These are the tales of Deirdre and Grania from the red branch of the mythology Irish.
Tales of Deirdre and Grania
“Conchobar, King of Ulster was feasting one evening with the Knights of the Red Branch at his favorite storyteller, when they came to announce that the wife of their host had just given birth to a daughter of astonishing beauty. The king immediately sent his best druid astrologer to draw the little being's horoscope. The druid went to consult the stars, returned, collected himself for a moment and rising, said to the tablemates:
– This newborn will have name Deirdre or the tear. She deserves that name. She will bring countless misfortunes upon Ulster and Ireland, and for her many heroes will know exile and many death.
The knights were of opinion that the child should be killed at once. But the king, raising his right hand, said:
- Not. It would be unworthy of the Red Branch to commit villainy to dodge evils that are only possible. I will raise the child in such a way that she will be safe from all harm. Then I will make her my wife, thus taking all the risk on myself.
In an old fort surrounded by gardens and high ramparts, Conchobar placed the child, who had with her only a tutor and the king's trusted druidess, Lavarcame. Growing thus in solitude, she reached the age of marriage, and she surpassed all the virgins of her time by the thoughtful air, the passion of her eyes, and the grace of her whole person.
One day when it was snowing, she saw fresh blood, which her guardian had just spilled in the yard. A crow came to drink it. Dreamily, the teenager said to Lavarcame, her poetess:
– I like these three colors and I wish my fiancé could have such black hair, such red lips and such white skin. Last night, I saw this youngster in a dream and I wonder if he exists in the world.
“He exists,” replied Lavarcame. One of the king's young knights resembles him like a brother. His name is Naisi.
Naisi and his two brothers Aïnli and Ardann were the sons of Usna, the favorite knights of the Red Branch, courteous, accomplished in peace, skillful and wise in the hunt, brave and triumphant in war:
“If that's so,” Deirdre replied, “I'll be glad you didn't bring it to me.
"Are you unaware of the danger you pose to us?" If the tutor learned such a thing, he would tell it to the king and the royal wrath shatters everything before him.
Deirdre doesn't say a word. For days and days she remained sad and taciturn, and the memory of her dream filled her beautiful eyes with tears. Lavarcame, who loved her tenderly, took pity on her. Unbeknownst to the tutor, she managed to bring the young people together. They fell in love with each other and Deirdre promised herself never to marry any man or king but Naisi.
Without waiting for Conchobar to hear of the marriage, Naisi and his brothers, gathering three times fifty warriors, three times fifty servants, three times fifty women and three times fifty sleuths, embarked secretly for Caledonia. They were well received by the king of the country and enlisted in his troops. They won his confidence by their courage and merit. As a precaution, they kept Deirdre apart, preferring that the king here not see her.
All went well until the day when passing in front of the residence of Naisi, the royal intendant saw the knight and his wife on their bed of rest. He ran to his master.
“At your command, O king, I have long sought a companion worthy of you. I finally just found it. Deirdre, companion of Naisi, and who more than any other deserves to be queen of the Western world. Let's get rid of Naisi and take Deirdre as our wife.
The king had the baseness to accept and hatch a plot to slaughter the sons of Usna. The three brothers, who had made themselves loved, were notified in time. Mobilizing all their people, they fled one moonless night and, at a safe distance, set up camp in a remote, harsh and wild district.
They had great difficulty in finding food in hunting and fishing. Instinctively, they had moved closer to the shore, which, in the distance, was looking at Erinn.
About this time King Conchobar gave a feast in his house at Emain. At the end of the meal, he said to the knights of the Red Branch:
– I am happy to receive you in my house. Be frank and tell me if, in your eyes, there is nothing missing.
All were of the opinion that nothing was missing.
“Yes,” resumed the king, “we lack the sons of Usna. – yes, said all the nobles. – It is a great pity to know that they are in exile and in distress. They were the shield of Ulster and they were good comrades.
“Let them go back then,” resumed the king. They will submit and I will restore their homes and lands to them.
Even as he spoke those friendly words, treachery was in his heart, for he could not forgive Naisi for taking Deirdre the Passionate from him.
When the feast was over, he called Fergus and said:
“I charge you to bring back the sons of Usna and their clan. Bring them my message of peace and goodwill. As a guarantee of security, you will place yourself in their hands. But remember two things. As soon as you set foot on Ulster soil again, go straight to Barach Castle, standing on the cliff. And see that the sons of Usna stop nowhere and take no meal in Erinn before the one I offer them.
Friend of Naisi and his brothers, Fergus accepts the mission with joy, without any suspicion, and leaves with his two sons, Illann and Buinn, and his shield bearer.
