 | Lays of the Red Branch |  |
92
CONARY.
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Full peace was Erin's under Conary,
Till—though his brethren by the tender tie
Of fosterage—Don Dessa's lawless sons,
Fer-ger, Fer-gel, and vengeful Fergobar,
For crimes that justly had demanded death,
By judgment mild he sent in banishment;
Yet wrung his own fraternal heart the while,
Whose brothers, Ferragon and Lomna Druth,
Drawn by affection's ties, and thinking scorn
To stay behind while others led the way
To brave adventure, in their exile joined.
Till—though his brethren by the tender tie
Of fosterage—Don Dessa's lawless sons,
Fer-ger, Fer-gel, and vengeful Fergobar,
For crimes that justly had demanded death,
By judgment mild he sent in banishment;
Yet wrung his own fraternal heart the while,
Whose brothers, Ferragon and Lomna Druth,
Drawn by affection's ties, and thinking scorn
To stay behind while others led the way
To brave adventure, in their exile joined.
Banished the land of Erin, on the sea
They roamed, and, roaming, with the pirate-hordes
Of British Ingcel leagued; and this their pact:
The spoil of Britain's and of Alba's coasts
To fall to them; and Erin's counter-spoil
To fall to Ingcel. Britain's borders first
They ravaged; and in one pernicious raid
Of sack and slaughter indiscriminate,
Ingcel's own father and his brethren seven
By chance sojourning with the victims, slew,
Then, Alba sack'd, said Ingcel, “Steer we now
“For Erin, and the promised counter-spoil.”
They roamed, and, roaming, with the pirate-hordes
Of British Ingcel leagued; and this their pact:
The spoil of Britain's and of Alba's coasts
To fall to them; and Erin's counter-spoil
To fall to Ingcel. Britain's borders first
They ravaged; and in one pernicious raid
Of sack and slaughter indiscriminate,
Ingcel's own father and his brethren seven
By chance sojourning with the victims, slew,
Then, Alba sack'd, said Ingcel, “Steer we now
“For Erin, and the promised counter-spoil.”
“'Tis just; and welcome to our souls as well
“For outrage unavenged,” said Fergobar.
“'Tis just: it is thy right,” said Ferragon.
“'Tis just, and woe it is!” said Lomna Druth.
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“'Tis just: it is thy right,” said Ferragon.
“'Tis just, and woe it is!” said Lomna Druth.
'Twas then that Conary from strife composed
By kingly counsel, 'twixt contending lords
Of distant Thomond, held his journey home.
But, when in sight of Tara, lo, the sky
On every side reflected rising flame
And gleam of arms. “What this?” cried Conary.
By kingly counsel, 'twixt contending lords
Of distant Thomond, held his journey home.
But, when in sight of Tara, lo, the sky
On every side reflected rising flame
And gleam of arms. “What this?” cried Conary.
A certain Druid was there in the train
Who answered, “Often did I warn thee, King,
“This journey at this season was ill-timed,
“As made in violation of the gaysh
“That King of Tara shall not judge a cause
“Except in Tara's proper judgment hall
“From Beltane-day to May-day.”
Who answered, “Often did I warn thee, King,
“This journey at this season was ill-timed,
“As made in violation of the gaysh
“That King of Tara shall not judge a cause
“Except in Tara's proper judgment hall
“From Beltane-day to May-day.”
“Yea, in truth,
“I do remember now,” said Conary,
“Amongst my prohibitions that is one,
“Which thoughtlessly I've broken. Strange it is
“That act for speedy justice and for peace
“Accomplished, should, with God, be disesteem'd.
“But, since Religion's awful voice forbids,
“I pray forgiveness of offended Heaven,
“Whose anger at my fault too plain I see,
“And vow atonement at thy own award.
“But, which way now?”
“I do remember now,” said Conary,
“Amongst my prohibitions that is one,
“Which thoughtlessly I've broken. Strange it is
“That act for speedy justice and for peace
“Accomplished, should, with God, be disesteem'd.
“But, since Religion's awful voice forbids,
“I pray forgiveness of offended Heaven,
“Whose anger at my fault too plain I see,
“And vow atonement at thy own award.
“But, which way now?”
“Ride northward to the track
“Where Street Midluachra and Street Cualann join;
“There, choice of highway waits us, north or south.”
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“There, choice of highway waits us, north or south.”
Northward they rode. “What be these moving brakes
“Before us? Nay, tis but a running drove
“Of antler'd stages. Whence come they? and whence come
“These darkening flights of fowl above our heads?”
“Before us? Nay, tis but a running drove
“Of antler'd stages. Whence come they? and whence come
“These darkening flights of fowl above our heads?”
“These the wild brood of Clane-Milcarna's dens:”
Replied the druid. “It is another gaysh
“For Tara's King to see them leave their lairs
“After mid-day; and ill will come of it.”
Replied the druid. “It is another gaysh
“For Tara's King to see them leave their lairs
“After mid-day; and ill will come of it.”
“Omens of evil gather round my path,
“Though thought of evil in my breast is none,”
Said Conary, and heaved a heavy sigh;
“Yet, since I reign by law, and holy men
“Charged with the keeping of the law, declare
“Thou shalt not so-and-so, at such a time
“Do or leave undone, it beseems not me
“To question for what end the law is so:
“Though, were it but a human ordinance,
“'Twere, haply, counted childish: but, go to,
“I own another violated Gaysh;
“I pray forgiveness of offended Heaven;
“And, since some fierce invading enemy—
“Misguided brothers, that it be not you!—
“Bars our approach to Tara, let us choose
“Cualann highroad; for Cualann-ward there dwells
“One whom I once befriended; and I know
“His home will give me shelter for to-night,
“Knew I aright the way that leads to it.”
“Though thought of evil in my breast is none,”
Said Conary, and heaved a heavy sigh;
“Yet, since I reign by law, and holy men
“Charged with the keeping of the law, declare
“Thou shalt not so-and-so, at such a time
“Do or leave undone, it beseems not me
“To question for what end the law is so:
“Though, were it but a human ordinance,
“'Twere, haply, counted childish: but, go to,
“I own another violated Gaysh;
“I pray forgiveness of offended Heaven;
“And, since some fierce invading enemy—
“Misguided brothers, that it be not you!—
“Bars our approach to Tara, let us choose
“Cualann highroad; for Cualann-ward there dwells
“One whom I once befriended; and I know
“His home will give me shelter for to-night,
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“Name of the man, oh king?” demanded Cecht
(Fly ye, foes all, fly ye before the face
Of Cecht, the battle-sidesman of the King!)
The biggest man yet gentlest-countenanced
Of all that rode in Conary's company.
“Da-Derga he,” said Conary.
(Fly ye, foes all, fly ye before the face
Of Cecht, the battle-sidesman of the King!)
The biggest man yet gentlest-countenanced
Of all that rode in Conary's company.
“Da-Derga he,” said Conary.
“Ride on,”
Said Cecht. “Street Cualann whereon now we are
“Leads straight to Bru'n-Da-Derga, and leads straight
“Through and beyond it. 'Tis a house of rest
“For all that come and go; where ready still
“The traveller finds the wind-dried fuel stack'd
“The cauldron slung, and ale-vat on the floor.
“A strong, fast mansion. Seven good doors it has,
“And seven good benches betwixt door and door
“And seven good couches spread 'twixt bench and bench.
“All that attend thee now, and all that come—
“See where they come along Midluachra track,
“The host of Emain, in good time I judge,
“Journeying south—shall nothing want for room.
“I shall go forward: for my duty it is
“To enter first at nightfall, when my king
“Comes to his lodging; and with flint and steel
“Kindle the fire whose flame shall guide him home.”
Said Cecht. “Street Cualann whereon now we are
“Leads straight to Bru'n-Da-Derga, and leads straight
“Through and beyond it. 'Tis a house of rest
“For all that come and go; where ready still
“The traveller finds the wind-dried fuel stack'd
“The cauldron slung, and ale-vat on the floor.
“A strong, fast mansion. Seven good doors it has,
“And seven good benches betwixt door and door
“And seven good couches spread 'twixt bench and bench.
“All that attend thee now, and all that come—
“See where they come along Midluachra track,
“The host of Emain, in good time I judge,
“Journeying south—shall nothing want for room.
“I shall go forward: for my duty it is
“To enter first at nightfall, when my king
“Comes to his lodging; and with flint and steel
“Kindle the fire whose flame shall guide him home.”
Then forth, at gallop of his steeds, went Cecht;
While, slower following, Conary was aware
Of three that rode before them on the way.
Red were their coursers and their mantles red,
Red, too, their caps, blood-red—
While, slower following, Conary was aware
Of three that rode before them on the way.
Red were their coursers and their mantles red,
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“Another gaysh,”
Said Conary. “I also call to mind
“Amid my prohibitions this is one,
“To follow three red riders on the way;
“Injunction idle, were it not divine.
“After them, Ferflath; stay them till we pass.”
Said Conary. “I also call to mind
“Amid my prohibitions this is one,
“To follow three red riders on the way;
“Injunction idle, were it not divine.
“After them, Ferflath; stay them till we pass.”
