Part 15 (1/2)

ACCORDING TO THE GLENN MASAIN VERSION

ALSO THE CONCLUSION OF THE TALE FROM THE SAME VERSION

I grieved not, Usna's sons beside; But long, without them, lags the day: Their royal sire no guest denied; Three lions from Cave Hill were they.

Three dragons bred in Mona's fort Are dead: to them from life I go; Three chiefs who graced the Red Branch Court, Three rocks, who broke the rush of foe.

O loved by many a British maid!

O swift as hawks round Gullion's peak!

True sons of king, who warriors swayed, To whom bent chiefs in homage meek.

No va.s.sal look those champions wore; Full grief is mine that such should die!

Those sons, whom Cathbad's daughter bore; Those props, who Cualgne's[FN#45] war held high.

[FN#45] p.r.o.nounced Kell-ny.

Three bears of might, to war they came; From Oona's walls, like lions, burst; Three hero-chiefs, who loved their fame; Three sons, on Ulster's bosom nursed.

Twas Aife[FN#46] reared them; 'neath her yoke A kingdom bowed, and tribute brought; They propped the war, when armies broke, Those foster-sons, whom Scathach[FN#47] taught.

The Three, who once from Bohvan's skill All feats have learned that heroes know; King Usna's glorious sons! 'tis ill That these afar from me should go.

That I should live, with Naisi dead, Let none such shame believe of me; When Ardan's life, when Ainnle's fled, But short my life I knew would be.

Great Ulster's king my hand had won; I left him, Naisi's love to find; Till Naisi's funeral rites be done, I wait a little while behind.

This widowed life no more I'll bear; The Three rejoiced, when toil they faced; Where'er 'twas found, the war they'd dare, And proffered fight with joy embraced.

A curse on Cathbad's wizard spell!

'Twas Naisi's death! and I the cause!

None came to aid that king, who well To all the world might grant his laws.

[FN#46] p.r.o.nounced Eefa.

[FN#47] p.r.o.nounced Ska-ha.

O man, who diggest low the grave, And from my sight my love would hide, Make wide the tomb; its room I crave, I come to seek my hero's side.

Great load of hards.h.i.+p I'd endure with joy, If yet those heroes my companions were; No lack of house or fire could then annoy, No gloom I'd know with them, nor aught of care.

Ah! many a time each s.h.i.+eld and guardian spear To make my couch have piled those n.o.ble Three: O labouring man, their grave who diggest here, Their hardened swords above well set should be.

The hounds of all the Three their masters lack, Their hawks no quarry leave, nor hear their call; The three are dead, who battle's line held back Who learned their skill in Conall Cernach's hall!