A BEAUTIFUL HIGHLAND SHORE: AFTERNOON
_In the distance up the glen there is seen smoke evidently rising
from a house hidden somewhere in the trees. In the foreground there
are heather and rocks and a beautiful alder-tree with thick foliage.
Curlews and sea-gulls are crying, and a breeze is tossing the waves into
white horses. At this moment Finn enters, looking rather wretched and
storm-tossed. He sits down on a boulder, with a weary sigh._
FINN
[_Yawning._]
Heigh-ho!—Hay-hum-harry!
This box is a weary weight to carry.
CLIMBER’S VOICE
[_Calling from the alder-tree._]
I wish you’d let me take a share!
FINN
[_Starting violently, and looking up._]
Certainly not! What are you doing up there?
CLIMBER
[_Pushing her head out through the leaves._]
I went up after a squirrel.
FINN
At your age that’s not proper for a girl.
CLIMBER
[_Singing._]
Oh, to-day I’m twenty-seven!
What delight to rhyme with Heaven!
I’m as happy as can be,
Here inside the alder-tree.
All my life’s a song that flows
With the river and the rose,
All my life’s a song to me
Like the lovely alder-tree.
All the years I’ve left behind
Are translated in my mind
Into something new and free,
Like the seed-pod on the tree.
All that’s past is unforgotten;
I have wrapped it up in cotton,
Like the larva that I see
In the leaf upon the tree.
It will grow and change and gather
Knowledge of a mind, its Father;
Some morning in its glee
It will float above the tree.
Oh, to-day I’m twenty-seven!
Just a little nearer Heaven
Than I ever used to be
When I climbed the alder-tree.
For I feel at last that I,
Like the larva, change and fly
Yet a grander, fuller me,
On the self-same alder-tree.
FINN
[_Who has listened with delight to the song._]
You’re a very eccentric sort of girl.
CLIMBER
[_Coming down hastily._]
No! Eccentricity I hate!
It’s just a name for off the straight;
And, if you’ll only pay me more attention,
You’ll find it’s almost too far off to mention.
[_Finn looks at her doubtfully._]
CLIMBER
[_Coaxingly._]
I wish you’d let me take a share
Of that old box you’re carrying there.
FINN
[_Hastily._]
I wouldn’t dream of such a thing!
CLIMBER
Take care! It needs a stronger piece of string.
And if you drop it, that would be a pity;
It looks as if the contents were so pretty.
What is inside it? May I know?
FINN
Guess!
CLIMBER
I can’t. It seems to show
All bright about the edge.
[_She tries the weight._]
I can’t see quite
What makes it heavy when it looks so light?
FINN
Tears of all sorts, and colours to suit each eye.
CLIMBER
Then why
Is it so light when it feels such a weight?
FINN
Oh! that’s just Fate.
A glint of laughter
Getting through each tear
A little after.
CLIMBER
[_Clapping her hands._]
Oh dear!
How beautiful! I’ve guessed it—a rainbow!
You’ve got a rainbow there,
I knew last night the morning would be fair!
FINN
[_Astonished._]
How did you guess?
CLIMBER
I saw the rain-clouds yesterday
Coming up Crianlarich way,
Black as peat and full of dark.
Suddenly God set His mark
Over them all in a rainbow,
And so
I knew
The sun was somewhere getting through,
And, turning, saw him come
Hurriedly over the hills above Tyndrum.
[_She turns and sees Finn looking at her with a wistful
expression._]
What are you thinking about?
FINN
Nothing at all. A dream.
CLIMBER
Look out! They are not what they seem!
FINN
They’re harmless enough. They aren’t real.
CLIMBER
They’re made of stuff
That’s very apt to steal
Intact
Into actual fact.
For instance, look at these.
[_She points to some mountain pansies in the grass._]
FINN
Explain the connection, please.
CLIMBER
Don’t you see it, sumph?
FINN
Umph!
They seem to give you a lot of pleasure.
CLIMBER
[_Sniffing delightedly._]
Yes, without measure.
Don’t they give it you?
FINN
Oh! Well enough.
Though, as a rule, I think
That I prefer a more substantial stuff,
Something to eat or drink,
Yet somehow now I feel dead beat;
I couldn’t stand the sight of meat.
CLIMBER
[_Rapturously._]
Oh, I could feed
On flowers for ever!
FINN
Well, then, you must be very clever.
CLIMBER
[_Hastily._]
Oh no! there is no need.
It happened through a violet’s power,
For that’s my favourite flower.
[_Shyly, in a burst of sudden confidence._]
I’ll tell you how it came about
If you’d care to find out.
FINN
[_Settling himself on the bank._]
All right, I don’t mind if you do;
But it won’t be the same for me as you.
CLIMBER
[_Sitting up and clasping her hands round her knees shyly._]
I was attracted by a violet,
For purple’s my favourite colour, and you get
Such a delightful perfume out of these
When the wind makes a breeze
Among the petals.
God said: “That settles
It. Now she’ll come back here
Another year,
And look for me where she has found her pleasure.”
I did not measure
God’s far arrangement thus; but sure enough
(Since purple’s my favourite colour), when the puff
Of spring cast up her wild young flowery wrack,
I looked to see if the violet were blown back.
[_She begins to lose her self-consciousness. Finn watches
her interestedly._]
Sufficient she was there!
I pushed my hair
Back from my brow, and on my knees I went
To catch her scent.
Oh, it was joy
I thought would never cloy!
And God, who saw me on the grass beside
That purple pride,
Laughed softly to Himself, and said: “I knew
She’d not resist My blue.
Now I’ll be bound she’ll come again next year
To find my fragrance here.”
[_She continues with increasing animation, having quite
lost all self-consciousness._]
In very deed I came,
But now a flame
Of ultra-violet flickered on my thought.
It wasn’t just the scent that brought
Me back like that, nor yet the lovely blue;
It was because I felt that God was true.
And that was how, having had my attention called
To something that came back and never palled,
But seemed each year more lovely than the last,
I passed
To looking for the far-off deeper things
That God had tucked behind the violet’s wings.
I said to myself: “This is some sort of sign
Of constancy divine,
And I expect there must be some such mark
Set on our ultimate dark;
For we are all just one material here—
My heart, the violet clear.
[_Dreamily, to herself._]
Oh! Isn’t it delightful thus to grow
Together yet apart a little while?
God needs this time to shape us to the style
Of His eternity, as, strong and slow,
The separate shadows of the flowery prime
Become one purple deep at evening-time.
[_She takes a violet in her hands and looks at it. To
herself._]
Here’s all the evidence of things unseen,
Delicious substance of a life to be,
Where maybe I’ll share His identity,
And we’ll be One to all eternity.
FINN
What?
CLIMBER
[_Who has forgotten that she is not alone, blushing
self-consciously and starting violently._]
Nothing! It’s not
Meant for you to hear.
FINN
Go on about next year.
CLIMBER
[_Very shyly, with averted face._]
Well, in the spring I came, with joyous thirst,
To find the violet where I found her first;
Till, kneeling there one day, I felt my heart
Quicken and start,
And pushing back the lid, to look within,
I saw a thin
Long tongue of lavender amid the red,
And God knelt there, and spread
His strong white hands above the warm, bright stain,
And laughed, and said: “I have found faith again
On earth.”
[_She pauses, and adds in a whisper._]
But I, too much amazed for mirth,
Could only gaze and stammer: “Sir, not yet,
It was Your violet.”
[_There is silence. The Climber remains with shy averted
face._]
FINN
[_After an embarrassed pause._]
I don’t see how a violet’s shown
You that. Tell me it all again.
CLIMBER
[_Jumping up, with a nervous laugh._]
Oh dear! I wish I could explain
Better. But it’s the sort of thing
You’ll have to find alone. I’m off to bring
The others. I’ll be back in a minute.
[_She runs away, with a very red face. Finn yawns, sighs,
and, picking a violet, sniffs and sniffs again._]
FINN
Delicious! I believe there’s something in it!
[_He puts the violet in his buttonhole._]
Even if it isn’t much
It’s something I could almost touch
A morsel of just now.
