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Title: Deirdre of the Sorrows

Author: J. M. Synge

Release Date: October, 1999  [Etext #1922]
Last Updated: May 4, 2019

Language: English

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cover



DEIRDRE OF THE SORROWS



By J. M. Synge



Contents


 ACT I.
 ACT II.
 ACT III.
 APPENDIX.
 TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE.


 PERSONS IN THE PLAY

LAVARCHAM, _Deirdre’s nurse_

OLD WOMAN, _Lavarcham’s servant_

OWEN, _Conchubor’s attendant and spy_

CONCHUBOR, _High King of Ulster_

FERGUS, _Conchubor’s friend_

DEIRDRE

NAISI, _Deirdre’s lover_

AINNLE, _Naisi’s brother_

ARDAN, _Naisi’s brother_

TWO SOLDIERS


ACT I.

_Lavarcham’s house on Slieve Fuadh. There is a door to inner room on
the left, and a door to open air on the right. Window at back and a
frame with a half-finished piece of tapestry. There are also a large
press and heavy oak chest near the back wall. The place is neat and
clean but bare. Lavarcham, woman of fifty, is working at tapestry
frame. Old Woman comes in from left._

OLD WOMAN.
She hasn’t come yet, is it, and it falling to the night?

LAVARCHAM.
She has not. . . (_Concealing her anxiety._) It’s dark with the clouds
are coming from the west and south, but it isn’t later than the common.

OLD WOMAN.
It’s later, surely, and I hear tell the Sons of Usna, Naisi and his
brothers, are above chasing hares for two days or three, and the same
awhile since when the moon was full.

LAVARCHAM.
— _more anxiously._ — The gods send they don’t set eyes on her — (_with
a sign of helplessness_) yet if they do itself, it wasn’t my wish
brought them or could send them away.

OLD WOMAN.
— _reprovingly._ — If it wasn’t, you’d do well to keep a check on her,
and she turning a woman that was meant to be a queen.

LAVARCHAM.
Who’d check her like was meant to have her pleasure only, the way if
there were no warnings told about her you’d see troubles coming when an
old king is taking her, and she without a thought but for her beauty
and to be straying the hills.

OLD WOMAN.
The gods help the lot of us. . . . Shouldn’t she be well pleased
getting the like of Conchubor, and he middling settled in his years
itself? I don’t know what he wanted putting her this wild place to be
breaking her in, or putting myself to be roasting her supper and she
with no patience for her food at all.

[_She looks out._

LAVARCHAM.
Is she coming from the glen?

OLD WOMAN.
She is not. But whisht — there’s two men leaving the furze — (_crying
out_) it’s Conchubor and Fergus along with him. Conchubor’ll be in a
blue stew this night and herself abroad.

LAVARCHAM.
— _settling room hastily._ — Are they close by?

OLD WOMAN.
Crossing the stream, and there’s herself on the hillside with a load of
twigs. Will I run out and put her in order before they’ll set eyes on
her at all?

LAVARCHAM.
You will not. Would you have him see you, and he a man would be jealous
of a hawk would fly between her and the rising sun. (_She looks out._)
Go up to the hearth and be as busy as if you hadn’t seen them at all.

OLD WOMAN.
— _sitting down to polish vessel._ — There’ll be trouble this night,
for he should be in his tempers from the way he’s stepping out, and he
swinging his hands.

LAVARCHAM.
— _wearied with the whole matter._ — It’d be best of all, maybe, if he
got in tempers with herself, and made an end quickly, for I’m in a poor
way between the pair of them (_going back to tapestry frame._) There
they are now at the door.

[_Conchubor and Fergus come in._

CONCHUBOR AND FERGUS.
The gods save you.

LAVARCHAM.
— _getting up and courtesying._ — The gods save and keep you kindly,
and stand between you and all harm for ever.

CONCHUBOR.
— _looking around._ — Where is Deirdre?

LAVARCHAM.
— _trying to speak with indifference._ — Abroad upon Slieve Fuadh. She
does be all times straying around picking flowers or nuts, or sticks
itself; but so long as she’s gathering new life I’ve a right not to
heed her, I’m thinking, and she taking her will.

[_Fergus talks to Old Woman._

CONCHUBOR.
— _stiffly._ — A night with thunder coming is no night to be abroad.

LAVARCHAM.
— _more uneasily._ — She’s used to every track and pathway, and the
lightning itself wouldn’t let down its flame to singe the beauty of her
like.

FERGUS.
— _cheerfully._ — She’s right, Conchubor, and let you sit down and take
your ease, (_he takes a wallet from under his cloak_) and I’ll count
out what we’ve brought, and put it in the presses within.

[_He goes into the inner room with the Old Woman._

CONCHUBOR.
— _sitting down and looking about._ — Where are the mats and hangings
and the silver skillets I sent up for Deirdre?

LAVARCHAM.
The mats and hangings are in this press, Conchubor. She wouldn’t wish
to be soiling them, she said, running out and in with mud and grasses
on her feet, and it raining since the night of Samhain. The silver
skillets and the golden cups we have beyond locked in the chest.

CONCHUBOR.
Bring them out and use them from this day.

LAVARCHAM.
We’ll do it, Conchubor.

CONCHUBOR.
— _getting up and going to frame._ — Is this hers?

LAVARCHAM.
— _pleased to speak of it._ — It is, Conchubor. All say there isn’t her
match at fancying figures and throwing purple upon crimson, and she
edging them all times with her greens and gold.

CONCHUBOR.
— _a little uneasily._ — Is she keeping wise and busy since I passed
before, and growing ready for her life in Emain?

LAVARCHAM.
— _dryly._ — That is a question will give small pleasure to yourself or
me. (_Making up her mind to speak out._) If it’s the truth I’ll tell
you, she’s growing too wise to marry a big king and she a score only.
Let you not be taking it bad, Conchubor, but you’ll get little good
seeing her this night, for with all my talking it’s wilfuller she’s
growing these two months or three.

CONCHUBOR.
— _severely, but relieved things are no worse._ — Isn’t it a poor thing
you’re doing so little to school her to meet what is to come?

LAVARCHAM.
I’m after serving you two score of years, and I’ll tell you this night,
Conchubor, she’s little call to mind an old woman when she has the
birds to school her, and the pools in the rivers where she goes bathing
in the sun. I’ll tell you if you seen her that time, with her white
skin, and her red lips, and the blue water and the ferns about her,
you’d know, maybe, and you greedy itself, it wasn’t for your like she
was born at all.

CONCHUBOR.
It’s little I heed for what she was born; she’ll be my comrade, surely.

[_He examines her workbox._

LAVARCHAM.
— _sinking into sadness again._ — I’m in dread so they were right
saying she’d bring destruction on the world, for it’s a poor thing when
you see a settled man putting the love he has for a young child, and
the love he has for a full woman, on a girl the like of her; and it’s a
poor thing, Conchubor, to see a High King, the way you are this day,
prying after her needles and numbering her lines of thread.

CONCHUBOR.
— _getting up._ — Let you not be talking too far and you old itself.
(_Walks across room and back._) Does she know the troubles are
foretold?

LAVARCHAM.
— _in the tone of the earlier talk._ — I’m after telling her one time
and another, but I’d do as well speaking to a lamb of ten weeks and it
racing the hills. . . . It’s not the dread of death or troubles that
would tame her like.

CONCHUBOR.
— _he looks out._ — She’s coming now, and let you walk in and keep
Fergus till I speak with her a while.

LAVARCHAM.
— _going left._ — If I’m after vexing you itself, it’d be best you
weren’t taking her hasty or scolding her at all.

CONCHUBOR.
— _very stiffly._ — I’ve no call to. I’m well pleased she’s light and
airy.

LAVARCHAM.
— _offended at his tone._ — Well pleased is it? (_With a snort of
irony_) It’s a queer thing the way the likes of me do be telling the
truth, and the wise are lying all times.

[_She goes into room on left. Conchubor arranges himself before a
mirror for a moment, then goes a little to the left and waits. Deirdre
comes in poorly dressed, with a little bag and a bundle of twigs in her
arms. She is astonished for a moment when she sees Conchubor; then she
makes a courtesy to him, and goes to the hearth without any
embarrassment._

CONCHUBOR.
The gods save you, Deirdre. I have come up bringing you rings and
jewels from Emain Macha.

DEIRDRE.
The gods save you.

CONCHUBOR.
What have you brought from the hills?

DEIRDRE.
— _quite self-possessed._ — A bag of nuts, and twigs for our fires at
the dawn of day.

CONCHUBOR.
— _showing annoyance in spite of himself._ — And it’s that way you’re
picking up the manners will fit you to be Queen of Ulster?

DEIRDRE.
— _made a little defiant by his tone._ — I have no wish to be a queen.

CONCHUBOR.
— _almost sneeringly._ — You’d wish to be dressing in your duns and
grey, and you herding your geese or driving your calves to their shed —
like the common lot scattered in the glens.

DEIRDRE.
— _very defiant._ — I would not, Conchubor. (_She goes to tapestry and
begins to work._) A girl born the way I’m born is more likely to wish
for a mate who’d be her likeness. . . . A man with his hair like the
raven, maybe, and his skin like the snow and his lips like blood spilt
on it.

CONCHUBOR.
— _sees his mistake, and after a moment takes a flattering tone,
looking at her work._ — Whatever you wish, there’s no queen but would
be well pleased to have your skill at choosing colours and making
pictures on the cloth. (_Looking closely._) What is it you’re figuring?

DEIRDRE.
— _deliberately._ — Three young men and they chasing in the green gap
of a wood.

CONCHUBOR.
— _now almost pleading._ — It’s soon you’ll have dogs with silver
chains to be chasing in the woods of Emain, for I have white hounds
rearing up for you, and grey horses, that I’ve chosen from the finest
in Ulster and Britain and Gaul.

DEIRDRE.
— _unmoved as before._ — I’ve heard tell, in Ulster and Britain and
Gaul, Naisi and his brothers have no match and they chasing in the
woods.

CONCHUBOR.
— _very gravely._ — Isn’t it a strange thing you’d be talking of Naisi
and his brothers, or figuring them either, when you know the things
that are foretold about themselves and you? Yet you’ve little
knowledge, and I’d do wrong taking it bad when it’ll be my share from
this out to keep you the way you’ll have little call to trouble for
knowledge, or its want either.

DEIRDRE.
Yourself should be wise, surely.

CONCHUBOR.
The like of me has a store of knowledge that’s a weight and terror.
It’s for that we do choose out the like of yourself that are young and
glad only. . . . I’m thinking you are gay and lively each day in the
year?

