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The book of Tephi.

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There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92401 345881 9

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

J. A. GOODCHILD

AUTHOR OF 'SOMNIA MEDICI," "thE TWO THRONES,' "my friends at SANt' AMPELIO," ETC.

SID CO NEM NEM CO DOM AN DOMAN FO NIM NERT HI CACH

' He is cursing in rhyme, and with two assonances in every line of his curse."

The Crucifixion of the Gleeman, by W. B. Yates

LONDON

KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TROBNER & CO. Ltd.

1897

PREFACE

In 1886 I published a fragment of this tale which some of my reviewers then invited me to complete. I have been unable to accept this invitation earlier owing to my own ignorance of the story as told by the Irish bards ; and these, so far, give me little help between the departure of the " sea-king's daughter from over the sea " from Taphanes and her arrival in Ireland ; though I fancy that eventually something might be gleaned upon this head from other Celtic sources, particularly those in which the name Inogen or its congeners appears. My own rough and erro- neous reproduction of the main features of a story which has deeply influenced the national, clerical and literary history not merely of Celtdom, but of all non- Sclavonic Europe, is chiefly based upon the excellent modem translations of Messrs Standish O'Grady, Whitby Stokes, and others ; whilst I must recognise the claim made by Gillariach, the crouchbacked, O'Clery, to kindly remembrance for preserving cer- tain important details which would otherwise probably have been lost.

vi PREFACE

Mark well the imagery in the following imaginary passage from a discourse of a tattered and shorn disciple of Mog Ruach to a scanty but appreciative audience. It is taken from that sermon which he preached under the stars of a frosty Samhaim, being in soreness of body, and in very great bitterness of soul under the cursings of St Maelruan, and of the holy bishop Magnenn.

" Ye that would still hear the wisdom of Semias, servant of the Holy, which he learned of Rudrofheasa, knoiv how the common a7nongst you say that there be many gems in the pool of Crotta Cliath, and indeed your saying is a true one. Also ye call that pool the Lake of the Dragon's Mouth, and wherefore ? — It was in that pool that Ternog's nurse saw the great salmon which St Fursa cursed for a dragon into its tnud. — Now, I swear unto you that this same dragon shall carry St John upon his day when he rideth to avenge his brother John Baptist upon the female saints of Eriu. On that day's eve is Fian Cinged born under the Brat Baghach. Threescore and ten stars are counted to it. Yet, oh my so?i, beware the black fourhorned moon which hath wings as hands, for thou art tender. Nevertheless, if those brethren be near, thou a?'t safe with thy thousands upon Roth Ramach when thou wieldest the threefold besom. I see the

PREFACE vii

slender pillar to whose bolts men are blind. He that heareth is deafened. Him that they seek, is dead. Thus must my White Star diminish the red moon and the third of the birds of prey. Lo, herein is the wise teaching of Morfessa of Fal, and of Uiscias which he taught in Tasiac Tuathaib tipon the field of Mell. This is that lore which Cesair daughter of the Great King gathered of Emmais in Egypt when she fled from the flood and rested ere the ships were burned at Belgadati. Hereof she instructed Mac Indoge before she entered the sacred treasurehouse. Well do ye know these things, and because of them shall Magnenn and Maelruan of Tamlacht be hurled into your lake, and Dil, the darling of my heart, swim upon Masbuskala to destroy them. Yea, let curses of mighty Ollams and Anrads, and my own curse which is less worthy, rest for ever upon all that call the blackmaned heifer " sow " or "serpent" ; and may her rugged one with the tusks of Ms fork root up their graveyards, that their dry bones may be foul beneath the sun and lie upon the heap for ever."

Upon such bottom for dragon or salmon lie objects strongly refractive to starlight, though dark under the candelabra of Pontiff or Kaiser. Experts are no doubt right in referring them to the Fata Morgana, but have not tested them with X Rays at present.

viii PREFACE

The commons still value rough specimens above coral and stoneware penates of nature and art, but I trust that few modern depreciators of Celtic moonstones will accept the suggestion of Irenseus, and the author of the " Testament of the Patriarchs," and expanded by many subsequent writers, that they are the produce of the Swart Sow and Malemantus of Dan. I may remark here that the general argument of the latter writer is against Levi, patron-patriarch of Peter and Patrick, rather than of John and Pelagius.

I am far too ignorant to analyse them. My own specimens are here, much dulled by my fingering. If they be pebbles irridescent with scum, they may be cleaned and reported upon by the mineralogist. If St Fursa is of her original opinion, she should get St George to help her to look after them : but if the Great Salmon of OUamhaba was indeed seen by Ternog's nurse, by the aid of Ruacha Aodhfecis, many of its ova are hatched already, and the re- mainder lack but twenty-five years of their fullest term.

J. A. GOODCHILD.

June lyd, 1897.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Chapter I

(1) Tephi prodaimeth her titles ; (2) her lament for Jerusalem ;

(3) she telleth of her hiding, mid reneweth her lamen- tations.

(i) Tephi, born in the House of the High Ones, — (Princes of Zion, Zion loved of the Lord, — home of the House of our God,) Daughter of David, shepherd in Judah, — (Tribe of the Lion) Queen over Bethel and Dan, — where they be scattered abroad.

(2) Is not the Word made sure? — We are spread

forth in alien places. Fire that was kindled in wrath — burns to the uttermost Hell. Cry in the night oh Judah, — Thy wise men covered their faces.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Howl for thy young lions slains, — princes led captive to Bel. I, even I am left, — to cry from the uttermost region, — (Far off isles of the West,— home of the remnant of Dan,) Sown as a thistle on earth is Jacob, — the names of us legion. Tongue of the Hebrew fails, — shall not be spoken of man. Isaac is ploughed in his furrows, — before the Lord in this season Water the tender plant, — twig of the loftiest shoot. How is the cedar left bare — in its boughs was corruption and treason. Crown of it bended to Baal, — serpents devour- ing its root. Rest for the flock of the Lord — was not found in the shade of the cedar. Broken it lies. It burns. — Yea, as a thorn 'neath a pot. Kidlings are seething therein — shot down by the archers of Kedar.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 3

Foemen are warmed thereby, — fire of its furnace is hot. Children of Edom dance, — yea, leap in the place which is Holy. Bethlehem boweth in chains, — trodden as clay in the mire. How are our walls broken down, — that the pride of our mighty is lowly. Yea we wander 'mid stones, — deserts of thistle and briar.

(3) I, that am old was young, — but my heart ran down into water. Hearing battle and strife, — terror that riseth by night. Princes and warriors stricken, — fallen like sheep unto slaughter ; Women's wails in the streets, — outside the clamour of fight. How are the nobles fallen ! — Yea, they were strong, they were ruddy. Fat with the firstlings of flocks, — strong with the strength of the vine.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Now are they white with famine, — their garments of purple are bloody ; Meat, is flesh of the child. — Blood of our people is wine. These were as water spilled — on the ground before Nebuchadnezzar Drops that the dogs licked up, — Have they not gathered and fled. Leaving the women and babes, — Chaldaeans should slaughter at pleasure. I that was babe of the Kings — trembled alone by my bed.

(3) Yet one came thither unchid, to the place of

the women he passed. Feared of the king and hated, his hour had

come at the last. In the room of the sire, the prophet, the prisoner

none might heed Came through the wasted harvest to gather the

chosen seed. Sternly he bade me to follow. I dared not look

in his face

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 5

As he led me by secret ways to a cave 'neath

the Hohest Place. Here was my one sure hold, and I dreaded it

not for the dark, But I knew the fear of the Lord, I knew that His

holy Ark Was near and I trembled for these, and I ate

the water and bread Of affliction full three days wherein I dwelt as

the dead. Till I heard the voice of Baruch smite from

the opened roof " The foe is gone from the gates, and the path

of our way made smooth." Then forth in the veil of smoke from the ashes

wherein she weeps We passed through the walls of Zion, her

palaces fallen in heaps.

Look, cry aloud for she slumbers, — dreaming a dream that awakes not ; Weep, tear thy garments in shame, — ashes and dust on thy head.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Yea, though the wilderness howl, — yet the voice of Jerusalem speaks not ; Mourn for her exiles, mourn, — none break the rest of her dead ! Where is the House of the Lord ?— Desolation and mourning and sorrow ! Where is the place of the King? — Torrent- gash sun-scorched and brown. River of rocks, burnt bones ! — There the lizard shall see him the morrow, Scorpions find them a place, — conies make nests for their own.

Chapter II

(l) Tephi addresseth her sons, and telleth of her going into Egypt i (2) she prophesieth blindness on Joseph and Judah; (3) she dwelleth as Pharaoh's daughter at Tahpanes ; (4) Baruch heareth of the road to Tarshish ; (5) the Prophet prophesies against Egypt.

(i) My children remember Zion. Moreover I bid you to mark That the word of the Lord is holy, though His purpose therein be dark.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 7

Ye know how we came unto Mizpah, and trusted

in peace to dwell With the servant of God that was slain there. It

needs not of this to tell ; But of this my sons take heed, shall not your

hearts understand How the Prophet of Zion prayed that our steps

might be stayed in the Land ? Shall ye not read in His book of the hope of our

rest undone Of Ismael's fraud, of the tumult and flight, and

of Shuphan's son And how we went into Egypt ?

(2) Nay, Joseph shall long be blind,

An ox that sleepeth at midnight, and Judah

couched as a hind. The lion hath fled from his lair. The ox hath

wandered astray Till the dawn of the East be red, and the night of

the North be grey, In the night shall no man know them, or the

signs that be left to show

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Where the shepherd keepeth the ox, whilst the

lion is couched full low. Not by the banks of Jordan, not on the Holy

Hill Are Ephraim's feet till his furrows be ploughed

unto Yahveh's will. Bethlehem's field is empty. The shepherd

follows astray. Hear ye my words, oh my sons, for the Isles shall

await the day. Tephi, I was but weak, a little thing in men's eyes, A tender twig of the cedar, yet sheltered of

prophesies. The Prophet of 'God revealed this. Is not his

speech made plain ? He came to root and destroy. He went forth to

plant again. In our fields he found no vineyard, on our past- ures a wasted soil, No place for the shade of cedars, no depth of

the earth for oil. Till the Land be fed by the Goim,* and the tale

of their slaughters told

* Nations.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 9

The days shall be slowly numbered, and the hope of the hills wax old.

(3) I was led as a slave into Egypt, as a captive to Pharaoh's hand

For the will of the son of Kareah rested still on our band.

But the heart of Pharaoh was softened. He gave us a resting place.

As daughters we stood before him, and the Prophet of God found grace

To lead us unto Taphanes, henceforth amongst men to be

Jehudia, House of the daughter of Judah, mind- ful of me

Unto the ending of days.

(4) Therein a space was our rest

Till Baruch the scribe found tidings out of the

Isles of the West That the ways unto Tarshish were open, the ships

of Javan afar,

lo THE BOOK OF TEPHI

And vessels of Tyre went forth on the left of the

raclen's* star From the tongue of the sea to Melcarth's porch

of the setting sun, Whence Northward and West they sailed till the

Island of Towers was won, On its righthand Bregan and Eber, on its left

that water whose bound Is the Promise of God, wherein His purpose

shall yet be found.

(5) Then the Prophet prophesied greatly of wrath

and of woe to come Upon Misraim's king and people, and all that

made Cush their home. Weak and poor shall it be. Three kings shall

come from the East Nimrod, Madai and Elam to break down the

sacred beast. Javan and Chittim thereafter from the islands

shall issue forth To rule the rivers of Egypt and bear their spoils

to the North,

* Merchants.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI ii

Tursi and Roumi shall reign over these with an

iron yoke Till the gateway of Heaven be opened, and the

fetters of death be broke ; Yet the land shall be filled with trouble, lamen- tation, weeping and pain. Though the Prince of Peace be born, and be

lifted on high to reign On the holy Hills; for Sheba and Dedan shall

overflow. And across the broad Euphrates the moon shall

arise in woe ; As blood shall it shine from the world's high

roof to its western gate, A crescent that never fiUeth, and the Star of Peace

shall it hate Till the night be wellnigh ended j and ships

come out of the West Whose mouths are as stinging serpents, and fires

are within their breast ; Yet the angels of God are with them. The Rolls

of the Law they bear. The spirit of peace is with them, and the promise

of peace they share.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Then Egypt shall be as water, Yet now shall the

Nations rise, And the books be opened upon them, yea, even

in all men's eyes, Of the wrath and the promise of Jacob, his sons

be purged of their guilt, The ways of the King be open ; and that house

of our God be built That shall never henceforth be shaken.

These things be graved and set In the lime by the kilns of Pharaoh. Their

place shall be hidden yet. Therewith is my story written, and carved on

stone by the scribes Are secrets of things which shall be, and the

names of eleven tribes At the end of their days appointed, but Judah

goes thither and fro As a stricken lion in the pit till the hour of the

final woe.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 13

Chapter III

(l) The sisters of Tephi desiring to remain in Egypt die there ; (2) A vessel of Tarshish cometh into one of the mouths of the Nile ; {3) Tephi goeth from Taphanes, hut is anointed before her going ; (4) her prophecy thereupon*

(i) My sisters ye mourned not for Zion, though

short was your day and sad, Ye loved the fleshpots of Egypt, and marvelled

my soul was glad That the time of our voyage drew nearer. Ye

longed with her gods to stay, And the Angel of Death drew sword and both

were slain in a day.

* When wilting this part of my tale, my ignorance of the details of the story told by Irish writers led me into an injustice to Maacha and Bathba the sisters of Tephi. The former is said by them to have fallen whilst encouraging her sister's troops in the wing commanded by Nuadh at Moytura, but there are many errors and omissions in this work which would require far more skill and patience than I possess to rectify, in my endeavour to repair the neglect into which the tale has fallen. All my readers will however have caught one glimpse at least of these three weeping queens in the barge of King Arthur, as they bear him away to await his time and their own.

14 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Then the servants of idols bound ye in aloes

and spice and myrrh, And we laid you amongst the heathen, but not

in their sepulchre. Baruch hath written your names on the wood,

and o'er either face Skilled workmen moulded the gold where ye wait

in your resting place. I might not weep. Ye had sinned. Upon

Egypt's sin was your love ; And the cry of the Man of God drew down His

wrath from above.

(2) Now a ship drew near into haven, a ship from

the far-off seas. Whose pilot was child of the Dannites, whose

sails had filled to the breeze In the boundless river of God. Returned from

the storehouse of tin. It had weathered the sea of storms, and the

waters that rage therein. Her tin she sold to the founders of brazen

vessels, and lead

THE BOOK OF TEPHI ij

That was cast in bolts for the slingers ; with many

tires for the head Of the locks that I knew too well, of the tresses

that shimmer fire Which flickers before men's eyes and fills their

hearts with desire ; And amber from wizard lands at whose dread

the Lochlann mocks When he sails his hidebound boat through the

sea of the floating rocks, Whence monsters with horns arise to behold the

sun lie red On the lap of the sea by night, nor reigns he

at noon o'erhead. Swiftly they loaded the ship with the good things

out of the land, Rich garments, and potter's vessels, and arms for

a chieftain's band, And beads of glass for the women, and oil and

almonds and spice. And gold of the cunning workmen, and food

with their merchandise ; Till we 'scaped in the night from Pharaoh, but

hid in the field that day

i6 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Whilst the hand of the Lord held back the watchmen that barred our way.

(3) We were five that rode upon asses, and five by

the mules they led Whereon were the things brought forth from the

House of the Lord when we fled, The stone of Jacob our father, the Seat wherein

Yahveh dwells Upon sacred things whereof the Book of the

Prophet tells ; And the signs of my father David, on whom was

the promise stayed Bright as the crown of the dawn, deep as the

midnight shade, Strong as the purpose of God when he fashioned

the land from the sea, A hope for the sons of Adam, that the chosen of

Him should be A King over men for ever ; yea, unto the Lord's

own day When the land shall be broken in dust, and the

sea shall vanish away.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 17

Upon me was that promise fallen. For me was

the Prophet's toil. He had signed me with David's signet, anointed

mine head with oil. He had set mine hands to the harp ; he had

bidden me hold the spear ; The buckler was girt to my bosom, and Baruch

and he drew near To set my feet upon Bethel, the Stone that is

seen this day That my seed may rest upon it where'er it is

borne away, And its promise be sure beneath them, strong

to uphold their throne. Though the builders cast it aside, it shall never

be left alone. These things we did at Taphanes ere we fled to

the haven of ships, And the spirit of God came on me ; His promise

rose to my lips. I spake, and I bade go forward, and the sons

of the Lord obeyed. And the Prophet of God bowed down, and

this was the song that I made.

B

i8 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

(4) As a seed in a desert amongst thorns —

I am fallen. I am blown by the wind. In thy garden, in thy pleasant field, beloved, —

Is no water, is no rest that I may find. Bel hath broken down thy cisterns and thy founts, —

Esau cast his sum upon thee in thy woe. Misraim's night is as a darkness to be felt, —

Follow ye with me the sun where'er it go. Follow after, follow after, my beloved, —

Follow after by the pathways of the deep. Leave thecloud of midnight thickupon thisland. —

Go before the sun that riseth out of sleep. Plant me far upon the far green hills. —

Ye have poured a living oil into mine heart, The waters of the sea shall gird me round, —

As the armour of the shield when I depart. My children hearken to an holy harp, —

As a certain sign of promise this shall be. The spear within my right hand will I keep, —

As the sceptre of the billows of the sea ; And the lion of my signet is a sign, — *

* Tephi is alluded to by an early writer as the "blackhaired heifer, the dark heaven-sealed chief, the lion.''

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 19

Yea he roareth unto them that dwell afar. And the name of God engraved therein shall cry,— In the darkness as a light and guiding star.

Chapter IV

(i) Tephi goeth from Egypt and cometh unto Carthage ; (2) The Prophet maketh the Burden of the city ; (3) A storm cometh out of the desert and the 'ship is driven away until they come to a river in a strange country.

(i) On a moonless night and a cloudy we shipped

and we passed away In the veils of the Lord from Egypt. The breath

of His mouth was our stay Three weeks in our sails to westward. Thus

favour was in the eyes Of the men of the ship upon us, and I talked

with our pilot wise, Buchi the son of Helek, whose marvellous words

were truth He had gathered in many waters, an old man

now from his youth.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Who in barks of Dan and Javan had raised up

sails as a boy For the sons of some that Ulick son of Liart

brought back from Troy. I heard of the painted talking birds in gardens

with fruits of gold ; And fish islands spouting fountains ; and one

terrible tale he told Of a giant that dwelt amongst trees, and descend- ing rended in twain Three Miledhs * that sought him with target

and spear, but in fight were slain. In his hairy hands were they twisted, yea, as a

stalk that is bent On the myrtle ere it be gathered, so were they

broken and rent. Thus we came to the Kirjath Hadtho, and

moored at the long fair wharf Whence Ham and his camels athirst seek the

treebuilt homes of the dwarf, And beheld the Bozrah above it, yet set not

our feet therein,

* Warriors, Milesians (Milites).

