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The Doom of the Griffiths


by Elizabeth Gaskell









CHAPTER I。







I have always been much interested by the traditions which are

scattered up and down North Wales relating to Owen Glendower (Owain

Glendwr is the national spelling of the name); and I fully enter into

the feeling which makes the Welsh peasant still look upon him as the

hero of his country。  There was great joy among many of the

inhabitants of the principality; when the subject of the Welsh prize

poem at Oxford; some fifteen or sixteen years ago; was announced to

be 〃Owain Glendwr。〃  It was the most proudly national subject that

had been given for years。



Perhaps; some may not be aware that this redoubted chieftain is; even

in the present days of enlightenment; as famous among his illiterate

countrymen for his magical powers as for his patriotism。  He says

himselfor Shakespeare says it for him; which is much the same thing







'At my nativity

The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes

Of burning cressets 。 。 。

。 。 。 I can call spirits from the vasty deep。'





And few among the lower orders in the principality would think of

asking Hotspur's irreverent question in reply。



Among other traditions preserved relative to this part of the Welsh

hero's character; is the old family prophecy which gives title to

this tale。  When Sir David Gam; 〃as black a traitor as if he had been

born in Builth;〃 sought to murder Owen at Machynlleth; there was one

with him whose name Glendwr little dreamed of having associated with

his enemies。  Rhys ap Gryfydd; his 〃old familiar friend;〃 his

relation; his more than brother; had consented unto his blood。  Sir

David Gam might be forgiven; but one whom he had loved; and who had

betrayed him; could never be forgiven。  Glendwr was too deeply read

in the human heart to kill him。  No; he let him live on; the loathing

and scorn of his compatriots; and the victim of bitter remorse。  The

mark of Cain was upon him。



But before he went forthwhile he yet stood a prisoner; cowering

beneath his conscience before Owain Glendwrthat chieftain passed a

doom upon him and his race:



〃I doom thee to live; because I know thou wilt pray for death。  Thou

shalt live on beyond the natural term of the life of man; the scorn

of all good men。  The very children shall point to thee with hissing

tongue; and say; 'There goes one who would have shed a brother's

blood!'  For I loved thee more than a brother; oh Rhys ap Gryfydd!

Thou shalt live on to see all of thy house; except the weakling in

arms; perish by the sword。  Thy race shall be accursed。  Each

generation shall see their lands melt away like snow; yea their

wealth shall vanish; though they may labour night and day to heap up

gold。  And when nine generations have passed from the face of the

earth; thy blood shall no longer flow in the veins of any human

being。  In those days the last male of thy race shall avenge me。  The

son shall slay the father。〃



Such was the traditionary account of Owain Glendwr's speech to his

once…trusted friend。  And it was declared that the doom had been

fulfilled in all things; that live in as miserly a manner as they

would; the Griffiths never were wealthy and prosperousindeed that

their worldly stock diminished without any visible cause。



But the lapse of many years had almost deadened the wonder…inspiring

power of the whole curse。  It was only brought forth from the hoards

of Memory when some untoward event happened to the Griffiths family;

and in the eighth generation the faith in the prophecy was nearly

destroyed; by the marriage of the Griffiths of that day; to a Miss

Owen; who; unexpectedly; by the death of a brother; became an

heiressto no considerable amount; to be sure; but enough to make

the prophecy appear reversed。  The heiress and her husband removed

from his small patrimonial estate in Merionethshire; to her heritage

in Caernarvonshire; and for a time the prophecy lay dormant。



If you go from Tremadoc to Criccaeth; you pass by the parochial

church of Ynysynhanarn; situated in a boggy valley running from the

mountains; which shoulder up to the Rivals; down to Cardigan Bay。

This tract of land has every appearance of having been redeemed at no

distant period of time from the sea; and has all the desolate

rankness often attendant upon such marshes。  But the valley beyond;

similar in character; had yet more of gloom at the time of which I

write。  In the higher part there were large plantations of firs; set

too closely to attain any size; and remaining stunted in height and

scrubby in appearance。  Indeed; many of the smaller and more weakly

had died; and the bark had fallen down on the brown soil neglected

and unnoticed。  These trees had a ghastly appearance; with their

white trunks; seen by the dim light which struggled through the thick

boughs above。  Nearer to the sea; the valley assumed a more open;

though hardly a more cheerful character; it looked dark and overhung

by sea…fog through the greater part of the year; and even a farm…

house; which usually imparts something of cheerfulness to a

landscape; failed to do so here。  This valley formed the greater part

of the estate to which Owen Griffiths became entitled by right of his

wife。  In the higher part of the valley was situated the family

mansion; or rather dwelling…house; for 〃mansion〃 is too grand a word

to apply to the clumsy; but substantially…built Bodowen。  It was

square and heavy…looking; with just that much pretension to ornament

necessary to distinguish it from the mere farm…house。



In this dwelling Mrs。 Owen Griffiths bore her husband two sons

Llewellyn; the future Squire; and Robert; who was early destined for

the Church。  The only difference in their situation; up to the time

when Robert was entered at Jesus College; was; that the elder was

invariably indulged by all around him; while Robert was thwarted and

indulged by turns; that Llewellyn never learned anything from the

poor Welsh parson; who was nominally his private tutor; while

occasionally Squire Griffiths made a great point of enforcing

Robert's diligence; telling him that; as he had his bread to earn; he

must pay attention to his learning。  There is no knowing how far the

very irregular education he had received would have carried Robert

through his college examinations; but; luckily for him in this

respect; before such a trial of his learning came round; he heard of

the death of his elder brother; after a short illness; brought on by

a hard drinking…bout。  Of course; Robert was summoned home; and it

seemed quite as much of course; now that there was no necessity for

him to 〃earn his bread by his learning;〃 that he should not return to

Oxford。  So the half…educated; but not unintelligent; young man

continued at home; during the short remainder of his parent's

lifetime。



His was not an uncommon character。  In general he was mild; indolent;

and easily managed; but once thoroughly roused; his passions were

vehement and fearful。  He seemed; indeed; almost afraid of himself;

and in common hardly dared to give way to justifiable angerso much

did he dread losing his self…control。  Had he been judiciously

educated; he would; probably; have distinguished himself in those

branches of literature which call for taste and imagination; rather

than any exertion of reflection or judgment。  As it was; his literary

taste showed itself in making collections of Cambrian antiquities of

every description; till his stock of Welsh MSS。 would have excited

the envy of Dr。 Pugh himself; had he been alive at the time of which

I write。



There is one characteristic of Robert Griffiths which I have omitted

to note; and which was peculiar among his class。  He was no hard

drinker; whether it was that his head was easily affected; or that

his partially…refined taste led him to dislike intoxication and its

attendant circumstances; I cannot say; but at five…and…twenty Robert

Griffiths was habitually sobera thing so rare in Llyn; that he was

almost shunned as a churlish; unsociable being; and paused much of

his time in solitude。



About this time; he had to appear in some case that was tried at the

Caernarvon assizes; and while there; was a guest at the house of his

agent; a shrewd; sensible Welsh attorney; with one daughter; who had

charms enough to captivate Robert Griffiths。  Though he remained only

a few days at her father's house; they were sufficient to decide his

affections; and short was the period allowed to elapse before he

brought home a mistress to Bodowen。  The new Mrs。 Griffiths was a

gentle; yielding person; full of love toward her husband; of whom;

nevertheless; she stood something in awe; partly arising from the

difference in their ages; partly from his devoting much time to

studies of which she could understand nothing。



She soon made him the father of a blooming little daughter; called

Au

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