Heroic Romances of Ireland Part 36

[FN#5] The Book of Leinster omits "of Ailill and Medb."

Gentle and melodious were the triad, and they were the Chants of Uaithne[FN#6] (Child-birth). The ill.u.s.trious triad are three brothers, namely Gol-traiges (Sorrow-strain), and Gen-traiges (Joy-strain), and Suan-traiges (Sleep-strain). Boand from the fairies is the mother of the triad:

[FN#6] p.r.o.nounced something like Yew-ny.

At every one of the harpers' waists was girded the hide of a roe, And black-grey spots in its midst were placed, but the hide was as white as snow; And round each of the three of them waved a cloak, as white as the wild swan's wings: Gold, silver, and bronze were the harps they woke; and still, as they touched the strings, The serpents, the birds, and the hounds on the harps took life at the harps' sweet sound, And those figures of gold round the harpmen rose, and floated in music round.

Then they played, sweet and sad was the playing, Twelve of Ailill's men died, as they heard; It was Boand[FN#7] who foretold them that slaying, And right well was accomplished her word.

[FN#7] p.r.o.nounced with sound of "owned."

'Tis the three Chants of Child-Birth Give names to those Three; Of the Harp of the Dagda[FN#8]

The children they be.

[FN#8] The Dagda seems to have been the chief G.o.d of the old Celtic mythology.

To those harpers a fairy Is mother, of yore To that Harp, men call Child-Birth, Queen Boand the three bore.

They are three n.o.ble brothers, And well are they known; They are kindly and gentle, And tuneful of tone.

One is Joy-Song, one Sorrow's, One, "Song that gives Sleep,"

And the Harp's strains, their father's, Remembered they keep.

For when Boand was at bearing, Came Sorrow the first, From the Harp, its strings tearing With cry, Sorrow burst.

Then there came to her pleasure For birth of a boy; And a sweet smiling measure The Harp played, 'twas Joy.

And she swooned in her anguish, For hard the third birth: From the Harp, her pains soothing, Sleep's strain came on earth.

Then from Boand pa.s.sed her slumber, And, "Uaithne,"[FN#9] she cried, Thy three sons, thou sharp Child-Birth, I take to my side.

[FN#9] p.r.o.nounced something like Yew-ny.

Cows and women by Ailill And Maev shall be slain; For on these cometh Sorrow, And Joy, and Sleep's strain:

Yea, and men, who these harpers, Thy children, shall hear, By their art to death stricken, Shall perish in fear."

Then the strains died away in the palace, The last notes seemed to sink, and to cease: "It was stately," said Fergus, "that music."

And on all came a silence, and peace.

Said Fraech, "The food divide ye!

Come, bring ye here the meat!"

And down to earth sank Lothar, On floor he set his feet;

He crouched, on haunches sitting, The joints with sword he split; On bones it fell unerring, No dainty part he hit!

Though long with sword he hewed, and long Was meat by men supplied, His hand struck true; for never wrong Would Lothar meat divide.

Three days at the chess had they played; three nights, as they sat at the game, had gone: And they knew not the night for the sparkling light from the jewels of Fraech that shone; But to Maev turned Fraech, and he joyously cried, "I have conquered thee well at the chess!

Yet I claim not the stake at the chess-board's side, lest thy palace's wealth be less."

"For no lengthier day have I sat in such play," said Maev, "since I here first came."

"And well may the day have seemed long," said Fraech, "for three days and three nights was the game!"

Then up started Maev, and in shame she blushed that the chiefs she had failed to feed; To her husband, King Ailill, in wrath she rushed: "We have both done a goodly deed!

For none from our stores hath a banquet brought for the youths who are strangers here!"

And said Ailill, "In truth for the play was thy thought, and to thee was the chess more dear."

"We knew not that darkness had come," said Maev, "'tis not chess thou should'st thus condemn; Though the day had gone, yet the daylight shone from the heart of each sparkling gem; Though the game we played, all could meal have made, had men brought of the night advice, But the hours sped away, and the night and the day have approached and have fled from us thrice!"

"Give command," said the king, "that those wailing chants, till we give them their food, be stilled."

And food to the hands of each they gave, and all with the meat were filled; And all things merrily went, for long the men with a feast were fed, For, as feasting they sat, thrice rose the day, thrice night above earth was spread.

They brought Fraech, when that banquet was ended, To the House of Debate, which was near, And they asked of his errand: "In friendship, For a visit," said Fraech, "am I here!"

"And 'twas joy that we felt, when receiving This your host," said the king, "ye have brought Much of pleasure to all, and with grieving, When ye go, shall your presence be sought!"

"Then," said Fraech, "for a week we abide here."

For two weeks in that dun they abode: And the Connaught men pressed round to view them, As each eve home from hunting they rode.

Yet Fraech was sad, with Findabar A word he sought in vain; Though he in truth from home so far Had come that word to gain.

Fraech, as night was ending, Sprang from out his bed; Sought the brook, intending There to lave his head.

There King Ailill's daughter Stood, and there her maid: They that hour from water Sought the cleansing aid.

"Stay," he cried, and speaking Caught the maiden's hand; "Thee alone as seeking, I have reached this land:

Here am I who sought thee, Stay, and hear me woo!"

"Ah! thy speech hath brought me Joy," she said, "most true;

Yet, thy side if nearing, What for thee can I?"

"Maid!" he cried, "art fearing Hence with me to fly?"

"Flight I hold disloyal,"

Answered she in scorn; "I from mother royal, I to king was born;

What should stay our wedding?

None so mean or poor Thou hast seemed, nor dreading Kin of mine; be sure:

I will go! 'tis spoken, Thou beloved shalt be!

Take this ring as token, Lent by Maev to me!