XLV. Sir John de Courcy imprisoned, 193 XLVI. Sir John de Courcy accepts a challenge, 197 XLVII. Sir John de Courcy and the French Champion, 200 XLVIII. The Earls of Kildare and Ormond, 203 XLIX. Ancient Irish Music, 208 Notes and Explanations, 213 [Illustration: Ornament from the Book of Kells. See page 117.] I. LEGENDS AND EARLY HISTORY.[1-1] In our ancient books there are stories of five different races of people who made their way to Ireland in old times, with very exact accounts of their wanderings before their arrival, and of the battles they fought after landing. But these narratives cannot be depended on, for they are not real History but Legends, that is stories either wholly or partly fabulous. Of the five early races, the two last, who were called Dedannans and Milesians, were the most remarkable; and they are mixed up with most of the old Irish tales. [1-1] It is necessary to know the substance of this first sketch in order to understand the rest of the book. The Dedannans, coming from Greece, landed in Ireland; and having overcome the people they found there, became masters of the country. They had the name of being great magicians; and ancient Irish writings are full of tales of the marvellous spells of their skilled wizards. They remained in possession for about two hundred years, till the Milesians came, as will now be related. For many generations the Milesians, before their arrival in Ireland, journeyed from one part of Europe to another, seeking for some place of settlement. And becoming at length weary of this state of unrest, they consulted their chief druid, who was a skilful seer, and bade him find out for them when they were to end their wanderings, and where they were to settle down. The druid, having thought the matter over for a while, told them that far out on the verge of the western sea was a lovely green island called Inisfail,[2-1] or the Island of Destiny, which was to be their final home and resting-place. So they set out once more, and fared on from land to land, keeping the Isle of Destiny ever in mind, thinking of it by day and dreaming of it by night. At last they arrived in Spain, where they lived for a time. Here they were under the command of the renowned hero "Miled of Spain,"[2-2] or Milesius, from whom they came to be called Milesians. [2-1] Inisfail, one of the old names of Ireland. [2-2] Miled, pronounced _Mee-lĕ_ (two syllables).