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diff --git a/30488-0.txt b/30488-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..508e9b7 --- /dev/null +++ b/30488-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1532 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30488 *** + + THE GREEN HELMET AND + OTHER POEMS + + + + + THE GREEN HELMET AND + OTHER POEMS + + BY + + WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS + + + NEW YORK + THE MACMILLAN COMPANY + LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LTD. + 1912 + + _All rights reserved_ + + + + + Copyright, 1911, by + WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS + + Copyright, 1912, by + THE MACMILLAN CO. + + _Set up and electrotyped. Published October, 1912_ + + + + + THE GREEN HELMET AND + OTHER POEMS + + + + +HIS DREAM + + + I swayed upon the gaudy stern + The butt end of a steering oar, + And everywhere that I could turn + Men ran upon the shore. + + And though I would have hushed the crowd + There was no mother's son but said, + "What is the figure in a shroud + Upon a gaudy bed?" + + And fishes bubbling to the brim + Cried out upon that thing beneath, + It had such dignity of limb, + By the sweet name of Death. + + Though I'd my finger on my lip, + What could I but take up the song? + And fish and crowd and gaudy ship + Cried out the whole night long, + + Crying amid the glittering sea, + Naming it with ecstatic breath, + Because it had such dignity + By the sweet name of Death. + + + + +A WOMAN HOMER SUNG + + + If any man drew near + When I was young, + I thought, "He holds her dear," + And shook with hate and fear. + But oh, 'twas bitter wrong + If he could pass her by + With an indifferent eye. + + Whereon I wrote and wrought, + And now, being gray, + I dream that I have brought + To such a pitch my thought + That coming time can say, + "He shadowed in a glass + What thing her body was." + + For she had fiery blood + When I was young, + And trod so sweetly proud + As 'twere upon a cloud, + A woman Homer sung, + That life and letters seem + But an heroic dream. + + + + +THAT THE NIGHT COME + + + She lived in storm and strife. + Her soul had such desire + For what proud death may bring + That it could not endure + The common good of life, + But lived as 'twere a king + That packed his marriage day + With banneret and pennon, + Trumpet and kettledrum, + And the outrageous cannon, + To bundle Time away + That the night come. + + + + +THE CONSOLATION + + + I had this thought awhile ago, + "My darling cannot understand + What I have done, or what would do + In this blind bitter land." + + And I grew weary of the sun + Until my thoughts cleared up again, + Remembering that the best I have done + Was done to make it plain; + + That every year I have cried, "At length + My darling understands it all, + Because I have come into my strength, + And words obey my call." + + That had she done so who can say + What would have shaken from the sieve? + I might have thrown poor words away + And been content to live. + + + + +FRIENDS + + + Now must I these three praise-- + Three women that have wrought + What joy is in my days; + One that no passing thought, + Nor those unpassing cares, + No, not in these fifteen + Many times troubled years, + Could ever come between + Heart and delighted heart; + And one because her hand + Had strength that could unbind + What none can understand, + What none can have and thrive, + Youth's dreamy load, till she + So changed me that I live + Labouring in ecstasy. + And what of her that took + All till my youth was gone + With scarce a pitying look? + How should I praise that one? + When day begins to break + I count my good and bad, + Being wakeful for her sake, + Remembering what she had, + What eagle look still shows, + While up from my heart's root + So great a sweetness flows + I shake from head to foot. + + + + +NO SECOND TROY + + + Why should I blame her that she filled my days + With misery, or that she would of late + Have taught to ignorant men most violent ways, + Or hurled the little streets upon the great, + Had they but courage equal to desire? + What could have made her peaceful with a mind + That nobleness made simple as a fire, + With beauty like a tightened bow, a kind + That is not natural in an age like this, + Being high and solitary and most stern? + Why, what could she have done being what she is? + Was there another Troy for her to burn? + + + + +RECONCILIATION + + + Some may have blamed you that you took away + The verses that could move them on the day + When, the ears being deafened, the sight of the eyes blind + With lightning you went from me, and I could find + Nothing to make a song about but kings, + Helmets, and swords, and half-forgotten things + That were like memories of you--but now + We'll