2012年12月30日
16 Lives ～アイルランドからの贈り物～
知り合いの娘さんの旦那さんがアイルランド人で、1916年のイースター蜂起で処刑されたジョゼフ・プランケット一族の末裔だそうです。
さいきん、そのお母様が本を出されたということで、私のところに一冊いただきました。
＜16の命＞、16はイースター蜂起で処刑された人数。
ぶ厚いので全部読んでいませんが、ところどころ、ジョゼフの弟がダブリンからアランまで自転車旅行した下りや（あ、そこ私も通った！ とか）、兄弟そろってアーティスト肌で、小さい時から劇を演じたりしていたこと（裏表紙写真）、アイリッシュ・シアター設立のくだりなどは興味深いです。（そもそも、私が劇団をつくったのはイェイツの足跡に倣ってのことですからね。）
以下、ちょっとだけ訳してみました。
（なぜいきなり１１章からかっていうと、適当にぱっと開いたらそこだったから。）
ざっとした訳ですが雰囲気は伝わると思う。モノクロフィルムのドキュメンタリーを見るようなつもりでどうぞ。
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
16 lives -Joseph Plunkett- by Honor O Brolchain, O'Brien
第１１章（途中まで）
＜あらすじ＞
時は第一次大戦前夜。長年英国の圧政に苦しんできたアイルランドは、混乱に乗じて英国からの独立を果たそうと機を伺っている。中心人物のひとりであるプランケットは、身体の不調をおして＜アイリッシュ・レビュー＞の刊行をつづけ、義勇軍の働きを鼓舞しようとがんばる。
1914年7-12月
言葉、行動、そして戦争
プランケットは田舎の新鮮な空気に触れる必要を感じていた、しかしダブリンを離れたくはなかった。義勇軍の会合に参加しなくてはと思っていたからだ。そこで彼とゲリーは母親に、キマッジのラークフィールドにある別荘のひとつに滞在する許可を求めた。そこは当時まだ充分田舎だったからで、彼らはひと月かふた月を希望し、母親は承諾した。
家政婦のマリーとともに彼らは空いていたコテッジに移り住んだ。ゲリーによれば、快適とは言い難いし、庭もないということだった。しかし母親は、コテッジのすべてにバスルームをあつらえていた。低賃金労働者向けの住まいとしては、たいへん珍しい贅沢品だった。
さいしょゲリーはアールズフォートにあった大学に研究のため毎日通っていたが、ジョーは会合に出るほかはだいたいひきこもっていた。
そこに滞在したあいだに出血をおこして、ひどく具合が悪かった。そこで夜のあいだもいてくれる看護婦が必要となり、動けるようになるまでずっとそこにいなければならなかった。銃がホースへ運ばれたときも、彼は相変わらず缶詰になっていた。
アイルランド義勇軍の数は１０万から１５万くらいということになっていたが、金は足りなかったし、武器はさらに足りなかった。それは国軍という名目だったから、ゲリーはジョーに、武器のことはどうするのかと聞いたが、彼はただくすくす笑って、何とかなるだろうと答えた。
7月26日日曜、ホースへの武器輸送の日、彼らはラークフィールドにいた。ジョーは熱に浮かれて、一日中知らせを待っていた。ようやくテオ・マクウィーニーが、ダブリンから駆けどおしに駆けてキマッジへやってきた。
彼はオコンネル・ストリートで、バチェラーズ・ウォークで発砲された銃撃を聞いた。また、オコンネル・ブリッジで泣き叫ぶ女の声を聞き、死亡者も見た。彼は人々が、義勇軍が銃撃を受け、ライフルが英国軍によって差し押さえられたと言っているのを聞いた。
ジョーはひどく落胆しまた動転したが、あまりに具合が悪くて自分の目で見に行くこともできなかった。
数時間後、マクドナーが正確な数字を携えて到着した。
アスガードは900丁のライフルと29,000の弾薬を積んでホースに入港した。これはアリス・ストップフォード・グリーン、ロジャー・ケースメント、アースキン・チルダース、メアリ・スプリング・ライスおよびバークレイ船長の記録による。ダレル・フォジスがアントワープで銃を買い、アースキンとモリー・チルダースがそれらをホースへ運んだ。そこでほとんどをIRB、義勇軍、フィアナのメンバーが半時間のうちに隊列を組んで運び去った。残りの弾薬なしの銃は義勇軍が携えてダブリンへ凱旋した。
英国政府にしたら、4月のアルスター義勇軍ラーンのときの武器搬送、あるいはカーソンのケイサーとの「ランチ」のときにさんざんへまをやっていたから、今回義勇軍の逮捕と武器の差し押さえをやりそこなうわけにいかなかった。しかしながら警視総監補佐のハレルは、上からの指示なしに、軍と警察に彼らをとめるよう命じた。警察は動くことを拒否し、英国軍からの挑発と攻撃ののちに、マクドナーがハレルと交渉しているあいだに、ライフルをもった義勇軍は後ろの方からこっそり滑り出ていった。
