Page:Heroes of the dawn.djvu/18

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HEROES OF THE DAWN

or invisible at will, and they could change into any form they chose. It is said of the Dagda that he had an enchanted harp, in which the music was spell-bound, and he alone could call it forth. When he played, summer would break in bud and blossom all over the land; or winter with its snows and frosts would come; or sleep or laughter or tears would fall on all who heard the music.

The Tuatha de Danann had some very fierce enemies, called the Fomorians, and once, when they were fighting together, the Fomorians captured the Dagda's harp, and carried it away to hang in their feasting-hall. But the Dagda, with some companions, went in pursuit of it, and when they reached the hall the Dagda called to his harp, saying: "O holder of summer and winter, of sleep and joy and sorrow, come to me." Immediately the harp rushed down from the wall and hurried to its master, killing those of the Fomorians who were in its way. Then the Dagda touched the magic wires, and the first music that he played made the Fomorians sorrowful; the women and children, and even the great