THE FOUR WHITE SWANS ON LAKE DARVRA.
When Eva arrived at the house of Bove Derg, the chiefs bade her welcome; and the king asked her why she had not brought the Children of Lir to him.
"Because," she replied, "Lir no longer loves thee; and he does not wish to intrust his children to thee, lest thou shouldst harm them."
The king was greatly astonished and troubled at this, and he said, "How can that be? For I love those children better than I love my own."
But he thought in his own mind that Eva had played some treachery on them. And he sent messengers with all speed northwards to Shee Finnaha, to inquire for the children, and to ask that they might be sent to him.
When the messengers had told their errand, Lir was startled; and he asked, "Have the children not reached the palace with Eva?"
They answered, "Eva arrived alone, and she told the king that you refused to let the children come."
A sad and sorrowful heart had Lir when he heard this; and he now felt sure that Eva had destroyed his four lovely children. So, early next morning, his chariot was yoked for him, and he set out with his attendants for the king's palace; and they travelled with all speed till they arrived at the shore of Lake Darvra.
The children of Lir saw the cavalcade approaching; and Finola spoke these words—