Free Wars of the Irish Kings by David W. McCullough

bring a fleet and an army into Erin some day, to avenge on Finn and the Fena the defeats they had inflicted on hiscountrymen, and above all, the death of his father and brothers. And being bent on treachery, he could not have chosen in all Erin a territory better suited for carrying out his secret designs.
    So these two cantreds were bestowed on Midac. Finn gave him also much cattle and wealth of all kinds; so that when his houses were built, and when he was settled in his new territory, with his servants and his cattle and his wealth all round him, there was no brugaid [local ruler] in Erin richer or more prosperous than he.
    For fourteen years Midac lived in his new home, growing richer every year. But the Fena knew nothing of his way of life, for he kept himself apart, and none of his old acquaintances visited him. And though he was enrolled in the ranks of the Fena, he never, during all that time, invited one of them to his house, or offered them food or drink or entertainment of any kind.
    One day, Finn and the Fena went to hunt in the district of Fermorc, and over the plains of Hy Conall Gavra. And when all was arranged and the chase about to begin, Finn himself, and a few of his companions, went to the top of the hill of Knockfierna [near Limerick] to see the sport; while the main body of the Fena scattered themselves over the plain with their dogs and attendants, to start the deer and the wild boars and all the other game of the forest.
    Then Finn’s people pitched their tents, and made soft couches of rushes and heather, and dug cooking-places; for they intended the hill to be the resting-place of all who chose to rest, till the chase was ended.
    After Finn and his companions had sat for some time on the hill, they saw a tall warrior coming towards them, armed in full battle array. He wore a splendid coat of mail of Lochlann workmanship, and over it a mantle of fine satin dyed in divers colours. A broad shield hung on his left shoulder, and his helmet glittered in the morning sun like polished silver. At his left side hung a long sword, with golden hilt and enamelled sheath; and he held in his right hand his two long, polished, death-dealing spears. His figure and gait were wonderfully majestic, and as he came near, he saluted the king in stately and courteous words.
    Finn returned the salutation, and spoke with him for a while; and at length he asked him whence he had come, and if he had brought any tidings.
    “As to the place I came from,” he answered, “that need not be spoken of; and for news, I have nothing to tell except that I am a ferdana [poet], and that I have come to thee, O king of the Fena, with a poem.”
    “Methinks, indeed,” replied Finn, “that conflict and battle are the poetry you profess; for never have I seen a hero noble in mien and feature.”
    “I am a ferdana nevertheless,” answered the stranger, “and if thou dost not forbid me, I will prove it by reciting a poem I have brought for thee.”
    “A mountain-top is not the place for poetry,” said Finn; “and moreover, there is now no opportunity either for reciting or listening. For I and these few companions of mine have come to sit here that we may view the chase, and listen to the eager shouts of the men, and the sweet cry of the hounds.
    “But if you are, as you say,” continued Finn, “a ferdana, remain here with us till the chase is ended; and then you shall come with me to one of our palaces, where I shall listen to your poem, and bestow on you such gifts as are meet for a poet of your rank.”
    But the strange champion answered, “It is not my wish to go to your palace; and I now put you under gesa [solemn vow], which true heroes do not decline, that you listen to my poem, and that you find out and explain its meaning.”
    “Well then,” said Finn, “let there be no further delay; repeat your poem.” So the hero recited a verse that began—
    I saw a house by a river’s shore,
Famed through Erin in days of