第9章

CHAPTERX

"ThereisnothingtomarvelaboutinthisDuvLaca，"saidtheFlameLadyscornfully。"Shehasgotmarried，andshehasbeenbeatenatchess。Ithashappenedbefore。"

"Letuskeeptothestory，"saidMongan，and，havingtakensomefewdozendeepdraughtsofthewine，hebecameevenmorejovialthanbefore。Thenherecommencedhistale：

IthappenedonadaythatMonganhadneedoftreasure。Hehadmanypresentstomake，andhehadnotasmuchgoldandsilverandcattleaswasproperforaking。Hecalledhisnoblestogetheranddiscussedwhatwasthebestthingtobedone，anditwasarrangedthatheshouldvisittheprovincialkingsandaskboonsfromthem。

Hesetoutatonceonhisroundofvisits，andthefirstprovincehewenttowasLeinster。

TheKingofLeinsteratthattimewasBranduv，thesonofEchach。

HewelcomedMonganandtreatedhimwell，andthatnightMongansleptinhispalace。

Whenheawokeinthemorninghelookedoutofaloftywindow，andhesawonthesunnylawnbeforethepalaceaherdofcows。Therewerefiftycowsinall，forhecountedthem，andeachcowhadacalfbesideher，andeachcowandcalfwaspurewhiteincolour，andeachofthemhadredears。

WhenMongansawthesecows，hefellinlovewiththemashehadneverfalleninlovewithanythingbefore。

Hecamedownfromthewindowandwalkedonthesunnylawnamongthecows，lookingateachofthemandspeakingwordsofaffectionandendearmenttothemall；andwhilehewasthuswalkingandtalkingandlookingandloving，henoticedthatsomeonewasmovingbesidehim。Helookedfromthecowsthen，andsawthattheKingofLeinsterwasathisside。

"Areyouinlovewiththecows？"Branduvaskedhim。

"Iam，"saidMongan。

"Everybodyis，"saidtheKingofLeinster。

"Ineversawanythinglikethem，"saidMongan。

"Nobodyhas，"saidtheKingofLeinster。

"IneversawanythingIwouldratherhavethanthesecows，"saidMongan。

"These，"saidtheKingofLeinster，"arethemostbeautifulcowsinIreland，and，"hecontinuedthoughtfully，"DuvLacaisthemostbeautifulwomaninIreland。"

"Thereisnolieinwhatyousay，"saidMongan。

"Isitnotaqueerthing，"saidtheKingofLeinster，"thatI

shouldhavewhatyouwantwithallyoursoul，andyoushouldhavewhatIwantwithallmyheart？"

"Queerindeed，"saidMongan，"butwhatisitthatyoudowant？"

"DuvLaca，ofcourse，"saidtheKingofLeinster。

"Doyoumean，"saidMongan，"thatyouwouldexchangethisherdoffiftypurewhitecowshavingredears——"

"Andtheirfiftycalves，"saidtheKingofLeinster——

"ForDuvLaca，orforanywomanintheworld？"

"Iwould，"criedtheKingofLeinster，andhethumpedhiskneeashesaidit。

"Done，"roaredMongan，andthetwokingsshookhandsonthebargain。

Monganthencalledsomeofhisownpeople，andbeforeanymorewordscouldbesaidandbeforeanyalterationcouldbemade，hesethismenbehindthecowsandmarchedhomewiththemtoUlster。

CHAPTERXI

DuvLacawantedtoknowwherethecowscamefrom，andMongantoldherthattheKingofLeinsterhadgiventhemtohim。ShefellinlovewiththemasMonganhaddone，buttherewasnobodyintheworldcouldhaveavoidedlovingthosecows：suchcowstheywere！

suchwonders！MonganandDuvLacausedtoplaychesstogether，andthentheywouldgoouttogethertolookatthecows，andthentheywouldgointogetherandwouldtalktoeachotheraboutthecows。Everythingtheydidtheydidtogether，fortheylovedtobewitheachother。

However，achangecame。

Onemorningagreatnoiseofvoicesandtramplingofhorsesandrattleofarmourcameaboutthepalace。Monganlookedfromthewindow。

"Whoiscoming？"askedDuvLaca。

Buthedidnotanswerher。

"Thenoisemustannouncethevisitofaking，"DuvLacacontinued。

ButMongandidnotsayaword。DuvLacathenwenttothewindow。

"Whoisthatking？"sheasked。

Andherhusbandrepliedtoherthen。

"ThatistheKingofLeinster，"saidhemournfully。

"Well，"saidDuvLacasurprised，"ishenotwelcome？"

"Heiswelcomeindeed，"saidMonganlamentably。

"Letusgooutandwelcomehimproperly，"DuvLacasuggested。

"Letusnotgonearhimatall，"saidMongan，"forheiscomingtocompletehisbargain。"

"Whatbargainareyoutalkingabout？"DuvLacaasked。ButMonganwouldnotanswerthat。

"Letusgoout，"saidhe，"forwemustgoout。"

MonganandDuvLacawentoutthenandwelcomedtheKingofLeinster。Theybroughthimandhischiefmenintothepalace，andwaterwasbroughtfortheirbaths，androomswereappointedforthem，andeverythingwasdonethatshouldbedoneforguests。

Thatnighttherewasafeast，andafterthefeasttherewasabanquet，andallthroughthefeastandthebanquettheKingofLeinsterstaredatDuvLacawithjoy，andsometimeshisbreastwasdeliveredofgreatsighs，andattimeshemovedasthoughinperturbationofspiritandmentalagony。

"ThereissomethingwrongwiththeKingofLeinster，"DuvLacawhispered。

"Idon’tcareifthereis，"saidMongan。

"Youmustaskwhathewants。"

