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diff --git a/3495-h/3495-h.htm b/3495-h/3495-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..39aa5a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/3495-h/3495-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8596 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!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" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The King of Ireland's Son, by Padraic Colum + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The King of Ireland's Son, by Padraic Colum + +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: The King of Ireland's Son + +Author: Padraic Colum + +Release Date: February 9, 2009 [EBook #3495] +Last Updated: November 3, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING OF IRELAND'S SON *** + + + + +Produced by A. Elizabeth Warren, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE KING OF IRELAND’S SON + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Padraic Colum + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Contents + </h3> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> FEDELMA, THE ENCHANTER’S DAUGHTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> WHEN THE KING OF THE CATS CAME TO KING + CONNAL’S DOMINION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> THE SWORD OF LIGHT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> THE TOWN OF THE RED CASTLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> THE KING OF THE LAND OF MIST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> THE HOUSE OF CROM DUV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> THE SPAE-WOMAN </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + FEDELMA, THE ENCHANTER’S DAUGHTER + </h2> + <p> + I + </p> + <p> + Connal was the name of the King who ruled over Ireland at that time. He + had three sons, and, as the fir-trees grow, some crooked and some + straight, one of them grew up so wild that in the end the King and the + King’s Councillor had to let him have his own way in everything. This + youth was the King’s eldest son and his mother had died before she could + be a guide to him. + </p> + <p> + Now after the King and the King’s Councillor left him to his own way the + youth I’m telling you about did nothing but ride and hunt all day. Well, + one morning he rode abroad— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + His hound at his heel, + His hawk on his wrist; + A brave steed to carry him whither he list, + And the blue sky over him, +</pre> + <p> + and he rode on until he came to a turn in the road. There he saw a gray + old man seated on a heap of stones playing a game of cards with himself. + First he had one hand winning and then he had the other. Now he would say + “That’s my good right,” and then he would say “Play and beat that, my + gallant left.” The King of Ireland’s Son sat on his horse to watch the + strange old man, and as he watched him he sang a song to himself + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I put the fastenings on my boat + For a year and for a day, + And I went where the rowans grow, + And where the moorhens lay; + + And I went over the stepping-stones + And dipped my feet in the ford, + And came at last to the Swineherd’s house,— + The Youth without a Sword. + + A swallow sang upon his porch + “Glu-ee, glu-ee, glu-ee,” + “The wonder of all wandering, + The wonder of the sea;” + A swallow soon to leave ground sang + “Glu-ee, glu-ee, glu-ee.” + </pre> + <p> + “Prince,” said the old fellow looking up at him, “if you can play a game + as well as you can sing a song, I’d like if you would sit down beside me.” + </p> + <p> + “I can play any game,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. He fastened his + horse to the branch of a tree and sat down on the heap of stones beside + the old man. + </p> + <p> + “What shall we play for?” said the gray old fellow. + </p> + <p> + “Whatever you like,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “If I win you must give me anything I ask, and if you win I shall give you + anything you ask. Will you agree to that?” + </p> + <p> + “If it is agreeable to you it is agreeable to me,” said the King of + Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + They played, and the King of Ireland’s Son won the game. “Now what do you + desire me to give, King’s Son?” said the gray old fellow. + </p> + <p> + “I shan’t ask you for anything,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “for I + think you haven’t much to give.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind that,” said the gray old fellow. “I mustn’t break my promise, + and so you must ask me for something.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the King’s Son. “Then there’s a field at the back of my + father’s Castle and I want to see it filled with cattle to-morrow morning. + Can you do that for me?” + </p> + <p> + “I can,” said the gray old fellow. + </p> + <p> + “Then I want fifty cows, each one white with a red ear, and a white calf + going beside each cow.” + </p> + <p> + “The cattle shall be as you wish.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, when that’s done I shall think the wager has been paid,” said the + King of Ireland’s son. He mounted his horse, smiling at the foolish old + man who played cards with himself and who thought he could bring together + fifty white kine, each with a red ear, and a white calf by the side of + each cow. He rode away + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + His hound at his heel, + His hawk on his wrist; + A brave steed to carry him whither he list, + And the green ground under him, +</pre> + <p> + and he thought no more of the gray old fellow. + </p> + <p> + But in the morning, when he was taking his horse out of the stable, he + heard the grooms talking about a strange happening. Art, the King’s + Steward, had gone out and had found the field at the back of the Castle + filled with cattle. There were fifty white red-eared kine there and each + cow had a white calf at her side. The King had ordered Art, his Steward, + to drive them away. The King of Ireland’s Son watched Art and his men + trying to do it. But no sooner were the strange cattle put out at one side + of the field than they came back on the other. Then down came Maravaun, + the King’s Councillor. He declared they were enchanted cattle, and that no + one on Ireland’s ground could put them away. So in the seven-acre field + the cattle stayed. + </p> + <p> + When the King of Ireland’s Son saw what his companion of yesterday could + do he rode straight to the glen to try if he could have another game with + him. There at the turn of the road, on a heap of stones, the gray old + fellow was sitting playing a game of cards, the right hand against the + left. The King of Ireland’s Son fastened his horse to the branch of a tree + and dismounted. + </p> + <p> + “Did you find yesterday’s wager settled?” said the gray old fellow. + </p> + <p> + “I did,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Then shall we have another game of cards on the same understanding?” said + the gray old fellow. + </p> + <p> + “I agree, if you agree,” said the King of Ireland’s son. He sat under the + bush beside him and they played again. The King of Ireland’s Son won. + </p> + <p> + “What would you like me to do for you this time?” said the gray old + fellow. + </p> + <p> + Now the King’s Son had a step-mother, and she was often cross-tempered, + and that very morning he and she had vexed each other. So he said, “Let a + brown bear, holding a burning coal in his mouth, put Caintigern the Queen + from her chair in the supper-room to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said the gray old fellow. + </p> + <p> + Then the King of Ireland’s Son mounted his horse and rode away + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + His hound at his heel, + His hawk on his wrist; + A brave steed to carry him whither he list, + And the green ground under him, +</pre> + <p> + and he went back to the Castle. That night a brown bear, holding a burning + coal in his mouth, came into the supper-room and stood between Caintigern + the Queen and the chair that belonged to her. None of the servants could + drive it away, and when Maravaun, the King’s Councillor, came he said, + “This is an enchanted creature also, and it is best for us to leave it + alone.” So the whole company went and left the brown bear in the + supper-room seated ‘in the Queen’s chair. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + The next morning when he wakened the King’s Son said, “That was a + wonderful thing that happened last night in the supper-room. I must go off + and play a third game with the gray old fellow who sits on a heap of + stones at the turn of the road.” So, in the morning early he mounted and + rode away + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + His hound at his heel, + His hawk on his wrist; + A brave steed to carry him whither he list, + And the green ground under him, +</pre> + <p> + and he rode on until he came to the turn in the road. Sure enough the old + gray fellow was there. “So you’ve come to me again, King’s Son,” said he. + “I have,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “and I’ll play a last game with + you on the same understanding as before.” He tied his horse to the branch + and sat down on the heap of stones. They played. The King of Ireland’s Son + lost the game. Immediately the gray old fellow threw the cards down on the + stones and a wind came up and carried them away. Standing up he was + terribly tall. + </p> + <p> + “King’s Son,” said he, “I am your father’s enemy and I have done him an + injury. And to the Queen who is your father’s wife I have done an injury + too. You have lost the game and now you must take the penalty I put upon + you. You must find out my dwelling-place and take three hairs out of my + beard within a year and a day, or else lose your head.” + </p> + <p> + With that he took the King of Ireland’s Son by the shoulders and lifted + him on his horse, turning the horse in the direction of the King’s Castle. + The King’s Son rode on + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + His hound at his heel, + His hawk on his wrist; + A brave steed to carry him whither he list, + And the blue sky over him. +</pre> + <p> + That evening the King noticed that his son was greatly troubled. And when + he lay down to sleep everyone in the Castle heard his groans and his + moans. The next day he told his father the story from beginning to end. + The King sent for Maravaun his Councillor and asked him if he knew who the + Enchanter was and where his son would be likely to find him. + </p> + <p> + “From what he said,” said Maravaun, “we may guess who he is. He is the + Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands and his dwelling-place is hard to find. + Nevertheless your son must seek for him and take the three hairs out of + his beard or else lose his head. For if the heir to your kingdom does not + honorably pay his forfeit, the ground of Ireland won’t give crops and the + cattle won’t give milk.” “And,” said the Councillor, “as a year is little + for his search, he should start off at once, although I’m bound to say, + that I don’t know what direction he should go in.” + </p> + <p> + The next day the King’s Son said good-by to his father and his + foster-brothers and started off on his journey. His step-mother would not + give him her blessing on account of his having brought in the brown bear + that turned her from her chair in the supper-room. Nor would she let him + have the good horse he always rode. Instead the Prince was given a horse + that was lame in a leg and short in the tail. And neither hawk nor hound + went with him this time. + </p> + <p> + All day the King’s Son was going, traveling through wood and waste until + the coming on of night. The little fluttering birds were going from the + bush tops, from tuft to tuft, and to the briar-roots, going to rest; but + if they were, he was not, till the night came on, blind and dark. Then the + King’s Son ate his bread and meat, put his satchel under his head and lay + down to take his rest on the edge of a great waste. + </p> + <p> + In the morning he mounted his horse and rode on. And as he went across the + waste he saw an extraordinary sight—everywhere were the bodies of + dead creatures—a cock, a wren, a mouse, a weasel, a fox, a badger, a + raven—-all the birds and beasts that the King’s Son had ever known. + He went on, but he saw no living creature before him. And then, at the end + of the waste he came upon two living creatures struggling. One was an + eagle and the other was an eel. And the eel had twisted itself round the + eagle, and the eagle had covered her eyes with the black films of death. + The King’s Son jumped off his horse and cut the eel in two with a sharp + stroke of his sword. + </p> + <p> + The eagle drew the films from her eyes and looked full at the King’s Son. + “I am Laheen the Eagle,” she said, “and I will pay you for this service, + Son of King Connal. Know that there has been a battle of the creatures—a + battle to decide which of the creatures will make laws for a year. All + were killed except the eel and myself, and if you had not come I would + have been killed and the eel would have made the laws. I am Laheen the + Eagle and always I will be your friend. And now you must tell me how I can + serve you.” + </p> + <p> + “You can serve me,” said the King’s Son, “by showing me how I may come to + the dominion of the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands.” + </p> + <p> + “I am the only creature who can show you, King’s Son. And if I were not + old now I would carry you there on my back. But I can tell you how you can + get there. Ride forward for a day, first with the sun before you and then + with the sun at your back, until you come to the shore of a lake. Stay + there until you see three swans flying down. They are the three daughters + of the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands. Mark the one who carries a green + scarf in her mouth. She is the youngest daughter and the one who can help + you. When the swans come to the ground they will transform themselves into + maidens and bathe in the lake. Two will come out, put on their swanskins + and transform themselves and fly away. But you must hide the swanskin that + belongs to the youngest maiden. She will search and search and when she + cannot find it she will cry out, ‘I would do anything in the world for the + creature who would find my swanskin for me.’ Give the swanskin to her + then, and tell her that the only thing she can do for you is to show you + the way to her father’s dominion. She will do that, and so you will come + to the House of the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands. And now farewell to + you, Son of King Connal.” + </p> + <p> + Laheen the Eagle spread out her wings and flew away, and the King’s Son + journeyed on, first with the sun before him and then with the sun at his + back, until he came to the shore of a wide lake. He turned his horse away, + rested himself on the ground, and as soon as the clear day came he began + to watch for the three swans. + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + They came, they flew down, and when they touched the ground they + transformed themselves into three maidens and went to bathe in the lake. + The one who carried the green scarf left her swanskin under a bush. The + King’s Son took it and hid it in a hollow tree. + </p> + <p> + Two of the maidens soon came out of the water, put on their swanskins and + flew away as swans. The younger maiden stayed for a while in the lake. + Then she came out and began to search for her swanskin. She searched and + searched, and at last the King’s Son heard her say, “I would do anything + in the world for the creature who would find my swanskin for me.” Then he + came from where he was hiding and gave her the swanskin. “I am the Son of + the King of Ireland,” he said, “and I want you to show me the way to your + father’s dominion.” + </p> + <p> + “I would prefer to do anything else for you,” said the maiden. “I do not + want anything else,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “If I show you how to get there will you be content?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be content.” + </p> + <p> + “You must never let my father know that I showed you the way. And he must + not know when you come that you are the King of Ireland’s Son.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not tell him you showed me the way and I will not let him know who + I am.” + </p> + <p> + Now that she had the swanskin she was able to transform herself. She + whistled and a blue falcon came down and perched on a tree. “That falcon + is my own bird,” said she. “Follow where it flies and you will come to my + father’s house. And now good-by to you. You will be in danger, but I will + try to help you. Fedelma is my name.” She rose up as a swan and flew away. + </p> + <p> + The blue falcon went flying from bush to bush and from rock to rock. The + night came, but in the morning the blue falcon was seen again. The King’s + Son followed, and at last he saw a house before him. He went in, and + there, seated on a chair of gold was the man who seemed so tall when he + threw down the cards upon the heap of stones. The Enchanter did not + recognize the King’s Son without his hawk and his hound and the fine + clothes he used to wear. He asked who he was and the King’s Son said he + was a youth who had just finished an apprenticeship to a wizard. “And,” + said he, “I have heard that you have three fair daughters, and I came to + strive to gain one of them for a wife.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case,” said the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands, “you will have + to do three tasks for me. If you are able to do them I will give you one + of my three daughters in marriage. If you fail to do any one of them you + will lose your head. Are you willing to make the trial?” + </p> + <p> + “I am willing,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall give you your first task to-morrow. It is unlucky that you + came to-day. In this country we eat a meal only once a week, and we have + had our meal this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “It is all the same to me,” said the King’s Son, “I can do without food or + drink for a month without any hardship.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you can do without sleep too?” said the Enchanter of the Black + Back-Lands. + </p> + <p> + “Easily,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “That is good. Come outside now, and I’ll show you your bed.” He took the + King’s Son outside and showed him a dry narrow water-tank at the gable end + of the house. “There is where you are to sleep” said the Enchanter. “Tuck + yourself into it now and be ready for your first task at the rising of the + sun.” + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son went into the little tank. He was uncomfortable + there you may be sure. But in the middle of the night Fedelma came and + brought him into a fine room where he ate and then slept until the sun was + about to rise in the morning. She called him and he went outside and laid + himself down in the water-tank. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the sun rose the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands came out of + the house and stood beside the water-tank. “Come now,” said he, “and I + will show you the first task you have to perform.” He took him to where a + herd of goats was grazing. Away from the goats was a fawn with white feet + and little bright horns. The fawn saw them, bounded into the air, and + raced away to the wood as quickly as any arrow that a man ever shot from a + bow. + </p> + <p> + “That is Whitefoot the Fawn,” said the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands. + “She grazes with my goats but none of my gillies can bring her into my + goat-house. Here is your first task—run down Whitefoot the Fawn and + bring her with my goats into the goat-shelter this evening.” When he said + that the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands went away laughing to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Good-by, my life,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “I might as well try + to catch an eagle on the wing as to run down the deer that has gone out of + sight already.” He sat down on the ground and his despair was great. Then + his name was called and he saw Fedelma coming towards him. She looked at + him as though she were in dread, and said, “What task has my father set + you?” He told her and then she smiled. “I was in dread it would be a more + terrible task,” she said. “This one is easy. I can help you to catch + Whitefoot the Fawn. But first eat what I have brought you.” + </p> + <p> + She put down bread and meat and wine, and they sat down and he ate and + drank. “I thought he might set you this task,” she said, “and so I brought + you something from my father’s store of enchanted things. Here are the + Shoes of Swiftness. With these on your feet you can run down Whitefoot the + Fawn. But you must catch her before she has gone very far away. Remember + that she must be brought in when the goats are going into their shelter at + sunset. You will have to walk back for all the time you must keep hold of + her silver horns. Hasten now. Run her down with the Shoes of Swiftness and + then lay hold of her horns. Above all things Whitefoot dreads the loss of + her silver horns.” + </p> + <p> + He thanked Fedelma. He put on the Shoes of Swiftness and went into the + wood. Now he could go as the eagle flies. He found Whitefoot the Fawn + drinking at the Raven’s pool. + </p> + <p> + When she saw him she went from thicket to thicket. The Shoes of Swiftness + were hardly any use to him in these shut-in places. At last he beat her + from the last thicket. It was the hour of noon-tide then. There was a + clear plain before them and with the Shoes of Swiftness he ran her down. + There were tears in the Fawn’s eyes and he knew she was troubled with the + dread of losing her silver horns. + </p> + <p> + He kept his hands on the horns and they went back over miles of plain and + pasture, bog and wood. The hours were going quicker than they were going. + When ‘he came within the domain of the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands + he saw the goats going quickly before him. They were hurrying from their + pastures to the goat-shelter, one stopping, maybe, to bite the top of a + hedge and another giving this one a blow with her horns to hurry her on. + “By your silver horns, we must go faster,” said the King of Ireland’s Son + to the Fawn. They went more quickly then. + </p> + <p> + He saw the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands waiting at the goat-house, + now counting the goats that came along and now looking at the sun. When he + saw the King of Ireland’s Son coming with his capture he was so angry that + he struck an old full-bearded goat that had stopped to rub itself. The + goat reared up and struck him with his horns. “Well,” said the Enchanter + of the Black Back-Lands, “you have performed your first task, I see. You + are a greater enchanter than I thought you were. Whitefoot the Fawn can go + in with my goats. Go back now to your own sleeping-place. To-morrow I’ll + come to you early and give you your second task.” + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son went back and into the dry water-tank. He was + tired with his day’s journey after Whitefoot the Fawn. It was his hope + that Fedelma would come to him and give him shelter for that night. + </p> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + Until the white moon rose above the trees; until the hounds went out + hunting for themselves; until the foxes came down and hid in the hedges, + waiting for the cocks and hens to stir out at the first light—so + long did the King of Ireland’s Son stay huddled in the dry water-tank. + </p> + <p> + By that time he was stiff and sore and hungry. He saw a great white owl + flying towards the tank. The owl perched on the edge and stared at the + King’s Son. “Have you a message for me?” he asked. The owl shrugged with + its wings three times. He thought that meant a message. He got out of the + tank and prepared to follow the owl. It flew slowly and near the ground, + so he was able to follow it along a path through the wood. + </p> + <p> + The King’s Son thought the owl was bringing him to a place where Fedelma + was, and that he would get food there, and shelter for the rest of the + night. And sure enough the owl flew to a little house in the wood. The + King’s Son looked through the window and he saw a room lighted with + candles and a table with plates and dishes and cups, with bread and meat + and wine. And he saw at the fire a young woman spinning at a spinning + wheel, and her back was towards him, and her hair was the same as + Fedelma’s. Then he lifted the latch of the door and went very joyfully + into the little house. + </p> + <p> + But when the young woman at the spinning wheel turned round he saw that + she was not Fedelma at all. She had a little mouth, a long and a hooked + nose, and her eyes looked cross-ways at a person. The thread she was + spinning she bit with her long teeth, and she said, “You are welcome here, + Prince.” + </p> + <p> + “And who are you?” said the King of Ireland’s Son. “Aefa is my name,” said + she, “I am the eldest and the wisest daughter of the Enchanter of the + Black Back-lands. My father is preparing a task for you,” said she, “and + it will be a terrible task, and there will be no one to help you with it, + so you will lose your head surely. And what I would advise you to do is to + escape out of this country at once.” + </p> + <p> + “And how can I escape?” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “There’s only one + way to escape,” said she, “and that is for you to take the Slight Red + Steed that my father has secured under nine locks. That steed is the only + creature that can bring you to your own country. I will show you how to + get it and then I will ride to your home with you.” + </p> + <p> + “And why should you do that?” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Because I would marry you,” said Aefa. + </p> + <p> + “But,” said he, “if I live at all Fedelma is the one I will marry.” + </p> + <p> + No sooner did he say the words than Aefa screamed out, “Seize him, my + cat-o’-the-mountain. Seize him and hold him.” Then the cat-o’-the-mountain + that was under the table sprang across the room and fixed himself on his + shoulder. He ran out of the house. All the time he was running the + cat-o’-the-mountain was trying to tear his eyes out. He made his way + through woods and thickets, and mighty glad he was when he saw the tank at + the gable-end of the house. The cat-’o-the-mountain dropped from his back + then. He got into the tank and waited and waited. No message came from + Fedelma. He was a long time there, stiff and sore and hungry, before the + sun rose and the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands came out of the house. + </p> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + “I hope you had a good night’s rest,” said the Enchanter of the Black + Back-Lands, when he came to where the King of Ireland’s Son was crouched, + just at the rising of the sun. “I had indeed,” said the King’s Son. “And I + suppose you feel fit for another task,” said the Enchanter of the Black + Back-Lands. “More fit than ever in my life before,” said the King of + Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + The Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands took him past the goat-house and to + where there was an open shelter for his bee-hives. “I want this shelter + thatched,” said he, “and I want to have it thatched with the feathers of + birds. Go,” said he, “and get enough feathers of wild birds and come back + and thatch the bee-hive shelter for me, and let it be done before the set + of sun.” He gave the King’s Son arrows and a bow and a bag to put the + feathers in, and advised him to search the moor for birds. Then he went + back to the house. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son ran to the moor and watched for birds to fly + across. At last one came. He shot at it with an arrow but did not bring it + down. He hunted the moor all over but found no other bird. He hoped that + he would see Fedelma before his head was taken off. + </p> + <p> + Then he heard his name called and he saw Fedelma coming towards him. She + looked at him as before with dread in thier eyes and asked him what task + her father had set him. “A terrible task,” he said, and he told her what + it was. Fedelma laughed. “I was in dread he would give you another task,” + she said. “I can help you with this one. Sit down now and eat and drink + from what I have brought you.” + </p> + <p> + He sat down and ate and drank and he felt hopeful seeing Fedelma beside + him. When he had eaten Fedelma said, “My blue falcon will gather the birds + and pull the feathers off for you. Still, unless you gather them quickly + there is danger, for the roof must be thatched with feathers at the set of + sun.” She whistled and her blue falcon came. He followed it across the + moor. The blue falcon flew up in the air and gave a bird-call. Birds + gathered and she swooped amongst them pulling feathers off their backs and + out of their wings. Soon there was a heap of feathers on the ground—pigeons’ + feathers and pie’s feathers, crane’s and crow’s, blackbird’s and + starling’s. The King of Ireland’s Son quickly gathered them into his bag. + The falcon flew to another place and gave her bird-call again. The birds + gathered, and she went amongst them, plucking their feathers. The King’s + Son gathered them and the blue falcon flew to another place. Over and over + again the blue falcon called to the birds and plucked out their feathers, + and over and over again the King’s Son gathered them into his bag. When he + thought he had feathers enough to thatch the roof he ran back to the + shelter. He began the thatching, binding the feathers down with little + willow rods. He had just finished when the sun went down. The old + Enchanter came up and when he saw what the King’s Son had done he was + greatly surprised. “You surely learned from the wizard you were + apprenticed to,” said he.. “But to-morrow I will try you with another + task. Go now and sleep in the place where you were last night.” The King’s + Son, glad that the head was still on his shoulders, went and lay down in + the water-tank. + </p> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + Until the white moon went out in the sky; until the Secret People began to + whisper in the woods—so long did the King of Ireland’s Son remain in + the dry water-tank that night. + </p> + <p> + And then, when it was neither dark nor light, he saw a crane flying + towards him. It lighted on the edge of the tank. “Have you a message for + me?” said the King of Ireland’s Son. The crane tapped three times with its + beak. Then the King’s Son got out of the tank and prepared to follow the + bird-messenger. + </p> + <p> + This was the way the crane went. It would fly a little way and then light + on the ground until the Prince came up to it. Then it would fly again. + Over marshes and across little streams the crane led him. And all the time + the King of Ireland’s Son thought he was being brought to the place where + Fedelma was—to the place where he would get food and where he could + rest until just before the sun rose. + </p> + <p> + They went on and on till they came to an old tower. The crane lighted upon + it. The King’s Son saw there was an iron door in the tower and he pulled a + chain until it opened. Then he saw a little room lighted with candles, and + he saw a young woman looking at herself in the glass. Her back was towards + him and her hair was the same as Fedelma’s. + </p> + <p> + But when the young woman turned round he saw she was not Fedelma. She was + little, and she had a face that was brown and tight like a nut. She made + herself very friendly to the King of Ireland’s Son and went to him and + took his hands and smiled into his face. + </p> + <p> + “You are welcome here,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” he asked. “I am Gilveen,” said she, “the second and the + most loving of the three daughters of the Enchanter of the Black + Back-Lands.” She stroked his face and his hands when she spoke to him. + </p> + <p> + “And why did you send for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I know what great trouble you are in. My father is preparing a + task for you, and it will be a terrible one. You will never be able to + carry it out.” + </p> + <p> + “And what should you advise me to do, King’s daughter?” + </p> + <p> + “Let me help you. In this tower,” said she, “there are the wisest books in + the world. We’ll surely find in one of them a way for you to get from this + country. And then I’ll go back with you to your own land.” + </p> + <p> + “Why would you do that?” asked the King of Ire-land’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Because I wish to be your wife,” Gilveen said. + </p> + <p> + “But,” said he, “if I live at all Fedelma is the one I’ll marry.” + </p> + <p> + When he said that Gilveen drew her lips together and her chin became like + a horn. Then she whistled through her teeth, and instantly everything in + the room began to attack the King’s Son. The looking glass on the wall + flung itself at him and hit him on the back of the head. The leg of the + table gave him a terrible blow at the back of the knees. He saw the two + candles hopping across the floor to burn his legs. He ran out of the room, + and when he got to the door it swung around and gave him a blow that flung + him away from the tower. The crane that was waiting on the tower flew + down, its neck and beak outstretched, and gave him a blow on the back. + </p> + <p> + So the King of Ireland’s Son went back over the marshes and across the + little streams, and he was glad when he saw the gable-end of the house + again. Je went into the tank. He knew that he had not long to wait before + the sun would rise and the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands would come to + him and give him the third and the most difficult of the three tasks. And + he thought that Fedelma was surely shut away from him and that she would + not be able to help him that day. + </p> + <p> + VII + </p> + <p> + At the rising of the sun the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands came to + where the King of Ireland’s Son was huddled and said, “I am now going to + set you the third and last task. Rise up now and come with me.” + </p> + <p> + The King’s Son came out of the water-tank and fol-lowed the Enchanter. + They went to where there was a well. The King’s Son looked down and he + could not see the bottom, so deep the well was. “At the bottom,” said the + Enchanter “is the Ring of Youth. You must get it and bring it to me, or + else you must lose your head at the setting of that sun.” That was all he + said. He turned then and went away. + </p> + <p> + The King’s Son looked into the well and he saw no way of getting down its + deep smooth sides. He walked back towards the Castle. On his way he met + Fedelma, and she looked at him with deep dread in her eyes. “What task did + my father set you to-day?” said she. “He bids me go down into a well,” + said the King’s Son. “A well!” said Fedelma, and she became all dread. “I + have to take the Ring of Youth from the bot-tom and bring it to him,” said + the King’s Son. “Oh,” said Fedelma,’”he has set you the task I dreaded.” + </p> + <p> + Then she said, “You will lose your life if the Ring of Youth is not taken + out of the well. And if you lose yours I shall lose my life too. There is + one way to get down the sides of the well. You must kill me. Take my bones + and make them as steps while you go down the sides. Then, when you have + taken the Ring of Youth out of the water, put my bones as they were + before, and put the Ring above my heart. I shall be alive again. But you + must be careful that you leave every bone as it was.” + </p> + <p> + The King’s Son fell into a deeper dread than Fedelma when he heard what + she said. “This can never be,” he cried. “It must be,” said she, “and by + all your vows and promises I command that you do it. Kill me now and do as + I have bidden you. If it be done I shall live. If it be not done you will + lose your life and I will never regain mine.” + </p> + <p> + He killed her. He took the bones as she had bidden him, and he made steps + down the sides of the well. He searched at the bottom, and he found the + Ring of Youth. He brought the bones together again. Down on his knees he + went, and his heart did not beat nor did his breath come or go until he + had fixed them in their places. Over the heart he placed the Ring. Life + came back to Fedelma. + </p> + <p> + “You have done well,” she said. “One thing only is not in its place—the + joint of my little finger.” She held up her hand and he saw that her + little finger was bent. + </p> + <p> + “I have helped you in everything,” said Fedelma, “and in the last task I + could not have helped you if you had not been true to me when Aefa and + Gilveen brought you to them. Now the three tasks are done, and you can ask + my father for one of his daughters in marriage. When you bring him the + Ring of Youth he will ask you to make a choice. I pray that the one chosen + will be myself.” + </p> + <p> + “None other will I have but you, Fedelma, love of my heart,” said the King + of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + VIII + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son went into the house before the setting of the + sun. The Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands was seated on his chair of + gold. “Have you brought me the Ring of Youth?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I have brought it,” said the King’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Give it to me then,” said the Enchanter. + </p> + <p> + “I will not,” said the King’s Son, “until you give what you promised me at + the end of my tasks—one of your three daughters for my wife.” + </p> + <p> + The Enchanter brought him to a closed door. “My three daughters are within + that room,” said he. “Put your hand through the hole in the door, and the + one whose hand you hold when I open it—it is she you will have to + marry.” + </p> + <p> + Then wasn’t the mind of the King’s Son greatly troubled? If he held the + hand of Aefa or Gilveen he would lose his love Fedelma. He stood without + putting out his hand. “Put your hand through the hole of the door or go + away from my house altogether,” said the Enchanter of the Black + Back-Lands. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son ventured to put his hand through the hole in the + door. The hands of the maidens inside were all held in a bunch. But no + sooner did he touch them than he found that one had a broken finger. This + he knew was Fedelma’s hand, and this was the hand he held. + </p> + <p> + “You may open the door now,” said he to the Enchanter. He opened the door + and the King of Ireland’s Son drew Fedelma to him. “This is the maiden I + choose,” said he, “and now give her her dowry.” + </p> + <p> + “The dowry that should go with me,” said Fedelma, “is the Slight Red + Steed.” “What dowry do you want with her, young man?” said the Enchanter. + </p> + <p> + “No other dowry but the Slight Red Steed.” + </p> + <p> + “Go round to the stable then and get it. And I hope no well-trained wizard + like you will come this way again.” + </p> + <p> + “No well-trained wizard am I, but the King of Ire-land’s Son. And I have + found your dwelling-place within a year and a day. And now I pluck the + three hairs out of your heard, Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands.” + </p> + <p> + The beard of the Enchanter bristled like spikes on a hedgehog, and the + balls of his eyes stuck out of his head. The King’s Son plucked the three + hairs of his beard before he could lift a hand or say a word. “Mount the + Slight Red Steed and be off, the two of you,” said the Enchanter. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son and Fedelma mounted the Slight Red Steed and + rode off, and the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands, and his two + daughters, Aefa and Gilveen, in a rage watched them ride away. + </p> + <p> + IX + </p> + <p> + They crossed the River of the Ox, and went over the Mountain of the Fox + and were in the Glen of the Badger before the sun rose. And there, at the + foot of the Hill of Horns, they found an old man gathering dew from the + grass. + </p> + <p> + “Could you tell us where we might find the Little Sage of the Mountain?” + Fedelma asked the old man. + </p> + <p> + “I am the Little Sage of the Mountain,” said he, “and what is it you want + of me?” + </p> + <p> + “To betroth us for marriage,” said Fedelma. + </p> + <p> + “I will do that. Come to my house, the pair of you. And as you are both + young and better able to walk than I am it would be fitting to let me ride + on your horse.” + </p> + <p> + The King’s Son and Fedelma got off and the Little Sage of the Mountain got + on the Slight Red Steed. They took the path that went round the Hill of + Horns. And at the other side of the hill they found a hut thatched with + one great wing of a bird. The Little Sage got off the Slight Red Steed. + “Now,” said he, “you’re both young, and I’m an old man and it would be + fitting for you to do my day’s work before you call upon me to do anything + for you. Now would you,” said he to the King of Ireland’s Son, “take this + spade in your hand and go into the garden and dig my potatoes for me? And + would you,” said he to Fedelma, “sit down at the quern-stone and grind the + wheat for me?” + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son went into the garden and Fedelma sat at the + quern-stone that was just outside the door; he dug and she ground while + the Little Sage sat at the fire looking into a big book. And when Fedelma + and the King’s Son were tired with their labor he gave them a drink of + buttermilk. + </p> + <p> + She made cakes out of the wheat she had ground and the King’s Son washed + the potatoes and the Little Sage boiled them and so they made their + supper. Then the Little Sage of the Mountain melted lead and made two + rings; and one ring he gave to Fedelma to give to the King’s Son and one + he gave to the King’s Son to give to Fedelma. And when the rings were + given he said, “You are betrothed for your marriage now.” + </p> + <p> + They stayed with the Little Sage of the Mountain that night, and when the + sun rose they left the house that was thatched with the great wing of a + bird and they turned towards the Meadow of Brightness and the Wood of + Shadows that were between them and the King of Ireland’s domain. They rode + on the Slight Red Steed, and the Little Sage of the Mountain went with + them a part of the way. He seemed downcast and when they asked him the + reason he said, “I see dividing ways and far journeys for you both.” “But + how can that be,” said the King’s Son, “when, in a little while we will + win to my father’s domain?” “It may be I am wrong,” said the Little Sage, + “and if I am not, remember that devotion brings together dividing ways and + that high hearts win to the end of every journey.” He bade them good-by + then, and turned back to his hut that was thatched with the great wing of + a bird. + </p> + <p> + They rode across the Meadow of Brightness and Fedelma’s blue falcon sailed + above them. “Yonder is a field of white flowers,” said she, “and while we + are crossing it you must tell me a story.” + </p> + <p> + “I know by heart,” said the King’s Son, “only the stories that Maravaun, + my father’s Councillor, has put into the book he is composing—the + book that is called ‘The Breastplate of Instruction.’” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Fedelma, “tell me a story from ‘The Breastplate of + Instruction,’ while we are crossing this field of white flowers.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you the first story that is in it,” said the King’s Son. Then + while they were crossing the field of white flowers the King’s Son told + Fedelma the story of + </p> + <p> + The Ass and the Seal + </p> + <p> + X + </p> + <p> + A seal that had spent a curious fore-noon paddling around the island of + Ilaun-Beg drew itself up on a rock the better to carry on its + investigations. It was now within five yards of the actual island. On the + little beach there were three curraghs in which the island-men went over + the sea; they were turned bottom up and heavy stones were placed upon them + to prevent their being carried away by the high winds. The seal noted them + as he rested upon the flat rock. He noted too a little ass that was + standing beyond the curraghs, sheltering himself where the cliffs hollowed + in. + </p> + <p> + Now this ass was as curious as the seal, and when he saw the smooth + creature that was moving its head about with such intelligence he came + down to the water’s edge. Two of his legs were spancelled with a piece of + straw rope, but being used to such impediment he came over without any + awkwardness. He looked inquiringly at the seal. + </p> + <p> + The gray-headed crow of the cliff lighted on a spar of rock and made + herself an interpreter between the two. “Shaggy beast of the Island,” said + the seal, “friend and follower of men, tell me about their fabulous + existence.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean the hay-getters?” said the ass. + </p> + <p> + “You know well whom he means,” said the gray-headed crow viciously. + “Answer him now.” + </p> + <p> + “You gravell me entirely when you ask about men,” said the ass. “I don’t + know much about them. They live to themselves and I live to myself. Their + houses are full of smoke and it blinds my eyes to go in. There used to be + green fields here and high grass that became hay, but there’s nothing like + that now. I think men have given up eating what grows out of the ground. I + see nothing, I smell nothing, but fish, fish, fish.” + </p> + <p> + The gray-headed crow had a vicious eye fixed on the ass all the time he + was speaking. “You’re saying all that,” said she, “because they let the + little horse stay all night in the house and beat you out of it.” + </p> + <p> + “My friend,” said the seal, “it is evident that men deceive you by + appearances. I know men. I have followed their boats and have listened to + the wonderful sounds they make with their voices and with instruments. Do + they not draw fish out of the depths by enchantments? Do they not build + their habitations with music? Do they not draw the moon out of the sea and + set it for a light in their houses? And is it not known that the fairest + daughters of the sea have loved men?” + </p> + <p> + “When I’m awake long o’ moonlit nights I feel like that myself,” said the + ass. Then the recollections of these long, frosty nights made him yawn. + Then he brayed. + </p> + <p> + “What it is to live near men,” said the seal in admiration. “What + wonderful sounds!” + </p> + <p> + “I’d cross the water and rub noses with you,” said the ass, “only I’m + afraid of crocodiles.” + </p> + <p> + “Crocodiles?” said the gray-headed crow. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the ass. “It’s because I’m of a very old family, you know. + They were Egyptians. My people never liked to cross water in their own + country. There were crocodiles there.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t want to waste any more time listening to nonsense,” said the + gray-headed crow. She flew to the ass’s back and plucked out some of the + felt. “I’ll take this for my own habitation,” she said, and flew back to + the cliff. + </p> + <p> + The ass would have kicked up his heels only two of his legs were fastened + with the straw rope. He turned away, and without a word of farewell to the + seal went scrambling up the bank of the island. + </p> + <p> + The seal stayed for a while moving his head about intelligently. Then he + slipped into the water and paddled off. “One feels their lives in music,” + he said; “great tones vibrate round the island where men live. It is very + wonderful.” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the King’s Son, “is the first story in ‘The Breastplate of + Instruction,’—‘The Ass and the Seal.’ And now you must tell me a + story while we are crossing the field of blue flowers.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it will be a very little story,” said Fedelma. They crossed a little + field of blue flowers, and Fedelma told + </p> + <p> + The Sending of the Crystal Egg + </p> + <p> + XI + </p> + <p> + The Kings of Murias heard that King Atlas had to bear The world upon his + back, so they sent him then and there The Crystal Egg that would be the + Swan of Endless Tales That his burthen for a while might lie on his + shoulder-scales Fair-balanced while he heard the Tales the Swan poured + forth—North-world Tales for the while he watched the Star of the + North; And East-world Tales he would hear in the morning swart and cool, + When the Lions Nimrod had spared came up from the drinking pool; + West-world Tales for the King when he turned him with the sun; Then + whispers of magic Tales from Africa, his own. + </p> + <p> + But the Kings of Murias made the Crane their messenger—The fitful + Crane whose thoughts are always frightening her She slipped from Islet to + Isle, she sloped from Foreland to Coast; She passed through cracks in the + mountains and came over trees like a ghost; And then fled back in dismay + when she saw on the hollow plains The final battle between the Pigmies and + the Cranes. + </p> + <p> + Where is the Crystal Egg that was sent King Atlas then? Hatched it will be + one day and the Tales will be told to men: That is if it be not laid in + some King’s old Treasury: That is if the fitful Crane did not lose it + threading the Sea! + </p> + <p> + They were not long going through the little field of blue flowers, and + when they went through it they came to another field of white flowers. + Fedelma asked the King’s Son to tell her another story, and thereupon he + told her the second story in “The Breastplate of Instruction.” + </p> + <p> + The Story of the Young Cuckoo + </p> + <p> + XII + </p> + <p> + The young cuckoo made desperate attempts to get himself through the narrow + opening in the hollow tree. He screamed when he failed to get through. + </p> + <p> + His foster-parents had remained so long beside him that they were wasted + and sad while the other birds, their broods reared, were vigorous and + joyful. They heard the one that had been reared in their nest, the young + cuckoo, scream, but this time they did not fly towards him. The young + cuckoo screamed again, but there was something in that scream that + reminded the foster-parents of hawks. They flew away. They were miserable + in their flight, these birds, for they knew they were committing a + treason. + </p> + <p> + They had built their nest in a hollow tree that had a little opening. A + cuckoo laid her egg on the ground and, carrying it in her beak, had placed + it in the nest. Their own young had been pushed out. They had worn + themselves to get provision for the terrible and fascinating creature who + had remained in their nest. + </p> + <p> + When the time came for him to make his flight he could not get his body + through the little opening. Yesterday he had begun to try. The two + foster-parents flew to him again and again with food. But now their own + nesting place had become strange to them. They would never go near it + again. The young cuckoo was forsaken. + </p> + <p> + A woodpecker ran round the tree. He looked into the hollow and saw the big + bird crumpled up. + </p> + <p> + “Hello,” said the woodpecker. “How did you get here?” + </p> + <p> + “Born here,” said the young cuckoo sulkily. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, were you?” said the woodpecker and he ran round the tree again. + </p> + <p> + When he came back to the opening the young cuckoo was standing up with his + mouth open. + </p> + <p> + “Feed me,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve to rush round frightfully to get something for myself,” said the + woodpecker. + </p> + <p> + “At least, someone ought to bring me food,” said the young cuckoo. + </p> + <p> + “How is that?” said the woodpecker. + </p> + <p> + “Well, oughtn’t they to?” said the young cuckoo. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t say so,” said the woodpecker, “you have the use of your wits, + haven’t you?” He ran round the trunk of the tree again and devoured a lean + grub. The young cuckoo struggled at the opening and screamed again. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be drawing too much attention to yourself,” advised the woodpecker + when he came to the opening again. “They might take you for a young hawk, + you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Who might?” said the cuckoo. “The neighbors. They would pull a young hawk + to pieces.” + </p> + <p> + “What am I to do?” said the young cuckoo. + </p> + <p> + “What’s in your nature to do?” + </p> + <p> + “My nature?” said the young cuckoo. “It’s my nature to swing myself on + branches high up in a tree. It’s my nature to spread out my wings and fly + over pleasant places. It is my nature to be alone. But not alone as here. + Alone with the sound of my own voice.” Suddenly he cried, “Cuckoo, cuckoo, + cuckoo!” + </p> + <p> + “I know you now,” said the woodpecker. “There’s going to be a storm,” he + said; “trust a woodpecker to know that.” + </p> + <p> + The young cuckoo strove towards the big sky again, and he screamed so + viciously that a rat that had just come out of the ditch fastened his eyes + on him. That creature looked bad to the young cuckoo. Rain plopped on the + leaves. Thunder crashed. A bolt struck the tree, and the part above the + opening was torn away. + </p> + <p> + The young cuckoo flung himself out on the grass and went awkwardly amongst + the blue bells. “What a world,” said he. “All this wet and fire and noise + to get me out of the nest. What a world!” The young cuckoo was free, and + these were the first words he said when he went into the world. + </p> + <p> + That was the last story the King’s Son told from Maravaun’s book, “The + Breastplate of Instruction.” They had another little field of blue flowers + to cross, and as they went across it Fedelma told the King’s Son + </p> + <p> + THE STORY OF THE CLOUD-WOMAN XIII + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Cloud-woman, Mor, was the daughter + Of Griann, the Sun,—well, and she + Made a marriage to equal that grandeur, + For her Goodman was Lir, the Sea. + + The Cloud-woman Mor, she had seven + Strong sons, and the story-books say + Their inches grew in the night-time, + And grew over again in the day. + + The Cloud-woman Mor,—as they grew in + Their bone, she grew in her pride, + Till her haughtiness turned away, men say, + Her goodman Lir from her side; + + Then she lived in Mor’s Home and she watched + With pride her sons and her crop, + Till one day the wish in her grew + To view from the mountain-top + All, all that she owned, so she + Traveled without any stop. + + And what did she see? A thousand + + Fields and her own fields small, small! + “What a fine and wide place is Eirinn,” said she, + “I am Mor, but not great after all.” + + Then a herdsman came, and he told her + That her sons had stolen away: + They had left the calves in the hollow, + With the goose-flock they would not stay: + + They had seen three ships on the sea + And nothing would do them but go: + Mor wept and wept when she heard it, + And her tears made runnels below. + + Then her shining splendor departed: + She went, and she left no trace, + And the Cloud-woman, Mor, was never + Beheld again in that place. + + The proud woman, Mor, who was daughter + Of Griann, the Sun, and who made + A marriage to equal that grandeur, + Passed away as a shade. +</pre> + <p> + XIV + </p> + <p> + And that was the last story that Fedelma told, for they had crossed the + Meadows of Brightness and had come to a nameless place—a stretch of + broken ground where there were black rocks and dead grass and bare roots + of trees with here and there a hawthorn tree in blossom. “I fear this + place. We must not halt here,” Fedelma said. + </p> + <p> + And then a flock of ravens came from the rocks, and flying straight at + them attacked Fedelma and the King of Ireland’s Son. The King’s Son sprang + from the steed and taking his sword in his hand he fought the ravens until + he drove them away. They rode on again. But now the ravens flew back and + attacked them again and the King of Ireland’s Son fought them until his + hands were wearied. He mounted the steed again, and they rode swiftly on. + And the ravens came the third time and attacked them more fiercely than + before. The King’s Son fought them until he had killed all but three and + until he was covered with their blood and feathers. + </p> + <p> + The three that had escaped flew away. “Oh, mount the Slight Red Steed and + let us ride fast,” said Fedelma to the King’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “I am filled with weariness,” he said. “Bid the steed stay by the rock, + lay my sword at my side, and let me sleep with my head on your lap.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear for us both if you slumber here,” said Fedelma. + </p> + <p> + “I must sleep, and I pray that you let me lay my head on your lap.” + </p> + <p> + “I know not what would awaken you if you slumber here.” + </p> + <p> + “I will awaken,” said the King’s Son, “but now I must sleep, and I would + slumber with my head on your lap.” + </p> + <p> + She got down from the Slight Red Steed and she bade it stay by a rock; she + put his sword by the place he would sleep and she took his head upon her + lap. The King’s Son slept. + </p> + <p> + As she watched over him a great fear grew in Fedelma. Every hour she would + say to him, “Are you near waking, my dear, my dear?” But no flush of + waking appeared on the face of the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + Then she saw a man coming across the nameless place, across the broken + ground, with its dead grass and black rocks and with its roots and stumps + of trees. The man who came near them was taller than any man she had seen + before—he was tall as a tree. Fedelma knew him from what she had + heard told about him—she knew him to be the King of the Land of + Mist. + </p> + <p> + The King of the Land of Mist came straight to them. He stood before + Fedelma and he said, “I seek Fedelma, the daughter of the Enchanter of the + Black Back-Lands and the fairest woman within the seas of Eirinn.” + </p> + <p> + “Then go to her father’s house and seek Fedelma there,” said she to him. + </p> + <p> + “I have sought her there,” said the King of the Land of Mist, “but she + left her father’s house to go with the King of Ireland’s Son.” + </p> + <p> + “Then seek her in the Castle of the King of Ireland,” said Fedelma. + </p> + <p> + “That I will not. Fedelma is here, and Fedelma will come with me,” said + the King of the Land of Mist. + </p> + <p> + “I will not leave him with whom I am plighted,” said Fedelma. + </p> + <p> + Then the King of the Land of Mist took up the King of Ireland’s Son. High + he held him—higher than a tree grows. “I will dash him down on the + rocks and break the life within him,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Do not so,” said Fedelma. “Tell me. If I go with you what would win me + back?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing but the sword whose stroke would slay me—the Sword of + Light,” said the King of the Land of Mist. He held up the King of + Ireland’s Son again, and again he was about to dash him against the rocks. + The blue falcon that was overhead flew down and settled on the rock behind + her. Fedelma knew that what she and the King of the Land of Mist would say + now would be carried some place and told to someone. “Leave my love, the + King’s Son, to his rest,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “If I do not break the life in him will you come with me, Fedelma?” + </p> + <p> + “I will go with you if you tell again what will win me back from you.” + </p> + <p> + “The Sword of Light whose stroke will slay me.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go with you if you swear by all your vows and promises not to make + me your wife nor your sweetheart for a year and a day.” + </p> + <p> + “I swear by all my vows and promises not to make you my wife nor my + sweetheart for a year and a day.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go with you if you let it be that I fall into a slumber that will + last for a year and a day.” + </p> + <p> + “I will let that be, fairest maid within the seas of Eirinn.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go with you if you will tell me what will take me out of that + slumber.” + </p> + <p> + “If one cuts a tress of your hair with a stroke of the Sword of Light it + will take you out of that slumber.” + </p> + <p> + The blue falcon that was behind heard what the King of the Land of Mist + said. She rose up and remained overhead with her wings outspread. Fedelma + took the ring off her own finger and put it on the finger of the King of + Ireland’s Son, and she wrote upon the ground in Ogham letters, “The King + of the Land of Mist.” + </p> + <p> + “If it be not you who wakens me, love,” she said, “may it be that I never + waken.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, daughter of the Enchanter,” said the King of the Land of Mist. + </p> + <p> + “Pluck the branch of hawthorn and give it to me that I may fall into my + slumber here,” said Fedelma. + </p> + <p> + The King of the Land of Mist plucked a flowering branch of hawthorn and + gave it to her. She held the flowers against her face and fell into + slumber. For a while she and the King of Ireland’s Son were side by side + in sleep. + </p> + <p> + Then the King of the Land of Mist took Fedelma in his arms and strode + along that nameless place, over the broken ground with its dead grass and + its black rocks and its stumps and roots of trees and the three ravens + that had escaped the sword of the King of Ire-land’s Son followed where he + went. + </p> + <p> + XV + </p> + <p> + Long, long after Fedelma had been taken by the King of the Land of Mist + the King of Ireland’s Son came out of his slumber. He saw around him that + nameless place with its black rocks and bare roots of trees. He remembered + he had come to it with Fedelma. He sprang up and looked for her, but no + one was near him. “Fedelma, Fedelma!” He searched and he called, but it + was as if no one had ever been with him. He found his sword; be searched + for his steed, but the Slight Red Steed was gone too. + </p> + <p> + He thought that the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands had followed them + and had taken Fedelma from him. He turned to go towards the Enchanter’s + country and then he found what Fedelma had written upon the ground in + Ogham letters + </p> + <p> + ____II_____________\/______//___ IIII /\ + </p> + <p> + “The King of the Land of Mist” + </p> + <p> + He did not know what direction to take to get to the dominion of the King + of the Land of Mist. He crossed the broken ground and he found no trace of + Fedelma nor of him who had taken her. He found himself close to the Wood + of Shadows. He went through it. As he went on he saw scores and scores of + shadows. Nothing else was in the wood—no bird, no squirrel, no + cricket. The shadows had the whole wood to themselves. They ran swiftly + from tree to tree, and now and then one would stop at a tree and wait. + Often the King of Ireland’s Son came close to a waiting shadow. One became + like a small old man with a beard. The King’s Son saw this shadow again + and again. What were they, the shadows, he asked himself? Maybe they were + wise creatures and could tell him what he wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + He thought he heard them whispering together. Then one little shadow with + trailing legs went slowly from tree to tree. The King of Ireland’s Son + thought he would catch and hold a shadow and make it tell him where he + should go to find the dominion of the King of the Land of Mist. + </p> + <p> + He went after one shadow and another and waited beside a tree for one to + come. Often he thought he saw the small old man with the beard and the + little creature with trailing legs. And then he began to see other shadows—men + with the heads of rooks and men with queer heavy swords upon their + shoulders. He followed them on and on through the wood and he heard their + whispering becoming louder and louder, and then he thought that as he went + on the shadows, instead of slipping before him, began to turn back and go + past and surround him. Then he heard a voice just under the ground at his + feet say, “Shout—shout out your own name, Son of King Connal!” Then + the King’s Son shouted out his own name and the whispers ceased in the + wood and the shadows went backward and forward no more. + </p> + <p> + He went on and came to a stream within the wood and he went against its + flow all night as well as all day, hoping to meet some living thing that + would tell him how he might come to the dominion of the King of the Land + of Mist. In the forenoon of another day he came to where the wood grew + thin and then he went past the last trees. + </p> + <p> + He saw a horse grazing: he ran up to it and found that it was the Slight + Red Steed that had carried Fedelma and himself from the house of the + Enchanter. Then as he laid hold of the steed a hound ran up to him and a + hawk flew down and he saw that they were the hawk and the hound that used + to be with him when he rode abroad from his father’s Castle. + </p> + <p> + He mounted and seeing his hound at his heel and his hawk circling above he + felt a longing to go back to his father’s Castle which he knew to be near + and where he might find out where the King of the Land of Mist had his + dominion. + </p> + <p> + So the King of Ireland’s Son rode back to his father’s Castle— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + His hound at his heel, + His hawk on his wrist. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHEN THE KING OF THE CATS CAME TO KING CONNAL’S DOMINION + </h2> + <p> + I + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son was home again, but as he kept asking about a + King and a Kingdom no one had ever heard of, people thought he had lost + his wits in his search for the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands. He rode + abroad every day to ask strangers if they knew where the King of the Land + of Mist had his dominion and he came back to his father’s every night in + the hope that one would be at the Castle who could tell him where the + place that he sought was. Maravaun wanted to relate to him fables from + “The Breastplate of Instruction” but the King’s Son did not hear a word + that Maravaun said. After a while he listened to the things that Art, the + King’s Steward, related to him, for it was Art who had shown the King’s + Son the leaden ring that was on his finger. He took it off, remembering + the betrothal ring that the Little Sage had made, and then he saw that it + was not his, but Fedelma’s ring that he wore. Then he felt as if Fedelma + had sent a message to him, and he was less wild in his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Afterwards, in the evenings, when he came back from his ridings, he would + cross the meadows with Art, the King’s Steward, or would stand with him + while the herdsmen drove the cattle into the byres. Then he would listen + to what Art related to him. And one evening he heard Art say, “The most + remarkable event that happened was the coming into this land of the King + of the Cats.” + </p> + <p> + “I will listen to what you tell me about it,” said the King’s Son. “Then,” + said Art, the King’s Steward, “to your father’s Son in all truth be it + told”— + </p> + <p> + The King of the Cats stood up. He was a grand creature. His body was brown + and striped across as if one had burned on wood with a hot poker. Like all + the race of the Royal Cats of the Isle of Man he was without a tail. But + he had extraordinarily fine whiskers. They went each side of his face to + the length of a dinner-dish. He had such eyes that when he turned one of + them upward the bird that was flying across dropped from the sky. And when + he turned the other one down he could make a hole in the floor. + </p> + <p> + He lived in the Isle of Man. Once he had been King of the Cats of Ireland + and Britain, of Norway and Denmark, and the whole Northern and Western + World. But after the Norsemen won in the wars the Cats of Norway and + Britain swore by Thor and Odin that they would give him no more + allegiance. So for a hundred years and a day he had got allegiance only + from the Cats of the Western World; that is, from Ireland and the Islands + beyond. + </p> + <p> + The tribute he received was still worth having. In May he was sent a + boatful of herring. In August he was let have two boatfuls of mackerel. In + November he was given five barrels of preserved mice. At other seasons he + had for his tribute one out of every hundred birds that flew across the + Island on their way to Ireland—tomtits, pee-wits, linnets, siskins, + starlings, martins, wrens and tender young barn owls. He was also sent the + following as marks of allegiance and respect: a salmon, to show his + dominion over the rivers; the skin of a marten to show his dominion in the + woods; a live cricket to show his dominion in the houses of men; the horn + of a cow, to show his right to a portion of the milk produced in the + Western World. + </p> + <p> + But the tribute from the Western World became smaller and smaller. One + year the boat did not come with the herring. Mackerel was sent to him + afterwards but he knew it was sent to him because so much was being taken + out of the sea that the farmer-men were plowing their mackerel-catches + into the land to make their crops grow. Then a year came when he got + neither the salmon nor the marten skin, neither the live cricket nor the + cow’s horn. Then he got righteously and royally indignant. He stood up on + his four paws on the floor of his palace, and declared to his wife that he + himself was going to Ireland to know what prevented the sending of his + lawful tribute to him. He called for his Prime Minister then and said, + “Prepare for Us our Speech from the Throne.” + </p> + <p> + The Prime Minister went to the Parliament House and wrote down “Oyez, + Oyez, Oyez!” But he could not remember any more of the ancient language in + which the speeches from the Throne were always written. He went home and + hanged himself with a measure of tape and his wife buried the body under + the hearth-stone. + </p> + <p> + “Speech or no speech,” said the King of the Cats, “I’m going to pay a + royal visit to my subjects in Ireland.” + </p> + <p> + He went to the top of the cliff and he made a spring. He landed on the + deck of a ship that was bringing the King of Norway’s daughter to be + married to the King of Scotland’s son. The ship nearly sank with the crash + of his body on it. He ran up the sails and placed himself on the mast of + the ship. There he gathered his feet together and made another spring. + This time he landed on a boat that was bringing oak-timber to build a + King’s Palace in London. He stood where the timber was highest and made + another spring. This time he landed on the Giant’s Causeway that runs from + Ireland out into the sea. He picked his steps from boulder to boulder, and + then walked royally and resolutely on the ground of Ireland. A man was + riding on horseback with a woman seated on the saddle behind him. The King + of the Cats waited until they came up. + </p> + <p> + “My good man,” said he very grandly, “when you go back to your house, tell + the ash-covered cat in the corner that the King of the Cats has come to + Ireland to see him.” + </p> + <p> + His manner was so grand that the man took off his hat and the woman made a + courtesy. Then the King of the Cats sprang into the branch of a tree of + the forest and slept till it was past the mid-day heat. + </p> + <p> + I nearly forgot to tell you that as he slept on the branch his whiskers + stood around his face the breadth of a dinner-dish either way. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + The next day the King’s Son rode abroad and where he went that day he saw + no man nor woman nor living creature in the land around. But coming back + he saw a falcon sailing in the air above. He rode on and the falcon sailed + above, never rising high in the air, and never swooping down. The King’s + Son fitted an arrow to his bow and shot at the falcon. Immediately it rose + in the air and flew swiftly away, but a feather from it fell before him. + The King’s Son picked the feather up. It was a blue feather. Then the + King’s Son thought of Fedelma’s falcon—of the bird that flew above + them when they rode across the Meadows of Brightness. It might be + Fedelma’s falcon, the one he had shot at, and it might have come to show + him the way to the Land of Mist. But the falcon was not to be seen now. + </p> + <p> + He did not go amongst the strangers in his father’s Castle that evening; + but he stood with Art who was watching the herdsmen drive the cattle into + the byres. And Art after a while said, “I will tell you more about the + coming of the King of the Cats into King Connal’s Dominion. And as before + I say + </p> + <p> + “To your father’s Son in all truth be it told “— + </p> + <p> + The King of the Cats waited on the branch of the tree until the moon was + in the sky like a roast duck on a dish of gold, and still neither + retainer, vassal nor subject came to do him service. He was vexed, I tell + you, at the want of respect shown him. + </p> + <p> + This was the reason why none of his subjects came to him for such a long + time: The man and woman he had spoken to went into their house and did not + say a word about the King of the Cats until they had eaten their supper. + Then when the man had smoked his second pipe, he said to the woman: “That + was a wonderful thing that happened to us to-day. A cat to walk up to two + Christians and say to them, ‘Tell the ashy pet in your chimney corner at + home that the King of the Cats has come to see him.’” + </p> + <p> + No sooner were the words said than the lean, gray, ash-covered cat that + lay on the hearthstone sprang on the back of the man’s chair. + </p> + <p> + “I will say this,” said the man; “it’s a bad time when two Christians like + ourselves are stopped on their way back from the market and ordered—ordered, + no less—to give a message to one’s own cat lying on one’s own + hearthstone.” + </p> + <p> + “By my fur and daws, you’re a long time coming to his message,” said the + cat on the back of the chair; “what was it, anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “The King of the Cats has come to Ireland to see you,” said the man, very + much surprised. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a wonder you told it at all,” said the cat, going to the door. “And + where did you see His Majesty?” + </p> + <p> + “You shouldn’t have spoken,” said the man’s wife. + </p> + <p> + “And how did I know a cat could understand?” said the man. + </p> + <p> + “When you have done talking amongst yourselves,” said the cat, “would you + tell me where you met His Majesty?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing will I tell you,” said the man, “until I hear your own name from + you.” + </p> + <p> + “My name,” said the cat, “is Quick-to-Grab, and well you should know it.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word will we tell you,” said the woman, “until we hear what the + King of the Cats is doing in Ireland. Is he bringing wars and rebellions + into the country?” + </p> + <p> + “Wars and rebellions,—no, ma’am,” said Quick-to-Grab, “but + deliverance from oppression. Why are the cats of the country lean and lazy + and covered with ashes? It is because the cat that goes outside the house + in the sunlight, to hunt or to play, is made to suffer with the loss of an + eye.” + </p> + <p> + “And who makes them suffer with the loss of an eye?” said the woman. “One + whose reign is nearly over now,” said Quick-to-Grab. “But tell me where + you saw His Majesty?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the man. “No,” said the woman, “for we don’t like your + impertinence. Back with you to the hearthstone, and watch the mouse-hole + for us.” + </p> + <p> + Quick-to-Grab walked straight out of the door. + </p> + <p> + “May no prosperity come to this house,” said he, “for denying me when I + asked where the King of the Cats was pleased to speak to you.” + </p> + <p> + But he put his ear to the door when he went outside and he heard the woman + say,— + </p> + <p> + “The horse will tell him that we saw the King of the Cats a mile this side + of the Giant’s Causeway.” (That was a mistake. The horse could not have + told it at all, because horses never know the language that is spoken in + houses—only cats know it fully and dogs know a little of it.) + </p> + <p> + Quick-to-Grab now knew where the King of the Cats might be found. He went + creeping by hedges, loping across fields, bounding through woods, until he + came under the branch in the forest where the King of the Cats rested, his + whiskers standing round his face the breadth of a dinner-dish. + </p> + <p> + When he came-under the branch Quick-to-Grab mewed a little in Egyptian, + which is the ceremonial language of the Cats. The King of the Cats came to + the end of the branch. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you, vassal?” said he in Phoenician. + </p> + <p> + “A humble retainer of my lord,” said Quick-to-Grab in High-Pictish (this + is a language very suitable to cats but it is only their historians who + now use it). + </p> + <p> + They continued their conversation in Irish. + </p> + <p> + “What sign shall I show the others that will make them know you are the + King of the Cats?” said Quick-to-Grab. + </p> + <p> + The King of the Cats chased up the tree and pulled down heavy branches. + “There is a sign of my royal prowess,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a good sign,” said Quick-to-Grab. They were about to talk again when + Quick-to-Grab put down his tail and ran up another tree greatly + frightened. + </p> + <p> + “What ails you?” said the King of the Cats. “Can you not stay still while + you are speaking to your lord and master?” + </p> + <p> + “Old-fellow Badger is coming this way,” said Quick-to-Grab, “and when he + puts his teeth in one he never lets go.” + </p> + <p> + Without saying a word the King of the Cats jumped down from the tree. + Old-fellow Badger was coming through the glade. When he saw the King of + the Cats crouching there he stopped and bared his terrible teeth. The King + of the Cats bent himself to spring. Then Old-fellow Badger turned round + and went lumbering back. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, by my claws and fur,” said Quick-to-Grab, “you are the real King of + the Cats. Let me be your Councillor. Let me advise your Majesty in the + times that will be so difficult for your subjects and yourself. Know that + the Cats of Ireland are impoverished and oppressed. They are under a + terrible tyranny.” + </p> + <p> + “Who oppresses my vassals, retainers and subjects?” said the King of the + Cats. + </p> + <p> + “The Eagle-Emperor. He has made a law that no cat may leave a man’s house + as long as the birds (he makes an exception in the case of owls) have any + business abroad.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tear him to pieces,” said the King of the Cats. “How can I reach + him?” + </p> + <p> + “No cat has thought of reaching him,” said Quick-to-Grab, “they only think + of keeping out of his way. Now let me advise your Majesty. None of our + enemies must know that you have come into this country. You must appear as + a common cat.” + </p> + <p> + “What, me?” said the King of the Cats. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, your Majesty, for the sake of the deliverance of your subjects you + will have to appear as a common cat.” + </p> + <p> + “And be submissive and eat scraps?” + </p> + <p> + “That will be only in the daytime,” said Quick-to-Grab, “in the night-time + you will have your court and your feasts.” + </p> + <p> + “At least, let the place I stay in be no hovel,” said the King of the + Cats. “I shall refuse to go into a house where there are washing days—damp + clothes before a fire and all that.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall use my best diplomacy to safeguard your comfort and dignity,” + said Quick-to-Grab, “please invest me as your Prime Minister.” + </p> + <p> + The King of the Cats invested Quick-to-Grab by biting the fur round his + neck. Then the King and his Prime Minister parted. The King of the Cats + took up quarters for a day or two in a round tower. Quick-to-Grab made a + journey through the country-side. He went into every house and whispered a + word to every cat that was there, and whether the cat was watching a + mouse-hole, or chasing crickets, or playing with kittens, when he or she + heard that word they sat up and considered. + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + Early, early, next day the King of Ireland’s Son rode out in search of the + blue falcon, but although he rode from the ring of day to the gathering of + the dark clouds he saw no sign of it on rock or tree or in the air. Very + wearily he rode back, and after his horse was stabled he stood with Art in + the meadows watching the cattle being driven by. And Art, the King’s + Steward, said: “The Coming of the King of the Cats into King Connal’s + dominion is a story still to be told. To your father’s Son in all truth be + it told”— + </p> + <p> + Quick-to-Grab, in consultation with the Seven Elders of the Cat-Kin + decided that the Blacksmith’s forge would be a fit residence for the King + of the Cats. It was clean and commodious. But the best reason of all for + his going there was this: people and beasts from all parts came into the + forge and the King of the Cats might learn from their discussions where + the Eagle-Emperor was and how he might be destroyed. + </p> + <p> + His Majesty found that the Forge was not a bad residence for a King living + unbeknownst. It was dry and warm. He liked the look of the flames that + mounted up with the blowing of the bellows. He used to sit on a heap of + old saddles on the floor and watch the horses being shod or waiting to be + shod. He listened to the talk of the men. The people in the Forge treated + him respectfully and often referred to his size, his appearance and his + fine manners. + </p> + <p> + Every night he went out to a feast that the cats had prepared for him. + Quick-to-Grab always walked back to the Forge with him to give a Prime + Minister’s advice. He warned His Majesty not to let the human beings know + that he understood and could converse in their language—(all cats + know men’s language, but men do not know that the cats know). He told him + not to be too haughty (as a King might be inclined to be) to any creature + in the Forge. + </p> + <p> + The King of the Cats took this advice. He used even to twitch his ears as + a mark of respect to Mahon, the hound whose kennel was just outside the + forge, and to the hounds that Mahon had to visit him. He even made + advances to the Cock who walked up and down outside. + </p> + <p> + This Cock made himself very annoying to the King of the Cats. He used to + strut up and down saying to himself over and over again, “I’m + Cock-o’-the-Walk, I’m Cock-o’-the-Walk.” Sometimes he would come into the + Forge and say it to the horses. The King of the Cats wondered how the + human beings could put up with a creature who was so stupid and so vain. + He had a red comb that fell over one eye. He had purple feathers on his + tail. He had great spurs on his heels. He used to put his head on one side + and yawn when the King of the Cats appeared. + </p> + <p> + Cock-o’-the-Walk used to come into the Forge at night and sleep on the + bellows. And when the King of the Cats came back from the feasts he used + to waken up and say to himself, “I’m Cock-o’-the-Walk, I’m + Cock-o’-the-Walk. The Cats are not a respectable people.” + </p> + <p> + One noonday there were men in the Forge. They were talking to the Smith. + Said one, “Could you tell us, Smith, where iron came from?” The King of + the Cats knew but he said nothing. Cock-o’-the-Walk came to the door and + held his head as if he were listening. + </p> + <p> + “I can’t tell where iron came from,” said the Smith, “but if that Cock + could talk he could tell you. The world knows that the Cock is the wisest + and the most ancient of creatures.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m Cock-o’-the-Walk,” said the Cock to a rusty ass’s shoe. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the Cock is a wonderful creature,” said the man who had asked the + question. + </p> + <p> + “Not wonderful at all,” said the King of the Cats, “and if you had asked + me I could have told you where iron came from.” + </p> + <p> + “And where did iron come from?” said the Smith. + </p> + <p> + “From the Mountains of the Moon,” said the King of the Cats. + </p> + <p> + The men in the Forge put their hands on their knees and looked down at + him. Mahon the hound came into the Forge with other hounds at his tail, + and seeing the men looking at the King of the Cats, Mahon put his nose to + him. Cock-o’-the-Walk flapped his wings insolently. The King of the Cats + struck at the red hanging comb with his paw. The Cock flew up in the air. + The King of the Cats sprang out of the window, and as he did, Mahon and + the other hounds sprang after him— + </p> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son rode towards the East the next day, and in the + first hour’s journey he saw the blue falcon sailing above. He followed + where it went and the falcon never lifted nor stooped, but sailed steadily + on, only now and again beating the air with its wings. Over benns and + through glens and across moors the blue falcon flew and the King of + Ireland’s Son followed. Then his horse stumbled; he could not go any + further, and he lost sight of the blue falcon. + </p> + <p> + Black night was falling down on the ground when he came back to the King’s + Castle. Art, the King’s Steward, was waiting for him and he walked beside + his limping horse. And Art said when they were a little way together, “The + Coming of the King of the Cats is a story still to be told. + </p> + <p> + “To your father’s Son in all truth be it told “— + </p> + <p> + By the magic powers they possessed it was made known to all the cats in + the country that their King was being pursued by the hounds. Then on every + hearthstone a cat howled. Cats sprang to the doors, overturning cradles + upon children. They stood upon the thresholds and they all made the same + curse—“That ye may break your backs, that ye may break your backs + before ye catch the King of the Cats.” + </p> + <p> + When he heard the howls of his vassals, retainers and subjects, the King + of the Cats turned over on his back and clawed at the first hound that + came after him. He stood up then. So firmly did he set himself on his four + legs that those that dashed at him did not overthrow him. He humped up his + body and lifted his forepaws. The hounds held back. A horn sounded and + that gave them an excuse to get away from the claws and the teeth, the + power and the animosity of the King of the Cats. + </p> + <p> + Then, even though it might cost each and every one of them the loss of an + eye, the cats that had sight of him came running up. “We will go with you, + my lord, we will help you, my lord,” they cried all together. + </p> + <p> + “Go back to the hearthstones,” said the King of the Cats. “Go back and be + civil and quiet again in the houses. You will hear of my deeds. I go to + find the tracks of our enemy, the Eagle-Emperor.” + </p> + <p> + When they heard that announcement the cats lamented, and the noise of + their lamentation was so dreadful that horses broke their harnesses where + they were yoked; men and women lost the color of their faces thinking some + dreadful visitation was coming on the land; every bag of oats and rye + turned five times to the right and five times to the left with the fright + it got; dishes were broken, knives were hurled round, and the King’s + Castle was shaken to the bottom stone. + </p> + <p> + “It is not the time to seek the tracks of the Eagle-Emperor,” said + Quick-to-Grab. “Stay for a while longer in men’s houses.” + </p> + <p> + “Never,” said the King of the Cats. “Never will I stay by the hearthstone + and submit to be abused by cocks and hounds and men. I will range the + world openly now and seek out the enemy of the Cat-Kind, the + Eagle-Emperor.” + </p> + <p> + Without once turning his back he went towards the wood that was filled + with his enemies, the birds. The cats, when they saw their petitions were + no use, went everyone back to the house where he or she stayed. Each one + sat before a mouse-hole and pretended to be watching. But though mice + stirred all round them the cats of Ireland never turned a head that night. + </p> + <p> + It was the wren, the smallest of birds, that saw him and knew him for the + King of the Cats. The wren flew through the wood to summon the Hawk-Clan. + But it was towards sunset now and the hawks had taken up their stations at + the edge of the wood to watch that they might pick up the farmers’ + chickens. They wouldn’t turn an eye when the wren told them that a cat was + in the wood during the time forbidden to cats to be outside the houses of + men. “It is the King of the Cats,” said the wren. None of the hawks lifted + a wing. They were waiting for the chickens that would stray about the + moment after sunset. + </p> + <p> + But if the wren couldn’t rouse the Hawk-Clan she was able to rouse the + other bird-tribes. “A cat, a cat, on your lives a cat,” she called out as + she flew through the wood. The rooks that were going home now rose above + the trees, cawing threats. The blackbirds, thrushes and jays screamed as + they flew before the King of the Cats. The woodpeckers, hedge-sparrows, + tom-tits, robins and linnets chattered as they flew behind him. Sometimes + the young rooks made a great show of attacking him. They flew down from + the flock. “He is here, here, here,” they cawed and flew up again. The + rooks kept telling themselves and the other birds in the wood what they + were going to do with the King of the Cats. But a single raven did more + against him than the thousand rooks that made so much noise. This raven + was in a hole in the tree. She struck the King of the Cats on the head + with her beak as he went past. + </p> + <p> + The King of the Cats was annoyed by the uproar the birds were making and + he was angered by the raven’s stroke, but he did not want to enter into a + battle with the birds. He was on his way to the house of the Hag of the + Wood who was then known as the Hag of the Ashes. Now as this is the first + time you have heard of the Hag of the Ashes, I’ll have to tell you how the + King of the Cats had heard of her and how he knew where her house was in + the wood. + </p> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + The next day the King’s Son put a bridle on the Slight Red Steed and rode + towards the East again. He saw the blue falcon and he followed where it + flew. Over benns, and through glens and across mountains and moors the + blue falcon went and the Slight Red Steed neither swerved nor stumbled but + went as the bird flew. The falcon lighted on a pine tree that grew alone. + The King’s Son rode up and put his hands to the tree to climb and put his + head against it, and as he did he heard speech from the tree. “The stroke + of the Sword of Light will slay the King of the Land of Mist and the + stroke of the Sword of Light that will cut a tress of her hair will awaken + Fedelma.” There was no more speech from the tree and the falcon rose from + its branches and flew high up in the air. Then the King of Ireland’s Son + rode back towards his father’s Castle. + </p> + <p> + He went to the meadow and stood with Art and listened to what Art had to + tell him. And as before the King’s Steward began— + </p> + <p> + “To your father’s Son in all truth be it told”— + </p> + <p> + Quick-to-Grab had said to the King of the Cats, “If ever you need the + counsel of a human being, go to no one else but the Hag of the Ashes who + was once called the Hag of the Wood. In the very centre of the wood four + ash trees are drawn together at the tops, wattles are woven round these + ash trees, and in the little house made in this way the Hag of the Ashes + lives, with no one near her since her nine daughters went away, but her + goat that’s her only friend.” The King of the Cats was now in the centre + of the wood. He saw four ash trees drawn together at the tops and he + jumped to them. + </p> + <p> + Now the Hag of the Ashes had a bad neighbor. This was a crane that had + built her nest across the roof of the little house. The nest prevented the + smoke from coming out at the top and the house below was filled with it. + The Hag could hardly keep alive on account of the smoke and she could + neither take away the nest nor banish the bird. + </p> + <p> + The crane was there when the King of the Cats sprang on the roof. She was + sitting with her two legs stretched out, and when the King of the Cats + came down beside her she slipped away and sailed over the trees. “Time for + me to be going,” said the crane. And from that day to this she never came + back to the house of the Hag of the Ashes. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, thanks to you, good creature,” said the Hag of the Ashes, coming out + of the house. “Tear down her nest now and let the smoke rise up through + the roof.” + </p> + <p> + The King of the Cats tore up the sticks and wool that the crane’s nest was + made of, and the smoke came up through the top of the house. “Oh, thanks + to you, good creature, that has destroyed the cross crane’s nest. Come + down on my floor now and I’ll do everything that will serve you.” + </p> + <p> + The King of the Cats jumped down on the floor of the Hag’s house and saw + the Hag of the Ashes sitting in a corner, She was a little, little woman + in a gray cloak. All over the floor there were ashes in heaps, for she + used to light a fire in one corner and when it was burnt out light another + beside the ashes of the first. The smoke had never gone through the hole + in the roof since the crane had built her nest on the top of the house. + Her face was yellow with the smoke and her eyes were half closed on + account of it. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know who I am, Hag of the Ashes?” said the King of the Cats when + he stood on the floor. + </p> + <p> + “You are a cat, honey,” said the Hag of the Ashes. “I am the King of the + Cats.” + </p> + <p> + “The King of the Cats you are indeed. And it was you who let the smoke out + of the top of my little house by destroying the nest the cross crane had + built on it.” + </p> + <p> + “It was I who did that.” + </p> + <p> + “Welcome to you then, King of the Cats. And what service can the Hag of + the Ashes do for you in return?” + </p> + <p> + “I would go to where the Eagle-Emperor is. You must show me the way.” + </p> + <p> + “By my cloak I will do that. The Eagle-Emperor lives on the top of the + Hill of Horns.” + </p> + <p> + “And how can I get to the top of the Hill of Horns?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know how you can get there at all. All over the Hill is bare + starvation. No four-footed thing can reach the top—no four-footed + thing, I mean, but my goat that’s tied to the hawthorn bush outside.” + </p> + <p> + “I will ride on the back of your goat to the top of the Hill of Horns.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, good King of the Cats. I have only my goat for company and how + could I bear to be parted from him?” + </p> + <p> + “Lend me your goat, and when I come back from the Hill of Horns I will + plate his horns with gold and shoe his hooves with silver.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, good King of the Cats. How could I bear my goat to be away from + me, and I having no other company?” + </p> + <p> + “If you do not let me ride on your goat to the top of the Hill of Horns I + will leave a sign on your house that will bring the cross crane to build + her nest on the top of it again.” + </p> + <p> + “Then take my goat, King of the Cats, take my goat but let him come back + to me soon.” + </p> + <p> + “I will. Come with me now and bid him take me to the top of the Hill of + Horns.” + </p> + <p> + The King of the Cats marched out of the house and the Hag of the Ashes + hobbled after him. The goat was lying under the hawthorn bush. He put his + horns to the ground when they came up to him. + </p> + <p> + “Will you go to the Hill of Horns?” said the Hag of the Ashes. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, that I will not do,” said the goat. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the soft tops of the hedges on the way to the Hill of Horns—sweet + in the mouth of a goat they should be,” said the Hag of the Ashes. “But my + own poor goat wants to stay here and eat the tops of the burnt-up + thistles.” + </p> + <p> + “Why didn’t you tell me of the hedges on the way to the Hill of Horns + before?” said the goat, rising to his feet. “To the Hill of Horns I’ll + go.” + </p> + <p> + “And will you let a cat ride on your back to the Hill of Horns?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, I will not do that.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, my poor goat, I’ll not untie the rope that’s round your neck, for + you can’t go to the Hill of Horns without this cat riding on your back.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him sit on my back then and hold my horns, and I’ll take no notice of + him.” + </p> + <p> + The Hag of the Ashes untied the rope that was round his neck, the King of + the Cats jumped up on the goat’s back, and they started off on the path + through the wood. “Oh, how I’ll miss my goat, until he comes back to me + with gold on his horns and silver on his hooves,” the Hag of the Ashes + cried after them. + </p> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son did not leave the Castle the next day, but + stayed to question those who came to it about the Sword of Light. And some + had heard of the Sword of Light and some had not heard of it. In the + afternoon he was in the chambers of the Castle and he watched his two + foster-brothers, Dermott and Downal, the sons of Caintigern, the Queen, + playing chess. They played the game upon his board and with his figures. + And when he went up to them and told them they had permission to use the + board and the figures, they said, “We had forgotten that you owned these + things.” The King’s Son saw that everything in the Castle was coming into + the possession of his foster-brothers. + </p> + <p> + He found another board with other chess-men and he played a game with the + King’s Steward. And Art said, “The coming of the King of the Cats into + King Connal’s Dominion is a story still to be told. + </p> + <p> + “To your father’s Son in all truth be it told “— + </p> + <p> + What should a goat do but ramble down laneways, wander across fields, + stray along hedges and stay to rest under shady trees? All this the Hag’s + goat did. But at last he brought the King of the Cats to the foot of the + Hill of Horns. + </p> + <p> + And what was the Hill of Horns like, asks my kind foster-child. It was + hills of stones on the top of a hill of stones. Only a goat could foot it + from pebble to stone, from stone to boulder, from boulder Ko crag, and + from crag to mountain-shoulder. It was well and not ill what the Hag’s + goat did. But then thunder sounded; lightning struck fire out of the + stones, the wind mixed itself with the rain and the tempest pelted cat and + goat. The goat stood on a mountain-shoulder. The wind rushed up from the + bottom and carried the companions to the top of the Hill of Horns. Down + sprang the cat. But the goat stood on his hind-legs to butt back at the + wind. The wind caught him between the beard and the under-quarters and + swept him from the top and down the other side of the hill (and what + happened to the Hag’s goat after this I never heard). The King of the Cats + put his claws into the crevices of a standing stone and held to it with + great tenacity. And then, when the wind abated and he looked across his + shoulder, he found that he was standing beside the nest of the + Eagle-Emperor. + </p> + <p> + It was a hollow edged with rocks, and round that hollow were scattered the + horns of the deer and goats that the Eagle-Emperor had carried off. And in + the hollow there was a calf and a hare and a salmon. The King of the Cats + sprang into the Eagle-Emperor’s nest. First he ate the salmon. Then he + stretched himself between the hare and the calf and waited for the + Eagle-Emperor. + </p> + <p> + At last he appeared. Down he came to the nest making circles in the air. + He lighted on the rocky rim. The King of the Cats rose with body bent for + the spring, and if the Eagle-Emperor was not astonished at his appearance + it was because an Eagle can never be astonished. + </p> + <p> + A brave man would be glad if he could have seen the Eagle-Emperor as he + crouched there on the rock rim of his nest. He spread down his wings till + they were great strong shields. He bent down his outspread tail. He bent + down his neck so that his eyes might look into the creature that faced + him. And his cruel, curved, heavy beak was ready for the stroke. + </p> + <p> + But the King of the Cats sprang into the air. The Eagle lifted himself up + but the Cat came down on his broad back. The Eagle-Emperor screamed his + war-scream and flew off the hill. He struck at the King of the Cats with + the backs of his broad wings. Then he plunged down. On the stones below he + would tear his enemy with beak and claws. + </p> + <p> + It was the Cat that reached the ground. As the Eagle went to strike at him + he sprang again and tore the Eagle’s breast. Then the Eagle-Emperor caught + the King of the Cats in his claws and flew up again, screaming his + battle-scream. Drops of blood from both fell on the ground. The Eagle had + not a conqueror’s grip on his enemy and the King of the Cats was able to + tear at him. + </p> + <p> + It happened that Curoi, King of the Munster Fairies, was marching at the + head of his troop to play a game of hurling with the Fianna of Ireland, + captained by Fergus, and for the hand of Aine’, the daughter of Mananaun, + the Lord of the Sea. Just when the ball was about to be thrown in the air + the Eagle-Emperor and the King of the Cats were seen mixed together in + their struggle. One troop took the side of the Eagle and the other took + the side of the Cat. The men of the country came up and took sides too. + Then the men began to fight amongst themselves and some were left dead on + the ground. And this went on until there were hosts of the men of Ireland + fighting each other on account of the Eagle-Emperor and the King of the + Cats. The King of the Fairies and the Chief of the Fianna marched their + men away to a hill top where they might watch the battle in the air and + the battles on the ground. “If this should go on,” said Curoi, “our troops + will join in and men and Fairies will be slaughtered. We must end the + combat in the air.” Saying this he took up the hurling-ball and flung it + at the Cat and Eagle. Both came down on the ground. The Cat was about to + spring, the Eagle was about to pounce, when Curoi darted between them and + struck both with his spear. Eagle and Cat became figures of stone. And + there they are now, a Stone Eagle with his wings outspread and a Stone Cat + with his teeth bared and his paws raised. And the Eagle-Emperor and the + King of the Cats will remain like that until Curoi strikes them again with + his fairy-spear. + </p> + <p> + When the Cat and the Eagle were turned into stone the men of the country + wondered for a while and then they went away. And the Fairies of Munster + and the Fianna of Ireland played the hurling match for the hand of Aine’ + the daughter of Mananaun who is Lord of the Sea, and what the result of + that hurling match was is told in another book. + </p> + <p> + And that ends my history of the coming into Ire-land of the King of the + Cats. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son left Art and went into an unused room in the + Castle to search for a little bell that he might put upon the Slight Red + Steed. He found the little bell, but it fell out of his hand and slipped + through a crack in the floor. He went and looked through the crack. He saw + below a room and in it was Caintigern, the Queen, and beside her were two + women in the cloaks of enchantresses. And when he looked again he knew the + two of them—they were Aefa and Gilveen, the daughters of the + enchanter of the Black Back-Lands and Fedelma’s sisters. “And will my two + sons come to rule over their father’s dominion?” he heard Caintigern ask. + </p> + <p> + “The Prince who gains the Sword of Light will rule over his father’s + dominion,” Aefa said. + </p> + <p> + “Then one of my sons must get the Sword of Light,” Caintigern said. “Tell + me where they must go to get knowledge of where it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Only the Gobaun Saor knows where the Sword of Light is,” said Aefa. + </p> + <p> + “The Gobaun Saor! Can he be seen by men?” said Caintigern. + </p> + <p> + “He can be seen,” said Aefa. “And there is one—the Little Sage of + the Mountain—who can tell what road to go to find the Gobaun Saor.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Caintigern, “my two sons, Dermott and Downal, will ride out + to-morrow to find the Little Sage of the Mountain, and the Gobaun Saor, so + that one of them may find the Sword of Light and come to rule over his + father’s dominion.” + </p> + <p> + When the King of Ireland’s Son heard that, he went to the stable where the + Slight Red Steed was, and put the bridle upon him and rode towards the + Hill of Horns, on one side of which was the house thatched with the one + great wing of a bird, where the Little Sage of the Mountain lived. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SWORD OF LIGHT + </h2> + <p> + AND THE UNIQUE TALE WITH AS MUCH OF THE ADVENTURES OF GILLY OF THE + GOATSKIN AS IS GIVEN IN “THE CRANESKIN BOOK” + </p> + <p> + I + </p> + <p> + He came to the house that was thatched with the one great wing of a bird, + and, as before, the Little Sage of the Mountain asked him to do a day’s + work. The King’s Son reaped the corn for the Little Sage, and as he was + reaping it his two foster-brothers, Dermott and Downal, rode by on their + fine horses. They did not know who the young fellow was who was reaping in + the field and they shouted for the Little Sage of the Mountain to come out + of the house and speak to them. “We want to know where to find the Gobaun + Saor who is to give us the Sword of Light,” said Dermott. + </p> + <p> + “Come in,” said the Sage, “and help me with my day’s work, and I’ll search + in my book for some direction.” + </p> + <p> + “We can’t do such an unprincely thing as take service with you,” said + Downal. “Tell us now where we must go to find the Gobaun Saor.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you have made a mistake,” said the Little Sage. “I’m an ignorant + man, and I can’t answer such a question without study.” + </p> + <p> + “Ride on, brother,” said Downal, “he can tell us nothing.” Dermott and + Downal rode off on their fine horses, the silver bells on their bridles + ringing. + </p> + <p> + That night, when he had eaten his supper, the Little Sage told the King’s + Son where to go. It is forbidden to tell where the King of Ireland’s Son + found the Builder and Shaper for the Gods. In a certain place he came to + where the Gobaun Saor had set up his forge and planted his anvil, and he + saw the Gobaun Saor beating on a shape of iron. + </p> + <p> + “You want to find the Sword of Light,” said the Gobaun, his eyes as + straight as the line of a sword-blade, “but show me first your will, your + mind and your purpose.” + </p> + <p> + “How can I do that?” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Guard my anvil for a few nights,” said the Gobaun Saor. “A Fua comes out + of the river sometimes and tries to carry it off.” + </p> + <p> + The Gobaun Saor had to make a journey to look at trees that were growing + in the forest, and the King’s Son guarded his anvil. And at night a Fua + came out of the river and flung great stones, striving to drive him away + from the anvil. He ran down to the river bank to drive it away, but the + creature caught him in its long arms and tried to drown him in the deep + water. The King of Ireland’s Son was near his death, but he broke away + from the Fua, and when the creature caught him again, he dragged it up the + bank and held it against a tree. “I will give you the mastery of all arts + because you have mastered me,” said the Fua. “I do not want the mastery of + arts, but maybe you can tell me where to find the Sword of Light.” “You + want to know that—do you?” said the Fua, and then it twisted from + him and went into the river. + </p> + <p> + The Fua came the next night and flung stones as before, and the King’s Son + wrestled with it in the very middle of the river, and held him so that he + could not get to the other bank. “I will give you heaps of wealth because + you have mastered me,” said the creature with the big eyes and the long + arms. “Not wealth, but the knowledge of where to come on the Sword of + Light is what I want from you,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. But the + Fua twisted from him and ran away again. + </p> + <p> + The next night the Fua came again, and the King’s Son wrestled with him in + the middle of the river and followed him up the other bank, and held him + against a tree. “I will give you the craft that will make you the greatest + of Kings, because you have mastered me.” “Not craft, but knowledge of + where the Sword of Light is, I want from you,” said the King’s Son. “Only + one of the People of Light can tell you that,” said the Fua. It became a + small, empty sort of creature and lay on the ground like a shadow. + </p> + <p> + The Gobaun Saor came back to his forge and his anvil. “You have guarded my + anvil for me,” he said, “and I will tell you where to go for the Sword of + Light. It is in the Palace of the Ancient Ones under the Lake. You have an + enchanted steed that can go to that Lake. I shall turn his head, and he + shall go straight to it. When you come to the edge of the Lake pull the + branches of the Fountain Tree and give the Slight Red Steed the leaves to + eat. Mount now and go.” + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son mounted the Slight Red Steed and went traveling + again. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + From all its branches, high and low, water was falling in little streams. + This was the Fountain Tree indeed. He did not dismount, the King of + Ireland’s Son, but pulled the branches and he gave them to the Slight Red + Steed to eat. + </p> + <p> + He ate no more than three mouthfuls. Then he stamped on the ground with + his hooves, lifted his head high and neighed three times. With that he + plunged into the water of the Lake and swam and swam as if he had the + strength of a dragon. He swam while there was light on the water and he + swam while there was night on the water, and when the sun of the next day + was a hand’s breadth above the lake he came to the Black Island. + </p> + <p> + All on that Island was black and burnt, and there were black ashes up to + the horse’s knees. And no sooner had the Slight Red Steed put his hooves + on the Island than he galloped straight to the middle of it. He galloped + through an opening in the black rock and went through a hundred passages, + each going lower than the other, and at last he came into the wide space + of a hall. + </p> + <p> + The hall was lighted. When the King’s Son looked to see where the light + came from he saw a sword hanging from the roof. And the brightness of the + Sword was such that the hall was well lighted. The King of Ireland’s Son + galloped the Slight Red Steed forward and made it rear up. His hand + grasped the hilt of the Sword. As he pulled it down the Sword screeched in + his hand. + </p> + <p> + He flashed it about and saw what other things were in the Cave. He saw one + woman, and two women and three women. He came to them and he saw they were + sleeping. And as he flashed the Sword about he saw other women sleeping + too. There were twelve women in the Cave where the Sword of Light had been + hanging and the women were sleeping. + </p> + <p> + And in the hands of each of the sleeping women was a great gemmed cup. The + spirit of the King’s Son had grown haughty since he felt the Sword in his + hands. “You have the sword, why should you not have the cup?” something + within him said. He took a cup from the hands of one of the sleeping women + and drank the bubbling water that it held. His spirit grew more haughty + with that draught. From the hands of each of the twelve sleeping women he + took the cup and he drank the draught of bubbling water that it held. And + when he had drunk the twelve draughts of bubbling water he felt that with + the Sword of Light in his hands he could cut his way through the earth. + </p> + <p> + He mounted the Slight Red Steed and rode it through the Cave and swam it + across the Lake with No Name. He held the Sword of Light across his + saddle. The Steed went as the current drew him, for it was long since he + had eaten the leaves of the Fountain Tree, and the spirit that had made + him vigorous coming was feeble now. The current brought them to the shore + below where the Fountain Tree grew. + </p> + <p> + And there on the shore he saw a bunch of little men, little women and + littler children, all with smoke-colored skins, all with but one eye in + their heads, all crying and screaming at each other like sea-birds, and + all sitting round a fire of dried water weeds, cooking and eating eels and + crab-apples. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son put his hands on the bridle-rein and drew the + Slight Red Steed out of the water. The women with one right eye and the + men with one left eye, and the children in their bare smoky skins screamed + at him, “What do you want, what do you want, man with the horse?” + </p> + <p> + “Feed and water my steed for me,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “We are the Swallow People, and no one commands us to do things,” said an + old fellow with a beard like knots of ropes. + </p> + <p> + “Feed my steed with red wheat and water it with pure spring water,” said + the King’s Son fiercely. “I am the King of Ireland’s Son and the Sword of + Light is in my hands, and what I command must be done.” + </p> + <p> + “We are the Swallow People and we are accounted a harmless people,” said + the old fellow. + </p> + <p> + “Why are ye harmless?” said the King’s Son, and he flourished the sword at + them. + </p> + <p> + “Come into our cave, King’s Son,” said the old fellow, “we will give you + refreshment there, and the children will attend to your steed.” + </p> + <p> + He went into the cave with certain of the Swallow People. They were all + unmannerly. They kept screaming and crying to each other; they pulled at + the clothes of the King’s Son and pinched him. One of them bit his hands. + When they came into the cave they all sat down on black stones. One pulled + in a black ass loaded with nets. They took the nets off its back, and + before the King’s Son knew that anything was about to happen they threw + the nets around him. The meshes of the nets were sticky. He felt himself + caught. He ran at the Swallow People and fell over a stone. Then they drew + more nets around his legs. + </p> + <p> + The old fellow whom he had commanded took up the Sword of Light. Then the + Swallow People pulled up the ass that had carried the nets and rubbed its + hard hoof on the Sword. The King’s Son did not know what happened to it. + Then he heard them cry, “The brightness is gone off the thing now.” They + left the Sword on a black rock, and now no light came from it. Then all + the Swallow People scrambled out of the cave. + </p> + <p> + They came back eating eels and crab-apples out of their hands. They paid + no attention to the King of Ireland’s Son, but climbed into a cave above + where he was lying. + </p> + <p> + He broke the nets that were round him. He found the Sword on the black + stones, with the brightness all gone from it because of the rubbing with + the ass’s hoof. He climbed up the wall of the other cave to punish the + Swallow People. They saw him before he could see them in the darkness, and + they all went into holes and hid themselves as if they were rats and mice. + </p> + <p> + With the blackened sword in his hands the King of Ireland’s Son went out + of the Cave, and the horse he had left behind, the Slight Red Steed, was + not to be found. + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + Without a steed and with a blackened sword the King of Ireland’s Son came + to where the Gobaun Saor had set up his forge and planted his anvil. No + water nor sand would clean the Sword, but he left it down before the + Gobaun Saor, hoping that he would show him a way to dean it. “The Sword + must be bright that will kill the King of the Land of Mist and cut the + tress that will awaken the Enchanter’s daughter,” said the Gobaun Saor. + “You have let the Sword be blackened. Carry the blackened Sword with you + now.” + </p> + <p> + “Brighten it for me and I will serve you,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “It is not easy for me to brighten the Sword now,” said the Gobaun Saor. + “But find me the Unique Tale and what went before its beginning and what + comes after its end, and I shall brighten the sword for you and show you + the way to the Land of Mist. Go now, and search for the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + He went, and he had many far journeys, I can tell you, and he found no + person who had any knowledge of the Unique Tale or who knew any way of + coming to the Land of Mist. One twilight in a wood he saw a great bird + flying towards him. It lighted on an old tree, and the King of Ireland’s + Son saw it was Laheen the Eagle. + </p> + <p> + “Are you still a friend to me, Eagle?” said the King’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “I am still a friend to you, King’s Son,” said Laheen. + </p> + <p> + “Then tell me where I should go to get knowledge of the Unique Tale,” said + the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “The Unique Tale—I never heard of it at all,” said Laheen the Eagle, + changing from one leg to the other. “I am old,” she said, shaking her + wings, “and I never heard of the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + The King’s Son looked and saw that Laheen was really old. Her neck was + bare of feathers and her wings were gray. “Oh, if you are so old,” said + the King’s Son, “and have gone to so many places, and do not know of the + Unique Tale, to whom can I go to get knowledge of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” said Laheen the Eagle, “there are five of us that are called the + Five Ancient Ones of Ireland, and it is not known which one of the five is + the oldest. There is myself, Laheen the Eagle; there is Blackfoot the Elk + of Ben Gulban, there is the Crow of Achill, the Salmon of Assaroe and the + Old Woman of Beare. We do not know ourselves which of us is the oldest, + but we know that we five are the most ancient of living things. I have + never heard of the Unique Tale,” said Laheen, “but maybe one of the other + Ancients has heard of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go to them,” said the King’s Son. “Tell me how I will find the + Crow of Achill, the Elk of Ben Gulban, the Salmon of Assaroe and the Old + Woman of Beare—tell me how to go to them, Laheen the Eagle.” + </p> + <p> + “You need not go to the Salmon of Assaroe,” said the Eagle, “for the + Salmon would not have heard any tale. I will get you means of finding the + other three. Follow the stream now until you come to the river. Wait at + the ford and I will fly to you there.” Laheen the Eagle then shook her + wings and flew slowly away. The King of Ireland’s Son followed the stream + until he came to the river—the River of the Ox it was. + </p> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + And having come to the River of the Ox he sought the ford and waited there + for Laheen the Eagle. When it was high noon he saw the shadow of the Eagle + in the water of the ford. He looked up. Laheen let something fall into the + shallows. It was a wheel. Then Laheen lighted on the rocks of a waterfall + above the ford and spoke to the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Son of King Connal,” she said, “roll this wheel before you and follow it + where it goes. It will bring you first where Blackfoot the Elk abides. Ask + the Elk has he knowledge of the Unique Tale. If he has no knowledge of it + start the wheel rolling again. It will bring you then where the Crow of + Achill abides. If the Crow cannot tell you anything of the Unique Tale, + let the wheel bring you to where the Old Woman of Beare lives. If she + cannot tell you of the Unique Tale, I cannot give you any further help.” + </p> + <p> + Laheen the Eagle then spread out her wings and rising above the mist of + the waterfall flew away. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son took the wheel out of the shallow water and set + it rolling before him. It went on without his touching it again. Then he + was going and ever going with the clear day going before him and the dark + night coming behind him, going through scrubby fields and shaggy + bog-lands, going up steep mountain sides and along bare mountain ridges, + until at last he came to a high mound on a lonesome mountain. And as high + as the mound and as lonesome as the mountain was the Elk that was standing + there with wide, wide horns. The wheel ceased rolling. + </p> + <p> + “I am from Laheen the Eagle,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + The Elk moved his wide-horned head and looked down at him. “And why have + you come to me, son?” said the Elk. + </p> + <p> + “I came to ask if you had knowledge of the Unique Tale,” said the King of + Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “I have no knowledge of the Unique Tale,” said the Elk in a deep voice. + </p> + <p> + “And are you not Blackfoot, the Elk of Ben Gulban, one of the five of the + oldest creatures in the world?” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “I am the Elk of Ben Gulban,” said Blackfoot, “and it may be that there is + no creature in the world more ancient than I am. The Fianna hunted me with + their hounds before the Sons of Mile’ came to the Island of Woods. If it + was a Tale of Finn or Caelta or Goll, of Oscar or Oisin or Conan, I could + tell it to you. But I know nothing of the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + Then Blackfoot the Elk of Ben Gulban turned his wide-horned head away and + looked at the full old moon that was coming up in the sky. And the King of + Ireland’s Son took up the wheel and went to look for a shelter. He found a + sheep-cote on the side of the mountain and lay down and slept between + sheep. + </p> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + When the sun rose he lifted up the wheel and set it going before him. He + was going and ever going down long hillsides and across spreading plains + till he came to where old trees and tree-stumps were standing hardly close + enough together to keep each other company. The wheel went through this + ancient wood and stopped before a fallen oak-tree. And sitting on a branch + of that oak, with a gray head bent and featherless wings gathered up to + her neck was a crow. + </p> + <p> + “I come from Laheen the Eagle,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “What did you say?” said the Crow, opening one eye. + </p> + <p> + “I come from Laheen the Eagle,” said the King of Ireland’s Son again. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, from Laheen,” said the Crow and dosed her eye again. + </p> + <p> + “And I came to ask for knowledge of the Unique Tale,” said the King of + Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Laheen,” said the Crow, “I remember Laheen the Eagle.” Keeping her eyes + shut, she laughed and laughed until she was utterly hoarse. “I remember + Laheen the Eagle,” she said again. “Laheen never found out what I did to + her once. I stole the Crystal Egg out of her nest. Well, and how is Laheen + the Eagle?” she said sharply, opening one eye. + </p> + <p> + “Laheen is well,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. “She sent me to ask if + you had knowledge of the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + “I am older than Laheen,” said the Crow. “I remember Paralon’s People. The + Salmon of Assaroe always said he was before Paralon’s People. But never + mind! Laheen can’t say that. If I could only get the feathers to stay on + my wings I’d pay Laheen a visit some day. How are Laheen and her + bird-flocks?” + </p> + <p> + “O Crow of Achill,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “I was sent to ask if + you had knowledge of the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + “The Unique Tale! No, I never heard of it,” said the Crow. She gathered + her wings up to her neck again and bent her gray head. + </p> + <p> + “Think, O Crow of Achill,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. “I will bring + you the warmest wool for your nest.” + </p> + <p> + “I never heard of the Unique Tale,” said the Crow. “Tell Laheen I was + asking for her.” Nothing would rouse the Crow of Achill again. The King of + Ireland’s Son set the wheel rolling and followed it. Then he was going and + ever going with the clear day before him and the dark night coming behind + him. He came to a wide field where there were field-fares or ground larks + in companies. He crossed it. He came to a plain of tall daisies where + there were thousands of butterflies. He crossed it. He came to a field of + buttercups where blue pigeons were feeding. He crossed it. He came to a + field of flax in blue blossom. He crossed it and came to a smoke-blackened + stone house deep sunk in the ground. The wheel stopped rolling before it + and he went into the house. + </p> + <p> + An old woman was seated on the ground before the fire basting a goose. A + rabbit-skin cap was on her hairless head and there were no eye-brows on + her face. Three strange birds were eating out of the pot—a cuckoo, a + corncrake and a swallow. “Come to the fire, gilly,” said the old woman + when she looked round. + </p> + <p> + “I am not a gilly, but the King of Ireland’s Son,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Well, let that be. What do you want of me?” + </p> + <p> + “Are you the Old Woman of Beare?” + </p> + <p> + “I have been called the Old Woman of Beare since your + fore-great-grandfather’s time.” + </p> + <p> + “How old are you, old mother?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know. But do you see the three birds that are picking out of my + pot? For two score years the swallow was coming to my house and building + outside. Then he came and built inside. Then for three score years he was + coming into my house to build here. Now he never goes across the sea at + all, and do you see the corncrake? For five score years she was coming to + the meadow outside. Then she began to run into the house to see what was + happening here. For two score years she was running in and out. Then she + stayed here altogether. Now she never goes across the sea at all. And do + you see the cuckoo there? For seven score years she used to come to a tree + that was outside and sing over her notes. Then when the tree was gone, she + used to light on the roof of my house. Then she used to come in to see + herself in a looking glass. I do not know how many score years the cuckoo + was going and coming, but I know it is many score years since she went + across the sea.” + </p> + <p> + “I went from Laheen the Eagle to Blackfoot the Elk, and from the Elk of + Ben Gulban to the Crow of Achill, and from the Crow of Achill, I come to + you to ask if you have knowledge of the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + “The Unique Tale, indeed,” said the Old Woman of Beare. “One came to me + only last night to tell me the Unique Tale. He is the young man who is + counting the horns.” + </p> + <p> + “What young man is he and what horns is he counting?” + </p> + <p> + “He is no King’s Son, but a gilly—Gilly of the Goat-skin he is + called. He is counting the horns that are in two pits outside. When the + horns are counted I will know the number of my half-years.” + </p> + <p> + “How is that, old mother?” + </p> + <p> + “My father used to kill an ox every year on my birthday, and after my + father’s death, my servants, one after the other, used to kill an ox for + me. The horns of the oxen were put into two pits, one on the right-hand + side of the house and one on the left-hand side. If one knew the number of + the horns one would know the number of, my half-years, for every pair of + horns goes to make a year of my life. Gilly of the Goatskin is counting + the horns for me now, and when he finishes counting them I will let him + tell the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + “But you must let me listen to the tale too, Old Woman of Beare.” + </p> + <p> + “If you count the horns in one pit I will let you listen to the tale.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will count the horns in one pit.” + </p> + <p> + “Go outside then and count them.” + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son went outside. He found on the right-hand side of + the house a deep quarry-pit. Round the edge of it were horns of all kinds, + black horns and white horns, straight horns and crooked horns. And below + in the pit he saw a young man digging for horns that were sunk in the + ground. He had on a jacket made of the skin of a goat. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” said the young man in the quarry-pit. “I am the King of + Ireland’s Son. And who may you be?” + </p> + <p> + “Who I am I don’t know,” said the young man in the goatskin, “but they + call me Gilly of the Goatskin. What have you come here for?” + </p> + <p> + “To get knowledge of the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + “And it was to tell the same Unique Tale that I came here myself. Why do + you want to know the Unique Tale?” + </p> + <p> + “That would make a long story. Why do you want to tell it?” + </p> + <p> + “That would make a longer story. There is a quarry-pit at the left-hand + side of the house filled with horns and it must be your task to count + them.” + </p> + <p> + “I will count them,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. “But you will be + finished before me. Do not tell the Old Woman of Beare the Tale until we + both sit down together.” + </p> + <p> + “If that suits you it will suit me,” said Gilly of the Goatskin, and he + began to dig again. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son went to the left-hand side of the house. He + found the quarry-pit and went into it to count the horns that were there—black + horns and white horns, straight horns and crooked horns. And now, while + the King of Ireland’s Son is in the quarry-pit, I will tell you the + adventures of Gilly—the Lad or the Servant—of the Goatskin, + which adventures are written in “The Craneskin Book.” + </p> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + He never stirred out of the cradle till he was past twelve years of age, + but lay there night and day, long days and short days; the only garment he + ever put on was a goatskin; a hunter had once put it down on the floor + beside his cradle and he reached out with his two hands, drew it in and + put the goatskin on him. He got his name and his coat at the same time, + for he was called ever afterwards “Gilly of the Goatskin.” + </p> + <p> + But although he never stirred out of the cradle, Gilly of the Goatskin had + ways of diverting himself. He used to shoot arrows with a bow out of the + door of the house and hit a mark on a tree that was opposite him. <i>And + where did he get the bow and arrows?</i> The bow fell down from the roof + of the house and into the cradle. And as for arrows he used to make them + out of the wands that the Hags brought in to make baskets with. But the + Hags never saw him using the bow and sending off the arrows. All day they + would be going along the streams gathering the willow wands for the + baskets they made. + </p> + <p> + He knew nobody except the three Hags of the Long Teeth, and he had never + heard the name of mother or father. Often, when she was peeling the wands + with a black-handled knife, the Hag of the House used to tell Gilly of the + Goatskin the troubles that were in store for him—danger from the + sword and the spear and the knife, from water and fire, from the beasts of + the earth and the birds of the air. She delighted to tell him about the + evils that would befall him. And she used to laugh when she told him he + was a hump-back and that people would throw stones at him. + </p> + <p> + One day when the Hags were away gathering willow wands, Gilly turned the + cradle over and lay under it. He wanted to see what they would do when + they did not see him sitting up in the cradle. They came in. Gilly looked + through a crack in the cradle and saw the Hags—they were old and + crooked and had long teeth that came down below their chins. + </p> + <p> + “He’s gone, he’s gone, he’s gone!” screamed the Hag of the House, when she + did not see Gilly in the cradle. + </p> + <p> + “He’s gone,” said one of the long-toothed Hags. “I told you he would go + away. Why didn’t you cut out his heart yesterday, or the day before?” + </p> + <p> + “Mind what I tell you,” said the other Hag of the Long Teeth. “Mind what I + tell you. His father’s son will grow into a powerful champion.” + </p> + <p> + “Not he,” said the Hag of the House, with great anger. “He’ll never become + a Champion. He’s only a little hump-backed fellow with no weapons and with + no garment but a goatskin.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be better to kill him when he comes back,” said the first of the + Hags with the Long Teeth. + </p> + <p> + “And if he doesn’t come back, tell the Giant Crom Duv,” said the second. + </p> + <p> + Gilly of the Goatskin crept from under the cradle, put his bow resting on + the bottom that was now turned uppermost, took up some of the rods that + were on the floor and then shouted at the Hags. “Oh, if that’s a hazel rod + he has at his bow he will kill us all,” they screamed out together. + </p> + <p> + He drew back the string, fired the willow rod and struck the middle Hag + full on the breast. The three Hags fell down on the ground. The pot that + was always hanging over the fire turned itself upside down and the house + was filled with smoke. Gilly of the Goatskin, the bow in his hand, sprang + across the cradle, over the threshold of the door, and out into the width + and the height, the length and the breadth, the gloom and the gleam of the + world. + </p> + <p> + VII + </p> + <p> + He was out, as I have said, in the width and the height, the length and + the breadth, the gloom and the gleam of the world. He fired arrows into + the air. He leaped over ditches, he rolled down hillsides, he raced over + level places until he came to what surprised him more than all the things + in the world—a river. He had never seen such water before and he + wondered to see it moving with swiftness. “Where is it going?” said Gilly + of the Goatskin. “Does it go on like that in the night as well as in the + day?” He ran by its side and shouted to the river. He saw a wide-winged + bird flying across it. It was the bird that we call the crane or the + heron. And as Gilly watched the great winged thing he saw that it held a + little animal in its claws. Gilly fired an arrow and the crane dropped + towards the ground. The little animal that was in its claws fell down. The + crane rose up again and flew back across the river. + </p> + <p> + The little animal that had been in the claws of the crane came to Gilly of + the Goatskin. It was smaller than the one-eyed cat that used to sit on the + hearth of the Hag of the House. It kept its head up and was very + bold-looking. “Good morning, Lad in the Goatskin,” it said to Gilly, “you + saved my life and I’m very thankful to you.” “What are you?” said Gilly of + the Goat-skin. “I’m the Weasel. I’m the boldest and bravest creature in + this country. I’m the lion of these parts, I am. And,” said the Weasel, “I + never served anyone before, but I’ll be your servant for a quarter of a + year. Tell me what way you’re going and I’ll go with you.” “I’m going the + way he’s going,” said Gilly, nodding towards the river, “and I’ll keep + beside him till he wants to turn back.” “Oh, then you’ll have to go a long + way,” said the Weasel, “but I’ll go with you no matter bow far you go.” + The Weasel walked by Gilly’s side very bravely and very independently. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, look,” said Gilly to the Weasel, “what is that that’s in the water?” + </p> + <p> + The Weasel looked and saw a crystal egg in the shallows. + </p> + <p> + “It’s an egg,” said the Weasel, “I often eat one myself. I’ll bring it up + from the bottom to you. I’m good at carrying eggs.” + </p> + <p> + The Weasel went into the water and put his mouth to the egg and tried to + lift it. He could not move it. He tried to lift it with his paws as well + as with his mouth; but this did not do either. He came up the bank then, + and said to Gilly, “You’ll think I’m a poor sort of a servant because I + can’t take an egg out of the water. But if I can’t win one way I’ll win + another way.” He went into the reeds by the river and he said, “Hear me, + frogs! There’s a great army coming to take you out of the reeds and eat + you red and raw.” Then Gilly saw the queer frogs lifting up their heads, + “Oh, what will we do, what will we do?” they cried to the Weasel. “There’s + only one thing to be done,” said the Weasel. “You gather up all the + pebbles in the bed of the fiver and we’ll make a big wail on the bank to + defend you.” The frogs dived into the water at once and dragged up + pebbles. Gilly and the Weasel piled them on the bank. Then three frogs + carried up the Crystal Egg. The Weasel took it from them when they left it + on the bank. Then he climbed a tree and cried out to the frogs, “The army + is frightened and is running away.” “Oh, thank you, thank you,” said the + frogs, “we’ll never forget your goodness to us.” Then they sat down in the + marsh and told each other what a narrow escape they all had. + </p> + <p> + The Weasel gave Gilly the Crystal Egg. It was heavy and he carried it for + a while in his hand. They went on. After a while said Gilly of the + Goatskin, “The night’s coming on and the fiver shows no sign of turning + back. I wish there was a nice place to shelter us.” No sooner did he say + the word than he and the Weasel found them-selves standing before the open + door of a nice little house. They went in. A clear fire was burning on the + hearth, an arm chair was before it, and a bed was made at the other side + of the fire. “This is good,” said Gilly, “and now I wish that we had + something to eat.” No sooner did he say the words than a table appeared + with bread and meat, fruit and wine on it. “Where do these fine things + come from, I wonder,” said Gilly of the Goatskin. “It’s my belief,” said + the Weasel, “that all these things come to us on account of the egg you + have in your hand. It’s a magic egg.” Gilly of the Goatskin put the egg on + the table and wished that he might see himself as he had seen himself in + the river. Nothing appeared. Then he took the egg in his hand and wished + again. And then there was a looking glass on the wall before him, and he + saw himself in it better than he had seen himself in the river. Gilly of + the Goatskin knew that he had only to hold the Crystal Egg in his hand and + wish, to get all he could think of. + </p> + <p> + VIII + </p> + <p> + Gilly of the Goatskin wished for wide windows in his house and he got + them. He wished for a light within when there was darkness without, and he + got a silver lamp that burned until he wished to sleep. He wished for the + songs of birds and he had a blackbird singing upon his half-door, a lark + over his chimney, a goldfinch and a green linnet within his window, and a + shy wren in the evening singing from the top of his dresser. Then he + wished to hear the conversation of the beasts and all the creatures of the + fields and the wood and the mountain top came into his house. + </p> + <p> + The hare used to come in early in the morning. He was always the first + visitor and he never remained long, and always while he was there he kept + running up and down the house, and he generally ended his visit by jumping + through the open window. The martens, the beautiful wild cats of the wood, + came in to see Gilly once; they were very proud and told him nothing. The + little black rabbits were very much impressed by the martens, and all the + time the martens were there they stayed under the bed and the chairs. Two + or three times the King of the Wood himself—the Boar of the Bristles + and the Long Tusks—came to see Gilly; he used to push open the door + and then stand in the middle of the floor grunting and grunting. Once he + brought his wife with him, and six or seven of their little pigs that went + running over the floor, with their ears hanging over their eyes, came with + them too. The hedgehogs used to come, but they always made themselves + disagreeable. They just lay down by the fire and snored, and when they + wakened up they quarrelled with each other. Everybody said that the + hedgehogs’ children were very badly brought up and very badly provided + for. The squirrels who were so clean and careful, and so fond of their + children, thought the hedgehogs were very bad creatures indeed. “It is + just like them to have dirty sticky thorns around them instead of nice + clean fur,” said the squirrel’s wife. “But, my dear,” said the squirrel, + “every animal can’t have fur.” “How well,” said she, “the rabbits have + fur, though dear knows they’re creatures of not much account. It’s all + just to let us see that they’re some relation of that horrible, horrible + boar that goes crashing and marching through the wood.” + </p> + <p> + The deer never came into the house, and Gilly had a shed made for them + outside. They would come into it and stay there for many nights and days, + and Gilly used to go out and talk with them. They knew about far + countries, and strange paths and passes, but they did not know so much + about men and about the doings of other creatures as the Fox did. + </p> + <p> + The Fox used to come in the evening and stay until nearly morning whether + Gilly fell asleep or kept awake. The Fox was a very good talker. He used + to lie down at the hearth with his paws stretched out, and tell about this + one and that one, and what she said and what he did. If the Fox came to + see you, and if he was in good humor for talking, you would stay up all + night to listen to him. I know I should. It was the Fox who told Gilly + what the Crow of Achill did to Laheen the Eagle. She had stolen the + Crystal Egg that Laheen was about to hatch—the Crystal Egg that the + Crane had left on a bare rock. It was the Fox who told Gilly how the first + cat came into the world. And it was the Fox who told Gilly about the + generations of the eel. All I say is that it is a pity the Fox cannot be + trusted, for a better one to talk and tell a story it would be hard to + find. He was always picking up and eating things that had been left over—a + potato roasting in the ashes, an apple left upon a plate, a piece of meat + under a cover. Gilly did not grudge these things to Rory the Fox and he + always left something in a bag for him to take home to the young foxes. + </p> + <p> + I had nearly forgotten to tell you about Gilly’s friend, the brave Weasel. + He had made a home for himself under the roof. Sometimes he would go away + for a day or so and he would never tell Gilly where he had been. When he + was at home he made himself the door-keeper of Gilly’s house. If any of + the creatures made themselves disagreeable by quarrelling amongst each + other, or by being uncivil to Gilly, the Weasel would just walk over to + them and look them in the eyes. Then that creature went away. Always he + held his head up and if Gilly asked him for advice he would say three + words, “Have no fear; have no fear.” + </p> + <p> + One day Gilly wanted to have a bunch of cherries with his dinner, and he + went to find the Crystal Egg so that he might wish for it. The Crystal Egg + was not in the place he had left it. He called the Weasel and the two of + them searched the house. The Crystal Egg was nowhere to be found. “One of + the creatures has stolen the Egg,” said the Weasel, “but whoever stole it + I will make bring it back. I’ll soon find out who did it.” The Weasel + walked up to every creature that came in, looked him or her in the eye and + said, “Did you steal the Crystal Egg?” And every creature that came in + said, “No, Little Lion, I didn’t steal it.” Next day they had examined + every creature except the Fox. The Fox had not been in the night before + nor the night before that again. He did not come in the evening they + missed the Crystal Egg nor the evening after that evening. That night the + Weasel said, “As sure as there are teeth in my head the Fox stole the + Crystal Egg. As soon as there is light we’ll search for him and make him + give the Egg back to us.” + </p> + <p> + IX + </p> + <p> + The Weasel was right; it was Rory the Fox who had stolen Gilly’s Crystal + Egg. One night, just as he was leaving Gilly’s house, the moon shone full + upon the Crystal Egg. In the turn of a hand Rory the Fox had made a little + spring and had taken the Egg in his mouth. Then he slipped out by the door + as quick and as quiet as a leaf blown in the wind. + </p> + <p> + He couldn’t help himself stealing the Egg, when the chance came. He had + had a dream about it. He dreamt that the Egg had been hatched and that out + of it had come the most toothsome bird that a Fox had ever taken by the + neck. He snapped his teeth in his sleep when he dreamt of it. The Fox told + his youngsters about the bird he had dreamt of—a bird as big as a + goose and so fat on the neck and the breast that it could hardly stir from + sitting. The youngsters had smacked their lips and snapped their teeth. + Every time he came home now they used to say to him—“Father, have + you brought us the Boobrie Bird?” No wonder that his eyes used to turn to + the Crystal Egg when he sat in Gilly’s house. And then because the moon + shone on it just as he was leaving, and because he knew that Gilly’s back + was turned, he could not keep himself from making a little spring and + taking the Crystal Egg softly in his mouth. + </p> + <p> + He went amongst the dark, dark trees with the soft and easy trot of a Fox. + He knew well what he should do with the Egg. He had dreamt that it had + been hatched by the Spae-Woman’s old rheumatic goose. This goose was + called Old Mother Hatchie and the Fox had never carried her off because he + knew she was always hatching out goslings for his table. He went through + the trees and across the fields towards the Spae-Woman’s house. + </p> + <p> + The Spae-Woman lived by telling people their fortunes and reading them + their dreams. That is why she was called the Spae-Woman. The people gave + her goods for telling them their dreams and fortunes and she left her land + and stock to whatever chanced. The fences of her fields were broken and + rotted. Her hens had been carried off by the Fox. Her goat had gone wild. + She had neither ox nor ass nor sheep nor pig. The Fox went through her + fence now as lightning would go through a gooseberry bush and he came out + before her barn. There was a hole in the barn-door and he went through + that. And in the north-west corner of the barn, he saw Old Mother Hatchie + sitting on a nest of straw and he knew that there was a clutch of eggs + under her. She cackled when she saw the Fox on the floor of the barn but + she never stirred off the nest. Rory left what was in his mouth on the + ground. Old Mother Hatchie put her head on one side and looked at the Egg + that was clear in the full moonlight. + </p> + <p> + “This egg, Mistress Hatchie,” said Rory the Fox, “is from the Hen-wife of + the Queen of Ireland. The Queen asked the Hen-wife to ask me to leave it + with you. She thinks there’s no bird in the world but yourself that is + worthy to hatch it and to rear the gosling that comes out of it.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s right, that’s right,” said Mother Hatchie. “Put it here, put it + here.” She lifted her wing and the Fox put the Crystal Egg into the + brood-nest. + </p> + <p> + He went out of the barn, crossed the field again, and went amongst the + dark, dark trees. He went along slowly now for he began to think that + Gilly might find out who stole the Crystal Egg and be vexed with him. Then + he thought of the Weasel. The Fox began to think he might be sorry for + himself if the Weasel was set on his track. + </p> + <p> + Rory did not go to Gilly’s house the next night nor the night after. The + third night, as he was going home from a ramble, the Owl hooted at him. + “Why do you hoot at me, Big Moth?” said the Fox stopping in his trot. (He + always called the Owl “Big Moth” to pretend that he thought she wasn’t a + bird at all, but a moth. He made this pretence because he was annoyed that + he could never get an owl to eat). “Why do you hoot at me, Big Moth?” said + he. “The Weasel’s going to have your bones for his stepping-stones and + your blood for his morning dram,” said the Owl balefully as she went + amongst the dark, dark trees. The Fox stopped long to consider. Then he + went to his burrow and told his youngsters they would have to move house. + He had them stirring at the first light. He gave them a frog each for + their breakfast and took them across the country. They came to a burrow + that Old-Fellow Badger had just left and Rory the Fox brought his + youngsters into it and told them that it would be their new house. + </p> + <p> + X + </p> + <p> + The evening after when Rory the Fox was taking his nap he heard one of his + youngsters give a sharp cry. They were playing outside the burrow, lie + looked out and he saw that his three youngsters were afraid of something + that was between them and the burrow. He looked again and saw the Weasel. + </p> + <p> + “Ahem,” said Rory the Fox, “and how are we this morning?” + </p> + <p> + The Weasel had marked one of Rory’s youngsters for attack. Although Rory + spoke, he never took his eyes off the youngster he had marked. + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend,” said the Fox, “I was just going to say—if you are + looking for anything, perhaps I could tell you where it might be found.” + </p> + <p> + “Crystal Egg,” said the Weasel without ever taking away his blood-thirsty + gaze from Rory’s youngster. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the Crystal Egg,” said Rory the Fox. “Yes, to be sure. I could bring + you at once to the place where the Crystal Egg is.” He came out of the + burrow and saw Gilly standing on the bank behind. + </p> + <p> + “I think it is time for my children to go back to their burrow,” said Rory + the Fox. “Please excuse them, my friends.” The Weasel took his eyes off + the youngster he had marked and the three little foxes scampered into the + burrow. + </p> + <p> + “This way, friends,” said the Fox, and he started off towards the + Spae-Woman’s house with the light and easy trot of a fox. Gilly and the + Weasel went behind him. They crossed a field of flax, a field of hemp and + a field of barley. They came to the broken fence before the Spae-Woman’s + house, and in front of the house they saw the Spae-Woman herself and she + was crying and crying. + </p> + <p> + The Fox hid behind the fence, the Weasel climbed up on the ditch and Gilly + himself went to the woman. + </p> + <p> + “What ails you at all?” said Gilly to her. + </p> + <p> + “My goose—the only fowl left to me has been taken by robbers.” + </p> + <p> + “Ask her where the clutch of eggs is that the goose was hatching,” said + Rory the Fox anxiously, putting his head over the fence. + </p> + <p> + “And where is the clutch of eggs, ma’am, that your goose was hatching?” + </p> + <p> + “The robbers took the nest with the goose and the eggs with the nest,” + said the Spae-Woman. + </p> + <p> + “And the Crystal Egg was with the other eggs,” said the Fox to Gilly. He + said no more. He made a quick turn and got clear away before the Weasel + could spring on him. He ran back to his burrow. He told the little foxes + they must change houses again. That night they lay in a wood and at the + first light they crossed water and went to live on an island where the + Weasel never came. + </p> + <p> + “Where did the robbers go with the goose, the nest, and the eggs?” said + Gilly of the Goatskin. + </p> + <p> + “They went to the river,” said the Spae-Woman. “I followed them every inch + of the way. They got into a boat and they hoisted their sails. They rowed + and they rowed, so that the hard gravel of the bottom was brought to the + top, and the froth of the top was driven down to the bottom of the river. + And wherever they are,” said the Spae-Woman, “they are far from us now.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you come with me?” said Gilly to the Weasel, “we will track them + down and take back the Crystal Egg.” + </p> + <p> + “I engaged myself to be with you for a quarter of a year,” said the + Weasel, “and the three months are up now, Gilly. Winter is coming on and I + must see to my own affairs.” + </p> + <p> + “Then good-by, Weasel,” said Gilly. “I will search for the Crystal Egg + myself. But first I must ask the woman to let me rest in the house and to + give me some provision for my journey.” The Weasel looked up into Gilly’s + face and said good-by to him. Then Gilly followed the Spae-Woman into her + house. “Ocone,” she was saying to herself, “my dream told me I was to lose + my poor goose, and still I never did anything to make it hard for the + robbers to take her from me.” + </p> + <p> + XI + </p> + <p> + Well, in the Spae-Woman’s house he stayed for three-quarters of a year. He + often went in search of the robbers who had taken the Crystal Egg with the + Spae-Woman’s goose, but no trace of them nor their booty could he ever + find. He met birds and beasts who were his friends, but he could not have + speech with them without the Egg that let him have anything he wished. He + did work for the Spae-Woman—fixed her fences and repaired her barn + and brought <i>brosna</i> for her fire every evening from the wood. At + night, before he went to sleep, the Spae-Woman used to tell him her dreams + of the night before and tell him about the people who had come to her + house to have their fortunes told. + </p> + <p> + One Monday morning she said to him, “I have had an inlook, son of my + heart, and I know that my gossip, the Churl of the Townland of Mischance, + is going to come and take you into his service.” + </p> + <p> + “And what sort of a man is your gossip, the Churl of the Townland of + Mischance?” Gilly asked. + </p> + <p> + “An unkind man. Two youths who served me he took away, one after the + other, and miserable are they made by what he did to them. I’m in dread of + your being brought to the Townland of Mischance.” + </p> + <p> + “Why are you in dread of it, Spae-Woman?” said Gilly. “Sure, I’ll be glad + enough to see the world.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s what the other two youths said,” said the Spae-Woman. “Now I’ll + tell you what my gossip the Churl of the Townland of Mischance does: he + makes a bargain with the youth that goes into his service, telling him he + will give him a guinea, a groat and a tester for his three months’ + service. And he tells the youth that if he says he is sorry for the + bargain he must lose his wages and part with a strip of his skin, an inch + wide. He rode on a bob-tailed, big-headed, spavined and spotted horse, + from his neck to his heel. Oh, he is an unkind man, my gossip, the Churl + of the Townland of Mischance.” + </p> + <p> + “And is there no way to get the better of him?” asked Gilly. + </p> + <p> + “There is, but it is a hard way,” said the Spae-Woman. “If one could make + him say that he, the master, is sorry for the bargain, the Churl himself + would lose a strip of his skin an inch wide from his neck to his heel, and + would have to pay full wages no matter how short a time the youth served + him.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a bargain anyway,” said Gilly, “and if he comes I’ll take service + with the Churl of the Townland of Mischance.” + </p> + <p> + The first wet day that came brought the Churl of the Townland of + Mischance. He rode on a bob-tailed, big-headed, spavined and spotted + horse. He carried an ash-plant in his hand to flog the horse and to strike + at the dogs that crossed his way. He had blue lips, eyes looking crossways + and eyebrows like a furze bush. He had a bag before him filled with boiled + pigs’ feet. Now when he rode up to the house, he had a pig’s foot to his + mouth and was eating. He got down off the bob-tailed, big-headed, spavined + and spotted horse, and came in. + </p> + <p> + “I heard there was a young fellow at your house and I want him to take + service with me,” said he to the Spae-Woman. + </p> + <p> + “If the bargain is a good one I’ll take service with you,” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + “All right, my lad,” said the Churl. “Here is the bargain, and it’s as + fair as fair can be. I’ll give you a guinea, a groat and a tester for your + three months’ work with me.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe it’s good wages,” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + “It is. Howsoever, if you ever say you are sorry you made the bargain you + will lose your wages, and besides that you will lose a strip of your skin + an inch wide from your neck to your heel. I have to put that in or I’d + never get work done for me at all. The serving boys are always saying ‘I + can’t do that,’ and ‘I’m sorry I made the bargain with you.’” + </p> + <p> + “And if you say you’re sorry you made the bargain?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, then I’ll have to lose a strip of my skin an inch wide from my neck + to my heel, and besides that I’ll have to give you full wages no matter + how short a time you served me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if that suits you it will suit me,” said Gilly of the Goatskin. + </p> + <p> + “Then walk beside my horse and we’ll get back to the Townland of Mischance + to-night,” said the Churl. Then he swished his ash-plant towards Gilly and + ordered him to get ready. The Spae-Woman wiped the tears from her face + with her apron, gave Gilly a cake with her blessing, and he started off + with the Churl for the Townland of Mischance. + </p> + <p> + XII + </p> + <p> + What did Gilly of the Goatskin do in the Townland of Mischance? He got up + early and went to bed late; he was kept digging, delving and ditching + until he was so tired that he could go to sleep in a furze bush; he ate a + breakfast that left him hungry five hours before dinner-time, and he ate a + dinner that made it seem long until supper-time. If he complained the + Churl would say, “Well, then you are sorry for your bargain,” and Gilly + would say “No,” rather than lose the wages he had earned and a strip of + his skin into the bargain. + </p> + <p> + One day the Churl said to him, “Go into the town for salt for my supper, + take the short way across the pasture-field, and be sure not to let the + grass grow under your feet.” “All right, master,” said Gilly. “Maybe you + would bring me my coat out of the house so that I needn’t make two + journeys.” The Churl went into the house for Gilly’s coat. When he came + back he found Gilly standing in the nice grass of the pasture-field + lighting a wisp of hay. “What are you doing that for?” said the Churl to + him. “To burn the grass on the pasture-field,” said Gilly. “To burn the + grass on my pasture-field, you villain—the grass that is for my good + race-horse’s feeding! What do you mean, at all?” “Sure, you told me not to + let the grass grow under my feet,” said Gilly. “Doesn’t the world know + that the grass is growing every minute, and how will I prevent it from + growing under my feet if I don’t burn it?” With that he stooped down to + put the lighted hay to the grass of the pasture-field. “Stop, stop,” said + the Churl, “I meant that you were to go to the town, without loitering on + the way.” “Well, it’s a pity you didn’t speak more clearly,” said Gilly, + “for now the grass is a-fire.” The Churl bad to stamp on the grass to put + the fire out. He burnt his shins, and that made him very angry. “O you + fool,” said he to Gilly, “I’m sorry—” “Are you sorry for the bargain + you made with me, Master?” “No. I was going to say I was sorry I hadn’t + made my meaning clear to you. Go now to the town and bring me back salt + for my supper as quickly as you can.” + </p> + <p> + After that the Churl was very careful when he gave Gilly an order to speak + to him very exactly. This became a great trouble to him, for the people in + the Townland of Mischance used always to say, “Don’t let the grass grow + under your feet,” when they meant “Make haste,” and “Don’t be there until + you’re back,” when they meant “Go quickly” and “Come with horses’ legs” + when they meant “come with great speed.” He became tired of speaking to + Gilly by the letter, so he made up his mind to give him an order that + could not be carried out, so that he might have a chance of sending him + away without the wages he had earned. + </p> + <p> + One Monday morning he called Gilly to the door of the house and said to + him, “Take this sheep-skin to the market and bring me back the price of it + and the skin.” “Very well, Master,” said Gilly. He put the skin across his + arm and went towards the town. The people on the road said to him, “What + do you want for the sheep-skin, young fellow?” “I want the skin and the + price of it,” Gilly said. The people laughed at him and said, “You’re + going to give yourself a long journey, young fellow.” + </p> + <p> + He went through the market asking for the skin and the price of it. + Everyone joked about him. He went into the market-house and came to a + woman who was buying things that no one else would buy. “What do you want, + youth?” said she. “The price of the skin and the skin itself,” said Gilly. + She took the skin from him and plucked the wool out of it. She put the + wool in her bag and put the skin back on the board. “There’s the skin,” + said she, “and here’s the price of it.” She left three groats and a tester + on top of the skin. + </p> + <p> + The Churl had finished his supper when Gilly came into the house. “Well, + Master, I’ve come back to you,” said Gilly. “Did you bring me the price of + it and the skin itself?” said the Churl. “There is the skin,” said Gilly, + putting on the table the sheep-skin with the wool plucked out of it. “And + here’s the price of it—three groats and a tester,” said he, leaving + the money on top of the skin. + </p> + <p> + After that the Churl of the Townland of Mischance began to be afraid that + Gilly of the Goatskin would be too wise for him, and would get away at the + end of the three months with his wages, a guinea, a groat and a tester, in + his fist. This thought made the Churl very downcast, because, for many + months now, he had got hard labor out of his serving-boys, without giving + them a single cross for wages. + </p> + <p> + XIII + </p> + <p> + The day after Christmas the Churl said to Gilly, “This is Saint Stephen’s + Day. I’m going to such a man’s barn to see the mummers perform a play. + Foolish people give these idle fellows money for playing, but I won’t do + any such thing as that. I’ll see something of what they are doing, drink a + few glasses and get away before they start collecting money from the + people that are watching them. They call this collection their dues, no + less.” + </p> + <p> + “And what can I do for you, Master?” said Gilly. “Run into the barn at + midnight and shout out, ‘Master, Master, your mill is on fire.’ That will + give me an excuse for running out. Do you understand now what I want you + to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I understand, Master.” + </p> + <p> + The Churl put on his coat and took his stick in his hand. “Mind what I’ve + said to you,” said he. “Don’t be a minute later than midnight. Be sure to + come in with a great rash—come in with horse’s legs—do you + understand me?” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you, Master,” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + The mummers were dancing before they began the play when the Churl came + into the barn. “That’s a rich man,” said one of them to another. “We must + see that he puts a good handful into our bag.” The Churl sat on the bench + with the farmer who had a score of cows, with the blacksmith who shod the + King’s horses, and with the merchant who had been in foreign parts and who + wore big silver rings in his ears. Half the people who were there I could + not tell you, but there were there— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Biddie Early + Tatter-Jack Walsh + Aunt Jug + Lundy Foot + Matt the Thresher + Nora Criona + Conan Maol, and + Shaun the Omadhaun. +</pre> + <p> + Some said that the King of Ireland’s Son was there too. The play was “The + Unicorn from the Stars.” The mummers did it very well although they had no + one to take the part of the Unicorn. + </p> + <p> + They were in the middle of the play when Gilly of the Goatskin rushed into + the barn. “Master, master,” he shouted, “your mill—your mill is on + fire.” The Churl stood up, and then put his glass to his head and drained + what was in it. “Make way for me, good people,” said he. “Let me out of + this, good people.” Some people near the door began to talk of what Gilly + held in his hands. “What have you there, my servant?” said the Churl. “A + pair of horse’s legs, Master. I could only carry two of them.” + </p> + <p> + The Churl caught Gilly by the throat. “A pair of horse’s legs,” said he. + “Where did you get a pair of horse’s legs?” + </p> + <p> + “Off a horse,” said Gilly. “I had trouble in cutting them off. Bad cess to + you for telling me to come here with horse’s legs.” + </p> + <p> + “And whose horse did you cut the legs off?” “Your own, Master. You + wouldn’t have liked me to cut the legs off any other person’s horse. And I + thought your race-horse’s legs would be the most suitable to cut off.” + </p> + <p> + The mummers and the people were gathered round them and they saw the + Churl’s face get black with vexation. + </p> + <p> + “O my misfortune, that ever I met with you,” said the Churl. + </p> + <p> + “Are you sorry for your bargain, Master?” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + “Sorry—I’ll be sorry every day and night of my life for it,” said + the Churl. + </p> + <p> + “You hear what my Master says, good people,” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, sure. He says he’s sorry for the bargain he made with you,” said + some of the people. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Gilly, “strip him and put him across the bench until I cut a + strip of his skin an inch wide from his neck to his heel.” + </p> + <p> + None of the people would consent to do that. “Well, I’ll tell you + something that will make you consent,” said Gilly. “This man made two poor + servant-boys work for him, paid them no wages, and took a strip of their + skin, so that they are sick and sore to this day. Will that make you strip + him and put him across the bench?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said some of the people. + </p> + <p> + “He ordered me to come here to-night and to shout ‘Master, master, your + mill is on fire,’ so that he might be able to leave without paying the + mummers their dues. His mill is not on fire at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Strip him,” said the first mummer. + </p> + <p> + “Put him across the bench,” said another. + </p> + <p> + “Here’s a skinner’s knife for you,” said a third. + </p> + <p> + The mummers seized the Churl, stripped him and put him across the bench. + Gilly took the knife and began to sharpen it on the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Have mercy on me,” said the Churl. + </p> + <p> + “You did not have mercy on the other two poor servant-boys,” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll give you your wages in full.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s not enough.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll give you double wages to give to the other servant-boys.” + </p> + <p> + “And will you pay the mummers’ dues for all the people here?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no. I can’t do that.” + </p> + <p> + “Stretch out your neck then until I mark the place where I shall begin to + cut the skin.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t put the knife to me. I’ll pay the dues for all,” said the Churl. + </p> + <p> + “You heard what he said,” said Gilly to the people. “He will pay me wages + in full, give me double wages to hand to the servant-boys he has injured, + and pay the mummers’ dues for everyone.” + </p> + <p> + “We heard him say that,” said the people. + </p> + <p> + “Stand up and dress yourself,” said Gilly to the Churl. “What do I want + with a strip of your skin? But I hope all here will go home with you and + stand in your house until you have paid all the money that’s claimed from + you.” + </p> + <p> + “We’ll go home with him,” said the mummers. + </p> + <p> + “We’ll stand on his floor until he has paid all the money he has agreed to + pay,” said the others. + </p> + <p> + “And now I must tell you, neighbors,” said Gilly, “that I never cut the + legs of a living horse—neither his horse nor anyone else’s. This + pair was taken off a poor dead horse by the skinners that were cutting it + up.” + </p> + <p> + Well, they all went to the Churl’s house and there they stayed until he + opened his stone chest and took out his money-box and paid to the mummers + the dues of all the people with sixpence over, and paid Gilly his wages in + full, one guinea, one groat and a tester, and handed him double wages to + give to each of the servant-boys he had injured. Gilly took the money and + left the house of the Churl of the Townland of Mischance, and the people + and the mummers went to the road with him, and cheered him as he went on + his way. + </p> + <p> + XIV + </p> + <p> + So, without hap or mishap, Gilly came again to the house of the + Spae-Woman. She was sitting at her door-step grinding corn with a quern + when he came before her. She cried over him, not believing that he had + come safe from the Townland of Mischance. And as long as he was with her + she spoke to him of his “poor back.” + </p> + <p> + He stayed with her for two seasons. He mended her fences and he cleaned + her spring-well; he ground her corn and he brought back her swarm of bees; + he trained a dog to chase the crows out of her field; he had the ass shod, + the sheep washed and the goat spancelled. The Spae-Woman was much beholden + to him for all he did for her, and one day she said to him, “Gilly of the + Goat-skin you are called, but another name is due to you now.” “And who + will give me another name?” said Gilly of the Goatskin. “Who’ll give it to + you? Who but the Old Woman of Beare,” said the Spae-Woman. + </p> + <p> + The next day she said to him, “I had a dream last night, and I know now + what you are to do. You must go now to the Old Woman of Beare for the name + that is due to you. And before she gives it to you, you must tell her and + whoever else is in her house as much as you know of the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + “But I know nothing at all of the Unique Tale,” said Gilly of the + Goatskin. + </p> + <p> + “There is always a blank before a beginning,” said the Spae-Woman. “This + evening, when I am grinding the corn at the quern I shall tell you the + Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + That evening when she sat at the door-step of her house and when the sun + was setting behind the elder-bushes the Spae-Woman told Gilly the third + part of the Unique Tale. Then she baked a cake and killed a cock for him + and told him to start on the morrow’s morning for the house of the Old + Woman of Beare. + </p> + <p> + Well, he started off in the morning bright and early, leaving good health + with the Spae-Woman behind him, and away he went, crossing high hills, + passing low dales, and keeping on his way without halt or rest, the clear + day going and the dark night coming, taking lodgings each evening wherever + he found them, and at last he came to the house of the Old Woman of Beare. + </p> + <p> + He went into the house and found her making marks in the ashes of her fire + while her cuckoo, her corncrake and her swallow were picking grains off + the table. + </p> + <p> + “And what can I do for you, good youth?” said the Old Woman of Beare. + </p> + <p> + “Give me a name,” said Gilly, “and listen to the story I have to tell + you.” + </p> + <p> + “That I will not,” said the Old Woman of Beare, “until you have done a + task for me.” + </p> + <p> + “What task can I do for you?” said Gilly of the Goatskin. “I would know,” + said she, “which of us four is the oldest creature in the world—myself + or Laheen the Eagle, Blackfoot the Elk or the Crow of Achill—I leave + the Salmon of Assaroe out of account altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “And how can a youth like me help you to know that?” said Gilly of the + Goatskin. + </p> + <p> + “An ox was killed on the day I was born and on every one of my birthdays + afterwards. The horns of the oxen are in two quarries outside. You must + count them and tell me how much half of them amounts to and then I shall + know my age.” + </p> + <p> + “That I’ll do if you feed me and give me shelter,” said Gilly of the + Goatskin. “Eat as you like,” said the Old Woman of Beare. She pushed him a + loaf of bread and a bottle of water. When he cut a slice of the loaf it + was just as if nothing had been cut off, and when he took a cupful out of + the bottle it was as if no water had been taken out of it at all. When he + had drunk and eaten he left the complete loaf and the full bottle of water + on the shelf, went outside and began to count the horns on the right-hand + side. + </p> + <p> + On the second day a strange youth came to him and saluted him, and then + went to count the horns in the quarry on the left-hand side. This youth + was none other than the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + On the third day they had the horns all counted. Then Gilly of the + Goatskin and the King of Ireland’s Son met together under a bush. “How + many horns have you counted?” said the King of Ireland’s Son. “So many,” + said Gilly of the Goatskin. “And how many horns have you counted?” “So + many,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + Just as they were adding the two numbers together they both heard sounds + in the air—they were like the sounds that Bards make chanting their + verses. And when they looked up they saw a swan flying round and round + above them. And the swan chanted the story of the coming of the Milesians + to Eirinn, and as the two youths listened they forgot the number of horns + they had counted. And when the swan had flown away they looked at each + other and as they were hungry they went into the house and ate slices of + the unwasted loaf and drank cupfuls out of the inexhaustible bottle. Then + the Old Woman of Beare wakened up and asked them to tell her the number of + her years. + </p> + <p> + “We cannot tell you although we counted all the horns,” said the King of + Ireland’s Son, “for just as we were putting the numbers together a swan + sang to us and we forgot the number we had counted.” + </p> + <p> + “You didn’t do your task rightly,” she said, “but as I promised to give + this youth a name and to listen to the story he had to tell, I shall have + to let it be. You may tell the story now, Gilly of the Goatskin.” + </p> + <p> + They sat at the fire, and while the Old Woman of Beare spun threads on a + very ancient spindle, and while the corncrake, the cuckoo and the swallow + picked up grains and murmured to themselves, Gilly of the Goatskin told + them the Unique Tale. And the story as Gilly of the Goatskin told it + follows this.— + </p> + <h2> + A Unique Tale + </h2> + <p> + A King and a Queen were walking one day by the blue pool in their domain. + The swan had come to the blue pool, and the bright yellow flowers of the + broom were above the water. “Och,” said the Queen, “if I might have a + daughter that would show such colors—the blue of the pool in her + eyes, the bright yellow of the broom in her hair, and the white of the + swan in her skin—I would let my seven sons go with the wild geese.” + “Hush,” said the King. “You ask for a doom, and it may be sent you.” A + shivering came upon the Queen. They went back to the Castle, and that + evening the nurse told them that a gray man had passed in a circle round + her seven sons saying, “If it be as your mother desired, let it be as she + has said.” + </p> + <p> + Well, before the broom blossomed again and before the swan came to the + blue pool, a child was born to the Queen. It was a girl. The King was + sitting with his seven sons when the women came to tell him of the new + birth. “O my sons,” said he, “may ye be with me all my life.” But his sons + moved from him as he said it. Out through the door they went, and up the + mound that was before the door. There they changed into gray wild geese, + and the seven flew towards the empty hills. + </p> + <p> + No councillor that the King consulted could help to win them back again, + and no hunter that he sent through the country could gain tale or tidings + of them. The King and Queen were left with one child only, the girl just + born. They called her “Sheen,” a word that means “Storm,” because her + coming was a storm that swept away her seven brothers. The Queen died, my + hearers. Then little Sheen was forgotten by her father, and she was reared + and companioned by the servants of the house. + </p> + <p> + One day, when she was the age her eldest brother was when he was changed + from his human form, Sheen went with Mor, the Woodman’s daughter, and + Siav, the basket-maker’s foster-child, to gather berries in the wood. + Going here and there she got separated from Siav and Mor. She came to a + place where there were lots of berries and went step after step to pick + them. Her feet went down in a marsh. She cried to Mor and Siav, but no + answers came from them. She cried and cried again. Her cries startled + seven wild geese that rose up and flew round her. “Save me,” she cried to + them. Then one of the wild geese spoke to her. “Anyone but a girl we would + save from the marsh, but such a one we cannot save, because it was a girl + who lost us our human forms and the loving companionship of our father.” + Then Sheen knew—for the servants had often told her the story—that + it was one of her seven brothers who spoke. “Since ever I knew of it,” + said she, “the whole of my trouble has been that I was the cause of your + losing your human form and the companionship of our father who is now + called the Lonely King. Believe me,” said she, “that I would have striven + and striven to win you back.” There was so much feeling in her voice that + her seven brothers, although they had been hardened by thinking about + their misfortune, were touched at their hearts and they flew down to help + her. They bore up her arms, they caught at her shoulders, they raised up + her feet. They carried her beyond the marsh. Then she knelt down and cried + to them, “O my brothers dear, is there anything I can do to restore you to + your human forms?” “There is,” said the first of the seven wild geese. She + begged them to tell it to her. “It’s a long and a tiresome labor we would + put on you,” said one. “If you would gather the light down that grows on + the bogs with your own hands,” said another, “and if you spun that down + into threads, and wove the threads into a cloth and sewed the cloth into a + shirt, and did that over and over again until you had made seven shirts + for us, all that time without laughing or crying or saying a word, you + could save us. One shirt you could weave and spin and sew in a year. And + it would not be until the seven shirts were put upon us that the human + form would be restored to each of us.” “I would be glad to do all that,” + said Sheen, “and I would cry no tear, laugh no laugh, and say no word all + the time I was doing this task.” + </p> + <p> + Then said the eldest brother, “The marsh is between you and our father’s + house, and between you and the companions who were with you to-day. If you + would do the task that would restore us to our human forms, it were best + you did not go back. Beyond the trees is the house of a lone woman, and + there you may live until your task is finished.” The seven wild geese then + flew back to the marsh, and Sheen went to the house beyond the trees. The + Spae-Woman lived there. She took Sheen to be a dumb girl, and she gave her + food and shelter for the services she did—bringing water from the + well in the daytime and grinding corn at the quern at dusk. She had the + rest of the day and night for her own task. She gathered the bog-down + between noon and sunset and spun the thread at night. When she had lengths + of thread spun she began to weave them on the loom. At the end of a year + she had the first shirt made. In another year she made the second, then + the third, then the fourth, the fifth and the sixth. And all the time she + said no word, laughed no laugh and cried no tear. + </p> + <p> + She was gathering the bog-down for the seventh and last shirt. Once she + went abroad on a day when the snow was melted and she felt her footsteps + light. Hundreds of birds were on the ground eating plentifully and calling + to one another. Sheen could hardly keep from her mouth the song that was + in her mind. She would sing and laugh and talk when the last thread was + spun and woven, when the last stitch was sewn, and when the shirts of + bog-down she had made in silence would have brought back her brothers to + their own human forms. She gathered the scarce heads of the cannavan or + bog-down with one hand, while she held the other hand to her lips. + </p> + <p> + Something dropped down at her feet. It was a white grouse and it remained + cowering on the ground. Sheen looked up and she saw a hawk above. And when + she looked round she saw a man coming across the bog. The hawk flew + towards him and lighted on his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Sheen held the white grouse to her breast. The man came near to her and + spoke to her and his voice made her stand. He wore the dress of a hunter. + His face was brown and lean and his eyes were bright-blue like + gentian-flowers. No word did Sheen say to him and he passed on with the + hawk on his shoulder. Then with the grouse held at her breast she went + back to the Spae-Woman’s house. + </p> + <p> + That night when she spun her thread she thought of the blue-eyed, + brown-faced man. Would any of her brothers be like him, she wondered, when + they were restored to their human shapes. She fed the white grouse with + grains of corn and left it to rest in the window-niche above her bed. And + then she lay awake and tried to know the meaning in the song the + Spae-Woman sang when she sat spinning wool in the chimney Corner— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + You would not slumber + If laid at my breast! + Little sister, + I’ll rock you to rest! + + The flood on the river beats + The swan from its nest! + You would not slumber + If laid at my breast! + + The rain-drops encumber + The hawthorn’s crest: + My thoughts have no number: + You would not slumber + If laid at my breast, + Little sister, + I’ll rock you to rest. +</pre> + <p> + She passed the night between sleeping and waking, and when the light grew + she saw the white grouse crouching against the window-opening. She opened + the door and stepped outside to let the grouse fly from her hands. + </p> + <p> + And there, on the ground before her was a sword! Sheen knew it to be the + sword of the man she had seen yesterday, and she knew the man had been + before the door in the night-time. She knelt on the ground to look at the + bright blue blade. O my listeners, if I was there I was in the crows that + flew down heavily and cawed as they picked up something that pleased them, + in the wood-cushats that cooed in the trees, in the small birds that + quarreled in the thatch of the house, and in the breeze that blew round—the + first breeze of the day. + </p> + <p> + The Spae-Woman came outside and saw what Sheen was looking at—the + sword on the ground. “It is wrought with cunning that only the smiths of + Kings possess,” she said. She took the sword and hung it on the branch of + a tree so that the dews of the ground might not rust it. “I think the one + who owns it is the stranger who is seen in the wild places hereabouts—the + man whom the neighbors call the Hunter-King,” she said to Sheen. + </p> + <p> + On