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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at http : //books . google . com/| Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC BY THE SAME WRITER THE SECRET ROSE THE CELTIC TWILIGHT POEMS THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS THE SHADOWY WATERS {First Version) IDEAS OF GOOD AND EVIL PLAYS FOR AN IRISH THEATRE— Vol. I. Where there is Nothing Vol. II. Shorter Plays * Vol. III. The King's Threshold, and On Baile's Strand {First Versions) Digitized by VjOOQIC Poems, 1 899-1 905 Digitized by VjOOQIC a 2 Digitized by VjOOQIC Poems, 1899-1905 By W:. B; Yeats London : A, H. BuUen Dublin : Maunsel & Co,, Ltd. 1906 Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC CONTENTS Preface . . . . PACK xi The Shadowy Waters I On Baile's Strand . . 69 In the Seven Woods . 139 In the Seven Woods . 141 The Old Age of Queen Maeve Baile and Aillinn . . 142 . 151 The Arrow . 163 The Folly of being Comforted Old Memory Never Give all the Heart 164 I6S . 166 The Withering of the Boughs Adam's Curse 167 170 The Song of Red Hanrahan . The Old Men admiring themselves in the Water . . . . . 173 175 Under the Moon . . . . 176 The Players ask for a Blessing on the Psalteries and themselves . 178 The Happy Townland The Entrance of Deirdre 180 184 The King's Threshold 187 Notes . . . . . 271 Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC I PREFACE HAVE gathered into this book all the poems I have finished since I published "The Wind Among the Reeds " nearly seven years ago, and as I turn over the pages it seems to me very little to have been so long about The writing of them has kept ^ me pretty busy for all that, because I have had to destroy so many lines that would have thrown one play or another out of shape. During these years, especially during the last three or four, I have been getting some practical knowledge of the stage in our Irish dramatic movement, and I have spent a good part of the time shaping and reshaping some half- dozen plays in prose or verse. After I had learned to hold an audience for an act in prose I found that I had everything to learn over again in verse, for in dramatic prose one has to prepare principally for actions, and for the thoughts or emotions that bring them about or arise out of them ; but in verse one has to do all this and to follow as well a more subtle sequence of cause and effect, that moves through vast Digitized by VjOOQIC PREFACE sentiments and intricate thoughts that accompany action, but are not necessary to it. It is not very difficult to construct a fairly vigorous prose play, and then, when one is certain it will act, as it stands, to decorate it and encumber it with poetry. But a play of that kind will never move us poetically, because it does not uncover, as it were, that high, intellectual, delicately organized soul of men and of an action, that may not speak aloud if it do not speak in verse. I am a little disappointed with the upshot of so many years, but I know that I have been busy with the Great Work, no lesser thing than that,, although it may be the Athanor has burned too fiercely, or too faintly and fitfully, or that the prima materia has been ill-chosen. Some of my friends, and it is always for a few friends one writes, do not underMandJlrfiX.I havejiot been content with lyric writing. But one can only do Nvhaione wants. to dOj_^A±a-4nfi_ drama — and I think it has been the same with other writers— has been the search for more. of. maaful .energy, more of cheerful acceptance of whatever arises out of the logic of events, and for clean outline, in^tead_qfjhpse. out- lines of lyric poetry that are blurred with desire and vague regret All art is in the last analysis an en- / deavour to condense as out of the flying vapour of' Digitized by VjOOQIC PREFACE / the world an image of human perfection, and for its \ own and not for the art's sake, and that is why the 1 labour of the alchemists, who were called artists in their I day, is a befitting comparison for all deliberate change i of style. We live w ith images, that is our renu nci- ation, for only the silent sage or saint can make himself into that perfection, turning the life inward at the tongue as though it heard the cry Secretum meum mihi ; choosing not, as we do, to say all and know nothing, but to know all and to say nothing. "The Shadowy Waters," "The King's Threshold," and " On Baile's Strand " are not at all as they were when first printed, for they have been rewritten and rewritten until I feel I can do no better with my present subjects and experience. I am the least confident about "The Shadowy Waters," for it is so unlike what it was when last played that it is a new play, and I have but tried it at rehearsal, and without its scenery and its costumes, and that harp which is to bum with a faint fire. It is to be judged, like all my plays, as part of an attempt to create a national dramatic literature in Ireland, and it takes upon itself its true likeness of a Jack- a-Lantern among more natural and simple things, when set among the plays of my fellow-workers. What I have done is but a form and colour in an Digitized by VjOOQIC PREFACE elaborate composition, where they have painted the other forms and colours. The extravagance, the joyous irony, the far-flying phantasy, the aristocratic gaiety, the resounding and rushing words of the comedy of the countryside, of the folk as we say, is akin to the elevation of poetry, which can but shrink even to the world's edge from the harsh, cunning, traditionless humour of the towns. I write of the tragic stories told over the fire by people who are in the comedies of my friends, and I never see my *WQrk--played with theirs that I doj iot feel that ni y tragedy heightens their comedy and tragi-comedy, and grows itself more nJovirig and intelligible from being mixed into the circumstance jof the world by the circumstaotiaL art of comedy. Nor is it only the stories and the country mind that have made us one school, for we have talked over one another's work so many times, that when a play of mine comes into my memory I cannot always tell how much even of the radical structure I may not owe to the writer of "The Lost Saint," or of "The Shadow of the Glen," or more than all, to the writer of " Hyacinth Halvey " ; or that I would have written at all in so heady a mood if I did not know that one or the other were at hand to throw a bushel of laughter into the common basket. Digitized by VjOOQIC PREFACE I have printed the plays and poems in the order of their first publication, but so far as the actual writing of verse is concerned, " The Shadowy Waters " and "On Baile's Strand" have been so much rewritten that they are later than " The King's Threshold." I have put no explanatory notes to the poems and very few to the plays, for impatient readers do not read even the shortest notes, and the patient would cry out upon an arid summary, for they can read the l^ends in those strange and beautiful books, canon- ical with most of us in Ireland now. Lady Gregory's " Gods and Fighting Men " and " Cuchulain of Muir- thenane." W. B. YEATS. In thb Sbvbn Woods, x8 Mat, 1906. Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS Digitized by VjOOQIC TO LADY GREGORY Digitized by VjOOQIC / WALKED among the seven woods of Coole^ Shan-walla^ where a willow-bordered pond Gathers the wild duck from the winter dawn ; Shady Kyle-dortha ; sunnier Kyle-na-gno^ Where many hundred squirrels are as happy As though they had been hidden by green boughs^ Where old age cannot find them ; Pairc-na-lea^ Where hazel and ash and privet blind the paths ; Dim Pairc-na-carraig, where the wild bees fling Their sudden fragrances on the green air ; Dim Pairc-na-taraVf where enchanted eyes v' Have seen immortal^ mild^ proud shadows walk ; Dim Inchy wood^ that hides badger and fox And marten-cat y and borders thai old wood Wise Biddy Early called the wicked wood: V Seven odours, seven murmurs, seven woods. I had not ^es like those enchanted ^es. Yet dreamed that beings happier than men Moved round me in the shadows, and at night My dreams were cloven by voices and by fires ; 3 Digitized by VjOOQIC y And the images I have woven in this story Of Forgael and Dectora and the empty waters Moved round me in the voices and the fires ^ And more I may not write of for they that cleave The waters of sleep can make a chattering tongue Heavy like stone^ their wisdom being half silence. How shall I name you^ immortal^ mildy proud shadows ? I only know that all we know comes from you^ And that you come from Eden on flying feet. Is Eden far away^ or do you hide From human thought ^ as hares and mice and coneys' That run before the reaping-hook and He In the last ridge of the barl^ ? Do our woods And winds and ponds cover more quiet woods ^ More shining winds^ more star-gUmmering ponds ? Is Eden out of time and out of spau ? And do you gather about us whenpak light Shining on wetter and fallen among leaves^ 4 Digitized by VjOOQIC ^5^ And winds blowing from flowers^ and whirr of feathers And the green quiet, have uplifted the heart ? I have made this poem for you, that men may read it Before they read of Forgael and Dectora^ As men in the old times, before the harps began. Poured out wine for the high invisible ones. September^ igoo Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC THE HARP OF AENGUS Edain came out of Midhet^s hill^ and lay Beside young Aengus in his tower of glass ^ Where time is drowned in odour-laden winds And druid moons, and murmuring of boughs^ And sleepy boughs, and boughs where apples made Of opal and ruby and pale chrysolite Awake unsleeping fires ; and wove seven strings. Sweet with all music, out of his long hair. Because her hands had been made wild by love ; When Midhet^s wife had changed her to a fly, He made a harp with druid apple wood That she among her winds might know he wept; And from that hour he has watched over none But faithful lovers. Digitized by VjOOQIC PERSONS OF THE PLAY FORGAEL AIBRIC DECTORA SAILORS Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS Scene. The deck of an ancient ship. At the right of the stage is the mast^ with a large square sail hiding a great deed of the sky and sea on that side. The tiller is at the left of the stage; it is a long oar coming through an opening in the bulwark. The deck rises in a series of steps behind the tiller^ and the stern of the ship curves overhead All the wood- work is of dark green ; and the sail is dark green^ with a blue pattern upon it, having a little copper colour here and there. The sky and sea are dark blue. All the persons of the play are dressed in various tints of green and blue^ the men with helmets and swords of copper^ the woman with copper orna- ments upon her dress. When the play opens there are four persons upon the deck. Aibric stands by the tiller. FoR- GAEL sleeps upon the raised portion of the deck towards the front of the stage. Two settlors are standing near to the mast on which a harp is hanging. Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 1ST SAILOR. Has he not led us into these waste seas For long enough ? 2ND SAILOR. Aye, long and long enough. 1ST SAILOR. We have not come upon a shore or ship These dozen weeks. 2ND SAILOR. And I had thought to make A good round sum upon this cruise, and turn — For I am getting on in life — to something That has less ups and downs than robbery. 1ST SAILOR. I am so lecherous with abstinence rd give the profit of nine voyages For that red Moll that had but the one eye. lO Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 2ND SAILOR. And all the ale ran out at the new moon ; And now that time puts water in my blood, The ale cup is my father and my mother. 1ST SAILOR. It would be better to turn home again, Whether he will or no ; and better still To make an end while he is sleeping there. If we were of one mind I'd do it. 2ND SAILOR. Were't not That there is magic in that harp of his, That makes me fear to raise a hand against him, I would be of your mind ; but when he plays it Strange creatures flutter up before one's eyes, Or cry about one's ears. 1ST SAILOR. Nothing to fear. II Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 2ND SAILOR. Do you remember when we sank that galley At the full moon ? 1ST SAILOR. He played all through the night 2ND SAILOR. Until the moon had set ; and when I looked Where the dead drifted, I could see a bird Like a grey gull upon the breast of each. While I was looking they rose hurriedly, And after circling with strange cries awhile Flew westward ; and many a time since then I've heard a rustling overhead in the wind. 1ST SAILOR. I saw them on that night as well as you. But when I had eaten and drunk a bellyful My courage came again. 12 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 2ND SAILOR. But that* s not all. The other night, while he was playing it, A beautiful young man and girl came up In a white, breaking wave ; they had the look Of those that are alive for ever and ever. 1ST SAILOR. I saw them, too, one night Forgael was playing, And they were listening there beyond the sail. He could not see them, but I held out my hands To grasp the woman. 2ND SAILOR. You have dared to touch her ? ' 1ST SAILOR. O, she was but a shadow, and slipped from me. 2ND SAILOR. But were you not afraid ? 13 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 1ST SAILOR. Why should I fear ? 2ND SAILOR. Twas Aengus and Edain, the wandering lovers, To whom all lovers pray. 1ST SAILOR. But what of that? A shadow does not carry sword or spear. 2ND SAILOR. My mother told me that there is not one Of the ever-living half so dangerous As that wild Aengus. Long before her day He carried Edain off from a king's house, And hid her among fruits of jewel-stone And in a tower of glass, and from that day Has hated every man that's not in love, And has been dangerous to him. 14 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 1ST SAILOR. I have heard He does not hate seafarers as he hates Peaceable men that shut the wind away, And keep to the one weary marriage bed. 2ND SAILOR. I think that he has Forgael in his net, And drags him through the sea. 1ST SAILOR. Well, net or none Pd kill him while we have the chance to do it 2ND SAILOR. It's certain Pd sleep easier o' nights If he were dead ; but who will be our captain, Judge of the stars, and find a course for us ? 1ST SAILOR. Pve thought of that. We must have Aibric with us. For he can judge the stars as well as Forgael. 15 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS [Going towards AlBRIC] Become our captain, Aibric. I am resolved To make an end of Foi^ael while he sleeps. There's not a man but will be glad of it When it is over, nor one to grumble at us. You'll have the captain's share of everything. AIBRIC. Silence ! for you have taken Forgael's pay. 1ST SAILOR. We joined him for his pay, but have had none This long while now ; we had not turned against him If he had brought us among peopled seas. For that was in the bargain when we struck it What good is there in this hard way of living, Unless we drain more flagons in a year And kiss more lips than lasting peaceable men In their long lives? If you'll be of our troop You'll be as good a leader. i6 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS AIBRIC. Be of your troop ! No, nor with a hundred men like you » When Forgael's in the other scale. I'd say it Even if Forgael had not been my master From earliest childhood, but that being so, If you will draw that sword out of its scabbard ril give my answer. 1ST SAILOR. You have awaked him. [To 2ND Sailor.] We'd better go, for we have lost this chance. [TAey go out to K. FORGAEL. Have the birds passed us ? I could hear your voice. But there were others. AIBRIC. I have seen nothing pass. c 17 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS FORGAEL. You're certain of it? I never wake from sleep But that I am afraid they may have passed, For they're my only pilots. If I lost them Straying too far into the north or south, I'd never come upon the happiness That has been promised me. I have not seen them These many days ; and yet there must be many Dying at every moment in the world. And flying towards their peace. AIBRIC. Put by these thoughts, And listen to me for a while. The sailors Are plotting for your death. FORGAEL. Have I not given More riches than they ever hoped to find ? i8 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS And now they will not follow, while I seek The only riches that have hit my fancy. AIBRIC. What riches can you find in this waste sea Where no ship sails, where nothing that's alive Has ever come but those man-headed birds, Knowing it for the world's end ? FORGAEL. Where the world ends The mind is made unchanging, for it finds Miracle, ecstasy, the impossible hope, The flagstone under all, the fire of fires. The roots of the world. AIBRIC. Who knows that shadows May not have driven you mad for their own sport? 19 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS FORGAEL. Do you, too, doubt me ? Have you joined their plot ? AIBRIC No, no, do not say that You know right well That I will never lift a hand against you. FORGAEL. Why should you be more faithful than the rest, Being as doubtful ? AIBRIC. I have called you master Too many years to lift a hand against you. FORGAEL. Maybe it is but natural to doubt me. You've never known, I'd lay a wager on it, A melancholy that a cup of wine, A lucky battle, or a woman's kiss Could not amend. 20 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS AIBRIC. I have good spirits enough. Tve nothing to complain of but heartburn, And that is cured by a boiled liquorice root FORGAEL. If you will give me all your mind awhile — All, all, the very bottom of the bowl — ril show you that I am made differently, That nothing can amend it but these waters. Where I am rid of life — the events of the world — What do you call it ?— that old promise-breaker, The cozening fortune-teller that comes whispering, " You will have all you have wished for when you have earned Land for your children or money in a pot" And when we have it we are no happier, Because of that old draught under the door, Or creaky shoes. And at the end of all 21 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS We have been no better off than Seaghan the fool, That never did a hand's turn. Aibric ! Aibric ! We have fallen in the dreams the ever-living Breathe on the burnished mirror of the world, And then smooth out with ivory hands and sigh, And find their laughter sweeter to the taste For that brief sighing. AIBRIC. If you had loved some woman — FORGAEL. You say that also ? You have heard the voices. For that is what they say — all, all the shadows — Aengus and Edain, those passionate wanderers, And all the others ; but it must be love As they have known it. Now the secret's out ; For it is love that I am seeking for. But of a beautiful, unheard-of Jdnd That is not in the wodd. 22 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS AIBRIC And yet the world Has beautiful women to please every man. FORGAEL. But he that gets their love after the fashion Loves in brief longing and deceiving hope And bodily tenderness, and finds that even The bed of love, that in the imagination Had seemed to be the giver of all peace, Is no more than a wine cup in the tasting. And as soon finished. AIBRIC. All that ever loved Have loved that way — there is no other way. FORGAEL. Yet never have two lovers kissed but they Believed there was some other near at hand, And almost wept because they could not find it. 23 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS AIBRIC When they have twenty years ; in middle life They take a kiss for what a kiss is worth, And let the dream go by. FORGAEL. If s not a dream, But the reality that makes our passion As a lamp shadow — no— no lamp, the sun. What the world's million lips are thirsting for, Must be substantial somewhere. AIBRIC. I have heard the Druids Mutter such things as they awake from trance. It may be that the ever-living know it — No mortal can. FORGAEL. Yes ; if they give us help. Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS AIBRIC. They are besotting you as they besot The crazy herdsman that will tell his fellows That he has been all night upon the hills, Riding to hurley, or in the battle-host With the ever-living. FORGAEL. What if he speak the truth, And for a dozen hours have been a part Of that more powerful life ? AIBRIC. His wife knows better. Has she not seen him lying like a log, Or fumbling in a dream about the house ? And if she hear him mutter of wild riders, She knows that it was but the cart-horse coughing That set him to the fancy. 25 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS FORGAEL. All would be well Could we but give us wholly to the dreams, And get into their wodd that to the sense Is shadow, and not linger wretchedly Among substantial things ; for it is dreams Tjiat lift us to the flowing, changing world That the heart longs for. What is love itself, Even though it be the lightest of light love, But dreams that hurry from beyond the world To make low laughter more than meat and drink. Though it but set us sighing. Fellow wanderer Could we but mix ourselves into a dream. Not in its image on the mirror. AIBRIC. While We're in the body that's impossible. 26 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS FORGAEL. And yet I cannot think they're leading me To death ; for they that promised to me love As those that can outlive the moon have known it, Had the world's total life gathered up, it seemed, Into their shining limbs — I've had great teachers. Aengus and Edain ran up out of the wave — You'd never doubt that it was life they promised Had you looked on them face to face as I did. With so red lips, and running on such feet, And having such wide-open, shining eyes. AIBRIC. .It's certain they are leading you to death. None but the dead, or those that never lived, Can know that ecstasy. Forgael ! Forgael ! They have bade you follow the man-headed birds. And you have told me that their journey lies Towards the country of the dead. 27 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS FORGAEL. What matter If I am going to my death, for there, Or somewhere, I shall find the love they have promised. That much is certain. I shall find a woman One of the ever-living, as I think — One of the laughing people — and she and I Shall light upon a place in the world's core Where passion grows to be a changeless thing. Like charmed apples made of chrysoprase. Or chrysoberyl, or beryl, or chrysolite ; And there, in juggleries of sight and sense. Become one movement, energy, delight. Until the overburthened moon is dead. [A number of SAILORS enter hurriedly. 