The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-08-13
THE CELTIC LEGENDS OF sUNKEN
CITTES

- "fH# ns "- ##..H -Hra-I -. o. o.,
There is one myth common to the
Celtic race in many. places, 9 myth
which tells OF q mighty city Submerged
for the wickedness Of It's Inhabitants.
In Ireland the waters OF Tough Neagn
are supposed to cover the yestiges OK
such a 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
a 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 a certain Gradlon;
who, as far as real history shows, seems
to have had q historical existence as
count over q small principally in the
Black Mountains in the sixth or sev::
enth century. With these data, andwith
that national myth Of a submerged
city in their brains, they have fash
toned a legend like this: "Gradlons
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
Of Quimper to the government Of that
Saint, and went to live and rule his do
minions from another city by the seq;
This city was called Is, and was one
Of the mightiest and goodliest ID the
world; but men lived there too riot
ously. It was built on low ground be;
side the sea, and the waters were kept
out by a pair Of great ~sluice-gates Of
which no man had the key-e 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 Wits first in all manner OF
riotbusness and the lovers that were
brought to her nightly she was wont
to murder before dawn; and send their
bodies to be flung into q pit far within
the country. So God was angry against
Dahut and against that city. And one
day King Gradlon met Saint. Corentih
Tor 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 40 heed. And n night
after the feast was over, the foul 1end
came in the gdise 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
ahlkt his neck, and gave ito her lover:
And the foul nend vanished away, and
took the key, and turned It; and the
sluice-gates were openedand the waters
went over the city: And King Gradlon
leapt upon his horse; and rode for life;
and Dal1ut begged with q crest. voice
that he would take her behind him..
And he took her behind him; but the
sea pursued them; and q voice cried.
"Let go the accursed one that rides.
behind thee" and Dahut's arms were
loosened and she fell land was drowned,
and the waters were stayed; and the
place where She fell IS called Poul.
Dahut to this day!-CornhM.