smoothly towards the west, till he reached +the strand; and when his gold-shod hoofs touched the +waves, he shook himself and neighed three times. He +made no delay, but plunged forward at once, moving +over the face of the sea with the speed of a cloud-shadow +on a March day. The wind overtook the +waves and we overtook the wind, so that we straightway +lost sight of land; and we saw nothing but +billows tumbling before us and billows tumbling +behind us.</p> + +<p>Other shores came into view, and we saw many +wonderful things on our journey—islands and cities, +lime-white mansions, bright greenans<a name="FNanchor_CLII._180" id="FNanchor_CLII._180"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLII._180" class="fnanchor">[CLII.]</a> and lofty +palaces. A hornless fawn once crossed our course, +bounding nimbly along from the crest of one wave +to the crest of another; and close after, in full chase, +a white hound with red ears. We saw also a lovely +young maiden on a brown steed, with a golden apple +in her hand; and as she passed swiftly by, a young +warrior on a white steed plunged after her, wearing a +long, flowing mantle of yellow silk, and holding a gold-hilted +sword in his hand.</p> + +<p>I knew naught of these things, and, marvelling +much, I asked the princess what they meant; but +she answered—</p> + +<p>"Heed not what you see here, Oisin; for all these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span> +wonders are as nothing compared with what you +shall see in Tirnanoge."</p> + +<p>At last we saw at a great distance, rising over the +waves on the very verge of the sea, a palace more +splendid than all the others; and, as we drew near, its +front glittered like the morning sun. I asked the +lady what royal house this was, and who was the +prince that ruled over it.</p> + +<p>"This country is the Land of Virtues," she replied. +"Its king is the giant, Fomor of the Blows, and its +queen the daughter of the king of the Land of Life.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> +This Fomor brought the lady away by force from her +own country, and keeps her in his palace; but she has +put him under gesa<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> that he cannot break through, +never to ask her to marry him till she can find a +champion to fight him in single combat. But she still +remains in bondage; for no hero has yet come hither +who has the courage to meet the giant."</p> + +<p>"A blessing on you, golden-haired Niam," I replied; +"I have never heard music sweeter than your +voice; and although I feel pity for this princess, yet +your story is pleasant to me to hear; for of a certainty +I will go to the palace, and try whether I cannot kill +this Fomor, and free the lady."</p> + +<p>So we came to land; and as we drew nigh to the +palace, the lovely young queen met us and bade us +welcome. She led us in and placed us on chairs +of gold; after which choice food was placed before +us, and drinking-horns filled with mead, and golden +goblets of sweet wine.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span></p> + +<p>When we had eaten and drunk, the mild young +princess told us her story, while tears streamed from +her soft, blue eyes; and she ended by saying—</p> + +<p>"I shall never return to my own country and to +my father's house, so long as this great and cruel giant +is alive!"</p> + +<p>When I heard her sad words, and saw her tears +falling, I was moved with pity; and telling her to +cease from her grief, I gave her my hand as a pledge +that I would meet the giant, and either slay him +or fall myself in her defence.</p> + +<p>While we were yet speaking, we saw the giant +coming towards the palace, large of body, and ugly and +hateful in appearance, carrying a load of deerskins on +his back, and holding a great iron club in his hand. +He threw down his load when he saw us, turned a +surly look on the princess, and, without greeting us +or showing the least mark of courtesy, he forthwith +challenged me to battle in a loud, rough voice.</p> + +<p>It was not my wont to be dismayed by a call +to battle, or to be terrified at the sight of an enemy; +and I went forth at once without the least fear in my +heart. But though I had fought many battles in Erin +against wild boars and enchanters and foreign invaders, +never before did I find it so hard to preserve +my life. We fought for three days and three nights +without food or drink or sleep; for the giant did not +give me a moment for rest, and neither did I give +him. At length, when I looked at the two princesses +weeping in great fear, and when I called to mind my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span> +father's deeds in battle, the fury of my valour arose; +and with a sudden onset I felled the giant to the earth; +and instantly, before he could recover himself, I cut +off his head.</p> + +<p>When the maidens saw the monster lying on the +ground dead, they uttered three cries of joy; and they +came to me, and led me into the palace. For I was +indeed bruised all over, and covered with gory wounds; +and a sudden dizziness of brain and feebleness of body +seized me. But the daughter of the king of the Land +of Life applied precious balsam and healing herbs to +my wounds; and in a short time I was healed, and +my cheerfulness of mind returned.</p> + +<p>Then I buried the giant in a deep and wide grave; +and I raised a great carn over him, and placed on it +a stone with his name graved in Ogam.</p> + +<p>We rested that night, and at the dawn of next +morning Niam said to me that it was time for us +to resume our journey to Tirnanoge. So we took +leave of the daughter of the king of the Land of Life; +and though her heart was joyful after her release, she +wept at our departure, and we were not less sorry at +parting from her. When we had mounted the white +steed, he galloped towards the strand; and as soon +as his hoofs touched the wave, he shook himself and +neighed three times. We plunged forward over the +clear, green sea with the speed of a March wind on a +hill-side; and soon we saw nothing but billows tumbling +before us and billows tumbling behind us. We saw +again the fawn chased by the white hound with red<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span> +ears; and the maiden with the golden apple passed +swiftly by, followed by the young warrior in yellow +silk on his white steed. And again we passed many +strange islands and cities and white palaces.</p> + +<p>The sky now darkened, so that the sun was hidden +from our view. A storm arose, and the sea was +lighted up with constant flashes. But though the +wind blew from every point of the heavens, and the +waves rose up and roared around us, the white steed +kept his course straight on, moving as calmly and +swiftly as before, through the foam and blinding spray, +without being delayed or disturbed in the least, and +without turning either to the right or to the left.</p> + +<p>At length the storm abated, and after a time the +sun again shone brightly; and when I looked up, +I saw a country near at hand, all green and full of +flowers, with beautiful smooth plains, blue hills, and +bright lakes and waterfalls. Not far from the shore +stood a palace of surpassing beauty and splendour. +It was covered all over with gold and with gems of +every colour—blue, green, crimson, and yellow; and on +each side were greenans shining with precious stones, +built by artists the most skilful that could be found. +I asked Niam the name of that delightful country, and +she replied—</p> + +<p>"This is my native country, Tirnanoge; and there +is nothing I have promised you that you will not find +in it."</p> + +<p>As soon as we reached the shore, we dismounted; +and now we saw advancing from the palace a troop<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span> +of noble-looking warriors, all clad in bright garments, +who came forward to meet and welcome us. Following +these we saw a stately glittering host, with the +king at their head wearing a robe of bright yellow +satin covered with gems, and a crown that sparkled +with gold and diamonds. The queen came after, +attended by a hundred lovely young maidens; and as +they advanced towards us, it seemed to me that this +king and queen exceeded all the kings and queens of +the world in beauty and gracefulness and majesty.</p> + +<p>After they had kissed their daughter, the king +took my hand, and said aloud in the hearing of the +host—</p> + +<p>"This is Oisin, the son of Finn, for whom my +daughter, Niam, travelled over the sea to Erin. This +is Oisin, who is to be the husband of Niam of the +Golden Hair. We give you a hundred thousand +welcomes, brave Oisin. You will be for ever young +in this land. All kinds of delights and innocent pleasures +are awaiting you, and my daughter, the gentle, +golden-haired Niam, shall be your wife; for I am the +king of Tirnanoge."</p> + +<p>I gave thanks to the king, and I bowed low to +the queen; after which we went into the palace, +where we found a banquet prepared. The feasting +and rejoicing lasted for ten days, and on the last +day, I was wedded to the gentle Niam of the Golden +Hair.</p> + +<p>I lived in the Land of Youth more than three +hundred years; but it appeared to me that only three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span> +years had passed since the day I parted from my +friends. At the end of that time, I began to have a +longing desire to see my father, Finn, and all my old +companions, and I asked leave of Niam and of the +king to visit Erin. The king gave permission, and +Niam said—</p> + +<p>"I will give consent, though I feel sorrow in +my heart, for I fear much you will never return to +me."</p> + +<p>I replied that I would surely return, and that she +need not feel any doubt or dread, for that the white +steed knew the way, and would bring me back in +safety. Then she addressed me in these words, which +seemed very strange to me—</p> + +<p>"I will not refuse this request, though your +journey afflicts me with great grief and fear. Erin +is not now as it was when you left it. The great +king Finn and his Fena are all gone; and you will +find, instead of them, a holy father and hosts of priests +and saints. Now, think well on what I say to you, +and keep my words in your mind. If once you +alight from the white steed, you will never come back +to me. Again I warn you, if you place your feet on +the green sod in Erin, you will never return to this +lovely land. A third time, O Oisin, my beloved +husband, a third time I say to you, if you alight from +the white steed, you will never see me again."</p> + +<p>I promised that I would faithfully attend to her +words, and that I would not alight from the white +steed. Then, as I looked into her gentle face and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span> +marked her grief, my heart was weighed down with +sadness, and my tears flowed plentifully; but even +so, my mind was bent on coming back to Erin.</p> + +<p>When I had mounted the white steed, he galloped +straight towards the shore. We moved as swiftly as +before over the clear sea. The wind overtook the +waves and we overtook the wind, so that we straightway +left the Land of Youth behind; and we passed +by many islands and cities, till at length we landed +on the green shores of Erin.</p> + +<p>As I travelled on through the country, I looked +closely around me; but I scarcely knew the old +places, for everything seemed strangely altered. I saw +no sign of Finn and his host, and I began to dread +that Niam's saying was coming true. At length, I +espied at a distance a company of little men and +women,<a name="FNanchor_CLIII._181" id="FNanchor_CLIII._181"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLIII._181" class="fnanchor">[CLIII.]</a> all mounted on horses as small as themselves; +and when I came near, they greeted me kindly and +courteously. They looked at me with wonder and +curiosity, and they marvelled much at my great size, +and at the beauty and majesty of my person.</p> + +<p>I asked them about Finn and the Fena; whether +they were still living, or if any sudden disaster had +swept them away. And one replied—</p> + +<p>"We have heard of the hero Finn, who ruled the +Fena of Erin in times of old, and who never had an +equal for bravery and wisdom. The poets of the +Gaels have written many books concerning his deeds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span> +and the deeds of the Fena, which we cannot now +relate; but they are all gone long since, for they lived +many ages ago. We have heard also, and we have +seen it written in very old books, that Finn had a son +named Oisin. Now this Oisin went with a young +fairy maiden to Tirnanoge, and his father and his +friends sorrowed greatly after him, and sought him +long; but he was never seen again."</p> + +<p>When I heard all this, I was filled with amazement, +and my heart grew heavy with great sorrow. I +silently turned my steed away from the wondering +people, and set forward straightway for Allen of the +mighty deeds, on the broad, green plains of Leinster. +It was a miserable journey to me; and though my +mind, being full of sadness at all I saw and heard, +forecasted further sorrows, I was grieved more than +ever when I reached Allen. For there, indeed, I found +the hill deserted and lonely, and my father's palace all +in ruins and overgrown with grass and weeds.</p> + +<p>I turned slowly away, and afterwards fared +through the land in every direction in search of my +friends. But I met only crowds of little people, all +strangers, who gazed on me with wonder; and none +knew me. I visited every place throughout the +country where I knew the Fena had lived; but I +found their houses all like Allen, solitary and in +ruins.</p> + +<p>At length I came to Glenasmole,<a name="FNanchor_CLIV._182" id="FNanchor_CLIV._182"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLIV._182" class="fnanchor">[CLIV.]</a> where many a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span> +time I had hunted in days of old with the Fena, and +there I saw a crowd of people in the glen. As soon as +they saw me, one of them came forward and said—</p> + +<p>"Come to us, thou mighty hero, and help us out +of our strait; for thou art a man of vast strength."</p> + +<p>I went to them, and found a number of men trying +in vain to raise a large, flat stone. It was half lifted +from the ground; but those who were under it were +not strong enough either to raise it further or to free +themselves from its weight. And they were in great +distress, and on the point of being crushed to death.</p> + +<p>I thought it a shameful thing that so many men +should be unable to lift this stone, which Oscar, if he +were alive, would take in his right hand and fling +over the heads of the feeble crowd. After I had +looked a little while, I stooped forward and seized the +flag with one hand; and, putting forth my strength, +I flung it seven perches from its place, and relieved +the little men. But with the great strain the golden +saddle-girth broke, and, bounding forward to keep +myself from falling, I suddenly came to the ground +on my two feet.</p> + +<p>The moment the white steed felt himself free, he +shook himself and neighed. Then, starting off with +the speed of a cloud-shadow on a March day, he left +me standing helpless and sorrowful. Instantly a +woeful change came over me: the sight of my eyes +began to fade, the ruddy beauty of my face fled, I lost +all my strength, and I fell to the earth, a poor, +withered old man, blind and wrinkled and feeble.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span></p> + +<p>The white steed was never seen again. I never +recovered my sight, my youth, or my strength; and I +have lived in this manner, sorrowing without ceasing +for my gentle, golden-haired wife, Niam, and thinking +ever of my father, Finn, and of the lost companions of +my youth.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="THE_VOYAGE_OF_THE_SONS_OF_OCORRACLV" id="THE_VOYAGE_OF_THE_SONS_OF_OCORRACLV"></a>THE VOYAGE OF THE SONS OF O'CORRA.<a name="FNanchor_CLV._183" id="FNanchor_CLV._183"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLV._183" class="fnanchor">[CLV.]</a></h2> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p>A princely upright hundred-herd brugaid<a name="FNanchor_CLVI._184" id="FNanchor_CLVI._184"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLVI._184" class="fnanchor">[CLVI.]</a> was born +one time in the lovely province of Connaught, namely, +Conall Derg O'Corra the fair-haired. And thus was +this brugaid (circumstanced):—he was a fortunate, +rich, prosperous man; and his house was never found +without three shouts in it—the shout of the brewers +brewing ale, and the shout of the servants over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span> +caldrons distributing (meat) to the hosts, and the shout +of the youths over the chessboards<a name="FNanchor_CLVII._185" id="FNanchor_CLVII._185"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLVII._185" class="fnanchor">[CLVII.]</a> winning games +from one another.</p> + +<p>The same house was never without three measures:—a +measure of malt for making yeast, a measure of +wheat for providing bread for the guests, and a +measure of salt for savouring each kind of food.</p> + +<p>His wife was Cairderga<a name="FNanchor_CLVIII._186" id="FNanchor_CLVIII._186"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLVIII._186" class="fnanchor">[CLVIII.]</a> the daughter of the Erenach<a name="FNanchor_CLIX._187" id="FNanchor_CLIX._187"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLIX._187" class="fnanchor">[CLIX.]</a> +of Clogher.<a name="FNanchor_CLX._188" id="FNanchor_CLX._188"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLX._188" class="fnanchor">[CLX.]</a> They felt no want of any kind except +being without children; and it was not that they were +without children (being born to them), but that the +infants always died the moment after birth.</p> + +<p>Then this brugaid said (one day) to his wife as +she reclined near him on the couch:—"It is a sad +thing for us," said he, "that we have no children who +would take our place and fill it worthily when we are +gone."</p> + +<p>"What desire is in your mind in regard to that?" +says the wife.</p> + +<p>"It is my desire," says the brugaid, "to make a +bond with the demon to try if he would give us a son +or a daughter who would take our place after us (since +God has not done so)."</p> + +<p>"Let us do that," said the woman.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span></p><p>They accordingly fasted (and prayed) to the +demon; (and the demon hearkened unto them. And +in due time) the pains and struggles, of childbirth +came upon the lady; and she bore three sons at that +great birth, namely, a son at the beginning of the +night, and a son at the middle of the night, and a son +at the end of the night.</p> + +<p>And they were baptised according to the baptism of +the pagans (by which they were dedicated not to God +but to the demon); and their names were Lochan, +Enna, and Silvester. And after that, they were reared +and carefully trained up till they were swift and active +on sea and land; so that they were an overmatch for +all the young people of their own age in every game +and in every accomplishment. And they were in the +mouths and on the tongues of all who saw or heard of +them in their day.</p> + +<p>One day when they were resting at the railings of +the house of their father and mother, wearied after +their hurling and their martial games, the housefolk +said that they saw no fault or defect in these handsome +much-renowned youths, except only their being baptised +in the service of the devil. (And the youths hearing +this said):—"If it be so," said they, "that the devil +is our lord and master, it is very wrong of us not to +bring ruin and wrath and woe on his enemies, that is to +say, (we ought) to slaughter the clergy, and burn and +spoil their churches."</p> + +<p>Then did these three youths arise, (and collecting a +band), and taking unto them their arms, they came to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span> +Tuam-da-Gualann,<a name="FNanchor_CLXI._189" id="FNanchor_CLXI._189"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXI._189" class="fnanchor">[CLXI.]</a> and spoiled and burned the town. +And (after that) they plundered and made dreadful +havoc on the churches and clergy throughout the +province of Connaught, until their wicked and bloodthirsty +ravages were noised over the four quarters of +Erin. Thus did they run their evil course without +ceasing for a whole year, during which time they +destroyed more than half the churches of Connaught.</p> + +<p>At the end of the year Lochan said to his brothers: +"We have made one great mistake through forgetfulness," +says he, "and our lord the devil will not be +thankful to us on account of it." "What is that?" +said the other two youths. "Our grandfather," says +he, "that is our mother's father—not to have killed him +and burned his church."</p> + +<p>So they set out straightway, journeying without +sparing or respite (to Clogher), and this was how +they found the erenach, namely, on the green of the +church with a great company of his folk around him, +(waiting for the O'Corras), in order to attend on them +and to deal out to them the choice of every food and +the best of every ale. And the intention that the +elder had towards them, that indeed was not the +intention they had towards him, but to murder him +and to burn and spoil his church.</p> + +<p>Then the O'Corras came to the spot where the elder +was standing, and they made up their minds not to kill +him or burn the houses till night, when the cows and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span> +the (other) cattle of the homestead would be housed, +all in their own proper places.</p> + +<p>The elder welcomed them and led them to the +homestead; and he now became aware of their intention. +Nevertheless he put them in a goodly pleasant +<i>Greenan</i>,<a name="FNanchor_CLXII._190" id="FNanchor_CLXII._190"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXII._190" class="fnanchor">[CLXII.]</a> and they were served with food and ale till +they became exhilarated and cheerful: after which +couches were made ready for them on lofty bedsteads.</p> + +<p>And now deep slumber and heavy sleep fell on them, +and a wonderful vision was revealed in a dream to +Lochan, the eldest of the sons of O'Corra, in which he +was carried to see heaven and hell. And after this he +awoke. The other two awoke at the same time, and +they said:—"Let us now arise, for it is time to plunder +and destroy the homestead."</p> + +<p>"Seems to me," said Lochan, "that this is not the +right thing for us to do: for evil is the lord we have +served until now, and good is the Lord we have plundered +and outraged.</p> + +<p>"And last night I had," said he, "a fearful dream, +in which I saw a vision of heaven and hell. And first +I was taken to see hell, where were countless souls of +men and vast crowds of demons suffering divers tortures, +and plagues unexampled. And I saw the four rivers +of hell, that is to say, a river of toads, a river of +serpents, a river of fire, and a river of snow. I saw +also a monstrous serpent with many heads and legs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span> +at sight whereof, even though it were only a single +glance, all the men in the world would drop dead with +loathing and horror.</p> + +<p>"After this methought I was taken to see heaven; +where I beheld the Lord Himself seated on His kingly +throne, and angels in the shapes of white birds singing +for Him. And among them was one great snow-white +bird of dazzling brightness that excelled all the others +in size and beauty and voice, chanting strains of surpassing +sweetness. Women in travail and men sore +wounded and sick people racked with pain would fall +asleep if they heard the delightful harmony of his +voice. And it was made known to me that this great +bird who chanted such heavenly music to his mild Lord +was Michael the Archangel.</p> + +<p>"And now my brothers," said Lochan, "it is my +counsel to you that you follow God henceforward."</p> + +<p>"But," said the others, "will the Lord accept repentance +from us for the dreadful evils we have already +done?"</p> + +<p>They go to the father of their mother, namely, the +erenach, and they ask this thing of him. "He will accept +your repentance without doubt," says the erenach.</p> + +<p>"Well then," said Lochan, "let Mass be celebrated +for us, and put us under instruction, and let us offer +our confession to God. After that we will make staffs +of the handles of our spears; and we will go to Finnen +of Clonard,<a name="FNanchor_CLXIII._191" id="FNanchor_CLXIII._191"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXIII._191" class="fnanchor">[CLXIII.]</a> the tutor of the saints and of the just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span> +men of all Erin. He is a very holy man, and he will +advise us in regard to what we ought to do."</p> + +<p>To this counsel they agreed; and on the morrow +they set out for the place where Finnen was; whom +they found on the green of Clonard with a number of +his clerics.</p> + +<p>"Who are these coming towards us?" said the +clerics. And one said, "They are the O'Corras the +robbers." Hearing this they fled, like lightning, in +a body from their master, for they felt quite sure +that the O'Corras were coming to slay them; so that +Finnen was left quite alone before the three brothers.</p> + +<p>"It is from us the clerics are fleeing:" says Lochan.</p> + +<p>"Of a certainty it is," said his brothers. "Let us," +said Lochan, "cast from us our staffs, the only little +remnant of our arms left with us; and let us throw +ourselves on our knees before the cleric."</p> + +<p>And this they did. "What is your desire?" says +the cleric (Finnen). "Our desire," said they, "is +faith and piety, and to serve God, and to abandon the +lord whom we have hitherto served, namely, the devil."</p> + +<p>"That is a good resolution," says the cleric; "and +let us go now to the homestead yonder, the place where +live our brotherhood."</p> + +<p>They go accordingly with him to the brotherhood; +and after the matter had been considered, it was arranged +to set apart a young cleric to teach them; and it was +decreed that they should not speak to any one except +their own master till the end of a year.</p> + +<p>So they continued for a whole year till they had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span> +read the Canons through, and by the time they had +come to be able to read them, the whole brotherhood +felt grateful (to God) for their piety and their gentleness.</p> + +<p>At the end of the year they came to Finnen; and +they knelt before him, and said to him:—"It is time +now that we should be judged and sentence passed on +us for the great crimes we have committed.</p> + +<p>"What," said Finnen, "do ye not think it enough—the +penance you have done already for a whole year +among the brotherhood?" "It is not enough," said +they. "What then are the greatest crimes ye have +committed?" says Finnen. "We have burned more +than half the churches of Connaught; and neither +priest nor bishop got quarter or protection from us."