diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-08 16:37:46 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-08 16:37:46 -0800 |
| commit | a9014c8a799303cba9919b618263260a3d234a45 (patch) | |
| tree | 6e4cf499b904e75791cf0f7d5b75ee9612599ef3 | |
| parent | 99501163834d38a379348e810a46907164540eec (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | 41102-0.txt | 388 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 41102-0.zip | bin | 38785 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 41102-8.txt | 2758 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 41102-8.zip | bin | 38677 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 41102-h.zip | bin | 105996 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 41102.txt | 2758 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 41102.zip | bin | 38664 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102-0.txt | 2759 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102-0.zip | bin | 38785 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102-8.txt | 2758 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102-8.zip | bin | 38677 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102-h.zip | bin | 105996 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102-h/41102-h.htm | 4726 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102-h/images/colophon.jpg | bin | 16602 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 49523 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102.txt | 2758 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/41102.zip | bin | 38664 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/readme.htm | 13 |
18 files changed, 2 insertions, 18916 deletions
diff --git a/41102-0.txt b/41102-0.txt index f5fb871..c5fe357 100644 --- a/41102-0.txt +++ b/41102-0.txt @@ -1,26 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand, by -William Butler Yeats - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand - -Author: William Butler Yeats - -Release Date: October 18, 2012 [EBook #41102] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41102 *** Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This @@ -2394,366 +2372,4 @@ preserved as printed. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand, by William Butler Yeats -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - -***** This file should be named 41102-0.txt or 41102-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/0/41102/ - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41102 *** diff --git a/41102-0.zip b/41102-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 64b1e5d..0000000 --- a/41102-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/41102-8.txt b/41102-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 439ea26..0000000 --- a/41102-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2758 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand, by -William Butler Yeats - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand - -Author: William Butler Yeats - -Release Date: October 18, 2012 [EBook #41102] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - -_BY THE SAME AUTHOR._ - - THE SECRET ROSE. - THE CELTIC TWILIGHT. - POEMS. - THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS. - THE SHADOWY WATERS. - IDEAS OF GOOD AND EVIL. - - - - -PLAYS FOR AN IRISH THEATRE - -VOLUME III. - - - - - THE KING'S THRESHOLD: - AND - ON BAILE'S STRAND: - - BEING VOLUME THREE OF PLAYS - FOR AN IRISH THEATRE: - - BY W. B. YEATS - - - LONDON: A. H. BULLEN, - 47, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, W.C. - 1904 - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - - -NOTE - - -Both these plays have been written for Mr. Fay's "Irish National -Theatre." "The King's Threshold" was played in October, 1903, and "On -Baile's Strand" will be played in February or March, 1904. Both are -founded on Old Irish Prose Romances, but I have borrowed some ideas for -the arrangement of my subject in "The King's Threshold" from "Sancan the -Bard," a play published by Mr. Edwin Ellis some ten years ago. - - W. B. Y. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - THE KING'S THRESHOLD 1 - - ON BAILE'S STRAND 67 - - - - -THE KING'S THRESHOLD - - - - -LIST OF CHARACTERS - - KING GUAIRE. - THE CHAMBERLAIN OF KING GUAIRE. - A Soldier. - A Monk. - THE MAYOR OF KINVARA. - A Cripple. - Another Cripple. - AILEEN, } Ladies of the Court. - ESSA, } - PRINCESS BUAN. - PRINCESS FINNHUA, her Sister. - FEDELM, Seanchan's Sweetheart. - CIAN, } Servants of Seanchan. - BRIAN, } - SENIAS, } Pupils of Seanchan. - ARIAS, } - SEANCHAN (pronounced Shanahan), Chief Poet of Ireland. - - Pupils, Courtiers. - - - - -A PROLOGUE.[1] - - Footnote 1: Written for the first production of "The King's - Threshold" in Dublin, but not used, as, owing to the smallness - of the company, nobody could be spared to speak it. - - - _An OLD MAN with a red dressing-gown, red slippers and red - nightcap, holding a brass candlestick with a guttering candle in it, - comes on from side of stage and goes in front of the dull green - curtain._ - -_Old Man._ I've got to speak the prologue. [_He shuffles on a few -steps._] My nephew, who is one of the play actors, came to me, and I in -my bed, and my prayers said, and the candle put out, and he told me -there were so many characters in this new play, that all the company -were in it, whether they had been long or short at the business, and -that there wasn't one left to speak the prologue. Wait a bit, there's a -draught here. [_He pulls the curtain closer together._] That's better. -And that's why I'm here, and maybe I'm a fool for my pains. - -And my nephew said, there are a good many plays to be played for you, -some to-night and some on other nights through the winter, and the most -of them are simple enough, and tell out their story to the end. But as -to the big play you are to see to-night, my nephew taught me to say what -the poet had taught him to say about it. [_Puts down candlestick and -puts right finger on left thumb._] First, he who told the story of -Seanchan on King Guaire's threshold long ago in the old books told it -wrongly, for he was a friend of the king, or maybe afraid of the king, -and so he put the king in the right. But he that tells the story now, -being a poet, has put the poet in the right. - -And then [_touches other finger_] I am to say: Some think it would be a -finer tale if Seanchan had died at the end of it, and the king had the -guilt at his door, for that might have served the poet's cause better in -the end. But that is not true, for if he that is in the story but a -shadow and an image of poetry had not risen up from the death that -threatened him, the ending would not have been true and joyful enough to -be put into the voices of players and proclaimed in the mouths of -trumpets, and poetry would have been badly served. - - [_He takes up the candlestick again._ - -And as to what happened Seanchan after, my nephew told me he didn't -know, and the poet didn't know, and it's likely there's nobody that -knows. But my nephew thinks he never sat down at the king's table again, -after the way he had been treated, but that he went to some quiet green -place in the hills with Fedelm, his sweetheart, where the poor people -made much of him because he was wise, and where he made songs and -poems, and it's likely enough he made some of the old songs and the old -poems the poor people on the hillsides are saying and singing to-day. - - [_A trumpet-blast._ - -Well, it's time for me to be going. That trumpet means that the curtain -is going to rise, and after a while the stage there will be filled up -with great ladies and great gentlemen, and poets, and a king with a -crown on him, and all of them as high up in themselves with the pride of -their youth and their strength and their fine clothes as if there was no -such thing in the world as cold in the shoulders, and speckled shins, -and the pains in the bones and the stiffness in the joints that make an -old man that has the whole load of the world on him ready for his bed. - - [_He begins to shuffle away, and then stops._ - -And it would be better for me, that nephew of mine to be thinking less -of his play-acting, and to have remembered to boil down the knap-weed -with a bit of three-penny sugar, for me to be wetting my throat with -now and again through the night, and drinking a sup to ease the pains in -my bones. - - [_He goes out at side of stage._ - - - - -THE KING'S THRESHOLD. - - - SCENE: _Steps before the Palace of KING GUAIRE at Gort. A table in - front of steps to right with food on it. SEANCHAN lying on steps to - left. PUPILS before steps. KING on top of steps at centre._ - - _King._ I welcome you that have the mastery - Of the two kinds of music; the one kind - Being like a woman, the other like a man; - Both you that understand stringed instruments, - And how to mingle words and notes together - So artfully, that all the art is but speech - Delighted with its own music; and you that carry - The long twisted horn and understand - The heady notes that being without words - Can hurry beyond time and fate and change; - For the high angels that drive the horse of time, - The golden one by day, by night the silver, - Are not more welcome to one that loves the world - For some fair woman's sake. - - I have called you hither - To save the life of your great master, Seanchan, - For all day long it has flamed up or flickered - To the fast-cooling hearth. - - _Senias._ When did he sicken? - Is it a fever that is wasting him? - - _King._ He did not sicken, but three days ago - He said he would not eat, and lay down there - And has not eaten since. Till yesterday - I thought that hunger and weakness had been enough, - But finding them too trifling and too light - To hold his mouth from biting at the grave - I called you hither, and have called others yet. - The girl he is to wed at harvest-time, - That should be of all living the most dear, - Is coming from the South, and had I known - Of any other neighbours or good friends - That might persuade him, I had brought them hither, - Even though I'd to ransack the world for them. - - _Senias._ What was it put him to this work, High King? - - _King._ You will call it no great matter. Three days ago - I yielded to the outcry of my courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law, - Who long had thought it against their dignity - For a mere man of words to sit among them - At my own table; and when the meal was spread - I ordered Seanchan to good company, - But to a lower table; and when he pleaded - The poet's right, established when the world - Was first established, I said that I was King - And made and unmade rights at my own pleasure. - And that it was the men who ruled the world, - And not the men who sang to it, who should sit - Where there was the most honour. My courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law - Shouted approval, and amid that noise - Seanchan went out, and from that hour to this, - Although there is good food and drink beside him, - Has eaten nothing. If a man is wronged, - Or thinks that he is wronged, and will lie down - Upon another's threshold until he dies, - The common people for all time to come - Will raise a heavy cry against that threshold, - Even though it is the King's. He lies there now - Perishing; he is calling against my majesty, - That old custom that has no meaning in it, - And as he perishes, my name in the world - Is perishing also. I cannot give way - Because I am King, because if I give way - My nobles would call me a weakling, and it may be - The very throne be shaken; but should you - That are his friends speak to him and persuade him - To turn his mouth from the ill-savouring grave - And eat good food, he shall not lack my favour; - For I will give plough-land and grazing-land, - Or all but anything he has set his heart on. - It is not all because of my good name - I'd have him live, for I have found him a man - That might well hit the fancy of a king - Banished out of his country, or a woman's, - Or any other's that can judge a man - For what he is. But I that sit a throne, - And take my measure from the needs of the state, - Call his wild thought that over-runs the measure, - Making words more than deeds, and his proud will - That would unsettle all, most mischievous, - And he himself a most mischievous man. - - _Senias._ King, whether you did right or wrong in this - Let the King say, for all that I need say - Is that there's nothing that cries out for death - In the withholding of that ancient right, - And that I will persuade him. Your own words - Had been enough persuasion were it not - That he is lost in dreams that hunger makes, - And therefore heedless, or lost in heedless sleep. - - _King._ I leave him to your love, that it may promise - Plough-lands and grass-lands, jewels and silken wear, - Or anything but that old right of the poets. - - [_He goes out. The PUPILS, who have been standing perfectly quiet, - all turn towards SEANCHAN, and move a step nearer._ - - _Senias._ The King did wrong to abrogate our right, - But Seanchan, who talks of dying for it, - Talks foolishly. Look at us, Seanchan, - Waken out of your dream and look at us, - Who have ridden under the moon and all the day, - Until the moon has all but come again, - That we might be beside you. - - [_SEANCHAN turns half round leaning on his elbow, and speaks as if - in a dream._ - - _Seanchan._ I was but now - At Almhuin, in a great high-raftered house, - With Finn and Osgar. Odours of roast flesh - Rose round me and I saw the roasting spits, - And then the dream was broken, and I saw - Grania dividing salmon by a pool, - And then I was awakened by your voice. - - _Senias._ It is your hunger that makes you dream of flesh - Roasting, and for your hunger I could weep; - And yet the hunger of the crane that starves - Because the moonlight glittering on the pool - And flinging a pale shadow has made it shy, - Seems to me little more fantastical - Than this that's blown into so great a trouble. - - _Seanchan._ [_Who has turned away again._] - There is much truth in that, for all things change - At times, as if the moonlight altered them, - And my mind alters as if it were the crane's; - For when the heavy body has grown weak - There's nothing that can tether the wild mind - That being moonstruck and fantastical - Goes where it fancies. I had even thought - I knew your voice and face, but now the words - Are so unlikely that I needs must ask - Who is it that bids me put my hunger by? - - _Senias._ I am your oldest pupil, Seanchan; - The one that has been with you many years, - So many that you said at Candlemas - That I had almost done with school, and knew - All but all that poets understand. - - _Seanchan._ My oldest pupil. No, that cannot be; - For it is someone of the courtly crowds - That have been round about me from sunrise - And I am tricked by dreams, but I'll refute them. - I asked the pupil that I loved the best, - At Candlemas, why poetry is honoured, - Wishing to know how he'd defend our craft - In distant lands among strange churlish Kings. - And he'd an answer. - - _Senias._ I said the poets hung - Images of the life that was in Eden - About the childbed of the world, that it, - Looking upon those images, might bear - Triumphant children; but why must I stand here - Repeating an old lesson while you starve? - - _Seanchan._ Tell on, for I begin to know the voice; - What evil thing will come upon the world - If the arts perish? - - _Senias._ If the arts should perish - The world that lacked them would be like a woman - That looking on the cloven lips of a hare - Brings forth a hare-lipped child. - - _Seanchan._ But that's not all. - For when I asked you how a man should guard - Those images you had an answer also, - If you're the man that you have claimed to be, - Comparing them to venerable things - God gave to men before he gave them wheat. - - _Senias._ I answered, and the word was half your own, - That he should guard them, as the men of Dea - Guard their four treasures, as the Grail King guards - His holy cup, or the pale righteous horse - The jewel that is underneath his horn, - Pouring out life for it, as one pours out - Sweet heady wine--but now I understand - You would refute me out of my own mouth; - And yet a place at table near the King - Is nothing of great moment, Seanchan. - How does so light a thing touch poetry? - - [_SEANCHAN is now sitting up. He still looks dreamily in front of - him._ - - _Seanchan._ At Candlemas you called this poetry - One of the fragile mighty things of God - That die at an insult. - - _Senias._ [_To other PUPILS._] Give me some true answer. - For on that day we spoke about the court - And said that all that was insulted there - The world insulted, for the courtly life, - Being the first comely child of the world, - Is the world's model. How shall I answer him? - Can you not give me some true argument? - I will not tempt him with a lying one. - - _Arias._ [_Throwing himself at SEANCHAN'S feet._] - Why did you take me from my father's fields? - If you would leave me now, what shall I love? - Where shall I go, what shall I set my hand to? - And why have you put music in my ears - If you would send me to the clattering houses? - I will throw down the trumpet and the harp, - For how could I sing verses or make music - With none to praise me and a broken heart? - - _Seanchan._ What was it that the poets promised you - If it was not their sorrow? Do not speak. - Have I not opened school on these bare steps, - And are not you the youngest of my scholars? - And I would have all know that when all falls - In ruin, poetry calls out in joy, - Being the scattering hand, the bursting pod, - The victim's joy among the holy flame, - God's laughter at the shattering of the world, - And now that joy laughs out and weeps and burns - On these bare steps. - - _Arias._ O Master, do not die. - - [_Three men come in. CIAN and BRIAN, old men carrying basket with - food, and MAYOR OF KINVARA. They stand at the side listening._ - - _Senias._ Trouble him with no useless argument. - Be silent; there is nothing we can do - Except find out the King and kneel to him - And beg our ancient right. These three have come - To say whatever we could say and more, - And fare as badly. Come, boy, that's no use; - - [_He lifts the BOY up._ - - If it seem well that we beseech the King, - Lay down your harps and trumpets on the stones - In silence and come with me silently. - Come with slow footfalls and bow all your heads, - For a bowed head becomes a mourner best. - - [_They lay the harps and trumpets down one by one and then go out - very solemnly and slowly, following one another._ - - _Cian._ Let's show the food that's in the basket. - - _Mayor._ [_Who carries an Ogham stick._] No, - I must get through my speech or I'll forget it; - Besides, there is no reason why he'd eat - Till he has heard my reasons. - - _Cian._ It were better - To show what we have brought him in the basket, - For we have nothing that he has not liked - From boyhood. - - _Brian._ For we have not brought kings' food - That's cooked for everybody and nobody. - - _Mayor._ You are not showing right respect to me, - Or to the people of Kinvara, when you wish - That something else should come before my message. - - _Seanchan._ What brings you here? I never sent for you. - - _Cian._ He must be famishing, he looks so pale. - We had better get the food out first. I tell you, - That we have brought the things he likes the best. - - _Mayor._ No, no; I lost a word at every cross road - And maybe if I do not speak it now - I'll have forgot it. - - _Cian._ Well, out with it quickly. - - _Seanchan._ Why, what's this foolery? - - _Mayor._ No foolery; - A message from the richest, best born townsman - Of your own town, and from your aged father. - - _Cian._ Run through it while I am getting out the food. - - _Mayor._ How was I to begin? What was the word - That was to keep it in my memory? - Wait, I have notched it on this Ogham stick. - "Chief poet," "Ireland," "Townsman"; that is it. - Chief poet of Ireland, when we heard that trouble - Had come between you and the King of Ireland - It plunged us in deep sorrow, part for you, - Our honoured townsman, part for our good town. - The King was said to be most friendly to us, - And we had reasons, as you'll recollect, - For thinking that he was about to give - Those grazing lands inland we so much need, - Being pinched between the water and the rocks. - But now his friendliness being ill repaid - Will be turned from us and our town get nothing. - But there was something else--I'll find the word - That was to keep it in my memory. - "Pride"--that's the word,--we would not have you think, - Weighty as these considerations are, - That they have been as weighty in our minds - As our desire that one we take much pride in, - A man who has been an honour to our town, - Should live and prosper, therefore we beseech you - To give way in a matter of no moment, - A matter of mere sentiment, a trifle, - That we may always keep our pride in you. - - _Seanchan._ Their pride, their pride, what do they know of pride? - My pupils do not know it, for they beg - From the King's favour what is theirs by right, - And how can men, that God has made so weak - They need a rich man's favour every day, - Know anything of pride? - - _Cian._ [_To MAYOR._] You have spoken it wrongly. - You have forgotten something out of it about the cattle dying. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you do not know, being much away, - How many of our cattle died last winter - From lacking grass, and that there was much sickness - Because the poor had nothing but salt fish - To live upon. The people all came out - And stood about the doors as I went by. - - _Seanchan._ What would you have of me? - For there are men that shall be born at last - And find sweet nurture that they may have voices - Even in anger like the strings of harps. - Yet how could they be born to majesty - If I had never made the golden cradle? - - _Mayor._ What is it? "Father"--"Mother"; that is it; - Your father sends this message. - - _Cian._ He is listening. - - _Mayor._ He says that he is old and that he needs you, - And that the people will be pointing at him - And he not able to lift up his head - If you should turn the King's favour away. - And he adds to it, that he cared you well, - And you in your young age, and that it's right - That you should care him now. - - _Cian._ And when he spoke - He cried because the stiffness of his bones - Prevented him from coming. - - _Mayor._ But your mother - Has sent no message, for when they had told her - The way it is between you and the King - She said, "No message can do any good, - He will not send the answer that you want; - We cannot change him," and she went indoors, - Lay down upon her bed and turned her face - Out of the light. And thereupon your father - Said, "Tell him how she is, and that she sends - No message." I have nothing more to say. - Cian and Brian, you can set out the food. - - [_He sits down on steps. SEANCHAN is silent._ - - _Mayor._ I have a horse waiting outside the town - To bring me home, and all the neighbours wait - Your answer. What answer am I to bring? - - _Seanchan._ Give them my answer--no, I have no answer: - My mother knew it. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you have forgotten - That all our fields are so heaped up with stones - That the goats famish, and the mowers mow - With knives, and that the King half promised us---- - - _Seanchan._ Thrust that old cloak of yours into your mouth - Till it's done gabbling. - - _Mayor._ But---- - - _Cian._ You have said enough; - I knew that you would never speak it right. - - _Seanchan._ Our mothers know us, they know us to the bone, - They knew us before birth, and that is why - They know us even better than the sweethearts - Upon whose breasts we have lain. - - _Brian._ We have brought your honour - The food that you have always liked the best, - Young pigeons from Kinvara, and watercress - Out of the stream that's by the blessed well, - And dulse from Duras. Here is the dulse, your honour, - It is wholesome, and has the good taste of the sea. - - _Seanchan._ O Brian, you would spread the table for me - As you would spread it when I was in my childhood; - But all that's finished. - - _Mayor._ I knew he would not care - For country things now that he's grown accustomed - To the King's dishes. I told Brian too - He'd have his pains for nothing. But he's old. - - [_Goes over to table at right. While he is speaking CIAN and BRIAN - are in vain offering SEANCHAN food._ - - And what dishes! Venison from Slieve Echtge - Fattened with poor men's crops; flesh of wild pig; - Not fat nor lean, but streaky and right well cured; - Bread that's the whitest that I've ever seen. - - _Cian._ You're in the right, you're in the right, he will not eat. - - [_Pouring wine into cup._ - - _Mayor._ Bring him some wine, it will give him strength to eat. - - [_BRIAN brings wine over towards SEANCHAN._ - - No wonder if the King is proud and merry, - And keeps all day in the saddle, when even I - Am well-nigh drunken with the odour of it, - And if I dared--I dare not. - - _Cian._ Drink it, sir. - - _Brian._ Drink a few drops. - - _Seanchan._ Drink it yourself, old man, - For you have come a journey, and I daresay - You did not eat or drink upon the road. - - _Cian._ How can I drink it when your honour's thirsty? - - [_He offers cup again. The KING'S HOUSEHOLD comes in. CHAMBERLAIN - with long staff, a SOLDIER, a MONK, two LADIES, followed by - CRIPPLES who beg from the ladies, who keep close together at - right, talking to each other at intervals. SOLDIER goes over to - MAYOR, and talks to him._ - - _Chamberlain._ Well, have you it in imagination still - To overthrow the dignity of the King, - Or is the game finished? - - [_A pause._ - - How many days - Will you keep up this quarrel with the King, - With the King's nobles and myself and all - Who'd gladly be your friends if you would let them? - - _Soldier._ [_Who has been speaking to MAYOR and SERVANTS._] - Was it you that sent his servants and the Mayor - Of his own town to wheedle him into life? - - _Chamberlain._ It was the King himself. - - _Soldier._ Was it worth our while - To have got rid of him from the King's table - If he is to be humoured and made much of? - - _Chamberlain._ It seems that he has not eaten yet, although - He's had another dozen hours of hunger. - - _Soldier._ If he's so proud and obstinate a neck - I'd let him starve. - - _Monk._ Persuade him to eat, my lord. - His death would make a scandal, and stir up - The common people. - - _Chamberlain._ And I have a fancy - That if it brought misfortune on the King, - Or the King's house, we'd be as little thought of - As summer linen when the winter's come. - - _Aileen._ [_To CIAN._] - You've had no luck, old man. - - _Cian._ We have not, lady. - - _Aileen._ Maybe he's out of humour with your ways, - Having grown used to sprightlier service. - - _Cian._ Maybe. - But the King's messengers have gone for one - That will persuade him. [_To BRIAN._] Come, let us go; - For she might lose her way in this fine place. - Come, we have been too long upon the tree, - - [_Plucking sleeve of MAYOR._ - - And there are little golden pippins here. - - _Soldier._ Give me the dish, I'll hand it him myself. - - _Aileen._ I wonder if she is pretty. - - [_MAYOR and SERVANTS have gone out._ - - _Soldier._ Eat this, old hedgehog. - Sniff up the savour and unroll yourself. - But if I were the King I'd make you do it - With wisps of lighted straw. - - _Seanchan._ You have rightly named me, - I lie rolled up under the ragged thorns - That are upon the edge of those great waters - Where all things vanish away, and I have heard - Murmurs that are the ending of all sound. - I am out of life, I am rolled up, and yet, - Hedgehog although I am, I'll not unroll - For you, King's dog. Go to the King, your master, - Crouch down and wag your tail, for it may be - He has nothing now against you, and I think - The stripes of your last beating are all healed. - - _Chamberlain._ Don't answer, you were never to his mind. - And now you have angered him to no good purpose. - But put the dish down and I will speak to him. - - _Seanchan._ You must needs keep your patience yet awhile, - For I have some few mouthfuls of sweet air - To swallow before I have grown to be as civil - As any other dust. - - _Chamberlain._ You wrong us, Seanchan, - There is none here but holds you in respect, - And if you would only eat out of this dish - The King would show how much he honours you. - - _Aileen._ [_Giving CRIPPLE money._] - You are always discontented. Look at this cripple, - He has had to cover up his eyes with rags - Because they are too weak to look at the sun, - And has a crooked body, and yet he is cheerful. - Stand there where he can see you. - - [_CRIPPLE goes over and stands in front of SEANCHAN, bowing and - smiling._ - - _Chamberlain._ We have come to you - Because we wish you a long, prosperous life; - Who could imagine you'd so take to heart - Being put from the high table. - - _Seanchan._ It was not I - That you have driven away from the high table, - But the images of them that weave a dance, - By the four rivers in the mountain garden. - - _Monk._ He means we have driven poetry away. - - _Chamberlain._ It is the men who are learned in the laws, - Or have led the King's armies that should sit - At the King's table. Nor has poetry - Been altogether driven away, for I, - As you should know, have written poetry, - And often when the table has been cleared - And candles lighted, the King calls for me - And I repeat it him. My poetry - Is not to be compared with yours, but still - Where I am honoured, poetry is honoured - In some measure. - - _Seanchan._ If you are a poet, - Cry out that the King's money would not buy, - Nor the high circle consecrate his head, - If poets had never christened gold, and even - The moon's poor daughter, that most whey-faced metal, - Precious; and cry out that none alive - Would ride among the arrows with high heart - Or scatter with an open hand, had not - Our heady craft commended wasteful virtues. - And when that story's finished, shake your coat - Where the little jewels gleam on it, and say - A herdsman sitting where the pigs had trampled - Made up a song about enchanted kings, - Who were so finely dressed one fancied them - All fiery, and women by the churn - And children by the hearth caught up the song - And murmured it until the tailors heard it. - - _Monk._ How proud these poets are! It was full time - To break their pride. - - _Seanchan._ And I would have you say - That when we are driven out we come again - Like a great wind that runs out of the waste - To blow the tables flat. - - _Chamberlain._ If you'd eat something - You'd find you have these thoughts because you are hungry. - - _Seanchan._ And when you have told them all these things, lie down - On this bare threshold and starve until the King - Restore to us the ancient right of the poets. - - _Aileen._ Let's come away. There's no use talking to him, - For he's resolved to die, and that's no loss: - We will go watch the hurley. - - _Monk._ You should obey - The King's commandment and not question it, - For it is God himself who has made him king. - - _Essa._ Let's hear his answer to the monk. - - _Seanchan._ Stoop down, - For there is something I would say to you. - Has that wild God of yours that was so wild - When you'd but lately taken the King's pay, - Grown any tamer? He gave you all much trouble - Being so unruly and inconsiderate. - - _Aileen._ What does he mean? - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ Or it may be you have persuaded him - To chirp between two dishes when the King - Sits down to table. - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, sir. - What do I care about your insolent dreams. - - _Seanchan._ And maybe he has learnt to sing quite softly - Because loud singing would disturb the King - Who is sitting drowsily among his friends - After the table has been cleared---- - - _Monk._ Let go. - - [_SEANCHAN has been dragged some feet, clinging to the MONK'S - habit._ - - _Seanchan._ Not yet; you did not think that hungry hands - Could be so strong. They are not civil yet-- - I'd know if you have taught him to eat bread - From the King's hand, and perch upon his finger. - I think he perches on the King's strong hand, - But it may be that he is still too wild. - You must not weary in your work; a King - Is often weary and he needs a God - To be a comfort to him. - - [_The MONK plucks his habit away. SEANCHAN holds up his hand as if a - bird perched upon it. He pretends to stroke the bird._ - - A little god, - With soft well-coloured feathers, and bright eyes. - - _Aileen._ We have listened long enough. - - _Essa._ Let us away, - Where we can watch the young men at the hurley. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, yes, go to the hurley, go to the hurley, - Go to the hurley, gather up your skirts, - Run quickly. You can remember many love songs; - I know it by the light that's in your eyes, - But you'll forget them. You're fair to look on, - Your feet delight in dancing, and your mouths - In the slow smiling that awakens love. - The mothers that have borne you mated rightly, - For they had little ears as thirsty as are yours - For many love-songs. Go to the young men: - Are not the ruddy flesh and the thin flanks - And the broad shoulders worthy of desire? - Go from me. Here is nothing for your eyes, - But it is I that am singing you away, - Singing you to the young men. - - [_The two young PRINCESSES BUAN and FINNHUA come in. While he has - been speaking AILEEN and ESSA have shrunk back holding each others - hands._ - - _Aileen._ Be quiet; - Look who it is that has come out of the house. - Princesses, we are for the hurling field. - Will you come too? - - _Princess Buan._ We will go with you, Aileen, - But we must have some words with Seanchan, - For we have come to make him eat and drink. - - _Chamberlain._ I will hold out the dish and cup for him - While you are speaking to him of his folly, - If you desire it, Princess. - - [_He has taken up dish and cup._ - - _Princess Buan._ Give me the cup. - My sister there will carry the dish of meat: - We'll offer them ourselves. - - _Aileen._ They are so gracious, - The dear little princesses are so gracious. - - [_PRINCESS BUAN holds out her hand for SEANCHAN to kiss it; he does - not move._ - - Although she is holding out her hand to him - He will not kiss it. - - _Princess Buan._ My father bids us say - That though he cannot have you at his table, - You may ask any other thing you like - And he will give it you. We carry you - A dish and a cup of wine, with our own hands, - To show in what great honour you are held. - Will you not drink a little? Does he not show - Every befitting honour to the poets? - - _Aileen._ O look, he has taken it, he has taken it! - The dear princesses, I have always said - That nobody could refuse them anything. - - [_SEANCHAN takes the cup in one hand, in the other he holds for a - moment the hand of the PRINCESS._ - - _Seanchan._ O long soft fingers and pale finger-tips - Well worthy to be laid in a king's hand; - O you have fair white hands, for it is certain - There is uncommon whiteness in these hands. - But there is something comes into my mind, - Princess. A little while before your birth - I saw your mother sitting by the road - In a high chair, and when a leper passed - She pointed him the way into the town, - And he lifted his hand and blessed her hand; - I saw it with my own eyes. Hold out your hands, - I will find out if they are contaminated; - For it has come into my thoughts that may be - The King has sent me food and drink by hands - That are contaminated. I would see all your hands, - You've eyes of dancers, but hold out your hands, - For it may be there are none sound among you---- - - [_The PRINCESSES have shrunk back in terror._ - - _Princess Buan._ He has called us lepers. - - _Chamberlain._ He's out of his mind, - And does not know the meaning of what he said. - - _Seanchan._ [_Standing up._] - There are no sound hands among you. No sound hands. - Away with you, away with all of you, - You are all lepers. There is leprosy - Among the plates and dishes that you have brought me. - I would know why you have brought me leper's wine? - - [_He flings the wine in their faces._ - - There, there, I have given it to you again, and now - Begone or I will give my curse to you. - You have the leper's blessing, but you think - Maybe the bread will something lack in savour - Unless you mix my curse into the dough. - - [_They go out to L., all except the CRIPPLES. SEANCHAN is - staggering in the middle of the stage._ - - _Seanchan._ Where did I say the leprosy came from? - I said it came out of a leper's hand - And that he walked the highway; but that's folly, - For he was walking up there in the sky - And there he is even now with his white hand - Thrust out of the blue air and blessing them - With leprosy. - - _A Cripple._ He's pointing at the moon - That's coming out up yonder, and he calls it - Leprous, because the daylight whitens it. - - _Seanchan._ He's holding up his hand above them all - King, Noblemen, Princesses, blessing all. - Who could imagine he'd have so much patience. - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - [_Clutching other CRIPPLE._ - - _Second Cripple._ If you don't need it, sir, - May we not carry some of it away? - - [_He points to food._ - - _Seanchan._ Who's speaking? Who are you? - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - _Second Cripple._ Have pity on us, that must beg our bread - From table to table throughout the entire world - And yet be hungry. - - _Seanchan._ But why were you born crooked? - What bad poet did your mothers listen to - That you were born so crooked? - - _First Cripple._ Come away. - Maybe he's cursed the food and it might kill us. - - _Second Cripple._ Yes, better come away. - - [_They go out._ - - _Seanchan._ [_Staggering and speaking wearily._] - He has great strength - And great patience to hold his right hand there - Uplifted and not wavering about; - He is much stronger than I am, much stronger. - - [_He sinks down on steps._ - - _Enter from R. FEDELM, CIAN and BRIAN._ - - _Brian._ There he is lying. Go over to him now - And bid him eat. - - _Fedelm._ I'll get him out of this - Before I have said a word of food and drink; - For while he is on this threshold and can hear, - It may be, the voices that made mock of him, - He would not listen. - - _Brian._ That is a good plan. - But there is little time, for he is weakening. - - _Fedelm._ [_Crying._] I cannot think of any other plan - Although it breaks my heart. - - _Cian._ Let's leave them now, - For she will press the honey from her bag - When we are gone. - - _Brian._ It will be hard to move him - If hunger and thirst have got into his bones. - - [_They go out leaving FEDELM and SEANCHAN alone. FEDELM runs over to - SEANCHAN and kneels down before him._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan! Seanchan! - - [_He remains looking into the sky._ - - Can you not see me, Seanchan? - It is myself. - - [_SEANCHAN looks at her dreamily at first, then takes her hand._ - - _Seanchan._ Is this your hand, Fedelm? - I have been looking at another hand - That is up yonder. - - _Fedelm._ I have come for you. - - _Seanchan._ Fedelm, I did not know that you were here. - - _Fedelm._ And can you not remember that I promised - That I would come and take you home with me - When I'd the harvest in? and now I've come, - And you must come away, and come on the instant. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, I will come; but is the harvest in? - This air has got a summer taste in it. - - _Fedelm._ But is not the wild middle of the summer - A better time to marry? Come with me now. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by both wrists._] - Who taught you that, for it's a certainty, - Although I never knew it till last night, - That marriage, because it is the height of life, - Can only be accomplished to the full - In the high days of the year. I lay awake, - There had come a frenzy into the light of the stars - And they were coming nearer and I knew - All in a minute they were about to marry - Clods out upon the plough-lands, to beget - A mightier race than any that has been; - But some that are within there made a noise - And frighted them away. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now; - We have far to go, and daylight's running out. - - _Seanchan._ The stars had come so near me that I caught - Their singing; it was praise of that great race - That would be haughty, mirthful, and white-bodied - With a high head, and open hand, and how - Laughing, it would take the mastery of the world. - - _Fedelm._ But you will tell me all about their songs - When we're at home. You have need of rest and care, - And I can give them you when we're at home, - And therefore let us hurry and get us home. - - _Seanchan._ That's true; and there's some trouble here, although - I cannot now remember what it is, - And I would get away from it. Give me your help. - But why are not my pupils here to help me? - Go, call my pupils, for I need their help. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now, and I will send for them, - For I have a great room that's full of beds - I can make ready, and there is a smooth lawn - Where they can play at hurley and sing poems - Under an apple-tree. - - _Seanchan._ I know that place, - An apple tree and a smooth level lawn, - Where the young men can sway their hurley sticks. - - _Sings._ - - The four rivers that run there, - Through well-mown level ground, - Have come out of a blessed well - That is all bound and wound - By the great roots of an apple, - And all fowls of the air - Have gathered in the wide branches - And keep singing there. - - [_FEDELM, troubled, has covered her eyes with her hands._ - - _Fedelm._ No, there are not four rivers, and those rhymes - Praise Adam's Paradise. - - _Seanchan._ I can remember now. - It's out of a poem I made long ago - About the garden in the east of the world, - And how spirits in the images of birds - Crowd in the branches of old Adam's crab-tree; - They come before me now and dig in the fruit - With so much gluttony, and are so drunk - With that harsh, wholesome savour that their feathers - Are clinging one to another with the juice. - But you would take me to some friendly place, - And I would go there quickly. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me. - - [_She helps him to rise. He walks slowly, supported by her till he - comes to the table at R._ - - _Seanchan._ But why am I so weak? Have I been ill? - Sweetheart, why is it that I am so weak? - - [_He sinks on to the seat._ - - _Fedelm._ I'll dip this piece of bread into the wine, - For that will make you stronger for the journey. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, give me bread and wine, that's what I want, - For it is hunger that is gnawing me. - - [_He takes bread from FEDELM, hesitates, and then thrusts it back - into her hand._ - - But no, I must not eat it. - - _Fedelm._ Eat, Seanchan, - For if you do not eat it you will die. - - _Seanchan._ Why did you give me food? - Why did you come? - For had I not enough to fight against - Without your coming? - - _Fedelm._ Eat this little crust, - Seanchan, if you have any love for me. - - _Seanchan._ I must not eat it: but that's beyond your wit; - Child, child, I must not eat it though I die. - - _Fedelm._ You do not know what love is, for if you loved - You would put every other thought away - But you have never loved me. