CHAPTERX
\"ThereisnothingtomarvelaboutinthisDuvLaca,\"saidtheFlameLadyscornfully。\"Shehasgotmarried,andshehasbeenbeatenatchess。Ithashappenedbefore。\"
\"Letuskeeptothestory,\"saidMongan,and,havingtakensomefewdozendeepdraughtsofthewine,hebecameevenmorejovialthanbefore。Thenherecommencedhistale:
IthappenedonadaythatMonganhadneedoftreasure。Hehadmanypresentstomake,andhehadnotasmuchgoldandsilverandcattleaswasproperforaking。Hecalledhisnoblestogetheranddiscussedwhatwasthebestthingtobedone,anditwasarrangedthatheshouldvisittheprovincialkingsandaskboonsfromthem。
Hesetoutatonceonhisroundofvisits,andthefirstprovincehewenttowasLeinster。
TheKingofLeinsteratthattimewasBranduv,thesonofEchach。
HewelcomedMonganandtreatedhimwell,andthatnightMongansleptinhispalace。
Whenheawokeinthemorninghelookedoutofaloftywindow,andhesawonthesunnylawnbeforethepalaceaherdofcows。Therewerefiftycowsinall,forhecountedthem,andeachcowhadacalfbesideher,andeachcowandcalfwaspurewhiteincolour,andeachofthemhadredears。
WhenMongansawthesecows,hefellinlovewiththemashehadneverfalleninlovewithanythingbefore。
Hecamedownfromthewindowandwalkedonthesunnylawnamongthecows,lookingateachofthemandspeakingwordsofaffectionandendearmenttothemall;andwhilehewasthuswalkingandtalkingandlookingandloving,henoticedthatsomeonewasmovingbesidehim。Helookedfromthecowsthen,andsawthattheKingofLeinsterwasathisside。
\"Areyouinlovewiththecows?\"Branduvaskedhim。
\"Iam,\"saidMongan。
\"Everybodyis,\"saidtheKingofLeinster。
\"Ineversawanythinglikethem,\"saidMongan。
\"Nobodyhas,\"saidtheKingofLeinster。
\"IneversawanythingIwouldratherhavethanthesecows,\"saidMongan。
\"These,\"saidtheKingofLeinster,\"arethemostbeautifulcowsinIreland,and,\"hecontinuedthoughtfully,\"DuvLacaisthemostbeautifulwomaninIreland。\"
\"Thereisnolieinwhatyousay,\"saidMongan。
\"Isitnotaqueerthing,\"saidtheKingofLeinster,\"thatI
shouldhavewhatyouwantwithallyoursoul,andyoushouldhavewhatIwantwithallmyheart?\"
\"Queerindeed,\"saidMongan,\"butwhatisitthatyoudowant?\"
\"DuvLaca,ofcourse,\"saidtheKingofLeinster。
\"Doyoumean,\"saidMongan,\"thatyouwouldexchangethisherdoffiftypurewhitecowshavingredears——\"
\"Andtheirfiftycalves,\"saidtheKingofLeinster——
\"ForDuvLaca,orforanywomanintheworld?\"
\"Iwould,\"criedtheKingofLeinster,andhethumpedhiskneeashesaidit。
\"Done,\"roaredMongan,andthetwokingsshookhandsonthebargain。
Monganthencalledsomeofhisownpeople,andbeforeanymorewordscouldbesaidandbeforeanyalterationcouldbemade,hesethismenbehindthecowsandmarchedhomewiththemtoUlster。
CHAPTERXI
DuvLacawantedtoknowwherethecowscamefrom,andMongantoldherthattheKingofLeinsterhadgiventhemtohim。ShefellinlovewiththemasMonganhaddone,buttherewasnobodyintheworldcouldhaveavoidedlovingthosecows:suchcowstheywere!
suchwonders!MonganandDuvLacausedtoplaychesstogether,andthentheywouldgoouttogethertolookatthecows,andthentheywouldgointogetherandwouldtalktoeachotheraboutthecows。Everythingtheydidtheydidtogether,fortheylovedtobewitheachother。
However,achangecame。
Onemorningagreatnoiseofvoicesandtramplingofhorsesandrattleofarmourcameaboutthepalace。Monganlookedfromthewindow。
\"Whoiscoming?\"askedDuvLaca。
Buthedidnotanswerher。
\"Thenoisemustannouncethevisitofaking,\"DuvLacacontinued。
ButMongandidnotsayaword。DuvLacathenwenttothewindow。
\"Whoisthatking?\"sheasked。
Andherhusbandrepliedtoherthen。
\"ThatistheKingofLeinster,\"saidhemournfully。
\"Well,\"saidDuvLacasurprised,\"ishenotwelcome?\"
\"Heiswelcomeindeed,\"saidMonganlamentably。
\"Letusgooutandwelcomehimproperly,\"DuvLacasuggested。
\"Letusnotgonearhimatall,\"saidMongan,\"forheiscomingtocompletehisbargain。\"
\"Whatbargainareyoutalkingabout?\"DuvLacaasked。ButMonganwouldnotanswerthat。
\"Letusgoout,\"saidhe,\"forwemustgoout。\"
MonganandDuvLacawentoutthenandwelcomedtheKingofLeinster。Theybroughthimandhischiefmenintothepalace,andwaterwasbroughtfortheirbaths,androomswereappointedforthem,andeverythingwasdonethatshouldbedoneforguests。
Thatnighttherewasafeast,andafterthefeasttherewasabanquet,andallthroughthefeastandthebanquettheKingofLeinsterstaredatDuvLacawithjoy,andsometimeshisbreastwasdeliveredofgreatsighs,andattimeshemovedasthoughinperturbationofspiritandmentalagony。
\"ThereissomethingwrongwiththeKingofLeinster,\"DuvLacawhispered。
\"Idon’tcareifthereis,\"saidMongan。
\"Youmustaskwhathewants。\"
\"ButIdon’twanttoknowit,\"saidMongan。\"Nevertheless,youmuskaskhim,\"sheinsisted。
SoMongandidaskhim,anditwasinamelancholyvoicethatheaskedit。
