YEATS, William B. - The Secret Rose

8/13/2019 YEATS, William B. - The Secret Rose

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The Secret Rose

W. B. Yeats

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Secret Rose, by W. B. Yeats#5 in our series by W. B. Yeats

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Tit"e3 The Secret Rose

4uthor3 W. B. Yeats

Re"ease 'ate3 ay, 6778 9EBook #5105:9Yes, e are &ore than one year ahea% of sche%u"e:9This fi"e as first !oste% on Se!te&ber /, 6776:

E%ition3 /7

;anguage3 Eng"ish

haracter set enco%ing3 4S))

*** ST4RT


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BY

W.B. YE4TS

TE SERET R


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can%e"abra ha$e !re$ente% us fro& "ooking into the %arkness, an% henone "ooks into the %arkness there is a"ays so&ething there.

W.B. YE4TS.C

T< TE SERET R


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fist, an% shook it at the crosses. e kne they ere not e&!ty, forthe bir%s ere f"uttering about the&F an% he thought ho, as "ike asnot, just such another $agabon% as hi&se"f as hange% on one of the&Fan% he &uttere%3 D)f it ere hanging or bostringing, or stoning orbehea%ing, it ou"% be ba% enough. But to ha$e the bir%s !ecking youreyes an% the o"$es eating your feet2 ) ou"% that the re% in% ofthe 'rui%s ha% ithere% in his cra%"e the so"%ier of 'athi, ho

brought the tree of %eath out of barbarous "an%s, or that the"ightning, hen it s&ote 'athi at the foot of the &ountain, ha%s&itten hi& a"so, or that his gra$e ha% been %ug by the greenhaire%an% greentoothe% &erros %ee! at the roots of the %ee! sea.D

Whi"e he s!oke, he shi$ere% fro& hea% to foot, an% the seat ca&e outu!on his face, an% he kne not hy, for he ha% "ooke% u!on &anycrosses. e !asse% o$er to hi""s an% un%er the batt"e&ente% gate,an% then roun% by a "efthan% ay to the %oor of the 4bbey. )t asstu%%e% ith great nai"s, an% hen he knocke% at it, he rouse% the"ay brother ho as the !orter, an% of hi& he aske% a !"ace in theguesthouse. Then the "ay brother took a g"oing turf on a sho$e",

an% "e% the ay to a big an% nake% outhouse stren ith $ery %irtyrushesF an% "ighte% a rushcan%"e fi-e% beteen to of the stones ofthe a"", an% set the g"oing turf u!on the hearth an% ga$e hi& toun"ighte% so%s an% a is! of stra, an% shoe% hi& a b"anket hangingfro& a nai", an% a she"f ith a "oaf of brea% an% a jug of ater, an%a tub in a far corner. Then the "ay brother "eft hi& an% ent back tohis !"ace by the %oor. 4n% u&ha" the son of or&ac began to b"ou!on the g"oing turf that he &ight "ight the to so%s an% the is!of straF but the so%s an% the stra ou"% not "ight, for they ere%a&!. So he took off his !ointe% shoes, an% %re the tub out of thecorner ith the thought of ashing the %ust of the highay fro& hisfeetF but the ater as so %irty that he cou"% not see the botto&. e

as $ery hungry, for he ha% not eaten a"" that %ayF so he %i% notaste &uch anger u!on the tub, but took u! the b"ack "oaf, an% bitinto it, an% then s!at out the bite, for the brea% as har% an%&ou"%y. Sti"" he %i% not gi$e ay to his anger, for he ha% not%runken these &any hoursF ha$ing a ho!e of heath beer or ine at his%ayDs en%, he ha% "eft the brooks untaste%, to &ake his su!!er the&ore %e"ightfu". ?o he !ut the jug to his "i!s, but he f"ung it fro&hi& straightay, for the ater as bitter an% i""s&e""ing. Then hega$e the jug a kick, so that it broke against the o!!osite a"", an%he took %on the b"anket to ra! it about hi& for the night. But nosooner %i% he touch it than it as a"i$e ith ski!!ing f"eas. 4tthis, besi%e hi&se"f ith anger, he rushe% to the %oor of the guest

house, but the "ay brother, being e"" accusto&e% to such outcries,ha% "ocke% it on the outsi%eF so he e&!tie% the tub an% began to beatthe %oor ith it, ti"" the "ay brother ca&e to the %oor an% aske%hat ai"e% hi&, an% hy he oke hi& out of s"ee!. DWhat ai"s &e2Dshoute% u&ha", Dare not the so%s as et as the san%s of the ThreeRosses an% are not the f"eas in the b"anket as &any as the a$es ofthe sea an% as "i$e"y an% is not the brea% as har% as the heart of a"ay brother ho has forgotten Go% an% is not the ater in the jug asbitter an% as i""s&e""ing as his sou" an% is not the footater theco"our that sha"" be u!on hi& hen he has been charre% in the >n%ying+iresD The "ay brother sa that the "ock as fast, an% ent back tohis niche, for he as too s"ee!y to ta"k ith co&fort. 4n% u&ha"

ent on beating at the %oor, an% !resent"y he hear% the "ay brotherDsfoot once &ore, an% crie% out at hi&, D< coar%"y an% tyrannous raceof friars, !ersecutors of the bar% an% the g"ee&an, haters of "ifean% joy2 < race that %oes not %ra the sor% an% te"" the truth2


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race that &e"ts the bones of the !eo!"e ith coar%ice an% ith%eceit2D

DG"ee&an,D sai% the "ay brother, D) a"so &ake rhy&esF ) &ake &anyhi"e ) sit in &y niche by the %oor, an% ) sorro to hear the bar%srai"ing u!on the friars. Brother, ) ou"% s"ee!, an% therefore ) &akeknon to you that it is the hea% of the &onastery, our gracious

abbot, ho or%ers a"" things concerning the "o%ging of tra$e""ers.D

DYou &ay s"ee!,D sai% u&ha", D) i"" sing a bar%Ds curse on theabbot. D4n% he set the tub u!si%e %on un%er the in%o, an% stoo%u!on it, an% began to sing in a $ery "ou% $oice. The singing aokethe abbot, so that he sat u! in be% an% b"e a si"$er hist"e unti"the "ay brother ca&e to hi&. D) cannot get a ink of s"ee! ith thatnoise,D sai% the abbot. DWhat is ha!!eningD

D)t is a g"ee&an,D sai% the "ay brother, Dho co&!"ains of the so%s,of the brea%, of the ater in the jug, of the footater, an% of theb"anket. 4n% no he is singing a bar%Ds curse u!on you, < brother

abbot, an% u!on your father an% your &other, an% your gran%father an%your gran%&other, an% u!on a"" your re"ations.D

D)s he cursing in rhy&eD

De is cursing in rhy&e, an% ith to assonances in e$ery "ine of hiscurse.D

The abbot !u""e% his nightca! off an% cru&!"e% it in his han%s, an%the circu"ar bron !atch of hair in the &i%%"e of his ba"% hea%"ooke% "ike an is"an% in the &i%st of a !on%, for in onnaught theyha% not yet aban%one% the ancient tonsure for the sty"e then co&ing

into use. D)f e %o not so&ehat,D he sai%, Dhe i"" teach his cursesto the chi"%ren in the street, an% the gir"s s!inning at the %oors,an% to the robbers u!on Ben Bu"ben.D

DSha"" ) go, then,D sai% the other, Dan% gi$e hi& %ry so%s, a fresh"oaf, c"ean ater in a jug, c"ean footater, an% a ne b"anket, an%&ake hi& sear by the b"esse% Saint Benignus, an% by the sun an%&oon, that no bon% be "acking, not to te"" his rhy&es to the chi"%renin the street, an% the gir"s s!inning at the %oors, an% the robbersu!on Ben Bu"benD

D?either our B"esse% Patron nor the sun an% &oon ou"% a$ai" at a"",D

sai% the abbotF Dfor to&orro or the ne-t %ay the &oo% to curseou"% co&e u!on hi&, or a !ri%e in those rhy&es ou"% &o$e hi&, an%he ou"% teach his "ines to the chi"%ren, an% the gir"s, an% therobbers.