王立スコットランド国境軍の兵士たちはことの全てに腹を立てて、町へ戻ってきた。ニュースはまたたくまに広まった。ホースを去ってから、義勇軍は道々歓呼の声をあげ、群衆は彼らに従ってきた。
英国軍が義勇軍を攻撃し殺害したという噂が広まり、群集は彼らに罵声を浴びせ、石やバナナの皮を投げた。バチェラーズ・ウォークではスコットランド国境軍が警告なしに民衆を攻撃し、ジェームズ・ブレナン、パトリック・クイン、デュフィ夫人が犠牲となったほか、３０人以上が負傷した。これらのいずれにも義勇軍はかかわっていなかった。
翌日、マクドナーとプランケットは義勇軍の運転するタクシーでライフルを町中の隠し場所から回収しに行った。彼らはしばしばGメン（ダブリン都市警察のG分隊の捜査官）やスパイにつけられ、ライフルを積んでラークフィールドへ向かうある地点で尾行を振りきれず、再びフィッツウィリアム・ストリートにあるプランケットの家に一晩保管せざるをえなくなった。武器はその翌日また運び去られたが、フィッツウィリアム・ストリートの住人たちにとってその騒ぎは寝耳に水だったに違いない。
マクドナーからジョゼフ・プランケットあて
1914年7月28日、オークリー通り29
今朝は会えなくてすまなかった。ひたすら眠りに眠っていた。明日は会えると思う。
うちの連中のほとんど、私のきく限りではひとりを除いて全員が、死守していたライフルをやってきた車に積み込んで手放してしまったという。君がまだいくらか持っているなら、うちの連中こそそれにふさわしいと断言できる。ホルムズやほかの人間も満足させられるだろう・・・
幸運を。明日5時の葬式には来るね？
5時、べドフォード・プレイス、マクド
バチェラーズ・ウォークの銃撃の犠牲者たちのために公式の葬式があった。大々的な、政治的なもので、民衆が道沿いに並び、義勇軍が隊列を組んで棺に従い、墓地では一斉射撃が行われた。兵士たちは兵舎に閉じ込められていた。歌とスローガンが一夜にしてできあがった。世界中のアイリッシュが、武器輸送の禁止を無効とする決議を通したジョン・レドモンドとアイリッシュ党に共感と憤りを表明した電報を打った。
8月1日、ホースへの武器輸送の1週間後、600丁のライフルと2万砲の弾薬がコターからウィックロウ州キルクールに届いた。ウェールズ沿岸からコナー・オブライエンのヨットで運ばれ、ジェームズ・クリード・メレディスの航行するサー・トマス・マイルのヨットに積み移されてきた。
プランケットはマクドナーに、＜アイリッシュ・レビュー＞で公表する輸送武器の数字を聞き、それが7・8月号の記事となった。
ジェラルディン・プランケット・ディロンより。
武器輸送からこのかた、あえて会合に出ようとするつわものはほとんどいなくなってしまい、ジョーはひどく憂えていた。正しきと誤りと、義勇軍内部での論争をめぐり、長い時間が費やされ、夏が過ぎていった。あらゆる論議の果てに、結論は、アイルランドは己の名誉を取り戻さなくてはならないということだった。アイルランドの精神的また物質的必要は強い行動を求め、そして「イングランドの困難はアイルランドのチャンスである」。フェビアン以来このかた、イギリスの支配に対する武力闘争はなかった。近づきつつあるドイツとの戦争が、我々にとってのチャンスとなるだろう。
いまや＜レビュー＞は財政的にあえいでおり、詩人のふりをしたスパイたちがマルバラ通り17番地に、またラークフィールドに連絡してきた。ジョーはもてる力をすべて義勇軍の活動に注いでいたが、病みがちで、精根尽き果てることがますます多くなっていた。
雑誌がどんどん政治的になっていたから、検閲され、発禁処分にされて潰されるのは時間の問題だと分かっていた。それが英国政府のやり方となっていたからだ。
マクドナーも同じほど献身的で、情熱を注いでいた。じっさい彼はジョーよりも長く雑誌に携わっていた、しかし同時に彼には雑誌に関して独自の考え方があり、また愛する妻ミリエルと赤ん坊ドナー、大学の教壇、また義勇軍があった。
この増刊号は＜レビュー＞の最後から2番目の号となった。
＜アイリッシュ・レビュー＞1914年7・8月号
画・カシミール・ダニン・マルキェヴィッチの作品より、記事・「クロンターフ1914（武器輸送の年）」トマス・マクドナー、「アイルランド義勇軍マニフェスト」「工業の問題に関する考察」ハリー・レジナルド・キング、「医師」ウィニフレッド・レッツによる詩、「郵便局、銀行を救う：もうひとつの計画」ジャスティン・フィリップス、「嵐のあと」ダニエル・コーカリー、「コイル/森」パトリック・ピアス、「アイルランドの教育における理想」プロインシアス・エアミース、文筆作品・「岐路に立つ青年たち」R.B.アンダーソン、「残虐なる殺戮」ジェーンミッチェル、「地方自治とフランス」ジャン・マリエ、ピーター・マクブライエンとトマス・マクドナーによる批評、それぞれ「文学の贈り物」と「新詞華集」。
8月4日、英国はドイツに宣戦布告した。
