Inthegreatbanquetinghalleverythingwasinorderforthefeast。ThenoblesofIrelandwiththeirwinsomeconsorts,thelearnedandartisticprofessionsrepresentedbythepickoftheirtimewereinplace。TheArd-Ri,CormoftheHundredBattles,hadtakenhisplaceontheraiseddaiswhichcommandedthewholeofthatvasthall。AthisRighthandhissonArt,tobeafterwardsasfamousashisfamousfather,tookhisseat,andonhisleftGollmormacMorna,chiefoftheFiannaofIreland,hadtheseatofhonour。AstheHighKingtookhisplacehecouldseeeverypersonwhowasnotedinthelandforanyreason。Hewouldknoweveryonewhowaspresent,forthefameofallmenissealedatTara,andbehindhischairaheraldstoodtotellanythingthekingmightnotknoworhadforgotten。
Conngavethesignalandhisguestsseatedthemselves。
Thetimehadcomeforthesquirestotaketheirstationsbehindtheirmastersandmistresses。But,forthemoment,thegreatroomwasseated,andthedoorswereheldtoallowamomentofrespecttopassbeforetheserversandsquirescamein。
Lookingoverhisguests,Connobservedthatayoungmanwasyetstanding。
\"Thereisagentleman,\"hemurmured,\"forwhomnoseathasbeenfound。\"
WemaybesurethattheMasteroftheBanquetblushedatthat。
\"And,\"thekingcontinued,\"Idonotseemtoknowtheyoungman。\"
Nordidhisherald,nordidtheunfortunateMaster,nordidanybody;fortheeyesofallwerenowturnedwheretheking’swent。
\"Givememyhorn,\"saidthegraciousmonarch。
Thehornofstatewasputtohishand。
\"Younggentleman,\"hecalledtothestranger,\"IwishtodrinktoyourhealthandtowelcomeyoutoTara。\"
Theyoungmancameforwardthen,greater-shoulderedthananymightymanofthatgathering,longerandcleanerlimbed,withhisfaircurlsdancingabouthisbeardlessface。Thekingputthegreathornintohishand。
\"Tellmeyourname,\"hecommandedgently。
\"IamFionn,thesonofUail,thesonofBaiscne,\"saidtheyouth。
Andatthatsayingatouchasoflightningwentthroughthegatheringsothateachpersonquivered,andthesonofthegreat,murderedcaptainlookedbytheking’sshoulderintothetwinklingeyeofGoll。Butnowordwasuttered,nomovementmadeexceptthemovementandtheutteranceoftheArd-Ri’。
\"Youarethesonofafriend,\"saidthegreat-heartedmonarch。
\"Youshallhavetheseatofafriend。\"
HeplacedFionnattherighthandofhisownsonArt。
CHAPTERXII
ItistobeknownthatonthenightoftheFeastofSamhainthedoorsseparatingthisworldandthenextoneareopened,andtheinhabitantsofeitherworldcanleavetheirrespectivespheresandappearintheworldoftheotherbeings。
NowtherewasagrandsontotheDagdaMor,theLordoftheUnderworld,andhewasnamedAillenmacMidna,outofShi’
Finnachy,andthisAillenboreanimplacableenmitytoTaraandtheArd-Ri’。
AswellasbeingmonarchofIrelandherHighKingwaschiefofthepeoplelearnedinmagic,anditispossiblethatatsometimeConnhadadventuredintoTirnan-Og,theLandoftheYoung,andhaddonesomedeedormisdeedinAillen’slordshiporinhisfamily。Itmusthavebeenanilldeedintruth,foritwasinaveryrageofrevengethatAillencameyearlyatthepermittedtimetoravageTara。
Ninetimeshehadcomeonthismissionofrevenge,butitisnottobesupposedthathecouldactuallydestroytheholycity:theArd-Ri’andmagicianscouldpreventthat,buthecouldyetdoadamagesoconsiderablethatitwasworthConn’swhiletotakespecialextraprecautionsagainsthim,includingtheprecautionofchance。
Therefore,whenthefeastwasoverandthebanquethadcommenced,theHundredFighterstoodfromhisthroneandlookedoverhisassembledpeople。
TheChainofSilencewasshakenbytheattendantwhosedutyandhonourwastheSilverChain,andatthatdelicatechimethehaltwentsilent,andageneralwonderensuedastowhatmattertheHighKingwouldsubmittohispeople。
\"Friendsandheroes,\"saidConn,\"Aillen,thesonofMidna,willcometo-nightfromSlieveFuaidwithoccult,terriblefireagainstourcity。IsthereamongyouonewholovesTaraandtheking,andwhowillundertakeourdefenceagainstthatbeing?\"
