Part 3
You hit the mark that time.
LISTENER
[_Running to look._]
Where? I didn’t see!
MARKSMAN
Nobody did but me. Who taught you that song sublime?
LISTENER
A robin back there in the wood; I haven’t got it very good.
FINN
You have a very fine ear. Is there anything else you can hear?
LISTENER
[_Putting his ear to the ground and listening intently._]
I can hear the voice of your mother.
FINN
[_Eagerly._]
What is she saying?
LISTENER
She’s saying she’s unravelling Your fetters of travelling And straying; She’s saying She’s sending your father To help you to gather The children he’s losing Through none of her choosing.
FINN
[_Bewildered._]
Talk sense!
LISTENER
[_Offended._]
I do; but it’s too immense For you to comprehend With your unenlightened end!
[_Aside._]
There! didn’t I tell you she’d send!
[_At this moment the Climber runs in excitedly._]
CLIMBER
I’ve just met a woman in the wood Who says she’s losing Her children through none of her choosing, And that you are the only man Who can Help her, if you’ll be so very good.
FINN
[_Amazed._]
That’s what the Big Young Hero said to me This morning, brought him through the strife Of night-watching and tempest of sea! I wonder who this woman can be?
CLIMBER
[_Excitedly._]
I believe she is his wife?
FINN
How is she losing the children?
CLIMBER
She says she’s losing them in the night That claps down on men, For a Hand comes in at the window ere it’s light, And takes them all away ben.
FINN
[_After a pause._]
I can’t help that!
CLIMBER
Yes, she says you can, If you were half a man.
FINN
Why, what must I be at?
CLIMBER
She says you must watch through the night Within her house, until you see daylight.
FINN
[_Sighing wearily._]
I want my supper now. I really couldn’t keep My eyes open; I’m sure I’d go to sleep.
CLIMBER
[_Very earnestly and impressively._]
Although she has laid supper in her house, Please do not touch it yet, or you’ll arouse The Hand Before you understand How you must use the body to discern The proper system of the mind, and learn You were not built like the bewildered moon, To dwindle ere you’ve found another face, Revolving inwards like an old buffoon, Too much attracted by an earthly grace; But, on a nervous pivot justly hung, Bringing your mind to bear upon the clay, Can turn your sleepy body round among The starry systems of another day; For that is how I think we’re meant to gather Her earthly treasure for a Heavenly Father, Till He recall us from her dewy field At evening-time, building a finer bield For souls returning mindful of earth’s beauty, Not naked as they came.
FINN
I’ll do my duty If you’ll show me the way To the place where I’m to stay.
CLIMBER
[_Delighted._]
All right! We must look sharp as long as there’s this light.
[_She beckons the others to follow._]
FINN
[_Pausing suddenly._]
Why, what was that that fell? I believe it was the spell.
[_He looks about._]
I feel hungry enough for two All of a sudden. Aren’t you?
CLIMBER
[_Warningly._]
No, I had something to eat before I came, And in the morning you will get the same If only now you’ll try not to eat double; For if you do we’ll all get into trouble.
[_Exit all after the Climber._]
ACT III. SCENE 2
THE HOUSE OF THE EARTH-MOTHER: GLOAMING
_The kitchen of the Earth-Mother’s house. A big open fire in the middle of the room, with a hole in the thatch above it to let the smoke out. A child asleep in a cradle beside it. The remains of a lavish supper on a table in the corner. The men are all lying about the fire asleep. Finn alone is sitting in a low chair drowsing. The Climber is lying asleep on a settle in the corner, near the Thief, who is sitting quietly watchful by the child. She alone seems wide awake._
FINN
[_Nodding drowsily, starts and falls forward. Shaking himself up, he looks round, rubbing his eyes and yawning._]
Heigh-ho!—Heigh-hum-harry! This rainbow is a weary job to carry.
[_Looks round._]
No one seems awake that I can see.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
You forget me.
