Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

228 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[266][267]years, O Keelta of fair fame, till thou fall by the pool of Tara,and grievous that will be to all the king's household.” “Even sodid my chief and lord, my guardian and loving protector, Finn,foretell to me,” said Keelta. “And now what fee will ye give mefor my rescue of you from the worst affliction that ever befellyou?” “A great reward,” said the Fairy Folk, “even youth; forby our art we shall change you into a young man again with allthe strength and activity of your prime.” “Nay, God forbid,” saidKeelta, “that I should take upon me a shape of sorcery, or anyother than that which my Maker, the true and glorious God, hathbestowed upon me.” And the Fairy Folk said: “It is the word of atrue warrior and hero, and the thing that thou sayest is good.” Sothey healed his wounds, and every bodily evil that he had, andhe wished them blessing and victory, and went his way.The Birth of OisīnOne day, as Finn and his companions and dogs were returningfrom the chase to their dūn on the Hill of Allen, a beautiful fawnstarted up on their path, and the chase swept after her, she takingthe way which led to their home. Soon all the pursuers were leftfar behind save only Finn himself and his two hounds Bran andSkolawn. Now these hounds were of strange breed; for Tyren,sister to Murna, the mother of Finn, had been changed into ahound by the enchantment of a woman of the Fairy Folk, wholoved Tyren's husband Ullan; and the two hounds of Finn werethe children of Tyren, born to her in that shape. Of all hounds inIreland they were the best, and Finn loved them much, so that itwas said he wept but twice in his life, and once was for the deathof Bran.At last, as the chase went on down a valley-side, Finn sawthe fawn stop and lie down, while the two hounds began toplay round her, and to lick her face and limbs. So he gavecommandment that none should hurt her, and she followed themto the Dūn of Allen, playing with the hounds as she went.The same night Finn awoke and saw standing by his bed the