Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The destruction of Da Derga's Hostel (Author: [unknown])

section 66

‘Canst thou say, O Fer rogain, what that great light yonder resembles?’

‘I cannot liken it to aught,’ answers Fer rogain, ‘unless it be the fire of a king. May God not bring that man there tonight! 'Tis a pity to destroy him!’

‘What then deemest thou,’ says Ingcél, ‘of that man's reign in the land of Erin?’

‘Good is his reign,’ replied Fer rogain. ‘Since he assumed the kingship, no cloud has veiled the sun for the space of a day from the middle of spring to the middle of autumn. And not a dewdrop fell from grass till midday, and wind would not touch a beast's tail until nones. And in his reign, from year's end to year's end, no wolf has attacked aught save one bullcalf of each byre; and to maintain this rule there are seven wolves in hostageship at the sidewall

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in his house, and behind this a further security, even Maclocc, and 'tis he that pleads for them in Conaire's house. In Conaire's reign are the three crowns on Erin, namely, crown of corn-ears, and crown of flowers, and crown of oak mast. In his reign, too, each man deems the other's voice as melodious as the strings of lutes, because of the excellence of the law and the peace and the goodwill prevailing throughout Erin. May God not bring that man there tonight! 'Tis sad to destroy him. 'Tis ‘a branch through its blossom’. 'Tis a swine that falls before must. 'Tis an infant in age. Sad is the shortness of his life!’

‘This was my luck,’ says Ingcél, ‘that he should be there, and there should be one Destruction for another. It were not more grievous to me than my father and my mother and my seven brothers, and the king of my country, whom I gave up to you before coming on the transfer of the rapine.’

‘'Tis true, 'tis true!’ say the evildoers who were along with the reavers.

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