The King had made ready a splendid feast, and welcomed the new-comers gladly, and they ate and drank together. When the feast was over the Druid Derry sang songs before Grania, and she, knowing he was a man of wisdom, asked him why Fionn had come thither. 'If you know not that,' said the Druid, 'it is no wonder that I know it not.' 'I wish to learn it from you,' answered Grania. 'Well then,' replied the Druid, 'it is to ask you for wife that he is come.' 'I marvel,' said Grania, 'that it is not for Ossian that he asks me. For my father himself is not as old as Fionn. But tell me, I pray you, who is that softly spoken man with the curling black hair and ruddy countenance, that sits on the left hand of Ossian, the son of Fionn?' 'That is Diarmid, son of Dowd, the best lover in the whole world.' 'It is a goodly company,' said Grania, and ordered her lady to bring her the golden goblet chased with jewels. When it was brought she filled it up with the drink of nine times nine men, then bade her handmaid carry it to Fionn and say that she had sent it to him, and that he was to drink from it. Fionn took the goblet with joy, but no sooner had he drunk than he fell down into a deep slumber; and the same thing befel also Cormac, and Cormac's wife, and as many as drank of the goblet sent by Grania. When all were sleeping soundly, she rose softly and said to Ossian, 'I marvel that Fionn should ask such a wife as I, for it were fitter that he should give me a husband of my own age than a man older than my father.' 'Say not so, O Grania,' answered Ossian, 'for if Fionn were to hear you, he would not have you, neither should I dare to ask for you.' 'Then you will not listen to word of marriage from me?' asked Grania. 'I will not,' answered Ossian, 'for I must not lay my hand on what Fionn has looked on.' Then Grania turned her face to Diarmid Dowd and what she said was, 'Will you receive courtship from me, O Son of Dowd, since Ossian will not receive it?' 'I will not,' answered Diarmid, 'for whatever woman is betrothed to Fionn, I may not take her.' 'I will put you under bonds of destruction, O Diarmid,' said Grania, 'if you take me not out of this house to-night.' 'Those are indeed evil bonds,' answered Diarmid, 'and wherefore have you laid them on me, seeing there is no man less worthy to be loved by you than myself?' 'Not so, O son of Dowd,' said Grania, 'and I will tell you wherefore.'