CONTENTS
THESTORYOFTUANMACCAIRILL
THEBOYHOODOFFIONN
THEBIRTHOFBRAN
OISI’N’SMOTHER
THEWOOINGOFBECFOLA
THELITTLEBRAWLATALLEN
THECARLOFTHEDRABCOAT
THEENCHANTEDCAVEOFCESHCORRAN
BECUMAOFTHEWHITESKIN
MONGAN’SFRENZY
THESTORYOFTUANMACCAIRILL
CHAPTERI
Finnian,theAbbottofMoville,wentsouthwardsandeastwardsingreathaste。NewshadcometohiminDonegalthattherewereyetpeopleinhisownprovincewhobelievedingodsthathedidnotapproveof,andthegodsthatwedonotapproveofaretreatedscurvily,evenbysaintlymen。
HewastoldofapowerfulgentlemanwhoobservedneitherSaint’sdaynorSunday。
\"Apowerfulperson!\"saidFinnian。
\"Allthat,\"wasthereply。
\"Weshalltrythisperson’spower,\"saidFinnian。
\"Heisreputedtobeawiseandhardyman,\"saidhisinformant。
\"Weshalltesthiswisdomandhishardihood。\"
\"Heis,\"thatgossipwhispered——\"heisamagician。\"
\"Iwillmagicianhim,\"criedFinnianangrily。\"Wheredoesthatmanlive?\"
Hewasinformed,andheproceededtothatdirectionwithoutdelay。
Innogreattimehecametothestrongholdofthegentlemanwhofollowedancientways,andhedemandedadmittanceinorderthathemightpreachandprovethenewGod,andexorciseandterrifyandbanisheventhememoryoftheoldone;fortoagodgrownoldTimeisasruthlessastoabeggarmangrownold。
ButtheUlstergentlemanrefusedFinnianadmittance。Hebarricadedhishouse,heshutteredhiswindows,andinagloomofindignationandprotesthecontinuedthepracticesoftenthousandyears,andwouldnothearkentoFinniancallingatthewindowortoTimeknockingathisdoor。
Butofthoseadversariesitwasthefirstheredoubted。
Finnianloomedonhimasaportentandaterror;buthehadnofearofTime。Indeedhewasthefoster-brotherofTime,andsodisdainfulofthebittergodthathedidnotevendisdainhim;heleapedoverthescythe,hedodgedunderit,andthesoleoccasionsonwhichTimelaughsiswhenhechancesonTuan,thesonofCairill,thesonofMuredacRed-neck。
CHAPTERII
NowFinniancouldnotabidethatanypersonshouldresistboththeGospelandhimself,andheproceededtoforcethestrongholdbypeacefulbutpowerfulmethods。Hefastedonthegentleman,andhedidsotosuchpurposethathewasadmittedtothehouse;fortoanhospitablehearttheideathatastrangermayexpireonyourdoorstepfromsheerfaminecannotbetolerated。Thegentleman,however,didnotgiveinwithoutastruggle:hethoughtthatwhenFinnianhadgrownsufficientlyhungryhewouldliftthesiegeandtakehimselfofftosomeplacewherehemightgetfood。ButhedidnotknowFinnian。Thegreatabbotsatdownonaspotjustbeyondthedoor,andcomposedhimselftoallthatmightfollowfromhisaction。Hebenthisgazeonthegroundbetweenhisfeet,andenteredintoameditationfromwhichhewouldOnlybereleasedbyadmissionordeath。
Thefirstdaypassedquietly。
Oftenthegentlemanwouldsendaservitortospyifthatdeserterofthegodswasstillbeforehisdoor,andeachtimetheservantrepliedthathewasstillthere。
\"Hewillbegoneinthemorning,\"saidthehopefulmaster。
Onthemorrowthestateofsiegecontinued,andthroughthatdaytheservantsweresentmanytimestoobservethroughspy-holes。
\"Go,\"hewouldsay,\"andfindoutiftheworshipperofnewgodshastakenhimselfaway。\"
Buttheservantsreturnedeachtimewiththesameinformation。
\"Thenewdruidisstillthere,\"theysaid。
Allthroughthatdaynoonecouldleavethestronghold。Andtheenforcedseclusionwroughtonthemindsoftheservants,whilethecessationofallworkbandedthemtogetherinsmallgroupsthatwhisperedanddiscussedanddisputed。Thenthesegroupswoulddispersetopeepthroughthespy-holeatthepatient,immobilefigureseatedbeforethedoor,wrappedinameditationthatwastimelessandunconcerned。Theytookfrightatthespectacle,andonceortwiceawomanscreamedhysterically,andwasbundledawaywithacompanion’shandclappedonhermouth,sothattheearoftheirmastershouldnotbeaffronted。
\"Hehashisowntroubles,\"theysaid。\"Itisacombatofthegodsthatistakingplace。\"
Somuchforthewomen;butthemenalsowereuneasy。Theyprowledupanddown,trampingfromthespy-holetothekitchen,andfromthekitchentotheturretedroof。Andfromtherooftheywouldlookdownonthemotionlessfigurebelow,andspeculateonmanythings,includingthestaunchnessofman,thequalitiesoftheirmaster,andeventhepossibilitythatthenewgodsmightbeaspowerfulastheold。Fromthesepeepingsanddiscussionstheywouldreturnlanguidanddiscouraged。
\"If,\"saidoneirritableguard,\"ifwebuzzedaspearatthepersistentstranger,orifoneslungathimwithajaggedpebble!\"
\"What!\"hismasterdemandedwrathfully,\"isaspeartobethrownatanunarmedstranger?Andfromthishouse!\"Andhesoundlycuffedthatindelicateservant。
