CHAPTERIII
THEwomendruids,hisguardians,belongedtohisfather’speople。
BovmallwasUail’ssister,and,consequently,Fionn’saunt。Onlysuchablood-tiecouldhaveboundthemtotheclann-Baiscne,foritisnoteasy,havingmovedintheworldofcourtandcamp,togohidewithababyinawood;andtolive,astheymusthavelived,interror。
WhatstoriestheywouldhavetoldthechildofthesonsofMorna。
OfMornahimself,thehuge-shouldered,stern-eyed,violentConnachtman;andofhissons——youngGollMormacMornainparticular,ashuge-shoulderedashisfather,asfierceintheonset,butmerry-eyedwhentheotherwasgrim,andbubblingwithalaughterthatmademenforgiveevenhisbutcheries。OfCona’nMaelmacMornahisbrother,gruffasabadger,beardedlikeaboar,baldasacrow,andwithatonguethatcouldmanageaninsultwhereanothermanwouldnotfindevenastammer。Hisboastwasthatwhenhesawanopendoorhewentintoit,andwhenhesawacloseddoorhewentintoit。Whenhesawapeacefulmanheinsultedhim,andwhenhemetamanwhowasnotpeacefulheinsultedhim。TherewasGarraDuvmacMorna,andsavageArtOg,whocaredaslittlefortheirownskinsastheydidforthenextman’s,andGarramusthavebeenroughindeedtohaveearnedinthatclanthenameoftheRoughmacMorna。Therewereothers:
wildConnachtmenall,asuntameable,asunaccountableastheirownwonderfulcountryside。
Fionnwouldhaveheardmuchofthem,anditislikelythatbepractisedonanettleattakingtheheadoffGoll,andthathehuntedasheepfromcoverintheimplacablemannerheintendedlateronforCona’ntheSwearer。
ButitisofUailmacBaiscnehewouldhaveheardmost。Withwhatadilationofspirittheladieswouldhavetoldtalesofhim,Fionn’sfather。Howtheirvoiceswouldhavebecomeachantasfeatwasaddedtofeat,glorypiledonglory。Themostfamousofmenandthemostbeautiful;thehardestfighter;theeasiestgiver;thekinglychampion;thechiefoftheFiannanah-Eirinn。
Talesofhowhehadbeenway-laidandgotfree;ofhowhehadbeengenerousandgotfree;ofhowhehadbeenangryandwentmarchingwiththespeedofaneagleandthedirectonfallofastorm;whileinfrontandatthesides,angledfromtheprowofhisterrificadvance,werefleeingmultitudeswhodidnotdaretowaitandscarcehadtimetorun。Andofhowatlast,whenthetimecametoquellhim,nothinglessthanthewholemightofIrelandwassufficientforthatgreatdownfall。
WemaybesurethatontheseadventuresFionnwaswithhisfather,goingstepforstepwiththelong-stridinghero,andhearteninghimmightily。
CHAPTERIV
Hewasgivengoodtrainingbythewomeninrunningandleapingandswimming。
Oneofthemwouldtakeathornswitchinherhand,andFionnwouldtakeathornswitchinhishand,andeachwouldtrytostriketheotherrunningroundatree。
Youhadtogofasttokeepawayfromtheswitchbehind,andasmallboyfeelsaswitch。Fionnwouldrunhisbesttogetawayfromthatpricklystinger,buthowhewouldrunwhenitwashisturntodealthestrokes!
Withreasontoo,forhisnurseshadsuddenlygrownimplacable。
Theypursuedhimwithasavagerywhichhecouldnotdistinguishfromhatred,andtheyswishedhimwellwhenevertheygotthechance。
Fionnlearnedtorun。Afterawhilehecouldbuzzaroundatreelikeamaddenedfly,andoh,thejoy,whenhefelthimselfdrawingfromtheswitchandgainingfrombehindonitsbearer!
Howhestrainedandpantedtocatchonthatpursuingpersonandpursueherandgethisownswitchintoaction。
Helearnedtojumpbychasingharesinabumpyfield。UpwentthehareandupwentFionn,andawaywiththetwoofthem,hoppingandpoppingacrossthefield。IfthehareturnedwhileFionnwasafterheritwasswitchforFionn;sothatinawhileitdidnotmattertoFionnwhichwaytheharejumpedforhecouldjumpthatwaytoo。Long-ways,sidewaysorbaw-ways,Fionnhoppedwheretheharehopped,andatlasthewastheownerofahopthatanyharewouldgiveanearfor。
Hewastaughttoswim,anditmaybethathisheartsankwhenhefrontedthelesson。Thewaterwascold。Itwasdeep。Onecouldseethebottom,leaguesbelow,millionsofmilesbelow。Asmallboymightshiverashestaredintothatwinkandblinkandtwinkofbrownpebblesandmurder。Andtheseimplacablewomenthrewhimin!