THE BOOK OF TEPHI ai

For Canaan, Phut and Lubim be wholly bound

unto sin ; And Buchi spake of their princes, and how when

a Shophet died, His wives were brought to his burning, his slaves

to be crucified ; Of Ashtaroth and of Tanith, queen harlots of

cruel name Whom the Foeni brought from the East ere into

their land they came, And of Baal whom Yahveh hateth. He dwelleth

amongst you still. Ye sons of Erin, I know ye. I know that your

hands work ill. Root up the groves from among you. Cast down

his seats on the tors. His fires are destroyers of gladness, his feasting

my soul abhors.

(2) Hear ye, hear ye, that which he spake, the Prophet of God When he stood betwixt Baruch and Buchi and stretched on that land his rod.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

" Baal shall be broken," he said, " Yet he shall

rise as the sun, Red and gold is his rising. Swiftly his course he

shall run. Unto the isles of the West, unto the uttermost sea, Unto the land of the Sikels surely his border

shall be. Nemidh kneeleth his camel, fat is he waxen, and

full. The wealth of many waters hath swollen the hide

of the bull. A son is born him in season. Yea, as a tiger's whelp, To the West doth he leap, to the North, to the

South. There is none that may help. By his teeth are men slain, in his claws they are

rent, and the chief of his prey Are the cubs of the wolf who mourns not, but

ever croucheth at bay. In the blood of her cubs he is sick, he is bhnd,

he is drunken, he falls. Hear it, ye gods of the heathen. Hear it, ye far- stretching walls. The wrath of the she-wolf is sated. Your place

is spread as a plain.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 23

Your altars of blood are cast down. Your fires

unto Baal are vain. The Tusci and Roum burn you. Their host is

come out of the North, As on Nimrod and Assur and Edom and Tyre,

the curse hath gone forth, Thy sons shall be few and scattered, thy daughters

carried to shame. Thy walls be broken for ever, thy temples set to

the flame."

(3) The West was blood as he spake. The sky was

black on the land, The blast of a furnace sped from the trackless

ocean of sand Bearing the wrath of Baal, and smote on the

Prophet's mouth, But the hand of the Lord was with us to turn our

way from the South. Our sails were rent, and the men of the vessel

cursed us by names Of their gods, but feared the Prophet who called

out of heaven its flames.

24 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Fire and hailstones and thunders, and hills from

the tossing sea ; But I stood beside him and feared not, for helpers

of heaven were we. Seven days did I stand beside him with Buchi

the pilot of Dan, And the eyes of the Foeni hated, yet hoped in

the waveworn man And the child and the Prophet only ; for Baruch

kept watch below By the Stone and prayed upon it to comfort my

women's woe. Whither we went we knew not, yet Buchi stood

by the helm. Whilst the waves sped hungry after, but dared not

to overwhelm The Prophet of God, and the daughter of hope

who stood by his side, That the name of the Lord might stand, and his

promise be magnified. But the Fcein bowed down and blessed us when

now on the seventh day The sea was at Sabbath stillness, and we entered

a little bay

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 25

By the mouth of an unknown river that ran from

East unto West, And lay tawny beside the shore where we anchored

and lay at rest.

Chapter V

(i) Baedan the son of Buchi goeth to search the land and catcheth Julus a man of the Roumi who is greatly dangered thereat ;

(2) The Prophet prophesieth upon him and he departeth;

(3) The ship passeth by an island, and a prophecy is set thereon.

(i) Then the men consulted together, and marvelled

upon that spot, And Boedan the son of Buchi was chosen of them

by lot To lead our skiff to the shore, and find of the

folk thereby What hap had fallen upon us, and whither our

course should lie. Now Bcedan brought us a man that they caught

in a bushy field. On his head a brazen helmet, on his left arm a

broad round shield.

26 THE BOOK OF TEPHl

At his thigh a short stiff falchion. His feet were

mired in the clay Of the marsh where Bcedan traced him, and

caught and brought him away. Now the man bent not before us, but gazed with

a steadfast eye On our engines of war and weapons, and spake

no word of reply Unto Buchi who spake all tongues, till the gaze

of the Prophet fell Upon him compelling and silent, and then he

spake full well In a tongue that the Sicans use. " I come from

the she-wolf's hold Nigh at hand on the river, to seek a sheep of my

fold. I am very wroth, ye Foeni. I am wroth with the

son of Dan. I am wroth with all amongst ye save this damsel

and aged man. Save for these I had not spoken. Avoid ye the

she-wolPs lair. Of the hill of the great Dayfather I say unto you,

beware.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 27

If your course be west, sail westward ; whither, I

would not know, For the door of Janus is wide where'er I have

will to go. If I find ye, be ye heedful. My sword blade is

short and strong. And my shield as a wall before me. Bind me

not with a thong, Lest wolves in pack be upon ye. Julus hath

many mates That snarl in the lair, but howl as one from the

towers and gates."

(2) The Servant of God stood silent, and gazed in that strong man's face

With eyes like starfilled sapphires as he spake of his name and place.

Then bade his thongs be severed, that each before each might stand

Eye upon eye ; and we parted ourselves upon either hand

As the prophet lifted his gaze to call down bless- ing and curse

28 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Unto kindreds and peoples and times, unto

better hap and to worse, Whilst that chief stood silent, proud, in his eye

the forward gleam Of a shield on a wall that holdeth the sun with a

steadfast beam. " Thou art set in the night to watch. The towers

of thy watch are seven. As a strong man armed thou shootest thine

arrows at highest heaven. Did not I see thee afar by the Bozrah with long- built walls. Thou bendest three spears beneath it, upon the

latest it falls. Thy swords are many and strong, thy quiver is

wide and full. Thy shafts are swiftly sped o'er all the plain of

the bull. Javan and Chittim are pierced ; Eber and Phut

are low ; Lud and Aram are stricken before the strength of

thy bow. Misraim is thine, and the half of Gomer's bands,

and the Gaal.

THE BOOK OF TEPHl 29

All shall be given thy prey because thou hast cast down Baal,

On the silver wall of the islands thy farthest hunt- ing shall be

Ere the packs of the wolf are stayed by the dams of the stormy sea.

War is thy birthright, war is thy joy, and warfare thy bane.

Peace shall be very near thee, and under thee Peace be slain

In the street of the Holy City. Iron and brass and clay

Thou standest, and shalt be broken, thy watch- towers be for a prey

To the beasts of the field, and the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the air.

Thine helm is parted asunder, the crown of thy head left bare

To the winds of the East and the North. Out of Magog, Gomer, and Tur

With biting hail thou art driven, thy sword blade hath lost its spur

In the lap of thy wives, in the fulness of feasts, in the slavehood of power,

30 THE BOOK OF TEPHl

In thy fetters of gold thou art lost; yet there

cometh a later hour When swordless thou risest again with a woman's

cunning device Of tongue and snares of the eye the souls of men

to entice. By the Name thou hatest at heart, thou callest

the nations afar. The words in thy mouth are honey, but as worm- wood thine actions are. This also long will I bear till the goats be set

from the sheep. For I set thee a watch of the night, and this My

watch shalt thou keep."

(3) These things he spake to Julus and bade him hide in his heart The blessing and cursing mingled, and gave him

grace to depart Ere we sailed betwixt mighty islands, both kept

of a savage folk. Now the Southward sells sons unto Egypt, but the Northerners brook no yoke.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 31

Here the Prophet foretold how in latter days an

eagle should fly From his eyrie amongst the mountains which

lifted heads to the sky, Swift at the swarming of Gower, but lacking

strength to endure. Unstable, his beak be dipped in the prey with a

hold unsure.

Chapter VI

{ I ) ^ prophecy upon Eber ; (2) the ship cometh unto the Pen of the Cape, and to Caer Melcarth ; (3) Elier the son of Ziza greeteth its coming; (4) Tephi landeth and blesses Elier and his sons, and is greeted by the Rock of the Gate.

(i) In short space we draw unto Eber, a land of

mountain and vale. Purple and gold were its hills, and the Prophet

took up his tale. " Thou art servant to Baal, oh Heber ; a servant

of him that shall slay

32 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

The leopard of Baal and his bull. Thy strength

is taken away Before the wind of the North, before the wind

of the South Till Gad and Tarshish arise to rend the bits from

their mouth. Swift upon wheels they roam, yea, wheeling,

follow the course Of the sun in his fields afar. They are each as a

swift red horse Wanton therein for a while. In their hearts is

an evil thought Lusting for things set apart, how low shall their

lust be brought. They are halt in their northward leap to the

whitewalled tower of the sea, Its warders shall overtake them, and great shall

their burden be."

(2) Then drifting in calms to southward, we drew towards the Pen of the cape Of the rock that keepeth the Seagate and weareth a lion's shape

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 33

And watcheth both Phut and Eber, and inward

keepeth the sea, And outward the endless waters that storm it

eternally. A kingly strength it arises hoary and huge, the

crown Of the pilot's hope who gazes. Thither the ships

go down And may not avoid the watchmen. Narrow the

sea-gates are, And Javan and Tursis stand where Canaan

holdeth the bar. Their chapmen must chafer hardly with those

from the outer deep For ivory, apes and gold and tin, with grain and

wool of the sheep ; For Canaan found her pathways to the hiding

of men's desire, And the spoils of all outer peoples have builded

the fanes of Tyre Which shall fall, even now are falling. The

daughter of Zidon is low. Is her burden not recorded, her nakedness,

shame, and woe ? c

34 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

(3) Yet here was her mother her bondslave, cleansing

her gate of the West 'Neath the Pen of the foot of Eber, and receiving

therein her guest ; For a strong Caer Zidon builded, and called it

by Melcarth's name, And Gad and Simeon were with her when into

that cape we came Under Elier the son of Ziza, who had knelt at

Melcarth's shrine, But was circumcised in his fathers, and cursed

not the name Divine, And knew the teaching of Moses, and ruled by

the Book of the Law, And yearned unto Jacob and David and that

which their souls foresaw. Six months he had mourned for Zion, but now

in the seventh moon He wept by the wall of his Caer from the dawning

of day till noon. His youth had been bloody and headstrong.

His age was silent and wise. And the men of Zidon obeyed him, and great he

was in their eyes.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 35

Now at noon he prayed unto Zion, and far on

the eastern sky Rose our sail. Then the son of Ziza cried with

a joyful cry, For the spirit of God was with him, "Prepare

we a feast this day. Six months was my fast appointed, but now it is

lifted away. My ashes are cleansed, pour forth a precious oil

for mine head. Set jewels upon my fingers to greet one sent by

the dead. My purple cloak shall be on me, my gems upon

either ear. My bracelets of gold, my breastplate of gold are

meet to appear In the eyes of those that bring tidings. Yea,

yonder behold the wings Of a dove, the branch in whose mouth was

planted of mighty kings, And watered of blood, and pruned that hence- forward it send forth shoots Till its crown be lifted to heaven and earth be

filled with its roots."

36 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

(4) Three hours ere set of the sun we came to the

strong-built wall, Then the Prophet of God cried forth, and Elier

came at his call, And knelt on the ground and answered of all

that he had prepared, How his heart had leaped within him, and now

as a wand lay bared And stript in our sight ; and his sons knelt by

him on either hand. That the Man of God might bless them as he set

his feet on their land. But he craved my blessing also, that captain

hoary and grim, So I set my palm to his forehead, and cried on

the name of Him Who had chosen me out of Jesse, and lifted me

from the grave. And out of the house of Pharaoh, and led me

upon the wave, For a blessing on this man also, his sons, and

his strong-built town. "Hail," I said, "to the rock that shall never be

overthrown

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 37

By the sea, but shall stand its warder, a keeper

of many ways To guard the treasures of ocean ; and unto this

town be praise. Though its name be abomination, yet here is a

shelter found, And space for our feet to tread on that weary

long for the ground, And welcome of tongues that are near our own,

and an open heart To hear the cause of our coming, and bless us

ere we depart. Upon Elier God send blessing ! Yea, as a lofty

tree Be his fourscore years an hundred to hold the

Gate of the Sea. His sons are many beside him. I bless them

now, that they know That when floods arise, the mountains are open

wherein to go. And hide and issue for prey or vengeance in

flood or field. They shall plough them both in the Springtime,

and both shall a harvest yield.

38 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

This is the blessing of Tephi." Then he and his

sons arose And cried my name, but their hps spake strangely,

and might not close On its sound, for "Tela, Teia, Tela," these

Gaddites cried, And " Teia, Tela, Tela,'' the voice of their rock

replied.

Chapter VII

{ I ) The Canaanites set Melcarth upon their wall, but in strife he is broken; (2) Hanmel calleth that place Carteia, and the Prophet foretelleth the glory thereof; {3) The ship of Tyre returning is lost with them that mere in it ; (4) Baruch dieth at Carteia and a grandson is born unto Elier, and called by his name.

(i) Now some that bore Melcarth tarried to carry

him round about, And high by his wall they set him, and named

his name with a shout. But the voice of the rock replied not, for their

crying was shrill and small. Then Simon the son of Elier shook his spear

at the wall.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 39

A sign for the keeping of silence; and some

that stood by the shrine And looked for an omen, knowing the voice of

their rock was mine, Strove with the priests until Melcarth falling

was broken in twain, The image which Canaan brought from the

uttermost eastern main, And sent forth again to be with her sons, the

toilers in ships, That the name of their God might endure and

be spoken of many lips. A cubit he was in stature, and shapeless unto

the crown Of his head, but arms beside him in the likeness

of man hung down.

In his right hand a golden trident was set for

the rule of the sea, i And Elier bade it be plucked away, and be given

to me.

(2) Then said he, " No more Caer Melcarth, Caer Tela this place is named.

40 THE BOOK OF TEPHl

Our rock hath shouted thy name. Therein shall

its walls be famed, Whilst the seed of David endures," but the

Prophet answered him, " Nay, This too shall be broken in pieces, its stones be

carried away. Not once nor twice shall this be, by the land,

by the seas, by the strait Shall the spoilers come with engines to storm

the tower of the gate ; But at eve returneth a damsel that holdeth the

twin-forked spear ; A flaming wheel is her buckler, on all the isles is

her fear, And my daughter's sons are with her. Hail

to the thunder and smoke Of the ships which vanquish the thunder, of

her oxen brought to the yoke To plough her by sea and by land a field for

the harvests of peace. From islands of iron she goeth to gather the

world's increase. Yea, islands of strength are the wheels of her

chariot, her steeds shall not tire,

THE BOOK OF TEPHJ 41

The storm is silent before them, their neighing

is hailstones and fire. Her peace is with winds and waters and clouds

to lead her alone Over every ocean wherein the might of her

trident is known. To the hill-top of hope, to the Holy Hill. Weep,

weep no more When the daughter of Zion sits in the gate.

From the shore to the shore Her name is heard in the echoing rock, her

voice in the cave. Her young lions draw to her side, though the

fowls of the mountains rave. Where the eagles gather together, is a lion in

the narrow way. He herdeth the kine before me, and setteth

himself at bay, If at dawn the eagles hover, and the prey that

is in their beak Causeth their wings to tarry, their eyries be

far to seek When the lion springeth upon them. Not yet,

oh my daughter, not yet

42 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Is thy seat on the lion of the gate, but let not thy soul forget."

(3) Three months beside the rock we abode, and

here it befell That the seamen of Tyre returned, and we

knew how this hap was well. For they murmured at Melcarth's fall, and

therefore an evil thought Arose in their hearts to slay us ; taking that

which we brought Out of Egypt, the jewels of Pharaoh, which

Sebnet his servant gave When Pharaoh named me his daughter. These

we cared not to save. But the things of the Lord were precious. These

things a slave, with a kiss. Drew from the lips of a seaman, and Elier

heard of this And brought our goods from the vessel, and

bade its sailors begone. Though the Prophet told it to him how that

ship should sink as a stone.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 43

(4) Which thing hath surely happened, for at the

next eventide When Baruch the scribe sat with us, his eyelids

were opened wide. And he said, "The Lord stands by me. My

spirit is in His hand. He slayeth Tyre in deep waters. He saveth

me by the land, He holdeth me in dark places." And then he

tottered and fell. And went to the house of our fathers with

David my sire to dwell, Moses and Jacob with them; an old man

withered and hoar, Whose eyes wept blood over Zion, the tale of

his years fourscore. We buried him by Caer Teia, and there in the

lisping tongue Of its folk men prayed above him, whilst songs

of the grave were sung By me and my women duly. On that same

night at the morn To the wife of Simon Ben Elier a fair man-child

was born.

44 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

And they named him Baruch from him, This

child is amongst you still. Simon Breach ye name him. In our speech

this is good and ill, As of one that is striped and spotted, but fierce

though his angers be His name shall be known unto after days for

his faith to me.

Chapter VIII

{\) A ship is sought of Necbal, a Canaanite of Dor, who captures a ship of the Greeks; (2) A prophecy upon the body of Aias; (3) Nabal prepares the ship which cometh without hap unto Tarshish.

(i) Two months we took much counsel to find us a

further aid For our journey beyond the sea-porch, but at last

a pact was made With a Raclen who came out of Lud, but in

Canaan, Dor was his birth. And he traded in many waters to all the ends of

the earth.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 45

Aine, a daughter of Dan was the mother of

Necbal. She knew Where Dan lay coiled as a serpent; watching

all birds as they flew, Naming those that passed to Eriu when winter

was over and spent. She also had sorrow for Zion, her locks and her

garments were rent, But she joyed in the surety of Dan, his salvation

sealed of the deep, Where in grasses and long green rushes the

broods of the serpent creep To sting the horse with its rider, the ox and the

lion and lamb. Until all be gathered together in the promise of

Abraham. She aided us much with Necbal, who bade his

miledhs await A ship of the isles of Elissa that sought to steer

by the Gate, For the Foeni brook no rivals to hamper their

raclen's mart. The weaker come not anigh, the stronger they

bid depart,

46 THE BOOK OF TEPHl

Or fight for the way in the narrow porch, so the

miledhs of Dor And of Rhodan took that ship of the Greeks, and

to Necbal's store Her riches were brought, yet brave and fierce

were the men of her crew Ere Achseas and Aias her captains the bands of

the Foeni slew. I beheld the body of Aias, a mighty hero and

strong, His spear was stayed to his wrist by its plaitings

of leather thong. His greaves were of brass, and his helm was

brass, and his full-moon shield Was pictured with tales of his sires that had

harried the Ilian field, Chiefs of the Raclen, and princes of Dan in his

islands, and lords Of the men of Argol and Chittim, and captains

that went by the fords To the parts about Inis Colcha for fleeces and

golden dust. And fair-haired bondslaves whose fathers will sell

their daughters to lust.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 47

Thou wast shapely in death brave Aias, and crisp

the curls of thine head. Thy feet and thy hands were little, yet thine arm

was mighty to shed The blood that had drenched thy sword-blade

when thou heldest thy ship alone, Till caught in the nets of the miledhs at last thou

wast overthrown.

^2) Now the Prophet said " Out of Javan and Tiras

a ram shall rise. To storm the gates of the sun in the golden house

of the skies. Even now is born God's, servant to Madai. Him

shall He bless To the height of a moon whose splendour shall

weaken yet not be less. By him shall Bel be broken, with Misraim, Lud

and Tyre, But the ram of Elissa, the two-horned ram, shall

tread him in mire. He breaketh the walls before him, he butteth the

furthest East.

