The legend says that it was in the reign of greedy gloomy monarch Bress in Ireland. He ruthlessly robbed his people by enormous taxes, and in addition he taxed their dwellings and property, including cutting boards which women used. His greediness often made him cheat people to get something from them. He declared people that milk given by each brown cow without hair would become his property. As a bold cow was rather rare, people accepted his condition. Bress immediately gathered all brown cows in the country and passed them between two bonfires in order to singe them. Irish people called him the father and the grandfather of a fox. But he was also arrogant and thus careless.
Once the bard and wizard Kairpre appeared in Bress's castle. The poets were treated with the great respect at that time. To invite such a person to stay in the house, and for as long as he wanted was both a good tradition and prudence.
And Bress was distinguished for his extreme stinginess. The poet was lodged in an empty cold room and once a day an ugly maid brought him a plate with dry beard. Kairpre knew the order and the rules of behaviour, which allow to protect the small world from dark powers invasion. He also knew how to tell the bad ruler from good, and what the wizard can do. Kairpre was insulted. He declared that he was leaving the castle, and after that, as he expected, he was called to the king to read a poem expressing gratitude towards the monarch. When the poem was being read Bress was talking to his councilors and didn't notice that the poem wasn't a flattering ode. In fact the poet created a little lyric in which he wished Bress the same hospitality that he showed towards his guests.
As the last lines of the poem faded away, the monarch felt slight pricking on his cheeks. His companions saw read spots on his face. No doctor could cure this unattractive fever, and nothing could persuade Kairpre to break the spell. And as the law declared that a man with physical deformity couldn't be the Irish monarch, Bress had to abdicate, to the great pleasure of his nation. And all these happened due to several poetic lines created by the wizard.