Perhapshewouldnotgoinatfirst。Hemayhavesmiledatthem,andcoaxed,andhungback。Itwasalegandanarmgrippedthen;
aswingforFionn,andoutandawaywithhim;plopandflopforhim;downintochilldeepdeathforhim,andupwithasplutter;
withasob;withagraspateverythingthatcaughtnothing;withawildflurry;witharagingdespair;withabubbleandsnortashewashauledagaindown,anddown,anddown,andfoundassuddenlythathehadbeenhauledout。
Fionnlearnedtoswimuntilhecouldpopintothewaterlikeanotterandslidethroughitlikeaneel。
Heusedtotrytochaseafishthewayhechasedharesinthebumpyfield——butthereareterriblespurtsinafish。Itmaybethatafishcannothop,buthegetsthereinaflash,andheisn’tthereinanother。Upordown,sidewaysorendways,itisallonetoafish。Hegoesandisgone。Hetwiststhiswayanddisappearstheotherway。Heisoveryouwhenheoughttobeunderyou,andheisbitingyourtoewhenyouthoughtyouwerebitinghistail。
Youcannotcatchafishbyswimming,butyoucantry,andFionntried。Hegotagrudgingcommendationfromtheterriblewomenwhenhewasabletoslipnoiselesslyinthetide,swimunderwatertowhereawildduckwasfloatingandgripitbytheleg。
\"Qu——,\"saidtheduck,andhedisappearedbeforehehadtimetogetthe\"-ack\"outofhim。
Sothetimewent,andFionngrewlongandstraightandtoughlikeasapling;limberasawillow,andwiththeflirtandspringofayoungbird。Oneoftheladiesmayhavesaid,\"Heisshapingverywell,mydear,\"andtheotherreplied,asisthemoroseprivilegeofanaunt,\"Hewillneverbeasgoodashisfather,\"buttheirheartsmusthaveoverflowedinthenight,inthesilence,inthedarkness,whentheythoughtofthelivingswiftnesstheyhadfashioned,andthatdearfairhead。
CHAPTERV
ONEdayhisguardianswereagitated:theyheldconfabulationsatwhichFionnwasnotpermittedtoassist。Amanwhopassedbyinthemorninghadspokentothem。Theyfedtheman,andduringhisfeedingFionnhadbeenshooedfromthedoorasifhewereachicken。Whenthestrangertookhisroadthewomenwentwithhimashortdistance。AstheypassedthemanliftedahandandbentakneetoFionn。
\"Mysoultoyou,youngmaster,\"hesaid,andashesaidit,Fionnknewthathecouldhavetheman’ssoul,orhisboots,orhisfeet,oranythingthatbelongedtohim。
Whenthewomenreturnedtheyweremysteriousandwhispery。TheychasedFionnintothehouse,andwhentheygothimintheychasedhimoutagain。Theychasedeachotheraroundthehouseforanotherwhisper。Theycalculatedthingsbytheshapeofclouds,bylengthsofshadows,bytheflightofbirds,bytwofliesracingonaflatstone,bythrowingbonesovertheirleftshoulders,andbyeverykindoftrickandgameandchancethatyoucouldputamindto。
TheytoldFionnhemustsleepinatreethatnight,andtheyputhimunderbondsnottosingorwhistleorcoughorsneezeuntilthemorning。
Fionndidsneeze。Heneversneezedsomuchinhislife。Hesatupinhistreeandnearlysneezedhimselfoutofit。Fliesgotuphisnose,twoatatime,oneupeachnose,andhisheadnearlyfelloffthewayhesneezed。
\"Youaredoingthatonpurpose,\"saidasavagewhisperfromthefootofthetree。
ButFionnwasnotdoingitonpurpose。Hetuckedhimselfintoaforkthewayhehadbeentaught,andhepassedthecrawliest,tickliestnighthehadeverknown。Afterawhilehedidnotwanttosneeze,hewantedtoscream:andinparticularhewantedtocomedownfromthetree。Buthedidnotscream,nordidheleavethetree。Hiswordwaspassed,andhestayedinhistreeassilentasamouseandaswatchful,untilhefelloutofit。
Inthemorningabandoftravellingpoetswerepassing,andthewomenhandedFionnovertothem。Thistimetheycouldnotpreventhimoverhearing。
\"ThesonsofMorna!\"theysaid。
AndFionn’sheartmighthaveswelledwithrage,butthatitwasalreadyswollenwithadventure。Andalsotheexpectedwashappening。BehindeveryhouroftheirdayandeverymomentoftheirliveslaythesonsofMorna。Fionnhadrunafterthemasdeer:hejumpedafterthemashares:hedivedafterthemasfish。
Theylivedinthehousewithhim:theysatatthetableandatehismeat。Onedreamedofthem,andtheywereexpectedinthemorningasthesunis。TheyknewonlytoowellthatthesonofUailwasliving,andtheyknewthattheirownsonswouldknownoeasewhilethatsonlived;fortheybelievedinthosedaysthatlikebreedslike,andthatthesonofUailwouldbeUailwithadditions。
Hisguardiansknewthattheirhiding-placemustatlastbediscovered,andthat,whenitwasfound,thesonsofMornawouldcome。Theyhadnodoubtofthat,andeveryactionoftheirliveswasbasedonthatcertainty。Fornosecretcanremainsecret。
Somebrokensoldiertrampinghometohispeoplewillfinditout;
