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diff --git a/14588-h/14588-h.htm b/14588-h/14588-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c8836bf --- /dev/null +++ b/14588-h/14588-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9143 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> + +<html> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> + + <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Three Wonder Plays, by + Lady Gregory.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ + <!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14588 ***</div> + + <b>By LADY GREGORY</b> + + <p><b>Drama</b></p> + + <p>SEVEN SHORT PLAYS.<br> + FOLK-HISTORY PLAYS. 2 VOLS.<br> + NEW COMEDIES.<br> + THE GOLDEN APPLE.<br> + THE DRAGON.<br> + OUR IRISH THEATRE. A CHAPTER OF<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>AUTOBIOGRAPHY.</span><br> + THE KILTARTAN MOLIERE.<br> + THE IMAGE AND OTHER PLAYS.<br> + THREE WONDER PLAYS.</p><br> + + + <p><b>Irish Folk-Lore and Legend</b></p> + + <p>VISIONS AND BELIEFS. 2 VOLS.<br> + CUCHULAIN OF MURITHEMNE.<br> + GODS AND FIGHTING MEN.<br> + SAINTS AND WONDERS.<br> + POETS AND DREAMERS.<br> + THE KILTARTAN POETRY BOOK.<br> + THE KILTARTAN HISTORY BOOK.</p> + <hr style='width: 45%;'> + HUGH LANE'S LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENT,<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE + DUBLIN</span><br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>GALLERIES.</span><br> + + + <h1>Three Wonder Plays</h1> + + <h3>By</h3> + + <h2>Lady Gregory</h2> + + <p>G.P. Putnam's Sons London & New York</p> + + <p>Note</p> + + <p>These plays have been copyrighted in the United States and + Great Britain.</p> + + <p>All rights reserved, including that of translation into + foreign languages.</p> + + <p>All acting rights, both professional and amateur, are + reserved in the United States, Great Britain, and all countries + of the Copyright Union, by the author. Performances are + forbidden and right of presentation is reserved.</p> + + <p>Application for the right of performing these plays or + reading them in public should be made to Samuel French, 26, + Southampton Street, Strand, London, W.C.2.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h4><i>Made in Great Britain by</i><br> + THE BOTOLPH PRINTING WORKS<br> + GATE STREET, KINGSWAY, W.C.2</h4> + + <h2>CONTENTS</h2> + <!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> + <a href='#THE_DRAGON'><b>THE DRAGON</b></a><br> + <a href='#AUTHORS_NOTE'><b>AUTHOR'S NOTE</b></a><br> + <a href='#ARISTOTLES_BELLOWS'><b>ARISTOTLE'S + BELLOWS</b></a><br> + <a href='#NOTE_TO_ARISTOTLES_BELLOWS'><b>NOTE TO ARISTOTLE'S + BELLOWS</b></a><br> + <a href='#THE_JESTER'><b>THE JESTER</b></a><br> + <a href='#NOTES_FOR_THE_JESTER'><b>NOTES FOR THE + JESTER</b></a><br> + <!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + <a name='THE_DRAGON'></a> + + <h2>THE DRAGON</h2> + + <p>ACT I</p> + + <p>PERSONS</p> + + <p><i>The King</i></p> + + <p><i>The Queen</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Princess Nuala</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Dall Glic</i> (THE BLIND WISE MAN).</p> + + <p><i>The Nurse</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Prince of the Marshes</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Manus, King of Sorcha</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan, The Astrologer</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Sibby</i> (TAIG'S MOTHER).</p> + + <p><i>Gatekeeper</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Two Aunts of the Prince of the Marshes</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Foreign Men Bringing in Food</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Dragon</i>.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT I</h2><br> + + + <p><i>Scene: A room in the King's house at Burren.<br> + Large window at back with deep window seat.<br> + Doors right and left. A small table and some<br> + chairs</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic: (Coming in with tray, which he puts<br> + on table. Goes back to door.)</i> You can come in,<br> + King. There is no one here.</p> + + <p><i>King: (Coming in.)</i> That's very good. I was<br> + in dread the Queen might be in it.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It is a good thought I had bringing<br> + it in here, and she gone to give learning to the<br> + Princess. She is not likely to come this side. It<br> + would be a great pity to annoy her.</p> + + <p><i>King: (Hastily swallowing a mouthful.)</i> Look<br> + out now the door and keep a good watch. The<br> + time she will draw upon me is when I am eating<br> + my little bite.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I'll do that. What I wouldn't<br> + see with my one eye, there's no other would see<br> + with three.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: A month to-day since I wed with her, and<br> + well pleased I am to be back in my own place. I<br> + give you word my teeth are rusting with the want<br> + of meat. On the journey I got no fair play. She<br> + wouldn't be willing to see me nourish myself,<br> + unless maybe with the marrow bone of a wren.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Sure she lays down she is but thinking<br> + of the good of your health.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Maybe so. She is apt to be paying too<br> + much attention to what will be for mine and for<br> + the world's good. I kept my health fair enough,<br> + and the first wife not begrudging me my enough.<br> + I don't know what in the world led me not to stop<br> + as I was.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It is what you were saying, it was<br> + for the good of the Princess Nuala, and of yourself.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: That is what herself laid down. It<br> + would be a great ease to my mind, she was saying,<br> + to have in the house with the young girl, a far-off<br> + cousin of the King of Alban, and that had been<br> + conversation woman in his Court.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: So it might be too. She is a great<br> + manager of people.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: She is that ...I think I hear her<br> + coming.... Throw a cloth over the plates.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Coming in.)</i> I was in search of you.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I thought you were in Nuala's sunny<br> + parlour, learning her to play music and to go through<br> + books.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: That is what I thought to do. But I<br> + hadn't hardly started to teach her the principles<br> + of conversation and the branches of relationships<br> + and kindred of the big people of the earth, when<br> + she plucked off the coverings I had put over the<br> + cages, and set open their doors, till the fiery birds<br> + of Sabes and the canaries of the eastern world<br> + were screeching around my head, giving out every<br> + class of cry and call.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: So they would too.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: The royal eagles stirred up till I must<br> + quit the place with their squawking, and the<br> + enchanted swans raising up their heads and pecking<br> + at the beadwork on my gown.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Ah, she has a wish for the birds of the + air,<br> + that are by nature light and airy the same as herself.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> It is time for her to turn her mind<br> + to good sense. What's that? (<i>Whipping cloth<br> + from tray</i>.) Is it that you are eating again, and<br> + it is but one half-hour since your breakfast?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Ah, that wasn't a breakfast you'd call<br> + a breakfast.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Very healthy food, oaten meal flummery<br> + with whey, and a griddle-cake; dandelion tea<br> + and sorrel from the field.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: My old fathers ate their enough of wild<br> + herbs and the like in the early time of the world.<br> + I'm thinking that it is in my nature to require a<br> + good share of nourishment as if to make up for the<br> + hardships they went through.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: What now have you within that pastry<br> + wall?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It is but a little leveret pie.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Poking with fork.)</i> Leveret! What's<br> + this in it? The thickness of a blanket of beef;<br> + calves' sweetbreads; cocks' combs; balls mixed<br> + with livers and with spice. You to so much as<br> + taste of it, you'll be crippled and crappled with<br> + the gout, and roaring out in your pain.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I tell you my generations have enough<br> + done of fasting and for making little of the juicy<br> + meats of the world.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: And the waste of it! Goose eggs and<br> + jellies.... That much would furnish out a dinner<br> + for the whole of the King of Alban's Court.<br> + <i>King</i>: Ah, I wouldn't wish to be using anything<br> + at all, only for to gather strength for to steer<br> + the business of the whole of the kingdom!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Have you enough ate now, my dear?<br> + Are you satisfied?</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> I am not. I would wish for a little taste<br> + of that saffron cake having in it raisins of the sun.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Saffron! Are you raving? You to<br> + have within you any of the four-and-twenty sicknesses<br> + of the race, it would throw it out in red<br> + blisters on your skin.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Let me just taste one little slab of that<br> + venison ham.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Poking with a fork.)</i> It would take<br> + seven chewings! Sudden death it would be!<br> + Leave it alone now and rise up. To keep in health<br> + every man should quit the table before he is satisfied<br> + —there are some would walk to the door and back<br> + with every bite.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Is it that I am to eat my meal standing,<br> + the same as a crane in a shallow, or moving from<br> + tuft to thistle like you'd see a jennet on the high<br> + road?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Well, at the least, let you drink down<br> + a share of this tansy juice. I was telling you it<br> + would be answerable to your health.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: You are doing entirely too much for me.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Sure I am here to be comfortable to<br> + you. This house before I came into it was but<br> + a ship without a rudder! Here now, take the<br> + spoon in your hand.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Leave it there, Queen, and I'll<br> + engage he'll swallow it down bye-and-bye.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Is it that <i>you</i> are meddling, Dall + Glic?<br> + It is time some person took you in hand. I wonder<br> + now could that dark eye of yours be cured?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It is given in that it can not, by<br> + doctors and by druids.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: That is a pity now, it gives you a sort<br> + of a one-sided look. It might not be so hard a<br> + thing to put out the sight of the other.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I'd sooner leave them the way they<br> + are.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I'll put a knot on my handkerchief till<br> + such time as I can give my mind to it.... Now,<br> + my dear (<i>to King</i>), make no more delay. It is<br> + right to drink it down after your meal. The<br> + stomach to be bare empty, the medicine might<br> + prey upon the body till it would be wore away<br> + and consumed.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Time enough. Let it settle now for<br> + a minute.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Here, now, I'll hold your nose the way<br> + you will not get the taste of it.</p> + + <p>(<i>She holds spoon to his mouth. A ball flies<br> + in at window; he starts and medicine<br> + is spilled</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Coming in with Nurse.)</i> Is it true<br> + what they are telling me?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Do you see that you near hit the King<br> + with your ball, and, what is worse again, you have<br> + his medicine spilled from the spoon.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Patting him.)</i> Poor old King.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Have you your lessons learned?</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Throwing books in the air.)</i> Neither<br> + line nor letter of them! Poem book! Brehon<br> + Laws! I have done with books! I am seventeen<br> + years old to-day!</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> There is no one would think it and<br> + you so flighty as you are.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (To King.)</i> Is it true that the cook<br> + is gone away?</p> + + <p><i>King: (Aghast.)</i> What's that you're saying?</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> Don't be annoying the King's mind<br> + with such things. He should be hidden from every<br> + trouble and care.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> Was it you sent him away?</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> Not at all. If he went it was through<br> + foolishness and pride.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> It is said in the house that you + annoyed<br> + him.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> I never annoyed any person in my life,<br> + unless it might be for their own good. But it<br> + fails some to recognise their best friend. Just<br> + teaching him I was to pickle onion thinnings as it<br> + was done at the King of Alban's Court.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> Didn't he know that before?</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> Whether or no, he gave me very little<br> + thanks, but turned around and asked his wages.<br> + Hurrying him and harrying him he said I was,<br> + and away with him, himself and his four-and-twenty<br> + apprentices.</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> That is bad news, and pitiful news.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> Do not be troubling yourself at all. It<br> + will be easy find another.</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> It might not be easy to find so good a<br> + one. A great pity! A dinner or a supper not<br> + to be rightly dressed is apt to give no pleasure in<br> + the eating or in the bye-and-bye.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> I have taken it in hand. I have a good<br> + headpiece. I put out a call with running lads<br> + and with the army captains through the whole<br> + of the five provinces; and along with that, I have<br> + it put up on tablets at the post office.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> I am sorry the old one to be gone.<br> + To remember him is nearly the farthest spot in<br> + my memory.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Sharply.)</i> If you want the house to<br> + be under your hand only, it is best for you to settle<br> + into one of your own.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> Give me the little rush cabin by the<br> + stream and I'll be content.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> If you mind yourself and profit by<br> + my instruction it is maybe not a cabin you will<br> + be moving to but a palace.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> I'm tired of palaces. There are too<br> + many people in them.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> That is talking folly. When you settle<br> + yourself it must be in the station where you were<br> + born.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> I have no mind to settle myself yet<br> + awhile.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> Ah, you will not be saying that the<br> + time Mr. Right will come down the chimney,<br> + and will give you the marks and tokens of a king.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> There might have some come looking<br> + for her before this, if it was not for you petting<br> + and pampering her the way you do, and encouraging<br> + her flightiness and follies. It is likely she will get<br> + no offers till such time as I will have taught her<br> + the manners and the right customs of courts.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> Sure I am acquainted with courts myself.<br> + Wasn't it I fostered comely Manus that is presently<br> + King of Sorcha, since his father went out of the<br> + world? And as to lovers coming to look for her!<br> + They do be coming up to this as plenty as the eye<br> + could hold them, and she refusing them, and they<br> + laying the blame upon the King!</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> That is so, they laying the blame upon<br> + myself. There was the uncle of the King of<br> + Leinster; he never sent me another car-load of<br> + asparagus from the time you banished him away.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> He was a widower man.</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> As to the heir of Orkney, since the time<br> + you sent him to the right about, I never got so<br> + much as a conger eel from his hand.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> As dull as a fish he was. He had a<br> + fish's eyes.</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> That wasn't so with the champion of<br> + the merings of Ulster.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> A freckled man. He had hair the<br> + colour of a fox.</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> I wish he didn't stop sending me his<br> + tribute of heather beer.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> It is a poor daughter that will not<br> + wish to be helpful to her father.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> If I am to wed for the furnishing<br> + of my father's table, it's as good for you to wrap<br> + me in a speckled fawnskin and roast me!</p> + + <p><i>(Runs out, tossing her ball.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> She is no way fit for marriage unless<br> + with a herd to the birds of the air, till she has a<br> + couple of years schooling.</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> It would be hard to put her back to<br> + that.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> I must take it in hand. She is getting<br> + entirely too much of her own way.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> Leave her alone, and in the end it will<br> + be a good way.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> To keep rules and hours she must learn,<br> + and to give in to order and good sense. <i>(To King.)</i><br> + There is a pigeon messenger I brought from Alban<br> + I am about to let loose on this day with news of<br> + myself and of yourself. I will send with it a message<br> + to a friend I have, bidding her to make ready for<br> + Nuala a place in her garden of learning and her<br> + school.</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> That is going too fast. There is no<br> + hurry.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> She is seventeen years. There is no<br> + day to be lost. I will go write the letter.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> Oh, you wouldn't send away the poor<br> + child!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic:</i> It would be a great hardship to<br> + send her so far. Our poor little Princess Nu!</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Sharply.)</i> What are saying? <i>(Dall<br> + Glic is silent.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King:</i> I would not wish her to be sent out<br> + of this.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> There is no other way to set her mind<br> + to sense and learning. It will be for her own<br> + good.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> Where's the use troubling her with<br> + lessons and with books that maybe she will never<br> + be in need of at all. Speak up for her, King.</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> Let her stop for this year as she is.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> You are all too soft and too easy. She<br> + will turn on you and will blame you for it, and<br> + another year or two years slipped by.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> That she may!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic:</i> Who knows what might take place<br> + within the twelvemonth that is coming?</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> Ah, don't be talking about it. Maybe<br> + it never might come to pass.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It will come to pass, if there is + truth<br> + in the clouds of sky.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It will not be for a year, anyway. There'll<br> + be many an ebbing and flowing of the tide within<br> + a year.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: What at all are you talking about?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Ah, where's the use of talking too<br> + much.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Making riddles you are, and striving<br> + to keep the meaning from your comrade, that is<br> + myself.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It's best not be thinking about the thing<br> + you would not wish, and maybe it might never<br> + come around at all. To strive to forget a threat<br> + yourself, it might maybe be forgotten by the<br> + universe.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Is it true something was threatened?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: How would I know is anything true,<br> + and the world so full of lies as it is?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: That is so. He might have been wrong<br> + in his foretelling. What is he in the finish but an<br> + old prophecy?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Is it of Fintan you are saying that?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: And who, will you tell me, is Fintan?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Anyone that never heard tell of<br> + Fintan never heard anything at all.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: His name was not up on the tablets<br> + of big men at the King of Alban's Court, or of<br> + Britain.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Ah, sure in those countries they are<br> + without religion or belief.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Is it that there was a prophecy?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Don't mind it. What are prophecies?<br> + Don't we hear them every day of the week? And<br> + if one comes true there may be seven blind and<br> + come to nothing.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (To Dall Glic</i>.) I must get to the root<br> + of this, and the handle. Who, now, is Fintan?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic:</i> He is an astrologer, and understanding<br> + the nature of the stars.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> He wore out in his lifetime three eagles<br> + and three palm trees and three earthen dykes.<br> + It is down in a cleft of the rocks beyond he has<br> + his dwelling presently, the way he can be watching<br> + the stars through the daytime.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic:</i> He prophesied in a prophecy, and<br> + it is written in clean letters in the King's yew-tree<br> + box.</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> It is best to keep it out of sight. It<br> + being to be, it will be; and, if not, where's the<br> + use troubling our mind?</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> Sound it out to me.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic: (Looking from window and drawing<br> + curtain.)</i> There is no story in the world is worse<br> + to me or more pitiful; I wouldn't wish any person<br> + to hear.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> Oh, take care it would come to the<br> + ears of my darling Nu!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic:</i> It is said by himself and the heavens<br> + that in a year from this day the King's daughter will<br> + be brought away and devoured by a scaly Green<br> + Dragon that will come from the North of the<br> + World.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> A Dragon! I thought you were talking<br> + of some danger. I wouldn't give in to dragons.<br> + I never saw one. I'm not in dread of beasts unless<br> + it might be a mouse in the night-time!</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> Put it out of mind. It is likely anyway<br> + that the world will soon be ended the way<br> + it is.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: I</i> will send and search out this astrologer<br> + and will question him.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: You have not far to search. He<br> + is outside at the kitchen door at this minute, and<br> + as if questioning after something, and it a half-score<br> + and seven years since I knew him to come<br> + out of his cave.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Do not! He might waken up the Dragon<br> + and put him in mind of the girl, for to make his<br> + own foretelling come true.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Ah, such a thing cannot be! The<br> + poor innocent child! <i>(Weeps.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Where's the use of crying and roaring?<br> + The thing must be stopped and put an end to.<br> + I don't say I give in to your story, but that would<br> + be an unnatural death. I would be scandalised<br> + being stepmother to a girl that would be swallowed<br> + by a sea-serpent!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Ochone! Don't be talking of it at<br> + all!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: At the King of Alban's Court, one<br> + of the royal family to die over, it will be naturally<br> + on a pillow, and the dead-bells ringing, and a<br> + burying with white candles, and crape on the<br> + knocker of the door, and a flagstone put over the<br> + grave. What way could we put a stone or so<br> + much as a rose-bush over Nuala and she in the<br> + inside of a water-worm might be ploughing its way<br> + down to the north of the world?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Och! that is what is killing me entirely!<br> + O save her, save her.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I tell you, it being to be, it will be.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You may be right, so, when you would<br> + not go to the expense of paying her charges at the<br> + Royal school. But wait, now, there is a plan<br> + coming into my mind.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: There must surely be some way!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is likely a king's daughter the beast—<br /> + if there is a beast—will come questioning after, and<br /> + not after a king's wife.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: That is according to custom.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: That's what I am saying. What we<br> + have to do is to join Nuala with a man of a husband,<br> + and she will be safe from the danger ahead of her.<br> + In all the inventions made by poets, for to put<br> + terror on children or to knock laughter out of fools,<br> + did any of you ever hear of a Dragon swallowing<br> + the wedding ring?</p> + + <p><i>All</i>: We never did.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It's easy enough so. There must be<br> + no delay till Nuala will be married and wed with<br> + someone that will bring her away out of this, and<br> + let the Dragon go hungry home!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: That she may! Isn't it a pity now<br> + she being so hard to please!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Young people are apt to be selfish and<br> + to have no thought but for themselves. She must<br> + not be hard to please when it will be to save and<br> + to serve her family and to keep up respect for<br> + their name. Here she is coming.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Ah, you would not tell her! You<br> + would not put the dear child under the shadow<br> + of such a terror and such a threat!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: She must not be told. I never could<br> + bear up against it.</p> + + <p><i>(Nuala comes in</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> Look now at your father the way he is.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Touching his hand.)</i> What is fretting<br> + you?</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> His heart as weighty as that the chair<br> + near broke under him.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> I never saw you this way before.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> And all on the head of yourself!</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> I am sorry, and very sorry, for that.</p> + + <p><i>Queen:</i> He is loth to say it to you, but he is<br> + tired and wore out waiting for you to settle with<br> + some match. See what a troubled look he has on<br> + his face.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (To King.)</i> Is it that you want me<br> + to leave you? <i>(He gives a sob.) (To Dall Glic.)</i><br> + Is it the Queen urged him to this?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic:</i> If she did, it was surely for your + good.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> Oh, my child and my darling, let you<br> + strive to take a liking to some good man that will<br> + come!</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> Are you going against me with the rest?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse:</i> You know well I would never do that!</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> Do you, father, urge me to go?</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> They are in too big a hurry why<br> + wouldn't they wait a while, for a quarter, or + three-quarters<br> + of a year.</p> + + <p><i>Princess:</i> Is that all the delay I am given, and<br> + the term is set for me, like a servant that would be<br> + banished from the house?</p> + + <p><i>King:</i> That's not it. That's not right. I<br> + would never give in to let you go ...if it<br> + wasn't ...</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I know. <i>(Stands up.)</i> For my own<br> + good!</p> + + <p><i>(Trumpet outside.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Gatekeeper</i>: (<i>Coming in</i>.) There is company<br> + at the door.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Who is it?</p> + + <p><i>Gatekeeper</i>: Servants, and a company of women,<br> + and one that would seem to be a Prince, and young.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Then he is come asking me in marriage.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Who is he at all?</p> + + <p><i>Gatekeeper</i>: They were saying he is the son<br> + of the King of the Marshes.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Go bring him in.</p> + + <p><i>(Gatekeeper goes</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: That's right! He has great riches<br> + and treasure. There are some say he is the first<br> + match in Ireland.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: He is not. If his father has a copper<br> + crown, and our own King a silver one, it is the<br> + King of Sorcha has a crown of gold! The young<br> + King of Sorcha that is the first match.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: If he is, this one is apt to be the<br> + second first.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Do you hear, Nuala, what luck is flowing<br> + to you?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Do not now be turning your back<br> + on him as you did to so many.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: No; whoever he is, it is likely I will<br> + not turn away from this one.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Go now and ready yourself to meet him.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Am I not nice enough the way I am?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You are not. The King of Alban's<br> + daughter has hair as smooth as if a cow had licked it.</p> + + <p><i>(Princess goes</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Gatekeeper</i>: Here is the Prince of the Marshes!</p> + + <p><i>(Enter Prince, very young and timid, an old lady<br> + on each side slightly in advance of him</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: A great welcome before you....<br> + And who may these be?</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: Seven aunts I have....</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt: (Interrupting.)</i> If he has, there<br> + are but two of us have come along with him.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: For to care him and be company<br> + for him on his journey, it being the first time he<br> + ever quitted home.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: This is a great honour. Will you take<br> + a chair?</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: Leave that for the Prince of the<br> + Marshes. It is away from the draught of the<br> + window.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: We ourselves are in charge of<br> + his health. I have here his eel-skin boots for the<br> + days that will be wet under foot.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: And I have here my little bag of<br> + cures, with a cure in it that would rise the body<br> + out of the grave as whole and as sound as the time<br> + you were born.</p> + + <p><i>(Lays it down</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>King: (To Prince</i>.) It is many a day your<br> + father and myself were together in our early time.<br> + What way is he? He was farther out in age than<br> + myself.</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: He is ...</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt: (Interrupting.)</i> He is only middling<br> + these last years. The doctors have taken him in<br> + hand.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: He was more for fowling, and I was<br> + more for horses—before I increased so much in<br> + girth. Is it for horses you are, Prince?</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: I didn't go up on one up to this.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: Kings and princes are getting scarce.<br> + They are the most class is wearing away, and it is<br> + right for them keep in mind their safety.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: The Prince has no need to go<br> + upon a horse, where he has always a coach at his<br> + command.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It is fowling that suits you so?</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: I would be well pleased ...</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: There is great danger going out<br> + fowling with a gun that might turn on you after<br> + and take your life.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: Why would the Prince go into<br> + danger, having servants that will go following<br> + after birds?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: He is likely waiting till his enemies will<br> + make an attack upon the country to defend it.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: There is a good dyke around about<br> + the marshes, and a sort of quaking bog. It is not<br> + likely war will come till such time as it will be made<br> + by the birds of the air.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Well, we must strive to knock out some<br> + sport or some pleasure.</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: It was not on pleasure I was sent.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: That's so, but on business.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: Very weighty business.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Let the lad tell it out himself.</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: I hope there is no harm in me coming<br> + hither. I would be loth to push on you ...</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: We thought it was right, as he<br> + was come to sensible years ...</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Stop a minute, ma'am, give him his<br> + time.</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: My father ... and his counsellors ...<br> + and my seven aunts ...that said it would be<br> + right for me to join with a wife.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: They showed good sense in that.</p> + + <p><i>Prince: (Rapidly.)</i> They bade me come and<br> + take a look at your young lady of a Princess to see<br> + would she be likely to be pleasing to them.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: That's it, and that is what brought<br> + ourselves along with him—to see would we be<br> + satisfied.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I don't know. The girl is young—<br> + she's young.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: It is what we were saying, that<br> + might be no drawback. It might be easier train<br> + her in our own ways, and to do everything that<br> + is right.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Sure we are all wishful to do the thing<br> + that is right, but it's sometimes hard to know.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: Not in our place. What the<br> + King of the Marshes would not know, his counsellors<br> + and ourselves would know.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It will be very answerable to the Princess<br> + to be under such good guidance.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: For low people and for middling<br> + people it is well enough to follow their own opinion<br> + and their will. But for the Prince's wife to have<br> + any choice or any will of her own, the people would<br> + not believe her to be a <i>real</i> princess.</p> + + <p><i>(Princess comes to door, listening unseen.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Ah, you must not be too strict with a<br> + girl that has life in her.</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: My seven aunts that were saying they<br> + have a great distrust of any person that is lively.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: We would rather than the greatest<br> + beauty in the world get him a wife who would be<br> + content to stop in her home.</p> + + <p><i>(Princess comes in very stately and with a</i><br> + <i>fine dress. She curtseys. Aunts curtsey<br> + and sit down again. Prince bows uneasily<br> + and sidles away.)</i></p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: Will you sit, now, between the<br> + two of us?</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It is more fitting for a young girl<br> + to stay in her standing in the presence of a king's<br> + kindred and his son, since he is come so far to look<br> + for me.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: That is a very nice thought.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: My far-off grandmother, the old<br> + people were telling me, never sat at the table<br> + to put a bit in her mouth till such time as her<br> + lord had risen up satisfied. She was that obedient<br> + to him that if he had bidden her, she would have<br> + laid down her hand upon red coals.</p> + + <p><i>(Prince looks bored and fidgets.)</i></p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: Very good indeed.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: That was a habit with my grandmother.<br> + I would wish to follow in her ways.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: This is some new talk.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Stop; she is speaking fair and good.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: A little verse, made by some good<br> + wife, I used to be learning. "I always should:<br> + Be very good: At home should mind: My husband<br> + kind: Abroad obey: What people say."</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt: (Getting up.)</i> To travel the world,<br> + I never thought to find such good sense before me.<br> + Do you hear that, Prince?</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: Sure I often heard yourselves shaping<br> + that sort.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: I'll engage the royal family will<br> + make no objection to this young lady taking charge<br> + of your house.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I can do that! <i>(Counts on fingers.)</i><br> + To send linen to the washing-tub on Monday, and<br> + dry it on Tuesday, and to mangle it Wednesday,<br> + and starch it Thursday, and iron it Friday, and<br> + fold it in the press against Sunday!</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: Indeed there is little to learn<br> + you! And on Sundays, now, you will go driving<br> + in a painted coach, and your dress sewed with gold<br> + and with pearls, and the poor of the world envying<br> + you on the road.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Claps hands.)</i> There is no one but<br> + must envy her, and all that is before her for her<br> + lifetime!</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: Here is the golden arm-ring the<br> + Prince brought for to slip over your hand.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: It was put on all our generations of<br> + queens at the time of the making of their match.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Drawing back her hand.)</i> Mine is<br> + not made yet.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: Didn't you hear me saying, and<br> + the Prince saying, there is nothing could be laid<br> + down against it.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: There is one thing against it.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Oh, there can be nothing worth while!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: A thing you would think a great<br> + drawback and all your kindred would think it.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Rapidly.)</i> There is nothing, but maybe<br> + that she is not so tall as you might think, through<br> + the length of the heels of her shoes.</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: We would put up with that much.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Rapidly.)</i> It is that there was a<br> + spell put upon me—by a water-witch that was of<br> + my kindred. At some hours of the day I am as<br> + you see me, but at other hours I am changed into<br> + a sea-filly from the Country-under-Wave. And<br> + when I smell salt on the west wind I must race and<br> + race and race. And when I hear the call of the<br> + gulls or the sea-eagles over my head, I must leap<br> + up to meet them till I can hardly tell what is my<br> + right element, is it the high air or is it the loosened<br> + spring-tide!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Stop your nonsense talk. She is gone<br> + wild and raving with the great luck that is come<br> + to her!</p> + + <p><i>(Prince has stood up, and is watching her<br> + eagerly.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I feel a wind at this very time that<br> + is blowing from the wilderness of the sea, and<br> + I am changing with it.... There. <i>(Pulls down<br> + her hair.)</i> Let my mane go free! I will race<br> + you, Prince, I will race you! The wind of March<br> + will not overtake me, Prince, and I running on the<br> + top of the white waves!</p> + + <p><i>(Runs out; Prince entranced, rushes to door.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Aunts: (Catching hold of him.)</i> Are you going<br> + mad wild like herself?</p> + + <p><i>Prince</i>: Oh, I will go after her!</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt: (Clutching him)</i> Do not! She<br> + will drag you to destruction.</p> + + <p><i>Prince: (Struggling to door.)</i> What matter! Let<br> + me go or she will escape me! <i>(Shaking himself<br> + free.)</i> I will never stop till I come to her.</p> + + <p><i>(He rushes out, Second Aunt still holding on<br> + to him.)</i></p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: What at all has come upon him?<br> + I never knew him this way before!</p> + + <p><i>(She trots after him.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Comes leaping in by window.)</i> They<br> + are gone running the road to Muckanish! But<br> + they won't find me!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You have a right to be ashamed of<br> + yourself and your play-game. It's easy for you<br> + to go joking, having neither cark nor care: that<br> + is no way to treat the second best match in Ireland!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: You were saying you had your mind<br> + made up to take him.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It failed me to do it! Himself and<br> + his counsellors and his seven aunts!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: He will give out that you are crazed<br> + and mad.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: He will be thankful to his life's end<br> + to have got free of me!