"
The boys regulated all things according to the laws and customs of
their elders. And everywhere it was the custom that the weak
should accept the protection of the strong and submit themselves
to their command. So slaves received masters, so runaways and
fugitives got to themselves lords, and sheltered themselves under
their protection and paid dues. Setanta's brow fell, and he
answered, "Put not upon me, I pray you, these hard terms. I would
be your friend and comrade, I cannot be your subject being what I
am."
And they said, "Who art thou?"
And he answered, "I am the son of Dectera of Dun Dalgan, and
nephew of the king."
Then the boy who was captain of the whole school, and the biggest
and strongest, stood over him, and said--
"Thou, the king's nephew! the son of Sualtam and Dectera of Dun
Dalgan! and comest hither without chariots and horsemen and a
prince's retinue and guard. Nay, thou art a churl and a liar to
boot, and hie thee hence now with wings at thy heels or verily
with sore blows I shall beat thee off the lawn."
Thereat the blood forsook thy face, O Setanta, O peerless one, and
thou stoodest like a still figure carved out of white marble, with
the pallor of death in thy immortal face.
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