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another i"", for ho can eat an% s"ee! in !eace hi"e &en "ike hi&are going about the or"% )"" shou"% e stan% before b"esse% SaintBenignus, an% sour ou"% be his face hen he co&es to ju%ge us at the;ast 'ay, ere e to s!are an ene&y of his hen e ha% hi& un%er ourthu&b2 Brother, the bar%s an% the g"ee&en are an e$i" race, e$ercursing an% e$er stirring u! the !eo!"e, an% i&&ora" an% i&&o%eratein a"" things, an% heathen in their hearts, a"ays "onging after the

Son of ;ir, an% 4engus, an% Bri%get, an% the 'ag%a, an% 'ana theother, an% a"" the fa"se go%s of the o"% %aysF a"ays &aking !oe&sin !raise of those kings an% Hueens of the %e&ons, +in$aragh, hoseho&e is un%er ruach&aa, an% Re% 4o%h of nocnaSi%he, an% "eena ofthe Wa$e, an% 4oibhe"" of the Grey Rock, an% hi& they ca"" 'onn ofthe ats of the SeaF an% rai"ing against Go% an% hrist an% theb"esse% Saints.D Whi"e he as s!eaking he crosse% hi&se"f, an% henhe ha% finishe% he %re the nightca! o$er his ears, to shut out thenoise, an% c"ose% his eyes, an% co&!ose% hi&se"f to s"ee!.

The "ay brother foun% Brother @e$in, Brother 'o$e, Brother ;itt"eWo"f, Brother Ba"% Patrick, Brother Ba"% Bran%on, Brother =a&es an%

Brother Peter sitting u! in be%, an% he &a%e the& get u!. Then theyboun% u&ha", an% they %ragge% hi& to the ri$er, an% they %i!!e% hi&in it at the !"ace hich as afterar%s ca""e% Buck"eyDs +or%.

DG"ee&an,D sai% the "ay brother, as they "e% hi& back to the guesthouse, Dhy %o you e$er use the it hich Go% has gi$en you to &akeb"as!he&ous an% i&&ora" ta"es an% $erses +or such is the ay of yourcraft. ) ha$e, in%ee%, &any such ta"es an% $erses e"" nigh by rote,an% so ) kno that ) s!eak true2 4n% hy %o you !raise ith rhy&ethose %e&ons, +in$aragh, Re% 4o%h, "eena, 4oibhe"" an% 'onn ), too,a& a &an of great it an% "earning, but ) e$er g"orify our graciousabbot, an% Benignus our Patron, an% the !rinces of the !ro$ince. y

sou" is %ecent an% or%er"y, but yours is "ike the in% a&ong thesa""ey gar%ens. ) sai% hat ) cou"% for you, being a"so a &an of &anythoughts, but ho cou"% he"! such a one as youD

D+rien%,D ansere% the g"ee&an, D&y sou" is in%ee% "ike the in%, an%it b"os &e to an% fro, an% u! an% %on, an% !uts &any things into &y&in% an% out of &y &in%, an% therefore a& ) ca""e% the Sift, Wi"%orse.D 4n% he s!oke no &ore that night, for his teeth erechattering ith the co"%.

The abbot an% the friars ca&e to hi& in the &orning, an% ba%e hi& getrea%y to be crucifie%, an% "e% hi& out of the guesthouse. 4n% hi"e

he sti"" stoo% u!on the ste! a f"ock of great grassbarnac"es !asse%high abo$e hi& ith c"anking cries. e "ifte% his ar&s to the& an%sai%, D< great grassbarnac"es, tarry a "itt"e, an% &ayha! &y sou"i"" tra$e" ith you to the aste !"aces of the shore an% to theungo$ernab"e sea2D 4t the gate a cro% of beggars gathere% aboutthe&, being co&e there to beg fro& any tra$e""er or !i"gri& ho &ightha$e s!ent the night in the guesthouse. The abbot an% the friars "e%the g"ee&an to a !"ace in the oo%s at so&e %istance, here &anystraight young trees ere groing, an% they &a%e hi& cut one %on an%fashion it to the right "ength, hi"e the beggars stoo% roun% the& ina ring, ta"king an% gesticu"ating. The abbot then ba%e hi& cut offanother an% shorter !iece of oo%, an% nai" it u!on the first. So

there as his cross for hi&F an% they !ut it u!on his shou"%er, forhis crucifi-ion as to be on the to! of the hi"" here the othersere. 4 ha"f&i"e on the ay he aske% the& to sto! an% see hi& jugg"efor the&F for he kne, he sai%, a"" the tricks of 4engus the Subt"e


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hearte%. The o"% friars ere for !ressing on, but the young friarsou"% see hi&3 so he %i% &any on%ers for the&, e$en to the %raingof "i$e frogs out of his ears. But after a hi"e they turne% on hi&,an% sai% his tricks ere %u"" an% a sha%e unho"y, an% set the crosson his shou"%ers again. 4nother ha"f&i"e on the ay, an% he aske%the& to sto! an% hear hi& jest for the&, for he kne, he sai%, a""the jests of onan the Ba"%, u!on hose back a shee!Ds oo" gre. 4n%

the young friars, hen they ha% hear% his &erry ta"es, again ba%e hi&take u! his cross, for it i"" beca&e the& to "isten to such fo""ies.4nother ha"f&i"e on the ay, he aske% the& to sto! an% hear hi& singthe story of Whitebreaste% 'eir%re, an% ho she en%ure% &anysorros, an% ho the sons of >sna %ie% to ser$e her. 4n% the youngfriars ere &a% to hear hi&, but hen he ha% en%e% they gre angry,an% beat hi& for aking forgotten "ongings in their hearts. So theyset the cross u!on his back an% hurrie% hi& to the hi"".

When he as co&e to the to!, they took the cross fro& hi&, an% beganto %ig a ho"e to stan% it in, hi"e the beggars gathere% roun%, an%ta"ke% a&ong the&se"$es. D) ask a fa$our before ) %ie,D says u&ha".

DWe i"" grant you no &ore %e"ays,D says the abbot.

D) ask no &ore %e"ays, for ) ha$e %ran the sor%, an% to"% thetruth, an% "i$e% &y $ision, an% a& content.D

DWou"% you, then, confessD

D By sun an% &oon, not )F ) ask but to be "et eat the foo% ) carry in&y a""et. ) carry foo% in &y a""et hene$er ) go u!on a journey,but ) %o not taste of it un"ess ) a& e""nigh star$e%. ) ha$e noteaten no these to %ays.D

DYou &ay eat, then,D says the abbot, an% he turne% to he"! the friars%ig the ho"e.