out, for the world lives as long ago; + And while we're in our laughing, weeping fit, + Hurl helmets, crowns, and swords into the pit. + But, dear, cling close to me; since you were gone, + My barren thoughts have chilled me to the bone. + + + + +KING AND NO KING + + + "Would it were anything but merely voice!" + The No King cried who after that was King, + Because he had not heard of anything + That balanced with a word is more than noise; + Yet Old Romance being kind, let him prevail + Somewhere or somehow that I have forgot, + Though he'd but cannon--Whereas we that had thought + To have lit upon as clean and sweet a tale + Have been defeated by that pledge you gave + In momentary anger long ago; + And I that have not your faith, how shall I know + That in the blinding light beyond the grave + We'll find so good a thing as that we have lost? + The hourly kindness, the day's common speech, + The habitual content of each with each + When neither soul nor body has been crossed. + + + + +THE COLD HEAVEN + + + Suddenly I saw the cold and rook delighting Heaven + That seemed as though ice burned and was but the more ice, + And thereupon imagination and heart were driven + So wild, that every casual thought of that and this + Vanished, and left but memories, that should be out of season + With the hot blood of youth, of love crossed long ago; + And I took all the blame out of all sense and reason, + Until I cried and trembled and rocked to and fro, + Riddled with light. Ah! when the ghost begins to quicken, + Confusion of the death-bed over, is it sent + Out naked on the roads, as the books say, and stricken + By the injustice of the skies for punishment? + + + + +PEACE + + + Ah, that Time could touch a form + That could show what Homer's age + Bred to be a hero's wage. + "Were not all her life but storm, + Would not painters paint a form + Of such noble lines" I said. + "Such a delicate high head, + So much sternness and such charm, + Till they had changed us to like strength?" + Ah, but peace that comes at length, + Came when Time had touched her form. + + + + +AGAINST UNWORTHY PRAISE + + + O heart, be at peace, because + Nor knave nor dolt can break + What's not for their applause, + Being for a woman's sake. + Enough if the work has seemed, + So did she your strength renew, + A dream that a lion had dreamed + Till the wilderness cried aloud, + A secret between you two, + Between the proud and the proud. + + What, still you would have their praise! + But here's a haughtier text, + The labyrinth of her days + That her own strangeness perplexed; + And how what her dreaming gave + Earned slander, ingratitude, + From self-same dolt and knave; + Aye, and worse wrong than these. + Yet she, singing upon her road, + Half lion, half child, is at peace. + + + + +THE FASCINATION OF WHAT'S DIFFICULT + + + The fascination of what's difficult + Has dried the sap out of my veins, and rent + Spontaneous joy and natural content + Out of my heart. There's something ails our colt + That must, as if it had not holy blood, + Nor on an Olympus leaped from cloud to cloud, + Shiver under the lash, strain, sweat and jolt + As though it dragged road metal. My curse on plays + That have to be set up in fifty ways, + On the day's war with every knave and dolt, + Theatre business, management of men. + I swear before the dawn comes round again + I'll find the stable and pull out the bolt. + + + + +A DRINKING SONG + + + Wine comes in at the mouth + And love comes in at the eye; + That's all we shall know for truth + Before we grow old and die. + I lift the glass to my mouth, + I look at you, and I sigh. + + + + +THE COMING OF WISDOM WITH TIME + + + Though leaves are many, the root is one; + Through all the lying days of my youth + I swayed my leaves and flowers in the sun; + Now I may wither into the truth. + + + + +ON HEARING THAT THE STUDENTS OF OUR NEW UNIVERSITY HAVE JOINED THE +ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS AND THE AGITATION AGAINST IMMORAL LITERATURE + + + Where, where but here have Pride and Truth, + That long to give themselves for wage, + To shake their wicked sides at youth + Restraining reckless middle-age. + + + + +TO A POET, WHO WOULD HAVE ME PRAISE CERTAIN BAD POETS, IMITATORS OF HIS +AND MINE + + + You say, as I have often given tongue + In praise of what another's said or sung, + 'Twere politic to do the like by these; + But where's the wild dog that has praised his fleas? + + + + +THE ATTACK ON THE "PLAY BOY" + + + Once, when midnight smote the air, + Eunuchs ran through Hell and met + Round about Hell's gate, to stare + At great Juan riding by, + And like these to rail and sweat, + Maddened by that sinewy thigh. + + + + +A LYRIC FROM AN UNPUBLISHED PLAY + + + "Put off that mask of burning gold + With emerald eyes." + "O no, my