The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-20
HERO TALES OF IRELAND
As Good as the Arabian
Nights.
Collected IAihs Original Irish from tho Lips
II Of lrlsh Story TsIlers.

THE sEyENrEENrH TALE.

THE bEVENTEENTH TAbE-
On time which was long ago there lived a
King In Erin. md he had three sons Though
tho King had land and ruled people, he was
not rich. The crown on his head was moro
precious than all he had in tho world besides.
The crown was his principal treasure.
There was bird in tho world Mt that time
which used to fly to the castle windows and
sing there. sing tho most wonderful song ever
heard In Erin. Nothing gave the King 80
much pleasure as tho music OF that bird.
which was called the Bird OF the Golden Land.
Now 1t happened ono day above another that
the eldest son OF the King came to his father
IN tho morning and said:
Father. am old enough to marry: will you
ind me wifer"
The King made no answer. and the young
man went out.
What should happen at noon Of the Same day
but this. that the second son came to the King
and the words that he used wore: Father. l
am old enough to marry: will you find me a
wife2"
The king said nothing to this son either.
,. In the evening OF the very same day the
youngest son camo and stood before the King
."Well, my son." said the King. what is your
message this timer
II am old enough. father. to marry; will you
ind me wife?'
The King made no reply. said nothing to this
son any moro than to the other two. and the
young man won't out.
Tho father sat wondering and thinking
thought long over his sons, ard OF what he
could do for them. II have little to give my
children" said he to himself. and 1t Is very
hard to divide that little between them. II I
mako two parts OF my lands. give one-half to
the oldest son. the other to the second. the
90 hn I'D hn ~ ar txyn wi In
satisfied. Tho crown is worth more than the
whole kingdom: my sons will quarrel with one
another and fight for the crown"
Tho King thought all night and dreamt Of
his trouble. Next day he sent for his three
sons and this Is what he said to them:
1T Is hard for me to divide what have
among you. II l give equal parts OF the king
dom to two and the crown to tho third the
division will be unjust, for the crown is worth
farmore than all my lands. and we cannot d.
vide the crown nor make parts Of it. Nothing
can be settled in that way. but will do this
with you: The Bird OF the Golden Land comes
to this castle whenever it pleases her and
goes when she likes: she stays here day or
an hour and remains away n short time or
long in like manner. Nothing pleases mo
like that bird. II had her with IN always
could live with delight Bring me the Bird OF
the Golden Land; the man who brings her will
getthe crown"
Il will 20 for the Bird OF the Golden Land"
said tho eldest son.
II will go for that bird" said the second
IT will bring that bird with m TO-" cried the
youngest.
The three brothers made ready. and away
they went next day: they travelled together
till they came to q crossroad.
1T is time now" said the eldest. for each
TO 60 his own way"
NO" said the second. 1T is late: let US
stop together for this night. and in the morn
ing each may take the road he likes best"
. At nightiall the three brothers came to .
house and went In. A woman rose as they en-
tered and gave them hundred thousand well
somss.
II WONDER" said tho eldest brother. "how
you know US. did not think there was per-
'sen on this road who would know U.S."
80 know" said she. who you are where
you are going. and what you are looking for.
You are the Kings sons. and you are looking
tor the Bird OF the Golden Land"
"we are looking for that bird" said tho
{brothers. They spent the night in the house.
Next morning. after breakfast. m old man
rose from bod in one corner. and spoke to
tho young men.
You have come by the straight road up to
s"1cs o"'u NO. t,o" 1oo Aau'' 'oAo oAoo
path. l Will 60 with you and give you what
sdsies and assistance can. Let the eldest
and strongest take that great sledge lying
there let the second man take the cradle. and
the youngest tho rope that Is coiled at the side
oiit' and come with me-.
Inc brothers took the sledge. the cradle.
and the rope. and the four mon went on
eogether TIL they came 10 broad nat rock.
p. Cow san the oiu man TO the eldest
orother. give your pest blow on that rock.
ihs hine son struck great blow. large
'p'eoe 1911 from inc TOOK. ohderneath was an
opening OF such depth that no man could soc
tne enc OF IL.
tme. suiu inc Ola man. ID the roau Whicn
you must 'ako 10 hno tne uoideh Lana. Ihere
10 nv oth'r .oao ny "nieh you can co. "hioh-
s'e, one OF you wishes may go down IN the
teuie' IL no mas luck nc VIII 20 10 Inc oottom
s1lo's; ouI no may s'rlAe rochs OIL .ne way
.no 70 k,lleu. the nah VINO reaches the DOT
m W.. 20 on lhe strasnt roau, he may "in
o m W no ma, ' :, nm mo
WI ~ uo"n' o"'o ''o o'ueS' Oh Tue
M .a
a'oeu ',o 'Vpo w 'ne .," ',,' "na 40.
.a aomn eoon no oosaa W s,.lAo ".a'ns'
....,'..s vi on' .t u ."e o'"oi a"u "a,