CHAPTERIII
Butaftersometimethemoonaroseandthewolveswentaway,fortheirleader,asagaciousandcraftychief,declaredthataslongastheyremainedwheretheywere,theladywouldremainwhereshewas;andso,withaheartycurseontrees,thetroopdeparted。
Becfolahadpainsinherlegsfromthewayshehadwrappedthemaboutthebranch,buttherewasnopartofherthatdidnotache,foraladydoesnotsitwithanyeaseuponatree。
Forsometimeshedidnotcaretocomedownfromthebranch。
\"Thosewolvesmayreturn,\"shesaid,\"fortheirchiefiscraftyandsagacious,anditiscertain,fromthelookIcaughtinhiseyeashedeparted,thathewouldrathertasteofmethancatanywomanhehasmet。\"
Shelookedcarefullyineverydirectiontoseeifanemightdiscovertheminhiding;shelookedcloselyandlingeringlyattheshadowsunderdistanttreestoseeiftheseshadowsmoved;
andshelistenedoneverywindtotryifshecoulddistinguishayaporayawnorasneeze。Butshesaworheardnothing;andlittlebylittletranquillitycreptintohermind,andshebegantoconsiderthatadangerwhichispastisadangerthatmaybeneglected。
Yetereshedescendedshelookedagainontheworldofjetandsilverthatdozedabouther,andshespiedaredglimmeramongdistanttrees。
\"Thereisnodangerwherethereislight,\"shesaid,andshethereuponcamefromthetreeandraninthedirectionthatshehadnoted。
Inaspotbetweenthreegreatoaksshecameuponamanwhowasroastingawildboaroverafire。Shesalutedthisyouthandsatbesidehim。Butafterthefirstglanceandgreetinghedidnotlookatheragain,nordidhespeak。
Whentheboarwascookedheateofitandshehadhershare。Thenhearosefromthefireandwalkedawayamongthetrees。Becfolafollowed,feelingruefullythatsomethingnewtoherexperiencehadarrived;\"for,\"shethought,\"itisusualthatyoungmenshouldnotspeaktomenowthatIamthemateofaking,butitisveryunusualthatyoungmenshouldnotlookatme。\"
Butiftheyoungmandidnotlookathershelookedwellathim,andwhatshesawpleasedhersomuchthatshehadnotimeforfurthercogitation。ForifCrimthannhadbeenbeautiful,thisyouthwastentimesmorebeautiful。ThecurlsonCrimthann’sheadhadbeenindeedasabenedictiontothequeen’seye,sothatshehadeatenthebetterandsleptthesounderforseeinghim。Butthesightofthisyouthleftherwithoutthedesiretoeat,and,asforsleep,shedreadedit,forifsheclosedaneyeshewouldberobbedoftheonedelightintime,whichwastolookatthisyoungman,andnottoceaselookingathimwhilehereyecouldpeerorherheadcouldremainupright。
Theycametoaninletoftheseaallsweetandcalmundertheround,silver-floodingmoon,andtheyoungman,withBecfolatreadingonhisheel,steppedintoaboatandrowedtoahigh-jutting,pleasantisland。Theretheywentinlandtowardsavastpalace,inwhichtherewasnopersonbutthemselvesalone,andtheretheyoungmanwenttosleep,whileBecfolasatstaringathimuntiltheunavoidablepeacepresseddownhereyelidsandshetooslumbered。
Shewasawakenedinthemorningbyagreatshout。
\"Comeout,Flann,comeout,myheart!\"
Theyoungmanleapedfromhiscouch,girdedonhisharness,andstrodeout。Threeyoungmenmethim,eachinbattleharness,andthesefouradvancedtomeetfourothermenwhoawaitedthematalittledistanceonthelawn。Thenthesetwosetsoffourfoughttogethorwitheverywarlikecourtesybutwitheverywarlikeseverity,andattheendofthatcombattherewasbutonemanstanding,andtheothersevenlaytossedindeath。
Becfolaspoketotheyouth。
\"Yourcombathasindeedbeengallant,\"shesaid。
\"Alas,\"hereplied,\"ifithasbeenagallantdeedithasnotbeenagoodone,formythreebrothersaredeadandmyfournephewsaredead。\"
\"Ahme!\"criedBecfola,\"whydidyoufightthatfight?\"
\"Forthelordshipofthisisland,theIsleofFedach,sonofDali。\"
But,althoughBecfolawasmovedandhorrifiedbythisbattle,itwasinanotherdirectionthatherinterestlay;thereforeshesoonaskedthequestionwhichlaynextherheart:
\"Whywouldyounotspeaktomeorlookatme?\"
\"UntilIhavewonthekingshipofthislandfromallclaimants,I
amnomatchforthemateoftheHighKingofIreland,\"hereplied。
AndthatreplywasllkebalmtotheheartofBecfola。
\"WhatshallIdo?\"sheinquiredradiantly。\"Returntoyourhome,\"
hecounselled。\"Iwillescortyoutherewithyourmaid,forsheisnotreallydead,andwhenIhavewonmylordshipIwillgoseekyouinTara。\"