48 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

The Holy Hill shall know him. He setteth foot

on the beast, Upon Egypt, o'er Elam and Assur he goeth

abroad at will. The Bamah beholds his horsemen. The roof of

the world sits still. He is feared in Hinda and Ganga, and on to

their utmost isle As none that hath come before him. Yet, be- hold, in a moment's while He is ended and gone, the place of his ending

holds not his fame, But the place of his rest shall be famous, and

ever dwell in his name. The wise shall write him in story, the cunning

picture his deed. His pride is a garnered treasure whereon shall

the ages feed. Magog and Gog adore him. Shushan claimeth

his right, But the ram of Helle is set in the sky as her

beacon light."

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 49

(3) Now Necbal plundered the corpses, and lent us

the strong-built boat, Building great stones within her that upright and

strong she should float. For rowers we had not as yet, and trusted but to

the sail To lead, and the stones within to steady us unto

the gale. If the winds should beat upon us, and wild sea- horses outcurl Their manes on the plain, but Gaddites and

Fomorcs we had to furl Our sail in such hap from Elier, who, blessing us,

bade farewell. Sending Simon his son with his babe and wife

to guide us and tell The shallows, and count the headlands as we

sought from the western bay Of the Gate, north-west by the sun, where the

island of turrets lay. Near the mines of bright iron and copper, and

the wind of the south-west still Blew soft on our sail, so thither no hap of our

voyage was ill.

50 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Chapter IX

(l) Itk the Prince of Breogan giveth rowers to the ship ; (2) He maketh a song for their guidance ; (3) Ilh speaketh of his son Lugaid ; (4) Tephi parting from 1th, the galley is brought by a storm unto Pen Sauel.

(i) Now we came unto Ith to Tarshish, a miledh

of war was he, A fierce sea king that ever had joyed in the

stormy sea, The crash of the prows in battle, and coast

towns given to flame ; But for Elier's sake he loved us when unto his

courts we came. He gave us slaves of the Nemidh, lusty, freckled

and strong, To fill the bank of the oarsmen, and bend their

backs unto song ; And he made them a song to swing to as onward

we went our way. And I wrote that song before him, and helped

them to learn its sway.

(2) To the star, to the star, to the star, do we row At the eve, in the dawn, through the day.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 51

Seven moons, seven nights do we sit as we go

By the coast of the hills on our way. To the East, to the right, sixty hours swing the oars

To the cape of the fire-bearing Pen, From its tower is our travail to come by the shores Whereon Net of the Stones hath his den. We are swift, we are strong, for the seas are alone.

And the hills of the wave builded high. And the sea god hath made him a place for a throne, And the Thunder his camp in the sky. By the cahirs of Net, by the stones which he built

Are the streams where our weary may drink. If his men give us hurt unto Ith is their guilt. And their names in his nostrils shall stink. To the West, to the North, to the East by the heads. Out of Caerned count forty and four Till our way goeth north by the coast where it leads Past the woods of the wolf and the boar. Wait the sun lest the sea-witch draw cloud to her hand,

52 THE BOOK OF TEPHl

With the moon on our stern must we row, Whilst the eyes of the watchmen await on a land

As a blue mist, as blood or as snow. He is blue where he watches the storehouse of tin.

If his beard we may pluck, he shall smile. To the house of the bond-slaves of Ith we go in

To Elatha, and rest us awhile.

(3) Now Ith regarded my singing, and grace in his

eyes I found. And he said, " I have mourned my son, who has

fled beyond the bound Of Eber and Gad and Breogan, perchance he

hath passed away, But^I would that Lugaid were with me, and thou

wert his bride this day. My sons are not few, but Lugaid's mate should

be far to seek. He was first in arms and in leechcraft, first in

the stithy's reek, First in counsel or pastime, and first would he

be in pride. So he brooked no king above him, and forth he

went from my side.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 53

Yet my heart is weary for him, and never hath yearned again

As it yearneth to thee my daughter ; and glad I were if the twain

Could meet if indeed he liveth. Thou art little, but thou art wise,

Thy words unto men are few, but queenly their message lies

In the hearts of slaves thereafter. Now, there- fore my daughter plead

With my son where'er he greets thee, and his ears shall give good heed."

(4) Now the Nemidh and Fomorcs sang, setting

their backs to the oar Many days till they swung together, and the

chief of the rowers swore That with such he feared no evil. So we went

from the fortress of Ith Well stored with garments and trinkets, and

many a gift therewith, Brooches, armlets and rings in caskets of ivory. With mirrors of bronze and combs of shells of

beasts of the sea ;

54 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

For the hand of Ith was open, if wide, uncomely

and red. And he loved the message of Elier, whilst Simon

his son had wed His nigh of kin, who remained with her husband

behind when we went ; And I gave unto Ith three gems to witness my

sotil's content. Blue, green and tawny, of Egypt ; and the

Prophet said, " Let the blue That is alway before thee lead thee to seek the

gift that is new. Lo, the mine of emeralds is deep. This, there- fore, shall be thy seal Of a mining far in the deep in green forests of

Ar Brazeel. In the tawny stone, behold it, thy path is set to

the South, And the tawny sands poured seawards from

many a river's mouth. Thy wealth is in this, in the yellow sands, in the

shipmen's trade. In the tawny lands there is none to make thy

Breogans afraid."

THE BOOK OF TEPHl 55

So spake he to Ith at our parting, and sad are our

hearts to go By the side of the deep-hued hills, whilst the

Fomorcs and Nemidh row To their song, but the sea song cheers us ; and so

we pass without hap To the Firepen flaming northwards that watcheth

on Eber's cap. There, casting the Pen behind us, we flee for the

north in fear, For the sea-snakes coil beneath us until we may

hardly steer. And our galley is tossed up endwise, and some

of our oars are broke. And some break hearts of our Nemidh, and white

are my womenfolk ; But I sing them the psalms of David, and how

he escaped of Saul When the Lord his God stood by him ; and

raised his feet on the wall When the might of man availed not. Whilst the

Prophet readeth his scroll And recketh not of the stormwind, nor heedeth

the water's roll,

S6 THE BOOK OF TEPHT

For the Word of the Lord is in him. In a noon

that is black like night He beholdeth the heavens open. His face is a

shining light. Then Buchi breaketh the pole of the helm, and

we may not steer, And he clings to the mast beside us, and heareth

our holy cheer As we go unholpen of man ; but the mighty hand

of the Lord Is with us, and far before us the signs of his

grace outpoured. The seamen's marks have failed in the storm, and

the watchmen dream We are lost in plains of the ocean where never

the seabirds scream. And no life save of sea beasts liveth ; but Buchi,

the wise man, told Of one who had sought Ar Brazeel, and its city

whose towers are gold. And came on that island westward, and stored

his ship and returned. And after six months found Tarshish, a bearer of

thoughts that burned

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 57

In his bosom whilst he hid them ; for a pestilence

found his crew And strewed their bones upon ocean, and all save

himself it slew ; Whilst himself died little after, leaving with Buchi

his thought. Therefore Buchi enquired upon us if now that

island be sought. When our oars were mended and manned, but

the Servant of God forbade. And counted us yet four days wherein our souls

should be sad. Commending us prayer and fasting. Then, there

fore by night I prayed, And by day I heartened my women in God, and

was not afraid. Now, storm was yet on the fifth day but lessened,

and looking forth In the cloud methought that there gathered a

darker cloud from the North, And enquired of the son of Helek, who shaped as

an arch his hand. And gazing, gave thanks unto Heaven that

brought us in sight of land.

S8 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Then we saw it as isles and a wrathful cape, for

ragged and grey The rocks ran down to the sea, and shewed us

no entrance way. Whilst our helm was broke, but the Lord of the

sky commanded the wind To save us out of their teeth in a haven that lay

behind, Where a Pen arose to the East, and a marvel of

God in that Pen, For the storehouse of Ith stood there, and the

place of Elatha's men. More swift than by any road that our pilot had

steered, To the land of tin were we come, yea, even unto

his beard.

Chapter X

( I ) Elatha and the servants of Ith give ivelcome at Pen Sauel ; (2) Elatha sendeth men to Eriu for tidings; (3) They are sent back with gifts unto Tephi from the men of EriUy and a "welcome thither.

(i) Blessed were we in the Lord when the traders of Ith came out.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 59

And learning our message towards them, raised

his name with a shout And brought us into their houses beneath the

Pen of the wood, Slaying an ox and seething its flesh in pots for our

food, And baking fish with corn and herbs that grew in

their garth Beneath the strong steep Pen whereon was

builded a rath, Defender of lead and tin, and black stones out

of their mines, Both that which burneth as wood, and that

which glitters and shines Betwixt the breasts of their damsels. To the

mines were our Nemidh sent To toil three years for their master, nor thus

were they ill content, For we gave them a promise from Ith, that

after three years should come A [ship out of Kirjath Hadtho, and bear them

unto their home Where the eye of day is clear on the rocks

without cloud to blind,

6o THE BOOK OF TEPHI

And the dates are sweet in the mouth where the bowman seeketh the hind.

(2) Then Elatha the kinsman of Ith gave counsel to

rest awhile Till swift boats be sent to Eriu to question the

men of that isle Where the princes of Dan abode, and chiefly o

Jochad, the son Of Duach, him that their landsmen had chosen

as Heremon,* Whose fathers came out of Japho wherein they

were held too straight By the kings of Gath and of Eckron, and spreading

their sails to fate Drew their swords unto kingship in Chittim,

Rhodan, and Lud, And ruled Ar Kadesh, and mingled the stream

of the chosen blood In many a mountain torrent, on many a peopled

coast Ere they lighted on green Eriu a little, a noble

host,

* Ir. Eocaidh. Gr. Achaios.

THE BOOK OF TEPBJ 6r

Which fought the cause of the landsmen. This

fame, and their names herein The Prophet foreknew of the Dannites, the

furthest of Jacob's kin. With these he would leave on the sun's path the

twig of the lofty tree, The small green bough of the olive, in the midst

of the deep to be Even yet in Abraham's bosom, the home of his

sons afar Who replenish their strength in the isles, ere

they gather to seek the star Of Isaac and Jacob their fathers, when Israel

filleth the earth With joy in the sound of his coming, and music

and songs of mirth.

(3) Five weeks we abode at Pensauel till the men of

the land returned With tidings whereat the Prophet rejoiced, and

my spirit burned. At [Pen Edair they heard of peace, how Eriu

yearned for the choice

62 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Of a guard against evil rulers, and the aire*

cried with one voice Upon Jochad, the son of Duach, a prince of the

tribe of Dan, A champion wise and mighty, and sprung of that

chosen clan Which had captained miledhs in Javan, and

their hosts throughout Eberled. This prince had been sought for of many, yet

stayed in his prime unwed, For the ollamhs that watched the stars to the

twilight whereon he was born Beheld ere the sun's arising a moon with a

slender horn Ascend from the sea before him, to lead his

light out of sleep ; And they set on the babe a vow that the

strength of the man should keep. To hold himself from the stars, till a moon in

the eastern sky Should shine in the dark and lead him, yea,

even when noon was high.

* Aire, yeomen, literally ploughmen.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 63

For that moon abided near him till over him

clouds were grey, And at eventide was seen ere the sun was

hidden away. Now there went by the men of Elatha as a token

to Pen Edair The slender horns of silver, the clasp I was wont

to wear On my veil in the house of my fathers. The

daughters of kings were known By such from old days before me, and my sire

upon David's throne Had fastened the clasp upon me, when they

brought me first to his sight. Though " Tephi " * he cried in anger, and in me

had little delight. This token the Prophet bade me loose from the

folds of my veil And send as the horns wherewith he should

harry the priests of Baal ; For he sent a fiery message forth by Elatha's men Who told it the chiefs of Eriu, and they that

dwelt by the Pen

* A small one. Mignon.

64 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Of Edair scoffed at its hearing, taking the tale

for a jest To be told in the near assembly where the war

chiefs gathered at rest, But when Jochad the Prince had heard it, he

straightway rose from his seat And cried, " It is twilight still, but the day shall

be soon complete. Ye have doubted the dawn, ye chiefs of Canaan,

Eber and Finn, But the moon on the furthest deeps hath reached

the island of tin To shine full soon o'er Pen Edair. Her shadow

cometh before. At her rising the fomorcs * shall flee and the men

of Eriu adore. Bring in these men out of Albion, and bid the

ollamhs unroll The message they bring with the token from him

that hath writ us a scroll. Then were called the men of Elatha, and unto

the warrior's hill

* Sea rovers.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 65

They came with the scroll of the Prophet, and

none spoke kindly or ill Whilst Sri the son of Ezru, an ollamh skilled in

the speech Of Zion, Nemidh and Breogan, held forth his

hand unto each And took from the one my token, and bowed to

the Holy Name On the Prophet's scroll, and sought it of his fellow

that with him came, And read its words in men's ears. Great was

the import thereof, For the Lord had spoken therein. Now the last

of His word was love, But wrath was in the beginning, which the chiefs

waxed wrathful to hear. And murmurs arose in their midst both of anger

and scorn and fear. " Ho, ye that dwell in the rushes, — Ho, ye that

walk by the sea. Afar, in the clear-walled island, — Ye have whored

and are sundered from Me. Ye are set upon , idols greatly, — Your feet are

clayed in the mire,

E

66 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Ye are fat with the flesh forbidden, — Your fore- heads swell with desire. As swine ye rush on each other, — Ye gore as an

unclean beast. Your prayers are evil before Me, — My soul ab-

horreth your feast. Ye are long cast out from Zion. — Your feet were

the first to flee. Ye have spawned in Javan and Nimidh, — Your

seed is lost in the sea. Jacob is wasted in Eber, — Yea, as a wine that is

spilt. The poison of asps is in you, — Have I not known

your guilt? The glory of Zion was yours, — Ye first have

hastened her fall. Weep for your sins, ye faithless, — Weep not My

Temple's wall. For now I dwell not in houses, — Only with men

I dwell. Hearken now to My message, — Hear it and heed

it well. I call and ye shall not hearken. — I cry, and ye

will not heed.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 67

The blessing of Abraham liveth. — I sow you with

David's seed. A little seed unto ages. — Ye shall tread it under

your feet. It shall sleep amidst your tumults. — It shall

slumber in cold and heat. My burden on Eriu is broken against you, the

thing I crave Is a name forgot, and a secret place, and a far- off grave. My name I have left in Egypt. Unto an hiding

place I bring the treasures of Yahveh that He shutteth

from every face Till this season. Not unto Dan are these, but 1

bring therewith The daughter of David, daughter of Pharaoh,

daughter of Ith, A fount that Yahveh hath cleansed, anointed of

Him from birth. Heiress of tribes and peoples scattered o'er all

the earth. The furthest isles are her portion, the sea is hers

as her dower.

68 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Her sons shall rule in Eriu, her sons' sons reign

unto power ; Till her child that shall be, gather the flock of

David anew. His head is crowned with the sun. His feet are

wet with the dew As he leadeth them in the morning. This also

ye may not learn : Ye are blind, but a ring in the snout, is plain that

ye all discern. Behold her silvern crescent which marketh the

daughter of kings. A king that wrought evil gave it. Moreover,

bracelets and rings Be hers of Tarshish from Ith of the Breogan out

of his hold Wherein ye barter your herds and harvest for

treasures of gold. He is greater than ye, yet the seed of Judah hath

known a sire Higher than Ith, for Misraim bows to its Lord's

desire ; And he gave to his daughter Tephi royal garments

that shine

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 69

As sunset, and are as the rainbow with jewels out

of the mine. Who is he that sitteth amongst you shall raise his

eyes to their'-hem. The Queen of the Gates and Nile cometh out of

Jerusalem As a sweet fruit ripened in Winter. Hither with

her the Stone, — The Stone of the Kingdom cometh. It shall not

be left alone Henceforth of her sons for ever. I bid ye prepare

her a home Wherein all shall be meet and ready that the feet

of the Queen shall come, Yet not ask of me. I am left in Egypt a pillar

to be Unto days and lands and peoples, when the Lord

bears witness in me. I stand a sower, a ploughman. My God hath set

me to plant. I shall not fail in His time. His hand hath

holpen my want. A builder, I set one stone ; as a husbandman, a

seed;

70 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

But the Stome is the dwelling of Him from whose

hand shall the nations feed, And thereon shall rest His Chosen, whose King- dom is East and West, Whereupon the sun shall wander and find no

place for his rest Of the night, but day endureth. Heed ye this

work, and mark. At the end of days it is clear. It is dim in the

veils of the Ark. This also may not be broken, though men shall

hide it away, It standeth in earth for ever, and ruleth the night

and day.'' These things read Sri in their hearing, and silence

dwelt for a space. The hearts of the warriors held them, and each

man sat in his place A dreamer of far-off places, and pondered on

hidden things, And thrones and kindrpds and seasons and sons

that should reign as kings ; But the children of Baal were angered, and

Tuirbhi was first to speak,

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 71

The chief of the Tyrian craftsmen. " What came

ye hither to seek, Ye men of Elatha, the scourge of the fomorcs, the

shipman of Dan, And foster-father to Jochad ? I know the wiles

that ye plan ! Elatha's mines are empty. His smelters handle the

spear. His sails are gathered together that Eriu may

dwell in fear. Ye are come as spies before him. Answer ye to

his boast, That the men of Eriu be gathered to greet him

on every coast. Though Ith out of Eber help him, and Elier out

of the Gate. If Egypt indeed be with him, it is long that his

host must wait. But come ye many or few our firbolgs have little

fear Whilst Tuirbhi watcheth his anvils to furnish each

with a spear. By Caiseal the stones are strong that are piled upon Breogan's wall.

72 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

And the crag of Edair is steep whereupon it is ill

to fall. Our gold is stored in the mosses, our oxen hidden

away, Are ill to hunt in the mountains, and few shall be

for a prey. Though he send the chief of his Milidh, surely

we will not stir ; Though he send his champion to Jochad, ill shall

it be with Ir. For Ir, his captain of strength, the wild boar

rooteth a grave. If he come to the land of Eriu, his ships shall

burn on the wave Though Jochad his brother help him." Thus

Tuirbhi spake and was still. And Elatha's men stood silent, nor answered they

good or ill. But the bard of Jochad endured not. Ethan,

Muiroideach's son, A youth, but a mighty singer that ever the oak- wreath won. In wrath he arose, and sang against Tuirbhi a

song of might

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 73

Till his brow set red in his bosom and his heart

was closed from the light. " Hear ye, hear ye, ye princes. — Hear ye, the son

of the smith. Stand in the blast of the bellows, — Be ye all

shaken therewith. Give your nose to the pincers, — So doth he

lengthen it out. Crafty the rings of Tuirbhi, — Gaily they hang in

the snout. Bowed in the back is Tuirbhi. — Are ye not all

the weight ? Doth not he squeal beneath it ? — Doth not a

beldame prate ? She is blind beneath her forelocks. — Is she not

sore afraid ? Shall Ir at his coming take her ? — Shall he choose

tbe smith as a maid ? Let laughter be upon Tuirbhi, — Go clothe his

brawn with a smock. Clip his bristles to smoothness, — lest the men of

Elatha mock. Those that have brought good tidings, — See in

the hand of Sri.