\"Doyouwantanything?\"saidhetotheKingofLeinster。
\"Idoindeed,\"saidBranduv。
\"IfitisinUlsterIwillgetitforyou,\"saidMonganmournfully。
\"ItisinUlster,\"saidBranduv。
Mongandidnotwanttosayanythingmorethen,buttheKingofLeinsterwassointentandeverybodyelsewaslisteningandDuvLacawasnudginghisarm,sohesaid:\"Whatisitthatyoudowant?\"\"IwantDuvLaca。\"
\"Iwanthertoo,\"saidMongan。
\"Youmadeyourbargain,\"saidtheKingofLeinster,\"mycowsandtheircalvesforyourDuvLaca,andthemanthatmakesabargainkeepsabargain。\"
\"Ineverbeforeheard,\"saidMongan,\"ofamangivingawayhisownwife。\"
\"Evenifyouneverheardofitbefore,youmustdoitnow,\"saidDuvLaca,\"forhonourislongerthanlife。\"
MonganbecameangrywhenDuvLacasaidthat。Hisfacewentredasasunset,andtheveinsswelledinhisneckandhisforehead。
\"Doyousaythat?\"hecriedtoDuvLaca。
\"Ido,\"saidDuvLaca。
\"LettheKingofLeinstertakeher,\"saidMongan。
CHAPTERXII
DuvLacaandtheKingofLeinsterwentapartthentospeaktogether,andtheeyeofthekingseemedtobeasbigasaplate,sofeveredwasitandsoenlargedandinflamedbythelookofDuvLaca。Hewassoconfoundedwithjoyalsothathiswordsgotmixedupwithhisteeth,andDuvLacadidnotknowexactlywhatitwashewastryingtosay,andhedidnotseemtoknowhimself。Butatlasthedidsaysomethingintelligible,andthisiswhathesaid。
\"Iamaveryhappyman,\"saidhe。
\"AndI,\"saidDuvLaca,\"amthehappiestwomanintheworld。\"
\"Whyshouldyoubehappy?\"theastonishedkingdemanded。
\"Listentome,\"shesaid。\"Ifyoutriedtotakemeawayfromthisplaceagainstmyownwish,onehalfofthemenofUlsterwouldbedeadbeforeyougotmeandtheotherhalfwouldbebadlywoundedinmydefence。\"
\"Abargainisabargain,\"theKingofLeinsterbegan。
\"But,\"shecontinued,\"theywillnotpreventmygoingaway,fortheyallknowthatIhavebeeninlovewithyouforages。\"
\"Whathaveyoubeeninwithmeforages?\"saidtheamazedking。
\"Inlovewithyou,\"repliedDuvLaca。
\"Thisisnews,\"saidtheking,\"anditisgoodnews。\"
\"But,bymyword,\"saidDuvLaca,\"Iwillnotgowithyouunlessyougrantmeaboon。\"
\"AllthatIhave,\"criedBranduv,\"andallthatevery-bodyhas。\"
\"AndyoumustpassyourwordandpledgeyourwordthatyouwilldowhatIask。\"
\"Ipassitandpledgeit,\"criedthejoyfulking。
\"Then,\"saidDuvLaca,\"thisiswhatIbindonyou。\"
\"Lighttheyolk!\"hecried。
\"UntiloneyearisupandoutyouarenottopassthenightinanyhousethatIamin。\"
\"Bymyheadandhand!\"Branduvstammered。
\"AndifyoucomeintoahousewhereIamduringthetimeandtermofthatyear,youarenottositdowninthechairthatIamsittingin。\"
\"Heavyismydoom!\"hegroaned。
\"But,\"saidDuvLaca,\"ifIamsittinginachairoraseatyouaretositinachairthatisoveragainstmeandoppositetomeandatadistancefromme。\"
\"Alas!\"saidtheking,andhesmotehishandstogether,andthenhebeatthemonhishead,andthenhelookedatthemandateverythingabout,andhecouldnottellwhatanythingwasorwhereanythingwas,forhismindwascloudedandhiswitshadgoneastray。
\"Whydoyoubindthesewoesonme?\"hepleaded。
\"Iwishtofindoutifyoutrulyloveme。\"
\"ButIdo,\"saidtheking。\"Iloveyoumadlyanddearly,andwithallmyfacultiesandmembers。\"
\"Thatistheway!loveyou,\"saidDuvLaca。\"Weshallhaveanotableyearofcourtshipandjoy。Andletusgonow,\"shecontinued,\"forIamimpatienttobewithyou。\"
\"Alas!\"saidBranduv,ashefollowedher。\"Alas,alas!\"saidtheKingofLeinster。
CHAPTERXIII
\"Ithink,\"saidtheFlameLady,\"thatwhoeverlostthatwomanhadnoreasontobesad。\"
Mongantookherchininhishandandkissedherlips。
\"Allthatyousayislovely,foryouarelovely,\"saidhe,\"andyouaremydelightandthejoyoftheworld。\"
Thentheattendantsbroughthimwine,andhedranksojoyouslyofthatandsodeeply,thatthosewhoobservedhimthoughthewouldsurelyburstanddrownthem。Buthelaughedloudlyandwithenormousdelight,untilthevesselsofgoldandsilverandbronzechimedmellowlytohispealandtheraftersofthehousewentcreaking。
Saidhe:
MonganlovedDuvLacaoftheWhiteHandbetterthanhelovedhislife,betterthanhelovedhishonour。Thekingdomsoftheworlddidnotweighwithhimbesidethestringofhershoe。Hewouldnotlookatasunsetifhecouldseeher。Hewouldnotlistentoaharpifhecouldhearherspeak,forshewasthedelightofages,thegemoftime,andthewonderoftheworldtillDoom。
ShewenttoLeinsterwiththekingofthatcountry,andwhenshehadgoneMonganfellgrievouslysick,sothatitdidnotseemhecouldeverrecoveragain;andhebegantowasteandwither,andhebegantolooklikeaskeleton,andabonystructure,andamisery。
Nowthisalsomustbeknown。
DuvLacahadayoungattendant,whowasherfoster-sisteraswellasherservant,andonthedaythatshegotmarriedtoMongan,herattendantwasmarriedtomacanDa’v,whowasservantandfoster-brothertoMongan。WhenDuvLacawentawaywiththeKingofLeinster,herservant,macanDa’v’swife,wentwithher,sothereweretwowifelessmeninUlsteratthattime,namely,MonganthekingandmacanDa’vhisservant。
