Aengus The Young Son

here was a famous king of Ireland of the race of the Tuatha De Danann, Eochaid Ollathair his name. He was also named the Dagda (the good god), for it was he that used to work wonders for them and control the weather and the crops. Elcmar 'the envious one' of the Brug had a wife whose name was Eithne. The Dagda desired her, and she would have yielded had it not been for fear of Elcmar. So the Dagda sent Elcmar away on a journey to Bres in Mag nInis, setting enchantment upon him as he set out. The Dagda then put a spell on the sun, causing it to stand still, stretching one day and night to nine months, for he had said that he would return home again between day and night. Meanwhile the Dagda slept with Eithne, and she bore him a son, Aengus whom she called Mac Oc because 'young is the son who is conceived at the start of the day, and born between that and evening'. She was so recovered when Elcmar returned that he knew nothing.

The Dagda meanwhile brought his son to Midir's house in Bri Leith in Tethba, to be fostered. There Aengus was reared for the space of nine years. Midir had a great playing-field in Bri Leith. Thrice fifty lads of the young nobles of Ireland were there and thrice fifty maidens of the land of Ireland. Aengus was the leader of them all, because of Midir's great love for him, and the beauty of his form and the nobility of his race.

Now Aengus quarreled with Triath son of Febal of the Fir Bolg, who was one of the two leaders in the game, and a fosterling of Midir. It was no matter of pride with Aengus that Triath should speak to him, and he said: "It irks me that the son of a serf should hold speech with me," for Aengus had believed until then that Midir was his father, and he knew not of his kinship with the Dagda.

Triath answered "I take it no less ill that a hireling who knows not his mother and father should speak with me." Thereupon Aengus went to Midir weeping and asked of him who were his mother and his father. "No hard matter. Thy father is Eochaid Ollathair," said Midir, "and Eithne, wife of Elcmar of the Brug, is thy mother. It is I that have reared thee unknown to Elcmar, lest it should cause him pain. " "Come thou with me," said Aengus, "that my father may acknowledge me."

Then Midir set out with his fosterling to have speech with the Dagda, and they came to Uisnech of Meath in the center of Ireland, for 'tis there that was Eochaid's house, Ireland stretching equally far from on every side. "Before them in the assembly they found Eochaid. Midir called the king aside to have speech with the lad. "What does he desire, this youth who has not come until now?" "His desire is to be acknowledged by his father, and for land to be given to him," said Midir, "for it is not meet that thy son should be landless while thou art king of Ireland." "He is welcome," said the Eochaid, "he is my son. But the land I wish him to have is not yet vacant." "What land is that?" said Midir. "The Brug, to the north of the Boyne," said Eochaid. "Who is there?" said Midir. "Elcmar," said Eochaid, "is the man who is there I have no wish to annoy him further."

"Pray, what counsel dost thou give this lad?" said Midir. "I have this for him," said Eochaid. "On the day of Samain let him go into the Brug, and let him go armed. That is a day of peace and amity among the men of Ireland, on which none is at enmity with his fellow. And Elcmar will be in Cnoc Side in Borga unarmed save for a fork of white hazel in his hand, his cloak folded around him and a gold brooch in his cloak, and three fifties playing before him in the playing-field; and let Aengus go to him and threaten to kill him. But it is meet that he slay him not, provided he promise him his will. And let this be the will of Aengus, that he be king for a day and a night in the Brug; and see that thou not yield the land to Elcmar till he submit himself to my council; and when he comes let Aengus plea be that the land has fallen to himin repayment for sparing Elcmar, and that what he had asked for is kingship of day and night, and" said he, "it is in days and nights that the world is spent."

Then Midir sets out for his land, and his foster-son along with him, and on the Samain following they followed the plan of the Dagda, Aengus came into the Brug and made a feint at Elcmar, so that he promised him in return for his life kingship of day and night in his land. The Mac Oc straightway abode there that day and night as king of the land, Elcmar's household being subject to him. On the morrow Elcmar came to claim his land from the Mac Oc who said that he would not yield up his land until he should put it to the decision of the Dagda in the presence of the men of Ireland.

Then they appeal to the Dagda who replied "So then this land accordingly belongs henceforth to this youth," said Elcmar. " You exchanged your land for mercy, for your life was dearer to you than your land. Yet there is a land for you no less fine than the Brug." "Where is that?" said Elcmar. "Cleitech," said the Dagda, "with the three lands that are round about it. You shall enjoy the fruits of the Boyne from this land." And Elcmar left for Cleitech, and built a stronghold there, and Mac Oc reigned in the Brug in his land.