\"Youwillsurelycome,\"sheinsisted。
\"Bymyhand,\"quothhe,\"Iwillcome。\"
Thesethreereturnedthen,andattheendofadayandnighttheysawfaroffthemightyroofsofTaramassedinthemorninghaze。
Theyoungmanleftthem,andwithmanyabackwardlookandwithdragging,reluctantfeet,Becfolacrossedthethresholdofthepalace,wonderingwhatsheshouldsaytoDermodandhowshecouldaccountforanabsenceofthreedays’duration。
CHAPTERIV
ITwassoearlythatnotevenabirdwasyetawake,andthedullgreylightthatcamefromtheatmosphereenlargedandmadeindistinctallthatonelookedat,andswathedallthingsinacoldandlividgloom。
AsshetrodcautiouslythroughdimcorridorsBecfolawasgladthat,savingtheguards,nocreaturewasastir,andthatforsometimeyetsheneedaccounttonopersonforhermovements。Shewasgladalsoofarespitewhichwouldenablehertosettleintoherhomeanddrawaboutherthecomposurewhichwomenfeelwhentheyaresurroundedbythewallsoftheirhouses,andcanseeaboutthemthepossessionswhich,bythefactofownership,havebecomealmostapartoftheirpersonality。Sunderedfromherbelongings,nowomanistranquil,herheartisnottrulyatease,howeverhermindmayfunction,sothatunderthebroadskyorinthehouseofanothersheisnotthecompetent,preciseindividualwhichshebecomeswhensheseesagainherhouseholdinorderandherdomesticrequirementsatherhand。
Becfolapushedthedooroftheking’ssleepingchamberandenterednoiselessly。Thenshesatquietlyinaseatgazingontherecumbentmonarch,andpreparedtoconsiderhowsheshouldadvancetohimwhenheawakened,andwithwhatinformationshemightstayhisinquiriesorreproaches。
\"Iwillreproachhim,\"shethought。\"Iwillcallhimabadhusbandandastonishhim,andhewillforgeteverythingbuthisownalarmandindignation。\"
Butatthatmomentthekingliftedhisheadfromthepillowandlookedkindlyather。Herheartgaveagreatthrob,andshepreparedtospeakatonceandingreatvolumebeforehecouldformulateanyquestion。Butthekingspokefirst,andwhathesaidsoastonishedherthattheexplanationandreproachwithwhichhertonguewasthrillingfledfromitatastroke,andshecouldonlysitstaringandbewilderedandtongue-tied。
\"Well,mydearheart,\"saidtheking,\"haveyoudecidednottokeepthatengagement?\"
\"I——I——!\"Becfolastammered。
\"Itistrulynotanhourforengagements,\"Dermodinsisted,\"fornotabirdofthebirdshaslefthistree;and,\"hecontinuedmaliciously,\"thelightissuchthatyoucouldnotseeanengagementevenifyoumetone。\"
\"I,\"Becfolagasped。\"I——-!\"
\"ASundayjourney,\"hewenton,\"isanotoriousbadjourney。Nogoodcancomefromit。Youcangetyoursmocksanddiademsto-morrow。Butatthishourawisepersonleavesengagementstothebatsandthestaringowlsandtheround-eyedcreaturesthatprowlandsniffinthedark。Comebacktothewarmbed,sweetwoman,andsetonyourjourneyinthemorning。\"
SuchaloadofapprehensionwasliftedfromBecfola’sheartthatsheinstantlydidasshehadbeencommanded,andsuchabewildermenthadyetpossessionofherfacultiesthatshecouldnotthinkorutterawordonanysubject。
YetthethoughtdidcomeintoherheadasshestretchedinthewarmgloomthatCrimthannthesonofAemustbenowattendingheratCluaindachaillech,andshethoughtofthatyoungmanasofsomethingwonderfulandveryridiculous,andthefactthathewaswaitingforhertroubledhernomorethanifasheephadbeenwaitingforheroraroadsidebush。
Shefellasleep。
CHAPTERV
Inthemorningastheysatatbreakfastfourclericswereannounced,andwhentheyenteredthekinglookedonthemwithsterndisapproval。
\"WhatisthemeaningofthisjourneyonSunday?\"hedemanded。
Alank-jawed,thin-browedbrother,withuneasy,intertwiningfingers,andadeep-set,venomouseye,wasthespokesmanofthosefour。
\"Indeed,\"hesaid,andthefingersofhisrighthandstrangledanddidtodeaththefingersofhislefthand,\"indeed,wehavetransgressedbyorder。\"
\"Explainthat。\"
\"Wehavebeensenttoyouhurriedlybyourmaster,MolasiusofDevenish。\"
\"Apious,asaintlyman,\"thekinginterrupted,\"andonewhodoesnotcountenancetransgressionsoftheSunday。\"
\"Wewereorderedtotellyouasfollows,\"saidthegrimcleric,andheburiedthefingersofhisrighthandinhisleftfist,sothatonecouldnothopetoseethemresurrectedagain。\"ItwasthedutyofoneoftheBrothersofDevenish,\"hecontinued,\"toturnoutthecattlethismorningbeforethedawnofday,andthatBrother,whileinhisduty,saweightcomelyyoungmenwhofoughttogether。\"