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I don't know. It seemed to me he<br> + was better pleased with you in the finish than<br> + in the commencement. But I'm in dread his<br> + father may not be well pleased.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Patting him.)</i> Which now of the<br> + two of you is the most to be pitied? He to<br> + have such a timid son or you to have such an unruly<br> + daughter?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is likely he will make an attack on<br> + you. There was a war made by the King of Britain<br> + on the head of a terrier pup that was sent to him<br> + and that made away on the road following hares.<br> + It's best for you to make ready to put yourself at<br> + the head of your troop.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It's long since I went into my battle<br> + dress. I'm in dread it would not close upon my<br> + chest.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Ah, it might, so soon as you would<br> + go through a few hardships in the fight.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: If the rest of Adam's race was of my<br> + opinion there'd be no fighting in the world at<br> + all.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is this child's stubbornness is leading<br> + you into it. Go out, Nuala, after the Prince. Tell<br> + him you are sorry you made a fool of him.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: He was that before—thinking to<br> + put me sitting and sewing in a cushioned chair,<br> + listening to stories of kings making a slaughter<br> + of one another.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Tell him you have changed your mind,<br> + that you were but funning; that you will wed<br> + with him yet.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I would sooner wed with the King<br> + of Poison! I to have to go to his kingdom, I'd<br> + sooner go earning my wages footing turf, with a<br> + skirt of heavy flannel and a dress of the grey frieze!<br> + Himself and his bogs and his frogs!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I tell you it is time for you to take a<br> + husband.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: You said that before! And I was<br> + giving in a while ago, and I felt the blood of my<br> + heart to be rising against it! And I will not give<br> + in to you again! It is my own business and I will<br> + take my own way.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (To King.)</i> This is all one with the<br> + raving of a hag against heaven!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: What the Queen is saying is right. Try<br> + now and come around to it.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: She has set you against me with her<br> + talk!</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (To King.)</i> It is best for you to lay<br> + orders on her.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: The King is not under your<br> + orders!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You are striving to make him give in<br> + to your own!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I will take orders from no one at all!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Bid her go bring back the Prince.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I say that I will not!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: She is standing up against you! Will<br> + you give in to that?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I am bothered with the whole of you!<br> + I will give in to nothing at all!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Make her do your bidding so.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Can't you do as you are told?</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: This concerns myself.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It does, and the whole of us.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Do you think you can force me to<br> + wed?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I do think it, and I will do it.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It will fail you!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It will not! I was too easy with you<br> + up to this.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Will you turn me out of the house?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I will give you my word, it is little but<br> + I will!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Then I have no home and no father!<br> + It is to my mother you must give an account.<br> + You know well it is with the first wife you will go<br> + at the Judgment!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Is it that you would make threats to<br> + the King? And put insults upon myself? Now<br> + she is daring and defying you! Let you put an end<br> + to it!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I will do that! <i>(Stands up.)</i> I swear<br> + by the oath my people swear by, the seven things<br> + common to us all; by sun and moon; sea and dew;<br> + wind and water; the hours of the day and night,<br> + I will give you in marriage and in wedlock to the<br> + first man that will come into the house!</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Shrinking as from a blow.)</i> It is the<br> + Queen has done this.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I will give you out the reason, and<br> + see will you put blame on me or praise!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Oh, let you stop and not draw it down<br> + upon her!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is right for me to tell it; it is true<br> + telling! You not to be married and wed by this<br> + day twelvemonth, there will be a terrible thing<br> + happen you ...</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Be quiet! Don't you see Fintan himself<br> + looking in the window!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Fintan! What is it bring you here<br> + on this day?</p> + + <p><i>Fintan: (A very old man in strange clothes at<br> + window.)</i> What brings me is to put my curse<br> + upon the whole tribe of kitchen boys that are gone<br> + and vanished out of this, without bringing me my<br> + request, that was a bit of rendered lard that would<br> + limber the swivel of my spy-glass, that is clogged<br> + with the dripping of the cave.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: And you have no bad news?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Nothing to say on the head of the<br> + Princess, this being, as it is, her birthday?</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: What birthday? This is not a birthday<br> + that signifies. It is the next will be the birthday<br> + concerned with the great story that is foretold.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is right for her to know it.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It is not! It is not!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Whatever the story is, let me know<br> + it, and not be treated as a child that is without<br> + courage or sense.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: It's long till I'll come out from my<br> + cleft again, and getting no peace or quiet on the<br> + ridge of the earth. It is laid down by the stars<br> + that cannot lie, that on this day twelvemonth, you<br> + yourself will be ate and devoured by a scaly Green<br> + Dragon from the North!</p> + + <p>END OF ACT I.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT II</h2> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT II</h2><br> + + + <p><i>Scene: The Same. Princess and Nurse</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Cheer up now, my honey bird, and<br> + don't be fretting.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It is not easy to quit fretting, and<br> + the terrible story you are after telling me of all<br> + that is before and all that is behind me.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: They had no right at all to go make<br> + you aware of it. The Queen has too much talk.<br> + An unlucky stepmother she is to you!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It is well for me she is here. It is<br> + well I am told the truth, where the whole of you<br> + were treating me like a child without sense, so<br> + giddy I was and contrary, and petted and humoured<br> + by the whole of you. What memory would there<br> + be left of me and my little life gone by, but of a<br> + headstrong, unruly child with no thought but<br> + for myself.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: No, but the best in the world, you<br> + are; there is no one seeing you pass by but would<br> + love you.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: That is not so. I was wild and taking<br> + my own way, mocking and humbugging.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: I never will give in that there is no<br> + way to save you from that Dragon that is foretold<br> + to be your destruction. I would give the<br> + four divisions of the world, and Ireland along<br> + with them, if I could see you pelting your ball<br> + in at the window the same as an hour ago!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Maybe you will, so long as it will hurt<br> + nobody.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Ah, sure it's no wonder there to be the<br> + tracks of tears upon your face, and that great terror<br> + before you.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I will wipe them away! I will not<br> + give in to danger or to dragons! No one will<br> + see a dark face on me. I am a king's daughter<br> + of Ireland, I did not come out of a herd's hut like<br> + Deirdre that went sighing and lamenting till she<br> + was put to death, the world being sick and tired<br> + of her complaints, and her finger at her eye dripping<br> + tears!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: That's right, now. You had always<br> + great courage.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: There is like a change within me.<br> + You never will hear a cross word from me again.<br> + I would wish to be pleasant and peaceable until<br> + such time ...</p> + + <p><i>(Puts handkerchief to eyes and goes.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic: (Coming in.)</i> The King is greatly<br> + put out with all he went through, and the way<br> + the passion rose in him a while ago.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: That he may be twenty times worse<br> + before he is better! Showing such fury towards<br> + the innocent child the way he did!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: The Queen has brought him to the<br> + grass plot for to give him his exercise, walking his<br> + seven steps east and west.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Hasn't she great power over him to<br> + make him to that much?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I tell you I am in dread of her + myself.<br> + Some plan she has for making my two eyes equal.<br> + I vexed her someway, and she got queer and humpy,<br> + and put a lip on herself, and said she would take<br> + me in hand. I declare I never will have a minute's<br> + ease thinking of it.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: The King should have done his seven<br> + steps, for I hear her coming.</p> + + <p><i>(Dall Glic goes to recess of window.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Coming in.)</i> Did you, Nurse, ever at<br> + any time turn and dress a dinner?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Very stiff.)</i> Indeed I never did. Any<br> + house I ever was in there was a good kitchen and<br> + well attended, the Lord be praised!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Ah, but just to be kind and to oblige<br> + the King.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Troth, the same King will wait long<br> + till he'll see any dish I will ready for him! I am<br> + not one that was reared between the flags and the<br> + oven in the corner of the one room! To be a nurse<br> + to King's children is my trade, and not to go stirring<br> + mashes, for hens or for humans!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I heard a crafty woman lay down one<br> + time there was no way to hold a man, only by food<br> + and flattery.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Sure any mother of children walking the<br> + road could tell you that much.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I went maybe too far urging him not<br> + to lessen so much food the way he did. I only<br> + thought to befriend him. But now he is someway<br> + upset and nothing will rightly smooth him but to<br> + be thinking upon his next meal; and what it will<br> + be I don't know, unless the berries of the bush.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic: (Leaning out of the window.)</i> Here!<br> + Hi! Come this way!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Who are you calling to?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It is someone with the appearance<br> + of a cook.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Are you saying it is a cook? That<br> + now will put the King in great humour!</p> + + <p><i>(Manus appears at the window.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Looking at him.)</i> I wouldn't hardly<br> + think he'd suit. He has a sort of innocent look.<br> + I wouldn't say him to be a country lad. I don't<br> + know is he fitted to go readying meals for a royal<br> + family, and the King so wrathful if they do not<br> + please him as he is. And as to the Princess Nu!<br> + There to be the size of a hayseed of fat overhead<br> + on her broth, she'd fall in a dead faint.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I'll go on so.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: No, no. Bring him in till I'll take a<br> + look at him!</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (Coming inside.)</i> I am a lad in search<br> + of a master.</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (Inside.)</i> I am a lad in search of a<br> + master.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: And I myself that am wanting a cook.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I got word of that and I going the road.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You would seem to be but a young lad.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I am not very far in age to-day. But<br> + I'll be a day older to-morrow.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: In what country were you born and<br> + reared?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I came from over, and I am coming<br> + hither.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: What wages now would you be asking?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Nothing at all unless what you think<br> + I will have earned at the time I will be leaving<br> + your service.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: That is very right and fair. I hope<br> + you will not be asking too much help. The last<br> + cook had a whole fleet of scullions that were no<br> + use but to chatter and consume.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I am asking no help at all but the<br> + help of the ten I bring with me.</p> + + <p><i>(Holds up fingers.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: That will be a great saving in the house!<br> + Can I depend upon you now not to be turning<br> + to your own use the King's ale and his wine?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: If you take me to be a thief I will go<br> + upon my road. It was no easier for me to come<br> + than to go out again.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Holding him.)</i> No, now, don't be so<br> + proud and thinking so much of yourself. If I<br> + give you trial here I would wish you to be ready<br> + to turn your hand to this and that, and not be<br> + saying it is or is not your business.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: My business is to do as the King wishes.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: That's right. That is the way the<br> + servants were in the palace of the King of Alban.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: That's the way I was myself in the<br> + King's house of Sorcha.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Are you saying it is from that place you<br> + are come? Sure that should be a great household!<br> + The King of Sorcha, they were telling me, has<br> + seven castles on land and seven on the sea, and<br> + provision for a year and a day in every one of them.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: That might be. I never was in more<br> + than one of them at the one time.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Anyone that has been in that place would<br> + surely be fitting here. Keep him, Nurse! Don't let<br> + him make away from us till I will go call the King!</p> + + <p><i>(Goes out.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Sure it was I myself that fostered the<br> + young King of Sorcha and reared him in my lap!<br> + What way is he at all? My lovely child! Give<br> + me news of him!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I will do that....</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: To hear of him would delight me!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: It is I that can tell you....</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: It is himself should be a grand king!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Listen till you hear!...</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: His father was good and his mother was<br> + good, and it's likely, himself will be the best of all!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Be quiet now and hearken!...</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: I remember well the first day I saw him<br> + in the cradle, two and a score of years back! Oh,<br> + it is glad, and very glad, I'll be to get word of him!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: He is come to sensible years....</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: A golden cradle it was and it standing<br> + on four golden balls the very round of the sun!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: He is out of his cradle now. <i>(Shakes<br> + her shoulder.)</i> Let you hearken! He is in need<br> + of your help.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: He'll get it, he'll get it. I doted down<br> + on that child! The best to laugh and to roar!</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (Putting hand on her mouth.)</i> Will<br> + you be silent, you hag of a nurse? Can't you see<br> + that I myself am Manus, the new King of Sorcha?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Starting back.)</i> Do you say that?<br> + And how's every bit of you? Sure I'd know you<br> + in any place. Stand back till I'll get the full of<br> + my eyes of you! Like the father you are, and you<br> + need never be sorry to be that! Well, I said to<br> + myself and you looking in at the window, I would<br> + not believe but there's some drop of king's blood<br> + in that lad!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: That was not what you said to me!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: And wasn't the journey long on you<br> + from Sorcha, that is at the rising of the sun? Is<br> + it your foot-soldiers and your bullies you brought<br> + with you, or did you come with your hound and<br> + your deer-hound and with your horn?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: There was no one knew of my journey.<br> + I came bare alone. I threw a shell in the sea and<br> + made a boat of it, and took the track of the wild<br> + duck across the mountains of the waves.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: And where in the world wide did you<br> + get that dress of a cook?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: It was at a tailor's place near Oughtmana.<br> + There was no one in the house but the mother. I<br> + left my own clothes in her charge and my purse<br> + of gold; I brought nothing but my own blue<br> + sword. <i>(Throws open blouse and shows it.)</i> She gave<br> + me this suit, where a cook from this house had<br> + thrown it down in payment for a drink of milk.<br> + I have no mind any person should know I am a king.<br> + I am letting on to be a cook.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: I would sooner you to come as a champion<br> + seeking battle, or a horseman that had gone astray,<br> + or so far as a poet making praises or curses according<br> + to his treatment on the road. It would be a bad<br> + day I would see your father's son taken for a kitchen<br> + boy.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I was through the world last night in<br> + a dream. It was dreamed to me that the King's<br> + daughter in this house is in a great danger.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: So she is, at the end of a twelvemonth.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: My warning was for this day. Seeing<br> + her under trouble in my dream, my heart was hot<br> + to come to her help. I am here to save her, to<br> + meet every troublesome thing that will come at<br> + her.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Oh, my heavy blessing on you doing<br> + that!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I was not willing to come as a king,<br> + that she would feel tied and bound to live for if<br> + I live, or to die with if I should die. I am come<br> + as a poor unknown man, that may slip away after<br> + the fight, to my own kingdom or across the borders<br> + of the world, and no thanks given him and no more<br> + about him, but a memory of the shadow of a cook!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: I would not think that to be right,<br> + and you the last of your race. It is best for you<br> + to tell the King.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I lay my orders on you to tell no one<br> + at all.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Give me leave but to <i>whisper</i> it to + the<br> + Princess Nu. It's ye would be the finest two the<br> + world ever saw. You will not find her equal in all<br> + Ireland!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I lay it as crosses and as spells on you<br> + to say no word to her or to any other that will<br> + make known my race or my name. Give me now<br> + your oath.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Kneeling.)</i> I do, I do. But they will<br> + know you by your high looks.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Did you yourself know me a while ago?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Getting up.)</i> Oh, they're coming! Oh,<br> + my poor child, what way will you that never handled<br> + a spit be able to make out a dinner for the<br> + King?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: This silver whistle, that was her pipe<br> + of music, was given to me by a queen among the<br> + Sidhe that is my godmother. At the sound of it<br> + that will come through the air any earthly thing<br> + I wish for, at my command.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Let it be a dinner so.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: So it will come, on a green tablecloth<br> + carried by four swans as white as snow. The<br> + freshest of every meat, the oldest of every drink,<br> + nuts from the trees in Adam's Paradise!</p> + + <p><i>(King, Queen, Princess, Dall Glic come in.<br> + Princess sits on window sill.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Queen: (To King.)</i> Here now, my dear. Wasn't<br> + I telling you I would take all trouble from your<br> + mind, and that I would not be without finding a<br> + cook for you?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: He came in a good hour. The want of a<br> + right dinner has downed kingdoms before this.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Travelling he is in search of service<br> + from the kings of the earth. His wages are in no<br> + way out of measure.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Is he a good hand at his trade?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Honest he is, I believe, and ready to<br> + give a hand here and there.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: What way does he handle flesh, I'd wish<br> + to know? And all that comes up from the tide?<br> + Bream, now; that is a fish is very pleasant to me—<br> + stewed or fried with butter till the bones of it melt<br> + in your mouth. There is nothing in sea or strand<br> + but is the better of a quality cook—only oysters,<br> + that are best left alone, being as they are all gravy<br> + and fat.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I didn't question him yet about cookery.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It's seldom I met a woman with right<br> + respect for food, but for show and silly dishes and<br> + trash that would leave you in the finish as dwindled<br> + as a badger on St. Bridget's day.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: If this youth of a young man was able to<br> + give satisfaction at the King of Sorcha's Court,<br> + I am sure that he will make a dinner to please<br> + yourself.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I will do more than that. I will dress<br> + a dinner that will please <i>my</i>self.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Clapping hands.)</i> Very well said!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Sound out now some good dishes such<br> + as you used to be giving in Sorcha, and the Queen<br> + will put them down in a line of writing, that I can<br> + be thinking about them till such time as you will<br> + have them readied.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: There are sheeps' trotters below; you<br> + might know some tasty way to dress them.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I do surely. I'll put the trotters within<br> + a fowl, and the fowl within a goose, and the goose in<br> + a suckling pig, and the suckling pig in a fat lamb,<br> + and the lamb in a calf, and the calf in a Maderalla ...</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: What now is a Maderalla?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: He is a beast that saves the cook trouble,<br> + swallowing all those meats one after another—in<br> + Sorcha.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: That should be a very pretty dish. Let<br> + you go make a start with it the way we will not be<br> + famished before nightfall. Bring him, Dall Glic,<br> + to the larder.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I'm in dread it's as good for him to<br> + stop where he is.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: What are you saying?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Those lads of apprentices that left<br> + nothing in it only bare hooks.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: It is the Queen would give no leave<br> + for more provision to come in, saying there was<br> + no one to prepare it.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: If that is so, I will be forced to lay<br> + my orders on the Hawk of the Grey Rock and the<br> + Brown Otter of the Stream to bring in meat at<br> + my bidding.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Hurry on so.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I myself will go and give you instructions<br> + what way to use the kitchen.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Not at all! What I do I'd as lief do<br> + in your own royal parlour! <i>(Blows whistle; two + dark-skinned<br> + men come in with vessels.)</i> Give me here<br> + those pots and pans!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: What now is about to take place?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I not to be blind, I would say those<br> + to be very foreign-looking men.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It would seem as if the world was grown<br> + to be very queer.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: So it is, and the mastery being given<br> + to a cook.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: So it should be too! It is the King<br> + of Shades and Shadows would have rule over the<br> + world if it wasn't for the cooks!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: There's some sense in that now.</p> + + <p><i>(Strange men are moving and arranging baskets<br> + and vessels.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: There was respect for cooks in the<br> + early days of the world. What way did the Sons<br> + of Tuireann get their death but going questing<br> + after a cooking spit at the bidding of Lugh of the<br> + Long Hand! And if a spit was worthy of the death<br> + of heroes, what should the man be worth that is<br> + skilled in turning it? What is the difference<br> + between man and beast? Beast and bird devour<br> + what they find and have no power to change it.<br> + But we are Druids of those mysteries, having<br> + magic and virtue to turn hard grain to tender cakes,<br> + and the very skin of a grunting pig to crackling<br> + causing quarrels among champions, and it singing<br> + upon the coals. A cook! If I am I am not without<br> + good generations before me! Who was the first<br> + old father of us, roasting and reddening the fruits<br> + of the earth from hard to soft, from bitter to kind,<br> + till they are fit for a lady's platter? What is it<br> + leaves us in the hard cold of Christmas but the<br> + robbery from earth of warmth for the kitchen<br> + fire of <i>(takes off cap)</i> the first and foremost of + all<br> + master cooks—the Sun!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: You are surely not ashamed of your<br> + trade!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: To work now, to work. I'll engage to<br> + turn out a dinner fit for Pharaoh of Egypt or<br> + Pharamond King of the Franks! Here, Queen, is<br> + a silver-breast phoenix—draw out the feathers—<br> + they are pure silver—fair and clean. <i>(Queen plucks<br> + eagerly.)</i> King, take your golden sceptre and stir<br> + this pot.</p> + + <p><i>(Gives him one.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King: (Interested.)</i> What now is in it?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: A broth that will rise over the side<br> + and be consumed and split if you stop stirring<br> + it for one minute only! <i>(King stirs furiously.)</i><br> + Princess <i>(She is looking on and he goes over to + her)</i>,<br> + there are honey cakes to roll out, but I will not<br> + ask you to do it in dread that you might spoil the<br> + whiteness ...</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I have no mind to do it.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Of the flour!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Give them here.</p> + + <p><i>(Rolls them out indignantly.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: That is right. Take care, King, would<br> + the froth swell over the brim.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It seems to me you are doing but<br> + little yourself.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I will turn now and ... boil these<br> + eggs.</p> + + <p><i>(Takes some on a plate; they roll off.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: You have broken them.</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (Disconcerted.)</i> It was to show you a<br> + good trick, how to make them sit up on the narrow<br> + end.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: That is an old trick in the world.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Every trick is an old one, but with<br> + a change of players, a change of dress, it comes<br> + out as new as before. Princess <i>(speaks low)</i>, I<br> + have a message to give you and a pardon to ask.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Give me out the message.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Take courage and keep courage through<br> + this day. Do not let your heart fail. There is<br> + help beside you.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It has been a troublesome day indeed.<br> + But there is a worse one and a great danger before<br> + me in the far away.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: That danger will come to-day, the<br> + message said in the dream. Princess, I have a<br> + pardon to ask you. I have been playing vanities.<br> + I think I have wronged you doing this. It was<br> + surely through no want of respect.</p> + + <p><i>Gatekeeper: (Coming in.)</i> There is word come<br> + from Ballyvelehan there is a coach and horses<br> + facing for this place over from Oughtmana.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Who would that be?</p> + + <p><i>Gatekeeper</i>: Up on the hill a woman was, brought<br> + word it must be some high gentleman. She could<br> + see all colours in the coach, and flowers on the<br> + horse's heads.</p> + + <p><i>Goes out</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: That is good hearing. I was in<br> + dread some man we would have no welcome for<br> + would be the first to come in this day.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Not a fear of it. I had orders given<br> + to the Gateman who he would and would not<br> + keep out. I did that the very minute after the<br> + King making his proclamation and his law.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Pup, pup. You need not be drawing<br> + that down.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is well you have myself to care you<br> + and to turn all to good. I gave orders to the<br> + Gateman, I say, no one to be let in to the door<br> + unless carriage company, no other ones, even if they<br> + should wipe their feet upon the mat. I notched<br> + that in his mind, telling him the King was after<br> + promising the Princess Nu in marriage to the first<br> + man that would come into the house.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: The King gave out that word?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I am after saying that he did.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Come along, lad. Don't be putting<br> + ears on yourself.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I ask the King did he give out that<br> + promise as the Queen says?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I have but a poor memory.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: The King did say it within the hour,<br> + and swore to it by the oath of his people, taking<br> + contracts of the sun and moon of the air!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: What is it to you if he did? Come<br> + on, now.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: No. This is a matter that concerns<br> + myself.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: How do you make that out?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: You, that called me in, know well that<br> + I was the first to come into the house.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Ha, ha! You have the impudence! It<br> + is a <i>man</i> the King said. He was not talking about<br> + cooks.</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (To the King.)</i> I am before you as a<br> + serving lad, and you are a King in Ireland. Because<br> + you are a King and I your hired servant you will not<br> + refuse me justice. You gave your word.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: If I did it was in haste and in vexation,<br> + and striving to save her from destruction.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I call you to keep to your word and<br> + to give your daughter to no other one.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Speak out now, Dall Glic, and give<br> + your opinion and your advice.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I would say that this lad going away<br> + would be no great loss.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I did not ask such a thing, but as it<br> + has come to me I will hold to my right.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It would be right to throw him to the<br> + hounds in the kennel!</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (To King.)</i> I leave it to the judgment<br> + of your blind wise man.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (To Dall Glic.)</i> Take care would you<br> + offend myself or the King!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I put it on you to split justice as it<br> + is measured outside the world.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It is hard for me to speak. He<br> + has laid it hard on me. My good eye may go<br> + asleep, but my blind eye never sleeps. In the<br> + place where it is waking, an honourable man, king<br> + or beggar, is held to his word.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Is it that I must give my daughter to<br> + a lad that owns neither clod nor furrow? Whose<br> + estate is but a shovel for the ashes and a tongs for<br> + the red coals.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is likely he is urged by the sting of<br> + greed—it is but riches he is looking for.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I will not begrudge him his own asking<br> + of silver and of gold!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Throw it out to the beggars on the<br> + road! I would not take a copper half-penny!<br> + I'll take nothing but what has come to me from<br> + your own word!</p> + + <p><i>(King bows his head.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Coming forward.)</i> Then this battle<br> + is not between you and an old king that is feeble,<br> + but between yourself and myself.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I am sorry, Princess, if it must be a<br> + battle.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: You can never bring me away against<br> + my will.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I said no word of doing that.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: You think, so, I will go with you of<br> + myself? The day I will do that will be the day<br> + you empty the ocean!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: I will not wait longer than to-day.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Many a man waited seven years for<br> + a king's daughter!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: And another seven—and seven + generations<br> + of hags. But that is not my nature.<br> + I will not kneel to any woman, high or low, or<br> + crave kindness that she cannot give.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Then I can go free!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: For this day I take you in my charge.<br> + I cross and claim you to myself, unless a better<br> + man will come.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I would think it easier to find a + better<br> + man than one that would be worse to me!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: If one should come that you think<br> + to be a better man, I will give you your own way.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It is you being in the world at all<br> + that is my grief.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Time makes all things clear. You<br> + did not go far out in the world yet, my poor little<br> + Princess.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I would be well pleased to drive<br> + you out through the same world!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: With or without your goodwill, I<br> + will not go out of this place till I have carried out<br> + the business I came to do.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Is it the falling of hailstones I hear<br> + or the rumbling of thunder, or is it the trots of<br> + horses upon the road?</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Looking out.)</i> It is the big man that<br> + is coming—Prince or Lord or whoever he may be.<br> + <i>(To Dall Glic.)</i> Go now to the door to welcome<br> + him. This is some man worth while. <i>(To Manus.)</i><br> + Let you get out of this.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: No, whoever he is I'll stop and face<br> + him. Let him know we are players in the one game!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: And what sort of a fool will you make<br> + of me, to have given in to take the like of you for<br> + a son-in-law? They will be putting ridicule on me<br> + in the songs.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: If he must stop here we might put<br> + some face on him.... If I had but a decent<br> + suit.... Give me your cloak, Dall Glic. <i>(He<br> + gives it.)</i> Here now ... <i>(To Manus.)</i> Put this<br> + around you.... <i>(Manus takes it awkwardly.)</i> It<br> + will cover up your kitchen suit.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Is it this way?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You have no right handling of it—<br> + stupid clown! This way!</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (Flinging it off.)</i> No, I'll change no<br> + more suits! It is time for me to stop fooling and<br> + give you what you did not ask yet, my name. I<br> + will tell out all the truth.</p> + + <p><i>Gatekeeper: (At door.)</i> The King of Sorcha!<br> + <i>(Taig comes in.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King and Queen</i>: The King of Sorcha! <i>(They<br> + rush forward to greet him.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (To Manus.)</i> Did ever anyone hear<br> + the like!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: It seems as if there will be a judgment<br> + between the man and the clothes!</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (To Taig.)</i> There is someone here that<br> + you know, King. This young man is giving out<br> + that he was your cook.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: He was not. I never laid an eye on him<br> + till this minute.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I was sure he was nothing but a liar<br> + when he said he would tell the truth! Now, King,<br> + will you turn him out the door?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: And what about the great dinner he has<br> + me promised?</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Be easy King. Whether or no you<br> + keep your word to me I'll hold to mine! <i>(Blows<br> + whistle.)</i> In with the dishes! Take your places!<br> + Let the music play out!</p> + + <p><i>(Music plays, the strange men wheel in tables<br> + and dishes.)</i></p> + + <p>CURTAIN</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT III</h2> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT III</h2><br> + + + <p><i>Scene: Same. Table cleared of all but vessels of<br> + fruit, cocoa-nuts, etc. Queen and Taig sitting<br> + in front, Nurse and Dall Glic standing in background</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Now, King, the dinner being at an end,<br> + and the music, we have time and quiet to be<br> + talking.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: It is with the King's daughter I am come<br> + to talk.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Go, Dall Glic, call the Princess. She<br> + will be here on the minute, but it is best for you<br> + to tell me out if it is to ask her in marriage you<br> + are come.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: It is so, where I was after being told<br> + she would be given as a wife to the first man that<br> + would come into the house.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: And who in the world wide gave that<br> + out?</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: It was the Gateman said it to a hawker<br> + bringing lobsters from the strand, and that got no<br> + leave to cross the threshold by reason of the oath<br> + given out by the King. The half of the kingdom<br> + she will get, they were telling me, and the king<br> + living, and the whole of it after he will be dead.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: There did another come in before you.<br> + Let me tell you that much!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: There did not. The lobster man that<br> + set a watch upon the door.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: A great honour you did us coming<br> + asking for her, and you being King of Sorcha!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: Look at my ring and my crown. They<br> + will bear witness that I am. And my kind coat of<br> + cotton and my golden shirt! And under that<br> + again there's a stiff pocket. <i>(Slaps it.)</i> Is there<br> + e'er a looking-glass in any place? <i>(Gets up.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: There is the shining silver basin of<br> + the swans in the garden without.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: That will do. I would wish to look<br> + tasty when I come looking for a lady of a wife.<br> + <i>(He and Dall Glic go outside window but in sight.)</i></p> + + <p><i>(Princess comes in very proud and sad.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You should be proud this day, Nuala,<br> + and so grand a man coming asking you in marriage<br> + as the King of Sorcha.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Grand, indeed! As grand as hands and<br> + pins can make him.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Are you not satisfied to have urged<br> + me to one man and promised me to another since<br> + sunrise?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: What way could I know there was<br> + this match on the way, and a better match beyond<br> + measure? This is no black stranger going the<br> + road, but a man having a copper crown over his<br> + gateway and a silver crown over his palace door!