第8章

CHAPTERIX

Art，ashisfatherhaddonebeforehim，setoutfortheMany-ColouredLand，butitwasfromInverColpaheembarkedandnotfromBenEdair。

Atacertaintimehepassedfromtheroughgreenridgesoftheseatoenchantedwaters，andheroamedfromislandtoislandaskingallpeoplehowhemightcometoDelvcaem，thedaughterofMorgan。Buthegotnonewsfromanyone，untilhereachedanislandthatwasfragrantwithwildapples，gaywithflowers，andjoyouswiththesongofbirdsandthedeepmellowdrummingofthebees。Inthisislandhewasmetbyalady，Crede’，theTrulyBeautiful，andwhentheyhadexchangedkisses，hetoldherwhohewasandonwhaterrandhewasbent。

"Wehavebeenexpectingyou，"saidCrede’，"butalas，poorsoul，itisahard，andalong，badwaythatyoumustgo；forthereisseaandland，dangeranddifficultybetweenyouandthedaughterofMorgan。"

"YetImustgothere，"heanswered。

"Thereisawilddarkoceantobecrossed。Thereisadensewoodwhereeverythornoneverytreeissharpasaspear-pointandiscurvedandclutching。Thereisadeepgulftobegonethrough，"

shesaid，"aplaceofsilenceandterror，fullofdumb，venomousmonsters。Thereisanimmenseoakforest——dark，dense，thorny，aplacetobestrayedin，aplacetobeutterlybewilderedandlostin。Thereisavastdarkwilderness，andthereinisadarkhouse，lonelyandfullofechoes，andinittherearesevengloomyhags，whoarewarnedalreadyofyourcomingandarewaitingtoplungeyouinabathofmoltenlead。"

"Itisnotachoicejourney，"saidArt，"butIhavenochoiceandmustgo。"

"Shouldyoupassthosehags，"shecontinued，"andnoonehasyetpassedthem，youmustmeetAililloftheBlackTeeth，thesonofMonganTenderBlossom，andwhocouldpassthatgiganticandterriblefighter？"

"ItisnoteasytofindthedaughterofMorgan，"saidArtinamelancholyvoice。

"Itisnoteasy，"Crede’repliedeagerly，"andifyouwilltakemyadvice——"

"Adviseme，"hebrokein，"forintruththereisnomanstandinginsuchneedofcounselasIdo。"

"Iwouldadviseyou，"saidCrede’inalowvoice，"toseeknomoreforthesweetdaughterofMorgan，buttostayinthisplacewhereallthatislovelyisatyourservice。"

"But，but——"criedArtinastonishment。

"AmInotassweetasthedaughterofMorgan？"shedemanded，andshestoodbeforehimqueenlyandpleadingly，andhereyestookhiswithimperioustenderness。

"Bymyhand，"heanswered，"youaresweeterandlovelierthananybeingunderthesun，but——"

"Andwithme，"shesaid，"youwillforgetIreland。"

"Iamunderbonds，"criedArt，"Ihavepassedmyword，andI

wouldnotforgetIrelandorcutmyselffromitforallthekingdomsoftheMany-ColouredLand。"

Crede’urgednomoreatthattime，butastheywerepartingshewhispered，"Therearetwogirls，sistersofmyown，inMorgan’spalace。Theywillcometoyouwithacupineitherhand；onecupwillbefilledwithwineandonewithpoison。Drinkfromtheright-handcup，Omydear。"

Artsteppedintohiscoracle，andthen，wringingherhands，shemadeyetanattempttodissuadehimfromthatdrearjourney。

"Donotleaveme，"sheurged。"Donotaffrontthesedangers。

AroundthepalaceofMorganthereisapalisadeofcopperspikes，andonthetopofeachspiketheheadofamangrinsandshrivels。Thereisonespikeonlywhichbearsnohead，anditisforyourheadthatspikeiswaiting。Donotgothere，mylove。"

"Imustgoindeed，"said。Artearnestly。

"Thereisyetadanger，"shecalled。"BewareofDelvcaem’smother，DogHead，daughteroftheKingoftheDogHeads。Bewareofher。"

"Indeed，"saidArttohimself，"thereissomuchtobewareofthatIwillbewareofnothing。Iwillgoaboutmybusiness，"hesaidtothewaves，"andIwillletthosebeingsandmonstersandthepeopleoftheDogHeadsgoabouttheirbusiness。"

CHAPTERX

Hewentforwardinhislightbark，andatsomemomentfoundthathehadpartedfromthoseseasandwasadriftonvasterandmoreturbulentbillows。Fromthosedark-greensurgestheregapedathimmonstrousandcavernousjaws；andround，wicked，red-rimmed，bulgingeyesstaredfixedlyattheboat。Aridgeofinkywaterrushedfoamingmountainouslyonhisboard，andbehindthatridgecameavastwartyheadthatgurgledandgroaned。Butatthesevilecreatureshethrustwithhislengthyspearorstabbedatcloserreachwithadagger。

