OISIN’SMOTHER
CHAPTERI
EVENINGwasdrawingnigh,andtheFianna-Finnhaddecidedtohuntnomorethatday。Thehoundswerewhistledtoheel,andasober,homewardmarchbegan。Formenwillwalksoberlyintheevening,howevertheygointheday,anddogswilltakethemoodfromtheirmasters。Theywerepacingso,throughthegolden-shafted,tender-colouredeve,whenafawnleapedsuddenlyfromcovert,and,withthatleap,allquietnessvanished:themenshouted,thedogsgavetongue,andafuriouschasecommenced。
Fionnlovedachaseatanyhour,and,withBranandSceo’lan,heoutstrippedthemenanddogsofhistroop,untilnothingremainedinthelimpidworldbutFionn,thetwohounds,andthenimble,beautifulfawn。These,andtheoccasionalboulders,roundwhichtheyraced,oroverwhichtheyscrambled;thesolitarytreewhichdozedaloofandbeautifulinthepath,theoccasionalclumpoftreesthathivedsweetshadowasahivehoardshoney,andtherustlinggrassthatstretchedtoinfinity,andthatmovedandcreptandswungunderthebreezeinendless,rhythmicbillowings。
InhiswildestmomentFionnwasthoughtful,andnow,althoughrunninghard,hewasthoughtful。Therewasnomovementofhisbelovedhoundsthathedidnotknow;notatwitchorflingofthehead,notacockoftheearsortailthatwasnotsignificanttohim。Butonthischasewhateversignsthedogsgavewerenotunderstoodbytheirmaster。
Hehadneverseentheminsucheagerflight。Theywerealmostutterlyabsorbedinit,buttheydidnotwhinewitheagerness,nordidtheycastanyglancetowardshimfortheencouragingwordwhichheneverfailedtogivewhentheysoughtit。
Theydidlookathim,butitwasalookwhichhecouldnotcomprehend。Therewasaquestionandastatementinthosedeepeyes,andhecouldnotunderstandwhatthatquestionmightbe,norwhatitwastheysoughttoconvey。Nowandagainoneofthedogsturnedaheadinfullflight,andstared,notatFionn,butdistantlybackwards,overthespreadingandswellingplainwheretheircompanionsofthehunthaddisappeared。\"Theyarelookingfortheotherhounds,\"saidFionn。
\"Andyettheydonotgivetongue!Tongueit,aVran!\"heshouted,\"Bellitout,aHeo’lan!\"
Itwasthentheylookedathim,thelookwhichhecouldnotunderstandandhadneverseenonachase。Theydidnottongueit,norbellit,buttheyaddedsilencetosilenceandspeedtospeed,untiltheleangreybodieswereonepuckerandlashingofmovement。
Fionnmarvelled。\"Theydonotwanttheotherdogstohearortocomeonthischase,\"hemurmured,andhewonderedwhatmightbepassingwithinthoseslenderheads。
\"Thefawnrunswell,\"histhoughtcontinued。\"Whatisit,aVran,myheart?Afterher,aHeo’lan!Histandaway,myloves!\"
\"Thereisgoingandtospareinthatbeastyet,\"hismindwenton。\"Sheisnotstretchedtothefull,norhalfstretched。ShemayoutrunevenBran,\"hethoughtragingly。
Theywereracingthroughasmoothvalleyinasteady,beautiful,speedyflightwhen,suddenly,thefawnstoppedandlayonthegrass,anditlaywiththecalmofananimalthathasnofear,andtheleisureofonethatisnotpressed。
\"Hereisachange,\"saidFionn,staringinastonishment。
\"Sheisnotwinded,\"hesaid。\"Whatisshelyingdownfor?\"ButBranandSceo’landidnotstop;theyaddedanotherinchtotheirlong-stretchedeasybodies,andcameuponthefawn。
\"Itisaneasykill,\"saidFionnregretfully。\"Theyhaveher,\"hecried。
Buthewasagainastonished,forthedogsdidnotkill。Theyleapedandplayedaboutthefawn,lickingitsface,andrubbingdelightednosesagainstitsneck。
Fionncameupthen。Hislongspearwasloweredinhisfistatthethrust,andhissharpknifewasinitssheath,buthedidnotusethem,forthefawnandthetwohoundsbegantoplayroundhim,andthefawnwasasaffectionatetowardshimasthehoundswere;
sothatwhenavelvetnosewasthrustinhispalm,itwasasoftenafawn’smuzzleasahound’s。
InthatjoyouscompanyhecametowideAllenofLeinster,wherethepeopleweresurprisedtoseethehoundsandthefawnandtheChiefandnoneotherofthehuntersthathadsetoutwiththem。
Whentheothersreachedhome,theChieftoldofhischase,anditwasagreedthatsuchafawnmustnotbekilled,butthatitshouldbekeptandwelltreated,andthatitshouldbethepetfawnoftheFianna。ButsomeofthosewhorememberedBrah’sparentagethoughtthatasBranherselfhadcomefromtheShisothisfawnmighthavecomeoutoftheShialso。
CHAPTERII
Latethatnight,whenhewaspreparingforrest,thedoorofFionn’schamberopenedgentlyandayoungwomancameintotheroom。Thecaptainstaredather,ashewellmight,forhehadneverseenorimaginedtoseeawomansobeautifulasthiswas。
