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THESTORYOFTUANMACCAIRILL

THEBOYHOODOFFIONN

THEBIRTHOFBRAN

OISI’N’SMOTHER

THEWOOINGOFBECFOLA

THELITTLEBRAWLATALLEN

THECARLOFTHEDRABCOAT

THEENCHANTEDCAVEOFCESHCORRAN

BECUMAOFTHEWHITESKIN

MONGAN’SFRENZY

THESTORYOFTUANMACCAIRILL

CHAPTERI

Finnian,theAbbottofMoville,wentsouthwardsandeastwardsingreathaste。NewshadcometohiminDonegalthattherewereyetpeopleinhisownprovincewhobelievedingodsthathedidnotapproveof,andthegodsthatwedonotapproveofaretreatedscurvily,evenbysaintlymen。

HewastoldofapowerfulgentlemanwhoobservedneitherSaint’sdaynorSunday。

"Apowerfulperson!"saidFinnian。

"Allthat,"wasthereply。

"Weshalltrythisperson’spower,"saidFinnian。

"Heisreputedtobeawiseandhardyman,"saidhisinformant。

"Weshalltesthiswisdomandhishardihood。"

"Heis,"thatgossipwhispered——"heisamagician。"

"Iwillmagicianhim,"criedFinnianangrily。"Wheredoesthatmanlive?"

Hewasinformed,andheproceededtothatdirectionwithoutdelay。

Innogreattimehecametothestrongholdofthegentlemanwhofollowedancientways,andhedemandedadmittanceinorderthathemightpreachandprovethenewGod,andexorciseandterrifyandbanisheventhememoryoftheoldone;fortoagodgrownoldTimeisasruthlessastoabeggarmangrownold。

ButtheUlstergentlemanrefusedFinnianadmittance。Hebarricadedhishouse,heshutteredhiswindows,andinagloomofindignationandprotesthecontinuedthepracticesoftenthousandyears,andwouldnothearkentoFinniancallingatthewindowortoTimeknockingathisdoor。

Butofthoseadversariesitwasthefirstheredoubted。

Finnianloomedonhimasaportentandaterror;buthehadnofearofTime。Indeedhewasthefoster-brotherofTime,andsodisdainfulofthebittergodthathedidnotevendisdainhim;heleapedoverthescythe,hedodgedunderit,andthesoleoccasionsonwhichTimelaughsiswhenhechancesonTuan,thesonofCairill,thesonofMuredacRed-neck。

CHAPTERII

NowFinniancouldnotabidethatanypersonshouldresistboththeGospelandhimself,andheproceededtoforcethestrongholdbypeacefulbutpowerfulmethods。Hefastedonthegentleman,andhedidsotosuchpurposethathewasadmittedtothehouse;fortoanhospitablehearttheideathatastrangermayexpireonyourdoorstepfromsheerfaminecannotbetolerated。Thegentleman,however,didnotgiveinwithoutastruggle:hethoughtthatwhenFinnianhadgrownsufficientlyhungryhewouldliftthesiegeandtakehimselfofftosomeplacewherehemightgetfood。ButhedidnotknowFinnian。Thegreatabbotsatdownonaspotjustbeyondthedoor,andcomposedhimselftoallthatmightfollowfromhisaction。Hebenthisgazeonthegroundbetweenhisfeet,andenteredintoameditationfromwhichhewouldOnlybereleasedbyadmissionordeath。

Thefirstdaypassedquietly。

Oftenthegentlemanwouldsendaservitortospyifthatdeserterofthegodswasstillbeforehisdoor,andeachtimetheservantrepliedthathewasstillthere。

"Hewillbegoneinthemorning,"saidthehopefulmaster。

Onthemorrowthestateofsiegecontinued,andthroughthatdaytheservantsweresentmanytimestoobservethroughspy-holes。

"Go,"hewouldsay,"andfindoutiftheworshipperofnewgodshastakenhimselfaway。"

Buttheservantsreturnedeachtimewiththesameinformation。

"Thenewdruidisstillthere,"theysaid。

Allthroughthatdaynoonecouldleavethestronghold。Andtheenforcedseclusionwroughtonthemindsoftheservants,whilethecessationofallworkbandedthemtogetherinsmallgroupsthatwhisperedanddiscussedanddisputed。Thenthesegroupswoulddispersetopeepthroughthespy-holeatthepatient,immobilefigureseatedbeforethedoor,wrappedinameditationthatwastimelessandunconcerned。Theytookfrightatthespectacle,andonceortwiceawomanscreamedhysterically,andwasbundledawaywithacompanion’shandclappedonhermouth,sothattheearoftheirmastershouldnotbeaffronted。

"Hehashisowntroubles,"theysaid。"Itisacombatofthegodsthatistakingplace。"

Somuchforthewomen;butthemenalsowereuneasy。Theyprowledupanddown,trampingfromthespy-holetothekitchen,andfromthekitchentotheturretedroof。Andfromtherooftheywouldlookdownonthemotionlessfigurebelow,andspeculateonmanythings,includingthestaunchnessofman,thequalitiesoftheirmaster,andeventhepossibilitythatthenewgodsmightbeaspowerfulastheold。Fromthesepeepingsanddiscussionstheywouldreturnlanguidanddiscouraged。

"If,"saidoneirritableguard,"ifwebuzzedaspearatthepersistentstranger,orifoneslungathimwithajaggedpebble!"