<br> + I tell you he has means to hang a pearl of gold<br> + upon every rib of your hair! There is no one<br> + ahead of him in all Ireland, with his chain and his<br> + ring and his suit of the dearest silk!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: If it was a suit I was to wed with he<br> + might do well enough.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Equal in blood to ourselves! Brought<br> + up to good behaviour and courage and mannerly ways.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: In my opinion he is not.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You are talking foolishness. A King<br> + of Sorcha must be mannerly, seeing it is he himself<br> + sets the tune for manners.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: He gave out a laugh when old Michelin<br> + slipped on the threshold. He kicked at the dog<br> + under the table that came looking for bones.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I tell you what might be ugly behaviour<br> + in a common man is suitable and right in a king.<br> + But you are so hard to please and so pettish, I am<br> + seven times tired of yourself and your ways.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: If no one could force me to give in<br> + to the man that made a claim to me to-day, according<br> + to my father's bond, that bond is there yet to<br> + protect me from any other one.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Leave me alone! Myself and the<br> + Dall Glic will take means to rid you of that lad<br> + from the oven. I'll send in now to you the King<br> + of Sorcha. Let you show civility to him, and the<br> + wedding day will be to-morrow.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I will not see him, I will have nothing<br> + to do with him; I tell you if he had the rents of<br> + the whole world I would not go with him by day<br> + or by night, on foot or on horseback, in light or in<br> + darkness, in company or alone!</p> + + <p><i>(Queen has gone while she cries this out.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: The luck of the seven Saturdays on<br> + himself and on the Queen!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Oh, Muime, do not let him come<br> + near me! Have you no way to help me?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: It's myself that could help you if I<br> + was not under bonds not to speak!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: What is it you know? Why won't<br> + you say one word?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: He put me under spells.... There<br> + now, my tongue turned with the word to be dumb.</p> + + <p><i>Taig: (At the window.)</i> Not a fear of me,<br> + Queen. It won't be long till I bring the Princess<br> + around.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I will not stay! Keep him here till<br> + I will hide myself out of sight! <i>(Goes.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Taig: (Coming in.)</i> They told me the Princess<br> + was in it.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: She has good sense, she is in some other<br> + place.</p> + + <p><i>Taig: (Sitting down.)</i> Go call her to me.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Who is it I will call her for?</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: For myself. You know who I am.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: My grief that I do not!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: I am the King of Sorcha.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: If you say that lie again there will + blisters<br> + rise up on your face.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: Take care what you are saying, you<br> + hag!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: I know well what I am saying. I have<br> + good judgment between the noble and the mean<br> + blood of the world.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: The Kings of Sorcha have high, noble<br> + blood.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: If they have, there is not so much of<br> + it in you as would redden a rib of scutch-grass.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: You are crazed with folly and age.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: No, but I have my wits good enough.<br> + You ought to be as slippery as a living eel, I'll<br> + get satisfaction on you yet! I'll show out who<br> + you are!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: Who am I so?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: That is what I have to get knowledge<br> + of, if I must ask it at the mouth of cold hell!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: Do your best! I dare you!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: I will save my darling from you as sure<br> + as there's rocks on the strand! A girl that refused<br> + sons of the kings of the world!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: And I will drag your darling from you<br> + as sure as there's foxes in Oughtmana!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Oughtmana ...Is that now your living<br> + place?</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: It is not.... I told you I came from<br> + the far-off kingdom of Sorcha. Look at my cloak<br> + that has on it the sign of the risen sun!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Cloaks and suits and fringes. You have<br> + a great deal of talk of them.... Have you e'er a<br> + needle around you, or a shears?</p> + + <p><i>Taig: (His hand goes to breast of coat, but he<br> + withdraws it quickly.)</i> Here ...no ...What<br> + are you talking about? I know nothing at all of<br> + such things.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: In my opinion you do. Hearken now.<br> + I know where is the real King of Sorcha!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: Bring him before me now till I'll down<br> + him!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Say that the time you will come face<br> + to face with him! Well, I'm under bonds to tell<br> + out nothing about him, but I have liberty to make<br> + known all I will find out about yourself.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: Hurry on so. Little I care when once<br> + I'm wed with the King's daughter!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: That will never be!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: The Queen is befriending me and in<br> + dread of losing me. I will threaten her if there<br> + is any delay I'll go look for another girl of a<br> + wife.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: I will make no delay. I'll have my<br> + story and my testimony before the white dawn<br> + of the morrow.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: Do so and welcome! Before the yellow<br> + light of this evening I'll be the King's son-in-law!<br> + Bring your news, then, and little thanks you'll<br> + get for it! The King and Queen must keep up<br> + my name then for their own credit's sake. <i>(Makes<br> + a face at her as King comes in with Dall Glic, and<br> + servants with cushions. Nurse goes out, shaking her<br> + fist.) (Rises.)</i> I was just asking to see you, King,<br> + to say there is a hurry on me....</p> + + <p><i>King: (Sitting down on window seat while Servant<br> + arranges cushions about him.)</i> Keep your business<br> + a while. It's a poor thing to be going through<br> + business the very minute the dinner is ended.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: I wouldn't but that it is pressing.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Go now to the Queen, in her parlour,<br> + and be chatting and whistling to the birds. I give<br> + you my word since I rose up from the table I am<br> + going here and there, up and down, craving and<br> + striving to find a place where I'll get leave to lay<br> + my head on the cushions for one little minute.</p> + + <p><i>(Taig goes reluctantly.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic: (Taking cushions from servants.)</i> Let<br> + you go now and leave the King to his rest.</p> + + <p><i>(They go out.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I don't know in the world why anyone<br> + would consent to be a king, and never to be left<br> + to himself, but to be worried and wearied and<br> + interfered with from dark to daybreak and from<br> + morning to the fall of night.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I will be going out now. I have<br> + but one word only to say....</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Let it be a short word! I would be<br> + better pleased to hear the sound of breezes in<br> + the sycamores, and the humming of bees in the<br> + hive and the crooning and sleepy sounds of the<br> + sea!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: There is one thing only could cause<br> + me to annoy you.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It should be a queer big thing that<br> + wouldn't wait till I have my rest taken.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: So it is a big matter, and a weighty<br> + one.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Not to be left in quiet and all I am after<br> + using! Food that was easy to eat! Drink that<br> + was easy to drink! That's the dinner that <i>was</i><br> + a dinner. That cook now is a wonder!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: That is now the very one I am wishful<br> + to speak about.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I give you my word, I'd sooner have<br> + one goose dressed by him than seven dressed by<br> + any other one!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: The Queen that was urging me for<br> + to put my mind to make out some way to get quit<br> + of him.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Isn't it a hard thing the very minute<br> + I find a lad can dress a dinner to my liking, I must<br> + be made an attack on to get quit of him?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It is on the head of the Princess Nu.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Tell me this, Dall Glic. Supposing, now,<br> + he was ...in spite of me ...to wed with her<br> + ...against my will ...and it might be unknownst<br> + to me.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Such a thing must not happen.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: To be sure, it must not happen. Why<br> + would it happen? But supposing—I only said<br> + supposing it did. Would you say would that<br> + lad grow too high in himself to go into the kitchen<br> + ...it might be only an odd time ...to oblige<br> + me ...and dress a dinner the same as he did<br> + to-day?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I am sure and certain that he would<br> + not. It is the way, it is, with the common sort,<br> + the lower orders. He'd be wishful to sit on a chair<br> + at his ease and to leave his hand idle till he'd grow<br> + to be bulky and wishful for sleep.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: That is a pity, a great pity, and a great<br> + loss to the world. A big misfortune he to have<br> + got it in his head to take a liking to the girl. I<br> + tell you he was a great lad behind the saucepans!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Since he did get it in his head, it is<br> + what we have to do now, to make an end of<br> + him.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: To gaol him now, and settle up ovens<br> + and spits and all sorts in the cell, wouldn't he,<br> + to shorten the day, be apt to start cooking?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: In my belief he will do nothing at<br> + all, but to hold you to the promise you made,<br> + and to force you to send away the King of Sorcha.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: To have the misfortune of a cook for<br> + a son-in-law, and without the good luck of profiting<br> + by what he can do in his trade! That is a hard thing<br> + for a father to put up with, let alone a king!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: If you will but listen to the advice<br> + I have to give....</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I know it without you telling me. You<br> + are asking me to make away with the lad! And<br> + who knows but the girl might turn on me after,<br> + women are so queer, and say I had a right to have<br> + asked leave from herself?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: There will no one suspect you of<br> + doing it, and you to take my plan. Bid them<br> + heat the big oven outside on the lawn that is for<br> + roasting a bullock in its full bulk.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Don't be talking of roasted meat! I<br> + think I can eat no more for a twelvemonth!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: There will be nothing roasted that<br> + any person will have occasion to eat. When the<br> + oven door will be open, give orders to your bullies<br> + and your foot-soldiers to give a tip to him that<br> + will push him in. When evening comes, news will<br> + go out that he left the meat to burn and made off<br> + on his rambles, and no more about him.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: What way can I send orders when I'm<br> + near crazed in my wits with the want of rest. A<br> + little minute of sleep might soothe and settle my<br> + brain.</p> + + <p><i>(Lies down.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: The least little word to give leave<br> + ...or a sign ...such as to nod the head.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I give you my word, my head is tired<br> + nodding! Be off now and close the door after<br> + you and give out that anyone that comes to this<br> + side of the house at all in the next half-hour, his<br> + neck will be on the block before morning!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic: (Hurriedly.)</i> I'm going! I'm<br> + going.</p> + + <p><i>(Goes.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King: (Locking door and drawing window curtains.)</i><br> + That you may never come back till I ask you!<br> + <i>(Lies down and settles himself on pillows.)</i> I'll be<br> + lying here in my lone listening to the pigeons<br> + seeking their meal. "Coo-coo," they're saying,<br> + "Coo-coo."</p> + + <p><i>(Closes eyes.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (At door.)</i> Who is it locked the door?<br> + <i>(Shakes it.)</i> Who is it is in it? What is going on<br> + within? Is it that some bad work is after being<br> + done in this place? Hi! Hi! Hi!</p> + + <p><i>King: (Sitting up.)</i> Get away out of that,<br> + you torment of a nurse! Be off before I'll have<br> + the life of you!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: The Lord be praised, it is the King's<br> + own voice! There's time yet!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: There's time, is there? There's time<br> + for everyone to give out their chat and their gab,<br> + and to do their business and take their ease and have<br> + a comfortable life, only the King! The beasts<br> + of the field have leave to lay themselves down in the<br> + meadow and to stretch their limbs on the green<br> + grass in the heat of the day, without being pestered<br> + and plagued and tormented and called to and<br> + wakened and worried, till a man is no less than<br> + wore out!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Up or down, I'll say what I have to<br> + say, if it cost me my life. It is that I have to tell<br> + you of a plot that is made and a plan!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I won't listen! I heard enough of<br> + plots and plans within the last three minutes!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: You didn't hear this one. No one knows<br> + of it only myself.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I was told it by the Dall Glic.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: You were not! I am only after making<br> + it out on the moment!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: A plot against the lad of the saucepans?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: That's it! That's it! Open now the door!</p> + + <p><i>King: (Putting a cushion over each ear and<br> + settling himself to sleep.)</i> Tell away and welcome!</p> + + <p><i>(Shuts eyes.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: That's right! You're listening. Give<br> + heed now. That schemer came a while ago letting<br> + on to be the King of Sorcha is no such thing! What<br> + do you say?...Maybe you knew it before?<br> + I wonder the Dall Glic not to have seen that for<br> + himself with his one eye.... Maybe you don't<br> + believe it? Well, I'll tell it out and prove it.<br> + I have got sure word by running messenger that<br> + came cross-cutting over the ridge of the hill....<br> + That carrion that came in a coach, pressing to bring<br> + away the Princess before nightfall, giving himself<br> + out to be some great one, is no other than Taig the<br> + Tailor, that should be called Taig the Twister,<br> + down from his mother's house from Oughtmana,<br> + that stole grand clothes which were left in the<br> + mother's charge, he being out at the time cutting<br> + cloth and shaping lies, and has himself dressed out<br> + in them the way you'd take him to be King! <i>(King<br> + has slumbered peacefully all through.)</i> Now, what<br> + do you say? Now, will you open the door?</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Outside.)</i> What call have you to<br> + shouting and disturbing the King?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: I have good right and good reason to<br> + disturb him!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Go away and let me open the door.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: I will go and welcome now; I have<br> + told out my whole story to the King.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Shaking door.)</i> Open the door, my<br> + dear! It is I myself that is here! <i>(King looks<br> + up, listens, shakes his head and sinks back.)</i> Are<br> + you there at all, or what is it ails you?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: He is there, and is after conversing<br> + with myself.</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (Shaking again.)</i> Let me in, my dear<br> + King! Open! Open! Open! unless that the<br> + falling sickness is come upon you, or that you are<br> + maybe lying dead upon the floor!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Not a dead in the world.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Go, Nurse, I tell you, bring the smith<br> + from the anvil till he will break asunder the lock<br> + of the door!</p> + + <p><i>(King annoyed, waddles to door and opens it<br> + suddenly. Queen stumbles in.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King</i>: What at all has taken place that you<br> + come bawling and calling and disturbing my rest?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Oh! Are you sound and well? I was<br> + in dread there did something come upon you,<br> + when you gave no answer at all.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Am I bound to answer every call and<br> + clamour the same as a hall-porter at the door?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is business that cannot wait. Here<br> + now is a request I have written to the bully of<br> + the King of Alban, bidding him to strike the head<br> + off whatever man will put the letter in his hand.<br> + Write your name and sign to it, in three royal words.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I wouldn't sign a letter out of my right<br> + hour if it was to make the rivers run gold. There<br> + is nothing comes of signing letters but more trouble<br> + in the end.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Give me, so, to bind it a drop of your<br> + own blood as a token and a seal. You will not<br> + refuse, and I telling you the messenger will go<br> + with it, and that will lose his head through it, is no<br> + less than that troublesome cook!</p> + + <p><i>King: (With a roar.)</i> Anyone to say that word<br> + again I will not leave a head on any neck in the<br> + kingdom! I declare on my oath it would be<br> + best for me to take the world for my pillow and<br> + put that lad upon the throne!</p> + + <p><i>(Queen goes back frightened to door.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Gateman: (Coming in.)</i> There is a man coming<br> + in that will take no denial. It is Fintan the<br> + Astrologer.</p> + + <p><i>(Fintan enters with Dall Glic, Nurse, Princess,<br> + Taig, Manus and Prince of the Marshes<br> + crowding after him.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Another disturbance! The whole world<br> + would seem to be on the move!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Fintan! What brings him here again?</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: A great deceit? A terrible deception!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: What at all is it?</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: Long and all as I'm in the world, such<br> + a thing never happened in my lifetime!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: What is it has happened?</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: It is not any fault of myself or any<br> + miscounting of my own! I am certain sure of<br> + that much. Is it that the stars of heaven are<br> + gone astray, they that are all one with a clock—<br> + unless it might be on a stormy night when they<br> + are wild-looking around the moon.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Go on with your story and stop your<br> + raving.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: The first time ever I came to this place<br> + I made a prophecy.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: You did, about the child was in the<br> + cradle.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: And that was but new in the world.<br> + It is what I said, that she was born under a certain<br> + star, and that in a score of years all but two,<br> + whatever acting was going on in that star at the<br> + time she was born, she would get her crosses in the<br> + same way.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: The cross you foretold to her was<br> + to be ate by a Dragon. You laid down it would<br> + come upon a twelvemonth from this very day.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: That's it. That was according to<br> + my reckoning. There was no mistake in that.<br> + And I thought better of the Seven Stars than<br> + they to make a fool of me, after all the respect<br> + I had showed them, giving my life to watching<br> + themselves and the plans they have laid down<br> + for men and for mortals.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It seems as if I myself was the best + prophet<br> + and that there is no Dragon at all.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: What a bad opinion you have of me<br> + that I would be so far out as that! It would be<br> + a deception and a disappointment out of measure,<br> + there to come no Dragon, and I after foretelling<br> + and prophesying him.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Troth, it would be no disappointment<br> + at all to ourselves.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: It would be better, I tell you, a score<br> + of king's daughters to be ate and devoured, than<br> + the high stars in their courses to be proved wrong.<br> + But it must be right, it surely must be right. I<br> + gave the prophecy according to her birth hour,<br> + that was one hour before the falling back of the sun.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It was not, but an hour before the<br> + rising of the sun.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: Not at all! It was the Nurse herself<br> + told me it was at evening she was born.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: There is the Nurse now. Let you ask<br> + her account.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan: (To Nurse.)</i> It was yourself laid down<br> + it was evening!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Sure I wasn't in the place at all till<br> + Samhuin time, when she was near three months<br> + in the world.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: Then it was some other hag the very<br> + spit of you! I wish she didn't tell a lie.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Sure that one was banished out of this<br> + on the head of telling lies. An hour ere sunrise,<br> + and before the crowing of the cocks. The Dall<br> + Glic will tell you that much.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: That is so. I have it marked upon<br> + the genealogies in the chest.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: That is great news! It was a heavy<br> + wrong was done me! It had me greatly upset.<br> + Twelve hours out in laying down the birth-time!<br> + That clears the character of myself and<br> + of the carwheel of the stars. I knew I could<br> + make no mistake in my office and in my<br> + billet!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Will you stop praising yourself and give<br> + out some sense?</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: Knowledge is surely the greatest thing<br> + in the world! And truth! Twelve hours with<br> + the planets is equal to twelve months on earth.<br> + I am well satisfied now.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: So the Dragon is not coming, and the<br> + girl is in no danger at all?</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: Not coming! Heaven help your poor<br> + head! Didn't I get word within the last half-hour<br> + he is after leaving his den in the Kingdoms of the<br> + Cold, and is at this minute ploughing his way to<br> + Ireland, the same as I foretold him, but that I<br> + made a miscount of a year?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Putting her arm round Princess.)</i> Och!<br> + do not listen or give heed to him at all!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: When is he coming so?</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: Amn't I tired telling you this day<br> + in the place of this day twelvemonth. But as to<br> + the minute, there's too much lies in this place<br> + for me to be rightly sure.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: The curse of the seven elements upon<br> + him!</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: Little he'll care for your cursing. The<br> + whole world wouldn't stop him coming to your<br> + own grand gate.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Coming forward.)</i> Then I am to die<br> + to-night?</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: You are, without he will be turned<br> + back by someone having a stronger star than your<br> + own, and I know of no star is better, unless it might<br> + be the sun.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: If you had minded me, and given in<br> + to ring the wedding bells, you would be safe out<br> + of this before now.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: That Dragon not to find her before<br> + him, he will ravage and destroy the whole district<br> + with the poisonous spittle of his jaw, till the want<br> + will be so great the father will disown his son and<br> + will not let him in the door. Well, good-bye to ye!<br> + Ye'll maybe believe me to have foreknowledge<br> + another time, and I proved to be right. I have<br> + knocked great comfort out of that!</p> + + <p><i>(Goes.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Oh, my poor child! My poor little<br> + Nu! I thought it never would come to pass, I<br> + to be sending you to the slaughter. And I too<br> + bulky to go out and face him, having led an easy life!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Do not be fretting.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: The world is gone to and fro! I'll<br> + never ask satisfaction again either in bed or board,<br> + but to be wasting away with watercresses and rising<br> + up of a morning before the sun rises in Babylon!<br> + <i>(Weeps.)</i> Oh, we might make out a way to baffle<br> + him yet! Is there no meal will serve him only<br> + flesh and blood? Try him with Grecian wine,<br> + and with what was left of the big dinner a while ago!</p> + + <p><i>Gateman: (Coming in.)</i> There is some strange<br> + thing in the ocean from Aran out. At first it was<br> + but like a bird's shadow on the sea, and now you<br> + would nearly say it to be the big island would have<br> + left its moorings, and it steering its course towards<br> + Aughanish!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I'm in dread it should be the Dragon<br> + that has cleared the ocean at a leap!</p> + + <p><i>King: (Holding Princess.)</i> I will not give you<br> + up! Let him devour myself along with you!</p> + + <p><i>Dull Glic: (To Princess.)</i> It is best for me<br> + to put you in a hiding-hole under the ground,<br> + that has seven locked doors and seven locks on<br> + the farthest door. It might fail him to make<br> + you out.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Oh, it would be hard for her to go<br> + where she cannot hear the voice of a friend or<br> + see the light of day!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Would you wish me to save myself<br> + and let all the district perish? You heard what<br> + Fintan said. It is not right for destruction to be<br> + put on a whole province, and the women and the<br> + children that I know.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: There is maybe time yet for you to<br> + wed.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: So long as I am living I have a choice.<br> + I will not be saved in that way. It is alone I will<br> + be in my death.</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (Coming to King.)</i> I am going out<br> + from you, King. I might not be coming in to<br> + you again. I would wish to set you free from<br> + the promise you made me a while ago, and the bond.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: What does it signify now? What does<br> + anything signify, and the world turning here and<br> + there!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: And another thing. I would wish to<br> + ask pardon of the King's daughter. I ought not<br> + to have laid any claim to her, being a stranger in<br> + this place and without treasure or attendance.<br> + And yet ...and yet ...<i>(stoops and kisses hem<br> + of her dress)</i>, she was dear to me. It is a man who<br> + never may look on her again is saying that.</p> + + <p><i>(Turns to door.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: He is going to run from the Dragon!<br> + It is kind father for a scullion to be timid!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is in his blood. He is maybe not<br> + to blame for what is according to his nature.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: That is so. I am doing what is according<br> + to my nature.</p> + + <p><i>(Goes, Nurse goes after him.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Queen: (To Dall Glic.)</i> Go throw a dishcloth<br> + after him that the little lads may be mocking him<br> + along the road!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I will not. I have meddled enough<br> + at your bidding. I am done with living under<br> + dread. Let you blind me entirely! I am free<br> + of you. It might be best for me the two eyes to<br> + be withered, and I seeing nothing but the ever-living<br> + laws!</p> + + <p><i>Prince of Marshes: (Coming to Princess.)</i> It is<br> + my grief that with all the teachers I had there was<br> + not one to learn me the handling of weapons or<br> + of arms. But for all that I will not run away,<br> + but will strive to strike one blow in your defence<br> + against that wicked beast.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It is a good friend that would rid<br> + us of him. But it grieves me that you should<br> + go into such danger.</p> + + <p><i>Prince of Marshes: (To Dall Glic.)</i> Give me<br> + some sword or casting spears.</p> + + <p><i>(Dall Glic gives him spears.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I am sorry I made fun of you a while<br> + ago. I think you are a good kind man.</p> + + <p><i>Prince of Marshes; (Kissing her hand.)</i> Having<br> + that word of praise I will bring a good heart into<br> + the fight.</p> + + <p><i>(Goes.)</i></p> + + <p><i>(Taig is slipping out after him.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: See now the King of Sorcha slipping<br> + away into the fight. Stop here now! <i>(Pulls him<br> + back.)</i> You have a life that is precious to many<br> + besides yourself. Do not go without being well<br> + armed—and with a troop of good fighting men<br> + at your back.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: I am greatly obliged to you. I think<br> + I'll be best with myself.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You have no suit or armour upon you.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: That is what I was thinking.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Here anyway is a sword.</p> + + <p><i>Taig: (Taking it.)</i> That's a nice belt now.<br> + Well worked, silver thread and gold.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: The King's own guard will go out with<br> + you.</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: I wouldn't ask one of them! What<br> + would you think of me wanting help! A Dragon!<br> + Little I'd think of him. I'll knock the life out of<br> + him. I'll give him cruelty!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You have great courage indeed!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: I'll cut him crossways and lengthways<br> + the same as a yard of frieze! I'll make garters of<br> + his body! I'll smooth him with a smoothing iron!<br> + Not a fear of me! I never lost a bet yet that I<br> + wasn't able to pay it!</p> + + <p><i>Gateman: (As he rushes in, Taig slips away.)</i><br> + The Dragon! The Dragon! I seen it coming and<br> + its mouth open and a fiery flame from it! And<br> + nine miles of the sea is dry with all it drank of it!<br> + The whole country is gathering the same as of a<br> + fair day for to see him devour the Princess.</p> + + <p><i>(Princess trembles and sinks into a chair.<br> + King, Queen and Dall Glic look from<br> + window. They turn to her as they<br> + speak.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: There is a terrible splashing in the sea!<br> + It is like as if the Dragon's tail had beaten it into<br> + suds of soap!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: He is near as big as a whale!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: He is, and bigger!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: I see him! I see him! He would seem<br> + to have seven heads!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: I see but one.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: You would see more if you had your<br> + two eyes! He has six heads at the least!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: He has but one. He is twisting and<br> + turning it around.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: He is coming up towards the flaggy<br> + shore!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I hear him! He is snoring like a flock<br> + of pigs!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: He is rearing his head in the air! He<br> + has teeth as long as a tongs!</p> + + <p><i>Doll Glic</i>: No, but his tail he is rearing up!<br> + It would take a ladder forty feet long to get to<br> + the tip of it!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: There is the King of Sorcha going out<br> + the gate for to make an end of him.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: So he is, too. That is great bravery.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: He is going to one side. He is come<br> + to a stop.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It seems to me he is ready to fall in<br> + his standing. He is gone into a little thicket of<br> + furze. He is not coming out, but is lying crouched<br> + up in it the same as a hare in a tuft. I can see his<br> + shoulders narrowed up.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: He maybe got a weakness.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: He did, maybe, of courage. Shaking<br> + and shivering, he is like a hen in thunder. In my<br> + opinion, he is hiding from the fight.</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: There is the Prince of the Marshes<br> + going out now, and his coach after him! And<br> + his two aunts sitting in it and screeching to him<br> + not to run into danger!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: He will not do much. He has not pith<br> + or power to handle arms. That sort brings a bad<br> + name on kings.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: He is gone away from the coach.<br> + He is facing to the flaggy shore!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Oh, the Dragon has put up his head<br> + and is spitting at him!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: He has cast a spear into its jaw! Good man!</p> + + <p><i>(Princess goes over to window.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: He is casting another! His hand<br> + shook ...it did not go straight. He is gone<br> + on again! He has cast another spear! It should<br> + hit the beast ...it let a roar!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Good little Prince! What way is<br> + the battle now?</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: It will kill him with its fiery + breath!<br> + He is running now ...he is stumbling ...the<br> + Dragon is after him! He is up again! The two<br> + Aunts have pushed him into the coach and have<br> + closed the iron door.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: It will fail the beast to swallow him coach<br> + and all. It is gone back to refresh itself in the sea.<br> + You can hear it puffing and plunging!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: There is nothing to stop it now. <i>(To<br> + Princess.)</i> If you have e'er a prayer, now is the<br> + time to say it.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Stop a minute ...there is another<br> + champion going out.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: A man wearing a saffron suit ...who<br> + is he at all? He has the look of one used to giving<br> + orders.</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Looking out.)</i> Oh! he is but going<br> + to his death. It would be better for me to throw<br> + myself into the tide and make an end of it.</p> + + <p><i>(Is rushing to door.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King: (Holding her.)</i> He is drawing his sword.<br> + Himself and the Dragon are thrusting at one<br> + another on the flags!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Oh, close the curtains! Shut out the<br> + sound of the battle.</p> + + <p><i>(Dall Glic closes curtains.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Strike up now a tune of music that will<br> + deafen the sound!</p> + + <p><i>(Orchestra plays. Princess is kneeling by<br> + King. Music changes from discord to<br> + victory. Two Aunts and Gateman rush<br> + in. Noise of cheering heard without as<br> + the Gateman silences music.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Gateman</i>: Great news and wonderful news and<br> + a great story!</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: The fight is ended!</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: The Dragon is brought to his<br> + last goal!</p> + + <p><i>Gateman</i>: That young fighting man that has<br> + him flogged! Made at him like a wave breaking<br> + on the strand! They crashed at one another like<br> + two days of judgment! Like the battle of the<br> + cold with the heat!</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: You'd say he was going through<br> + dragons all his life!</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: It can hardly put a stir out of<br> + itself!</p> + + <p><i>Gateman</i>: That champion has it baffled and<br> + mastered! It is after being chased over seven<br> + acres of ground!</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: Drove it to its knees on the flaggy<br> + shore and made an end of it!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: God bless that man to-day and to-morrow!</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: He has put it in a way it will eat<br> + no more kings' daughters!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: And the stranger that mastered + it—<br> + is he safe?</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: What signifies if he is or is not, so<br> + long as we have our own young prince to bring<br> + home!</p> + + <p><i>Gatekeeper</i>: He is not safe. No sooner had he<br> + the beast killed and conquered than he fell dead,<br> + and the life went out of him.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Oh, that is not right! He to be dead<br> + and I living after him!</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: He was surely noble and high-blooded.<br> + There are some that will be sorry for his death.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: And who should be more sorry than<br> + I myself am sorry? Who should keen him unless<br> + myself? There is a man that gave his life for me,<br> + and he young and all his days before him and shut<br> + his eyes on the white world for my sake!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Indeed he was a man you might have<br> + been content to wed with, hard and all as you are<br> + to please.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: I never will wed with any man so<br> + long as my life will last, that was bought for me<br> + with a life was more worthy by far than my own!<br> + He is gone out of my reach; let him wait for me<br> + to give him my thanks on the other side. Bring<br> + me now his sword and his shield till I will put<br> + them before me and cry my eyes down with grief!</p> + + <p><i>Gateman</i>: Here is his cap for you, anyway, and<br> + his cleaver and his bunch of skivers. For the<br> + champion you are crying was no other than that<br> + lad of a cook!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: That is not true! It is not possible!</p> + + <p><i>Gateman</i>: Sure I seen him myself going out the<br> + gate a while ago. He put off his cook's apparel<br> + and threw it along with these behind the turfstack. I<br> + gathered them up presently and I coming in the door.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: The world is gone beyond me entirely!<br> + But what I was saying all through, there was<br> + something beyond the common in that boy!</p> + + <p><i>Queen: (To Princess, who is clinging to chair.)</i><br> + Let you be comforted now, knowing he cannot<br> + come back to lay claim to you in marriage, as it<br> + is likely he would, and he living.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It is he saved me after my + unkindness!...<br> + Oh, I am ashamed ...ashamed!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: It is a queer thing a king's daughter<br> + to be crying after a man used to twisting the spit<br> + in place of weapons, and over skivers in the place<br> + of a sword!</p> + + <p><i>Princess: (Gropes and totters.)</i> What has + happened?<br> + There is something gone astray! I have<br> + no respect for myself.... I cannot live! I am<br> + ashamed. Where is Nurse? Muime! Come to<br> + me, Muime!...My grief! The man that died<br> + for me, whether he is of the noble or the simple<br> + of the world, it is to him I have given the love of<br> + my soul!</p> + + <p><i>(Dall Glic supports her and lays her on<br> + window seat.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Rushing in.)</i> What is it, honey?<br> + What at all are they after doing to you?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Throw over her a skillet of water. She<br> + is gone into a faint.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic: (Who is bending over her.)</i> She is<br> + in no faint. She is gone out.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Oh, my child and my darling! What<br> + call had I to leave you among them at all?</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Raise her up. It is impossible she can<br> + be gone.</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: Gone out and spent, as sudden as<br> + a candle in a blast of wind.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: Who would think grief would do away<br> + with her so sudden, there to be seven of the like<br> + of him dead?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Rises.)</i> What did you do to her at all,<br> + at all? Or was it through the fright and terror<br> + of the beast?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: She died of the heartbreak, being told<br> + that the strange champion that had put down the<br> + Dragon was killed dead.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Killed, is it? Who now put that lie<br> + out of his mouth? <i>(Shouts in her ear.)</i> What<br> + would ail him to be dead? It is myself can tell<br> + you the true story. No man in Ireland ever was<br> + half as good as him! It was himself mastered the<br> + beast and dragged the heart out of him and forced<br> + down a squirrel's heart in its place, and slapped a<br> + bridle on him. And he himself did but stagger<br> + and go to his knees in the heat and drunkenness<br> + of the battle, and rose up after as good as ever he<br> + was! It is out putting ointments on him that I<br> + was up to this, and healing up his cuts and wounds!