Then the light lad young Ferflath, Conary's son
Sprang forth at gallop on the red men's track,
And called his message shrilly from behind,
But failed to overtake them. He who rode
Last of the triad sang him back a lay—
Sprang forth at gallop on the red men's track,
And called his message shrilly from behind,
But failed to overtake them. He who rode
Last of the triad sang him back a lay—
“Water, oh youth, oh slight swift-riding youth,
“On back, on neck, on shoulder lightly borne.
“Water will quench; fire burn; and shocks of hair
“At horrid tidings, upon warriors' heads
“Bristle as reeds in water; water; ho!”
“On back, on neck, on shoulder lightly borne.
“Water will quench; fire burn; and shocks of hair
“At horrid tidings, upon warriors' heads
“Bristle as reeds in water; water; ho!”
Ferflath returned, and told to Conary
The lay the red man sang; “and sir,” he said,
“I rode, I think, as seemly as himself,
“And know not what he meant: but sure I am
“These are not men of mankind, as we are,
“But fairy men and ministers of ill.”
The lay the red man sang; “and sir,” he said,
“I rode, I think, as seemly as himself,
“And know not what he meant: but sure I am
“These are not men of mankind, as we are,
“But fairy men and ministers of ill.”
“Now then,” said Conary, “let every gaysh
“That dread Religion with hard-knotting hand
“Binds on the King of Tara, for to-day
“Be broken! Let them go. They may precede;
“May tie their red steeds at the great hall door,
“And choose their seats within; and I, the King,
“May follow, and accept the traveller's place
“Last to attain the inn. Well, be it so:
“Respect departs with fortune's one-day change.
“But, friends, despond not, you. Though few we be
“In midst of these marauders (oh, my heart
“Forbid the rising thought that these be they!),
“Yet shall we soon be many; for they come,
“They whom on Street Midluachra late we saw,
“Now following on Street Cualann. In good time
“They join us; for, be sure such chariot-throng
“Leaves not the borders of the warlike North,
“But champions good come with it. Let us in.”
“That dread Religion with hard-knotting hand
“Binds on the King of Tara, for to-day
“Be broken! Let them go. They may precede;
“May tie their red steeds at the great hall door,
“And choose their seats within; and I, the King,
“May follow, and accept the traveller's place
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“Respect departs with fortune's one-day change.
“But, friends, despond not, you. Though few we be
“In midst of these marauders (oh, my heart
“Forbid the rising thought that these be they!),
“Yet shall we soon be many; for they come,
“They whom on Street Midluachra late we saw,
“Now following on Street Cualann. In good time
“They join us; for, be sure such chariot-throng
“Leaves not the borders of the warlike North,
“But champions good come with it. Let us in.”
While thus fared Conary, the pirates' scouts
Who watched the coast, put off to where the fleet,
Stay'd on the heaving ridges of the main,
Lay off Ben-Edar. Ingcel's galley reached,
High on the prow they found him looking forth,
As from a crag o'er-hanging grassy lands
Where home-bred cattle graze, the lion glares
A-hungered; and, behind, as meaner beasts
That wait the lion's onset for their share,
Outlaw'd and reprobate of many a land,
The ravening crew. Beside him, right and left,
Stood Lomna, Ferragon, and Fergobar;
Which Lomna in the closure of his cloak
Wore a gold brooch embossed with flashing gems
Choicest by far of all their spoils yet won:
And Ingcel thus demanded of the spies—
Who watched the coast, put off to where the fleet,
Stay'd on the heaving ridges of the main,
Lay off Ben-Edar. Ingcel's galley reached,
High on the prow they found him looking forth,
As from a crag o'er-hanging grassy lands
Where home-bred cattle graze, the lion glares
A-hungered; and, behind, as meaner beasts
That wait the lion's onset for their share,
Outlaw'd and reprobate of many a land,
The ravening crew. Beside him, right and left,
Stood Lomna, Ferragon, and Fergobar;
Which Lomna in the closure of his cloak
Wore a gold brooch embossed with flashing gems
Choicest by far of all their spoils yet won:
And Ingcel thus demanded of the spies—
“What saw ye, say?”
“A chariot-cavalcade
“Along Street Cualann moving from the north.
“Splendid the show of lofty-pacing steeds
“And glittering war-cars: chariots seventeen
“We counted. In the first were reverend men,
“Poets, belike, or judges. After these
“Heralds, it seem'd, or high apparitors
“That give the world to know a great one comes.
“He in the third car rode; an aged man,
“Full-grey, majestical, of face serene,
“Followed by household numerous and strong,
“Cooks, butlers, door-wards, cup-bearers, and grooms.
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“Splendid the show of lofty-pacing steeds
“And glittering war-cars: chariots seventeen
“We counted. In the first were reverend men,
“Poets, belike, or judges. After these
“Heralds, it seem'd, or high apparitors
“That give the world to know a great one comes.
“He in the third car rode; an aged man,
“Full-grey, majestical, of face serene,
“Followed by household numerous and strong,
“Cooks, butlers, door-wards, cup-bearers, and grooms.
“What heard ye?”
“From a vast hall's open doors
“The stroke of steel on flint at kindling fire;
“And every stroke so sounded as the arm
“That gave it were a giant's, and every shower
“Of sparks it shed—as if a summer sky
“Lightened at eve—illumed the dusk around.”
“The stroke of steel on flint at kindling fire;
“And every stroke so sounded as the arm
“That gave it were a giant's, and every shower
“Of sparks it shed—as if a summer sky
“Lightened at eve—illumed the dusk around.”
What this, good Ferragon, who best of all
“Knowest Erin hill and valley, things and men?”
Said Ingcel. Ferragon made answer slow,
(For, first, his soul said this within himself,
“Oh, royal brother, that it be not thou!”)—
“Knowest Erin hill and valley, things and men?”
Said Ingcel. Ferragon made answer slow,
(For, first, his soul said this within himself,
“Oh, royal brother, that it be not thou!”)—
“I know not what may be this open hall
“With fire at hand unless, belike, it be
“Da-Derga's guest-house, which, for all who come
“By Cualann Street, stands open, wherein still
“Firewood stands stack'd and brazen cauldron hangs
“Slung ready, and clear water running through;
“Bruidin-Da-Derga.”
“With fire at hand unless, belike, it be
“Da-Derga's guest-house, which, for all who come
“By Cualann Street, stands open, wherein still
“Firewood stands stack'd and brazen cauldron hangs
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“Bruidin-Da-Derga.”
“And the man who strikes
“The flint and steel to kindle fire therein?”
“The flint and steel to kindle fire therein?”
“I know not if it be not that he be
“Some king's fore-runner, sent before a king
“To kindle fire ere yet the king himself
“And royal household reach their resting-place.”
“Some king's fore-runner, sent before a king
“To kindle fire ere yet the king himself
“And royal household reach their resting-place.”
“And he who in the thirdmost chariot rode,
“He who is grey, serene, majestical?”
“He who is grey, serene, majestical?”
“I know not if it be not that he be
“Some king of Erin's sub-kings who, to-night,
“Rests in Da-Derga's hospitable hall.”
“Some king of Erin's sub-kings who, to-night,
“Rests in Da-Derga's hospitable hall.”
“Up sail! To shore!” cried Ingcel; and the fleet,
As flight of wild-geese startled from a fen,
Displayed their wings of white, and made the land.
As flight of wild-geese startled from a fen,
Displayed their wings of white, and made the land.
'Twas at Troy Furveen, and the sun was down;
But, from Da-Derga's hall so streamed the light,
It shone at distance as a ruddy star;
And thitherward the host o'er moor and fell
Marched straight: but when behind a sheltering knoll
Hard by, but still concealed, the ranks were drawn,
“Make now our Carn,” said Ingcel, and the host
Defiling past him, cast, each man, his stone
All in one heap.
But, from Da-Derga's hall so streamed the light,
It shone at distance as a ruddy star;
And thitherward the host o'er moor and fell
Marched straight: but when behind a sheltering knoll
Hard by, but still concealed, the ranks were drawn,
“Make now our Carn,” said Ingcel, and the host
Defiling past him, cast, each man, his stone
All in one heap.
“When this night's work is done,'
Said Ingcel, “he who shall return alive
“Shall take his stone again. Who not returns,
“His stone shall here remain his monument.
“And now, before we make the trial of who
“Returns, and who stays yonder, let us send
“Scout Milscoth—for he bears the boast of sight
“And far-off hearing far above us all—
“To spy the house and bring us speedy word
“Of all he sees and hears, outside and in:
“So shall we judge how best to win the same.”
Said Ingcel, “he who shall return alive
“Shall take his stone again. Who not returns,
“His stone shall here remain his monument.
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“Returns, and who stays yonder, let us send
“Scout Milscoth—for he bears the boast of sight
“And far-off hearing far above us all—
“To spy the house and bring us speedy word
“Of all he sees and hears, outside and in:
“So shall we judge how best to win the same.”
Forth went the spy: they waited by their Carn,
Till, gliding as a shadow, he returned:
And round him, as he came, they drew a ring,
Round him and Ingcel and Don Dessa's sons,
And round their destined stones of memory.