Hespokeinsilence,andwhenhehadfinishedhelistenedtothesamesilence,butitwasnowdeep,ominous,agonized。Eachmanglanceduneasilyonhisneighbourandthenstaredathiswine-cuporhisfingers。Theheartsofyoungmenwenthotforagallantmomentandwerechilledinthesucceedingone,fortheyhadallheardofAillenoutofShlFinnachyinthenorth。Thelessergentlemenlookedundertheirbrowsatthegreaterchampions,andthesepeeredfurtivelyatthegreatestofall。ArtogmacMornaoftheHardStrokesfelltobitinghisfingers,Cona’ntheSwearerandGarramacMornagrumbledirritablytoeachotherandattheirneighbours,evenCaelte,thesonofRona’n,lookeddownintohisownlap,andGollMorsippedathiswinewithoutanytwinkleinhiseye。Ahorridembarrassmentcameintothegreathall,andastheHighKingstoodinthatpalpitatingsilencehisnoblefacechangedfromkindlytograveandfromthattoaterriblesternness。Inanothermoment,totheundyingshameofeverypersonpresent,hewouldhavebeencompelledtolifthisownchallengeanddeclarehimselfthechampionofTaraforthatnight,buttheshamethatwasonthefacesofhispeoplewouldremainintheheartoftheirking。Goll’smerrymindwouldhelphimtoforget,butevenhisheartwouldbewrungbyamemorythathewouldnotdaretoface。ItwasatthatterriblemomentthatFionnstoodup。
\"What,\"saidhe,\"willbegiventothemanwhoundertakesthisdefence?\"
\"Allthatcanberightlyaskedwillberoyallybestowed,\"wastheking’sanswer。
\"Whoarethesureties?\"saidFionn。
\"ThekingsofIreland,andRedCithwithhismagicians。\"
\"Iwillundertakethedefence,\"saidFionn。Andonthat,thekingsandmagicianswhowerepresentboundthemselvestothefulfilmentofthebargain。
Fionnmarchedfromthebanquetinghall,andashewent,allwhowerepresentofnoblesandretainersandservantsacclaimedhimandwishedhimluck。Butintheirheartstheywerebiddinghimgood-bye,forallwereassuredthattheladwasmarchingtoadeathsounescapeablethathemightalreadybecountedasadeadman。
ItislikelythatFionnlookedforhelptothepeopleoftheShi’
themselves,for,throughhismother,hebelongedtothetribesofDana,although,onthefather’sside,hisbloodwaswellcompoundedwithmortalclay。Itmaybe,too,thatheknewhoweventswouldturn,forhehadeatentheSalmonofKnowledge。Yetitisnotrecordedthatonthisoccasionheinvokedanymagicalartashedidonotheradventures。
Fionn’swayofdiscoveringwhateverwashappeningandhiddenwasalwaysthesameandismanytimesreferredto。Ashallow,oblongdishofpure,palegoldwasbroughttohim。Thisdishwasfilledwithclearwater。ThenFionnwouldbendhisheadandstareintothewater,andashestaredhewouldplacehisthumbinhismouthunderhis\"ToothofKnowledge,\"his\"wisdomtooth。\"
Knowledge,mayitbesaid,ishigherthanmagicandismoretobesought。Itisquitepossibletoseewhatishappeningandyetnotknowwhatisforward,forwhileseeingisbelievingitdoesnotfollowthateitherseeingorbelievingisknowing。Manyapersoncanseeathingandbelieveathingandknowjustaslittleaboutitasthepersonwhodoesneither。ButFionnwouldseeandknow,orhewouldunder-standadecentratioofhisvisions。Thathewasversedinmagicistrue,forhewaseverknownastheKnowledgeableman,andlaterhehadtwomagiciansinhishouseholdnamedDirimandmac-Reithtodotheroughworkofknowledgefortheirbusymaster。
ItwasnotfromtheShi’,however,thatassistancecametoFionn。
CHAPTERXIII
Hemarchedthroughthesuccessivefortificationsuntilhecametotheouter,greatwall,theboundaryofthecity,andwhenhehadpassedthishewasonthewideplainofTara。
Otherthanhimselfnopersonwasabroad,foronthenightoftheFeastofSamhainnonebutamadmanwouldquittheshelterofahouseevenifitwereonfire;forwhateverdisastersmightbewithinahousewouldbeasnothingtothecalamitieswithoutit。
ThenoiseofthebanquetwasnotnowaudibletoFionn——itispossible,however,thattherewasashamefacedsilenceinthegreathall——andthelightsofthecitywerehiddenbythesuccessivegreatramparts。Theskywasoverhim;theearthunderhim;andthanthesetherewasnothing,ortherewasbutthedarknessandthewind。