<br> + Oh, what ails you, honey, that you will not waken?</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: She thought it to be a champion and a<br> + high up man that had died for her sake. It is<br> + what broke her down in the latter end, hearing<br> + him to be no big man at all, but a clown!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Oh, my darling! And I not here to<br> + tell you! You are a motherless child, and the<br> + curse of your mother will be on me! It was no<br> + clown fought for you, but a king, having generations<br> + of kings behind him, the young King of Sorcha,<br> + Manus, son of Solas son of Lugh.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: I would believe that now sooner than<br> + many a thing I would hear.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Keening.)</i> Oh, my child, and my<br> + share! I thought it was you would be closing my<br> + eyes, and now I am closing your own! You to<br> + be brought away in your young youth! Your hand<br> + that was whiter than the snow of one night, and<br> + the colour of the foxglove on your cheek.</p> + + <p><i>(A great shouting outside and burst of music.<br> + A march played. Manus comes in, followed<br> + by Fintan and Prince of the Marshes.<br> + Shouts and music continue. He leads the<br> + Dragon by a bridle. The others are in<br> + front of Princess, huddled from Dragon.<br> + Queen gets up on a chair.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Where is the Princess Nu? I have<br> + brought this beast to bow itself at her feet.</p> + + <p><i>(All are silent. Manus flings bridle to<br> + Fintan's hand. Dragon backs out. All<br> + go aside from Princess.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: She is here dead before you.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: That cannot be! She was well and<br> + living half an hour ago.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse: (Rises.)</i> Oh, if she could but waken<br> + and hear your voice! She died with the fret of<br> + losing you, that is heaven's truth! It is tormented<br> + she was with these giving out you were done away<br> + with, and mocking at your weapons that they laid<br> + down to be the cleaver and the spit, till the heart<br> + broke in her like a nut.</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (Kneeling beside her.)</i> Then it is myself<br> + have brought the death darkness upon you at the<br> + very time I thought to have saved you!</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: There is no blame upon you, but some<br> + that had too much talk!</p> + + <p><i>(Goes on keening.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: What call had I to come humbugging<br> + and letting on as I did, teasing and tormenting<br> + her, and not coming as a King should that is come<br> + to ask for a Queen! Oh, come back for one minute<br> + only till I will ask your pardon!</p> + + <p><i>Dall Glic</i>: She cannot come to you or answer<br> + you at all for ever.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Then I myself will go follow you and<br> + will ask for your forgiveness wherever you are gone,<br> + on the Plain of Wonder or in the Many-Coloured<br> + Land! That is all I can do ...to go after you<br> + and tell you it was no want of respect that brought<br> + me in that dress, but hurry and folly and taking<br> + my own way. For it is what I have to say to you,<br> + that I gave you my heart's love, what I never gave<br> + to any other, since first I saw you before me in<br> + my sleep! Here, now, is a short road to reach you!</p> + + <p><i>(Takes sword.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Prince of Marshes: (Catching his hand.)</i> Go<br> + easy now, go easy.</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Take off your hand! I say I will die<br> + with her!</p> + + <p><i>Prince of Marshes</i>: That will not raise her up<br> + again. But I, now, if I have no skill in killing<br> + beasts or men, have maybe the means of bringing<br> + her back to life.</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Oh, my blessing on you! What is it<br> + you have at all?</p> + + <p><i>Prince of Marshes: (Taking bag from his Aunt.)</i><br> + These three leaves from the Tree of Power that<br> + grows by the Well of Healing. Here they are<br> + now for you, tied with a thread of the wool of<br> + the sheep of the Land of Promise. There is power<br> + in them to bring one person only back to life.</p> + + <p><i>First Aunt</i>: Give them back to me! You<br> + have your own life to think of as well as any other<br> + one!</p> + + <p><i>Second Aunt</i>: Do not spend and squander that<br> + cure on any person but yourself!</p> + + <p><i>Prince of Marshes: (Giving the leaves.)</i> And if<br> + I have given her my love that it is likely I will<br> + give to no other woman for ever, indeed and<br> + indeed, I would not ask her or wish her to wed<br> + with a very frightened man, and that is what I<br> + was a while ago. But you yourself have earned her,<br> + being brave.</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (Taking leaves.)</i> I never will forget it<br> + to you. You will be a brave man yet.</p> + + <p><i>Prince of Marshes</i>: Give me in place of it your<br> + sword; for I am going my lone through the world<br> + for a twelvemonth and a day, till I will learn to<br> + fight with my own hand.</p> + + <p><i>(Manus gives him sword. He throws off cloak<br> + and outer coat and fastens it on.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: Stand back, now. Let the whole of ye<br> + stand back. <i>(She lays a leaf on the Princess's mouth<br> + and one on each of her hands.)</i> I call on you by<br> + the power of the Seven Belts of the Heavens, of<br> + the Twelve Winds of the World, of the Three<br> + Waters of the Sea!</p> + + <p><i>(Princess stirs slightly.)</i></p> + + <p><i>King</i>: That is a wonder of wonders! She is + stirring!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Oh, my share of the world! Are you<br> + come back to me?</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: It was a hard fight he wrestled with.<br> + ...I thought I heard his voice.... Is he come<br> + from danger?</p> + + <p><i>Nurse</i>: He did. Here he is. He that saved<br> + you and that killed the Dragon, and that let on<br> + to be a serving boy, and he no less than one of<br> + the world's kings!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: Here I am, my dear, beside you, to be<br> + your comrade and your company for ever.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: You!...Yes, it is yourself. Forgive<br> + me. I am sorry that I spoke unkindly to you<br> + a while ago; I am ashamed that it failed me to<br> + know you to be a king.</p> + + <p>(<i>She stands up, helped by Nurse</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: It was my own fault and my folly.<br> + What way could you know it? There is nothing<br> + to forgive.</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: But ...if I did not recognise you<br> + as a king ...anyway ...the time you dropped<br> + the eggs ...I was nearly certain that you were<br> + no cook!</p> + + <p>(<i>They embrace</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: There now I have everything brought<br> + about very well in the finish!</p> + + <p>(<i>A scream at door. Taig rushes in, followed<br> + by Sibby, in country dress. He kneels at<br> + the Queen's feet, holding on to her skirt</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Sibby</i>: Bad luck and bad cess to you! Torment<br> + and vexation on you! (<i>Seizes him by back of neck<br> + and shakes him</i>.) You dirty little scum and leavings!<br> + You puny shrimp you! You miserable ninth part<br> + of a man!</p> + + <p><i>Queen</i>: Is it King or the Dragon Killer he is<br> + letting on to be yet, or do you know what he is<br> + at all?</p> + + <p><i>Sibby</i>: It's myself knows that, and does know<br> + it! He being Taig the tailor, my own son and<br> + my misfortune, that stole away from me a while<br> + ago, bringing with him the grand clothes of that<br> + young champion (<i>points to Manus</i>) and his gold!<br> + To borrow a team of horses from the plough he<br> + did, and to bring away the magistrate's coach! But<br> + I followed him! I came tracking him on the road!<br> + Put off now those shoes that are too narrow for<br> + you, you red thief, you! For, believe me, you'll<br> + go facing home on shank's mare!</p> + + <p><i>Taig: (Whimpering.)</i> It's a very unkind thing<br> + you to go screeching that out before the King,<br> + that will maybe strike my head off!</p> + + <p><i>Sibby</i>: Did ever you know of anyone making a<br> + quarrel in a whisper? To wed with the King's<br> + daughter, you would? To go vanquish the water-worm,<br> + you would? I'll engage you ran before you<br> + went anear him!</p> + + <p><i>Taig</i>: If I didn't I'd be tore with his claws<br> + and scorched with his fiery breath. It is likely<br> + I'd be going home dead!</p> + + <p><i>Sibby</i>: Strip off now that cloak and that + body-coat<br> + and come along with me, or I'll make split<br> + marrow of you! What call have you to a suit<br> + that is worth more than the whole of the County<br> + Mayo? You're tricky and too much tricks in you,<br> + and you were born for tricks! It would be right<br> + you to be turned into the shape of a limping<br> + foxy cat!</p> + + <p><i>Taig: (Weeping as he takes off clothes.)</i> Sure<br> + I thought it no harm to try to go better<br> + myself.</p> + + <p><i>Prince of Marshes: (Giving his cloak and coat.)</i><br> + Here, I bestow these to you. If you were a while<br> + ago a tailor among kings, from this out you will<br> + be a king among tailors.</p> + + <p><i>Sibby: (Curtseying.)</i> Well, then, my thousand<br> + blessings on you! He'll be as proud as the world<br> + of that. Now, Taig, you'll be as dressed up as the</p> + + <p>best of them! Come on now to Oughtmana, as<br> + it is long till you'll quit it.</p> + + <p><i>(They go towards door.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Dragon: (Putting his head in at window.)</i> Manus,<br> + King of Sorcha, I am starved with the want of food.<br> + Give me a bit to eat.</p> + + <p><i>Fintan</i>: He is not put down! He will devour<br> + the whole of us! I'd sooner face a bullet and<br> + ten guns!</p> + + <p><i>Dragon</i>: It is not mannerly to eat without<br> + being invited. Is it any harm to ask where will<br> + I find a meal will suit me?</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: Oh, does he ask to make a meal of<br> + me, after all?</p> + + <p><i>Dragon</i>: I am hungry and dancing with the<br> + hunger! It was you, Manus, stopped me from the<br> + one meal. Let you set before me another.</p> + + <p><i>King</i>: There is reason in that. Drive up now<br> + for him a bullock from the meadow.</p> + + <p><i>Dragon</i>: Manus, it is not bullocks I am craving,<br> + since the time you changed the heart within me<br> + for the heart of a little squirrel of the wood.</p> + + <p><i>Manus: (Taking a cocoa-nut from table.)</i> Here<br> + is a nut from the island of Lanka, that is called<br> + Adam's Paradise. Milk there is in it, and a kernel<br> + as white as snow.</p> + + <p><i>(He throws it out. Dragon is heard crunching.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Dragon: (Putting head in again.)</i> More! Give<br> + me more of them! Give them out to me by the<br> + dozen and by the score!</p> + + <p><i>Manus</i>: You must go seek them in the east of<br> + the world, where you can gather them in bushels<br> + on the strand.</p> + + <p><i>Dragon</i>: So I will go there! I'll make no delay!<br> + I give you my word, I'd sooner one of them than<br> + to be cracking the skulls of kings' daughters, and<br> + the blood running down my jaws. Blood! Ugh!<br> + It would disgust me! I'm in dread it would cause<br> + vomiting. That and to have the plaits of hair<br> + tickling and tormenting my gullet!</p> + + <p><i>Princess</i>: (<i>Claps hands</i>.) That is good + hearing,<br> + and a great change of heart.</p> + + <p><i>Dragon</i>: But if it's a tame dragon I am from this<br> + out, I'm thinking it's best for me to make away<br> + before you know it, or it's likely you'll be yoking<br> + me to harrow the clods, or to be dragging the<br> + water-car from the spring well. So good-bye the<br> + whole of ye, and get to your supper. Much good<br> + may it do you! I give you my word there is<br> + nothing in the universe I despise, only the flesh-eaters<br> + of Adam's race!</p> + + <p>CURTAIN.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + + <a name="AUTHORS_NOTE"></a><br /> +<br /> + + <h2>AUTHOR'S NOTE</h2><br> + + + <p>I wrote <i>The Dragon</i> in 1917, that now seems so many + long years away, and I have been trying to remember how I came + to write it. I think perhaps through some unseen inevitable + kick of the swing towards gay-coloured comedy from the shadow + of tragedy. It was begun seriously enough, for I see among my + scraps of manuscripts that the earliest outline of it is + entitled "The Awakening of a Soul," the soul of the little + Princess who had not gone "far out in the world." And that idea + was never quite lost, for even when it had all turned to comedy + I see as an alternative name "A Change of Heart." For even the + Dragon's heart is changed by force, as happens in the old folk + tales and the heart of some innocent creature put in its place + by the conqueror's hand; all change more or less except the + Queen. She is yet satisfied that she has moved all things well, + and so she must remain till some new breaking up or + re-birth.</p> + + <p>As to the framework, that was once to have been the + often-told story of a King's daughter given to whatever man can + "knock three laughs out of her." As well as I remember the + first was to have been when the eggs were broken, and another + when she laughed with the joy of happy love. But the third was + the stumbling-block. It was necessary the ears of the Abbey + audience should be tickled at the same time as those of the + Princess, and old-time jests like those of Sir Dinadin of the + Round Table seem but dull to ears of to-day. So I called to my + help the Dragon that has given his opportunity to so many a + hero from Perseus in the Greek Stories to Shawneen in those of + Kiltartan. And he did not sulk or fail me, for after one of the + first performances the producer wrote: "I wish you had seen the + play last night when a big Northern in the front of the stalls + was overcome with helpless laughter, first by Sibby and then by + the Dragon. He sat there long after the curtain fell, unable to + move and wiping the tears from his eyes; the audiences stopped + going out and stood and laughed at him." And even a Dragon may + think it a feather in his cap to have made Ulster laugh.</p> + + <p>A.G.</p> + + <p>Coole, February, 1920.</p> + + <p>ORIGINAL CAST</p> + + <p>"The Dragon " was first produced at the Abbey Theatre, + Dublin, on 21st April, 1919, with the following cast:</p> + + <p>The King BARRY FITZGERALD</p> + + <p>The Queen MARY SHERIDAN</p> + + <p>The Princess Nuala EITHNE MAGEE</p> + + <p>The Dall Glic (The Blind Wise Man) PETER NOLAN</p> + + <p>The Nurse MAUREEN DELANY</p> + + <p>The Prince of the Marshes J. HUGH NAGLE</p> + + <p>Manus—King of Sorcha ARTHUR SHIELDS</p> + + <p>Fintan—The Astrologer F.J. MACCORMICK</p> + + <p>Taig FLORENCE MARKS</p> + + <p>The Dragon SEAGHAN BARLOW</p> + + <p>The Porter STEPHEN CASEY</p> + + <p>The Gatekeeper HUBERT M'GUIRE</p>Two Aunts of the Prince of + the Marshes {ESME WARD<br> + <span style='margin-left: 24.5em;'>{DYMPHNA DALY</span><br> + + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + <a name='ARISTOTLES_BELLOWS'></a> + + <h2>ARISTOTLE'S BELLOWS</h2> + + <p>PERSONS</p><i>The Mother</i>.<br> + <br> + <i>Celia</i> (HER DAUGHTER).<br> + <br> + <i>Conan</i> (HER STEPSON).<br> + <br> + <i>Timothy</i> (HER SERVING MAN).<br> + <br> + <i>Rock</i> (A NEIGHBOUR).<br> + <br> + <i>Flannery</i> (HIS HERD).<br> + <br> + <i>Two Cats</i>.<br> + + + <p>ACT I</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT I</h2><br> + + + <p><i>Scene: A Room in an old half-ruined castle</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Look out the door, Celia, and see is<br> + your uncle coming.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Who is lying on the ground, a bunch of<br> + ribbons in her hand, and playing with a pigeon, looks<br> + towards door without getting up</i>.) I see no sign of<br> + him.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: What time were you telling me it was<br> + a while ago?</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: It is not five minutes hardly since I was<br> + telling you it was ten o'clock by the sun.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: So you did, if I could but have kept<br> + it in mind. What at all ails him that he does not<br> + come in to the breakfast?</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: He went out last night and the full moon<br> + shining. It is likely he passed the whole night<br> + abroad, drowsing or rummaging, whatever he does<br> + be looking for in the rath.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I'm in dread he'll go crazy with digging<br> + in it.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: He was crazy with crossness before that.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: If he is it's on account of his learning.<br> + Them that have too much of it are seven times<br> + crosser than them that never saw a book.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: It is better to be tied to any thorny bush<br> + than to be with a cross man. He to know the<br> + seventy-two languages he couldn't be more crabbed<br> + than what he is.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It is natural to people do be so clever<br> + to be fiery a little, and not have a long patience.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: It's a pity he wouldn't stop in that<br> + school he had down in the North, and not to come<br> + back here in the latter end of life.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, he was maybe tired with enlightening<br> + his scholars and he took a notion to acquaint<br> + ourselves with knowledge and learning. I was<br> + trying to reckon a while ago the number of the<br> + years he was away, according to the buttons of my<br> + gown (<i>fingers bodice</i>), but they went astray on me<br> + at the gathers of the neck.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: If the hour would come he'd go out of<br> + this, I'd sing, I'd play on all the melodeons that<br> + ever was known! (<i>Sings</i>.) (<i>Air, "Shule + Aroon</i>.")</p>"I would not wish him any ill,<br> + But were he swept to some far hill<br> + It's then I'd laugh and laugh my fill,<br> + Coo, Coo, my birdeen bán astore.<br> + <br> + "I wish I was a linnet free<br> + To rock and rustle on the tree<br> + With none to haste or hustle me,<br> + Coo, Coo, my birdeen bán astore!"<br> + + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Did you make ready now what will<br> + please him for his breakfast?</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Laughing</i>.) I'm doing every whole<br> + thing, but you know well to please him is not<br> + possible.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It is going astray on me what sort of<br> + egg best suits him, a pullet's egg or the egg of a<br> + duck.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: I'd go search out if it would satisfy him<br> + the egg of an eagle having eyes as big as the moon,<br> + and feathers of pure gold.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Look out again would you see him.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Sitting up reluctantly</i>.) I wonder + will<br> + the rosy ribbon or the pale put the best appearance<br> + on my party dress to-night? (<i>Looks out</i>.) He is<br> + coming down the path from the rath, and he having<br> + his little old book in his hand, that he gives out<br> + fell down before him from the skies.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: So there is a little book, whatever<br> + language he does be wording out of it.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: If you listen you'll hear it now, or hear<br> + his own talk, for he's mouthing and muttering as<br> + he travels the path.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Comes in: the book in his hand open,<br> + he is not looking at it</i>.) "Life is the flame of the<br> + heart ...that heat is of the nature of the stars." ...It<br> + is Aristotle had knowledge to turn that<br> + flame here and there.... What way now did he<br> + do that?</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, I'm well pleased to see you coming<br> + in, Conan. I was getting uneasy thinking you<br> + were gone astray on us.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Dropping his book and picking it up<br> + again</i>.) I never knew the like of you, Maryanne,<br> + under the canopy of heaven. To be questioning<br> + me with your talk, and I striving to keep my mind<br> + upon all the wisdom of the ancient world. (<i>Sits<br> + down beside fire</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: So you would be too. It is well able<br> + you are to do that.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>To Celia</i>.) Have you e'er a meal to<br> + leave down to me?</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: It will be ready within three minutes of<br> + time.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Wasting the morning on me! What<br> + good are you if you cannot so much as boil the<br> + breakfast? Hurry on now.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Ah, hurry didn't save the hare. (<i>Sings<br> + ironically as she prepares breakfast</i>.) (<i>Air, "Mo<br> + Bhuachailin Buidhe</i>.")</p>"Come in the evening or come in + the morning,<br> + Come when you're looked for or come without warning;<br> + Kisses and welcome you'll find here before you<br> + And the oftner you come here the more I'll adore you."<br> + + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Give me up the tea-pot.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Best leave it on the coals awhile.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Give me up those eggs so. (<i>Seizes + them</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: You can take the tea-pot too if you are<br> + calling for it. (<i>Goes on singing mischievously as<br> + she turns a cake</i>.)</p>"I'll pull you sweet flowers to wear + if you'll choose them,<br> + Or after you've kissed them they'll lie on my bosom."<br> + + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Breaking eggs</i>.) They're raw and<br> + running!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: There's no one can say which is best,<br> + hurry or delay.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: You had them boiled in cold water!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: That's where you're wrong.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: The young people that's in the world<br> + now, if you had book truth they wouldn't believe<br> + it. (<i>Flings eggs into the fire and pours out tea</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I hope now that is pleasing to you?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Threatening Celia with spoon</i>.) My<br> + seven curses on yourself and your fair-haired tea.<br> + (<i>Puts back tea-pot</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Laughing</i>.) It was hurry left it so + weak<br> + on you!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, don't be putting reproaches on<br> + him. Crossness is a thing born with us. It do run<br> + in the blood. Strive now to let him have a quiet life.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I am not asking a quiet life! But to<br> + come live with your own family you might as well<br> + take your coffin on your back!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Sings</i>.)</p>"We'll look on the stars + and we'll list to the river<br> + 'Till you ask of your darling what gift you can give her."<br> + + + <p><i>Conan</i>: That girl is a disgrace sitting on the<br> + floor the way she is! If I had her for a while I'd<br> + put betterment on her. No one that was under<br> + me ever grew slack!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: <i>You</i> would never be satisfied and + you<br> + to see me working from dark to dark as hard as a<br> + pismire in the tufts.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Leave her now, she's a quiet little girl<br> + and comely.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Comely! I'd sooner her to be like the<br> + ugliest sod of turf that is pockmarked in the bog,<br> + and a handy housekeeper, and her pigeon doing<br> + something for the world if it was but scaring its<br> + comrades on a stick in a barley garden!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Ah, do you hear him! (<i>Stroking + pigeon</i>.)<br> + (<i>Sings</i>.)</p>"But when your friend is forced to flee<br> + You'll spread your white wings on the sea<br> + And fly and follow after me—<br> + Go-dé tu Mavourneen slân!"<br> + + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I wonder you to be going into the rath<br> + the way you do, Conan. It is a very haunted place.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Don't be bothering me. I have my<br> + reason for that.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I often heard there is many a one lost<br> + his wits in it.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It's likely they hadn't much to lose.<br> + Without the education anyone is no good.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, indeed you were always a tip-top<br> + scholar. I didn't ever know how good you were<br> + till I had my memory lost.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Indeed, it is a strange thing any wits<br> + at all to be found in <i>this</i> family.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, sure we are as is allotted to us at<br> + the time God made the world.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Now <i>I</i> to make the world—</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: You are not saying you would make a<br> + better hand of it?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I am certain sure I could.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, don't be talking that way!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I'd make changes you'd wonder at.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: It's likely you'd make the world in one<br> + day in place of six.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It's best make changes little by little<br> + the same as you'd put clothes upon a growing<br> + child, and to knock every day out of what God<br> + will give you, and to live as long as we can, and<br> + die when we can't help it.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: And the first thing I'd do would be to<br> + give you back your memory and your sense. <i>(Sings.)<br> + (Air, "The Bells of Shandon.")</i></p>"My brain grows rusty, my + mind is dusty,<br> + The time I'm dwelling with the likes of ye,<br> + While my spirit ranges through all the changes<br> + Could turn the world to felicity!<br> + When Aristotle..."<br> + + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It is like a dream to me I heard that<br> + name. Aristotle of the books.</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Eagerly.)</i> What did you hear about him?</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I don't know was it about him or was<br> + it some other one. My memory to be as good as<br> + it is bad I might maybe bring it to mind.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Hurry on now and remember!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, it's hard remember anything and<br> + the weather so uncertain as what it is.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Is it of late you heard it?</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It was maybe ere yesterday or some<br> + day of the sort; I don't know. Since the age<br> + tampered with me the thing I'd hear to-day I<br> + wouldn't think of to-morrow.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Try now and tell me was it that<br> + Aristotle, the time he walked Ireland, had come to<br> + this place.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It might be that, unless it might be<br> + some other thing.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: And that he left some great treasure<br> + hid—it might be in the rath without.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: And what good would it do you a pot of<br> + gold to be hid in the rath where you would never<br> + come near to it, it being guarded by enchanted<br> + cats and they having fiery eyes?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Did I say anything about a pot of<br> + gold? This was better again than gold. This<br> + was an enchantment would raise you up if you<br> + were gasping from death. Give attention now ...<br> + Aristotle.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It's Harry he used to be called.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Listen now. <i>(Sings.) (Air, "Bells of<br> + Shandon.")</i></p> + + <p>"Once Aristotle hid in a bottle<br> + Or some other vessel of security<br> + A spell had power bring sweet from sour<br> + Or bring blossoms blooming on the blasted tree."</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: (<i>Repeating last line</i>.) "Or bring + blossoms<br> + blooming on the blasted tree."</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Is that now what you heard ...that<br> + Aristotle has hid some secret spell?</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I won't say what I don't know. My<br> + memory is too weak for me to be telling lies.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: You could strengthen it if you took it<br> + in hand, putting a knot in the corner of your shawl<br> + to keep such and such a thing in mind.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: If I did I should put another knot in<br> + the other corner to remember what was the first<br> + one for.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: You'd remember it well enough if it<br> + was a pound of tea!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, maybe it's best be as I am and not<br> + to be running carrying lies here and there, putting<br> + trouble on people's mind.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Isn't it terrible to be seeing all this<br> + folly around me and not to have a way to<br> + better it!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, dear, it's best leave the time under<br> + the mercy of the Man that is over us all.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Jumping up furious</i>.) Where's the<br> + use of old people being in the world at all if they<br> + cannot keep a memory of things gone by! (<i>Sings</i>.)<br> + (<i>Air, "O the time I've lost in wooing</i>.")</p>"O the time + I've lost pursuing<br> + And feeling nothing doing,<br> + The lure that led me from my bed<br> + Has left me sad and rueing!<br> + Success seemed very near me!<br> + High hope was there to cheer me!<br> + I asked my book where would I look<br> + And all it did was fleer me!"<br> + + + <p><i>Mother</i>: What is it ails you?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: That secret to be in the world, and I<br> + all to have laid my hand on it, and it to have gone<br> + astray on me!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: So it would go too.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: A secret that could change the world!<br> + I'd make it as good a world to live in as it was in<br> + the time of the Greeks. I don't see much goodness<br> + in the trace of the people in it now. To<br> + change everything to its contrary the way the<br> + book said it would! There would be great satisfaction<br> + doing that. Was there ever in the world<br> + a family was so little use to a man? (<i>Sings in<br> + dejection</i>.) (<i>Air, "My Molly O."</i>)</p>"There is a rose + in Ireland, I thought it would be mine<br> + But now that it is hid from me I must forever pine.<br> + Till death shall come and comfort me for to the grave I'll + go<br> + And all for the sake of Aristotle's secret O!"<br> + + + <p><i>Celia</i>: I wonder you wouldn't ask Timothy<br> + that is older again than what my mother is.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Timothy! He has the hearing lost.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Well there is no harm to try him.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Going to door</i>.) Timothy!... There,<br> + he's as deaf as a beetle.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It might be best for him. The thing<br> + the ear will not hear will not put trouble on the<br> + heart.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Who has gone out comes pushing him + in</i>.)<br> + Here he is now for you.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Did ever you hear of Aristotle?</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: Aye?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Aristotle!</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: Ere a bottle? I might ...</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Aristotle.... That had some power?</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: I never seen no flower.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Something he hid near this place.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: I never went near no race.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Has the whole world its mind made up<br> + to annoy me!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Raise your voice into his ear.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Chanting</i>.)</p>"Aristotle in the + hour<br> + He left Ireland left a power<br> + In a gift Eolus gave<br> + Could all Ireland change and save!"<br> + + + <p><i>Timothy:</i> Would it now?</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> You said you had heard of a bottle.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy:</i> A charmed bottle. It is Biddy Early<br> + put a cure in it and bestowed it in her will to her son.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Aristotle that left one in the same way.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy:</i> It is what I am thinking that my old<br> + generations used to be talking about a bellows.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> A bellows! There's no sense in that!</p> + + <p><i>Timothy:</i> Have it your own way so, and give<br> + me leave to go feeding the little chickens and the<br> + hens, for if I cannot hear what they say and they<br> + cannot understand what I say, they put no reproach<br> + on me after, no more than I would put<br> + it on themselves. (<i>Goes</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> Let you be satisfied now and not torment<br> + yourself, for if you got the world wide you<br> + couldn't discover it. You might as well think to<br> + throw your hat to hit the stars.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> You have me tormented among the<br> + whole of ye. To be without ye would be no harm<br> + at all. (<i>Sits down and weeps</i>.) Of all the families<br> + anyone would wish to live away from I am full<br> + sure my family is the worst.</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> Ah, dear, you're worn out and contrary<br> + with the want of sleep. Come now into the<br> + room and stretch yourself on the bed. To go<br> + sleeping out in the grass has no right rest in it at<br> + all! (<i>Takes his arm</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Where's the use of lying on my bed<br> + where it is convenient to the yard, that I'd be<br> + afflicted by the turkeys yelping and the pullets<br> + praising themselves after laying an egg! and the<br> + cackling and hissing of the geese.</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> Lie down so on the settle, and I'll let<br> + no one disturb you. You're destroyed, avic, with<br> + the want of sleep.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> There'll be no peace in this kitchen no<br> + more than on the common highway with the<br> + people running in and out.</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> I'll go sit in the little gap without, + and<br> + the whole place will be as quiet as St. Colman's<br> + wilderness of stones.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> The boards are too hard.</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> I'll put a pillow in under you.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Now it's too narrow. Leave me now<br> + it'll be best.</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> Sleep and good dreams to you. (<i>Goes<br> + singing sleepy song</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> The most troublesome family ever I<br> + knew in all my born days! Why is that people<br> + cannot have behaviour now the same as in ancient<br> + Greece. (<i>Sits up</i>.) I'll not give them the + satisfaction<br> + of going asleep. I'll drink a sup of the<br> + tea that is black with standing and with strength.<br> + (<i>Drinks and lies down</i>.) I'll engage that'll keep<br> + me waking. (<i>Music heard</i>.) Is it to annoy me<br> + they are playing tunes of music? I'll let on to be<br> + asleep! (<i>Shuts eyes</i>.)</p> + + <p>(<i>Two large Cats with fiery eyes look over top<br> + of settle</i>.)</p><i>1st Cat:</i><br> + See the fool that crossed our path<br> + Rummaging within the rath.<br> + <br> + Coveting a spell is bound<br> + Agelong in our haunted ground.<br> + <br> + Hid that none disturb its peace<br> + By a Druid out from Greece.<br> + <br> + Spies and robbers have no call<br> + Rooting in our ancient wall.<br> + <br> + Man or mortal what is he<br> + Matched against the mighty Sidhe?<br> + <br> + <i>2nd Cat</i>:<br> + Bid our riders of the night<br> + Daze and craze him with affright,<br> + <br> + Leave him fainting and forlorn<br> + Hanging on the moon's young horn.<br> + <br> + Let the death-bands turn him pale<br> + Through the venom of our tail.<br> + <br> + Let him learn to love our law<br> + With the sharpness of our claw.<br> + <br> + Let our King-cat's fiery flash<br> + Turn him to a heap of ash.<br> + <br> + <i>1st Cat</i>:<br> + Punishment enough he'll find<br> + In his cross and cranky mind.<br> + <br> + Ha, ha, ha, and ho, ho, ho,<br> + He'd a sharper penance know,<br> + <br> + We'd have better sport to-day<br> + If he got his will and way,<br> + <br> + Found the spell that lies unknown<br> + Underneath his own hearthstone.<br> + + + <p>(<i>They disappear saying together</i>:)</p>Men and mortals + what are ye<br> + Matched against the mighty Sidhe?<br> + + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Looking out timidly</i>.) Are they + gone?<br> + Here, Puss, puss! Come hither now poor Puss!<br> + They're not in it.... Here now! here's milk<br> + for ye. And a drop of cream.... (<i>Gets up,<br> + peeps under settle and around</i>.) They are gone!<br> + And that they may never come back! I wouldn't<br> + wish to be brought riding a thorny bush in the night<br> + time into the cold that is behind the sun! What<br> + now did they say? Or is it dreaming I was? Oh,<br> + it was not! They spoke clear and plain. The<br> + hidden spell that I was seeking, they said it to be<br> + in the hiding hole under the hearth. (<i>Pokes,<br> + sneezes</i>.) Bad cess to Celia leaving that much<br> + ashes to be choking me. Well, the luck has come<br> + to me at last!</p> + + <p>(<i>Sings as he searches</i>.)</p>"Proudly the note of the + trumpet is sounding,<br> + Loudly the war cries rise on the gale;<br> + Fleetly the steed by Lough Swilly is bounding<br> + To join the thick squadrons in Saimear's green vale.<br> + On every mountaineer, strangers to flight and fear;<br> + Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh<br> + Bonnaught and gallowglass, throng from each mountain pass.<br> + On for old Erin, O'Donnall Abu."<br> + + + <p>(<i>Pokes at hearthstone</i>.) Sure enough, it's<br> + loose! It's moving! Wait till I'll get<br> + a wedge under it!</p> + + <p>(<i>Takes fork from table</i>.) It's coming!</p> + + <p>(<i>Door suddenly opens and he drops fork and<br> + springs back</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: (<i>Coming in with Rock and + Flannery</i>.)<br> + Here now, come in the two of ye. Here now, Conan,<br> + is two of the neighbours, James Rock of Lis Crohan<br> + and Fardy Flannery the rambling herd, that are<br> + come to get a light for the pipe and they walking<br> + the road from the Fair.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: That's the way you make a fool of me<br> + promising me peace and quiet for to sleep!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, so I believe I did. But it slipped<br> + away from me, and I listening to the blackbird on<br> + the bush.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>To Rock</i>.) I wonder, James Rock,<br> + that you wouldn't have on you so much as a halfpenny<br> + box of matches!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: (<i>Trying to get to hearth</i>.) So I have<br> + matches. But why would I spend one when I can<br> + get for nothing a light from a sod?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Sure, I could give you a match I<br> + have this long time, waiting till I'll get as much<br> + tobacco as will fill a pipe.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It's the poor man does be generous.<br> + It's gone from my mind, Fardy, what was it<br> + brought you to be a servant of poverty?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Since the day I lost on the road my<br> + forty pound that I had to stock my little farm of<br> + land, all has wore away from me and left me bare<br> + owning nothing unless daylight and the run of<br> + water. It was that put me on the Shaughrann.</p> + + <p>(<i>Sings "The Bard of Armagh."</i>)</p>"Oh, list to the lay + of a poor Irish harper,<br> + And scorn not the strains of his old withered hand,<br> + But remember the fingers could once move sharper<br> + To raise the merry strains of his dear native land;<br> + It was long before the shamrock our dear isle's loved + emblem.<br> + Was crushed in its beauty 'neath the Saxon Lion's paw<br> + I was called by the colleens of the village and valley<br> + Bold Phelim Brady, the bard of Armagh."<br> + + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Bad management! Look what I brought<br> + from the Fair through minding my own property<br> + —£20 for a milch cow, and thirty for a score of<br> + lambs!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: £20 for a cow! Isn't that terrible<br> + money!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Let you whist now! You are putting<br> + a headache on me with all your little newses and<br> + country chat!</p> + + <p>(<i>Mother goes, the others are following</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: (<i>Turning from door</i>.) It might be + better<br> + for yourself, Conan Creevey, if you had minded<br> + business would bring profit to your hand in place<br> + of your foreign learning, that never put a penny<br> + piece in anyone's pocket that ever I heard. No<br> + earthly profit unless to addle the brain and leave<br> + the pocket empty.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: You think yourself a great sort! Let<br> + me tell you that my learning has power to do more<br> + than that!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It's an empty mouth that has big talk.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: What would you say hearing I had<br> + power put in my hand that could change the entire<br> + world? And that's what you never will have power<br> + to do.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: What power is that?</p><i>Conan</i>:<br> + Aristotle in the hour<br> + He left Ireland left a power....<br> + + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Foolishness! I never would believe in<br> + poetry or in dreams or images, but in ready money<br> + down. (<i>Jingles bag</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I tell you you'll see me getting the<br> + victory over all Ireland!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: You have but a cracked headpiece thinking<br> + that will come to you.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I tell you it will! No end at all in the<br> + world to what I am about to bring in!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It's easy praise yourself!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: And so I am praising myself, and so will<br> + you all be praising me when you will see all that<br> + I will do!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It is what I think you got demented in<br> + the head and in the mind.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It is soon the wheel will be turned and<br> + the whole of the nation will be changed for the<br> + best. (<i>Sings</i>.)</p>"Dear Harp of my country, in darkness + I found thee,<br> + The cold chain of silence had hung o'er thee long,<br> + When proudly, my own Irish Harp, I unbound thee,<br> + And gave all thy chords to light, freedom and song,<br> + The warm lay of love and the light note of gladness<br> + Have waken'd thy fondest, thy liveliest thrill;<br> + But so oft hast thou echo'd the deep sigh of sadness,<br> + That ev'n in thy mirth it will steal from thee still."<br> + + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: That's a great thought, if it is but a<br> + vanity or a dream.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: (<i>Sneeringly</i>.) Well now and what + would<br> + <i>you</i> do?