And the grass grew green above them, and a white tombstone bore their
names, and across the grave floated morning and evening the chime of the
sweet Christ-bell.
DERMAT AND GRANIA
It was at Tara that King Cormac would hold a great meeting, and the chiefs
and nobles of the land were gathered together there.
But ere the business of the day was begun, it was told that two warriors
were without and would talk with the King.
Then did Cormac welcome the messengers, and when he heard that they came
from the broad hill slopes of Allen and bore a message from Finn, their
King, he said that the meeting should not be held that day, but that he
would speak with the warriors alone.
And after they had eaten and drunk, Cormac bade them tell their errand.
Then spake Oisin, the son of Finn, and he told how his mother had long
been dead, and how his father would fain marry Grania, the fair daughter
of Cormac.
But Cormac made answer, 'Scarce in all Erin is there a prince that hath
not sought in marriage the hand of my daughter, but she hath refused them
all. For this cause have I their ill-will, for the Princess hath ever made
me tell how none had won her favour. Wherefore shall I bring you to my
daughter's presence, that from her own lips ye may hear the answer that ye
shall carry to your King.'
So Cormac went with Oisin the son of Finn and with Dering his friend to
the sunny room of the Princess.
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