1ST SAILOR. Look there ! there in the mist ! a ship of spice I And we are almost on her 1 28 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 2ND SAILOR. We had not known But for the ambergris and sandalwood. 1ST SAILOR. No ; but opoponax and cinnamon. FORGAEL. [Taking the tiller from AlBRlc] The ever-living have kept my bargain for me, And paid you on the nail. AIBRIC. Take up that rope To make her fast while we are plundering her. 1ST SAILOR. There is a king and queen upon her deck, And where there is one woman there'll be others. AIBRIC Speak lower, or they'll hear. 29 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 1ST SAILOR. They cannot hear; They are too busy with each other. Look ! He has stooped down and kissed her on the lips. 2ND SAILOR. When she finds out we have better men aboard She may not be too sorry in the end. 1ST SAILOR. She will be like a wild cat ; for these queens Care more about the kegs of silver and gold, And the high fame that come to them in marriage. Than a strong body and a ready hand. 1ST SAILOR. There's nobody is natural but a robber, And that is why the world totters about Upon its bandy legs. 30 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS AIBRIC. Run at them now, And overpower the crew while yet asleep ! [Sailors go out Voices and the clashing of swords are heard from the other ship^ which cannot be seen because of the sail. A VOICE. Armed men have come upon us ! O, I am slain ! ANOTHER VOICE. Wake all below ! ANOTHER VOICE. Why have you broken our sleep ? 1ST VOICE. Armed men have come upon us ! O, I am slain I FORGAEL. [ Who has remained at the tiller.'] There ! there they come ! Gull, gannet, or diver But with a man's head, or a fair woman's, 31 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS They hover over the masthead awhile To wait their friends; but when their friends have come The/ll fly upon that secret way of theirs. One — and one — a couple — five together. And I will hear them talking in a minute. Yes, voices ! but I do not catch the words. Now I can hear. There's one of them that says : " How light we are, now we are changed to birds f" Another answers : " Maybe we shall find Our heart's desire now that we are so light" And then one asks another how he died, And says : " A sword blade pierced me in my sleep." And now they all wheel suddenly and fly To the other side, and higher in the air. And now a laggard with a woman's head Comes crying : " I have run upon the sword. I have fled to my beloved in the air, In the waste of the high air, that we may wander 32 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS Among the windy meadows of the dawn." But why are they still waiting ? why are they Circling and circling over the masthead ? What power that is more mighty than desire To hurry to their hidden happiness Withholds them now ? Have the ever-living ones A meaning in that circling overhead ? But what's the meaning ? [He cries out.] Why do you linger there ? Why do you not run to your desire, Now that you have happy winged bodies. [His voice sinks again.] Being too busy in the air and the high air, They cannot hear my voice; but what's the meaning? [The Sailors Aave returned. Dectora is with them. She is dressed in pale green, with copper ornaments on her dress ^ and has a copper crown upon her head. Her hair is dull red. D 33 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS FORGAEL. [ Turning and seeing Aer.] Why are you standing with your eyes upon me ? You are not the world's core. O no, no, no ! That cannot be the meaning of the birds. You are not its core. My teeth are in the world, But have not bitten 3ret DECTORA. I am a queen, And ask for satisfaction upon these Who have slain my husband and l^id hands upon me. [Breaking loose from the SAILORS who are holding her. Let go my hands. . FORGAEL. Why do you cast a shadow ? Where do you come from? Who brought you to this place ? They would not send me one that casts a shadow. 34 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. Would that the storm that overthrew my ships, And drowned the treasures of nine conquered nations. And blew me hither to my lasting sorrow, Had drowned me also. But, being yet alive, I ask a fitting punishment for all That raised their hands against him. FORGAEL. There are some That weigh and measure all in these waste seas — They that have all the wisdom that's in life, And all that prophesying images Made of dim gold rave out in secret tombs ; They have it that the plans of kings and queens Are dust on the moth's wing ; that nothing matters But laughter and tears — laughter, laughter, and tears ; That every man should carry his own soul Upon his shoulders. 35 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWy WATERS DECTORA. You've nothing but wild words, And I would know if you will give me vengeance. FORGAEL. When she finds out I will not let her go — When she knows that DECTORA. What is it that you are muttering — That you'll not let me go? I am a queen. FORGAEL. Although you are more beautiful than any, I almost long that it were possible ; But if I were to put you on that ship, With sailors that were sworn to do your will, And you had spread a sail for home, a wind Would rise of a sudden, or a wave so huge, It had washed among the stars and put them out, 36 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS And beat the bulwark of your ship on mine, Until you stood before me on the deck — As now. DECTORA* Does wandering in these desolate seas And listening to the cry of wind and wave Bring madness? FORGAEL. Queen, I am not mad. DECTORA. And yet you say the water and the wind Would rise against me. FORGAEL. No, I am not mad — If it be not that hearing messages From lasting watchers, that outlive the moon, At the most quiet midnight is to be stricken. 37 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. And did those watchers bid you take me captive ? FORGAEL. Both you and I are taken in the net It was their hands that plucked the winds awake And blew you hither ; and their mouths have promised I shall have love in their immortal fashion.^ They gave me that old harp of the nine spells That is more mighty than the sun and moon, Or than the shivering casting-net of the stars, That none might take you from me. DECTORA. [First trembling back from the mast where the harp iSy and then laughing^ For a moment Your raving of a message and a harp More mighty than the stars half troubled me. 38 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS But all thaf s raving. Who is there can compel The daughter and granddaughter of kings To be his bedfellow ? FORGAEL. Until your lips Have called me their beloved, I'll not kiss them. dectorA. My husband and my king died at my feet, And yet you talk of love. FORGAEL. The movement of time Is shaken in these seas, and what one does One moment has no might upon the moment That follows after. DECTORA. I understand you now. You have a Druid craft, wicked sound Wrung from the cold women of the sea — 39 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS A magic that can call a demon up. Until my body give you kiss for kiss. FORGAEL. Your soul shall give the kiss. DECTORA. I am not afraid, While there's a rope to run into a noose Or wave to drown. But I have done with words, And I would have you look into my face And know that it is fearless. FORGAEL. Do what you will, For neither I nor you can break a mesh Of the great golden net that is about us. DECTORA. There's nothing in the world that's worth a fear. [She passes FORGAEL and stands for a moment looking into his face. 40 Digitized by VjOOQIC i THE SHADOWY WATERS I have good reason for that thought [She runs suddenly on to the raised part of the poop. And now I can put fear away as a queen should. [She mounts on to the bulwark and turns towards FoRGAEL. Fool, fool ! Although you have looked into my face You did not see my purpose. I shall have gone Before a hand can touch me. FORGAEL. [Folding his arms!] My hands are still ; The ever-living hold us. Do what you will, You cannot leap out of the golden net 1ST SAILOR. No need to drown, for, if you will pardon us 41 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS And measure out a course and bring us hom^ We'll put this man to death. DECTORA. I promise it 1ST SAILOR. There is none to take his side. AIBRIC. I am on his side, ril strike a blow for him to give him time To cast his dreams away. [AlBRlC goes in front (/FORGAEL with drawn sword. FORGAEL takes the harp. 1ST SAILOR. No other'U do it ' \The Sailors throw Aibric on one side. He falls upon the deck L. They lift their swords to strike FoRGAEL, who is about to play the harp. The stage begins to darken. The SAILORS hesitate in fear, 42 Digitized by VjOOQIC \ THE SHADOWY WATERS 2ND SAILOR. He has put a sudden darkness over the moon. DECTORA. Nine swords with handles of rhinoceros horn To him that strikes him first ! 1ST SAILOR. I will strike him first [He goes close up to FoRGAEL with his sword lifted. The harp begins to give out a faint light. The scene has become so dark that there is little light but from the harp. 1ST SAILOR. [Shrinking back.] He has caught the crescent moon out of the sky, And carries it between us. 43 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 2ND SAILOR. Holy fire Has come into the jewels of the harp To bum us to the marrow if we strike. DECTORA. ril give a golden galley full of fruit, That has the heady flavour of new wine, To him that wounds him to the death. 1ST SAILOR. ril do it. For all his spells will vanish when he dies. Having their life in him. 2ND SAILOR. Though it be the moon That he is holding up between us there, I will strike at him. THE OTHERS. And I ! And I ! And I ! [FORGAEh p/ays the harp.] 44 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 1ST SAILOR. [Falling into a dream suddenly^ But you were saying there is somebody Upon that other ship we are to wake. You did not know what brought him to his end, But it was sudden. 2ND SAILOR. You are in the right ; I had forgotten that we must go wake him. DECTORA. He has flung a Druid spell upon the air. And set you dreaming. 2ND SAiLOR. How can we have a wake When we have neither brown nor yellow ale ? 1ST SAILOR. I saw a flagon of brown ale aboard her. 45 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 3RD SAILOR. How can we raise the keen that do not know What name to call him by ? 1ST SAILOR. Come to his ship. His name will come into our thoughts in a minute. I know that he died a thousand years ago, And has not yet been waked. 2ND SAILOR* [Beginning to keen.] Ohone! O! O! O! The yew bough has been broken into two, And all the birds are scattered. ALL THE SAILORS. O! O! O! O! [ TAey go out keening.] 46 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. Protect me now, gods, that my people swear by. [AlBRlC has risen from the ground where he had fallen. He has begun looking for his sword as if in a dream. AIBRIC. Where is my sword that fell out of my hand When I first heard the news ? Ah, there it is ! \He goes dreamily towards the sword^ but Dectora runs at it and takes it up before he can reach it. AIBRIC. ISleepily:^ Queen, give it me. DECTORA. No, I have need of it 47 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS AIBRIC. Why do you need a sword ? But you may keep it, Now that he's dead I have no need of it, For everything is gone. A SAILOR* [Calling from the other ship,] Come hither, Aibric, And tell me who it is that we are waking. AIBRIC [Half to Dectora, half to himself.] What name had that dead king? Arthur of Britain? No, no— not Arthur. I remember now. It was golden-armed lollan, and he died Brokenhearted, having lost his queen Through wicked spells. That is not all the tale, For he was killed. O! O! O! O! O! O! For golden-armed lollan has been killed. 48 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS [He goes out While he has been speakings and through part of what follows one hears the wailing of the SAILORS front the other ship. Dectora stands with the sword lifted in front of FORGAEL. DECTORA. I will end all your magic on the instant. \Her voice becomes dreamy ^ and she lowers the sword slowly y and finally lets it fall. She spreads out her hair. She takes off her crown and lays it upon the deck. This sword is to lie beside him in the grave. It was in all his battles. I will spread my hair, And wring my hands, and wail him bitterly, For I have heard that he was proud and laughing, Blue-eyed, and a quick runner on bare feet. And that he died a thousand years ago. O! O! O! E 49 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS [FORGAEL changes the tune.] But no, that is not it I knew him well, and while I heard him laughing They killed him at my feet. O ! O ! O ! O ! For golden-armed loUan that I loved. But what is it that made me say I loved him ? It was that harper put it in my thoughts, But it is true. Why did they run upon him, And beat the golden helmet with their swords ? FORGAEL. Do you not know me, lady ? I am he That you are weeping for. DECTORA. No, for he is dead. O ! O ! O ! for golden-armed lollan. FORGAEL. It was so given out, but I will prove That the grave-diggers in a dreamy frenzy Have buried nothing but my golden arms. 50 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS Listen to that low-laughing string of the moon And you will recollect my face and voice, For you have listened to me playing it These thousand years. [He starts «/, listening to the birds. The harp slips from his hands ^ and remains leaning against the bulwarks behind him. The light goes out of it. What are the birds at there ? Why are they all a-flutter of a sudden ? What are you calling out above the mast ? If railing and reproach and mockery Because I have awakened her to love My magic strings, Til make this answer to it : Being driven on by voices and by dreams That were clear messages from the ever-living, I have done right What could I but obey ? And yet you make a clamour of reproach. 51 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. Why, it's a wonder out of reckoning That I should keen him from the full of the moon To the horn, and he be hale and hearty. FORGAEL. How have I wronged her now that she is merry? But no, no, no ! your cry is not against me. You know the councils of the ever-living. And all that tossing of your wings is joy. And all that murmuring is but a marriage song ; But if it be reproach, I answer this : There is not one among you that made love By any other means. You call it passion. Consideration, generosity ; But it was all deceit, and flattery To win a woman in her own despite, 53 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS For love is war, and there is hatred in it ; And if you say that she came willingly DECTORA. Why do you turn away and hide your face, That I would look upon for ever ? FORGAEL. My grief. DECTORA. Have I not loved you for a thousand years ? FORGAEL. I never have been golden-armed lollan. DECTORA. I do not understand. I know your face Better than my own hands. FORGAEL. I have deceived you Out of all reckoning. 53 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. Is it not true That you were bom a thousand years ago, In islands where the children of Aengus wind In happy dances under a windy moon, And that you'll bring me there? FORGAEL. I have deceived you ; I have deceived you utterly. DECTORA How can that be ? Is it that though your eyes are full of love Some other woman has a claim on you. And I've but half? FORGAEL. Oh, no ! 54 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. And if there is, If there be half a hundred more, what matter ? rU never give another thought to it; No, no, nor half a thought ; but do not speak. Women are hard and proud and stubborn-hearted, Their heads being turned with praise and flattery ; And that is why their lovers are afraid To tell them a plain story. FORGAEL. That's not the story ; But I have done so great a wrong against you. There is no measure that it would not burst I will confess it all. DECTORA. What do I care, Now that my body has begun to dream, 55 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS And you have grown to be a burning sod In the imagination and intellect ? If something that's most fabulous were true — If you had taken me by magic spells, And killed a lover or husband at my feet — I would not let you speak, for I would know That it was yesterday and not to-day I loved him ; I would cover up my ears, As I am doing now. [A pause!\ Why do you weep ? FORGAEL. I weep because I've nothing for your eyes But desolate waters and a battered ship. DECTORA. O, why do you not lift your eyes to mine ? FORGAEL. I weep— I weep because bare night* s above. And not a roof of ivory and gold. 56 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. I would grow jealous of the ivory roof, And strike the golden pillars with my hands. I would that there was nothing in the world But my beloved — that night and day had perished, And all that is and all that is to be, All that is not the meeting of our lips. FORGAEL. I too, I too. Why do you look away? Am I to fear the waves, or is the moon My enemy ? DECTORA. I looked upon the moon, Longing to knead and pull it into shape That I might lay it on your head as a crown. But now it is your thoughts that wander away, For you are looking at the sea. Do you not know 57 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS How great a wrong it is to let one's thought Wander a moment when one is in love? [He has moved away. She follows him. He is looking out over the sea^ shading his eyes. DECTORA. Why are you looking at the sea ? FORGAEL Look there I DECTORA What is there but a troop of ash-grey birds That fly into the west? FORGAEL. But listen, listen I DECTORA What is there but the crying of the birds ? 58 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS FORGAEL. If you'll but listen closely to that crying You'll hear them calling out to one another With human voices. DECTORA. O, I can hear them now. What are they ? Unto what country do they fly ? FORGAEL. To unimaginable happiness. They have been circling over our heads in the air, But now that they have taken to the road We have to follow, for they are our pilots ; And though the/re but the colour of grey ash. They're crying out, could you but hear their words, * There is a country at the end of the world Where no child's bom but to outlive the moon.' [The Sailors come in with Aibric. Th^ are in great excitement 59 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 1ST SAILOR. The hold is full of treasure. 2ND SAILOR. Full to the hatches. 1ST SAILOR. Treasure and treasure. 3RD SAILOR. Boxes of precious spice. 1ST SAILOR. Ivory images with amethyst eyes. 3RD SAILOR. Dragons with eyes of ruby. 1ST SAILOR. The whole ship Flashes as if it were a net of herrings. 60 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS 3RD SAILOR. Let's home ; I'd give some rubies to a woman. 2ND SAILOR. There's somebody I'd give the amethyst eyes to. 1ST SAILOR. Let's home and spend it in our villages. AIBRIC. [Silencing them with a gesture.'\ We would return to our own country, Forgael, For we have found a treasure that's so great Ims^nation cannot reckon it. And having lit upon this woman here, What more have you to look for on the seas ? FORGAEL, I cannot-^I am going on to the end. As for this woman, I think she is coming with me. 6i Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS AIBRIC. The ever-living have made you mad ; but no, It was this woman in her woman's vengeance That drove you to it, and I fool enough To fancy that she'd bring you home again. Twas you that ^ged him to it, for you know That he is being driven to his death. DECTORA. That is not true, for he has promised me An unimaginable happiness. AIBRIC. And if that happiness be more than dreams, More than the froth, the feather, the dust-whirl, The crazy nothing that I think it is, It shall be in the country of the dead, If there be such a country. 62 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. No, not there, But in some island where the life of the world Leaps upward, as if all the streams o' the world Had run into one fountain. AIBRIC. Speak to him. He knows that he is taking you to death ; He cannot contradict me. DECTORA. Is that true ? FORGAEL. I do not know for certain, but I know That I have the best of pilots. AIBRIC. Shadows, illusions, That the shape-changers, the ever-laughing ones, 63 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS The immortal mockers have cast into his mind, Or called before his eyes. DECTORA. O carry me To some sure country, some familiar place. Have we not everything that life can give In having one another ? FORGAEL. How could I rest If I refused the messengers and pilots With all those sights and all that crying out? DECTORA. But I will cover up your eyes and ears, That you may never hear the cry of the birds, Or look upon them. FORGAEL. Were they but lowlier I'd do your will, but they are too high — too high, 64 Digitized by VjOOQIC mtm THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. Being too high, their heady prophecies But harry us with hopes that come to nothing, Because we are not proud, imperishable, Alone and winged. FORGAEL. Our love shall be like theirs When we have put their changeless image on. DECTORA. I am a woman, I die at every breath. AIBRIC. Let the birds scatter for the tree is broken. And there's no help in words. [To the SAILORS.] To the other ship, And I will follow you and cut the rope When I have said farewell to this man here. For neither I nor any living man Will look upon his face again. \The SAILORS ^^ out p 65 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS FORGAEL. [To Dectora.] Go with him, For he will shelter you and bring you home. AIBRIC [Taking FORGAEL's hand.] rU do it for his sake. DECTORA. No. Take this sword And cut the rope, for I go on with Forgael. AIBRIC {Half falling into the keen.] The yew bough has been broken into two, And all the birds are scattered— O! O! O! [He goes out. Farewell! farewell! 