Till, gliding as a shadow, he returned:
And round him, as he came, they drew a ring,
Round him and Ingcel and Don Dessa's sons,
And round their destined stones of memory.
“What sawest thou outward?”
“Outward of the house
“I saw, drawn up at every guarded door,
“Full seventeen chariots; and, between the spokes,
“Spying, I saw, to rings of iron tied,
“At end and side wall, thrice a hundred steeds
“Groom'd sleek, ear-active, eating corn and hay.”
“I saw, drawn up at every guarded door,
“Full seventeen chariots; and, between the spokes,
“Spying, I saw, to rings of iron tied,
“At end and side wall, thrice a hundred steeds
“Groom'd sleek, ear-active, eating corn and hay.”
“What means this concourse, think'st thou, Ferragon?”
“I know not if it be not that a host
“Resorting, it may be, to games or fair
“At Tara or at Taltin, rest to-night
“In the great guest-house. 'Twill be heavier cost
“Of blows and blood to win it than it seem'd.”
“Resorting, it may be, to games or fair
“At Tara or at Taltin, rest to-night
“In the great guest-house. 'Twill be heavier cost
“Of blows and blood to win it than it seem'd.”
A guest-house, whether many within or few,
“Is as the travellers' temple, and esteemed
“In every civil land a sanctuary.
“'Twere woe to sack the inn,” said Lomna Druth.
“Is as the travellers' temple, and esteemed
“In every civil land a sanctuary.
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“Lomna,” said Ingcel, “when we swore our oaths
“We made not reservation of the inn:
“And, for their numbers, fear not, Ferragon;
“The more, the more the spoil. Say on, and tell
“What heard'st thou?”
“We made not reservation of the inn:
“And, for their numbers, fear not, Ferragon;
“The more, the more the spoil. Say on, and tell
“What heard'st thou?”
“Through the open doors I heard
“A hum as of a crowd of feasting men.
“Princely the murmur, as when voices strong
“Of far-heard captains on the front of war
“Sink low and sweet in company of queens.”
“A hum as of a crowd of feasting men.
“Princely the murmur, as when voices strong
“Of far-heard captains on the front of war
“Sink low and sweet in company of queens.”
“What think'st thou, Ferragon?”
“The gentlest speech
“Within doors gives the loudest cheer afield.
“Methinks to spoil this house will try our strength.”
“Within doors gives the loudest cheer afield.
“Methinks to spoil this house will try our strength.”
And it shall try it: and our strength shall bear
“That and worse trial. Say, what sawest thou next
“Within the house? Begin from the right hand.”
“That and worse trial. Say, what sawest thou next
“Within the house? Begin from the right hand.”
“To rightward of the great door in the midst
“A bench I saw: ten warriors sat thereon.
“The captain of the ten was thus. His brow
“Thick and high arching o'er a gray clear eye:
“A face long-oval, broader-boned above:
“A man whose look bespoke adventure past
“And days of danger welcome yet to come,
“Though sadden'd somewhat, haply by remorse
“For blood ill-spilt or broken vows or both.
“His mantle green, his brooch and sword-hilt gold.”
“A bench I saw: ten warriors sat thereon.
“The captain of the ten was thus. His brow
“Thick and high arching o'er a gray clear eye:
“A face long-oval, broader-boned above:
“A man whose look bespoke adventure past
“And days of danger welcome yet to come,
“Though sadden'd somewhat, haply by remorse
“For blood ill-spilt or broken vows or both.
“His mantle green, his brooch and sword-hilt gold.”
“What captain this, conceiv'st thou, Ferragon?”
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“I know him; verily a man of might;
“A man of name renown'd in field and hall;
“Cormac Condlongas, long the banish'd son
“Of Conor son of Nessa. When his sire
“Through love of Deirdre broke his guarantees
“Pledged to his step-sire, Fergus son of Roy,
“For Usnach's sons' safe-conduct, Cormac, he,
“Through love of Fergus and through stronger love
“Of kingly-plighted honour undefiled,
“Abjured his father's councils and his court,
“And in the hostile halls of western Maeve
“Spent many a year of heart-corroding care,
“And many a man of Ulster, many a man
“Of his own kin, in alien service, slew.
“If he be there, methinks to-night's assault
“Will leave the stones of some here unremoved.”
“A man of name renown'd in field and hall;
“Cormac Condlongas, long the banish'd son
“Of Conor son of Nessa. When his sire
“Through love of Deirdre broke his guarantees
“Pledged to his step-sire, Fergus son of Roy,
“For Usnach's sons' safe-conduct, Cormac, he,
“Through love of Fergus and through stronger love
“Of kingly-plighted honour undefiled,
“Abjured his father's councils and his court,
“And in the hostile halls of western Maeve
“Spent many a year of heart-corroding care,
“And many a man of Ulster, many a man
“Of his own kin, in alien service, slew.
“If he be there, methinks to-night's assault
“Will leave the stones of some here unremoved.”
Said Ingcel, “I shall know him, when I see
“That pale remorseful visage by and by,
“And that same brooch and sword-hilt shall be mine.
“What of the nine?”
“That pale remorseful visage by and by,
“And that same brooch and sword-hilt shall be mine.
“What of the nine?”
“The nine he sat among
“Were men of steadfast looks, that at his word,
“So seemed it me, would stay not to enquire
“Whose kindred were they he might bid them slay.”
“Were men of steadfast looks, that at his word,
“So seemed it me, would stay not to enquire
“Whose kindred were they he might bid them slay.”
“Knowest thou, oh friend, the serviceable nine?”
“I know them also,” answered Ferragon.
“Of them 'tis said they never slew a man
“For evil deed, and never spared a man
“For good deed; but, as ordered, duteous, slew
“Or slew not. Shun that nine, unless your heads
“Be cased in casquets made of adamant;
“Else shall the corpse of many a valiant man
“Now present, on Da-Derga's threshold lie.”
“Of them 'tis said they never slew a man
“For evil deed, and never spared a man
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“Or slew not. Shun that nine, unless your heads
“Be cased in casquets made of adamant;
“Else shall the corpse of many a valiant man
“Now present, on Da-Derga's threshold lie.”
“Nine for his nine!” said Ingcel. “Think not thou
“By tongue-drawn dangers and deterrent phrase
“Exaggerate, to shake my settled soul
“From that which is my right. Say on: what next?”
“By tongue-drawn dangers and deterrent phrase
“Exaggerate, to shake my settled soul
“From that which is my right. Say on: what next?”
“A bench of three: thick-hair'd, and equal-long
“The hair on poll and brow. Black cloaks they wore,
“Black their sword-sheaths, their hafted lances black;
“Fair men, withal, themselves, and ruddy-brown.”
“The hair on poll and brow. Black cloaks they wore,
“Black their sword-sheaths, their hafted lances black;
“Fair men, withal, themselves, and ruddy-brown.”
“Who these, oh Ferragon?”
“I know not, I,
“Unless, it may be, these be of the Picts
“Exiled from Alba, who in Conor's house
“Have shelter; and, if these indeed be they,
“Three better out of Alba never came
“Or sturdier to withstand the brunt of blows.”
“Unless, it may be, these be of the Picts
“Exiled from Alba, who in Conor's house
“Have shelter; and, if these indeed be they,
“Three better out of Alba never came
“Or sturdier to withstand the brunt of blows.”
“Blows they shall have,” said Ingcel; “and their home,
“Rid of their presence well, shall not again
“Have need to doom them to a new exile.
“What further sawest thou?”
“Rid of their presence well, shall not again
“Have need to doom them to a new exile.
“What further sawest thou?”
“On the bench beside
“I saw three slender, three face-shaven men,
“Robed in red mantles and with caps of red.
“No swords had they, nor bore they spear or shield,
“But each man on his knee a bagpipe held
“With jewelled chanter flashing as he moved,
“And mouth-piece ready to supply the wind.”
“I saw three slender, three face-shaven men,
“Robed in red mantles and with caps of red.
“No swords had they, nor bore they spear or shield,
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“With jewelled chanter flashing as he moved,
“And mouth-piece ready to supply the wind.”
“What pipers these?”
“These pipers of a truth
“If so it be that I mistake them not,
“Appear not often in men's halls of glee:
“Men of the Sidhs they are; and I have heard
“When strife fell out in Tara Luachra's hall
“Around Cuchullin and the butchering bands
“Of treacherous Maeve and Ailill, they were there.”
“These pipers of a truth
“If so it be that I mistake them not,
“Appear not often in men's halls of glee:
“Men of the Sidhs they are; and I have heard
“When strife fell out in Tara Luachra's hall
“Around Cuchullin and the butchering bands
“Of treacherous Maeve and Ailill, they were there.”
“To-night their pipes shall play us to our ships
“With strains of triumph; or their fingers' ends
“Shall never close the stops of music more,”
“With strains of triumph; or their fingers' ends
“Shall never close the stops of music more,”
So Ingcel; but again said Ferragon,
“Men of the Sidhs they are: to strike at them
“Is striking at a shadow. If 'tis they,
“Shun this assault; for I have also heard
“At the first tuning of these elvish pipes
“Nor crow nor cormorant round all the coasts
“But hastens to partake the flesh of men.”
