Page:Kuno Meyer - Cath Finntrága.djvu/30

2 Ogarmach the daughter of the king of Greece, the best woman-warrior that ever came into the world, and a great number of other kings and lords that are not enumerated here.

Now, when this weighty host had come where the high-king of the world was, they all fixed upon one plan, namely, to go and to take Erinn by fair means or foul And this was the cause thereof. Once Finn the son of Cumall had been expelled from Erinn into the great world, and he was in the east during one year foing military service with Vulcan the king of France, and the wife and the daughter of the king of the Franks eloped with him, having both bestowed equal love upon him. And therefore those hosts and multitudes assembled to go and take revenge for it on the men of Erinn. For those brave ones did not think it honourable nor seemly that contempt and contumely should come upon them by a man of Erinn.

It was then the king of the world asked: 'Who is there that can be my guide in the harboursteads of Erinn?' he said. 'I shall guide thee true,' said Glas the son of Dreman. 'For I am myself expelled by Finn the son of Cumall, and I shall guide you about the smooth very broad harbours of Erinn,' said he.

Then came those numerous hosts and armies, and those proud henchmen to the harbour where their ships were, and their caravels; and their vessels and boats, their coracles and their beautiful ships were then made ready by them, and the trim straight oars with stiff shafts and hard blades were got out, and they made