74 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

A slender silvern crescent. — The moon of the

East is nigh. Her horns are peace and riches. — Set as an elfin

queen She saileth her boat in heaven. — Her rounded

fulness hath been Before and it shall be after. — She hideth yet for a

space From Eriu in her chamber, — He findeth her

hidden place He rejoiceth in her beauty. — Robe Eriu like a

king. Set purple and gold upon him. — May a sun arise

to fling His mantle of gold about her, — his fires in her

slender form, That her months be duly rounded, — That new

stars in the sky be born. She hath gems to teach the springtime, — veils to

shelter the heat. Gold for the Autumn harvest, — Her light in

Winter is sweet, Fair on the snow she glistens. — We dream of that

which may be.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 75

Our hearts are where she riseth, — In isles of the

Eastern sea, In mighty cities and temples, — in stories of

ancient days, In visions of kings and heroes, — with priests

amidst songs of praise. Go forth to meet her, my soul. — My belovbd is

very fair ; She is white, she hath eyes as stars, — The night

is set in her hair ; She hath rainbows in all her garments, — She hath

dewdrops about her throat. Her hands are slender lilies,— Her voice hath the

cushat's note. Her lips are as winter berries, — Her foot hath a

mouse's fall. Where she cometh joy awaketh, — -He riseth to

festival. Three mighty kings are her sires — No king's son

sits at her side. She cometh a queen to Eriu, — A queen and a

chosen bride, Eriu shareth her birthright, — The flower of its

greenest sod

76 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Shall blossom here in our midst, — and grow to

the Land of God." Then the chiefs of green Eriu rose up from their

seats to throng To the place of Ethan, and raised him aloft and

bore him along On a shield and shouted and crowned him, for

seldom such tongue was heard As Ethan's, strong as a stormwind, clear as a

morning bird Was his voice, and his touch on the harpstrings

light, like a fountain's play, A ripple of running music that chimed with the

voice alway. Oft have I heard, and loved it. Ah me, that a

bard be slain By the coward deed of a churl, for a witchwife

light and vain. Each chief gave then a guerdon which matched

with the giver's state. First Balor grandson of Net flung down twelve

pounds by weight Red gold in tores and armlets. Heavy his herds- men's toil.

THE BOOK OF TEPHl 77

Then Crimthann Lord of Pen Edair gave him an

ocean spoil Of goblets and horns of silver, and Nuadh of

Usna's keep Gave gold and horns of a seabeast brought from

the northern deep, And the chiefs of the merchants gave him a

breastplate of well-wrought gold. With an ivory chessplay carved by cunning men

to the mould Of kings with their chiefs and firbolgs. Such

bard gift ne'er hath been gained As Ethan's, a hundred warriors plucked their

cloaks till it rained A shower of their flashing brooches ; but Jochad

his lord came late. Yet foremost, for Jochad was proud. His gold

was little of weight. He had not oppressed his yeomen, yet he gave

unto Ethan's hand A gift which was more than Balor's, and worth

the half of his land, A brooch of red gold which wizards of Tursis had

sprinkled o'er

78 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

With a golden sand by magic, and out of their

hidden lore Had heaped it in flowers and bosses, and mar- vellous stems of fern Where the eye was 'wildered in choice, and scarce

had strength to discern ; Yet the whole was a sun in glory. Now, once

that glory was seen With Eileen fairest of women, she that was set as

a queen O'er Elissa in fair Ar Galish, and fled to a further

shore To carry the curse of Javan, and leave her tale

evermore In the mouths of bards and singers. Now

Jochad's sires out of Troy Won this when the city had fallen, a treasure

without alloy In the eyes of all fair women, a spell compelling

the eyes, A gift beyond price more precious than aught

that the merchant buys. Then Ethan cried, " With a bardgift, lo, I am

made a prince.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 79

Such hansels may not be handled, mine eyes at

their brightness wince. Cover them all lest they blind me. Let them be

carried away. Let these be earnest of Eriu that the moon no

more shall delay, But hasten her speedy rising." Then the

chieftains shouted loud " Let us see the moon of the morning. The

edge of whose silver cloud Hath touched upon Albinn. Seek it. Ye men

of Elatha speed With the greetings of green Eriu to welcome the

chosen seed Of the Daogdoe, kings of Morias, that holy city of

fate, Morias Fail of our fathers. She mourneth its

fallen state. Both in Egypt she mourned, and in Breogan, but

tell her that warm shall be The hearth that is lit in Eriu, the greenest isle of

the sea."

8o THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Chapter XI

(l) The men return to Elatha, and give the gifts of Erin unto Tephi, who telleth of her chief jewels ; (2) Bres telleth his father of the prophecy tipon Jo chad ; (3) Elatha Tnourneth for their departure and communeth upon Ephraim with the Prophet ; (4) He prepareth many vessels for them, and sendeth Bres with them to Eriu ; (5) of their journey thithenvards,

(i) So these men came joyful to Albinn, and poured

their tale in our ears, How their hearts were low at Pen Edair, and

heavy at Crimthann's jeers, And sunken at Tuirbhi's boasting ; but how from

the side of a chief Clearbrowed as the dawn sprung a youth who

had given their souls relief. Heaping out wealth upon them. Then they

brought the bardgift they bore From the chiefs and Ethan, and showed it.

Now behold, the first of their store Was the wondergift of Jochad. Mine eyes grew

blinded thereon And Elatha took, and laid it on my breast in

place of the stone

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 8i

Of Pharaoh, a sky of turquoise that swam betwixt

golden wings, A precious gift and an holy, and meet for

daughters of kings, Chosen of God and his Servant, for the Lord had

shapen its thought In its maker. Where graven idols of beasts have

made Him of naught. His thought shall behold their ashes, and the

wings of His spirit fly Before men's souls in their blindness to name

Him eternally. So I changed the place of my jewels, my moon I

set on my brow. And the turquoise lay at my throat where it

wideneth out below ; But the sun of Eileen I planted deeply upon my

breast. There it shall gleam in my sidhe,* and lighten

the gloom of my rest.

(2) Then Elatha spake with the Man of God, and called upon Bres,

* Tumulus with chamber at centre, pronounced shee. F

82 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

His firstborn, the stay of his age, that now was

his strength to press The presses of Eriu and Albinn, and thrice had

been unto Ith, To Tarshish, and once to Caer Teia, and bade

him unfold the myth Of the bards upon Jochad's cradle, for the twain

were nurtured as one. When the father of Jochad fell, his babe and his

only son Shared couch and cover and breast with Bres in

the fort of the horn Of Albinn. So Bres well-skilled in that legend

of mystic morn Gave forth its tale in our hearing, and I treasured

it in my heart, Ere Elatha gathered his vessels and gave us speed

to depart.

(3) Now Elatha communed much with the Prophet, and wept and grieved Upon Zion greatly, but read the promise and greatly believed

THE BOOK OF TEPHl 83

The blessing of Jacob on Joseph and Judah,

beholding the day When Ephraim's kiss should bind them, and sin

be taken away : And he learned by his packmen where Ephraim

tarried now by the path Out of Hara, Haber and Halah, wherein the Lord

in his wrath Had set him amidst the Madai, and how by Kir

he had fled Through the children of Heth to the mountains,

and crossed by the watershed To the summer land Defroban, and built him a

temple there. For the Lord in the pastures of Kef, and now

the name which they bare Was Asirgard, City of God, that the God of

Moses therein Might keep him from Heth and Magog, and

purge him away from his sin. Now Elatha blessed the Lord beholding how

David should wait The kiss of Joseph whose ploughing tarrieth long

in the gate.

84 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

The Engel is slow and heavy and loves by the

river mead To lie in the sun by day, and rise at morning to

feed. But hateth the yoke and the plough for the field

wherein she would lie Where the lion is in the gate. Yet the Engel

shall draw anigh For the ploughing, and harvest shall whiten slowly

up from the blade When the boughs of the planted cedar are over

his head for shade.

(4) Of these things Elatha communed much with the

Prophet and bade That the lioness cub of Judah be with such pomp

arrayed As the power in his hand might furnish to pass

to that seagirt isle Wherein is the sapling planted to suck the dews

for awhile. Ere it grow of strength to return to the land of

the strong free breeze.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 85

And increase on its northern mountains, and

spread to its narrow seas. By its shores of grey-blue granite, its shores of

blood and of snow. By all walls of its fertile garden fenced of the sea

shall it grow. Therefore he painted his vessels, and set them

with snowy sails. And bound green wreaths to their foreheads, and

out of his merchant bales Brought scarlet and blue and white to flutter

upon the mast And stripe their sterns with a rainbow to oaken

planking made fast. Then men of the silvery isle of Vect he chose

for our band. An island of many havens that Heth under that

land; And mixed folk out of the Domnan that dwell

where the tors are red. Mighty men of the sea, fire-hearted, wary of

head; And fisherfolk from the horn, the beard of the

promised isle.

86 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

A mixed folk also whose maidens hark to the raclen's wile,

Till the blood of Zidon and Israel toileth amidst the veins

Of the rocks wherefrom the princes of the Tyrians suck their gains ;

And fomorcs * of Khumru north till then reachest the furthest Pen

Of Lochlann, returning again by coasts of moun- tain and fen

To the narrow seas of Albinn by the shore of the silver wall,

And pass by the island of Vect again to Elatha's hall.

A hundred ships had Elatha, and he gathered fifty and three

With chosen men as their pilots, to make a con- voy for me,

And the wealth of Egypt and Tarshish and that which Eriu gave.

That my sailing be spoken of many, my path be sure on the wave,

* Fomorians, sea-rovers.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 87

And Eriu have fear and joy at my coming. Two

thousand and five Were the living souls of our navy. " A gallant

swarm for the hive Of a queen well stored with honey." Thus Bres

of the miledh spake ; Arid his father answered again, right glad for his

firstborn's sake (The son that Delbaeth's daughter bare him in

Maoth Seein When she loved his youth ere she fled with the

sea-king to be his queen) " To thee be the hiving of her," and, Bres being

merry, cried back, " How may I store the honey with all the wasps

in its track ? Thou knowest our wasps of Eriu." Whereat

Elatha replied, " The Lord shall harbour the queen-bee. Be

thou but found on His side And His sweetness shall surely bless thee." Such

answer more grave than gay Had Bres from his father Elatha before we went

on our way.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

With the summer breeze behind us. We jour- neyed first to the North Beside the lands of the Khumru which deep in

the sea jut forth, Till we came to their holy island, and were blessed

of their ancient bards Who sang to their harps the night of our resting,

but afterwards With a clear east wind ere dawn we went by a

path that lay To the West, and brought us swiftly in sight of

the fairest bay Whereupon I had looked. By Edair our anchors

and stones we cast, And the firbolgs of Crimthann swam with ropes

to steady us fast ; And Crimthann came with his captains and stood

to watch on the strand And shouted, and many bards sang welcomes of

Eriu's land.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 89

Chapter XII

(l) Tephi setteth foot upon Eriu, the defendedisland ; (2) The song of the bards at her landing.

(i) Then looked I for Ethan and knew him, for his

voice was sweetest of all ; But his lord I might not know 'midst the chiefs

out of Crimthann's hall, Twelve warriors strong, but I liked not them- selves in their cloaks of red : So I deemed the master of Ethan a dullard, and

bowed my head. And wrapped his sun in my mantle, ere smiling

I raised one hand To my women, whilst out of the ship I was

carried in haste to land By Ethan the bard, green-mantled ; and another

that, clad as he. Throwing his harp on the pebbles, ran singing

still through the sea. And raised up his arms imploring, till my women

lifted me out To the seat they made with their mantles. Nor

did I tremble or doubt

90 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

For their tread was steady and sure ; and I

smiled to him to the right, For his brow was clear and steadfast, his eyes

were joyous and bright ; And so by the bards of Eriu I was borne through

the shallow sea. And this was beginning of joy and pain in the

heart of three. I had not smiled upon Ethan though rich with

his gift I came. And his was the highest voice of the bards that

had cried my name. Tall and agile he was, but little he stood

beside The bard with the crisp curled locks whose gaze

was open and wide Out of frank blue eyes that feared not, and

chanted lofty and loud In their chorus Tefifia Teia, and struck his harp

with a proud Long sweep of the strong white fingers. His

song ran into my blood, And its voice is long remembered, as a lonely

tower in a flood.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 91

(2) My heart hath waited for thee, Teia, My heart hath waited for thee long. Though Egypt's sun adore thee, Teia, My heart is as a hearth more strong. It shall hold thee, help thee, keep thee,

Teia, It shall love thee from this first bright day, In its radiance fold thee, steep thee, Teia, When it flashes in the snowstorms far away. Green Eriu smiles to meet thee

Teffia, Teia. Her bards are come to greet thee, Teffia, Teia. With the homage of her love That thy crescent smiles above In the mirrors of the bay.

My soul is yearning to thee, Teia.

My hands are yearning towards thee now.

Though Tarshish and Pensavel woo thee,

Teia. Eriu shall not cloud thy brow. It shall fold thee, feed thee, fill thee, Teia.

92 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

It shall stay thee where the white waves leap, In thy weeping it shall still thee, Tela, In thy midnight it shall watch thy couch of sleep. Its reverence shall be on thee

Teffia, Tela, As a hallowed light upon thee Teffia, Teia. As the glory of the morn Shines upon thy crescent horn

O'er the emeralds of the deep.

They ceased ere they reached the land, and lo,

he hem of my vest Had fallen out of my hand, and the sun that lay

on my breast Flashed in their eyes, and they started apart ; but

the stronger bore My form in his arms one moment, and set me as

light on the shore As I might lay down some blossom, sweet-scented,

which tenderwise My lips had touched ere I set it more far to

gladden mine eyes.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 93

Chapter XIII

(l) Of Tephi's rest at Peti Edair ; (2) She telUth of her person and of her state in going thence unto the Place of Assembly of the men of Eriu ; (3) Tephi rebuketh the priests; (4) Their idol is broken by Ethan.

Now the chiefs of that place and Ath Cliath

cried my name from their lips, And a seaman's shouting rolled like thunder

around the ships In the speech of the mingled peoples, but

" Teia" was most their shout As it was beneath the rock of the Gate. Then

girded about By a throng of bright-eyed women, green-tuniced

and wreathed with green I was raised aloft on a seat, and carried like

Egypt's queen By chieftains in double rank past Edair's piteous

tomb, (Edair, Eglaeth's daughter, that died in her

husband's doom.) Up the steeps of the Pen to the Cahir of Crim-

thann, chief of the fights.

94 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Thereafter for and against me in things that the

Lord requites. He and his chiefs went before us clearing with

spears our road, Their helmets starry With sunset, red suns in the

locks which flowed Far down on their crimson garments. Mine

eyes were dazzled with these, And I turned and looked behind me, and found

contentment and ease Amidst them that followed after, and foremost

with golden hair Broad brow and clear bright vision, I saw the

harper that bear Me out of my ship, and by him strode Ethan

agile and dark. With a flame of fire on his cheek, and fire in the

eager spark Of his flashing eyes upon me. Of the bards

there came fourscore In green ; then a chosen band of Elatha's men

from the shore Came next in their varied raiment, the purples of

them that sold

THE BOOK OF TEPHT 95

The Tyrian wares, and scarlet and azure, whilst ruddy gold

Gleamed in their belts and brooches, flashed from their helms of brass

Like a marsh-flower mead. Behind them followed a mingled mass

Of folk that wore scanty garments waving aloft in their hands

Fair wreaths and branches of oak trees, or flut- tered on sticks gay strands

Of woollens in tattered ribbons, as bright as a barley field

When it whiteneth unto harvest and the husband- man guesseth its yield.

(2) Such was my state at my coming. My daughters,

if ye set store To hear of a woman's presence, and the garments

your mother wore At her welcome ; — little of stature, and slender of

limb was I, Being white, not red of my colour, like a stalk of

nodding rye.

96 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Upon midnight braids of my hair did my argent

crescent shine. My throat's thin ivory column poised 'twixt the

wings divine About Pharaoh's wide blue heaven ; whilst the

sun of Eileen beneath Took roses of rosy sunset. On the hems of my

veil a wreath Was broidered with gold, and wings of shining

insects whose name I knew not, sea-blue below, but lit with an

emerald flame ; Which veil was long and fragile, as spun out of

gossamer By fairy looms of the dawn ; and this was the

gift of Ir Who had brought it out of Caer Hayo, and said,

in a furthest land Of the East, witch-women wrought it in caves

with a moistened hand, And withered their eyes in working its whiteness,

whiter than wool Or fairest linens of Egypt. Where this veil had

been folded full

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 97

To my form, I fastened and bound it with a

serpent about my waist Of fine gold, very precious. Now in that girdle

was placed A sprig of a herb of Eriu, three-headed on every

stem. Cendrige, my people call it, and much it is loved

of them. As the charm of their fair green island. This

those bore forth in their hand

That brought me on cloaks through the ripples,

*

and set my feet on the land. Now this had been placed by the foremost, the

bard on my right hand side, But I knew not the charm was with me till I

found it at eventide When I couched in the booth by the fortress.

Next morrow at early dawn When my women arrayed me for journey, I saw

it, and scorning to scorn A bard that had given such welcome, set it again

to the clasp Of my serpent ere Bres came thither, and lifting

me light in his grasp G

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Placed me high on a jennet, snowy, wild-eyed and

still. But therewith tall and stately, and so we paced

down the hill And out through the fair green grasses, with Bres

still near at my side, And his cohort of captains by him wherewith he

was wont to ride, And the bards behind us on ponies that sat with

their harps to play And move us with mirth and music what while

we went on our way. Now Ethan was ever foremost, and sweetest of

all was his song ; But I looked in vain for his fellow, with purpose

that held no wrong Of repaying his charm with a golden ring, but I

found him not. Marvelling wherefore he tarried ; yet my cendrige

was not forgot When we came by an easy journey next morn unto

Crofinn's croft. Where at the land was assembled, for there the

grasses were soft,

THE BOOK OF TEPHl 99

And many horses might pasture, with cattle and

flocks for meat. Here the chiefs of Eriu had portioned themselves

their seat On the banks round the croft of Crofinn, and there

each set him a booth, And they met on its central greensward where the

level was clean and smooth For choice and converse amongst them upon

Eriu's hap and its weal. In a three weeks' truce wherein the tongue was

lord of the steel Throughout all coasts of the island. Now this

truce was for two days yet. When one short hour after dawn, through meadows

that still lay wet With the dews I came to the croft as a queen

with my following, For unto that day the island had never bowed to

one king. Though high chiefs ruled in Usna and Caseal and

fair Emain, And in many duns and cathirs fortressed in forest or plain

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Or on hilltops. Each tall landmark crowned with

their strongholds stood, And the lords did that within them that seemed

in their own eyes good. Now the cry of the land was bitter, for most of

the chiefs wrought ill On their landsmen as on their foemen, and each

by his strong-walled hill Held cattle plundered of either, until the forces

which cling In clanship were severed amongst them, and the

aires cried for a king To hush their feuds and to pluck the husbandmen

from the mire. And the bards of the land were with them to

yield them their heart's desire ; But the priests of the gods against them. Yet

some of the priests that knew The God of the Hebrews helped them ; but these

were a chosen few. And the priests of the heathen many, well skilled

in the ancient lore Of Criden and Baal and Samen, and many an

idol more

THE BOOK OF TEPHI loi

Whom their fathers knew in Canaan, and the

June morn filled with heat When I heard their trumpets blow as the priests

came forward to greet Her that was hid in the Temple; yea, in its

inmost shrine Was held with the graven tablets, and the scrolls

of the Law Divine. These that came in white garments. These with

a frenzied tread That whirled upon desiul* circles ! Had not

my spirit bled Before such in the house of David ? How might I

greet them here ? I was weak, the might of the Lord prevailed over

my fear. And I rode in His wrath against them.