DEIRDRE.
I don’t know if that’s true, Conchubor. There are lonesome days and bad
nights in this place like another.

CONCHUBOR.
You should have as few sad days, I’m thinking, as I have glad and good
ones.

DEIRDRE.
What is it has you that way ever coming this place, when you’d hear the
old woman saying a good child’s as happy as a king?

CONCHUBOR.
How would I be happy seeing age coming on me each year, when the dry
leaves are blowing back and forward at the gate of Emain? And yet this
last while I’m saying out, when I see the furze breaking and the daws
sitting two and two on ash-trees by the duns of Emain, Deirdre’s a year
nearer her full age when she’ll be my mate and comrade and then I’m
glad surely.

DEIRDRE.
— _almost to herself._ — I will not be your mate in Emain.

CONCHUBOR.
— _not heeding her._ — It’s there you’ll be proud and happy and you’ll
learn that, if young men are great hunters, yet it’s with the like of
myself you’ll find a knowledge of what is priceless in your own like.
What we all need is a place is safe and splendid, and it’s that you’ll
get in Emain in two days or three.

DEIRDRE.
— _aghast._ — Two days!

CONCHUBOR.
I have the rooms ready, and in a little while you’ll be brought down
there, to be my queen and queen of the five parts of Ireland.

DEIRDRE.
— _standing up frightened and pleading._ — I’d liefer stay this place,
Conchubor. . . . Leave me this place, where I’m well used to the tracks
and pathways and the people of the glens. . . . It’s for this life I’m
born, surely.

CONCHUBOR.
You’ll be happier and greater with myself in Emain. It is I will be
your comrade, and will stand between you and the great troubles are
foretold.

DEIRDRE.
I will not be your queen in Emain when it’s my pleasure to be having my
freedom on the edges of the hills.

CONCHUBOR.
It’s my wish to have you quickly; I’m sick and weary thinking of the
day you’ll be brought down to me, and seeing you walking into my big,
empty halls. I’ve made all sure to have you, and yet all said there’s a
fear in the back of my mind I’d miss you and have great troubles in the
end. It’s for that, Deirdre, I’m praying that you’ll come quickly; and
you may take the word of a man has no lies, you’ll not find, with any
other, the like of what I’m bringing you in wildness and confusion in
my own mind.

DEIRDRE.
I cannot go, Conchubor.

CONCHUBOR.
— _taking a triumphant tone._ — It is my pleasure to have you, and I a
man is waiting a long while on the throne of Ulster. Wouldn’t you
liefer be my comrade, growing up the like of Emer and Maeve, than to be
in this place and you a child always?

DEIRDRE.
You don’t know me and you’d have little joy taking me, Conchubor. . . .
I’m a long while watching the days getting a great speed passing me by.
I’m too long taking my will, and it’s that way I’ll be living always.

CONCHUBOR.
— _dryly._ — Call Fergus to come with me. This is your last night upon
Slieve Fuadh.

DEIRDRE.
— _now pleadingly._ — Leave me a short space longer, Conchubor. Isn’t
it a poor thing I should be hastened away, when all these troubles are
foretold? Leave me a year, Conchubor; it isn’t much I’m asking.

CONCHUBOR.
It’s much to have me two score and two weeks waiting for your voice in
Emain, and you in this place growing lonesome and shy. I’m a ripe man
and in great love, and yet, Deirdre, I’m the King of Ulster. (_He gets
up._) I’ll call Fergus, and we’ll make Emain ready in the morning.

[_He goes towards door on left._

DEIRDRE.
— _clinging to him._ — Do not call him, Conchubor. . . . Promise me a
year of quiet. . . . It’s one year I’m asking only.

CONCHUBOR.
You’d be asking a year next year, and the years that follow.
(_Calling._) Fergus! Fergus! (_To Deirdre._) Young girls are slow
always; it is their lovers that must say the word. (_Calling._) Fergus!

[_Deirdre springs away from him as Fergus comes in with Lavarcham and
the Old Woman._

CONCHUBOR.
— _to Fergus._ — There is a storm coming, and we’d best be going to our
people when the night is young.

FERGUS.
— _cheerfully._ — The gods shield you, Deirdre. (_To Conchubor._) We’re
late already, and it’s no work the High King to be slipping on
stepping-stones and hilly pathways when the floods are rising with the
rain.

[_He helps Conchubor into his cloak._

CONCHUBOR.
— _glad that he has made his decision — to Lavarcham._ — Keep your
rules a few days longer, and you’ll be brought down to Emain, you and
Deirdre with you.

LAVARCHAM.
— _obediently._ — Your rules are kept always.

CONCHUBOR.
The gods shield you.

[_He goes out with Fergus. Old Woman bolts door._

LAVARCHAM.
— _looking at Deirdre, who has covered her face._ — Wasn’t I saying
you’d do it? You’ve brought your marriage a sight nearer not heeding
those are wiser than yourself.

DEIRDRE.
— _with agitation._ — It wasn’t I did it. Will you take me from this
place, Lavarcham, and keep me safe in the hills?

LAVARCHAM.
He’d have us tracked in the half of a day, and then you’d be his queen
in spite of you, and I and mine would be destroyed for ever.

DEIRDRE.
— _terrified with the reality that is before her._ — Are there none can
go against Conchubor?

LAVARCHAM.
Maeve of Connaught only, and those that are her like.

DEIRDRE.
Would Fergus go against him?

LAVARCHAM.
He would, maybe, and his temper roused.

DEIRDRE.
— _in a lower voice with sudden excitement._ — Would Naisi and his
brothers?

LAVARCHAM.
— _impatiently._ — Let you not be dwelling on Naisi and his brothers. .
. . In the end of all there is none can go against Conchubor, and it’s
folly that we’re talking, for if any went against Conchubor it’s sorrow
he’d earn and the shortening of his day of life.

[_She turns away, and Deirdre stands up stiff with excitement and goes
and looks out of the window._

DEIRDRE.
Are the stepping-stones flooding, Lavarcham? Will the night be stormy
in the hills?

LAVARCHAM.
— _looking at her curiously._ — The stepping-stones are flooding,
surely, and the night will be the worst, I’m thinking, we’ve seen these
years gone by.

DEIRDRE.
— _tearing open the press and pulling out clothes and tapestries._ —
Lay these mats and hangings by the windows, and at the tables for our
feet, and take out the skillets of silver, and the golden cups we have,
and our two flasks of wine.

LAVARCHAM.
What ails you?

DEIRDRE.
— _gathering up a dress._ — Lay them out quickly, Lavarcham, we’ve no
call dawdling this night. Lay them out quickly; I’m going into the room
to put on the rich dresses and jewels have been sent from Emain.

LAVARCHAM.
Putting on dresses at this hour, and it dark and drenching with the
weight of rain! Are you away in your head?

DEIRDRE.
— _gathering her things together with an outburst of excitement._ — I
will dress like Emer in Dundealgan, or Maeve in her house in Connaught.
If Conchubor’ll make me a queen, I’ll have the right of a queen who is
a master, taking her own choice and making a stir to the edges of the
seas. . . . Lay out your mats and hangings where I can stand this night
and look about me. Lay out the skins of the rams of Connaught and of
the goats of the west. I will not be a child or plaything; I’ll put on
my robes that are the richest, for I will not be brought down to Emain
as Cuchulain brings his horse to the yoke, or Conall Cearneach puts his
shield upon his arm; and maybe from this day I will turn the men of
Ireland like a wind blowing on the heath.

[_She goes into room. Lavarcham and Old Woman look at each other, then
the Old Woman goes over, looks in at Deirdre through chink of the door,
and then closes it carefully._

OLD WOMAN.
— _in a frightened whisper._ — She’s thrown off the rags she had about
her, and there she is in her skin; she’s putting her hair in shiny
twists. Is she raving, Lavarcham, or has she a good right turning to a
queen like Maeve?

LAVARCHAM.
— _putting up hanging very anxiously._ — It’s more than raving’s in her
mind, or I’m the more astray; and yet she’s as good a right as another,
maybe, having her pleasure, though she’d spoil the world.

OLD WOMAN.
— _helping her._ — Be quick before she’ll come back. . . . Who’d have
thought we’d run before her, and she so quiet till tonight. Will the
High King get the better of her, Lavarcham? If I was Conchubor, I
wouldn’t marry with her like at all.

LAVARCHAM.
Hang that by the window. That should please her, surely. When all’s
said, it’s her like will be the master till the end of time.

OLD WOMAN.
— _at the window._ — There’s a mountain of blackness in the sky, and
the greatest rain falling has been these long years on the earth. The
gods help Conchubor. He’ll be a sorry man this night, reaching his dun,
and he with all his spirits, thinking to himself he’ll be putting his
arms around her in two days or three.

LAVARCHAM.
It’s more than Conchubor’ll be sick and sorry, I’m thinking, before
this story is told to the end.

[_Loud knocking on door at the right._

LAVARCHAM.
— _startled._ — Who is that?

NAISI.
— _outside._ — Naisi and his brothers.

LAVARCHAM.
We are lonely women. What is it you’re wanting in the blackness of the
night?

NAISI.
We met a young girl in the woods who told us we might shelter this
place if the rivers rose on the pathways and the floods gathered from
the butt of the hills.

[_Old Woman clasps her hands in horror._

LAVARCHAM.
— _with great alarm._ — You cannot come in. . . . There is no one let
in here, and no young girl with us.

NAISI.
Let us in from the great storm. Let us in and we will go further when
the cloud will rise.

LAVARCHAM.
Go round east to the shed and you’ll have shelter. You cannot come in.

NAISI.
— _knocking loudly._ — Open the door or we will burst it. (_The door is
shaken._)

OLD WOMAN.
— _in a timid whisper._ — Let them in, and keep Deirdre in her room
tonight.

AINNLE AND ARDAN.
— _outside._ — Open! Open!

LAVARCHAM.
— _to Old Woman._ — Go in and keep her.

OLD WOMAN.
I couldn’t keep her. I’ve no hold on her. Go in yourself and I will
free the door.

LAVARCHAM.
I must stay and turn them out. (_She pulls her hair and cloak over her
face._) Go in and keep her.

OLD WOMAN.
The gods help us.

[_She runs into the inner room._

VOICES.
Open!

LAVARCHAM.
— _opening the door._ — Come in then and ill-luck if you’ll have it so.

[_Naisi and Ainnle and Ardan come in and look round with astonishment._

NAISI.
It’s a rich man has this place, and no herd at all.

LAVARCHAM.
— _sitting down with her head half covered._ — It is not, and you’d
best be going quickly.