"ButIdon’twanttoknowit，"saidMongan。"Nevertheless，youmuskaskhim，"sheinsisted。

SoMongandidaskhim，anditwasinamelancholyvoicethatheaskedit。

"Doyouwantanything？"saidhetotheKingofLeinster。

"Idoindeed，"saidBranduv。

"IfitisinUlsterIwillgetitforyou，"saidMonganmournfully。

"ItisinUlster，"saidBranduv。

Mongandidnotwanttosayanythingmorethen，buttheKingofLeinsterwassointentandeverybodyelsewaslisteningandDuvLacawasnudginghisarm，sohesaid："Whatisitthatyoudowant？""IwantDuvLaca。"

"Iwanthertoo，"saidMongan。

"Youmadeyourbargain，"saidtheKingofLeinster，"mycowsandtheircalvesforyourDuvLaca，andthemanthatmakesabargainkeepsabargain。"

"Ineverbeforeheard，"saidMongan，"ofamangivingawayhisownwife。"

"Evenifyouneverheardofitbefore，youmustdoitnow，"saidDuvLaca，"forhonourislongerthanlife。"

MonganbecameangrywhenDuvLacasaidthat。Hisfacewentredasasunset，andtheveinsswelledinhisneckandhisforehead。

"Doyousaythat？"hecriedtoDuvLaca。

"Ido，"saidDuvLaca。

"LettheKingofLeinstertakeher，"saidMongan。

CHAPTERXII

DuvLacaandtheKingofLeinsterwentapartthentospeaktogether，andtheeyeofthekingseemedtobeasbigasaplate，sofeveredwasitandsoenlargedandinflamedbythelookofDuvLaca。Hewassoconfoundedwithjoyalsothathiswordsgotmixedupwithhisteeth，andDuvLacadidnotknowexactlywhatitwashewastryingtosay，andhedidnotseemtoknowhimself。Butatlasthedidsaysomethingintelligible，andthisiswhathesaid。

"Iamaveryhappyman，"saidhe。

"AndI，"saidDuvLaca，"amthehappiestwomanintheworld。"

"Whyshouldyoubehappy？"theastonishedkingdemanded。

"Listentome，"shesaid。"Ifyoutriedtotakemeawayfromthisplaceagainstmyownwish，onehalfofthemenofUlsterwouldbedeadbeforeyougotmeandtheotherhalfwouldbebadlywoundedinmydefence。"

"Abargainisabargain，"theKingofLeinsterbegan。

"But，"shecontinued，"theywillnotpreventmygoingaway，fortheyallknowthatIhavebeeninlovewithyouforages。"

"Whathaveyoubeeninwithmeforages？"saidtheamazedking。

"Inlovewithyou，"repliedDuvLaca。

"Thisisnews，"saidtheking，"anditisgoodnews。"

"But，bymyword，"saidDuvLaca，"Iwillnotgowithyouunlessyougrantmeaboon。"

"AllthatIhave，"criedBranduv，"andallthatevery-bodyhas。"

"AndyoumustpassyourwordandpledgeyourwordthatyouwilldowhatIask。"

"Ipassitandpledgeit，"criedthejoyfulking。

"Then，"saidDuvLaca，"thisiswhatIbindonyou。"

"Lighttheyolk！"hecried。

"UntiloneyearisupandoutyouarenottopassthenightinanyhousethatIamin。"

"Bymyheadandhand！"Branduvstammered。

"AndifyoucomeintoahousewhereIamduringthetimeandtermofthatyear，youarenottositdowninthechairthatIamsittingin。"

"Heavyismydoom！"hegroaned。

"But，"saidDuvLaca，"ifIamsittinginachairoraseatyouaretositinachairthatisoveragainstmeandoppositetomeandatadistancefromme。"

"Alas！"saidtheking，andhesmotehishandstogether，andthenhebeatthemonhishead，andthenhelookedatthemandateverythingabout，andhecouldnottellwhatanythingwasorwhereanythingwas，forhismindwascloudedandhiswitshadgoneastray。

"Whydoyoubindthesewoesonme？"hepleaded。

"Iwishtofindoutifyoutrulyloveme。"

"ButIdo，"saidtheking。"Iloveyoumadlyanddearly，andwithallmyfacultiesandmembers。"

"Thatistheway！loveyou，"saidDuvLaca。"Weshallhaveanotableyearofcourtshipandjoy。Andletusgonow，"shecontinued，"forIamimpatienttobewithyou。"

"Alas！"saidBranduv，ashefollowedher。"Alas，alas！"saidtheKingofLeinster。

CHAPTERXIII

"Ithink，"saidtheFlameLady，"thatwhoeverlostthatwomanhadnoreasontobesad。"

Mongantookherchininhishandandkissedherlips。

"Allthatyousayislovely，foryouarelovely，"saidhe，"andyouaremydelightandthejoyoftheworld。"

Thentheattendantsbroughthimwine，andhedranksojoyouslyofthatandsodeeply，thatthosewhoobservedhimthoughthewouldsurelyburstanddrownthem。Buthelaughedloudlyandwithenormousdelight，untilthevesselsofgoldandsilverandbronzechimedmellowlytohispealandtheraftersofthehousewentcreaking。

Saidhe：

MonganlovedDuvLacaoftheWhiteHandbetterthanhelovedhislife，betterthanhelovedhishonour。Thekingdomsoftheworlddidnotweighwithhimbesidethestringofhershoe。Hewouldnotlookatasunsetifhecouldseeher。Hewouldnotlistentoaharpifhecouldhearherspeak，forshewasthedelightofages，thegemoftime，andthewonderoftheworldtillDoom。

ShewenttoLeinsterwiththekingofthatcountry，andwhenshehadgoneMonganfellgrievouslysick，sothatitdidnotseemhecouldeverrecoveragain；andhebegantowasteandwither，andhebegantolooklikeaskeleton，andabonystructure，andamisery。

Nowthisalsomustbeknown。

DuvLacahadayoungattendant，whowasherfoster-sisteraswellasherservant，andonthedaythatshegotmarriedtoMongan，herattendantwasmarriedtomacanDa’v，whowasservantandfoster-brothertoMongan。WhenDuvLacawentawaywiththeKingofLeinster，herservant，macanDa’v’swife，wentwithher，sothereweretwowifelessmeninUlsteratthattime，namely，MonganthekingandmacanDa’vhisservant。