For his part, King Conchobar summons Barach and says to him:
“Prepare a feast for Fergus on his return from Caledonia, and invite him and the sons of Usna.
Barach says he would fulfill the king's desire.
It must be remembered that in those distant times, when they entered the Red Branch, the knights made such and such commitments, which bound them for life. They could not violate these vows without being dishonored and ostracized from chivalry.
However, among the sworn obligations of Fergus, was that of never refusing the invitation to a feast. The king and Barach had not forgotten him.
Landing in Caledonia near the encampment of the sons of Usna, Fergus, like a good hunter, uttered his familiar call. The sons of Usna were in their shelters. A polished wooden chessboard lay on the knees of Naisi and Deirdre, who were playing a game.
At the first call, Naisi listened and said
“The one hailing is a man from Erinn.
'No,' replied Deirdre, 'he's a Caledonian.
A few moments later a second call sounded.
- It is there certainly, said Naisi, a man of Erinn!
- No really ! Deirdrée repeated. And what does it matter? Let's continue our game.
At the third call, longer and more vibrant, Naisi stood up and said:
– I recognize the voice: it's Fergus's call! And he immediately sent his brother Ardann to meet him.
Deiirdree had recognized Fergus's voice from the first. She kept her thoughts to herself. This visit did not bode well. When she told Naisi about it, he said:
“Why, my queen, hide it from me?
“Last night,” she replied, “a vision crept into my sleep. From the royal castle of Emain three crows came to bring us three drops of honey and, in exchange, they took away three drops of our blood.
"And what do you foresee from this vision?"
– Conchobar's message is honey, but his intention is blood.
However, Ardann, moved to see his old comrades again, had given them a warm hug. He brought them to Naisi and Deirdrée, who offered them a warm welcome.
"I bring you the king's greetings," said Fergus. If you return, he is ready to return your Red Branch property and prerogatives.
"It is not proper for Usna's clan to return to Erinn," Deirdre said. Here he is his master.
“Motherland is better than independence,” replied Fergus.
“I'm freer here,” Naisi added, “but Erinn is dearer to my heart.
He had spoken without the consent of Deirdre, who continued to fight the idea of returning.
"Your friends in Ulster are legion," said Fergus. Even if you had only enemies, am I not your hostage and your guarantee?
– In you, Fergus, Naisi concludes, we have full confidence and we leave!
The next day a favorable wind carried their galleys to the foot of the cliff where Barach Castle stood. While the horses and baggage were being unloaded, Deirdre sat down on a high rock, from which she could see the blue promontories of Caledonia, and, sorrowfully, she sang this farewell:
Dear to me will remain harsh Caledonia,
Our asylum, and the leaning green of its hillsides,
And its narrow glens and its thundering waters
Falling from rock to rock in whitening rain!
I loved to cross its marine rivers
In my light canoe that cradled my sleep.
On our dear mansion the sun was smiling
Of Naisi's love, nestled on my chest.
The land where we loved is the vital land
Which is worth to us the ground where we were born,
For us who prize nothing above love,
Nothing at the price of the call of the marital voice!
Farewell, Caledonia, where I knew joy
To be all in Naisi! cruel heartbreaks!
It is he himself who wants, blind to my torments,
Tear me away from your mountains where the mist spreads!
Welcoming the exiles, Barach said to Fergus:
“I have prepared a three-day feast for you and invite you to partake of it.
Fergus felt his heart tighten and his forehead turn crimson. In a violent voice he replied:
- It's a treacherous plan. You know that, according to my wish, I cannot refuse you, and you also know that I am honorably engaged to lead the sons of Usna to the king at once, for whom I answer with my life.
“I know,” answered Barach; but my feast is steaming and I maintain my invitation.
“What should I do…” cried Fergus, turning to Naisi.
It was Deirdre who answered
“The choice is yours, Fergus. More just is to leave your feast than to abandon the sons of Usna whose safe-conduct you are.
Fergus paused a moment to think it over and added:
“I will not forsake the sons of Usna. I will give them as safeguard, on honor, my two sons Illann and Buinn.
“Thank you,” growled Naisi angrily, “for saving them! We are used to defending ourselves!
Deirdre, his brothers, Fergus' sons and the rest of the clan set out with him, while Fergus remained, dismayed and full of bad omens.
Deirdre tried to get them to camp while they waited for Barach's feast to end; but the king had said that they would come "without the delay of a meal," and they did not wish to irritate him or, above all, to appear cowardly.
The next hour, Deirdre slowed down, lay down on a mound and fell asleep. When Naisi noticed that he missed her, he came back to her.