Hewasnotsparedoneoftheterrorswhichhadbeenforetold。

Thus，inthedarkthickoakforestheslewthesevenhagsandburiedtheminthemoltenleadwhichtheyhadheatedforhim。Heclimbedanicymountain，thecoldbreathofwhichseemedtoslipintohisbodyandchipoffinsideofhisbones，andthere，untilhemasteredthesortofclimbingonice，foreachstepthathetookupwardsheslippedbacktensteps。Almosthisheartgavewaybeforehelearnedtoclimbthatvenomoushill。Inaforkedglenintowhichheslippedatnight-fallhewassurroundedbygianttoads，whospatpoison，andwereicyasthelandtheylivedin，andwerecoldandfoulandsavage。AtSliavSaevheencounteredthelong-manedlionswholieinwaitforthebeastsoftheworld，growlingwoefullyastheysquatabovetheirpreyandcrunchthoseterrifiedbones。HecameonAililloftheBlackTeethsittingonthebridgethatspannedatorrent，andthegrimgiantwasgrindinghisteethonapillarstone。Artdrewnighunobservedandbroughthimlow。

Itwasnotfornothingthatthesedifficultiesanddangerswereinhispath。ThesethingsandcreaturesweretheinventionofDogHead，thewifeofMorgan，forithadbecomeknowntoherthatshewoulddieonthedayherdaughterwaswooed。ThereforenoneofthedangersencounteredbyArtwerereal，butweremagicalchimerasconjuredagainsthimbythegreatwitch。

Affrontingall，conqueringall，hecameintimetoMorgan’sdun，aplacesolovelythatafterthemiseriesthroughwhichhehadstruggledhealmostwepttoseebeautyagain。

Delvcaemknewthathewascoming。Shewaswaitingforhim，yearningforhim。TohermindArtwasnotonlylove，hewasfreedom，forthepoorgirlwasacaptiveinherfather’shome。A

greatpillaranhundredfeethighhadbeenbuiltontheroofofMorgan’spalace，andonthetopofthispillaratinyroomhadbeenconstructed，andinthisroomDelvcaemwasaprisoner。

ShewaslovelierinshapethananyotherprincessoftheMany-ColouredLand。Shewaswiserthanalltheotherwomenofthatland，andshewasskilfulinmusic，embroidery，andchastity，andinallelsethatpertainedtotheknowledgeofaqueen。

AlthoughDelvcaem’smotherwishednothingbutilltoArt，sheyettreatedhimwiththecourtesyproperinaqueenontheonehandandfittingtowardsthesonoftheKingofIrelandontheother。

Therefore，whenArtenteredthepalacehewasmetandkissed，andhewasbathedandclothedandfed。Twoyounggirlscametohimthen，havingacupineachoftheirhands，andpresentedhimwiththekinglydrink，but，rememberingthewarningwhichCredlhadgivenhim，hedrankonlyfromtheright-handcupandescapedthepoison。NexthewasvisitedbyDelvcaem’smother，DogHead，daughteroftheKingoftheDogHeads，andMorgan’squeen。Shewasdressedinfullarmour，andshechallengedArttofightwithher。

Itwasawoefulcombat，fortherewasnocraftorsagacityunknowntoher，andArtwouldinfalliblyhaveperishedbyherhandbutthatherdayswerenumbered，herstarwasout，andhertimehadcome。Itwasherheadthatrolledonthegroundwhenthecombatwasover，anditwasherheadthatgrinnedandshrivelledonthevacantspikewhichshehadreservedforArt’s。

ThenArtliberatedDelvcaemfromherprisonatthetopofthepillarandtheywereaffiancedtogether。Buttheceremonyhadscarcelybeencompletedwhenthetreadofasinglemancausedthepalacetoquakeandseemedtojartheworld。

ItwasMorganreturningtothepalace。

Thegloomykingchallengedhimtocombatalso，andinhishonourArtputonthebattleharnesswhichhehadbroughtfromIreland。

Heworeabreastplateandhelmetofgold，amantleofbluesatinswungfromhisshoulders，hislefthandwasthrustintothegripsofapurpleshield，deeplybossedwithsilver，andintheotherhandheheldthewide-grooved，bluehiltedswordwhichhadrungsooftenintofightsandcombats，andjoyousfeatsandexercises。

Uptothistimethetrialsthroughwhichhehadpassedhadseemedsogreatthattheycouldnoteasilybeaddedto。ButifallthosetrialshadbeengatheredintoonevastcalamitytheywouldnotequalonehalfoftherageandcatastropheofhiswarwithMorgan。

ForwhathecouldnoteffectbyarmsMorganwouldendeavourbyguile，sothatwhileArtdroveathimorparriedacraftyblow，theshapeofMorganchangedbeforehiseyes，andthemonstrouskingwashavingathiminanotherform，andfromanewdirection。

ItwaswellforthesonoftheArd-Ri’thathehadbeenbelovedbythepoetsandmagiciansofhisland，andthattheyhadtaughthimallthatwasknownofshape-changingandwordsofpower。

Hehadneedofallthese。

Attimes，fortheweaponmustchangewiththeenemy，theyfoughtwiththeirforeheadsastwogiantstags，andthecrashoftheirmonstrousonslaughtrolledandlingeredontheairlongaftertheirskullshadparted。Thenastwolions，long-clawed，deep-mouthed，snarling，withrigidmane，withred-eyedglare，withflashing，sharp-whitefangs，theyprowledlithelyabouteachotherseekingforanopening。Andthenastwogreen-ridged，white-topped，broad-swung，overwhelming，vehementbillowsofthedeep，theymetandcrashedandsunkintoandrolledawayfromeachother；andthenoiseofthesetwowaveswasastheroarofalloceanwhenthehowlofthetempestisdrownedintheleague-longfuryofthesurge。

