The Celtic Literature Collective

The First Anecdote Concerning St. Moling
The Book of Leinster

In proximity to him (Mo-Ling) was an evil neighbor, namely Grác and his wife Crón. Grác used to oppose him. He used to entrust his wife to the cleric.

“Come to bind up my wound again, O cleric!” said Crón.

He was sewing leggings about his feet. He goes into the vessel. She uncovers her private parts to him. His awl was in his hand. He puts it through his member, so that lie pierced the vessel below him. Thereupon he said:

“My servant, the dog-faced one, 
Small the thing in which he is overjoyed.
He longs (to go) from his own privy parts
Into the neighboring castle.”


“Very well, O woman”, he said, “wicked men shall distort your member until they have had enough of you.”

“Not shall this be true”, she said. “There is not in Ireland a man who dares (to touch) me on account of my dogs.”

Then indeed robbers came to her, and twelve of them went on her. Mo-Ling said:

“The dogs of Crón, 
If they defend a rear, 
Why are nourished by Crón
Dogs who do not protect her hind quarters?”


“Very well”, said Grác, “take the boy to the churl in order to nurture him.”

She goes with the child. During the night it was not well with her among the churls. Guests, however, came, and took off his head, even the head of Grác.

This is related to Mo-Lling. On account of her wickedness during that night her voice was still heard on the following morning. At that time Mo-Lling was making a circuit about the martyrs. When lie saw her, he there­upon said:

“O wife of Grác,
Has one related to you that Grác is slain?
I do not see anyone here who would be joyful
About the cry of the calf which is on your neck.”

“Take your son with you, O woman”, he said. “Are not the churls fond of your boy?”

SOURCE:
Vernam Hull. "Two Anecdotes Concerning St. Moling." ZCP. vol. XVIII. NY: G.E. Stechert Co. 1930.

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