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by the wrist._] You, a child, - Who have but seen a man out of the window, - Tell me that I know nothing about love, - And that I do not love you. Did I not say - There was a frenzy in the light of the stars - All through the livelong night, and that the night - Was full of marriages? But that fight's over. - And all that's done with, and I have to die. - - _Fedelm._ [_Throwing her arms about him._] - I will not be put from you, although I think - I had not grudged it you if some great lady, - If the King's daughter, had set out your bed. - I will not give you up to death; no, no, - And are not these white arms and this soft neck - Better than the brown earth? - - _Seanchan._ I swear an oath - Upon the holy tree that I'll not eat - Until the King restore the right of the poets. - O Sun and Moon, and all things that have strength, - Become my strength that I may put a curse - On all things that would have me break this oath. - - [_FEDELM has sunk down on the ground while he says this, and - crouches at his feet._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan, do not curse me; from this out - I will obey like any married wife. - Let me but lie before your feet. - - _Seanchan._ Come nearer. - - [_He kisses her._ - - If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart, - The kiss of multitudes in times to come - Had been the poorer. - - _King._ [_Entering from house._] Has he eaten yet? - - _Fedelm._ No, King, and will not till you have restored - The right of the poets. - - _King._ [_Coming down and standing before SEANCHAN._] - Seanchan, you have refused - Everybody that I have sent, and now - I come to you myself, and I have come - To bid you put your pride as far away - As I have put my pride. I had your love - Not a great while ago, and now you have planned - To put a voice by every cottage fire - And in the night when no one sees who cries - To cry against me till my throne has crumbled. - And yet if I give way I must offend - My courtiers and nobles till they too - Strike at the crown. What would you have of me? - - _Seanchan._ When did the poets promise safety, King? - - _King._ Seanchan, I bring you bread in my own hands, - And bid you eat it because of all these reasons, - And for this further reason that I love you. - - [_SEANCHAN pushes bread away with FEDELM'S hand._ - - You have refused it, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ We have refused it. - - _King._ I have been patient though I am a king, - And have the means to force you--but that's ended, - And I am but a king and you a subject. - - [_He goes up steps._ - - Nobles and courtiers, bring the poets hither - For you can have your way: I that was man - With a man's heart am now all king again, - Remembering that the seed I come of, although - A hundred kings have sown it and re-sown it, - Has neither trembled nor shrunk backward yet - Because of the hard business of a king. - - [_PRINCESSES, LADIES, and COURTIERS have come in with - PUPILS, who have halters round their necks._ - - Speak to your master, beg your life of him, - Show him the halters that are round your necks; - If his heart's set upon it he may die, - But you shall all die with him; beg your lives; - Begin, for you have little time to lose; - Begin it you that are the oldest pupil. - - _Senias._ [_Going up to SEANCHAN._] - Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - _King._ Silence, you are as crazy as your master. - But that young boy that seems the youngest of you, - I'd have him speak. Kneel down before him, boy, - Hold up your hands to him that he may pluck - That milky coloured neck out of the noose. - - _Arias._ Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - [_All the PUPILS turn towards the KING, holding out the ends of - their halters._ - - _Senias._ Gather the halters up into your hands - And lead us where you will, for in all things - But in our art we are obedient. - - [_The KING comes slowly down the steps._ - - _King._ [_Kneeling down before SEANCHAN._] - Kneel down, kneel down, he has the greater power. - I give my crown to you. - - [_All kneel except SEANCHAN, FEDELM and PUPILS. SEANCHAN rises - slowly, supported by one of the PUPILS and by FEDELM._ - - _Seanchan._ O crown, O crown, - It is but right if hands that made the crown - In the old time should give it when they will. - O silver trumpets be you lifted up - - [_He lays the crown on the KING'S head._ - - And cry to the great race that is to come. - Long-throated swans among the waves of time - Sing loudly, for beyond the wall of the world - It waits and it may hear and come to us. - - [_Some of the PUPILS blow a blast upon their horns._ - - -CURTAIN. - - - * * * * * - - - - -ON BAILE'S STRAND. - - - CUCHULLAIN, the King of Muirthemne. - CONCOBAR, the High King of Ullad. - DAIRE, a King. - FINTAIN, a blind man. - BARACH, a fool. - A Young Man. - Young Kings and Old Kings. - - - SCENE: _A great hall by the sea close to Dundalgan. There are two - great chairs on either side of the hall, each raised a little from - the ground, and on the back of the one chair is carved and painted a - woman with a fish's tail, and on the back of the other a hound. - There are smaller chairs and benches raised in tiers round the - walls. There is a great ale vat at one side near a small door, and a - large door at the back through which one can see the sea. BARACH, a - tall thin man with long ragged hair, dressed in skins, comes in at - the side door. He is leading FINTAIN, a fat blind man, who is - somewhat older._ - -_Barach._ I will shut the door, for this wind out of the sea gets into -my bones, and if I leave but an inch for the wind there is one like a -flake of sea-frost that might come into the house. - -_Fintain._ What is his name, fool? - -_Barach._ It's a woman from among the Riders of the Sidhe. It's Boann -herself from the river. She has left the Dagda's bed, and gone through -the salt of the sea and up here to the strand of Baile, and all for love -of me. Let her keep her husband's bed, for she'll have none of me. -Nobody knows how lecherous these goddesses are. I see her in every kind -of shape but oftener than not she's in the wind and cries "give a kiss -and put your arms about me." But no, she'll have no more of me. -Yesterday when I put out my lips to kiss her, there was nothing there -but the wind. She's bad, Fintain. O, she's bad. I had better shut the -big door too. - - [_He is going towards the big door but turns hearing FINTAIN'S - voice._ - -_Fintain._ [_Who has been feeling about with his stick._] What's this -and this? - -_Barach._ They are chairs. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ Why, that's a bench. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ A big chair. - -_Fintain._ [_Feeling the back of the chair._] There is a sea-woman -carved upon it. - -_Barach._ And there is another big chair on the other side of the hall. - -_Fintain._ Lead me to it. [_He mutters while the fool is leading him._] -That is what the High King Concobar has on his shield. The High King -will be coming. They have brought out his chair. [_He begins feeling the -back of the other chair._] And there is a dog's head on this. They have -brought out our master's chair. Now I know what the horse-boys were -talking about. We must not stay here. The Kings are going to meet here. -Now that Concobar and our master, that is his chief man, have put down -all the enemies of Ullad, they are going to build up Emain again. They -are going to talk over their plans for building it. Were you ever in -Concobar's town before it was burnt? O, he is a great King, for though -Emain was burnt down, every war had made him richer. He has gold and -silver dishes, and chessboards and candlesticks made of precious stones. -Fool, have they taken the top from the ale vat? - -_Barach._ They have. - -_Fintain._ Then bring me a horn of ale quickly, for the Kings will be -here in a minute. Now I can listen. Tell me what you saw this morning? - -_Barach._ About the young man and the fighting? - -_Fintain._ Yes. - -_Barach._ And after that we can go and eat the fowl, for I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Time enough, time enough. You're in as great a hurry as when -you brought me to Aine's Seat, where the mad dogs gather when the moon's -at the full. Go on with your story. - -_Barach._ I was creeping under a ditch, with the fowl in my leather bag, -keeping to the shore where the farmer could not see me, when I came upon -a ship drawn up upon the sands, a great red ship with a woman's head -upon it. - -_Fintain._ A ship out of Aoife's country. They have all a woman's head -on the bow. - -_Barach._ There was a young man with a pale face and red hair standing -beside it. Some of our people came up whose turn it was to guard the -shore. I heard them ask the young man his name. He said he was under -bonds not to tell it. Then words came between them, and they fought, -and the young man killed half of them, and the others ran away. - -_Fintain._ It matters nothing to us, but he has come at last. - -_Barach._ Who has come? - -_Fintain._ I know who that young man is. There is not another like him -in the world. I saw him when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ You saw him? - -_Fintain._ I used to be in Aoife's country when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ That was before you went on shipboard and were blinded for -putting a curse on the wind? - -_Fintain._ Queen Aoife had a son that was red haired and pale faced like -herself, and everyone said that he would kill Cuchullain some day, but I -would not have that spoken of. - -_Barach._ Nobody could do that. Who was his father? - -_Fintain._ Nobody but Aoife knew that, not even he himself. - -_Barach._ Not even he himself! Was Aoife a goddess and lecherous? - -_Fintain._ I overheard her telling that she never had but one lover, and -that he was the only man who overcame her in battle. There were some who -thought him one of the Riders of the Sidhe, because the child was great -of limb and strong beyond others. The child was begotten over the -mountains; but come nearer and I will tell you something. - -_Barach._ You have thought something? - -_Fintain._ When I hear the young girls talking about the colour of -Cuchullain's eyes, and how they have seven colours, I have thought about -it. That young man has Aoife's face and hair, but he has Cuchullain's -eyes. - -_Barach._ How can he have Cuchullain's eyes? - -_Fintain._ He is Cuchullain's son. - -_Barach._ And his mother has sent him hither to fight his father. - -_Fintain._ It is all quite plain. Cuchullain went into Aoife's country -when he was a young man that he might learn skill in arms, and there he -became Aoife's lover. - -_Barach._ And now she hates him because he went away, and has sent the -son to kill the father. I knew she was a goddess. - -_Fintain._ And she never told him who his father was, that he might do -it. I have thought it all out, fool. I know a great many things because -I listen when nobody is noticing and I keep my wits awake. What ails you -now? - -_Barach._ I have remembered that I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Well, forget it again, and I will tell you about Aoife's -country. It is full of wonders. There are a great many Queens there who -can change themselves into wolves and into swine and into white hares, -and when they are in their own shapes they are stronger than almost any -man; and there are young men there who have cat's eyes and if a bird -chirrup or a mouse squeak they cannot keep them shut, even though it is -bedtime and they sleepy; and listen, for this is a great wonder, a very -great wonder: there is a long narrow bridge, and when anybody goes to -cross it, that the Queens do not like, it flies up as this bench would -if you were to sit on the end of it. Everybody who goes there to learn -skill in arms has to cross it. It was in that country too that -Cuchullain got his spear made out of dragon bones. There were two -dragons fighting in the foam of the sea, and their grandam was the moon, -and nine Queens came along the shore. - -_Barach._ I won't listen to your story. - -_Fintain._ It is a very wonderful story. Wait till you hear what the -nine Queens did. Their right hands were all made of silver. - -_Barach._ No, I will have my dinner first. You have eaten the fowl I -left in front of the fire. The last time you sent me to steal something -you made me forget all about it till you had eaten it up. - -_Fintain._ No, there is plenty for us both. - -_Barach._ Come with me where it is. - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led towards the door at the back by BARACH._] -O, it is all right, it is in a safe place. - -_Barach._ It is a fine fowl. It was the biggest in the yard. - -_Fintain._ It had a good smell, but I hope that the wild dogs have not -smelt it. [_Voices are heard outside the door at the side._] Here is our -master. Let us stay and talk with him. Perhaps Cuchullain will give you -a new cap with a feather. He told me that he would give you a new cap -with a feather, a feather with an eye that looks at you, a peacock's -feather. - -_Barach._ No, no. - - [_He begins pulling FINTAIN towards the door._ - -_Fintain._ If you do not get it now, you may never get it, for the -young man may kill him. - -_Barach._ No, no, I am hungry. What a head you have, blind man! Who but -you would have remembered that the hen-wife slept for a little at noon -every day! - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led along very slowly and unwillingly._] Yes, -I have a good head. The fowl should be done just right, but one never -knows when a wild dog may come out of the woods. - - [_They go out through the big door at the back. As they go out - CUCHULLAIN and certain YOUNG KINGS come in at the side door. - CUCHULLAIN, though still young, is a good deal older than the - others. They are all very gaily dressed, and have their hair - fastened with balls of gold. The young men crowd about CUCHULLAIN - with wondering attention._ - - _First Young King._ You have hurled that stone beyond our utmost mark - Time after time, but yet you are not weary. - - _Second Young King._ He has slept on the bare ground of Fuad's Hill - This week past, waiting for the bulls and the deer. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, why should I be weary? - - _First Young King._ It is certain - His father was the god who wheels the sun, - And not King Sualtam. - - _Third Young King._ [_To a YOUNG KING who is beside him._] - He came in the dawn, - And folded Dectara in a sudden fire. - - _Fourth Young King._ And yet the mother's half might well grow weary, - And it new come from labours over sea. - - _Third Young King._ He has been on islands walled about with silver, - And fought with giants. - - [_They gather about the ale vat and begin to drink._ - - _Cuchullain._ Who was it that went out? - - _Third Young King._ As we came in? - - _Cuchullain._ Yes. - - _Third Young King._ Barach and blind Fintain. - - _Cuchullain._ They always flock together; the blind man - Has need of the fool's eyesight and strong body, - While the poor fool has need of the other's wit, - And night and day is up to his ears in mischief - That the blind man imagines. There's no hen-yard - But clucks and cackles when he passes by - As if he'd been a fox. If I'd that ball - That's in your hair and the big stone again, - I'd keep them tossing, though the one is heavy - And the other light in the hand. A trick I learnt - When I was learning arms in Aoife's country. - - _First Young King._ What kind of woman was that Aoife? - - _Cuchullain._ Comely. - - _First Young King._ But I have heard that she was never married, - And yet that's natural, for I have never known - A fighting woman, but made her favours cheap, - Or mocked at love till she grew sandy dry. - - _Cuchullain._ What manner of woman do you like the best? - A gentle or a fierce? - - _First Young King._ A gentle, surely. - - _Cuchullain._ I think that a fierce woman's better, a woman - That breaks away when you have thought her won, - For I'd be fed and hungry at one time. - I think that all deep passion is but a kiss - In the mid battle, and a difficult peace - 'Twixt oil and water, candles and dark night, - Hill-side and hollow, the hot-footed sun, - And the cold sliding slippery-footed moon, - A brief forgiveness between opposites - That have been hatreds for three times the age - Of this long 'stablished ground. Here's Concobar; - So I'll be done, but keep beside me still, - For while he talks of hammered bronze and asks - What wood is best for building, we can talk - Of a fierce woman. - - [_CONCOBAR, a man much older than CUCHULLAIN, has come in through - the great door at the back. He has many KINGS about him. One of - these KINGS, DAIRE, a stout old man, is somewhat drunk._ - - _Concobar._ [_To one of those about him._] Has the ship gone yet? - We have need of more bronze workers, and that ship - I sent to Africa for gold is late. - - _Cuchullain._ I knew their talk. - - _Concobar._ [_Seeing CUCHULLAIN._] You are before us, King. - - _Cuchullain._ So much the better, for I welcome you - Into my Muirthemne. - - _Concobar._ But who are these? - The odour from their garments when they stir - Is like a wind out of an apple garden. - - _Cuchullain._ My swordsmen and harp players and fine dancers, - My bosom friends. - - _Concobar._ I should have thought, Cuchullain, - My graver company would better match - Your greatness and your years; but I waste breath - In harping on that tale. - - _Cuchullain._ You do, great King. - Because their youth is the kind wandering wave - That carries me about the world; and if it sank, - My sword would lose its lightness. - - _Concobar._ Yet, Cuchullain, - Emain should be the foremost town of the world. - - _Cuchullain._ It is the foremost town. - - _Concobar._ No, no, it's not. - Nothing but men can make towns great, and he, - The one over-topping man that's in the world, - Keeps far away. - - _Daire._ He will not hear you, King, - And we old men had best keep company - With one another. I'll fill the horn for you. - - _Concobar._ I will not drink, old fool. You have drunk a horn - At every door we came to. - - _Daire._ You'd better drink, - For old men light upon their youth again - In the brown ale. When I have drunk enough, - I am like Cuchullain as one pea another, - And live like a bird's flight from tree to tree. - - _Concobar._ We'll to our chairs for we have much to talk of, - And we have Ullad and Muirthemne, and here - Is Conall Muirthemne in the nick of time. - - [_He goes to the back of stage to welcome a company of KINGS who - come in through the great door. The other KINGS gradually get into - their places. CUCHULLAIN sits in his great chair with certain of the - young men standing around him. Others of the young men, however, - remain with DAIRE at the ale vat. DAIRE holds out the horn of ale to - one or two of the older KINGS as they pass him going to their - places. They pass him by, most of them silently refusing._ - - _Daire._ Will you not drink? - - _An Old King._ Not till the council's over. - - _A Young King._ But I'll drink, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ Fill me a horn too, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ If I'd drunk half that you have drunk to-day, - I'd be upon all fours. - - _Daire._ That would be natural - When Mother Earth had given you this good milk - From her great breasts. - - _Cuchullain._ [_To one of the YOUNG KINGS beside him._] - One is content awhile - With a soft warm woman who folds up our lives - In silky network. Then, one knows not why, - But one's away after a flinty heart. - - _The Young King._ How long can the net keep us? - - _Cuchullain._ All our lives - If there are children, and a dozen moons - If there are none, because a growing child - Has so much need of watching it can make - A passion that's as changeable as the sea - Change till it holds the wide earth to its heart. - At least I have heard a father say it, but I - Being childless do not know it. Come nearer yet; - Though he is ringing that old silver rod - We'll have our own talk out. They cannot hear us. - - [_CONCOBAR who is now seated in his great chair, opposite - CUCHULLAIN, beats upon the pillar of the house that is nearest to - him with a rod of silver, till the KINGS have become silent. - CUCHULLAIN alone continues to talk in a low voice to those about - him, but not so loud as to disturb the silence. CONCOBAR rises and - speaks standing._ - - _Concobar._ I have called you hither, Kings of Ullad, and Kings - Of Muirthemne and Connall Muirthemne, - And tributary Kings, for now there is peace-- - It's time to build up Emain that was burned - At the outsetting of these wars; for we, - Being the foremost men, should have high chairs - And be much stared at and wondered at, and speak - Out of more laughing overflowing hearts - Than common men. It is the art of kings - To make what's noble nobler in men's eyes - By wide uplifted roofs, where beaten gold, - That's ruddy with desire, marries pale silver - Among the shadowing beams; and many a time - I would have called you hither to this work, - But always, when I'd all but summoned you, - Some war or some rebellion would break out. - - _Daire._ Where's Maine Morgor and old Usnach's children, - And that high-headed even-walking Queen, - And many near as great that got their death - Because you hated peace? I can remember - The people crying out when Deirdre passed - And Maine Morgor had a cold gray eye. - Well, well, I'll throw this heel-tap on the ground, - For it may be they are thirsty. - - _A King._ Be silent, fool. - - _Another King._ Be silent, Daire. - - _Concobar._ Let him speak his mind. - I have no need to be afraid of ghosts, - For I have made but necessary wars. - I warred to strengthen Emain, or because - When wars are out they marry and beget - And have their generations like mankind - And there's no help for it; but I'm well content - That they have ended and left the town so great, - That its mere name shall be in times to come - Like a great ale vat where the men of the world - Shall drink no common ale but the hard will, - The unquenchable hope, the friendliness of the sword. - - [_He takes thin boards on which plans have been carved by those - about him._ - - Give me the building plans, and have you written - That we--Cuchullain is looking in his shield; - It may be the pale riders of the wind - Throw pictures on it, or that Mananan, - His father's friend and sometime fosterer, - Foreknower of all things, has cast a vision, - Out of the cold dark of the rich sea, - Foretelling Emain's greatness. - - _Cuchullain._ No, great King, - I looked on this out of mere idleness, - Imagining a far-off country and one - That held it with a sword, although a woman. - - _Concobar._ A woman needs but laugh, or a friend sigh, - And you're afar off sounding through the world, - While I plan Emain's greatness. - - [_The sound of a trumpet without._ - - Open the doors! - I hear a herald's trumpet, and await, - It may be, the heavy fleeces of the sea - And golden and silver apples or ancient crowns - Long hidden in the well at the World's End, - Or glittering garments of the salmon, tributes - From the Great Plain, or the high people of Sorcha, - Or the walled garden in the east of the world. - - [_The great door at the back is flung open; a YOUNG MAN, who is - fully armed and carries a shield with a woman's head painted on it, - stands upon the threshold. Behind him are trumpeters. He walks into - the centre of the hall, the trumpeting ceases._ - - What is your message? - - _Young Man._ I am of Aoife's army. - - _First King._ Queen Aoife and her army have fallen upon us. - - _Second King._ Out swords! Out swords! - - _Third King._ They are about the house. - - _Fourth King._ Rush out! Rush out! Before they have fired the thatch. - - _Young Man._ Aoife is far away. I am alone. - I have come alone in the midst of you - To weigh this sword against Cuchullain's sword. - - [_There is a murmur amongst the KINGS._ - - _Concobar._ And are you noble? for if of common seed - You cannot weigh your sword against his sword - But in mixed battle. - - _Young Man._ I am under bonds - To tell my name to no man, but it's noble. - - _Concobar._ But I would know your name and not your bonds. - You cannot speak in the Assembly House - If you are not noble. - - _A King._ Answer the High King. - - _Young Man._ [_Drawing his sword._] - I will give no other proof than the hawk gives - That it's no sparrow. - - [_He is silent a moment, then speaks to all._ - - Yet look upon me, Kings; - I too am of that ancient seed and carry - The signs about this body and in these bones. - - _Cuchullain._ To have shown the hawk's gray feather is enough, - And you speak highly too. - - [_CUCHULLAIN comes down from his great chair. He remains standing on - the steps of the chair. The YOUNG KINGS gather about him and begin - to arm him._ - - Give me that helmet! - I'd thought they had grown weary sending champions. - That leathern coat will do. The High King there - Being old in wisdom can think of times to come, - But the hawk's sleepy till its well-beloved - Cries out amid the acorns, or it has seen - Its enemy like a speck upon the sun. - What's Emain to the hawk when that clear eye - Is burning nearer up in the high air? - That buckle should be tighter. Give me your shield. - There is good level ground at Baile's Yew-tree, - Some dozen yards from here, and it's but truth - That I am sad to-day and this fight welcome. - - [_He looks hard at the YOUNG MAN, and then steps down on the floor - of the Assembly House. He grasps the YOUNG MAN by the shoulder._ - - Hither into the light. - - [_Turning to one of the YOUNG KINGS._ - - The very tint - Of her that I was speaking of but now: - Not a pin's difference. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - You are from the North, - Where there are many that have that tint of hair, - Red-brown, the light red-brown. Come nearer, boy! - For I would have another look at you. - There's more likeness, a pale, a stone pale cheek. - What brought you, boy? Have you no fear of death? - - _Young Man._ Whether I live or die is in the Gods' hands. - - _Cuchullain._ That is all words, all words, a young man's talk; - I am their plough, their harrow, their very strength, - For he that's in the sun begot this body - Upon a mortal woman, and I have heard tell - It seemed as if he had outrun the moon, - That he must always follow through waste heaven, - He loved so happily. He'll be but slow - To break a tree that was so sweetly planted. - Let's see that arm; I'll see it if I like. - That arm had a good father and a good mother, - But it is not like this. - - _Young Man._ You are mocking me. - You think I am not worthy to be fought, - But I'll not wrangle but with this talkative knife. - - _Cuchullain._ Put up your sword, I am not mocking you. - I'd have you for my friend, but if it's not - Because you have a hot heart and a cold eye - I cannot tell the reason. You've got her fierceness, - And nobody is as fierce as those pale women. - - [_To the YOUNG KINGS._ - - We'll keep him here in Muirthemne awhile. - - _A Young King._ You are the leader of our pack and therefore - May cry what you will. - - _Cuchullain._ You'll stop with us - And we will hunt the deer and the wild bulls, - And, when we have grown weary, light our fires - In sandy places where the wool-white foam - Is murmuring and breaking, and it may be - That long-haired women will come out of the dunes - To dance in the yellow fire-light. You hang your head, - Young man, as if it was not a good life; - And yet what's better than to hurl the spear, - And hear the long-remembering harp, and dance? - Friendship grows quicker in the murmuring dark; - But I can see there's no more need for words - And that you'll be my friend now. - - _First Old King._ Concobar, - Forbid their friendship, for it will get twisted - To a reproach against us. - - _Concobar._ Until now - I'd never need to cry Cuchullain on - And would not now. - - _First Old King._ They'll say his manhood's quenched. - - _Cuchullain._ I'll give you gifts, but I'll have something too, - An arm-ring or the like, and if you will - We'll fight it out when you are older, boy. - - _An Old King._ Aoife will make some story out of this. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, well, what matter, I'll have that arm-ring, boy. - - _Young Man._ There is no man I'd sooner have my friend - Than you whose name has gone about the world - As if it had been the wind, but Aoife'd say - I had turned coward. - - _Cuchullain._ I'll give you gifts - That Aoife'll know and all her people know - To have been my gifts. Mananan, son of the sea, - Gave me this heavy embroidered cloak. Nine Queens - Of the Land-under-Wave had woven it - Out of the fleeces of the sea. O! tell her - I was afraid, or tell her what you will. - No! tell her that I heard a raven croak - On the north side of the house and was afraid. - - _An Old King._ Some witch of the air has troubled Cuchullain's mind. - - _Cuchullain._ No witchcraft, his head is like a woman's head - I had a fancy for. - - _Second Old King._ A witch of the air - Can make a leaf confound us with memories. - They have gone to school to learn the trick of it. - - _Cuchullain._ But there's no trick in this. That arm-ring, boy. - - _Third Old King._ He shall not go unfought, I'll fight with him. - - _Fourth Old King._ No! I will fight with him. - - _First Old King._ I claim the fight, - For when we sent an army to her land---- - - _Second Old King._ I claim the fight, for one of Aoife's galleys - Stole my great cauldron and a herd of pigs. - - _Third Old King._ No, no, I claim it, for at Lammas' time---- - - _Cuchullain._ Back! Back! Put up your swords! Put up your swords! - There's none alive that shall accept a challenge - I have refused. Laegaire, put up your sword. - - _Young Man._ No, let them come, let any three together. - If they've a mind to, I'll try it out with four. - - _Cuchullain._ That's spoken as I'd spoken it at your age, - But you are in my house. Whatever man - Would fight with you shall fight it out with me. - They're dumb. They're dumb. How many of you would meet - - [_Drawing his sword._ - - This mutterer, this old whistler, this sandpiper, - This edge that's grayer than the tide, this mouse - That's gnawing at the timbers of the world, - This, this--Boy, I would meet them all in arms - If I'd a son like you. He would avenge me - When I have withstood for the last time the men - Whose fathers, brothers, sons, and friends I have killed - Upholding Ullad; when the four provinces - Have gathered with the ravens over them. - But I'd need no avenger. You and I - Would scatter them like water from a dish. - - _Young Man._ We'll stand by one another from this out. - Here is the ring. - - _Cuchullain._ No, turn and turn about, - But my turn is first, because I am the older. - Cliodna embroidered these bird wings, but Fand - Made all these little golden eyes with the hairs - That she had stolen out of Aengus' beard, - And therefore none that has this cloak about him - Is crossed in love. The heavy inlaid brooch - That Buan hammered has a merit too. - - [_He begins spreading the cloak out on a bench, showing it to the - YOUNG MAN. Suddenly CONCOBAR beats with his silver rod on a pillar - beside his chair. All turn towards him._ - - _Concobar._ [_In a loud voice._] - No more of that, I will not have this friendship. - Cuchullain is my man and I forbid it; - He shall not go unfought for I myself---- - - _Cuchullain._ [_Seizing CONCOBAR._] - You shall not stir, High King, I'll hold you there. - - _Concobar._ Witchcraft has maddened you. - - _The Kings._ [_Shouting._] Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft. - - _A King._ You saw another's head upon his shoulders - All of a sudden, a woman's head, Cuchullain. - Then raised your hand against the King of Ullad. - - _Cuchullain._ [_Letting CONCOBAR go, and looking wildly about him._] - Yes, yes, all of a sudden, all of a sudden. - - _Daire._ Why, there's no witchcraft in it, I myself - Have made a hundred of these sudden friendships - And fought it out next day. But that was folly, - For now that I am old I know it is best - To live in comfort. - - _A King._ Pull the fool away! - - _Daire._ I'll throw a heel-tap to the one that dies. - - _Concobar._ Some witch is floating in the air above us. - - _Cuchullain._ Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft and the power of witchcraft. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - Why did you do it? was it Calatin's daughters? - Out, out, I say, for now it's sword on sword. - - _Young Man._ But, but, I did not. - - _Cuchullain._ Out, I say, out, out! - Sword upon sword. - - [_He goes towards the door at back, followed by YOUNG MAN. He - turns on the threshold and cries out, looking at the YOUNG MAN._ - - That hair my hands were drowned in! - - [_He goes out, followed by YOUNG MAN. The other KINGS begin to - follow them out._ - - _A King._ I saw him fight with Ferdiad. - - _Second King._ We'll be too late, - They're such a long time getting through the door. - - _Third King._ Run quicker, quicker. - - _Daire._ I was at the Smith's - When he that was the boy Setanta then---- - - [_Sound, of fighting outside._ - - _Third King._ He will have killed him. - They have begun the fight! - - [_They all go out, leaving the house silent and empty. There is a - pause during which one hears the clashing of the swords. BARACH and - FINTAIN come in from side door. BARACH is dragging FINTAIN._ - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have eaten it, you have left me nothing -but the bones. - -_Fintain._ O, that I should have to endure such a plague. O, I ache all -over. O, I am pulled in pieces. This is the way you pay me for all the -good I have done you! - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have told me lies about a wild dog. -Nobody has seen a wild dog about the place this twelve month. Lie there -till the Kings come. O, I will tell Concobar and Cuchullain and all the -Kings about you! - -_Fintain._ What would have happened to you but for me, and you without -your wits? If I did not take care of you what would you do for food and -warmth? - -_Barach._ You take care of me? You stay safe and send me into every kind -of danger. You sent me down the cliff for gull's eggs while you warmed -your blind eyes in the sun. And then you ate all that were good for -food. You left me the eggs that were neither egg nor bird. [_The blind -man tries to rise. BARACH makes him lie down again._] Keep quiet now -till I shut the door. There is some noise outside. There are swords -crossing; a high vexing noise so that I can't be listening to myself. -[_He goes to the big door at the back and shuts it._] Why can't they be -quiet, why can't they be quiet! Ah, you would get away, would you? [_He -follows the blind man who has been crawling along the wall and makes him -lie down close to the KING'S chair._] Lie there, lie there. No, you -won't get away. Lie there till the Kings come, I'll tell them all about -you. I shall tell it all. How you sit warming yourself, when you have -made me light a fire of sticks, while I sit blowing it with my mouth. Do -you not always make me take the windy side of the bush when it blows and -the rainy side when it rains? - -_Fintain._ O good fool, listen to me. Think of the care I have taken of -you. I have brought you to many a warm hearth, where there was a good -welcome for you, but you would not stay there, you were always wandering -about. - -_Barach._ The last time you brought me in, it was not I who wandered -away, but you that got put out because you took the crubeen out of the -pot, when you thought nobody was looking. Keep quiet now, keep quiet -till I shut the door. Here is Cuchullain, now you will be beaten. I am -going to tell him everything. - -_Cuchullain._ [_Comes in and says to the fool._] Give me that horn. - - [_The fool gives him a horn which CUCHULLAIN fills with ale and - drinks._ - -_Fintain._ Do not listen to him, listen to me. - -_Cuchullain._ What are you wrangling over? - -_Barach._ He is fat and good for nothing. He has left me the bones and -the feathers. - -_Cuchullain._ What feathers? - -_Barach._ I left him turning a fowl at the fire. He ate it all. He left -me nothing but the bones and feathers. - -_Fintain._ Do not believe him. You do not know how vain this fool is. I -gave him the feathers, because I thought he would like nothing so well. - - [_BARACH is sitting on a bench playing with a heap of feathers, - which he has taken out of the breast of his coat._ - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top---- - -_Fintain._ Where would he be but for me? I must be always thinking, -thinking to get food for the two of us, and when we've got it, if the -moon's at the full or the tide on the turn, he'll leave the rabbit in -its snare till it is full of maggots, or let the trout slip through his -hands back into the water. - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top, - Then was I an eagle cock; - Now that you are a withered old block, - Still am I an eagle cock! - -_Fintain._ Listen to him now! That's the sort of talk I have to put up -with, day out day in. - - [_The fool is putting the feathers into his hair. CUCHULLAIN takes a - handful of feathers out of the heap and out of the fool's hair, and - begins to wipe the blood from his sword with them._ - -_Barach._ He has taken my feathers to wipe his sword. It is blood that -he is wiping from his sword! - -_Fintain._ Whose blood? Whose blood? - -_Cuchullain._ That young champion's. - -_Fintain._ He that came out of Aoife's country? - -_Cuchullain._ The Kings are standing round his body. - -_Fintain._ Did he fight long? - -_Cuchullain._ He thought to have saved himself with witchcraft. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said he would kill you. He came from -Aoife's country to kill you. That blind man said they had taught him -every kind of weapon that he might do it. But I always knew that you -would kill him. - -_Cuchullain._ [_To the blind man._] You knew him, then? - -_Fintain._ I saw him when I had my eyes, in Aoife's country. - -_Cuchullain._ You were in Aoife's country? - -_Fintain._ I knew him and his mother there. - -_Cuchullain._ He was about to speak of her when he died. - -_Fintain._ He was a Queen's son. - -_Cuchullain._ What Queen, what Queen? [_He seizes the blind man._] Was -it Scathach? There were many Queens. All the rulers were Queens. - -_Fintain._ No, not Scathach. - -_Cuchullain._ It was Uathach, then. Speak, speak! - -_Fintain._ I cannot speak, you are clutching me too tightly. -[_CUCHULLAIN lets him go._] I cannot remember who it was. I am not -certain. It was some Queen. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that the young man was Aoife's son. - -_Cuchullain._ She? No, no, she had no son when I was there. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said that she owned him for her son. - -_Cuchullain._ I had rather he had been some other woman's son. What -father had he? A soldier out of Alba? She was an amorous woman, a proud, -pale amorous woman. - -_Fintain._ None knew whose son he was. - -_Cuchullain._ None knew? Did you know, old listener at doors? - -_Fintain._ No, no, I knew nothing. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that he heard Aoife boast that she'd never -but the one lover, and he the only man that had overcome her in battle. - - [_A pause._ - -_Fintain._ Somebody is trembling. Why are you trembling, fool? the bench -is shaking, why are you trembling? Is Cuchullain going to hurt us? It -was not I who told you, Cuchullain. - -_Barach._ It is Cuchullain who is trembling. He is shaking the bench -with his knees. - -_Cuchullain._ He was my son, and I have killed my son. - - [_A pause._ - - 'Twas they that did it, the pale windy people, - Where, where, where? My sword against the thunder. - But no, for they have always been my friends; - And though they love to blow a smoking coal - Till it's all flame, the wars they blow aflame - Are full of glory, and heart uplifting pride, - And not like this; the wars they love awaken - Old fingers and the sleepy strings of harps. - Who did it then? Are you afraid; speak out, - For I have put you under my protection - And will reward you well. Dubthach the Chafer. - He had an old grudge. No, for he is with Maeve. - Laegaire did it. Why do you not speak? - What is this house? [_A pause._] Now I remember all. - - _Fintain._ He will kill us. O, I am afraid! - - _Cuchullain._ [_Who is before CONCOBAR'S chair._] - 'Twas you who did it, you who sat up there - With that old branch of silver, like a magpie - Nursing a stolen spoon. Magpie, magpie, - A maggot that is eating up the earth! - - [_Begins hacking at the chair with his sword._ - - No, but a magpie, for he's flown away. - Where did he fly to? - - _Fintain._ He is outside the door. - - _Cuchullain._ Outside the door? - - _Fintain._ He is under Baile's yew-tree. - - _Cuchullain._ Concobar, Concobar, the sword into your heart. - - [_He goes out. A pause. The fool goes to the great door at back and - looks out after him._ - -_Barach._ He is going up to King Concobar; they are all under the tree. -No, no, he is standing still. There is a great wave going to break and -he is looking at it. Ah! now he is running down to the sea, but he is -holding up his sword as if he were going into a fight. [_A pause._] Well -struck, well struck! - -_Fintain._ What is he doing now? - -_Barach._ Oh! he is fighting the waves. - -_Fintain._ He sees King Concobar's crown on every one of them. - -_Barach._ There, he has struck at a big one. He has struck the crown off -it, he has made the foam fly. There again another big one. - - [_Shouting without._ - -_Fintain._ Where are the Kings? What are the Kings doing? - -_Barach._ They are shouting and running down to the shore, and the -people are running out of the houses, they are all running. - -_Fintain._ You say they are running out of the houses, there will be -nobody left in the houses. Listen, fool. - -_Barach._ There, he is down! He is up again! He is going out into the -deep water. - -_Fintain._ Come here, fool; come here, I say. - -_Barach._ [_Coming towards him but looking backward towards the door._] -What is it? - -_Fintain._ There will be nobody in the houses. Come this way, come -quickly; the ovens will be full; we will put our hands into the ovens. - -[_They go out._ - - - - -[Illustration] - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Punctuation has been standardised. Spelling and hyphenation have been -preserved as printed. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's -Strand, by William Butler Yeats - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - -***** This file should be named 41102-8.txt or 41102-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/0/41102/ - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/41102-8.zip b/41102-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 547217d..0000000 --- a/41102-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/41102-h.zip b/41102-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8bda6ef..0000000 --- a/41102-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/41102.txt b/41102.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 983743a..0000000 --- a/41102.