\"OnthemorningofSunday,\"Dermodexploded。
Theclericnoddedwithsavageemphasis。
\"Onthemorningofthisself-sameandinstantsacredday。\"
\"Tellon,\"saidthekingwrathfully。
ButterrorgrippedwithsuddenfingersatBecfola’sheart。
\"DonottellhorridstoriesontheSunday,\"shepleaded。\"Nogoodcancometoanyonefromsuchatale。\"
\"Nay,thismustbetold,sweetlady,\"saidtheking。Buttheclericstaredatherglumly,forbiddingly,andresumedhisstoryatagesture。
\"Oftheseeightmen,sevenwerekilled。\"
\"Theyareinhell,\"thekingsaidgloomily。
\"Inhelltheyare,\"theclericrepliedwithenthusiasm。
\"Andtheonethatwasnotkilled?\"
\"Heisalive,\"thatclericresponded。
\"Hewouldbe,\"themonarchassented。\"Tellyourtale。\"
\"Molasiushadthosesevenmiscreantsburied,andhetookfromtheirunhallowednecksandfromtheirlewdarmsandfromtheirunblessedweaponstheloadoftwomeningoldandsilvertreasure。\"
\"Twomen’sload!\"saidDermodthoughtfully。
\"Thatmuch,\"saidtheleancleric。\"Nomore,noless。AndhehassentustofindoutwhatpartofthathellishtreasurebelongstotheBrothersofDevenishandhowmuchisthepropertyoftheking。\"
Becfolaagainbrokein,speakinggraciously,regally,hastily:
\"LetthoseBrothershavetheentireofthetreasure,foritisSundaytreasure,andassuchitwillbringnolucktoanyone。\"
Theclericagainlookedathercoldly,withaharsh-lidded,small-set,grey-eyedglare,andwaitedfortheking’sreply。
Dermodpondered,shakinghisheadastoanargumentonhisleftside,andthennoddingitagainastoanargumentonhisright。
\"Itshallbedoneasthissweetqueenadvises。Letareliquarybeformedwithcunningworkmanshipofthatgoldandsilver,datedwithmydateandsignedwithmyname,tobeinmemoryofmygrandmotherwhogavebirthtoalamb,toasalmon,andthentomyfather,theArd-Ri’。And,astothetreasurethatremainsover,apastoralstaffmaybebeatenfromitinhonourofMolasius,thepiousman。\"
\"Thestoryisnotended,\"saidthatglum,spike-chinnedcleric。
Thekingmovedwithjovialimpatience。
\"Ifyoucontinueit,\"hesaid,\"itwillsurelycometoanendsometime。Astoneonastonemakesahouse,dearheart,andawordonawordtellsatale。\"
Theclericwrappedhimselfintohimself,andbecameleanandmenacing。Hewhispered:\"Besidestheyoungman,namedFlann,whowasnotslain,therewasanotherpersonpresentatthesceneandthecombatandthetransgressionofSunday。\"
\"Whowasthatperson?\"saidthealarmedmonarch。
Theclericspikedforwardhischin,andthenbuttedforwardhisbrow。
\"Itwasthewifeoftheking,\"heshouted。\"ItwasthewomancalledBecfola。Itwasthatwoman,\"heroared,andheextendedalean,inflexible,unendingfirstfingeratthequeen。
\"Dog!\"thekingstammered,startingup。
\"Ifthatbeintruthawoman,\"theclericscreamed。
\"Whatdoyoumean?\"thekingdemandedinwrathandterror。
\"Eithersheisawomanofthisworldtohepunished,orsheisawomanoftheShi’tobebanished,butthisholymorningshewasintheShi’,andherarmswereabouttheneckofFlann。\"
Thekingsankbackinhischairstupefied,gazingfromonetotheother,andthenturnedanunseeing,fear-dimmedeyetowardsBecfola。
\"Isthistrue,mypulse?\"hemurmured。
\"Itistrue,\"Becfolareplied,andshebecamesuddenlytotheking’seyeawhitenessandastare。Hepointedtothedoor。
\"Gotoyourengagement,\"hestammered。\"GotothatFlann。\"
\"Heiswaitingforme,\"saidBecfolawithproudshame,\"andthethoughtthatheshouldwaitwringsmyheart。\"
Shewentoutfromthepalacethen。ShewentawayfromTara:andinallIrelandandintheworldoflivingmenshewasnotseenagain,andshewasneverheardofagain。
THELITTLEBRAWLATALLEN
CHAPTERI
\"Ithink,\"saidCairellWhiteskin,\"thatalthoughjudgementwasgivenagainstFionn,itwasFionnhadtherightsofit。\"
\"Hehadelevenhundredkilled,\"saidCona’namiably,\"andyoumaycallthattherightsofitifyoulike。\"
\"Allthesame——\"Cairellbeganargumentatively。
\"Anditwasyouthatcommencedit,\"Cona’ncontinued。
\"Ho!Ho!\"Cairellcried。\"Why,youareasmuchtoblameasIam。\"
\"No,\"saidCona’n,\"foryouhitmefirst。\"
\"Andifwehadnotbeenseparated——\"theothergrowled。
