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diff --git a/old/1605-h.htm b/old/1605-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb59c0b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1605-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7825 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Crock of Gold, by James Stephens + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Crock of Gold, by James Stephens + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Crock of Gold + +Author: James Stephens + +Release Date: November 20, 2009 [EBook #1605] +Last Updated: November 19, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CROCK OF GOLD *** + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE CROCK OF GOLD + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By James Stephens + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>BOOK I. THE COMING OF PAN</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> <b>BOOK II. THE PHILOSOPHER’S JOURNEY</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> <b>BOOK III. THE TWO GODS</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> <b>BOOK IV. THE PHILOSOPHER’S RETURN</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> <b>BOOK V. THE POLICEMEN</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> <b>BOOK VI. THE THIN WOMAN’S JOURNEY</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + BOOK I. THE COMING OF PAN + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <p> + IN the centre of the pine wood called Coilla Doraca there lived not long + ago two Philosophers. They were wiser than anything else in the world + except the Salmon who lies in the pool of Glyn Cagny into which the nuts + of knowledge fall from the hazel bush on its bank. He, of course, is the + most profound of living creatures, but the two Philosophers are next to + him in wisdom. Their faces looked as though they were made of parchment, + there was ink under their nails, and every difficulty that was submitted + to them, even by women, they were able to instantly resolve. The Grey + Woman of Dun Gortin and the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath asked them the + three questions which nobody had ever been able to answer, and they were + able to answer them. That was how they obtained the enmity of these two + women which is more valuable than the friendship of angels. The Grey Woman + and the Thin Woman were so incensed at being answered that they married + the two Philosophers in order to be able to pinch them in bed, but the + skins of the Philosophers were so thick that they did not know they were + being pinched. They repaid the fury of the women with such tender + affection that these vicious creatures almost expired of chagrin, and + once, in a very ecstacy of exasperation, after having been kissed by their + husbands, they uttered the fourteen hundred maledictions which comprised + their wisdom, and these were learned by the Philosophers who thus became + even wiser than before. + </p> + <p> + In due process of time two children were born of these marriages. They + were born on the same day and in the same hour, and they were only + different in this, that one of them was a boy and the other one was a + girl. Nobody was able to tell how this had happened, and, for the first + time in their lives, the Philosophers were forced to admire an event which + they had been unable to prognosticate; but having proved by many different + methods that the children were really children, that what must be must be, + that a fact cannot be controverted, and that what has happened once may + happen twice, they described the occurrence as extraordinary but not + unnatural, and submitted peacefully to a Providence even wiser than they + were. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher who had the boy was very pleased because, he said, there + were too many women in the world, and the Philosopher who had the girl was + very pleased also because, he said, you cannot have too much of a good + thing: the Grey Woman and the Thin Woman, however, were not in the least + softened by maternity-they said that they had not bargained for it, that + the children were gotten under false presences, that they were respectable + married women, and that, as a protest against their wrongs, they would not + cook any more food for the Philosophers. This was pleasant news for their + husbands, who disliked the women’s cooking very much, but they did not say + so, for the women would certainly have insisted on their rights to cook + had they imagined their husbands disliked the results: therefore, the + Philosophers besought their wives every day to cook one of their lovely + dinners again, and this the women always refused to do. + </p> + <p> + They all lived together in a small house in the very centre of a dark pine + wood. Into this place the sun never shone because the shade was too deep, + and no wind ever came there either, because the boughs were too thick, so + that it was the most solitary and quiet place in the world, and the + Philosophers were able to hear each other thinking all day long, or making + speeches to each other, and these were the pleasantest sounds they knew + of. To them there were only two kinds of sounds anywhere—these were + conversation and noise: they liked the first very much indeed, but they + spoke of the second with stern disapproval, and, even when it was made by + a bird, a breeze, or a shower of rain, they grew angry and demanded that + it should be abolished. Their wives seldom spoke at all and yet they were + never silent: they communicated with each other by a kind of physical + telegraphy which they had learned among the Shee-they cracked their + finger-joints quickly or slowly and so were able to communicate with each + other over immense distances, for by dint of long practice they could make + great explosive sounds which were nearly like thunder, and gentler sounds + like the tapping of grey ashes on a hearthstone. The Thin Woman hated her + own child, but she loved the Grey Woman’s baby, and the Grey Woman loved + the Thin Woman’s infant but could not abide her own. A compromise may put + an end to the most perplexing of situations, and, consequently, the two + women swapped children, and at once became the most tender and amiable + mothers imaginable, and the families were able to live together in a more + perfect amity than could be found anywhere else. + </p> + <p> + The children grew in grace and comeliness. At first the little boy was + short and fat and the little girl was long and thin, then the little girl + became round and chubby while the little boy grew lanky and wiry. This was + because the little girl used to sit very quiet and be good and the little + boy used not. + </p> + <p> + They lived for many years in the deep seclusion of the pine wood wherein a + perpetual twilight reigned, and here they were wont to play their childish + games, flitting among the shadowy trees like little quick shadows. At + times their mothers, the Grey Woman and the Thin Woman, played with them, + but this was seldom, and sometimes their fathers, the two Philosophers, + came out and looked at them through spectacles which were very round and + very glassy, and had immense circles of horn all round the edges. They + had, however, other playmates with whom they could romp all day long. + There were hundreds of rabbits running about in the brushwood; they were + full of fun and were very fond of playing with the children. There were + squirrels who joined cheerfully in their games, and some goats, having one + day strayed in from the big world, were made so welcome that they always + came again whenever they got the chance. There were birds also, crows and + blackbirds and willy-wagtails, who were well acquainted with the + youngsters, and visited them as frequently as their busy lives permitted. + </p> + <p> + At a short distance from their home there was a clearing in the wood about + ten feet square; through this clearing, as through a funnel, the sun for a + few hours in the summer time blazed down. It was the boy who first + discovered the strange radiant shaft in the wood. One day he had been sent + out to collect pine cones for the fire. As these were gathered daily the + supply immediately near the house was scanty, therefore he had, while + searching for more, wandered further from his home than usual. The first + sight of the extraordinary blaze astonished him. He had never seen + anything like it before, and the steady, unwinking glare aroused his fear + and curiosity equally. Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery + will; indeed, it has led many people into dangers which mere physical + courage would shudder away from, for hunger and love and curiosity are the + great impelling forces of life. When the little boy found that the light + did not move he drew closer to it, and at last, emboldened by curiosity, + he stepped right into it and found that it was not a thing at all. The + instant that he stepped into the light he found it was hot, and this so + frightened him that he jumped out of it again and ran behind a tree. Then + he jumped into it for a moment and out of it again, and for nearly half an + hour he played a splendid game of tip and tig with the sunlight. At last + he grew quite bold and stood in it and found that it did not burn him at + all, but he did not like to remain in it, fearing that he might be cooked. + When he went home with the pine cones he said nothing to the Grey Woman of + Dun Gortin or to the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath or to the two + Philosophers, but he told the little girl all about it when they went to + bed, and every day afterwards they used to go and play with the sunlight, + and the rabbits and the squirrels would follow them there and join in + their games with twice the interest they had shown before. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <p> + To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on + subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish + priest and the tavern. These people were always well received, and their + perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being + wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor + were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become + poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge. These were + favourite maxims with them: + </p> + <p> + You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive. + </p> + <p> + Knowledge becomes lumber in a week, therefore, get rid of it. + </p> + <p> + The box must be emptied before it can be refilled. + </p> + <p> + Refilling is progress. + </p> + <p> + A sword, a spade, and a thought should never be allowed to rust. + </p> + <p> + The Grey Woman and the Thin Woman, however, held opinions quite contrary + to these, and their maxims also were different: + </p> + <p> + A secret is a weapon and a friend. + </p> + <p> + Man is God’s secret, Power is man’s secret, Sex is woman’s secret. + </p> + <p> + By having much you are fitted to have more. + </p> + <p> + There is always room in the box. + </p> + <p> + The art of packing is the last lecture of wisdom. + </p> + <p> + The scalp of your enemy is progress. + </p> + <p> + Holding these opposed views it seemed likely that visitors seeking for + advice from the Philosophers might be astonished and captured by their + wives; but the women were true to their own doctrines and refused to part + with information to any persons saving only those of high rank, such as + policemen, gombeen men, and district and county councillors; but even to + these they charged high prices for their information, and a bonus on any + gains which accrued through the following of their advices. It is + unnecessary to state that their following was small when compared with + those who sought the assistance of their husbands, for scarcely a week + passed but some person came through the pine wood with his brows in a + tangle of perplexity. + </p> + <p> + In these people the children were deeply interested. They used to go apart + afterwards and talk about them, and would try to remember what they looked + like, how they talked, and their manner of walking or taking snuff. After + a time they became interested in the problems which these people submitted + to their parents and the replies or instructions wherewith the latter + relieved them. Long training had made the children able to sit perfectly + quiet, so that when the talk came to the interesting part they were + entirely forgotten, and ideas which might otherwise have been spared their + youth became the commonplaces of their conversation. + </p> + <p> + When the children were ten years of age one of the Philosophers died. He + called the household together and announced that the time had come when he + must bid them all good-bye, and that his intention was to die as quickly + as might be. It was, he continued, an unfortunate thing that his health + was at the moment more robust than it had been for a long time, but that, + of course, was no obstacle to his resolution, for death did not depend + upon ill-health but upon a multitude of other factors with the details + whereof he would not trouble them. + </p> + <p> + His wife, the Grey Woman of Dun Gortin, applauded this resolution and + added as an amendment that it was high time he did something, that the + life he had been leading was an arid and unprofitable one, that he had + stolen her fourteen hundred maledictions for which he had no use and + presented her with a child for which she had none, and that, all things + concerned, the sooner he did die and stop talking the sooner everybody + concerned would be made happy. + </p> + <p> + The other Philosopher replied mildly as he lit his pipe: “Brother, the + greatest of all virtues is curiosity, and the end of all desire is wisdom; + tell us, therefore, by what steps you have arrived at this commendable + resolution.” + </p> + <p> + To this the Philosopher replied: “I have attained to all the wisdom which + I am fitted to bear. In the space of one week no new truth has come to me. + All that I have read lately I knew before; all that I have thought has + been but a recapitulation of old and wearisome ideas. There is no longer + an horizon before my eves. Space has narrowed to the petty dimensions of + my thumb. Time is the tick of a clock. Good and evil are two peas in the + one pod. My wife’s face is the same for ever. I want to play with the + children, and yet I do not want to. Your conversation with me, brother, is + like the droning of a bee in a dark cell. The pine trees take root and + grow and die.—It’s all bosh. Good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + His friend replied: + </p> + <p> + “Brother, these are weighty reflections, and I do clearly perceive that + the time has come for you to stop. I might observe, not in order to combat + your views, but merely to continue an interesting conversation, that there + are still some knowledges which you have not assimilated—you do not + yet know how to play the tambourine, nor how to be nice to your wife, nor + how to get up first in the morning and cook the breakfast. Have you + learned how to smoke strong tobacco as I do? or can you dance in the + moonlight with a woman of the Shee? To understand the theory which + underlies all things is not sufficient. It has occurred to me, brother, + that wisdom may not be the end of everything. Goodness and kindliness are, + perhaps, beyond wisdom. Is it not possible that the ultimate end is gaiety + and music and a dance of joy? Wisdom is the oldest of all things. Wisdom + is all head and no heart. Behold, brother, you are being crushed under the + weight of your head. You are dying of old age while you are yet a child.” + </p> + <p> + “Brother,” replied the other Philosopher, “your voice is like the droning + of a bee in a dark cell. If in my latter days I am reduced to playing on + the tambourine and running after a hag in the moonlight, and cooking your + breakfast in the grey morning, then it is indeed time that I should die. + Good-bye, brother.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, the Philosopher arose and removed all the furniture to the + sides of the room so that there was a clear space left in the centre. He + then took off his boots and his coat, and standing on his toes he + commenced to gyrate with extraordinary rapidity. In a few moments his + movements became steady and swift, and a sound came from him like the + humming of a swift saw; this sound grew deeper and deeper, and at last + continuous, so that the room was filled with a thrilling noise. In a + quarter of an hour the movement began to noticeably slacken. In another + three minutes it was quite slow. In two more minutes he grew visible again + as a body, and then he wobbled to and fro, and at last dropped in a heap + on the floor. He was quite dead, and on his face was an expression of + serene beatitude. + </p> + <p> + “God be with you, brother,” said the remaining Philosopher, and he lit his + pipe, focused his vision on the extreme tip of his nose, and began to + meditate profoundly on the aphorism whether the good is the all or the all + is the good. In another moment he would have become oblivious of the room, + the company, and the corpse, but the Grey Woman of Dun Gortin shattered + his meditation by a demand for advice as to what should next be done. The + Philosopher, with an effort, detached his eyes from his nose and his mind + from his maxim. + </p> + <p> + “Chaos,” said he, “is the first condition. Order is the first law. + Continuity is the first reflection. Quietude is the first happiness. Our + brother is dead—bury him.” So saying, he returned his eyes to his + nose, and his mind to his maxim, and lapsed to a profound reflection + wherein nothing sat perched on insubstantiality, and the Spirit of + Artifice goggled at the puzzle. + </p> + <p> + The Grey Woman of Dun Gortin took a pinch of snuff from her box and raised + the keen over her husband: + </p> + <p> + “You were my husband and you are dead. + </p> + <p> + It is wisdom that has killed you. + </p> + <p> + If you had listened to my wisdom instead of to your own you would still be + a trouble to me and I would still be happy. + </p> + <p> + Women are stronger than men—they do not die of wisdom. + </p> + <p> + They are better than men because they do not seek wisdom. + </p> + <p> + They are wiser than men because they know less and understand more. + </p> + <p> + I had fourteen hundred maledictions, my little store, and by a trick you + stole them and left me empty. + </p> + <p> + You stole my wisdom and it has broken your neck. + </p> + <p> + I lost my knowledge and I am yet alive raising the keen over your body, + but it was too heavy for you, my little knowledge. + </p> + <p> + You will never go out into the pine wood in the morning, or wander abroad + on a night of stars. + </p> + <p> + You will not sit in the chimney-corner on the hard nights, or go to bed, + or rise again, or do anything at all from this day out. + </p> + <p> + Who will gather pine cones now when the fire is going down, or call my + name in the empty house, or be angry when the kettle is not boiling? + </p> + <p> + Now I am desolate indeed. I have no knowledge, I have no husband, I have + no more to say.” + </p> + <p> + “If I had anything better you should have it,” said she politely to the + Thin Woman of Inis Magrath. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said the Thin Woman, “it was very nice. Shall I begin now? My + husband is meditating and we may be able to annoy him.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t trouble yourself,” replied the other, “I am past enjoyment and am, + moreover, a respectable woman.” + </p> + <p> + “That is no more than the truth, indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “I have always done the right thing at the right time.” + </p> + <p> + “I’d be the last body in the world to deny that,” was the warm response. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then,” said the Grey Woman, and she commenced to take off her + boots. She stood in the centre of the room and balanced herself on her + toe. + </p> + <p> + “You are a decent, respectable lady,” said the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath, + and then the Grey Woman began to gyrate rapidly and more rapidly until she + was a very fervour of motion, and in three-quarters of an hour (for she + was very tough) she began to slacken, grew visible, wobbled, and fell + beside her dead husband, and on her face was a beatitude almost surpassing + his. + </p> + <p> + The Thin Woman of Inis Magrath smacked the children and put them to bed, + next she buried the two bodies under the hearthstone, and then, with some + trouble, detached her husband from his meditations. When he became capable + of ordinary occurrences she detailed all that had happened, and said that + he alone was to blame for the sad bereavement. He replied: + </p> + <p> + “The toxin generates the anti-toxin. The end lies concealed in the + beginning. All bodies grow around a skeleton. Life is a petticoat about + death. I will not go to bed.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + ON the day following this melancholy occurrence Meehawl MacMurrachu, a + small farmer in the neighbourhood, came through the pine trees with + tangled brows. At the door of the little house he said, “God be with all + here,” and marched in. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher removed his pipe from his lips-“God be with yourself,” + said he, and he replaced his pipe. + </p> + <p> + Meehawl MacMurrachu crooked his thumb at space, “Where is the other one?” + said he. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “He might be outside, maybe?” + </p> + <p> + “He might, indeed,” said the Philosopher gravely. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it doesn’t matter,” said the visitor, “for you have enough + knowledge by yourself to stock a shop. The reason I came here to-day was + to ask your honoured advice about my wife’s washing-board. She only has it + a couple of years, and the last time she used it was when she washed out + my Sunday shirt and her black skirt with the red things on it—you + know the one?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Well, anyhow, the washboard is gone, and my wife says it was either taken + by the fairies or by Bessie Hannigan—you know Bessie Hannigan? She + has whiskers like a goat and a lame leg!” “I do not,” said the + Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “No matter,” said Meehawl MacMurrachu. “She didn’t take it, because my + wife got her out yesterday and kept her talking for two hours while I went + through everything in her bit of a house—the washboard wasn’t + there.” + </p> + <p> + “It wouldn’t be,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe your honour could tell a body where it is then?” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe I could,” said the Philosopher; “are you listening?” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” said Meehawl MacMurrachu. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher drew his chair closer to the visitor until their knees + were jammed together. He laid both his hands on Meehawl MacMurrachu’s + knees “Washing is an extraordinary custom,” said he. “We are washed both + on coming into the world and on going out of it, and we take no pleasure + from the first washing nor any profit from the last.” + </p> + <p> + “True for you, sir,” said Meehawl MacMurrachu. + </p> + <p> + “Many people consider that scourings supplementary to these are only due + to habit. Now, habit is continuity of action, it is a most detestable + thing and is very difficult to get away from. A proverb will run where a + writ will not, and the follies of our forefathers are of greater + importance to us than is the well-being of our posterity.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t say a word against that, sir,” said Meehawl MacMurrachu. + </p> + <p> + “Cats are a philosophic and thoughtful race, but they do not admit the + efficacy of either water or soap, and yet it is usually conceded that they + are cleanly folk. There are exceptions to every rule, and I once knew a + cat who lusted after water and bathed daily: he was an unnatural brute and + died ultimately of the head staggers. Children are nearly as wise as cats. + It is true that they will utilize water in a variety of ways, for + instance, the destruction of a tablecloth or a pinafore, and I have + observed them greasing a ladder with soap, showing in the process a great + knowledge of the properties of this material.” + </p> + <p> + “Why shouldn’t they, to be sure?” said Meehawl MacMurrachu. “Have you got + a match, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not,” said the Philosopher. “Sparrows, again, are a highly acute + and reasonable folk. They use water to quench thirst, but when they are + dirty they take a dust bath and are at once cleansed. Of course, birds are + often seen in the water, but they go there to catch fish and not to wash. + I have often fancied that fish are a dirty, sly, and unintelligent people—this + is due to their staying so much in the water, and it has been observed + that on being removed from this element they at once expire through sheer + ecstasy at escaping from their prolonged washing.” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen them doing it myself,” said Meehawl. “Did you ever hear, sir, + about the fish that Paudeen MacLoughlin caught in the policeman’s hat.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not,” said the Philosopher. “The first person who washed was + possibly a person seeking a cheap notoriety. Any fool can wash himself, + but every wise man knows that it is an unnecessary labour, for nature will + quickly reduce him to a natural and healthy dirtiness again. We should + seek, therefore, not how to make ourselves clean, but how to attain a more + unique and splendid dirtiness, and perhaps the accumulated layers of + matter might, by ordinary geologic compulsion, become incorporated with + the human cuticle and so render clothing unnecessary—” + </p> + <p> + “About that washboard,” said Meehawl, “I was just going to say—” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn’t matter,” said the Philosopher. “In its proper place I admit + the necessity for water. As a thing to sail a ship on it can scarcely be + surpassed (not, you will understand, that I entirely approve of ships, + they tend to create and perpetuate international curiosity and the smaller + vermin of different latitudes). As an element wherewith to put out a fire, + or brew tea, or make a slide in winter it is useful, but in a tin basin it + has a repulsive and meagre aspect.—Now as to your wife’s washboard—” + </p> + <p> + “Good luck to your honour,” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “Your wife says that either the fairies or a woman with a goat’s leg has + it.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s her whiskers,” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “They are lame,” said the Philosopher sternly. + </p> + <p> + “Have it your own way, sir, I’m not certain now how the creature is + afflicted.” + </p> + <p> + “You say that this unhealthy woman has not got your wife’s washboard. It + remains, therefore, that the fairies have it.” + </p> + <p> + “It looks that way,” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “There are six clans of fairies living in this neighbourhood; but the + process of elimination, which has shaped the world to a globe, the ant to + its environment, and man to the captaincy of the vertebrates, will not + fail in this instance either.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever see anything like the way wasps have increased this season?” + said Meehawl; “faith, you can’t sit down anywhere but your breeches—” + </p> + <p> + “I did not,” said the Philosopher. “Did you leave out a pan of milk on + last Tuesday?” + </p> + <p> + “I did then.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you take off your hat when you meet a dust twirl?” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t neglect that,” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “Did you cut down a thorn bush recently?” + </p> + <p> + “I’d sooner cut my eye out,” said Meehawl, “and go about as wall-eyed as + Lorcan O’Nualain’s ass: I would that. Did you ever see his ass, sir? It—” + </p> + <p> + “I did not,” said the Philosopher. “Did you kill a robin redbreast?” + </p> + <p> + “Never,” said Meehawl. “By the pipers,” he added, “that old skinny cat of + mine caught a bird on the roof yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “Hah!” cried the Philosopher, moving, if it were possible, even closer to + his client, “now we have it. It is the Leprecauns of Gort na Cloca Mora + took your washboard. Go to the Gort at once. There is a hole under a tree + in the south-east of the field. Try what you will find in that hole.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll do that,” said Meehawl. “Did you ever-” + </p> + <p> + “I did not,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + So Meehawl MacMurrachu went away and did as he had been bidden, and + underneath the tree of Gort na Cloca Mora he found a little crock of gold. + </p> + <p> + “There’s a power of washboards in that,” said he. + </p> + <p> + By reason of this incident the fame of the Philosopher became even greater + than it had been before, and also by reason of it many singular events + were to happen with which you shall duly become acquainted. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <p> + IT SO happened that the Leprecauns of Gort na Cloca Mora were not thankful + to the Philosopher for having sent Meehawl MacMurrachu to their field. In + stealing Meehawl’s property they were quite within their rights because + their bird had undoubtedly been slain by his cat. Not alone, therefore, + was their righteous vengeance nullified, but the crock of gold which had + taken their community many thousands of years to amass was stolen. A + Leprecaun without a pot of gold is like a rose without perfume, a bird + without a wing, or an inside without an outside. They considered that the + Philosopher had treated them badly, that his action was mischievous and + unneighbourly, and that until they were adequately compensated for their + loss both of treasure and dignity, no conditions other than those of + enmity could exist between their people and the little house in the pine + wood. Furthermore, for them the situation was cruelly complicated. They + were unable to organise a direct, personal hostility against their new + enemy, because the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath would certainly protect her + husband. She belonged to the Shee of Croghan Conghaile, who had relatives + in every fairy fort in Ireland, and were also strongly represented in the + forts and duns of their immediate neighbours. They could, of course, have + called an extraordinary meeting of the Sheogs, Leprecauns, and Cluricauns, + and presented their case with a claim for damages against the Shee of + Croghan Conghaile, but that Clann would assuredly repudiate any liability + on the ground that no member of their fraternity was responsible for the + outrage, as it was the Philosopher, and not the Thin Woman of Inis + Magrath, who had done the deed. Notwithstanding this they were unwilling + to let the matter rest, and the fact that justice was out of reach only + added fury to their anger. + </p> + <p> + One of their number was sent to interview the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath, + and the others concentrated nightly about the dwelling of Meehawl + MacMurrachu in an endeavour to recapture the treasure which they were + quite satisfied was hopeless. They found that Meehawl, who understood the + customs of the Earth Folk very well, had buried the crock of gold beneath + a thorn bush, thereby placing it under the protection of every fairy in + the world—the Leprecauns themselves included, and until it was + removed from this place by human hands they were bound to respect its + hiding-place, and even guarantee its safety with their blood. + </p> + <p> + They afflicted Meehawl with an extraordinary attack of rheumatism and his + wife with an equally virulent sciatica, but they got no lasting pleasure + from their groans. + </p> + <p> + The Leprecaun, who had been detailed to visit the Thin Woman of Inis + Magrath, duly arrived at the cottage in the pine wood and made his + complaint. The little man wept as he told the story, and the two children + wept out of sympathy for him. The Thin Woman said she was desperately + grieved by the whole unpleasant transaction, and that all her sympathies + were with Gort na Cloca Mora, but that she must disassociate herself from + any responsibility in the matter as it was her husband who was the + culpable person, and that she had no control over his mental processes, + which, she concluded, was one of the seven curious things in the world. + </p> + <p> + As her husband was away in a distant part of the wood nothing further + could be done at that time, so the Leprecaun returned again to his fellows + without any good news, but he promised to come back early on the following + day. When the Philosopher come home late that night the Thin Woman was + waiting up for him. + </p> + <p> + “Woman,” said the Philosopher, “you ought to be in bed.” + </p> + <p> + “Ought I indeed?” said the Thin Woman. “I’d have you know that I’ll go to + bed when I like and get up when I like without asking your or any one + else’s permission.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not true,” said the Philosopher. “You get sleepy whether you like + it or not, and you awaken again without your permission being asked. Like + many other customs such as singing, dancing, music, and acting, sleep has + crept into popular favour as part of a religious ceremonial. Nowhere can + one go to sleep more easily than in a church.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know,” said the Thin Woman, “that a Leprecaun came here to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not,” said the Philosopher, “and notwithstanding the innumerable + centuries which have elapsed since that first sleeper (probably with + extreme difficulty) sank into his religious trance, we can to-day sleep + through a religious ceremony with an ease which would have been a source + of wealth and fame to that prehistoric worshipper and his acolytes.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to listen to what I am telling you about the Leprecaun?” + said the Thin Woman. + </p> + <p> + “I am not,” said the Philosopher. “It has been suggested that we go to + sleep at night because it is then too dark to do anything else; but owls, + who are a venerably sagacious folk, do not sleep in the night time. Bats, + also, are a very clear-minded race; they sleep in the broadest day, and + they do it in a charming manner. They clutch the branch of a tree with + their toes and hang head downwards—a position which I consider + singularly happy, for the rush of blood to the head consequent on this + inverted position should engender a drowsiness and a certain imbecility of + mind which must either sleep or explode.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you never be done talking?” shouted the Thin Woman passionately. + </p> + <p> + “I will not,” said the Philosopher. “In certain ways sleep is useful. It + is an excellent way of listening to an opera or seeing pictures on a + bioscope. As a medium for day-dreams I know of nothing that can equal it. + As an accomplishment it is graceful, but as a means of spending a night it + is intolerably ridiculous. If you were going to say anything, my love, + please say it now, but you should always remember to think before you + speak. A woman should be seen seldom but never heard. Quietness is the + beginning of virtue. To be silent is to be beautiful. Stars do not make a + noise. Children should always be in bed. These are serious truths, which + cannot be controverted; therefore, silence is fitting as regards them.” + </p> + <p> + “Your stirabout is on the hob,” said the Thin Woman. “You can get it for + yourself. I would not move the breadth of my nail if you were dying of + hunger. I hope there’s lumps in it. A Leprecaun from Gort na Cloca Mora + was here to-day. They’ll give it to you for robbing their pot of gold. You + old thief, you! you lobeared, crock-kneed fat-eye!” + </p> + <p> + The Thin Woman whizzed suddenly from where she stood and leaped into bed. + From beneath the blanket she turned a vivid, furious eye on her husband. + She was trying to give him rheumatism and toothache and lockjaw all at + once. If she had been satisfied to concentrate her attention on one only + of these torments she might have succeeded in afflicting her husband + according to her wish, but she was not able to do that. + </p> + <p> + “Finality is death. Perfection is finality. Nothing is perfect. There are + lumps in it,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <p> + WHEN the Leprecaun came through the pine wood on the following day he met + two children at a little distance from the house. He raised his open right + hand above his head (this is both the fairy and the Gaelic form of + salutation), and would have passed on but that a thought brought him to a + halt. Sitting down before the two children he stared at them for a long + time, and they stared back at him. At last he said to the boy: + </p> + <p> + “What is your name, a vic vig O?” + </p> + <p> + “Seumas Beg, sir,” the boy replied. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a little name,” said the Leprecaun. + </p> + <p> + “It’s what my mother calls me, sir,” returned the boy. + </p> + <p> + “What does your father call you,” was the next question. + </p> + <p> + “Seumas Roghan Maelduin O’Carbhail Mac an Droid.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a big name,” said the Leprecaun, and he turned to the little girl. + “What is your name, a cailin vig O?” + </p> + <p> + “Brigid Beg, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “And what does your father call you?” + </p> + <p> + “He never calls me at all, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Seumaseen and Breedeen, you are good little children, and I like + you very much. Health be with you until I come to see you again.” + </p> + <p> + And then the Leprecaun went back the way he had come. As he went he made + little jumps and cracked his fingers, and sometimes he rubbed one leg + against the other. + </p> + <p> + “That’s a nice Leprecaun,” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “I like him too,” said Brigid. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” said Seumas, “let me be the Leprecaun, and you be the two + children, and I will ask you our names.” + </p> + <p> + So they did that. + </p> + <p> + The next day the Leprecaun came again. He sat down beside the children + and, as before, he was silent for a little time. + </p> + <p> + “Are you not going to ask us our names, sir?” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + His sister smoothed out her dress shyly. “My name, sir, is Brigid Beg,” + said she. + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever play Jackstones?” said the Leprecaun. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” replied Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll teach you how to play Jackstones,” said the Leprecaun, and he picked + up some pine cones and taught the children that game. + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever play Ball in the Decker?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever play ‘I can make a nail with my ree-roraddy-O, I can make a + nail with my ree-ro-ray’?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” replied Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a nice game,” said the Leprecaun, “and so is Capon-the-back, and + Twenty-four yards on the Billy-goat’s Tail, and Towns, and Relievo, and + Leap-frog. I’ll teach you all these games,” said the Leprecaun, “and I’ll + teach you how to play Knifey, and Hole-and-taw, and Horneys and Robbers. + </p> + <p> + “Leap-frog is the best one to start with, so I’ll teach it to you at once. + Let you bend down like this, Breedeen, and you bend down like that a good + distance away, Seumas. Now I jump over Breedeen’s back, and then I run and + jump over Seumaseen’s back like this, and then I run ahead again and I + bend down. Now, Breedeen, you jump over your brother, and then you jump + over me, and run a good bit on and bend down again. Now, Seumas, it’s your + turn; you jump over me and then over your sister, and then you run on and + bend down again and I jump.