夜莺与玫瑰-第15部分

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ld　birds　that　roam　through　the　forest　have　their　freedom。　Snare　them　not　for　thy　pleasure。　God　made　the　blind…worm　and　the　mole，　and　each　has　its　place。　Who　art　thou　to　bring　pain　into　God’s　world？　Even　the　cattle　of　the　field　praise　Him。”
But　the　Star…Child　heeded　not　their　words，　but　would　frown　and　flout，　and　go　back　to　his　panions，　and　lead　them。　And　his　panions　followed　him，　for　he　was　fair，　and　fleet　of　foot，　and　could　dance，　and　pipe，　and　make　music。　And　wherever　the　Star…Child　led　them　they　followed，　and　whatever　the　Star…Child　bade　them　do，　that　did　they。　And　when　he　pierced　with　a　sharp　reed　the　dim　eyes　of　the　mole，　they　laughed，　and　when　he　cast　stones　at　the　leper　they　laughed　also。　And　in　all　things　he　ruled　them，　and　they　became　hard　of　heart　even　as　he　was。
Now　there　passed　one　day　through　the　village　a　poor　beggar…woman。　Her　garments　were　torn　and　ragged，　and　her　feet　were　bleeding　from　the　rough　road　on　which　she　had　travelled，　and　she　was　in　very　evil　plight。　And　being　weary　she　sat　her　down　under　a　chestnut…tree　to　rest。
But　when　the　Star…Child　saw　her，　he　said　to　his　panions，　“See！　There　sitteth　a　foul　beggar…woman　under　that　fair　and　green…leaved　tree。　e，　let　us　drive　her　hence，　for　she　is　ugly　and　ill…favoured。”
So　he　came　near　and　threw　stones　at　her，　and　mocked　her，　and　she　looked　at　him　with　terror　in　her　eyes，　nor　did　she　move　her　gaze　from　him。　And　when　the　Woodcutter，　who　was　cleaving　logs　in　a　haggard　hard　by，　saw　what　the　Star…Child　was　doing，　he　ran　up　and　rebuked　him，　and　said　to　him：　“Surely　thou　art　hard　of　heart　and　knowest　not　mercy，　for　what　evil　has　this　poor　woman　done　to　thee　that　thou　shouldst　treat　her　in　this　wise？”
And　the　Star…Child　grew　red　with　anger，　and　stamped　his　foot　upon　the　ground，　and　said，　“Who　art　thou　to　question　me　what　I　do？　I　am　no　son　of　thine　to　do　thy　bidding。　”
“Thou　speakest　truly，　”　answered　the　Woodcutter，“yet　did　I　show　thee　pity　when　I　found　thee　in　the　forest。”
And　when　the　woman　heard　these　words　she　gave　a　loud　cry，　and　fell　into　a　swoon。　And　the　Woodcutter　carried　her　to　his　own　house，　and　his　wife　had　care　of　her，　and　when　she　rose　up　from　the　swoon　into　which　she　had　fallen，　they　set　meat　and　drink　before　her，　and　bade　her　have　fort。
But　she　would　neither　eat　nor　drink，　but　said　to　the　Woodcutter，　“Didst　thou　not　say　that　the　child　was　found　in　the　forest？And　was　it　not　ten　years　from　this　day？”
And　the　Woodcutter　answered，　“Yea，　it　was　in　the　forest　that　I　found　him，　and　it　is　ten　years　from　this　day。”
“And　what　signs　didst　thou　find　with　him？”　she　cried。　“Bare　he　not　upon　his　neck　a　chain　of　amber？　Was　not　round　him　a　cloak　of　gold　tissue　broidered　with　stars？”
“Truly，”　answered　the　Woodcutter，　“it　was　even　as　thou　sayest。”　And　he　took　the　cloak　and　the　amber　chain　from　the　chest　where　they　lay，　and　showed　them　to　her。
And　when　she　saw　them　she　wept　for　joy，　and　said，“He　is　my　little　son　whom　I　lost　in　the　forest。　I　pray　thee　send　for　him　quickly，　for　in　search　of　him　have　I　wandered　over　the　whole　world。”