"What!"hismasterdemandedwrathfully,"isaspeartobethrownatanunarmedstranger?Andfromthishouse!"Andhesoundlycuffedthatindelicateservant。

"Beatpeaceallofyou,"hesaid,"forhungerhasawhip,andhewilldrivethestrangerawayinthenight。"

Thehouseholdretiredtowretchedbeds;butforthemasterofthehousetherewasnosleep。Hemarchedhishallsallnight,goingoftentothespy-holetoseeifthatshadowwasstillsittingintheshade,andpacingthence,tormented,preoccupied,refusingeventhenoseofhisfavouritedogasitpressedlovinglyintohisclosedpalm。

Onthemorrowhegavein。

Thegreatdoorwasswungwide,andtwoofhisservantscarriedFinnianintothehouse,forthesaintcouldnolongerwalkorstanduprightbyreasonofthehungerandexposuretowhichhehadsubmitted。Buthisframewastoughastheunconquerablespiritthatdweltwithinit,andinnolongtimehewasreadyforwhatevermightcomeofdisputeoranathema。

Beingquitere-establishedheundertooktheconversionofthemasterofthehouse,andthesiegehelaidagainstthatnotableintelligencewaslongspokenofamongthosewhoareinterestedinsuchthings。

HehadbeatenthediseaseofMugain;hehadbeatenhisownpupilthegreatColmCille;hebeatTuanalso,andjustasthelatter’sdoorhadopenedtothepersistentstranger,sohisheartopened,andFinnianmarchedtheretodothewillofGod,andhisownwill。

CHAPTERIII

OnedaytheyweretalkingtogetheraboutthemajestyofGodandHislove,foralthoughTuanhadnowreceivedmuchinstructiononthissubjectheyetneededmore,andhelaidascloseasiegeonFinnianasFinnianhadbeforethatlaidonhim。Butmanworksoutwardlyandinwardly。Afterresthehasenergy,afterenergyheneedsrepose;so,whenwehavegiveninstructionforatime,weneedinstruction,andmustreceiveitorthespiritfaintsandwisdomherselfgrowsbitter。

ThereforeFinniansaid:"Tellmenowaboutyourself,dearheart。"

ButTuanwasavidofinformationabouttheTrueGod。"No,no,"hesaid,"thepasthasnothingmoreofinterestforme,andIdonotwishanythingtocomebetweenmysoulanditsinstruction;

continuetoteachme,dearfriendandsaintlyfather。"

"Iwilldothat,"Finnianreplied,"butImustfirstmeditatedeeplyonyou,andmustknowyouwell。Tellmeyourpast,mybeloved,foramanishispast,andistobeknownbyit。"

ButTuanpleaded:"Letthepastbecontentwithitself,formanneedsforgetfulnessaswellasmemory。"

"Myson,"saidFinnian,"allthathaseverbeendonehasbeendoneforthegloryofGod,andtoconfessourgoodandevildeedsispartofinstruction;forthesoulmustrecallitsactsandabidebythem,orrenouncethembyconfessionandpenitence。Tellmeyourgenealogyfirst,andbywhatdescentyouoccupytheselandsandstronghold,andthenIwillexamineyouractsandyourconscience。"

Tuanrepliedobediently:"IamknownasTuan,sonofCairill,sonofMuredacRed-neck,andthesearethehereditarylandsofmyfather。"

Thesaintnodded。

"IamnotaswellacquaintedwithUlstergenealogiesasIshouldbe,yetIknowsomethingofthem。IambybloodaLeinsterman,"

hecontinued。

"Mineisalongpedigree,"Tuanmurmured。

Finnianreceivedthatinformationwithrespectandinterest。

"Ialso,"hesaid,"haveanhonourablerecord。"

Hishostcontinued:"IamindeedTuan,thesonofStarn,thesonofSera,whowasbrothertoPartholon。"

"But,"saidFinnianinbewilderment,"thereisanerrorhere,foryouhaverecitedtwodifferentgenealogies。"

"Differentgenealogies,indeed,"repliedTuanthoughtfully,"buttheyaremygenealogies。"

"Idonotunderstandthis,"Finniandeclaredroundly。

"IamnowknownasTuanmacCairill,"theotherreplied,"butinthedaysofoldIwasknownasTuanmacStarn,macSera。"

"ThebrotherofPartholon,"thesaintgasped。

"Thatismypedigree,"Tuansaid。

"But,"Finnianobjectedinbewilderment,"PartholoncametoIrelandnotlongaftertheFlood。"

"Icamewithhim,"saidTuanmildly。

Thesaintpushedhischairbackhastily,andsatstaringathishost,andashestaredthebloodgrewchillinhisveins,andhishaircreptalonghisscalpandstoodonend。

CHAPTERIV

ButFinnianwasnotonewhoremainedlonginbewilderment。HethoughtonthemightofGodandhebecamethatmight,andwastranquil。

HewasonewholovedGodandIreland,andtothepersonwhocouldinstructhiminthesegreatthemeshegavealltheinterestofhismindandthesympathyofhisheart。

"Itisawonderyoutellme,mybeloved,"hesaid。"Andnowyoumusttellmemore。"

"WhatmustItell?"askedTuanresignedly。

"TellmeofthebeginningoftimeinIreland,andofthebearingofPartholon,thesonofNoah’sson。"

"Ihavealmostforgottenhim,"saidTuan。"Agreatlybearded,greatlyshoulderedmanhewas。Amanofsweetdeedsandsweetways。"

