Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

32 2 Fictions of the Irish Celts.
pened to be the eve of the Bealteiue* when no fire was
to be seen through the length and breadth of the land.
As darkness fell, the king, and his nobles, and his Druids,
all assembled on the hill and the neighbouring plain,
were awaiting the propitious moment for lighting the
Sun's Fire. Watchers were stationed on ever}' high hill
through the whole island at the moment, their eyes
turned in the direction of Tara ;
and as each caught sight
of the blaze on a height in that direction, he lighted his
o^vn heap of dry brush with sparks struck from flint
stones. A portion of the rest of the night's occurrences
is legendary.
ST. PATRICK'S CONTEST WITH, THE DRUIDS.
At the moment when the high pile of brushwood,
crowned with flowers, was about to be lighted up by the
hands of the Chief Druid, the King's eyes sparkled with
rage, for eastward a weak but steady light was beheld
glimmering. " ^\^^o," said he, " has dared to commit
this sacrilege % " " We know not," was the answer from
many voices in the assembly. " O King," said the Chief
Druid, " if this fire be not extinguished at once, it will
never be quenched. It will put out our sacred fires, and
th,e man who has enkindled it will overcome thee, and
he and his successors rule Erinn to the end of time."
" Go, then," said Leoghaire, " quench his light, and bring
him hither." " We go," was the answer ; " but let all in
the assembly turn their backs toward the magic blaze.
IMeanwhile let our own sacred fires be kindled, and all
the dwellers in Erinn rejoice in its light. When we have
* The latest day on which Easter Sunday falls is the 26th of
April. Bea/tehu'v,'zs held on May ist ; no authority hitherto consulted
by us has alluded to this discrepancy.