OnedayasMongansatinthesun,broodinglamentablyonhisfate,macanDa’vcametohim。
\"Howarethingswithyou,master?\"askedMacanDa’v。
\"Bad,\"saidMongan。
\"ItwasapoordaybroughtyouoffwithMananna’ntotheLandofPromise,\"saidhisservant。
\"Whyshouldyouthinkthat?\"inquiredMongan。
\"Because,\"saidmacanDa’v,\"youlearnednothingintheLandofPromiseexcepthowtoeatalotoffoodandhowtodonothinginadealoftime。\"
\"Whatbusinessisitofyours?\"saidMonganangrily。
\"Itismybusinesssurely,\"saidmacanDa’v,\"formywifehasgoneofftoLeinsterwithyourwife,andshewouldn’thavegoneifyouhadn’tmadeabetandabargainwiththataccursedking。\"
MacanDa’vbegantoweepthen。
\"Ididn’tmakeabargainwithanyking,\"saidhe,\"andyetmywifehasgoneawaywithone,andit’sallbecauseofyou。\"
\"ThereisnoonesorrierforyouthanIam,\"saidMongan。
\"Thereisindeed,\"saidmacanDa’v,\"forIamsorriermyself。\"
Monganrousedhimselfthen。
\"Youhaveaclaimonmetruly,\"saidhe,\"andIwillnothaveanyonewithaclaimonmethatisnotsatisfied。Go,\"hesaidtomacanDa’v,\"tothatfairyplacewebothknowof。YourememberthebasketsIlefttherewiththesodfromIrelandinoneandthesodfromScotlandintheother;bringmethebasketsandsods。\"
\"Tellmethewhyofthis?\"saidhisservant。
\"TheKingofLeinsterwillaskhiswizardswhatIamdoing,andthisiswhatIwillbedoing。Iwillgetonyourbackwithafootineachofthebaskets,andwhenBranduvasksthewizardswhereI
amtheywilltellhimthatIhaveoneleginIrelandandoneleginScotland,andaslongastheytellhimthathewillthinkheneednotbotherhimselfaboutme,andwewillgointoLeinsterthatway。\"
\"Nobadwayeither,\"saidmacanDa’v。
Theysetoutthen。
CHAPTERXIV
Itwasalong,uneasyjourney,foralthoughmacanDa’vwasofstoutheartandgoodwill,yetnomancancarryanotheronhisbackfromUlstertoLeinsterandgoquick。Still,ifyoukeepondrivingapigorastorytheywillgetatlasttowhereyouwishthemtogo,andthemanwhocontinuesputtingonefootinfrontoftheotherwillleavehishomebehind,andwillcomeatlasttotheedgeoftheseaandtheendoftheworld。
WhentheyreachedLeinsterthefeastofMoyLife’wasbeingheld,andtheypushedonbyforcedmarchesandlongstagessoastobeintime,andthustheycametotheMoyofCellCamain,andtheymixedwiththecrowdthatweregoingtothefeast。
Agreatandjoyousconcourseofpeoplestreamedaboutthem。Therewereyoungmenandyounggirls,andwhenthesewerenotholdingeachother’shandsitwasbecausetheirarmswereroundeachother’snecks。Therewereold,lustywomengoingby,andwhenthesewerenottalkingtogetheritwasbecausetheirmouthsweremutuallyfilledwithapplesandmeat-pies。Therewereyoungwarriorswithmantlesofgreenandpurpleandredflyingbehindthemonthebreeze,andwhenthesewerenotlookingdisdainfullyonoldersoldiersitwasbecausetheoldersoldiershappenedatthemomenttobelookingatthem。Therewereoldwarriorswithyard-longbeardsflyingbehindtheirshouldersllkewispsofhay,andwhenthesewerenotnursingabrokenarmoracrackedskull,itwasbecausetheywerenursingwoundsintheirstomachsortheirlegs。Thereweretroopsofyoungwomenwhogiggledaslongastheirbreathslastedandbeamedwhenitgaveout。Bandsofboyswhowhisperedmysteriouslytogetherandpointedwiththeirfingersineverydirectionatonce,andwouldsuddenlybegintorunlikeaherdofstampededhorses。Thereweremenwithcartsfullofroastedmeats。Womenwithlittlevatsfullofmead,andotherscarryingmilkandbeer。Folkofbothsortswithtowersswayingontheirheads,andtheydrippingwithhoney。Childrenhavingbasketspiledwithredapples,andoldwomenwhopeddledshell-fishandboiledlobsters。Therewerepeoplewhosoldtwentykindsofbread,withbutterthrownin。Sellersofonionsandcheese,andotherswhosuppliedsparebitsofarmour,oddscabbards,spearhandles,breastplate-laces。Peoplewhocutyourhairortoldyourfortuneorgaveyouahotbathinapot。Otherswhoputashoeonyourhorseorapieceofembroideryonyourmantle;andothers,again,whotookstainsoffyourswordordyedyourfinger-nailsorsoldyouahound。
Itwasagreatandjoyousgatheringthatwasgoingtothefeast。
Monganandhisservantsatagainstagrassyhedgebytheroadsideandwatchedthemultitudestreamingpast。
JustthenMonganglancedtotherightwhencethepeoplewerecoming。Thenhepulledthehoodofhiscloakoverhisearsandoverhisbrow。
\"Alas!\"saidheinadeepandanguishedvoice。
MacanDa’vturnedtohim。
\"Isitapaininyourstomach,master?\"
\"Itisnot,\"saidMongan。\"Well,whatmadeyoumakethatbrutalandbelchingnoise?\"
\"ItwasasighIgave,\"saidMongan。
\"Whateveritwas,\"saidmacanDa’v,\"whatwasit?\"
\"Lookdowntheroadonthissideandtellmewhoiscoming,\"saidhismaster。
\"Itisalordwithhistroop。\"
\"ItistheKingofLeinster,\"saidMongan。\"Theman,\"saidmacanDa’vinatoneofgreatpity,\"themanthattookawayyourwife!