\"Separated!\"saidCona’n,withagrinthatmadehisbeardpokeallaroundhisface。
\"Yes,separated。IftheyhadnotcomebetweenusIstillthink——\"
\"Don’tthinkoutloud,dearheart,foryouandIareatpeacebylaw。\"
\"Thatistrue,\"saidCairell,\"andamanmuststickbyajudgement。Comewithme,mydear,andletusseehowtheyoungstersareshapingintheschool。Oneofthemhasratherawaywithhimasaswordsman。\"
\"Noyoungsterisanygoodwithasword,\"Conanreplied。
\"Youarerightthere,\"saidCairell。\"Ittakesagoodripemanforthatweapon。\"
\"Boysaregoodenoughwithslings,\"Confrocontinued,\"butexceptforeatingtheirfillandrunningawayfromafight,youcan’tcountonboys。\"
ThetwobulkymenturnedtowardstheschooloftheFianna。
IthappenedthatFionnmacUailhadsummonedthegentlemenoftheFiannaandtheirwivestoabanquet。Everybodycame,forabanquetgivenbyFionnwasnotathingtobemissed。TherewasGollmormacMornaandhispeople;Fionn’ssonOisi’nandhisgrandsonOscar。TherewasDermodoftheGayFace,CaeltemacRonan——butindeedthereweretoomanytobetoldof,forallthepillarsofwarandbattle-torchesoftheGaelwerethere。
Thebanquetbegan。
FionnsatintheChiefCaptain’sseatinthemiddleofthefort;
andfacinghim,intheplaceofhonour,heplacedthemirthfulGollmacMorna;andfromthese,rangingoneitherside,thenoblesoftheFiannatookeachtheplacethatfittedhisdegreeandpatrimony。
Aftergoodeating,goodconversation;andaftergoodconversation,sleep——thatistheorderofabanquet:sowheneachpersonhadbeenservedwithfoodtothelimitofdesirethebutlerscarriedinshining,andjewelleddrinking-horns,eachhavingitstideofsmooth,headyliquor。Thentheyoungheroesgrewmerryandaudacious,theladiesbecamegentleandkind,andthepoetsbecamewondersofknowledgeandprophecy。Everyeyebeamedinthatassembly,andonFionneveryeyewasturnedcontinuallyinthehopeofaglancefromthegreat,mildhero。
Gollspoketohimacrossthetableenthusiastically。
\"Thereisnothingwantingtothisbanquet,OChief,\"saidhe。
AndFionnsmiledbackintothateyewhichseemedawelloftendernessandfriendship。
\"Nothingiswanting,\"hereplied,\"butawell-shapedpoem。\"A
crierstoodupthen,holdinginonehandalengthofcoarseironlinksandintheotherachainofdelicate,antiquesilver。Heshooktheironchainsothattheservantsandfollowersofthehouseholdshouldbesilent,andheshookthesilveronesothatthenoblesandpoetsshouldhearkenalso。
Fergus,calledTrue-Lips,thepoetoftheFianna-Finn,thensangofFionnandhisancestorsandtheirdeeds。WhenhehadfinishedFionnandOisi’nandOscarandmacLugacoftheTerribleHandgavehimrareandcostlypresents,sothateverypersonwonderedattheirmunificence,andeventhepoet,accustomedtotheliberalityofkingsandprinces,wasastonishedathisgifts。
FergusthenturnedtothesideofGollmacMorna,andhesangoftheForts,theDestructions,theRaids,andtheWooingsofclann-Morna;andasthepoemssucceededeachother,Gollgrewmoreandmorejovialandcontented。WhenthesongswerefinishedGollturnedinhisseat。
\"Whereismyrunner?\"hecried。
Hehadawomanrunner,amarvelforswiftnessandtrust。Shesteppedforward。
\"Iamhere,royalcaptain。\"
\"HaveyoucollectedmytributefromDenmark?\"
\"Itishere。\"
And,withhelp,shelaidbesidehimtheloadofthreemenofdoublyrefinedgold。Outofthistreasure,andfromthetreasureofringsandbraceletsandtorquesthatwerewithhim,GollmacMornapaidFergusforhissongs,and,muchasFionnhadgiven,Gollgavetwiceasmuch。
But,asthebanquetproceeded,Gollgave,whetheritwastoharpersorprophetsorjugglers,morethananyoneelsegave,sothatFionnbecamedispleased,andasthebanquetproceededhegrewsternandsilent。
CHAPTERII
[ThisversionofthedeathofUailisnotcorrect。AlsoCnochaisnotinLochlannbutinIreland。]
Thewonderfulgift-givingofGollcontinued,andanuneasinessandembarrassmentbegantocreepthroughthegreatbanquetinghall。
Gentlemenlookedateachotherquestioningly,andthenspokeagainonindifferentmatters,butonlywithhalfoftheirminds。
Thesingers,theharpers,andjugglerssubmittedtothatconstraint,sothateverypersonfeltawkwardandnooneknewwhatshouldbedoneorwhatwouldhappen,andfromthatdoubtdulnesscame,withsilencefollowingonitsheels。
