Fables by Robert Louis Stevenson — Free Audiobook

1 00 - Introductory Note 2:25

2 01 - The Persons of the Tale 6:18

The Persons of the Tale After the thirty-second chapter of Treasure Island, two of the puppets strolled out to have a pipe before business should begin again, and met in an open place not far from the story. Good morning, Coppin. Said the first, with a man-of-war salute and a beaming countenance. "'Ah, Silver,' grunted the other. "'You're in a bad way, Silver.' "'Now, Captain Smollett,' remonstrated Silver, "'duty is duty, as I knows, and none better. But we're off duty now, and I can't see no call to keep up the morality business.' "'You're a damn rogue, my man,' said the captain. "'Come, come, Captain. Be just,' returned the other. There's no call to be angry with me in earnest. I'm only a character in a sea-story.

I don't really exist." Well, I don't really exist either," says the captain, which seems to meet that. I wouldn't set no limits to what a virtuous character might consider argument," responded Silver. But I'm the villain of this tale, I am, and speaking as one seafaring man to another, what I want to know is, what's the odds? Were you never taught your catechism? Said the captain. Don't you know there's such a thing as an author? Such a thing as an author? Returned John derisively. And who better than me? And the point is, if the author made you, he made Long John, and he made Hans, and Pew, and George Mary. Not that George is up to much, for he's little more than a name. And he made Flint, what there is of him.

And he made this here mutiny. You keep such a work about. And he had Tom Redruth shot, and... Well, if there's an author, give me Pew. Don't you believe in a future state, said Smollett. Do you think there's nothing but the present story paper? I don't rightly know for that, said Silver, and I don't see what it's got to do with it anyway. What I know is this. If there is such a thing as an author, I'm his favorite character. He does me fathoms better than he does you. Fathoms he does. And he likes doing me. He keeps me on deck most all the time. Crutch and all. And he leaves you measling in the hold, where nobody can't see you, nor wants to. And you may lay to that. If there is an author by thunder, he's on my side, and you may lay to it."

I see he's giving you a long rope," said the captain. But that can't change a man's convictions. I know the author respects me. I feel it in my bones. When you and I had that talk at the blockhouse door, who do you think he was for, my man? And don't he respect me? cried Silver. "'Aw, you should have heard me putting down my mutiny George, Mary, and Morgan in that lot, no longer in a golden last chapter. You would have heard something, then. You would have seen what the author thinks of me. But come now, do you consider yourself a virtuous character clean through?' "'God forbid,' said Captain Smollett solemnly. "'I am a man that tries to do his duty, and makes a mess of it as often as not. I'm not a very popular man at home, Silver, I'm afraid.' And the captain sighed.

"'Ah,' says Silver, "'then how about this sequel of yours? Are you to be Cap'n Smollett just the same as ever, and not very popular at home, says you? And if so, why, it's Treasure Island over again by thunder. And I'll be Long John, and Puleby Pew, and we'll have another mutiny as like as not. Or are you to be somebody else? And if so, why, what the better are you, and what the worse am I?' "'Why, look here, my man.' Returned the captain. I can't understand how this story comes about at all, can I? I can't see how you and I, who don't exist, should get to speak in here and smoke our pipes for all the world like reality. Very well, then, who am I to pipe up with my opinions? I know the author's on the side of good.

He tells me so. It runs out of his pen as he writes. Well, that's all I need to know. I'll take my chance upon the rest." It's a fact he seems to be against George Mary, Silver admitted musingly. But George is little more than a name at best of it, he added brightening. And to get into soundings for once, what is this good? I made a mutiny, and I've been a gentleman of fortune. Well, but by all stories, you ain't no such saint. I'm a man that keeps company very easy. Even by your own account, you ain't. And to my certain knowledge, you're a devil to haze. Which is which? Which is good, and which bad? Oh, you tell me that. Here we are in stays, and you may lay to it. "'We're none of us perfect,' replied the captain.

"'That's a fact of religion, my man. All I can say is I try to do my duty, and if you try to do yours, I can't compliment you on your success.' "'And so you as the judge was you,' said Silver derisively. "'I would be both judge and hangman for you, my man, and never turn a hair,' returned the captain. "'But I get beyond that. It mayn't be sound theology, but it's common sense that what is good is useful to you, or—' There and thereabout, for I don't set up to be a thinker. Now, where would a story go to if there were no virtuous characters? If you go to that, replied Silver, where would a story begin if there wasn't no villains? Well, that's pretty much my thought, said Captain Smollett. The author has to get a story.

That's what he wants. And to get a story, and to have a man like the Doctor, say, given a proper chance, he has to put in men like you and Hans. But he's on the right side, and you mind your eye. You're not through this story yet. There's trouble coming for you. What'll you bet? asked John. Much I care if there ain't, returned the captain. I'm glad enough to be Alexander Smollett, bad as he is, and I think my star is upon my knees that I'm not silver. But there's the ink bottle opening to quarters. And indeed, the author was just then beginning to write the words. Chapter 33.

End of section one. The Persons of the Tale.

3 02 - The Sinking Ship 4:27

The Sinking Ship. Sir, said the First Lieutenant, bursting into the captain's cabin, the ship is going down. Very well, Mr. Spoker, said the captain, but that is no reason for going about half-shaved. Exercise your mind a moment, Mr. Spoker, and you will see that to the philosophic eye there is nothing new in our position. The ship, if she is to go down at all, may be said to have been going down since she was launched. She is settling fast, said the First Lieutenant, as he returned from shaving. Fast, Mr. Spoker, asked the Captain. The expression is a strange one, for time, if you will think of it. His only relative. Sir," said the lieutenant, I think it is scarcely worthwhile to embark in such a discussion when we shall all be in Davy Jones' locker in ten minutes.

By parity of reasoning, returned the captain gently, it would never be worthwhile to begin any inquiry of importance. The odds are always overwhelming that we must die before we shall have brought it to an end. "'You have not considered, Mr. Spoker, the situation of man,' said the captain, smiling and shaking his head. "'I am much more engaged in considering the position of the ship,' said Mr. Spoker. "'Spoken like a good officer,' replied the captain, laying his hand on the lieutenant's shoulder. On deck, they found the men had broken into the spirit room and were fast getting drunk. "'My men,' said the captain, There is no sense in this. The ship is going down. You will tell me in ten minutes.