So　the　Woodcutter　and　his　wife　went　out　and　called　to　the　Star…Child，　and　said　to　him，　“Go　into　the　house，　and　there　shalt　thou　find　thy　mother，　who　is　waiting　for　thee。　”
So　he　ran　in，　filled　with　wonder　and　great　gladness。　But　when　he　saw　her　who　was　waiting　there，　he　laughed　scornfully　and　said，　“Why，　where　is　my　mother？　For　I　see　none　here　but　this　vile　beggar…woman。”
And　the　woman　answered　him，　“I　am　thy　mother。　”
“Thou　art　mad　to　say　so，”cried　the　Star…Child　angrily。　“I　am　no　son　of　thine，　for　thou　art　a　beggar，　and　ugly，　and　in　rags。　Therefore　get　thee　hence，　and　let　me　see　thy　foul　face　no　more。　”
“Nay，　but　thou　art　indeed　my　little　son，　whom　I　bare　in　the　forest，”　she　cried，　and　she　fell　on　her　knees，　and　held　out　her　arms　to　him。　“The　robbers　stole　thee　from　me，　and　left　thee　to　die，”　she　murmured，　“but　I　recognised　thee　when　I　saw　thee，　and　the　signs　also　have　I　recognised，　the　cloak　of　golden　tissue　and　the　amber　chain。　Therefore　I　pray　thee　e　with　me，　for　over　the　whole　world　have　I　wandered　in　search　of　thee。　e　with　me，　my　son，　for　I　have　need　of　thy　love。”
But　the　Star…Child　stirred　not　from　his　place，　but　shut　the　doors　of　his　heart　against　her，　nor　was　there　any　sound　heard　save　the　sound　of　the　woman　weeping　for　pain。
And　at　last　he　spoke　to　her，　and　his　voice　was　hard　and　bitter。　“If　in　very　truth　thou　art　my　mother，”　he　said，　“it　had　been　better　hadst　thou　stayed　away，　and　not　e　here　to　bring　me　to　shame，　seeing　that　I　thought　I　was　the　child　of　some　Star，　and　not　a　beggar’s　child，　as　thou　tellest　me　that　I　am。　Therefore　get　thee　hence，　and　let　me　see　thee　no　more。　”
“Alas！　my　son，　”　she　cried，　“wilt　thou　not　kiss　me　before　I　go？For　I　have　suffered　much　to　find　thee。”
“Nay，”　said　the　Star…Child，　“but　thou　art　too　foul　to　look　at，　and　rather　would　I　kiss　the　adder　or　the　toad　than　thee。”
So　the　woman　rose　up，　and　went　away　into　the　forest　weeping　bitterly，　and　when　the　Star…Child　saw　that　she　had　gone，　he　was　glad，　and　ran　back　to　his　playmates　that　he　might　play　with　them。
But　when　they　beheld　him　ing，　they　mocked　him　and　said，　“Why，　thou　art　as　foul　as　the　toad，　and　as　loathsome　as　the　adder。　Get　thee　hence，　for　we　will　not　suffer　thee　to　play　with　us，”　and　they　drave　him　out　of　the　garden。
And　the　Star…Child　frowned　and　said　to　himself，　“What　is　this　that　they　say　to　me？　I　will　go　to　the　well　of　water　and　look　into　it，　and　it　shall　tell　me　of　my　beauty。”
So　he　went　to　the　well　of　water　and　looked　into　it，　and　lo！　his　face　was　as　the　face　of　a　toad，　and　his　body　was　sealed　like　an　adder。　And　he　flung　himself　down　on　the　grass　and　wept，　and　said　to　himself，　“　Surely　this　has　e　upon　me　by　reason　of　my　sin。　For　I　have　denied　my　mother，　and　driven　her　away，　and　been　proud，　and　cruel　to　her。　Wherefore　I　will　go　and　seek　her　through　the　whole　world，　nor　will　I　rest　till　I　have　found　her。　”
