Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

268 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[312]to him: “It were better for thee to avenge the man who was burntthere than to cast stones over his burnt bones.”“Who was that?” asked Maeldūn.“Ailill, thy father,” they told him.“Who slew him?” said he.“Reavers from Leix,” they said, “and they destroyed him onthis spot.”Then Maeldūn threw down the stone he was about to cast, andput his mantle round him and went home; and he asked the wayto Leix. They told him he could only go there by sea. 193At the advice of a Druid he then built him a boat, or coracle,of skins lapped threefold one over the other; and the wizard alsotold him that seventeen men only must accompany him, and onwhat day he must begin the boat and on what day he must putout to sea.So when his company was ready he put out and hoisted thesail, but had gone only a little way when his three foster-brotherscame down to the beach and entreated him to take them. “Getyou home,” said Maeldūn, “for none but the number I have maygo with me.” But the three youths would not be separated fromMaeldūn, and they flung themselves into the sea. He turnedback, lest they should be drowned, and brought them into hisboat. All, as we shall see, were punished for this transgression,and Maeldūn condemned to wandering until expiation had beenmade.Irish bardic tales excel in their openings. In this case, as usual,the mise-en-scène is admirably contrived. The narrative whichfollows tells how, after seeing his father's slayer on an island,but being unable to land there, Maeldūn and his party are blownout to sea, where they visit a great number of islands and havemany strange adventures on them. The tale becomes, in fact, athe mischief-maker of the Ultonians.193 The Arans are three islands at the entrance of Galway Bay. They are aperfect museum of mysterious ruins.