And,\"heroaredinavoiceofextraordinarysavagery,\"themanthattookawaymywifeintothebargain,andshenotinthebargain。\"
\"Hush,\"saidMongan,foramanwhoheardhisshoutstoppedtotieasandie,ortolisten。
\"Master,\"saidmacanDa’vasthetroopdrewabreastandmovedpast。
\"Whatisit,mygoodfriend?\"
\"Letmethrowalittle,smallpieceofarockattheKingofLeinster。\"
\"Iwillnot。\"
\"Alittlebitonly,asmallbitabouttwicethesizeofmyhead\"
\"Iwillnotletyou,\"saidMongan。
WhenthekinghadgonebymacanDa’vgroanedadeepanddejectedgroan。
\"Oco’n!\"saidhe。\"Oco’n-i’o-go-deo’!\"saidhe。
Themanwhohadtiedhissandalsaidthen:\"Areyouinpain,honestman?\"
\"Iamnotinpain,\"saidmacanDa’v。
\"Well,whatwasitthatknockedahowloutofyouliketheyelpofasickdog,honestman?\"
\"Goaway,\"saidmacanDa’v,\"goaway,youflat-faced,noseyperson。\"\"Thereisnopolitenessleftinthiscountry,\"saidthestranger,andhewentawaytoacertaindistance,andfromthencehethrewastoneatmacanDa’v’snose,andhitit。
CHAPTERXV
Theroadwasnownotsocrowdedasithadbeen。Minuteswouldpassandonlyafewtravellerswouldcome,andminutesmorewouldgowhennobodywasinsightatall。
Thentwomencamedowntheroad:theywereclerics。
\"Ineversawthatkindofuniformbefore,\"saidmacanDa’v。
\"Evenifyoudidn’t,\"saidMongan,\"thereareplentyofthemabout。Theyarementhatdon’tbelieveinourgods,\"saidhe。
\"Dotheynot,indeed?\"saidmacanDa’v。\"Therascals!\"saidhe。
\"What,whatwouldMananna’nsaytothat?\"
\"TheoneinfrontcarryingthebigbookisTibraide’。HeisthepriestofCellCamain,andheisthechiefofthosetwo。\"
\"Indeed,andindeed!\"saidmacanDa’v。\"Theonebehindmustbehisservant,forhehasaloadonhisback。\"
Thepriestswerereadingtheiroffices,andmacanDa’vmarvelledatthat。
\"Whatisittheyaredoing?\"saidhe。
\"Theyarereading。\"
\"Indeed,andindeedtheyare,\"saidmacanDa’v。\"Ican’tmakeoutawordofthelanguageexceptthatthemanbehindsaysamen,amen,everytimethemaninfrontputsagruntoutofhim。Andtheydon’tlikeourgodsatall!\"saidmacanDa’v。
\"Theydonot,\"saidMongan。
\"Playatrickonthem,master,\"saidmacanDa’v。Monganagreedtoplayatrickonthepriests。
Helookedatthemhardforaminute,andthenhewavedhishandatthem。
Thetwopriestsstopped,andtheystaredstraightinfrontofthem,andthentheylookedateachother,andthentheylookedatthesky。Theclerkbegantoblesshimself,andthenTibraide’
begantoblesshimself,andafterthattheydidn’tknowwhattodo。Forwheretherehadbeenaroadwithhedgesoneachsideandfieldsstretchingbeyondthem,therewasnownoroad,nohedge,nofield;buttherewasagreatbroadriversweepingacrosstheirpath;amightytumbleofyellowy-brownwaters,veryswift,verysavage;churningandbillowingandjockeyingamongroughbouldersandislandsofstone。Itwasawaterofvillainousdepthandofdetestablewetness;ofuglyhurryingandofdesolatecavernoussound。Atalittletotheirrighttherewasathinuncomelybridgethatwaggledacrossthetorrent。
Tibraide’rubbedhiseyes,andthenhelookedagain。\"DoyouseewhatIsee?\"saidhetotheclerk。
\"Idon’tknowwhatyousee,\"saidtheclerk,\"butwhatIseeI
neverdidseebefore,andIwishIdidnotseeitnow。\"
\"Iwasborninthisplace,\"saidTibraide’,\"myfatherwasbornherebeforeme,andmygrandfatherwasbornherebeforehim,butuntilthisdayandthisminuteIneversawariverherebefore,andIneverheardofone。\"
\"Whatwillwedoatall?\"saidtheclerk。\"Whatwillwedoatall?\"
\"Wewillbesensible,\"saidTibraide’sternly,\"andwewillgoaboutourbusiness,\"saidhe。\"Ifriversfalloutoftheskywhathasthattodowithyou,andifthereisariverhere,whichthereis,why,thankGod,thereisabridgeoverittoo。\"
\"Wouldyouputatoeonthatbridge?\"saidtheclerk。\"Whatisthebridgefor?\"saidTibraide’MonganandmacanDa’vfollowedthem。
Whentheygottothemiddleofthebridgeitbrokeunderthem,andtheywereprecipitatedintothatboilingyellowflood。
MongansnatchedatthebookasitfellfromTibraide’’shand。
\"Won’tyouletthemdrown,master?\"askedmacanDa’v。
\"No,\"saidMongan,\"I’llsendthemamiledownthestream,andthentheycancometoland。\"
MonganthentookonhimselftheformofTibraide’andheturnedmacanDa’vintotheshapeoftheclerk。
\"Myheadhasgonebald,\"saidtheservantinawhisper。
\"Thatispartofit,\"repliedMongan。\"Solongasweknow?’saidmacanDa’v。
TheywentonthentomeettheKingofLeinster。
CHAPTERXVI
Theymethimneartheplacewherethegameswereplayed。
\"Goodmysoul,Tibraide’!\"criedtheKingofLeinster,andhegaveMonganakiss。Mongankissedhimbackagain。
\"Amen,amen,\"saidmacanDa’v。
\"Whatfor?\"saidtheKingofLeinster。
AndthenmacanDa’vbegantosneeze,forhedidn’tknowwhatfor。
\"ItisalongtimesinceIsawyou,Tibraide’,\"saidtheking,\"butatthisminuteIamingreathasteandhurry。Goyouonbeforemetothefortress,andyoucantalktothequeenthatyou’llfindthere,shethatusedtobetheKingofUlster’swife。