[_Enter the Listener, whistling, and chipping himself a
whistle out of an alder branch._]
FINN
Hallo! Where are the others?
LISTENER
Patching up the boat a bit in smothers
Of spray. The wind seems blowing this way.
[_He waves his hand in the direction in which the Climber
has gone._]
Still feeling sick?
FINN
Certainly not. I wasn’t sick!
LISTENER
Oh! I thought that was why
You wouldn’t come down to tea,
When you said you wished we’d let you die.
FINN
[_Hastily._]
Certainly not!
LISTENER
Then why——
FINN
[_Hurriedly._]
There’s a sort of spell on me.
I can’t consider common stuff like tea
Until I have found the one that considers me.
LISTENER
[_Sympathetically._]
I say! How beastly! Worse than being in love.
FINN
[_Indignantly._]
Not at all! It’s not the least the same.
LISTENER
[_Innocently._]
Why? What’s the difference?
FINN
[_Crossly._]
Oh, go away! How should I know?
LISTENER
Would you like to hear what I heard up above
The tree-tops, before I came
Out of the wood?
FINN
[_Crossly._]
Not unless it’s easily understood.
LISTENER
[_Cheerily._]
Oh yes!
It’s the sort of thing that any child could guess.
[_He begins to pipe a very cheery little tune, and then
stops and looks at Finn enquiringly._]
FINN
[_Brightening._]
That’s not bad. Go on!
LISTENER
[_Beginning to sing._]
Tiravee! Tiravee! Tiravee!
The year has heard the spring
In far recesses smouldering.
Tiravee! Tiravee! Tiravee!
The robins sing,
Daffadowndillies and lilies
And crocuses are hiding,
Under the garden abiding,
Soon you’ll see! Soon you’ll see!
Soon you’ll see!
For along the west border,
All in their proper order,
Just like last year—
Look!—the tops of the snowdrops are here!
Tiravee! Tiravee! Tiravee!
Oh, how wonderful it is to see
The spring again just as she used to be!
Showing how the bulbs grow
Under the ground,
Making a sound
Where silence lay low.
Displaying
The beauty of the earth,
Saying:
“There is no death.
For consider the lilies
How they grow, and the daffadowndillies,
Underground
They have found
The spring!”
Oh, Robin, sing!
Oh, come away and see
The tops
Of the first snowdrops!
Tiravee! Tiravee! Tiravee!
[_During the song the others, drawn by the sound of piping,
all begin to come in one by one, with the exception of the
Climber, beginning with the Marksman and ending with the
Carpenter, dancing and humming the tune. When the Listener
has done they all applaud him delightedly, and the Marksman
lets fly an arrow seaward._]
LISTENER
[_Astonished._]
What’s that for?
MARKSMAN
You hit the mark that time.
LISTENER
[_Running to look._]
Where? I didn’t see!
MARKSMAN
Nobody did but me.
Who taught you that song sublime?
LISTENER
A robin back there in the wood;
I haven’t got it very good.
FINN
You have a very fine ear.
Is there anything else you can hear?
LISTENER
[_Putting his ear to the ground and listening intently._]
I can hear the voice of your mother.
FINN
[_Eagerly._]
What is she saying?
LISTENER
She’s saying she’s unravelling
Your fetters of travelling
And straying;
She’s saying
She’s sending your father
To help you to gather
The children he’s losing
Through none of her choosing.
FINN
[_Bewildered._]
Talk sense!
LISTENER
[_Offended._]
I do; but it’s too immense
For you to comprehend
With your unenlightened end!
[_Aside._]
There! didn’t I tell you she’d send!
[_At this moment the Climber runs in excitedly._]
CLIMBER
I’ve just met a woman in the wood
Who says she’s losing
Her children through none of her choosing,
And that you are the only man
Who can
Help her, if you’ll be so very good.
FINN
[_Amazed._]
That’s what the Big Young Hero said to me
This morning, brought him through the strife
Of night-watching and tempest of sea!
I wonder who this woman can be?
CLIMBER
[_Excitedly._]
I believe she is his wife?
FINN
How is she losing the children?
CLIMBER
She says she’s losing them in the night
That claps down on men,
For a Hand comes in at the window ere it’s light,
And takes them all away ben.
FINN
[_After a pause._]
I can’t help that!
CLIMBER
Yes, she says you can,
If you were half a man.
FINN
Why, what must I be at?
CLIMBER
She says you must watch through the night
Within her house, until you see daylight.
FINN
[_Sighing wearily._]
I want my supper now. I really couldn’t keep
My eyes open; I’m sure I’d go to sleep.
CLIMBER
[_Very earnestly and impressively._]
Although she has laid supper in her house,
Please do not touch it yet, or you’ll arouse
The Hand
Before you understand
How you must use the body to discern
The proper system of the mind, and learn
You were not built like the bewildered moon,
To dwindle ere you’ve found another face,
Revolving inwards like an old buffoon,
Too much attracted by an earthly grace;
But, on a nervous pivot justly hung,
Bringing your mind to bear upon the clay,
Can turn your sleepy body round among
The starry systems of another day;
For that is how I think we’re meant to gather
Her earthly treasure for a Heavenly Father,
Till He recall us from her dewy field
At evening-time, building a finer bield
For souls returning mindful of earth’s beauty,
Not naked as they came.
FINN
I’ll do my duty
If you’ll show me the way
To the place where I’m to stay.
CLIMBER
[_Delighted._]
All right!
We must look sharp as long as there’s this light.
[_She beckons the others to follow._]
FINN
[_Pausing suddenly._]
Why, what was that that fell?
I believe it was the spell.
[_He looks about._]
I feel hungry enough for two
All of a sudden. Aren’t you?
CLIMBER
[_Warningly._]
No, I had something to eat before I came,
And in the morning you will get the same
If only now you’ll try not to eat double;
For if you do we’ll all get into trouble.
[_Exit all after the Climber._]
ACT III. SCENE 2
THE HOUSE OF THE EARTH-MOTHER: GLOAMING
_The kitchen of the Earth-Mother’s house. A big open fire in the middle
of the room, with a hole in the thatch above it to let the smoke out. A
child asleep in a cradle beside it. The remains of a lavish supper on a
table in the corner. The men are all lying about the fire asleep. Finn
alone is sitting in a low chair drowsing. The Climber is lying asleep on
a settle in the corner, near the Thief, who is sitting quietly watchful
by the child. She alone seems wide awake._
FINN
[_Nodding drowsily, starts and falls forward. Shaking
himself up, he looks round, rubbing his eyes and yawning._]
Heigh-ho!—Heigh-hum-harry!
This rainbow is a weary job to carry.
[_Looks round._]
No one seems awake that I can see.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
You forget me.
FINN
[_Startled._]
Oh! Are you awake?
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
I’m always awake.
FINN
Then I can take
A nap.
THIEF
[_Calmly._]
For Heaven’s sake
Keep awake,
Or the child will be taken away in the cap
Of the Hand.
FINN
[_Drowsily._]
Bother! I don’t understand.
[_Pointing to the Climber._]
Even she’s sleeping.
THIEF
Yes, she has been weeping.
FINN
[_Uneasy._]
Why, whatever’s the matter?
THIEF
Everything.
You’ve eaten too much.
FINN
[_Defensively._]
Why, I didn’t touch
More than I ought,
Did I?
THIEF
You took a thought
More than she did, that’s why
You have upset her.
FINN
[_Sulkily._]
I wish to goodness I had never met her,
If she’s so very easily upset.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
I fear she’s very childish for her age.
It’s apt to overbalance her at this stage;
She isn’t up to all God’s ropes as yet.
FINN
[_Crossly._]
I thought she said
That she could climb upon a thread
Up to a star
Were I to tie it there.
THIEF
Ay! But it needs more care
To return so far
Trundling the star.
[_Finn sits silent for a little while, and begins to nod
again. At last he rouses himself with a start._]
FINN
I’m much too plastic;
This needs something drastic.
