{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_76247/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_76247","id":"gutenberg_76247","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76247","summary":null,"tags":["Category: British Literature","Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore","Category: Plays/Films/Dramas","Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy","English drama -- Scottish authors","Verse drama"],"text":"HOW JOY WAS FOUND\n\n\n\n\n How Joy was Found\n\n _A Fantasy_\n\n BY\n ISOBEL W. HUTCHISON\n\n [Illustration]\n\n NEW YORK\n FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY\n PUBLISHERS\n\n COPYRIGHT, 1917,\n BY ISOBEL W. HUTCHISON\n\n\n\n\nPREFACE\n\n\nThis study in the psychology of Faith is founded on an old Scottish\nfolk-tale told me last year at Onich by Mr. Alexander Cameron, who, a\ngood many years ago, had given it also to the Rev. J. Macdougall of\nDuror, in whose volume, _Waifs and Strays of Celtic Tradition_, now out\nof print, it is included. Mr. Macdougall\u2019s version is printed in full at\nthe end of this volume.\n\nI have used the story as the framework of an allegory, and have not tried\nto rival Mr. Macdougall\u2019s narrative, nor have I often kept very close to\nthe text. Most of these beautiful Highland tales are in such intimate\ntouch with nature that they lend themselves very readily to further\ndevelopment, and the story of _How Finn Kept His Children for the Big\nYoung Hero_ seemed to adapt itself wonderfully to my purpose.\n\n I. W. H.\n\nCARLOWRIE, WEST LOTHIAN, _June, 1917_.\n\n\n\n\n_The Characters_\n\n\n THE BIG YOUNG HERO: One who goes out at the beginning, comes in at the\n end, and appears unexpectedly all through.\n FINN: Humanity, a long-suffering man.\n THE CARPENTER: Duty, a scientific man.\n THE TRACKER: Obedience, a dutiful man.\n THE GRIPPER: Constancy, a patient man.\n THE CLIMBER: Faith, a girl who is more than quite all there.\n THE THIEF: Love, an old woman wearing a chaperon.\n THE LISTENER: Hope, a boy wearing a smile.\n THE MARKSMAN: Truth, a straightforward man carrying a bow and arrows.\n THE GIANT: A mere notion.\n THE DOG: Fear (never visible).\n HER PUPPY, BRAN: Joy. Given to Hope for the present.\n THE BABY: The Rest of Humanity.\n GONACHRY: The Heart-wounder, a sarcastic man.\n ANGUS: A good-natured lazy man.\n TORQUIL }\n CONAN } Unemotional men.\n CONDHLA }\n\n\n\n\nACT I\n\nTHE GREEN ISLE. EVENING\n\n\n_This Earthly Paradise lies across the western main before you come to\nthe sunset. It is seen imperfectly, like a thought not fully realized,\nand shimmers as if through a rainbow. It is thus described by one who has\nbeen there:_\n\n_\u201cFair is that land to all eternity beneath the snowfall of blossoms. The\ngleaming walls are bright with many colours, the plains are vocal with\njoyous cries, mirth and song are at home on the plain, the silver-clouded\none. No wailing there for judgment, naught but sweet song to be heard. No\npain, no grief, no death, no discord, no sin, no decay, but ever we feast\nand need none to serve us, ever we love and no strife ensues. Such is the\nland.\u201d_\n\n_In this place the Big Young Hero, the most attractive person ever\nimagined, is seen vaguely as if through a radiant light. He is seated\nalone on the grass watching the flowers in the midst of great beauty.\nFar off across the sea the outline of the Hebrides is faintly seen,\nand presently a brown-sailed fishing-boat appears on the edge of the\nhorizon and approaches the shore. As it nears, the figure of a girl is\ndiscerned kneeling up in the bows, shading her eyes with her hand, and\ngazing earnestly towards the shore. She carries a coil of rope over her\nshoulder. As she draws near her voice is heard saying:_\n\n CLIMBER\n\n My anchorage was not as beautiful as I thought\n And I have weighed anchor and sailed away.\n I trust that my boat will be brought\n Into haven before the end of the day.\n I do not wish to voyage till sunset\n In this yeasty fret.\n Captain! there is no harbour that is beautiful save Thine.\n Why dost thou reserve it for the evening mariners?\n Their eyes are old and full of brine,\n They cannot see the stars.\n But mine are young, and I can count them all,\n I praise Thee, for they are full of light,\n Therefore bring me into Thy harbour before the shadows fall,\n That I may praise Thee louder\u2014in the young night.\n\n [_As the boat nears the isle it comes into calm water. The\n big Young Hero goes down to meet it and helps the girl\n ashore, drawing up the boat._]\n\n HERO\n\n The end of all thought is peace,\n And you have found ere night the day\u2019s increase.\n The bright and radiant day is loath to die,\n Even yet there are hardly any stars in the sky,\n Only a soft dim radiance under the moon,\n And dark trees on the brightness. Very soon\n You will be gathered in a thoughtful rest,\n And fall asleep like a bird up there in its nest.\n Are you not glad at last to realize\n Your insubstantial dream that never dies?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Yes, but I\u2019m wearied. I\u2019ve had rather a fight\n To get here all right,\n The sea\u2019s so deep.\n\n HERO\n\n Take your sleep.\n\n [_He sits down as before and draws her on to his knee, and\n she falls asleep at once with her head on his shoulder,\n like a tired child. He also appears to sleep. Presently the\n shadow of a man carrying a rainbow falls across his face,\n and a dream is heard singing._]\n\n DREAM\n\n The gates of Heaven are pearls, and stand four-square,\n And people enter in from everywhere.\n But when the heather\u2019s on the ben\n And the wind races down the glen\n And in the wake of Highland ships\n The creaking sea-gull wheels and dips,\n And on the bogs, the hills below,\n The cotton-grass and myrtle blow\u2014\n Bog-myrtle, with the spicy breath\n Of bitter-sweet and life and death\u2014\n I\u2019m glad to think that God has heard\n The meaning of the unspoken word,\n The stammering whisper of a tongue\n That learned no speech the hills among,\n The supplication of a hand\n Too fierce for men to understand,\n And that for such as me He\u2019ll wait\n In silence by His northern gate.\n\n [_The shadow falls across the girl\u2019s face, and she stirs\n and smiles in her sleep, and a dream-shadow goes from her\n also, singing. The two shadows meet, and passing into each\n other, become one._]\n\n GIRL\u2019S DREAM\n\n I love to think that, high in Heaven,\n Above the stars, the planets seven,\n Daybreak and darkness\u2014if I\u2019m there!\u2014\n I\u2019ll feel the wind stir in my hair,\n And Heaven\u2019s steadfast floor will float\n Like water underneath a boat,\n And, looking down across the gold\n I\u2019ll see the sunset, fold on fold,\n Go tumbling down the sky\u2019s wild screes\n Beyond the Outer Hebrides.\n Then something in my heart will stir\n Like earth when spring remembers her,\n And I\u2019ll ask, firm but quite polite,\n If God will set my compass right,\n And if He\u2019ll aiblins help to bail\n My old boat with the tattered sail,\n And lend a hand to launch her clear\n Of Heaven, unless there\u2019s sea like here.\n\n [_The blended shadow falls across the face of the Big Young\n Hero, and he looks up._]\n\n SHADOW\n\n [_Stirring restlessly._]\n\n I need something.\n\n HERO\n\n Who touches me?\n\n SHADOW\n\n The shadow of a desire.\n\n HERO\n\n What do you require?\n\n SHADOW\n\n I don\u2019t know.\n\n HERO\n\n I have sent you a dream.\n\n SHADOW\n\n I will no longer go\n After a dream.\n I do not want to be a bore,\n But I seem\n Nowadays to need something more;\n I feel\n That I have need of something real.\n\n [_The girl stirs, and gives a little sigh._]\n\n HERO\n\n Hush! if you talk so loud you\u2019ll waken her\n Before she\u2019s ready.\n She needs her rest just now. She mustn\u2019t stir;\n She\u2019s got to steady\n Her head a bit, for she\u2019s spent hours\n Filling her mind with things like flowers,\n Till she had sucked out of earth\u2019s genial root\n My name like a tender shoot\n That was bound to put her in mind\n Of something unconfined.\n\n SHADOW\n\n Oh, do be quick!\n I\u2019m sick\n Of standing still.\n\n HERO\n\n There\u2019s no use getting ill\n About it. I am with you now;\n The very first step to Heaven\u2019s inside your brow.\n Look there, and tell me your most dear desire,\n For it is surely something you require.\n\n [_The shadow shifts to that of a carpenter._]\n\n CARPENTER\n\n I want something to do.\n\n HERO\n\n Who are you?\n\n CARPENTER\n\n I am a good carpenter.\n\n HERO\n\n How good are you?\n\n CARPENTER\n\n I had a sense of something due\n To someone, though I scarce kent who\n (It might have been myself or maybe you),\n And so, just at my own expense,\n I fashioned out of common sense\n A ship that\u2019s bound to carry me\n From earth to Heaven, and as far\u2019s I see,\n Ought to bring God again to me.\n\n HERO\n\n I have need of you. Show me your ship.\n\n [_The shadow of a large fine ship falls across the sea._]\n\n She is a very beautiful wide ship. Can you manage her alone?\n\n CARPENTER\n\n I would be the better of another, to do my bidding in her.\n\n HERO\n\n Send me your brother.\n\n [_The shadow shifts to that of a tracker._]\n\n HERO\n\n Who are you?\n\n TRACKER\n\n I am a good tracker.\n\n HERO\n\n How good are you?\n\n TRACKER\n\n I do what I am told,\n I wait and look,\n Silent, ready to hold.\n It is not true\n That I am idle. I am waiting for you.\n I hook\n Strange fish upon my individual line.\n No other hand could take them, they were mine\n From all eternity, and in the eternal sea\n They would be lost for ever but for me.\n\n HERO\n\n You are good enough to take his telling.\n\n TRACKER\n\n Yes, but the clouds are swelling,\n You might maybe lend us another man forby\n To hold the tiller, in case that he and I\n Are called to the sheets together\n By a sudden change in the weather.\n\n HERO\n\n Send me a man off the heather.\n\n [_The shadow shifts to that of a gripper._]\n\n HERO\n\n Who are you?\n\n SHADOW\n\n I am a good gripper.\n\n HERO\n\n How good are you?\n\n GRIPPER\n\n You call me insistently,\n Yet when I run blithely to the place\n Where your voice deaves be, you bar the door in my face.\n What for do you treat me thus and hide?\n For still I hear you calling me from the other side.\n I am going to hold on to the sneck and wait.\n I ken there is something behind the door; early and late\n You cry on me still.\n If it be your will\n Never to open, yet is it meet\n That I come\n For under the door I can keek at the shadow of your feet\n Moving in a larger room.\n\n HERO\n\n You are good enough then\n To hold the tiller for these men,\n In case they are called to the sheets together\n By a sudden change in the weather.\n\n GRIPPER\n\n No earthly blast can overwhelm\n The ship of which I hold the helm\n If I have just a kenning more to grip,\n Something that will not give me the slip\n Like the rudder he has fashioned.\n I need something more impassioned,\n Something to which a mind can hold\n For a body\u2019s apt to grow cold.\n\n [_The sleeping girl stirs and smiles._]\n\n HERO\n\n This is a shade sublimer.\n\n GRIPPER\n\n Who are you?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Talking in her sleep._]\n\n I am a good climber.\n\n GRIPPER\n\n How good are you?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I have climbed from the mind of man to the mind of God on a nervous\n stair.\n\n GRIPPER\n\n [_Astonished._]\n\n Lassie, that\u2019s no canny! Were you no feared to fall?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_In her sleep._]\n\n Some day I\u2019ll die, but how, or when, or where\n I do not greatly care,\n Because I know that with the flowers and weeds\n My life proceeds,\n If so I will, inside a gracious law.\n No flaw\n My death will be, nor mischievous accident,\n Howe\u2019er besprent\n My blood upon the highway or the turf,\n Or in the surf\n Of thunderous combers on the ungathered sea\n But it will be\n An obvious hint of a Supreme design,\n A little clew of mine\n Left huddled by the beach or cliff to tell\u2014\n \u201cPass, friend, all\u2019s well!\u201d\n\n HERO\n\n Let him hold fast\n The substance of your mind,\n So that he\u2019ll find\n The evidence of unseen things that last,\n And that he\u2019ll still behold\n Although his hand grows cold\n And cannot any longer feel\n The thing he thought was real.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Still in her sleep._]\n\n I said I climbed upon a nervous stair\n Into the mind of God,\n Yet all the way I trod\n On air\n Because great Love upheld me there.\n I leaned and she resisted, gathering strength\n To toss me all that length\n Like some tall fountain-shower,\n And I have power\n To return again and water all the earth,\n Giving her second birth,\n Weaving her flesh,\n Meseems,\n Out of the mesh\n Of mind,\n After the fashion of immediate dreams,\n If I can find\n And force\n All Love into her proper course.\n With such support it is quite true\n There\u2019s nothing that I cannot do.\n\n HERO\n\n Send me something I can see through.\n\n [_The shadow shifts to that of a bent old woman._]\n\n HERO\n\n Who are you?\n\n SHADOW\n\n I was old and perfect at the heart\n Ere human life could start.\n Before the mind conceived of life\n I was a wife.\n\n HERO\n\n [_Joyfully._]\n\n What are you good at?\n\n SHADOW\n\n I am a good thief.\n\n HERO\n\n How good are you?\n\n THIEF\n\n Joy in my heart grew strong and very bright,\n Luxuriantly fed in the light of stars,\n Planets, and suns, the speed of motor-cars,\n Fire\u2019s untamed energy, the wireless might\n Of telepathy, that burns between the bars.\n I recognized her in the lofty spars\n Of the rigging, hailing land far out of sight,\n And as she leaned and peered entranced, I crept\n Into God\u2019s mind, the while He slept,\n And stole it bit by bit away,\n And packed it in a brain of clay;\n But unaccustomed ripples broke\n On that calm surface. He awoke,\n And I, all trembling to depart,\n Was caught a prisoner in His heart.\n\n HERO\n\n You are good enough,\n If that\u2019s the stuff\n Your mind is made on.\n Help her to climb higher,\n Otherwise she\u2019ll tire,\n For she must be stayed on\n Such substantial matter\n If she\u2019s to get fatter.\n\n THIEF\n\n Yes, but I need one to hold the rope\n At the other end, to give us both more scope.\n I need something full of joy.\n\n HERO\n\n Send me a boy.\n\n [_The shadow shifts to that of a boy, and leaps lightly\n about._]\n\n HERO\n\n Who are you?\n\n SHADOW\n\n [_Sings._]\n\n I am something always true.\n I don\u2019t care twopence what they think;\n I know the sky is always blue,\n And the rest of life rose-pink.\n\n HERO\n\n [_Affectionately._]\n\n Stand still! Stand still! What are you good at besides singing, eh?\n\n SHADOW\n\n [_Standing still suddenly._]\n\n I am a good listener.