And　there　came　to　him　the　little　daughter　of　the　Woodcutter，　and　she　put　her　hand　upon　his　shoulder　and　said，　“What　doth　it　matter　if　thou　hast　lost　thy　eliness？　Stay　with　us，　and　I　will　not　mock　at　thee。”
And　he　said　to　her，　“Nay，　but　I　have　been　cruel　to　my　mother，　and　as　a　punishment　has　this　evil　been　sent　to　me。　Wherefore　I　must　go　hence，　and　wander　through　the　world　till　I　find　her，　and　she　give　me　her　forgiveness。”
So　he　ran　away　into　the　forest　and　called　out　to　his　mother　to　e　to　him，　but　there　was　no　answer。　All　day　long　he　called　to　her，　and，　when　the　sun　set　he　lay　down　to　sleep　on　a　bed　of　leaves，　and　the　birds　and　the　animals　fled　from　him，　for　they　remembered　his　cruelty，　and　he　was　alone　save　for　the　toad　that　watched　him，　and　the　slow　adder　that　crawled　past。
And　in　the　morning　he　rose　up，　and　plucked　some　bitter　berries　from　the　trees　and　ate　them，　and　took　his　way　through　the　great　wood，　weeping　sorely。　And　of　everything　that　he　met　he　made　inquiry　if　perchance　they　had　seen　his　mother。
He　said　to　the　Mole，　“Thou　canst　go　beneath　the　earth。　Tell　me，　is　my　mother　there？”
And　the　Mole　answered，　“Thou　hast　blinded　mine　eyes。　How　should　I　know？”
He　said　to　the　Lin，　“Thou　canst　fly　over　the　tops　of　the　tall　trees，　and　canst　see　the　whole　world。　Tell　me，　canst　thou　see　my　mother？”
And　the　Lin　answered，　“Thou　hast　clipt　my　wings　for　thy　pleasure。　How　should　I　fly？”
And　to　the　little　Squirrel　who　lived　in　the　fir…tree，　and　was　lonely，　he　said，　“Where　is　my　mother？”
And　the　Squirrel　answered，　“Thou　hast　slain　mine。　Dost　thou　seek　to　slay　thine　also？”
And　the　Star…Child　wept　and　bowed　his　head，　and　prayed　forgiveness　of　God’s　things，　and　went　on　through　the　forest，　seeking　for　the　beggar…woman。　And　on　the　third　day　he　came　to　the　other　side　of　the　forest　and　went　down　into　the　plain。
And　when　he　passed　through　the　villages　the　children　mocked　him，　and　threw　stones　at　him，　and　the　carlots　would　not　suffer　him　even　to　sleep　in　the　byres　lest　he　might　bring　mildew　on　the　stored　corn，　so　foul　was　he　to　look　at，　and　their　hired　men　drave　him　away，　and　there　was　none　who　had　pity　on　him。　Nor　could　he　hear　anywhere　of　the　beggar…woman　who　was　his　mother，　though　for　the　space　of　three　years　he　wandered　over　the　world，　and　often　seemed　to　see　her　on　the　road　in　front　of　him，　and　would　call　to　her，　and　run　after　her　till　the　sharp　flints　made　his　feet　to　bleed。　But　overtake　her　he　could　not，　and　those　who　dwelt　by　the　way　did　ever　deny　that　they　had　seen　her，　or　any　like　to　her，　and　they　made　sport　of　his　sorrow。
For　the　space　of　three　years　he　wandered　over　the　world，　and　in　the　world　there　was　neither　love　nor　loving…kindness　nor　charity　for　him，　but　it　was　even　such　a　world　as　he　had　made　for　himself　in　the　days　of　his　great　pride。
And　one　evening　he　came　to　the　gate　of　a　strong…walled　city　that　stood　by　a　river，　and，　weary　and　footsore　though　he　was，　he　made　to　enter　in。　But　the　soldiers　who　stood　on　guard　dropped　their　halberts　across　the　entrance，　and　said　roughly　to　him，　“What　is　thy　business　in　the　city？”
