Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-01-13

There is one myth common to the Celtic
rice in many places. myth which tells OF
mighty city submerged for the wicked
ness If Its inhabitants. In Ireland the
waters Of Tough Neagh are supposed to
cover the vestiges of such city, and in
Wales the Bay of Cardigan. But the
myth has associated itself. in most detail
and consistency, with the Bay of Douarne-
nez. As a matter of fact, traces OF Roman
roads leading from inland to the bay,
traces of Roman buildings on the DE iris
tan, and at many points OF the shore near
the town OF Douarnenez, point certainly
to an important station which existed at
this point of Gaul, and on ground upon
which the sea has at least partially en-
croached. These remains, in the days
when legends grew, must have been far
more conspicuous than now. The popular
imagination seems to have taken hold Of
them, and OF the reputation of certain
Grsdlon, who, as far as real history
shows, sc ems to have had historical ex-
istence rs Count over small princlpality
in the Black Mountains in the sixth or
seventh century. With these data, and
with that national myth of q submerged
city in their brains, they have fashioned q
legend like this: Gradlon the Great was
King of all Cornwall, and had his CAPT
tai at Quimber When he and his King
dom were converted by ST. Corentin he
made over the city Of Quimber to the Gov
eminent of that saint, and went TO live
and rule his dominions from another city
by the sea. This city was called Is, and
was one Of the mightiest and COOLEST in
the world; but men lived there
too riotously, 1t was built ON low
ground beside the sea, and the waters were
Kept out by pair Of great sluice- gates Of
which no man had the key-a key of pure
gold-but the King only. Now King
Gradlon had daughter, the Princess
Dahut, and loved her dearly. But Dahut
cared neither for God nor man, and was
first In all manner of riotness; and the
lovers that were brought to her nightly
she WAS wont to murder before dawn, and
send their bodies to be flung into pit far
within the country. So God was angry
against Dahut and against that city. And
one day King Gradlon met St Corentn
tor as others say his disciple Saint Guen.
nolel In the forest of Nevet; aud the Saint
said to him: Beware, for the wrath Of
God is about 10 make itself felt against
thee and thine But the King took no
heed. And one night after the feast was
over the foul fiend came in the guise OF a
lover to Dahut, and caressed her and
asked her for the golden key from about
her fathers neck. And Dahut went to
her father where he slept, and took the
key from about his neck and gave II to
her lover. And the tout fienG vanished
away, and took the key and turned 1t;
and the sluice. gates were opened, and the
waters went over tho city. And King
Gradlon leaped upon his horse and rode
for life; and Dahut begged with great
voice that he would take her behind him.
And he took her behind him; but the sea
pursued them; and voice cried; Let
20 the accursed one that rides behind
thee and Dahuts arms were loosened,
and she fell and was drowned, and the
waters were stayed and the place where
she fell is called Poul Dahut to this day"
---C0rahtA