NAISI.
— _hilariously, shaking rain from his clothes._ — When we’ve had the
pick of luck finding princely comfort in the darkness of the night!
Some rich man of Ulster should come here and he chasing in the woods.
May we drink? (_He takes up flask._) Whose wine is this that we may
drink his health?

LAVARCHAM.
It’s no one’s that you’ve call to know.

NAISI.
Your own health then and length of life. (_Pouring out wine for the
three. They drink._)

LAVARCHAM.
— _very crossly._ — You’re great boys taking a welcome where it isn’t
given, and asking questions where you’ve no call to. . . . If you’d a
quiet place settled up to be playing yourself, maybe, with a gentle
queen, what’d you think of young men prying around and carrying tales?
When I was a bit of a girl the big men of Ulster had better manners,
and they the like of your three selves, in the top folly of youth.
That’ll be a story to tell out in Tara that Naisi is a tippler and
stealer, and Ainnle the drawer of a stranger’s cork.

NAISI.
— _quite cheerfully, sitting down beside her._ — At your age you should
know there are nights when a king like Conchubor will spit upon his arm
ring, and queens will stick their tongues out at the rising moon. We’re
that way this night, and it’s not wine we’re asking only. Where is the
young girl told us we might shelter here?

LAVARCHAM.
Asking me you’d be? We’re decent people, and I wouldn’t put you
tracking a young girl, not if you gave me the gold clasp you have
hanging on your coat.

NAISI.
— _giving it to her._ — Where is she?

LAVARCHAM.
— _in confidential whisper, putting her hand on his arm._ — Let you
walk back into the hills and turn up by the second cnuceen where there
are three together. You’ll see a path running on the rocks and then
you’ll hear the dogs barking in the houses, and their noise will guide
you till you come to a bit of cabin at the foot of an ash-tree. It’s
there there is a young and flighty girl that I’m thinking is the one
you’ve seen.

NAISI.
— _hilariously._ — Here’s health, then, to herself and you!

ARDAN.
Here’s to the years when you were young as she!

AINNLE.
— _in a frightened whisper._ — Naisi!

[_Naisi looks up and Ainnle beckons to him. He goes over and Ainnle
points to something on the golden mug he holds in his hand._

NAISI.
— _looking at it in astonishment._ — This is the High King’s. . . . I
see his mark on the rim. Does Conchubor come lodging here?

LAVARCHAM.
— _jumping up with extreme annoyance._ — Who says it’s Conchubor’s? How
dare young fools the like of you — (_speaking with vehement insolence_)
come prying around, running the world into troubles for some slip of a
girl? What brings you this place straying from Emain? (_Very
bitterly._) Though you think, maybe, young men can do their fill of
foolery and there is none to blame them.

NAISI.
— _very soberly._ — Is the rain easing?

ARDAN.
The clouds are breaking. . . . I can see Orion in the gap of the glen.

NAISI.
— _still cheerfully._ — Open the door and we’ll go forward to the
little cabin between the ash-tree and the rocks. Lift the bolt and pull
it.

[_Deirdre comes in on left royally dressed and very beautiful. She
stands for a moment, and then as the door opens she calls softly._

DEIRDRE.
Naisi! Do not leave me, Naisi. I am Deirdre of the Sorrows.

NAISI.
— _transfixed with amazement._ — And it is you who go around in the
woods making the thrushes bear a grudge against the heavens for the
sweetness of your voice singing.

DEIRDRE.
It is with me you’ve spoken, surely. (_To Lavarcham and Old Woman._)
Take Ainnle and Ardan, these two princes, into the little hut where we
eat, and serve them with what is best and sweetest. I have many things
for Naisi only.

LAVARCHAM.
— _overawed by her tone._ — I will do it, and I ask their pardon. I
have fooled them here.

DEIRDRE.
— _to Ainnle and Ardan._ — Do not take it badly that I am asking you to
walk into our hut for a little. You will have a supper that is cooked
by the cook of Conchubor, and Lavarcham will tell you stories of Maeve
and Nessa and Rogh.

AINNLE.
We’ll ask Lavarcham to tell us stories of yourself, and with that we’ll
be well pleased to be doing your wish.

[_They all go out except Deirdre and Naisi._

DEIRDRE.
— _sitting in the high chair in the centre._ — Come to this stool,
Naisi (_pointing to the stool_). If it’s low itself the High King would
sooner be on it this night than on the throne of Emain Macha.

NAISI.
— _sitting down._ — You are Fedlimid’s daughter that Conchubor has
walled up from all the men of Ulster.

DEIRDRE.
Do many know what is foretold, that Deirdre will be the ruin of the
Sons of Usna, and have a little grave by herself, and a story will be
told for ever?

NAISI.
It’s a long while men have been talking of Deirdre, the child who had
all gifts, and the beauty that has no equal; there are many know it,
and there are kings would give a great price to be in my place this
night and you grown to a queen.

DEIRDRE.
It isn’t many I’d call, Naisi. . . . I was in the woods at the full
moon and I heard a voice singing. Then I gathered up my skirts, and I
ran on a little path I have to the verge of a rock, and I saw you pass
by underneath, in your crimson cloak, singing a song, and you standing
out beyond your brothers are called the Plower of Ireland.

NAISI.
It’s for that you called us in the dusk?

DEIRDRE.
— _in a low voice._ — Since that, Naisi, I have been one time the like
of a ewe looking for a lamb that had been taken away from her, and one
time seeing new gold on the stars, and a new face on the moon, and all
times dreading Emain.

NAISI.
— _pulling himself together and beginning to draw back a little._ — Yet
it should be a lonesome thing to be in this place and you born for
great company.

DEIRDRE.
— _softly._ — This night I have the best company in the whole world.

NAISI.
— _still a little formally._ — It is I who have the best company, for
when you’re queen in Emain you will have none to be your match or
fellow.

DEIRDRE.
I will not be queen in Emain.

NAISI.
Conchubor has made an oath you will, surely.

DEIRDRE.
It’s for that maybe I’m called Deirdre, the girl of many sorrows . . .
for it’s a sweet life you and I could have, Naisi. . . . . It should be
a sweet thing to have what is best and richest, if it’s for a short
space only.

NAISI.
— _very distressed._ — And we’ve a short space only to be triumphant
and brave.

DEIRDRE.
You must not go, Naisi, and leave me to the High King, a man is aging
in his dun, with his crowds round him, and his silver and gold. (_More
quickly._) I will not live to be shut up in Emain, and wouldn’t we do
well paying, Naisi, with silence and a near death. (_She stands up and
walks away from him._) I’m a long while in the woods with my own self,
and I’m in little dread of death, and it earned with riches would make
the sun red with envy, and he going up the heavens; and the moon pale
and lonesome, and she wasting away. (_She comes to him and puts her
hands on his shoulders._) Isn’t it a small thing is foretold about the
ruin of ourselves, Naisi, when all men have age coming and great ruin
in the end?

NAISI.
Yet it’s a poor thing it’s I should bring you to a tale of blood and
broken bodies, and the filth of the grave. . . . Wouldn’t we do well to
wait, Deirdre, and I each twilight meeting you on the sides of the
hills?

DEIRDRE.
— _despondently._ — His messengers are coming.

NAISI.
Messengers are coming?

DEIRDRE.
Tomorrow morning or the next, surely.

NAISI.
Then we’ll go away. It isn’t I will give your like to Conchubor, not if
the grave was dug to be my lodging when a week was by. (_He looks
out._) The stars are out, Deirdre, and let you come with me quickly,
for it is the stars will be our lamps many nights and we abroad in
Alban, and taking our journeys among the little islands in the sea.
There has never been the like of the joy we’ll have, Deirdre, you and
I, having our fill of love at the evening and the morning till the sun
is high.

DEIRDRE.
And yet I’m in dread leaving this place, where I have lived always.
Won’t I be lonesome and I thinking on the little hill beyond, and the
apple-trees do be budding in the spring-time by the post of the door?
(_A little shaken by what has passed._) Won’t I be in great dread to
bring you to destruction, Naisi, and you so happy and young?

NAISI.
Are you thinking I’d go on living after this night, Deirdre, and you
with Conchubor in Emain? Are you thinking I’d go out after hares when
I’ve had your lips in my sight?

[_Lavarcham comes in as they cling to each other._

LAVARCHAM.
Are you raving, Deirdre? Are you choosing this night to destroy the
world?

DEIRDRE.
— _very deliberately._ — It’s Conchubor has chosen this night calling
me to Emain. (_To Naisi._) Bring in Ainnle and Ardan, and take me from
this place, where I’m in dread from this out of the footsteps of a hare
passing.

[_He goes._

DEIRDRE.
— _clinging to Lavarcham._ — Do not take it bad I’m going, Lavarcham.
It’s you have been a good friend and given me great freedom and joy,
and I living on Slieve Fuadh; and maybe you’ll be well pleased one day
saying you have nursed Deirdre.

LAVARCHAM.
— _moved._ — It isn’t I’ll be well pleased and I far away from you.
Isn’t it a hard thing you’re doing, but who can help it? Birds go
mating in the spring of the year, and ewes at the leaves falling, but a
young girl must have her lover in all the courses of the sun and moon.

DEIRDRE.
Will you go to Emain in the morning?

LAVARCHAM.
I will not. I’ll go to Brandon in the south; and in the course of a
piece, maybe, I’ll be sailing back and forward on the seas to be
looking on your face and the little ways you have that none can equal.

[_Naisi comes back with Ainnle and Ardan and Old Woman._

DEIRDRE.
— _taking Naisi’s hand._ — My two brothers, I am going with Naisi to
Alban and the north to face the troubles are foretold. Will you take
word to Conchubor in Emain?

AINNLE.
We will go with you.

ARDAN.
We will be your servants and your huntsmen, Deirdre.

DEIRDRE.
It isn’t one brother only of you three is brave and courteous. Will you
wed us, Lavarcham? You have the words and customs.

LAVARCHAM.
I will not, then. What would I want meddling in the ruin you will earn?

NAISI.
Let Ainnle wed us. . . . He has been with wise men and he knows their
ways.

AINNLE.
— _joining their hands._ — By the sun and moon and the whole earth, I
wed Deirdre to Naisi. (_He steps back and holds up his hands._) May the
air bless you, and water and the wind, the sea, and all the hours of
the sun and moon.

 CURTAIN



ACT II.

_Alban. Early morning in the beginning of winter. A wood outside the
tent of Deirdre and Naisi. Lavarcham comes in muffled in a cloak._

LAVARCHAM.
— _calling._ — Deirdre. . . . Deirdre. . . .