[_He snatches a brand of wood from the fire, and thrusts
it through the bone of his palm. The Climber immediately
starts up in her sleep with a cry of pain._]
[_Startled._]
What’s wrong? Why——?
CLIMBER
[_Talking in her sleep, in great distress._]
You are in pain!
FINN
[_Defiantly._]
Not I!
CLIMBER
[_Half asleep._]
You’re hurting yourself with trying to keep awake!
FINN
[_Coldly._]
You’re making a mistake.
CLIMBER
[_Bewildered and dreamy._]
Oh, I’m sorry! I thought you called me.
FINN
[_Stoically._]
No.
[_The Marksman turns in his sleep with a groan._]
CLIMBER
I beg your pardon.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
Lie down. If he’s in pain
I’ll call you again.
[_The Climber lies down again._]
THIEF SINGS:
I have a lover in my mind,
And there I stray.
He whispers dreams to me all night;
I dream with him all day.
We tell each other foreign things,
We dream strange dreams, we two;
Sometimes he whispers He is God,
And I dream I am too.
[_Finn, nodding, repeats former process. Again the Climber
starts up in her sleep with a loud cry of anguish._]
CLIMBER
[_As before, talking half in her sleep._]
You are in pain?
FINN
[_Wiping his brow._]
Not I, you’re dreaming.
[_The Marksman again groans in his sleep._]
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
Lie down. If he’s in pain
I’ll call you again.
CLIMBER
[_Bewildered and troubled, still asleep._]
I’m very sorry, indeed I meant no harm;
I feel as if I were under some sort of charm.
[_She lies down again._]
THIEF SINGS:
Love seeketh not a Heaven’s delight.
If her beloved inhabit there,
She is content with outer night,
And finds in Hell no deep despair.
Yet if the love of God divine
Feel lonely Heaven a grave mistake,
And say: “Is Hell not also mine?”
Love answers: “Yea, Lord, take.”
[_By this time Finn has fallen quite asleep. The fire
dies low. Suddenly a strange light begins to play about
the Climber. She starts up half-awake, and looks round
bewildered. Then she speaks to the Thief in an awed
whisper._]
CLIMBER
Who called me? Was it you?
THIEF
I have been sitting quietly by the cradle all this time.
CLIMBER
Inside my brain
There’s something tugging me, a sort of strain,
A terrible wistfulness, my mind’s all bruised.
Something calls me that is not amused.
Is it God?
Or is it not God?
THIEF
[_Gravely._]
It is God.
Lie down. He will call you again
If He is in pain.
[_The Climber lies down again. The fire dies quite low, but
the radiance about her grows bright and brighter; she alone
is left visible. Suddenly, for a moment, as through a veil,
the face of the Big Young Hero is seen looking wistfully
down on her. She starts up with her hands clasped to her
breast, and speaks in an awed whisper._]
CLIMBER
Did you call me, sir?
HERO
I sent Finn to call you.
CLIMBER
I heard him. Do you require us both?
HERO
Yes, urgently; make haste.
[_The vision fades, leaving the Climber alone in the midst
of a great brightness._]
CLIMBER
[_Whispering._]
Always I have known Thou wert there,
But to-night Thou hast revealed Thyself utterly and
Thy face is bare.
I cannot tell how beautiful Thou art.
All of my heart
Is radiant with the fierce surprise
Of Thine eyes,
All of my soul
Stands shuddering at her goal.
Long ago she knew Thee, yet she feared
To name Thee, ever she peered
Into the darkness, whispering: “Not mine,”
To-night she doth divine
Wholly, and she is very bold, and boasts, and hath good cheer,
Entertaining the love that casts out fear.
[_The brightness fades, leaving darkness for a moment, then
the fire leaps up again, illuminating the room. The Climber
looks about her, bewildered with ecstasy._]
Oh, I have had such a wonderful dream!
Why, they all seem
To be asleep!
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
I am not asleep.
CLIMBER
[_Radiant._]
Oh, did you see my dream?
THIEF
Yes; I stole it for you.
CLIMBER
Where did you get it?
THIEF
Out of the mind of God.
CLIMBER
It was most beautiful; can’t you find
Another the same?
THIEF
Yes, from where that one came;
But it is not for you.
CLIMBER
[_Disappointed._]
Oh! Who’s it for?
THIEF
Never mind,
You’ll find
When you make yours come true.
CLIMBER
[_Very eagerly._]
Why, what must I do?
THIEF
You must make them believe it.
You must take it and weave it,
By a kind of story,
Into actual glory.
CLIMBER
[_Jumping up joyfully._]
Where shall I begin?
THIEF
With Finn.
CLIMBER
[_Drawing back nervously._]
Oh no, I can’t! He’ll think it very queer.
I—I haven’t got the courage to reveal
A dream so very delicate and real.
They’ll laugh at me. They’ll all think I am queer.
THIEF
[_Indifferently._]
I have nothing to do with fear.
Your business is to do just as I tell.
CLIMBER
[_Summoning up all her resolution._]
Very well.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
If you’re to carry out God’s plan
You must pitch into every man.
CLIMBER
[_Trembling with nervousness._]
All right! To make my dream come true
There’s nothing I’m afraid to do.
[_She runs quickly over to Finn and takes him eagerly by
the hand to wake him. He starts awake with a quiver of
pain, withdrawing his hand._]
CLIMBER
[_Overstrained and very nervous._]
Oh, are you angry at me?
FINN
[_Gently._]
Why should I be angry?
CLIMBER
[_Shyly._]
For—for waking you up.
FINN
Was I asleep?
CLIMBER
[_Nervously._]
Yes; but I’ve brought you something that’ll keep
You awake for ever.
[_She laughs nervously._]
FINN
[_Politely._]
Never!
What is it?
CLIMBER
[_Shyly._]
N—nothing; just a dream.
FINN
[_Embarrassed._]
Better keep it to yourself.
Dreams are things some folk don’t understand.
CLIMBER
[_In distress, catching sight of his hand._]
Why, what have you done to your hand?
You’ve burnt it all!
You were in pain, I knew!
I heard you call.
Why did you say it wasn’t true?
FINN
[_Withdrawing his hand hastily._]
It’s nothing to do with you.
Go to sleep again;
I never felt the slightest pain.
[_The Marksman groans in his sleep._]
CLIMBER
[_Embarrassed and shy._]
Don’t you, really?
FINN
[_Resolutely._]
No. I tell you it’s quite numb.
CLIMBER
[_Grieved and awkward._]
Then you didn’t call me to come?
FINN
[_Turning his head away with a groan._]
No. I am in no need.
[_The Marksman groans in his sleep again. Finn turns and
looks more attentively at the Climber, hesitating. She is
pale and overstrained looking._]
[_Kindly._]
I really think you ought to feed
Yourself up a bit.
You’re not looking very fit.
CLIMBER
[_Hurriedly._]
I was asleep. I’m quite all right.
It’s just a silly dream. Good night.
[_Marksman groans._]
Be sure you keep awake.
[_She retreats nervously._]
FINN
Good night. Be sure you keep
Asleep.
Don’t worry about me for any sake;
I’m wide enough awake.
[_The Marksman groans again, and Finn begins to nod heavily
even as he speaks._]
CLIMBER
[_To the thief, bursting into tears._]
They won’t believe my dream.
You’ve made me feel an awful fool.
He’s laughing now. I know I seem
Quite childish!
THIEF
[_Aside._]
To keep cool,
The best way is by letting off some steam.
[_To the Climber, very sternly._]
The fault was yours. You have betrayed your dream.
CLIMBER
[_Weeps silently for a little, then wipes her eyes and
speaks as if to herself._]
They tell me that I have my birth
Some other where,
And though indeed I do not greatly care
If this be true or no,
I really think it must be partly so;
For no one understands me in this house,
I am not able all alone to rouse
Them up. They just ignore me everywhere.
I begin to think that I’m not quite all there.
[_She sinks her head desperately between her hands._]
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
I wasn’t laughing at you.
CLIMBER
[_Lifting her head quietly and recovering herself._]
No, I knew.