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2758 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand, by -William Butler Yeats - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand - -Author: William Butler Yeats - -Release Date: October 18, 2012 [EBook #41102] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - - -_BY THE SAME AUTHOR._ - - THE SECRET ROSE. - THE CELTIC TWILIGHT. - POEMS. - THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS. - THE SHADOWY WATERS. - IDEAS OF GOOD AND EVIL. - - - - -PLAYS FOR AN IRISH THEATRE - -VOLUME III. - - - - - THE KING'S THRESHOLD: - AND - ON BAILE'S STRAND: - - BEING VOLUME THREE OF PLAYS - FOR AN IRISH THEATRE: - - BY W. B. YEATS - - - LONDON: A. H. BULLEN, - 47, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, W.C. - 1904 - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - - -NOTE - - -Both these plays have been written for Mr. Fay's "Irish National -Theatre." "The King's Threshold" was played in October, 1903, and "On -Baile's Strand" will be played in February or March, 1904. Both are -founded on Old Irish Prose Romances, but I have borrowed some ideas for -the arrangement of my subject in "The King's Threshold" from "Sancan the -Bard," a play published by Mr. Edwin Ellis some ten years ago. - - W. B. Y. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - THE KING'S THRESHOLD 1 - - ON BAILE'S STRAND 67 - - - - -THE KING'S THRESHOLD - - - - -LIST OF CHARACTERS - - KING GUAIRE. - THE CHAMBERLAIN OF KING GUAIRE. - A Soldier. - A Monk. - THE MAYOR OF KINVARA. - A Cripple. - Another Cripple. - AILEEN, } Ladies of the Court. - ESSA, } - PRINCESS BUAN. - PRINCESS FINNHUA, her Sister. - FEDELM, Seanchan's Sweetheart. - CIAN, } Servants of Seanchan. - BRIAN, } - SENIAS, } Pupils of Seanchan. - ARIAS, } - SEANCHAN (pronounced Shanahan), Chief Poet of Ireland. - - Pupils, Courtiers. - - - - -A PROLOGUE.[1] - - Footnote 1: Written for the first production of "The King's - Threshold" in Dublin, but not used, as, owing to the smallness - of the company, nobody could be spared to speak it. - - - _An OLD MAN with a red dressing-gown, red slippers and red - nightcap, holding a brass candlestick with a guttering candle in it, - comes on from side of stage and goes in front of the dull green - curtain._ - -_Old Man._ I've got to speak the prologue. [_He shuffles on a few -steps._] My nephew, who is one of the play actors, came to me, and I in -my bed, and my prayers said, and the candle put out, and he told me -there were so many characters in this new play, that all the company -were in it, whether they had been long or short at the business, and -that there wasn't one left to speak the prologue. Wait a bit, there's a -draught here. [_He pulls the curtain closer together._] That's better. -And that's why I'm here, and maybe I'm a fool for my pains. - -And my nephew said, there are a good many plays to be played for you, -some to-night and some on other nights through the winter, and the most -of them are simple enough, and tell out their story to the end. But as -to the big play you are to see to-night, my nephew taught me to say what -the poet had taught him to say about it. [_Puts down candlestick and -puts right finger on left thumb._] First, he who told the story of -Seanchan on King Guaire's threshold long ago in the old books told it -wrongly, for he was a friend of the king, or maybe afraid of the king, -and so he put the king in the right. But he that tells the story now, -being a poet, has put the poet in the right. - -And then [_touches other finger_] I am to say: Some think it would be a -finer tale if Seanchan had died at the end of it, and the king had the -guilt at his door, for that might have served the poet's cause better in -the end. But that is not true, for if he that is in the story but a -shadow and an image of poetry had not risen up from the death that -threatened him, the ending would not have been true and joyful enough to -be put into the voices of players and proclaimed in the mouths of -trumpets, and poetry would have been badly served. - - [_He takes up the candlestick again._ - -And as to what happened Seanchan after, my nephew told me he didn't -know, and the poet didn't know, and it's likely there's nobody that -knows. But my nephew thinks he never sat down at the king's table again, -after the way he had been treated, but that he went to some quiet green -place in the hills with Fedelm, his sweetheart, where the poor people -made much of him because he was wise, and where he made songs and -poems, and it's likely enough he made some of the old songs and the old -poems the poor people on the hillsides are saying and singing to-day. - - [_A trumpet-blast._ - -Well, it's time for me to be going. That trumpet means that the curtain -is going to rise, and after a while the stage there will be filled up -with great ladies and great gentlemen, and poets, and a king with a -crown on him, and all of them as high up in themselves with the pride of -their youth and their strength and their fine clothes as if there was no -such thing in the world as cold in the shoulders, and speckled shins, -and the pains in the bones and the stiffness in the joints that make an -old man that has the whole load of the world on him ready for his bed. - - [_He begins to shuffle away, and then stops._ - -And it would be better for me, that nephew of mine to be thinking less -of his play-acting, and to have remembered to boil down the knap-weed -with a bit of three-penny sugar, for me to be wetting my throat with -now and again through the night, and drinking a sup to ease the pains in -my bones. - - [_He goes out at side of stage._ - - - - -THE KING'S THRESHOLD. - - - SCENE: _Steps before the Palace of KING GUAIRE at Gort. A table in - front of steps to right with food on it. SEANCHAN lying on steps to - left. PUPILS before steps. KING on top of steps at centre._ - - _King._ I welcome you that have the mastery - Of the two kinds of music; the one kind - Being like a woman, the other like a man; - Both you that understand stringed instruments, - And how to mingle words and notes together - So artfully, that all the art is but speech - Delighted with its own music; and you that carry - The long twisted horn and understand - The heady notes that being without words - Can hurry beyond time and fate and change; - For the high angels that drive the horse of time, - The golden one by day, by night the silver, - Are not more welcome to one that loves the world - For some fair woman's sake. - - I have called you hither - To save the life of your great master, Seanchan, - For all day long it has flamed up or flickered - To the fast-cooling hearth. - - _Senias._ When did he sicken? - Is it a fever that is wasting him? - - _King._ He did not sicken, but three days ago - He said he would not eat, and lay down there - And has not eaten since. Till yesterday - I thought that hunger and weakness had been enough, - But finding them too trifling and too light - To hold his mouth from biting at the grave - I called you hither, and have called others yet. - The girl he is to wed at harvest-time, - That should be of all living the most dear, - Is coming from the South, and had I known - Of any other neighbours or good friends - That might persuade him, I had brought them hither, - Even though I'd to ransack the world for them. - - _Senias._ What was it put him to this work, High King? - - _King._ You will call it no great matter. Three days ago - I yielded to the outcry of my courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law, - Who long had thought it against their dignity - For a mere man of words to sit among them - At my own table; and when the meal was spread - I ordered Seanchan to good company, - But to a lower table; and when he pleaded - The poet's right, established when the world - Was first established, I said that I was King - And made and unmade rights at my own pleasure. - And that it was the men who ruled the world, - And not the men who sang to it, who should sit - Where there was the most honour. My courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law - Shouted approval, and amid that noise - Seanchan went out, and from that hour to this, - Although there is good food and drink beside him, - Has eaten nothing. If a man is wronged, - Or thinks that he is wronged, and will lie down - Upon another's threshold until he dies, - The common people for all time to come - Will raise a heavy cry against that threshold, - Even though it is the King's. He lies there now - Perishing; he is calling against my majesty, - That old custom that has no meaning in it, - And as he perishes, my name in the world - Is perishing also. I cannot give way - Because I am King, because if I give way - My nobles would call me a weakling, and it may be - The very throne be shaken; but should you - That are his friends speak to him and persuade him - To turn his mouth from the ill-savouring grave - And eat good food, he shall not lack my favour; - For I will give plough-land and grazing-land, - Or all but anything he has set his heart on. - It is not all because of my good name - I'd have him live, for I have found him a man - That might well hit the fancy of a king - Banished out of his country, or a woman's, - Or any other's that can judge a man - For what he is. But I that sit a throne, - And take my measure from the needs of the state, - Call his wild thought that over-runs the measure, - Making words more than deeds, and his proud will - That would unsettle all, most mischievous, - And he himself a most mischievous man. - - _Senias._ King, whether you did right or wrong in this - Let the King say, for all that I need say - Is that there's nothing that cries out for death - In the withholding of that ancient right, - And that I will persuade him. Your own words - Had been enough persuasion were it not - That he is lost in dreams that hunger makes, - And therefore heedless, or lost in heedless sleep. - - _King._ I leave him to your love, that it may promise - Plough-lands and grass-lands, jewels and silken wear, - Or anything but that old right of the poets. - - [_He goes out. The PUPILS, who have been standing perfectly quiet, - all turn towards SEANCHAN, and move a step nearer._ - - _Senias._ The King did wrong to abrogate our right, - But Seanchan, who talks of dying for it, - Talks foolishly. Look at us, Seanchan, - Waken out of your dream and look at us, - Who have ridden under the moon and all the day, - Until the moon has all but come again, - That we might be beside you. - - [_SEANCHAN turns half round leaning on his elbow, and speaks as if - in a dream._ - - _Seanchan._ I was but now - At Almhuin, in a great high-raftered house, - With Finn and Osgar. Odours of roast flesh - Rose round me and I saw the roasting spits, - And then the dream was broken, and I saw - Grania dividing salmon by a pool, - And then I was awakened by your voice. - - _Senias._ It is your hunger that makes you dream of flesh - Roasting, and for your hunger I could weep; - And yet the hunger of the crane that starves - Because the moonlight glittering on the pool - And flinging a pale shadow has made it shy, - Seems to me little more fantastical - Than this that's blown into so great a trouble. - - _Seanchan._ [_Who has turned away again._] - There is much truth in that, for all things change - At times, as if the moonlight altered them, - And my mind alters as if it were the crane's; - For when the heavy body has grown weak - There's nothing that can tether the wild mind - That being moonstruck and fantastical - Goes where it fancies. I had even thought - I knew your voice and face, but now the words - Are so unlikely that I needs must ask - Who is it that bids me put my hunger by? - - _Senias._ I am your oldest pupil, Seanchan; - The one that has been with you many years, - So many that you said at Candlemas - That I had almost done with school, and knew - All but all that poets understand. - - _Seanchan._ My oldest pupil. No, that cannot be; - For it is someone of the courtly crowds - That have been round about me from sunrise - And I am tricked by dreams, but I'll refute them. - I asked the pupil that I loved the best, - At Candlemas, why poetry is honoured, - Wishing to know how he'd defend our craft - In distant lands among strange churlish Kings. - And he'd an answer. - - _Senias._ I said the poets hung - Images of the life that was in Eden - About the childbed of the world, that it, - Looking upon those images, might bear - Triumphant children; but why must I stand here - Repeating an old lesson while you starve? - - _Seanchan._ Tell on, for I begin to know the voice; - What evil thing will come upon the world - If the arts perish? - - _Senias._ If the arts should perish - The world that lacked them would be like a woman - That looking on the cloven lips of a hare - Brings forth a hare-lipped child. - - _Seanchan._ But that's not all. - For when I asked you how a man should guard - Those images you had an answer also, - If you're the man that you have claimed to be, - Comparing them to venerable things - God gave to men before he gave them wheat. - - _Senias._ I answered, and the word was half your own, - That he should guard them, as the men of Dea - Guard their four treasures, as the Grail King guards - His holy cup, or the pale righteous horse - The jewel that is underneath his horn, - Pouring out life for it, as one pours out - Sweet heady wine--but now I understand - You would refute me out of my own mouth; - And yet a place at table near the King - Is nothing of great moment, Seanchan. - How does so light a thing touch poetry? - - [_SEANCHAN is now sitting up. He still looks dreamily in front of - him._ - - _Seanchan._ At Candlemas you called this poetry - One of the fragile mighty things of God - That die at an insult. - - _Senias._ [_To other PUPILS._] Give me some true answer. - For on that day we spoke about the court - And said that all that was insulted there - The world insulted, for the courtly life, - Being the first comely child of the world, - Is the world's model. How shall I answer him? - Can you not give me some true argument? - I will not tempt him with a lying one. - - _Arias._ [_Throwing himself at SEANCHAN'S feet._] - Why did you take me from my father's fields? - If you would leave me now, what shall I love? - Where shall I go, what shall I set my hand to? - And why have you put music in my ears - If you would send me to the clattering houses? - I will throw down the trumpet and the harp, - For how could I sing verses or make music - With none to praise me and a broken heart? - - _Seanchan._ What was it that the poets promised you - If it was not their sorrow? Do not speak. - Have I not opened school on these bare steps, - And are not you the youngest of my scholars? - And I would have all know that when all falls - In ruin, poetry calls out in joy, - Being the scattering hand, the bursting pod, - The victim's joy among the holy flame, - God's laughter at the shattering of the world, - And now that joy laughs out and weeps and burns - On these bare steps. - - _Arias._ O Master, do not die. - - [_Three men come in. CIAN and BRIAN, old men carrying basket with - food, and MAYOR OF KINVARA. They stand at the side listening._ - - _Senias._ Trouble him with no useless argument. - Be silent; there is nothing we can do - Except find out the King and kneel to him - And beg our ancient right. These three have come - To say whatever we could say and more, - And fare as badly. Come, boy, that's no use; - - [_He lifts the BOY up._ - - If it seem well that we beseech the King, - Lay down your harps and trumpets on the stones - In silence and come with me silently. - Come with slow footfalls and bow all your heads, - For a bowed head becomes a mourner best. - - [_They lay the harps and trumpets down one by one and then go out - very solemnly and slowly, following one another._ - - _Cian._ Let's show the food that's in the basket. - - _Mayor._ [_Who carries an Ogham stick._] No, - I must get through my speech or I'll forget it; - Besides, there is no reason why he'd eat - Till he has heard my reasons. - - _Cian._ It were better - To show what we have brought him in the basket, - For we have nothing that he has not liked - From boyhood. - - _Brian._ For we have not brought kings' food - That's cooked for everybody and nobody. - - _Mayor._ You are not showing right respect to me, - Or to the people of Kinvara, when you wish - That something else should come before my message. - - _Seanchan._ What brings you here? I never sent for you. - - _Cian._ He must be famishing, he looks so pale. - We had better get the food out first. I tell you, - That we have brought the things he likes the best. - - _Mayor._ No, no; I lost a word at every cross road - And maybe if I do not speak it now - I'll have forgot it. - - _Cian._ Well, out with it quickly. - - _Seanchan._ Why, what's this foolery? - - _Mayor._ No foolery; - A message from the richest, best born townsman - Of your own town, and from your aged father. - - _Cian._ Run through it while I am getting out the food. - - _Mayor._ How was I to begin? What was the word - That was to keep it in my memory? - Wait, I have notched it on this Ogham stick. - "Chief poet," "Ireland," "Townsman"; that is it. - Chief poet of Ireland, when we heard that trouble - Had come between you and the King of Ireland - It plunged us in deep sorrow, part for you, - Our honoured townsman, part for our good town. - The King was said to be most friendly to us, - And we had reasons, as you'll recollect, - For thinking that he was about to give - Those grazing lands inland we so much need, - Being pinched between the water and the rocks. - But now his friendliness being ill repaid - Will be turned from us and our town get nothing. - But there was something else--I'll find the word - That was to keep it in my memory. - "Pride"--that's the word,--we would not have you think, - Weighty as these considerations are, - That they have been as weighty in our minds - As our desire that one we take much pride in, - A man who has been an honour to our town, - Should live and prosper, therefore we beseech you - To give way in a matter of no moment, - A matter of mere sentiment, a trifle, - That we may always keep our pride in you. - - _Seanchan._ Their pride, their pride, what do they know of pride? - My pupils do not know it, for they beg - From the King's favour what is theirs by right, - And how can men, that God has made so weak - They need a rich man's favour every day, - Know anything of pride? - - _Cian._ [_To MAYOR._] You have spoken it wrongly. - You have forgotten something out of it about the cattle dying. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you do not know, being much away, - How many of our cattle died last winter - From lacking grass, and that there was much sickness - Because the poor had nothing but salt fish - To live upon. The people all came out - And stood about the doors as I went by. - - _Seanchan._ What would you have of me? - For there are men that shall be born at last - And find sweet nurture that they may have voices - Even in anger like the strings of harps. - Yet how could they be born to majesty - If I had never made the golden cradle? - - _Mayor._ What is it? "Father"--"Mother"; that is it; - Your father sends this message. - - _Cian._ He is listening. - - _Mayor._ He says that he is old and that he needs you, - And that the people will be pointing at him - And he not able to lift up his head - If you should turn the King's favour away. - And he adds to it, that he cared you well, - And you in your young age, and that it's right - That you should care him now. - - _Cian._ And when he spoke - He cried because the stiffness of his bones - Prevented him from coming. - - _Mayor._ But your mother - Has sent no message, for when they had told her - The way it is between you and the King - She said, "No message can do any good, - He will not send the answer that you want; - We cannot change him," and she went indoors, - Lay down upon her bed and turned her face - Out of the light. And thereupon your father - Said, "Tell him how she is, and that she sends - No message." I have nothing more to say. - Cian and Brian, you can set out the food. - - [_He sits down on steps. SEANCHAN is silent._ - - _Mayor._ I have a horse waiting outside the town - To bring me home, and all the neighbours wait - Your answer. What answer am I to bring? - - _Seanchan._ Give them my answer--no, I have no answer: - My mother knew it. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you have forgotten - That all our fields are so heaped up with stones - That the goats famish, and the mowers mow - With knives, and that the King half promised us---- - - _Seanchan._ Thrust that old cloak of yours into your mouth - Till it's done gabbling. - - _Mayor._ But---- - - _Cian._ You have said enough; - I knew that you would never speak it right. - - _Seanchan._ Our mothers know us, they know us to the bone, - They knew us before birth, and that is why - They know us even better than the sweethearts - Upon whose breasts we have lain. - - _Brian._ We have brought your honour - The food that you have always liked the best, - Young pigeons from Kinvara, and watercress - Out of the stream that's by the blessed well, - And dulse from Duras. Here is the dulse, your honour, - It is wholesome, and has the good taste of the sea. - - _Seanchan._ O Brian, you would spread the table for me - As you would spread it when I was in my childhood; - But all that's finished. - - _Mayor._ I knew he would not care - For country things now that he's grown accustomed - To the King's dishes. I told Brian too - He'd have his pains for nothing. But he's old. - - [_Goes over to table at right. While he is speaking CIAN and BRIAN - are in vain offering SEANCHAN food._ - - And what dishes! Venison from Slieve Echtge - Fattened with poor men's crops; flesh of wild pig; - Not fat nor lean, but streaky and right well cured; - Bread that's the whitest that I've ever seen. - - _Cian._ You're in the right, you're in the right, he will not eat. - - [_Pouring wine into cup._ - - _Mayor._ Bring him some wine, it will give him strength to eat. - - [_BRIAN brings wine over towards SEANCHAN._ - - No wonder if the King is proud and merry, - And keeps all day in the saddle, when even I - Am well-nigh drunken with the odour of it, - And if I dared--I dare not. - - _Cian._ Drink it, sir. - - _Brian._ Drink a few drops. - - _Seanchan._ Drink it yourself, old man, - For you have come a journey, and I daresay - You did not eat or drink upon the road. - - _Cian._ How can I drink it when your honour's thirsty? - - [_He offers cup again. The KING'S HOUSEHOLD comes in. CHAMBERLAIN - with long staff, a SOLDIER, a MONK, two LADIES, followed by - CRIPPLES who beg from the ladies, who keep close together at - right, talking to each other at intervals. SOLDIER goes over to - MAYOR, and talks to him._ - - _Chamberlain._ Well, have you it in imagination still - To overthrow the dignity of the King, - Or is the game finished? - - [_A pause._ - - How many days - Will you keep up this quarrel with the King, - With the King's nobles and myself and all - Who'd gladly be your friends if you would let them? - - _Soldier._ [_Who has been speaking to MAYOR and SERVANTS._] - Was it you that sent his servants and the Mayor - Of his own town to wheedle him into life? - - _Chamberlain._ It was the King himself. - - _Soldier._ Was it worth our while - To have got rid of him from the King's table - If he is to be humoured and made much of? - - _Chamberlain._ It seems that he has not eaten yet, although - He's had another dozen hours of hunger. - - _Soldier._ If he's so proud and obstinate a neck - I'd let him starve. - - _Monk._ Persuade him to eat, my lord. - His death would make a scandal, and stir up - The common people. - - _Chamberlain._ And I have a fancy - That if it brought misfortune on the King, - Or the King's house, we'd be as little thought of - As summer linen when the winter's come. - - _Aileen._ [_To CIAN._] - You've had no luck, old man. - - _Cian._ We have not, lady. - - _Aileen._ Maybe he's out of humour with your ways, - Having grown used to sprightlier service. - - _Cian._ Maybe. - But the King's messengers have gone for one - That will persuade him. [_To BRIAN._] Come, let us go; - For she might lose her way in this fine place. - Come, we have been too long upon the tree, - - [_Plucking sleeve of MAYOR._ - - And there are little golden pippins here. - - _Soldier._ Give me the dish, I'll hand it him myself. - - _Aileen._ I wonder if she is pretty. - - [_MAYOR and SERVANTS have gone out._ - - _Soldier._ Eat this, old hedgehog. - Sniff up the savour and unroll yourself. - But if I were the King I'd make you do it - With wisps of lighted straw. - - _Seanchan._ You have rightly named me, - I lie rolled up under the ragged thorns - That are upon the edge of those great waters - Where all things vanish away, and I have heard - Murmurs that are the ending of all sound. - I am out of life, I am rolled up, and yet, - Hedgehog although I am, I'll not unroll - For you, King's dog. Go to the King, your master, - Crouch down and wag your tail, for it may be - He has nothing now against you, and I think - The stripes of your last beating are all healed. - - _Chamberlain._ Don't answer, you were never to his mind. - And now you have angered him to no good purpose. - But put the dish down and I will speak to him. - - _Seanchan._ You must needs keep your patience yet awhile, - For I have some few mouthfuls of sweet air - To swallow before I have grown to be as civil - As any other dust. - - _Chamberlain._ You wrong us, Seanchan, - There is none here but holds you in respect, - And if you would only eat out of this dish - The King would show how much he honours you. - - _Aileen._ [_Giving CRIPPLE money._] - You are always discontented. Look at this cripple, - He has had to cover up his eyes with rags - Because they are too weak to look at the sun, - And has a crooked body, and yet he is cheerful. - Stand there where he can see you. - - [_CRIPPLE goes over and stands in front of SEANCHAN, bowing and - smiling._ - - _Chamberlain._ We have come to you - Because we wish you a long, prosperous life; - Who could imagine you'd so take to heart - Being put from the high table. - - _Seanchan._ It was not I - That you have driven away from the high table, - But the images of them that weave a dance, - By the four rivers in the mountain garden. - - _Monk._ He means we have driven poetry away. - - _Chamberlain._ It is the men who are learned in the laws, - Or have led the King's armies that should sit - At the King's table. Nor has poetry - Been altogether driven away, for I, - As you should know, have written poetry, - And often when the table has been cleared - And candles lighted, the King calls for me - And I repeat it him. My poetry - Is not to be compared with yours, but still - Where I am honoured, poetry is honoured - In some measure. - - _Seanchan._ If you are a poet, - Cry out that the King's money would not buy, - Nor the high circle consecrate his head, - If poets had never christened gold, and even - The moon's poor daughter, that most whey-faced metal, - Precious; and cry out that none alive - Would ride among the arrows with high heart - Or scatter with an open hand, had not - Our heady craft commended wasteful virtues. - And when that story's finished, shake your coat - Where the little jewels gleam on it, and say - A herdsman sitting where the pigs had trampled - Made up a song about enchanted kings, - Who were so finely dressed one fancied them - All fiery, and women by the churn - And children by the hearth caught up the song - And murmured it until the tailors heard it. - - _Monk._ How proud these poets are! It was full time - To break their pride. - - _Seanchan._ And I would have you say - That when we are driven out we come again - Like a great wind that runs out of the waste - To blow the tables flat. - - _Chamberlain._ If you'd eat something - You'd find you have these thoughts because you are hungry. - - _Seanchan._ And when you have told them all these things, lie down - On this bare threshold and starve until the King - Restore to us the ancient right of the poets. - - _Aileen._ Let's come away. There's no use talking to him, - For he's resolved to die, and that's no loss: - We will go watch the hurley. - - _Monk._ You should obey - The King's commandment and not question it, - For it is God himself who has made him king. - - _Essa._ Let's hear his answer to the monk. - - _Seanchan._ Stoop down, - For there is something I would say to you. - Has that wild God of yours that was so wild - When you'd but lately taken the King's pay, - Grown any tamer? He gave you all much trouble - Being so unruly and inconsiderate. - - _Aileen._ What does he mean? - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ Or it may be you have persuaded him - To chirp between two dishes when the King - Sits down to table. - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, sir. - What do I care about your insolent dreams. - - _Seanchan._ And maybe he has learnt to sing quite softly - Because loud singing would disturb the King - Who is sitting drowsily among his friends - After the table has been cleared---- - - _Monk._ Let go. - - [_SEANCHAN has been dragged some feet, clinging to the MONK'S - habit._ - - _Seanchan._ Not yet; you did not think that hungry hands - Could be so strong. They are not civil yet-- - I'd know if you have taught him to eat bread - From the King's hand, and perch upon his finger. - I think he perches on the King's strong hand, - But it may be that he is still too wild. - You must not weary in your work; a King - Is often weary and he needs a God - To be a comfort to him. - - [_The MONK plucks his habit away. SEANCHAN holds up his hand as if a - bird perched upon it. He pretends to stroke the bird._ - - A little god, - With soft well-coloured feathers, and bright eyes. - - _Aileen._ We have listened long enough. - - _Essa._ Let us away, - Where we can watch the young men at the hurley. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, yes, go to the hurley, go to the hurley, - Go to the hurley, gather up your skirts, - Run quickly. You can remember many love songs; - I know it by the light that's in your eyes, - But you'll forget them. You're fair to look on, - Your feet delight in dancing, and your mouths - In the slow smiling that awakens love. - The mothers that have borne you mated rightly, - For they had little ears as thirsty as are yours - For many love-songs. Go to the young men: - Are not the ruddy flesh and the thin flanks - And the broad shoulders worthy of desire? - Go from me. Here is nothing for your eyes, - But it is I that am singing you away, - Singing you to the young men. - - [_The two young PRINCESSES BUAN and FINNHUA come in. While he has - been speaking AILEEN and ESSA have shrunk back holding each others - hands._ - - _Aileen._ Be quiet; - Look who it is that has come out of the house. - Princesses, we are for the hurling field. - Will you come too? - - _Princess Buan._ We will go with you, Aileen, - But we must have some words with Seanchan, - For we have come to make him eat and drink. - - _Chamberlain._ I will hold out the dish and cup for him - While you are speaking to him of his folly, - If you desire it, Princess. - - [_He has taken up dish and cup._ - - _Princess Buan._ Give me the cup. - My sister there will carry the dish of meat: - We'll offer them ourselves. - - _Aileen._ They are so gracious, - The dear little princesses are so gracious. - - [_PRINCESS BUAN holds out her hand for SEANCHAN to kiss it; he does - not move._ - - Although she is holding out her hand to him - He will not kiss it. - - _Princess Buan._ My father bids us say - That though he cannot have you at his table, - You may ask any other thing you like - And he will give it you. We carry you - A dish and a cup of wine, with our own hands, - To show in what great honour you are held. - Will you not drink a little? Does he not show - Every befitting honour to the poets? - - _Aileen._ O look, he has taken it, he has taken it! - The dear princesses, I have always said - That nobody could refuse them anything. - - [_SEANCHAN takes the cup in one hand, in the other he holds for a - moment the hand of the PRINCESS._ - - _Seanchan._ O long soft fingers and pale finger-tips - Well worthy to be laid in a king's hand; - O you have fair white hands, for it is certain - There is uncommon whiteness in these hands. - But there is something comes into my mind, - Princess. A little while before your birth - I saw your mother sitting by the road - In a high chair, and when a leper passed - She pointed him the way into the town, - And he lifted his hand and blessed her hand; - I saw it with my own eyes. Hold out your hands, - I will find out if they are contaminated; - For it has come into my thoughts that may be - The King has sent me food and drink by hands - That are contaminated. I would see all your hands, - You've eyes of dancers, but hold out your hands, - For it may be there are none sound among you---- - - [_The PRINCESSES have shrunk back in terror._ - - _Princess Buan._ He has called us lepers. - - _Chamberlain._ He's out of his mind, - And does not know the meaning of what he said. - - _Seanchan._ [_Standing up._] - There are no sound hands among you. No sound hands. - Away with you, away with all of you, - You are all lepers. There is leprosy - Among the plates and dishes that you have brought me. - I would know why you have brought me leper's wine? - - [_He flings the wine in their faces._ - - There, there, I have given it to you again, and now - Begone or I will give my curse to you. - You have the leper's blessing, but you think - Maybe the bread will something lack in savour - Unless you mix my curse into the dough. - - [_They go out to L., all except the CRIPPLES. SEANCHAN is - staggering in the middle of the stage._ - - _Seanchan._ Where did I say the leprosy came from? - I said it came out of a leper's hand - And that he walked the highway; but that's folly, - For he was walking up there in the sky - And there he is even now with his white hand - Thrust out of the blue air and blessing them - With leprosy. - - _A Cripple._ He's pointing at the moon - That's coming out up yonder, and he calls it - Leprous, because the daylight whitens it. - - _Seanchan._ He's holding up his hand above them all - King, Noblemen, Princesses, blessing all. - Who could imagine he'd have so much patience. - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - [_Clutching other CRIPPLE._ - - _Second Cripple._ If you don't need it, sir, - May we not carry some of it away? - - [_He points to food._ - - _Seanchan._ Who's speaking? Who are you? - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - _Second Cripple._ Have pity on us, that must beg our bread - From table to table throughout the entire world - And yet be hungry. - - _Seanchan._ But why were you born crooked? - What bad poet did your mothers listen to - That you were born so crooked? - - _First Cripple._ Come away. - Maybe he's cursed the food and it might kill us. - - _Second Cripple._ Yes, better come away. - - [_They go out._ - - _Seanchan._ [_Staggering and speaking wearily._] - He has great strength - And great patience to hold his right hand there - Uplifted and not wavering about; - He is much stronger than I am, much stronger. - - [_He sinks down on steps._ - - _Enter from R. FEDELM, CIAN and BRIAN._ - - _Brian._ There he is lying. Go over to him now - And bid him eat. - - _Fedelm._ I'll get him out of this - Before I have said a word of food and drink; - For while he is on this threshold and can hear, - It may be, the voices that made mock of him, - He would not listen. - - _Brian._ That is a good plan. - But there is little time, for he is weakening. - - _Fedelm._ [_Crying._] I cannot think of any other plan - Although it breaks my heart. - - _Cian._ Let's leave them now, - For she will press the honey from her bag - When we are gone. - - _Brian._ It will be hard to move him - If hunger and thirst have got into his bones. - - [_They go out leaving FEDELM and SEANCHAN alone. FEDELM runs over to - SEANCHAN and kneels down before him._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan! Seanchan! - - [_He remains looking into the sky._ - - Can you not see me, Seanchan? - It is myself. - - [_SEANCHAN looks at her dreamily at first, then takes her hand._ - - _Seanchan._ Is this your hand, Fedelm? - I have been looking at another hand - That is up yonder. - - _Fedelm._ I have come for you. - - _Seanchan._ Fedelm, I did not know that you were here. - - _Fedelm._ And can you not remember that I promised - That I would come and take you home with me - When I'd the harvest in? and now I've come, - And you must come away, and come on the instant. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, I will come; but is the harvest in? - This air has got a summer taste in it. - - _Fedelm._ But is not the wild middle of the summer - A better time to marry? Come with me now. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by both wrists._] - Who taught you that, for it's a certainty, - Although I never knew it till last night, - That marriage, because it is the height of life, - Can only be accomplished to the full - In the high days of the year. I lay awake, - There had come a frenzy into the light of the stars - And they were coming nearer and I knew - All in a minute they were about to marry - Clods out upon the plough-lands, to beget - A mightier race than any that has been; - But some that are within there made a noise - And frighted them away. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now; - We have far to go, and daylight's running out. - - _Seanchan._ The stars had come so near me that I caught - Their singing; it was praise of that great race - That would be haughty, mirthful, and white-bodied - With a high head, and open hand, and how - Laughing, it would take the mastery of the world. - - _Fedelm._ But you will tell me all about their songs - When we're at home. You have need of rest and care, - And I can give them you when we're at home, - And therefore let us hurry and get us home. - - _Seanchan._ That's true; and there's some trouble here, although - I cannot now remember what it is, - And I would get away from it. Give me your help. - But why are not my pupils here to help me? - Go, call my pupils, for I need their help. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now, and I will send for them, - For I have a great room that's full of beds - I can make ready, and there is a smooth lawn - Where they can play at hurley and sing poems - Under an apple-tree. - - _Seanchan._ I know that place, - An apple tree and a smooth level lawn, - Where the young men can sway their hurley sticks. - - _Sings._ - - The four rivers that run there, - Through well-mown level ground, - Have come out of a blessed well - That is all bound and wound - By the great roots of an apple, - And all fowls of the air - Have gathered in the wide branches - And keep singing there. - - [_FEDELM, troubled, has covered her eyes with her hands._ - - _Fedelm._ No, there are not four rivers, and those rhymes - Praise Adam's Paradise. - - _Seanchan._ I can remember now. - It's out of a poem I made long ago - About the garden in the east of the world, - And how spirits in the images of birds - Crowd in the branches of old Adam's crab-tree; - They come before me now and dig in the fruit - With so much gluttony, and are so drunk - With that harsh, wholesome savour that their feathers - Are clinging one to another with the juice. - But you would take me to some friendly place, - And I would go there quickly. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me. - - [_She helps him to rise. He walks slowly, supported by her till he - comes to the table at R._ - - _Seanchan._ But why am I so weak? Have I been ill? - Sweetheart, why is it that I am so weak? - - [_He sinks on to the seat._ - - _Fedelm._ I'll dip this piece of bread into the wine, - For that will make you stronger for the journey. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, give me bread and wine, that's what I want, - For it is hunger that is gnawing me. - - [_He takes bread from FEDELM, hesitates, and then thrusts it back - into her hand._ - - But no, I must not eat it. - - _Fedelm._ Eat, Seanchan, - For if you do not eat it you will die. - - _Seanchan._ Why did you give me food? - Why did you come? - For had I not enough to fight against - Without your coming? - - _Fedelm._ Eat this little crust, - Seanchan, if you have any love for me. - - _Seanchan._ I must not eat it: but that's beyond your wit; - Child, child, I must not eat it though I die. - - _Fedelm._ You do not know what love is, for if you loved - You would put every other thought away - But you have never loved me. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by the wrist._] You, a child, - Who have but seen a man out of the window, - Tell me that I know nothing about love, - And that I do not love you. Did I not say - There was a frenzy in the light of the stars - All through the livelong night, and that the night - Was full of marriages? But that fight's over. - And all that's done with, and I have to die. - - _Fedelm._ [_Throwing her arms about him._] - I will not be put from you, although I think - I had not grudged it you if some great lady, - If the King's daughter, had set out your bed. - I will not give you up to death; no, no, - And are not these white arms and this soft neck - Better than the brown earth? - - _Seanchan._ I swear an oath - Upon the holy tree that I'll not eat - Until the King restore the right of the poets. - O Sun and Moon, and all things that have strength, - Become my strength that I may put a curse - On all things that would have me break this oath. - - [_FEDELM has sunk down on the ground while he says this, and - crouches at his feet._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan, do not curse me; from this out - I will obey like any married wife. - Let me but lie before your feet. - - _Seanchan._ Come nearer. - - [_He kisses her._ - - If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart, - The kiss of multitudes in times to come - Had been the poorer. - - _King._ [_Entering from house._] Has he eaten yet? - - _Fedelm._ No, King, and will not till you have restored - The right of the poets. - - _King._ [_Coming down and standing before SEANCHAN._] - Seanchan, you have refused - Everybody that I have sent, and now - I come to you myself, and I have come - To bid you put your pride as far away - As I have put my pride. I had your love - Not a great while ago, and now you have planned - To put a voice by every cottage fire - And in the night when no one sees who cries - To cry against me till my throne has crumbled. - And yet if I give way I must offend - My courtiers and nobles till they too - Strike at the crown. What would you have of me? - - _Seanchan._ When did the poets promise safety, King? - - _King._ Seanchan, I bring you bread in my own hands, - And bid you eat it because of all these reasons, - And for this further reason that I love you. - - [_SEANCHAN pushes bread away with FEDELM'S hand._ - - You have refused it, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ We have refused it. - - _King._ I have been patient though I am a king, - And have the means to force you--but that's ended, - And I am but a king and you a subject. - - [_He goes up steps._ - - Nobles and courtiers, bring the poets hither - For you can have your way: I that was man - With a man's heart am now all king again, - Remembering that the seed I come of, although - A hundred kings have sown it and re-sown it, - Has neither trembled nor shrunk backward yet - Because of the hard business of a king. - - [_PRINCESSES, LADIES, and COURTIERS have come in with - PUPILS, who have halters round their necks._ - - Speak to your master, beg your life of him, - Show him the halters that are round your necks; - If his heart's set upon it he may die, - But you shall all die with him; beg your lives; - Begin, for you have little time to lose; - Begin it you that are the oldest pupil. - - _Senias._ [_Going up to SEANCHAN._] - Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - _King._ Silence, you are as crazy as your master. - But that young boy that seems the youngest of you, - I'd have him speak. Kneel down before him, boy, - Hold up your hands to him that he may pluck - That milky coloured neck out of the noose. - - _Arias._ Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - [_All the PUPILS turn towards the KING, holding out the ends of - their halters._ - - _Senias._ Gather the halters up into your hands - And lead us where you will, for in all things - But in our art we are obedient. - - [_The KING comes slowly down the steps._ - - _King._ [_Kneeling down before SEANCHAN._] - Kneel down, kneel down, he has the greater power. - I give my crown to you. - - [_All kneel except SEANCHAN, FEDELM and PUPILS. SEANCHAN rises - slowly, supported by one of the PUPILS and by FEDELM._ - - _Seanchan._ O crown, O crown, - It is but right if hands that made the crown - In the old time should give it when they will. - O silver trumpets be you lifted up - - [_He lays the crown on the KING'S head._ - - And cry to the great race that is to come. - Long-throated swans among the waves of time - Sing loudly, for beyond the wall of the world - It waits and it may hear and come to us. - - [_Some of the PUPILS blow a blast upon their horns._ - - -CURTAIN. - - - * * * * * - - - - -ON BAILE'S STRAND. - - - CUCHULLAIN, the King of Muirthemne. - CONCOBAR, the High King of Ullad. - DAIRE, a King. - FINTAIN, a blind man. - BARACH, a fool. - A Young Man. - Young Kings and Old Kings. - - - SCENE: _A great hall by the sea close to Dundalgan. There are two - great chairs on either side of the hall, each raised a little from - the ground, and on the back of the one chair is carved and painted a - woman with a fish's tail, and on the back of the other a hound. - There are smaller chairs and benches raised in tiers round the - walls. There is a great ale vat at one side near a small door, and a - large door at the back through which one can see the sea. BARACH, a - tall thin man with long ragged hair, dressed in skins, comes in at - the side door. He is leading FINTAIN, a fat blind man, who is - somewhat older._ - -_Barach._ I will shut the door, for this wind out of the sea gets into -my bones, and if I leave but an inch for the wind there is one like a -flake of sea-frost that might come into the house. - -_Fintain._ What is his name, fool? - -_Barach._ It's a woman from among the Riders of the Sidhe. It's Boann -herself from the river. She has left the Dagda's bed, and gone through -the salt of the sea and up here to the strand of Baile, and all for love -of me. Let her keep her husband's bed, for she'll have none of me. -Nobody knows how lecherous these goddesses are. I see her in every kind -of shape but oftener than not she's in the wind and cries "give a kiss -and put your arms about me." But no, she'll have no more of me. -Yesterday when I put out my lips to kiss her, there was nothing there -but the wind. She's bad, Fintain. O, she's bad. I had better shut the -big door too. - - [_He is going towards the big door but turns hearing FINTAIN'S - voice._ - -_Fintain._ [_Who has been feeling about with his stick._] What's this -and this? - -_Barach._ They are chairs. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ Why, that's a bench. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ A big chair. - -_Fintain._ [_Feeling the back of the chair._] There is a sea-woman -carved upon it. - -_Barach._ And there is another big chair on the other side of the hall. - -_Fintain._ Lead me to it. [_He mutters while the fool is leading him._] -That is what the High King Concobar has on his shield. The High King -will be coming. They have brought out his chair. [_He begins feeling the -back of the other chair._] And there is a dog's head on this. They have -brought out our master's chair. Now I know what the horse-boys were -talking about. We must not stay here. The Kings are going to meet here. -Now that Concobar and our master, that is his chief man, have put down -all the enemies of Ullad, they are going to build up Emain again. They -are going to talk over their plans for building it. Were you ever in -Concobar's town before it was burnt? O, he is a great King, for though -Emain was burnt down, every war had made him richer. He has gold and -silver dishes, and chessboards and candlesticks made of precious stones. -Fool, have they taken the top from the ale vat? - -_Barach._ They have. - -_Fintain._ Then bring me a horn of ale quickly, for the Kings will be -here in a minute. Now I can listen. Tell me what you saw this morning? - -_Barach._ About the young man and the fighting? - -_Fintain._ Yes. - -_Barach._ And after that we can go and eat the fowl, for I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Time enough, time enough. You're in as great a hurry as when -you brought me to Aine's Seat, where the mad dogs gather when the moon's -at the full. Go on with your story. - -_Barach._ I was creeping under a ditch, with the fowl in my leather bag, -keeping to the shore where the farmer could not see me, when I came upon -a ship drawn up upon the sands, a great red ship with a woman's head -upon it. - -_Fintain._ A ship out of Aoife's country. They have all a woman's head -on the bow. - -_Barach._ There was a young man with a pale face and red hair standing -beside it. Some of our people came up whose turn it was to guard the -shore. I heard them ask the young man his name. He said he was under -bonds not to tell it. Then words came between them, and they fought, -and the young man killed half of them, and the others ran away. - -_Fintain._ It matters nothing to us, but he has come at last. - -_Barach._ Who has come? - -_Fintain._ I know who that young man is. There is not another like him -in the world. I saw him when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ You saw him? - -_Fintain._ I used to be in Aoife's country when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ That was before you went on shipboard and were blinded for -putting a curse on the wind? - -_Fintain._ Queen Aoife had a son that was red haired and pale faced like -herself, and everyone said that he would kill Cuchullain some day, but I -would not have that spoken of. - -_Barach._ Nobody could do that. Who was his father? - -_Fintain._ Nobody but Aoife knew that, not even he himself. - -_Barach._ Not even he himself! Was Aoife a goddess and lecherous? - -_Fintain._ I overheard her telling that she never had but one lover, and -that he was the only man who overcame her in battle. There were some who -thought him one of the Riders of the Sidhe, because the child was great -of limb and strong beyond others. The child was begotten over the -mountains; but come nearer and I will tell you something. - -_Barach._ You have thought something? - -_Fintain._ When I hear the young girls talking about the colour of -Cuchullain's eyes, and how they have seven colours, I have thought about -it. That young man has Aoife's face and hair, but he has Cuchullain's -eyes. - -_Barach._ How can he have Cuchullain's eyes? - -_Fintain._ He is Cuchullain's son. - -_Barach._ And his mother has sent him hither to fight his father. - -_Fintain._ It is all quite plain. Cuchullain went into Aoife's country -when he was a young man that he might learn skill in arms, and there he -became Aoife's lover. - -_Barach._ And now she hates him because he went away, and has sent the -son to kill the father. I knew she was a goddess. - -_Fintain._ And she never told him who his father was, that he might do -it. I have thought it all out, fool. I know a great many things because -I listen when nobody is noticing and I keep my wits awake. What ails you -now? - -_Barach._ I have remembered that I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Well, forget it again, and I will tell you about Aoife's -country. It is full of wonders. There are a great many Queens there who -can change themselves into wolves and into swine and into white hares, -and when they are in their own shapes they are stronger than almost any -man; and there are young men there who have cat's eyes and if a bird -chirrup or a mouse squeak they cannot keep them shut, even though it is -bedtime and they sleepy; and listen, for this is a great wonder, a very -great wonder: there is a long narrow bridge, and when anybody goes to -cross it, that the Queens do not like, it flies up as this bench would -if you were to sit on the end of it. Everybody who goes there to learn -skill in arms has to cross it. It was in that country too that -Cuchullain got his spear made out of dragon bones. There were two -dragons fighting in the foam of the sea, and their grandam was the moon, -and nine Queens came along the shore. - -_Barach._ I won't listen to your story. - -_Fintain._ It is a very wonderful story. Wait till you hear what the -nine Queens did. Their right hands were all made of silver. - -_Barach._ No, I will have my dinner first. You have eaten the fowl I -left in front of the fire. The last time you sent me to steal something -you made me forget all about it till you had eaten it up. - -_Fintain._ No, there is plenty for us both. - -_Barach._ Come with me where it is. - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led towards the door at the back by BARACH._] -O, it is all right, it is in a safe place. - -_Barach._ It is a fine fowl. It was the biggest in the yard. - -_Fintain._ It had a good smell, but I hope that the wild dogs have not -smelt it. [_Voices are heard outside the door at the side._] Here is our -master. Let us stay and talk with him. Perhaps Cuchullain will give you -a new cap with a feather. He told me that he would give you a new cap -with a feather, a feather with an eye that looks at you, a peacock's -feather. - -_Barach._ No, no. - - [_He begins pulling FINTAIN towards the door._ - -_Fintain._ If you do not get it now, you may never get it, for the -young man may kill him. - -_Barach._ No, no, I am hungry. What a head you have, blind man! Who but -you would have remembered that the hen-wife slept for a little at noon -every day! - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led along very slowly and unwillingly._] Yes, -I have a good head. The fowl should be done just right, but one never -knows when a wild dog may come out of the woods. - - [_They go out through the big door at the back. As they go out - CUCHULLAIN and certain YOUNG KINGS come in at the side door. - CUCHULLAIN, though still young, is a good deal older than the - others. They are all very gaily dressed, and have their hair - fastened with balls of gold. The young men crowd about CUCHULLAIN - with wondering attention._ - - _First Young King._ You have hurled that stone beyond our utmost mark - Time after time, but yet you are not weary. - - _Second Young King._ He has slept on the bare ground of Fuad's Hill - This week past, waiting for the bulls and the deer. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, why should I be weary? - - _First Young King._ It is certain - His father was the god who wheels the sun, - And not King Sualtam. - - _Third Young King._ [_To a YOUNG KING who is beside him._] - He came in the dawn, - And folded Dectara in a sudden fire. - - _Fourth Young King._ And yet the mother's half might well grow weary, - And it new come from labours over sea. - - _Third Young King._ He has been on islands walled about with silver, - And fought with giants. - - [_They gather about the ale vat and begin to drink._ - - _Cuchullain._ Who was it that went out? - - _Third Young King._ As we came in? - - _Cuchullain._ Yes. - - _Third Young King._ Barach and blind Fintain. - - _Cuchullain._ They always flock together; the blind man - Has need of the fool's eyesight and strong body, - While the poor fool has need of the other's wit, - And night and day is up to his ears in mischief - That the blind man imagines. There's no hen-yard - But clucks and cackles when he passes by - As if he'd been a fox. If I'd that ball - That's in your hair and the big stone again, - I'd keep them tossing, though the one is heavy - And the other light in the hand. A trick I learnt - When I was learning arms in Aoife's country. - - _First Young King._ What kind of woman was that Aoife? - - _Cuchullain._ Comely. - - _First Young King._ But I have heard that she was never married, - And yet that's natural, for I have never known - A fighting woman, but made her favours cheap, - Or mocked at love till she grew sandy dry. - - _Cuchullain._ What manner of woman do you like the best? - A gentle or a fierce? - - _First Young King._ A gentle, surely. - - _Cuchullain._ I think that a fierce woman's better, a woman - That breaks away when you have thought her won, - For I'd be fed and hungry at one time. - I think that all deep passion is but a kiss - In the mid battle, and a difficult peace - 'Twixt oil and water, candles and dark night, - Hill-side and hollow, the hot-footed sun, - And the cold sliding slippery-footed moon, - A brief forgiveness between opposites - That have been hatreds for three times the age - Of this long 'stablished ground. Here's Concobar; - So I'll be done, but keep beside me still, - For while he talks of hammered bronze and asks - What wood is best for building, we can talk - Of a fierce woman. - - [_CONCOBAR, a man much older than CUCHULLAIN, has come in through - the great door at the back. He has many KINGS about him. One of - these KINGS, DAIRE, a stout old man, is somewhat drunk._ - - _Concobar._ [_To one of those about him._] Has the ship gone yet? - We have need of more bronze workers, and that ship - I sent to Africa for gold is late. - - _Cuchullain._ I knew their talk. - - _Concobar._ [_Seeing CUCHULLAIN._] You are before us, King. - - _Cuchullain._ So much the better, for I welcome you - Into my Muirthemne. - - _Concobar._ But who are these? - The odour from their garments when they stir - Is like a wind out of an apple garden. - - _Cuchullain._ My swordsmen and harp players and fine dancers, - My bosom friends. - - _Concobar._ I should have thought, Cuchullain, - My graver company would better match - Your greatness and your years; but I waste breath - In harping on that tale. - - _Cuchullain._ You do, great King. - Because their youth is the kind wandering wave - That carries me about the world; and if it sank, - My sword would lose its lightness. - - _Concobar._ Yet, Cuchullain, - Emain should be the foremost town of the world. - - _Cuchullain._ It is the foremost town. - - _Concobar._ No, no, it's not. - Nothing but men can make towns great, and he, - The one over-topping man that's in the world, - Keeps far away. - - _Daire._ He will not hear you, King, - And we old men had best keep company - With one another. I'll fill the horn for you. - - _Concobar._ I will not drink, old fool. You have drunk a horn - At every door we came to. - - _Daire._ You'd better drink, - For old men light upon their youth again - In the brown ale. When I have drunk enough, - I am like Cuchullain as one pea another, - And live like a bird's flight from tree to tree. - - _Concobar._ We'll to our chairs for we have much to talk of, - And we have Ullad and Muirthemne, and here - Is Conall Muirthemne in the nick of time. - - [_He goes to the back of stage to welcome a company of KINGS who - come in through the great door. The other KINGS gradually get into - their places. CUCHULLAIN sits in his great chair with certain of the - young men standing around him. Others of the young men, however, - remain with DAIRE at the ale vat. DAIRE holds out the horn of ale to - one or two of the older KINGS as they pass him going to their - places. They pass him by, most of them silently refusing._ - - _Daire._ Will you not drink? - - _An Old King._ Not till the council's over. - - _A Young King._ But I'll drink, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ Fill me a horn too, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ If I'd drunk half that you have drunk to-day, - I'd be upon all fours. - - _Daire._ That would be natural - When Mother Earth had given you this good milk - From her great breasts. - - _Cuchullain._ [_To one of the YOUNG KINGS beside him._] - One is content awhile - With a soft warm woman who folds up our lives - In silky network. Then, one knows not why, - But one's away after a flinty heart. - - _The Young King._ How long can the net keep us? - - _Cuchullain._ All our lives - If there are children, and a dozen moons - If there are none, because a growing child - Has so much need of watching it can make - A passion that's as changeable as the sea - Change till it holds the wide earth to its heart. - At least I have heard a father say it, but I - Being childless do not know it. Come nearer yet; - Though he is ringing that old silver rod - We'll have our own talk out. They cannot hear us. - - [_CONCOBAR who is now seated in his great chair, opposite - CUCHULLAIN, beats upon the pillar of the house that is nearest to - him with a rod of silver, till the KINGS have become silent. - CUCHULLAIN alone continues to talk in a low voice to those about - him, but not so loud as to disturb the silence. CONCOBAR rises and - speaks standing._ - - _Concobar._ I have called you hither, Kings of Ullad, and Kings - Of Muirthemne and Connall Muirthemne, - And tributary Kings, for now there is peace-- - It's time to build up Emain that was burned - At the outsetting of these wars; for we, - Being the foremost men, should have high chairs - And be much stared at and wondered at, and speak - Out of more laughing overflowing hearts - Than common men. It is the art of kings - To make what's noble nobler in men's eyes - By wide uplifted roofs, where beaten gold, - That's ruddy with desire, marries pale silver - Among the shadowing beams; and many a time - I would have called you hither to this work, - But always, when I'd all but summoned you, - Some war or some rebellion would break out. - - _Daire._ Where's Maine Morgor and old Usnach's children, - And that high-headed even-walking Queen, - And many near as great that got their death - Because you hated peace? I can remember - The people crying out when Deirdre passed - And Maine Morgor had a cold gray eye. - Well, well, I'll throw this heel-tap on the ground, - For it may be they are thirsty. - - _A King._ Be silent, fool. - - _Another King._ Be silent, Daire. - - _Concobar._ Let him speak his mind. - I have no need to be afraid of ghosts, - For I have made but necessary wars. - I warred to strengthen Emain, or because - When wars are out they marry and beget - And have their generations like mankind - And there's no help for it; but I'm well content - That they have ended and left the town so great, - That its mere name shall be in times to come - Like a great ale vat where the men of the world - Shall drink no common ale but the hard will, - The unquenchable hope, the friendliness of the sword. - - [_He takes thin boards on which plans have been carved by those - about him._ - - Give me the building plans, and have you written - That we--Cuchullain is looking in his shield; - It may be the pale riders of the wind - Throw pictures on it, or that Mananan, - His father's friend and sometime fosterer, - Foreknower of all things, has cast a vision, - Out of the cold dark of the rich sea, - Foretelling Emain's greatness. - - _Cuchullain._ No, great King, - I looked on this out of mere idleness, - Imagining a far-off country and one - That held it with a sword, although a woman. - - _Concobar._ A woman needs but laugh, or a friend sigh, - And you're afar off sounding through the world, - While I plan Emain's greatness. - - [_The sound of a trumpet without._ - - Open the doors! - I hear a herald's trumpet, and await, - It may be, the heavy fleeces of the sea - And golden and silver apples or ancient crowns - Long hidden in the well at the World's End, - Or glittering garments of the salmon, tributes - From the Great Plain, or the high people of Sorcha, - Or the walled garden in the east of the world. - - [_The great door at the back is flung open; a YOUNG MAN, who is - fully armed and carries a shield with a woman's head painted on it, - stands upon the threshold. Behind him are trumpeters. He walks into - the centre of the hall, the trumpeting ceases._ - - What is your message? - - _Young Man._ I am of Aoife's army. - - _First King._ Queen Aoife and her army have fallen upon us. - - _Second King._ Out swords! Out swords! - - _Third King._ They are about the house. - - _Fourth King._ Rush out! Rush out! Before they have fired the thatch. - - _Young Man._ Aoife is far away. I am alone. - I have come alone in the midst of you - To weigh this sword against Cuchullain's sword. - - [_There is a murmur amongst the KINGS._ - - _Concobar._ And are you noble? for if of common seed - You cannot weigh your sword against his sword - But in mixed battle. - - _Young Man._ I am under bonds - To tell my name to no man, but it's noble. - - _Concobar._ But I would know your name and not your bonds. - You cannot speak in the Assembly House - If you are not noble. - - _A King._ Answer the High King. - - _Young Man._ [_Drawing his sword._] - I will give no other proof than the hawk gives - That it's no sparrow. - - [_He is silent a moment, then speaks to all._ - - Yet look upon me, Kings; - I too am of that ancient seed and carry - The signs about this body and in these bones. - - _Cuchullain._ To have shown the hawk's gray feather is enough, - And you speak highly too. - - [_CUCHULLAIN comes down from his great chair. He remains standing on - the steps of the chair. The YOUNG KINGS gather about him and begin - to arm him._ - - Give me that helmet! - I'd thought they had grown weary sending champions. - That leathern coat will do. The High King there - Being old in wisdom can think of times to come, - But the hawk's sleepy till its well-beloved - Cries out amid the acorns, or it has seen - Its enemy like a speck upon the sun. - What's Emain to the hawk when that clear eye - Is burning nearer up in the high air? - That buckle should be tighter. Give me your shield. - There is good level ground at Baile's Yew-tree, - Some dozen yards from here, and it's but truth - That I am sad to-day and this fight welcome. - - [_He looks hard at the YOUNG MAN, and then steps down on the floor - of the Assembly House. He grasps the YOUNG MAN by the shoulder._ - - Hither into the light. - - [_Turning to one of the YOUNG KINGS._ - - The very tint - Of her that I was speaking of but now: - Not a pin's difference. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - You are from the North, - Where there are many that have that tint of hair, - Red-brown, the light red-brown. Come nearer, boy! - For I would have another look at you. - There's more likeness, a pale, a stone pale cheek. - What brought you, boy? Have you no fear of death? - - _Young Man._ Whether I live or die is in the Gods' hands. - - _Cuchullain._ That is all words, all words, a young man's talk; - I am their plough, their harrow, their very strength, - For he that's in the sun begot this body - Upon a mortal woman, and I have heard tell - It seemed as if he had outrun the moon, - That he must always follow through waste heaven, - He loved so happily. He'll be but slow - To break a tree that was so sweetly planted. - Let's see that arm; I'll see it if I like. - That arm had a good father and a good mother, - But it is not like this. - - _Young Man._ You are mocking me. - You think I am not worthy to be fought, - But I'll not wrangle but with this talkative knife. - - _Cuchullain._ Put up your sword, I am not mocking you. - I'd have you for my friend, but if it's not - Because you have a hot heart and a cold eye - I cannot tell the reason. You've got her fierceness, - And nobody is as fierce as those pale women. - - [_To the YOUNG KINGS._ - - We'll keep him here in Muirthemne awhile. - - _A Young King._ You are the leader of our pack and therefore - May cry what you will. - - _Cuchullain._ You'll stop with us - And we will hunt the deer and the wild bulls, - And, when we have grown weary, light our fires - In sandy places where the wool-white foam - Is murmuring and breaking, and it may be - That long-haired women will come out of the dunes - To dance in the yellow fire-light. You hang your head, - Young man, as if it was not a good life; - And yet what's better than to hurl the spear, - And hear the long-remembering harp, and dance? - Friendship grows quicker in the murmuring dark; - But I can see there's no more need for words - And that you'll be my friend now. - - _First Old King._ Concobar, - Forbid their friendship, for it will get twisted - To a reproach against us. - - _Concobar._ Until now - I'd never need to cry Cuchullain on - And would not now. - - _First Old King._ They'll say his manhood's quenched. - - _Cuchullain._ I'll give you gifts, but I'll have something too, - An arm-ring or the like, and if you will - We'll fight it out when you are older, boy. - - _An Old King._ Aoife will make some story out of this. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, well, what matter, I'll have that arm-ring, boy. - - _Young Man._ There is no man I'd sooner have my friend - Than you whose name has gone about the world - As if it had been the wind, but Aoife'd say - I had turned coward. - - _Cuchullain._ I'll give you gifts - That Aoife'll know and all her people know - To have been my gifts. Mananan, son of the sea, - Gave me this heavy embroidered cloak. Nine Queens - Of the Land-under-Wave had woven it - Out of the fleeces of the sea. O! tell her - I was afraid, or tell her what you will. - No! tell her that I heard a raven croak - On the north side of the house and was afraid. - - _An Old King._ Some witch of the air has troubled Cuchullain's mind. - - _Cuchullain._ No witchcraft, his head is like a woman's head - I had a fancy for. - - _Second Old King._ A witch of the air - Can make a leaf confound us with memories. - They have gone to school to learn the trick of it. - - _Cuchullain._ But there's no trick in this. That arm-ring, boy. - - _Third Old King._ He shall not go unfought, I'll fight with him. - - _Fourth Old King._ No! I will fight with him. - - _First Old King._ I claim the fight, - For when we sent an army to her land---- - - _Second Old King._ I claim the fight, for one of Aoife's galleys - Stole my great cauldron and a herd of pigs. - - _Third Old King._ No, no, I claim it, for at Lammas' time---- - - _Cuchullain._ Back! Back! Put up your swords! Put up your swords! - There's none alive that shall accept a challenge - I have refused. Laegaire, put up your sword. - - _Young Man._ No, let them come, let any three together. - If they've a mind to, I'll try it out with four. - - _Cuchullain._ That's spoken as I'd spoken it at your age, - But you are in my house. Whatever man - Would fight with you shall fight it out with me. - They're dumb. They're dumb. How many of you would meet - - [_Drawing his sword._ - - This mutterer, this old whistler, this sandpiper, - This edge that's grayer than the tide, this mouse - That's gnawing at the timbers of the world, - This, this--Boy, I would meet them all in arms - If I'd a son like you. He would avenge me - When I have withstood for the last time the men - Whose fathers, brothers, sons, and friends I have killed - Upholding Ullad; when the four provinces - Have gathered with the ravens over them. - But I'd need no avenger. You and I - Would scatter them like water from a dish. - - _Young Man._ We'll stand by one another from this out. - Here is the ring. - - _Cuchullain._ No, turn and turn about, - But my turn is first, because I am the older. - Cliodna embroidered these bird wings, but Fand - Made all these little golden eyes with the hairs - That she had stolen out of Aengus' beard, - And therefore none that has this cloak about him - Is crossed in love. The heavy inlaid brooch - That Buan hammered has a merit too. - - [_He begins spreading the cloak out on a bench, showing it to the - YOUNG MAN. Suddenly CONCOBAR beats with his silver rod on a pillar - beside his chair. All turn towards him._ - - _Concobar._ [_In a loud voice._] - No more of that, I will not have this friendship. - Cuchullain is my man and I forbid it; - He shall not go unfought for I myself---- - - _Cuchullain._ [_Seizing CONCOBAR._] - You shall not stir, High King, I'll hold you there. - - _Concobar._ Witchcraft has maddened you. - - _The Kings._ [_Shouting._] Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft. - - _A King._ You saw another's head upon his shoulders - All of a sudden, a woman's head, Cuchullain. - Then raised your hand against the King of Ullad. - - _Cuchullain._ [_Letting CONCOBAR go, and looking wildly about him._] - Yes, yes, all of a sudden, all of a sudden. - - _Daire._ Why, there's no witchcraft in it, I myself - Have made a hundred of these sudden friendships - And fought it out next day. But that was folly, - For now that I am old I know it is best - To live in comfort. - - _A King._ Pull the fool away! - - _Daire._ I'll throw a heel-tap to the one that dies. - - _Concobar._ Some witch is floating in the air above us. - - _Cuchullain._ Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft and the power of witchcraft. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - Why did you do it? was it Calatin's daughters? - Out, out, I say, for now it's sword on sword. - - _Young Man._ But, but, I did not. - - _Cuchullain._ Out, I say, out, out! - Sword upon sword. - - [_He goes towards the door at back, followed by YOUNG MAN. He - turns on the threshold and cries out, looking at the YOUNG MAN._ - - That hair my hands were drowned in! - - [_He goes out, followed by YOUNG MAN. The other KINGS begin to - follow them out._ - - _A King._ I saw him fight with Ferdiad. - - _Second King._ We'll be too late, - They're such a long time getting through the door. - - _Third King._ Run quicker, quicker. - - _Daire._ I was at the Smith's - When he that was the boy Setanta then---- - - [_Sound, of fighting outside._ - - _Third King._ He will have killed him. - They have begun the fight! - - [_They all go out, leaving the house silent and empty. There is a - pause during which one hears the clashing of the swords. BARACH and - FINTAIN come in from side door. BARACH is dragging FINTAIN._ - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have eaten it, you have left me nothing -but the bones. - -_Fintain._ O, that I should have to endure such a plague. O, I ache all -over. O, I am pulled in pieces. This is the way you pay me for all the -good I have done you! - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have told me lies about a wild dog. -Nobody has seen a wild dog about the place this twelve month. Lie there -till the Kings come. O, I will tell Concobar and Cuchullain and all the -Kings about you! - -_Fintain._ What would have happened to you but for me, and you without -your wits? If I did not take care of you what would you do for food and -warmth? - -_Barach._ You take care of me? You stay safe and send me into every kind -of danger. You sent me down the cliff for gull's eggs while you warmed -your blind eyes in the sun. And then you ate all that were good for -food. You left me the eggs that were neither egg nor bird. [_The blind -man tries to rise. BARACH makes him lie down again._] Keep quiet now -till I shut the door. There is some noise outside. There are swords -crossing; a high vexing noise so that I can't be listening to myself. -[_He goes to the big door at the back and shuts it._] Why can't they be -quiet, why can't they be quiet! Ah, you would get away, would you? [_He -follows the blind man who has been crawling along the wall and makes him -lie down close to the KING'S chair._] Lie there, lie there. No, you -won't get away. Lie there till the Kings come, I'll tell them all about -you. I shall tell it all. How you sit warming yourself, when you have -made me light a fire of sticks, while I sit blowing it with my mouth. Do -you not always make me take the windy side of the bush when it blows and -the rainy side when it rains? - -_Fintain._ O good fool, listen to me. Think of the care I have taken of -you. I have brought you to many a warm hearth, where there was a good -welcome for you, but you would not stay there, you were always wandering -about. - -_Barach._ The last time you brought me in, it was not I who wandered -away, but you that got put out because you took the crubeen out of the -pot, when you thought nobody was looking. Keep quiet now, keep quiet -till I shut the door. Here is Cuchullain, now you will be beaten. I am -going to tell him everything. - -_Cuchullain._ [_Comes in and says to the fool._] Give me that horn. - - [_The fool gives him a horn which CUCHULLAIN fills with ale and - drinks._ - -_Fintain._ Do not listen to him, listen to me. - -_Cuchullain._ What are you wrangling over? - -_Barach._ He is fat and good for nothing. He has left me the bones and -the feathers. - -_Cuchullain._ What feathers? - -_Barach._ I left him turning a fowl at the fire. He ate it all. He left -me nothing but the bones and feathers. - -_Fintain._ Do not believe him. You do not know how vain this fool is. I -gave him the feathers, because I thought he would like nothing so well. - - [_BARACH is sitting on a bench playing with a heap of feathers, - which he has taken out of the breast of his coat._ - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top---- - -_Fintain._ Where would he be but for me? I must be always thinking, -thinking to get food for the two of us, and when we've got it, if the -moon's at the full or the tide on the turn, he'll leave the rabbit in -its snare till it is full of maggots, or let the trout slip through his -hands back into the water. - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top, - Then was I an eagle cock; - Now that you are a withered old block, - Still am I an eagle cock! - -_Fintain._ Listen to him now! That's the sort of talk I have to put up -with, day out day in. - - [_The fool is putting the feathers into his hair. CUCHULLAIN takes a - handful of feathers out of the heap and out of the fool's hair, and - begins to wipe the blood from his sword with them._ - -_Barach._ He has taken my feathers to wipe his sword. It is blood that -he is wiping from his sword! - -_Fintain._ Whose blood? Whose blood? - -_Cuchullain._ That young champion's. - -_Fintain._ He that came out of Aoife's country? - -_Cuchullain._ The Kings are standing round his body. - -_Fintain._ Did he fight long? - -_Cuchullain._ He thought to have saved himself with witchcraft. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said he would kill you. He came from -Aoife's country to kill you. That blind man said they had taught him -every kind of weapon that he might do it. But I always knew that you -would kill him. - -_Cuchullain._ [_To the blind man._] You knew him, then? - -_Fintain._ I saw him when I had my eyes, in Aoife's country. - -_Cuchullain._ You were in Aoife's country? - -_Fintain._ I knew him and his mother there. - -_Cuchullain._ He was about to speak of her when he died. - -_Fintain._ He was a Queen's son. - -_Cuchullain._ What Queen, what Queen? [_He seizes the blind man._] Was -it Scathach? There were many Queens. All the rulers were Queens. - -_Fintain._ No, not Scathach. - -_Cuchullain._ It was Uathach, then. Speak, speak! - -_Fintain._ I cannot speak, you are clutching me too tightly. -[_CUCHULLAIN lets him go._] I cannot remember who it was. I am not -certain. It was some Queen. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that the young man was Aoife's son. - -_Cuchullain._ She? No, no, she had no son when I was there. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said that she owned him for her son. - -_Cuchullain._ I had rather he had been some other woman's son. What -father had he? A soldier out of Alba? She was an amorous woman, a proud, -pale amorous woman. - -_Fintain._ None knew whose son he was. - -_Cuchullain._ None knew? Did you know, old listener at doors? - -_Fintain._ No, no, I knew nothing. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that he heard Aoife boast that she'd never -but the one lover, and he the only man that had overcome her in battle. - - [_A pause._ - -_Fintain._ Somebody is trembling. Why are you trembling, fool? the bench -is shaking, why are you trembling? Is Cuchullain going to hurt us? It -was not I who told you, Cuchullain. - -_Barach._ It is Cuchullain who is trembling. He is shaking the bench -with his knees. - -_Cuchullain._ He was my son, and I have killed my son. - - [_A pause._ - - 'Twas they that did it, the pale windy people, - Where, where, where? My sword against the thunder. - But no, for they have always been my friends; - And though they love to blow a smoking coal - Till it's all flame, the wars they blow aflame - Are full of glory, and heart uplifting pride, - And not like this; the wars they love awaken - Old fingers and the sleepy strings of harps. - Who did it then? Are you afraid; speak out, - For I have put you under my protection - And will reward you well. Dubthach the Chafer. - He had an old grudge. No, for he is with Maeve. - Laegaire did it. Why do you not speak? - What is this house? [_A pause._] Now I remember all. - - _Fintain._ He will kill us. O, I am afraid! - - _Cuchullain._ [_Who is before CONCOBAR'S chair._] - 'Twas you who did it, you who sat up there - With that old branch of silver, like a magpie - Nursing a stolen spoon. Magpie, magpie, - A maggot that is eating up the earth! - - [_Begins hacking at the chair with his sword._ - - No, but a magpie, for he's flown away. - Where did he fly to? - - _Fintain._ He is outside the door. - - _Cuchullain._ Outside the door? - - _Fintain._ He is under Baile's yew-tree. - - _Cuchullain._ Concobar, Concobar, the sword into your heart. - - [_He goes out. A pause. The fool goes to the great door at back and - looks out after him._ - -_Barach._ He is going up to King Concobar; they are all under the tree. -No, no, he is standing still. There is a great wave going to break and -he is looking at it. Ah! now he is running down to the sea, but he is -holding up his sword as if he were going into a fight. [_A pause._] Well -struck, well struck! - -_Fintain._ What is he doing now? - -_Barach._ Oh! he is fighting the waves. - -_Fintain._ He sees King Concobar's crown on every one of them. - -_Barach._ There, he has struck at a big one. He has struck the crown off -it, he has made the foam fly. There again another big one. - - [_Shouting without._ - -_Fintain._ Where are the Kings? What are the Kings doing? - -_Barach._ They are shouting and running down to the shore, and the -people are running out of the houses, they are all running. - -_Fintain._ You say they are running out of the houses, there will be -nobody left in the houses. Listen, fool. - -_Barach._ There, he is down! He is up again! He is going out into the -deep water. - -_Fintain._ Come here, fool; come here, I say. - -_Barach._ [_Coming towards him but looking backward towards the door._] -What is it? - -_Fintain._ There will be nobody in the houses. Come this way, come -quickly; the ovens will be full; we will put our hands into the ovens. - -[_They go out._ - - - - -[Illustration] - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Punctuation has been standardised. Spelling and hyphenation have been -preserved as printed. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's -Strand, by William Butler Yeats - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - -***** This file should be named 41102.txt or 41102.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/0/41102/ - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/41102.zip b/41102.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e1f171e..0000000 --- a/41102.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/41102-0.txt b/old/41102-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f5fb871..0000000 --- a/old/41102-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2759 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand, by -William Butler Yeats - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand - -Author: William Butler Yeats - -Release Date: October 18, 2012 [EBook #41102] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - - -_BY THE SAME AUTHOR._ - - THE SECRET ROSE. - THE CELTIC TWILIGHT. - POEMS. - THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS. - THE SHADOWY WATERS. - IDEAS OF GOOD AND EVIL. - - - - -PLAYS FOR AN IRISH THEATRE - -VOLUME III. - - - - - THE KING’S THRESHOLD: - AND - ON BAILE’S STRAND: - - BEING VOLUME THREE OF PLAYS - FOR AN IRISH THEATRE: - - BY W. B. YEATS - - - LONDON: A. H. BULLEN, - 47, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, W.C. - 1904 - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - - -NOTE - - -Both these plays have been written for Mr. Fay’s “Irish National -Theatre.” “The King’s Threshold” was played in October, 1903, and “On -Baile’s Strand” will be played in February or March, 1904. Both are -founded on Old Irish Prose Romances, but I have borrowed some ideas -for the arrangement of my subject in “The King’s Threshold” from -“Sancan the Bard,” a play published by Mr. Edwin Ellis some ten years -ago. - - W. B. Y. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - THE KING’S THRESHOLD 1 - - ON BAILE’S STRAND 67 - - - - -THE KING’S THRESHOLD - - - - -LIST OF CHARACTERS - - KING GUAIRE. - THE CHAMBERLAIN OF KING GUAIRE. - A Soldier. - A Monk. - THE MAYOR OF KINVARA. - A Cripple. - Another Cripple. - AILEEN, } Ladies of the Court. - ESSA, } - PRINCESS BUAN. - PRINCESS FINNHUA, her Sister. - FEDELM, Seanchan’s Sweetheart. - CIAN, } Servants of Seanchan. - BRIAN, } - SENIAS, } Pupils of Seanchan. - ARIAS, } - SEANCHAN (pronounced Shanahan), Chief Poet of Ireland. - - Pupils, Courtiers. - - - - -A PROLOGUE.