Page 22

 

They took the body and placed it upon a golden bier, and over it were the upward-pointing spears of Diarmuid. Then they went on a long road till they came to Brugh on the Boyne.

 

Finn Mac Cool saw now that Oisin and Oscar and many bold men of the Fianna had abandoned him. He did not know how he could face the danger from them, and the danger from Diarmuid's sons, without the help and forgiveness of Grainne. So he went secretly to Rath Grainne and cunningly gave her sweet words. She reviled him with her keen sharp-pointed tongue. But he flooded her mind with gentle and loving speech till he brought her to his own will. Then he got from her the desire of his heart and soul.

 

Finn took Grainne by the hand and they went towards the Fianna of Ireland. When the warriors saw them coming together, with the look of a man and his wife, they raised a great shout of mockery and derision, and Grainne bowed her head in shame.

 

'Now we know, O Finn,' Oisin called out, 'that Grainne will be ever in the sight of your best eye from this time on.'

 

Some said that the changes of a woman's mind flow like running water, but others said that Finn had put a spell on Grainne. But certain it is that they stayed by one another till the day of death.

.

Home Page

Continue