With the Birds.
No more would Ardan say after that, though all besought him.
Many pondered long that night. Oran made a song of mystery. Colum brooded through the dark; but before dawn he slept upon the fern that strewed his cell. At dawn, with waking eyes, and weary, he saw his Sleep in a vision.
It stood grey and wan beside him.
“What art thou, O Spirit?” he said.
“I am thy Sleep, Colum.”
“And is it peace?”
“It is peace.”
“What wouldest thou?”
“I have wisdom. Thy heart and thy brain were closed. I could not give you what I brought. I brought wisdom.”