269 



the learned poets under a solemn obligation, that you will not remain 

 two nights in one house until you find the Tain for me." This was 

 sufficient to cause their removal, for, when any person was put under 

 a solemn obligation in this way, be was obliged to instant compli- 

 ance. HU.:>fi»i 



The bards, being thus ejected, went to the king and told him 

 their story. The monarch, with his usual liberality, requested them 

 to remain, but the obligation imposed upon them by Marbhan could 

 not be remitted by the power of the prince. However, they gladly 

 accepted of his hospitality for their wives and followers, whom they 

 left behind. Before their departure, Guaire asked them how far 

 they intended to go in search of the Tain; and Seanchan, their chief, 

 replied to Alba (Scotland). Guaire advised them not to go there, 

 for that would be the place where they would get the least intelli- 

 gence of it, " for it is in Ireland," said he, " and not in Scotland, the 

 Tain was taken." This, one would think, should be sufficient to 

 convince Doctor Smith that the Tain was an Irish and not a Scotch 

 production ; yet, with this before his eyes, he takes advantage of the 

 silence of O'Flaherty respecting the " Critical Exposition " of the 

 Tain, and from that circumstance, thinks he can persuade the world, 

 that it is to Scotland we owe the origin of the tale. 



What is now stated does not exhibit all the proofs which the 

 story contains of its Irish origin. It relates, that Seanchan and his 

 bards having, in vain, searched for the Tain in the Isle of Man, and 

 in Scotland, returned to Ireland, where they met in his own form 

 Saint Callain, the half brother of Seanchan, who had, unknown to 

 them, accompanied them in their journey to Scotland, under the 

 appearance of a leper. To him Seanchan related what he already 

 Jcnew, that he could not find the Tain in Scotland, and he begged the 

 Saint's assistance to find it. With this request he complied, and went 



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