Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER III: THE IRISH INVASION MYTHS 99the porridge is done, and shovels earth and gravel unconcernedlydown his throat. We have already seen that, like all the Danaans,he is a master of music, as well as of other magical endowments,and owns a harp which comes flying through the air at his call.“The tendency to attribute life to inanimate things is apparent inthe Homeric literature, but exercises a very great influence in themythology of this country. The living, fiery spear of Lugh; the [121]magic ship of Mananan; the sword of Conary Mōr, which sang;Cuchulain's sword, which spoke; the Lia Fail, Stone of Destiny,which roared for joy beneath the feet of rightful kings; the wavesof the ocean, roaring with rage and sorrow when such kings arein jeopardy; the waters of the Avon Dia, holding back for fearat the mighty duel between Cuchulain and Ferdia, are but a fewout of many examples.” 91 A legend of later times tells how once,at the death of a great scholar, all the books in Ireland fell fromtheir shelves upon the floor.Angus ŌgAngus Ōg (Angus the Young), son of the Dagda, by Boanna(the river Boyne), was the Irish god of love. His palace wassupposed to be at New Grange, on the Boyne. Four bright birdsthat ever hovered about his head were supposed to be his kissestaking shape in this lovely form, and at their singing love camespringing up in the hearts of youths and maidens. Once he fellsick of love for a maiden whom he had seen in a dream. He toldthe cause of his sickness to his mother Boanna, who searched allIreland for the girl, but could not find her. Then the Dagda wascalled in, but he too was at a loss, till he called to his aid Bōv theRed, king of the Danaans of Munster—the same whom we havemet with in the tale of the Children of Lir, and who was skilled inall mysteries and enchantments. Bōv undertook the search, andafter a year had gone by declared that he had found the visionarymaiden at a lake called the Lake of the Dragon's Mouth. [122]91 O'Grady, loc. cit.