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a fine game, sir,” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “It is, a vic vig,—keep in your head,” said the Leprecaun. “That’s a + good jump, you couldn’t beat that jump, Seumas.” + </p> + <p> + “I can jump better than Brigid already,” replied Seumas, “and I’ll jump as + well as you do when I get more practice—keep in your head, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Almost without noticing it they had passed through the edge of the wood, + and were playing into a rough field which was cumbered with big, grey + rocks. It was the very last field in sight, and behind it the rough, + heather-packed mountain sloped distantly away to the skyline. There was a + raggedy blackberry hedge all round the field, and there were long, tough, + haggard-looking plants growing in clumps here and there. Near a corner of + this field there was a broad, low tree, and as they played they came near + and nearer to it. The Leprecaun gave a back very close to the tree. Seumas + ran and jumped and slid down a hole at the side of the tree. Then Brigid + ran and jumped and slid down the same hole. + </p> + <p> + “Dear me!” said Brigid, and she flashed out of sight. + </p> + <p> + The Leprecaun cracked his fingers and rubbed one leg against the other, + and then he also dived into the hole and disappeared from view. + </p> + <p> + When the time at which the children usually went home had passed, the Thin + Woman of Inis Magrath became a little anxious. She had never known them to + be late for dinner before. There was one of the children whom she hated; + it was her own child, but as she had forgotten which of them was hers, and + as she loved one of them, she was compelled to love both for fear of + making a mistake and chastising the child for whom her heart secretly + yearned. Therefore, she was equally concerned about both of them. + </p> + <p> + Dinner time passed and supper time arrived, but the children did not. + Again and again the Thin Woman went out through the dark pine trees and + called until she was so hoarse that she could not even hear herself when + she roared. The evening wore on to the night, and while she waited for the + Philosopher to come in she reviewed the situation. Her husband had not + come in, the children had not come in, the Leprecaun had not returned as + arranged.... A light flashed upon her. The Leprecaun had kidnapped her + children! She announced a vengeance against the Leprecauns which would + stagger humanity. While in the extreme centre of her ecstasy the + Philosopher came through the trees and entered the house. + </p> + <p> + The Thin Woman flew to him-“Husband,” said she, “the Leprecauns of Gort na + Cloca Mora have kidnapped our children.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher gazed at her for a moment. + </p> + <p> + “Kidnapping,” said he, “has been for many centuries a favourite occupation + of fairies, gypsies, and the brigands of the East. The usual procedure is + to attach a person and hold it to ransom. If the ransom is not paid an ear + or a finger may be cut from the captive and despatched to those + interested, with the statement that an arm or a leg will follow in a week + unless suitable arrangements are entered into.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you understand,” said the Thin Woman passionately, “that it is your + own children who have been kidnapped?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not,” said the Philosopher. “This course, however, is rarely + followed by the fairy people: they do not ordinarily steal for ransom, but + for love of thieving, or from some other obscure and possibly functional + causes, and the victim is retained in their forts or duns until by the + effluxion of time they forget their origin and become peaceable citizens + of the fairy state. Kidnapping is not by any means confined to either + humanity or the fairy people.” + </p> + <p> + “Monster,” said the Thin Woman in a deep voice, “will you listen to me?” + </p> + <p> + “I will not,” said the Philosopher. “Many of the insectivora also practice + this custom. Ants, for example, are a respectable race living in + well-ordered communities. They have attained to a most complex and + artificial civilization, and will frequently adventure far afield on + colonising or other expeditions from whence they return with a rich booty + of aphides and other stock, who thenceforward become the servants and + domestic creatures of the republic. As they neither kill nor eat their + captives, this practice will be termed kidnapping. The same may be said of + bees, a hardy and industrious race living in hexagonal cells which are + very difficult to make. Sometimes, on lacking a queen of their own, they + have been observed to abduct one from a less powerful neighbour, and use + her for their own purposes without shame, mercy, or remorse.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you not understand?” screamed the Thin Woman. + </p> + <p> + “I will not,” said the Philosopher. “Semi-tropical apes have been rumoured + to kidnap children, and are reported to use them very tenderly indeed, + sharing their coconuts, yams, plantains, and other equatorial provender + with the largest generosity, and conveying their delicate captives from + tree to tree (often at great distances from each other and from the + ground) with the most guarded solicitude and benevolence.” + </p> + <p> + “I am going to bed,” said the Thin Woman, “your stirabout is on the hob.” + </p> + <p> + “Are there lumps in it, my dear?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I hope there are,” replied the Thin Woman, and she leaped into bed. + </p> + <p> + That night the Philosopher was afflicted with the most extraordinary + attack of rheumatism he had ever known, nor did he get any ease until the + grey morning wearied his lady into a reluctant slumber. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <p> + THE Thin Woman of Inis Magrath slept very late that morning, but when she + did awaken her impatience was so urgent that she could scarcely delay to + eat her breakfast. Immediately after she had eaten she put on her bonnet + and shawl and went through the pine wood in the direction of Gort na Cloca + Mora. In a short time she reached the rocky field, and, walking over to + the tree in the southeast corner, she picked up a small stone and hammered + loudly against the trunk of the tree. She hammered in a peculiar fashion, + giving two knocks and then three knocks, and then one knock. A voice came + up from the hole. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that, please?” said the voice. + </p> + <p> + “Ban na Droid of Inis Magrath, and well you know it,” was her reply. + </p> + <p> + “I am coming up, Noble Woman,” said the voice, and in another moment the + Leprecaun leaped out of the hole. + </p> + <p> + “Where are Seumas and Brigid Beg?” said the Thin Woman sternly. + </p> + <p> + “How would I know where they are?” replied the Leprecaun. “Wouldn’t they + be at home now?” + </p> + <p> + “If they were at home I wouldn’t have come here looking for them,” was her + reply. “It is my belief that you have them.” + </p> + <p> + “Search me,” said the Leprecaun, opening his waistcoat. + </p> + <p> + “They are down there in your little house,” said the Thin Woman angrily, + “and the sooner you let them up the better it will be for yourself and + your five brothers.” + </p> + <p> + “Noble Woman,” said the Leprecaun, “you can go down yourself into our + little house and look. I can’t say fairer than that.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t fit down there,” said she. “I’m too big.” + </p> + <p> + “You know the way for making yourself little,” replied the Leprecaun. + </p> + <p> + “But I mightn’t be able to make myself big again,” said the Thin Woman, + “and then you and your dirty brothers would have it all your own way. If + you don’t let the children up,” she continued, “I’ll raise the Shee of + Croghan Conghaile against you. You know what happened to the Cluricauns of + Oilean na Glas when they stole the Queen’s baby—It will be a worse + thing than that for you. If the children are not back in my house before + moonrise this night, I’ll go round to my people. Just tell that to your + five ugly brothers. Health with you,” she added, and strode away. + </p> + <p> + “Health with yourself, Noble Woman,” said the Leprecaun, and he stood on + one leg until she was out of sight and then he slid down into the hole + again. + </p> + <p> + When the Thin Woman was going back through the pine wood she saw Meehawl + MacMurrachu travelling in the same direction and his brows were in a + tangle of perplexity. + </p> + <p> + “God be with you, Meehawl MacMurrachu,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “God and Mary be with you, ma’am,” he replied, “I am in great trouble this + day.” + </p> + <p> + “Why wouldn’t you be?” said the Thin Woman. + </p> + <p> + “I came up to have a talk with your husband about a particular thing.” + </p> + <p> + “If it’s talk you want you have come to a good house, Meehawl.” + </p> + <p> + “He’s a powerful man right enough,” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + After a few minutes the Thin Woman spoke again. “I can get the reek of his + pipe from here. Let you go right in to him now and I’ll stay outside for a + while, for the sound of your two voices would give me a pain in my head.” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever will please you will please me, ma’am,” said her companion, and + he went into the little house. + </p> + <p> + Meehawl MacMurrachu had good reason to be perplexed. He was the father of + one child only, and she was the most beautiful girl in the whole world. + The pity of it was that no one at all knew she was beautiful, and she did + not even know it herself. At times when she bathed in the eddy of a + mountain stream and saw her reflection looking up from the placid water + she thought that she looked very nice, and then a great sadness would come + upon her, for what is the use of looking nice if there is nobody to see + one’s beauty? Beauty, also, is usefulness. The arts as well as the crafts, + the graces equally with the utilities must stand up in the marketplace and + be judged by the gombeen men. + </p> + <p> + The only house near to her father’s was that occupied by Bessie Hannigan. + The other few houses were scattered widely with long, quiet miles of hill + and bog between them, so that she had hardly seen more than a couple of + men beside her father since she was born. She helped her father and mother + in all the small businesses of their house, and every day also she drove + their three cows and two goats to pasture on the mountain slopes. Here + through the sunny days the years had passed in a slow, warm + thoughtlessness wherein, without thinking, many thoughts had entered into + her mind and many pictures hung for a moment like birds in the thin air. + At first, and for a long time, she had been happy enough; there were many + things in which a child might be interested: the spacious heavens which + never wore the same beauty on any day; the innumerable little creatures + living among the grasses or in the heather; the steep swing of a bird down + from the mountain to the infinite plains below; the little flowers which + were so contented each in its peaceful place; the bees gathering food for + their houses, and the stout beetles who are always losing their way in the + dusk. These things, and many others, interested her. The three cows after + they had grazed for a long time would come and lie by her side and look at + her as they chewed their cud, and the goats would prance from the bracken + to push their heads against her breast because they loved her. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, everything in her quiet world loved this girl: but very slowly + there was growing in her consciousness an unrest, a disquietude to which + she had hitherto been a stranger. Sometimes an infinite weariness + oppressed her to the earth. A thought was born in her mind and it had no + name. It was growing and could not be expressed. She had no words + wherewith to meet it, to exorcise or greet this stranger who, more and + more insistently and pleadingly, tapped upon her doors and begged to be + spoken to, admitted and caressed and nourished. A thought is a real thing + and words are only its raiment, but a thought is as shy as a virgin; + unless it is fittingly apparelled we may not look on its shadowy + nakedness: it will fly from us and only return again in the darkness + crying in a thin, childish voice which we may not comprehend until, with + aching minds, listening and divining, we at last fashion for it those + symbols which are its protection and its banner. So she could not + understand the touch that came to her from afar and yet how intimately, + the whisper so aloof and yet so thrillingly personal. The standard of + either language or experience was not hers; she could listen but not + think, she could feel but not know, her eyes looked forward and did not + see, her hands groped in the sunlight and felt nothing. It was like the + edge of a little wind which stirred her tresses but could not lift them, + or the first white peep of the dawn which is neither light nor darkness. + But she listened, not with her ears but with her blood. The fingers of her + soul stretched out to clasp a stranger’s hand, and her disquietude was + quickened through with an eagerness which was neither physical nor mental, + for neither her body nor her mind was definitely interested. Some dim + region between these grew alarmed and watched and waited and did not sleep + or grow weary at all. + </p> + <p> + One morning she lay among the long, warm grasses. She watched a bird who + soared and sang for a little time, and then it sped swiftly away down the + steep air and out of sight in the blue distance. Even when it was gone the + song seemed to ring in her ears. It seemed to linger with her as a faint, + sweet echo, coming fitfully, with little pauses as though a wind disturbed + it, and careless, distant eddies. After a few moments she knew it was not + a bird. No bird’s song had that consecutive melody, for their themes are + as careless as their wings. She sat up and looked about her, but there was + nothing in sight: the mountains sloped gently above her and away to the + clear sky; around her the scattered clumps of heather were drowsing in the + sunlight; far below she could see her father’s house, a little grey patch + near some trees-and then the music stopped and left her wondering. + </p> + <p> + She could not find her goats anywhere although for a long time she + searched. They came to her at last of their own accord from behind a fold + in the hills, and they were more wildly excited than she had ever seen + them before. Even the cows forsook their solemnity and broke into awkward + gambols around her. As she walked home that evening a strange elation + taught her feet to dance. Hither and thither she flitted in front of the + beasts and behind them. Her feet tripped to a wayward measure. There was a + tune in her ears and she danced to it, throwing her arms out and above her + head and swaying and bending as she went. The full freedom of her body was + hers now: the lightness and poise and certainty of her limbs delighted + her, and the strength that did not tire delighted her also. The evening + was full of peace and quietude, the mellow, dusky sunlight made a path for + her feet, and everywhere through the wide fields birds were flashing and + singing, and she sang with them a song that had no words and wanted none. + </p> + <p> + The following day she heard the music again, faint and thin, wonderfully + sweet and as wild as the song of a bird, but it was a melody which no bird + would adhere to. A theme was repeated again and again. In the middle of + trills, grace-notes, runs and catches it recurred with a strange, almost + holy, solemnity,—a hushing, slender melody full of austerity and + aloofness. There was something in it to set her heart beating. She yearned + to it with her ears and her lips. Was it joy, menace, carelessness? She + did not know, but this she did know, that however terrible it was personal + to her. It was her unborn thought strangely audible and felt rather than + understood. + </p> + <p> + On that day she did not see anybody either. She drove her charges home in + the evening listlessly and the beasts also were very quiet. + </p> + <p> + When the music came again she made no effort to discover where it came + from. She only listened, and when the tune was ended she saw a figure rise + from the fold of a little hill. The sunlight was gleaming from his arms + and shoulders but the rest of his body was hidden by the bracken, and he + did not look at her as he went away playing softly on a double pipe. + </p> + <p> + The next day he did look at her. He stood waist-deep in greenery fronting + her squarely. She had never seen so strange a face before. Her eyes almost + died on him as she gazed and he returned her look for a long minute with + an intent, expressionless regard. His hair was a cluster of brown curls, + his nose was little and straight, and his wide mouth drooped sadly at the + corners. His eyes were wide and most mournful, and his forehead was very + broad and white. His sad eyes and mouth almost made her weep. + </p> + <p> + When he turned away he smiled at her, and it was as though the sun had + shone suddenly in a dark place, banishing all sadness and gloom. Then he + went mincingly away. As he went he lifted the slender double reed to his + lips and blew a few careless notes. + </p> + <p> + The next day he fronted her as before, looking down to her eyes from a + short distance. He played for only a few moments, and fitfully, and then + he came to her. When he left the bracken the girl suddenly clapped her + hands against her eyes affrighted. There was something different, terrible + about him. The upper part of his body was beautiful, but the lower + part.... She dared not look at him again. She would have risen and fled + away but she feared he might pursue her, and the thought of such a chase + and the inevitable capture froze her blood. The thought of anything behind + us is always terrible. The sound of pursuing feet is worse than the murder + from which we fly—So she sat still and waited but nothing happened. + At last, desperately, she dropped her hands. He was sitting on the ground + a few paces from her. He was not looking at her but far away sidewards + across the spreading hill. His legs were crossed; they were shaggy and + hoofed like the legs of a goat: but she would not look at these because of + his wonderful, sad, grotesque face. Gaiety is good to look upon and an + innocent face is delightful to our souls, but no woman can resist sadness + or weakness, and ugliness she dare not resist. Her nature leaps to be the + comforter. It is her reason. It exalts her to an ecstasy wherein nothing + but the sacrifice of herself has any proportion. Men are not fathers by + instinct but by chance, but women are mothers beyond thought, beyond + instinct which is the father of thought. Motherliness, pity, + self-sacrifice—these are the charges of her primal cell, and not + even the discovery that men are comedians, liars, and egotists will wean + her from this. As she looked at the pathos of his face she repudiated the + hideousness of his body. The beast which is in all men is glossed by + women; it is his childishness, the destructive energy inseparable from + youth and high spirits, and it is always forgiven by women, often + forgotten, sometimes, and not rarely, cherished and fostered. + </p> + <p> + After a few moments of this silence he placed the reed to his lips and + played a plaintive little air, and then he spoke to her in a strange + voice, coming like a wind from distant places. + </p> + <p> + “What is your name, Shepherd Girl?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Caitilin, Ingin Ni Murrachu,” she whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Daughter of Murrachu,” said he, “I have come from a far place where there + are high hills. The men and maidens who follow their flocks in that place + know me and love me for I am the Master of the Shepherds. They sing and + dance and are glad when I come to them in the sunlight; but in this + country no people have done any reverence to me. The shepherds fly away + when they hear my pipes in the pastures; the maidens scream in fear when I + dance to them in the meadows. I am very lonely in this strange country. + You also, although you danced to the music of my pipes, have covered your + face against me and made no reverence.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do whatever you say if it is right,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “You must not do anything because it is right, but because it is your + wish. Right is a word and Wrong is a word, but the sun shines in the + morning and the dew falls in the dusk without thinking of these words + which have no meaning. The bee flies to the flower and the seed goes + abroad and is happy. Is that right, Shepherd Girl?—it is wrong also. + I come to you because the bee goes to the flower—it is wrong! If I + did not come to you to whom would I go? There is no right and no wrong but + only the will of the gods.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid of you,” said the girl. + </p> + <p> + “You fear me because my legs are shaggy like the legs of a goat. Look at + them well, O Maiden, and know that they are indeed the legs of a beast and + then you will not be afraid any more. Do you not love beasts? Surely you + should love them for they yearn to you humbly or fiercely, craving your + hand upon their heads as I do. If I were not fashioned thus I would not + come to you because I would not need you. Man is a god and a brute. He + aspires to the stars with his head but his feet are contented in the + grasses of the field, and when he forsakes the brute upon which he stands + then there will be no more men and no more women and the immortal gods + will blow this world away like smoke.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know what you want me to do,” said the girl. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to want me. I want you to forget right and wrong; to be as + happy as the beasts, as careless as the flowers and the birds. To live to + the depths of your nature as well as to the heights. Truly there are stars + in the heights and they will be a garland for your forehead. But the + depths are equal to the heights. Wondrous deep are the depths, very + fertile is the lowest deep. There are stars there also, brighter than the + stars on high. The name of the heights is Wisdom and the name of the + depths is Love. How shall they come together and be fruitful if you do not + plunge deeply and fearlessly? Wisdom is the spirit and the wings of the + spirit, Love is the shaggy beast that goes down. Gallantly he dives, below + thought, beyond Wisdom, to rise again as high above these as he had first + descended. Wisdom is righteous and clean, but Love is unclean and holy. I + sing of the beast and the descent: the great unclean purging itself in + fire: the thought that is not born in the measure or the ice or the head, + but in the feet and the hot blood and the pulse of fury. The Crown of Life + is not lodged in the sun: the wise gods have buried it deeply where the + thoughtful will not find it, nor the good: but the Gay Ones, the + Adventurous Ones, the Careless Plungers, they will bring it to the wise + and astonish them. All things are seen in the light—How shall we + value that which is easy to see? But the precious things which are hidden, + they will be more precious for our search: they will be beautiful with our + sorrow: they will be noble because of our desire for them. Come away with + me, Shepherd Girl, through the fields, and we will be careless and happy, + and we will leave thought to find us when it can, for that is the duty of + thought, and it is more anxious to discover us than we are to be found.” + </p> + <p> + So Caitilin Ni Murrachu arose and went with him through the fields, and + she did not go with him because of love, nor because his words had been + understood by her, but only because he was naked and unashamed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <p> + IT was on account of his daughter that Meehawl MacMurrachu had come to + visit the Philosopher. He did not know what had become of her, and the + facts he had to lay before his adviser were very few. + </p> + <p> + He left the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath taking snuff under a pine tree and + went into the house. + </p> + <p> + “God be with all here,” said he as he entered. + </p> + <p> + “God be with yourself, Meehawl MacMurrachu,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I am in great trouble this day, sir,” said Meehawl, “and if you would + give me an advice I’d be greatly beholden to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I can give you that,” replied the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “None better than your honour and no trouble to you either. It was a + powerful advice you gave me about the washboard, and if I didn’t come here + to thank you before this it was not because I didn’t want to come, but + that I couldn’t move hand or foot by dint of the cruel rheumatism put upon + me by the Leprecauns of Gort na Cloca Mora, bad cess to them for ever: + twisted I was the way you’d get a squint in your eye if you only looked at + me, and the pain I suffered would astonish you.” + </p> + <p> + “It would not,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “No matter,” said Meehawl. “What I came about was my young daughter + Caitilin. Sight or light of her I haven’t had for three days. My wife said + first, that it was the fairies had taken her, and then she said it was a + travelling man that had a musical instrument she went away with, and after + that she said, that maybe the girl was lying dead in the butt of a ditch + with her eyes wide open, and she staring broadly at the moon in the night + time and the sun in the day until the crows would be finding her out.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher drew his chair closer to Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “Daughters,” said he, “have been a cause of anxiety to their parents ever + since they were instituted. The flightiness of the female temperament is + very evident in those who have not arrived at the years which teach how to + hide faults and frailties, and, therefore, indiscretions bristle from a + young girl the way branches do from a bush.” + </p> + <p> + “The person who would deny that—” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “Female children, however, have the particular sanction of nature. They + are produced in astonishing excess over males, and may, accordingly, be + admitted as dominant to the male; but the well-proven law that the + minority shall always control the majority will relieve our minds from a + fear which might otherwise become intolerable.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s true enough,” said Meehawl. “Have you noticed, sir, that in a litter + of pups—” + </p> + <p> + “I have not,” said the Philosopher. “Certain trades and professions, it is + curious to note, tend to be perpetuated in the female line. The sovereign + profession among bees and ants is always female, and publicans also + descend on the distaff side. You will have noticed that every publican has + three daughters of extraordinary charms. Lacking these signs we would do + well to look askance at such a man’s liquor, divining that in his brew + there will be an undue percentage of water, for if his primogeniture is + infected how shall his honesty escape?” + </p> + <p> + “It would take a wise head to answer that,” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “It would not,” said the Philosopher. “Throughout nature the female tends + to polygamy.” + </p> + <p> + “If,” said Meehawl, “that unfortunate daughter of mine is lying dead in a + ditch—” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn’t matter,” said the Philosopher. “Many races have endeavoured to + place some limits to this increase in females. Certain Oriental peoples + have conferred the titles of divinity on crocodiles, serpents, and tigers + of the jungle, and have fed these with their surplusage of daughters. In + China, likewise, such sacrifices are defended as honourable and economic + practices. But, broadly speaking, if daughters have to be curtailed I + prefer your method of losing them rather than the religio-hysterical + compromises of the Orient.” + </p> + <p> + “I give you my word, sir,” said Meehawl, “that I don’t know what you are + talking about at all.” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the Philosopher, “may be accounted for in three ways—firstly, + there is a lack of cerebral continuity: that is, faulty attention; + secondly, it might be due to a local peculiarity in the conformation of + the skull, or, perhaps, a superficial instead of a deep indenting of the + cerebral coil; and thirdly—” + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever hear,” said Meehawl, “of the man that had the scalp of his + head blown off by a gun, and they soldered the bottom of a tin dish to the + top of his skull the way you could hear his brains ticking inside of it + for all the world like a Waterbury watch?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not,” said the Philosopher. “Thirdly, it may—” + </p> + <p> + “It’s my daughter, Caitilin, sir,” said Meehawl humbly. “Maybe she is + lying in the butt of a ditch and the crows picking her eyes out.” + </p> + <p> + “What did she die of?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “My wife only put it that maybe she was dead, and that maybe she was taken + by the fairies, and that maybe she went away with the travelling man that + had the musical instrument. She said it was a concertina, but I think + myself it was a flute he had.” + </p> + <p> + “Who was this traveller?” + </p> + <p> + “I never saw him,” said Meehawl, “but one day I went a few perches up the + hill and I heard him playing—thin, squeaky music it was like you’d + be blowing out of a tin whistle. I looked about for him everywhere, but + not a bit of him could I see.” + </p> + <p> + “Eh?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I looked about—” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said the Philosopher. “Did you happen to look at your goats?” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn’t well help doing that,” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “What were they doing?” said the Philosopher eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “They were bucking each other across the field, and standing on their hind + legs and cutting such capers that I laughed till I had a pain in my + stomach at the gait of them.” + </p> + <p> + “This is very interesting,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Do you tell me so?” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “I do,” said the Philosopher, “and for this reason-most of the races of + the world have at one time or another—” + </p> + <p> + “It’s my little daughter, Caitilin, sir,” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “I’m attending to her,” the Philosopher replied. + </p> + <p> + “I thank you kindly,” returned Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher continued “Most of the races of the world have at one time + or another been visited by this deity, whose title is the ‘Great God Pan,’ + but there is no record of his ever having journeyed to Ireland, and, + certainly within historic times, he has not set foot on these shores. He + lived for a great number of years in Egypt, Persia, and Greece, and + although his empire is supposed to be world-wide, this universal sway has + always been, and always will be, contested; but nevertheless, however + sharply his empire may be curtailed, he will never be without a kingdom + wherein his exercise of sovereign rights will be gladly and passionately + acclaimed.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he one of the old gods, sir?” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “He is,” replied the Philosopher, “and his coming intends no good to this + country. Have you any idea why he should have captured your daughter?” + </p> + <p> + “Not an idea in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Is your daughter beautiful?” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn’t tell you, because I never thought of looking at her that way. + But she is a good milker, and as strong as a man. She can lift a bag of + meal under her arm easier than I can; but she’s a timid creature for all + that.” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever the reason is I am certain that he has the girl, and I am + inclined to think that he was directed to her by the Leprecauns of the + Gort. You know they are at feud with you ever since their bird was + killed?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not likely to forget it, and they racking me day and night with + torments.” + </p> + <p> + “You may be sure,” said the Philosopher, “that if he’s anywhere at all + it’s at Gort na Cloca Mora he is, for, being a stranger, he wouldn’t know + where to go unless he was directed, and they know every hole and corner of + this countryside since ancient times. I’d go up myself and have a talk + with him, but it wouldn’t be a bit of good, and it wouldn’t be any use + your going either. He has power over all grown people so that they either + go and get drunk or else they fall in love with every person they meet, + and commit assaults and things I wouldn’t like to be telling you about. + The only folk who can go near him at all are little children, because he + has no power over them until they grow to the sensual age, and then he + exercises lordship over them as over every one else. I’ll send my two + children with a message to him to say that he isn’t doing the decent + thing, and that if he doesn’t let the girl alone and go back to his own + country we’ll send for Angus Og.” + </p> + <p> + “He’d make short work of him, I’m thinking.” + </p> + <p> + “He might surely; but he may take the girl for himself all the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’d sooner he had her than the other one, for he’s one of ourselves + anyhow, and the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.” + </p> + <p> + “Angus Og is a god,” said the Philosopher severely. + </p> + <p> + “I know that, sir,” replied Meehawl; “it’s only a way of talking I have. + But how will your honour get at Angus? for I heard say that he hadn’t been + seen for a hundred years, except one night only when he talked to a man + for half an hour on Kilmasheogue.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll find him, sure enough,” replied the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll warrant you will,” replied Meehawl heartily as he stood up. “Long + life and good health to your honour,” said he as he turned away. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher lit his pipe. + </p> + <p> + “We live as long as we are let,” said he, “and we get the health we + deserve. Your salutation embodies a reflection on death which is not + philosophic. We must acquiesce in all logical progressions. The merging of + opposites is completion. Life runs to death as to its goal, and we should + go towards that next stage of experience either carelessly as to what must + be, or with a good, honest curiosity as to what may be.” + </p> + <p> + “There’s not much fun in being dead, sir,” said Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + “How do you know?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I know well enough,” replied Meehawl. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <p> + WHEN the children leaped into the hole at the foot of the tree they found + themselves sliding down a dark, narrow slant which dropped them softly + enough into a little room. This room was hollowed out immediately under + the tree, and great care had been taken not to disturb any of the roots + which ran here and there through the chamber in the strangest criss-cross, + twisted fashion. To get across such a place one had to walk round, and + jump over, and duck under perpetually. Some of the roots had formed + themselves very conveniently into low seats and narrow, uneven tables, and + at the bottom all the roots ran into the floor and away again in the + direction required by their business. After the clear air outside this + place was very dark to the children’s eyes, so that they could not see + anything for a few minutes, but after a little time their eyes became + accustomed to the semiobscurity and they were able to see quite well. The + first things they became aware of were six small men who were seated on + low roots. They were all dressed in tight green clothes and little + leathern aprons, and they wore tall green hats which wobbled when they + moved. They were all busily engaged making shoes. One was drawing out wax + ends on his knee, another was softening pieces of leather in a bucket of + water, another was polishing the instep of a shoe with a piece of curved + bone, another was paring down a heel with a short broad-bladed knife, and + another was hammering wooden pegs into a sole. He had all the pegs in his + mouth, which gave him a widefaced, jolly expression, and according as a + peg was wanted he blew it into his hand and hit it twice with his hammer, + and then he blew another peg, and he always blew the peg with the right + end uppermost, and never had to hit it more than twice. He was a person + well worth watching. + </p> + <p> + The children had slid down so unexpectedly that they almost forgot their + good manners, but as soon as Seumas Beg discovered that he was really in a + room he removed his cap and stood up. + </p> + <p> + “God be with all here,” said he. + </p> + <p> + The Leprecaun who had brought them lifted Brigid from the floor to which + amazement still constrained her. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down on that little root, child of my heart,” said he, “and you can + knit stockings for us.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” said Brigid meekly. + </p> + <p> + The Leprecaun took four knitting needles and a ball of green wool from the + top of a high, horizontal root. He had to climb over one, go round three + and climb up two roots to get at it, and he did this so easily that it did + not seem a bit of trouble. He gave the needles and wool to Brigid Beg. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know how to turn the heel, Brigid Beg?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” said Brigid. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ll show you how when you come to it.” + </p> + <p> + The other six Leprecauns had ceased work and were looking at the children. + Seumas turned to them. + </p> + <p> + “God bless the work,” said he politely. + </p> + <p> + One of the Leprecauns, who had a grey, puckered face and a thin fringe of + grey whisker very far under his chin, then spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Come over here, Seumas Beg,” said he, “and I’ll measure you for a pair of + shoes. Put your foot up on that root.” + </p> + <p> + The boy did so, and the Leprecaun took the measure of his foot with a + wooden rule. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Brigid Beg, show me your foot,” and he measured her also. “They’ll + be ready for you in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you never do anything else but make shoes, sir?” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “We do not,” replied the Leprecaun, “except when we want new clothes, and + then we have to make them, but we grudge every minute spent making + anything else except shoes, because that is the proper work for a + Leprecaun. In the night time we go about the country into people’s houses + and we clip little pieces off their money, and so, bit by bit, we get a + crock of gold together, because, do you see, a Leprecaun has to have a + crock of gold so that if he’s captured by men folk he may be able to + ransom himself. But that seldom happens, because it’s a great disgrace + altogether to be captured by a man, and we’ve practiced so long dodging + among the roots here that we can easily get away from them. Of course, now + and again we are caught; but men are fools, and we always escape without + having to pay the ransom at all. We wear green clothes because it’s the + colour of the grass and the leaves, and when we sit down under a bush or + lie in the grass they just walk by without noticing us.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you let me see your crock of gold?” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + The Leprecaun looked at him fixedly for a moment. + </p> + <p> + “Do you like griddle bread and milk?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I like it well,” Seumas answered. + </p> + <p> + “Then you had better have some,” and the Leprecaun took a piece of griddle + bread from the shelf and filled two saucers with milk. + </p> + <p> + While the children were eating the Leprecauns asked them many questions + “What time do you get up in the morning?” + </p> + <p> + “Seven o’clock,” replied Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “And what do you have for breakfast?” + </p> + <p> + “Stirabout and milk,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “It’s good food,” said the Leprecaun. “What do you have for dinner?” + </p> + <p> + “Potatoes and milk,” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “It’s not bad at all,” said the Leprecaun. “And what do you have for + supper?” + </p> + <p> + Brigid answered this time because her brother’s mouth was full. + </p> + <p> + “Bread and milk, sir,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “There’s nothing better,” said the Leprecaun. + </p> + <p> + “And then we go to bed,” continued Brigid. + </p> + <p> + “Why wouldn’t you?” said the Leprecaun. + </p> + <p> + It was at this point the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath knocked on the tree + trunk and demanded that the children should be returned to her. + </p> + <p> + When she had gone away the Leprecauns held a consultation, whereat it was + decided that they could not afford to anger the Thin Woman and the Shee of + Croghan Conghaile, so they shook hands with the children and bade them + good-bye. The Leprecaun who had enticed them away from home brought them + back again, and on parting he begged the children to visit Gort na Cloca + Mora whenever they felt inclined. + </p> + <p> + “There’s always a bit of griddle bread or potato cake, and a noggin of + milk for a friend,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “You are very kind, sir,” replied Seumas, and his sister said the same + words. + </p> + <p> + As the Leprecaun walked away they stood watching him. + </p> + <p> + “Do you remember,” said Seumas, “the way he hopped and waggled his leg the + last time he was here?” + </p> + <p> + “I do so,” replied Brigid. + </p> + <p> + “Well, he isn’t hopping or doing anything at all this time,” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “He’s not in good humour to-night,” said Brigid, “but I like him.