ll; and it was with them my
father got his learning, and if I would forgive you his death, they
would not forgive you. And if you get through all your other voyages
before you reach to them, it is my opinion they themselves will avenge
him on you. And that is the fine I have asked of you," said Lugh.

There was silence and darkness on the sons of Tuireann when they heard
that. And they went to where their father was, and told him the fine
that had been put on them. "It is bad news that is," said Tuireann; "and
it is to your death and your destruction you will be going, looking for
those things. But for all that, if Lugh himself had a mind to help you,
you could work out the fine, and all the men of the world could not do
it but by the power of Manannan or of Lugh. Go then and ask the loan of
Manannan's horse, the Aonbharr, from Lugh, and if he has any wish to get
the fine, he will give it to you; but if he does not wish it he will say
the horse is not his, and that he would not give the loan of a loan. Ask
him then for the loan of Manannan's curragh, the Scuabtuinne, the
Sweeper of the Waves. And he will give that, for he is under bonds not
to refuse a second request, and the curragh is better for you than the
horse," he said.

So the sons of Tuireann went to where Lugh was, and they saluted him,
and they said they could not bring him the fine without his own help,
and for that reason it would be well for them to get a loan of the
Aonbharr. "I have that horse only on loan myself," said Lugh, "and I
will not give a loan of a loan."

"If that is so, give us the loan of Manannan's curragh," said Brian. "I
will give that," said Lugh. "What place is it?" said they. "At Brugh na
Boinn," said Lugh.

Then they went back again to where Tuireann was, and his daughter Ethne,
their sister, with him, and they told him they had got the curragh. "It
is not much the better you will be for it," said Tuireann, "although
Lugh would like well to get every part of this fine he could make use of
before the battle with the Fomor. But he would like yourselves to come
to your death looking for it."

Then they went away, and they left Tuireann sorrowful and lamenting, and
Ethne went with them to where the curragh was. And Brian got into it,
and he said: "There is place but for one other person along with me
here." And he began to find fault with its narrowness. "You ought not to
be faulting the curragh," said Ethne; "and O my dear brother,"