Ossian Collection > Waifs and strays of Celtic tradition > Volume 4

END OF THE FEINNE.
What became of the Feinne, whether they were dis-
banded, or came to a natural end, is not mentioned in
tales about them. The first misfortune that befell them
of the series which ended in their extinction, was a
fight which occurred between the two hosts of which
they were composed.
When Dermid had fled and was in hiding, he one
day lay concealed in the foliage of a tree. Oscar and
Goll were below playing at taileasg, or chess. (Some
say that Dermid was dropping little berries on the
squares on which Oscar was to play next ; others say
this is not implied in the expression.) Goll at last
said :
" Dermid's faithful teaching
Has made Oscar's ready play."
" Teagasg dileas Dhiarmaid
Rinn iomairt ealanih Oscair."
To which Oscar replied, " Though you little esteem
Dermid, we loved him" (" Ge beag ortsa Diarviad bic
toigh leinne e"). From less to more a battle was begun
between the two hosts, so fierce that the shouts were
heard a mile off {cJihiinnteadJi fad mile vieallanaicJi an t-
sluaigJi). On that occasion, however, peace was restored ;
but, after the loss sustained by the burning of Brugh
Farala and the death of their most redoubtable heroes,
the Fians seem to have dwindled away, and to have
been no more a power in the land ; it was natural
enough that they should be no longer recognised as
of paramount power when their wives and growing
youth were destroyed by the burning of this tem-