Indeed,shewasnotawoman,butayounggirl,andherbearingwassogentlynoble,herlooksomodestlyhigh,thatthechampiondaredscarcelylookather,althoughhecouldnotbyanymeanshavelookedaway。
Asshestoodwithinthedoorway,smiling,andshyasaflower,beautifullytimidasafawn,theChiefcommunedwithhisheart。
\"SheistheSky-womanoftheDawn,\"hesaid。\"Sheisthelightonthefoam。Sheiswhiteandodorousasanapple-blossom。Shesmellsofspiceandhoney。Sheismybelovedbeyondthewomenoftheworld。Sheshallneverbetakenfromme。\"
Andthatthoughtwasdelightandanguishtohim:delightbecauseofsuchsweetprospect,anguishbecauseitwasnotyetrealised,andmightnotbe。
Asthedogshadlookedathimonthechasewithalookthathedidnotunderstand,soshelookedathim,andinherregardtherewasaquestionthatbaffledhimandastatementwhichhecouldnotfollow。
Hespoketoherthen,masteringhishearttodoit。
\"Idonotseemtoknowyou,\"hesaid。
\"Youdonotknowmeindeed,\"shereplied。
\"Itisthemorewonderful,\"hecontinuedgently,\"forIshouldknoweverypersonthatishere。Whatdoyourequirefromme?\"
\"Ibegyourprotection,royalcaptain。\"
\"Igivethattoall,\"heanswered。\"Againstwhomdoyoudesireprotection?\"
\"IaminterroroftheFearDoirche。\"
\"TheDarkManoftheShi?\"
\"Heismyenemy,\"shesaid。
\"Heisminenow,\"saidFionn。\"Tellmeyourstory。\"
\"MynameisSaeve,andIamawomanofFaery,\"shecommenced。\"IntheShi’manymengavemetheirlove,butIgavemylovetonomanofmycountry。\"
\"Thatwasnotreasonable,\"theotherchidedwithablitheheart。
\"Iwascontented,\"shereplied,\"andwhatwedonotwantwedonotlack。Butifmylovewentanywhereitwenttoamortal,amanofthemenofIreland。\"
\"Bymyhand,\"saidFionninmortaldistress,\"Imarvelwhothatmancanbe!\"
\"Heisknowntoyou,\"shemurmured。\"IlivedthusinthepeaceofFaery,hearingoftenofmymortalchampion,fortherumourofhisgreatdeedshadgonethroughtheShi’,untiladaycamewhentheBlackMagicianoftheMenofGodputhiseyeonme,and,afterthatday,inwhateverdirectionIlookedIsawhiseye。\"
Shestoppedatthat,andtheterrorthatwasinherheartwasonherface。\"Heiseverywhere,\"shewhispered。\"Heisinthebushes,andonthehill。Helookedupatmefromthewater,andhestareddownonmefromthesky。Hisvoicecommandsoutofthespaces,anditdemandssecretlyintheheart。Heisnothereorthere,heisinallplacesatalltimes。Icannotescapefromhim,\"shesaid,\"andIamafraid,\"andatthatsheweptnoiselesslyandstaredonFionn。
\"Heismyenemy,\"Fionngrowled。\"Inamehimasmyenemy。\"
\"Youwillprotectme,\"sheimplored。
\"WhereIamlethimnotcome,\"saidFionn。\"Ialsohaveknowledge。IamFionn,thesonofUail,thesonofBaiscne,amanamongmenandagodwherethegodsare。\"
\"Heaskedmeinmarriage,\"shecontinued,\"butmymindwasfullofmyowndearhero,andIrefusedtheDarkMan。\"
\"Thatwasyourright,andIswearbymyhandthatifthemanyoudesireisaliveandunmarriedheshallmarryyouorhewillanswertomefortherefusal。\"
\"Heisnotmarried,\"saidSaeve,\"andyouhavesmallcontroloverhim。\"TheChieffrownedthoughtfully。\"ExcepttheHighKingandthekingsIhaveauthorityinthisland。\"
\"Whatmanhasauthorityoverhimself?\"saidSaeve。
\"DoyoumeanthatIamthemanyouseek?\"saidFionn。
\"ItistoyourselfIgavemylove,\"shereplied。\"Thisisgoodnews,\"Fionncriedjoyfully,\"forthemomentyoucamethroughthedoorIlovedanddesiredyou,andthethoughtthatyouwishedforanothermanwentintomyheartlikeasword。\"Indeed,FionnlovedSaeveashehadnotlovedawomanbeforeandwouldneverloveoneagain。Helovedherashehadneverlovedanythingbefore。Hecouldnotbeartobeawayfromher。Whenhesawherhedidnotseetheworld,andwhenhesawtheworldwithoutheritwasasthoughhesawnothing,orasifhelookedonaprospectthatwasbleakanddepressing。ThebellingofastaghadbeenmusictoFionn,butwhenSaevespokethatwassoundenoughforhim。Hehadlovedtohearthecuckoocallinginthespringfromthetreethatishighestinthehedge,ortheblackbird’sjollywhistleinanautumnbush,orthethin,sweetenchantmentthatcomestothemindwhenalarkthrillsoutofsightintheairandthehushedfieldslistentothesong。Buthiswife’svoicewassweetertoFionnthanthesingingofalark。
Shefilledhimwithwonderandsurmise。Therewasmagicinthetipsofherfingers。Herthinpalmravishedhim。Herslenderfootsethisheartbeating;andwhateverwayherheadmovedtherecameanewshapeofbeautytoherface。
\"Sheisalwaysnew,\"saidFionn。\"Sheisalwaysbetterthananyotherwoman;sheisalwaysbetterthanherself。\"