Butdarknesswasnotathingtoterrifyhim,bredinthenightnessofawoodandtheveryfosterlingofgloom;norcouldthewindafflicthisearorhisheart。Therewasnonoteinitsorchestrathathehadnotbroodedonandbecome,whichbecomingismagic。Thelong-drawnmoanofit;thethrillingwhisperandhush;theshrill,sweetwhistle,sothinitcanscarcelybeheard,andistakenmorebythenervesthanbytheear;thescreech,suddenasadevil’syellandloudastenthunders;thecryasofonewhoflieswithbackwardlooktotheshelterofleavesanddarkness;andthesobasofonestrickenwithanage-longmisery,onlyattimesremembered,butrememberedthenwithwhatapang!Hisearknewbywhatsuccessionstheyarrived,andbywhatstagestheygrewanddiminished。Listeninginthedarktothebundleofnoiseswhichmakeanoisehecoulddisentanglethemandassignaplaceandareasontoeachgradationofsoundthatformedthechorus:therewasthepatterofarabbit,andtherethescurryingofahare;abushrustledyonder,butthatbriefrustlewasabird;thatpressurewasawolf,andthishesitationafox;thescrapingyonderwasbutaroughleafagainstbark,andthescratchingbeyonditwasaferret’sclaw。
Fearcannotbewhereknowledgeis,andFionnwasnotfearful。
Hismind,quietlybusyonallsides,pickeduponesoundanddweltonit。\"Aman,\"saidFionn,andhelistenedinthatdirection,backtowardsthecity。
Amanitwas,almostasskilledindarknessasFionnhimself\"Thisisnoenemy,\"Fionnthought;\"hiswalkingisopen。\"
\"Whocomes?\"hecalled。
\"Afriend,\"saidthenewcomer。
\"Giveafriend’sname,\"saidFionn。
\"FiacuilmacCona,\"wastheanswer。
\"Ah,mypulseandheart!\"criedFionn,andhestrodeafewpacestomeetthegreatrobberwhohadfosteredhimamongthemarshes。
\"Soyouarenotafraid,\"hesaidjoyfully。
\"Iamafraidingoodtruth,\"Fiacuilwhispered,\"andtheminutemybusinesswithyouisfinishedIwilltrotbackasquickaslegswillcarryme。Maythegodsprotectmygoingastheyprotectedmycoming,\"saidtherobberpiously。
\"Amen,\"saidFionn,\"andnow,tellmewhatyouhavecomefor?\"
\"HaveyouanyplanagainstthislordoftheShf?\"Fiacuilwhispered。
\"Iwillattackhim,\"saidFionn。
\"Thatisnotaplan,\"theothergroaned,\"wedonotplantodeliveranattackhuttowinavictory。\"
\"Isthisaveryterribleperson?\"Fionnasked。
\"Terribleindeed。Noonecangetnearhimorawayfromhim。HecomesoutoftheShi’playingsweet,lowmusiconatimpanandapipe,andallwhohearthismusicfallasleep。\"
\"Iwillnotfallasleep,\"saidFionn。
\"Youwillindeed,foreverybodydoes。\"
\"Whathappensthen?\"Fionnasked。
\"WhenallareasleepAillenmacMidnablowsadartoffireoutofhismouth,andeverythingthatistouchedbythatfireisdestroyed,andhecanblowhisfiretoanincredibledistanceandtoanydirection。\"
\"Youareverybravetocometohelpme,\"Fionnmurmured,\"especiallywhenyouarenotabletohelpmeatall。\"
\"Icanhelp,\"Fiacuilreplied,\"butImustbepaid。\"
\"Whatpayment?\"
\"Athirdofallyouearnandaseatatyourcouncil。\"
\"Igrantthat,\"saidFionn,\"andnow,tellmeyourplan?\"
\"YouremembermyspearwiththethirtyrivetsofArabiangoldinitssocket?\"
\"Theone,\"Fionnqueried,\"thathaditsheadwrappedinablanketandwasstuckinabucketofwaterandwaschainedtoawallaswell——thevenomousBirgha?\"\"Thatone,\"Fiacuilreplied。
\"ItisAillenmacMidna’sownspear,\"hecontinued,\"anditwastakenoutofhisShi’byyourfather。\"
\"Well?\"saidFionn,wonderingneverthelesswhereFiacuilgotthespear,buttoogeneroustoask。
\"WhenyouhearthegreatmanoftheShi’coming,takethewrappingsofftheheadofthespearandbendyourfaceoverit;
theheatofthespear,thestenchofit,allitsperniciousandacridqualitieswillpreventyoufromgoingtosleep。\"
\"Areyousureofthat?\"saidFionn。
\"Youcouldn’tgotosleepclosetothatstench;nobodycould,\"
Fiacuilreplieddecidedly。
Hecontinued:\"AillenmacMidnawillbeoffhisguardwhenhestopsplayingandbeginstoblowhisfire;hewillthinkeverybodyisasleep;thenyoucandelivertheattackyouwerespeakingof,andallgoodluckgowithit。\"
\"Iwillgivehimbackhisspear,\"saidFionn。
\"Hereitis,\"saidFiacuil,takingtheBirghafromunderhiscloak。\"Butbeascarefulofit,mypulse,beasfrightenedofitasyouareofthemanofDana。\"
\"Iwillbefrightenedofnothing,\"saidFionn,\"andtheonlypersonIwillbesorryforisthatAillenmacMidna,whoisgoingtogethisownspearback。\"
\"Iwillgoawaynow,\"hiscompanionwhispered,\"foritisgrowingdarkerwhereyouwouldhavethoughttherewasnomoreroomfordarkness,andthereisaneeriefeelingabroadwhichIdonotlike。ThatmanfromtheShi’maycomeanyminute,andifIcatchonesoundofhismusicIamdonefor。\"
TherobberwentawayandagainFionnwasalone。
CHAPTERXIV
Helistenedtotheretreatingfootstepsuntiltheycouldbeheardnomore,andtheonesoundthatcametohistenseearswasthebeatingofhisownheart。
