CHAPTERV
WithinthecavetherewassilenceexceptforthevoicesofthehagsandthescarcelyaudiblemoaningoftheFianna-Finn,butwithouttherewasadreadfuluproar,foraseachmanreturnedfromthechasehisdogscamewithhim,andalthoughthemenwentintothecavethedogsdidnot。
Theyweretoowise。
Theystoodoutside,filledwithsavageryandterror,fortheycouldscenttheirmastersandtheirmasters’danger,andperhapstheycouldgetfromthecavesmellstillthenunknownandfullofalarm。
Fromthetroopofdogstherearoseabayingandbarking,asnarlingandhowlingandgrowling,ayelpingandsquealingandbawlingforwhichnowordscanbefound。Nowandagainadognosedamongathousandsmellsandscentedhismaster;theruffofhisneckstooduplikeahog’sbristlesandanettyridgeprickledalonghisspine。Thenwithredeyes,withbaredfangs,withahoarse,deepsnortandgrowlherushedatthecave,andthenhehaltedandsneakedbackagainwithallhisrufflessmoothed,histailbetweenhislegs,hiseyesscrewedsidewaysinmiserableapologyandalarm,andalongthinwhineofwoedribblingoutofhisnose。
Thethreesisterstooktheirwide-channelled,hard-temperedswordsintheirhands,andpreparedtoslaytheFianna,butbeforedoingsotheygaveonemorelookfromthedoorofthecavetoseeiftheremightbeastraggleroftheFiannawhowasescapingdeathbystraggling,andtheysawonecomingtowardsthemwithBranandSceo’lanleapingbesidehim,whilealltheotherdogsbegantobursttheirthroatswithbarksandsplittheirnoseswithsnortsandwagtheirtailsoffatsightofthetall,valiant,white-toothedchampion,GollmormacMorna。\"Wewillkillthatonefirst,\"saidCaevo’g。
\"Thereisonlyoneofhim,\"saidCuillen。
\"Andeachofusthreeisthematchforanhundred,\"saidIaran。
Theuncanny,misbehaved,andoutrageousharridansadvancedthentomeetthesonofMorna,andwhenhesawthesethreeGollwhippedtheswordfromhisthigh,swunghisbucklerround,andgottothemintengreatleaps。
Silencefellontheworldduringthatconflict。Thewindwentdown;thecloudsstoodstill;theoldhillitselfhelditsbreath;thewarriorswithinceasedtobemenandbecameeachanear;andthedogssatinavastcircleroundthecombatants,withtheirheadsalltooneside,theirnosespokedforward,theirmouthshalfopen,andtheirtailsforgotten。Nowandagainadogwhinedinawhisperandsnappedalittlesnapontheair,butexceptforthattherewasneithersoundnormovement。
Itwasalongfight。Itwasahardandatrickyfight,andGollwonitbybraveryandstrategyandgreatgoodluck;forwithoneshrewdsliceofhisbladehecarvedtwoofthesemightytermagantsintoequalhalves,sothattherewerenosesandwhiskerstohisrighthandandkneesandtoestohisleft:andthatstrokewasknownafterwardsasoneofthethreegreatsword-strokesofIreland。Thethirdhag,however,hadmanagedtogetbehindGoll,andsheleapedontohisbackwiththeboundofapanther,andhungherewiththeskilful,many-legged,tight-twistedclutchingofaspider。Butthegreatchampiongaveatwistofhishipsandaswingofhisshouldersthatwhirledheraroundhimlikeasack。Hegotheronthegroundandtiedherhandswiththestrapsofashield,andhewasgoingtogiveherthelastblowwhensheappealedtohishonourandbravery。
\"Iputmylifeunderyourprotection,\"saidshe。\"AndifyouletmegofreeIwilllifttheenchantmentfromtheFianna-Finnandwillgivethemallbacktoyouagain。\"
\"Iagreetothat,\"saidGoll,andheuntiedherstraps。Theharridandidasshehadpromised,andinashorttimeFionnandOisi’nandOscarandCona’nwerereleased,andafterthatalltheFiannawerereleased。
CHAPTERVI
Aseachmancameoutofthecavehegaveajumpandashout;thecourageoftheworldwentintohimandhefeltthathecouldfighttwenty。Butwhiletheyweretalkingovertheadventureandexplaininghowithadhappened,avastfigurestrodeoverthesideofthehillanddescendedamongthem。ItwasConaran’sfourthdaughter。
Iftheotherthreehadbeenterribletolookon,thisonewasmoreterriblethanthethreetogether。Shewascladinironplate,andshehadawickedswordbyhersideandaknobbyclubinherhandShehaltedbythebodiesofhersisters,andbittertearsstreameddownintoherbeard。
\"Alas,mysweetones,\"saidshe,\"Iamtoolate。\"
AndthenshestaredfiercelyatFionn。
\"Idemandacombat,\"sheroared。
\"Itisyourright,\"saidFionn。Heturnedtohisson。
\"Oisi’n,myheart,killmethishonourablehag。\"ButfortheonlytimeinhislifeOisi’nshrankfromacombat。
\"Icannotdoit\"hesaid,\"Ifeeltooweak。\"
Fionnwasastounded。\"Oscar,\"hesaid,\"willyoukillmethisgreathag?\"
Oscarstammeredmiserably。\"Iwouldnotbeableto,\"hesaid。