HeattendednomoretotheFianna。Heceasedtohunt。Hedidnotlistentothesongsofpoetsorthecurioussayingsofmagicians,forallofthesewereinhiswife,andsomethingthatwasbeyondthesewasinheralso。
\"Sheisthisworldandthenextone;sheiscompletion,\"saidFionn。
CHAPTERIII
IthappenedthatthemenofLochlanncameonanexpeditionagainstIreland。AmonstrousfleetroundedthebluffsofBenEdair,andtheDaneslandedthere,toprepareanattackwhichwouldrenderthemmastersofthecountry。FionnandtheFianna-Finnmarchedagainstthem。HedidnotlikethemenofLochlannatanytime,butthistimehemovedagainsttheminwrath,fornotonlyweretheyattackingIreland,buttheyhadcomebetweenhimandthedeepestjoyhislifehadknown。
Itwasahardfight,butashortone。TheLochlannachsweredrivenbacktotheirships,andwithinaweektheonlyDanesremaininginIrelandwerethosethathadbeenburiedthere。
Thatfinished,heleftthevictoriousFiannaandreturnedswiftlytotheplainofAllen,forhecouldnotbeartobeoneunnecessarydaypartedfromSaeve。
\"Youarenotleavingus!\"exclaimedGollmacMorna。
\"Imustgo,\"Fionnreplied。
\"Youwillnotdesertthevictoryfeast,\"Conanreproachedhim。
\"Staywithus,Chief,\"Caeltebegged。
\"WhatisafeastwithoutFionn?\"theycomplained。
Buthewouldnotstay。
\"Bymyhand,\"hecried,\"Imustgo。Shewillbelookingformefromthewindow。\"
\"Thatwillhappenindeed,\"Golladmitted。
\"Thatwillhappen,\"criedFionn。\"Andwhensheseesmefaroutontheplain,shewillrunthroughthegreatgatetomeetme。\"
\"Itwouldbethequeerwifewouldneglectthatrun,\"Cona’ngrowled。
\"Ishallholdherhandagain,\"FionnentrustedtoCaelte’sear。
\"Youwilldothat,surely。\"
\"Ishalllookintoherface,\"hislordinsisted。ButhesawthatnotevenbelovedCaelteunderstoodthemeaningofthat,andheknewsadlyandyetproudlythatwhathemeantcouldnotbeexplainedbyanyoneandcouldnotbecomprehendedbyanyone。
\"Youareinlove,dearheart,\"saidCaelte。
\"Inloveheis,\"Cona’ngrumbled。\"Acordialforwomen,adiseaseformen,astateofwretchedness。\"
\"Wretchedintruth,\"theChiefmurmured。\"LovemakesuspoorWehavenoteyesenoughtoseeallthatistobeseen,norhandsenoughtoseizethetenthofallwewant。WhenIlookinhereyesIamtormentedbecauseIamnotlookingatherlips,andwhenI
seeherlipsmysoulcriesout,’Lookathereyes,lookathereyes。’\"
\"Thatishowithappens,\"saidGollrememberingly。
\"Thatwayandnoother,\"Caelteagreed。
Andthechampionslookedbackwardsintimeontheselipsandthose,andknewtheirChiefwouldgo。
WhenFionncameinsightofthegreatkeephisbloodandhisfeetquickened,andnowandagainhewavedaspearintheair。
\"Shedoesnotseemeyet,\"hethoughtmournfully。
\"Shecannotseemeyet,\"heamended,reproachinghimself。
Buthismindwastroubled,forhethoughtalso,orhefeltwithoutthinking,thathadthepositionsbeenchangedhewouldhaveseenherattwicethedistance。
\"ShethinksIhavebeenunabletogetawayfromthebattle,orthatIwasforcedtoremainforthefeast。\"
And,withoutthinkingit,hethoughtthathadthepositionsbeenchangedhewouldhaveknownthatnothingcouldretaintheonethatwasabsent。
\"Women,\"hesaid,\"areshamefaced,theydonotliketoappeareagerwhenothersareobservingthem。\"
Butheknewthathewouldnothaveknownifotherswereobservinghim,andthathewouldnothavecaredaboutitifhehadknown。
AndheknewthathisSaevewouldnothaveseen,andwouldnothavecaredforanyeyesthanhis。
Hegrippedhisspearonthatreflection,andranashehadnotruninhislife,sothatitwasapanting,dishevelledmanthatracedheavilythroughthegatesofthegreatDun。
WithintheDuntherewasdisorder。Servantswereshoutingtooneanother,andwomenwererunningtoandfroaimlessly,wringingtheirhandsandscreaming;and,whentheysawtheChampion,thosenearesttohimranaway,andtherewasageneraleffortonthepartofeverypersontogetbehindeveryotherperson。ButFionncaughttheeyeofhisbutler,GarivCrona’n,theRoughBuzzer,andheldit。
\"Comeyouhere,\"hesaid。
AndtheRoughBuzzercametohimwithoutasinglebuzzinhisbody。
\"WhereistheFlowerofAllen?\"hismasterdemanded。
\"Idonotknow,master,\"theterrifiedservantreplied。
\"Youdonotknow!\"saidFionn。\"Tellwhatyoudoknow。\"
Andthemantoldhimthisstory。
CHAPTERIV
\"Whenyouhadbeenawayforadaytheguardsweresurprised。TheywerelookingfromtheheightsoftheDun,andtheFlowerofAllenwaswiththem。She,forshehadaquest’seye,calledoutthatthemasteroftheFiannawascomingovertheridgestotheDun,andsheranfromthekeeptomeetyou。\"
\"ItwasnotI,\"saidFionn。
