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Being engaged in ministering to the animal wants of his comrades all day, he felt himself entitled to enjoy a little of the "feast of reason and the flow of soul" at night: "No more duv I," added Phil Briant firmly, at the same time hitting his thigh a slap with his open hand that caused all round him to start.
The Hags came back with a half-filled pitcher, and they ordered us to go to our bed. We went, and they sat for a while drinking porringers of water. "Crom Duv will be here the first thing in the morning," I heard one of them say. They put their heads on the pillows and in the turn of a hand they were dead-fast-sound asleep. I told my foster-sisters then what I had done and why I had done it.
When they neared that country they found a great crowd going on the road with them, and they learned that the king was giving a feast in honour of his marriage to Duv Laca, for the year of waiting was nearly out, and the king had sworn he would delay no longer.
"He will make you help to build his wall. Crom Duv goes out every morning to bring his cattle to pasture on the plain. And when he comes back he builds the wall round his house. He'll make you mix mortar and carry it to him, for I heard him say he wants a servant to do that." "I'll escape from this," said Flann, "and I'll bring you with me."
The walls round the Giant's Keep were being built higher by Crom Duv, helped by his servant Flann. The Giant's herd was now increased by many calves, and Morag the byre-maid had much to do to keep all the cows milked. And day and night Morag and Flann heard the bellowing of the Bull of the Mound. Now one day while Crom Duv was away with his herd, Flann and Morag were in the courtyard.
For a long time he had been at enmity and spiteful warfare with Fiachna Finn; and to this Fiachna Duv there was born in the same night a daughter, and this girl was named Duv Laca of the White Hand. "Ah!" cried the Flame Lady. "You see!" said Mongan, and he drank anew and joyously of the fairy wine.
He came towards them with the iron spike in his hand. Flann and Morag ran. Then from tree to tree Crom Duv chased them, shouting and snorting and smashing down branches with the iron spike in his hand. Morag and Flann came to a stream, and as they ran along its bank they heard the trampling and panting of a horse coming towards them. Up it came, a great black horse with a sweeping mane.
Cheerman and gentlemen 'Mistress MacGregor 'll be efter ye hersel', gin ye dinna gang, said Meg. 'Let her come. Duv ye think I'm fleyt at her? De'il a step 'll I gang till I please. Tell her that, Meg. Meg left the room, with a broad grin on her good-humoured face. 'What's the bitch lauchin' at? exclaimed MacGregor, starting to his feet.
"The Little Red Hen is my friend and adviser," Morag, and she went into the house with two vessels of milk. Crom Duv wakened up. He untied Flann and left him free. "You must mix mortar for me now," he said. He went into the byre and came out with a great vessel of milk. He left it down near the mixing-pan. He went to the side of the house and came back with a trough of blood.
"Let us not go near him at all," said Mongan, "for he is coming to complete his bargain." "What bargain are you talking about?" Duv Laca asked. But Mongan would not answer that. "Let us go out," said he, "for we must go out." Mongan and Duv Laca went out then and welcomed the King of Leinster.
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