FINN
[_Startled._]
Oh! Are you awake?
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
I’m always awake.
FINN
Then I can take A nap.
THIEF
[_Calmly._]
For Heaven’s sake Keep awake, Or the child will be taken away in the cap Of the Hand.
FINN
[_Drowsily._]
Bother! I don’t understand.
[_Pointing to the Climber._]
Even she’s sleeping.
THIEF
Yes, she has been weeping.
FINN
[_Uneasy._]
Why, whatever’s the matter?
THIEF
Everything. You’ve eaten too much.
FINN
[_Defensively._]
Why, I didn’t touch More than I ought, Did I?
THIEF
You took a thought More than she did, that’s why You have upset her.
FINN
[_Sulkily._]
I wish to goodness I had never met her, If she’s so very easily upset.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
I fear she’s very childish for her age. It’s apt to overbalance her at this stage; She isn’t up to all God’s ropes as yet.
FINN
[_Crossly._]
I thought she said That she could climb upon a thread Up to a star Were I to tie it there.
THIEF
Ay! But it needs more care To return so far Trundling the star.
[_Finn sits silent for a little while, and begins to nod again. At last he rouses himself with a start._]
FINN
I’m much too plastic; This needs something drastic.
[_He snatches a brand of wood from the fire, and thrusts it through the bone of his palm. The Climber immediately starts up in her sleep with a cry of pain._]
[_Startled._]
What’s wrong? Why——?
CLIMBER
[_Talking in her sleep, in great distress._]
You are in pain!
FINN
[_Defiantly._]
Not I!
CLIMBER
[_Half asleep._]
You’re hurting yourself with trying to keep awake!
FINN
[_Coldly._]
You’re making a mistake.
CLIMBER
[_Bewildered and dreamy._]
Oh, I’m sorry! I thought you called me.
FINN
[_Stoically._]
No.
[_The Marksman turns in his sleep with a groan._]
CLIMBER
I beg your pardon.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
Lie down. If he’s in pain I’ll call you again.
[_The Climber lies down again._]
THIEF SINGS:
I have a lover in my mind, And there I stray. He whispers dreams to me all night; I dream with him all day.
We tell each other foreign things, We dream strange dreams, we two; Sometimes he whispers He is God, And I dream I am too.
[_Finn, nodding, repeats former process. Again the Climber starts up in her sleep with a loud cry of anguish._]
CLIMBER
[_As before, talking half in her sleep._]
You are in pain?
FINN
[_Wiping his brow._]
Not I, you’re dreaming.
[_The Marksman again groans in his sleep._]
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
Lie down. If he’s in pain I’ll call you again.
CLIMBER
[_Bewildered and troubled, still asleep._]
I’m very sorry, indeed I meant no harm; I feel as if I were under some sort of charm.
[_She lies down again._]
THIEF SINGS:
Love seeketh not a Heaven’s delight. If her beloved inhabit there, She is content with outer night, And finds in Hell no deep despair.
Yet if the love of God divine Feel lonely Heaven a grave mistake, And say: “Is Hell not also mine?” Love answers: “Yea, Lord, take.”
[_By this time Finn has fallen quite asleep. The fire dies low. Suddenly a strange light begins to play about the Climber. She starts up half-awake, and looks round bewildered. Then she speaks to the Thief in an awed whisper._]
CLIMBER
Who called me? Was it you?
THIEF
I have been sitting quietly by the cradle all this time.
CLIMBER
Inside my brain There’s something tugging me, a sort of strain, A terrible wistfulness, my mind’s all bruised. Something calls me that is not amused. Is it God? Or is it not God?
THIEF
[_Gravely._]
It is God. Lie down. He will call you again If He is in pain.
[_The Climber lies down again. The fire dies quite low, but the radiance about her grows bright and brighter; she alone is left visible. Suddenly, for a moment, as through a veil, the face of the Big Young Hero is seen looking wistfully down on her. She starts up with her hands clasped to her breast, and speaks in an awed whisper._]
CLIMBER
Did you call me, sir?