Butwhenthewife’stimehascomethehusbandisdoomed。Heisrequiredelsewherebyhisbeloved，andMorganwenttorejoinhisqueenintheworldthatcomesaftertheMany-ColouredLand，andhisvictorshorethatknowledgeableheadawayfromitsgiantshoulders。

HedidnottarryintheMany-ColouredLand，forhehadnothingfurthertoseekthere。Hegatheredthethingswhichpleasedhimbestfromamongthetreasuresofitsgrislyking，andwithDelvcaembyhissidetheysteppedintothecoracle。

Then，settingtheirmindsonIreland，theywentthereasitwereinaflash。

Thewavesofalltheworldseemedtowhirlpasttheminonehuge，greencataract。Thesoundofalltheseoceansboomedintheirearsforoneeternalinstant。Nothingwasforthatmomentbutavastroarandpourofwaters。Thencetheyswungintoasilenceequallyvast，andsosuddenthatitwasasthunderousinthecomparisonaswastheelementalragetheyquitted。Foratimetheysatpanting，staringateachother，holdingeachother，lestnotonlytheirlivesbuttheirverysoulsshouldbeswirledawayinthegustypassageofworldwithinworld；andthen，lookingabroad，theysawthesmallbrightwavescreamingbytherocksofBenEdair，andtheyblessedthepowerthathadguidedandprotectedthem，andtheyblessedthecomelylandofIr。

OnreachingTara，Delvcaem，whowasmorepowerfulinartandmagicthanBecuma，orderedthelattertogoaway，andshedidso。

Shelefttheking’sside。Shecamefromthemidstofthecounsellorsandmagicians。Shedidnotbidfarewelltoanyone。

Shedidnotsaygood-byetothekingasshesetoutforBenEdair。

Whereshecouldgotonomanknew，forshehadbeenban-ishedfromtheMany-ColouredLandandcouldnotreturnthere。ShewasforbiddenentrytotheShi’byAngusOg，andshecouldnotremaininIreland。ShewenttoSasanaandshebecameaqueeninthatcountry，anditwasshewhofosteredtherageagainsttheHolyLandwhichhasnotceasedtothisday。

MONGAN’SFRENZY

CHAPTERI

TheabbotoftheMonasteryofMovillesentwordtothestory-tellersofIrelandthatwhentheywereinhisneighbourhoodtheyshouldcallatthemonastery，forhewishedtocollectandwritedownthestorieswhichwereindangerofbeingforgotten。

"Thesethingsalsomusthetold，"saidhe。

InparticularhewishedtogathertaleswhichtoldofthedeedsthathadbeendonebeforetheGospelcametoIreland。

"For，"saidhe，"thereareverygoodtalesamongthoseones，anditwouldbeapityifthepeoplewhocomeafterusshouldbeignorantofwhathappenedlongago，andofthedeedsoftheirfathers。"

So，wheneverastory-tellerchancedinthatneighbourhoodhewasdirectedtothemonastery，andtherehereceivedawelcomeandhisfillofallthatisgoodforman。

Theabbot’smanuscriptboxesbegantofillup，andheusedtoregardthatgrowingstorewithprideandjoy。Intheevenings，whenthedaysgrewshortandthelightwentearly，hewouldcallforsomeoneofthesemanuscriptsandhaveitreadtohimbycandle-light，inorderthathemightsatisfyhimselfthatitwasasgoodashehadjudgedittobeontheprevioushearing。

Onedayastory-tellercametothemonastery，and，likealltheothers，hewasheartilywelcomedandgivenagreatdealmorethanhisneed。

HesaidthathisnamewasCairide’，andthathehadastorytotellwhichcouldnotbebetteredamongthestoriesofIreland。

Theabbot’seyesglistenedwhenheheardthat。Herubbedhishandstogetherandsmiledonhisguest。

"Whatisthenameofyourstory？"heasked。

"Itiscalled’Mongan’sFrenzy。’"

"Ineverheardofitbefore，"criedtheabbotjoyfully。

"Iamtheonlymanthatknowsit，"Cairide’replied。

"Buthowdoesthatcomeabout？"theabbotinquired。

"Becauseitbelongstomyfamily，"thestory-telleranswered。

"TherewasaCairide’ofmynationwithMonganwhenhewentintoFaery。ThisCairide’listenedtothestorywhenitwasfirsttold。Thenhetoldittohisson，andhissontoldittohisson，andthatson’sgreat-great-grandson’ssontoldittohisson’sson，andhetoldittomyfather，andmyfathertoldittome。"

"Andyoushalltellittome，"criedtheabbottriumphantly。

"Iwillindeed，"saidCairide’。Vellumwasthenbroughtandquills。Thecopyistssatattheirtables。Alewasplacedbesidethestory-teller，andhetoldthistaletotheabbot。

CHAPTERII

SaidCairide’：

Mongan’swifeatthattimewasBro’tiarna，theFlameLady。Shewaspassionateandfierce，andbecausethebloodwouldfloodsuddenlytohercheek，sothatshewhohadseemedalilybecame，whileyoulookeduponher，arose，shewascalledFlameLady。ShelovedMonganwithecstasyandabandon，andforthatalsohecalledherFlameLady。