66 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SHADOWY WATERS DECTORA. The sword is in the rope — The rope's in two — it falls into the sea, It whirls into the foam. O ancient worm, Dragon that loved the world and held us to it, You are broken, you are broken. The world drifts away. And I am left alone with my beloved, Who cannot put me from his sight for ever. We are alone for ever, and I laugh, Forgael, because you cannot put me from you. The mist has covered the heavens, and you and I Shall be alone for ever. We two — ^this crown — I half remember. It has been in my dreams. Bend lower, O king, that I may crown you with it. O flower of the branch, O bird among the leaves, O silver fish that my two hands have taken Out of the running stream, O morning star, 67 Digitized by VjOOQIC J THE SHADOWY WATERS Trembling in the blue heavens like a white fawn Upon the misty border of the wood, Bend lower, that I may cover you with my hair, For we will gaze upon this world no longer. [The scene darkens^ and the harp once more begins to bum as with a faint fire. FOR- GAEL is kneeling at DECTORA'sy^^/. FORGAEL. [Gathering Dectora'S hair about him.] Beloved, having dragged the net about us. And knitted mesh to mesh, we grow immortal ; And that old harp awakens of itself To cry aloud to the grey birds, and dreams, That have had dreams for father, live in us. 68 Digitized by VjOOQIC r-^ ON BAILE'S STRAND Digitized by VjOOQIC TO WILLIAM FAY Because of the beautiful phantasy of his playing in the character of the Fool Digitized by VjOOQIC PERSONS OF THE PLAY A FOOL A BLIND MAN CUCHULAIN, KING OF MUIRTHEMNE CONCHUBAR, HIGH KING OF ULAD A YOUNG MAN, SON OF CUCHULAIN KINGS AND SINGING WOMEN Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC ■PR ON BAILE'S STRAND Scene. A great hall at Dundealgan; not ^^ Cuchulaif^s great ancient house^^ but an assembly house nearer to the sea, A big door at the backy and through the door misty light as of sea mist. There are many chairs on either side raised one abov^ the other^ tier above tier. One of these chairs^ which is towards the front of the stage^ is bigger than the others. An elaborate cloak lies on a chair at the other side. Somewhere at the back there is a table with flagons of ale upon it and drinking horns. There is a small door at one side of the hall, A Fool and Blind Man come in through the door at the back. They wear patched and ragged clothes^ and the BLIND Man leans upon a staff. FOOL. What a clever man you are, though you are blind ! There's nobody with two eyes in his head that is as clever as you are. Who but you could have thought that the henwife sleeps every day a little at noon ! 73 Digitized by VjOOQIC ^t .„- ^l ON BAILE'S STRAND I would never be able to steal anything if you didn't tell me where to look for it And what a good cook you are ! You take the fowl out of my hands, after I have stolen it, and you pluck it, and put it into the big pot at the fire there, and I can go out and tun races with the witches at the edge of the waves and get an appetite ; and when I've got it, there's the hen waiting inside for me done to the turn I BLIND MAN. [Who is feeling about with his stick.] Done to the turn. FOOL. [Putting his arm round BLIND Man's neck:\ Come now, I'll have a leg and you'll have a leg, and we'll draw lots for the wish-bone. I'll be prais- ing you — I'll be praising you while we're eating it — for your good plans and for your good cooking. There's nobody in the world like you, Blind Man. 74 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND Come, come — wait a minute — I shouldn't have closed the door. There are some that look for me, and I wouldn't like them not to find me. Don't tell it to anybody. Blind Man. There are some that follow me : Boann herself out of the river and Fand out of the deep sea — witches they are, and they come by in the wind and they cry, "Give a kiss, Fool, give a kiss!" That's what they cry. That's wide enough; all the witches can come in now. I wouldn't have them beat at the door and say, " Where is the Fool ? Why has he put a lock on the door ? " Maybe they'll hear the bubbling of a pot and come in and sit on the ground — but we won't give them any of the fowl — let them go back to the sea, let them go back to the sea. BLIND MAN. [Feeling legs of big chair with his hands. 1 Ah ! [Then in a louder voice as he feels the back of if.] Ah— ah— 75 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND FOOL. Why do you say " ah — ah ? " BLIND MAN. I know the big chair. It is to-day the High King Conchubar is coming. They have brought out his chair. He is going to be Cuchulain's master in earnest from this day out It is that he's coming for. FOOL. He must be a great man to be Cuchulain's master. BLIND MAN. So he is. He is a great man. He is over all the rest of the kings of Ireland. FOOL. Cuchulain's master! I thought Cuchulain could do ansrthing he liked. BLIND MAN. So he did, so he did; but he ran too wild, and Conchubar is coming to-day to put an oath upon 76 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND him that will stop his rambling and make him as biddable as a house dog and keep him always at his hand. He will sit in this chair and put the oath upon him. [He sits in chair. FOOL. How will he do that? BLIND MAN. You have no wits to understand such things. He will sit up in this chair, and he'll say, ''Take the oath, Cuchulain ; I bid you take the oath. Do as I tell you. What are your wits compared with mine ? And what are your riches compared with mine ? And what sons have you to pay your debts and to put a stone over you when you die ? Take the oath, I tell you ; take a strong oath." FOOL. [Crumpling himself up and whining^ I will not — I'll take no oath— I want my dinner. 77 Digitized by VjOOQIC .^■S"' ON BAILE'S STRAND BLIND MAN. Hush I hush ! It is not done yet FOOL. You said it was done to a turn. BLIND MAN. Did I, now ! Well, it might be done and not done. The wings might be white, but the legs might be red; the flesh might stick hard to the bones and not come away in the teeth . . . but believe me, Fool, it will be well done before you put your teeth in it. FOOL. My teeth are growing long with the hunger. BLIND MAN. I'll tell you a story. The kings have story tellers while they are waiting for their dinner. I will tell you a story with a fight in it, a story with a 78 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND champion in it, and a ship and a queen's son that has his mind set on killing somebody that you and I know. FOOL. Who is that ? Who is he coming to kill ? BLIND MAN. Wait, now, till you hear. When you were stealing the fowl I was lying in a hole in the sand, and I heard three men coming with a shuffling sort of noise. They were wounded and groaning. FOOL. Go on, tell me about the fight. BLIND MAN. There had been a fight, a great fight, a tremendous great fight. A young man had landed on the shore, the guardians of the shore had asked his name and he had refused to tell it, and he had killed one and others had run away. 79 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND FOOL. That's enough. Come on, now, to the fowl I wish it was bigger. I wish it was as big as a goose. BLIND MAN. Hush ! I haven't told you all. I know who that young man is. I heard the men who were running away say he had red hair, that he come from Aoife's country, that he was coming to kill Cuchulain. FOOL. Nobody could do that. [To a tune,] Cuchulain has killed kings, Kings and sons of kings. Dragons out of the water. And witches out of the air, Bocanachs and Bananachs and people ofthe woods. BLIND MAN. Hush! hush! 80 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND FOOL. [Stiii stngtng.l Witches that steal the milk, Fomor that steal the children, Hags that have heads like hares, Hares that have claws like witches, AH riding a cock-horse [Spokeni\ Out of the very bottom of the bitter black North. BLIND MAN, Hush, I say ! FOOL. Does Cuchulain know that he is coming to kill him? BLIND MAN. How would he know that with his head in the clouds ? He doesn't care for common fighting. Why would he put himself out, and nobody in it but that young man? Now, if it were a white fawn that might turn into a queen before morning. G 8i Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND FOOL. Come to the fowl. I wish it was as big as a pig. A fowl with goose-grease and pig's crackling. BLIND MAN. No hurry, no hurry. I know whose son it is. I wouldn't tell anybody else, but I will tell you. A secret is better to you than your dinner. You like being told secrets. FOOL. Tell me the secret BLIND MAN. That young man is Aoife's son. ... I am sure it is Aoife's son; it is borne in upon me that it is Aoife's son. You have often heard me talking of Aoife, the great woman fighter Cuchulain got the mastery over in the North ? FOOL. I know, I know. She is one of those cross queens that live in hungry Scotland. 82 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND BLIND MAN. I am sure it is her son. I was in Aoife's country for a long time. FOOL. That was before you were blinded for putting a curse upon the wind. BLIND MAN. There was a boy in her house that had her own red colour on him, and everybody said he was to be brought up to kill Cuchulain, that she hated Cuchu- lain. She used to put a helmet on a pillar stone and call it Cuchulain and set him casting at it . . . There is a step outside — Cuchulain's step. [Cuchulain passes by in the mist outside the big door. FOOL. Where is Cuchulain going ? BLIND MAN. He is going to meet Conchubar, that has bidden him to take the oath. 83 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND FOOL. Ah I an oath, Blind Man. . . . How can I remem- ber so many things at once? Who is going to take an oath? BUND MAN. Cuchulain is going to take an oath to Conchubar, who is High King. FOOL. What a mix-up you make of everything, Blind Man ! You were telling me one story, and now you are telling me another story. How can I under- stand things, when they begin to happen, if you mix up everything at the beginning? — Wait till I settle it out [Taies off shoes.] There now, there's Cuchulain, and there is the young man that is coming to kill him, and Cuchulain doesn't know. But Where's Conchubar? [Takes bag from side,] That's Conchubar with all his riches. — Cuchulain — Conchubar — the Young Man. — And 84 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND Where's Aoife? [TArows up cap.] There is Aoife, high up on the mountains in high hungry Scot- land. [Begins putting on shoes.] Maybe it's not true, after all. Maybe it was your own making up. If s many a time you cheated me before with your lies. Come to the cooking- pot, my stomach is pinched and rusty. Would you have it be creaking like a gate ? BLIND MAN. I tell you it's true. And more than that is true. If you listen to what I say you'll forget your stomach. FOOL. I won't ! BLIND MAN. Listen. I know who the young man's father is, but I won't say ; I would be afraid to say. . . . Ah, Fool, you would forget everything if you could know who the young man's father is ! 85 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND FOOL. Who is it? Tell me now, quick, or Fll shake you. Come, out with it, or TU shake you ! [A murmur of voices in the distance, BLIND MAN. Wait, wait; there's somebody coming. ... It is Cuchulain is coming. He's coming back with the High King. Go and ask Cuchulain. He'll tell you. It's little you'll care about the cooking-pot when you have asked Cuchulain that. [Blind Man goes out by side door. FOOL. I'll ask him. Cuchulain will know. He was in Aoife's country. \Going towards door at backl\ I'll ask him. \Tums and goes to door at side."] But no, I won't ask him. I would be afraid. [Going up towards door at back again."] Yes, I will ask him. — What harm in asking? — The blind man said I was to ask him. — [Going to door at side again."] 86 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND No, no; Til not ask him. — He might kill me. — I have but killed hens and geese and pigs. He has killed kings. [Goes up again almost to door at iack.] Who says I'm afraid? I'm not afraid; Fm no coward. I'll ask him. — No, no, Cuchulain, I'm not going to ask you. [Running to door at side.] He has killed kings, Kings and the sons of kings, Dragons out of the water, And witches out of the air, Bocanachs and Bananachs and people of the woods. [He runs out, the last words being heard out- side, CUCHULAIN and CONCHUBAR enter through the big door at the back. While they are still outside CUCHULAIN'S voice is heard raised in anger. He is a dark man, something over forty years of age. CON- CHUBAR is much older, though not feeble- looking. 87 Digitized by VjOOQIC • ON BAILE'S STRAND CUCHULAIN. Because I have killed men without your bidding. And have rewarded others at my own pleasure, Because of half a score of trifling things, You lay this oath upon me ; and now — and now You add another pebble to the heap, And I must be your man, wellnigh your bondsman. Because a youngster out of Aoife's country Has found the shore ill guarded. CONCHUBAR. He came to land While you were somewhere out of sight and hearing ; Hunting or dancing with your wild companions. CUCHULAIN. He can be driven out TU not be bound. rU dance or hunt, or quarrel or make love. Wherever or whenever Tve a mind to. If time had not put water in your blood You never would have thought it 88 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND CONCHUBAR. I would leave A strong and settled country to my children. CUCHULAIN. And I must be obedient in all things : Give up my will to yours, go where you please, Come where you will, sit at the council-board Among the unshapely bodies of old men ! I, whose mere name has kept this country safe, I, that in early days have driven out Maeve of Cruachan and the northern pirates. The hundred kings of Sorcha and the kings Out of the Garden in the East of the World ! Must I that held you on the throne, when all Had pulled you from it, swear obedience As if I were some cattle-raising king ? Are my shins speckled with the heat of the fire, Or have my hands no skill but to make figures 89 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND Upon the ashes with a stick ? Am I, So slack and idle that I need a whip Before I serve you ? CONCHUBAR. No, no whip, Cuchulain. But every day my children come and say: " This man is growing harder to endure. How can we be at safety with this man, That nobody can buy or bid or bind ? We shall be at his mercy when you are gone. He bums the earth as if it were a fire, And time can never touch him." CUCHULAIN. And so the tale Grows finer yet, and I am to obey Whatever child you set upon the throne As if it were yourself! 90 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND CONCHUBAR. Most certainly. I am High King, my son shall be High King ; And you, for all the wildness of your blood, And though your father came out of the sun, Are but a little king, and weigh but light In anything that touches government. If put into the balance with my children. CUCHULAIN. It's well that we should speak our minds out plainly, For when we die we shall be spoken of In many countries. We in our young days Have seen the heavens like a burning cloud Brooding upon the world, and being more Than men can be, now that cloud's lifted up, We should be the more truthful, Conchubar. I do not like your children. They have no pith. No marrow in their bones, and will lie soft Where you and I lie hard. 91 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND CONCHUBAR. You rail at them Because you have no children of your own. CUCHULAIN. I think myself most lucky that I leave No pallid ghost or mockery of a man To drift and mutter in the corridors Where I have laughed and sung. CONCHUBAR. That is not true, For all your boasting of the truth between us, For there is none that having house and lands. That have been in the one family, And called by the one name for centuries, But is made miserable if he know They are to pass into a stranger's keeping, As yours will pass. 92 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND CUCHULAIN. The most of men feel that ; But you and I leave names upon the harp. CONCHUBAR. You play with arguments as lawyers do, And put no heart in them. I know your thoughts, For we have slept under the one cloak and drunk From the one wine cup. I know you to the bone. I have heard you cry — ^aye, in your very sleep — " I have no son ! " and with such bitterness That I have gone upon my knees and prayed That it might be amended. CUCHULAIN. For you thought That I should be as biddable as others Had I their reason for it ; but that's not true, For I would need a weightier argument 93 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND Than one that marred me in the copying, As I have that clean hawk out of the air, That as men say begot this body of mine Upon a mortal woman. CONCHUBAR. Now as ever You mock at every measurable hope, And would have nothing or impossible things. What eye has ever looked upon the child Would satisfy a mind like that ! CUCHULAIN. I would leave My house and name to none that would not face Even myself in battle. CONCHUBAR. Being swift of foot, And making light of every common chance, You should have overtaken on the hills 94 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND Some daughter of the air, or on the shore A daughter of the Country-under-Wave. CUCHULAIN. I am not blasphemous. CONCHUBAR. Yet you despise Our queens, and would not call a child your own If one of them had borne him. CUCHULAIN. I have not said it CONCHUBAR. Ah, I remember I have heard you boast, When the ale was in your blood, that there was one In Scotland, where you had learned the trade of war. That had a stone-pale cheek and red-brown hair, And that although you had loved other women, 95 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND You'd sooner that fierce woman of the camp Bore you a son than any queen among them. CUCHULAIN. You call her a fierce woman of the camp ; But having lived among the spinning-wheels. You'd have no woman near that wQuld not say, "Ah, how wise ! " " What will you have for supper ? " " What shall I wear that I may please you, sir?" And keep that humming through the day and night Forever. A fierce woman of the camp . — But I am getting angry about nothing. You have never seen her. Ah, Conchubar, had you seen her. With that high, laughing, turbulent head of hers Thrown backward, and the bow-string at her ear. Or sitting at the fire with those grave eyes Full of good counsel as it were with wine, Or when love ran through all the lineaments 96 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND Of her wild body — although she had no child, None other had all beauty, queen or lover, Or was so fitted to give birth to kings. CONCHUBAR. There's nothing I can say but drifts you farther From the one weighty matter. That very woman- For I know well that you are praising Aoife — Now hates you, and will leave no subtilty Unknotted that might run into a noose About your throat, no army in idleness That might bring ruin on this land you serve. CUCHULAIN. No wonder in that — no wonder at all in that. I never have known love but as a kiss In the mid-battle, and a difficult truce Of oil and water, candles and dark night, Hillside and hollow, the hot-footed sun, And the cold sliding, slippery-footed moon — H 97 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND A brief forgiveness between opposites That have been hatreds for three times the age Of this long-'stablished ground. CONCHUBAR. Listen to me : Aoife makes war on us, and every day Our enemies grow greater and beat the walls More bitterly, and you within the walls Are every day more turbulent ; and yet When I would speak about these things, your mind Runs as it were a swallow on the wind. Look at the door, and what men gather there — Old counsellors that steer the land with me And younger kings, the dancers and harp-players That follow in your tumults, and all these Are held there by the one anxiety. Will you be bound into obedience, And so make this land safe for them and theirs ? 