THE SCENE: Gaytheolos, the founder of the Gaelic nation, brought his people out of Greece and Egypt to settle in Spain. However, in Spain they found themselves constantly under attack from hostile natives. On his deathbed, Gaytheolos urged his sons to go explore a fabled new land. A land that would one day be known as Ireland.
THE TEXT: Gaytheolos, overtaken by sudden death, exhorted his sons, and impressed upon them that they should do their best to get possession of the aforesaid land, charging them with both slothfulness and cowardice if they gave up so noble a kingdom, and one which they could penetrate without war or danger.
“Whatever happen to me,” said he, “you will be able, they say, to make this island your habitation. It is both pleasanter, and more praiseworthy, for us to suffer death bravely in battle, than, barely dragging on an ignoble existence, to die daily, miserably fettered under the burden of an execrable subjugation. Now, therefore, my sons, gratefully accept the gift the gods offer you, and go without delay to the island prepared for you, where, you shall be able to live noble and free.”
– John of Fordun, Chronica Gentis Scotorum, 14th Century AD