Eventhewindhadceased,andthereseemedtobenothingintheworldbutthedarknessandhimself。Inthatgiganticblackness,inthatunseenquietudeandvacancy,themindcouldceasetobepersonaltoitself。Itcouldbeoverwhelmedandmergedinspace,sothatconsciousnesswouldbetransferredordissipated,andonemightsleepstanding;forthemindfearslonelinessmorethanallelse,andwillescapetothemoonratherthanbedriveninwardsonitsownbeing。
ButFionnwasnotlonely,andhewasnotafraidwhenthesonofMidnacame。
Alongstretchofthesilentnighthadgoneby,minutefollowingminuteinaslowsequence,whereinastherewasnochangetherewasnotime;whereintherewasnopastandnofuture,butastupefying,endlesspresentwhichisalmosttheannihilationofconsciousness。Achangecamethen,forthecloudshadalsobeenmovingandthemoonatlastwassensedbehindthem——notasaradiance,butasapercolationoflight,agleamthatwasstrainedthroughmatteraftermatterandwaslessthantheverywraithorremembranceofitself;athingseensonarrowly,sosparsely,thattheeyecoulddoubtifitwasorwasnotseeing,andmightconceivethatitsownmemorywasre-creatingthatwhichwasstillabsent。
ButFionn’seyewastheeyeofawildcreaturethatspiesondarknessandmovestherewittingly。Hesaw,then,notathingbutamovement;somethingthatwasdarkerthanthedarknessitloomedon;notabeingbutapresence,and,asitwere,impendingpressure。Andinalittleheheardthedeliberatepaceofthatgreatbeing。
Fionnbenttohisspearandunlooseditscoverings。
Thenfromthedarknesstherecameanothersound;alow,sweetsound;thrillinglyjoyous,thrillinglylow;solowtheearcouldscarcelynoteit,sosweettheearwishedtocatchnothingelseandwouldstrivetohearitratherthanallsoundsthatmaybeheardbyman:themusicofanotherworld!theunearthly,dearmelodyoftheShi’!Sosweetitwasthatthesensestrainedtoit,andhavingreachedmustfollowdrowsilyinitswake,andwouldmergeinit,andcouldnotreturnagaintoitsownplaceuntilthatstrangeharmonywasfinishedandtheearrestoredtofreedom。
ButFionnhadtakenthecoveringfromhisspear,andwithhisbrowpressedclosetoithekepthismindandallhissensesengagedonthatsizzling,murderouspoint。
ThemusicceasedandAillenhissedafierceblueflamefromhismouth,anditwasasthoughhehissedlightning。
HereitwouldseemthatFionnusedmagic,forspreadingouthisfringedmantlehecaughttheflame。Ratherhestoppedit,foritslidfromthemantleandspeddownintotheearthtothedepthoftwenty-sixspans;fromwhichthatslopeisstillcalledtheGlenoftheMantle,andtheriseonwhichAillenstoodisknownastheArdofFire。
OnecanimaginethesurpriseofAillenmacMidna,seeinghisfirecaughtandquenchedbyaninvisiblehand。Andonecanimaginethatatthischeckhemightbefrightened,forwhowouldbemoreterrifiedthanamagicianwhoseeshismagicfail,andwho,knowingofpower,willguessatpowersofwhichhehasnoconceptionandmaywelldread。
Everythinghadbeendonebyhimasitshouldbedone。Hispipehadbeenplayedandhistimpan,allwhoheardthatmusicshouldbeasleep,andyethisfirewascaughtinfullcourseandwasquenched。
Aillen,withalltheterrificstrengthofwhichhewasmaster,blewagain,andthegreatjetofblueflamecameroaringandwhistlingfromhimandwascaughtanddisappeared。
PanicswirledintothemanfromFaery;heturnedfromthatterriblespotandfled,notknowingwhatmightbebehind,butdreadingitashehadneverbeforedreadedanything,andtheunknownpursuedhim;thatterribledefencebecameoffenceandhungtohisheelasawolfpadsbytheflankofabull。
AndAillenwasnotinhisownworld!Hewasintheworldofmen,wheremovementisnoteasyandtheveryairaburden。Inhisownsphere,inhisownelement,hemighthaveoutrunFionn,butthiswasFionn’sworld,Fionn’selement,andtheflyinggodwasnotgrossenoughtooutstriphim。Yetwhataracehegave,foritwasbutattheentrancetohisownShi’thatthepursuergotcloseenough。Fionnputafingerintothethongofthegreatspear,andatthatcastnightfellonAillenmacMidna。Hiseyeswentblack,hismindwhirledandceased,therecamenothingnesswherehehadbeen,andastheBirghawhistledintohisshoulder-bladeshewitheredaway,hetumbledemptilyandwasdead。FionntookhislovelyheadfromitsshouldersandwentbackthroughthenighttoTara。
TriumphantFionn,whohaddealtdeathtoagod,andtowhomdeathwouldbedealt,andwhoisnowdead!