98 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND You are but half a king, and I but half. I need your might of hand and burning heart, And you my wisdom. [Outside the door in the blue light of the sea mist are many old and young kings ; amongst them are three women^ two of whom carry a bowl full of fire. The third woman puts from time to time fragrant herbs into the fire so that it flickers up into brighter flame. CUCHULAIN. [Going near to the door.] Nestlings of a high nest, Hawks that have followed me into the air And looked upon the sun, we'll out of this And sail upon the wind once more. This king Would have me take an oath to do his will, And having listened to his tune from morning, 99 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND I will no more of it Run to the stable And set the horses to the chariot-pole, And send a messenger to the harp-players. We'll find a level place among the woods And dance awhile. A YOUNG KING. Cuchulain, take the oath. There is none here that would not have you take it CUCHULAIN. You'd have me take it ? Are you of one mind ? THE KINGS. All, all, all, all ! A KING. Do what the High King bids you. CONCHUBAR. There is not one but dreads this turbulence. Now that they are settled men. lOO Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND CUCHULAIN. Are you so changed, Or have I grown more dangerous of late ? But that's not it I understand it all. It's you that have changed. You've wives and chil- dren now, And for that reason cannot follow one That lives like a bird's flight from tree to tree. — If s time the years put water in my blood And drowned the wildness of it, for all's changed, But that unchanged. — I'll take what oath you will : The moon, the sun, the water, light, or air, I do not care how binding. CONCHUBAR. [ WAo has seated himself in his great chair.] On this fire That has been lighted from your hearth and mine, The older men shall be my witnesses, lOI Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND The younger yours. The holders of the fire Shall purify the thresholds of the house With waving fire, and shut the outer door, According to old custom, and sing rhyme That has come down from the old law-makers To blow the witches out Considering That the wild will of man could by oath be bound, But that a woman's could not, they bid us sing Against the will of woman at its wildest In the shape-changers that run upon the wind. [The song of the WOMEN.] May this fire have driven out The shape-changers that can put Ruin on a great king's house Until all be ruinous. Names whereby a man has known The threshold and the hearthstone, Gather on the wind and drive I02 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND Women none can kiss and thrive, For they are but whirling wind, Out of memory and mind. They would make a prince decay With light images of clay Planted in the running wave ; Or, for many shapes they have. They would change them into hounds Until he had died of his wounds. Though the change were but a whim ; Or they'd hurl a spell at him. That he follow with desire Bodies that can never tire Or grow kind, for they anoint All their bodies joint by joint With a miracle-working juice That is made out of the grease Of the ungovemed unicorn ; But the man is thrice forlorn, 103 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND Emptied, ruined, wracked, and lost, That they follow, for at most They will give him kiss for kiss While they murmur, "After this Hatred may be sweet to the taste " ; Those wild hands that have embraced All his body can but shove At the burning wheel of love Till the side of hate comes up. Therefore in this ancient cup May the sword-blades drink their fill Of the home-brew there, until They will have for master none But the threshold and hearthstone. [After "Memory and mind" tAetr words die away to a murmur^ but are loud again at " Therefore in." The others do not speak when these words are loud. IG4 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND CUCHULAIN. [Speaking while they are singing^ rU take and keep this oath, and from this day I shall be what you please, my nestlings. Yet I had thought you one of those that praised Whatever life could make the pulse run quickly, Even though it were brief, and though you held That a free gift was better than a forced ; But that's all over. — I will keep it, too. I never gave a gift and took it again. If the wild horse should break the chariot-pole It would be punished. Should that be in the oath ? — \Two of the women, still singing, crouch in front of him holding the bowl over their heads. He spreads his hands over the flame. I swear to be obedient in all things To Conchubar, and to uphold his children. los Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND CONCHUBAR. We are one being, as these flames are one. I give my wisdom, and I take your strength. Now thrust the swords in the flame, and pray That they may serve the threshold and the hearthstone With faithful service. [The Kings kneel in a semicircle before the two women and CUCHULAIN, who thrusts his sword in the flame. They all put the points of their swords in the flame. The third woman is at the back near the big door. CUCHULAIN. O pure glittering ones, That should be more than wife or friend or mistress. Give us the enduring will, the unquenchable hope. The friendliness of the sword ! — [The song grows louder, and the last words ring out clearly. There is a loud knocking at the door, and aery of ^"^ Open ! open ! " io6 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND CONCHUBAR. Some king that has been loitering on the way. Open the door, for I would have all know That the oath's finished, and Cuchulain bound And that the swords are drinking up the flame. [TAe door is opened by the third woman ^ and a Young Man with a drawn sword enters. YOUNG MAN. I am of Aoife's army. \The Kings rush towards him. Cuchulain throws himself between. CUCHULAIN. Put up your swords. He is but one. Aoife is far away. YOUNG MAN. I have come alone into the midst of you To weigh this sword against Cuchulain's sword. 107 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND CONCHUBAR. And are you noble ? for if of common seed You cannot weigh your sword against his sword But in mixed battle. YOUNG MAN. I am under bonds To tell my name to no man ; but if s noble. CONCHUBAR. But I would know your name, and not your bonds. You cannot speak in the Assembly House If you are not noble. FIRST KING. Answer the High King ! YOUNG MAN. I will give no other proof than the hawk gives — That it's no sparrow ! [He is dUntfor a moment^ then speaks to all, io8 / Digitized by Google ON BAILEES STRAND Yet look upon me, kings. I too am of that ancient seed, and cany The signs about this body and in these bones. CUCHULAIN, To have shown the hawk's grey feather is enough, And you speak highly, too. Give me that helmet ! rd thought they had grown weary sending champions That sword and belt will do. This fighting's welcome. The High King there has promised me his wisdom ; But the hawk *s sleepy till its well-beloved Cries out amid the acorns, or it has seen Its enemy like a speck upon the sun. What's wisdom to the hawk, when that clear eye Is burning nearer up in the high air ! [Looks hard at YoUNG Man ; then comes down steps and grasps the YoUNG MAN by his shoulder. Hither into the light ! [To CONCHUBAR. 109 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND The very tint Of her that I was speaking of but now. Not a pin's difference. [To YoUNG Man. You are from the North, Where there are many that have that tint of hair — Red-brown, the light red-brown. Come nearer, boy, For I would have another look at you. There's more likeness — a pale, a stone-pale cheek. What brought you, boy ? Have you no fear of death ? YOUNG MAN. Whether I live or die is in the Gods' hands. CUCHULAIN. That is all words, all words ; a young man's talk. I am their plough, their harrow, their very strength ; For he thaf s in the sun begot this body Upon a mortal woman, and I have heard tell It seemed as if he had outrun the moon, no Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND That he must follow always through waste heaven, He loved so happily. Hell be but slow To break a tree that was so sweetly planted. Lefs see that arm ! I'll see it if I like. That arm had a good father and a good mother, But it is not like this. YOUNG MAN. You are mocking me ! You think I am not worthy to be fought. But rU not wrangle but with this talkative knife. CUCHULAIN. Put up your sword ; I am not mocking you. I'd have you for my friend ; but if it's not Because you have a hot heart and a cold eye, I cannot tell the reasoa [To CONCHUBAR.] He has got her fierceness, And nobody is as fierce as those pale women. And I will keep him with me, Conchubar, III Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND That he may set my memory upon it When the day's fading. You will stop with us, And we will hunt the deer and the wild bulls ; And, when we have grown weary, light our fires Between the wood and water, or on some mountain Where the shape-changers of the morning come. The High King there would make a mock of me Because I did not take a wife among them. Why do you hang your head ? It's a good life. The head grows prouder in the light of the dawn. And friendship thickens in the murmuring dark, Where the spare hazels meet the wool-white foam. But I can see there's no more need for words. And that you'll be my friend from this day out CONCHUBAR. He has come hither, not in his own name. But in Queen Aoife's name ; and has challenged us In challenging the foremost man of us all. 112 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND CUCHULAIN. Well, well, what matter ! CONCHUBAR. You think it does not matter. And that a fancy lighter than the air, A whim of the moment has more matter in it, For having none that shall reign after you, You cannot think, as I do, who would leave A throne too high for insult CUCHULAIN. Let your children Re-mortar their inheritance as we have. And put more muscle on. I'll give you gifts, But rd have something too — that arm-ring, boy. We'll have this quarrel out when you are older. YOUNG MAN. There is no man I'd sooner have my friend Than you, whose name has gone about the world I 113 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND As if it had been the wind ; but Aoife 'd say I had turned coward. CUCHULAIN. I will give you gifts That Aoife '11 know, and all her people know, To have come from me. [Showing cloak, which is on a chair,} My father gave me this. He came to try me, rising up at dawn Out of the cold dark of the rich sea. He challenged me to battle, but before My sword had touched his sword, told me his name, Gave me this cloak, and vanished. It was woven By women of the Country-under-Wave Out of the fleeces of the sea. O ! tell her I was afraid, or tell her what you will. No ; tell her that I heard a raven croak On the north side of the house, and was afraid. 114 Digitized by VjOOQIC l.^ll,,^JUJ.. ON BAILEES STRAND CONCHUBAR. Some witch of the air has troubled Cuchulain's mind. CUCHULAIN. No witchcraft His head is like a woman's head I had a fancy for. CONCHUBAR. A witch of the air Can make a leaf confound us with memories. They ride upon the wind and hurl the spells That make us nothing, out of the invisible wind. They have gone to school to learn the trick of it. CUCHULAIN, No, no, there's nothing out of common here ; The winds are innocent That arm-ring, boy I A KING. If I've your leave, I'll take this challenge up. 115 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND ANOTHER KING. No, give it me, High King, for that wild Aoife Has carried off my slaves. ANOTHER KING. No, give it me, For she has harried me in house and herd. ANOTHER KING. I claim this fight OTHER KINGS. [ Together^ And I ! and I ! and 1 1 CUCHULAIN. Back! back! Put up your swords! put up your swords ! There's none alive that shall accept a challenge I have refused. Laegaire, put up your sword ! ii6 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND YOUNG MAN. No, let them come ! If they've a mind for it, ril try it out with any two together. CUCHULAIN. That* s spoken as Td have spoken it at your age. But you are in my house. Whatever man Would fight with you shall fight it out with me. They're dumb, they're dumb! How many of you would meet [Draws sword. This mutterer, this old whistler, this sand-piper, This edge thaf s greyer than the tide, this mouse That's gnawing at the timbers of the world, This, this — ? Boy, I would meet them all in arms If I'd a son like you. He would avenge me When I have withstood for the last time the men Whose fathers, brothers, sons, and friends I have killed Upholding Conchubar, when the four provinces Have gathered with the ravens over them. 117 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND ' But I'd need no avenger. You and I Would scatter them like water from a dish. YOUNG MAN. We'll stand by one another from this out Here is the ring. CUCHULAIN. No, turn and turn about But my turn's first, because I am the older. [Spreading out cloak. Nine queens out of the Country-under-Wave Have woven it with the fleeces of the sea, And they were long embroidering at it Boy, If I had fought my father, he'd have killed me As certainly as if I had a son. And fought with him I should be deadly to him. For the old fiery fountains are far off, And every day there is less heat o' the blood. ii8 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND CONCHUBAR. [In a loud voice.] No more of that ; I will not have this friendship. Cuchulain is my man, and I forbid it He shall not go unfought, for I myself CUCHULAIN. I will not have it CONCHUBAR. You lay commands on me ? CUCHULAIN. [Seizing CONCHUBAR.] You shall not stir, High King ; Til hold you there. CONCHUBAR. Witchcraft has maddened you. THE KINGS. [Shouting,'] Yes, witchcraft ! witchcraft ! "9 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND FIRST KING. Some witch has worked upon your mind, Cuchulain. The head of that young man seemed like a woman's You had a fancy for. Then of a sudden You laid your hands on the High King himself. [He has taken his hands from the HIGH KING. He stands as if he were dazed. CUCHULAIN. And laid my hands on the High King himself. CONCHUBAR. Some witch is floating in the air above us. CUCHULAIN. Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft. Witches of the air. [TV Young Man. Why did you ? Who was it set you to this work ? Out I out, I say ! for now it's sword on sword ! 1 20 Digitized by VjOOQIC !- mmm ON BAILEES STRAND YOUNG MAN. But . . . but I did not CUCHULAIN. Out, I say ! out ! out ! [Young Man £^oes out followed by CuCHU- LAIN. The Kings follow them out with confused cries^ and words one can hardly hear because of the noise. Some cry^ "Quicker, quicker!" "Why are you so long at the door ? " " Well be too late ! " " Have they begun to fight ? " and so on ; and one^ it may be^ " I saw him fight with Ferdia ! " Their voices drown each other. The three women are left alone. FIRST WOMAN. I have seen, I have seen. SECOND WOMAN. What do you cry aloud ? 121 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND FIRST WOMAN. The ever-living have shown me what's to come. THIRD WOMAN. How? Where? FIRST WOMAN. In the ashes of the bowl. SECOND WOMAN. While you were holding it between your hands ? THIRD WOMAN. Speak quickly ! FIRST WOMAN. I saw Cuchulain's roof-tree Leap into fire, and the walls split and blacken. SECOND WOMAN. Cuchulain has gone out to die. THIRD WOMAN. O! O! 1^2 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND SECOND WOMAN. Who could have thought that one so great as he Should meet his end at this unnoted sword ! FIRST WOMAN. Life drifts between a Fool and a Blind Man To the end, and nobody can know his end. SECOND WOMAN. Come, look upon the quenching of this greatness. [The other two go to the door^ but they stop for a moment upon the threshold and wail, FIRST WOMAN. No crying out, for there'll be need of cries And knocking at the breast when it's all finished. [ The women go out. There is a sound of clash" ing swords from time to time during what follows, 123 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND EnUr the FOQL dragging the BLIND MAN. FOOL. You have eaten it, you have eaten it 1 You have left me nathing but the bones ! \He throws Blind Man down by big chair. BLIND MAN. ' O, that I should have to endure such a plague! O, I ache all over ! O, I am pulled to pieces ! This is the way you pay me all the good I have done you 1 FOOL. You have eaten it! You have told me lies. I might have known you had eaten it when I saw your slow, sleepy walk. Lie there till the kings come. O, I will tell Conchubar and Cuchulain and all the kings about you I BLIND MAN. What would have happened to you but for me, 124 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND and you without your wits? If I did not take care of you, what would you do for food and warmth ? FOOL. You take care of me I You stay safe, and send me into every kind of danger. You sent me down the cliff for guirs eggs while you warmed your blind eyes in the sun ; and then you ate all that were good for food. You left me the eggs that were neither egg nor bird. [BLIND Man tries to rise; FoOL makes him lie down again,'] Keep quiet now, till I shut the door. There is some noise outside — a high vexing noise, so that I can't be listening to myself. [Shuts the big door.] Why can't they be quiet ! why can't they be quiet! [BhmD MAN tries to get awaj^.] Ah! you would get away, would you ! [Follows BLIND Man and brings him back.] Lie there! lie there! No, you won't get away! Lie there till the kings come. I'll tell them all about you. I will tell it all. How you 125 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND sit warming yourself, when you have made me light a fire of sticks, while I sit blowing it with my mouth. Do you not always make me take the windy side of the bush when it blows, and the rainy side when it rains? BLIND MAN. O, good Fool ! listen to nie. Think of the care I have taken of you. I have brought you to many a warm hearth, where there was a good welcome for you, but you would not stay there ; you were always wandering about FOOL. The last time you brought me in it was not I who wandered away, but you that got put out because you took the crubeen out of the pot when nobody was looking. Keep quiet, now ! CUCHULAIN. [Rushing «f .] Witchcraft ! There is no witchcraft on the earth, ia6 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND or among the witches of the air, that these hands cannot break. FOOL. Listen to me, Cuchulain. I left him turning the fowl at the fire. He ate it all, though I had stolen it He left me nothing but the feathers. CUCHULAIN. Fill me a horn of ale ! BLIND MAN. I gave him what he Kkes best. You do not know how 'vain this Fool is. He likes nothing so well as a feather. FOOL. He left me nothing but the bones and feathers. Nothing but the feathers, though I had stolen it. CUCHULAIN. Give me that horn ! Quarrels here, too ! [Drinks.] 127 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND What is there between you two that' is worth a quarrel ? Out with it I BUND MAN. Where would he be but for me ? I must be always thinking — thinking to get food for the two of us, and when we've got it, if the moon is at the full or the tide on the turn, he'll leave the rabbit in the snare till it is full of maggots, or let the trout slip back through his hands into the stream. [TAe Fool Aas begun singing while the BLIND Man is speaking. \Sings^^ When you were an acorn on the tree top, Then was I an eagle cock ; Now that you are a withered old block, Still am I an eagle cock. 128 Digitized by VjOOQIC r •-=^»^ ON BAILE'S STRAND BLIND MAN. Listen to him now. That's the sort of talk I have to put up with day out, day in. [TAe Fool is putting the feathers into his hair. CUCHULAIN takes a handful of feathers out of a heap the FooL has on the bench beside him^ and out of the FoOL's hair^ and begins to wipe the blood from his sword with them. FOOL. He has taken my feathers to wipe his sword. It is blood that he is wiping from his sword. CUCHULAIN. \Goes up to door at back and throws away feathers^ They are standing about his body. They will not awaken him, for all his witchcraft K 129 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND BUND BfAN. It is that young champion that he has killed He that came out of Aoife's country. CUCHULAIN. He thought to have saved himself with witchcraft. FOOL. That blind man there said he would kill you. He came from Aoife's country to kill you. That blind man said they had taught him every kind of weapon that he might do it But I always knew that you would kill him. CUCHULAIN. [To the Blind Man.] You knew him, then ? BLIND MAN. I saw him, when I had my ^ye&y in Aoife's country. 130 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND CUCHULAIN. You were in Aoife's country ? BLIND MAN. I knew him and his mother there. CUCHULAIN. He was about to speak of her when he died. BLIND MAN. He was a queen's son. CUCHULAIN. What queen ? what queen ? [Seizes BLIND Man, tvAo is now sitting upon the iencA.] Was it Scathach ? There were many queens. All the rulers there were queens. BLIND MAN. No, not Scathach. CUCHULAIN. It was Uathach, then ? Speak ! speak ! 131 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND BUND BfAN. I cannot speak ; you are clutching me too tightly. [CUCHULAIN lets him go.^ I cannot remember who it was. I am not certain. It was some queen. FOOL. He said a while ago that the young man was Aoife's son. CUCHULAIN. She ? No, no ! She had no son when I was there. FOOL. That blind man there said that she owned him for her son. CUCHULAIN. I had rather he had been some other woman's son. What father had he? A soldier out of Alba? She was an amorous woman — a proud, pale, amorous woman. 132 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND BUND MAN. None knew whose son he was. CUCHULAIN. None knew ! Did you know, old listener at doors ? BLIND MAN. No, no ; I knew nothing. FOOL. He said a while ago that he heard Aoife boast that she'd never but the one lover, and he the only man that had overcome her in battle. [Pause. BLIND MAN. Somebody is trembling, Fool ! The bench is shak- ing. Why are you trembling? Is Cuchulain going to hurt us ? It was not I who told you, Cuchulain. FOOL. It is Cuchulain who is trembling. It is Cuchulain who is shaking the bench 133 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND BLIND MAN. It is his own son he has slain. CUCHULAIN. 