DEIRDRE.
— _coming from tent._ — My welcome, Lavarcham. . . . Whose curagh is
rowing from Ulster? I saw the oars through the tops of the trees, and I
thought it was you were coming towards us.

LAVARCHAM.
I came in the shower was before dawn.

DEIRDRE.
And who is coming?

LAVARCHAM.
— _mournfully._ — Let you not be startled or taking it bad, Deirdre.
It’s Fergus bringing messages of peace from Conchubor to take Naisi and
his brothers back to Emain.

[_Sitting down._

DEIRDRE.
— _lightly._ — Naisi and his brothers are well pleased with this place;
and what would take them back to Conchubor in Ulster?

LAVARCHAM.
Their like would go any place where they’d see death standing. (_With
more agitation._) I’m in dread Conchubor wants to have yourself and to
kill Naisi, and that that’ll be the ruin of the Sons of Usna. I’m
silly, maybe, to be dreading the like, but those have a great love for
yourself have a right to be in dread always.

DEIRDRE.
— _more anxiously._ — Emain should be no safe place for myself and
Naisi. And isn’t it a hard thing they’ll leave us no peace, Lavarcham,
and we so quiet in the woods?

LAVARCHAM.
— _impressively._ — It’s a hard thing, surely; but let you take my word
and swear Naisi, by the earth, and the sun over it, and the four
quarters of the moon, he’ll not go back to Emain — for good faith or
bad faith — the time Conchubor’s keeping the high throne of Ireland. .
. . It’s that would save you, surely.

DEIRDRE.
— _without hope._ — There’s little power in oaths to stop what’s
coming, and little power in what I’d do, Lavarcham, to change the story
of Conchubor and Naisi and the things old men foretold.

LAVARCHAM.
— _aggressively._ — Was there little power in what you did the night
you dressed in your finery and ran Naisi off along with you, in spite
of Conchubor and the big nobles did dread the blackness of your luck?
It was power enough you had that night to bring distress and anguish;
and now I’m pointing you a way to save Naisi, you’ll not stir stick or
straw to aid me.

DEIRDRE.
— _a little haughtily._ — Let you not raise your voice against me,
Lavarcham, if you have will itself to guard Naisi.

LAVARCHAM.
— _breaking out in anger._ — Naisi is it? I didn’t care if the crows
were stripping his thigh-bones at the dawn of day. It’s to stop your
own despair and wailing, and you waking up in a cold bed, without the
man you have your heart on, I am raging now. (_Starting up with
temper._) Yet there is more men than Naisi in it; and maybe I was a big
fool thinking his dangers, and this day, would fill you up with dread.

DEIRDRE.
— _sharply._ — Let you end; such talking is a fool’s only, when it’s
well you know if a thing harmed Naisi it isn’t I would live after him.
(_With distress._) It’s well you know it’s this day I’m dreading seven
years, and I fine nights watching the heifers walking to the haggard
with long shadows on the grass; (_with emotion_) or the time I’ve been
stretched in the sunshine, when I’ve heard Ainnle and Ardan stepping
lightly, and they saying: Was there ever the like of Deirdre for a
happy and sleepy queen?

LAVARCHAM.
— _not fully pacified._ — And yet you’ll go, and welcome is it, if
Naisi chooses?

DEIRDRE.
I’ve dread going or staying, Lavarcham. It’s lonesome this place,
having happiness like ours, till I’m asking each day will this day
match yesterday, and will tomorrow take a good place beside the same
day in the year that’s gone, and wondering all times is it a game worth
playing, living on until you’re dried and old, and our joy is gone for
ever.

LAVARCHAM.
If it’s that ails you, I tell you there’s little hurt getting old,
though young girls and poets do be storming at the shapes of age.
(_Passionately._) There’s little hurt getting old, saving when you’re
looking back, the way I’m looking this day, and seeing the young you
have a love for breaking up their hearts with folly. (_Going to
Deirdre._) Take my word and stop Naisi, and the day’ll come you’ll have
more joy having the senses of an old woman and you with your little
grandsons shrieking round you, than I’d have this night putting on the
red mouth and the white arms you have, to go walking lonesome byways
with a gamey king.

DEIRDRE.
It’s little joy of a young woman, or an old woman, I’ll have from this
day, surely. But what use is in our talking when there’s Naisi on the
foreshore, and Fergus with him?

LAVARCHAM.
— _despairingly._ — I’m late so with my warnings, for Fergus’d talk the
moon over to take a new path in the sky. (_With reproach._) You’ll not
stop him this day, and isn’t it a strange story you were a plague and
torment, since you were that height, to those did hang their lifetimes
on your voice. (_Overcome with trouble; gathering her cloak about
her._) Don’t think bad of my crying. I’m not the like of many and I’d
see a score of naked corpses and not heed them at all, but I’m
destroyed seeing yourself in your hour of joy when the end is coming
surely.

[_Owen comes in quickly, rather ragged, bows to Deirdre._

OWEN.
— _to Lavarcham._ — Fergus’s men are calling you. You were seen on the
path, and he and Naisi want you for their talk below.

LAVARCHAM.
— _looking at him with dislike._ — Yourself’s an ill-lucky thing to
meet a morning is the like of this. Yet if you are a spy itself I’ll go
and give my word that’s wanting surely.

[_Goes out._

OWEN.
— _to Deirdre._ — So I’ve found you alone, and I after waiting three
weeks getting ague and asthma in the chill of the bogs, till I saw
Naisi caught with Fergus.

DEIRDRE.
I’ve heard news of Fergus; what brought you from Ulster?

OWEN.
— _who has been searching, finds a loaf and sits down eating greedily,
and cutting it with a large knife._ — The full moon, I’m thinking, and
it squeezing the crack in my skull. Was there ever a man crossed nine
waves after a fool’s wife and he not away in his head?

DEIRDRE.
— _absently._ — It should be a long time since you left Emain, where
there’s civility in speech with queens.

OWEN.
It’s a long while, surely. It’s three weeks I am losing my manners
beside the Saxon bull-frogs at the head of the bog. Three weeks is a
long space, and yet you’re seven years spancelled with Naisi and the
pair.

DEIRDRE.
— _beginning to fold up her silks and jewels._ — Three weeks of your
days might be long, surely, yet seven years are a short space for the
like of Naisi and myself.

OWEN.
— _derisively._ — If they’re a short space there aren’t many the like
of you. Wasn’t there a queen in Tara had to walk out every morning till
she’d meet a stranger and see the flame of courtship leaping up within
his eye? Tell me now, (_leaning towards her_) are you well pleased that
length with the same man snorting next you at the dawn of day?

DEIRDRE.
— _very quietly._ — Am I well pleased seven years seeing the same sun
throwing light across the branches at the dawn of day? It’s a
heartbreak to the wise that it’s for a short space we have the same
things only. (_With contempt._) Yet the earth itself is a silly place,
maybe, when a man’s a fool and talker.

OWEN.
— _sharply._ — Well, go, take your choice. Stay here and rot with Naisi
or go to Conchubor in Emain. Conchubor’s a wrinkled fool with a
swelling belly on him, and eyes falling downward from his shining
crown; Naisi should be stale and weary. Yet there are many roads,
Deirdre, and I tell you I’d liefer be bleaching in a bog-hole than
living on without a touch of kindness from your eyes and voice. It’s a
poor thing to be so lonesome you’d squeeze kisses on a cur dog’s nose.

DEIRDRE.
Are there no women like yourself could be your friends in Emain?

OWEN.
— _vehemently._ — There are none like you, Deirdre. It’s for that I’m
asking are you going back this night with Fergus?

DEIRDRE.
I will go where Naisi chooses.

OWEN.
— _with a burst of rage._ — It’s Naisi, Naisi, is it? Then, I tell you,
you’ll have great sport one day seeing Naisi getting a harshness in his
two sheep’s eyes and he looking on yourself. Would you credit it, my
father used to be in the broom and heather kissing Lavarcham, with a
little bird chirping out above their heads, and now she’d scare a raven
from a carcase on a hill. (_With a sad cry that brings dignity into his
voice._) Queens get old, Deirdre, with their white and long arms going
from them, and their backs hooping. I tell you it’s a poor thing to see
a queen’s nose reaching down to scrape her chin.

DEIRDRE.
— _looking out, a little uneasy._ — Naisi and Fergus are coming on the
path.

OWEN.
I’ll go so, for if I had you seven years I’d be jealous of the midges
and the dust is in the air. (_Muffles himself in his cloak; with a sort
of warning in his voice._) I’ll give you a riddle, Deirdre: Why isn’t
my father as ugly and old as Conchubor? You’ve no answer? . . . . It’s
because Naisi killed him. (_With curious expression._) Think of that
and you awake at night, hearing Naisi snoring, or the night you hear
strange stories of the things I’m doing in Alban or in Ulster either.

[_He goes out, and in a moment Naisi and Fergus come in on the other
side._

NAISI.
— _gaily._ — Fergus has brought messages of peace from Conchubor.

DEIRDRE.
— _greeting Fergus._ — He is welcome. Let you rest, Fergus, you should
be hot and thirsty after mounting the rocks.

FERGUS.
It’s a sunny nook you’ve found in Alban; yet any man would be well
pleased mounting higher rocks to fetch yourself and Naisi back to
Emain.

DEIRDRE.
— _with keenness._ — They’ve answered? They would go?

FERGUS.
— _benignly._ — They have not, but when I was a young man we’d have
given a lifetime to be in Ireland a score of weeks; and to this day the
old men have nothing so heavy as knowing it’s in a short while they’ll
lose the high skies are over Ireland, and the lonesome mornings with
birds crying on the bogs. Let you come this day, for there’s no place
but Ireland where the Gael can have peace always.

NAISI.
— _gruffly._ — It’s true, surely. Yet we’re better this place while
Conchubor’s in Emain Macha.

FERGUS.
— _giving him parchments._ — There are your sureties and Conchubor’s
seal. (_To Deirdre._) I am your surety with Conchubor. You’ll not be
young always, and it’s time you were making yourselves ready for the
years will come, building up a homely dun beside the seas of Ireland,
and getting in your children from the princes’ wives. It’s little joy
wandering till age is on you and your youth is gone away, so you’d best
come this night, for you’d have great pleasure putting out your foot
and saying, “I am in Ireland, surely.”

DEIRDRE.
It isn’t pleasure I’d have while Conchubor is king in Emain.