Buttheremayhavebeensomethingofcalculationeveninherwildestmoment，forifshewasdelightedinheraffectionshewastormentedinitalso，asareallthosewholovethegreatonesoflifeandstrivetoequalthemselveswhereequalityisnotpossible。

Forherhusbandwasatoncemorethanhimselfandlessthanhimself。HewaslessthanhimselfbecausehewasnowMongan。Hewasmorethanhimselfbecausehewasonewhohadlongdisappearedfromtheworldofmen。Hislamenthadbeensungandhisfuneralgamesplayedmany，manyyearsbefore，andBro’tiarnasensedinhimsecrets，experiences，knowledgesinwhichshecouldhavenopart，andforwhichshewasgreedilyenvious。

Soshewascontinuallyaskinghimlittle，simplequestionsa’

proposofeverykindofthing。

Sheweighedallthathesaidonwhateversubject，andwhenhetalkedinhissleepshelistenedtohisdream。

Theknowledgethatshegleanedfromthoselisteningstormentedherfarmorethanitsatisfiedher，forthenamesofotherwomenwerecontinuallyonhislips，sometimesintermsofdearaffection，sometimesinaccentsofangerordespair，andinhissleephespokefamiliarlyofpeoplewhomthestory-tellerstoldof，butwhohadbeendeadforcenturies。Thereforeshewasperplexed，andbecamefilledwithaveryrageofcuriosity。

Amongthenameswhichherhusbandmentionedtherewasonewhich，becauseofthefrequencywithwhichitappeared，andbecauseofthetoneofanguishandloveandlonginginwhichitwasuttered，shethoughtofoftenerthantheothers：thisnamewasDuvLaca。

Althoughshequestionedandcross-questionedCairide’，herstory-teller，shecoulddiscovernothingaboutaladywhohadbeenknownastheBlackDuck。ButonenightwhenMonganseemedtospeakwithDuvLacahementionedherfatherasFiachnaDuvmacDemain，andthestory-tellersaidthatkinghadbeendeadforavastnumberofyears。

Sheaskedherhusbandthen，boldly，totellherthestoryofDuvLaca，andundertheinfluenceoftheirmutuallovehepromisedtotellittohersometime，buteachtimesheremindedhimofhispromisehebecameconfused，andsaidthathewouldtellitsomeothertime。

AstimewentonthepoorFlameLadygrewmoreandmorejealousofDuvLaca，andmoreandmorecertainthat，ifonlyshecouldknowwhathadhappened，shewouldgetsomeeasetohertormentedheartandsomeassuagementofherperfectlynaturalcuriosity。

ThereforeshelostnoopportunityofremindingMonganofhispromise，andoneachoccasionherenewedthepromiseandputitbacktoanothertime。

CHAPTERIII

IntheyearwhenCiaranthesonoftheCarpenterdied，thesameyearwhenTuathalMaelgarivwaskilledandtheyearwhenDiarmaitthesonofCerrbelbecamekingofallIreland，theyear538ofourerainshort，ithappenedthattherewasagreatgatheringofthemenofIrelandattheHillofUisneachinRoyalMeath。

InadditiontotheCouncilwhichwasbeingheld，thereweregamesandtournamentsandbrilliantdeploymentsoftroops，anduniversalfeastingsandenjoyments。Thegatheringlastedforaweek，andonthelastdayoftheweekMonganwasmovingthroughthecrowdwithsevenguards，hisstory-tellerCairide’，andhiswife。

Ithadbeenabeautifulday，withbrilliantsunshineandgreatsport，butsuddenlycloudsbegantogatherintheskytothewest，andotherscamerushingblacklyfromtheeast。Whenthesecloudsmettheworldwentdarkforaspace，andtherefellfromtheskyashowerofhailstones，solargethateachmanwonderedattheirsize，andsoswiftandheavythatthewomenandyoungpeopleofthehostscreamedfromthepainoftheblowstheyreceived。

Mongan’smenmadearoofoftheirshields，andthehailstonesbatteredontheshieldssoterriblythatevenunderthemtheywereafraid。Theybegantomoveawayfromthehostlookingforshelter，andwhentheyhadgoneapartalittlewaytheyturnedtheedgeofasmallhillandaknolloftrees，andinthetwinklingofaneyetheywereinfairweather。

Oneminutetheyheardtheclashingandbashingofthehailstones，thehowlingofthevenomouswind，thescreamsofwomenandtheuproarofthecrowdontheHillofUisneach，andthenextminutetheyheardnothingmoreofthosesoundsandsawnothingmoreofthesesights，fortheyhadbeenpermittedtogoatonestepoutoftheworldofmenandintotheworldofFaery。

CHAPTERIV

ThereisadifferencebetweenthisworldandtheworldofFaery，butitisnotimmediatelyperceptible。Everythingthatishereisthere，butthethingsthataretherearebetterthanthosethatarehere。Allthingsthatarebrightaretherebrighter。Thereismoregoldinthesunandmoresilverinthemoonofthatland。

Thereismorescentintheflowers，moresavourinthefruit。

Thereismorecomelinessinthemenandmoretendernessinthewomen。EverythinginFaeryisbetterbythisonewonderfuldegree，anditisbythisbetternessyouwillknowthatyouarethereifyoushouldeverhappentogetthere。