The g"ee&an took a "oaf an% so&e stri!s of co"% frie% bacon out ofhis a""et an% "ai% the& u!on the groun%. D) i"" gi$e a tithe to the!oor,D says he, an% he cut a tenth !art fro& the "oaf an% the bacon.DWho a&ong you is the !oorestD 4n% thereu!on as a great c"a&our,for the beggars began the history of their sorros an% their !o$erty,an% their ye""o faces saye% "ike Gara ;ough hen the f"oo%s ha$efi""e% it ith ater fro& the bogs.

e "istene% for a "itt"e, an%, says he, D) a& &yse"f the !oorest, for) ha$e tra$e""e% the bare roa%, an% by the e%ges of the seaF an% thetattere% %oub"et of !artico"oure% c"oth u!on &y back an% the torn!ointe% shoes u!on &y feet ha$e e$er irke% &e, because of the toere%city fu"" of nob"e rai&ent hich as in &y heart. 4n% ) ha$e been the&ore a"one u!on the roa%s an% by the sea because ) hear% in &y heartthe rust"ing of the rosebor%ere% %ress of her ho is &ore subt"ethan 4engus, the Subt"ehearte%, an% &ore fu"" of the beauty of"aughter than onan the Ba"%, an% &ore fu"" of the is%o& of tearsthan Whitebreaste% 'eir%re, an% &ore "o$e"y than a bursting %an tothe& that are "ost in the %arkness. Therefore, ) aar% the tithe to&yse"fF but yet, because ) a& %one ith a"" things, ) gi$e it unto

you.D

So he f"ung the brea% an% the stri!s of bacon a&ong the beggars, an%they fought ith &any cries unti" the "ast scra! as eaten. But


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&eanhi"e the friars nai"e% the g"ee&an to his cross, an% set itu!right in the ho"e, an% sho$e""e% the earth in at the foot, an%tra&!"e% it "e$e" an% har%. So then they ent aay, but the beggarsstare% on, sitting roun% the cross. But hen the sun as sinking,they a"so got u! to go, for the air as getting chi""y. 4n% as soonas they ha% gone a "itt"e ay, the o"$es, ho ha% been shoingthe&se"$es on the e%ge of a neighbouring co!!ice, ca&e nearer, an%

the bir%s hee"e% c"oser an% c"oser. DStay, outcasts, yet a "itt"ehi"e,D the crucifie% one ca""e% in a eak $oice to the beggars, Dan%kee! the beasts an% the bir%s fro& &e.D But the beggars ere angrybecause he ha% ca""e% the& outcasts, so they thre stones an% &u% athi&, an% ent their ay. Then the o"$es gathere% at the foot of thecross, an% the bir%s f"e "oer an% "oer. 4n% !resent"y the bir%s"ighte% a"" at once u!on his hea% an% ar&s an% shou"%ers, an% beganto !eck at hi&, an% the o"$es began to eat his feet. D


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Dan you te"" &e,D sai% the knight, Dif the o"% &an to ho& the !igsbe"ong is !ious an% true of heartD

De is as true as another an% &ore !ious than any, for he says a!rayer to a saint e$ery &orning before his breakfast.D

DThen it ere e"" to fight in his cause,D sai% the knight, Dan% if

you i"" fight against the oo%thie$es ) i"" take the &ain brunt ofthe batt"e, an% you kno e"" that a &an in ar&our is orth &any "ikethese oo%thie$es, c"a% in oo" an% "eather.D

4n% the "ea%er turne% to his fe""os an% aske% if they ou"% take thechanceF but they see&e% an-ious to get back to their cabins.

D4re the oo%thie$es treacherous an% i&!iousD

DThey are treacherous in a"" their %ea"ings,D sai% a !easant, Dan% no&an has knon the& to !ray.D

DThen,D sai% the knight, D) i"" gi$e fi$e crons for the hea% ofe$ery oo%thief ki""e% by us in the fightingDF an% he bi% the "ea%ersho the ay, an% they a"" ent on together. 4fter a ti&e they ca&eto here a beaten track oun% into the oo%s, an%, taking this, they%oub"e% back u!on their !re$ious course, an% began to ascen% theoo%e% s"o!e of the &ountains. )n a "itt"e hi"e the !ath gre $erystraight an% stee!, an% the knight as force% to %is&ount an% "ea$ehis horse tie% to a treeste&. They kne they ere on the righttrack3 for they cou"% see the &arks of !ointe% shoes in the soft c"ayan% &ing"e% ith the& the c"o$en foot!rints of the !igs. Present"ythe !ath beca&e sti"" &ore abru!t, an% they kne by the en%ing of thec"o$en foot!rints that the thie$es ere carrying the !igs. ?o an%

then a "ong &ark in the c"ay shoe% that a !ig ha% s"i!!e% %on, an%been %ragge% a"ong for a "itt"e ay. They ha% journeye% thus forabout tenty &inutes, hen a confuse% soun% of $oices to"% the& thatthey ere co&ing u! ith the thie$es. 4n% then the $oices cease%, an%they un%erstoo% that they ha% been o$erhear% in their turn. They!resse% on ra!i%"y an% cautious"y, an% in about fi$e &inutes one ofthe& caught sight of a "eather jerkin ha"f hi%%en by a hae"bush. 4narro struck the knightDs chainar&our, but g"ance% off har&"ess"y,an% then a f"ight of arros se!t by the& ith the buing soun% ofgreat bees. They ran an% c"i&be%, an% c"i&be% an% ran toar%s thethie$es, ho ere no a"" $isib"e stan%ing u! a&ong the bushes iththeir sti"" Hui$ering bos in their han%s3 for they ha% on"y their

s!ears an% they &ust at once co&e han% to han%. The knight as in thefront an% s&ote %on first one an% then another of the oo%thie$es.The !easants shoute%, an%, !ressing on, %ro$e the oo%thie$es beforethe& unti" they ca&e out on the f"at to! of the &ountain, an% therethey sa the to !igs Huiet"y grubbing in the short grass, so theyran about the& in a circ"e, an% began to &o$e back again toar%s thenarro !ath3 the o"% knight co&ing no the "ast of a"", an% striking%on thief after thief. The !easants ha% got no $ery serious hurtsa&ong the&, for he ha% %ran the brunt of the batt"e u!on hi&se"f, ascou"% e"" be seen fro& the b"oo%y rents in his ar&ourF an% hen theyca&e to the entrance of the narro !ath he ba%e the& %ri$e the !igs%on into the $a""ey, hi"e he stoo% there to guar% the ay behin%

the&. So in a &o&ent he as a"one, an%, being eak ith "oss ofb"oo%, &ight ha$e been en%e% there an% then by the oo%thie$es heha% beaten off, ha% fear not &a%e the& begone out of sight in a greathurry.


