The Scottish Celtic review

;;;—The Muileartach. 127and she wants something particular." The Fians went into thehouse and nine times nine of them put their backs to the door,and put behind it nine chains interlacing each other. (She pulleda tree, and swept oft' the branches, and had it for a stick. TheOcean Smith stayed at the boat. They put nine wooden barsbehind the door, and nine feet in stone and lime, and nine timesnine put their backs to the door.)Fin was looking out, and she came and spoke in a low voice :She.I am a poor, poor old woman,That have come hotly pursued;I have travelled the five-fifths of Ireland,And found not a house to let me in.Fin.If you have travelled all that,It is the mark of a bad manAnd though your claw grow green beneath you.You will not get an opening from me.She.That is an evil custom for a king's son,Who ought to show heroism and great deedsThat you should be called a king's son.And not give a night's lodgings to an old woman.Fin.If it be manners, or meat, or hospitalityYou want, old woman !I will send the meat of a hundi-ed men.And take away from me your talk, old woman !She.I am not in need of your wretched meat.Neither do I care for your great sadnessI would prefer the warmth of your great fire,And partake with your dogs.Fin.Will you not kindle a fire for yourself.Where you can blow it with your breath;And put a load of fuel to your stout body,{Viii'.—Break down small branches against your hump]And wisely warm yourself at it ?