Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER IV: THE EARLY MILESIAN KINGS 145two bare hills, his eyes are like lakes, his nose a mountain-peak,his sword shines like a river in the sun. Conary's three sons arethere, golden-haired, silk-robed, beloved of all the household,with “manners of ripe maidens, and hearts of brothers, and valourof bears.” When Ferrogan hears of them he weeps and cannotproceed till hours of the night have passed. Three Fomorianhostages of horrible aspect are there also; and Conall of theVictories with his blood-red shield; and Duftach of Ulster withhis magic spear, which, when there is a premonition of battle,must be kept in a brew of soporific herbs, or it will flameon its haft and fly forth raging for massacre; and three giantsfrom the Isle of Man with horses' manes reaching to their heels.A strange and unearthly touch is introduced by a descriptionof three naked and bleeding forms hanging by ropes from theroof—they are the daughters of the Bav, another name for the [174]Morrigan, or war-goddess, “three of awful boding,” says thetale enigmatically, “those are the three that are slaughtered atevery time.” We are probably to regard them as visionary beings,portending war and death, visible only to Ingcel. The hall withits separate chambers is full of warriors, cup-bearers, musiciansplaying, and jugglers doing wonderful feats; and Da Derga withhis attendants dispensing food and drink. Conary himself isdescribed as a youth; “the ardour and energy of a king has heand the counsel of a sage; the mantle I saw round him is even asthe mist of May-day—lovelier in each hue of it than the other.”His golden-hilted sword lies beside him—a forearm's length ofit has escaped from the scabbard, shining like a beam of light.“He is the mildest and gentlest and most perfect king that hascome into the world, even Conary son of Eterskel ... great isthe tenderness of the sleepy, simple man till he has chanced ona deed of valour. But if his fury and his courage are awakenedwhen the champions of Erin and Alba are at him in the house,the Destruction will not be wrought so long as he is therein ...sad were the quenching of that reign.”