\"Beatpeaceallofyou,\"hesaid,\"forhungerhasawhip,andhewilldrivethestrangerawayinthenight。\"
Thehouseholdretiredtowretchedbeds;butforthemasterofthehousetherewasnosleep。Hemarchedhishallsallnight,goingoftentothespy-holetoseeifthatshadowwasstillsittingintheshade,andpacingthence,tormented,preoccupied,refusingeventhenoseofhisfavouritedogasitpressedlovinglyintohisclosedpalm。
Onthemorrowhegavein。
Thegreatdoorwasswungwide,andtwoofhisservantscarriedFinnianintothehouse,forthesaintcouldnolongerwalkorstanduprightbyreasonofthehungerandexposuretowhichhehadsubmitted。Buthisframewastoughastheunconquerablespiritthatdweltwithinit,andinnolongtimehewasreadyforwhatevermightcomeofdisputeoranathema。
Beingquitere-establishedheundertooktheconversionofthemasterofthehouse,andthesiegehelaidagainstthatnotableintelligencewaslongspokenofamongthosewhoareinterestedinsuchthings。
HehadbeatenthediseaseofMugain;hehadbeatenhisownpupilthegreatColmCille;hebeatTuanalso,andjustasthelatter’sdoorhadopenedtothepersistentstranger,sohisheartopened,andFinnianmarchedtheretodothewillofGod,andhisownwill。
CHAPTERIII
OnedaytheyweretalkingtogetheraboutthemajestyofGodandHislove,foralthoughTuanhadnowreceivedmuchinstructiononthissubjectheyetneededmore,andhelaidascloseasiegeonFinnianasFinnianhadbeforethatlaidonhim。Butmanworksoutwardlyandinwardly。Afterresthehasenergy,afterenergyheneedsrepose;so,whenwehavegiveninstructionforatime,weneedinstruction,andmustreceiveitorthespiritfaintsandwisdomherselfgrowsbitter。
ThereforeFinniansaid:\"Tellmenowaboutyourself,dearheart。\"
ButTuanwasavidofinformationabouttheTrueGod。\"No,no,\"hesaid,\"thepasthasnothingmoreofinterestforme,andIdonotwishanythingtocomebetweenmysoulanditsinstruction;
continuetoteachme,dearfriendandsaintlyfather。\"
\"Iwilldothat,\"Finnianreplied,\"butImustfirstmeditatedeeplyonyou,andmustknowyouwell。Tellmeyourpast,mybeloved,foramanishispast,andistobeknownbyit。\"
ButTuanpleaded:\"Letthepastbecontentwithitself,formanneedsforgetfulnessaswellasmemory。\"
\"Myson,\"saidFinnian,\"allthathaseverbeendonehasbeendoneforthegloryofGod,andtoconfessourgoodandevildeedsispartofinstruction;forthesoulmustrecallitsactsandabidebythem,orrenouncethembyconfessionandpenitence。Tellmeyourgenealogyfirst,andbywhatdescentyouoccupytheselandsandstronghold,andthenIwillexamineyouractsandyourconscience。\"
Tuanrepliedobediently:\"IamknownasTuan,sonofCairill,sonofMuredacRed-neck,andthesearethehereditarylandsofmyfather。\"
Thesaintnodded。
\"IamnotaswellacquaintedwithUlstergenealogiesasIshouldbe,yetIknowsomethingofthem。IambybloodaLeinsterman,\"
hecontinued。
\"Mineisalongpedigree,\"Tuanmurmured。
Finnianreceivedthatinformationwithrespectandinterest。
\"Ialso,\"hesaid,\"haveanhonourablerecord。\"
Hishostcontinued:\"IamindeedTuan,thesonofStarn,thesonofSera,whowasbrothertoPartholon。\"
\"But,\"saidFinnianinbewilderment,\"thereisanerrorhere,foryouhaverecitedtwodifferentgenealogies。\"
\"Differentgenealogies,indeed,\"repliedTuanthoughtfully,\"buttheyaremygenealogies。\"
\"Idonotunderstandthis,\"Finniandeclaredroundly。
\"IamnowknownasTuanmacCairill,\"theotherreplied,\"butinthedaysofoldIwasknownasTuanmacStarn,macSera。\"
\"ThebrotherofPartholon,\"thesaintgasped。
\"Thatismypedigree,\"Tuansaid。
\"But,\"Finnianobjectedinbewilderment,\"PartholoncametoIrelandnotlongaftertheFlood。\"
\"Icamewithhim,\"saidTuanmildly。
Thesaintpushedhischairbackhastily,andsatstaringathishost,andashestaredthebloodgrewchillinhisveins,andhishaircreptalonghisscalpandstoodonend。
CHAPTERIV
ButFinnianwasnotonewhoremainedlonginbewilderment。HethoughtonthemightofGodandhebecamethatmight,andwastranquil。
HewasonewholovedGodandIreland,andtothepersonwhocouldinstructhiminthesegreatthemeshegavealltheinterestofhismindandthesympathyofhisheart。
\"Itisawonderyoutellme,mybeloved,\"hesaid。\"Andnowyoumusttellmemore。\"
\"WhatmustItell?\"askedTuanresignedly。
\"TellmeofthebeginningoftimeinIreland,andofthebearingofPartholon,thesonofNoah’sson。\"
\"Ihavealmostforgottenhim,\"saidTuan。\"Agreatlybearded,greatlyshoulderedmanhewas。Amanofsweetdeedsandsweetways。\"
\"Continue,mylove,\"saidFinnian。
