Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

126 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[152]appeared in her grimmest aspect, as the war-goddess, red all over,terrible and hideous as war itself but with bright and flashingeyes. One by one the brothers were inflamed by her sinisterbeauty, and one by one she overpowered and bound them. Thenshe lifted her burthen of champions upon her back and returnedwith them into the north. With the spear of her brooch she markedout on the plain the circuit of the city of Emain Macha, whoseramparts and trenches were constructed by the captive princes,labouring like slaves under her command.”“The underlying idea of all this class of legend,” remarks Mr.O'Grady, “is that if men cannot master war, war will master them;and that those who aspired to the Ard-Rieship [High-Kingship]of all Erin must have the war-gods on their side.” 119Macha is an instance of the intermingling of the attributes ofthe Danaan with the human race of which I have already spoken.Laery and CovacThe next king who comes into legendary prominence is Ugainythe Great, who is said to have ruled not only all Ireland, but agreat part of Western Europe, and to have wedded a Gaulishprincess named Kesair. He had two sons, Laery and Covac. Theformer inherited the kingdom, but Covac, consumed and sickwith envy, sought to slay him, and asked the advice of a Druidas to how this could be managed, since Laery, justly suspicious,never would visit him without an armed escort. The Druid badehim feign death, and have word sent to his brother that he was onhis bier ready for burial. This Covac did, and when Laery arrivedand bent over the supposed corpse Covac stabbed him to theheart, and slew also one of his sons, Ailill, 120 who attended him.Then Covac ascended the throne, and straightway his illness lefthim.Legends of Maon, Son of Ailill119 “Critical History of Ireland,” p. 180.120 Pronounced “El´yill.”