Roma Mater Read Online Free PDF Page B

dined in the Royal Guesthouse. This, though, was time sacred to a female God and to the fruitfulness of the coming season. Besides, some of themflaunted scars from battles, and had brought back several of the skulls which stared emptily from the walls. Medb Herself could take pride in celebrants like these.
    The surf-roar and clatter of people finding their seats died away. Looks went to the King’s companions. Before anyone touched food here, always a poet spoke.
    Laidchenn stood up, rang the chimes on the baton that declared what he was, lifted from its carrying case a harp he had already tuned, and cradled it in his left arm. There had been no question but that he would take the word, among those poets who were present. Not only was he a visitor from afar, he was from the school of Torna Éces. A barrel-chested man with bushy red hair and beard, richly but a little carelessly clad, he did not seem one who could call forth such icy-sweet notes as he did. Power pulsed in his deep voice when he looked straight into the eyes of Niall and chanted:
    ‘Lug, bright God, of war the Lord,
    Long-Arm, hear my harp!
    Hark to tales that I will tell,
    Talking unto all.
    ‘Heaven sees how Temir’s holy
    Hilltop now bears Niall,
    Never conquered, as its King,
    Keeping warlike watch.
    ‘See him seated in his splendour.
    So it was not once.
    Well that men should know how much
    Might wrung wealth from woe.’
    A happy sigh went over the benches. Listeners knew they were about to hear a grand story.
    And Laidchenn told it; and those who had heard itoften, growing year by year, found newness, while others found wonder.
    Niall, sang the poet, Niall, descendant of Corbmac maqq Arti, son of Eochaid maqq Muredach who was called Magimedon – Niall was born of dark curly-haired Carenn, a princess whom his father had carried away from Alba. In those days his grandfather still ruled. Eochaid had a wife named Mongfind, daughter of a tuathal king in Mumu, who was a witch and a ruthless woman. She bore him four sons, Brión, Féchra, Alill, and Fergus. Because Niall showed early promise, Mongfind plotted to do away with him, lest he succeed to lordship instead of Brión or a brother of Brión. She had him carried off, a small boy, while his father was gone warring. When Eochaid returned, Mongfind persuaded him that the loss was due to Carenn’s carelessness, and Eochaid let Mongfind make a menial slave of his erstwhile leman.
    But Torna, great poet in Mumu, knew by his arts what had happened, and foresaw what was in Niall. He rescued the child and fostered him. When the early signs of manhood were upon Niall, Torna sent him back to reclaim his own. Eochaid, now King, joyously received this son he had thought lost, and Carenn was released from her bondage.
    Once Eochaid wished to test the five youths. A blacksmith’s shop caught fire, and he commanded them to save what they could. Brión fetched out the chariots, Alill a shield and sword, Féchra the forge trough, Fergus merely some firewood; but Niall rescued anvil, block, sledges, and bellows, the heart of the smith’s trade.
    On another time when they were hunting and had grown sorely thirsty, they came upon a well deep in the forest. However, its guardian was a hideous old hag, who would give a drink to none unless he lie with her. No son of Mongfind could make himself do that; at most, Briónachieved a hasty kiss. But Niall led her aside and laid her down. Then rags and shrivelled skin fell from her, she came forth radiant in youth and beauty, for this was the Goddess Who bestows sovereignty. Afterwards Niall made his half-brothers pledge fealty to him before he would let them drink. They abided honestly by that, and Brión presently fathered a line of chieftains.
    But meanwhile Mongfind lived and schemed. Through her magics – and, no doubt, kinsmen in Mumu of whom Eochaid had need – she kept him from putting her from him. Upon his death, she succeeded in having her brother Craumthan maqq