Hereachedthepalaceatsunrise。
Onthatmorningallwereastirearly。Theywishedtoseewhatdestructionhadbeenwroughtbythegreatbeing,butitwasyoungFionntheysawandthatredoubtableheadswingingbyitshair。
\"Whatisyourdemand?\"saidtheArd-Ri’。\"ThethingthatitisrightIshouldask,\"saidFionn:\"thecommandoftheFiannaofIreland。\"
\"Makeyourchoice,\"saidConntoGollMor;\"youwillleaveIreland,oryouwillplaceyourhandinthehandofthischampionandbehisman。\"
Gollcoulddoathingthatwouldbehardforanotherperson,andhecoulddoitsobeautifullythathewasnotdiminishedbyanyaction。
\"Hereismyhand,\"saidGoll。
Andhetwinkledatthestern,youngeyesthatgazedonhimashemadehissubmission。
THEBIRTHOFBRAN
CHAPTERI
Therearepeoplewhodonotlikedogsabit——theyareusuallywomen——butinthisstorythereisamanwhodidnotlikedogs。Infact,hehatedthem。Whenhesawoneheusedtogoblackintheface,andhethrewrocksatituntilitgotoutofsight。ButthePowerthatprotectsallcreatureshadputasquintintothisman’seye,sothathealwaysthrewcrooked。
Thisgentleman’snamewasFergusFionnliath,andhisstrongholdwasneartheharbourofGalway。Wheneveradogbarkedhewouldleapoutofhisseat,andhewouldthroweverythingthatheownedoutofthewindowinthedirectionofthebark。Hegaveprizestoservantswhodislikeddogs,andwhenheheardthatamanhaddrownedalitterofpupsheusedtovisitthatpersonandtrytomarryhisdaughter。
NowFionn,thesonofUail,wasthereverseofFergusFionnliathinthismatter,forhedelightedindogs,andhekneweverythingaboutthemfromthesettingofthefirstlittlewhitetoothtotherockingofthelastlongyellowone。Heknewtheaffectionsandantipathieswhichareproperinadog;thedegreeofobediencetowhichdogsmaybetrainedwithoutlosingtheirhonourablequalitiesorbecomingservileandsuspicious;heknewthehopesthatanimatethem,theapprehensionswhichtingleintheirblood,andallthatistobedemandedfrom,orforgivenin,apaw,anear,anose,aneye,oratooth;andheunderstoodthesethingsbecauseheloveddogs,foritisbylovealonethatweunderstandanything。
AmongthethreehundreddogswhichFionnownedthereweretwotowhomhegaveanespecialtenderness,andwhowerehisdailyandnightlycompanions。ThesetwowereBranandSceo’lan,butifapersonweretoguessfortwentyyearshewouldnotfindoutwhyFionnlovedthesetwodogsandwhyhewouldneverbeseparatedfromthem。
Fionn’smother,Muirne,wenttowideAllenofLeinstertovisitherson,andshebroughtheryoungsisterTuirenwithher。ThemotherandauntofthegreatcaptainwerewelltreatedamongtheFianna,first,becausetheywereparentstoFionn,andsecond,becausetheywerebeautifulandnoblewomen。
NowordscandescribehowdelightfulMuirnewas——shetookthebranch;andastoTuiren,amancouldnotlookatherwithoutbecomingangryordejected。Herfacewasfreshasaspringmorning;hervoicemorecheerfulthanthecuckoocallingfromthebranchthatishighestinthehedge;andherformswayedlikeareedandflowedlikeariver,sothateachpersonthoughtshewouldsurelyflowtohim。
Menwhohadwivesoftheirowngrewmoodyanddowncastbecausetheycouldnothopetomarryher,whilethebachelorsoftheFiannastaredateachotherwithtruculent,bloodshoteyes,andthentheygazedonTuirensogentlythatshemayhaveimaginedshewasbeingbeamedonbythemildeyesofthedawn。
ItwastoanUlstergentleman,IollanEachtach,thatshegaveherlove,andthischiefstatedhisrightsandqualitiesandaskedforherinmarriage。
NowFionndidnotdislikethemanofUlster,buteitherhedidnotknowthemwellorelseheknewthemtoowell,forhemadeacuriousstipulationbeforeconsentingtothemarriage。HeboundIollantoreturntheladyifthereshouldbeoccasiontothinkherunhappy,andIollanagreedtodoso。ThesuretiestothisbargainwereCaeltemacRonan,GollmacMorna,andLugaidh。
Lugaidhhimselfgavethebrideaway,butitwasnotapleasantceremonyforhim,becausehealsowasinlovewiththelady,andhewouldhavepreferredkeepinghertogivingheraway。Whenshehadgonehemadeapoemabouther,beginning:
\"Thereisnomorelightinthesky——\"
Andhundredsofsadpeoplelearnedthepoembyheart。
CHAPTERII
WhenIollanandTuirenweremarriedtheywenttoUlster,andtheylivedtogetherveryhappily。Butthelawoflifeischange;
nothingcontinuesinthesamewayforanylengthoftime;
happinessmustbecomeunhappiness,andwillbesucceededagainbythejoyithaddisplaced。Thepastalsomustbereckonedwith;itisseldomasfarbehindusaswecouldwish:itismoreofteninfront,blockingtheway,andthefuturetripsoveritjustwhenwethinkthattheroadisclearandjoyourown。