KevinCochlach,mycharioteer,willgowithyou,andIwillfollowyoumyselfinawhile。\"
TheKingofLeinsterwentoffthen,andMonganandhisservantwentwiththecharioteerandthepeople。
Monganreadawayoutofthebook,forhefounditinteresting,andhedidnotwanttotalktothecharioteer,andmacanDa’vcriedamen,amen,everytimethatMongantookhisbreath。ThepeoplewhoweregoingwiththemsaidtooneanotherthatmacanDa’vwasaqueerkindofclerk,andthattheyhadneverseenanyonewhohadsuchamouthfulofamens。
Butinawhiletheycametothefortress,andtheygotintoitwithoutanytrouble,forKevinCochlach,theking’scharioteer,broughtthemin。ThentheywereledtotheroomwhereDuvLacawas,andashewentintothatroomMonganshuthiseyes,forhedidnotwanttolookatDuvLacawhileotherpeoplemightbelookingathim。
\"Leteverybodyleavethisroom,whileIamtalkingtothequeen,\"
saidhe;andalltheattendantslefttheroom,exceptone,andshewouldn’tgo,forshewouldn’tleavehermistress。
ThenMonganopenedhiseyesandhesawDuvLaca,andhemadeagreatboundtoherandtookherinhisarms,andmacanDa’vmadeasavageandviciousandterriblejumpattheattendant,andtookherinhisarms,andbitherearandkissedherneckandweptdownintoherback。
\"Goaway,\"saidthegirl,\"unhandme,villain,\"saidshe。
\"Iwillnot,\"saidmacanDa’v,\"forI’myourownhusband,I’myourownmac,yourlittlemac,yourmacky-wac-wac。\"Thentheattendantgavealittlesqueal,andshebithimoneachearandkissedhisneckandweptdownintohisback,andsaidthatitwasn’ttrueandthatitwas。
CHAPTERXVII
Buttheywerenotalone,althoughtheythoughttheywere。Thehagthatguardedthejewelswasintheroom。Shesathunchedupagainstthewail,andasshelookedlikeabundleofragstheydidnotnoticeher。Shebegantospeakthen。
\"TerriblearethethingsIsee,\"saidshe。\"TerriblearethethingsIsee。\"
Monganandhisservantgaveajumpofsurprise,andtheirtwowivesjumpedandsquealed。ThenMonganpuffedouthischeekstillhisfacelookedlikeabladder,andheblewamagicbreathatthehag,sothatsheseemedtobesurroundedbyafog,andwhenshelookedthroughthatbreatheverythingseemedtobedifferenttowhatshehadthought。Thenshebegantobegeverybody’spardon。
\"Ihadanevilvision,\"saidshe,\"Isawcrossways。HowsaditisthatIshouldbegintoseethesortofthingsIthoughtIsaw。\"
\"Sitinthischair,mother,\"saidMongan,\"andtellmewhatyouthoughtyousaw,\"andheslippedaspikeunderher,andmacanDa’vpushedherintotheseat,andshediedonthespike。
Justthentherecameaknockingatthedoor。MacanDa’vopenedit,andtherewasTibraid~standingoutside,andtwenty-nineofhismenwerewithhim,andtheywerealllaughing。
\"Amilewasnothalfenough,\"saidmacanDa’vreproachfully。
TheChamberlainofthefortresspushedintotheroomandhestaredfromoneTibraide’totheother。
\"Thisisafinegrowingyear,\"saidhe。\"ThereneverwasayearwhenTibraide’’swereasplentifulastheyarethisyear。ThereisaTibraide’outsideandaTibraide’inside,andwhoknowsbuttherearesomemoreofthemunderthebed。Theplaceiscrawlingwiththem,\"saidhe。
MonganpointedatTibraide’。
\"Don’tyouknowwhothatis?\"hecried。
\"Iknowwhohesaysheis,\"saidtheChamberlain。
\"Well,heisMongan,\"saidMongan,\"andthesetwenty-ninemenaretwenty-nineofhisnoblesfromUlster。\"
Atthatnewsthemenofthehouseholdpickedupclubsandcudgelsandeverykindofthingthatwasnear,andmadeaviolentandwoefulattackonTibraide’’smenTheKingofLeinstercameinthen,andwhenhewastoldTibraide’wasMonganheattackedthemaswell,anditwaswithdifficultythatTibraide’gotawaytoCellCamainwithnineofhismenandtheyallwounded。
TheKingofLeinstercamebackthen。HewenttoDuvLaca’sroom。
\"WhereisTibraide’?\"saidhe。
\"Itwasn’tTibraide’washere,\"saidthehagwhowasstillsittingonthespike,andwasnothalfdead,\"itwasMongan。\"
\"Whydidyoulethimnearyou?\"saidthekingtoDuvLaca。
\"ThereisnoonehasabetterrighttobenearmethanMonganhas,\"saidDuvLaca,\"heismyownhusband,\"saidshe。
Andthenthekingcriedoutindismay:\"IhavebeatenTibraide’’speople。\"Herushedfromtheroom。
\"SendforTibraide’tillIapologise,\"hecried。\"Tellhimitwasallamistake。TellhimitwasMongan。\"
CHAPTERXVIII
Monganandhisservantwenthome,and(forwhatpleasureisgreaterthanthatofmemoryexercisedinconversation?)foratimethefeelingofanadventurewellaccomplishedkepthiminsomecontentment。Butattheendofatimethatpleasurewaswornout,andMongangrewatfirstdispiritedandthensullen,andafterthatasillashehadbeenonthepreviousoccasion。ForhecouldnotforgetDuvLacaoftheWhiteHand,andhecouldnotrememberherwithoutlonginganddespair。
Itwasintheillnesswhichcomesfromlonginganddespairthathesatonedaylookingonaworldthatwasblackalthoughthesunshone,andthatwasleanandunwholesomealthoughautumnfruitswereheavyontheearthandthejoysofharvestwereabouthim。