aherdseekinghisstrayedcattleorabandoftravellingmusicianswillgetthewindofit。Howmanypeoplewillmovethrougheventheremotestwoodinayear!Thecrowswilltellasecretifnooneelsedoes;andunderabush,behindaclumpofbracken,whateyesmaytherenotbe!Butifyoursecretisleggedlikeayounggoat!Ifitistonguedlikeawolf!Onecanhideababy,butyoucannothideaboy。Hewillroveunlessyoutiehimtoapost,andhewillwhistlethen。
ThesonsofMornacame,buttherewereonlytwogrimwomenlivinginalonelyhuttogreetthem。Wemaybesuretheywerewellgreeted。OnecanimagineGoll’smerrystaretakinginallthatcouldbeseen;Cona’n’sgrimeyerakingthewomen’sfaceswhilehistonguerakedthemagain;theRoughmacMornashoulderinghereandthereinthehouseandaboutit,withmaybeahatchetinhishand,andArtOgcoursingfurtherafieldandvowingthatifthecubwastherehewouldfindhim。
CHAPTERVI
ButFionnwasgone。Hewasaway,boundwithhisbandofpoetsfortheGaltees。
Itislikelytheywerejuniorpoetscometotheendofayear’straining,andreturningtotheirownprovincetoseeagainthepeopleathome,andtobewonderedatandexclaimedatastheyexhibitedbitsoftheknowledgewhichtheyhadbroughtfromthegreatschools。TheywouldknowtagsofrhymeandtricksaboutlearningwhichFionnwouldhearof;andnowandagain,astheyrestedinagladeorbythebrinkofariver,theymighttrytheirlessonsover。Theymightevenrefertotheoghamwandsonwhichthefirstwordsoftheirtasksandtheopeninglinesofpoemswerecut;anditislikelythat,beingnewtothesethings,theywouldtalkofthemtoayoungster,and,thinkingthathiswitscouldbenobetterthantheirown,theymighthaveexplainedtohimhowoghamwaswritten。Butitisfarmorelikelythathiswomenguardianshadalreadystartedhimatthoselessons。
StillthisbandofyoungbardswouldhavebeenofinfiniteinteresttoFionn,notonaccountofwhattheyhadlearned,butbecauseofwhattheyknew。Allthethingsthatheshouldhaveknownasbynature:thelook,themovement,thefeelingofcrowds;theshoulderingandintercourseofmanwithman;theclusteringofhousesandhowpeopleborethemselvesinandaboutthem;themovementofarmedmen,andthehomecominglookofwounds;talesofbirths,andmarriagesanddeaths;thechasewithitsmultitudesofmenanddogs;allthenoise,thedust,theexcitementofmereliving。These,toFionn,newcomefromleavesandshadowsandthedippleanddappleofawood,wouldhaveseemedwonderful;andthetalestheywouldhavetoldoftheirmasters,theirlooks,fads,severities,sillinesses,wouldhavebeenwonderfulalso。
Thatbandshouldhavechatteredlikearookery。
Theymusthavebeenyoung,foronetimeaLeinstermancameonthem,agreatrobbernamedFiacuilmacCona,andhekilledthepoets。Hechoppedthemupandchoppedthemdown。Hedidnotleaveonepoeteenofthemall。Heputthemoutoftheworldandoutoflife,sothattheystoppedbeing,andnoonecouldtellwheretheywentorwhathadreallyhappenedtothem;anditisawonderindeedthatonecandothattoanythingletaloneaband。Iftheywerenotyoungsters,theboldFiacuilcouldnothavemanagedthemall。Or,perhaps,hetoohadaband,althoughtherecorddoesnotsayso;butkillthemhedid,andtheydiedthatway。
Fionnsawthatdeed,andhisbloodmayhavebeencoldenoughashewatchedthegreatrobbercoursingthepoetsasawilddogragesinaflock。Andwhenhisturncame,whentheywerealldead,andthegrim,red-handedmantrodathim,Fionnmayhaveshivered,buthewouldhaveshownhisteethandlaidroundlyonthemonsterwithhishands。Perhapshedidthat,andperhapsforthathewasspared。
\"Whoareyou?\"roaredthestaringblack-mouthwiththeredtonguesquirminginitlikeafriskyfish。
\"ThesonofUail,sonofBaiscne,\"quothhardyFionn。Andatthattherobberceasedtobearobber,themurdererdisappeared,theblack-rimmedchasmpackedwithredfishandprecipiceschangedtosomethingelse,andtheroundeyesthathadbeenpoppingoutoftheirsocketsandtryingtobite,changedalso。Thereremainedalaughingandcryingandlovingservantwhowantedtotiehimselfintoknotsifthatwouldpleasethesonofhisgreatcaptain。
Fionnwenthomeontherobber’sshoulder,andtherobbergavegreatsnortsandmadegreatjumpsandbehavedlikeafirst-ratehorse。ForthissameFiacuilwasthehusbandofBovmall,Fionn’saunt。Hehadtakentothewildswhenclann-Baiscnewasbroken,andhewasatwarwithaworldthathaddaredtokillhisChief。
CHAPTERVII
AnewlifeforFionnintherobber’sdenthatwashiddeninavastcoldmarsh。
Atrickyplacethatwouldbe,withsuddenexitsandevensuddenerentrances,andwithdamp,winding,spideryplacestohoardtreasurein,ortohideoneselfin。
Iftherobberwasasolitaryhewould,forlackofsomeoneelse,havetalkedgreatlytoFionn。Hewouldhaveshownhisweaponsanddemonstratedhowheusedthem,andwithwhatslashhechippedhisvictim,andwithwhatslicehechoppedhim。Hewouldhavetoldwhyaslashwasenoughforthismanandwhythatmanshouldbesliced。Allmenaremasterswhenoneisyoung,andFionnwouldhavefoundknowledgeherealso。liewouldhaveseenFiacuil’sgreatspearthathadthirtyrivetsofArabiangoldinitssocket,andthathadtobekeptwrappedupandtieddownsothatitwouldnotkillpeopleoutofmerespitefulness。IthadcomefromFaery,outoftheShi’ofAillenmacMidna,anditwouldbebroughtbackagainlateronbetweenthesameman’sshoulder-blades。
