heart," said one of them, and he gave
Segda three kisses on each cheek.

"Indeed," said Segda, returning those kisses, "indeed I had not
bargained to die for Ireland, but only to bathe in her waters and to
remove her pestilence."

"But dear child and prince," said another, kissing him likewise, "if any
one of us could save Ireland by dying for her how cheerfully we would
die."

And Segda, returning his three kisses, agreed that the death was noble,
but that it was not in his undertaking.

Then, observing the stricken countenances about him, and the faces of
men and women hewn thin by hunger, his resolution melted away, and he
said:

"I think I must die for you," and then he said:

"I will die for you."

And when he had said that, all the people present touched his cheek with
their lips, and the love and peace of Ireland entered into his soul, so
that he was tranquil and proud and happy.

The executioner drew his wide, thin blade and all those present covered
their eyes with their cloaks, when a wailing voice called on the
executioner to delay yet a moment. The High King uncovered his eyes and
saw that a woman had approached driving a cow before her.

"Why are you killing the boy?" she demanded.

The reason for this slaying was explained to her.

"Are you sure," she asked, "that the poets and magicians really know
everything?"

"Do they not?" the king inquired.

"Do they?" she insisted.

And then turning to the magicians:

"Let one magician of the magicians tell me what is hidden in the bags
that are lying across the back of my cow."

But no magician could tell it, nor did they try to.

"Questions are not answered thus," they said. "There is formulae, and
the calling up of spirits, and lengthy complicated preparations in our
art."

"I am not badly learned in these arts," said the woman, "and I say that
if you slay this cow the effect will be the same as if you had killed
the boy."

"We would prefer to kill a cow or a thousand cows rather than harm this
young prince," said Conn, "but if we spare the boy will these evils
return?"

"They will not be banished until you have banished their cause."

"And what is their cause?"

"Becuma is the cause, and she must be banished."

"If you must tell me what to do," said Conn, "tell me at least to do
something that I can do."

"I will tell you certainly. You can keep Becuma and your ills as long as
you want to. It does not matter to me. Come, my son,