THIEF
Perhaps I’ve left you rather much alone.
CLIMBER
Oh no! I think I’ve just outgrown
My strength.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
Then if you’ve got that length
You’ve come into your own. Lie down again;
I’ll call you if he is in pain.
CLIMBER
No! No! This time I must lie still
Unless he comes himself. He’d take it ill
If I should offer him a change of diet
He’s not accustomed to. I must lie quiet
Unless he says that he’s prepared to try it.
[_She lies down again. The stage gradually becomes quite
dark, as the Thief sings this song._]
THIEF’S SONG
God gave me a little fire,
And, as He did require,
I burnt it all away,
And He gave me more each day.
At last to one most dear
I denied my fire in fear,
And now the light’s gone out,
And God’s nowhere about.
[_At this moment the eight-day clock in the corner of the
room strikes twelve slowly, and a great Hand comes in at
the hole in the centre of the roof. All have fallen asleep
except the Thief. She springs up with a cry and shakes the
Climber, who does not stir, but all the others start up,
and Finn calls loudly on the Gripper, who lays hold on the
Hand and takes it in to the two eyebrows at the chimney.
The Hand gives a pull on the Gripper, and takes him out to
the top of his two shoulders. The Gripper gives another
pull on the Hand and brings it in to the neck. The Hand
gives a pull on the Gripper, and brings him out to the very
middle. The Gripper gives a pull on the Hand, and brings
it in over the two armpits. The Hand gives a pull on the
Gripper, and takes him out to the smalls of his two feet.
Then the Gripper gives a brave pull on the Hand, and it
comes out of the shoulder, and when it falls on the floor
the pulling of seven geldings is in it. All shout with
joy._]
FINN
[_Wiping his brow in unutterable relief._]
What an escape! I nearly lost the child!
She’d have been wild!
I knew I could hold out
Without having to shout
For aid.
[_At this moment the Giant, unnoticed, puts in his other
hand and takes the child with him in the cap of the hand.
It screams, awaking the Climber._]
CLIMBER
Oh! You’ve let it go!
You’ve been asleep, I know!
FINN
[_Desperately, with his head in his hands._]
What a mistake I’ve made!
[_Furiously, to the Gripper._]
You fool! Why couldn’t you
Hold on a little longer?
GRIPPER
[_Plaintively and with resignation._]
Because I never knew
There was another Hand a little stronger.
FINN
[_Frantically, to Marksman._]
You that’s so good at marking eggs,
Why couldn’t you tell other folk
About the yolk?
MARKSMAN
[_Tranquilly._]
You never asked me, or I would have told.
Are you not old
Enough—have you not got two legs,
A pair of hands, a level
Enough head
(When all is done and said)
From which to deduce the devil?
FINN
[_Losing all control._]
Liar! It was your duty to tell!
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly and sorrowfully._]
Go to Hell.
[_Finn rushes out. The Climber is all this time kneeling by
the settle with her head buried in her hands, and does not
appear to hear anything around her._]
CARPENTER
[_Angrily, to Marksman._]
Didn’t the woman tell her that the Giant
Who steals the children was just like a man?
If we had known we wouldn’t have been so pliant.
MARKSMAN
[_Turning to look at him with a strange smile._]
Why didn’t you ask her about him? She never can
Tell you very much until
You ask her of your own free will.
CARPENTER
[_Sneeringly._]
I don’t believe she knew!
MARKSMAN
[_Turning and looking at him._]
Don’t you?
CARPENTER
[_Trying to look him in the face, but getting very red,
drops his eyes and mutters._]
Well, maybe she did. You needn’t make a stir,
I don’t pretend to understand folk like her.
MARKSMAN
[_As before._]
Don’t you?
CARPENTER
[_Defiantly and reluctantly._]
Well, if I do it’s not because I can’t.
MARKSMAN
[_As before._]
Isn’t it?
[_Silence._]
Come, answer me!
CARPENTER
[_Defiantly._]
I shan’t!
MARKSMAN
[_Letting him go with a contemptuous kick from behind._]
Then follow Finn until you’ve learned compliance.
CARPENTER
[_Calling Tracker._]
Come on! Let’s show them we’ve some self-reliance!
TRACKER
[_To Gripper, who is still standing quietly holding the arm
he has pulled out._]
Come on! There’s no use holding any more
To the sneck of _that_ door.
[_Pointing to arm._]
GRIPPER
Where are you going?
[_He looks undecided._]
TRACKER
There’s no knowing,
I’m bound to follow him.
[_Points to Carpenter._]
GRIPPER
[_Looking round doubtfully._]
The light is very dim,
Where is he taking us?
CARPENTER
[_Pulling him by the collar._]
Come on without any more fuss.
TRACKER
[_Pulling at the Hand._]
Drop it, I say, drop it!
MARKSMAN
[_Intervening sternly._]
Stop it!
[_The Tracker and the Carpenter fling out after Finn._]
THIEF
[_To Marksman._]
I’ll follow them. I musn’t be inhuman,
They’ll certainly get lost without a woman.
MARKSMAN
Take care, they’ve gone to Hell.
THIEF
[_Quietly indicating the Climber._]
Look after this child well,
And I will steal all Heaven before you can tell.
LISTENER
[_Eagerly._]
What fun! May I come too?
THIEF
[_Pointing to the Climber._]
Not yet, she’s need of you.
[_Exit Thief._]
LISTENER
[_Coming forward and gazing up at the hole in the roof with
his hands on his knees._]
Well, that was a clean sweep!
[_To Climber._]
I say, don’t weep!
MARKSMAN
[_With his finger on his lips._]
Hush! She’s saying her prayers!
LISTENER
[_Abashed and embarrassed._]
Oh, sorry!
[_He crosses to the window and leans out, and then softly
beckons to the Gripper. The Marksman is sitting quietly in
Finn’s chair by the fire._]
LISTENER
[_To Gripper, speaking softly not to disturb the Climber._]
Look at the sky, and that green stretch of clear
Behind the Bidean! There’s really no night here.
[_He sits astride the window whistling softly, and then
begins to sing this song under his breath._]
I had a vision of Hope. She came to me
Long before morning came, long ere the day
Had folded night in her bosom and gathered away
The stars in her brightness;
I saw as it were a whiteness
Like a shimmer on the sea;
Long before morning broke
She awoke
And came to me.
There are some who never see her,
There are some who never hear
Her whisper at their ear.
I was awake and heard
Before the thrushes stirred.
Deep in her heart she showed me,
Long before it was spring,
A lovely thing.
All the April bulbs unsleeping,
Beneath the garden keeping
Watch for the dawn,
All the eyes of the daisies wide-awake under the lawn.
There are some who will not trust her,
There are some who blindly thrust her
Out of sight
Into the solitary night.
Grievous souls! They do not know
That her lovely sign is true:
I listened and I knew.
MARKSMAN
That’s good enough!
[_Climber springs up lightly._]
CLIMBER
Why! Where’s Finn?
LISTENER
[_Coming down._]
Gone off in the huff
While you were saying your prayers.
CLIMBER
[_Desperately, to Marksman._]
I don’t believe it! Tell me there’s
No truth in what he said.
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly._]
Yes, for the present, Finn is dead.
CLIMBER
[_Quietly steadfast._]
I don’t believe it.
MARKSMAN
He has lost his head.
CLIMBER
[_Looking round._]
Where are the others?
GRIPPER
[_Sarcastically._]
They’ve followed him like brothers.
CLIMBER
Has the Thief gone with the rest?
MARKSMAN
Yes; she thought it best.
She said it was inhuman
To let them go without a woman.
CLIMBER
[_Radiantly, with upraised face._]
Thank you!
LISTENER
[_To Marksman._]
Who’s she speaking to?
[_The Marksman quietly shoots an arrow out of the window._]
LISTENER
Why did you do that?
MARKSMAN
Being under my protection
She looked straight in the right direction.
LISTENER
[_Who has run to the window to look after the arrow._]
I say! They’ve put off in the boat
And left us all behind!