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4n hour !asse%, an% they %i% not returnF an% no the knight cou"%stan% on guar% no "onger, but ha% to "ie %on u!on the grass. 4 ha"fhour &ore ent by, an% then a young "a% ith hat a!!eare% to be anu&ber of cockDs feathers stuck roun% his hat, ca&e out of the !athbehin% hi&, an% began to &o$e about a&ong the %ea% thie$es, cuttingtheir hea%s off, Then he "ai% the hea%s in a hea! before the knight,

an% sai%3 D< great knight, ) ha$e been bi% co&e an% ask you for thecrons you !ro&ise% for the hea%s3 fi$e crons a hea%. They bi% &ete"" you that they ha$e !raye% to Go% an% is other to gi$e you a"ong "ife, but that they are !oor !easants, an% that they ou"% ha$ethe &oney before you %ie. They to"% &e this o$er an% o$er for fear )&ight forget it, an% !ro&ise% to beat &e if ) %i%.D

The knight raise% hi&se"f u!on his e"bo, an% o!ening a bag that hungto his be"t, counte% out the fi$e crons for each hea%. There erethirty hea%s in a"".

D< great knight,D sai% the "a%, Dthey ha$e a"so bi% &e take a"" care

of you, an% "ight a fire, an% !ut this oint&ent u!on your oun%s.D4n% he gathere% sticks an% "ea$es together, an%, f"ashing his f"intan% stee" un%er a &ass of %ry "ea$es, ha% &a%e a $ery goo% b"ae.Then, %raing of the coat of &ai", he began to anoint the oun%s3 buthe %i% it c"u&si"y, "ike one ho %oes by rote hat he ha% been to"%.The knight &otione% hi& to sto!, an% sai%3 DYou see& a goo% "a%.D

D) ou"% ask so&ething of you for &yse"f.D

DThere are sti"" a fe crons,D sai% the knightF Dsha"" ) gi$e the&to youD

D< no,D sai% the "a%. DThey ou"% be no goo% to &e. There is on"y onething that ) care about %oing, an% ) ha$e no nee% of &oney to %o it.) go fro& $i""age to $i""age an% fro& hi"" to hi"", an% hene$er )co&e across a goo% cock ) stea" hi& an% take hi& into the oo%s, an%) kee! hi& there un%er a basket unti" ) get another goo% cock, an%then ) set the& to fight. The !eo!"e say ) a& an innocent, an% %o not%o &e any har&, an% ne$er ask &e to %o any ork but go a &essage noan% then. )t is because ) a& an innocent that they sen% &e to get thecrons3 anyone e"se ou"% stea" the&F an% they %are not co&e backthe&se"$es, for no that you are not ith the& they are afrai% of theoo%thie$es. 'i% you e$er hear ho, hen the oo%thie$es arechristene%, the o"$es are &a%e their go%fathers, an% their right

ar&s are not christene% at a""D

D)f you i"" not take these crons, &y goo% "a%, ) ha$e nothing foryou, ) fear, un"ess you ou"% ha$e that o"% coat of &ai" hich )sha"" soon nee% no &ore.D

DThere as so&ething ) ante%3 yes, ) re&e&ber no,D sai% the "a%. D)ant you to te"" &e hy you fought "ike the cha&!ions an% giants inthe stories an% for so "itt"e a thing. 4re you in%ee% a &an "ike us4re you not rather an o"% iar% ho "i$es a&ong these hi""s, an%i"" not a in% arise !resent"y an% cru&b"e you into %ustD

D) i"" te"" you of &yse"f,D re!"ie% the knight, Dfor no that ) a&the "ast of the fe""oshi!, D) &ay te"" a"" an% itness for Go%. ;ookat the Rose of Rubies on &y he"&et, an% see the sy&bo" of &y "ife an%of &y ho!e.D 4n% then he to"% the "a% this story, but ith a"ays


11/41

&ore freHuent !ausesF an%, hi"e he to"% it, the Rose shone a %ee!b"oo%co"our in the fire"ight, an% the "a% stuck the cockDsfeathers in the earth in front of hi&, an% &o$e% the& about as thoughhe &a%e the& actors in the !"ay.

D) "i$e in a "an% far fro& this, an% as one of the @nights of St.=ohn,D sai% the o"% &anF Dbut ) as one of those in the


12/41

c"ay. e %ug har%, an% a faint "ight of %an ha% touche% his hair an%he ha% a"&ost %one his ork hen a cock croe% in the $a""ey be"o.D4h,D he sai%, D) &ust ha$e that bir%DF an% he ran %on the narro!ath to the $a""ey.

TE W)S'

the bo"ts for tre&b"ing, an% another grey o&an, not "ess o"% thanthe other, an% ith "ike feathers instea% of hair, ca&e in an% stoo%by the first. )n a "itt"e, ca&e a thir% grey o&an, an% after her afourth, an% then another an% another an% another, unti" the hut asfu"" of their i&&ense bo%ies. They stoo% a "ong ti&e in !erfectsi"ence an% sti""ness, for they ere of those ho& the %ro!!ing ofthe san% has ne$er troub"e%, but at "ast one &uttere% in a "o thin$oice3 DSisters, ) kne hi& far aay by the re%ness of his heartun%er his si"$er skinDF an% then another s!oke3 DSisters, ) kne hi&because his heart f"uttere% "ike a bir% un%er a net of si"$er cor%sDF an% then another took u! the or%3 DSisters, ) kne hi& becausehis heart sang "ike a bir% that is ha!!y in a si"$er cage.D 4n% after

that they sang together, those ho ere nearest rocking the cra%"eith "ong rink"e% fingersF an% their $oices ere no ten%er an%caressing, no "ike the in% b"oing in the great oo%, an% this astheir song3


13/41

b"oo%.D 4n% she scratche% her ar& ith the shar! !oint of a s!in%"e,hich she ha% &a%e the nurse bring to her, an% "et a %ro! of b"oo%,grey as the &ist, fa"" u!on the "i!s of the chi"%F an% !asse% outinto the %arkness. Then the others !asse% out in si"ence one by oneFan% a"" the hi"e the chi"% ha% not o!ene% his !ink eye"i%s or thefire cease% to %ance, for the one as too ignorant an% the other toofu"" of gaiety to kno hat great beings ha% bent o$er the cra%"e.

When the crones ere gone, the nurse ca&e to her courage again, an%hurrie% to the %un of the igh@ing, an% crie% out in the &i%st ofthe asse&b"y ha"" that the Si%he, hether for goo% or e$i" she knenot, ha% bent o$er the chi"% that nightF an% the king an% his !oetsan% &en of "a, an% his hunts&en, an% his cooks, an% his chiefarriors ent ith her to the hut an% gathere% about the cra%"e, an%ere as noisy as &ag!ies, an% the chi"% sat u! an% "ooke% at the&.

