I am beaten at last , unless the Doran-donn can deliver me , ' he cried . And as he spoke there was a swish of the water , and the face of the Doran-donn looked up at him . ' O catch me , I pray you , that salmon under the rock ! ' said Covan son of Gorla . And the Doran-donn dived , and laying hold of the salmon by his tail , bore it back to the place where Covan was standing . ` The roe , and the duck , and the salmon are here , ' said Covan to the old man , when he reached the cottage . And the old man smiled on him and bade him eat and drink , and after he hungered no more , he would speak with him . And this was what the old man said : ` You began well , my son , so things have gone well with you . You set store by your mother 's blessing , therefore you have been blest . You gave food to the raven when it hungered , you were true to the promise you had made to me , and did not suffer yourself to be turned aside by vain shows . You were skilled to perceive that the boy who tempted you to leave the temple was a teller of false tales , and took with a grateful heart what the poor had to offer you . Last of all , difficulties gave you courage , instead of lending you despair . And now , as to your reward , you shall in truth take your sister home with you , and your brothers I will restore to life ; but idle and unfaithful as they are their lot is to wander for ever . And so farewell , and may wisdom be with you . ' ` First tell me your name ? ' asked Covan softly . ' I am the Spirit of Age , ' said the old man . The Princess Bella-Flor -LSB- Taken from a Celtic Story . Translated by Doctor Macleod Clarke . -RSB- Once upon a time there lived a man who had two sons .
When they grew up the elder went XXXXX seek his fortune in a far country , and for many years no one heard anything about him .
after as at from of on to unless upon with