The Coming of Cuculain

way is the

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lows, for his fearful mother permitted him no longer to associate with children of that rude realm whose conversation and behaviour she misliked for her

at mighty stem, and concerning famous marches and forays, and battles and single combats, and who was worthy and lived and died well, and who not. More than all else he delighted to hear about Fergus Mac Roy, who seemed to him the greatest and best of all the Red Bran

ing he ran to his mother and cried, "Mother

r, which was called grianan. The grianan was in the north end of the palace behind the king's throne. In the hall men could see above them the rafters which upheld the roof and the joining of

a would cry out "good-night" and "good slumber" to his friends in the hall, who laughed much amongst themselves for the secret of his immurement was not hid. Moreover, Dectera gave straight commandment to her women, at peril of her displeasure and of sore b

westward. He questioned his mother concerning that sight. She answered, "It is the high King's t

ow runs the road henc

w," said his mother, loo

lace through a window and gazed long upon the mountain. The next night too he dreamed of Emain Macha, and heard voices which were unintelligible, and again the third night he heard the voices and one voice said, "This our labour is vain, let him alone. He is some changeling and not of the blood of Rury. He will be a grazier, I think, and buy cattle and sell them for a profit." And the other said, "Nay, let us not leave him yet. Remem

holiday attire?"

great people ere I pu

n. Under the eaves he sat sunning himself and gazing upon the sea. The boy kneeled and kissed his hand. His father stroked his head and said, "Win

nd embroidering. She herself was embroidering a new mantle for the boy against his next birthd

Setanta, "watc

eaning back and putting his whole force into the blow, and struck it i

ied again, "wat

ere it touched the earth and bounded shining above the trees. Truly it was a marvellous stroke for one so youn

er, O Setanta," she answered. "T

, O mother, when I am of age to be trusted with my first needle, and knighte

id his mother, for she per

of her women, "and that thou art living in the past an

ace. She bent down her head over her work and her tears fell. After a space sh

aloud, "Setanta, Setanta," but there was no answer, only silence and the watching and

of Slieve Fuad. In his left hand was his sheaf of toy javelins; in his right the hurle; his little shield was strapped upon his back. The boy went swiftly, for there was power upon him that day, and with his ashen hurle shod with red bronze ever urged his ball forward.

rt and countenance of some ancient hero, and whose attire was strange. He was taller and nobler than any living man. He bore a rod-sling in his right hand, and i

r away,

to my uncle Conco

w me, Setanta?

nded son of Ethlenn. This mysterious being, being one of the deities

man, "fear nothing, for I

oam came against him and flung his mantle over Setanta. There was a sound in his ears like the roaring of the sea. [Footnote: This man was Mananan son of Lir. He was the Sea-god.] Chariots and horses came from the east after that. Set

on the way, some riding in chariots, some goin

rapped himself in his mantle, and lay down to sleep, and felt neither cold nor hunger. While he slept a great steed, a st

started from his mossy couch and wondered at that tuneful chorus. The dawnin

dy referred to, had a horse which was called the Grey of Macha-Liath-Macha. He was said to be still alive dwelling invisibly in Erin.] They say that he haunts this mountain." He hastened to the brook, and finding a deep pool, bathed in the clear pure water and dried himself in his woollen bratt

and looked westward and saw far away the white shining duns of the marvellous city from which, even now, the morning smoke went up into the windless air. He trembled, and rejoiced, and wept. He stood a long time there gazing at Emain Macha. Descending, he struck again the great road, but he went slowly; he cast n

ry on the edge of the lawn southwards, for the company that held that barrier were the weaker. He hoped that some one would call to him and welcome him, but none called or welcomed. Silently the child wept, and the front of his mantle was steeped in his tears. Some looked at him, but with looks of cold surprise, as though they said, "Who is this stranger boy and what doth he here? Would that he took himself away out of this and went elsewhere." The boy thought that he would be welcomed and made much of because he was a king's son and nephew of the high King of Ulla, and on account of h