The Washer of the Ford: Legendary moralities and barbaric tales — John Shaqi
The Washer of the Ford: Legendary moralities and barbaric talesSharp, William
General
The Washer of the Ford: Legendary moralities and barbaric tales
Sharp, William
Mythology, Celtic -- Fiction; Scotland -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
As the sun rose, a solemn chant swelled from their lips, ascending as
incense through the silent air. The glory of the new day came
soundlessly. Peace was in the blue heaven, on the blue-green sea, on
the green land. There was no wind, even where the currents of the deep
moved in shadowy purple. The sea itself was silent, making no more
than a sighing slumber-breath round the white sands of the isle, or a
hushed whisper where the tide lifted the long weed that clung to the
rocks.
In what strange, mysterious way, Bride did not see; but as the three
Druids held their hands before the sacred fire there was a faint
crackling, then three thin spirals of blue smoke rose, and soon dusky
red and wan yellow tongues of flame moved to and fro. The sacrifice of
God was made. Out of the immeasurable heaven He had come, in His
golden chariot. Now, in the wonder and mystery of His love, He was
reborn upon the world, reborn a little fugitive flame upon a low hill
in a remote isle. Great must be His love that He could die thus daily
in a thousand places: so great His love that He could give up His own
body to daily death, and suffer the holy flame that was in the embers
he illumined to be lighted and revered and then scattered to the four
quarters of the world.
Bride could bear no longer the mystery of this great love. It moved
her to an ecstasy. What tenderness of divine love that could thus
redeem the world daily: what long-suffering for all the evil and
cruelty done hourly upon the weeping earth, what patience with the
bitterness of the blind fates! The beauty of the worship of Be'al was
upon her as a golden glory. Her heart leaped to a song that could not
be sung. The inexhaustible love and pity in her soul chanted a hymn
that was heard of no Druid or mortal anywhere, but was known of the
white spirits of Life.
Bowing her head, so that the glad tears fell warm as thunder-rain
upon her hands, she rose and moved away.
Not far from the summit of Dun-I is a hidden pool, to this day called
the Fountain of Youth. Hitherward she went, as was her wont when upon
the hill at the break of day, at noon, or at sundown. Close by the
huge boulder, which hides it from above, she heard a pitiful bleating,
and soon the healing of her eyes was upon a lamb which had become
fixed in a crevice in the rock. On a crag above it stood a falcon,
with savage cries, lusting for warm blood. With swift step Bride drew
near. There was no hurt to the lambkin as she lifted it in her arms.
Soft and warm was it there, as a young babe against the bosom that
mothers it. Then with quiet eyes she looked at the falcon, who hooded
his cruel gaze.
"There is no wrong in thee, Seobhag," she said gently; "but the law of
blood shall not prevail for ever. Let there be peace this morn."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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