Cona’nalsorefused,andsodidCaeltemacRona’nandmacLugac,fortherewasnomantherebutwasterrifiedbythesightofthatmightyandvaliantharridan。
Fionnrosetohisfeet。\"Iwilltakethiscombatmyself,\"hesaidsternly。
Andheswunghisbucklerforwardandstretchedhisrighthandtothesword。ButatthatterriblesightGollmaeMornablusheddeeplyandleapedfromtheground。
\"No,no,\"hecried;\"no,mysoul,Fionn,thiswouldnotbeapropercombatforyou。Itakethisfight。\"
\"Youhavedoneyourshare,Goll,\"saidthecaptain。
\"IshouldfinishthefightIbegan,\"Gollcontinued,\"foritwasIwhokilledthetwosistersofthisvalianthag,anditisagainstmethefeudlies。\"
\"Thatwilldoforme,\"saidthehorribledaughterofConaran。\"I
willkillGollmormacMornafirst,andafterthatIwillkillFionn,andafterthatIwillkilleveryFenianoftheFianna-Finn。\"
\"Youmaybegin,Goll,\"saidFionn,\"andIgiveyoumyblessing。\"
Gollthenstrodeforwardtothefight,andthehagmovedagainsthimwithequalalacrity。Inamomenttheheavensrangtotheclashofswordsonbucklers。Itwashardtowith-standtheterrificblowsofthatmightyfemale,forherswordplayedwiththequicknessoflightningandsmoteliketheheavycrashingofastorm。ButintothatdinandencirclementGollpressedandventured,steadyasarockinwater,agileasacreatureofthesea,andwhenoneofthecombatantsretreateditwasthehagthatgavebackwards。AsherfootmovedagreatshoutofjoyrosefromtheFianna。Asnarlwentoverthehugefaceofthemonsterandsheleapedforwardagain,butshemetGoll’spointintheroad;
itwentthroughher,andinanothermomentGolltookherheadfromitsshouldersandswungitonhighbeforeFionn。
AstheFiannaturnedhomewardsFionnspoketohisgreatchampionandenemy。
\"Goll,\"hesaid,\"Ihaveadaughter。\"
\"Alovelygirl,ablossomofthedawn,\"saidGoll。
\"Wouldshepleaseyouasawife?\"thechiefdemanded。
\"Shewouldpleaseme,\"saidGoll。
\"Sheisyourwife,\"saidFionn。
ButthatdidnotpreventGollfromkillingFionn’sbrotherCairelllateron,nordiditpreventFionnfromkillingGolllateronagain,andthelastdidnotpreventGollfromrescuingFionnoutofhellwhentheFianna-FinnweresentthereunderthenewGod。Noristhereanyreasontocomplainortobeastonishedatthesethings,foritisamutualworldwellvein,agive-and-takeworld,andthereisnogreatharminit。
BECUMAOFTHEWHITESKIN
CHAPTERI
Therearemoreworldsthanone,andinmanywaystheyareunlikeeachother。Butjoyandsorrow,or,inotherwords,goodandevil,arenotabsentintheirdegreefromanyoftheworlds,forwhereverthereislifethereisaction,andactionisbuttheexpressionofoneorotherofthesequalities。
AfterthisEarththereistheworldoftheShi’。BeyonditagainliestheMany-ColouredLand。NextcomestheLandofWonder,andafterthattheLandofPromiseawaitsus。YouwillcrossclaytogetintotheShi’;youwillcrosswatertoattaintheMany-ColouredLand;firemustbepassederetheLandofWonderisattained,hutwedonotknowwhatwillbecrossedforthefourthworld。
ThisadventureofConntheHundredFighterandhissonArtwasbythewayofwater,andthereforehewasmoreadvancedinmagicthanFionnwas,allofwhoseadventureswerebythepathofclayandintoFaeryonly,butConnwastheHighKingandsothearch-magicianofIreland。
AcouncilhadbeencalledintheMany-ColouredLandtodiscussthecaseofaladynamedBecumaCneisgel,thatis,BecumaoftheWhiteSkin,thedaughterofEoganInver。ShehadrunawayfromherhusbandLabraidandhadtakenrefugewithGadiar,oneofthesonsofMananna’nmacLir,thegodofthesea,andtheruler,therefore,ofthatsphere。
Itseems,then,thatthereismarriageintwootherspheres。IntheShi’matrimonyisrecordedasbeingparallelineveryrespectwithearth-marriage,andthedesirewhichurgestoitseemstoheasviolentandinconstantasitiswithus;butintheMany-ColouredLandmarriageisbutacontemplationofbeauty,abroodingandmeditationwhereinallgrosserdesireisunknownandchildrenareborntosinlessparents。
IntheShi’thecrimeofBecumawouldhavebeenlightlyconsidered,andwouldhavereceivednoneorbutanominalpunishment,butinthesecondworldahorridgravityattachestosuchalapse,andtheretributionmetedisimplacableandgrim。
Itmaybedissolutionbyfire,andthatcannoteadestructiontoofinalforthemindtocontemplate;oritmaybebanishmentfromthatspheretoalowerandworseone。
ThiswasthefateofBecumaoftheWhiteSkin。
Onemaywonderhow,havingattainedtothatsphere,shecouldhavecarriedwithhersostrongamemoryoftheearth。ItiscertainthatshewasnotafitpersontoexistintheMany-ColouredLand,anditistobefearedthatshewasorganisedtoogrosslyevenforlifeintheShi’。
Shewasanearth-woman,andshewasbanishedtotheearth。