HERO
I sent Finn to call you.
CLIMBER
I heard him. Do you require us both?
HERO
Yes, urgently; make haste.
[_The vision fades, leaving the Climber alone in the midst of a great brightness._]
CLIMBER
[_Whispering._]
Always I have known Thou wert there, But to-night Thou hast revealed Thyself utterly and Thy face is bare. I cannot tell how beautiful Thou art. All of my heart Is radiant with the fierce surprise Of Thine eyes, All of my soul Stands shuddering at her goal.
Long ago she knew Thee, yet she feared To name Thee, ever she peered Into the darkness, whispering: “Not mine,” To-night she doth divine Wholly, and she is very bold, and boasts, and hath good cheer, Entertaining the love that casts out fear.
[_The brightness fades, leaving darkness for a moment, then the fire leaps up again, illuminating the room. The Climber looks about her, bewildered with ecstasy._]
Oh, I have had such a wonderful dream! Why, they all seem To be asleep!
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
I am not asleep.
CLIMBER
[_Radiant._]
Oh, did you see my dream?
THIEF
Yes; I stole it for you.
CLIMBER
Where did you get it?
THIEF
Out of the mind of God.
CLIMBER
It was most beautiful; can’t you find Another the same?
THIEF
Yes, from where that one came; But it is not for you.
CLIMBER
[_Disappointed._]
Oh! Who’s it for?
THIEF
Never mind, You’ll find When you make yours come true.
CLIMBER
[_Very eagerly._]
Why, what must I do?
THIEF
You must make them believe it. You must take it and weave it, By a kind of story, Into actual glory.
CLIMBER
[_Jumping up joyfully._]
Where shall I begin?
THIEF
With Finn.
CLIMBER
[_Drawing back nervously._]
Oh no, I can’t! He’ll think it very queer. I—I haven’t got the courage to reveal A dream so very delicate and real. They’ll laugh at me. They’ll all think I am queer.
THIEF
[_Indifferently._]
I have nothing to do with fear. Your business is to do just as I tell.
CLIMBER
[_Summoning up all her resolution._]
Very well.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
If you’re to carry out God’s plan You must pitch into every man.
CLIMBER
[_Trembling with nervousness._]
All right! To make my dream come true There’s nothing I’m afraid to do.
[_She runs quickly over to Finn and takes him eagerly by the hand to wake him. He starts awake with a quiver of pain, withdrawing his hand._]
CLIMBER
[_Overstrained and very nervous._]
Oh, are you angry at me?
FINN
[_Gently._]
Why should I be angry?
CLIMBER
[_Shyly._]
For—for waking you up.
FINN
Was I asleep?
CLIMBER
[_Nervously._]
Yes; but I’ve brought you something that’ll keep You awake for ever.
[_She laughs nervously._]
FINN
[_Politely._]
Never! What is it?
CLIMBER
[_Shyly._]
N—nothing; just a dream.
FINN
[_Embarrassed._]
Better keep it to yourself. Dreams are things some folk don’t understand.
CLIMBER
[_In distress, catching sight of his hand._]
Why, what have you done to your hand? You’ve burnt it all! You were in pain, I knew! I heard you call. Why did you say it wasn’t true?
FINN
[_Withdrawing his hand hastily._]
It’s nothing to do with you. Go to sleep again; I never felt the slightest pain.
[_The Marksman groans in his sleep._]
CLIMBER
[_Embarrassed and shy._]
Don’t you, really?
FINN
[_Resolutely._]
No. I tell you it’s quite numb.
CLIMBER
[_Grieved and awkward._]
Then you didn’t call me to come?
FINN
[_Turning his head away with a groan._]
No. I am in no need.
