The king, who did not like other men’s advice, looked at him.
“It is not soldierly, nor the act of a prince to evade fate,” said he who was to be known afterwards as the wide-eyed, majestic monarch. “Therefore, all that can happen will happen, and we shall bear all that is to be borne.”
Then he gave the child back to its trembling nurse.
Cathfa looked up from the chess-board.
“She is to be called the ‘Troubler,’” said he.
And from that day “Deirdre” was her name.
[1] Conachúr = pron. Kun-a-hoor; mac = pron. mock.
[2] Cathfa = pron. Kaffa.
CHAPTER II
When Echaid Yellow-Heel was King of Ulster, he had a daughter called Assa. She was educated apart from her father’s residence by twelve tutors, and none of these had ever trained a pupil who was so docile, so teachable, or so affectionate. She loved knowledge, and so she loved learned men and would be always in their company.