WordwassenttotheShi’sofIrelandthatthisladyshouldnotbepermittedtoenteranyofthem;fromwhichitwouldseemthattheordinancesoftheShicomefromthehigherworld,and,itmightfollow,thattheconductofearthliesintheShi’。
Inthatway,thegatesofherownworldandtheinnumerabledoorsofFaerybeingclosedagainsther,Becumawasforcedtoappearintheworldofmen。
Itispleasant,however,notwithstandingherterriblecrimeandherwoefulpunishment,tothinkhowcourageousshewas。Whenshewastoldhersentence,nay,herdoom,shemadenooutcry,nordidshewasteanytimeinsorrow。Shewenthomeandputonhernicestclothes。
Sheworearedsatinsmock,and,overthis,acloakofgreensilkoutofwhichlongfringesofgoldswungandsparkled,andshehadlightsandalsofwhitebronzeonherthin,shapelyfeet。Shehadlongsofthairthatwasyellowasgold,andsoftasthecurlingfoamofthesea。Hereyeswerewideandclearaswaterandweregreyasadove’sbreast。Herteethwerewhiteassnowandofanevennesstomarvelat。Herlipswerethinandbeautifullycurved:
redlipsintruth,redaswinterberriesandtemptingasthefruitsofsummer。Thepeoplewhosuperintendedherdeparturesaidmournfullythatwhenshewasgonetherewouldbenomorebeautyleftintheirworld。
Shesteppedintoacoracle,itwaspushedontheenchantedwaters,anditwentforward,worldwithinworld,untillandappeared,andherboatswunginlowtideagainstarockatthefootofBenEdair。
Sofarforher。
CHAPTERII
ConntheHundredFighter,Ard-Ri’ofIreland,wasinthelowestspiritsthatcanbeimagined,forhiswifewasdead。HehadbeenArd-Rifornineyears,andduringhistermthecornusedtobereapedthreetimesineachyear,andtherewasfullandplentyofeverything。Therearefewkingswhocanboastofmorekinglyresultsthanhecan,buttherewassoretroubleinstoreforhim。
HehadbeenmarriedtoEithne,thedaughterofBrislandBinn,KingofNorway,and,nexttohissubjects,helovedhiswifemorethanallthatwaslovableintheworld。Butthetermofmanandwoman,ofkingorqueen,issetinthestars,andthereisnoescapingDoomforanyone;so,whenhertimecame,Eithnedied。
Nowtherewerethreegreatburying-placesinIreland——theBrughoftheBoyneinUlster,overwhichAngusOgischiefandgod;theShi’moundofCruachanAhi,whereEthalAnbualpresidesovertheunderworldofConnacht,andTailltin,inRoyalMeath。Itwasinthislast,thesacredplaceofhisownlordship,thatConnlaidhiswifetorest。
Herfuneralgameswereplayedduringninedays。Herkeenwassungbypoetsandharpers,andacairntenacreswidewasheavedoverherclay。Thenthekeeningceasedandthegamesdrewtoanend;
theprincesoftheFiveProv-incesreturnedbyhorseorbychariottotheirownplaces;theconcourseofmournersmeltedaway,andtherewasnothingleftbythegreatcairnbutthesunthatdozeduponitinthedaytime,theheavycloudsthatbroodedonitinthenight,andthedesolate,memoriedking。
ForthedeadqueenhadbeensolovelythatConncouldnotforgether;shehadbeensokindateverymomentthathecouldnotbutmissherateverymoment;butitwasintheCouncilChamberandtheJudgementHallthathemostponderedhermemory。Forshehadalsobeenwise,andlack-ingherguidance,allgraveaffairsseemedgraver,shadowingeachdayandgoingwithhimtothepillowatnight。
Thetroubleofthekingbecomesthetroubleofthesubject,forhowshallweliveifjudgementiswithheld,oriffaultydecisionsarepromulgated?Therefore,withthesorrowoftheking,allIrelandwasingrief,anditwasthewishofeverypersonthatheshouldmarryagain。
Suchanidea,however,didnotoccurtohim,forhecouldnotconceivehowanywomanshouldfilltheplacehisqueenhadvacated。Hegrewmoreandmoredespondent,andlessandlessfittedtocopewithaffairsofstate,andonedayheinstructedhissonArttotaketheruleduringhisabsence,andhesetoutforBenEdair。
Foragreatwishhadcomeuponhimtowalkbesidethesea;tolistentotherollandboomoflong,greybreakers;togazeonanunfruitful,desolatewildernessofwaters;andtoforgetinthosesightsallthathecouldforget,andifhecouldnotforgetthentorememberallthatheshouldremember。
Hewasthusgazingandbroodingwhenonedayheobservedacoracledrawingtotheshore。Ayounggirlsteppedfromitandwalkedtohimamongblackbouldersandpatchesofyellowsand。
CHAPTERIII
Beingakinghehadauthoritytoaskquestions。Connaskedher,therefore,allthequestionsthathecouldthinkof,foritisnoteverydaythataladydrivesfromthesea,andshewearingagolden-fringedcloakofgreensilkthroughwhicharedsatinsmockpeepedattheopenings。Sherepliedtohisquestions,butshedidnottellhimallthetruth;for,indeed,shecouldnotaffordto。