To years !asse% o$er, an% the king %ie% fighting against the +erBo"gF an% the !oets an% the &en of "a ru"e% in the na&e of thechi"%, but "ooke% to see hi& beco&e the &aster hi&se"f before "ong,

for no one ha% seen so ise a chi"%, an% ta"es of his en%"essHuestions about the househo"% of the go%s an% the &aking of the or"%ent hither an% thither a&ong the icker houses of the !oor.E$erything ha% been e"" but for a &irac"e that began to troub"e a""&enF an% a"" o&en, ho, in%ee%, ta"ke% of it ithout ceasing. Thefeathers of the grey hak ha% begun to gro in the chi"%Ds hair, an%though, his nurse cut the& continua""y, in but a "itt"e hi"e theyou"% be &ore nu&erous than e$er. This ha% not been a &atter of great&o&ent, for &irac"es ere a "itt"e thing in those %ays, but for anancient "a of Eri that none ho ha% any b"e&ish of bo%y cou"% situ!on the throneF an% as a grey hak as a i"% thing of the air hichha% ne$er sat at the boar%, or "istene% to the songs of the !oets in

the "ight of the fire, it as not !ossib"e to think of one in hosehair its feathers gre as other than &arre% an% b"aste%F nor cou"%the !eo!"e se!arate fro& their a%&iration of the is%o& that gre inhi& a horror as at one of unhu&an b"oo%. Yet a"" ere reso"$e% thathe shou"% reign, for they ha% suffere% &uch fro& foo"ish kings an%their on %isor%ers, an% &oreo$er they %esire% to atch out thes!ectac"e of his %aysF an% no one ha% any other fear but that hisgreat is%o& &ight bi% hi& obey the "a, an% ca"" so&e other, ho ha%but a co&&on &in%, to reign in his stea%.

When the chi"% as se$en years o"% the !oets an% the &en of "a ereca""e% together by the chief !oet, an% a"" these &atters eighe% an%

consi%ere%. The chi"% ha% a"rea%y seen that those about hi& ha% hairon"y, an%, though they ha% to"% hi& that they too ha% ha% feathersbut ha% "ost the& because of a sin co&&itte% by their forefathers,they kne that he ou"% "earn the truth hen he began to an%er intothe country roun% about. 4fter &uch consi%eration they %ecree% a ne"a co&&an%ing e$ery one u!on !ain of %eath to &ing"e artificia""ythe feathers of the grey hak into his hairF an% they sent &en ithnets an% s"ings an% bos into the countries roun% about to gather asufficiency of feathers. They %ecree% a"so that any ho to"% thetruth to the chi"% shou"% be f"ung fro& a c"iff into the sea.

The years !asse%, an% the chi"% gre fro& chi"%hoo% into boyhoo% an%

fro& boyhoo% into &anhoo%, an% fro& being curious about a"" things hebeca&e busy ith strange an% subt"e thoughts hich ca&e to hi& in%rea&s, an% ith %istinctions beteen things "ong he"% the sa&e an%ith the rese&b"ance of things "ong he"% %ifferent. u"titu%es ca&e


14/41

fro& other "an%s to see hi& an% to ask his counse", but there ereguar%s set at the frontiers, ho co&!e""e% a"" that ca&e to ear thefeathers of the grey hak in their hair. Whi"e they "istene% to hi&his or%s see&e% to &ake a"" %arkness "ight an% fi""e% their hearts"ike &usicF but, a"as, hen they returne% to their on "an%s hisor%s see&e% far off, an% hat they cou"% re&e&ber too strange an%subt"e to he"! the& to "i$e out their hasty %ays. 4 nu&ber in%ee% %i%

"i$e %ifferent"y afterar%s, but their ne "ife as "ess e-ce""entthan the o"%3 so&e a&ong the& ha% "ong ser$e% a goo% cause, but henthey hear% hi& !raise it an% their "abour, they returne% to their on"an%s to fin% hat they ha% "o$e% "ess "o$ab"e an% their ar& "ighterin the batt"e, for he ha% taught the& ho "itt"e a hair %i$i%es thefa"se an% trueF others, again, ho ha% ser$e% no cause, but roughtin !eace the e"fare of their on househo"%s, hen he ha% e-!oun%e%the &eaning of their !ur!ose, foun% their bones softer an% their i"""ess rea%y for toi", for he ha% shon the& greater !ur!osesF an%nu&bers of the young, hen they ha% hear% hi& u!on a"" these things,re&e&bere% certain or%s that beca&e "ike a fire in their hearts, an%&a%e a"" kin%"y joys an% traffic beteen &an an% &an as nothing, an%

ent %ifferent ays, but a"" into $ague regret.

When any aske% hi& concerning the co&&on things of "ifeF %is!utesabout the &ear of a territory, or about the straying of catt"e, orabout the !ena"ty of b"oo%F he ou"% turn to those nearest hi& fora%$iceF but this as he"% to be fro& courtesy, for none kne thatthese &atters ere hi%%en fro& hi& by thoughts an% %rea&s that fi""e%his &in% "ike the &arching an% counter&arching of ar&ies. +ar "esscou"% any kno that his heart an%ere% "ost a&i% throngs ofo$erco&ing thoughts an% %rea&s, shu%%ering at its on consu&ingso"itu%e.

4&ong those ho ca&e to "ook at hi& an% to "isten to hi& as the%aughter of a "itt"e king ho "i$e% a great ay offF an% hen he saher he "o$e%, for she as beautifu", ith a strange an% !a"e beautyun"ike the o&en of his "an%F but 'ana, the great &other, ha% %ecree%her a heart that as but as the heart of others, an% hen sheconsi%ere% the &ystery of the hak feathers she as troub"e% ith agreat horror. e ca""e% her to hi& hen the asse&b"y as o$er an%to"% her of her beauty, an% !raise% her si&!"y an% frank"y as thoughshe ere a fab"e of the bar%sF an% he aske% her hu&b"y to gi$e hi&her "o$e, for he as on"y subt"e in his %rea&s.


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the king a"ke% in the orchar%, hich as beteen the foss an% theforest, he hear% his $oice a&ong the sa""ey bushes hich hi% theaters of the foss. Dy b"osso&,D it sai%, D) hate the& for &akingyou ea$e these %ingy feathers into your beautifu" hair, an% a"" thatthe bir% of !rey u!on the throne &ay s"ee! easy oD nightsDF an% thenthe "o, &usica" $oice he "o$e% ansere%3 Dy hair is not beautifu""ike yoursF an% no that ) ha$e !"ucke% the feathers out of your hair

) i"" !ut &y han%s through it, thus, an% thus, an% thusF for itcasts no sha%o of terror an% %arkness u!on &y heart.D Then the kingre&e&bere% &any things that he ha% forgotten ithout un%erstan%ingthe&, %oubtfu" or%s of his !oets an% his &en of "a, %oubts that heha% reasone% aay, his on continua" so"itu%eF an% he ca""e% to the"o$ers in a tre&b"ing $oice. They ca&e fro& a&ong the sa""ey bushesan% thre the&se"$es at his feet an% !raye% for !ar%on, an% hestoo!e% %on an% !"ucke% the feathers out of the hair of the o&anan% then turne% aay toar%s the %un ithout a or%. e stro%e intothe ha"" of asse&b"y, an% ha$ing gathere% his !oets an% his &en of"a about hi&, stoo% u!on the %ais an% s!oke in a "ou%, c"ear $oice3Den of "a, hy %i% you &ake &e sin against the "as of Eri en of

$erse, hy %i% you &ake &e sin against the secrecy of is%o&, for "aas &a%e by &an for the e"fare of &an, but is%o& the go%s ha$e&a%e, an% no &an sha"" "i$e by its "ight, for it an% the hai" an% therain an% the thun%er fo""o a ay that is %ea%"y to &orta" thingsen of "a an% &en of $erse, "i$e accor%ing to your kin%, an% ca""Eocha of the asty in% to reign o$er you, for ) set out to fin% &ykin%re%.D e then ca&e %on a&ong the&, an% %re out of the hair offirst one an% then another the feathers of the grey hak, an%, ha$ingscattere% the& o$er the rushes u!on the f"oor, !asse% out, an% none%are% to fo""o hi&, for his eyes g"ea&e% "ike the eyes of the bir%sof !reyF an% no &an sa hi& again or hear% his $oice. So&e be"ie$e%that he foun% his eterna" abo%e a&ong the %e&ons, an% so&e that he

%e"t henceforth ith the %ark an% %rea%fu" go%%esses, ho sit a""night about the !oo"s in the forest atching the conste""ationsrising an% setting in those %eso"ate &irrors.

