THE PALACE OF THE CRYSTAL BRIDGE.
They came now to a small island, with a palace on it, having a copper
chain in front, hung all over with a number of little silver bells.
Straight before the door there was a fountain, spanned by a bridge of
crystal, which led to the palace. They walked towards the bridge,
meaning to cross it, but every time they stepped on it they fell
backwards flat on the ground.
After some time, they saw a very beautiful young woman coming out of the
palace, with a pail in her hand; and she lifted a crystal slab from the
bridge, and, having filled her vessel from the fountain, she went back
into the palace.
"This woman has been sent to keep house for Maildun," said Germane.
"Maildun indeed!" said she, as she shut the door after her.
After this they began to shake the copper chain, and the tinkling of the
silver bells was so soft and melodious that the voyagers gradually fell
into a gentle, tranquil sleep, and slept so till next morning. When they
awoke, they saw the same young woman coming forth from the palace, with
the pail in her hand; and she lifted the crystal slab as before, filled
her vessel, and returned into the palace.
"This woman has certainly been sent to keep house for Maildun," said
Germane.
"Wonderful are the powers of Maildun!" said she, as she shut the door of
the court behind her.
They stayed in this place for three days and three nights, and each
morning the maiden came forth in the same manner, and filled her pail.
On the fourth day, she came towards them, splendidly and beautifully
dressed, with her bright yellow hair bound by a circlet of gold, and
wearing silver-work shoes on her small, white feet. She had a white
mantle over her shoulders, which was fastened in front by a silver
brooch studded with gold; and under all, next her soft, snow-white skin,
was a garment of fine white silk.
"My love to you, Maildun, and to your companions," she said; and she
mentioned them all, one after another, calling each by his own proper
name. "My love to you," said she. "We knew well that you were coming to
our island, for your arrival has long been foretold to us."
Then she led them to a large house standing by the sea, and she caused
the curragh to be drawn high up on the beach. They found in the house a
number of couches, one of which was intended for Maildun alone, and each
of the others for three of his people. The woman then gave them, from
one vessel, food which was like cheese; first of all ministering to
Maildun, and then giving a triple share to every three of his
companions; and whatever taste each man wished for, that was the taste
he found on it. She then lifted the crystal slab at the bridge, filled
her pail, and dealt out drink to them; and she knew exactly how much to
give, both of food and of drink, so that each had enough and no more.
"This woman would make a fit wife for Maildun," said his people. But
while they spoke, she went from them with her pail in her hand.
When she was gone, Maildun's companions said to him, "Shall we ask this
maiden to become thy wife?"
He answered, "What advantage will it be to you to ask her?"
She came next morning, and they said to her, "Why dost thou not stay
here with us? Wilt thou make friendship with Maildun; and wilt thou take
him for thy husband?"
She replied that she and all those that lived on the island were
forbidden to marry with the sons of men; and she told them that she
could not disobey, as she knew not what sin or transgression was.
She then went from them to her house; and on the next morning, when she
returned, and after she had ministered to them as usual, till they were
satisfied with food and drink, and were become cheerful, they spoke the
same words to her.
"To-morrow," she replied, "you will get an answer to your question;" and
so saying, she walked towards her house, and they went to sleep on their
couches.
When they awoke next morning, they found themselves lying in their
curragh on the sea, beside a great high rock; and when they looked
about, they saw neither the woman, nor the palace of the crystal bridge,
nor any trace of the island where they had been sojourning.