Well, and what then? To the philosophic eye, there is nothing new in our position. All our lives long, we may have been about to break a blood vessel, or to be struck by lightning. Not merely in ten minutes, but in ten seconds. And that has not prevented us from eating dinner. No, nor from putting money in the savings bank. I assure you, with my hand on my heart, I fail to comprehend your attitude. The men were already too far gone to pay much heed. This is a very painful sight, Mr. Spoker, said the captain. And yet to the philosophic eye, or whatever it is, replied the first lieutenant, they may be said to have been getting drunk since they came aboard.

"'I do not know if you always follow my thought, Mr. Spoker,' returned the captain gently. "'But let us proceed.' In the powder magazine, they found an old salt smoking his pipe. "'Good God,' cried the captain. "'What are you about?' "'Well, sir,' said the old salt apologetically, "'they told me as she were going down.' "'And suppose she were?' Said the captain. To the philosophic eye, there would be nothing new in our position. Life, my old shipmate, life at any moment and in any view is as dangerous as a sinking ship. And yet it is man's handsome fashion to carry umbrellas, to wear India-rubber overshoes, to begin vast works, and to conduct himself in every way as if he might hope to be eternal.

And for my own poor part, I should despise the man who, even on board a sinking ship, should omit to take a pill or to wind up his watch. That, my friend, would not be the human attitude. I beg pardon, sir," said Mr. Spoker. But what is precisely the difference between shaving in a sinking ship and smoking in a powder magazine? Or doing anything at all in any conceivable circumstances? cried the captain, perfectly conclusive. Give me a cigar. Two minutes afterwards, the ship blew up with a glorious detonation.

End of section two. The Sinking Ship.

4 03 - The Two Matches 2:12

5 04 - The Sick Man and the Fireman 1:43

6 05 - The Devil and the Innkeeper 1:25

7 06 - The Penitent 0:51

8 07 - The Yellow Paint 5:11

The Yellow Paint In a certain city there lived a physician who sold yellow paint. This was of so singular a virtue, that, whoso was bedaubed with it from head to heel, was set free from the dangers of life, and the bondage of sin, and the fear of death forever. So the physician said in his prospectus, and so said all the citizens in the city. And there was nothing more urgent in men's hearts than to be properly painted themselves, and nothing they took more delight in than to see others painted. There was in the same city a young man of a very good family, but of a somewhat reckless life, who had reached the age of manhood and would have nothing to say to the paint. Tomorrow was soon enough. Said he, and when the morrow came he would still put it off.

So he might have continued to do until death, only he had a friend of about his own age, and much of his own manners. And this youth, taking a walk in the public street, with not one fleck of paint upon his body, was suddenly run down by a water cart, and cut off in the heyday of his nakedness. This shook the other to the soul, so that I never beheld a man more earnest to be painted. And on the very same evening, in the presence of all his family to appropriate music, and himself weeping aloud, he received three complete coats and a touch of varnish on the top. The physician, who was himself affected even to tears, protested he had never done a job so thorough. Some two months afterwards, the young man was carried on a stretcher to the physician's house.

I was to be set free from all the dangers of life, and here have I been run down by that selfsame water cart, and my leg is broken. Dear me," said the physician, this is very sad, but I perceive I must explain to you the action of my paint. A broken bone is a mighty small affair at the worst of it, and it belongs to a class of accidents to which my paint is quite inapplicable. Sin, my dear young friend. Sin is the sole calamity that a wise man should apprehend. It is against sin that I have fitted you out, and when you come to be tempted, you will give me news of my paint." "'Oh,' said the young man, "'I did not understand that, and it seems rather disappointing, but I have no doubt all is for the best, and in the meanwhile I shall be obliged to you if you will set my leg.'" "'That is none of my business,' said the physician."

But if your bearers will carry you round the corner to the surgeon's, I feel sure he will afford relief. Some three years later, the young man came running to the physician's house in a great perturbation.

What is the meaning of this? he cried. Here was I to be set free from the bondage of sin, and I have just committed forgery, arson, and murder. Dear me, said the physician, this is very serious. Off with your clothes at once. And as soon as the young man had stripped, he examined him from head to foot. No, he cried with great relief. There is not a flake broken. Cheer up, my young friend. Your paint is as good as new. Good God, cried the young man. And what then can be the use of it? Why, said the physician, I perceive I must explain to you the nature of the action of my paint. It does not exactly prevent sin. It extenuates, instead, the painful consequences. It is not so much for this world as for the next.

It is not against life. In short, it is against death that I have fitted you out, and when you come to die you will give me news of my paint." "'Oh,' cried the young man, "'I had not understood that, and it seems a little disappointing, but there, no doubt, all is for the best.'" And in the meanwhile, I shall be obliged if you will help me to undo the evil I have brought on innocent persons. That is none of my business, said the physician. But if you will go round the corner to the police office, I feel sure it will afford you relief to give yourself up. Six weeks later, the physician was called to the town jail. What is the meaning of this? cried the young man. Here I am, literally crusted with your paint.

And I have broken my leg, and committed all the crimes in the calendar, and must be hanged tomorrow, and am in the meanwhile in a fear so extreme that I lack words to picture it. Dear me," said the physician, this is really amazing. Well, well, perhaps if you had not been painted, you would have been more frightened still.

End of section seven. The Yellow Paint.

9 08 - The House of Eld 12:51

The House of Eld. So soon as the child began to speak, the guive was riveted, and the boys and girls limped about their play like convicts. Doubtless it was more pitiable to see, and more painful to bear in youth. But even the grown folk, besides being very unhandy on their feet, were often sick with ulcers. About the time when Jack was ten years old, many strangers began to journey through that country. These he beheld going lightly by on the long roads, and the thing amazed him. "'I wonder how it comes,' he asked, "'that all these strangers are so quick afoot, and we must drag about our fetter.' "'My dear boy!' Said his uncle, the catechist. Do not complain about your fetter, for it is the only thing that makes life worth living.

None are happy, none are good, none are respectable, that are not gived like us. And I must tell you, besides, it is very dangerous talk. If you grumble of your iron, you will have no luck. If ever you take it off, you will be instantly smitten by a thunderbolt." Are there no thunderbolts for these strangers? asked Jack. Jupiter is long-suffering to the benighted, returned the catechist. Upon my word, I could wish I had been less fortunate, said Jack, for if I had been born benighted, I might now be going free, and it cannot be denied the iron is inconvenient and the ulcer hurts. Ah, cried his uncle, do not envy the heathen. Theirs is a sad lot. Ah, poor souls, if they but knew the joys of being fettered.

