Part 57 (2/2)

”That would be quite possible with G.o.d,” said the eldest; and as he spoke he raised his eyes and looked at the bird. Whereupon the bird spoke and said:--

”It is indeed to converse with you that I have come; for I am of the land of Erin.”

Now this bird was crimson red all over, except three beautiful streaks on her breast, which shone as bright as the sun. And after a time she said to the same cleric:--

”I am the soul of a woman; and I am your friend. And come ye now,” says she, ”to hear yonder birds; for these are the souls that are permitted to come out of h.e.l.l every Sunday.”

”It is better that we leave this place at once,” said the same old cleric. And his companions said to him:--

”We will go with thee whithersoever thou goest.” So they departed from that place; (and the crimson red bird went with them).

IX.

And as they went, they saw three wonderful streams, namely, a stream of otters, a stream of eels, and a stream of black swans. Great flocks of birds arose from these three streams and flew past the voyagers; and the black swans followed close after, tearing and tormenting the birds. And the crimson red bird said:--

”Marvel not, neither be ye sad of heart; for these bird-shapes that ye see are the souls of people suffering the punishment of their crimes.

And the black swans that follow them, these are devils who are for ever tormenting them; and the birds scream fearfully, and are for ever trying to fly from the demons and to free themselves from their torment.

”And now as to me,” continued the bird, ”I am about to depart from you.

It is not permitted me to make known to you what is to befall you; but in a little time another will tell you all that you need to know.”

And the cleric said:--”Tell us, I beseech thee, what are those three beautiful streaks on thy breast.”

”I will tell you that,” answered the bird. ”When I was in the world I was married; but I did not yield obedience to my husband, neither did I fulfil my lawful homely duties as a wife. And when a grievous sickness came upon him I left him to die. But thrice I went in pity to him:--once to see him and ask after his illness; once to bring him such food as befitted his state; and the third time when he was dead, to watch by the body and see it buried. These three good deeds are the three beautiful streaks that you see on my breast; and I should have been bright all over like these streaks if I had not violated my lawful marriage duties.”

And having so spoken, the bird bade them farewell and flew away.

X.

They next discovered a very beautiful island. The gra.s.s was bright green, and it was all over intermingled with pretty purple-coloured flowers. Flocks of lovely little birds of many bright colours, and myriads of bees, flew among the trees and flowers, humming and singing harmonious music. The voyagers saw a venerable grey-headed old man with a harp in his hand. He played this harp on the island continually; and the music thereof was sweeter than any music they had ever heard. They saluted the old man, who saluted them in return, with a blessing. But immediately he bade them to depart.

XI.

So they rowed away till they came to another island, on which they saw a man digging in a field; and his spade was all fiery, and the handle thereof, which he held in his hand, was red hot. From the sea at one side arose at times a mighty wave all flaming red with fire, which flowed quite over the island and over the man. And ever when he saw the wave coming he cried out with fear; and when the burning torrent covered him, he strove to raise his head above the flames, and roared with his great torment. Now when one of the waves had retired they spoke to him and asked:--

”Who art thou, O wretched man?”

And he answered:--”Lo, this is my punishment for my misdeeds. For when I lived on earth I always worked on Sundays, digging in my garden; for which I am condemned to dig with this fiery spade, and to suffer the torments of these fiery waves. And now, for the sake of G.o.d, offer up your prayers for me, that my pains may be lightened.”

And they prayed fervently; after which they departed from the island.

XII.

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