Iollanhadapast。Hewasnotashamedofit;hemerelythoughtitwasfinished,althoughintruthitwasonlybeginning,foritisthatperpetualbeginningofthepastthatwecallthefuture。
BeforehejoinedtheFiannahehadbeeninlovewithaladyoftheShi’,namedUctDealv(FairBreast),andtheyhadbeensweetheartsforyears。HowoftenhehadvisitedhissweetheartinFaery!Withwhateagernessandanticipationhehadgonethere;
thelover’swhistlethatheusedtogivewasknowntoeverypersoninthatShi’,andhehadbeendiscussedbymorethanoneofthedelicatesweetladiesofFaery。\"Thatisyourwhistle,FairBreast,\"hersisteroftheShi’wouldsay。
AndUctDealvwouldreply:\"Yes,thatismymortal,mylover,mypulse,andmyonetreasure。\"
Shelaidherspinningaside,orherembroideryifshewasatthat,orifshewerebakingacakeoffinewheatenbreadmixedwithhoneyshewouldleavethecaketobakeitselfandflytoIollan。Thentheywenthandinhandinthecountrythatsmellsofapple-blossomandhoney,lookingonheavy-boughedtreesandondancingandbeamingclouds。Ortheystooddreamingtogether,lockedinaclaspingofarmsandeyes,gazingupanddownoneachother,Iollanstaringdownintosweetgreywellsthatpeepedandflickeredunderthinbrows,andUctDealvlookingupintogreatblackonesthatwentdreamyandwenthotinendlessalternation。
ThenIollanwouldgobacktotheworldofmen,andUctDealvwouldreturntoheroccupationsintheLandoftheEverYoung。
\"Whatdidhesay?\"hersisteroftheShi’wouldask。
\"HesaidIwastheBerryoftheMountain,theStarofKnowledge,andtheBlossomoftheRaspberry。\"
\"Theyalwayssaythesamething,\"hersisterpouted。
\"Buttheylookotherthings,\"UctDealvinsisted。\"Theyfeelotherthings,\"shemurmured;andanendlessconversationrecommenced。
ThenforsometimeIollandidnotcometoFaery,andUctDealvmarvelledatthat,whilehersistermadeanhundredsurmises,eachoneworsethanthelast。
\"Heisnotdeadorhewouldbehere,\"shesaid。\"Hehasforgottenyou,mydarling。\"
NewswasbroughttoTlrnan-OgofthemarriageofIollanandTuiren,andwhenUctDealvheardthatnewsherheartceasedtobeatforamoment,andsheclosedhereyes。
\"Now!\"saidhersisteroftheShi’。\"Thatishowlongtheloveofamortallasts,\"sheadded,inthevoiceofsadtriumphwhichispropertosisters。
ButonUctDealvtherecamearageofjealousyanddespairsuchasnopersonintheShi’hadeverheardof,andfromthatmomentshebecamecapableofeveryilldeed;fortherearetwothingsnoteasilycontrolled,andtheyarehungerandjealousy。ShedeterminedthatthewomanwhohadsupplantedherinIollan’saffectionsshouldruethedayshedidit。Sheponderedandbroodedrevengeinherheart,sittinginthoughtfulsolitudeandbittercollectednessuntilatlastshehadaplan。
Sheunderstoodtheartsofmagicandshape-changing,soshechangedhershapeintothatofFionn’sfemalerunner,thebest-knownwomaninIreland;thenshesetoutfromFaeryandappearedintheworld。ShetravelledinthedirectionofIollan’sstronghold。
IollanknewtheappearanceofFionn’smessenger,buthewassurprisedtoseeher。
Shesalutedhim。
\"Healthandlonglife,mymaster。\"。
\"Healthandgooddays,\"hereplied。\"Whatbringsyouhere,dearheart?\"
\"IcomefromFionn。\"
\"Andyourmessage?\"saidhe。
\"Theroyalcaptainintendstovisityou。\"
\"Hewillbewelcome,\"saidIollan。\"WeshallgivehimanUlsterfeast。\"
\"Theworldknowswhatthatis,\"saidthemessengercourteously。
\"Andnow,\"shecontinued,\"Ihavemessagesforyourqueen。\"
Tuirenthenwalkedfromthehousewiththemessenger,butwhentheyhadgoneashortdistanceUctDealvdrewahazelrodfrombeneathhercloakandstruckitonthequeen’sshoulder,andontheinstantTuiren’sfiguretrembledandquivered,anditbegantowhirlinwardsanddownwards,andshechangedintotheappearanceofahound。
Itwassadtoseethebeautiful,slenderdogstandingshiveringandastonished,andsadtoseethelovelyeyesthatlookedoutpitifullyinterrorandamazement。ButUctDealvdidnotfeelsad。Sheclaspedachainaboutthehound’sneck,andtheysetoffwestwardtowardsthehouseofFergusFionnliath,whowasreputedtobetheunfriendliestmanintheworldtoadog。ItwasbecauseofhisreputationthatUctDealvwasbringingthehoundtohim。
Shedidnotwantagoodhomeforthisdog:shewantedtheworsthomethatcouldbefoundintheworld,andshethoughtthatFerguswouldrevengeforhertherageandjealousywhichshefelttowardsTuiren。
CHAPTERIII
AstheypacedalongUctDealvrailedbitterlyagainstthehound,andshookandjerkedherchain。Manyasharpcrythehoundgaveinthatjourney,manyamildlament。
\"Ah,supplanter!Ah,takerofanothergirl’ssweetheart!\"saidUctDealvfiercely。\"Howwouldyourlovertakeitifhecouldseeyounow?Howwouldhelookifhesawyourpointyears,yourlongthinsnout,yourshivering,skinnylegs,andyourlonggreytail。
