 | Lays of the Red Branch |  |
128
THE HEALING OF CONALL CARNACH.
O'er Slieve Few, with noiseless tramping through the heavydrifted snow,
Beälcu, Connacia's champion in his chariot tracks the foe;
And anon far off discerneth, in the mountain-hollow white,
Slinger Keth and Conall Carnach mingling, hand to hand in fight
Beälcu, Connacia's champion in his chariot tracks the foe;
And anon far off discerneth, in the mountain-hollow white,
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Swift the charioteer his coursers urged across the wintry glade:
Hoarse the cry of Keth and hoarser seem'd to come demanding aid;
But through wreath and swollen runnel ere the car could reach anigh,
Keth lay dead, and mighty Conall bleeding lay at point to die.
Hoarse the cry of Keth and hoarser seem'd to come demanding aid;
But through wreath and swollen runnel ere the car could reach anigh,
Keth lay dead, and mighty Conall bleeding lay at point to die.
Whom beholding spent and pallid, Beälcu exulting cried,
“Oh thou ravening wolf of Uladh, where is now thy northern pride?
What can now that crest audacious, what that pale defiant brow,
Once the bale-star of Connacia's ravaged fields, avail thee now?”
“Oh thou ravening wolf of Uladh, where is now thy northern pride?
What can now that crest audacious, what that pale defiant brow,
Once the bale-star of Connacia's ravaged fields, avail thee now?”
“Taunts are for reviling woman;” faintly Conall made reply:
“Wouldst thou play the manlier foeman, end my pain and let me die.
Neither deem thy blade dishonour'd that with Keth's a deed it share,
For the foremost two of Connaught feat enough and fame to spare.”
“Wouldst thou play the manlier foeman, end my pain and let me die.
Neither deem thy blade dishonour'd that with Keth's a deed it share,
For the foremost two of Connaught feat enough and fame to spare.”
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“No, I will not! bard shall never in Dunseverick hall make boast
That to quell one northern riever needed two of Croghan's host.
But because that word thou'st spoken, if but life enough remains,
Thou shalt hear the wives of Croghan clap their hands above thy chains.
That to quell one northern riever needed two of Croghan's host.
But because that word thou'st spoken, if but life enough remains,
Thou shalt hear the wives of Croghan clap their hands above thy chains.
“Yea, if life enough but linger, that the leech may make thee whole,
Meet to satiate the anger that beseems a warrior's soul,
Best of leech-craft I'll purvey thee; make thee whole as healing can;
And in single combat slay thee, Connaught man to Ulster man.”
Meet to satiate the anger that beseems a warrior's soul,
Best of leech-craft I'll purvey thee; make thee whole as healing can;
And in single combat slay thee, Connaught man to Ulster man.”
Binding him in five-fold fetter, wrists and ankles, wrists and neck,
To his car's uneasy litter Beälcu upheaved the wreck
Of the broken man and harness; but he started with amaze
When he felt the northern war-mace, what a weight it was to raise.
To his car's uneasy litter Beälcu upheaved the wreck
Of the broken man and harness; but he started with amaze
When he felt the northern war-mace, what a weight it was to raise.
Westward then through Breiffny's borders, with his captive and his dead,
Track'd by bands of fierce applauders, wives and shrieking widows, sped;
And the chain'd heroic carcass on the fair-green of Moy Slaught
Casting down, proclaim'd his purpose, and bade Lee the leech be brought.
Track'd by bands of fierce applauders, wives and shrieking widows, sped;
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Casting down, proclaim'd his purpose, and bade Lee the leech be brought.
Lee, the gentle-faced physician from his herb-plot came, and said,
“Healing is with God's permission: health for life's enjoyment made:
And though I mine aid refuse not, yet, to speak my purpose plain,
I the healing art abuse not, making life enure to pain.
“Healing is with God's permission: health for life's enjoyment made:
And though I mine aid refuse not, yet, to speak my purpose plain,
I the healing art abuse not, making life enure to pain.
“But assure me, with the sanction of the mightiest oath ye know,
That in case, in this contention, Conall overcome his foe,
Straight departing from the tourney by what path the chief shall choose,
He is free to take his journey unmolested to the Fews.
That in case, in this contention, Conall overcome his foe,
Straight departing from the tourney by what path the chief shall choose,
He is free to take his journey unmolested to the Fews.
