Unfold Your Wings and Watch Life Take Off

Part 4 - Your Rewards

The Vow Of Love

Patrick is sitting contemplating the swan. The reflections of her long, elegant neck and white body in the lake's still water captivate him. As Patrick watches, the swan glides into the centre of the lake and floats motionless watching, not even the tiniest ripple emanating from her body.

Patrick turns once again to his decision to escape. He wonders how he will tell the children. As he observes the swan a presence descends. The lake seems more real than ever. Then he hears a sweet melody drift across the lake. It is the voice of a young boy singing.

"I am a stag: of seven tines,
I am a flood: across a plain,
I am a wind: on a deep lake,
I am a tear: the sun let fall,
I am a hawk: above the cliff,
I am a thorn: beneath the nail,
I am a wonder: among the flowers." *

Patrick is entranced.

"Where does this singing come from?" he wonders.

He looks across the lake to the source and sees a large ancient standing stone. He rises to investigate. As he walks around the lake he sees the children gathered around the stone and Amergin singing. Patrick continues around the lake to greet the children.

When he approaches, the singing stops.

"We have been waiting for you," says Maebh. "Have you thought any more about the escape plan?"

Patrick stops and observes the gathering. Each young face is looking eagerly and expectantly up at him. He is aware of the sacrifice each of them will be making if he says yes and they decide to support him in his escape plan. They are waiting for an answer.

"I've decided to go ahead with the plan."

Maebh stands up and announces, "I'm right with you Pat." The others follow suit. "We're all right with you Pat," Maebh confirms.

"But you are risking your life by joining this plan!" exclaims Patrick.

"We are happy to do it for you Pat," Maebh replies.

The others nod in agreement.

Maebh points to the ancient standing stone. It has a hole in the centre just big enough to put a hand through.

"This is the holestone," she comments, "In ancient times members of a clan who made a solemn agreement shook hands through the hole in this stone. I suggest we do the same."

So as the Song of Amergin is sung, each of the children step forward, shake Patrick's hand and swear allegiance to him and to his plan.

This simple ceremony continues until all but one of the children has sworn allegiance. Then, after hesitating for a moment, Ossian steps up to the holestone and takes Patrick firmly by the hand.

"You too Ossian! You too!"

After taking Ossian's hand and hearing him swear allegiance, Patrick is overcome with emotion. The children gather around him lovingly.

"We know how you feel," they say gently.

Envoi

Love heals and inspires.
We are inspired to sacrifice ourselves for the other's benefit.
We willingly put ourselves forward so the other will gain.
We offer ourselves willingly in service to the other.
Through that offering our broken relationships are healed
And we are bathed in the beauty of companionship.

NOTE
* From The Song of Amergin - an ancient Celtic calendar-alphabet, found in several purposely garbled Irish and Welsh variants, which briefly summarizes the prime poetic myth.

I am a stag: of seven tines,
I am a flood: across a plain,
I am a wind: on a deep lake,
I am a tear: the Sun lets fall,
I am a hawk: above the cliff,
I am a thorn: beneath the nail,
I am a wonder: among flowers,
I am a wizard: who but I
Sets the cool head aflame with smoke?

I am a spear: that roars for blood,
I am a salmon: in a pool,
I am a lure: from paradise,
I am a hill: where poets walk,
I am a boar: ruthless and red,
I am a breaker: threatening doom,
I am a tide: that drags to death,
I am an infant: who but I
Peeps from the unhewn dolmen, arch?

I am the womb: of every holt,
I am the blaze: on every hill,
I am the queen: of every hive,
I am the shield: for every head,
I am the tomb: of every hope.

Robert Graves, The White Goddess, Faber and Faber Limited, 24 Russell Square London WC1