(3) " Ho, ye that have eyes to see,

Ho, ye that have ears to hear with, keep silence

at sight of me. And my voice from the Lord," I cried, " for Baal is broken of Bel,

* Sunwise.

I THE BOOK OF TEPHI

The twain shall be broken together. They sink

to the nethermost hell. A flame hath descended on Zion. God sweepeth

with wings of fire The House of His habitation. He sendeth hail

upon Tyre. Zidon and Gath are broken, Ephraim led away, Samaria lieth fallen, and is as an heap this day Because men whorbd with idols. Shall idols

come forth to greet Her that the Lord hath kept, that dwelt by His

Mercy Seat. Your dances and fires He hateth. Behold, the

face of the Lord Is a sun that shineth in darkness, His tongue is

a flaming sword. Let Criden and Baal be broken, devourers, and

blind of sight And empty of help for all that sink in the womb

of night. Yet the great or little prevails not when God

ariseth in wrath. With a pebble-stone from the brook he layeth the

might of Gath."

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 103

(2) E'en at my word a pebble sang by mine ear and

smote Through the open mouth of Criden, and broke

his head from his throat, And his breast was shattered also. Swift on my

own swift speech Was Ethan's deed upon Criden, for all that the

prophets teach Was known of Ethan, our Hebrew speech, and

our father's deed. He smote as my father David. The Lord had

answered my need. Now the image he smote was hollow, and held in

a secret hold The gifts of the blind and foolish, their rings and

the stars of gold Which the priests said went to his dwelling, but

now his falling revealed From the hiding place of his belly, and scattered

o'er all the field, And all were amazed and angered; and men

called out upon Sri The son of Ezra their wisest, to interpret my

word, and why

I04 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Their idol was shattered before it, for silent

amongst the band Stood Ethan, and none beheld when the stone

flew forth from his hand. Their eyes being set upon me ; and wherefore

that image fell When my wrath was laid upon it not they that

bear it might tell. Then Sri the son of Ezru, a lover of better

things, Set forth my speech in their tongue, and the

strifes of our former kings. How Saul the mighty had fallen when idols led

him astray. And how from the house of David God's curse

was taken away For a space, but was sealed thereafter. Now the

priests were angry that heard. But the common people listened, and many

hearked to his word. And some of the chiefs and the most of the

bards. Amongst them a cry " Daouda, Daouda hath smote him," arose at the

words of Sri,

THE BOOK OF TEPHI lOS

Telling how David had smitten whilst yet a

youth with the flock The giant, mighty in war, with a stone of the

brook, a rock The cornerstone of his house : and the shouting

" Daouda " grew When he told how the Lord of Hosts descended

in flame anew On the Seat that he brought from Kirjath to set

in Jerusalem, The Ark, the Holy of Holies, which went with

the tents of Shem When Israel came out of Egypt. Sore were the

priests of Baal, But the people cried out against them, and

praised me that heard this tale, So their wrath kept silence before me, and

turning they went again Till we passed the banks of Crofinn, and entered

the little plain Wherein the chieftains assembled. An hundred

princes and eight Of Eriu waited my coming ; each with his proper

state.

io6 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

His druid and bard and champion ; and all stood

there on their feet Save I, who with Bres at my bridle, rode forth on

the sward to greet The lords of the high assembly, who hailed me,

child of their isle, And queen of the house of their fathers, and so

without thought of guile I unveiled my face before them, and spake to

them gentlewise My thanks for their greeting and favour, but that

which shone in the eyes Of many chilled me before them ; so, icy in

pride, I rode Before Sri, and Bres and Ethan, to enter the fair

abode Which these had built for my coming, whitewood,

well carven in scrolls Of serpents, whose hinder part in an endless

ribbon unrolls. Its door was a woollen curtain of green with a

scarlet hem, And Sri on its Hntel fastened the name of

Jerusalem

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 107

Writ in Hebrew in brazen letters, and set on its

posts a sign That none but the maids might enter the booth

which was named as mine. Therein I rested at noonday, and ate in the

failing light, But had little sleep thereafter, and watched the

most of the night : For the looks of the priests misliked me, and the

hungry eyes of the men Of Eriu searched upon me, as eyes of wolves in

their den. Till my heart was water within me, troubled and

sore afraid. Then long in the long night watches to the Lord

of Zion I prayed To deliver my soul from evil, my limbs and breast

from the grip Of a wolf, and the High One heard me, and

caused not my foot to slip.

io8 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Chapter XIV

(l) Tephi ielleth of the departure of the Man of God ; (2) She is brought on the morrow into the assembly ; (3) The lot of Baal falleth beside Balor of the Mighty Blows, and upon Bres the son of Elatha.

(i) Yet my troubles that night endured, and I

longed for the Prophet's aid, For I loved him e'en as I feared him, as an

infant standeth afraid Of a father strong and silent, yet knoweth his

help shall come From thence if the wild beasts fright him, or

robbers seek to his home. My sons, ye enquire of the Prophet. This sure

word I bid ye to know, Mark well the way of the chosen, but seek not

whither they go. Pause on their word and ponder though at times

ye may not mark Their message. The eyes of the holy behold a

light in the dark Of Tohu and Hinnom wherein their path hath

been set to go

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 109

Through night. On their heads are ashes.

Their garments are rent in woe. Lamentation is with them and terror, till the

terror be overpast, For they grope after God in Tohu till they find

Him and hold Him fast. I dwell not now on the thing which shall in this

book be told, How hereafter dimly mine eyes should the Friend

of the Lord behold. He sought not pleasure of greetings, or tables

of wine and meat. Or to Usten to mirth or music, or to sit in the

highest seat, Or behold me in marriage garments : but set his

feet in the way Of the Lord where'er he led him. This only

therefore I say. That when we had left Pensauel, drawn nigh to

the land of Gwent, He parted his ships from amongst us, and none

knew whither he went With the sacred things of the Temple, and none

may utter their tale.

1 10 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

For his sailors were men of Ham the last whom

the Temple veil Shall leave in the dark ; and these that sailed on

the western track With the Prophet passed into night, and ne'er

out of night came back. Of the sacred things I know not. The Lord

stays not to discern The place of His habitation, whereunto my sons

shall yearn In the days that dawn hereafter ; but lo, ye

have seen the Stone, The Stone of the Corner remaineth. It shall not

be left alone. When Jacob knoweth his birthright therein shall

his boasting lie, And in many lands and islands my seed shall

have praise thereby. There was one beside the Prophet mine eyes

were fain to have seen. The morn that I came to Crofinn, I watched for

the cloak of green. And the strong straight bard that wore it, as one looks for a trusted friend

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Amongst strangers. Perchance he guessed not. Perchance he might not attend.

(2) On the morrow came Bres with Sri to lead me

forth to the ring Wherein were the chiefs assembled to hear men

cry for a king, But each man envied his fellow, and each with

an angered mood Had answered the bards and aires that spake for

the common good. My place was set me amongst them, a seat upon

Jacob's Stone Drawn thither by two white heifers, and draped

around as a throne With a golden cloth of Zidon. Now, as I was

set thereon A cloud drew back in the sky and upon me the

bright sun shone, So folk marvelled of me and this sunshine, and

thus it was foolish talk That I held the sun at my bidding, setting paths

for the clouds to walk

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

At my will, and I own I had joy, for I cast on

the Lord my prayer In the night, and now in the day he had lightened

my load of care. Now this same day was an high day, the topmost

peak of the year Is the night that follows after, when angels and

souls appear Unto many, yet here the druids had mingled its

boons with harms, And setting their hearts on women delude them

with evil charms.

{3) A feast being set to Baal, his priests drew nigh

ere the noon With a message brought from his altar that the

king be appointed soon As this one day was propitious. The bow of

their god they brought, That by this an arrow sent sunwards should

name the king of his thought. So we all drew off a little to the banks and stood

to see

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 113

How the highpriest bound his eyes, and drew the

bow from his knee Where he lay supine, and the shaft sped upwards

to seek the sun, But an East wind struck upon it ere the height of

its flight was won And bore it beyond the circle where it fell full

nigh to the ranks Of Balor, lord of the Islands, where he watched

with his men on the banks. And his firbolgs shouted for Balor, but the priests

were troubled thereby, For their spells were within the circle ; so another

quest of the sky Was made, and it touched the circle, where

nearly it struck down Bres In whom was a hope of Eriu that ever grew less

and less, For when Nuadh was maimed in battle, men held

that his strength was stayed From rule of the miledh of Dan, and a pact unto Bres was made*

* For seven years. H

114 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

That he should be named chief captain, if so he

would save the land From fomorcs coming by sea, and chiefs of the

scattered band Of firbolgs in Man and Arran, so this for that

time was done. But he gathered Eriu's tribute, yet gave its gifts

unto none. Neither called he feastings or music. His heart

was empty and bare, Though the strength of his limbs, and his beauty

of face, and his golden hair Snared foolish matrons and maidens. Yea, deep

in his heart was guile. And women loved and men hated his presence

throughout the isle. Now the arrow struck through his cloak, and

pinned it unto the ring A handbreadth from Nuadh's high seat, and

many acclaimed him king. That was chief of the miledh of Eriu ; but the

priests had marvel thereat If the shaft were within the circle. Moreover,

the place where he sat

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 115

Was apart, and the shafts of Baal were counted

not to the man But rather the beth of his ensign. Moreover,

they loved not Dan, Of whom was his mother, and whom he spake for

in Nuadh's room ; Whose hand was severed by Sreng the son of

Sennchan, whose doom Thereafter the scribes have written. Now Dian-

cecht, wisest in art. Had moulded a hand in clay wherefrom might be

hurled a dart ; And Creidna, the cunning smith, in silver

fashioned the same. So now the hand of Nuadh flashed with a starry

flame As he rode amongst his miledh, and many that

loved him well Sware that the seat of Nuadh was grazed when

the arrow fell.

n6 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Chapter XV

( I ) Sri, the son of Ezra, calleth for the bow of Sampson, which is given to Ethdan* son of Bathiam, who shooteth the first arrow unto the Stone of Jacob ; (2) A second arrow is shot, and fndeth the seat of Eochaid Garbh Mac Duach ; (3) Ihe sun betwixt the horns of Baal is smitten by the third arrow, and Sri, the son of Ezru, maketh a psalm, thereon.

(i) Now the priests and chiefs of the land debated a

threefold choice And a doubtful, striving greatly, till Sri with a

mighty voice Cried, till they heard. " Not yet is the curse of

this kingdom stayed. The sins we have sinned to Baal shall yet at our

gates be laid. His arrow hath pointed Bres, it hath fastened his

garment's hem. In the folds of his cloak shall Canaan set fires in

the booths of Shem." These things cried Sri the silent ere shaping his

theme anew

* Breasal Ethadan Mac Eochaid Bosthlaim — too long for verse.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 117

He said "the arrows of Baal seek sunset or fall

askew. Seek we shafts that are truer. Is there not in

our midst the bow Of strength, the shafts of the mighty? Where

Dan goeth to and fro The bow of his judge is with him, It dwelleth

amongst us here. The merchants of Gath and Japho draw back at

its name of fear. Have we never a champion of Dan who may

string its strength to his will ? Is the spirit of Sampson weak to speed the shafts

of it still?" Then Ethdan the son of Boethlam thrust through

the ranks of Dan, Of all the sons of the island this was the broadest

man Of shoulder and girth of limb, if somewhat slow

of his feet. He called for the bow of the mighty, and strain- ing back from my seat He bent it. Mighty the string wherewith that

bow must be strung.

n8 THE BOOK OF TEPHl

A finger of sinew to armbreadth of yew, but at

last it sprung To the cleft with a stroke like an axe when it

striketh an oaken beam, Whilst the flesh upon Ethdan's arms sank like

waves on a stream. Then swift to the circle's centre he sped him and

laid him down. Setting his feet to the yew-mast. In a moment

the shaft had flown Straight into air till we lost it, and then in a little

space Straight out of heaven it descended like a beam

of the sun on the place That was mine, the Stone of Israel, yet hurt not

the Stone at all For the head's soft gold spread forth a sun at the

arrow's fall On the grey white pillar of Jacob ; and joy upon

all men came When they saw the altar of Bethel alight with

that golden flame : And the priests of the gods bowed down, and

covered each man his face ;

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 119

And the chiefs of Eriu moved in wonder before

that place ; And Httle they spake, but set me thereon ; and

lo, I had grace to speak In their tongue, and my heart was great, though

my voice was little and weak. "Ye Chiefs of this island, hear me. The might

of the Lord is known In shadow, but light is rising, and grace to a

handmaid shown Who watched and prayed in the darkness. He

leadeth her by His ford To sit in a fair green pasture, with sheepfolds

and oxen stored. A shepherd was David my father. God gave

him a charge to keep Which he brake not, to feed His cattle and sever

the goats from the sheep. Me, that am David's daughter, he maketh a shep- herdess Who amongst the sheep of Eriu shall know none

greater or less. The sun that descended hither shall be as a light

divine

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Whereby to search in your pastures, and know

my sheep from the swine, For the unclean beast is with you." Then Sri

that stood at my side, Passed up the banks and turning, to all the people

he cried, " The Queen of the East hath spoken. Is there

one her word to gainsay ? Let him dwell with the swine, for God hath sent

us a Queen this day." Then Tuirbhi the smith sprang forward to catch

at Sri by the arm. But Sri smote straight upon him and wrought

him a deed of harm. For he fell by the banks on his ancle, and his

craftsmen bore him away, And his leeches bound him badly, and lame he

went from that day.

(2) Then Ethdan the son of Boethlam, cried "there were arrows three With the bow of strength, and the first hath sped ; but I ask of ye

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 121

That be wise, shall I speed these others ? The

one hath a silver head, But the other is somewhat crooked and beareth

a bolt of lead." Then the priests drew nigh giving counsel, and

the most spake well of the thing, So we left the plain as aforetime, and forth from

the mighty string The second shaft flew upwards until it was scarce

discerned. Like a star it glanced on the cloud, and then

unto earth returned, Smiting an oaken settle which no man had used

that morn But sideways lay on the ground, and grazed it,

and cleft a horn Of silver therein, and smote into earth, and a

question rose Of that seat but no man claimed it, its chieftain

was not of those That sat in that day's assembly, and pain sank

into my heart At that long carved cleft of silver, which stabbed

with a sudden smart.

122 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

(3) Now Ethdan fitted again the crooked shaft to the

bow Which sped on a snake's path outwards, like a

hawk when it striketh low But swiftly above the gazers, till the pillar of

Baal it found And struck the gilded sun 'twixt the idol's horns

to the ground. Bearing it into mire in the place of the swine

behind, Wherein they lie to this day. If ye search, ye

shall surely find. Now when they beheld this token many priests of

the idol fled. Through revilings amidst the people, and tore

their wreaths from their head. Gashing the flesh of their bosoms, and hid them- selves ; but a few Remained in the ring with Ethdan. Then Sri

that was wise and true. Though his knee had bended to Baal, cried out

on the Lord for aid. Forgiveness, counsel and blessing, and a psalm

of repentance he made

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 123

Which the bards took up in chorus, singing it

hither and fro From the priests to the kneeling harpers, who

sung to a music low. " We walked in clouds of the night. — Our eyes

are opened by Thee. We look unto heaven and see. — Yea, we awaken

to light. Thou knowest our blindness, oh God. — Let thy

forgiveness prevail. Sorely our sin we bewail. — Let not thy spirit

record. We are troubled of heart in thy presence, oh God.

— Yea troubled sore. Thine angels vex us, thy saints abhor. — We are

struck with Thy rod. Thou sendest us consolation. — Therefore Most

High we give praise. Thou hast chosen a day of the days. — Thou

sendest a queen to this nation. Thou, Lord, art a righteous King. — Out of heaven

thou givest favour. Let our song be of sweet savour. — Lord, in Thy

praise we sing.

124 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Chapter XVI

(l) The seat whereon the silver arrow had struck is known for the seat of Eochaid ; (2) Tephi resteth thereon when he covieth, and giveth her love unto him ; (3) the Queen taketh Eochaid as 'her husband ; (4) the spirit of pro- phecy Cometh upon Sri the son of Ezrit.

(i) Now even whilst they sung a cry rose round about The shrine of Baal, the commons made a mighty

shout, Hauling at ropes and girdles till the lofty pillar

crushed The turf, and for a breathspace the sound there- after hushed. But Baal avenged not aught, men seeking each a

stone Wherewith to bury Baal, whose resting place is

known Beside my house at Teamur. Then Sri and

many more Gazed nearly on the furrow which the second

arrow tore In the oaken seat, and Ethan who departed for a

space

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 125

Drew thither, and one asked him was not this his

chieftain's place, And on that question Ethan raised to mine a

face of flame Till my brow was veiled before him finding

searching prayer and shame In the gaze he set upon me ere he answered to

them "Ay, This is Jochad's seat and hitherto my songs were

heard thereby." Then Sri questioned further wherefore did the

Heremon * eschew To be with them on this high day, and the brow

of Ethan grew Pale and red as he gave answer, " 'Tis the third

day since some cause Which I know not drew him homewards from

Pen Edair." At his pause Fell my veil, and full upon him was my gaze, and

well I knew That if truth he spoke, it shamed him in some

thought not wholly true.

* Chief of the landsmen.

126 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Though I spake not, he gave answer in a sudden

word and swift, " Read his secret. Thou dost know it." Then

my veil I did uplift Once again, for blood ran tingling over breast

and cheek and brow, And a spirit quickened in me which I had not

known ere now. Some strange gladness half an anguish shook my

bosom till I swayed Like to fall, but Sri upheld me and he set me in

the shade Of the arched highseat of Jochad whereupon the

arrow fell.

(2) There I rested till a voice out of the distance

seemed to swell Drawing nearer. " Jochad, Jochad," but as in a

trance I lay, And mine eyes were blind and misty, till a sudden

golden ray Fell upon them with a sparkle and a light to

overwhelm

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 127

Every mist. Grey eyes and fearless gazed be- neath a golden helm!

So my soul's sun dawned upon me, and I rose up from my seat,

Whilst the sun bowed down beneath me plucked a cendrige by my feet.

White I stood as stands a statue when he touched the new plucked leaf

To the withered at my girdle, kneehng still, but still the chief

Of my stature, and the crescent which upon my brow had rest

Was beneath the leaf he gathered when he set it in his crest.

Stark he knelt in homage pleading to my crescent where I stood

Icy cold, till some strange Summer thawed away my Winter mood.

Weak I grew and blind and dizzy in that new- born Summer drouth.

And my hands stayed on his shoulders, and my hps just passed his mouth.

And a cry was all about us in the dancing shapes around

128 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Moon and sun are met together, and this place is holy ground.