\n\n HERO\n\n How good are you?\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_With his hand cupped to his ear._]\n\n Oh, well, by now I really think I\u2019m able\n To hear folk talking at the other end of the cable\n When I lay my ear to the ground.\n There\u2019s certainly some sort of sound\n Like the noise I hear\n In the early part of the year,\n When underground the lilies\n Whisper: \u201cHark! There still is\n Life in us; don\u2019t look so blue.\n To-morrow we\u2019ll be getting through,\n If on your side you\u2019ll scrape away\n As much earth as you dare to-day.\u201d\n\n HERO\n\n You are strong enough to hold the rope\n At the other end, since they require more scope.\n\n LISTENER\n\n I know I am, quite well;\n But they think I\u2019m just a sell.\n Can\u2019t you show them that I\u2019m true?\n Hullo! Why, who are you?\n\n [_The Big Young Hero has suddenly lifted his right hand,\n and lets fall from it the shadow of a man carrying a bow\n and arrows._]\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Placidly._]\n\n I am one too simple to be understood.\n\n HERO\n\n At what are you good?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n I am a good marksman.\n\n HERO\n\n How good are you?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n From childhood I have had a single aim.\n I did not deviate,\n I just went straight\n Ahead, till, in the place\n Where I was standing, I beheld your face,\n And found I had transfixed your name.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_With delight._]\n\n Then I should think he\u2019s good enough\n To show them that I\u2019m not mere bluff.\n\n HERO\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n He is good enough.\n\n [_The shadows fade, and the girl stirs restlessly in her\n sleep._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I have need of something more than dream.\n\n HERO\n\n I have given you something more:\n Your dream was real.\n\n [_The Climber laughs suddenly in her sleep, and wakens up._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Rubbing her eyes, and looking round with delight._]\n\n I feel\n Very happy, everything looks so bright.\n I knew it would clear up before to-night,\n Because I saw a rainbow very high\n Up in the sky.\n\n HERO\n\n I am going out fishing before the sun sets.\n Will you lend me your boat to gather\n In my nets?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Eagerly._]\n\n Rather!\n Will you be long away?\n\n HERO\n\n I will be back with the first screich of day.\n I pray you, if it does not trouble you,\n Have breakfast ready in my house for two.\n\n [_They go down to the beach and launch the boat together,\n and the Big Young Hero sails slowly away in her towards the\n Hebrides, seen far off in the sunset. Soft twilight falls\n on the island, but a phosphorescence shines about the boat,\n outlining the figure of the Big Young Hero at the prow, who\n is leaning down towards the water setting the nets. Stars\n begin to come out in the sky, and on the distant shore a\n light suddenly twinkles out every few seconds on a buoy.\n The girl\u2019s voice is heard singing as the boat drifts away._]\n\n CLIMBER\u2019S SONG\n\n To-night I saw a rainbow;\n It hung my way before,\n As if the hills were gate-posts\n And it was the arch of a door.\n The moor stretched all about me,\n The heather and the bee;\n I longed to trap that rainbow\n For all the world to see.\n\n Perhaps in distant cities,\n Perhaps down in the glen,\n The rainbow was the signal\n Of rain for other men.\n But high upon the hilltops\n The clouds blow far and free,\n And leave behind the rainbow\n Blue sky for you and me.\n\n\n\n\nACT II\n\nA MOUNTAIN-SIDE IN ARGYLLSHIRE: MORNING\n\n\n_A Scottish mountain-side covered with heather and bracken. In the\ncrannies of the rocks oak fern and roseroot are growing. There is a\npebbly brook running down to the sea; the sides are starred with sphagnum\nmoss. Grass of Parnassus, and butterwort. In its bed the yellow marsh\nsaxifrage is growing, and up the hillside a silver birch hangs over it.\nFarther up the hill there are a rowan and an alder, and on the crest,\nagainst the sky, a Scotch pine. Low down, by a green mound, there is a\nyew-tree. In the distance the white breakers of the sea are seen, and\nthey are heard regularly crashing in upon the shore. There is sunshine\neverywhere, and a breeze blowing the heather and chasing the shadows of\nclouds across the hillside._\n\n_At the back of the wind, behind a great rock, Finn, a middle-aged\nman, is sitting, asleep. He is bowed down by a heavy pack containing a\nrainbow, whose light escapes from the corners and colours it all. Some\ndistance off some other men are lying asleep on the heather._\n\n_Presently the Big Young Hero\u2019s boat is seen approaching from far out\nat sea. As it nears, Finn stirs from his sleep and perceives it, and,\nstarting to his feet, watches it, with his hand shading his eyes. The Big\nYoung Hero lands from the boat, and, pulling her well up on the beach,\ncomes leaping over the mountain to Finn strongly and gaily. As he runs,\nflowers spring up under his feet. The other men sleep on undisturbed._\n\n HERO\n\n [_Saluting Finn._]\n\n Darling of all men in the world!\n I give you the greeting in grandeur and splendour!\n I bring you glad tidings of great joy!\n I publish peace!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Utterly bewildered._]\n\n Loveliest of all heroes that I have ever seen,\n I salute you frankly, fluently, and energetically\n With the equivalent of the same words,\n Though I do not know who you are.\n Your feet are beautiful as a star.\n I wish that I could sing like the birds,\n Or blossom like the green wet earth,\n For my heart is full of mirth.\n But I can only glower and gaze\n While my mind plays,\n And sings and tumbles up and down\n Inside me, like a clown\n That makes me feel quite silly,\n Laughing willy-nilly,\n Like a man in love.\n Do you come from above,\n Or round about or below,\n Or anywhere I know?\n\n HERO\n\nI come through night-watching and tempest of sea where I am, because I am\nlosing my children, and it has been told me there is not a man in all\nthe world who can keep them for me but you.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Astonished._]\n\n Why, how can I do that when I must bear\n This heavy rainbow with me everywhere,\n And all the years\n Have found my laughter through a mist of tears?\n\n HERO\n\n Since you alone were strong enough to creep\n Into my mind, and fetch me out of sleep,\n You have attained my stature, and I find\n You are a man according to my mind.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Crying out, afraid._]\n\n It was a dream, only a dream I stole!\n I never did as much\n As touch\n Your garment\u2019s hem.\n\n HERO\n\n No, but you clasped my soul.\n Virtue went out of me immediately\n The moment that your love was strong enough\n To push aside the earth and find the stuff\n That dreams are made on.\n Up through the senseless clay\n You sprang like some green sappy shoot,\n And touched the nervous thoughtful root\n That I am stayed on.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Dumbfounded._]\n\n It was a dream\u2014I never knew\u2014\n\n HERO\n\n I lay upon you\n As crosses and spells\n And seven fairy fetters of travelling and straying,\n To be with me before you shall eat food,\n Or drink a draught,\n Or close an eye in sleep.\n\n [_At his words a delicate web of gossamer covered with\n dewdrops, spiders\u2019 webs, and flower seeds falls over Finn.\n The Hero leaves him spellbound, and, returning gaily to\n his boat, launches her and sails away. When the boat has\n vanished the web falls away, and Finn turns round with a\n cry which arouses the other men._]\n\n FINN\n\n Where is he?\n\n CONAN\n\n Who?\n\n FINN\n\n The stranger that was here anon.\n\n CONDHLA\n\n I never knew.\n\n CONAN\n\n Is he gone?\n\n ANGUS\n\n Which way did he go?\n\n FINN\n\n I do not know.\n\n GONACHRY\n\n What was he like?\n\n FINN\n\n I can\u2019t tell.\n I must find him; he has gone\n Off with something I had on.\n\n CONAN\n\n You don\u2019t look very well.\n\n GONACHRY\n\n [_Sarcastically._]\n\n I saw him running up the ben,\n As swift as a spot of sunlight when\n The clouds bend with a cup\n To pounce on him and cover him up\n Like a wasp inside a glass.\n\n ANGUS\n\n Hush! I hear Mactalla pass,\n He\u2019s surely singing in his sleep.\n Since it\u2019s never very deep,\n Let us rouse him up and speir\n If the stranger is still here.\n\n [_All cry aloud, against the rocks: \u201cMactalla! Mactalla!\n Mactalla!\u201d The echo is returned mockingly: \u201cMactalla!\n Mactalla! Mactalla!\u201d_]\n\n ANGUS\n\n Tut! He\u2019s in a teasing mood to-day;\n We\u2019ll get nothing out of him. I say!\n Answer, and I\u2019ll promise you fair,\n A big laugh to yourself off the back of Ben Y Bheithir.\n\n MACTALLA[1]\n\n [_Mocking from somewhere._]\n\n I say! I say! A big laugh off the back of Ben Y Bheithir?\n\n ANGUS\n\n Ha! ha! You\u2019re there, little fellow!\n Yes, at the back of Ben Bheithir, where the yellow\n Saxifrage grows out of the crannied rock,\n I\u2019ll give you a laugh to yourself that\u2019ll shock\n The natives, if you\u2019ll tell us now\n Which way the stranger went.\n\n MACTALLA\n\n Bow-wow!\n I\u2019ll have the big laugh out of you,\n But I cannot tell you true\n Which one way the stranger went,\n For he\u2019s left an echo pent\n In everything he came across.\n I\u2019m entirely at a loss.\n Can\u2019t you catch it here and there?\n I think he must be everywhere.\n\n [_The growing things are heard talking._]\n\n ALDER-TREE\n\n Is that you, Grass?\n\n GRASS\n\n Yes, I am growing\n Under his feet,\n If the heather will let me pass.\n\n HEATHER\n\n I\u2019ll try to, if you\u2019ll meet\n Me half-way.\n\n SCOTCH PINE\n\n [_Loftily._]\n\n I say,\n There\u2019s no knowing\n What she\u2019ll be up to next.\n Take my text,\n And scarcely let yourself be seen,\n With anyone so very green.\n\n YEW-TREE\n\n [_Phlegmatically._]\n\n I am quite at a loss\n To know what came across\n My barrowful of withered leaves.\n\n ROWAN\n\n [_Gently._]\n\n A bairnie couped it, coming home from school,\n Among the sheaves.\n\n BIRCH\n\n [_Whispering._]\n\n Hush! hush! Softly, softly, my daughters;\n I hear the sound of mountain waters.\n\n BURN\n\n [_Singing._]\n\n Bubble! Bubble! Bubble!\n Hush! Let me down.\n Bubble! Bubble! Bubble!\n What a lot of trouble\n There is in the world\n Before you can get down\n To bed-rock,\n And stand stock\n Still\n As reserved, as reserved, as reserved as can be,\n Not letting slip\n A word over your lip.\n Oh! I say! Hurry! Hurry! I must get to the sea!\n Bubble! Bubble! Bubble!\n Hush! Let me down\n Without any more trouble,\n Bubble! Bubble! Bubble! Bubble!\n\n [_All remain listening, wrapt in wonder. Even Finn, who\n since the spell has been laid upon him has been sitting in\n great heaviness of mind, looks up and listens to the song\n with growing delight. Suddenly Angus roars with laughter._]\n\n MACTALLA\n\n [_Mocking._]\n\n Ha! Ha! Ha! Big Angus! Bow-wow!\n I said I\u2019d have the big laugh out of you the now.\n\n ANGUS\n\n [_Unable to stop laughing._]\n\n Did ever anybody hear the like of that?\n\n [_The others look at him half-angrily._]\n\n CONAN\n\n What\u2019s taken the fool!\n\n CONDHLA\n\n Pat him on the back.\n\n TORQUIL\n\n Can\u2019t you hold your tongue.\n\n GONACHRY\n\n Did you ever hear of anyone that could!\n\n ANGUS\n\n [_In desperation._]\n\n Hold my tongue! Will that do any good?\n\n [_He tries to do so. It makes him laugh all the more, and\n one by one they all gradually join in his laughter except\n Finn, till they are roaring fit to split the rocks. Above\n it all Mactalla is heard mocking. At last Angus subsides,\n wiping the tears from his eyes._]\n\n CONAN\n\n What on earth are you laughing at?\n\n ANGUS\n\n Nothing on earth. What are you laughing at?\n\n CONAN\n\n How should I know?\n\n ANGUS\n\n Well, how should I know what I\u2019m laughing at?\n\n CONAN\n\n Because you began, you gomeril.\n\n ANGUS\n\n Not I.\n\n GONACHRY\n\n Well, then, who did?\n\n ANGUS\n\n Mactalla.\n\n CONAN\n\n What was Mactalla laughing at?\n\n ANGUS\n\n That\u2019s what I\u2019d like to know.\n\n GONACHRY\n\n I never heard him.\n\n ANGUS\n\n That\u2019s because you\u2019ve no sense of humour.\n\n GONACHRY\n\n [_Fiercely._]\n\n I have a sense of humour.\n\n ANGUS\n\n Where is it, then?\n\n GONACHRY\n\n Up my sleeve.\n\n [_He looks up his sleeve and gives a sarcastic grin._]\n\n ANGUS\n\n Well, nobody can see it there\n But yourself, so you\u2019d better take care.\n If folk don\u2019t see what you\u2019re laughing at\n They\u2019ll end by laughing at you.\n\n CONAN\n\n [_Stooping to pick up a button._]\n\n What\u2019s that?\n A button. Is it anywhere off me?\n\n [_He looks himself all over._]\n\n CONDHLA\n\n What\u2019s it like?\n\n CONAN\n\n Greenish-white. No, it\u2019s not off me\n As far as I can see.\n\n ANGUS\n\n [_Holding out his hand._]\n\n Here, it\u2019s mine. I burst it laughing.\n\n [_Conan hands it over to him casually._]\n\n CONAN\n\n [_Lighting his pipe._]\n\n Come on! It\u2019s time we were at work again.\n\n TORQUIL\n\n Are you taking the boat out to-day?\n\n CONAN\n\n Ay.\n\n [_Exit Conan, Condhla, and Torquil._]\n\n ANGUS\n\n [_To Finn._]\n\n Aren\u2019t you coming?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Abstractedly._]\n\n Not to-day, not to-day.\n\n GONACHRY\n\n [_Laughing carelessly._]\n\n He looks to me as if he had gone daft.\n\n [_He slouches off after the others with his hands in his\n pockets._]\n\n ANGUS\n\n It\u2019s very queer the way he never laughed.\n\n [_He goes up to Finn and gives him a hearty slap on the\n back._]\n\n Come, man! What ails you?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Throwing him off with sudden irritation._]\n\n Get away, you gomeril!\n\n ANGUS\n\n [_Aside._]\n\n He\u2019s fey!\n\n [_He makes a sign to keep off the evil eye, and retreats\n hurriedly after the others, casting suspicious glances\n backwards at Finn._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Seeing himself alone, with a sigh of relief hoists his\n rainbow resolutely and tightens his belt._]\n\n I will prick on my way\n Far into the country of my God,\n And if it be true, as they say,\n That He is calm and unhurried,\n Some day I shall break through a gap in the hedge\n And come upon Him seated by the road-edge.\n Then shall I say to Him these three things, baring my brow:\n \u201cWherefore art Thou, whence didst Thou come, and whither goest Thou?\n Answer, I pray, for I ask of Thee\n As one traveller of another.\u201d\n\n [_Enter the Carpenter, unperceived by Finn._]\n\n CARPENTER\n\n Good day!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Starting violently._]\n\n Good day!