"Continue,mylove,"saidFinnian。

"HecametoIrelandinaship。Twenty-fourmenandtwenty-fourwomencamewithhim。ButbeforethattimenomanhadcometoIreland,andinthewesternpartsoftheworldnohumanbeinglivedormoved。AswedrewonIrelandfromtheseathecountryseemedlikeanunendingforest。Farastheeyecouldreach,andinwhateverdirection,thereweretrees;andfromthesetherecametheunceasingsingingofbirds。Overallthatlandthesunshonewarmandbeautiful,sothattooursea-wearyeyes,ourwind-tormentedears,itseemedasifweweredrivingonParadise。

"Welandedandweheardtherumbleofwatergoinggloomilythroughthedarknessoftheforest。Followingthewaterwecametoagladewherethesunshoneandwheretheearthwaswarmed,andtherePartholonrestedwithhistwenty-fourcouples,andmadeacityandalivelihood。

"TherewerefishintheriversofEire’,therewereanimalsinhercoverts。Wildandshyandmonstrouscreaturesrangedinherplainsandforests。Creaturesthatonecouldseethroughandwalkthrough。Longwelivedinease,andwesawnewanimalsgrow,——thebear,thewolf,thebadger,thedeer,andtheboar。

"Partholon’speopleincreaseduntilfromtwenty-fourcouplestherecamefivethousandpeople,wholivedinamityandcontentmentalthoughtheyhadnowits。"

"Theyhadnowits!"Finniancommented。

"Theyhadnoneedofwits,"Tuansaid。

"Ihaveheardthatthefirst-bornweremindless,"saidFinnian。

"Continueyourstory,mybeloved。"

"Then,suddenasarisingwind,betweenonenightandamorning,therecameasicknessthatbloatedthestomachandpurpledtheskin,andontheseventhdayalloftheraceofPartholonweredead,saveonemanonly。""Therealwaysescapesoneman,"saidFinnianthoughtfully。

"AndIamthatman,"hiscompanionaffirmed。

Tuanshadedhisbrowwithhishand,andherememberedbackwardsthroughincredibleagestothebeginningoftheworldandthefirstdaysofEire’。AndFinnian,withhisbloodagainrunningchillandhisscalpcrawlinguneasily,staredbackwardswithhim。

CHAPTERV

"Tellon,mylove,"Finnianmurmured"Iwasalone,"saidTuan。"Iwassoalonethatmyownshadowfrightenedme。Iwassoalonethatthesoundofabirdinflight,orthecreakingofadew-drenchedbough,whippedmetocoverasarabbitisscaredtohisburrow。

"ThecreaturesoftheforestscentedmeandknewIwasalone。

TheystolewithsilkenpadbehindmybackandsnarledwhenI

facedthem;thelong,greywolveswithhangingtonguesandstaringeyeschasedmetomycleftrock;therewasnocreaturesoweakbutitmighthuntme,therewasnocreaturesotimidbutitmightoutfaceme。AndsoIlivedfortwotensofyearsandtwoyears,untilIknewallthatabeastsurmisesandhadforgottenallthatamanhadknown。

"Icouldpadasgentlyasany;Icouldrunastirelessly。Icouldbeinvisibleandpatientasawildcatcrouchingamongleaves;I

couldsmelldangerinmysleepandleapatitwithwakefulclaws;

Icouldbarkandgrowlandclashwithmyteethandtearwiththem。"

"Tellon,mybeloved,"saidFinnian,"youshallrestinGod,dearheart。"

"Attheendofthattime,"saidTuan,"NemedthesonofAgnomancametoIrelandwithafleetofthirty-fourbarques,andineachbarquetherewerethirtycouplesofpeople。"

"Ihaveheardit,"saidFinnian。

"MyheartleapedforjoywhenIsawthegreatfleetroundingtheland,andIfollowedthemalongscarpedcliffs,leapingfromrocktorocklikeawildgoat,whiletheshipstackedandswungseekingaharbour。ThereIstoopedtodrinkatapool,andIsawmyselfinthechillwater。

"IsawthatIwashairyandtuftyandbristledasasavageboar;

thatIwasleanasastrippedbush;thatIwasgreyerthanabadger;witheredandwrinkledlikeanemptysack;nakedasafish;wretchedasastarvingcrowinwinter;andonmyfingersandtoesthereweregreatcurvingclaws,sothatIlookedlikenothingthatwasknown,likenothingthatwasanimalordivine。

AndIsatbythepoolweepingmylonelinessandwildnessandmysternoldage;andIcoulddonomorethancryandlamentbetweentheearthandthesky,whilethebeaststhattrackedmelistenedfrombehindthetrees,orcrouchedamongbushestostareatmefromtheirdrowsycovert。

"Astormarose,andwhenIlookedagainfrommytallcliffIsawthatgreatfleetrollingasinagiant’shand。Attimestheywerepitchedagainsttheskyandstaggeredaloft,spinninggustilytherelikewind-blownleaves。Thentheywerehurledfromthesedizzytopstotheflat,moaninggulf,totheglassy,inkyhorrorthatswirledandwhirledbetweentenwaves。Attimesawaveleapedhowlingunderaship,andwithabuffetdasheditintoair,andchaseditupwardswiththunderstrokeonstroke,andfollowedagain,closeasachasingwolf,tryingwithhammeringonhammeringtobeatinthewide-wombedbottomandsuckoutthefrightenedlivesthroughoneblackgape。Awavefellonashipandsunkitdownwithathrust,sternasthoughawholeskyhadtumbledatit,andthebarquedidnotceasetogodownuntilitcrashedandsankinthesandatthebottomofthesea。

