Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

262 Fictions of the Irish Celts.
front came to them, and swept behind them hke thought
or a shooting star.
At last when the sun was low, land rose up under the
strong blaze, and was soon under the feet of the steed,
and in a few seconds more they were before the drawbridge
of a strong stone fort. Loud neighed the horse,
and swift the drawbridge was let down upon the moat,
and they were within the great fortress.
There the Sculloge alighted, and the horse was patted
and caressed by attendants, who seemed to know him
right well, and he repaid their welcome by gentle
whinnyings. Other attendants surrounded the Sculloge,
and brought him into the hall. The noble-looking man
and woman that sat at the upper end, he knew to be the
father and mother of his Saav. They bade him welcome,
and ordered a goblet of sweet mead to be handed to
him. He drank, and then dropped into the empty
vessel a ring which his wife had put on his finger before
he left home. The attendant carried the goblet to the
king and queen, and as soon as their eyes fell on the
ring they came down from their high seats, and welcomed
and embraced the visitor. They eagerly inquired about
the health of their child, and when they were satisfied
on that point, the queen said, "We need not ask if she
lived happily with you. If she had any reason to com-
plain, you would not have got the ring to show us.
Now, after you have taken rest and refreshment, we will
tell you how to obtain the Fios Fath an aon Sceil and
the Cloidheamh Solais."
The poor Sculloge did not feel what it was to pass
over some thousand miles of water while he was on the
steed's back, but now he felt as tired as if he had
travelled twenty days without stop or stay. But a
sleeping posset and a long night's rest made him a new
man ; and next morning after a good lunch* on venison
* It is maintained that the ancient Celts, as well as the Romans
and other peoples of old times, ate only once a day, viz. after sunset.
That was undoubtedly the principal meal, but the most deter-