Sheknewwhohewas,forsheretainedsomeofthepowerspropertotheworldsshehadleft,andashelookedonhersoftyellowhairandonherthinredlips,Connrecognised,asallmendo,thatonewhoislovelymustalsobegood,andsohedidnotframeanyinquiryonthatcount;foreverythingisforgotteninthepresenceofaprettywoman,andamagiciancanbebewitchedalso。
ShetoldConnthatthefameofhissonArthadreachedeventheMany-ColouredLand,andthatshehadfalleninlovewiththeboy。
ThisdidnotseemunreasonabletoonewhohadhimselfventuredmuchinFaery,andwhohadknownsomanyofthepeopleofthatworldleavetheirownlandfortheloveofamortal。
\"Whatisyourname,mysweetlady?\"saidtheking。
\"IamcalledDelvcaem(FairShape)andIamthedaughterofMorgan,\"shereplied。
\"IhaveheardmuchofMorgan,\"saidtheking。\"Heisaverygreatmagician。\"
DuringthisconversationConnhadbeenregardingherwiththeminutefreedomwhichisrightonlyinaking。Atwhatpreciseinstantheforgothisdeadconsortwedonotknow,butitiscertainthatatthismomenthismindwasnolongerburdenedwiththatdearandlovelymemory。Hisvoicewasmelancholywhenhespokeagain。
\"Youlovemyson!\"
\"Whocouldavoidlovinghim?\"shemurmured。
\"Whenawomanspeakstoamanabouttheloveshefeelsforanothermansheisnotliked。And,\"hecontinued,\"whenshespeakstoamanwhohasnowifeofhisownaboutherloveforanothermanthensheisdisliked。\"
\"Iwouldnotbedislikedbyyou,\"Becumamurmured。
\"Nevertheless,\"saidheregally,\"Iwillnotcomebetweenawomanandherchoice。\"
\"Ididnotknowyoulackedawife,\"saidBecuma,butindeedshedid。
\"Youknowitnow,\"thekingrepliedsternly。
\"WhatshallIdo?\"sheinquired,\"amItowedyouoryourson?\"
\"Youmustchoose,\"Connanswered。
\"Ifyouallowmetochooseitmeansthatyoudonotwantmeverybadly,\"saidshewithasmile。
\"ThenIwillnotallowyoutochoose,\"criedtheking,\"anditiswithmyselfyoushallmarry。\"
Hetookherhandinhisandkissedit。
\"Lovelyisthispalethinhand。LovelyistheslenderfootthatI
seeinasmallbronzeshoe,\"saidtheking。
Afterasuitabletimeshecontinued:
\"IshouldnotlikeyoursontobeatTarawhenIamthere,orforayearafterwards,forIdonotwishtomeethimuntilIhaveforgottenhimandhavecometoknowyouwell。\"
\"Idonotwishtobanishmyson,\"thekingprotested。
\"Itwouldnotreallybeabanishment,\"shesaid。\"Aprince’sdutycouldbesethim,andinsuchanabsencehewouldimprovehisknowledgebothofIrelandandofmen。Further,\"shecontinuedwithdowncasteyes,\"whenyourememberthereasonthatbroughtmehereyouwillseethathispresencewouldbeanembarrassmenttousboth,andmypresencewouldbeunpleasanttohimifheremembershismother。\"
\"Nevertheless,\"saidConnstubbornly,\"Idonotwishtobanishmyson;itisawkwardandunnecessary。\"
\"Forayearonly,\"shepleaded。
\"Itisyet,\"hecontinuedthoughtfully,\"areasonablereasonthatyougiveandIwilldowhatyouask,butbymyhandandwordI
don’tlikedoingit。\"
Theysetoutthenbrisklyandjoyfullyonthehomewardjourney,andinduetimetheyreachedTaraoftheKings。
CHAPTERIV
Itispartoftheeducationofaprincetobeagoodchessplayer,andtocontinuallyexercisehismindinviewofthejudgementsthathewillbecalledupontogiveandtheknotty,tortuous,andperplexingmatterswhichwillobscuretheissueswhichhemustjudge。Art,thesonofConn,wassittingatchesswithCromdes,hisfather’smagician。
\"Beverycarefulaboutthemoveyouaregoingtomake,\"saidCromdes。
\"CANIbecareful?\"Artinquired。\"Isthemovethatyouarethinkingofinmypower?\"
\"Itisnot,\"theotheradmitted。
\"ThenIneednotbemorecarefulthanusual,\"Artreplied,andhemadehismove。
\"Itisamoveofbanishment,\"saidCromdes。
\"AsIwillnotbanishmyself,Isupposemyfatherwilldoit,butIdonotknowwhyheshould。\"
\"Yourfatherwillnotbanishyou。\"
\"Whothen?\"\"Yourmother。\"
\"Mymotherisdead。\"
\"Youhaveanewone,\"saidthemagician。
\"Hereisnews,\"saidArt。\"IthinkIshallnotlovemynewmother。\"
\"Youwillyetloveherbetterthanshelovesyou,\"saidCromdes,meaningtherebythattheywouldhateeachother。
WhiletheyspokethekingandBecumaenteredthepalace。
\"Ihadbettergotogreetmyfather,\"saidtheyoungman。
\"Youhadbetterwaituntilhesendsforyou,\"hiscompanionadvised,andtheyreturnedtotheirgame。
InduetimeamessengercamefromthekingdirectingArttoleaveTarainstantly,andtoleaveIrelandforonefullyear。
HeleftTarathatnight,andforthespaceofayearhewasnotseenagaininIreland。ButduringthatperiodthingsdidnotgowellwiththekingnorwithIreland。Everyyearbeforethattimethreecropsofcornusedtobeliftedofftheland,butduringArt’sabsencetherewasnocorninIrelandandtherewasnomilk。