"Thenightcame,andwithitathousanddarknessesfellfromthescreechingsky。Notaround-eyedcreatureofthenightmightpierceaninchofthatmultipliedgloom。Notacreaturedaredcreeporstand。Foragreatwindstrodetheworldlashingitsleague-longwhipsincracksofthunder,andsingingtoitself,nowinaworld-wideyell,nowinanear-dizzyinghumandbuzz;

orwithalongsnarlandwhineithoveredovertheworldsearchingforlifetodestroy。

"Andattimes,fromthemoaningandyelpingblacknessofthesea,therecameasound——thin-drawnasfrommillionsofmilesaway,distinctasthoughutteredintheearlikeawhisperofconfidence——andIknewthatadrowningmanwascallingonhisGodashethrashedandwasbatteredintosilence,andthatablue-lippedwomanwascallingonhermanasherhairwhippedroundherbrowsandshewhirledaboutlikeatop。

"Aroundmethetreesweredraggedfromearthwithdyinggroans;

theyleapedintotheairandflewlikebirds。Greatwaveswhizzedfromthesea:spinningacrossthecliffsandhurtlingtotheearthinmonstrousclotsoffoam;theveryrockscametrundlingandsidlingandgrindingamongthetrees;andinthatrage,andinthathorrorofblacknessIfellasleep,orIwasbeatenintoslumber。"

CHAPTERVI

"THEREIdreamed,andIsawmyselfchangingintoastagindream,andIfeltindreamthebeatingofanewheartwithinme,andindreamIarchedmyneckandbracedmypowerfullimbs。

"Iawokefromthedream,andIwasthatwhichIhaddreamed。

"Istoodawhilestampinguponarock,withmybristlingheadswunghigh,breathingthroughwidenostrilsallthesavouroftheworld。ForIhadcomemarvellouslyfromde-

crepitudetostrength。Ihadwrithedfromthebondsofageandwasyoungagain。Ismelledtheturfandknewforthefirsttimehowsweetthatsmelled。Andlikelightningmymovingnosesniffedallthingstomyheartandseparatedthemintoknowledge。

"LongIstoodthere,ringingmyironhoofonstone,andlearningallthingsthroughmynose。Eachbreezethatcamefromtherighthandortheleftbroughtmeatale。Awindcarriedmethetangofwolf,andagainstthatsmellIstaredandstamped。Andonawindtherecamethescentofmyownkind,andatthatIbelled。Oh,loudandclearandsweetwasthevoiceofthegreatstag。Withwhateasemylovelynotewentlilting。WithwhatjoyIheardtheansweringcall。WithwhatdelightIbounded,bounded,bounded;

lightasabird’splume,powerfulasastorm,untiringasthesea。

"Herenowwaseaseinten-yardspringings,withaswinginghead,withtheriseandfallofaswallow,withthecurveandflowandurgeofanotterofthesea。Whatatingledweltaboutmyheart!

Whatathrillspuntotheloftypointsofmyantlers!Howtheworldwasnew!Howthesunwasnew!Howthewindcaressedme!

"WithunswervingforeheadandsteadyeyeImetallthatcame。Theold,lonewolfleapedsideways,snarling,andslunkaway。Thelumberingbearswunghisheadofhesitationsandthoughtagain;

hetrottedhissmallredeyeawaywithhimtoanear-bybrake。

Thestagsofmyracefledfrommyrockyforehead,orwerepushedbackandbackuntiltheirlegsbrokeunderthemandItrampledthemtodeath。Iwasthebeloved,thewellknown,theleaderoftheherdsofIreland。

"AndattimesIcamebackfrommyboundingsaboutEire’,forthestringsofmyheartweredrawntoUlster;and,standingaway,mywidenosetooktheair,whileIknewwithjoy,withterror,thatmenwereblownonthewind。Aproudheadhungtotheturfthen,andthetearsofmemoryrolledfromalarge,brighteye。

"AttimesIdrewnear,delicately,standingamongthickleavesorcrouchedinlonggrowngrasses,andIstaredandmournedasI

lookedonmen。ForNemedandfourcoupleshadbeensavedfromthatfiercestorm,andIsawthemincreaseandmultiplyuntilfourthousandcoupleslivedandlaughedandwereriotousinthesun,forthepeopleofNemedhadsmallmindsbutgreatactivity。

Theyweresavagefightersandhunters。

"ButonetimeIcame,drawnbythatintolerableanguishofmemory,andallofthesepeopleweregone:theplacethatknewthemwassilent:inthelandwheretheyhadmovedtherewasnothingofthembuttheirbonesthatglintedinthesun。

"Oldagecameonmethere。Amongtheseboneswearinesscreptintomylimbs。Myheadgrewheavy,myeyesdim,mykneesjerkedandtrembled,andtherethewolvesdaredchaseme。

"IwentagaintothecavethathadbeenmyhomewhenIwasanoldman。

"OnedayIstolefromthecavetosnatchamouthfulofgrass,forIwascloselybesiegedbywolves。Theymadetheirrush,andI

barelyescapedfromthem。Theysatbeyondthecavestaringatme。

"Iknewtheirtongue。Iknewallthattheysaidtoeachother,andallthattheysaidtome。Buttherewasyetathudleftinmyforehead,adeadlytrampleinmyhoof。Theydidnotdarecomeintothecave。

"’To-morrow,’theysaid,’wewilltearoutyourthroat,andgnawonyourlivinghaunch’。"

