Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

284 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[331]“Not hard to answer that,” said the chief of them. “Greatwelcome should he have if he were to come, for he hath been along space in great tribulation.”Then Maeldūn smote with the wooden clapper against thedoor. “Who is there?” asked the doorkeeper.“Maeldūn is here,” said he.They entered the house in peace, and great welcome wasmade for them, and they were arrayed in new garments. Andthen they told the story of all the marvels that God had shownthem, according to the words of the “sacred poet,” who said,Haec olim meminisse juvabit. 203Then Maeldūn went to his own home and kindred, and Diuranthe Rhymer took with him the piece of silver that he had hewnfrom the net of the pillar, and laid it on the high altar of Armaghin triumph and exultation at the miracles that God had wroughtfor them. And they told again the story of all that had befallenthem, and all the marvels they had seen by sea and land, and theperils they had endured.The story ends with the following words:“Now Aed the Fair [Aed Finn 204 ], chief sage of Ireland,arranged this story as it standeth here; and he did so for a delightto the mind, and for the folks of Ireland after him.”[332]203“One day we shall delight in the remembrance of these things.” Thequotation is from Vergil, “Æn.” i. 203 “Sacred poet” is a translation of thevates sacer of Horace.204 This sage and poet has not been identified from any other record. Praiseand thanks to him, whoever he may have been.