ridge, and when anybody
goes to cross it, that the Queens do not like, it flies up as this
bench would if you were to sit on the end of it. Everybody who goes
there to learn skill in arms has to cross it. It was in that country
too that Cuchullain got his spear made out of dragon bones. There were
two dragons fighting in the foam of the sea, & their grandam was the
moon, and six Queens came along the shore.

BARACH.

I won't listen to your story.

FINTAIN.

It is a very wonderful story. Wait till you hear what the six Queens
did. Their right hands were all made of silver.

BARACH.

No, I will have my dinner first. You have eaten the fowl I left in
front of the fire. The last time you sent me to steal something you
made me forget all about it till you had eaten it up.

FINTAIN.

No, there is plenty for us both.

BARACH.

Come with me where it is.

FINTAIN.

(Who is being led towards the door at the back by Barach.) O, it is
all right, it is in a safe place.

BARACH.

It is a fine fowl. It was the biggest in the yard.

FINTAIN.

It had a good smell, but I hope that the wild dogs have not smelt it.
(Voices are heard outside the door at the side.) Here is our master.
Let us stay and talk with him. Perhaps Cuchullain will give you a new
cap with a feather. He told me that he would give you a new cap with a
feather, a feather with an eye that looks at you, a peacock's feather.

BARACH.

No, no. (He begins pulling Fintain towards the door.)

FINTAIN.

If you do not get it now, you may never get it, for the young man may
kill him.

BARACH.

No, no, I am hungry. What a head you have, blind man. Who but you
would have remembered that the hen-wife slept for a little at noon
every day.

FINTAIN.

(Who is being led along very slowly and unwillingly.) Yes, I have a
good head. The fowl should be done just right, but one never knows
when a wild dog may come out of the woods. (They go out through the
big door at the back. As they go out Cuchullain & certain young Kings
come in at the side door. Cuchullain though still young is a good deal
older than the others. They are all very gaily dressed, and have their
hair fastened with balls of gold. The young men crowd about Cuchullain
with wondering attention.)

FIRST YOUNG KING.

You have hurled that stone beyond our utmost mark
Time after time, but yet you are not weary.

SE