</p> + +<p>"You cannot" replied Finnen, "give back life to +the people you have killed; but do ye that which will +be in your power, namely, to build up the churches ye +have burned, and to repair every other damage ye have +committed in them. And I will give to each man +of you," says he, "the swiftness and strength of a +hundred; and I will take from you all weariness of +feet, of hands, and of body; and I will give you light +and understanding which will have neither decay nor +end."</p> + +<p>So the O'Corras departed, and went first to Tuam-da-Gualann; +and after that, they fared through the +province, obedient to rule and working hard each day, +until it came to pass that they had restored everything +they had previously destroyed.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span></p> + +<p>After that they came at the end of the year to +speak with Finnen. "Have you been able," asks +Finnen, "to repair everything ye destroyed belonging +to the Church?" "We have," said they, "except one +place alone, namely Kenn-Mara."<a name="FNanchor_CLXIV._192" id="FNanchor_CLXIV._192"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXIV._192" class="fnanchor">[CLXIV.]</a> "Alas for that," +says Finnen; "that is the very first place you should +have repaired; for it is the homestead of the oldest of +all the saints of Ireland, namely, the aged Camann of +Kenn-Mara. And now go and carefully restore everything +ye have destroyed in that homestead. And the +sentence that holy man passes on you, fulfil it patiently."</p> + +<p>So they went gladly to Kenn-Mara; and they +repaired everything they had ruined there.</p> + +<p>One day when they had come forth from the homestead, +they sat on the margin of the little bay, watching +the sun as it went westward. And as they gazed and +reflected on the course of the sun, they began to marvel +greatly, pondering whither it went after it had gone +down beneath the verge of the sea. "What more +wonderful thing is there in the whole world," said +they, "than that the sea does not freeze into ice, while +ice is formed in every other water!"</p> + +<p>Thereupon they formed the resolution on the spot +to bring unto them a certain artificer who was a fast +friend of theirs, and to (get him) to make a three-hide +curragh<a name="FNanchor_CLXV._193" id="FNanchor_CLXV._193"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXV._193" class="fnanchor">[CLXV.]</a> for them. Accordingly the curragh was made, +and a strong-sided one it was. And the reward the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[409]</a></span> +artificer asked for building it was to be let go with +them.</p> + +<p>When the time had come, and they were about to +embark, they saw a large crowd passing close by; and +this crowd was a company of <i>crossans</i>.<a name="FNanchor_CLXVI._194" id="FNanchor_CLXVI._194"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXVI._194" class="fnanchor">[CLXVI.]</a> When the +<i>crossans</i> saw the curragh putting forth on the sea, +they inquired:—"Who are yonder people that are +launching this curragh on the sea?" said they.</p> + +<p>The <i>furshore</i> (juggler) of the crossans said:—"I +know them well; they are the sons of Conall derg +O'Corra the fair-haired of Connaught, the destroyers +and robbers, going on their pilgrimage on the sea and +on the great ocean, to make search for their Lord." +"And indeed," added the <i>furshore</i>, "my word for it, +they do not stand more in need of seeking for heaven +than we do."</p> + +<p>"It is a long day I fancy till you go on your pilgrimage," +said the leader of the band. "Say not so," +answered the <i>furshore</i>: "for I will certainly go with +these people on my pilgrimage now without delay."</p> + +<p>"Upon our word," said the <i>crossans</i>, "you will not +take away our clothes with you; for not a single article +of the garments you wear belongs to you." "It is not +so small a matter that would keep me with you," says he.</p> + +<p>So they stripped off all his clothes, and sent him +away mother naked to the curragh.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[410]</a></span></p> +<p>"Who and what in the world are you, good man?" +asked the crew. "A poor wretch who wishes to go +with you on pilgrimage," said he. "Indeed," said +they, "you shall not by any means come with us, +seeing that you are stark naked." "Say not so, young +men," said he, "for the sake of God do not refuse me; +for I will amuse you and keep your hearts cheerful +(with my music and singing); and your piety will not +be a whit the worse for it."</p> + +<p>And (inasmuch as he had asked) for the sake of +God they consented to let him go.</p> + +<p>Now this is how it was with the crew:—each man +of them had built a church and raised an altar to the Lord +in his own district. Their number was nine; among +whom was a bishop, and a priest, and a deacon; and +they had one <i>gilla</i> (attendant) who was the ninth man.</p> + +<p>"Let us go aboard our curragh now," says Lochan, +"as we have finished our task of restoring the churches, +and as we have, besides, each of us built a church to the +Lord in our own district."</p> + +<p>It was then they put up their prayers fervently to +God in the hope that they might have fine weather; +and that the Lord would quell the fury of the billows, +and the might of the ocean, and the rage of the terrible +sea monsters. So they embarked in their curragh, +bringing their oars; and they began to question among +themselves what direction they should take. "The +direction in which this wind will bring us," says the +bishop. And having commended themselves to God, +one and all, they betook them to their oars. A great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[411]</a></span> +wind now arose, which drove them out on the waste of +waters straight to the west; and they were forty days +and forty nights on the ocean. And God revealed to +them great and unheard of wonders.</p> + +<p>They had not been long rowing when the <i>crossan</i> +died; and sad and sorrowful were they for his loss, and +wept much. While they were still mourning, they saw +a little bird alight on the deck of the curragh. And +the little bird spoke and said to them:—"Good people, +tell me now in God's name what is the cause of your +sorrow."</p> + +<p>"A <i>crossan</i> that we had playing music for us; and +he died a little while ago in this curragh; and that is +the cause of our sorrow."</p> + +<p>And the bird said:—"Lo, I am your little <i>crossan</i>: +and now be not sorrowful any longer, for I am going +straightway to heaven." So saying he bade them farewell +and flew away.</p> + + +<h3>I.</h3> + +<p>They row forward for a long time till there was +shown to them a wonderful island, and in it a great +grove of marvellous beauty, laden with apples, golden +coloured and sweet scented. A sparkling rivulet of +wine flowed through the midst of the grove; and when +the wind blew through the trees, sweeter than any music +was the rustling it made. The O'Corras ate some of +the apples and drank from the rivulet of wine, and +were immediately satisfied. And from that time forth +they were never troubled by either wounds or sickness.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[412]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>II.</h3> + +<p>Then they took to their oars; and after a time they +came in view of another island, and four companies of +people in it, such as had never been seen before. Now +these people had divided the island into four parts: old +greyheaded people were in the first division; princes +in the second; warriors in the third; and servants in the +fourth. They were all beautiful and glorious to behold; +and they diverted themselves continually with games and +pastimes. One of the crew went to them to ask news: +(he was a comely, well-favoured youth, but) he seemed +ugly and dark-visaged in presence of these glorious +people. When he had got among them, he became in +a moment beautiful like the others; and he joined in +their games, and laughed, and made merry. Moreover +he remembered nothing more of his companions; and +he sojourned in the island after that for evermore. And +the O'Corras were at length forced to depart, though +much grieved for the loss of their companion.</p> + + +<h3>III.</h3> + +<p>Then they set out and rowed for some time till they +sighted another marvellous island. It stood up in the +air high over the great sea; and it was propped up by a +pillar like a single foot standing under it in the middle. +And the crew heard great shouting and the loud conversation +of people on the top of the island overhead; +but though the O'Corras sailed round and round, they +could not get a sight of them.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[413]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>IV.</h3> + +<p>They row forward after that till they come to an +island in which lived one lone cleric. Very lovely was +that island, and glorious its history. Beautiful purple +flowers covered all the plains, dropping honey in abundance; +and on the trees were perched flocks of bright-coloured +birds singing slow sweet fairy-music. The +O'Corras went to ask the cleric about himself and +about the island. And he spoke as follows:—</p> + +<p>"I am a disciple of St. Andrew the Apostle, and +Dega is my name. On a certain night I neglected to +read my Matins; and it is for this that I was sent on +a pilgrimage on the ocean; and here I am awaiting +the Judgment day. And yonder birds that are singing +those incomparable strains on the trees, these are the +souls of holy men."</p> + + +<h3>V.</h3> + +<p>They took leave of the old man and plied their +oars, till they reached another island, with dead people +on one side of it, and living people on the other side: +and many of the living people had feet of iron. All +round was a burning sea, which broke over the island +continually in mighty waves. And the living people +uttered fearful cries when the fiery waves flowed over +them, for their torments thereby were great and terrible.</p> + + +<h3>VI.</h3> + +<p>After leaving this they rowed on till they saw an +island formed of great flat stones for ever burning red<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[414]</a></span> +hot. And thereon they saw whole hosts of people +burning in great torment; and many had red fiery +spits thrust through their bodies. And they uttered +great cries of pain without ceasing. The crew called +out from a distance to ask who they were: whereupon +one answered:—</p> + +<p>"This is one of the flagstones of hell. We are +souls who in life did not fulfil the penance imposed on +us; and warn all men to avoid this place; for whosoever +cometh hither shall never go hence till the Day of +Judgment."</p> + + +<h3>VII.</h3> + +<p>The next island they saw was very beautiful and +glorious to look upon. It had a wall of copper all +round it, with a network of copper hanging out from +each corner; and in the centre stood a palace. The +crew left their curragh on the strand and went towards +the palace. And when they had come nigh unto the +wall, the wind, as it rustled and murmured through +the copper network, made music so soft and sweet that +they fell into a gentle slumber, and slept for three +days and three nights. When they awoke they saw a +beautiful maiden coming towards them from the palace. +She had sandals of <i>findrina</i> (a sort of white metal) on +her feet, and an inner garment of fine silk next her +snow-white skin. She wore a beautiful gold-coloured +vest, and over all a bright-tinted mantle, plaited fivefold +on its upper border, and fastened at the neck with +a brooch of burnished gold. In one hand she held a +pitcher of copper, and in the other a silver goblet.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[415]</a></span></p> + +<p>When she had come near she greeted them and +bade them welcome. And she gave them food from +the copper pitcher which seemed to them like cheese; +and she brought them water in the silver goblet from a +well on the strand. And there was no delicious flavour +that was ever tasted by man that they did not find in +this food and drink. Then the maiden said to them:—"Although +we are all—you and I—of one race, yet +shall ye go hence without delay, for your resurrection +is not to be here."</p> + +<p>So they bade her farewell and took to their oars +once more.</p> + + +<h3>VIII.</h3> + +<p>After rowing for some time they saw flocks of large +birds of divers colours flying over the sea; and their +number was great beyond counting. One of them +alighted on the deck of the curragh.</p> + +<p>"It would be a delightful thing," said one of the +clerics, "if this bird were a messenger from the Lord, +sent to give us news."</p> + +<p>"That would be quite possible with God," said the +eldest; and as he spoke he raised his eyes and looked +at the bird. Whereupon the bird spoke and said:—</p> + +<p>"It is indeed to converse with you that I have +come; for I am of the land of Erin."</p> + +<p>Now this bird was crimson red all over, except +three beautiful streaks on her breast, which shone as +bright as the sun. And after a time she said to the +same cleric:—</p> + +<p>"I am the soul of a woman; and I am your friend.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[416]</a></span> +And come ye now," says she, "to hear yonder birds; +for these are the souls that are permitted to come out +of hell every Sunday."</p> + +<p>"It is better that we leave this place at once," +said the same old cleric. And his companions said +to him:—</p> + +<p>"We will go with thee whithersoever thou goest." +So they departed from that place; (and the crimson +red bird went with them).</p> + + +<h3>IX.</h3> + +<p>And as they went, they saw three wonderful +streams, namely, a stream of otters, a stream of eels, +and a stream of black swans. Great flocks of birds +arose from these three streams and flew past the +voyagers; and the black swans followed close after, +tearing and tormenting the birds. And the crimson +red bird said:—</p> + +<p>"Marvel not, neither be ye sad of heart; for these +bird-shapes that ye see are the souls of people suffering +the punishment of their crimes. And the black swans +that follow them, these are devils who are for ever +tormenting them; and the birds scream fearfully, and +are for ever trying to fly from the demons and to free +themselves from their torment.</p> + +<p>"And now as to me," continued the bird, "I am +about to depart from you. It is not permitted me to +make known to you what is to befall you; but in a +little time another will tell you all that you need to +know."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[417]</a></span></p> + +<p>And the cleric said:—"Tell us, I beseech thee, +what are those three beautiful streaks on thy breast."</p> + +<p>"I will tell you that," answered the bird. "When +I was in the world I was married; but I did not yield +obedience to my husband, neither did I fulfil my lawful +homely duties as a wife. And when a grievous sickness +came upon him I left him to die. But thrice I +went in pity to him:—once to see him and ask after his +illness; once to bring him such food as befitted his +state; and the third time when he was dead, to watch +by the body and see it buried. These three good deeds +are the three beautiful streaks that you see on my +breast; and I should have been bright all over like +these streaks if I had not violated my lawful marriage +duties."</p> + +<p>And having so spoken, the bird bade them farewell +and flew away.</p> + + +<h3>X.</h3> + +<p>They next discovered a very beautiful island. The +grass was bright green, and it was all over intermingled +with pretty purple-coloured flowers. Flocks +of lovely little birds of many bright colours, and +myriads of bees, flew among the trees and flowers, +humming and singing harmonious music. The voyagers +saw a venerable grey-headed old man with a +harp in his hand. He played this harp on the island +continually; and the music thereof was sweeter than +any music they had ever heard. They saluted the old +man, who saluted them in return, with a blessing. +But immediately he bade them to depart.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[418]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>XI.</h3> + +<p>So they rowed away till they came to another +island, on which they saw a man digging in a field; +and his spade was all fiery, and the handle thereof, +which he held in his hand, was red hot. From the sea +at one side arose at times a mighty wave all flaming +red with fire, which flowed quite over the island and +over the man. And ever when he saw the wave +coming he cried out with fear; and when the burning +torrent covered him, he strove to raise his head above +the flames, and roared with his great torment. Now +when one of the waves had retired they spoke to him +and asked:—</p> + +<p>"Who art thou, O wretched man?"</p> + +<p>And he answered:—"Lo, this is my punishment +for my misdeeds. For when I lived on earth I always +worked on Sundays, digging in my garden; for which +I am condemned to dig with this fiery spade, and to +suffer the torments of these fiery waves. And now, +for the sake of God, offer up your prayers for me, that +my pains may be lightened."</p> + +<p>And they prayed fervently; after which they +departed from the island.</p> + + +<h3>XII.</h3> + +<p>Soon after leaving this they saw a horseman of +vast size riding on the sea; and the horse he rode was +made of fire flaming red. And as he rode, great waves +of fire came after him along the sea; and when a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[419]</a></span> +wave began to roll over him, he yelled aloud with +fear and pain. Then they asked him why he was +thus tormented; and he answered:—</p> + +<p>"I am he who stole my brother's horse; and after +I had gotten him I rode him every Sunday. For this +I am now undergoing my punishment, riding on +this horse of fire, and tormented with these great +waves of fire."</p> + + +<h3>XIII.</h3> + +<p>After leaving this they came in sight of another +island, full of people, all weeping and lamenting +grievously. Great numbers of jet-black birds with +beaks of fire and red-hot fiery talons followed and +fluttered round about them, tearing and burning them +with their talons, and rending away pieces of flesh, the +full of their fiery beaks. Then the crew said aloud:—</p> + +<p>"Who are ye, O miserable people?"</p> + +<p>"We are dishonest smiths and artisans; and because +we cheated while we lived, we are punished by these +hateful fiery birds. Moreover, our tongues are burning, +being all afire in our heads; for that we reviled people +with bitter words and foul taunts."</p> + + +<h3>XIV.</h3> + +<p>Coming now to another place, they saw a giant +huge in size, and of a sooty black colour all over. +His mouth was all on fire; and from his throat he +belched forth great flakes of fire, each flake as it +came from his mouth larger than the skin of a three-year-old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[420]</a></span> +wether. He held in his hand an iron club +larger than the shaft of a mill wheel; and on his back +he bore an immense faggot of firewood, a good load for +a team of horses. Now this faggot often blazed up and +burned him; and he tried to free himself from his +torment by lying down so that the sea might flow over +him. But ever as he did so, the sea around him +turned to fire, and rose up in mighty burning billows, +covering him all over, so that he made the place resound +with his bellowings.</p> + +<p>"Miserable wretch, who art thou?" asked the crew.</p> + +<p>And he answered:—"I will tell you truly. When +I lived I used to cut faggots and bring them home on my +back every Sunday: and lo, here is my punishment."</p> + + +<h3>XV.</h3> + +<p>They came after that to a sea of fire full of men's +heads, all black, and continually fighting with each +other. And many great serpents rose up among the +heads and came with fury to attack the curragh, so +that at one time they pierced through the outer hide. +And one of the crew who looked on cried out in great +horror, and said:—</p> + +<p>"It is enough to strike one dead to behold the +fearful things I see!"</p> + +<p>And the whole crew when they saw the heads and +the serpents fell flat with fear. But the elder (the +bishop) comforted them, saying:—</p> + +<p>"Be ye not afraid or troubled on account of these +things; for God is able to protect us, even though we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[421]</a></span> +were in a curragh of only one hide; and if He wishes +to save us, these monsters cannot hurt us, however +furious they may be to slay us."</p> + +<p>And they took courage after this, and rowed out +into the open sea.</p> + + +<h3>XVI.</h3> + +<p>There was shown to them next another beautiful +island, having in one place an open wood. The trees +were laden with fruit, and the leaves dropped honey to +the ground. The sides of the hills were clothed with +purple blossomed heather, mixed with soft, green +grass to its very centre. In the midst of the island +was a pretty lake, whose waters tasted like sweet wine. +They rested for a week on the shore of this lake, and +cast off their weariness. And now, being about to +leave the island, as they turned to go to the curragh, a +monstrous reptile<a name="FNanchor_CLXVII._195" id="FNanchor_CLXVII._195"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXVII._195" class="fnanchor">[CLXVII.]</a> rose up from the lake and looked +at them. And they trembled with fear at the sight of +this terrible beast; for each man thought that he himself +would be the first to be attacked. But after a little +time the reptile dived again into the water, and they +saw no more of him.</p> + + +<h3>XVII.</h3> + +<p>From this they rowed away; and after a long +time they came at midnight to an island wherein<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[422]</a></span> +was a community of Ailbe of Emly.<a name="FNanchor_CLXVIII._196" id="FNanchor_CLXVIII._196"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXVIII._196" class="fnanchor">[CLXVIII.]</a> On the beach +they found two spring wells; one foul, the other +bright and clear. The gilla wished to drink of the +clear well; but the elder (the bishop) told him it was +better to ask leave, if there was anyone living on the +island.</p> + +<p>Then they saw a great light; and coming closer, +they found the twelve men of the community at their +prayers; and now they perceived that the bright light +they saw came from the radiant faces of the twelve; so +that these holy men needed no other light. One of +them, an old man, comes towards the voyagers; and +he bids them welcome and asks news of them. They +tell him all their adventures, and ask his leave to +drink from the well; whereupon he said to them:—"Ye +may fill your pitchers from the clear well, if your +elder (<i>i.e.</i> the bishop) gives you leave."</p> + +<p>"Who are ye?" asks the gilla.</p> + +<p>"A community of Ailbe of Emly," says he: "and +we are the crew of one of Ailbe's curraghs. God has +permitted that we live here till the Day of Judgment, +praying for everyone who is drowned at sea. And +now leave this land before morning," he added, "for +your resurrection is not to be here. And if ye have +not left by the dawn, so much the worse for yourselves; +for if once ye get a view of this island in the light of +day, bitter will be your anguish of mind for leaving it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[423]</a></span> +(on account of its surpassing loveliness). So it is better +for you to go away during the night."</p> + +<p>And they did exactly all he told them to do.</p> + +<p>"Shall we take away some of the pebbles of the +strand?" said they (talking among themselves).</p> + +<p>"It is better to ask leave," answered the cleric. So +the gilla asked leave of the same old man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you have the permission (of your bishop)," +answered he. "Nevertheless," he added, "those who +take them will be sorry; and those who do not take +them will be sorry also."</p> + +<p>They pick up pebbles, some bringing away one, +some two, some three. (After which they row away in +the dark night from the island.) In the morning they +drank some of the spring water of the island from their +pitchers; which threw them into a deep sleep from that +time till next day. On wakening up, they examined +their pebbles in the light; and some were found to be +crystal, some silver, and some gold. Then those who +brought some away were in sorrow that they had not +brought more; and much greater was the sorrow of +those who had brought away none. So the words of +the old man came true.</p> + + +<h3>XVIII.</h3> + +<p>After leaving this they came to a lovely island on +which was a church standing all alone: and when they +drew nigh they heard the voice of a cleric singing the +psalms with a sweet voice. They came to the door +and struck it with the hand-wood; and straightway a +beautiful bright-coloured bird came to speak with them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[424]</a></span> +When they had told him who they were and what they +wanted, he flew back to the cleric, who bade him have +the door opened for the pilgrims. And when they had +come in, they found the cleric—a very old man with +white hair—who sang his hymns continually. And +they saluted each other; and the pilgrims stayed there +that night. And an angel came and brought them +supper, and ministered unto them. On the morrow the +old priest bade them depart, since that was not to be +the place of their resurrection on the Judgment Day. +But before they went he foretold all that should happen +to them during the rest of their voyage.</p> + + +<h3>XIX.</h3> + +<p>From that they came to an island in which was a +disciple of Christ. Glorious and beautiful was that +island; and on it stood a church and a kingly shrine. +As they came near they heard some one singing the +Pater to God in the door of the church: whereupon +one of the clerics said:—</p> + +<p>"Welcome the prayer of our father and teacher, +Jesus."</p> + +<p>And the priest who stood praying at the door +said:—</p> + +<p>"Why say you so? Who are ye; and where have +ye seen Him?"</p> + +<p>And when they had told him that they were +servants of Jesus, he spoke again:—</p> + +<p>"I too am one of His disciples. And when I first +took Him for my Lord I was faithful and steady; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[425]</a></span> +after a time I left Him and came to sea in my curragh, +and rowed till I came to this island. For a long time +I lived on fruit and herbs; till at length an angel came +from heaven to visit me. And he said to me:—</p> + +<p>"'Thou hast not done well: nevertheless thou shalt +abide on this island, eating the same food without +either decay or death till the Judgment Day.' And so +I have lived here to this hour: and no daily meal is +sent to me, but I eat of the herbs and fruit that grow +on the island."