Page:Celtic Stories by Edward Thomas.djvu/49

 and spear. But whatever be the truth, do not strive to make me as unhappy as thou art at my going. For if unhappiness makes me dull I shall get no glory, and still I must die. Cathbad, I know as well as thou, that today I shall die. Now farewell. Carry my salutes to Ulster, to the King and to Emer. Long life and health to them! I shall never see them again. This parting is a pitiful thing, and I think now of the many joyful days on foreign hills after long fighting when I have turned my face homeward towards Emer.'

Leaving Cathbad behind, Cohoolin drove alone into the midst of the enemy on the plain of Muirhevna. They saw him coming from afar off, bright like a little cornfield which the sun singles out from all others on a grey day. His sword shone bright, and a light hovered over his head. With spear and sword he reaped his way among the enemy like a reaper who is paid by the acre. The plain was covered with dead men.

The sons of Calatin had prophesied that Cohoolin's spears should slay three kings, and this made King Erc of Tara think of a trick to play on him. When Cohoolin had been lured to cast his spear at a common man, one of the enemy named Lugaid seized it.

'What shall this kill?' he asked the sons of Calatin.

'A king,' they said.

Then he hurled it and it struck Laegh, the charioteer, so that he died.

Cohoolin hurled the second spear and it was caught by Erc after it had passed through ten men.

'What shall this kill?' he asked the sons of Calatin.

'A king,' they said.

'Did ye not say the other would kill a king?'

'Yes, and it was true. It killed the king of the charioteers of Ireland.'