TE E4RT


16/41

Daster,D sai% the boy, Dthis "ong fasting, an% the "abour ofbeckoning after nightfa"" ith your ro% of Huicken oo% to the beingsho %e"" in the aters an% a&ong the hae"s an% oaktrees, is too&uch for your strength. Rest fro& a"" this "abour for a "itt"e, foryour han% see&e% &ore hea$y u!on &y shou"%er an% your feet "essstea%y un%er you to%ay than ) ha$e knon the&. en say that you areo"%er than the eag"es, an% yet you i"" not seek the rest that

be"ongs to age.D e s!oke in an eager, i&!u"si$e ay, as though hisheart ere in the or%s an% thoughts of the &o&entF an% the o"% &anansere% s"o"y an% %e"iberate"y, as though his heart ere in %istant%ays an% %istant %ee%s.

D) i"" te"" you hy ) ha$e not been ab"e to rest,D he sai%. D)t isright that you shou"% kno, for you ha$e ser$e% &e faithfu""y thesefi$e years an% &ore, an% e$en ith affection, taking aay thereby a"itt"e of the %oo& of "one"iness hich a"ays fa""s u!on the ise.?o, too, that the en% of &y "abour an% the triu&!h of &y ho!es is athan%, it is the &ore nee%fu" for you to ha$e this kno"e%ge.D

Daster, %o not think that ) ou"% Huestion you. )t is for &e to kee!the fire a"ight, an% the thatch c"ose against the rain, an% strong,"est the in% b"o it a&ong the treesF an% it is for &e to take thehea$y books fro& the she"$es, an% to "ift fro& its corner the great!ainte% ro"" ith the na&es of the Si%he, an% to !ossess the hi"e anincurious an% re$erent heart, for right e"" ) kno that Go% has &a%eout of is abun%ance a se!arate is%o& for e$erything hich "i$es,an% to %o these things is &y is%o&.D

DYou are afrai%,D sai% the o"% &an, an% his eyes shone ith a&o&entary anger.

DSo&eti&es at night,D sai% the boy, Dhen you are rea%ing, ith thero% of Huicken oo% in your han%, ) "ook out of the %oor an% see, noa great grey &an %ri$ing sine a&ong the hae"s, an% no &any "itt"e!eo!"e in re% ca!s ho co&e out of the "ake %ri$ing "itt"e hite cosbefore the&. ) %o not fear these "itt"e !eo!"e so &uch as the grey&anF for, hen they co&e near the house, they &i"k the cos, an% they%rink the frothing &i"k, an% begin to %anceF an% ) kno there is goo%in the heart that "o$es %ancingF but ) fear the& for a"" that. 4n% )fear the ta"" hitear&e% "a%ies ho co&e out of the air, an% &o$es"o"y hither an% thither, croning the&se"$es ith the roses or iththe "i"ies, an% shaking about their "i$ing hair, hich &o$es, for so) ha$e hear% the& te"" each other, ith the &otion of their thoughts,

no s!rea%ing out an% no gathering c"ose to their hea%s. They ha$e&i"%, beautifu" faces, but, 4engus, son of +orbis, ) fear a"" thesebeings, ) fear the !eo!"e of Si%he, an% ) fear the art hich %rasthe& about us.D

DWhy,D sai% the o"% &an, D%o you fear the ancient go%s ho &a%e thes!ears of your fatherDs fathers to be stout in batt"e, an% the "itt"e!eo!"e ho ca&e at night fro& the %e!th of the "akes an% sang a&ongthe crickets u!on their hearths 4n% in our e$i" %ay they sti"" atcho$er the "o$e"iness of the earth. But ) &ust te"" you hy ) ha$efaste% an% "aboure% hen others ou"% sink into the s"ee! of age, forithout your he"! once &ore ) sha"" ha$e faste% an% "aboure% to no

goo% en%. When you ha$e %one for &e this "ast thing, you &ay go an%bui"% your cottage an% ti"" your fie"%s, an% take so&e gir" to ife,an% forget the ancient go%s. ) ha$e sa$e% a"" the go"% an% si"$er!ieces that ere gi$en to &e by ear"s an% knights an% sHuires for


17/41

kee!ing the& fro& the e$i" eye an% fro& the "o$eea$ing enchant&entsof itches, an% by ear"sD an% knightsD an% sHuiresD "a%ies forkee!ing the !eo!"e of the Si%he fro& &aking the u%%ers of theircatt"e fa"" %ry, an% taking the butter fro& their churns. ) ha$esa$e% it a"" for the %ay hen &y ork shou"% be at an en%, an% nothat the en% is at han% you sha"" not "ack for go"% an% si"$er !iecesenough to &ake strong the rooftree of your cottage an% to kee!

ce""ar an% "ar%er fu"". ) ha$e sought through a"" &y "ife to fin% thesecret of "ife. ) as not ha!!y in &y youth, for ) kne that it ou"%!assF an% ) as not ha!!y in &y &anhoo%, for ) kne that age asco&ingF an% so ) ga$e &yse"f, in youth an% &anhoo% an% age, to thesearch for the Great Secret. ) "onge% for a "ife hose abun%anceou"% fi"" centuries, ) scorne% the "ife of fourscore inters. )ou"% benay, ) Ci""C be2"ike the 4ncient Go%s of the "an%.) rea% in &y youth, in a ebre &anuscri!t ) foun% in a S!anish&onastery, that there is a &o&ent after the Sun has entere% the Ra&an% before he has !asse% the ;ion, hich tre&b"es ith the Song ofthe )&&orta" Poers, an% that hosoe$er fin%s this &o&ent an% "istensto the Song sha"" beco&e "ike the )&&orta" Poers the&se"$esF ) ca&e

back to )re"an% an% aske% the fairy &en, an% the co%octors, if theykne hen this &o&ent asF but though a"" ha% hear% of it, there asnone cou"% fin% the &o&ent u!on the hourg"ass. So ) ga$e &yse"f to&agic, an% s!ent &y "ife in fasting an% in "abour that ) &ight bringthe Go%s an% the +airies to &y si%eF an% no at "ast one of the+airies has to"% &e that the &o&ent is at han%.