Hewouldnotloveyounow,badgirl!\"
\"HaveyouheardofFergusFionnliath,\"shesaidagain,\"themanwhodoesnotlikedogs?\"
Tuirenhadindeedheardofhim。
\"ItistoFergusIshallbringyou,\"criedUctDealv。\"Hewillthrowstonesatyou。Youhaveneverhadastonethrownatyou。
Ah,badgirl!Youdonotknowhowastonesoundsasitnipstheearwithawhirlingbuzz,norhowjaggedandheavyitfeelsasitthumpsagainstaskinnyleg。Robber!Mortal!Badgirl!Youhaveneverbeenwhipped,butyouwillbewhippednow。Youshallhearthesongofalashasitcurlsforwardandbitesinwardanddragsbackward。Youshalldigupoldbonesstealthilyatnight,andchewthemagainstfamine。Youshallwhineandsquealatthemoon,andshiverinthecold,andyouwillnevertakeanothergirl’ssweetheartagain。\"
AnditwasinthosetermsandinthattonethatshespoketoTuirenastheyjourneyedforward,sothatthehoundtrembledandshrank,andwhinedpitifullyandindespair。
TheycametoFergusFionnliath’sstronghold,andUctDealvdemandedadmittance。
\"Leavethatdogoutside,\"saidtheservant。
\"Iwillnotdoso,\"saidthepretendedmessenger。
\"Youcancomeinwithoutthedog,oryoucanstayoutwiththedog,\"saidthesurlyguardian。
\"Bymyhand,\"criedUctDealv,\"Iwillcomeinwiththisdog,oryourmastershallanswerforittoFionn。\"
AtthenameofFionntheservantalmostfelloutofhisstanding。
Heflewtoacquainthismaster,andFergushimselfcametothegreatdoorofthestronghold。
\"Bymyfaith,\"hecriedinamazement,\"itisadog。\"
\"Adogitis,\"growledtheglumservant。
\"Goyouaway,\"saidFergustoUctDealv,\"andwhenyouhavekilledthedogcomebacktomeandIwillgiveyouapresent。\"
\"Lifeandhealth,mygoodmaster,fromFionn,thesonofUail,thesonofBaiscne,\"saidshetoFergus。
\"LifeandhealthbacktoFionn,\"hereplied。\"Comeintothehouseandgiveyourmessage,butleavethedogoutside,forIdon’tlikedogs。\"
\"Thedogcomesin,\"themessengerreplied。
\"Howisthat?\"criedFergusangrily。
\"Fionnsendsyouthishoundtotakecareofuntilhecomesforher,\"saidthemessenger。
\"Iwonderatthat,\"Fergusgrowled,\"forFionnknowswellthatthereisnotamanintheworldhaslessofalikingfordogsthanIhave。\"
\"Howeverthatmaybe,master,IhavegivenFionn’smessage,andhereatmyheelisthedog。Doyoutakeherorrefuseher?\"
\"IfIcouldrefuseanythingtoFionnitwouldbeadog,\"saidFergus,\"butIcouldnotrefuseanythingtoFionn,sogivemethehound。\"
UctDealvputthechaininhishand。
\"Ah,baddog!\"saidshe。
Andthenshewentawaywellsatisfiedwithherrevenge,andreturnedtoherownpeopleintheShi。
CHAPTERIV
OnthefollowingdayFerguscalledhisservant。
\"Hasthatdogstoppedshiveringyet?\"heasked。
\"Ithasnot,sir,\"saidtheservant。
\"Bringthebeasthere,\"saidhismaster,\"forwhoeverelseisdissatisfiedFionnmustbesatisfied。\"
Thedogwasbrought,andheexamineditwithajaundicedandbittereye。
\"Ithastheshiversindeed,\"hesaid。
\"Theshiversithas,\"saidtheservant。
\"Howdoyoucuretheshivers?\"hismasterdemanded,forhethoughtthatiftheanimal’slegsdroppedoffFionnwouldnotbesatisfied。
\"Thereisaway,\"saidtheservantdoubtfully。
\"Ifthereisaway,tellittome,\"criedhismasterangrily。
\"Ifyouweretotakethebeastupinyourarmsandhugitandkissit,theshiverswouldstop,\"saidtheman。
\"Doyoumean——?\"hismasterthundered,andhestretchedhishandforaclub。
\"Iheardthat,\"saidtheservanthumbly。
\"Takethatdogup,\"Ferguscommanded,\"andhugitandkissit,andifIfindasingleshiverleftinthebeastI’llbreakyourhead。\"
Themanbenttothehound,butitsnappedapieceoutofhishand,andnearlybithisnoseoffaswell。
\"Thatdogdoesn’tlikeme,\"saidtheman。
\"NordoI,\"roaredFergus;\"getoutofmysight。\"
ThemanwentawayandFerguswasleftalonewiththehound,butthepoorcreaturewassoterrifiedthatitbegantotrembletentimesworsethanbefore。
\"Itslegswilldropoff,\"saidFergus。\"Fionnwillblameme,\"hecriedindespair。
Hewalkedtothehound。
\"Ifyousnapatmynose,orifyouputasmuchasthestartofatoothintothebeginningofafinger!\"hegrowled。
Hepickedupthedog,butitdidnotsnap,itonlytrembled。Hehelditgingerlyforafewmoments。
\"Ifithastobehugged,\"hesaid,\"I’llhugit。I’ddomorethanthatforFionn。\"
Hetuckedandtightenedtheanimalintohisbreast,andmarchedmoodilyupanddowntheroom。Thedog’snoselayalonghisbreastunderhischin,andashegaveitdutifulhugs,onehugtoeveryfivepaces,thedogputoutitstongueandlickedhimtimidlyunderthechin。
