agreement of service with him. And he stopped
through the length of a year with the Fianna; but he was someway
sluggish through all that time, so that under his leading not more than
nine of the Fianna got to kill so much as a boar or a deer. And along
with that, he used to beat both his servants and his hounds.

And at last the three battalions of the Fianna went to where Finn was,
at the Point of the Fianna on the edge of Loch Lein, and they made their
complaint against Lugaidh's Son, and it is what they said: "Make your
choice now, will you have us with you, or will you have Lugaidh's Son by
himself."

Then Lugaidh's Son came to Finn, and Finn asked him, "What is it has put
the whole of the Fianna against you?" "By my word," said the lad, "I do
not know the reason, unless it might be they do not like me to be doing
my feats and casting my spears among them."

Then Finn gave him an advice, and it is what he said: "If you have a
mind to be a good champion, be quiet in a great man's house; be surly in
the narrow pass. Do not beat your hound without a cause; do not bring a
charge against your wife without having knowledge of her guilt; do not
hurt a fool in fighting, for he is without his wits. Do not find fault
with high-up persons; do not stand up to take part in a quarrel; have no
dealings with a bad man or a foolish man. Let two-thirds of your
gentleness be showed to women and to little children that are creeping
on the floor, and to men of learning that make the poems, and do not be
rough with the common people. Do not give your reverence to all; do not
be ready to have one bed with your companions. Do not threaten or speak
big words, for it is a shameful thing to speak stiffly unless you can
carry it out afterwards. Do not forsake your lord so long as you live;
do not give up any man that puts himself under your protection for all
the treasures of the world. Do not speak against others to their lord,
that is not work for a good man. Do not be a bearer of lying stories, or
a tale-bearer that is always chattering. Do not be talking too much; do
not find fault hastily; however brave you may be, do not raise factions
against you. Do not be going to drinking-houses, or finding fault with
old men; do not meddle with low people; this is right conduct I am
telling you. Do not refuse to share your meat; do not have a niggard for
your friend; do not force yourself on a great man or give him occasion
to speak against you. H