Whattalesthatmancouldtellaboy,andwhatquestionsaboycouldaskhim。Hewouldhaveknownathousandtricks,andbecauseourinstinctistoteach,andbecausenomancankeepatrickfromaboy,hewouldshowthemtoFionn。
Therewasthemarshtoo;awholenewlifetobelearned;acomplicated,mysterious,dank,slippery,reedy,treacherouslife,butwithitsownbeautyandanallurementthatcouldgrowonone,sothatyoucouldforgetthesolidworldandloveonlythatwhichquakedandgurgled。
Inthisplaceyoumayswim。Bythissignandthisyouwillknowifitissafetodoso,saidFiacuilmacCona;butinthisplace,withthissignonitandthat,youmustnotventureatoe。
ButwhereFionnwouldventurehistoeshisearswouldfollow。
Therearecoilingweedsdownthere,therobbercounselledhim;
therearethin,tough,snakybindersthatwilltripyouandgripyou,thatwillpullyouandwillnotletyougoagainuntilyouaredrowned;untilyouareswayingandswingingawaybelow,withoutstretchedarms,withoutstretchedlegs,withafaceallstaresandsmilesandjockeyings,grippedinthoseleatheryarms,untilthereisnomoretobegrippedofyouevenbythem。
\"Watchtheseandthisandthat,\"Fionnwouldhavebeentold,\"andalwaysswimwithaknifeinyourteeth。\"
Helivedthereuntilhisguardiansfoundoutwherehewasandcameafterhim。Fiacuilgavehimuptothem,andhewasbroughthomeagaintothewoodsofSlieveBloom,buthehadgatheredgreatknowledgeandnewsupplenesses。
ThesonsofMornalefthimaloneforalongtime。Havingmadetheiressaytheygrewcareless。
\"Lethimbe,\"theysaid。\"Hewillcometouswhenthetimecomes。\"
Butitislikelytoothattheyhadhadtheirownmeansofgettinginformationabouthim。Howheshaped?whatmuscleshehad?anddidhespringcleanfromthemarkorhadhetogetoffwithapush?Fionnstayedwithhisguardiansandhuntedforthem。Hecouldrunadeerdownandhaulithomebythereluctantskull。
\"Comeon,Goll,\"hewouldsaytohisstag,or,liftingitoveratussockwithatoughgriponthesnout,\"Areyoucoming,baldCona’n,orshallIkickyouintheneck?\"
Thetimemusthavebeennighwhenhewouldthinkoftakingtheworlditselfbythenose,tohaulitovertussocksanddragitintohispen;forhewasofthebreedinwhommasteryisborn,andwhoaregoodmasters。
Butreportsofhisprowessweregettingabroad。Clann-Mornabegantostretchitselfuneasily,and,oneday,hisguardianssenthimonhistravels。
\"Itisbestforyoutoleaveusnow,\"theysaidtothetallstripling,\"forthesonsofMornaarewatchingagaintokillyou。\"
Thewoodsatthatmayhaveseemedhaunted。Astonemightslingatonefromatree-top;butfromwhichtreeofathousandtreesdiditcome?Anarrowbuzzingbyone’searwouldslideintothegroundandquivertheresilently,menacingly,hintingofthebrothersithadleftinthequiverbehind;totheright?totheleft?howmanybrothers?inhowmanyquivers……?Fionnwasawoodsman,buthehadonlytwoeyestolookwith,onesetoffeettocarryhiminonesoledirection。Butwhenhewaslookingtothefrontwhat,orhowmanywhats,couldbestaringathimfromtheback?Hemightfaceinthisdirection,awayfrom,ortowardsasmileonahiddenfaceandafingeronastring。Alancemightslideathimfromthisbushorfromtheoneyonder……Inthenighthemighthavefoughtthem;hisearsagainsttheirs;hisnoiselessfeetagainsttheirlurkingones;hisknowledgeofthewoodagainsttheirlegion:butduringthedayhehadnochance。
Fionnwenttoseekhisfortune,tomatchhimselfagainstallthatmighthappen,andtocarveanameforhimselfthatwilllivewhileTimehasanearandknowsanIrishman。
CHAPTERVIII
Fionnwentaway,andnowhewasalone。Buthewasasfittedforlonelinessasthecraneisthathauntsthesolitudesandbleakwastesofthesea;forthemanwithathoughthasacomrade,andFionn’smindworkedasfeatlyashisbodydid。Tobealonewasnotroubletohimwho,howeversurrounded,wastobelonelyhislifelong;forthiswillbesaidofFionnwhenallissaid,thatallthatcametohimwentfromhim,andthathappinesswasneverhiscompanionformorethanamoment。
Buthewasnotnowlookingforloneliness。Hewasseekingtheinstructionofacrowd,andthereforewhenhemetacrowdhewentintoit。Hiseyeswereskilledtoobserveinthemovingduskanddappleofgreenwoods。Theyweretrainedtopickoutofshadowsbirdsthatwerethemselvesdun-colouredshades,andtoseeamongtreestheanimalsthatarecolouredlikethebarkoftrees。Theharecrouchinginthefrondswasvisibletohim,andthefishthatswayedin-visiblyintheswayandflickerofagreenbank。