同日、レドモンドは下院で、英国以外の侵略に対する自衛権をアイルランドに与えた。多くの者が、彼は状況をうまく利用して自治権を拡大しようとしていると考えた。しかし、プランケット、ピアスそしてマクダマダは、それは実質的に義勇軍を英国軍に引き渡すことであり背信行為であると考えた。やがてそのことは明白になり、彼らはレドモンドと袂を分かつこととなった。アイルランド人が群れをなして加わり、やがて数月のうちに死傷者リストにアイルランド人の名前がどっと現れた。分離主義者たちは、署名しないと支持していないことになるというプレッシャーのもとに置かれた。彼らはみんな、身内や友だちの誰かしらを戦線に送っており、家族や地域内で別れ別れになっていたが、みんな戦争のもたらす死と破壊の痛みを経験していた。
プランケットは国内外のあらゆる演説を読んで、現況を分析していたが、彼の考えではこの戦争はアイリッシュ党の言うように3ヶ月ではなく、少なくとも3年は続きそうだった。少なくとも30万人が加わり、彼はゲリーに、自分と同じ国内外の新聞を読ませては、その要約をつくらせた。そのすべてが彼にとっては大問題だった。列強間の紛争のためではなくアイルランドの独立のために、人々は結束を固めていった。
9月には何千丁ものライフルがレドモンドによって、義勇軍を武装し訓練するためダブリンへ届けられた。だがプランケットはそれらを見て全く使い物にならないと言った、というのは1849年式の銃身の曲がったガリバルディ銃に、弾薬はなし、というありさまだった。
ジェラルディン・プランケット・ディロン：
ラークフィールドの9月の晴れた朝、私は5時に目を覚まして、6千人が野天でひそひそ喋っている変な音を耳にした。彼らは製粉所の敷地に集まって、ダブリン山地で行なう行進と演習に備えていた。トマスが１部隊を率い、ピアスが別の部隊を率いた。彼らはまったくの寄せ集めで、モーニングのコートに縞ズボンの者、軍服を着た者、ぼろをまとった者など。ほとんど、あるいは全く訓練を受けたことのない者も多かったから、最善を尽くしたにせよ訓練は困難を極めた。アンディ・クラーキンが馬を放牧していた草地も訓練に使われ、馬は騎馬隊に使われた。英国軍のリクルーターもいた。ジョーは私に、彼らが当局に採用されたくて義勇軍に入ろうとしているのを知って驚いたと言った。リクルーターの取り分はふつうひとりにつき2シリング6ペンスだが、私の知っているある人はひとりにつき1ポンド取っていた。
兄にあてたこの手紙でジョージ・プランケットは、自転車旅行でダブリンからキルコック、キネガド、アスローン、アトゥンリィ、オラモアを経てゴールウェイ、スピダル、そしてピアスのコテッジがあったロスマックまで行ったことを綴っている。彼らは（ほかに誰がいたかは書いてない）ロスマックからコリブ湖をめぐり、コングを経てアランまで行った。
1914年8月17日、コネマラ
親愛なるジョゼフ
手紙と中身、受け取った。困っていたところだった。
出発してこの方、すばらしい時を過ごしている。ピアスのもっているおんぼろボートを湖に浮かべ（我々は岸からすぐのところにテントを張っている）、タールを塗って少し補修し、それに乗りこんで出掛けた。それ以降ずっとそのボートを使っている。
ＰＳ、金を少し送ってくれ。現況困難ナリ！
可能な限り早く戻る。ピアスは水曜に発った。ローギアで丘を登っていたらギアがいかれてしまった。ペダーソンのはだめだな。店に電話して、新しいのを送るよう頼んでくれないか。
みんなによろしく。エイマーによろしく伝えてくれ。
エイマー・オデュフィは劇作家、小説家で、当時ジョーとゲリーといっしょにラークフィールドに滞在していた。英国軍に入るのを拒んだら勘当されてしまったのだ。そこで彼はＩＲＢと義勇軍に入った。
9月はじめ、ジョン・レドモンドは、英国首相のハーバート・アスクウィスに会うと宣言した。ダブリン領事館で徴兵会議が予定されていたのだが、ＩＲＢと市民軍がそれを阻止して領事館を占拠しようと企てていた。
プランケットはその作戦会議ではじめてジェームズ・コノリーときちんと話し、たいへんに興奮して帰ってきて、ゲリーに、彼は今まで会った中で最高に偉大で知的な人間だと語った。
英国軍は妨害計画を嗅ぎつけ、ＩＲＢと市民軍がやってくる前にドーソン・ストリートに張りこんだので、彼らは領事館に近づくことができなかった。
プランケットは激怒したが、仕方がないので奇妙な冗談で気を紛らわすことにした。
彼は封筒に「ハーバート・ヘンリー・アスクウィス様」と書いたのを弟のジョージに渡し、彼はそれを持って「アスクウィス様へお手紙！ アスクウィス様へお手紙！」と叫びながら通りを進んでいった。兵士や歩哨たちがみんな道を開け、領事館の門も開けられたところへ彼はそれを手渡した。そこにはG.K.チェスタトンからの引用で「君がとても美しいので心動かされずにはいられない」とあり、「小さなスノウドロップより」と署名がしてあった！
