The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-01-13
Celtic Legends Of Sunken Cities.

There ID one myth common to the Celtic
race in many places, a myth which tells OF
mighty city submerged for the wicked
ness of 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 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 DouMnenez, 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
Gradion, who, as far as real history
shows, seems to have had historical ex-
istence as Count over small princ1pality
in the Black Mountains in the sixth or
seventh century. With these data, and
with that national myth of submerged
city in their brains, they have fashioned a
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 Quimbcr 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 a 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 a daughter, the Princess
Dahut, and loved her dearly. But Dahut
cared neither for God nor man, and was
first in all manner of riotncss; 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. Corentin
Tor as others say his disciple Saint Guen-
nole) in the forest of Nevet; and the Saint
said to him: Beware, for the wrath of
God is about to make itself felt against
thee and thine But the King took no
heed. And one night after the feast was
over the foul tiend 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 it to
her lover. And the foul fienG vanished
away, and took the key and turned it;
and the sluicc- gates were opened, and the
waters went over the 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 Dahut's 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."
-CornhsN.