FERGUS.
— _almost annoyed._ — Would you doubt the seals of Conall Cearneach and
the kings of Meath? (_He gets parchments from his cloak and gives them
to Naisi. More gently._) It’s easy being fearful and you alone in the
woods, yet it would be a poor thing if a timid woman (_taunting her a
little_) could turn away the Sons of Usna from the life of kings. Let
you be thinking on the years to come, Deirdre, and the way you’d have a
right to see Naisi a high and white-haired justice beside some king of
Emain. Wouldn’t it be a poor story if a queen the like of you should
have no thought but to be scraping up her hours dallying in the
sunshine with the sons of kings?

DEIRDRE.
— _turning away a little haughtily._ — I leave the choice to Naisi.
(_Turning back towards Fergus._) Yet you’d do well, Fergus, to go on
your own way, for the sake of your own years, so you’ll not be saying
till your hour of death, maybe, it was yourself brought Naisi and his
brothers to a grave was scooped by treachery.

[_Goes into tent._

FERGUS.
It is a poor thing to see a queen so lonesome and afraid. (_He watches
till he is sure Deirdre cannot hear him._) Listen now to what I’m
saying. You’d do well to come back to men and women are your match and
comrades, and not be lingering until the day that you’ll grow weary,
and hurt Deirdre showing her the hardness will grow up within your
eyes. . . . You’re here years and plenty to know it’s truth I’m saying.

[_Deirdre comes out of tent with a horn of wine, she catches the
beginning of Naisi’s speech and stops with stony wonder._

NAISI.
— _very thoughtfully._ — I’ll not tell you a lie. There have been days
a while past when I’ve been throwing a line for salmon or watching for
the run of hares, that I’ve a dread upon me a day’d come I’d weary of
her voice, (_very slowly_) and Deirdre’d see I’d wearied.

FERGUS.
— _sympathetic but triumphant._ — I knew it, Naisi. . . . And take my
word, Deirdre’s seen your dread and she’ll have no peace from this out
in the woods.

NAISI.
— _with confidence._ — She’s not seen it. . . . Deirdre’s no thought of
getting old or wearied; it’s that puts wonder in her days, and she with
spirits would keep bravery and laughter in a town with plague.

[_Deirdre drops the horn of wine and crouches down where she is._

FERGUS.
That humour’ll leave her. But we’ve no call going too far, with one
word borrowing another. Will you come this night to Emain Macha?

NAISI.
I’ll not go, Fergus. I’ve had dreams of getting old and weary, and
losing my delight in Deirdre; but my dreams were dreams only. What are
Conchubor’s seals and all your talk of Emain and the fools of Meath
beside one evening in Glen Masain? We’ll stay this place till our lives
and time are worn out. It’s that word you may take in your curagh to
Conchubor in Emain.

FERGUS.
— _gathering up his parchments._ — And you won’t go, surely.

NAISI.
I will not. . . . I’ve had dread, I tell you, dread winter and summer,
and the autumn and the springtime, even when there’s a bird in every
bush making his own stir till the fall of night; but this talk’s
brought me ease, and I see we’re as happy as the leaves on the young
trees, and we’ll be so ever and always, though we’d live the age of the
eagle and the salmon and the crow of Britain.

FERGUS.
— _with anger._ — Where are your brothers? My message is for them also.

NAISI.
You’ll see them above chasing otters by the stream.

FERGUS.
— _bitterly._ — It isn’t much I was mistaken, thinking you were hunters
only.

[_He goes, Naisi turns towards tent and sees Deirdre crouching down
with her cloak round her face. Deirdre comes out._

NAISI.
You’ve heard my words to Fergus? (_She does not answer. A pause. He
puts his arm round her._) Leave troubling, and we’ll go this night to
Glen da Ruadh, where the salmon will be running with the tide.

[_Crosses and sits down._

DEIRDRE.
— _in a very low voice._ — With the tide in a little while we will be
journeying again, or it is our own blood maybe will be running away.
(_She turns and clings to him._) The dawn and evening are a little
while, the winter and the summer pass quickly, and what way would you
and I, Naisi, have joy for ever?

NAISI.
We’ll have the joy is highest till our age is come, for it isn’t
Fergus’s talk of great deeds could take us back to Emain.

DEIRDRE.
It isn’t to great deeds you’re going but to near troubles, and the
shortening of your days the time that they are bright and sunny; and
isn’t it a poor thing that I, Deirdre, could not hold you away?

NAISI.
I’ve said we’d stay in Alban always.

DEIRDRE.
There’s no place to stay always. . . . It’s a long time we’ve had,
pressing the lips together, going up and down, resting in our arms,
Naisi, waking with the smell of June in the tops of the grasses, and
listening to the birds in the branches that are highest. . . . It’s a
long time we’ve had, but the end has come, surely.

NAISI.
Would you have us go to Emain, though if any ask the reason we do not
know it, and we journeying as the thrushes come from the north, or
young birds fly out on a dark sea?

DEIRDRE.
There’s reason all times for an end that’s come. And I’m well pleased,
Naisi, we’re going forward in the winter the time the sun has a low
place, and the moon has her mastery in a dark sky, for it’s you and I
are well lodged our last day, where there is a light behind the clear
trees, and the berries on the thorns are a red wall.

NAISI.
If our time in this place is ended, come away without Ainnle and Ardan
to the woods of the east, for it’s right to be away from all people
when two lovers have their love only. Come away and we’ll be safe
always.

DEIRDRE.
— _broken-hearted._ — There’s no safe place, Naisi, on the ridge of the
world. . . . . And it’s in the quiet woods I’ve seen them digging our
grave, throwing out the clay on leaves are bright and withered.

NAISI.
— _still more eagerly._ — Come away, Deirdre, and it’s little we’ll
think of safety or the grave beyond it, and we resting in a little
corner between the daytime and the long night.

DEIRDRE.
— _clearly and gravely._ — It’s this hour we’re between the daytime and
a night where there is sleep for ever, and isn’t it a better thing to
be following on to a near death, than to be bending the head down, and
dragging with the feet, and seeing one day a blight showing upon love
where it is sweet and tender.

NAISI.
— _his voice broken with distraction._ — If a near death is coming what
will be my trouble losing the earth and the stars over it, and you,
Deirdre, are their flame and bright crown? Come away into the safety of
the woods.

DEIRDRE.
— _shaking her head slowly._ — There are as many ways to wither love as
there are stars in a night of Samhain; but there is no way to keep
life, or love with it, a short space only. . . . It’s for that there’s
nothing lonesome like a love is watching out the time most lovers do be
sleeping. . . . It’s for that we’re setting out for Emain Macha when
the tide turns on the sand.

NAISI.
— _giving in._ — You’re right, maybe. It should be a poor thing to see
great lovers and they sleepy and old.

DEIRDRE.
— _with a more tender intensity._ — We’re seven years without roughness
or growing weary; seven years so sweet and shining, the gods would be
hard set to give us seven days the like of them. It’s for that we’re
going to Emain, where there’ll be a rest for ever, or a place for
forgetting, in great crowds and they making a stir.

NAISI.
— _very softly._ — We’ll go, surely, in place of keeping a watch on a
love had no match and it wasting away. (_They cling to each other for a
moment, then Naisi looks up._) There are Fergus and Lavarcham and my
two brothers.

[_Deirdre goes. Naisi sits with his head bowed. Owen runs in
stealthily, comes behind Naisi and seizes him round the arms. Naisi
shakes him off and whips out his sword._

OWEN.
— _screaming with derisive laughter and showing his empty hands._ — Ah,
Naisi, wasn’t it well I didn’t kill you that time? There was a fright
you got! I’ve been watching Fergus above — don’t be frightened — and
I’ve come down to see him getting the cold shoulder, and going off
alone.

[_Fergus and others come in. They are all subdued like men at a queen’s
wake._

NAISI.
— _putting up his sword._ — There he is. (_Goes to Fergus._) We are
going back when the tide turns, I and Deirdre with yourself.

ALL.
Going back!

AINNLE.
And you’ll end your life with Deirdre, though she has no match for
keeping spirits in a little company is far away by itself?

ARDAN.
It’s seven years myself and Ainnle have been servants and bachelors for
yourself and Deirdre. Why will you take her back to Conchubor?

NAISI.
I have done what Deirdre wishes and has chosen.

FERGUS.
You’ve made a choice wise men will be glad of in the five ends of
Ireland.

OWEN.
Wise men is it, and they going back to Conchubor? I could stop them
only Naisi put in his sword among my father’s ribs, and when a man’s
done that he’ll not credit your oath. Going to Conchubor! I could tell
of plots and tricks, and spies were well paid for their play. (_He
throws up a bag of gold._) Are you paid, Fergus?

[_He scatters gold pieces over Fergus._

FERGUS.
He is raving. . . . Seize him.

OWEN.
— _flying between them._ — You won’t. Let the lot of you be off to
Emain, but I’ll be off before you. . . . Dead men, dead men! Men who’ll
die for Deirdre’s beauty; I’ll be before you in the grave!

[_Runs out with his knife in his hand. They all run after him except
Lavarcham, who looks out and then clasps her hands. Deirdre comes out
to her in a dark cloak._

DEIRDRE.
What has happened?

LAVARCHAM.
It’s Owen’s gone raging mad, and he’s after splitting his gullet beyond
at the butt of the stone. There was ill luck this day in his eye. And
he knew a power if he’d said it all.

[_Naisi comes back quickly, followed by the others._

AINNLE.
— _coming in very excited._ — That man knew plots of Conchubor’s. We’ll
not go to Emain, where Conchubor may love her and have hatred for
yourself.

FERGUS.
Would you mind a fool and raver?

AINNLE.
It’s many times there’s more sense in madmen than the wise. We will not
obey Conchubor.

NAISI.
I and Deirdre have chosen; we will go back with Fergus.

ARDAN.
We will not go back. We will burn your curaghs by the sea.

FERGUS.
My sons and I will guard them.

AINNLE.
We will blow the horn of Usna and our friends will come to aid us.

NAISI.
It is my friends will come.

AINNLE.
Your friends will bind your hands, and you out of your wits.

[_Deirdre comes forward quickly and comes between Ainnle and Naisi._

DEIRDRE.
— _in a low voice._ — For seven years the Sons of Usna have not raised
their voices in a quarrel.

AINNLE.
We will not take you to Emain.

ARDAN.
It is Conchubor has broken our peace.

AINNLE.
— _to Deirdre._ — Stop Naisi going. What way would we live if Conchubor
should take you from us?

DEIRDRE.
There is no one could take me from you. I have chosen to go back with
Fergus. Will you quarrel with me, Ainnle, though I have been your queen
these seven years in Alban?