</p> + +<p>Then they all went together into one house; and +being very hungry, they prayed fervently for food. +And presently an angel came down from heaven; and +while they looked on he placed a supper for them on a +flagstone hard by the strand, namely, a cake with a +slice of fish for each. And while they ate, whatsoever +taste each man separately wished for, that taste he +found on the food. In the morning, when they were +about to bid the cleric farewell, he foretold all that +should happen to them, saying:—</p> + +<p>"Ye shall go from me now on sea till ye reach the +western point of Spain. And as ye near the land, ye +shall meet a boat with a crew of men fishing, who will +bring you with them to land."</p> + +<p>Then turning to the bishop, he said:—"Immediately +after leaving the curragh, as soon as thou hast +reached the land, prostrate thyself three times to God. +And the place on which thou shalt first set thy foot, +there a great crowd shall gather round thee from every +quarter. And they will treat thee kindly, and will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[426]</a></span> +give thee land on which they will build a church for +thee; and after this thy fame shall spread over the +whole world. And the successor of Peter (the Pope) +shall bring thee eastwards to Rome. Yonder priest +thou shalt leave as thy successor in the church, and the +deacon thou shalt leave to be his sacristan. That place +and that church shall be revered, and shall be preserved +for ever. And thou shalt leave the Gilla in Britain, +where he will live for the rest of his life."</p> + +<p>After this they bade the old man farewell and +left the island. And all fell out just as he had foretold. +And the bishop went to Rome; and he afterwards related +these adventures to Saerbrethach bishop of West +Munster, and to Mocolmoc, one of the holy men of +Aran, as we have set them down here.</p> + +<p class="p2">Thus far the Voyage of the Sons of O'Corra.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[427]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="THE_FATE_OF_THE_SONS_OF_USNACLXIX" id="THE_FATE_OF_THE_SONS_OF_USNACLXIX"></a>THE FATE OF THE SONS OF USNA.<a name="FNanchor_CLXIX._197" id="FNanchor_CLXIX._197"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXIX._197" class="fnanchor">[CLXIX.]</a></h2> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Avenging and bright fall the swift sword of Erin<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On him who the brave sons of Usna betrayed.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza right"> +<span class="smcap">Moore.</span> +</div></div> + + + + +<h3><a name="GCHAPTER_I" id="GCHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE FLIGHT TO ALBAN.</p> + + +<p>Concobar mac Nessa, king of Ulaid,<a name="FNanchor_CLXX._198" id="FNanchor_CLXX._198"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXX._198" class="fnanchor">[CLXX.]</a> ruled in Emain. +And his chief story-teller, Felimid, made a feast for the +king and for the knights of the Red Branch,<a name="FNanchor_CLXXI._199" id="FNanchor_CLXXI._199"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXI._199" class="fnanchor">[CLXXI.]</a> who all +came to partake of it in his house. While they were +feasting right joyously, listening to the sweet music +of the harps and the mellow voices of the bards, a +messenger brought word that Felimid's wife had given +birth to a little daughter, an infant of wondrous beauty. +And when Caffa, the king's druid and seer, who was +of the company, was ware of the birth of the child, he +went forth to view the stars and the clouds, if he might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[428]</a></span> +thereby glean knowledge of what was in store for that +little babe.<a name="FNanchor_CLXXII._200" id="FNanchor_CLXXII._200"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXII._200" class="fnanchor">[CLXXII.]</a> And when he had returned to his place, +he sat deep pondering for a time: and then standing +up and obtaining silence, he said:—</p> + +<p>"This child shall be called Deir-drĕ<a name="FNanchor_CLXXIII._201" id="FNanchor_CLXXIII._201"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXIII._201" class="fnanchor">[CLXXIII.]</a>; and fittingly +is she so named: for much of woe will befall Ulaid +and Erin in general on her account. There shall be +jealousies, and strifes, and wars: evil deeds will be +done: many heroes will be exiled: many will fall."</p> + +<p>When the heroes heard this, they were sorely +troubled, and some said that the child should be killed. +But the king said:—"Not so, ye Knights of the Red +Branch; it is not meet to commit a base deed in order +to escape evils that may never come to pass. This +little maid shall be reared out of the reach of mischief, +and when she is old enough she shall be my wife: thus +shall I be the better able to guard against those evils +that Caffa forecasts for us."</p> + +<p>And the Ultonians did not dare to gainsay the +word of the king.</p> + +<p>Then king Concobar caused the child to be placed +in a strong fortress on a lonely spot nigh the palace, +with no opening in front, but with door and windows +looking out at the back on a lovely garden watered by +a clear rippling stream: and house and garden were +surrounded by a wall that no man could surmount. +And those who were put in charge of her were, her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[429]</a></span> +tutor, and her nurse, and Concobar's poetess, whose +name was Lavarcam: and save these three, none were +permitted to see her. And so she grew up in this +solitude, year by year, till she was of marriageable +age, when she excelled all the maidens of her time for +beauty.</p> + +<p>One snowy day as she and Lavarcam looked forth +from the window, they saw some blood on the snow, +where her tutor had killed a calf for dinner; and a +raven alighted and began to drink of it. "I should +like," said Deirdre, "that he who is to be my husband +should have these three colours: his hair as black as +the raven: his cheeks red as the blood: his skin like +the snow. And I saw such a youth in a dream last +night; but I know not where he is, or whether he is +living on the ridge of the world."</p> + +<p>"Truly," said Lavarcam, "the young hero that +answers to thy words is not far from thee; for he is +among Concobar's knights: namely, Naisi the son of +Usna."</p> + +<p>Now Naisi and his brothers, Ainnli and Ardan, the +three sons of Usna, were the best beloved of all the +Red Branch Knights, so gracious and gentle were they +in time of peace, so skilful and swift-footed in the +chase, so strong and valiant in battle.</p> + +<p>And when Deirdre heard Lavarcam's words, she +said:—"If it be as thou sayest, that this young knight +is near us, I shall not be happy till I see him: and I +beseech thee to bring him to speak to me."</p> + +<p>"Alas, child," replied Lavarcam, "thou knowest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[430]</a></span> +not the peril of what thou askest me to do: for if thy +tutor come to know of it, he will surely tell the king; +and the king's anger none can bear."</p> + +<p>Deirdre answered not: but she remained for many +days sad and silent: and her eyes often filled with +tears through memory of her dream: so that Lavarcam +was grieved: and she pondered on the thing if it could +be done, for she loved Deirdre very much, and had +compassion on her. At last she contrived that these +two should meet without the tutor's knowledge: and +the end of the matter was that they loved each other: +and Deirdre said she would never wed the king, but +she would wed Naisi.</p> + +<p>Knowing well the doom that awaited them when +Concobar came to hear of this, Naisi and his young +wife and his two brothers, with thrice fifty fighting +men, thrice fifty women, thrice fifty attendants, and +thrice fifty hounds, fled over sea to Alban. And the +king of the western part of Alban received them +kindly, and took them into military service. Here +they remained for a space, gaining daily in favour: +but they kept Deirdre apart, fearing evil if the king +should see her.</p> + +<p>And so matters went on, till it chanced that the +king's steward, coming one day by Naisi's house, saw +the couple as they sat on their couch: and going +directly to his master, he said:—</p> + +<p>"O king, we have long sought in vain for a woman +worthy to be thy wife, and now at last we have found +her: for the woman, Deirdre, who is with Naisi, is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[431]</a></span> +worthy to be the wife of the king of the western world. +And now I give thee this counsel:—Let Naisi be +killed, and then take thou Deirdre for thy wife."</p> + +<p>The king basely agreed to do so; and forthwith he +laid a plot to slay the sons of Usna; which matter +coming betimes to the ears of the brothers, they fled by +night with all their people. And when they had got +to a safe distance, they took up their abode in a wild +place, where with much ado they obtained food by +hunting and fishing. And the brothers built them +three hunting booths in the forest, a little distance +from that part of the seashore looking towards Erin: +and the booth in which their food was prepared, in +that they did not eat; and the one in which they ate, +in that they did not sleep. And their people in like +manner built themselves booths and huts, which gave +them but scant shelter from wind and weather.</p> + +<p>Now when it came to the ears of the Ultonians, +that the sons of Usna and their people were in +discomfort and danger, they were sorely grieved: but +they kept their thoughts to themselves, for they dared +not speak their mind to the king.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="GCHAPTER_II" id="GCHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">CONCOBAR'S GUILEFUL MESSAGE.</p> + + +<p>AT this same time a right joyous and very splendid +feast was given by Concobar in Emain Macha to the +nobles and the knights of his household. And the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[432]</a></span> +number of the king's household that sat them down +in the great hall of Emain on that occasion was five +and three score above six hundred and one thousand.<a name="FNanchor_CLXXIV._202" id="FNanchor_CLXXIV._202"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXIV._202" class="fnanchor">[CLXXIV.]</a> +Then arose, in turn, their musicians to sound their +melodious harpstrings, and their poets and their story-tellers +to sing their sweet poetic strains, and to recount +the deeds of the mighty heroes of the olden time. +And the feasting and the enjoyment went on, and the +entire assembly were gay and cheerful. At length +Concobar arose from where he sat high up on his royal +seat; whereupon the noise of mirth was instantly +hushed. And he raised his kingly voice and said:—</p> + +<p>"I desire to know from you, ye Nobles and +Knights of the Red Branch, have you ever seen in +any quarter of Erin a house better than this house of +Emain, which is my mansion: and whether you see +any want in it."</p> + +<p>And they answered that they saw no better house, +and that they knew of no want in it.</p> + +<p>And the king said: "I know of a great want: +namely, that we have not present among us the three +noble sons of Usna. And why now should they be in +banishment on account of any woman in the world?"</p> + +<p>And the nobles replied:—"Truly it is a sad thing +that the sons of Usna, our dear comrades, should be in +exile and distress. They were a shield of defence to +Ulaid: and now, O king, it will please us well that +thou send for them and bring them back, lest they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[433]</a></span> +and their people perish by famine or fall by their +enemies."</p> + +<p>"Let them come," replied Concobar, "and make +submission to me: and their homes, and their lands +and their places among the Knights of the Red Branch +shall be restored to them."</p> + +<p>Now Concobar was mightily enraged at the marriage +and flight of Naisi and Deirdre, though he hid his +mind from all men; and he spoke these words pretending +forgiveness and friendship. But there was guile in +his heart, and he planned to allure them back to Ulaid +that he might kill them.</p> + +<p>When the feast was ended, and the company had +departed, the king called unto him Fergus mac Roy, +and said:—"Go thou, Fergus, and bring back the +sons of Usna and their people. I promise thee that I +will receive them as friends should be received, and +that what awaits them here is not enmity or injury, +but welcome and friendship. Take my message of +peace and good will, and give thyself as pledge and +surety for their safety. But these two things I charge +thee to do:—That the moment you land in Ulaid on +your way back, you proceed straight to Barach's house +which stands on the sea cliff high over the landing +place fronting Alban: and that whether the time of +your arrival be by day or by night, thou see that the +sons of Usna tarry not, but let them come hither +direct to Emain, that they may not eat food in Erin +till they eat of mine."</p> + +<p>And Fergus, suspecting no evil design, promised to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[434]</a></span> +do as the king directed: for he was glad to be sent on +this errand, being a fast friend to the sons of Usna.</p> + +<p>Fergus set out straightway, bringing with him +only his two sons, Illan the Fair and Buinni the Red, +and his shield-bearer to carry his shield. And as soon +as he had departed, Concobar sent for Barach and said +to him:—</p> + +<p>"Prepare a feast in thy house for Fergus: and +when he visits thee returning with the sons of Usna, +invite him to partake of it." And Barach thereupon +departed for his home to do the bidding of the king +and prepare the feast.</p> + +<p>Now those heroes of old, on the day they received +knighthood, were wont to make certain pledges which +were to bind them for life, some binding themselves +to one thing, some to another. And as they made the +promises on the faith of their knighthood, with great +vows, in presence of kings and nobles, they dared not +violate them; no, not even if it was to save the lives of +themselves and all their friends: for whosoever broke +through his knighthood pledge was foully dishonoured +for evermore. And one of Fergus's obligations was +never to refuse an invitation to a banquet: a thing +which was well known to King Concobar and to +Barach.</p> + +<p>As to Fergus mac Roy and his sons: they went on +board their galley and put to sea, and made no delay +till they reached the harbour nigh the campment of +the sons of Usna. And coming ashore, Fergus gave +the loud shout of a mighty man of chase. The sons of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[435]</a></span> +Usna were at that same hour in their booth; and +Naisi and Deirdre were sitting with a polished +chessboard between them playing a game.</p> + +<p>And when they heard the shout, Naisi said:—"That +is the call of a man from Erin."</p> + +<p>"Not so," replied Deirdre, "it is the call of a man +of Alban."</p> + +<p>And after a little time when a second shout came, +Naisi said:—"That of a certainty is the call of a man +of Erin!"</p> + +<p>But Deirdre again replied:—"No, indeed: it +concerns us not: let us play our game."</p> + +<p>But when a third shout came sounding louder than +those before, Naisi arose and said:—"Now I know +the voice: that is the shout of Fergus!" And +straightway he sent Ardan to the shore to meet him.</p> + +<p>Now Deirdre knew the voice of Fergus from the +first: but she kept her thoughts to herself: for her +heart misgave her that the visit boded evil. And +when she told Naisi that she knew the first shout, he +said:—"Why, my queen, didst thou conceal it +then?"</p> + +<p>And she replied:—"Lo, I saw a vision in my +sleep last night: three birds came to us from Emain +Macha, with three drops of honey in their beaks, and +they left us the honey and took away three drops of +our blood."</p> + +<p>"What dost thou read from that vision, O princess?" +said Naisi.</p> + +<p>"It denotes the message from Concobar to us," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[436]</a></span> +Deirdre; "for sweet as honey is the message of peace +from a false man, while he has thoughts of blood +hidden deep in his heart."</p> + +<p>When Ardan arrived at the shore, the sight of +Fergus and his two sons was to him like rain on the +parched grass; for it was long since he had seen any +of his dear comrades from Erin. And he cried out as +he came near, "An affectionate welcome to you, my +dear companions": and he fell on Fergus's neck and +kissed his cheeks, and did the like to his sons. Then +he brought them to the hunting-booth; and Naisi, +Ainnli, and Deirdre gave them a like kind welcome; +after which they asked the news from Erin.</p> + +<p>"The best news I have," said Fergus, "is that +Concobar has sent me to you with kindly greetings, to +bring you back to Emain and restore you to your lands +and homes, and to your places in the Red Branch; +and I am myself a pledge for your safety."</p> + +<p>"It is not meet for them to go," said Deirdre: "for +here they are under no man's rule; and their sway in +Alban is even as great as the sway of Concobar in +Erin."</p> + +<p>But Fergus said: "One's mother country is better +than all else, and gloomy is life when a man sees not +his home each morning."</p> + +<p>"Far dearer to me is Erin than Alban," said Naisi, +"even though my sway should be greater here."</p> + +<p>It was not with Deirdre's consent he spoke these +words: and she still earnestly opposed their return to +Erin.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[437]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Fergus tried to re-assure her:—"If all the men +of Erin were against you," said he, "it would avail +nought once I have passed my word for your safety."</p> + +<p>"We trust in thee," said Naisi, "and we will go +with thee to Erin."</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="GCHAPTER_III" id="GCHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE RETURN TO EMAIN.</p> + + +<p>Going next morning on board their galleys, Fergus +and his companions put out on the wide sea: and oar +and wind bore them on swiftly till they landed on the +shore of Erin near the house of Barach.</p> + +<p>And Deirdre, seating herself on a cliff, looked sadly +over the waters at the blue headlands of Alban: and +she uttered this farewell:—</p> + + +<h4>I.</h4> + +<p>"Dear to me is yon eastern land: Alban with its +wonders. Beloved is Alban with its bright harbours +and its pleasant hills of the green slopes. From that +land I would never depart except to be with Naisi.</p> + + +<h4>II.</h4> + +<p>"Kil-Cuan, O Kil-Cuan,<a name="FNanchor_CLXXV._203" id="FNanchor_CLXXV._203"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXV._203" class="fnanchor">[CLXXV.]</a> whither Ainnli was wont +to resort: short seemed the time to me while I sojourned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[438]</a></span> +there with Naisi on the margins of its streams and +waterfalls.</p> + + +<h4>III.</h4> + +<p>"Glen-Lee, O Glen-Lee, where I slept happy under +soft coverlets: fish and fowl, and the flesh of red deer +and badgers; these were our fare in Glen-Lee.</p> + + +<h4>IV.</h4> + +<p>"Glen-Masan, O Glen-Masan: tall its cresses of +white stalks: often were we rocked to sleep in our +curragh in the grassy harbour of Glen-Masan.</p> + + +<h4>V.</h4> + +<p>"Glen-Orchy, O Glen-Orchy: over thy straight +glen rises the smooth ridge that oft echoed to the +voices of our hounds. No man of the clan was more +light-hearted than my Naisi when following the chase +in Glen-Orchy.</p> + + +<h4>VI.</h4> + +<p>"Glen-Ettive, O Glen-Ettive: there it was that my +first house was raised for me: lovely its woods in the +smile of the early morn: the sun loves to shine on +Glen-Ettive.</p> + + +<h4>VII.</h4> + +<p>"Glen-da-Roy, O Glen-da-Roy: the memory of +its people is dear to me: sweet is the cuckoo's note +from the bending bough on the peak over Glen-da-Roy.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[439]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>VIII.</h4> + +<p>"Dear to me is Dreenagh over the resounding +shore: dear to me its crystal waters over the speckled +sand. From those sweet places I would never depart, +but only to be with my beloved Naisi."</p> + + +<p class="p2">After this they entered the house of Barach; and +when Barach had welcomed them, he said to Fergus: +"Here I have a three-days banquet ready for thee, and +I invite thee to come and partake of it."</p> + +<p>When Fergus heard this, his heart sank and his +face waxed all over a crimson red: and he said fiercely +to Barach:—"Thou hast done an evil thing to ask me +to this banquet: for well thou knowest I cannot refuse +thee. Thou knowest, too, that I am under solemn +pledge to send the Sons of Usna this very hour to +Emain: and if I remain feasting in thy house, how +shall I see that my promise of safety is respected?"</p> + +<p>But none the less did Barach persist; for he was +one of the partners in Concobar's treacherous design.</p> + +<p>Then Fergus turned to Naisi and said:—"I dare +not violate my knighthood promise: what am I to +do in this strait?" But Deirdre answered for her +husband:—"The choice is before thee, Fergus; and +it is more meet for thee to abandon thy feast than to +abandon the sons of Usna, who have come over on thy +pledge."</p> + +<p>Then Fergus was in sore perplexity; and pondering +a little he said:—"I will not forsake the sons of Usna: +for I will send with them to Emain Macha my two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[440]</a></span> +sons, Illan the Fair and Buinni the Red, who will be +their pledge instead of me."</p> + +<p>But Naisi said: "We need not thy sons for guard +or pledge: we have ever been accustomed to defend +ourselves!" And he moved from the place in great +wrath: and his two brothers, and Deirdre, and the two +sons of Fergus followed him, with the rest of the clan; +while Fergus remained behind silent and gloomy: for +his heart misgave him that mischief was brewing for +the sons of Usna.</p> + +<p>Then Deirdre tried to persuade the sons of Usna +to go to Rathlin, between Erin and Alban, and tarry +there till Barach's feast was ended: but they did not +consent to do so, for they deemed it would be a mark +of cowardice: and they sped on by the shortest ways +towards Emain Macha.</p> + +<p>When now they had come to Fincarn of the +Watch-tower on Slieve Fuad, Deirdre and her attendants +stayed behind the others a little: and she fell +asleep. And when Naisi missed her, he turned back +and found her just awakening; and he said to her:—"Why +didst thou tarry, my princess?"</p> + +<p>And she answered:—"I fell asleep and had a +dream. And this is what I saw in my dream:—Illan +the Fair took your part: Buinni the Red did not: and +I saw Illan without his head: but Buinni had neither +wound nor hurt."</p> + +<p>"Alas, O beauteous princess," said Naisi, "thou +utterest nought but evil forebodings: but the king is +true and will not break his plighted word."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[441]</a></span></p> + +<p>So they fared on till they had come to the Ridge +of the Willows,<a name="FNanchor_CLXXVI._204" id="FNanchor_CLXXVI._204"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXVI._204" class="fnanchor">[CLXXVI.]</a> an hour's journey from the palace: +and Deirdre, looking upwards in great fear, said to +Naisi:—"O Naisi, see yonder cloud in the sky over +Emain, a fearful chilling cloud of a blood-red tinge: +a baleful red cloud that bodes disaster! Come ye now +to Dundalgan and abide there with the mighty hero +Cuculainn till Fergus returns from Barach's feast; for +I fear Concobar's treachery."</p> + +<p>But Naisi answered:—"We cannot follow thy +advice, beloved Deirdre, for it would be a mark of +fear: and we have no fear."</p> + +<p>And as they came nigh the palace Deirdre said to +them:—"I will now give you a sign if Concobar +meditates good or evil. If you are brought into his +own mansion where he sits surrounded by his nobles, +to eat and drink with him, this is a token that he +means no ill; for no man will injure a guest that has +partaken of food at his table: but if you are sent to +the house of the Red Branch, be sure he is bent on +treachery."</p> + +<p>When at last they arrived at the palace, they +knocked loudly with the handwood: and the door-keeper +swang the great door wide open. And when +he had spoken with them, he went and told Concobar +that the sons of Usna and Fergus's two sons had come, +with their people.</p> + +<p>And Concobar called to him his stewards and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[442]</a></span> +attendants and asked them:—"How is it in the house +of the Red Branch as to food and drink?" And they +replied that if the seven battalions of Ulaid were to +come to it, they would find enough of all good things. +"If that is so," said Concobar, "take the sons of Usna +and their people to the Red Branch."</p> + +<p>Even then Deirdre besought them not to enter the +Red Branch: for she deemed now that of a certainty +there was mischief afoot. But Illan the Fair said:—"Never +did we show cowardice or unmanliness, and +we shall not do so now." Then she was silent and +went with them into the house.</p> + +<p>And the company, when they had come in, sat +them down so that they filled the great hall: and +alluring viands and delicious drinks were set before +them: and they ate and drank till they became +satisfied and cheerful: all except Deirdre and the +Sons of Usna, who did not partake much of food or +drink. And Naisi asked for the king's chessboard and +chessmen; which were brought: and he and Deirdre +began to play.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="GCHAPTER_IV" id="GCHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">TROUBLE LOOMING.</p> + + +<p>Let us now speak of Concobar. As he sat among his +nobles, the thought of Deirdre came into his mind, +and he said:—"Who among you will go to the Red +Branch and bring me tidings of Deirdre, whether her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[443]</a></span> +youthful shape and looks still live upon her: for if so +there is not on the ridge of the world a woman more +beautiful." And Lavarcam said she would go.</p> + +<p>Now the sons of Usna were very dear to +Lavarcam: and Naisi was dearer than the others. +And rising up she went to the Red Branch, where she +found Naisi and Deirdre with the chessboard between +them, playing. And she saluted them affectionately: +and she embraced Deirdre, and wept over her, and +kissed her many times with the eagerness of her love: +and she kissed the cheeks of Naisi and of his brothers.</p> + +<p>And when her loving greeting was ended, she +said:—"Beloved children, evil is the deed that is to +be done this night in Emain: for the three torches of +valour of the Gaels will be treacherously assailed, and +Concobar is certainly resolved to put them to death. +And now set your people on guard, and bolt and bar +all doors, and close all windows; and be steadfast and +valorous, and defend your dear charge manfully, if +you may hold the assailants at bay till Fergus comes." +And she departed weeping piteously.