Monganandhiscompanionssteppedfromtheworldofstormintosunshineandascentedworld。Theinstanttheysteppedtheystood，bewildered，lookingateachothersilently，questioningly，andthenwithoneaccordtheyturnedtolookbackwhencetheyhadcome。

Therewasnostormbehindthem。Thesunlightdrowsedthereasitdidinfront，apeacefulfloodingoflivinggold。Theysawtheshapesofthecountrytowhichtheireyeswereaccustomed，andrecognisedthewell-knownlandmarks，butitseemedthatthedistanthillswereatriflehigher，andthegrasswhichclothedthemandstretchedbetweenwasgreener，wasmorevelvety：thatthetreeswerebetterclothedandhadmoreofpeaceastheyhungoverthequietground。

ButMonganknewwhathadhappened，andhesmiledwithgleeashewatchedhisastonishedcompanions，andhesniffedthatbalmyairasonewhosenostrilsrememberedit。

"Youhadbettercomewithme，"hesaid。

"Wherearewe？"hiswifeasked。"Why，wearehere，"criedMongan；

"whereelseshouldwebe？"

Hesetoffthen，andtheothersfollowed，staringaboutthemcautiously，andeachmankeepingahandonthehiltofhissword。

"AreweinFaery？"theFlameLadyasked。

"Weare，"saidMongan。

Whentheyhadgonealittledistancetheycametoagroveofancienttrees。Mightilytailandwellgrownthesetreeswere，andthetrunkofeachcouldnothavebeenspannedbytenbroadmen。

Astheywentamongthesequietgiantsintothedappledobscurityandsilence，theirthoughtsbecamegrave，andallthemotionsoftheirmindselevatedasthoughtheymustequalingreatnessanddignitythoseancientandglorioustrees。Whentheypassedthroughthegrovetheysawalovelyhousebeforethem，builtofmellowwoodandwitharoofofbronze——itwaslikethedwellingofaking，andoverthewindowsoftheSunnyRoomtherewasabalcony。Therewereladiesonthisbalcony，andwhentheysawthetravellersapproachingtheysentmessengerstowelcomethem。

Monganandhiscompanionswerethenbroughtintothehouse，andallwasdoneforthemthatcouldbedoneforhonouredguests。

Everythingwithinthehousewasasexcellentasallwithout，anditwasinhabitedbysevenmenandsevenwomen，anditwasevidentthatMonganandthesepeoplewerewellacquainted。

Intheeveningafeastwasprepared，andwhentheyhadeatenwelltherewasabanquet。Thereweresevenvatsofwine，andasMonganlovedwinehewasveryhappy，andhedrankmoreonthatoccasionthananyonehadevernoticedhimtodrinkbefore。

ItwaswhilehewasinthisconditionofgleeandexpansionthattheFlameLadyputherarmsabouthisneckandbeggedhewouldtellherthestoryofDuvLaca，and，beingboisterousthenandfullofgoodspirits，heagreedtoherrequest，andhepreparedtotellthetale。

ThesevenmenandsevenwomenoftileFairyPalacethentooktheirplacesabouthiminahalf-circle；hisownsevenguardssatbehindthem；hiswife，theFlameLady，satbyhisside；andatthebackofallCairid~hisstory-tellersat，listeningwithallhisears，andrememberingeverywordthatwasuttered。

CHAPTERV

SaidMongan：

Inthedaysoflongagoandthetimesthathavedisappearedforever，therewasoneFiachnaFinnthesonofBaltan，thesonofMurchertach，thesonofMuredach，thesonofEogan，thesonofNeill。Hewentfromhisowncountrywhenhewasyoung，forhewishedtoseethelandofLochlann，andheknewthathewouldbewelcomedbythekingofthatcountry，forFiachna’sfatherandEolgarg’sfatherhaddonedeedsincommonandwereobligedtoeachother。

Hewaswelcomed，andhestayedattheCourtofLochlanningreateaseandinthemidstofpleasures。

ItthenhappenedthatEolgargMorfellsickandthedoctorscouldnotcurehim。Theysentforotherdoctors，buttheycouldnotcurehim，norcouldanyonesaywhathewassufferingfrom，beyondthathewaswastingvisiblybeforetheireyes，andwouldcertainlybecomeashadowanddisappearinairunlesshewashealedandfattenedandmadevisible。

Theysentformoredistantdoctors，andthenforothersmoredistantstill，andatlasttheyfoundamanwhoclaimedthathecouldmakeacureifthekingweresuppliedwiththemedicinewhichhewouldorder。

"Whatmedicineisthat？"saidtheyall。

"Thisisthemedicine，"saidthedoctor。"Findaper-fectlywhitecowwithredears，andboilitdowninthelump，andifthekingdrinksthatrenderinghewillrecover。"

Beforehehadwellsaiditmessengersweregoingfromthepalaceinalldirectionslookingforsuchacow。Theyfoundlotsofcowswhichwerenearlylikewhattheywanted，butitwasonlybychancetheycameonthecowwhichwoulddothework，andthatbeastbelongedtothemostnotoriousandmaliciousandcantankerousfemaleinLochlann，theBlackHag。NowtheBlackHagwasnotonlythosethingsthathavebeensaid；shewasalsowhiskeredandwartyandone-eyedandobstreperous，andshewasnotoriousandill-favouredinmanyotherwaysalso。