Thewholelandwenthungry。
Leanpeoplewereineveryhouse,leancattleineveryfield;thebushesdidnotswingouttheirtimelyberriesorseasonablenuts;
thebeeswentabroadasbusilyasever,buteachnighttheyreturnedlanguidly,withemptypouches,andtherewasnohoneyintheirhiveswhenthehoneyseasoncame。Peoplebegantolookateachotherquestioningly,meaningly,anddarkremarkspassedbetweenthem,fortheyknewthatabadharvestmeans,somehow,abadking,and,althoughthisbeliefcanbecombated,itistoofirmlyrootedinwisdomtobedismissed。
Thepoetsandmagiciansmettoconsiderwhythisdisastershouldhavebefallenthecountryandbytheirartstheydiscoveredthetruthabouttheking’swife,andthatshewasBecumaoftheWhiteSkin,andtheydiscoveredalsothecauseofherbanishmentfromtheMany-ColouredLandthatisbeyondthesea,whichisbeyondeventhegrave。
Theytoldthetruthtotheking,buthecouldnotbeartobepartedfromthatslender-handed,gold-haired,thin-lipped,blitheenchantress,andherequiredthemtodiscoversomemeanswherebyhemightretainhiswifeandhiscrown。Therewasawayandthemagicianstoldhimofit。
\"IfthesonofasinlesscouplecanbefoundandifhisbloodbemixedwiththesollofTaratheblightandruinwilldepartfromIreland,\"saidthemagicians。
\"IfthereissuchaboyIwillfindhim,\"criedtheHundredFighter。
AttheendofayearArtreturnedtoTara。HisfatherdeliveredtohimthesceptreofIreland,andhesetoutonajourneytofindthesonofasinlesscouplesuchashehadbeentoldof。
CHAPTERV
TheHighKingdidnotknowwhereexactlyheshouldlookforsuchasaviour,buthewaswelleducatedandknewhowtolookforwhateverwaslacking。Thisknowledgewillheusefultothoseuponwhomasimilardutyshouldeverdevolve。
HewenttoBenEdair。Hesteppedintoacoracleandpushedouttothedeep,andhepermittedthecoracletogoasthewindsandthewavesdirectedit。
Insuchawayhevoyagedamongthesmallislandsoftheseauntilhelostallknowledgeofhiscourseandwasadriftfaroutinocean。Hewasundertheguidanceofthestarsandthegreatluminaries。
Hesawblacksealsthatstaredandbarkedanddiveddancingly,withtheroundturnofabowandtheforwardonsetofanarrow。
Greatwhalescameheavingfromthegreen-huedvoid,blowingawaveoftheseahighintotheairfromtheirnosesandsmackingtheirwideflattailsthunder-ouslyonthewater。Porpoiseswentsnortingpastinbandsandclans。Smallfishcameslidingandflickering,andalltheoutlandishcreaturesofthedeeprosebyhisbobbingcraftandswirledandspedaway。
Wildstormshowledbyhimsothattheboatclimbedpainfullytotheskyonamile-highwave,balancedforatensemomentonitsleveltop,andspeddowntheglassysideasastonegoesfuriouslyfromasling。
Or,again,caughtinthechopofabrokensea,itstayedshudderingandbacking,whileabovehisheadtherewasonlyalowsadsky,andaroundhimthelapandwashofgreywavesthatwereneverthesameandwereneverdifferent。
Afterlongstaringonthehungrynothingnessofairandwaterhewouldstareontheskin-stretchedfabricofhisboatasonastrangeness,orhewouldexaminehishandsandthetextureofhisskinandthestiffblackhairsthatgrewbehindhisknucklesandsproutedaroundhisring,andhefoundinthesethingsnewnessandwonder。
Then,whendaysofstormhadpassed,thelowgreycloudsshiveredandcrackedinathousandplaces,eachgrimisletwentscuddingtothehorizonasthoughterrifiedbysomegreatbreadth,andwhentheyhadpassedhestaredintovastaftervastofblueinfinity,inthedepthsofwhichhiseyesstayedandcouldnotpierce,andwherefromtheycouldscarcelybewithdrawn。Asunbeamedthencethatfilledtheairwithsparkleandtheseawithathousandlights,andlookingonthesehewasremindedofhishomeatTara:ofthecolumnsofwhiteandyellowbronzethatblazedoutsunnilyonthesun,andtheredandwhiteandyellowpaintedroofsthatbeamedatandastonishedtheeye。
Sailingthus,lostinasuccessionofdaysandnights,ofwindsandcalms,hecameatlasttoanisland。
Hisbackwasturnedtoit,andlongbeforehesawithesmelleditandwondered;forhehadbeensittingasinadaze,musingonachangethathadseemedtocomeinhischangelessworld;andforalongtimehecouldnottellwhatthatwaswhichmadeadifferenceonthesalt-whippedwindorwhyheshouldbeexcited。
Forsuddenlyhehadbecomeexcitedandhisheartleapedinviolentexpectation。
\"ItisanOctobersmell,\"hesaid。
\"ItisapplesthatIsmell。\"
Heturnedthenandsawtheisland,fragrantwithappletrees,sweetwithwellsofwine;and,hearkeningtowardstheshore,hisears,dulledyetwiththeunendingrhythmsofthesea,distinguishedandwerefilledwithsong;fortheislewas,asitwere,anestofbirds,andtheysangjoyously,sweetly,triumphantly。