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: I would wish a great lake of milk,<br> + the same as blessed St. Bridget, to be sharing with<br> + the family of Heaven. I would wish vessels full<br> + of alms that would save every sorrowful man. Do<br> + that now, Conan, and you'll have the world of<br> + prayers down on you!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It's what I'd do, to turn the whole of<br> + Galway Bay to dry land, and I to have it for myself,<br> + the red land, the green land, the fallow and the<br> + lea! The want of land is a great stoppage to a man<br> + having means to lay out in stock.</p> + + <p>(<i>Sings</i>.) (<i>Air, "I wish I had the shepherd's + lamb."</i>)</p>"I wish I had both mill and kiln,<br> + I wish I had of land my fill;<br> + I wish I had both mill and kiln,<br> + And all would follow after!"<br> + + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Ah, the land, the land, the rotten<br> + land, and what will you have in the end but the<br> + breadth of your back of it? Let you now soften<br> + the heart in that one (<i>points to Rock</i>) till he would<br> + restore to me the thing he is aware of.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It was not for that the spell was<br> + promised, to be changing a few neighbours or a<br> + thing of the kind, or to be doing wonders in this<br> + broken little place. A town of dead factions! To<br> + change any of the dwellers in this place would be<br> + to make it better, for it would be impossible to<br> + make it worse. The time you wouldn't be meddling<br> + with them you wouldn't know them to be<br> + bad, but the time you'd have to do business with<br> + them that's the time you'd know it!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: I suppose it is what you are asking to<br> + do, to make yourself rich?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I do not! I would be loth take any<br> + profit, and Aristotle after laying down that <i>to</i><br> + pleasure or <i>to</i> profit every wealthy man is a slave!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: What would you do, so?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I will change all into the similitude of<br> + ancient Greece! There is no man at all can understand<br> + argument but it is from Greece he is. I know<br> + well what I'm doing. I'm not like a potato having<br> + eyes this way and that. People were harmless<br> + long ago and why wouldn't they be made harmless<br> + again? Aristotle said, "Fair play is more<br> + beautiful than the morning and the evening star!"</p> + + <p>"Be friendly with one another," he said, "and<br> + let the lawyers starve!" I'll turn the captains of<br> + soldiers to be as peaceable as children picking<br> + strawberries in the grass. I've a mind to change<br> + the tongue of the people to the language of the<br> + Greeks, that no farmer will be grumbling over a<br> + halfpenny Independent, but be following the plough<br> + in full content, giving out Homer and the praises<br> + of the ancient world!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: If you make the farmers content you<br> + will make the world content.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: You will, when you'll bring the sun from<br> + Greece to ripen our little lock of oats!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: So I will drag Ireland from its moorings<br> + till I'll bring it to the middling sea that has no ebb<br> + or flood!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: You will do well to put a change on the<br> + college that harboured you, and that left you so<br> + much of folly.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I'll do that! I'll be in College Green<br> + before the dawn is white—no but before the night<br> + is grey! It is to Dublin I will bring my spell, for<br> + I ever and always heard it said what Dublin will<br> + do to-day Ireland will do to-morrow! (<i>Sings</i>.)</p>"Let + Erin remember the days of old<br> + Ere her faithless sons betrayed her—<br> + When Malachy wore the collar of gold<br> + Which he won from her proud invader—<br> + When her kings with standards of green unfurl'd,<br> + Led the Red-Branch knights to danger;<br> + Ere the emerald gem of the western world<br> + Was set in the crown of a stranger."<br> + + + <p><i>Rock</i>: And maybe you'll tell us now by what<br> + means you will do all this?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Go out of the house and I will tell you<br> + in the by and bye.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: That is what I was thinking. You are<br> + talking nothing but lies.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I tell you that power is not far from<br> + where you stand! But I will let no one see it only<br> + myself.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: There might be some truth in it.<br> + There are some say enchantments never went out<br> + of Ireland.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It is a spell, I say, that will change<br> + anything to its contrary. To turn it upon a snail,<br> + there is hardly a greyhound but it would overtake;<br> + but a hare it would turn to be the slowest thing in<br> + the universe; too slow to go to a funeral.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: I'll believe it when I'll see it.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: You could see it if I let you look in<br> + this hiding-hole.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Good-morrow to you!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Then you will see it, for I'll raise up<br> + the stone. (<i>Kneels</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It to be anything it is likely a pot of<br> + sovereigns.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: It might be the harp of Angus.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: I see no trace of it.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: There is something hard! It should<br> + likely be a silver trumpet or a hunting-horn of gold!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Give me a hold of it.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Leave go! (<i>Lifts out bellows</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Ha! Ha! Ha! after all your chat, nothing<br> + but a little old bellows!...</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: There is seven rings on it.... They<br> + should signify the seven blasts....</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: If there was seventy times seven what<br> + use would it be but to redden the coals?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Every one of these blasts has power to<br> + make some change.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Make one so, and I'll plough the world<br> + for you.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Is it that I would spend one of my<br> + seven blasts convincing the like of ye?</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It is likely the case there is no power in<br> + it at all.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I'm very sure there is surely. The world<br> + will be a new world before to-morrow's Angelus bell.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: I never could believe in a bellows.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Here now is a fair offer. I'll loan you<br> + this bag of notes to pay your charges to Dublin if<br> + you will change that little pigeon in the crib into a<br> + crow.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I will do no such folly.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: You wouldn't because you'd be afeared<br> + to try.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Hold it up to me. I'll show you am<br> + I afeared!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: There it is now. (<i>Holds up cage</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Have a care! (<i>Blows</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: (<i>Dropping it with a shriek</i>.) It has + me<br> + bit with its hard beak, it is turned to be an old<br> + black crow.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: As black as the bottom of the pot.</p> + + <p><i>Crow</i>: Caw! Caw! Caw!</p> + + <p>(<i>Cats reappear and look over back of settle</i>.)</p> + + <p>(<i>Music from behind</i>.) ("<i>O'Donnall Abu</i>.")</p> + + <p>CURTAIN</p> + + <p>ACT II</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT II</h2><br> + + + <p><i>Conan alone holding up bellows, + singing</i>:</p><i>Conan:</i><br> + "And doth not a meeting like this make amends<br> + For all the long years I've been wandering away<br> + Deceived for a moment it's now in my hands—<br> + breathe the fresh air of life's morning again!"<br> + + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Comes in having listened amused at<br> + door; claps hands</i>.) Very good! It is you yourself<br> + should be going to the dance house to-night in<br> + place of myself. It is long since I heard you rise<br> + so happy a tune!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Putting bellows behind him</i>.) What<br> + brings you here? Is there no work for you out in<br> + the garden—the cabbages to be cutting for the<br> + cow....</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: I wouldn't wish to roughen my hands<br> + before evening. Music there will be for the dancing!</p> + + <p>(<i>She lilts Miss McLeod's Reel</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Let you go ready yourself for it so.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Is it at this time of the day? You<br> + should be forgetting the hours of the clock the<br> + same as the poor mother.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It is a strange thing since I came to<br> + this house I never can get one minute's ease and<br> + quiet to myself.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: It was hearing you singing brought me in.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> I'd sooner have you without! Be<br> + going now.</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> I will and welcome. It is to bring out<br> + my little pigeon I will, where there is a few grains<br> + of barley fell from a car going the road.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Hurry on so!</p> + + <p><i>Celia: (Taking up cage.)</i> He is not in his crib.<br> + <i>(Looking here and there.)</i> Where now can he<br> + have gone?</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> He should have gone out the door.</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> He did not. He could not have come<br> + out unknown to me. Coo, coo,—coo—coo.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Never mind him now. You are putting<br> + my mind astray with your Coo, coo—</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> He might be in under the settle.<br> + <i>(Stoops.)</i> Where are you, my little bird. <i>(Sings.)<br> + (Air, "Shule Aroon</i>.")</p>"But now my love has gone to + France<br> + His own fair fortune to advance;<br> + If he comes back again 'tis but a chance;<br> + Os go dé tu Mavourneen slân!"<br> + + + <p><i>Conan: (Putting her away.)</i> What way would<br> + he be in it? Let you put a stop to that humming.<br> + <i>(Seizes her.)</i> Come here to the light ...is it<br> + you sewed this button on my coat?</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> It was not. It is likely it was some<br> + tailor down in the North.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> It is getting loose on the sleeve.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Ah, it will last a good while yet. Coo, + coo!</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Getting before her.)</i> It would be no<br> + great load on you to get a needle and put a stitch<br> + would tighten it.</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> I'll do it in the by and bye. There, I<br> + twisted the thread around it. That'll hold good<br> + enough for a while.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> "Anything worth doing at all is worth<br> + doing well."</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> Aren't you getting very dainty in your<br> + dress?</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Any man would like to have a decent<br> + appearance on his suit.</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> Isn't it the same to-day as it was<br> + yesterday?</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Have you ne'er a needle?</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> I don't know where is it gone.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> You haven't a stim of sense. Can't<br> + you keep in mind "Everything in its right place."</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> Sure, there's no hurry—the day is + long.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Anything has to be done, the quickest<br> + to do it is the best.</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> I'm not working by the hour or the day.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Look now at Penelope of the Greeks,<br> + and all her riches, and her man not at hand to urge<br> + her, how well she sat at the loom from morn till<br> + night till she'd have the makings of a suit of frieze.</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> Ah, that was in the ancient days, when<br> + you wouldn't buy it made and ready in the shops.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Will you so much as go to find a towel<br> + would take the dust off of the panes of glass?</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> I wonder at you craving to disturb the<br> + spider and it after making its web.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Well, go sit idle outside. I wouldn't<br> + wish to be looking at you! Aristotle that said a<br> + lazy body is all one with a lazy mind. You'll be<br> + begging your bread through the world's streets<br> + before your poll will be grey.</p> + + <p>(<i>Sings</i>.)</p>"You'll dye your petticoat, you'll dye it + red,<br> + And through the world you'll beg your bread;<br> + And you not hearkening to e'er a word I said,<br> + It's then you'll know it to be true!"<br> + + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Sings</i>.)</p>"Come here my little + birdeen! Coo!"<br> + + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Putting his hand on her mouth</i>.) Be<br> + going out now in place of calling that bird that is<br> + as lazy and as useless as yourself.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: My little dove! Where are you at all!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: A cat to have ate it would be no great<br> + loss!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Did you yourself do away with him?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I did not.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Wildly breaking free throws herself + down</i>.)<br> + There is no place for him to be only in under<br> + the settle!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: (<i>Dragging at her</i>.) It is not there.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Who has put in her hand</i>.) O what + is<br> + that? It has hurt me!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: A nail sticking up out of the floor.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Jumping up with a cry</i>.) It's a + crow!<br> + A great big wicked black crow!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: If it is let you leave it there.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Weeping</i>.) I'm certain sure it has + my<br> + pigeon killed and ate!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: To be so doleful after a pigeon! You<br> + haven't a stim of sense!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: It was you gave it leave to do that!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Stop your whimpering and blubbering!<br> + What way can I settle the world and I being<br> + harassed and hampered with such a contrary class!<br> + I give you my word I have a mind to change<br> + myself into a ravenous beast will kill and devour ye<br> + all! That much would be no sin when it would be<br> + according to my nature. (<i>Sings or chants</i>.)</p>"On + Clontarf he like a lion fell,<br> + Thousands plunged in their own gore;<br> + I to be such a lion now<br> + I'd ask for nothing more!"<br> + + + <p><i>Celia: (Sitting down miserable</i>.) You are a very<br> + wicked man!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Get up out of that or I'll make you!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: I will not! I'm certain you did this<br> + cruel thing!</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Taking up bellows</i>.) I'd hardly begrudge<br> + one of my six blasts to be quit of your slowness<br> + and your sluggish ways! Rise up now before<br> + I'll make you that you'll want shoes that will never<br> + wear out, you being ever on the trot and on the<br> + run from morning to the fall of night! Start up<br> + now! I'm on the bounds of doing it!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: What are you raving about?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: To get quit of you I cannot, but to<br> + change your nature I might! I give you warning<br> + ...one, two, three!</p> + + <p><i>(Blows.) (Sings: "With a chirrup.") (Air,<br> + "Garryowen.")</i></p>"Let you rise and go light like a bird of + the air<br> + That goes high in its flight ever seeking its share;<br> + Let you never go easy or pine for a rest<br> + Till you'll be a world's wonder and work with the best!<br> + <br> + With a chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup,<br> + A chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup,<br> + A chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup,<br> + A chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup!"<br> + + + <p><i>Celia</i>: (<i>Staring and standing up</i>.) What is<br> + that? Is it the wind or is it a wisp of flame that<br> + is going athrough my bones!</p> + + <p>(<i>Rock and Flannery come in</i>.)</p> + + <p>(<i>Celia rushes out</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: (<i>Out of breath</i>.) We went looking for + a<br> + car to bring you to the train!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: There was not one to be found.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: But those that are too costly!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Till we went to the Doctor of the<br> + Union.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: For to ask a lift for you on the + ambulance....</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: But when he heard what we had to<br> + tell—</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: He said he would bring you and glad<br> + to do it on his own car, and no need to hansel<br> + him.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: And welcome, if it was as far as the<br> + grave!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: All he is sorry for he hasn't a horse that<br> + would rise you up through the sky—</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Let him give me the lift so—it will + be<br> + a help to me. It wasn't only with his own hand<br> + Alexander won the world!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Unless you might give him, he was<br> + saying, a blast of the bellows, that would change<br> + his dispensary into a racing stable, and all that<br> + come to be cured into jockeys and into grooms!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: What chatterers ye are! I gave ye no<br> + leave to speak of that.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Ah, it costs nothing to be giving out<br> + newses.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: The world and all will be coming to<br> + the door to throw up their hats for you, and you<br> + making your start, cars and ass cars, jennets and<br> + traps. <i>(Sings.)</i></p>"O Bay of Dublin, how my heart your + troublin',<br> + Your beauty haunts me like a fever dream;<br> + Like frozen fountains that the sun set bubblin'<br> + My heart's blood warms when I but hear your name!"<br> + + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It's my death I'll come to in Dublin.<br> + That news to get there ahead of me I'll be pressed<br> + in the throng as thin as a griddle.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: So you might be, too. All I have<br> + that might protect you I offer free, and that's this<br> + good umbrella that was given to me in a rainstorm<br> + by a priest. <i>(Holds it out.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: And what do you say to me giving you<br> + the loan of your charges for the road?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Come in here, Maryanne! and give a<br> + glass to these honest men till they'll wish me good<br> + luck upon my journey, as it's much I'll need it,<br> + with the weight of all I have to do.</p> + + <p><i>Mother: (Coming in.)</i> So I will, so I will and<br> + welcome ...but that I disremember where did<br> + I put the key of the chest.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I'll engage you do! There it is before<br> + you in the lock since ere yesterday. <i>(Mother puts<br> + bottle and glasses on table.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Flannery: (Lifting glass.)</i> That you may bring<br> + great good to Ireland and to the world!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Here's your good health!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I'm obliged to you!</p> + + <p><i>Rock and Flannery: (Sing.) (Air, "The Cruiskeen<br> + lán.")</i></p>"Gramachree ma cruiskeen Slainte geal + mavourneen,<br> + Gramachree a cool-in bawn, bawn, bawn, + bân-bán-bán,<br> + Oh, Gra-ma-chree a cool-in bawn."<br> + + + <p><i>(They nod as they finish and take out their<br> + pipes and sit down. A banging is heard.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: What disturbance is that?</p> + + <p><i>(Celia comes in, her hair screwed up tight,<br> + skirt tucked up, is carrying a pail,<br> + brush, cloth, etc., lets them drop and<br> + proceeds to fasten up skirt.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, Celia, what is on you? I never<br> + saw you that way before.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Ha! Very good! I think that you will<br> + say there is a great change come upon her, and a<br> + right change.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Look now at the floor the way it is.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I see no other way but the way it is<br> + always.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: There's a bit of soot after falling down<br> + the chimney. <i>(Picks up tongs.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> Ah, leave it now, dear, a while.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Anything has to be done, the quickest<br> + way to do it is the best. <i>(Having taken up soot,<br> + flings down tongs.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Listen to that! Now am I able to<br> + work wonders?</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It is that you have spent on her a blast?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: If I did it was well spent.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: I'm in dread you have been robbing<br> + the poor.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It is myself you have robbed doing that.<br> + You have no call to be using those blasts for your<br> + own profit!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I have every right to bring order in<br> + my own dwelling before I can do any other thing!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: All the dust of the world's roads is<br> + gathered in this kitchen. The whole place ate<br> + with filth and dirt.</p> + + <p><i>(Begins to sweep.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Ah, you needn't hardly go as far as that.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Anything that is worth doing is worth<br> + doing well. <i>(To Rock.)</i> Look now at the marks<br> + of your boots upon the ground. Get up out of<br> + that till I'll bustle it with the broom!</p> + + <p><i>Rock: (Getting up.)</i> There is a change indeed<br> + and a queer change. Where she used to be singing<br> + she is screeching the same as a slate where you'd<br> + be casting sums!</p> + + <p><i>Celia: (To Flannery.)</i> What's that I see in<br> + under your chair? Rise up. <i>(He gets up.)</i> It's<br> + a pin! <i>(Sticks it in her dress.)</i> Everything in its<br> + right place! <i>(Goes on flicking at the furniture.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Leave now knocking the furniture to<br> + flitters.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: I will not, till I'll free it from the + dust<br> + and dander of the year.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: That'll do now. I see no dust.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: You'll see it presently. <i>(Sweeps up a + cloud.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Let you speak to her, Conan.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Leave now buzzing and banging about<br> + the room the same as a fly without a head!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Never put off till to-morrow what you<br> + can do to-day.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I tell you I have things to settle and<br> + to say before the car will come that is to bring me<br> + on my road to Dublin.</p> + + <p><i>Celia: (Stopping short.)</i> Is it that you are going<br> + to Dublin?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I am, and within the hour.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Pull off those boots from your feet!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I will not! Let you leave my boots<br> + alone!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: You are not going out of the house with<br> + that slovenly appearance on you! To have it said<br> + out in Dublin that you are a class of man never has<br> + clean boots but of a Sunday!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: They'll do well enough without you<br> + meddling!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Clean them yourself so! <i>(Gives him a<br> + rag and blacking and goes on dusting.)</i></p> + + <p><i>(Sings.) (Air, "City of Sligo.")</i></p>"We may tramp the + earth<br> + For all that we're worth,<br> + But what odds where you and I go,<br> + We never shall meet<br> + A spot so sweet<br> + As the beautiful city of Sligo."<br> + + + <p><i>Conan</i>: What ailed me that I didn't leave her<br> + as she was before.</p> + + <p><i>Celia: (Stopping work.)</i> What way are they now?</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Having cleaned his boots, putting them<br> + on hurriedly.)</i> They're very good. <i>(Wipes his brow,<br> + drawing hand across leaving mark of blacking.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: The time I told you to put black on<br> + your shoes I didn't bid you rub it upon your brow!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I didn't put it in any wrong place.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: I ask the whole of you, is it black his + face<br> + is or white?</p> + + <p><i>All</i>: It is black indeed.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Would you put a reproach on the whole<br> + of the barony, going up among big citizens with a<br> + face on you the like of that?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I'll do well enough. There will be<br> + the black of the smoke from the engine on it any<br> + way, and I after journeying in the train.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: You will not go be a disgrace to me.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: If it is black it is yourself forced me to + it.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: If I did I'll make up for it, putting a<br> + clean face upon you now. <i>(Dips towel in pail and<br> + sings "With a fillip"—air, "Garryowen"—as she<br> + washes him.)</i></p>"Bring to mind how the thrush gathers twigs + for his nest<br> + And the honey bee toils without ever a rest<br> + And the fishes swim ever to keep themselves clean,<br> + And you'll praise me for making you fit to be seen!<br> + With a fillip, a fillip, a fillip.<br> + A fillip, a fillip, a fillip.<br> + A fillip, a fillip, a fillip, a fillip,<br> + A fillip, a fillip, a fillip, a fillip!"<br> + + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Let me go, will you! Let you stop!<br> + The soap that is going into my eye!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: My grief you are! Let you be willing<br> + to suffer, so long as you will be tasty and decent<br> + and be a credit to ourselves.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: The suds are in my mouth!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: One minute now and you'll be as clean<br> + as a bishop!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Let me go, can't you!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Only one thing wanting now.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I'm good enough, I tell you!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: To cut the wisp from the back of your<br> + poll.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: You will not cut it!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: And you'll go into the grandeurs of<br> + Dublin and you being as neat as an egg.</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (With a roar.)</i> Leave meddling with<br> + my hair. I that can change the world with one<br> + turn of my hand!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Wait till I'll find the scissors! That's<br> + not the way to be going showing off in the town,<br> + if you were all the saints and Druids of the universe!</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Breaking free and rushing out.)</i> My<br> + seven thousand curses on the minute when I didn't<br> + leave you as you were. <i>(Goes.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Celia: (Looking at Mother.)</i> There's meal on<br> + your dress from the cake you're after putting in<br> + the oven—where now did that bellows fall from?<br> + <i>(Taking up bellows.)</i> It comes as handy as a<br> + gimlet. There <i>(blows the meal off)</i>, that now will<br> + make a big difference in you.</p> + + <p><i>Rock: (Seizing bellows.)</i> Leave now that down<br> + out of your hand. Let you go looking for a<br> + scissors!</p> + + <p><i>(Celia goes off singing "The Beautiful City<br> + of Sligo.")</i></p> + + <p><i>Mother: (Sitting down.)</i> I'm thinking it's seven<br> + years to-day, James Rock, since you took a lend<br> + of my clock.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: You're raving! What call would I have<br> + to ask a lend of your clock?</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: The way you would rise in time for<br> + the fair of Feakle in the morning.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Did I now?</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: You did, and that's my truth. I was<br> + standing here, and you were standing there, and<br> + Celia that was but ten years was sucking the sugar<br> + off a spoon I was after putting in a bag that had<br> + come from the shop, for to put a grain into my<br> + tea.</p> + + <p><i>Rock: (Sneering.)</i> Well now, didn't your memory<br> + get very sharp!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: You thought I had it forgot, but I<br> + remember it as clear as pictures. The time it stood<br> + at was seven minutes after four o'clock, and I<br> + never saw it from that day till now. This very<br> + day of the month it was, the year of the black<br> + sheep having twins.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It was but an old clock anyway.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: If it was it is seven years older since<br> + I laid an eye on it. And it's kind father for you<br> + robbing me, where it's often you robbed your own<br> + mother, and you stealing away to go cardplaying<br> + the half crowns she had hid in the churn.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Didn't you get very wicked and hurtful,<br> + you that was a nice class of a woman without no<br> + harm!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Ah, Ma'am, you that was easy-minded,<br> + it is not kind for you to be a scold.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: And another thing, it was the same<br> + day where Michael Flannery <i>(turns to him)</i> came in<br> + an' told me of you being grown so covetous you<br> + had made away with your dog, by reason you<br> + begrudged it its diet.</p> + + <p><i>Rock: (To Flannery.)</i> You had a great deal to<br> + say about me!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: And more than that again, he said<br> + you had it buried secretly, and had it personated,<br> + creeping around the haggard in the half dark<br> + and you barking, the way the neighbours would<br> + think it to be living yet and as wicked as it was<br> + before.</p> + + <p><i>Rock: (To Flannery.)</i> I'll bring you into the<br> + Courts for telling lies!</p> + + <p><i>Mother: (Coming near Rock and speaking into<br> + his ear.)</i> And there's another thing I know, and<br> + that I made a promise to her that was your wife<br> + not to tell, but death has that promise broke.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Stop, can't you!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I know by sure witness that it was<br> + you found the forty pound <i>he (points to Flannery,<br> + who nods)</i> lost on the road, and kept it for your<br> + own profit. Bring me now, I dare you, into the<br> + Courts!</p> + + <p><i>Rock: (Fearfully.)</i> That one would remember<br> + the world! It is as if she went to the grinding<br> + young!</p> + + <p><i>(Conan's voice heard. Singing: "Let me be<br> + merry" in a melancholy voice.)</i></p>"If sadly thinking with + spirits sinking<br> + Could more than drinking my cares compose,<br> + A cure for to-morrow from sighs I'd borrow,<br> + And hope to-morrow would end my woes.<br> + <br> + But as in wailing there's nought availing,<br> + And Death unfailing will strike the blow,<br> + Then for that reason and for a season,<br> + Let us be merry before we go!"<br> + + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It is Conan will near lose his wits<br> + with joy when he knows what is come back to me!</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Peeping in.)</i> Is Celia gone?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: She is, Conan.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It's a queer thing with women. If<br> + you'll turn them from one road it's likely they'll<br> + go into another that is worse again.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: That is so indeed. There is Celia's<br> + mother that is running telling lies, and leaving a<br> + heavy word upon a neighbour.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I'll give my promise not to tell it out<br> + in Court if he will give to poor Michael Flannery<br> + what is due to him, and that is the whole of what<br> + he has in his bag!</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Laughing scornfully.)</i> Sure <i>she</i> has + no<br> + memory at all. It fails her to remember that two<br> + and two makes four.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: You think that? Well, listen now to<br> + me. Two and two is it? No, nine times two that<br> + is eighteen and nine times three twenty-seven,<br> + nine times four thirty-six, nine times five forty-fi<br> + ve, nine times six fifty-four, nine times seven<br> + sixty-three, nine times eight seventy-two, nine<br> + times nine eighty-one.... Yes, and eleven times,<br> + and any times that you will put before me!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: That's enough, that's enough!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ha, ha! You giving out that I can<br> + keep no knowledge in mind and no learning, when<br> + I should sit on the chapel roof to have enough of<br> + slates for all I can cast up of sums! Multiplication,<br> + Addition, subtraction, and the rule of three!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Whist your tongue!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Is it the verses of Raftery's talk into<br> + the Bush you would wish me to give out, or the<br> + three hundred and sixty-nine verses of the Contention<br> + of the Bards—<i>(Repeats verse of "The Talk<br> + with the Bush" in Irish.)</i></p>"Céad agus míle + roiámh am na h-Airce<br> + Tús agus crothugadh m'aois agus mo dhata<br> + Thá me o shoin im' shuidhe san áit so<br> + Agus is iomdha sgéal a bhféadain trácht + air."<br> + + + <p>Or I'll English it if that will please you:</p>"A hundred + years and a thousand before the time of the Ark<br> + Was the beginning and creation of my age and my date;<br> + I am from that time sitting in this place,<br> + And it's many a story I am able to give news of."<br> + + + <p><i>Conan: (Putting hands to ears and walking<br> + away.)</i> I am thinking your mind got unsettled<br> + with the weight of years.</p> + + <p><i>Mother: (Following him.)</i> No, but your own<br> + that got scattered from the time you ran barefoot<br> + carrying worms in a tin can for that Professor of a<br> + Collegian that went fishing in the stream, and that<br> + you followed after till you got to think yourself a<br> + lamp of light for the universe!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Will you stop deafening the whole world<br> + with your babble!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: There was always a bad drop in you<br> + that attached to you out of the grandfather. What<br> + did your languages do for you but to sharpen<br> + your tongue, till the scrape of it would take the<br> + skin off, the same as a cat! My blessing on you,<br> + Conan, but my curse upon your mouth!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Oh, will you stop your chat!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Every word you speak having in it<br> + the sting of a bee that was made out of the curses<br> + of a saint!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Stop your gibberish!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Are you satisfied now?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I'm not satisfied!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: And never will be, for you were ever<br> + and always a fault-finder and full of crossness<br> + from the day that you were small suited.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: You remember that, too?</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: I do well!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Where is the bellows? Was it you<br> + <i>(to Flannery)</i> that blew a blast on her?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: It was not.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Or you?</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It's long sorry I'd be to do such a thing!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It is certain someone did it on her.<br> + Where now is it?</p> + + <p><i>Mother: (Seizing him.)</i> And I remember the<br> + day you threw out your mug of milk into the street,<br> + by reason, says you, you didn't like the colour of<br> + the cow that gave it!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Will you stop ripping up little + annoyances,<br> + till I'll find the bellows!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It's what I'm thinking, her memory will<br> + soon be back at the far side of Solomon's<br> + Temple.</p> + + <p><i>Mother: (Repeats in Irish.)</i> Agus is iomdha<br> + sgéal a bhféadain traácht air!</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Shouting.)</i> Is it that you'll drive the<br> + seven senses out of me!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Is it that you begrudge me my + recollection?<br> + Ha! I have it in spite of you. <i>(Sings.)</i></p>"Oft in the + stilly night<br> + Ere slumber's chain hath bound me<br> + Fond memory brings the light<br> + Of other days around me.<br> + The smiles, the tears, of childhood's years,<br> + The words of love then spoken—<br> + The eyes that shone, now dimmed and gone,<br> + The cheerful hearts now broken.<br> + <br> + "Thus in the stilly night—ere slumber's chain hath bound + me<br> + Fond memory brings the light<br> + Of other days around me!"<br> + + + <p><i>Celia: (Bursting in.)</i> Where is Conan?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: What do you want of me?</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: I have got the hair brush.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Let you not come near me!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: And the comb!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Get away from me!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: And the scissors.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Will you drive me out of the house or<br> + will I drive you out of it!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Ah, be easy!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: I will not be easy!</p> + + <p><i>Celia: (Pushing him back in a chair.)</i> It will<br> + delight the world to see the way I'll send you out!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Is the universe gone distracted mad!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: Be quiet now!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Leave your hold of me!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: One stir, and the scissors will run into<br> + you!</p> + + <p><i>(Sings "With a snippet, a snippet, a snippet.")</i></p> + + <p>CURTAIN</p> + + <p>ACT III</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT III</h2><br> + + + <p><i>The two Cats are looking over the settle</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Music behind scene: "O Johnny, I hardly knew<br> + you!"</i></p> + + <p><i>1st Cat</i>: We did well leaving the bellows for<br> + that foolish Human to see what he can do. There<br> + is great sport before us and behind.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Cat</i>: The best I ever saw since the Jesters<br> + went out from Tara.</p> + + <p><i>1st Cat</i>: They to be giving themselves high<br> + notions and to be looking down on Cats!</p> + + <p><i>2nd Cat</i>: Ha, Ha, Ha, the folly and the craziness<br> + of men! To see him changing them from one<br> + thing to the next, as if they wouldn't be a two-legged<br> + laughing stock whatever way they would<br> + change.</p> + + <p><i>1st Cat</i>: There's apt to be more changes yet<br> + till they will hardly know one another, or every<br> + other one, to be himself! <i>(Sings.)</i></p>"Where are your + eyes that looked so mild,<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Hurroo! Hurroo!</span><br> + Where are your eyes that looked so mild<br> + When my poor heart you first beguiled,<br> + Why did you run from me and the child?<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>O Johnny, I hardly knew + you!</span><br> + <br> + "With drums and guns and guns and drums,<br> + The enemy nearly slew you!<br> + My darling dear you look so queer,<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>O Johnny, I hardly knew + you!</span><br> + <br> + "Where are the legs with which you run,<br> + When you went to carry a gun.<br> + Indeed your dancing days are done,<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>O Johnny, I hardly knew + you!"</span><br> + + + <p><i>(Timothy and Mother come in from opposite<br> + doors. Cats disappear—music still heard<br> + faintly.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Mother: (Looking at little bellows in her hand.)</i><br> + Do you know <i>That</i> what it is, Timothy?</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: Is it now a hand-bellows? It's long<br> + since I seen the like of that.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It is, but <i>what</i> bellows?</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: Not a bellows? I'd nearly say it to be + one.</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: There has strange things come to pass.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: That's what we've all been praying<br> + for this long time!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Ah, can't you give attention and strive<br> + to listen to me. It is all coming back to my mind.<br> + All the things I am remembering have my mind<br> + tattered and tossed.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy: (Who has been trying to hear the music,<br> + sings a verse.)</i></p>"You haven't an arm and you haven't a + leg,<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Hurroo! Hurroo!</span><br> + You're a yellow noseless chickenless egg,<br> + You'll have to put up with a bowl to beg.<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>O Johnny, I hardly knew + you!</span><br> + + + <p><i>(Music ceases.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Will you give attention, I say! It<br> + will be worth while for you to go chat with me now<br> + I can be telling you all that happened in my years<br> + gone by. What was it Conan was questioning me<br> + about a while ago? What was it now....</p>"Aristotle in the + hour<br> + He left Ireland left a power!"...<br> + + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: That now is a very nice sort of a<br> + little prayer.</p> + + <p><i>Mother: (Calling out.)</i> That's it! Aristotle's<br> + Bellows! I know now what has happened. This<br> + that is in my hand has in it the power to make<br> + changes. Changes! Didn't great changes come in<br> + the house to-day! <i>(Shouts.)