Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER V: TALES OF THE ULTONIAN CYCLE 153discover their dwelling-place or their fate. At last one summerday a flock of birds descended on the fields about Emain Machaand began to destroy the crops and fruit. The king, with Fergusand others of his nobles, went out against them with slings, butthe birds flew only a little way off, luring the party on and on tillat last they found themselves near the Fairy Mound of Angus onthe river Boyne. Night fell, and the king sent Fergus with a partyto discover some habitation where they might sleep. A hut wasfound, where they betook themselves to rest, but one of them,exploring further, came to a noble mansion by the river, and onentering it was met by a young man of splendid appearance. Withthe stranger was a lovely woman, his wife, and fifty maidens,who saluted the Ulster warrior with joy. And he recognised inthem Dectera and her maidens, whom they had missed for threeyears, and in the glorious youth Lugh of the Long Arm, son ofEthlinn. He went back with his tale to the king, who immediatelysent for Dectera to come to him. She, alleging that she was ill,requested a delay; and so the night passed; but in the morningthere was found in the hut among the Ulster warriors a new-bornmale infant. It was Dectera's gift to Ulster, and for this purposeshe had lured them to the fairy palace by the Boyne. The childwas taken home by the warriors and was given to Dectera's sister,Finchoom, who was then nursing her own child, Conall, and the [183]boy's name was called Setanta. And the part of Ulster fromDundalk southward to Usna in Meath, which is called the Plainof Murthemney, was allotted for his inheritance, and in later dayshis fortress and dwelling-place was in Dundalk.It is said that the Druid Morann prophesied over the infant:“His praise will be in the mouths of all men; charioteers andwarriors, kings and sages will recount his deeds; he will win thelove of many. This child will avenge all your wrongs; he willgive combat at your fords, he will decide all your quarrels.”The Hound of CullanWhen he was old enough the boy Setanta went to the court of