Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

Ossianic and other Early Legends. 283
and at last she agreed to reign as mistress of his heart
and his domains. They hved in happiness for manyyears,
and two children were born to them. She had
made it a condition that he should never invite company
to the castle, and for many years he felt no desire to
break his engagement.
Having in his stables a fine race-horse, a desire of
going to the races of Kood at length seized on him, and
he asked permission to attend that assembly. She gave
consent, but warned him against bringing home any
friends or acquaintance he might meet there. He returned
home alone in the evening, rejoicing in a prize
won by his steed, and induced his Sighe lady to agree to
his repeating the excursion next day. Her consent was
granted, accompanied with a solemn caution. The second
evening also he kept to his word. But woe the while !
on the third day some thoughtless and other envious
acquaintances beset him, intoxicated him, learned his
secret, and were invited to accompany him to his castle,
and be introduced to his lady that evening. The beautiful
Sighe had been watching for his return, and when
she saw him cross the plain, surrounded by a disorderly
crowd, he and they indulging in boisterous mirth, her
love and esteem for him melted into thin air. The noise
of the unthinking group ceased as they beheld a woman
of superhuman beauty advancing towards them from the
castle door, leading a child by each hand. The chief's
heart began to throb wildly, and immediately after he
uttered a wild cry of anguish, and rushed on as he saw
her and his children disappear in the enchanted spring.
The wonder and surprise of his companions were soon
changed into personal fears, for water began to burst
forth in a large body from the well and fill the plain.
Out it kept rushing till it acquired the level it occupies at
this day—a signal warning against all unsuitable associates,
and breaches of solemn engagements.