“Why do you linger, my princess? he asked.
– I fell asleep and dreamed a vision. Of our two companions, Illann took our side, but Buinn turned against us. And I saw Illann again without a head; and I saw Buinn unscathed and safe.
"Why always these ugly omens?" Naisi said. The king is frank and will keep his word.
Arrived at one o'clock from the palace, they halted and Dëirdrée spoke:
– O Naisi, above Emain, see this blood-colored cloud. Believe me: come and take refuge with the hero Cuchullain, until Fergus returns, for there is pretense and treachery in the air.
And Naisi to answer:
“I cannot, my beloved; that would mark fear and we have no fear.
They resumed their walk towards the king's house. And Deirdre said again:
– Naisi, here is the sign that will fix you on the intentions of Conchobar. If he invites you to his table, you will be safe, because a Irish has never harmed a host. If he sends you to the Red Branch house, fear everything.
When the great gate of the palace opened, Conchobar immediately said to his stewards:
“Lead the welcome sons of Usna and all their people to the Red Branch house.
Deirdre once again begged them not to enter.
“Never,” said Illann the Faithful, “never have we shown cowardice. We will not start today.
The people of the clan sat down and did honor to the tempting dishes and the drinks that make you forget.
Deirdre and Usna's sons barely touched it. Self-isolating, Deirdre and Naisi asked for a chessboard and proceeded to play.
In his home, Conchobar thought of Deirdre.
"Who wants to go to the Red Branch to tell me if Deirdre has retained the beauty that made her queen of the world?"
Lavarcame nodded that she was ready to go.
She loved Usna's sons and her dear Deirdre, whom she had raised. She covered them with caresses, in the midst of her tears. And she tells them
– Beloved children, a night of treachery is preparing. The king has resolved your death. Try to resist until the arrival of Fergus and his men.
And she left all crying. Her tears dried, she said to the king:
– Good and bad news I bring you. The three valorous torches which are the sons of Usna are returned to you and they will bring you the sovereign power of all Ireland. As for Deirdre, she is no longer what she was: her young forms have vanished and the royal splendor of her face.
The king listened, confident and suspicious. Her jealousy in her heart rose and fell like the tide in a sea cave.
Suddenly he called one of the knights, Trendorn.
"Do you know," he said to her, "who killed your father in single combat?"
“Yes,” said the other. It was Naisi who killed him.
“Then go to the Red Branch and tell me about Naisi and Deirdre.
Finding the doors and windows closed, Trendorn took fright. He was about to turn on his heels when he saw a bull's-eye left ajar. He climbed a ladder that allowed him to see the great hall, the warriors making their preparations, and Naisi with Deirdre, both bent over their chessboards. Looking up at her partner to urge him to play, Deirdre saw the face watching them. She touched Naisi's arm as he lifted a pawn. He followed the direction of her gaze and aiming with a sure eye, he tossed the coin and gouged out Trendorn's eye.
Screaming in pain and rage, the traitor said to the king
“The sons of Usna sit on the Red Branch as if they were its kings. As for Deirdre, she is still a queen of grace and beauty.
At these words, Conchobar's jealousy flared up again and he took all measures so that the sons of Usna could not escape their fate. He ordered his mercenaries to storm the Red Branch house and bring the sons of Usna to it, dead or alive.
The walls and the hearths of oak valiantly withstood the assault. Then the soldiers piled up all around brambles and piles of wood, which they set fire to. Soon the flames rose from all sides. The sons of Usna took counsel. Buinn, Fergus' eldest son, came forward and said:
- It is up to me to repel the first attack, because I am your guarantor here instead of my father.
The gates were opened to him, and with a select nucleus of men he marched out, slew fifty mercenaries three times, and succeeded in smothering the flames. But he didn't come back. The king had him secretly offered his favor and a fine and good estate. Buinn cowardly accepted and betrayed his father and his friends. He was not rewarded for it. At that same hour, a disease fell on the estate and struck it with eternal sterility: it is still today the bleak Fuad moor.
Hearing this wicked, the second son, Luann, heartbroken, stood up and said:
“Son of Usna, I am, through my father Fergus, your second guarantor. I will not betray you. As long as this vibrant claymore lives in my hand, I will be faithful to you. It is my honor to repel the second assault.
The mercenaries returned to the assault and, with battering rams, tried to break down the door. Illann opened it wide and, with his followers, threw himself on the attackers whom they dispersed under their blows. He took advantage of the respite to tell Naisi how things were going, who, to keep everyone's courage high, calmly continued his game of chess with Deirdre.
