HOW CHULAIN CROSSED THE BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 267, 10 November 1928, Page 21 (Supplement)

HOW CHULAIN CROSSED THE BRIDGE.

There once lived in Ireland ,a beautiful and gracious woman called Emer. She was not only good, she had a lovely face and a- low, sweet voice j and though half the men in Ireland wanted, to marry her she would listen to none of them. It happened that one day Emer was sitting m her sunny parlour with her maidens, working with gold and silver thread on a piece of embroidery, and suddenly, above the quiet voices of the women and the singing birds in the trees outside, there arose the thnd and clamour of a chariot of war going at a great pace. Emer sent one of her women to the high tower above her parlour to see who was coming. In a few minutes the girl returned with the news that a great chariot was indeed tearing over the plain, drawn by powerful and swift horses;, but because of the way the horses tore up the earth and the sods and dust they raised, she could not see who sat in the chariot. So Emer went on sewing with her x silver thread till the great chariot stopped at the house and the rider descended. Then'she lifted her lovely head and looked at him, and she saw that the man who stood before her was no other than Chulain, the hero of Ireland. At that moment Emer fell deeply in love with him, and she knew that she would either marry Chulain or live her life alone. Now, Chulain had come a great way in order to ask Emer to marry him, but, unhappily, her father had made other plans for her. Accordingly he sent Ohulain away" oh a great journey into another country, knowing that the house to which he was sending him was guarded by an enchanted bridge, over which very few men succeeded in passing. In this way he hoped that Chulain would be sure to meet his death. Chulain set out on his journey and Emer was left with her sewing maidens ia the sunny parlour. ■ At first the journey was pleasant and gay, and Chulain went on his way eagerly? 'but the night came on dark and stormy, and the way lay through a treacherous plain, so that the traveller knew not which way to take. He did not dare to sleep, not knowing the country, and was at a loss as to which was his path. As. he stood pondering, sword in hand, a great lion came out of the darkness . and advanced toward him and Chulain prepared to fight for his life. The beast came on with a fierce and terrifying air, but, to the amazement of the hero, made not the slightest attempt to harm him. Whichever way Chulain turned to go the lion went be-/ fore him, half turned to him, and after this had been repeated a few times Chulain suddenly realised that the beast was there as Lis friend to help him In his journey. He accordingly went straight up to him, and the lion offered his side as if to carry,him. Joyfully Chulain sprang on his back, and this strange steed bore him through the savage unknown country for four days' and four nights; and when at length he set him down he was in a beautiful shaded valley, where a house stood full of friendly people. The beast disappeared, and Chulain went into the house and rested awhile from his journey. And before he set

ont again the man of the house gave him some wise advice. "A great danger awaits . you outside tho house you. are seeking," said he in conclusion. "You must beware of the enchanted bridge." "What is this enchanted bridge?" asked Chulain then. "It is a great danger which has swallowed some of Ireland's greatest heroes," replied the other. "But if you succeed in crossing it you will be acclaimed the champion of the country." Then Chulain went on still more carefully, wishing that h& might face an armed host rather than tho unseen dangers which lurked on every hand and the enchantm.ent which Jay ahead. In this way he climbed a groat and dangerous mountain and passed through a perilous forest, and at last, many days later, found himself at tho house ho sought; and. there before him lay the enchanted bridge. It spanned th& flowing river like many another bridge, and as Chulain stood pondering as to how he might cross it, many people came out of the house across the river by another way. They embraced him, and gave himthe welcome of a great hero. "We havo heard of your, deeds, Chulain, from the time you killed the smith's hound," said the}'. "But you have a still greater feat to perform before you come among us as an acclaimed hero. There lies the enchanted bridge, which has been the death of many, many heroes and kings. Only a great champion can cross, it. Beware I" Then all the men and women of the district waited to see Chulain, who was well beloved, attempt the great feat. There never was such a bridge as that enchanted bridge. Chulain made one step upon it, and at once it seemed to narrow to the width of an inch, and no mortal man could stand upon it. So Chulain sprang back and. tried again. This time the bridge became as slippery as a trout in a stream, and he could obtain no footing whatever, and again he stepped back to the entrance. "Try again, Chulain!" cried the waiting crowd. "Surely thou, of all tho men in Ireland, must cross the bridge." Thus cheered by the cries of the men, the hero tried again to perform this extraordinary feat. But this time the middle of the bridge rose before his face, as high as .a ship's mast; and again Chulain was obliged to spring back. Then Chulain was in despair. He had never before been so defeated. Fifty men he had met at> a time singlehanded; countless high deeds had he performed; but all the dangers of his life seemed as nothing before this present trial. Again and again he- tried to cross, but in vain. At last he was seized by a passionate and transforming anger. He went back a pace to gather strength, and the waiting men held their breath. Then he came on again with a furious rush, and before-the bridge had time to rise he had leapt high in the air, clean over it and landed safely on the other side. • There the shouts for the victor greeted him, and the skies'rang with cries of joy because Chulain had crossed the bridge that only great heroes could cross. Chulain rested awhile with the people in the great house, and performed the mission with which the father of Emer had charged him; and soon after he returned, homo and won the lovely Emer for his bride.