another day Sheen went to gather bog-down. This time she crossed the + river by the stepping-stones and went into a country where there were many + cattle. She stood wondering at their numbers and wishing that such a cow + and such a calf might belong to the Spae-Woman. Then the next thing she + saw was two black horses striving with each other. They showed their teeth + at each other and bit and kicked. Then they came racing towards her. “Oh,” + said Sheen to herself, “they are Breogan’s wild stallions.” She ran, but + the horses were able to make circles round her. “Breogan’s wild + stallions,” said she, “they will rush in and trample me to death.” Then + she heard someone shouting commands to the horses. She saw a man strike + one of the stallions with a staff, making him rear high. She saw him make + the other stand with the command that was in his voice. She ran to the + river, but she slipped on the stepping-stones; she fell down and she felt + the water flowing upon her. The man came and lifting her up carried her to + her own side of the river. Across the bog he carried her, and when she + looked at him she saw the lean face and eyes blue like gentian-flowers—she + saw the face of the man who was called the Hunter-King. He left her on the + ground when they passed the bog, and she went on her way without speaking. + </p> + <p> + Nothing of this no more than of anything else that happened to her, or + anything that she thought of, did Sheen tell the Spae-Woman. But she + wished and she wished that the Hunter-King might come past while there was + a light in the house and step within and talk to the Spae-Woman, so that + she herself, while spinning the thread, could hear his voice and listen to + the things he talked about. She often stood at the door and watched across + the bog to see if anything was coming to her. + </p> + <p> + A neighbor-woman came across the door-step one evening and Sheen went into + the house after her, for she felt that something was going to be told. + There was a dead man in a house. He had been found in the wood. He was + known as the Hunter-King. Sheen stood at her bed and heard what the + neighbor-woman said. + </p> + <p> + The Hunter-King was being waked in the neighbor-woman’s house, and her + eldest daughter had been the corpse-watcher the first night. In the + morning they found that the girl’s hand had been withered. The woman’s + second daughter was the corpse-watcher the second night and her right hand + had been left trembling. This was the third and last night that the + Hunter-King would be waked, and to-night there was no one to watch his + corpse. + </p> + <p> + Sheen thought that nothing would ever happen in the world again, now that + the Hunter-King was dead. She thought that there was no loneliness so + great as that of his corpse with no one to watch it on the last strange + night it would be above ground. The neighbor-woman went from the + Spae-Woman and Sheen went after her. She was standing on the door-step of + her house. “Oh, colleen,” said the neighbor-woman, “I am wanting a girl to + watch a corpse in my house to-night—the third and the last night for + watching. Will you watch and I will give you a comb for your hair?” Sheen + showed that she would serve the woman and she went into the wake-house. At + first she was afraid to look at the bed. Then she went over and saw the + Hunter-King with his face still, his eyes closed down, and the plate of + salt on his breast. His gray gaunt hound was stretched across his feet. + </p> + <p> + The woman and her daughters lighted candles and placed them in the window + recesses and at the head of the corpse. Then they went into their + dormer-room and left Sheen to her watching. She sat at the fire and made + one fagot after another blaze up. She had brought her basket of bog-down + and she began to spin a thread upon the neighbor-woman’s wheel. + </p> + <p> + She finished the thread and put it round her neck. Then she began to + search for more candles so that she might be able to light one, as another + went out. But as she rose up all the candles went out all at once. The + hound started from the foot of the bed. Then she saw the corpse sitting up + stiffly in the place where it had been laid. + </p> + <p> + Something in Sheen overcame her dread, and she went over to the corpse and + took the salt that was on its breast and put it on its lips. Then a voice + came from between the lips. “Fair Maid,” said the voice, “have you the + courage to follow me? The others failed me and they have been stricken. + Are you faithful?” “I will follow you,” said Sheen. “Then,” said the + corpse, “put your hands on my shoulders and come with me. I must go over + the Quaking Bog, and through the Burning forest, and across the Icy Sea.” + Sheen put her hands on his shoulders. A storm came and they were swept + through the roof of the house. They were carried through the night. Down + they came on the ground and the dead man sprang away from Sheen. She went + to follow him and found her feet upon a shaking sod. They were on the + Quaking Bog, she knew. The corpse of the Hunter-King went ahead and she + knew that she must keep it in sight. He went swiftly. The sod went under + her feet and she was in the watery mud. She struggled out and jumped over + a pool that was hidden with heather. All the time she was in dread that + the figure that went before her so quickly would be lost to her. She sank + and she struggled and she sprang across pools and morasses. All the time + what had been the corpse of the Hunter-King went before her. + </p> + <p> + Then she saw fires against the sky and she knew they were coming to the + Burning Forest. The figure before her sprang across a ditch and went into + the forest. Sheen sprang across it too. Burning branches fell across her + path as she went on. Hot winds burnt her face. Flames dazzled and smoke + dazed her. But the figure before her went straight on and Sheen went + straight on too. + </p> + <p> + The forest ended on a cliff. Below was the sea. The figure before her + dived down and Sheen dived too. The cold chilled her to the marrow. She + thought the chill would drive the life out of her. But she saw the head of + one swimming before her and she swam on. + </p> + <p> + And then they were on land again. “Fair Maid,” said the corpse of the + Hunter-King, “put your hands on my shoulders again.” She put her hands on + his shoulders. A storm came and swept them away. They were driven through + the roof of the neighbor-woman’s house. The candle-wicks fluttered and + light came on them again. She saw the hound standing in the middle of the + floor. She saw the corpse sitting where it had been laid and the eyes were + now open. + </p> + <p> + “Fair Maid,” said the voice of the Hunter-King, “you have brought me back + to life. I am a man under enchantment. There is a witch-woman in the wood + that I gave my love to. She enchanted me so that the soul was out of my + body, and wandering away. It was my soul you followed. And the enchantment + was to be broken when I found a heart so faithful that it would follow my + soul over the Quaking Bog, through the Burning Forest and across the Icy + Sea. You have brought my soul and my life back to me.” + </p> + <p> + Then she ran out of the neighbor’s house. The night after, in the + Spae-Woman’s house she finished weaving the threads that were on the loom. + The next night she stitched the cloth and made the sixth shirt. The day + after she went into the bog to gather the bog-down for the seventh shirt. + She had gathered her basketful and was going through the wood about the + hour of sunset. At the edge of the thin wood she saw the Hunter-King + standing. He took her hands and his were warm hands. His brown face and + his gentian-blue eyes were high and noble. And Sheen felt a joy like the + sharpness of a sword when he sang to her about the brightness of her hair + and the blue of her eyes. “O Maid,” said he, “is there anything that binds + you to this place?” Sheen showed him the bog-down in the basket and the + woven thread that was round her neck. “Come with me to my kingdom,” said + he, “and you shall be my wife and the love of my heart.” The next evening + Sheen went with him. She took the six shirts she had spun and woven and + stitched. The Hunter-King lifted her before him on a black horse and they + rode into his Kingdom. + </p> + <p> + And now Sheen was the wife of the Hunter-King. She would have been happy + if her husband’s sisters had been kind. But they were jealous and they + made everything in the Castle unfriendly to her. And often they talked + before her brother saying that Sheen was not noble at all, and that the + reason she did not speak was because her language was a base one. They + watched her when she went out to gather bog-down in the daytime, and they + watched her when she spun by herself at night. Sheen longed for the days + and nights to pass so that the last threads might be spun and woven and + the last stitches put in the seventh shirt. Then her brothers would be + with her. She could tell the King about herself and silence the bad talk + of his sisters. But as she neared the end of her task she became more and + more in dread. + </p> + <p> + The threads were spun and woven for the seventh shirt. The cloth was made + and the first stitches were put in it. Then Sheen’s little son was born. + The King was away at the time, gathering his men together at far parts of + the Kingdom, and he sent a message saying that Sheen and her baby were to + be well-minded, and that his sisters were not to leave the chamber where + she was until he returned. + </p> + <p> + On the third night, while Sheen was in her bed with her baby beside her, + and while her sisters-in-law were in the room, a strange music was heard + outside. It was played all round the King’s house. Whoever heard it fell + into deep slumber. The kern that were on guard slept. The maids that were + whispering together fell into a slumber. And a deep sleep came upon Sheen + and her child and on her three sisters-in-law who watched in the chamber. + </p> + <p> + Then a gray wolf that had been seen outside sprang in through the window + opening. He took Sheen’s child in his mouth. He sprang back through the + window opening and was seen about the place no more. Her sisters-in-law + wakened while Sheen still slept. They went to tend it and found the child + was gone. Then they were afraid of what their brother would do to them for + letting this happen. They made a plot to clear themselves, and before + Sheen wakened they had killed a little beast and smeared its blood upon + the pillows of the bed. + </p> + <p> + When the King came into his wife’s chamber he saw his sisters on the + ground lamenting and tearing the hairs out of their heads. He went to + where his wife was sleeping and saw blood upon her hands and upon the + pillows. He turned on his sisters with his sword in his hand. They cried + out that they could not have prevented the thing that had happened—that + the Queen had laid hands on the child and having killed it had thrown its + body to the gray wolf that had been watching outside. + </p> + <p> + And while they were speaking Sheen awakened. She put out her arms but her + child was not beside her. She found blood upon the pillows. Then she heard + her sisters-in-law accuse her to the King of having killed her child and + flung its body to the gray wolf outside. She fell into a swoon and when + she came out of it her mind was lost to her. + </p> + <p> + The King knelt to her and begged her to tell him what had happened. But + she only knew she was to say no word. Then he used to watch her and he + wondered why she cried no tear. On the fourth day after she rose from her + bed and searched the Castle for the piece of cloth she had spun and woven + out of the bog-down. She found it and began to sew it for the seventh + shirt. The King’s sisters came to him and said, “The woman you brought + here is of another race from ours. She has forgotten that a child was born + to her, and that she killed it and flung its body to the gray wolf. She + sits there now just stitching a garment.” The King went and saw her + stitching and stitching as if her life depended on each stitch she put + into the cloth. He spoke to her and she looked up but did not speak. Then + the King’s heart was hardened. He took her and brought her outside the + gate of the Castle. “Go back to the people you came from,” said he, “for I + cannot bear that you should be here, and not speak to me of what has + happened.” Sheen knew she was being sent from the house he had brought her + to. A bitter cry came from her. Then the stitched cloth that was in her + hand became bog-down and was blown away on the breeze. When she saw this + happen she turned from the King’s Castle and ran through the woods crying + and crying. + </p> + <p> + She went through the woods for many days, living on berries and the water + of springs. At last she came to the Spae-Woman’s house. The Spae-Woman was + before the door and she welcomed Sheen back. She gave her drinks she had + made from strange herbs, and in a season Sheen’s mind and health came back + to her, and she knew all that had happened. She thought she would win back + her seven brothers, and then, with their help, win back her child and her + husband. But she knew she would have to gather the bog-down, spin the + threads and weave them all over again, as her tears and cries had broken + her task. She told her story to the Spae-Woman. Then she went into silence + again, gathering the bog-down and spinning the thread. + </p> + <p> + But when the first thread was spun the memory of her child blew against + her heart and she cried tears down. The thread she had spun became + bog-down and was blown away. For days she wept and wept. Then the + Spae-Woman said to her, “Commit the child you have lost to Diachbha—that + is, to Destiny—and Diachbha may bring it about that he shall be the + one that will restore your seven brothers their human forms. And when you + have committed your lost little son to Diachbha go back to your husband + and tell him all you have lived through.” + </p> + <p> + Sheen, believing in the Spae-Woman’s wisdom, did what was told her. She + made an image of her lost little son with leaves and left it on the top of + the house where it was blown away by the winds. Then she was ready to go + back to her husband and tell him all that had happened in her life. But on + the day she was bringing the last pitcher of water from the well she met + him on the path before her. “Do you remember that I carried you across the + bog?” he said. “And do you remember that I followed your soul?” said she. + </p> + <p> + These were the first words she ever spoke to him. They went back together + to the Spae-Woman’s and she told him all that had been in her life. He + told her how his sisters had acknowledged that they had spoken falsely + against her. + </p> + <p> + He took her back to his own Kingdom, and there, as King and Queen they + still live. But the name she bears is not Sheen or Storm now. Two sons + more were born to her. But her seven brothers are still seven wild geese, + and the Queen has found no trace of her first-born son. But the Spae-Woman + has had a dream, and the dream has revealed this to her: the Son that + Sheen lost is in the world, and if the maiden who will come to love him, + will give seven drops of her heart’s blood, the Queen’s seven brothers + will regain their human forms. + </p> + <p> + “So that is the Unique Tale,” said the Old Woman of Beare. “If you ever + find out what went before it and what comes after it come back here and + tell it to me. But I don’t think you’ll get the rest of it,” said she, + “seeing that the two of you weren’t able to count the horns outside.” She + went on talking and talking, Gilly and the King’s Son hearing what she + said when she spoke in a sudden high voice, and not hearing when she + murmured on as if talking to the ashes or to the pot or to the corncrake, + the cuckoo or the swallow that were picking grains off the floor. “If you + see Laheen the Eagle again, or Blackfoot the Elk or the Crow of Achill + tell them to come and visit me sometime. I’m all alone here except for my + swallow and cuckoo and corncrake. And mind you, great Kings and Princes + used to come to see me.” So she went on talking in low tones and in sudden + high tones. + </p> + <p> + “You must come with me and help me to get the rest of the Unique Tale,” + said the King of Ireland’s Son. “That I’ll do,” said Gilly of the + Goatskin. “But I must get a name first. + </p> + <p> + “Old Mother,” said he, to the Old Woman of Beare. “You must now give me a + name.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll give you a name,” said the Old Woman of Beare, “but you must stand + before me and strip off the goatskin that covers you.” + </p> + <p> + Gilly pulled at the strings and the goatskin fell on the ground. The Old + Woman of Beare nodded her head. “You have the stars on your breast that + denote the Son of a King,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “The Son of a King—me!” said Gilly of the Goatskin. “You have the + stars on your breast,” said the Old Woman of Beare. + </p> + <p> + Gilly looked at himself and saw the three stars on his breast. “If I am + the Son of a King I never knew it until now,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “You are the son of a King,” said the Old Woman of Beare, “and I will give + you a name when you come back to me. But I want you, first of all, to find + out what happened to the Crystal Egg.” + </p> + <p> + “The Crystal Egg!” said Gilly in great surprise. + </p> + <p> + “The Crystal Egg indeed,” said the Old Woman of Beare. “You must know that + it was stolen out of the nest of Laheen the Eagle, and the creature that + stole it was the Crow of Achill. But what happened to the Crystal Egg + after that no one knows.” + </p> + <p> + “I myself had it after that,” said Gilly, “and it was stolen from me by + Rory the Fox. And then it was put under a goose to hatch.” “A goose to + hatch the Crystal Egg after an Eagle had half-hatched it! Aye, aye, to be + sure, that’s right,” said the Old Woman of Beare. “And now you must go and + find out what happened to it. Go now, and when you come back I will give + you your name.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do that,” said Gilly of the Goatskin. Then he turned to the King’s + Son. “Three days before Midsummer’s Day meet me on the road to the Town of + the Red Castle, and I will go with you to find out what went before and + what comes after the Unique Tale,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I will meet you,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + The two youths went to the table and ate slices of the unwasted loaf and + drank draughts from the inexhaustible bottle. “I shall stay here to + practise sword-cuts and sword-thrusts,” said the King’s Son, “until four + days before Midsummer’s Day.” The two youths went to the door. + </p> + <p> + “Seven waves of good-luck to you, Old Woman of Beare,” said Gilly of the + Goatskin. + </p> + <p> + “May your double be slain and yourself remain,” said the King’s Son. Then + they went out together, but not along the same path did the two youths go. + </p> + <p> + Gilly slept as he traveled that night, for he fell in with a man who was + driving a load of hay to the fair, and when he got into the cart he lay + against the hay and slept. When he parted with the carter he cut a holly + stick and journeyed along the road by himself. At the fall of night he + came to a place that made him think he had been there before: he looked + around and then he knew that this was the place he had lived in when he + had the Crystal Egg. He looked to see if the house was there: it was, and + people were living in it, for he saw smoke coming out of the chimney. It + was dark now and Gilly thought he could not do better than take shelter in + that house. + </p> + <p> + He went to the door and knocked. There was a lot of rattling behind, and + then a crooked old woman opened the door to him. “What do you want?” said + she. + </p> + <p> + “Can I have shelter here for to-night, ma’am?” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + “You can get no shelter hem,” said the old woman, “and I’d advise you to + begone.” + </p> + <p> + “May I ask who lives here?” said Gilly, putting his foot inside the door. + </p> + <p> + “Six very honest men whose business keeps them out until two and three in + the morning,” said the crooked old woman. + </p> + <p> + Gilly guessed that the honest men whose business kept them out until two + and three in the morning were the robbers he had heard about. And he + thought they might be the very men who had carried off the Spae-Woman’s + goose and the Crystal Egg along with it. “Would you tell me, good woman,” + said Gilly, “did your six honest men ever bring to this house an old + hatching goose?” + </p> + <p> + “They did indeed,” said the crooked woman, “and a heart-scald the same old + hatching goose is. It goes round the house and round the house, trying to + hatch the cups I leave out of my hands.” + </p> + <p> + Then Gilly pushed the door open wide and stepped into the house. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t stay in the house,” said the crooked old woman. “I’ll tell you the + truth now. My masters are robbers, and they’ll skin you alive if they find + you here when they come back in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s more likely I’ll skin them alive,” said Gilly, and he looked so + fierce that he fairly frightened the old woman. “And if you don’t satisfy + me with supper and a bed I’ll leave you to meet them hanging from the + door.” + </p> + <p> + The crooked old woman was so terrified that she gave him a supper of + porridge and showed him a bed to sleep in. He turned in and slept. He was + roused by a candle being held to his eyes. He wakened up and saw six + robbers standing round him with knives in their hands. + </p> + <p> + “What brings you under our roof?” said the Captain. “Answer me now before + we skin you as we would skin an eel.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak up and answer the Captain,” said the robbers. + </p> + <p> + “Why shouldn’t I be under this roof?” said Gilly. “I am the Master-Thief + of the World.” + </p> + <p> + The robbers put their hands on their knees and laughed at that. Gilly + jumped out of the bed. “I have come to show you the arts of thievery and + roguery,” said he. “I’ll show you some tricks that will let you hold up + your heads amongst the thieves and robbers of the world.” + </p> + <p> + He looked so bold and he spoke so bold that the robbers began to think he + might have some reason for talking as he did. They left him and went off + to their beds. Gilly slept again. At the broad noon they were all sitting + at breakfast—Gilly and the six robbers. A farmer went past leading a + goat to the fair. + </p> + <p> + “Could any of you steal that goat without doing any violence to the man + who is driving it?” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + “I couldn’t,” said one robber, and “I couldn’t,” said another robber, and + “I’d be hardly able to do that myself,” said the Captain of the Robbers. + </p> + <p> + “I can do it,” said Gilly. “I’ll be back with the goat before you are + through with your breakfast.” He went outside. + </p> + <p> + Gilly knew that country well and he ran through the wood until he was a + bend of the road ahead of the farmer who was leading his goat to the fair. + He took off one shoe and left it in the middle of the road. He ran on then + until he was round another bend of the road. He took off the other shoe + and left it down. Then he hid behind the hedge and waited. + </p> + <p> + The farmer came to where the first shoe was. “That’s not a bad shoe,” said + he, “and if there was a comrade for it, it would be worth picking up.” He + went on then and came to where the other shoe was lying. “Here is the + comrade,” said he, “and it’s worth my while now to go back for the first.” + </p> + <p> + He tied the goat to the mile-stone and went back. As soon as the farmer + had turned his back, Gilly took the collar off the goat, left it on the + milestone and took the goat through a gap in the hedge. He brought it to + the house before the robbers were through with their breakfast. They were + all terribly surprised. The Captain began to bite at his nails. + </p> + <p> + The farmer, with the two shoes under his arm, came to where he had left + the goat. The goat was gone and its collar was left on the milestone. He + knew that a robber had taken his goat. “And I had promised Ann, my wife, + to buy her a new shawl at the fair,” said he. “She’ll never stop scolding + me if I go back to her now with one hand as long as the other. The best + thing I can do is to take a sheep out of my field and sell that. Then when + she is in good humor on account of getting the shawl I’ll tell her about + the loss of my goat.” So the farmer went back to the field. + </p> + <p> + They were sitting down to a game of cards after breakfast—the six + robbers and Gilly—when they saw the farmer going past with the + sheep. “I’ll be bound that he’ll watch that sheep more closely than he + watched the goat,” said one of the robbers. “Could any of you steal that + sheep without doing him any violence?” said Gilly. “I couldn’t,” said one + robber, and “I couldn’t,” said another robber. “I could hardly do that + myself,” said the Captain of the Robbers. “I’ll bring the sheep here + before you’re through with the game of cards,” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + The farmer was just past the milestone when he saw a man hanging on a + tree. “The saints between us and harm,” said he, “do they hang men along + this road?” Now the man hanging from the tree was Gilly. He had fastened + himself to a branch with his belt, putting it under his arm-pits. He + slipped down from the branch and ran till he was ahead of the farmer. The + farmer saw another man hanging from a tree. “The saints preserve us,” said + he, “sure; it’s not possible that they hanged two men along this road?” + Gilly slipped down from that tree too and ran on until he was ahead of the + farmer again. The farmer saw a third man hanging from a tree. “Am I + leaving my senses?” said he. “I’ll go back and see if the other men are + hanging there as I thought they were.” He tied the sheep to a bush and + went back. As soon as he turned, Gilly slipped down from the tree, took + the sheep through a gap, and got back to the robbers before they were + through with the game. All the robbers said it was a wonderful thing he + had done. The Captain of the Robbers was left standing by himself + scratching his head. + </p> + <p> + The farmer found no men hanging on trees and he thought he was out of his + mind. He came back and he found his sheep gone. “What will I do now?” said + he. “I daren’t let Ann know I lost a goat and a sheep until I put her into + good humor by showing the shawl I bought her at the fair. There’s nothing + to be done now, but take a bullock out of the field and sell it at the + fair.” He went to the field then, took a bullock out of it, and passed the + house just as the robbers were lighting their pipes. “If he watched the + goat and the sheep closely he’ll watch the bullock nine times as closely,” + said one of the robbers. + </p> + <p> + “Which of you could take the bullock without doing the man any violence?” + said Gilly. “I couldn’t,” said one robber, and “I couldn’t,” said another + robber. “If you could do it,” said the Captain of the Robbers to Gilly, + “I’ll resign my command and give it to you.” “Done,” said Gilly, and he + went out of the house again. + </p> + <p> + He went quickly through the wood, and when he came near where the farmer + was he began to bleat like a goat. The farmer stopped and listened. Then + Gilly began to baa like the sheep. “That sounds very like my goat and + sheep,” said the farmer. “Maybe they weren’t taken at all, but just + strayed off. If I can get them now, I needn’t make any excuses to Ann my + wife.” He tied the bullock to a tree and went into the wood. As soon as he + did, Gilly slipped out, took the bullock by the rope and hurried back to + the house. The robbers were gathered at the door to watch for his coming + back. When they saw him with the bullock they threw up their hats. “This + man must be our Captain,” they said. The Captain was biting his lips and + his nails. At last he took off his hat with the feathers in it and gave it + to Gilly. “You’re our Captain now,” said the robbers. + </p> + <p> + Gilly ordered that the goat, the sheep and the bullock be put into the + byre, that the door be locked and the key be given to him. All that was + done. Then said he to all the robbers, “I demand to know what became of + the Crystal Egg that was with the goose you stole from the Spae-Woman.” + “The Crystal Egg,” said one of the robbers. “It hatched, and a queer bird + came out of it.” “Where is that bird now?” said Gilly. “On the waves of + the lake near at hand,” said the robbers. “We see it every day.” “Take me + to the lake till I see the Bird out of the Crystal Egg,” said Gilly. They + locked the door of the house behind them, and the seven, Gilly at their + head, wearing the hat with feathers, marched down to the lake. + </p> + <p> + XVI + </p> + <p> + Then they showed him the bird that was on the waves of the lake—a + swan she was and she floated proudly. The swan came towards them and as + she drew nearer they could hear her voice. The sounds she made were not + like any sound of birds, but like the sounds bards make chanting their + verses. Words came on high notes and low notes, but they were like words + in a strange language. And still the swan chanted as she drew near to the + shore where Gilly and the six robbers stood. + </p> + <p> + She spread out her wings, and, raising her neck she curved it, while she + stayed watching the men on the bank. “Hear the Swan of Endless Tales—the + Swan of Endless Tales” she sang in words they knew. Then she raised + herself out of the water, turned round in the air, and flew back to the + middle of the lake. + </p> + <p> + “Time for us to be leaving the place when there is a bird on the lake that + can speak like that,” said Mogue, who had been the Captain of the Robbers. + “To-night I’m leaving this townland.” + </p> + <p> + “And I am leaving too,” said another robber. “And I too,” said another. + “And I may be going away from this place,” said Gilly of the Goatskin. + </p> + <p> + The robbers went away from him and back to the house and Gilly sat by the + edge of the lake waiting to see if the Swan of Endless Tales would come + back and tell him something. She did not come. As Gilly sat there the + farmer who had lost his goat, his sheep and his bullock came by. He was + dragging one foot after the other and looking very downcast. “What is the + matter with you, honest man?” said Gilly. + </p> + <p> + The farmer told him how he had lost his goat, his sheep and his bullock. + He told him how he had thought he heard his goat bleating and his sheep + ba’ing, and how he went through the wood to search for them, and how his + bullock was gone when he came back to the road. “And what to say to my + wife Ann I don’t know,” said he, “particularly as I have brought no shawl + to put her in good humor. Heavy is the blame she’ll give me on account of + my losing a goat, a sheep and a bullock.” + </p> + <p> + Gilly took a key out of his pocket. “Do you see this key?” said he. “Take + it and open the byre door at such a place, and you’ll find in that byre + your goat, your sheep and your bullock. There are robbers in that house, + but if they try to prevent your taking your own tell them that all the + threshers of the country are coming to beat them with flails.” The farmer + took the key and went away very thankful to Gilly. The story says that he + got back his goat, his sheep and his bullock and made it an excuse that he + had seen three magpies on the road for not going to the fair to buy a + shawl for his wife Ann. The robbers were very frightened when he told them + about the threshers coming and they went away from that part of the + country. + </p> + <p> + As for Gilly, he thought he would go back to the Old Woman of Beare for + his name. He took the path by the edge of the lake. And as he journeyed + along with his holly-stick in his hand he heard the Swan of Endless Tales + chanting. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TOWN OF THE RED CASTLE + </h2> + <p> + I + </p> + <p> + Flann was the name that the Old Woman of Beare gave to Gilly of the + Goatskin when he came back to tell her that the Swan of Endless Tales had + been hatched out of the Crystal Egg. He went from her house then and came + to where the King of Ireland’s Son waited for him. The two comrades went + along a well-traveled road. As they went on they fell in with men driving + herds of ponies, men carrying packs on their backs, men with tools for + working gold and silver, bronze and iron. Every man whom they asked said, + “We are going to the Town of the Red Castle, and to the great fair that + will be held there.” The King’s Son and Flann thought they should go to + the Town of the Red Castle too, for where so many people would be, there + was a chance of hearing what went before and what came after the Unique + Tale. So they went on. + </p> + <p> + And when they had come to a well that was under a great rock those whom + they were with halted. They said it was the custom for the merchants and + sellers to wait there for a day and to go into the Town of the Red Castle + the day following. “On this day,” they said, “the people of the Town + celebrate the Festival of Midsummer, and they do not like a great company + of people to go into their Town until the Festival is over.” + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son and Flann went on, and they were let into the + town. The people had lighted great fires in their market-place and they + were driving their cattle through the fires: “If there be evil on you, may + it burn, may it burn,” they were crying. They were afraid that witches and + enchanters might come into the town with the merchants and the sellers, + and that was the reason they did not permit a great company to enter. + </p> + <p> + The fires in all their houses had been quenched that day, and they might + not be lighted except from the fires the cattle had gone through. The + fires were left blazing high and the King’s Son and Flann spent hours + watching them, and watching the crowds that were around. + </p> + <p> + Then the time came to take fire to the houses. They who came for fire were + all young maidens. Each came into the light of one of the great fires, + took coals from a fire that had burnt low, placed them in a new earthen + vessel and went away. Flann thought that all the maidens were beautiful + and wonderful, although the King’s Son told him that some were + black-faced, and some crop-headed and some hunchbacked. Then a maiden + came, who was so high above the rest that Flann had no words to speak of + her. + </p> + <p> + She had silver on her head and silver on her arms, and the people around + the fires all bowed to her. She had black, black hair and she had a + smiling face—not happily smiling, but proudly smiling. Flann thought + that a star had bent down with her. And when she had taken the fire and + had gone away, Flann said, “She is surely the King’s daughter!” + </p> + <p> + “She is,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. “The people here have spoken her + name.” “What is her name?” asked Flann. “It is Lassarina,” said the King’s + Son, “Flame-of-Wine.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall we see her again?” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “That I do not know,” said the King’s Son. “Come now, and let us ask the + people here if they have knowledge of the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait,” said Flann, “they are talking about Princess Flame-of-Wine.” He + did not move, but listened to what was said. All said that the King’s + daughter was proud. Some said she was beautiful, but others answered that + her lips were thin, and her eyes were mocking. No other maidens came for + fire. Flann stood before the one that still blazed, and thought and + thought. The King’s Son asked many if they had knowledge of the Unique + Tale, but no one had heard of it. Some told him that there would be + merchants and sellers from many parts of the world at the fair that would + be held on the morrow, and that there would be a chance of meeting one who + had knowledge of it. Then the King’s Son went with one who brought him to + a Brufir’s—that is, to a House of Hospitality maintained by the King + for strangers. As for Flann, he sat looking into the fire until it died + down, and then he slept before it. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + Flann was wakened by a gander and his flock of geese that stood round him; + shook their wings and set up their goose-gabble. It was day then, although + there was still a star in the sky. He threw furze-roots where there was a + glow, and made a fire blaze up again. Then the dogs of the town came down + to look at him, and then stole away. + </p> + <p> + Horns were blown outside, and the watchman opened the gates. Flann shook + himself and stood up to see the folk that were coming in. First came the + men who drove the mountain ponies that had lately fed with the deer in + wild places. Then came men in leathern jerkins who led wide-horned bulls—a + black bull and a white bull, and a white bull and a black bull, one after + the other. Then there were men who brought in high, swift hounds, three to + each leash they held. Women in brown cloaks carried cages of birds. Men + carried on their shoulders and in their belts tools for working gold and + silver, bronze and iron. And there were calves and sheep, and great horses + and weighty chariots, and colored cloths, and things closed in packs that + merchants carried on their shoulders. The famous bards, and story-tellers + and harpists would not come until noon-time when the business of the fair + would have abated, but with the crowd of beggars came ballad-singers, and + the tellers of the stories that were called “Go-by-the-Market-Stake,” + because they were told around the stake in the market place and were very + common. + </p> + <p> + And at the tail of the comers whom did Flann see but Mogue, the Captain of + the Robbers! + </p> + <p> + Mogue wore a hare-skin cap, his left eye protruded as usual, and he walked + limpingly. He had a pack on his back, and he led a small, swift looking + horse of a reddish color. Flann called to him as he passed and Mogue gave + a great start. He grinned when he saw it was Flann and walked up to him. + </p> + <p> + “Mogue,” said Flann, “what are you doing in the Town of the Red Castle?” + </p> + <p> + “I’m here to sell a few things,” said Mogue, “this little horse,” said he, + “and a few things I have in my pack.” + </p> + <p> + “And where are your friends?” asked Flann. “My band, do you mean?” said + Mogue. “Sure, they all left me when you proved you were the better robber. + What are you doing here?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no business at all,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “By the Hazel! that’s what I like to hear you say. Join me then. You and + me would do well together.” + </p> + <p> + “I won’t join you,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “I’d rather have you with me than the whole of the band. What were they + anyway? Cabbage-heads!” Mogue winked with his protruding eye. “Wait till + you see me again,” said he. “I’ve the grandest things in my pack.” He went + on leading the little horse. Then Flann set out to look for the King’s + Son. + </p> + <p> + He found him at the door of the Brufir’s, and they drank bowls of milk and + ate oaten bread together, and then went to the gate of the town to watch + the notable people who were coming in. + </p> + <p> + And with the bards and harpers and Kings’ envoys who came in, the King’s + Son saw his two half-brothers, Dermott and Downal. He hailed them and they + knew him and came up to him gladly. The King’s Son made Flann known to + them, saying that he too was the son of a King. + </p> + <p> + They looked fine youths, Downal and Dermott, in their red cloaks, with + their heads held high, and a brag in their walk and their words. They left + their horses with the grooms and walked with Flann and the King’s Son. + They were tall and ruddy; the King’s Son was more brown in the hair and + more hawk-like in the face: the three were different from the dark-haired, + dark-eyed, red-lipped lad to whom the Old Woman of Beare had given the + name of Flann. + </p> + <p> + No one had seen the King who lived in the Red Castle, Dermott and Downal + told the other two. He was called the Wry-faced King, and, on account of + his disfigurement, he let no one but his Councilors see him. + </p> + <p> + “We are to go to his Castle to-day,” said Dermott and Downal. “You come + too, brother,” said he to the King’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “And you too, comrade,” said Downal to Flann. “Why should we not all go? + By Ogma! Are we not all sons of Kings?” + </p> + <p> + Flann wondered if he would see the King’s daughter, Flame-of-Wine. He + would surely go to the Castle. + </p> + <p> + They drank ale, played chess and talked until it was afternoon. Then the + grooms who were with Downal and Dermott brought the four youths new red + cloaks. They put them on and went towards the King’s Castle. + </p> + <p> + “Brother,” said Dermott to the King’s Son, “I want to tell you that we are + not going back to our father’s Castle nor to his Kingdom. We have taken + the world for our pillow. We are going to leave the grooms asleep one fine + morning, and go as the salmon goes down the river.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you want to leave our father’s Kingdom?” + </p> + <p> + “Because we don’t want to rule nor to learn to rule. We’ll let you, + brother, do all that. We’re going to learn the trade of a sword-smith. We + would make fine swords. And with the King of Senlabor there is a famous + sword-smith, and we are going to learn the trade from him.” + </p> + <p> + The four went to the Red Castle, and they were brought in and they went + and sat on the benches to wait for the King’s Steward who would receive + them. And while they waited they watched the play of a pet fox in the + courtyard. Flann was wondering all the time if the Princess Flame-of-Wine + would pass through the court-yard or come into the hall where they waited. + </p> + <p> + Then he saw her come up the courtyard. She saw the youths in the hall and + she turned round to watch the pet fox for a while. Then she came into the + chamber and stood near the door. + </p> + <p> + She wore a mask across her face, but her brow and mouth and chin were + shown. The youths saluted her, and she bent her head to them. One of the + women who had brought birds to the Fair followed her, bringing a cage. + Flame-of-Wine talked to this woman in a strange language. + </p> + <p> + Although she talked to the woman, Flann saw that she watched his three + companions. Him she did not notice, because the bench on which he sat was + behind the others. Flame-of-Wine looked at the King’s Son first, and then + turned her eyes from him. She bent her head to listen to what Downal and + Dermott were saying. Flann she did not look at at all, and he became sick + at heart of the Red Castle. + </p> + <p> + The King’s Steward came into the Hall and when he announced who the youths + were—three sons of the King of Ireland traveling with their + foster-brother—Flame-of-Wine went over and spoke to them. “May we + see you to-morrow, Kings’ Sons,” she said. “To-morrow is our feast of the + Gathering of Apples. It might be pleasant for you to hear music in the + King’s garden.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled on Downal and Dermott and on the King’s Son and went out of the + Chamber. The King’s Steward feasted the four youths and afterwards made + them presents. But Flann did not heed what he ate nor what he heard said, + nor what present was given him. + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + The four youths left the Castle and Downal and Dermott took their own way + when they came to the foot-bridge that was across the river. Then when + they were crossing it the King’s Son and Flann saw two figures—a + middle-aged, sturdy man and an old, broken-looking woman—meet before + the Bull’s Field. “It is the Gobaun Saor,” said the King’s Son. “It is the + Spae-Woman,” said Flann. They went to them, each wishing to greet his + friend and helper. + </p> + <p> + There they saw a sturdy, middle-aged man and a broken-looking old woman. + But the woman looking on the man saw one who had full wisdom to plan and + full strength to build, whose wisdom and whose strength could neither grow + nor diminish. And the man looking on the woman saw one whose brow had all + quiet, whose heart had all benignity. “Hail, Gobaun, Builder for the + Gods,” said the woman. “Hail, Grania Oi, Reconciler for the Gods,” said + the man. + </p> + <p> + Then the two youths came swiftly up to them, and the King’s Son greeted + the middle-aged man, and Flann kissed the hands of the old woman. + </p> + <p> + “What of your search, King’s Son?” said the Gobaun Saor. + </p> + <p> + “I have found the Unique Tale, but not what went before nor what comes + after it,” said the King’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “I will clear the Sword of Light of its stain when you bring me the whole + of the Unique Tale,” said the Gobaun Saor. + </p> + <p> + “I would search the whole world for it,” said the King’s Son. “But now the + time is becoming short for me.” “Be quick and active,” said the Gobaun + Saor. “I have set up my forge,” said he, “outside the town between two + high stones. When you bring the whole of the Tale to me I shall clear your + sword.