</p> + +<p>And when Lavarcam had returned to Concobar he +asked what tidings she brought. "Good tidings have +I," said she: "for the three sons of Usna have come, +the three valiant champions of Ulaid: and now that +they are with thee, O king, thou wilt hold sway in +Erin without dispute. And bad tidings I bring also: +Deirdre indeed is not as she was, for her youthful +form and the splendour of her countenance have fled +from her."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[444]</a></span></p> + +<p>And when Concobar heard this, his jealousy abated, +and he joined in the feasting.</p> + +<p>But again the thought of Deirdre came to him, +and he asked:—"Who now will go for me to the Red +Branch, and bring me further tidings of Deirdre and +of the sons of Usna?" for he distrusted Lavarcam. +But the Knights of the Red Branch had misgivings of +some evil design, and all remained silent.</p> + +<p>Then he called to him Trendorn, one of the lesser +chiefs: and he said:—"Knowest thou, Trendorn, who +slew thy father and thy three brothers in battle?" +And Trendorn answered:—"Verily, it was Naisi, the +son of Usna, that slew them." Then the king said:—"Go +now to the Red Branch and bring me back +tidings of Deirdre and of the sons of Usna."</p> + +<p>Trendorn went right willingly. But when he +found the doors and windows of the Red Branch shut +up, he was seized with fear, and he said:—"It is not +safe to approach the sons of Usna, for they are surely +in wrathful mood: nevertheless I must needs bring +back tidings to the king."</p> + +<p>Whereupon, not daring to knock at the door, he +climbed nimbly to a small window high up that had +been unwittingly left open, through which he viewed +the spacious banquet hall, and saw Naisi and Deirdre +playing chess. Deirdre chanced to look up at that +moment, and seeing the face of the spy with eyes +intently gazing on her, she started with affright and +grasped Naisi's arm, as he was making a move with +the chessman. Naisi, following her gaze, and seeing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[445]</a></span> +the evil-looking face, flung the chessman with unerring +aim, and broke the eye in Trendorn's head.</p> + +<p>Trendorn dropped down in pain and rage; and +going straight to Concobar, he said:—"I have tidings +for thee, O king: the three sons of Usna are sitting +in the banquet hall, stately and proud like kings: and +Deirdre is seated beside Naisi; and verily for beauty +and queenly grace her peer cannot be found."</p> + +<p>When Concobar heard this, a flame of jealousy and +fury blazed up in his heart, and he resolved that by no +means should the sons of Usna escape the doom he +planned for them.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="GCHAPTER_V" id="GCHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">THE ATTACK ON THE SONS OF USNA.</p> + + +<p>Coming forth on the lawn of Emain, King Concobar +now ordered a large body of hireling troops to beset +the Red Branch: and he bade them force the doors +and bring forth the sons of Usna. And they uttered +three dreadful shouts of defiance, and assailed the +house on every side; but the strong oak stood bravely, +and they were not able to break through doors or walls. +So they heaped up great piles of wood and brambles, +and kindled them till the red flames blazed round +the house.</p> + +<p>Buinni the Red now stood up and said to the sons +of Usna:—"To me be entrusted the task to repel this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[446]</a></span> +first assault: for I am your pledge in place of my +father." And marshalling his men, and causing the +great door to be thrown wide open, he sallied forth and +scattered the assailants, and put out the fires: slaying +thrice fifty hirelings in that onslaught.</p> + +<p>But Buinni returned not to the Red Branch: for +the king sent to him with a secret offer of great favours +and bribes: namely, his own royal friendship, and a +fruitful tract of land; which Buinni took and basely +abandoned the sons of Usna. But none the better +luck came to him of it: for at that same hour a blight +fell on the land, so that it became a moor, waste and +profitless, which is at this day called Slieve Fuad.</p> + +<p>When Illan the Fair became aware of his brother's +treason, he was grieved to the heart, and he said:—"I +am the second pledge in place of my father for the +sons of Usna, and of a certainty I will not betray +them: while this straight sword lives in my hand I +will be faithful: and I will now repel this second +attack." For at this time the king's hirelings were +again thundering at the doors.</p> + +<p>Forth he issued with his band: and he made three +quick furious circuits round the Red Branch, scattering +the troops as he went: after which he returned to the +mansion and found Naisi and Deirdre still playing.<a name="FNanchor_CLXXVII._205" id="FNanchor_CLXXVII._205"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXVII._205" class="fnanchor">[CLXXVII.]</a> +But as the hireling hordes returned to the attack, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[447]</a></span> +went forth a second time and fell on them, dealing +death and havoc whithersoever he went.</p> + +<p>Then, while the fight was still raging, Concobar +called to him his son Ficra, and said to him:—"Thou +and Illan the Fair were born on the same night: and +as he has his father's arms, so thou take mine, namely, +my shield which is called the Ocean, and my two spears +which are called Dart and Slaughter, and my great +sword, the Blue-green blade. And bear thyself manfully +against him, and vanquish him, else none of my +troops will survive."</p> + +<p>Ficra did so and went against Illan the Fair; and +they made a stout, warlike, red-wounding attack on +each other, while the others looked on anxious: but +none dared to interfere. And it came to pass that +Illan prevailed, so that Ficra was fain to shelter +himself behind his father's shield the Ocean, and he was +like to be slain. Whereupon, the shield moaned, and +the Three Waves of Erin uttered their hollow melancholy +roar.<a name="FNanchor_CLXXVIII._206" id="FNanchor_CLXXVIII._206"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXVIII._206" class="fnanchor">[CLXXVIII.]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[448]</a></span></p> +<p>The hero Conall Carnagh, sitting in his dun afar +off, heard the moan of the shield and the roar of the +Wave of Tuath: and springing up from where he sat, +he said: "Verily, the king is in danger: I will go to +his rescue."</p> + +<p>He ran with the swiftness of the wind, and arrived +on the Green of Emain, where the two young heroes +were fighting. Thinking it was Concobar that crouched +beneath the shield, he attacked Illan, not knowing him, +and wounded him even unto death. And Illan looking +up said, "Is it thou, Conall? Alas, dreadful is the +deed thou hast done, not knowing me, and not knowing +that I am fighting in defence of the sons of Usna, who +are now in deadly peril from the treachery of +Concobar."</p> + +<p>And Conall, finding he had unwittingly wounded +his dear young friend Illan, turned in his grief and +rage on the other, and swept off his head. And he +stalked fierce and silent out of the battlefield.</p> + +<p>Illan, still faithful to his charge, called aloud to +Naisi to defend himself bravely: then putting forth +his remaining strength, he flung his arms, namely, his +sword and his spears and his shield, into the Red +Branch; and falling prone on the green sward, the +shades of death dimmed his eyes, and his life departed.</p> + +<p>And now when it was the dusk of evening, another +great battalion of the hirelings assailed the Red +Branch, and kindled fagots around it: whereupon +Ardan sallied out with his valorous band and scattered +them, and put out the fires, and held guard for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[449]</a></span> +first third of the night. And during the second third +Ainnli kept them at bay.</p> + +<p>Then Naisi took his turn, issuing forth, and fought +with them till the morning's dawn: and until the +sands of the seashore, or the leaves of the forest, or the +dew-drops on the grass, or the stars of heaven are +counted, it will not be possible to number the +hirelings that were slain in that fight by Naisi and +his band of heroes.</p> + +<p>And as he was returning breathless from the rout, +all grimy and terrible with blood and sweat, he spied +Lavarcam, as she stood watching the battle anxiously; +and he said:—"Go, Lavarcam, go and stand on the +outer rampart, and cast thine eyes eastwards, if perchance +thou shouldst see Fergus and his men coming."</p> + +<p>For many of Naisi's brave followers had fallen in +these encounters: and he doubted that he and the +others could sustain much longer the continual +assaults of superior numbers. And Lavarcam went, +but returned downcast, saying she saw nought eastwards, +but the open plain with the peaceful herds +browsing over it.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><a name="GCHAPTER_VI" id="GCHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="center b1">DEATH OF THE SONS OF USNA.</p> + + +<p>Believing now that they could no longer defend the +Red Branch, Naisi took council with his brothers; and +what they resolved on was this:—To sally forth with +all their men and fight their way to a place of safety.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[450]</a></span> +Then making a close, firm fence of shields and spears +round Deirdre, they marched out in solid ranks and +attacked the hireling battalions and slew three hundred +in that onslaught.</p> + +<p>Concobar, seeing the rout of his men, and being +now sure that it was not possible to subdue the sons +of Usna in open fight, cast about if he might take +them by falsehood and craft. And sending for Caffa, +the druid, who loved them, he said:—</p> + +<p>"These sons of Usna are brave men, and it is our +pleasure to receive them back into our service. Go +now unto them, for thou art their loved friend; and +say to them that if they lay down their arms and +submit to me, I will restore them to favour and give +them their places among the Red Branch Knights. +And I pledge thee my kingly word and my troth as a +true knight, that no harm shall befall them."</p> + +<p>Caffa, by no means distrusting him, went to the +sons of Usna, and told them all the king had said. +And they, suspecting neither guile nor treachery, +joyfully threw their swords and spears aside, and +went towards the king to make submission. But now, +while they stood defenceless, the king caused them to +be seized and bound. Then, turning aside, he sought +for some one to put them to death; but he found no +man of the Ultonians willing to do so.</p> + +<p>Among his followers was a foreigner named Maini +of the Rough Hand, whose father and two brothers +had fallen in battle by Naisi: and this man undertook +to kill the sons of Usna.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[451]</a></span></p> + +<p>When they were brought forth to their doom, +Ardan said:—"I am the youngest: let me be slain +first, that I may not see the death of my brothers." +And Ainnli earnestly pleaded for the same thing for +himself, saying that he was born before Ardan, and +should die before him.</p> + +<p>But Naisi said:—"Lo, I have a sword, the gift +of Mannanan mac Lir, which leaves no remnant +unfinished after a blow: let us be struck with it, all +three together, and we shall die at the same moment."</p> + +<p>This was agreed to: and the sword was brought +forth, and they laid their heads close together, and +Maini swept off all three with one blow of the mighty +sword. And when it became known that the sons of +Usna were dead, the men of Ulaid sent forth three +great cries of grief and lamentation.</p> + +<p>As for Deirdre, she cried aloud, and tore her golden +hair, and became like one distracted. And after a +time, when her calmness had a little returned, she +uttered a lament:—</p> + + +<h4>I.</h4> + +<p>"Three lions of the hill are dead, and I am left +alone to weep for them. The generous princes who +made the stranger welcome have been guilefully lured +to their doom.</p> + + +<h4>II.</h4> + +<p>"The three strong hawks of Slieve Cullinn,<a name="FNanchor_CLXXIX._207" id="FNanchor_CLXXIX._207"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXIX._207" class="fnanchor">[CLXXIX.]</a> a +king's three sons, strong and gentle: willing obedience<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[452]</a></span> +was yielded to them by heroes who had conquered +many lands.</p> + + +<h4>III.</h4> + +<p>"Three generous heroes of the Red Branch, who +loved to praise the valour of others: three props of +the battalions of Quelna: their fall is the cause of +bitter grief.</p> + + +<h4>IV.</h4> + +<p>"Ainnli and Ardan, haughty and fierce in battle, +to me were ever loving and gentle: Naisi, Naisi, +beloved spouse of my choice, thou canst not hear thy +Deirdre lamenting thee.</p> + + +<h4>V.</h4> + +<p>"When they brought down the fleet red deer in the +chase, when they speared the salmon skilfully in the +clear water, joyful and proud were they if I looked on.</p> + + +<h4>VI.</h4> + +<p>"Often when my feeble feet grew weary wandering +along the valleys, and climbing the hills to view +the chase, often would they bear me home lightly on +their linked shields and spears.</p> + + +<h4>VII.</h4> + +<p>"It was gladness of heart to be with the sons +of Usna: long and weary is the day without their +company: short will be my span of life since they have +left me.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[453]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>VIII.</h4> + +<p>"Sorrow and tears have dimmed my eyes, looking +at the grave of Naisi: a dark deadly sickness has seized +my heart: I cannot, I cannot live after Naisi.</p> + + +<h4>IX.</h4> + +<p>"O thou who diggest the new grave, make it deep +and wide: let it be a grave for four; for I will sleep +for ever beside my beloved."</p> + + +<p class="p2">When she had spoken these words, she fell beside +the body of Naisi and died immediately. And a great +cairn of stones was piled over their grave, and their +names were inscribed in Ogham, and their funeral rites +were performed.</p> + +<p>This is the sorrowful tale of The Fate of the Sons +of Usna.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[454]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[455]</a></span></p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h2><a name="NOTES" id="NOTES"></a>NOTES.</h2> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="smcap">Note 1.</span></a> —<i>The Dedannans.</i> +</p><p> +According to the old bardic legends, the first man who led a +colony to Ireland after the Flood was Parthalon. Next came Nemed +and his people; and after these the Firbolgs, who were conquered +and succeeded by the Dedannans. +</p><p> +The legend relates that the Dedannans, in the course of their +wanderings, spent some time in Greece, where they learned magic +and other curious arts. From this they migrated to Lochlann, in +the north of Europe (<a href="#Footnote_6_6">see note 6</a>), from which they came through +Scotland to their final resting-place, Ireland. +</p><p> +From the three queens of their three last kings, Ireland got the +three names, Erin, Fōla, and Banba. +</p><p> +After the Dedannans had held sway in Ireland for about two +hundred years, they were in their turn conquered by the last and +greatest colony of all, the people of Milèd or Milesius, who are +commonly known by the name of Milesians, and who are the +ancestors of the leading Gaelic families of Ireland. The Milesians +defeated the Dedannans in two great battles: one fought at <i>Tailltenn</i>, +now Teltown, on the river Blackwater, between Navan and +Kells, in Meath; and the other at <i>Druim-Lighean</i>, now Drumleene, +about three miles from Lifford, in Donegal. +</p><p> +In the legendary and romantic literature of Ireland, the +Dedannans are celebrated as magicians. By the Milesians and +their descendants they were regarded as gods, and ultimately, in +the imagination of the people, they became what are now in Ireland +called "fairies." +</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[456]</a></span></p><p> +After their defeat by the Milesians, they seem to have retired to +remote and lonely places; and their reputation as magicians, as +well as the obscure and mysterious manner in which they lived, +gradually impressed the vulgar with the belief that they were +supernatural beings. +</p><p> +The notion was that they lived in splendid palaces in the +interior of pleasant green hills. These hills were called <i>sidh</i> (pronounced +<i>shee</i>); and hence the Dedannans were called <i>Daoine-sidhe</i> +(<i>Deena-shee</i>), or people of the fairy hills; <i>Marcra-sidhe</i> (<i>Markra-shee</i>), +fairy cavalcade; and <i>Sluagh-sidhe</i> (<i>Sloo-shee</i>), fairy host. +</p><p> +Of this mysterious race, the following are the principal characters +mentioned in these tales. +</p><p> +Mannanan Mac Lir, the Gaelic sea-god. In "Cormac's Glossary" +(written <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 900), we are told that he was a famous merchant who +resided in, and gave name to, <i>Inis-Manann</i>, or the Isle of Man; +that he was the best merchant in Western Europe; and that he +used to know, by examining the heavens, the length of time the +fair and the foul weather would last. +</p><p> +The Dagda, whose name some interpret to mean "the great +good fire," so called from his military ardour, who reigned as king +of Ireland from <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> 3370 to 3450. +</p><p> +Angus or Angus Oge, the son of the Dagda, who lived at <i>Brugh</i> +or Bruga, on the north shore of the Boyne, a little below the village +of Slane. Angus is spoken of as the wisest and the most skilled +in magic of all the Dedannan race. +</p><p> +Nuada of the Silver Hand. (<a href="#Footnote_4_4">See note 4.</a>) +</p><p> +Lir of Shee Finnaha, the father of the four "Children of Lir," +and Bove Derg of Shee Bove, of whom we know little more than +what is told of them in the "Fate of the Children of Lir." Shee +Finnaha is supposed to have been situated near Newtown Hamilton, +in Armagh; and Shee Bove was on the shore of Lough Derg, +on the Shannon. +</p><p> +Luga of the Long Arms, who imposed the eric-fine on the three +sons of Turenn for slaying his father Kian. (<a href="#Footnote_7_7">See note 7</a> for a +further account of this Luga.) +</p><p> +Dianket, the great physician, of whose powers of cure extraordinary +stories are told. He had a son Midac, and a daughter +Armedda, more skilful than himself. The old legend relates that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[457]</a></span> +Midac took off the silver arm which his father Dianket had put on +Nuada (<a href="#Footnote_4_4">see note 4</a>), and, having procured the bones of the real arm, +he clothed them with flesh and skin, and fixed the arm in its place +as well as ever "in three moments." Dianket was so enraged at +being outdone by his son that he slew him. After Midac had been +buried for some time, three hundred and sixty-five healing herbs +grew up from his grave, one from every joint and sinew of his body—each +herb to cure disease in that part of the human body from +which it grew—all which were gathered by his sister Armedda, +and placed carefully in her cloak in their proper order. But before +she had time to study their several virtues fully, her father +Dianket mixed them all up in utter confusion. (O'Curry, <i>Atlantis</i>, +vii. and viii. 158.) Were it not for this churlish proceeding, +Armedda would have found out, and we should now know, the +exact herb to cure each particular disease of the human frame.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="smcap">Note 2.</span></a> —<i>The Feast of Age.</i> +</p><p> +This was also called the Feast of Gobnenn the Dedannan smith. +It was instituted by Mannanan Mac Lir, and whoever was present +at it, and partook of the food and drink, was free ever after from +sickness, decay, and old age.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="smcap">Note 3.</span></a> —<i>The Druids.</i> +</p><p> +The ancient Irish druids do not appear to have been <i>priests</i> in +any sense of the word. They were, in popular estimation, men of +knowledge and power—"Men of science," as they were often +designated; they knew the arts of healing and divination; and +they were skilled above all in magic. In fact, the Irish druids were +magicians, neither more nor less; and hence the Gaelic word for +"druidical" is almost always applied where we should use the term +"magical"—to spells, incantations, metamorphoses, etc. (See +O'Curry, "Lectures on the Manners and Customs of the Ancient +Irish," Lecture ix.)</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="smcap">Note 4.</span></a> —<i>Nuada of the Silver Hand.</i> +</p><p> +Nuada of the Silver Hand was king of Ireland, according to the +chronology of the Four Masters, from <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> 3311 to 3330. He commanded +the Dedannans in the first battle of Moytura (<a href="#Footnote_11_11">see note 11</a>),<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[458]</a></span> +where his arm was cut off with a sword-blow by Sreng, the great +Firbolg champion. Afterwards Credne the artificer made him a +silver arm with a hand, which was fixed on by Dianket, the physician +(<a href="#Footnote_1_1">see note 1</a>). Nuada was slain in the second battle of Moytura, +by Balor of the Mighty Blows (<a href="#Footnote_11_11">see note 11</a>).</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="smcap">Note 5.</span></a> —<i>The Fomorians.</i> +</p><p> +"Fomor," the simple form of this word, means, according to +the old etymologists, a sea-robber, from <i>fo</i>, on or along, and <i>muir</i>, +the sea. The word is also used to denote a giant, or a gigantic +champion. +</p><p> +The Fomorians of Irish history were sea-robbers, who infested +the coasts, and indeed the interior, of Ireland, for a long series of +years, and at one time fortified themselves in Tory Island. They +are stated to have come to Ireland from Lochlann, in the north of +Europe (for which <a href="#Footnote_6_6">see next note</a>); but they were originally from +Africa, being, according to the legend, the descendants of Ham the +son of Noah.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="smcap">Note 6.</span></a> —<i>Lochlann: The Lochlanns.</i> +</p><p> +Lochlann was the Gaelic designation of the country from which +came the people who are known in European history as Danes, <i>i.e.</i> +the country round the southern shores of the Baltic, including the +south part of Sweden. The Lochlanns, or Lochlannachs, or Danes, +it need hardly be said, make a very conspicuous figure in our early +history, and in our mediæval romantic literature. +</p><p> +In the Gaelic tales, the chief city of Lochlann is always Berva; +but whether this represents a real name, or is merely an invention +of the old story-tellers, I cannot tell.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="smcap">Note 7.</span></a> —<i>Luga of the Long Arms: The Ildana.</i> +</p><p> +Luga of the Long Arms was the son of Ethlenn, daughter of the +Fomorian king, Balor of the Mighty Blows (<a href="#Footnote_9_9">see note 9</a>). His +father, Kian (who was slain by the three sons of Turenn), was a +Dedannan; so that Luga was half Fomorian and half Dedannan. +But he always took the side of the Dedannans against the +Fomorians. +</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[459]</a></span></p><p> +Luga is often called The Ildana, the Man of many sciences, to +signify his accomplishments as a warrior and a man of general +knowledge. +</p><p> +It had been foretold that Balor would be slain by his own +grandson. Accordingly, when Luga was born, Balor sent him off to +be drowned. But Luga escaped, and lived to revenge the unnatural +conduct of his grandfather, whom he slew in the second battle of +Moytura (<a href="#Footnote_11_11">see note 11</a>), after Balor had slain the Dedannan king, +Nuada of the Silver Hand. Luga succeeded Nuada as king of +Ireland, and reigned, according to the chronology of the Four +Masters, from <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> 3330 to 3370. +</p><p> +It was by Luga that the celebrated yearly assembly of Tailltenn +was instituted, in honour of his foster mother <i>Taillte</i>, after whom +the place was called. (<a href="#Footnote_LI._79">See note page 93, <i>supra.</i></a>)</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="smcap">Note 8.</span></a> —<i>The Land of Promise: Fairyland.</i> +</p><p> +In ancient Gaelic romantic tales, mention is often made of <i>Tir +Tairrngire</i>, the Land of Promise, Fairyland, as being one of the +chief dwelling-places of the Dedannans or fairy host. In many +passages this Land of Promise is identified with <i>Inis-Manann</i>, or +the Isle of Man, which was ruled over by Mannanan Mac Lir, the +sea-god, and named from him.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="smcap">Note 9.</span></a> —<i>Balor of the Mighty Blows.</i> +</p><p> +Balor was king of the Fomorians from Lochlann in the north; +his wife was Kethlenda; and his son, Bres. Balor is often called +Balor of the Mighty Blows; and also Balor of the Evil Eye, for +he had one eye which would strike people dead or turn them into +stone, so that he kept it covered, except when he wished to use it +against his enemies. Balor is remembered very vividly in tradition +by the peasantry of Ireland, especially in Donegal and in Tory +Island, where a very high, tower-like rock is called to this day +Balor's Castle.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="smcap">Note 10.</span></a> —<i>Eric.</i> +</p><p> +The eric was a fine paid as compensation for murder or homicide. +The friends of the murdered person might accept an eric, or they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[460]</a></span> +might refuse it and seek instead the death of the murderer. An +eric was often paid for other crimes or injuries against the individual, +as well as for homicide.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="smcap">Note 11.</span></a> —<i>Battle of Moytura.</i> +</p><p> +There were two great battles, each called the battle of Moytura. +</p><p> +<i>First Battle of Moytura.</i> When the Dedannans came to invade +Erin, they found the country occupied by the Firbolgs, who were +by no means inclined to give up quiet possession to the newcomers. +After some parleying and manœuvring, a great battle +was fought between them, <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> 3303, at Moytura, near Cong, in +Mayo, lasting for four days, in which the Firbolgs were defeated +with great slaughter, and their king slain; after which the +Dedannans took possession of the country, leaving Connaught, +however, to a powerful remnant of the Firbolgs who survived the +battle. This is called the First Battle of Moytura, or the +Battle of the Southern Moytura. On the plain where it was +fought, there are still great numbers of mounds, cromlechs, and +other sepulchral monuments. (See Sir William Wilde's "Lough +Corrib," page 210.) +</p><p> +<i>Second Battle of Moytura.</i> King Nuada, who led the Dedannans +in the first battle of Moytura, had his arm cut off by +Sreng, one of the Firbolg champions. He was under cure for +seven years; during which time Bres, the son of Elatha, who was +a Fomorian by his father and a Dedannan by his mother, ruled +Ireland as regent. But at the end of the seven years, Bres had to +retire in favour of Nuada. Whereupon he repaired in anger to +his father in Lochlann; and at his instigation an army of Fomorians +was raised, after some years, for the invasion of Ireland, and placed +under the command of Balor of the Mighty Blows. +</p><p> +Luga of the Long Arms seems to have foreseen this invasion. +He knew that Bres would have to abdicate whenever Nuada's arm +came to be healed, and he conjectured truly that he would not +resign the sovereignty without a struggle. But the old tales would +lead to the inference that Luga had some preternatural foreknowledge +of the battle. Anyhow, the legend says that for many +years he made preparations for the coming struggle; and it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[461]</a></span> +with this intention that he imposed the celebrated eric-fine on the +sons of Turenn. +</p><p> +The Fomorians landed, and were met by the Dedannan army +at the Northern Moytura, or, as it is often called, Moytura of the +Fomorians, situated in the parish of Kilmactranny, barony of Tirerrill, +county Sligo. The battle was fought on the eve of Samin, <i>i.e.</i> on +the last day of October, <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> 3330; and the Fomorians were defeated +with the slaughter of their principal men and the best part of their +army. In the course of the battle, Nuada of the Silver Hand, the +Dedannan king, was slain by Balor; but soon after, Balor himself +was killed by his grandson, Luga. Luga, we are told, flung a +stone at him from a crann-tavall or sling (<a href="#Footnote_CIII._131">see note, page 240</a>), and +struck him in the evil eye with so much force that the stone went +clean through his head and out at the back. +</p><p> +The site of this battle, like that of the Southern Moytura, +abounds to this day in sepulchral monuments. +</p><p> +These two battles of Moytura form the subjects of two historic +tales, which are still in existence, though they have never been +published.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="smcap">Note 12.</span></a> —<i>Gesa.</i> +</p><p> +"Gesa" (pronounced <i>gessa</i>, the <i>g</i> hard, as in <i>get</i>) is plural: +singular <i>geis</i>, plural <i>geasa</i> or <i>gesa</i>. Gesa means solemn vows, conjurations, +injunctions, prohibitions. "I put you under gesa" means, +I adjure you solemnly, so solemnly that you dare not disobey. It +would appear that individuals were often under gesa or solemn +vows to observe, or to refrain from, certain lines of conduct—the +vows being either taken on themselves voluntarily, or imposed on +them, with their consent, by others. Thus Dermat O'Dyna was +under gesa never to pass through a wicket gate when entering or +leaving a palace (<a href="#Page_282">page 282</a>); Finn was under gesa not to sleep at +Allen more than nine nights in succession <a href="#Page_337">(page 337</a>); Dermat put +Oisin under gesa not to loose any one whom he bound (<a href="#Page_312">page 312</a>). +It would appear, also, that if one person went through the form of +putting another under gesa to grant any reasonable request, the +abjured person could not refuse without loss of honour and reputation. +Thus Midac places Finn under gesa to come to the banquet +in the Fairy Palace of the Quicken Trees (<a href="#Page_189">page 189</a>); and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[462]</a></span> +witch-lady places gesa on Finn to search for the ring in the lake +(<a href="#Page_354">page 354</a>). And sometimes, on very solemn or urgent occasions, +the gesa seem to have been imposed with spells, so as to draw down +ill luck as well as loss of honour on the person who disregarded the +injunction (<a href="#Page_281">page 281</a>). +</p><p> +Geis or gesa also means a charm or spell.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="smcap">Note 13.</span></a> —<i>Tir-fa-tonn.</i> +</p><p> +The Gaelic tales abound in allusions to a beautiful country +situated under the sea—an enchanted land sunk at some remote time, +and still held under spell. In some romantic writings it is called +<i>Tir-fa-tonn</i>, the land beneath the wave; and occasionally one or +more of the heroes find their way to it, and meet with many strange +adventures (<a href="#Page_253">page 253</a>). Sometimes it is <i>O'Brasil</i>, that dim land +which appears over the water once every seven years—"on the +verge of the azure sea"—and which would be freed from the spell, +and would remain permanently over water, if any one could succeed +in throwing fire on it. (See Gerald Griffin's beautiful ballad, +"O'Brasil, the Isle of the Blest.") The Island of Fincara (<a href="#Page_87">page 87</a>), +and the beautiful country seen beneath the waves by Maildun +(<a href="#Page_147">page 147</a>), are remnants of the same superstition. +</p><p> +This very old Celtic tradition is obviously the same as the +legend of the continent of Atlantis, mentioned by Plato, which at +some remote time was overwhelmed and sunk under the Atlantic +Ocean. And it would seem that they have the same shadowy +tradition in the East; for in "Lalla Rookh" Moore makes the +Peri say, in her soliloquy: +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I know where the Isles of Perfume are,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Many a fathom down in the sea,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To the south of sun-bright Araby."<br /></span> +</div></div></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="smcap">Note 14.</span></a> —<i>The Enchanted Well.</i> +</p><p> +Res autem sic revera evenit. Cum Angus magus equum +giganteum Eochaidio et popularibus traderet, monebat homines +nec stabulandi neque omnino requiescendi copiam equo faciendam; +ne forte quiescendo urinam demitteret, quod si fieret exitio +omnibus fore. Postea vero quam at Planitiem Silvulæ Cinereæ +pervenissent, intenti adeo sarcinis ingentis equi dorso detrahendis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[463]</a></span> +incumbebant, ut monitorum Angi obliviscerentur; restitit autem +equus, et subinde urinam demisit. Extemplo hinc fons ortus; +qui cum scaturiisset, submersit omnes, sicuti in historiâ narratur.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="smcap">Note 15.</span></a> —<i>Conal Carna of the Red Branch.</i> +</p><p> +The Red Branch Knights of Ulster, a sort of militia in the service +of the monarch, much like the Fena of later date (<a href="#Footnote_23_23">see note 23</a>), +flourished in the first century of the Christian era. Their home +was the palace of Emania, near the city of Armagh; and they +received their name from one of the houses of the palace in which +they resided, which was called <i>Craebh-ruadh</i>, or Red Branch. +They attained their greatest glory in the reign of Conor Mac Nessa, +king of Ulster in the first century; and Conal Carna, mentioned +in the story of "Liban the Mermaid," was one of their most +illustrious champions.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="smcap">Note 16.</span></a> —<i>Ecca the Son of Marid: Comgall of Bangor.</i> +</p><p> +This Marid was king of Munster about the beginning of the +second century of the Christian era. St. Comgall, one of the greatest +saints of the early Irish Church, flourished in the sixth century, and +was the founder of the celebrated monastery of Bangor in the +county of Down.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="smcap">Note 17.</span></a> —<i>Curragh.</i> +</p><p> +It would appear that in Ireland, and indeed in England and +Scotland as well, navigation was carried on in ancient times chiefly +by means of curraghs. The curragh was a boat or canoe, consisting +of a light framework of wood, covered over with the skins of +animals. Curraghs are still used on many parts of the western +coast of Ireland; but they are now covered with tarred canvas +instead of skins.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="smcap">Note 18.</span></a> —<i>Conn the Hundred-fighter.</i> +</p><p> +Conn Ced-cathach or Conn the Fighter of a Hundred (not +Conn of the Hundred Battles, as the name is generally translated), +was king of Ireland from <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 123 to 158.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[464]</a></span></p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="smcap">Note 19.</span></a> —<i>Land of the Living: Land of Life, etc.</i> +</p><p> +The ancient Irish had a sort of dim, vague belief that there was +a land where people were always youthful, and free from care and +trouble, suffered no disease, and lived for ever. This country they +called by various names:—<i>Tir-na-mbeo</i>, the land of the [ever-]living; +<i>Tir-na-nóg</i>, the land of the [ever-]youthful; <i>Moy-Mell</i>, the plain of +pleasure, etc. It had its own inhabitants—fairies; but mortals were +sometimes brought there; and while they lived in it, were gifted +with the everlasting youth and beauty of the fairy people themselves, +and partook of their pleasures. As to the exact place where +Tirnanoge was situated, the references are shadowy and variable, +but they often place it far out in the Atlantic Ocean, as far as the +eye can reach from the high cliffs of the western coast. And here +it is identical with O'Brasil, of which mention has been made in +<a href="#Footnote_13_13">note 13</a>. +</p><p> +I have already remarked (<a href="#Footnote_1_1">see note 1</a>) that the fairies were also +supposed to live in palaces in the interior of pleasant green hills, +and that they were hence called Aes-shee or Deena-shee, i.e. people of +the <i>shee</i> or fairy hills; and hence also the word "banshee" <i>i.e.</i> a +woman (<i>bean</i>) of the fairy hills. Tirnanoge was often regarded as +identical with these bright, subterranean palaces. In my boyhood +days, the peasantry believed that the great limestone cavern near +Mitchelstown, in the county Cork, was one of the entrances to +Tirnanoge.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="smcap">Note 20.</span></a> —<i>St. Brendan of Birra.</i> +</p><p> +I have already, in the preface (<a href="#Page_xiii">page xiii.</a>), spoken of the celebrated +voyage of St. Brendan of Birra (Birr, in King's County), undertaken +in the sixth century. He set out from near Brandon Mountain, in +Kerry, sailing westwards into the Atlantic Ocean, and, according to +the belief of some, landed on the shore of America. He had many +imitators, who ventured out on the great ocean in their curraghs as +pilgrims; but none were so enterprising as himself, or met with +such a variety of strange lands, if we except Maildun and the three +sons of O'Corra, whose adventures are quite as surprising as those +of Brendan.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[465]</a></span></p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="smcap">Note 21.</span></a> —<i>Brendan's Satchel.</i> +</p><p> +The ancient Irish saints, when on their missionary journeys +through the country, kept their precious books, as well as the +portable sacred utensils, in leather satchels, which they brought +with them from place to place. These satchels were often highly +ornamented, and, like other relics, were held in extraordinary veneration +after the death of the owners. The Gaelic term for this +kind of satchel is <i>polaire</i>. (See Petrie, "Round Towers," page 336.)</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="smcap">Note 22.</span></a> —<i>Cormac Mac Art.</i> +</p><p> +Cormac Mac Art, the most illustrious of the Irish kings, who +began his reign <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 254, was the son of Art the Lonely, who was +son of Conn the Hundred-fighter. During his reign flourished the +Fena or militia, spoken of in <a href="#Footnote_23_23">the next note</a>; and the old chroniclers +never tire of dwelling on the magnificence of his court at Tara, and +the prosperity of the country during his reign. He was renowned +for learning and wisdom, and he wrote a book called <i>Tegusc-righ</i>, or +instruction for kings, copies of which are extant in the Books of +Leinster and Ballymote. He also caused the records of the kingdom +to be collected and written down in one great book called +the Psalter of Tara, but no portion of this book is now known to +exist; and he established three schools at Tara—one for military +science, one for law, and one for history and chronology. He spent +the last years of his life in retirement and study at Cletty on the +Boyne, and died <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 277, forty years after he had ascended the +throne.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="smcap">Note 23.</span></a> —<i>Finn and the Fena.</i> +</p><p> +The Fena or "Fena of Erin" were a sort of militia or standing +army, permanently maintained by the monarch for the support of +the throne, and regularly trained to military service. They +attained their greatest glory in the reign of Cormac Mac Art (<a href="#Footnote_22_22">see +previous note</a>). Each province had its own militia under its own +captain, but all were under the command of one general-in-chief. +Their most renowned commander was Finn the son of Cumal, who +of all the heroes of ancient Ireland is most vividly remembered in +popular tradition. Finn had his palace on the top of the Hill of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[466]</a></span> +Allen, a remarkable flat-topped hill, lying about four miles to the +right of the railway as you pass Newbridge and approach Kildare, +rendered more conspicuous of late years by a tall pillar erected +on the top, on the very site of Finn's palace. Before the erection +of the pillar, there were considerable remains of the old fort on the +hill, but at present nearly every vestige is obliterated, cleared away +partly to make room for the foundation of the pillar, and partly by +cultivation; for the land has been tilled and cropped to the very +summit. The whole neighbourhood, however, teems with living +traditions of Finn and the Fena. +</p><p> +The Fena were divided into distinct tribes or clanns, belonging +to the several provinces, each under its own commander. Of +these, the Clann Baskin of Leinster, under the immediate command +of Finn; and the Clann Morna of Connaught, commanded by Gaul +Mac Morna, were rival tribes, and, for reasons stated in <a href="#Footnote_27_27">note 27</a>, +regarded each other with hatred and distrust. +</p><p> +The following are some of the principal characters celebrated in +the romantic literature of the Fena. +</p><p> +Finn the son of Cumal, commander-in-chief of the Fena under +king Cormac Mac Art (<a href="#Footnote_22_22">see note 22</a>); brave, wise, and far-seeing, a man +of supreme military ability. His foresight seemed so extraordinary, +that the people believed it was a preternatural gift of divination, +and the shanachies invented a legend to account for it (<a href="#Footnote_25_25">see note 25</a>). +Like many great commanders, he had a little of the tyrant in his +character, and was unforgiving to those who injured him. But in +the story of Dermat and Grania, he is drawn in too unfavourable +a light. In his old age he was killed by a fisherman at a place +called Athbrea on the Boyne, <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 284, as recorded in the Annals +of Tighernach, of the Four Masters, and of Innisfallen. +</p><p> +Oisin or Ossian, Finn's son, the renowned hero-poet, to whom +the bards attribute many poems still extant. +</p><p> +Oscar, the son of Oisin, youthful and handsome, kind-hearted, +and one of the most valiant of the Fena. +</p><p> +Dermat O'Dyna, noble-minded, generous, of untarnished honour, +and the bravest of the brave. He was as handsome as he was +valiant, whence he is often styled Dermat of the Bright Face, +Dermat of the White Teeth, etc. He was the idol of the ladies of +Ireland, and hence he is often called Dermat-na-man, or Dermat of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[467]</a></span> +the Women (<a href="#Page_210">page 210</a>). The Munster traditions represent him +as a native of Kerry; but he was in reality a Leinsterman, though +his descendants migrated to Munster at a very early period. +Mr. O'Grady, in his edition of the story of Dermat and Grania +(<a href="#Page_294">page 294</a>), has given an ancient poetical genealogy of Dermat. +This hero is equally celebrated in popular story in the Highlands +of Scotland. According to Highland tradition, the great and +illustrious Clann Campbell, represented by the Duke of Argyll, +descend from him; and their crest is a boar's head, in memory of +the manner of Dermat's death.<a name="FNanchor_CLXXX._208" id="FNanchor_CLXXX._208"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXX._208" class="fnanchor">[CLXXX.]</a> Dermat O'Dyna is, on the whole, +the finest type of hero among the Fena—as fine indeed as can be +found in any literature; and his noble character is very well +maintained throughout the Ossianic tales. +</p><p> +Kylta Mac Ronan, Finn's nephew, renowned for his fleetness +of foot. +</p><p> +Dering, the son of Dobar O'Baskin, who was not only a brave +warrior, but also "a man of knowledge," gifted with some insight +into futurity. +</p><p> +Ligan Lumina, also celebrated for swiftness of foot. +</p><p> +Fergus Finnvel, poet, warrior, and frequent adviser of the Fena. +</p><p> +Gaul Mac Morna, the leader of the Clann Morna or Connaught +Fena, one of the mightiest of all the heroes. He served under Finn, +but the two chiefs bore no love to each other, for Gaul had slain +Finn's father, Cumal, in the battle of Knocka (<a href="#Footnote_27_27">see note 27</a>). +</p><p> +Conan Mail or Conan the Bald, the best-marked and best-sustained +character in the Ossianic romances; large-bodied, a great +boaster, a great coward, and a great glutton. He had a venomous +tongue, and hardly ever spoke a good word of any one. He belonged +to the Clann Morna, and was always reviling the Clann +Baskin. He was the butt for the gibes and mockery of the Fena, +but they dreaded his foul tongue. The story-tellers never lose an +opportunity of having a fling at Conan, and of turning him into +ridicule for his cowardice, his big talk, and his gluttony.</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[468]</a></span></p> + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="smcap">Note 24.</span></a> —<i>Cooking-Places.</i> +</p><p> +The Fena, as related in the beginning of the story of the Gilla +Dacker, were quartered on the principal householders during the +winter half-year; and maintained themselves chiefly by the chase +during the summer months. When they were on their hunting +expeditions, we are told that they ate only one meal a day; and +for this meal they cooked the flesh of the animals brought down in +the chase, in the following manner. They first dug a deep pit in +the earth near their camping-place, and, having lighted a great fire +beside it, they heated a number of round stones. They next +covered the bottom of the pit with the hot stones, on which they +placed the meat, bound up with sedge and grass ropes, and on this +again they put another layer of heated stones; and, having closely +covered up the whole with branches, they let it stand till the meat +was sufficiently cooked. The remains of these old earth-ovens are +still to be seen, and are called by the peasantry <i>fulachta-na-bhfiann</i>, +the cooking-places of the Fena.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="smcap">Note 25.</span></a> —<i>Finn's Tooth of Knowledge.</i> +</p><p> +It had been prophesied of old that a man named Finn would +be the first to eat of the salmon of knowledge, which swam in the +pool of Linn-Fec, in the Boyne (near the present village of Slane); +and that he would thereby obtain the gifts of knowledge and of +divination. A certain old poet named Finn, knowing this, hoped +that he might be the lucky man; so he took up his abode on the +shore of Linn-Fec; and he fished in the pool every day from morn +till night, in the hope of catching the salmon of knowledge. At +this time, Finn the son of Cumal was a boy, fleeing from place +to place from his hereditary enemies, the Clann Morna, disguised, +and bearing the assumed name of Demna; and, happening to come +to Linn-Fec, the old poet took him as his servant. +</p><p> +After long watching and waiting, Finn the poet hooked the +salmon at last, and gave it to Demna to broil, warning him very +strictly not to eat or even taste of it. Demna proceeded to broil +the fish; and soon the heat of the fire raised a great blister from its +side, which the boy pressed with his thumb to keep it down, thereby +scalding himself so severely that he unthinkingly thrust his thumb +into his mouth. +</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[469]</a></span></p><p> +When the salmon was cooked, the poet asked Demna had he +eaten of it. "No," replied the boy; "but I scalded my thumb on +the fish, and put it into my mouth." "Thy name is not Demna, +but Finn," exclaimed the poet: "in thee has the prophecy been +fulfilled; and thou art now a diviner and a man of knowledge!" +</p><p> +In this manner Finn obtained the gift of divination, so that +ever after, when he wished to look into futurity, he put his thumb +under his tooth of knowledge, as he did when cooking the salmon +of Linn-Fec, and the whole future was revealed to him. There +appears to have been some sort of ceremony used, however (<a href="#Page_339">see +page 339, <i>supra</i></a>); and it would seem that the process was attended +with pain (<a href="#Page_194">page 194</a>), so that it was only on very solemn and +trying occasions he put his thumb under his tooth of knowledge.<a name="FNanchor_CLXXXI._209" id="FNanchor_CLXXXI._209"></a><a href="#Footnote_CLXXXI._209" class="fnanchor">[CLXXXI.]</a></p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="smcap">Note 26.</span></a> —<i>The Game of Chess.</i> +</p><p> +Chess-playing was one of the favourite amusements of the +ancient Irish chiefs. The game is constantly mentioned in the +very oldest Gaelic tales; as, for instance, in the "Cattle-Spoil of +Cooley," in "The Book of the Dun Cow" (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1100). (See +O'Donovan's "Introduction to the Book of Rights," page lxi.)</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="smcap">Note 27.</span></a> —<i>Battle of Knocka.</i> +</p><p> +The battle of Knocka or <i>Cnucha</i> (now Castleknock, near Dublin) +was fought in the reign of Conn the Hundred-fighter (<a href="#Footnote_18_18">see note 18</a>).<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[470]</a></span> +The contending parties were, on the one side, Conn with his royal +forces, and the renowned hero, Gaul Mac Morna, with his Connaught +Fena, the Clann Morna; and on the other side, Cumal, the father of +Finn, with the Clann Baskin and the Leinster forces in general, aided +by Owen More, heir to the throne of Munster, with a large army of +Munstermen. The Leinster and Munster armies were defeated, +chiefly through the valour of Gaul, who slew Cumal with his own +hand. This was the cause of the irreconcilable enmity that existed +ever after between the Clann Baskin and the Clann Morna. +</p><p> +When Finn the son of Cumal grew up to man's estate, he +succeeded to the position held by his father as leader of the Fena. +But though he made peace with Gaul Mac Morna, and though Gaul +submitted to his command, there was always a feeling of ill-concealed +hatred and distrust between them.</p></div> + + +<div class="note"><p class="center p2 b1"><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><span class="smcap">Note 28.</span> —<i>Battle of Gavra.</i> +</p><p> +When Carbri of the Liffey, son of Cormac Mac Art, ascended +the throne of Ireland, one of his first acts was to disband and outlaw +the Clann Baskin; and he took into his service in their place their +rivals and deadly enemies, the Clann Morna from Connaught. +Whereupon the Clann Baskin marched southwards, and entered +the service of Fercorb, king of Munster, Finn's grandson, in direct +disobedience to king Carbri's commands. This led to the bloody +battle of Gavra, celebrated in Ossianic literature, which was fought +<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 284, at Garristown, in the north-west of the county Dublin, +where the rival clanns slaughtered each other almost to annihilation. +In the heat of the battle, Carbri and Oscar met in single combat; +and, after a long and terrible fight, the heroic Oscar fell pierced by +Carbri's spear, and died on the evening of the same day. But +Carbri himself was dreadfully wounded; and, while retiring from +the field, his own kinsman, Semeon, whom he had previously +banished from Tara, fell on him, and despatched him with a single +blow. +</p><p> +This battle is the subject of a poem which the bards ascribe to +Oisin, and which has been published, with translation, in the first +volume of the Ossianic Transactions. In this poem there is an +affecting description of the death of Oscar, surrounded by his few +surviving companions, and in presence of his father Oisin.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[471]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="LIST_OF_PROPER_NAMES" id="LIST_OF_PROPER_NAMES"></a>LIST OF PROPER NAMES.</h2> + +<hr class="chap" /><p><span class="smcap">Alphabetical List of the Principal Proper Names occurring +in this Volume, with their Original Gaelic Forms, and, +in many cases, their Meanings.</span></p> + + +<p class="p2">Every writer who attempts to popularise the Gaelic literature of +Ireland and Scotland, finds the proper names a serious difficulty. +If they are given in their original Gaelic forms, they are not unfrequently +unpronounceable and repulsive to the English reader; +if they are written phonetically, they are often strange and barbarous +looking. In this book, I have not followed any general principle +in reducing the names to forms suitable to readers of English. I +have dealt with each, as it were, on its own merits. Sometimes—very +often, indeed—I have given the original spelling; sometimes +I have given the names phonetically; and frequently I have +mixed the two modes. But all through I have avoided any great +departure from the original forms, as will be seen by a glance +at the following list.</p> + +<p>In all cases the names occurring through the book may be +pronounced just as the letters would indicate to the English reader.</p> + + + + + + + +<div class="center p4"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="proper names"> +<tr><td align="left">Aed,</td><td align="left"><i>Aedh</i>, a flame of fire.