Children's Stories From Old British Legends - Illustrated by Harry Theaker

FROM DIARMUID AND GRANIA.

FROM OUT THE DIM AGES

Ever so many years ago, in the dim ages of prehistoric times, this country of England was tacked on to the Continent of Europe, and enormous lizards—strange creatures with great wings—flew over the land and bathed in the waters of what is now the river Thames. These wonderful creatures were the real live dragons of olden days.

But something happened to this world of ours: there was a big upheaval of the crust of the earth, and Great Britain and Ireland suddenly became islands with silver seas surrounding them. Then we come down to the time when the wild boar, the wolves, and huge deer roamed the dense forests of these countries—when the people hunted and fought with one another, a hardy race and barbarous, but a race that was also full of a strange and beautiful imagination. Their poets and story-tellers wove wonderful tales of magic and demons, and bewitched princes and princesses, and these tales were handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. All the colour and adventure of the stories of the Far East are not more marvellous, picturesque, and poetic than the legends of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

Then came the time when some there were who could read and write, and the strange tales were written down, and books were made, books upon books.

And now, to-day, when nearly all are able to read, we have these old stories, dating back for centuries, served up in a form enchanting to behold, with beautiful pictures as an accompaniment to delight us, and make us marvel at the doings and imaginings of those who dwelt in these beautiful lands long before you and I came to live upon the earth.

EDRIC VREDENBURG.

FROM THE TOKEN.

DIARMUID AND GRANIA

(AN IRISH LEGEND)

PART I

THE LOVE-SPOT

Of all the Irish heroes who lived in the days when gods walked upon the earth with men, there was none so bold as Finn, the great Chieftain. It was said of him that no better fighting man had ever been known in Ireland, and his wisdom, justice, and generosity were far-famed in the land, as well as his warlike qualities.

Many followers had great Finn, and since each of them had to prove himself to be courageous, honourable, and wise before the Chieftain would accept his services, the Fianna, as these followers were called, numbered indeed a goodly company of men. Amongst them were Goll the Strong, Oisin the Maker of Poems, and Diarmuid the Handsome, who was a kinsman of Great Finn, and as well beloved by him as if he had been his own son.

Now the life of Finn was full of joyous adventure until he reached middle years, when a great misfortune came upon him: his wife fell ill and died, and from that time he was so grief-stricken and lonely that the Fianna sorrowed much for their leader.

Then said Goll the Strong one day:

It is surely better for you, O Finn, to take another wife than to live in loneliness.

Your words are wise, answered the Chieftain, but whom shall I choose to comfort my declining years? Youth and beauty will turn from my grey hairs with dismay.

There is no maid in Ireland who would not be proud to wed with you, cried Diarmuid the Handsome, while Oisin the Maker of Poems said:

Much have I heard concerning the fairness of Grania, the daughter of the High King of Ireland. Would she not be a fitting bride for you, O Finn?

Fair she may be, Finn answered, but I care not to ask a favour of her father, the High King. He has lived in enmity towards me for many years; therefore it would be most displeasing to me were he to refuse my request.

But I have heard men say that the High King would gladly end the strife betwixt you and himself, cried Diarmuid eagerly, so will he not give you his daughter as a sign of peace?

Finn pondered over these words, then he said:

I too would live as a friend with the High King now, so he shall be acquainted with my desire. Go you then, Goll, and you also, Oisin, to Teamhair, the palace of the High King, and say to him that I would wed with his daughter.

May I not go with them in order to sing your praises? asked Diarmuid, for he was ever ready to do service for Great Finn.

Nay, I have need of you here, answered the Chieftain, with a look of love at his young kinsman. Your company is a joy to me in my loneliness, and I shall be wearying to know how the High King will receive my request. O Diarmuid, would that the love-spot upon your forehead were upon my brow—then should I have no fear of a refusal.

GRANIA PUT A MAGIC POWDER INTO THE WINE.

Small need has great Finn for such a thing, was the laughing answer of Diarmuid.