\"Itboreyourshape,\"repliedGarivCronan。\"Ithadyourarmourandyourface,andthedogs,BranandSceo’lan,werewithit。\"
\"Theywerewithme,\"saidFionn。
\"Theyseemedtobewithit,\"saidtheservanthumbly\"Tellusthistale,\"criedFionn。
\"Weweredistrustful,\"theservantcontinued。\"WehadneverknownFionntoreturnfromacombatbeforeithadbeenfought,andweknewyoucouldnothavereachedBenEdarorencounteredtheLochlannachs。Soweurgedourladytoletusgoouttomeetyou,buttoremainherselfintheDun。\"
\"Itwasgoodurging,\"Fionnassented。
\"Shewouldnotbeadvised,\"theservantwailed。\"Shecriedtous,’Letmegotomeetmylove’。\"
\"Alas!\"saidFionn。
\"Shecriedonus,’Letmegotomeetmyhusband,thefatherofthechildthatisnotborn。’\"
\"Alas!\"groaneddeep-woundedFionn。\"Sherantowardsyourappearancethathadyourarmsstretchedouttoher。\"
AtthatwiseFionnputhishandbeforehiseyes,seeingallthathappened。
\"Tellonyourtale,\"saidhe。
\"Sherantothosearms,andwhenshereachedthemthefigurelifteditshand。Ittouchedherwithahazelrod,and,whilewelooked,shedisappeared,andwhereshehadbeentherewasafawnstandingandshivering。ThefawnturnedandboundedtowardsthegateoftheDun,butthehoundsthatwerebyflewafterher。\"
Fionnstaredonhimlikealostman。
\"Theytookherbythethroat——\"theshiveringservantwhispered。
\"Ah!\"criedFionninaterriblevoice。
\"AndtheydraggedherbacktothefigurethatseemedtobeFionn。
Threetimesshebrokeawayandcameboundingtous,andthreetimesthedogstookherbythethroatanddraggedherback。\"
\"Youstoodtolook!\"theChiefsnarled。
\"No,master,weran,butshevanishedaswegottoher;thegreathoundsvanishedaway,andthatbeingthatseemedtobeFionndisappearedwiththem。Wewereleftintheroughgrass,staringaboutusandateachother,andlisteningtothemoanofthewindandtheterrorofourhearts。\"
\"Forgiveus,dearmaster,\"theservantcried。Butthegreatcaptainmadehimnoanswer。Hestoodasthoughheweredumbandblind,andnowandagainhebeatterriblyonhisbreastwithhisclosedfist,asthoughhewouldkillthatwithinhimwhichshouldbedeadandcouldnotdie。Hewentso,beatingonhisbreast,tohisinnerroomintheDun,andhewasnotseenagainfortherestofthatday,noruntilthesunroseoverMoyLife’inthemorning。
CHAPTERV
Formanyyearsafterthattime,whenhewasnotfightingagainsttheenemiesofIreland,FionnwassearchingandhuntingthroughthelengthandbreadthofthecountryinthehopethathemightagainchanceonhislovelyladyfromtheShi’。Throughallthattimehesleptinmiseryeachnightandheroseeachdaytogrief。
Wheneverhehuntedhebroughtonlythehoundsthathetrusted,BranandSceo’lan,Lomaire,Brod,andLomlu;forifafawnwaschasedeachofthesefivegreatdogswouldknowifthatwasafawntobekilledoronetobeprotected,andsotherewassmalldangertoSaeveandasmallhopeoffindingher。
Once,whensevenyearshadpassedinfruitlesssearch,FionnandthechiefnoblesoftheFiannawerehuntingBenGulbain。AllthehoundsoftheFiannawereout,forFionnhadnowgivenuphopeofencounteringtheFlowerofAllen。Asthehuntsweptalongthesidesofthehilltherearoseagreatoutcryofhoundsfromanarrowplacehighontheslopeand,overallthatuproartherecamethesavagebayingofFionn’sowndogs。
\"Whatisthisfor?\"saidFionn,andwithhiscompanionshepressedtothespotwhencethenoisecame。
\"TheyarefightingallthehoundsoftheFianna,\"criedachampion。
Andtheywere。Thefivewisehoundswereinacircleandweregivingbattletoanhundreddogsatonce。Theywerebristlingandterrible,andeachbitefromthosegreat,keenjawswaswoetothebeastthatreceivedit。Nordidtheyfightinsilenceaswastheircustomandtraining,butbetweeneachonslaughtthegreatheadswereuplifted,andtheypealedloudly,mournfully,urgently,fortheirmaster。
\"Theyarecallingonme,\"heroared。
Andwiththatheran,ashehadonlyoncebeforerun,andthemenwhowerenightohimwentracingastheywouldnothaverunfortheirlives。Theycametothenarrowplaceontheslopeofthemountain,andtheysawthefivegreathoundsinacirclekeepingofftheotherdogs,andinthemiddleoftheringalittleboywasstanding。Hehadlong,beautifulhair,andhewasnaked。Hewasnotdauntedbytheterriblecombatandclamourofthehounds。
Hedidnotlookatthehounds,buthestaredlikeayoungprinceatFionnandthechampionsastheyrushedtowardshimscatteringthepackwiththebuttsoftheirspears。Whenthefightwasover,BranandSceo’lanranwhiningtothelittleboyandlickedhishands。
\"Theydothattonoone,\"saidabystander。\"Whatnewmasteristhistheyhavefound?\"