Hewouldseeallthatwastobeseen,andhewouldseeallthatispassedbytheeyethatishalfblindfromuseandwont。
AtMoyLife’hecameonladsswimminginapool;and,ashelookedonthemsportingintheflushtide,hethoughtthatthetrickstheyperformedwerenothardforhim,andthathecouldhaveshownthemnewones。
Boysmustknowwhatanotherboycando,andtheywillmatchthemselvesagainsteverything。Theydidtheirbestundertheseobservingeyes,anditwasnotlonguntilhewasinvitedtocompetewiththemandshowhismettle。Suchaninvitationisachallenge;itisalmost,amongboys,adeclarationofwar。ButFionnwassofarbeyondtheminswimmingthateventhewordmasterdidnotapplytothatsuperiority。
Whilehewasswimmingoneremarked:\"Heisfairandwellshaped,\"
andthereafterhewascalled\"Fionn\"ortheFairOne。Hisnamecamefromboys,andwill,perhaps,bepreservedbythem。
Hestayedwiththeseladsforsometime,anditmaybethattheyidolisedhimatfirst,foritisthewaywithboystobeastoundedandenrapturedbyfeats;butintheend,andthatwasinevitable,theygrewjealousofthestranger。Thosewhohadbeenthechampionsbeforehecamewouldmarshaleachother,and,bysocialpressure,wouldmusteralltheothersagainsthim;sothatintheendnotafriendlyeyewasturnedonFionninthatassembly。Fornotonlydidhebeatthematswimming,hebeattheirbestatrunningandjumping,andwhenthesportdegeneratedintoviolence,asitwasboundto,theroughnessofFionnwouldbetentimesasroughastheroughnessoftheroughestroughtheycouldputforward。Braveryispridewhenoneisyoung,andFionnwasproud。
Theremusthavebeenangerinhismindashewentawayleavingthatlakebehindhim,andthosesnarlingandscowlingboys,buttherewouldhavebeendisappointmentalso,forhisdesireatthistimeshouldhavebeentowardsfriendliness。
HewentthencetoLockLe’inandtookservicewiththeKingofFinntraigh。ThatkingdommayhavebeenthuscalledfromFionnhimselfandwouldhavebeenknownbyanothernamewhenhearrivedthere。
HehuntedfortheKingofFinntraigh,anditsoongrewevidentthattherewasnohunterinhisservicetoequalFionn。More,therewasnohunterofthemallwhoevendistantlyapproachedhiminexcellence。Theothersranafterdeer,usingthespeedoftheirlegs,thenosesoftheirdogsandathousandwell-worntrickstobringthemwithinreach,and,oftenenough,theanimalescapedthem。ButthedeerthatFionngotthetrackofdidnotgetaway,anditseemedeventhattheanimalssoughthimsomanydidhecatch。
Thekingmarvelledatthestoriesthatweretoldofthisnewhunter,butaskingsaregreaterthanotherpeoplesotheyaremorecurious;and,beingontheplaneofexcellence,theymustseeallthatisexcellentlytoldof。
Thekingwishedtoseehim,andFionnmusthavewonderedwhatthekingthoughtasthatgraciouslordlookedonhim。Whateverwasthought,whatthekingsaidwasasdirectinutteranceasitwasinobservation。
\"IfUailthesonofBaiscnehasason,\"saidtheking,\"youwouldsurelybethatson。\"
WearenottoldiftheKingofFinntraighsaidanythingmore,butweknowthatFionnlefthisservicesoonafterwards。
HewentsouthwardsandwasnextintheemploymentoftheKingofKerry,thesamelordwhohadmarriedhisownmother。Inthatservicehecametosuchconsiderationthatwehearofhimasplayingamatchofchesswiththeking,andbythisgameweknowthathewasstillaboyinhismindhowevermightilyhislimbswerespreading。Ableashewasinsportsandhuntings,hewasyettooyoungtobepolitic,butheremainedimpolitictotheendofhisdays,forwhateverhewasabletodohewoulddo,nomatterwhowasoffendedthereat;andwhateverhewasnotabletodohewoulddoalso。ThatwasFionn。
Once,astheyrestedonachase,adebatearoseamongtheFianna-Finnastowhatwasthefinestmusicintheworld。
\"Tellusthat,\"saidFionnturningtoOisi’n[pronouncedUsheen]
\"Thecuckoocallingfromthetreethatishighestinthehedge,\"
criedhismerryson。
\"Agoodsound,\"saidFionn。\"Andyou,Oscar,\"heasked,\"whatistoyourmindthefinestofmusic?\"
\"Thetopofmusicistheringofaspearonashield,\"criedthestoutlad。
\"Itisagoodsound,\"saidFionn。Andtheotherchampionstoldtheirdelight;thebellingofastagacrosswater,thebayingofatunefulpackheardinthedistance,thesongofalark,thelaughofagleefulgirl,orthewhisperofamovedone。
\"Theyaregoodsoundsall,\"saidFionn。
\"Tellus,chief,\"oneventured,\"whatyouthink?\"
\"Themusicofwhathappens,\"saidgreatFionn,\"thatisthefinestmusicintheworld。\"
Heloved\"whathappened,\"andwouldnotevadeitbytheswerveofahair;soonthisoccasionwhatwasoccurringhewouldhaveoccur,althoughakingwashisrivalandhismaster。Itmaybethathismotherwaswatchingthematchandthathecouldnotbutexhibithisskillbeforeher。Hecommittedtheenormityofwinningsevengamesinsuccessionfromthekinghimself!!!