“Is striking at a shadow. If 'tis they,
“Shun this assault; for I have also heard
“At the first tuning of these elvish pipes
“Nor crow nor cormorant round all the coasts
“But hastens to partake the flesh of men.”
“Flesh ye shall have, of Ingcel's enemies,
“All fowl that hither flap the wing to-night!
“And music too at table, as it seems.
“What further sawest thou?”
“All fowl that hither flap the wing to-night!
“And music too at table, as it seems.
“What further sawest thou?”
“On a broader bench
“Three vast-proportioned warriors, by whose side
“The slender pipers showed as small as wrens.
“In their first greyness they; grey-dark their robes,
“Grey-dark their swords enormous, of an edge
“To slice the hair on water. He who sits
“The midmost of the three, grasps with both hands
“A spear of fifty rivets, and so sways
“And swings the weapon as a man might think
“The very thing had life, and struggled strong
“To dash itself at breasts of enemies:
“A cauldron at his feet, big as the vat
“Of a king's kitchen; in that vat a pool,
“Hideous to look upon, of liquor black:
“Therein he dips and cools the blade by times.”
“Three vast-proportioned warriors, by whose side
“The slender pipers showed as small as wrens.
“In their first greyness they; grey-dark their robes,
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“To slice the hair on water. He who sits
“The midmost of the three, grasps with both hands
“A spear of fifty rivets, and so sways
“And swings the weapon as a man might think
“The very thing had life, and struggled strong
“To dash itself at breasts of enemies:
“A cauldron at his feet, big as the vat
“Of a king's kitchen; in that vat a pool,
“Hideous to look upon, of liquor black:
“Therein he dips and cools the blade by times.”
“Resolve us who be these three, Ferragon.”
“Not hard to tell; though hard, perchance, to hear
“For those who listen, and who now must know
“What foes their fortune dooms them cope withal,
“If this assault be given while these be here.
“These three are Sencha son of Olioll,
“Called ‘Half-the-battle’ by admiring men;
“Duftach, for fierceness named the Addercop;
“And Govnan son of Luignech; and the spear
“In hands of Duftach is the famous ‘lann’
“Of Keltar son of Utechar, which erst
“A wizard of the Tuath De Danaan brought
“To battle at Moy Tury, and there lost:
“Found after. And these motions of the spear,
“And sudden sallies hard to be restrained,
“Affect it, oft as blood of enemies
“Is ripe for spilling; and a cauldron then
“Full of witch-brewage needs must be at hand,
“To quench it, when the homicidal act
“Is by its blade expected; quench it not,
“It blazes up, even in the holder's hand,
“And through the holder, and the door-planks through,
“Flies forth to sate itself in massacre.
“Ours is the massacre it now would make:
“Our blood it maddens for: sirs, have a care
“How ye assault where champions such as these
“Armed with the lann of Keltar, wait within.”
“For those who listen, and who now must know
“What foes their fortune dooms them cope withal,
“If this assault be given while these be here.
“These three are Sencha son of Olioll,
“Called ‘Half-the-battle’ by admiring men;
“Duftach, for fierceness named the Addercop;
“And Govnan son of Luignech; and the spear
“In hands of Duftach is the famous ‘lann’
“Of Keltar son of Utechar, which erst
“A wizard of the Tuath De Danaan brought
“To battle at Moy Tury, and there lost:
“Found after. And these motions of the spear,
“And sudden sallies hard to be restrained,
“Affect it, oft as blood of enemies
“Is ripe for spilling; and a cauldron then
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“To quench it, when the homicidal act
“Is by its blade expected; quench it not,
“It blazes up, even in the holder's hand,
“And through the holder, and the door-planks through,
“Flies forth to sate itself in massacre.
“Ours is the massacre it now would make:
“Our blood it maddens for: sirs, have a care
“How ye assault where champions such as these
“Armed with the lann of Keltar, wait within.”
“I have a certain blade,” said Ingcel, “here;
“Steel'd by Smith Wayland in a Lochlann cave
“Whose temper has not failed me; and I mean
“To cut the foul head off this Addercop,
“And snap his gadding spear across my knee.
“Go on, and say what more thou sawest within.”
“Steel'd by Smith Wayland in a Lochlann cave
“Whose temper has not failed me; and I mean
“To cut the foul head off this Addercop,
“And snap his gadding spear across my knee.
“Go on, and say what more thou sawest within.”
A single warrior on a separate bench
“I saw. Methinks no man was ever born
“So stately-built, so perfect of his limbs,
“So hero-like as he. Fair-haired he is
“And yellow-bearded, with an eye of blue.
“He sits apart and wears a wistful look,
“As if he missed some friend's companionship.
“I saw. Methinks no man was ever born
“So stately-built, so perfect of his limbs,
“So hero-like as he. Fair-haired he is
“And yellow-bearded, with an eye of blue.
“He sits apart and wears a wistful look,
“As if he missed some friend's companionship.
Then Ferragon, not waiting question, cried,
“Gods! all the foremost, all the valiantest
“Of Erin's champions, gathered in one place
“For our destruction, are assembled here!
“That man is Conall Carnach; and the friend
“He looks for vainly with a wistful eye
“Is great Cuchullin: he no more shall share
“The upper bench with Conall; since the tomb
“Holds him, by hand of Conall well avenged.
“The foremost this, the mightiest champion this
“Left of the Red Branch, since Cuchullin's fall.
“Look you, as thick as fragments are of ice
“When one night's frost is crackled underfoot,
“As thick as autumn leaves, as blades of grass,
“Shall the lopp'd members and the cloven half-heads
“Of them that hear me, be, by break of day,
“Before Da-Derga's doors, if this assault
“Be given, while Conall Carnach waits within!”
“Of Erin's champions, gathered in one place
“For our destruction, are assembled here!
“That man is Conall Carnach; and the friend
“He looks for vainly with a wistful eye
“Is great Cuchullin: he no more shall share
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“Holds him, by hand of Conall well avenged.
“The foremost this, the mightiest champion this
“Left of the Red Branch, since Cuchullin's fall.
“Look you, as thick as fragments are of ice
“When one night's frost is crackled underfoot,
“As thick as autumn leaves, as blades of grass,
“Shall the lopp'd members and the cloven half-heads
“Of them that hear me, be, by break of day,
“Before Da-Derga's doors, if this assault
“Be given, while Conall Carnach waits within!”
“Pity to slay that man,” said Lomna Druth.
“That is the man who, matched at fords of Clane,
“With maimed Mesgedra, though no third was near,
“Tied up his own right hand, to fight him fair.
“A man both mild and valiant, frank and wise,
“A friend of men of music and of song,
“Loved of all woman: were there only one
“Such hero in the house, for that one's sake
“Forego this slaughter!”
“That is the man who, matched at fords of Clane,
“With maimed Mesgedra, though no third was near,
“Tied up his own right hand, to fight him fair.
“A man both mild and valiant, frank and wise,
“A friend of men of music and of song,
“Loved of all woman: were there only one
“Such hero in the house, for that one's sake
“Forego this slaughter!”
“Lomna,” Ingcel said,
“Not without reason do men call thee fool;
“And, Ferragon, think not that fear of man
“The bravest ever born on Irish soil
“Shall make its shameful entrance in the breast
“Of one of all who hear us. Spy, say on,
“What further sawest thou?”
“Not without reason do men call thee fool;
“And, Ferragon, think not that fear of man
“The bravest ever born on Irish soil
“Shall make its shameful entrance in the breast
“Of one of all who hear us. Spy, say on,
“What further sawest thou?”
“Three brave youths I saw;
“Three brothers, as I judge. Their mantles wide
“Were all of Syrian silk; and needle-work
“Of gold on every hem. With ivory combs
“They smoothed the shining ridges of their hair
“That spread and rippled to their shoulder tips,
“And moved with every motion of their brows.
“A slender, tender boy beside them slept,
“His head in one attendant's lap, his feet
“In lap of other one; and, couched beside,
“A hound I saw, and heard him ‘Ossar’ called.”
“Three brothers, as I judge. Their mantles wide
“Were all of Syrian silk; and needle-work
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“They smoothed the shining ridges of their hair
“That spread and rippled to their shoulder tips,
“And moved with every motion of their brows.
“A slender, tender boy beside them slept,
“His head in one attendant's lap, his feet
“In lap of other one; and, couched beside,
“A hound I saw, and heard him ‘Ossar’ called.”
“Whose be these Syrian silks shall soon be mine,
“Oh Ferragon? and wherefore weep'st thou, say?”
“Oh Ferragon? and wherefore weep'st thou, say?”
“Alas, too well I know them; and I weep
“To think that where they are, he must be near
“Their father, Conary, himself, the king:
“And woe it is that he whose infant lips
“Suck'd the same breast as ours, should now be there!”
“To think that where they are, he must be near
“Their father, Conary, himself, the king:
“And woe it is that he whose infant lips
“Suck'd the same breast as ours, should now be there!”
What, Conary, the arch-king of the realm
“Of Erin here? Say, sawest thou there a king?”
“Of Erin here? Say, sawest thou there a king?”
“I know not if a king; but one I saw
“Seated apart: before his couch there hung
“A silver broidered curtain; grey he was,
“Of aspect mild, benevolent, composed.
