CHAPTER VIII.
THE SUPERNATURAL LAPSE OF TIME IN FAIRYLAND (continued).
in the Tir na n'Og—The Island of Happiness—The Mermaid—Thomas of Erceldoune—Olger the Dane—The Sleeping Hero—King Arthur—Don Sebastian—The expected deliverer—British variants—German variants—Frederick Barbarossa—Nameless heroes—Slavonic variants.
The stories we have hitherto considered, relating to the supernatural lapse of time in fairyland, have attributed the mortal's detention there to various motives. Compulsion on the part of the superhuman powers, and pleasure, curiosity, greed, sheer folly, as also the performance of just and willing service on the part of the mortal, have been among the causes of his entrance thither and his sojourn amid its enchantments. Human nature could hardly have been what it is if the supreme passion of love had been absent from the list. Nor is it wanting, though not found in the same plenteous measure that will meet us when we come to deal with the Swan-maiden myth—that is to say, with the group of stories concerning the capture by men of maidens of superhuman birth.
We may take as typical the story of Oisin, or Ossian, as told in Ireland. In County Clare it is said that once when he was in the full vigour of youth Oisin lay down under a tree to rest and fell asleep. Awaking with a start, he saw a lady richly clad, and of more than mortal beauty, gazing on him. She was the Queen of Tir na