</i> Did you see any great<br> + change in Celia?</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: Why wouldn't I, and she at this<br> + minute fighting and barging at some poor travelling<br> + man, saying he laid a finger mark of bacon-grease upon<br> + the lintel of the door. Driving him off with a + broken-toothed<br> + rake she is, she that was so gentle that she<br> + wouldn't hardly pluck the feathers of a dead duck!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It was surely a blast of this worked<br> + that change in her, as the blast she blew upon me<br> + worked a change in myself. O! all the thoughts<br> + and memories that are thronging in my mind and<br> + in my head! Rushing up within me the same as<br> + chaff from the flail! Songs and stories and the<br> + newses I heard through the whole course of my<br> + lifetime! And I having no person to tell them out<br> + to! Do you hear me what I'm saying, Timothy?<br> + <i>(Shouts in his ear.)</i> What is come back to me is<br> + what I lost so long ago, my MEMORY.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: So it is a very good song.</p> + + <p><i>(Sings.)</i></p>"By Memory inspired, and love of glory + fired,<br> + The deeds of men I love to dwell upon,<br> + And the sympathetic glow of my spirit must bestow<br> + On the memory of Mitchell that is gone, boys, gone—<br> + The memory of Mitchell that is gone!"<br> + + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Thoughts crowding on one another,<br> + mixing themselves up with one another for the<br> + want of sifting and settling! They'll have me<br> + distracted and I not able to speak them out to<br> + some person! Conan as surly as a bramble bush,<br> + and Celia wrapped up in her bucket and her broom!<br> + And yourself not able to hear one word I say. <i>(Sobs,<br> + and bellows falls from her hands.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: I'll lay it down now out of your way,<br> + ma'am, the way you can cry your fill whatever<br> + ails you.</p> + + <p><i>Mother: (Snatching it back.)</i> Stop! I'll not<br> + part with it! I know now what I can do! Now!<br> + <i>(Points it at him.)</i> I'll make a companion to be<br> + listening to me through the long winter nights and<br> + the long summer days, and the world to be without<br> + any end at all, no more than the round of the<br> + full moon! You that have no hearing, this will<br> + bring back your hearing, the way you'll be a<br> + listener and a benefit to myself for ever. I<br> + wouldn't feel the weeks long that time!</p> + + <p><i>(Blows. Timothy turns away and gropes<br> + toward wall.)</i></p> + + <p><i>(She sings: Air, "Eileen Aroon.")</i></p>"What if the + days go wrong,<br> + When you can hear!<br> + What if the evening's long,<br> + You being near,<br> + I'll tell my troubles out,<br> + Put darkness to the rout<br> + And to the roundabout!<br> + Having your ear!"<br> + + + <p><i>(Rock at door: sneezes. Mother drops bellows<br> + and goes. Timothy gives a cry,<br> + claps hands to ears and rushes out as if<br> + terrified.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Rock: (Coming in seizes bellows.)</i> Well now,<br> + didn't this turn to be very lucky and very good!<br> + The very thing I came looking for to be left there<br> + under my hands! <i>(Puts it hurriedly under coat.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Flannery: (Coming in.)</i> What are you doing<br> + here, James Rock?</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: What are you doing yourself?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: What is that in under your coat?</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: What's that to you?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: I'll know that when I see it.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: What call have you to be questioning me?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Open now your coat!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Stand out of my way!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery: (Suddenly tearing open coat and seizing<br> + bellows.)</i> Did you think it was unknownst to me<br> + you stole the bellows?</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Ah, what steal?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Put it back in the place it was!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: I will within three minutes.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: You'll put it back here and now.</p> + + <p><i>Rock: (Coaxingly.)</i> Look at here now, Michael<br> + Flannery, we'll make a league between us. Did<br> + you ever see such folly as we're after seeing to-day?<br> + Sitting there for an hour and a half till that one<br> + settled the world upside down!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: If I did see folly, what I see now is<br> + treachery.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Didn't you take notice of the way that<br> + foolish old man is wasting and losing what was<br> + given him for to benefit mankind? A blast he has<br> + lost turning a pigeon to a crow, as if there wasn't<br> + enough in it before of that tribe picking the spuds<br> + out of the ridges. And another blast he has lost<br> + turning poor Celia, that was harmless, to be a holy<br> + terror of cleanness and a scold.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Indeed, he'd as well have left her<br> + as she was. There was something very pleasing<br> + in her little sleepy ways.</p> + + <p><i>(Sings.)</i></p>"But sad it is to see you so<br> + And to think of you now as an object of woe;<br> + Your Peggy'll still keep an eye on her beau.<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>O Johnny, I hardly knew + you!"</span><br> + + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Bringing back to the memory of his<br> + mother every old grief and rancour. She that has<br> + a right to be making her peace with the grave!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Indeed it seems he doesn't mind<br> + what he'll get so long as it's something that he<br> + wants.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Three blasts gone! And the world didn't<br> + begin to be cured.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Sure enough he gave the bellows no<br> + fair play.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: He has us made a fool of. He using it<br> + the way he did, he has us robbed.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: There's power in the four blasts<br> + left would bring peace and piety and prosperity<br> + and plenty to every one of the four provinces of<br> + Ireland.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: That's it. There's no doubt but I'll<br> + make a better use of it than him, because I am a<br> + better man than himself.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: I don't know. You might not get<br> + so much respect in Dublin.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Dublin, where are you! What would<br> + I'd do going to Dublin? Did you never hear said<br> + the skin to be nearer than the shirt?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: What do you mean saying that?</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: The first one I have to do good to is<br> + myself.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Is it that you would grab the benefit<br> + of the bellows?</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: In troth I will. I've got a hold of it, and<br> + by cripes I'll knock a good turn out of it.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: To rob the country and the poor for<br> + your own profit? You are a class of man that is<br> + gathering all for himself.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: It is not worth while we to fall out of<br> + friendship. I will use but the one blast.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: You have no right or call to meddle<br> + with it.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: The first thing I will meddle with is my<br> + own rick of turf. And I'll give you leave to go do<br> + the same with your own umbrella, or whatever<br> + property you may own.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Sooner than be covetous like yourself<br> + I'd live and die in a ditch, and be buried<br> + from the Poorhouse!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Turf being black and light in the hand,<br> + and gold being shiny and weighty, there will be<br> + no delay in turning every sod into a solid brick of<br> + gold. I give you leave to do the same thing, and<br> + we'll be two rich men inside a half an hour!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: You are no less than a thief! + <i>(Snatches<br> + at bellows.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Thief yourself. Leave your hand off it!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Give it up here for the man that<br> + owns it!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: You may set your coffin making for I'll<br> + beat you to the ground.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery: (As he clutches.)</i> Ah, you have given<br> + it a shove. It has blown a blast on yourself!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Yourself that blew it on me! Bad cess<br> + to you! But I'll do the same bad turn upon you!<br> + <i>(Blows.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: There is some footstep without.<br> + Heave it in under the ashes.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Whist your tongue! <i>(Flings bellows<br> + behind hearth.)</i></p> + + <p><i>(Conan comes in.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: With all the chattering of women I<br> + have the train near lost. The car is coming for<br> + me and I'll make no delay now but to set out.</p> + + <p><i>(Sings.)</i></p>"Oh the French are on the sea,<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Says the Sean Van + Vocht,</span><br> + Oh the French are on the sea,<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Says the Sean Van + Vocht,</span><br> + <br> + Oh the French are in the bay,<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>They'll be here without + delay,</span><br> + And the Orange will decay,<br> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Says the Sean Van + Vocht!"</span><br> + + + <p>Here now is my little pack. You were saying,<br> + Thomas Flannery, you would be lending me the<br> + loan of your umbrella.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Ah, what umbrella? There's no fear<br> + of rain.</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Taking it.)</i> You to have proffered it<br> + I would not refuse it.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery: (Seizing it.)</i> I don't know. I have<br> + to mind my own property. It might not serve<br> + it to be loaning it to this one and that. It might<br> + leave the ribs of it bare.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: That's the way with the whole of ye. I<br> + to give you my heart's blood you'd turn me upside<br> + down for a pint of porter!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: I see no sense or charity in lending to<br> + another anything that might be of profit to myself.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Let you keep it so! That your ribs may<br> + be as bare as its own ribs that are bursting out<br> + through the cloth!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Do not give heed to him, Conan. There<br> + is in this bag <i>(takes it out)</i> what will bring you + every<br> + whole thing you might be wanting in the town.<br> + <i>(Takes out notes and gold and gives them.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It is only a small share I'll ask the lend + of.</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: The lend of! No, but a free gift!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Well now, aren't you turned to be very<br> + kind? <i>(Takes notes.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Put that back in the bag. Here it is, the<br> + whole of it. Five and fifty pounds. Take it and<br> + welcome! It is yourself will make a good use of<br> + it laying it out upon the needy and the poor.<br> + Changing all for their benefit and their good! Oh,<br> + since St. Bridget spread her cloak upon the Curragh<br> + this is the most day and the happiest day ever<br> + came to Ireland.</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Giving bag to Flannery.)</i> Take it you,<br> + as is your due by what the mother said a while ago<br> + about the robbery he did on you in the time past.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: Give it here to me. I'll engage I'll<br> + keep a good grip on it from this out. It's long<br> + before any other one will get a one look at it!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: There would seem to be a great change<br> + —and a sudden change come upon the two of ye.<br> + ...<i>(With a roar.)</i> Where now is the bellows?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery: (Sulkily.)</i> What way would I know?</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Shaking him.)</i> I know well what<br> + happened! It is <i>ye</i> have stolen two of my blasts!<br> + Putting changes on yourselves ye would—much<br> + good may it do ye—. Thieving with your covetousness<br> + the last two nearly I had left!</p> + + <p><i>Rock: (Sulkily.)</i> Leave your hand off me! I<br> + never stole no blast!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: There's a bad class going through the<br> + world. The most people you will give to will be<br> + the first to cry you down. This was a wrong out<br> + of measure! Thieves ye are and pickpockets!<br> + Ye that were not worth changing from one to<br> + another, no more than you'd change a pinch of<br> + dust off the road into a puff of ashes. Stealing<br> + away my lovely blasts, bad luck to ye, the same as<br> + Prometheus stole the makings of a fire from the<br> + ancient gods!</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: That is enough of keening and<br> + lamenting after a few blasts of barren wind—I'll<br> + be going where I have my own business to attend.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Where, so, is the bellows?</p> + + <p><i>Flannery</i>: How would I know?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: The two of ye won't quit this till I'll<br> + find it! There is another two blasts in it that<br> + will bring sense and knowledge into Ireland yet!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: Indeed they might bring comfort yet<br> + to many a sore heart!</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (Searching.)</i> Where now is it? I<br> + couldn't find it if the earth rose up and swallowed<br> + it. Where now did I lay it down?</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: There's too much changes in this place<br> + for me to know where anything is gone.</p> + + <p><i>Conan: (At door.)</i> Where are you, Maryanne!<br> + Celia! Timothy! Let ye come hither and search<br> + out my little bellows!</p> + + <p><i>(Timothy comes in, followed by Mother.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Hearken now, Timothy!</p> + + <p><i>Timothy: (Stopping his ears.)</i> Speak easy, speak + easy!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Take down now your fingers from your<br> + ears the way you will hear my voice!</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: Have a care now with your screeching<br> + would you split the drum of my ear?</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Is it that you have got your hearing?</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: My hearing is it? As good as that I<br> + can hear a lie, and it forming in the mind.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Is that the truth you're saying?</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: Hear, is it! I can hear every whisper<br> + in this parish and the seven parishes are nearest.<br> + And the little midges roaring in the air.—Let ye<br> + whist now with your sneezing in the draught!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: This is surely the work of the bellows.<br> + Another blast gone!</p> + + <p><i>Rock</i>: So it would be too. Mostly the whole<br> + of them gone and spent. It's hard know in the<br> + morning what way will it be with you at night.<br> + <span style='margin-left: 2em;'><i>(Sings.)</i></span><br> + "I saw from the beach when the morning was<br> + shining<br> + A bark o'er the waters move gloriously on—<br> + came when the sun o'er the beach was declining,<br> + The bark was still there, but the waters were gone."</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: It is yourself brought the misfortune<br> + on me, calling your Druid spells into the house.</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: It is not upon you I ever turned it.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: You have a great wrong done to me!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: It is glad you should be and happy.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: Happy, is it? Give me a hareskin cap<br> + for to put over my ears, having wool in it very thick!<br> + <span style='margin-left: 2em;'><i>(Sings.)</i></span> + "Silent, O Moyle, be the roar of thy water,<br> + Break not ye breezes your chain of repose,<br> + While murmuring mournfully Lir's lonely daughter<br> + Tells to the night-star her tale of woes.<br> + <br> + "When shall the swan, her death-note singing,<br> + Sleep with wings in darkness furl'd?<br> + When will heaven its sweet bells ringing<br> + Call my spirit from this stormy world?"</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Come with me now and I'll be chatting<br> + to you.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: Why would I be listening to your<br> + blather when I have the voices of the four winds to<br> + be listening to? The night wind, the east wind,<br> + the black wind and the wind from the south!</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Such a thing I never saw before in all<br> + my natural life.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: To be hearing, without understanding<br> + it, the language of the tribes of the birds! (<i>Puts<br> + hands over ears again</i>.) There's too many sounds<br> + in the world! The sounds of the earth are terrible!<br> + The roots squeezing and jostling one another<br> + through the clefts, and the crashing of the acorn<br> + from the oak. The cry of the little birdeen in<br> + under the silence of the hawk!</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> (<i>To Mother</i>.) As it you let it loose<br> + upon him, let you bring him away to some hole or<br> + cave of the earth.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy</i>: It is my desire to go cast myself in<br> + the ocean where there'll be but one sound of its<br> + waves, the fishes in its meadows being dumb!<br> + (<i>Goes to corner and hides his head in a sack</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Even so there might likely be a mermaid<br> + playing reels on her silver comb, and yourself<br> + craving after the world you left.<br> + <span style='margin-left: 2em;'>(<i>Sings: Air, "Spailpin + Fanach</i>.")</span><br> + "You think to go from every woe to peace in the<br> + wide ocean,<br> + But you will find your foolish mind repent its<br> + foolish notion.<br> + When dog-fish dash and mermaids splash their<br> + finny tails to find you,<br> + I'll make a bet that you'll regret the world you<br> + left behind you!"</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> (<i>Clattering in with broom, etc</i>.) + What<br> + are ye doing, coming in this room again after I<br> + having it settled so nice? I'll allow no one in the<br> + place again, only carriage company that will have<br> + no speck of dust upon the sole of their shoe!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: Oh, Celia, there has strange things<br> + happened!</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: What I see strange is that some person<br> + has meddled with that hill of ashes on the hearth<br> + and set it flying athrough the air. Is it hens ye<br> + are wishful to be, that would be searching and<br> + scratching in the dust for grains? And this thrown<br> + down in the midst! (<i>Holds up bellows</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Conan</i>: Give me my bellows!</p> + + <p><i>Mother</i>: No, but give it to me!</p> + + <p><i>Rock and Flannery</i>: Give it to myself!</p> + + <p><i>Timothy:</i> (<i>Looking up, with hands on ears</i>.)<br> + My curse upon it and its work. Little I care if it<br> + goes up with the clouds.</p> + + <p><i>Celia</i>: What in the world wide makes the whole<br> + of ye so eager to get hold of such a thing?</p><i>Conan</i>: It + has but the one blast left!<br> + <span style='margin-left: 2em;'>(<i>Sings</i>.)</span><br> + "'Tis the last Rose of Summer<br> + Left blooming alone,<br> + All her lovely companions<br> + Are faded and gone.<br> + No flower of her kindred,<br> + No rosebud is nigh,<br> + To reflect back her blushes<br> + Or give sigh for sigh!"<br> + + + <p><i>Celia</i>: What are you fretting about blasts and<br> + about roses?</p> + + <p><i>Rock:</i> It has a charm on it—</p> + + <p><i>Flannery:</i> To change the world—</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> That chedang myself—</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> For the worse—</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> And Timothy—</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> For the worse—</p> + + <p><i>Rock:</i> Myself and Flannery—</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> For the worse, for the worse—</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> Conan that changed yourself with + it—</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> For the very worst!</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> (<i>To Conan</i>.) Is it riddles, or is it + that<br> + you put a spell and a change upon me?</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> If I did, it was for your own good!</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> Do you call it for my good to set me<br> + running till I have my toes going through my shoes?<br> + (<i>Holds them out</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> I didn't think to go that length.</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> To roughen my hands with soap and<br> + scalding water till they're near as knotted and as<br> + ugly as your own!</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Ah, leave me alone! I tell you it is not<br> + by my own fault. My plan and my purpose that<br> + went astray and that broke down.</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> I will not leave you till you'll change me<br> + back to what I was. What way can these hands go<br> + to the dance house to-night? Change me back, I say!</p> + + <p><i>Rock:</i> And me—</p> + + <p><i>Timothy:</i> And myself, that I'll have quiet in my<br> + head again.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> I cannot undo what has been done.<br> + There is no back way.</p> + + <p><i>Timothy:</i> Is there no way at all to come out of<br> + it safe and sane?</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> (<i>Shakes head</i>.) Let ye make the best of + it.</p> + + <p><i>Flannery: (Sings.) (Air, "I saw from the + Beach.")</i></p>"Ne'er tell me of glories serenely adorning<br> + The close of our day, the calm eve of our night.<br> + Give me back, give me back the wild freshness of morning,<br> + Her clouds and her tears are worth evening's best light."<br> + + + <p><i>Mother: (Who has bellows in her hand.)</i> Stop!<br> + Stop—my mind is travelling backward ...so far<br> + I can hardly reach to it ...but I'll come to it<br> + ...the way I'll be changed to what I was before,<br> + and the town and the country wishing me well, I<br> + having got my enough of unfriendly looks and hard<br> + words!</p> + + <p><i>Timothy:</i> Hurry on, Ma'am, and remember, and<br> + take the spell off the whole of us.</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> I am going back, back, to the longest<br> + thing that is in my mind and my memory!...<br> + I myself a child in my mother's arms the very day<br> + I was christened....</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Ah, stop your raving!</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> Songs and storytelling, and my old<br> + generations laying down news of this spell that is<br> + now come to pass....</p> + + <p><i>Rock:</i> Did they tell what way to undo the<br> + charm?</p> + + <p><i>Mother:</i> You have but to turn the bellows the<br> + same as the smith would turn the anvil, or St.<br> + Patrick turned the stone for fine weather ...<br> + and to blow a blast ...and a twist will come<br> + inside in it and the charm will fall off with that<br> + blast, and undo the work that has been done!</p><i>All:</i> + Turn it so!<br> + <span style='margin-left: 3em;'>(<i>Cats look over, playing on + fiddles "O Johnny, I</i></span><br> + <span style='margin-left: 7em;'><i>hardly knew you," while + mother blows on each</i>.)</span><br> + + + <p><i>Timothy:</i> Ha! (<i>Takes hands from ears and puts<br> + one behind his ear</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Rock:</i> Ha! Where now is my bag? (<i>Turns<br> + out his pockets, unhappy to find them empty</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Flannery:</i> Ha! (<i>Smiles and holds out umbrella<br> + to Conan, who takes it</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Mother: (To Celia.)</i> Let you blow a blast on me.<br> + (<i>Celia does so</i>.) Now it's much if I can remember<br> + to blow a blast backward upon yourself!</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> Stop a minute! Leave what is in me of<br> + life and of courage till I will blow the last blast is<br> + in the bellows upon Conan.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Stop that! Do you think to change<br> + and to crow over me. You will not or I'll lay my<br> + curse upon you, unless you would change me into<br> + an eagle would be turning his back upon the whole<br> + of ye, and facing to his perch upon the right hand<br> + of the master of the gods!</p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> Is it to waste the last blast you would?<br> + Not at all. As we burned the candle we'll burn the<br> + inch! I'll not make two halves of it, I'll give it to<br> + you entirely!</p><i>Conan:</i> You will not, you unlucky witch + of illwill!<br> + <span style='margin-left: 4em;'>(<i>Protects himself with + umbrella</i>.)</span><br> + + + <p><i>Celia: (Having got him to a corner.)</i> Let you<br> + take things quiet and easy from this out, and be as<br> + content as you have been contrary from the very<br> + day and hour of your birth!<br> + <span style='margin-left: 3em;'><i>(She blows upon him and he + sits down smiling</i>.</span><br> + <span style='margin-left: 7em;'><i>Mother blows on Celia, and + she sits down</i></span><br> + <span style='margin-left: 7em;'><i>in first + attitude</i>.)</span></p> + + <p><i>Celia:</i> (<i>Taking up pigeon</i>.) Oh, there you + are<br> + come back my little dove and my darling!<br> + <span style='margin-left: 4em;'>(<i>Sings: "Shule + Aroon."</i>)</span><br> + "Come sit and settle on my knee<br> + And I'll tell you and you'll tell me<br> + A tale of what will never be,<br> + Go-dé-tóu-Mavourneen slan!"</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> (<i>Lighting pipe</i>.) So the dove is + there,<br> + too. Aristotle said there is nothing at the end but<br> + what there used to be at the beginning. Well now,<br> + what a pleasant day we had together, and what<br> + good neighbours we all are, and what a comfortable<br> + family entirely.</p> + + <p><i>Rock:</i> You would seem to have done with your<br> + complaints about the universe, and your great plan<br> + to change it overthrown.</p> + + <p><i>Conan:</i> Not a complaint! What call have I to<br> + go complaining? The world is a very good world,<br> + the best nearly I ever knew.<br> + <span style='margin-left: 4em;'>(<i>Sings</i>.)</span><br> + "O, a little cock sparrow he sat on a tree,<br> + O, a little cock sparrow he sat on a tree,<br> + O, a little cock sparrow he sat on a tree,<br> + And he was as happy as happy could be,<br> + With a chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup!<br> + <br> + "A chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup!<br> + A chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup!<br> + A chirrup, a chirrup, a chirrup!<br> + A chirrup, a chirrup, a——!"</p> + + <p>CURTAIN</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <a name="NOTE_TO_ARISTOTLES_BELLOWS"></a><br /> +<br /> + + <h2>NOTE TO ARISTOTLE'S BELLOWS</h2> + + <p>I had begun to put down some notes for this play when in the + autumn of 1919 I was suddenly obliged (through the illness and + death of the writer who had undertaken it) to take in hand the + writing of the "Life and Achievement" of my nephew Hugh Lane, + and this filled my mind and kept me hard at work for a + year.</p> + + <p>When the proofs were out of my hands I turned with but a + vague recollection to these notes, and was surprised to find + them fuller than they had appeared in my memory, so that the + idea was rekindled and the writing was soon begun. And I found + a certain rest and ease of mind in having turned from a long + struggle (in which, alas, I had been too often worsted) for + exactitude in dates and names and in the setting down of facts, + to the escape into a world of fantasy where I could create my + own. And so before the winter was over the play was put in + rehearsal at the Abbey Theatre, and its first performance was + on St. Patrick's Day, 1921.</p> + + <p>I have been looking at its first scenario, made according to + my habit in rough pen and ink sketches, coloured with a pencil + blue and red, and the changes from that early idea do not seem + to have been very great, except that in the scene where Conan + now hears the secret of the hiding-place of the Spell from the + talk of the cats, the Bellows had been at that time left beside + him by a dwarf from the rath, in his sleep. The cats work + better, and I owe their success to the genius of our Stage + Carpenter, Mr. Sean Barlow, whose head of the Dragon from my + play of that name had been such a masterpiece that I longed to + see these other enchanted heads from his hand.</p> + + <p>The name of the play in that first scenario was "The + Fault-Finder," but my cranky Conan broke from that narrowness. + If the play has a moral it is given in the words of the Mother, + "It's best make changes little by little, the same as you'd put + clothes upon a growing child." The restlessness of the time may + have found its way into Conan's mind, or as some critic wrote, + "He thinks of the Bellows as Mr. Wilson thought of the League + of Nations," and so his disappointment comes. As A.E. writes in + "The National Being," "I am sympathetic with idealists in a + hurry, but I do not think the world can be changed suddenly by + some heavenly alchemy, as St. Paul was smitten by a light from + the overworld. Though the heart in us cries out continually, + 'Oh, hurry, hurry to the Golden Age,' though we think of + revolutions, we know that the patient marshalling of human + forces is wisdom.... Not by revolutions can humanity be + perfected. I might quote from an old oracle, 'The gods are + never so turned away from man as when he ascends to them by + disorderly methods.' Our spirits may live in the Golden Age but + our bodily life moves on slow feet, and needs the lantern on + the path and the staff struck carefully into the darkness + before us to see that the path beyond is not a morass, and the + light not a will o' the wisp." (But this may not refer to our + own Revolution, seeing that has been making a step now and + again towards what many judged to be a will o' the wisp through + over seven hundred years.)</p> + + <p>As to the machinery of the play, the spell was first to have + been worked by a harp hung up by some wandering magician, and + that was to work its change according to the wind, as it blew + from north or south, east or west. But that would have been + troublesome in practice, and the Bellows having once entered my + mind, brought there I think by some scribbling of the pencil + that showed Conan protecting himself with an umbrella, seemed + to have every necessary quality, economy, efficiency, + convenience.</p> + + <p>As to Aristotle, his name is a part of our folklore. The old + wife of one of our labourers told me one day, as a bee buzzed + through the open door: "Aristotle of the Books was very wise + but the bees got the better of him in the end. He wanted to + know how did they pack the comb, and he wasted the best part of + a fortnight watching them, and he could not see them doing it. + Then he made a hive with a glass cover on it and put it over + them, and he thought to watch them. But when he went to put his + eye to the glass, they had it all covered with wax so that it + was as black as the pot, and he was as blind as before. He said + he was never rightly killed till then. The bees had him beat + that time surely." And Douglas Hyde brought home one day a + story from Kilmacduagh bog, in which Aristotle took the place + of Solomon, the Wise Man in our tales as well as in those of + the East. And he said that as the story grew and the teller + became more familiar, the name of Aristotle was shortened to + that of Harry.</p> + + <p>As to the songs they are all sung to the old Irish airs I + give at the end.</p> + + <p>A. GREGORY.</p> + + <p>August 18, 1921.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + <a name='THE_JESTER'></a> + + <h2>THE JESTER</h2> + + <p>A PLAY IN THREE ACTS</p> + + <p>FOR RICHARD</p> + + <p>January, 1919</p> + + <p>A.G.</p> + + <p>PERSONS</p> + + <p><i>The Five Princes</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Five Wrenboys</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Guardian of the Princes and Governor of the + Island</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Servant</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Two Dowager Messengers</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Ogre</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Jester</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Two Soldiers</i>.</p> + + <p><i>The Scene is laid in The Island of Hy Brasil, that + appears every seven years</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Time: Out of mind</i>.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT I</h2> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT I</h2><br> + + + <p><i>Scene: A winter garden, with pots of flowering<br> + trees or fruit-trees. There are books about and<br> + some benches with cushions on them and many<br> + cushions on the ground. The young</i> PRINCES <i>are<br> + sitting or lying at their ease. One is playing<br> + "Home, Sweet Home" on a harp. The</i><br> + SERVANT—<i>an old man</i>—<i>is standing in the<br> + background</i>.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Here, Gillie, will you please take + off<br> + my shoe and see what there is in it that is pressing<br> + on my heel.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: (<i>Taking it off and examining it</i>.) + I<br> + see nothing.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Oh, yes, there is something; I have<br> + felt it all the morning. I have been thinking this<br> + long time of taking the shoe off, but I waited for<br> + you.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: All I can find is a grain of poppy seed.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: That is it of course—it was + enough<br> + to hurt my skin.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: Gillie, there is a mayfly tickling<br> + my cheek. Will you please brush it away.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: I will and welcome. (<i>Fans it + off</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: Just give me, please, that book<br> + that is near my elbow. I cannot reach to it without<br> + taking my hand off my cheek.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: I wouldn't wish you to do that.<br> + (<i>Gives him book</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Gillie, I think, I am nearly sure,<br> + there is a feather in this cushion that has the quill<br> + in it yet. I feel something hard.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: Give it to me till I will open it and<br> + make a search.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: No, wait a while till I am not lying<br> + on it. I will put up with the discomfort till then.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: Would it give you too much trouble,<br> + Gillie, when you waken me in the morning, to<br> + come and call me three times, so that I can have<br> + the joy of dropping off again?</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: Why wouldn't I? And there is a<br> + thing I would wish to know. There will be a<br> + supper laid out here this evening for the Dowager<br> + Messengers that are coming to the Island, and I<br> + would wish to provide for yourselves whatever<br> + food would be pleasing to you.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: It is too warm for eating. All I<br> + will ask is a few grapes from Spain.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: A mouthful of jelly in a silver<br> + spoon ...or in the shape of a little castle with<br> + towers. When will the Lady Messengers be here?</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: Not before the fall of day.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: The time passes so quietly and<br> + peaceably it does not feel like a year and a day since<br> + they came here before.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: No wonder the time to pass easy and<br> + quiet where you are, with comfort all around you,<br> + and nothing to mark its course, and every season<br> + feeling the same as another, within the glass walls<br> + and the crystal roof of this place. And the old<br> + Queen, your godmother, sending her own Chamberlain<br> + to take charge of you, and to be your Guardian,<br> + and Governor of the Island. Sure, the wind<br> + itself must slacken coming to this sheltered place.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: That is a great thing. I would<br> + not wish the rough wind to be blowing upon me.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Or the dust to be rising and coming<br> + in among us to spoil our suits.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: Or to be walking out on the hard<br> + roads, or climbing over stone walls, or tearing<br> + ourselves in hedges.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: That is the reason we were sent<br> + here by the Queen, our Godmother, in place of<br> + being sent to any school. To be kept safe and<br> + secure.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: Not to be running here and there<br> + like our own poor five first cousins, that used to<br> + be slipping out and rambling in their young youth,<br> + till they were swallowed up by the sea.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: It was maybe by some big fish of<br> + the sea.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: It might be they were brought<br> + away by sea-robbers coming in a ship.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: Foolish they were and very foolish<br> + not to stay in peace and comfort in the house where<br> + they were safe.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: There is no fear of <i>ye</i> stirring + from<br> + where you are, having every whole thing ye can<br> + wish.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Here is the Guardian coming!</p> + + <p>(<i>They all rise</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: (<i>A very old man, much encumbered<br> + with wraps, coming slowly in</i>.) Are you all here,<br> + all the five of you?</p> + + <p><i>All</i>: We are here!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: (<i>Standing, leaning on a stick, to<br> + address them</i>.) It's a pity that these being holidays,<br> + your teachers and tutors are far away.</p> + + <p>Gone off afloat in a cedar boat to a College of<br> + Learning out in Cathay.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: It's a pity indeed they're not here<br> + to-day.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: For it's likely you looked in your<br> + almanacs, or judged by the shape of the lessening<br> + moon, That your Godmother's Dowager Messengers are<br> + due to arrive this afternoon.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: We did and we think they'll be<br> + here very soon.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: But I know they'll be glad that each<br> + royal lad, put under my rule in place of a school,<br> + Can fashion his life without trouble or strife, and<br> + be shielded from care in a nice easy chair.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: As we always are and we always<br> + were.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: It is part of my knowledge that lads<br> + in a college, and made play one and all with a bat<br> + and a ball,<br> + Come often to harm with a knock on the arm,<br> + and their hands get as hard as the hands of a clown.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: But ours are as soft as thistledown.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: And I've seen young princes not<br> + far from your age, go chasing beasts on a winter day,<br> + And carted home with a broken bone, and a<br> + yard of a doctor's bill to pay;<br> + Or going to sail in the teeth of a gale, when the<br> + waves were rising mountains high,<br> + Or fall from a height that was near out of sight,<br> + robbing rooks from their nest in a poplar tree.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince: (To another</i>.) But that never<br> + happened to you or me.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Or travelling far to a distant war,<br> + with battles and banners rilling their mind,<br> + And creeping back like a crumpled sack, content<br> + if they'd left no limbs behind.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: But we'll have nothing to do with<br> + that, but stop at home with an easy mind.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian: (Sitting down.)</i> That's right. And<br> + now I would wish you to say over some of your<br> + tasks, to make ready for the Dowager Messengers,<br> + that they may bring back a good report to the<br> + Queen, your Godmother.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: We'll do that. We would wish to be<br> + a credit to you, sir, and to our teachers.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Say out now some little piece of<br> + Latin; that one that is my favourite.</p><i>1st Prince</i>:<br> + Aere sub gelido nullus rosa fundit odores,<br> + Ut placeat tellus, sole calesce Dei.<br> + + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Say out the translation.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: Beneath a chilly blast the rose,<br> + loses its sweet, and scentless blows;</p> + + <p>If you would have earth keep its charm, stop<br> + in the sunshine and keep warm.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Very good. Now your history book;<br> + you were learning of late some genealogies of kings,<br> + might suit your Godmother.</p><i>3rd Prince</i>:<br> + William the First as the Conqueror known<br> + At the Battle of Hastings ascended the throne,<br> + His Acts were all made in the Norman tongue<br> + And at eight every evening the curfew was rung<br> + When each English subject by royal desire<br> + <br> + Extinguished his candle and put out his fire.<br> + He bridled the kingdom with forts round the Border<br> + And the Tower of London was built by his order.<br> + <br> + <i>2nd Prince</i>:<br> + William called Rufus from having red hair,<br> + Of virtues possessed but a moderate share,<br> + But though he was one whom we covetous call,<br> + He built the famed structure called Westminster Hall.<br> + Walter Tyrrell his favourite, when hunting one day,<br> + Attempted a deer with an arrow to slay,<br> + But missing his aim, shot the King to the heart<br> + And the body was carried away in a cart.<br> + <br> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: That will do. You have that very<br> + well in your memory. Now let me hear the<br> + grammar lesson.</p><i>3rd Prince</i>:<br> + A noun's the name of anything<br> + As school or garden, hoop or swing.<br> + + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Very good, go on.</p><i>4th Prince</i>:<br> + Adjectives tell the kind of noun<br> + As strong or pretty, white or brown.<br> + <i>5th Prince</i>:<br> + Conjunctions join the nouns together<br> + As men and children, wind or weather.<br> + + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: It will be very useful to you to have<br> + that so well grafted in your mind.... What<br> + noise is that outside?</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: It is some strolling people.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Oh, Guardian, let them come in.<br> + We will do our work all the better if we have some<br> + amusement now.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Maybe so. I am well pleased when<br> + amusements come to our door, that you can see<br> + without going outside the walls.</p> + + <p><i>(A Jester enters in very ragged green clothes<br> + and broken shoes.)</i></p> + + <p>But this is a very ragged looking man. Do you<br> + know anything about him, Gillie?