William H. Babcock - Cian of the Chariots - Chapter XI: The Perplexity of Arthur and the Mission of Oisin lyrics

CHAPTER XI. THE PERPLEXITY OF ARTHUR AND THE MISSION OF OISIN. I have repented of the time that I entreated That thou shouldst not have thy choice. – LLYWARCH. THOSE were noisy and busy days around London, preceding the coronation. There was other marshalling, too, for the good will in the air and some touch of policy had brought Vortimer forward with a late display of military zeal; and Arthur, with this aid, and from other elements, began forming a great encampment on the hills. Meantime, counselling with Osburn and Aurelia, he supplied safer men gradually to the gates and strong places which Vortimer had held. Cian kept his room, lest, as they quoted him, he should glower, and tear somebody. Although his hurts and later efforts might be reason enough, Arthur felt disquieted, and set himself kindly to heal the inner sore that he feared. Cian half rose as the Emperor entered, but Arthur waved him down, saying, – [Page 121] "The wound always has precedence. If some one must suffer for my being here, no doubt Tigernach will stand hard enough for two. Yet I see no need, remembering that such as he have made me." "It is beyond mortal power to make one like our Emperor," declared Tigernach, with pleased and hot directness. "Why, as to that," began Arthur, laughing. "But it is true I do not owe it all to your people. When before was it ever heard that a man should wave aside the purple to the shoulders of his friend?" "He knew the gifts of Caradoc and the gifts of Arthur," said Cian. "The event has proved." "How it might have been, we cannot say. It is as it is. I am glad that he is coming to help me. They are at Caer Segeint now, with Maelgwn and the pick of his mountain men, also a very great following." "And the Lady Guinevere," suggested Cian, with covert brightening. "She also," Arthur answered quietly, and the men understood one another; but Cian conjectured even more than Arthur had in mind. "Lancelot takes a long road, in good company," said he. That was an ill return, and he felt it so. But the instinct to awaken anxiety for the one whom he did not desire was too strong for him. [Page 122] "It is true," answered Arthur, and spoke of other things. When they parted, Cian's eyes were hopeful and thankful, but Arthur bore away more discomfort than should follow a kindly deed. Being only human, whatever the credulous might say, with two women and two men to think of, and no way opening that was free from harm to some one whom he loved, he found himself distressed very sorely. There was that in his heart which told him the wiser choice did not lie with the earlier claim. Yet he had long felt the bright enchantment of Guinevere, and been drawn to her in many ways of late, believing undoubtingly that her sunny love was all for him, though no binding word had been spoken. He knew that a halt would be made for the night, in her behalf, about midway in the forty-mile ride which was to be that day undertaken. He promised himself to meet her there in the morning. Meantime, chance threw him again with Aurelia. The yellow light was fading from the lawn; the brighter stars were just coming into vision. She stood on the lawn hearkening to Oisin, who gesticulated as he spoke. Arthur fancied, resentfully, that the pa**ion of admonition had possessed him. But she turned her face, and he saw that it was not so. "This good man comes to me for aid," she said with grave deference. [Page 123] Arthur looked into her eyes, a little charged with excitement, then at the anxious ones of the evangelist. "What aid?" he inquired. "It has partly to do with Eschwine," she explained. "By way of conversion?" with a smile. "No!" broke in Oisin shrilly. Then he recollected himself, hearing their laugh, and added, "If there were any hope – why, surely – even he." "We must admit that 'even he' has shown some motions of peace and good will," observed Arthur gently. "Trust him not! trust him not!" cried Oisin. "His heart is the home of hell fire. Not seven devils, I say unto you, but seventy times seven!" "Then I infer it is not – at present – a mission to the heathen?" Arthur's glance questioned both of them with puzzled gravity, although he smiled. Aurelia answered. "As a barrier only. Oisin will make his home with the lake-people of the great marsh. He will teach and preach to them, comforting and uplifting them in every way until d**h. He will take his own homeless villagers also, with such as may join them, to strengthen these hunted creatures. They will settle on firm ground near the river Lea. I have promised, with the Emperor's good will, such land and arms and other aid as may reasonably be needed. Oisin hopes with time to build up an outer and living [Page 124] wall for London on that most open side. And the people of the marsh will no longer be crushed into mere brutishness." Cried Oisin: "The distortion of their belief is unspeakable, unspeakable! And as to ritual, I doubt indeed if they have any whatever." His claw-like hands went up and down as he spoke. "Is not this better than rainbow-chasing?" asked Aurelia, watching the Emperor's eye. "Nothing could be braver or grander," answered he. "I will not warn you from slow dying by marsh-poison, Oisin; you have taken counsel of One greater than I. I would ask His blessing of you, for in that name only shall we conquer." So Arthur Mabuter had the blessing of Oisin; and Oisin had of him whatever might be any aid and stay. The image of Aurelia, royal, yet not beyond archness, haunted Arthur in the early hours of the night. But he slept at length; and when he woke it was with other fancies, which drove him to the saddle a long time before the brightening of the sky.