Conchobar took advantage of this stop in other ways. He called his son Fiéra and said to him:
“Illann and you were born the same night. He has his father's arms; take mine, my shield, my two spears and my blue-bladed claymore. Go, and fight like a man.
All made a circle to see the two sons of the chief grappling. Illann prevailed, and though Fiera was sheltering behind his father's shield, he was about to be pierced, when the butcher groaned, echoed by the voice of the sea. The hero Conall heard him on the threshold of his fort. "The king is in danger!" he cried, and sprang to his weapons.
In the blink of an eye he was on the spot, opened a passage and believing that it was his king who bent under the heavy shield, he dealt the son of Fergus a mortal blow. Looking up at him with haggard eyes, Illann moaned:
"Is that you, Conall?" Is it your sword that strikes without knowing who, without knowing that I am fighting to save the sons of Usna from the treachery of Conchobar?
Turning his pain and rage on the other that came out from under the shield, Conall knocked his head away. Then he strode away, silent and frowning.
Gathering his last strength, the faithful Illann threw his weapons into the Red Branch fort, gave the sons of Usna a final plea for help, and, slipping on the green grass, he felt the light darken in his eyes. and gave up the spirit.
The siege began again as night approached. During the first watch, Ardann contained the mercenaries with a successful counter-attack. During the second watch, Aïnli took guard and held the enemy at a distance. During the third watch, Naisi led the sortie and made a terrible massacre of the mercenaries: they lay close together like dead leaves after winter in a thick forest.
They were falling too, Naisi's followers, and he wondered if he could sustain a final push.
– Climb, he shouted to Lavarcame, climb quickly on the last rampart, and see to the East if you don't see Fergus and his men.
When Lavarcame returned, she was even more dejected: she had seen nothing but green grass and grazing cattle.
Then Naisi held a last piece of advice with his brothers. After that, they made a strong wall of their men, swords, and shields around Deirdre, and coming out in a single mass, they trampled three hundred hirelings underfoot.
Doubting that he would ever come to terms with the sons of Usna, Conchobar sent for the druid Cathbad, who was friendly with Naisi and his brothers.
“These sons of Usna are brave. My pleasure would be to take them back to my service. You who are loved by them, go find them. Tell them to lay down their arms, to submit and I will return my favor and all the prerogatives of the Red Branch. I pledge my word as a king and my faith as a knight.
Confidently, Cathbad carried out his mission. The sons of Usna greeted these overtures with joy, threw down their arms and went to pay homage! But no sooner were they defenseless than the king had them seized and chained. To find an executioner, he scanned the circle of soldiers; but not an Ulsterian accepted this reproach. A stranger by the name of Mainy, whose two brothers had been killed by Naisi in fair combat, finally made a sign that he was ready to obey.
Then Ardann spoke:
– As being the youngest, I ask to have my throat cut first, so as not to see the death of my brothers.
– I was born before Naisi, said Aïnli then, I ask to be struck before him.
“My sword,” said Naisi, “given to me by the son of Lir, has this virtue of never leaving unfinished the blow it once struck. Let it hit us all. all three together and we die at the same time.
And Mainy popped all three heads at the same time.
As for Deirdre, she tore her golden hair and cried out in fury and panic. Then, finally calmed down, she remained as if lost, and with a slow chant sang this lament:
The generous lions closed their eyelids
And I am left alone to moan.
The torches of bravery have extinguished their light
And in their night I want to die.
They were my bulwark against wild wolves
And against the meaner man.
Sometimes they put up a fresh bed of leaves for me,
On their shields setting me down.
They took me away, they rocked me with their deep voices
In the ravines, under the walnut trees.
They were beautiful, they were good, they were brave,
And I rekindled their homes.
The raised spear, when they felled the wild deer,
When they harpooned the salmon,
They exulted, if I admired with my mauve eyes
Their sure eye of young hawks.
Over jealous king I had chosen my master,
My brave, my beloved, my friend.
With him that I lose, I'm going to disappear,
Deirdre, wife of Naisi.
That I loved this independent and rough life
Where every day has its peril!
Where our burning love populated the loneliness
Fires that hid exile from us!
Treachery has tamed your royal run,
Your righteousness in combat:
I want to accompany your too loyal soul,
Who, without me, would not understand.
Friends, dig the pit and wider and deeper,
For the four of us and not for these three:
Deirdre wants to sleep there all her death, happy
With her husband and her kings!
When she had finished exhaling her complaint, she let herself fall on Naisi's body and immediately ceased to live. They erected a large cairn of stones over the grave and engraved in high ogham letters the name of Deirdre and the three sons of Usna.
