lived nineteen rings, numbered amongst the kings of the Gaal.

. Words more than these Sulard hath not to set down concerning Noid.-O Grief!

CHAP. XIX.

The Reign of Og, a space of one score and one rings from 1066 to 1045.

NOID being no more, Og his brother, the youngest

of the sons of Marcad was chosen.

When he had sat during four rings Sulard died, and Feilimid was chosen Ard-olam.

At this time multitudes of the Gaal and many of the heads of people departed from Gael-ag to Buasce. And a small colony passed over Bearna, led by Falb a chief of Gaelag, the son of Fermor the son of Borb, the son of Morl the son of that Falb who slew Ib-er the king--all flying from the oppression of the priests.

Are not the rules of the priests the only laws of Gael-ag?--Is not the spirit of knowledge almost extinguished?

Many a time and oft doth Feilimid speak in the ear of Og, repeating to him the words of Eolus.

He seemeth to listen--of what avail is seeming to a mind in dread?

Now when Og, had ruled during one score rings precisely, multitudes from the land of Aoimag (a) entered Eisfeine,

And the Gaal of Ib-er opened their arms to them. Did not the King and the Princes, and the chiefs, and the Olam, and all the people say-" Did not the children of Aoimag help our fathers with Calma and Ronard, though for a recompense, what then?"

Have we not derived knowledge from Feine? The children of Aoimag told of troubles and affliction within their land.

With them is a knowledge of sweet melody, music and the dance.

Are not Corabeines amongst their brethren? wonderful to behold are they.

Deceit and treachery are in the men of Aoimag, full of falsehood are the folk of the south country (b), yet we have not forsaken them now that they are beset with adversities, far from the voice of their kindred.

Having ruled with the name of King for the space of one score rings and one ring Og ceased, lamented, by the priests, and by the priests only.

Feilimid grieves to set down the words, but hath not Feilimid sworn to write truth, and truth only?

NOTES TO CHAPTER XIX.

(a) At this precise time mentioned in the chronicles, multitudes from Sydon, and the land of Philistime, fled from David king of Israel, to Greece, and Spain, as you have seen in the Dissertation, and the tables of Chronology.

(b) Deas strictly means the right hand, but signifies also the south; because we always supposed the face turned towards the east, where Baal first shewed himself every day, the land here called Deas, means the land of Fillist-iat, the land of the Philistine, south of Aoimag, see the Glossary.

CHAP. XX.

The Reign of Ardfear, a space of fifteen rings, from

1045 to 1030.

NOW the day came when the chiefs were together. to choose him that should rule.

And many of the Cruimtear, and of the Carneac, and a mighty concourse of the Gaal were round about the mount, nigh unto Asti-ereis ;

When Ardfear, the son of Og, was chosen.

And as I, Feilimid, opened my mouth, to read the writings of Eolus, and the chronicles of the Gaal, a great uproar was raised, and many voices were heard, saying,

"Down with the Olam, we will not incline our ears to the writings of Eolus."

When I did hear these words on the hinder part of me, I hasted from the spot whereon I had stood, to the side of Ardfear, and from thence I did speak aloud to the king, the princes, the chiefs, and to the Gaal.

And I did remind them of the words I did utter unto the sun, and moon, and all the stars-" That I would preserve the writings e'en to the loss of my life;" for fear was on me that the priests would destroy them altogether.

And I did beseech Ardfear, and the chiefs

And I did stretch forth my hands to the Gaal, And I did say, O men of Ib-er, "Hear the words of Eolus the wise, and good, chief of the Gaal of

Gael-ag, yet no greater than one of the Gaal in his own conceit-Eolus, whom the chiefs and the Gaal called father and instructor.

All whose minds delight in truth and wisdom, all whose hearts cleave to the laws of Gael-ag, will not suffer the reading of the words of Eolus, and of the chronicles of the Gaal to be set aside.

Are there not words amongst the words of the laws since the days of Eolus, saying,

"At what time the chiefs shall declare who shall rule in Gael-ag, let the words of Eolus, and of the chronicles of the Gaal up to that day, be read aloud by the Ard-Olam in the hearing of the great congregation of the land." (a)

"Doth not the Olam swear that falsehood shall have no place on the roll? let then the words be read aloud, that the assembly may judge of their Will not the time to reject be, if aught not true appear therein.

truth.

"O Gaal of Sciot of Ib-er, Nomades, Ogeageis also, let no tongue seduce you, to turn away your ear from the words of Eolus the renowned.

"O chiefs of Gael-ag, decline not from the ways of thy fathers.

"O Ardfear, chief of the race, suffer not Eolus, the fountain of thy blood, to be defiled."

When I had made an end, a loud shout was sent forth, every tongue of the congregation, save the tongues of the priests, cried as with one voice"Let the words be read, and heard."

Whereupon I bowed myself to the congregation, and returning to the place of the Ard-Olam, I raised

my voice, and read aloud the writing of Eolus, and the words of the chronicles.

And the whole congregation (for all the priests had departed from the mount) clapped their hands, and shouted: the words of Eolus sounded in their ears, as the strings of the harp touched by a delicate hand.

And I lifted up my hands and my eyes towards the heaven, and I said, "May the spirit of Eolus be immortal, to abide amongst the children of Ib-er for ever;" and the words were repeated by every tongue.

On this day was a great feast prepared, and the boards were spread for all, on and round about the mount, and the day and night were spent in music and dancing, and the minstrels and skippers of Aoi-mag (b) made glad the hearts of the children of Gael-ag.

Now many days had not passed, till I, Feilimid, stood in the presence of Ardfear, the writing of Eolus, and the roll of the chronicles in my hand, and I said unto the chief,

"Great fear hath come over me, least the writings be stolen away from me; let therefore Ardfear, a son of Eolus, guard them, more precious to the race, than all the riches within the bowels of the earth."

And Ardfear said, "Of whom art thou affeared?" And I answered, "Of the priests."

Ardfear looked amazedly; a while, he said, "I will guard them."

And I said, ""Twere well the secret of where thou shalt place them be guarded also."