Thereisnothingmoreterriblethansilence。Shamegrowsinthatblank,orangergathersthere,andwemustchoosewhichoftheseistobeourmaster。
ThatchoicelaybeforeFionn,whoneverknewshame。
\"Goll,\"saidhe,\"howlonghaveyoubeentakingtributefromthepeopleofLochlann?\"
\"Alongtimenow,\"saidGoll。
Andhelookedintoaneyethatwassternandunfriendly。
\"Ithoughtthatmyrentwastheonlyonethosepeoplehadtopay,\"Fionncontinued。
\"Yourmemoryisatfault,\"saidGoll。
\"Letitbeso,\"saidFionn。\"Howdidyourtributearise?\"
\"Longago,Fionn,inthedayswhenyourfatherforcedwaronme。\"
\"Ah!\"saidFionn。
\"WhenheraisedtheHighKingagainstmeandbanishedmefromIreland。\"
\"Continue,\"saidFionn,andheheldGoll’seyeunderthegreatbeetleofhisbrow。
\"IwentintoBritain,\"saidGoll,\"andyourfatherfollowedmethere。IwentintoWhiteLochlann(Norway)andtookit。Yourfatherbanishedmethencealso。\"
\"Iknowit,\"saidFionn。
\"IwentintothelandoftheSaxonsandyourfatherchasedmeoutofthatland。Andthen,inLochlann,atthebattleofCnochayourfatherandImetatlast,foottofoot,eyetoeye,andthere,Fionn!\"
\"Andthere,Goll?\"
\"AndthereIkilledyourfather。\"
Fionnsatrigidandunmoving,hisfacestonyandterribleasthefaceofamonumentcarvedonthesideofacliff。
\"Tellallyourtale,\"saidhe。
\"AtthatbattleIbeattheLochlannachs。IpenetratedtotheholdoftheDanishking,andItookoutofhisdungeonthemenwhohadlainthereforayearandwereawaitingtheirdeaths。Iliberatedfifteenprisoners,andoneofthemwasFionn。\"
\"Itistrue,\"saidFionn。
Goll’sangerfledattheword。
\"Donotbejealousofme,dearheart,forifIhadtwicethetributeIwouldgiveittoyouandtoIreland。\"
ButatthewordjealoustheChief’sangerrevived。
\"Itisanimpertinence,\"hecried,\"toboastatthistablethatyoukilledmyfather。\"
\"Bymyhand,\"Gollreplied,\"ifFionnweretotreatmeashisfatherdidIwouldtreatFionnthewayItreatedFionn’sfather。\"
Fionnclosedhiseyesandbeatawaytheangerthatwasrisingwithinhim。Hesmiledgrimly。
\"IfIweresominded,Iwouldnotletthatlastwordgowithyou,Goll,forIhavehereanhundredmenforeverymanofyours。\"
Golllaughedaloud。
\"Sohadyourfather,\"hesaid。
Fionn’sbrother,CairellWhiteskin,brokeintotheconversationwithaharshlaugh。
\"HowmanyofFionn’shouseholdhasthewonderfulGollputdown?\"
hecried。
ButGoll’sbrother,baldCona’ntheSwearer,turnedasavageeyeonCairell。
\"Bymyweapons,\"saidhe,\"therewereneverlessthananhundred-and-onemenwithGoll,andtheleastofthemcouldhaveputyoudowneasilyenough。\"
\"Ah?’criedCairell。\"Andareyouoneofthehundred-and-one,oldscaldhead?\"
\"Oneindeed,mythick-witted,thin-liveredCairell,andI
undertaketoproveonyourhidethatwhatmybrothersaidwastrueandthatwhatyourbrothersaidwasfalse。\"
\"Youundertakethat,\"growledCairell,andonthewordheloosedafuriousbuffetatCon’an,whichCona’nreturnedwithafistsobigthateverypartofCairell’sfacewashitwiththeoneblow。
Thetwothenfellintogrips,andwentlurchingandpunchingaboutthegreathall。TwoofOscar’ssonscouldnotbeartoseetheirunclebeingworsted,andtheyleapedatCona’n,andtwoofGoll’ssonsrushedatthem。ThenOscarhimselfleapedup,andwithahammerineitherhandhewentbatteringintothemelee。
\"Ithankthegods,\"saidCona’n,\"forthechanceofkillingyourself,Oscar。\"
Thesetwoencounteredthen,andOscarknockedagroanofdistressoutofCona’n。HelookedappealinglyathisbrotherArtogmacMorna,andthatpowerfulchampionflewtohisaidandwoundedOscar。Oisi’n,Oscar’sfather,couldnotabidethat;hedashedinandquelledArtOg。ThenRoughHairmacMornawoundedOisinandwashimselftumbledbymacLugac,whowasagainwoundedbyGaramacMorna。
Thebanquetinghallwasintumult。Ineverypartofitmenweregivingandtakingblows。Heretwochampionswiththeirarmsroundeachother’sneckswerestampingroundandroundinaslow,saddance。Hereweretwocrouchingagainsteachother,lookingforasoftplacetohit。Yonderabig-shoulderedpersonliftedanothermaninhisarmsandthrewhimatasmallgroupthatchargedhim。
Inaretiredcorneragentlemanstoodinathoughtfulattitudewhilehetriedtopulloutatooththathadbeenknockedloose。
\"Youcan’tfight,\"hemumbled,\"withalooseshoeoraloosetooth。\"
\"Hurryupwiththattooth,\"themaninfrontofhimgrum-bled,\"forIwanttoknockoutanotherone。\"