Poor souls, my heart yearns for them. But the truth is they are vile, odious, insolent, ill-conditioned, stinking brutes, not truly human. For what is a man without a fetter? And you cannot be too particular not to touch or speak with them. After this talk, the child would never pass one of the unfettered on the road, but what he spat at him and called him names, which was the practice of the children in that part. It chanced one day when he was fifteen he went into the woods, and the ulcer pained him. It was a fair day, with a blue sky. All the birds were singing, but Jack nursed his foot. Presently another song began. It sounded like the singing of a person, only far more gay. At the same time there was a beating on the earth.

Jack put aside the leaves, and there was a lad of his own village, leaping and dancing and singing to himself in a green dell. And on the grass beside him lay the dancer's iron. "'Oh,' cried Jack, "'you have your fetter off.' "'For God's sake, don't tell your uncle,' cried the lad. "'If you fear my uncle,' returned Jack, "'why do you not fear the thunderbolt?' "'That is only an old wives' tale,' said the other. "'It is only told to children. Scores of us come here among the woods "'and dance for nights together, and are none the worse.'" This put Jack in a thousand new thoughts. He was a grave lad. He had no mind to dance himself. He wore his fetter manfully, and tended his ulcer without complaint.

But he loved the less to be deceived or to see others cheated. He began to lie in wait for heathen travelers at covert parts of the road, and in the dusk of the day, so that he might speak with them unseen. And these were greatly taken with their wayside questioner, and told him things of weight. The wearing of gives, they said, was no command of Jupiter's. It was the contrivance of a white-faced thing, a sorcerer, that dwelt in that country in the wood of Eld. He was one like Glaucus, that could change his shape, yet he could be always told. For when he was crossed, he gobbled like a turkey. He had three lives, but the third smiting would make an end of him indeed, and with that his house of sorcery would vanish.

The Guives fall, and the villagers take hands and dance like children. And in your country? Jack would ask. But at this the travelers with one accord would put him off, until Jack began to suppose there was no land entirely happy. Or, if there were, it must be one that kept its folk at home, which was natural enough. But the case of the Guives weighed upon him. The sight of the children, limping, stuck in his eyes. The groans of such as dressed their ulcers haunted him, and it came at last in his mind that he was born to free them. There was in that village a sword of heavenly forgery, beaten upon Vulcan's anvil. It was never used but in the temple, and then the flat of it only, and it hung on a nail by the catechist's chimney.

Early one night, Jack rose and took the sword and was gone out of the house and the village in the darkness. All night he walked at a venture, and when day came he met strangers going to the fields. Then he asked after the wood of Eld and the house of sorcery, and one said north and one south, until Jack saw that they deceived him. So then, when he asked his way of any man, he showed the bright sword naked, and at that the guive on the man's ankle rang, and answered in his stead, and the word was still straight on. But the man, when his guive spoke, Spat and struck at Jack, and threw stones at him as he went away, so that his head was broken. So he came to that wood, and entered in, and he was aware of a house in a low place where funguses grew.

And the trees met, and the steaming of the marsh arose about it like a smoke. It was a fine house, and a very rambling. Some parts of it were ancient, like the hills, and some but of yesterday. And none finished, and all the ends of it were open so that you could go in from every side. Yet it was in good repair, and all the chimneys smoked. Jack went in through the gable, and there was one room after another, all bare, but all furnished in part so that a man could dwell there. And in each there was a fire burning where a man could warm himself, and a table spread where he might eat. But Jack saw nowhere any living creature, only the bodies of some stuffed. This is a hospitable house, said Jack, but the ground must be quaggy underneath, for at every step the building quakes.

He had gone some time in the house, when he began to be hungry. Then he looked at the food, and at first he was afraid. But he bared the sword, and by the shining of the sword it seemed the food was honest. So he took the courage to sit down and eat, and he was refreshed in mind and body. This is strange, thought he, that in the house of sorcery there should be food so wholesome. As he was yet eating, there came into that room the appearance of his uncle, and Jack was afraid because he had taken the sword. But his uncle was never more kind, and sat down to meet with him, and praised him because he had taken the sword. Never had these two been more pleasantly together, and Jack was full of love to the man.

It was very well done, said his uncle, to take the sword and come yourself into the house of Eld. A good thought and a brave deed, but now you are satisfied and we may go home to dinner arm in arm. Oh dear, no, said Jack. I am not satisfied yet. How? cried his uncle. Are you not warmed by the fire? Does not this food sustain you? I see the food to be wholesome, said Jack, and still it is no proof that a man should wear a guive on his right leg. Now at this the appearance of his uncle gobbled like a turkey. Jupiter, cried Jack, is this the sorcerer? His hand held back and his heart failed him for the love he bore his uncle. But he heaved up the sword and smote the appearance on the head, and it cried out aloud with the voice of his uncle and fell to the ground.

And a little bloodless white thing fled from the room. The cry rang, and Jack's ears and his knees smote together, and conscience cried upon him. And yet he was strengthened, and there woke in his bones the lust of that enchanter's blood. If the gives are to fall, said he, I must go through with this, and when I get home I shall find my uncle dancing. So he went on after the bloodless thing, in the way. He met the appearance of his father, and his father was incensed, and railed upon him, and called to him upon his duty, and bade him be home while there was yet time. "'For you can still,' said he, "'be home by sunset, and then all will be forgiven.' "'God knows,' said Jack. "'I fear your anger, but yet your anger does not prove that a man should wear a guive on his right leg.' And at that the appearance of his father.

Gobbled like a turkey. Ah, heaven, cried Jack. The sorcerer again. The blood ran backward in his body, and his joints rebelled against him for the love he bore his father. But he heaved up the sword and plunged it in the heart of the appearance, and the appearance cried out aloud with the voice of his father and fell to the ground, and the little bloodless white thing fled from the room. The cry rang in Jack's ears, and his soul was darkened. But now rage came upon him. I have done what I dared not think upon, said he. I will go to an end with it, or perish. And when I get home, I pray God this may be a dream, and I may find my father dancing. So he went on after the bloodless thing that had escaped.

And in the way he met the appearance of his mother, and she wept. What have you done? she cried. What is this that you have done? Oh, come home. Where you may be by bedtime, ere you do more ill to me and mine, for it is enough to smite my brother and your father. Dear mother, it is not these that I have smitten," said Jack. It was but the enchanter and their shape. And even if I had, it would not prove that a man should wear a guive on his right leg. And at this the appearance gobbled like a turkey. He never knew how he did that, but he swung the sword on the one side, and clove the appearance through the midst. And it cried out aloud with the voice of his mother, and fell to the ground. And with the fall of it the house was gone from over Jack's head, and he stood alone in the woods, and the guive was loosened from his leg.

