"I knew by the withering of the tree before the dun, that you would
never come back as conquerors from the treachery of Finn, son of
Cumhal."
When Grania, now, heard what the woman was saying, there was anger on
her, and she said: "Do not be speaking against Finn or the Fianna,
Queen, for it was not by any treachery or any deceit your three men were
brought to their end."
But Ailne made her no answer and gave no heed to her, but she went on
with her complaint, and she crying and ever crying.
"I knew, looking after you the day you went out from the dun, by the
flight of the raven before you, there was no good sign of your coming
back again.
"I knew by Ciardan's hounds that were howling mournfully every evening,
that it would not be long till I would have bad news of you.
"I knew by my sleep that went from me, by my tears through every lasting
night, that there was no luck before you.
"I knew by the sorrowful vision that showed myself in danger, my head
and my hands cut off, that it was yourselves were without sway.
"I knew by the voice of Uaithnin, the hound that is dearest to Liagan,
howling early every morning, that death was certain for my three.
"I knew when I saw in a vision a lake of blood in the place of the dun,
that my three were put down by the deceit that was always with Finn."
"Do not be faulting Finn," said Grania then, "however vexed your heart
may be. And leave off now," she said, "speaking against the Fianna and
against himself; for if your men had stopped in their own country," she
said, "without coming to avenge the son of Treon, there would no harm
have happened them.
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