They drew close to the shore, in order to observe more accurately. When the horsemen saw them coming, they hastened towards them, until they came within speaking distance. The persons of note who were amongst them were Aodh Aithiosatch, or Merry Hugh, and Feargus Fithcall (of the Complete Armor), the two sons of Bogh Dearg the Monarch, and the third part of his bodyguard. The children of Lir inquired how the Tuatha Danaans were, and especially Lir and Bogh Dearg, with their friends and dependants. "They are all well in their respective homes," replied the horsemen. "At present, it is true, they are in your father's palace, partaking of a splendid banquet, in health and joy, knowing no other want than that of your absence, and their ignorance of your place of abode, since you left the Lake of the Speckled Oak." "Evil has been our life since then," said Fingula, "for neither we nor any other creature, that we have heard of, ever suffered so much as we have done, since we came to the waters of Moyle"; and she uttered the following words:-- We four are well, Though in keen want and sombre grief we dwell. Happy are they Who sit in Lir's bright hall, and share his banquet gay. Rich food and wine For them in sparkling gold and silver shine; While far away His children shiver in the hungry spray! We, who of yore On dainties fared, and silken garments wore, Now all our fare, Cold sand, and bitter brine, for wax and honey rare; Our softest bed, The crag that o'er those surges lifts its head; Oft have we laid Our limbs on beds of tenderest down arrayed. Now must we lie, On Moyle's rough wave, with plumage seldom dry; A pageant rare Oft bore us to our grandsire's palace fair. Ah, mournful change! Now with faint wings these dreary shores I range. O'er Moyle's dark tide, Plume touching plume, we wander side by side; Sharing no more The joys that cheered our happy hearts of yore; The welcome mild, That on our grandsire's kingly features smiled; Lir's counsel meet, And fond paternal kiss, that made the morning sweet. The horsemen returned soon after to the house of Lir, and told the principal men of the Tuatha Danaans where they had seen the birds, and the dialogue they had held together. "We cannot assist them," they replied, "but we are well pleased to hear that they live, for they will be restored to their former shape, after a long time has elapsed." The children of Lir, meantime, returned northwards to the Sea of Moyle, where they remained until their time in that place had expired. Then Fingula spoke to her brothers, and said:-- "It is time for us to depart from hence, for the period appointed for us to remain here is at an end"; and she added these verses:--