Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

112 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[136]The Judgment of AmerginThe Milesian host, after landing, advance to Tara, where theyfind the three kings of the Danaans awaiting them, and summonthem to deliver up the island. The Danaans ask for three days'time to consider whether they shall quit Ireland, or submit, or givebattle; and they propose to leave the decision, upon their request,to Amergin. Amergin pronounces judgment—“the first judgmentwhich was delivered in Ireland.” He agrees that the Milesiansmust not take their foes by surprise—they are to withdraw thelength of nine waves from the shore, and then return; if they thenconquer the Danaans the land is to be fairly theirs by right ofbattle.The Milesians submit to this decision and embark on theirships. But no sooner have they drawn off for this mysticaldistance of the nine waves than a mist and storm are raisedby the sorceries of the Danaans—the coast of Ireland is hiddenfrom their sight, and they wander dispersed upon the ocean. Toascertain if it is a natural or a Druidic tempest which afflicts them,a man named Aranan is sent up to the masthead to see if the windis blowing there also or not. He is flung from the swaying mast,but as he falls to his death he cries his message to his shipmates:“There is no storm aloft.” Amergin, who as poet—that is to say,Druid—takes the lead in all critical situations, thereupon chantshis incantation to the land of Erin. The wind falls, and they turntheir prows, rejoicing, towards the shore. But one of the Milesianlords, Eber Donn, exults in brutal rage at the prospect of puttingall the dwellers in Ireland to the sword; the tempest immediatelysprings up again, and many of the Milesian ships founder, EberDonn's being among them. At last a remnant of the Milesiansfind their way to shore, and land in the estuary of the Boyne.The Defeat of the DanaansA great battle with the Danaans at Telltown 109 then follows.109 Teltin; so named after the goddess Telta. See p. 103.