Irish Tales / Ирландские сказки. Книга для чтения на английском языке

�The best news that I have for you,’ said the hardy hero, �is that Connachar, king of Ulster, is setting forth a great sumptuous feast to his friends and kinspeople throughout the wide extent of Erin all, and he has vowed by the earth beneath him, by the high heaven above him, and by the sun that wends to the west, that he will have no rest by day nor sleep by night if the sons of Uisnech, the sons of his own father’s brother, will not come back to the land of their home and the soil of their nativity, and to the feast likewise, and he has sent us on embassy to invite you.

’

�We will go with you,’ said Naois.

�We will,’ said his brothers.

But Deirdre did not wish to go with Ferchar Mae Ro, and she tried every prayer to turn Naois from going with him – she said, �I saw a vision, Naois, and do you interpret it to me,’ said Deirdre – then she sang:

�O Naois, son of Uisnech, hear

What was shown in a dream to me.

�There came three white doves out of the south

Flying over the sea,

�And drops of honey were in their mouth

From the hive of the honeybee.

�O Naois, son of Uisnech, hear,

What was shown in a dream to me.

�I saw three grey hawks out of the south

Come flying over the sea,

And the red red drops they bare in their mouth

They were dearer than life to me.’

Said Naois:

�It is nought but the fear of woman’s heart,

And a dream of the night, Deirdre.

The day that Connachar sent the invitation to his feast will be unlucky for us if we don’t go, O Deirdre.

’

�You will go there,’ said Ferchar Mae Ro; �and if Connachar show kindness to you, show ye kindness to him; and if he will display wrath towards you, display ye wrath towards him, and I and my three sons will be with you.’

�We will,’ said Daring Drop.

�We will,’ said Hardy Holly.

�We will,’ said Fiallan the Fair.

�I have three sons, and they are three heroes, and in any harm or danger that may befall you, they will be with you, and I myself will be along with them.

’ And Ferchar Mae Ro gave his vow and his word in presence of his arms that, in any harm or danger that came in the way of the sons of Uisnech, he and his three sons would not leave head on live body in Erin, despite sword or helmet, spear or shield, blade or mail, be they ever so good.

Deirdre was unwilling to leave Alba, but she went with Naois.