'Twas they that did it, the pale, windy people. Where? where? where? My sword against the thunder 1 But no, for they have always been my friends ; And though they love to blow a smoking coal Till it's all flame, the wars they blow aflame Are full of glory, and heart-uplifting pride, And not like this. The wars they love awaken Old fingers and the sleepy strings of harps. Who did it, then ? Are you afraid ? Speak out ! For I have put you under my protection, And will reward you well. Dubthach the Chafer? He'd an old grudge. No, for he is with Maeve. La^aire did it ! Why do you not speak ? What is this house ? [Pause.] Now I remember all. 134 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND [Comes before Conchubar's chair ^ and strikes out with his sword as if CONCHUBAR was sitting upon it 'Twas you who did it — yow who sat up there With your old rod of kingship, like a magpie Nursing a stolen spoon. No, not a magpie, A maggot that is eating up the earth I Yes, but a magpie, for he's flown away. Where did he fly to? BLIND MAN. He is outside the door. CUCHULAIN. Outside the door ? BLIND MAN. Between the door and the sea. CUCHULAIN. Conchubar, Conchubarl the sword into your heart! \He rushes out. Pause. FoOL creeps up to the big door and looks after him, 135 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND FOOL. He is going up to King Conchubar. They are all about the young man. No, no, he is standing stilL There is a great wave going to break, and he is looking at it. Ah ! now he is running down to the sea, but he is holding up his sword as if he were going into a fight. [Pause.] Well struck! well struck 1 BLIND MAN. What is he doing now ? FOOL. 1 he is fighting the waves. BLIND MAN. He sees King Conchubar's crown on every one of them. FOOL. There, he has struck at a big one I He has struck the crown off it ; he has made the foam fly. There again, another big one I 136 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND BLIND MAN. Where are the kings ? What are the kings doing ? FOOL. They are shouting and running down to the shore, and the people are running out of the houses. They are all running. BLIND MAN. You say they are running out of the houses? There will be nobody left in the houses. Listen, Fool! FOOL. There, he is down 1 He is up again. He is going out into the deep water. There is a big wave. It has gone over him. I cannot see him now. He has killed kings and giants, but the waves have mastered him, the waves have mastered him I BLIND MAN. Come here, Fool ! 137 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILEES STRAND FOOL. The waves have mastered him. BLIND MAN. Come here ! FOOL. The waves have mastered him. BLIND MAN. Come here, I say 1 FOOL. [Coming towards him^ but looking backward towards the door.] What is it? BLIND MAN. There will be nobody in the houses. Come this way; come quickly! The ovens will be full. We will put our hands into the ovens. [They go out. 138 Digitized by VjOOQIC IN THE SEVEN WOODS Digitized by VjOOQIC TO FLORENCE FARR The only reciter of lyric poetry who is always a delight, because of the beauty of her voice and the rightness of her method. Digitized by VjOOQIC IN THE SEVEN WOODS I HAVE heard the pigeons of the Seven Woods Make their faint thunder, and the garden bees Hum in the lime tree flowers ; and put away The unavailing outcries and the old bitterness That empty the heart. I have forgot awhile Tara uprooted, and new comn^onness Upon the throne and crying about the streets And hanging its paper flowers from post to post, Because it is alone of all things happy. I am contented for I know that Quiet Wanders laughing and eating her wild heart Among pigeons and bees, while that Great Archer, Who but awaits His hour to shoot, still hangs A cloudy quiver over Farc-na-Lee. August, 1902 141 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE OLD AGE OF QUEEN MAEVE Maeve the great queen was pacing to and fro, Between the walls covered with beaten bronze, In her high house at Cruachan ; the long hearth, Flickering with ash and hazel, but half showed Where the tired horse-bosrs lay upon the rushes. Or on the benches underneath the walls. In comfortable sleep ; all living slept But that great queen, who more than half the night Had paced from door to fire and fire to door. Though now in her old age, in her young age She had been beautiful in that old way That* s all but gone ; for the proud heart is gone, And the fool heart of the counting-house fears alt But soft beauty and indolent desire. She could have called over the rim of the world 14a Digitized by VjOOQIC ■■™".Li^"..l-i».JP THE OLD AGE OF QUEEN MAEVE Whatever woman's lover had hit her fancy, And yet had been great bodied and great limbed, Fashioned to be the mother of strong children ; And she'd had lucky eyes and a high heart. And wisdom that caught fire like the dried flax, At need, and made her beautiful and fierce. Sudden and laughing^ O unquiet heart, Why do you praise another, praising her, As if there were no tale but your own tale Worth knitting to a measure of sweet sound ? Have I not bid you tell of that great queen Who has been buried some two thousand years ? When night was at its deepest, a wild goose Cried from the porter's lodge, and with long clamour Shook the ale horns and shields upon their hooks ; But the horse-boys slept on, as though some power Had filled the house with Druid heaviness ; 143 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE OLD AGE OF QUEEN MAEVE And wondering who of the many-changing Sidhe Had come as in the old times to counsel her, Maeve walked, yet with slow footfall, being old, To that small chamber by the outer gate ; The porter slept, although he sat upright With still and stony limbs and open eyes. Maeve waited, and when that ear-piercing noise Broke from his parted lips and broke again. She laid a hand on either of his shoulders, And shook him wide awake, and bid him say Who of the wandering many-changing ones Had troubled his sleep. But all he had to say Was that, the air being heavy and the dogs More still than they had been for a good month. He had fallen asleep, and, though he had dreamed nothing. He could remember when he had had fine dreams. It was before the time of the great war Over the White-Horned Bull, and the Brown Bull 144 Digitized by VjOOQIC fmn THE OLD AGE OF QUEEN MAEVE She turned away ; he turned again to sleep That no god troubled now, and, wondering What matters were afoot among the Sidhe, Maeve walked through that great hall, and with a sigh Lifted the curtain of her sleeping room, Remembering that she too had seemed divine To many thousand eyes, and to her own One that the generations had long waited That work too difficult for mortal hands Might be accomplished. Bunching the curtain up She saw her husband Ailell sleeping there, And thought of days when he'd had a straight body, And of that famous Fergus, Nessa's husband. Who had been the lover of her middle life. Suddenly Ailell spoke out of his sleep, And not with his own voice or a man's voice. But with the burning, live, unshaken voice Of those that it may be can never age. L 145 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE OLD AGE OF QUEEN MAEVE He said, " High Queen of Cruachan and Magh Ai, A king of the Great Plain would speak with you." And with glad voice Maeve answered him, "What king Of the far wandering shadows has come to me As in the old days, when they would come and go About my threshold to counsel and to help?" The parted lips replied, " I seek your help. For I am Aengus, and I am crossed in love." ** How may a mortal whose life gutters out Help them that wander with hand clasping hand By rivers where nor rain nor hail has dimmed The haughty images, that cannot perish Although their beauty's like a hollow dream ? " '' I am from the undimmed rivers. I bid you call The children of the Maines out of sleep. And set them digging into Anbual's hill. 146 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE OLD AGE OF QUEEN MAEVE We shadows, while they uproot his earthy house, Will overthrow his shadows and carry off Caer, his blue-eyed daughter that I love. I helped your fathers when they built these walls, And I would have your help in my great need, Queen of high Cruachan." " I obey your will With speedy feet and a most thankful heart : For you have been, O Aengus of the birds, Our giver of good counsel and good luck." And with a groan, as if the mortal breath Could but awaken sadly upon lips That happier breath had moved, her husband turned Face downward, tossing in a troubled sleep ; But Maeve, and not with a slow feeble foot, Came to the threshold of the painted house Where her grandchildren slept, and cried aloud. Until the pillared dark began to stir With shouting and the clang of unhooked arms. 147 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE OLD AGE OF QUEEN MAEVE She told them of the many-changing ones ; And all that night, and all through the next day To middle night, they dug into the hill. At middle night great cats with silver claws, Bodies of shadow and blind eyes like pearls, Came up out of the hole, and red-eared hounds With long white bodies came out of the air Suddenly, and ran at them and harried them. The Maines' children dropped their spades, and stood With quaking joints and terror-strucken faces. Till Maeve called out : " These are but common men. The Maines' children have not dropped their spades Because Earth, crazy for its broken power, Casts up a show and the winds answer it With holy shadows." Her high heart was glad. And when the uproar ran along the grass She followed with light footfall in the midst. Till it died out where an old thorn tree stood. 148 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE OLD AGE OF QUEEN MAEVE Friend of these many years, you too had stood With equal courage in that whirling rout ; For you, although youVe not her wandering heart, Have all that greatness, and not hers alone. For there is no high story about queens In any ancient book but tells of you. And when I've heard how they grew old and died, Or fell into unhappiness, I have said : " She will grow old and die, and she has wept 1 ** And when I'd write it out anew, the words, Half crazy with the thought. She too has wept ! Outrun the measure. I'd tell of that great queen Who stood amid a silence by the thorn Until two lovers came out of the air With bodies made out of soft fire. The one, About whose face birds wagged their fiery wings, Said : '' Aengus and his sweetheart give their thanks To Maeve and to Maeve's household, owing all 149 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE OLD AGE OF QUEEN MAEVE In owing them the bride-bed that gives peace." Then Maeve : " O Aengus, Master of all lovers, A thousand years ago you held high talk With the first kings of many-pillared Cruachan. O when will you grow weary ? " They had vanished ; But out of the dark air over her head there came A murmur of soft words and meeting lips. 150 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN Argument. Baile and Aillinn were lovers, but Aengus, the Master of Love, wishing them to be happy in his own land among the dead, told to each a story of the other's death, so that their hearts were broken and they died. / HARDLY hear the curlew cry, Nor the grey rush when the wind is high, Before my thoughts begin to run On the heir of Ulad, Buan's son^ Baile, who had the honey mouth ; And that mild woman of the south, Aillinn, who was King Lugaid's heir. Their love was never drowned in care Of this or that thing, nor grew cold Because their bodies had grown old. Being forbid to marry on earth. They blossomed to immortal mirth. 151 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN About the time when Christ was born, When the long wars for the White Horn And the Brown Bull had not yet come, Young Baile Honey-Mouth, whom some Called rather Baile Little-Land, Rode out of Emain with a band Of harpers and young men ; and they Imagined, as they struck the way To many-pastured Muirthemne, That all things fell out happily. And there, for all that fools had said, Baile and Aillinn would be wed They found an old man running there : He had ragged long grass-coloured hair ; He had knees that stuck out of his hose ; He had puddle water in his shoes ; He had half a cloak to keep him dry, Although he had a squirrel's eye. 152 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN O wandering birds and rushy beds, You put such folly in our heads, With all this crying in the zvind. No common love is to our mind, And our poor Kate or Nan is less Than any whose unhappiness Awoke the harp-strings long ago. Yet they that know cUl things but know That all life had to give us is A child's laughter, a woman's kiss. Who was it put so great a scorn In the grey reeds that night and mom Are trodden and broken by the herds. And in the light bodies of birds That north wind tumbles to and fro And pinches among hail and snow ? That runner said : '' I am from the south ; I run to Baile Honey-Mouth, 153 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN To tell him how the girl Aillinn Rode from the country of her kin, And old and young men rode with her : For all that country had been astir If anybody half as fair Had chosen a husband anywhere But where it could see her every day. When they had ridden a little way An old man caught the horse's head With : * You must home again, and wed With somebody in your own land.' A young man cried and kissed her hand, * O lady, wed with one of us ' ; And when no face grew piteous For any gentle thing she spake. She fell and died of the heart-break." Because a lover's heart's worn out. Being tumbled and blown about 154 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN By its own blind imagining, And will believe that anything That is bad enough to be true, is true, Baile's heart was broken in two ; And he being laid upon green boughs. Was carried to the goodly house Where the Hound of Ulad sat before The brazen pillars of his door, His face bowed low to weep the end Of the harper's daughter and her friend. For although years had passed away He always wept them on that day, For on that day they had been betrayed ; And now that Honey-Mouth is laid Under a cairn of sleepy stone Before his eyes, he has tears for none. Although he is carrying stone, but two For whom the cairn's but heaped anew. 155 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN We hold because our memory is So full of that thing and of this That out of sight is out of mind. But the grey rush under the wind And the grey bird with crooked bill Have such long memories^ that they still Renumber Deirdre and her man ; And when we walk with Kate or Nan About the windy water side^ Our heart can hear the voices chide. How could we be so soon content^ Who know the way that Naoise went ? And they have news of Deirdre* s eyes^ Who being lovely was so wise — Ah ! wise^ my heart knows well how wise. Now had that old gaunt crafty one, Gathering his cloak about him, run Where Aillinn rode with waiting maids, 156 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN Who amid leafy lights and shades Dreamed of the hands that would unlace Their bodices in some dim place When they had come to the marriage bed ; And harpers, pondering with bowed head A music that had thought enough Of the ebb of all things to make love Grow gentle without sorrowings ; And leather-coated men with slings Who peered about on every side ; And amid leafy light he cried : " He is well out of wind and wave ; They have heaped the stones above his grave In Muirthemne, and over it In changeless Ogham letters writ — BaiU^ that was of Rury's seed. But the gods long ago decreed No waiting maid should ever spread Baile and Aillinn's marriage bed, 157 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN For they should clip and clip again Where wild bees hive on the Great Plain. Therefore it is but little news That put this hurry in my shoes." And hurrying to the south, he came To that high hill the herdsmen name The Hil] Seat of Leighin, because Some god or king had made the laws That held the land together there. In old times among the clouds of the air. That old man climbed ; the day grew dim ; Two swans came flying up to him, Linked by a gold chain each to each, And with low murmuring laughing speech Alighted on the windy grass. They knew him : his changed body was Tall, proud and ruddy, and light wings Were hovering over the harp-strings 158 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN That Etain, Midhir's wife, had wove In the hid place, being crazed by love. What shall I call them ? fish that swim, Scale rubbing scale where light is dim By a broad water-lily leaf; Or mice in the one wheaten sheaf Forgotten at the threshing place ; Or birds lost in the one clear space Of morning light in a dim sky ; Or, it may be, the eyelids of one eye, Or the door pillars of one house, Or two sweet blossoming apple boughs That have one shadow on the ground ; Or the two strings that made one sound Where that wise harper's finger ran. For this young girl and this young man Have happiness without an end, Because they have made so good a friend 159 Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN They know all wonders, for they pass The towery gates of Grorias, And Findrias and Falias, And long-foi^otten Murias, Among the giant kings whose hoard. Cauldron and spear and stone and sword, Was robbed before Earth gave the wheat ; Wandering from broken street to street They come where some huge watcher is. And tremble with their love and kiss. They know undying things, for they Wander where earth withers away, Though nothing troubles the great streams But light from the pale stars, and gleams From the holy orchards, where there is none But fruit that is of precious stone, Or apples of the sun and moon. i6o Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN What were our praise to them ? they eat Quiet's wild heart, like daily meat ; Who when night thickens are afloat On dappled skins in a glass boat, Far out under a windless sky, While over them birds of Aengus fly, And over the tiller and the prow, And waving white wings to and fro Awaken wanderings of light air To stir their coverlet and their hair. And poets found, old writers say, A yew tree where his body lay ; But a wild apple hid the grass With its sweet blossom where hers was ; And being in good heart, because A better time had come again After the deaths of many men. And that long fighting at the ford, M i6i Digitized by VjOOQIC BAILE AND AILLINN They wrote on tablets of thin board, Made of the apple and the yew, All the love stories that they knew. Let rush and bird cry out their fill Of the harpet^s daughter if they will^ Beloved, I am not afraid of her ; She is not wiser nor lovelier. And you are more high of heart than she. For all her wanderings oversea ; But rd have bird and rush forget Those other two ; for never yet Has lover lived, but longed to wive Like them that are no more alive. 162 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE ARROW I THOUGHT of your beauty, and this arrow, Made out of a wild thought, is in my marrow. There's no man may look upon her, no man ; As when newly grown to be a woman, Blossom pale, she pulled down the pale blossom At the moth hour and hid it in her bosom. This beauty's kinder, yet for a reason I could weep that the old is out of season. 163 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE FOLLY OF BEING COMFORTED One that is ever kind said yesterday : " Your well beloved's hair has threads of grey, And little shadows come about her eyes ; Time can but make it easier to be wise, Though now it's hard, till trouble is at an end ; And so be patient, be wise and patient, friend." But heart, there is no comfort, not a grain • Time can but make her beauty over again, Because of that great nobleness of hers ; The fire that stirs about her, when she stirs Burns but more clearly. O she had not these ways, When all the wild summer was in her g^ze. O heart ! O heart ! if she'd but turn her head. You'd know the folly of being comforted, 164 Digitized by VjOOQIC OLD MEMORY O THOUGHT, fly to her when the end of day Awakens an old memory, and say, " Your strength, that is so lofty and fierce and kind, It might call up a new age, calling to mind The queens that were imagined long ago. Is but half yours : he kneaded in the dough Through the long years of youth, and who would have thought It all, and more than it all, would come to naught. And that dear words meant nothing ? " But enough, For when we have blamed the wind we can blame love; Or, if there needs be more, be nothing said That would be harsh for children that have strayed. 165 Digitized by VjOOQIC NEVER GIVE ALL THE HEART Never give all the heart, for love Will hardly seem worth thinking of To passionate women if it seem Certain, and they never dream That it fades out from kiss to kiss ; For everything that* s lovely is But a brief, dreamy, kind delight Oh ! never give the heart outright, For they, for all smooth lips can say, Have given their hearts up to the play ; And who could play it well enough If deaf and dumb and blind with love ? He that made this knows all the cost. For he gave all his heart and lost i66 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE WITHERING OF THE BOUGHS I CRIED when the moon was murmuring to the birds, " Let peewit call and curlew cry where they will, I long for your merry and tender and pitiful words, For the roads are unending, and there is no place to my mind," The honey-pale moon lay low on the sleepy hill, And I fell asleep upon lonely Echtge of streams. No boughs have withered because of the wintry wind; The boughs have withered because I have told them my dreams. I know of the leafy paths that the witches take. Who come with their crowns of pearl and their spindles of wool, 167 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE WITHERING OF THE BOUGHS And their secret smile, out of the depths of the lake ; I know where a dim moon drifts, where the Danaan kind Wind and unwind their dances, when the light grows cool On the island lawns, their feet where the pale foam gleams. No boughs have withered because of the wintry wind; The boughs have withered because I have told them my dreams. I know of the sleepy country, where swans fly round Coupled with golden chains, and sing as they fly. A king and a queen are wandering there, and the sound Has made them so happy and hopeless, so deaf and so blind With wisdom, they wander till all the years have gone by ; i68 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE WITHERING OF THE BOUGHS I know, and the curlew and peewit on,Echtge of streams. No boughs have withered because of the wintry wind ; The boughs have withered because I have told them my dreams. 