OnedayasMongansatinthesun，broodinglamentablyonhisfate，macanDa’vcametohim。

"Howarethingswithyou，master？"askedMacanDa’v。

"Bad，"saidMongan。

"ItwasapoordaybroughtyouoffwithMananna’ntotheLandofPromise，"saidhisservant。

"Whyshouldyouthinkthat？"inquiredMongan。

"Because，"saidmacanDa’v，"youlearnednothingintheLandofPromiseexcepthowtoeatalotoffoodandhowtodonothinginadealoftime。"

"Whatbusinessisitofyours？"saidMonganangrily。

"Itismybusinesssurely，"saidmacanDa’v，"formywifehasgoneofftoLeinsterwithyourwife，andshewouldn’thavegoneifyouhadn’tmadeabetandabargainwiththataccursedking。"

MacanDa’vbegantoweepthen。

"Ididn’tmakeabargainwithanyking，"saidhe，"andyetmywifehasgoneawaywithone，andit’sallbecauseofyou。"

"ThereisnoonesorrierforyouthanIam，"saidMongan。

"Thereisindeed，"saidmacanDa’v，"forIamsorriermyself。"

Monganrousedhimselfthen。

"Youhaveaclaimonmetruly，"saidhe，"andIwillnothaveanyonewithaclaimonmethatisnotsatisfied。Go，"hesaidtomacanDa’v，"tothatfairyplacewebothknowof。YourememberthebasketsIlefttherewiththesodfromIrelandinoneandthesodfromScotlandintheother；bringmethebasketsandsods。"

"Tellmethewhyofthis？"saidhisservant。

"TheKingofLeinsterwillaskhiswizardswhatIamdoing，andthisiswhatIwillbedoing。Iwillgetonyourbackwithafootineachofthebaskets，andwhenBranduvasksthewizardswhereI

amtheywilltellhimthatIhaveoneleginIrelandandoneleginScotland，andaslongastheytellhimthathewillthinkheneednotbotherhimselfaboutme，andwewillgointoLeinsterthatway。"

"Nobadwayeither，"saidmacanDa’v。

Theysetoutthen。

CHAPTERXIV

Itwasalong，uneasyjourney，foralthoughmacanDa’vwasofstoutheartandgoodwill，yetnomancancarryanotheronhisbackfromUlstertoLeinsterandgoquick。Still，ifyoukeepondrivingapigorastorytheywillgetatlasttowhereyouwishthemtogo，andthemanwhocontinuesputtingonefootinfrontoftheotherwillleavehishomebehind，andwillcomeatlasttotheedgeoftheseaandtheendoftheworld。

WhentheyreachedLeinsterthefeastofMoyLife’wasbeingheld，andtheypushedonbyforcedmarchesandlongstagessoastobeintime，andthustheycametotheMoyofCellCamain，andtheymixedwiththecrowdthatweregoingtothefeast。

Agreatandjoyousconcourseofpeoplestreamedaboutthem。Therewereyoungmenandyounggirls，andwhenthesewerenotholdingeachother’shandsitwasbecausetheirarmswereroundeachother’snecks。Therewereold，lustywomengoingby，andwhenthesewerenottalkingtogetheritwasbecausetheirmouthsweremutuallyfilledwithapplesandmeat-pies。Therewereyoungwarriorswithmantlesofgreenandpurpleandredflyingbehindthemonthebreeze，andwhenthesewerenotlookingdisdainfullyonoldersoldiersitwasbecausetheoldersoldiershappenedatthemomenttobelookingatthem。Therewereoldwarriorswithyard-longbeardsflyingbehindtheirshouldersllkewispsofhay，andwhenthesewerenotnursingabrokenarmoracrackedskull，itwasbecausetheywerenursingwoundsintheirstomachsortheirlegs。Thereweretroopsofyoungwomenwhogiggledaslongastheirbreathslastedandbeamedwhenitgaveout。Bandsofboyswhowhisperedmysteriouslytogetherandpointedwiththeirfingersineverydirectionatonce，andwouldsuddenlybegintorunlikeaherdofstampededhorses。Thereweremenwithcartsfullofroastedmeats。Womenwithlittlevatsfullofmead，andotherscarryingmilkandbeer。Folkofbothsortswithtowersswayingontheirheads，andtheydrippingwithhoney。Childrenhavingbasketspiledwithredapples，andoldwomenwhopeddledshell-fishandboiledlobsters。Therewerepeoplewhosoldtwentykindsofbread，withbutterthrownin。Sellersofonionsandcheese，andotherswhosuppliedsparebitsofarmour，oddscabbards，spearhandles，breastplate-laces。Peoplewhocutyourhairortoldyourfortuneorgaveyouahotbathinapot。Otherswhoputashoeonyourhorseorapieceofembroideryonyourmantle；andothers，again，whotookstainsoffyourswordordyedyourfinger-nailsorsoldyouahound。

Itwasagreatandjoyousgatheringthatwasgoingtothefeast。

Monganandhisservantsatagainstagrassyhedgebytheroadsideandwatchedthemultitudestreamingpast。

JustthenMonganglancedtotherightwhencethepeoplewerecoming。Thenhepulledthehoodofhiscloakoverhisearsandoverhisbrow。

"Alas！"saidheinadeepandanguishedvoice。

MacanDa’vturnedtohim。

"Isitapaininyourstomach，master？"

"Itisnot，"saidMongan。"Well，whatmadeyoumakethatbrutalandbelchingnoise？"

"ItwasasighIgave，"saidMongan。

"Whateveritwas，"saidmacanDa’v，"whatwasit？"

"Lookdowntheroadonthissideandtellmewhoiscoming，"saidhismaster。

"Itisalordwithhistroop。"