AINNLE.
— _subsiding suddenly._ — Naisi has no call to take you.

ARDAN.
Why are you going?

DEIRDRE.
— _to both of them and the others._ — It is my wish. . . . It may be I
will not have Naisi growing an old man in Alban with an old woman at
his side, and young girls pointing out and saying, “that is Deirdre and
Naisi had great beauty in their youth.” It may be we do well putting a
sharp end to the day is brave and glorious, as our fathers put a sharp
end to the days of the kings of Ireland; or that I’m wishing to set my
foot on Slieve Fuadh, where I was running one time and leaping the
streams, (_to Lavarcham_) and that I’d be well pleased to see our
little apple-trees, Lavarcham, behind our cabin on the hill; or that
I’ve learned, Fergus, it’s a lonesome thing to be away from Ireland
always.

AINNLE.
— _giving in._ — There is no place but will be lonesome to us from this
out, and we thinking on our seven years in Alban.

DEIRDRE.
— _to Naisi._ — It’s in this place we’d be lonesome in the end. . . .
Take down Fergus to the sea. He has been a guest had a hard welcome and
he bringing messages of peace.

FERGUS.
We will make your curagh ready and it fitted for the voyage of a king.

[_He goes with Naisi._

DEIRDRE.
Take your spears, Ainnle and Ardan, and go down before me, and take
your horse-boys to be carrying my cloaks are on the threshold.

AINNLE.
— _obeying._ — It’s with a poor heart we’ll carry your things this day
we have carried merrily so often, and we hungry and cold.

[_They gather up things and go out._

DEIRDRE.
— _to Lavarcham._ — Go you, too, Lavarcham. You are old, and I will
follow quickly.

LAVARCHAM.
I’m old, surely, and the hopes I had my pride in are broken and torn.

[_She goes out, with a look of awe at Deirdre._

DEIRDRE.
— _clasping her hands._ — Woods of Cuan, woods of Cuan, dear country of
the east! It’s seven years we’ve had a life was joy only, and this day
we’re going west, this day we’re facing death, maybe, and death should
be a poor, untidy thing, though it’s a queen that dies.

[_She goes out slowly._

 CURTAIN



ACT III.

_Tent below Emain, with shabby skins and benches. There is an opening
at each side and at back, the latter closed. Old Woman comes in with
food and fruits and arranges them on table. Conchubor comes in on
right._

CONCHUBOR.
— _sharply._ — Has no one come with news for me?

OLD WOMAN.
I’ve seen no one at all, Conchubor.

CONCHUBOR.
— _watches her working for a moment, then makes sure opening at back is
closed._ — Go up then to Emain, you’re not wanting here. (_A noise
heard left._) Who is that?

OLD WOMAN.
— _going left._ — It’s Lavarcham coming again. She’s a great wonder for
jogging back and forward through the world, and I made certain she’d be
off to meet them; but she’s coming alone, Conchubor, my dear child
Deirdre isn’t with her at all.

CONCHUBOR.
Go up so and leave us.

OLD WOMAN.
— _pleadingly._ — I’d be well pleased to set my eyes on Deirdre if
she’s coming this night, as we’re told.

CONCHUBOR.
— _impatiently._ — It’s not long till you’ll see her. But I’ve matters
with Lavarcham, and let you go now, I’m saying.

[_He shows her out right, as Lavarcham comes in on the left._

LAVARCHAM.
— _looking round her with suspicion._ — This is a queer place to find
you, and it’s a queer place to be lodging Naisi and his brothers, and
Deirdre with them, and the lot of us tired out with the long way we
have been walking.

CONCHUBOR.
You’ve come along with them the whole journey?

LAVARCHAM.
I have, then, though I’ve no call now to be wandering that length to a
wedding or a burial, or the two together. (_She sits down wearily._)
It’s a poor thing the way me and you is getting old, Conchubor, and I’m
thinking you yourself have no call to be loitering this place getting
your death, maybe, in the cold of night.

CONCHUBOR.
I’m waiting only to know is Fergus stopped in the north.

LAVARCHAM.
— _more sharply._ — He’s stopped, surely, and that’s a trick has me
thinking you have it in mind to bring trouble this night on Emain and
Ireland and the big world’s east beyond them. (_She goes to him._) And
yet you’d do well to be going to your dun, and not putting shame on her
meeting the High King, and she seamed and sweaty and in great disorder
from the dust of many roads. (_Laughing derisively._) Ah, Conchubor, my
lad, beauty goes quickly in the woods, and you’d let a great gasp, I
tell you, if you set your eyes this night on Deirdre.

CONCHUBOR.
— _fiercely._ — It’s little I care if she’s white and worn, for it’s I
did rear her from a child. I should have a good right to meet and see
her always.

LAVARCHAM.
A good right is it? Haven’t the blind a good right to be seeing, and
the lame to be dancing, and the dummies singing tunes? It’s that right
you have to be looking for gaiety on Deirdre’s lips. (_Coaxingly._)
Come on to your dun, I’m saying, and leave her quiet for one night
itself.

CONCHUBOR.
— _with sudden anger._ — I’ll not go, when it’s long enough I am above
in my dun stretching east and west without a comrade, and I more needy,
maybe, than the thieves of Meath. . . . You think I’m old and wise, but
I tell you the wise know the old must die, and they’ll leave no chance
for a thing slipping from them they’ve set their blood to win.

LAVARCHAM.
— _nodding her head._ — If you’re old and wise, it’s I’m the same,
Conchubor, and I’m telling you you’ll not have her though you’re ready
to destroy mankind and skin the gods to win her. There’s things a king
can’t have, Conchubor, and if you go rampaging this night you’ll be apt
to win nothing but death for many, and a sloppy face of trouble on your
own self before the day will come.

CONCHUBOR.
It’s too much talk you have. (_Goes right._) Where is Owen? Did you see
him no place and you coming the road?

LAVARCHAM.
I seen him surely. He went spying on Naisi, and now the worms is spying
on his own inside.

CONCHUBOR.
— _exultingly._ — Naisi killed him?

LAVARCHAM.
He did not, then. It was Owen destroyed himself running mad because of
Deirdre. Fools and kings and scholars are all one in a story with her
like, and Owen thought he’d be a great man, being the first corpse in
the game you’ll play this night in Emain.

CONCHUBOR.
It’s yourself should be the first corpse, but my other messengers are
coming, men from the clans that hated Usna.

LAVARCHAM.
— _drawing back hopelessly._ — Then the gods have pity on us all!

[_Men with weapons come in._

CONCHUBOR.
— _to Soldiers._ — Are Ainnle and Ardan separate from Naisi?

MEN.
They are, Conchubor. We’ve got them off, saying they were needed to
make ready Deirdre’s house.

CONCHUBOR.
And Naisi and Deirdre are coming?

SOLDIER.
Naisi’s coming, surely, and a woman with him is putting out the glory
of the moon is rising and the sun is going down.

CONCHUBOR.
— _looking at Lavarcham._ — That’s your story that she’s seamed and
ugly?

SOLDIER.
I have more news. (_Pointing to Lavarcham._) When that woman heard you
were bringing Naisi this place, she sent a horse-boy to call Fergus
from the north.

CONCHUBOR.
— _to Lavarcham._ — It’s for that you’ve been playing your tricks, but
what you’ve won is a nearer death for Naisi. (_To Soldiers._) Go up and
call my fighters, and take that woman up to Emain.

LAVARCHAM.
I’d liefer stay this place. I’ve done my best, but if a bad end is
coming, surely it would be a good thing maybe I was here to tend her.

CONCHUBOR.
— _fiercely._ — Take her to Emain; it’s too many tricks she’s tried
this day already. (_A Soldier goes to her._)

LAVARCHAM.
Don’t touch me. (_She puts her cloak round her and catches Conchubor’s
arm._) I thought to stay your hand with my stories till Fergus would
come to be beside them, the way I’d save yourself, Conchubor, and Naisi
and Emain Macha; but I’ll walk up now into your halls, and I’ll say
(_with a gesture_) it’s here nettles will be growing, and beyond
thistles and docks. I’ll go into your high chambers, where you’ve been
figuring yourself stretching out your neck for the kisses of a queen of
women; and I’ll say it’s here there’ll be deer stirring and goats
scratching, and sheep waking and coughing when there is a great wind
from the north. (_Shaking herself loose. Conchubor makes a sign to
Soldiers._) I’m going, surely. In a short space I’ll be sitting up with
many listening to the flames crackling, and the beams breaking, and I
looking on the great blaze will be the end of Emain.

[_She goes out._

CONCHUBOR.
— _looking out._ — I see two people in the trees; it should be Naisi
and Deirdre. (_To Soldier._) Let you tell them they’ll lodge here
tonight.

[_Conchubor goes out right. Naisi and Deirdre come in on left, very
weary._

NAISI.
— _to Soldiers._ — Is it this place he’s made ready for myself and
Deirdre?

SOLDIER.
The Red Branch House is being aired and swept and you’ll be called
there when a space is by; till then you’d find fruits and drink on this
table, and so the gods be with you.

[_Goes out right._

NAISI.
— _looking round._ — It’s a strange place he’s put us camping and we
come back as his friends.

DEIRDRE.
He’s likely making up a welcome for us, having curtains shaken out and
rich rooms put in order; and it’s right he’d have great state to meet
us, and you his sister’s son.

NAISI.
— _gloomily._ — It’s little we want with state or rich rooms or
curtains, when we’re used to the ferns only and cold streams and they
making a stir.

DEIRDRE.
— _roaming round room._ — We want what is our right in Emain (_looking
at hangings_), and though he’s riches in store for us it’s a shabby,
ragged place he’s put us waiting, with frayed rugs and skins are eaten
by the moths.

NAISI.
— _a little impatiently._ — There are few would worry over skins and
moths on this first night that we’ve come back to Emain.

DEIRDRE.
— _brightly._ — You should be well pleased it’s for that I’d worry all
times, when it’s I have kept your tent these seven years as tidy as a
bee-hive or a linnet’s nest. If Conchubor’d a queen like me in Emain
he’d not have stretched these rags to meet us. (_She pulls hanging, and
it opens._) There’s new earth on the ground and a trench dug. . . .
It’s a grave, Naisi, that is wide and deep.

NAISI.
— _goes over and pulls back curtain showing grave._ — And that’ll be
our home in Emain. . . . He’s dug it wisely at the butt of a hill, with
fallen trees to hide it. He’ll want to have us killed and buried before
Fergus comes.

DEIRDRE.
Take me away. . . . Take me to hide in the rocks, for the night is
coming quickly.