そのときからこのかた、彼はコミッティーの残りのメンバーとともに、レドモンドが「一線を超える」のを俟って英国と正面対決する心積もりを固めることになった。
8月に、義勇軍の軍服委員会は、コーク州ダグラス・ミルズのメッサー・モロー商会が特別な織機をもっていて、彼らが送ったサンプルともマッチしたので、最初の注文がモローへ発注されたとの報告を送ってきた。モロー商会はそれからの実に数十年に渡り軍服の製造を手掛けることになった。上官とそれ以外との区別は設けられなかった。階級は一時的なものにすぎなかったからだ。すべてのアイテムはアイルランドで製造された。報告書はユーイン・マクネイルとロレンス・ケトルの署名だった。プランケットはこの委員会のメンバーだったから、ケトルから手紙を受け取ったのはそのせいだったかもしれない。
「・・・義勇軍専用の自動車会社の設立と管理を、君に委任する。君に、だれでもふさわしいと思える人間を配置し、報告書を出させる権限を託す。」
9月20日、レドモンドは一線を超えた。ウドゥンブリッジでの閲兵式で、彼は、義勇軍は英国軍のメンバーとなって戦うべきだと言った。そこにいた義勇兵のひとりはプランケットに、彼は「すぐに行け！」、彼らは恥さらしなのだから、と叫んだ、と語った。しかしそれは新聞で報道された模様とは違った。プランケットは、いよいよ来たぞ、これ以上レドモンドと一緒に働くのは無理だ、と思った。
彼は再び調子を崩しており、ＩＲＢのメンバーが次に何が起こるのか、またマニフェストにはどう書くべきかを相談しに、ラークフィールドまでやってきた。数日後、元レドモンド義勇軍のコミッティーが、彼らの立ち位置を再定義したマニフェストを渡しに来た。新聞の検閲がひどくなっていたが、プランケットはそれを9月・10月の＜アイリッシュ・レビュー＞に載せた。
マニフェストは、レドモンド氏はアイルランド義勇軍組織においてもう何のポジションも占めていないとし、1914年11月25日、義勇軍の総会を開く旨発表した。彼らは「アルスターは弾圧されえない」という名目のもとに「アルスターのナショナリスト」を公然と弾圧しようとしている現政府のやり方に抗議し、アイルランドは、「それ自身の独立政府の自由な行動によってしか、名誉と安全をもって外国との紛争に係わることはできない」とした。そして、ダブリン城と英国軍当局を通じた現在の統治のあり方が廃止され、独立政府が打ち立てられることを要求した。
（訳：中島迂生）
＊ジョージ・プランケットが自転車旅行したゴールウェイ、スピダル、コリブ湖、コネマラ、そしてアランについて、中島迂生も文筆作品とスケッチを当ブログに載せています。こちらもぜひ！
http://ballylee.tsukuba.ch/c6980.html
http://ballylee.tsukuba.ch/c7343.html
2012年12月27日
The Guardian in Corrofin
The Guardian in Corrofin
by Ussay Nakajima
Corrofin, no doubt she is one of the most beautiful lands in the world. One of the most mysterious land at the same time.
Corrofin, Co. Clare, 10 miles from Capital Ennis up the R. Fergus. A lovely little settlement with loving people.
They've got a magical lake here. R. Fergus rests a while to fill the lake and then flows out to run down toward Ennis.
The lake...Lough Inchquin, woody hills lie behind her and an old castle ruin left beside. And two little isles you could find on the surface of the water.
Swans, lotus, rush in the violet water...
Everything you see there would remind you of jewels. The lakes of sapphire, meadows of emerald, sky of turquoise and lapis lazuli, the starry nights adorned with diamonds...
It would take your breath away, its unworldly beauty. You could never forget once you see it with your own eyes.