Helandedonthatlovelyisland,andwentforwardunderthedartingbirds,undertheappleboughs,skirtingfragrantlakesaboutwhichwerewoodsofthesacredhazelandintowhichthenutsofknowledgefellandswam;andheblessedthegodsofhispeoplebecauseofthegroundthatdidnotshiverandbecauseofthedeeplyrootedtreesthatcouldnotgadorbudge。
CHAPTERVI
Havinggonesomedistancebythesepleasantwayshesawashapelyhousedozinginthesunlight。
Itwasthatchedwiththewingsofbirds,bluewingsandyellowandwhitewings,andinthecentreofthehousetherewasadoorofcrystalsetinpostsofbronze。
Thequeenofthisislandlivedthere,Rigru(Large-eyed),thedaughterofLodan,andwifeofDaireDegamra。ShewasseatedonacrystalthronewithhersonSegdabyherside,andtheywelcomedtheHighKingcourteously。
Therewerenoservantsinthispalace;norwasthereneedforthem。TheHighKingfoundthathishandshadwashedthemselves,andwhenlateronhenoticedthatfoodhadbeenplacedbeforehimhenoticedalsothatithadcomewithouttheassistanceofservilehands。Acloakwaslaidgentlyabouthisshoulders,andhewasgladofit,forhisownwassoiledbyexposuretosunandwindandwater,andwasnotworthyofalady’seye。
Thenhewasinvitedtoeat。
Henoticed,however,thatfoodhadbeensetfornoonebuthimself,andthisdidnotpleasehim,fortoeatalonewascontrarytothehospitableusageofaking,andwascontraryalsotohiscontractwiththegods。
\"Good,myhosts,\"heremonstrated,\"itisgeasa(taboo)formetoeatalone。\"
\"Butwenevereattogether,\"thequeenreplied。
\"Icannotviolatemygeasa,\"saidtheHighKing。
\"Iwilleatwithyou,\"saidSegda(SweetSpeech),\"andthus,whileyouareourguestyouwillnotdoviolencetoyourvows。\"
\"Indeed,\"saidConn,\"thatwillbeagreatsatisfaction,forI
havealreadyallthetroublethatIcancopewithandhavenowishtoaddtoitbyoffendingthegods。\"
\"Whatisyourtrouble?\"thegentlequeenasked。\"Duringayear,\"
Connreplied,\"therehasbeenneithercornnormilkinIreland。
Thelandisparched,thetreesarewithered,thebirdsdonotsinginIreland,andthebeesdonotmakehoney。\"
\"Youarecertainlyintrouble,\"thequeenassented。
\"But,\"shecontinued,\"forwhatpurposehaveyoucometoourisland?\"
\"Ihavecometoaskfortheloanofyourson。\"
\"Aloanofmyson!\"
\"Ihavebeeninformed,\"Connexplained,\"thatifthesonofasinlesscoupleisbroughttoTaraandisbathedinthewatersofIrelandthelandwillbedeliveredfromthoseills。\"
Thekingofthisisland,Daire,hadnothithertospoken,buthenowdidsowithastonishmentandemphasis。
\"Wewouldnotlendoursontoanyone,noteventogainthekingshipoftheworld,\"saidhe。
ButSegda,observingthattheguest’scountenancewasdiscomposed,brokein:
\"ItisnotkindtorefuseathingthattheArd-Ri’ofIrelandasksfor,andIwillgowithhim。\"
\"Donotgo,mypulse,\"hisfatheradvised。
\"Donotgo,myonetreasure,\"hismotherpleaded。
\"Imustgoindeed,\"theboyreplied,\"foritistodogoodIamrequired,andnopersonmayshirksucharequirement。\"
\"Gothen,\"saidhisfather,\"butIwillplaceyouundertheprotectionoftheHighKingandoftheFourProvincialKingsofIreland,andundertheprotectionofArt,thesonofConn,andofFionn,thesonofUail,andundertheprotectionofthemagiciansandpoetsandthemenofartinIreland。\"AndhethereuponboundtheseprotectionsandsafeguardsontheArd-Ri’withanoath。
\"Iwillanswerfortheseprotections,\"saidConn。
HedepartedthenfromtheislandwithSegdaandinthreedaystheyreachedIreland,andinduetimetheyarrivedatTara。
CHAPTERVII
OnreachingthepalaceConncalledhismagiciansandpoetstoacouncilandinformedthemthathehadfoundtheboytheysought——thesonofavirgin。Theselearnedpeopleconsultedtogether,andtheystatedthattheyoungmanmustbekilled,andthathisbloodshouldbemixedwiththeearthofTaraandsprinkledunderthewitheredtrees。
WhenSegdaheardthishewasastonishedanddefiant;then,seeingthathewasaloneandwithoutprospectofsuccour,hegrewdowncastandwasingreatfearforhislife。Butrememberingthesafeguardsunderwhichhehadbeenplaced,heenumeratedthesetotheassembly,andcalledontheHighKingtogranthimtheprotectionsthatwerehisdue。
Connwasgreatlyperturbed,but,asindutybound,heplacedtheboyunderthevariousprotectionsthatwereinhisoath,and,withthecourageofonewhohasnomoretogainorlose,heplacedSegda,furthermore,undertheprotectionofallthemenofIreland。
ButthemenofIrelandrefusedtoacceptthatbond,sayingthatalthoughtheArd-Ri’wasactingjustlytowardstheboyhewasnotactingjustlytowardsIreland。
