Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-05-20
THE CELTIC LEGENDS OF SUNKEN
CITIES.

There is one myth common to the
Celtic race in many places, a myth
which tells of mighty city submerged
for the wickedness Of its inhabitants.
In Ireland the waters of Lough Neagh
are supposed to cover the vestiges Of
such city, and in Wales the Bay OF
Cardigan. But the myth has associ-
ated itself, in most detail and consist
ency, with the Bay of Douarnenez. As
q matter of fact, traces of Roman roads
leading from inland to the bay, traces
Of Roman buildings on the lie Tristan,
and at many points Of the shore near
the town of Douarnenez, point certain
ly to an important station which ex.
listed at this point of Gaul, and on
ground upon which the sea has at
least partially encroached. These re.
mains, 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 Gradlon,
who, as far as real history shows, seems
to have had a historical existence as
count over a small principally in the
Black Mountains in the sixth or sew
enth century. With these data. .andwith
that national myth of a submerged
city in their brains, they have fash
ioned a legend like this: "Gradlon
the Great was King Of all Cornwall,
and had his capital at Quimper. When
he and his kingdom were converted by
Saint Corentin, he made over the city
0f to no ~ hof
Saint, and went to live and rule his do
minions from another city by the sea.
This city was called Is, and was one
Of the mightiest and goodliest in the
world; but men lived there too riot
ously. 1t was built on low ground be-
side 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 a daughter, the
Princess Dahut, and loved her dearly.
But Dahut cared neither for God nor
man, and was first in all manner of
riotousness; and the loyers that were
brought to her nightly she was wont
to murder before dawn, and send their
bodies to be flung into a pit far within
the country. So God was angry against
Dahut and against that city. And one
day King Gradlon met Saint Corentin
(or as others say his disciple Saint
Guennole) in the forest Of Newt; and
the saint said to him, Beware; for
the wrath of God is about to make it.
self 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 it to her lover.
And the foul fiend vanished away, and
took the key, and turned it; and the
sluice-gates were opened and the waters
went over the city. And King Gradlon
leapt upon his horse, and rode for life;
and Dahut begged with a great voice
that he would take her behind him.
And he took her behind him; but the
sea pursued them; and voice cried,
''Let go 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.-C0rnhiN.