(3) My bridegroom, my chosen, my strong one, in

whom my soul had delight, My feet were by thine, my hand was in thine, as

they led us to phght Our faith by the Stone. My heart was thy heart,

My will was thy will, When Sri and the priests spake with us, and

bade our souls to fulfil The vow of the lips by vow of the soul and swear

with the Soul In sight of the people and priests and scribes

that stood to record Our oath of faith with people and priests and

chiefs as a pair That God made first in the land, to have it in

heedful care And seek not ourselves but Eriu. The words of

that sacred oath Were mine, but I know the Spirit of God had

fallen on both

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 129

For his day of days, being joyous thereat in a

waking dream Wherein all faces and garments danced in one

sunny stream Of eddying light, one only resting stalwart and

tall, For though many great chiefs were round us he

stood the first of them all. After that oath I stood calmer, and watched with

a careful eye, When the oldest priest of Eriu set in the hands of Sri A vessel of alabaster that once in the Promised

Land* Was shapen and graved with the names of God by

its maker's hand. Its oil had been pressed from the harvest of the

garden o'er Kedron's brook Whereon mine eyes in childhood from my window

were wont to look, Being perfumed with nard and cassia, most

precious. Then Sri drew near To anoint me, but I stood up on my Stone, and

said without fear :

* Tir Taimgre. I

130 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

On this stone I am set for ever. In Egypt

anointed queen Of the Hebrews. My throne in Jesse hath come

to these hills so green For a little space, ere it wander, but wheresoever

it roam Jesse shall seek and find it until he come to his

home In the City of David wherein his sons shall rule

upon earth, When the house of the Lord be builded with

praise and blessing and mirth.

(3.) Then Sri, being moved, forbade that my hus- band's seat be with mine,

And prophesied of us saying: "This shall be kept for thy line

And for thee ; but he that is by thee standeth on Eriu's sward.

It is his by birth, and hereafter, this island shall name him lord

Of its people to be their leader, and shape their counsel in war :

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 131

But thou art of Isaac's children the guide and the

crescent star, Wherein thy children shall shine, till the full

round circle shall beam Of that orb wherewith the moon at her first

appearing doth teem. He that is chosen amongst us, He shall be great

in thee, And thy sons that shall be after. Is not his lot

to be A father of thrones and kingdoms ? This is the

name he shall bear. In the tongue of this people his title is Eochaidh

OUothair, Eocaid, Sire of the Great Ones ; these sons of the

land which is great Magh Mor, or of Og, the holy, that they learn of

their own estate. And yearn to the promise, and David bless them if

this they know That holiness unto the Lord is their greatness

wherein to grow.'' Thus then spake Sri, whose silence to God was

on all men's tongue.

132 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

For the mouths of them that knew him, since in

Ezru's house he was young. Ezru that fled out of Ghor, * when Asshur came

with his bands, And ere he came unto Emain taught wisdom in

many lands : But the mouth of his son was shut till his spirit,

nurtured of prayer. Spake with the Spirit of God which worketh in

stones and air. And whispers by reedy waters, and moves in the

mountain's shade, And knoweth the inward parts, and wherefore

man's soul is afraid. Now men marvelled much upon Sri, having

feared him and called him wise And wary, but said that he feared neither spirit

nor prophesies. Having taught as the scribes from rods, and the

teachers from ancient rules. Being learned in many tongues, and chief of the

poet's schools,

* Fr. Gorius.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 133

Fearless but scant of speech, and though wisdom

dwelt with his word, To this day his voice was silent when men spake

the praise of the Lord. I beheld the people's wonder, and looked upon

Sri and knew The mantle I oft had seen, and his word as a

prophet true. And was glad in the Lord as my helper, whose

word should be held of me As his who had led me from Egypt and helped

my paths in the sea.

CHAPTER XVII

(l) Maistiv* the sister of Eocaid greeteth Tephi, andtelleih of her brother; {2) Eocaid speaketh of Ethan and Bres ; (3) Ethan, the son of Becelmus maketh a song, whereat the heart of Tephi is softened towards him, beholding much good in the man.

(i) Now soon my heart contracted, for a damsel stately and fair. Broad-browed, full-eyed, and gracious beneath the crown of her hair,

* The exact relationship of Maistiv to Eocaid is somewhat doubtful ; she may have been his aunt.

134 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Large-limbed and nobly shapen, tall to a chieftain's

height, Drew from the throngs before us, and now with

a queenly right Took my bridegroom's head in her palms and

kissed him upon the lips. Whilst cold went through me which passed from

heart unto finger tips ; But my husband smiled, and said, " My queen,

yet thy servant's bride, Behold the chief of thine handmaids, my sister

Maistiv, whose pride Is Dan, Achaia and Eriu, who in her give fealty

to thee Of the silver stem of Jesse, the golden flower of

his tree." Thus shamed I my doubt with blushes, and we

kissed, and were ever knit Though golden and dark, as sisters, unlike, yet

never a whit Sundered in our unlikeness ; and Maistiv knelt

at my side And told me that which gladdened my summer

of heart at that tide.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 135

But three days since as she wandered with one of

her maidens near In the bowers of the woods by Mulach, thinking

to have no fear Through the sacred days of assembly, lo, Bennan

the son of Kain A foster servant of Balor's with seven men of his

train Drew round her and led her with them ; but her

maid that was nigh had seen From the hazel brake their doing, and slipped

from the leafy screen To ride in haste to Pen Adair. Then, straightly

upon her word Had Jochad taken his breastplate and girt him- self with his sword And leapt to his horse's saddle with three that he

had thereby. Who galloped the trail she told of all day till the

midnight sky Was sprinkled with stars, and came to the spot

where Bennan stayed His course with the setting sun, and three of his

train were laid

136 THE BOOK OF TEPHl

Before them upon their onset, and one as he fled

away Was stung by an arrow, but Jochad sought

not further to slay. Setting her safe on his horse, which weary, carried

them back Unto Mulach, her house, but scanty of patience

was he till their track Was westwards in haste to Crofinn, whereat

much wonder had been, But now she wondered a sister had drawn him

away from his queen.

(2) "Ay, sister," said Jochad, "a wonder, and much

had I longed to remain If I had not brother or friend, but much I dwelt

on these twain, Ethan and Bres my brother. In these I might

cast out fear Lest the queen lacked fitting service, or my watch

of her light be near.'' Then he turned upon Bres and Ethan and held

out a hand to each,

THE BOOK OF TEPHl 137

And the first grasped forth at the hand, but

Ethan slipped 'neath its reach And knelt till it touched his head ere he kissed

it with downcast face. Then smiled my husband in chiding, and raised

him up in his place And kindly questioned his gaze, and said, " Is it

well that thou The chiefest bard of Eriu to a yeoman of Eriu

bow? Thou castest down and thou raisest up. Our

glory in death Is left to the bards that fill our ghosts with un- dying breath To rehearse our deeds to our children. Oh poet,

make us a lay As glad as this hour is joyous, upraised as our

hearts this day." Then Ethan said, " My lord and my king, my

spirit was dead and mute. I was cast in the mire till thy coming. I have

broken the strings of my lute. I have sinned and done great evil, and how may

thy servant sing ? "

138 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

And my bridegroom frowned, but I took from

my finger my golden ring Fired with a heart of ruby, and said, " If a poet

know His evil, he eateth knowledge, and knoweth of

good also. I give thee a bane of serpents. Take this as a

charm to part Thy soul from venom, such magic is stored in

my ruby heart." He set my gift to his lips, and never a harp he took But music out of their parting poured like a

running brook As he sang the bridesong of Crofinn, glad as that

hour was glad Are its words, and its fame is with him, but at

whiles his eyes drooped sad On earth ; then, lifting again, they brightened

clear at my sight, And turned on my bridegroom also, and were

honest and filled with light.

(3) What shall I sing thee.

My mistress, my queen ?

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 139

What may I bring thee ? Heart's blood I would wring thee

Were this not too mean. Thou hast bid me to sing

My master, my lord. From thy servant, oh, king, Take this, the queen's ring,

It is all of my hoard. This ring had its heart

Of the Lord, the Most High. By its magic of art It shall throne thee apart

In the midst of the sky. Thy place under heaven

Is near by her seat, From dawn unto even Thy foeman forgiven

Shall kneel at thy feet. The Lord, the Bestower,

Gives gladness to thee. Betwixt higher and lower.

He builds thee. His tower.

For this isle of the sea, Whose lowly shall love thee.

140 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Whose lofty bow down, Whose priesthood approve thee, Yet this gem set above thee

Shall be thy renown. To thine honour give heed

And thy manhood with man. Being noble in deed Being chosen in seed

Being princely with Dan. Yet the light of thine eye

Thy knowledge, thy truth. Are faint in the sky When thy moon rideth high

O'er the bosom of youth. The magic she maketh

Is silvern and pure. From the heart that she breaketh A spirit awaketh

With strength to endure. Receive this, my king,

With sweet spirits well stored. The queen's heart, her ring, Save the lays that I sing

It is all of my hoard.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 141

(4) We heard, and Jochad rejoicing, gave him his finger ring Golden, with fair bright pearls such as men of

the Sgiath bring To our north coast; yea, and I gave him no

jewel or golden gem But the olive twig my fingers had plucked

by Jerusalem To keep my heart in remembrance. So fled

the cloudlet away That in all the light of Summer had shadowed

my joy that day. Then the priests went desiul * round us thrice,

and chanted a charm To stay our steps by each other, and fence us

from outer harm, But I know that we needed naught in our circle

of hearts complete. So went we in to the feast, where I sat in the

highest seat Betwixt my husband and Maistai; and Ethan

sang to the guests, And Sri gave blessing upon us before we went to our rests.

* Sunwise.

142 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Chapter XVIII

(l) Balorthe descendant of Neith goetk homewards angry ; (2) Tephi sitteth in judgment ; (3) Cairbre the son of Etain maketh a song against Bres the son of Elaiha,

(i) At the dawn we heard how Balor of the western

islands had fled By the slope of the chariots homeward. I had

heard his horse's tread And his wheels of iron ere dawn, and marvelled

of what might move With that sound and quaked in the dark, but

the bridegroom spake words of love Which builded my heart in strength, and spake

of those things that I Might work in this land of the ocean, if the God

of my sires was nigh Unto me as to Moses in Egypt. And thus in

this far off strand My heart might be cheered within me with sight

of the Promised Land.* He had heard the songs of Zion, and the common

folk in prayer,

* Tir TairDgre.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 14.3

Named its name as a charm, and knelt with their

faces there, Not sunwise as the priests did ; and his spirit was

sorely grieved When I told him of Zion's fall, and greatly his

heart believed In the Lord, and he prayed that idols might

forth from our land be cast, And joy return to Moriah, and its sorrow be

overpast.

(2) When we went from our booth at the morn, I

was led to a little hill * By the banks, whereon was my seat ; that before

the people, my will Might be seen and known of many, and Eriu

learn my word. Which Sri, son of Eschmun the scribe was set

by me to record. With Aci, son of Alghuba, as herald to shout my

choice. Or proclaim my goings before me ; for his was a

mighty voice.

* The royal hill of the judgments at Tata.

144 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

In warfare or peace, save Ethan, was no man

broader than he, And these twain I set together for truth and

service to me, With En, and with Sri, and with Ogma, my

husband's champion and friend. My almost brother, for these were faithful unto

the end, And helpful in my beginning ; also Nuadh, the

brave old man. Who all the days of his youth was chief of the

host of Dan, And led the miledh of Erin, ere his hand was

smitten in fight ; Being first to kneel at my feet; and that old

man's eyes were bright And his strength not yet abated. He spake as a

man of war, That his knees were stiffened with age before

men, but queens led far And their followers never wearied ; so, smiling, I

give him thanks For himself and his band of Dannites, and a

cheer went up from their ranks.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 145

Many a chief came after, and Crimthann came

with the rest, And Bres, and my husband also. It irked me

much that his quest Was to sit in my sight before me, yet ill example

had been. If one alone unquestioned might break the state

of the Queen Being set in judgment on all men. Full soon

my judgments began, For a chieftain of Crimthann's came with claims

on a husbandman Whose few sheep wandered astray, and ate three

days of his land Ere the aire found them. Then Crimthann

standing forth from his band Claimed the sheep for the grass j but I said " the

flock and the field Have titles, but know ye not that each hath its

proper yield, Take ye three fleeces then, but leave the aire his

sheep." *

* This judgment belongs of right to Cormac Mac Art. K

146 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Then e'en Crimthann laughed aloud, and sware

that my laws were deep, And fleeces should go for the grass. So Aci

shouted aloud This judgment, and praise and laughter arose in

the mingled crowd.

{3) Then a weighty matter beset me whereat I was ill at ease.

Baring my thought unto God, yea, even as on my keees.

A bard of the land stood forward, and bidding the chiefs regard

His song, he chanted " the rights and due re- wards of a bard,"

And rehearsed " the rights and duties and proper state of a chief,"

And then "the customs of Eriu in all that re- gards a thief

And the shames that await a niggard." Lastly he spake the grief

Of Eriu in yielding tributes to save her shores from her foes

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 147

Without, and within her taxings, and her burden

of heavy woes From the chiefs fierce guards and firbolgs. " Our

miledh" he sang "we keep As sheep-dogs to guard our pasture, neither

sheep to feed with the sheep, Nor mongrels with cheftain's mongrels who snap

at the lambs in fold. But these watch-dogs bark in the sun, or snap

upon flies, grown old. But Bres, their leadei" is watchful, he setteth his

ships by the beach. His jaws are ever open, he sucketh the tax like a

leech. He storeth gold in his chamber, even in every

house Of Bres is a treasure chamber, but therein never

a mouse, For the tables of Bres are empty. I passed by

a house of Bres Who sat in a broidered garment, and toyed in

his wantonness Amongst the locks of his damsels. His arms

were laden with rings

148 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Of Eriu's gold. Then sang I his wealth, and

the mighty things That he wrought in fight with the Firbolgs ; after

Edlai and Turild were slain ; And Nuadh wounded of Sreng might hardly the

fight maintain, How he slew Mac Ere, and drove the Firbolgs,

and compassed about Strong Sreng, till he gave him pledges. This

land hath never in doubt The strength or beauty of Bres. By land and by

sea we know Men fear him and women love him. Why then

is his glory low ?

Save unto foolish maidens the welcome of Bres

is cold.

Save for his own attiring the garments of Bres are old.

Save on his shipmen's armour he spendeth little

of gold.

At his door is a couch of purple. His guest is set on the sward,

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 149

At his door the blind and the lame unto prayer

find scant reward. On his door are bars of iron wherewith he

guardeth his hoard.

In his house is neither music nor laughter nor

sound of feast. In his house a fierce hound snarleth but never

another beast. In his house is neither aire, nor chieftain, nor

scribe, nor priest.

On his hearth is one small fire, it roasteth a little

food. By his hearth a stout wench turns it, and the

smell of the meat is good. By his hearth one trencher is warm though he

burneth but little wood.

In his cave are rusty cauldrons that his mother

once filled with ale. In his cave are rotting meadvats, for his bees and

his honey fail. In his cave is a broken pitcher, and the whey in

that pitcher stale.

15° THE BOOK OF TEPHI

In his closet are wines of Chittim which even as

rubies shine. In his closet wine of Tarshish like molten gold of

the mine. In his closet are precious vessels, and one was

brimming with wine.

For the bard a fragment of bone ! For the bard

the pitcher of whey ! For the bard a seat on a stone ! For the bard a

hovel of clay ! From the bard sour whey, picked bone, cold

stone, for a prince this day ! ! *

* The above, though not a translation, reflects pretty accur- ately the spirit of the song of Cairbre Mac Etain against Eocho Bres Mac Elatha upon this important occasion. It is reputed to be the first satire uttered in Erin ; and if so, is good for a beginner. The portion not in triplets is inserted as a con- venient introduction to the previous record of the niggardly Alcibiades of the Tuatha de Danan, to whom he belonged on the mother's side. Elatha his father was not a Dannite, but a sea-king, probably in the first instance from the Spanish Bregia, and afterwards settled in Britain. For my present purpose, as I have represented him as looking to the gathering of the scattered tribes, I must consider him as a Simeonite or Gaddite by descent.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI ijl

Chapter XIX

Of the deposition of Bres the son of Elatha as leader of the host, and the appointment of Nuadh of the Silver Hand in his stead.

Now cast I mine eyes towards Jochad who

hearkened to Cairbre's song In sorrow, for greatly he loved his fellow that did

this wrong, And therefore answered me not, nor spake when

voices arose Crying for him and Nuadh. Then watching these

matters close My God gave help. Though I yearned that

Jochad might lead, I knew His will was not to the spear, and only with need

he drew The sword from its sheath in battle. Moreover,

meseemed that I Was little advised of these things, lacking strength

to descry Wherein I might choose ; and therefore I watched

long time their debate,

152 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Till it rose in stormwinds of fury and howled in

tempests of hate. Then shook I the chain of silence,* bidding Aci

proclaim my peace ; And he with a voice of thunder compelled their

strivings to cease, And aiding the son of Eschmun set forth stones

on the ground. Whereon the names of the captains of all the

hundreds were found ; Yet Jochad's was set not with them, and this was

done by my will ; For Jochad answered my glance with a brow un- troubled and still. Then the throng passed by before me, and each

man carried a stone. Laying it as I ordered, but choice was with him

alone Of the wand whereby he should cast it. The

heap about Nuadh grew Till it capped the name which was written, but

the castings for Bres were few,

* Hung by the side of the monarchs, and probably orna- mented with small bells.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 153

And Ogma Ethdan and Aci had each a mound to

his name, And stones were given by some unto champions

of lesser fame ; But Crimthann plucked forth his staff, nor would

he cast his stone. Saying he loved not to lead another band than

his own ; And Balor's men were away; therefore his lot

was bare, And the Breogan down in the South in that

council had scorned to share, Saying they held their coasts, and payed neither

tax nor tythe, Having armour and spears for all men, and hoping

therewith to thrive ; So their princes came not to Crofinn. Little

need was to count The stones, but the son of Eschmun reckoned a

sure amount. Four hundred and six unto Nuadh, to Bres but

fifty and three. Then darkness fell upon Bres, and fiercely he

cried on me

154 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

"Thou shall dearly rue thy castings," and in

answer I was not slack. " The queen casts lots for no man." But the

cloud hung heavy and black As he turned to his booth and left us, and Jochad

my husband went And reasoned therein, but left him in silence and

ill content. And that night he rode to Pen Edair ; and this

was beginning of all The strife that arose thereafter, and of many a

brave man's fall. Yet my soul rejoiced over Nuadh, to witness the

patient man Who braved wounds and neglect in silence ride

forth at head of his clan, Waving his keen bright spear aloft in one shining

hand, And bearing high in the other the mace of his old

command Amidst the shouts of the miledh ; and he rode

by my seat to cry " O, queen, we are thine for ever. We die in thy

name, Tephi."

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 155

Then my heart rose up as a queen's, and I spake,

" Nay, not with the rod, Or the spear will I rule this island, but reign in

the strength of God." Oh, mad are my people's shoutings. Their hearts

are carried away. In love of my folk thenceforward I travail both

night and day.

Chapter XX

(l) Tephi goeth to the North to behold her land, and Ethan part- ing from her train is taken captive by Tethra and certain firbolgs that are with him ; (2)Jochad goeth to seek him, and leadeth him back to their company*

(i) When the days of assembly ended, we went unto

fair Emain Where Nuadh entertained us, and so by river and

plain Through the North. A hundred chosen men as

our guards he sent,

* This episode took place later, after the battle of Magh Tuireadh, and Lugaid the son of Ith was Eocaid's companion in the rescue of Ethan, otherwise spoken of as Abchan, or Uaithne, from Tethra and his rough followers. But I have killed Ethan in the battle.

156 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

And fifty warriors of Dan, who with helms to

their horsemanes bent And sharp stiff spears before, were strongest

arrows of fight, For the steeds that were under these sped each

like a shaft in flight. Then turned we again towards Mulach where

Maistiu would have us stay ; But e'en as we went from the North a little space

on our way A thing befell which was evil, and showed the

wrongs of my land, For Tethra the fomorc champion lurked with a

savage band Of firbolgs in hills by the sea, and nought were

we told of this For the coastmen helped the fomorcs, though

knowing the farms should miss Many sheep and oxen and swine. Now Ethan,

going apart To assuage his soul with silence in some sudden

blackness of heart, Which ofttimes came upon him and drove him

forth to the field,

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 157

By these firbolgs was carried captive. Sore was

he loath to yield, But swordless and lone on the mountain ; and all

of us angered sore At that word. Then bade I our miledh to search

the hills and restore Our bard to our train ; but Jochad ever wary and

brave Said " nay, yon hills and their quagmires should

be many a miledh's grave Hunting these goats amongst them. These

shaggy firbolgs will hide. Each with his pouch of stones at his waist on the

mountain side, Where the horsemen may not seek him, and the

footman climbeth aloft Till he comes to some mossgreen hollow where

the footing is foul and soft. Then cometh a stone from a crag, and its hurler

creepeth away, Whilst the miledh if he be scatheless is stayed by

water and clay. Myself shall seek after Ethan." Then cried I

against him ; but, still

IS8 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Yet strongly, of right he spake. At the last, I gave him my will

That he went, though my heart was heavy. In a mantle of green went he.

Barefoot with his harp before him, and his gar- ments scarce to his knee

As a harper goeth unarmoured, and therefore unhurt of men,

Alone in the heart of the mountains to seek these wolves in their den.

(2) Now Jochad had skill of their customs, and knew

their wont was to feast On the stolen mountain cattle, and sleep like the

savage beast 'Neath the sky, but had meat in plenty, and song

was sweet in their ear ; And if these had taken Ethan, it was that they

longed to hear The magic of Ethan's singing, but Ethan was

wroth and stayed Both his tongue and harp, and sware no music of

his should be played

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 159

Before swine ; thus the men were angry, and

surely had sold him forth To go as a slave with Tethra to serve some chief

of the North. Now their track was followed by Jochad till he

came to a pasture wild Where Tethra was with the firbolgs, both man

and woman and child, And they set their meats before him, and soon

he arose to play. Playing the gentraith swiftly till their heels were

frolic and gay, And they drank and danced to the gentraith till

after the sun was set. Then he changed the string of his playing, and

the wildmen's eyes were wet At the plaintive sorrow of goltraiths, most mourn- ful his harp and slow Whilst he chanted the dirge of Clidna and many a

tale of woe Till the eyes of them all grew heavy, and further

they might not weep, So low he murmured the swantraith and soothed

their souls into sleep ;

i6o THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Then gently playing he stirred, and murmuring

still, untied The bonds of Ethan and left them, and played

down the valley side Till swift on the moor they departed, and came

to us ere the morn, Ethan silent and shamed, but like a thrush from

the thorn Was the homeward whistle of Jochad. Now all

the hours of the night I had sorrowed upon and blamed them, but an

hour ere dawning of light I heard the whistle of Jochad, and stood in the

door of my tent And railed at my early waking, till Ethan followed

my bent And we three had mirth together. Then said

Ethan, " Queen, mistress mine. Ye be like and unlike together, but in likeness ye

are divine. And holy in all unlikeness : Being pure, ye are

merry of heart. Ye are both too proud and humble of one that

lacks soul to depart ;

THE BOOK OF TEPHI i6l

Who is proud where ye are humble, and humbled

where ye are proud, And pardoned, lacks grace to crawl as a worm for

a grace allowed."

CHAPTER XXI

( I ) Tephi Cometh to Mulach, * and seeth there the evil wrought by Grisbane, the duughter of Richis upon Maistiu, and the slaying of her thereafter; (2) She telleth the state of Maistiu in the blindness which hath fallen upon her by Grisbane, the Canaanitish woman.

(i) So came we to Maistiu to MuUagh. She made

us a merry cheer. Her brow was open and happy. Her eyes were

steadfast and clear, Yet often they fell upon Ethan, and as she sat by

her warp t With her needle painting blossoms she loved the

voice of the harp On the flowery banks beside her. This thing in

mine eyes seemed good,

* Mulach, now MuUaghmast, i.e., the wood of Maistiu.

t Maistiu was the best embroideress of Eriu, and the first who embroidered a cross upon a garment for Angus, Tephi's second son.

L

i62 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

For many spirits had Ethan, and his was a noble

blood Of the princes of Dan, yet lower ; whilst Maistiu

lofty and pure Was a queen to rule all spirits of man from a

height secure : But there came a guest unto Maistiu, a Canaanite

from the South, Grisbane, daughter of Richis. A poppy bloomed

in her mouth, Her eyes danced sapphire sparkles. A baal-fire

gleamed in her hair Of ruby and gold and amber, for the woman was

very fair. Skilled in the twisting of tiars or stringing gems

for the neck, And her own was white as hawthorn. On her

snowy arms no speck Was discerned on their round whiteness ; but evil

of heart was she, And skilled in unholy cunning, knowing the fruit

of the tree Which is harmful, and herbs that are deadly, and

fashioning charms thereof

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 163

To slay the spirit of man or kindle his soul to

love. Long time was this witch betrothed unto Bennan

the son of Kain,* But chose for her sport to tarry, and still unwed to

remain, Casting her nets on champions. Upon Ethan

now was her cast, With spells to draw him beside her. Therefore

it pleased her at last To send him a tryst in the beechwood; yet, 1

know not if he were weak And minded to Grisbane's kisses, but she doubted

not he would seek Her tryst, and herself went thither. Now chanced

it by luckless hap I was weary within that even, and cast my shreds

from my lap Whereon had been Maistiu's lessons, and called

her forth to the wood

* I have taken a license here. Bennan does not enter this tale at all, whilst the man beloved of Maistiu and Grisbane with such tragic results was Daire, son of Eocho Taebfhada, for whom I have no use elsewhere.

1 64 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Where she walked in her height beside me until

in a path we stood Of soft grass amidst the hazels. There I was

minded to stay Whilst Maistiu plucking the filberts slowly went

on her way Down the green glade before me most lovely and

tall and fair, With all the flame of the sunset alight in her

golden hair, When I hear a voice beside her, " My love thou

art come full late," Then a sudden cry and a speech upraised in

anger and hate, "He sends Bennan's leman to mock me, but

ne'er shalt thou mock again. Who mocketh at Richis' daughter hath blindness,

foulness and pain." Then one screamed, and I ran in terror, and low

on the mossy ground Lay Maistiu, lay my sister, but blemish of blood

was not found Upon her, though deathly anguish furrowed the

broad white brow

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 165

And a darkened juice oozed slowly 'twixt the

close-shut lids below Wherewith the skin was purpled. So sank I down

at the spot Deeming her slain, but she moved and said to

me, " Touch me not Lest the poison work upon thee. Bring water,"

she whispered lowj And my mind flew swift in circles, debating

hither and fro To stay or leave her defenceless, but quickly I

kissed her lips. And praying quitted her side, to slip as a fawn

that slips Through the brake till I found the open, and

chanced upon Ethan near, Who [free and glad at a mark was tossing his

hunting spear. Swiftly I told our hap and returned. As a hound

that flees At the stag, sped Ethan for water, and found us,

and on his knees He bathed the poison from Maistiu in silence.

A woman's skill

i66 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Was in the fingers of Ethan, yet I feared that the

hurt should kill, For Maistiu spake not and stirred not, nor might

we move her to quaff From the vessel of clear spring water. Then

was a mocking laugh Beside us. " Never again shall thy leman behold

the day. Or smile in thy smiles for ever. Too skilled was

my mother's way Of mixing her charms to fail me.'' Then Ethan

rose to his feet Raising the pitcher aloft, and hurled it down till

it beat Full on the face of Grisbane, surely a weight like

lead, At his knee she kneeled and stumbled. At his

feet she fell down dead.

(2) Yes, blind, ever blind thereafter, unto the end of her days, Yet cheerful therewithal winning great affection

and praise. Where she might not broider her flowers she prac- tised a cunning craft

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 167

Of her own with a fish-hook straightened, and

raised up her face and laughed When I praised her taste in the colours. My

children loved her and clung Round her knees for kisses and stories. Many

tears both of old and young Water the flowers o'er Maistiu. — Of Ethan an

eric fine Was claimed by Richis of Breogan, a merchant

who drew forth wine And armour and vessels from Tarshish ; but

message I sent him back That Grisbane had sought her slaying, and well

for her none was slack To answer such woman's prayer which saved her- self from the stake ; For scarce had I pardoned Grisbane even for

Maistiu's sake. Who prayed me towards softer answer. Our

Ethan was soft with her And gentle to all her teachings, but he brooked

not any spur, Scarcely my touch thereafter, oft hiding himself

afar,

i68 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

At times returning with songs which stirred up

men's hearts to war, AX. times returning with dirges he sang with a

face like death, At whiles with riddles the priesthood debated

with angry breath. Much did my heart lean towards him. Were I

not set as queen With Jochad my love, by Maistiu my chosen

portion had been When I saw him lying before her with the dews

of grief in his eye. And the Lord that knoweth the heart, hereafter

shall tell me why.

Chapter XXII

( I ) Bres seeking aid of Elatha and finding it not^ sendetk unto Balor lord of the isles, and to the provinces of the north and the firbolgs. Crimthami undertakes to guard the western shore. Confusion is in the latid and counsel undecided.

(i) Now came ill tidings to Mulach, for Bres in Elatha's hall Sought aid, but his father heard him and hel ped not his son at all.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 169

Beholding his firstborn angered, yet causeless in

ill content. For Bres came unto his presence, and thus their

discourses went. Said Elatha, " Welcome, oh Bres, but wherefore

now art thou come When charge of the miledhs of Eriu forbiddeth

thee long to roam." * " I have left them, I plundered their gold, and

now in the mire they rout In fury and hunger for roots, and are fain to cast

me out." "My son, the good of a man is naught by the

good of a land." " I have sucked the fruit of the soil, but fain

again would I stand On the necks of the men I hated, and set their

houses to flame." " My son, thou speakest before me the words of

an open shame. Be sure of this, that a kingdom never again shall

plight

* This conversation still exists.

I70 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

To an unjust seeker the faith betrayed of one

that had right." So Bres flung out from his father and hurried

into the north And gathered the barks of the fomorcs that

through all the islands go forth, And summoned the Sgiath and Galls, and sent

forth men to the west Unto Balor, Indech and Bennan, with gold to

help in the quest Of their coastmen hillmen and fomorcs. These

promised him certain aid. And Corrgen only of Ailech refused the askings

he made. Crimthann answered him not, as always his

custom had been Unto men, but sent me a script wherein he

named me as queen. And wrote, " Thou hast builded a throne if its

base be the noble's will. But mind thee that over his serfs the Chief is the

chieftain still. Bid me to fight with a chief, I will answer then

at thy call.

TBE BOOK OF TEPHI \Ti.

But I wrestle not with my swineherds, nor throw

with cooks for a fall." So I sent him a message back, " To the queen is

thy word made plain. And she biddeth thee keep thy house against

king-thieves of the main, Which is no ill service to Eriu, nor unbefitting a

chief." Then came a captain of his from his keep with

an answer brief, " I obey," and Jochad approved me ; but chiefly

he set his care On Bregia. Before this day the Breogan had

little share In the deeds of the regions northwards. Strong

were their men and tall, Their weapons mighty and many, their cashels

fenced with a wall, Whilst their traders rich within them drew to- gether as one. Now Jochad feared that in Grsibane the hope of

their peace was gone. If their spears were against us Nuadh should be

but a feeble strength ;

172 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Therefore we called him from Emain and heard

these matters at length ; And he spake of his miledh unpaid, save his own

band the most were lax To practice, and many escaped ; whilst Bres had

handled the tax Witholding their food and armour, and now few

taxes were paid For the miledh, but many to Baal, the people

waxing afraid At cursings of priests, and rumours of war ; yet

the tax of gold Was paid to the fomorcs, but failed their thievish

vessels to hold. These had harried the coast of the north, and

pillaged the island of Mod. Where they burned the house of Ogma, and beat

his men with a rod. Whilst they set them to bind his timbers fair into

many a raft, And bore them away to Lochlann each at the

heels of his craft. Nuadh, though fieryhearted, told us no braggart's

lies.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 173

He longed as a steed for battle, but yet was wary

and wise. Braggarts came thither to us, and most of the

common folk And farmers believed that I by spells might

lighten their yoke. I know that the Lord is mighty with little or

great to find An aid, but as queen mine office was all my

people to bind In one, not kindle their strifes; so leaned 1 on

Nuadh's word And on Sri and my husband Jochad, and sware

I would lift no sword If other resource there might be. Much weighty

discourse we had. The land being vexed with tumult, the hearts of

the rulers bad. Now mostly we feared that Breogan might set

themselves to our harm. Then said I before them all, " I have neither

spells nor a charm To blast like the witches of Breogan ; yet ye have

heard the fall

174 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Of Ai. If God be with us, the shields of the

coastmen's wall Shall fail at my word. Then Jochad and Sri

beheld me and saw How my heart had hidden purpose, and my will

unto these was law.

Chapter XXIII

(l) Dala scorneik in the gate of Mulach, and is discomfited by Ethan ; (2) Tephi goeth to his reliefs ajid meeteth Lugaid the son of Ith of the Breogan^ who was come out against her ; (3) she leadeth Lugaid u7ito her hushand^ having the most part of the Breogan with her.

(1) Next morn departed Nuadh to summon the

chiefs of the host To Emain, and nigh to our gate came a heathen

bard with a boast How Balor was drawn unto Bres, and those

would make me a feast Unto every unclean bird and to every noisome

beast ■ And my miledh were little to peck at though few

should be left alive

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 175

" The horses of Balor a thousand, his chariots one

hundred and five, The men of his hills five thousand, four from his

septs in the plain. Of the miledh of Bregin three thousand draw

nigh from the southern main, And Crimthann shall be behind thee with the

war-wolves of Pen Edair That are never slack to their hunting. Yea,

surely they shall not spare." Now, save that fighting in battle a bard is sacred

of men, Surely an arrow had sped from our fences and

slain him then, But Ethan was angered, and ran from the watch- gate, and cried his name, " Ho Dala, called son of Cliath,* that knows

not his mother's shame. Called also son of the swineherd, called also son

of the groom. It seems in Carnamatirech t thou findest but

little room.

* A harper of the 3rd rank.

t The fort of the wolves. *Still in fair preservation.

176 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Outcast by Bennan the swine, Nay, that is a wrong indeed.

Though he rout thee away from his trough, I fling thee food for the need

Of thy mouth, three mouths in gaping ; of thy teeth ill ordered but great,

That thy paunch which sags before thee may rise up in high estate.

May it fill thy hunger, oh Dala, and stay the edge of that note

Of famine above the hoarseness of crows which dwells in thy throat

When thou singest the praise of Bennan." Therewith an apple he sped

Large but of early Summer, and smote the mouth in the head

Of Dala, the son of Cliath, and brake the half of his teeth

Parting his jaws asunder, whilst blood ran stream- ing beneath.

He might not answer to Ethan, but staggering, turned him back

And shamed by scorn of our grooms with totter- ing limbs and slack

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 177

Passed down the path to the meadows. I heard

the sound of their cheer, And leaving my maidens alone, to the guard at

our gate drew near. And beholding him driven away, enquired of

wherefore he went, And saw him fall on his face as he drew to a

broad-stretched tent Some stranger had pitched there at morn, but

none came forth to his aid ; So I took a vessel of water, and ran, and was not

afraid. Then Ethan and Sri ran after, but I waved them

back from the field. And came on its sward to Dala, and down by his

corse I kneeled, And brake the fruit from his jaws, and cleansed

them of blood, and poured A wine of the South therein that was given by

Ith the lord Of Tarshish, sunlight and honey. Then after a

space he woke, But his eyes were troubled and weary and never

a word he spoke.

M

178 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

(2) Still bathed I his front with water when I guessed

behind me the tread Of one that came from that tent, so pausing I

raised my head And saw one mighty of stature, the plates of

whose greaves were gilt, The sheath of whose sword shone rubies, and

hung from a golden hilt. The breadth of whose breast was spacious, and

scaled with an armour of gold, Dark bearded, yet white and ruddy, with features

of princely mould ; And he spake, " Do elves of Eriu go forth in her

fields by day To work their charms, and draw the soul from

the lips and slay ? So would I be slain if thou wiliest, but what is

that potent charm Wherewith thou hast restored him ? Wouldst

thou work him a further harm ? " Then smiling I said, "No charm, but wine I

poured in his mouth To help him out of his swoon. In vines of the

warmer South

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 179

Was it grown of the best of the land, for in

Gadesh the men of Ith The lord of Breogan and Eber have vines and

are rich therewith." Then that mighty chief was stirred, and took my

phial to his hand And said, " Yea, this is of Gadesh, what knowest

thou of that land, If woman not spirit thou art ? for never such

sight, I ween, Before the tent of Lugaid as thee and thy garb

was seen." Then joyous I said, "Oh Lugaid, art thou the

son of the soul Of him that named me his daughter, who, brook- ing no chief's control. Went out with thine own five vessels to seek thee

a home, and build Thee a house wherein to rule. Thy father heard

thou wast killed On the seas, and mourned, and told me thy tale.

Why then art thou here ? I was but his child by choice ; but thou his true

son shouldst cheer

i8o THE BOOK OF TEPHI

The eyes and ears of his age." " If thou art my

sister," he said, " I seem to hear and see the voice of one that is

dead. My mother, but set that by. I am here to speak

with the folk Whom Jochad brings from the middens and

hovels and stables and yoke, To find there some champion. I sailed upon

many seas till I found A people of Breogan. There, I drew my ships

to the ground To reign as a prince amongst them, and though I

love not the chiefs Of the inland clans, they are fellows. I share not

a bard's beliefs That men be equal, and seek to see if my equal

they find In Ogma, or Ethdan, slaves of the fomorcs time

out of mind, Or in Jochad, strong though men speak him, or

perchance in one of his serfs That dips in his chiefs own basin a paw well

dyed in the turfs.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI i8i

Thus sped I before my Breogan, and now wilt

thou pass with me If thy sick man be helped, with my challenge ;

and soon forsooth thou shalt see And praise thy brother as victor." Then seeing

that Dala rose And departed, I went with Lugaid, and spake at

his arm drawn close, Towards the ditch we digged on the hilltop, and

when Ethan and Sri would lay Themselves in our path, I raised my hand till

they went away. Then Lugaid raised up his voice and shouted,

" Oh, heremon. Called from thy farmer folk, wouldst thou speak

with a chief alone ? Some call thee a sheep-dog only, some speak thee

a clumsy bear. * I fain would know thee a lion, if not, flee forth

as a hare From Lugaid, whose spear is mighty ; from

Lugaid, whose miledh shall stand

* Garbh, the rugged.

i82 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

As a wall of brass before thee, and break the

strength of thy band Ere it fall to the wolves of Balor, the swine of the

central plain And the mountain bulls that bellow with Bennan

the son of Kain."

(3) Then saw I a golden helmet gleam by our fence

of stake. A light leap over the trench made Jochad, but

naught he spake, Coming down the slopes to meet us, whilst I saw

the hurdles start And tips of a score of arrows wait eager for

Lugaid's heart. Naught but a cloudless wonder dwelt on my

husband's face, As with words of happy greeting he came to our

resting place. " Thou hast greeted the queen, by thine armour I

know thou hast titles and fame. By sea and land, but neither thy father's house

or thy name.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 183

Thou shalt be a champion of Breogan, those

ancient seamen and brave, Sons of the sons of them that rule on the ocean

wave Far southward into the sunlands." Then spake

I, " Lo, I am here To bring thee my brother, Lugaid, the son of my

father dear, The old man I loved in Tarshish when I dwelt

in his house awhile, Who gave me the men that brought me unto

thee and thy fair green isle. Now my brother bringeth me Breogan." Then

deep in his beard low laughed Strong Lugaid and said, " More deadly hath been

the magic I quaffed Than his whose teeth had been broken. But

now I see thee aright For a lion, I have my longing, and hail thee a

lord of fight Who shall shame no man as his captain, and

Balor is none of mine. Though he may perchance excel me in strength

to wrestle with wine.

l84 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

And Bres may win at the chess-play. I bow to

thy queen great righ * And thy helm with her ruby above it. Thy man

henceforward am I." Then Jochad embraced him and said, " My queen,

my mistress, my bride, This day thou art champion of war, the chiefest

strength of our side." And Lugaid laughed, " It is little thy queen hath

conquered in me ; But the daughter of Ith may call the sons of the

sons of the sea. And win back a loyal answer. Fair queen, so

haughty and small. Say wilt thou travel with me to set on thy crown

the wall Of the Breogan towns of the South to keep thee

here on thy hill." Then Jochad was grave, but I smiled, and he

spake not against my will When I followed Lugaid afoot till he set me on

Enbarr his steed

* Righ, king.

THE BOOK OF TEPHl 185

And went by my side five furlongs. Now

whither our road should lead I had guessed. O'er a rough rock's shoulder we

climbed and below us stood The miledh of Bregia camping betwixt that cliff

and a wood. At Lugaid's shouting they turned and knew him

and drew anigh Whilst he spake of me to his men, for that crag

was set too high For my speech to pass to their ears, but high on

the topmost stone I stood few paces above him, and a thought I

had made my own Was this. The trident of gold I had from the

Pen of the Gate Should be known of these with the twiceforked

spears. By a happy fate I had seen my maidens bearing it forth in my

house that day. And chosen this for a rod, and a weapon to be

my stay When I went down the field to Dala. Now I

raised it on high

i86 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

That its threefold fangs of gold might lighten

against the sky; And the miledh hailed their standard, for many a

grandson of Tyre Knew in what temple shone in the god's hand

such dart of fire, And great was the shouting then, though some

of the folk were wroth, Till there came division amongst them, and part

of their band drew forth With Richis to go unto Balor, but more than the

half turned back And passed by the crag, and followed where

Lugaid pointed their track. Two hours had I gone from Mulach, when again

I might discern Once more the eyes through the wattles that

waited on my return. For none might pass through the trench save

Jochad gave them command. I that departed with one, returned with an

armoured band. Twelve hundred and three and fifty, whilst some

stole thither by night

THE BOOK OF TEPHl 187

Until Breogan stood fourteen hundred, a wall to

hearten our fight ; With Lugaid the stone of their corner, the prow

of the thorny hedge That should brush the horsemen asunder, as a

swan that stirreth the sedge.

Chapter XXIV

( I ) Lugaid journeying with them vieeteth his father by the way, who is secretly slain by three Canaanites thereafter ; (2) Lugaid inaketh jest of the porters at the gate of Emain ; (3) The tribute is cut off.

(i) At the dawn I said, "let us carry to Nuadh the Breogan aid,

That his soul be uplifted with us, and his miledh be not dismayed

By tidings both North and South. So I and my husband led

With Lugaid, and Ogma tarried a space behind at the head

Of our folk and the men of Bregia. Then, pass- ing on without fear

We saw on our path a greybeard most noble of horse and gear

; THE BOOK OF TEPHl

Who came in the way before us ; and now, be- hold, it was Ith, And he fell on the neck of Lugaid, and great was

our joy therewith. Beholding his son he wept ; and gave to the Lord

great praise That his eyes found light to behold him, before

the darkness of days. Tidings had come out of Bregia that his son was

living as yet, Thereupon he made no tarrying, but quickly his

course was set To see if that word were true ; and now, than his

hope more swift. His son had kneeled for his pardon. Then both

did their gaze uplift To my face, and he kissed me also, and blessed

me of heaven that his son Was found, and had counsel by me, and bade

him his course to run 'Neath the eyes of his daughter Tephi, enquiring

much of our war. Then said he, "Ye call me, Ith Cian, the 'light

that liveth afar,'

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 189

In this land where my ships come often, but soon

shall ye see me near. I am not too weak in mine age to handle the

sword and spear. I speed and return with succours. One hour

with ye I remain : Then back unto Edair's harbour to summons the

ships of Spain. In a month hence abide my coming. My going

shall not be long. My ships shall be very many, their engines and

armour strong." He heeded not for our chiding. " Nay, I have

seen my son My very son, Lugaid, in right. My journey is

wellnigh run. Let me strike one stroke against Balor. He also

is mighty, yet old. His seawolves have oft sped southwards to harry

sheep of my fold." Thus spake he, and would not tarry ; yet scarce

had he left our sight, Riding full swiftly to Edair, when now at entrance

of night

igo THE BOOK OF TEPHl

Three champions of Tyre drew nigh, and though the even was dim

They guessed of Ith by his riding, and their rid- ing was known unto him,

For he drove them forth out of Eber, being proud that no man might stand

Of the chiefs of Eber before them, and haughty in all the landj

Yet vahant and strong and wealthy. Now these were sworn unto hate

Of the lord of Tarshish, therefore he turned him- self by the gate

Of a farmstead amongst the cattle, but the eldest man of the three

Beheld him and followed after, and beat him down on his knee

Whilst his brothers slew him with stones, and after they builded a heap

Of the stones above Ith Cian, and trusted their deed would sleep :

But ye know, and therefore I write not, the tale that the bards shall tell

To the sons of men for ever, how these princes of Canaan fell

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 191

'Neath the burdens of Lugaid upon them.

Though greatly they strove therewith, They were laid at the last 'neath the stones where-

under they buried Ith. We knew not this on that night, yet deemed that

Ith was no more When his succours came not from Tarshish,

knowing the love he bore To his daughter and son, and his wrath against

Balor, Indech and Bres.

(2) Yet this night we guessed not his doom, and went

without heaviness ; And the next day drew unto Emain, riding

thither full fast Before our people, and Lugaid swore that a jest

to last Should be in our coming thither. So went he

afoot to the hall. His brightness veiled by a cloak. Now there

stood two guardians tall And haughty by Nuadh's threshold, and these

men bade him to stay

192 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Until his errand was told them. Then said he

humbly, "I pray, Doth Nuadh require a wheelwright?" and the

porters answered him " Nay, We have Luchta, the son of Lomhaid." Then

asked he again, " I pray Your favour, wants he a smith," and the porters

again said "Nay, Our smith is the thrice-skilled Colum.'' Then

bolder he spoke, " I pray Lack ye here for a champion ? " and loudly the

men cried " Nay, Great Ogma cometh and Ethdan." Then sweetly

he sung, " I pray. Want ye my songs as a harper ? " and proudly

they answered "Nay, For Ethan comes oft to our tables." So, solemn,

he asked, " I pray. Have ye preachers and pious amongst you,''

and scornful they spake him, " Ay, The wisdom of Sri, the preaching of Mathgen."

So laughed he, " I pray. Are cupbearer's near to your lord ? " They

answered in mocking, " Ay,

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 193

Dathi leads twelve clad in crimson?" Then,

formal, he questioned, " Pray, Be there scribes or recorders with them ? " Where- upon they answered him, " Ay, Many scribes under En son of Eschmun." So,

last he said, " I beseech Your mercy in asking, hath Nuadh provided a

skilful leech?" One laughed and the other yawned. " The chief

of that craft have we, With son and daughter beside him, wellnigh as

skilful as he." Then Lugaid cast cloak, and shouted, "Go,

Kamal the son of Knees And Hamal son of Formality, ask thy master, of

these Which man may do every service?" Right

swiftly these lackeys sped At his chiding, and Nuadh heard them, and came

to the gate and led The " man of all crafts " * to his table, where

laughter and mirth we found

* " Ildanach," a title of Lugaid's, who may have picked up his oriental terms of abuse (Gamul Mac Figol and Chamal Mac

N

194 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

To greet us upon our coming, whilst gaily that jest went round.

(3) Now as we sat at our meat, there came nine

men with demand That the tributes set by the fomorcs be given into

their hand ; And spake with threats in their mouths that the

taxings be swiftly made, Bidding us hear that thereafter a double tax

should be paid. If Balor and Tethra should tarry, or Indech

should stay his oars That he sent unto Losken-lomu, to bring with

speed to our shores His barekneed kernes from the North. Then

stood I before these men And said, "The Shepherd of Israel keepeth

wolves from the pen,

Rhiagild) in his wanderings, or learned them of the folk whom he is reported to have sent as far as the Persian court for steel weapons, probably unobtainable further west at that period. The physician's name was Diancecht, the lady doctor's Armedda.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 195

His flock shall be tythed of no man." Then Lugaid arose in wrath

And falling swift on the seafolk, with the spear- staff he drove them forth,

To return unto Indech and Balor. But all hearts gathered to me,

For my labour was fallen upon me, and my travail for victory.

Chapter XXV

(l) Tephi holdeth her council at Grelldch Dollaid, and cheereth the men of Eriu ; (2) Eocaid gathers his force of the 7nen of the land and of the horsemen of Dan, whilst Lugaid goeth to the South and Ogma to the North. They make their trysting in the West, by the water which is now called Unius, and Tephi sendeth messages to Elatha,

(i) Old Nuadh's heart rose up as a man of war to

cheer Our hearts, a steed that snuffeth and knoweth

the battle near, And we planned our secret council that was held

on a Sabbath day, For our righteousness is with the Lord in our

toiling as when we pray.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

In a hidden hold we made it, of the chosen of

all our land, And greatly the people marvelled of the deed

which thereat was planned, Wherefore men call it my amrun,* for all men

marvelled to see How God spake forth in Eriu by the Spirit He

set on me. Now after a while, I bade that each man speak of

the gift He would give unto God and Eriu the burdens

thereof to uplift, Then Mathgen the wise said, " I and the priests

through the hills seek aid," And Figol son of Manoah, " Oft on my knees I

have prayed Amongst the men of the woodlands, and surely

these know me well, And will seek at my bidding to Tephi to fight

with the powers of hell." Bright Dathi said, " I am known by many a river

and lake

* A marvel.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 197

To the aire's and shepherds, and these will surely

come for my sake.'' And Lugaid, " Of Breogan, my strength, I issue

forth with my spear, The Destroyer, with Perez the Mede its light- nings were seen with fear. None such hath been known in Eriu. 'Tis a

flame of thrice-tempered steel." Now many spake of their will for the good of the

land to deal. Gabhran the smith saying, " Never shall freedman

of Eriu want For spearheads or bolts or javelins till the coals

of my forge be scant." And Luchtna, "For Gabhran's spearheads such

shafts will I surely make. As shall fill each outstretched hand, and no one

of my shafts shall break." And Creidne, " Of every spear which Gabhran

and Luchtua's skill Shall fashion, the heads shall cleave, for my

rivetting is not ill." Last, Jochad said, "Ye have promised each and

all as a King

igS THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Yet myself is the Queen's first servant, and there- fore myself I bring."

Then Lugaid smiled and he said, " The serfdom of all is seen

In their mouths, but what wage for labour shall be to thy slaves, Oh, Queen ? "

Then answered I at that asking, " Little my need of a slave,

But free service to this my kingdom." And thereon I made them a stave.

Not upon slaves are my gifts poured out. Strong olive, anointed and digged about. Mine oils are sovran o'er weakness and doubt.*

(2) We determined that Lugaid should pass with his Breogan homeward and west

* Arrosisor dosifius Dosseladh arosel Arrosdibu nosriast For the difficulty of translating the Great Queen's utterances see Whitley Stoke's " Revue Celtique." I am no scholar.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 199

And Jochad be with me at Tailtea,* whereto I

should gather the quest Of all the lands of my province, and also through- out the soil Of Eriu send men to gather hills fields and

pastures from toil, Loyal folk but skilless in warfare. Yet Jochad

had heed of all. And taught them and gave them arms ; and their

women and babes would fall At my feet, and pray me to lift the curse of the

robber bands That issued out of the cashels, and harried the

farmers lands Till they lacked the oxen to plough with, and

often they failed to eat The very seed they had planted, for oft these

carried the wheat. In my tears I promised their asking, and gave

them of that I had,

* The seat of Tephi in her immediate domain of Teffia (Tephi's land), where she probably died, being carried thence Teamuir for burial. Teffia included Longford and West- meath.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Grown little now by my spendings, but the souls

of my poor were glad, Till some called me not " Teia '' but " Dea," and

save that they dwelt with the clods I had needs reproved them more sharply, for I

love not that names of gods Be given to men ; and after, such rebuke was

often my need In chiding this foolish people, but my preaching

hath little heed. Ogma went from us northeast, and passing a

space inland He drew us a noble succour of men of war to his

band, And passed unto Ailech to Corrgenn, and thus

in a six weeks' space We had gathered Eriu amongst us, and drew

towards the trysting-place. Where Balor and Bres should find us, and where

should be held that fight Which should darken the clouds of Eriu or fill its

dwellings with light. One thing unknown of my husband I did, for I

feared to fall

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 201

Therein. We heard how a bridge betwixt the

isles of the Gall * And Eriu was wellnigh built by boats going

hither and fro With Sgiaths and Firbolgs in thousands, for

Indech had not been slow Of help unto Bres, nor Tethra, nor Omna nor

Bagma the chiefs Of the fomorcs, to bring with ships these bands

of savage reliefs Unto Balor. Then sent I word to Elatha the

father of Bres That the host of his son grew mighty. His

honour grew less and less, Bringing wild Firbolgs to plunder a kingdom

which once his arm Was strong to defend against them. So I told

my husband my charm Had been woven to weaken Indech, and surely

my soul spake true. For Elatha sent many vessels to harass that

pirate crew,

* Foreigner.

202 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

And the isles of the Sgiath's and Firbolgs, till

lastly these feared to come, Whilst many that came already went back to

defend their home.

Chapter XXVI

( I ) Tephi and her husband come to the ford of Unna * ivhere Eocaid dreameth a dreajn which she may not interpret, though she is cheered thereby ; (2) the chiefs of the host assemble thither, and a camp is pitched, whilst the battle is set for the eve of Samhain t ; (3) the fighting of the first day, Ruadan, being treacherous, is slain by Gabhra?i the smith*

We were first, one week ere Samhain in the tryst-

ing by Unna's stream. In the early dawn thereafter, my husband told

me his dream How I stood o'er the pool of Unna one foot on

his own green land. But the other firm on a lion that slept on a fair

bright strand. Nine braids of my locks spread forth, and lo, the

first of a three

* " Destruction,' named after the battle, t October 30th.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 203

Was wavy and many tangled in all the isles of

the sea. Now the second was thick and braided on a

broad land wealthy and fair In the West, but that tress was severed, and cities

grew from each hair That lay on that noble pasture. Then the third

tress spread to the north In a great land buried in snows, which melted till

streams gushed forth Amidst oceans of golden cornland. Then he

spake of the second three. How a thin hair, strongly braided, upheld the

weight of the sea. And a second stirred by a westwind flew to a

golden hill. Whilst its fellow gave shelter from heat o'er realms

stretching beyond it still. Of the third three, all went south, and one was

spread over Lud And Phut, but the other twain flew out o'er an

endless flood Unto the endings of earth, and there they fastened

their hold

204 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

Upon mighty desert places in the heart of whose

stones was gold. Now on every tress of the nine were golden cym- bals which spoke In the ears of the lion's cubs which lay at my

foot : but he woke Ere ever his dream was ended. Yet he watched

four eagles draw Towards the lion to blind his eyeballs, and the

lion opened his maw And roared in face of the eagles. Then started

he full awake. That dream might I ne'er interpret, yet my soul

is glad for its sake.

(2) Yet the roaring was of young lions, for Lugaid

and Ogma were there With their force before the daybreak, and surely

they did not spare To roar as lions in their coming. Thus was our

host complete. And Nuadh went forth before us, and ordered a

battle seat

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 205

On the green slope stretched before us. Noble

was now that host, And valiant, but little of number before the chiefs

of the coast. With their swarming Firbolgs and shipmen.

Now each side ordered its fence, And we parleyed, and set the battle of the forces

for five days thence. Upon Samhain's day which they chose, for this

was a feast unto Baal, But my Stone of defence was sure. His pillars

of little avail.

(3) Now the plain by the stream of Unna was level and broad and green

Till the rising fences of Balor on a further hill might be seen

Whence shoutings came to our ears, and cham- pions out of his side

Came forth in the field and mocked us, and I would not any replied.

Yet often they went ; and some were victors, and some men fell.

206 THE BOOK OF TEPHI

I might scarce forbid such strivings; but this

thing I knew right well, That such are not for a leader in whom a nation

is lost, So laid my gesa* on Lugaid and Ethdan at

every cost To bide in their booths with Jochad. Nuadh

secure might ride. For the chief of a host is sacred till his battle be

ordered wide. That first day were many combats of lesser men,

and a car Of Ochtriall son of Indech we took with his

craisechs t of war. When he went to stop the springs to our front,

for the streamlet ran Too near to their slings for our sutlers. Also

division began Of these, and the spears which Gabhran and

Creidne and Luchtna made,

* Gesa, command with curse for disobedience, t Craisech, a broad heavy spear with a blunt point, used by Firbolgs and seamen.

THE BOOK OF TEPHI 207

Each with its well-poised shaft, and rivets, and

bright keen blade, Till the foe had heed of that forest, and at even,

one that we knew Came from them and went amongst us, for the

stream of his life he drew From a captain of Dan, though his mother was

even a Canaanite, In whom a chief of the fomorcs long time had his

heart's delight. Ruadan was his name, and much he enquired of

our gears, And saw where Gabhran the smith was casting

the ruddy spears, And Creidne plying his hammers, and Luchtna

shaping the wood. The three great craftsmen of Eriu, and the work

of their hands right good And speedy ; whilst Tuirbhi, crippled, wrought at

his forges ill, Though had he been strong in his prime, our

Gabhran, his pupil, still Was his master in skill and swiftness. Then the

spy to Tuirbhi went back.

2o8 THE BOOK