"'Well,' said he, "'the enchanter is now dead and the fetter gone.' But the cries rang in his soul, and the day was like night to him. "'This has been a sore business,' said he. "'Let me go forth out of the wood.' And see the good that I have done to others. He thought to leave the fetter where it lay, but when he turned to go his mind was otherwise. So he stooped and put the guive in his bosom, and the rough iron galled him as he went and his bosom bled. Now when he was forth of the wood, upon the highway he met folk returning from the field, and those he met had no fetter on the right leg, but behold, they had one upon the left. Jack asked them what it signified, and they said, That was the new wear, for the old was found to be a superstition.

Then he looked at them nearly, and there was a new ulcer on the left ankle, and the old one on the right was not yet healed. Now may God forgive me, cried Jack. I would I were well home. And when he was home, there lay his uncle smitten on the head, and his father pierced through the heart, and his mother cloven through the midst. And he sat in the lone house and wept beside the bodies.

Moral. Old is the tree and the fruit good, very old and thick the wood. Woodman is your courage stout, beware the root is wrapped about. Your mother's heart, your father's bones, and like the mandrake, comes with groans.

10 09 - The Four Reformers 1:14

11 10 - The Man and his Friend 1:22

12 11 - The Reader 1:41

13 12 - The Citizen and the Traveller 0:57

14 13 - The Distinguished Stranger 2:55

15 14 - The Carthorses and the Saddlehorse 1:40

16 15 - The Tadpole and the Frog 0:44

17 16 - Something In It 6:50

Something in it. The natives told him many tales. In particular, they warned him of the house of yellow reeds tied with black sinnet, how anyone who touched it became instantly the prey of a conga, and was handed on to him by Miru the Ruddy. And hokussed with the kava of the dead, and baked in the ovens, and eaten by the eaters of the dead. There is nothing in it," said the missionary. There was a bay upon that island, a very fair bay to look upon, but, by the native saying, it was death to bathe there. There is nothing in that," said the missionary, and he came to the bay and went swimming. Presently, An eddy took him and bore him towards the reef. Oh-ho, thought the missionary. It seems there's something in it after all.

And he swam the harder, but the eddy carried him away. I do not care about this eddy, said the missionary, and even as he said it, he was aware of a house raised on piles above the sea. It was built of yellow reeds, one reed joined with another, and the whole bound with black senate. A ladder led to the door. And all about the house hung calabashes. He had never seen such a house, nor yet such calabashes, and the eddy set for the ladder. This is singular, said the missionary, but there can be nothing in it. And he laid hold of the ladder and went up. It was a fine house, but there was no man there, and when the missionary looked back he saw no island, only the heaving of the sea. It is strange about the island.

Said the missionary. But who's afraid my stories are the true ones? And he laid hold of a calabash, for he was one that loved curiosities. Now he had no sooner laid hand upon the calabash than that which he handled, and that which he saw and stood on burst like a bubble and was gone. And night closed upon him, and the waters and the meshes of the net, and he wallowed there like a fish. A body would think there was something in this. Said the missionary. But if these tales are true, I wonder what about my tales? Now the flaming of Akanga's torch drew near in the night, and the misshapen hands groped in the meshes of the net, and they took the missionary between the finger and the thumb, and bore him dripping in the night, and silence to the place of the ovens of Miru.

And there was Miru, ruddy in the glow of the ovens. And there sat her four daughters and made the kava of the dead, and there sat the comers out of the islands of the living, dripping and lamenting. This was a dread place to reach for any of the sons of men, but of all who ever came there, the missionary was the most concerned, and to make things worse, the person next to him was a convert of his own. And how about all your stories?" It seems, said the missionary with bursting tears, that there was nothing in them. By this the kava of the dead was ready, and the daughters of Miru began to intone in the old manner of singing. Gone are the green islands and the bright sea, the sun and the moon and the forty million stars, and life and love and hope.

Henceforth is no more. Only to sit in the night in silence, and see your friends devoured, for life is a deceit, and the bandage is taken from your eyes. Now when the singing was done, one of the daughters came with the bowl. Desire of that kava rose in the missionary's bosom. He lusted for it like a good swimmer for the land, or a bridegroom for his bride. And he reached out his hand, and took the bowl, and would have drunk. And then he remembered and put it back. "'Drink,' sang the daughter of Miru. "'There is no kava like the kava of the dead, and to drink of it once is the reward of the living.' "'I thank you. It smells excellent,' said the missionary. "'But I am a blue-ribbon man myself, and though I am aware there is a difference of opinion even in our own confession, I have always held kava to be excluded.' "'What?' cried the convert.

Are you going to respect a taboo at a time like this? And you were always so opposed to taboos when you were alive. To other peoples, said the missionary, never to my own. But yours have all proved wrong, said the convert. It looks like it, said the missionary, and I can't help that. No reason why I should break my word.

I never heard the like of this. cried the daughter of Miru. Pray what do you expect to gain? That is not the point, said the missionary. I took this pledge for others. I am not going to break it for myself. The daughter of Miru was puzzled. She came and told her mother, and Miru was vexed, and they went and told Akanga. I don't know what to do about this, said Akanga, and he came and reasoned with the missionary. But there is such a thing as right and wrong," said the missionary, and your ovens cannot alter that.

Give the kava to the rest," said Akanga to the daughters of Miru. I must get rid of this sea lawyer instantly, or worse will come of it. The next moment the missionary came up in the midst of the sea, and there before him were the palm trees of the island. He swam to the shore gladly and landed. Much matter of thought was in that missionary's mind. I seem to have been misinformed upon some points, said he. Perhaps there is not much in it, as I supposed. But there is something in it, after all. Let me be glad of that. And he rang the bell for service. Moral. The sticks break, the stones crumble, the eternal altars tilt and tumble, sanctions and tails dislimb like mist. About the amazed evangelist, he stands unshook from age to youth upon one pinpoint of the truth.

End of section 16. Something in it.

18 17 - Faith, Half Faith and No Faith at All 3:46

Faith, half-faith, and no faith at all. In the ancient days there went three men upon pilgrimage. One was a priest, and one was a virtuous person, and the third was an old rover with his axe. As they went, the priests spoke about the grounds of faith. We find the proofs of our religion in the works of nature, said he, and beat his breast. That is true, said the virtuous person. The peacock has a scrennel voice, said the priest, as has been laid down always in our books. How cheering, he cried in a voice like one that wept. How comforting! I require no such proofs, said the virtuous person. Then you have no reasonable faith. Said the priest.