...Once upon a time, a beautiful maiden was, a loving city was sunk deep in the lake. Eversince they got promised the everlasting peace and affluence, at the sacrifice they paid.
Thousands of thousands of years ago...
It was not we see now, no, never. It was just a barren, dismal valley where goes over the dusty winds. No woods, no meadow, not a living thing around.
R. Fergus had not run there yet. No lights, no colours... even the sky, here it got all covered with dark clouds.
Who ever wished to live and settle, at the bottom of this valley? ...but they did!...
Indeed, they the clan had lived there longsince for generations and generations.
Actually the valley produced every kind of jewels, so fine, so beautiful, far beyond all imagination. There they dug cut out the jewels, polish and made them into finest accessories mounted with gold and silver. They were brought out to all over Ireland, even to oversea, carried by the traders.
Humans couldn't live healthy in this valley. Water wasn't good, all too bold and barren, damp and humid in summer. Plagues spread and many skilled craftsmen died young.
Still they loved the city and made her beautiful, at the bottom of the valley, built her up so splendid generation after generation. Cream of cream was the castle, graceful as swan.
You'll see the two little lakes on the lake Inchquin now, which used to be two hills once upon a time and the castle was located between them. "Corrofin" must have meant "between the two hills".
Once upon a time the old king who reigned the city had a beautiful only daughter named Meads. All the princes and the suns of noble men used to come from all over Ireland to ask her marriage. But she had chosen Londenant the chief of chevaliers serving the castle.
It was the summer to remember that a huge plague was out in town, and quite a number of people died. The old king was deep in sorrow and worrying.
There arrived a wayfarer, ragged old man in a long cape. Folks in Corrofin used to treat the travelers with respect, so they took the old man to the court and invited to the royal dinner.
He was all dusty and tired yet had kind of dignity. He came into the magnificent castle hall with his head up. He straightened his back and looked over the people when seated.
When his eyes met those of Princess Meads, she suddenly got upset and then looked down. But nobody noticed that queer moment.
The old king introduced the wayfarer to the people and said,
"It's my pleasure to have him at our dinner. We all love to listen to him talk about things you have seen and what it's like in distant lands."
So the wayfarer talked over dinner and people listened. After hours of all his unusual and exotic tales about the lands he traveled, he then referred to here, Corrofin.
"I know that you have suffered from the plagues every summer, and that have lost many of you. I'll tell you why. That's because you're keeping digging those beautiful jewels out of heart of this land, humiliating the earth, and then committing sins toward her."
The old king got so shocked and said,
"We've never thought like that. We're working honestly, with our pride, and yet tolerating all these desperate situation without complaining."
"I know that you're feeling like that. You're committing sins with ignorance. I came to tell you that. I came also to tell you how to soothe the earth you've hurt so long, and to save yourself."
Then people got all silent at his words.
"I'll tell you now. But Meads the beautiful maid, you better leave for a moment."
Then the king protested, "I've never excluded her with any important matters."
Before the wayfarer answers, Meads stood up quickly and said, "Father, I'll do as he said."
When Meads went out, the wayfarer talked again.
"R. Fergus, her flow has a enough power to enrich this land. When she flows, Corrofin would become the richest and the most beautiful, no compare with any other lands I have ever traveled. Waters of Sapphire will glitter among the green hills, the earth will produce plenty of fruits, you'll never be short of nothing any more. Could you ever imagine it.
R. Fergus has got the wrong course now. You have to cut a canal to take her to the right course. It would come right through this very city. And a lake must be built in this valley.
You have to soothe the earth that you have mistreated, giving your beautiful city away, together with your beautiful maiden."
Then Londenant turned pale and dropped his cup.
The old king kept silent, staring at the wayfarer.
"When you cut the course up and guided the water here, then you have to leave everything under the lake, the jewels, rows of streets, the castle and all. And leave the most beautiful and innocent maiden in the city. Meads the noble, if she wished it herself, then she will offer herself.
Then you leave for a thousand years, wandering the wilderness in a misery. And you have to tell the story to your children and grand children all the while.
This is what it takes, yet I'll never force you to. You consider well and decide what to do."
No one said nothing after he finished talking.
Late at night Meads the noble secretly came to the king at his chambre and said,
"Forgive me to meet you such late. Yet I came to convince you if I could.
Actually I have heard the wayfarer telling from behind the wall. So I know the whole story.
I can tell that he is a fairy sent by gods. When we first met, I saw in his eyes the things I never even imagined.
It was a land beautiful more than ever known. Sapphire-blue water surrounded by fresh green forests and meadows, flower blossom, and sheep. And I knew that it was that, here, Coroffin thousand years from now.
Summer after summer I have seen people die from plague and I could not stand no more. Now I know I could be the only one to end this all up, then why not I shall take it? He tells the truth. I saw it by myself.
Please, father, accept his words and cut a canal for River Fergus."
