Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER VII: THE VOYAGE OF MAELDUN 267and caught her by the hand. In ancient Ireland religious personswere not much respected in time of war, and Ailill did not respecther. When they parted, she said to him: “Whence is thy race, andwhat is thy name?” Said the hero: “Ailill of the Edge-of-Battle ismy name, and I am of the Owenacht of Aran, in Thomond.”Not long afterwards Ailill was slain by reavers from Leix,who burned the church of Doocloone over his head.In due time a son was born to the woman and she called hisname Maeldūn. He was taken secretly to her friend, the queen ofthe territory, and by her Maeldūn was reared. “Beautiful indeedwas his form, and it is doubtful if there hath been in flesh any oneso beautiful as he. So he grew up till he was a young warrior andfit to use weapons. Great, then, was his brightness and his gaietyand his playfulness. In his play he outwent all his comrades inthrowing balls, and in running and leaping and putting stonesand racing horses.”One day a proud young warrior who had been defeated by [311]him taunted him with his lack of knowledge of his kindred anddescent. Maeldūn went to his foster-mother, the queen, and said:“I will not eat nor drink till thou tell me who are my mother andmy father.” “I am thy mother,” said the queen, “for none everloved her son more than I love thee.” But Maeldūn insisted onknowing all, and the queen at last took him to his own mother,the nun, who told him: “Thy father was Ailill of the Owens ofAran.” Then Maeldūn went to his own kindred, and was wellreceived by them; and with him he took as guests his threebeloved foster-brothers, sons of the king and queen who hadbrought him up.After a time Maeldūn happened to be among a company ofyoung warriors who were contending at putting the stone in thegraveyard of the ruined church of Doocloone. Maeldūn's footwas planted, as he heaved the stone, on a scorched and blackenedflagstone; and one who was by, a monk named Briccne, 192 said192 Here we have evidently a reminiscence of Briccriu of the Poisoned Tongue,