ronze Age heroic
tales. The enemy have invaded and laid waste the province of Ulster, and
the chief warriors of the Red Branch, except Cuchullin, who must needs
fight alone, are laid under spells by the magicians of the invaders. The
poem is suffused with evidences of magical beliefs and practices.
Cuchullin goes forth knowing that he will meet his doom. His name
signifies "hound of Culann." In his youth he slew Culann's ferocious
watch-hound which attacked him, and took its place until another was
trained. It was "geis" (taboo) for him to partake of the flesh of a
hound (his totem), or eat at a cooking hearth; but he must needs accept
the hospitality of the witches. The satirists are satirical bards who,
it was believed, could not only lampoon a hero, but infuse their
compositions with magical powers like incantations. Cuchullin cannot be
slain except by his own spear, which he must deliver up to a satirist
who demands it. Emania, the capital of Ulster, was the home of the Bed
Branch warriors.

_Sleepy Song_.--When Diarmid eloped with Grianne, as Paris did with
Helen, the Fians followed them, so that Finn, their chief, might be
avenged. Diarmid, who is the unwilling victim of Grainne's spells,
dreads to meet Finn, and is in constant fear of discovery.

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