So convinced was the way she spoke that the king had nothing to say anymore.
He withdrew in his chambre but did not sleep till dawn.
The next morning people found the wayfarer already gone. They never saw him again.
Since then Princess Meads kept trying to persuade the king to do as the wayfarer told. While Londenant was so shocked and appalled that now he could hardly get out of his chambre.
"You are so convinced about what to do, my little daughter," The king said sadly.
"I feel rather sorry for Londenant. He would take your cross on his own shoulder with great pleasure, only if he could. Nay, I would. And all the citizen in Corrofin, those noble and gentle people, I bet. Mighty heavens!... Never thou, the apple in my eye, the flower of the city!..."
As the days go by, the plague still went spread and people kept dying.
They whispered at the street in shock. They had their pride and affection in their works and labours. Now their consciences were confused and embarrassed that their hands got no strength any more. They shook their heads sighing, in their pits and ateliers. Glitter of the jewels, they now looked all coursed. Deep sorrow covered the city.
Then the canal was begun to cut at last. But the construction didn't go easy, as they sighed all the time as they dug out.
Seasons turned around and summer came again, when the canal was completed one evening and there was only a sluice separating the city from the water.
That night the old king invited all his people to the royal dinner. Tables were prepared even in the courtyard.
There the king praised the gods and prayed them for the strength they needed.
Everyone shed tears for Meads the noble and for their doom ahead of them.
They left the city in the dawn still crying, leaving all the valuables and the desirables behind, together with Princess Meads the dearest locked in the castle.
We cried by the River Fergus, singing to the harp out the tree,
Songs of sorrow for what we lost, songs to look to what we will have,
Songs to tell our children of children, children of grandchildren.
There they wandered in the wilderness for a thousand years.
Then the old king was gone, so was Londenant, with all the people in the generation, while River Fergus little by little enriched and fertilized the land once all rocks and crags.
Finally they came back at the end of millennium. They didn't know what was once like in Corrofin, the story about the noble princess and the valley of jewels they just heard it as a vague legend in mist of time.
But when they got back and saw it with their own eyes, they must be shocked by its unearthly beauty and convinced that this must be no doubt what was promised once upon a time by gods.
Then they built a humble village by Lough Inchquin, now lying on where the ancient city used to be.
No more cutting out the jewels, no more fine works and crafts, they now instead cut the hey for cows and cultivate the lands with ploughs.
But they never have plague again, never die young anymore. They now have jewels all around them, The lakes of sapphire, meadows of emerald, sky of turquoise and lapis lazuli, the starry nights adorned with diamonds... all around on earth and at the sky.
Noble and gentle people they are, as they have been so ever.
***
She didn't remember nothing after that.
All she saw was deep, dim green all around her when she came back to herself.
It felt like just a blink of moment, but at the same time, it also felt like a long, long time had passed since.
She didn't remember who she was, nor what she meant to do. Just remembered that she had to stay there for a thousand years for some important reason.
She sat up and looked around to find that algae had grown deep where it used be the marble hall of the castle.
She found that now she was in the deep green water and then breathing easy.
She had become a mermaid with scales and fins glittering silver.
"A thousand years... has it passed yet?"
She murmured to herself. She swam to the castle gate and reached out for the lock.
It just fell to pieces as her fingers touched.
Then all the creatures in River Fergus, fish, watersnakes, they came gathered around her and praised her, the princess of Corrofin. We'll be your people from now on, we'll be your loyal friends who will never desert you, just as your people in the city once used to be...
Legend tells us that Meads the noble, once sunk deep in the lake, she's still watching for the people in Corrofin.
Whenever the local fishermen slip and fall, or children get drowned, without fail she'll come right away to rescue them, send them in her arms back at the bank.
But careful, should you be such a daredevil to raise a plot to dive deep for the forsaken jewels to redemption... See, you'll never be back ever again, no forgiving to such a blasphemy...
...Once upon a time, a beautiful maiden was, a loving city was sunk deep in the lake. Eversince they got promised the everlasting peace and affluence, at the sacrifice they paid...
Text, Pictures by Ussay Nakajima
See more pictures of Corrofin: http://ballylee.tsukuba.ch/e103728.html
Guardian in Corrofin: Japanese; http://ballylee.tsukuba.ch/c3531.html
Photos from Guardian in Corrofin staged by Ballylee Theatre Society, December 2011, Tsukuba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqvwCvRuDF4&feature=share&list=ULNqvwCvRuDF4
by Ussay Nakajima
Corrofin, no doubt she is one of the most beautiful lands in the world. One of the most mysterious land at the same time.
Corrofin, Co. Clare, 10 miles from Capital Ennis up the R. Fergus. A lovely little settlement with loving people.
They've got a magical lake here. R. Fergus rests a while to fill the lake and then flows out to run down toward Ennis.