“I　am　seeking　for　my　mother，”　he　answered，　“and　I　pray　ye　to　suffer　me　to　pass，　for　it　may　be　that　she　is　in　this　city。　”
But　they　mocked　at　him，　and　one　of　them　wagged　a　black　beard，　and　set　down　his　shield　and　cried，　“Of　a　truth，　thy　mother　will　not　be　merry　when　she　sees　thee，　for　thou　art　more　ill…favoured　than　the　toad　of　the　marsh，　or　the　adder　that　crawls　in　the　fen。　Get　thee　gone。　Get　thee　gone。　Thy　mother　dwells　not　in　this　city。”
And　another，　who　held　a　yellow　banner　in　his　hand，　said　to　him，　“Who　is　thy　mother，　and　wherefore　art　thou　seeking　for　her？”
And　he　answered，　“My　mother　is　a　beggar　even　as　I　am，　and　I　have　treated　her　evilly，　and　I　pray　ye　to　suffer　me　to　pass　that　she　may　give　me　her　forgiveness，　if　it　be　that　she　tarrieth　in　this　city。”　But　they　would　not，　and　pricked　him　with　their　spears。
And，　as　he　turned　away　weeping，　one　whose　armour　was　inlaid　with　gilt　flowers，　and　on　whose　helmet　couched　a　lion　that　had　wings，　came　up　and　made　inquiry　of　the　soldiers　who　it　was　who　had　sought　entrance。　And　they　said　to　him，　“It　is　a　beggar　and　the　child　of　a　beggar，　and　we　have　driven　him　away。”
“Nay，　”　he　cried，　laughing，　“but　we　will　sell　the　foul　thing　for　a　slave，　and　his　price　shall　be　the　price　of　a　bowl　of　sweet　wine。　”
And　an　old　and　evil…visaged　man　who　was　passing　by　called　out，　and　said，　“I　will　buy　him　for　that　price，”　and，　when　he　had　paid　the　price，　he　took　the　Star…Child　by　the　hand　and　led　him　into　the　city。
And　after　that　they　had　gone　through　many　streets　they　came　to　a　little　door　that　was　set　in　a　wall　that　was　covered　with　a　pomegranate　tree。　And　the　old　man　touched　the　door　with　a　ring　of　graved　jasper　and　it　opened，　and　they　went　down　five　steps　of　brass　into　a　garden　filled　with　black　poppies　and　green　jars　of　burnt　clay。　And　the　old　man　took　then　from　his　turban　a　scarf　of　figured　silk，　and　bound　with　it　the　eyes　of　the　Star…Child，　and　drave　him　in　front　of　him。　And　when　the　scarf　was　taken　off　his　eyes，　the　Star…Child　found　himself　in　a　dungeon，　that　was　lit　by　a　lantern　of　horn。
And　the　old　man　set　before　him　some　mouldy　bread　on　a　trencher　and　said，　“Eat，　”　and　some　brackish　water　in　a　cup　and　said，　“Drink，”　and　when　he　had　eaten　and　drunk，　the　old　man　went　out，　locking　the　door　behind　him　and　fastening　it　with　an　iron　chain。
And　on　the　morrow　the　old　man，　who　was　indeed　the　subtlest　of　the　magicians　of　Libya　and　had　learned　his　art　from　one　who　dwelt　in　the　tombs　of　the　Nile，　came　in　to　him　and　frowned　at　him，　and　said，　“In　a　wood　that　is　nigh　to　the　gate　of　this　city　of　Giaours　there　are　three　pieces　of　gold。　One　is　of　white　gold，　and　another　is　of　yellow　gold，　and　the　gold　of　the　third　one　is　red。　Today　thou　shalt　bring　me　the　piece　of　white　gold，　and　if　thou　bringest　it　not　back，　I　will　beat　thee　with　a　hundred　stripes。　Get　thee　away　quickly，　and　at　sunset　I　will　be　waiting　for　thee　at　the　door　of　the　garden。　See　that　thou　bringest　the　white　gold，　or　it　shall　go　ill　with　thee，　for　thou　art　my　slave，　and　I　have　bought　thee　for　the　price　of　a　bowl　of　sweet　wine。　”And　he　bound　the　eyes　of　the　Star…Child　with　the　scarf　of　figured　silk，　and　led　him　through　the　house，　and　through　the　garden　of　poppies，　and　up　the　five　steps　of　brass。　And　having　opened　the　little　door　with　his　ring　he　set　him　in　the　street。
