The Metamorphoses of Etain

"The Wooing of Etain" is a story out of Celtic mythology which addresses many aspects of Celtic religious belief and social organization. Among those is reincarnation. Now, my professor would probably have a heart attack if he read this description, but here's some background: Enter two immortals. Etain is the most beautiful maiden in the land and King Midir requires her hand in marriage to assert his kingship, because his honor has been slighted and she is his honor payment. The only bummer: Midir is already married. No problem for him--he just makes her his second wife. Etain, however, is a different story. First wife is pissed. First wife also happens to be a powerful sorceress. The combination does not bode well for Etain. Using her powers of sorcery, first wife transforms Etain into a creative variation of things. Etain goes from immortal woman to pool of water to worm to fly to human woman again. Let's take a moment to appreciate Etain: The Fly.

"...a purple fly of that worm, which was the size of a man's head, and the most beautiful in the land. Sweeter than pipes and harps and horn-players was the sound of her noise and the hum of her wings. Her eyes used to shine like precious stones in times of darkness. Her fragrance and her beauty would ward thirst and hunger away from anyone around whom she used to go. The sprinkling of drops from her wings would cure the afflictions and diseases and plagues of the one around whom she used to go. She used to go with Midir and accompany him throughout his territory wherever he might journey. It used to nourish armies in assemblies and gatherings in encampments to listen to her and gaze upon her. Midir knew that it was Etain who was in that shape, and he did not take a wife as long as the fly was in his company; and it nourished him to gaze upon her. He used to fall asleep at the noise she made, and she would wake him whenever someone who did not love him was coming."

-"The Wooing of Etain," from The Celtic Heroic Age

Thus was the love between Etain: The Fly and King Midir. Then she is swallowed by a woman, reborn as a mortal woman, and has no recollection of Midir in her second life whatsoever (all over the course of >1000 years). Well, Midir is still pretty into her. So he makes himself look spectacular and rides his horse to the hill overlooking the pool where Etain and friends are bathing. And he recites her a poem, except the entire lady poss doesn't know who the heck he is--just that he's fairly attractive. And thus it goes. But the fly--now that is a spectacular description of the most beautiful fly you will probably every read about in any literature, anywhere.