saddle were of gold too, and round its neck a wreath of silver apple blossoms shone. The rider came nearer, and the Fians thought that never before had they seen such a delicate and wonderful beauty as this girl possessed. More beautiful she was than any queen of the world who had ever lived. Her eyes were blue as the hills when a summer twilight lies over them, and the red-gold crown upon her head was not more golden than her hair, partly hidden by an opalescent veil hanging in soft folds over a gleaming silken cloak.
At last she came to the edge of the sea, where the Fians stood watching her, and her voice sounded like sweet music as she spoke to Fionn:
"It is a long road from my country to yours, O Fionn, but I have taken it in search of you."
"Beautiful queen," said Fionn, "I am old and my men are nearly all killed, but few and sorrowful as we are, we will not refuse any service you may ask of us. Tell us now, O fairest of women, your name and your country, and what your desire is."