\"HecametoIrelandinaship。Twenty-fourmenandtwenty-fourwomencamewithhim。ButbeforethattimenomanhadcometoIreland,andinthewesternpartsoftheworldnohumanbeinglivedormoved。AswedrewonIrelandfromtheseathecountryseemedlikeanunendingforest。Farastheeyecouldreach,andinwhateverdirection,thereweretrees;andfromthesetherecametheunceasingsingingofbirds。Overallthatlandthesunshonewarmandbeautiful,sothattooursea-wearyeyes,ourwind-tormentedears,itseemedasifweweredrivingonParadise。
\"Welandedandweheardtherumbleofwatergoinggloomilythroughthedarknessoftheforest。Followingthewaterwecametoagladewherethesunshoneandwheretheearthwaswarmed,andtherePartholonrestedwithhistwenty-fourcouples,andmadeacityandalivelihood。
\"TherewerefishintheriversofEire’,therewereanimalsinhercoverts。Wildandshyandmonstrouscreaturesrangedinherplainsandforests。Creaturesthatonecouldseethroughandwalkthrough。Longwelivedinease,andwesawnewanimalsgrow,——thebear,thewolf,thebadger,thedeer,andtheboar。
\"Partholon’speopleincreaseduntilfromtwenty-fourcouplestherecamefivethousandpeople,wholivedinamityandcontentmentalthoughtheyhadnowits。\"
\"Theyhadnowits!\"Finniancommented。
\"Theyhadnoneedofwits,\"Tuansaid。
\"Ihaveheardthatthefirst-bornweremindless,\"saidFinnian。
\"Continueyourstory,mybeloved。\"
\"Then,suddenasarisingwind,betweenonenightandamorning,therecameasicknessthatbloatedthestomachandpurpledtheskin,andontheseventhdayalloftheraceofPartholonweredead,saveonemanonly。\"\"Therealwaysescapesoneman,\"saidFinnianthoughtfully。
\"AndIamthatman,\"hiscompanionaffirmed。
Tuanshadedhisbrowwithhishand,andherememberedbackwardsthroughincredibleagestothebeginningoftheworldandthefirstdaysofEire’。AndFinnian,withhisbloodagainrunningchillandhisscalpcrawlinguneasily,staredbackwardswithhim。
CHAPTERV
\"Tellon,mylove,\"Finnianmurmured\"Iwasalone,\"saidTuan。\"Iwassoalonethatmyownshadowfrightenedme。Iwassoalonethatthesoundofabirdinflight,orthecreakingofadew-drenchedbough,whippedmetocoverasarabbitisscaredtohisburrow。
\"ThecreaturesoftheforestscentedmeandknewIwasalone。
TheystolewithsilkenpadbehindmybackandsnarledwhenI
facedthem;thelong,greywolveswithhangingtonguesandstaringeyeschasedmetomycleftrock;therewasnocreaturesoweakbutitmighthuntme,therewasnocreaturesotimidbutitmightoutfaceme。AndsoIlivedfortwotensofyearsandtwoyears,untilIknewallthatabeastsurmisesandhadforgottenallthatamanhadknown。
\"Icouldpadasgentlyasany;Icouldrunastirelessly。Icouldbeinvisibleandpatientasawildcatcrouchingamongleaves;I
couldsmelldangerinmysleepandleapatitwithwakefulclaws;
Icouldbarkandgrowlandclashwithmyteethandtearwiththem。\"
\"Tellon,mybeloved,\"saidFinnian,\"youshallrestinGod,dearheart。\"
\"Attheendofthattime,\"saidTuan,\"NemedthesonofAgnomancametoIrelandwithafleetofthirty-fourbarques,andineachbarquetherewerethirtycouplesofpeople。\"
\"Ihaveheardit,\"saidFinnian。
\"MyheartleapedforjoywhenIsawthegreatfleetroundingtheland,andIfollowedthemalongscarpedcliffs,leapingfromrocktorocklikeawildgoat,whiletheshipstackedandswungseekingaharbour。ThereIstoopedtodrinkatapool,andIsawmyselfinthechillwater。
\"IsawthatIwashairyandtuftyandbristledasasavageboar;
thatIwasleanasastrippedbush;thatIwasgreyerthanabadger;witheredandwrinkledlikeanemptysack;nakedasafish;wretchedasastarvingcrowinwinter;andonmyfingersandtoesthereweregreatcurvingclaws,sothatIlookedlikenothingthatwasknown,likenothingthatwasanimalordivine。
AndIsatbythepoolweepingmylonelinessandwildnessandmysternoldage;andIcoulddonomorethancryandlamentbetweentheearthandthesky,whilethebeaststhattrackedmelistenedfrombehindthetrees,orcrouchedamongbushestostareatmefromtheirdrowsycovert。
\"Astormarose,andwhenIlookedagainfrommytallcliffIsawthatgreatfleetrollingasinagiant’shand。Attimestheywerepitchedagainsttheskyandstaggeredaloft,spinninggustilytherelikewind-blownleaves。Thentheywerehurledfromthesedizzytopstotheflat,moaninggulf,totheglassy,inkyhorrorthatswirledandwhirledbetweentenwaves。Attimesawaveleapedhowlingunderaship,andwithabuffetdasheditintoair,andchaseditupwardswiththunderstrokeonstroke,andfollowedagain,closeasachasingwolf,tryingwithhammeringonhammeringtobeatinthewide-wombedbottomandsuckoutthefrightenedlivesthroughoneblackgape。Awavefellonashipandsunkitdownwithathrust,sternasthoughawholeskyhadtumbledatit,andthebarquedidnotceasetogodownuntilitcrashedandsankinthesandatthebottomofthesea。