Theyofferedheracowintheplaceofherowncow，butsherefusedtogiveit。Thentheyofferedacowforeachlegofhercow，butshewouldnotacceptthatofferunlessFiachnawentbailforthepayment。Heagreedtodoso，andtheydrovethebeastaway。

OnthereturnjourneyhewasmetbymessengerswhobroughtnewsfromIreland。TheysaidthattheKingofUlsterwasdead，andthathe，FiachnaFinn，hadbeenelectedkinginthedeadking’splace。HeatoncetookshipforIreland，andfoundthatallhehadbeentoldwastrue，andhetookupthegovernmentofUlster。

CHAPTERVI

Ayearpassed，andonedayashewassittingatjudgementtherecameagreatnoisefromwithout，andthisnoisewassopersistentthatthepeopleandsuitorswerescandalised，andFiachnaatlastorderedthatthenoisypersonshouldbebroughtbeforehimtobejudged。

Itwasdone，andtohissurprisethepersonturnedouttobetheBlackHag。

Sheblamedhiminthecourtbeforehispeople，andcomplainedthathehadtakenawayhercow，andthatshehadnotbeenpaidthefourcowshehadgonebailfor，andshedemandedjudgementfromhimandjustice。

"Ifyouwillconsiderittobejustice，Iwillgiveyoutwentycowsmyself，"saidFiachna。

"IwouldnottakeallthecowsinUlster，"shescreamed。

"Pronouncejudgementyourself，"saidtheking，"andifIcandowhatyoudemandIwilldoit。"Forhedidnotliketobeinthewrong，andhedidnotwishthatanypersonshouldhaveanunsatisfiedclaimuponhim。

TheBlackHagthenpronouncedjudgement，andthekinghadtofulfilit。

"Ihavecome，"saidshe，"fromtheeasttothewest；youmustcomefromthewesttotheeastandmakewarforme，andrevengemeontheKingofLochlann。"

Fiachnahadtodoasshedemanded，and，althoughitwaswithaheavyheart，hesetoutinthreedays’timeforLochlann，andhebroughtwithhimtenbattalions。

HesentmessengersbeforehimtoBigEolgargwarninghimofhiscoming，ofhisintention，andofthenumberoftroopshewasbringing；andwhenhelandedEolgargmethimwithanequalforce，andtheyfoughttogether。

InthefirstbattlethreehundredofthemenofLochlannwerekilled，butinthenextbattleEolgargMordidnotfightfair，forheletsomevenomoussheepoutofatent，andtheseattackedthemenofUlsterandkilledninehundredofthem。

Sovastwastheslaughtermadebythesesheepandsogreattheterrortheycaused，thatnoonecouldstandbeforethem，butbygreatgoodlucktherewasawoodathand，andthemenofUlster，warriorsandprincesandcharioteers，wereforcedtoclimbupthetrees，andtheyroostedamongthebrancheslikegreatbirds，whilethevenomoussheeprangedbelowbleatingterriblyandtearinguptheground。

FiachnaFi，mwasalsosittinginatree，veryhighup，andhewasdisconsolate。

"Wearedisgraced{"saidhe。

"Itisverylucky，"saidthemaninthebranchbelow，"thatasheepcannotclimbatree。"

"Wearedisgracedforever{"saidtheKingofUlster。

"Ifthosesheeplearnhowtoclimb，weareundonesurely，"saidthemanbelow。

"Iwillgodownandfightthesheep，"saidFiachna。Buttheotherswouldnotletthekinggo。

"Itisnotright，"theysaid，"thatyoushouldfightsheep。"

"Someonemustfightthem，"saidFiachnaFinn，"butnomoreofmymenshalldieuntilIfightmyself；forifIamfatedtodie，I

willdieandIcannotescapeit，andifitisthesheep’sfatetodie，thendietheywill；forthereisnomancanavoiddestiny，andthereisnosheepcandodgeiteither。"

"Praisebetogod！"saidthewarriorthatwashigherup。

"Amen！’saidthemanwhowashigherthanhe，andtherestofthewarriorswishedgoodlucktotheking。

Hestartedthentoclimbdownthetreewithaheavyheart，butwhilehehungfromthelastbranchandwasabouttoletgo，henoticedatallwarriorwalkingtowardshim。Thekingpulledhimselfuponthebranchagainandsatdangle-leggedonittoseewhatthewarriorwoulddo。

Thestrangerwasaverytallman，dressedinagreencloakwithasilverbroochattheshoulder。Hehadagoldenbandabouthishairandgoldensandalsonhisfeet，andhewaslaughingheartilyattheplightofthemenofIreland。

CHAPTERVII

"Itisnotniceofyoutolaughatus，"saidFiachnaFinn。

"Whocouldhelplaughingatakinghunkeringonabranchandhisarmyroostingaroundhimlikehens？"saidthestranger。

"Nevertheless，"thekingreplied，"itwouldbecourteousofyounottolaughatmisfortune。"

"Welaughwhenwecan，"commentedthestranger，"andarethankfulforthechance。"

"Youmaycomeupintothetree，"saidFiachna，"forIperceivethatyouareamannerlyperson，andIseethatsomeofthevenomoussheeparecharginginthisdirection。Iwouldratherprotectyou，"hecontinued，"thanseeyoukilled；for，"saidhelamentably，"Iamgettingdownnowtofightthesheep。"