dear, you make so bold + To find if hearts be wild and wise, + And yet not cold." + + "I would but find what's there to find, + Love or deceit." + "It was the mask engaged your mind, + And after set your heart to beat, + Not what's behind." + + "But lest you are my enemy, + I must enquire." + "O no, my dear, let all that be, + What matter, so there is but fire + In you, in me?" + + + + +UPON A HOUSE SHAKEN BY THE LAND AGITATION + + + How should the world be luckier if this house, + Where passion and precision have been one + Time out of mind, became too ruinous + To breed the lidless eye that loves the sun? + And the sweet laughing eagle thoughts that grow + Where wings have memory of wings, and all + That comes of the best knit to the best? Although + Mean roof-trees were the sturdier for its fall, + How should their luck run high enough to reach + The gifts that govern men, and after these + To gradual Time's last gift, a written speech + Wrought of high laughter, loveliness and ease? + + + + +AT THE ABBEY THEATRE + +_Imitated from Ronsard_ + + + Dear Craoibhin Aoibhin, look into our case. + When we are high and airy hundreds say + That if we hold that flight they'll leave the place, + While those same hundreds mock another day + Because we have made our art of common things, + So bitterly, you'd dream they longed to look + All their lives through into some drift of wings. + You've dandled them and fed them from the book + And know them to the bone; impart to us-- + We'll keep the secret--a new trick to please. + Is there a bridle for this Proteus + That turns and changes like his draughty seas? + Or is there none, most popular of men, + But when they mock us that we mock again? + + + + +THESE ARE THE CLOUDS + + + These are the clouds about the fallen sun, + The majesty that shuts his burning eye; + The weak lay hand on what the strong has done, + Till that be tumbled that was lifted high + And discord follow upon unison, + And all things at one common level lie. + And therefore, friend, if your great race were run + And these things came, so much the more thereby + Have you made greatness your companion, + Although it be for children that you sigh: + These are the clouds about the fallen sun, + The majesty that shuts his burning eye. + + + + +AT GALWAY RACES + + + Out yonder, where the race course is, + Delight makes all of the one mind, + Riders upon the swift horses, + The field that closes in behind: + We, too, had good attendance once, + Hearers and hearteners of the work; + Aye, horsemen for companions, + Before the merchant and the clerk + Breathed on the world with timid breath. + Sing on: sometime, and at some new moon, + We'll learn that sleeping is not death, + Hearing the whole earth change its tune, + Its flesh being wild, and it again + Crying aloud as the race course is, + And we find hearteners among men + That ride upon horses. + + + + +A FRIEND'S ILLNESS + + + Sickness brought me this + Thought, in that scale of his: + Why should I be dismayed + Though flame had burned the whole + World, as it were a coal, + Now I have seen it weighed + Against a soul? + + + + +ALL THINGS CAN TEMPT ME + + + All things can tempt me from this craft of verse: + One time it was a woman's face, or worse-- + The seeming needs of my fool-driven land; + Now nothing but comes readier to the hand + Than this accustomed toil. When I was young, + I had not given a penny for a song + Did not the poet sing it with such airs + That one believed he had a sword upstairs; + Yet would be now, could I but have my wish, + Colder and dumber and deafer than a fish. + + + + +THE YOUNG MAN'S SONG + + + I whispered, "I am too young," + And then, "I am old enough," + Wherefore I threw a penny + To find out if I might love; + "Go and love, go and love, young man, + If the lady be young and fair," + Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny, + I am looped in the loops of her hair. + + Oh love is the crooked thing, + There is nobody wise enough + To find out all that is in it, + For he would be thinking of love + Till the stars had run away, + And the shadows eaten the moon; + Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny, + One cannot begin it too soon. + + + + +THE GREEN HELMET + +_An Heroic Farce_ + + + THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY + + LAEGAIRE LAEGAIRE'S WIFE + CONALL CONALL'S WIFE + CUCHULAIN LAEG, _Cuchulain's chariot-driver_ + EMER RED MAN, _A Spirit_ + + Horse Boys and Scullions, Black Men, etc. + + + + +THE GREEN HELMET + +_An Heroic Farce_ + + + SCENE: _A house made of logs. There are two windows at the back and + a door which cuts off one of the corners of the room. Through the + door one can see low rocks which make the ground outside higher than + it is within, and beyond the rocks a misty moon-lit sea. Through