List, list to the sound of the anchoret's bell, Rise, children of Lir, from the wave where ye dwell, Uplift your glad wings and exult as ye hear, And give thanks, for the hour of your freedom is near. He merits our duty, the Mighty to save From the rock and the surge, from the storm and the wave. Who clings to his doctrine with constant endeavor, His grief shall be turned into glory forever. Past moments of anguish, forever farewell! List, children of Lir, to the sound of the bell. The children of Lir were listening to the music of the bell until the saint had finished his prayers. "Let us now," said Fingula, "sing our own music to the great Ruler of the heavens and the earth"; and they sung the most melodious strains of praise and adoration. Macaomh Og was listening, and in the morning early he came to the Lake of the Birds. Coming close to the shore, he asked them, were they the children of Lir? "We are, indeed," they answered. "I am most thankful to hear it," said he, "for it was to relieve you that I was sent to this island, rather than to any other part of Ireland." On hearing these words the children of Lir came to the shore, and depended on his word. He took them down to his residence, where they remained listening to his instructions and joining in his devotions day after day. Macaomh Og sent for a craftsman and desired him to make two silver chains, which he accordingly did. One of them he put between Eugene and Fingula, and the other between Cornu and Fiacra. The king who governed Conact at that time was named Lairgnean, the son of Colman (the same of whom Fingula had spoken to her father on the Lake of the Speckled Oak), and his queen's name was Deocha, the daughter of Ingri, son of Black Hugh. Deocha came to hear of the wonderful birds, and, being seized with a violent desire of possessing them, requested the king to procure them for her. He replied that he could never persuade himself to ask Macaomh Og to give them up. Deocha, enraged at his refusal, declared that she never again would spend a night within the palace of Glairgnea, as the king's residence was called, unless she got the swans; and, leaving the palace, she travelled to Kill da Luadh (now called Killaloe) and took up her abode at her own home. When Lairgnean found her so resolute, he sent a messenger three several times for the birds, but could not obtain them. Then he came himself to Macaomh Og, and asked him if it were true he had refused his messengers. "It is true," answered Macaomh Og. "Then," said the king, "it is true, likewise, that I will take them with me whether you are willing or otherwise."