[1] - - Footnote 1: Written for the first production of “The King’s - Threshold” in Dublin, but not used, as, owing to the smallness - of the company, nobody could be spared to speak it. - - - _An OLD MAN with a red dressing-gown, red slippers and red - nightcap, holding a brass candlestick with a guttering candle in it, - comes on from side of stage and goes in front of the dull green - curtain._ - -_Old Man._ I’ve got to speak the prologue. [_He shuffles on a few -steps._] My nephew, who is one of the play actors, came to me, and I in -my bed, and my prayers said, and the candle put out, and he told me -there were so many characters in this new play, that all the company -were in it, whether they had been long or short at the business, and -that there wasn’t one left to speak the prologue. Wait a bit, there’s a -draught here. [_He pulls the curtain closer together._] That’s better. -And that’s why I’m here, and maybe I’m a fool for my pains. - -And my nephew said, there are a good many plays to be played for you, -some to-night and some on other nights through the winter, and the most -of them are simple enough, and tell out their story to the end. But as -to the big play you are to see to-night, my nephew taught me to say what -the poet had taught him to say about it. [_Puts down candlestick and -puts right finger on left thumb._] First, he who told the story of -Seanchan on King Guaire’s threshold long ago in the old books told it -wrongly, for he was a friend of the king, or maybe afraid of the king, -and so he put the king in the right. But he that tells the story now, -being a poet, has put the poet in the right. - -And then [_touches other finger_] I am to say: Some think it would be a -finer tale if Seanchan had died at the end of it, and the king had the -guilt at his door, for that might have served the poet’s cause better in -the end. But that is not true, for if he that is in the story but a -shadow and an image of poetry had not risen up from the death that -threatened him, the ending would not have been true and joyful enough to -be put into the voices of players and proclaimed in the mouths of -trumpets, and poetry would have been badly served. - - [_He takes up the candlestick again._ - -And as to what happened Seanchan after, my nephew told me he didn’t -know, and the poet didn’t know, and it’s likely there’s nobody that -knows. But my nephew thinks he never sat down at the king’s table again, -after the way he had been treated, but that he went to some quiet green -place in the hills with Fedelm, his sweetheart, where the poor people -made much of him because he was wise, and where he made songs and -poems, and it’s likely enough he made some of the old songs and the old -poems the poor people on the hillsides are saying and singing to-day. - - [_A trumpet-blast._ - -Well, it’s time for me to be going. That trumpet means that the curtain -is going to rise, and after a while the stage there will be filled up -with great ladies and great gentlemen, and poets, and a king with a -crown on him, and all of them as high up in themselves with the pride of -their youth and their strength and their fine clothes as if there was no -such thing in the world as cold in the shoulders, and speckled shins, -and the pains in the bones and the stiffness in the joints that make an -old man that has the whole load of the world on him ready for his bed. - - [_He begins to shuffle away, and then stops._ - -And it would be better for me, that nephew of mine to be thinking less -of his play-acting, and to have remembered to boil down the knap-weed -with a bit of three-penny sugar, for me to be wetting my throat with -now and again through the night, and drinking a sup to ease the pains in -my bones. - - [_He goes out at side of stage._ - - - - -THE KING’S THRESHOLD. - - - SCENE: _Steps before the Palace of KING GUAIRE at Gort. A table in - front of steps to right with food on it. SEANCHAN lying on steps to - left. PUPILS before steps. KING on top of steps at centre._ - - _King._ I welcome you that have the mastery - Of the two kinds of music; the one kind - Being like a woman, the other like a man; - Both you that understand stringed instruments, - And how to mingle words and notes together - So artfully, that all the art is but speech - Delighted with its own music; and you that carry - The long twisted horn and understand - The heady notes that being without words - Can hurry beyond time and fate and change; - For the high angels that drive the horse of time, - The golden one by day, by night the silver, - Are not more welcome to one that loves the world - For some fair woman’s sake. - - I have called you hither - To save the life of your great master, Seanchan, - For all day long it has flamed up or flickered - To the fast-cooling hearth. - - _Senias._ When did he sicken? - Is it a fever that is wasting him? - - _King._ He did not sicken, but three days ago - He said he would not eat, and lay down there - And has not eaten since. Till yesterday - I thought that hunger and weakness had been enough, - But finding them too trifling and too light - To hold his mouth from biting at the grave - I called you hither, and have called others yet. - The girl he is to wed at harvest-time, - That should be of all living the most dear, - Is coming from the South, and had I known - Of any other neighbours or good friends - That might persuade him, I had brought them hither, - Even though I’d to ransack the world for them. - - _Senias._ What was it put him to this work, High King? - - _King._ You will call it no great matter. Three days ago - I yielded to the outcry of my courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law, - Who long had thought it against their dignity - For a mere man of words to sit among them - At my own table; and when the meal was spread - I ordered Seanchan to good company, - But to a lower table; and when he pleaded - The poet’s right, established when the world - Was first established, I said that I was King - And made and unmade rights at my own pleasure. - And that it was the men who ruled the world, - And not the men who sang to it, who should sit - Where there was the most honour. My courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law - Shouted approval, and amid that noise - Seanchan went out, and from that hour to this, - Although there is good food and drink beside him, - Has eaten nothing. If a man is wronged, - Or thinks that he is wronged, and will lie down - Upon another’s threshold until he dies, - The common people for all time to come - Will raise a heavy cry against that threshold, - Even though it is the King’s. He lies there now - Perishing; he is calling against my majesty, - That old custom that has no meaning in it, - And as he perishes, my name in the world - Is perishing also. I cannot give way - Because I am King, because if I give way - My nobles would call me a weakling, and it may be - The very throne be shaken; but should you - That are his friends speak to him and persuade him - To turn his mouth from the ill-savouring grave - And eat good food, he shall not lack my favour; - For I will give plough-land and grazing-land, - Or all but anything he has set his heart on. - It is not all because of my good name - I’d have him live, for I have found him a man - That might well hit the fancy of a king - Banished out of his country, or a woman’s, - Or any other’s that can judge a man - For what he is. But I that sit a throne, - And take my measure from the needs of the state, - Call his wild thought that over-runs the measure, - Making words more than deeds, and his proud will - That would unsettle all, most mischievous, - And he himself a most mischievous man. - - _Senias._ King, whether you did right or wrong in this - Let the King say, for all that I need say - Is that there’s nothing that cries out for death - In the withholding of that ancient right, - And that I will persuade him. Your own words - Had been enough persuasion were it not - That he is lost in dreams that hunger makes, - And therefore heedless, or lost in heedless sleep. - - _King._ I leave him to your love, that it may promise - Plough-lands and grass-lands, jewels and silken wear, - Or anything but that old right of the poets. - - [_He goes out. The PUPILS, who have been standing perfectly quiet, - all turn towards SEANCHAN, and move a step nearer._ - - _Senias._ The King did wrong to abrogate our right, - But Seanchan, who talks of dying for it, - Talks foolishly. Look at us, Seanchan, - Waken out of your dream and look at us, - Who have ridden under the moon and all the day, - Until the moon has all but come again, - That we might be beside you. - - [_SEANCHAN turns half round leaning on his elbow, and speaks as if - in a dream._ - - _Seanchan._ I was but now - At Almhuin, in a great high-raftered house, - With Finn and Osgar. Odours of roast flesh - Rose round me and I saw the roasting spits, - And then the dream was broken, and I saw - Grania dividing salmon by a pool, - And then I was awakened by your voice. - - _Senias._ It is your hunger that makes you dream of flesh - Roasting, and for your hunger I could weep; - And yet the hunger of the crane that starves - Because the moonlight glittering on the pool - And flinging a pale shadow has made it shy, - Seems to me little more fantastical - Than this that’s blown into so great a trouble. - - _Seanchan._ [_Who has turned away again._] - There is much truth in that, for all things change - At times, as if the moonlight altered them, - And my mind alters as if it were the crane’s; - For when the heavy body has grown weak - There’s nothing that can tether the wild mind - That being moonstruck and fantastical - Goes where it fancies. I had even thought - I knew your voice and face, but now the words - Are so unlikely that I needs must ask - Who is it that bids me put my hunger by? - - _Senias._ I am your oldest pupil, Seanchan; - The one that has been with you many years, - So many that you said at Candlemas - That I had almost done with school, and knew - All but all that poets understand. - - _Seanchan._ My oldest pupil. No, that cannot be; - For it is someone of the courtly crowds - That have been round about me from sunrise - And I am tricked by dreams, but I’ll refute them. - I asked the pupil that I loved the best, - At Candlemas, why poetry is honoured, - Wishing to know how he’d defend our craft - In distant lands among strange churlish Kings. - And he’d an answer. - - _Senias._ I said the poets hung - Images of the life that was in Eden - About the childbed of the world, that it, - Looking upon those images, might bear - Triumphant children; but why must I stand here - Repeating an old lesson while you starve? - - _Seanchan._ Tell on, for I begin to know the voice; - What evil thing will come upon the world - If the arts perish? - - _Senias._ If the arts should perish - The world that lacked them would be like a woman - That looking on the cloven lips of a hare - Brings forth a hare-lipped child. - - _Seanchan._ But that’s not all. - For when I asked you how a man should guard - Those images you had an answer also, - If you’re the man that you have claimed to be, - Comparing them to venerable things - God gave to men before he gave them wheat. - - _Senias._ I answered, and the word was half your own, - That he should guard them, as the men of Dea - Guard their four treasures, as the Grail King guards - His holy cup, or the pale righteous horse - The jewel that is underneath his horn, - Pouring out life for it, as one pours out - Sweet heady wine--but now I understand - You would refute me out of my own mouth; - And yet a place at table near the King - Is nothing of great moment, Seanchan. - How does so light a thing touch poetry? - - [_SEANCHAN is now sitting up. He still looks dreamily in front of - him._ - - _Seanchan._ At Candlemas you called this poetry - One of the fragile mighty things of God - That die at an insult. - - _Senias._ [_To other PUPILS._] Give me some true answer. - For on that day we spoke about the court - And said that all that was insulted there - The world insulted, for the courtly life, - Being the first comely child of the world, - Is the world’s model. How shall I answer him? - Can you not give me some true argument? - I will not tempt him with a lying one. - - _Arias._ [_Throwing himself at SEANCHAN’S feet._] - Why did you take me from my father’s fields? - If you would leave me now, what shall I love? - Where shall I go, what shall I set my hand to? - And why have you put music in my ears - If you would send me to the clattering houses? - I will throw down the trumpet and the harp, - For how could I sing verses or make music - With none to praise me and a broken heart? - - _Seanchan._ What was it that the poets promised you - If it was not their sorrow? Do not speak. - Have I not opened school on these bare steps, - And are not you the youngest of my scholars? - And I would have all know that when all falls - In ruin, poetry calls out in joy, - Being the scattering hand, the bursting pod, - The victim’s joy among the holy flame, - God’s laughter at the shattering of the world, - And now that joy laughs out and weeps and burns - On these bare steps. - - _Arias._ O Master, do not die. - - [_Three men come in. CIAN and BRIAN, old men carrying basket with - food, and MAYOR OF KINVARA. They stand at the side listening._ - - _Senias._ Trouble him with no useless argument. - Be silent; there is nothing we can do - Except find out the King and kneel to him - And beg our ancient right. These three have come - To say whatever we could say and more, - And fare as badly. Come, boy, that’s no use; - - [_He lifts the BOY up._ - - If it seem well that we beseech the King, - Lay down your harps and trumpets on the stones - In silence and come with me silently. - Come with slow footfalls and bow all your heads, - For a bowed head becomes a mourner best. - - [_They lay the harps and trumpets down one by one and then go out - very solemnly and slowly, following one another._ - - _Cian._ Let’s show the food that’s in the basket. - - _Mayor._ [_Who carries an Ogham stick._] No, - I must get through my speech or I’ll forget it; - Besides, there is no reason why he’d eat - Till he has heard my reasons. - - _Cian._ It were better - To show what we have brought him in the basket, - For we have nothing that he has not liked - From boyhood. - - _Brian._ For we have not brought kings’ food - That’s cooked for everybody and nobody. - - _Mayor._ You are not showing right respect to me, - Or to the people of Kinvara, when you wish - That something else should come before my message. - - _Seanchan._ What brings you here? I never sent for you. - - _Cian._ He must be famishing, he looks so pale. - We had better get the food out first. I tell you, - That we have brought the things he likes the best. - - _Mayor._ No, no; I lost a word at every cross road - And maybe if I do not speak it now - I’ll have forgot it. - - _Cian._ Well, out with it quickly. - - _Seanchan._ Why, what’s this foolery? - - _Mayor._ No foolery; - A message from the richest, best born townsman - Of your own town, and from your aged father. - - _Cian._ Run through it while I am getting out the food. - - _Mayor._ How was I to begin? What was the word - That was to keep it in my memory? - Wait, I have notched it on this Ogham stick. - “Chief poet,” “Ireland,” “Townsman”; that is it. - Chief poet of Ireland, when we heard that trouble - Had come between you and the King of Ireland - It plunged us in deep sorrow, part for you, - Our honoured townsman, part for our good town. - The King was said to be most friendly to us, - And we had reasons, as you’ll recollect, - For thinking that he was about to give - Those grazing lands inland we so much need, - Being pinched between the water and the rocks. - But now his friendliness being ill repaid - Will be turned from us and our town get nothing. - But there was something else--I’ll find the word - That was to keep it in my memory. - “Pride”--that’s the word,--we would not have you think, - Weighty as these considerations are, - That they have been as weighty in our minds - As our desire that one we take much pride in, - A man who has been an honour to our town, - Should live and prosper, therefore we beseech you - To give way in a matter of no moment, - A matter of mere sentiment, a trifle, - That we may always keep our pride in you. - - _Seanchan._ Their pride, their pride, what do they know of pride? - My pupils do not know it, for they beg - From the King’s favour what is theirs by right, - And how can men, that God has made so weak - They need a rich man’s favour every day, - Know anything of pride? - - _Cian._ [_To MAYOR._] You have spoken it wrongly. - You have forgotten something out of it about the cattle dying. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you do not know, being much away, - How many of our cattle died last winter - From lacking grass, and that there was much sickness - Because the poor had nothing but salt fish - To live upon. The people all came out - And stood about the doors as I went by. - - _Seanchan._ What would you have of me? - For there are men that shall be born at last - And find sweet nurture that they may have voices - Even in anger like the strings of harps. - Yet how could they be born to majesty - If I had never made the golden cradle? - - _Mayor._ What is it? “Father”--“Mother”; that is it; - Your father sends this message. - - _Cian._ He is listening. - - _Mayor._ He says that he is old and that he needs you, - And that the people will be pointing at him - And he not able to lift up his head - If you should turn the King’s favour away. - And he adds to it, that he cared you well, - And you in your young age, and that it’s right - That you should care him now. - - _Cian._ And when he spoke - He cried because the stiffness of his bones - Prevented him from coming. - - _Mayor._ But your mother - Has sent no message, for when they had told her - The way it is between you and the King - She said, “No message can do any good, - He will not send the answer that you want; - We cannot change him,” and she went indoors, - Lay down upon her bed and turned her face - Out of the light. And thereupon your father - Said, “Tell him how she is, and that she sends - No message.” I have nothing more to say. - Cian and Brian, you can set out the food. - - [_He sits down on steps. SEANCHAN is silent._ - - _Mayor._ I have a horse waiting outside the town - To bring me home, and all the neighbours wait - Your answer. What answer am I to bring? - - _Seanchan._ Give them my answer--no, I have no answer: - My mother knew it. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you have forgotten - That all our fields are so heaped up with stones - That the goats famish, and the mowers mow - With knives, and that the King half promised us---- - - _Seanchan._ Thrust that old cloak of yours into your mouth - Till it’s done gabbling. - - _Mayor._ But---- - - _Cian._ You have said enough; - I knew that you would never speak it right. - - _Seanchan._ Our mothers know us, they know us to the bone, - They knew us before birth, and that is why - They know us even better than the sweethearts - Upon whose breasts we have lain. - - _Brian._ We have brought your honour - The food that you have always liked the best, - Young pigeons from Kinvara, and watercress - Out of the stream that’s by the blessed well, - And dulse from Duras. Here is the dulse, your honour, - It is wholesome, and has the good taste of the sea. - - _Seanchan._ O Brian, you would spread the table for me - As you would spread it when I was in my childhood; - But all that’s finished. - - _Mayor._ I knew he would not care - For country things now that he’s grown accustomed - To the King’s dishes. I told Brian too - He’d have his pains for nothing. But he’s old. - - [_Goes over to table at right. While he is speaking CIAN and BRIAN - are in vain offering SEANCHAN food._ - - And what dishes! Venison from Slieve Echtge - Fattened with poor men’s crops; flesh of wild pig; - Not fat nor lean, but streaky and right well cured; - Bread that’s the whitest that I’ve ever seen. - - _Cian._ You’re in the right, you’re in the right, he will not eat. - - [_Pouring wine into cup._ - - _Mayor._ Bring him some wine, it will give him strength to eat. - - [_BRIAN brings wine over towards SEANCHAN._ - - No wonder if the King is proud and merry, - And keeps all day in the saddle, when even I - Am well-nigh drunken with the odour of it, - And if I dared--I dare not. - - _Cian._ Drink it, sir. - - _Brian._ Drink a few drops. - - _Seanchan._ Drink it yourself, old man, - For you have come a journey, and I daresay - You did not eat or drink upon the road. - - _Cian._ How can I drink it when your honour’s thirsty? - - [_He offers cup again. The KING’S HOUSEHOLD comes in. CHAMBERLAIN - with long staff, a SOLDIER, a MONK, two LADIES, followed by - CRIPPLES who beg from the ladies, who keep close together at - right, talking to each other at intervals. SOLDIER goes over to - MAYOR, and talks to him._ - - _Chamberlain._ Well, have you it in imagination still - To overthrow the dignity of the King, - Or is the game finished? - - [_A pause._ - - How many days - Will you keep up this quarrel with the King, - With the King’s nobles and myself and all - Who’d gladly be your friends if you would let them? - - _Soldier._ [_Who has been speaking to MAYOR and SERVANTS._] - Was it you that sent his servants and the Mayor - Of his own town to wheedle him into life? - - _Chamberlain._ It was the King himself. - - _Soldier._ Was it worth our while - To have got rid of him from the King’s table - If he is to be humoured and made much of? - - _Chamberlain._ It seems that he has not eaten yet, although - He’s had another dozen hours of hunger. - - _Soldier._ If he’s so proud and obstinate a neck - I’d let him starve. - - _Monk._ Persuade him to eat, my lord. - His death would make a scandal, and stir up - The common people. - - _Chamberlain._ And I have a fancy - That if it brought misfortune on the King, - Or the King’s house, we’d be as little thought of - As summer linen when the winter’s come. - - _Aileen._ [_To CIAN._] - You’ve had no luck, old man. - - _Cian._ We have not, lady. - - _Aileen._ Maybe he’s out of humour with your ways, - Having grown used to sprightlier service. - - _Cian._ Maybe. - But the King’s messengers have gone for one - That will persuade him. [_To BRIAN._] Come, let us go; - For she might lose her way in this fine place. - Come, we have been too long upon the tree, - - [_Plucking sleeve of MAYOR._ - - And there are little golden pippins here. - - _Soldier._ Give me the dish, I’ll hand it him myself. - - _Aileen._ I wonder if she is pretty. - - [_MAYOR and SERVANTS have gone out._ - - _Soldier._ Eat this, old hedgehog. - Sniff up the savour and unroll yourself. - But if I were the King I’d make you do it - With wisps of lighted straw. - - _Seanchan._ You have rightly named me, - I lie rolled up under the ragged thorns - That are upon the edge of those great waters - Where all things vanish away, and I have heard - Murmurs that are the ending of all sound. - I am out of life, I am rolled up, and yet, - Hedgehog although I am, I’ll not unroll - For you, King’s dog. Go to the King, your master, - Crouch down and wag your tail, for it may be - He has nothing now against you, and I think - The stripes of your last beating are all healed. - - _Chamberlain._ Don’t answer, you were never to his mind. - And now you have angered him to no good purpose. - But put the dish down and I will speak to him. - - _Seanchan._ You must needs keep your patience yet awhile, - For I have some few mouthfuls of sweet air - To swallow before I have grown to be as civil - As any other dust. - - _Chamberlain._ You wrong us, Seanchan, - There is none here but holds you in respect, - And if you would only eat out of this dish - The King would show how much he honours you. - - _Aileen._ [_Giving CRIPPLE money._] - You are always discontented. Look at this cripple, - He has had to cover up his eyes with rags - Because they are too weak to look at the sun, - And has a crooked body, and yet he is cheerful. - Stand there where he can see you. - - [_CRIPPLE goes over and stands in front of SEANCHAN, bowing and - smiling._ - - _Chamberlain._ We have come to you - Because we wish you a long, prosperous life; - Who could imagine you’d so take to heart - Being put from the high table. - - _Seanchan._ It was not I - That you have driven away from the high table, - But the images of them that weave a dance, - By the four rivers in the mountain garden. - - _Monk._ He means we have driven poetry away. - - _Chamberlain._ It is the men who are learned in the laws, - Or have led the King’s armies that should sit - At the King’s table. Nor has poetry - Been altogether driven away, for I, - As you should know, have written poetry, - And often when the table has been cleared - And candles lighted, the King calls for me - And I repeat it him. My poetry - Is not to be compared with yours, but still - Where I am honoured, poetry is honoured - In some measure. - - _Seanchan._ If you are a poet, - Cry out that the King’s money would not buy, - Nor the high circle consecrate his head, - If poets had never christened gold, and even - The moon’s poor daughter, that most whey-faced metal, - Precious; and cry out that none alive - Would ride among the arrows with high heart - Or scatter with an open hand, had not - Our heady craft commended wasteful virtues. - And when that story’s finished, shake your coat - Where the little jewels gleam on it, and say - A herdsman sitting where the pigs had trampled - Made up a song about enchanted kings, - Who were so finely dressed one fancied them - All fiery, and women by the churn - And children by the hearth caught up the song - And murmured it until the tailors heard it. - - _Monk._ How proud these poets are! It was full time - To break their pride. - - _Seanchan._ And I would have you say - That when we are driven out we come again - Like a great wind that runs out of the waste - To blow the tables flat. - - _Chamberlain._ If you’d eat something - You’d find you have these thoughts because you are hungry. - - _Seanchan._ And when you have told them all these things, lie down - On this bare threshold and starve until the King - Restore to us the ancient right of the poets. - - _Aileen._ Let’s come away. There’s no use talking to him, - For he’s resolved to die, and that’s no loss: - We will go watch the hurley. - - _Monk._ You should obey - The King’s commandment and not question it, - For it is God himself who has made him king. - - _Essa._ Let’s hear his answer to the monk. - - _Seanchan._ Stoop down, - For there is something I would say to you. - Has that wild God of yours that was so wild - When you’d but lately taken the King’s pay, - Grown any tamer? He gave you all much trouble - Being so unruly and inconsiderate. - - _Aileen._ What does he mean? - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ Or it may be you have persuaded him - To chirp between two dishes when the King - Sits down to table. - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, sir. - What do I care about your insolent dreams. - - _Seanchan._ And maybe he has learnt to sing quite softly - Because loud singing would disturb the King - Who is sitting drowsily among his friends - After the table has been cleared---- - - _Monk._ Let go. - - [_SEANCHAN has been dragged some feet, clinging to the MONK’S - habit._ - - _Seanchan._ Not yet; you did not think that hungry hands - Could be so strong. They are not civil yet-- - I’d know if you have taught him to eat bread - From the King’s hand, and perch upon his finger. - I think he perches on the King’s strong hand, - But it may be that he is still too wild. - You must not weary in your work; a King - Is often weary and he needs a God - To be a comfort to him. - - [_The MONK plucks his habit away. SEANCHAN holds up his hand as if a - bird perched upon it. He pretends to stroke the bird._ - - A little god, - With soft well-coloured feathers, and bright eyes. - - _Aileen._ We have listened long enough. - - _Essa._ Let us away, - Where we can watch the young men at the hurley. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, yes, go to the hurley, go to the hurley, - Go to the hurley, gather up your skirts, - Run quickly. You can remember many love songs; - I know it by the light that’s in your eyes, - But you’ll forget them. You’re fair to look on, - Your feet delight in dancing, and your mouths - In the slow smiling that awakens love. - The mothers that have borne you mated rightly, - For they had little ears as thirsty as are yours - For many love-songs. Go to the young men: - Are not the ruddy flesh and the thin flanks - And the broad shoulders worthy of desire? - Go from me. Here is nothing for your eyes, - But it is I that am singing you away, - Singing you to the young men. - - [_The two young PRINCESSES BUAN and FINNHUA come in. While he has - been speaking AILEEN and ESSA have shrunk back holding each others - hands._ - - _Aileen._ Be quiet; - Look who it is that has come out of the house. - Princesses, we are for the hurling field. - Will you come too? - - _Princess Buan._ We will go with you, Aileen, - But we must have some words with Seanchan, - For we have come to make him eat and drink. - - _Chamberlain._ I will hold out the dish and cup for him - While you are speaking to him of his folly, - If you desire it, Princess. - - [_He has taken up dish and cup._ - - _Princess Buan._ Give me the cup. - My sister there will carry the dish of meat: - We’ll offer them ourselves. - - _Aileen._ They are so gracious, - The dear little princesses are so gracious. - - [_PRINCESS BUAN holds out her hand for SEANCHAN to kiss it; he does - not move._ - - Although she is holding out her hand to him - He will not kiss it. - - _Princess Buan._ My father bids us say - That though he cannot have you at his table, - You may ask any other thing you like - And he will give it you. We carry you - A dish and a cup of wine, with our own hands, - To show in what great honour you are held. - Will you not drink a little? Does he not show - Every befitting honour to the poets? - - _Aileen._ O look, he has taken it, he has taken it! - The dear princesses, I have always said - That nobody could refuse them anything. - - [_SEANCHAN takes the cup in one hand, in the other he holds for a - moment the hand of the PRINCESS._ - - _Seanchan._ O long soft fingers and pale finger-tips - Well worthy to be laid in a king’s hand; - O you have fair white hands, for it is certain - There is uncommon whiteness in these hands. - But there is something comes into my mind, - Princess. A little while before your birth - I saw your mother sitting by the road - In a high chair, and when a leper passed - She pointed him the way into the town, - And he lifted his hand and blessed her hand; - I saw it with my own eyes. Hold out your hands, - I will find out if they are contaminated; - For it has come into my thoughts that may be - The King has sent me food and drink by hands - That are contaminated. I would see all your hands, - You’ve eyes of dancers, but hold out your hands, - For it may be there are none sound among you---- - - [_The PRINCESSES have shrunk back in terror._ - - _Princess Buan._ He has called us lepers. - - _Chamberlain._ He’s out of his mind, - And does not know the meaning of what he said. - - _Seanchan._ [_Standing up._] - There are no sound hands among you. No sound hands. - Away with you, away with all of you, - You are all lepers. There is leprosy - Among the plates and dishes that you have brought me. - I would know why you have brought me leper’s wine? - - [_He flings the wine in their faces._ - - There, there, I have given it to you again, and now - Begone or I will give my curse to you. - You have the leper’s blessing, but you think - Maybe the bread will something lack in savour - Unless you mix my curse into the dough. - - [_They go out to L., all except the CRIPPLES. SEANCHAN is - staggering in the middle of the stage._ - - _Seanchan._ Where did I say the leprosy came from? - I said it came out of a leper’s hand - And that he walked the highway; but that’s folly, - For he was walking up there in the sky - And there he is even now with his white hand - Thrust out of the blue air and blessing them - With leprosy. - - _A Cripple._ He’s pointing at the moon - That’s coming out up yonder, and he calls it - Leprous, because the daylight whitens it. - - _Seanchan._ He’s holding up his hand above them all - King, Noblemen, Princesses, blessing all. - Who could imagine he’d have so much patience. - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - [_Clutching other CRIPPLE._ - - _Second Cripple._ If you don’t need it, sir, - May we not carry some of it away? - - [_He points to food._ - - _Seanchan._ Who’s speaking? Who are you? - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - _Second Cripple._ Have pity on us, that must beg our bread - From table to table throughout the entire world - And yet be hungry. - - _Seanchan._ But why were you born crooked? - What bad poet did your mothers listen to - That you were born so crooked? - - _First Cripple._ Come away. - Maybe he’s cursed the food and it might kill us. - - _Second Cripple._ Yes, better come away. - - [_They go out._ - - _Seanchan._ [_Staggering and speaking wearily._] - He has great strength - And great patience to hold his right hand there - Uplifted and not wavering about; - He is much stronger than I am, much stronger. - - [_He sinks down on steps._ - - _Enter from R. FEDELM, CIAN and BRIAN._ - - _Brian._ There he is lying. Go over to him now - And bid him eat. - - _Fedelm._ I’ll get him out of this - Before I have said a word of food and drink; - For while he is on this threshold and can hear, - It may be, the voices that made mock of him, - He would not listen. - - _Brian._ That is a good plan. - But there is little time, for he is weakening. - - _Fedelm._ [_Crying._] I cannot think of any other plan - Although it breaks my heart. - - _Cian._ Let’s leave them now, - For she will press the honey from her bag - When we are gone. - - _Brian._ It will be hard to move him - If hunger and thirst have got into his bones. - - [_They go out leaving FEDELM and SEANCHAN alone. FEDELM runs over to - SEANCHAN and kneels down before him._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan! Seanchan! - - [_He remains looking into the sky._ - - Can you not see me, Seanchan? - It is myself. - - [_SEANCHAN looks at her dreamily at first, then takes her hand._ - - _Seanchan._ Is this your hand, Fedelm? - I have been looking at another hand - That is up yonder. - - _Fedelm._ I have come for you. - - _Seanchan._ Fedelm, I did not know that you were here. - - _Fedelm._ And can you not remember that I promised - That I would come and take you home with me - When I’d the harvest in? and now I’ve come, - And you must come away, and come on the instant. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, I will come; but is the harvest in? - This air has got a summer taste in it. - - _Fedelm._ But is not the wild middle of the summer - A better time to marry? Come with me now. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by both wrists._] - Who taught you that, for it’s a certainty, - Although I never knew it till last night, - That marriage, because it is the height of life, - Can only be accomplished to the full - In the high days of the year. I lay awake, - There had come a frenzy into the light of the stars - And they were coming nearer and I knew - All in a minute they were about to marry - Clods out upon the plough-lands, to beget - A mightier race than any that has been; - But some that are within there made a noise - And frighted them away. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now; - We have far to go, and daylight’s running out. - - _Seanchan._ The stars had come so near me that I caught - Their singing; it was praise of that great race - That would be haughty, mirthful, and white-bodied - With a high head, and open hand, and how - Laughing, it would take the mastery of the world. - - _Fedelm._ But you will tell me all about their songs - When we’re at home. You have need of rest and care, - And I can give them you when we’re at home, - And therefore let us hurry and get us home. - - _Seanchan._ That’s true; and there’s some trouble here, although - I cannot now remember what it is, - And I would get away from it. Give me your help. - But why are not my pupils here to help me? - Go, call my pupils, for I need their help. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now, and I will send for them, - For I have a great room that’s full of beds - I can make ready, and there is a smooth lawn - Where they can play at hurley and sing poems - Under an apple-tree. - - _Seanchan._ I know that place, - An apple tree and a smooth level lawn, - Where the young men can sway their hurley sticks. - - _Sings._ - - The four rivers that run there, - Through well-mown level ground, - Have come out of a blessed well - That is all bound and wound - By the great roots of an apple, - And all fowls of the air - Have gathered in the wide branches - And keep singing there. - - [_FEDELM, troubled, has covered her eyes with her hands._ - - _Fedelm._ No, there are not four rivers, and those rhymes - Praise Adam’s Paradise. - - _Seanchan._ I can remember now. - It’s out of a poem I made long ago - About the garden in the east of the world, - And how spirits in the images of birds - Crowd in the branches of old Adam’s crab-tree; - They come before me now and dig in the fruit - With so much gluttony, and are so drunk - With that harsh, wholesome savour that their feathers - Are clinging one to another with the juice. - But you would take me to some friendly place, - And I would go there quickly. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me. - - [_She helps him to rise. He walks slowly, supported by her till he - comes to the table at R._ - - _Seanchan._ But why am I so weak? Have I been ill? - Sweetheart, why is it that I am so weak? - - [_He sinks on to the seat._ - - _Fedelm._ I’ll dip this piece of bread into the wine, - For that will make you stronger for the journey. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, give me bread and wine, that’s what I want, - For it is hunger that is gnawing me. - - [_He takes bread from FEDELM, hesitates, and then thrusts it back - into her hand._ - - But no, I must not eat it. - - _Fedelm._ Eat, Seanchan, - For if you do not eat it you will die. - - _Seanchan._ Why did you give me food? - Why did you come? - For had I not enough to fight against - Without your coming? - - _Fedelm._ Eat this little crust, - Seanchan, if you have any love for me. - - _Seanchan._ I must not eat it: but that’s beyond your wit; - Child, child, I must not eat it though I die. - - _Fedelm._ You do not know what love is, for if you loved - You would put every other thought away - But you have never loved me. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by the wrist._] You, a child, - Who have but seen a man out of the window, - Tell me that I know nothing about love, - And that I do not love you. Did I not say - There was a frenzy in the light of the stars - All through the livelong night, and that the night - Was full of marriages? But that fight’s over. - And all that’s done with, and I have to die. - - _Fedelm._ [_Throwing her arms about him._] - I will not be put from you, although I think - I had not grudged it you if some great lady, - If the King’s daughter, had set out your bed. - I will not give you up to death; no, no, - And are not these white arms and this soft neck - Better than the brown earth? - - _Seanchan._ I swear an oath - Upon the holy tree that I’ll not eat - Until the King restore the right of the poets. - O Sun and Moon, and all things that have strength, - Become my strength that I may put a curse - On all things that would have me break this oath. - - [_FEDELM has sunk down on the ground while he says this, and - crouches at his feet._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan, do not curse me; from this out - I will obey like any married wife. - Let me but lie before your feet. - - _Seanchan._ Come nearer. - - [_He kisses her._ - - If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart, - The kiss of multitudes in times to come - Had been the poorer. - - _King._ [_Entering from house._] Has he eaten yet? - - _Fedelm._ No, King, and will not till you have restored - The right of the poets. - - _King._ [_Coming down and standing before SEANCHAN._] - Seanchan, you have refused - Everybody that I have sent, and now - I come to you myself, and I have come - To bid you put your pride as far away - As I have put my pride. I had your love - Not a great while ago, and now you have planned - To put a voice by every cottage fire - And in the night when no one sees who cries - To cry against me till my throne has crumbled. - And yet if I give way I must offend - My courtiers and nobles till they too - Strike at the crown. What would you have of me? - - _Seanchan._ When did the poets promise safety, King? - - _King._ Seanchan, I bring you bread in my own hands, - And bid you eat it because of all these reasons, - And for this further reason that I love you. - - [_SEANCHAN pushes bread away with FEDELM’S hand._ - - You have refused it, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ We have refused it. - - _King._ I have been patient though I am a king, - And have the means to force you--but that’s ended, - And I am but a king and you a subject. - - [_He goes up steps._ - - Nobles and courtiers, bring the poets hither - For you can have your way: I that was man - With a man’s heart am now all king again, - Remembering that the seed I come of, although - A hundred kings have sown it and re-sown it, - Has neither trembled nor shrunk backward yet - Because of the hard business of a king. - - [_PRINCESSES, LADIES, and COURTIERS have come in with - PUPILS, who have halters round their necks._ - - Speak to your master, beg your life of him, - Show him the halters that are round your necks; - If his heart’s set upon it he may die, - But you shall all die with him; beg your lives; - Begin, for you have little time to lose; - Begin it you that are the oldest pupil. - - _Senias._ [_Going up to SEANCHAN._] - Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - _King._ Silence, you are as crazy as your master. - But that young boy that seems the youngest of you, - I’d have him speak. Kneel down before him, boy, - Hold up your hands to him that he may pluck - That milky coloured neck out of the noose. - - _Arias._ Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - [_All the PUPILS turn towards the KING, holding out the ends of - their halters._ - - _Senias._ Gather the halters up into your hands - And lead us where you will, for in all things - But in our art we are obedient. - - [_The KING comes slowly down the steps._ - - _King._ [_Kneeling down before SEANCHAN._] - Kneel down, kneel down, he has the greater power. - I give my crown to you. - - [_All kneel except SEANCHAN, FEDELM and PUPILS. SEANCHAN rises - slowly, supported by one of the PUPILS and by FEDELM._ - - _Seanchan._ O crown, O crown, - It is but right if hands that made the crown - In the old time should give it when they will. - O silver trumpets be you lifted up - - [_He lays the crown on the KING’S head._ - - And cry to the great race that is to come. - Long-throated swans among the waves of time - Sing loudly, for beyond the wall of the world - It waits and it may hear and come to us. - - [_Some of the PUPILS blow a blast upon their horns._ - - -CURTAIN. - - - * * * * * - - - - -ON BAILE’S STRAND. - - - CUCHULLAIN, the King of Muirthemne. - CONCOBAR, the High King of Ullad. - DAIRE, a King. - FINTAIN, a blind man. - BARACH, a fool. - A Young Man. - Young Kings and Old Kings. - - - SCENE: _A great hall by the sea close to Dundalgan. There are two - great chairs on either side of the hall, each raised a little from - the ground, and on the back of the one chair is carved and painted a - woman with a fish’s tail, and on the back of the other a hound. - There are smaller chairs and benches raised in tiers round the - walls. There is a great ale vat at one side near a small door, and a - large door at the back through which one can see the sea. BARACH, a - tall thin man with long ragged hair, dressed in skins, comes in at - the side door. He is leading FINTAIN, a fat blind man, who is - somewhat older._ - -_Barach._ I will shut the door, for this wind out of the sea gets into -my bones, and if I leave but an inch for the wind there is one like a -flake of sea-frost that might come into the house. - -_Fintain._ What is his name, fool? - -_Barach._ It’s a woman from among the Riders of the Sidhe. It’s Boann -herself from the river. She has left the Dagda’s bed, and gone through -the salt of the sea and up here to the strand of Baile, and all for love -of me. Let her keep her husband’s bed, for she’ll have none of me. -Nobody knows how lecherous these goddesses are. I see her in every kind -of shape but oftener than not she’s in the wind and cries “give a kiss -and put your arms about me.” But no, she’ll have no more of me. -Yesterday when I put out my lips to kiss her, there was nothing there -but the wind. She’s bad, Fintain. O, she’s bad. I had better shut the -big door too. - - [_He is going towards the big door but turns hearing FINTAIN’S - voice._ - -_Fintain._ [_Who has been feeling about with his stick._] What’s this -and this? - -_Barach._ They are chairs. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ Why, that’s a bench. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ A big chair. - -_Fintain._ [_Feeling the back of the chair._] There is a sea-woman -carved upon it. - -_Barach._ And there is another big chair on the other side of the hall. - -_Fintain._ Lead me to it. [_He mutters while the fool is leading him._] -That is what the High King Concobar has on his shield. The High King -will be coming. They have brought out his chair. [_He begins feeling the -back of the other chair._] And there is a dog’s head on this. They have -brought out our master’s chair. Now I know what the horse-boys were -talking about. We must not stay here. The Kings are going to meet here. -Now that Concobar and our master, that is his chief man, have put down -all the enemies of Ullad, they are going to build up Emain again. They -are going to talk over their plans for building it. Were you ever in -Concobar’s town before it was burnt? O, he is a great King, for though -Emain was burnt down, every war had made him richer. He has gold and -silver dishes, and chessboards and candlesticks made of precious stones. -Fool, have they taken the top from the ale vat? - -_Barach._ They have. - -_Fintain._ Then bring me a horn of ale quickly, for the Kings will be -here in a minute. Now I can listen. Tell me what you saw this morning? - -_Barach._ About the young man and the fighting? - -_Fintain._ Yes. - -_Barach._ And after that we can go and eat the fowl, for I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Time enough, time enough. You’re in as great a hurry as when -you brought me to Aine’s Seat, where the mad dogs gather when the moon’s -at the full. Go on with your story. - -_Barach._ I was creeping under a ditch, with the fowl in my leather bag, -keeping to the shore where the farmer could not see me, when I came upon -a ship drawn up upon the sands, a great red ship with a woman’s head -upon it. - -_Fintain._ A ship out of Aoife’s country. They have all a woman’s head -on the bow. - -_Barach._ There was a young man with a pale face and red hair standing -beside it. Some of our people came up whose turn it was to guard the -shore. I heard them ask the young man his name. He said he was under -bonds not to tell it. Then words came between them, and they fought, -and the young man killed half of them, and the others ran away. - -_Fintain._ It matters nothing to us, but he has come at last. - -_Barach._ Who has come? - -_Fintain._ I know who that young man is. There is not another like him -in the world. I saw him when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ You saw him? - -_Fintain._ I used to be in Aoife’s country when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ That was before you went on shipboard and were blinded for -putting a curse on the wind? - -_Fintain._ Queen Aoife had a son that was red haired and pale faced like -herself, and everyone said that he would kill Cuchullain some day, but I -would not have that spoken of. - -_Barach._ Nobody could do that. Who was his father? - -_Fintain._ Nobody but Aoife knew that, not even he himself. - -_Barach._ Not even he himself! Was Aoife a goddess and lecherous? - -_Fintain._ I overheard her telling that she never had but one lover, and -that he was the only man who overcame her in battle. There were some who -thought him one of the Riders of the Sidhe, because the child was great -of limb and strong beyond others. The child was begotten over the -mountains; but come nearer and I will tell you something. - -_Barach._ You have thought something? - -_Fintain._ When I hear the young girls talking about the colour of -Cuchullain’s eyes, and how they have seven colours, I have thought about -it. That young man has Aoife’s face and hair, but he has Cuchullain’s -eyes. - -_Barach._ How can he have Cuchullain’s eyes? - -_Fintain._ He is Cuchullain’s son. - -_Barach._ And his mother has sent him hither to fight his father. - -_Fintain._ It is all quite plain. Cuchullain went into Aoife’s country -when he was a young man that he might learn skill in arms, and there he -became Aoife’s lover. - -_Barach._ And now she hates him because he went away, and has sent the -son to kill the father. I knew she was a goddess. - -_Fintain._ And she never told him who his father was, that he might do -it. I have thought it all out, fool. I know a great many things because -I listen when nobody is noticing and I keep my wits awake. What ails you -now? - -_Barach._ I have remembered that I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Well, forget it again, and I will tell you about Aoife’s -country. It is full of wonders. There are a great many Queens there who -can change themselves into wolves and into swine and into white hares, -and when they are in their own shapes they are stronger than almost any -man; and there are young men there who have cat’s eyes and if a bird -chirrup or a mouse squeak they cannot keep them shut, even though it is -bedtime and they sleepy; and listen, for this is a great wonder, a very -great wonder: there is a long narrow bridge, and when anybody goes to -cross it, that the Queens do not like, it flies up as this bench would -if you were to sit on the end of it. Everybody who goes there to learn -skill in arms has to cross it. It was in that country too that -Cuchullain got his spear made out of dragon bones. There were two -dragons fighting in the foam of the sea, and their grandam was the moon, -and nine Queens came along the shore. - -_Barach._ I won’t listen to your story. - -_Fintain._ It is a very wonderful story. Wait till you hear what the -nine Queens did. Their right hands were all made of silver. - -_Barach._ No, I will have my dinner first. You have eaten the fowl I -left in front of the fire. The last time you sent me to steal something -you made me forget all about it till you had eaten it up. - -_Fintain._ No, there is plenty for us both. - -_Barach._ Come with me where it is. - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led towards the door at the back by BARACH._] -O, it is all right, it is in a safe place. - -_Barach._ It is a fine fowl. It was the biggest in the yard. - -_Fintain._ It had a good smell, but I hope that the wild dogs have not -smelt it. [_Voices are heard outside the door at the side._] Here is our -master. Let us stay and talk with him. Perhaps Cuchullain will give you -a new cap with a feather. He told me that he would give you a new cap -with a feather, a feather with an eye that looks at you, a peacock’s -feather. - -_Barach._ No, no. - - [_He begins pulling FINTAIN towards the door._ - -_Fintain._ If you do not get it now, you may never get it, for the -young man may kill him. - -_Barach._ No, no, I am hungry. What a head you have, blind man! Who but -you would have remembered that the hen-wife slept for a little at noon -every day! - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led along very slowly and unwillingly._] Yes, -I have a good head. The fowl should be done just right, but one never -knows when a wild dog may come out of the woods. - - [_They go out through the big door at the back. As they go out - CUCHULLAIN and certain YOUNG KINGS come in at the side door. - CUCHULLAIN, though still young, is a good deal older than the - others. They are all very gaily dressed, and have their hair - fastened with balls of gold. The young men crowd about CUCHULLAIN - with wondering attention._ - - _First Young King._ You have hurled that stone beyond our utmost mark - Time after time, but yet you are not weary. - - _Second Young King._ He has slept on the bare ground of Fuad’s Hill - This week past, waiting for the bulls and the deer. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, why should I be weary? - - _First Young King._ It is certain - His father was the god who wheels the sun, - And not King Sualtam. - - _Third Young King._ [_To a YOUNG KING who is beside him._] - He came in the dawn, - And folded Dectara in a sudden fire. - - _Fourth Young King._ And yet the mother’s half might well grow weary, - And it new come from labours over sea. - - _Third Young King._ He has been on islands walled about with silver, - And fought with giants. - - [_They gather about the ale vat and begin to drink._ - - _Cuchullain._ Who was it that went out? - - _Third Young King._ As we came in? - - _Cuchullain._ Yes. - - _Third Young King._ Barach and blind Fintain. - - _Cuchullain._ They always flock together; the blind man - Has need of the fool’s eyesight and strong body, - While the poor fool has need of the other’s wit, - And night and day is up to his ears in mischief - That the blind man imagines. There’s no hen-yard - But clucks and cackles when he passes by - As if he’d been a fox. If I’d that ball - That’s in your hair and the big stone again, - I’d keep them tossing, though the one is heavy - And the other light in the hand. A trick I learnt - When I was learning arms in Aoife’s country. - - _First Young King._ What kind of woman was that Aoife? - - _Cuchullain._ Comely. - - _First Young King._ But I have heard that she was never married, - And yet that’s natural, for I have never known - A fighting woman, but made her favours cheap, - Or mocked at love till she grew sandy dry. - - _Cuchullain._ What manner of woman do you like the best? - A gentle or a fierce? - - _First Young King._ A gentle, surely. - - _Cuchullain._ I think that a fierce woman’s better, a woman - That breaks away when you have thought her won, - For I’d be fed and hungry at one time. - I think that all deep passion is but a kiss - In the mid battle, and a difficult peace - ’Twixt oil and water, candles and dark night, - Hill-side and hollow, the hot-footed sun, - And the cold sliding slippery-footed moon, - A brief forgiveness between opposites - That have been hatreds for three times the age - Of this long ’stablished ground. Here’s Concobar; - So I’ll be done, but keep beside me still, - For while he talks of hammered bronze and asks - What wood is best for building, we can talk - Of a fierce woman. - - [_CONCOBAR, a man much older than CUCHULLAIN, has come in through - the great door at the back. He has many KINGS about him. One of - these KINGS, DAIRE, a stout old man, is somewhat drunk._ - - _Concobar._ [_To one of those about him._] Has the ship gone yet? - We have need of more bronze workers, and that ship - I sent to Africa for gold is late. - - _Cuchullain._ I knew their talk. - - _Concobar._ [_Seeing CUCHULLAIN._] You are before us, King. - - _Cuchullain._ So much the better, for I welcome you - Into my Muirthemne. - - _Concobar._ But who are these? - The odour from their garments when they stir - Is like a wind out of an apple garden. - - _Cuchullain._ My swordsmen and harp players and fine dancers, - My bosom friends. - - _Concobar._ I should have thought, Cuchullain, - My graver company would better match - Your greatness and your years; but I waste breath - In harping on that tale. - - _Cuchullain._ You do, great King. - Because their youth is the kind wandering wave - That carries me about the world; and if it sank, - My sword would lose its lightness. - - _Concobar._ Yet, Cuchullain, - Emain should be the foremost town of the world. - - _Cuchullain._ It is the foremost town. - - _Concobar._ No, no, it’s not. - Nothing but men can make towns great, and he, - The one over-topping man that’s in the world, - Keeps far away. - - _Daire._ He will not hear you, King, - And we old men had best keep company - With one another. I’ll fill the horn for you. - - _Concobar._ I will not drink, old fool. You have drunk a horn - At every door we came to. - - _Daire._ You’d better drink, - For old men light upon their youth again - In the brown ale. When I have drunk enough, - I am like Cuchullain as one pea another, - And live like a bird’s flight from tree to tree. - - _Concobar._ We’ll to our chairs for we have much to talk of, - And we have Ullad and Muirthemne, and here - Is Conall Muirthemne in the nick of time. - - [_He goes to the back of stage to welcome a company of KINGS who - come in through the great door. The other KINGS gradually get into - their places. CUCHULLAIN sits in his great chair with certain of the - young men standing around him. Others of the young men, however, - remain with DAIRE at the ale vat. DAIRE holds out the horn of ale to - one or two of the older KINGS as they pass him going to their - places. They pass him by, most of them silently refusing._ - - _Daire._ Will you not drink? - - _An Old King._ Not till the council’s over. - - _A Young King._ But I’ll drink, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ Fill me a horn too, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ If I’d drunk half that you have drunk to-day, - I’d be upon all fours. - - _Daire._ That would be natural - When Mother Earth had given you this good milk - From her great breasts. - - _Cuchullain._ [_To one of the YOUNG KINGS beside him._] - One is content awhile - With a soft warm woman who folds up our lives - In silky network. Then, one knows not why, - But one’s away after a flinty heart. - - _The Young King._ How long can the net keep us? - - _Cuchullain._ All our lives - If there are children, and a dozen moons - If there are none, because a growing child - Has so much need of watching it can make - A passion that’s as changeable as the sea - Change till it holds the wide earth to its heart. - At least I have heard a father say it, but I - Being childless do not know it. Come nearer yet; - Though he is ringing that old silver rod - We’ll have our own talk out. They cannot hear us. - - [_CONCOBAR who is now seated in his great chair, opposite - CUCHULLAIN, beats upon the pillar of the house that is nearest to - him with a rod of silver, till the KINGS have become silent. - CUCHULLAIN alone continues to talk in a low voice to those about - him, but not so loud as to disturb the silence. CONCOBAR rises and - speaks standing._ - - _Concobar._ I have called you hither, Kings of Ullad, and Kings - Of Muirthemne and Connall Muirthemne, - And tributary Kings, for now there is peace-- - It’s time to build up Emain that was burned - At the outsetting of these wars; for we, - Being the foremost men, should have high chairs - And be much stared at and wondered at, and speak - Out of more laughing overflowing hearts - Than common men. It is the art of kings - To make what’s noble nobler in men’s eyes - By wide uplifted roofs, where beaten gold, - That’s ruddy with desire, marries pale silver - Among the shadowing beams; and many a time - I would have called you hither to this work, - But always, when I’d all but summoned you, - Some war or some rebellion would break out. - - _Daire._ Where’s Maine Morgor and old Usnach’s children, - And that high-headed even-walking Queen, - And many near as great that got their death - Because you hated peace? I can remember - The people crying out when Deirdre passed - And Maine Morgor had a cold gray eye. - Well, well, I’ll throw this heel-tap on the ground, - For it may be they are thirsty. - - _A King._ Be silent, fool. - - _Another King._ Be silent, Daire. - - _Concobar._ Let him speak his mind. - I have no need to be afraid of ghosts, - For I have made but necessary wars. - I warred to strengthen Emain, or because - When wars are out they marry and beget - And have their generations like mankind - And there’s no help for it; but I’m well content - That they have ended and left the town so great, - That its mere name shall be in times to come - Like a great ale vat where the men of the world - Shall drink no common ale but the hard will, - The unquenchable hope, the friendliness of the sword. - - [_He takes thin boards on which plans have been carved by those - about him._ - - Give me the building plans, and have you written - That we--Cuchullain is looking in his shield; - It may be the pale riders of the wind - Throw pictures on it, or that Mananan, - His father’s friend and sometime fosterer, - Foreknower of all things, has cast a vision, - Out of the cold dark of the rich sea, - Foretelling Emain’s greatness. - - _Cuchullain._ No, great King, - I looked on this out of mere idleness, - Imagining a far-off country and one - That held it with a sword, although a woman. - - _Concobar._ A woman needs but laugh, or a friend sigh, - And you’re afar off sounding through the world, - While I plan Emain’s greatness. - - [_The sound of a trumpet without._ - - Open the doors! - I hear a herald’s trumpet, and await, - It may be, the heavy fleeces of the sea - And golden and silver apples or ancient crowns - Long hidden in the well at the World’s End, - Or glittering garments of the salmon, tributes - From the Great Plain, or the high people of Sorcha, - Or the walled garden in the east of the world. - - [_The great door at the back is flung open; a YOUNG MAN, who is - fully armed and carries a shield with a woman’s head painted on it, - stands upon the threshold. Behind him are trumpeters. He walks into - the centre of the hall, the trumpeting ceases._ - - What is your message? - - _Young Man._ I am of Aoife’s army. - - _First King._ Queen Aoife and her army have fallen upon us. - - _Second King._ Out swords! Out swords! - - _Third King._ They are about the house. - - _Fourth King._ Rush out! Rush out! Before they have fired the thatch. - - _Young Man._ Aoife is far away. I am alone. - I have come alone in the midst of you - To weigh this sword against Cuchullain’s sword. - - [_There is a murmur amongst the KINGS._ - - _Concobar._ And are you noble? for if of common seed - You cannot weigh your sword against his sword - But in mixed battle. - - _Young Man._ I am under bonds - To tell my name to no man, but it’s noble. - - _Concobar._ But I would know your name and not your bonds. - You cannot speak in the Assembly House - If you are not noble. - - _A King._ Answer the High King. - - _Young Man._ [_Drawing his sword._] - I will give no other proof than the hawk gives - That it’s no sparrow. - - [_He is silent a moment, then speaks to all._ - - Yet look upon me, Kings; - I too am of that ancient seed and carry - The signs about this body and in these bones. - - _Cuchullain._ To have shown the hawk’s gray feather is enough, - And you speak highly too. - - [_CUCHULLAIN comes down from his great chair. He remains standing on - the steps of the chair. The YOUNG KINGS gather about him and begin - to arm him._ - - Give me that helmet! - I’d thought they had grown weary sending champions. - That leathern coat will do. The High King there - Being old in wisdom can think of times to come, - But the hawk’s sleepy till its well-beloved - Cries out amid the acorns, or it has seen - Its enemy like a speck upon the sun. - What’s Emain to the hawk when that clear eye - Is burning nearer up in the high air? - That buckle should be tighter. Give me your shield. - There is good level ground at Baile’s Yew-tree, - Some dozen yards from here, and it’s but truth - That I am sad to-day and this fight welcome. - - [_He looks hard at the YOUNG MAN, and then steps down on the floor - of the Assembly House. He grasps the YOUNG MAN by the shoulder._ - - Hither into the light. - - [_Turning to one of the YOUNG KINGS._ - - The very tint - Of her that I was speaking of but now: - Not a pin’s difference. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - You are from the North, - Where there are many that have that tint of hair, - Red-brown, the light red-brown. Come nearer, boy! - For I would have another look at you. - There’s more likeness, a pale, a stone pale cheek. - What brought you, boy? Have you no fear of death? - - _Young Man._ Whether I live or die is in the Gods’ hands. - - _Cuchullain._ That is all words, all words, a young man’s talk; - I am their plough, their harrow, their very strength, - For he that’s in the sun begot this body - Upon a mortal woman, and I have heard tell - It seemed as if he had outrun the moon, - That he must always follow through waste heaven, - He loved so happily. He’ll be but slow - To break a tree that was so sweetly planted. - Let’s see that arm; I’ll see it if I like. - That arm had a good father and a good mother, - But it is not like this. - - _Young Man._ You are mocking me. - You think I am not worthy to be fought, - But I’ll not wrangle but with this talkative knife. - - _Cuchullain._ Put up your sword, I am not mocking you. - I’d have you for my friend, but if it’s not - Because you have a hot heart and a cold eye - I cannot tell the reason. You’ve got her fierceness, - And nobody is as fierce as those pale women. - - [_To the YOUNG KINGS._ - - We’ll keep him here in Muirthemne awhile. - - _A Young King._ You are the leader of our pack and therefore - May cry what you will. - - _Cuchullain._ You’ll stop with us - And we will hunt the deer and the wild bulls, - And, when we have grown weary, light our fires - In sandy places where the wool-white foam - Is murmuring and breaking, and it may be - That long-haired women will come out of the dunes - To dance in the yellow fire-light. You hang your head, - Young man, as if it was not a good life; - And yet what’s better than to hurl the spear, - And hear the long-remembering harp, and dance? - Friendship grows quicker in the murmuring dark; - But I can see there’s no more need for words - And that you’ll be my friend now. - - _First Old King._ Concobar, - Forbid their friendship, for it will get twisted - To a reproach against us. - - _Concobar._ Until now - I’d never need to cry Cuchullain on - And would not now. - - _First Old King._ They’ll say his manhood’s quenched. - - _Cuchullain._ I’ll give you gifts, but I’ll have something too, - An arm-ring or the like, and if you will - We’ll fight it out when you are older, boy. - - _An Old King._ Aoife will make some story out of this. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, well, what matter, I’ll have that arm-ring, boy. - - _Young Man._ There is no man I’d sooner have my friend - Than you whose name has gone about the world - As if it had been the wind, but Aoife’d say - I had turned coward. - - _Cuchullain._ I’ll give you gifts - That Aoife’ll know and all her people know - To have been my gifts. Mananan, son of the sea, - Gave me this heavy embroidered cloak. Nine Queens - Of the Land-under-Wave had woven it - Out of the fleeces of the sea. O! tell her - I was afraid, or tell her what you will. - No! tell her that I heard a raven croak - On the north side of the house and was afraid. - - _An Old King._ Some witch of the air has troubled Cuchullain’s mind. - - _Cuchullain._ No witchcraft, his head is like a woman’s head - I had a fancy for. - - _Second Old King._ A witch of the air - Can make a leaf confound us with memories. - They have gone to school to learn the trick of it. - - _Cuchullain._ But there’s no trick in this. That arm-ring, boy. - - _Third Old King._ He shall not go unfought, I’ll fight with him. - - _Fourth Old King._ No! I will fight with him. - - _First Old King._ I claim the fight, - For when we sent an army to her land---- - - _Second Old King._ I claim the fight, for one of Aoife’s galleys - Stole my great cauldron and a herd of pigs. - - _Third Old King._ No, no, I claim it, for at Lammas’ time---- - - _Cuchullain._ Back! Back! Put up your swords! Put up your swords! - There’s none alive that shall accept a challenge - I have refused. Laegaire, put up your sword. - - _Young Man._ No, let them come, let any three together. - If they’ve a mind to, I’ll try it out with four. - - _Cuchullain._ That’s spoken as I’d spoken it at your age, - But you are in my house. Whatever man - Would fight with you shall fight it out with me. - They’re dumb. They’re dumb. How many of you would meet - - [_Drawing his sword._ - - This mutterer, this old whistler, this sandpiper, - This edge that’s grayer than the tide, this mouse - That’s gnawing at the timbers of the world, - This, this--Boy, I would meet them all in arms - If I’d a son like you. He would avenge me - When I have withstood for the last time the men - Whose fathers, brothers, sons, and friends I have killed - Upholding Ullad; when the four provinces - Have gathered with the ravens over them. - But I’d need no avenger. You and I - Would scatter them like water from a dish. - - _Young Man._ We’ll stand by one another from this out. - Here is the ring. - - _Cuchullain._ No, turn and turn about, - But my turn is first, because I am the older. - Cliodna embroidered these bird wings, but Fand - Made all these little golden eyes with the hairs - That she had stolen out of Aengus’ beard, - And therefore none that has this cloak about him - Is crossed in love. The heavy inlaid brooch - That Buan hammered has a merit too. - - [_He begins spreading the cloak out on a bench, showing it to the - YOUNG MAN. Suddenly CONCOBAR beats with his silver rod on a pillar - beside his chair. All turn towards him._ - - _Concobar._ [_In a loud voice._] - No more of that, I will not have this friendship. - Cuchullain is my man and I forbid it; - He shall not go unfought for I myself---- - - _Cuchullain._ [_Seizing CONCOBAR._] - You shall not stir, High King, I’ll hold you there. - - _Concobar._ Witchcraft has maddened you. - - _The Kings._ [_Shouting._] Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft. - - _A King._ You saw another’s head upon his shoulders - All of a sudden, a woman’s head, Cuchullain. - Then raised your hand against the King of Ullad. - - _Cuchullain._ [_Letting CONCOBAR go, and looking wildly about him._] - Yes, yes, all of a sudden, all of a sudden. - - _Daire._ Why, there’s no witchcraft in it, I myself - Have made a hundred of these sudden friendships - And fought it out next day. But that was folly, - For now that I am old I know it is best - To live in comfort. - - _A King._ Pull the fool away! - - _Daire._ I’ll throw a heel-tap to the one that dies. - - _Concobar._ Some witch is floating in the air above us. - - _Cuchullain._ Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft and the power of witchcraft. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - Why did you do it? was it Calatin’s daughters? - Out, out, I say, for now it’s sword on sword. - - _Young Man._ But, but, I did not. - - _Cuchullain._ Out, I say, out, out! - Sword upon sword. - - [_He goes towards the door at back, followed by YOUNG MAN. He - turns on the threshold and cries out, looking at the YOUNG MAN._ - - That hair my hands were drowned in! - - [_He goes out, followed by YOUNG MAN. The other KINGS begin to - follow them out._ - - _A King._ I saw him fight with Ferdiad. - - _Second King._ We’ll be too late, - They’re such a long time getting through the door. - - _Third King._ Run quicker, quicker. - - _Daire._ I was at the Smith’s - When he that was the boy Setanta then---- - - [_Sound, of fighting outside._ - - _Third King._ He will have killed him. - They have begun the fight! - - [_They all go out, leaving the house silent and empty. There is a - pause during which one hears the clashing of the swords. BARACH and - FINTAIN come in from side door. BARACH is dragging FINTAIN._ - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have eaten it, you have left me nothing -but the bones. - -_Fintain._ O, that I should have to endure such a plague. O, I ache all -over. O, I am pulled in pieces. This is the way you pay me for all the -good I have done you! - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have told me lies about a wild dog. -Nobody has seen a wild dog about the place this twelve month. Lie there -till the Kings come. O, I will tell Concobar and Cuchullain and all the -Kings about you! - -_Fintain._ What would have happened to you but for me, and you without -your wits? If I did not take care of you what would you do for food and -warmth? - -_Barach._ You take care of me? You stay safe and send me into every kind -of danger. You sent me down the cliff for gull’s eggs while you warmed -your blind eyes in the sun. And then you ate all that were good for -food. You left me the eggs that were neither egg nor bird. [_The blind -man tries to rise. BARACH makes him lie down again._] Keep quiet now -till I shut the door. There is some noise outside. There are swords -crossing; a high vexing noise so that I can’t be listening to myself. -[_He goes to the big door at the back and shuts it._] Why can’t they be -quiet, why can’t they be quiet! Ah, you would get away, would you? [_He -follows the blind man who has been crawling along the wall and makes him -lie down close to the KING’S chair._] Lie there, lie there. No, you -won’t get away. Lie there till the Kings come, I’ll tell them all about -you. I shall tell it all. How you sit warming yourself, when you have -made me light a fire of sticks, while I sit blowing it with my mouth. Do -you not always make me take the windy side of the bush when it blows and -the rainy side when it rains? - -_Fintain._ O good fool, listen to me. Think of the care I have taken of -you. I have brought you to many a warm hearth, where there was a good -welcome for you, but you would not stay there, you were always wandering -about. - -_Barach._ The last time you brought me in, it was not I who wandered -away, but you that got put out because you took the crubeen out of the -pot, when you thought nobody was looking. Keep quiet now, keep quiet -till I shut the door. Here is Cuchullain, now you will be beaten. I am -going to tell him everything. - -_Cuchullain._ [_Comes in and says to the fool._] Give me that horn. - - [_The fool gives him a horn which CUCHULLAIN fills with ale and - drinks._ - -_Fintain._ Do not listen to him, listen to me. - -_Cuchullain._ What are you wrangling over? - -_Barach._ He is fat and good for nothing. He has left me the bones and -the feathers. - -_Cuchullain._ What feathers? - -_Barach._ I left him turning a fowl at the fire. He ate it all. He left -me nothing but the bones and feathers. - -_Fintain._ Do not believe him. You do not know how vain this fool is. I -gave him the feathers, because I thought he would like nothing so well. - - [_BARACH is sitting on a bench playing with a heap of feathers, - which he has taken out of the breast of his coat._ - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top---- - -_Fintain._ Where would he be but for me? I must be always thinking, -thinking to get food for the two of us, and when we’ve got it, if the -moon’s at the full or the tide on the turn, he’ll leave the rabbit in -its snare till it is full of maggots, or let the trout slip through his -hands back into the water. - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top, - Then was I an eagle cock; - Now that you are a withered old block, - Still am I an eagle cock! - -_Fintain._ Listen to him now! That’s the sort of talk I have to put up -with, day out day in. - - [_The fool is putting the feathers into his hair. CUCHULLAIN takes a - handful of feathers out of the heap and out of the fool’s hair, and - begins to wipe the blood from his sword with them._ - -_Barach._ He has taken my feathers to wipe his sword. It is blood that -he is wiping from his sword! - -_Fintain._ Whose blood? Whose blood? - -_Cuchullain._ That young champion’s. - -_Fintain._ He that came out of Aoife’s country? - -_Cuchullain._ The Kings are standing round his body. - -_Fintain._ Did he fight long? - -_Cuchullain._ He thought to have saved himself with witchcraft. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said he would kill you. He came from -Aoife’s country to kill you. That blind man said they had taught him -every kind of weapon that he might do it. But I always knew that you -would kill him. - -_Cuchullain._ [_To the blind man._] You knew him, then? - -_Fintain._ I saw him when I had my eyes, in Aoife’s country. - -_Cuchullain._ You were in Aoife’s country? - -_Fintain._ I knew him and his mother there. - -_Cuchullain._ He was about to speak of her when he died. - -_Fintain._ He was a Queen’s son. - -_Cuchullain._ What Queen, what Queen? [_He seizes the blind man._] Was -it Scathach? There were many Queens. All the rulers were Queens. - -_Fintain._ No, not Scathach. - -_Cuchullain._ It was Uathach, then. Speak, speak! - -_Fintain._ I cannot speak, you are clutching me too tightly. -[_CUCHULLAIN lets him go._] I cannot remember who it was. I am not -certain. It was some Queen. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that the young man was Aoife’s son. - -_Cuchullain._ She? No, no, she had no son when I was there. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said that she owned him for her son. - -_Cuchullain._ I had rather he had been some other woman’s son. What -father had he? A soldier out of Alba? She was an amorous woman, a proud, -pale amorous woman. - -_Fintain._ None knew whose son he was. - -_Cuchullain._ None knew? Did you know, old listener at doors? - -_Fintain._ No, no, I knew nothing. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that he heard Aoife boast that she’d never -but the one lover, and he the only man that had overcome her in battle. - - [_A pause._ - -_Fintain._ Somebody is trembling. Why are you trembling, fool? the bench -is shaking, why are you trembling? Is Cuchullain going to hurt us? It -was not I who told you, Cuchullain. - -_Barach._ It is Cuchullain who is trembling. He is shaking the bench -with his knees. - -_Cuchullain._ He was my son, and I have killed my son. - - [_A pause._ - - ’Twas they that did it, the pale windy people, - Where, where, where? My sword against the thunder. - But no, for they have always been my friends; - And though they love to blow a smoking coal - Till it’s all flame, the wars they blow aflame - Are full of glory, and heart uplifting pride, - And not like this; the wars they love awaken - Old fingers and the sleepy strings of harps. - Who did it then? Are you afraid; speak out, - For I have put you under my protection - And will reward you well. Dubthach the Chafer. - He had an old grudge. No, for he is with Maeve. - Laegaire did it. Why do you not speak? - What is this house? [_A pause._] Now I remember all. - - _Fintain._ He will kill us. O, I am afraid! - - _Cuchullain._ [_Who is before CONCOBAR’S chair._] - ’Twas you who did it, you who sat up there - With that old branch of silver, like a magpie - Nursing a stolen spoon. Magpie, magpie, - A maggot that is eating up the earth! - - [_Begins hacking at the chair with his sword._ - - No, but a magpie, for he’s flown away. - Where did he fly to? - - _Fintain._ He is outside the door. - - _Cuchullain._ Outside the door? - - _Fintain._ He is under Baile’s yew-tree. - - _Cuchullain._ Concobar, Concobar, the sword into your heart. - - [_He goes out. A pause. The fool goes to the great door at back and - looks out after him._ - -_Barach._ He is going up to King Concobar; they are all under the tree. -No, no, he is standing still. There is a great wave going to break and -he is looking at it. Ah! now he is running down to the sea, but he is -holding up his sword as if he were going into a fight. [_A pause._] Well -struck, well struck! - -_Fintain._ What is he doing now? - -_Barach._ Oh! he is fighting the waves. - -_Fintain._ He sees King Concobar’s crown on every one of them. - -_Barach._ There, he has struck at a big one. He has struck the crown off -it, he has made the foam fly. There again another big one. - - [_Shouting without._ - -_Fintain._ Where are the Kings? What are the Kings doing? - -_Barach._ They are shouting and running down to the shore, and the -people are running out of the houses, they are all running. - -_Fintain._ You say they are running out of the houses, there will be -nobody left in the houses. Listen, fool. - -_Barach._ There, he is down! He is up again! He is going out into the -deep water. - -_Fintain._ Come here, fool; come here, I say. - -_Barach._ [_Coming towards him but looking backward towards the door._] -What is it? - -_Fintain._ There will be nobody in the houses. Come this way, come -quickly; the ovens will be full; we will put our hands into the ovens. - -[_They go out._ - - - - -[Illustration] - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Punctuation has been standardised. Spelling and hyphenation have been -preserved as printed. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's -Strand, by William Butler Yeats - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - -***** This file should be named 41102-0.txt or 41102-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/0/41102/ - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/41102-0.zip b/old/41102-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 64b1e5d..0000000 --- a/old/41102-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/41102-8.txt b/old/41102-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 439ea26..0000000 --- a/old/41102-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2758 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand, by -William Butler Yeats - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand - -Author: William Butler Yeats - -Release Date: October 18, 2012 [EBook #41102] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - -_BY THE SAME AUTHOR._ - - THE SECRET ROSE. - THE CELTIC TWILIGHT. - POEMS. - THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS. - THE SHADOWY WATERS. - IDEAS OF GOOD AND EVIL. - - - - -PLAYS FOR AN IRISH THEATRE - -VOLUME III. - - - - - THE KING'S THRESHOLD: - AND - ON BAILE'S STRAND: - - BEING VOLUME THREE OF PLAYS - FOR AN IRISH THEATRE: - - BY W. B. YEATS - - - LONDON: A. H. BULLEN, - 47, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, W.C. - 1904 - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - - -NOTE - - -Both these plays have been written for Mr. Fay's "Irish National -Theatre." "The King's Threshold" was played in October, 1903, and "On -Baile's Strand" will be played in February or March, 1904. Both are -founded on Old Irish Prose Romances, but I have borrowed some ideas for -the arrangement of my subject in "The King's Threshold" from "Sancan the -Bard," a play published by Mr. Edwin Ellis some ten years ago. - - W. B. Y. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - THE KING'S THRESHOLD 1 - - ON BAILE'S STRAND 67 - - - - -THE KING'S THRESHOLD - - - - -LIST OF CHARACTERS - - KING GUAIRE. - THE CHAMBERLAIN OF KING GUAIRE. - A Soldier. - A Monk. - THE MAYOR OF KINVARA. - A Cripple. - Another Cripple. - AILEEN, } Ladies of the Court. - ESSA, } - PRINCESS BUAN. - PRINCESS FINNHUA, her Sister. - FEDELM, Seanchan's Sweetheart. - CIAN, } Servants of Seanchan. - BRIAN, } - SENIAS, } Pupils of Seanchan. - ARIAS, } - SEANCHAN (pronounced Shanahan), Chief Poet of Ireland. - - Pupils, Courtiers. - - - - -A PROLOGUE.