Great is the right and shall prevail, cried the virtuous person. There is loyalty in my soul. Be sure, there is loyalty in the mind of Odin. These are but playings upon words, returned the priest. A sack full of such trash is nothing to the peacock. Just then they passed a country farm, where there was a peacock, seated on a rail. And the bird opened its mouth and sang with the voice of a nightingale. Where are you now? asked the virtuous person. And yet this shakes not me. Great is the truth, and shall prevail. The devil, fly away with that peacock, said the priest, and he was downcast for a mile or two. But presently they came to a shrine, where a fakir performed miracles. Ah, said the priest, here are the true grounds of faith.

The peacock was but an adminical. This is the base of our religion. And he beat upon his breast and groaned like one with colic. Now to me, said the virtuous person, all this is as little to the purpose as the peacock. I believe because I see the right is great and must prevail, and this fakir might carry on with his conjuring tricks till doomsday, and it would not play bluff upon a man like me. Now at this the fakir was so much incensed that his hand trembled, and lo, in the midst of a miracle, the cards fell from up his sleeve. "'Where are you now?' asked the virtuous person, "'and yet it shakes not me.' "'The devil, fly away with the fakir,' cried the priest. "'I really do not see the good of going on with this pilgrimage.' "'Tear up,' cried the virtuous person.

"'Great is the rite and shall prevail.' "'If you are quite sure it will prevail,' says the priest. "'I pledge my word for that,' said the virtuous person." So the other began to go on again with a better heart. At last one came running and told them all was lost, that the powers of darkness had besieged the heavenly mansions, that Odin was to die an evil triumph. "'I have been grossly deceived,' cried the virtuous person. "'All is lost now,' said the priest. "'I wonder if it is too late to make it up with the devil,' said the virtuous person. "'Oh, I hope not.'" Said the priest, and at any rate we can but try. But what are you doing with your axe? Says he to the rover. I am off to die with Odin, said the rover.

End of section 17. Faith, half faith, and no faith at all.

19 18 - The Touchstone 14:07

The Touchstone The king was a man that stood well before the world. His smile was sweet as clover, but his soul within sides was as little as a pea. He had two sons, and the younger son was a boy after his heart, but the elder was one whom he feared. It befell one morning that the drum sounded in the dun before it was yet day, and the king rode with his two sons, and a brave array behind them. They rode two hours, and came to the foot of a brown mountain that was very steep. "'Where do we ride?' said the elder son. "'Across this brown mountain,' said the king, and smiled to himself. "'My father knows what he's doing,' said the younger son. And they rode two hours more and came to the sides of a black river that was wondrous deep.

And where do we ride? asked the elder son. Over this black river, said the king, and smiled to himself. My father knows what he's doing, said the younger son. And they rode all that day, and about the time of the sun setting came to the side of a lake, where was a great dun. It is here we ride, said the king. To a king's house. And a priest's, and a house where you will learn much. At the gates of the Dun, the king who was a priest met them. And he was a grave man, and beside him stood his daughter, and she was as fair as the morn, and one that smiled and looked down. These are my two sons, said the first king. And here is my daughter, said the king who was a priest. She is a wonderful fine maid, said the first king.

And I like her manner of smiling. They are wonderful, well-grown lads, said the second, and I like their gravity. And then the two kings looked at each other and said, The thing may come about. And in the meanwhile the two lads looked upon the maid, and the one grew pale and the other red, and the maid looked upon the ground smiling. Here is the maid that I shall marry, said the elder, for I think she smiled upon me. But the younger plucked his father by the sleeve. "'Father,' said he, "'a word in your ear. If I find favour in your sight, might I not wed this maid, for I think she smiles upon me.' "'A word in yours,' said the king, his father. "'Waiting is good hunting, and when the teeth are shut the tongue is at home.' Now they were come into the dun, and feasted.

And this was a great house, so that the lads were astonished, and the king, that was a priest, sat at the end of the board and was silent, so that the lads were filled with reverence, and the maid served them, smiling with downcast eyes, so that their hearts were enlarged. Before it was day, the elder son arose, and he found the maid at her weaving, for she was a diligent girl. Maid, quoth he, I would fain marry you. "'You must speak with my father,' said she, and she looked upon the ground smiling, and became like the rose. "'Her heart is with me,' said the elder son, and he went down to the lake and sang. A little after came the younger son. "'Made,' quoth he, "'if our fathers were agreed, I would like, well, to marry you.' "'You can speak to my father,' said she, and looked upon the ground, and smiled, and grew like the rose.

She is a dutiful daughter," said the younger son. She will make an obedient wife. And then he thought, what shall I do? And he remembered the king, her father, was a priest. So he went into the temple and sacrificed a weasel and a hare. Presently the news got about, and the two lads and the first king were called into the presence of the king who was a priest, where he sat upon the high seat. Little I reckon of gear," said the king who was a priest. And little of power. For we live here among the shadows of things, and the heart is sick of seeing them. And we stay here in the wind like raiment drying, and the heart is weary of the wind. But one thing I love, and that is truth. And for one thing will I give my daughter, and that is the trial stone.

For in the light of that stone the seeming goes, and the being shows, and all things besides are worthless. Therefore, lads, if ye would wed my daughter, out foot, and bring me the stone of touch, for that is the price of her." A word in your ear," said the younger son to his father. I think we do very well without this stone. A word in yours," said his father. I am of your way of thinking, but when the teeth are shut the tongue is at home. Then he smiled to the king that was a priest. But the elder son got to his feet. And called the king that was a priest by the name of Father. For whether I marry the maid or no, I will call you by that word for the love of your wisdom. And even now I will ride forth, and search the world for the stone of touch.

So he said farewell, and rode into the world. I think I will go too, said the younger son, if I can have your leave, for my heart goes out to the maid. You will ride home with me, said his father. So they rode home, and when they came to the dawn, the king had his son into his treasury. Here, said he, is the touchstone which shows truth, for there is no truth but plain truth, and if you will look in this you will see yourself as you are. And the younger son looked in it, and saw his face as it were the face of a beardless youth, and he was well enough pleased, for the thing was a piece of a mirror. Here is no such great thing to make a work about," said he, but if it will get me the maid, I shall never complain.

But what a fool is my brother to ride into the world, and the thing all the while at home. So they rode back to the other dun, and showed the mirror to the king that was a priest. And when he had looked in it, and seen himself like a king, and his house like a king's house, and all things like themselves, he cried out and blessed God. For now I know," said he, There is no truth but the plain truth, and I am a king indeed, although my heart misgave me. And he pulled down his temple and built a new one, and then the younger son was married to the maid. In the meantime, the elder son rode into the world to find the touchstone of the trial of truth, and whenever he came to a place of habitation, he would ask the men if they had heard of it, and in every place the men answered, Not only have we heard of it, but we alone of all men possess the thing itself, and it hangs on the side of our chimney to this day.