“A cloak he wore of colour like the haze
“Of a May morning when the sun shines warm
“On dewy meads and fresh-ploughed tillage land,
“Variously beautiful, with border broad
“Of golden woof that glittered to his knee
“A stream of light. Before him on the floor
“A juggler played his feats: nine balls he had,
“And flung them upward, eight in air at once,
“And one in hand: like swarm of summer bees
“They danced and circled, till his eye met mine;
“Then he could catch no more; but down they fell
“And rolled upon the floor. ‘An evil eye
“‘Has seen me,’ said the juggler; and the child
“Who slept beside, awoke, and cried aloud,
“‘Ossar! good dog, hie forth and chase the thieves!’
“Then judged I longer to remain were ill,
“But, ere I left, discharged a rapid glance
“Around the house, beholding many a band
“Of able guardsmen corsleted and helm'd,
“Of captains, carriers, farriers, charioteers,
“Horseboys and laqueys, all in order set,
“All good men of their hands, and weapon'd well.”
“Seated apart: before his couch there hung
“A silver broidered curtain; grey he was,
“Of aspect mild, benevolent, composed.
“A cloak he wore of colour like the haze
“Of a May morning when the sun shines warm
“On dewy meads and fresh-ploughed tillage land,
“Variously beautiful, with border broad
“Of golden woof that glittered to his knee
“A stream of light. Before him on the floor
“A juggler played his feats: nine balls he had,
“And flung them upward, eight in air at once,
“And one in hand: like swarm of summer bees
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“Then he could catch no more; but down they fell
“And rolled upon the floor. ‘An evil eye
“‘Has seen me,’ said the juggler; and the child
“Who slept beside, awoke, and cried aloud,
“‘Ossar! good dog, hie forth and chase the thieves!’
“Then judged I longer to remain were ill,
“But, ere I left, discharged a rapid glance
“Around the house, beholding many a band
“Of able guardsmen corsleted and helm'd,
“Of captains, carriers, farriers, charioteers,
“Horseboys and laqueys, all in order set,
“All good men of their hands, and weapon'd well.”
Said Ferragon, “If my advice were given,
“'Twould be to leave this onset unessayed.”
“'Twould be to leave this onset unessayed.”
“Pity to slay this king,” said Lomna Druth:
“Since he has reigned there has not fallen a year
“Of dearth, or plague, or murrain on the land:
“The dew has never left the blade of grass
“One day of Conary's time, before the noon;
“Nor harsh wind ruffled hair upon the side
“Of grazing beast. Since he began his reign
“From mid-spring to mid-autumn cloud nor storm
“Has dimm'd the daily-shining, bounteous sun;
“But each good year has seen its harvests three,
“Of blade, of ear, of fruit, apple and nut.
“Peace until now in all his realm has reigned,
“And terror of just laws kept men secure.
“What though, by love constrained, in passion's hour,
“I joined my fortunes to the desperate fates
“Of hapless kinsmen, I repent it now,
“And wish that rigorous law had had its course
“Sooner than this good king should now be slain.”
“Since he has reigned there has not fallen a year
“Of dearth, or plague, or murrain on the land:
“The dew has never left the blade of grass
“One day of Conary's time, before the noon;
“Nor harsh wind ruffled hair upon the side
“Of grazing beast. Since he began his reign
“From mid-spring to mid-autumn cloud nor storm
“Has dimm'd the daily-shining, bounteous sun;
“But each good year has seen its harvests three,
“Of blade, of ear, of fruit, apple and nut.
“Peace until now in all his realm has reigned,
“And terror of just laws kept men secure.
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“I joined my fortunes to the desperate fates
“Of hapless kinsmen, I repent it now,
“And wish that rigorous law had had its course
“Sooner than this good king should now be slain.”
“Not spoken like a brother,” Ingcel said,
“Nor one who feels for brothers by the side
“Of a grey father butchered, as I feel.”
“Nor one who feels for brothers by the side
“Of a grey father butchered, as I feel.”
“'Twas blind chance-medley, and we know them not,
“For kin of thine,” said Ferragon; “but he,
“This king, is kin of ours; and that thou knowest
“With seasonable warning: it were woe
“To slay him.”
“For kin of thine,” said Ferragon; “but he,
“This king, is kin of ours; and that thou knowest
“With seasonable warning: it were woe
“To slay him.”
“Woe it were, perchance, to thee;
“To me, 'twere joy to slay both him and them;
“'Twere blood for blood, and what my soul desires.
“My father was a king: my brethren seven
“Were princely nurtured. Think'st thou I for them
“Feel not compassion? nourish not desire
“Of vengeance? No. I stand upon the oaths
“Ye swore me; I demand my spoil for spoil,
“My blood for blood.”
“To me, 'twere joy to slay both him and them;
“'Twere blood for blood, and what my soul desires.
“My father was a king: my brethren seven
“Were princely nurtured. Think'st thou I for them
“Feel not compassion? nourish not desire
“Of vengeance? No. I stand upon the oaths
“Ye swore me; I demand my spoil for spoil,
“My blood for blood.”
“'Tis just,” said Fergobar,
“We promised and will make the bargain good.”
“We promised and will make the bargain good.”
“Yet take the spoil we own to be thy right
“Elsewhere,” said Ferragon; “not here nor now.
“We gave thee licence, and we grant it still,
“To take a plunder: look around and choose
“What trading port, what dealers' burgh ye will,
“We give it, and will help you to the gain.”
“Elsewhere,” said Ferragon; “not here nor now.
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“To take a plunder: look around and choose
“What trading port, what dealers' burgh ye will,
“We give it, and will help you to the gain.”
“We gave thee licence,” Lomna said,—“and I
“Grieve that we gave it, yea, or took the like,—
“To take a plunder; but we gave thee not
“Licence to take the life, the soul itself
“Of our whole nation, as you now would do.
“For, slay our reverend sages of the law,
“Slay him who puts the law they teach in act;
“Slay our sweet poets, and our sacred bards,
“Who keep the continuity of time
“By fame perpetual of renowned deeds;
“Slay our experienced captains who prepare
“The youth for martial manhood, and the charge
“Of public freedom, as befits a state
“Self-governed, self-sufficing, self-contained;
“Slay all that minister our loftier life,
“Now by this evil chance assembled here,
“You leave us but the carcass of a state,
“A rabble ripe to rot, and yield the land
“To foreign masters and perpetual shame.”
“Grieve that we gave it, yea, or took the like,—
“To take a plunder; but we gave thee not
“Licence to take the life, the soul itself
“Of our whole nation, as you now would do.
“For, slay our reverend sages of the law,
“Slay him who puts the law they teach in act;
“Slay our sweet poets, and our sacred bards,
“Who keep the continuity of time
“By fame perpetual of renowned deeds;
“Slay our experienced captains who prepare
“The youth for martial manhood, and the charge
“Of public freedom, as befits a state
“Self-governed, self-sufficing, self-contained;
“Slay all that minister our loftier life,
“Now by this evil chance assembled here,
“You leave us but the carcass of a state,
“A rabble ripe to rot, and yield the land
“To foreign masters and perpetual shame.”
Said Ingcel, “This night's plunder is my own,
“And paid for. I shall take it here and now.
“I heed not Lomna's airy rhetoric;
“But this I say, and mark it, Ferragon:
“Let him who would turn craven, if he will,
“Take up his stone and go: and take withal
“Contempt of valiant men.”
“And paid for. I shall take it here and now.
“I heed not Lomna's airy rhetoric;
“But this I say, and mark it, Ferragon:
“Let him who would turn craven, if he will,
“Take up his stone and go: and take withal
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Said Lomna Druth,
“He is no craven, Ingcel; nor am I.
“His heart misgives him, not because he fears
“To match himself in manly feat of arms
“With any champion, but because he fears
“To do an impious act, as I too fear.”
“He is no craven, Ingcel; nor am I.
“His heart misgives him, not because he fears
“To match himself in manly feat of arms
“With any champion, but because he fears
“To do an impious act, as I too fear.”
“I own it true,” said Ferragon, “my heart
“Is full of anguish and remorseful love
“Towards him, my sovereign, who did never wrong,
“Save in not meting justice to the full,
“Against these violators of his law,
“Who now repay his clemency with death.”
“Is full of anguish and remorseful love
“Towards him, my sovereign, who did never wrong,
“Save in not meting justice to the full,
“Against these violators of his law,
“Who now repay his clemency with death.”
“Call it not clemency,” said Fergobar:
“He drove us naked from ancestral homes
“To herd with outlaws and with desperate men.”
“He drove us naked from ancestral homes
“To herd with outlaws and with desperate men.”
“Outlaws we are; and so far desperate,”
Said Ingcel, “that we mean to sack this house,
“And for the very reason that he says,
“Because the richest jewels, both of men
“And gold, the land affords, are gathered there.”
Said Ingcel, “that we mean to sack this house,
“And for the very reason that he says,
“Because the richest jewels, both of men
“And gold, the land affords, are gathered there.”
