'
But the giant answered, 'Though the Princess were at the point of death,
yet would I not give her berries from the quicken-tree.'
When Dermat heard this he said, 'It had pleased me well to remain at peace
with thee, but now must I take the berries from the tree whether it be thy
will or no.'
At these words Sharvan waxed exceeding wroth, and with his club did he
deal Dermat three sore blows. But the champion, recovering, sprang upon
the giant, and seizing his great club, he ceased not to belabour him until
he fell to earth a dead man.
Then Dermat sat down to rest. And he told the captive chiefs to drag the
body of the giant into the wood and bury it, that Grania might not be
affrighted. And when they had come back he sent for the Princess.
And Grania, when she came to the quicken-tree, would not gather the fruit,
for she said, 'I will eat no berries save those plucked by the hand of my
husband.'
So Dermat plucked the berries, and Grania ate and was satisfied.
Then the champion gave berries of the quicken-tree to the captive chiefs,
saying, 'Take these to Finn and so win your peace.' And this he said as
though they were free men.
They thanked the hero for his words, and also for the berries, which they
could not have got of themselves. Then having bid Dermat and Grania
farewell they journeyed forth towards the hilly slopes of Allen.
When they were gone, Dermat and Grania went to the top of the
quicken-tree, into the hut of Sharvan, and the berries below were but
bitter compared to the berries that were above upon the tree.
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