"ItistheKingofLeinster，"saidMongan。"Theman，"saidmacanDa’vinatoneofgreatpity，"themanthattookawayyourwife！

And，"heroaredinavoiceofextraordinarysavagery，"themanthattookawaymywifeintothebargain，andshenotinthebargain。"

"Hush，"saidMongan，foramanwhoheardhisshoutstoppedtotieasandie，ortolisten。

"Master，"saidmacanDa’vasthetroopdrewabreastandmovedpast。

"Whatisit，mygoodfriend？"

"Letmethrowalittle，smallpieceofarockattheKingofLeinster。"

"Iwillnot。"

"Alittlebitonly，asmallbitabouttwicethesizeofmyhead"

"Iwillnotletyou，"saidMongan。

WhenthekinghadgonebymacanDa’vgroanedadeepanddejectedgroan。

"Oco’n！"saidhe。"Oco’n-i’o-go-deo’！"saidhe。

Themanwhohadtiedhissandalsaidthen："Areyouinpain，honestman？"

"Iamnotinpain，"saidmacanDa’v。

"Well，whatwasitthatknockedahowloutofyouliketheyelpofasickdog，honestman？"

"Goaway，"saidmacanDa’v，"goaway，youflat-faced，noseyperson。""Thereisnopolitenessleftinthiscountry，"saidthestranger，andhewentawaytoacertaindistance，andfromthencehethrewastoneatmacanDa’v’snose，andhitit。

CHAPTERXV

Theroadwasnownotsocrowdedasithadbeen。Minuteswouldpassandonlyafewtravellerswouldcome，andminutesmorewouldgowhennobodywasinsightatall。

Thentwomencamedowntheroad：theywereclerics。

"Ineversawthatkindofuniformbefore，"saidmacanDa’v。

"Evenifyoudidn’t，"saidMongan，"thereareplentyofthemabout。Theyarementhatdon’tbelieveinourgods，"saidhe。

"Dotheynot，indeed？"saidmacanDa’v。"Therascals！"saidhe。

"What，whatwouldMananna’nsaytothat？"

"TheoneinfrontcarryingthebigbookisTibraide’。HeisthepriestofCellCamain，andheisthechiefofthosetwo。"

"Indeed，andindeed！"saidmacanDa’v。"Theonebehindmustbehisservant，forhehasaloadonhisback。"

Thepriestswerereadingtheiroffices，andmacanDa’vmarvelledatthat。

"Whatisittheyaredoing？"saidhe。

"Theyarereading。"

"Indeed，andindeedtheyare，"saidmacanDa’v。"Ican’tmakeoutawordofthelanguageexceptthatthemanbehindsaysamen，amen，everytimethemaninfrontputsagruntoutofhim。Andtheydon’tlikeourgodsatall！"saidmacanDa’v。

"Theydonot，"saidMongan。

"Playatrickonthem，master，"saidmacanDa’v。Monganagreedtoplayatrickonthepriests。

Helookedatthemhardforaminute，andthenhewavedhishandatthem。

Thetwopriestsstopped，andtheystaredstraightinfrontofthem，andthentheylookedateachother，andthentheylookedatthesky。Theclerkbegantoblesshimself，andthenTibraide’

begantoblesshimself，andafterthattheydidn’tknowwhattodo。Forwheretherehadbeenaroadwithhedgesoneachsideandfieldsstretchingbeyondthem，therewasnownoroad，nohedge，nofield；buttherewasagreatbroadriversweepingacrosstheirpath；amightytumbleofyellowy-brownwaters，veryswift，verysavage；churningandbillowingandjockeyingamongroughbouldersandislandsofstone。Itwasawaterofvillainousdepthandofdetestablewetness；ofuglyhurryingandofdesolatecavernoussound。Atalittletotheirrighttherewasathinuncomelybridgethatwaggledacrossthetorrent。

Tibraide’rubbedhiseyes，andthenhelookedagain。"DoyouseewhatIsee？"saidhetotheclerk。

"Idon’tknowwhatyousee，"saidtheclerk，"butwhatIseeI

neverdidseebefore，andIwishIdidnotseeitnow。"

"Iwasborninthisplace，"saidTibraide’，"myfatherwasbornherebeforeme，andmygrandfatherwasbornherebeforehim，butuntilthisdayandthisminuteIneversawariverherebefore，andIneverheardofone。"

"Whatwillwedoatall？"saidtheclerk。"Whatwillwedoatall？"

"Wewillbesensible，"saidTibraide’sternly，"andwewillgoaboutourbusiness，"saidhe。"Ifriversfalloutoftheskywhathasthattodowithyou，andifthereisariverhere，whichthereis，why，thankGod，thereisabridgeoverittoo。"

"Wouldyouputatoeonthatbridge？"saidtheclerk。"Whatisthebridgefor？"saidTibraide’MonganandmacanDa’vfollowedthem。

Whentheygottothemiddleofthebridgeitbrokeunderthem，andtheywereprecipitatedintothatboilingyellowflood。

MongansnatchedatthebookasitfellfromTibraide’’shand。

"Won’tyouletthemdrown，master？"askedmacanDa’v。

"No，"saidMongan，"I’llsendthemamiledownthestream，andthentheycancometoland。"

MonganthentookonhimselftheformofTibraide’andheturnedmacanDa’vintotheshapeoftheclerk。

"Myheadhasgonebald，"saidtheservantinawhisper。

"Thatispartofit，"repliedMongan。"Solongasweknow？’saidmacanDa’v。

TheywentonthentomeettheKingofLeinster。

CHAPTERXVI

Theymethimneartheplacewherethegameswereplayed。

"Goodmysoul，Tibraide’！"criedtheKingofLeinster，andhegaveMonganakiss。Mongankissedhimbackagain。