\"Winterisinmyheart,\"quothhe,\"andIamcoldalready。\"
Hethoughttoothatsomedayhewoulddie,andthethoughtwasnotunpleasant,foronehalfofhislifewasawayintheterritoriesoftheKingofLeinster,andthehalfthathekeptinhimselfhadnospiceinit。
HewasthinkinginthiswaywhenmacanDa’vcametowardshimoverthelawn,andhenoticedthatmacanDa’vwaswalkinglikeanoldman。
Hetooklittleslowsteps,andhedidnotloosenhiskneeswhenhewalked,sohewentstiffly。Oneofhisfeetturnedpitifullyoutwards,andtheotherturnedlamentablyin。Hischestwaspulledinwards,andhisheadwasstuckoutwardsandhungdownintheplacewherehischestshouldhavebeen,andhisarmswerecrookedinfrontofhimwiththehandsturnedwrongly,sothatonepalmwasshowntotheeastoftheworldandtheotheronewasturnedtothewest。
\"Howgoesit,macanDa’v?\"saidtheking。
\"Bad,\"saidmacanDa’v。
\"IsthatthesunIseeshining,myfriend?\"thekingasked。
\"Itmaybethesun,\"repliedmacanDa’v,peeringcuriouslyatthegoldenradiancethatdozedaboutthem,\"butmaybeit’sayellowfog。\"
\"Whatislifeatall?\"saidtheking。
\"Itisawearinessandatiredness,\"saidmacanDa’v。\"Itisalongyawnwithoutsleepiness。Itisabee,lostatmidnightandbuzzingonapane。Itisthenoisemadebyatied-updog。Itisnothingworthdreamingabout。Itisnothingatall。\"
\"HowwellyouexplainmyfeelingsaboutDuvLaca,\"saidtheking。
\"Iwasthinkingaboutmyownlamb,\"saidmacanDa’v。\"Iwasthinkingaboutmyowntreasure,mycupofcheeriness,andthepulseofmyheart。\"Andwiththatheburstintotears。
\"Alas!\"saidtheking。
\"But,\"sobbedmacanDa’v,\"whatrighthaveItocomplain?Iamonlytheservant,andalthoughIdidn’tmakeanybargainwiththeKingofLeinsterorwithanykingofthemall,yetmywifeisgoneawayasifshewastheconsortofapotentatethesameasDuvLacais。\"
Monganwassorrythenforhisservant,andherousedhimself。
\"IamgoingtosendyoutoDuvLaca。\"
\"Wheretheoneistheotherwillbe,\"criedmacanDa’vjoyously。
\"Go,\"saidMongan,\"toRathDescirtofBregia;youknowthatplace?\"
\"Aswellasmytongueknowsmyteeth。\"
\"DuvLacaisthere;seeher,andaskherwhatshewantsmetodo。\"
MacanDa’vwentthereandreturned。
\"DuvLacasaysthatyouaretocomeatonce,fortheKingofLeinsterisjourneyingaroundhisterritory,andKevinCochlach,thecharioteer,ismakingbitterlovetoherandwantshertorunawaywithhim。\"
Mongansetout,andinnogreattime,fortheytravelleddayandnight,theycametoBregla,andgainedadmittancetothefortress,butjustashegotinhehadtogooutagain,fortheKingofLeinsterhadbeenwarnedofMongan’sjourney,andcamebacktohisfortressinthenickoftime。
WhenthemenofUlstersawtheconditionintowhichMonganfelltheywereingreatdistress,andtheyallgotsickthroughcompassionfortheirking。ThenoblessuggestedtohimthattheyshouldmarchagainstLeinsterandkillthatkingandbringbackDuvLaca,butMonganwouldnotconsenttothisplan。
\"For,\"saidhe,\"thethingIlostthroughmyownfollyIshallgetbackthroughmyowncraft。\"
Andwhenhesaidthathisspiritsrevived,andhecalledformacanDa’v。
\"Youknow,myfriend,\"saidMongan,\"thatIcan’tgetDuvLacabackunlesstheKingofLeinsterasksmetotakeherback,forabargainisabargain。\"
\"Thatwillhappenwhenpigsfly,\"saidmacanDa’v,\"and,\"saidhe,\"Ididnotmakeanybargainwithanykingthatisintheworld。\"
\"Iheardyousaythatbefore,\"saidMongan。
\"IwillsayittillDoom,\"criedhisservant,\"formywifehasgoneawaywiththatpestilentking,andhehasgotthedoubleofyourbadbargain。\"
MonganandhisservantthensetoutforLeinster。
Whentheynearedthatcountrytheyfoundagreatcrowdgoingontheroadwiththem,andtheylearnedthatthekingwasgivingafeastinhonourofhismarriagetoDuvLaca,fortheyearofwaitingwasnearlyout,andthekinghadswornhewoulddelaynolonger。
Theywenton,therefore,butinlowspirits,andatlasttheysawthewallsoftheking’scastletoweringbeforethem。andanoblecompanygoingtoandfroonthelawn。
CHAPTERXIX
THEYsatinaplacewheretheycouldwatchthecastleandcomposethemselvesaftertheirjourney。
\"Howarewegoingtogetintothecastle?\"askedmacanDa’v。
Fortherewerehatchetmenonguardinthebiggateway,andtherewerespearmenatshortintervalsaroundthewalls,andmentothrowhotporridgeofftheroofwerestandingintherightplaces。
\"Ifwecannotgetinbyhook,wewillgetinbycrook,\"saidMongan。
\"Theyarebothgoodways,\"saidMacanDa’v,\"andwhicheverofthemyoudecideonI’llstickby。\"
JustthentheysawtheHagoftheMillcomingoutofthemillwhichwasdowntheroadalittle。
NowtheHagoftheMillwasabony,thinpoleofahagwithoddfeet。Thatis,shehadonefootthatwastoobigforher,sothatwhenshelifteditupitpulledherover;andshehadonefootthatwastoosmallforher,sothatwhenshelifteditupshedidn’tknowwhattodowithit。Shewassolongthatyouthoughtyouwouldneverseetheendofher,andshewassothinthatyouthoughtyoudidn’tseeheratall。Oneofhereyeswassetwherehernoseshouldbeandtherewasanearinitsplace,andhernoseitselfwashangingoutofherchin,andshehadwhiskersroundit。Shewasdressedinaredragthatwasreallyaholewithafringeonit,andshewassinging\"Oh,hushthee,myonelove\"toacatthatwasyelpingonhershoulder。