Pressedagainstthewallwasabevyofladies,someofwhomwerescreamingandsomelaughingandallofwhomwerecallingonthementogobacktotheirseats。
Onlytwopeopleremainedseatedinthehall。
Gollsattwistedroundwatchingtheprogressofthebrawlcritically,andFionn,sittingopposite,watchedGoll。
JustthenFaelan,anotherofFionn’ssons,stormedthehallwiththreehundredoftheFianna,andbythisforceallGoll’speoplewereputoutofdoors,wherethefightcontinued。
GolllookedthencalmlyonFionn。
\"Yourpeopleareusingtheirweapons,\"saidhe。
\"Arethey?\"Fionninquiredascalmly,andasthoughaddressingtheair。
\"Inthematterofweapons——!\"saidGoll。
Andthehard-fightingpillarofbattleturnedtowherehisarmshungonthewallbehindhim。Hetookhissolid,well-balancedswordinhisfist,overhisleftarmhisample,bossyshield,and,withanotherside-lookatFionn,heleftthehallandchargedirresistiblyintothefray。
Fionnthenarose。Hetookhisaccoutrementsfromthewallalsoandstrodeout。ThenheraisedthetriumphantFenianshoutandwentintothecombat。
Thatwasnoplaceforasickpersontobe。Itwasnotthecornerwhichaslender-fingeredwomanwouldchoosetodoupherhair;
norwasitthespotanancientmanwouldselecttothinkquietlyin,forthetumultofswordonsword,ofaxeonshield,theroarofthecontendingparties,thecryingofwoundedmen,andthescreamingoffrightenedwomendestroyedpeace,andoverallwastherallyingcryofGollmacMornaandthegreatshoutofFionn。
ThenFergusTrue-LipsgatheredabouthimallthepoetsoftheFianna,andtheysurroundedthecombatants。Theybegantochantandintonelong,heavyrhymesandincantations,untiltherhythmicbeatingoftheirvoicescoveredeventhenoiseofwar,sothatthemenstoppedhackingandhewing,andlettheirweaponsdropfromtheirhands。Thesewerepickedupbythepoetsandareconciliationwaseffectedbetweenthetwoparties。
ButFionnaffirmedthathewouldmakenopeacewithclann-Mornauntilthematterhadbeenjudgedbytheking,CormacmacArt,andbyhisdaughterAilve,andbyhissonCairbreofAnaLife’andbyFintanthechiefpoet。Gollagreedthattheaffairshouldbesubmittedtothatcourt,andadaywasappointed,afortnightfromthatdate,tomeetatTaraoftheKingsforjudgement。Thenthehallwascleansedandthebanquetrecommenced。
OfFionn’speopleelevenhundredofmenandwomenweredead,whileofGoll’speopleelevenmenandfiftywomenweredead。Butitwasthroughfrightthewomendied,fornotoneofthemhadawoundorabruiseoramark。
CHAPTERIII
ATtheendofafortnightFionnandGollandthechiefmenoftheFiannaattendedatTara。Theking,hissonanddaughter,withFlahri,Feehal,andFintanmacBocnasatintheplaceofjudgement,andCormaccalledonthewitnessesforevidence。
Fionnstoodup,butthemomenthedidsoGollmacMornaarosealso。
\"IobjecttoFionngivingevidence,\"saidhe。
\"Whyso?\"thekingasked。
\"BecauseinanymatterthatconcernedmeFionnwouldturnalieintotruthandthetruthintoalie。\"
\"Idonotthinkthatisso,\"saidFionn。
\"Yousee,hehasalreadycommencedit,\"criedGoll。
\"Ifyouobjecttothetestimonyofthechiefpersonpresent,inwhatwayarewetoobtainevidence?\"thekingdemanded。
\"I,\"saidGoll,\"willtrusttotheevidenceofFergusTrue-Lips。
HeisFionn’spoet,andwilltellnolieagainsthismaster;heisapoet,andwilltellnolieagainstanyone。\"
\"Iagreetothat,\"saidFionn。
\"Irequire,nevertheless,\"Gollcontinued,\"thatFergusshouldswearbeforetheCourt,byhisgods,thathewilldojusticebetweenus。\"
Ferguswasaccordinglysworn,andgavehisevidence。HestatedthatFionn’sbrotherCairellstruckCona’nmacMorna,thatGoll’stwosonscametohelpCona’n,thatOscarwenttohelpCairell,andwiththatFionn’speopleandtheclann-Mornaroseateachother,andwhathadstartedasabrawlendedasabattlewithelevenhundredofFionn’speopleandsixty-oneofGoll’speopledead。
\"Imarvel,\"saidthekinginadiscontentedvoice,\"that,consideringthenumbersagainstthem,thelossesofclann-Mornashouldbesosmall。\"
Fionnblushedwhenheheardthat。
Fergusreplied:
\"GollmacMornacoveredhispeoplewithhisshield。Allthatslaughterwasdonebyhim。\"
\"Thepresswastoogreat,\"Fionngrumbled。\"Icouldnotgetathimintimeor——-\"
\"Orwhat?\"saidGollwithagreatlaugh。
Fionnshookhisheadsternlyandsaidnomore。
\"Whatisyourjudgement?\"Cormacdemandedofhisfellow-judges。