CHAPTERVII

"ThenmysoulrosetotheheightofDoom,andIintendedallthatmighthappentome,andagreedtoit。

"’To-morrow,’Isaid,’Iwillgooutamongye,andIwilldie,’

andatthatthewolveshowledjoyfully,hungrily,impatiently。

"Islept,andIsawmyselfchangingintoaboarindream,andI

feltindreamthebeatingofanewheartwithinme,andindreamIstretchedmypowerfulneckandbracedmyeagerlimbs。Iawokefrommydream,andIwasthatwhichIhaddreamed。

"Thenightworeaway,thedarknesslifted,thedaycame;andfromwithoutthecavethewolvescalledtome:"’Comeout,OSkinnyStag。Comeoutanddie。’

"AndI,withjoyfulheart,thrustablackbristlethroughtheholeofthecave,andwhentheysawthatwrigglingsnout,thosecurvingtusks,thatredfierceeye,thewolvesfledyelping,tumblingovereachother,franticwithterror;andIbehindthem,awildcatforleaping,agiantforstrength,adevilforferocity;amadnessandgladnessoflusty,unsparinglife;akiller,achampion,aboarwhocouldnotbedefied。

"ItookthelordshipoftheboarsofIreland。

"WhereverIlookedamongmytribesIsawloveandobedience:

wheneverIappearedamongthestrangerstheyfledaway。Andthewolvesfearedmethen,andthegreat,grimbearwentboundingonheavypaws。Ichargedhimattheheadofmytroopandrolledhimoverandover;butitisnoteasytokillthebear,sodeeplyishislifepackedunderthatstinkingpelt。Hepickedhimselfupandran,andwasknockeddown,andranagainblindly,buttingintotreesandstones。Notaclawdidthebigbearflash,notatoothdidheshow,asheranwhimperinglikeababy,orashestoodwithmynoserammedagainsthismouth,snarlingupintohisnostrils。

"Ichallengedallthatmoved。Allcreaturesbutone。FormenhadagaincometoIreland。Semion,thesonofStariath,withhispeople,fromwhomthemenofDomnannandtheFirBolgandtheGaliuinaredescended。TheseIdidnotchase,andwhentheychasedmeIfled。

"OftenIwouldgo,drawnbymymemoriedheart,tolookatthemastheymovedamongtheirfields;andIspoketomymindinbitterness:"WhenthepeopleofPartholonweregatheredincounselmyvoicewasheard;itwassweettoallwhoheardit,andthewordsIspokewerewise。Theeyesofwomenbrightenedandsoftenedwhentheylookedatme。Theylovedtohearhimwhenhesangwhonowwandersintheforestwithatuskyherd。"

CHAPTERVIII

"OLDageagainovertookme。Wearinessstoleintomylimbs,andanguishdozedintomymind。IwenttomyUlstercaveanddreamedmydream,andIchangedintoahawk。

"Ilefttheground。Thesweetairwasmykingdom,andmybrighteyestaredonahundredmiles。Isoared,Iswooped;Ihung,motionlessasalivingstone,overtheabyss;Ilivedinjoyandsleptinpeace,andhadmyfillofthesweetnessoflife。

"DuringthattimeBeothach,thesonofIarboneltheProphet,cametoIrelandwithhispeople,andtherewasagreatbattlebetweenhismenandthechildrenofSemion。LongIhungoverthatcombat,seeingeveryspearthathurtled,everystonethatwhizzedfromasling,everyswordthatflashedupanddown,andtheendlessglitteringoftheshields。AndattheendIsawthatthevictorywaswithIarbonel。AndfromhispeopletheTuathaDe’andtheAnde’came,althoughtheiroriginisforgotten,andlearnedpeople,becauseoftheirexcellentwisdomandintelligence,saythattheycamefromheaven。

"ThesearethepeopleofFaery。Allthesearethegods。

"Forlong,longyearsIwasahawk。Ikneweveryhillandstream;

everyfieldandglenofIreland。Iknewtheshapeofcliffsandcoasts,andhowallplaceslookedunderthesunormoon。AndI

wasstillahawkwhenthesonsofMildrovetheTuathaDe’Danannundertheground,andheldIrelandagainstarmsorwizardry;andthiswasthecomingofmenandthebeginningofgenealogies。

"ThenIgrewold,andinmyUlstercaveclosetotheseaI

dreamedmydream,andinitIbecameasalmon。Thegreentidesofoceanroseovermeandmydream,sothatIdrownedintheseaanddidnotdie,forIawokeindeepwaters,andIwasthatwhichI

dreamed。"Ihadbeenaman,astag,aboar,abird,andnowIwasafish。InallmychangesIhadjoyandfulnessoflife。Butinthewaterjoylaydeeper,lifepulseddeeper。Foronlandorairthereisalwayssomethingexcessiveandhindering;asarmsthatswingatthesidesofaman,andwhichthemindmustremember。

Thestaghaslegstobetuckedawayforsleep,anduntuckedformovement;andthebirdhaswingsthatmustbefoldedandpeckedandcaredfor。Butthefishhasbutonepiecefromhisnosetohistail。Heiscomplete,singleandunencumbered。Heturnsinoneturn,andgoesupanddownandroundinonesolemovement。

"HowIflewthroughthesoftelement:howIjoyedinthecountrywherethereisnoharshness:intheelementwhichupholdsandgivesway;whichcaressesandletsgo,andwillnotletyoufall。