\"Thenightcame,andwithitathousanddarknessesfellfromthescreechingsky。Notaround-eyedcreatureofthenightmightpierceaninchofthatmultipliedgloom。Notacreaturedaredcreeporstand。Foragreatwindstrodetheworldlashingitsleague-longwhipsincracksofthunder,andsingingtoitself,nowinaworld-wideyell,nowinanear-dizzyinghumandbuzz;
orwithalongsnarlandwhineithoveredovertheworldsearchingforlifetodestroy。
\"Andattimes,fromthemoaningandyelpingblacknessofthesea,therecameasound——thin-drawnasfrommillionsofmilesaway,distinctasthoughutteredintheearlikeawhisperofconfidence——andIknewthatadrowningmanwascallingonhisGodashethrashedandwasbatteredintosilence,andthatablue-lippedwomanwascallingonhermanasherhairwhippedroundherbrowsandshewhirledaboutlikeatop。
\"Aroundmethetreesweredraggedfromearthwithdyinggroans;
theyleapedintotheairandflewlikebirds。Greatwaveswhizzedfromthesea:spinningacrossthecliffsandhurtlingtotheearthinmonstrousclotsoffoam;theveryrockscametrundlingandsidlingandgrindingamongthetrees;andinthatrage,andinthathorrorofblacknessIfellasleep,orIwasbeatenintoslumber。\"
CHAPTERVI
\"THEREIdreamed,andIsawmyselfchangingintoastagindream,andIfeltindreamthebeatingofanewheartwithinme,andindreamIarchedmyneckandbracedmypowerfullimbs。
\"Iawokefromthedream,andIwasthatwhichIhaddreamed。
\"Istoodawhilestampinguponarock,withmybristlingheadswunghigh,breathingthroughwidenostrilsallthesavouroftheworld。ForIhadcomemarvellouslyfromde-
crepitudetostrength。Ihadwrithedfromthebondsofageandwasyoungagain。Ismelledtheturfandknewforthefirsttimehowsweetthatsmelled。Andlikelightningmymovingnosesniffedallthingstomyheartandseparatedthemintoknowledge。
\"LongIstoodthere,ringingmyironhoofonstone,andlearningallthingsthroughmynose。Eachbreezethatcamefromtherighthandortheleftbroughtmeatale。Awindcarriedmethetangofwolf,andagainstthatsmellIstaredandstamped。Andonawindtherecamethescentofmyownkind,andatthatIbelled。Oh,loudandclearandsweetwasthevoiceofthegreatstag。Withwhateasemylovelynotewentlilting。WithwhatjoyIheardtheansweringcall。WithwhatdelightIbounded,bounded,bounded;
lightasabird’splume,powerfulasastorm,untiringasthesea。
\"Herenowwaseaseinten-yardspringings,withaswinginghead,withtheriseandfallofaswallow,withthecurveandflowandurgeofanotterofthesea。Whatatingledweltaboutmyheart!
Whatathrillspuntotheloftypointsofmyantlers!Howtheworldwasnew!Howthesunwasnew!Howthewindcaressedme!
\"WithunswervingforeheadandsteadyeyeImetallthatcame。Theold,lonewolfleapedsideways,snarling,andslunkaway。Thelumberingbearswunghisheadofhesitationsandthoughtagain;
hetrottedhissmallredeyeawaywithhimtoanear-bybrake。
Thestagsofmyracefledfrommyrockyforehead,orwerepushedbackandbackuntiltheirlegsbrokeunderthemandItrampledthemtodeath。Iwasthebeloved,thewellknown,theleaderoftheherdsofIreland。
\"AndattimesIcamebackfrommyboundingsaboutEire’,forthestringsofmyheartweredrawntoUlster;and,standingaway,mywidenosetooktheair,whileIknewwithjoy,withterror,thatmenwereblownonthewind。Aproudheadhungtotheturfthen,andthetearsofmemoryrolledfromalarge,brighteye。
\"AttimesIdrewnear,delicately,standingamongthickleavesorcrouchedinlonggrowngrasses,andIstaredandmournedasI
lookedonmen。ForNemedandfourcoupleshadbeensavedfromthatfiercestorm,andIsawthemincreaseandmultiplyuntilfourthousandcoupleslivedandlaughedandwereriotousinthesun,forthepeopleofNemedhadsmallmindsbutgreatactivity。
Theyweresavagefightersandhunters。
\"ButonetimeIcame,drawnbythatintolerableanguishofmemory,andallofthesepeopleweregone:theplacethatknewthemwassilent:inthelandwheretheyhadmovedtherewasnothingofthembuttheirbonesthatglintedinthesun。
\"Oldagecameonmethere。Amongtheseboneswearinesscreptintomylimbs。Myheadgrewheavy,myeyesdim,mykneesjerkedandtrembled,andtherethewolvesdaredchaseme。
\"IwentagaintothecavethathadbeenmyhomewhenIwasanoldman。
\"OnedayIstolefromthecavetosnatchamouthfulofgrass,forIwascloselybesiegedbywolves。Theymadetheirrush,andI
barelyescapedfromthem。Theysatbeyondthecavestaringatme。
\"Iknewtheirtongue。Iknewallthattheysaidtoeachother,andallthattheysaidtome。Buttherewasyetathudleftinmyforehead,adeadlytrampleinmyhoof。Theydidnotdarecomeintothecave。
\"’To-morrow,’theysaid,’wewilltearoutyourthroat,andgnawonyourlivinghaunch’。\"
CHAPTERVII
\"ThenmysoulrosetotheheightofDoom,andIintendedallthatmighthappentome,andagreedtoit。
\"’To-morrow,’Isaid,’Iwillgooutamongye,andIwilldie,’