Flahripronouncedfirst。
\"Igivedamagestoclann-Morna。\"
\"Why?\"saidCormac。
\"Becausetheywereattackedfirst。\"
Cormaclookedathimstubbornly。
\"Idonotagreewithyourjudgement,\"hesaid。
\"Whatistherefaultyinit?\"Flahriasked。
\"Youhavenotconsidered,\"thekingreplied,\"thatasoldierowesobediencetohiscaptain,andthat,giventhetimeandtheplace,FionnwasthecaptainandGollwasonlyasimplesoldier。\"
Flahriconsideredtheking’ssuggestion。
\"That,\"hesaid,\"wouldholdgoodforthewhite-strikingorblowsoffists,butnotforthered-strikingorsword-strokes。\"
\"Whatisyourjudgement?\"thekingaskedFeehal。Feehalthenpronounced:
\"Iholdthatclann-Mornawereattackedfirst,andthattheyaretobefreefrompaymentofdamages。\"
\"AndasregardsFionn?\"saidCormac。
\"IholdthatonaccountofhisgreatlossesFionnistobeexemptfrompaymentofdamages,andthathislossesaretobeconsideredasdamages。\"
\"Iagreeinthatjudgement,\"saidFintan。
Thekingandhissonalsoagreed,andthedecisionwasimpartedtotheFianna。
\"Onemustabidebyajudgement,\"saidFionn。
\"Doyouabidebyit?\"Golldemanded。
\"Ido,\"saidFionn。
GollandFionnthenkissedeachother,andthuspeacewasmade。
For,notwithstandingtheendlessbickerofthesetwoheroes,theylovedeachotherwell。
Yet,nowthattheyearshavegoneby,IthinkthefaultlaywithGollandnotwithFionn,andthatthejudgementgivendidnotconsidereverything。ForatthattableGollshouldnothavegivengreatergiftsthanhismasterandhostdid。AnditwasnotrightofGolltotakebyforcethepositionofgreatestgift-giveroftheFianna,fortherewasneverintheworldonegreateratgivinggifts,orgivingbattle,ormakingpoemsthanFionnwas。
ThatsideoftheaffairwasnotbroughtbeforetheCourt。ButperhapsitwassuppressedoutofdelicacyforFionn,forifGollcouldbeaccusedofostentation,Fionnwasopentotheuglierchargeofjealousy。Itwas,nevertheless,Goll’sforwardandimpishtemperwhichcommencedthebrawl,andtheverdictoftimemustbetoexonerateFionnandtolettheblamegowhereitismerited。
Thereis,however,thistobeaddedandremembered,thatwheneverFionnwasinatightcorneritwasGollthatpluckedhimoutofit;and,lateron,whentimedidhisworstonthemallandtheFiannaweresenttohellasunbelievers,itwasGollmacMornawhoassaultedhell,withachaininhisgreatfistandthreeironballsswingingfromit,anditwashewhoattackedthehostsofgreatdevilsandbroughtFionnandtheFianna-Finnoutwithhim。
THECARLOFTHEDRABCOAT
CHAPTERI
OnedaysomethinghappenedtoFionn,thesonofUail;thatis,hedepartedfromtheworldofmen,andwassetwanderingingreatdistressofmindthroughFaery。Hehaddaysandnightsthereandadventuresthere,andwasabletobringbackthememoryofthese。
That,byitself,iswonderful,fortherearefewpeoplewhorememberthattheyhavebeentoFaeryoraughtofallthathappenedtotheminthatstate。
IntruthwedonotgotoFaery,webecomeFaery,andinthebeatingofapulsewemayliveforayearorathousandyears。
Butwhenwereturnthememoryisquicklyclouded,andweseemtohavehadadreamorseenavision,althoughwehaveverilybeeninFaery。
Itwaswonderful,then,thatFionnshouldhaverememberedallthathappenedtohiminthatwide-spunmoment,butinthistalethereisyetmoretomarvelat;fornotonlydidFionngotoFaery,butthegreatarmywhichhehadmarshalledtoBenEdair[TheHillofHowth]weretranslatedalso,andneitherhenortheywereawarethattheyhaddepartedfromtheworlduntiltheycamebacktoit。
Fourteenbattles,sevenofthereserveandsevenoftheregularFianna,hadbeentakenbytheChiefonagreatmarchandmanoeuvre。WhentheyreachedBenEdairitwasdecidedtopitchcampsothatthetroopsmightrestinviewofthewarlikeplanwhichFionnhadimaginedforthemorrow。Thecampwaschosen,andeachsquadronandcompanyofthehostwerelodgedintoanappropriateplace,sotherewasnoovercrowdingandnohaltorinterruptionofthemarch;forwhereacompanyhaltedthatwasitsplaceofrest,andinthatplaceithinderednoothercompany,andwasatitsownease。
Whenthiswasaccomplishedtheleadersofbattalionsgatheredonalevel,grassyplateauoverlookingthesea,whereaconsultationbeganastothenextday’smanoeuvres,andduringthisdiscussiontheylookedoftenonthewidewaterthatlaywrinklingandtwinklingbelowthem。