Then Lomna from his mantle took the brooch,
And said “Oh Ingcel, this and whatso else
“Of other plunder fallen to my share
“Lies in the ships, I offer. Take it all,
“But leave this house unsack'd.”
And said “Oh Ingcel, this and whatso else
“Of other plunder fallen to my share
“Lies in the ships, I offer. Take it all,
“But leave this house unsack'd.”
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Said Ferragon,
“Take also all my share; but spare the king.”
But Ingcel roughly pushed the brooch away,
And said “Have done. The onset shall be given.”
And said “Have done. The onset shall be given.”
“The onset shall be given, unless the earth
“Open and swallow us!” said Fergobar.
“Open and swallow us!” said Fergobar.
“The onset shall be given, unless the heavens
“Fall solid on us!” answered Ger and Gel.
“Fall solid on us!” answered Ger and Gel.
“The onset shall be given!” replied they all.
Then Lomna,—laying his brooch upon the heap,—
“Who first returns—but I shall not return—
“To take his stone again, take also this;
“And, for the rest of what my sword has gained,
“Share it among you, I forgive you all,
“And bid you all farewell; for nothing now
“Remains for me but death:” and with the word
He struck his dagger in his heart, and fell.
“Who first returns—but I shall not return—
“To take his stone again, take also this;
“And, for the rest of what my sword has gained,
“Share it among you, I forgive you all,
“And bid you all farewell; for nothing now
“Remains for me but death:” and with the word
He struck his dagger in his heart, and fell.
“Kings, lords, and men of war,” said Ferragon,
“Comrades till now, the man whose body lies
“Before us, though we used to call him fool
“Because his heart was softer and his speech
“More delicate than ours, I now esteem
“Both wise and brave, and noble in his death.
“He spoke me truly, for he knew my heart
“Unspoken, when he said `twas not through fear
“Of death I spoke dissuading; but through fear
“Of conscience: but your hearts I better knew
“Leaving unspoken what was in my own;
“For well indeed I knew how vain it were
“To talk of pity, love, or tenderness
“To bloody-minded and to desperate men.
“Therefore I told you, and I told you true
“What loss to reckon of your wretched lives,
“Entering this dragons' den; but did not tell
“The horror and the anguish sharp as death
“In my own bosom entering as I knew
“The pictured presence of each faithful friend,
“And of that sire revered, ye now consign
“To massacre and bloody butchery.
“And that 'twas love that swayed me, and not fear,
“Take this for proof:” and drew and slew himself.
“Comrades till now, the man whose body lies
“Before us, though we used to call him fool
“Because his heart was softer and his speech
“More delicate than ours, I now esteem
“Both wise and brave, and noble in his death.
“He spoke me truly, for he knew my heart
“Unspoken, when he said `twas not through fear
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“Of conscience: but your hearts I better knew
“Leaving unspoken what was in my own;
“For well indeed I knew how vain it were
“To talk of pity, love, or tenderness
“To bloody-minded and to desperate men.
“Therefore I told you, and I told you true
“What loss to reckon of your wretched lives,
“Entering this dragons' den; but did not tell
“The horror and the anguish sharp as death
“In my own bosom entering as I knew
“The pictured presence of each faithful friend,
“And of that sire revered, ye now consign
“To massacre and bloody butchery.
“And that 'twas love that swayed me, and not fear,
“Take this for proof:” and drew and slew himself.
“Comrades and valiant partners,” Ingcel cried,
“Stand not to pause to wonder or lament
“These scrupulous companions; rest them well!
“But set your spirits to achieve the end
“That brought us hither. Now that they are gone
“And nothing hinders, are we all agreed
“To give this onset bravely and at once?”
“Stand not to pause to wonder or lament
“These scrupulous companions; rest them well!
“But set your spirits to achieve the end
“That brought us hither. Now that they are gone
“And nothing hinders, are we all agreed
“To give this onset bravely and at once?”
“I speak for all,” said Fergobar. “Agreed!
“Ready we are and willing, and I myself,
“Having my proper vows of vengeance,
“Will lead you, and be foremost of you all.”
“Ready we are and willing, and I myself,
“Having my proper vows of vengeance,
“Will lead you, and be foremost of you all.”
They raised the shout of onset: from his seat
Leaped Cecht, leaped Cormac, Conall Carnach leaped,
And Duftach from the cauldron drew his spear;
But Conary with countenance serene
Sat on unmoved. “We are enough,” he said,
“To hold the house, though thrice our number came;
“And little think they, whosoe'er they are,
“(Grant gracious ones of Heaven, it be not they!)
“That such a welcome waits them at the hands
“Of Erin's choicest champions. Door-keepers,
“Stand to your posts, and strike who enters down!”
117
And Duftach from the cauldron drew his spear;
But Conary with countenance serene
Sat on unmoved. “We are enough,” he said,
“To hold the house, though thrice our number came;
“And little think they, whosoe'er they are,
“(Grant gracious ones of Heaven, it be not they!)
“That such a welcome waits them at the hands
“Of Erin's choicest champions. Door-keepers,
“Stand to your posts, and strike who enters down!”
The shout came louder, and at every door
At once all round the house, the shock began
Of charging hosts and battery of blows;
And through the door that fronted Conary's seat
A man burst headlong, reeling, full of wounds,
But dropped midway, smote by the club of Cecht.
At once all round the house, the shock began
Of charging hosts and battery of blows;
And through the door that fronted Conary's seat
A man burst headlong, reeling, full of wounds,
But dropped midway, smote by the club of Cecht.
“What, thou? oh Fergobar!” cried Conary;
“Say, ere thou diest, that thou art alone—
“That Ferragon and Lomna whom I love
“Are not among you.”
“Say, ere thou diest, that thou art alone—
“That Ferragon and Lomna whom I love
“Are not among you.”
“King,” said Fergobar,
“I die without the vengeance that I vowed.
“Thou never lovedst me: but the love thou gavest
“My hapless brothers, well have they returned,
“And both lie outside, slain by their own hands
“Rather than join in this just cause with me.”
“I die without the vengeance that I vowed.
“Thou never lovedst me: but the love thou gavest
“My hapless brothers, well have they returned,
“And both lie outside, slain by their own hands
“Rather than join in this just cause with me.”
“The gods between us judge,” said Conary.
“Cast not his body forth. I loved him once,
“And burial he shall have, when, by and by,
“These comrades of his desperate attempt
“Are chased away.”
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“And burial he shall have, when, by and by,
“These comrades of his desperate attempt
“Are chased away.”
But swiftly answered Cecht,
“King, they bring fire without: and, see, the stream
“Runs dry before our feet, damm'd off above.”
“King, they bring fire without: and, see, the stream
“Runs dry before our feet, damm'd off above.”
“Then, truly, lords,” said Conary, “we may deign
“To put our swords to much unworthy use.
“Cormac Condlongas, take a troop with thee,
“And chase them from the house; and, strangers, ye
“Who rode before me without licence asked;
“I see ye be musicians; take your pipes
“And sound a royal pibroch, one of you,
“Before the chief.”
“To put our swords to much unworthy use.
“Cormac Condlongas, take a troop with thee,
“And chase them from the house; and, strangers, ye
“Who rode before me without licence asked;
“I see ye be musicians; take your pipes
“And sound a royal pibroch, one of you,
“Before the chief.”
“Yea, mighty king,” said one,
“The strain I play ye shall remember long,”
And put the mouthpiece to his lips. At once—
It seemed as earth and sky were sound alone,
And every sound a maddening battle-call,
So spread desire of fight through breast and brain,
And every arm to feat of combat strung.
Forth went the sallying hosts: the hosts within
Heard the enlarging tumult from their doors
Roll outward; and the clash and clamour heard
Of falling foes before; and, over it,
The yelling pibroch; but, anon, the din
Grew distant and more distant; and they heard
Instead, at every door new onset loud,
And cry of “Fire!” “Bring fire!”
“The strain I play ye shall remember long,”
And put the mouthpiece to his lips. At once—
It seemed as earth and sky were sound alone,
And every sound a maddening battle-call,
So spread desire of fight through breast and brain,
And every arm to feat of combat strung.
Forth went the sallying hosts: the hosts within
Heard the enlarging tumult from their doors
Roll outward; and the clash and clamour heard
Of falling foes before; and, over it,
The yelling pibroch; but, anon, the din
Grew distant and more distant; and they heard
Instead, at every door new onset loud,
And cry of “Fire!” “Bring fire!”
119
“Behoves us make
“A champion-circuit of the house at large,”
Said Conary. “Thou, Duftach, who, I see,
“Can'st hardly keep the weapon in thy hand
“From flying on these caitiffs of itself,
“Lead thou, and take two cohorts of the guard,
“And let another piper play you on.”
“A champion-circuit of the house at large,”
Said Conary. “Thou, Duftach, who, I see,
“Can'st hardly keep the weapon in thy hand
“From flying on these caitiffs of itself,
“Lead thou, and take two cohorts of the guard,
“And let another piper play you on.”
“I fear them, these red pipers,” said the boy.
“Peace, little Ferflath, thou art but a child,”
Said Duftach. “Come, companions (—patience, spear!—)
“Blow up the pibroch; warriors, follow me!”