“Swear me further, while at healing in my charge the hero lies,
“None shall through my fences stealing, work him mischief or surprise;
So, if God the undertaking but approve, in six months' span
Once again my art shall make him meet to stand before a man.”
“None shall through my fences stealing, work him mischief or surprise;
So, if God the undertaking but approve, in six months' span
Once again my art shall make him meet to stand before a man.”
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Crom their god they then attested, Sun and Wind for guarantees,
Conall Carnach unmolested by what exit he might please,
If the victor should have freedom to depart Connacia's bounds;
Meantime, no man should intrude him entering on the hospice grounds.
Conall Carnach unmolested by what exit he might please,
If the victor should have freedom to depart Connacia's bounds;
Meantime, no man should intrude him entering on the hospice grounds.
Then his burden huge receiving in the hospice-portal, Lee,
Stiffen'd limb by limb relieving with the iron fetter key,
As a crumpled scroll unroll'd him, groaning deep, till laid at length,
Wondering gazers might behold him, what a tower he was of strength.
Stiffen'd limb by limb relieving with the iron fetter key,
As a crumpled scroll unroll'd him, groaning deep, till laid at length,
Wondering gazers might behold him, what a tower he was of strength.
Spake the sons to one another, day by day, of Beälcu—
“Get thee up and spy, my brother, what the leech and northman do.”
“Lee, at mixing of a potion: Conall, yet in no wise dead,
As on reef of rock the ocean, tosses wildly on his bed.”
“Get thee up and spy, my brother, what the leech and northman do.”
“Lee, at mixing of a potion: Conall, yet in no wise dead,
As on reef of rock the ocean, tosses wildly on his bed.”
“Spy again with cautious peeping: what of Lee and Conall now?”
“Conall lies profoundly sleeping: Lee beside with placid brow.”
“And to-day?” “To-day he's risen; pallid as his swathing sheet,
He has left his chamber's prison, and is walking on his feet.”
“Conall lies profoundly sleeping: Lee beside with placid brow.”
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He has left his chamber's prison, and is walking on his feet.”
“And to-day?” “A ghastly figure on his javelin propp'd he goes.”
“And to-day?” “A languid vigour through his larger gesture shows.”
“And to-day?” “The blood renewing mantles all his clear cheek through.”
“Would thy vow had room for rueing, rashly-valiant Beälcu!”
“And to-day?” “A languid vigour through his larger gesture shows.”
“And to-day?” “The blood renewing mantles all his clear cheek through.”
“Would thy vow had room for rueing, rashly-valiant Beälcu!”
So with herb and healing balsam, ere the second month was past,
Life's additions smooth and wholesome circling through his members vast,
As you've seen a sere oak burgeon under summer showers and dew,
Conall, under his chirurgeon, fill'd and flourish'd, spread and grew.
Life's additions smooth and wholesome circling through his members vast,
As you've seen a sere oak burgeon under summer showers and dew,
Conall, under his chirurgeon, fill'd and flourish'd, spread and grew.
“I can bear the sight no longer: I have watch'd him moon by moon:
Day by day the chief grows stronger: giant-strong he will be soon.
Oh my sire, rash-valiant warrior! but that oaths have built the wall,
Soon these feet should leap the barrier: soon this hand thy fate forestall.”
Day by day the chief grows stronger: giant-strong he will be soon.
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Soon these feet should leap the barrier: soon this hand thy fate forestall.”
“Brother, have the wish thou'st utter'd; we have sworn, so let it be;
But although our feet be fetter'd, all the air is left us free.
Dying Keth with vengeful presage did bequeath thee sling and ball,
And the sling may send its message where thy vagrant glances fall.
But although our feet be fetter'd, all the air is left us free.
Dying Keth with vengeful presage did bequeath thee sling and ball,
And the sling may send its message where thy vagrant glances fall.
“Forbaid was a master-slinger: Maev, when in her bath she sank,
Felt the presence of his finger from the further Shannon bank;
For he threw by line and measure, practising a constant cast
Daily in secluded leisure, till he reach'd the mark at last.
Felt the presence of his finger from the further Shannon bank;
For he threw by line and measure, practising a constant cast
Daily in secluded leisure, till he reach'd the mark at last.
“Keth achieved a warrior's honour, though 'twas mid a woman's band,
When he smote the amorous Conor bowing from his distant stand.
