that he could not break it, he sat down and wept and
lamented sore, calling back to him all the fights that they had fought
together. Yet another time he struck, but the steel held good. Death
was drawing nearer; what was he to do? Under a pine tree he laid
himself down to die, his head resting on the green grass, his face
turned towards the Infidels. Beneath him he placed Durendal and his
horn. Alone on the mountain, looking towards Spain, he made the
confession of his sins, and offered up his last prayer. Then he held
up his right hand, and the Angels came and bore his soul to Paradise.

THE PURSUIT OF DIARMID

_THE PURSUIT OF DIARMID_

Fionn, the son of Cumhaill, rose early from his bed and went and sat
upon the clearing of grass that stretched at the foot of the hill of
Allen, where was the favourite palace of the Irish Kings of Leinster.
He had stolen out alone, while his attendants were sleeping, but soon
he was missed and two of his men followed him to the green plain.

'Why have you risen so early?' said Ossian as he came up.

'Since my wife died,' answered Fionn, 'little sleep has come to me,
and better I like to be sitting by the hill-side than to toss
restlessly between walls.'

'Why did you not tell us?' answered Ossian, 'for there is not a girl
in the whole land of Erin whom we would not have brought you by fair
means or foul.'

Dearing, who had till now kept silence, then spoke. 'I myself know of
a wife who would be a fitting mate even for Fionn, son of
Cumhaill--Grania, the daughter of Cormac, who is fairer of speech and
form than the daughters of other men.'

Fionn looked up quickly at Dearing's words.

'There has been strife for long between me and Cormac,' said he, 'and
it is not seemly that I should ask anything of him which might be
refused. Therefore go you and Ossian and, as from yourselves, see if
this marriage pleases him. It were better that he should refuse you,
rather than me.'

'Farewell then,' said Ossian, 'but let no man know of our journey till
we come back again.'

So the two went their ways, and found Cormac, King of Erin, holding a
great council on a wide plain, with the chiefs and the great nobles
gathered before him. He welcomed Ossian and Dearing with courtesy, and
as he felt sure they bore some message, he bade the council meet again
on the morrow. When the nobles and chiefs had betaken themselves to
their homes, Ossian told the King of Erin that they had come