Page:Origin and Growth of Religion (Rhys).djvu/335

Rh more than one respect. Govannon, or Govynnion as he is also called, was the great smith of Welsh story, and we have his counterpart in Gavida, who would probably, had we got the myth in an ancient form, have appeared under the name Goibniu, genitive Goibnenn, the exact equivalent of the Welsh Govynion, and the name of the great smith of the Tuatha Dé Danann. But in fact it would be more accurate to say that his name does occur in the story; for though the cow is said to have been Mac Kineely's, its name, as given to O'Donovan, was Glas Gaivlen, which he rightly corrects into Glas Gaivnen, that is, in later Irish spelling, Glas Gaibhnenn, 'Goibniu's Grey or Brindled (Cow):' practically, then, the legend gives the smith two names—one the direct representative of the ancient Goibniu, and the other, Gavida, of a more obscure origin. Lastly, Amaethon, the Culture Hero of Welsh agriculture, might at first sight seem to be here duly represented by Mac Samthainn, who takes charge of Mac Kineely's cow while the latter steps into his brother's forge. But as we have no further information about Mac Samthainn, the parallel must be acknowledged