\n\n CARPENTER\n\n It\u2019s a fine day.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Gloomily._]\n\n It\u2019s fine as long as this breeze lasts, but I\u2019m thinking\n it\u2019ll not be long before there\u2019s a shower coming over\n from Badenoch.\n\n CARPENTER\n\n Ay! It\u2019s soft; but it\u2019ll not be much with the sun\n where it is.\n\n FINN\n\n The sun may be as high as it likes, it\u2019ll not make\n much difference to the shadow on my mind.\n\n CARPENTER\n\n What sort of a shadow is on your mind?\n\n FINN\n\n A shadow like the one across the breast\n Of Kinlochleven when the sun goes west,\n And the Bidean, that great serious Ben,\n Stoops to consider men.\n\n CARPENTER\n\n That\u2019s a long shadow.\n\n FINN\n\nIt\u2019s a shadow of crosses and spells and seven fairy fetters of travelling\nand straying, to be with the one that considers me before I shall eat\nfood, or drink a draught, or close an eye in sleep.\n\n CARPENTER\n\nIt\u2019s a long shadow, but maybe I can help you to the one that considers\nyou if you\u2019ll consider me.\n\n FINN\n\nWhat are you good at to help me?\n\n CARPENTER\n\nI am a good carpenter.\n\n FINN\n\nHow good are you at carpentry?\n\n CARPENTER\n\nWith three strokes of this axe I can make a large capacious complete ship\nof the alder-stock over yonder.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Eagerly._]\n\n You are good enough then, carpenter, for I am wanting a ship\n To go on this trip.\n Can you prove me your skill?\n\n CARPENTER\n\n Ay, with a will.\n\n [_The Carpenter goes to the alder-stock, strikes it with\n his axe thrice, and, as he says, the ship is ready in the\n sea waiting for them._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Delighted._]\n\n It is a very beautiful wide ship; what can it do?\n\n CARPENTER\n\n It can take you to the one that considers you,\n If rightly handled, and, as far\u2019s I see,\n Brings such a one again to you and me.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Eagerly._]\n\n Will you lend her to me?\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_Pawkily._]\n\n Ay, if you are willing to engage\n My brother too for a trifling wage.\n I\u2019ll not can manage her alone.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Impatiently._]\n\n Come on! Come on! Call me your brother;\n He\u2019ll do as well as any other.\n\n [_The Carpenter whistles shrilly on his fingers, and the\n Tracker enters._]\n\n CARPENTER\n\n You\u2019re wanted for the boat the now;\n He needs you at the bow.\n\n TRACKER\n\n [_To Finn._]\n\n What is your will?\n\n FINN\n\n What are you good at?\n\n TRACKER\n\n I am a good tracker.\n\n FINN\n\n How good are you at tracking?\n\n TRACKER\n\nI can track the wild duck over the crests of the nine waves within nine\ndays.\n\n FINN\n\n Then you are good enough to track\n The one that considers me, and bring him back.\n\n TRACKER\n\n That will I blindfold;\n But I need another to hold\n The tiller, in case we\u2019re called to the sheets together.\n Call me that man there, coming across the heather.\n\n [_The Gripper is seen approaching over the hillside._]\n\n GRIPPER\n\n Good day!\n\n FINN\n\n Good day! What are you good at?\n\n GRIPPER\n\n I am a good gripper.\n\n FINN\n\n How good are you?\n\n GRIPPER\n\nThe hold I once get I will not let go until my two arms come from my\nshoulder, or until my hold comes with me.\n\n FINN\n\n Then you are good enough to hold until\n The one that considers me comes with your hold?\n\n GRIPPER\n\n That will I, sitting still;\n But as my hand\u2019s apt to grow cold,\n I\u2019ll need that lassie there to keep my mind\n Off thinking of it.\n\n [_The Climber has suddenly swung herself down by a golden\n rope at Finn\u2019s side._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Astonished._]\n\n Why, how did you find\n Your way down here?\n\n [_He takes off his cap politely._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I climbed down.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Aside._]\n\n I don\u2019t see any stair.\n I wonder if she\u2019s quite all there!\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Answering his thought._]\n\n No, just at present I am mostly here.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Aside._]\n\n Her answer isn\u2019t very clear.\n\n [_Aloud._]\n\n And what are you good at?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I am a good climber.\n\n FINN\n\n I see that.\n How good are you at climbing?\n\n CLIMBER\n\nI could climb on a filament of silk to the stars if you were to tie it\nthere.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Looking at her dreamily._]\n\n Will you be good enough then, please, to stare\n Into each star and tell me if He\u2019s there.\n\n [_He collects himself, and adds hastily._]\n\n The one that considers me, I mean.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I\u2019ll be your go-between\n With pleasure, but I\u2019m young to come alone;\n Call me that woman there as a chaperon.\n\n [_The Thief and the Listener have entered hand in hand.\n Finn beckons to the Thief, taking off his cap again\n politely._]\n\n FINN\n\n What are you good at, dame?\n\n THIEF\n\n I am a good thief.\n\n FINN\n\n How good are you at thieving?\n\n THIEF\n\nI can steal the egg from the heron while her two eyes are looking at me.\n\n FINN\n\n Then if you\u2019ll come with me and steal\n The one that considers me, I\u2019ll feel\n Greatly obliged to you, there is no doubt.\n\n THIEF\n\n I\u2019ll take you by a pretty roundabout\n If you are also able to employ\n My boy.\n\n FINN\n\n What is he good at?\n\n LISTENER\n\n I am a good listener.\n\n FINN\n\n How good are you at listening?\n\n LISTENER\n\nI can hear what the people are saying at the extremity of the uttermost\nworld.\n\n FINN\n\n You are good enough, then. Maybe you can hear\n Whether the one that considers me is near?\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Putting his hand to his ear._]\n\n You\u2019re very hot!\n\n [_Finn, who has been standing beside the Climber, moves\n forward hastily._]\n\n No, now you\u2019re colder!\n I\u2019ll find Him ere I am much older,\n Only some people are so narrow,\n I\u2019ll need that man with the bow and arrow\n\n [_Enter Marksman._]\n\n To bear me out ere they\u2019ll agree\n That seeing\u2019s believing what I see.\n\n FINN\n\n [_To Marksman._]\n\n What are you good at?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n I am a good marksman.\n\n FINN\n\n How good are you?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\nI could hit an egg as far off in the sky as bowstring could send or bow\ncould carry.\n\n FINN\n\n If you can hit the place where He\n Is hidden who considers me,\n We need no longer tarry.\n For I am drawn by an insatiable desire,\n I am consumed in an impetuous fire,\n And I am denied all rest\n Until my quest\n Is ended. Would that I could find\n A lodge for my soul, where I might leave behind\n All longing for ever, slumbering complete\n At His feet.\n Would I could rest in that bright place where I\n In spirit lie.\n Its light has cast a shadow on the brow\n Of this fair \u201cNow.\u201d\n Why did He make that garden-place so fair?\n My soul, a bird, is there,\n With limed wings fast to that apple-bough.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Putting his hand kindly on his shoulder._]\n\n Come, then, and let\u2019s be gone.\n Your fellows will come after you anon.\n\n [_They launch the ship, and the Gripper takes the helm.\n The Tracker, who is at the bow, is seen telling him now\n to go this way and now to go that way, and the ship obeys\n his hand beautifully. The waves begin to rise as the ship\n gets farther from sight, but the Tracker still finds a\n smooth path through the waters. The Listener leans over\n the side, and sings a song as the boat slips out to sea.\n It is a wild and beautiful song, haunting, sweet, and\n long-drawn-out._]\n\n LISTENER\u2019S SONG\n\n I made a little song, and it was true,\n Though nobody heeded it in the press of things;\n I left it alone a thousand years, and it grew,\n And I heard it again one day in the mouth of kings.\n\n All as I went I joyed me a mighty joy.\n They laughed at me; they said: \u201cYou\u2019re still very young\u201d;\n But I knew better than that when I was a boy,\n And when I was old I found the song I\u2019d sung.\n\n\nFOOTNOTES:\n\n[1] The Highland \u201cEcho.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nACT III. SCENE 1\n\nA BEAUTIFUL HIGHLAND SHORE: AFTERNOON\n\n\n_In the distance up the glen there is seen smoke evidently rising\nfrom a house hidden somewhere in the trees. In the foreground there\nare heather and rocks and a beautiful alder-tree with thick foliage.\nCurlews and sea-gulls are crying, and a breeze is tossing the waves into\nwhite horses. At this moment Finn enters, looking rather wretched and\nstorm-tossed. He sits down on a boulder, with a weary sigh._\n\n FINN\n\n [_Yawning._]\n\n Heigh-ho!\u2014Hay-hum-harry!\n This box is a weary weight to carry.\n\n CLIMBER\u2019S VOICE\n\n [_Calling from the alder-tree._]\n\n I wish you\u2019d let me take a share!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Starting violently, and looking up._]\n\n Certainly not! What are you doing up there?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Pushing her head out through the leaves._]\n\n I went up after a squirrel.\n\n FINN\n\n At your age that\u2019s not proper for a girl.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Singing._]\n\n Oh, to-day I\u2019m twenty-seven!\n What delight to rhyme with Heaven!\n I\u2019m as happy as can be,\n Here inside the alder-tree.\n\n All my life\u2019s a song that flows\n With the river and the rose,\n All my life\u2019s a song to me\n Like the lovely alder-tree.\n\n All the years I\u2019ve left behind\n Are translated in my mind\n Into something new and free,\n Like the seed-pod on the tree.\n\n All that\u2019s past is unforgotten;\n I have wrapped it up in cotton,\n Like the larva that I see\n In the leaf upon the tree.\n\n It will grow and change and gather\n Knowledge of a mind, its Father;\n Some morning in its glee\n It will float above the tree.\n\n Oh, to-day I\u2019m twenty-seven!\n Just a little nearer Heaven\n Than I ever used to be\n When I climbed the alder-tree.\n\n For I feel at last that I,\n Like the larva, change and fly\n Yet a grander, fuller me,\n On the self-same alder-tree.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Who has listened with delight to the song._]\n\n You\u2019re a very eccentric sort of girl.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Coming down hastily._]\n\n No! Eccentricity I hate!\n It\u2019s just a name for off the straight;\n And, if you\u2019ll only pay me more attention,\n You\u2019ll find it\u2019s almost too far off to mention.\n\n [_Finn looks at her doubtfully._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Coaxingly._]\n\n I wish you\u2019d let me take a share\n Of that old box you\u2019re carrying there.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Hastily._]\n\n I wouldn\u2019t dream of such a thing!\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Take care! It needs a stronger piece of string.\n And if you drop it, that would be a pity;\n It looks as if the contents were so pretty.\n What is inside it? May I know?\n\n FINN\n\n Guess!\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I can\u2019t. It seems to show\n All bright about the edge.\n\n [_She tries the weight._]\n\n I can\u2019t see quite\n What makes it heavy when it looks so light?\n\n FINN\n\n Tears of all sorts, and colours to suit each eye.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Then why\n Is it so light when it feels such a weight?\n\n FINN\n\n Oh! that\u2019s just Fate.\n A glint of laughter\n Getting through each tear\n A little after.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Clapping her hands._]\n\n Oh dear!\n How beautiful! I\u2019ve guessed it\u2014a rainbow!\n You\u2019ve got a rainbow there,\n I knew last night the morning would be fair!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Astonished._]\n\n How did you guess?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I saw the rain-clouds yesterday\n Coming up Crianlarich way,\n Black as peat and full of dark.\n Suddenly God set His mark\n Over them all in a rainbow,\n And so\n I knew\n The sun was somewhere getting through,\n And, turning, saw him come\n Hurriedly over the hills above Tyndrum.\n\n [_She turns and sees Finn looking at her with a wistful\n expression._]\n\n What are you thinking about?\n\n FINN\n\n Nothing at all. A dream.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Look out! They are not what they seem!\n\n FINN\n\n They\u2019re harmless enough. They aren\u2019t real.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n They\u2019re made of stuff\n That\u2019s very apt to steal\n Intact\n Into actual fact.\n For instance, look at these.\n\n [_She points to some mountain pansies in the grass._]\n\n FINN\n\n Explain the connection, please.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Don\u2019t you see it, sumph?\n\n FINN\n\n Umph!\n They seem to give you a lot of pleasure.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Sniffing delightedly._]\n\n Yes, without measure.\n Don\u2019t they give it you?\n\n FINN\n\n Oh! Well enough.\n Though, as a rule, I think\n That I prefer a more substantial stuff,\n Something to eat or drink,\n Yet somehow now I feel dead beat;\n I couldn\u2019t stand the sight of meat.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Rapturously._]\n\n Oh, I could feed\n On flowers for ever!\n\n FINN\n\n Well, then, you must be very clever.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Hastily._]\n\n Oh no! there is no need.\n It happened through a violet\u2019s power,\n For that\u2019s my favourite flower.\n\n [_Shyly, in a burst of sudden confidence._]\n\n I\u2019ll tell you how it came about\n If you\u2019d care to find out.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Settling himself on the bank._]\n\n All right, I don\u2019t mind if you do;\n But it won\u2019t be the same for me as you.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Sitting up and clasping her hands round her knees shyly._]\n\n I was attracted by a violet,\n For purple\u2019s my favourite colour, and you get\n Such a delightful perfume out of these\n When the wind makes a breeze\n Among the petals.\n God said: \u201cThat settles\n It. Now she\u2019ll come back here\n Another year,\n And look for me where she has found her pleasure.\u201d\n I did not measure\n God\u2019s far arrangement thus; but sure enough\n (Since purple\u2019s my favourite colour), when the puff\n Of spring cast up her wild young flowery wrack,\n I looked to see if the violet were blown back.