" And now, I pray of thee,
let me drink from thine hands, else surely death will overtake me in this
place. From many another deadly strait have I delivered thee, yet hast
thou forgotten them all. But the hour will come when surely thou wilt need
my help shouldst thou let me die this day. Yet grieve I not to think that
thou wilt be in deadly strait, but rather grieve I for those true heroes
whom I shall no longer aid.'
Then one of the nobles, hearing these words, prayed Finn that he would let
Dermat drink from his hands.
Finn replied, 'I know not of any well on this hill whence I can bring
water.'
But Dermat said, 'Right well thou knowest that hidden by yonder bush is a
well of crystal water. No more than nine paces must thou go to reach it.
Let me, I pray thee, drink from thine hands.'
Then Finn went to the well, and in his two hands tightly together did he
bring the water towards Dermat. But as he came nearer he spilled it
through his fingers, saying that he could not in such manner carry water
so far.
But Dermat believed him not, and said, 'Of thine own will hast thou
spilled the water. I pray thee go once more to the well and bring me to
drink, or I die.'
Again the King went to the well, and with failing sight did Dermat follow
the dripping hands that came nearer and yet more near. But of a sudden
Finn thought of Grania, and a second time was the water spilled.
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