Then would the elder son be glad and beg for a sight of it, and sometimes it would be a piece of mirror that showed the seeming of things, and then he would say, this can never be, for there should be more than seeming. And sometimes it would be a lump of coal which showed nothing, and then he would say, this can never be, for at least there is the seeming. And sometimes it would be a touchstone indeed, beautiful in hue, adorned with polishing, the light inhabiting its sides. And when he found this, he would beg the thing, and the persons of that place would give it to him, for all men were very generous of that gift, so that at the last he had his wallet full of them, and they chinked together when he rode, and when he halted by the side of the way, he would take them out and try them, till his head turned like the sails upon a windmill.

"'I'm a rain upon this business,' said the elder son, "'for I perceive no end to it. Here I have the red, and here the blue and the green, and to me they all seem excellent, and yet shame each other. I'm a rain on the trade. If it were not for the king that is a priest, and whom I had called my father, and if it were not for the fair maid of the dun that makes my mouth to sing and my heart enlarge, I would even tumble them all into the salt sea, and go home and be a king like other folk.'" But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house, but desire of that stag is single in his bosom. Now after many years the elder sun came upon the sides of the salt sea, and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamor of the sea was loud.

There he was aware of a house, and A man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire. Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread, and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words. "'Have you the touchstone of truth?' asked the elder son. And when the man had wagged his head. "'I might have known that,' cried the elder son. "'I have here a wallet full of them.' And with that he laughed, although his heart was wary. And with that the man laughed, too, and with the fuff of his laughter the candle went out. Sleep, said the man, for now I think you have come far enough, and your quest has ended, and my candle is out. Now when the morning came the man gave him a clear pebble in his hand, and it had no beauty and no color, and the elder son looked upon it scornfully and shook his head, and he went away, for it seemed a small affair to him.

All that day he rode, and his mind was quiet, and the desire of the chase allayed. "'How if this poor pebble be the touchstone after all?' said he, and he got down from his horse and emptied forth his wallet by the side of the way. Now in the light of each other all the touchstones lost their hue and fire, and withered like stars at morning. But in the light of the pebble their beauty remained. Only the pebble was the most bright." And the elder son smote upon his brow. How if this be the truth, he cried, that all are a little true. And he took the pebble and turned its light upon the heavens, and they deepened above him like the pit. And he turned it on the hills, and the hills were cold and rugged, but life ran in their sides, so that his own life bounded.

And he turned it on the dust, and he beheld the dust with joy and terror. And he turned it on himself and kneeled down and prayed. Now thanks be to God," said the elder son. I have found the touchstone, and now I may turn my reins and ride home to the king and to the maid of the dun that makes my mouth sing and my heart enlarge. Now when he came to the dun he saw children playing by the gate where the king had met him in the old days, and this stayed his pleasure, for he thought in his heart, It is here my children should be playing. And when he came into the hall there was his brother on the high seat, and the maid beside him. And at that his anger rose, for he thought in his heart, It is I that should be sitting there, and the maid beside me.

Who are you? said his brother. And what make you in the dun? I am your elder brother, he replied, and I am come to marry the maid, for I have brought the touchstone of truth. Then the younger brother laughed aloud. Why, said he, I found the touchstone years ago and married the maid, and there are our children playing at the gate. Now at this the elder brother grew as gray as the dawn. "'I pray you have dealt justly,' said he, "'for I perceive my life as lost.' "'Justly?' quoth the younger brother. "'It becomes you ill, that are a restless man and a runnigate, "'to doubt my justice are the king my fathers, "'that are sedentary folk and known in the land.' "'Nay,' said the elder brother. "'You have all else.

Have patience also.' And suffer me to say the world is full of touchstones, and it appears not easily, which is true. I have no shame of mine," said the younger brother. There it is, and look in it. So the elder brother looked in the mirror, and he was sore, amazed, for he was an old man, and his hair was white upon his head. And he sat down in the hall and wept aloud. Now, said the younger brother. See what a fool's part you have played, that ran over all the world to seek what was lying in our father's treasury, and came back an old Carl for the dogs to bark at, and without chick or child. And I, that was dutiful and wise, sit here crowned with virtues and pleasures, and happy in the light of my hearth."

Methinks you have a cruel tongue," said the elder brother, and he pulled out the clear pebble, and turned its light on his brother. And behold, the man was lying, his soul was shrunk into the smallness of a pea, and his heart was a bag of little fears like scorpions, and love was dead in his bosom. And at that the elder brother cried out aloud, and turned the light of the pebble on the maid, and lo! she was but a mask of a woman, and within sides she was quite dead, and she smiled as a clock ticks, and knew not wherefore.

Oh, well, said the elder brother. I perceive there is both good and bad. So fare ye all as well as ye may in the dun. But I will go forth into the world with my pebble in my pocket.

End of section 18. The Touchstone.

20 19 - The Poor Thing 12:19

The Poor Thing.

There was a man in the islands who fished for his bare bellyful, and took his life in his hands to go forth upon the sea between four planks. But though he had much ado, he was merry of heart, and the gulls heard him laugh when the spray met him. And though he had little lore, he was sound of spirit. And when the fish came to his hook in the midwaters, he blessed God without weighing. He was bitter poor in goods, and bitter ugly of countenance, and he had no wife. It fell in the time of the fishing that the man awoke in his house about the midst of the afternoon. The fire burned in the midst, and the smoke went up, and the sun came down by the chimney. And the man was aware of the likeness of one that warmed his hands at the red peats.

"'I greet you,' said the man, "'in the name of God.' "'I greet you,' said he that warmed his hands, "'but not in the name of God, for I am none of his, "'nor in the name of Hell, for I am not of Hell. "'For I am but a bloodless thing, "'less than wind and lighter than a sound, "'and the wind goes through me like a net.' And I am broken by a sound and shaken by the cold. Be plain with me, said the man, and tell me your name and of your nature. My name, quoth the other, is not yet named in my nature not yet sure, for I am part of a man. And I was a part of your fathers, and went out to fish and fight with them in the ancient days. But now is my turn not yet come. And I wait until you have a wife, and then shall I be in your son, and a brave part of him, rejoicing manfully to launch the boat into the surf, skillful to direct the helm, and a man of might where the ring closes and the blows are going.