169 Digitized by VjOOQIC ADAM'S CURSE We sat together at one summer's end, That beautiful mild woman, your close friend, And you and I, and talked of poetry. I said : "A line will take us hours maybe; Yet if it does not seem a moment's thought, Our stitching and unstitching has been naught. Better go down upon your marrow bones And scrub a kitchen pavement, or break stones Like an old pauper, in all kinds of weather ; For to articulate sweet sounds together Is to work harder than all these, and yet Be thought an idler by the noisy set Of bankers, schoolmasters, and clergymen The martyrs call the world." 170 Digitized by VjOOQIC ADAM'S CURSE That woman then Murmured with her young voice, for whose mild sake There's many a one shall find out all heartache In finding that it's young and mild and low : " There is one thing that all we women know, Although we never heard of it at school — That we must labour to be beautiful." I said : " It's certain there is no fine thing Since Adam's fall but needs much labouring. There have been lovers who thought love should be So much compounded of high courtesy That they would sigh and quote with learned looks Precedents out of beautiful old books ; Yet now it seems an idle trade enough." We sat grown quiet at the name of love ; We saw the last embers of daylight die, And in the trembling blue-green of the sky 171 Digitized by VjOOQIC ADAM'S CURSE A moon, worn as if it had been a shell Washed by time's waters as they rose and fell^ About the stars, and broke in days and years. I had a thought for no one's but your ears ; That you were beautiful, and that I strove To love you in the old high way of love ; That it had all seemed happy, and yet we'd grown As weary hearted as that hollow moon. 172 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SONG OF RED HANRAHAN The old brown thorn trees break in two high over Cummen Strand, Under a bitter black wind that blows from the left hand; Our courage breaks like an old tree in a black wind and dies, But we have hidden in our hearts the flame out of the eyes Of Cathleen, the daughter of Houlihan. The wind has bundled up the clouds high over Knocknarea, And thrown the thunder on the stones for all that Maeve can say. 173 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE SONG OF RED HANRAHAN Angers that are like bundled clouds have set our hearts abeat ; But we have all bent low and low and kissed the quiet feet Of Cathleen, the daughter of Houlihan. The yellow pool has overflowed high up on Clooth- na-Bare, For the wet winds are blowing out of the clinging air; Like heavy flooded waters our bodies and our blood ; But purer than a tall candle before the Holy Rood Is Cathleen, the daughter of Houlihan. 174 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE OLD MEN ADMIRING THEM- SELVES IN THE WATER I HEARD the old) old men say, " Everything alters, And one by one we drop away." They had hands like claws, and their knees Were twisted like the old thorn trees By the waters, I heard the old, old men say, "All thafs beautiful drifts away Like the waters." 175 Digitized by VjOOQIC UNDER THE MOON I HAVE no happiness in dreaming of Brycelinde, Nor Avalon the grass-green hollow, nor Joyous Isle, Where one found Lancelot crazed and hid him for a while ; Nor Ulad, when Naoise had thrown a sail upon the wind, Nor lands that seem too dim to be burdens on the heart; Land-under-Wave, where out of the moon's light and the sun's Seven old sisters wind the threads of the long-lived ones; Land-of-the-Tower, where Aengus has thrown the gates apart ; And Wood-of- Wonders, where one kills an ox at dawn, 176 Digitized by VjOOQIC UNDER THE MOON To find it when night falls laid on a golden bier : Therein are many queens like Branwen and Guinivere; And Niam and Laban and Fand, who could change to an otter or fawn, And the wood-woman, whose lover was changed to a blue-eyed hawk ; And whether I go in my dreams by woodland, or dun, or shore, Or on the unpeopled waves with kings to pull at the oar, I hear the harp-string praise them, or hear their mournful talk. Because of a story I heard under the thin horn Of the third moon, that hung between the night and » the day, To dream of women whose beauty was folded in dis- may, Even in an old story, is a burden not to be borne. 177 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE PLAYERS ASK FOR A BLESS- ING ON THE PSALTERIES AND THEMSELVES Three voices together: Hurry to bless the hands that play, The mouths that speak, the notes and strings, O masters of the glittering town ! O ! lay the shrilly trumpet down, Though drunken with the flags that sway Over the ramparts and the towers, And with the waving of your wings. First voice : Maybe they linger by the way. One gathers up his purple gown ; 178 Digitized by VjOOQIC ^B^^^^mwrn THE PLAYERS ASK FOR A BLESSING One leans and mutters by the wall — He dreads the weight of mortal hours. Second voice : O no, O no ! they hurry down Like plovers that have heard the call. TAird voice: O kinsmen of the Three in One, O kinsmen bless the hands that play. The notes they waken shall live on When all this heavy history's done ; Our hands, our hands must ebb away. TAree voices togetAer: The proud and careless notes live on, But bless our hands that ebb away. 179 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE HAPPY TOWNLAND There's many a strong fanner Whose heart would break in two, If he could see the townland That we are riding to ; Boughs have their fruit and blossom At all times of the year ; Rivers are running over With red beer and brown beer. An old man plays the bagpipes In a golden and silver wood ; Queens, their eyes blue like the ice Are dancing in a crowd. i8o Digitized by VjOOQIC THE HAPPY TOWNLAND The little fox he murmured, " O what of the world's bane ? " The sun was laughing sweetly, Th6 moon plucked at my f ein ; But the little red fox murmured, " O do not pluck at his rein, He is riding to the townland That is the world's bane." When. their hearts are so high That they would come to blows. They unhook their heavy swords From golden and silver boughs ; But all that are killed in battle Awaken to life again : It is lucky that their story Is not known among men. For O, the strong farmers That would let the spade lie, i8i Digitized by VjOOQIC THE HAPPY TOWNLAND Their hearts would be like a cup That somebody had drunk dry. The little fox he murmured, " O what of the world's bane ? " The sun was laughing sweetly, The moon plucked at my rein ; But the little red fox murmured, ** O do not pluck at his rein. He is riding to the townland That is the world's bane." Michael will unhook his trumpet From a bough overhead, And blow a little noise When the supper has been spread. Gabriel will come from the water With a fish tail, and talk 182 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE HAPPY TOWNLAND Of wonders that have happened On wet roads where men walk, And lift up an old horn Of hammered silver, and drink Till he has fallen asleep Upon the starry brink. The little fox he murmured, " O what of the world's bane ? " The sun was laughing sweetly, The moon plucked at my rein ; But the little red fox murmured, " O do not pluck at his rein, He is riding to the townland That is the world's bane." 183 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE ENTRANCE OF DEIRDRE A LYRIC CHORUS Two women are waiting the entrance of Dbirdrb into the House of the Red Branch, They hear her coming and begin to sing. She comes into the house at the end of the second verse^ and the women seeing her standing by Naoise and shrinking back from the house^ not understanding thai she is afraid of what is to come^ think that it is love that has made her linger thus, FIRST WOMAN. " Why is it," Queen Edane said, " If I do but climb the stair To the tower overhead, When the winds are calling there. Or the gannets calling out In waste places of the sky. There's so much to think about That I cry— that I cry?" 184 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE ENTRANCE OF DEIRDRE SECOND WOMAN. But her good man answered her, " Love would be a thing of naught, Had not all his limbs a stir Bom out of immoderate thought ; Were he anything by half, Were his measures running dry. Lovers if they may not laugh, Have to cry — ^have to cry." THE TWO WOMEN TOGETHER. But is Edane worth a song Now the hunt begins anew ? Praise the beautiful and strong, Praise the redness of the yew, Praise the blossoming apple stem. Yet our silence had been wise ; What is all our praise to them That have one another's eyes ? 185 Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD \ Digitized by Google TO FRANK FAY Because of his beautiful speaking in the charac- ter of Seanchan. Digitized by VjOOQIC PERSONS IN THE PLAY KING GUAIRE SEANCHAN (PRONOUNCED SHANAHAN) HIS PUPILS THE MAYOR OF KINVARA TWO CRIPPLES BRIAN, AN OLD SERVANT THE LORD HIGH CHAMBERLAIN A SOLDIER A MONK COURT LADIES TWO PRINCESSES FEDELM Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Scene. Steps before the Palace of King Guairb ai Gort, A table in front of steps at one side^ with food on it^ and a bench by table. Seanchan lyit$g on steps. PUPILS befart steps. King on the upper step before a curtained door. KING. I welcome you that have the mastery Of the two kinds of Music : the one kind Being like a woman, the other like a man. Both you that understand stringed instruments, And how to mingle words and notes together So artfully, that all the Arf s but Speech Delighted with its own music ; and you that carry The long twisted horn, and understand The heady notes that, being without words. Can hurry beyond Time and Fate and Change. 191 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD For the high angels that drive the horse of Time — The golden one by day, by night the silver — Are not more welcome to one that loves the world For some fair woman's sake. I have called you hither To save the life of your great master, Seanchan, For all day long it has flamed up or flickered To the fast cooling hearth. OLDEST PUPIL. When did he sicken ? Is it a fever that is wasting him ? KING. No fever or sickness. He has chosen death : Refusing to eat or drink, that he may bring Disgrace upon me ; for there is a custom, An old and foolish custom, that if a man Be wronged, or think that he is wronged, and starve 192 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Upon another's threshold till he die, The common people, for all time to come, Will raise a heavy cry against that threshold, Even though it be the King's. OLDEST PUPIL. My head whirls round ; I do not know what I am to think or say. I owe you all obedience, and yet How can I give it, when the man I have loved More than all others, thinks that he is wronged So bitterly, that he will starve and die Rather than bear it Is there any man Will throw his life away for a light issue ? KING. It is but fitting that you take his side Until you understand how light an issue Has put us by the ears. Three days ago o 193 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD I yielded to the outcry of my courtiers — Bishops, Soldiers, and Makers of the Law — Who long had thought it against their dignity For a mere man of words to sit amongst them At my own table. When the meal was spread, I ordered Seanchan to a lower table ; And when he pleaded for the poets' right, Established at the establishment of the world, I said that I was King, and that all rights Had their original fountain in some king, And that it was the men who ruled the world, And not the men who sang to it, who should sit Where there was the most honour. My courtiers — Bishops, Soldiers, and Makers of the Law — Shouted approval ; and amid that noise Seanchan went out, and from that hour. Although there is good food and drink beside him, Has eaten nothing. 194 Digitized by VjOOQIC wmm THE KING'S THRESHOLD OLDEST PUPIL I can breathe again. You have taken a great burden from my mind, For that old custom's not worth dying for. KING. Persuade him to eat or drink. Till yesterday I thought that hunger and weakness had been enough; But finding them too trifling and too light To hold his mouth from biting at the grave, I called you hither, and all my hope's in you, And certain of his neighbours and good friends That I have sent for. While he is lying there Perishing, my good name in the world Is perishing also. I cannot give way. Because I am King. Because if I gave way, My Nobles would call me a weakling, and it may be The very throne be shaken. 195 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD OLDEST PUPIL, I will persuade him. Your words had been enough persuasion, King ; But being lost in sleep or reverie, He cannot hear them. KING. Make him eat or drink. Nor is it all because of my good name rd have him do it, for he is a man That might well hit the fancy of a king, Banished out of his country, or a woman's, Or any other's that can judge a man i For what he is. But I that sit a throne, And take my measure from the needs of the State, Call his wild thought that overruns the measure, Making words more than deeds^and his proud will That would unsettle all, most mischievous. And he himself a most mischievous man. [He turns to go^ and then returns again. Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Promise a house with grass and tillage land, An annual payment, jewels and silken ware, Or anything but that old right of the poets. [He goes into palace. OLDEST PUPIL. The King did wrong to abrogate our right ; But Seahchan, who talks of dying for it. Talks foolishly. Look at us, Seanchan ; Waken out of your dream and look at us, Who have ridden under the moon and all the day. Until the moon has all but come again. That we might be beside you. SEANCHAN. [Half turning rounds leaning on his elbow, and speaks as if in a dream, I was but now In Almhuin, in a great high-raftered house, 197 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD With Finn and Osgar. Odours of roast flesh Rose round me, and I saw the roasting-spits ; And then the dream was broken, and I saw Grania dividing salmon by a stream ; And then I was awakened by your voice. OLDEST PUPIL Hunger has made you dream of roasting flesh ; And though I all but weep to think of it, The hunger of the crane, that starves himself At the full moon because he is afraid Of his own shadow and the glittering water, Seems to me little more fantastical Than this of yours. SEANCHAN. Why, that's the very truth. It is as though the moon changed every thing — Myself and all that I can hear and see ; For when the heavy body has grown weak, 198 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD There's nothing that can tether the wild mind That, being moonstruck and fantastical, Goes where it fancies. I had even thought I knew your voice and face, but now the words Are so unlikely that I needs must ask Who is it that bids me put my hunger by. OLDEST PUPIL. I am your oldest pupil, Seanchan ; The one that has been with you many years — So many, that you said at Candlemas That I had almost done with school, and knew All but all that poets understand. SEANCHAN. My oldest pupil ? No, that cannot be, For it is some one of the courtly crowds That have been round about me from sunrise, And I am tricked by dreams ; but I'll refute them. 199 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD At Candlemas I bid that pupil tell me Why poetry is honoured, wishing to know If he had any weighty argument For distant countries and strange, churlish kings. What did he answer ? OLDEST PUPIL. I said the poets hung Images of the life that was in Eden About the child-bed of the world, that it, Looking upon those images, might bear Triumphant children. But why must I stand here, Repeating an old lesson, while you starve ? SEANCHAN. Tell on, for I begin to know the voice. What evil thing will come upon the world If the Arts perish ? 200 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD OLDEST PUPIL. If the Arts should perish, The world that lacked them would be like a woman, That looking on the cloven lips of a hare. Brings forth a hare-lipped child. SEANCHAN. But that's not all : For when I asked you how a man should guard Those images, you had an answer also. If you're the man that you have claimed to be, Comparing them to venerable things God gave to men before he gave them wheat. OLDEST PUPIL. I answered — and the word was half your own— r That he should guard them as the Men of Dea Guard their four treasures, as the Grail King guards His holy cup, or the pale, righteous horse 20I Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD The jewel that is underneath his horn, Pouring out life for it as one pours out Sweet heady wine. . . . But now I understand ; You would refute me out of my own mouth ; And yet a place at table, near the King, Is nothing of great moment, Seanchan. How does so light a thing touch poetry ? [Seanchan is now sitting up. He still looks dreamily in front of hinu SEANCHAN. At Candlemas you called this poetry One of the fragile, mighty things of God, That die at an insult OLDEST PUPIL. [To other V\}nu&.'\ Give me some true answer. For on that day we spoke about the Court, 202 Digitized by VjOOQIC ^ THE KING'S THRESHOLD And said that all that was insulted there The world insulted, for the Courtly life, Being the first comely child of the world. Is the world's model. How shall I answer him ? Can you not give me some true argument? I will not tempt him with a lying one. YOUNGEST PUPIL. O, tell him that the lovers of his music Have need of him. SEANCHAN. But I am labouring For some that shall be born in the nick o* time. And find sweet nurture, that they may have voices, Even in anger, like the strings of harps ; And how could they be bom to majesty If I had never made the golden cradle ? 203 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD YOUNGEST PUPIL. [Throwing himself at Seanchan'S feet] Why did you take me from my father's fields ? If you would leave me now, what shall I love? Where shall I go ? What shall I set my hand to ? And why have you put music in my ears, If you would send me to the clattering houses? I will throw down the trumpet and the harp, For how could I sing verses or make music With none to praise me, and a broken heart? SEANCHAN. What was it that the poets promised you. If it was not their sorrow ? Do not speak. Have I not opened school on these bare steps, And are not you the youngest of my scholars ? And I would have all know that when all falls In ruin, poetry calls out in joy, 204 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Being the scattering hand, the bursting pod. The victim's joy among the holy flame, God's laughter at the shattering of the world. And now that joy laughs out, and weeps and burns On these bare steps. YOUNGEST PUPIL. O master, do not die ! OLDEST PUPIL Trouble him with no useless argument. Be silent ! There is nothing we can do Except find out the King and kneel to him, And beg our ancient right. For here are some To say whatever we could say and more. And fare as badly. Come, boy, that is no use. [Raises YoUNG PUPIL If it seem well that we beseech the King, Lay down your harps and trumpets on the stones 205 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD In silence, and come with me silently. Come with slow footfalls, and bow all your heads, For a bowed head becomes a mourner best [They lay harps and trumpets down one by one^ and then go out very solemnly and slowly^ following one another. Enter Mayor, two Cripples, and Brian, an old Servant. The Mayor, who has been heard, before he came upon the stage, muttering " Chief Poet," " Ireland," etc., crosses in front of SeanCHAN to the other side of the steps. Brian tcLkes food out of basket. The Cripples are interested in the basket. The Mayor has an Ogham stick in his hand. MAYOR. \As he crosses.] "Chief Poet," "Ireland," "Townsman," "grazing land," Those are the words I have to keep in mind — 206 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD "Chief Poet," "Ireland," "Townsman," "grazing land." I have the words. They are all upon the ogham. "Chief Poet," " Ireland," "Townsman," "grazing land." But what's their order ? [He keeps muttering over his speech during what follows. FIRST CRIPPLE. The King were rightly served If Seanchan drove his good luck away. What's there about a king, that's in the world From birth to burial, like another man. That he should change old customs, that were in it As long as ever the world has been a world ? SECOND CRIPPLE. If I were king I would not meddle with him. For there is something queer about a poet. I knew of one that would be making rhyme 207 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Under a thorn at crossing of three roads. He was as ragged as ourselves, and yet He was no sooner dead than every thorn tree From Inchy to Kiltartan withered away. FIRST CRIPPLE. The King is but a fool I MAYOR. Hush I I am getting ready. FIRST CRIPPLE. A poet has power from beyond the world, That he may set our thoughts upon old times, And lucky queens and little holy fish That rise up every seventh year MAYOR. Hush! hush! FIRST CRIPPLE. To cure the crippled. 208 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD MAYOR. I am half ready now. BRIAN. There's not a mischief I'd begrudge the King If it were any other MAYOR. Hush ! I am ready. BRIAN. That died to get it I have brought out the food, And if my master will not eat of it, I'll home and get provision for his wake, For that's no great way off. Well, have your say. But don't be long about it. MAYOR. [Goes close to Seanchan.] Chief Poet of Ireland, I am the Mayor of your own town Kin vara, p 209 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD And I am come to tell you that the news Of this great trouble with the King of Gort Has plunged us in deep sorrow — part for you, Our honoured townsman, part for our good town. [Begins to hesitate; scratching his head. But what comes now ? Something about the King. BRIAN. Get on I get on I The food is all set out MAYOR. Don't hurry me. FIRST CRIPPLE. Give us a taste of it He'll not begrudge it SECOND CRIPPLE. Let them that have their limbs Starve if they will. We have to keep in mind The stomach God has left to us. , » 2IO Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD MAYOR. Hush! I have it! The King was said to be most friendly to us, And we have reason, as you'll recollect, For thinking that he was about to give Those grazing lands inland we so much need, Being pinched between the water and the stones. Our mowers mow with knives between the stones ; The sea washes the meadows. You know well We have asked nothing but what's reasonable. SEANCHAN. Reason in plenty. Yellowy white hair, A hollow face, and not too many teeth. How comes it he has been so long in the world And not found Reason out ? [ While saying this he has turned half round. He hardly looks at the Mayor. 