andatthatthewolveshowledjoyfully,hungrily,impatiently。
\"Islept,andIsawmyselfchangingintoaboarindream,andI
feltindreamthebeatingofanewheartwithinme,andindreamIstretchedmypowerfulneckandbracedmyeagerlimbs。Iawokefrommydream,andIwasthatwhichIhaddreamed。
\"Thenightworeaway,thedarknesslifted,thedaycame;andfromwithoutthecavethewolvescalledtome:\"’Comeout,OSkinnyStag。Comeoutanddie。’
\"AndI,withjoyfulheart,thrustablackbristlethroughtheholeofthecave,andwhentheysawthatwrigglingsnout,thosecurvingtusks,thatredfierceeye,thewolvesfledyelping,tumblingovereachother,franticwithterror;andIbehindthem,awildcatforleaping,agiantforstrength,adevilforferocity;amadnessandgladnessoflusty,unsparinglife;akiller,achampion,aboarwhocouldnotbedefied。
\"ItookthelordshipoftheboarsofIreland。
\"WhereverIlookedamongmytribesIsawloveandobedience:
wheneverIappearedamongthestrangerstheyfledaway。Andthewolvesfearedmethen,andthegreat,grimbearwentboundingonheavypaws。Ichargedhimattheheadofmytroopandrolledhimoverandover;butitisnoteasytokillthebear,sodeeplyishislifepackedunderthatstinkingpelt。Hepickedhimselfupandran,andwasknockeddown,andranagainblindly,buttingintotreesandstones。Notaclawdidthebigbearflash,notatoothdidheshow,asheranwhimperinglikeababy,orashestoodwithmynoserammedagainsthismouth,snarlingupintohisnostrils。
\"Ichallengedallthatmoved。Allcreaturesbutone。FormenhadagaincometoIreland。Semion,thesonofStariath,withhispeople,fromwhomthemenofDomnannandtheFirBolgandtheGaliuinaredescended。TheseIdidnotchase,andwhentheychasedmeIfled。
\"OftenIwouldgo,drawnbymymemoriedheart,tolookatthemastheymovedamongtheirfields;andIspoketomymindinbitterness:\"WhenthepeopleofPartholonweregatheredincounselmyvoicewasheard;itwassweettoallwhoheardit,andthewordsIspokewerewise。Theeyesofwomenbrightenedandsoftenedwhentheylookedatme。Theylovedtohearhimwhenhesangwhonowwandersintheforestwithatuskyherd。\"
CHAPTERVIII
\"OLDageagainovertookme。Wearinessstoleintomylimbs,andanguishdozedintomymind。IwenttomyUlstercaveanddreamedmydream,andIchangedintoahawk。
\"Ilefttheground。Thesweetairwasmykingdom,andmybrighteyestaredonahundredmiles。Isoared,Iswooped;Ihung,motionlessasalivingstone,overtheabyss;Ilivedinjoyandsleptinpeace,andhadmyfillofthesweetnessoflife。
\"DuringthattimeBeothach,thesonofIarboneltheProphet,cametoIrelandwithhispeople,andtherewasagreatbattlebetweenhismenandthechildrenofSemion。LongIhungoverthatcombat,seeingeveryspearthathurtled,everystonethatwhizzedfromasling,everyswordthatflashedupanddown,andtheendlessglitteringoftheshields。AndattheendIsawthatthevictorywaswithIarbonel。AndfromhispeopletheTuathaDe’andtheAnde’came,althoughtheiroriginisforgotten,andlearnedpeople,becauseoftheirexcellentwisdomandintelligence,saythattheycamefromheaven。
\"ThesearethepeopleofFaery。Allthesearethegods。
\"Forlong,longyearsIwasahawk。Ikneweveryhillandstream;
everyfieldandglenofIreland。Iknewtheshapeofcliffsandcoasts,andhowallplaceslookedunderthesunormoon。AndI
wasstillahawkwhenthesonsofMildrovetheTuathaDe’Danannundertheground,andheldIrelandagainstarmsorwizardry;andthiswasthecomingofmenandthebeginningofgenealogies。
\"ThenIgrewold,andinmyUlstercaveclosetotheseaI
dreamedmydream,andinitIbecameasalmon。Thegreentidesofoceanroseovermeandmydream,sothatIdrownedintheseaanddidnotdie,forIawokeindeepwaters,andIwasthatwhichI
dreamed。\"Ihadbeenaman,astag,aboar,abird,andnowIwasafish。InallmychangesIhadjoyandfulnessoflife。Butinthewaterjoylaydeeper,lifepulseddeeper。Foronlandorairthereisalwayssomethingexcessiveandhindering;asarmsthatswingatthesidesofaman,andwhichthemindmustremember。
Thestaghaslegstobetuckedawayforsleep,anduntuckedformovement;andthebirdhaswingsthatmustbefoldedandpeckedandcaredfor。Butthefishhasbutonepiecefromhisnosetohistail。Heiscomplete,singleandunencumbered。Heturnsinoneturn,andgoesupanddownandroundinonesolemovement。
\"HowIflewthroughthesoftelement:howIjoyedinthecountrywherethereisnoharshness:intheelementwhichupholdsandgivesway;whichcaressesandletsgo,andwillnotletyoufall。
Formanmaystumbleinafurrow;thestagtumblefromacliff;
thehawk,wing-wearyandbeaten,withdarknessaroundhimandthestormbehind,maydashhisbrainsagainstatree。Butthehomeofthesalmonishisdelight,andtheseaguardsallhercreatures。\"
CHAPTERIX
\"Ibecamethekingofthesalmon,and,withmymultitudes,I