ShehadatallskinnydogbehindhercalledBrotar。Ithadn’tatoothinitsheadexceptone,andithadthetoothacheinthattooth。Everyfewstepsitusedtositdownonitshunkersandpointitsnosestraightupwards,andmakealong,sadcomplaintaboutitstooth;andafterthatitusedtoreachitshindlegroundandtrytoscratchoutitstooth;andthenitusedtobepulledonagainbythestrawropethatwasrounditsneck,andwhichwastiedattheotherendtothehag’sheaviestfoot。
Therewasanold,knock-kneed,raw-boned,one-eyed,little-winded,heavy-headedmarewithheralso。Everytimeitputafrontlegforwarditshiveredallovertherestofitslegsbackwards,andwhenitputahindlegforwarditshiveredallovertherestofitslegsfrontwards,anditusedtogiveagreatwhistlethroughitsnosewhenitwasoutofbreath,andabig,thinhenwassittingonitscroup。MonganlookedontheHagoftheMillwithdelightandaffection。
\"Thistime,\"saidhetomacanDa’v,\"I’llgetbackmywife。\"
\"Youwillindeed,\"saidmacanDa’vheartily,\"andyou’llgetminebacktoo。\"
\"Gooveryonder,\"saidMongan,\"andtelltheHagoftheMillthatIwanttotalktoher。\"
MacanDa’vbroughtherovertohim。
\"Isittruewhattheservantmansaid?\"sheasked。
\"Whatdidhesay?\"saidMongan。
\"Hesaidyouwantedtotalktome。\"
\"Itistrue,\"saidMongan。
\"Thisisawonderfulhourandagloriousminute,\"saidthehag,\"forthisisthefirsttimeinsixtyyearsthatanyonewantedtotalktome。Talkonnow,\"saidshe,\"andI’lllistentoyouifI
canrememberhowtodoit。Talkgently,\"saidshe,\"thewayyouwon’tdisturbtheanimals,fortheyareallsick。\"
\"Theyaresickindeed,\"saidmacanDa’vpityingly。
\"Thecathasasoretail,\"saidshe,\"byreasonofsittingtooclosetoapartofthehobthatwashot。Thedoghasatoothache,thehorsehasapaininherstomach,andthehenhasthepip。\"
\"Ah,it’sasadworld,\"saidmacanDa’v。
\"Thereyouare!\"saidthehag。
\"Tellme,\"Mongancommenced,\"ifyougotawish,whatitisyouwouldwishfor?\"
ThehagtookthecatoffhershoulderandgaveittomacanDa’v。
\"HoldthatformewhileIthink,\"saidshe。
\"Wouldyouliketobealovelyyounggirl?\"askedMongan。
\"I’dsoonerbethatthanaskinnedeel,\"saidshe。
\"AndwouldyouliketomarrymeortheKingofLeinster?\"\"I’dliketomarryeitherofyou,orbothofyou,orwhicheverofyoucamefirst。\"
\"Verywell,\"saidMongan,\"youshallhaveyourwish。\"
Hetouchedherwithhisfinger,andtheinstanthetouchedheralldilapidationandwrynessandagewentfromher,andshebecamesobeautifulthatonedaredscarcelylookonher,andsoyoungthatsheseemedbutsixteenyearsofage。
\"YouarenottheHagoftheMillanylonger,\"saidMongan,\"youareIvelloftheShiningCheeks,daughteroftheKingofMunster。\"
Hetouchedthedogtoo,anditbecamealittlesilkylapdogthatcouldnestleinyourpalm。Thenhechangedtheoldmareintoabrisk,piebaldpalfrey。ThenhechangedhimselfsothathebecamethelivingimageofAe,thesonoftheKingofConnaught,whohadjustbeenmarriedtoIvelloftheShiningCheeks,andthenhechangedmacanDa’vintothelikenessofAe’sattendant,andthentheyallsetofftowardsthefortress,singingthesongthatbegins:Mywifeisnicerthananyone’swife,Anyone’swife,anyone’swife,Mywifeisnicerthananyone’swife,Whichnobodycandeny。
CHAPTERXX
ThedoorkeeperbroughtwordtotheKingofLeinsterthatthesonoftheKingofConnaught,AetheBeautiful,andhiswife,IvelloftheShiningCheeks,wereatthedoor,thattheyhadbeenbanishedfromConnaughtbyAe’sfather,andtheywereseekingtheprotectionoftheKingofLeinster。
Branduvcametothedoorhimselftowelcomethem,andtheminutehelookedonIvelloftheShiningCheeksitwasplainthathelikedlookingather。
Itwasnowdrawingtowardsevening,andafeastwaspreparedfortheguestswithabanquettofollowit。AtthefeastDuvLacasatbesidetheKingofLeinster,butMongansatoppositehimwithIvell,andMonganputmoreandmoremagicintothehag,sothathercheeksshoneandhereyesgleamed,andshewasutterlybewitchingtotheeye;andwhenBranduvlookedathersheseemedtogrowmoreandmorelovelyandmoreandmoredesirable,andatlasttherewasnotaboneinhisbodyasbigasaninchthatwasnotfilledwithloveandlongingforthegirl。
Everyfewminuteshegaveagreatsighasifhehadeatentoomuch,andwhenDuvLacaaskedhimifhehadeatentoomuchhesaidhehadhutthathehadnotdrunkenough,andbythathemeantthathehadnotdrunkenoughfromtheeyesofthegirlbeforehim。
