Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

Ossianic and other Early Legends. 281
KILLARNEY.
Killarney's fair lake was formed under the following
romantic circumstances—the historian omitting to state
whether the inhabitants that dwelt beneath the level of
its present waves were good or bad, or distinguished by
an uncomfortable mixture of both qualities. A knight
from foreign parts wooed the fair daughter of a man of
the valley, rich in corn-lields and cattle, and earnestly
urged her to depart with him to his rath in the north.
He made no particular mention of the marriage ceremony,
so she, while taking no pains to conceal her love,
gave him decidedly to understand that, unless as his
married wife, she would never quit her native vale in his
company. He had a short struggle between his innate
pride of chieftaincy and the deep love he bore to the
pure-minded maid. At last he came to her house as
evening was closing in, and gladdened the hearts of her
parents by earnestly requesting the hand of their fair
daughter. On inquiring where she was at the moment,
he learned that she had gone to the fairy well for water,
as was the custom of the young women of the valley.
Thither he hastened without delay, and found two of her
handmaids just leaving the fountain with their vessels
balanced on their heads, and their forms gracefully swaying
under them as they proceeded home. Before she
could express displeasure or surprise, he told in abrupt
and eager tones where he had been, and what he had
done, and in a moment she could think of nothing but
her new-found happiness. Her half-filled pitcher was
forgotten, and in the cool evening they walked about on
the russet turf, between the rocks and bushes ; and in
talking over their bliss, the time went by unmarked. At
last a sudden recollection of her neglect, and of the fatal
nature of the gifted spring, rushed on her mind. She
shrieked aloud, and, quitting her lover's arm, she rushed
down the side of the hill. But on looking towards the