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his way.
Chapter VI: Tales of the Ossianic Cycle 130
Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race
The Birth of Oisin
One day, as Finn and his companions and dogs were returning from the chase to their dkn on the Hill of
Allen, a beautiful fawn started up on their path, and the chase swept after her, she taking the way which led to
their home. Soon all the pursuers were left far behind save only Finn himself and his two hounds Bran and
Skolawn. Now these hounds were of strange breed; for Tyren, sister to Murna, the mother of Finn, had been
changed into a hound by the enchantment of a woman of the Fairy Folk, who loved Tyren's husband Ullan;
and the two hounds of Finn were the children of Tyren, born to her in that shape. Of all hounds in Ireland
they were the best, and Finn loved them much, so that it was said he wept but twice in his life, and once was
for the death of Bran.
At last, as the chase went on down a valley-side, Finn saw the fawn stop and lie down, while the two hounds
began to play. round her, and to lick her face and limbs. So he gave commandment that none should hurt her,
and she followed them to the Dkn of Allen, playing with the hounds as she went
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The same night Finn awoke and saw standing by his bed the fairest woman his eyes had ever beheld.
"I am Saba, O Finn," she said, "and I was the fawn ye chased to-day. Because I would not give my love to
the Druid of the Fairy Folk, who is named the Dark, he put that shape upon me by his sorceries, and I have
borne it these three years. But a slave of his, pitying me, once revealed to me that if I could win to thy great
Dkn of Allen, O Finn, I should be safe from all enchantments, and my natural shape would come to me again.
But I feared to be torn in pieces by thy dogs, or wounded by thy hunters, till at last I let myself be overtaken
by thee alone and by Bran and Skolawn, who have the nature of man and would do me no hurt."
"Have no fear, maiden," said Finn "we, the Fianna, are free, and our guest-friends are free; there is none who
shall put compulsion on you here."
So Saba dwelt with Finn, and he made her his wife and so deep was his love for her that neither the battle nor
the chase had any delight for him, and for months he never left her side. She also loved him as deeply, and
their joy in each other was like that of the Immortals in the Land of Youth. But at last word came to Finn that
the warships of the Northmen were in the Bay of Dublin, and he summoned his heroes to the fight ; "For,"
said he to Saba, "the men of Erin give us tribute and hospitality to defend them from the foreigner, and it
were shame to take it from them and not to give that to which we, on our side, are pledged." And he called to
mind that great saying of Goll mac Morna when they were once sore bestead by a mighty host "A man," said
Goll, "lives after his life, but not after his honour."
Seven days was Finn absent, and he drove tbe Northmen
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men from the shores of Erin. But on the eighth day he returned, and when he entered his dkn he saw trouble
in the eyes of his men, and of their fair womenfolk, and Saba was not on the rampart expecting his return. So
he bade them tell him what had chanced, and they said:
"Whilst thou, our father and lord, wert afar oft smiting the foreigner, and Saba looking ever down the pass for
thy return, we saw one day as it were the likeness of thee approaching, and Bran and Skolawn at thy heels.
And we seemed also to hear the notes of the Fian hunting-call blown on the wind. Then Saba hastened to the
great gate, and we could not stay her, so eager was she to rush to the phantom. But when she came near she
halted and gave a loud and bitter cry, and the shape of thee smote her with a hazel wand, and lo, there was no
Chapter VI: Tales of the Ossianic Cycle 131
Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race
woman there any more, but a deer. Then those hounds chased it, and ever as it strove to reach again the gate
of the dkn they turned back. We all now seized what arms we could and ran out to drive away the enchanter,
but when we reached the place there was nothing to be seen, only still we heard the rushing of flying feet and
the baying of dogs, and one thought it came from here, and another from there, till at last the uproar died
away and all was still. What we could do, O Finn, we did ; Saba is gone."
Finn then struck his hand on his breast, but spoke no word, and he went to his own chamber. No man saw
him for the rest of that day, nor for the day after. Then he came forth, and ordered the matters of the Fianna as
of old, but for seven years thereafter he went searching for Saba through every remote glen and dark forest
and cavern of Ireland, and he would take no hounds with him save Bran and Skolawn. But at last he
renounced all hope of finding her again, and went hunting as of old.
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One day as he was following the chase on Ben Bulban, in Sligo, he heard the musical bay of the dogs change
of a sudden to a fierce growling and yelping, as though they were in combat with some beast, and running
hastily up he and his men beheld, under a great tree, a naked boy with long hair, and around him the hounds
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