rangedonthetidesoftheworld。Greenandpurpledistanceswereunderme:greenandgoldthesunlitregionsabove。IntheselatitudesImovedthroughaworldofamber,myselfamberandgold;inthoseothers,inasparkleoflucentblue,Icurved,litlikealivingjewel:andintheseagain,throughdusksofebonyallmazedwithsilver,Ishotandshone,thewonderofthesea。
\"Isawthemonstersoftheuttermostoceangoheavingby;andthelonglithebrutesthataretoothedtotheirtails:andbelow,wheregloomdippeddownongloom,vast,lividtanglesthatcoiledanduncoiled,andlapseddownsteepsandhellsoftheseawhereeventhesalmoncouldnotgo。
\"Iknewthesea。Iknewthesecretcaveswhereoceanroarstoocean;thefloodsthatareicycold,fromwhichthenoseofasalmonleapsbackasatasting;andthewarmstreamsinwhichwerockedanddozedandwerecarriedforwardwithoutmotion。Iswamontheoutermostrimofthegreatworld,wherenothingwasbuttheseaandtheskyandthesalmon;whereeventhewindwassilent,andthewaterwasclearascleangreyrock。
\"Andthen,farawayinthesea,IrememberedUlster,andtherecameonmeaninstant,uncontrollableanguishtobethere。I
turned,andthroughdaysandnightsIswamtirelessly,jubilantly;withterrorwakeninginme,too,andawhisperthroughmybeingthatImustreachIrelandordie。
\"IfoughtmywaytoUlsterfromthesea。
\"Ah,howthatendofthejourneywashard!Asicknesswasrackingineveryoneofmybones,alanguorandwearinesscreepingthroughmyeveryfibreandmuscle。Thewavesheldmebackandheldmeback;thesoftwatersseemedtohavegrownhard;anditwasasthoughIwereurgingthrougharockasIstrainedtowardsUlsterfromthesea。
\"SotiredIwas!Icouldhaveloosenedmyframeandbeensweptaway;Icouldhavesleptandbeendriftedandwaftedaway;
swingingongrey-greenbillowsthathadturnedfromthelandandwereheavingandmountingandsurgingtothefarbluewater。
\"Onlytheunconquerableheartofthesalmoncouldbravethatendoftoil。ThesoundoftheriversofIrelandracingdowntotheseacametomeinthelastnumbeffort:theloveofIrelandboremeup:thegodsoftheriverstrodtomeinthewhite-curledbreakers,sothatIlefttheseaatlong,longlast;andIlayinsweetwaterinthecurveofacranniedrock,exhausted,threepartsdead,triumphant。\"
CHAPTERX
\"Delightandstrengthcametomeagain,andnowIexploredalltheinlandways,thegreatlakesofIreland,andherswiftbrownrivers。
\"Whatajoytolieunderaninchofwaterbaskinginthesun,orbeneathashadyledgetowatchthesmallcreaturesthatspeedlikelightningontheripplingtop。Isawthedragon-fliesflashanddartandturn,withapoise,withaspeedthatnootherwingedthingknows:Isawthehawkhoverandstareandswoop:hefelllikeafallingstone,buthecouldnotcatchthekingofthesalmon:Isawthecold-eyedcatstretchingalongaboughlevelwiththewater,eagertohookandliftthecreaturesoftheriver。AndIsawmen。
\"Theysawmealso。Theycametoknowmeandlookforme。TheylayinwaitatthewaterfallsupwhichIleapedlikeasilverflash。
Theyheldoutnetsforme;theyhidtrapsunderleaves;theymadecordsofthecolourofwater,ofthecolourofweeds——butthissalmonhadanosethatknewhowaweedfeltandhowastring——theydriftedmeatonasightlessstring,butIknewofthehook;theythrustspearsatme,andthrewlanceswhichtheydrewbackagainwithacord。\"ManyawoundIgotfrommen,manyasorrowfulscar。
\"Everybeastpursuedmeinthewatersandalongthebanks;thebarking,black-skinnedottercameaftermeinlustandgustandswirl;thewildcatfishedforme;thehawkandthesteep-winged,spear-beakedbirdsdiveddownonme,andmencreptonmewithnetsthewidthofariver,sothatIgotnorest。Mylifebecameaceaselessscurryandwoundandescape,aburdenandanguishofwatchfulness——andthenIwascaught。\"
CHAPTERXI
\"THEfishermanofCairill,theKingofUlster,tookmeinhisnet。Ah,thatwasahappymanwhenhesawme!Heshoutedforjoywhenhesawthegreatsalmoninhisnet。
\"Iwasstillinthewaterashehauleddelicately。Iwasstillinthewaterashepulledmetothebank。Mynosetouchedairandspunfromitasfromfire,andIdivedwithallmymightagainstthebottomofthenet,holdingyettothewater,lovingit,madwithterrorthatImustquitthatloveliness。ButthenetheldandIcameup。
\"’Bequiet,KingoftheRiver,’saidthefisherman,’giveintoDoom,’saidhe。
\"Iwasinair,anditwasasthoughIwereinfire。Theairpressedonmelikeafierymountain。Itbeatonmyscalesandscorchedthem。Itrusheddownmythroatandscaldedme。Itweighedonmeandsqueezedme,sothatmyeyesfeltasthoughtheymustburstfrommyhead,myheadasthoughitwouldleapfrommybody,andmybodyasthoughitwouldswellandexpandandflyinathousandpieces。