Atthebanquetwhichwasthenheldhelookedatheragain,andeverytimehetookadrinkhetoastedIvellacrossthebrimofhisgoblet,andinalittlewhileshebegantotoasthimbackacrosstherimofhercup,forhewasdrinkingale,butshewasdrinkingmead。ThenhesentamessengertohertosaythatitwasafarbetterthingtobethewifeoftheKingofLeinsterthantobethewifeofthesonoftheKingofConnaught,forakingisbetterthanaprince,andIvellthoughtthatthiswasaswiseathingasanybodyhadeversaid。Andthenhesentamessagetosaythathelovedhersomuchthathewouldcertainlyburstofloveifitdidnotstop。
Monganheardthewhispering,andhetoldthehagthatifshedidwhatheadvisedshewouldcertainlygeteitherhimselfortheKingofLeinsterforahusband。
\"Eitherofyouwillbewelcome,\"saidthehag。
\"Whenthekingsayshelovesyou,askhimtoproveitbygifts;
askforhisdrinking-hornfirst。\"
Sheaskedforthat,andhesentittoherfilledwithgoodliquor;thensheaskedforhisgirdle,andhesentherthat。
HispeoplearguedwithhimandsaiditwasnotrightthatheshouldgiveawaythetreasuresofLeinstertothewifeoftheKingofConnaught’sson;buthesaidthatitdidnotmatter,forwhenhegotthegirlhewouldgethistreasureswithher。Buteverytimehesentanythingtothehag,macanDa’vsnatcheditoutofherlapandputitinhispocket。
\"Now,\"saidMongantothehag,\"telltheservanttosaythatyouwouldnotleaveyourownhusbandforallthewealthoftheworld。\"
Shetoldtheservantthat,andtheservanttoldittotheking。
WhenBranduvheardithenearlywentmadwithloveandlongingandjealousy,andwithragealso,becauseofthetreasurehehadgivenherandmightnotgetback。HecalledMonganovertohim,andspoketohimverythreateninglyandragingly。
\"Iamnotonewhotakesathingwithoutgivingathing,\"saidhe。
\"Nobodycouldsayyouwere,\"agreedMongan。
\"Doyouseethiswomansittingbesideme?\"hecontinued,pointingtoDuvLaca。
\"Idoindeed,\"saidMongan。
\"Well,\"saidBranduv,\"thiswomanisDuvLacaoftheWhiteHandthatItookawayfromMongan;sheisjustgoingtomarryme,butifyouwillmakeanexchange,youcanmarrythisDuvLacahere,andIwillmarrythatIvelloftheShiningCheeksyonder。\"
Monganpretendedtobeveryangrythen。
\"IfIhadcomeherewithhorsesandtreasureyouwouldbeinyourrighttotakethesefromme,butyouhavenorighttoaskforwhatyouarenowasking。\"
\"Idoaskforit,\"saidBranduvmenacingly,\"andyoumustnotrefusealord。\"
\"Verywell,\"saidMonganreluctantly,andasifingreatfear;
\"ifyouwillmaketheexchangeIwillmakeit,althoughitbreaksmyheart。\"
HebroughtIvellovertothekingthenandgaveherthreekisses。
\"ThekingwouldsuspectsomethingifIdidnotkissyou,\"saidhe,andthenhegavethehagovertotheking。Afterthattheyallgotdrunkandmerry,andsoontherewasagreatsnoringandsnorting,andverysoonalltheservantsfellasleepalso,sothatMongancouldnotgetanythingtodrink。MacanDa’vsaiditwasagreatshame,andhekickedsomeoftheservants,buttheydidnotbudge,andthenheslippedouttothestablesandsaddledtwomares。HegotononewithhiswifebehindhimandMongangotontheotherwithDuvLacabehindhim,andtheyrodeawaytowardsUlsterlikethewind,singingthissong:TheKingofLeinsterwasmarriedto-day,Marriedto-day,marriedto-day,TheKingofLeinsterwasmarriedto-day,Andeveryonewisheshimjoy。
InthemorningtheservantscametowakentheKingofLeinster,andwhentheysawthefaceofthehaglyingonthepillowbesidetheking,andhernoseallcoveredwithwhiskers,andherbigfootandlittlefootstickingawayoutattheendofthebed,theybegantolaugh,andpokeoneanotherinthestomachsandthumponeanotherontheshoulders,sothatthenoiseawakenedtheking,andheaskedwhatwasthematterwiththematall。Itwasthenhesawthehaglyingbesidehim,andhegaveagreatscreechandjumpedoutofthebed。
\"Aren’tyoutheHagoftheMill?\"saidhe。
\"Iamindeed,\"shereplied,\"andIloveyoudearly。\"
\"IwishIdidn’tseeyou,\"saidBranduv。
Thatwastheendofthestory,andwhenhehadtolditMonganbegantolaughuproariouslyandcalledformorewine。Hedrankthisdeeply,asthoughhewasfullofthirstanddespairandawildjollity,butwhentheFlameLadybegantoweephetookherinhisarmsandcaressedher,andsaidthatshewastheloveofhisheartandtheonetreasureoftheworld。
Afterthattheyfeastedingreatcontentment,andattheendofthefeastingtheywentawayfromFaeryandreturnedtotheworldofmen。
TheycametoMongan’spalaceatMoyLinney,anditwasnotuntiltheyreachedthepalacethattheyfoundtheyhadbeenawayonewholeyear,fortheyhadthoughttheywereonlyawayonenight。
Theylivedthenpeacefullyandlovinglytogether,andthatendsthestory,butBro’tiarnadidnotknowthatMonganwasFionn。
Theabbotleanedforward。
\"WasMonganFionn?\"heaskedinawhisper。
\"Hewas,\"repliedCairide’。
\"Indeed,indeed!\"saidtheabbot。
Afterawhilehecontinued:\"ThereisonlyonepartofyourstorythatIdonotlike。\"
\"Whatpartisthat?\"askedCairide’。
\"ItisthepartwheretheholymanTibraide’wasilltreatedbythatrap——bythat——byMongan。\"
Cairide’agreedthatitwasilldone,buttohimselfhesaidgleefullythatwheneverhewasaskedtotellthestoryofhowhetoldthestoryofMonganhewouldrememberwhattheabbotsaid。