Formanmaystumbleinafurrow;thestagtumblefromacliff;

thehawk,wing-wearyandbeaten,withdarknessaroundhimandthestormbehind,maydashhisbrainsagainstatree。Butthehomeofthesalmonishisdelight,andtheseaguardsallhercreatures。"

CHAPTERIX

"Ibecamethekingofthesalmon,and,withmymultitudes,I

rangedonthetidesoftheworld。Greenandpurpledistanceswereunderme:greenandgoldthesunlitregionsabove。IntheselatitudesImovedthroughaworldofamber,myselfamberandgold;inthoseothers,inasparkleoflucentblue,Icurved,litlikealivingjewel:andintheseagain,throughdusksofebonyallmazedwithsilver,Ishotandshone,thewonderofthesea。

"Isawthemonstersoftheuttermostoceangoheavingby;andthelonglithebrutesthataretoothedtotheirtails:andbelow,wheregloomdippeddownongloom,vast,lividtanglesthatcoiledanduncoiled,andlapseddownsteepsandhellsoftheseawhereeventhesalmoncouldnotgo。

"Iknewthesea。Iknewthesecretcaveswhereoceanroarstoocean;thefloodsthatareicycold,fromwhichthenoseofasalmonleapsbackasatasting;andthewarmstreamsinwhichwerockedanddozedandwerecarriedforwardwithoutmotion。Iswamontheoutermostrimofthegreatworld,wherenothingwasbuttheseaandtheskyandthesalmon;whereeventhewindwassilent,andthewaterwasclearascleangreyrock。

"Andthen,farawayinthesea,IrememberedUlster,andtherecameonmeaninstant,uncontrollableanguishtobethere。I

turned,andthroughdaysandnightsIswamtirelessly,jubilantly;withterrorwakeninginme,too,andawhisperthroughmybeingthatImustreachIrelandordie。

"IfoughtmywaytoUlsterfromthesea。

"Ah,howthatendofthejourneywashard!Asicknesswasrackingineveryoneofmybones,alanguorandwearinesscreepingthroughmyeveryfibreandmuscle。Thewavesheldmebackandheldmeback;thesoftwatersseemedtohavegrownhard;anditwasasthoughIwereurgingthrougharockasIstrainedtowardsUlsterfromthesea。

"SotiredIwas!Icouldhaveloosenedmyframeandbeensweptaway;Icouldhavesleptandbeendriftedandwaftedaway;

swingingongrey-greenbillowsthathadturnedfromthelandandwereheavingandmountingandsurgingtothefarbluewater。

"Onlytheunconquerableheartofthesalmoncouldbravethatendoftoil。ThesoundoftheriversofIrelandracingdowntotheseacametomeinthelastnumbeffort:theloveofIrelandboremeup:thegodsoftheriverstrodtomeinthewhite-curledbreakers,sothatIlefttheseaatlong,longlast;andIlayinsweetwaterinthecurveofacranniedrock,exhausted,threepartsdead,triumphant。"

CHAPTERX

"Delightandstrengthcametomeagain,andnowIexploredalltheinlandways,thegreatlakesofIreland,andherswiftbrownrivers。

"Whatajoytolieunderaninchofwaterbaskinginthesun,orbeneathashadyledgetowatchthesmallcreaturesthatspeedlikelightningontheripplingtop。Isawthedragon-fliesflashanddartandturn,withapoise,withaspeedthatnootherwingedthingknows:Isawthehawkhoverandstareandswoop:hefelllikeafallingstone,buthecouldnotcatchthekingofthesalmon:Isawthecold-eyedcatstretchingalongaboughlevelwiththewater,eagertohookandliftthecreaturesoftheriver。AndIsawmen。

"Theysawmealso。Theycametoknowmeandlookforme。TheylayinwaitatthewaterfallsupwhichIleapedlikeasilverflash。

Theyheldoutnetsforme;theyhidtrapsunderleaves;theymadecordsofthecolourofwater,ofthecolourofweeds——butthissalmonhadanosethatknewhowaweedfeltandhowastring——theydriftedmeatonasightlessstring,butIknewofthehook;theythrustspearsatme,andthrewlanceswhichtheydrewbackagainwithacord。"ManyawoundIgotfrommen,manyasorrowfulscar。

"Everybeastpursuedmeinthewatersandalongthebanks;thebarking,black-skinnedottercameaftermeinlustandgustandswirl;thewildcatfishedforme;thehawkandthesteep-winged,spear-beakedbirdsdiveddownonme,andmencreptonmewithnetsthewidthofariver,sothatIgotnorest。Mylifebecameaceaselessscurryandwoundandescape,aburdenandanguishofwatchfulness——andthenIwascaught。"

CHAPTERXI

"THEfishermanofCairill,theKingofUlster,tookmeinhisnet。Ah,thatwasahappymanwhenhesawme!Heshoutedforjoywhenhesawthegreatsalmoninhisnet。

"Iwasstillinthewaterashehauleddelicately。Iwasstillinthewaterashepulledmetothebank。Mynosetouchedairandspunfromitasfromfire,andIdivedwithallmymightagainstthebottomofthenet,holdingyettothewater,lovingit,madwithterrorthatImustquitthatloveliness。ButthenetheldandIcameup。

"’Bequiet,KingoftheRiver,’saidthefisherman,’giveintoDoom,’saidhe。

"Iwasinair,anditwasasthoughIwereinfire。Theairpressedonmelikeafierymountain。Itbeatonmyscalesandscorchedthem。Itrusheddownmythroatandscaldedme。Itweighedonmeandsqueezedme,sothatmyeyesfeltasthoughtheymustburstfrommyhead,myheadasthoughitwouldleapfrommybody,andmybodyasthoughitwouldswellandexpandandflyinathousandpieces。

