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 enemy he opened this eye; at other times he kept it closed.

The Fomorians resented the mysterious advent of the Tuatha de Danann, and Balor, placing himself at the head of his people, led them in battle against the Tuatha de Danann, who were assembled on the plain of Moytura, in the north of Sligo, and there the legends say this battle of the gods was fought.

Every time Balor opened his eye of death on the Tuatha de Danann they fell in long lines, just as corn falls before the reaper. Even Nuada, the king of the Tuatha de Danann, was struck by its venomous glance, and seeing him fall Lugh Lam-Fada—who was so wise that he was called the Master of all Knowledge—determined to avenge him. He walked to within a short distance of Balor, who at that moment had his evil eye covered; but when Balor saw this new and powerful enemy standing before him, with a sling that shone like white fire in his hand, slowly, very slowly, he began to uplift the heavy eyelid from his evil eye. Then, before Balor could look at him, with all his might Lugh slung a