Fionnbenttotheboy。\"Tellme,mylittleprinceandpulse,whatyournameis,andhowyouhavecomeintothemiddleofahunting-pack,andwhyyouarenaked?\"
ButtheboydidnotunderstandthelanguageofthemenofIreland。HeputbishandintoFionn’s,andtheChieffeltasifthatlittlehandhadbeenputintohisheart。Heliftedtheladtohisgreatshoulder。
\"Wehavecaughtsomethingonthishunt,\"saidhetoCaeltemacRongn。\"Wemustbringthistreasurehome。YoushallbeoneoftheFianna-Finn,mydarling,\"hecalledupwards。
Theboylookeddownonhim,andinthenobletrustandfearlessnessofthatregardFionn’sheartmeltedaway。
\"Mylittlefawn!\"hesaid。
Andherememberedthatotherfawn。Hesettheboybetweenhiskneesandstaredathimearnestlyandlong。
\"Thereissurelythesamelook,\"hesaidtohiswakeningheart;
\"thatistheveryeyeofSaeve。\"
Thegrieffloodedoutofhisheartasatastroke,andjoyfoamedintoitinonegreattide。Hemarchedbacksingingtotheencampment,andmensawoncemorethemerryChieftheyhadalmostforgotten。
CHAPTERVI
JustasatonetimehecouldnotbepartedfromSaeve,sonowhecouldnotbeseparatedfromthisboy。Hehadathousandnamesforhim,eachonemoretenderthanthelast:\"MyFawn,MyPulse,MySecretLittleTreasure,\"orhewouldcallhim\"MyMusic,MyBlossomingBranch,MyStoreintheHeart,MySoul。\"AndthedogswereaswildfortheboyasFionnwas。Hecouldsitinsafetyamongapackthatwouldhavetornanymantopieces,andthereasonwasthatBranandSceo’lan,withtheirthreewhelps,followedhimaboutlikeshadows。Whenhewaswiththepackthesefivewerewithhim,andwoefulindeedwastheeyetheyturnedontheircomradeswhenthesepushedtoocloselyorwerenotproperlyhumble。TheythrashedthepackseverallyandcollectivelyuntileveryhoundinFionn’skennelsknewthatthelittleladwastheirmaster,andthattherewasnothingintheworldsosacredashewas。
Innolongtimethefivewisehoundscouldhavegivenovertheirguardianship,socompletewastherecognitionoftheiryounglord。Buttheydidnotsogiveover,foritwasnotlovetheygavetheladbutadoration。
Fionnevenmayhavebeenembarrassedbytheirtoocloseattendance。Ifhehadbeenabletodosohemighthavespokenharshlytohisdogs,buthecouldnot;itwasunthinkablethatheshould;andtheboymighthavespokenharshlytohimifhehaddaredtodoit。ForthiswastheorderofFionn’saffection:
firsttherewastheboy;next,BranandSceo’lanwiththeirthreewhelps;thenCaeltemacRona’n,andfromhimdownthroughthechampions。Helovedthemall,butitwasalongthatprecedencehisaffectionsran。ThethornthatwentintoBran’sfootranintoFionn’salso。Theworldknewit,andtherewasnotachampionbutadmittedsorrowfullythattherewasreasonforhislove。
Littlebylittletheboycametounderstandtheirspeechandtospeakithimself,andatlasthewasabletotellhisstorytoFionn。
Thereweremanyblanksinthetale,forayoungchilddoesnotrememberverywell。Deedsgrowoldinadayandareburiedinanight。Newmemoriescomecrowdingonoldones,andonemustlearntoforgetaswellastoremember。Awholenewlifehadcomeonthisboy,alifethatwasinstantandmemorable,sothathispresentmemoriesblendedintoandobscuredthepast,andhecouldnotbequitesureifthatwhichhetoldofhadhappenedinthisworldorintheworldhehadleft。
CHAPTERVII
\"Iusedtolive,\"hesaid,\"inawide,beautifulplace。Therewerehillsandvalleysthere,andwoodsandstreams,butinwhateverdirectionIwentIcamealwaystoacliff,sotallitseemedtoleanagainstthesky,andsostraightthatevenagoatwouldnothaveimaginedtoclimbit。\"
\"Idonotknowofanysuchplace,\"Fionnmused。
\"ThereisnosuchplaceinIreland,\"saidCaelte,\"butintheShi’thereissuchaplace。\"
\"Thereisintruth,\"saidFionn。
\"Iusedtoeatfruitsandrootsinthesummer,\"theboycontinued,\"butinthewinterfoodwasleftformeinacave。\"
\"Wastherenoonewithyou?\"Fionnasked。
\"Noonebutadeerthatlovedme,andthatIloved。\"
\"Ahme!\"criedFionninanguish,\"tellmeyourtale,myson。\"
\"Adarksternmancameoftenafterus,andheusedtospeakwiththedeer。Sometimeshetalkedgentlyandsoftlyandcoaxingly,butattimesagainhewouldshoutloudlyandinaharsh,angryvoice。Butwhateverwayhetalkedthedeerwoulddrawawayfromhimindread,andhealwaysleftheratlastfuriously。\"
\"ItistheDarkMagicianoftheMenofGod,\"criedFionndespairingly。
\"Itisindeed,mysoul,\"saidCaelte。
\"ThelasttimeIsawthedeer,\"thechildcontinued,\"thedarkmanwasspeakingtoher。Hespokeforalongtime。Hespokegentlyandangrily,andgentlyandangrily,sothatIthoughthewouldneverstoptalking,butintheendhestruckherwithahazelrod,sothatshewasforcedtofollowhimwhenhewentaway。Shewaslookingbackatmeallthetimeandshewascryingsobitterlythatanyonewouldpityher。Itriedtofollowheralso,butIcouldnotmove,andIcriedafterhertoo,withrageandgrief,untilIcouldseehernomoreandhearhernomore。