\n\n [_She begins to lose her self-consciousness. Finn watches\n her interestedly._]\n\n Sufficient she was there!\n I pushed my hair\n Back from my brow, and on my knees I went\n To catch her scent.\n Oh, it was joy\n I thought would never cloy!\n And God, who saw me on the grass beside\n That purple pride,\n Laughed softly to Himself, and said: \u201cI knew\n She\u2019d not resist My blue.\n Now I\u2019ll be bound she\u2019ll come again next year\n To find my fragrance here.\u201d\n\n [_She continues with increasing animation, having quite\n lost all self-consciousness._]\n\n In very deed I came,\n But now a flame\n Of ultra-violet flickered on my thought.\n It wasn\u2019t just the scent that brought\n Me back like that, nor yet the lovely blue;\n It was because I felt that God was true.\n And that was how, having had my attention called\n To something that came back and never palled,\n But seemed each year more lovely than the last,\n I passed\n To looking for the far-off deeper things\n That God had tucked behind the violet\u2019s wings.\n I said to myself: \u201cThis is some sort of sign\n Of constancy divine,\n And I expect there must be some such mark\n Set on our ultimate dark;\n For we are all just one material here\u2014\n My heart, the violet clear.\n\n [_Dreamily, to herself._]\n\n Oh! Isn\u2019t it delightful thus to grow\n Together yet apart a little while?\n God needs this time to shape us to the style\n Of His eternity, as, strong and slow,\n The separate shadows of the flowery prime\n Become one purple deep at evening-time.\n\n [_She takes a violet in her hands and looks at it. To\n herself._]\n\n Here\u2019s all the evidence of things unseen,\n Delicious substance of a life to be,\n Where maybe I\u2019ll share His identity,\n And we\u2019ll be One to all eternity.\n\n FINN\n\n What?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Who has forgotten that she is not alone, blushing\n self-consciously and starting violently._]\n\n Nothing! It\u2019s not\n Meant for you to hear.\n\n FINN\n\n Go on about next year.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Very shyly, with averted face._]\n\n Well, in the spring I came, with joyous thirst,\n To find the violet where I found her first;\n Till, kneeling there one day, I felt my heart\n Quicken and start,\n And pushing back the lid, to look within,\n I saw a thin\n Long tongue of lavender amid the red,\n And God knelt there, and spread\n His strong white hands above the warm, bright stain,\n And laughed, and said: \u201cI have found faith again\n On earth.\u201d\n\n [_She pauses, and adds in a whisper._]\n\n But I, too much amazed for mirth,\n Could only gaze and stammer: \u201cSir, not yet,\n It was Your violet.\u201d\n\n [_There is silence. The Climber remains with shy averted\n face._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_After an embarrassed pause._]\n\n I don\u2019t see how a violet\u2019s shown\n You that. Tell me it all again.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Jumping up, with a nervous laugh._]\n\n Oh dear! I wish I could explain\n Better. But it\u2019s the sort of thing\n You\u2019ll have to find alone. I\u2019m off to bring\n The others. I\u2019ll be back in a minute.\n\n [_She runs away, with a very red face. Finn yawns, sighs,\n and, picking a violet, sniffs and sniffs again._]\n\n FINN\n\n Delicious! I believe there\u2019s something in it!\n\n [_He puts the violet in his buttonhole._]\n\n Even if it isn\u2019t much\n It\u2019s something I could almost touch\n A morsel of just now.\n\n [_Enter the Listener, whistling, and chipping himself a\n whistle out of an alder branch._]\n\n FINN\n\n Hallo! Where are the others?\n\n LISTENER\n\n Patching up the boat a bit in smothers\n Of spray. The wind seems blowing this way.\n\n [_He waves his hand in the direction in which the Climber\n has gone._]\n\n Still feeling sick?\n\n FINN\n\n Certainly not. I wasn\u2019t sick!\n\n LISTENER\n\n Oh! I thought that was why\n You wouldn\u2019t come down to tea,\n When you said you wished we\u2019d let you die.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Hastily._]\n\n Certainly not!\n\n LISTENER\n\n Then why\u2014\u2014\n\n FINN\n\n [_Hurriedly._]\n\n There\u2019s a sort of spell on me.\n I can\u2019t consider common stuff like tea\n Until I have found the one that considers me.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Sympathetically._]\n\n I say! How beastly! Worse than being in love.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Indignantly._]\n\n Not at all! It\u2019s not the least the same.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Innocently._]\n\n Why? What\u2019s the difference?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Crossly._]\n\n Oh, go away! How should I know?\n\n LISTENER\n\n Would you like to hear what I heard up above\n The tree-tops, before I came\n Out of the wood?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Crossly._]\n\n Not unless it\u2019s easily understood.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Cheerily._]\n\n Oh yes!\n It\u2019s the sort of thing that any child could guess.\n\n [_He begins to pipe a very cheery little tune, and then\n stops and looks at Finn enquiringly._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Brightening._]\n\n That\u2019s not bad. Go on!\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Beginning to sing._]\n\n Tiravee! Tiravee! Tiravee!\n The year has heard the spring\n In far recesses smouldering.\n Tiravee! Tiravee! Tiravee!\n The robins sing,\n Daffadowndillies and lilies\n And crocuses are hiding,\n Under the garden abiding,\n Soon you\u2019ll see! Soon you\u2019ll see!\n Soon you\u2019ll see!\n For along the west border,\n All in their proper order,\n Just like last year\u2014\n Look!\u2014the tops of the snowdrops are here!\n Tiravee! Tiravee! Tiravee!\n Oh, how wonderful it is to see\n The spring again just as she used to be!\n Showing how the bulbs grow\n Under the ground,\n Making a sound\n Where silence lay low.\n Displaying\n The beauty of the earth,\n Saying:\n \u201cThere is no death.\n For consider the lilies\n How they grow, and the daffadowndillies,\n Underground\n They have found\n The spring!\u201d\n Oh, Robin, sing!\n Oh, come away and see\n The tops\n Of the first snowdrops!\n Tiravee! Tiravee! Tiravee!\n\n [_During the song the others, drawn by the sound of piping,\n all begin to come in one by one, with the exception of the\n Climber, beginning with the Marksman and ending with the\n Carpenter, dancing and humming the tune. When the Listener\n has done they all applaud him delightedly, and the Marksman\n lets fly an arrow seaward._]\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Astonished._]\n\n What\u2019s that for?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n You hit the mark that time.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Running to look._]\n\n Where? I didn\u2019t see!\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n Nobody did but me.\n Who taught you that song sublime?\n\n LISTENER\n\n A robin back there in the wood;\n I haven\u2019t got it very good.\n\n FINN\n\n You have a very fine ear.\n Is there anything else you can hear?\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Putting his ear to the ground and listening intently._]\n\n I can hear the voice of your mother.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Eagerly._]\n\n What is she saying?\n\n LISTENER\n\n She\u2019s saying she\u2019s unravelling\n Your fetters of travelling\n And straying;\n She\u2019s saying\n She\u2019s sending your father\n To help you to gather\n The children he\u2019s losing\n Through none of her choosing.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Bewildered._]\n\n Talk sense!\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Offended._]\n\n I do; but it\u2019s too immense\n For you to comprehend\n With your unenlightened end!\n\n [_Aside._]\n\n There! didn\u2019t I tell you she\u2019d send!\n\n [_At this moment the Climber runs in excitedly._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I\u2019ve just met a woman in the wood\n Who says she\u2019s losing\n Her children through none of her choosing,\n And that you are the only man\n Who can\n Help her, if you\u2019ll be so very good.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Amazed._]\n\n That\u2019s what the Big Young Hero said to me\n This morning, brought him through the strife\n Of night-watching and tempest of sea!\n I wonder who this woman can be?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Excitedly._]\n\n I believe she is his wife?\n\n FINN\n\n How is she losing the children?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n She says she\u2019s losing them in the night\n That claps down on men,\n For a Hand comes in at the window ere it\u2019s light,\n And takes them all away ben.\n\n FINN\n\n [_After a pause._]\n\n I can\u2019t help that!\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Yes, she says you can,\n If you were half a man.\n\n FINN\n\n Why, what must I be at?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n She says you must watch through the night\n Within her house, until you see daylight.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Sighing wearily._]\n\n I want my supper now. I really couldn\u2019t keep\n My eyes open; I\u2019m sure I\u2019d go to sleep.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Very earnestly and impressively._]\n\n Although she has laid supper in her house,\n Please do not touch it yet, or you\u2019ll arouse\n The Hand\n Before you understand\n How you must use the body to discern\n The proper system of the mind, and learn\n You were not built like the bewildered moon,\n To dwindle ere you\u2019ve found another face,\n Revolving inwards like an old buffoon,\n Too much attracted by an earthly grace;\n But, on a nervous pivot justly hung,\n Bringing your mind to bear upon the clay,\n Can turn your sleepy body round among\n The starry systems of another day;\n For that is how I think we\u2019re meant to gather\n Her earthly treasure for a Heavenly Father,\n Till He recall us from her dewy field\n At evening-time, building a finer bield\n For souls returning mindful of earth\u2019s beauty,\n Not naked as they came.\n\n FINN\n\n I\u2019ll do my duty\n If you\u2019ll show me the way\n To the place where I\u2019m to stay.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Delighted._]\n\n All right!\n We must look sharp as long as there\u2019s this light.\n\n [_She beckons the others to follow._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Pausing suddenly._]\n\n Why, what was that that fell?\n I believe it was the spell.\n\n [_He looks about._]\n\n I feel hungry enough for two\n All of a sudden. Aren\u2019t you?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Warningly._]\n\n No, I had something to eat before I came,\n And in the morning you will get the same\n If only now you\u2019ll try not to eat double;\n For if you do we\u2019ll all get into trouble.\n\n [_Exit all after the Climber._]\n\n\n\n\nACT III. SCENE 2\n\nTHE HOUSE OF THE EARTH-MOTHER: GLOAMING\n\n\n_The kitchen of the Earth-Mother\u2019s house. A big open fire in the middle\nof the room, with a hole in the thatch above it to let the smoke out. A\nchild asleep in a cradle beside it. The remains of a lavish supper on a\ntable in the corner. The men are all lying about the fire asleep. Finn\nalone is sitting in a low chair drowsing. The Climber is lying asleep on\na settle in the corner, near the Thief, who is sitting quietly watchful\nby the child. She alone seems wide awake._\n\n FINN\n\n [_Nodding drowsily, starts and falls forward. Shaking\n himself up, he looks round, rubbing his eyes and yawning._]\n\n Heigh-ho!\u2014Heigh-hum-harry!\n This rainbow is a weary job to carry.\n\n [_Looks round._]\n\n No one seems awake that I can see.\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n You forget me.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Startled._]\n\n Oh! Are you awake?\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n I\u2019m always awake.\n\n FINN\n\n Then I can take\n A nap.\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Calmly._]\n\n For Heaven\u2019s sake\n Keep awake,\n Or the child will be taken away in the cap\n Of the Hand.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Drowsily._]\n\n Bother! I don\u2019t understand.\n\n [_Pointing to the Climber._]\n\n Even she\u2019s sleeping.\n\n THIEF\n\n Yes, she has been weeping.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Uneasy._]\n\n Why, whatever\u2019s the matter?\n\n THIEF\n\n Everything.\n You\u2019ve eaten too much.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Defensively._]\n\n Why, I didn\u2019t touch\n More than I ought,\n Did I?\n\n THIEF\n\n You took a thought\n More than she did, that\u2019s why\n You have upset her.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Sulkily._]\n\n I wish to goodness I had never met her,\n If she\u2019s so very easily upset.\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n I fear she\u2019s very childish for her age.\n It\u2019s apt to overbalance her at this stage;\n She isn\u2019t up to all God\u2019s ropes as yet.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Crossly._]\n\n I thought she said\n That she could climb upon a thread\n Up to a star\n Were I to tie it there.\n\n THIEF\n\n Ay! But it needs more care\n To return so far\n Trundling the star.\n\n [_Finn sits silent for a little while, and begins to nod\n again. At last he rouses himself with a start._]\n\n FINN\n\n I\u2019m much too plastic;\n This needs something drastic.\n\n [_He snatches a brand of wood from the fire, and thrusts\n it through the bone of his palm. The Climber immediately\n starts up in her sleep with a cry of pain._]\n\n [_Startled._]\n\n What\u2019s wrong? Why\u2014\u2014?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Talking in her sleep, in great distress._]\n\n You are in pain!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Defiantly._]\n\n Not I!\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Half asleep._]\n\n You\u2019re hurting yourself with trying to keep awake!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Coldly._]\n\n You\u2019re making a mistake.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Bewildered and dreamy._]\n\n Oh, I\u2019m sorry! I thought you called me.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Stoically._]\n\n No.\n\n [_The Marksman turns in his sleep with a groan._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I beg your pardon.\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n Lie down. If he\u2019s in pain\n I\u2019ll call you again.\n\n [_The Climber lies down again._]\n\n THIEF SINGS:\n\n I have a lover in my mind,\n And there I stray.