"Amen，amen，"saidmacanDa’v。

"Whatfor？"saidtheKingofLeinster。

AndthenmacanDa’vbegantosneeze，forhedidn’tknowwhatfor。

"ItisalongtimesinceIsawyou，Tibraide’，"saidtheking，"butatthisminuteIamingreathasteandhurry。Goyouonbeforemetothefortress，andyoucantalktothequeenthatyou’llfindthere，shethatusedtobetheKingofUlster’swife。

KevinCochlach，mycharioteer，willgowithyou，andIwillfollowyoumyselfinawhile。"

TheKingofLeinsterwentoffthen，andMonganandhisservantwentwiththecharioteerandthepeople。

Monganreadawayoutofthebook，forhefounditinteresting，andhedidnotwanttotalktothecharioteer，andmacanDa’vcriedamen，amen，everytimethatMongantookhisbreath。ThepeoplewhoweregoingwiththemsaidtooneanotherthatmacanDa’vwasaqueerkindofclerk，andthattheyhadneverseenanyonewhohadsuchamouthfulofamens。

Butinawhiletheycametothefortress，andtheygotintoitwithoutanytrouble，forKevinCochlach，theking’scharioteer，broughtthemin。ThentheywereledtotheroomwhereDuvLacawas，andashewentintothatroomMonganshuthiseyes，forhedidnotwanttolookatDuvLacawhileotherpeoplemightbelookingathim。

"Leteverybodyleavethisroom，whileIamtalkingtothequeen，"

saidhe；andalltheattendantslefttheroom，exceptone，andshewouldn’tgo，forshewouldn’tleavehermistress。

ThenMonganopenedhiseyesandhesawDuvLaca，andhemadeagreatboundtoherandtookherinhisarms，andmacanDa’vmadeasavageandviciousandterriblejumpattheattendant，andtookherinhisarms，andbitherearandkissedherneckandweptdownintoherback。

"Goaway，"saidthegirl，"unhandme，villain，"saidshe。

"Iwillnot，"saidmacanDa’v，"forI’myourownhusband，I’myourownmac，yourlittlemac，yourmacky-wac-wac。"Thentheattendantgavealittlesqueal，andshebithimoneachearandkissedhisneckandweptdownintohisback，andsaidthatitwasn’ttrueandthatitwas。

CHAPTERXVII

Buttheywerenotalone，althoughtheythoughttheywere。Thehagthatguardedthejewelswasintheroom。Shesathunchedupagainstthewail，andasshelookedlikeabundleofragstheydidnotnoticeher。Shebegantospeakthen。

"TerriblearethethingsIsee，"saidshe。"TerriblearethethingsIsee。"

Monganandhisservantgaveajumpofsurprise，andtheirtwowivesjumpedandsquealed。ThenMonganpuffedouthischeekstillhisfacelookedlikeabladder，andheblewamagicbreathatthehag，sothatsheseemedtobesurroundedbyafog，andwhenshelookedthroughthatbreatheverythingseemedtobedifferenttowhatshehadthought。Thenshebegantobegeverybody’spardon。

"Ihadanevilvision，"saidshe，"Isawcrossways。HowsaditisthatIshouldbegintoseethesortofthingsIthoughtIsaw。"

"Sitinthischair，mother，"saidMongan，"andtellmewhatyouthoughtyousaw，"andheslippedaspikeunderher，andmacanDa’vpushedherintotheseat，andshediedonthespike。

Justthentherecameaknockingatthedoor。MacanDa’vopenedit，andtherewasTibraid~standingoutside，andtwenty-nineofhismenwerewithhim，andtheywerealllaughing。

"Amilewasnothalfenough，"saidmacanDa’vreproachfully。

TheChamberlainofthefortresspushedintotheroomandhestaredfromoneTibraide’totheother。

"Thisisafinegrowingyear，"saidhe。"ThereneverwasayearwhenTibraide’’swereasplentifulastheyarethisyear。ThereisaTibraide’outsideandaTibraide’inside，andwhoknowsbuttherearesomemoreofthemunderthebed。Theplaceiscrawlingwiththem，"saidhe。

MonganpointedatTibraide’。

"Don’tyouknowwhothatis？"hecried。

"Iknowwhohesaysheis，"saidtheChamberlain。

"Well，heisMongan，"saidMongan，"andthesetwenty-ninemenaretwenty-nineofhisnoblesfromUlster。"

Atthatnewsthemenofthehouseholdpickedupclubsandcudgelsandeverykindofthingthatwasnear，andmadeaviolentandwoefulattackonTibraide’’smenTheKingofLeinstercameinthen，andwhenhewastoldTibraide’wasMonganheattackedthemaswell，anditwaswithdifficultythatTibraide’gotawaytoCellCamainwithnineofhismenandtheyallwounded。

TheKingofLeinstercamebackthen。HewenttoDuvLaca’sroom。

"WhereisTibraide’？"saidhe。

"Itwasn’tTibraide’washere，"saidthehagwhowasstillsittingonthespike，andwasnothalfdead，"itwasMongan。"

"Whydidyoulethimnearyou？"saidthekingtoDuvLaca。

"ThereisnoonehasabetterrighttobenearmethanMonganhas，"saidDuvLaca，"heismyownhusband，"saidshe。

Andthenthekingcriedoutindismay："IhavebeatenTibraide’’speople。"Herushedfromtheroom。

"SendforTibraide’tillIapologise，"hecried。"Tellhimitwasallamistake。TellhimitwasMongan。"

CHAPTERXVIII

Monganandhisservantwenthome，and（forwhatpleasureisgreaterthanthatofmemoryexercisedinconversation？）foratimethefeelingofanadventurewellaccomplishedkepthiminsomecontentment。Butattheendofatimethatpleasurewaswornout，andMongangrewatfirstdispiritedandthensullen，andafterthatasillashehadbeenonthepreviousoccasion。ForhecouldnotforgetDuvLacaoftheWhiteHand，andhecouldnotrememberherwithoutlonginganddespair。

Itwasintheillnesswhichcomesfromlonginganddespairthathesatonedaylookingonaworldthatwasblackalthoughthesunshone，andthatwasleanandunwholesomealthoughautumnfruitswereheavyontheearthandthejoysofharvestwereabouthim。