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + When they went into the house the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath was very glad + to see them, and she baked a cake with currants in it, and also gave them + both stir-about and potatoes; but the Philosopher did not notice that they + had been away at all. He said at last that “talking was bad wit, that + women were always making a fuss, that children should be fed, but not + fattened, and that beds were meant to be slept in.” The Thin Woman replied + “that he was a grisly old man without bowels, that she did not know what + she had married him for, that he was three times her age, and that no one + would believe what she had to put up with.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <p> + PURSUANT to his arrangement with Meehawl MacMurrachu, the Philosopher sent + the children in search of Pan. He gave them the fullest instructions as to + how they should address the Sylvan Deity, and then, having received the + admonishments of the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath, the children departed in + the early morning. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the clearing in the pine wood, through which the sun was + blazing, they sat down for a little while to rest in the heat. Birds were + continually darting down this leafy shaft, and diving away into the dark + wood. These birds always had something in their beaks. One would have a + worm, or a snail, or a grasshopper, or a little piece of wool torn off a + sheep, or a scrap of cloth, or a piece of hay; and when they had put these + things in a certain place they flew up the sun-shaft again and looked for + something else to bring home. On seeing the children each of the birds + waggled his wings, and made a particular sound. They said “caw” and “chip” + and “twit” and “tut” and “what” and “pit”; and one, whom the youngsters + liked very much, always said “tit-tittit-tit-tit.” The children were fond + of him because he was so all-of-asudden. They never knew where he was + going to fly next, and they did not believe he knew himself. He would fly + backwards and forwards, and up and down, and sideways and bawways—all, + so to speak, in the one breath. He did this because he was curious to see + what was happening everywhere, and, as something is always happening + everywhere, he was never able to fly in a straight line for more than the + littlest distance. He was a cowardly bird too, and continually fancied + that some person was going to throw a stone at him from behind a bush, or + a wall, or a tree, and these imaginary dangers tended to make his + journeyings still more wayward and erratic. He never flew where he wanted + to go himself, but only where God directed him, and so he did not fare at + all badly. + </p> + <p> + The children knew each of the birds by their sounds, and always said these + words to them when they came near. For a little time they had difficulty + in saying the right word to the right bird, and sometimes said “chip” when + the salutation should have been “tut.” The birds always resented this, and + would scold them angrily, but after a little practice they never made any + mistakes at all. There was one bird, a big, black fellow, who loved to be + talked to. He used to sit on the ground beside the children, and say “caw” + as long as they would repeat it after him. He often wasted a whole morning + in talk, but none of the other birds remained for more than a few minutes + at a time. They were always busy in the morning, but in the evening they + had more leisure, and would stay and chat as long as the children wanted + them. The awkward thing was that in the evening all the birds wanted to + talk at the same moment, so that the youngsters never knew which of them + to answer. Seumas Beg got out of that difficulty for a while by learning + to whistle their notes, but, even so, they spoke with such rapidity that + he could not by any means keep pace with them. Brigid could only whistle + one note; it was a little flat “whoo” sound, which the birds all laughed + at, and after a few trials she refused to whistle any more. + </p> + <p> + While they were sitting two rabbits came to play about in the brush. They + ran round and round in a circle, and all their movements were very quick + and twisty. Sometimes they jumped over each other six or seven times in + succession, and every now and then they sat upright on their hind legs, + and washed their faces with their paws. At other times they picked up a + blade of grass, which they ate with great deliberation, pretending all the + time that it was a complicated banquet of cabbage leaves and lettuce. + </p> + <p> + While the children were playing with the rabbits an ancient, stalwart + he-goat came prancing through the bracken. He was an old acquaintance of + theirs, and he enjoyed lying beside them to have his forehead scratched + with a piece of sharp stick. His forehead was hard as rock, and the hair + grew there as sparse as grass does on a wall, or rather the way moss grows + on a wall—it was a mat instead of a crop. His horns were long and + very sharp, and brilliantly polished. On this day the he-goat had two + chains around his neck—one was made of butter-cups and the other was + made of daisies, and the children wondered to each other who it was could + have woven these so carefully. They asked the he-goat this question, but + he only looked at them and did not say a word. The children liked + examining this goat’s eyes; they were very big, and of the queerest + light-gray colour. They had a strange steadfast look, and had also at + times a look of queer, deep intelligence, and at other times they had a + fatherly and benevolent expression, and at other times again, especially + when he looked sidewards, they had a mischievous, light-and-airy, daring, + mocking, inviting and terrifying look; but he always looked brave and + unconcerned. When the he-goat’s forehead had been scratched as much as he + desired he arose from between the children and went pacing away lightly + through the wood. The children ran after him and each caught hold of one + of his horns, and he ambled and reared between them while they danced + along on his either side singing snatches of bird songs, and scraps of old + tunes which the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath had learned among the people of + the Shee. + </p> + <p> + In a little time they came to Gort na Cloca Mora, but here the he-goat did + not stop. They went past the big tree of the Leprecauns, through a broken + part of the hedge and into another rough field. The sun was shining + gloriously. There was scarcely a wind at all to stir the harsh grasses. + Far and near was silence and warmth, an immense, cheerful peace. Across + the sky a few light clouds sailed gently on a blue so vast that the eye + failed before that horizon. A few bees sounded their deep chant, and now + and again a wasp rasped hastily on his journey. Than these there was no + sound of any kind. So peaceful, innocent and safe did everything appear + that it might have been the childhood of the world as it was of the + morning. + </p> + <p> + The children, still clinging to the friendly goat, came near the edge of + the field, which here sloped more steeply to the mountain top. Great + boulders, slightly covered with lichen and moss, were strewn about, and + around them the bracken and gorse were growing, and in every crevice of + these rocks there were plants whose little, tight-fisted roots gripped a + desperate, adventurous habitation in a soil scarcely more than half an + inch deep. At some time these rocks had been smitten so fiercely that the + solid granite surfaces had shattered into fragments. At one place a sheer + wall of stone, ragged and battered, looked harshly out from the thin + vegetation. To this rocky wall the he-goat danced. At one place there was + a hole in the wall covered by a thick brush. The goat pushed his way + behind this growth and disappeared. Then the children, curious to see + where he had gone, pushed through also. Behind the bush they found a high, + narrow opening, and when they had rubbed their legs, which smarted from + the stings of nettles, thistles and gorse prickles, they went into the + hole which they thought was a place the goat had for sleeping in on cold, + wet nights. After a few paces they found the passage was quite comfortably + big, and then they saw a light, and in another moment they were blinking + at the god Pan and Caitilin Ni Murrachu. + </p> + <p> + Caitilin knew them at once and came forward with welcome. + </p> + <p> + “O, Seumas Beg,” she cried reproachfully, “how dirty you have let your + feet get. Why don’t you walk in the grassy places? And you, Brigid, have a + right to be ashamed of yourself to have your hands the way they are. Come + over here at once.” + </p> + <p> + Every child knows that every grown female person in the world has + authority to wash children and to give them food; that is what grown + people were made for, consequently Seumas and Brigid Beg submitted to the + scouring for which Caitilin made instant preparation. When they were + cleaned she pointed to a couple of flat stones against the wall of the + cave and bade them sit down and be good, and this the children did, fixing + their eyes on Pan with the cheerful gravity and curiosity which + good-natured youngsters always give to a stranger. + </p> + <p> + Pan, who had been lying on a couch of dried grass, sat up and bent an + equally cheerful regard on the children. + </p> + <p> + “Shepherd Girl,” said he, “who are those children?” + </p> + <p> + “They are the children of the Philosophers of Coilla Doraca; the Grey + Woman of Dun Gortin and the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath are their mothers, + and they are decent, poor children, God bless them.” + </p> + <p> + “What have they come here for?” + </p> + <p> + “You will have to ask themselves that.” + </p> + <p> + Pan looked at them smilingly. + </p> + <p> + “What have you come here for, little children?” said he. + </p> + <p> + The children questioned one another with their eyes to see which of them + would reply, and then Seumas Beg answered: + </p> + <p> + “My father sent me to see you, sir, and to say that you were not doing a + good thing in keeping Caitilin Ni Murrachu away from her own place.” + </p> + <p> + Brigid Beg turned to Caitilin-“Your father came to see our father, and he + said that he didn’t know what had become of you at all, and that maybe you + were lying flat in a ditch with the black crows picking at your flesh.” + </p> + <p> + “And what,” said Pan, “did your father say to that?” + </p> + <p> + “He told us to come and ask her to go home.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you love your father, little child?” said Pan. + </p> + <p> + Brigid Beg thought for a moment. “I don’t know, sir,” she replied. + </p> + <p> + “He doesn’t mind us at all,” broke in Seumas Beg, “and so we don’t know + whether we love him or not.” + </p> + <p> + “I like Caitilin,” said Brigid, “and I like you.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “I like you also, little children,” said Pan. “Come over here and sit + beside me, and we will talk.” + </p> + <p> + So the two children went over to Pan and sat down one each side of him, + and he put his arms about them. “Daughter of Murrachu,” said he, “is there + no food in the house for guests?” + </p> + <p> + “There is a cake of bread, a little goat’s milk and some cheese,” she + replied, and she set about getting these things. + </p> + <p> + “I never ate cheese,” said Seumas. “Is it good?” + </p> + <p> + “Surely it is,” replied Pan. “The cheese that is made from goat’s milk is + rather strong, and it is good to be eaten by people who live in the open + air, but not by those who live in houses, for such people do not have any + appetite. They are poor creatures whom I do not like.” + </p> + <p> + “I like eating,” said Seumas. + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” said Pan. “All good people like eating. Every person who is + hungry is a good person, and every person who is not hungry is a bad + person. It is better to be hungry than rich.” + </p> + <p> + Caitilin having supplied the children with food, seated herself in front + of them. “I don’t think that is right,” said she. “I have always been + hungry, and it was never good.” + </p> + <p> + “If you had always been full you would like it even less,” he replied, + “because when you are hungry you are alive, and when you are not hungry + you are only half alive.” + </p> + <p> + “One has to be poor to be hungry,” replied Caitilin. “My father is poor + and gets no good of it but to work from morning to night and never to stop + doing that.” + </p> + <p> + “It is bad for a wise person to be poor,” said Pan, “and it is bad for a + fool to be rich. A rich fool will think of nothing else at first but to + find a dark house wherein to hide away, and there he will satisfy his + hunger, and he will continue to do that until his hunger is dead and he is + no better than dead but a wise person who is rich will carefully preserve + his appetite. All people who have been rich for a long time, or who are + rich from birth, live a great deal outside of their houses, and so they + are always hungry and healthy.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor people have no time to be wise,” said Caitilin. + </p> + <p> + “They have time to be hungry,” said Pan. “I ask no more of them.” + </p> + <p> + “My father is very wise,” said Seumas Beg. + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that, little boy?” said Pan. + </p> + <p> + “Because he is always talking,” replied Seumas. “Do you always listen, my + dear?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” said Seumas; “I go to sleep when he talks.” + </p> + <p> + “That is very clever of you,” said Pan. + </p> + <p> + “I go to sleep too,” said Brigid. + </p> + <p> + “It is clever of you also, my darling. Do you go to sleep when your mother + talks?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” she answered. “If we went to sleep then our mother would pinch + us and say that we were a bad breed.” + </p> + <p> + “I think your mother is wise,” said Pan. “What do you like best in the + world, Seumas Beg?” + </p> + <p> + The boy thought for a moment and replied: “I don’t know, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Pan also thought for a little time. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know what I like best either,” said he. “What do you like best in + the world, Shepherd Girl?” + </p> + <p> + Caitilin’s eyes were fixed on his. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know yet,” she answered slowly. + </p> + <p> + “May the gods keep you safe from that knowledge,” said Pan gravely. + </p> + <p> + “Why would you say that?” she replied. “One must find out all things, and + when we find out a thing we know if it is good or bad.” + </p> + <p> + “That is the beginning of knowledge,” said Pan, “but it is not the + beginning of wisdom.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the beginning of wisdom?” + </p> + <p> + “It is carelessness,” replied Pan. + </p> + <p> + “And what is the end of wisdom?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” he answered, after a little pause. + </p> + <p> + “Is it greater carelessness?” she enquired. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, I do not know,” said he sharply. “I am tired of talking,” + and, so saying, he turned his face away from them and lay down on the + couch. + </p> + <p> + Caitilin in great concern hurried the children to the door of the cave and + kissed them good-bye. + </p> + <p> + “Pan is sick,” said the boy gravely. + </p> + <p> + “I hope he will be well soon again,” the girl murmured. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” said Caitilin, and she ran back quickly to her lord. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK II. THE PHILOSOPHER’S JOURNEY + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <p> + WHEN the children reached home they told the Philosopher-the result of + their visit. He questioned them minutely as to the appearance of Pan, how + he had received them, and what he had said in defence of his iniquities; + but when he found that Pan had not returned any answer to his message he + became very angry. He tried to persuade his wife to undertake another + embassy setting forth his abhorrence and defiance of the god, but the Thin + Woman replied sourly that she was a respectable married woman, that having + been already bereaved of her wisdom she had no desire to be further + curtailed of her virtue, that a husband would go any length to asperse his + wife’s reputation, and that although she was married to a fool her + self-respect had survived even that calamity. The Philosopher pointed out + that her age, her appearance, and her tongue were sufficient guarantees of + immunity against the machinations of either Pan or slander, and that he + had no personal feelings in the matter beyond a scientific and benevolent + interest in the troubles of Meehawl MacMurrachu; but this was discounted + by his wife as the malignant and subtle tactics customary to all husbands. + </p> + <p> + Matters appeared to be thus at a deadlock so far as they were immediately + concerned, and the Philosopher decided that he would lay the case before + Angus Og and implore his protection and assistance on behalf of the Clann + MacMurrachu. He therefore directed the Thin Woman to bake him two cakes of + bread, and set about preparations for a journey. + </p> + <p> + The Thin Woman baked the cakes, and put them in a bag, and early on the + following morning the Philosopher swung this bag over his shoulder, and + went forth on his quest. + </p> + <p> + When he came to the edge of the pine wood he halted for a few moments, not + being quite certain of his bearings, and then went forward again in the + direction of Gort na Cloca Mora. It came into his mind as he crossed the + Gort that he ought to call on the Leprecauns and have a talk with them, + but a remembrance of Meehawl MacMurrachu and the troubles under which he + laboured (all directly to be traced to the Leprecauns) hardened his heart + against his neighbours, so that he passed by the yew tree without any + stay. In a short time he came to the rough, heather-clumped field wherein + the children had found Pan, and as he was proceeding up the hill, he saw + Caitilin Ni Murrachu walking a little way in front with a small vessel in + her hand. The she-goat which she had just milked was bending again to the + herbage, and as Caitilin trod lightly in front of him the Philosopher + closed his eyes in virtuous anger and opened them again in a not unnatural + curiosity, for the girl had no clothes on. He watched her going behind the + brush and disappearing in the cleft of the rock, and his anger, both with + her and Pan, mastering him he forsook the path of prudence which soared to + the mountain top, and followed that leading to the cave. The sound of his + feet brought Caitilin out hastily, but he pushed her by with a harsh word. + “Hussy,” said he, and he went into the cave where Pan was. + </p> + <p> + As he went in he already repented of his harshness and said “The human + body is an aggregation of flesh and sinew, around a central bony + structure. The use of clothing is primarily to protect this organism from + rain and cold, and it may not be regarded as the banner of morality + without danger to this fundamental premise. If a person does not desire to + be so protected who will quarrel with an honourable liberty? Decency is + not clothing but Mind. Morality is behaviour. Virtue is thought; I have + often fancied,” he continued to Pan, whom he was now confronting, “that + the effect of clothing on mind must be very considerable, and that it must + have a modifying rather than an expanding effect, or, even, an + intensifying as against an exuberant effect. With clothing the whole + environment is immediately affected. The air, which is our proper medium, + is only filtered to our bodies in an abated and niggardly fashion which + can scarcely be as beneficial as the generous and unintermitted elemental + play. The question naturally arises whether clothing is as unknown to + nature as we have fancied? Viewed as a protective measure against + atmospheric rigour we find that many creatures grow, by their own central + impulse, some kind of exterior panoply which may be regarded as their + proper clothing. Bears, cats, dogs, mice, sheep and beavers are wrapped in + fur, hair, fell, fleece or pelt, so these creatures cannot by any means be + regarded as being naked. Crabs, cockroaches, snails and cockles have + ordered around them a crusty habiliment, wherein their original nakedness + is only to be discovered by force, and other creatures have similarly + provided themselves with some species of covering. Clothing, therefore, is + not an art, but an instinct, and the fact that man is born naked and does + not grow his clothing upon himself from within but collects it from + various distant and haphazard sources is not any reason to call this + necessity an instinct for decency. These, you will admit, are weighty + reflections and worthy of consideration before we proceed to the wide and + thorny subject of moral and immoral action. Now, what is virtue?” Pan, who + had listened with great courtesy to these remarks, here broke in on the + Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Virtue,” said he, “is the performance of pleasant actions.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher held the statement for a moment on his forefinger. + </p> + <p> + “And what, then, is vice?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “It is vicious,” said Pan, “to neglect the performance of pleasant + actions.” + </p> + <p> + “If this be so,” the other commented, “philosophy has up to the present + been on the wrong track.” + </p> + <p> + “That is so,” said Pan. “Philosophy is an immoral practice because it + suggests a standard of practice impossible of being followed, and which, + if it could be followed, would lead to the great sin of sterility.” + </p> + <p> + “The idea of virtue,” said the Philosopher, with some indignation, “has + animated the noblest intellects of the world.” + </p> + <p> + “It has not animated them,” replied Pan; “it has hypnotised them so that + they have conceived virtue as repression and self-sacrifice as an + honourable thing instead of the suicide which it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” said the Philosopher; “this is very interesting, and if it is + true the whole conduct of life will have to be very much simplified.” + </p> + <p> + “Life is already very simple,” said Pan; “it is to be born and to die, and + in the interval to eat and drink, to dance and sing, to marry and beget + children.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is simply materialism,” cried the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you say ‘but’?” replied Pan. + </p> + <p> + “It is sheer, unredeemed animalism,” continued his visitor. + </p> + <p> + “It is any name you please to call it,” replied Pan. + </p> + <p> + “You have proved nothing,” the Philosopher shouted. + </p> + <p> + “What can be sensed requires no proof.” + </p> + <p> + “You leave out the new thing,” said the Philosopher. “You leave out + brains. I believe in mind above matter. Thought above emotion. Spirit + above flesh.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you do,” said Pan, and he reached for his oaten pipe. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher ran to the opening of the passage and thrust Caitilin + aside. “Hussy,” said he fiercely to her, and he darted out. + </p> + <p> + As he went up the rugged path he could hear the pipes of Pan, calling and + sobbing and making high merriment on the air. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <p> + “SHE does not deserve to be rescued,” said the Philosopher, “but I will + rescue her. Indeed,” he thought a moment later, “she does not want to be + rescued, and, therefore, I will rescue her.” + </p> + <p> + As he went down the road her shapely figure floated before his eyes as + beautiful and simple as an old statue. He wagged his head angrily at the + apparition, but it would not go away. He tried to concentrate his mind on + a deep, philosophical maxim, but her disturbing image came between him and + his thought, blotting out the latter so completely that a moment after he + had stated his aphorism he could not remember what it had been. Such a + condition of mind was so unusual that it bewildered him. + </p> + <p> + “Is a mind, then, so unstable,” said he, “that a mere figure, an animated + geometrical arrangement can shake it from its foundations?” + </p> + <p> + The idea horrified him: he saw civilisation building its temples over a + volcano... + </p> + <p> + “A puff,” said he, “and it is gone. Beneath all is chaos and red anarchy, + over all a devouring and insistent appetite. Our eyes tell us what to + think about, and our wisdom is no more than a catalogue of sensual + stimuli.” + </p> + <p> + He would have been in a state of deep dejection were it not that through + his perturbation there bubbled a stream of such amazing well-being as he + had not felt since childhood. Years had toppled from his shoulders. He + left one pound of solid matter behind at every stride. His very skin grew + flexuous, and he found a pleasure in taking long steps such as he could + not have accounted for by thought. Indeed, thought was the one thing he + felt unequal to, and it was not precisely that he could not think but that + he did not want to. All the importance and authority of his mind seemed to + have faded away, and the activity which had once belonged to that organ + was now transferred to his eyes. He saw, amazedly, the sunshine bathing + the hills and the valleys. A bird in the hedge held him—beak, head, + eyes, legs, and the wings that tapered widely at angles to the wind. For + the first time in his life he really saw a bird, and one minute after it + had flown away he could have reproduced its strident note. With every step + along the curving road the landscape was changing. He saw and noted it + almost in an ecstasy. A sharp hill jutted out into the road, it dissolved + into a sloping meadow, rolled down into a valley and then climbed easily + and peacefully into a hill again. On this side a clump of trees nodded + together in the friendliest fashion. Yonder a solitary tree, well-grown + and clean, was contented with its own bright company. A bush crouched + tightly on the ground as though, at a word, it would scamper from its + place and chase rabbits across the sward with shouts and laughter. Great + spaces of sunshine were everywhere, and everywhere there were deep wells + of shadow; and the one did not seem more beautiful than the other. That + sunshine! Oh, the glory of it, the goodness and bravery of it, how broadly + and grandly it shone, without stint, without care; he saw its measureless + generosity and gloried in it as though himself had been the flinger of + that largesse. And was he not? Did the sunlight not stream from his head + and life from his finger-tips? Surely the well-being that was in him did + bubble out to an activity beyond the universe. Thought! Oh! the petty + thing! but motion! emotion! these were the realities. To feel, to do, to + stride forward in elation chanting a paean of triumphant life! + </p> + <p> + After a time he felt hungry, and thrusting his hand into his wallet he + broke off a piece of one of his cakes and looked about for a place where + he might happily eat it. By the side of the road there was a well; just a + little corner filled with water. Over it was a rough stone coping, and + around, hugging it on three sides almost from sight, were thick, quiet + bushes. He would not have noticed the well at all but for a thin stream, + the breadth of two hands, which tiptoed away from it through a field. By + this well he sat down and scooped the water in his hand and it tasted + good. + </p> + <p> + He was eating his cake when a sound touched his ear from some distance, + and shortly a woman came down the path carrying a vessel in her hand to + draw water. + </p> + <p> + She was a big, comely woman, and she walked as one who had no misfortunes + and no misgivings. When she saw the Philosopher sitting by the well she + halted a moment in surprise and then came forward with a good-humoured + smile. + </p> + <p> + “Good morrow to you, sir,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Good morrow to you too, ma’am,” replied the Philosopher. “Sit down beside + me here and eat some of my cake.” + </p> + <p> + “Why wouldn’t I, indeed,” said the woman, and she did sit beside him. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher cracked a large piece off his cake and gave it to her and + she ate some. + </p> + <p> + “There’s a taste on that cake,” said she. “Who made it?” + </p> + <p> + “My wife did,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now!” said she, looking at him. “Do you know, you don’t look a bit + like a married man.” + </p> + <p> + “No?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit. A married man looks comfortable and settled: he looks + finished, if you understand me, and a bachelor looks unsettled and funny, + and he always wants to be running round seeing things. I’d know a married + man from a bachelor any day.” + </p> + <p> + “How would you know that?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Easily,” said she, with a nod. “It’s the way they look at a woman. A + married man looks at you quietly as if he knew all about you. There isn’t + any strangeness about him with a woman at all; but a bachelor man looks at + you very sharp and looks away and then looks back again, the way you’d + know he was thinking about you and didn’t know what you were thinking + about him; and so they are always strange, and that’s why women like + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Why!” said the Philosopher, astonished, “do women like bachelors better + than married men?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course they do,” she replied heartily. “They wouldn’t look at the side + of the road a married man was on if there was a bachelor man on the other + side.” + </p> + <p> + “This,” said the Philosopher earnestly, “is very interesting.” + </p> + <p> + “And the queer thing is,” she continued, “that when I came up the road and + saw you I said to myself ‘it’s a bachelor man.’ How long have you been + married, now?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” said the Philosopher. “Maybe it’s ten years.” + </p> + <p> + “And how many children would you have, mister?” + </p> + <p> + “Two,” he replied, and then corrected himself, “No, I have only one.” + </p> + <p> + “Is the other one dead?” + </p> + <p> + “I never had more than one.” + </p> + <p> + “Ten years married and only one child,” said she. “Why, man dear, you’re + not a married man. What were you doing at all, at all! I wouldn’t like to + be telling you the children I have living and dead. But what I say is that + married or not you’re a bachelor man. I knew it the minute I looked at + you. What sort of a woman is herself?” + </p> + <p> + “She’s a thin sort of woman,” cried the Philosopher, biting into his cake. + </p> + <p> + “Is she now?” + </p> + <p> + “And,” the Philosopher continued, “the reason I talked to you is because + you are a fat woman.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not fat,” was her angry response. + </p> + <p> + “You are fat,” insisted the Philosopher, “and that’s the reason I like + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if you mean it that way...” she chuckled. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” he continued, looking at her admiringly, “that women ought to + be fat.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell you the truth,” said she eagerly, “I think that myself. I never met + a thin woman but she was a sour one, and I never met a fat man but he was + a fool. Fat women and thin men; it’s nature,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said he, and he leaned forward and kissed her eye. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you villain!” said the woman, putting out her hands against him. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher drew back abashed. “Forgive me,” he began, “if I have + alarmed your virtue—” + </p> + <p> + “It’s the married man’s word,” said she, rising hastily: “now I know you; + but there’s a lot of the bachelor in you all the same, God help you! I’m + going home.” And, so saying, she dipped her vessel in the well and turned + away. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe,” said the Philosopher, “I ought to wait until your husband comes + home and ask his forgiveness for the wrong I’ve done him.” + </p> + <p> + The woman turned round on him and each of her eyes was as big as a plate. + </p> + <p> + “What do you say?” said she. “Follow me if you dare and I’ll set the dog + on you; I will so,” and she strode viciously homewards. + </p> + <p> + After a moment’s hesitation the Philosopher took his own path across the + hill. + </p> + <p> + The day was now well advanced, and as he trudged forward the happy + quietude of his surroundings stole into his heart again and so toned down + his recollection of the fat woman that in a little time she was no more + than a pleasant and curious memory. His mind was exercised superficially, + not in thinking, but in wondering how it was he had come to kiss a strange + woman. He said to himself that such conduct was not right; but this + statement was no more than the automatic working of a mind long exercised + in the distinctions of right and wrong, for, almost in the same breath, he + assured himself that what he had done did not matter in the least. His + opinions were undergoing a curious change. Right and wrong were meeting + and blending together so closely that it became difficult to dissever + them, and the obloquy attaching to the one seemed out of proportion + altogether to its importance, while the other by no means justified the + eulogy wherewith it was connected. Was there any immediate or even + distant, effect on life caused by evil which was not instantly swung into + equipoise by goodness? But these slender reflections troubled him only for + a little time. He had little desire for any introspective quarryings. To + feel so well was sufficient in itself. Why should thought be so apparent + to us, so insistent? We do not know we have digestive or circulatory + organs until these go out of order, and then the knowledge torments us. + Should not the labours of a healthy brain be equally subterranean and + equally competent? Why have we to think aloud and travel laboriously from + syllogism to ergo, chary of our conclusions and distrustful of our + premises? Thought, as we know it, is a disease and no more. The healthy + mentality should register its convictions and not its labours. Our ears + should not hear the clamour of its doubts nor be forced to listen to the + pro and con wherewith we are eternally badgered and perplexed. + </p> + <p> + The road was winding like a ribbon in and out of the mountains. On either + side there were hedges and bushes,—little, stiff trees which held + their foliage in their hands and dared the winds snatch a leaf from that + grip. The hills were swelling and sinking, folding and soaring on every + view. Now the silence was startled by the falling tinkle of a stream. Far + away a cow lowed, a long, deep monotone, or a goat’s call trembled from + nowhere to nowhere. But mostly there was a silence which buzzed with a + multitude of small winged life. Going up the hills the Philosopher bent + forward to the gradient, stamping vigorously as he trod, almost snorting + like a bull in the pride of successful energy. Coming down the slope he + braced back and let his legs loose to do as they pleased. Didn’t they know + their business—Good luck to them, and away! + </p> + <p> + As he walked along he saw an old woman hobbling in front of him. She was + leaning on a stick and her hand was red and swollen with rheumatism. She + hobbled by reason of the fact that there were stones in her shapeless + boots. She was draped in the sorriest miscellaneous rags that could be + imagined, and these were knotted together so intricately that her + clothing, having once been attached to her body, could never again be + detached from it. As she walked she was mumbling and grumbling to herself, + so that her mouth moved round and round in an india-rubber fashion. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher soon caught up on her. + </p> + <p> + “Good morrow, ma’am,” said he. + </p> + <p> + But she did not hear him: she seemed to be listening to the pain which the + stones in her boots gave her. + </p> + <p> + “Good morrow, ma’am,” said the Philosopher again. + </p> + <p> + This time she heard him and replied, turning her old, bleared eyes slowly + in his direction-“Good morrow to yourself, sir,” said she, and the + Philosopher thought her old face was a very kindly one. + </p> + <p> + “What is it that is wrong with you, ma’am?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “It’s my boots, sir,” she replied. “Full of stones they are, the way I can + hardly walk at all, God help me!” + </p> + <p> + “Why don’t you shake them out?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, sure, I couldn’t be bothered, sir, for there are so many holes in the + boots that more would get in before I could take two steps, and an old + woman can’t be always fidgeting, God help her!” + </p> + <p> + There was a little house on one side of the road, and when the old woman + saw this place she brightened up a little. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know who lives in that house?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I do not,” she replied, “but it’s a real nice house with clean windows + and a shiny knocker on the door, and smoke in the chimney—I wonder + would herself give me a cup of tea now if I asked her—A poor old + woman walking the roads on a stick! and maybe a bit of meat, or an egg + perhaps....” + </p> + <p> + “You could ask,” suggested the Philosopher gently. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe I will, too,” said she, and she sat down by the road just outside + the house and the Philosopher also sat down. + </p> + <p> + A little puppy dog came from behind the house and approached them + cautiously. Its intentions were friendly but it had already found that + amicable advances are sometimes indifferently received, for, as it drew + near, it wagged its dubious tail and rolled humbly on the ground. But very + soon the dog discovered that here there was no evil, for it trotted over + to the old woman, and without any more preparation jumped into her lap. + </p> + <p> + The old woman grinned at the dog “Ah, you thing you!” said she, and she + gave it her finger to bite. The delighted puppy chewed her bony finger, + and then instituted a mimic warfare against a piece of rag that fluttered + from her breast, barking and growling in joyous excitement, while the old + woman fondled and hugged it. + </p> + <p> + The door of the house opposite opened quickly, and a woman with a + frost-bitten face came out. + </p> + <p> + “Leave that dog down,” said she. + </p> + <p> + The old woman grinned humbly at her. + </p> + <p> + “Sure, ma’am, I wouldn’t hurt the little dog, the thing!” + </p> + <p> + “Put down that dog,” said the woman, “and go about your business—the + likes of you ought to be arrested.” + </p> + <p> + A man in shirt sleeves appeared behind her, and at him the old woman + grinned even more humbly. + </p> + <p> + “Let me sit here for a while and play with the little dog, sir,” said she; + “sure the roads do be lonesome—” + </p> + <p> + The man stalked close and grabbed the dog by the scruff of the neck. It + hung between his finger and thumb with its tail tucked between its legs + and its eyes screwed round on one side in amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Be off with you out of that, you old strap!” said the man in a terrible + voice. + </p> + <p> + So the old woman rose painfully to her feet again, and as she went + hobbling along the dusty road she began to cry. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher also arose; he was very indignant but did not know what to + do. A singular lassitude also prevented him from interfering. As they + paced along his companion began mumbling, more to herself than to him “Ah, + God be with me,” said she, “an old woman on a stick, that hasn’t a place + in the wide world to go to or a neighbour itself.... I wish I could get a + cup of tea, so I do. I wish to God I could get a cup of tea.... Me sitting + down in my own little house, with the white tablecloth on the table, and + the butter in the dish, and the strong, red tea in the tea-cup; and me + pouring cream into it, and, maybe, telling the children not to be wasting + the sugar, the things! and himself saying he’d got to mow the big field + to-day, or that the red cow was going to calve, the poor thing, and that + if the boys went to school, who was going to weed the turnips—and me + sitting drinking my strong cup of tea, and telling him where that old + trapesing hen was laying.... Ah, God be with me! an old creature hobbling + along the roads on a stick. I wish I was a young girl again, so I do, and + himself coming courting me, and him saying that I was a real nice little + girl surely, and that nothing would make him happy or easy at all but me + to be loving him.—Ah, the kind man that he was, to be sure, the + kind, decent man.... And Sorca Reilly to be trying to get him from me, and + Kate Finnegan with her bold eyes looking after him in the Chapel; and him + to be saying that along with me they were only a pair of old nanny + goats.... And then me to be getting married and going home to my own + little house with my man—ah, God be with me! and him kissing me, and + laughing, and frightening me with his goings-on. Ah, the kind man, with + his soft eyes, and his nice voice, and his jokes and laughing, and him + thinking the world and all of me—ay, indeed.... And the neighbours + to be coming in and sitting round the fire in the night time, putting the + world through each other, and talking about France and Russia and them + other queer places, and him holding up the discourse like a learned man, + and them all listening to him and nodding their heads at each other, and + wondering at his education and all: or, maybe, the neighbours to be + singing, or him making me sing the Coulin, and him to be proud of me... + and then him to be killed on me with a cold on his chest. ... Ah, then, + God be with me, a lone, old creature on a stick, and the sun shining into + her eyes and she thirsty—I wish I had a cup of tea, so I do. I wish + to God I had a cup of tea and a bit of meat... or, maybe, an egg. A nice + fresh egg laid by the speckeldy hen that used to be giving me all the + trouble, the thing!... Sixteen hens I had, and they were the ones for + laying, surely.... It’s the queer world, so it is, the queer world—and + the things that do happen for no reason at all.... Ah, God be with me! I + wish there weren’t stones in my boots, so I do, and I wish to God I had a + cup of tea and a fresh egg. Ah, glory be, my old legs are getting tireder + every day, so they are. Wisha, one time—when himself was in it—I + could go about the house all day long, cleaning the place, and feeding the + pigs, and the hens and all, and then dance half the night, so I could: and + himself proud of me....” + </p> + <p> + The old woman turned up a little rambling road and went on still talking + to herself, and the Philosopher watched her go up that road for a long + time. He was very glad she had gone away, and as he tramped forward he + banished her sad image so that in a little time he was happy again. The + sun was still shining, the birds were flying on every side, and the wide + hill-side above him smiled gaily. + </p> + <p> + A small, narrow road cut at right angles into his path, and as he + approached this he heard the bustle and movement of a host, the trample of + feet, the rolling and creaking of wheels, and the long unwearied drone of + voices. In a few minutes he came abreast of this small road, and saw an + ass and cart piled with pots and pans, and walking beside this there were + two men and a woman. The men and the woman were talking together loudly, + even fiercely, and the ass was drawing his cart along the road without + requiring assistance or direction. While there was a road he walked on it: + when he might come to a cross road he would turn to the right: when a man + said “whoh” he would stop: when he said “hike” he would go backwards, and + when he said “yep” he would go on again. That was life, and if one + questioned it, one was hit with a stick, or a boot, or a lump of rock: if + one continued walking nothing happened, and that was happiness. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher saluted this cavalcade. + </p> + <p> + “God be with you,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “God and Mary be with you,” said the first man. + </p> + <p> + “God, and Mary, and Patrick be with you,” said the second man. + </p> + <p> + “God, and Mary, and Patrick, and Brigid be with you,” said the woman. + </p> + <p> + The ass, however, did not say a thing. As the word “whoh” had not entered + into the conversation he knew it was none of his business, and so he + turned to the right on the new path and continued his journey. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going to, stranger,” said the first man. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to visit Angus Og,” replied the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + The man gave him a quick look. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said he, “that’s the queerest story I ever heard. Listen here,” he + called to the others, “this man is looking for Angus Og.” + </p> + <p> + The other man and woman came closer. + </p> + <p> + “What would you be wanting with Angus Og, Mister Honey?” said the woman. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” replied the Philosopher, “it’s a particular thing, a family matter.” + </p> + <p> + There was silence for a few minutes, and they all stepped onwards behind + the ass and cart. + </p> + <p> + “How do you know where to look for himself?” said the first man again: + “maybe you got the place where he lives written down in an old book or on + a carved stone?” + </p> + <p> + “Or did you find the staff of Amergin or of Ossian in a bog and it written + from the top to the bottom with signs?” said the second man. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the Philosopher, “it isn’t that way you’d go visiting a god. + What you do is, you go out from your house and walk straight away in any + direction with your shadow behind you so long as it is towards a mountain, + for the gods will not stay in a valley or a level plain, but only in high + places; and then, if the god wants you to see him, you will go to his rath + as direct as if you knew where it was, for he will be leading you with an + airy thread reaching from his own place to wherever you are, and if he + doesn’t want to see you, you will never find out where he is, not if you + were to walk for a year or twenty years.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know he wants to see you?” said the second man. + </p> + <p> + “Why wouldn’t he want?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe, Mister Honey,” said the woman, “you are a holy sort of a man that + a god would like well.” + </p> + <p> + “Why would I be that?” said the Philosopher. “The gods like a man whether + he’s holy or not if he’s only decent.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, well, there’s plenty of that sort,” said the first man. “What do you + happen to have in your bag, stranger?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” replied the Philosopher, “but a cake and a half that was baked + for my journey.” + </p> + <p> + “Give me a bit of your cake, Mister Honey,” said the woman. “I like to + have a taste of everybody’s cake.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, and welcome,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “You may as well give us all a bit while you are about it,” said the + second man. “That woman hasn’t got all the hunger of the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not,” said the Philosopher, and he divided the cake. + </p> + <p> + “There’s a sup of water up yonder,” said the first man, “and it will do to + moisten the cake—Whoh, you devil,” he roared at the ass, and the ass + stood stock still on the minute. + </p> + <p> + There was a thin fringe of grass along the road near a wall, and towards + this the ass began to edge very gently. + </p> + <p> + “Hike, you beast, you,” shouted the man, and the ass at once hiked, but he + did it in a way that brought him close to the grass. The first man took a + tin can out of the cart and climbed over the little wall for water. Before + he went he gave the ass three kicks on the nose, but the ass did not say a + word, he only hiked still more which brought him directly on to the grass, + and when the man climbed over the wall the ass commenced to crop the + grass. There was a spider sitting on a hot stone in the grass. He had a + small body and wide legs, and he wasn’t doing anything. + </p> + <p> + “Does anybody ever kick you in the nose?” said the ass to him. + </p> + <p> + “Ay does there,” said the spider; “you and your like that are always + walking on me, or lying down on me, or running over me with the wheels of + a cart.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, why don’t you stay on the wall?” said the ass. + </p> + <p> + “Sure, my wife is there,” replied the spider. + </p> + <p> + “What’s the harm in that?” said the ass. + </p> + <p> + “She’d eat me,” said the spider, “and, anyhow, the competition on the wall + is dreadful, and the flies are getting wiser and timider every season. + Have you got a wife yourself, now?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not,” said the ass; “I wish I had.” + </p> + <p> + “You like your wife for the first while,” said the spider, “and after that + you hate her.” + </p> + <p> + “If I had the first while I’d chance the second while,” replied the ass. + </p> + <p> + “It’s bachelor’s talk,” said the spider; “all the same, we can’t keep away + from them,” and so saying he began to move all his legs at once in the + direction of the wall. “You can only die once,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “If your wife was an ass she wouldn’t eat you,” said the ass. + </p> + <p> + “She’d be doing something else then,” replied the spider, and he climbed + up the wall. + </p> + <p> + The first man came back with the can of water and they sat down on the + grass and ate the cake and drank the water. All the time the woman kept + her eyes fixed on the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Mister Honey,” said she, “I think you met us just at the right moment.” + </p> + <p> + The other two men sat upright and looked at each other and then with equal + intentness they looked at the woman. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you say that?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “We were having a great argument along the road, and if we were to be + talking from now to the dav of doom that argument would never be + finished.” + </p> + <p> + “It must have been a great argument. Was it about predestination or where + consciousness comes from?” + </p> + <p> + “It was not; it was which of these two men was to marry me.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s not a great argument,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Isn’t it,” said the woman. “For seven days and six nights we didn’t talk + about anything else, and that’s a great argument or I’d like to know what + is.” + </p> + <p> + “But where is the trouble, ma’am?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “It’s this,” she replied, “that I can’t make up my mind which of the men + I’ll take, for I like one as well as the other and better, and I’d as soon + have one as the other and rather.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a hard case,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said the woman, “and I’m sick and sorry with the trouble of it.” + </p> + <p> + “And why did you say that I had come up in a good minute?” + </p> + <p> + “Because, Mister Honey, when a woman has two men to choose from she + doesn’t know what to do, for two men always become like brothers so that + you wouldn’t know which of them was which: there isn’t any more difference + between two men than there is between a couple of hares. But when there’s + three men to choose from, there’s no trouble at all; and so I say that + it’s yourself I’ll marry this night and no one else—and let you two + men be sitting quiet in your places, for I’m telling you what I’ll do and + that’s the end of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll give you my word,” said the first man, “that I’m just as glad as you + are to have it over and done with.” + </p> + <p> + “Moidered I was,” said the second man, “with the whole argument, and the + this and that of it, and you not able to say a word but—maybe I will + and maybe I won’t, and this is true and that is true, and why not to me + and why not to him—I’ll get a sleep this night.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher was perplexed. + </p> + <p> + “You cannot marry me, ma’am,” said he, “because I’m married already.” + </p> + <p> + The woman turned round on him angrily. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be making any argument with me now,” said she, “for I won’t stand + it.” + </p> + <p> + The first man looked fiercely at the Philosopher, and then motioned to his + companion. + </p> + <p> + “Give that man a clout in the jaw,” said he. + </p> + <p> + The second man was preparing to do this when the woman intervened angrily. + </p> + <p> + “Keep your hands to yourself,” said she, “or it’ll be the worse for you. + I’m well able to take care of my own husband,” and she drew nearer and sat + between the Philosopher and the men. + </p> + <p> + At that moment the Philosopher’s cake lost all its savour, and he packed + the remnant into his wallet. They all sat silently looking at their feet + and thinking each one according to his nature. The Philosopher’s mind, + which for the past day had been in eclipse, stirred faintly to meet these + new circumstances, but without much result. There was a flutter at his + heart which was terrifying, but not unpleasant. Quickening through his + apprehension was an expectancy which stirred his pulses into speed. So + rapidly did his blood flow, so quickly were an hundred impressions + visualized and recorded, so violent was the surface movement of his brain + that he did not realize he was unable to think and that he was only seeing + and feeling. + </p> + <p> + The first man stood up. + </p> + <p> + “The night will be coming on soon,” said he, “and we had better be walking + on if we want to get a good place to sleep. Yep, you devil,” he roared at + the ass, and the ass began to move almost before he lifted his head from + the grass. The two men walked one on either side of the cart, and the + woman and the Philosopher walked behind at the tail-board. + </p> + <p> + “If you were feeling tired, or anything like that, Mister Honey,” said the + woman, “you could climb up into the little cart, and nobody would say a + word to you, for I can see that you are not used to travelling.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not indeed, ma’am,” he replied; “this is the first time I ever came + on a journey, and if it wasn’t for Angus Og I wouldn’t put a foot out of + my own place for ever.” + </p> + <p> + “Put Angus Og out of your head, my dear,” she replied, “for what would the + likes of you and me be saying to a god. He might put a curse on us would + sink us into the ground or burn us up like a grip of straw. Be contented + now, I’m saying, for if there is a woman in the world who knows all things + I am that woman myself, and if you tell your trouble to me I’ll tell you + the thing to do just as good as Angus himself, and better perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + “That is very interesting,” said the Philosopher. “What kind of things do + you know best?” + </p> + <p> + “If you were to ask one of them two men walking beside the ass they’d tell + you plenty of things they saw me do when they could do nothing themselves. + When there wasn’t a road to take anywhere I showed them a road, and when + there wasn’t a bit of food in the world I gave them food, and when they + were bet to the last I put shillings in their hands, and that’s the reason + they wanted to marry me.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you call that kind of thing wisdom?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Why wouldn’t I?” said she. “Isn’t it wisdom to go through the world + without fear and not to be hungry in a hungry hour?” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose it is,” he replied, “but I never thought of it that way + myself.” + </p> + <p> + “And what would you call wisdom?” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn’t rightly say now,” he replied, “but I think it was not to mind + about the world, and not to care whether you were hungry or not, and not + to live in the world at all but only in your own head, for the world is a + tyrannous place. You have to raise yourself above things instead of + letting things raise themselves above you. We must not be slaves to each + other, and we must not be slaves to our necessities either. That is the + problem of existence. There is no dignity in life at all if hunger can + shout ‘stop’ at every turn of the road and the day’s journey is measured + by the distance between one sleep and the next sleep. Life is all slavery, + and Nature is driving us with the whips of appetite and weariness; but + when a slave rebels he ceases to be a slave, and when we are too hungry to + live we can die and have our laugh. I believe that Nature is just as alive + as we are, and that she is as much frightened of us as we are of her, and, + mind you this, mankind has declared war against Nature and we will win. + She does not understand yet that her geologic periods won’t do any longer, + and that while she is pattering along the line of least resistance we are + going to travel fast and far until we find her, and then, being a female, + she is bound to give in when she is challenged.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s good talk,” said the woman, “but it’s foolishness. Women never give + in unless they get what they want, and where’s the harm to them then? You + have to live in the world, my dear, whether you like it or not, and, + believe me now, that there isn’t any wisdom but to keep clear of the + hunger, for if that gets near enough it will make a hare of you. Sure, + listen to reason now like a good man. What is Nature at all but a word + that learned men have made to talk about. There’s clay and gods and men, + and they are good friends enough.” + </p> + <p> + The sun had long since gone down, and the grey evening was bowing over the + land, hiding the mountain peaks, and putting a shadow round the scattered + bushes and the wide clumps of heather. + </p> + <p> + “I know a place up here where we can stop for the night,” said she, “and + there’s a little shebeen round the bend of the road where we can get + anything we want.” + </p> + <p> + At the word “whoh” the ass stopped and one of the men took the harness off + him. When he was unyoked the man gave him two kicks: “Be off with you, you + devil, and see if you can get anything to eat,” he roared. The ass trotted + a few paces off and searched about until he found some grass. He ate this, + and when he had eaten as much as he wanted he returned and lay down under + a wall. He lay for a long time looking in the one direction, and at last + he put his head down and went to sleep. While he was sleeping he kept one + ear up and the other ear down for about twenty minutes, and then he put + the first ear down and the other one up, and he kept on doing this all the + night. If he had anything to lose you wouldn’t mind him setting up + sentries, but he hadn’t a thing in the world except his skin and his + bones, and no one would be bothered stealing them. + </p> + <p> + One of the men took a long bottle out of the cart and walked up the road + with it. The other man lifted out a tin bucket which was punched all over + with jagged holes. Then he took out some sods of turf and lumps of wood + and he put these in the bucket, and in a few minutes he had a very nice + fire lit. A pot of water was put on to boil, and the woman cut up a great + lump of bacon which she put into the pot. She had eight eggs in a place in + the cart, and a flat loaf of bread, and some cold boiled potatoes, and she + spread her apron on the ground and arranged these things on it. + </p> + <p> + The other man came down the road again with his big bottle filled with + porter, and he put this in a safe place. Then they emptied everything out + of the cart and hoisted it over the little wall. They turned the cart on + one side and pulled it near to the fire, and they all sat inside the cart + and ate their supper. When supper was done they lit their pipes, and the + woman lit a pipe also. The bottle of porter was brought forward, and they + took drinks in turn out of the bottle, and smoked their pipes, and talked. + </p> + <p> + There was no moon that night, and no stars, so that just beyond the fire + there was a thick darkness which one would not like to look at, it was so + cold and empty. While talking they all kept their eyes fixed on the red + fire, or watched the smoke from their pipes drifting and curling away + against the blackness, and disappearing as suddenly as lightning. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” said the first man, “what it was gave you the idea of marrying + this man instead of myself or my comrade, for we are young, hardy men, and + he is getting old, God help him!” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, indeed,” said the second man; “he’s as grey as a badger, and there’s + no flesh on his bones.” + </p> + <p> + “You have a right to ask that,” said she, “and I’ll tell you why I didn’t + marry either of you. You are only a pair of tinkers going from one place + to another, and not knowing anything at all of fine things; but himself + was walking along the road looking for strange, high adventures, and it’s + a man like that a woman would be wishing to marry if he was twice as old + as he is. When did either of you go out in the daylight looking for a god + and you not caring what might happen to you or where you went?” + </p> + <p> + “What I’m thinking,” said the second man, “is that if you leave the gods + alone they’ll leave you alone. It’s no trouble to them to do whatever is + right themselves, and what call would men like us have to go mixing or + meddling with their high affairs?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought all along that you were a timid man,” said she, “and now I know + it.” She turned again to the Philosopher—“Take off your boots, + Mister Honey, the way you’ll rest easy, and I’ll be making down a soft bed + for you in the cart.” + </p> + <p> + In order to take off his boots the Philosopher had to stand up, for in the + cart they were too cramped for freedom. He moved backwards a space from + the fire and took off his boots. He could see the woman stretching sacks + and clothes inside the cart, and the two men smoking quietly and handing + the big bottle from one to the other. Then in his stockinged feet he + stepped a little farther from the fire, and, after another look, he turned + and walked quietly away into the blackness. In a few minutes he heard a + shout from behind him, and then a number of shouts and then these died + away into a plaintive murmur of voices, and next he was alone in the + greatest darkness he had ever known. + </p> + <p> + He put on his boots and walked onwards. He had no idea where the road lay, + and every moment he stumbled into a patch of heather or prickly furze. The + ground was very uneven with unexpected mounds and deep hollows: here and + there were water-soaked, soggy places, and into these cold ruins he sank + ankle deep. There was no longer an earth or a sky, but only a black void + and a thin wind and a fierce silence which seemed to listen to him as he + went. Out of that silence a thundering laugh might boom at an instant and + stop again while he stood appalled in the blind vacancy. + </p> + <p> + The hill began to grow more steep and rocks were lying everywhere in his + path. He could not see an inch in front, and so he went with his hands + out-stretched like a blind man who stumbles painfully along. After a time + he was nearly worn out with cold and weariness, but he dared not sit down + anywhere; the darkness was so intense that it frightened him, and the + overwhelming, crafty silence frightened him also. + </p> + <p> + At last, and at a great distance, he saw a flickering, waving light, and + he went towards this through drifts of heather, and over piled rocks and + sodden bogland. When he came to the light he saw it was a torch of thick + branches, the flame whereof blew hither and thither on the wind. The torch + was fastened against a great cliff of granite by an iron band. At one side + there was a dark opening in the rock, so he said: “I will go in there and + sleep until the morning comes,” and he went in. At a very short distance + the cleft turned again to the right, and here there was another torch + fixed. When he turned this corner he stood for an instant in speechless + astonishment, and then he covered his face and bowed down upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK III. THE TWO GODS + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <p> + CAITILIN NI MURRACHU was sitting alone in the little cave behind Gort na + Cloca Mora. Her companion had gone out as was his custom to walk in the + sunny morning and to sound his pipe in desolate, green spaces whence, + perhaps, the wanderer of his desire might hear the guiding sweetness. As + she sat she was thinking. The last few days had awakened her body, and had + also awakened her mind, for with the one awakening comes the other. The + despondency which had touched her previously when tending her father’s + cattle came to her again, but recognizably now. She knew the thing which + the wind had whispered in the sloping field and for which she had no name—it + was Happiness. Faintly she shadowed it forth, but yet she could not see + it. It was only a pearl-pale wraith, almost formless, too tenuous to be + touched by her hands, and too aloof to be spoken to. Pan had told her that + he was the giver of happiness, but he had given her only unrest and fever + and a longing which could not be satisfied. Again there was a want, and + she could not formulate, or even realize it with any closeness. Her + new-born Thought had promised everything, even as Pan, and it had given—she + could not say that it had given her nothing or anything. Its limits were + too quickly divinable. She had found the Tree of Knowledge, but about on + every side a great wall soared blackly enclosing her in from the Tree of + Life—a wall which her thought was unable to surmount even while + instinct urged that it must topple before her advance; but instinct may + not advance when thought has schooled it in the science of unbelief; and + this wall will not be conquered until Thought and Instinct are wed, and + the first son of that bridal will be called The Scaler of the Wall. + </p> + <p> + So, after the quiet weariness of ignorance, the unquiet weariness of + thought had fallen upon her. That travail of mind which, through countless + generations, has throed to the birth of an ecstasy, the prophecy which + humanity has sworn must be fulfilled, seeing through whatever mists and + doubtings the vision of a gaiety wherein the innocence of the morning will + not any longer be strange to our maturity. + </p> + <p> + While she was so thinking Pan returned, a little disheartened that he had + found no person to listen to his pipings. He had been seated but a little + time when suddenly, from without, a chorus of birds burst into joyous + singing. Limpid and liquid cadenzas, mellow flutings, and the sweet treble + of infancy met and danced and piped in the airy soundings. A round, soft + tenderness of song rose and fell, broadened and soared, and then the high + flight was snatched, eddied a moment, and was borne away to a more slender + and wonderful loftiness, until, from afar, that thrilling song turned on + the very apex of sweetness, dipped steeply and flashed its joyous return + to the exultations of its mates below, rolling an ecstasy of song which + for one moment gladdened the whole world and the sad people who moved + thereon; then the singing ceased as suddenly as it began, a swift shadow + darkened the passage, and Angus Og came into the cave. + </p> + <p> + Caitilin sprang from her seat Frighted, and Pan also made a half movement + towards rising, but instantly sank back again to his negligent, easy + posture. + </p> + <p> + The god was slender and as swift as a wind. His hair swung about his face + like golden blossoms. His eyes were mild and dancing and his lips smiled + with quiet sweetness. About his head there flew perpetually a ring of + singing birds, and when he spoke his voice came sweetly from a centre of + sweetness. + </p> + <p> + “Health to you, daughter of Murrachu,” said he, and he sat down. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know you, sir,” the terrified girl whispered. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot be known until I make myself known,” he replied. “I am called + Infinite Joy, O daughter of Murrachu, and I am called Love.” + </p> + <p> + The girl gazed doubtfully from one to the other. + </p> + <p> + Pan looked up from his pipes. + </p> + <p> + “I also am called Love,” said he gently, “and I am called Joy.” + </p> + <p> + Angus Og looked for the first time at Pan. + </p> + <p> + “Singer of the Vine,” said he, “I know your names-they are Desire and + Fever and Lust and Death. Why have you come from your own place to spy + upon my pastures and my quiet fields?” + </p> + <p> + Pan replied mildly. + </p> + <p> + “The mortal gods move by the Immortal Will, and, therefore, I am here.” + </p> + <p> + “And I am here,” said Angus. + </p> + <p> + “Give me a sign,” said Pan, “that I must go.” + </p> + <p> + Angus Og lifted his hand and from without there came again the triumphant + music of the birds. + </p> + <p> + “It is a sign,” said he, “the voice of Dana speaking in the air,” and, + saying so, he made obeisance to the great mother. + </p> + <p> + Pan lifted his hand, and from afar there came the lowing of the cattle and + the thin voices of the goats. + </p> + <p> + “It is a sign,” said he, “the voice of Demeter speaking from the earth,” + and he also bowed deeply to the mother of the world. + </p> + <p> + Again Angus Og lifted his hand, and in it there appeared a spear, bright + and very terrible. + </p> + <p> + But Pan only said, “Can a spear divine the Eternal Will?” and Angus Og put + his weapon aside, and he said: “The girl will choose between us, for the + Divine Mood shines in the heart of man.” + </p> + <p> + Then Caitilin Ni Murrachu came forward and sat between the gods, but Pan + stretched out his hand and drew her to him, so that she sat resting + against his shoulder and his arm was about her body. + </p> + <p> + “We will speak the truth to this girl,” said Angus Og. + </p> + <p> + “Can the gods speak otherwise?” said Pan, and he laughed with delight. + </p> + <p> + “It is the difference between us,” replied Angus Og. “She will judge.” + </p> + <p> + “Shepherd Girl,” said Pan, pressing her with his arm, “you will judge + between us. Do you know what is the greatest thing in the world?—because + it is of that you will have to judge.” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard,” the girl replied, “two things called the greatest things. + You,” she continued to Pan, “said it was Hunger, and long ago my father + said that Commonsense was the greatest thing in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “I have not told you,” said Angus Og, “what I consider is the greatest + thing in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “It is your right to speak,” said Pan. + </p> + <p> + “The greatest thing in the world,” said Angus Og, “is the Divine + Imagination.” + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Pan, “we know all the greatest things and we can talk of + them.” + </p> + <p> + “The daughter of Murrachu,” continued Angus Og, “has told us what you + think and what her father thinks, but she has not told us what she thinks + herself. Tell us, Caitilin Ni Murrachu, what you think is the greatest + thing in the world.” + </p> + <p> + So Caitilin Ni Murrachu thought for a few moments and then replied + timidly. + </p> + <p> + “I think that Happiness is the greatest thing in the world,” said she. + </p> + <p> + Hearing this they sat in silence for a little time, and then Angus Og + spoke again “The Divine Imagination may only be known through the thoughts + of His creatures. A man has said Commonsense and a woman has said + Happiness are the greatest things in the world. These things are male and + female, for Commonsense is Thought and Happiness is Emotion, and until + they embrace in Love the will of Immensity cannot be fruitful. For, + behold, there has been no marriage of humanity since time began. Men have + but coupled with their own shadows. The desire that sprang from their + heads they pursued, and no man has yet known the love of a woman. And + women have mated with the shadows of their own hearts, thinking fondly + that the arms of men were about them. I saw my son dancing with an Idea, + and I said to him, ‘With what do you dance, my son?’ and he replied, ‘I + make merry with the wife of my affection,’ and truly she was shaped as a + woman is shaped, but it was an Idea he danced with and not a woman. And + presently he went away to his labours, and then his Idea arose and her + humanity came upon her so that she was clothed with beauty and terror, and + she went apart and danced with the servant of my son, and there was great + joy of that dancing—for a person in the wrong place is an Idea and + not a person. Man is Thought and woman is Intuition, and they have never + mated. There is a gulf between them and it is called Fear, and what they + fear is, that their strengths shall be taken from them and they may no + longer be tyrants. The Eternal has made love blind, for it is not by + science, but by intuition alone, that he may come to his beloved; but + desire, which is science, has many eyes and sees so vastly that he passes + his love in the press, saying there is no love, and he propagates + miserably on his own delusions. The finger-tips are guided by God, but the + devil looks through the eyes of all creatures so that they may wander in + the errors of reason and justify themselves of their wanderings. The + desire of a man shall be Beauty, but he has fashioned a slave in his mind + and called it Virtue. The desire of a woman shall be Wisdom, but she has + formed a beast in her blood and called it Courage: but the real virtue is + courage, and the real courage is liberty, and the real liberty is wisdom, + and Wisdom is the son of Thought and Intuition; and his names also are + Innocence and Adoration and Happiness.” + </p> + <p> + When Angus Og had said these words he ceased, and for a time there was + silence in the little cave. Caitilin had covered her face with her hands + and would not look at him, but Pan drew the girl closer to his side and + peered sideways, laughing at Angus. + </p> + <p> + “Has the time yet come for the girl to judge between us?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Daughter of Murrachu,” said Angus Og, “will you come away with me from + this place?” + </p> + <p> + Caitilin then looked at the god in great distress. “I do not know what to + do,” said she. “Why do you both want me? I have given myself to Pan, and + his arms are about me.” + </p> + <p> + “I want you,” said Angus Og, “because the world has forgotten me. In all + my nation there is no remembrance of me. I, wandering on the hills of my + country, am lonely indeed. I am the desolate god forbidden to utter my + happy laughter. I hide the silver of my speech and the gold of my + merriment. I live in the holes of the rocks and the dark caves of the sea. + I weep in the morning because I may not laugh, and in the evening I go + abroad and am not happy. Where I have kissed a bird has flown; where I + have trod a flower has sprung. But Thought has snared my birds in his nets + and sold them in the market-places. Who will deliver me from Thought, from + the base holiness of Intellect, the maker of chains and traps? Who will + save me from the holy impurity of Emotion, whose daughters are Envy and + Jealousy and Hatred, who plucks my flowers to ornament her lusts and my + little leaves to shrivel on the breasts of infamy? Lo, I am sealed in the + caves of nonentity until the head and the heart shall come together in + fruitfulness, until Thought has wept for Love, and Emotion has purified + herself to meet her lover. Tirna-nog is the heart of a man and the head of + a woman. Widely they are separated. Self-centred they stand, and between + them the seas of space are flooding desolately. No voice can shout across + those shores. No eye can bridge them, nor any desire bring them together + until the blind god shall find them on the wavering stream—not as an + arrow searches straightly from a bow, but gently, imperceptibly as a + feather on the wind reaches the ground on a hundred starts; not with the + compass and the chart, but by the breath of the Almighty which blows from + all quarters without care and without ceasing. Night and day it urges from + the outside to the inside. It gathers ever to the centre. From the far + without to the deep within, trembling from the body to the soul until the + head of a woman and the heart of a man are filled with the Divine + Imagination. Hymen, Hymenaea! I sing to the ears that are stopped, the + eyes that are sealed, and the minds that do not labour. Sweetly I sing on + the hillside. The blind shall look within and not without; the deaf shall + hearken to the murmur of their own veins, and be enchanted with the wisdom + of sweetness; the thoughtless shall think without effort as the lightning + flashes, that the hand of Innocence may reach to the stars, that the feet + of Adoration may dance to the Father of Joy, and the laugh of Happiness be + answered by the Voice of Benediction.” + </p> + <p> + Thus Angus Og sang in the cave, and ere he had ceased Caitilin Ni Murrachu + withdrew herself from the arms of her desires. But so strong was the hold + of Pan upon her that when she was free her body bore the marks of his + grip, and many days passed away before these marks faded. + </p> + <p> + Then Pan arose in silence, taking his double reed in his hand, and the + girl wept, beseeching him to stay to be her brother and the brother of her + beloved, but Pan smiled and said: “Your beloved is my father and my son. + He is yesterday and to-morrow. He is the nether and the upper millstone, + and I am crushed between until I kneel again before the throne from whence + I came,” and, saying so, he embraced Angus Og most tenderly and went his + way to the quiet fields, and across the slopes of the mountains, and + beyond the blue distances of space. + </p> + <p> + And in a little time Caitilin Ni Murrachu went with her companion across + the brow of the hill, and she did not go with him because she had + understood his words, nor because he was naked and unashamed, but only + because his need of her was very great, and, therefore, she loved him, and + stayed his feet in the way, and was concerned lest he should stumble. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK IV. THE PHILOSOPHER’S RETURN + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <p> + WHICH is, the Earth or the creatures that move upon it, the more + important? This is a question prompted solely by intellectual arrogance, + for in life there is no greater and no less. The thing that is has + justified its own importance by mere existence, for that is the great and + equal achievement. If life were arranged for us from without such a + question of supremacy would assume importance, but life is always from + within, and is modified or extended by our own appetites, aspirations, and + central activities. From without we get pollen and the refreshment of + space and quietude—it is sufficient. We might ask, is the Earth + anything more than an extension of our human consciousness, or are we, + moving creatures, only projections of the Earth’s antennae? But these + matters have no value save as a field wherein Thought, like a wise lamb, + may frolic merrily. And all would be very well if Thought would but + continue to frolic, instead of setting up first as locum tenens for + Intuition and sticking to the job, and afterwards as the counsel and + critic of Omnipotence. Everything has two names, and everything is + twofold. The name of male Thought as it faces the world is Philosophy, but + the name it bears in Tirna-nog is Delusion. Female Thought is called + Socialism on earth, but in Eternity it is known as Illusion; and this is + so because there has been no matrimony of minds, but only an + hermaphroditic propagation of automatic ideas, which in their due rotation + assume dominance and reign severely. To the world this system of thought, + because it is consecutive, is known as Logic, but Eternity has written it + down in the Book of Errors as Mechanism: for life may not be consecutive, + but explosive and variable, else it is a shackled and timorous slave. + </p> + <p> + One of the great troubles of life is that Reason has taken charge of the + administration of Justice, and by mere identification it has achieved the + crown and sceptre of its master. But the imperceptible usurpation was + recorded, and discriminating minds understand the chasm which still + divides the pretender Law from the exiled King. In a like manner, and with + feigned humility, the Cold Demon advanced to serve Religion, and by guile + and violence usurped her throne; but the pure in heart still fly from the + spectre Theology to dance in ecstasy before the starry and eternal + goddess. Statecraft, also, that tender Shepherd of the Flocks, has been + despoiled of his crook and bell, and wanders in unknown desolation while, + beneath the banner of Politics, Reason sits howling over an intellectual + chaos. + </p> + <p> + Justice is the maintaining of equilibrium. The blood of Cain must cry, not + from the lips of the Avenger, but from the aggrieved Earth herself who + demands that atonement shall be made for a disturbance of her + consciousness. All justice is, therefore, readjustment. A thwarted + consciousness has every right to clamour for assistance, but not for + punishment. This latter can only be sought by timorous and egotistic + Intellect, which sees the Earth from which it has emerged and into which + it must return again in its own despite, and so, being self-centred and + envious and a renegade from life, Reason is more cruelly unjust, and more + timorous than any other manifestation of the divinely erratic energy—erratic, + because, as has been said, “the crooked roads are the roads of genius.” + Nature grants to all her creatures an unrestricted liberty, quickened by + competitive appetite, to succeed or to fail; save only to Reason, her + Demon of Order, which can do neither, and whose wings she has clipped for + some reason with which I am not yet acquainted. It may be that an + unrestricted mentality would endanger her own intuitive perceptions by + shackling all her other organs of perception, or annoy her by vexatious + efforts at creative rivalry. + </p> + <p> + It will, therefore, be understood that when the Leprecauns of Gort na + Cloca Mora acted in the manner about to be recorded, they were not + prompted by any lewd passion for revenge, but were merely striving to + reconstruct a rhythm which was their very existence, and which must have + been of direct importance to the Earth. Revenge is the vilest passion + known to life. It has made Law possible, and by doing so it gave to + Intellect the first grip at that universal dominion which is its ambition. + A Leprecaun is of more value to the Earth than is a Prime Minister or a + stockbroker, because a Leprecaun dances and makes merry, while a Prime + Minister knows nothing of these natural virtues—consequently, an + injury done to a Leprecaun afflicts the Earth with misery, and justice is, + for these reasons, an imperative and momentous necessity. + </p> + <p> + A community of Leprecauns without a crock of gold is a blighted and + merriless community, and they are certainly justified in seeking sympathy + and assistance for the recovery of so essential a treasure. But the steps + whereby the Leprecauns of Gort na Cloca Mora sought to regain their + property must for ever brand their memory with a certain odium. It should + be remembered in their favour that they were cunningly and cruelly + encompassed. Not only was their gold stolen, but it was buried in such a + position as placed it under the protection of their own communal honour, + and the household of their enemy was secured against their active and + righteous malice, because the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath belonged to the + most powerful Shee of Ireland. It is in circumstances such as these that + dangerous alliances are made, and, for the first time in history, the + elemental beings invoked bourgeois assistance. + </p> + <p> + They were loath to do it, and justice must record the fact. They were + angry when they did it, and anger is both mental and intuitive blindness. + It is not the beneficent blindness which prevents one from seeing without, + but it is that desperate darkness which cloaks the within, and hides the + heart and the brain from each other’s husbandry and wifely recognition. + But even those mitigating circumstances cannot justify the course they + adopted, and the wider idea must be sought for, that out of evil good must + ultimately come, or else evil is vitiated beyond even the redemption of + usage. When they were able to realize of what they had been guilty, they + were very sorry indeed, and endeavoured to publish their repentance in + many ways; but, lacking atonement, repentance is only a post-mortem virtue + which is good for nothing but burial. + </p> + <p> + When the Leprecauns of Gort na Cloca Mora found they were unable to regain + their crock of gold by any means they laid an anonymous information at the + nearest Police Station showing that two dead bodies would be found under + the hearthstone in the hut of Coille Doraca, and the inference to be drawn + from their crafty missive was that these bodies had been murdered by the + Philosopher for reasons very discreditable to him. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher had been scarcely more than three hours on his journey to + Angus Og when four policemen approached the little house from as many + different directions, and without any trouble they effected an entrance. + The Thin Woman of Inis Magrath and the two children heard from afar their + badly muffled advance, and on discovering the character of their visitors + they concealed themselves among the thickly clustering trees. Shortly + after the men had entered the hut loud and sustained noises began to issue + therefrom, and in about twenty minutes the invaders emerged again bearing + the bodies of the Grey Woman of Dun Gortin and her husband. They wrenched + the door off its hinges, and, placing the bodies on the door, proceeded at + a rapid pace through the trees and disappeared in a short time. When they + had departed the Thin Woman and the children returned to their home and + over the yawning hearth the Thin Woman pronounced a long and fervid + malediction wherein policemen were exhibited naked before the blushes of + Eternity... + </p> + <p> + With your good-will let us now return to the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + Following his interview with Angus Og the Philosopher received the + blessing of the god and returned on his homeward journey. When he left the + cave he had no knowledge where he was nor whether he should turn to the + right hand or to the left. This alone was his guiding idea, that as he had + come up the mountain on his first journey his home-going must, by mere + opposition, be down the mountain, and, accordingly, he set his face + downhill and trod lustily forward. He had stamped up the hill with vigour, + he strode down it in ecstasy. He tossed his voice on every wind that went + by. From the wells of forgetfulness he regained the shining words and gay + melodies which his childhood had delighted in, and these he sang loudly + and unceasingly as he marched. The sun had not yet risen but, far away, a + quiet brightness was creeping over the sky. The daylight, however, was + near the full, one slender veil only remaining of the shadows, and a calm, + unmoving quietude brooded from the grey sky to the whispering earth. The + birds had begun to bestir themselves but not to sing. Now and again a + solitary wing feathered the chill air; but for the most part the birds + huddled closer in the swinging nests, or under the bracken, or in the + tufty grass. Here a faint twitter was heard and ceased. A little farther a + drowsy voice called “cheep-cheep” and turned again to the warmth of its + wing. The very grasshoppers were silent. The creatures who range in the + night time had returned to their cells and were setting their households + in order, and those who belonged to the day hugged their comfort for but + one minute longer. Then the first level beam stepped like a mild angel to + the mountain top. The slender radiance brightened and grew strong. The + grey veil faded away. The birds leaped from their nests. The grasshoppers + awakened and were busy at a stroke. Voice called to voice without ceasing, + and, momently, a song thrilled for a few wide seconds. But for the most + part it was chatter-chatter they went as they soared and plunged and + swept, each bird eager for its breakfast. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher thrust his hand into his wallet and found there the last + broken remnants of his cake, and the instant his hand touched the food he + was seized by a hunger so furious that he sat down where he stopped and + prepared to eat. + </p> + <p> + The place where he sat was a raised bank under a hedge, and this place + directly fronted a clumsy wooden gate leading into a great field. When the + Philosopher had seated himself he raised his eyes and saw through the gate + a small company approaching. There were four men and three women, and each + of them carried a metal pail. The Philosopher with a sigh returned the + cake to his wallet, saying: + </p> + <p> + “All men are brothers, and it may be that these people are as hungry as I + am.” + </p> + <p> + In a short time the strangers came near. The foremost of them was a huge + man who was bearded to the eyelids and who moved like a strong wind. He + opened the gate by removing a piece of wood wherewith it was jammed, and + he and his companions passed through, whereupon he closed the gate and + secured it. To this man, as being the eldest, the Philosopher approached. + </p> + <p> + “I am about to breakfast,” said he, “and if you are hungry perhaps you + would like to eat with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not,” said the man, “for the person who would refuse a kind + invitation is a dog. These are my three sons and three of my daughters, + and we are all thankful to you.” + </p> + <p> + Saying this he sat down on the bank and his companions, placing their + pails behind them, did likewise. The Philosopher divided his cake into + eight pieces and gave one to each person. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry it is so little,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “A gift,” said the bearded man, “is never little,” and he courteously ate + his piece in three bites although he could have easily eaten it in one, + and his children also. + </p> + <p> + “That was a good, satisfying cake,” said he when he had finished; “it was + well baked and well shared, but,” he continued, “I am in a difficulty and + maybe you could advise me what to do, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “What might be your trouble?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “It is this,” said the man. “Every morning when we go out to milk the cows + the mother of my clann gives to each of us a parcel of food so that we + need not be any hungrier than we like; but now we have had a good + breakfast with you, what shall we do with the food that we brought with + us? The woman of the house would not be pleased if we carried it back to + her, and if we threw food away it would be a sin. If it was not + disrespectful to your breakfast the boys and girls here might be able to + get rid of it by eating it, for, as you know, young people can always eat + a bit more, no matter how much they have already eaten.” + </p> + <p> + “It would surely be better to eat it than to waste it,” said the + Philosopher wistfully. + </p> + <p> + The young people produced large parcels of food from their pockets and + opened them, and the bearded man said, “I have a little one myself also, + and it would not be wasted if you were kind enough to help me to eat it,” + and he pulled out his parcel, which was twice as big as any of the others. + </p> + <p> + He opened the parcel and handed the larger part of its contents to the + Philosopher; he then plunged a tin vessel into one of the milk pails and + set this also by the Philosopher, and, instantly, they all began to eat + with furious appetite. + </p> + <p> + When the meal was finished the Philosopher filled his tobacco pipe and the + bearded man and his three sons did likewise. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said the bearded man, “I would be glad to know why you are + travelling abroad so early in the morning, for, at this hour, no one stirs + but the sun and the birds and the folk who, like ourselves, follow the + cattle?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you that gladly,” said the Philosopher, “if you will tell me + your name.” + </p> + <p> + “My name,” said the bearded man, “is Mac Cul.” + </p> + <p> + “Last night,” said the Philosopher, “when I came from the house of Angus + Og in the Caves of the Sleepers of Erinn I was bidden say to a man named + Mac Cul-that the horses had trampled in their sleep and the sleepers had + turned on their sides.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said the bearded man, “your words thrill in my heart like music, + but my head does not understand them.” + </p> + <p> + “I have learned,” said the Philosopher, “that the head does not hear + anything until the heart has listened, and that what the heart knows + to-day the head will understand to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “All the birds of the world are singing in my soul,” said the bearded man, + “and I bless you because you have filled me with hope and pride.” + </p> + <p> + So the Philosopher shook him by the hand, and he shook the hands of his + sons and daughters who bowed before him at the mild command of their + father, and when he had gone a little way he looked around again and he + saw that group of people standing where he had left them, and the bearded + man was embracing his children on the highroad. + </p> + <p> + A bend in the path soon shut them from view, and then the Philosopher, + fortified by food and the freshness of the morning, strode onwards singing + for very joy. It was still early, but now the birds had eaten their + breakfasts and were devoting themselves to each other. They rested side by + side on the branches of the trees and on the hedges, they danced in the + air in happy brotherhoods and they sang to one another amiable and + pleasant ditties. + </p> + <p> + When the Philosopher had walked for a long time he felt a little weary and + sat down to refresh himself in the shadow of a great tree. Hard by there + was a house of rugged stone. Long years ago it had been a castle, and, + even now, though patched by time and misfortune its front was warlike and + frowning. While he sat a young woman came along the road and stood gazing + earnestly at this house. Her hair was as black as night and as smooth as + still water, but her face came so stormily forward that her quiet attitude + had yet no quietness in it. To her, after a few moments, the Philosopher + spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Girl,” said he, “why do you look so earnestly at the house?” + </p> + <p> + The girl turned her pale face and stared at him. + </p> + <p> + “I did not notice you sitting under the tree,” said she, and she came + slowly forward. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down by me,” said the Philosopher, “and we will talk. If you are in + any trouble tell it to me, and perhaps you will talk the heaviest part + away.” + </p> + <p> + “I will sit beside you willingly,” said the girl, and she did so. + </p> + <p> + “It is good to talk trouble over,” he continued. “Do you know that talk is + a real thing? There is more power in speech than many people conceive. + Thoughts come from God, they are born through the marriage of the head and + the lungs. The head moulds the thought into the form of words, then it is + borne and sounded on the air which has been already in the secret kingdoms + of the body, which goes in bearing life and come out freighted with + wisdom. For this reason a lie is very terrible, because it is turning + mighty and incomprehensible things to base uses, and is burdening the + life-giving element with a foul return for its goodness; but those who + speak the truth and whose words are the symbols of wisdom and beauty, + these purify the whole world and daunt contagion. The only trouble the + body can know is disease. All other miseries come from the brain, and, as + these belong to thought, they can be driven out by their master as unruly + and unpleasant vagabonds; for a mental trouble should be spoken to, + confronted, reprimanded and so dismissed. The brain cannot afford to + harbour any but pleasant and eager citizens who will do their part in + making laughter and holiness for the world, for that is the duty of + thought.” + </p> + <p> + While the Philosopher spoke the girl had been regarding him steadfastly. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said she, “we tell our hearts to a young man and our heads to an + old man, and when the heart is a fool the head is bound to be a liar. I + can tell you the things I know, but how will I tell you the things I feel + when I myself do not understand them? If I say these words to you ‘I love + a man’ I do not say anything at all, and you do not hear one of the words + which my heart is repeating over and over to itself in the silence of my + body. Young people are fools in their heads and old people are fools in + their hearts, and they can only look at each other and pass by in wonder.” + </p> + <p> + “You are wrong,” said the Philosopher. “An old person can take your hand + like this and say, ‘May every good thing come to you, my daughter.’ For + all trouble there is sympathy, and for love there is memory, and these are + the head and the heart talking to each other in quiet friendship. What the + heart knows to-day the head will understand to-morrow, and as the head + must be the scholar of the heart it is necessary that our hearts be + purified and free from every false thing, else we are tainted beyond + personal redemption.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said the girl, “I know of two great follies-they are love and + speech, for when these are given they can never be taken back again, and + the person to whom these are given is not any richer, but the giver is + made poor and abashed. I gave my love to a man who did not want it. I told + him of my love, and he lifted his eyelids at me; that is my trouble.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment the Philosopher sat in stricken silence looking on the + ground. He had a strange disinclination to look at the girl although he + felt her eyes fixed steadily on him. But in a little while he did look at + her and spoke again. + </p> + <p> + “To carry gifts to an ungrateful person cannot be justified and need not + be mourned for. If your love is noble why do you treat it meanly? If it is + lewd the man was right to reject it.” + </p> + <p> + “We love as the wind blows,” she replied. + </p> + <p> + “There is a thing,” said the Philosopher, “and it is both the biggest and + the littlest thing in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” said the girl. + </p> + <p> + “It is pride,” he answered. “It lives in an empty house. The head which + has never been visited by the heart is the house pride lives in. You are + in error, my dear, and not in love. Drive out the knave pride, put a + flower in your hair and walk freely again.” + </p> + <p> + The girl laughed, and suddenly her pale face became rosy as the dawn and + as radiant and lovely as a cloud. She shed warmth and beauty about her as + she leaned forward. + </p> + <p> + “You are wrong,” she whispered, “because he does love me; but he does not + know it yet. He is young and full of fury, and has no time to look at + women, but he looked at me. My heart knows it and my head knows it, but I + am impatient and yearn for him to look at me again. His heart will + remember me to-morrow, and he will come searching for me with prayers and + tears, with shouts and threats. I will be very hard to find to-morrow when + he holds out his arms to the air and the sky, and is astonished and + frightened to find me nowhere. I will hide from him to-morrow, and frown + at him when he speaks, and turn aside when he follows me: until the day + after to-morrow when he will frighten me with his anger, and hold me with + his furious hands, and make me look at him.” + </p> + <p> + Saying this the girl arose and prepared to go away. + </p> + <p> + “He is in that house,” said she, “and I would not let him see me here for + anything in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “You have wasted all my time,” said the Philosopher, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “What else is time for?” said the girl, and she kissed the Philosopher and + ran swiftly down the road. + </p> + <p> + She had been gone but a few moments when a man came out of the grey house + and walked quickly across the grass. When he reached the hedge separating + the field from the road he tossed his two arms in the air, swung them + down, and jumped over the hedge into the roadway. He was a short, dark + youth, and so swift and sudden were his movements that he seemed to look + on every side at the one moment although he bore furiously to his own + direction. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher addressed him mildly. + </p> + <p> + “That was a good jump,” said he. + </p> + <p> + The young man spun around from where he stood, and was by the + Philosopher’s side in an instant. + </p> + <p> + “It would be a good jump for other men,” said he, “but it is only a little + jump for me. You are very dusty, sir; you must have travelled a long + distance to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “A long distance,” replied the Philosopher. “Sit down here, my friend, and + keep me company for a little time.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not like sitting down,” said the young man, “but I always consent to + a request, and I always accept friendship.” And, so saying, he threw + himself down on the grass. + </p> + <p> + “Do you work in that big house?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I do,” he replied. “I train the hounds for a fat, jovial man, full of + laughter and insolence.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you do not like your master.” + </p> + <p> + “Believe, sir, that I do not like any master; but this man I hate. I have + been a week in his service, and he has not once looked on me as on a + friend. This very day, in the kennel, he passed me as though I were a tree + or a stone. I almost leaped to catch him by the throat and say: ‘Dog, do + you not salute your fellow-man?’ But I looked after him and let him go, + for it would be an unpleasant thing to strangle a fat person.” + </p> + <p> + “If you are displeased with your master should you not look for another + occupation?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking of that, and I was thinking whether I ought to kill him or + marry his daughter. She would have passed me by as her father did, but I + would not let a woman do that to me: no man would.” + </p> + <p> + “What did you do to her?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + The young man chuckled “I did not look at her the first time, and when she + came near me the second time I looked another way, and on the third day + she spoke to me, and while she stood I looked over her shoulder distantly. + She said she hoped I would be happy in my new home, and she made her voice + sound pleasant while she said it; but I thanked her and turned away + carelessly.” + </p> + <p> + “Is the girl beautiful?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” he replied; “I have not looked at her yet, although now I + see her everywhere. I think she is a woman who would annoy me if I married + her.” + </p> + <p> + “If you haven’t seen her, how can you think that?” + </p> + <p> + “She has tame feet,” said the youth. “I looked at them and they got + frightened. Where have you travelled from, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you that,” said the Philosopher, “if you will tell me your + name.” + </p> + <p> + “It is easily told,” he answered; “my name is MacCulain.” + </p> + <p> + “When I came last night,” said the Philosopher, “from the place of Angus + Og in the cave of the Sleepers of Erinn I was bidden say to a man named + MacCulain that The Grey of Macha had neighed in his sleep and the sword of + Laeg clashed on the floor as he turned in his slumber.” + </p> + <p> + The young man leaped from the grass. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said he in a strained voice, “I do not understand your words, but + they make my heart to dance and sing within me like a bird.” + </p> + <p> + “If you listen to your heart,” said the Philosopher, “you will learn every + good thing, for the heart is the fountain of wisdom tossing its thoughts + up to the brain which gives them form,”—and, so saying, he saluted + the youth and went again on his way by the curving road. + </p> + <p> + Now the day had advanced, noon was long past, and the strong sunlight + blazed ceaselessly on the world. His path was still on the high mountains, + running on for a short distance and twisting perpetually to the right hand + and to the left. One might scarcely call it a path, it grew so narrow. + Sometimes, indeed, it almost ceased to be a path, for the grass had stolen + forward inch by inch to cover up the tracks of man. There were no hedges + but rough, tumbled ground only, which was patched by trailing bushes and + stretched away in mounds and hummocks beyond the far horizon. There was a + deep silence everywhere, not painful, for where the sun shines there is no + sorrow: the only sound to be heard was the swish of long grasses against + his feet as he trod, and the buzz of an occasional bee that came and was + gone in an instant. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher was very hungry, and he looked about on all sides to see + if there was anything he might eat. “If I were a goat or a cow,” said he, + “I could eat this grass and be nourished. If I were a donkey I could crop + the hard thistles which are growing on every hand, or if I were a bird I + could feed on the caterpillars and creeping things which stir innumerably + everywhere. But a man may not eat even in the midst of plenty, because he + has departed from nature, and lives by crafty and twisted thought.” + </p> + <p> + Speaking in this manner he chanced to lift his eyes from the ground and + saw, far away, a solitary figure which melted into the folding earth and + reappeared again in a different place. So peculiar and erratic were the + movements of this figure that the Philosopher had great difficulty in + following it, and, indeed, would have been unable to follow, but that the + other chanced in his direction. When they came nearer he saw it was a + young boy, who was dancing hither and thither in any and every direction. + A bushy mound hid him for an instant, and the next they were standing face + to face staring at each other. After a moment’s silence the boy, who was + about twelve years of age, and as beautiful as the morning, saluted the + Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Have you lost your way, sir?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “All paths,” the Philosopher replied, “are on the earth, and so one can + never be lost—but I have lost my dinner.” + </p> + <p> + The boy commenced to laugh. + </p> + <p> + “What are you laughing at, my son?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Because,” he replied, “I am bringing you your dinner. I wondered what + sent me out in this direction, for I generally go more to the east.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you got my dinner?” said the Philosopher anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “I have,” said the boy: “I ate my own dinner at home, and I put your + dinner in my pocket. I thought,” he explained, “that I might be hungry if + I went far away.” + </p> + <p> + “The gods directed you,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “They often do,” said the boy, and he pulled a small parcel from his + pocket. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher instantly sat down, and the boy handed him the parcel. He + opened this and found bread and cheese. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a good dinner,” said he, and commenced to eat. + </p> + <p> + “Would you not like a piece also, my son?” + </p> + <p> + “I would like a little piece,” said the boy, and he sat down before the + Philosopher, and they ate together happily. + </p> + <p> + When they had finished the Philosopher praised the gods, and then said, + more to himself than to the boy: + </p> + <p> + “If I had a little drink of water I would want nothing else.” + </p> + <p> + “There is a stream four paces from here,” said his companion. “I will get + some water in my cap,” and he leaped away. + </p> + <p> + In a few moments he came back holding his cap tenderly, and the + Philosopher took this and drank the water. + </p> + <p> + “I want nothing more in the world,” said he, “except to talk with you. The + sun is shining, the wind is pleasant, and the grass is soft. Sit down + beside me again for a little time.” + </p> + <p> + So the boy sat down, and the Philosopher lit his pipe. + </p> + <p> + “Do you live far from here?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Not far,” said the boy. “You could see my mother’s house from this place + if you were as tall as a tree, and even from the ground you can see a + shape of smoke yonder that floats over our cottage.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher looked but could see nothing. + </p> + <p> + “My eyes are not as good as yours are,” said he, “because I am getting + old.” + </p> + <p> + “What does it feel like to be old?” said the boy. + </p> + <p> + “It feels stiff like,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Is that all?” said the boy. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” the Philosopher replied after a few moments’ silence. “Can + you tell me what it looks like to be young?” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” said the boy, and then a slight look of perplexity crossed his + face, and he continued, “I don’t think I can.” + </p> + <p> + “Young people,” said the Philosopher, “do not know what age is, and old + people forget what youth was. When you begin to grow old always think + deeply of your youth, for an old man without memories is a wasted life, + and nothing is worth remembering but our childhood. I will tell you some + of the differences between being old and young, and then you can ask me + questions, and so we will get at both sides of the matter. First, an old + man gets tired quicker than a boy.” + </p> + <p> + The boy thought for a moment, and then replied: + </p> + <p> + “That is not a great difference, for a boy does get very tired.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher continued: + </p> + <p> + “An old man does not want to eat as often as a boy.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not a great difference either,” the boy replied, “for they both + do eat. Tell me the big difference.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know it, my son; but I have always thought there was a big + difference. Perhaps it is that an old man has memories of things which a + boy cannot even guess at.” + </p> + <p> + “But they both have memories,” said the boy, laughing, “and so it is not a + big difference.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” said the Philosopher. “Maybe there is not so much + difference after all. Tell me things you do, and we will see if I can do + them also.” + </p> + <p> + “But I don’t know what I do,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “You must know the things you do,” said the Philosopher, “but you may not + understand how to put them in order. The great trouble about any kind of + examination is to know where to begin, but there are always two places in + everything with which we can commence—they are the beginning and the + end. From either of these points a view may be had which comprehends the + entire period. So we will begin with the things you did this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “I am satisfied with that,” said the boy. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher then continued: + </p> + <p> + “When you awakened this morning and went out of the house what was the + first thing you did?” + </p> + <p> + The boy thought “I went out, then I picked up a stone and threw it into + the field as far as I could.” + </p> + <p> + “What then?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “Then I ran after the stone to see could I catch up on it before it hit + the ground.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “I ran so fast that I tumbled over myself into the grass.” + </p> + <p> + “What did you do after that?” + </p> + <p> + “I lay where I fell and plucked handfuls of the grass with both hands and + threw them on my back.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you get up then?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I pressed my face into the grass and shouted a lot of times with my + mouth against the ground, and then I sat up and did not move for a long + time.” + </p> + <p> + “Were you thinking?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “No, I was not thinking or doing anything.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you do all these things?” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “For no reason at all,” said the boy. + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the Philosopher triumphantly, “is the difference between age + and youth. Boys do things for no reason, and old people do not. I wonder + do we get old because we do things by reason instead of instinct?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” said the boy, “everything gets old. Have you travelled + very far to-day, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you that if you will tell me your name.” + </p> + <p> + “My name,” said the boy, “is MacCushin.” + </p> + <p> + “When I came last night,” said the Philosopher, “from the place of Angus + Og in the Caste of the Sleepers I was bidden say to one named MacCushin + that a son would be born to Angus Og and his wife, Caitilin, and that the + sleepers of Erinn had turned in their slumbers.” + </p> + <p> + The boy regarded him steadfastly. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said he, “why Angus Og sent me that message. He wants me to make + a poem to the people of Erinn, so that when the Sleepers arise they will + meet with friends.” + </p> + <p> + “The Sleepers have arisen,” said the Philosopher. “They are about us on + every side. They are walking now, but they have forgotten their names and + the meanings of their names. You are to tell them their names and their + lineage, for I am an old man, and my work is done.” + </p> + <p> + “I will make a poem some day,” said the boy, “and every man will shout + when he hears it.” + </p> + <p> + “God be with you, my son,” said the Philosopher, and he embraced the boy + and went forward on his journey. + </p> + <p> + About half an hour’s easy travelling brought him to a point from which he + could see far down below to the pine trees of Coille Doraca. The shadowy + evening had crept over the world ere he reached the wood, and when he + entered the little house the darkness had already descended. + </p> + <p> + The Thin Woman of Inis Magrath met him as he entered, and was about to + speak harshly of his long absence, but the Philosopher kissed her with + such unaccustomed tenderness, and spoke so mildly to her, that, first, + astonishment enchained her tongue, and then delight set it free in a + direction to which it had long been a stranger. + </p> + <p> + “Wife,” said the Philosopher, “I cannot say how joyful I am to see your + good face again.” + </p> + <p> + The Thin Woman was unable at first to reply to this salutation, but, with + incredible speed, she put on a pot of stirabout, began to bake a cake, and + tried to roast potatoes. After a little while she wept loudly, and + proclaimed that the world did not contain the equal of her husband for + comeliness and goodness, and that she was herself a sinful person unworthy + of the kindness of the gods or of such a mate. + </p> + <p> + But while the Philosopher was embracing Seumas and Brigid Beg, the door + was suddenly burst open with a great noise, four policemen entered the + little room, and after one dumbfoundered minute they retreated again + bearing the Philosopher with them to answer a charge of murder. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK V. THE POLICEMEN + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <p> + SOME distance down the road the policemen halted. The night had fallen + before they effected their capture, and now, in the gathering darkness, + they were not at ease. In the first place, they knew that the occupation + upon which they were employed was not a creditable one to a man whatever + it might be to a policeman. The seizure of a criminal may be justified by + certain arguments as to the health of society and the preservation of + property, but no person wishes under any circumstances to hale a wise man + to prison. They were further distressed by the knowledge that they were in + the very centre of a populous fairy country, and that on every side the + elemental hosts might be ranging, ready to fall upon them with the terrors + of war or the still more awful scourge of their humour. The path leading + to their station was a long one, winding through great alleys of trees, + which in some places overhung the road so thickly that even the full moon + could not search out that deep blackness. In the daylight these men would + have arrested an Archangel and, if necessary, bludgeoned him, but in the + night-time a thousand fears afflicted and a multitude of sounds shocked + them from every quarter. + </p> + <p> + Two men were holding the Philosopher, one on either side; the other two + walked one before and one behind him. In this order they were proceeding + when just in front through the dim light they saw the road swallowed up by + one of these groves already spoken of. When they came nigh they halted + irresolutely: the man who was in front (a silent and perturbed sergeant) + turned fiercely to the others “Come on, can’t you?” said he; “what the + devil are you waiting for?” and he strode forward into the black gape. + </p> + <p> + “Keep a good hold of that man,” said the one behind. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be talking out of you,” replied he on the right. “Haven’t we got a + good grip of him, and isn’t he an old man into the bargain?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, keep a good tight grip of him, anyhow, for if he gave you the slip + in there he’d vanish like a weasel in a bush. Them old fellows do be + slippery customers. Look here, mister,” said he to the Philosopher, “if + you try to run away from us I’ll give you a clout on the head with my + baton; do you mind me now!” + </p> + <p> + They had taken only a few paces forward when the sound of hasty footsteps + brought them again to a halt, and in a moment the sergeant came striding + back. He was angry. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to stay there the whole night, or what are you going to do + at all?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Let you be quiet now,” said another; “we were only settling with the man + here the way he wouldn’t try to give us the slip in a dark place.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it thinking of giving us the slip he is?” said the sergeant. “Take + your baton in your hand, Shawn, and if he turns his head to one side of + him hit him on that side.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll do that,” said Shawn, and he pulled out his truncheon. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher had been dazed by the suddenness of these occurrences, and + the enforced rapidity of his movements prevented him from either thinking + or speaking, but during this brief stoppage his scattered wits began to + return to their allegiance. First, bewilderment at his enforcement had + seized him, and the four men, who were continually running round him and + speaking all at once, and each pulling him in a different direction, gave + him the impression that he was surrounded by a great rabble of people, but + he could not discover what they wanted. After a time he found that there + were only four men, and gathered from their remarks that he was being + arrested for murder—this precipitated him into another and a deeper + gulf of bewilderment. He was unable to conceive why they should arrest him + for murder when he had not committed any; and, following this, he became + indignant. + </p> + <p> + “I will not go another step,” said he, “unless you tell me where you are + bringing me and what I am accused of.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said the sergeant, “what did you kill them with? for it’s a + miracle how they came to their ends without as much as a mark on their + skins or a broken tooth itself.