\"Wedonotwishtoslaythisprinceforourpleasure,\"theyargued,\"butforthesafetyofIrelandhemustbekilled。\"
Angrypartieswereformed。Art,andFionnthesonofUail,andtheprincesofthelandwereoutragedattheideathatonewhohadbeenplacedundertheirprotectionshouldbehurtbyanyhand。ButthemenofIrelandandthemagiciansstatedthatthekinghadgonetoFaeryforaspecialpurpose,andthathisactsoutsideorcontrarytothatpurposewereillegal,andcommittednopersontoobedience。
ThereweredebatesintheCouncilHall,inthemarket-place,inthestreetsofTara,someholdingthatnationalhonourdissolvedandabsolvedallpersonalhonour,andothersprotestingthatnomanhadaughtbuthispersonalhonour,andthataboveitnotthegods,notevenIreland,couldbeplaced——foritistobeknownthatIrelandisagod。
Suchadebatewasincourse,andSegda,towhombothsidesaddressedgentleandcourteousarguments,grewmoreandmoredisconsolate。
\"YoushalldieforIreland,dearheart,\"saidoneofthem,andhegaveSegdathreekissesoneachcheek。
\"Indeed,\"saidSegda,returningthosekisses,\"indeedIhadnotbargainedtodieforIreland,butonlytobatheinherwatersandtoremoveherpestilence。\"
\"Butdearchildandprince,\"saidanother,kissinghimlikewise,\"ifanyoneofuscouldsaveIrelandbydyingforherhowcheerfullywewoulddie。\"
AndSegda,returninghisthreekisses,agreedthatthedeathwasnoble,butthatitwasnotinhisundertaking。
Then,observingthestrickencountenancesabouthim,andthefacesofmenandwomenhewnthinbyhunger,hisresolutionmeltedaway,andhesaid:
\"IthinkImustdieforyou,\"andthenhesaid:
\"Iwilldieforyou\"
Andwhenhehadsaidthat,allthepeoplepresenttouchedhischeekwiththeirlips,andtheloveandpeaceofIrelandenteredintohissoul,sothathewastranquilandproudandhappy。
Theexecutionerdrewhiswide,thinbladeandallthosepresentcoveredtheireyeswiththeircloaks,whenawailingvoicecalledontheexecutionertodelayyetamoment。TheHighKinguncoveredhiseyesandsawthatawomanhadapproacheddrivingacowbeforeher。
\"Whyareyoukillingtheboy?\"shedemanded。
Thereasonforthisslayingwasexplainedtoher。
\"Areyousure,\"sheasked,\"thatthepoetsandmagiciansreallyknoweverything?\"
\"Dotheynot?\"thekinginquired。
\"Dothey?\"sheinsisted。
Andthenturningtothemagicians:
\"Letonemagicianofthemagicianstellmewhatishiddeninthebagsthatarelyingacrossthebackofmycow。\"
Butnomagiciancouldtellit,nordidtheytryto。
\"Questionsarenotansweredthus,\"theysaid。\"Thereisformulae,andthecallingupofspirits,andlengthycomplicatedpreparationsinourart。\"
\"Iamnotbadlylearnedinthesearts,\"saidthewoman,\"andI
saythatifyouslaythiscowtheeffectwillbethesameasifyouhadkilledtheboy。\"
\"Wewouldprefertokillacoworathousandcowsratherthanharmthisyoungprince,\"saidConn,\"butifwesparetheboywilltheseevilsreturn?\"
\"Theywillnotbebanisheduntilyouhavebanishedtheircause。\"
\"Andwhatistheircause?\"
\"Becumaisthecause,andshemustbebanished。\"
\"Ifyoumusttellmewhattodo,\"saidConn,\"tellmeatleasttodosomethingthatIcando。\"
\"Iwilltellyoucertainly。YoucankeepBecumaandyourillsaslongasyouwantto。Itdoesnotmattertome。Come,myson,\"shesaidtoSegda,foritwasSegda’smotherwhohadcometosavehim;andthenthatsinlessqueenandhersonwentbacktotheirhomeofenchantment,leavingthekingandFionnandthemagiciansandnoblesofIrelandastonishedandashamed。
CHAPTERVIII
Therearegoodandevilpeopleinthisandineveryotherworld,andthepersonwhogoeshencewillgotothegoodortheevilthatisnativetohim,whilethosewhoreturncomeassurelytotheirdue。ThetroublewhichhadfallenonBecumadidnotleaveherrepentant,andthesweetladybegantodowrongasinstantlyandinnocentlyasaflowerbeginstogrow。ItwasshewhowasresponsiblefortheillswhichhadcomeonIreland,andwemaywonderwhyshebroughttheseplaguesanddroughtstowhatwasnowherowncountry。
Underallwrong-doingliespersonalvanityorthefeelingthatweareendowedandprivilegedbeyondourfellows。Itisprobablethat,howevercourageouslyshehadacceptedfate,Becumahadbeensharplystrickeninherpride;inthesenseofpersonalstrength,aloofness,andidentity,inwhichthemindlikensitselftogodandwillresisteverydominationbutitsown。Shehadbeenpunished,thatis,shehadsubmittedtocontrol,andhersenseoffreedom,ofprivilege,ofverybeing,wasoutraged。Themindflinchesevenfromthecontrolofnaturallaw,andhowmuchmorefromthedespotismofitsownseparatedlikenesses,forifanothercancontrolmethatotherhasusurpedme,hasbecomeme,andhowterriblyIseemdiminishedbytheseemingaddition!