"Winterisinmyheart，"quothhe，"andIamcoldalready。"

Hethoughttoothatsomedayhewoulddie，andthethoughtwasnotunpleasant，foronehalfofhislifewasawayintheterritoriesoftheKingofLeinster，andthehalfthathekeptinhimselfhadnospiceinit。

HewasthinkinginthiswaywhenmacanDa’vcametowardshimoverthelawn，andhenoticedthatmacanDa’vwaswalkinglikeanoldman。

Hetooklittleslowsteps，andhedidnotloosenhiskneeswhenhewalked，sohewentstiffly。Oneofhisfeetturnedpitifullyoutwards，andtheotherturnedlamentablyin。Hischestwaspulledinwards，andhisheadwasstuckoutwardsandhungdownintheplacewherehischestshouldhavebeen，andhisarmswerecrookedinfrontofhimwiththehandsturnedwrongly，sothatonepalmwasshowntotheeastoftheworldandtheotheronewasturnedtothewest。

"Howgoesit，macanDa’v？"saidtheking。

"Bad，"saidmacanDa’v。

"IsthatthesunIseeshining，myfriend？"thekingasked。

"Itmaybethesun，"repliedmacanDa’v，peeringcuriouslyatthegoldenradiancethatdozedaboutthem，"butmaybeit’sayellowfog。"

"Whatislifeatall？"saidtheking。

"Itisawearinessandatiredness，"saidmacanDa’v。"Itisalongyawnwithoutsleepiness。Itisabee，lostatmidnightandbuzzingonapane。Itisthenoisemadebyatied-updog。Itisnothingworthdreamingabout。Itisnothingatall。"

"HowwellyouexplainmyfeelingsaboutDuvLaca，"saidtheking。

"Iwasthinkingaboutmyownlamb，"saidmacanDa’v。"Iwasthinkingaboutmyowntreasure，mycupofcheeriness，andthepulseofmyheart。"Andwiththatheburstintotears。

"Alas！"saidtheking。

"But，"sobbedmacanDa’v，"whatrighthaveItocomplain？Iamonlytheservant，andalthoughIdidn’tmakeanybargainwiththeKingofLeinsterorwithanykingofthemall，yetmywifeisgoneawayasifshewastheconsortofapotentatethesameasDuvLacais。"

Monganwassorrythenforhisservant，andherousedhimself。

"IamgoingtosendyoutoDuvLaca。"

"Wheretheoneistheotherwillbe，"criedmacanDa’vjoyously。

"Go，"saidMongan，"toRathDescirtofBregia；youknowthatplace？"

"Aswellasmytongueknowsmyteeth。"

"DuvLacaisthere；seeher，andaskherwhatshewantsmetodo。"

MacanDa’vwentthereandreturned。

"DuvLacasaysthatyouaretocomeatonce，fortheKingofLeinsterisjourneyingaroundhisterritory，andKevinCochlach，thecharioteer，ismakingbitterlovetoherandwantshertorunawaywithhim。"

Mongansetout，andinnogreattime，fortheytravelleddayandnight，theycametoBregla，andgainedadmittancetothefortress，butjustashegotinhehadtogooutagain，fortheKingofLeinsterhadbeenwarnedofMongan’sjourney，andcamebacktohisfortressinthenickoftime。

WhenthemenofUlstersawtheconditionintowhichMonganfelltheywereingreatdistress，andtheyallgotsickthroughcompassionfortheirking。ThenoblessuggestedtohimthattheyshouldmarchagainstLeinsterandkillthatkingandbringbackDuvLaca，butMonganwouldnotconsenttothisplan。

"For，"saidhe，"thethingIlostthroughmyownfollyIshallgetbackthroughmyowncraft。"

Andwhenhesaidthathisspiritsrevived，andhecalledformacanDa’v。

"Youknow，myfriend，"saidMongan，"thatIcan’tgetDuvLacabackunlesstheKingofLeinsterasksmetotakeherback，forabargainisabargain。"

"Thatwillhappenwhenpigsfly，"saidmacanDa’v，"and，"saidhe，"Ididnotmakeanybargainwithanykingthatisintheworld。"

"Iheardyousaythatbefore，"saidMongan。

"IwillsayittillDoom，"criedhisservant，"formywifehasgoneawaywiththatpestilentking，andhehasgotthedoubleofyourbadbargain。"

MonganandhisservantthensetoutforLeinster。

Whentheynearedthatcountrytheyfoundagreatcrowdgoingontheroadwiththem，andtheylearnedthatthekingwasgivingafeastinhonourofhismarriagetoDuvLaca，fortheyearofwaitingwasnearlyout，andthekinghadswornhewoulddelaynolonger。

Theywenton，therefore，butinlowspirits，andatlasttheysawthewallsoftheking’scastletoweringbeforethem。andanoblecompanygoingtoandfroonthelawn。

CHAPTERXIX

THEYsatinaplacewheretheycouldwatchthecastleandcomposethemselvesaftertheirjourney。

"Howarewegoingtogetintothecastle？"askedmacanDa’v。

Fortherewerehatchetmenonguardinthebiggateway，andtherewerespearmenatshortintervalsaroundthewalls，andmentothrowhotporridgeofftheroofwerestandingintherightplaces。

"Ifwecannotgetinbyhook，wewillgetinbycrook，"saidMongan。

"Theyarebothgoodways，"saidMacanDa’v，"andwhicheverofthemyoudecideonI’llstickby。"