"Thelightblindedme,theheattormentedme,thedryairmademeshrivelandgasp;and,ashelayonthegrass,thegreatsalmonwhirledhisdesperatenoseoncemoretotheriver,andleaped,leaped,leaped,evenunderthemountainofair。Hecouldleapupwards,butnotforwards,andyetheleaped,forineachrisehecouldseethetwinklingwaves,theripplingandcurlingwaters。

"’Beatease,OKing,’saidthefisherman。’Beatrest,mybeloved。Letgothestream。Lettheoozymargebeforgotten,andthesandybedwheretheshadesdanceallingreenandgloom,andthebrownfloodsingsalong。’

"Andashecarriedmetothepalacehesangasongoftheriver,andasongofDoom,andasonginpraiseoftheKingoftheWaters。

"Whentheking’swifesawmeshedesiredme。Iwasputoverafireandroasted,andsheateme。Andwhentimepassedshegavebirthtome,andIwashersonandthesonofCairilltheking。I

rememberwarmthanddarknessandmovementandunseensounds。AllthathappenedIremember,fromthetimeIwasonthegridironuntilthetimeIwasborn。Iforgetnothingofthesethings。"

"Andnow,"saidFinnian,"youwillbebornagain,forIshallbaptizeyouintothefamilyoftheLivingGod。"——————————————

SofarthestoryofTuan,thesonofCairill。

NomanknowsifhediedinthosedistantageswhenFinnianwasAbbotofMoville,orifhestillkeepshisfortinUlster,watchingallthings,andrememberingthemforthegloryofGodandthehonourofIreland。

THEBOYHOODOFFIONN

Hewasaking,aseerandapoet。Hewasalordwithamanifoldandgreattrain。Hewasourmagician,ourknowledgableone,oursoothsayer。Allthathedidwassweetwithhim。And,howeveryedeemmytestimonyofFionnexcessive,and,althoughyeholdmypraisingoverstrained,nevertheless,andbytheKingthatisaboveme,hewasthreetimesbetterthanallIsay。——SaintPATRICK。

CHAPTERI

Fionn[pronounceFewntorhymewith"tune"]gothisfirsttrainingamongwomen。Thereisnowonderinthat,foritisthepup’smotherteachesittofight,andwomenknowthatfightingisanecessaryartalthoughmenpretendthereareothersthatarebetter。Thesewerethewomendruids,BovmallandLiaLuachra。Itwillbewonderedwhyhisownmotherdidnottrainhiminthefirstnaturalsavageriesofexistence,butshecouldnotdoit。

Shecouldnotkeephimwithherfordreadoftheclann-Morna。ThesonsofMornahadbeenfightingandintriguingforalongtimetooustherhusband,Uail,fromthecaptaincyoftheFiannaofIreland,andtheyhadoustedhimatlastbykillinghim。Itwastheonlywaytheycouldgetridofsuchaman;butitwasnotaneasyway,forwhatFionn’sfatherdidnotknowinarmscouldnotbetaughttohimevenbyMorna。Still,thehoundthatcanwaitwillcatchahareatlast,andevenManana’nnsleeps。Fionn’smotherwasbeautiful,long-hairedMuirne:sosheisalwaysreferredto。ShewasthedaughterofTeigue,thesonofNuadafromFaery,andhermotherwasEthlinn。Thatis,herbrotherwasLughoftheLongHandhimself,andwithagod,andsuchagod,forbrotherwemaymarvelthatshecouldhavebeenindreadofMornaorhissons,orofanyone。Butwomenhavestrangeloves,strangefears,andthesearesoboundupwithoneanotherthatthethingwhichispresentedtousisnotoftenthethingthatistobeseen。

Howeveritmaybe,whenUalldiedMuirnegotmarriedagaintotheKingofKerry。ShegavethechildtoBovmallandLiaLuachratorear,andwemaybesurethatshegaveinjunctionswithhim,andmanyofthem。TheyoungsterwasbroughttothewoodsofSlieveBloomandwasnursedthereinsecret。

Itislikelythewomenwerefondofhim,forotherthanFionntherewasnolifeaboutthem。Hewouldbetheirlife;andtheireyesmayhaveseemedastwinbenedictionsrestingonthesmallfairhead。Hewasfair-haired,anditwasforhisfairnessthathewasafterwardscalledFionn;butatthisperiodhewasknownasDeimne。Theysawthefoodtheyputintohislittleframereproduceitselflength-waysandsidewaysintoughinches,andinspringsandenergiesthatcrawledatfirst,andthentoddled,andthenran。Hehadbirdsforplaymates,butallthecreaturesthatliveinawoodmusthavebeenhiscomrades。TherewouldhavebeenforlittleFionnlonghoursoflonelysunshine,whentheworldseemedjustsunshineandasky。Therewouldhavebeenhoursaslong,whenexistencepassedlikeashadeamongshadows,inthemultitudinoustappingsofrainthatdrippedfromleaftoleafinthewood,andslippedsototheground。Hewouldhaveknownlittlesnakypaths,narrowenoughtobefilledbyhisownsmallfeet,oragoat’s;andhewouldhavewonderedwheretheywent,andhavemarvelledagaintofindthat,wherevertheywent,theycameatlast,throughloopsandtwistsofthebranchywood,tohisowndoor。Hemayhavethoughtofhisowndoorasthebeginningandendoftheworld,whenceallthingswent,andwhitherallthingscame。

Perhapshedidnotseethelarkforalongtime,buthewouldhaveheardhim,faroutofsightintheendlesssky,thrillingandthrillinguntiltheworldseemedtohavenoothersoundbutthatclearsweetness;andwhataworlditwastomakethatsound!

