Page:Heroes of the dawn.djvu/284

 "Truly, Patrick, there is no other country under the sun, or above it, that equals in beauty and delight the Land of the Ever-Young. If you could once behold it you would cease your perpetual singing of praises about that heaven you have never seen."

"You are a profane old man, Oisin," said Patrick, "and all the prayers that I have prayed to God in heaven on your account have not yet availed to change you. But your story interests me, so proceed."

"Time passed quickly and joyously in Tir-na-noge. Two sons Niav gave to me, and a daughter, who was so beautiful that I called her 'The Flower of Women.' But one day I felt a great longing to see my father and friends once more, and going to the king and my wife I asked them to grant me permission to visit my own country again.

"'It is a sorrowful request you make, Oisin,' said Niav; 'but if you wish to go I will not hinder you, though I fear that if you once leave here you will never return.'

"I reassured her, and bade her put her doubts away, for the white horse with golden hoofs