the + windows one can see nothing but the sea. There is a great chair at + the opposite side to the door, and in front of it a table with cups + and a flagon of ale. Here and there are stools._ + + _At the Abbey Theatre the house is orange red and the chairs and + tables and flagons black, with a slight purple tinge which is not + clearly distinguishable from the black. The rocks are black with a + few green touches. The sea is green and luminous, and all the + characters except the RED MAN and the Black Men are dressed in + various shades of green, one or two with touches of purple which + look nearly black. The Black Men all wear dark purple and have eared + caps, and at the end their eyes should look green from the reflected + light of the sea. The RED MAN is altogether in red. He is very tall, + and his height increased by horns on the Green Helmet. The effect is + intentionally violent and startling._ + + +LAEGAIRE + + What is that? I had thought that I saw, though but in the wink of an + eye, + A cat-headed man out of Connaught go pacing and spitting by; + But that could not be. + +CONALL + + You have dreamed it--there's nothing out there. + I killed them all before daybreak--I hoked them out of their lair; + I cut off a hundred heads with a single stroke of my sword, + And then I danced on their graves and carried away their hoard. + +LAEGAIRE + + Does anything stir on the sea? + +CONALL + + Not even a fish or a gull: + I can see for a mile or two, now that the moon's at the full. + + [_A distant shout._] + +LAEGAIRE + + Ah--there--there is someone who calls us. + +CONALL + + But from the landward side, + And we have nothing to fear that has not come up from the tide; + The rocks and the bushes cover whoever made that noise, + But the land will do us no harm. + +LAEGAIRE + + It was like Cuchulain's voice. + +CONALL + + But that's an impossible thing. + +LAEGAIRE + + An impossible thing indeed. + +CONALL + + For he will never come home, he has all that he could need + In that high windy Scotland--good luck in all that he does. + Here neighbour wars on neighbour and why there is no man knows, + And if a man is lucky all wish his luck away, + And take his good name from him between a day and a day. + +LAEGAIRE + + I would he'd come for all that, and make his young wife know + That though she may be his wife, she has no right to go + Before your wife and my wife, as she would have gone last night + Had they not caught at her dress, and pulled her as was right; + And she makes light of us though our wives do all that they can. + She spreads her tail like a peacock and praises none but her man. + +CONALL + + A man in a long green cloak that covers him up to the chin + Comes down through the rocks and hazels. + +LAEGAIRE + + Cry out that he cannot come in. + +CONALL + + He must look for his dinner elsewhere, for no one alive shall stop + Where a shame must alight on us two before the dawn is up. + +LAEGAIRE + + No man on the ridge of the world must ever know that but us two. + +CONALL + + [_Outside door_] + + Go away, go away, go away. + +YOUNG MAN + + [_Outside door_] + + I will go when the night is through + And I have eaten and slept and drunk to my heart's delight. + +CONALL + + A law has been made that none shall sleep in this house to-night. + +YOUNG MAN + + Who made that law? + +CONALL + + We made it, and who has so good a right? + Who else has to keep the house from the Shape-Changers till day? + +YOUNG MAN + + Then I will unmake the law, so get you out of the way. + + [_He pushes past CONALL and goes into house_] + +CONALL + + I thought that no living man could have pushed me from the door, + Nor could any living man do it but for the dip in the floor; + And had I been rightly ready there's no man living could do it, + Dip or no dip. + +LAEGAIRE + + Go out--if you have your wits, go out, + A stone's throw further on you will find a big house where + Our wives will give you supper, and you'll sleep sounder there, + For it's a luckier house. + +YOUNG MAN + + I'll eat and sleep where I will. + +LAEGAIRE + + Go out or I will make you. + +YOUNG MAN + + [_Forcing up LAEGAIRE'S arm, passing him and putting his shield on + the wall over the chair_] + + Not till I have drunk my fill. + But may some dog defend me for a cat of wonder's up. + Laegaire and Conall are here, the flagon full to the top, + And the cups-- + +LAEGAIRE + + It is Cuchulain. + +CUCHULAIN + + The cups are dry as a bone. + + [_He sits on chair and drinks_] + +CONALL + + Go into Scotland again, or where you will, but begone + From this unlucky country that was made when the devil spat. + +CUCHULAIN + + If I lived here a hundred years, could a worse thing come than that + Laegaire and Conall should know me and bid me begone to my face? + +CONALL + + We bid you begone from a house