"Theywillnothurtme，"saidthestranger。"Whoareyou？"thekingasked。

"IamMananna’n，thesonofLir。"

Fiachnaknewthenthatthestrangercouldnotbehurt。

"WhatwillyougivemeifIdeliveryoufromthesheep？"askedManann，Sn。

"Iwillgiveyouanythingyouask，ifIhavethatthing。"

"Iasktherightsofyourcrownandofyourhouseholdforoneday。"

Fiachna’sbreathwastakenawaybythatrequest，andhetookalittletimetocomposehimself，thenhesaidmildly：

"IwillnothaveonemanofIrelandkilledifIcansavehim。AllthatIhavetheygiveme，allthatIhaveIgivetothem，andifImustgivethisalso，thenIwillgivethis，althoughitwouldbeeasierformetogivemylife。""Thatisagreed，"saidMannana’n。

Hehadsomethingwrappedinafoldofhiscloak，andheunwrappedandproducedthisthing。

Itwasadog。

Nowifthesheepwerevenomous，thisdogwasmorevenomousstill，foritwasfearfultolookat。Inbodyitwasnotlarge，butitsheadwasofagreatsize，andthemouththatwasshapedinthatheadwasabletoopenlikethelidofapot。Itwasnotteethwhichwereinthathead，buthooksandfangsandprongs。Dreadfulwasthatmouthtolookat，terribletolookinto，woefultothinkabout；andfromit，orfromthebroad，loosenosethatwaggledaboveit，therecameasoundwhichnowordofmancoulddescribe，foritwasnotasnarl，norwasitahowl，althoughitwasbothofthese。Itwasneitheragrowlnoragrunt，althoughitwasbothofthese；itwasnotayowlnoragroan，althoughitwasbothofthese：foritwasonesoundmadeupofthesesounds，andtherewasinit，too，awhineandayelp，andalong-drawnsnoringnoise，andadeeppurringnoise，andanoisethatwaslikethesquealofarustyhinge，andtherewereothernoisesinitalso。

"Thegodsbepraised！"saidthemanwhowasinthebranchabovetheking。

"Whatforthistime？"saidtheking。

"Becausethatdogcannotclimbatree，"saidtheman。

Andthemanonabranchyetabovehimgroanedout"Amen！"

"Thereisnothingtofrightensheeplikeadog，"saidMananna’n，"andthereisnothingtofrightenthesesheeplikethisdog。"

Heputthedogonthegroundthen。

"Littledogeen，littletreasure，"saidhe，"goandkillthesheep。"

Andwhenhesaidthatthedogputanadditionandanaddendumontothenoisehehadbeenmakingbefore，sothatthemenofIrelandstucktheirfingersintotheirearsandturnedthewhitesoftheireyesupwards，andnearlyfellofftheirbrancheswiththefearandthefrightwhichthatsoundputintothem。

Itdidnottakethedoglongtodowhathehadbeenordered。Hewentforward，atfirst，withaslowwaddle，andasthevenomoussheepcametomeethiminbounces，hethenwenttomeettheminwriggles；sothatinawhilehewentsofastthatyoucouldseenothingofhimbutaheadandawriggle。Hedealtwiththesheepinthisway，ajumpandachopforeach，andhenevermissedhisjumpandhenevermissedhischop。Whenhegothisgripheswungroundonitasifitwasahinge。Theswingbeganwiththechop，anditendedwiththebitlooseandthesheepgivingitslastkick。Attheendoftenminutesallthesheepwerelyingontheground，andthesamebitwasoutofeverysheep，andeverysheepwasdead。

"Youcancomedownnow，"saidMananna’n。

"Thatdogcan’tclimbatree，"saidthemaninthebranchabovethekingwarningly。

"Praisebetothegods！"saidthemanwhowasabovehim。

"Amen！"saidthewarriorwhowashigherupthanthat。Andthemaninthenexttreesaid：

"Don’tmoveahandorafootuntilthedogchokeshimselftodeathonthedeadmeat。"

Thedog，however，didnoteatabitofthemeat。Hetrottedtohismaster，andMananna’ntookhimupandwrappedhiminhiscloak。

"Nowyoucancomedown，"saidhe。

"Iwishthatdogwasdead！"saidtheking。

Butheswunghimselfoutofthetreeallthesame，forhedidnotwishtoseemfrightenedbeforeMananna’n。"YoucangonowandbeatthemenofLochlann，"saidMananna’n。"YouwillbeKingofLochlannbeforenightfall。"

"Iwouldn’tmindthat，"saidtheking。"It’snothreat，"saidMananna’n。

ThesonofLirturnedthenandwentawayinthedirectionofIrelandtotakeuphisone-dayrights，andFiachnacontinuedhisbattlewiththeLochlannachs。

Hebeatthembeforenightfall，andbythatvictoryhebecameKingofLochlannandKingoftheSaxonsandtheBritons。

HegavetheBlackHagsevencastleswiththeirterritories，andhegaveheronehundredofeverysortofcattlethathehadcaptured。Shewassatisfied。