\n He whispers dreams to me all night;\n I dream with him all day.\n\n We tell each other foreign things,\n We dream strange dreams, we two;\n Sometimes he whispers He is God,\n And I dream I am too.\n\n [_Finn, nodding, repeats former process. Again the Climber\n starts up in her sleep with a loud cry of anguish._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_As before, talking half in her sleep._]\n\n You are in pain?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Wiping his brow._]\n\n Not I, you\u2019re dreaming.\n\n [_The Marksman again groans in his sleep._]\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n Lie down. If he\u2019s in pain\n I\u2019ll call you again.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Bewildered and troubled, still asleep._]\n\n I\u2019m very sorry, indeed I meant no harm;\n I feel as if I were under some sort of charm.\n\n [_She lies down again._]\n\n THIEF SINGS:\n\n Love seeketh not a Heaven\u2019s delight.\n If her beloved inhabit there,\n She is content with outer night,\n And finds in Hell no deep despair.\n\n Yet if the love of God divine\n Feel lonely Heaven a grave mistake,\n And say: \u201cIs Hell not also mine?\u201d\n Love answers: \u201cYea, Lord, take.\u201d\n\n [_By this time Finn has fallen quite asleep. The fire\n dies low. Suddenly a strange light begins to play about\n the Climber. She starts up half-awake, and looks round\n bewildered. Then she speaks to the Thief in an awed\n whisper._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Who called me? Was it you?\n\n THIEF\n\n I have been sitting quietly by the cradle all this time.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Inside my brain\n There\u2019s something tugging me, a sort of strain,\n A terrible wistfulness, my mind\u2019s all bruised.\n Something calls me that is not amused.\n Is it God?\n Or is it not God?\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Gravely._]\n\n It is God.\n Lie down. He will call you again\n If He is in pain.\n\n [_The Climber lies down again. The fire dies quite low, but\n the radiance about her grows bright and brighter; she alone\n is left visible. Suddenly, for a moment, as through a veil,\n the face of the Big Young Hero is seen looking wistfully\n down on her. She starts up with her hands clasped to her\n breast, and speaks in an awed whisper._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Did you call me, sir?\n\n HERO\n\n I sent Finn to call you.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I heard him. Do you require us both?\n\n HERO\n\n Yes, urgently; make haste.\n\n [_The vision fades, leaving the Climber alone in the midst\n of a great brightness._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Whispering._]\n\n Always I have known Thou wert there,\n But to-night Thou hast revealed Thyself utterly and\n Thy face is bare.\n I cannot tell how beautiful Thou art.\n All of my heart\n Is radiant with the fierce surprise\n Of Thine eyes,\n All of my soul\n Stands shuddering at her goal.\n\n Long ago she knew Thee, yet she feared\n To name Thee, ever she peered\n Into the darkness, whispering: \u201cNot mine,\u201d\n To-night she doth divine\n Wholly, and she is very bold, and boasts, and hath good cheer,\n Entertaining the love that casts out fear.\n\n [_The brightness fades, leaving darkness for a moment, then\n the fire leaps up again, illuminating the room. The Climber\n looks about her, bewildered with ecstasy._]\n\n Oh, I have had such a wonderful dream!\n Why, they all seem\n To be asleep!\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n I am not asleep.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Radiant._]\n\n Oh, did you see my dream?\n\n THIEF\n\n Yes; I stole it for you.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Where did you get it?\n\n THIEF\n\n Out of the mind of God.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n It was most beautiful; can\u2019t you find\n Another the same?\n\n THIEF\n\n Yes, from where that one came;\n But it is not for you.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Disappointed._]\n\n Oh! Who\u2019s it for?\n\n THIEF\n\n Never mind,\n You\u2019ll find\n When you make yours come true.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Very eagerly._]\n\n Why, what must I do?\n\n THIEF\n\n You must make them believe it.\n You must take it and weave it,\n By a kind of story,\n Into actual glory.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Jumping up joyfully._]\n\n Where shall I begin?\n\n THIEF\n\n With Finn.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Drawing back nervously._]\n\n Oh no, I can\u2019t! He\u2019ll think it very queer.\n I\u2014I haven\u2019t got the courage to reveal\n A dream so very delicate and real.\n They\u2019ll laugh at me. They\u2019ll all think I am queer.\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Indifferently._]\n\n I have nothing to do with fear.\n Your business is to do just as I tell.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Summoning up all her resolution._]\n\n Very well.\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n If you\u2019re to carry out God\u2019s plan\n You must pitch into every man.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Trembling with nervousness._]\n\n All right! To make my dream come true\n There\u2019s nothing I\u2019m afraid to do.\n\n [_She runs quickly over to Finn and takes him eagerly by\n the hand to wake him. He starts awake with a quiver of\n pain, withdrawing his hand._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Overstrained and very nervous._]\n\n Oh, are you angry at me?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Gently._]\n\n Why should I be angry?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Shyly._]\n\n For\u2014for waking you up.\n\n FINN\n\n Was I asleep?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Nervously._]\n\n Yes; but I\u2019ve brought you something that\u2019ll keep\n You awake for ever.\n\n [_She laughs nervously._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Politely._]\n\n Never!\n What is it?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Shyly._]\n\n N\u2014nothing; just a dream.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Embarrassed._]\n\n Better keep it to yourself.\n Dreams are things some folk don\u2019t understand.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_In distress, catching sight of his hand._]\n\n Why, what have you done to your hand?\n You\u2019ve burnt it all!\n You were in pain, I knew!\n I heard you call.\n Why did you say it wasn\u2019t true?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Withdrawing his hand hastily._]\n\n It\u2019s nothing to do with you.\n Go to sleep again;\n I never felt the slightest pain.\n\n [_The Marksman groans in his sleep._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Embarrassed and shy._]\n\n Don\u2019t you, really?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Resolutely._]\n\n No. I tell you it\u2019s quite numb.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Grieved and awkward._]\n\n Then you didn\u2019t call me to come?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Turning his head away with a groan._]\n\n No. I am in no need.\n\n [_The Marksman groans in his sleep again. Finn turns and\n looks more attentively at the Climber, hesitating. She is\n pale and overstrained looking._]\n\n [_Kindly._]\n\n I really think you ought to feed\n Yourself up a bit.\n You\u2019re not looking very fit.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Hurriedly._]\n\n I was asleep. I\u2019m quite all right.\n It\u2019s just a silly dream. Good night.\n\n [_Marksman groans._]\n\n Be sure you keep awake.\n\n [_She retreats nervously._]\n\n FINN\n\n Good night. Be sure you keep\n Asleep.\n Don\u2019t worry about me for any sake;\n I\u2019m wide enough awake.\n\n [_The Marksman groans again, and Finn begins to nod heavily\n even as he speaks._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_To the thief, bursting into tears._]\n\n They won\u2019t believe my dream.\n You\u2019ve made me feel an awful fool.\n He\u2019s laughing now. I know I seem\n Quite childish!\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Aside._]\n\n To keep cool,\n The best way is by letting off some steam.\n\n [_To the Climber, very sternly._]\n\n The fault was yours. You have betrayed your dream.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Weeps silently for a little, then wipes her eyes and\n speaks as if to herself._]\n\n They tell me that I have my birth\n Some other where,\n And though indeed I do not greatly care\n If this be true or no,\n I really think it must be partly so;\n For no one understands me in this house,\n I am not able all alone to rouse\n Them up. They just ignore me everywhere.\n I begin to think that I\u2019m not quite all there.\n\n [_She sinks her head desperately between her hands._]\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n I wasn\u2019t laughing at you.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Lifting her head quietly and recovering herself._]\n\n No, I knew.\n\n THIEF\n\n Perhaps I\u2019ve left you rather much alone.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Oh no! I think I\u2019ve just outgrown\n My strength.\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n Then if you\u2019ve got that length\n You\u2019ve come into your own. Lie down again;\n I\u2019ll call you if he is in pain.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n No! No! This time I must lie still\n Unless he comes himself. He\u2019d take it ill\n If I should offer him a change of diet\n He\u2019s not accustomed to. I must lie quiet\n Unless he says that he\u2019s prepared to try it.\n\n [_She lies down again. The stage gradually becomes quite\n dark, as the Thief sings this song._]\n\n THIEF\u2019S SONG\n\n God gave me a little fire,\n And, as He did require,\n I burnt it all away,\n And He gave me more each day.\n At last to one most dear\n I denied my fire in fear,\n And now the light\u2019s gone out,\n And God\u2019s nowhere about.\n\n [_At this moment the eight-day clock in the corner of the\n room strikes twelve slowly, and a great Hand comes in at\n the hole in the centre of the roof. All have fallen asleep\n except the Thief. She springs up with a cry and shakes the\n Climber, who does not stir, but all the others start up,\n and Finn calls loudly on the Gripper, who lays hold on the\n Hand and takes it in to the two eyebrows at the chimney.\n The Hand gives a pull on the Gripper, and takes him out to\n the top of his two shoulders. The Gripper gives another\n pull on the Hand and brings it in to the neck. The Hand\n gives a pull on the Gripper, and brings him out to the very\n middle. The Gripper gives a pull on the Hand, and brings\n it in over the two armpits. The Hand gives a pull on the\n Gripper, and takes him out to the smalls of his two feet.\n Then the Gripper gives a brave pull on the Hand, and it\n comes out of the shoulder, and when it falls on the floor\n the pulling of seven geldings is in it. All shout with\n joy._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Wiping his brow in unutterable relief._]\n\n What an escape! I nearly lost the child!\n She\u2019d have been wild!\n I knew I could hold out\n Without having to shout\n For aid.\n\n [_At this moment the Giant, unnoticed, puts in his other\n hand and takes the child with him in the cap of the hand.\n It screams, awaking the Climber._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Oh! You\u2019ve let it go!\n You\u2019ve been asleep, I know!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Desperately, with his head in his hands._]\n\n What a mistake I\u2019ve made!\n\n [_Furiously, to the Gripper._]\n\n You fool! Why couldn\u2019t you\n Hold on a little longer?\n\n GRIPPER\n\n [_Plaintively and with resignation._]\n\n Because I never knew\n There was another Hand a little stronger.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Frantically, to Marksman._]\n\n You that\u2019s so good at marking eggs,\n Why couldn\u2019t you tell other folk\n About the yolk?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Tranquilly._]\n\n You never asked me, or I would have told.\n Are you not old\n Enough\u2014have you not got two legs,\n A pair of hands, a level\n Enough head\n (When all is done and said)\n From which to deduce the devil?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Losing all control._]\n\n Liar! It was your duty to tell!\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Quietly and sorrowfully._]\n\n Go to Hell.\n\n [_Finn rushes out. The Climber is all this time kneeling by\n the settle with her head buried in her hands, and does not\n appear to hear anything around her._]\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_Angrily, to Marksman._]\n\n Didn\u2019t the woman tell her that the Giant\n Who steals the children was just like a man?\n If we had known we wouldn\u2019t have been so pliant.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Turning to look at him with a strange smile._]\n\n Why didn\u2019t you ask her about him? She never can\n Tell you very much until\n You ask her of your own free will.\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_Sneeringly._]\n\n I don\u2019t believe she knew!\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Turning and looking at him._]\n\n Don\u2019t you?\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_Trying to look him in the face, but getting very red,\n drops his eyes and mutters._]\n\n Well, maybe she did. You needn\u2019t make a stir,\n I don\u2019t pretend to understand folk like her.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_As before._]\n\n Don\u2019t you?\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_Defiantly and reluctantly._]\n\n Well, if I do it\u2019s not because I can\u2019t.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_As before._]\n\n Isn\u2019t it?\n\n [_Silence._]\n\n Come, answer me!\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_Defiantly._]\n\n I shan\u2019t!\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Letting him go with a contemptuous kick from behind._]\n\n Then follow Finn until you\u2019ve learned compliance.\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_Calling Tracker._]\n\n Come on! Let\u2019s show them we\u2019ve some self-reliance!\n\n TRACKER\n\n [_To Gripper, who is still standing quietly holding the arm\n he has pulled out._]\n\n Come on! There\u2019s no use holding any more\n To the sneck of _that_ door.\n\n [_Pointing to arm._]\n\n GRIPPER\n\n Where are you going?\n\n [_He looks undecided._]\n\n TRACKER\n\n There\u2019s no knowing,\n I\u2019m bound to follow him.\n\n [_Points to Carpenter._]\n\n GRIPPER\n\n [_Looking round doubtfully._]\n\n The light is very dim,\n Where is he taking us?