Rewards and Fairies Part 18

'I know they are not; but I would sell them all--all--all for one small child of my own, smearing himself with the ashes of our own house-fire.'

He wrenched his knife from the turf, thrust it into his belt and stood up.

'And yet, what else could I have done?' he said. 'The sheep are the people.'

'It is a very old tale,' Puck answered. 'I have heard the like of it not only on the Naked Chalk, but also among the Trees--under Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.'

The afternoon shadows filled all the quiet emptiness of Norton's Pit.

The children heard the sheep bells and Young Jim's busy bark above them, and they scrambled up the slope to the level.

'We let you have your sleep out,' said Mr. Dudeney, as the flock scattered before them. 'It's making for tea-time now.'

'Look what I've found,' said Dan, and held up a little blue flint arrow-head as fresh as though it had been chipped that very day.

'Oh,' said Mr. Dudeney, 'the closeter you be to the turf the more you're apt to see things. I've found 'em often. Some says the fairies made 'em, but I says they was made by folks like ourselves--only a goodish time back. They're lucky to keep. Now, you couldn't ever have slept--not to any profit--among your father's trees same as you've laid out on Naked Chalk--could you?'

'One doesn't want to sleep in the woods,' said Una.

'Then what's the good of 'em?' said Mr. Dudeney. 'Might as well set in the barn all day. Fetch 'em 'long, Jim boy!'

The Downs, that looked so bare and hot when they came, were full of delicious little shadow-dimples; the smell of the thyme and the salt mixed together on the south-west drift from the still sea; their eyes dazzled with the low sun, and the long gra.s.s under it looked golden. The sheep knew where their fold was, so Young Jim came back to his master, and they all four strolled home, the scabious-heads swis.h.i.+ng about their ankles, and their shadows streaking behind them like the shadows of giants.

SONG OF THE MEN'S SIDE

Once we feared The Beast--when he followed us we ran, Ran very fast though we knew It was not right that The Beast should master Man; But what could we Flint-workers do?

The Beast only grinned at our spears round his ears-- Grinned at the hammers that we made; But now we will hunt him for the life with the Knife-- And this is the Buyer of the Blade!

_Room for his shadow on the gra.s.s--let it pa.s.s!

To left and right--stand clear!

This is the Buyer of the Blade--be afraid!

This is the great G.o.d Tyr!_

Tyr thought hard till he hammered out a plan, For he knew it was not right (And it _is_ not right) that The Beast should master Man; So he went to the Children of the Night.

He begged a Magic Knife of their make for our sake.

When he begged for the Knife they said: 'The price of the Knife you would buy is an eye!'

And that was the price he paid.

_Tell it to the Barrows of the Dead--run ahead!

Shout it so the Women's Side can hear!

This is the Buyer of the Blade--be afraid!

This is the great G.o.d Tyr!_

Our women and our little ones may walk on the Chalk, As far as we can see them and beyond.

We shall not be anxious for our sheep when we keep Tally at the shearing-pond.

We can eat with both our elbows on our knees, if we please, We can sleep after meals in the sun; For Shepherd of the Twilight is dismayed at the Blade, Feet-in-the-Night have run!

Dog-without-a-Master goes away (Hai, Tyr aie!), Devil-in-the-Dusk has run!

Then: _Room for his shadow on the gra.s.s--let it pa.s.s!

To left and right--stand clear!

This is the Buyer of the Blade--be afraid!

This is the great G.o.d Tyr!_

Brother Square-Toes

PHILADELPHIA

If you're off to Philadelphia in the morning, You mustn't take my stories for a guide.

There's little left indeed of the city you will read of And all the folk I write about have died.

Now few will understand if you mention Talleyrand, Or remember what his cunning and his skill did.

And the cabmen at the wharf do not know Count Zinnendorf, Nor the Church in Philadelphia he builded.

It is gone, gone, gone with lost Atlantis (Never say I didn't give you warning).

In Seventeen Ninety-three 'twas there for all to see, But it's not in Philadelphia this morning.

If you're off to Philadelphia in the morning, You mustn't go by everything I've said.

Bob Bicknell's Southern Stages have been laid aside for ages, But the Limited will take you there instead.

Toby Hirte can't be seen at One Hundred and Eighteen, North Second Street--no matter when you call; And I fear you'll search in vain for the wash-house down the lane Where Pharaoh played the fiddle at the ball.

It is gone, gone, gone with Thebes the Golden (Never say I didn't give you warning).

In Seventeen Ninety-four 'twas a famous dancing-floor-- But it's not in Philadelphia this morning.

If you're off to Philadelphia in the morning, You must telegraph for rooms at some Hotel.

You needn't try your luck at Epply's or the 'Buck,'

Though the Father of his Country liked them well.

It is not the slightest use to inquire for Adam Goos, Or to ask where Pastor Meder has removed--so You must treat as out of date the story I relate, Of the Church in Philadelphia he loved so.

He is gone, gone, gone with Martin Luther, (Never say I didn't give you warning).

In Seventeen Ninety-five he was (rest his soul!) alive.

But he's not in Philadelphia this morning.

If you're off to Philadelphia this morning, And wish to prove the truth of what I say, I pledge my word you'll find the pleasant land behind Unaltered since Red Jacket rode that way.

Still the pine-woods scent the noon; still the catbird sings his tune; Still autumn sets the maple-forest blazing.

Still the grape-vine through the dusk flings her soul-compelling musk; Still the fire-flies in the corn make night amazing.

They are there, there, there with Earth immortal (Citizens, I give you friendly warning).