Thissenseofseparatenessisvanity,andisthebedofallwrong-doing。Forwearenotfreedom,wearecontrol,andwemustsubmittoourownfunctionerewecanexerciseit。Evenunconsciouslyweaccepttherightsofotherstoallthatwehave,andifwewillnotshareourgoodwiththem,itisbecausewecannot,havingnone;butwewillyetgivewhatwehave,althoughthatbeevil。Toinsistonotherpeoplesharinginourpersonaltormentisthefirststeptowardsinsistingthattheyshallshareinourjoy,asweshallinsistwhenwegetit。
Becumaconsideredthatifshemustsufferallelseshemetshouldsufferalso。Sheraged,therefore,againstIreland,andinparticularsheragedagainstyoungArt,herhusband’sson,andsheleftundonenothingthatcouldafflictIrelandortheprince。
Shemayhavefeltthatshecouldnotmakethemsuffer,andthatisamaddeningthoughttoanywoman。Orperhapsshehadreallydesiredthesoninsteadofthefather,andherthwarteddesirehadperpetuateditselfashate。ButitistruethatArtregardedhismother’ssuccessorwithintensedislike,anditistruethatsheactivelyreturnedit。
OnedayBecumacameonthelawnbeforethepalace,andseeingthatArtwasatchesswithCromdesshewalkedtothetableonwhichthematchwasbeingplayedandforsometimeregardedthegame。Buttheyoungprincedidnottakeanynoticeofherwhileshestoodbytheboard,forheknewthatthisgirlwastheenemyofIreland,andhecouldnotbringhimselfeventolookather。
Becuma,lookingdownonhisbeautifulhead,smiledasmuchinrageasindisdain。
\"Osonofaking,\"saidshe,\"Idemandagamewithyouforstakes。\"
Artthenraisedhisheadandstoodupcourteously,buthedidnotlookather。
\"WhateverthequeendemandsIwilldo,\"saidhe。
\"AmInotyourmotheralso?\"sherepliedmockingly,asshetooktheseatwhichthechiefmagicianleapedfrom。
Thegamewassetthen,andherplaywassoskilfulthatArtwashardputtocounterhermoves。ButatapointofthegameBecumagrewthoughtful,and,asbyalapseofmemory,shemadeamovewhichgavethevictorytoheropponent。Butshehadintendedthat。Shesatthen,bitingonherlipwithherwhitesmallteethandstaringangrilyatArt。
\"Whatdoyoudemandfromme?\"sheasked。
\"IbindyoutoeatnofoodinIrelanduntilyoufindthewandofCuroi,sonofDare’。\"
BecumathenputacloakaboutherandshewentfromTaranorthwardandeastwarduntilshecametothedewy,sparklingBrughofAngusmacanOginUlster,butshewasnotadmittedthere。ShewentthencetotheShi’ruledoverbyEogabal,andalthoughthislordwouldnotadmither,hisdaughterAine’,whowasherfoster-sister,letherintoFaery。
ShemadeinquiriesandwasinformedwherethedunofCuroimacDare’was,andwhenshehadreceivedthisintelligenceshesetoutforSlievMis。BywhatartsshecoaxedCuroitogiveuphiswanditmattersnot,enoughthatshewasabletoreturnintriumphtoTara。WhenshehandedthewandtoArt,shesaid:
\"Iclaimmygameofrevenge。\"
\"Itisduetoyou,\"saidArt,andtheysatonthelawnbeforethepalaceandplayed。
Ahardgamethatwas,andattimeseachofthecombatantssatforanhourstaringontheboardbeforethenextmovewasmade,andattimestheylookedfromtheboardandforhoursstaredontheskyseekingasthoughinheavenforadvice。ButBecuma’sfoster-sister,Aine’,camefromtheShi’,and,unseenbyany,sheinterferedwithArt’splay,sothat,suddenly,whenhelookedagainontheboard,hisfacewentpale,forhesawthatthegamewaslost。
\"Ididn’tmovethatpiece,\"saidhesternly。
\"NordidI,\"Becumareplied,andshecalledontheonlookerstoconfirmthatstatement。
Shewassmilingtoherselfsecretly,forshehadseenwhatthemortaleyesaroundcouldnotsee。
\"Ithinkthegameismine,\"sheinsistedsoftly。
\"IthinkthatyourfriendsinFaeryhavecheated,\"hereplied,\"butthegameisyoursifyouarecontenttowinitthatway。\"
\"Ibindyou,\"saidBecuma,\"toeatnofoodinIrelanduntilyouhavefoundDelvcaem,thedaughterofMorgan。\"
\"WheredoIlookforher?\"saidArtindespair。
\"Sheisinoneoftheislandsofthesea,\"Becumareplied,\"thatisallIwilltellyou,\"andshelookedathimmaliciously,joyously,contentedly,forshethoughthewouldneverreturnfromthatjourney,andthatMorganwouldseetoit。