ThenIfellonthegrass,mysenseswentawayfromme,andwhenI
awokeIwasonthehillinthemiddleofthehoundswhereyoufoundme。\"
ThatwastheboywhomtheFiannacalledOisi’n,ortheLittleFawn。Hegrewtobeagreatfighterafterwards,andhewasthechiefmakerofpoemsintheworld。ButhewasnotyetfinishedwiththeShi。HewastogobackintoFaerywhenthetimecame,andtocomethenceagaintotellthesetales,foritwasbyhimthesetalesweretold。
THEWOOINGOFBECFOLA
CHAPTERI
WedonotknowwhereBecfolacamefrom。Nordoweknowforcertainwhereshewentto。Wedonotevenknowherrealname,forthenameBecfola,\"Dowerless\"or\"Small-dowered,\"wasgiventoherasanickname。Thisonlyiscertain,thatshedisappearedfromtheworldweknowof,andthatshewenttoarealmwhereevenconjecturemaynotfollowher。
IthappenedinthedayswhenDermod,sonofthefamousAeofSlane,wasmonarchofallIreland。Hewasunmarried,buthehadmanyfoster-sons,princesfromtheFourProvinces,whoweresentbytheirfathersastokensofloyaltyandaffectiontotheArd-Ri,andhisdutiesasafoster-fatherwererighteouslyacquitted。Amongtheyoungprincesofhishouseholdtherewasone,Crimthann,sonofAe,KingofLeinster,whomtheHighKingpreferredtotheothersoverwhomheheldfatherlysway。Norwasthiswonderful,fortheladlovedhimalso,andwasaseagerandintelligentandmodestasbecomesaprince。
TheHighKingandCrimthannwouldoftensetoutfromTaratohuntandhawk,sometimesunaccompaniedevenbyaservant;andontheseexcursionsthekingimpartedtohisfoster-sonhisownwideknowledgeofforestcraft,andadvisedhimgenerallyastothebearinganddutiesofaprince,theconductofacourt,andthecareofapeople。
DermodmacAedelightedinthesesolitaryadventures,andwhenhecouldstealadayfrompolicyandaffairshewouldsendwordprivilytoCrimthann。Theboy,havingdonnedhishuntinggear,wouldjointhekingataplacearrangedbetweenthem,andthentheyrangedabroadaschancemightdirect。
Ononeoftheseadventures,astheysearchedafloodedrivertofindtheford,theysawasolitarywomaninachariotdrivingfromthewest。
\"Iwonderwhatthatmeans?\"thekingexclaimedthoughtfully。
\"Whyshouldyouwonderatawomaninachariot?\"hiscompanioninquired,forCrimthannlovedandwouldhaveknowledge。
\"Good,myTreasure,\"Dermodanswered,\"ourmindsareastonishedwhenweseeawomanabletodriveacowtopasture,forithasalwaysseemedtousthattheydonotdrivewell。\"
Crimthannabsorbedinstructionlikeaspongeanddigesteditasrapidly。
\"Ithinkthatisjustlysaid,\"heagreed。
\"But,\"Dermodcontinued,\"whenweseeawomandrivingachariotoftwohorses,thenweareamazedindeed。\"
Whenthemachineryofanythingisexplainedtouswegrowinterested,andCrimthannbecame,byinstruction,asastonishedasthekingwas。
\"Ingoodtruth,\"saidhe,\"thewomanisdrivingtwohorses。\"
\"Hadyounotobserveditbefore?\"hismasteraskedwithkindlymalice。
\"Ihadobservedbutnotnoticed,\"theyoungmanadmitted。
\"Further,\"saidtheking,\"surmiseisarousedinuswhenwediscoverawomanfarfromahouse;foryouwillhavebothobservedandnoticedthatwomenarehome-dwellers,andthatahousewithoutawomanorawomanwithoutahouseareimperfectobjects,andalthoughtheybebuthalfobserved,theyarenoticedonthedouble。\"
\"Thereisnodoubtingit,\"theprinceansweredfromaknittedandthought-tormentedbrow。
\"Weshallaskthiswomanforinformationaboutherself,\"saidthekingdecidedly。
\"Letusdoso,\"hiswardagreed\"Theking’smajestyusesthewords’we’and’us’whenreferringtotheking’smajesty,\"saidDermod,\"butprinceswhodonotyetruleterritoriesmustuseanotherformofspeechwhenreferringtothemselves。\"
\"Iamverythoughtless,saidCrimthannhumbly。
Thekingkissedhimonbothcheeks。
\"Indeed,mydearheartandmyson,wearenotscoldingyou,butyoumusttrynottolooksoterriblythoughtfulwhenyouthink。
Itispartoftheartofaruler。\"
\"Ishallnevermasterthathardart,\"lamentedhisfosterling。
\"Wemustallmasterit,\"Dermodreplied。\"Wemaythinkwithourmindsandwithourtongues,butweshouldneverthinkwithournosesandwithoureyebrows,\"
Thewomaninthechariothaddrawnnightothefordbywhichtheywerestanding,and,withoutpause,sheswunghersteedsintotheshallowsandcameacrosstheriverinatumultoffoamandspray。
\"Doesshenotdrivewell?\"criedCrimthannadmiringly。