[_The Marksman groans in his sleep again. Finn turns and looks more attentively at the Climber, hesitating. She is pale and overstrained looking._]
[_Kindly._]
I really think you ought to feed Yourself up a bit. You’re not looking very fit.
CLIMBER
[_Hurriedly._]
I was asleep. I’m quite all right. It’s just a silly dream. Good night.
[_Marksman groans._]
Be sure you keep awake.
[_She retreats nervously._]
FINN
Good night. Be sure you keep Asleep. Don’t worry about me for any sake; I’m wide enough awake.
[_The Marksman groans again, and Finn begins to nod heavily even as he speaks._]
CLIMBER
[_To the thief, bursting into tears._]
They won’t believe my dream. You’ve made me feel an awful fool. He’s laughing now. I know I seem Quite childish!
THIEF
[_Aside._]
To keep cool, The best way is by letting off some steam.
[_To the Climber, very sternly._]
The fault was yours. You have betrayed your dream.
CLIMBER
[_Weeps silently for a little, then wipes her eyes and speaks as if to herself._]
They tell me that I have my birth Some other where, And though indeed I do not greatly care If this be true or no, I really think it must be partly so; For no one understands me in this house, I am not able all alone to rouse Them up. They just ignore me everywhere. I begin to think that I’m not quite all there.
[_She sinks her head desperately between her hands._]
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
I wasn’t laughing at you.
CLIMBER
[_Lifting her head quietly and recovering herself._]
No, I knew.
THIEF
Perhaps I’ve left you rather much alone.
CLIMBER
Oh no! I think I’ve just outgrown My strength.
THIEF
[_Quietly._]
Then if you’ve got that length You’ve come into your own. Lie down again; I’ll call you if he is in pain.
CLIMBER
No! No! This time I must lie still Unless he comes himself. He’d take it ill If I should offer him a change of diet He’s not accustomed to. I must lie quiet Unless he says that he’s prepared to try it.
[_She lies down again. The stage gradually becomes quite dark, as the Thief sings this song._]
THIEF’S SONG
God gave me a little fire, And, as He did require, I burnt it all away, And He gave me more each day. At last to one most dear I denied my fire in fear, And now the light’s gone out, And God’s nowhere about.
[_At this moment the eight-day clock in the corner of the room strikes twelve slowly, and a great Hand comes in at the hole in the centre of the roof. All have fallen asleep except the Thief. She springs up with a cry and shakes the Climber, who does not stir, but all the others start up, and Finn calls loudly on the Gripper, who lays hold on the Hand and takes it in to the two eyebrows at the chimney. The Hand gives a pull on the Gripper, and takes him out to the top of his two shoulders. The Gripper gives another pull on the Hand and brings it in to the neck. The Hand gives a pull on the Gripper, and brings him out to the very middle. The Gripper gives a pull on the Hand, and brings it in over the two armpits. The Hand gives a pull on the Gripper, and takes him out to the smalls of his two feet. Then the Gripper gives a brave pull on the Hand, and it comes out of the shoulder, and when it falls on the floor the pulling of seven geldings is in it. All shout with joy._]
FINN
[_Wiping his brow in unutterable relief._]
What an escape! I nearly lost the child! She’d have been wild! I knew I could hold out Without having to shout For aid.
[_At this moment the Giant, unnoticed, puts in his other hand and takes the child with him in the cap of the hand. It screams, awaking the Climber._]
CLIMBER
Oh! You’ve let it go! You’ve been asleep, I know!
FINN
[_Desperately, with his head in his hands._]
What a mistake I’ve made!
[_Furiously, to the Gripper._]
You fool! Why couldn’t you Hold on a little longer?
GRIPPER
[_Plaintively and with resignation._]
Because I never knew There was another Hand a little stronger.
FINN
[_Frantically, to Marksman._]
You that’s so good at marking eggs, Why couldn’t you tell other folk About the yolk?