Said Duftach. “Come, companions (—patience, spear!—)
“Blow up the pibroch; warriors, follow me!”
And forth they went, and with them rushed amain
Senchad and Govnan and the thick-hair'd three
Of Pictland with a shout; and all who heard
Deemed that the spear of Keltar shouted too
The loudest and the fiercest of them all.
So issued Duftach's band: the hosts within
Heard the commotion and the hurtling rout
Half round the house, and heard the mingling scream
Of pipes and death-cries far into the night;
But distant and more distant grew the din,
And Duftach came not back: but thronging back
Came the assailants, and at every door
Joined simultaneous battle once again.
Then Conall Carnach, who, at door and door,
Swift as a shuttle from a weaver's hand,
Divided help, cried,
Senchad and Govnan and the thick-hair'd three
Of Pictland with a shout; and all who heard
Deemed that the spear of Keltar shouted too
The loudest and the fiercest of them all.
So issued Duftach's band: the hosts within
Heard the commotion and the hurtling rout
Half round the house, and heard the mingling scream
Of pipes and death-cries far into the night;
But distant and more distant grew the din,
And Duftach came not back: but thronging back
Came the assailants, and at every door
Joined simultaneous battle once again.
Then Conall Carnach, who, at door and door,
Swift as a shuttle from a weaver's hand,
Divided help, cried,
“King, our friends are lost
“Unless another sally succour them!”
“Unless another sally succour them!”
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“Take then thy troop,” said Conary; “and thou
“Red-capp'd companion, see thou play a strain
“So loud our comrades straying in the dark
“May hear and join you.”
“Red-capp'd companion, see thou play a strain
“So loud our comrades straying in the dark
“May hear and join you.”
“Evil pipes are theirs.
“Trust not these pipers. I am but a child,”
Said Ferflath; “but I know they are not men
“Of mankind, and will pipe you all to harm.”
“Trust not these pipers. I am but a child,”
Said Ferflath; “but I know they are not men
“Of mankind, and will pipe you all to harm.”
“Peace, little prince,” said Conall. “Trust in me:
“I shall but make one circuit of the house,
“And presently be with thee; come, my men,
“Give me the Brierin Conaill, and my spear,
“And sound Cuchullin's onset for the breach.”
And issuing, as a jet of smoke and flame
Bursts from a fresh-replenished furnace-mouth,
He and his cohort sallied: they within
Heard the concussion and the spreading shock
Through thick opposing legions overthrown,
As, under hatches, men on shipboard hear
The dashing and the tumbling waves without,
Half round the house; no more: clamour and scream
Grew fainter in the distance; and the hosts
Gazed on each other with misgiving eyes,
And reckoned who were left: alack, but few!
“I shall but make one circuit of the house,
“And presently be with thee; come, my men,
“Give me the Brierin Conaill, and my spear,
“And sound Cuchullin's onset for the breach.”
And issuing, as a jet of smoke and flame
Bursts from a fresh-replenished furnace-mouth,
He and his cohort sallied: they within
Heard the concussion and the spreading shock
Through thick opposing legions overthrown,
As, under hatches, men on shipboard hear
The dashing and the tumbling waves without,
Half round the house; no more: clamour and scream
Grew fainter in the distance; and the hosts
Gazed on each other with misgiving eyes,
And reckoned who were left: alack, but few!
“Gods! can it be,” said Conary, “that my chiefs
“Desert me in this peril!”
“Desert me in this peril!”
“King,” said Cecht,
“Escape who will, we here desert thee not.”
“Escape who will, we here desert thee not.”
“Oh, never will I think that Conall fled,”
Said Ferflath. “He is brave and kind and true,
“And promised me he would return again.
“It is these wicked sprites of fairy-land
“Who have beguiled the chiefs away from us.”
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“And promised me he would return again.
“It is these wicked sprites of fairy-land
“Who have beguiled the chiefs away from us.”
“Alack,” the Druid cried; “he speaks the truth:
“He has the seer's insight which the gods
“Vouchsafe to eyes of childhood. We are lost;
“And for thy fault, oh Conary, the gods
“Have given us over to the spirits who dwell
“Beneath the earth.”
“He has the seer's insight which the gods
“Vouchsafe to eyes of childhood. We are lost;
“And for thy fault, oh Conary, the gods
“Have given us over to the spirits who dwell
“Beneath the earth.”
“Deserted I may be,
“Not yet disheartened, nor debased in soul,”
Said Conary. “My sons are with me still,
“And thou, my faithful sidesman, and you all
“Companions and partakers of my days
“Of glory, and of power munificent.
“I pray the Gods forgiveness if in aught,
“Weighty or trifling, I have done amiss;
“But here I stand, and will defend my life,
“Let come against me power of earth or hell,
“All but the gods themselves the righteous ones,
“Whom I revere.”
“Not yet disheartened, nor debased in soul,”
Said Conary. “My sons are with me still,
“And thou, my faithful sidesman, and you all
“Companions and partakers of my days
“Of glory, and of power munificent.
“I pray the Gods forgiveness if in aught,
“Weighty or trifling, I have done amiss;
“But here I stand, and will defend my life,
“Let come against me power of earth or hell,
“All but the gods themselves the righteous ones,
“Whom I revere.”
“My king,” said Cecht, “the knaves
“Swarm thick as gnats at every door again,
“Behoves us make a circuit, for ourselves,
“Around the house; for so our fortune stands
“That we have left us nothing else to choose
“But, out of doors, to beat them off, or burn
“Within doors; for they fire the house anew.”
“Swarm thick as gnats at every door again,
“Behoves us make a circuit, for ourselves,
“Around the house; for so our fortune stands
“That we have left us nothing else to choose
“But, out of doors, to beat them off, or burn
“Within doors; for they fire the house anew.”
122
Then uprose kingly Conary himself
And put his helmet on his sacred head,
And took his good sharp weapon in his hand,
And braced himself for battle long disused.
Uprose his three good sons, and doff'd their cloaks
Of Syrian purple, and assumed their arms
Courageously and princely, and uprose
Huge Cecht at left-hand of the king, and held
His buckler broad in front. From every side,
Thinn'd though they were, guardsman and charioteer,
Steward and butler, cupbearer and groom,
Thronged into martial file, and forth they went
Right valiantly and royally. The band
They left behind them, drawing freer breath,—
As sheltering shepherds in a cave who hear
The rattle and the crash of circling thunder,—
Heard the king's onset and his hearty cheer,
The tumult, and the sounding strokes of Cecht,
Three times go round the house, and every time
Through overthrow of falling enemies,
And all exulted in the kindling hope
Of victory and rescue, till again
The sallying host returned; all hot they were;
And Conary in the doorway entering last
Exclaimed, “A drink, a drink!” and cast himself
Panting upon his couch.
And put his helmet on his sacred head,
And took his good sharp weapon in his hand,
And braced himself for battle long disused.
Uprose his three good sons, and doff'd their cloaks
Of Syrian purple, and assumed their arms
Courageously and princely, and uprose
Huge Cecht at left-hand of the king, and held
His buckler broad in front. From every side,
Thinn'd though they were, guardsman and charioteer,
Steward and butler, cupbearer and groom,
Thronged into martial file, and forth they went
Right valiantly and royally. The band
They left behind them, drawing freer breath,—
As sheltering shepherds in a cave who hear
The rattle and the crash of circling thunder,—
Heard the king's onset and his hearty cheer,
The tumult, and the sounding strokes of Cecht,
Three times go round the house, and every time
Through overthrow of falling enemies,
And all exulted in the kindling hope
Of victory and rescue, till again
The sallying host returned; all hot they were;
And Conary in the doorway entering last
Exclaimed, “A drink, a drink!” and cast himself
Panting upon his couch.
“Ye cupbearers,”
Cried Cecht, “be nimble: fetch the king a drink:
“Well has he earned this thirst.” The cupbearers
Ran hither, thither; every vat they tried.
And every vessel—timber, silver, gold,—
But drink was nowhere found, nor wine nor ale
Nor water. “All has gone to quench the fire.
“There is not left of liquor in the house
“One drop; nor runs there water, since the stream
“Was damm'd and turned aside by Ingcel's men,
“Nearer than Tiprad-Casra; and the way
“Thither is long and rugged, and the foe
“Swarms thick between.”
Cried Cecht, “be nimble: fetch the king a drink:
“Well has he earned this thirst.” The cupbearers
Ran hither, thither; every vat they tried.
123
But drink was nowhere found, nor wine nor ale
Nor water. “All has gone to quench the fire.
“There is not left of liquor in the house
“One drop; nor runs there water, since the stream
“Was damm'd and turned aside by Ingcel's men,
“Nearer than Tiprad-Casra; and the way
“Thither is long and rugged, and the foe
“Swarms thick between.”
“Who now among you here
“Will issue forth, and fetch your king a drink?”
Said Cecht. One answered,
“Will issue forth, and fetch your king a drink?”
Said Cecht. One answered,
“Wherefore not thyself?”
“My place is here,” said Cecht, “by my king's side:
“His sidesman I.”
“His sidesman I.”
“Good papa Cecht, a drink,
“A drink, or I am sped!” cried Conary.
“A drink, or I am sped!” cried Conary.