18/41

sha%os, &o$ing s"o"y hither an% thither, the on"y thing that see&e%a"i$e, the on"y thing that see&e% !erishab"e as &orta" ho!e. The boygathere% a great ar&fu" of roses an% "i"ies, an% thrusting the g"oor& a&ong their !ear" an% ruby, carrie% the& into the roo&, herethe o"% &an sat in a ha"fs"u&ber. e "ai% ar&fu" after ar&fu" u!onthe f"oor an% abo$e the tab"e, an% then, gent"y c"osing the %oor,thre hi&se"f u!on his be% of rushes, to %rea& of a !eacefu" &anhoo%

ith his chosen ife at his si%e, an% the "aughter of chi"%ren in hisears. 4t %an he rose, an% ent %on to the e%ge of the "ake, takingthe hourg"ass ith hi&. e !ut so&e brea% an% a f"ask of ine in theboat, that his &aster &ight not "ack foo% at the outset of hisjourney, an% then sat %on to ait unti" the hour fro& %an ha% goneby. Gra%ua""y the bir%s began to sing, an% hen the "ast grains ofsan% ere fa""ing, e$erything su%%en"y see&e% to o$erf"o ith their&usic. )t as the &ost beautifu" an% "i$ing &o&ent of the yearF onecou"% "isten to the s!ringDs heart beating in it. e got u! an% entto fin% his &aster. The green boughs fi""e% the %oor, an% he ha% to&ake a ay through the&. When he entere% the roo& the sun"ight asfa""ing in f"ickering circ"es on f"oor an% a""s an% tab"e, an%

e$erything as fu"" of soft green sha%os. But the o"% &an satc"as!ing a &ass of roses an% "i"ies in his ar&s, an% ith his hea%sunk u!on his breast. RSE


19/41


20/41

hi&se"f, but re&e&bering that he ha% change% his re"igion he !ut it%on, an% sai%3 D) a& certain it as but a sha%o, for there are agreat &any about us, an% of $ery strange kin%s.D Then they ro%e on insi"ence. )t ha% been raining in the ear"ier !art of the %ay, an% the%ro!s fe"" fro& the branches, etting their hair an% their shou"%ers.)n a "itt"e they began to ta"k again. They ha% been in &any batt"esagainst &any a rebe" together, an% no to"% each other o$er again the

story of their oun%s, an% so aakene% in their hearts the strongestof a"" fe""oshi!s, the fe""oshi! of the sor%, an% ha"f forgot theterrib"e so"itu%e of the oo%s.

Su%%en"y the first to horses neighe%, an% then stoo% sti"", an%ou"% go no further. Before the& as a g"int of ater, an% they kneby the rushing soun% that it as a ri$er. They %is&ounte%, an% after&uch tugging an% coa-ing brought the horses to the ri$ersi%e. )n the&i%st of the ater stoo% a ta"" o"% o&an ith grey hair f"oing o$era grey %ress. She stoo% u! to her knees in the ater, an% stoo!e%fro& ti&e to ti&e as though ashing. Present"y they cou"% see thatshe as ashing so&ething that ha"f f"oate%. The &oon cast a

f"ickering "ight u!on it, an% they sa that it as the %ea% bo%y of a&an, an%, hi"e they ere "ooking at it, an e%%y of the ri$er turne%the face toar%s the&, an% each of the fi$e troo!ers recognise% atthe sa&e &o&ent his on face. Whi"e they stoo% %u&b an% &otion"essith horror, the o&an began to s!eak, saying s"o"y an% "ou%"y3 D'i%you see &y son e has a cron of si"$er on his hea%, an% there arerubies in the cron.D Then the o"%est of the troo!ers, he ho ha%been &ost often oun%e%, %re his sor% an% crie%3 D) ha$e fought forthe truth of &y Go%, an% nee% not fear the sha%os of Satan,D an%ith that rushe% into the ater. )n a &o&ent he returne%. The o&anha% $anishe%, an% though he ha% thrust his sor% into air an% aterhe ha% foun% nothing.

The fi$e troo!ers re&ounte%, an% set their horses at the for%, buta"" to no !ur!ose. They trie% again an% again, an% ent !"unginghither an% thither, the horses foa&ing an% rearing. D;et us,D sai%the o"% troo!er, Dri%e back a "itt"e into the oo%, an% strike theri$er higher u!.D They ro%e in un%er the boughs, the groun%i$ycrack"ing un%er the hoofs, an% the branches striking against theirstee" ca!s. 4fter about tenty &inutesD ri%ing they ca&e out againu!on the ri$er, an% after another ten &inutes foun% a !"ace here itas !ossib"e to cross ithout sinking be"o the stirru!s. The oo%u!on the other si%e as $ery thin, an% broke the &oon"ight into "ongstrea&s. The in% ha% arisen, an% ha% begun to %ri$e the c"ou%s

ra!i%"y across the face of the &oon, so that thin strea&s of "ightsee&e% to be %ancing a grotesHue %ance a&ong the scattere% bushes an%s&a"" firtrees. The to!s of the trees began a"so to &oan, an% thesoun% of it as "ike the $oice of the %ea% in the in%F an% thetroo!ers re&e&bere% the be"ief that te""s ho the %ea% in !urgatoryare s!itte% u!on the !oints of the trees an% u!on the !oints of therocks. They turne% a "itt"e to the south, in the ho!e that they &ightstrike the beaten !ath again, but they cou"% fin% no trace of it.

eanhi"e, the &oaning gre "ou%er an% "ou%er, an% the %ance of thehite &oonfires &ore an% &ore ra!i%. Gra%ua""y they began to beaare of a soun% of %istant &usic. )t as the soun% of a bag!i!e, an%

they ro%e toar%s it ith great joy. )t ca&e fro& the botto& of a%ee!, cu!"ike ho""o. )n the &i%st of the ho""o as an o"% &an itha re% ca! an% ithere% face. e sat besi%e a fire of sticks, an% ha%a burning torch thrust into the earth at his feet, an% !"aye% an o"%


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bag!i!e furious"y. is re% hair %ri!!e% o$er his face "ike the ironrust u!on a rock. D'i% you see &y ifeD he crie%, "ooking u! a&o&entF Dshe as ashing2 she as ashing2D D) a& afrai% of hi&,Dsai% the young troo!er, D) fear he is one of the Si%he.D D?o,D sai%the o"% troo!er, Dhe is a &an, for ) can see the sunfreck"es u!onhis face. We i"" co&!e" hi& to be our gui%eDF an% at that he %rehis sor%, an% the others %i% the sa&e. They stoo% in a ring roun%

the !i!er, an% !ointe% their sor%s at hi&, an% the o"% troo!er thento"% hi& that they &ust ki"" to rebe"s, ho ha% taken the roa%beteen Ben Bu"ben an% the great &ountain s!ur that is ca""e% ashe"naGae", an% that he &ust get u! before one of the& an% be theirgui%e, for they ha% "ost their ay. The !i!er turne%, an% !ointe% toa neighbouring tree, an% they sa an o"% hite horse rea%y bitte%,bri%"e%, an% sa%%"e%. e s"ung the !i!e across his back, an%, takingthe torch in his han%, got u!on the horse, an% starte% off beforethe&, as har% as he cou"% go.

