But so deep was the wound in Dermat's side that when Finn came to him he
found the hero near unto death.
And Finn said, 'Now am I well content, for thine end hath come.'
'Sure the words that thou speakest come not from thine heart,' answered
Dermat, 'for it is in thy power to heal me, and that thou knowest full
well.'
'How might I heal thee?' asked Finn.
'Thou knowest that power was given thee to heal him who might be at the
point of death. Let him but drink water from the palms of thy closed
hands, and he is healed of his hurt.'
'Yet wherefore should I heal thee who hast worked me nought but ill?'
'Thou wouldst not speak thus wert thou mindful of the day when I saved
thee from the flames. Thou wast bidden to a banquet, and ere the feast
began the palace was set a-fire by those who wished thee ill. And I and my
men rushed forth and quenched the flames and slew thy foes. Had I begged
water from thy hands that night thou hadst not said me nay.'
'Thou forgettest that but for thee the fair Grania were my wedded wife.'
'Of a surety am I not blameworthy in this matter, O Finn, for Grania laid
upon me a solemn vow that I should follow her from Tara ere thou shouldst
wake from thy sleep. And I took counsel of many nobles, and there was not
one but said, "Even though death come of it, thou canst not depart from
the solemn vow that Grania hath laid upon thee.
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