“Nay then,” said Cecht, “it never shall be said
“My royal master craved a drink in vain,
“And water in a well, and life in me.
“Swear ye to stand around him while ye live
“And I with but this goblet in one hand,
“And this good weapon in the other, will forth
“And fetch him drink;—alone, or say, with whom?”
“My royal master craved a drink in vain,
“And water in a well, and life in me.
“Swear ye to stand around him while ye live
“And I with but this goblet in one hand,
“And this good weapon in the other, will forth
“And fetch him drink;—alone, or say, with whom?”
None answered but the little Ferflath; he
Cried, “Take me with thee, papa Cecht, take me!”
Then Cecht took up the boy and set him high
On his left shoulder with the golden cup
Of Conary in his hand; he raised his shield
High up for the protection of the child,
And, forth the great door, as a loosened rock
(Fly ye, foes all, fly ye before the face
Of Cecht, the battle-sidesman of the king!)
That from a hill side shoots into a brake,
Went through and through them with a hunter's bound;
And with another, and another, reached
The outer rim of darkness, past their ken.
Then down he set the lad, and hand in hand,
They ran together till they reached the well
And filled the cup.
Cried, “Take me with thee, papa Cecht, take me!”
Then Cecht took up the boy and set him high
On his left shoulder with the golden cup
Of Conary in his hand; he raised his shield
124
And, forth the great door, as a loosened rock
(Fly ye, foes all, fly ye before the face
Of Cecht, the battle-sidesman of the king!)
That from a hill side shoots into a brake,
Went through and through them with a hunter's bound;
And with another, and another, reached
The outer rim of darkness, past their ken.
Then down he set the lad, and hand in hand,
They ran together till they reached the well
And filled the cup.
“My little son, stay here,
Said Cecht, “and I will carry, if I may,
“His drink to Conary.”
Said Cecht, “and I will carry, if I may,
“His drink to Conary.”
“Oh, papa Cecht,
“Leave me not here,” said Ferflath; “I shall run
“Beside thee, and shall follow in the lane,
“Thou'lt make me through them.”
“Leave me not here,” said Ferflath; “I shall run
“Beside thee, and shall follow in the lane,
“Thou'lt make me through them.”
“Come then,” answered Cecht,
“Bear thou the cup, and see it spill not: come!”
“Bear thou the cup, and see it spill not: come!”
But ere they ran a spear-throw, Ferflath cried
“Ah me, I've stumbled, and the water's spilt.”
“Ah me, I've stumbled, and the water's spilt.”
“Alas,” said Cecht, “re-fill, and let me bear.”
But ere they ran another spear-throw, Cecht
Cried, “Woe is me; this ground is all too rough
“For hope that, running, we shall ever effect
“Our errand; and the time is deadly short.”
Cried, “Woe is me; this ground is all too rough
“For hope that, running, we shall ever effect
“Our errand; and the time is deadly short.”
125
Again they filled the cup, and through the dawn
Slow breaking, with impatient careful steps
Held back their course, Cecht in his troubled mind
Revolving how the child might bear his charge
Behind him, when his turn should come for use
Of both his hands to clear and keep that lane;
When, in the faint light of the growing dawn,
Casting his eyes to seaward, lo, the fleet
Of Ingcel had set sail; and, gazing next
Up the dim slope before him, on the ridge
Between him and Da-Derga's mansion, saw
Rise into view a chariot-cavalcade
And Conall Carnach in the foremost car.
Behind him Cormac son of Conor came
And Duftach bearing now a drooping spear,
At head of all their sallying armament.
Wild, pale, and shame-faced were the looks of all.
As men who doubted did they dream or wake,
Or were they honest, to be judged, or base.
Slow breaking, with impatient careful steps
Held back their course, Cecht in his troubled mind
Revolving how the child might bear his charge
Behind him, when his turn should come for use
Of both his hands to clear and keep that lane;
When, in the faint light of the growing dawn,
Casting his eyes to seaward, lo, the fleet
Of Ingcel had set sail; and, gazing next
Up the dim slope before him, on the ridge
Between him and Da-Derga's mansion, saw
Rise into view a chariot-cavalcade
And Conall Carnach in the foremost car.
Behind him Cormac son of Conor came
And Duftach bearing now a drooping spear,
At head of all their sallying armament.
Wild, pale, and shame-faced were the looks of all.
As men who doubted did they dream or wake,
Or were they honest, to be judged, or base.
“Cecht, we are late,” said Conall, “we and thou.
“He needs no more of drink who rides within.”
“He needs no more of drink who rides within.”
“Is the king here?”
“'Tis here that was the king.
“We found him smothered under heaps of slain
“In middle floor.”
“We found him smothered under heaps of slain
“In middle floor.”
“Thou, Ferflath, take the cup
“And hold it to thy father's lips,” said Cecht.
“And hold it to thy father's lips,” said Cecht.
The child approached the cup; the dying king
Felt the soft touch and smiled, and drew a sigh;
And, as they raised him in the chariot, died.
Felt the soft touch and smiled, and drew a sigh;
126
“A gentle and a generous king is gone,”
Said Cecht, and wept. “I take to witness all
“Here present, that I did not leave his side
“But by his own command. But how came ye,
“Choice men and champions of the warlike North,
“Tutors of old and samplars to our youth
“In loyalty and duty, how came ye
“To leave your lawful king alone to die?”
Said Cecht, and wept. “I take to witness all
“Here present, that I did not leave his side
“But by his own command. But how came ye,
“Choice men and champions of the warlike North,
“Tutors of old and samplars to our youth
“In loyalty and duty, how came ye
“To leave your lawful king alone to die?”
“Cecht,” answered Conall, “and thou, Ferflath, know,—
“For these be things concern both old and young—
“We live not of ourselves. The heavenly Gods
“Who give to every man his share of life
“Here in this sphere of objects visible
“And things prehensible by hands of men,
“Though good and just they are, are not themselves
“The only unseen beings of the world.
“Spirits there are around us in the air
“And elvish creatures of the earth, now seen
“Now vanishing from sight; and we of these
“(But whether with, or whether without the will
“Of the just Gods I know not,) have to-night
“By strong enchantments and prevailing spells,—
“Though mean the agents and contemptible,—
“Been fooled and baffled in a darkling maze
“And kept abroad despite our better selves,
“From succour of our king. We were enough
“To have brushed them off as flies; and while we made
“Our sallies through them, bursting from the doors,
“We quelled them flat: but when these wicked sprites,—
“For now I know, men of the Sidhs they were—
“Who played their pipes before us, led us on
“Into the outer margin of the night,
“No man amongst us all could stay himself,
“Or keep from following; and they kept us there,
“As men who walk asleep, in drowsy trance
“Listening a sweet pernicious melody,
“And following after in an idle round
“Till all was finished, and the plunderers gone.
“Haply they hear me, and the words I speak
“May bring their malice also upon me
“As late it fell on Conary. Yet, now
“The spell is off me, and I see the sun,
“By all my nation's swearing-Gods I swear
“I do defy them; and appeal to you
“Beings of goodness perfect, and to Thee
“Great unknown Being who hadst made them all,
“Take ye compassion on the race of men;
“And, for this slavery of gaysh and sidh
“Send down some emanation of yourselves
“To rule and comfort us! And I have heard
“There come the tidings yet may make us glad
“Of such a one new born, or soon to be.
“Now, mount beside me, that with solemn rites
“We give the king, at Tara, burial.”
“For these be things concern both old and young—
“We live not of ourselves. The heavenly Gods
“Who give to every man his share of life
“Here in this sphere of objects visible
“And things prehensible by hands of men,
“Though good and just they are, are not themselves
“The only unseen beings of the world.
“Spirits there are around us in the air
“And elvish creatures of the earth, now seen
“Now vanishing from sight; and we of these
“(But whether with, or whether without the will
“Of the just Gods I know not,) have to-night
“By strong enchantments and prevailing spells,—
“Though mean the agents and contemptible,—
“Been fooled and baffled in a darkling maze
“And kept abroad despite our better selves,
“From succour of our king. We were enough
127
“Our sallies through them, bursting from the doors,
“We quelled them flat: but when these wicked sprites,—
“For now I know, men of the Sidhs they were—
“Who played their pipes before us, led us on
“Into the outer margin of the night,
“No man amongst us all could stay himself,
“Or keep from following; and they kept us there,
“As men who walk asleep, in drowsy trance
“Listening a sweet pernicious melody,
“And following after in an idle round
“Till all was finished, and the plunderers gone.
“Haply they hear me, and the words I speak
“May bring their malice also upon me
“As late it fell on Conary. Yet, now
“The spell is off me, and I see the sun,
“By all my nation's swearing-Gods I swear
“I do defy them; and appeal to you
“Beings of goodness perfect, and to Thee
“Great unknown Being who hadst made them all,
“Take ye compassion on the race of men;
“And, for this slavery of gaysh and sidh
“Send down some emanation of yourselves
“To rule and comfort us! And I have heard
“There come the tidings yet may make us glad
“Of such a one new born, or soon to be.
“Now, mount beside me, that with solemn rites
“We give the king, at Tara, burial.”
| Lays of the Red Branch | |