The lake...Lough Inchquin, woody hills lie behind her and an old castle ruin left beside. And two little isles you could find on the surface of the water.
Swans, lotus, rush in the violet water...
Everything you see there would remind you of jewels. The lakes of sapphire, meadows of emerald, sky of turquoise and lapis lazuli, the starry nights adorned with diamonds...
It would take your breath away, its unworldly beauty. You could never forget once you see it with your own eyes.
...Once upon a time, a beautiful maiden was, a loving city was sunk deep in the lake. Eversince they got promised the everlasting peace and affluence, at the sacrifice they paid.
Thousands of thousands of years ago...
It was not we see now, no, never. It was just a barren, dismal valley where goes over the dusty winds. No woods, no meadow, not a living thing around.
R. Fergus had not run there yet. No lights, no colours... even the sky, here it got all covered with dark clouds.
Who ever wished to live and settle, at the bottom of this valley? ...but they did!...
Indeed, they the clan had lived there longsince for generations and generations.
Actually the valley produced every kind of jewels, so fine, so beautiful, far beyond all imagination. There they dug cut out the jewels, polish and made them into finest accessories mounted with gold and silver. They were brought out to all over Ireland, even to oversea, carried by the traders.
Humans couldn't live healthy in this valley. Water wasn't good, all too bold and barren, damp and humid in summer. Plagues spread and many skilled craftsmen died young.
Still they loved the city and made her beautiful, at the bottom of the valley, built her up so splendid generation after generation. Cream of cream was the castle, graceful as swan.
You'll see the two little lakes on the lake Inchquin now, which used to be two hills once upon a time and the castle was located between them. "Corrofin" must have meant "between the two hills".
Once upon a time the old king who reigned the city had a beautiful only daughter named Meads. All the princes and the suns of noble men used to come from all over Ireland to ask her marriage. But she had chosen Londenant the chief of chevaliers serving the castle.
It was the summer to remember that a huge plague was out in town, and quite a number of people died. The old king was deep in sorrow and worrying.
There arrived a wayfarer, ragged old man in a long cape. Folks in Corrofin used to treat the travelers with respect, so they took the old man to the court and invited to the royal dinner.
He was all dusty and tired yet had kind of dignity. He came into the magnificent castle hall with his head up. He straightened his back and looked over the people when seated.
When his eyes met those of Princess Meads, she suddenly got upset and then looked down. But nobody noticed that queer moment.
The old king introduced the wayfarer to the people and said,
"It's my pleasure to have him at our dinner. We all love to listen to him talk about things you have seen and what it's like in distant lands."
So the wayfarer talked over dinner and people listened. After hours of all his unusual and exotic tales about the lands he traveled, he then referred to here, Corrofin.
"I know that you have suffered from the plagues every summer, and that have lost many of you. I'll tell you why. That's because you're keeping digging those beautiful jewels out of heart of this land, humiliating the earth, and then committing sins toward her."
The old king got so shocked and said,
"We've never thought like that. We're working honestly, with our pride, and yet tolerating all these desperate situation without complaining."
"I know that you're feeling like that. You're committing sins with ignorance. I came to tell you that. I came also to tell you how to soothe the earth you've hurt so long, and to save yourself."
Then people got all silent at his words.
"I'll tell you now. But Meads the beautiful maid, you better leave for a moment."
Then the king protested, "I've never excluded her with any important matters."
Before the wayfarer answers, Meads stood up quickly and said, "Father, I'll do as he said."
When Meads went out, the wayfarer talked again.
"R. Fergus, her flow has a enough power to enrich this land. When she flows, Corrofin would become the richest and the most beautiful, no compare with any other lands I have ever traveled. Waters of Sapphire will glitter among the green hills, the earth will produce plenty of fruits, you'll never be short of nothing any more. Could you ever imagine it.
R. Fergus has got the wrong course now. You have to cut a canal to take her to the right course. It would come right through this very city. And a lake must be built in this valley.
You have to soothe the earth that you have mistreated, giving your beautiful city away, together with your beautiful maiden."
Then Londenant turned pale and dropped his cup.
The old king kept silent, staring at the wayfarer.
"When you cut the course up and guided the water here, then you have to leave everything under the lake, the jewels, rows of streets, the castle and all. And leave the most beautiful and innocent maiden in the city. Meads the noble, if she wished it herself, then she will offer herself.
Then you leave for a thousand years, wandering the wilderness in a misery. And you have to tell the story to your children and grand children all the while.
This is what it takes, yet I'll never force you to. You consider well and decide what to do."
No one said nothing after he finished talking.
Late at night Meads the noble secretly came to the king at his chambre and said,
"Forgive me to meet you such late. Yet I came to convince you if I could.
Actually I have heard the wayfarer telling from behind the wall. So I know the whole story.
I can tell that he is a fairy sent by gods. When we first met, I saw in his eyes the things I never even imagined.