that has fallen on shame and disgrace. + +CUCHULAIN + + I am losing patience, Conall--I find you stuffed with pride, + The flagon full to the brim, the front door standing wide; + You'd put me off with words, but the whole thing's plain enough, + You are waiting for some message to bring you to war or love + In that old secret country beyond the wool-white waves, + Or it may be down beneath them in foam-bewildered caves + Where nine forsaken sea queens fling shuttles to and fro; + But beyond them, or beneath them, whether you will or no, + I am going too. + +LAEGAIRE + + Better tell it all out to the end; + He was born to luck in the cradle, his good luck may amend + The bad luck we were born to. + +CONALL + + I'll lay the whole thing bare. + You saw the luck that he had when he pushed in past me there. + Does anything stir on the sea? + +LAEGAIRE + + Not even a fish or a gull. + +CONALL + + You were gone but a little while. We were there and the ale-cup full. + We were half drunk and merry, and midnight on the stroke + When a wide, high man came in with a red foxy cloak, + With half-shut foxy eyes and a great laughing mouth, + And he said when we bid him drink, that he had so great a drouth + He could drink the sea. + +CUCHULAIN + + I thought he had come from one of you + Out of some Connaught rath, and would lap up milk and mew; + But if he so loved water I have the tale awry. + +CONALL + + You would not be so merry if he were standing by, + For when we had sung or danced as he were our next of kin + He promised to show us a game, the best that ever had been; + And when we had asked what game, he answered, "Why, whip off my head! + Then one of you two stoop down, and I'll whip off his," he said. + "A head for a head," he said, "that is the game that I play." + +CUCHULAIN + + How could he whip off a head when his own had been whipped away? + +CONALL + + We told him it over and over, and that ale had fuddled his wit, + But he stood and laughed at us there, as though his sides would split, + Till I could stand it no longer, and whipped off his head at a blow, + Being mad that he did not answer, and more at his laughing so, + And there on the ground where it fell it went on laughing at me. + +LAEGAIRE + + Till he took it up in his hands-- + +CONALL + + And splashed himself into the sea. + +CUCHULAIN + + I have imagined as good when I've been as deep in the cup. + +LAEGAIRE + + You never did. + +CUCHULAIN + + And believed it. + +CONALL + + Cuchulain, when will you stop + Boasting of your great deeds, and weighing yourself with us two, + And crying out to the world whatever we say or do, + That you've said or done a better?--Nor is it a drunkard's tale, + Though we said to ourselves at first that it all came out of the ale, + And thinking that if we told it we should be a laughing-stock, + Swore we should keep it secret. + +LAEGAIRE + + But twelve months upon the clock. + +CONALL + + A twelvemonth from the first time. + +LAEGAIRE + + And the jug full up to the brim: + For we had been put from our drinking by the very thought of him. + +CONALL + + We stood as we're standing now. + +LAEGAIRE + + The horns were as empty. + +CONALL + + When + He ran up out of the sea with his head on his shoulders again. + +CUCHULAIN + + Why, this is a tale worth telling. + +CONALL + + And he called for his debt and his right, + And said that the land was disgraced because of us two from that night + If we did not pay him his debt. + +LAEGAIRE + + What is there to be said + When a man with a right to get it has come to ask for your head? + +CONALL + + If you had been sitting there you had been silent like us. + +LAEGAIRE + + He said that in twelve months more he would come again to this house + And ask his debt again. Twelve months are up to-day. + +CONALL + + He would have followed after if we had run away. + +LAEGAIRE + + Will he tell every mother's son that we have broken our word? + +CUCHULAIN + + Whether he does or does not we'll drive him out with the sword, + And take his life in the bargain if he but dare to scoff. + +CONALL + + How can you fight with a head that laughs when you've whipped it off? + +LAEGAIRE + + Or a man that can pick it up and carry it out in his hand? + +CONALL + + He is coming now, there's a splash and a rumble along the strand + As when he came last. + +CUCHULAIN + + Come, and put all your backs to the door. + + [_A tall, red-headed, red-cloaked man stands upon the threshold + against the misty green of the sea; the ground, higher without than + within the house, makes him seem taller even than he is. He leans + upon a great two-handed sword_] + +LAEGAIRE + + It is too late to shut it, for there he stands once more + And laughs like the sea. + +CUCHULAIN + + Old herring--You whip off heads! Why, then + Whip off your own, for it seems you