211 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD BRIAN. [ Trying to pull Mayor away,] What good is there In telling him what he has heard all day I I will set food before him. BCAYOR. [SAoving Bkiajx away,] Don't hurry me ! It's small respect you're showing to the town I Get farther off! [To Seanchan.] We would not have you think, Weighty as these considerations are, That they have been as weighty in our minds As our desire that one we take much pride in, A man that's been an honour to our town, Should live and prosper ; therefore we beseech you To give way in a matter of lO moment, 12 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD A matter of mere sentiment — a trifle — That we may always keep our pride in you. [He finishes this speech with a pompous air, motions to BRIAN to bring the food to Seanchan, and sits on seat, BRIAN. Master, master, eat this ! It's not king's food, That's cooked for everybody and nobody. Here's barley bread out of your father's oven, And dulse from Duras. Here is the dulse, your honour ; It's wholesome, and has the good taste of the sea. [Takes dulse in one hand and bread in other and presses them into Seanchan'S hands. Seanchan shows by his movement his different feeling to BRIAN. FIRST CRIPPLE. He has taken it, and there'll be nothing left I 213 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD SECOND CRIPPLE. Nothing at all ; he wanted his own sort What's honey to a cat, com to a dog, Or a green apple to a ghost in a churchyard ? SEANCHAN. [Pressing food back into BRIAN'S hands,'\ Eat it yourself, for you have come a journey. And it may be have eaten nothing on the way. BRIAN. How could I eat it, and your honour starving I It is your father sends it, and he cried Because the stiffness that is in his bones Prevented him from coming, and bid me tell you That he is old, that he has need of you. And that the people will be pointing at him^ And he not able to lift up his head. If you should turn the King's favour away ; 214 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD And he adds to it, that he cared you well, And you in your young age, and that it's right That you should care him now. SEANCHAN. [ Who is now interested] And is that all ? What did my mother say ? BRIAN. She gave no message ; For when they told her you had it in mind to starve, Or get again the ancient right of the poets, She said : '' No message can do any good. He will not send the answer that you want. We cannot change him." And she went indoors, Lay down upon the bed, and turned her face Out of the light. And thereupon your father Said : '' Tell him that his mother sends no message. Albeit broken down and miserable." [A pause. 215 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Here is a pigeon's egg from Duras, and these others Were laid by your own hens. SEANCHAN. She has sent no message. Our mothers know us ; they know us to the bone. They knew us before birth, and that is why They know us even better than the sweethearts Upon whose breasts we have lain. Go quickly I Go And tell them that my mother was in the right There is no answer. Gro and tell them that Go tell them that she knew me. MAYOR. What is he saying ? I never understood a poet's talk More than the baa of a sheep ! [Comes over from seat. SEANCHAN turns away, 216 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD You have not heard, It may be, having been so much away. How many of the cattle died last winter From lacking grass, and that there was much sickness Because the poor have nothing but salt fish To live on through the winter? BRIAN. Get away. And leave the place to me I It's my turn now, For your sack's empty ! MAYOR. Is it get away ! Is that the way I'm to be spoken to ! Am I not Mayor? Amn't I authority? Amn't I in the King's place? Answer me that I 217 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD BRIAN. Then show the people what a king is like : Pull down old merings and root custom up, Whitewash the dung-hills, fatten hogs and geese, Hang your gold chain about an ass's neck, And bum the blessed thorn trees out of the fields, And drive what's comely away ! MAYOR. Holy Saint Coleman I FIRST CRIPPLE. Fine talk I fine talk ! What else does the King do ? He fattens hogs and drives the poet away I SECOND CRIPPLE. He starves the song-maker ! FIRST CRIPPLE. He fattens geese I 218 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD MAYOR. How dare you take his name into your mouth ! How dare you lift your voice against the King I What would we be without him ? BRIAN. Why do you praise him ? I will have nobody speak well of him, Or any other king that robs my master. MAYOR. And had he not the right to ? and the right To strike your master's head off, being the King, Or yours or mine? I say, " Long live the King ! Because he does not take our heads from us.'' Call out " Long life to him ! " 219 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD BRIAN. Call out for him ! [SpeaJking- at same titne tvith MAYOR. There's nobody'll call out for him, But the smiths will turn their anvils, The millers turn their wheels, The farmers turn their chums. The witches turn their thumbs, 'Till he be broken and splintered into pieces. MAYOR. [At same time with BRIAN.] He might, if he'd a mind to it, Be digging out our tongues. Or dragging out our hair, Or bleaching us like calves. Or weaning us like lambs, But for the kindness and the softness that is in him. [ They gasp for breath. 220 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FIRST CRIPPLE. rU curse him till I drop ! [Speaking at same time as SECOND CRIPPLE and Mayor and Brian, who have begun again. The curse of the poor be upon him, The curse of the widows upon him, The curse of the children upon him, The curse of the bishops upon him. Until he be as rotten as an old mushroom I SECOND CRIPPLE. [Speaking at same time as FIRST CRIPPLE and Mayor and Brian. The curse of wrinkles be upon him ! Wrinkles where his eyes are. Wrinkles where his nose is. Wrinkles where his mouth is, And a little old devil looking out of every wrinkle ! . 221 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD BRIAN. [Speaking at sanu titne with MAYOR and CRIPPLES.] And nobody will sing for him, And nobody will hunt for him, And nobody will fish for him, And nobody will pray for him. But ever and always curse him and abuse him. MAYOR, {Speaking at sanu time with CRIPPLES and BRIAN. What good is in a poet ? Has he money in a stocking, Or cider in the cellar, Or flitches in the chimney. Or anything anywhere but his own idleness ? [Brian seizes Mayor. MAYOR. Help I help I Am I not authority ? 222 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD BRIAN. Thaf s how TU shout for the King ! MAYOR. Help ! help ! Am I not in the King's place ? BRIAN. ril teach him to be kind to the poor ! MAYOR. Help ! help I Wait till we are in Kinvara ! FIRST CRIPPLE. [Beating MAYOR on the legs with crutch^ ril shake the royalty out of his legs ! SECOND CRIPPLE. [Burying his nails in MAYOR'S /ace.] I'll scramble the ermine out of his skin ! [The Chamberlain comes down steps shout- ing/* Silence I silence! silence!" 223 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD CHAMBERLAIN. How dare you make this uproar at the doors, Deafening the very greatest in the land, As if the farmyards and the rookeries Had all been emptied I FIRST CRIPPLE. It is the Chamberlsdn. [Cripples ^m/. CHAMBERLAIN. Pick up the litter there, and get you gone I Be quick about it I Have you no respect For this worn stair, this all but sacred door. Where suppliants and tributary kings Have passed, and the world's glory knelt in silence? Have you no reverence for what all other men Hold honourable? 234 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD BRIAN. If I might speak my mind, Vd say the King would have his luck again If he would let my master have his rights. CHAMBERLAIN. Pick up your litter ! Take your noise away ! Make haste, and get the clapper from the bell ! BRIAN. . [Putting last of food into iasket,] What do the great and powerful care for rights That have no armies I [Chamberlain begins shoving them out with his staff. MAYOR. My lord, I am not to blame. Vm the King's man, and they attacked me for it. Q 225 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD BRIAN. We have our prayers, our curses and our prayers, And we can give a great name or a bad one. [Mayor is shoving Brian out before him with one hand. He keeps his face to CHAMBER- LAIN, and keeps bowing. The CHAMBER- LAIN shoves him with his staff, MAYOR. We could not make the poet eat, my lord. [Chamberlain shoves him with staff. Much honoured \is shoved again] — honoured to speak with you, my lord ; But ril go find the girl that he's to marry. She's coming, but I'll hurry her, my lord. Between ourselves, my lord [is shoved again], she is a great coaxer. Much honoured, my lord. O, she's the girl to do it ; For when the intellect is out, my lord, 226 / Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Nobody but a woman's any good. [Is shoved again. Much honoured, my lord \ts shoved again], much honoured, much honoured I [Is shoved out, shoving BRIAN out before him. [All through this scene, from the outset of the quarrel, Seanchan has kept his face turned away, or hidden in his cloaks While the CHAMBERLAIN has been speak- ing, the SOLDIER and the MONK have come out of the palace. The Monk stands on top of steps at one side. Soldier a little down steps at the other side. COURT Ladies are seen at opening in the palace curtain behind SOLDIER. CHAMBERLAIN is in the centre. CHAMBERLAIN. [To Seanchan.] Well, you must be contented, for your work Has roused the common sort against the King, 227 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD And stolen his authority. The State Is like some orderly and reverend house, Wherein the master, being dead of a sudden, The servants quarrel where they have a mind to, And pilfer here and there. [Pause, finding that Seanchan does not answer. How many days Will you keep up this quarrel with the King, And the King's nobles, and myself, and all. Who'd gladly be your friends, if you would let them? [Going near to MONK. If you would try, you might persuade him, father. I cannot make him answer me, and yet If fitting hands would offer him the food. He might accept it MONK. Certainly I will not I've made too many homilies, wherein 228 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD The wanton imagination of the poets Has been condemned, to be his flatterer. If pride and disobedience are unpunished, Who will obey? CHAMBERLAIN. [Going to other side towards SOLDIER.] If you would speak to him, You might not find persuasion difficult, With all the devils of hunger helping you. SOLDIER. I will not interfere, for if he starve For being obstinate and stiff" in the neck, 'Tis but good riddance. CHAMBERLAIN. One of us must do it. It might be, if you'd reason with him, ladies, He would eat something, for I have a notion 229 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD That if he brought misfortune on the King, Or the King's house, we'd be as little thought of As summer linen when the winter's come. FIRST GIRL. But it would be the greater compliment IfPeter'ddoit. SECOND GIRL Reason with him, Peter. Persuade him to eat ; he's such a bag of bones ! SOLDIER. I'll never trust a woman's word again ! There's nobody that was so loud against him When he was at the table ; now the wind's changed, And you that could not bear his speech or his silence, Would have him there in his old place again ; I do believe you would, but I won't help you. 230 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD SECOND GIRL. Why will you be so hard upon us, Peter ? You know we have turned the common sort against us, And he looks miserable. FIRST GIRL. We cannot dance. Because no harper will pluck a string for us. SECOND GIRL I cannot sleep with thinking of his face. FIRST GIRL And I love dancing more than anything. SECOND GIRL Do not be hard on us ; but yesterday A woman in the road threw stones at me. You would not have me stoned ? 231 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FIRST GIRL. May I not dance ? SOLDIER I will do nothing. You have put him out, And now that he is out — well, leave him out FIRST GIRL. Do it for my sake, Peter. SECOND GIRL. And for mine. [Each girl as she speaks takes Peter's hand with her right handy stroking down his arm with her left. While SECOND GiRL is stroking his arnty FIRST GiRL leaves go and gives him the dish, SOLDIER Well, well; but not your way. [To Seanchan.] Here's meat for you. 232 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD It has been carried from too good a table For men like you, and I am offering it Because these women have made a fool of me. [A pause. You mean to starve ? You will have none of it ? rU leave it there, where you can sniff" the savour. Snuff" it, old hedgehog, and unroll yourself! But if I were the King, Td make you do it With wisps of lighted straw. SEANCHAN. You have rightly named me. I lie rolled up under the ragged thorns That are upon the edge of those great waters Where all things vanish away, and I have heard Murmurs that are the ending of all sound. I am out of life ; I am rolled up, and yet, Hedgehog although I am, Fll not unroll For you, king's dog ! Go to the king, your master. 233 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Crouch down and wag your tail, for it may be He has nothing now against you, and I think The stripes of your last beating are all healed. [The Soldier has drawn his sword. CHAMBERLAIN. \Striking up sword.] Put up your sword, sir ; put it up, I say ! The common sort would tear you into pieces If you but touched him. SOLDIER. If he's to be flattered. Petted, cajoled, and dandled into humour. We might as well have left him at the table. [Goes to one side sheathing sword. SEANCHAN. You must need keep your patience yet awhile. For I have some few mouthfuls of sweet air 234 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD To swallow before I have grown to be as civil As any other dust CHAMBERLAIN. You wrong us, Seanchan. There is none here but holds you in respect ; And if you'd only eat out of this dish, The King would show how much he honours you. [Bowing and smiling. Who could imagine you'd so take to heart Being put from the high table ? I am certain That you, if you will only think it over, Will understand that it is men of law, Leaders of the king's armies, and the like, That should sit there. SEANCHAN. Somebody has deceived you, Or maybe it was your own eyes that lied, 235 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD In making it appear that I was driven From the King's table. You have driven away The images of them that weave a dance By the four rivers in the mountain garden. CHAMBERLAIN. You mean we have driven poetry away. But thaf s not altogether true, for I, As you should know, have written poetry. And often when the table has been cleared, And candles lighted, the King calls for me, And I repeat it him. My poetry Is not to be compared with yours ; but still, Where I am honoured, poetry is honoured — In some measure. SEANCHAN. If you are a poet. Cry out that the King's money would not buy. Nor the high circle consecrate his head, 236 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD If poets had never christened gold, and even The moon's poor daughter, that most whey-faced metal. Precious ; and cry out that none alive Would ride among the arrows with high heart, Or scatter with an open hand, had not Our heady craft commended wasteful virtues. And when that story's finished, shake your coat Where little jewels gleam on it, and say, A herdsman, sitting where the pigs had trampled, Made up a song about enchanted kings. Who were so finely dressed, one fancied them All fiery, and women by the churn And children by the hearth caught up the song And murmured it, until the tailors heard it CHAMBERLAIN. If you would but eat something you'd find out That you have had these thoughts from lack of food, For hunger makes us feverish. 237 Digitized by VjOOQIC -'^ii THE KING'S THRESHOLD SEANCHAN. Cry aloud, That when we are driven out we come again Like a great wind that runs out of the waste To blow the tables flat ; and thereupon Lie down upon the threshold till the King Restore to us the ancient right of the poets. MONK. You cannot shake him. I will to the King, And offer him consolation in his trouble, For that man there has set his teeth to die. And being one that hates obedience. Discipline, and orderliness of life, I cannot mourn him. FIRST GIRL. Twas you that stirred it up. You stirred it up that you might spoil our dancing. 238 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Why shouldn't we have dancing ? We're not in Lent Yet nobody will pipe or play to us ; And they will never do it if he die. And that is why you are going. MONK. What folly's this? FIRST GIRL. Well, if you did not do it, speak to him — Use your authority; make him obey you. What harm is there in dancing? MONK. Hush! begone! Go to the fields and watch the hurley players, Or any other place you have a mind to. This is not woman's work. FIRST GIRL. Come I let's away ! We can do nothing here. 239 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD MONK. The pride of the poets ! Dancing, hurling, the country full of noise, And king and church neglected. Seanchan, rU take my leave, for you are perishing Like all that let the wanton imagination Carry them where it will, and it's not likely rU look upon your living face again. SEANCHAN. Come nearer, nearer ! MONK. Have you some last wish ? SEANCHAN. Stoop down, for I would whisper it in your ear. Has that wild God of yours, that was so wild When you'd but lately taken the King's pay, Grown any tamer ? He gave you all much trouble. 240 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD MONK. Let go my habit ! SEANCHAN. Have you persuaded him To chirp between two dishes when the King Sits down to table ? MONK. Let go my habit, sir ! [Crosses to centre of stage, SEANCHAN. And maybe he has learnt to sing quite softly Because loud singing would disturb the King, Who is sitting drowsily among his friends After the table has been cleared. Not yet I [SEANCHAN has been dragged some feet clinging to the Monk's habit. R 241 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD SEANCHAN. You did not think that hands so full of hunger Could hold you tightly. They are not civil yet rd know if you have taught him to eat bread From the Kingfs hand, and perch upon his finger. I think he perches on the King's strong hand. But it may be that he is still too wild. You must not weary in your work ; a king Is often weary, and he needs a God To be a comfort to him. [Tke Monk plucks his habit away and goes into palace. SEANCHAN holds up his hand as if a bird perched upon it He pretends to stroke the bird, A little God, With comfortable feathers, and bright eyes. 242 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FIRST GIRL. There will be no more dancing in our time, For nobody will play the harp or the fiddle. Let us away, for we cannot amend it. And watch the hurley. SECOND GIRL. Hush ! he is looking at us. SEANCHAN. Yes, yes, go to the hurley, go to the hurley. Go to the hurley ! Gather up your skirts — Run quickly ! You can remember many love songs ; I know it by the light that's in your eyes — But you'll forget them. You're fair to look upon. Your feet delight in dancing, and your mouths In the slow smiling that awakens love. The mothers that have borne you mated rightly, 243 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD For they had little eaf s as thirsty as your ears For many love songs. Go to the young men. Are not the ruddy flesh and the thin flanks And the broad shoulders worthy of desire? Go from me ! Here is nothing for your eyes. But it is I that am singing you away — Singing you to the young men. [TAe Two Young Princesses come out of palace. While he had been speaking the Girls have shrunk back holding each othet^s hands. FIRST GIRL. Be quiet I Look who it is has come out of the house. ' Princesses, we are for the hurling field. Will you come too? 244 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FIRST PRINCESS. We will go with you, Aileen. But we must have some words with Seanchan, For we have come to make him eat and drink. CHAMBERLAIN. I will hold out the dish and cup for him While you are speaking to him of his folly, If you desire it. Princess. [He has taken dish and cup. FIRST PRINCESS. No, Finula Will carry him the dish and I the cup. We'll offer them ourselves. \They take cup and dish, FIRST GIRL. They are so gracious ; The dear little Princesses are so gracious. 245 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD [Princess holds out her hand for Seanchan to kiss it. He does not move. Although she is holding out her hand to him, He will not kiss it FIRST PRINCESS. My father bids us say That, though he cannot have you at his table. You may ask any other thing you like And he will give it you. We carry you With our own hands a dish and cup of wine. FIRST GIRL. O, look ! he has taken it I He has taken it ! The dear Princesses ! I have always said That nobody could refuse them anything. [Seanchan takes the cup in one hand. In the other he holds for a moment the hand of the Princess. 