So messengers were
sent to Lir, to say that if he were willing to yield the sovranty to
Bov the Red, he might make alliance with him and wed one of his
foster-children. To Lir, having been thus gently entreated, it seemed
good to end the feud, and he agreed to the marriage. So the following
day he set out with a train of fifty chariots from the Hill of the
White Field and journeyed straight for the palace of Bov the Red,
which was by Lough Derg on the river Shannon.
[9] Pronounced Eefa.
Arriving there, he found about him nothing but joy and glad faces, for
the renewal of amity and concord; and his people were welcomed, and
well entreated, and handsomely entertained for the night.
[Illustration: "There sat the three maidens with the Queen"]
And there sat the three maidens on the same couch with the Danaan
Queen, and Bov the Red bade Lir choose which one he would have to
wife.
"The maidens are all fair and noble," said Lir, "but the eldest is
first in consideration and honour, and it is she that I will take, if
she be willing."
"The eldest is Eva," said Bov the Red, "and she will wed thee if it be
pleasing to thee." "It is pleasing," said Lir, and the pair were
wedded the same night. Lir abode for fourteen days in the palace of
Bov the Red, and then departed with his bride, to make a great
wedding-feast among his own people.
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