Gods and Fighting Men eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 602 pages of information about Gods and Fighting Men.

Gods and Fighting Men eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 602 pages of information about Gods and Fighting Men.
the game was won.  Finn spoke then, and it is what he said:  “It is no wonder you to win the game, Oisin, and you having the help of Osgar, and the watchfulness of Diorraing, and the skill of Lugaidh’s Son, and the teaching of the grandson of Duibhne with you.”  “That is a great sign of jealousy in you, Finn,” said Osgar, “to think Diarmuid would stop in this tree, and you so near him.”  “Which of us has the truth, Diarmuid, grandson of Duibhne,” Finn said out then, “myself or Osgar?” “You never lost your good judgment, Finn,” said Diarmuid then; “and I myself and Grania are here, in the bed of the Surly One of Lochlann.”  Then Diarmuid rose up and gave three kisses to Grania in the sight of Finn and the Fianna.  And a scorching jealousy and a weakness came on Finn when he saw that, and he said:  “It was worse to me, Diarmuid, the seven battalions of the Fianna to see what you did at Teamhair, taking away Grania the night you were yourself my guard.  But for all that,” he said, “you will give your head for the sake of those three kisses.”

With that Finn called to the four hundred paid fighting men that were with him that they might make an end of Diarmuid; and he put their hands into one another’s hands around that quicken-tree, and bade them, if they would not lose their lives, not to let Diarmuid pass out through them.  And he said that to whatever man would take Diarmuid, he would give his arms and his armour, and a place among the Fianna of Ireland.

Then one of the Fianna, Garbh of Slieve Cua, said it was Diarmuid had killed his own father, and he would avenge him now, and he went up the quicken-tree to make an end of him.

Now, about that time it was made known to Angus Og, in Brugh na Boinne, the danger Diarmuid was in, and he came to his help, unknown to the Fianna.  And when Garbh of Slieve Cua was coming up the tree, Diarmuid gave him a kick of his foot, and he fell down among the hired men, and they struck off his head, for Angus Og had put the appearance of Diarmuid on him.  But after he was killed, his own shape came on him again, and the Fianna knew that it was Garbh was killed.

Then Garbh of Slieve Crot said it was Diarmuid had killed his father, and he went up to avenge him, and the same thing happened.  And in the end all the nine Garbhs, of Slieve Guaire, and Slieve Muice, and Slieve Mor, and Slieve Lugha, and Ath Fraoch, and Slieve Mis and Drom-mor, went trying to take Diarmuid’s life and lost their own lives, every one of them having the shape and appearance of Diarmuid when he died.  And Finn was very sorry and discouraged when he saw that these nine men had come to their death.

Then Angus said he would bring away Grania with him.  “Do so,” said Diarmuid; “and if I am living at evening I will follow you.”  Then Angus said farewell to Diarmuid, and he put his Druid cloak about Grania and about himself, and they went away in the safety of the cloak, unknown to Finn and the Fianna, till they came to Brugh na Boinne.

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Gods and Fighting Men from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.