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ahaclee,</td><td align="left"><i>Ath-cliath</i>, hurdle-ford.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ailna,</td><td align="left"><i>Ailne</i>, beauty, joy.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Aina,</td><td align="left"><i>Aine</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Allil,</td><td align="left"><i>Ailioll</i>, <i>Ailell</i>, or <i>Oilioll</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Allil Ocar Aga,</td><td align="left"><i>Ailell Ochair Aga</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Alva,</td><td align="left"><i>Ailbhe</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Balor,</td><td align="left"><i>Balar</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Baskin,</td><td align="left"><i>Baoiscne</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Begallta,</td><td align="left"><i>Beagalltach</i>, little fury.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ben-Damis,</td><td align="left"><i>Beann-Damhuis</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Beoc,</td><td align="left"><i>Beóc</i>, <i>Dabheóc</i>, and <i>Beoán</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Berva,</td><td align="left"><i>Berbhe</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Borba,</td><td align="left"><i>Borb</i>, proud.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bran,</td><td align="left"><i>Bran</i>, a raven.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bres,</td><td align="left"><i>Breas</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brian,</td><td align="left"><i>Brian</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brickna,</td><td align="left"><i>Briccne</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bruga of the Boyne,</td><td align="left"><i>Brugh-na-Boinne</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Canta,</td><td align="left"><i>Cainte</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Carn-Arenn,</td><td align="left"><i>Carnn-Airenn</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Carricknarone,</td><td align="left"><i>Carraic-na-rón</i>, the rock of the seals.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Clann Navin,</td><td align="left"><i>Clann-Neamhuinn</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cloghan Kincat,</td><td align="left"><i>Clochan-chinn-chait</i>, the stepping-stones of the cat's head.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Coil Croda,</td><td align="left"><i>Cael-crodha</i>, the slender valiant [man].</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Colga,</td><td align="left"><i>Colga</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Colman,</td><td align="left"><i>Colman</i>, little dove.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Comgall,</td><td align="left"><i>Comhghall</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Conal Carna,</td><td align="left"><i>Conall Cernach</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Conan Mail,</td><td align="left"><i>Conan Mael</i>, Conan the Bald. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[472]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Conang,</td><td align="left"><i>Conaing</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Conn the Hundred-fighter</td><td align="left">(not Conn of the Hundred Battles, as it is usually translated), <i>Conn-Cédcathach</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Connla,</td><td align="left"><i>Connla</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Coran,</td><td align="left"><i>Coran</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cormac Mac Art,</td><td align="left"><i>Cormac Mac Airt</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Corr the Swift-footed,</td><td align="left"><i>Coir Cos-luath</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cuan,</td><td align="left"><i>Cuan</i> or <i>Cuadhan</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Culand,</td><td align="left"><i>Culand</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Curnan the Simpleton,</td><td align="left"><i>Curnan Onmit</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Curoi Mac Dara,</td><td align="left"><i>Curoi Mac Dáire</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dagda,</td><td align="left"><i>Dagda</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dara Donn,</td><td align="left"><i>Dáire Donn</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Darvra, Lake,</td><td align="left"><i>Loch Dairbhreach</i>, the lake of oaks.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dathkeen,</td><td align="left"><i>Dathchaoin</i>, bright-complexioned.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Decca,</td><td align="left"><i>Deoch</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dedannans,</td><td align="left"><i>Tuatha De Danann</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Derdri of the Black Mountain,</td><td align="left"><i>Deirdre Duibhshleibhe</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dering,</td><td align="left"><i>Diorraing</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dermat O'Dyna,</td><td align="left"><i>Diarmait O'Duibhne</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dianket,</td><td align="left"><i>Diancecht</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Diuran Lekerd,</td><td align="left"><i>Diuran Lecerd</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dobar O'Baskin,</td><td align="left"><i>Dobhar O'Baoiscne</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dooclone,</td><td align="left"><i>Dubhchluain</i>, dark-coloured meadow.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dord-Fian,</td><td align="left"><i>Dord-Fiann</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dryantore,</td><td align="left"><i>Draoigheantóir</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ducoss,</td><td align="left"><i>Dubhchosach</i>, black-foot.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Eas-Dara,</td><td align="left"><i>Eas-Dara</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ebb,</td><td align="left"><i>Eab</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ebliu,</td><td align="left"><i>Ebliu</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ebric,</td><td align="left"><i>Aibhric</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ecca,</td><td align="left"><i>Eochaidh</i>, a horseman.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Enbarr,</td><td align="left"><i>Aenbharr</i>, splendid mane.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Encoss,</td><td align="left"><i>Aenchos</i>, one foot.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ethnea,</td><td align="left"><i>Eithne</i>, sweet nut-kernel.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Etta,</td><td align="left"><i>Eitche</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Eva,</td><td align="left"><i>Aeife</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Eve,</td><td align="left"><i>Aebh</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Failinis,</td><td align="left"><i>Failinis</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fatha Conan,</td><td align="left"><i>Fatha Chonain</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Femin,</td><td align="left"><i>Feimeann</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fena,</td><td align="left"><i>Fianna</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ferdana,</td><td align="left"><i>Feardána</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fergor,</td><td align="left"><i>Fearghoir</i>, manly or strong voice.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fergus,</td><td align="left"><i>Fearghus</i>, manly strength.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fiaca Findamnas,</td><td align="left"><i>Fiacha Findamnais</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ficna,</td><td align="left"><i>Fiachna</i>, little raven.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ficra,</td><td align="left"><i>Fiachra</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fincara,</td><td align="left"><i>Fianchaire</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fincoss,</td><td align="left"><i>Finnchosach</i>, white-foot.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Finn,</td><td align="left"><i>Finn</i> or <i>Fionn</i>, fair-haired.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Finnin,</td><td align="left"><i>Finghín</i>, fair offspring.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Finola,</td><td align="left"><i>Fionnghuala</i>, white shoulder.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Flidas,</td><td align="left"><i>Flidas</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Foltlebar,</td><td align="left"><i>Folt-leabhar</i>, long hair.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Frevan,</td><td align="left"><i>Freamhainn</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ga-boi,</td><td align="left"><i>Ga-buidhe</i>, yellow javelin.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ga-derg,</td><td align="left"><i>Ga-dearg</i>, red javelin.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Gael Glas,</td><td align="left"><i>Gaodhal-Glas</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Garva,</td><td align="left"><i>Garbh</i>, rough.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Gaul Mac Morna,</td><td align="left"><i>Goll Mac Morna</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Germane,</td><td align="left"><i>Germane</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Gilla Dacker,</td><td align="left"><i>Giolla Deacair</i>, lazy fellow.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Glanlua,</td><td align="left"><i>Glanluadh</i>, pure-spoken.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Glas Mac Encarda,</td><td align="left"><i>Glas Mac Aeinchearda</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Glore,</td><td align="left"><i>Glór</i>, a voice.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ilbrec,</td><td align="left"><i>Ilbhreach</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ildana,</td><td align="left"><i>Ioldhanach</i>. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[473]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Inis Glora,</td><td align="left"><i>Inis Gluaire</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Innia,</td><td align="left"><i>Innia</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Innsa,</td><td align="left"><i>Inse</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Inver-tre-Kenand,</td><td align="left"><i>Inbher-Tre-Cenand</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Iraun,</td><td align="left"><i>Irann</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Iroda,</td><td align="left"><i>Ioruaidhe</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Irros Domnann,</td><td align="left"><i>Iorrus Domnann</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Island of the Torrent,</td><td align="left"><i>Inis Tuile</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kemoc,</td><td align="left"><i>Caemhoc</i> or <i>Mochoemhoc</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kenn-Avrat,</td><td align="left"><i>Ceann-Abhrat</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kenri,</td><td align="left"><i>Caenraighe</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kethen,</td><td align="left"><i>Cethen</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kethlenda,</td><td align="left"><i>Ceithleann</i> or <i>Ceithleand</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kian,</td><td align="left"><i>Cian</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kylta Mac Ronan,</td><td align="left"><i>Caeilte Mac Ronain</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Largnen,</td><td align="left"><i>Lairgnen</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lavaran,</td><td align="left"><i>Lobharan</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Liban,</td><td align="left"><i>Liban</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lidas,</td><td align="left"><i>Liadhas</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ligan Lumina,</td><td align="left"><i>Liagan Luaimneach</i>, Ligan the Bounding.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lir,</td><td align="left"><i>Lir</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lobas,</td><td align="left"><i>Lobais</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lochlann,</td><td align="left"><i>Lochlann</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Loskenn of the Bare Knees,</td><td align="left"><i>Loiscinn Lomghlúineach</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Luath,</td><td align="left"><i>Luaith</i>, swift.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Luga of the Long Arms,</td><td align="left"><i>Lugh Lamh-fada</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mac-an-Lona,</td><td align="left"><i>Mac-an-Luin</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mac Luga,</td><td align="left"><i>Mac Luigheach</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mac-na-Corra,</td><td align="left"><i>Mac-na-Corra</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Maildun,</td><td align="left"><i>Mail Duin</i>, chief of the fort.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Manissa,</td><td align="left"><i>Maighneis</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mannanan Mac Lir,</td><td align="left"><i>Manannan Mac Lir</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Marid Mac Carido,</td><td align="left"><i>Mairid Mac Cairedo</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mergah,</td><td align="left"><i>Meargach</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Micorta,</td><td align="left"><i>Miodhchuarta</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Midac,</td><td align="left"><i>Miodhach</i> or <i>Mioch</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Midir,</td><td align="left"><i>Midhir</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Midkena,</td><td align="left"><i>Miodhchaoin</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Milucra,</td><td align="left"><i>Miluchradh</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Modan,</td><td align="left"><i>Muadhan</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Morallta,</td><td align="left"><i>Moralltach</i>, great fury.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Moyle,</td><td align="left"><i>Mael</i>, a bare hill.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Moy-Mell,</td><td align="left"><i>Magh-Mell</i>, plain of pleasures.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Moytura,</td><td align="left"><i>Magh-tuireadh</i>, plain of towers.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Muman,</td><td align="left"><i>Mumha</i>, gen. <i>Mumhan</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Muridach,</td><td align="left"><i>Muridach</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Murthemna,</td><td align="left"><i>Muirthemhne</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Niam,</td><td align="left"><i>Niamh</i>, beauty.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Nuada of the Silver Hand,</td><td align="left"><i>Nuadha Airgeatlaimh</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Nuca,</td><td align="left"><i>Nuca</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Oisin,</td><td align="left"><i>Oisin</i> (pronounced <i>Isheen</i> in Munster, and <i>Osh'in</i> in Ulster and in Scotland).</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Oscar,</td><td align="left"><i>Oscar</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Owenaght,</td><td align="left"><i>Eoghanacht</i>, descendants of Owen.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pezar,</td><td align="left"><i>Pisear</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Racad,</td><td align="left"><i>Rachadh</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Rib,</td><td align="left"><i>Rib</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sencab,</td><td align="left"><i>Seanchab</i>, old mouth.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sharvan,</td><td align="left"><i>Searbhan</i>, a surly person.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Shee Finnaha,</td><td align="left"><i>Sidh-Fionnachaidh</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Skeabrac,</td><td align="left"><i>Sciath-bhreac</i>, speckled shield.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Skolan,</td><td align="left"><i>Sceolaing</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Slana,</td><td align="left"><i>Slánach</i>, healthy.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sorca,</td><td align="left"><i>Sorcha</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sotal of the Large Heels,</td><td align="left"><i>Sotal Sálmhór</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Taillkenn,</td><td align="left"><i>Tailcenn</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Tinna the Mighty,</td><td align="left"><i>Tinne Mór</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Tir-fa-tonn,</td><td align="left"><i>Tir-fa-thuinn</i>, country beneath the wave. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[474]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Tirnanoge,</td><td align="left"><i>Tir na n-óg</i>, land of youths.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Trencoss,</td><td align="left"><i>Treunchosach</i>, strongfoot.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Trenmore O'Baskin,</td><td align="left"><i>Treunmór O'Baoiscne</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Triscadal,</td><td align="left"><i>Triscadal</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Tuis,</td><td align="left"><i>Tuis</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Turenn,</td><td align="left"><i>Tuireann</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ur,</td><td align="left"><i>Uar</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Urcar,</td><td align="left"><i>Urchar</i>.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<h2><a name="THE_END" id="THE_END"></a>THE END</h2> + + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h2><a name="FOOTNOTES" id="FOOTNOTES"></a>FOOTNOTES:</h2> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_I._29" id="Footnote_I._29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_I._29"><span class="label">[I.]</span></a> In the Book of Leinster, a manuscript now in Trinity College, +Dublin, which was transcribed about the year 1130, there is a very +interesting list of ancient historic tales—187 in all—classified in the +manner indicated above, which an ollave was obliged to master, +so as to be able to repeat any one of them from memory, whenever +his patron required him to do so. (See O'Curry, "Lectures on the +MS. Materials of Irish History," pages 243 and 584.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_II._30" id="Footnote_II._30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_II._30"><span class="label">[II.]</span></a> Macpherson never sinned in this way. He caught the true keynote; +and his "Poems of Ossian," however perverted in other +respects, are always dignified in thought and expression. Among +other examples of the true interpretation of the spirit of these old +romances, prose and poetry, I may mention Miss Brooke's "Reliques +of Irish Poetry," published in the end of the last century; the Rev. +Dr. Drummond's "Ancient Irish Minstrelsy," published in 1852; +Lady Ferguson's graceful and interesting book, "The Story of the +Irish before the Conquest" (1868); and Mr. Standish O'Grady's ably +written volume, the "History of Ireland" (Vol. I., The Heroic Period +1878).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_III._31" id="Footnote_III._31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_III._31"><span class="label">[III.]</span></a> With one partial exception. In "The Book of the Dun Cow," +"The Voyage of Maildun" is divided into parts or chapters, which +are numbered on the margin in Roman numerals, each chapter +relating to one particular island; but no spaces are left, and the +chapters have no headings. In this tale I have followed the old +sub-division.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_IV._32" id="Footnote_IV._32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_IV._32"><span class="label">[IV.]</span></a> "Deirdrè," by Robert D. Joyce, M.D., M.R.I.A. Boston: +Roberts Brothers. Dublin: M.H. Gill and Son.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_V._33" id="Footnote_V._33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_V._33"><span class="label">[V.]</span></a> O'Curry, <i>Atlantis</i>, Nos. vii. and viii., page 390.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_VI._34" id="Footnote_VI._34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_VI._34"><span class="label">[VI.]</span></a> See the ballad and air of "The Fairy King's Courtship," in the +author's "Ancient Irish Music," page 1.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_VII._35" id="Footnote_VII._35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_VII._35"><span class="label">[VII.]</span></a> Now Teltown, on the river Blackwater, between Kells and +Navan, in Meath. (<a href="#Footnote_1_1">See note 1</a> at the end, for this battle.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_VIII._36" id="Footnote_VIII._36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_VIII._36"><span class="label">[VIII.]</span></a> The numbers refer to the notes at the end of the book.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_IX._37" id="Footnote_IX._37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_IX._37"><span class="label">[IX.]</span></a> At the end of the book will be found an alphabetical list of all +the names of persons and places mentioned through the volume, with +their Gaelic forms, and, in many cases, their meanings.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_X._38" id="Footnote_X._38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_X._38"><span class="label">[X.]</span></a> Shee Finnaha, Lir's residence, is thought to have been situated +near the boundary of Armagh and Monaghan, not far from Newtown +Hamilton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XI._39" id="Footnote_XI._39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XI._39"><span class="label">[XI.]</span></a> Ara, the islands of Aran, in Galway Bay.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XII._40" id="Footnote_XII._40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XII._40"><span class="label">[XII.]</span></a> The Great Lake, <i>i.e.</i> Lough Derg, on the Shannon, above +Killaloe.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XIII._41" id="Footnote_XIII._41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XIII._41"><span class="label">[XIII.]</span></a> The word "fratricide" is the nearest English equivalent to the +original word, <i>fionghal,</i> which means the murder of a relative.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XIV._42" id="Footnote_XIV._42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XIV._42"><span class="label">[XIV.]</span></a> Lake Darvra, now Lough Derravaragh, in Westmeath.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XV._43" id="Footnote_XV._43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XV._43"><span class="label">[XV.]</span></a> The sea between Erin and Alban (Ireland and Scotland) was +anciently called the Sea of Moyle, from the Moyle, or Mull, of +Cantire.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XVI._44" id="Footnote_XVI._44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XVI._44"><span class="label">[XVI.]</span></a> Irros Domnann; Erris, in the county Mayo. Inis Glora; +a small island about five miles west from Belmullet, in the same +county, still known by the same name.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XVII._45" id="Footnote_XVII._45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XVII._45"><span class="label">[XVII.]</span></a> Taillkenn, a name given by the druids to St. Patrick.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XVIII._46" id="Footnote_XVIII._46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XVIII._46"><span class="label">[XVIII.]</span></a> demon of the air was held in great abhorrence by the ancient +Irish.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XIX._47" id="Footnote_XIX._47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XIX._47"><span class="label">[XIX.]</span></a> The Milesian people; the colony who conquered and succeeded +the Dedannans. (<a href="#Footnote_1_1">See note 1</a> at end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XX._48" id="Footnote_XX._48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XX._48"><span class="label">[XX.]</span></a> The Dedannans were regarded as gods, and were immortal or semi-immortal. +(<a href="#Footnote_1_1">See note 1</a> at the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXI._49" id="Footnote_XXI._49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXI._49"><span class="label">[XXI.]</span></a> It must be remembered that the children of Lir had some obscure +foreknowledge of the coming of Christianity.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXII._50" id="Footnote_XXII._50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXII._50"><span class="label">[XXII.]</span></a> Many of these old poems begin and end with the same line +or couplet.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXIII._51" id="Footnote_XXIII._51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXIII._51"><span class="label">[XXIII.]</span></a> Fairy host; <i>i.e.</i> the Dedannans. (<a href="#Footnote_1_1">See note 1</a> at the end of the +book.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXIV._52" id="Footnote_XXIV._52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXIV._52"><span class="label">[XXIV.]</span></a> Iniskea; a little rocky island near the coast of Erris, in Mayo. +"The lonely crane of Iniskea" was one of the "Wonders of Ireland." +According to an ancient legend, which still lives among the peasantry +of Mayo, a crane—one lonely bird—has lived on the island since the +beginning of the world, and will live there till the day of judgment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXV._53" id="Footnote_XXV._53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXV._53"><span class="label">[XXV.]</span></a> Donn's Sea Rocks—called in the text <i>Teach-Dhuinn</i>, or Donn's +House, which is also the present Irish name; a group of three rocks +off Kenmare Bay, where Donn, one of the Milesian brothers, was +drowned. These remarkable rocks are now called in English the +"Bull, Cow, and Calf."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXVI._54" id="Footnote_XXVI._54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXVI._54"><span class="label">[XXVI.]</span></a> These are well-known historical personages, who flourished +in the seventh century.