\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_Pulling him by the collar._]\n\n Come on without any more fuss.\n\n TRACKER\n\n [_Pulling at the Hand._]\n\n Drop it, I say, drop it!\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Intervening sternly._]\n\n Stop it!\n\n [_The Tracker and the Carpenter fling out after Finn._]\n\n THIEF\n\n [_To Marksman._]\n\n I\u2019ll follow them. I musn\u2019t be inhuman,\n They\u2019ll certainly get lost without a woman.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n Take care, they\u2019ve gone to Hell.\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly indicating the Climber._]\n\n Look after this child well,\n And I will steal all Heaven before you can tell.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Eagerly._]\n\n What fun! May I come too?\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Pointing to the Climber._]\n\n Not yet, she\u2019s need of you.\n\n [_Exit Thief._]\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Coming forward and gazing up at the hole in the roof with\n his hands on his knees._]\n\n Well, that was a clean sweep!\n\n [_To Climber._]\n\n I say, don\u2019t weep!\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_With his finger on his lips._]\n\n Hush! She\u2019s saying her prayers!\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Abashed and embarrassed._]\n\n Oh, sorry!\n\n [_He crosses to the window and leans out, and then softly\n beckons to the Gripper. The Marksman is sitting quietly in\n Finn\u2019s chair by the fire._]\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_To Gripper, speaking softly not to disturb the Climber._]\n\n Look at the sky, and that green stretch of clear\n Behind the Bidean! There\u2019s really no night here.\n\n [_He sits astride the window whistling softly, and then\n begins to sing this song under his breath._]\n\n I had a vision of Hope. She came to me\n Long before morning came, long ere the day\n Had folded night in her bosom and gathered away\n The stars in her brightness;\n I saw as it were a whiteness\n Like a shimmer on the sea;\n Long before morning broke\n She awoke\n And came to me.\n\n There are some who never see her,\n There are some who never hear\n Her whisper at their ear.\n I was awake and heard\n Before the thrushes stirred.\n\n Deep in her heart she showed me,\n Long before it was spring,\n A lovely thing.\n All the April bulbs unsleeping,\n Beneath the garden keeping\n Watch for the dawn,\n All the eyes of the daisies wide-awake under the lawn.\n\n There are some who will not trust her,\n There are some who blindly thrust her\n Out of sight\n Into the solitary night.\n Grievous souls! They do not know\n That her lovely sign is true:\n I listened and I knew.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n That\u2019s good enough!\n\n [_Climber springs up lightly._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Why! Where\u2019s Finn?\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Coming down._]\n\n Gone off in the huff\n While you were saying your prayers.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Desperately, to Marksman._]\n\n I don\u2019t believe it! Tell me there\u2019s\n No truth in what he said.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n Yes, for the present, Finn is dead.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Quietly steadfast._]\n\n I don\u2019t believe it.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n He has lost his head.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Looking round._]\n\n Where are the others?\n\n GRIPPER\n\n [_Sarcastically._]\n\n They\u2019ve followed him like brothers.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Has the Thief gone with the rest?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n Yes; she thought it best.\n She said it was inhuman\n To let them go without a woman.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Radiantly, with upraised face._]\n\n Thank you!\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_To Marksman._]\n\n Who\u2019s she speaking to?\n\n [_The Marksman quietly shoots an arrow out of the window._]\n\n LISTENER\n\n Why did you do that?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n Being under my protection\n She looked straight in the right direction.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Who has run to the window to look after the arrow._]\n\n I say! They\u2019ve put off in the boat\n And left us all behind!\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Anxiously._]\n\n Has Finn got his coat?\n\n LISTENER\n\n No; there it is behind\n The press.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Is the Thief there?\n\n LISTENER\n\n Yes.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Then never mind.\n\n [_To Gripper._]\n\n Come! You must follow\n And take the tiller, or the sea will swallow\n Them all.\n\n GRIPPER\n\n [_Plaintively._]\n\n It\u2019s no use; I would fall\n Without something to grip.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Are you afraid to slip\n If I make fast\n A rope to the mast?\n\n GRIPPER\n\n [_Brightening._]\n\n Oh no! not if you give me anything\n To hold to, even the smallest bit of string.\n But how will you get over there?\n It\u2019s far too rough to swim. Take care!\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_To Listener._]\n\n Can you hear\n What the Thief is saying?\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Putting his ear to the ground and listening intently._]\n\n I rather think she\u2019s praying.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Clapping her hands delightedly._]\n\n Then come along, the danger\u2019s past,\n I\u2019ve tied a life-line to the mast!\n\n [_Exit all running eagerly, the Climber carrying Finn\u2019s\n coat._]\n\n\n\n\nACT III. SCENE 3\n\nAT SEA: SUNSET\n\n\n_A stormy dark sunset, late in the gloaming. The ship is seen tossing\nwildly on a tempestuous sea. The Thief is sitting quietly in the stern\nwith her head bowed; her face is invisible. The Carpenter and the Tracker\nare whimpering on the floor. Finn is alone at the helm, but the waves are\ndriving the boat about at their mercy._\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_Terrified, from bottom of boat._]\n\n I don\u2019t believe this boat is sound.\n\n TRACKER\n\n [_Blubbering with terror._]\n\n Boohoo! Boohoo! We\u2019s all going to be drowned!\n\n [_Clutches Finn\u2019s legs._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Spurning him suddenly._]\n\n Be quiet, you fool!\n\n [_The Tracker collapses howling in a corner._]\n\n CARPENTER\n\n Cheer up! You\u2019ll soon be able to keep cool.\n\n [_A great shower of spray comes over and drenches them. The\n Tracker cries despairingly._]\n\n CARPENTER\n\n [_To Finn._]\n\n I had a sense of something due\n To someone, though I scare kent who,\n And like a fool I lent my ship to you.\n Although I made her at my own expense\n I thought you had a little common sense.\n Didn\u2019t I tell you she was bound\n To carry you quite safe and sound\n From earth to Heaven, if you could handle\n Her properly. It\u2019s a fair scandal\n To see the way you hold the tiller.\n You\u2019ll sink her. Look! You\u2019ll sink and fill her!\n\n [_The ship heels and dips, the Tracker yells again, and\n even the Carpenter gasps and moans._]\n\n I thought that she would even carry\n God back again to earth to tarry.\n Oh! If she\u2019d had another master\n Than you, she would have got on faster,\n But with this God-forsaken mind\n No other body could I find.\n\n TRACKER\n\n [_To Carpenter, blubbering._]\n\n I\u2019d like to tell you what I think\n Of you.\n\n CARPENTER\n\n I jalouse we must sink\n Our differences for a little;\n This boat won\u2019t stand it, she\u2019s too brittle.\n\n [_The boat gives a wild lurch and appears to founder. Both\n cry wildly to Finn. The Tracker clutches the Thief\u2019s knees,\n weeping loudly._]\n\n THIEF\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n Have patience!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Looking desperately up to the sky._]\n\n If there is any Truth in what she said,\n If there is any Hope that answers prayer,\n If there is any Faith beyond her share\n That stretches nervous from a lovelier Head\n Than ours, and quickens in the brighter dead,\n I summon all my strong human emotion\n To stir that Brain to feel what I am feeling,\n And rouse a Thought of which I had no notion\n Into consideration of my healing,\n For though my mind is smaller than That Other\n I have enough of sense to call it Brother\n If It be there at all. If It be there.\n\n [_At his words a golden life-line is suddenly whirled on\n board and falls at his feet. The Carpenter and the Tracker\n cry wildly: \u201cA rope! A rope! Oh, make it fast!\u201d_]\n\n THIEF\n\n [_With a sigh of relief._]\n\n The danger\u2019s past!\n\n [_She runs hurriedly and makes the rope fast to the mast,\n while Finn remains gazing at it as if dazed. In a moment\n the Climber is seen swinging along it, immediately followed\n by the Gripper, the Listener, and the Marksman. Finn\n remains as if spellbound, while the Gripper runs to the\n tiller, seizes it from him, and turns the boat completely\n round._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_To himself, as if bewildered._]\n\n This is more than any sense deserves!\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Shaking her head at him._]\n\n Fancy going off like that in an open boat\n Without your coat!\n Your state of mind is preying on my nerves.\n\n [_She helps him into his coat, which he submits to\n passively, gazing at her as if dazed; then suddenly falling\n on his knees, he snatches her hand, crying exultantly\u2014_]\n\n FINN\n\n Before the sun shall rise upon the land\n I\u2019ll shake all darkness by this other hand!\n\n [_The storm gradually abates, and as the ship slips away\n the Gripper leans back against the tiller and sings._]\n\n GRIPPER\u2019S SONG\n\n I saw above the straining shrouds\n No rift nor hint of dawn,\n I saw no light beyond the clouds,\n But still I carried on.\n\n I saw the end of the world, Dear Heart,\n And I believed it true,\n But still I held to my small part,\n And so she carried through.\n\n\n\n\nACT IV\n\nTHE GIANT\u2019S CASTLE: MIDNIGHT\n\n\n_In a dim twilight of stars a castle is seen upon a rock. It is thatched\nwith eel-skins, and there appears to be neither door nor window. The dark\nfigures of Finn, the Climber, the Thief, the Marksman, and the Listener\nare presently seen stealing softly over the rocks. The other three have\nevidently remained with the boat. They talk in whispers._\n\n FINN\n\n [_To Climber._]\n\n Is this the place?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I believe so.\n\n FINN\n\n It\u2019s very dark,\n I cannot see your face.\n\n LISTENER\n\n Hark!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Nervously._]\n\n What is it?\n\n LISTENER\n\n I hear something inside,\n It sounds like children\u2019s voices.\n Have you tried\n The door?\n\n FINN\n\n There isn\u2019t any door.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Positively._]\n\n I really hear\n Something, I don\u2019t know what. It sounds quite near.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n If there\u2019s no front door there must be a stair,\n I\u2019m certain he has put the child in there;\n And since it must have got inside somehow,\n I rather think the door is in the brow.\n At any rate, I\u2019m going to climb and see.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Anxiously._]\n\n Take care! The thatch is very slippery!\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Cheerfully._]\n\n If there\u2019s a way in, then there is no doubt\n There must be just the same way to get out.\n\n [_The Climber\u2019s figure is soon dimly seen silhouetted on\n the roof against the stars._]\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_With a delighted exclamation._]\n\n Just as I thought!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Nervously._]\n\n What?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I\u2019ve found a door just where I thought.\n\n FINN\n\n Can you open it?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n Oh yes, there\u2019s not\n Much difficulty there,\n It comes away with prayer.\n\n [_She is seen kneeling._]\n\n FINN\n\n What\u2019s that you\u2019re saying?\n\n LISTENER\n\n Be quiet! Can\u2019t you see she\u2019s praying?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Presently._]\n\n It\u2019s opening up!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Eagerly._]\n\n What is inside?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I\u2019m looking, but I haven\u2019t tried\n My eyes yet in a night so deep.\n\n [_She calls down softly presently._]\n\n The Giant is sound asleep!\n\n FINN\n\n Oh! Can you see if he\u2019s still got the child\n Inside the cap\n Of the other hand?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Delighted._]\n\n It\u2019s there! It\u2019s still taking its little nap!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Desperately._]\n\n If only I were strong enough to creep\n Inside and steal it while he is asleep!\n But with this heavy box I can\u2019t get up.\n\n LISTENER\n\n Why don\u2019t you throw it away then altogether?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Arrested._]\n\n I wonder if I could? I don\u2019t know whether\u2014\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Calling down._]\n\n There\u2019s a dog here too besides, and a little pup!\n\n FINN\n\n Abominable! They\u2019re sure to bark.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Delighted._]\n\n I say! A puppy! What a lark!\n Please try and get it for me. Hark!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Nervously._]\n\n What is it?\n\n LISTENER\n\n I hear the Giant coming up out of his sleep.\n You must be quick,\n Or else you\u2019ll stick.\n\n THIEF\n\n [_To Climber._]\n\n I\u2019m almost certain I could creep\n And steal the child while he is sleeping,\n Only I\u2019m rather old to do much leaping;\n You\u2019d have to carry me a bit,\n And let me gently down to it.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n All right! There is no difficulty there.\n With your support I could go anywhere.\n\n [_She swings down, takes the Thief on her back, and is\n presently seen on the roof letting her gently down inside\n the castle. The Climber is seen again kneeling._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Anxiously, from below._]\n\n Oh dear! How slow she is! It\u2019s very dark.\n Why is she delaying?\n\n LISTENER\n\n Be quiet! Can\u2019t you see she\u2019s praying?\n Hark!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Nervously._]\n\n What is it now?