The Coming of Cuculain

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rs and tongs, and the slender profits of his labour, he feareth to feast all the Red Branch, who are by report mighty to eat and to drink; he would not for all Ireland bring famine upon his own industrious youths, his journeymen and his apprentices. Come therefore with a choice selection of thy knights, choosing those who are not great eaters, and drinkers, and you shall all have a fair welcome, a goodly supper, and a proportionate quantity of drink." That speech was a cause of great m

is huge and smoky dun the ringing of hammers and the husky roar of the bellows seldom ceased; even at night the red glare of his furnaces painted far and wide the barren moor where

with his comrades. He stopped for a while to look, and then called the lad, who came at once and stood erect and silent before the King. He was now full ten year

, "hath invited us to a feast. If

et me first, I pray thee, see this our game brought to an end, for the boys await my return. After that I will follow quickly, nor can I lose my

is playmates, who hailed him gladly in his returning, for th

recent great rebellion of the non-Irian kings of Ulla, [Footnote: The Ultonians were descended from Ir, son of Milesius.] and

s man might take offence, for as to our host and his artificers, their ways are not lik

hought that under the measureless canopy of the sky t