The Oillipheist: https://bsky.app/profile/therealwildthing.bsky.social/post/3lq3lkmnqg22b #BookologyThursday #Celtic: `In their ships and in their galleys the whole province of Ulster, accompanying Fergus mac Leide, now gathered together to Loch Rudraige. They entering the loch gained its center; the monster rose and shook herself in such fashion that of all the vessels she made little bits and, as are the withered twigs beneath horses’ feet, so were they severally crushed, and all swamped before they could reach the strand. Fergus said to the men of Ulster: “Bide here and sit you all down, that ye may witness how I and the monster shall deal together.” Then he, be ng shod with Iubdan's shoes, leaped into the loch, erect and brilliant and brave, making for the monster. At sound of the hero’s approach she bared her teeth as does a wolf-dog threatened with a club; her eyes blazed like two great torches kindled, suddenly she put forth her sharp claws’ jagged array, bent her neck with the curve of an arch and clenched her glittering tusks, throwing back her ears hideously, till her whole semblance was one of gloomy cruel fury. Alas, for any in this world that should be fated to do battle with that monster: huge-headed long- fanged dragon that she was! The fearsome and colossal creature’s form was this: a crest and mane she had of coarse hair, a mouth that yawned, deep-sunken eyes; on either side thrice fifty flippers, each armed with as many claws recurved; a body impregnable. Thrice fifty feet her extended altitude; round as an apple she was in contraction, but in bulk equalled some great hill in its rough garb of furze. When the king sighted her he charged, instant, impetuous, and as he went he made this rhapsody: The evil is upon me that was presaged, . . . etc. #BookologyThursday #Celtic: `#Finn was afraid of no earthly thing, and he killed many great serpents in Loch Cuilinn and Loch Neathach, and at Beinn Edair; and Shadow-Shapes at Loch Lein and Drom Cleib and Loch Liath…` Source: Ancient Irish Tales, ed. by Tom P. Cross and Clark H. Slover Here`s the backstory: https://hear-me.social/@NeuKelte/116137470312010170
"There Leviathan,
Hugest of living creatures, on the deep
Stretched like a promontory sleeps or swims,
And seems a moving land; and at his gills
Draws in, and at his trunk spouts out, a sea...."
- John Milton, "Paradise Lost"
🎨 Gustave Doré
#BookologyThursday #Book #Literature #Poetry #Monster #SeaMonster #JohnMilton #ParadiseLost