down in the green salt sea,[88] seeking for the Island of Fincara; and at last he found it. There were many houses on the island; but one he saw larger and grander than the rest. To this he straightway bent his steps, and found it open. On entering, he saw in one large room a great number of beautiful ladies, busily employed at all sorts of embroidery and needlework; and in their midst was a long, bright cooking-spit lying on a table. Without speaking a word, he walked straight to the table, and, seizing the spit in one hand, he turned round and walked towards the door. The women neither spoke nor moved, but each had her eyes fixed on him from the moment he entered, admiring his manly form, his beauty, and his fearlessness; but when they saw him about to walk off with the spit, they all burst out laughing; and one, who seemed chief among them, said-- 30 "Thou hast attempted a bold deed, O son of Turenn! Know that there are thrice fifty warlike women here, and that the weakest among us would be able of herself to prevent thee taking this cooking-spit, even if thy two brothers were here to help thee. But thou art a brave and courageous champion, else thou wouldst not have attempted, unaided, to take it by force, knowing the danger. And for thy boldness and valour, and for the comeliness of thy person, we will let thee take this one, for we have many others besides." So Brian, after thanking them, brought away the spit joyfully, and sought his ship. [89] Ur and Urcar waited for Brian in the same spot the whole time, and when he came not, they began to fear that he would return no more. With these thoughts they were at last about to leave the place, when they saw the glitter of his crystal helmet down deep in the water, and immediately after he came to the surface with the cooking-spit in his hand. They brought him on board, and now all felt very joyful and courageous of heart. CHAPTER XIV. THE THREE SHOUTS ON MIDKENA'S HILL. The three brothers next sailed away towards the north of Lochlann, and never abated speed till they moored their vessel near the Hill of Midkena, which rose smooth and green over the seashore. When Midkena saw them approaching, he knew them at once, and, coming towards them armed for battle, he addressed them aloud-- "You it was that slew Kian, my friend and pupil; and now come forth and fight, for you shall not leave these shores till you answer for his death." Brian, in no degree daunted by the fierce look and threatening speech of Midkena, sprang ashore, and the two heroes attacked each other with great fury.[90] When the three sons of Midkena heard the clash of arms, they came forth, and, seeing how matters stood, they rushed down to aid their father; but just as they arrived at the shore, Midkena fell dead, cloven through helmet and head by the heavy sword of Brian. And now a fight began, three on each side; and if men were afar off, even in the land of Hisberna, in the east of the world, they would willingly come the whole way to see this battle, so fierce and haughty were the minds of those mighty champions, so skilful and active were they in the use of their weapons, so numerous and heavy were their blows, and so long did they continue to fight without either party giving way. The three sons of Turenn were at last dreadfully wounded--wounded almost to death. But neither fear nor weakness did this cause them, for their valour and their fury arose all the more for their wounds, and with one mighty onset they drove their spears through the bodies of their foes; and the sons of Midkena fell before them into the long sleep of death. But now that the fight was ended, and the battle-fury of the victors had passed off--now it was that they began to feel the effects of their wounds. They threw themselves full length on the blood-stained sward, and long they remained without moving or speaking a word, as if they were dead; and a heavy curtain of darkness fell over their eyes. At last Brian, raising his head, spoke to his brothers to know if they lived, and when they answered him feebly, he said[91]-- "My dear brothers, let us now arise and give the three shouts on the hill while there is time, for I feel the signs of death." But they were not able to rise. Then Brian, gathering all his remaining strength, stood up and lifted one with each hand, while his own blood flowed plentifully; and
then they raised three feeble shouts on Midkena's Hill. CHAPTER XV.
RETURN AND DEATH OF THE SONS OF TURENN.
Making no further delay, he led them to their ship, and they set sail for Erin. While they were yet far off, Brian, gazing over the sea towards the west, suddenly cried out--
"Lo, I see Ben Edar[XLVIII.] yonder, rising over the waters; and I see also Dun Turenn farther towards the north."
And Ur answered from where he reclined with Urcar on the deck, "If we could but get one sight of Ben Edar methinks we should regain our health and strength; and as thou lovest us, and as thou lovest[92] thy own renown, my brother, come and raise our heads and rest them on thy breast, that we may see Erin once more. After that, we shall welcome either life or death."
Ur.
O brother, torch of valour, strong of hand, Come, place our weary heads upon thy breast; And let us look upon our native land,
Before we sink to everlasting rest! Brian.
Beloved sons of Turenn, woe is me!
My wounds are deep, my day of strength is past; Yet not for this I grieve, but that I see
Your lives, my noble brothers, ebbing fast! Ur.
31
Would we could give our lives to purchase thine; Ah, gladly would we die to ease thy pain!
For art thou not the pride of Turenn's line, The noblest champion of green Erin's plain? Brian.
That mighty Dannan healer, Dianket;[XLIX.]
Or Midac, who excelled his sire in skill; The maiden-leech, Armedda, mightier yet, Who knew the herbs to cure, the herbs to kill: Oh, were they here; or had we now at hand Those gifted apples from the distant East; Then might we hope to reach our native land, And live again in joy and peace and rest!
[93] Ur.
Brother, methinks could we but see once more Ben Edar's slopes, or Bregia's[L.] dewy plain, Tailltenn,[LI.] or Bruga's[LII.] mystic mansion hoar, Our blood would course in health and strength again. Or let us once behold our father's home,
Or winding Liffey down by Ahaclee,[LIII.]
Old Frevan's hill,[LIV.] or Tara's[LV.] regal dome; Then welcome death or life, whiche'er may be!
So Brian raised their heads and rested them on his breast, and they gazed on the rocky cliffs and green slopes of Ben Edar while the ship wafted slowly towards land.
Soon after this they landed on the north side of Ben Edar, from which they made their way slowly to Dun Turenn. And when they had reached the green in front of the house, Brian cried out--
"Father, dear father, come forth to thy children!"
Turenn came forth and saw his sons all wounded and pale and feeble. [94]
And Brian said, "Go, beloved father--go quick to Tara, and quickly return. Bring this cooking-spit to Luga, and tell him that we have given the three shouts on Midkena's Hill. Say that we have now paid the full eric-fine, and bring back from him the apples of the Garden of Hisberna, to heal our wounds, else we die."
Brian.
Father, our wounds are deadly; nought can save
Thy children's lives but Luga's friendly hand:
Go, seek him, father--fare thee fast--and crave The healing apples from Hisberna's land! Turenn.
In vain, my sons, ye seek to fly your doom;
The stern Ildana's mind too well I know: Alas! far liefer would he see your tomb,
Than all the treasures all this world could show! Brian.
But he is just; and though his sire we slew,
Have we not paid full eric for the deed? The great Ildana is our kinsman too, And will relent in this our time of need.
Then go, my father, thou art swift and strong; Speed like the wind--why linger here to mourn? Go straight to Luga's home, nor tarry long;
Or, father, we shall die ere thou return!
Turenn set out and travelled like the wind till he reached Tara, where he found Luga.
He gave him the cooking-spit, and said, "Behold, my three sons have now paid thee the full eric-fine, for they have given the three shouts on Midkena's Hill. But they are wounded even unto death; and[95] now give me, I pray thee, the apples from the Garden of Hisberna, to cure them, else they die."
