Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

204 Myths and Legends of the Celtic RaceThe Phantom Chariot of CuchulainCuchulain, however, makes an impressive reappearance ina much later legend of Christian origin, found in the twelfthcentury“Book of the Dun Cow.” He was summoned from Hell,we are told, by St. Patrick to prove the truths of Christianity and [239]the horrors of damnation to the pagan monarch, Laery mac Neill,King of Ireland. Laery, with St. Benen, a companion of Patrick,are standing on the Plain of mac Indoc when a blast of icy windnearly takes them off their feet. It is the wind of Hell, Benenexplains, after its opening before Cuchulain. Then a dense mistcovers the plain, and anon a huge phantom chariot with gallopinghorses, a grey and a black, loom up through the mist. Within itare the famous two, Cuchulain and his charioteer, giant figures,armed with all the splendour of the Gaelic warrior.Cuchulain then talks to Laery, and urges him to “believe inGod and in holy Patrick, for it is not a demon that has cometo thee, but Cuchulain son of Sualtam.” To prove his identityhe recounts his famous deeds of arms, and ends by a piteousdescription of his present state:“What I suffered of trouble,O Laery, by sea and land—Yet more severe was a single nightWhen the demon was wrathful!Great as was my heroism,Hard as was my sword,The devil crushed me with one fingerInto the red charcoal!”He ends by beseeching Patrick that heaven may be granted tohim, and the legend tells that the prayer was granted and thatLaery believed.Death of Conor mac NessaChristian ideas have also gathered round the end of Cuchulain'slord, King Conor of Ulster. The manner of his death was as