NAISI.
— _pulling himself together._ — I will not leave my brothers.

DEIRDRE.
— _vehemently._ — It’s of us two he’s jealous. Come away to the places
where we’re used to have our company. . . . Wouldn’t it be a good thing
to lie hid in the high ferns together? (_She pulls him left._) I hear
strange words in the trees.

NAISI.
It should be the strange fighters of Conchubor. I saw them passing as
we came.

DEIRDRE.
— _pulling him towards the right._ — Come to this side. Listen, Naisi!

NAISI.
There are more of them. . . . We are shut in, and I have not Ainnle and
Ardan to stand near me. Isn’t it a hard thing that we three who have
conquered many may not die together?

DEIRDRE.
— _sinking down._ — And isn’t it a hard thing that you and I are in
this place by our opened grave; though none have lived had happiness
like ours those days in Alban that went by so quick.

NAISI.
It’s a hard thing, surely, we’ve lost those days for ever; and yet it’s
a good thing, maybe, that all goes quick, for when I’m in that grave
it’s soon a day’ll come you’ll be too wearied to be crying out, and
that day’ll bring you ease.

DEIRDRE.
I’ll not be here to know if that is true.

NAISI.
It’s our three selves he’ll kill tonight, and then in two months or
three you’ll see him walking down for courtship with yourself.

DEIRDRE.
I’ll not be here.

NAISI.
— _hard._ — You’d best keep him off, maybe, and then, when the time
comes, make your way to some place west in Donegal, and it’s there
you’ll get used to stretching out lonesome at the fall of night, and
waking lonesome for the day.

DEIRDRE.
Let you not be saying things are worse than death.

NAISI.
— _a little recklessly._ — I’ve one word left. If a day comes in the
west that the larks are cocking their crests on the edge of the clouds,
and the cuckoos making a stir, and there’s a man you’d fancy, let you
not be thinking that day I’d be well pleased you’d go on keening
always.

DEIRDRE.
— _turning to look at him._ — And if it was I that died, Naisi, would
you take another woman to fill up my place?

NAISI.
— _very mournfully._ — It’s little I know, saving only that it’s a hard
and bitter thing leaving the earth, and a worse and harder thing
leaving yourself alone and desolate to be making lamentation on its
face always.

DEIRDRE.
I’ll die when you do, Naisi. I’d not have come here from Alban but I
knew I’d be along with you in Emain, and you living or dead. . . . Yet
this night it’s strange and distant talk you’re making only.

NAISI.
There’s nothing, surely, the like of a new grave of open earth for
putting a great space between two friends that love.

DEIRDRE.
If there isn’t, it’s that grave when it’s closed will make us one for
ever, and we two lovers have had great space without weariness or
growing old or any sadness of the mind.

CONCHUBOR.
— _coming in on right._ — I’d bid you welcome, Naisi.

NAISI.
— _standing up._ — You’re welcome, Conchubor. I’m well pleased you’ve
come.

CONCHUBOR.
— _blandly._ — Let you not think bad of this place where I’ve put you
till other rooms are readied.

NAISI.
— _breaking out._ — We know the room you’ve readied. We know what
stirred you to send your seals and Fergus into Alban and stop him in
the north, (_opening curtain and pointing to the grave_) and dig that
grave before us. Now I ask what brought you here?

CONCHUBOR.
I’ve come to look on Deirdre.

NAISI.
Look on her. You’re a knacky fancier, and it’s well you chose the one
you’d lure from Alban. Look on her, I tell you, and when you’ve looked
I’ve got ten fingers will squeeze your mottled goose neck, though
you’re king itself.

DEIRDRE.
— _coming between them._ — Hush, Naisi! Maybe Conchubor’ll make peace.
. . . Do not mind him, Conchubor; he has cause to rage.

CONCHUBOR.
It’s little I heed his raging, when a call would bring my fighters from
the trees. . . . But what do you say, Deirdre?

DEIRDRE.
I’ll say so near that grave we seem three lonesome people, and by a new
made grave there’s no man will keep brooding on a woman’s lips, or on
the man he hates. It’s not long till your own grave will be dug in
Emain, and you’d go down to it more easy if you’d let call Ainnle and
Ardan, the way we’d have a supper all together, and fill that grave,
and you’ll be well pleased from this out, having four new friends the
like of us in Emain.

CONCHUBOR.
— _looking at her for a moment._ — That’s the first friendly word I’ve
heard you speaking, Deirdre. A game the like of yours should be the
proper thing for softening the heart and putting sweetness in the
tongue; and yet this night when I hear you I’ve small blame left for
Naisi that he stole you off from Ulster.

DEIRDRE.
— _to Naisi._ — Now, Naisi, answer gently, and we’ll be friends
tonight.

NAISI.
— _doggedly._ — I have no call but to be friendly. I’ll answer what you
will.

DEIRDRE.
— _taking Naisi’s hand._ — Then you’ll call Conchubor your friend and
king, the man who reared me up upon Slieve Fuadh.

[_As Conchubor is going to clasp Naisi’s hand cries are heard behind._

CONCHUBOR.
What noise is that?

AINNLE.
— _behind._ — Naisi. . . . Naisi. Come to us; we are betrayed and
broken.

NAISI.
It’s Ainnle crying out in a battle.

CONCHUBOR.
I was near won this night, but death’s between us now.

[_He goes out._

DEIRDRE.
— _clinging to Naisi._ — There is no battle. . . . Do not leave me,
Naisi.

NAISI.
I must go to them.

DEIRDRE.
— _beseechingly._ — Do not leave me, Naisi. Let us creep up in the
darkness behind the grave. If there’s a battle, maybe the strange
fighters will be destroyed, when Ainnle and Ardan are against them.

[_Cries heard._

NAISI.
— _wildly._ — I hear Ardan crying out. Do not hold me from my brothers.

DEIRDRE.
Do not leave me, Naisi. Do not leave me broken and alone.

NAISI.
I cannot leave my brothers when it is I who have defied the king.

DEIRDRE.
I will go with you.

NAISI.
You cannot come. Do not hold me from the fight.

[_He throws her aside almost roughly._

DEIRDRE.
— _with restraint._ — Go to your brothers. For seven years you have
been kindly, but the hardness of death has come between us.

NAISI.
— _looking at her aghast._ — And you’ll have me meet death with a hard
word from your lips in my ear?

DEIRDRE.
We’ve had a dream, but this night has waked us surely. In a little
while we’ve lived too long, Naisi, and isn’t it a poor thing we should
miss the safety of the grave, and we trampling its edge?

AINNLE.
— _behind._ — Naisi, Naisi, we are attacked and ruined!

DEIRDRE.
Let you go where they are calling. (_She looks at him for an instant
coldly._) Have you no shame loitering and talking, and a cruel death
facing Ainnle and Ardan in the woods?

NAISI.
— _frantic._ — They’ll not get a death that’s cruel, and they with men
alone. It’s women that have loved are cruel only; and if I went on
living from this day I’d be putting a curse on the lot of them I’d meet
walking in the east or west, putting a curse on the sun that gave them
beauty, and on the madder and the stone-crop put red upon their cloaks.

DEIRDRE.
— _bitterly._ — I’m well pleased there’s no one in this place to make a
story that Naisi was a laughing-stock the night he died.

NAISI.
There’d not be many’d make a story, for that mockery is in your eyes
this night will spot the face of Emain with a plague of pitted graves.

[_He goes out._

CONCHUBOR.
— _outside._ — That is Naisi. Strike him! (_Tumult. Deirdre crouches
down on Naisi’s cloak. Conchubor comes in hurriedly._) They’ve met
their death — the three that stole you, Deirdre, and from this out
you’ll be my queen in Emain.

[_A keen of men’s voices is heard behind._

DEIRDRE.
— _bewildered and terrified._ — It is not I will be a queen.

CONCHUBOR.
Make your lamentation a short while if you will, but it isn’t long till
a day’ll come when you begin pitying a man is old and desolate, and
High King also. . . . Let you not fear me, for it’s I’m well pleased
you have a store of pity for the three that were your friends in Alban.

DEIRDRE.
I have pity, surely. . . . It’s the way pity has me this night, when I
think of Naisi, that I could set my teeth into the heart of a king.

CONCHUBOR.
I know well pity’s cruel, when it was my pity for my own self destroyed
Naisi.

DEIRDRE.
— _more wildly._ — It was my words without pity gave Naisi a death will
have no match until the ends of life and time. (_Breaking out into a
keen._) But who’ll pity Deirdre has lost the lips of Naisi from her
neck and from her cheek for ever? Who’ll pity Deirdre has lost the
twilight in the woods with Naisi, when beech-trees were silver and
copper, and ash-trees were fine gold?

CONCHUBOR.
— _bewildered._ — It’s I’ll know the way to pity and care you, and I
with a share of troubles has me thinking this night it would be a good
bargain if it was I was in the grave, and Deirdre crying over me, and
it was Naisi who was old and desolate.

[_Keen heard._

DEIRDRE.
— _wild with sorrow._ — It is I who am desolate; I, Deirdre, that will
not live till I am old.

CONCHUBOR.
It’s not long you’ll be desolate, and I seven years saying, “It’s a
bright day for Deirdre in the woods of Alban”; or saying again, “What
way will Deirdre be sleeping this night, and wet leaves and branches
driving from the north?” Let you not break the thing I’ve set my life
on, and you giving yourself up to your sorrow when it’s joy and sorrow
do burn out like straw blazing in an east wind.

DEIRDRE.
— _turning on him._ — Was it that way with your sorrow, when I and
Naisi went northward from Slieve Fuadh and let raise our sails for
Alban?

CONCHUBOR.
There’s one sorrow has no end surely — that’s being old and lonesome.
(_With extraordinary pleading._) But you and I will have a little peace
in Emain, with harps playing, and old men telling stories at the fall
of night. I’ve let build rooms for our two selves, Deirdre, with red
gold upon the walls and ceilings that are set with bronze. There was
never a queen in the east had a house the like of your house, that’s
waiting for yourself in Emain.

SOLDIER — _running in._ — Emain is in flames. Fergus has come back and
is setting fire to the world. Come up, Conchubor, or your state will be
destroyed!

CONCHUBOR.
— _angry and regal again._ — Are the Sons of Usna buried?

SOLDIER.
They are in their grave, but no earth is thrown.

CONCHUBOR.
Let me see them. Open the tent! (_Soldier opens back of tent and shows
grave._) Where are my fighters?

SOLDIER.
They are gone to Emain.