</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: I seen him one time before.... At<br> + the time of the earthquake out in Foreign. A mad<br> + jester he was. A tramp class of a man. <i>(To Jester.)</i><br> + Where is it you stop?</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: Where do I stop? Where would I be<br> + but everywhere, like the bad weather. I stop in<br> + no place, but going through the whole roads of<br> + the world.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: What brought you in here?</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: Hearing questions going on, and answers.<br> + I am well able to give help in that. It's<br> + not long since I was giving instruction to the sons<br> + of the King of Babylon. Here now is a question.<br> + How many ladders would it take to reach to the<br> + moon?</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: It should be a great many.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: I give it up.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: One ...if it is long enough! Which<br> + is it easier to spell, ducks or geese?</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: Ducks I suppose because it's shorter.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: Not at all but geese. Do you know<br> + why? Because it is spelled with <i>ees</i>. Tell me<br> + now, can you spell pup backwards?</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: P-u-p....</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: Not at all.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: But it is.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: No, that is pup straight forwards....<br> + Can you run back and forwards at the same time?</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Answer it yourself so.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: You would be as wise as myself then.<br> + But I'll show you some tricks. Look at these<br> + three straws on my hand. Will I be able to blow<br> + two of them away, and the other to stay in its place?</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: They would all blow away.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: Look now. Puff! (<i>He has put his<br> + finger on the middle one</i>.) Now is it possible?</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: It is easy when you know the way.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: That is so with all knowledge. Can you<br> + wag one ear and keep the other quiet?</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Nobody can do that.</p> + + <p><i>Jester: (Wagging one ear with his finger.)</i> There,<br> + now you see I have done it! There's more learning<br> + than is taught in books. Wait now and I'll give<br> + you out a song I'll engage you never heard. (<i>Sings<br> + or repeats</i>.)</p>It's I can rhyme you out the joy<br> + That's ready for a lively boy.<br> + Cuchulain flung a golden ball<br> + And followed it where it would fall,<br> + And when they counted him a child<br> + He took the flying swans alive.<br> + And Finn was given hares to mind<br> + Till he outran them and the wind;<br> + And he could swim and overtake<br> + The wild duck swimming on the lake.<br> + Osgar's young music was to thwack<br> + The enemy and drive him back....<br> + + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: That's enough now. I have no<br> + fancy for that class of song. What other amusements<br> + are there?</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: There are the Wrenboys are come here<br> + at the end of their twelve days' funning.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: That's it! The Wrenboys; a rambling<br> + troop; rambling the world like myself. I will make<br> + place for them. The old must give way to the<br> + young.</p> + + <p>(<i>He goes and sits down in a corner, munching<br> + a crust and dozing</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: Come in here let ye, and show what<br> + ye can do!</p> + + <p>(<i>Wrenboys come in playing a fife. They are<br> + wearing little masks and are dressed in<br> + ragged tunics; they carry drum and, fife,<br> + and stand in a line</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>All Five Wrenboys: (Together.)</i></p>The wren, the wren, + the King of all birds,<br> + On Stephen's Day was caught in the furze.<br> + Although he's small his family's great,<br> + Rise up kind gentry and give us a treat!<br> + (<i>Rub-a-tub-tub-tub, on the drum</i>.)<br> + <br> + Down with the kettle and up with the pan<br> + And give us money to bury the wren!<br> + <i>(Rub-a-tub.)</i><br> + <br> + We followed him twenty miles since morn,<br> + The Wrenboys are all tattered and torn.<br> + From Kyle-na-Gno we started late<br> + And here we are at this grand gate!<br> + <i>(Rub-a-tub.)</i><br> + <br> + He dipped his wing in a barrel of beer—<br> + We wish you all a Happy New Year!<br> + Give us now money to buy him a bier<br> + And if you don't, we'll bury him here!<br> + (<i>Rub-a-tub, and fife</i>.)<br> + + + <p>(<i>Princes laugh and clap hands</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: That is very good.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: We must give them some money to<br> + bury the wren!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Come on then and I will give you<br> + some. They will be glad of it. Play now the<br> + harp as you go.</p> + + <p>(<i>Princes go off playing, "Home, Sweet Home</i>."<br> + <i>The Wrenboys sit down</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: It is likely we'll get good + treatment.</p> + + <p><i>Jester: (Coming forward.)</i> Ye should be tired.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: We should be, but that we have<br> + our feet well soled,—with the dust of the road!</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: If walking could tire us we might<br> + be tired. But we're as well pleased to be moving,<br> + where we have no house or home that you'll call a<br> + house or a home.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: That's not so with those young princes.<br> + Wouldn't you be well pleased if ye could change<br> + places with them? (<i>He goes back to his corner</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: They are lovely kind young<br> + princes. I was near in dread they might set the<br> + dogs at us.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: They would do that if they<br> + knew the Ogre had sent us to spy out the place<br> + for him.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: It failed us to see what he wanted<br> + us to see. It is likely he will beat us, when we go<br> + back, with his cat-o'-nine-tails.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: Wouldn't it be good if we could<br> + do as that Jester was saying and change places with<br> + those sons of kings! They that can lie in the<br> + sunshine on soft pillows.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: They that can use food when they<br> + ask it, and not have to wait till they can find it,<br> + or steal it, or get it what way they can.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: And not to be waiting till you'll<br> + hear a rabbit squealing, with the teeth of a weasel<br> + in his neck.</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: And the weasel when you take<br> + it to be spitting poison at you, the same as a serpent.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: It would be a nice thing to be<br> + eating sweet red apples in place of the green crabs.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: Or to be maybe sucking marrow-bones.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: It is likely they are as airy and<br> + as careless as the blackbird singing on the bush.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: It's likely they go following after<br> + foxes on horses, having huntsmen and beagles at<br> + their feet.</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: Or go out sporting and fowling<br> + with their greyhound and with their gun.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: Or matching fighting cocks.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: It's likely they lead a gentleman's<br> + life, card-playing and eating and drinking, and<br> + racing with jockeys in speckled clothes.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: Their brooches were shining like<br> + green fire, the same as a marten cat's eyes. They<br> + have everything finer than another.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: Their faces as clean as a linen<br> + sheet. Their hair as if combed with a silver comb.</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: There is no one to so much as<br> + put a clean shirt on ourselves.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy: (Rubbing his hand</i>.) I never<br> + felt uneasy at the dirt that is grinted into me till<br> + I saw them so nice.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: That music they were playing<br> + put me in mind of some far thing. It is dreamed<br> + to me, and it is never leaving my mind, that there<br> + is something I remember in the long ago ...<br> + music in a house that was as bright as the moon,<br> + or as the brightest night of stars.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: Whisht! They are coming!</p> + + <p>(<i>The Princes come back</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Here are coppers for you.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: And white money.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: And here is a piece of gold.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: We are thankful to you! We'll<br> + bury the Wren in grand style now!</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Have you far to go?</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: Not very far if it was a straight<br> + road. But it is through the forest we go, beyond<br> + the lake.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: We will hardly be there before<br> + the moon rises.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Are you afraid in the night time?</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: I am not. But I've seen a great<br> + deal of strange things at that time.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: What sort of things?</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: Fairies you'd see.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: Are there such things?</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: One night I was attending a + pot-still,<br> + roasting oats for to make still-whiskey, and I<br> + seen hares coming out of the wood, by fours and by<br> + sixes, and they as thin as thin....</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: Hares are the biggest fairies of + all.</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: And down by the sea <i>I</i> met a<br> + weasel bringing up a fish in his mouth from the<br> + tide. And I often seen seals there, seals that are<br> + enchanted and look like humans, and will hold up<br> + a hand the same as a Christian.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: I that saw a hedgehog running<br> + up the side of a mountain as swift as a racehorse.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: It's the moonlight is the only time!</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: I never saw the moon but through<br> + a window.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: That's the time to go ramble.<br> + <i>(He chants</i>.)<br> + You'll see the crane in the water standing,<br> + And never landing a fish, for fright,<br> + For he can but shiver seeing in the river<br> + His shadow shaking in the bright moonlight.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: Or you may listen to the plover's + whistle,<br> + When high above him the wild geese screech;<br> + Or the mallard flying, as the night is dying,<br> + His neck out-stretched towards the salt sea beach.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: When dawn discloses the oak and shows + us<br> + The wide sky whitening through the scanty ash,<br> + High in the beeches the furry creatures,<br> + Squirrel and marten lightly pass.</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>:<br> + The badger scurries to find his burrow<br> + The rabbit hurries to hide underground.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>:<br> + The pigeon rouses the thrush that drowses,<br> + The woods awaken and the world goes round!</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: Come now, it's time to be taking<br> + the road. Thank you, noble Gentlemen! That<br> + you may be doing the same thing this day fifty years!<br> + <i>(They go off playing fife and beating drum</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: I would nearly wish to be in their<br> + place to go through the world at large.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: They can go visit strange cities,<br> + sailing in white-sailed ships.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: They have no lessons to learn.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: No hours to keep. No clocks to<br> + strike.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: No Lady Messengers coming to<br> + show off to.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: They should be as merry as midges.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: As free as the March wind.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: I don't know how we stopped so<br> + long shut up in this place.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: I would be nearly ready to change<br> + places with them if such a thing were possible.</p> + + <p><i>Jester: (Who has had his back to them comes<br> + forward; the Princes stand on his right in a half<br> + circle.)</i> And why wouldn't you change?</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: It is a thing not possible.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: I never could know the meaning of that<br> + word "impossible." Where there's a will there's<br> + a way.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: It seems to me like the sound of a<br> + bell ringing a long way off, that I had leave at one<br> + time to go here and there.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: If you are in earnest wanting to come to<br> + that freedom again you will get it.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: No, we would be followed and<br> + brought back through kindness.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: If you have the strong wish to make<br> + the change you can make it.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: I think I was never so much in<br> + earnest in all my life.</p> + + <p><i>(The Jester takes his pipe and plays a note<br> + on it. The Wrenboys come back beating<br> + their drum. They stand in a half circle<br> + on Jester's left.)</i></p><i>Jester: (To all.)</i><br> + If it's true ye wish to change,<br> + Some to have a wider range,<br> + Some to have an easy life,<br> + Some to rove into the wild,<br> + If you do it, do it fast,<br> + Do it while you have the chance.<br> + + <p><i>Wrenboys: (Together.)</i> We will change! We + will!</p><i>Jester: (To Princes.)</i><br> + If you wish to leave your ease<br> + And live wild and free like these<br> + Like the fawn free and wild,<br> + Not closed in as is a child,<br> + Take your chance as it has come,<br> + Let you run and run and run,<br> + Where you'll get your joy and fun!<br> + + <p><i>2nd Prince:</i> They will know us, they will know us!</p> + + <p><i>Jester:</i> Change your clothes, change your clothes!</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince:</i> They will know us every place.</p> + + <p><i>Jester:</i> Put their masks upon your + face.</p><i>(Wrenboys give them the masks.)</i><br> + You never will be missed<br> + For I will throw a dust<br> + Before everybody's eye<br> + That wants to look or pry<br> + To see if you are here,—<br> + And if you should appear<br> + To be someway strange or queer<br> + They will think themselves are blind<br> + Or confused in the mind!<br> + + + <p><i>(Throws a handful of dust over all the boys.)</i></p>Dust + of Mullein, work your spell;<br> + Keep the double secret well!<br> + + + <p><i>5th Prince: (To a Wrenboy.)</i></p>Give me here your coat + now fast<br> + I don't want to be the last.<br> + + + <p><i>(They all rapidly change coats and caps.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Jester:</i> That will do, that is enough.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: But my hands are very + rough.</p><i>Jester</i>:<br> + Never mind; never mind,<br> + The truth is hard to find!<br> + + + <p><i>Guardian: (Off stage.)</i> Gillie, do as you are<br> + told, shut the door, it's getting cold.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Oh, I'm in dread! What will be<br> + said!</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: I'd sooner stay in my old + way!</p><i>Jester</i>:<br> + Never mind, never mind!<br> + The truth is hard to find!<br> + Keep steady. Are you ready?<br> + + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: I'll be ashamed if I am blamed.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: I have no grace or lovely face!</p> + + <p><i>Jester: (To Princes.)</i> Too late, too late! Go<br> + out the gate!</p> + + <p>(<i>The Princes have taken up fife and drum.<br> + They march out playing</i>.)</p><br> + + + <p>CURTAIN</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT II</h2> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT II</h2><br> + + + <p>SCENE I</p> + + <p>(<i>A front scene. A poor hut or tent, the<br> + Princes are coming in slowly, some limping.<br> + They are in Wrenboys' clothes and the<br> + masks are in their hands</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: This should be the hut where the<br> + Wrenboys told us to come.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: It is a poor looking place.</p> + + <p><i>3d Prince</i>: It is good to have any place to sit<br> + down in for a while. My back is aching.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: My feet are all scratched and torn.<br> + There are blisters rising.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince:</i> I thought we would never come to<br> + the end of the road. The stones by the lake were<br> + so hard and so sharp.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: It was a root of a tree I fell over<br> + that made these bruises on my knees. I was<br> + watching a hawk that was still and quiet up in the<br> + air, and when it made a swoop all of a sudden<br> + I stumbled and fell.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: It was in slipping where the rocks<br> + are high I gave this twist to my arm. I can hardly<br> + move it.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: But wasn't the sight of the sunset<br> + splendid over the lake? And the hills so blue!</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: I like the tall trees best. I tried<br> + to climb up one of them, but it was so smooth I<br> + did but slip and fall.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: I would wish to walk as far as the<br> + hills, and to have a view of the ocean that is beyond.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: I am hungry. I wonder where we<br> + will get our supper.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Not in this place, anyway, it must<br> + be making ready in some big guesthouse.</p> + + <p><i>3rd, Prince</i>: What will they give us, I wonder?</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: I wish we had in our hand what<br> + they have ready for us at home.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: What use would it be to us? Do<br> + you remember what we asked to be given, some<br> + jellies and a few grapes? It is not that much<br> + would satisfy me now.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: Indeed it would not. I never felt<br> + so sharp a hunger in my longest memory.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: It is roasted meat I would wish for.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: There were pigeons in the tall<br> + trees. They will maybe give us a pigeon pie.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: I would be content with a plate of<br> + minced turkey with poached eggs.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: I would sooner have a roasted<br> + chicken, with bread sauce.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: Be quiet.... I think I hear someone<br> + coming! <i>(Looks out.)</i></p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince: (Looking out.)</i> I see him. He is not<br> + a right man ...he is very strange looking....</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince: (Looking out.)</i> Oh! It is an Ogre!<br> + A Grugach!</p> + + <p><i>(All shrink back and hurriedly put on masks.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Coming in: he wears a frightful mask, has<br> + red hair and a cloak of rough skins and carries a<br> + whip with many lashes</i>.) What makes ye late to-night,<br> + ye young schemers? What was it delayed<br> + ye? Lagging along the road.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: We came as fast as we could. It<br> + was getting dusk in the wood.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Dusk, good morrow to you! I'll dusk<br> + ye! I had a mind to go after ye and to change<br> + myself into the form of a wolf, and catch a hold of<br> + ye with my long sharp teeth!</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: We did not know there was any<br> + great hurry.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: There is always hurry when you are on<br> + my messages. What did I bring you away from<br> + your own house for and put ye on the shaughraun<br> + for and keep ye wandering, if it was not to be<br> + serviceable and helpful to myself. Show me now<br> + what ye have in your pocket or your bag.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: This is all we got in the bag. + (<i>Holds<br> + it out</i>.) It is but very little.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: (<i>Turning it out and counting it</i>.) + Coppers!<br> + Silver! What is this? A piece of gold! Is that<br> + what ye call little? What notions ye have! Take<br> + care did ye keep any of it back! If ye did I'll<br> + skin ye with the lash of my cat-o'-nine-tails.<br> + (<i>Shakes it</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: That is all we got. It should maybe<br> + pay for our supper in some place.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: What supper? To go buy supper with<br> + my money! It will go to add to my store of<br> + treasure in the cave that is under ground.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: We are hungry, very hungry. When<br> + will the supper be ready?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: It will be ready whenever ye will ready<br> + it for yourselves. Ye should know that by this time.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: We would make it ready if we were<br> + acquainted with the way.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: It is gone cracked ye are? What is it<br> + ye are thinking to get for your supper? What<br> + ailed ye that ye didn't climb a tree and suck a few<br> + pigeon's eggs?</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: We were thinking of a pigeon pie.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: A what!!!</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: A pigeon pie.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Hurry on then making your pigeon pie!<br> + There are pigeons enough there in the corner, that<br> + a hawk that is my carrier brought me in a while<br> + ago. And there's a pike that was in the lake these<br> + hundred years, an otter is after leaving at my door.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: (<i>Taking a pigeon</i>.) I don't + think<br> + this is a right pigeon.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Pigeons in a pie are not the pigeons<br> + that have feathers.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: (<i>To Ogre</i>.) Please, sir, where + can<br> + we find pigeons without feathers, that are trussed<br> + on a silver skewer?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Aye? What's that?</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Never mind. You'll anger him.<br> + Maybe we can pull the feathers off these. I have<br> + read of plucking a pigeon in our books. (<i>They<br> + begin to pluck</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: It is very hard work.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: I never knew feathers could stick<br> + in so hard.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: The more we pull out the more<br> + there would seem to be left.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: It will be a feather pie we will be<br> + getting in the end.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: (<i>Throwing it down</i>.) It is no + use.<br> + We might work at it to-day and to-morrow and be<br> + no nearer to a finish.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: The pike might be better.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: It has no feathers anyway.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: (<i>Touching it</i>.) It is raw and + bleeding!</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: We might roast it.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: The fire is black out.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: I wonder what way can we kindle it?</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: Better ask him. (<i>Points to + Ogre</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: Please, sir, what way can we kindle<br> + the fire?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: What!</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: We would wish to light the fire.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Well, do so.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: If we had a box of matches....</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Matches! What are you talking about?<br> + Matches won't be invented for the next seven<br> + hundred years.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: What can we do then, we are starving<br> + with hunger.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Let ye blow a breath upon a coal under<br> + the ashes, and bring in small sticks from the wood.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: (<i>Blowing</i>.) The ashes are choking + me.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Very good. Then you'll put no delay<br> + on me, waiting till you'll cook your supper.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: Where can we get it then?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: You'll go without it, as you were too<br> + helpless to catch it, or to dress it, there's no one<br> + will force you to eat it.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: If there is nothing for us to eat we<br> + had best pass the time in sleep.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: I am all covered with ashes and<br> + dirt. (<i>To Ogre</i>.) Please, where can I find a towel<br> + and a piece of soap?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Soap! Is it bewitched ye are or demented<br> + in the head? Did ever anyone hear of<br> + soap unless of a Saturday night? Letting on to be<br> + as dainty and as useless as those young princes<br> + beyond, that are kept closed up in a tower of glass.<br> + Come on now. If there is no food that suits you,<br> + leave it. It is time for us to get to work.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: But it is bed-time.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Your bed-time is the time when I have<br> + no more use for you. Don't you know I have<br> + made a plan? What was it I sent you for, spying<br> + out that place of the young princes? Wasn't it<br> + to see where is it that treasure is kept, the + golden-handled<br> + sword of Justice that is used by the<br> + Guardian when he turns Judge.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: That is kept in the Courthouse.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: That's right ...in what part of it?</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: What do you want it for?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: I have it in my mind this long time to<br> + get and to keep it in my cave under ground, along<br> + with the rest of my treasures that are in charge of<br> + my two enchanted cats. I have had near enough<br> + of grubbing for gold with a pick in the clefts and<br> + crannies of the earth. It is time for me to find<br> + some rest, and get into my hand what is ready<br> + worked and smelted and purified. We are going<br> + to that Courthouse to-night. If we cannot get in<br> + at the door, I will put ye in at the window and ye<br> + can open the door to myself. I will find out<br> + where the sword is, and away with us, and it in<br> + my hand.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: But that would be stealing.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: What else would it be?</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: But that is wrong. It is against the + law.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: The law! That is the Judge's trade.<br> + Breaking it is mine.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: Ask him for it and maybe he will<br> + give it to you, he is so kind.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: I'll take no charity! What I get I'll<br> + earn by taking it. I would feel no pleasure it being<br> + given to me, any more than a huntsman would<br> + take pleasure being made a present of a dead fox,<br> + in place of getting a run across country after it.<br> + Come on now! We'll have the moon wasted.<br> + We'll hardly get there before the dawn of day.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Whatever time you get there the<br> + Guardian will be awake. There is a cock of Denmark<br> + perched on the curtain rod of his bed,<br> + specially to waken him if there is any stir.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: There is, is there? What a fool you<br> + think me to be. Do you see that pot?</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: We do see it.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Look what there is in it.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: Nothing but a few bare bones.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Well, that is all that is left of the + Judge's<br> + cock of Denmark, that was brought to me awhile<br> + ago by a fox that is my messenger, and that I have<br> + boiled and ate and devoured.</p> + + <p><i>All the Princes</i>: O! O! O!</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: (<i>Cracking his whip</i>.) He was boiled + in<br> + the little pot. Come on now and lead the way, or<br> + I give you my word it is in the big pot your own<br> + bones will be making broth for my breakfast in the<br> + morning! (<i>Cracks whip</i>.) Now, right about face!<br> + Quick march!</p> + + <p>CURTAIN</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>SCENE II</h2> + + <p><i>(The Winter Garden, evening. The Servant<br> + settling benches and a table.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Guardian: (Coming in.)</i> Are the Dowager<br> + Messengers come? They are late.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> They are come. They are at the<br> + looking-glasses settling themselves.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> As soon as they are ready you will<br> + call in the Princes for their examination before<br> + them, and their tasks.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> I will.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> The Messengers will have a good<br> + report to bring back of them. They have come<br> + to be good scholars, in poetry, in music, in languages,<br> + in history, in numbers and all sorts. The<br> + old Queen-Godmother will be well satisfied with<br> + their report.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> She might and she might not.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> They would be hard to please if they<br> + are not well pleased with the lads, as to learning<br> + and as to manners and behaviour.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> Maybe so. Maybe so. There are<br> + strange things in the world.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> You're in bad humour, my poor<br> + Gillie. Have you been quarrelling with the cook,<br> + or did you get up on the wrong side of your<br> + bed?</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> There is times when it is hard not to<br> + be in a bad humour.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> What are you grumbling and hinting at?</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> There's times when it's hard to believe<br> + that witchcraft is gone out of the world.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> That is a thing that has been done<br> + away with in this Island through my government,<br> + and through enlightenment and through learning.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> Maybe so. Maybe so.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> I suppose a three-legged chicken has<br> + come out of the shell, or a magpie has come before<br> + you in your path? Or maybe some token in the<br> + stars?</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> It would take more than that to put<br> + me astray.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> Whatever it is you had best tell it + out.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> To see lads of princes, sons of kings,<br> + and the makings of kings, that were mannerly and<br> + well behaved and as civil as a child a few hours<br> + ago, to be sitting in a corner at one time as if in<br> + dread of the light, and tricking and fooling and<br> + grabbing at other times.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> Oh, is that all! The poor lads.<br> + They're out of their habits because of their Godmother's<br> + Messengers coming. They are making<br> + merry and funning, thinking there might be<br> + messages for them or presents.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> Funning is natural. But blowing their<br> + nose with their fingers is not natural.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> High spirits. Just to torment you<br> + in their joy.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> To get a bit of chalk, and to make<br> + marks in the Hall of dancing, and to go playing<br> + hop-scotch.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> High spirits, high spirits! I never<br> + saw boys better behaved or more gentle or with<br> + more sweetness of speech. I am thinking there is<br> + not one among them but will earn the name of<br> + Honey-mouth.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> Have it your own way. But is it a<br> + natural thing, I am asking, for the finger nails to<br> + make great growth in one day?</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> Stop, stop, be quiet. Here now are<br> + the Dowager Messengers. <i>(Two old ladies in<br> + travelling costume appear; bowing low to them.)</i><br> + You are welcome for the sake of her that sent you,<br> + and for your own sakes.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger:</i> We are come from the<br> + Court of the Godmother Queen, for news of the<br> + Princes now in your charge;</p> + + <p>She hopes they have manners, are minded well,<br> + and never let run at large;</p> + + <p>For she never has yet got over the fret, of their<br> + five little cousins were swept away.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> Let your mind be at ease, for you'll<br> + be well pleased with the youngsters you're going<br> + to see to-day.</p> + + <p>They're learning the laws to speak and to pause—<br> + may be orators then, or Parliament men.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger:</i> Are they shielded from<br> + harm?</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i></p> + + <p>In my sheltering arm;</p>Do their work and their play in a + mannerly way<br> + And go holding their nose, and tipped on their<br> + toes,<br> + If they pass through a street, that they'll not soil<br> + + <p>their feet.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: And next to good<br> + manners and next to good looks ...</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>:<br> + I know what you'll say ...she asks news of the cooks;<br> + I'm with her in putting them equal to books;<br> + There's some rule by coaxing and some rule by beating,<br> + But my principle is, tempt them on with good eating.<br> + When everything's said, isn't Sparta as dead<br> + As many a place never heard of black bread?<br> + And as to a lad who a tartlet refuses,—<br> + If Cato stewed parsnips he hated the Muses!</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: And at meals are they<br> + taught to behave as they ought?</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>:<br> + You'll be well satisfied and the Queen will have pride,<br> + You will see every Prince use a fork with his mince,<br> + And eating his peas like Alcibiades,<br> + Who would sooner go mute than play on the flute<br> + Lest it made him grimace and contorted his face.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: Oh, all that you say<br> + delights us to-day!</p> + + <p>We'll have good news to bring of these sons of<br> + a king.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: Here they are now coming.</p> + + <p>(<i>Wrenboys in Princes' clothes come in awkwardly</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>:<br> + Now put out a chair.<br> + Where these ladies may hear.<br> + Come over, my boys ...(Now what is that noise?)<br> + Come here, take your places, and show us your<br> + faces,<br> + And say out your task as these ladies will ask.<br> + I would wish them to know how you say <i>Parlez-vous</i>,<br> + And I'd like you to speak in original Greek<br> + And make numeration, and add up valuation;<br> + But to lead you with ease and on by degrees<br> + In case you are shy in the visitors' eye<br> + I will let you recite, as you easily might,<br> + The kings of that Island that no longer are silent<br> + But ask recognition and to take a position—<br> + (Though if stories are true they ran about blue,<br> + While we in Hy-Brasil wore our silks to a frazzle—)<br> + So the rhymes you may say that I heard you to-day;<br> + And the opening will fall on the youngest of all.</p> + + <p><i>Servant:</i> Let you stand up now and do as you<br> + are bid. <i>(Touches 5th Wrenboy</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> Go on, my child, say out your lesson.<br> + William the First as the Conqueror known....<br> + <i>(Boy puts finger in mouth and hangs his head.)</i><br> + Ah, he is shy. Don't be affrighted, go on now;<br> + don't you remember it?</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy:</i> I do not.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> Try it again now. You said it off<br> + quite well this morning.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy:</i> It fails me.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> Now I will give you a start: "William<br> + the First as the Conqueror known,<br> + At the Battle of Hastings ascended the throne<br> + ..." Say that now.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy: (Nudging 4th.)</i> Let you word it.</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy: (To Guardian.)</i> Let you word it<br> + again, sir.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: "William the First as the Conqueror<br> + known."</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: William the First as the congereel<br> + known....</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: What is that? You would not do<br> + it to vex me! Gillie is maybe right. There is<br> + something strange.... (<i>To another</i>.) You may<br> + try now. Go on to the next verse. "William<br> + called Rufus from having red hair." ...<i>(He does<br> + not answer</i>.) Say it anyone who knows....</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy: (Putting up his hand</i>.) I know<br> + a man that has red hair!</p> + + <p><i>All the Wrenboys: (Cheerfully)</i> So do I! So<br> + do I!</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: He lives in the wood beyond!<br> + He is no way good! He is an Ogre, a Grugach....</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: He can turn himself into the shape<br> + of a beast, or he can change his face at any time;<br> + sometimes he'll be that wicked you would think<br> + he was a wolf; he would skin you with his + cat-o'-nine-tails!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: What gibberish are you talking?</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: He goes working underground to<br> + get gold!</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: It is minded by enchanted cats!</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: They would tear in bits anyone<br> + that would find it!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Now take care, lads, this is carrying<br> + a joke too far. I was wrong to begin with that<br> + silly history. Tell me out now the parts of speech.</p>"A + noun's the name of anything<br> + As school or garden, hoop or swing."<br> + + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: An owl's the name of anything....</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: A <i>noun</i>.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: An <i>owl</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Don't pretend you don't know it.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: I do know it. I know an owl<br> + that sits in the cleft of the hollow sycamore and<br> + eats its fill of mice, till it can hardly put a stir<br> + out of itself.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: I do wish you would stop talking<br> + nonsense.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: It is not, but sense. It devoured<br> + ere yesterday a whole fleet of young rats.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: It's as wise as King Solomon.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Gillie was right. There is surely<br> + something gone wrong in their heads.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: Go out yourself and you'll see are<br> + we wrong in the head! Inside in the old sycamore<br> + he is sitting through the daylight.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: There is something gone<br> + wrong in <i>somebody's</i> head.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: (<i>Tapping her + forehead</i>.)<br> + The poor Guardian; he is too long past his youth.<br> + It is well we came to look how things were going<br> + before it is too late.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: Ask them to say something<br> + they <i>do</i> know.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Here, you're good at arithmetic, say<br> + now your numbers.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: Twelve coppers make a shilling.<br> + I never handled more than that.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: (<i>Angrily</i>.) Well, do as the lady + said,<br> + tell us something you <i>do</i> know.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: (<i>Standing up, excited</i>.) I + know<br> + the way to make bird-lime, steeping willow rods in<br> + the stream....</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: I know how to use my fists; I<br> + knocked a tinker bigger than myself.</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: I am the best at wrestling. I<br> + knocked <i>him</i>self. (<i>Pointing at 3rd</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: I that can skin a fawn after<br> + catching him running!</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>. Where now did you get<br> + that learning?</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: Here and there, rambling the<br> + woods, sleeping out at night. I would never<br> + starve in any place where grass grows!</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: This is worse than<br> + neglect. The poor old Guardian the Queen put<br> + her trust in must be in his dotage.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: (<i>Hastily</i>.) Here, there is at least + one<br> + thing you will not fail in. Take the harp (<i>hands<br> + it to the 1st Wrenboy</i>) and draw out of it sweet<br> + sounds, (<i>To Dowager Messengers</i>.) He can play<br> + a tune so sweet it has been known to send all the<br> + hearers into a sound sleep. Here now, touch the<br> + strings with all your skill.</p> + + <p>(<i>1st Wrenboy bangs harp, making a crash</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: (<i>With hands to + ears</i>.)<br> + Mercy! Our poor ears!</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: That is the poorest<br> + music we have ever heard.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: That sound would send<br> + no one into their sleep. It would be more likely<br> + to send them into Bedlam.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: Whatever they knew<br> + last year, they have forgotten it all now.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: (<i>Weeping into his handkerchief</i>.) + I<br> + don't know what has come upon them! At noon<br> + they were the most charming lads in the whole<br> + world. Their memory seems to have left<br> + them!</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: It is as if another<br> + memory had come to them. They did not learn<br> + those wild tricks shut up in the garden.