\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Joyously._]\n\n I hear the child coming up out of his sleep.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Calling softly down to the Thief._]\n\n It is so deep\n Inside, I can\u2019t see where you are.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Anxiously._]\n\n Has she got the puppy?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Reassuringly._]\n\n She\u2019ll get it all right, never fear!\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Whispering loudly._]\n\n Good man!\n I say! Can\n You hand it down and let me hold its muzzle?\n I guess to both of you it is a puzzle\n To know at present where to put it,\n And if Finn sees it probably he\u2019ll shoot it.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Anxiously._]\n\n Has she got the child? I can\u2019t endure\n To wait like this.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_A trifle hesitatingly._]\n\n I think so. I\u2019m not sure.\n\n LISTENER\n\n Be quick! I hear the dog coming up out of her sleep.\n\n THIEF\u2019S VOICE\n\n [_From within, faintly._]\n\n Oh! Lower me again to Mother Earth,\n For I in spirit have been called as far\n As the secret place where her lost children are,\n And I now bring them back to second birth,\n Rescuing both the body and the soul\n Out of the Hand of death entire and whole,\n If you are strong enough to bear us back\n To the same side from which we came.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Reeling with the sudden relaxation of nervous tension._]\n\n Alack!\n I am as wearied as a falling star,\n I cannot do it alone.\n\n [_At this moment the Hand is seen emerging from the roof.\n It grips the Climber and takes her in._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_With a frantic cry._]\n\n Where are\n They? Oh! My God, what shall I do?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n Put your finger underneath your wisdom tooth\n And find what it replies.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Doing so._]\n\n It says that I must tell the truth.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Sternly._]\n\n Confess your previous lies!\n\n [_Finn hides his face with a groan._]\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Gently._]\n\n You need fear no disgrace\n If you will look me in the face.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Trembling._]\n\n I\u2019m thinking that there are not many here\n Can look you in the face without some fear.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n If you are too shy\n I cannot help you at all. You must all die.\n\n [_He turns away._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Clutching him by the shoulder._]\n\n No! No! No!\n\n [_The Marksman turns and gazes at him. Finn remains\n upright, his eyes riveted on the Marksman\u2019s._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Steadily._]\n\n I told her I was wide enough awake.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n That was a great mistake.\n\n FINN\n\n I told her I could quite well do\n Without her aid.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n That was untrue.\n\n FINN\n\n I told her that I did not feel\n The slightest pain. Her dream was real,\n\n [_He points to the box._]\n\n For overburdened with this weight\n Of earth, I was in such a state\n I really could not recognize\n Myself reflected in her eyes.\n I felt in such a deep disgrace\n I could not look her in the face,\n So when she brought her dream by and by\n I put her off. Trying to deny\n My God, I told a fearful lie.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Tranquilly._]\n\n She never believed it, and she marked it die\n Dwindling slowly away\n As the light grew stronger and the grey\n Faded for ever from the windows.\n\n [_He points to the faint line of green, which is now\n showing on the horizon._]\n\n In the cottages they will soon be putting out all the lamps\n And going about their work in unreflected light.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Springing up with a cry of joy._]\n\n What! Is it really all right?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n Yes, quite;\n You\u2019ve told me all that I require\n To set you free.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Now a different man._]\n\n If God be true no man can be a liar.\n Come, follow me.\n\n LISTENER\n\n Where are you going?\n\n FINN\n\n [_Eagerly and joyously._]\n\n I\u2019m going after the Climber,\n Her point of view\u2019s sublimer.\n I\u2019m going to throw away my bow.\n\n [_He casts the box from him._]\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Picking up the box._]\n\n Take care, you\u2019ve not much yet on which to go!\n\n FINN\n\n [_Radiantly._]\n\n I cannot fall,\n The way she chose is practical!\n\n LISTENER\n\n Since you have let her in for this, no doubt\n You\u2019re bound to find a way to get her out.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Turning on a little electric torch to light Finn._]\n\n It\u2019s still a little dark to-night.\n I\u2019ve put things in the proper light\n For you, but it strikes me\n I\u2019ll have to clear up more before you\u2019ll see\n Her way out of the difficulty.\n\n [_Finn reaches the roof in safety, and calls down\n anxiously._]\n\n FINN\n\n Are you there? Are you there?\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Calling faintly from within._]\n\n Oh! Have you come? I knew you\u2019d not be long,\n I\u2019d noticed you were getting very strong.\n He\u2019s tied me hand and foot. I cannot move,\n I\u2019ve found the Thief and he are hand in glove!\n\n FINN\n\n No matter! I\u2019m entirely of your mind.\n I\u2019ll find\n My way inside and get you out just now.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Anxiously._]\n\n The door is just behind your brow.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Hitting his forehead._]\n\n I\u2019ve got it!\n\n [_His figure is seen against the dim twilight kneeling._]\n\n LISTENER\n\n Be quick! I hear the Giant coming up out of his sleep!\n\n [_The Hand takes in Finn._]\n\n CLIMBER\u2019S VOICE\n\n [_With a muffled cry of despair._]\n\n Too late! Too late! My God, what shall I do?\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Hurriedly, calling from below._]\n\n Put your finger under your wisdom tooth and tell me what it replies.\n\n CLIMBER\u2019S VOICE\n\n It says that I must tell the truth!\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Very sternly._]\n\n What! You as well! Confess your previous lies!\n\n CLIMBER\u2019S VOICE\n\n It is so dark I cannot see your face,\n I feel that I\u2019m in very deep disgrace.\n Alas! I told him that I was asleep!\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n Your error there was truly very deep.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n I thought that I was strong enough\n To return alone.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n What utter stuff!\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Desperately._]\n\n I said I thought he was in pain;\n The pain was mine, for in my brain\n I felt a tugging and a stress\n I could not understand, unless\n One in the likeness of a man\n Had summoned me to Heaven. I ran,\n I climbed, I reached the topmost stair,\n And found that I was not all there,\n For if I\u2019d left the earth behind\n I should have gone out of my mind,\n Since God requires a soul and body too\n To make the substance of His dream come true.\n I understood God did devise\n To make this earth His Paradise;\n I saw our second birth was got\n Just out of earth by happy thought,\n But fearful that a Truth so glad\n Would seem an impudence half-mad,\n I made him think that God\u2019s design\n Was just a silly dream of mine.\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n He always believed your dream;\n He marked it grow\n Out upon his sleep with bewildered joy,\n Until at last, just like a little boy,\n He put his hand up in the dark to feel\n Her face, and found he had touched something real.\n\n [_He opens the box and takes the rainbow from it._]\n\n In the cottages they have put out all the lamps,\n And go about their work in unreflected light.\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_Excitedly._]\n\nThe Giant is coming up out of his sleep for the last time, and he is\nbringing the dog with him!\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n [_Quietly._]\n\n I am not afraid of myself, you need not shout,\n For I am strong enough to bear them out.\n\n [_At this moment the Hand rises again from the chimney.\n The Marksman is seen stringing the rainbow and letting fly\n an arrow, which transfixes the Hand. There is terrible\n darkness for a moment, the stars fall from the sky and the\n moon turns crimson, leaving pitchy night. With a loud crash\n the walls of the castle fall away, and in a serene silent\n splendour of purple and crimson the dawn rises over the\n sea, revealing the Big Young Hero standing upon the rock\n with the child in his arms. The Climber and Finn are in\n each other\u2019s arms, the Thief is holding the puppy._]\n\n MARKSMAN\n\n They have all come up out of their sleep for ever!\n\n LISTENER\n\n [_With a great cry of joy._]\n\n I always knew this would happen! She\u2019s got the puppy too!\n\n\n\n\nACT V\n\nTHE GREEN ISLE REALIZED ON EARTH. DAWN\n\n\n_The same as Act I, but this time there is no rainbow haze between, only\na great rainbow stretching in the sky across the Hebrides seen in the\ndistance. On a table under the trees the girl has spread all sorts of\ndelightful fruits and cakes. She is now decorating it with flowers, and\nsinging as she works._\n\n SONG\n\n I love all lovely things\u2014\n The dragon-fly\u2019s wings,\n The rainbow and the rain,\n The light that comes again\n Joyously like a smile,\n When for a little while\n God disposes the night elsewhere.\n\n His sun is very fair,\n I can catch it in my hair.\n Look! It\u2019s there! And there! And there!\n Oh! the earth\u2019s a lovely thing,\n The mind of a Mighty King,\n I cannot help but sing.\n I cannot end my song,\n God\u2019s thought is very long.\n Many years He took to make\n The bracken in the brake;\n He was a long time building\n The fragrant yellow gilding\n On the early poplar tree\n When no eye was there to see.\n\n The clouds, the atmosphere,\n My breath, the water clear,\n How fair and sweet they are!\n Oh! hate was very far\n From God\u2019s divine intention\n When these things He did mention;\n When He canopied the earth\n With cloud, and fire, and mirth;\n When He set the privy shade\n For the pheasant in the glade;\n When He built the mossy nest\n For the wren, His little guest;\n When He taught the mind of man\n By its love to find His plan.\n\n For no one shall discover\n His science, save the lover.\n Oh! Life\u2019s a lovely thing,\n The mind of a Mighty King!\n Emotion, will, desire,\n Earth, water, air, and fire,\n The elements intertwined,\n With these He built the mind;\n The love of green things growing,\n The shadows they keep throwing\n Across man\u2019s fiery thought\n Till they\u2019re fused and merged and wrought\n Into the liquid union\n Of one divine communion\n With God, Who made his college\n An earthly place of knowledge.\n\n I cannot help but sing,\n Life\u2019s such a lovely thing!\n The catkin and the willow\n God\u2019s chosen for His pillow.\n I wonder why He fashioned\n A Beauty so impassioned;\n I wonder why it matters\n Which way the raindrop patters,\n Or why a God should care\n To give His creatures share\n Of this delightful song.\n His love must be very strong.\n\n I cannot end my singing,\n For still the starling\u2019s winging\n With a straw held in her beak\n To build in the old tree-peak;\n And still across the sky\n The compacted clouds go by;\n And when God thinks upon it\n The lily\u2019s yellow bonnet\n Nid-nods delightfully\n Beneath the walnut tree.\n And clear, and still more clear,\n In God\u2019s mind I read and hear\n That only Love shall learn\n The wherefore of flower and fern,\n That only Love alone\n Shall live to be full-grown,\n That merely Love and Wonder\n Shall bring all Heaven hereunder.\n\n [_Towards the end of the song the brown-sailed fishing-boat\n is seen approaching gradually under the rainbow. As it\n draws near, Finn and the Big Young Hero are seen in it with\n the puppy. It touches the shore, at first unperceived of\n the girl. The Big Young Hero leaps lightly from it, and\n helps Finn out._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Looking round bewildered._]\n\n I recognize this place.\n\n HERO\n\n You have been here before.\n\n FINN\n\n Isn\u2019t that the Bidean\u2019s face?\n\n [_Pointing to the distant hills._]\n\n Please tell me, for I can\u2019t stand any more.\n\n [_He staggers, but the Hero puts an arm round him._]\n\n There must be some mistake,\n I seem\n To be asleep and yet I am awake.\n Is this a dream?\n\n HERO\n\n No, it is real.\n Put up your hand and feel\n Her face.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_Perceiving him, calls._]\n\n The breakfast\u2019s ready, I have set your place.\n\n [_Catching sight of Finn she puts her hand to her face with\n a cry of amazed delight._]\n\n It is the man I dreamed about last night!\n I didn\u2019t know! I\u2019m looking such a sight!\n I didn\u2019t know that you would bring a guest.\n\n [_She puts her hand up to her head as if she were going to\n fall, and the Hero puts his other arm round her._]\n\n I\u2019ll be all right after a little rest.\n What a beautiful rainbow!\n\n [_Pointing._]\n\n I always knew the morning would be fine.\n\n FINN\n\n [_Putting his hand up in amazement to find the box is\n gone._]\n\n It\u2019s mine!\n How did it get up there?\n\n HERO\n\n You hoisted it on a prayer;\n The Marksman\u2019s left it in the sky to show\n The right direction to the folk below.\n The others are not very far behind;\n Presently they will all be of your mind.\n\n [_He points to where, far off under the bow, the sails of\n Conan\u2019s boat are dimly visible on the horizon._]\n\n FINN\n\n [_Wild with delight._]\n\n Oh! I feel strong enough to turn the moon\n Right round upon his other face,\n And I feel ready now to sup\n The stars up with a spoon.\n\n CLIMBER\n\n [_In an awed whisper, gazing at Finn._]\n\n I only know I am aware\n Of God for ever, everywhere.\n\n HERO\n\n [_Who has still an arm round either, to Finn._]\n\n It was the Gate of Heaven that you carried.\n Now it is time that you and she were married.\n Since I have found you strong enough to share\n Her faith that I am more than quite all there,\n Ask what you will, it shall be given you\n As your reward. Tell me, what is your due?\n\n FINN\n\n [_In a whisper._]\n\n I am beginning now to understand!\n Lord, I beseech, help Thou mine other hand.