Fit occasion will not fail ye: in the leech's lawn below,
Conall at the fountain daily drinks within an easy throw.”
When he smote the amorous Conor bowing from his distant stand.
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Conall at the fountain daily drinks within an easy throw.”
“Wherefore cast ye at the apple, sons of mine, with measured aim?”
“He who in the close would grapple, first the distant foe should maim.
And since Keth, his death-balls casting, rides no more the ridge of war,
We, against our summer hosting, train us for his vacant car.”
“He who in the close would grapple, first the distant foe should maim.
And since Keth, his death-balls casting, rides no more the ridge of war,
We, against our summer hosting, train us for his vacant car.”
“Wherefore to the rock repairing, gaze ye forth, my children, tell.”
“'Tis a stag we watch for snaring, that frequents the leech's well.”
“I will see this stag, though, truly, small may be my eye's delight.”
And he climb'd the rock where fully lay the lawn exposed to sight.
“'Tis a stag we watch for snaring, that frequents the leech's well.”
“I will see this stag, though, truly, small may be my eye's delight.”
And he climb'd the rock where fully lay the lawn exposed to sight.
Conall to the green well-margin came at dawn and knelt to drink,
Thinking how a noble virgin by a like green fountain's brink
Heard his own pure vows one morning, far away and long ago:
All his heart to home was turning; and his tears began to flow.
Thinking how a noble virgin by a like green fountain's brink
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All his heart to home was turning; and his tears began to flow.
Clean forgetful of his prison, steep Dunseverick's windy tower
Seem'd to rise in present vision, and his own dear lady's bower.
Round the sheltering knees they gather, little ones of tender years,—
Tell us mother of our father—and she answers but with tears.
Seem'd to rise in present vision, and his own dear lady's bower.
Round the sheltering knees they gather, little ones of tender years,—
Tell us mother of our father—and she answers but with tears.
Twice the big drops plash'd the fountain. Then he rose, and turning round,
As across a breast of mountain sweeps a whirlwind o'er the ground
Raced in athlete-feats amazing, swung the war-mace, hurl'd the spear;
Beälcu, in wonder gazing, felt the pangs of deadly fear.
As across a breast of mountain sweeps a whirlwind o'er the ground
Raced in athlete-feats amazing, swung the war-mace, hurl'd the spear;
Beälcu, in wonder gazing, felt the pangs of deadly fear.
Had it been a fabled griffin, suppled in a fasting den,
Flash'd its wheeling coils to heaven o'er a wreck of beasts and men,
Hardly had the dreadful prospect bred his soul more dire alarms;
Such the fire of Conall's aspect, such the stridor of his arms!
Flash'd its wheeling coils to heaven o'er a wreck of beasts and men,
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Such the fire of Conall's aspect, such the stridor of his arms!
“This is fear,” he said, “that never shook these limbs of mine till now.
Now I see the mad endeavour; now I mourn the boastful vow.
Yet 'twas righteous wrath impell'd me; and a sense of manly shame
From his naked throat withheld me when 'twas offer'd to my aim.
Now I see the mad endeavour; now I mourn the boastful vow.
Yet 'twas righteous wrath impell'd me; and a sense of manly shame
From his naked throat withheld me when 'twas offer'd to my aim.
“Now I see his strength excelling: whence he buys it: what he pays:
Tis a God who has a dwelling in the fount, to whom he prays.
Thither came he weeping, drooping, till the Well-God heard his prayer:
Now behold him, soaring, swooping, as an eagle through the air.
Tis a God who has a dwelling in the fount, to whom he prays.
Thither came he weeping, drooping, till the Well-God heard his prayer:
Now behold him, soaring, swooping, as an eagle through the air.
“O thou God, by whatsoever sounds of awe thy name we know,
Grant thy servant equal favour with the stranger and the foe!
Equal grace, 'tis all I covet; and if sacrificial blood
Win thy favour, thou shalt have it on thy very well-brink, God!
Grant thy servant equal favour with the stranger and the foe!
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Win thy favour, thou shalt have it on thy very well-brink, God!
“What and though I've given pledges not to cross the leech's court?
Not to pass his sheltering hedges, meant I to his patient's hurt.
Thy dishonour meant I never: never meant I to foreswear
Right divine of prayer wherever Power divine invites to prayer.
Not to pass his sheltering hedges, meant I to his patient's hurt.