ThenhewentbacktoIreland，andafterhehadbeenthereforsometimehiswifegavebirthtoason。

CHAPTERVIII

"YouhavenottoldmeonewordaboutDuvLaca，"saidtheFlameLadyreproachfully。

"Iamcomingtothat，"repliedMongan。

Hemotionedtowardsoneofthegreatvats，andwinewasbroughttohim，ofwhichhedranksojoyouslyandsodeeplythatallpeoplewonderedathisthirst，hiscapacity，andhisjovialspirits。

"Now，Iwillbeginagain。"

SaidMongan：TherewasanattendantinFiachnaFinn’spalacewhowascalledAnDa’v，andthesamenightthatFiachna’swifeboreason，thewifeofAnDa’vgavebirthtoasonalso。ThislatterchildwascalledmacanDa’v，butthesonofFiachna’swifewasnamedMongan。

"Ah！"murmuredtheFlameLady。

Thequeenwasangry。Shesaiditwasunjustandpresumptuousthattheservantshouldgetachildatthesametimethatshegotoneherself，buttherewasnohelpforit，becausethechildwasthereandcouldnotbeobliterated。

Nowthisalsomustbetold。

TherewasaneighbouringprincecalledFiachnaDuv，andhewastheruleroftheDalFiatach。ForalongtimehehadbeenatenmityandspitefulwarfarewithFiachnaFinn；andtothisFiachnaDuvtherewasborninthesamenightadaughter，andthisgirlwasnamedDuvLacaoftheWhiteHand。

"Ah！"criedtheFlameLady。

"Yousee！"saidMongan，andhedrankanewandjoyouslyofthefairywine。

InordertoendthetroublebetweenFiachnaFinnandFiachnaDuvthebabieswereaffiancedtoeachotherinthecradleonthedayaftertheywereborn，andthemenofIrelandrejoicedatthatdeedandatthatnews。Butsoontherecamedismayandsorrowintheland，forwhenthelittleMonganwasthreedaysoldhisrealfather，Mananna’nthesonofLir，appearedinthemiddleofthepalace。HewrappedMonganinhisgreencloakandtookhimawaytorearandtrainintheLandofPromise，whichisbeyondtheseathatisattheothersideofthegrave。

WhenFiachnaDuvheardthatMongan，whowasaffiancedtohisdaughterDuvLaca，haddisappeared，heconsideredthathiscompactofpeacewasatanend，andonedayhecamebysurpriseandattackedthepalace。HekilledFiachnaFinninthatbattle，andbecrownedhimselfKingofUlster。

ThemenofUlsterdislikedhim，andtheypetitionedMananna’ntobringMonganback，butMananna’nwouldnotdothisuntiltheboywassixteenyearsofageandwellrearedinthewisdomoftheLandofPromise。ThenhedidbringMonganback，andbyhismeanspeacewasmadebetweenMonganandFiachnaDuv，andMonganwasmarriedtohiscradle-bride，theyoungDuvLaca。

CHAPTERIX

OnedayMonganandDuvLacawereplayingchessintheirpalace。

Monganhadjustmadeamoveofskill，andhelookedupfromtheboardtoseeifDuvLacaseemedasdiscontentedasshehadarighttobe。HesawthenoverDuvLaca’sshoulderalittleblack-faced，tufty-headedclericleaningagainstthedoor-postinsidetheroom。

"Whatareyoudoingthere？"saidMongan。

"Whatareyoudoingthereyourself？"saidthelittleblack-facedcleric。

"Indeed，Ihavearighttobeinmyownhouse，"saidMongan。

"IndeedIdonotagreewithyou，"saidthecleric。

"WhereoughtIbe，then？"saidMongan。

"YououghttobeatDunFiathacavengingthemurderofyourfather，"repliedthecleric，"andyououghttobeashamedofyourselffornothavingdoneitlongago。Youcanplaychesswithyourwifewhenyouhavewontherighttoleisure。"

"ButhowcanIkillmywife’sfather？"Monganexclaimed。"Bystartingaboutitatonce，"saidthecleric。"Hereisawayoftalking！"saidMongan。

"Iknow，"theclericcontinued，"thatDuvLacawillnotagreewithawordIsayonthissubject，andthatshewilltrytopreventyoufromdoingwhatyouhavearighttodo，forthatisawife’sbusiness，butaman’sbusinessistodowhatIhavejusttoldyou；socomewithmenowanddonotwaittothinkaboutit，anddonotwaittoplayanymorechess。FiachnaDuvhasonlyasmallforcewithhimatthismoment，andwecanburnhispalaceasheburnedyourfather’spalace，andkillhimselfashekilledyourfather，andcrownyouKingofUlsterrightfullythewayhecrownedhimselfwrongfullyasaking。"

"Ibegintothinkthatyouownaluckytongue，myblack-facedfriend，"saidMongan，"andIwillgowithyou。"

Hecollectedhisforcesthen，andheburnedFiachnaDuv’sfortress，andhekilledFiachnaDuv，andhewascrownedKingofUlster。

Thenforthefirsttimehefeltsecureandatlibertytoplaychess。Buthedidnotknowuntilafterwardsthattheblack-faced，tufty-headedpersonwashisfatherMananna’n，althoughthatwasthefact。

Therearesomewhosay，however，thatFiachnatheBlackwaskilledintheyear624bythelordoftheScot’sDalRiada，CondadCerr，atthebattleofArdCarainn；butthepeoplewhosaythisdonotknowwhattheyaretalkingabout，andtheydonotcaregreatlywhatitistheysay。