This is a marvelous thing to hear," said the man, and if you are indeed to be my son, I fear it will go ill with you, for I am Bitter poor in goods, and bitter ugly in face, and I shall never get me a wife if I live to the age of eagles. All this have I come to remedy, my father," said the poor thing, for we must go this night to the little isle of sheep, where our fathers lie in the dead cairn, and to-morrow to the Earl's Hall, and there shall you find a wife by my providing. So the man rose. And put forth his boat at the time of the sun setting. And the poor thing sat in the prow, and the spray blew through his bones like snow, and the wind whistled in his teeth, and the boat dipped not with the weight of him.

"'I am fearful to see you, my son,' said the man, "'for methinks you are no thing of God.' "'It is only the wind that whistles in my teeth,' said the poor thing, "'and there is no life in me to keep it out.'" So they came to the little isle of sheep, where the surf burst all about it in the midst of the sea, and it was all green with bracken, and all wet with dew, and the moon enlightened it. They ran the boat into a cove, and set foot to land, and the man came heavily behind among the rocks in the deepness of the bracken. But the poor thing went before him like a smoke in the light of the moon. So they came to the dead cairn, And they laid their ears to the stones, and the dead complained with insides like a swarm of bees.

Time was that marrow was in our bones, and strength in our sinews, and the thoughts of our head were clothed upon with acts and the words of men. But now are we broken in sunder, and the bonds of our bones are loosened, and our thoughts lie in the dust. Then the poor thing, charge them that they give you the virtue they withheld. And the man said, Bones of my fathers, greeting, for I am sprung of your loins. And now, behold, I break open the piled stones of your cairn, and I let in the noon between your ribs. Count it well done, for it was to be, and give me what I come seeking in the name of blood, and in the name of God. And the spirits of the dead stirred in the cairn like ants, and they spoke.

You have broken the roof of our cairn, and let in the noon between our ribs, and you have the strength of the still living. But what virtue have we, what power, or what jewel here in the dust with us, that any living man should cover or receive it? For we are less than nothing. But we tell you one thing. Speaking with many voices like bees, that the way is plain before all like the grooves of launching. So forth into life, and fear not, for so did we all in the ancient ages."

And the voices passed away like an eddy in a river. Now, said the poor thing, they have told you a lesson, but make them give you a gift. Stoop your hand among the bones without drawback, and you shall find their treasure. So the man stooped his hand, and the dead laid hold upon it many and faint like ants. But he shook them off, and behold, what he brought up in his hand was the shoe of a horse, and it was rusty. It is a thing of no price, quoth the man, for it is rusty. We shall see that. Said the poor thing. For in my thought it is a good thing to do what our fathers did, and to keep what they kept without question. And in my thought one thing is as good as another in this world, and the shoe of a horse will do.

Now they got into their boat with the horseshoe, and when the dawn was come they were aware of the smoke of the earl's town and the bells of the kirk that beat. So they set foot to shore. And the man went up to the market among the fishers, over against the palace and the kirk. And he was bitter poor and bitter ugly, and he had never a fish to sell, but only a shoe of a horse and his creel, and it rusty. Now, said the poor thing, do so and so, and you shall find a wife and I a mother. It befell that the earl's daughter came forth to go into the kirk upon her prayers. And when she saw the poor man stand in the market, with only the shoe of a horse and it rusty, it came in her mind it should be a thing of price.

What is that? quoth she. It is a shoe of a horse, said the man. And what is the use of it? quoth the earl's daughter. It is for no use, said the man. I may not believe that, said she, else why should you carry it? I do so. Said he, because it was so my fathers did in the ancient ages, and I have neither a better reason nor a worse. Now the earl's daughter could not find it in her mind to believe him. Come, quoth she, sell me this, for I am sure it is a thing of price. Nay, said the man, the thing is not for sale. What? cried the earl's daughter. Then what make you here in the town's market, with the thing in your creel, and not beside? "'I sit here,' says the man, "'to get me a wife.' "'There is no sense in any of these answers,' thought the earl's daughter, "'and I could find it in my heart to weep.' "'By came the earl upon that, and she called him and told him all.

And when he had heard he was of his daughter's mind that this should be a thing of virtue, and charged the man to set a price upon the thing, or else be hanged upon the gallows. And that was near at hand, so that the man could see it.' The way of life is straight like the grooves of launching, quote the man, and if I am to be hanged, let me be hanged. Why, cried the earl, will you set your neck against a shoe of a horse, and it rusty? In my thought, said the man, one thing is as good as another in this world, and a shoe of a horse will do. This can never be, thought the earl, and he stood and looked upon the man and bit his beard. And the man looked up at him. And smiled. It was so my fathers did in the ancient ages, quoth he to the earl, and I have neither a better reason nor a worse.

There is no sense in any of this, thought the earl, and I must be growing old. So he had his daughter on one side, and says he, many suitors have you denied, my child, but here is a very strange matter that a man should cling so to a shoe of a horse, and it rusty. And that he should offer it like a thing on sale, and yet not sell it, and that he should sit there, seeking a wife. If I come not to the bottom of this thing, I shall have no more pleasure in bread, and I can see no way. But either I should hang, or you should marry him." By my trust, but he is bitter ugly," said the Earl's daughter. How if the gallows be so near at hand?

It was not so, said the Earl, that my fathers did it in the ancient ages. I am like the man, and can give you neither a better reason nor worse. But do you, prithee, speak with him again?" So the earl's daughter spoke to the man. If he were not so bitter ugly, quoth she, my father the earl would have us marry. Bitter ugly am I, said the man, and you as fair as may. Bitter ugly I am, and what of that? It was so my father's. In the name of God, said the earl's daughter. Let your father's be. If I had done that, said the man, you had never been chaffering with me here in the market, nor your father the Earl watching with the end of his eye. But come, quoth the Earl's daughter, this is a very strange thing, that you would have me wed for a shoe of a horse and it rusty.

In my thought, quoth the man, one thing is as good— Oh, spare me that, said the Earl's daughter, and tell me why I should marry. Listen and look," said the man. Now the wind blew through the poor thing like an infant crying, so that her heart was melted, and her eyes were unsealed, and she was aware of the thing as it were a babe unmothered, and she took it to her arms, and it melted in her arms like the air. Come," said the man, behold a vision of our children, the busy hearth and the white heads. And let that suffice, for it is all God offers. I have no delight in it, said she, but with that she sighed. The ways of life are straight, like the grooves of launching, said the man, and he took her by the hand.

And what shall we do with the horseshoe, quoth she? I will give it to your father, said the man, and he can make a kirk and a mill of it for me. It came to pass in time that the poor thing was born. But memory of these matters slept within him, and he knew not that which he had done. But he was a part of the eldest son, rejoicing manfully to launch the boat into the surf, skillful to direct the helm, and a man of might where the rain closes and the blows are going.

End of section 19. The Poor Thing.