The oo% gre thinner an% thinner, an% the groun% began to s"o!e u!toar% the &ountain. The &oon ha% a"rea%y set, an% the "itt"e hite

f"a&es of the stars ha% co&e out e$eryhere. The groun% s"o!e% &orean% &ore unti" at "ast they ro%e far abo$e the oo%s u!on the i%eto! of the &ountain. The oo%s "ay s!rea% out &i"e after &i"e be"o,an% aay to the south shot u! the re% g"are of the burning ton. Butbefore an% abo$e the& ere the "itt"e hite f"a&es. The gui%e %rerein su%%en"y, an% !ointing u!ar%s ith the han% that %i% not ho"%the torch, shrieke% out, D;ookF "ook at the ho"y can%"es2D an% then!"unge% forar% at a ga""o!, a$ing the torch hither an% thither. D'oyou hear the hoofs of the &essengersD crie% the gui%e. DIuick,Huick2 or they i"" be gone out of your han%s2D an% he "aughe% asith %e"ight of the chase. The troo!ers thought they cou"% hear faroff, an% as if be"o the&, ratt"e of hoofsF but no the groun% began

to s"o!e &ore an% &ore, an% the s!ee% gre &ore hea%"ong &o&ent by&o&ent. They trie% to !u"" u!, but in $ain, for the horses see&e% toha$e gone &a%. The gui%e ha% thron the reins on to the neck of theo"% hite horse, an% as a$ing his ar&s an% singing a i"% Gae"icsong. Su%%en"y they sa the thin g"ea& of a ri$er, at an i&&ense%istance be"o, an% kne that they ere u!on the brink of the abyssthat is no ca""e% ;ugnaGae", or in Eng"ish the StrangerDs ;ea!.The si- horses s!rang forar%, an% fi$e screa&s ent u! into the air,a &o&ent "ater fi$e &en an% horses fe"" ith a %u"" crash u!on thegreen s"o!es at the foot of the rocks.

TE


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but for the &aking of his sou", at the foot of the S!anish crucifi-of car$e% oak that hung by his chi&ney, or bent %oub"e o$er therosary of stone bea%s brought to hi& a cargo of si"ks an% "aces outof +rance.


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D) i"" "isten to you,D he ansere%, Dbut ) i"" not "et you touch &yb"esse% bea%s,D an% sitting on the grass a "itt"e ay fro& the %ying&an, he re"oa%e% his gun an% "ai% it across his knees an% co&!ose%hi&se"f to "isten.

D) kno not ho &any generations ago e, ho are no herons, ere the&en of "earning of the @ing ;eaghaireF e neither hunte%, nor ent to

batt"e, nor "istene% to the 'rui%s !reaching, an% e$en "o$e, if itca&e to us at a"", as but a !assing fire. The 'rui%s an% the !oetsto"% us, &any an% &any a ti&e, of a ne 'rui% PatrickF an% &ost a&ongthe& ere fierce against hi&, hi"e a fe thought his %octrine &ere"ythe %octrine of the go%s set out in ne sy&bo"s, an% ere for gi$inghi& e"co&eF but e yane% in the &i%st of their ta"e. 4t "ast theyca&e crying that he as co&ing to the kingDs house, an% fe"" to their%is!ute, but e ou"% "isten to neither !arty, for e ere busy itha %is!ute about the &erits of the Great an% of the ;itt"e etreF norere e %isturbe% hen they !asse% our %oor ith sticks ofenchant&ent un%er their ar&s, tra$e""ing toar%s the forest toconten% against his co&ing, nor hen they returne% after nightfa""

ith torn robes an% %es!airing criesF for the c"ick of our kni$esriting our thoughts in


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co&e to you by chance an% unforeseen, that no fire of certainty &ay$isit your hearts.(D

The $oice of the o"% &an of "earning beca&e sti"", but the $oteenbent o$er his gun ith his eyes u!on the groun%, trying in $ain toun%erstan% so&ething of this ta"eF an% he ha% so bent, it &ay be fora "ong ti&e, ha% not a tug at his rosary &a%e hi& start out of his

%rea&. The o"% &an of "earning ha% cra"e% a"ong the grass, an% asno trying to %ra the cross %on "o enough for his "i!s to reachit.

DYou &ust not touch &y b"esse% bea%s, crie% the $oteen, an% struckthe "ong ithere% fingers ith the barre" of his gun. e nee% notha$e tre&b"e%, for the o"% &an fe"" back u!on the grass ith a sighan% as sti"". e bent %on an% began to consi%er the b"ack an% greenc"othes, for his fear ha% begun to !ass aay hen he ca&e toun%erstan% that he ha% so&ething the &an of "earning ante% an%!"ea%e% for, an% no that the b"esse% bea%s ere safe, his fear ha%near"y a"" goneF an% sure"y, he thought, if that big c"oak, an% that

"itt"e tightfitting c"oak un%er it, ere ar& an% ithout ho"es,Saint Patrick ou"% take the enchant&ent out of the& an% "ea$e the&fit for hu&an use. But the b"ack an% green c"othes fe"" aay here$erhis fingers touche% the&, an% hi"e this as a ne on%er, a s"ightin% b"e o$er the !oo" an% cru&b"e% the o"% &an of "earning an% a""his ancient gear into a "itt"e hea! of %ust, an% then &a%e the "itt"ehea! "ess an% "ess unti" there as nothing but the s&ooth greengrass.

WERE TERE )S ?


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=u!iter, on the se$enth the !"anet SaturnF these are the an%eringstarsF an% on the eighth are fastene% the fi-e% starsF but the ninths!here is a s!here of the substance on hich the breath of Go% &o$e%in the beginning.D

DWhat is beyon% thatD sai% the chi"%. DThere is nothing beyon% thatFthere is Go%.D

4n% then the chi"%Ds eyes straye% to the jee""e% bo-, here onegreat ruby as g"ea&ing in the "ight of the fire, an% he sai%, DWhyhas Brother Peter !ut a great ruby on the si%e of the bo-D

DThe ruby is a sy&bo" of the "o$e of Go%.D

DWhy is the ruby a sy&bo" of the "o$e of Go%D

DBecause it is re%, "ike fire, an% fire burns u! e$erything, an%here there is nothing, there is Go%.D

The chi"% sank into si"ence, but !resent"y sat u! an% sai%, DThere isso&ebo%y outsi%e.D

D?o,D re!"ie% the Brother. D)t is on"y the o"$esF ) ha$e hear% the&&o$ing about in the sno for so&e ti&e. They are groing $ery i"%,no that the inter %ri$es the& fro& the &ountains. They broke into afo"% "ast night an% carrie% off &any shee!, an% if e are not carefu"they i"" %e$our e$erything.D

D?o, it is the footste! of a &an, for it is hea$yF but ) can hear thefootste!s of the o"$es a"so.D

e ha% no sooner %one s!eaking than so&ebo%y ra!!e% three ti&es, butith no great "ou%ness.

D) i"" go an% o!en, for he &ust be $ery co"%.D

D'o not o!en, for it &ay be a &ano"f, an% he &ay %e$our us a"".D

But the boy ha% a"rea%y %ran back the hea$y oo%en bo"t, an% a"" thefaces, &ost of the& a "itt"e !a"e, turne% toar%s the s"o"yo!ening%oor.

De has bea%s an% a cross, he cannot be a &ano"f,D sai% the chi"%,

as a &an ith the sno hea$y on his "ong, ragge% bear%, an% on the&atte% hair, that fe"" o$er his shou"%ers an% near"y to his aist,an% %ro!!ing fro& the tattere% c"oak that but ha"fco$ere% hisithere% bron bo%y, ca&e in an% "ooke% fro& face to face ith &i"%,ecstatic eyes. Stan%ing so&e ay fro& the fire, an% ith eyes thatha% reste% at "ast u!on the 4bbot a"athgeneus, he crie% out, D

Documents

YEATS, William B. - The Secret Rose