can clap it on again. + Or else go down in the sea, go down in the sea, I say, + Find that old juggler Manannan and whip his head away; + Or the Red Man of the Boyne, for they are of your own sort, + Or if the waves have vexed you and you would find a sport + Of a more Irish fashion, go fight without a rest + A caterwauling phantom among the winds of the west. + But what are you waiting for? into the water, I say! + If there's no sword can harm you, I've an older trick to play, + An old five-fingered trick to tumble you out of the place; + I am Sualtim's son Cuchulain--what, do you laugh in my face? + +RED MAN + + So you too think me in earnest in wagering poll for poll! + A drinking joke and a gibe and a juggler's feat, that is all, + To make the time go quickly--for I am the drinker's friend, + The kindest of all Shape-Changers from here to the world's end, + The best of all tipsy companions. And now I bring you a gift: + I will lay it there on the ground for the best of you all to lift, + + [_He lays his Helmet on the ground_] + + And wear upon his own head, and choose for yourselves the best. + O! Laegaire and Conall are brave, but they were afraid of my jest. + Well, maybe I jest too grimly when the ale is in the cup. + There, I'm forgiven now-- + + [_Then in a more solemn voice as he goes out_] + + Let the bravest take it up. + + [_CONALL takes up Helmet and gazes at it with delight_] + + LAEGAIRE + + [_Singing, with a swaggering stride_] + + Laegaire is best; + Between water and hill, + He fought in the west + With cat heads, until + At the break of day + All fell by his sword, + And he carried away + Their hidden hoard. + + [_He seizes the Helmet_] + +CONALL + + Give it me, for what did you find in the bag + But the straw and the broken delf and the bits of dirty rag + You'd taken for good money? + +CUCHULAIN + + No, no, but give it me. + + [_He takes Helmet_] + +CONALL + + The Helmet's mine or Laegaire's--you're the youngest of us three. + +CUCHULAIN + + [_Filling Helmet with ale_] + + I did not take it to keep it--the Red Man gave it for one, + But I shall give it to all--to all of us three or to none; + That is as you look upon it--we will pass it to and fro, + And time and time about, drink out of it and so + Stroke into peace this cat that has come to take our lives. + Now it is purring again, and now I drink to your wives, + And I drink to Emer, my wife. + + [_A great noise without and shouting_] + + Why, what in God's name is that noise? + +CONALL + + What else but the charioteers and the kitchen and stable boys + Shouting against each other, and the worst of all is your own, + That chariot-driver, Laeg, and they'll keep it up till the dawn, + And there's not a man in the house that will close his eyes to-night, + Or be able to keep them from it, or know what set them to fight. + + [_A noise of horns without_] + + There, do you hear them now? such hatred has each for each + They have taken the hunting horns to drown one other's speech + For fear the truth may prevail.--Here's your good health and long life, + And, though she be quarrelsome, good health to Emer, your wife. + + [_The charioteers, Stable Boys and Kitchen Boys come running in. + They carry great horns, ladles and the like_] + +LAEG + + I am Laeg, Cuchulain's driver, and my master's cock of the yard. + +ANOTHER + + Conall would scatter his feathers. + + [_Confused murmurs_] + +LAEGAIRE + + [_To_ CUCHULAIN] + + No use, they won't hear a word. + +CONALL + + They'll keep it up till the dawn. + +ANOTHER + + It is Laegaire that is the best, + For he fought with cats in Connaught while Conall took his rest + And drained his ale pot. + +ANOTHER + + Laegaire--what does a man of his sort + Care for the like of us! He did it for his own sport. + +ANOTHER + + It was all mere luck at the best. + +ANOTHER + + But Conall, I say-- + +ANOTHER + + Let me speak. + +LAEG + + You'd be dumb if the cock of the yard would but open his beak. + +ANOTHER + + Before your cock was born, my master was in the fight. + +LAEG + + Go home and praise your grand-dad. They took to the horns for spite, + For I said that no cock of your sort had been born since the fight began. + +ANOTHER + + Conall has got it, the best man has got it, and I am his man. + +CUCHULAIN + + Who was it started this quarrel? + +A STABLE BOY + + It was Laeg. + +ANOTHER + + It was Laeg done it all. + +LAEG + + A high, wide, foxy man came where we sat in the hall, + Getting our supper ready, with a great voice like the wind, + And cried that there was a helmet, or something of the kind, + That was for the foremost man upon the ridge of the earth. + So I cried your name through the hall, + + [_The others cry out and blow horns, partly drowning the rest of his + speech_] + + but they denied its worth, + Preferring Laegaire or