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXVII._55" id="Footnote_XXVII._55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXVII._55"><span class="label">[XXVII.]</span></a> Among the ancient Celtic nations, the dead were often buried +standing up in the grave. It was in this way Finola and her brothers +were buried.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXVIII._56" id="Footnote_XXVIII._56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXVIII._56"><span class="label">[XXVIII.]</span></a> Ogam, a sort of writing, often used on sepulchral stones to +mark the names of the persons buried.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXIX._57" id="Footnote_XXIX._57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXIX._57"><span class="label">[XXIX.]</span></a> The Hill of Usna, in the parish of Conry, in Westmeath, one of +the royal residences of Ireland.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXX._58" id="Footnote_XXX._58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXX._58"><span class="label">[XXX.]</span></a> Luga of the Long Arms is often called The Ildana, <i>i.e.</i> the +Man of many sciences, to signify his various accomplishments.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXXI._59" id="Footnote_XXXI._59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXXI._59"><span class="label">[XXXI.]</span></a> Eas-Dara, now Ballysodare, in the county Sligo.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXXII._60" id="Footnote_XXXII._60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXXII._60"><span class="label">[XXXII.]</span></a><a href="#Page_1"> See page 1.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXXIII._61" id="Footnote_XXXIII._61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXXIII._61"><span class="label">[XXXIII.]</span></a> Tara, in Meath, the chief seat of the kings of Ireland.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXXIV._62" id="Footnote_XXXIV._62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXXIV._62"><span class="label">[XXXIV.]</span></a> Fairy Host, <i>i.e.</i> the Dedannans. (See notes 1 and 8 at end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXXV._63" id="Footnote_XXXV._63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXXV._63"><span class="label">[XXXV.]</span></a> Moy Murthemna, a plain in the county of Louth.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXXVI._64" id="Footnote_XXXVI._64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXXVI._64"><span class="label">[XXXVI.]</span></a> Fratricide; Gaelic, <i>fionghal</i>, the murder of a relative. (<a href="#Footnote_XIII._41">See note, +page 7.</a>) The sons of Turenn and the sons of Canta appear to have been +related to each other (<a href="#Page_94">see the third stanza of the poem, page 94</a>).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXXVII._65" id="Footnote_XXXVII._65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXXVII._65"><span class="label">[XXXVII.]</span></a> <i>Ath-Luan</i>, now Athlone; <i>Ros-Coman</i>, now Roscommon; <i>Moy-Lurg</i>, +a plain in the county Roscommon; Curlieu Hills, a range of +hills near Boyle, in Roscommon; Kesh-Corran, a well-known +mountain in Sligo. The "Great Plain of the Assembly" must have +been near Ballysodare, in Sligo.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXXVIII._66" id="Footnote_XXXVIII._66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXXVIII._66"><span class="label">[XXXVIII.]</span></a> A usual form of oath among the ancient Irish. (See, for an +account of this oath, the author's "Origin and History of Irish +Names of Places," Series II. chap. XIV.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XXXIX._67" id="Footnote_XXXIX._67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XXXIX._67"><span class="label">[XXXIX.]</span></a> A kind of writing. (<a href="#Footnote_XXVIII._56">See note, page 36.</a>)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XL._68" id="Footnote_XL._68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XL._68"><span class="label">[XL.]</span></a> Chain of silence; a chain, probably hung with little bells, which +the lord of a mansion shook when he wished to get silence and +attention.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XLI._69" id="Footnote_XLI._69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XLI._69"><span class="label">[XLI.]</span></a> Micō'rta; the name of the great banqueting hall of Tara, the +ruins of which are to be seen to this day.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XLII._70" id="Footnote_XLII._70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XLII._70"><span class="label">[XLII.]</span></a> The Garden of the Hesperides.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XLIII._71" id="Footnote_XLIII._71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XLIII._71"><span class="label">[XLIII.]</span></a> Sigar, <i>i.e.</i> Sicily.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XLIV._72" id="Footnote_XLIV._72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XLIV._72"><span class="label">[XLIV.]</span></a> Iroda was the name given by the Irish to some country in the +far north of Europe, probably Norway.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XLV._73" id="Footnote_XLV._73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XLV._73"><span class="label">[XLV.]</span></a> Bruga of the Boyne, the palace of Angus, the great Dedannan +magician, was situated on the north shore of the Boyne, not far from +Slane. (<a href="#Footnote_1_1">See note 1</a> at end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XLVI._74" id="Footnote_XLVI._74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XLVI._74"><span class="label">[XLVI.]</span></a> Ferdana, a poet; literally, "a man of verse."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XLVII._75" id="Footnote_XLVII._75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XLVII._75"><span class="label">[XLVII.]</span></a> Caher-Crofinn, otherwise called Rath-ree, the principal fortress +at Tara, the remains of which are still to be seen.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XLVIII._76" id="Footnote_XLVIII._76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XLVIII._76"><span class="label">[XLVIII.]</span></a> Ben Edar, now Howth Hill, near Dublin. Dun Turenn, the +fortress of their father Turenn.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XLIX._77" id="Footnote_XLIX._77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XLIX._77"><span class="label">[XLIX.]</span></a> Dianket, the great Dedannan physician. His son Midac and +his daughter Armedda were still more skilful than their father. (<a href="#Footnote_1_1">See +note 1</a> at the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_L._78" id="Footnote_L._78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_L._78"><span class="label">[L.]</span></a> Bregia, the plain lying between the Liffey and the Boyne.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LI._79" id="Footnote_LI._79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LI._79"><span class="label">[LI.]</span></a> Tailltenn, now Teltown, on the Blackwater, about midway between +Navan and Kells, in Meath. Here annual meetings were held +from the most ancient times, on the first of August, and for some +days before and after, at which games were celebrated, like the +Olympic games of Greece.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LII._80" id="Footnote_LII._80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LII._80"><span class="label">[LII.]</span></a> Bruga on the Boyne, where Angus or Mac Indoc, the great +Dedannan enchanter, had his "mystic mansion hoar." (<a href="#Footnote_1_1">See note 1</a> at +the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LIII._81" id="Footnote_LIII._81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LIII._81"><span class="label">[LIII.]</span></a> Ahaclee, the old name of Dublin.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LIV._82" id="Footnote_LIV._82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LIV._82"><span class="label">[LIV.]</span></a> Frevan, now the hill of Frewen, rising over Lough Owei, near +Mullingar, where the ancient Irish kings had one of their palaces.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LV._83" id="Footnote_LV._83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LV._83"><span class="label">[LV.]</span></a> Tara, in Meath, the chief seat of the Irish kings.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LVI._84" id="Footnote_LVI._84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LVI._84"><span class="label">[LVI.]</span></a> Banba, one of the ancient names of Ireland.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LVII._85" id="Footnote_LVII._85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LVII._85"><span class="label">[LVII.]</span></a> Muman, <i>i.e.</i> Munster.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LVIII._86" id="Footnote_LVIII._86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LVIII._86"><span class="label">[LVIII.]</span></a> Slieve Eblinne, now Slieve Eelim or Slieve Phelim, in Tipperary, +sometimes called the Twelve Hills of Evlinn. "Eblinne" is +the genitive of "Ebliu."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LIX._87" id="Footnote_LIX._87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LIX._87"><span class="label">[LIX.]</span></a> Now Lough Ree, on the Shannon.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LX._88" id="Footnote_LX._88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LX._88"><span class="label">[LX.]</span></a> <a href="#Footnote_XLV._73">See note, page 62</a>; <a href="#Footnote_1_1">see also note 1</a> at the end of the book.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXI._89" id="Footnote_LXI._89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXI._89"><span class="label">[LXI.]</span></a> The Plain of the Grey Copse, according to the legend, was the +name of the plain now covered by Lough Neagh.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXII._90" id="Footnote_LXII._90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXII._90"><span class="label">[LXII.]</span></a> Ulad, <i>i.e.</i> Ulster.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXIII._91" id="Footnote_LXIII._91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXIII._91"><span class="label">[LXIII.]</span></a> Lough Necca, now Lough Neagh.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXIV._92" id="Footnote_LXIV._92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXIV._92"><span class="label">[LXIV.]</span></a> Gregory, <i>i.e.</i> Pope Gregory.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXV._93" id="Footnote_LXV._93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXV._93"><span class="label">[LXV.]</span></a> Dalaradia, the old name of a territory which included the +southern half of the county Antrim and a part of Down.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXVI._94" id="Footnote_LXVI._94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXVI._94"><span class="label">[LXVI.]</span></a> Inver Ollarba, <i>i.e.</i> the <i>inver</i>, or mouth of the river Ollarba, +which was the ancient name of the Larne Water, in Antrim.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXVII._95" id="Footnote_LXVII._95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXVII._95"><span class="label">[LXVII.]</span></a> Miluc, or Meelick, the name of an ancient ecclesiastical establishment +in the county Antrim. See "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of +Down, Connor, and Dromore" (page 3), by the Rev. William Reeves, +M.B., M.R.I.A.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXVIII._96" id="Footnote_LXVIII._96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXVIII._96"><span class="label">[LXVIII.]</span></a> Hill of Usna. (<a href="#Footnote_XXIX._57">See note, page 37.</a>)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXIX._97" id="Footnote_LXIX._97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXIX._97"><span class="label">[LXIX.]</span></a> This is an expansion, rather than a translation, of the original, +which is very short, and in some places very obscure.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXX._98" id="Footnote_LXX._98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXX._98"><span class="label">[LXX.]</span></a> There were several tribes named Owenaght in the south of +Ireland. This particular tribe were called, as in the text, the +Owenaght of Ninus, and also, according to an interlined gloss in the +"Book of the Dun Cow," the Owenaght of the Aras, <i>i.e.</i> of the Aran +Islands. Their territory was situated in the north-west of the +county Clare, opposite the Islands of Aran.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXI._99" id="Footnote_LXXI._99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXI._99"><span class="label">[LXXI.]</span></a> Corcomroe, an ancient territory, now a barony in the north-west +of the county Clare. (For the meaning and history of this +name, see the author's "Origin and History of Irish Names of Places," +Series I. Part i. Chapter ii.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXII._100" id="Footnote_LXXII._100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXII._100"><span class="label">[LXXII.]</span></a> <a href="#Footnote_LXXIII._101">See note, page 128.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXIII._101" id="Footnote_LXXIII._101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXIII._101"><span class="label">[LXXIII.]</span></a> The verse in the original is quite serious; but I could not resist +the temptation to give it a humorous turn. The same observation +applies to the verse at <a href="#Page_122">page 122</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXIV._102" id="Footnote_LXXIV._102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXIV._102"><span class="label">[LXXIV.]</span></a> The incident of the big miller occurs in the Voyage of the Sons +of O'Corra, as well as in the Voyage of Maildun. The two accounts +are somewhat different; and I have combined both here.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXV._103" id="Footnote_LXXV._103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXV._103"><span class="label">[LXXV.]</span></a> Encos means "one foot."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXVI._104" id="Footnote_LXXVI._104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXVI._104"><span class="label">[LXXVI.]</span></a> Tory Island, off the coast of Donegal, where there was a +monastery dedicated to St. Columkille.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXVII._105" id="Footnote_LXXVII._105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXVII._105"><span class="label">[LXXVII.]</span></a> The quicken tree, or quickbeam, or mountain ash, or roan-tree; +Gaelic, <i>caerthainn</i>. Many mystic virtues were anciently +attributed to this tree.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXVIII._106" id="Footnote_LXXVIII._106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXVIII._106"><span class="label">[LXXVIII.]</span></a> Ulad, <i>i.e.</i> Ulster.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXIX._107" id="Footnote_LXXIX._107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXIX._107"><span class="label">[LXXIX.]</span></a> The Hill of Allen, in the county Kildare, where Finn had his +palace. (<a href="#Footnote_23_23">See note 23</a> at the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXX._108" id="Footnote_LXXX._108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXX._108"><span class="label">[LXXX.]</span></a> The cantreds of Kenri and Islands are now two baronies: the +former the barony of Kenry, in Limerick, a little below the city; +the latter the barony of Islands, in Clare, on the opposite side of +the Shannon, including the mouth of the river Fergus, with its +numerous <i>islands</i>, from which the barony has its name.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXXI._109" id="Footnote_LXXXI._109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXXI._109"><span class="label">[LXXXI.]</span></a> Brugaid, a sort of local officer, who was allowed a tract of land +free, on condition that he maintained a large establishment as a house +of public hospitality. Many of the brugaids were very rich.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXXII._110" id="Footnote_LXXXII._110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXXII._110"><span class="label">[LXXXII.]</span></a> Fermorc and Hy Conall Gavra are now the baronies of Upper +and Lower Connello, in the county Limerick.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXXIII._111" id="Footnote_LXXXIII._111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXXIII._111"><span class="label">[LXXXIII.]</span></a> Knockfierna, a conspicuous hill, celebrated for its fairy lore, +near Croom, in the county Limerick; very near Kenri, Midac's +territory.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXXIV._112" id="Footnote_LXXXIV._112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXXIV._112"><span class="label">[LXXXIV.]</span></a> Ferdana, a poet.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXXV._113" id="Footnote_LXXXV._113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXXV._113"><span class="label">[LXXXV.]</span></a> Bruga of the Boyne. (<a href="#Footnote_XLV._73">See note, page 62.</a>)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXXVI._114" id="Footnote_LXXXVI._114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXXVI._114"><span class="label">[LXXXVI.]</span></a> The poets were much given to proposing poetical puzzles of this +kind; and it was considered a mark of superior education, and of +great acuteness in a champion to be able to explain them. (For +another example, see the enigmatical verse about the skin of the pig, +in the story of "The Children of Turenn," <a href="#Page_69">page 69</a>.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXXVII._115" id="Footnote_LXXXVII._115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXXVII._115"><span class="label">[LXXXVII.]</span></a> Bregia or Magh Breagh, the ancient name of the plain extending +from the Liffey northwards to the borders of the county Louth. (For +this name, see the author's "Irish Names of Places," Series II. +Part IV. chap. II.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXXVIII._116" id="Footnote_LXXXVIII._116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXXVIII._116"><span class="label">[LXXXVIII.]</span></a> The houses of the ancient Irish were circular, and generally +made of wood.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_LXXXIX._117" id="Footnote_LXXXIX._117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_LXXXIX._117"><span class="label">[LXXXIX.]</span></a> "As cold as the snow of one night;" "As white as the snow +of one night," are usual comparisons in Gaelic. The first night's snow +seems particularly cold and white when you see it in the morning +on account of the contrast with the green fields of the day before.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XC._118" id="Footnote_XC._118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XC._118"><span class="label">[XC.]</span></a> Dord-Fian, or Dord-Fiansa, a sort of musical war-cry, usually +performed by several persons in chorus.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XCI._119" id="Footnote_XCI._119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XCI._119"><span class="label">[XCI.]</span></a> Irla, <i>i.e.</i> an earl, a chief.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XCII._120" id="Footnote_XCII._120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XCII._120"><span class="label">[XCII.]</span></a> A satirical allusion to Conan's well-known cowardice.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XCIII._121" id="Footnote_XCIII._121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XCIII._121"><span class="label">[XCIII.]</span></a> Beltane, the first of May; Samin, the first of November.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XCIV._122" id="Footnote_XCIV._122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XCIV._122"><span class="label">[XCIV.]</span></a> Beta, a public house of hospitality.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XCV._123" id="Footnote_XCV._123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XCV._123"><span class="label">[XCV.]</span></a> Offaly, now the name of two baronies in the county Kildare. +</p><p> +Fera-call, or Fircal, an ancient territory in the present King's +County. +</p><p> +Brosna, a small river rising in the Slieve Bloma, or Slieve Bloom +mountains, which flows by Birr, and falls into the Shannon near +Banagher; usually called the Little Brosna, to distinguish it from the +Great Brosna, which flows through King's County into the Shannon. +</p><p> +The Twelve Mountains of Evlinn. (<a href="#Footnote_LVIII._86">See note, page 97.</a>) +</p><p> +Knockainy, a small hill much celebrated in fairy lore, in the +county Limerick, giving name to the village of Knockainy at its +base. It appears from the text that it was more anciently called +Collkilla, or hazel-wood.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XCVI._124" id="Footnote_XCVI._124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XCVI._124"><span class="label">[XCVI.]</span></a> Ardpatrick, a beautiful green hill, with a remarkable church +ruin and graveyard on its summit, two miles from Kilfinane, county +Limerick. +</p><p> +Kenn-Avrat was the ancient name of Seefin mountain, rising +over the village of Glenosheen, two miles from Ardpatrick. Slieve-Keen, +the old name of the hill of Carrigeennamroanty, near Seefin. +</p><p> +Fermoy, a well-known town and barony in the county Cork. It +appears from the text that the district was anciently known by the +name of Coill-na-drua, or the wood of the druids. +</p><p> +Lehan, the ancient name of the district round Castlelyons, in the +county Cork. +</p><p> +Fermorc, now the baronies of Connello, in Limerick. (<a href="#Footnote_LXXXII._110">See note, +page 184.</a>) +</p><p> +Curoi Mac Dara, a celebrated chief who flourished in the time of +the Red Branch Knights of Ulster, viz., in the first century of the +Christian era. Curoi had his residence on a mountain near Tralee, +still called Caherconree (the fortress of Curoi), and his "patrimony" +was South Munster. The remains of Curoi's great stone fortress +are still to be seen on Caherconree. +</p><p> +Loch Lein, the Lakes of Killarney. +</p><p> +Caher-Dun-Isca, now the town of Caher, on the Suir, in Tipperary. +</p><p> +Femin was the name of the great plain lying to the south and west +of the mountain of Slievenaman, or Slieve-na-man-finn, near Clonmel, +in Tipperary. +</p><p> +Balla-Gavran, or the pass of Gavran, an ancient road, which ran +by Gavran (now Gowran), in the county Kilkenny. +</p><p> +Cratloe, a well-known district on the Clare side of the Shannon, +near Limerick.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XCVII._125" id="Footnote_XCVII._125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XCVII._125"><span class="label">[XCVII.]</span></a> Cliach, the old name of the plain lying round Knockainy.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XCVIII._126" id="Footnote_XCVIII._126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XCVIII._126"><span class="label">[XCVIII.]</span></a> Fomor, a gigantic warrior, a giant; its primitive meaning is +"a sea-robber," commonly called a Fomorian. (<a href="#Footnote_5_5">See note 5</a> at the +end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_XCIX._127" id="Footnote_XCIX._127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_XCIX._127"><span class="label">[XCIX.]</span></a> Gilla Dacker means "a slothful fellow"—a fellow hard to +move, hard to manage, hard to have anything to do with.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C._128" id="Footnote_C._128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C._128"><span class="label">[C.]</span></a> Fermorc, now the baronies of Connello, in Limerick. Slieve +Lougher, a celebrated mountain near Castle Island, in Kerry. Corca +Divna, now the barony of Corkaguiny, the long peninsula lying west +of Tralee, and containing the town of Dingle, and the mountain range +of Slieve Mish. Cloghan Kincat, now called Cloghan, a small village +on the northern coast of the peninsula.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CI._129" id="Footnote_CI._129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CI._129"><span class="label">[CI.]</span></a> Ben Edar, now Howth Hill, near Dublin.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CII._130" id="Footnote_CII._130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CII._130"><span class="label">[CII.]</span></a> Gael Glas, the traditional ancestor of the Gaels.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CIII._131" id="Footnote_CIII._131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CIII._131"><span class="label">[CIII.]</span></a> Crann-tav'all, a sort of sling for projecting stones, made of an +elastic piece of wood, and strung somewhat like a cross-bow.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CIV._132" id="Footnote_CIV._132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CIV._132"><span class="label">[CIV.]</span></a> <a href="#Footnote_CXVIII._146">See note, page 302.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CV._133" id="Footnote_CV._133"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CV._133"><span class="label">[CV.]</span></a> The original word, which I have translated "wizard-champion," +is <i>gruagach</i>. This word literally means "hairy," "a hairy fellow;" +and it is often used in the sense of "giant." But in these romantic +tales it is commonly used to signify a champion who has always +something of the supernatural about him, yet not to such a degree +as to shield him completely from the valour of a great mortal +hero like Dermat O'Dyna.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CVI._134" id="Footnote_CVI._134"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CVI._134"><span class="label">[CVI.]</span></a> Tir-fa-tonn, literally "the country beneath the wave." (<a href="#Footnote_13_13">See +note 13</a> at the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CVII._135" id="Footnote_CVII._135"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CVII._135"><span class="label">[CVII.]</span></a> <a href="#Footnote_XLI._69">See foot-note, page 55.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CVIII._136" id="Footnote_CVIII._136"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CVIII._136"><span class="label">[CVIII.]</span></a> Ath-Luan, now Athlone, on the Shannon. In ancient times the +river had to be crossed by a ford, where the bridge is now built.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CIX._137" id="Footnote_CIX._137"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CIX._137"><span class="label">[CIX.]