MARKSMAN
[_Tranquilly._]
You never asked me, or I would have told. Are you not old Enough—have you not got two legs, A pair of hands, a level Enough head (When all is done and said) From which to deduce the devil?
FINN
[_Losing all control._]
Liar! It was your duty to tell!
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly and sorrowfully._]
Go to Hell.
[_Finn rushes out. The Climber is all this time kneeling by the settle with her head buried in her hands, and does not appear to hear anything around her._]
CARPENTER
[_Angrily, to Marksman._]
Didn’t the woman tell her that the Giant Who steals the children was just like a man? If we had known we wouldn’t have been so pliant.
MARKSMAN
[_Turning to look at him with a strange smile._]
Why didn’t you ask her about him? She never can Tell you very much until You ask her of your own free will.
CARPENTER
[_Sneeringly._]
I don’t believe she knew!
MARKSMAN
[_Turning and looking at him._]
Don’t you?
CARPENTER
[_Trying to look him in the face, but getting very red, drops his eyes and mutters._]
Well, maybe she did. You needn’t make a stir, I don’t pretend to understand folk like her.
MARKSMAN
[_As before._]
Don’t you?
CARPENTER
[_Defiantly and reluctantly._]
Well, if I do it’s not because I can’t.
MARKSMAN
[_As before._]
Isn’t it?
[_Silence._]
Come, answer me!
CARPENTER
[_Defiantly._]
I shan’t!
MARKSMAN
[_Letting him go with a contemptuous kick from behind._]
Then follow Finn until you’ve learned compliance.
CARPENTER
[_Calling Tracker._]
Come on! Let’s show them we’ve some self-reliance!
TRACKER
[_To Gripper, who is still standing quietly holding the arm he has pulled out._]
Come on! There’s no use holding any more To the sneck of _that_ door.
[_Pointing to arm._]
GRIPPER
Where are you going?
[_He looks undecided._]
TRACKER
There’s no knowing, I’m bound to follow him.
[_Points to Carpenter._]
GRIPPER
[_Looking round doubtfully._]
The light is very dim, Where is he taking us?
CARPENTER
[_Pulling him by the collar._]
Come on without any more fuss.
TRACKER
[_Pulling at the Hand._]
Drop it, I say, drop it!
MARKSMAN
[_Intervening sternly._]
Stop it!
[_The Tracker and the Carpenter fling out after Finn._]
THIEF
[_To Marksman._]
I’ll follow them. I musn’t be inhuman, They’ll certainly get lost without a woman.
MARKSMAN
Take care, they’ve gone to Hell.
THIEF
[_Quietly indicating the Climber._]
Look after this child well, And I will steal all Heaven before you can tell.
LISTENER
[_Eagerly._]
What fun! May I come too?
THIEF
[_Pointing to the Climber._]
Not yet, she’s need of you.
[_Exit Thief._]
LISTENER
[_Coming forward and gazing up at the hole in the roof with his hands on his knees._]
Well, that was a clean sweep!
[_To Climber._]
I say, don’t weep!
MARKSMAN
[_With his finger on his lips._]
Hush! She’s saying her prayers!
LISTENER
[_Abashed and embarrassed._]
Oh, sorry!
[_He crosses to the window and leans out, and then softly beckons to the Gripper. The Marksman is sitting quietly in Finn’s chair by the fire._]
LISTENER
[_To Gripper, speaking softly not to disturb the Climber._]
Look at the sky, and that green stretch of clear Behind the Bidean! There’s really no night here.
[_He sits astride the window whistling softly, and then begins to sing this song under his breath._]
I had a vision of Hope. She came to me Long before morning came, long ere the day Had folded night in her bosom and gathered away The stars in her brightness; I saw as it were a whiteness Like a shimmer on the sea; Long before morning broke She awoke And came to me.
There are some who never see her, There are some who never hear Her whisper at their ear. I was awake and heard Before the thrushes stirred.
