The Divine Forges
The Divine Forges
|
|
The Divine Forges |
The skies to the west beyond the seas were not built of flushed
clouds, but of transparent flame. These flames rose in solemn
stillness above a vast forge, whose anvil was the shining breast
of the sea. Three great Spirits stood by it, and one lifted a
soul out of the deep shadow that was below; and one with his hands
forged the soul of its dross and welded it anew; and the third
breathed upon it, so that it was winged and beautiful. Suddenly
the glory-cloud waned, and I saw the multitude of the stars. Each
star was the gate of a long, shining road. Many - a countless
number - travelled these roads. Far off I saw white walls, built
of the pale gold and ivory of sunrise. There again I saw three
Spirits, standing and waiting. So these, I thought, were not the
walls of Heaven, but the Divine Forges. That was my dream. When
I awaked, the curlews were crying under the stars. When I reached the shadowy glebe, behind the manse by the sea,
I saw the preacher walking there by himself, and doubtless praying.
I told him that I had seen the Divine Forges, and twice; and in
crude, childish words told how I had seen them. »It was not a dream«, he said. I know now what he meant.
... AT LEAST I dreamed, and thus:
Fiona MacLoud
(= William Sharp, 1855-1905)
Iona
| Celtica | CeltoSlavica Home |