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you not tell him, Gobaun Saor,” said the Spae-Woman, “where he may + find the one who will tell him the rest of the story?” + </p> + <p> + “If he sees one he knows in this town,” said the Gobaun Saor, “let him + mount a horse he has mounted before and pursue that one and force him to + tell what went before and what comes after the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + Saying this the Gobaun Saor turned away and walked along the road that + went out of the town. + </p> + <p> + The Spae-Woman had brought besoms to the town to sell. She showed the two + youths the little house she lived in while she was there. It was filled + with the heather-stalks which she bound together for besoms. + </p> + <p> + They left the Spae-Woman and went through the town, the King of Ireland’s + Son searching every place for a man he knew or a horse he had mounted + before, while Flann thought about the Princess Flame-of-Wine, and how + little she considered him beside the King’s Son and Dermott and Downal. + They came to where a crowd was standing before a conjurer’s booth. They + halted and stood waiting for the conjurer to appear. He came out and put a + ladder standing upright with nothing to lean against and began climbing + up. Up, up, up, he went, and the ladder grew higher and higher as he + climbed. Flann thought he would climb into the sky. Then the ladder got + smaller and smaller and Flann saw the conjurer coming down on the other + side. “He has come here to take that horse,” said a voice behind the King + of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + The King’s Son looked round, and on the outskirts of the crowd he saw a + man with a hare-skin cap and a protruding eye who was holding a reddish + horse, while he watched the conjuror. The King of Ireland’s Son knew the + horse—it was the Slight Red Steed that had carried him and Fedelma + from the Enchanter’s house and had brought him to the Cave where he had + found the Sword of Light. He looked at the conjuror again and he saw he + was no other than the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands. Then it crossed + his mind what the Gobaun Saor had said to him. + </p> + <p> + He had seen a man he knew and a horse he had mounted before. He was to + mount that horse, follow the man, and force him to tell the rest of the + Unique Tale. + </p> + <p> + The King’s Son drew back to the outskirts of the crowd. He snatched the + bridle from the hands of Mogue, the man who held it, and jumped up on the + back of the Slight Red Steed. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he did this the ladder that was standing upright fell on the + ground. The people shouted and broke away. And then the King’s Son saw the + Enchanter jump across a house and make for the gate of the town. + </p> + <p> + But if he could jump across a house so could the Slight Red Steed. The + King’s Son turned its head, plucked at its rein, and over the same house + it sprang too. The more he ran the more swift the Enchanter became. He + jumped over the gate of the town, the Slight Red Steed after him. He went + swiftly across the country, making high springs over ditches and hedges. + No other steed but the Slight Red Steed could have kept its rider in sight + of him. + </p> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + Up hill and down dale the Enchanter went, but, mounted on the Slight Red + Steed, the King of Ireland’s Son was in hot pursuit. The Enchanter raced + up the side of the seventh hill, and when the King’s Son came to the top + of it he found no one in sight. + </p> + <p> + He raced on, however, and he passed a dead man hanging from a tree. He + raced on and on, but still the Enchanter was not to be seen. Then the + thought came into his mind that the man who was hanging from the tree and + who he thought was dead was the crafty old Enchanter. He turned the Slight + Red Steed round and raced back. The man that had been hanging from the + tree was there no longer. + </p> + <p> + The King’s Son turned his horse amongst the trees and began to search for + the Enchanter. He found no trace of him. “I have lost again,” he said. + Then he threw the bridle on the neck of the horse and he said, “Go your + own way now, my Slight Red Steed.” + </p> + <p> + When he said that the Slight Red Steed twitched its ears and galloped + towards the West. It went through woods and across streams, and when the + crows were flying home and the kites were flying abroad it brought the + King’s Son to a stone house standing in the middle of a bog. “It may be + the Enchanter is in this house,” said the King’s Son. He jumped off the + Slight Red Steed, pushed the door of the house open, and there, seated on + a chair in the middle of the floor with a woman sitting beside him, was + the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands. “So,” said the Enchanter, “my + Slight Red Steed has brought you to me.” + </p> + <p> + “So,” said the King’s Son, “I have found you, my crafty old Enchanter.” + </p> + <p> + “And now that you have found me, what do you want of me?” said the + Enchanter. + </p> + <p> + “Your head,” said the King’s Son, drawing the tarnished Sword of Light. + </p> + <p> + “Will nothing less than my head content you?” said the Enchanter. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing less—unless it be what went before, and what comes after + the Unique Tale.” + </p> + <p> + “The Unique Tale,” said the Enchanter. “I will tell you what I know of + it.” Thereupon he began + </p> + <p> + I was a Druid and the Son of a Druid, and I had learned the language of + the birds. And one morning, as I walked abroad, I heard a blackbird and a + robin talking, and when I heard what they said I smiled to myself. + </p> + <p> + “Now the woman I had just married noticed that I kept smiling, and she + questioned me. ‘Why do you keep smiling to yourself?’ I would not tell + her. ‘Is that not the truth? ‘” said the Enchanter to a woman who sat + beside him. “It is the truth,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “On the third day I was still smiling to myself, and my wife questioned + me, and when I did not answer threw dish-water into my face. ‘May + blindness come upon you if you do not tell me why you are smiling,’ said + she. Then I told her why I smiled to myself. I had heard what the birds + said. The blackbird said to the robin, ‘Do you know that just under where + we are sitting are three rods of enchantment, and if one were to take one + of them and strike a man with it, he would be changed to any creature one + named?’ That is what I had heard the birds say and I smiled because I was + the only creature who knew about the rods of enchantment. + </p> + <p> + “My wife made me show her where the rods were. She cut one of them when I + went away. That evening she came behind me and struck me with a rod. ‘Go + out now and roam as a wolf,’ she said, and there and then I was changed + into a wolf. ‘Is that not true?’” said he to the woman. “It is true,” she + said. + </p> + <p> + “And being changed into a wolf, I went through the woods seeking wolf’s + meat. And now you must ask my wife to tell you more of the story.” The + King of Ireland’s Son turned to the woman who sat on the seat next the + Enchanter, and asked her to tell him more of the story. And thereupon she + began + </p> + <p> + Before all that happened I was known as the Maid of the Green Mantle. One + day a King rode up a mountain with five score followers and a mist came on + them as they rode. The King saw his followers no more. He called out after + a while and four score answered him. And he called out again after another + while and two score answered him. And after another while he called out + again and only a score answered him through the mist, and when he called + out again no one answered him at all. + </p> + <p> + “The King went up the mountain until he came to the place where I lived + with the Druids who reared me. He stayed long in that place. The King + loved me for a while and I loved the King, and when he went away I + followed him. + </p> + <p> + “Because he would not come back to me I enchanted him so that there were + times when he was left between life and death. Once when he was seemingly + dead a girl watched by him, and she followed his spirit into many terrible + places and so broke my enchantment.” + </p> + <p> + “Sheen was the girl’s name,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Sheen was her name,” said the woman. “He brought her to his Kingdom, and + made her his queen. After that I married the man who is here now—the + Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands, the Son of the Druid of the Gray Rock. + Ask him now to tell you the rest of the story.” + </p> + <p> + When she changed me into a gray wolf,” said the Enchanter, “I went through + the woods searching for what a wolf might eat, but could find nothing to + stay my hunger. Then I came back and stood outside my house and the woman + who had been called the Maid of the Green Mantle came to me. ‘I will give + you back your human form,’ she said, ‘if you do as I bid you.’ + </p> + <p> + “I promised her I would do as she bade. + </p> + <p> + “She bade me go to a King’s house where a child had been born. She bade me + steal the child away. I went to the King’s house. I went into the chamber + and I stole the child from the mother’s side. Then I ran through the + woods. But in the end I fell into a trap that the Giant Crom Duv had set + for the wolves that chased his stray cattle. + </p> + <p> + “For a night I lay in the trap with the child beside me. Then Crom Duv + came and lifted out wolf and child. Three Hags with Long Teeth were there + when he took us out of the trap, and he gave the child to one of them, + telling her to rear it so that the child might be a servant for him. + </p> + <p> + “He put me into a sack, promising himself that he would give me a good + beating. He left me on the floor of his house. But while he was gone for + his club I bit my way out of the sack and made my escape. I came back to + my own house, and my wife struck me with the wand of enchantment, and + changed me from a wolf into a man again. ‘Is that not true?’” said he to + the woman. + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “That is all of the Unique Tale that I know,” said the Enchanter of the + Black Back-Lands, “and now that I have told it to you, put up your sword.” + </p> + <p> + “I will put up no sword,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “until you tell + me what King and Queen were the father and mother of the child that was + reared by the Hags of the Long Teeth.” + </p> + <p> + “I made no promise to tell you that,” said the En-chanter of the Black + Back-Lands. “You have got the story you asked for, and now let me see your + back going through my door.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you have got the story, and be off with you now,” said the woman who + sat by the fire. + </p> + <p> + He put up his sword; he went to the door; he left the house of the + Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands. He mounted the Slight Red Steed and + rode off. He knew now what went before and what came after the Unique + Tale. The Gobaun Saor would clean the blemish of the blade of the Sword of + Light and would show him how to come to the Land of Mist. Then he would + win back his love Fedelma. + </p> + <p> + He thought too on the tidings he had for his comrade Flann—Flann was + the Son of the King who was called the Hunter-King and of Sheen whose + brothers had been changed into seven wild geese. He shook his horse’s + reins and went back towards the Town of the Red Castle. + </p> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + Flann thought upon the Princess Flame-of-Wine. He walked through the town + after the King’s Son had ridden after the Enchanter, without noticing + anyone until he heard a call and saw Mogue standing beside a little tent + that he had set up before the Bull’s Field. + </p> + <p> + Flann went to Mogue and found him very disconsolate on account of the loss + of the horse he had brought into the town. “This is a bad town to be in,” + said Mogue, “and unless I persuade yourself to become partners with me I + shall have done badly in it. Join with me now and we’ll do some fine feats + together.” + </p> + <p> + “It would not become a King’s Son to join with a robber-captain,” said + Flann. + </p> + <p> + “Fine talk, fine talk,” said Mogue. He thought that Flann was jesting with + him when he spoke of himself as a King’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “I want to sell three treasures I have with me,” said Mogue. “I have the + most wonderful things that were ever brought into this town.” + </p> + <p> + “Show them to me,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + Mogue opened one of his packs and took out a box. When he opened this box + a fragrance came such as Flann had never felt before. “What is that that + smells like a garden of sweet flowers?” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “It is the Rose of Sweet Smells,” said Mogue, and he took a little rose + out of the box. “It never withers and its fragrance is never any less. It + is a treasure for a King’s daughter. But I will not show it in this town.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is that shining thing in the box?” + </p> + <p> + “It is the Comb of Magnificence. That is another treasure for a King’s + daughter. The maiden who would wear it would look the most queenly woman + in the Kingdom. But I won’t show that either.” + </p> + <p> + “What else have you, Mogue?” + </p> + <p> + “A girdle. The woman who wears it would have to speak the truth.” The Town + of + </p> + <p> + Flann thought he would do much to get the Rose of Sweet Smells or the Comb + of Magnificence and bring them as presents to the Princess Flame-of-Wine. + </p> + <p> + He slept in Mogue’s tent, and at the peep of day, he rose up and went to + the House of Hospitality where Dermott and Downal were. With them he would + go to the King’s orchard, and he would see, and perhaps he would speak to, + Flame-of-Wine. But Dermott and Downal were not in the Brufir’s. Flann + wakened their grooms and he and they made search for the two youths. But + there was no trace of Dermott and Downal. It seemed they had left before + daybreak with their horses. Flann went with the grooms to the gate of the + town. There they heard from the watchman that the two youths had gone + through the gate and that they had told the watchman to tell the grooms + that they had gone to take the world for their pillow. + </p> + <p> + The grooms were dismayed to hear this, and so indeed was Flann. Without + the King’s Son and without Downal and Dermott how would he go to the + King’s Garden? He went back to Mogue’s tent to consider what he should do. + And first he thought he would not go to the Festival of the Gathering of + the Apples, as he knew that Flame-of-Wine had only asked him with his + comrades. And then he thought that whatever else happened he would go to + the King’s orchard and see Flame-of-Wine. + </p> + <p> + If he had one of the wonderful things that Mogue had shown him—the + Rose of Sweet Smells or the Comb of Magnificence! These would show her + that he was of some consequence. If he had either of these wonderful + things and offered it to her she might be pleased with him! + </p> + <p> + He sat outside the tent and waited for Mogue to return. When he came Flann + said to him, “I will go with you as a servant, and I will serve you well + although I am a King’s Son, if you will give me something now.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you want from me?” said Mogue. + </p> + <p> + “Give me the Rose of Sweet Smells,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “Sure that’s the finest thing I have. I couldn’t give you that.” + </p> + <p> + “I will serve you for two years if you will give it to me,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Mogue. + </p> + <p> + “I will serve you for three years if you will give it to me,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “I will give it to you if you will serve me for three years.” Thereupon + Mogue opened his pack and took the box out. He opened it and put the Rose + of Sweet Smells into Flann’s hand. + </p> + <p> + At once Flann started off for the King’s orchard. The Steward who had seen + him the day before signed to the servants to let him pass through the + gate. He went into the King’s orchard. + </p> + <p> + Maidens were singing the “Song for the Time of the Blossoming of the + Apple-trees” and all that day and night Flann held their song in his mind + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The touch of hands that drew it down + Kindled to blossom all the bough + O breathe the wonder of the branch, + And let it through the darkness go! +</pre> + <p> + Youths were gathering apples, and the Princess Flame-of-Wine walked by + herself on the orchard paths. + </p> + <p> + At last she came to where Flann stood and lifting her eyes she looked at + him. “I had companions,” said Flann, “but they have gone away.” + </p> + <p> + “They are unmannerly,” said Flame-of-Wine with anger, and she turned away. + </p> + <p> + Flann took the rose from under his cloak. Its fragrance came to + Flame-of-Wine and she turned to him again. + </p> + <p> + “This is the Rose of Sweet Smells,” said Flann. “Will you take it from me, + Princess?” + </p> + <p> + She came back to him and took the rose in her hand, and there was wonder + in her face. + </p> + <p> + “It will never wither, and its fragrance will never fail,” said Flann. “It + is the Rose of Sweet Smells. A King’s daughter should have it.” + </p> + <p> + Flame-of-Wine held the rose in her hand, and smiled on Flann. “What is + your name, King’s Son?” said she, with bright and friendly eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Flann,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Walk with me, Flann,” said she. They walked along the orchard paths, and + the youths and maidens turned towards the fragrance that the Rose of Sweet + Smells gave. Flame-of-Wine laughed, and said, “They all wonder at the + treasure you have brought me, Flann. If you could hear what I shall tell + them about you! I shall tell them that you are the son of a King of Arabia—no + less. They will believe me because you have brought me such a treasure! I + suppose there is nothing more wonderful than this rose!” + </p> + <p> + Then Flann told her about the other wonderful thing he had seen—the + Comb of Magnificence. “A King’s daughter should have such a treasure,” + said Flame-of-Wine. “Oh, how jealous I should be if someone brought the + Comb of Magnificence to either of my two sisters—to Bloom-of-Youth + or Breast-of-Light. I should think then that this rose was not such a + treasure after all.” + </p> + <p> + When he was leaving the orchard she plucked a flower and gave it to him. + “Come and walk in the orchard with me to-morrow,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Surely I will come,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “Bring the Comb of Magnificence to me too,” said she. “I could not be + proud of this rose, and I could not love you so well for bringing it to me + if I thought that any other maiden had the Comb of Magnificence. Bring it + to me, Flann.” + </p> + <p> + “I will bring it to you,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + He was at the gate of the town when the King of Ireland’s Son rode back on + the Slight Red Steed. The King’s Son dismounted, put his arm about Flann + and told him that he now had the whole of the Unique Tale. They sat before + Mogue’s tent, and the King’s Son told Flann the whole of the story he had + searched for—how a King traveling through the mist had come to where + Druids and the Maid of the Green Mantle lived, how the King was enchanted, + and how the maiden Sheen released him from the enchantment. He told him, + too, how the Enchanter was changed into a wolf, and how the wolf carried + away Sheen’s child. “And the Unique Tale is in part your own history, + Flann,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “for the child that was left with + the Hags of the Long Teeth was no one else than yourself, for you, Flann, + have on your breast the stars that denote the Son of a King.” + </p> + <p> + “It is so, it is so,” said Flann, “and I will find out what King and Queen + were my father and my mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Go to the Hags of the Long Teeth and force them to tell you,” said the + King’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “I will do that,” said Flann, but in his own mind he said, “I will first + bring the Comb of Magnificence to Flame-of-Wine, and I will tell her that + I will have to be away for so many years with Mogue and I shall ask her to + remember me until I come back to her. Then I shall go to the Hags of the + Long Teeth and force them to tell me what King and Queen were my father + and mother.” + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son left Flann to his thoughts and went to find the + Gobaun Saor who would clear for him the tarnished blade of the Sword of + Light and would show him the way to where the King of the Land of Mist had + his dominion. + </p> + <p> + Mogue spent his time with the ballad-singers and the story-tellers around + the market-stake, and when he came back to his tent he wanted to drink ale + and go to sleep, but Flann turned him from the ale-pot by saying to him, + “I want the Comb of Magnificence from you, Mogue.” + </p> + <p> + “By my skin,” said Mogue, “it’s my blood you’ll want next, my lad.” + </p> + <p> + “If you give me the Comb of Magnificence, Mogue, I shall serve you for six + years—three years more than I said yesterday. I shall serve you + well, even though I am the son of a King and can find out who my father + and mother are.” + </p> + <p> + “I won’t give you the Comb of Magnificence.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll serve you seven years if you do, Mogue.” + </p> + <p> + Mogue drank and drank out of the ale-pot, frowning to himself. He put the + ale-pot away and said, “I suppose your life won’t be any good to you + unless I give you the Comb of Magnificence?” + </p> + <p> + “That is so, Mogue.” + </p> + <p> + Mogue sighed heavily, but he went to his pack and took out the box that + the treasures were in. He let Flann take out the Comb of Magnificence. + </p> + <p> + “Seven years you will have to serve me,” said Mogue, “and you will have to + begin your service now.” + </p> + <p> + “I will begin it now,” said Flann, but he stole out of the tent, put on + his red cloak and went to the King’s orchard. + </p> + <p> + VII + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Flann, my treasure-bringer,” said Flame-of-Wine, when she came to + him. “I have brought you the Comb of Magnificence,” said he. Her hands + went out and her eyes became large and shining. He put the Comb of + Magnificence into her hands. + </p> + <p> + She put the comb into the back of her hair, and she became at once like + the tower that is builded—what broke its height and turned the full + sunlight from it has been taken away, and the tower stands, the pride of a + King and the delight of a people. When she put the Comb of Magnificence + into her hair she became of all Kings’ daughters the most stately. + </p> + <p> + She walked with Flann along the paths of the orchard, but always she was + watching her shadow to see if it showed her added magnificence. Her shadow + showed nothing. She took Flann to the well in the orchard, and looked down + into it, but her image in the well did not show her added magnificence + either. Soon she became tired of walking on the orchard paths, and when + she came to the gate she walked no further but stood with Flann at the + gate. “A kiss for you, Flann, my treasure-bringer,” said she, and she + kissed him and then went hurrying away. And as Flann watched her he + thought that although she had kissed him he was not now in her mind. + </p> + <p> + He went out of the orchard disconsolate, thinking that when he was on his + seven years’ service with Mogue Princess Flame-of-Wine might forget him. + As he walked on he passed the little house where the Spae-Woman had her + besoms and heather-stalks. She ran to him when she saw him. + </p> + <p> + “Have you heard that the King’s Son has found what went before, and what + comes after the Unique Tale?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “That I have. And I have to go to the Hags of the Long Teeth to find out + who my father and mother were, for surely I am the child who was taken + from Sheen.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you remember that Sheen’s seven brothers were changed into seven + wild geese?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “I remember that, mother.” + </p> + <p> + “And seven wild geese they will be until a maiden who loves you will give + seven drops of her heart’s blood to bring them back to their human + shapes.” + </p> + <p> + “I remember that, mother.” “Whatever maid you love, her you must ask if + she would give seven drops of her heart’s blood. It may be that she would. + It may be that she would not and that you would still love her without + thought of her giving one drop of blood of her little finger.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot ask the maiden I love to give seven drops of her heart’s blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is the maiden you love?” + </p> + <p> + “The King’s daughter, Flame-of-Wine.” + </p> + <p> + He told the Spae-Woman about the presents he had given her—he told + the Spae-Woman too that he had bound himself to seven years’ service to + Mogue on account of these presents. The Spae-Woman said, “What other + treasures are in Mogue’s pack?” + </p> + <p> + “One treasure more the Girdle of Truth. Whoever puts it on can speak + nothing but the truth.” + </p> + <p> + Said the Spae-Woman, “You are to take the Girdle of Truth and give it to + Flame-of-Wine. Tell Mogue that I said he is to give it to you without + adding one day to your years’ service. When Flame-of-Wine has put the + girdle around her waist ask her for the seven drops of heart’s blood that + will bring your mother’s seven brothers back to their human shapes. She + may love you and yet refuse to give you the seven drops from her heart. + But tell her of this, and hear what she will say.” + </p> + <p> + Flann left the Spae-Woman’s and went back to Mogue’s tent. The loss of his + treasures had overcome Mogue and he was drinking steadily and went from + one bad temper to another. + </p> + <p> + “Begin your service now by watching the tent while I sleep,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “There is one thing more I want from you, Mogue,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “By the Eye of Balor! you’re a cuckoo in my nest. What do you want now?” + </p> + <p> + “The Girdle of Truth.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it my last treasure you’d be taking on me?” + </p> + <p> + “The Spae-Woman bid me tell you that you’re to give me the Girdle of + Truth.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a pity of me, it’s a pity of me,” said Mogue. But he took the box + out of his pack, and let Flann take the girdle. + </p> + <p> + VIII + </p> + <p> + Flame-of-Wine saw him. She walked slowly down the orchard path so that all + might notice the stateliness of her appearance. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to see you again, Flann,” said she. “Have your comrades yet + come back to my father’s town?” + </p> + <p> + Flann told her that one of them had returned. + </p> + <p> + “Bid him come see me,” said Flame-of-Wine. Then she saw the girdle in his + hands. + </p> + <p> + “What is it you have?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Something that went with the other treasures—a girdle.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you not let me have it, Flann?” She took the girdle in her hands. + “Tell me, youth,” she said, “how you got all these treasures?” + </p> + <p> + “I will have to give seven years’ service for them,” Flann said. + </p> + <p> + “Seven years,” said she, “but you will remember—will you not—that + I loved you for bringing them to me?” + </p> + <p> + “Will you remember me until I come back from my seven years’ service?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” said Flame-of-Wine, and she put the girdle around her waist as + she spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Someone said to me,” said Flann, “that I should ask the maiden who loved + me for seven drops of her heart’s blood.” The girdle was now round + Flame-of-Wine’s waist. She laughed with mockery. “Seven drops of heart’s + blood,” said she. “I would not give this fellow seven eggs out of my + robin’s nest. I tell him I love him for bringing me the three treasures + for a King’s daughter. I tell him that, but I should be ashamed of myself + if I thought I could have any love for such a fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you tell me the truth now,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “The truth, the truth,” said she, “of course I tell you the truth. Oh, and + there are other truths. I shall be ashamed forever if I tell them. Oh, oh. + They are rising to my tongue, and every time I press them back this girdle + tightens and tightens until I think it will kill me.” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, then, Flame-of-Wine.” + </p> + <p> + “Take off the girdle, take off the girdle! What truths are in my mind! I + shall speak them and I shall be ashamed. But I shall die in pain if I hold + them back. Loosen the girdle, loosen the girdle! Take the rose you gave me + and loosen the girdle.” She let the rose fall on the ground. + </p> + <p> + “I will loosen the girdle for you,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “But loosen it now. How I have to strive to keep truths back, and oh, what + pain I am in! Take the Comb of Magnificence, and loosen the girdle.” She + threw the comb down on the ground. + </p> + <p> + He took up the Rose of Sweet Smells and the Comb of Magnificence and he + took the girdle off her waist. “Oh, what a terrible thing I put round my + waist,” said Flame-of-Wine. “Take it away, Flann, take it away. But give + me back the Rose of Sweet Smells and the Comb of Magnificence,—give + them back to me and I shall love you always.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot love me. And why should I give seven years in service for your + sake? I will leave these treasures back in Mogue’s pack.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you are a peddler, a peddler. Go from me,” said Flame-of-Wine. “And + do not be in the Town of the Red Castle to-morrow, or I shall have my + father’s hunting dogs set upon you.” She turned away angrily and went into + the Castle. + </p> + <p> + Flann went back to Mogue’s tent and left the Rose of Sweet Smells, the + Comb of Magnificence and the Girdle of Truth upon Mogue’s pack. He sat in + the corner and cried bitterly. Then the King of Ireland’s Son came and + told him that his sword was bright once more—that the stains that + had blemished its blade had been cleared away by the Gobaun Saor who had + also shown him the way to the Land of the Mist. He put his arm about Flann + and told him that he was starting now to rescue his love Fedelma from the + Castle of the King of the Land of Mist. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE KING OF THE LAND OF MIST + </h2> + <p> + I + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son came to the place where the river that he + followed takes the name of the River of the Broken Towers. It is called by + that name because the men of the old days tried to build towers across its + course. The towers were built a little way across the river that at this + place was tremendously wide. + </p> + <p> + “The Glashan will carry you across the River of the Broken Towers to the + shore of the Land of Mist,” the Gobaun Saor had said to the King of + Ireland’s Son. And now he was at the River of the Broken Towers but the + Glashan-creature was not to be seen. + </p> + <p> + Then he saw the Glashan. He was leaning his back against one of the Towers + and smoking a short pipe. The water of the river was up to his knees. He + was covered with hair and had a big head with horse’s ears. And the + Glashan twitched his horse’s ears as he smoked in great contentment. + </p> + <p> + “Glashan, come here,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + But the Glashan gave him no heed at all. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to carry me across the River of the Broken Towers,” shouted + the King of Ireland’s Son. The Glashan went on smoking and twisting his + ears. + </p> + <p> + And the King of Ireland’s Son might have known that the whole clan of the + Gruagachs and Glashans are fond of their own ease and will do nothing if + they can help it. He twitched his ears more sharply when the King’s Son + threw a pebble at him. Then after about three hours he came slowly across + the river. From his big knees down he had horse’s feet. + </p> + <p> + “Take me on your big shoulders, Glashan,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, + “and carry me across to the shore of the Land of Mist.” + </p> + <p> + “Not carrying any more across,” said the Glashan. The King of Ireland’s + Son drew the Sword of Light and flashed it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if you have that, you’ll have to be carried across,” said the + Glashan. “But wait until I rest myself.” + </p> + <p> + “What did you do that you should rest?” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + “Take me on your shoulders and start off.” + </p> + <p> + “Musha,” said the Glashan, “aren’t you very anxious to lose your life?” + </p> + <p> + “Take me on your shoulders.” “Well, come then. You’re not the first living + dead man I carried across.” The Glashan put his pipe into his ear. The + King of Ireland’s Son mounted his shoulders and laid hold of his thick + mane. Then the Glashan put his horse’s legs into the water and started to + cross the River of the Broken Towers. + </p> + <p> + “The Land of Mist has a King,” said the Glashan, when they were in the + middle of the river. + </p> + <p> + “That, Glashan, I know,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said the Glashan. + </p> + <p> + Then said he when they were three-quarters of the way across, “Maybe you + don’t know that the King of the Land of Mist will kill you?” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe ‘tis I who will kill him,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “You’d be a hardy little fellow if you did that,” said the Glashan. “But + you won’t do it.” + </p> + <p> + They went on. The water was up to the Glashan’s waist but that gave him no + trouble. So broad was the river that they were traveling across it all + day. The Glashan threw the King’s Son in once when he stooped to pick up + an eel. Said the King of Ireland’s Son, “What way is the Castle of the + King of the Land of Mist guarded, Glashan?” + </p> + <p> + “It has seven gates,” said the Glashan. + </p> + <p> + “And how are the gates guarded?” + </p> + <p> + “I’m tired,” said the Glashan, “and I can’t talk.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, or I’ll twist the horse’s ears off your head.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the first gate is guarded by a plover only. It sits on the third + pinnacle over the gate, and when anyone comes near it rises up and flies + round the Castle crying until its sharp cries put the other guards on the + watch.” + </p> + <p> + “And what other guards are there?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I’m tired, and I can talk no more.” + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son twisted his horse’s ears, and then the Glashan + said + </p> + <p> + “The second gate is guarded by five spear-men.” + </p> + <p> + “And how is the third gate guarded?” + </p> + <p> + “The third gate is guarded by seven swordsmen.” + </p> + <p> + “And how is the fourth gate guarded?” + </p> + <p> + “The fourth gate is guarded by the King of the Land of Mist himself.” + </p> + <p> + “And the fifth gate?” + </p> + <p> + “The fifth gate is guarded by the King of the Land of Mist himself.” + </p> + <p> + “And the sixth gate?” + </p> + <p> + “The sixth gate is guarded by the King of the Land of Mist.” + </p> + <p> + “And how is the seventh gate guarded?” + </p> + <p> + “The seventh gate is guarded by a Hag.” + </p> + <p> + “By a Hag only?” “By a Hag with poisoned nails. But I’m tired now, and + I’ll talk no more to you. If I could strike a light now I’d smoke a pipe.” + </p> + <p> + Still they went on, and just at the screech of the day they came to the + other shore of the River of the Broken Towers. The King of Ireland’s Son + sprang from the shoulders of the Glashan and went into the mist. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + He came to where turrets and pinnacles appeared above the mist. He climbed + the rock upon which the Castle was built. He came to the first gate, and + as he did the plover that was on the third pinnacle above rose up and flew + round the Castle with sharp cries. + </p> + <p> + He raised a fragment of the ground-rock and flung it against the gate. He + burst it open. He dashed in then and through the first courtyard of the + Castle. + </p> + <p> + As he went towards the second gate it was flung open, and the five + spear-men ran upon him. But they had not counted on what was to face them—the + Sword of Light in the bands of the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + Its stroke cut the spear heads from the spear-holds, and its quick + glancing dazzled the eyes of the spear-men. On each and every one of them + it inflicted the wound of death. He dashed through the second gate and + into the third courtyard. + </p> + <p> + But as he did the third gate was flung open and seven swordsmen came + forth. They made themselves like a half circle and came towards the King + of Ireland’s Son. He dazzled their eyes with a wide sweep of his sword. He + darted it swiftly at each of them and on the seven swordsmen too he + inflicted wounds of death. + </p> + <p> + He went through the third courtyard and towards the fourth gate. As he did + it opened slowly and a single champion came forth. He closed the gate + behind him and stood with a long gray sword in his hand. This was the King + of the Land of Mist. His shoulders were where a tall man’s head would be. + His face was like a stone, and his eyes had never looked except with scorn + upon a foe. + </p> + <p> + When his enemy began his attack the King of Ireland’s Son had power to do + nothing else but guard himself from that weighty sword. He had the Sword + of Light for a guard and well did that bright, swift blade guard him. The + two fought across the courtyard making hard places soft and soft places + hard with their trampling. They fought from when it was early to when it + was noon, and they fought from when it was noon until it was long + afternoon. And not a single wound did the King of Ireland’s Son inflict + upon the King of the Land of Mist, and not a single wound did the King of + the Land of Mist inflict upon him. + </p> + <p> + But the King of Ireland’s Son was growing faint and weary. His eyes were + worn with watching the strokes and thrusts of the sword that was battling + against him. His arms could hardly bear up his own sword. His heart became + a stream of blood that would have gushed from his breast. + </p> + <p> + And then, as he was about to fall down with his head under the sword of + the King of the Land of Mist a name rose above all his thoughts—“Fedelma.” + If he sank down and the sword of the King of the Land of Mist fell on him, + never would she be saved. The will became strong again in the King of + Ireland’s Son. His heart became a steady beating thing. The weight that + was upon his arms passed away. Strongly he held the sword in his hand and + he began to attack the King of the Land of Mist. + </p> + <p> + And now he saw that the sword in the hand of his enemy was broken and worn + with the guard that the Sword of Light had put against it. And now he made + a strong attack. As the light was leaving the sky and as the darkness was + coming down he saw that the strength was waning in the King of the Land of + Mist. The sword in his hand was more worn and more broken. At last the + blade was only a span from the hilt. As he drew back to the gate of the + fourth courtyard the King of Ireland’s Son sprang at him and thrust the + Sword of Light through his breast. He stood with his face becoming + exceedingly terrible. He flung what remained of his sword, and the broken + blade struck the foot of the King of Ireland’s Son and pierced it. Then + the King of the Land of Mist fell down on the ground before the fourth + gate. + </p> + <p> + So weary from his battles, so pained with the wound of his foot was the + King of Ireland’s Son that he did not try to cross the body and go towards + the fifth gate. He turned back. He climbed down the rock and went towards + the River of the Broken Towers. + </p> + <p> + The Glashan was broiling on a hot stone the eel he had taken out of the + river. “Wash my wound and give me refreshment, Glashan,” said the King of + Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + The Glashan washed the wound in his foot and gave him a portion of the + broiled eel with cresses and water. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow’s dawn I shall go back,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “and + go through the fifth and sixth and seventh gate and take away Fedelma.” + </p> + <p> + “If the King of the Land of Mist lets you,” said the Glashan. + </p> + <p> + “He is dead,” said the King of Ireland’s Son, “I thrust my sword through + his breast.” + </p> + <p> + “And where is his head?” said the Glashan. + </p> + <p> + “It is on his corpse,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. + </p> + <p> + “Then you will have another fight to-morrow. His life is in his head, and + his life will come back to him if you did not cut it off. It is he, I tell + you, who will guard the fourth and fifth and sixth gate.” + </p> + <p> + “That I do not believe, Glashan,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. “There + is no one to guard the gates now but the Hag you spoke of. To-morrow I + shall take Fedelma out of her captivity, and we will both leave the Land + of Mist. But I must sleep now.” + </p> + <p> + He laid the Sword of Light beside him, stretched himself on the ground and + went to sleep. The Glashan drew his horse’s legs under him, took the pipe + out of his ear, and smoked all through the night. + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son rose in the morning but he was in pain and + weariness on account of his wounded foot. He ate the cresses and drank the + water that the Glashan gave him, and he started off for the Castle of the + King of the Mist. “‘Tis only an old woman I shall have to deal with + to-day,” he said, “and then I shall awaken Fedelma, my love.” + </p> + <p> + He passed through the first gate and the first court-yard, through the + second gate and the second court-yard, through the third gate and the + third courtyard. The fourth gate was closed, and as he went towards it, it + opened slowly, and the King of the Land of Mist stood there—as high, + as stone-faced, and as scornful as before, and in his hand he had a + weighty gray sword. + </p> + <p> + They fought as they fought the day before. But the guard the King of + Ireland’s Son made against the sword of the King of the Land of Mist was + weaker than before, because of the pain and weariness that came from his + wound. But still he kept the Sword of Light before him and the Sword of + the King of the Land of Mist could not pass it. They fought until it was + afternoon. The heart in his body seemed turned to a jet of blood that + would gush forth. His eyes were straining themselves out of their sockets. + His arms could hardly bear up his sword. He fell down upon one knee, but + he was able to hold the sword so that it guarded his head. + </p> + <p> + Then the image of Fedelma appeared before him. He sprang up and his arms + regained their power. His heart became steady in his breast. And as he + made an attack upon the King of the Land of Mist, he saw that the blade in + his hand was broken and worn because of its strokes against the Sword of + Light. + </p> + <p> + They fought with blades that seemed to kindle each other into sparks and + flashes of light. They fought until the blade in the hand of the King of + the Land of Mist was worn to a hand breadth above the hilt. He drew back + towards the gate of the fifth courtyard. The King of Ireland’s Son sprang + at him and thrust the Sword of Light through his breast. Down on the + stones before the fifth gate of his Castle fell the King of the Land of + Mist. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son stepped over the body and went towards the fifth + gate. Then he remembered what the Glashan had said, “His life is in his + head.” He went back to where the King of the Land of Mist had fallen. With + a clean sweep of his sword he cut the head off the body. + </p> + <p> + Then out of the mist that was all around three ravens came. With beak and + claws they laid hold of the head and lifted it up. They fluttered heavily + away, keeping near the ground. + </p> + <p> + With his sword in his hand the King of Ireland’s Son chased the ravens. He + followed them through the fourth courtyard, the third courtyard, the + second and the first. They flew off the rock on which the Castle was built + and disappeared in the mist. + </p> + <p> + He knew he would have to watch by the body of the King of the Land of + Mist, so that the head might not be placed upon it. He sat down before the + fifth gate. Pain and weariness, hunger and thirst oppressed him. + </p> + <p> + He longed for something that would allay his hunger and thirst. But he + knew that he could not go to the river to get refreshment of water and + cresses from the Glashan. Something fell beside him in the courtyard. It + was a beautiful, bright-colored apple. He went to pick it up, but it + rolled away towards the third courtyard. He followed it. Then, as he + looked back he saw that the ravens had lighted near the body of the King + of the Land of Mist, holding the head in their beaks and claws. He ran + back and the ravens lifted the head up again and flew away. + </p> + <p> + He watched for another long time, and his hunger and his thirst made him + long for the bright-colored apple he had seen. + </p> + <p> + Another apple fell down. He went to pick it up and it rolled away. But now + the King of Ireland’s Son thought of nothing hut that bright-colored + apple. He followed it as it rolled. + </p> + <p> + It roiled through the third courtyard, and the second and the first. It + rolled out of the first gate and on to the rock upon which the Castle was + built. It rolled off the rock. The King of Ireland’s Son sprang down and + he saw the apple become a raven’s head and beak. + </p> + <p> + He climbed up the rock and ran back. And when he came into the first + courtyard he saw that the three ravens had come back again. They had + brought the head to the body, and body and head were now joined. The King + of the Land of Mist stood up again, and his head was turned towards his + left shoulder. He went to the sixth gate and took up a sword that was + beside it. + </p> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + They fought their last battle before the sixth gate. The guard that the + King of Ireland’s Son made was weak, and if the King of the Land of Mist + could have turned fully upon him, he could have disarmed and killed him. + But his head had been so placed upon his body that it looked The King of + the Land of Mist 237 over his left shoulder. He was able to draw his sword + down the breast of the King of Ireland’s Son, wounding him. The King’s Son + whirled his sword around his head and flung it at his wry-headed enemy. It + swept his head off, and the King of the Land of Mist fell down. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland’s Son saw on the outstretched neck the mark of the + other beheading. He took up the Sword of Light again and prepared to hold + the head against all that might come for it. + </p> + <p> + But no creature came. And then the hair on the severed head became loose + and it was blown away by the wind. And the bones of the head became a + powder and the flesh became a froth, and all was blown away by the wind. + </p> + <p> + Then the King of Ireland’s Son went through the sixth courtyard and came + to the seventh gate. And before it he saw the last of the sentinels. A + Hag, she was seated on the top of a water-tank taking white doves out of a + basket and throwing them to ravens that flew down from the walls and tore + the doves to pieces. + </p> + <p> + When the Hag saw the King of Ireland’s Son she sprang down from the + water-tank and ran towards him with outstretched arms and long poisoned + nails. With a sweep of his sword he cut the nails from her hands. Ravens + picked up the nails, and then, as they tried to fly away, they fell dead. + </p> + <p> + “The Sword of Light will take off your head if you do not take me on the + moment to where Fedelma is,” said the King of Ireland’s Son. “I am sorry + to do it,” said the Hag, “but come, since you are the conqueror.” + </p> + <p> + He followed the Hag into the Castle. In a net, hanging across a chamber, + he saw Fedelma. She was still, but she breathed. And the branch of + hawthorn that put her asleep was fresh beside her. Strands of her bright + hair came through the meshes of the net and were fastened to the wall. + With a sweep of the Sword of Light he cut the strands. + </p> + <p> + Her eyes opened. She saw the King of Ireland’s Son, and the full light + came back to her eyes, and the full life into her face. + </p> + <p> + He cut the net from where it hung and laid it on the ground. He cut open + the meshes. Fedelma rose out of it and went into his arms. + </p> + <p> + He lifted her up and carried her out into the seventh courtyard. Then the + Hag who had been one of the sentinels came out of the Castle, closed the + door behind her and ran away into the mist, three ravens flying after her. + </p> + <p> + And as for Fedelma and the King of Ireland’s Son, they went through the + courtyards of the Castle and through the mists of the country and down to + the River of the Broken Towers. They found the Glashan broiling a salmon + upon hot stones. Salmon were coming from the sea and the Glashan went in + and caught more, The King of the Land of Mist 239 broiled and gave them to + the King of Ireland’s Son and Fedelma to eat. The little black water-hen + came out of the river and they fed it. The next day the King of Ireland’s + Son bade the Glashan take Fedelma on his shoulders and carry her to the + other shore of the River of the Broken Towers. And he himself followed the + little black water-hen who showed him all the shallow places in the river + so that he crossed with the water never above his waist. But he was nearly + dead from cold and weariness, and from the wounds on breast and foot when + he came to the other side and found the Glashan and Fedelma waiting for + him. + </p> + <p> + They ate salmon again and rested for a day. They bade good-by to the + Glashan, who went back to the river to hunt for salmon. Then they went + along the bank of the river hand in hand while the King of Ireland’s Son + told Fedelma of all the things that had happened to him in his search for + her. + </p> + <p> + They came to where the river became known as the River of the Morning + Star. And then, in the distance, they saw the Hill of Horns. Towards the + Hill of Horns they went, and, at the near side of it, they found a house + thatched with the wing of a bird. It was the house of the Little Sage of + the Mountain. To the house of the Little Sage of the Mountain Fedelma and + the King’s Son now went. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + TO THE MEMORY OF BEATRICE CASSIDY COLUM +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE HOUSE OF CROM DUV + </h2> + <p> + I + </p> + <p> + The story is now about Flann. He went through the East gate of the Town of + the Red Castle and his journey was to the house of the Hags of the Long + Teeth where he might learn what Queen and King were his mother and his + father. It is with the youth Flann, once called the Gilly of the Goatskin, + that we will go if it be pleasing to you, Son of my Heart. He went his way + in the evening, when, as the bard said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The blackbird shakes his metal notes + Against the edge of day, + And I am left upon my road + With one star on my way. +</pre> + <p> + And he went his way in the night, when, as the same bard said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The night has told it to the hills, + And told the partridge in the nest, + And left it on the long white roads, + She will give light instead of rest. +</pre> + <p> + And he went on between the dusk and the dawn, when, as the same bard said + again:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Behold the sky is covered, + As with a mighty shroud: + A forlorn light is lying + Between the earth and cloud. +</pre> + <p> + And he went on in the dawn, when as the bard said (and this is the last + stanza he made, for the King said there was nothing at all in his + adventure):— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In the silence of the morning + Myself, myself went by, + Where lonely trees sway branches + Against spaces of the sky. +</pre> + <p> + And then, when the sun was looking over the first high hills he came to a + river. He knew it was the river he followed before, for no other river in + the country was so wide or held so much water. As he had gone with the + flow of the river then he thought he would go against the flow of the + river now, and so he might come back to the glens and ridges and deep + boggy places he had traveled from. + </p> + <p> + He met a Fisherman who was drying his nets and he asked him what name the + river had. The Fisherman said it had two names. The people on the right + bank called it the Day-break River and the people on the left bank called + it the River of the Morning Star. And the Fisherman told him he was to be + careful not to call it the River of the Morning Star when he was on the + right bank nor the Daybreak River when he was on the left, as the people + on either side wanted to keep to the name their fathers had for it and + were ill-mannered to the stranger who gave it a different name. The + Fisherman told Flann he was sorry he had told him the two names for the + River and that the best thing he could do was to forget one of the names + and call it just the River of the Morning Star as he was on the left bank. + </p> + <p> + Flann went on with the day widening before him and when the height of the + noon was past he came to the glens and ridges and deep boggy places he had + traveled from. He went on with the bright day going before him and the + brown night coming behind him, and at dusk he came to the black and burnt + place where the Hags of the Long Teeth had their house of stone. + </p> + <p> + He saw the house with a puff of smoke coming through every crevice in the + stones. He went to the shut door and knocked on it with the + knocking-stone. + </p> + <p> + “Who’s without?” said one of the Hags. + </p> + <p> + “Who’s within?” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “The Three Hags of the Long Teeth,” said one of the Hags, “and if you want + to know it,” said she, “they are the runners and summoners, the brewers + and candle-makers for Crom Duv, the Giant.” + </p> + <p> + Flann struck a heavier blow with the knocking-stone and the door broke in. + He stepped into the smoke-filled house. + </p> + <p> + “No welcome to you, whoever you are,” said one of the three Hags who were + seated around the fire. + </p> + <p> + “I am the lad who was called Gilly of the Goatskin, and whom you reared up + here,” said he, “and I have come back to you.” + </p> + <p> + The three Hags turned from the fire then and screamed at him. + </p> + <p> + “And what brought you back to us, humpy fellow?” said the first Hag. + </p> + <p> + “I came back to make you tell me what Queen and King were my mother and + father.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should you think a King and Queen were your father and mother?” they + said to him. + </p> + <p> + “Because I have on my breast the stars of a son of a King,” said Flann, + “and,” said he, “I have in my hand a sword that will make you tell me.” + </p> + <p> + He came towards them and they were afraid. Then the first Hag bent her + knee to him, and, said she, “Loosen the hearthstone with your sword and + you will find a token that will let you know who your father was.” + </p> + <p> + Flann put his sword under the hearthstone and pried it up. But if it were + a token, what was under the hearthstone was an evil thing—a + cockatrice. It had been hatched out of a serpent’s egg by a black cock of + nine years. It had the head and crest of a cock and the body of a black + serpent. The cockatrice lifted itself up on its tail and looked at him + with red eyes. The sight of that head made Flann dizzy and he fell down on + the floor. Then it went down and the Hags put the hearthstone above it. + </p> + <p> + “What will we do with the fellow?” said one of the Hags, looking at Flann + who was in a swoon on the floor. + </p> + <p> + “Cut of his head with the sword that he threatened us with,” said another. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the third Hag. “Crom Duv the Giant is in want of a servant. Let + him take this fellow. Then maybe the Giant will give us what he has + promised us for so long—a Berry to each of us from the Fairy Rowan + Tree that grows in his courtyard.” + </p> + <p> + “Let it be, let it be,” said the other Hags. They put green branches on + the fire so that Crom Duv would see the smoke and come to the house. In + the morning he came. He brought Flann outside, and after awhile Flann’s + senses came back to him. Then the Giant tied a rope round his arms and + drove him before him with a long iron spike that he had for a staff. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + Crom Duv’s arms stretched down to his twisted knees; he had long, yellow, + overlapping horse’s teeth in his mouth, with a fall-down under-lip and a + drawn-back upper-lip; he had a matted rug of hair on his head. He was as + high as a haystack. He carried in his twisted hand an iron spike pointed + at the end. And wherever he was going he went as quickly as a running + mule. + </p> + <p> + He tied Flann’s hands behind his back and drew the rope round Flann’s + body. Then he started off. Flann was dragged on as if at the tail of a + cart. Over ditches and through streams; up hillsides and down into hollows + he was hauled. Then they came into a plain as round as the wheel of a + cart. Across the plain they went and into a mile-deep wood. Beyond the + wood there were buildings—such walls and such heaps of stones Flann + never saw before. + </p> + <p> + But before they had entered the wood they had come to a high grassy mound. + And standing on that grassy mound was the most tremendous bull that Flann + had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + “What bull is that, Giant?” said Flann. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “My own bull,” said Crom Duv, “the Bull of the Mound. Look back at him, +little fellow. If ever you try to escape from my service my Bull of the +Mound will toss you into the air and trample you into the ground.” Crom +Duv blew on a horn that he had across his chest. The Bull of the Mound +rushed down the slope snorting. Crom Duv shouted and the bull stood +still with his tremendous head bent down. +</pre> + <p> + Flann’s heart, I tell you, sank, when he saw the bull that guarded Crom + Duv’s house. They went through the deep wood then, and came to the gate of + the Giant’s Keep. Only a chain was across it, and Crom Duv lifted up the + chain. The courtyard was filled with cattle black and red and striped. The + Giant tied Flann to a stone pillar. “Are you there, Morag, my byre-maid?” + he shouted. + </p> + <p> + “I am here,” said a voice from the byre. More cattle were in the byre and + someone was milking them. + </p> + <p> + There was straw on the ground of the courtyard and Crom Duv lay down on it + and went to sleep with the cattle trampling around him. A great stone wall + was being built all round the Giant’s Keep—a wall six feet thick and + built as high as twenty feet in some places and in others as high as + twelve. The wall was still being built, for heaps of stones and great + mixing-pans were about. And just before the door of the Keep was a Rowan + Tree that grew to a great height. At the very top of the tree were bunches + of red berries. Cats were lying around the stems of the tree and cats were + in its branches—great yellow cats. More yellow cats stepped out of + the house and came over to him. They looked Flann all over and went back, + mewing to each other. + </p> + <p> + The cattle that were in the courtyard went into the byre one by one as + they were called by the voice of the byre-maid. Crom Duv still slept. By + and by a little red hen that was picking about the courtyard came near him + and holding up her head looked Flann all over. + </p> + <p> + When the last cow had gone in and the last stream of milk had sounded in + the milking-vessel the byre-maid came into the courtyard. Flann thought he + would see a long-armed creature like Crom Duv himself. Instead he saw a + girl with good and kind eyes, whose disfigurements were that her face was + pitted and her hair was bushy. “I am Morag, Crom Duv’s byre-maid,” said + she. + </p> + <p> + “Will Crom Duv kill me?” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “No. He’ll make you serve him,” said the byre-maid. + </p> + <p> + “And what will he make me do for him?” + </p> + <p> + “He will make you help to build his wall. Crom Duv goes out every morning + to bring his cattle to pasture on the plain. And when he comes back he + builds the wall round his house. He’ll make you mix mortar and carry it to + him, for I heard him say he wants a servant to do that.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll escape from this,” said Flann, “and I’ll bring you with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush,” said Morag, and she pointed to seven yellow cats that were + standing at Crom Duv’s door, watching them. “The cats,” said she, “are + Crom Duv’s watchers here and the Bull of the Mound is his watcher + out-side.” + </p> + <p> + “And is this Little Red Hen a watcher too?” said Flann, for the Little Red + Hen was watching them sideways. “The Little Red Hen is my friend and + adviser,” Morag, and she went into the house with two vessels of milk. + </p> + <p> + Crom Duv wakened up. He untied Flann and left him free. “You must mix + mortar for me now,” he said. He went into the byre and came out with a + great vessel of milk. He left it down near the mixing-pan. He went to the + side of the house and came back with a trough of blood. + </p> + <p> + “What are these for, Crom Duv?” said Flann. “To mix the mortar with, + gilly,” said the Giant. “Bullock’s blood and new milk is what I mix my + mortar with, so that nothing can break down the walls that I’m building + round the Fairy Rowan Tree. Every day I kill a bullock and every day my + byre-maid fills a vessel of milk to mix with my mortar. Set to now, and + mix the mortar for me.” + </p> + <p> + Flann brought lime and sand to the mixing-pan and he mixed them in + bullock’s blood and new milk. He carried stones to Crom Duv. And so he + worked until it was dark. Then Crom Duv got down from where he was + building and told Flann to go into the house. + </p> + <p> + The yellow cats were there and Flann counted sixteen of them. Eight more + were outside, in the branches or around the stem of the Rowan Tree. Morag + came in, bringing a great dish of porridge. Crom Duv took up a wooden + spoon and ate porridge out of vessel after vessel of milk. Then he shouted + for his beer and Morag brought him vessel after vessel of beer. Crom Duv + emptied one after the other..Then he shouted for his knife and when Morag + brought it he began to sharpen it, singing a queer song to himself. + </p> + <p> + “He’s sharpening a knife to kill a bullock in the morning,” said Morag. + “Come now, and I’ll give you your supper.” + </p> + <p> + She took him to the kitchen at the back of the house. She gave him + porridge and milk and he ate his supper. Then she showed him a ladder to a + room above, and he went up there and made a bed for himself. He slept + soundly, although he dreamed of the twenty-four yellow cats within, and + the tremendous Bull of the Mound outside Crom Duv’s Keep. + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + This is how the days were spent in the house of Crom Duv. The Giant and + his two servants, Flann and Morag, were out of their beds at the mouth of + the day. Crom Duv sounded his horn and the Bull of the Mound bellowed an + answer. Then he started work on his wall, making Flann carry mortar to + him. Morag put down the fire and boiled the pots. Pots of porridge, plates + of butter and pans of milk were on the table when’ Crom Duv and Flann came + in to their breakfasts. Then, when the Giant had driven out his cattle to + the pasture Flann cleaned the byre and made the mortar, mixing lime and + sand with bullock’s blood and new milk. In the afternoon the Giant came + back and he and Flann started work on the wall. + </p> + <p> + All the time the twenty-four yellow cats lay on the branches of the Rowan + Tree or walked about the court-yard or lapped up great crocks of milk. + Morag’s Little Red Hen went hopping round the courtyard. She seemed to be + sleepy or to be always considering something. If one of the twenty-four + yellow cats looked at her the Little Red Hen would waken up, murmur + something, and hop away. + </p> + <p> + One day the cattle came home without Crom Duv. “He has gone on one of his + journeys,” said Morag, “and will not be back for a night and a day.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is time for me to make my escape,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “How can you make your escape, my dear, my dear?” said Morag. “If you go + by the front the Bull of the Mound will toss you in the air and then + trample you into the ground.” + </p> + <p> + “But I have strength and cunning and activity enough to climb the wall at + the back.” + </p> + <p> + “But if you climb the wall at the back,” said Morag, “you will only come + to the Moat of Poisoned Water.” “The Moat of Poisoned Water?” “The Moat of + Poisoned Water,” said Morag. “The water poisons the skin of any creature + that tries to swim across the Moat.” + </p> + <p> + Flann was downcast when he heard of the Moat of Poisoned Water. But his + mind was fixed on climbing the wall. “I may find some way of crossing the + poisoned water,” he said, “so bake my cake and give me provision for my + journey.” + </p> + <p> + Morag baked a cake and put it on the griddle. And when it was baked she + wrapped it in a napkin and gave it to him. “Take my blessing with it,” + said she, “and if you escape, may you meet someone who will be a better + help to you than I was. I must keep the twenty-four cats from watching you + while you are climbing the wall.” + </p> + <p> + “And how will you do that?” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + She showed him what she would do. With a piece of glass she made on the + wall of the byre the shadows of flying birds. Birds never flew across the + House of Crom Duv and the cats were greatly taken with the appearances + that Morag made with the piece of glass. Six cats watched, and then + another six came, and after them six more, and after them the six that + watched in the Rowan Tree. And the twenty-four yellow cats sat round and + watched with burning eyes the appearances of birds that Morag made on the + byre-wall. Flann looked back and saw her seated on a stone, and he thought + the Byre-Maid looked lonesome. + </p> + <p> + He tried with all his activity, all his cunning and all his strength, and + at last he climbed the wall at the back of Crom Duv’s house. He gave a + whistle to let Morag know he was over. Then he went through a little wood + and came to the Moat of Poisoned Water. + </p> + <p> + Very ugly the dead water looked. Ugly stakes stuck up from the mud to + pierce any creature that tried to leap across. And here and there on the + water were patches of green poison as big as cabbage leaves. Flann drew + back from the Moat. Leap it he could not, and swim it he dare not. And + just as he drew back he saw a creature he knew come down to the bank + opposite to him. It was Rory the Fox. Rory carried in his mouth the skin + of a calf. He dropped the skin into the water and pushed it out before + him. Then he got into the water and swam very cautiously, always pushing + the calf’s skin before him. Then Rory climbed up on the bank where Flann + was, and the skin, all green and wrinkled, sank down into the water. + </p> + <p> + Rory was going to turn tail, but then he recognized Flann. “Master,” said + he, and he licked the dust on the ground. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing here, Rory?” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “I won’t mind telling you if you promise to tell no other creature,” said + Rory. + </p> + <p> + “I won’t tell,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “Well then,” said Rory, “I have moved my little family over here. I was + being chased about a good deal, and my little family wasn’t safe. So I + moved them over here.” The fox turned and looked round at the country + behind him. “It suits me very well,” said he; “no creature would think of + crossing this moat after me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Flann, “tell me how you are able to cross it.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” said the fox, “if you promise never to hunt me nor any of my + little family.” + </p> + <p> + “I promise,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Rory, “the water poisons every skin. Now the reason that I + pushed the calf’s skin across was that it might take the poison out of the + water. The water poisons every skin. But where the skin goes the poison is + taken out of the water for a while, and a living creature can cross behind + it if he is cautious.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you for showing me the way to cross the moat,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t mind showing you,” said Rory the Fox, and he went off to his + burrow. + </p> + <p> + There were deer-skins and calf-skins both sides of the moat. Flann took a + calf’s skin. He pushed it into the water with a stick. He swam cautiously + behind it. When he reached the other side of the moat, the skin, all green + and wrinkled, sank in the water. + </p> + <p> + Flann jumped and laughed and shouted when he found himself in the forest + and clear of Crom Duv’s house. He went on. It was grand to see the + woodpecker hammering on the branch, and to see him stop, busy as he was to + say “Pass, friend.” Two young deer came out of the depths of the wood. + They were too young and too innocent to have anything to tell him, but + they bounded alongside of him as he raced along the Hunter’s Path. He + jumped and he shouted again when he saw the river before him—the + river that was called the Daybreak River on the right bank and the River + of the Morning Star on the left. He said to himself, “This time, in troth, + I will go the whole way with the river. A moving thing is my delight. The + river is the most wonderful of all the things I have seen on my travels.” + </p> + <p> + Then he thought he would eat some of the cake that Morag had baked for + him. He sat down and broke it. Then as he ate it the thought of Morag came + into his mind. He thought he was looking at her putting the cake on the + griddle. He went a little way along the river and then he began to feel + lonesome. He turned back, “I’ll go to Crom Duv’s House,” said he, “and + show Morag the way to escape. And then she and I will follow the river, + and I won’t be lonesome while she’s with me.” + </p> + <p> + So back along the Hunter’s Path Flann went. He came to the Moat of + Poisoned Water. He found a deer-skin and pushed it into the water and then + swam cautiously across the moat. He climbed the wall then, and when he put + his head above it he saw Morag. She was watching for him. + </p> + <p> + “Crom Duv has not come back yet,” said she, “but oh, my dear, my dear, I + can’t prevent the yellow cats from watching you come over the wall.” + </p> + <p> + First six cats came and then another six and they sat round and watched + Flann come down the wall. They did nothing to him, but when he came down + on the ground they followed him wherever he went. + </p> + <p> + “You crossed the moat,” said Morag, “then why did you come back?” + </p> + <p> + “I came back,” said Flann, “to bring you with me.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said she, “I cannot leave Crom Duv’s house.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll show you how to cross the moat,” said he, “and we’ll both be glad to + be going by the moving river.” + </p> + <p> + Tears came into Morag’s eyes. “I’d go with you, my dear,” said she, “but I + cannot leave Crom Duv’s house until I get what I came for.” + </p> + <p> + “And what did you come for, Morag?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I came,” said she, “for two of the rowan berries that grow on the Fairy + Rowan Tree in Crom Duv’s court-yard. I know now that to get these berries + is the hardest task in the world. Come within,” said she, “and if we sit + long enough at the supper-board I will tell you my story.” + </p> + <p> + They sat at the supper-board long, and Morag told + </p> + <h2> + The Story of Morag + </h2> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + I was reared in the Spae-Woman’s house with two other girls, Baun and + Deelish, my foster-sisters. The Spae-Woman’s house is on the top of a + knowe, away from every place, and few ever came that way. + </p> + <p> + One morning I went to the well for water. When I looked into it I saw, not + my own image, but the image of a young man. I drew up my pitcher filled + with water, and went back to the Spae-Woman’s house. At noontide Baun went + to the well for water. She came back and her pitcher was only half-filled. + Before dark Deelish went to the well. She came back without a pitcher, for + it fell and broke on the flags of the well. + </p> + <p> + The next day Baun and Deelish each plaited their hair, and they said to + her who was foster-mother for the three of us: “No one will come to marry + us in this far-away place. We will go into the world to seek our fortunes. + So,” said they, “bake a cake for each of us before the fall of the night.” + </p> + <p> + The Spae-Woman put three cakes on the griddle and baked them. And when + they were baked she said to Baun and Deelish: “Will you each take the half + of the cake and my blessing, or the whole of the cake without my + blessing?” And Baun and Deelish each said, “The whole of the cake will be + little enough for our journey.” + </p> + <p> + Each then took her cake under her arm and went the path down the knowe. + Then said I to myself, “It would be well to go after my foster-sisters for + they might meet misfortune on the road.” So I said to my foster-mother, + “Give me the third cake on the griddle until I go after my + foster-sisters.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you have half of the cake and my blessing or the whole of the cake + without my blessing?” said she to me. + </p> + <p> + “The half of the cake and your blessing, mother,” said I. + </p> + <p> + She cut the cake in two with a black-handled knife and gave me the even + half of it. Then said she:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + May the old sea’s + Seven Daughters + They who spin + Life’s longest threads, + Protect and guard you! +</pre> + <p> + She put salt in my hand then, and put the Little Red Hen under my arm, and + I went off. + </p> + <p> + I went on then till I came in sight of Baun and Deelish. Just as I caught + up on them I heard one say to the other, “This ugly, freckled girl will + disgrace us if she comes with us.” They tied my hands and feet with a rope + they found on the road and left me in a wood. + </p> + <p> + I got the rope off my hands and feet and ran and ran until I came in sight + of them again. And when I was coming on them I heard one say to the other, + “This ugly, freckled girl will claim relationship with us wherever we go, + and we will get no good man to marry us.” They laid hold of me again and + put me in a lime-kiln, and put beams across it, and put heavy stones on + the beams. But my Little Red Hen showed me how to get out of the + lime-kiln. Then I ran and I ran until I caught up with Baun and Deelish + again. + </p> + <p> + “Let her come with us this evening,” said one to the other, “and to-morrow + we’ll find some way of getting rid of her.” + </p> + <p> + The night was drawing down now, and we had to look for a house that would + give us shelter. We saw a hut far off the road and we went to the broken + door. It was the house of the Hags of the Long Teeth. We asked for + shelter. They showed us a big bed in the dormer-room, and they told us we + could have supper when the porridge was boiled. + </p> + <p> + The three Hags sat round the fire with their heads together. Baun and + Deelish were in a corner plaiting their hair, but the Little Red Hen + murmured that I was to listen to what the Hags said. + </p> + <p> + “We will give them to Crom Duv in the morning” one said. And another said, + “I have put a sleeping-pin in the pillow that will be under each, and they + will not waken.” + </p> + <p> + When I heard what they said I wanted to think of what we could do to make + our escape. I asked Baun to sing to me. She said she would if I washed her + feet. I got a basin of water and washed Baun’s feet, and while she sang, + and while the Hags thought we were not minding them, I considered what we + might do to escape. The Hags hung a pot over the fire and the three of + them sat around it once more. + </p> + <p> + When I had washed my foster-sister’s feet I took a besom and began to + sweep the floor of the house. One of the Hags was very pleased to see me + doing that. She said I would make a good servant, and after a while she + asked me to sit at the fire. I sat in the corner of the chimney. They had + put meal in the water, and I began to stir it with a pot-stick. Then the + Hag that had asked me to the fire said, “I will give you a good share of + milk with your porridge if you keep stirring the pot for us.” This was + just what I wanted to be let do. I sat in the chimney-corner and kept + stirring the porridge while the Hags dozed before the fire. + </p> + <p> + First, I got a dish and ladle and took out of the pot some half-cooked + porridge. This I left one side. Then I took down the salt-box that was on + the chimney-shelf and mixed handfuls of salt in the porridge left in the + pot. + </p> + <p> + When it was all cooked I emptied it into another dish and brought the two + dishes to the table. Then I told the Hags that all was ready. They came + over to the table and they gave my foster-sisters and myself three + porringers of goat’s milk. We ate out of the first dish and they ate out + of the second. “By my sleep to-night,” said one Hag, “this porridge is + salty.” “Too little salt is in it for my taste,” said my foster-sister + Deelish. “It is as salt as the depths of the sea,” said another of the + Hags. “My respects to you, ma’am,” said Baun, “but I do not taste any salt + on it at all.” My foster-sisters were so earnest that the Hags thought + themselves mistaken, and they ate the whole dishful of porridge. + </p> + <p> + The bed was made for us, and the pillows were laid on the bed, and I knew + that the slumber-pin was in each of the pillows. I wanted to put off the + time for going to bed so I began to tell stories. Baun and Deelish said it + was still young in the night, and that I should tell no short ones, but + the long story of Eithne, Balor’s daughter. I had just begun that story, + when one of the Hags cried out that she was consumed with thirst. + </p> + <p> + She ran to the pitcher, and there was no water in it. Then another Hag + shouted out that the thirst was strangling her. The third one said she + could not live another minute without a mouthful of water. She took the + pitcher and started for the well. No sooner was she gone than the second + Hag said she couldn’t wait for the first one to come back and she started + out after her. Then the third one thought that the pair would stay too + long talking at the well, and she started after them. Immediately I took + the pillows off our bed and put them on the Hags’ bed, taking their + pillows instead. + </p> + <p> + The Hags came back with a half-filled pitcher, and they ordered us to go + to our bed. We went, and they sat for a while drinking porringers of + water. “Crom Duv will be here the first thing in the morning,” I heard one + of them say. They put their heads on the pillows and in the turn of a hand + they were dead-fast-sound asleep. I told my foster-sisters then what I had + done and why I had done it. They were very frightened, but seeing the Hags + so sound asleep they composed themselves and slept too. + </p> + <p> + Before the screech of day Crom Duv came to the house. I went outside and + saw the Giant. I said I was the servant of the Hags, and that they were + sleeping still. He said, “They are my runners and summoners, my brewers, + bakers and candle-makers, and they have no right to be sleeping so late.” + Then he went away. + </p> + <p> + I knew that the three Hags would slumber until we took the pillows from + under their heads. We left them sleeping while we put down a fire and made + our break-fast. Then, when we were ready for our journey, we took the + pillows from under their heads. The three Hags started up then, but we + were out on the door, and had taken the first three steps of our journey. + </p> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + Without hap or mishap we came at last to the domain of the King of + Senlabor. Baun went to sing for the King’s foster-daughters, and Deelish + went to work at the little loom in the King’s chamber. We were not long at + the court of the King of Senlabor when two youths came there from the + court of the King of Ireland—Dermott and Downal were their names. + There was a famous sword-smith with the King of Senlabor and these two + came to learn the trade from him. And my two foster-sisters fell so deeply + in love with the two youths that every night the pillow on each side of me + was wet with their tears. + </p> + <p> + I went to work in the King’s kitchen. Now the King had a dish of such fine + earthware and with such beautiful patterns upon it that he never let it be + carried from the Kitchen to the Feast-Hall, nor from the Feast-Hall to the + Kitchen without going himself behind the servant who carried it. One day + the servant brought it into the Kitchen to be washed and the King came + behind the servant. I took the dish and cleaned it with thrice-boiled + water and dried it with cloths of three different kinds. Then I covered it + with sweet-smelling herbs and left it in a bin where it was sunk in soft + bran. The King was pleased to see the good care I took of his dish, and he + said before his servant that he would do me any favor I would ask. There + and then I told him about my two foster-sisters Baun and Deelish, and how + they were in love with the two youths Dermott and Downal who had come from + the court of the King of Ireland. I asked that when these two youths were + being given wives, that the King should remember my foster-sisters. + </p> + <p> + The King was greatly vexed at my request. He declared that the two youths + had on their breasts the stars that denoted the sons of Kings and that he + intended they should marry his own two foster-daughters when the maidens + were of age to wed. “It may be,” he said, “that these two youths will + bring what my Queen longs for—a berry from the Fairy Rowan Tree that + is guarded by the Giant Crom Duv.” + </p> + <p> + The next day the King’s Councillor was feeding the birds and I was sifting + the corn. I asked him what was the history of the Fairy Rowan Tree that + the Giant Crom Duv guarded and why it was that the Queen longed for a + berry of it. There and then he told me this story:— + </p> + <h2> + The Story of the Fairy Rowan Tree + </h2> + <p> + The history of the Fairy Rowan Tree (said the King’s Councillor) begins + with Aine’, the daughter of Mananaun who is Lord of the Sea. Curoi, the + King of the Munster Fairies loved Aine’ and sought her in marriage. But + the desire of the girl’s heart was set upon Fergus who was a mortal, and + one of the Fianna of Ireland. Now when Mananaun MacLir heard Curoi’s + proposals and learned how his daughter’s heart was inclined, he said, “Let + the matter be settled in this way: we will call a hurling-match between + the Fairies of Munster and the Fianna of Ireland with Curoi to captain one + side and Fergus to captain the other, and if the Fairies win, Aine’ will + marry Curoi and if the Fianna have the victory she will have my leave to + marry this mortal Fergus.” + </p> + <p> + So a hurling-match was called for the first day of Lunassa, and it was to + be played along the strand of the sea. Mananaun himself set the + goal-marks, and Aine’ was there to watch the game. It was played from the + rising of the sun until the high tide of noon, and neither side won a + goal. Then the players stopped to eat the refreshment that Mananaun had + provided. + </p> + <p> + This is what Mananaun had brought from his own country, Silver-Cloud + Plain: a branch of bright-red rowan berries. Whoever ate one of these + rowan berries his hunger and his weariness left him in a moment. The + berries were to be eaten by the players, Mananaun said, and not one of + them was to be taken into the world of the mortals or the world of the + Fairies. + </p> + <p> + When they stopped playing at the high tide of noon the mortal Fergus saw + Aine’ and saw her for the first time. A spirit that he had never felt + before flowed into him at the sight of Mananaun’s daughter. He forgot to + eat the berry he was given and held it in his mouth by the stalk. + </p> + <p> + He went into the hurling-match again and now he was like a hawk amongst + small birds. Curoi defended the goal and drove the ball back. Fergus drove + it to the goal again; the two champions met and Curoi’s hurl, made out of + rhinoceros’ horn, did not beat down Fergus’s hurl made out of the ash of + the wood. The hosts stood aside and left the game to Fergus and Curoi. + Curoi’s hurl jerked the ball upward; then Fergus gave it the double stroke + first with the handle and then with the weighted end of the hurl and drove + it, beautifully as a flying bird, between the goal-marks that Mananaun had + set up. The match was won by the goal that Fergus had gained. + </p> + <p> + The Fianna then invited the Fairies of Munster to a feast that they were + giving to Fergus and his bride. The Fairies went, and Mananaun and Aine’ + went before them all. Fergus marched at the head of his troop with the + rowan berry still hanging from his mouth. And as he went he bit the stalk + and the berry fell to the ground. Fergus never heeded that. + </p> + <p> + When the feast was over he went to where Mananaun stood with his daughter. + Aine’ gave him her hand. “And it is well,” said Conan, the Fool of the + Fianna, “that this thick-witted Fergus has at last dropped the berry out + of his mouth.” “What berry?” said Curoi, who was standing by. “The rowan + berry,” said Conan, “that he carried across two townlands the same as if + he were a bird.” + </p> + <p> + When Mananaun heard this he asked about the berry that Fergus had carried. + It was not to be found. Then the Fianna and the Fairies of Munster started + back to look for a trace of it. What they found was a wonderful Rowan + Tree. It had grown out of the berry that Fergus had let fall, but as yet + there were no berries on its branches. + </p> + <p> + Mananaun, when he saw the tree said, “No mortal may take a berry that + grows on it. Hear my sentence now. Fergus will have to guard this tree + until he gets one who will guard it for him. And he may not see nor keep + company with Aine’ his bride until he finds one who will guard it better + than he can guard it himself.” Then Mananaun wrapped his daughter in his + cloak and strode away in a mist. The Fairy Host went in one direction and + the Fianna in another, and Fergus was left standing sorrowfully by the + Fairy Rowan Tree. + </p> + <p> + Next day (said Morag), when the King’s Councillor was feeding the birds + and I was sifting the corn, he told me the rest of the history of the + Fairy Rowan Tree. Fergus thought and thought how he might leave off + watching it and be with Aine’, his bride. At last he bethought him of a + Giant who lived on a rocky island with only a flock of goats for his + possessions. This Giant had begged Finn, the Chief of the Fianna, for a + strip of the land of Ireland, even if it were only the breadth of a bull’s + hide. Finn had refused him. But now Fergus sent to Finn and asked him to + bring the Giant to be the guardian of the Fairy Rowan Tree and to give him + the land around it. “I mislike letting this giant Crom Duv have any + portion of the land of Ireland,” said Finn, “nevertheless we cannot refuse + Fergus.” + </p> + <p> + So Finn sent some of the Fianna to the Giant and they found him living on + a bare rock of an island with only a flock of goats for his possessions. + Crom Duv lay on his back and laughed when he heard what message the men of + the Fianna brought to him. Then he put them and his flock of goats into + his big boat and rowed them over to Ireland. + </p> + <p> + Crom Duv swore by his flock of goats he would guard the Fairy Rowan Tree + until the red berries ceased to come on its branches. Fergus left his + place at the tree then and went to Aine’, and it may be that she and he + are still together. + </p> + <p> + Well did Crom Duv guard the tree, never going far from it and sleeping at + night in its branches. And one year a heifer came and fed with his flock + of goats and another year a bullock came. And these were the beginning of + his great herd of cattle. He has become more and more greedy for cattle, + said the King’s Councillor, and now he takes them away to far pastures. + But still the Fairy Rowan Tree is well guarded. The Bull that is called + the Bull of the Mound is on guard near by, and twenty-four fierce yellow + cats watch the tree night and day. + </p> + <p> + The Queen of Senlabor and many another woman besides desires a berry from + the Fairy Rowan Tree that stands in Crom Duv’s courtyard. For the woman + who is old and who eats a berry from that tree becomes young again, and + the maid who is young and who eats a berry gets all the beauty that should + be hers of right. And now, my maid, said the King’s Councillor to me, I + have told you the history of the Fairy Rowan Tree. + </p> + <p> + When I heard all this (said Morag), I made up my mind to get a berry for + the Queen and maybe another berry besides from the Fairy Rowan Tree in + Crom Duv’s courtyard. When the King came into the kitchen again, I asked + him would he permit my foster-sisters to marry Downal and Dermott if I + brought to his Queen a berry from the Fairy Rowan Tree. He said he would + give permission heartily. That night when I felt the tears of Baun and + Deelish I told them I was going to search for such a dowry for them that + when they had it the King would let them marry the youths they had set + their hearts on. They did not believe I could do anything to help them, + but they gave me leave to go. + </p> + <p> + The next day I told the Queen I was going to seek for a berry from the + Fairy Rowan Tree. She told me that if I could bring back one berry to her + she would give me all the things she possessed. I said good-by to my + foster-sisters and with the Little Red Hen under my arm I went towards the + house of the Hags of the Long Teeth. I built a shelter and waited till + Crom Duv came that way. One early morning he came by. I stood before him + and I told him that I wanted to take service in his house. + </p> + <p> + Crom Duv had never had a servant in his house. But I told him that he + should have a byre-maid and that I was well fitted to look after his + cattle. He told me to follow him. I saw the Bull of the Mound and I was + made wonder how I could get away with the berry from the Fairy Rowan Tree. + Then I saw the twenty-four fierce yellow cats and I was made wonder how I + could get the berry from the tree. And after that I found out about the + Moat of Poisoned Water that is behind the high wall at the back of Crom + Duv’s house. And so now (said Morag), you know why I have come here and + how hard the task is I have taken on myself. + </p> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + Now that he had heard the history of the Fairy Rowan Tree, Flann often + looked at the clusters of scarlet berries that were high up on its + branches. The Tree could be climbed, Flann knew. But on the top of the + tree and along its branches were the fierce yellow cats—the cats + that the Hags of the Long Teeth had reared for Crom Duv, thinking that he + would some time give each of them the berry that would make them young + again. And at the butt of the tree there were more cats. And all about the + courtyard the Hags’ fierce cats paraded themselves. + </p> + <p> + The walls round the Giant’s Keep were being built higher by Crom Duv, + helped by his servant Flann. The Giant’s herd was now increased by many + calves, and Morag the byre-maid had much to do to keep all the cows + milked. And day and night Morag and Flann heard the bellowing of the Bull + of the Mound. + </p> + <p> + Now one day while Crom Duv was away with his herd, Flann and Morag were in + the courtyard. They saw the Little Red Hen rouse herself up, shake her + wings and turn a bright eye on them. “What dost thou say, my Little Red + Hen?” said Morag. + </p> + <p> + “The Pooka,” murmured the Little Red Hen. “The Pooka rides a fierce horse, + but the Pooka himself is a timid little fellow.” Then the Little Red Hen + drooped her wings again, and went on picking in the courtyard. + </p> + <p> + “The Pooka rides a fierce horse,” said Morag, “if the Pooka rides a fierce + horse he might carry us past the Bull of the Mound.” + </p> + <p> + “And if the Pooka himself is a timid little fellow we might take the + fierce horse from him,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + “But this does not tell us how to get the berries off the Fairy Rowan + Tree,” said Morag. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Flann, “it does not tell us how to get the berries off the tree + the cats guard.” + </p> + <p> + The next day Morag gave grains to the Little Red Hen and begged for words. + After a while the Little Red Hen murmured, “There are things I know, and + things I don’t know, but I do know what grows near the ground, and if you + pull a certain herb, and put it round the necks of the cats they will not + be able to see in the light nor in the dark. And to-morrow is the day of + Sowain,” said the Little Red Hen. She said no more words. She had become + sleepy and now she flew down and roosted under the table. There she went + on murmuring to herself—as all hens murmur—where the Children + of Dana hid their treasures—they know, for it was the Children of + Dana who brought the hens to Ireland. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow,” said Morag to Flann, “follow the Little Red Hen, and if she + makes any sign when she touches an herb that grows near the ground, pluck + that herb and bring it to me.” + </p> + <p> + That night Morag and Flann talked about the Pooka and his fierce horse. On + Sowain night—the night before the real short days begin—the + Pooka rides through the countryside touching any fruit that remains, so + that it may bring no taste into winter. The blackberries that were good to + eat the day before are no good on November day, because the Pooka touched + them the night before. What else the Pooka does no one really knows. He is + a timid fellow as the Little Red Hen said, and he hopes that the sight of + his big black horse and the sound of its trampling and panting as he rides + by will frighten people out of his way, for he has a great fear of being + seen. + </p> + <p> + The next day the Little Red Hen stayed in the courtyard until Crom Duv + left with his herd. Flann followed her. She went here and there between + the house and the wall at the back, now picking a grain of sand and now an + ant or spider or fly. And as she went about the Little Red Hen murmured a + song to herself:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When sleep would settle on me + Like the wild bird down on the nest, + The wind comes out of the West: + It tears at the door, maybe, + And frightens away my rest— + When sleep would come upon me + Like the wild bird down on the nest. + + The cock is aloft with his crest: + The barn-owl comes from her quest + She fixes an eye upon me + And frightens away my rest + When sleep would settle on me + Like the wild bird down on its nest. +</pre> + <p> + Flann watched all the Little Red Hen did. He saw her put her head on one + side and look down for a while at a certain herb that grew near the + ground. Flann plucked that herb and brought it to Morag. + </p> + <p> + The cattle had come home, but Crom Duv was not with them. Morag milked the + cows and brought all the milk within, leaving no milk for the cats to + drink outside. Six came into the kitchen to get their supper there. One + after another they sprang up on the table, one more proud and overbearing + than the other. Each cat ate without condescending to make a single mew. + “Cat of my heart,” said Morag to the first, when he had finished drinking + his milk. “Cat of my heart! How noble you would look with this red around + your neck.” She held out a little satchel in which a bit of the herb was + sewn. The first cat gave a look that said, “Well, you may put it on me.” + Morag put the red satchel around his neck and he jumped off the table. + </p> + <p> + It was so with all the other cats. They finished lapping their milk and + Morag showed them the red ribbon satchel. They let her put it round each + of their necks and then they sprang off the table, and marched off more + scornful and overbearing than before. + </p> + <p> + Six of the fierce yellow cats climbed into the branches of the Fairy Rowan + Tree; six stayed in the kitchen; six went into Crom Duv’s chamber, and six + went to march round the house, three taking each side. No sound came from + the cats that were within or without. Morag drew a ball of cotton across + the floor, and the cats that were in the kitchen gave no sign of seeing + it. “The sight has left their eyes,” said Morag. “Then,” said Flann, “I + will climb the Fairy Rowan Tree and bring down two berries.” “Be sure you + bring down two, my dear, my dear,” said Morag. + </p> + <p> + They went out to the courtyard and Flann began to climb the Fairy Rowan + Tree with all suppleness, strength and cunning. The cats that were below + felt him going up the tree and the cats that were above humped themselves + up. Flann passed the first branch on which a cat was crouched. He went + above where the rowan berries were, and bending down he picked two of them + and put them into his mouth. + </p> + <p> + He came down quickly with the cats tearing at him. Others had come out of + the house and were mewing and spitting in the courtyard. Only one had + fastened itself on Flann’s jerkin, and this one would not let go. “Come + into the wood, come into the wood,” said Morag. “Now we must stand between + the house and the mound, and wait till the Pooka rides by.” Flann put the + two berries into her hand, they jumped across the chain, and ran from the + house of the Giant Crom Duv. + </p> + <p> + VII + </p> + <p> + They went into the wood, Flann and Morag, and the Little Red Hen was under + Morag’s arm. They thought they would hide behind trees until they heard + the coming of the Pooka and his horse. But they were not far in the wood + when they heard Crom Duv coming towards his house. He came towards them + with the iron spike in his hand. Flann and Morag ran. Then from tree to + tree Crom Duv chased them, shouting and snorting and smashing down + branches with the iron spike in his hand. Morag and Flann came to a + stream, and as they ran along its bank they heard the trampling and + panting of a horse coming towards them. Up it came, a great black horse + with a sweeping mane. “Halt, Pooka,” said Flann in a commanding voice. The + black horse halted and the Pooka that was its rider slipped down to its + tail. + </p> + <p> + Flann held the snorting horse and Morag got on its back. Then Flann sprang + up between Morag and the horse’s head. Crom Duv was just beside them. + “Away, Pooka, away,” said Flann, and the horse started through the wood + like the wind of March. + </p> + <p> + And then Crom Duv blew on the horn that was across his breast and the Bull + of the Mound bellowed in answer. As they went by the mound the Bull + charged down and its horns tossed the tail of the Pooka’s horse. The Bull + turned and swept after them with his head down and hot breath coming out + of his nostrils. And when they were in the hollow he was on the height, + and when they were on the height he was in the hollow. And a hollow or a + height behind his Bull came Crom Duv himself. + </p> + <p> + Then the breath of the Bull became hot upon Morag and Flann and the Pooka. + “Oh, what shall we do now?” said Morag to the Pooka who was hanging on to + the horse’s tail, his little face all twisted up with fear. + </p> + <p> + “Put your hand into my horse’s ear and fling behind what you will find + there,” said the Pooka, his teeth chattering. Flann put his hand into the + horse’s right ear and found a twig of ash. He flung it behind them. + Instantly a tangled wood sprang up. They heard the Bull driving through + the tangle of the wood and they heard Crom Duv shouting as he smashed his + way through the brakes and branches. But the Bull and the man got through + the wood and again they began to gain on the Pooka’s horse. Again the + breath of the Bull became hot upon them. “Oh, Pooka, what shall we do + now?” said Morag. + </p> + <p> + “Put your hand into my horse’s ear and fling behind what you will find + there,” said the Pooka, his teeth chattering with fear as he held on to + his horse’s tail. Flann put his hand into the horse’s left ear and he + found a bubble of water. He flung it behind them. Instantly it spread out + as a lake and as they rode on, the lake waters spread behind them. + </p> + <p> + Morag and Flann never knew whether the Giant and the Bull went into that + lake, or if they did, whether they ever came out of it. They crossed the + river that marked the bounds of Crom Duv’s domain and they were safe. + Flann pulled up the horse and jumped on to the ground. Morag sprang down + with the Little Red Hen. Then the Pooka swung forward and whispered into + his horse’s ear. Instantly it struck fire out of its hooves and sprang + down the side of a hill. From that day to this Morag nor Flann ever saw + sight of the Pooka and his big, black, snorting and foaming horse. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou know where we are, my Little Red Hen?” said Morag when the sun + was in the sky again. + </p> + <p> + “There are things I know and things I don’t know,” said the Little Red + Hen, “but I know we are near the place we started from.” + </p> + <p> + “Which way do we go to come to that place, my Little Red Hen?” said Morag. + “The way of the sun,” said the Little Red Hen. So Morag and Flann went the + way of the sun and the Little Red Hen hopped beside them. Morag had in a + weasel-skin purse around her neck the two rowan berries that Flann had + given her. + </p> + <p> + They went towards the house of the Spae-Woman. And as they went Morag told + Flann of the life she had there when she and her foster-sisters were + growing up, and Flann told Morag of the things he did when he was in the + house of the Spae-Woman after she and her foster-sisters had left it. + </p> + <p> + They climbed the heather-covered knowe on which was the Spae-Woman’s house + and the Little Red Hen went flitting and fluttering towards the gate. The + Spae-Woman’s old goat was standing in the yard, and its horns went down + and its beard touched its knees and it looked at the Little Red Hen. Then + the Little Red Hen flew up on its back. “We’re here again, here again,” + said the Little Red Hen. + </p> + <p> + And then the Spae-Woman came to the door and saw who the comers were. She + covered them with kisses and watered them with tears, and dried them with + cloths silken and with the hair of her head. + </p> + <p> + VIII + </p> + <p> + Flann told the Spae-Woman all his adventures. And when he had told her all + he said—“What Queen is my mother, O my fosterer?” “Your mother,” + said the Spae-Woman, “is Caintigern, the Queen of the King of Ireland.” + </p> + <p> + “And is my mother then not Sheen whose story has been told me?” “Her name + was changed to Caintigern when her husband who was called the Hunter-King + made himself King over Ireland and began to rule as King Connal.” + </p> + <p> + “Then who is my comrade who is called the King of Ireland’s Son?” + </p> + <p> + “He too is King Connal’s son, born of a queen who died at his birth and + who was wife to King Connal before he went on his wanderings and met Sheen + your mother.” + </p> + <p> + And as the Spae-Woman said this someone came and stood at the doorway. A + girl she was and wherever the sun was it shone on her, and wherever the + breeze was it rippled over her. White as the snow upon a lake frozen over + was the girl, and as beautiful as flowers and as alive as birds were her + eyes, while her cheeks had the red of fox-gloves and her hair was the + blending of five bright soft colors. She looked at Flann happily and her + eyes had the kind look that was always in Morag’s eyes. And she came and + ‘knelt down, putting her hands on his knees. “I am Morag, Flann,” she + said. + </p> + <p> + “Morag indeed,” said he, “but how have you become so fair?” + </p> + <p> + “I have eaten the berry from the Fairy Rowan Tree,” said she, “and now I + am as fair as I should be.” + </p> + <p> + All day they were together and Flann was happy that his friend was so + beautiful and that so beautiful a being was his friend. And he told her of + his adventures in the Town of the Red Castle and of the Princess + Flame-of-Wine and his love for her. “And if you love her still I will + never see you again,” said Morag. + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Flann, “I could not love her after the way she mocked at me.” + </p> + <p> + “When did she mock at you?” + </p> + <p> + “When I took her a message that the Spae-Woman told me to give her.” + </p> + <p> + “And what was that message?” + </p> + <p> + “‘Ask her,’ said the Spae-Woman, ‘for seven drops of her heart’s blood—she + can give them and live—so that the spell may be taken from the seven + wild geese and the mother who longs for you may be at peace again.’ This + was the message the Spae-Woman told me to give Flame-of-Wine. And though I + had given her wonderful gifts she laughed at me when I took it to her. And + by the way she laughed I knew she was hard of heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet seven drops of heart’s blood are hard to give,” said Morag sadly. + </p> + <p> + “But the maiden who loves can give them,” said the Spae-Woman who was + behind. + </p> + <p> + “It is true, foster-mother,” said Morag. + </p> + <p> + That evening Morag said, “To-morrow I must pre-pare for my journey to the + Queen of Senlabor. You, Flann, may not come with me. The Spae-Woman has + sent a message to your mother, and you must be here to meet her when she + comes. A happy meeting to her and you, O Flann of my heart. And I shall + leave you a token to give to her. So to-morrow I go to the Queen of + Senlabor with the Rowan Berry and I shall bring my Little Red Hen for + company, and shall stay only until my sisters are wed to Dermott and + Downal, your brothers.” + </p> + <p> + The next day when he came into the house he saw Morag dressed for her + journey but seated at the fire. She was pale and ill-looking. “Do not go + to-day, Morag,” said he. “I shall go to-day,” said Morag. She put her hand + into the bosom of her dress and took out a newly-woven handkerchief + folded. “This is a token for your mother,” she said. “I have woven it for + her. Give her this gift from me when you have welcomed her.” + </p> + <p> + “That I will do, Morag, my heart,” said Flann. + </p> + <p> + The Spae-Woman came in and kissed Morag good-by and said the charm for a + journey over her. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + May my Silver- + Shielded Magian + Shed all lights + Across your path. +</pre> + <p> + Then Morag put the Little Red Hen under her arm and started out. “I shall + find you,” said she to Flann, “at the Castle of the King of Ireland, for + it is there I shall go when I part from my foster-sisters and the Queen of + Senlabor. Kiss me now. But if you kiss anyone until you kiss me again you + will forget me. Remember that.” + </p> + <p> + “I will remember,” said Flann, and he kissed Morag and said, “When you + come to the King of Ireland’s Castle we will be married.” + </p> + <p> + “You gave me the Rowan Berry,” said Morag, “and the Rowan Berry gave me + all the beauty that should be mine. But what good will my beauty be to me + if you forget me?” + </p> + <p> + “But, Morag,” said he, “how could I forget you?” + </p> + <p> + She said nothing but went down the side of the knowe and Flann watched and + watched until his eyes had no power to see any more. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SPAE-WOMAN + </h2> + <p> + I + </p> + <p> + There are many things to tell you still, my kind foster-child, but little + time have I to tell you them, for the barnacle-geese are flying over the + house, and when they have all flown by I shall have no more to say. And I + have to tell you yet how the King of Ireland’s Son won home with Fedelma, + the Enchanter’s daughter, and how it came to pass that the Seven Wild + Geese that were Caintigern’s brothers were disenchanted and became men + again. But above all I have to tell you the end of that story that was + begun in the house of the Giant Crom Duv—the story of Flann and + Morag. + </p> + <p> + The barnacle-geese are flying over the house as I said. And so they were + crossing and flying on the night the King of Ireland’s Son and Fedelma + whom he had brought from the Land of Mist stayed in the house of the + Little Sage of the Mountain. On that night the Little Sage told them from + what bird had come the wing that thatched his house. That was a wonderful + story. And he told them too about the next place they should go to—the + Spae-woman’s house. There, he said he would find people that they knew—Flann, + the King’s Son’s comrade, and Caintigern, the wife of the King of Ireland, + and Fedelma’s sister, Gilveen. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the Little Sage of the Mountain took them down the hillside + to the place where Fedelma and the King’s Son would get a horse to ride to + the Spae-Woman’s house. The Little Sage told them from what people the + Spae-Woman came and why she lived amongst the poor and foolish without + name or splendor or riches. And that, too, was a wonderful story. + </p> + <p> + Now as the three went along the river-side they saw a girl on the other + side of the river and she was walking from the place towards which they + were going. The girl sang to herself as she went along, and the King’s Son + and Fedelma and the Little Sage of the Mountain heard what she sang,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A berry, a berry, a red rowan berry, + A red rowan berry brought mc beauty and love. + + But drops of my heart’s blood, drops of my heart’s blood, + Seven drops of my heart’s blood I have given away. + + Seven wild geese were men, seven wild geese were men, + Seven drops of my heart’s blood are there for your spell. + + A kiss for my love, a kiss for my love, + May his kiss go to none till he meet me again. + + If to one go his kiss, if to one go his kiss, + He may meet, he may meet, and not know me again. +</pre> + <p> + The girl on the other bank of the river passed on, and the King’s Son and + Fedelma with the Little Sage of the Mountain came to the meadow where the + horse was. A heavy, slow-moving horse he seemed. But when they mounted him + they found he had the three qualities of Finn’s steeds—a quick rush + against a hill, the gait of a fox, easy and proud, on the level ground, + and the jump of a deer over harriers. They left health and good luck with + the Little Sage of the Mountain, and on the horse he gave them they rode + on to the Spae-Woman’s house. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + When Fedelma and the King of Ireland’s Son came to the Spae-Woman’s house, + who was the first person they saw there but Gilveen, Fedelma’s sister! She + came to where they reined their horse and smiled in the faces of her + sister and the King of Ireland’s Son. And she it was who gave them their + first welcome. “And you will be asking how I came here,” said Gilveen, + “and I will tell you without wasting candle-light. Myself and sister Aefa + went to the court of the King of Ireland after you, my sister, had gone + from us with the lucky man of your choice. And as for Aefa, she has been + lucky too in finding a match and she is now married to Maravaun the King’s + Councillor. I have been with Caintigern the Queen. And now the Queen is in + the house of the Spae-Woman with the youth Flann and she is longing to + give the clasp of welcome to both of you. And if you sit beside me on this + grassy ditch I will tell you the whole story from the first to the last + syllable.” + </p> + <p> + They sat together, and Gilveen told Fedelma and the King’s Son the story. + The Spae-Woman had sent a message to Caintigern the Queen to tell her she + had tidings of her first-born son. Thereupon Caintigern went to the + Spae-Woman’s house and Gilveen, her attendant, went with her. She found + there Flann who had been known as Gilly of the Goatskin, and knew him for + the son who had been stolen from her when he was born. Flann gave his + mother a token which had been given him by a young woman. The token was a + handkerchief and it held seven drops of heart’s blood. The Spae-Woman told + the Queen that these seven drops would disenchant her brothers who had + been changed from their own forms into the forms of seven wild geese. + </p> + <p> + And while Gilveen was telling them all this Flann came to see whose horse + was there, and great was his joy to find his comrade the King of Ireland’s + Son. They knew now that they were the sons of the one father, and they + embraced each other as brothers. And Flann took the hand of Fedelma and he + told her and the King’s Son of his love for Morag. But when he was + speaking of Morag, Gilveen went away. + </p> + <p> + Then Flann took them into the Spae-Woman’s house, and the Queen who was + seated at the fire rose up and gave them the clasp of welcome. The face + she turned to the King’s Son was kindly and she called him by his child’s + name. She said too that she was well pleased that he and Flann her son + were good comrades, and she prayed they would be good comrades always. + </p> + <p> + Fedelma and the King of Ireland’s Son rested themselves for a day. Then + the Spae-Woman said that the Queen would strive on the next night—it + was the night of the full moon—to bring back her seven brothers to + their own forms. The Spae-Woman said too that the Queen and herself should + be left alone in the house and that the King of Ireland’s Son with Flann + and Fedelma and Gilveen should go towards the King of Ireland’s Castle + with MacStairn the woodman, and wait for the Queen at a place a day’s + journey away. + </p> + <p> + So the King of Ireland’s Son and Flann, Fedelma and Gilveen bade good-by + to the Queen, to the Spae-Woman and to the Spae-Woman’s house, and started + their journey towards the King’s Castle with MacStairn the Woodman who + walked beside their horses, a big axe in his hands. + </p> + <p> + At night MacStairn built two bothies for them—one covered with green + boughs for Fedelma and Gilveen and one covered with cut sods for Flann and + the King of Ireland’s Son. Flann lay near the opening of this bothie. And + at night, when the only stir in the forest was that of the leaves + whispering to the Secret People, Gilveen arose from where she lay and came + to the other bothie and whispered Flann’s name. He awakened, and thinking + that Morag had come back to him (he had been dreaming of her), he put out + his arms, drew Gilveen to him and kissed her. Then Gilveen ran back to her + own bothie. And Flann did not know whether he had awakened or whether he + had remained in a dream. + </p> + <p> + But when he arose the next morning no thought of Morag was in his mind. + And when the King’s Son rode with Fedelma he rode with Gilveen. Afterwards + Gilveen gave him a drink that enchanted him, so that he thought of her + night and day. + </p> + <p> + Neither Fedelma nor the King’s Son knew what had come over Flann. They + mentioned the name he had spoken of so often—Morag’s name but it + seemed as if it had no meaning for him. At noon they halted to bide until + the Queen came with or without her seven brothers. Flann and Gilveen were + always together. And always Gilveen was smiling. + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + When Caintigern had come, when she knew her son Flann, and when it was + known to her and to the Spae-Woman that the token Morag had given him held + the seven drops of heart’s blood that would bring back to their own forms + the seven wild geese that were Caintigern’s brothers—when all this + was known the Spae-Woman sent her most secret messenger to the marshes to + give word to the seven wild geese that they were to fly to her house on + the night when the moon was full. Her messenger was the corncrake. She + traveled night and day, running swiftly through the meadows. She hid on + the edge of the marshes and craked out her message to the seven wild + geese. At last they heard what she said. On the day before the night of + the full moon they flew, the seven together, towards the Spae-Woman’s + house. + </p> + <p> + No one was in the house but Caintigern the Queen. The door was left open + to the light of the moon. The seven wild geese flew down and stayed + outside the door, moving their heads and wings in the full moonlight. + </p> + <p> + Then Caintigern arose and took bread that the Spae-Woman had made. She + moistened it in her mouth, and into each bit of moistened bread she put a + piece of the handkerchief that had a drop of blood. She held out her hand, + giving each the moistened bread. The first that ate it fell forward on the + floor of the Spae-Woman’s house, his head down on the ground. His sister + saw him then as a kneeling man with this arms held behind him as if they + were bound. And when she looked outside she saw the others like kneeling + men with their heads bent and their arms held behind them. Then Caintigern + said, giving the Spae-Woman her secret name, “O Grania Oi, let it be that + my brothers be changed back to men!” When she said this she saw the + Spae-Woman coming across the court-yard. The Spae-Woman waved her hands + over the bent figures. They lifted themselves up as men—as naked, + gray men. + </p> + <p> + The Spae-Woman gave each a garment and the seven men came into the house. + They would stand and not sit, and for long they had no speech. Their + sister knelt before each and wet his hand with her tears. She thought she + should see them as youths or as young men, and they were gray now and past + the prime of their lives. + </p> + <p> + They stayed at the house and speech came back to them. Then they longed to + go back to their father’s, but Caintigern could not bear that they should + go from her sight. At last four of her brothers went and three stayed with + her. They would go to her husband’s Castle and the others would go too + after they had been at their father’s. Then one day Caintigern said + farewell. The thanks that was due to the Spae-Woman, she said she would + give by her treatment of the maid who had given the token to her son + Flann. And she prayed that Morag would soon come to the King’s Castle. + </p> + <p> + She went with her three brothers to the place where Flann and the King of + Ireland’s Son, Fedelma and Gilveen waited for them. A smith groomed and + decked horses for all of them and they rode towards the King of Ireland’s + Castle, MacStairn, the Woodman, going before to announce their coming. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland waited at the stone where the riders to his Castle + dismount, and his steward, his Councillor and his Druid were beside him. + He lifted his wife off her horse and she brought him to Flann. And when + the King looked into Flann’s eyes he knew he was his son and the son of + Sheen, now known as Caintigern. He gave Flann a father’s clasp of welcome. + And the queen brought him to her own three brothers who had been estranged + from human companionship from before he knew her. And she brought him to + the youth who was always known as the King of Ireland’s Son, and him his + father welcomed from the path of danger. + </p> + <p> + And then the King’s Son took Fedelma to his father and told him she was + his love and his wife to be. And the King welcomed Fedelma to the Castle. + Then said Gilveen, “There is a secret between this young man, Flann, and + myself.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the secret?” said the Queen, laying her hands suddenly upon + Gilveen’s shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “That I am his wife to be,” said Gilveen. + </p> + <p> + The Queen went to her son and said, “Dost thou not remember Morag, Flann, + who gave the token that thou gavest me?” + </p> + <p> + And Flann said, “Morag! I think the Spae-Woman spoke of her name in a + story.” + </p> + <p> + “I am Flann’s wife to be,” said Gilveen, smiling in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my wife to be,” said Flann. Then the King welcomed Gilveen too, and + they all went into the Castle. He told his wife he had messages from the + King of Senlabor about his other sons Dermott and Downal, saying that they + were making good names for themselves, and that everything they did was + becoming to sons of Kings. In the hall Fedelma saw Aefa her other sister. + Aefa was so proud of herself since she married Maravaun the King’s + Councillor that she would hardly speak to anyone. She gave her sisters the + tips of her fingers and she bowed very slightingly to the two youths. The + King questioned his druid as to when it would be well to have marriages + made in his Castle and the druid said it would be well not to make them + until the next appearance of the full moon. + </p> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + As for Morag she went by track and path, by boher and bohereen, through + fords in rivers and over stepping-stones across them, until at last she + came to the country of Senlabor and to the Castle of the King. + </p> + <p> + No one of high degree was in the Castle, for all had gone to watch the + young horses being broken in the meadow by the river; the King and Queen + had gone, and the King’s foster-daughters; and of the maids in the Castle, + Baun and Deelish had gone too. The King’s Councillor also had gone from + the Castle. Morag went and stayed in the kitchen, and the maids who were + there did not know her, either because they were new and had not heard her + spoken of at all, or because she had changed to such beauty through eating + the berry of the Fairy Rowan Tree that no one could know her now for Morag + who had cleaned dishes in that kitchen before. + </p> + <p> + It was Breas the King’s Steward who came to her and asked her who she was. + She told him. Then Breas looked sharply at her and saw she was indeed + Morag who had been in the King’s kitchen. Then he said loudly, “Before you + left you broke the dish that the King looked on as his especial treasure, + and for this, you will be left in the Stone House. I who have power in + this matter order that it be so.” Then he said in her ear, “But kisses and + sweet words would make me willing to save you.” + </p> + <p> + Morag, in a voice raised, called him by that evil name that he was known + by to the servants and their gossips. But the servants, hearing that name + said in the hearing of Breas, pretended to be scandalized. They went to + Morag and struck her with the besoms they had for sweeping the floor. + </p> + <p> + Just then her foster-sisters, Baun and Deelish, came into the kitchen. + Seeing her there they knew her. They spoke to her quietly, but with anger, + saying they had not wanted her to go on the journey she had taken, but, as + she had gone it was a pity she had come back, for now she had behaved in + an iii-mannered way, and they who were her foster-sisters would be thought + to be as ill-mannered; they told her too that before she came back they + were well-liked by all, and that Breas had even ordered a shady place to + be given them at the horse-breaking sports, and they had been able to see + the two youths who had broken the horses, Dermott and Downal. + </p> + <p> + “It was for a benefit to you that I came back,” said Morag. “I shall ask + one of you to do a thing for me. You, Baun, sing for the foster-daughters + of the King. Before they sleep to-night ask them to tell the Queen that + Morag has returned, and has a thing to give her.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall try to remember that, Morag,” said Baun. Morag was taken to the + Stone House by strong-armed bondswomen, and Baun and Deelish sat in + corners and cried and did not go near her. + </p> + <p> + That night the King’s foster-daughters kept awake for long, and after Baun + had sung to them they asked her to tell them what had happened in the + Castle. Then Baun remembered the tumult in the kitchen that had come from + the name given to Breas. She told the King’s foster-daughters that Morag + had come back. “She was reared in the same house with us,” said Baun, “but + she is not of the same parents.” And then she said; “If your Fair + Finenesses can remember, tell the Queen that Morag has come back.” + </p> + <p> + The next day when they were walking with the Queen one of the King’s + foster-daughters said, “Did you know of a maid named Morag? I have heard + that she has been away and has come back.” + </p> + <p> + “How did she fare?” said the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “We have not heard that,” said the maiden who spoke. + </p> + <p> + The Queen went to where Baun and Deelish were and from them she heard that + Morag had been put into the Stone House on the charge that she had broken + the King’s dish when she had been in the Castle before. Now the Queen knew + that the dish had been safe after Morag had left. She went to the King’s + Steward and accused him of having broken it and Breas admitted that it was + so. Thereupon he lost his rank and became the meanest and the most + despised servant in the Castle. + </p> + <p> + The Queen went to the Stone House and took Morag out. She asked her how + she had fared and thereupon Morag put the Rowan Berry in the Queen’s hand. + She hastened to her own chamber and ate it, and her youth and beauty came + back to her, and the King who had grown solitary, loved the Queen again. + </p> + <p> + Then Morag came to great honor in the Castle and the Queen asked her to + name the greatest favor she could think of. And the favor that Morag named + was marriages for her foster-sisters with the two youths they loved, + Downal and Dermott from the court of the King of Ireland. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, when she heard this, brought fine clothes out of her chests and + gave them to Baun and Deelish. When they had dressed in these clothes the + Queen made them known to the two youths. Downal and Dermott fell in love + with Morag’s foster-sisters, and the King named a day for the pairs to + marry. + </p> + <p> + Morag waited to see the marriages, and the King and Queen made it a grand + affair. There were seven hundred guests at the short table, eight hundred + at the long table, nine hundred at the round table, and a thousand in the + great hall. I was there, and I heard the whole story. But I got no present + save shoes of paper and stockings of butter-milk and these a herdsman + stole from me as I crossed the mountains. + </p> + <p> + But Morag got better presents, for the Queen gave her three gifts—a + scissors that cut cloth of itself, a ball of thread that went into the + needle of itself, and a needle that sewed of itself. + </p> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + Morag, with the three gifts that the Queen of Senlabor gave her, came + again to the Spae-Woman’s house. Her Little Red Hen was in the courtyard, + and she fluttered up to meet her. But there was no sign of any other life + about the place. Then, below at the washing-stream she found the + Spae-Woman rinsing clothes. She was standing on the middle-stones, + clapping her hands as if in great trouble. “Oh, Morag, my daughter Morag,” + cried the Spae-Woman, “there are signs on the clothes—there are + signs on the clothes!” + </p> + <p> + After a while she ceased crying and clapping her hands and came up from + the stream. She showed Morag that in all the shifts and dimities she + washed for her, a hole came just above where her heart would be. Morag + grew pale when she saw that, but she stood steadily and she did not wail. + “Should I go to the King’s Castle, fosterer?” said she. “No,” said the + Spae-Woman, “but to the woodman’s hut that is near the King’s Castle. And + take your Little Red Hen with you, my daughter,” said she, “and do not + forget the three presents that the Queen of Senlabor gave you.” Then the + Spae-Woman stood up and said the blessing of the journey over Morag:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + May the Olden + One, whom Fairy + Women nurtured + Through seven ages, + Bring you seven + Waves of fortune. +</pre> + <p> + Morag gave her the clasp of farewell then, and went on her way with the + Little Red Hen under her arm and the three presents that the Queen of + Senlabor gave her in her pouch. + </p> + <p> + Morag was going and ever going from the blink of day to the mouth of dark + and that for three crossings of the sun, and at last she came within sight + of the Castle of the King of Ireland. She asked a dog-boy for the hut of + MacStairn the Woodman and the hut was shown to her. She went to it and saw + the wife of MacStairn. She told her she was a girl traveling alone and she + asked for shelter. “I can give you shelter,” said MacStairn’s wife, “and I + can get you earnings too, for there is much sewing-work to be done at this + time.” Morag asked her what reason there was for that, and the woodman’s + wife told her there were two couples in the Castle to be married soon. + “One is the youth whom we have always called the King of Ireland’s Son. He + is to be married to a maiden called Fedelma. The other is a youth who is + the King’s son too, hut who has been away for a long time. Flann is his + name. And he is to be married to a damsel called Gilveen.” + </p> + <p> + When she heard that, it was as if a knife had been put into and turned in + her heart. She let the Little Red Hen drop from her arm. “I would sew the + garments that the damsel Gilveen is to wear,” said she, and she sat down + on the stone outside the woodman’s hut. MacStairn’s wife then sent to the + Castle to say that there was one in her hut who could sew all the garments + that Gilveen would send her. + </p> + <p> + The next day, with a servant walking behind, Gilveen came to the woodman’s + hut with a basket of cloths and patterns. The basket was left down and + Gilveen began to tell MacStairn’s wife how she wanted them cut, stitched + and embroidered. Morag took up the crimson doth and let her scissors—the + scissors that the Queen of Senlabor gave her—run through it. It cut + out the pattern exactly. “What a wonderful scissors,” said Gilveen. She + stooped down to where Morag was sitting on the stone outside of the + woodman’s house and took up the scissors in her hand. She examined it. “I + cannot give it back to you,” said she. “Give it to me, and I will let you + have any favor you ask.” “Since you want me to ask you for a favor,” said + Morag, “I ask that you let me sit at the supper-table to-night alone with + the youth you are to marry.” “That will do me no harm,” said Gilveen. She + went away, taking the scissors and smiling to herself. + </p> + <p> + That night Morag went into the Castle and came to the supper-table where + Flann was seated alone. But Gilveen had put a sleeping-draught into + Flann’s cup and he neither saw nor knew Morag when she sat at the table. + “Do you remember, Flann,” said she, “how we used to sit at the + supper-board in the house of Crom Duv?” But Flann did not hear her, nor + see her, and then Morag had to go away. + </p> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + The next day Gilveen came to where Morag sat on the stone outside the + woodman’s hut to watch her stitch the garment she had cut out. The thread + went into the needle of itself. “What a wonderful ball of thread,” said + Gilveen, taking it up. “I cannot give it back to you. Ask me for a favor + in place of it.” “Since you would have me ask a favor,” said Morag, “I ask + that you let me sit at the supper-table alone with the youth you are going + to marry.” “That will do me no harm,” said Gilveen. She took the ball of + thread and went away smiling. + </p> + <p> + That night Morag went into the Castle and came to the supper-table where + Flann was seated alone. But Gilveen again had put a sleeping-draught into + his cup, and Flann did not see or know Morag. “Do you not remember, + Flann,” said she, “the story of Morag that I told you across the + supper-board in the House of Crom Duv?” But Flann gave no sign of knowing + her, and then Morag had to go away. + </p> + <p> + The next day Gilveen came to watch Morag make the red embroideries upon + the white garment. When she put the needle into the cloth it worked out + the pattern of itself. “This is the most wonderful thing of all,” said + Gilveen. She stooped down and took the needle in her hand. “I cannot give + this back to you,” she said, “and you will have to ask for a favor that + will recompense you.” + </p> + <p> + “If I must ask for a favor,” said Morag, “the only favor I would ask is + that you let me sit at the supper-table to-night alone with the youth you + are to marry.” “That will do me no harm,” said Gilveen, and she took the + needle and went away smiling. Morag went to the Castle again that night, + but this time she took the Little Red Hen with her. She scattered grains + on the table and the Little Red Hen picked them up. “Little Hen, Little + Red Hen,” said Morag, “he slept too when I gave the seven drops of my + heart’s blood for his mother’s sake.” The Little Red Hen flew into Flann’s + face. “Seven drops of heart’s blood, seven drops of heart’s blood,” said + the Little Red Hen, and Flann heard the words. + </p> + <p> + He opened his eyes and saw the Little Red Hen on the table and knew that + she belonged to one that he had known. Morag, at the other side of the + table, looked strange and shadowy to him. But he threw crumbs on the table + and fed the Little Red Hen, and as he watched her picking up the crumbs + the memory of Morag came back to him. Then he saw her. He knew her for his + sweetheart and his promised wife and he went to her and asked her how it + came that she had not been in his mind for so long. “I will tell you how + you came to forget me,” said she, “it was because of the kiss you gave + Gilveen, and the enchantment she was able to put on you because of that + kiss.” + </p> + <p> + There was sorrow on Morag’s face when she said that, but the sorrow went + as the thin clouds go from before the face of the high-hung moon, and + Flann saw her as his kind comrade of Crom Duv’s and as his beautiful + friend of the Spae-Woman’s house. They kissed each other then, and every + enchantment went but the lasting enchantment of love, and they sat with + hands joined until the log in the fire beside them had burnt itself down + into a brand and the brand had burnt itself into ashes, and all the time + that passed was, as they thought, only while the watching-gilly outside + walked from one side of the Castle Gate to the other. + </p> + <p> + Gilveen had come into the room and she saw Flann and Morag give each other + a true-lover’s kiss. She went away. But the next day she came to the + King’s Steward, Art, who at one time wanted to marry her, and whom she had + refused because Aefa, her sister, had married one of a higher degree—she + came to Art and she told him that she would not marry Flann because she + had found out that he had a low-born sweetheart. “And I am ready to marry + you, Art,” she said. And Art was well pleased, and he and Gilveen left the + Castle to be married. + </p> + <p> + Then the day came when Fedelma and the King of Ireland’s Son, and Morag + and Flann were married. They were plighted to each other in the Circle of + Stones by the Druids who invoked upon them the powers of the Sun, the + Moon, the Earth, and the Air. They were married at the height of the day + and they feasted at night when the wax candles were lighted round the + tables. They had Greek honey and Lochlinn beer; ducks from Achill, apples + from Emain and venison from the Hunting Hill; they had trout and grouse + and plovers’ eggs and a boar’s head for every King in the company. And + these were the Kings who sat down to table with the King of Eirinn: the + King of Sorcha, the King of Hispania, the King of Lochlinn and the King of + the Green Island who had Sunbeam for his daughter. And they had there the + best heroes of Lochlinn, the best story-tellers of Alba, the best bards of + Eirinn. They laid sorrow and they raised music, and the harpers played + until the great champion Split-the-Shields told a tale of the realm of + Greece and how he slew the three lions that guarded the daughter of the + King. They feasted for six days and the last day was better than the + first, and the laugh they laughed when Witless, the Saxon fool, told how + Split-the-Shield’s story should have ended, shook the young jackdaws out + of every chimney in the Castle and brought them down fluttering on the + floors. + </p> + <p> + The King of Ireland lived long, but he died while his sons were in their + strong manhood, and after he passed away the Island of Destiny came under + the equal rule of the two. And one had rule over the courts and cities, + the harbors and the military encampments. And the other had rule over the + waste places and the villages and the roads where masterless men walked. + And the deeds of one are in the histories the shanachies have written in + the language of the learned, and the deeds of the other are in the stories + the people tell to you and to me. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When I crossed the Ford + They were turning the Mountain Pass; + When I stood on the Stepping-stones + They were travelling the Road of Glass. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The King of Ireland’s Son, by Padraic Colum + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING OF IRELAND’S SON *** + +***** This file should be named 3495-h.htm or 3495-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/3495/ + +Produced by A. 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