And when he was freeing the Fianna, Conan called out, asking him to bring him a share of the feast Miodac had made ready for his own friends, for there was hunger on him.  And when Diarmuid took no heed of him, he said:  “If it was a comely woman was speaking to you, Diarmuid, you would not refuse to listen.”

For if many women loved Diarmuid, there were many he himself gave his love to; and if he was often called Diarmuid the brave, or the hardy, or the comely, or the Hawk of Ess Ruadh, it is often he was called as well the friend and the coaxer of women, Diarmuid-na-man.

BOOK SEVEN:  DIARMUID AND GRANIA.

CHAPTER I. THE FLIGHT FROM TEAMHAIR

Finn rose up one morning early in Almhuin of Leinster, and he sat out alone on the green lawn without a boy or a servant being with him.  And Oisin followed him there, and Diorraing the Druid.  “What is the cause of your early rising, Finn?” said Oisin.  “It is not without cause, indeed, I rise early,” said Finn, “for I am without a wife or a companion since Maighneis, daughter of Black Garraidh, died from me; for quiet sleep is not used to come to a man that is without a fitting wife.”  “Why would you be like that?” said Oisin, “for there is not a woman in all green Ireland you would throw a look on but we would bring her to you, willing or unwilling.”  “I myself could find a wife would be fitting for you,” said Diorraing.  “Who is that?” said Finn.  “It is Grania, daughter of the High King of Ireland,” said Diorraing; “and she is the woman of the best make and shape and the best speech of the women of the whole world.”  “By my word, Diorraing,” said Finn, “there is strife and disagreement between the High King and myself this long time, and it would not be pleasing to me to get a refusal from him.  And it is best for you two to go together,” he said, “and to ask his daughter for me in marriage; the way that if he gives a refusal, it will be to you and not to myself he will give it.”  “We will go,” said Oisin, “even if it is little profit we will get by it.  And let no one at all know of our going,” he said, “until such time as we are come back again.”

After that the two bade farewell to Finn, and set out, and it is not told what they did till they came to Teamhair.  The King of Ireland was holding a gathering at that time on the green of Teamhair, and the chief nobles of his people were with him.  And there was a friendly welcome given to Oisin and to Diorraing, and the king put off the gathering till the next day, for he was sure it was some pressing thing had brought these two men of the Fianna to Teamhair.  And Oisin went aside with him, and told him it was to ask his daughter Grania in marriage they were come from Finn, Head of the Fianna of Ireland.

The king spoke, and it is what he said:  “There is not a son of a king or of a great prince, there is not a champion in Ireland my daughter has not given a refusal to, and it is on me they all lay the blame of that.  And I will give you no answer at all,” he said, “till you go to herself; for it is better for you to get her own answer, than to be displeased with me.”