Pabo, the Priest: what Must Be
The narrative unfolds in a Welsh valley facing imminent invasion by armed men, causing widespread panic among the inhabitants. Howel the Tall arrives at the presbytery, the residence of Pabo, a priest whose fate is uncertain. The community is in turmoil, with families preparing to flee or hide their valuables in anticipation of the chaos that the newcomers will bring. Inside the presbytery, Howel finds the body of a deceased hermit, with only Morwen, a woman close to Pabo, attending to it. Goronwy Cam, a deformed kinsman of Pabo, is also present, displaying a mix of petulance and vulnerability. Howel informs Morwen that Pabo has gone into hiding to avoid capture by the bishop's men, who intend to replace him with Cadell, a chaplain lacking rightful claim to the position. Howel urges Morwen to leave the presbytery to prevent it from falling into the hands of the invaders. He proposes a drastic solution: to set fire to the presbytery, ensuring that the invaders find nothing but ashes. Morwen is horrified at the thought of burning the body of the hermit, but Howel insists that it is necessary to protect Pabo and their heritage. He argues that the hermit would approve of such a sacrifice for the greater good. Despite her initial resistance, Morwen grapples with the moral implications of Howel's plan. She ultimately agrees to the idea of destruction, albeit reluctantly, recognizing the urgency of the situation. Howel reassures her that he will carry out the act, emphasizing the need for deception to buy time for Pabo's escape. The tension between duty, sacrifice, and survival permeates the narrative, highlighting the struggle of individuals against oppressive forces. The characters are faced with difficult choices that test their loyalty, courage, and moral integrity in the face of impending doom. The story explores themes of identity, heritage, and the lengths to which one will go to protect what is rightfully theirs.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1898 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama · 2,188 words
First lines
Howel the Tall walked slowly to the presbytery, the house of Pabo, that was soon to be his no longer. The tidings that an armed body of men was on its way into the peaceful valley -- whose peace was to be forever broken up, so it seemed -- had produced a profound agitation. Every one was occupied: some removing their goods, and themselves preparing to retire to the hovel on the summer pastures; those who had no _hafod_ to receive them were concealing their little treasures.
A poor peasant was entreating a well-to-do farmer to take with him his daughter, a young and lovely girl, for whom he feared when the lawless servants of the bishop entered Caio.
What this Textopian page supports
Pabo, the Priest: what Must Be is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama, Religious Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 2,188 words
- Structure: 1 section, 62 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Pabo, the Priest: what Must Be by Sabine Baring-Gould
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Pabo, the Priest: what Must Be?
- How does this short story by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Pabo The Priest The Cell On Mallaen by Sabine Baring Gould
- Pabo The Priest It Must Be Maintained by Sabine Baring Gould
- Pabo The Priest Auri Moles Praegrandis by Sabine Baring Gould
- Pabo The Priest The Fall Of The Lot by Sabine Baring Gould
- Pabo The Priest Nest by Sabine Baring Gould
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context, exploring themes of conflict and societal change in a Welsh setting.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and descriptive, focusing on character development and moral dilemmas.
- Drama — The plot revolves around intense emotional conflicts and interpersonal relationships, highlighting the struggles of the characters.
- Religious Fiction — The story involves themes of faith, the church, and the moral implications of actions taken in the name of religion.
Tags
historical fiction · religion · priesthood · faith · morality · sacrifice · community · spirituality · 19th century · rural life · conflict · redemption