And　the　Star…Child　went　out　of　the　gate　of　the　city，　and　came　to　the　wood　of　which　the　Magician　had　spoken　to　him。
Now　this　wood　was　very　fair　to　look　at　from　without，　and　seemed　full　of　singing　birds　and　of　sweet…scented　flowers，　and　the　Star…Child　entered　it　gladly。　Yet　did　its　beauty　profit　him　little，　for　wherever　he　went　harsh　briars　and　thorns　shot　up　from　the　ground　and　enpassed　him，　and　evil　tles　stung　him，　and　the　thistle　pierced　him　with　her　daggers，　so　that　he　was　in　sore　distress。　Nor　could　he　anywhere　find　the　piece　of　white　gold　of　which　the　Magician　had　spoken，　though　he　sought　for　it　from　morn　to　noon，　and　from　noon　to　sunset。　And　at　sunset　he　set　his　face　towards　home，　weeping　bitterly，　for　he　knew　what　fate　was　in　store　for　him。
But　when　he　had　reached　the　outskirts　of　the　wood，　he　heard　from　a　thicket　a　cry　as　of　some　one　in　pain。　And　forgetting　his　own　sorrow　he　ran　back　to　the　place，　and　saw　there　a　little　Hare　caught　in　a　trap　that　some　hunter　had　set　for　it。
And　the　Star…Child　had　pity　on　it，　and　released　it，　and　said　to　it，　“I　am　myself　but　a　slave，　yet　may　I　give　thee　thy　freedom。　”
And　the　Hare　answered　him，　and　said：　“Surely　thou　hast　given　me　freedom，　and　what　shall　I　give　thee　in　return？”
And　the　Star…Child　said　to　it，　“I　am　seeking　for　a　piece　of　white　gold，　nor　can　I　anywhere　find　it，　and　if　I　bring　it　not　to　my　master　he　will　beat　me。　”
“e　thou　with　me，　”　said　the　Hare，　“and　I　will　lead　thee　to　it，　for　I　know　where　it　is　hidden，　and　for　what　purpose。　”
So　the　Star…Child　went　with　the　Hare，　and　lo！　in　the　cleft　of　a　great　oak…tree　he　saw　the　piece　of　white　gold　that　he　was　seeking。　And　he　was　filled　with　joy，　and　seized　it，　and　said　to　the　Hare，　“The　service　that　I　did　to　thee　thou　hast　rendered　back　again　many　times　over，　and　the　kindness　that　I　showed　thee　thou　hast　repaid　a　hundred…fold。　”
“Nay，”　answered　the　Hare，　“but　as　thou　dealt　with　me，　so　I　did　deal　with　thee，　”　and　it　ran　away　swiftly，　and　the　Star…Child　went　towards　the　city。
Now　at　the　gate　of　the　city　there　was　seated　one　who　was　a　leper。　Over　his　face　hung　a　cowl　of　grey　linen，　and　through　the　eyelets　his　eyes　gleamed　like　red　coals。　And　when　he　saw　the　Star…Child　ing，　he　struck　upon　a　wooden　bowl，　and　clattered　his　bell，　and　called　out　to　him，　and　said，　“Give　me　a　piece　of　money，　or　I　must　die　of　hunger。　For　they　have　thrust　me　out　of　the　city，　and　there　is　no　one　who　has　pity　on　me。　”
“Alas！”　cried　the　Star…Child，　“I　have　but　one　piece　of　money　in　my　wallet，　and　if　I　bring　it　not　to　my　master　he　will　beat　me，　for　I　am　his　slave。　”
But　the　leper　entreated　him，　and　prayed　of　him，　till　the　Star…Child　had　pity，　and　gave　him　the　piece　of　white　gold。
And　when　he　came　to　the　Magician’s