It was a land beautiful more than ever known. Sapphire-blue water surrounded by fresh green forests and meadows, flower blossom, and sheep. And I knew that it was that, here, Coroffin thousand years from now.
Summer after summer I have seen people die from plague and I could not stand no more. Now I know I could be the only one to end this all up, then why not I shall take it? He tells the truth. I saw it by myself.
Please, father, accept his words and cut a canal for River Fergus."
So convinced was the way she spoke that the king had nothing to say anymore.
He withdrew in his chambre but did not sleep till dawn.
The next morning people found the wayfarer already gone. They never saw him again.
Since then Princess Meads kept trying to persuade the king to do as the wayfarer told. While Londenant was so shocked and appalled that now he could hardly get out of his chambre.
"You are so convinced about what to do, my little daughter," The king said sadly.
"I feel rather sorry for Londenant. He would take your cross on his own shoulder with great pleasure, only if he could. Nay, I would. And all the citizen in Corrofin, those noble and gentle people, I bet. Mighty heavens!... Never thou, the apple in my eye, the flower of the city!..."
As the days go by, the plague still went spread and people kept dying.
They whispered at the street in shock. They had their pride and affection in their works and labours. Now their consciences were confused and embarrassed that their hands got no strength any more. They shook their heads sighing, in their pits and ateliers. Glitter of the jewels, they now looked all coursed. Deep sorrow covered the city.
Then the canal was begun to cut at last. But the construction didn't go easy, as they sighed all the time as they dug out.
Seasons turned around and summer came again, when the canal was completed one evening and there was only a sluice separating the city from the water.
That night the old king invited all his people to the royal dinner. Tables were prepared even in the courtyard.
There the king praised the gods and prayed them for the strength they needed.
Everyone shed tears for Meads the noble and for their doom ahead of them.
They left the city in the dawn still crying, leaving all the valuables and the desirables behind, together with Princess Meads the dearest locked in the castle.
We cried by the River Fergus, singing to the harp out the tree,
Songs of sorrow for what we lost, songs to look to what we will have,
Songs to tell our children of children, children of grandchildren.
There they wandered in the wilderness for a thousand years.
Then the old king was gone, so was Londenant, with all the people in the generation, while River Fergus little by little enriched and fertilized the land once all rocks and crags.
Finally they came back at the end of millennium. They didn't know what was once like in Corrofin, the story about the noble princess and the valley of jewels they just heard it as a vague legend in mist of time.
But when they got back and saw it with their own eyes, they must be shocked by its unearthly beauty and convinced that this must be no doubt what was promised once upon a time by gods.
Then they built a humble village by Lough Inchquin, now lying on where the ancient city used to be.
No more cutting out the jewels, no more fine works and crafts, they now instead cut the hey for cows and cultivate the lands with ploughs.
But they never have plague again, never die young anymore. They now have jewels all around them, The lakes of sapphire, meadows of emerald, sky of turquoise and lapis lazuli, the starry nights adorned with diamonds... all around on earth and at the sky.
Noble and gentle people they are, as they have been so ever.
***
She didn't remember nothing after that.
All she saw was deep, dim green all around her when she came back to herself.
It felt like just a blink of moment, but at the same time, it also felt like a long, long time had passed since.
She didn't remember who she was, nor what she meant to do. Just remembered that she had to stay there for a thousand years for some important reason.
She sat up and looked around to find that algae had grown deep where it used be the marble hall of the castle.
She found that now she was in the deep green water and then breathing easy.
She had become a mermaid with scales and fins glittering silver.
"A thousand years... has it passed yet?"
She murmured to herself. She swam to the castle gate and reached out for the lock.
It just fell to pieces as her fingers touched.
Then all the creatures in River Fergus, fish, watersnakes, they came gathered around her and praised her, the princess of Corrofin. We'll be your people from now on, we'll be your loyal friends who will never desert you, just as your people in the city once used to be...
Legend tells us that Meads the noble, once sunk deep in the lake, she's still watching for the people in Corrofin.
Whenever the local fishermen slip and fall, or children get drowned, without fail she'll come right away to rescue them, send them in her arms back at the bank.
But careful, should you be such a daredevil to raise a plot to dive deep for the forsaken jewels to redemption... See, you'll never be back ever again, no forgiving to such a blasphemy...
...Once upon a time, a beautiful maiden was, a loving city was sunk deep in the lake. Eversince they got promised the everlasting peace and affluence, at the sacrifice they paid...
Text, Pictures by Ussay Nakajima
See more pictures of Corrofin: http://ballylee.tsukuba.ch/e103728.html
Guardian in Corrofin: Japanese; http://ballylee.tsukuba.ch/c3531.html
Photos from Guardian in Corrofin staged by Ballylee Theatre Society, December 2011, Tsukuba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqvwCvRuDF4&feature=share&list=ULNqvwCvRuDF4