This love-spot of which Finn spoke was a mark upon the brow of Diarmuid which had been placed there, it was said, by the Goddess of Youth one night when the young man was sleeping. It had a strange effect upon all those who beheld it—they were forced to give him their love for evermore; and since at times this was troublesome to Diarmuid, he wore his hair low upon his brow to conceal the magic mark.

Now Goll and Oisin made ready to do the bidding of Finn, and they set off to Teamhair. When they arrived at the palace and it was made known that they were men of the Fianna, the High King received them with courtesy and declared that he would gladly give his daughter as wife to Great Finn, but he knew not what her answer would be.

I have promised never to force a husband upon her, said the King, and there is scarce a great man in Ireland to whom my daughter has not given a refusal already. We will go to her now, however, and may the gods grant that she will wed with your Chieftain, for I am weary of the strife betwixt him and myself. Thereupon the High King conducted the two men of the Fianna to the House of the Women, where they found Grania enthroned upon her high seat, and so exceedingly fair was she that Goll and Oisin were amazed at the sight of her. Golden as ripe corn in the sunlight were her tresses, whiter than the hawthorn was her skin, and in the depths of her blue eyes lay beauty and mystery.

The Princess listened in silence while Goll and Oisin told her of Finn and his request, then she said sadly:

Long have I waited for true love to enter my heart. Think you that I shall find happiness as the wife of this Finn?

There is no man more beloved in Ireland, cried Goll and Oisin in one breath.

What say you, my father? said Grania. Is it your wish that I should wed with him?

The High King answered that such a marriage would give great joy not only to him but to all his subjects, for it would put an end to strife; so the Princess said: It is well. I will wed with this Finn.

TAKE ME AS YOUR WIFE!

From Diarmuid and Grania

Rejoicing greatly, Goll and Oisin returned to their Chieftain with the glad tidings that Grania would become his wife a fortnight hence. So much did they speak of her beauty and grace that the days were long to Finn, who was impatient to behold his wonderful Princess.

The appointed time for the wedding arrived, and Finn gathered together a number of the Fianna, amongst whom was his beloved young kinsman Diarmuid. They set out in great troops until they came to Teamhair, where they were given a warm welcome. But when Grania beheld her bridegroom her heart was filled with grievous disappointment, for she had not known that he was grey-haired and of middle years.

This is not a fitting marriage for me, she said to her father; but the High King answered:

Grey-haired he may be, but Finn is wise, powerful, and noble. Rest content, my daughter; you will never regret your choice.

The wedding feast was begun and Grania took her place by the side of Finn, and, although the Chieftain was tender and courteous in his manner towards her, she felt that she would never know happiness as his wife.

What can I do to escape from such a fate? she thought, and, gazing around the great hall in search of help, her eyes fell upon a young man who was looking at her with a sorrowful air.

Tell me, said Grania to Finn, who is that man who is seated between Goll the Strong and Oisin the Maker of Poems. Is he too one of the Fianna?

The best of them all, cried Finn heartily; and he thereupon spoke much in favour of his young kinsman, for it was Diarmuid who sat there.

Now Diarmuid was sad, for at first sight of Grania great love had arisen in his heart for her, and he thought bitterly: Would that we two had met earlier! Now I shall have no peace of mind when Grania and Finn are wedded.

Once more Grania looked at Diarmuid, and when their eyes met the colour flamed in her cheeks and his heart beat wildly.

Knowing not what he did, Diarmuid passed his hand over his brow, sweeping the hair back from his temples. By this action was the love-spot revealed for one instant—then it was hidden again, but too late! The eyes of Grania had beheld it, and great love for Diarmuid had filled her heart.

From that moment the unhappy Princess knew that she could never wed with Finn, and a desperate thought came to her aid. Calling a serving-maid to her side, she commanded: Bring the great golden goblet which is in my house and fill it with wine.

When the maid returned with the vessel, which would hold drink enough for all those who were at the feast, Grania put a magic powder into the wine; then she whispered to the serving - maid: Offer this goblet first of all to Great Finn and then to every man and woman here, save Diarmuid, who sits between Goll the Strong and Oisin the Maker of Poems.

The maid did as she was told, and all those to whom the goblet was handed partook of the wine with pleasure. Diarmuid was marvelling why he alone had not been bidden to drink,