\"Whenyouareolder,\"thekingcounselledhim,\"youwilladmirethatwhichistrulyadmirable,foralthoughthedrivingisgoodtheladyisbetter。\"
Hecontinuedwithenthusiasm。
\"Sheisintruthawonderoftheworldandanendlessdelighttotheeye。\"
Shewasallthatandmore,and,asshetookthehorsesthroughtheriverandliftedthemupthebank,herflyinghairandpartedlipsandalltheyoungstrengthandgraceofherbodywentintotheking’seyeandcouldnoteasilycomeoutagain。
Nevertheless,itwasuponhiswardthatthelady’sgazerested,andifthekingcouldscarcelylookawayfromher,shecould,butonlywithanequaleffort,lookawayfromCrimthann。
\"Haltthere!\"criedtheking。
\"WhoshouldIhaltfor?\"theladydemanded,haltingallthesame,asisthemannerofwomen,whorebelagainstcommandandyetreceiveit。
\"HaltforDermod!\"
\"ThereareDermodsandDermodsinthisworld,\"shequoted。
\"ThereisyetbutoneArd-Ri’,\"themonarchanswered。
Shethendescendedfromthechariotandmadeherreverence。
\"Iwishtoknowyourname?\"saidhe。
Butatthisdemandtheladyfrownedandanswereddecidedly:
\"Idonotwishtotellit。\"
\"Iwishtoknowalsowhereyoucomefromandtowhatplaceyouaregoing?\"
\"Idonotwishtotellanyofthesethings。\"
\"Nottotheking!\"
\"Idonotwishtotellthemtoanyone。\"
Crimthannwasscandalised。
\"Lady,\"hepleaded,\"youwillsurelynotwithholdinformationfromtheArd-Ri’?\"
ButtheladystaredasroyallyontheHighKingastheHighKingdidonher,and,whateveritwashesawinthoselovelyeyes,thekingdidnotinsist。
HedrewCrimthannapart,forhewithheldnoinstructionfromthatlad。
\"Myheart,\"hesaid,\"wemustalwaystrytoactwisely,andweshouldonlyinsistonreceivinganswerstoquestionsinwhichwearepersonallyconcerned。\"
Crimthannimbibedallthejusticeofthatremark。
\"ThusIdonotreallyrequiretoknowthislady’sname,nordoI
carefromwhatdirectionshecomes。\"
\"Youdonot?\"Crimthannasked。
\"No,butwhatIdowishtoknowis,Willshemarryme?\"
\"Bymyhandthatisanotablequestion,\"hiscompanionstammered。
\"Itisaquestionthatmustbeanswered,\"thekingcriedtriumphantly。\"But,\"hecontinued,\"tolearnwhatwomansheis,orwhereshecomesfrom,mightbringustormentaswellasinformation。Whoknowsinwhatadventuresthepasthasengagedher!\"
Andhestaredforaprofoundmomentondisturbing,sinisterhorizons,andCrimthannmeditatedtherewithhim。\"
\"Thepastishers,\"heconcluded,\"butthefutureisours,andweshallonlydemandthatwhichispertinenttothefuture。\"
Hereturnedtothelady。
\"Wewishyoutobeourwife,\"hesaid。Andhegazedonherbenevolentlyandfirmlyandcarefullywhenhesaidthat,sothatherregardcouldnotstrayotherwhere。Yet,evenashelooked,ateardidwellintothoselovelyeyes,andbehindherbrowathoughtmovedofthebeautifulboywhowaslookingatherfromtheking’sside。
ButwhentheHighKingofIrelandasksustomarryhimwedonotrefuse,foritisnotathingthatweshallbeaskedtodoeverydayintheweek,andthereisnowomanintheworldbutwouldlovetoruleitinTara。
Nosecondtearcreptonthelady’slashes,and,withherhandintheking’shand,theypacedtogethertowardsthepalace,whilebehindthem,inmelancholymood,CrimthannmacAeledthehorsesandthechariot。
CHAPTERII
Theyweremarriedinahastewhichequalledtheking’sdesire;
andashedidnotagainaskhername,andasshedidnotvolunteertogiveit,andasshebroughtnodowrytoherhusbandandreceivednonefromhim,shewascalledBecfola,theDowerless。
Timepassed,andtheking’shappinesswasasgreatashisexpectationofithadpromised。ButonthepartofBecfolanosimilartidingscanbegiven。
Therearethosewhosehappinessliesinambitionandstation,andtosuchaonethefactofbeingqueentotheHighKingofIrelandisasatisfactionatwhichdesireissated。ButthemindofBecfolawasnotofthistemperatequality,and,lackingCrimthann,itseemedtoherthatshepossessednothing。
Fortohermindhewasthesunlightinthesun,thebrightnessinthemoonbeam;hewasthesavourinfruitandthetasteinhoney;
andwhenshelookedfromCrimthanntothekingshecouldnotbutconsiderthattherightmanwasinthewrongplace。ShethoughtthatcrownedonlywithhiscurlsCrlmthannmacAewasmorenoblydiademedthanarethemastersoftheworld,andshetoldhimso。
HisterroronhearingthisunexpectednewswassogreatthathemeditatedimmediateflightfromTara;butwhenathinghasbeenutteredonceitiseasiersaidthesecondtimeandonthethirdrepetitionitispatientlylistenedto。
AfternogreatdelayCrimthannmacAeagreedandarrangedthatheandBecfolashouldflyfromTara,anditwaspartoftheirunderstandingthattheyshouldlivehappilyeverafter。