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are you talking about?” the Philosopher demanded. + </p> + <p> + “It’s mighty innocent you are,” he replied. “Who would I be talking about + but the man and woman that used to be living with you beyond in the little + house? Is it poison you gave them now, or what was it? Take a hold of your + note-book, Shawn.” + </p> + <p> + “Can’t you have sense, man?” said Shawn. “How would I be writing in the + middle of a dark place and me without as much as a pencil, let alone a + book?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we’ll take it down at the station, and himself can tell us all + about it as we go along. Move on now, for this is no place to be + conversing in.” + </p> + <p> + They paced on again, and in another moment they were swallowed up by the + darkness. When they had proceeded for a little distance there came a + peculiar sound in front like the breathing of some enormous animal, and + also a kind of shuffling noise, and so they again halted. + </p> + <p> + “There’s a queer kind of a thing in front of us,” said one of the men in a + low voice. + </p> + <p> + “If I had a match itself,” said another. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant had also halted. + </p> + <p> + “Draw well into the side of the road,” said he, “and poke your batons in + front of you. Keep a tight hold of that man, Shawn.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll do that,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + Just then one of them found a few matches in his pocket, and he struck a + light; there was no wind, so that it blazed easily enough, and they all + peered in front. A big black cart-horse was lying in the middle of the + road having a gentle sleep, and when the light shone it scrambled to its + feet and went thundering away in a panic. + </p> + <p> + “Isn’t that enough to put the heart crossways in you?” said one of the + men, with a great sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” said another; “if you stepped on that beast in the darkness you + wouldn’t know what to be thinking.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t quite remember the way about here,” said the sergeant after a + while, “but I think we should take the first turn to the right. I wonder + have we passed the turn yet; these criss-cross kinds of roads are the + devil, and it dark as well. Do any of you men know the way?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t,” said one voice; “I’m a Cavan man myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Roscommon,” said another, “is my country, and I wish I was there now, so + I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if we walk straight on we’re bound to get somewhere, so step it + out. Have you got a good hold of that man, Shawn?” + </p> + <p> + “I have so,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher’s voice came pealing through the darkness. + </p> + <p> + “There is no need to pinch me, sir,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I’m not pinching you at all,” said the man. + </p> + <p> + “You are so,” returned the Philosopher. “You have a big lump of skin + doubled up in the sleeve of my coat, and unless you instantly release it I + will sit down in the road.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that any better?” said the man, relaxing his hold a little. + </p> + <p> + “You have only let out half of it,” replied the Philosopher. “That’s + better now,” he continued, and they resumed their journey. + </p> + <p> + After a few minutes of silence the Philosopher began to speak. + </p> + <p> + “I do not see any necessity in nature for policemen,” said he, “nor do I + understand how the custom first originated. Dogs and cats do not employ + these extraordinary mercenaries, and yet their polity is progressive and + orderly. Crows are a gregarious race with settled habitations and an + organized commonwealth. They usually congregate in a ruined tower or on + the top of a church, and their civilization is based on mutual aid and + tolerance for each other’s idiosyncrasies. Their exceeding mobility and + hardiness renders them dangerous to attack, and thus they are free to + devote themselves to the development of their domestic laws and customs. + If policemen were necessary to a civilization crows would certainly have + evolved them, but I triumphantly insist that they have not got any + policemen in their republic—” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t understand a word you are saying,” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “It doesn’t matter,” said the Philosopher. “Ants and bees also live in + specialized communities and have an extreme complexity both of function + and occupation. Their experience in governmental matters is enormous, and + yet they have never discovered that a police force is at all essential to + their wellbeing—” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know,” said the sergeant, “that whatever you say now will be used + in evidence against you later on?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not,” said the Philosopher. “It may be said that these races are + free from crime, that such vices as they have are organized and communal + instead of individual and anarchistic, and that, consequently, there is no + necessity for policecraft, but I cannot believe that these large + aggregations of people could have attained their present high culture + without an interval of both national and individual dishonesty—” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me now, as you are talking,” said the sergeant, “did you buy the + poison at a chemist’s shop, or did you smother the pair of them with a + pillow?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not,” said the Philosopher. “If crime is a condition precedent to + the evolution of policemen, then I will submit that jackdaws are a very + thievish clan—they are somewhat larger than a blackbird, and will + steal wool off a sheep’s back to line their nests with; they have, + furthermore, been known to abstract one shilling in copper and secrete + this booty so ingeniously that it has never since been recovered—” + </p> + <p> + “I had a jackdaw myself,” said one of the men. “I got it from a woman that + came to the door with a basket for fourpence. My mother stood on its back + one day, and she getting out of bed. I split its tongue with a threepenny + bit the way it would talk, but devil the word it ever said for me. It used + to hop around letting on it had a lame leg, and then it would steal your + socks.” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up!” roared the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “If,” said the Philosopher, “these people steal both from from sheep and + from men, if their peculations range from wool to money, I do not see how + they can avoid stealing from each other, and consequently, if anywhere, it + is amongst jackdaws one should look for the growth of a police force, but + there is no such force in existence. The real reason is that they are a + witty and thoughtful race who look temperately on what is known as crime + and evil—one eats, one steals; it is all in the order of things, and + therefore not to be quarrelled with. There is no other view possible to a + philosophical people—” + </p> + <p> + “What the devil is he talking about?” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “Monkeys are gregarious and thievish and semi-human. They inhabit the + equatorial latitudes and eat nuts—” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know what he is saying, Shawn?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + “—they ought to have evolved professional thief-takers, but it is + common knowledge that they have not done so. Fishes, squirrels, rats, + beavers, and bison have also abstained from this singular growth—therefore, + when I insist that I see no necessity for policemen and object to their + presence, I base that objection on logic and facts, and not on any + immediate petty prejudice.” + </p> + <p> + “Shawn,” said the sergeant, “have you got a good grip on that man?” + </p> + <p> + “I have,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + “Well, if he talks any more hit him with your baton.” + </p> + <p> + “I will so,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + “There’s a speck of light down yonder, and, maybe, it’s a candle in a + window—we’ll ask the way at that place.” + </p> + <p> + In about three minutes they came to a small house which was overhung by + trees. If the light had not been visible they would undoubtedly have + passed it in the darkness. As they approached the door the sound of a + female voice came to them scoldingly. + </p> + <p> + “There’s somebody up anyhow,” said the sergeant, and he tapped at the + door. + </p> + <p> + The scolding voice ceased instantly. After a few seconds he tapped again; + then a voice was heard from just behind the door. + </p> + <p> + “Tomas,” said the voice, “go and bring up the two dogs with you before I + take the door off the chain.” + </p> + <p> + The door was then opened a few inches and a face peered out “What would + you be wanting at this hour of the night?” said the woman. + </p> + <p> + “Not much, ma’am,” said the sergeant; “only a little direction about the + road, for we are not sure whether we’ve gone too far or not far enough.” + </p> + <p> + The woman noticed their uniforms. + </p> + <p> + “Is it policemen ye are? There’s no harm in your coming in, I suppose, and + if a drink of milk is any good to ye I have plenty of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Milk’s better than nothing,” said the sergeant with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve a little sup of spirits,” said she, “but it wouldn’t be enough to go + around.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, well,” said he, looking sternly at his comrades, “everybody has to + take their chance in this world,” and he stepped into the house followed + by his men. + </p> + <p> + The women gave him a little sup of whisky from a bottle, and to each of + the other men she gave a cup of milk. + </p> + <p> + “It’ll wash the dust out of our gullets, anyhow,” said one of them. + </p> + <p> + There were two chairs, a bed, and a table in the room. The Philosopher and + his attendants sat on the bed. The sergeant sat on the table, the fourth + man took a chair, and the woman dropped wearily into the remaining chair + from which she looked with pity at the prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “What are you taking the poor man away for?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “He’s a bad one, ma’am,” said the sergeant. “He killed a man and a woman + that were staying with him and he buried their corpses underneath the + hearthstone of his house. He’s a real malefactor, mind you.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it hanging him you’ll be, God help us?” + </p> + <p> + “You never know, and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it came to that. But + you were in trouble yourself, ma’am, for we heard your voice lamenting + about something as we came along the road.” + </p> + <p> + “I was, indeed,” she replied, “for the person that has a son in her house + has a trouble in her heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you tell me now—What did he do on you?” and the sergeant bent a + look of grave reprobation on a young lad who was standing against the wall + between two dogs. + </p> + <p> + “He’s a good boy enough in some ways,” said she, “but he’s too fond of + beasts. He’ll go and lie in the kennel along with them two dogs for hours + at a time, petting them and making a lot of them, but if I try to give him + a kiss, or to hug him for a couple of minutes when I do be tired after the + work, he’ll wriggle like an eel till I let him out—it would make a + body hate him, so it would. Sure, there’s no nature in him, sir, and I’m + his mother.” + </p> + <p> + “You ought to be ashamed of yourself, you young whelp,” said the sergeant + very severely. + </p> + <p> + “And then there’s the horse,” she continued. “Maybe you met it down the + road a while ago?” + </p> + <p> + “We did, ma’am,” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “Well, when he came in Tomas went to tie him up, for he’s a caution at + getting out and wandering about the road, the way you’d break your neck + over him if you weren’t minding. After a while I told the boy to come in, + but he didn’t come, so I went out myself, and there was himself and the + horse with their arms round each other’s necks looking as if they were + moonstruck.” + </p> + <p> + “Faith, he’s the queer lad!” said the sergeant. “What do you be making + love to the horse for, Tomas?” + </p> + <p> + “It was all I could do to make him come in,” she continued, “and then I + said to him, ‘Sit down alongside of me here, Tomas, and keep me company + for a little while’—for I do be lonely in the night-time—but + he wouldn’t stay quiet at all. One minute he’d say, ‘Mother, there’s a + moth flying round the candle and it’ll be burnt,’ and then, ‘There was a + fly going into the spider’s web in the corner,’ and he’d have to save it, + and after that, ‘There’s a daddy-long-legs hurting himself on the + window-pane,’ and he’d have to let it out; but when I try to kiss him he + pushes me away. My heart is tormented, so it is, for what have I in the + world but him?” + </p> + <p> + “Is his father dead, ma’am?” said the sergeant kindly. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll tell the truth,” said she. “I don’t know whether he is or not, for a + long time ago, when we used to live in the city of Bla’ Cliah, he lost his + work one time and he never came back to me again. He was ashamed to come + home I’m thinking, the poor man, because he had no money; as if I would + have minded whether he had any money or not—sure, he was very fond + of me, sir, and we could have pulled along somehow. After that I came back + to my father’s place here; the rest of the children died on me, and then + my father died, and I’m doing the best I can by myself. It’s only that I’m + a little bit troubled with the boy now and again.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a hard case, ma’am,” said the sergeant, “but maybe the boy is only a + bit wild not having his father over him, and maybe it’s just that he’s + used to yourself, for there isn’t a child at all that doesn’t love his + mother. Let you behave yourself now, Tomas; attend to your mother, and + leave the beasts and the insects alone, like a decent boy, for there’s no + insect in the world will ever like you as well as she does. Could you tell + me, ma’am, if we have passed the first turn on this road, or is it in + front of us still, for we are lost altogether in the darkness?” + </p> + <p> + “It’s in front of you still,” she replied, “about ten minutes down the + road; you can’t miss it, for you’ll see the sky where there is a gap in + the trees, and that gap is the turn you want.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, ma’am,” said the sergeant; “we’d better be moving on, for + there’s a long tramp in front of us before we get to sleep this night.” + </p> + <p> + He stood up and the men rose to follow him when, suddenly, the boy spoke + in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + “Mother,” said he, “they are going to hang the man,” and he burst into + tears. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, hush, hush,” said the woman, “sure, the men can’t help it.” She + dropped quickly on her knees and opened her arms, “Come over to your + mother, my darling.” + </p> + <p> + The boy ran to her. + </p> + <p> + “They are going to hang him,” he cried in a high, thin voice, and he + plucked at her arm violently. + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, my young boy-o,” said the sergeant, “none of that violence.” + </p> + <p> + The boy turned suddenly and flew at him with astonishing ferocity. He + hurled himself against the sergeant’s legs and bit, and kicked, and struck + at him. So furiously sudden was his attack that the man went staggering + back against the wall, then he plucked at the boy and whirled him across + the room. In an instant the two dogs leaped at him snarling with rage—one + of these he kicked into a corner, from which it rebounded again bristling + and red-eyed; the other dog was caught by the woman, and after a few + frantic seconds she gripped the first dog also. To a horrible chorus of + howls and snapping teeth the men hustled outside and slammed the door. + </p> + <p> + “Shawn,” the sergeant bawled, “have you got a good grip of that man?” + </p> + <p> + “I have so,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + “If he gets away I’ll kick the belly out of you; mind that now! Come along + with you and no more of your slouching.” + </p> + <p> + They marched down the road in a tingling silence. + </p> + <p> + “Dogs,” said the Philosopher, “are a most intelligent race of people—” + </p> + <p> + “People, my granny!” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “From the earliest ages their intelligence has been observed and recorded, + so that ancient literatures are bulky with references to their sagacity + and fidelity—” + </p> + <p> + “Will you shut your old jaw?” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “I will not,” said the Philosopher. “Elephants also are credited with an + extreme intelligence and devotion to their masters, and they will build a + wall or nurse a baby with equal skill and happiness. Horses have received + high recommendations in this respect, but crocodiles, hens, beetles, + armadillos, and fish do not evince any remarkable partiality for man—” + </p> + <p> + “I wish,” said the sergeant bitterly, “that all them beasts were stuffed + down your throttle the way you’d have to hold your prate.” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn’t matter,” said the Philosopher. “I do not know why these + animals should attach themselves to men with gentleness and love and yet + be able to preserve intact their initial bloodthirstiness, so that while + they will allow their masters to misuse them in any way they will yet + fight most willingly with each other, and are never really happy saving in + the conduct of some private and nonsensical battle of their own. I do not + believe that it is fear which tames these creatures into mildness, but + that the most savage animal has a capacity for love which has not been + sufficiently noted, and which, if more intelligent attention had been + directed upon it, would have raised them to the status of intellectual + animals as against intelligent ones, and, perhaps, have opened to us a + correspondence which could not have been other than beneficial.” + </p> + <p> + “Keep your eyes out for that gap in the trees, Shawn,” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “I’m doing that,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher continued: + </p> + <p> + “Why can I not exchange ideas with a cow? I am amazed at the + incompleteness of my growth when I and a fellow-creature stand dumbly + before each other without one glimmer of comprehension, locked and barred + from all friendship and intercourse—” + </p> + <p> + “Shawn,” cried the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t interrupt,” said the Philosopher; “you are always talking.—The + lower animals, as they are foolishly called, have abilities at which we + can only wonder. The mind of an ant is one to which I would readily go to + school. Birds have atmospheric and levitational information which millions + of years will not render accessible to us; who that has seen a spider + weaving his labyrinth, or a bee voyaging safely in the trackless air, can + refuse to credit that a vivid, trained intelligence animates these small + enigmas? and the commonest earthworm is the heir to a culture before which + I bow with the profoundest veneration—” + </p> + <p> + “Shawn,” said the sergeant, “say something for goodness’ sake to take the + sound of that man’s clack out of my ear.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t know what to be talking about,” said Shawn, “for I never was + much of a hand at conversation, and, barring my prayers, I got no + education—I think myself that he was making a remark about a dog. + Did you ever own a dog, sergeant?” + </p> + <p> + “You are doing very well, Shawn,” said the sergeant, “keep it up now.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew a man had a dog would count up to a hundred for you. He won lots + of money in bets about it, and he’d have made a fortune, only that I + noticed one day he used to be winking at the dog, and when he’d stop + winking the dog would stop counting. We made him turn his back after that, + and got the dog to count sixpence, but he barked for more than five + shillings, he did so, and he would have counted up to a pound, maybe, only + that his master turned round and hit him a kick. Every person that ever + paid him a bet said they wanted their money back, but the man went away to + America in the night, and I expect he’s doing well there for he took the + dog with him. It was a wire-haired terrier bitch, and it was the devil for + having pups.” + </p> + <p> + “It is astonishing,” said the Philosopher, “on what slender compulsion + people will go to America—” + </p> + <p> + “Keep it up, Shawn,” said the sergeant, “you are doing me a favour.” + </p> + <p> + “I will so,” said Shawn. “I had a cat one time and it used to have kittens + every two months.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher’s voice arose: + </p> + <p> + “If there was any periodicity about these migrations one could understand + them. Birds, for example, migrate from their homes in the late autumn and + seek abroad the sustenance and warmth which the winter would withhold if + they remained in their native lands. The salmon also, a dignified fish + with a pink skin, emigrates from the Atlantic Ocean, and betakes himself + inland to the streams and lakes, where he recuperates for a season, and is + often surprised by net, angle, or spear—” + </p> + <p> + “Cut in now, Shawn,” said the sergeant anxiously. + </p> + <p> + Shawn began to gabble with amazing speed and in a mighty voice: + </p> + <p> + “Cats sometimes eat their kittens, and sometimes they don’t. A cat that + eats its kittens is a heartless brute. I knew a cat used to eat its + kittens—it had four legs and a long tail, and it used to get the + head-staggers every time it had eaten its kittens. I killed it myself one + day with a hammer for I couldn’t stand the smell it made, so I couldn’t—” + </p> + <p> + “Shawn,” said the sergeant, “can’t you talk about something else besides + cats and dogs?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure, I don’t know what to talk about,” said Shawn. “I’m sweating this + minute trying to please you, so I arm. If you’ll tell me what to talk + about I’ll do my endeavours.” + </p> + <p> + “You’re a fool,” said the sergeant sorrowfully; “you’ll never make a + constable. I’m thinking that I would sooner listen to the man himself than + to you. Have you got a good hold of him now?” + </p> + <p> + “I have so,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + “Well, step out and maybe we’ll reach the barracks this night, unless this + is a road that there isn’t any end to at all. What was that? Did you hear + a noise?” + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t hear a thing,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + “I thought,” said another man, “that I heard something moving in the hedge + at the side of the road.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s what I heard,” said the sergeant. “Maybe it was a weasel. I wish + to the devil that we were out of this place where you can’t see as much as + your own nose. Now did you hear it, Shawn?” + </p> + <p> + “I did so,” said Shawn; “there’s some one in the hedge, for a weasel would + make a different kind of a noise if it made any at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Keep together, men,” said the sergeant, “and march on; if there’s anybody + about they’ve no business with us.” + </p> + <p> + He had scarcely spoken when there came a sudden pattering of feet, and + immediately the four men were surrounded and were being struck at on every + side with sticks and hands and feet. + </p> + <p> + “Draw your batons,” the sergeant roared; “keep a good grip of that man, + Shawn.” + </p> + <p> + “I will so,” said Shawn. + </p> + <p> + “Stand round him, you other men, and hit anything that comes near you.” + </p> + <p> + There was no sound of voices from the assailants, only a rapid scuffle of + feet, the whistle of sticks as they swung through the air or slapped + smartly against a body or clashed upon each other, and the quick breathing + of many people; but from the four policemen there came noise and to spare + as they struck wildly on every side, cursing the darkness and their + opposers with fierce enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “Let out,” cried Shawn suddenly. “Let out or I’ll smash your nut for you. + There’s some one pulling at the prisoner, and I’ve dropped my baton.” + </p> + <p> + The truncheons of the policemen had been so ferociously exercised that + their antagonists departed as swiftly and as mysteriously as they came. It + was just two minutes of frantic, aimless conflict, and then the silent + night was round them again, without any sound but the slow creaking of + branches, the swish of leaves as they swung and poised, and the quiet + croon of the wind along the road. + </p> + <p> + “Come on, men,” said the sergeant, “we’d better be getting out of this + place as quick as we can. Are any of ye hurted?” + </p> + <p> + “I’ve got one of the enemy,” said Shawn, panting. + </p> + <p> + “You’ve got what?” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve got one of them, and he is wriggling like an eel on a pan.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold him tight,” said the sergeant excitedly. + </p> + <p> + “I will so,” said Shawn. “It’s a little one by the feel of it. If one of + ye would hold the prisoner, I’d get a better grip on this one. Aren’t they + dangerous villains now?” + </p> + <p> + Another man took hold of the Philosopher’s arm, and Shawn got both hands + on his captive. + </p> + <p> + “Keep quiet, I’m telling you,” said he, “or I’ll throttle you, I will so. + Faith, it seems like a little boy by the feel of it!” + </p> + <p> + “A little boy!” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he doesn’t reach up to my waist.” + </p> + <p> + “It must be the young brat from the cottage that set the dogs on us, the + one that loves beasts. Now then, boy, what do you mean by this kind of + thing? You’ll find yourself in gaol for this, my young buck-o. Who was + with you, eh? Tell me that now?” and the sergeant bent forward. + </p> + <p> + “Hold up your head, sonny, and talk to the sergeant,” said Shawn. “Oh!” he + roared, and suddenly he made a little rush forward. “I’ve got him,” he + gasped; “he nearly got away. It isn’t a boy at all, sergeant; there’s + whiskers on it!” + </p> + <p> + “What do you say?” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “I put my hand under its chin and there’s whiskers on it. I nearly let him + out with the surprise, I did so.” + </p> + <p> + “Try again,” said the sergeant in a low voice; “you are making a mistake.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t like touching them,” said Shawn. “It’s a soft whisker like a + billy-goat’s. Maybe you’d try yourself, sergeant, for I tell you I’m + frightened of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold him over here,” said the sergeant, “and keep a good grip of him.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll do that,” said Shawn, and he hauled some reluctant object towards + his superior. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant put out his hand and touched a head. + </p> + <p> + “It’s only a boy’s size to be sure,” said he, then he slid his hand down + the face and withdrew it quickly. + </p> + <p> + “There are whiskers on it,” said he soberly. “What the devil can it be? I + never met whiskers so near the ground before. Maybe they are false ones, + and it’s just the boy yonder trying to disguise himself.” He put out his + hand again with an effort, felt his way to the chin, and tugged. + </p> + <p> + Instantly there came a yell, so loud, so sudden, that every man of them + jumped in a panic. + </p> + <p> + “They are real whiskers,” said the sergeant with a sigh. “I wish I knew + what it is. His voice is big enough for two men, and that’s a fact. Have + you got another match on you?” + </p> + <p> + “I have two more in my waistcoat pocket,” said one of the men. + </p> + <p> + “Give me one of them,” said the sergeant; “I’ll strike it myself.” + </p> + <p> + He groped about until he found the hand with the match. + </p> + <p> + “Be sure and hold him tight, Shawn, the way we can have a good look at + him, for this is like to be a queer miracle of a thing.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m holding him by the two arms,” said Shawn, “he can’t stir anything but + his head, and I’ve got my chest on that.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant struck the match, shading it for a moment with his hand, then + he turned it on their new prisoner. + </p> + <p> + They saw a little man dressed in tight green clothes; he had a broad pale + face with staring eyes, and there was a thin fringe of grey whisker under + his chin—then the match went out. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a Leprecaun,” said the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + The men were silent for a full couple of minutes-at last Shawn spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Do you tell me so?” said he in a musing voice; “that’s a queer miracle + altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “I do,” said the sergeant. “Doesn’t it stand to reason that it can’t be + anything else? You saw it yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Shawn plumped down on his knees before his captive. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me where the money is?” he hissed. “Tell me where the money is or + I’ll twist your neck off.” + </p> + <p> + The other men also gathered eagerly around, shouting threats and commands + at the Leprecaun. + </p> + <p> + “Hold your whist,” said Shawn fiercely to them. “He can’t answer the lot + of you, can he?” and he turned again to the Leprecaun and shook him until + his teeth chattered. + </p> + <p> + “If you don’t tell me where the money is at once I’ll kill you, I will + so.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven’t got any money at all, sir,” said the Leprecaun. + </p> + <p> + “None of your lies,” roared Shawn. “Tell the truth now or it’ll be worse + for you.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven’t got any money,” said the Leprecaun, “for Meehawl MacMurrachu of + the Hill stole our crock a while back, and he buried it under a thorn + bush. I can bring you to the place if you don’t believe me.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” said Shawn. “Come on with me now, and I’ll clout you if you + as much as wriggle; do you mind me?” + </p> + <p> + “What would I wriggle for?” said the Leprecaun: “sure I like being with + you.” + </p> + <p> + Hereupon the sergeant roared at the top of his voice. + </p> + <p> + “Attention,” said he, and the men leaped to position like automata. + </p> + <p> + “What is it you are going to do with your prisoner, Shawn?” said he + sarcastically. “Don’t you think we’ve had enough tramping of these roads + for one night, now? Bring up that Leprecaun to the barracks or it’ll be + the worse for you—do you hear me talking to you?” + </p> + <p> + “But the gold, sergeant,” said Shawn sulkily. + </p> + <p> + “If there’s any gold it’ll be treasure trove, and belong to the Crown. + What kind of a constable are you at all, Shawn? Mind what you are about + now, my man, and no back answers. Step along there. Bring that murderer up + at once, whichever of you has him.” + </p> + <p> + There came a gasp from the darkness. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Oh, Oh!” said a voice of horror. + </p> + <p> + “What’s wrong with you?” said the sergeant: “are you hurted?” + </p> + <p> + “The prisoner!” he gasped, “he, he’s got away!” + </p> + <p> + “Got away?” and the sergeant’s voice was a blare of fury. + </p> + <p> + “While we were looking at the Leprecaun,” said the voice of woe, “I must + have forgotten about the other one—I, I haven’t got him—” + </p> + <p> + “You gawm!” gritted the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “Is it my prisoner that’s gone?” said Shawn in a deep voice. He leaped + forward with a curse and smote his negligent comrade so terrible a blow in + the face, that the man went flying backwards, and the thud of his head on + the road could have been heard anywhere. + </p> + <p> + “Get up,” said Shawn, “get up till I give you another one.” + </p> + <p> + “That will do,” said the sergeant, “we’ll go home. We’re the + laughing-stock of the world. I’ll pay you out for this some time, every + damn man of ye. Bring that Leprecaun along with you, and quick march.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said Shawn in a strangled tone. + </p> + <p> + “What is it now?” said the sergeant testily. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” replied Shawn. + </p> + <p> + “What did you say ‘Oh!’ for then, you block-head?” + </p> + <p> + “It’s the Leprecaun, sergeant,” said Shawn in a whisper—“he’s got + away—when I was hitting the man there I forgot all about the + Leprecaun: he must have run into the hedge. Oh, sergeant, dear, don’t say + anything to me now—!” + </p> + <p> + “Quick march,” said the sergeant, and the four men moved on through the + darkness in a silence, which was only skin deep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <p> + BY reason of the many years which he had spent in the gloomy pine wood, + the Philosopher could see a little in the darkness, and when he found + there was no longer any hold on his coat he continued his journey quietly, + marching along with his head sunken on his breast in a deep abstraction. + He was meditating on the word “Me,” and endeavouring to pursue it through + all its changes and adventures. The fact of “me-ness” was one which + startled him. He was amazed at his own being. He knew that the hand which + he held up and pinched with another hand was not him and the endeavour to + find out what was him was one which had frequently exercised his leisure. + He had not gone far when there came a tug at his sleeve and looking down + he found one of the Leprecauns of the Gort trotting by his side. + </p> + <p> + “Noble Sir,” said the Leprecaun, “you are terrible hard to get into + conversation with. I have been talking to you for the last long time and + you won’t listen.” + </p> + <p> + “I am listening now,” replied the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “You are, indeed,” said the Leprecaun heartily. “My brothers are on the + other side of the road over there beyond the hedge, and they want to talk + to you: will you come with me, Noble Sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Why wouldn’t I go with you?” said the Philosopher, and he turned aside + with the Leprecaun. + </p> + <p> + They pushed softly through a gap in the hedge and into a field beyond. + </p> + <p> + “Come this way, sir,” said his guide, and the Philosopher followed him + across the field. In a few minutes they came to a thick bush among the + leaves of which the other Leprecauns were hiding. They thronged out to + meet the Philosopher’s approach and welcomed him with every appearance of + joy. With them was the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath, who embraced her + husband tenderly and gave thanks for his escape. + </p> + <p> + “The night is young yet,” remarked one of the Leprecauns. “Let us sit down + here and talk about what should be done.” + </p> + <p> + “I am tired enough,” said the Philosopher, “for I have been travelling all + yesterday, and all this day and the whole of this night I have been going + also, so I would be glad to sit down anywhere.” + </p> + <p> + They sat down under the bush and the Philosopher lit his pipe. In the open + space where they were there was just light enough to see the smoke coming + from his pipe, but scarcely more. One recognized a figure as a deeper + shadow than the surrounding darkness; but as the ground was dry and the + air just touched with a pleasant chill, there was no discomfort. After the + Philosopher had drawn a few mouthfuls of smoke he passed his pipe on to + the next person, and in this way his pipe made the circuit of the party. + </p> + <p> + “When I put the children to bed,” said the Thin Woman, “I came down the + road in your wake with a basin of stirabout, for you had no time to take + your food, God help you! and I was thinking you must have been hungry.” + </p> + <p> + “That is so,” said the Philosopher in a very anxious voice: “but I don’t + blame you, my dear, for letting the basin fall on the road—” + </p> + <p> + “While I was going along,” she continued, “I met these good people and + when I told them what happened they came with me to see if anything could + be done. The time they ran out of the hedge to fight the policemen I + wanted to go with them, but I was afraid the stirabout would be spilt.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher licked his lips. + </p> + <p> + “I am listening to you, my love,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “So I had to stay where I was with the stirabout under my shawl—” + </p> + <p> + “Did you slip then, dear wife?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not, indeed,” she replied: “I have the stirabout with me this + minute. It’s rather cold, I’m thinking, but it is better than nothing at + all,” and she placed the bowl in his hands. + </p> + <p> + “I put sugar in it,” said she shyly, “and currants, and I have a spoon in + my pocket.” + </p> + <p> + “It tastes well,” said the Philosopher, and he cleaned the basin so + speedily that his wife wept because of his hunger. + </p> + <p> + By this time the pipe had come round to him again and it was welcomed. + </p> + <p> + “Now we can talk,” said he, and he blew a great cloud of smoke into the + darkness and sighed happily. + </p> + <p> + “We were thinking,” said the Thin Woman, “that you won’t be able to come + back to our house for a while yet: the policemen will be peeping about + Coille Doraca for a long time, to be sure; for isn’t it true that if there + is a good thing coming to a person, nobody takes much trouble to find him, + but if there is a bad thing or a punishment in store for a man, then the + whole world will be searched until he be found?” + </p> + <p> + “It is a true statement,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “So what we arranged was this—that you should go to live with these + little men in their house under the yew tree of the Gort. There is not a + policeman in the world would find you there; or if you went by night to + the Brugh of the Boyne, Angus Og himself would give you a refuge.” + </p> + <p> + One of the Leprecauns here interposed. + </p> + <p> + “Noble Sir,” said he, “there isn’t much room in our house but there’s no + stint of welcome in it. You would have a good time with us travelling on + moonlit nights and seeing strange things, for we often go to visit the + Shee of the Hills and they come to see us; there is always something to + talk about, and we have dances in the caves and on the tops of the hills. + Don’t be imagining now that we have a poor life for there is fun and + plenty with us and the Brugh of Angus Mac an Og is hard to be got at.” + </p> + <p> + “I would like to dance, indeed,” returned the Philosopher, “for I do + believe that dancing is the first and last duty of man. If we cannot be + gay what can we be? Life is not any use at all unless we find a laugh here + and there—but this time, decent men of the Gort, I cannot go with + you, for it is laid on me to give myself up to the police.” + </p> + <p> + “You would not do that,” exclaimed the Thin Woman pitifully: “You wouldn’t + think of doing that now!” + </p> + <p> + “An innocent man,” said he, “cannot be oppressed, for he is fortified by + his mind and his heart cheers him. It is only on a guilty person that the + rigour of punishment can fall, for he punishes himself. This is what I + think, that a man should always obey the law with his body and always + disobey it with his mind. I have been arrested, the men of the law had me + in their hands, and I will have to go back to them so that they may do + whatever they have to do.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher resumed his pipe, and although the others reasoned with + him for a long time they could not by any means remove him from his + purpose. So, when the pale glimmer of dawn had stolen over the sky, they + arose and went downwards to the cross-roads and so to the Police Station. + </p> + <p> + Outside the village the Leprecauns bade him farewell and the Thin Woman + also took her leave of him, saying she would visit Angus Og and implore + his assistance on behalf of her husband, and then the Leprecauns and the + Thin Woman returned again the way they came, and the Philosopher walked on + to the barracks. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <p> + WHEN he knocked at the barracks door it was opened by a man with tousled, + red hair, who looked as though he had just awakened from sleep. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want at this hour of the night?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I want to give myself up,” said the Philosopher. The policeman looked at + him “A man as old as you are,” said he, “oughtn’t to be a fool. Go home + now, I advise you, and don’t say a word to any one whether you did it or + not. Tell me this now, was it found out, or are you only making a clean + breast of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure I must give myself up,” said the Philosopher. + </p> + <p> + “If you must, you must, and that’s an end of it. Wipe your feet on the + rail there and come in—I’ll take your deposition.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no deposition for you,” said the Philosopher, “for I didn’t do a + thing at all.” + </p> + <p> + The policeman stared at him again. + </p> + <p> + “If that’s so,” said he, “you needn’t come in at all, and you needn’t have + wakened me out of my sleep either. Maybe, tho’, you are the man that + fought the badger on the Naas Road—Eh?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not,” replied the Philosopher: “but I was arrested for killing my + brother and his wife, although I never touched them.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that who you are?” said the policeman; and then, briskly, “You’re as + welcome as the cuckoo, you are so. Come in and make yourself comfortable + till the men awaken, and they are the lads that’ll be glad to see you. I + couldn’t make head or tail of what they said when they came in last night, + and no one else either, for they did nothing but fight each other and + curse the banshees and cluricauns of Leinster. Sit down there on the + settle by the fire and, maybe, you’ll be able to get a sleep; you look as + if you were tired, and the mud of every county in Ireland is on your + boots.” + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher thanked him and stretched out on the settle. In a short + time, for he was very weary, he fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + Many hours later he was awakened by the sound of voices, and found on + rising, that the men who had captured him on the previous evening were + standing by the bed. The sergeant’s face beamed with joy. He was dressed + only in his trousers and shirt. His hair was sticking up in some places + and sticking out in others which gave a certain wild look to him, and his + feet were bare. He took the Philosopher’s two hands in his own and swore + if ever there was anything he could do to comfort him he would do that and + more. Shawn, in a similar state of unclothedness, greeted the Philosopher + and proclaimed himself his friend and follower for ever. Shawn further + announced that he did not believe the Philosopher had killed the two + people, that if he had killed them they must have richly deserved it, and + that if he was hung he would plant flowers on his grave; for a decenter, + quieter, and wiser man he had never met and never would meet in the world. + </p> + <p> + These professions of esteem comforted the Philosopher, and he replied to + them in terms which made the red-haired policeman gape in astonishment and + approval. + </p> + <p> + He was given a breakfast of bread and cocoa which he ate with his + guardians, and then, as they had to take up their outdoor duties, he was + conducted to the backyard and informed he could walk about there and that + he might smoke until he was black in the face. The policemen severally + presented him with a pipe, a tin of tobacco, two boxes of matches and a + dictionary, and then they withdrew, leaving him to his own devices. + </p> + <p> + The garden was about twelve feet square, having high, smooth walls on + every side, and into it there came neither sun nor wind. In one corner a + clump of rusty-looking sweet-pea was climbing up the wall—every leaf + of this plant was riddled with holes, and there were no flowers on it. + Another corner was occupied by dwarf nasturtiums, and on this plant, in + despite of every discouragement, two flowers were blooming, but its leaves + also were tattered and dejected. A mass of ivy clung to the third corner, + its leaves were big and glossy at the top, but near the ground there was + only grey, naked stalks laced together by cobwebs. The fourth wall was + clothed in a loose Virginia creeper every leaf of which looked like an + insect that could crawl if it wanted to. The centre of this small plot had + used every possible artifice to cover itself with grass, and in some + places it had wonderfully succeeded, but the pieces of broken bottles, + shattered jampots, and sections of crockery were so numerous that no + attempt at growth could be other than tentative and unpassioned. + </p> + <p> + Here, for a long time, the Philosopher marched up and down. At one moment + he examined the sweet-pea and mourned with it on a wretched existence. + Again he congratulated the nasturtium on its two bright children; but he + thought of the gardens wherein they might have bloomed and the remembrance + of that spacious, sunny freedom saddened him. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, poor creatures!” said he, “ye also are in gaol.” + </p> + <p> + The blank, soundless yard troubled him so much that at last he called to + the red-haired policeman and begged to be put into a cell in preference; + and to the common cell he was, accordingly, conducted. + </p> + <p> + This place was a small cellar built beneath the level of the ground. An + iron grating at the top of the wall admitted one blanched wink of light, + but the place was bathed in obscurity. A wooden ladder led down to the + cell from a hole in the ceiling, and this hole also gave a spark of + brightness and some little air to the room. The walls were of stone + covered with plaster, but the plaster had fallen away in many places + leaving the rough stones visible at every turn of the eye. + </p> + <p> + There were two men in the cell, and these the Philosopher saluted; but + they did not reply, nor did they speak to each other. There was a low, + wooden form fixed to the wall, running quite round the room, and on this, + far apart from each other, the two men were seated, with their elbows + resting on their knees, their heads propped upon their hands, and each of + them with an unwavering gaze fixed on the floor between his feet. + </p> + <p> + The Philosopher walked for a time up and down the little cell, but soon he + also sat down on the low form, propped his head on his hands and lapsed to + a melancholy dream. + </p> + <p> + So the day passed. Twice a policeman came down the ladder bearing three + portions of food, bread and cocoa; and by imperceptible gradations the + light faded away from the grating and the darkness came. After a great + interval the policeman again approached carrying three mattresses and + three rough blankets, and these he bundled through the hole. Each of the + men took a mattress and a blanket and spread them on the floor, and the + Philosopher took his share also. + </p> + <p> + By this time they could not see each other and all their operations were + conducted by the sense of touch alone. They laid themselves down on the + beds and a terrible, dark silence brooded over the room. + </p> + <p> + But the Philosopher could not sleep, he kept his eyes shut, for the + darkness under his eyelids was not so dense as that which surrounded him; + indeed, he could at will illuminate his own darkness and order around him + the sunny roads or the sparkling sky. While his eyes were closed he had + the mastery of all pictures of light and colour and warmth, but an + irresistible fascination compelled him every few minutes to reopen them, + and in the sad space around he could not create any happiness. The + darkness weighed very sadly upon him so that in a short time it did creep + under his eyelids and drowned his happy pictures until a blackness + possessed him both within and without “Can one’s mind go to prison as well + as one’s body?” said he. + </p> + <p> + He strove desperately to regain his intellectual freedom, but he could + not. He could conjure up no visions but those of fear. The creatures of + the dark invaded him, fantastic terrors were thronging on every side: they + came from the darkness into his eyes and beyond into himself, so that his + mind as well as his fancy was captured, and he knew he was, indeed, in + gaol. + </p> + <p> + It was with a great start that he heard a voice speaking from the silence—a + harsh, yet cultivated voice, but he could not imagine which of his + companions was speaking. He had a vision of that man tormented by the + mental imprisonment of the darkness, trying to get away from his ghosts + and slimy enemies, goaded into speech in his own despite lest he should be + submerged and finally possessed by the abysmal demons. For a while the + voice spoke of the strangeness of life and the cruelty of men to each + other—disconnected sentences, odd words of selfpity and + self-encouragement, and then the matter became more connected and a story + grew in the dark cell “I knew a man,” said the voice, “and he was a clerk. + He had thirty shillings a week, and for five years he had never missed a + day going to his work. He was a careful man, but a person with a wife and + four children cannot save much out of thirty shillings a week. The rent of + a house is high, a wife and children must be fed, and they have to get + boots and clothes, so that at the end of each week that man’s thirty + shillings used to be all gone. But they managed to get along somehow—the + man and his wife and the four children were fed and clothed and educated, + and the man often wondered how so much could be done with so little money; + but the reason was that his wife was a careful woman... and then the man + got sick. A poor person cannot afford to get sick, and a married man + cannot leave his work. If he is sick he has to be sick; but he must go to + his work all the same, for if he stayed away who would pay the wages and + feed his family? and when he went back to work he might find that there + was nothing for him to do. This man fell sick, but he made no change in + his way of life: he got up at the same time and went to the office as + usual, and he got through the day somehow without attracting his + employer’s attention. He didn’t know what was wrong with him: he only knew + that he was sick. Sometimes he had sharp, swift pains in his head, and + again there would be long hours of languor when he could scarcely bear to + change his position or lift a pen. He would commence a letter with the + words ‘Dear Sir,’ forming the letter ‘D’ with painful, accurate slowness, + elaborating and thickening the up and down strokes, and being troubled + when he had to leave that letter for the next one; he built the next + letter by hair strokes and would start on the third with hatred. The end + of a word seemed to that man like the conclusion of an event—it was + a surprising, isolated, individual thing, having no reference to anything + else in the world, and on starting a new word he seemed bound, in order to + preserve its individuality, to write it in a different handwriting. He + would sit with his shoulders hunched up and his pen resting on the paper, + staring at a letter until he was nearly mesmerized, and then come to + himself with a sense of fear, which started him working like a madman, so + that he might not be behind with his business. The day seemed to be so + long. It rolled on rusty hinges that could scarcely move. Each hour was + like a great circle swollen with heavy air, and it droned and buzzed into + an eternity. It seemed to the man that his hand in particular wanted to + rest. It was luxury not to work with it. It was good to lay it down on a + sheet of paper with the pen sloping against his finger, and then watch his + hand going to sleep—it seemed to the man that it was his hand and + not himself wanted to sleep, but it always awakened when the pen slipped. + There was an instinct in him somewhere not to let the pen slip, and every + time the pen moved his hand awakened, and began to work languidly. When he + went home at night he lay down at once and stared for hours at a fly on + the wall or a crack on the ceiling. When his wife spoke to him he heard + her speaking as from a great distance, and he answered her dully as though + he was replying through a cloud. He only wanted to be let alone, to be + allowed to stare at the fly on the wall, or the crack on the ceiling. + </p> + <p> + “One morning he found that he couldn’t get up, or rather, that he didn’t + want to get up. When his wife called him he made no reply, and she seemed + to call him every ten seconds—the words, ‘get up, get up,’ were + crackling all round him; they were bursting like bombs on the right hand + and on the left of him: they were scattering from above and all around + him, bursting upwards from the floor, swirling, swaying, and jostling each + other. Then the sounds ceased, and one voice only said to him ‘You are + late!’ He saw these words like a blur hanging in the air, just beyond his + eyelids, and he stared at the blur until he fell asleep.” + </p> + <p> + The voice in the cell ceased speaking for a few minutes, and then it went + on again. + </p> + <p> + “For three weeks the man did not leave his bed—he lived faintly in a + kind of trance, wherein great forms moved about slowly and immense words + were drumming gently for ever. When he began to take notice again + everything in the house was different. Most of the furniture, paid for so + hardly, was gone. He missed a thing everywhere—chairs, a mirror, a + table: wherever he looked he missed something; and downstairs was worse—there, + everything was gone. His wife had sold all her furniture to pay for + doctors, for medicine, for food and rent. And she was changed too: good + things had gone from her face; she was gaunt, sharp-featured, miserable—but + she was comforted to think he was going back to work soon. + </p> + <p> + “There was a flurry in his head when he went to his office. He didn’t know + what his employer would say for stopping away. He might blame him for + being sick—he wondered would his employer pay him for the weeks he + was absent. When he stood at the door he was frightened. Suddenly the + thought of his master’s eye grew terrible to him: it was a steady, cold, + glassy eye; but he opened the door and went in. His master was there with + another man and he tried to say ‘Good morning, sir,’ in a natural and calm + voice; but he knew that the strange man had been engaged instead of + himself, and this knowledge posted itself between his tongue and his + thought. He heard himself stammering, he felt that his whole bearing had + become drooping and abject. His master was talking swiftly and the other + man was looking at him in an embarrassed, stealthy, and pleading manner: + his eyes seemed to be apologising for having supplanted him—so he + mumbled ‘Good day, sir,’ and stumbled out. + </p> + <p> + “When he got outside he could not think where to go. After a while he went + in the direction of the little park in the centre of the city. It was + quite near and he sat down on an iron bench facing a pond. There were + children walking up and down by the water giving pieces of bread to the + swans. Now and again a labouring man or a messenger went by quickly; now + and again a middleaged, slovenly-dressed man drooped past aimlessly: + sometimes a tattered, self-intent woman with a badgered face flopped by + him. When he looked at these dull people the thought came to him that they + were not walking there at all; they were trailing through hell, and their + desperate eyes saw none but devils around them. He saw himself joining + these battered strollers... and he could not think what he would tell his + wife when he went home. He rehearsed to himself the terms of his dismissal + a hundred times. How his master looked, what he had said: and then the + fine, ironical things he had said to his master. He sat in the park all + day, and when evening fell he went home at his accustomed hour. + </p> + <p> + “His wife asked him questions as to how he had got on, and wanted to know + was there any chance of being paid for the weeks of absence; the man + answered her volubly, ate his supper and went to bed: but he did not tell + his wife that he had been dismissed and that there would be no money at + the end of the week. He tried to tell her, but when he met her eye he + found that he could not say the words—he was afraid of the look that + might come into her face when she heard it—she, standing terrified + in those dismantled rooms...! + </p> + <p> + “In the morning he ate his breakfast and went out again—to work, his + wife thought. She bid him ask the master about the three weeks’ wages, or + to try and get an advance on the present week’s wages, for they were + hardly put to it to buy food. He said he would do his best, but he went + straight to the park and sat looking at the pond, looking at the + passers-by and dreaming. In the middle of the day he started up in a panic + and went about the city asking for work in offices, shops, warehouses, + everywhere, but he could not get any. He trailed back heavy-footed again + to the park and sat down. + </p> + <p> + “He told his wife more lies about his work that night and what his master + had said when he asked for an advance. He couldn’t bear the children to + touch him. After a little time he sneaked away to his bed. + </p> + <p> + “A week went that way. He didn’t look for work any more. He sat in the + park, dreaming, with his head bowed into his hands. The next day would be + the day he should have been paid his wages. The next day! What would his + wife say when he told her he had no money? She would stare at him and + flush and say-’Didn’t you go out every day to work?’—How would he + tell her then so that she could understand quickly and spare him words? + </p> + <p> + “Morning came and the man ate his breakfast silently. There was no butter + on the bread, and his wife seemed to be apologising to him for not having + any. She said, ‘We’ll be able to start fair from to-morrow,’ and when he + snapped at her angrily she thought it was because he had to eat dry bread. + </p> + <p> + “He went to the park and sat there for hours. Now and again he got up and + walked into a neighbouring street, but always, after half an hour or so, + he came back. Six o’clock in the evening was his hour for going home. When + six o’clock came he did not move, he still sat opposite the pond with his + head bowed down into his arms. Seven o’clock passed. At nine o’clock a + bell was rung and every one had to leave. He went also. He stood outside + the gates looking on this side and on that. Which way would he go? All + roads were alike to him, so he turned at last and walked somewhere. He did + not go home that night. He never went home again. He never was heard of + again anywhere in the wide world.” + </p> + <p> + The voice ceased speaking and silence swung down again upon the little + cell. The Philosopher had been listening intently to this story, and after + a few minutes he spoke “When you go up this road there is a turn to the + left and all the path along is bordered with trees—there are birds + in the trees, Glory be to God! There is only one house on that road, and + the woman in it gave us milk to drink. She has but one son, a good boy, + and she said the other children were dead; she was speaking of a husband + who went away and left her—‘Why should he have been afraid to come + home?’ said she—‘sure, I loved him.’” + </p> + <p> + After a little interval the voice spoke again “I don’t know what became of + the man I was speaking of. I am a thief, and I’m well known to the police + everywhere. I don’t think that man would get a welcome at the house up + here, for why should he?” + </p> + <p> + Another, a different, querulous kind of voice came from the silence “If I + knew a place where there was a welcome I’d go there as quickly as I could, + but I don’t know a place and I never will, for what good would a man of my + age be to any person? I am a thief also. The first thing I stole was a hen + out of a little yard. I roasted it in a ditch and ate it, and then I stole + another one and ate it, and after that I stole everything I could lay my + hands on. I suppose I will steal as long as I live, and I’ll die in a + ditch at the heel of the hunt. There was a time, not long ago, and if any + one had told me then that I would rob, even for hunger, I’d have been + insulted: but what does it matter now? And the reason I am a thief is + because I got old without noticing it. Other people noticed it, but I did + not. I suppose age comes on one so gradually that it is seldom observed. + If there are wrinkles on one’s face we do not remember when they were not + there: we put down all kind of little infirmities to sedentary living, and + you will see plenty of young people bald. If a man has no occasion to tell + any one his age, and if he never thinks of it himself, he won’t see ten + years’ difference between his youth and his age, for we live in slow, + quiet times, and nothing ever happens to mark the years as they go by, one + after the other, and all the same. + </p> + <p> + “I lodged in a house for a great many years, and a little girl grew up + there, the daughter of my landlady. She used to slide down the bannisters + very well, and she used to play the piano very badly. These two things + worried me many a time. She used to bring me my meals in the morning and + the evening, and often enough she’d stop to talk with me while I was + eating. She was a very chatty girl and I was a talkative person myself. + When she was about eighteen years of age I got so used to her that if her + mother came with the food I would be worried for the rest of the day. Her + face was as bright as a sunbeam, and her lazy, careless ways, big, free + movements, and girlish chatter were pleasant to a man whose loneliness was + only beginning to be apparent to him through her company. I’ve thought of + it often since, and I suppose that’s how it began. She used to listen to + all my opinions and she’d agree with them because she had none of her own + yet. She was a good girl, but lazy in her mind and body; childish, in + fact. Her talk was as involved as her actions: she always seemed to be + sliding down mental bannisters; she thought in kinks and spoke in spasms, + hopped mentally from one subject to another without the slightest + difficulty, and could use a lot of language in saying nothing at all. I + could see all that at the time, but I suppose I was too pleased with my + own sharp business brains, and sick enough, although I did not know it, of + my sharp-brained, business companions—dear Lord! I remember them + well. It’s easy enough to have brains as they call it, but it is not so + easy to have a little gaiety or carelessness or childishness or whatever + it was she had. It is good, too, to feel superior to some one, even a + girl. + </p> + <p> + “One day this thought came to me—‘It is time that I settled down.’ I + don’t know where the idea came from; one hears it often enough and it + always seems to apply to some one else, but I don’t know what brought it + to roost with me. I was foolish, too: I bought ties and differently shaped + collars, and took to creasing my trousers by folding them under the bed + and lying on them all night—It never struck me that I was more than + three times her age. I brought home sweets for her and she was delighted. + She said she adored sweets, and she used to insist on my eating some of + them with her; she liked to compare notes as to how they tasted while + eating them. I used to get a toothache from them, but I bore with it + although at that time I hated toothache almost as much as I hated sweets. + Then I asked her to come out with me for a walk. She was willing enough + and it was a novel experience for me. Indeed, it was rather exciting. We + went out together often after that, and sometimes we’d meet people I knew, + young men from my office or from other offices. I used to be shy when some + of these people winked at me as they saluted. It was pleasant, too, + telling the girl who they were, their business and their salaries: for + there was little I didn’t know. I used to tell her of my own position in + the office and what the chief said to me through the day. Sometimes we + talked of the things that had appeared in the evening papers. A murder + perhaps, some phase of a divorce case, the speech a political person had + made, or the price of stock. She was interested in anything so long as it + was talk. And her own share in the conversation was good to hear. Every + lady that passed us had a hat that stirred her to the top of rapture or + the other pinnacle of disgust. She told me what ladies were frights and + what were ducks. Under her scampering tongue I began to learn something of + humanity, even though she saw most people as delightfully funny clowns or + superb, majestical princes, but I noticed that she never said a bad word + of a man, although many of the men she looked after were ordinary enough. + Until I went walking with her I never knew what a shop window was. A + jeweller’s window especially: there were curious things in it. She told me + how a tiara should be worn, and a pendant, and she explained the kind of + studs I should wear myself; they were made of gold and had red stones in + them; she showed me the ropes of pearl or diamonds that she thought would + look pretty on herself: and one day she said that she liked me very much. + I was pleased and excited that day, but I was a business man and I said + very little in reply. I never liked a pig in a poke. + </p> + <p> + “She used to go out two nights in the week, Monday and Thursday, dressed + in her best clothes. I didn’t know where she went, and I didn’t ask—I + thought she visited an acquaintance, a girl friend or some such. The time + went by and I made up my mind to ask her to marry me. I had watched her + long enough and she was always kind and bright. I liked the way she + smiled, and I liked her obedient, mannerly bearing. There was something + else I liked, which I did not recognise then, something surrounding all + her movements, a graciousness, a spaciousness: I did not analyse it; but I + know now that it was her youth. I remember that when we were out together + she walked slowly, but in the house she would leap up and down the stairs—she + moved furiously, but I didn’t. + </p> + <p> + “One evening she dressed to go out as usual, and she called at my door to + know had I everything I wanted. I said I had something to tell her when + she came home, something important. She promised to come in early to hear + it, and I laughed at her and she laughed back and went sliding down the + bannisters. I don’t think I have had any reason to laugh since that night. + A letter came for me after she had gone, and I knew by the shape and the + handwriting that it was from the office. It puzzled me to think why I + should be written to. I didn’t like opening it somehow.... It was my + dismissal on account of advancing age, and it hoped for my future welfare + politely enough. It was signed by the Senior. I didn’t grip it at first, + and then I thought it was a hoax. For a long time I sat in my room with an + empty mind. I was watching my mind: there were immense distances in it + that drowsed and buzzed; large, soft movements seemed to be made in my + mind, and although I was looking at the letter in my hand I was really + trying to focus those great, swinging spaces in my brain, and my ears were + listening for a movement of some kind. I can see back to that time + plainly. I went walking up and down the room. There was a dull, + subterranean anger in me. I remember muttering once or twice, ‘Shameful!’ + and again I said, ‘Ridiculous!’ At the idea of age I looked at my face in + the glass, but I was looking at my mind, and it seemed to go grey, there + was a heaviness there also. I seemed to be peering from beneath a weight + at something strange. I had a feeling that I had let go a grip which I had + held tightly for a long time, and I had a feeling that the letting go was + a grave disaster... that strange face in the glass! how wrinkled it was! + there were only a few hairs on the head and they were grey ones. There was + a constant twitching of the lips and the eyes were deep-set, little and + dull. I left the glass and sat down by the window, looking out. I saw + nothing in the street: I just looked into a blackness. My mind was as + blank as the night and as soundless. There was a swirl outside the window, + rain tossed by the wind; without noticing, I saw it, and my brain swung + with the rain until it heaved in circles, and then a feeling of faintness + awakened me to myself. I did not allow my mind to think, but now and again + a word swooped from immense distances through my brain, swinging like a + comet across a sky and jarring terribly when it struck: ‘Sacked’ was one + word, ‘Old’ was another word. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know how long I sat watching the flight of these dreadful words + and listening to their clanking impact, but a movement in the street + aroused me. Two people, the girl and a young, slender man, were coming + slowly up to the house. The rain was falling heavily, but they did not + seem to mind it. There was a big puddle of water close to the kerb, and + the girl, stepping daintily as a cat, went round this, but the young man + stood for a moment beyond it. He raised both arms, clenched his fists, + swung them, and jumped over the puddle. Then he and the girl stood looking + at the water, apparently measuring the jump. I could see them plainly by a + street lamp. They were bidding each other good-bye. The girl put her hand + to his neck and settled the collar of his coat, and while her hand rested + on him the young man suddenly and violently flung his arms about her and + hugged her; then they kissed and moved apart. The man walked to the rain + puddle and stood there with his face turned back laughing at her, and then + he jumped straight into the middle of the puddle and began to dance up and + down in it, the muddy water splashing up to his knees. She ran over to him + crying ‘Stop, silly!’ When she came into the house, I bolted my door and I + gave no answer to her knock. + </p> + <p> + “In a few months the money I had saved was spent. I couldn’t get any work, + I was too old; they put it that they wanted a younger man. I couldn’t pay + my rent. I went out into the world again, like a baby, an old baby in a + new world. I stole food, food, food anywhere and everywhere. At first I + was always caught. Often I was sent to gaol; sometimes I was let go; + sometimes I was kicked; but I learned to live like a wolf at last. I am + not often caught now when I steal food. But there is something happening + every day, whether it is going to gaol or planning how to steal a hen or a + loaf of bread. I find that it is a good life, much better than the one I + lived for nearly sixty years, and I have time to think over every sort of + thing....” + </p> + <p> + When the morning came the Philosopher was taken on a car to the big City + in order that he might be put on his trial and hanged. It was the custom. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK VI. THE THIN WOMAN’S JOURNEY AND THE HAPPY MARCH + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <p> + THE ability of the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath for anger was unbounded. She + was not one of those limited creatures who are swept clean by a gust of + wrath and left placid and smiling after its passing. She could store her + anger in those caverns of eternity which open into every soul, and which + are filled with rage and violence until the time comes when they may be + stored with wisdom and love; for, in the genesis of life, love is at the + beginning and the end of things. First, like a laughing child, love came + to labour minutely in the rocks and sands of the heart, opening the first + of those roads which lead inwards for ever, and then, the labour of his + day being done, love fled away and was forgotten. Following came the + fierce winds of hate to work like giants and gnomes among the prodigious + debris, quarrying the rocks and levelling the roads which soar inwards; + but when that work is completed love will come radiantly again to live for + ever in the human heart, which is Eternity. + </p> + <p> + Before the Thin Woman could undertake the redemption of her husband by + wrath, it was necessary that she should be purified by the performance of + that sacrifice which is called the Forgiveness of Enemies, and this she + did by embracing the Leprecauns of the Gort and in the presence of the sun + and the wind remitting their crime against her husband. Thus she became + free to devote her malice against the State of Punishment, while forgiving + the individuals who had but acted in obedience to the pressure of their + infernal environment, which pressure is Sin. + </p> + <p> + This done she set about baking the three cakes against her journey to + Angus Og. + </p> + <p> + While she was baking the cakes, the children, Seumas and Brigid Beg, + slipped away into the wood to speak to each other and to wonder over this + extraordinary occurrence. + </p> + <p> + At first their movements were very careful, for they could not be quite + sure that the policemen had really gone away, or whether they were hiding + in dark places waiting to pounce on them and carry them away to captivity. + The word “murder” was almost unknown to them, and its strangeness was + rendered still more strange by reason of the nearness of their father to + the term. It was a terrible word and its terror was magnified by their + father’s unthinkable implication. What had he done? Almost all his actions + and habits were so familiar to them as to be commonplace, and yet, there + was a dark something to which he was a party and which dashed before them + as terrible and ungraspable as a lightning-flash. They understood that it + had something to do with that other father and mother whose bodies had + been snatched from beneath the hearthstone, but they knew the Philosopher + had done nothing in that instance, and, so, they saw murder as a terrible, + occult affair which was quite beyond their mental horizons. + </p> + <p> + No one jumped out on them from behind the trees, so in a little time their + confidence returned and they walked less carefully. When they reached the + edge of the pine wood the brilliant sunshine invited them to go farther, + and after a little hesitation they did so. The good spaces and the sweet + air dissipated their melancholy thoughts, and very soon they were racing + each other to this point and to that. Their wayward flights had carried + them in the direction of Meehawl MacMurrachu’s cottage, and here, + breathlessly, they threw themselves under a small tree to rest. It was a + thorn bush, and as they sat beneath it the cessation of movement gave them + opportunity to again consider the terrible position of their father. With + children thought cannot be separated from action for very long. They think + as much with their hands as with their heads. They have to do the thing + they speak of in order to visualise the idea, and, consequently, Seumas + Beg was soon reconstructing the earlier visit of the policemen to their + house in grand pantomime. The ground beneath the thorn bush became the + hearthstone of their cottage; he and Brigid became four policemen, and in + a moment he was digging furiously with a broad piece of wood to find the + two hidden bodies. He had digged for only a few minutes when the piece of + wood struck against something hard. A very little time sufficed to throw + the soil off this, and their delight was great when they unearthed a + beautiful little earthen crock filled to the brim with shining, yellow + dust. When they lifted this they were astonished at its great weight. They + played for a long time with it, letting the heavy, yellow shower slip + through their fingers and watching it glisten in the sunshine. After they + tired of this they decided to bring the crock home, but by the time they + reached the Gort na Cloca Mora they were so tired that they could not + carry it any farther, and they decided to leave it with their friends the + Leprecauns. Seumas Beg gave the taps on the tree trunk which they had + learned, and in a moment the Leprecaun whom they knew came up. + </p> + <p> + “We have brought this, sir,” said Seumas. But he got no further, for the + instant the Leprecaun saw the crock he threw his arms around it and wept + in so loud a voice that his comrades swarmed up to see what had happened + to him, and they added their laughter and tears to his, to which chorus + the children subjoined their sympathetic clamour, so that a noise of great + complexity rang through all the Gort. + </p> + <p> + But the Leprecauns’ surrender to this happy passion was short. Hard on + their gladness came remembrance and consternation; and then repentance, + that dismal virtue, wailed in their ears and their hearts. How could they + thank the children whose father and protector they had delivered to the + unilluminated justice of humanity? that justice which demands not + atonement but punishment; which is learned in the Book of Enmity but not + in the Book of Friendship; which calls hatred Nature, and Love a + conspiracy; whose law is an iron chain and whose mercy is debility and + chagrin; the blind fiend who would impose his own blindness; that + unfruitful loin which curses fertility; that stony heart which would + petrify the generations of man; before whom life withers away appalled and + death would shudder again to its tomb. Repentance! they wiped the + inadequate ooze from their eyes and danced joyfully for spite. They could + do no more, so they fed the children lovingly and carried them home. + </p> + <p> + The Thin Woman had baked three cakes. One of these she gave to each of the + children and one she kept herself, whereupon they set out upon their + journey to Angus Og. + </p> + <p> + It was well after midday when they started. The fresh gaiety of the + morning was gone, and a tyrannous sun, whose majesty was almost + insupportable, forded it over the world. There was but little shade for + the travellers, and, after a time, they became hot and weary and thirsty—that + is, the children did, but the Thin Woman, by reason of her thinness, was + proof against every elemental rigour, except hunger, from which no + creature is free. + </p> + <p> + She strode in the centre of the road, a very volcano of silence, thinking + twenty different thoughts at the one moment, so that the urgency of her + desire for utterance kept her terribly quiet; but against this crust of + quietude there was accumulating a mass of speech which must at the last + explode or petrify. From this congestion of thought there arose the first + deep rumblings, precursors of uproar, and another moment would have heard + the thunder of her varied malediction, but that Brigid Beg began to cry: + for, indeed, the poor child was both tired and parched to distraction, and + Seumas had no barrier against a similar surrender, but two minutes’ worth + of boyish pride. This discovery withdrew the Thin Woman from her fiery + contemplations, and in comforting the children she forgot her own + hardships. + </p> + <p> + It became necessary to find water quickly: no difficult thing, for the + Thin Woman, being a Natural, was like all other creatures able to sense + the whereabouts of water, and so she at once led the children in a + slightly different direction. In a few minutes they reached a well by the + road-side, and here the children drank deeply and were comforted. There + was a wide, leafy tree growing hard by the well, and in the shade of this + tree they sat down and ate their cakes. + </p> + <p> + While they rested the Thin Woman advised the children on many important + matters. She never addressed her discourse to both of them at once, but + spoke first to Seumas on one subject and then to Brigid on another + subject; for, as she said, the things which a boy must learn are not those + which are necessary to a girl. It is particularly important that a man + should understand how to circumvent women, for this and the capture of + food forms the basis of masculine wisdom, and on this subject she spoke to + Seumas. It is, however, equally urgent that a woman should be skilled to + keep a man in his proper place, and to this thesis Brigid gave an + undivided attention. + </p> + <p> + She taught that a man must hate all women before he is able to love a + woman, but that he is at liberty, or rather he is under express command, + to love all men because they are of his kind. Women also should love all + other women as themselves, and they should hate all men but one man only, + and him they should seek to turn into a woman, because women, by the order + of their beings, must be either tyrants or slaves, and it is better they + should be tyrants than slaves. She explained that between men and women + there exists a state of unremitting warfare, and that the endeavour of + each sex is to bring the other to subjection; but that women are possessed + by a demon called Pity which severely handicaps their battle and + perpetually gives victory to the male, who is thus constantly rescued on + the very ridges of defeat. She said to Seumas that his fatal day would + dawn when he loved a woman, because he would sacrifice his destiny to her + caprice, and she begged him for love of her to beware of all that twisty + sex. To Brigid she revealed that a woman’s terrible day is upon her when + she knows that a man loves her, for a man in love submits only to a woman, + a partial, individual and temporary submission, but a woman who is loved + surrenders more fully to the very god of love himself, and so she becomes + a slave, and is not alone deprived of her personal liberty, but is even + infected in her mental processes by this crafty obsession. The fates work + for man, and therefore, she averred, woman must be victorious, for those + who dare to war against the gods are already assured of victory: this + being the law of life, that only the weak shall conquer. The limit of + strength is petrifaction and immobility, but there is no limit to + weakness, and cunning or fluidity is its counsellor. For these reasons, + and in order that life might not cease, women should seek to turn their + husbands into women; then they would be tyrants and their husbands would + be slaves, and life would be renewed for a further period. + </p> + <p> + As the Thin Woman proceeded with this lesson it became at last so + extremely complicated that she was brought to a stand by the knots, so she + decided to resume their journey and disentangle her argument when the + weather became cooler. + </p> + <p> + They were repacking the cakes in their wallets when they observed a stout, + comely female coming towards the well. This woman, when she drew near, + saluted the Thin Woman, and her the Thin Woman saluted again, whereupon + the stranger sat down. + </p> + <p> + “It’s hot weather, surely,” said she, “and I’m thinking it’s as much as a + body’s life is worth to be travelling this day and the sun the way it is. + Did you come far, now, ma’am, or is it that you are used to going the + roads and don’t mind it?” + </p> + <p> + “Not far,” said the Thin Woman. + </p> + <p> + “Far or near,” said the stranger, “a perch is as much as I’d like to + travel this time of the year. That’s a fine pair of children you have with + you now, ma’am.” + </p> + <p> + “They are,” said the Thin Woman. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve ten of them myself,” the other continued, “and I often wondered + where they came from. It’s queer to think of one woman making ten new + creatures and she not getting a penny for it, nor any thanks itself.” + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said the Thin Woman. + </p> + <p> + “Do you ever talk more than two words at the one time, ma’am?” said the + stranger. + </p> + <p> + “I do,” said the Thin Woman. + </p> + <p> + “I’d give a penny to hear you,” replied the other angrily, “for a more + bad-natured, cross-grained, cantankerous person than yourself I never met + among womankind. It’s what I said to a man only yesterday, that thin ones + are bad ones, and there isn’t any one could be thinner than you are + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “The reason you say that,” said the Thin Woman calmly, “is because you are + fat and you have to tell lies to yourself to hide your misfortune, and let + on that you like it. There is no one in the world could like to be fat, + and there I leave you, ma’am. You can poke your finger in your own eye, + but you may keep it out of mine if you please, and, so, good-bye to you; + and if I wasn’t a quiet woman I’d pull you by the hair of the head up a + hill and down a hill for two hours, and now there’s an end of it. I’ve + given you more than two words; let you take care or I’ll give you two more + that will put blisters on your body for ever. Come along with me now, + children, and if ever you see a woman like that woman you’ll know that she + eats until she can’t stand, and drinks until she can’t sit, and sleeps + until she is stupid; and if that sort of person ever talks to you remember + that two words are all that’s due to her, and let them be short ones, for + a woman like that would be a traitor and a thief, only that she’s too lazy + to be anything but a sot, God help her I and, so, good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon the Thin Woman and the children arose, and having saluted the + stranger they went down the wide path; but the other woman stayed where + she was sitting, and she did not say a word even to herself. + </p> + <p> + As she strode along the Thin Woman lapsed again to her anger, and became + so distant in her aspect that the children could get no companionship from + her; so, after a while, they ceased to consider her at all and addressed + themselves to their play. They danced before and behind and around her. + They ran and doubled, shouted and laughed and sang. Sometimes they + pretended they were husband and wife, and then they plodded quietly side + by side, making wise, occasional remarks on the weather, or the condition + of their health, or the state of the fields of rye. Sometimes one was a + horse and the other was a driver, and then they stamped along the road + with loud, fierce snortings and louder and fiercer commands. At another + moment one was a cow being driven with great difficulty to market by a + driver whose temper had given way hours before; or they both became goats + and with their heads jammed together they pushed and squealed viciously; + and these changes lapsed into one another so easily that at no moment were + they unoccupied. But as the day wore on to evening the immense surrounding + quietude began to weigh heavily upon them. Saving for their own shrill + voices there was no sound, and this unending, wide silence at last + commanded them to a corresponding quietness. Little by little they ceased + their play. The scamper became a trot, each run was more and more + curtailed in its length, the race back became swifter than the run forth, + and, shortly, they were pacing soberly enough one on either side of the + Thin Woman sending back and forth a few quiet sentences. Soon even these + sentences trailed away into the vast surrounding stillness. Then Brigid + Beg clutched the Thin Woman’s right hand, and not long after Seumas gently + clasped her left hand, and these mute appeals for protection and comfort + again released her from the valleys of fury through which she had been so + fiercely careering. + </p> + <p> + As they went gently along they saw a cow lying in a field, and, seeing + this animal, the Thin Woman stopped thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Everything,” said she, “belongs to the wayfarer,” and she crossed into + the field and milked the cow into a vessel which she had. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” said Seumas, “who owns that cow.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe,” said Brigid Beg, “nobody owns her at all.” + </p> + <p> + “The cow owns herself,” said the Thin Woman, “for nobody can own a thing + that is alive. I am sure she gives her milk to us with great goodwill, for + we are modest, temperate people without greed or pretension.” + </p> + <p> + On being released the cow lay down again in the grass and resumed its + interrupted cud. As the evening had grown chill the Thin Woman and the + children huddled close to the warm animal. They drew pieces of cake from + their wallets, and ate these and drank happily from the vessel of milk. + Now and then the cow looked benignantly over its shoulder bidding them a + welcome to its hospitable flanks. It had a mild, motherly eye, and it was + very fond of children. The youngsters continually deserted their meal in + order to put their arms about the cow’s neck to thank and praise her for + her goodness, and to draw each other’s attention to various excellences in + its appearance. + </p> + <p> + “Cow,” said Brigid Beg in an ecstasy, “I love you.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” said Seumas. “Do you notice the kind of eyes it has?” + </p> + <p> + “Why does a cow have horns?” said Brigid. + </p> + <p> + So they asked the cow that question, but it only smiled and said nothing. + </p> + <p> + “If a cow talked to you,” said Brigid, “what would it say?” + </p> + <p> + “Let us be cows,” replied Seumas, “and then, maybe, we will find out.” + </p> + <p> + So they became cows and ate a few blades of grass, but they found that + when they were cows they did not want to say anything but “moo,” and they + decided that cows did not want to say anything more than that either, and + they became interested in the reflection that, perhaps, nothing else was + worth saying. + </p> + <p> + A long, thin, yellow-coloured fly was going in that direction on a + journey, and he stopped to rest himself on the cow’s nose. + </p> + <p> + “You are welcome,” said the cow. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a great night for travelling,” said the fly, “but one gets tired + alone. Have you seen any of my people about?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied the cow, “no one but beetles to-night, and they seldom stop + for a talk. You’ve rather a good kind of life, I suppose, flying about and + enjoying yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “We all have our troubles,” said the fly in a melancholy voice, and he + commenced to clean his right wing with his leg. + </p> + <p> + “Does any one ever lie against your back the way these people are lying + against mine, or do they steal your milk?” + </p> + <p> + “There are too many spiders about,” said the fly. + </p> + <p> + “No corner is safe from them; they squat in the grass and pounce on you. + I’ve got a twist, my eye trying to watch them. They are ugly, voracious + people without manners or neighbourliness, terrible, terrible creatures.” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen them,” said the cow, “but they never done me any harm. Move + up a little bit please, I want to lick my nose: it’s queer how itchy my + nose gets”—the fly moved up a bit. “If,” the cow continued, “you had + stayed there, and if my tongue had hit you, I don’t suppose you would ever + have recovered.” + </p> + <p> + “Your tongue couldn’t have hit me,” said the by. “I move very quickly you + know.” + </p> + <p> + Hereupon the cow slily whacked her tongue across her nose. She did not see + the fly move, but it was hovering safely half an inch over her nose. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” said the fly. + </p> + <p> + “I do,” replied the cow, and she bellowed so sudden and furious a snort of + laughter that the fly was blown far away by that gust and never came back + again. + </p> + <p> + This amused the cow exceedingly, and she chuckled and sniggered to herself + for a long time. The children had listened with great interest to the + conversation, and they also laughed delightedly, and the Thin Woman + admitted that the fly had got the worse of it; but, after a while, she + said that the part of the cow’s back against which she was resting was + bonier than anything she had ever leaned upon before, and that while + thinness was a virtue no one had any right to be thin in lumps, and that + on this count the cow was not to be commended. On hearing this the cow + arose, and without another look at them it walked away into the dusky + field. The Thin Woman told the children afterwards that she was sorry she + had said anything, but she was unable to bring her self to apologise to + the cow, and so they were forced to resume their journey in order to keep + themselves warm. + </p> + <p> + There was a sickle moon in the sky, a tender sword whose radiance stayed + in its own high places and did not at all illumine the heavy world below; + the glimmer of infrequent stars could also be seen with spacious, dark + solitudes between them; but on the earth the darkness gathered in fold on + fold of misty veiling, through which the trees uttered an earnest whisper, + and the grasses lifted their little voices, and the wind crooned its + thrilling, stern lament. + </p> + <p> + As the travellers walked on, their eyes, flinching from the darkness, + rested joyfully on the gracious moon, but that joy lasted only for a + little time. The Thin Woman spoke to them curiously about the moon, and, + indeed, she might speak with assurance on that subject, for her ancestors + had sported in the cold beam through countless dim generations. + </p> + <p> + “It is not known,” said she, “that the fairies seldom dance for joy, but + for sadness that they have been expelled from the sweet dawn, and + therefore their midnight revels are only ceremonies to remind them of + their happy state in the morning of the world before thoughtful curiosity + and self-righteous moralities drove them from the kind face of the sun to + the dark exile of midnight. It is strange that we may not be angry while + looking on the moon. Indeed, no mere appetite or passion of any kind dare + become imperative in the presence of the Shining One; and this, in a more + limited degree, is true also of every form of beauty; for there is + something in an absolute beauty to chide away the desires of materiality + and yet to dissolve the spirit in ecstasies of fear and sadness. Beauty + has no liking for Thought, but will send terror and sorrow on those who + look upon her with intelligent eyes. We may neither be angry nor gay in + the presence of the moon, nor may we dare to think in her bailiwick, or + the Jealous One will surely afflict us. I think that she is not benevolent + but malign, and that her mildness is a cloak for many shy infamies. I + think that beauty tends to become frightful as it becomes perfect, and + that, if we could see it comprehendingly, the extreme of beauty is a + desolating hideousness, and that the name of ultimate, absolute beauty is + Madness. Therefore men should seek loveliness rather than beauty, and so + they would always have a friend to go beside them, to understand and to + comfort them, for that is the business of loveliness: but the business of + beauty—there is no person at all knows what that is. Beauty is the + extreme which has not yet swung to and become merged in its opposite. The + poets have sung of this beauty and the philosophers have prophesied of it, + thinking that the beauty which passes all understanding is also the peace + which passeth understanding; but I think that whatever passes + understanding, which is imagination, is terrible, standing aloof from + humanity and from kindness, and that this is the sin against the Holy + Ghost, the great Artist. An isolated perfection is a symbol of terror and + pride, and it is followed only by the head of man, but the heart winces + from it aghast, cleaving to that loveliness which is modesty and + righteousness. Every extreme is bad, in order that it may swing to and + fertilize its equally horrible opposite.” + </p> + <p> + Thus, speaking more to herself than to the children, the Thin Woman + beguiled the way. The moon had brightened as she spoke, and on either side + of the path, wherever there was a tree or a rise in the ground, a black + shadow was crouching tensely watchful, seeming as if it might spring into + terrible life at a bound. Of these shadows the children became so fearful + that the Thin Woman forsook the path and adventured on the open hillside, + so that in a short time the road was left behind and around them stretched + the quiet slopes in the full shining of the moon. + </p> + <p> + When they had walked for a long time the children became sleepy; they were + unused to being awake in the night, and as there was no place where they + could rest, and as it was evident that they could not walk much further, + the Thin Woman grew anxious. Already Brigid had made a tiny, whimpering + sound, and Seumas had followed this with a sigh, the slightest + prolongation of which might have trailed into a sob, and when children are + overtaken by tears they do not understand how to escape from them until + they are simply bored by much weeping. + </p> + <p> + When they topped a slight incline they saw a light shining some distance + away, and toward this the Thin Woman hurried. As they drew near she saw it + was a small fire, and around this some figures were seated. In a few + minutes she came into the circle of the firelight, and here she halted + suddenly. She would have turned and fled, but fear loosened her knees so + that they would not obey her will; also the people by the fire had + observed her, and a great voice commanded that she should draw near. + </p> + <p> + The fire was made of branches of heather, and beside it three figures sat. + The Thin Woman, hiding her perturbation as well as she could, came nigh + and sat down by the fire. After a low word of greeting she gave some of + her cake to the children, drew them close to her, wrapped her shawl about + their heads and bade them sleep. Then, shrinkingly, she looked at her + hosts. + </p> + <p> + They were quite naked, and each of them gazed on her with intent + earnestness. The first was so beautiful that the eye failed upon him, + flinching aside as from a great brightness. He was of mighty stature, and + yet so nobly proportioned, so exquisitely slender and graceful, that no + idea of gravity or bulk went with his height. His face was kingly and + youthful and of a terrifying serenity. The second man was of equal height, + but broad to wonderment. So broad was he that his great height seemed + diminished. The tense arm on which he leaned was knotted and ridged with + muscle, and his hand gripped deeply into the ground. His face seemed as + though it had been hammered from hard rock, a massive, blunt face as rigid + as his arm. The third man can scarcely be described. He was neither short + nor tall. He was muscled as heavily as the second man. As he sat he looked + like a colossal toad squatting with his arms about his knees, and upon + these his chin rested. He had no shape nor swiftness, and his head was + flattened down and was scarcely wider than his neck. He had a protruding + dog-like mouth that twitched occasionally, and from his little eyes there + glinted a horrible intelligence. Before this man the soul of the Thin + Woman grovelled. She felt herself crawling to him. The last terrible + abasement of which humanity is capable came upon her: a fascination which + would have drawn her to him in screaming adoration. Hardly could she look + away from him, but her arms were about the children, and love, mightiest + of the powers, stirred fiercely in her heart. + </p> + <p> + The first man spoke to her. + </p> + <p> + “Woman,” said he, “for what purpose do you go abroad on this night and on + this hill?” + </p> + <p> + “I travel, sir,” said the Thin Woman, “searching for the Brugh of Angus + the son of the Dagda Mor.” + </p> + <p> + “We are all children of the Great Father,” said he. “Do you know who we + are?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know that,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “We are the Three Absolutes, the Three Redeemers, the three Alembics—the + Most Beautiful Man, the Strongest Man and the Ugliest Man. In the midst of + every strife we go unhurt. We count the slain and the victors and pass on + laughing, and to us in the eternal order come all the peoples of the world + to be regenerated for ever. Why have you called to us?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not call to you, indeed,” said the Thin Woman; “but why do you sit + in the path so that travellers to the House of the Dagda are halted on + their journey?” + </p> + <p> + “There are no paths closed to us,” he replied; “even the gods seek us, for + they grow weary in their splendid desolation—saving Him who liveth + in all things and in us; Him we serve and before His awful front we abase + ourselves. You, O Woman, who are walking in the valleys of anger, have + called to us in your heart, therefore we are waiting for you on the side + of the hill. Choose now one of us to be your mate, and do not fear to + choose, for our kingdoms are equal and our powers are equal.” + </p> + <p> + “Why would I choose one of you,” replied the Thin Woman, “when I am well + married already to the best man in the world?” + </p> + <p> + “Beyond us there is no best man,” said he, “for we are the best in beauty, + and the best in strength, and the best in ugliness; there is no excellence + which is not contained in us three. If you are married what does that + matter to us who are free from the pettiness of jealousy and fear, being + at one with ourselves and with every manifestation of nature.” + </p> + <p> + “If,” she replied, “you are the Absolute and are above all pettiness, can + you not be superior to me also and let me pass quietly on my road to the + Dagda!” + </p> + <p> + “We are what all humanity desire,” quoth he, “and we desire all humanity. + There is nothing, small or great, disdained by our immortal appetites. It + is not lawful, even for the Absolute, to outgrow Desire, which is the + breath of God quick in his creatures and not to be bounded or surmounted + by any perfection.” + </p> + <p> + During this conversation the other great figures had leaned forward + listening intently but saying nothing. The Thin Woman could feel the + children like little, terrified birds pressing closely and very quietly to + her sides. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said she, “tell me what is Beauty and what is Strength and what is + Ugliness? for, although I can see these things, I do not know what they + are.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you that,” he replied—“Beauty is Thought and Strength + is Love and Ugliness is Generation. The home of Beauty is the head of man. + The home of Strength is the heart of man, and in the loins Ugliness keeps + his dreadful state. If you come with me you shall know all delight. You + shall live unharmed in the flame of the spirit, and nothing that is gross + shall bind your limbs or hinder your thought. You shall move as a queen + amongst all raging passions without torment or despair. Never shall you be + driven or ashamed, but always you will choose your own paths and walk with + me in freedom and contentment and beauty.” + </p> + <p> + “All things,” said the Thin Woman, “must act according to the order of + their being, and so I say to Thought, if you hold me against my will + presently I will bind you against your will, for the holder of an + unwilling mate becomes the guardian and the slave of his captive.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” said he, “and against a thing that is true I cannot + contend; therefore, you are free from me, but from my brethren you are not + free.” + </p> + <p> + The Thin Woman turned to the second man. + </p> + <p> + “You are Strength?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “I am Strength and Love,” he boomed, “and with me there is safety and + peace; my days have honour and my nights quietness. There is no evil thing + walks near my lands, nor is any sound heard but the lowing of my cattle, + the songs of my birds and the laughter of my happy children. Come then to + me who gives protection and happiness and peace, and does not fail or grow + weary at any time.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not go with you,” said the Thin Woman, “for I am a mother and my + strength cannot be increased; I am a mother and my love cannot be added + to. What have I further to desire from thee, thou great man?” + </p> + <p> + “You are free of me,” said the second man, “but from my brother you are + not free.” + </p> + <p> + Then to the third man the Thin Woman addressed herself in terror, for to + that hideous one something cringed within her in an ecstasy of loathing. + That repulsion which at its strongest becomes attraction gripped her. A + shiver, a plunge, and she had gone, but the hands of the children withheld + her while in woe she abased herself before him. + </p> + <p> + He spoke, and his voice came clogged and painful as though it urged from + the matted pores of the earth itself. + </p> + <p> + “There is none left to whom you may go but me only. Do not be afraid, but + come to me and I will give you these wild delights which have been long + forgotten. All things which are crude and riotous, all that is gross and + without limit is mine. You shall not think and suffer any longer; but you + shall feel so surely that the heat of the sun will be happiness: the taste + of food, the wind that blows upon you, the ripe ease of your body—these + things will amaze you who have forgotten them. My great arms about you + will make you furious and young again; you shall leap on the hillside like + a young goat and sing for joy as the birds sing. Leave this crabbed + humanity that is barred and chained away from joy and come with me, to + whose ancient quietude at the last both Strength and Beauty will come like + children tired in the evening, returning to the freedom of the brutes and + the birds, with bodies sufficient for their pleasure and with no care for + Thought or foolish curiosity.” + </p> + <p> + But the Thin Woman drew back from his hand, saying “It is not lawful to + turn again when the journey is commenced, but to go forward to whatever is + appointed; nor may we return to your meadows and trees and sunny places + who have once departed from them. The torments of the mind may not be + renounced for any easement of the body until the smoke that blinds us is + blown away, and the tormenting flame has fitted us for that immortal + ecstasy which is the bosom of God. Nor is it lawful that ye great ones + should beset the path of travellers, seeking to lure them away with + cunning promises. It is only at the cross-roads ye may sit where the + traveller will hesitate and be in doubt, but on the highway ye have no + power.” + </p> + <p> + “You are free of me,” said the third man, “until you are ready to come to + me again, for I only of all things am steadfast and patient, and to me all + return in their seasons. There are brightnesses in my secret places in the + woods, and lamps in my gardens beneath the hills, tended by the angels of + God, and behind my face there is another face not hated by the Bright + Ones.” + </p> + <p> + So the three Absolutes arose and strode mightily away; and as they went + their thunderous speech to each other boomed against the clouds and the + earth like a gusty wind, and, even when they had disappeared, that great + rumble could be heard dying gently away in the moonlit distances. + </p> + <p> + The Thin Woman and the children went slowly forward on the rugged, sloping + way. Far beyond, near the distant summit of the hill there was a light + gleaming. + </p> + <p> + “Yonder,” said the Thin Woman, “is the Brugh of Angus Mac an Og, the son + of the Dagda Mor,” and toward this light she assisted the weary children. + </p> + <p> + In a little she was in the presence of the god and by him refreshed and + comforted. She told him all that had happened to her husband and implored + his assistance. This was readily accorded, for the chief business of the + gods is to give protection and assistance to such of their people as + require it; but (and this is their limitation) they cannot give any help + until it is demanded, the freewill of mankind being the most jealously + guarded and holy principle in life; therefore, the interference of the + loving gods comes only on an equally loving summons. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <p> + CAITILIN NI MURRACHU sat alone in the Brugh of Angus much as she had sat + on the hillside and in the cave of Pan, and again she was thinking. She + was happy now. There was nothing more she could desire, for all that the + earth contained or the mind could describe was hers. Her thoughts were no + longer those shy, subterranean gropings which elude the hand and the + understanding. Each thought was a thing or a person, visible in its own + radiant personal life, and to be seen or felt, welcomed or repulsed, as + was its due. But she had discovered that happiness is not laughter or + satisfaction, and that no person can be happy for themselves alone. So she + had come to understand the terrible sadness of the gods, and why Angus + wept in secret; for often in the night she had heard him weeping, and she + knew that his tears were for those others who were unhappy, and that he + could not be comforted while there was a woeful person or an evil deed + hiding in the world. Her own happiness also had become infected with this + alien misery, until she knew that nothing was alien to her, and that in + truth all persons and all things were her brothers and sisters and that + they were living and dying in distress; and at the last she knew that + there was not any man but mankind, nor any human being but only humanity. + Never again could the gratification of a desire give her pleasure for her + sense of oneness was destroyed—she was not an individual only; she + was also part of a mighty organism ordained, through whatever stress, to + achieve its oneness, and this great being was threefold, comprising in its + mighty units God and Man and Nature—the immortal trinity. The duty + of life is the sacrifice of self: it is to renounce the little ego that + the mighty ego may be freed; and, knowing this, she found at last that she + knew Happiness, that divine discontent which cannot rest nor be at ease + until its bourne is attained and the knowledge of a man is added to the + gaiety of a child. Angus had told her that beyond this there lay the great + ecstasy which is Love and God and the beginning and the end of all things; + for everything must come from the Liberty into the Bondage, that it may + return again to the Liberty comprehending all things and fitted for that + fiery enjoyment. This cannot be until there are no more fools living, for + until the last fool has grown wise wisdom will totter and freedom will + still be invisible. Growth is not by years but by multitudes, and until + there is a common eye no one person can see God, for the eye of all nature + will scarcely be great enough to look upon that majesty. We shall greet + Happiness by multitudes, but we can only greet Him by starry systems and a + universal love. + </p> + <p> + She was so thinking when Angus Og came to her from the fields. The god was + very radiant, smiling like the young morn when the buds awake, and to his + lips song came instead of speech. + </p> + <p> + “My beloved,” said he, “we will go on a journey today.” + </p> + <p> + “My delight is where you go,” said Caitilin. + </p> + <p> + “We will go down to the world of men—from our quiet dwelling among + the hills to the noisy city and the multitude of people. This will be our + first journey, but on a time not distant we will go to them again, and we + will not return from that journey, for we will live among our people and + be at peace.” + </p> + <p> + “May the day come soon,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “When thy son is a man he will go before us on that journey,” said Angus, + and Caitilin shivered with a great delight, knowing that a son would be + born to her. + </p> + <p> + Then Angus Og put upon his bride glorious raiment, and they went out to + the sunlight. It was the early morning, the sun had just risen and the dew + was sparkling on the heather and the grass. There was a keen stir in the + air that stung the blood to joy, so that Caitilin danced in uncontrollable + gaiety, and Angus, with a merry voice, chanted to the sky and danced also. + About his shining head the birds were flying; for every kiss he gave to + Caitilin became a bird, the messengers of love and wisdom, and they also + burst into triumphant melody, so that the quiet place rang with their + glee. Constantly from the circling birds one would go flying with great + speed to all quarters of space. These were his messengers flying to every + fort and dun, every rath and glen and valley of Eire to raise the Sluaige + Shee (the Fairy Host). They were birds of love that flew, for this was a + hosting of happiness, and, therefore the Shee would not bring weapons with + them. + </p> + <p> + It was towards Kilmasheogue their happy steps were directed, and soon they + came to the mountain. + </p> + <p> + After the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath had left the god she visited all the + fairy forts of Kilmasheogue, and directed the Shee who lived there to be + in waiting at the dawn on the summit of the mountain; consequently, when + Angus and Caitilin came up the hill, they found the six clans coming to + receive them, and with these were the people of the younger Shee, members + of the Tuatha da Danaan, tall and beautiful men and women who had + descended to the quiet underworld when the pressure of the sons of Milith + forced them with their kind enchantments and invincible velour to the + country of the gods. + </p> + <p> + Of those who came were Aine Ni Rogail of Cnoc Aine and Ivil of Craglea, + the queens of North and South Munster, and Una the queen of Ormond; these, + with their hosts, sang upon the summit of the hill welcoming the god. + There came the five guardians of Ulster, the fomentors of combat:—Brier + Mac Belgan of Dromona Breg, Redg Rotbill from the slopes of Magh-Itar, + Tinnel the son of Boclacthna of Slieve Edlicon, Grici of Cruachan-Aigle, a + goodly name, and Gulban Glas Mac Grici, whose dun is in the Ben of Gulban. + These five, matchless in combat, marched up the hill with their tribes, + shouting as they went. From north and south they came, and from east and + west, bright and happy beings, a multitude, without fear, without + distraction, so that soon the hill was gay with their voices and their + noble raiment. + </p> + <p> + Among them came the people of the Lupra, the ancient Leprecauns of the + world, leaping like goats among the knees of the heroes. They were headed + by their king Udan Mac Audain and Beg Mac Beg his tanist, and, following + behind, was Glomhar O’Glomrach of the sea, the strongest man of their + people, dressed in the skin of a weasel; and there were also the chief men + of that clan, well known of old, Conan Mac Rihid, Gaerku Mac Gairid, + Mether Mac Mintan and Esirt Mac Beg, the son of Bueyen, born in a victory. + This king was that same Udan the chief of the Lupra who had been placed + under bonds to taste the porridge in the great cauldron of Emania, into + which pot he fell, and was taken captive with his wife, and held for five + weary years, until he surrendered that which he most valued in the world, + even his boots: the people of the hills laugh still at the story, and the + Leprecauns may still be mortified by it. + </p> + <p> + There came Bove Derg, the Fiery, seldom seen, and his harper the son of + Trogain, whose music heals the sick and makes the sad heart merry; Rochy + Mac Elathan, Dagda Mor, the Father of Stars, and his daughter from the + Cave of Cruachan; Credh Mac Aedh of Raghery and Cas Corach son of the + great Ollav; Mananaan Mac Lir came from his wide waters shouting louder + than the wind, with his daughters Cliona and Aoife and Etain Fair-Hair; + and Coll and Cecht and Mac Greina, the Plough, the Hazel, and the Sun came + with their wives, whose names are not forgotten, even Banba and Fodla and + Eire, names of glory. Lugh of the Long-Hand, filled with mysterious + wisdom, was not absent, whose father was sadly avenged on the sons of + Turann—these with their hosts. + </p> + <p> + And one came also to whom the hosts shouted with mighty love, even the + Serene One, Dana, the Mother of the gods, steadfast for ever. Her breath + is on the morning, her smile is summer. From her hand the birds of the air + take their food. The mild ox is her friend, and the wolf trots by her + friendly side; at her voice the daisy peeps from her cave and the nettle + couches his lance. The rose arrays herself in innocence, scattering abroad + her sweetness with the dew, and the oak tree laughs to her in the air. + Thou beautiful! the lambs follow thy footsteps, they crop thy bounty in + the meadows and are not thwarted: the weary men cling to thy bosom + everlasting. Through thee all actions and the deeds of men, through thee + all voices come to us, even the Divine Promise and the breath of the + Almighty from afar laden with goodness. + </p> + <p> + With wonder, with delight, the daughter of Murrachu watched the hosting of + the Shee. Sometimes her eyes were dazzled as a jewelled forehead blazed in + the sun, or a shoulder-torque of broad gold flamed like a torch. On fair + hair and dark the sun gleamed: white arms tossed and glanced a moment and + sank and reappeared. The eyes of those who did not hesitate nor compute + looked into her eyes, not appraising, not questioning, but mild and + unafraid. The voices of free people spoke in her ears and the laughter of + happy hearts, unthoughtful of sin or shame, released from the hard bondage + of selfhood. For these people, though many, were one. Each spoke to the + other as to himself, without reservation or subterfuge. They moved freely + each in his personal whim, and they moved also with the unity of one + being: for when they shouted to the Mother of the gods they shouted with + one voice, and they bowed to her as one man bows. Through the many minds + there went also one mind, correcting, commanding, so that in a moment the + interchangeable and fluid became locked, and organic with a simultaneous + understanding, a collective action-which was freedom. + </p> + <p> + While she looked the dancing ceased, and they turned their faces with one + accord down the mountain. Those in the front leaped forward, and behind + them the others went leaping in orderly progression. + </p> + <p> + Then Angus Og ran to where she stood, his bride of Beauty “Come, my + beloved,” said he, and hand in hand they raced among the others, laughing + as they ran. + </p> + <p> + Here there was no green thing growing; a carpet of brown turf spread to + the edge of sight on the sloping plain and away to where another mountain + soared in the air. They came to this and descended. In the distance, + groves of trees could be seen, and, very far away, the roofs and towers + and spires of the Town of the Ford of Hurdles, and the little roads that + wandered everywhere; but on this height there was only prickly furze + growing softly in the sunlight; the bee droned his loud song, the birds + flew and sang occasionally, and the little streams grew heavy with their + falling waters. A little further and the bushes were green and beautiful, + waving their gentle leaves in the quietude, and beyond again, wrapped in + sunshine and peace, the trees looked on the world from their calm heights, + having no complaint to make of anything. + </p> + <p> + In a little they reached the grass land and the dance began. Hand sought + for hand, feet moved companionably as though they loved each other; + quietly intimate they tripped without faltering, and, then, the loud song + arose—they sang to the lovers of gaiety and peace, long defrauded + “Come to us, ye who do not know where ye are—ye who live among + strangers in the house of dismay and self-righteousness. Poor, awkward + ones! How bewildered and bedevilled ye go! Amazed ye look and do not + comprehend, for your eyes are set upon a star and your feet move in the + blessed kingdoms of the Shee Innocents! in what prisons are ye flung? To + what lowliness are ye bowed? How are ye ground between the laws and the + customs? The dark people of the Fomor have ye in thrall; and upon your + minds they have fastened a band of lead, your hearts are hung with iron, + and about your loins a cincture of brass impressed, woeful! Believe it, + that the sun does shine, the flowers grow, and the birds sing pleasantly + in the trees. The free winds are everywhere, the water tumbles on the + hills, the eagle calls aloud through the solitude, and his mate comes + speedily. The bees are gathering honey in the sunlight, the midges dance + together, and the great bull bellows across the river. The crow says a + word to his brethren, and the wren snuggles her young in the hedge.... + Come to us, ye lovers of life and happiness. Hold out thy hand—a + brother shall seize it from afar. Leave the plough and the cart for a + little time: put aside the needle and the awl—Is leather thy + brother, O man?... Come away! come away! from the loom and the desk, from + the shop where the carcasses are hung, from the place where raiment is + sold and the place where it is sewn in darkness: O bad treachery! Is it + for joy you sit in the broker’s den, thou pale man? Has the attorney + enchanted thee?... Come away! for the dance has begun lightly, the wind is + sounding over the hill, the sun laughs down into the valley, and the sea + leaps upon the shingle, panting for joy, dancing, dancing, dancing for + joy....” + </p> + <p> + They swept through the goat tracks and the little boreens and the curving + roads. Down to the city they went dancing and singing; among the streets + and the shops telling their sunny tale; not heeding the malignant eyes and + the cold brows as the sons of Balor looked sidewards. And they took the + Philosopher from his prison, even the Intellect of Man they took from the + hands of the doctors and lawyers, from the sly priests, from the + professors whose mouths are gorged with sawdust, and the merchants who + sell blades of grass—the awful people of the Fomor... and then they + returned again, dancing and singing, to the country of the gods.... + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Crock of Gold, by James Stephens + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CROCK OF GOLD *** + +***** This file should be named 1605-h.htm or 1605-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/0/1605/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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