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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