Whistlesandchirps,coosandcawsandcroaks,wouldhavegrownfamiliartohim。Andhecouldatlasthavetoldwhichbrotherofthegreatbrotherhoodwasmakingthenoiseheheardatanymoment。Thewindtoo:hewouldhavelistenedtoitsthousandvoicesasitmovedinallseasonsandinallmoods。Perhapsahorsewouldstrayintothethickscreenabouthishome,andwouldlookassolemnlyonFionnasFionndidonit。Or,comingsuddenlyonhim,thehorsemightstare,alla-cockwitheyesandearsandnose,onelong-drawnfacialextension,ereheturnedandboundedawaywithmanesalloverhimandhoofsallunderhimandtailsallroundhim。Asolemn-nosed,stern-eyedcowwouldambleandstampinhiswoodtofindaflylessshadow;orastrayedsheepwouldpokeitsgentlemuzzlethroughleaves。

"Aboy,"hemightthink,asbestaredonastaringhorse,"aboycannotwaghistailtokeepthefliesoff,"andthatlackmayhavesaddenedhim。Hemayhavethoughtthatacowcansnortandbedignifiedattheonemoment,andthattimidityiscomelyinasheep。Hewouldhavescoldedthejackdaw,andtriedtoout-whistlethethrostle,andwonderedwhyhispipegottiredwhentheblackbird’sdidn’t。Therewouldbefliestobewatched,slenderatomsinyellowgauzethatflew,andfilmyspecksthatflittered,andsturdy,thick-ribbedbrutesthatpouncedlikecatsandbitlikedogsandflewlikelightning。Hemayhavemournedforthespiderinbadluckwhocaughtthatfly。Therewouldbemuchtoseeandrememberandcompare,andtherewouldbe,always,histwoguardians。Theflieschangefromsecondtosecond;onecannottellifthisbirdisavisitororaninhabitant,andasheepisjustsistertoasheep;butthewomenwereasrootedasthehouseitself。

CHAPTERII

Werehisnursescomelyorharsh-looking?Fionnwouldnotknow。

Thiswastheonewhopickedhimupwhenhefell,andthatwastheonewhopattedthebruise。Thisonesaid:"Mindyoudonottumbleinthewell!"

Andthatone:"Mindthelittlekneesamongthenettles。"

Buthedidtumbleandrecordthattheonlynotablethingaboutawellisthatitiswet。Andasfornettles,iftheyhithimhehitback。Heslashedintothemwithastickandbroughtthemlow。

Therewasnothinginwellsornettles,onlywomendreadedthem。

Onepatronisedwomenandinstructedthemandcomfortedthem,fortheywereafraidaboutone。

Theythoughtthatoneshouldnotclimbatree!

"Nextweek,’theysaidatlast,"youmayclimbthisone,"and"nextweek"livedattheendoftheworld!

Butthetreethatwasclimbedwasnotworthwhilewhenithadbeenclimbedtwice。Therewasabiggeronenearby。Thereweretreesthatnoonecouldclimb,withvastshadowononesideandvastersunshineontheother。Ittookalongtimetowalkroundthem,andyoucouldnotseetheirtops。

Itwaspleasanttostandonabranchthatswayedandsprung,anditwasgoodtostareatanimpenetrableroofofleavesandthenclimbintoit。Howwonderfulthelonelinesswasupthere!Whenhelookeddowntherewasanundulatingfloorofleaves,greenandgreenandgreenertoaveryblacknessofgreeniness;andwhenhelookeduptherewereleavesagain,greenandlessgreenandnotgreenatall,uptoaverysnowandblindnessofgreeniness;andaboveandbelowandaroundtherewasswayandmotion,thewhisperofleafonleaf,andtheeternalsilencetowhichonelistenedandatwhichonetriedtolook。

Whenhewassixyearsofagehismother,beautiful,long-hairedMuirne,cametoseehim。Shecamesecretly,forshefearedthesonsofMorna,andshehadpacedthroughlonelyplacesinmanycountiesbeforeshereachedthehutinthewood,andthecotwherehelaywithhisfistsshutandsleepgrippedinthem。

Heawakenedtobesure。Hewouldhaveoneearthatwouldcatchanunusualvoice,oneeyethatwouldopen,howeversleepytheotheronewas。Shetookhiminherarmsandkissedhim,andshesangasleepysonguntilthesmallboysleptagain。

Wemaybesurethattheeyethatcouldstayopenstayedopenthatnightaslongasitcould,andthattheoneearlistenedtothesleepysonguntilthesonggottoolowtobeheard,untilitwastootendertobefeltvibratingalongthosesoftarms,untilFionnwasasleepagain,withanewpictureinhislittleheadandanewnotiontoponderon。

Themotherofhimself!Hisownmother!

Butwhenheawakenedshewasgone。

Shewasgoingbacksecretly,indreadofthesonsofMorna,slippingthroughgloomywoods,keepingawayfromhabitations,gettingbydesolateandlonelywaystoherlordinKerry。

PerhapsitwashethatwasafraidofthesonsofMorna,andperhapsshelovedhim。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫,醒来一梦似千年,重生于下堂妃身躯中的她,将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读

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