He was by
himself in Teamhair one time, and he saw an armed man coming towards
him, quiet, with high looks, and having grey hair; a shirt ribbed with
gold thread next his skin, broad shoes of white bronze between his feet
and the ground, a shining branch, having nine apples of red gold, on his
shoulder. And it is delightful the sound of that branch was, and no one
on earth would keep in mind any want, or trouble, or tiredness, when
that branch was shaken for him; and whatever trouble there might be on
him, he would forget it at the sound.
Then Cormac and the armed man saluted one another, and Cormac asked
where did he come from. "I come," he said, "from a country where there
is nothing but truth, and where there is neither age nor withering away,
nor heaviness, nor sadness, nor jealousy nor envy, nor pride." "That is
not so with us," said Cormac, "and I would be well pleased to have your
friendship," he said. "I am well pleased to give it," said the stranger.
"Give me your branch along with it," said Cormac. "I will give it," said
the stranger, "if you will give me the three gifts I ask in return." "I
will give them to you indeed," said Cormac.
Then the strange man left the branch and went away, and Cormac did not
know where was he gone to.
He went back then into the royal house, and there was wonder on all the
people when they saw the branch. And he shook it at them, and it put
them all asleep from that day to the same time on the morrow.
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