Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Life of Naile (Author: [unknown])

section 18

So then after the bell-hallowed meeting was dissolved, and the clerks had departed from the conference, it befell that a palatable feast was prepared by the pious assiduous Ronan, for Tigernach, son of Cairpre of the noble devotion, and the other clerks. And the clerks went to partake of the feast; and couches were set for the clerks in costly chambers. And the dispenser of the glittering feast was black-browed Murchad of whom are the family of Murchad. So then the banquet was carved by Murchad, (and distributed) to the clerks.

And it chanced that Naile and his company of clerks were not remembered. And it occurred to Luan and to Murchad that Naile and his clerks had been carelessly forgotten. And when Naile heard that he had been forgotten in the matter of this good feast, the steadfast, cautious, wise, true-judging tree, and the pious, loving, humane spirit was angry and furious; for he did not think that even a small portion of his tax or tribute would be maintained to his bells or his clerks after him, if it were violated so early as this.

So then the clerks arose together, and Luan went speedily towards him, and they were fearful and terrified, crushed and disordered, both clerks and valiant laymen, bishop and high saint, priest and psalm-singer, youth and grown maiden, for dread of his swift curse. So then Luan proceeded quickly on his knees to Naile; and Tigernach began to soothe the great anger of the holy clerk, and to relate how that it was not Luan who was the full culprit, but Murchad who had greatly forgotten him.

And Naile said without delay: 'I curse that Murchad with his descendants; defect of carving on his carving, and on himself, and on his families after him.' And Luan said right promptly: 'The decision of Tigernach shall be accepted right promptly by myself, and by my family after me.' And Naile said that he would accept the judgement of Tigernach in the matter. And this was the judgement which Tigernach pronounced to Naile in this cause: a tithe of the banquet and a tithe of all hospitality outside his chief place from himself (i.e. Luan), and from his family after him, to Naile, and to his chief relics after him. And as part of the same agreements, protection for the red hand (i.e. murderer) to his asylum and to his bellhalidoms.


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