Thy dishonour meant I never: never meant I to foreswear
Right divine of prayer wherever Power divine invites to prayer.
“Sun that warm'st me, Wind that fann'st me, ye that guarantee the oath,
Make no sign of wrath against me: tenderly ye touch me both.
Yea, then, through his fences stealing ere to-morrow's sun shall rise,
Well-God! on thy margin kneeling, I will offer sacrifice.”
Make no sign of wrath against me: tenderly ye touch me both.
Yea, then, through his fences stealing ere to-morrow's sun shall rise,
Well-God! on thy margin kneeling, I will offer sacrifice.”
“Brother, rise, the skies grow ruddy: if we yet would save our sire,
Rests a deed courageous, bloody, wondering ages shall admire:
Hie thee to the spy-rock's summit: ready there thou'lt find the sling;
Ready there the leaden plummet; and at dawn he seeks the spring.”
Rests a deed courageous, bloody, wondering ages shall admire:
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Ready there the leaden plummet; and at dawn he seeks the spring.”
Ruddy dawn had changed to amber: radiant as the yellow day,
Conall issuing from his chamber, to the fountain took his way:
There, athwart the welling water, like a fallen pillar, spread,
Smitten by the bolt of slaughter, lay Connacia's champion dead.
Conall issuing from his chamber, to the fountain took his way:
There, athwart the welling water, like a fallen pillar, spread,
Smitten by the bolt of slaughter, lay Connacia's champion dead.
Call the hosts! convene the judges! cite the dead man's children both!—
Said the judges, “He gave pledges; Sun and Wind; and broke the oath,
And they slew him: so we've written: let his sons attend our words.”
“Both, by sudden frenzy smitten, fell at sunrise on their swords.”
Said the judges, “He gave pledges; Sun and Wind; and broke the oath,
And they slew him: so we've written: let his sons attend our words.”
“Both, by sudden frenzy smitten, fell at sunrise on their swords.”
Then the judges, “Ye who punish man's prevaricating vow,
Needs not further to admonish: contrite to their will we bow,
All our points of promise keeping: safely let the chief go forth.”
Conall to his chariot leaping, turned his coursers to the north:
Needs not further to admonish: contrite to their will we bow,
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Conall to his chariot leaping, turned his coursers to the north:
In the Sun that swept the valleys, in the Wind's encircling flight,
Recognizing holy allies, guardians of the Truth and Right;
While, before his face, resplendent with a firm faith's candid ray,
Dazzled troops of foes attendant, bow'd before him on his way.
Recognizing holy allies, guardians of the Truth and Right;
While, before his face, resplendent with a firm faith's candid ray,
Dazzled troops of foes attendant, bow'd before him on his way.
But the calm physician, viewing where the white neck join'd the ear,
Said, “It is a slinger's doing: Sun nor Wind was actor here.
Yet till God vouchsafe more certain knowledge of his sovereign will,
Better deem the mystic curtain hides their wonted demons still.
Said, “It is a slinger's doing: Sun nor Wind was actor here.
Yet till God vouchsafe more certain knowledge of his sovereign will,
Better deem the mystic curtain hides their wonted demons still.
“Better so, perchance, than living in a clearer light, like me,
But believing where perceiving, bound in what I hear and see;
Force and change in constant sequence, changing atoms, changeless laws;
Only in submissive patience waiting access to the Cause.
But believing where perceiving, bound in what I hear and see;
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Only in submissive patience waiting access to the Cause.
“And they say, Centurion Altus, when he to Emania came,
And to Rome's subjection call'd us, urging Caesar's tribute claim,
Told that half the world barbarian thrills already with the faith
Taught them by the godlike Syrian Caesar lately put to death
And to Rome's subjection call'd us, urging Caesar's tribute claim,
Told that half the world barbarian thrills already with the faith
Taught them by the godlike Syrian Caesar lately put to death
“And the Sun, through starry stages measuring from the Ram and Bull,
Tells us of renewing Ages, and that Nature's time is full:
So, perchance, these silly breezes even now may swell the sail,
Brings the leavening word of Jesus westward also to the Gael.”
Tells us of renewing Ages, and that Nature's time is full:
So, perchance, these silly breezes even now may swell the sail,
Brings the leavening word of Jesus westward also to the Gael.”
| Lays of the Red Branch | |