AroomyshipundergreatpressofsallwasbearingonBenEdairfromtheeast。
Nowandagain,inalullofthediscussion,achampionwouldlookandremarkonthehurryingvessel;anditmayhavebeenduringoneofthesemomentsthattheadventurehappenedtoFionnandtheFianna。
\"Iwonderwherethatshipcomesfrom?\"saidCona’nidly。
Butnopersoncouldsurmiseanythingaboutitbeyondthatitwasavesselwellequippedforwar。
Astheshipdrewbytheshorethewatchersobservedatallmanswingfromthesidebymeansofhisspearshafts,andinalittlewhilethisgentlemanwasannouncedtoFionn,andwasbroughtintohispresence。
Asturdy,bellicose,forthrightpersonagehewasindeed。Hewasequippedinawonderfulsolidityofarmour,withahard,carvenhelmetonhishead,asplendidred-bossedshieldswingingonhisshoulder,awide-grooved,straightswordclashingalonghisthigh。Onhisshouldersundertheshieldhecarriedasplendidscarletmantle;overhisbreastwasagreatbroochofburntgold,andinhisfisthegrippedapairofthick-shafted,unburnishedspears。
Fionnandthechampionslookedonthisgentleman,andtheyadmiredexceedinglyhisbearingandequipment。
\"Ofwhatbloodareyou,younggentleman?\"Fionndemanded,\"andfromwhichofthefourcornersoftheworlddoyoucome?\"
\"MynameisCaeloftheIron,\"thestrangeranswered,\"andIamsontotheKingofThessaly。\"
\"Whaterrandhasbroughtyouhere?\"
\"Idonotgoonerrands,\"themanrepliedsternly,\"butontheaffairsthatpleaseme。\"
\"Beitso。Whatisthepleasingaffairwhichbringsyoutothisland?\"
\"SinceIleftmyowncountryIhavenotgonefromalandoranislanduntilitpaidtributetomeandacknowledgedmylordship。\"
\"Andyouhavecometothisrealm\"criedFionn,doubtinghisears。
\"Fortributeandsovereignty,\"growledthatother,andhestruckthehaftofhisspearviolentlyontheground。
\"Bymyhand,\"saidCona’n,\"wehaveneverheardofawarrior,howevergreat,buthispeerwasfoundinIreland,andthefuneralsongsofallsuchhavebeenchantedbythewomenofthisland。\"
\"Bymyhandandword,\"saidtheharshstranger,\"yourtalkmakesmethinkofasmallboyorofanidiot。\"
\"Takeheed,sir,\"saidFionn,\"forthechampionsandgreatdragonsoftheGaelarestandingbyyou,andaroundustherearefourteenbattlesoftheFiannaofIreland。\"
\"IfalltheFiannawhohavediedinthelastsevenyearswereaddedtoallthatarenowhere,\"thestrangerasserted,\"Iwouldtreatalloftheseandthosegrievously,andwouldcurtailtheirlimbsandtheirlives。\"
\"Itisnosmallboast,\"Cona’nmurmured,staringathim。
\"Itisnoboastatall,\"saidCael,\"and,toshowmyqualityandstanding,Iwillproposeadeedtoyou。\"
\"Giveoutyourdeed,\"Fionncommanded。
\"Thus,\"saidCaelwithcoldsavagery。\"Ifyoucanfindamanamongyourfourteenbattalionswhocanoutrunoroutwrestleoroutfightme,Iwilltakemyselfofftomyowncountry,andwilltroubleyounomore。\"
Andsoharshlydidhespeak,andwithsuchabelligerenteyedidhestare,thatdismaybegantoseizeonthechampions,andevenFionnfeltthathisbreathhadhalted。
\"Itisspokenlikeahero,\"headmittedafteramoment,\"andifyoucannotbematchedonthosetermsitwillnotbefromadearthofapplicants。\"
\"Inrunningalone,\"Fionncontinuedthoughtfully,\"wehaveanotablechampion,CaeltemacRona’n。\"
\"ThissonofRona’nwillnotlongbenotable,\"thestrangerasserted。
\"Hecanoutstripthereddeer,\"saidCona’n。
\"Hecanoutrunthewind,\"criedFionn。
\"Hewillnotbeaskedtooutrunthereddeerorthewind,\"thestrangersneered。\"Hewillbeaskedtooutrunme,\"hethundered。
\"Producethisrunner,andweshalldiscoverifhekeepsasgreatheartinhisfeetashehasmadeyouthink。\"
\"Heisnotwithus,\"Cona’nlamented。
\"Thesenotablewarriorsareneverwithuswhenthecallismade,\"
saidthegrimstranger。
\"Bymyhand,\"criedFionn,\"heshallbehereinnogreattime,forIwillfetchhimmyself。\"
\"Beitso,\"saidCael。\"Andduringmyabsence,\"Fionncontinued,\"Ileavethisasacompact,thatyoumakefriendswiththeFiannaherepresent,andthatyouobservealltheconditionsandceremoniesoffriendship。\"
Caelagreedtothat。
\"Iwillnothurtanyofthesepeopleuntilyoureturn,\"hesaid。
FionnthensetouttowardsTaraoftheKings,forhethoughtCaeltemacRominwouldsurelybethere;\"andifheisnotthere,\"
saidthechampiontohimself,\"thenIshallfindhimatCeshCorranoftheFianna。\"