JustthentheysawtheHagoftheMillcomingoutofthemillwhichwasdowntheroadalittle。

NowtheHagoftheMillwasabony，thinpoleofahagwithoddfeet。Thatis，shehadonefootthatwastoobigforher，sothatwhenshelifteditupitpulledherover；andshehadonefootthatwastoosmallforher，sothatwhenshelifteditupshedidn’tknowwhattodowithit。Shewassolongthatyouthoughtyouwouldneverseetheendofher，andshewassothinthatyouthoughtyoudidn’tseeheratall。Oneofhereyeswassetwherehernoseshouldbeandtherewasanearinitsplace，andhernoseitselfwashangingoutofherchin，andshehadwhiskersroundit。Shewasdressedinaredragthatwasreallyaholewithafringeonit，andshewassinging"Oh，hushthee，myonelove"toacatthatwasyelpingonhershoulder。

ShehadatallskinnydogbehindhercalledBrotar。Ithadn’tatoothinitsheadexceptone，andithadthetoothacheinthattooth。Everyfewstepsitusedtositdownonitshunkersandpointitsnosestraightupwards，andmakealong，sadcomplaintaboutitstooth；andafterthatitusedtoreachitshindlegroundandtrytoscratchoutitstooth；andthenitusedtobepulledonagainbythestrawropethatwasrounditsneck，andwhichwastiedattheotherendtothehag’sheaviestfoot。

Therewasanold，knock-kneed，raw-boned，one-eyed，little-winded，heavy-headedmarewithheralso。Everytimeitputafrontlegforwarditshiveredallovertherestofitslegsbackwards，andwhenitputahindlegforwarditshiveredallovertherestofitslegsfrontwards，anditusedtogiveagreatwhistlethroughitsnosewhenitwasoutofbreath，andabig，thinhenwassittingonitscroup。MonganlookedontheHagoftheMillwithdelightandaffection。

"Thistime，"saidhetomacanDa’v，"I’llgetbackmywife。"

"Youwillindeed，"saidmacanDa’vheartily，"andyou’llgetminebacktoo。"

"Gooveryonder，"saidMongan，"andtelltheHagoftheMillthatIwanttotalktoher。"

MacanDa’vbroughtherovertohim。

"Isittruewhattheservantmansaid？"sheasked。

"Whatdidhesay？"saidMongan。

"Hesaidyouwantedtotalktome。"

"Itistrue，"saidMongan。

"Thisisawonderfulhourandagloriousminute，"saidthehag，"forthisisthefirsttimeinsixtyyearsthatanyonewantedtotalktome。Talkonnow，"saidshe，"andI’lllistentoyouifI

canrememberhowtodoit。Talkgently，"saidshe，"thewayyouwon’tdisturbtheanimals，fortheyareallsick。"

"Theyaresickindeed，"saidmacanDa’vpityingly。

"Thecathasasoretail，"saidshe，"byreasonofsittingtooclosetoapartofthehobthatwashot。Thedoghasatoothache，thehorsehasapaininherstomach，andthehenhasthepip。"

"Ah，it’sasadworld，"saidmacanDa’v。

"Thereyouare！"saidthehag。

"Tellme，"Mongancommenced，"ifyougotawish，whatitisyouwouldwishfor？"

ThehagtookthecatoffhershoulderandgaveittomacanDa’v。

"HoldthatformewhileIthink，"saidshe。

"Wouldyouliketobealovelyyounggirl？"askedMongan。

"I’dsoonerbethatthanaskinnedeel，"saidshe。

"AndwouldyouliketomarrymeortheKingofLeinster？""I’dliketomarryeitherofyou，orbothofyou，orwhicheverofyoucamefirst。"

"Verywell，"saidMongan，"youshallhaveyourwish。"

Hetouchedherwithhisfinger，andtheinstanthetouchedheralldilapidationandwrynessandagewentfromher，andshebecamesobeautifulthatonedaredscarcelylookonher，andsoyoungthatsheseemedbutsixteenyearsofage。

"YouarenottheHagoftheMillanylonger，"saidMongan，"youareIvelloftheShiningCheeks，daughteroftheKingofMunster。"

Hetouchedthedogtoo，anditbecamealittlesilkylapdogthatcouldnestleinyourpalm。Thenhechangedtheoldmareintoabrisk，piebaldpalfrey。ThenhechangedhimselfsothathebecamethelivingimageofAe，thesonoftheKingofConnaught，whohadjustbeenmarriedtoIvelloftheShiningCheeks，andthenhechangedmacanDa’vintothelikenessofAe’sattendant，andthentheyallsetofftowardsthefortress，singingthesongthatbegins：Mywifeisnicerthananyone’swife，Anyone’swife，anyone’swife，Mywifeisnicerthananyone’swife，Whichnobodycandeny。

CHAPTERXX

ThedoorkeeperbroughtwordtotheKingofLeinsterthatthesonoftheKingofConnaught，AetheBeautiful，andhiswife，IvelloftheShiningCheeks，wereatthedoor，thattheyhadbeenbanishedfromConnaughtbyAe’sfather，andtheywereseekingtheprotectionoftheKingofLeinster。

Branduvcametothedoorhimselftowelcomethem，andtheminutehelookedonIvelloftheShiningCheeksitwasplainthathelikedlookingather。

Itwasnowdrawingtowardsevening，andafeastwaspreparedfortheguestswithabanquettofollowit。AtthefeastDuvLacasatbesidetheKingofLeinster，butMongansatoppositehimwithIvell，andMonganputmoreandmoremagicintothehag，sothathercheeksshoneandhereyesgleamed，andshewasutterlybewitchingtotheeye；andwhenBranduvlookedathersheseemedtogrowmoreandmorelovelyandmoreandmoredesirable，andatlasttherewasnotaboneinhisbodyasbigasaninchthatwasnotfilledwithloveandlongingforthegirl。

Everyfewminuteshegaveagreatsighasifhehadeatentoomuch，andwhenDuvLacaaskedhimifhehadeatentoomuchhesaidhehadhutthathehadnotdrunkenough，andbythathemeantthathehadnotdrunkenoughfromtheeyesofthegirlbeforehim。