\"Thelightblindedme,theheattormentedme,thedryairmademeshrivelandgasp;and,ashelayonthegrass,thegreatsalmonwhirledhisdesperatenoseoncemoretotheriver,andleaped,leaped,leaped,evenunderthemountainofair。Hecouldleapupwards,butnotforwards,andyetheleaped,forineachrisehecouldseethetwinklingwaves,theripplingandcurlingwaters。
\"’Beatease,OKing,’saidthefisherman。’Beatrest,mybeloved。Letgothestream。Lettheoozymargebeforgotten,andthesandybedwheretheshadesdanceallingreenandgloom,andthebrownfloodsingsalong。’
\"Andashecarriedmetothepalacehesangasongoftheriver,andasongofDoom,andasonginpraiseoftheKingoftheWaters。
\"Whentheking’swifesawmeshedesiredme。Iwasputoverafireandroasted,andsheateme。Andwhentimepassedshegavebirthtome,andIwashersonandthesonofCairilltheking。I
rememberwarmthanddarknessandmovementandunseensounds。AllthathappenedIremember,fromthetimeIwasonthegridironuntilthetimeIwasborn。Iforgetnothingofthesethings。\"
\"Andnow,\"saidFinnian,\"youwillbebornagain,forIshallbaptizeyouintothefamilyoftheLivingGod。\"——————————————
SofarthestoryofTuan,thesonofCairill。
NomanknowsifhediedinthosedistantageswhenFinnianwasAbbotofMoville,orifhestillkeepshisfortinUlster,watchingallthings,andrememberingthemforthegloryofGodandthehonourofIreland。
THEBOYHOODOFFIONN
Hewasaking,aseerandapoet。Hewasalordwithamanifoldandgreattrain。Hewasourmagician,ourknowledgableone,oursoothsayer。Allthathedidwassweetwithhim。And,howeveryedeemmytestimonyofFionnexcessive,and,althoughyeholdmypraisingoverstrained,nevertheless,andbytheKingthatisaboveme,hewasthreetimesbetterthanallIsay。——SaintPATRICK。
CHAPTERI
Fionn[pronounceFewntorhymewith\"tune\"]gothisfirsttrainingamongwomen。Thereisnowonderinthat,foritisthepup’smotherteachesittofight,andwomenknowthatfightingisanecessaryartalthoughmenpretendthereareothersthatarebetter。Thesewerethewomendruids,BovmallandLiaLuachra。Itwillbewonderedwhyhisownmotherdidnottrainhiminthefirstnaturalsavageriesofexistence,butshecouldnotdoit。
Shecouldnotkeephimwithherfordreadoftheclann-Morna。ThesonsofMornahadbeenfightingandintriguingforalongtimetooustherhusband,Uail,fromthecaptaincyoftheFiannaofIreland,andtheyhadoustedhimatlastbykillinghim。Itwastheonlywaytheycouldgetridofsuchaman;butitwasnotaneasyway,forwhatFionn’sfatherdidnotknowinarmscouldnotbetaughttohimevenbyMorna。Still,thehoundthatcanwaitwillcatchahareatlast,andevenManana’nnsleeps。Fionn’smotherwasbeautiful,long-hairedMuirne:sosheisalwaysreferredto。ShewasthedaughterofTeigue,thesonofNuadafromFaery,andhermotherwasEthlinn。Thatis,herbrotherwasLughoftheLongHandhimself,andwithagod,andsuchagod,forbrotherwemaymarvelthatshecouldhavebeenindreadofMornaorhissons,orofanyone。Butwomenhavestrangeloves,strangefears,andthesearesoboundupwithoneanotherthatthethingwhichispresentedtousisnotoftenthethingthatistobeseen。
Howeveritmaybe,whenUalldiedMuirnegotmarriedagaintotheKingofKerry。ShegavethechildtoBovmallandLiaLuachratorear,andwemaybesurethatshegaveinjunctionswithhim,andmanyofthem。TheyoungsterwasbroughttothewoodsofSlieveBloomandwasnursedthereinsecret。
Itislikelythewomenwerefondofhim,forotherthanFionntherewasnolifeaboutthem。Hewouldbetheirlife;andtheireyesmayhaveseemedastwinbenedictionsrestingonthesmallfairhead。Hewasfair-haired,anditwasforhisfairnessthathewasafterwardscalledFionn;butatthisperiodhewasknownasDeimne。Theysawthefoodtheyputintohislittleframereproduceitselflength-waysandsidewaysintoughinches,andinspringsandenergiesthatcrawledatfirst,andthentoddled,andthenran。Hehadbirdsforplaymates,butallthecreaturesthatliveinawoodmusthavebeenhiscomrades。TherewouldhavebeenforlittleFionnlonghoursoflonelysunshine,whentheworldseemedjustsunshineandasky。Therewouldhavebeenhoursaslong,whenexistencepassedlikeashadeamongshadows,inthemultitudinoustappingsofrainthatdrippedfromleaftoleafinthewood,andslippedsototheground。Hewouldhaveknownlittlesnakypaths,narrowenoughtobefilledbyhisownsmallfeet,oragoat’s;andhewouldhavewonderedwheretheywent,andhavemarvelledagaintofindthat,wherevertheywent,theycameatlast,throughloopsandtwistsofthebranchywood,tohisowndoor。Hemayhavethoughtofhisowndoorasthebeginningandendoftheworld,whenceallthingswent,andwhitherallthingscame。
Perhapshedidnotseethelarkforalongtime,buthewouldhaveheardhim,faroutofsightintheendlesssky,thrillingandthrillinguntiltheworldseemedtohavenoothersoundbutthatclearsweetness;andwhataworlditwastomakethatsound!
