12.07.2015 Views

Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

CHAPTER V: TALES OF THE ULTONIAN CYCLE 165sword, he cut <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> head <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> demon, who immediately rose,<strong>and</strong> taking <strong>the</strong> bleeding head in one h<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> his axe in <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r,plunged into <strong>the</strong> lake.Next day he reappeared, whole <strong>and</strong> sound, to claim <strong>the</strong>fulfilment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bargain. Cuchulain, quailing but resolute, laidhis head on <strong>the</strong> block. “Stretch out your neck, wretch,” cried <strong>the</strong>demon; “'tis too short for me to strike at.” Cuchulain does as he isbidden. The demon swings his axe thrice over his victim, bringsdown <strong>the</strong> butt with a crash on <strong>the</strong> block, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n bids Cuchulainrise unhurt, Champion <strong>of</strong> Irel<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> her boldest man.Deirdre <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sons <strong>of</strong> UsnaWe have now to turn to a story in which Cuchulain takes nopart. It is <strong>the</strong> chief <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> preliminary tales to <strong>the</strong> Cattle-spoil <strong>of</strong>Quelgny.There was among <strong>the</strong> lords <strong>of</strong> Ulster, it is said, one namedFelim son <strong>of</strong> Dall, who on a certain day made a great feast for<strong>the</strong> king. And <strong>the</strong> king came with his Druid Cathbad, <strong>and</strong> Fergusmac Roy, <strong>and</strong> many heroes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Red Branch, <strong>and</strong> while <strong>the</strong>ywere making merry over <strong>the</strong> roasted flesh <strong>and</strong> wheaten cakes<strong>and</strong> Greek wine a messenger from <strong>the</strong> women's apartments came [197]to tell Felim that his wife had just borne him a daughter. Soall <strong>the</strong> lords <strong>and</strong> warriors drank health to <strong>the</strong> new-born infant,<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> king bade Cathbade perform divination in <strong>the</strong> manner<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Druids <strong>and</strong> foretell what <strong>the</strong> future would have in storefor Felim's babe. Cathbad gazed upon <strong>the</strong> stars <strong>and</strong> drew <strong>the</strong>horoscope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> child, <strong>and</strong> he was much troubled; <strong>and</strong> at lengthhe said: “The infant shall be fairest among <strong>the</strong> women <strong>of</strong> Erin,<strong>and</strong> shall wed a king, but because <strong>of</strong> her shall death <strong>and</strong> ruincome upon <strong>the</strong> Province <strong>of</strong> Ulster.” Then <strong>the</strong> warriors wouldhave put her to death upon <strong>the</strong> spot, but Conor forbade <strong>the</strong>m. “Iwill avert <strong>the</strong> doom,” he said, “for she shall wed no foreign king,but she shall be my own mate when she is <strong>of</strong> age.” So he tookaway <strong>the</strong> child, <strong>and</strong> committed it to his nurse Levarcam, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>name <strong>the</strong>y gave it was Deirdre. And Conor charged Levarcam

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!