</p> + + <p><i>Servant: (To Boys</i>.) Can't ye behave nice and<br> + not ugly? <i>(To Guardian</i>.) You would not believe<br> + me a while ago. I said and I say still there is<br> + enchantment on them, and spells.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Oh, I would be sorry to think such<br> + a thing. But they never went on this way in their<br> + greenest youth.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: If there is a spell upon<br> + them what way can it be taken off?</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: It is what I always heard, that to make<br> + a rod of iron red in the fire, and to burn the enchantment<br> + out of them is the only way.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Oh, boys, do you hear that! You<br> + would not like to be burned with a red hot rod!<br> + Say out now what at all is the matter with you?<br> + What is it you feel within you that is putting you<br> + from your gentle ways?</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: The thing that I feel in me is<br> + hunger. The thing I would wish to feel inside me<br> + is a good fistful of food.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: They have been starved<br> + and stinted! It would kill their Godmother on<br> + the moment if she was aware of that!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: It is a part of their playgame. They<br> + have everything they ask.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy: I</i> did not eat a farthing's worth<br> + since yesterday.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: My teeth are rusty with the want<br> + of food!</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: I want some dinner!</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: We want something to eat!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Give them whatever you have ready<br> + for them, Gillie.</p> + + <p><i>Servant: (Giving the plates.)</i> Here is the supper<br> + ye gave orders for this morning.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: What is it at all?</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: It is your choice thing. Jellies and<br> + grapes from Spain.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy: (Pushing away grapes)</i> Berries!<br> + I thought to get better than berries from the bush.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: There's not much satisfaction in<br> + berries!</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: If it was a pig's foot now; or as<br> + much as a potato with a bit of dripping.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy: (Looking at jelly.)</i> What now is<br> + this? It has like the appearance of frog spawn.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>; Or the leavings of a fallen star.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: Shivering it is and shaking. It's<br> + not natural! (<i>Drops his plate</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: There is nothing here to satisfy<br> + our need.</p> + + <p><i>2nd. Dowager Messenger:</i> I am nearly sorry for<br> + them, poor youngsters. When they were but little<br> + toddlers they never behaved like that at home.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: It's the starvingest place ever I<br> + was in!</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: There must be something<br> + in what they say. They would not ask for<br> + food if they were not in need of it. And the<br> + Guardian making so much talk about his table and<br> + his cooks. We cannot go home and report that<br> + they have no learning and no food.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: As to learning I don't<br> + mind. But as to food, I would not wish to leave<br> + them without it for the night. They might be as<br> + small as cats in the morning.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: They are dreaming when they say<br> + they are in want of food.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: It is a dream that will<br> + waken up their Godmother.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: Look, ma'am, at the table behind you,<br> + and you will see is this a scarce house! That is<br> + what is set out for yourselves, ma'am, lobsters<br> + from Aughanish! A fat turkey from the barley<br> + gardens! A spiced and larded sucking pig! Cakes<br> + and sweets and all sorts! It is not the want of<br> + provision was ever brought against us up to this!</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: If all this is for us, we<br> + would sooner give it up to those poor children.</p> + + <p>(<i>To Wrenboys</i>.) Here, my dears, we will not eat<br> + while you are in want of food. We will give it all<br> + to you.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: Is it that we can have what is on<br> + that table?</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: You may, and welcome.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy: (With a shout.)</i> Do you hear<br> + that news! Come on now. Take your chance!<br> + I'll have the first start! Skib scab! Hip, hip,<br> + hooray!</p> + + <p>(<i>They rush at table and upset it, flinging<br> + themselves on the food</i>)</p> + + <p>CURTAIN</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT III</h2> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <h2>ACT III</h2><br> + + + <p><i>The Hall of Justice. It is nearly dawn. The last<br> + of the Princes is getting in through the window.<br> + They are wearing their masks</i>.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Outside door to left.)</i> Open now the door<br> + for myself.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: No, we will get rid of him now. Let<br> + the Grugach stay outside.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: That will be best. He cannot<br> + break the bars of this door, or get round over the<br> + high wall to the door on the other side.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: I am sore with the blows he put on<br> + us, driving us before him through the wood.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Let us call to the Guardian, and let<br> + him deal with him. He can bring his foot soldiers<br> + and his guns.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: A villain that Ogre is and a thief,<br> + wanting to steal away the golden-handled sword.<br> + But we would not tell him where it was, and he<br> + never will find it under the step of the Judge's<br> + chair. (<i>Lifts top of step, takes out sword and puts it<br> + back again</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Outside.)</i> Are ye going to open the door?</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: It is a great thing to have that<br> + strong door between us.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: Take care would he break it in.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: No fear. It would make too much<br> + noise. It would bring every person in the house<br> + running.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Let us go quick and call the<br> + Guardian.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: What will he <i>say</i> seeing us in + these<br> + clothes? He will be vexed with us.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: It was folly of us running away.<br> + But he will forgive us, knowing it will teach us<br> + better sense.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: Come to him then, I don't mind<br> + what he will do to us so long as we are safe from<br> + the terrible Grugach of an Ogre. (<i>All go to right<br> + door, it opens and Ogre bursts in</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Ye thought to deceive me, did ye? Ye<br> + thought to bar me out and to keep me out? And<br> + I after minding you and caring you these seven<br> + years!</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: What way did you get in?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: It's easy for me to get in any place. If<br> + I had a mind I could turn into a house fly and come<br> + through the lockhole of the door. It's much if I<br> + don't change the whole lot of ye into small birds,<br> + and myself to a hawk going through you! Or, into<br> + frightened mice, and I myself into a starving cat!<br> + It's much if I don't skin you with this whip, and<br> + grind your bones as fine as rape seed!</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: I will call for help! (<i>Tries to + shout</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Putting hand over his mouth and lifting<br> + whip.)</i> Shout now and welcome, and it is bare<br> + bones will be left of you! If it wasn't that I need<br> + you to search out the golden-handled sword for me<br> + I'd throttle the whole of ye as easy as I'd squeeze<br> + an egg! Come on now! Show me where the<br> + treasure is hid.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: How would we know?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Didn't I send ye spying it out, and if it<br> + fails ye to make it out, I'll boil and bake you!</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince: (Looking about and pointing to end<br> + of room</i>.) It might be there.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: What way would it be on the bare floor?<br> + Search it out.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince: (Looking under a bench</i>.) It might<br> + be here.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: It is not there.</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince: (Looking up chimney</i>?) This would<br> + be a good hiding-place.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Looks up</i>.) There is nothing in it, only<br> + an old nest of a jackdaw,—a bundle of bare twigs.<br> + Trying to deceive me you are and to lead me astray.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: It might be on the shelf.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Stop your chat unless you have something<br> + worth saying.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince: (Sitting down on step under which<br> + sword is hidden</i>.) Are you certain there is any<br> + treasure at all?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: You are humbugging and making a fool<br> + of me! <i>(Lashes whip and seizes him</i>.) Get up<br> + now out of that! <i>(Drags him up and taps board.)<br></i> + There is a hollow sort of a sound.... That is<br> + a sort of place where a treasure might be hid.<br> + <i>(Drags up board</i>.) I see something shining. <i>(Pulls<br> + out sword</i>.) Oh, it is a lovely sword! And the<br> + handle of pure gold. The best I ever seen!</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince: (To the others</i>.) I'll make a run now<br> + and call out and awaken all in the house! <i>(Is going<br> + towards door</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Seizing him</i>.) You'd make your escape<br> + would you?</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince: (Calling out</i>.) Ring the big bell,<br> + ring the bell! I forgot it till now.</p> + + <p>(<i>They pull a bell-rope and bell is beard + clanging</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Rushing at them as they ring it</i>.) I'll + stop<br> + that!</p> + + <p><i>(Voices are heard, at door to right. Ogre rushes to other + door</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: I'll get the sword from him. + <i>(Snatches<br> + it away as Ogre is rushing at him. Servant and<br> + Guardian come in</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: What is going on! (<i>Blows a + whistle</i>.)<br> + Here, soldiers of the guard!</p> + + <p><i>(Feet are heard marching and bugle blowing at<br> + left door. Ogre rapidly slips off his mask,<br> + and appears as a harmless old man.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i> Thieves! Robbers! Burglars!<br> + Here, soldiers, surround the place; who are these<br> + ruffians? Murder! Robbery! Fire!</p> + + <p><i>(Two soldiers come in</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: They are the very same youngsters<br> + were at our door this morning, doing their play;<br> + those Wrenboys!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: They are thieves. There is one of<br> + them bringing away my gold-handled sword. <i>(He<br> + and Servant seize sword</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Coming forward and bowing low</i>.) It<br> + is time for you to come, your honour my lordship!<br> + I am proud to see you coming! It was I myself<br> + that rang the bell and that called and awakened<br> + you, where I would not like to see the place robbed<br> + and left bare by these scum of the world!</p> + + <p><i>All the Princes</i>: Oh! Oh! Oh!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: What have you to do with it?<br> + Where do you come from?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: An honest poor man I am....</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: You have a queer wild sort of a<br> + dress.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Making a living I do be, dressing up as a<br> + hobgoblin and a bogey man to get an odd copper<br> + from a mother here and there, would be wishful to<br> + frighten a stubborn child from bawling or from<br> + tricks. Passing the door I was, and hearing a noise<br> + I looked in, and these young villains were after<br> + rising a board and taking out that sword you seen<br> + in their hands. It is then that I made a clamour<br> + with the bell.</p> + + <p>(<i>Princes laugh</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Who are they at all?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: It is I myself say it; they are the terror<br> + of the whole district.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: You may save your breath and stop<br> + that talk. This gentleman knows us well. He<br> + knows us and will recognise us.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: I do recognise you. I saw you but<br> + yesterday.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: There now, what do you say?</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: You are those vagabond Wrenboys<br> + that came tricking and begging to my gate.</p> + + <p><i>Princes</i>: Oh! Oh! Oh!</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: That's it! Spying round they were!<br> + Thinking to do a robbery! Robbery they're after<br> + doing!</p> + + <p><i>3rd Prince</i>: We were doing no such thing!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: You were! I stopped you making<br> + off with my sword of Justice.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: If it wasn't for me hindering them they<br> + would have it swept.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: That was very honest of you.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: (<i>Rushing at Ogre</i>.) It is you + that<br> + are a rogue and a thief!</p> + + <p><i>Other Princes</i>: Throw him down while we have<br> + the chance. (<i>They surround him</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Silence! Don't make that disturbance!<br> + I felt a suspicion yesterday the first<br> + time I saw your faces there was villainy hidden<br> + beneath the dust that was on your cheeks.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: Listen to us, listen!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: And whatever I thought then, you<br> + are seventeen times more wicked looking now!<br> + And the very scum of the roads!</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: Oh, have you forgotten your<br> + nurslings!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian: It</i> is well you reminded me of them.<br> + (<i>To Servant</i>.) Go now and bring the young Princes<br> + here till they will see justice done! They are<br> + maybe gone a bit wild and foolish since yesterday,<br> + put out by those Dowager Messengers. But whatever<br> + they were at their worst, they are King George<br> + compared with these!</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: You <i>must</i> listen!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Must! What is that language!<br> + That is a word was never said to me since I was<br> + made the Queen's Chamberlain. Here! Put a<br> + gag upon their mouths! (<i>Soldiers do so, tying a<br> + handkerchief on mouth of each</i>.) Tie their hands<br> + behind them with ropes. (<i>This is done</i>.) + Rapscallions!<br> + Do they think to terrify and command me!<br> + I that am not only Governor of the Island but am<br> + Supreme Judge whenever I come into this Court.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: That is very good and very right! Keep<br> + the gag in their mouth! You wouldn't like to be<br> + listening to the things they were saying a while<br> + ago! They were giving out great impudence and<br> + very disrespectful talk!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Give me here my Judge's wig and<br> + my gown! (<i>Puts them on</i>.) Where now are the<br> + young Princes?</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: They are coming now.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: It will be a great help in their + education<br> + seeing justice done by me, as straight as was<br> + ever done by Aristides. Give me here that book of<br> + punishments and rewards. I'll see what is bad<br> + enough for these lads! (<i>He consults book</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: Here now are the Princes.</p> + + <p><i>(Wrenboys come in wearing Princes' clothes</i>)</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy: (To another</i>) Do you see who it<br> + is that is in it?</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: It is the young Princes in our<br> + clothes!</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy</i>: What in the world wide brought<br> + them here? Believe me it was through some<br> + villainy of the Grugach.</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: What at all has happened?</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: Go ask them what it was brought<br> + them, or what they came doing.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy: (To Princes</i>) What is it brought<br> + you here so soon?</p> + + <p>(<i>Princes shake their heads</i>)</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy: (Coming back</i>) There is a gag<br> + on their mouths!</p> + + <p><i>3rd Wrenboy: (Going and looking</i>) Their hands<br> + are tied with a rope.</p> + + <p><i>4th Wrenboy</i>: They had not the wit to stand<br> + against the Grugach; it is not long till they were<br> + brought to trouble.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: It was seventeen times worse<br> + for them to be under him than for ourselves that<br> + was used to him, and to his cruelty and his ways.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: It was bad enough for ourselves.<br> + We were not built for roguery.</p> + + <p>(<i>The Dowager Messengers rushing in</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Dowager Messengers: (Together.)</i> What is going<br> + on? What has happened?</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: What you see before you has happened.<br> + Those young thieves came to try and to<br> + rob the house. They were found by myself in the<br> + very act of bringing away my golden-handled<br> + sword! They were stopped by this honest man.<br> + (<i>Points to Ogre</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: There would seem to be<br> + a great deal of wickedness around this place!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: I'll put a stop to it! I'll use my<br> + rights as Judge! To have that sort of villainy<br> + running through the Island, it would come through<br> + walls of glass or of marble, and lead away the best.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: There must be something<br> + gone wrong in the stars, our own young<br> + princes having gone wild out of measure, and these<br> + young vagabonds doing no less than house-breaking!<br> + It is hard to live!</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Indeed, ma'am, it would be a great blessing<br> + to the world if all the boys in it could be born<br> + grown up.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian: (Sighing</i>.) I, myself, am beginning<br> + to have that same opinion.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: And so am I myself.<br> + Young men have strength and beauty, and old<br> + men have knowledge and wisdom, but as to boys!<br> + After what we saw a while ago in the supper<br> + room!</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: The Court is about to sit! Take your<br> + places!</p> + + <p><i>(Wrenboys make for the dock and Princes the<br> + jury-box.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: What do you mean, prisoners, going<br> + up there, that is the place for honourable men!<br> + For a jury! It is here in the criminals' dock your<br> + place is.</p> + + <p><i>Servant: (To Wrenboys</i>.) Oh, that is the wrong<br> + place you're in. That is for the wicked and the<br> + poor that are brought to be tried and condemned.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: It is a place the like of that I was<br> + put one time I was charged before a magistrate<br> + for snaring rabbits.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: Silence in the Court. The Judge is<br> + about to speak.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian: (Reading out of book.)</i><br> + It's laid down in a clause of the Cretian laws,<br> + That were put through a filter by Solon,<br> + That for theft the first time, though a capital crime<br> + A criminal may keep his poll on.<br> + Though <i>(consults another book</i>) some jurists believe<br> + That a wretch who can thieve,<br> + Has earned a full stop, not a colon.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: That was said by a better than Solon.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>:</p> + + <p>And the book says in sum, to cut off the left thumb,<br> + May be penalty enough for a warning;<br> + Though <i>(looks at another book</i>) the Commentors say<br> + That one let off that way<br> + Will be thieving again before morning.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: So he will, and the jury suborning.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian:</i><br> + For the second offence, as the crime's more immense,<br> + Take the thumb off the <i>right</i> hand instead;<br> + And the third time he'll steal, without any appeal,<br> + The hangman's to whip off his head.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Very right to do so, for a thief as we + know,<br> + Isn't likely to steal when he's dead.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>:<br> + You won't order the worst, as this crime is the first,<br> + It's a pity if they have to swing.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>:</p> + + <p>In the Commentors' sense, a <i>primal</i> offence<br> + Is as much an impossible thing<br> + As a stream without source, a blow struck without<br> + force,<br> + Or leaves without roots in the spring.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Or a catapult wanting a sling.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>:<br> + But although this case is proved on its face<br> + To be what is called <i>a priori</i><br> + I cannot refuse to consider the views<br> + Of the amiable lady before me. <i>(Bows to 2nd<br> + Dowager Messenger.)</i><br> + In compliance to her I am ready to err<br> + On the side that she leans to, of mercy,<br> + For she has a kind tongue, and the prisoners are<br> + young;<br> + But that they may not live to curse me,<br> + I give out my decree, the <i>left</i> thumb shall be<br> + Kept in Court till the next time they'll come.<br> + And now if you please let whoever agrees<br> + With my pledge turn down his own thumb.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: It is very just and right.<br> + (<i>Turns down hers</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: You're letting them off too easy. They're<br> + a bad example to the world. But to take the<br> + thumb off them is better than nothing! <i>(Turns<br> + down both his thumbs.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Guardian: (To Wrenboys.)</i> Well, my dear pupils,<br> + I don't see you turn down your thumbs.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: We cannot do it. <i>(They cover<br> + their faces with their hands.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Get on so. I never saw the work I'd<br> + sooner do than checking youngsters!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Where is the Executioner?</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: I sent seeking him a while ago, thinking<br> + he might be needed.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Bring him in.</p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: He is not in it. There was so little<br> + business for him this long time under your own<br> + peaceable rule, that he is after leaving us, and<br> + taking a job in a slaughter house out in foreign.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: Maybe that is a token<br> + we should let them off.</p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Briskly.)</i> I am willing to be useful; give<br> + me here a knife or a hatchet!</p> + + <p><i>Servant: (To Ogre.)</i> You need not be pushing<br> + yourself forward. <i>(To Guardian.)</i> There is a<br> + stranger of an Executioner chanced to be passing<br> + the road, just as I sent out, and he looking for<br> + work. He said he would do the job for a four-penny<br> + bit and his dinner, that he is sitting down<br> + to now.</p><i>Guardian: (Sitting up straight and taking up + sword.)</i><br> + Bring him in quick. It often seems a curious thing that I,<br> + Who in my ordinary clothes would hardly hurt a fly,<br> + Hold to the rigour of the law when I put on gown and wig,<br> + As if for mere humanity I didn't care a fig.<br> + For once I'm seated on the bench I do not shrink or flinch<br> + From the reddest laws of Draco, or the practice of Judge + Lynch.<br> + + + <p><i>Servant: (At door.)</i> Here he is now.</p> + + <p><i>(Jester comes in, disguised as Executioner, a<br> + long cloak with hood over his head.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Here is the sword <i>(hands it to him<br> + and reads)</i>, "In case of the first act of theft the<br> + left thumb is to be struck off." There are the<br> + criminals before you. That is what you have to do.</p> + + <p><i>Jester: (Taking the sword.)</i> Stretch out your<br> + hands! There is hurry on me. I was sitting at<br> + the dinner I engaged for. I was called away from<br> + the first mouthful, and I would wish to go back<br> + to the second mouthful that is getting cold.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian: (Relenting.)</i> Maybe now the fright<br> + would be enough to keep them from crimes from<br> + this out. They are but young.</p> + + <p><i>Jester: (To Princes.)</i> Don't be keeping me<br> + waiting! Put out now your hands. <i>(They shake<br> + their heads.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Servant</i>: They cannot do that, being bound.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: If you will not stretch out your hands<br> + when I ask you, I will strike off your heads without<br> + asking! <i>(Flourishes sword.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Guardian: (Standing up.)</i> I did not empower<br> + you to go so far as that! It is without my<br> + authority!</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: You have given over the power of the<br> + law to the power of the sword. It must take its way!</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: I will not give in to that! I have<br> + all authority here!</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: If you grow wicked with the Judge's<br> + wig on your head, so do I with this sword in my<br> + hand! You called me in to do a certain business<br> + and I am going to do it! I am not going to get a<br> + bad name put on me for breach of contract! If<br> + a labourer is given piece work cutting thistles with<br> + a hook he is given leave to do it, or a rat catcher<br> + doing away with vermin in the same way! He<br> + is not bid after his trouble to let them go loose out<br> + of his bag! And why would an Executioner that<br> + is higher again in the profession be checked. Isn't<br> + my pride in my work the same as theirs? And<br> + along with that, let me tell you I belong to a<br> + Trades Union!</p> + + <p><i>(Guardian moans and covers his face.)</i></p> + + <p><i>(To the Princes.)</i> Kneel down now! Where you<br> + kept me so long waiting and that the Judge attempted<br> + to interfere with me, I have my mind<br> + made up to make an end of you! <i>(Holds up sword.)</i></p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy: (Rushing forward and putting his<br> + arms about Prince.)</i> You must not touch him!<br> + These lads never did any harm!</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy: (Protecting a Prince.)</i> It is we<br> + ourselves are to be punished if anyone must be<br> + punished.</p> + + <p><i>3d Wrenboy</i>: They are innocent whoever is to<br> + blame.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: Take their place so! Someone must be<br> + put an end to.</p> + + <p><i>(All the Wrenboys kneel.)</i></p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: Here we are so. We changed<br> + places with them for our own pleasure, thinking<br> + to lead a prince's life, and if there is anyone must<br> + suffer by reason of that change let it be ourselves.</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: I'll take off their gags so and let them + free.</p> + + <p><i>(He cuts cord of gags and hands, then throws<br> + some dust over all boys as before, saying):</i></p>Dust of + Mullein leave the eyes<br> + You made fail to recognise<br> + Princes in their poor disguise;<br> + Princes all, had men clear eyes!<br> + + + <p><i>(The Princes throw off their masks.)</i></p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: It is all a mistake! Oh, Guardian,<br> + don't you know now that we are your murslings<br> + and your wards! Look at the royal mark upon<br> + our arm, that we brought with us into the world.<br> + <i>(They turn up sleeves and show their arms.)</i></p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: I am satisfied without<br> + looking at the royal sign. I have been looking at<br> + their finger nails. Those other nails <i>(pointing to<br> + Wrenboys)</i> have never been touched with a soapy<br> + brush.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: It is strange you did not recognise<br> + us. It was that Jester yesterday when we changed<br> + our coats that threw a dust of disguise between you<br> + and us.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: Was it that these lads<br> + robbed you of your clothes?</p> + + <p><i>3d. Prince</i>: Not at all.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: We ourselves that were discontented<br> + and wishful to change places with them.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: A very foolish thing, and that I have<br> + never read of in any of my histories.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: We were the first to wish the change.<br> + It is we should be blamed.</p> + + <p><i>5th Wrenboy</i>: No, but put the blame on us!<br> + The Wrenboys you seen yesterday.</p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: Ah, be quiet, how do I know who<br> + you are, or if ever I saw you before! My poor<br> + head is going round and round.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: Now do you know us! <i>(All recite<br> + "The Wren, the Wren, the King of All Birds." Give<br> + first verse.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Guardian: (Stopping his ears.)</i> Oh, stop it!<br> + That makes my poor head worse again.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy: (Pulling up sleeve.)</i> If you had<br> + chanced to see our right arm you would recognise<br> + us. We were not without bringing a mark into<br> + the world with us, if it is not royal itself.</p> + + <p><i>(Wrenboys strip their arms.)</i></p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: What is he talking<br> + about? <i>(Seizes arm and looks at it.)</i></p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: It is the same mark as<br> + is on the princes, the sign and token of a King!</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: It is certain these must<br> + be their five little royal cousins, that were stolen<br> + away from the coast.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: If we were brought away it was<br> + by that Grugach that has kept us in his service<br> + through the years.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger</i>: It is no wonder they<br> + took to one another. It was easy to know by the<br> + way they behaved they had in them royal blood.</p> + + <p><i>(The Boys turn to each other, the Ogre is<br> + slipping out.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Jester: (Throwing off his cloak and showing his<br> + green ragged clothes.)</i> Stop where you are!</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Do your best! You cannot hinder me!<br> + I have spells could change the whole of ye to a<br> + cairn of grey stones! <i>(Makes signs with his hands.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Jester: (In a terrible voice.)</i> Are you thinking<br> + to try your spells against <i>mine</i>?</p> + + <p><i>Ogre: (Trembling and falling on his knees.)</i> Oh,<br> + spare me! Hold your hand! Do not use against<br> + me your spells of life and death! I know you<br> + now! I know you well through your ragged dress!<br> + What are my spells beside yours? You the great<br> + Master of all magic and all enchantments, Manannan,<br> + Son of the Sea!</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: Yes, I am Manannan, that men are apt<br> + to call a Jester and a Fool, and a Disturber, and a<br> + Mischief-maker, upsetting the order of the world<br> + and making confusion in its order and its ways.<br> + <i>(Recites or sings.)</i></p>For when I see a master<br> + Hold back his hireling's fee<br> + I shake my pepper castor<br> + Into his sweetened tea!<br> + <br> + And when I see a plan make<br> + The Birds that watch us frown,<br> + I come and toss the pancake<br> + And turn it upside down!<br> + <br> + In this I follow after<br> + Lycurgus who was wise;<br> + To the little god of laughter<br> + I make my sacrifice!<br> + + + <p>And now here is my word of command! Everyone<br> + into his right place!</p> + + <p><i>Ogre</i>: Spare me! Let me go this time!</p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: Go out now! I will not bring a blemish<br> + on this sword by striking off your ugly head. But<br> + as you have been through seven years an enemy<br> + to these young boys, keeping them in ignorance<br> + and dirt, they that are sons of a king, I cross and<br> + command you to go groping through holes and dirt<br> + and darkness through three times seven years in<br> + the shape of a rat, with every boy, high or low,<br> + gentle or simple, your pursuer and your enemy.<br> + And along with that I would recommend you to<br> + keep out of the way of your own enchanted cats!</p> + + <p><i>(Ogre gives a squeal and creeps away on all + fours.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Guardian</i>: I think I will give up business and<br> + go back to my old trade of Chamberlain and of<br> + shutting out draughts from the Court. The<br> + weight of years is coming on me, and it is time for<br> + me to set my mind to some quiet path.</p> + + <p><i>1st Dowager Messenger</i>: Come home with us<br> + so, and help us to attend to our cats, that they will<br> + be able to destroy the rats of the world.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Dowager Messenger: (To Princes.)</i> It is best<br> + for you come to your Godmother's Court, as your<br> + Guardian is showing the way.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: We may come and give news of our<br> + doings at the end of a year and a day.</p> + + <p>But now we will go with our comrades to learn<br> + their work and their play.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Prince</i>: For lying on silken cushions, or<br> + stretched on a feathery bed.</p> + + <p>We would long again for the path by the lake,<br> + and the wild swans overhead.</p> + + <p><i>3d Prince</i>: Till we'll harden our bodies with<br> + wrestling and get courage to stand in a fight.</p> + + <p><i>4th Prince</i>: And not to be blind in the woods<br> + or in dread of the darkness of night.</p> + + <p><i>1st Wrenboy</i>: And we who are ignorant blockheads,<br> + and never were reared to know<br> + The art of the languaged poets, it's along with<br> + you we will go.</p> + + <p><i>5th Prince</i>: Come show us the wisdom of woods,<br> + and the way to outrun the wild deer,<br> + Till we'll harden our minds with courage, and<br> + be masters of hardship and fear.</p> + + <p><i>2nd Wrenboy</i>: But you are candles of knowledge,<br> + and we'll give you no ease or peace,<br> + Till you'll learn us manners and music, and news<br> + of the Wars of Greece.</p> + + <p><i>1st Prince</i>: Come on, we will help one another,<br> + and going together we'll find,<br> + Joy with those great companions, Earth, Water,<br> + Fire, and Wind. <i>(They join hands.)</i></p> + + <p><i>Jester</i>: It's likely you'll do great actions, for<br> + there is an ancient word,<br> + That comradeship is better than the parting of<br> + the sword,<br> + And that if ever two natures should join and<br> + grow into one,<br> + They will do more together than the world has<br> + ever done.<br> + So now I've ended my business, and I'll go, for<br> + my road is long,<br> + But be sure the Jester will find you out, if ever<br> + things go wrong!</p> + + <p><i>(He goes off singing.)</i></p>And so I follow after<br> + Lycurgus who was wise;<br> + To the little god of laughter<br> + I pay my sacrifice!<br> + + + <p>CURTAIN</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + + <a name="NOTES_FOR_THE_JESTER"></a><br /> +<br /> + + <h2>NOTES FOR THE JESTER</h2> + + <p>I was asked one Christmas by a little schoolboy to write a + play that could be acted at school; and in looking for a + subject my memory went back to a story I had read in childhood + called "The Discontented Children," where, though I forget its + incidents, the gamekeeper's children changed places for a while + with the children of the Squire, and I thought I might write + something on these lines. But my mind soon went miching as our + people (and Shakespeare) would say, and broke through the + English hedges into the unbounded wonder-world. Yet it did not + quite run out of reach of human types, for having found some + almost illegible notes, I see that at the first appearance of + Manannan I had put in brackets the initials "G.B.S." And + looking now at the story of that Great Jester, in the history + of the ancient gods, I see that for all his quips and mischief + and "tricks and wonders," he came when he was needed to the + help of Finn and the Fianna, and gave good teaching to the + boy-hero, Cuchulain; and I read also that "all the food he + would use would be a vessel of sour milk or a few crab-apples. + And there never was any music sweeter than the music he used to + be playing."</p> + + <p>I have without leave borrowed a phrase from "The Candle of + Vision," written by my liberal fellow-countryman, A.E., where + he says, "I felt at times as one raised from the dead, made + virginal and pure, who renews exquisite intimacies with the + divine companions, with Earth, Water, Air, and Fire." And I + think he will forgive me for quoting another passage now from + the same book, for I think it must have been in my mind when I + wrote of my Wrenboys: "The lands of Immortal Youth which flush + with magic the dreams of childhood, for most sink soon below + far horizons and do not again arise. For around childhood + gather the wizards of the darkness and they baptize it and + change its imagination of itself, as in the Arabian tales of + enchantment men were changed by sorcerers who cried, 'Be thou + beast or bird.' So ...is the imagination of life about itself + changed and one will think he is a worm in the sight of Heaven, + he who is but a god in exile.... What palaces they were born + in, what dominions they are rightly heir to, are concealed from + them as in the fairy tale the stolen prince lives obscurely + among the swineherd. Yet at times men do not remember, in + dreams or in the deeps of sleep, they still wear sceptre and + diadem and partake of the banquet of the gods."</p> + + <p>The Wrenboys still come to our door at Coole on St. + Stephen's Day, as they used in my childhood to come to + Roxborough, but it is in our bargain that the wren itself must + be symbolic, unmolested, no longer killed in vengeance for that + one in the olden times that awakened the sentinels of the enemy + Danes by pecking at crumbs on a drum. And, indeed, these last + two or three years the rhymes concerning that old history have + been lessened, and their place taken by "The Soldiers + Song."</p> + + <p>I think the staging of the play is easy. The Ogre's hut may + be but a shallow front scene, a curtain that can be drawn away. + The masks are such as might be used by Wrenboys, little paper + ones, such as one finds in a Christmas cracker, held on with a + bit of elastic, and would help to get the change into the eyes + of the audience, which Manannan's Mullein-dust may not have + reached.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;'> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_1.jpg' + width='421' + height='628' + alt='Air: "Shule Aroonquot" MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_2.jpg' + width='392' + height='592' + alt= + 'Air: "Mo Bhuachailin Buidhe" <i>Brightly</i> MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_3.jpg' + width='392' + height='589' + alt= + 'Air: "The Bells of Shandon" <i>Sonorously</i>MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_4.jpg' + width='397' + height='593' + alt= + 'The Time I’ve Lost in Wooing <i>Poco allegretto</i> MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_5.jpg' + width='381' + height='584' + alt='My Molly-O MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_6.jpg' + width='402' + height='596' + alt='Air: "O Donall Abu" MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_7.jpg' + width='386' + height='588' + alt= + 'The Bard of Armagh <i>Slow</i>. MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_8.jpg' + width='395' + height='589' + alt='Air: "Dear Harp of My Country" MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_9.jpg' + width='382' + height='587' + alt='I wish I had the shepherd’s lamb MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_10.jpg' + width='391' + height='588' + alt='Air: "Let Erin Remember" MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_11.jpg' + width='383' + height='587' + alt='Air: "And doth not a meeting like this" MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_12.jpg' + width='406' + height='604' + alt='Garryowen <i>Quickly</i>. MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_13.jpg' + width='394' + height='600' + alt='Air: "O Bay of Dublin" MUSIC' + title=';'> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_14.jpg' + width='395' + height='599' + alt= + 'The Cruiskeen Lán <i>With expression</i>. MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_15.jpg' + width='400' + height='601' + alt= + 'The Beautiful City of Sligo <i>Quicklly</i>. MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_16.jpg' + width='402' + height='586' + alt= + 'The Deserter’s Meditation <i>Slow</i>. MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_17.jpg' + width='387' + height='598' + alt= + 'Oft in the Stilly Night <i>Slow</i>. MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_18.jpg' + width='377' + height='592' + alt= + 'Johnny, I hardly knew you <i>Spirited</i> MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_19.jpg' + width='400' + height='585' + alt='By Memory Inspired MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_20.jpg' + width='389' + height='589' + alt='Eileen Aroon MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_21.jpg' + width='394' + height='591' + alt='Air: "The Shan Van Vocht" MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_22.jpg' + width='402' + height='596' + alt='Air: "I saw from the beach" MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_23.jpg' + width='380' + height='585' + alt='Air: "Silent, O Moyle" MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_24.jpg' + width='409' + height='602' + alt= + 'An Spailin Fánach <i>Moderately</i>MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + + <center> + <img src='images/illus_25.jpg' + width='385' + height='591' + alt='Air: "The Last Rose of Summer" MUSIC' + title=''> + </center> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14588 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/14588-h/images/illus_1.jpg b/14588-h/images/illus_1.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..45f9d87 --- /dev/null +++ b/14588-h/images/illus_1.jpg diff --git a/14588-h/images/illus_10.jpg b/14588-h/images/illus_10.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3025a05 --- /dev/null +++ b/14588-h/images/illus_10.jpg diff --git a/14588-h/images/illus_11.jpg b/14588-h/images/illus_11.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f427fda --- /dev/null +++ b/14588-h/images/illus_11.jpg diff --git a/14588-h/images/illus_12.jpg b/14588-h/images/illus_12.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d6f242 --- /dev/null +++ b/14588-h/images/illus_12.jpg diff --git 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