\"Stop,\"roaredFergus,\"stopthatforever,\"andhegrewveryredintheface,andstaredtruculentlydownalonghisnose。Asoftbrowneyelookedupathimandtheshytonguetouchedagainonhischin。
\"Ifithastobekissed,\"saidFergusgloomily,\"I’llkissit;
I’ddomorethanthatforFionn,\"hegroaned。
Hebenthishead,shuthiseyes,andbroughtthedog’sjawagainsthislips。Andatthatthedoggavelittlewrigglesinhisarms,andlittlebarks,andlittlelicks,sothathecouldscarcelyholdher。Heputthehounddownatlast。
\"Thereisnotasingleshiverleftinher,\"hesaid。
Andthatwastrue。
Everywherehewalkedthedogfollowedhim,givinglittleprancesandlittlepatsagainsthim,andkeepinghereyesfixedonhiswithsucheagernessandintelligencethathemarvelled。
\"Thatdoglikesme,\"hemurmuredinamazement。
\"Bymyhand,\"hecriednextday,\"Ilikethatdog。\"
Thedayafterthathewascallingher\"MyOneTreasure,MyLittleBranch。\"Andwithinaweekhecouldnotbearhertobeoutofhissightforaninstant。
Hewastormentedbytheideathatsomeevilpersonmightthrowastoneatthehound,soheassembledhisservantsandretainersandaddressedthem。
HetoldthemthatthehoundwastheQueenofCreatures,thePulseofhisHeart,andtheAppleofhisEye,andhewarnedthemthatthepersonwhoasmuchaslookedsidewaysonher,orknockedoneshiveroutofher,wouldanswerforthedeedwithpainsandindignities。Herecitedalistofcalamitieswhichwouldbefallsuchamiscreant,andthesewoesbeganwithflayingandendedwithdismemberment,andhadinsidebitsofsuchcomplicatedandingenioustormentthatthebloodofthemenwhohearditranchillintheirveins,andthewomenofthehouseholdfaintedwheretheystood。
CHAPTERV
IncourseoftimethenewscametoFionnthathismother’ssisterwasnotlivingwithIollan。HeatoncesentamessengercallingforfulfilmentofthepledgethathadbeengiventotheFianna,anddemandingtheinstantreturnofTuiren。Iollanwasinasadconditionwhenthisdemandwasmade。HeguessedthatUctDealvhadahandinthedisappearanceofhisqueen,andhebeggedthattimeshouldbegivenhiminwhichtofindthelostgirl。HepromisedifhecouldnotdiscoverherwithinacertainperiodthathewoulddeliverhisbodyintoFionn’shands,andwouldabidebywhateverjudgementFionnmightpronounce。Thegreatcaptainagreedtothat。
\"Tellthewife-loserthatIwillhavethegirlorIwillhavehishead,\"saidFionn。
IollansetoutthenforFaery。Heknewtheway,andinnogreattimehecametothehillwhereUctDealvwas。
ItwashardtogetUctDealvtomeethim,butatlastsheconsented,andtheymetundertheappleboughsofFaery。
\"Well!\"saidUctDealv。\"Ah!BreakerofVowsandTraitortoLove,\"saidshe。
\"Hailandablessing,\"saidIollanhumbly。
\"Bymyhand,\"shecried,\"Iwillgiveyounoblessing,foritwasnoblessingyouleftwithmewhenweparted。\"
\"Iamindanger,\"saidIollan。
\"Whatisthattome?\"sherepliedfiercely。
\"Fionnmayclaimmyhead,\"hemurmured。
\"Lethimclaimwhathecantake,\"saidshe。
\"No,\"saidIollanproudly,\"hewillclaimwhatIcangive。\"
\"Tellmeyourtale,\"saidshecoldly。
Iollantoldhisstorythen,and,heconcluded,\"Iamcertainthatyouhavehiddenthegirl。\"
\"IfIsaveyourheadfromFionn,\"thewomanoftheShi’replied,\"thenyourheadwillbelongtome。\"
\"Thatistrue,\"saidIollan。
\"Andifyourheadismine,thebodythatgoesunderitismine。
Doyouagreetothat?\"
\"Ido,\"saidIollan。
\"Givemeyourpledge,\"saidUctDealv,\"thatifIsaveyoufromthisdangeryouwillkeepmeasyoursweetheartuntiltheendoflifeandtime。\"
\"Igivethatpledge,\"saidIollan。
UctDealvwentthentothehouseofFergusFionnliath,andshebroketheenchantmentthatwasonthehound,sothatTuiren’sownshapecamebacktoher;butinthematteroftwosmallwhelps,towhichthehoundhadgivenbirth,theenchantmentcouldnotbebroken,sotheyhadtoremainastheywere。ThesetwowhelpswereBranandSceo’lan。TheyweresenttoFionn,andhelovedthemforeverafter,fortheywereloyalandaffectionate,asonlydogscanbe,andtheywereasintelligentashumanbeings。Besidesthat,theywereFionn’sowncousins。
TuirenwasthenaskedinmarriagebyLugaidhwhohadlovedhersolong。Hehadtoprovetoherthathewasnotanyotherwoman’ssweetheart,andwhenheprovedthattheyweremarried,andtheylivedhappilyeverafter,whichistheproperwaytolive。Hewroteapoembeginning:
\"Lovelytheday。Dearistheeyeofthedawn——\"
Andathousandmerrypeoplelearneditafterhim。
ButastoFergusFionnliath,hetooktohisbed,andhestayedthereforayearandadaysufferingfromblightedaffection,andhewouldhavediedinthebedonlythatFionnsenthimaspecialpup,andinaweekthatyounghoundbecametheStarofFortuneandtheveryPulseofhisHeart,sothathegotwellagain,andhealsolivedhappilyeverafter。