CONCHUBOR.
— _to Deirdre._ — There are none to harm you. Stay here until I come
again.

[_Goes out with Soldier. Deirdre looks round for a moment, then goes up
slowly and looks into grave. She crouches down and begins swaying
herself backwards and forwards, keening softly. At first her words are
not heard, then they become clear._

DEIRDRE.
It’s you three will not see age or death coming — you that were my
company when the fires on the hill-tops were put out and the stars were
our friends only. I’ll turn my thoughts back from this night, that’s
pitiful for want of pity, to the time it was your rods and cloaks made
a little tent for me where there’d be a birch tree making shelter and a
dry stone; though from this day my own fingers will be making a tent
for me, spreading out my hairs and they knotted with the rain.

[_Lavarcham and Old Woman come in stealthily on right._

DEIRDRE.
— _not seeing them._ — It is I, Deirdre, will be crouching in a dark
place; I, Deirdre, that was young with Naisi, and brought sorrow to his
grave in Emain.

OLD WOMAN.
Is that Deirdre broken down that was so light and airy?

LAVARCHAM.
It is, surely, crying out over their grave.

[_She goes to Deirdre._

DEIRDRE.
It will be my share from this out to be making lamentation on his stone
always, and I crying for a love will be the like of a star shining on a
little harbour by the sea.

LAVARCHAM.
— _coming forward._ — Let you rise up, Deirdre, and come off while
there are none to heed us, the way I’ll find you shelter and some
friend to guard you.

DEIRDRE.
To what place would I go away from Naisi? What are the woods without
Naisi or the sea shore?

LAVARCHAM.
— _very coaxingly._ — If it is that way you’d be, come till I find you
a sunny place where you’ll be a great wonder they’ll call the queen of
sorrows; and you’ll begin taking a pride to be sitting up pausing and
dreaming when the summer comes.

DEIRDRE.
It was the voice of Naisi that was strong in summer — the voice of
Naisi that was sweeter than pipes playing, but from this day will be
dumb always.

LAVARCHAM.
— _to Old Woman._ — She doesn’t heed us at all. We’ll be hard set to
rouse her.

OLD WOMAN.
If we don’t the High King will rouse her, coming down beside her with
the rage of battle in his blood, for how could Fergus stand against
him?

LAVARCHAM.
— _touching Deirdre with her hand._ — There’s a score of woman’s years
in store for you, and you’d best choose will you start living them
beside the man you hate, or being your own mistress in the west or
south?

DEIRDRE.
It is not I will go on living after Ainnle and after Ardan. After Naisi
I will not have a lifetime in the world.

OLD WOMAN.
— _with excitement._ — Look, Lavarcham! There’s a light leaving the Red
Branch. Conchubor and his lot will be coming quickly with a torch of
bog-deal for her marriage, throwing a light on her three comrades.

DEIRDRE.
— _startled._ — Let us throw down clay on my three comrades. Let us
cover up Naisi along with Ainnle and Ardan, they that were the pride of
Emain. (_Throwing in clay._) There is Naisi was the best of three, the
choicest of the choice of many. It was a clean death was your share,
Naisi; and it is not I will quit your head, when it’s many a dark night
among the snipe and plover that you and I were whispering together. It
is not I will quit your head, Naisi, when it’s many a night we saw the
stars among the clear trees of Glen da Ruadh, or the moon pausing to
rest her on the edges of the hills.

OLD WOMAN.
Conchubor is coming, surely. I see the glare of flames throwing a light
upon his cloak.

LAVARCHAM.
— _eagerly._ — Rise up, Deirdre, and come to Fergus, or be the High
King’s slave for ever!

DEIRDRE.
— _imperiously._ — I will not leave Naisi, who has left the whole world
scorched and desolate. I will not go away when there is no light in the
heavens, and no flower in the earth under them, but is saying to me
that it is Naisi who is gone for ever.

CONCHUBOR.
— _behind._ — She is here. Stay a little back. (_Lavarcham and Old
Woman go into the shadow on left as Conchubor comes in. With
excitement, to Deirdre._) Come forward and leave Naisi the way I’ve
left charred timber and a smell of burning in Emain Macha, and a heap
of rubbish in the storehouse of many crowns.

DEIRDRE.
— _more awake to what is round her._ — What are crowns and Emain Macha,
when the head that gave them glory is this place, Conchubor, and it
stretched upon the gravel will be my bed tonight?

CONCHUBOR.
Make an end of talk of Naisi, for I’ve come to bring you to Dundealgan
since Emain is destroyed.

[_Conchubor makes a movement towards her._

DEIRDRE.
— _with a tone that stops him._ — Draw a little back from Naisi, who is
young for ever. Draw a little back from the white bodies I am putting
under a mound of clay and grasses that are withered — a mound will have
a nook for my own self when the end is come.

CONCHUBOR.
— _roughly._ — Let you rise up and come along with me in place of
growing crazy with your wailings here.

DEIRDRE.
It’s yourself has made a crazy story, and let you go back to your arms,
Conchubor, and to councils where your name is great, for in this place
you are an old man and a fool only.

CONCHUBOR.
If I’ve folly, I’ve sense left not to lose the thing I’ve bought with
sorrow and the deaths of many.

[_He moves towards her._

DEIRDRE.
Do not raise a hand to touch me.

CONCHUBOR.
There are other hands to touch you. My fighters are set round in among
the trees.

DEIRDRE.
Who’ll fight the grave, Conchubor, and it opened on a dark night?

LAVARCHAM.
— _eagerly._ — There are steps in the wood. I hear the call of Fergus
and his men.

CONCHUBOR.
— _furiously._ — Fergus cannot stop me. I am more powerful than he is,
though I am defeated and old.

FERGUS.
— _comes in to Deirdre; a red glow is seen behind the grove._ — I have
destroyed Emain, and now I’ll guard you all times, Deirdre, though it
was I, without knowledge, brought Naisi to his grave.

CONCHUBOR.
It’s not you will guard her, for my whole armies are gathering. Rise
up, Deirdre, for you are mine surely.

FERGUS.
— _coming between them._ — I am come between you.

CONCHUBOR.
— _wildly._ — When I’ve killed Naisi and his brothers, is there any man
that I will spare? And is it you will stand against me, Fergus, when
it’s seven years you’ve seen me getting my death with rage in Emain?

FERGUS.
It’s I, surely, will stand against a thief and a traitor.

DEIRDRE.
— _stands up and sees the light from Emain._ — Draw a little back with
the squabbling of fools when I am broken up with misery. (_She turns
round._) I see the flames of Emain starting upward in the dark night;
and because of me there will be weasels and wild cats crying on a
lonely wall where there were queens and armies and red gold, the way
there will be a story told of a ruined city and a raving king and a
woman will be young for ever. (_She looks round._) I see the trees
naked and bare, and the moon shining. Little moon, little moon of
Alban, it’s lonesome you’ll be this night, and tomorrow night, and long
nights after, and you pacing the woods beyond Glen Laoi, looking every
place for Deirdre and Naisi, the two lovers who slept so sweetly with
each other.

FERGUS.
— _going to Conchubor’s right and whispering._ — Keep back, or you will
have the shame of pushing a bolt on a queen who is out of her wits.

CONCHUBOR.
It is I who am out of my wits, with Emain in flames, and Deirdre
raving, and my own heart gone within me.

DEIRDRE.
— _in a high and quiet tone._ — I have put away sorrow like a shoe that
is worn out and muddy, for it is I have had a life that will be envied
by great companies. It was not by a low birth I made kings uneasy, and
they sitting in the halls of Emain. It was not a low thing to be chosen
by Conchubor, who was wise, and Naisi had no match for bravery. It is
not a small thing to be rid of grey hairs, and the loosening of the
teeth. (_With a sort of triumph._) It was the choice of lives we had in
the clear woods, and in the grave, we’re safe, surely. . . .

CONCHUBOR.
She will do herself harm.

DEIRDRE.
— _showing Naisi’s knife._ — I have a little key to unlock the prison
of Naisi you’d shut upon his youth for ever. Keep back, Conchubor; for
the High King who is your master has put his hands between us. (_She
half turns to the grave._) It was sorrows were foretold, but great joys
were my share always; yet it is a cold place I must go to be with you,
Naisi; and it’s cold your arms will be this night that were warm about
my neck so often. . . . It’s a pitiful thing to be talking out when
your ears are shut to me. It’s a pitiful thing, Conchubor, you have
done this night in Emain; yet a thing will be a joy and triumph to the
ends of life and time.

[_She presses knife into her heart and sinks into the grave. Conchubor
and Fergus go forward. The red glow fades, leaving stage very dark._

FERGUS.
Four white bodies are laid down together; four clear lights are
quenched in Ireland. (_He throws his sword into the grave._) There is
my sword that could not shield you — my four friends that were the
dearest always. The flames of Emain have gone out: Deirdre is dead and
there is none to keen her. That is the fate of Deirdre and the children
of Usna, and for this night, Conchubor, our war is ended.

[_He goes out._

LAVARCHAM.
I have a little hut where you can rest, Conchubor; there is a great dew
falling.

CONCHUBOR.
— _with the voice of an old man._ — Take me with you. I’m hard set to
see the way before me.

OLD WOMAN.
This way, Conchubor.

[_They go out._

LAVARCHAM.
— _beside the grave._ — Deirdre is dead, and Naisi is dead; and if the
oaks and stars could die for sorrow, it’s a dark sky and a hard and
naked earth we’d have this night in Emain.

 CURTAIN



APPENDIX.

DEIRDRE OF THE SORROWS was first produced at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin,
on Thursday, January 13th, 1910, with the following cast:

_Lavarcham_ SARA ALLGOOD

_Old Woman_ EILEEN O’DOHERTY

_Owen_ J. A. O’ROURKE

_Conchubor_ ARTHUR SINCLAIR

_Fergus_ SYDNEY J. MORGAN

_Deirdre_ MAIRE O’NEILL

_Naisi_ FRED O’DONOVAN

_Ainnle_ J. M. KERRIGAN

_Ardan_ JOHN CARRICK

_Two Soldiers_ {HARRY YOUNG
{AMBROSE POWER



Transcriber’s Note.

I have omitted running heads, have inserted a blank space between the
“.” and the “—” following stage directions immediately following the
name of the speaker, and have made the following additional changes to
the text:




PAGE  LINE  ORIGINAL          CHANGED TO
16    26  its               it’s
29    23  DEIRDRE           DEIRDRE.
33    17  old Woman.        Old Woman.
45    18  his brother       his brothers
79    14  Naisi             Naisi.
87     5  startled          startled.





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