Itisseldomindeedthatasubjectcanbeatakingatchess,andthismonarchwasproperlyamazed。
\"Whoareyouatall?\"hecried,startingbackfromthechessboardandstaringonFionn。
\"IamthesonofacountrymanoftheLuigneofTara,\"saidFionn。
Hemayhaveblushedashesaidit,fortheking,possiblyforthefirsttime,wasreallylookingathim,andwaslookingbackthroughtwentyyearsoftimeashedidso。Theobservationofakingisfaultless——itisprovedathousandtimesoverinthetales,andthisking’sequipmentwasasroyalasthenext。
\"Youarenosuchson,\"saidtheindignantmonarch,\"butyouarethesonthatMuirnemywifeboretoUallmacBalscne。\"
AndatthatFionnhadnomoretosay;buthiseyesmayhaveflowntohismotherandstayedthere。
\"Youcannotremainhere,\"hisstep-fathercontinued。\"Idonotwantyoukilledundermyprotection,\"heexplained,orcomplained。
PerhapsitwasonFionn’saccounthedreadedthesonsofMorna,butnooneknowswhatFionnthoughtofhimforheneverthereafterspokeofhisstep-father。AsforMuirneshemusthavelovedherlord;orshemayhavebeenterrifiedintruthofthesonsofMornaandforFionn;butitissoalso,thatifawomanloveshersecondhusbandshecandislikeallthatremindsherofthefirstone。Fionnwentonhistravelsagain。
CHAPTERIX
Alldesiressaveonearefleeting,butthatonelastsforever。
Fionn,withalldesires,hadthelastingone,forhewouldgoanywhereandforsakeanythingforwisdom;anditwasinsearchofthisthathewenttotheplacewhereFinegaslivedonabankoftheBoyneWater。Butfordreadoftheclann-MornahedidnotgoasFionn。HecalledhimselfDeimneonthatjourney。
Wegetwisebyaskingquestions,andevenifthesearenotansweredwegetwise,forawell-packedquestioncarriesitsansweronitsbackasasnailcarriesitsshell。Fionnaskedeveryquestionhecouldthinkof,andhismaster,whowasapoet,andsoanhonourableman,answeredthemall,nottothelimitofhispatience,foritwaslimitless,buttothelimitofhisability。
\"Whydoyouliveonthebankofariver?\"wasoneofthesequestions。\"Becauseapoemisarevelation,anditisbythebrinkofrunningwaterthatpoetryisrevealedtothemind。\"
\"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?\"wasthenextquery。\"Sevenyears,\"
thepoetanswered。
\"Itisalongtime,\"saidwonderingFionn。
\"Iwouldwaittwiceaslongforapoem,\"saidtheinveteratebard。
\"Haveyoucaughtgoodpoems?\"Fionnaskedhim。
\"ThepoemsIamfitfor,\"saidthemildmaster。\"Nopersoncangetmorethanthat,foraman’sreadinessishislimit。\"
\"WouldyouhavegotasgoodpoemsbytheShannonortheSuirorbysweetAnaLife’?\"
\"Theyaregoodrivers,\"wastheanswer。\"Theyallbelongtogoodgods。\"
\"Butwhydidyouchoosethisriveroutofalltherivers?\"
Finegasbeamedonhispupil。
\"Iwouldtellyouanything,\"saidhe,\"andIwilltellyouthat。\"
Fionnsatatthekindlyman’sfeet,hishandsabsentamongtallgrasses,andlisteningwithallhisears。\"Aprophecywasmadetome,\"Finegasbegan。\"AmanofknowledgeforetoldthatIshouldcatchtheSalmonofKnowledgeintheBoyneWater。\"
\"Andthen?\"saidFionneagerly。
\"ThenIwouldhaveAllKnowledge。\"
\"Andafterthat?\"theboyinsisted。
\"Whatshouldtherebeafterthat?\"thepoetretorted。
\"Imean,whatwouldyoudowithAllKnowledge?\"
\"Aweightyquestion,\"saidFinegassmilingly。\"IcouldansweritifIhadAllKnowledge,butnotuntilthen。Whatwouldyoudo,mydear?\"
\"Iwouldmakeapoem,\"Fionncried。
\"Ithinktoo,\"saidthepoet,\"thatthatiswhatwouldbedone。\"
InreturnforinstructionFionnhadtakenovertheserviceofhismaster’shut,andashewentaboutthehouseholdduties,drawingthewater,lightingthefire,andcarryingrushesforthefloorandthebeds,hethoughtoverallthepoethadtaughthim,andhisminddweltontherulesofmetre,thecunningnessofwords,andtheneedforaclean,bravemind。ButinhisthousandthoughtsheyetrememberedtheSalmonofKnowledgeaseagerlyashismasterdid。HealreadyveneratedFinegasforhisgreatlearning,hispoeticskill,foranhundredreasons;but,lookingonhimastheordainedeateroftheSalmonofKnowledge,heveneratedhimtotheedgeofmeasure。Indeed,helovedaswellasveneratedthismasterbecauseofhisunfailingkindness,hispatience,hisreadinesstoteach,andhisskillinteaching。
\"Ihavelearnedmuchfromyou,dearmaster,\"saidFionngratefully。
\"AllthatIhaveisyoursifyoucantakeit,\"thepoetanswered,\"foryouareentitledtoallthatyoucantake,buttonomorethanthat。Take,so,withbothhands。\"
\"YoumaycatchthesalmonwhileIamwithyou,\"thehopefulboymused。\"Wouldnotthatbeagreathappening!\"andhestaredinecstasyacrossthegrassatthosevisionswhichaboy’smindknows。
\"Letusprayforthat,\"saidFinegasfervently。
\"Hereisaquestion,\"Fionncontinued。\"Howdoesthissalmongetwisdomintohisflesh?\"
\"Thereisahazelbushoverhangingasecretpoolinasecretplace。TheNutsofKnowledgedropfromtheSacredBushintothepool,andastheyfloat,asalmontakestheminhismouthandeatsthem。\"
\"Itwouldbealmostaseasy,\"theboysubmitted,\"ifoneweretosetonthetrackoftheSacredHazelandeatthenutsstraightfromthebush。\"