</span></a> The Wood of the two Tents was situated in the territory of +Clanrickard, in the county Galway.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CX._138" id="Footnote_CX._138"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CX._138"><span class="label">[CX.]</span></a> Original: "It was little but that the salmon of her life fled +through her mouth with joy before Dermat."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXI._139" id="Footnote_CXI._139"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXI._139"><span class="label">[CXI.]</span></a> The river Laune, flowing from the Lakes of Killarney into +Dingle Bay.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXII._140" id="Footnote_CXII._140"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXII._140"><span class="label">[CXII.]</span></a> The Grey Moor of Finnlia (<i>Bogach-Fhinnléithe</i> in the original) +was somewhere between the river Laune and the river Caragh, but the +name is now forgotten.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXIII._141" id="Footnote_CXIII._141"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXIII._141"><span class="label">[CXIII.]</span></a> The river of Carra, the Caragh river, flowing into Dingle Bay +from the beautiful lake Caragh, twenty miles west of Killarney.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXIV._142" id="Footnote_CXIV._142"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXIV._142"><span class="label">[CXIV.]</span></a> Beha, the river Behy, about a mile and a half west from the +Caragh, flowing through Glanbehy into Rossbehy creek.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXV._143" id="Footnote_CXV._143"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXV._143"><span class="label">[CXV.]</span></a> Tonn Toma, the wave of Toma (a woman). The word Tonn (a +wave or billow) was often applied to the sea-waves that break over +certain sandbanks and rocks with an exceptionally loud roaring. +Tonn Toma is the name of a sandbank at the head of Dingle Bay, +just outside the extreme point of Rossbehy peninsula; and in the +winter storms, the sea thunders on this sandbank, and indeed on the +whole length of the beach of the peninsula, so as often to be heard +twenty miles inland. This roaring is popularly believed to predict rain. +</p><p> +There is a chain of three hills, Stookaniller, Knockatinna, and +Knockboy, lying between Behy bridge on the east and Drung mountain +on the west, and isolated from the hills to the south-east by the +valley of Glanbehy. These hills rise directly over Tonn Toma; and +the old Gaelic name, Currach-Cinn-Adhmuid (the moor of the head [or +hill] of timber) must have been anciently applied to one or all of them. +</p><p> +(See, for an account of the great historical <i>tonns</i> of Ireland, the +author's "Origin and History of Irish Names of Places," series ii. +page 251.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXVI._144" id="Footnote_CXVI._144"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXVI._144"><span class="label">[CXVI.]</span></a> Iccian Sea (Irish, <i>Muir nIcht</i>), the Irish name for the sea +between England and France.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXVII._145" id="Footnote_CXVII._145"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXVII._145"><span class="label">[CXVII.]</span></a> Ducoss, Fincoss, and Trencoss, <i>i.e.</i> Blackfoot, Whitefoot, and +Strongfoot.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXVIII._146" id="Footnote_CXVIII._146"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXVIII._146"><span class="label">[CXVIII.]</span></a> Dermat had two spears, the great one called the Ga-derg or +Crann-derg (red javelin), and the small one called Ga-boi or Crann-boi +(yellow javelin): he had also two swords: the Morallta (great +fury), and the Begallta (little fury). These spears and swords he +got from Mannanan Mac Lir and from Angus of the Bruga. He +carried the great spear and sword in affairs of life and death; and +the smaller in adventures of less danger.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXIX._147" id="Footnote_CXIX._147"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXIX._147"><span class="label">[CXIX.]</span></a> A usual form of challenge among the ancient Irish warriors. It +is very curious that this custom is remembered to the present day in +the <i>patois</i> of the peasantry, even where the Irish language is no +longer spoken. In the south, and in parts of the west, they call a +distinguished fighting man a <i>buailim sciach</i>, an expression which +means literally, "I strike the shield."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXX._148" id="Footnote_CXX._148"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXX._148"><span class="label">[CXX.]</span></a> Slieve Lougher, a mountain near Castle Island. (<a href="#Footnote_C._128">See note, +page 237.</a>)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXI._149" id="Footnote_CXXI._149"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXI._149"><span class="label">[CXXI.]</span></a> <a href="#Footnote_XXVIII._56">See note, page 36.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXII._150" id="Footnote_CXXII._150"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXII._150"><span class="label">[CXXII.]</span></a> Hy Ficra, now the barony of Tireragh, in Sligo.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXIII._151" id="Footnote_CXXIII._151"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXIII._151"><span class="label">[CXXIII.]</span></a> The Lake of Lein of the Crooked Teeth, <i>i.e.</i> Loch Lein, or the +Lakes of Killarney.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXIV._152" id="Footnote_CXXIV._152"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXIV._152"><span class="label">[CXXIV.]</span></a> The Land of Promise, or Fairyland. (<a href="#Footnote_8_8">See note 8</a> at the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXV._153" id="Footnote_CXXV._153"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXV._153"><span class="label">[CXXV.]</span></a> Quicken tree. (<a href="#Footnote_LXXVII._105">See note, page 177.</a>)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXVI._154" id="Footnote_CXXVI._154"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXVI._154"><span class="label">[CXXVI.]</span></a> Fomor, a giant. (<a href="#Footnote_XCVIII._126">See note, page 227.</a>)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXVII._155" id="Footnote_CXXVII._155"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXVII._155"><span class="label">[CXXVII.]</span></a> Slieve Cua, the ancient name of the highest of the Knockmeal-down +mountains, in Waterford.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXVIII._156" id="Footnote_CXXVIII._156"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXVIII._156"><span class="label">[CXXVIII.]</span></a> Slieve Crot, the ancient name of the Galty mountains.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXIX._157" id="Footnote_CXXIX._157"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXIX._157"><span class="label">[CXXIX.]</span></a> Slieve Gora, a mountainous district in the barony of Clankee, +County Cavan.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXX._158" id="Footnote_CXXX._158"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXX._158"><span class="label">[CXXX.]</span></a> Slieve Mucka, now Slievenamuck (the mountain of the pig), a +long mountain ridge in Tipperary, separated from the Galties by the +Glen of Aherlow. Slieve Luga, a mountainous district, formerly +belonging to the O'Garas, in the barony of Costello, county Mayo. +Slieve Mish, a mountain range west of Tralee.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXXI._159" id="Footnote_CXXXI._159"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXXI._159"><span class="label">[CXXXI.]</span></a> The cantred of O'Dyna, now the barony of Corkaguiny, in Kerry. +(<a href="#Footnote_C._128">See note, page 237.</a>)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXXII._160" id="Footnote_CXXXII._160"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXXII._160"><span class="label">[CXXXII.]</span></a> The cantred of Ben-Damis, or Ducarn of Leinster, probably the +district round Douce mountain, in the county Wicklow.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXXIII._161" id="Footnote_CXXXIII._161"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXXIII._161"><span class="label">[CXXXIII.]</span></a> The district round the mountain of Kesh-Corran, in Sligo.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXXIV._162" id="Footnote_CXXXIV._162"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXXIV._162"><span class="label">[CXXXIV.]</span></a> <a href="#Footnote_CXVIII._146">See note, page 302.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXXV._163" id="Footnote_CXXXV._163"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXXV._163"><span class="label">[CXXXV.]</span></a> Now Benbulbin, a mountain five miles north of the town of Sligo.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXXVI._164" id="Footnote_CXXXVI._164"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXXVI._164"><span class="label">[CXXXVI.]</span></a> See this story told at length, <a href="#Page_177">page 177.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXXVII._165" id="Footnote_CXXXVII._165"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXXVII._165"><span class="label">[CXXXVII.]</span></a> A prophetic allusion to the battle of Gavra. (<a href="#Footnote_28_28">See note 28</a> at +the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXXVIII._166" id="Footnote_CXXXVIII._166"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXXVIII._166"><span class="label">[CXXXVIII.]</span></a> A prophetic allusion to the events related in the story of "Oisin +in Tirnanoge," <a href="#Page_385">page 385.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXXXIX._167" id="Footnote_CXXXIX._167"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXXXIX._167"><span class="label">[CXXXIX.]</span></a> It is necessary to remind the reader that this story and the two +following are related by Oisin, in his old age, to St. Patrick. (See +the <a href="#OISIN_IN_TIRNANOGECXLIX">prefatory note</a> to the story of "Oisin in Tirnanoge," p. 385; and +<a href="#Footnote_23_23">see also note 23</a> at the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXL._168" id="Footnote_CXL._168"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXL._168"><span class="label">[CXL.]</span></a> Now Slieve Gullion, a lofty, isolated mountain in the south of +the county Armagh, celebrated in legendary lore.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXLI._169" id="Footnote_CXLI._169"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXLI._169"><span class="label">[CXLI.]</span></a> The Hill of Allen, in Kildare, where Finn had his palace. (<a href="#Footnote_23_23">See +note 23</a> at the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXLII._170" id="Footnote_CXLII._170"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXLII._170"><span class="label">[CXLII.]</span></a> The little lake for which this legendary origin is assigned lies +near the top of Slieve Gullion. There were several wells in Ireland +which, according to the belief of old times, had the property of turning +the hair grey. Giraldus Cambrensis tells us of such a well in +Munster; and he states that he once saw a man who had washed a +part of his head in this well, and that the part washed was white, +while the rest was black! +</p><p> +It is to be observed that the peasantry of the district retain +to this day a lingering belief in the power of the lake of Slieve +Gullion to turn the hair grey.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXLIII._171" id="Footnote_CXLIII._171"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXLIII._171"><span class="label">[CXLIII.]</span></a> Knocka, now Castleknock, near Dublin. (<a href="#Footnote_27_27">See note 27</a> at the +end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXLIV._172" id="Footnote_CXLIV._172"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXLIV._172"><span class="label">[CXLIV.]</span></a> This story is told by Oisin to St. Patrick. (<a href="#OISIN_IN_TIRNANOGECXLIX">See the prefatory +note</a> to the next story, "Oisin in Tirnanoge," <a href="#Page_385">page 385.</a>)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXLV._173" id="Footnote_CXLV._173"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXLV._173"><span class="label">[CXLV.]</span></a> Slieve Fuad was the ancient name of the highest of the Fews +mountains, near Newtown Hamilton, in Armagh; but the name is +now lost.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXLVI._174" id="Footnote_CXLVI._174"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXLVI._174"><span class="label">[CXLVI.]</span></a> Now probably the village of Carrigans, on the river Foyle, five +miles south-west of Londonderry.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXLVII._175" id="Footnote_CXLVII._175"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXLVII._175"><span class="label">[CXLVII.]</span></a> Dord-Fian, a sort of musical war-cry. (<a href="#Footnote_XC._118">See note, page 195.</a>)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXLVIII._176" id="Footnote_CXLVIII._176"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXLVIII._176"><span class="label">[CXLVIII.]</span></a> Knockanare (the hill of slaughter), where a great battle was +fought between the Fena under Finn, and the foreigners under +Mergah of the Sharp Spears, in which Mergah was defeated and +slain. This battle forms the subject of a poetical romance. It may +be as well to observe that this hill is <i>not</i> Knockanare in Kerry, near +the mouth of the Shannon, as some say.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CXLIX._177" id="Footnote_CXLIX._177"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CXLIX._177"><span class="label">[CXLIX.]</span></a> Tirnanoge, the Land of Youth. (<a href="#Footnote_19_19">See note 19</a> at the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CL._178" id="Footnote_CL._178"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CL._178"><span class="label">[CL.]</span></a> Gavra, now Garristown, in the north-west of the county Dublin. +(For an account of this battle, <a href="#Footnote_28_28">see note 28</a> at the end.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLI._179" id="Footnote_CLI._179"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLI._179"><span class="label">[CLI.]</span></a> Lough Lein, the Lakes of Killarney.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLII._180" id="Footnote_CLII._180"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLII._180"><span class="label">[CLII.]</span></a> Greenan, a summer-house; a house in a bright, sunny spot.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLIII._181" id="Footnote_CLIII._181"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLIII._181"><span class="label">[CLIII.]</span></a> The gigantic race of the Fena had all passed away, and Erin +was now inhabited by people who looked very small in Oisin's eyes.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLIV._182" id="Footnote_CLIV._182"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLIV._182"><span class="label">[CLIV.]</span></a> Glenasmole, a fine valley about seven miles south of Dublin, +through which the river Dodder flows.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLV._183" id="Footnote_CLV._183"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLV._183"><span class="label">[CLV.]</span></a> I translated this tale fifteen years ago (as mentioned in Preface, +<a href="#Page_xiii">page xiii</a>) from two Royal Irish Academy MSS., 23. N. 15 and 23. +M. 50; and I subsequently made some modifications after I had an +opportunity of consulting the more correct text of the Book of Fermoy. +This last text has since been published, with literal translation, by +Dr. Whitley Stokes, in the <i>Revue Celtique</i> (Jan. 1893). After comparing +my somewhat free version with Dr. Stokes's close translation, +I have not thought it necessary to make any changes. +</p><p> +A few of the adventures in this tale are identical with those described +in the Voyage of Maildun: the description of these I have omitted +here. Lochan, Enna, and Silvester, the chief characters in this extraordinary +fiction, are historical: they were saints of the primitive Irish +church, and lived in the sixth century.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLVI._184" id="Footnote_CLVI._184"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLVI._184"><span class="label">[CLVI.]</span></a> <i>Brugaid</i>, a sort of local officer who maintained a large establishment +as keeper of a house of public hospitality. See my "Short History of +Ireland," p. 57.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLVII._185" id="Footnote_CLVII._185"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLVII._185"><span class="label">[CLVII.]</span></a> Chess-playing was a favourite amusement among the ancient +Irish.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLVIII._186" id="Footnote_CLVIII._186"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLVIII._186"><span class="label">[CLVIII.]</span></a> Cairderga: original <i>Caer-derg</i>, red berry.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLIX._187" id="Footnote_CLIX._187"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLIX._187"><span class="label">[CLIX.]</span></a> <i>Erenach</i>, the holder or <i>impropriator</i> of a church and its lands: +usually a layman.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLX._188" id="Footnote_CLX._188"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLX._188"><span class="label">[CLX.]</span></a> Clogher in Tyrone where there was a monastery.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXI._189" id="Footnote_CLXI._189"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXI._189"><span class="label">[CLXI.]</span></a> Tuam-da-Gualann, where was formerly a celebrated ecclesiastical +establishment: now Tuam in Galway.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXII._190" id="Footnote_CLXII._190"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXII._190"><span class="label">[CLXII.]</span></a> Greenan: original <i>grianan</i>, literally a sunny place: a summer-house: +the most lightsome, airy, and pleasant apartment of a house. +See this word discussed in my "Irish Names of Places," vol. i. p. 291.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXIII._191" id="Footnote_CLXIII._191"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXIII._191"><span class="label">[CLXIII.]</span></a> For St. Finnen of Clonard in the County Meath, see my "Short +History of Ireland," p. 175</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXIV._192" id="Footnote_CLXIV._192"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXIV._192"><span class="label">[CLXIV.]</span></a> <i>Kenn-Mara</i>, now Kinvarra on Galway bay.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXV._193" id="Footnote_CLXV._193"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXV._193"><span class="label">[CLXV.]</span></a> <i>Curragh</i>, <a href="#Footnote_17_17">see note 17</a> at end. Some curraghs were made with two—some +with three—hides, one outside another, for the better security.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXVI._194" id="Footnote_CLXVI._194"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXVI._194"><span class="label">[CLXVI.]</span></a> <i>Crossans</i>: travelling gleemen: the clothes, musical instruments, &c., +were the property of the company. This word is the origin of the +Scotch and Irish family name MacCrossan, now often changed to +Crosbie. A company of crossans had always among them a <i>fuirseoir</i>, i.e. +a juggler or buffoon.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXVII._195" id="Footnote_CLXVII._195"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXVII._195"><span class="label">[CLXVII.]</span></a> According to very ancient legends, which are still vividly remembered +and recounted all over the country, almost every lake in Ireland +has a tremendous hairy reptile in its waters. Some say they are demons, +sent by St. Patrick to reside at the bottom of the lakes to the Day of +Judgment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXVIII._196" id="Footnote_CLXVIII._196"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXVIII._196"><span class="label">[CLXVIII.]</span></a> St. Ailbe, the patron of Munster, was a contemporary of St. +Patrick. He founded his great monastery and school at Emly in the +County Limerick.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXIX._197" id="Footnote_CLXIX._197"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXIX._197"><span class="label">[CLXIX.]</span></a> The translation that follows is my own, and is of course copyright, +like all the other translations in this book. On this fine story is +founded the epic poem of "Deirdre," by Robert Dwyer Joyce, <span class="smcap">M.D.</span></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXX._198" id="Footnote_CLXX._198"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXX._198"><span class="label">[CLXX.]</span></a> Ulaid (pronounced <i>Ulla</i>), Ulster.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXI._199" id="Footnote_CLXXI._199"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXI._199"><span class="label">[CLXXI.]</span></a> For Concobar and the Red Branch Knights, <a href="#Footnote_15_15">see note 15</a> farther +on: and for much fuller information, see my "Social History of +Ancient Ireland," vol. i, page 83; or the Smaller Soc. Hist., page 38.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXII._200" id="Footnote_CLXXII._200"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXII._200"><span class="label">[CLXXII.]</span></a> The druids professed to be able to foretell by observing the stars +and clouds. See Smaller Social History, p. 98.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXIII._201" id="Footnote_CLXXIII._201"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXIII._201"><span class="label">[CLXXIII.]</span></a> "Deirdre" is said to mean "alarm."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXIV._202" id="Footnote_CLXXIV._202"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXIV._202"><span class="label">[CLXXIV.]</span></a> That is 1665. This inverted method of enumeration was often +used in Ireland. But they also used direct enumeration like ours.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXV._203" id="Footnote_CLXXV._203"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXV._203"><span class="label">[CLXXV.]</span></a> This and the other places named in Deirdre's Farewell are all in +the west of Scotland.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXVI._204" id="Footnote_CLXXVI._204"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXVI._204"><span class="label">[CLXXVI.]</span></a> Irish name, <i>Drum-Sailech</i>; the ridge on which Armagh was +afterwards built.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXVII._205" id="Footnote_CLXXVII._205"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXVII._205"><span class="label">[CLXXVII.]</span></a> These champions, as well as their wives, took care never to show +any signs of fear or alarm even in the time of greatest danger: so Naisi +and Deirdre kept playing quietly as if nothing was going on outside, +though they heard the din of battle resounding.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXVIII._206" id="Footnote_CLXXVIII._206"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXVIII._206"><span class="label">[CLXXVIII.]</span></a> The "Three <i>Tonns</i> or Waves of Erin" were the Wave of Tuath +outside the mouth of the river Bann, off the coast of Derry; the Wave +of Rury in Dundrum Bay, off the county Down; and the Wave of +Cleena in Glandore Harbour in the south of Cork. In stormy weather, +when the wind blows from certain directions, the sea at those places, as +it tumbles over the sandbanks, or among the caves and fissures of the +rocks, utters a loud and solemn roar, which in old times was believed to +forebode the death of some king. +</p><p> +The legends also tell that the shield belonging to a king moaned +when the person who wore it in battle—whether the king himself or a +member of his family—was in danger of death: the moan was heard all +over Ireland; and the "Three Waves of Erin" roared in response. See +"Irish Names of Places," Vol. II., Chap. XVI.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXIX._207" id="Footnote_CLXXIX._207"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXIX._207"><span class="label">[CLXXIX.]</span></a> Slieve Cullinn, now Slieve Gullion mountain in Armagh.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXX._208" id="Footnote_CLXXX._208"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXX._208"><span class="label">[CLXXX.]</span></a> For a full account of the Highland traditions regarding Dermat, +and of the Highland monuments that commemorate his name, see +"Loch Etive and the Sons of Uisnach" (p. 255), a very valuable and +interesting book, recently published, which came into my hands after +I had written the above.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_CLXXXI._209" id="Footnote_CLXXXI._209"></a><a href="#FNanchor_CLXXXI._209"><span class="label">[CLXXXI.]</span></a> The above legend is taken from "The Boyish Exploits of Finn +Mac Cumal," published, with translation, by John O'Donovan, LL.D., +in the fourth volume of the Ossianic Society's Transactions, from a +MS. <i>transcribed</i> in 1453, now lying in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. +But the internal evidence of the language shows that the piece is far +more ancient than the fifteenth century. The legend of Finn and +the Salmon of Knowledge is still current among the peasantry; and +a modern popular version of it may be seen in the <i>Dublin Penny +Journal</i>, Vol. I. page 110. +</p><p> +As to the process of putting his thumb under his tooth of knowledge, +even the English-speaking peasantry of the south still retain +a tradition that it was painful; for they say that Finn "chewed his +thumb from the skin to the flesh, from the flesh to the bone, from +the bone to the marrow, and from the marrow to the <i>smoosagh</i>."</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="transnote"> +<p><b>Transcriber's Notes:</b><br /> +Footnotes formatted in Roman.<br /> +Endnotes formatted in Arabic.<br /> +Inconsistent and archaic spelling retained.<br /></p> +</div> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Celtic Romances, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD CELTIC ROMANCES *** + +***** This file should be named 38041-h.htm or 38041-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/0/4/38041/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Rory OConor and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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