CLIMBER
[_Anxiously._]
Has Finn got his coat?
LISTENER
No; there it is behind
The press.
CLIMBER
Is the Thief there?
LISTENER
Yes.
CLIMBER
Then never mind.
[_To Gripper._]
Come! You must follow
And take the tiller, or the sea will swallow
Them all.
GRIPPER
[_Plaintively._]
It’s no use; I would fall
Without something to grip.
CLIMBER
Are you afraid to slip
If I make fast
A rope to the mast?
GRIPPER
[_Brightening._]
Oh no! not if you give me anything
To hold to, even the smallest bit of string.
But how will you get over there?
It’s far too rough to swim. Take care!
CLIMBER
[_To Listener._]
Can you hear
What the Thief is saying?
LISTENER
[_Putting his ear to the ground and listening intently._]
I rather think she’s praying.
CLIMBER
[_Clapping her hands delightedly._]
Then come along, the danger’s past,
I’ve tied a life-line to the mast!
[_Exit all running eagerly, the Climber carrying Finn’s
coat._]
ACT III. SCENE 3
AT SEA: SUNSET
_A stormy dark sunset, late in the gloaming. The ship is seen tossing
wildly on a tempestuous sea. The Thief is sitting quietly in the stern
with her head bowed; her face is invisible. The Carpenter and the Tracker
are whimpering on the floor. Finn is alone at the helm, but the waves are
driving the boat about at their mercy._
CARPENTER
[_Terrified, from bottom of boat._]
I don’t believe this boat is sound.
TRACKER
[_Blubbering with terror._]
Boohoo! Boohoo! We’s all going to be drowned!
[_Clutches Finn’s legs._]
FINN
[_Spurning him suddenly._]
Be quiet, you fool!
[_The Tracker collapses howling in a corner._]
CARPENTER
Cheer up! You’ll soon be able to keep cool.
[_A great shower of spray comes over and drenches them. The
Tracker cries despairingly._]
CARPENTER
[_To Finn._]
I had a sense of something due
To someone, though I scare kent who,
And like a fool I lent my ship to you.
Although I made her at my own expense
I thought you had a little common sense.
Didn’t I tell you she was bound
To carry you quite safe and sound
From earth to Heaven, if you could handle
Her properly. It’s a fair scandal
To see the way you hold the tiller.
You’ll sink her. Look! You’ll sink and fill her!
[_The ship heels and dips, the Tracker yells again, and
even the Carpenter gasps and moans._]
I thought that she would even carry
God back again to earth to tarry.
Oh! If she’d had another master
Than you, she would have got on faster,
But with this God-forsaken mind
No other body could I find.
TRACKER
[_To Carpenter, blubbering._]
I’d like to tell you what I think
Of you.
CARPENTER
I jalouse we must sink
Our differences for a little;
This boat won’t stand it, she’s too brittle.
[_The boat gives a wild lurch and appears to founder. Both
cry wildly to Finn. The Tracker clutches the Thief’s knees,
weeping loudly._]
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
Have patience!
FINN
[_Looking desperately up to the sky._]
If there is any Truth in what she said,
If there is any Hope that answers prayer,
If there is any Faith beyond her share
That stretches nervous from a lovelier Head
Than ours, and quickens in the brighter dead,
I summon all my strong human emotion
To stir that Brain to feel what I am feeling,
And rouse a Thought of which I had no notion
Into consideration of my healing,
For though my mind is smaller than That Other
I have enough of sense to call it Brother
If It be there at all. If It be there.
[_At his words a golden life-line is suddenly whirled on
board and falls at his feet. The Carpenter and the Tracker
cry wildly: “A rope! A rope! Oh, make it fast!”_]
THIEF
[_With a sigh of relief._]
The danger’s past!
[_She runs hurriedly and makes the rope fast to the mast,
while Finn remains gazing at it as if dazed. In a moment
the Climber is seen swinging along it, immediately followed
by the Gripper, the Listener, and the Marksman. Finn
remains as if spellbound, while the Gripper runs to the
tiller, seizes it from him, and turns the boat completely
round._]
FINN
[_To himself, as if bewildered._]
This is more than any sense deserves!
CLIMBER
[_Shaking her head at him._]
Fancy going off like that in an open boat
Without your coat!
Your state of mind is preying on my nerves.
[_She helps him into his coat, which he submits to
passively, gazing at her as if dazed; then suddenly falling
on his knees, he snatches her hand, crying exultantly—_]
FINN
Before the sun shall rise upon the land
I’ll shake all darkness by this other hand!
[_The storm gradually abates, and as the ship slips away
the Gripper leans back against the tiller and sings._]
GRIPPER’S SONG
I saw above the straining shrouds
No rift nor hint of dawn,
I saw no light beyond the clouds,
But still I carried on.
I saw the end of the world, Dear Heart,
And I believed it true,
But still I held to my small part,
And so she carried through.
ACT IV
THE GIANT’S CASTLE: MIDNIGHT
_In a dim twilight of stars a castle is seen upon a rock. It is thatched
with eel-skins, and there appears to be neither door nor window. The dark
figures of Finn, the Climber, the Thief, the Marksman, and the Listener
are presently seen stealing softly over the rocks. The other three have
evidently remained with the boat. They talk in whispers._
FINN
[_To Climber._]
Is this the place?
CLIMBER
I believe so.
FINN
It’s very dark,
I cannot see your face.
LISTENER
Hark!
FINN
[_Nervously._]
What is it?
LISTENER
I hear something inside,
It sounds like children’s voices.
Have you tried
The door?
FINN
There isn’t any door.
LISTENER
[_Positively._]
I really hear
Something, I don’t know what. It sounds quite near.
CLIMBER
If there’s no front door there must be a stair,
I’m certain he has put the child in there;
And since it must have got inside somehow,
I rather think the door is in the brow.
At any rate, I’m going to climb and see.
FINN
[_Anxiously._]
Take care! The thatch is very slippery!
LISTENER
[_Cheerfully._]
If there’s a way in, then there is no doubt
There must be just the same way to get out.
[_The Climber’s figure is soon dimly seen silhouetted on
the roof against the stars._]
CLIMBER
[_With a delighted exclamation._]
Just as I thought!
FINN
[_Nervously._]
What?
CLIMBER
I’ve found a door just where I thought.
FINN
Can you open it?
CLIMBER
Oh yes, there’s not
Much difficulty there,
It comes away with prayer.
[_She is seen kneeling._]
FINN
What’s that you’re saying?
LISTENER
Be quiet! Can’t you see she’s praying?
CLIMBER
[_Presently._]
It’s opening up!
FINN
[_Eagerly._]
What is inside?
CLIMBER
I’m looking, but I haven’t tried
My eyes yet in a night so deep.
[_She calls down softly presently._]
The Giant is sound asleep!
FINN
Oh! Can you see if he’s still got the child
Inside the cap
Of the other hand?
CLIMBER
[_Delighted._]
It’s there! It’s still taking its little nap!
FINN
[_Desperately._]
If only I were strong enough to creep
Inside and steal it while he is asleep!
But with this heavy box I can’t get up.
LISTENER
Why don’t you throw it away then altogether?
FINN
[_Arrested._]
I wonder if I could? I don’t know whether—
CLIMBER
[_Calling down._]
There’s a dog here too besides, and a little pup!
FINN
Abominable! They’re sure to bark.
LISTENER
[_Delighted._]
I say! A puppy! What a lark!
Please try and get it for me. Hark!
FINN
[_Nervously._]
What is it?
LISTENER
I hear the Giant coming up out of his sleep.
You must be quick,
Or else you’ll stick.
THIEF
[_To Climber._]
I’m almost certain I could creep
And steal the child while he is sleeping,
Only I’m rather old to do much leaping;
You’d have to carry me a bit,
And let me gently down to it.
CLIMBER
All right! There is no difficulty there.
With your support I could go anywhere.
[_She swings down, takes the Thief on her back, and is
presently seen on the roof letting her gently down inside
the castle. The Climber is seen again kneeling._]
FINN
[_Anxiously, from below._]
Oh dear! How slow she is! It’s very dark.