\"Thatwouldnotbeveryeasy,\"saidthepoet,\"andyetitisnotaseasyasthat,forthebushcanonlybefoundbyitsownknowledge,andthatknowledgecanonlybegotbyeatingthenuts,andthenutscanonlybegotbyeatingthesalmon。\"
\"Wemustwaitforthesalmon,\"saidFionninarageofresignation。
CHAPTERX
Lifecontinuedforhiminaroundoftimelesstime,whereindaysandnightswereuneventfulandwereyetfilledwithinterest。Asthedaypackeditsloadofstrengthintohisframe,soitaddeditsstoreofknowledgetohismind,andeachnightsealedthetwain,foritisinthenightthatwemakesecurewhatwehavegatheredintheday。
Ifhehadtoldofthesedayshewouldhavetoldofasuccessionofmealsandsleeps,andofanendlessconversation,fromwhichhismindwouldnowandagainslipawaytoasolitudeofitsown,where,inlargehazyatmospheres,itswunganddriftedandreposed。Thenhewouldbebackagain,anditwasapleasureforhimtocatchuponthethoughtthatwasforwardandre-createforitallthematterhehadmissed。Buthecouldnotoftenmakethesesleepysallies;hismasterwastooexperiencedateachertoallowanysuchbright-faced,eager-eyedabstractions,andasthedruidwomenhadswitchedhislegsaroundatree,soFinegaschasedhismind,demandingsenseinhisquestionsandunderstandinginhisreplies。
Toaskquestionscanbecomethelaziestandwobbliestoccupationofamind,butwhenyoumustyourselfanswertheproblemthatyouhaveposed,youwillmeditateyourquestionwithcareandframeitwithprecision。Fionn’smindlearnedtojumpinabumpierfieldthanthatinwhichhehadchasedrabbits。Andwhenhehadaskedhisquestion,andgivenhisownanswertoit,Finegaswouldtakethematterupandmakecleartohimwherethequerywasbadlyformedoratwhatpointtheanswerhadbeguntogoastray,sothatFionncametounderstandbywhatsuccessionsagoodquestiongrowsatlasttoagoodanswer。
Oneday,notlongaftertheconversationtoldof,FinegascametotheplacewhereFionnwas。Thepoethadashallowosierbasketonhisarm,andonhisfacetherewasalookthatwasatoncetriumphantandgloomy。Hewasexcitedcertainly,butbewassadalso,andashestoodgazingonFionnhiseyesweresokindthattheboywastouched,andtheywereyetsomelancholythatitalmostmadeFionnweep。\"Whatisit,mymaster?\"saidthealarmedboy。
Thepoetplacedhisosierbasketonthegrass。
\"Lookinthebasket,dearson,\"hesaid。Fionnlooked。
\"Thereisasalmoninthebasket。\"
\"ItisTheSalmon,\"saidFinegaswithagreatsigh。Fionnleapedfordelight。
\"lamgladforyou,master,\"hecried。\"IndeedIamgladforyou。\"
\"AndIamglad,mydearsoul,\"themasterrejoined。
But,havingsaidit,hebenthisbrowtohishandandforalongtimehewassilentandgatheredintohimself。
\"Whatshouldbedonenow?\"Fionndemanded,ashestaredonthebeautifulfish。
Finegasrosefromwherehesatbytheosierbasket。
\"Iwillbebackinashorttime,\"hesaidheavily。\"WhileIamawayyoumayroastthesalmon,sothatitwillbereadyagainstmyreturn。\"
\"Iwillroastitindeed,\"saidFionn。
Thepoetgazedlongandearnestlyonhim。
\"YouwillnoteatanyofmysalmonwhileIamaway?\"heasked。
\"Iwillnoteatthelittlestpiece,\"saidFionn。
\"Iamsureyouwillnot,\"theothermurmured,asheturnedandwalkedslowlyacrossthegrassandbehindtheshelteringbushesontheridge。
Fionncookedthesalmon。Itwasbeautifulandtemptingandsavouryasitsmokedonawoodenplatteramongcoolgreenleaves;
anditlookedallthesetoFinegaswhenhecamefrombehindthefringingbushesandsatinthegrassoutsidehisdoor。Hegazedonthefishwithmorethanhiseyes。Helookedonitwithhisheart,withhissoulinhiseyes,andwhenheturnedtolookonFionntheboydidnotknowwhetherthelovethatwasinhiseyeswasforthefishorforhimself。Yethedidknowthatagreatmomenthadarrivedforthepoet。
\"So,\"saidFinegas,\"youdidnoteatitonmeafterall?\"\"DidI
notpromise?\"Fionnreplied。
\"Andyet,\"hismastercontinued,\"Iwentawaysothatyoumighteatthefishifyoufeltyouhadto。\"
\"WhyshouldIwantanotherman’sfish?\"saidproudFionn。
\"Becauseyoungpeoplehavestrongdesires。Ithoughtyoumighthavetastedit,andthenyouwouldhaveeatenitonme。\"
\"Ididtasteitbychance,\"Fionnlaughed,\"forwhilethefishwasroastingagreatblisterroseonitsskin。Ididnotlikethelookofthatblister,andIpresseditdownwithmythumb。Thatburnedmythumb,soIpoppeditinmymouthtohealthesmart。Ifyoursalmontastesasniceasmythumbdid,\"helaughed,\"itwilltasteverynice。\"
\"Whatdidyousayyournamewas,dearheart?\"thepoetasked。
\"IsaidmynamewasDeimne。\"
\"YournameisnotDeimne,\"saidthemildman,\"yournameisFionn。\"
\"Thatistrue,\"theboyanswered,\"butIdonotknowhowyouknowit。\"
\"EvenifIhavenoteatentheSalmonofKnowledgeIhavesomesmallscienceofmyown。\"
\"Itisveryclevertoknowthingsasyouknowthem,\"Fionnrepliedwonderingly。\"Whatmoredoyouknowofme,dearmaster?\"
\"IknowthatIdidnottellyouthetruth,\"saidtheheavy-heartedman。
\"Whatdidyoutellmeinsteadofit?\"
\"Itoldyoualie。\"