\n\n HERO\n\n [_Leading the two forward to the table, he takes the\n Climber\u2019s hand and places it in Finn\u2019s._]\n\n It has spread breakfast in my house for two,\n The other place was always meant for you;\n I pray you, warm it at your hearth hereunder.\n What I have joined let no man put asunder.\n\n\n\n\nAPPENDIX\n\n_HOW FINN KEPT HIS CHILDREN FOR THE BIG YOUNG HERO OF THE SHIP AND HOW\nBRAN WAS FOUND._\n\n\nA day Finn and his men were in the Hunting-hill they killed a great\nnumber of deer; and when they were wearied after the chase they sat down\non a pleasant green knoll, at the back of the wind and at the face of the\nsun, where they could see everyone and no one at all could see them.\n\nWhile they were sitting in that place Finn lifted his eyes towards the\nsea, and saw a ship making straight for the haven beneath the spot on\nwhich they were sitting. When the ship came to land, a Big Young Hero\nleaped out of her on the shore, seized her by the bows and drew her\nup, her own seven lengths, on the green grass, where the eldest son of\nneither landowner nor of holder of large townland dared mock or gibe at\nher. Then he ascended the hillside, leaping over the hollows and slanting\nthe knolls, till he reached the spot on which Finn and his men were\nsitting.\n\nHe saluted Finn frankly, energetically, fluently; and Finn saluted him\nwith the equivalent of the same words. Finn then asked him whence did he\ncome or what was he wanting? He answered Finn that he had come through\nnight-watching and tempest of sea where he was, because he was losing his\nchildren, and it had been told him that there was not a man in the world\nwho could keep his children for him but him, Finn, King of the Feinne.\nAnd he said to Finn, \u201cI lay on thee, as crosses and spells and seven\nfairy fetters of travelling and straying, to be with me before thou shalt\neat food or drink a draught or close an eye in sleep.\u201d\n\nHaving said this he turned away from them and descended the hillside\nthe way he ascended it. When he reached the ship he placed his shoulder\nagainst her bow and put her out. He then leaped into her, and departed in\nthe direction he came until they lost sight of him.\n\nFinn was now under great heaviness of mind, because the vows had been\nlaid on him, and he must fulfil them or travel onwards until he would\ndie. He knew not whither he should go, or what he should do. But he left\nfarewell with his men, and descended the hillside to the seaside. When he\nreached that he could not go farther on the way in which he saw the Big\nYoung Hero depart. He therefore began to walk along the shore, but before\nhe had gone very far forward, he saw a company of seven men coming to\nmeet him.\n\nWhen he reached the men he asked the first of them what was he good at?\nThe man answered that he was a good Carpenter. Finn asked him how good\nwas he at carpentry? The man said that, with three strokes of his axe\nhe could make a large, capacious, complete ship of the alder stock over\nyonder. \u201cThou art good enough,\u201d said Finn; \u201cthou mayest pass by.\u201d\n\nHe then asked of the second man what was he good at? The man said that he\nwas a good Tracker. \u201cHow good art thou?\u201d said Finn. \u201cI can track the wild\nduck over the crests of the nine waves within nine days,\u201d said the man.\n\u201cThou art good enough,\u201d said Finn; \u201cthou mayest pass by.\u201d\n\nThen he said to the third man, \u201cWhat art thou good at?\u201d The man replied\nthat he was a good Gripper. \u201cHow good art thou?\u201d \u201cThe hold I once get I\nwill not let go until my two arms come from my shoulders or until my\nhold comes with me.\u201d \u201cThou art good enough; thou mayest pass by.\u201d\n\nThen he said to the fourth man, \u201cWhat art thou good at?\u201d He answered that\nhe was a good Climber. \u201cHow good art thou?\u201d \u201cI can climb on a filament of\nsilk to the stars, although thou wert to tie it there.\u201d \u201cThou art good\nenough; thou mayest pass by.\u201d\n\nHe then said to the fifth man, \u201cWhat art thou good at?\u201d He replied that\nhe was a good Thief. \u201cHow good art thou?\u201d \u201cI can steal the egg from the\nheron while her two eyes are looking at me.\u201d \u201cThou art good enough; thou\nmayest pass by.\u201d\n\nHe asked of the sixth man, \u201cWhat art thou good at?\u201d He answered that he\nwas a good Listener. \u201cHow good art thou?\u201d He said that he could hear what\npeople were saying at the extremity of the Uttermost World (Domhan Tor).\n\u201cThou art good enough; thou mayest pass by.\u201d\n\nThen he said to the seventh man, \u201cWhat art thou good at?\u201d He replied that\nhe was a good Marksman. \u201cHow good art thou?\u201d \u201cI could hit an egg as far\naway in the sky as bowstring could send or bow could carry.\u201d \u201cThou art\ngood enough; thou mayest pass by.\u201d\n\nAll this gave Finn great encouragement. He turned round and said to the\nCarpenter, \u201cProve thy skill.\u201d The Carpenter went where the stock was, and\nstruck it with his axe thrice; and as he had said, the Ship was ready.\n\nWhen Finn saw the Ship ready he ordered his men to put her out. They did\nthat and went on board of her.\n\nFinn now ordered the Tracker to go to the bow and prove himself. At the\nsame time he told him that yesterday a Big Young Hero left yonder haven\nin his ship and that he wanted to follow the Hero to the place in which\nhe now was. Finn himself went to steer the Ship and they departed. The\nTracker was telling him to keep her this way or to keep her that way.\nThey sailed a long time forward without seeing land, but they kept on\ntheir course until evening was approaching. In the gloaming they noticed\nthat land was ahead of them, and they made straight for it. When they\nreached the shore they leaped to land and drew up the Ship.\n\nThen they noticed a large fine house in the glen above the beach. They\ntook their way up to the house; and when they were nearing it they saw\nthe Big Young Hero coming to meet them. He ran and placed his two arms\nabout Finn\u2019s neck and said, \u201cDarling of all men in the world, hast thou\ncome?\u201d \u201cIf I had been thy darling of all men in the world, it is not as\nthou didst leave me that thou wouldst have left me,\u201d said Finn. \u201cOh, it\nwas not without a way of coming that I left thee,\u201d said the Big Young\nHero. \u201cDid I not send a company of seven men to meet thee?\u201d\n\nWhen they reached the house, the Big Young Hero told Finn and his men to\ngo in. They accepted the invitation and found abundance of meat and drink.\n\nAfter they had quenched their hunger and thirst, the Big Young Hero came\nin where they were, and said to Finn, \u201cSix years from this night, my wife\nwas in childbed and a child was born to me. As soon as the child came\ninto the world, a large Hand came in at the chimney, and took the child\nwith it in the cap (or hollow) of the Hand. Three years from this night\nthe same thing happened. And to-night she is going to be in childbed\nagain. It was told me that thou wert the only man in the world who could\nkeep my children for me, and now I have courage since I have found thee.\u201d\n\nFinn and his men were tired and sleepy. Finn said to the men that they\nwere to stretch themselves on the floor and that he was going to keep\nwatch. They did as they were told and he remained sitting beside the\nfire. At last sleep began to come on him; but he had a bar of iron in the\nfire, and as often as his eyes would begin to close with sleep, he would\nthrust the bar through the bone of his palm, and that was keeping him\nawake. About midnight the woman was delivered, and as soon as the child\ncame into the world the Hand came in at the chimney. Finn called on the\nGripper to get up.\n\nThe Gripper sprang quickly to his feet and laid hold of the Hand. He gave\na pull on the Hand, and took it in to the two eyebrows at the chimney.\n\nThe Hand gave a pull on the Gripper, and took him out to the top of his\ntwo shoulders. The Gripper gave another pull on the Hand, and brought it\nin to the neck. The Hand gave a pull on the Gripper, and brought him out\nto the very middle. The Gripper gave a pull on the Hand and took it in\nover the two armpits. The Hand gave a pull on the Gripper and took him\nout to the smalls of his two feet. Then the Gripper gave a brave pull on\nthe Hand, and it came out of the shoulder. And when it fell on the floor\nthe pulling of seven geldings was in it. But the big Giant outside put in\nthe other hand and took the child with him in the cap of the Hand.\n\nThey were all very sorry that they lost the child. But Finn said, \u201cWe\nwill not yield to this yet. I and my men will go away after the Hand\nbefore a sun shall rise on a dwelling to-morrow.\u201d\n\nAt break of dawn Finn and his men turned out, and reached the beach where\nthey had left the Ship.\n\nThey launched the Ship, and leaped on board of her. The Tracker went to\nthe bow, and Finn went to steer her. They departed, and now and again\nthe Tracker would cry to Finn to keep her in that direction, or to keep\nher in this direction. They sailed onward a long distance without seeing\nanything before them, except the great sea. At the going down of the sun,\nFinn noticed a black spot in the ocean ahead of them. He thought it too\nlittle for an island and too large for a bird, but he made straight for\nit; and it was a rock, and a Castle thatched with eel-skins was on its\ntop.\n\nThey landed on the rock. They looked about the Castle but they saw\nneither window nor door at which they could get in. At last they noticed\nthat it was on the roof the door was. They did not know how they could\nget up, because the thatch was so slippery. But the Climber cried,\n\u201cLet me over and I will not be long in climbing it.\u201d He sprang quickly\ntowards the Castle and in an instant was on its roof. He looked in at the\ndoor, and after taking particular notice of everything that he saw, he\ndescended where the rest were waiting. Finn asked of him what did he see?\nHe said that he saw a big Giant lying on a bed, a silk covering over him\nand a satin covering under him, and his hand stretched out and an infant\nasleep in the cap of the Hand; that he saw two boys on the floor playing\nwith shinties of gold and a ball of silver; and that there was a very\nlarge deer-hound bitch lying beside the fire, and two pups sucking her.\n\nThen said Finn, \u201cI do not know how we shall get them out.\u201d The Thief\nanswered and said, \u201cIf I get in I will not be long putting them out.\u201d The\nClimber said, \u201cCome on my back and I will take thee up to the door.\u201d The\nThief did as he was told and got into the Castle.\n\nInstantly he began to prove his skill. The first thing he put out was\nthe child that was in the cap of the Hand. He then put out the two boys\nwho were playing on the floor. He then stole the silk covering that was\nover the Giant and the satin covering that was under him, and put them\nout. Then he put out the shinties of gold and the ball of silver. He then\nstole the two pups that were sucking the bitch beside the fire. These\nwere the most valuable things which he saw inside. He left the Giant\nasleep and turned out.\n\nThey placed the things which the Thief stole in the Ship and departed.\nThey were but a short time sailing when the Listener stood up and said,\n\u201c\u2019Tis I who am hearing him, \u2019tis I who am listening to him!\u201d \u201cWhat art\nthou hearing?\u201d said Finn. \u201cHe has just awakened,\u201d said the Listener,\n\u201cand missed everything that was stolen from him. He is in great wrath\nsending away the Bitch, and saying to her if she will not go that he will\ngo himself. But it is the Bitch that is going.\u201d In a short time they\nlooked behind them and saw the Bitch coming swimming. She was cleaving\nthe sea on each side of her in red sparks of fire. They were seized with\nfear, and said that they did not know what they should do. But Finn\nconsidered, and then told them to throw out one of the pups; perhaps when\nshe would see the pup drowning she would return with it. They threw out\nthe pup, and as Finn said, it happened; the Bitch returned with the pup.\nThis left them at the time pleased.\n\nBut shortly after that the Listener arose trembling, and said, \u201c\u2019Tis\nI who am hearing him, \u2019tis I who am listening to him!\u201d \u201cWhat art thou\nsaying now?\u201d said Finn. \u201cHe is sending away the Bitch, and since she will\nnot go he is coming himself.\u201d\n\nWhen they heard this their eye was always behind them. At last they saw\nhim coming, and the great sea reached not beyond his haunches. They were\nseized with fear and great horror, for they knew not what they should\ndo. But Finn thought of his knowledge set of teeth, and having put his\nfinger under it, found out that the Giant was immortal except in a mole\nwhich was in a hollow of his palm. The Marksman then stood up and said,\n\u201cIf I get one look of it I will have him.\u201d The Giant came walking forward\nthrough the sea to the side of the Ship. Then he lifted up his hand to\nseize the top of the mast, in order to sink the Ship. But when the Hand\nwas on high the Marksman noticed the mole, and he let an arrow off in its\ndirection. The arrow struck the Giant in the death-spot and he fell dead\non the sea. They were now very happy, for there was nothing before them\nto make them afraid. They put about and sailed back to the Castle. The\nThief stole the pup again, and they took it with them along with the one\nthey had. After that they returned to the place of the Big Young Hero.\nWhen they reached the Haven they leaped on land and drew up the Ship on\ndry ground.\n\nThen Finn went away with the family of the Big Young Hero and with\neverything which he and his men took out of the Castle to the fine house\nof the Big Young Hero.\n\nThe Big Young Hero met him coming, and when he saw his children he\nwent on his two knees to Finn and said, \u201cWhat now is thy reward?\u201d Finn\nanswered and said that he was asking nothing but his choice of the two\npups which they took from the Castle. The Big Young Hero said that he\nwould get that and a great deal more if he would ask it. But Finn wanted\nnothing except the pup. This pup was Bran, and his brother, that the Big\nYoung Hero got, was the Grey Dog.\n\nThe Big Young Hero took Finn and his men into his house and made for them\na great joyous merry feast, which was kept up for a year and a day, and\nif the last day was not the best it was not the worst.\n\nThat is how Finn kept his children for the Big Young Hero of the Ship and\nhow Bran was found.\n\n _Waifs and Strays of Celtic Tradition.\n Argyllshire series. Rev. J. Macdougall._\n\n[Illustration]","title":"How joy was found : $b a fantasy","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":18099}