Why is she delaying?
LISTENER
Be quiet! Can’t you see she’s praying?
Hark!
FINN
[_Nervously._]
What is it now?
LISTENER
[_Joyously._]
I hear the child coming up out of his sleep.
CLIMBER
[_Calling softly down to the Thief._]
It is so deep
Inside, I can’t see where you are.
LISTENER
[_Anxiously._]
Has she got the puppy?
CLIMBER
[_Reassuringly._]
She’ll get it all right, never fear!
LISTENER
[_Whispering loudly._]
Good man!
I say! Can
You hand it down and let me hold its muzzle?
I guess to both of you it is a puzzle
To know at present where to put it,
And if Finn sees it probably he’ll shoot it.
FINN
[_Anxiously._]
Has she got the child? I can’t endure
To wait like this.
CLIMBER
[_A trifle hesitatingly._]
I think so. I’m not sure.
LISTENER
Be quick! I hear the dog coming up out of her sleep.
THIEF’S VOICE
[_From within, faintly._]
Oh! Lower me again to Mother Earth,
For I in spirit have been called as far
As the secret place where her lost children are,
And I now bring them back to second birth,
Rescuing both the body and the soul
Out of the Hand of death entire and whole,
If you are strong enough to bear us back
To the same side from which we came.
CLIMBER
[_Reeling with the sudden relaxation of nervous tension._]
Alack!
I am as wearied as a falling star,
I cannot do it alone.
[_At this moment the Hand is seen emerging from the roof.
It grips the Climber and takes her in._]
FINN
[_With a frantic cry._]
Where are
They? Oh! My God, what shall I do?
MARKSMAN
Put your finger underneath your wisdom tooth
And find what it replies.
FINN
[_Doing so._]
It says that I must tell the truth.
MARKSMAN
[_Sternly._]
Confess your previous lies!
[_Finn hides his face with a groan._]
MARKSMAN
[_Gently._]
You need fear no disgrace
If you will look me in the face.
FINN
[_Trembling._]
I’m thinking that there are not many here
Can look you in the face without some fear.
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly._]
If you are too shy
I cannot help you at all. You must all die.
[_He turns away._]
FINN
[_Clutching him by the shoulder._]
No! No! No!
[_The Marksman turns and gazes at him. Finn remains
upright, his eyes riveted on the Marksman’s._]
FINN
[_Steadily._]
I told her I was wide enough awake.
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly._]
That was a great mistake.
FINN
I told her I could quite well do
Without her aid.
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly._]
That was untrue.
FINN
I told her that I did not feel
The slightest pain. Her dream was real,
[_He points to the box._]
For overburdened with this weight
Of earth, I was in such a state
I really could not recognize
Myself reflected in her eyes.
I felt in such a deep disgrace
I could not look her in the face,
So when she brought her dream by and by
I put her off. Trying to deny
My God, I told a fearful lie.
MARKSMAN
[_Tranquilly._]
She never believed it, and she marked it die
Dwindling slowly away
As the light grew stronger and the grey
Faded for ever from the windows.
[_He points to the faint line of green, which is now
showing on the horizon._]
In the cottages they will soon be putting out all the lamps
And going about their work in unreflected light.
FINN
[_Springing up with a cry of joy._]
What! Is it really all right?
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly._]
Yes, quite;
You’ve told me all that I require
To set you free.
FINN
[_Now a different man._]
If God be true no man can be a liar.
Come, follow me.
LISTENER
Where are you going?
FINN
[_Eagerly and joyously._]
I’m going after the Climber,
Her point of view’s sublimer.
I’m going to throw away my bow.
[_He casts the box from him._]
MARKSMAN
[_Picking up the box._]
Take care, you’ve not much yet on which to go!
FINN
[_Radiantly._]
I cannot fall,
The way she chose is practical!
LISTENER
Since you have let her in for this, no doubt
You’re bound to find a way to get her out.
MARKSMAN
[_Turning on a little electric torch to light Finn._]
It’s still a little dark to-night.
I’ve put things in the proper light
For you, but it strikes me
I’ll have to clear up more before you’ll see
Her way out of the difficulty.
[_Finn reaches the roof in safety, and calls down
anxiously._]
FINN
Are you there? Are you there?
CLIMBER
[_Calling faintly from within._]
Oh! Have you come? I knew you’d not be long,
I’d noticed you were getting very strong.
He’s tied me hand and foot. I cannot move,
I’ve found the Thief and he are hand in glove!
FINN
No matter! I’m entirely of your mind.
I’ll find
My way inside and get you out just now.
CLIMBER
[_Anxiously._]
The door is just behind your brow.
FINN
[_Hitting his forehead._]
I’ve got it!
[_His figure is seen against the dim twilight kneeling._]
LISTENER
Be quick! I hear the Giant coming up out of his sleep!
[_The Hand takes in Finn._]
CLIMBER’S VOICE
[_With a muffled cry of despair._]
Too late! Too late! My God, what shall I do?
MARKSMAN
[_Hurriedly, calling from below._]
Put your finger under your wisdom tooth and tell me what it replies.
CLIMBER’S VOICE
It says that I must tell the truth!
MARKSMAN
[_Very sternly._]
What! You as well! Confess your previous lies!
CLIMBER’S VOICE
It is so dark I cannot see your face,
I feel that I’m in very deep disgrace.
Alas! I told him that I was asleep!
MARKSMAN
Your error there was truly very deep.
CLIMBER
I thought that I was strong enough
To return alone.
MARKSMAN
What utter stuff!
CLIMBER
[_Desperately._]
I said I thought he was in pain;
The pain was mine, for in my brain
I felt a tugging and a stress
I could not understand, unless
One in the likeness of a man
Had summoned me to Heaven. I ran,
I climbed, I reached the topmost stair,
And found that I was not all there,
For if I’d left the earth behind
I should have gone out of my mind,
Since God requires a soul and body too
To make the substance of His dream come true.
I understood God did devise
To make this earth His Paradise;
I saw our second birth was got
Just out of earth by happy thought,
But fearful that a Truth so glad
Would seem an impudence half-mad,
I made him think that God’s design
Was just a silly dream of mine.
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly._]
He always believed your dream;
He marked it grow
Out upon his sleep with bewildered joy,
Until at last, just like a little boy,
He put his hand up in the dark to feel
Her face, and found he had touched something real.
[_He opens the box and takes the rainbow from it._]
In the cottages they have put out all the lamps,
And go about their work in unreflected light.
LISTENER
[_Excitedly._]
The Giant is coming up out of his sleep for the last time, and he is
bringing the dog with him!
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly._]
I am not afraid of myself, you need not shout,
For I am strong enough to bear them out.
[_At this moment the Hand rises again from the chimney.
The Marksman is seen stringing the rainbow and letting fly
an arrow, which transfixes the Hand. There is terrible
darkness for a moment, the stars fall from the sky and the
moon turns crimson, leaving pitchy night. With a loud crash
the walls of the castle fall away, and in a serene silent
splendour of purple and crimson the dawn rises over the
sea, revealing the Big Young Hero standing upon the rock
with the child in his arms. The Climber and Finn are in
each other’s arms, the Thief is holding the puppy._]
MARKSMAN
They have all come up out of their sleep for ever!
LISTENER
[_With a great cry of joy._]
I always knew this would happen! She’s got the puppy too!
ACT V
THE GREEN ISLE REALIZED ON EARTH. DAWN
_The same as Act I, but this time there is no rainbow haze between, only
a great rainbow stretching in the sky across the Hebrides seen in the
distance. On a table under the trees the girl has spread all sorts of
delightful fruits and cakes. She is now decorating it with flowers, and
singing as she works._
SONG
I love all lovely things—
The dragon-fly’s wings,
The rainbow and the rain,
The light that comes again
Joyously like a smile,
When for a little while
God disposes the night elsewhere.
His sun is very fair,
I can catch it in my hair.
Look! It’s there! And there! And there!