Conall, and they cried to drown my voice; + But I have so strong a throat that I drowned all their noise + Till they took to the hunting horns and blew them into my face, + And as neither side would give in--we would settle it in this place. + Let the Helmet be taken from Conall. + +A STABLE BOY + + No, Conall is the best man here. + +ANOTHER + + Give it to Laegaire that made the murderous cats pay dear. + +CUCHULAIN + + It has been given to none: that our rivalry might cease, + We have turned that murderous cat into a cup of peace. + I drank the first; and then Conall; give it to Laegaire now, + + [_CONALL gives Helmet to LAEGAIRE_] + + That it may purr in his hand and all of our servants know + That since the ale went in, its claws went out of sight. + +A SERVANT + + That's well--I will stop my shouting. + +ANOTHER + + Cuchulain is in the right; + I am tired of this big horn that has made me hoarse as a rook. + +LAEG + + Cuchulain, you drank the first. + +ANOTHER + + By drinking the first he took + The whole of the honours himself. + +LAEG + + Cuchulain, you drank the first. + +ANOTHER + + If Laegaire drink from it now he claims to be last and worst. + +ANOTHER + + Cuchulain and Conall have drunk. + +ANOTHER + + He is lost if he taste a drop. + +LAEGAIRE + + [_Laying Helmet on table_] + + Did you claim to be better than us by drinking first from the cup? + +CUCHULAIN + + [_His words are partly drowned by the murmurs of the crowd though he + speaks very loud_] + + That juggler from the sea, that old red herring it is + Who has set us all by the ears--he brought the Helmet for this, + And because we would not quarrel he ran elsewhere to shout + That Conall and Laegaire wronged me, till all had fallen out. + + [_The murmur grows less so that his words are heard_] + + Who knows where he is now or who he is spurring to fight? + So get you gone, and whatever may cry aloud in the night, + Or show itself in the air, be silent until morn. + +A SERVANT + + Cuchulain is in the right--I am tired of this big horn. + +CUCHULAIN + + Go! + + [_The Servants turn toward the door but stop on hearing the voices + of Women outside_] + +LAEGAIRE'S WIFE + + [_Without_] + + Mine is the better to look at. + +CONALL'S WIFE + + [_Without_] + + But mine is better born. + +EMER + + [_Without_] + + My man is the pithier man. + +CUCHULAIN + + Old hurricane, well done! + You've set our wives to the game that they may egg us on; + We are to kill each other that you may sport with us. + Ah, now, they've begun to wrestle as to who'll be first at the house. + + [_The Women come to the door struggling_] + +EMER + + No, I have the right of place for I married the better man. + +CONALL'S WIFE + + [_Pulling Emer back_] + + My nails in your neck and shoulder. + +LAEGAIRE'S WIFE + + And go before me if you can. + My husband fought in the West. + +CONALL'S WIFE + + [_Kneeling in the door so as to keep the others out who pull at + her_] + + But what did he fight with there + But sidelong and spitting and helpless shadows of the dim air? + And what did he carry away but straw and broken delf? + +LAEGAIRE'S WIFE + + Your own man made up that tale trembling alone by himself, + Drowning his terror. + +EMER + + [_Forcing herself in front_] + + I am Emer, it is I go first through the door. + No one shall walk before me, or praise any man before + My man has been praised. + +CUCHULAIN + + [_Spreading his arms across the door so as to close it_] + + Come, put an end to their quarrelling: + One is as fair as the other, and each one the wife of a king. + Break down the painted boards between the sill and the floor + That they come in together, each one at her own door. + + [_LAEGAIRE and CONALL begin to break out the bottoms of the windows, + then their wives go to the windows, each to the window where her + husband is. EMER stands at the door and sings while the boards are + being broken out_] + +EMER + + Nothing that he has done, + His mind that is fire, + His body that is sun, + Have set my head higher + Than all the world's wives. + Himself on the wind + Is the gift that he gives, + Therefore womenkind, + When their eyes have met mine, + Grow cold and grow hot, + Troubled as with wine + By a secret thought, + Preyed upon, fed upon + By jealousy and desire. + I am moon to that sun, + I am steel to that fire, + + [_The windows are now broken down to floor. CUCHULAIN takes his + spear from the door, and the three Women come in at the same + moment_] + +EMER + + Cuchulain, put off this sloth and awake: + I will sing till I've stiffened your lip against every knave that would + take + A share of your honour. + +LAEGAIRE'S WIFE + + You lie, for your man would take from my man. + +CONALL'S WIFE + + [_To LAEGAIRE'S WIFE_] + + You say that, you double-face, and your own husband began. + +CUCHULAIN + + [_Taking