346 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD SEANCHAN. long, soft fingers and pale finger-tips, Well worthy to be laid in a king's hand I O, you have fair white hands, for it is certain There is uncommon whiteness in these hands. But there is something comes into my mind, Princess. A little while before your birth, 1 saw your mother sitting by the road In a high chair ; and when a leper passed. She pointed him the way into the town. He lifted up his hand and blessed her hand — I saw it with my own eyes. Hold out your hands ; I will find out if they are contaminated. For it has come into my thoughts that maybe The King has sent me food and drink by hands That are contaminated. I would see all your hands. You've eyes of dancers ; but hold out your hands. For it may be there are none sound among you. [Tke Princesses have shrunk back in terror, 247 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FIRST PRINCESS. He has called us lepers. [SOLDIER draws sword. CHAMBERLAIN. He's out of his mind, And does not know the meaning of what he said. SEANCHAN. [Standing up,] There's no sound hand among you — no sound hand. Away with you ! away with all of you ! You are all lepers ! There is leprosy Among the plates and dishes that you have carried. And wherefore have you brought me leper's wine ? [He flings the contents of the cup in their faces. There, there ! I have given it to you again. And now Begone, or I will give my curse to you. You have the leper's blessing, but you think 248 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Maybe the bread will something lack in savour Unless you mix my curse into the dough. [ They go out hurriedly in all directions, Sean- CHAN is staggering in the middle of the stage. Where did I say the leprosy had come from ? I said it came out of a leper's hand, [EnUr Cripples. And that he walked the highway. But that's folly, For he was walking up there in the sky. And there he is even now, with his white hand Thrust out of the blue air, and blessing them With leprosy. FIRST CRIPPLE. He's pointing at the moon That's coming out up yonder, and he calls it Leprous, because the daylight whitens it 249 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD SEANCHAN. He's holding up his hand above them all — King, noblemen, princesses — blessing all. Who could inr ^gine he'd have so much patience ? FIRST CRIPPLE. [Clutching the other CRIPPLE.] Come out of this ! SECOND CRIPPLE. [Pointing to food!] If you don't need it, sir, May we not carry some of it away ? [They cross towards food and pass in front of SEANCHAN. SEANCHAN. Who's speaking ? Who are you ? 250 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FIRST CRIPPLE. Come out of this ! SECOND CRIPPLE. Have pity on us, that must beg our bread From table to table throughout the entire world, And yet be hungry. SEANCHAN. But why were you born crooked ? What bad poet did your mothers listen to That you were born so crooked ? CRIPPLE. Come away ! Maybe he's cursed the food, and it might kill us. OTHER CRIPPLE, • Yes, better come away. [Tkey^^o out. 251 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD SEANCHAN. [Staggering^ and speaking wearily. 1 He has great strength And great patience to hold his right hand there, Uplifted and not wavering about He is much stronger than I am, much stronger. [Sinks dawn on steps. Enter MAYOR and Fedelm. FEDELM. [Her finger on her lips.'\ Say nothing ! I will get him out of this Before I have said a word of food and drink ; For while he is on this threshold and can hear, It may be, the voices that made mock of him. He would not listen. Td be alone with him. [Mayor goes out Fedelm goes to Seanchan and kneels be/ore him. 352 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Seanchan ! Seanchan ! [He remains looking into the sky. Can you not hear me, Seanchan ? It is myself. \He looks at her^ dreamily at firsts then takes her hand. SEANCHAN. Is this your hand, Fedelm ? I have been looking at another hand That is up yonder. FEDELM. I have come for you. SEANCHAN. Fedelm, I did not know that you were here. FEDELM. And can you not remember that I promised That I would come and take you home with me 253 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD When rd the harvest in ? And now Tve come, And you must come away, and come on the instant SEANCHAN. Yes, I will come. But is the harvest in ? This air has got a summer taste in it FEDELM. But is not the wild middle of the summer A better time to marry ? Come with me now I SEANCHAN. [Seizing her by both zvrists.] Who taught you that ? For if s a certainty, Although I never knew it till last night, That marriage, because it is the height of life, Can only be accomplished to the full In the high days of the year, t lay awake : There had come a frenzy into the light of the stars, 254 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD And they were coming nearer, and I knew All in a minute they were about to marry Clods out upon the ploughlands, to beget A mightier race than any that has been. But some that are within there made a noise, And frighted them away. FEDELM. Come with me now ! We have far to go, and daylight's running out SEANCHAN. The stars had come so near me that I caught Their singing. It was praise of that great race That would be haughty, mirthful, and whitebodied. With a high head, and open hand, and how. Laughing, it would take the mastery of the world. 255 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FEDELM. But you will tell me all about their songs When we're at home. You have need of rest and care, And I can give them you when we're at home. And therefore let us hurry, and get us home, SEANCHAN. It's certain that there is some trouble here, Although it's gone out of my memory. And I would get away from it Give me your help. [Trying to rise. But why are not my pupils here to help me? Go, call my pupils, for I need their help, FEDELM. Come with me now, and I will send for them, For I have a great room that's full of beds 256 Digitized by VjOOQ IC THE KING'S THRESHOLD I can make ready ; and there is a smooth lawn Where they can play at hurley and sing poems Under an apple tree. SEANCHAN. I know that place : An apple tree, and a smooth level lawn Where the young men can sway their hurley sticks. [Stn^s.] The four rivers that run there, Through well-mown level ground. Have come out of a blessed well That is all bound and wound By the great roots of an apple, And all the fowl of the air Have gathered in the wide branches And keep singing there. [Fedelm, troubled, has covered her eyes with her hands. s 257 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FEDELM. No, there are not four rivers, and those rhymes Praise Adam's paradise. SEANCHAN. I can remember now. It's out of a poem I made long ago About the Garden in the East of the World, And how spirits in the images of birds Crowd in the branches of old Adam's crab-tree. They come before me now, and dig in the fruit With so much gluttony, and are so drunk With that harsh wholesome savour, that their feathers Are clinging one to another with the juice. But you would lead me to some friendly place, And I would go there quickly. 258 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FEDELM. [Helping him to rise.] Come with me. [He walks slowly ^ supported by her^ till he comes to table. SEANCHAN. But why am I so weak ? Have I been ill ? Sweetheart, why is it that I am so weak ? \Sinks on to seat. FEDELM. \Goes to table.] Ill dip this piece of bread into the wine, For that will make you stronger for the journey. SEANCHAN. Yes, give me bread and wine ; that's what I want, For it is hunger that is gnawing me. 259 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD [ffe takes bread from Fedelm, hesitates, and then thrusts it back into her hand. But, no ; I must not eat it FEDELBI. Eat, Seanchan. For if you do not eat it you will die. SEANCHAN. Why did you give me food ? Why did you come ? For had I not enough to fight against Without your coming? FEDELBI. Eat this little crust, Seanchan, if you have any love for me. SEANCHAN. I must not eat it — ^but that* s beyond your wit Child I child I I must not eat it, though I die. 260 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FEDELM. [Passionately.] You do not know what love is ; for if you loved, You would put every other thought away. But you have never loved me. SEANCHAN. [Seising her by wrist.] You, a child. Who have but seen a man out of the window, Tell me that I know nothing about love, And that I do not love you ! Did I not say There was a frenzy in the light of the stars All through the livelong night, and that the night Was full of marriages ? But that fighf s over, And all that's done with, and I have to die. 261 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FEDELM. [ Throwing her arms about him.] I will not be put from you, although I think I had not grudged it you if some great lady, If the King's daughter, had set out your bed. I will not give you up to death ; no, no ! And are not these white arms and this soft neck Better than the brown earth ? SEANCHAN. [Struggling to disengage himse^.] Begone from me ! There's treachery in those arms and in that voice. They're all against me. Why do you linger there? How long must I endure the sight of you ? FEDELM. O, Seanchan I Seanchan ! 262 i Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD SEANCHAN. Go where you will, So it be out of sight and out of mind, I cast you from me like an old torn cap, A broken shoe, a glove without a finger, A crooked penny ; whatever is most worthless. FEDELM. [Bursts into tears.] O, do not drive me from you ! SEANCHAN. [Takes her in his arms.] What did I say, My dove of the woods ? I was about to curse you. It was a frenzy. Fll unsay it all. But you must go away. 263 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FEDELM. Let me be near you. I will obey like any married wife. Let me but lie before your feet SEANCHAN. Come nearer. [Kisses her. If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart, The kiss of multitudes in times to come Had been the poorer. [Enter KmGfrom palace, followed by the two Princesses. KING. [To Fedelm.] Has he eaten yet ? 264 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD FEDELM. No, King, and will not till you have restored The right of the poets. KING. [Coming down and standing before Seanchan.] Seanchan, you have refused Everybody that I have sent, and now I come to you myself; and I have come To bid you put your pride as far away As I have put my pride. I had your love Not a great while ago, and now you have planned To put a voice by every cottage fire, And in the night when no one sees who cries. To cry against me till my throne has crumbled. And yet if I give way I must ofTend My courtiers and nobles till they, too. Strike at the crown. What would you have of me ? 265 Digitized by VjOOQIC <^ ^ THE KING'S THRESHOLD SEANCHAN. When did the poets promise safety, King ? KING. Seanchan, I bring jrou bread in my own hands, And bid you eat because of all these reasons, And for this further reason, that I love you. [SEAliCHA:spsisA€s dread away, mth Fedelm's You have refused it, Seanchan ? SEANCHAN. We have refused it KING. I have been patient, though I am a king, And have the means to force you. But that's ended, And I am but a king, and you a subject Nobles and courtiers, bring the poets hither ; 266 Digitized by VjOOQIC ■ w:j"^ • 'ui J M u,_ I THE KING'S THRESHOLD [EnUr Court Ladies, Monk, Soldier, Chamberlain, and Courtiers with Pupils, wAo have halters round their necks. For you can have your way, I that was man, With a man's heart, am now all king again, Remembering that the seed I come of, though A hundred kings have sown it and resown it. Has neither trembled nor shrunk backward yet Because of the hard business of a king. Speak to your master ; beg your life of him ; Show him the halter that is round your necks. If his heart's set upon it, he may die ; But you shall all die with him. \Goes up steps. B^ your lives ! Begin, for you have little time to lose. Begin it, you that are the oldest pupil 267 Digitized by VjOOQIC ^^ V THE KING'S THRESHOLD OLDEST PUPIL Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. KING. Silence I you are as crazy as your master. But that young boy, that seems the youngest of you, rd have him speak. Kneel down before him, boy ; Hold up your hands to him, that you may pluck That milky-coloured neck out of the noose. YOUNGEST PUPIL. Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. OLDEST PUPIL Gather the halters up into your hands And drive us where you will, for in all things. But in our Art, we are obedient [TAey hold the ends of the halter towards ike King. The King comes slowly down steps. 268 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD KINa Kneel down, kneel down ; he has the greater power. There is no power but has its root in his — I understand it now. There is no power But his that can withhold the crown or give it, Or make it reverent in the eyes of men, And therefore I have laid it in his hands. And I will do his will. [He has put the crown into Seanchan'S hands, SEANCHAN. [ Who has been assisted to rise by his pupils^ O crown ! O crown ! It is but right the hands that made the crown In thef old time should give it where they please. [He places the crown on the KING'S hecui, O silver trumpets ! Be you lifted up, And cry to the great race that is to come. 269 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING'S THRESHOLD Long-throated swans, amid the waves of Time, Sing loudly, for beyond the wall of the world It waits, and it may hear and come to us ! [TAe Pupils 6low a trumpet blast. 270 Digitized by VjOOQIC NOTES Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC NOTES THE SHADOWY WATERS THE first version of "The Shadowy Waters" was first performed on 14 January, 1904, in the Molesworth Hall, Dublin, by the Irish National Theatre Society, and with the following players in the principal parts : Forgael, F. Fay; Aibric, Shamus O^SuUivan; Dectora, Maire MacShiubhlaigh. Its production was an accident, for in the first instance I had given it to the company that they might have something for practice in the speaking of my sort of blank verse till I had a better play finished. It played badly enough, but a little better than I had feared ; and as I had been in America, when it was first played, I got it played again privately, and gave it to Miss Farr for a theo- sophical convention, that I might discover how to set it to rights as a stage play. I hope I have set it to rights now, and that if it finds an audience familiar with the longing of a lover for impossible things, and long- ings that are like his, it will hold the attention and have T 273 Digitized by VjOOQIC NOTES some pleasure in it for the players. I have not yet seen this new version played, but have rehearsed it, and Mr. Robert Gr^ory has designed the boat and sail The colours of all will be as at the first performance, dark blue and dark green, but for Dectora a lighter green against the darker tints in sky and boat, with some glim- mer of copper here and there, and the lighting a not very bright moonlight The effect of this monotony of colour was to my eyes beautiful, and made the players seem like people in a dream. I have described these colours a little in the stage directions, not because I think of them as a necessary part of the play, but because it is necessary for some remote and decorative picture of the action, to float up into the mind's eye of the read^, who must imagine some sort of a stage scenery. When we began to get together the properties in this new version, the stage carpenter found it very difficult to make the crescent- shaped harp that was to bum with fire; and besides, no matter how well he made the frame, there was no way of making the strings take fire. I had, therefore, to giv^ up the harp for a sort of psaltery, a little like the psaltery Miss Farr speaks to, where the strings could be slits covered with glass or gelatine on the surface of a shallow and perhaps semi-transparent box ; and besides, it amused one to picture, in the centre of a myth, the instrument of our new art. This necessitated changing the lines where the word "harp" occurred as follows : — 274 Digitized by VjOOQIC NOTES Instead of the lines "Were'tnot That there is magic in that harp of his," read "Were'tnot That there is magic, or a Druid life Hidden in that stringed instrument of his." And instead of the lines from " He has caught the crescent moon,** down to "if we strike,** read " He has called a creeping fire out of the moon And carries it between us. SECOND SAILOR. A moony fire Is crawling in the fiame that it may leap Into our bones and bum them to the marrow.** And instead of the line " It was that harper put it in my thoughts,** read "It was that plucker of the strings that made me.** And in the last speech, instead of the line " And that old harp awakens of itself,** read ** And now the strings awaken of themselves.** There is no reason for objecting to a mechanical effect when it represents some material thing, becomes a symbol, 275 Digitized by VjOOQIC NOTES a pUjer, is it were. One pennits it in obedience to the same impulse that has made religioiis men decorate with jewek and embcoideiy the robes of priests and hierophants, eren mitil the robe, stiffened and weighted, seems more important dian the man who carries it He has become a symbol, and his robe has become a symbol of something incapable of direct exp ression, something that is super- human. If the harp caimot suggest some power that no actor could represent by sheer acting, for the more act- ing the more human life, the enchanting of so many people by it will seem impossible. Periuq» very wonderful music might do that if the audience were musicians, but lacking the music and that audience it is better to ai^>eal to the eye. The play will, I hope, be acted as on its first production, with a quiet gravity and a kind of rhythmic movement, and a very scrupulous cherishing of the music of the verse. The "O O O" of the lamratation will be sung as Bliss Farr sings the ''Ochones" in her recita- tion of "The Lament of Emer." 276 Digitized by VjOOQIC ON BAILE'S STRAND THE first version of this play was performed on 27 December, 1904, at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, by the Irish National Theatre Society, and with the follow- ing cast: Cuchulain, Frank Fay; Conchubar, George Roberts; Daire (an old King, not now in the play), G. Macdonald ; the Blind Man, Shamus O'Sullivan ; the Fool, William Fay; the Young Man, P. MacShiubhlaigh. The old and young Kings were played by the following: R. Nash, N. Power, U. Wright, E. Kegan, Emma Vernon, Doreen Gunning, Sara AUgood. It was revived by the National Theatre Society, Ltd., in a somewhat altered version at Oxford, Cambridge, and London a few months later. I then entirely rewrote it up to the entrance of the Young Man, and changed it a good deal from that on to the end, and this new version was played at the Abbey Theatre in April, 1906. It is now as right as I can make it with my present experience, but it must always be a little over-complicated when played by itself. It is one of a cycle of plays dealing with Cuchu- lain, with his friends and enemies. One of these plays will have Aoife as its central character, and the principal 277 Digitized by VjOOQIC NOTES motive of another will be the power of the witches over Cuchulain's life. The present play is a kind of cross-road where too many interests meet and jostle for the hearer to take them in at a first hearing unless he listen carefully, or know something of the story of the other plays of the cycle. Mr. Herbert Hughes has written the music for the Fool's song in the opening dialogue, and another friend a little tune for the three women. These songs, like all other songs in our plays, are sung so as to preserve as far as possible the intonation and speed of ordinary passionate speech, for nothing can justify the degradation of an element of life even in the service of an art Very little of the words of the song of the three women can be heard, for they must be for the most part a mere murmur under the voices of the men. It seemed right to take some trouble over them, just as it is right to finish off the statue where it is turned to the wall, and besides there is always the reader and one's own pleasure. 278 Digitized by VjOOQIC THE KING^S THRESHOLD "'THHE King's Threshold " was first played 7 October, X 1903, in the Molesworth Hall by the Irish National Theatre Society, and with the following cast: Seanchan, F. Fay; King Guaire, P. Kelly; the Lord High Chamberlain, Shamus O'SuUivan ; Soldier, W. Con- roy ; Monk, S. Sheridan-Neill ; Mayor, W. Fay ; a Cripple, P. Columb ; a Court Lady, Honor Saville ; another Court Lady, Dora Melville; a Princess, Sara Allgood; another Princess, Dora Gunning ; Fedelm, Maire MacShiubhlaigh ; a Servant, P. MacShiubhlaigh; another Servant, P. Josephs; a Pupil, G. Roberts ; another Pupil, Cartia McChormac. It has been revised a good many times since then, and although the play has not been changed in the radical structure, the parts of the Mayor, Servant, and Cripples are altogether new, and the rest is altered here and there. It was written when our Society was having a hard fight for the recognition of pure art in a community of which one half was buried in the practical affairs of life, and the other half in politics and a propagandist patriotism. I took the plot of it from a Middle Irish story about the demands of the poets at the court of King Guaire, but 279 Digitized by VjOOQIC NOTES twisted it about and revised its moral that the poet might have the best of it One of my fellow-playwrights is going, I have hope, to take the other side and make a play that can be played after it, as in Greece the farce followed the tragedy. PLYMOUTH WILLIAM BRBNDON AND SON, LTD., PRINTERS Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC