File:Myths and legends; the Celtic race (1910) (14760441646).jpg

Identifier: mythslegendscelt00roll (find matches)
Title: Myths and legends ; the Celtic race
Year: 1910 (1910s)
Authors: Rolleston, T. W. (Thomas William), 1857-1920
Subjects: Celts Celts Celtic literature Legends, Celtic
Publisher: Boston : Nickerson
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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e cameone man that dealt the tree but a stroke, and with thatsingle cut laid it low.** The fair tree was the Irish monarchy, the twelvehewers were the twelve Saints or Apostles of Ireland,and the one who laid it low was St. Ruadan. The pleaof the king for his country, whose fate he saw to behanging in the balance, is recorded with moving forceand insight by the Irish chronicler : ^ * It was the practice, known in India also, for a person who waswronged by a. superior, or thought himself so, to sit before the door-step of the denier of justice and fast until right was done him. InIreland a magical power was attributed to the ceremony, the effectof which would be averted by the other person fasting as well. 2 Silva Gadclica, by S. H. OGrady, p. 73. ^ The authority here quoted is a narrative contained in a fifteenth-century vellum manuscript found in Lismore Castle in 1814, andtranslated by S. H. OGrady in his * Silva Gadelica. The narrativeis attributed to an officer of Dcrmots court.48
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Desolate be Tara for ever and ever ! 48 THE CURSING OF TARA ** Alas/ he said, for the iniquitous contest that yehave waged against me ; seeing that it is Ireland*sgood that I pursue, and to preserve her discipline androyal right ; but tis Irelands unpeace and murderous-ness that ye endeavour after.** But Ruadan said, Desolate be Tara for ever andever ; and the popular awe of the ecclesiastical male-diction prevailed. The criminal was surrendered, Tarawas abandoned, and, except for a brief space when astrong usurper, Brian Boru, fought his way to power,Ireland knew no effective secular government till itwas imposed upon her by a conqueror. The lastwords of the historical tract from which we quote areDermots cry of despair : Woe to him that with the clergy of the churchesbattle joins. This remarkable incident has been described at somelength because it is typical of a factor whose pro-found influence in moulding the history of the Celticpeoples we can trace through a succession of criti

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