\"Itisnotagoodthingtodo,\"Fionnadmitted。\"Whatsortofaliewasthelie,master?\"\"ItoldyouthattheSalmonofKnowledgewastobecaughtbyme,accordingtotheprophecy。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thatwastrueindeed,andIhavecaughtthefish。ButIdidnottellyouthatthesalmonwasnottobeeatenbyme,althoughthatalsowasintheprophecy,andthatomissionwasthelie。\"
\"Itisnotagreatlie,\"saidFionnsoothingly。
\"Itmustnotbecomeagreaterone,\"thepoetrepliedsternly。
\"Whowasthefishgivento?\"hiscompanionwondered。
\"Itwasgiventoyou,\"Finegasanswered。\"ItwasgiventoFionn,thesonofUail,thesonofBaiscne,anditwillbegiventohim。\"
\"Youshallhaveahalfofthefish,\"criedFionn。
\"Iwillnoteatapieceofitsskinthatisassmallasthepointofitssmallestbone,\"saidtheresoluteandtremblingbard。\"Letyounoweatupthefish,andIshallwatchyouandgivepraisetothegodsoftheUnderworldandoftheElements。’’
FionnthenatetheSalmonofKnowledge,andwhenithaddisappearedagreatjollityandtranquillityandexuberancereturnedtothepoet。
\"Ah,\"saidhe,\"Ihadagreatcombatwiththatfish。\"
\"Diditfightforitslife?\"Fionninquired。
\"Itdid,butthatwasnotthefightImeant。\"
\"YoushalleataSalmonofKnowledgetoo,\"Fionnassuredhim。
\"Youhaveeatenone,\"criedtheblithepoet,\"andifyoumakesuchapromiseitwillbebecauseyouknow。\"
\"Ipromiseitandknowit,\"saidFionn,\"youshalleataSalmonofKnowledgeyet。\"
CHAPTERXI
HehadreceivedallthathecouldgetfromFinegas。Hiseducationwasfinishedandthetimehadcometotestit,andtotryallelsethathehadofmindandbody。Hebadefarewelltothegentlepoet,andsetoutforTaraoftheKings。
ItwasSamhain-tide,andthefeastofTarawasbeingheld,atwhichallthatwaswiseorskilfulorwell-borninIrelandweregatheredtogether。
ThisishowTarawaswhenTarawas。TherewastheHighKing’spalacewithitsfortification;withoutitwasanotherfortificationenclosingthefourminorpalaces,eachofwhichwasmaintainedbyoneofthefourprovincialkings;withoutthatagainwasthegreatbanquetinghall,andarounditandenclosingallofthesacredhillinitsgiganticboundranthemainouterrampartsofTara。Fromit,thecentreofIreland,fourgreatroadswent,north,south,east,andwest,andalongtheseroads,fromthetopandthebottomandthetwosidesofIreland,theremovedforweeksbeforeSamhainanendlessstreamofpassengers。
HereagaybandwentcarryingrichtreasuretodecoratethepavilionofaMunsterlord。Onanotherroadavatofseasonedyew,monstrousasahouseonwheelsanddrawnbyanhundredlaboriousoxen,camebumpingandjogglingthealethatthirstyConnaughtprinceswoulddrink。OnaroadagainthelearnedmenofLeinster,eachwithanideainhisheadthatwoulddiscomfitanorthernollavandmakeasouthernonegapeandfidget,wouldbemarchingsolemnly,eachbyahorsethatwaspiledhighonthebackandwidelyatthesideswithclean-peeledwilloworoakenwands,thatwerecarvedfromthetoptothebottomwiththeoghamsigns;thefirstlinesofpoems(foritwasanoffenceagainstwisdomtocommitmorethaninitiallinestowriting),thenamesanddatesofkings,theprocessionoflawsofTaraandofthesub-kingdoms,thenamesofplacesandtheirmeanings。Onthebrownstallionamblingpeacefullyyondertheremightgothewarringofthegodsfortwoortenthousandyears;thismarewiththedaintypaceandtheviciouseyemightbesidlingunderaloadofoakenodesinhonourofherowner’sfamily,withafewbundlesoftalesofwonderaddedincasetheymightbeuseful;andperhapstherestivepiebaldwasbackingthehistoryofIrelandintoaditch。
Onsuchajourneyallpeoplespoketogether,forallwerefriends,andnopersonregardedtheweaponinanotherman’shandotherthanasanimplementtopokeareluctantcowwith,ortopacifywithloudwallopssomehoof-proudcolt。
IntothisteemandprofusionofjollyhumanityFionnslipped,andifhismoodhadbeenasbellicoseasawoundedboarhewouldyethavefoundnomantoquarrelwith,andifhiseyehadbeenassharpasajealoushusband’shewouldhavefoundnoeyetomeetitwithcalculationormenaceorfear;forthePeaceofIrelandwasinbeing,andforsixweeksmanwasneighbourtoman,andthenationwastheguestoftheHighKing。Fionnwentinwiththenotables。
Hisarrivalhadbeentimedfortheopeningdayandthegreatfeastofwelcome。Hemayhavemarvelled,lookingonthebrightcity,withitspillarsofgleamingbronzeandtheroofsthatwerepaintedinmanycolours,sothateachhouseseemedtobecoveredbythespreadingwingsofsomegiganticandgorgeousbird。Andthepalacesthemselves,mellowwithredoak,polishedwithinandwithoutbythewearandthecareofathousandyears,andcarvedwiththepatientskillofunendinggenerationsofthemostfamousartistsofthemostartisticcountryofthewesternworld,wouldhavegivenhimmuchtomarvelatalso。Itmusthaveseemedlikeacityofdream,acitytocatchtheheart,when,comingoverthegreatplain,FionnsawTaraoftheKingsheldonitshillasinahandtogatherallthegoldofthefallingsun,andtorestoreabrightnessasmellowandtenderasthatuniversallargess。