Deep in her heart she showed me, Long before it was spring, A lovely thing. All the April bulbs unsleeping, Beneath the garden keeping Watch for the dawn, All the eyes of the daisies wide-awake under the lawn.
There are some who will not trust her, There are some who blindly thrust her Out of sight Into the solitary night. Grievous souls! They do not know That her lovely sign is true: I listened and I knew.
MARKSMAN
That’s good enough!
[_Climber springs up lightly._]
CLIMBER
Why! Where’s Finn?
LISTENER
[_Coming down._]
Gone off in the huff While you were saying your prayers.
CLIMBER
[_Desperately, to Marksman._]
I don’t believe it! Tell me there’s No truth in what he said.
MARKSMAN
[_Quietly._]
Yes, for the present, Finn is dead.
CLIMBER
[_Quietly steadfast._]
I don’t believe it.
MARKSMAN
He has lost his head.
CLIMBER
[_Looking round._]
Where are the others?
GRIPPER
[_Sarcastically._]
They’ve followed him like brothers.
CLIMBER
Has the Thief gone with the rest?
MARKSMAN
Yes; she thought it best. She said it was inhuman To let them go without a woman.
CLIMBER
[_Radiantly, with upraised face._]
Thank you!
LISTENER
[_To Marksman._]
Who’s she speaking to?
[_The Marksman quietly shoots an arrow out of the window._]
LISTENER
Why did you do that?
MARKSMAN
Being under my protection She looked straight in the right direction.
LISTENER
[_Who has run to the window to look after the arrow._]
I say! They’ve put off in the boat And left us all behind!
CLIMBER
[_Anxiously._]
Has Finn got his coat?
LISTENER
No; there it is behind The press.
CLIMBER
Is the Thief there?
LISTENER
Yes.
CLIMBER
Then never mind.
[_To Gripper._]
Come! You must follow And take the tiller, or the sea will swallow Them all.
GRIPPER
[_Plaintively._]
It’s no use; I would fall Without something to grip.
CLIMBER
Are you afraid to slip If I make fast A rope to the mast?
GRIPPER
[_Brightening._]
Oh no! not if you give me anything To hold to, even the smallest bit of string. But how will you get over there? It’s far too rough to swim. Take care!
CLIMBER
[_To Listener._]
Can you hear What the Thief is saying?
LISTENER
[_Putting his ear to the ground and listening intently._]
I rather think she’s praying.
CLIMBER
[_Clapping her hands delightedly._]
Then come along, the danger’s past, I’ve tied a life-line to the mast!
[_Exit all running eagerly, the Climber carrying Finn’s coat._]
ACT III. SCENE 3
AT SEA: SUNSET
_A stormy dark sunset, late in the gloaming. The ship is seen tossing wildly on a tempestuous sea. The Thief is sitting quietly in the stern with her head bowed; her face is invisible. The Carpenter and the Tracker are whimpering on the floor. Finn is alone at the helm, but the waves are driving the boat about at their mercy._
CARPENTER
[_Terrified, from bottom of boat._]
I don’t believe this boat is sound.
TRACKER
[_Blubbering with terror._]
Boohoo! Boohoo! We’s all going to be drowned!
[_Clutches Finn’s legs._]
FINN
[_Spurning him suddenly._]
Be quiet, you fool!
[_The Tracker collapses howling in a corner._]
CARPENTER
Cheer up! You’ll soon be able to keep cool.
[_A great shower of spray comes over and drenches them. The Tracker cries despairingly._]
CARPENTER
[_To Finn._]
I had a sense of something due To someone, though I scare kent who, And like a fool I lent my ship to you. Although I made her at my own expense I thought you had a little common sense. Didn’t I tell you she was bound To carry you quite safe and sound From earth to Heaven, if you could handle Her properly. It’s a fair scandal To see the way you hold the tiller. You’ll sink her. Look! You’ll sink and fill her!