Whistlesandchirps,coosandcawsandcroaks,wouldhavegrownfamiliartohim。Andhecouldatlasthavetoldwhichbrotherofthegreatbrotherhoodwasmakingthenoiseheheardatanymoment。Thewindtoo:hewouldhavelistenedtoitsthousandvoicesasitmovedinallseasonsandinallmoods。Perhapsahorsewouldstrayintothethickscreenabouthishome,andwouldlookassolemnlyonFionnasFionndidonit。Or,comingsuddenlyonhim,thehorsemightstare,alla-cockwitheyesandearsandnose,onelong-drawnfacialextension,ereheturnedandboundedawaywithmanesalloverhimandhoofsallunderhimandtailsallroundhim。Asolemn-nosed,stern-eyedcowwouldambleandstampinhiswoodtofindaflylessshadow;orastrayedsheepwouldpokeitsgentlemuzzlethroughleaves。
\"Aboy,\"hemightthink,asbestaredonastaringhorse,\"aboycannotwaghistailtokeepthefliesoff,\"andthatlackmayhavesaddenedhim。Hemayhavethoughtthatacowcansnortandbedignifiedattheonemoment,andthattimidityiscomelyinasheep。Hewouldhavescoldedthejackdaw,andtriedtoout-whistlethethrostle,andwonderedwhyhispipegottiredwhentheblackbird’sdidn’t。Therewouldbefliestobewatched,slenderatomsinyellowgauzethatflew,andfilmyspecksthatflittered,andsturdy,thick-ribbedbrutesthatpouncedlikecatsandbitlikedogsandflewlikelightning。Hemayhavemournedforthespiderinbadluckwhocaughtthatfly。Therewouldbemuchtoseeandrememberandcompare,andtherewouldbe,always,histwoguardians。Theflieschangefromsecondtosecond;onecannottellifthisbirdisavisitororaninhabitant,andasheepisjustsistertoasheep;butthewomenwereasrootedasthehouseitself。
CHAPTERII
Werehisnursescomelyorharsh-looking?Fionnwouldnotknow。
Thiswastheonewhopickedhimupwhenhefell,andthatwastheonewhopattedthebruise。Thisonesaid:\"Mindyoudonottumbleinthewell!\"
Andthatone:\"Mindthelittlekneesamongthenettles。\"
Buthedidtumbleandrecordthattheonlynotablethingaboutawellisthatitiswet。Andasfornettles,iftheyhithimhehitback。Heslashedintothemwithastickandbroughtthemlow。
Therewasnothinginwellsornettles,onlywomendreadedthem。
Onepatronisedwomenandinstructedthemandcomfortedthem,fortheywereafraidaboutone。
Theythoughtthatoneshouldnotclimbatree!
\"Nextweek,’theysaidatlast,\"youmayclimbthisone,\"and\"nextweek\"livedattheendoftheworld!
Butthetreethatwasclimbedwasnotworthwhilewhenithadbeenclimbedtwice。Therewasabiggeronenearby。Thereweretreesthatnoonecouldclimb,withvastshadowononesideandvastersunshineontheother。Ittookalongtimetowalkroundthem,andyoucouldnotseetheirtops。
Itwaspleasanttostandonabranchthatswayedandsprung,anditwasgoodtostareatanimpenetrableroofofleavesandthenclimbintoit。Howwonderfulthelonelinesswasupthere!Whenhelookeddowntherewasanundulatingfloorofleaves,greenandgreenandgreenertoaveryblacknessofgreeniness;andwhenhelookeduptherewereleavesagain,greenandlessgreenandnotgreenatall,uptoaverysnowandblindnessofgreeniness;andaboveandbelowandaroundtherewasswayandmotion,thewhisperofleafonleaf,andtheeternalsilencetowhichonelistenedandatwhichonetriedtolook。
Whenhewassixyearsofagehismother,beautiful,long-hairedMuirne,cametoseehim。Shecamesecretly,forshefearedthesonsofMorna,andshehadpacedthroughlonelyplacesinmanycountiesbeforeshereachedthehutinthewood,andthecotwherehelaywithhisfistsshutandsleepgrippedinthem。
Heawakenedtobesure。Hewouldhaveoneearthatwouldcatchanunusualvoice,oneeyethatwouldopen,howeversleepytheotheronewas。Shetookhiminherarmsandkissedhim,andshesangasleepysonguntilthesmallboysleptagain。
Wemaybesurethattheeyethatcouldstayopenstayedopenthatnightaslongasitcould,andthattheoneearlistenedtothesleepysonguntilthesonggottoolowtobeheard,untilitwastootendertobefeltvibratingalongthosesoftarms,untilFionnwasasleepagain,withanewpictureinhislittleheadandanewnotiontoponderon。
Themotherofhimself!Hisownmother!
Butwhenheawakenedshewasgone。
Shewasgoingbacksecretly,indreadofthesonsofMorna,slippingthroughgloomywoods,keepingawayfromhabitations,gettingbydesolateandlonelywaystoherlordinKerry。
PerhapsitwashethatwasafraidofthesonsofMorna,andperhapsshelovedhim。