21 20 - The Song of the Morrow 9:43

The Song of the Morrow.

The King of Duntreen had a daughter when he was old, and she was the fairest king's daughter between two seas. Her hair was like spun gold, and her eyes like pools in a river, and the king gave her a castle upon the sea beach. With a terrace, and a court of the hewn stone, and four towers at the four corners. Here she dwelt and grew up, and had no care for the morrow, and no power upon the hour, after the manner of simple men. It befell that she walked one day by the beach of the sea, when it was autumn, and the wind blew from the place of rains. And upon the one hand of her the sea beat, and upon the other the dead leaves ran. This was the loneliest beach between two seas, and strange things had been done there in the ancient ages.

Now the king's daughter was aware of a crone that sat upon the beach. The sea-foam ran to her feet, and the dead leaves swarmed about her back, and the rags blew about her face in the blowing of the wind. Now, said the king's daughter, and she named a holy name. This is the most unhappy old crone between two seas. "'Daughter of a king,' said the crone, "'you dwell in a stone house, and your hair is like the gold. But what is your profit? Life is not long, nor lives strong, and you live after the way of simple men, and have no thought for the morrow, and no power upon the hour.' "'Thought for the morrow that I have.' Said the king's daughter. But power upon the hour, that have I not. And she mused with herself.

Then the crone smote her lean hands one within the other, and laughed like a seagull. Home! cried she. O daughter of a king, home to your stone house, for the longing has come upon you now. Nor can you live by any more after the manner of simple men. Home and toil and suffer, till the gift come that will make you bare, and till the man come that will bring you care.

The king's daughter made no more ado, but she turned about and went home to her house in silence, and when she was come into her chamber, she called for her nurse. Nurse, said the king's daughter, thought has come upon me for the morrow, so that I can live no more after the manner of simple men. Tell me. What I must do that I may have power upon the hour. Then the nurse moaned like a snow-wind. Alas, said she, that this thing should be, but the thought is gone into your marrow, nor is there any cure against the thought. Be it so, then, even as you will. Though power is less than weakness, power shall you have, and though the thought is colder than winter, yet Shall you think it to an end? So the king's daughter sat in her vaulted chamber in the masoned house, and she thought upon the thought.

Nine years she sat, and the sea beat upon the terrace, and the gulls cried about the turrets, and wind crooned in the chimneys of the house. Nine years she came not abroad, nor tasted the clean air, neither saw God's sky. Nine years. She sat and looked neither to the right nor to the left, nor heard speech of any one, but thought upon the thought of the Maru. And her nurse fed her in silence, and she took of the food with her left hand, and ate it without grace. Now when the nine years were out, it fell dusk in the autumn, and there came a sound in the wind like a sound of piping. At that the nurse lifted up her finger in the vaulted house. I hear a sound in the wind. Said she, that is like the sound of piping.

It is but a little sound, said the king's daughter, but yet is it sound enough for me? So they went down in the dusk to the doors of the house, and along the beach of the sea, and the waves beat upon the one hand, and upon the other the dead leaves ran, and the clouds raced in the sky, and the gulls flew Wittershins. And when they came to that part of the beach where strange things had been done in the ancient ages, lo, there was the crone, and she was dancing widdershins. "'What makes you dance widdershins, old crone?' said the king's daughter. "'Here upon the bleak beach between the waves and the dead leaves?' "'I hear a sound in the wind that is like a sound of piping,' quoth she. "'And it is for that that I dance widdershins.' For the gift comes that will make you bare, and the man comes that must bring you care.

But for me the morrow has come, that I have thought upon, and the hour of my power. How come it, Crone, said the king's daughter, that you waver like a rag, and pale like a dead leaf before my eyes? Because the morrow has come, that I have thought upon, and the hour of my power, said the Crone, and she fell on the beach. And lo, she was but stalks of the sea-tangle, and dust of the sea-sand, and the sand-lice hopped upon the place of her. This is the strangest thing that befell between two seas," said the king's daughter of Duntreen. But the nurse broke out and moaned like an autumn gale. I am wary of the wind, quoth she, and she bewailed her day. The king's daughter was aware of a man upon the beach.

He went hooded so that none might perceive his face, and a pipe was underneath his arm. The sound of his pipe was like singing wasps, and like the wind that sings in windelstraw, and it took hold upon men's ears like the crying of gulls. Are you the comer? Quoth the king's daughter of Duntreen. I am come, said he, and these are the pipes that a man may hear, and I have power upon the hour. And this is the song of the morrow. And he piped the song of the morrow. And it was as long as years, and the nurse wept out aloud at the hearing of it. This is true, said the king's daughter, that you piped the song of the morrow, but that ye have power upon the hour. How may I know that? Show me a marvel here upon the beach, between the waves and the dead leaves.

And the man said, Upon whom? Here is my nurse. Quoth the king's daughter. She is wary of the wind. Show me a good marvel upon her. And lo, the nurse fell upon the beach as it were two handfuls of dead leaves, and the wind whirled them widder shins, and the sand-lice hopped between. It is true, said the king's daughter of Duntreen. You are the comer, and you have power upon the hour. Come with me to my stone house. So they went by the sea margin, and the man piped the song of the morrow. And the leaves followed behind them as they went. Then they sat down together, and the sea beat on the terrace, and the gulls cried about the towers, and the wind crooned in the chimneys of the house. Nine years they sat, and every year when it fell autumn the man said, This is the hour, and I have power in it.

And the daughter of the king said, Nay, but pipe me the song of the morrow. And he piped it. And it was long like years. Now when the nine years were gone, the king's daughter of Duntreen got her to her feet, like one that remembers. And she looked about her in the masoned house, and all her servants were gone. Only the man that piped sat upon the terrace, with a hand upon his face. And as he piped, the leaves ran about the terrace, and the sea beat along the wall. Then she cried to him with a great voice, This is the hour! And let me see the power of it. And with that the wind blew off the hand from the man's face, and lo, there was no man there. Only the clothes and the hand and the pipes tumbled one upon another in a corner of the terrace, and the dead leaves ran over them.

And the king's daughter of Duntreen got her to that part of the beach where strange things had been done in the ancient ages, and there she sat her down. The sea-foam ran to her feet, and the dead leaves swarmed about her back, and the veil blew about her face in the blowing of the wind. And when she lifted up her eyes, there was the daughter of a king come walking on the beach. Her hair was like the spun gold, and her eyes like pools in a river. And she had no thought for the morrow, and no power upon the hour after the manner of simple men.

End of section 20. Song of the Morrow.

End of Fables by Robert Louis Stevenson

queue_music Chapters 21