Onemorning,whennotevenabirdwasastir,thekingfeltthathisdearcompanionwasrising。Helookedwithoneeyeatthelightthatstolegreylythroughthewindow,andrecognisedthatitcouldnotinjusticebecalledlight。
\"Thereisnotevenabirdup,\"hemurmured。
AndthentoBecfola。
\"Whatistheearlyrisingfor,dearheart?\"
\"AnengagementIhave,\"shereplied。
\"Thisisnotatimeforengagements,\"saidthecalmmonarch。
\"Letitbeso,\"shereplied,andshedressedrapidly。
\"Andwhatistheengagement?\"hepursued。
\"RaimentthatIleftatacertainplaceandmusthave。Eightsilkensmocksembroideredwithgold,eightpreciousbroochesofbeatengold,threediademsofpuregold。\"
\"Atthishour,\"saidthepatientking,\"thebedisbetterthantheroad。\"
\"Letitbeso,\"saidshe。
\"Andmoreover,\"hecontinued,\"aSundayjourneybringsbadluck。\"
\"Lettheluckcomethatwillcome,\"sheanswered。
\"Tokeepacatfromcreamorawomanfromhergearisnotworkforaking,\"saidthemonarchseverely。
TheArd-Ri’couldlookonallthingswithcomposure,andregardallbeingswithatranquileye;butitshouldbeknownthattherewasonedeedentirelyhatefultohim,andhewouldpunishitscommissionwiththeverylastrigour——thiswas,atransgressionoftheSunday。Duringsixdaysoftheweekallthatcouldhappenmighthappen,sofarasDermodwasconcerned,butontheseventhdaynothingshouldhappenatalliftheHighKingcouldrestrainit。Haditbeenpossiblehewouldhavetetheredthebirdstotheirowngreenbranchesonthatday,andforbiddenthecloudstopacktheupperworldwithstirandcolour。Thesethekingpermitted,withatightlip,perhaps,butallelsethatcameunderhishandfelthiscontrol。
ItwashlscustomwhenhearoseonthemornofSundaytoclimbtothemostelevatedpointofTara,andgazethenceoneveryside,sothathemightseeifanyfairiesorpeopleoftheShi’weredisportingthemselvesinhislordship;forheabsolutelyprohibitedtheusageoftheearthtothesebeingsontheSunday,andwoe’sworthwasitforthesweetbeinghediscoveredbreakinghislaw。
Wedonotknowwhatillhecoulddotothefairies,butduringDermod’sreigntheworldsaiditsprayersonSundayandtheShi’
folkstayedintheirhills。
Itmaybeimagined,therefore,withwhatwrathhesawhiswife’spreparationsforherjourney,but,althoughakingcandoeverything,whatcanahusbanddo……?Herearrangedhimselfforslumber。
\"Iamnopartytothisuntimelyjourney,\"hesaidangrily。
\"Letitbeso,\"saidBecfola。
Sheleftthepalacewithonemaid,andasshecrossedthedoorwaysomethinghappenedtoher,butbywhatmeansithappenedwouldbehardtotell;forintheonepaceshepassedoutofthepalaceandoutoftheworld,andthesecondstepshetrodwasinFaery,butshedidnotknowthis。
HerintentionwastogotoCluaindachaillechtomeetCrimthann,butwhensheleftthepalaceshedidnotrememberCrimthannanymore。
Tohereyeandtotheeyeofhermaidtheworldwasasitalwayshadbeen,andthelandmarkstheyknewwereaboutthem。Buttheobjectforwhichtheyweretravellingwasdifferent,althoughunknown,andthepeopletheypassedontheroadswereunknown,andwereyetpeoplethattheyknew。
TheysetoutsouthwardsfromTaraintotheDuffryofLeinster,andaftersometimetheycameintowildcountryandwentastray。
AtlastBecfolahalted,saying:
\"Idonotknowwhereweare。\"
Themaidrepliedthatshealsodidnotknow。
\"Yet,\"saidBecfola,\"ifwecontinuetowalkstraightonweshallarrivesomewhere。\"
Theywenton,andthemaidwateredtheroadwithhertears。
Nightdrewonthem;agreychill,agreysilence,andtheywereenvelopedinthatchillandsilence;andtheybegantogoinexpectationandterror,fortheybothknewanddidnotknowthatwhichtheywereboundfor。
Astheytoileddesolatelyuptherustlingandwhisperingsideofalowhillthemaidchancedtolookback,andwhenshelookedbackshescreamedandpointed,andclungtoBecfola’sarm。
Becfolafollowedthepointingfinger,andsawbelowalargeblackmassthatmovedjerkilyforward。
\"Wolves!\"criedthemaid。\"Runtothetreesyonder,\"hermistressordered。\"Wewillclimbthemandsitamongthebranches。\"
Theyranthen,themaidmoaningandlamentingallthewhile。
\"Icannotclimbatree,\"shesobbed,\"Ishallbeeatenbythewolves。\"
Andthatwastrue。
Buthermistressclimbedatree,anddrewbyahand’sbreadthfromtherapandsnapandslaverofthosesteeljaws。Then,sittingonabranch,shelookedwithangrywoeatthestrainingandsnarlinghordebelow,seeingmanyawhitefanginthosegrinningjowls,andthesmouldering,redblinkofthoseleapingandprowlingeyes。