up Helmet from table_] + + Town land may rail at town land till all have gone to wrack, + The very straws may wrangle till they've thrown down the stack; + The very door-posts bicker till they've pulled in the door, + The very ale-jars jostle till the ale is on the floor, + But this shall help no further. + + [_He throws Helmet into the sea_] + +LAEGAIRE'S WIFE + + It was not for your head, + And so you would let none wear it, but fling it away instead. + +CONALL'S WIFE + + But you shall answer for it, for you've robbed my man by this. + +CONALL + + You have robbed us both, Cuchulain. + +LAEGAIRE + + The greatest wrong there is + On the wide ridge of the world has been done to us two this day. + +EMER + + [_Drawing her dagger_] + + Who is for Cuchulain? + +CUCHULAIN + + Silence! + +EMER + + Who is for Cuchulain, I say? + + [_She sings the same words as before, flourishing her dagger about. + While she is singing, CONALL'S WIFE and LAEGAIRE'S WIFE draw their + daggers and run at her, but CUCHULAIN forces them back. LAEGAIRE and + CONALL draw their swords to strike CUCHULAIN_] + +LAEGAIRE'S WIFE + + [_Crying out so as to be heard through EMER'S singing_] + + Deafen her singing with horns! + +CONALL'S WIFE + + Cry aloud! blow horns! make a noise! + +LAEGAIRE'S WIFE + + Blow horns, clap hands, or shout, so that you smother her voice! + + [_The Horse Boys and Scullions blow their horns or fight among + themselves. There is a deafening noise and a confused fight. + Suddenly three black hands come through the windows and put out the + torches. It is now pitch dark, but for a faint light outside the + house which merely shows that there are moving forms, but not who or + what they are, and in the darkness one can hear low terrified + voices_] + +A VOICE + + Coal-black, and headed like cats, they came up over the strand. + +ANOTHER VOICE + + And I saw one stretch to a torch and cover it with his hand. + +ANOTHER VOICE + + Another sooty fellow has plucked the moon from the air. + + [_A light gradually comes into the house from the sea, on which the + moon begins to show once more. There is no light within the house, + and the great beams of the walls are dark and full of shadows, and + the persons of the play dark too against the light. The RED MAN is + seen standing in the midst of the house. The black cat-headed Men + crouch and stand about the door. One carries the Helmet, one the + great sword_] + +RED MAN + + I demand the debt that's owing. Let some man kneel down there + That I may cut his head off, or all shall go to wrack. + +CUCHULAIN + + He played and paid with his head and it's right that we pay him back, + And give him more than he gave, for he comes in here as a guest: + So I will give him my head. + + [_EMER begins to keen_] + + Little wife, little wife, be at rest. + Alive I have been far off in all lands under sun, + And been no faithful man; but when my story is done + My fame shall spring up and laugh, and set you high above all. + +EMER + + [_Putting her arms about him_] + + It is you, not your fame, that I love. + +CUCHULAIN + + [_Tries to put her from him_] + + You are young, you are wise, you can call + Some kinder and comelier man that will sit at home in the house. + +EMER + + Live and be faithless still. + +CUCHULAIN + + [_Throwing her from him_] + + Would you stay the great barnacle-goose + When its eyes are turned to the sea and its beak to the salt of the air? + +EMER + + [_Lifting her dagger to stab herself_] + + I, too, on the grey wing's path. + +CUCHULAIN + + [_Seizing dagger_] + + Do you dare, do you dare, do you dare? + Bear children and sweep the house. + + [_Forcing his way through the Servants who gather round_] + + Wail, but keep from the road. + + [_He kneels before RED MAN. There is a pause_] + + Quick to your work, old Radish, you will fade when the cocks have crowed. + + [_A black cat-headed Man holds out the Helmet. The RED MAN takes it_] + +RED MAN + + I have not come for your hurt, I'm the Rector of this land, + And with my spitting cat-heads, my frenzied moon-bred band, + Age after age I sift it, and choose for its championship + The man who hits my fancy. + + [_He places the Helmet on CUCHULAIN'S head_] + + And I choose the laughing lip + That shall not turn from laughing whatever rise or fall, + The heart that grows no bitterer although betrayed by all; + The hand that loves to scatter; the life like a gambler's throw; + And these things I make prosper, till a day come that I know, + When heart and mind shall darken that the weak may end the strong, + And the long remembering harpers have matter for their song. + + + [Illustration] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Green Helmet and Other Poems, by +William Butler Yeats + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30488 *** |