Oh! the earth’s a lovely thing,
The mind of a Mighty King,
I cannot help but sing.
I cannot end my song,
God’s thought is very long.
Many years He took to make
The bracken in the brake;
He was a long time building
The fragrant yellow gilding
On the early poplar tree
When no eye was there to see.
The clouds, the atmosphere,
My breath, the water clear,
How fair and sweet they are!
Oh! hate was very far
From God’s divine intention
When these things He did mention;
When He canopied the earth
With cloud, and fire, and mirth;
When He set the privy shade
For the pheasant in the glade;
When He built the mossy nest
For the wren, His little guest;
When He taught the mind of man
By its love to find His plan.
For no one shall discover
His science, save the lover.
Oh! Life’s a lovely thing,
The mind of a Mighty King!
Emotion, will, desire,
Earth, water, air, and fire,
The elements intertwined,
With these He built the mind;
The love of green things growing,
The shadows they keep throwing
Across man’s fiery thought
Till they’re fused and merged and wrought
Into the liquid union
Of one divine communion
With God, Who made his college
An earthly place of knowledge.
I cannot help but sing,
Life’s such a lovely thing!
The catkin and the willow
God’s chosen for His pillow.
I wonder why He fashioned
A Beauty so impassioned;
I wonder why it matters
Which way the raindrop patters,
Or why a God should care
To give His creatures share
Of this delightful song.
His love must be very strong.
I cannot end my singing,
For still the starling’s winging
With a straw held in her beak
To build in the old tree-peak;
And still across the sky
The compacted clouds go by;
And when God thinks upon it
The lily’s yellow bonnet
Nid-nods delightfully
Beneath the walnut tree.
And clear, and still more clear,
In God’s mind I read and hear
That only Love shall learn
The wherefore of flower and fern,
That only Love alone
Shall live to be full-grown,
That merely Love and Wonder
Shall bring all Heaven hereunder.
[_Towards the end of the song the brown-sailed fishing-boat
is seen approaching gradually under the rainbow. As it
draws near, Finn and the Big Young Hero are seen in it with
the puppy. It touches the shore, at first unperceived of
the girl. The Big Young Hero leaps lightly from it, and
helps Finn out._]
FINN
[_Looking round bewildered._]
I recognize this place.
HERO
You have been here before.
FINN
Isn’t that the Bidean’s face?
[_Pointing to the distant hills._]
Please tell me, for I can’t stand any more.
[_He staggers, but the Hero puts an arm round him._]
There must be some mistake,
I seem
To be asleep and yet I am awake.
Is this a dream?
HERO
No, it is real.
Put up your hand and feel
Her face.
CLIMBER
[_Perceiving him, calls._]
The breakfast’s ready, I have set your place.
[_Catching sight of Finn she puts her hand to her face with
a cry of amazed delight._]
It is the man I dreamed about last night!
I didn’t know! I’m looking such a sight!
I didn’t know that you would bring a guest.
[_She puts her hand up to her head as if she were going to
fall, and the Hero puts his other arm round her._]
I’ll be all right after a little rest.
What a beautiful rainbow!
[_Pointing._]
I always knew the morning would be fine.
FINN
[_Putting his hand up in amazement to find the box is
gone._]
It’s mine!
How did it get up there?
HERO
You hoisted it on a prayer;
The Marksman’s left it in the sky to show
The right direction to the folk below.
The others are not very far behind;
Presently they will all be of your mind.
[_He points to where, far off under the bow, the sails of
Conan’s boat are dimly visible on the horizon._]
FINN
[_Wild with delight._]
Oh! I feel strong enough to turn the moon
Right round upon his other face,
And I feel ready now to sup
The stars up with a spoon.
CLIMBER
[_In an awed whisper, gazing at Finn._]
I only know I am aware
Of God for ever, everywhere.
HERO
[_Who has still an arm round either, to Finn._]
It was the Gate of Heaven that you carried.
Now it is time that you and she were married.
Since I have found you strong enough to share
Her faith that I am more than quite all there,
Ask what you will, it shall be given you
As your reward. Tell me, what is your due?
FINN
[_In a whisper._]
I am beginning now to understand!
Lord, I beseech, help Thou mine other hand.
HERO
[_Leading the two forward to the table, he takes the
Climber’s hand and places it in Finn’s._]
It has spread breakfast in my house for two,
The other place was always meant for you;
I pray you, warm it at your hearth hereunder.
What I have joined let no man put asunder.
APPENDIX
_HOW FINN KEPT HIS CHILDREN FOR THE BIG YOUNG HERO OF THE SHIP AND HOW
BRAN WAS FOUND._
A day Finn and his men were in the Hunting-hill they killed a great
number of deer; and when they were wearied after the chase they sat down
on a pleasant green knoll, at the back of the wind and at the face of the
sun, where they could see everyone and no one at all could see them.
While they were sitting in that place Finn lifted his eyes towards the
sea, and saw a ship making straight for the haven beneath the spot on
which they were sitting. When the ship came to land, a Big Young Hero
leaped out of her on the shore, seized her by the bows and drew her
up, her own seven lengths, on the green grass, where the eldest son of
neither landowner nor of holder of large townland dared mock or gibe at
her. Then he ascended the hillside, leaping over the hollows and slanting
the knolls, till he reached the spot on which Finn and his men were
sitting.
He saluted Finn frankly, energetically, fluently; and Finn saluted him
with the equivalent of the same words. Finn then asked him whence did he
come or what was he wanting? He answered Finn that he had come through
night-watching and tempest of sea where he was, because he was losing his
children, and it had been told him that there was not a man in the world
who could keep his children for him but him, Finn, King of the Feinne.
And he said to Finn, “I lay on thee, as crosses and spells and seven
fairy fetters of travelling and straying, to be with me before thou shalt
eat food or drink a draught or close an eye in sleep.”
Having said this he turned away from them and descended the hillside
the way he ascended it. When he reached the ship he placed his shoulder
against her bow and put her out. He then leaped into her, and departed in
the direction he came until they lost sight of him.
Finn was now under great heaviness of mind, because the vows had been
laid on him, and he must fulfil them or travel onwards until he would
die. He knew not whither he should go, or what he should do. But he left
farewell with his men, and descended the hillside to the seaside. When he
reached that he could not go farther on the way in which he saw the Big
Young Hero depart. He therefore began to walk along the shore, but before
he had gone very far forward, he saw a company of seven men coming to
meet him.
When he reached the men he asked the first of them what was he good at?
The man answered that he was a good Carpenter. Finn asked him how good
was he at carpentry? The man said that, with three strokes of his axe
he could make a large, capacious, complete ship of the alder stock over
yonder. “Thou art good enough,” said Finn; “thou mayest pass by.”
He then asked of the second man what was he good at? The man said that he
was a good Tracker. “How good art thou?” said Finn. “I can track the wild
duck over the crests of the nine waves within nine days,” said the man.
“Thou art good enough,” said Finn; “thou mayest pass by.”
Then he said to the third man, “What art thou good at?” The man replied
that he was a good Gripper. “How good art thou?” “The hold I once get I
will not let go until my two arms come from my shoulders or until my
hold comes with me.” “Thou art good enough; thou mayest pass by.”
Then he said to the fourth man, “What art thou good at?” He answered that
he was a good Climber. “How good art thou?” “I can climb on a filament of
silk to the stars, although thou wert to tie it there.” “Thou art good
enough; thou mayest pass by.”
He then said to the fifth man, “What art thou good at?” He replied that
he was a good Thief. “How good art thou?” “I can steal the egg from the
heron while her two eyes are looking at me.” “Thou art good enough; thou
mayest pass by.”
He asked of the sixth man, “What art thou good at?” He answered that he
was a good Listener. “How good art thou?” He said that he could hear what
people were saying at the extremity of the Uttermost World (Domhan Tor).
“Thou art good enough; thou mayest pass by.”
Then he said to the seventh man, “What art thou good at?” He replied that
he was a good Marksman. “How good art thou?” “I could hit an egg as far
away in the sky as bowstring could send or bow could carry.” “Thou art
good enough; thou mayest pass by.”
