'
These words the four white swans heard with great joy, and coming to the
shore they placed themselves under the care of the Saint. And he led them
to his cell, and there they dwelt with him. And Kemoc sent to Erin for a
skilful workman, and ordered that two slender chains of shining silver be
made. Betwixt Finola and Aed did he clasp one silver chain, and with the
other did he bind Fiacra and Conn.
Then did the children of Lir dwell with the holy Kemoc, and he taught them
the wonderful story of Christ that he and Saint Patrick had brought to the
Green Isle. And the story so gladdened their hearts that the misery of
their past sufferings was well-nigh forgotten, and they lived in great
happiness with the Saint. Dear to him were they, dear as though they had
been his own children.
Thrice three hundred years had gone since Eva had chanted the fate of the
children of Lir. 'Until Decca be the Queen of Largnen, until the good
Saint come to Erin, and ye hear the chime of the Christ-bell, shall ye not
be delivered from your doom.'
The good Saint had indeed come, and the sweet chimes of the Christ-bell
had been heard, and the fair Decca was now the Queen of King Largnen.
Soon were tidings brought to Decca of the swan-maiden and her three
swan-brothers. Strange tales did she hear of their haunting songs. It was
told her, too, of their cruel miseries. Then begged she her husband, the
King, that he would go to Kemoc and bring to her these human birds.
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