This was formed by a people who called themselves, according to most Irish annalists, Gaels, from an ancient ancestor; Milesians, from the appellation of their king, who ruled in distant Spain, and Scoti, or Scots, from Scota, the warlike mother of King Milesius. These Milesians are said to have come into Spain from the region of the Caucasus, and all agree that they were formidable warriors. Tradition says that Ireland was first discovered, as far as the Milesians were concerned, by Ith, uncle of the Spanish king, who, while on a voyage of exploration, sighted the island, and, attracted by its beauty, landed, but was attacked by the Danaans and mortally wounded. His followers carried him to his galley, and he died at sea, but the body was brought back to Spain. His son, Loci, who had accompanied Ith, summoned all the Milesian family to avenge their kinsman’s death and conquer the Promised Island of their race. Milesius, or Miledh, had expired before Loci’s return, but his sons, Heber the Fair, Amergin, Heber the Brown, Colpa, Ir, and Heremon rallied to the call of vengeance and conquest, set sail for Ireland, landed there, and, in spite of Danaan witchcraft and Firbolgian valor, beat down all opposition and became masters of the beautiful island. Thomas Moore, in his immortal Irish Melodies, thus deals with this legendary event: “They came from a land beyond the sea, And now o’er the Western main, Set sail in their good ships gallantly From the sunny land of Spain. ‘Oh, where’s the isle we’ve seen in dreams, Our destined home or grave?’ Thus sang they as, by the morning’s beams, They swept the Atlantic wave. “And, lo, where afar o’er ocean shines A sparkle of radiant green, As though in that deep lay emerald mines Whose light through the wave was seen. ‘’Tis Innisfail! ’tis Innisfail!’ Rings o’er the echoing sea, While bending to heaven the warriors hail That home of the brave and free. “Then turned they unto the Eastern wave, Where now their Day-God’s eye A look of such sunny omen gave As lighted up sea and sky, Nor frown was seen through sky or sea, Nor tear on leaf or sod, When first on their Isle of Destiny Our great forefathers trod.”