All this gave Finn great encouragement. He turned round and said to the
Carpenter, “Prove thy skill.” The Carpenter went where the stock was, and
struck it with his axe thrice; and as he had said, the Ship was ready.
When Finn saw the Ship ready he ordered his men to put her out. They did
that and went on board of her.
Finn now ordered the Tracker to go to the bow and prove himself. At the
same time he told him that yesterday a Big Young Hero left yonder haven
in his ship and that he wanted to follow the Hero to the place in which
he now was. Finn himself went to steer the Ship and they departed. The
Tracker was telling him to keep her this way or to keep her that way.
They sailed a long time forward without seeing land, but they kept on
their course until evening was approaching. In the gloaming they noticed
that land was ahead of them, and they made straight for it. When they
reached the shore they leaped to land and drew up the Ship.
Then they noticed a large fine house in the glen above the beach. They
took their way up to the house; and when they were nearing it they saw
the Big Young Hero coming to meet them. He ran and placed his two arms
about Finn’s neck and said, “Darling of all men in the world, hast thou
come?” “If I had been thy darling of all men in the world, it is not as
thou didst leave me that thou wouldst have left me,” said Finn. “Oh, it
was not without a way of coming that I left thee,” said the Big Young
Hero. “Did I not send a company of seven men to meet thee?”
When they reached the house, the Big Young Hero told Finn and his men to
go in. They accepted the invitation and found abundance of meat and drink.
After they had quenched their hunger and thirst, the Big Young Hero came
in where they were, and said to Finn, “Six years from this night, my wife
was in childbed and a child was born to me. As soon as the child came
into the world, a large Hand came in at the chimney, and took the child
with it in the cap (or hollow) of the Hand. Three years from this night
the same thing happened. And to-night she is going to be in childbed
again. It was told me that thou wert the only man in the world who could
keep my children for me, and now I have courage since I have found thee.”
Finn and his men were tired and sleepy. Finn said to the men that they
were to stretch themselves on the floor and that he was going to keep
watch. They did as they were told and he remained sitting beside the
fire. At last sleep began to come on him; but he had a bar of iron in the
fire, and as often as his eyes would begin to close with sleep, he would
thrust the bar through the bone of his palm, and that was keeping him
awake. About midnight the woman was delivered, and as soon as the child
came into the world the Hand came in at the chimney. Finn called on the
Gripper to get up.
The Gripper sprang quickly to his feet and laid hold of the Hand. He gave
a pull on the Hand, and took it in to the two eyebrows at the chimney.
The Hand gave a pull on the Gripper, and took him out to the top of his
two shoulders. The Gripper gave another pull on the Hand, and brought it
in to the neck. The Hand gave a pull on the Gripper, and brought him out
to the very middle. The Gripper gave a pull on the Hand and took it in
over the two armpits. The Hand gave a pull on the Gripper and took him
out to the smalls of his two feet. Then the Gripper gave a brave pull on
the Hand, and it came out of the shoulder. And when it fell on the floor
the pulling of seven geldings was in it. But the big Giant outside put in
the other hand and took the child with him in the cap of the Hand.
They were all very sorry that they lost the child. But Finn said, “We
will not yield to this yet. I and my men will go away after the Hand
before a sun shall rise on a dwelling to-morrow.”
At break of dawn Finn and his men turned out, and reached the beach where
they had left the Ship.
They launched the Ship, and leaped on board of her. The Tracker went to
the bow, and Finn went to steer her. They departed, and now and again
the Tracker would cry to Finn to keep her in that direction, or to keep
her in this direction. They sailed onward a long distance without seeing
anything before them, except the great sea. At the going down of the sun,
Finn noticed a black spot in the ocean ahead of them. He thought it too
little for an island and too large for a bird, but he made straight for
it; and it was a rock, and a Castle thatched with eel-skins was on its
top.
They landed on the rock. They looked about the Castle but they saw
neither window nor door at which they could get in. At last they noticed
that it was on the roof the door was. They did not know how they could
get up, because the thatch was so slippery. But the Climber cried,
“Let me over and I will not be long in climbing it.” He sprang quickly
towards the Castle and in an instant was on its roof. He looked in at the
door, and after taking particular notice of everything that he saw, he
descended where the rest were waiting. Finn asked of him what did he see?
He said that he saw a big Giant lying on a bed, a silk covering over him
and a satin covering under him, and his hand stretched out and an infant
asleep in the cap of the Hand; that he saw two boys on the floor playing
with shinties of gold and a ball of silver; and that there was a very
large deer-hound bitch lying beside the fire, and two pups sucking her.
Then said Finn, “I do not know how we shall get them out.” The Thief
answered and said, “If I get in I will not be long putting them out.” The
Climber said, “Come on my back and I will take thee up to the door.” The
Thief did as he was told and got into the Castle.
Instantly he began to prove his skill. The first thing he put out was
the child that was in the cap of the Hand. He then put out the two boys
who were playing on the floor. He then stole the silk covering that was
over the Giant and the satin covering that was under him, and put them
out. Then he put out the shinties of gold and the ball of silver. He then
stole the two pups that were sucking the bitch beside the fire. These
were the most valuable things which he saw inside. He left the Giant
asleep and turned out.
They placed the things which the Thief stole in the Ship and departed.
They were but a short time sailing when the Listener stood up and said,
“’Tis I who am hearing him, ’tis I who am listening to him!” “What art
thou hearing?” said Finn. “He has just awakened,” said the Listener,
“and missed everything that was stolen from him. He is in great wrath
sending away the Bitch, and saying to her if she will not go that he will
go himself. But it is the Bitch that is going.” In a short time they
looked behind them and saw the Bitch coming swimming. She was cleaving
the sea on each side of her in red sparks of fire. They were seized with
fear, and said that they did not know what they should do. But Finn
considered, and then told them to throw out one of the pups; perhaps when
she would see the pup drowning she would return with it. They threw out
the pup, and as Finn said, it happened; the Bitch returned with the pup.
This left them at the time pleased.
But shortly after that the Listener arose trembling, and said, “’Tis
I who am hearing him, ’tis I who am listening to him!” “What art thou
saying now?” said Finn. “He is sending away the Bitch, and since she will
not go he is coming himself.”
When they heard this their eye was always behind them. At last they saw
him coming, and the great sea reached not beyond his haunches. They were
seized with fear and great horror, for they knew not what they should
do. But Finn thought of his knowledge set of teeth, and having put his
finger under it, found out that the Giant was immortal except in a mole
which was in a hollow of his palm. The Marksman then stood up and said,
“If I get one look of it I will have him.” The Giant came walking forward
through the sea to the side of the Ship. Then he lifted up his hand to
seize the top of the mast, in order to sink the Ship. But when the Hand
was on high the Marksman noticed the mole, and he let an arrow off in its
direction. The arrow struck the Giant in the death-spot and he fell dead
on the sea. They were now very happy, for there was nothing before them
to make them afraid. They put about and sailed back to the Castle. The
Thief stole the pup again, and they took it with them along with the one
they had. After that they returned to the place of the Big Young Hero.
When they reached the Haven they leaped on land and drew up the Ship on
dry ground.
Then Finn went away with the family of the Big Young Hero and with
everything which he and his men took out of the Castle to the fine house
of the Big Young Hero.
The Big Young Hero met him coming, and when he saw his children he
went on his two knees to Finn and said, “What now is thy reward?” Finn
answered and said that he was asking nothing but his choice of the two
pups which they took from the Castle. The Big Young Hero said that he
would get that and a great deal more if he would ask it. But Finn wanted
nothing except the pup. This pup was Bran, and his brother, that the Big
Young Hero got, was the Grey Dog.
The Big Young Hero took Finn and his men into his house and made for them
a great joyous merry feast, which was kept up for a year and a day, and
if the last day was not the best it was not the worst.
That is how Finn kept his children for the Big Young Hero of the Ship and
how Bran was found.
_Waifs and Strays of Celtic Tradition.
Argyllshire series. Rev. J. Macdougall._
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