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80 He thought that the lips of the world must be glad on the theme of his story. Tricked by a girl ! how his pride turned the word, till Hate made it, in growing, Fly back to the Druid and his warning. So this was the seed of his sowing.

He half thought it was writ on his brow, that the people were sick of their laughter; He turned the stone in his sleeve: ‘Let them laugh; he laughs best who laughs after.’ So Eogan, at word of the King, when he heard that the three youths had landed, Was to welcome the brothers to Erinn, outspoken to seem and free-handed— ‘But,’ this in a whisper aside, ‘slay them, each man, without warning.’ So by the sword of a traitor fell AinM, Ardan and Naois, for scorning Of a king by the daughter of Feilim. And Deirdré was brought to King Connor. What heeded she of his laughter, the sneers or the slights put upon her? Since Naois was dead, her beloved, the rose on her cheek paled with sorrow. And laughter was dead on her lips, only tears were her own night and morrow,