Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

100 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[123]Angus goes to Bōv, and, after being entertained by him threedays, is brought to the lake shore, where he sees thrice fiftymaidens walking in couples, each couple linked by a chain ofgold, but one of them is taller than the rest by a head andshoulders. “That is she!” cries Angus. “Tell us by what name sheis known.” Bōv answers that her name is Caer, daughter of EthalAnubal, a prince of the Danaans of Connacht. Angus laments thathe is not strong enough to carry her off from her companions, but,on Bōv's advice, betakes himself to Ailell and Maev, the mortalKing and Queen of Connacht, for assistance. The Dagda andAngus then both repair to the palace of Ailell, who feasts themfor a week, and then asks the cause of their coming. When it isdeclared he answers, “We have no authority over Ethal Anubal.”They send a message to him, however, asking for the hand ofCaer for Angus, but Ethal refuses to give her up. In the end heis besieged by the combined forces of Ailell and the Dagda, andtaken prisoner. When Caer is again demanded of him he declaresthat he cannot comply, “for she is more powerful than I.” Heexplains that she lives alternately in the form of a maiden and ofa swan year and year about, “and on the first of November next,”he says, “you will see her with a hundred and fifty other swansat the Lake of the Dragon's Mouth.”Angus goes there at the appointed time, and cries to her, “Oh,come and speak to me!” “Who calls me?” asks Caer. Angusexplains who he is, and then finds himself transformed into aswan. This is an indication of consent, and he plunges in to joinhis love in the lake. After that they fly together to the palace onthe Boyne, uttering as they go a music so divine that all hearersare lulled to sleep for three days and nights.Angus is the special deity and friend of beautiful youths andmaidens. Dermot of the Love-spot, a follower of Finn macCumhal, and lover of Grania, of whom we shall hear later, wasbred up with Angus in the palace on the Boyne. He was thetypical lover of Irish legend. When he was slain by the wild boar