Atthebanquetwhichwasthenheldhelookedatheragain，andeverytimehetookadrinkhetoastedIvellacrossthebrimofhisgoblet，andinalittlewhileshebegantotoasthimbackacrosstherimofhercup，forhewasdrinkingale，butshewasdrinkingmead。ThenhesentamessengertohertosaythatitwasafarbetterthingtobethewifeoftheKingofLeinsterthantobethewifeofthesonoftheKingofConnaught，forakingisbetterthanaprince，andIvellthoughtthatthiswasaswiseathingasanybodyhadeversaid。Andthenhesentamessagetosaythathelovedhersomuchthathewouldcertainlyburstofloveifitdidnotstop。

Monganheardthewhispering，andhetoldthehagthatifshedidwhatheadvisedshewouldcertainlygeteitherhimselfortheKingofLeinsterforahusband。

"Eitherofyouwillbewelcome，"saidthehag。

"Whenthekingsayshelovesyou，askhimtoproveitbygifts；

askforhisdrinking-hornfirst。"

Sheaskedforthat，andhesentittoherfilledwithgoodliquor；thensheaskedforhisgirdle，andhesentherthat。

HispeoplearguedwithhimandsaiditwasnotrightthatheshouldgiveawaythetreasuresofLeinstertothewifeoftheKingofConnaught’sson；buthesaidthatitdidnotmatter，forwhenhegotthegirlhewouldgethistreasureswithher。Buteverytimehesentanythingtothehag，macanDa’vsnatcheditoutofherlapandputitinhispocket。

"Now，"saidMongantothehag，"telltheservanttosaythatyouwouldnotleaveyourownhusbandforallthewealthoftheworld。"

Shetoldtheservantthat，andtheservanttoldittotheking。

WhenBranduvheardithenearlywentmadwithloveandlongingandjealousy，andwithragealso，becauseofthetreasurehehadgivenherandmightnotgetback。HecalledMonganovertohim，andspoketohimverythreateninglyandragingly。

"Iamnotonewhotakesathingwithoutgivingathing，"saidhe。

"Nobodycouldsayyouwere，"agreedMongan。

"Doyouseethiswomansittingbesideme？"hecontinued，pointingtoDuvLaca。

"Idoindeed，"saidMongan。

"Well，"saidBranduv，"thiswomanisDuvLacaoftheWhiteHandthatItookawayfromMongan；sheisjustgoingtomarryme，butifyouwillmakeanexchange，youcanmarrythisDuvLacahere，andIwillmarrythatIvelloftheShiningCheeksyonder。"

Monganpretendedtobeveryangrythen。

"IfIhadcomeherewithhorsesandtreasureyouwouldbeinyourrighttotakethesefromme，butyouhavenorighttoaskforwhatyouarenowasking。"

"Idoaskforit，"saidBranduvmenacingly，"andyoumustnotrefusealord。"

"Verywell，"saidMonganreluctantly，andasifingreatfear；

"ifyouwillmaketheexchangeIwillmakeit，althoughitbreaksmyheart。"

HebroughtIvellovertothekingthenandgaveherthreekisses。

"ThekingwouldsuspectsomethingifIdidnotkissyou，"saidhe，andthenhegavethehagovertotheking。Afterthattheyallgotdrunkandmerry，andsoontherewasagreatsnoringandsnorting，andverysoonalltheservantsfellasleepalso，sothatMongancouldnotgetanythingtodrink。MacanDa’vsaiditwasagreatshame，andhekickedsomeoftheservants，buttheydidnotbudge，andthenheslippedouttothestablesandsaddledtwomares。HegotononewithhiswifebehindhimandMongangotontheotherwithDuvLacabehindhim，andtheyrodeawaytowardsUlsterlikethewind，singingthissong：TheKingofLeinsterwasmarriedto-day，Marriedto-day，marriedto-day，TheKingofLeinsterwasmarriedto-day，Andeveryonewisheshimjoy。

InthemorningtheservantscametowakentheKingofLeinster，andwhentheysawthefaceofthehaglyingonthepillowbesidetheking，andhernoseallcoveredwithwhiskers，andherbigfootandlittlefootstickingawayoutattheendofthebed，theybegantolaugh，andpokeoneanotherinthestomachsandthumponeanotherontheshoulders，sothatthenoiseawakenedtheking，andheaskedwhatwasthematterwiththematall。Itwasthenhesawthehaglyingbesidehim，andhegaveagreatscreechandjumpedoutofthebed。

"Aren’tyoutheHagoftheMill？"saidhe。

"Iamindeed，"shereplied，"andIloveyoudearly。"

"IwishIdidn’tseeyou，"saidBranduv。

Thatwastheendofthestory，andwhenhehadtolditMonganbegantolaughuproariouslyandcalledformorewine。Hedrankthisdeeply，asthoughhewasfullofthirstanddespairandawildjollity，butwhentheFlameLadybegantoweephetookherinhisarmsandcaressedher，andsaidthatshewastheloveofhisheartandtheonetreasureoftheworld。

Afterthattheyfeastedingreatcontentment，andattheendofthefeastingtheywentawayfromFaeryandreturnedtotheworldofmen。

TheycametoMongan’spalaceatMoyLinney，anditwasnotuntiltheyreachedthepalacethattheyfoundtheyhadbeenawayonewholeyear，fortheyhadthoughttheywereonlyawayonenight。

Theylivedthenpeacefullyandlovinglytogether，andthatendsthestory，butBro’tiarnadidnotknowthatMonganwasFionn。

Theabbotleanedforward。

"WasMonganFionn？"heaskedinawhisper。

"Hewas，"repliedCairide’。

"Indeed，indeed！"saidtheabbot。

Afterawhilehecontinued："ThereisonlyonepartofyourstorythatIdonotlike。"

"Whatpartisthat？"askedCairide’。

"ItisthepartwheretheholymanTibraide’wasilltreatedbythatrap——bythat——byMongan。"

Cairide’agreedthatitwasilldone，buttohimselfhesaidgleefullythatwheneverhewasaskedtotellthestoryofhowhetoldthestoryofMonganhewouldrememberwhattheabbotsaid。