[1] - - Footnote 1: Written for the first production of "The King's - Threshold" in Dublin, but not used, as, owing to the smallness - of the company, nobody could be spared to speak it. - - - _An OLD MAN with a red dressing-gown, red slippers and red - nightcap, holding a brass candlestick with a guttering candle in it, - comes on from side of stage and goes in front of the dull green - curtain._ - -_Old Man._ I've got to speak the prologue. [_He shuffles on a few -steps._] My nephew, who is one of the play actors, came to me, and I in -my bed, and my prayers said, and the candle put out, and he told me -there were so many characters in this new play, that all the company -were in it, whether they had been long or short at the business, and -that there wasn't one left to speak the prologue. Wait a bit, there's a -draught here. [_He pulls the curtain closer together._] That's better. -And that's why I'm here, and maybe I'm a fool for my pains. - -And my nephew said, there are a good many plays to be played for you, -some to-night and some on other nights through the winter, and the most -of them are simple enough, and tell out their story to the end. But as -to the big play you are to see to-night, my nephew taught me to say what -the poet had taught him to say about it. [_Puts down candlestick and -puts right finger on left thumb._] First, he who told the story of -Seanchan on King Guaire's threshold long ago in the old books told it -wrongly, for he was a friend of the king, or maybe afraid of the king, -and so he put the king in the right. But he that tells the story now, -being a poet, has put the poet in the right. - -And then [_touches other finger_] I am to say: Some think it would be a -finer tale if Seanchan had died at the end of it, and the king had the -guilt at his door, for that might have served the poet's cause better in -the end. But that is not true, for if he that is in the story but a -shadow and an image of poetry had not risen up from the death that -threatened him, the ending would not have been true and joyful enough to -be put into the voices of players and proclaimed in the mouths of -trumpets, and poetry would have been badly served. - - [_He takes up the candlestick again._ - -And as to what happened Seanchan after, my nephew told me he didn't -know, and the poet didn't know, and it's likely there's nobody that -knows. But my nephew thinks he never sat down at the king's table again, -after the way he had been treated, but that he went to some quiet green -place in the hills with Fedelm, his sweetheart, where the poor people -made much of him because he was wise, and where he made songs and -poems, and it's likely enough he made some of the old songs and the old -poems the poor people on the hillsides are saying and singing to-day. - - [_A trumpet-blast._ - -Well, it's time for me to be going. That trumpet means that the curtain -is going to rise, and after a while the stage there will be filled up -with great ladies and great gentlemen, and poets, and a king with a -crown on him, and all of them as high up in themselves with the pride of -their youth and their strength and their fine clothes as if there was no -such thing in the world as cold in the shoulders, and speckled shins, -and the pains in the bones and the stiffness in the joints that make an -old man that has the whole load of the world on him ready for his bed. - - [_He begins to shuffle away, and then stops._ - -And it would be better for me, that nephew of mine to be thinking less -of his play-acting, and to have remembered to boil down the knap-weed -with a bit of three-penny sugar, for me to be wetting my throat with -now and again through the night, and drinking a sup to ease the pains in -my bones. - - [_He goes out at side of stage._ - - - - -THE KING'S THRESHOLD. - - - SCENE: _Steps before the Palace of KING GUAIRE at Gort. A table in - front of steps to right with food on it. SEANCHAN lying on steps to - left. PUPILS before steps. KING on top of steps at centre._ - - _King._ I welcome you that have the mastery - Of the two kinds of music; the one kind - Being like a woman, the other like a man; - Both you that understand stringed instruments, - And how to mingle words and notes together - So artfully, that all the art is but speech - Delighted with its own music; and you that carry - The long twisted horn and understand - The heady notes that being without words - Can hurry beyond time and fate and change; - For the high angels that drive the horse of time, - The golden one by day, by night the silver, - Are not more welcome to one that loves the world - For some fair woman's sake. - - I have called you hither - To save the life of your great master, Seanchan, - For all day long it has flamed up or flickered - To the fast-cooling hearth. - - _Senias._ When did he sicken? - Is it a fever that is wasting him? - - _King._ He did not sicken, but three days ago - He said he would not eat, and lay down there - And has not eaten since. Till yesterday - I thought that hunger and weakness had been enough, - But finding them too trifling and too light - To hold his mouth from biting at the grave - I called you hither, and have called others yet. - The girl he is to wed at harvest-time, - That should be of all living the most dear, - Is coming from the South, and had I known - Of any other neighbours or good friends - That might persuade him, I had brought them hither, - Even though I'd to ransack the world for them. - - _Senias._ What was it put him to this work, High King? - - _King._ You will call it no great matter. Three days ago - I yielded to the outcry of my courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law, - Who long had thought it against their dignity - For a mere man of words to sit among them - At my own table; and when the meal was spread - I ordered Seanchan to good company, - But to a lower table; and when he pleaded - The poet's right, established when the world - Was first established, I said that I was King - And made and unmade rights at my own pleasure. - And that it was the men who ruled the world, - And not the men who sang to it, who should sit - Where there was the most honour. My courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law - Shouted approval, and amid that noise - Seanchan went out, and from that hour to this, - Although there is good food and drink beside him, - Has eaten nothing. If a man is wronged, - Or thinks that he is wronged, and will lie down - Upon another's threshold until he dies, - The common people for all time to come - Will raise a heavy cry against that threshold, - Even though it is the King's. He lies there now - Perishing; he is calling against my majesty, - That old custom that has no meaning in it, - And as he perishes, my name in the world - Is perishing also. I cannot give way - Because I am King, because if I give way - My nobles would call me a weakling, and it may be - The very throne be shaken; but should you - That are his friends speak to him and persuade him - To turn his mouth from the ill-savouring grave - And eat good food, he shall not lack my favour; - For I will give plough-land and grazing-land, - Or all but anything he has set his heart on. - It is not all because of my good name - I'd have him live, for I have found him a man - That might well hit the fancy of a king - Banished out of his country, or a woman's, - Or any other's that can judge a man - For what he is. But I that sit a throne, - And take my measure from the needs of the state, - Call his wild thought that over-runs the measure, - Making words more than deeds, and his proud will - That would unsettle all, most mischievous, - And he himself a most mischievous man. - - _Senias._ King, whether you did right or wrong in this - Let the King say, for all that I need say - Is that there's nothing that cries out for death - In the withholding of that ancient right, - And that I will persuade him. Your own words - Had been enough persuasion were it not - That he is lost in dreams that hunger makes, - And therefore heedless, or lost in heedless sleep. - - _King._ I leave him to your love, that it may promise - Plough-lands and grass-lands, jewels and silken wear, - Or anything but that old right of the poets. - - [_He goes out. The PUPILS, who have been standing perfectly quiet, - all turn towards SEANCHAN, and move a step nearer._ - - _Senias._ The King did wrong to abrogate our right, - But Seanchan, who talks of dying for it, - Talks foolishly. Look at us, Seanchan, - Waken out of your dream and look at us, - Who have ridden under the moon and all the day, - Until the moon has all but come again, - That we might be beside you. - - [_SEANCHAN turns half round leaning on his elbow, and speaks as if - in a dream._ - - _Seanchan._ I was but now - At Almhuin, in a great high-raftered house, - With Finn and Osgar. Odours of roast flesh - Rose round me and I saw the roasting spits, - And then the dream was broken, and I saw - Grania dividing salmon by a pool, - And then I was awakened by your voice. - - _Senias._ It is your hunger that makes you dream of flesh - Roasting, and for your hunger I could weep; - And yet the hunger of the crane that starves - Because the moonlight glittering on the pool - And flinging a pale shadow has made it shy, - Seems to me little more fantastical - Than this that's blown into so great a trouble. - - _Seanchan._ [_Who has turned away again._] - There is much truth in that, for all things change - At times, as if the moonlight altered them, - And my mind alters as if it were the crane's; - For when the heavy body has grown weak - There's nothing that can tether the wild mind - That being moonstruck and fantastical - Goes where it fancies. I had even thought - I knew your voice and face, but now the words - Are so unlikely that I needs must ask - Who is it that bids me put my hunger by? - - _Senias._ I am your oldest pupil, Seanchan; - The one that has been with you many years, - So many that you said at Candlemas - That I had almost done with school, and knew - All but all that poets understand. - - _Seanchan._ My oldest pupil. No, that cannot be; - For it is someone of the courtly crowds - That have been round about me from sunrise - And I am tricked by dreams, but I'll refute them. - I asked the pupil that I loved the best, - At Candlemas, why poetry is honoured, - Wishing to know how he'd defend our craft - In distant lands among strange churlish Kings. - And he'd an answer. - - _Senias._ I said the poets hung - Images of the life that was in Eden - About the childbed of the world, that it, - Looking upon those images, might bear - Triumphant children; but why must I stand here - Repeating an old lesson while you starve? - - _Seanchan._ Tell on, for I begin to know the voice; - What evil thing will come upon the world - If the arts perish? - - _Senias._ If the arts should perish - The world that lacked them would be like a woman - That looking on the cloven lips of a hare - Brings forth a hare-lipped child. - - _Seanchan._ But that's not all. - For when I asked you how a man should guard - Those images you had an answer also, - If you're the man that you have claimed to be, - Comparing them to venerable things - God gave to men before he gave them wheat. - - _Senias._ I answered, and the word was half your own, - That he should guard them, as the men of Dea - Guard their four treasures, as the Grail King guards - His holy cup, or the pale righteous horse - The jewel that is underneath his horn, - Pouring out life for it, as one pours out - Sweet heady wine--but now I understand - You would refute me out of my own mouth; - And yet a place at table near the King - Is nothing of great moment, Seanchan. - How does so light a thing touch poetry? - - [_SEANCHAN is now sitting up. He still looks dreamily in front of - him._ - - _Seanchan._ At Candlemas you called this poetry - One of the fragile mighty things of God - That die at an insult. - - _Senias._ [_To other PUPILS._] Give me some true answer. - For on that day we spoke about the court - And said that all that was insulted there - The world insulted, for the courtly life, - Being the first comely child of the world, - Is the world's model. How shall I answer him? - Can you not give me some true argument? - I will not tempt him with a lying one. - - _Arias._ [_Throwing himself at SEANCHAN'S feet._] - Why did you take me from my father's fields? - If you would leave me now, what shall I love? - Where shall I go, what shall I set my hand to? - And why have you put music in my ears - If you would send me to the clattering houses? - I will throw down the trumpet and the harp, - For how could I sing verses or make music - With none to praise me and a broken heart? - - _Seanchan._ What was it that the poets promised you - If it was not their sorrow? Do not speak. - Have I not opened school on these bare steps, - And are not you the youngest of my scholars? - And I would have all know that when all falls - In ruin, poetry calls out in joy, - Being the scattering hand, the bursting pod, - The victim's joy among the holy flame, - God's laughter at the shattering of the world, - And now that joy laughs out and weeps and burns - On these bare steps. - - _Arias._ O Master, do not die. - - [_Three men come in. CIAN and BRIAN, old men carrying basket with - food, and MAYOR OF KINVARA. They stand at the side listening._ - - _Senias._ Trouble him with no useless argument. - Be silent; there is nothing we can do - Except find out the King and kneel to him - And beg our ancient right. These three have come - To say whatever we could say and more, - And fare as badly. Come, boy, that's no use; - - [_He lifts the BOY up._ - - If it seem well that we beseech the King, - Lay down your harps and trumpets on the stones - In silence and come with me silently. - Come with slow footfalls and bow all your heads, - For a bowed head becomes a mourner best. - - [_They lay the harps and trumpets down one by one and then go out - very solemnly and slowly, following one another._ - - _Cian._ Let's show the food that's in the basket. - - _Mayor._ [_Who carries an Ogham stick._] No, - I must get through my speech or I'll forget it; - Besides, there is no reason why he'd eat - Till he has heard my reasons. - - _Cian._ It were better - To show what we have brought him in the basket, - For we have nothing that he has not liked - From boyhood. - - _Brian._ For we have not brought kings' food - That's cooked for everybody and nobody. - - _Mayor._ You are not showing right respect to me, - Or to the people of Kinvara, when you wish - That something else should come before my message. - - _Seanchan._ What brings you here? I never sent for you. - - _Cian._ He must be famishing, he looks so pale. - We had better get the food out first. I tell you, - That we have brought the things he likes the best. - - _Mayor._ No, no; I lost a word at every cross road - And maybe if I do not speak it now - I'll have forgot it. - - _Cian._ Well, out with it quickly. - - _Seanchan._ Why, what's this foolery? - - _Mayor._ No foolery; - A message from the richest, best born townsman - Of your own town, and from your aged father. - - _Cian._ Run through it while I am getting out the food. - - _Mayor._ How was I to begin? What was the word - That was to keep it in my memory? - Wait, I have notched it on this Ogham stick. - "Chief poet," "Ireland," "Townsman"; that is it. - Chief poet of Ireland, when we heard that trouble - Had come between you and the King of Ireland - It plunged us in deep sorrow, part for you, - Our honoured townsman, part for our good town. - The King was said to be most friendly to us, - And we had reasons, as you'll recollect, - For thinking that he was about to give - Those grazing lands inland we so much need, - Being pinched between the water and the rocks. - But now his friendliness being ill repaid - Will be turned from us and our town get nothing. - But there was something else--I'll find the word - That was to keep it in my memory. - "Pride"--that's the word,--we would not have you think, - Weighty as these considerations are, - That they have been as weighty in our minds - As our desire that one we take much pride in, - A man who has been an honour to our town, - Should live and prosper, therefore we beseech you - To give way in a matter of no moment, - A matter of mere sentiment, a trifle, - That we may always keep our pride in you. - - _Seanchan._ Their pride, their pride, what do they know of pride? - My pupils do not know it, for they beg - From the King's favour what is theirs by right, - And how can men, that God has made so weak - They need a rich man's favour every day, - Know anything of pride? - - _Cian._ [_To MAYOR._] You have spoken it wrongly. - You have forgotten something out of it about the cattle dying. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you do not know, being much away, - How many of our cattle died last winter - From lacking grass, and that there was much sickness - Because the poor had nothing but salt fish - To live upon. The people all came out - And stood about the doors as I went by. - - _Seanchan._ What would you have of me? - For there are men that shall be born at last - And find sweet nurture that they may have voices - Even in anger like the strings of harps. - Yet how could they be born to majesty - If I had never made the golden cradle? - - _Mayor._ What is it? "Father"--"Mother"; that is it; - Your father sends this message. - - _Cian._ He is listening. - - _Mayor._ He says that he is old and that he needs you, - And that the people will be pointing at him - And he not able to lift up his head - If you should turn the King's favour away. - And he adds to it, that he cared you well, - And you in your young age, and that it's right - That you should care him now. - - _Cian._ And when he spoke - He cried because the stiffness of his bones - Prevented him from coming. - - _Mayor._ But your mother - Has sent no message, for when they had told her - The way it is between you and the King - She said, "No message can do any good, - He will not send the answer that you want; - We cannot change him," and she went indoors, - Lay down upon her bed and turned her face - Out of the light. And thereupon your father - Said, "Tell him how she is, and that she sends - No message." I have nothing more to say. - Cian and Brian, you can set out the food. - - [_He sits down on steps. SEANCHAN is silent._ - - _Mayor._ I have a horse waiting outside the town - To bring me home, and all the neighbours wait - Your answer. What answer am I to bring? - - _Seanchan._ Give them my answer--no, I have no answer: - My mother knew it. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you have forgotten - That all our fields are so heaped up with stones - That the goats famish, and the mowers mow - With knives, and that the King half promised us---- - - _Seanchan._ Thrust that old cloak of yours into your mouth - Till it's done gabbling. - - _Mayor._ But---- - - _Cian._ You have said enough; - I knew that you would never speak it right. - - _Seanchan._ Our mothers know us, they know us to the bone, - They knew us before birth, and that is why - They know us even better than the sweethearts - Upon whose breasts we have lain. - - _Brian._ We have brought your honour - The food that you have always liked the best, - Young pigeons from Kinvara, and watercress - Out of the stream that's by the blessed well, - And dulse from Duras. Here is the dulse, your honour, - It is wholesome, and has the good taste of the sea. - - _Seanchan._ O Brian, you would spread the table for me - As you would spread it when I was in my childhood; - But all that's finished. - - _Mayor._ I knew he would not care - For country things now that he's grown accustomed - To the King's dishes. I told Brian too - He'd have his pains for nothing. But he's old. - - [_Goes over to table at right. While he is speaking CIAN and BRIAN - are in vain offering SEANCHAN food._ - - And what dishes! Venison from Slieve Echtge - Fattened with poor men's crops; flesh of wild pig; - Not fat nor lean, but streaky and right well cured; - Bread that's the whitest that I've ever seen. - - _Cian._ You're in the right, you're in the right, he will not eat. - - [_Pouring wine into cup._ - - _Mayor._ Bring him some wine, it will give him strength to eat. - - [_BRIAN brings wine over towards SEANCHAN._ - - No wonder if the King is proud and merry, - And keeps all day in the saddle, when even I - Am well-nigh drunken with the odour of it, - And if I dared--I dare not. - - _Cian._ Drink it, sir. - - _Brian._ Drink a few drops. - - _Seanchan._ Drink it yourself, old man, - For you have come a journey, and I daresay - You did not eat or drink upon the road. - - _Cian._ How can I drink it when your honour's thirsty? - - [_He offers cup again. The KING'S HOUSEHOLD comes in. CHAMBERLAIN - with long staff, a SOLDIER, a MONK, two LADIES, followed by - CRIPPLES who beg from the ladies, who keep close together at - right, talking to each other at intervals. SOLDIER goes over to - MAYOR, and talks to him._ - - _Chamberlain._ Well, have you it in imagination still - To overthrow the dignity of the King, - Or is the game finished? - - [_A pause._ - - How many days - Will you keep up this quarrel with the King, - With the King's nobles and myself and all - Who'd gladly be your friends if you would let them? - - _Soldier._ [_Who has been speaking to MAYOR and SERVANTS._] - Was it you that sent his servants and the Mayor - Of his own town to wheedle him into life? - - _Chamberlain._ It was the King himself. - - _Soldier._ Was it worth our while - To have got rid of him from the King's table - If he is to be humoured and made much of? - - _Chamberlain._ It seems that he has not eaten yet, although - He's had another dozen hours of hunger. - - _Soldier._ If he's so proud and obstinate a neck - I'd let him starve. - - _Monk._ Persuade him to eat, my lord. - His death would make a scandal, and stir up - The common people. - - _Chamberlain._ And I have a fancy - That if it brought misfortune on the King, - Or the King's house, we'd be as little thought of - As summer linen when the winter's come. - - _Aileen._ [_To CIAN._] - You've had no luck, old man. - - _Cian._ We have not, lady. - - _Aileen._ Maybe he's out of humour with your ways, - Having grown used to sprightlier service. - - _Cian._ Maybe. - But the King's messengers have gone for one - That will persuade him. [_To BRIAN._] Come, let us go; - For she might lose her way in this fine place. - Come, we have been too long upon the tree, - - [_Plucking sleeve of MAYOR._ - - And there are little golden pippins here. - - _Soldier._ Give me the dish, I'll hand it him myself. - - _Aileen._ I wonder if she is pretty. - - [_MAYOR and SERVANTS have gone out._ - - _Soldier._ Eat this, old hedgehog. - Sniff up the savour and unroll yourself. - But if I were the King I'd make you do it - With wisps of lighted straw. - - _Seanchan._ You have rightly named me, - I lie rolled up under the ragged thorns - That are upon the edge of those great waters - Where all things vanish away, and I have heard - Murmurs that are the ending of all sound. - I am out of life, I am rolled up, and yet, - Hedgehog although I am, I'll not unroll - For you, King's dog. Go to the King, your master, - Crouch down and wag your tail, for it may be - He has nothing now against you, and I think - The stripes of your last beating are all healed. - - _Chamberlain._ Don't answer, you were never to his mind. - And now you have angered him to no good purpose. - But put the dish down and I will speak to him. - - _Seanchan._ You must needs keep your patience yet awhile, - For I have some few mouthfuls of sweet air - To swallow before I have grown to be as civil - As any other dust. - - _Chamberlain._ You wrong us, Seanchan, - There is none here but holds you in respect, - And if you would only eat out of this dish - The King would show how much he honours you. - - _Aileen._ [_Giving CRIPPLE money._] - You are always discontented. Look at this cripple, - He has had to cover up his eyes with rags - Because they are too weak to look at the sun, - And has a crooked body, and yet he is cheerful. - Stand there where he can see you. - - [_CRIPPLE goes over and stands in front of SEANCHAN, bowing and - smiling._ - - _Chamberlain._ We have come to you - Because we wish you a long, prosperous life; - Who could imagine you'd so take to heart - Being put from the high table. - - _Seanchan._ It was not I - That you have driven away from the high table, - But the images of them that weave a dance, - By the four rivers in the mountain garden. - - _Monk._ He means we have driven poetry away. - - _Chamberlain._ It is the men who are learned in the laws, - Or have led the King's armies that should sit - At the King's table. Nor has poetry - Been altogether driven away, for I, - As you should know, have written poetry, - And often when the table has been cleared - And candles lighted, the King calls for me - And I repeat it him. My poetry - Is not to be compared with yours, but still - Where I am honoured, poetry is honoured - In some measure. - - _Seanchan._ If you are a poet, - Cry out that the King's money would not buy, - Nor the high circle consecrate his head, - If poets had never christened gold, and even - The moon's poor daughter, that most whey-faced metal, - Precious; and cry out that none alive - Would ride among the arrows with high heart - Or scatter with an open hand, had not - Our heady craft commended wasteful virtues. - And when that story's finished, shake your coat - Where the little jewels gleam on it, and say - A herdsman sitting where the pigs had trampled - Made up a song about enchanted kings, - Who were so finely dressed one fancied them - All fiery, and women by the churn - And children by the hearth caught up the song - And murmured it until the tailors heard it. - - _Monk._ How proud these poets are! It was full time - To break their pride. - - _Seanchan._ And I would have you say - That when we are driven out we come again - Like a great wind that runs out of the waste - To blow the tables flat. - - _Chamberlain._ If you'd eat something - You'd find you have these thoughts because you are hungry. - - _Seanchan._ And when you have told them all these things, lie down - On this bare threshold and starve until the King - Restore to us the ancient right of the poets. - - _Aileen._ Let's come away. There's no use talking to him, - For he's resolved to die, and that's no loss: - We will go watch the hurley. - - _Monk._ You should obey - The King's commandment and not question it, - For it is God himself who has made him king. - - _Essa._ Let's hear his answer to the monk. - - _Seanchan._ Stoop down, - For there is something I would say to you. - Has that wild God of yours that was so wild - When you'd but lately taken the King's pay, - Grown any tamer? He gave you all much trouble - Being so unruly and inconsiderate. - - _Aileen._ What does he mean? - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ Or it may be you have persuaded him - To chirp between two dishes when the King - Sits down to table. - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, sir. - What do I care about your insolent dreams. - - _Seanchan._ And maybe he has learnt to sing quite softly - Because loud singing would disturb the King - Who is sitting drowsily among his friends - After the table has been cleared---- - - _Monk._ Let go. - - [_SEANCHAN has been dragged some feet, clinging to the MONK'S - habit._ - - _Seanchan._ Not yet; you did not think that hungry hands - Could be so strong. They are not civil yet-- - I'd know if you have taught him to eat bread - From the King's hand, and perch upon his finger. - I think he perches on the King's strong hand, - But it may be that he is still too wild. - You must not weary in your work; a King - Is often weary and he needs a God - To be a comfort to him. - - [_The MONK plucks his habit away. SEANCHAN holds up his hand as if a - bird perched upon it. He pretends to stroke the bird._ - - A little god, - With soft well-coloured feathers, and bright eyes. - - _Aileen._ We have listened long enough. - - _Essa._ Let us away, - Where we can watch the young men at the hurley. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, yes, go to the hurley, go to the hurley, - Go to the hurley, gather up your skirts, - Run quickly. You can remember many love songs; - I know it by the light that's in your eyes, - But you'll forget them. You're fair to look on, - Your feet delight in dancing, and your mouths - In the slow smiling that awakens love. - The mothers that have borne you mated rightly, - For they had little ears as thirsty as are yours - For many love-songs. Go to the young men: - Are not the ruddy flesh and the thin flanks - And the broad shoulders worthy of desire? - Go from me. Here is nothing for your eyes, - But it is I that am singing you away, - Singing you to the young men. - - [_The two young PRINCESSES BUAN and FINNHUA come in. While he has - been speaking AILEEN and ESSA have shrunk back holding each others - hands._ - - _Aileen._ Be quiet; - Look who it is that has come out of the house. - Princesses, we are for the hurling field. - Will you come too? - - _Princess Buan._ We will go with you, Aileen, - But we must have some words with Seanchan, - For we have come to make him eat and drink. - - _Chamberlain._ I will hold out the dish and cup for him - While you are speaking to him of his folly, - If you desire it, Princess. - - [_He has taken up dish and cup._ - - _Princess Buan._ Give me the cup. - My sister there will carry the dish of meat: - We'll offer them ourselves. - - _Aileen._ They are so gracious, - The dear little princesses are so gracious. - - [_PRINCESS BUAN holds out her hand for SEANCHAN to kiss it; he does - not move._ - - Although she is holding out her hand to him - He will not kiss it. - - _Princess Buan._ My father bids us say - That though he cannot have you at his table, - You may ask any other thing you like - And he will give it you. We carry you - A dish and a cup of wine, with our own hands, - To show in what great honour you are held. - Will you not drink a little? Does he not show - Every befitting honour to the poets? - - _Aileen._ O look, he has taken it, he has taken it! - The dear princesses, I have always said - That nobody could refuse them anything. - - [_SEANCHAN takes the cup in one hand, in the other he holds for a - moment the hand of the PRINCESS._ - - _Seanchan._ O long soft fingers and pale finger-tips - Well worthy to be laid in a king's hand; - O you have fair white hands, for it is certain - There is uncommon whiteness in these hands. - But there is something comes into my mind, - Princess. A little while before your birth - I saw your mother sitting by the road - In a high chair, and when a leper passed - She pointed him the way into the town, - And he lifted his hand and blessed her hand; - I saw it with my own eyes. Hold out your hands, - I will find out if they are contaminated; - For it has come into my thoughts that may be - The King has sent me food and drink by hands - That are contaminated. I would see all your hands, - You've eyes of dancers, but hold out your hands, - For it may be there are none sound among you---- - - [_The PRINCESSES have shrunk back in terror._ - - _Princess Buan._ He has called us lepers. - - _Chamberlain._ He's out of his mind, - And does not know the meaning of what he said. - - _Seanchan._ [_Standing up._] - There are no sound hands among you. No sound hands. - Away with you, away with all of you, - You are all lepers. There is leprosy - Among the plates and dishes that you have brought me. - I would know why you have brought me leper's wine? - - [_He flings the wine in their faces._ - - There, there, I have given it to you again, and now - Begone or I will give my curse to you. - You have the leper's blessing, but you think - Maybe the bread will something lack in savour - Unless you mix my curse into the dough. - - [_They go out to L., all except the CRIPPLES. SEANCHAN is - staggering in the middle of the stage._ - - _Seanchan._ Where did I say the leprosy came from? - I said it came out of a leper's hand - And that he walked the highway; but that's folly, - For he was walking up there in the sky - And there he is even now with his white hand - Thrust out of the blue air and blessing them - With leprosy. - - _A Cripple._ He's pointing at the moon - That's coming out up yonder, and he calls it - Leprous, because the daylight whitens it. - - _Seanchan._ He's holding up his hand above them all - King, Noblemen, Princesses, blessing all. - Who could imagine he'd have so much patience. - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - [_Clutching other CRIPPLE._ - - _Second Cripple._ If you don't need it, sir, - May we not carry some of it away? - - [_He points to food._ - - _Seanchan._ Who's speaking? Who are you? - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - _Second Cripple._ Have pity on us, that must beg our bread - From table to table throughout the entire world - And yet be hungry. - - _Seanchan._ But why were you born crooked? - What bad poet did your mothers listen to - That you were born so crooked? - - _First Cripple._ Come away. - Maybe he's cursed the food and it might kill us. - - _Second Cripple._ Yes, better come away. - - [_They go out._ - - _Seanchan._ [_Staggering and speaking wearily._] - He has great strength - And great patience to hold his right hand there - Uplifted and not wavering about; - He is much stronger than I am, much stronger. - - [_He sinks down on steps._ - - _Enter from R. FEDELM, CIAN and BRIAN._ - - _Brian._ There he is lying. Go over to him now - And bid him eat. - - _Fedelm._ I'll get him out of this - Before I have said a word of food and drink; - For while he is on this threshold and can hear, - It may be, the voices that made mock of him, - He would not listen. - - _Brian._ That is a good plan. - But there is little time, for he is weakening. - - _Fedelm._ [_Crying._] I cannot think of any other plan - Although it breaks my heart. - - _Cian._ Let's leave them now, - For she will press the honey from her bag - When we are gone. - - _Brian._ It will be hard to move him - If hunger and thirst have got into his bones. - - [_They go out leaving FEDELM and SEANCHAN alone. FEDELM runs over to - SEANCHAN and kneels down before him._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan! Seanchan! - - [_He remains looking into the sky._ - - Can you not see me, Seanchan? - It is myself. - - [_SEANCHAN looks at her dreamily at first, then takes her hand._ - - _Seanchan._ Is this your hand, Fedelm? - I have been looking at another hand - That is up yonder. - - _Fedelm._ I have come for you. - - _Seanchan._ Fedelm, I did not know that you were here. - - _Fedelm._ And can you not remember that I promised - That I would come and take you home with me - When I'd the harvest in? and now I've come, - And you must come away, and come on the instant. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, I will come; but is the harvest in? - This air has got a summer taste in it. - - _Fedelm._ But is not the wild middle of the summer - A better time to marry? Come with me now. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by both wrists._] - Who taught you that, for it's a certainty, - Although I never knew it till last night, - That marriage, because it is the height of life, - Can only be accomplished to the full - In the high days of the year. I lay awake, - There had come a frenzy into the light of the stars - And they were coming nearer and I knew - All in a minute they were about to marry - Clods out upon the plough-lands, to beget - A mightier race than any that has been; - But some that are within there made a noise - And frighted them away. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now; - We have far to go, and daylight's running out. - - _Seanchan._ The stars had come so near me that I caught - Their singing; it was praise of that great race - That would be haughty, mirthful, and white-bodied - With a high head, and open hand, and how - Laughing, it would take the mastery of the world. - - _Fedelm._ But you will tell me all about their songs - When we're at home. You have need of rest and care, - And I can give them you when we're at home, - And therefore let us hurry and get us home. - - _Seanchan._ That's true; and there's some trouble here, although - I cannot now remember what it is, - And I would get away from it. Give me your help. - But why are not my pupils here to help me? - Go, call my pupils, for I need their help. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now, and I will send for them, - For I have a great room that's full of beds - I can make ready, and there is a smooth lawn - Where they can play at hurley and sing poems - Under an apple-tree. - - _Seanchan._ I know that place, - An apple tree and a smooth level lawn, - Where the young men can sway their hurley sticks. - - _Sings._ - - The four rivers that run there, - Through well-mown level ground, - Have come out of a blessed well - That is all bound and wound - By the great roots of an apple, - And all fowls of the air - Have gathered in the wide branches - And keep singing there. - - [_FEDELM, troubled, has covered her eyes with her hands._ - - _Fedelm._ No, there are not four rivers, and those rhymes - Praise Adam's Paradise. - - _Seanchan._ I can remember now. - It's out of a poem I made long ago - About the garden in the east of the world, - And how spirits in the images of birds - Crowd in the branches of old Adam's crab-tree; - They come before me now and dig in the fruit - With so much gluttony, and are so drunk - With that harsh, wholesome savour that their feathers - Are clinging one to another with the juice. - But you would take me to some friendly place, - And I would go there quickly. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me. - - [_She helps him to rise. He walks slowly, supported by her till he - comes to the table at R._ - - _Seanchan._ But why am I so weak? Have I been ill? - Sweetheart, why is it that I am so weak? - - [_He sinks on to the seat._ - - _Fedelm._ I'll dip this piece of bread into the wine, - For that will make you stronger for the journey. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, give me bread and wine, that's what I want, - For it is hunger that is gnawing me. - - [_He takes bread from FEDELM, hesitates, and then thrusts it back - into her hand._ - - But no, I must not eat it. - - _Fedelm._ Eat, Seanchan, - For if you do not eat it you will die. - - _Seanchan._ Why did you give me food? - Why did you come? - For had I not enough to fight against - Without your coming? - - _Fedelm._ Eat this little crust, - Seanchan, if you have any love for me. - - _Seanchan._ I must not eat it: but that's beyond your wit; - Child, child, I must not eat it though I die. - - _Fedelm._ You do not know what love is, for if you loved - You would put every other thought away - But you have never loved me. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by the wrist._] You, a child, - Who have but seen a man out of the window, - Tell me that I know nothing about love, - And that I do not love you. Did I not say - There was a frenzy in the light of the stars - All through the livelong night, and that the night - Was full of marriages? But that fight's over. - And all that's done with, and I have to die. - - _Fedelm._ [_Throwing her arms about him._] - I will not be put from you, although I think - I had not grudged it you if some great lady, - If the King's daughter, had set out your bed. - I will not give you up to death; no, no, - And are not these white arms and this soft neck - Better than the brown earth? - - _Seanchan._ I swear an oath - Upon the holy tree that I'll not eat - Until the King restore the right of the poets. - O Sun and Moon, and all things that have strength, - Become my strength that I may put a curse - On all things that would have me break this oath. - - [_FEDELM has sunk down on the ground while he says this, and - crouches at his feet._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan, do not curse me; from this out - I will obey like any married wife. - Let me but lie before your feet. - - _Seanchan._ Come nearer. - - [_He kisses her._ - - If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart, - The kiss of multitudes in times to come - Had been the poorer. - - _King._ [_Entering from house._] Has he eaten yet? - - _Fedelm._ No, King, and will not till you have restored - The right of the poets. - - _King._ [_Coming down and standing before SEANCHAN._] - Seanchan, you have refused - Everybody that I have sent, and now - I come to you myself, and I have come - To bid you put your pride as far away - As I have put my pride. I had your love - Not a great while ago, and now you have planned - To put a voice by every cottage fire - And in the night when no one sees who cries - To cry against me till my throne has crumbled. - And yet if I give way I must offend - My courtiers and nobles till they too - Strike at the crown. What would you have of me? - - _Seanchan._ When did the poets promise safety, King? - - _King._ Seanchan, I bring you bread in my own hands, - And bid you eat it because of all these reasons, - And for this further reason that I love you. - - [_SEANCHAN pushes bread away with FEDELM'S hand._ - - You have refused it, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ We have refused it. - - _King._ I have been patient though I am a king, - And have the means to force you--but that's ended, - And I am but a king and you a subject. - - [_He goes up steps._ - - Nobles and courtiers, bring the poets hither - For you can have your way: I that was man - With a man's heart am now all king again, - Remembering that the seed I come of, although - A hundred kings have sown it and re-sown it, - Has neither trembled nor shrunk backward yet - Because of the hard business of a king. - - [_PRINCESSES, LADIES, and COURTIERS have come in with - PUPILS, who have halters round their necks._ - - Speak to your master, beg your life of him, - Show him the halters that are round your necks; - If his heart's set upon it he may die, - But you shall all die with him; beg your lives; - Begin, for you have little time to lose; - Begin it you that are the oldest pupil. - - _Senias._ [_Going up to SEANCHAN._] - Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - _King._ Silence, you are as crazy as your master. - But that young boy that seems the youngest of you, - I'd have him speak. Kneel down before him, boy, - Hold up your hands to him that he may pluck - That milky coloured neck out of the noose. - - _Arias._ Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - [_All the PUPILS turn towards the KING, holding out the ends of - their halters._ - - _Senias._ Gather the halters up into your hands - And lead us where you will, for in all things - But in our art we are obedient. - - [_The KING comes slowly down the steps._ - - _King._ [_Kneeling down before SEANCHAN._] - Kneel down, kneel down, he has the greater power. - I give my crown to you. - - [_All kneel except SEANCHAN, FEDELM and PUPILS. SEANCHAN rises - slowly, supported by one of the PUPILS and by FEDELM._ - - _Seanchan._ O crown, O crown, - It is but right if hands that made the crown - In the old time should give it when they will. - O silver trumpets be you lifted up - - [_He lays the crown on the KING'S head._ - - And cry to the great race that is to come. - Long-throated swans among the waves of time - Sing loudly, for beyond the wall of the world - It waits and it may hear and come to us. - - [_Some of the PUPILS blow a blast upon their horns._ - - -CURTAIN. - - - * * * * * - - - - -ON BAILE'S STRAND. - - - CUCHULLAIN, the King of Muirthemne. - CONCOBAR, the High King of Ullad. - DAIRE, a King. - FINTAIN, a blind man. - BARACH, a fool. - A Young Man. - Young Kings and Old Kings. - - - SCENE: _A great hall by the sea close to Dundalgan. There are two - great chairs on either side of the hall, each raised a little from - the ground, and on the back of the one chair is carved and painted a - woman with a fish's tail, and on the back of the other a hound. - There are smaller chairs and benches raised in tiers round the - walls. There is a great ale vat at one side near a small door, and a - large door at the back through which one can see the sea. BARACH, a - tall thin man with long ragged hair, dressed in skins, comes in at - the side door. He is leading FINTAIN, a fat blind man, who is - somewhat older._ - -_Barach._ I will shut the door, for this wind out of the sea gets into -my bones, and if I leave but an inch for the wind there is one like a -flake of sea-frost that might come into the house. - -_Fintain._ What is his name, fool? - -_Barach._ It's a woman from among the Riders of the Sidhe. It's Boann -herself from the river. She has left the Dagda's bed, and gone through -the salt of the sea and up here to the strand of Baile, and all for love -of me. Let her keep her husband's bed, for she'll have none of me. -Nobody knows how lecherous these goddesses are. I see her in every kind -of shape but oftener than not she's in the wind and cries "give a kiss -and put your arms about me." But no, she'll have no more of me. -Yesterday when I put out my lips to kiss her, there was nothing there -but the wind. She's bad, Fintain. O, she's bad. I had better shut the -big door too. - - [_He is going towards the big door but turns hearing FINTAIN'S - voice._ - -_Fintain._ [_Who has been feeling about with his stick._] What's this -and this? - -_Barach._ They are chairs. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ Why, that's a bench. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ A big chair. - -_Fintain._ [_Feeling the back of the chair._] There is a sea-woman -carved upon it. - -_Barach._ And there is another big chair on the other side of the hall. - -_Fintain._ Lead me to it. [_He mutters while the fool is leading him._] -That is what the High King Concobar has on his shield. The High King -will be coming. They have brought out his chair. [_He begins feeling the -back of the other chair._] And there is a dog's head on this. They have -brought out our master's chair. Now I know what the horse-boys were -talking about. We must not stay here. The Kings are going to meet here. -Now that Concobar and our master, that is his chief man, have put down -all the enemies of Ullad, they are going to build up Emain again. They -are going to talk over their plans for building it. Were you ever in -Concobar's town before it was burnt? O, he is a great King, for though -Emain was burnt down, every war had made him richer. He has gold and -silver dishes, and chessboards and candlesticks made of precious stones. -Fool, have they taken the top from the ale vat? - -_Barach._ They have. - -_Fintain._ Then bring me a horn of ale quickly, for the Kings will be -here in a minute. Now I can listen. Tell me what you saw this morning? - -_Barach._ About the young man and the fighting? - -_Fintain._ Yes. - -_Barach._ And after that we can go and eat the fowl, for I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Time enough, time enough. You're in as great a hurry as when -you brought me to Aine's Seat, where the mad dogs gather when the moon's -at the full. Go on with your story. - -_Barach._ I was creeping under a ditch, with the fowl in my leather bag, -keeping to the shore where the farmer could not see me, when I came upon -a ship drawn up upon the sands, a great red ship with a woman's head -upon it. - -_Fintain._ A ship out of Aoife's country. They have all a woman's head -on the bow. - -_Barach._ There was a young man with a pale face and red hair standing -beside it. Some of our people came up whose turn it was to guard the -shore. I heard them ask the young man his name. He said he was under -bonds not to tell it. Then words came between them, and they fought, -and the young man killed half of them, and the others ran away. - -_Fintain._ It matters nothing to us, but he has come at last. - -_Barach._ Who has come? - -_Fintain._ I know who that young man is. There is not another like him -in the world. I saw him when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ You saw him? - -_Fintain._ I used to be in Aoife's country when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ That was before you went on shipboard and were blinded for -putting a curse on the wind? - -_Fintain._ Queen Aoife had a son that was red haired and pale faced like -herself, and everyone said that he would kill Cuchullain some day, but I -would not have that spoken of. - -_Barach._ Nobody could do that. Who was his father? - -_Fintain._ Nobody but Aoife knew that, not even he himself. - -_Barach._ Not even he himself! Was Aoife a goddess and lecherous? - -_Fintain._ I overheard her telling that she never had but one lover, and -that he was the only man who overcame her in battle. There were some who -thought him one of the Riders of the Sidhe, because the child was great -of limb and strong beyond others. The child was begotten over the -mountains; but come nearer and I will tell you something. - -_Barach._ You have thought something? - -_Fintain._ When I hear the young girls talking about the colour of -Cuchullain's eyes, and how they have seven colours, I have thought about -it. That young man has Aoife's face and hair, but he has Cuchullain's -eyes. - -_Barach._ How can he have Cuchullain's eyes? - -_Fintain._ He is Cuchullain's son. - -_Barach._ And his mother has sent him hither to fight his father. - -_Fintain._ It is all quite plain. Cuchullain went into Aoife's country -when he was a young man that he might learn skill in arms, and there he -became Aoife's lover. - -_Barach._ And now she hates him because he went away, and has sent the -son to kill the father. I knew she was a goddess. - -_Fintain._ And she never told him who his father was, that he might do -it. I have thought it all out, fool. I know a great many things because -I listen when nobody is noticing and I keep my wits awake. What ails you -now? - -_Barach._ I have remembered that I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Well, forget it again, and I will tell you about Aoife's -country. It is full of wonders. There are a great many Queens there who -can change themselves into wolves and into swine and into white hares, -and when they are in their own shapes they are stronger than almost any -man; and there are young men there who have cat's eyes and if a bird -chirrup or a mouse squeak they cannot keep them shut, even though it is -bedtime and they sleepy; and listen, for this is a great wonder, a very -great wonder: there is a long narrow bridge, and when anybody goes to -cross it, that the Queens do not like, it flies up as this bench would -if you were to sit on the end of it. Everybody who goes there to learn -skill in arms has to cross it. It was in that country too that -Cuchullain got his spear made out of dragon bones. There were two -dragons fighting in the foam of the sea, and their grandam was the moon, -and nine Queens came along the shore. - -_Barach._ I won't listen to your story. - -_Fintain._ It is a very wonderful story. Wait till you hear what the -nine Queens did. Their right hands were all made of silver. - -_Barach._ No, I will have my dinner first. You have eaten the fowl I -left in front of the fire. The last time you sent me to steal something -you made me forget all about it till you had eaten it up. - -_Fintain._ No, there is plenty for us both. - -_Barach._ Come with me where it is. - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led towards the door at the back by BARACH._] -O, it is all right, it is in a safe place. - -_Barach._ It is a fine fowl. It was the biggest in the yard. - -_Fintain._ It had a good smell, but I hope that the wild dogs have not -smelt it. [_Voices are heard outside the door at the side._] Here is our -master. Let us stay and talk with him. Perhaps Cuchullain will give you -a new cap with a feather. He told me that he would give you a new cap -with a feather, a feather with an eye that looks at you, a peacock's -feather. - -_Barach._ No, no. - - [_He begins pulling FINTAIN towards the door._ - -_Fintain._ If you do not get it now, you may never get it, for the -young man may kill him. - -_Barach._ No, no, I am hungry. What a head you have, blind man! Who but -you would have remembered that the hen-wife slept for a little at noon -every day! - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led along very slowly and unwillingly._] Yes, -I have a good head. The fowl should be done just right, but one never -knows when a wild dog may come out of the woods. - - [_They go out through the big door at the back. As they go out - CUCHULLAIN and certain YOUNG KINGS come in at the side door. - CUCHULLAIN, though still young, is a good deal older than the - others. They are all very gaily dressed, and have their hair - fastened with balls of gold. The young men crowd about CUCHULLAIN - with wondering attention._ - - _First Young King._ You have hurled that stone beyond our utmost mark - Time after time, but yet you are not weary. - - _Second Young King._ He has slept on the bare ground of Fuad's Hill - This week past, waiting for the bulls and the deer. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, why should I be weary? - - _First Young King._ It is certain - His father was the god who wheels the sun, - And not King Sualtam. - - _Third Young King._ [_To a YOUNG KING who is beside him._] - He came in the dawn, - And folded Dectara in a sudden fire. - - _Fourth Young King._ And yet the mother's half might well grow weary, - And it new come from labours over sea. - - _Third Young King._ He has been on islands walled about with silver, - And fought with giants. - - [_They gather about the ale vat and begin to drink._ - - _Cuchullain._ Who was it that went out? - - _Third Young King._ As we came in? - - _Cuchullain._ Yes. - - _Third Young King._ Barach and blind Fintain. - - _Cuchullain._ They always flock together; the blind man - Has need of the fool's eyesight and strong body, - While the poor fool has need of the other's wit, - And night and day is up to his ears in mischief - That the blind man imagines. There's no hen-yard - But clucks and cackles when he passes by - As if he'd been a fox. If I'd that ball - That's in your hair and the big stone again, - I'd keep them tossing, though the one is heavy - And the other light in the hand. A trick I learnt - When I was learning arms in Aoife's country. - - _First Young King._ What kind of woman was that Aoife? - - _Cuchullain._ Comely. - - _First Young King._ But I have heard that she was never married, - And yet that's natural, for I have never known - A fighting woman, but made her favours cheap, - Or mocked at love till she grew sandy dry. - - _Cuchullain._ What manner of woman do you like the best? - A gentle or a fierce? - - _First Young King._ A gentle, surely. - - _Cuchullain._ I think that a fierce woman's better, a woman - That breaks away when you have thought her won, - For I'd be fed and hungry at one time. - I think that all deep passion is but a kiss - In the mid battle, and a difficult peace - 'Twixt oil and water, candles and dark night, - Hill-side and hollow, the hot-footed sun, - And the cold sliding slippery-footed moon, - A brief forgiveness between opposites - That have been hatreds for three times the age - Of this long 'stablished ground. Here's Concobar; - So I'll be done, but keep beside me still, - For while he talks of hammered bronze and asks - What wood is best for building, we can talk - Of a fierce woman. - - [_CONCOBAR, a man much older than CUCHULLAIN, has come in through - the great door at the back. He has many KINGS about him. One of - these KINGS, DAIRE, a stout old man, is somewhat drunk._ - - _Concobar._ [_To one of those about him._] Has the ship gone yet? - We have need of more bronze workers, and that ship - I sent to Africa for gold is late. - - _Cuchullain._ I knew their talk. - - _Concobar._ [_Seeing CUCHULLAIN._] You are before us, King. - - _Cuchullain._ So much the better, for I welcome you - Into my Muirthemne. - - _Concobar._ But who are these? - The odour from their garments when they stir - Is like a wind out of an apple garden. - - _Cuchullain._ My swordsmen and harp players and fine dancers, - My bosom friends. - - _Concobar._ I should have thought, Cuchullain, - My graver company would better match - Your greatness and your years; but I waste breath - In harping on that tale. - - _Cuchullain._ You do, great King. - Because their youth is the kind wandering wave - That carries me about the world; and if it sank, - My sword would lose its lightness. - - _Concobar._ Yet, Cuchullain, - Emain should be the foremost town of the world. - - _Cuchullain._ It is the foremost town. - - _Concobar._ No, no, it's not. - Nothing but men can make towns great, and he, - The one over-topping man that's in the world, - Keeps far away. - - _Daire._ He will not hear you, King, - And we old men had best keep company - With one another. I'll fill the horn for you. - - _Concobar._ I will not drink, old fool. You have drunk a horn - At every door we came to. - - _Daire._ You'd better drink, - For old men light upon their youth again - In the brown ale. When I have drunk enough, - I am like Cuchullain as one pea another, - And live like a bird's flight from tree to tree. - - _Concobar._ We'll to our chairs for we have much to talk of, - And we have Ullad and Muirthemne, and here - Is Conall Muirthemne in the nick of time. - - [_He goes to the back of stage to welcome a company of KINGS who - come in through the great door. The other KINGS gradually get into - their places. CUCHULLAIN sits in his great chair with certain of the - young men standing around him. Others of the young men, however, - remain with DAIRE at the ale vat. DAIRE holds out the horn of ale to - one or two of the older KINGS as they pass him going to their - places. They pass him by, most of them silently refusing._ - - _Daire._ Will you not drink? - - _An Old King._ Not till the council's over. - - _A Young King._ But I'll drink, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ Fill me a horn too, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ If I'd drunk half that you have drunk to-day, - I'd be upon all fours. - - _Daire._ That would be natural - When Mother Earth had given you this good milk - From her great breasts. - - _Cuchullain._ [_To one of the YOUNG KINGS beside him._] - One is content awhile - With a soft warm woman who folds up our lives - In silky network. Then, one knows not why, - But one's away after a flinty heart. - - _The Young King._ How long can the net keep us? - - _Cuchullain._ All our lives - If there are children, and a dozen moons - If there are none, because a growing child - Has so much need of watching it can make - A passion that's as changeable as the sea - Change till it holds the wide earth to its heart. - At least I have heard a father say it, but I - Being childless do not know it. Come nearer yet; - Though he is ringing that old silver rod - We'll have our own talk out. They cannot hear us. - - [_CONCOBAR who is now seated in his great chair, opposite - CUCHULLAIN, beats upon the pillar of the house that is nearest to - him with a rod of silver, till the KINGS have become silent. - CUCHULLAIN alone continues to talk in a low voice to those about - him, but not so loud as to disturb the silence. CONCOBAR rises and - speaks standing._ - - _Concobar._ I have called you hither, Kings of Ullad, and Kings - Of Muirthemne and Connall Muirthemne, - And tributary Kings, for now there is peace-- - It's time to build up Emain that was burned - At the outsetting of these wars; for we, - Being the foremost men, should have high chairs - And be much stared at and wondered at, and speak - Out of more laughing overflowing hearts - Than common men. It is the art of kings - To make what's noble nobler in men's eyes - By wide uplifted roofs, where beaten gold, - That's ruddy with desire, marries pale silver - Among the shadowing beams; and many a time - I would have called you hither to this work, - But always, when I'd all but summoned you, - Some war or some rebellion would break out. - - _Daire._ Where's Maine Morgor and old Usnach's children, - And that high-headed even-walking Queen, - And many near as great that got their death - Because you hated peace? I can remember - The people crying out when Deirdre passed - And Maine Morgor had a cold gray eye. - Well, well, I'll throw this heel-tap on the ground, - For it may be they are thirsty. - - _A King._ Be silent, fool. - - _Another King._ Be silent, Daire. - - _Concobar._ Let him speak his mind. - I have no need to be afraid of ghosts, - For I have made but necessary wars. - I warred to strengthen Emain, or because - When wars are out they marry and beget - And have their generations like mankind - And there's no help for it; but I'm well content - That they have ended and left the town so great, - That its mere name shall be in times to come - Like a great ale vat where the men of the world - Shall drink no common ale but the hard will, - The unquenchable hope, the friendliness of the sword. - - [_He takes thin boards on which plans have been carved by those - about him._ - - Give me the building plans, and have you written - That we--Cuchullain is looking in his shield; - It may be the pale riders of the wind - Throw pictures on it, or that Mananan, - His father's friend and sometime fosterer, - Foreknower of all things, has cast a vision, - Out of the cold dark of the rich sea, - Foretelling Emain's greatness. - - _Cuchullain._ No, great King, - I looked on this out of mere idleness, - Imagining a far-off country and one - That held it with a sword, although a woman. - - _Concobar._ A woman needs but laugh, or a friend sigh, - And you're afar off sounding through the world, - While I plan Emain's greatness. - - [_The sound of a trumpet without._ - - Open the doors! - I hear a herald's trumpet, and await, - It may be, the heavy fleeces of the sea - And golden and silver apples or ancient crowns - Long hidden in the well at the World's End, - Or glittering garments of the salmon, tributes - From the Great Plain, or the high people of Sorcha, - Or the walled garden in the east of the world. - - [_The great door at the back is flung open; a YOUNG MAN, who is - fully armed and carries a shield with a woman's head painted on it, - stands upon the threshold. Behind him are trumpeters. He walks into - the centre of the hall, the trumpeting ceases._ - - What is your message? - - _Young Man._ I am of Aoife's army. - - _First King._ Queen Aoife and her army have fallen upon us. - - _Second King._ Out swords! Out swords! - - _Third King._ They are about the house. - - _Fourth King._ Rush out! Rush out! Before they have fired the thatch. - - _Young Man._ Aoife is far away. I am alone. - I have come alone in the midst of you - To weigh this sword against Cuchullain's sword. - - [_There is a murmur amongst the KINGS._ - - _Concobar._ And are you noble? for if of common seed - You cannot weigh your sword against his sword - But in mixed battle. - - _Young Man._ I am under bonds - To tell my name to no man, but it's noble. - - _Concobar._ But I would know your name and not your bonds. - You cannot speak in the Assembly House - If you are not noble. - - _A King._ Answer the High King. - - _Young Man._ [_Drawing his sword._] - I will give no other proof than the hawk gives - That it's no sparrow. - - [_He is silent a moment, then speaks to all._ - - Yet look upon me, Kings; - I too am of that ancient seed and carry - The signs about this body and in these bones. - - _Cuchullain._ To have shown the hawk's gray feather is enough, - And you speak highly too. - - [_CUCHULLAIN comes down from his great chair. He remains standing on - the steps of the chair. The YOUNG KINGS gather about him and begin - to arm him._ - - Give me that helmet! - I'd thought they had grown weary sending champions. - That leathern coat will do. The High King there - Being old in wisdom can think of times to come, - But the hawk's sleepy till its well-beloved - Cries out amid the acorns, or it has seen - Its enemy like a speck upon the sun. - What's Emain to the hawk when that clear eye - Is burning nearer up in the high air? - That buckle should be tighter. Give me your shield. - There is good level ground at Baile's Yew-tree, - Some dozen yards from here, and it's but truth - That I am sad to-day and this fight welcome. - - [_He looks hard at the YOUNG MAN, and then steps down on the floor - of the Assembly House. He grasps the YOUNG MAN by the shoulder._ - - Hither into the light. - - [_Turning to one of the YOUNG KINGS._ - - The very tint - Of her that I was speaking of but now: - Not a pin's difference. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - You are from the North, - Where there are many that have that tint of hair, - Red-brown, the light red-brown. Come nearer, boy! - For I would have another look at you. - There's more likeness, a pale, a stone pale cheek. - What brought you, boy? Have you no fear of death? - - _Young Man._ Whether I live or die is in the Gods' hands. - - _Cuchullain._ That is all words, all words, a young man's talk; - I am their plough, their harrow, their very strength, - For he that's in the sun begot this body - Upon a mortal woman, and I have heard tell - It seemed as if he had outrun the moon, - That he must always follow through waste heaven, - He loved so happily. He'll be but slow - To break a tree that was so sweetly planted. - Let's see that arm; I'll see it if I like. - That arm had a good father and a good mother, - But it is not like this. - - _Young Man._ You are mocking me. - You think I am not worthy to be fought, - But I'll not wrangle but with this talkative knife. - - _Cuchullain._ Put up your sword, I am not mocking you. - I'd have you for my friend, but if it's not - Because you have a hot heart and a cold eye - I cannot tell the reason. You've got her fierceness, - And nobody is as fierce as those pale women. - - [_To the YOUNG KINGS._ - - We'll keep him here in Muirthemne awhile. - - _A Young King._ You are the leader of our pack and therefore - May cry what you will. - - _Cuchullain._ You'll stop with us - And we will hunt the deer and the wild bulls, - And, when we have grown weary, light our fires - In sandy places where the wool-white foam - Is murmuring and breaking, and it may be - That long-haired women will come out of the dunes - To dance in the yellow fire-light. You hang your head, - Young man, as if it was not a good life; - And yet what's better than to hurl the spear, - And hear the long-remembering harp, and dance? - Friendship grows quicker in the murmuring dark; - But I can see there's no more need for words - And that you'll be my friend now. - - _First Old King._ Concobar, - Forbid their friendship, for it will get twisted - To a reproach against us. - - _Concobar._ Until now - I'd never need to cry Cuchullain on - And would not now. - - _First Old King._ They'll say his manhood's quenched. - - _Cuchullain._ I'll give you gifts, but I'll have something too, - An arm-ring or the like, and if you will - We'll fight it out when you are older, boy. - - _An Old King._ Aoife will make some story out of this. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, well, what matter, I'll have that arm-ring, boy. - - _Young Man._ There is no man I'd sooner have my friend - Than you whose name has gone about the world - As if it had been the wind, but Aoife'd say - I had turned coward. - - _Cuchullain._ I'll give you gifts - That Aoife'll know and all her people know - To have been my gifts. Mananan, son of the sea, - Gave me this heavy embroidered cloak. Nine Queens - Of the Land-under-Wave had woven it - Out of the fleeces of the sea. O! tell her - I was afraid, or tell her what you will. - No! tell her that I heard a raven croak - On the north side of the house and was afraid. - - _An Old King._ Some witch of the air has troubled Cuchullain's mind. - - _Cuchullain._ No witchcraft, his head is like a woman's head - I had a fancy for. - - _Second Old King._ A witch of the air - Can make a leaf confound us with memories. - They have gone to school to learn the trick of it. - - _Cuchullain._ But there's no trick in this. That arm-ring, boy. - - _Third Old King._ He shall not go unfought, I'll fight with him. - - _Fourth Old King._ No! I will fight with him. - - _First Old King._ I claim the fight, - For when we sent an army to her land---- - - _Second Old King._ I claim the fight, for one of Aoife's galleys - Stole my great cauldron and a herd of pigs. - - _Third Old King._ No, no, I claim it, for at Lammas' time---- - - _Cuchullain._ Back! Back! Put up your swords! Put up your swords! - There's none alive that shall accept a challenge - I have refused. Laegaire, put up your sword. - - _Young Man._ No, let them come, let any three together. - If they've a mind to, I'll try it out with four. - - _Cuchullain._ That's spoken as I'd spoken it at your age, - But you are in my house. Whatever man - Would fight with you shall fight it out with me. - They're dumb. They're dumb. How many of you would meet - - [_Drawing his sword._ - - This mutterer, this old whistler, this sandpiper, - This edge that's grayer than the tide, this mouse - That's gnawing at the timbers of the world, - This, this--Boy, I would meet them all in arms - If I'd a son like you. He would avenge me - When I have withstood for the last time the men - Whose fathers, brothers, sons, and friends I have killed - Upholding Ullad; when the four provinces - Have gathered with the ravens over them. - But I'd need no avenger. You and I - Would scatter them like water from a dish. - - _Young Man._ We'll stand by one another from this out. - Here is the ring. - - _Cuchullain._ No, turn and turn about, - But my turn is first, because I am the older. - Cliodna embroidered these bird wings, but Fand - Made all these little golden eyes with the hairs - That she had stolen out of Aengus' beard, - And therefore none that has this cloak about him - Is crossed in love. The heavy inlaid brooch - That Buan hammered has a merit too. - - [_He begins spreading the cloak out on a bench, showing it to the - YOUNG MAN. Suddenly CONCOBAR beats with his silver rod on a pillar - beside his chair. All turn towards him._ - - _Concobar._ [_In a loud voice._] - No more of that, I will not have this friendship. - Cuchullain is my man and I forbid it; - He shall not go unfought for I myself---- - - _Cuchullain._ [_Seizing CONCOBAR._] - You shall not stir, High King, I'll hold you there. - - _Concobar._ Witchcraft has maddened you. - - _The Kings._ [_Shouting._] Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft. - - _A King._ You saw another's head upon his shoulders - All of a sudden, a woman's head, Cuchullain. - Then raised your hand against the King of Ullad. - - _Cuchullain._ [_Letting CONCOBAR go, and looking wildly about him._] - Yes, yes, all of a sudden, all of a sudden. - - _Daire._ Why, there's no witchcraft in it, I myself - Have made a hundred of these sudden friendships - And fought it out next day. But that was folly, - For now that I am old I know it is best - To live in comfort. - - _A King._ Pull the fool away! - - _Daire._ I'll throw a heel-tap to the one that dies. - - _Concobar._ Some witch is floating in the air above us. - - _Cuchullain._ Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft and the power of witchcraft. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - Why did you do it? was it Calatin's daughters? - Out, out, I say, for now it's sword on sword. - - _Young Man._ But, but, I did not. - - _Cuchullain._ Out, I say, out, out! - Sword upon sword. - - [_He goes towards the door at back, followed by YOUNG MAN. He - turns on the threshold and cries out, looking at the YOUNG MAN._ - - That hair my hands were drowned in! - - [_He goes out, followed by YOUNG MAN. The other KINGS begin to - follow them out._ - - _A King._ I saw him fight with Ferdiad. - - _Second King._ We'll be too late, - They're such a long time getting through the door. - - _Third King._ Run quicker, quicker. - - _Daire._ I was at the Smith's - When he that was the boy Setanta then---- - - [_Sound, of fighting outside._ - - _Third King._ He will have killed him. - They have begun the fight! - - [_They all go out, leaving the house silent and empty. There is a - pause during which one hears the clashing of the swords. BARACH and - FINTAIN come in from side door. BARACH is dragging FINTAIN._ - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have eaten it, you have left me nothing -but the bones. - -_Fintain._ O, that I should have to endure such a plague. O, I ache all -over. O, I am pulled in pieces. This is the way you pay me for all the -good I have done you! - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have told me lies about a wild dog. -Nobody has seen a wild dog about the place this twelve month. Lie there -till the Kings come. O, I will tell Concobar and Cuchullain and all the -Kings about you! - -_Fintain._ What would have happened to you but for me, and you without -your wits? If I did not take care of you what would you do for food and -warmth? - -_Barach._ You take care of me? You stay safe and send me into every kind -of danger. You sent me down the cliff for gull's eggs while you warmed -your blind eyes in the sun. And then you ate all that were good for -food. You left me the eggs that were neither egg nor bird. [_The blind -man tries to rise. BARACH makes him lie down again._] Keep quiet now -till I shut the door. There is some noise outside. There are swords -crossing; a high vexing noise so that I can't be listening to myself. -[_He goes to the big door at the back and shuts it._] Why can't they be -quiet, why can't they be quiet! Ah, you would get away, would you? [_He -follows the blind man who has been crawling along the wall and makes him -lie down close to the KING'S chair._] Lie there, lie there. No, you -won't get away. Lie there till the Kings come, I'll tell them all about -you. I shall tell it all. How you sit warming yourself, when you have -made me light a fire of sticks, while I sit blowing it with my mouth. Do -you not always make me take the windy side of the bush when it blows and -the rainy side when it rains? - -_Fintain._ O good fool, listen to me. Think of the care I have taken of -you. I have brought you to many a warm hearth, where there was a good -welcome for you, but you would not stay there, you were always wandering -about. - -_Barach._ The last time you brought me in, it was not I who wandered -away, but you that got put out because you took the crubeen out of the -pot, when you thought nobody was looking. Keep quiet now, keep quiet -till I shut the door. Here is Cuchullain, now you will be beaten. I am -going to tell him everything. - -_Cuchullain._ [_Comes in and says to the fool._] Give me that horn. - - [_The fool gives him a horn which CUCHULLAIN fills with ale and - drinks._ - -_Fintain._ Do not listen to him, listen to me. - -_Cuchullain._ What are you wrangling over? - -_Barach._ He is fat and good for nothing. He has left me the bones and -the feathers. - -_Cuchullain._ What feathers? - -_Barach._ I left him turning a fowl at the fire. He ate it all. He left -me nothing but the bones and feathers. - -_Fintain._ Do not believe him. You do not know how vain this fool is. I -gave him the feathers, because I thought he would like nothing so well. - - [_BARACH is sitting on a bench playing with a heap of feathers, - which he has taken out of the breast of his coat._ - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top---- - -_Fintain._ Where would he be but for me? I must be always thinking, -thinking to get food for the two of us, and when we've got it, if the -moon's at the full or the tide on the turn, he'll leave the rabbit in -its snare till it is full of maggots, or let the trout slip through his -hands back into the water. - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top, - Then was I an eagle cock; - Now that you are a withered old block, - Still am I an eagle cock! - -_Fintain._ Listen to him now! That's the sort of talk I have to put up -with, day out day in. - - [_The fool is putting the feathers into his hair. CUCHULLAIN takes a - handful of feathers out of the heap and out of the fool's hair, and - begins to wipe the blood from his sword with them._ - -_Barach._ He has taken my feathers to wipe his sword. It is blood that -he is wiping from his sword! - -_Fintain._ Whose blood? Whose blood? - -_Cuchullain._ That young champion's. - -_Fintain._ He that came out of Aoife's country? - -_Cuchullain._ The Kings are standing round his body. - -_Fintain._ Did he fight long? - -_Cuchullain._ He thought to have saved himself with witchcraft. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said he would kill you. He came from -Aoife's country to kill you. That blind man said they had taught him -every kind of weapon that he might do it. But I always knew that you -would kill him. - -_Cuchullain._ [_To the blind man._] You knew him, then? - -_Fintain._ I saw him when I had my eyes, in Aoife's country. - -_Cuchullain._ You were in Aoife's country? - -_Fintain._ I knew him and his mother there. - -_Cuchullain._ He was about to speak of her when he died. - -_Fintain._ He was a Queen's son. - -_Cuchullain._ What Queen, what Queen? [_He seizes the blind man._] Was -it Scathach? There were many Queens. All the rulers were Queens. - -_Fintain._ No, not Scathach. - -_Cuchullain._ It was Uathach, then. Speak, speak! - -_Fintain._ I cannot speak, you are clutching me too tightly. -[_CUCHULLAIN lets him go._] I cannot remember who it was. I am not -certain. It was some Queen. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that the young man was Aoife's son. - -_Cuchullain._ She? No, no, she had no son when I was there. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said that she owned him for her son. - -_Cuchullain._ I had rather he had been some other woman's son. What -father had he? A soldier out of Alba? She was an amorous woman, a proud, -pale amorous woman. - -_Fintain._ None knew whose son he was. - -_Cuchullain._ None knew? Did you know, old listener at doors? - -_Fintain._ No, no, I knew nothing. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that he heard Aoife boast that she'd never -but the one lover, and he the only man that had overcome her in battle. - - [_A pause._ - -_Fintain._ Somebody is trembling. Why are you trembling, fool? the bench -is shaking, why are you trembling? Is Cuchullain going to hurt us? It -was not I who told you, Cuchullain. - -_Barach._ It is Cuchullain who is trembling. He is shaking the bench -with his knees. - -_Cuchullain._ He was my son, and I have killed my son. - - [_A pause._ - - 'Twas they that did it, the pale windy people, - Where, where, where? My sword against the thunder. - But no, for they have always been my friends; - And though they love to blow a smoking coal - Till it's all flame, the wars they blow aflame - Are full of glory, and heart uplifting pride, - And not like this; the wars they love awaken - Old fingers and the sleepy strings of harps. - Who did it then? Are you afraid; speak out, - For I have put you under my protection - And will reward you well. Dubthach the Chafer. - He had an old grudge. No, for he is with Maeve. - Laegaire did it. Why do you not speak? - What is this house? [_A pause._] Now I remember all. - - _Fintain._ He will kill us. O, I am afraid! - - _Cuchullain._ [_Who is before CONCOBAR'S chair._] - 'Twas you who did it, you who sat up there - With that old branch of silver, like a magpie - Nursing a stolen spoon. Magpie, magpie, - A maggot that is eating up the earth! - - [_Begins hacking at the chair with his sword._ - - No, but a magpie, for he's flown away. - Where did he fly to? - - _Fintain._ He is outside the door. - - _Cuchullain._ Outside the door? - - _Fintain._ He is under Baile's yew-tree. - - _Cuchullain._ Concobar, Concobar, the sword into your heart. - - [_He goes out. A pause. The fool goes to the great door at back and - looks out after him._ - -_Barach._ He is going up to King Concobar; they are all under the tree. -No, no, he is standing still. There is a great wave going to break and -he is looking at it. Ah! now he is running down to the sea, but he is -holding up his sword as if he were going into a fight. [_A pause._] Well -struck, well struck! - -_Fintain._ What is he doing now? - -_Barach._ Oh! he is fighting the waves. - -_Fintain._ He sees King Concobar's crown on every one of them. - -_Barach._ There, he has struck at a big one. He has struck the crown off -it, he has made the foam fly. There again another big one. - - [_Shouting without._ - -_Fintain._ Where are the Kings? What are the Kings doing? - -_Barach._ They are shouting and running down to the shore, and the -people are running out of the houses, they are all running. - -_Fintain._ You say they are running out of the houses, there will be -nobody left in the houses. Listen, fool. - -_Barach._ There, he is down! He is up again! He is going out into the -deep water. - -_Fintain._ Come here, fool; come here, I say. - -_Barach._ [_Coming towards him but looking backward towards the door._] -What is it? - -_Fintain._ There will be nobody in the houses. Come this way, come -quickly; the ovens will be full; we will put our hands into the ovens. - -[_They go out._ - - - - -[Illustration] - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Punctuation has been standardised. Spelling and hyphenation have been -preserved as printed. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's -Strand, by William Butler Yeats - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - -***** This file should be named 41102-8.txt or 41102-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/0/41102/ - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/41102-8.zip b/old/41102-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 547217d..0000000 --- a/old/41102-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/41102-h.zip b/old/41102-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8bda6ef..0000000 --- a/old/41102-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/41102-h/41102-h.htm b/old/41102-h/41102-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index cc9fc71..0000000 --- a/old/41102-h/41102-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4726 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The King’s Threshold; and, On Baile’s Strand, - by W. B. Yeats — A Project Gutenberg eBook. - </title> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg"/> - -<style type="text/css"> - -h1,h2,h3 -{ - text-align:center; - clear:both; - font-weight:normal; -} - - h1#booktitle {font-size:200%; line-height:1.5;} - h1#subtitle {font-size:150%; line-height:1.5; margin-top:1.5em;} - h1#byline {font-size:200%; line-height:1.5; margin-top:1em;} - -h2 -{ - font-size: 175%; - margin:2em 0 1em; - page-break-before:always; -} - -h3 -{ - font-size: 125%; - margin:2em 0 1em; - page-break-before:always; -} - -p -{ text-align:left; - line-height:1.4; - margin:0 0; - text-indent:1.5em; -} - -.speaker + p,h3 + p,.footnotes p {text-indent:0;} - -hr -{ - width: 100%; - margin: 4em auto 0; - clear: both; -} - -hr.small {width:25%; margin:2em auto;} - - -.frontmatter -{ padding:2em 0 2em; - text-align:center; - line-height:1.5; -} - -#titlepage -{ - letter-spacing:.08em; - border:6px double gray; - padding:1em 0.5em; - margin:2em auto 0; - max-width:40em; - page-break-before:always; - page-break-after:always; -} - -.publisher {text-align:center; margin-top:2em; line-height:1.5; font-size:smaller;} - -ul -{ - list-style-type:none; - text-align:left; - margin:auto; - line-height:1.3; -} - -ul#toc {width:12em; font-size:larger;} - -ul#character-list {width:18em;} - -#character-table {margin:auto;} -#character-table .left {padding-left:2em; text-indent:-2em;} - -.verse,.prose {padding-left:1.5em;} - -/*verse*/ -.verse .stanza {margin:0 0;} - -.verse .line { - margin: 0; - line-height:1.3; - text-indent: -3em; - padding-left: 3em; -} - -.verse > .verse {margin-left: 5%;} - -.verse .indent-2 {text-indent:-1.75em;} -.verse .indent-4 {text-indent:-0.5em;} -.verse .indent-6 {text-indent:0.75em} -.verse .indent-8 {text-indent:2em;} -.verse .indent-10 {text-indent:3em;} -.verse .indent-12 {text-indent:4.25em;} -.verse .indent-14 {text-indent:5.5em;} -.verse .indent-16 {text-indent:6.75em;} -.verse .indent-18 {text-indent:8em;} -.verse .indent-20 {text-indent:9em;} -.verse .indent-22 {text-indent:10.25em;} -.verse .indent-24 {text-indent:11.5em;} -.verse .indent-26 {text-indent:12.75em;} -.verse .indent-28 {text-indent:14em;} - - -/*Stage directions*/ - -.stage-direction {font-style:italic;} - -p.stage-direction -{ - text-align:left; - margin:0 0 0 50%; - padding-left:1.5em; - text-indent:-1.5em; -} - -p.scene-description -{ text-align:left; - font-style:italic; - text-indent:-1.5em; - margin:1em 0; -} - - -.sd1 {font-variant:small-caps; font-style:normal;} -.sd2 {font-size:75%; font-style:normal;} - -.speaker {font-style:italic; text-align:left; text-indent:-1.5em; padding-top:0.25em;} - -.character-major {font-variant:small-caps; font-style:normal;} - -.character-minor {font-style:normal;} - -.sig-right {text-align:right; padding:0 2em 0 0;} - -.page-break {page-break-before:always;} - - -.small-caps {font-variant:small-caps;} -.all-small-caps {font-size:75%;} -.italic {font-style: italic;} -.no-italic {font-style: normal;} -.xx-large {font-size: xx-large} -.smaller {font-size: smaller;} -.larger {font-size: larger;} - -.top1 {margin-top:1em;} -.top4 {margin-top:4em;} - -.center {text-align:center;} -.right {text-align:right;} -.left {text-align:left;} - - -/*Footnotes*/ - -.footnotes -{ - margin-top: 4em; -} - -.fnanchor -{ - vertical-align: baseline; - font-size: 85%; -} - -/*Images*/ - -.figcenter {text-align:center; - margin:auto; - padding-top:6em;} - - -#transcriber-note -{ -margin:8em 0 2em; -padding:0.5em 0.5em; -font-size:75%; -font-family:sans-serif; -background-color:#F5F5F5; -page-break-before:always; -} -#transcriber-note p {text-align:left; margin-top:1em; text-indent:0;} - -@media screen { - - body {width:90%; - margin:auto; - max-width:40em; - font-size:medium; - } - - .pagenum - {/*visibility:hidden;*/ /*uncomment to hide page numbers*/ - position: absolute; - right:2%; - font-size:small; - font-weight:normal; - font-variant:normal; font-style:normal; letter-spacing:normal; - text-indent:0em; - text-align:right; - color:#C0C0C0; - background-color:inherit; - } - - a[title].pagenum:after - { content: attr(title); - } - -} - -@media handheld { - - body {margin:0;} - - .character-major,.character-minor,sd1,.small-caps {font-style:normal;} - -} - -</style> -</head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand, by -William Butler Yeats - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand - -Author: William Butler Yeats - -Release Date: October 18, 2012 [EBook #41102] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<!-- png is the DP scan number. - Page is the original page number. --> - - - -<div class="frontmatter"> - -<!-- p000-1.png/[Page ii] --> - -<div class="center smaller"> -<span class="italic">BY THE SAME AUTHOR.</span> -<br /><br /> -THE SECRET ROSE.<br /> -THE CELTIC TWILIGHT.<br /> -POEMS.<br /> -THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS.<br /> -THE SHADOWY WATERS.<br /> -IDEAS OF GOOD AND EVIL. -</div> - -<hr class="small" /> - -<!-- p000-2.png/[Page iii] --> - -<div class="larger"> -PLAYS FOR AN IRISH THEATRE -<br /> -VOLUME III. -</div> - - -<!-- p000-3.png/[Page iv] --> -<!-- p000-4.png/[Page v] --> - - -<div id="titlepage"> - -<h1 id="booktitle"> -THE KING’S THRESHOLD:<br /> -<span class="all-small-caps">AND</span> ON BAILE’S STRAND:<br /> -</h1> - -<h1 id="subtitle">BEING VOLUME THREE<br /> -OF PLAYS FOR AN IRISH THEATRE: -</h1> - -<h1 id="byline"> -<span class="all-small-caps">BY</span><br /> -W. B. YEATS -</h1> -</div> - - -<div class="publisher">LONDON: A. H. BULLEN,<br /> -47, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, W.C. 1904</div> - -<!-- p000-5.png/[Page vi] --> - -<div class="publisher">CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO.<br /> -TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON.</div> - - -<!-- p000-6.png/Page vii --> - - -<div id="note"> -<a class="pagenum" id="Page_vii" title="vii"></a> -<h3>NOTE</h3> - -<p> -Both these plays have been written for -Mr. Fay’s “Irish National Theatre.” “The -King’s Threshold” was played in October, -1903, and “On Baile’s Strand” will be -played in February or March, 1904. Both -are founded on Old Irish Prose Romances, -but I have borrowed some ideas for the -arrangement of my subject in “The King’s -Threshold” from “Sancan the Bard,” a -play published by Mr. Edwin Ellis some -ten years ago. -</p> - - -<div class="sig-right">W. B. Y.</div> -</div> - -<!-- p000-7.png/Page viii --> - -<a class="pagenum" id="Page_viii" title="viii"></a> - -<h3>CONTENTS</h3> - -<ul id="toc"> -<li><span class="small-caps"><a href="#THE_KINGS_THRESHOLD">The King’s Threshold</a></span><br /></li> -<li><span class="small-caps"><a href="#ON_BAILES_STRAND">On Baile’s Strand</a></span></li> -</ul> - - -</div><!-- /frontmatter--> - -<!-- p001.png/[Page 1] --> - -<hr /> - - -<h2><a id="THE_KINGS_THRESHOLD"></a>THE KING’S THRESHOLD</h2> - -<!-- p002.png/[Page 2] --> -<!-- p003.png/Page 3 --> - - - -<h3><a class="pagenum" id="Page_3" title="3"></a>LIST OF CHARACTERS</h3> - -<table id="character-table" summary="Characters"> - -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3"><span class="character-major">King Guaire.</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3"><span class="character-major">The Chamberlain of King Guaire.</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3">A Soldier.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3">A Monk.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3"><span class="character-major">The Mayor of Kinvara.</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3">A Cripple.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3">Another Cripple.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left"><span class="character-major">Aileen</span>,</td> - <td class="xx-large" rowspan="2">}</td> <td rowspan="2">Ladies of the Court.</td></tr> -<tr> - <td class="left"><span class="character-major">Essa</span>,</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3"><span class="character-major">Princess Buan.</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3"><span class="character-major">Princess Finnhua</span>, her Sister.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3"><span class="character-major">Fedelm</span>, Seanchan’s Sweetheart.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left"><span class="character-major">Cian</span>,</td> <td class="xx-large" rowspan="2">}</td> <td rowspan="2">Servants of Seanchan.</td></tr> -<tr> - <td class="left"><span class="character-major">Brian</span>,</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left"><span class="character-major">Senias</span>,</td> <td class="xx-large" rowspan="2">}</td> <td rowspan="2">Pupils of Seanchan.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left"><span class="character-major">Arias</span>,</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3"><span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> (pronounced Shanahan), Chief Poet of Ireland.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="left" colspan="3">Pupils, Courtiers.</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<!-- p004.png/[Page 4] --> -<!-- p005.png/Page 5 --> - - - -<h3>A PROLOGUE.<a name="Anchor_1" id="Anchor_1"></a><a title="Go to footnote 1." href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> -<a class="pagenum" id="Page_5" title="5"></a> -</h3> - - -<div class="prose"> - -<p class="scene-description"> -An <span class="character-minor">Old Man</span> with a red dressing-gown, red -slippers and red nightcap, holding a -brass candlestick with a guttering candle -in it, comes on from side of stage and -goes in front of the dull green curtain. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Old Man.</div> -<p> -I’ve got to speak the prologue. -[<span class="stage-direction">He shuffles on a few steps.</span>] My nephew, -who is one of the play actors, came to me, -and I in my bed, and my prayers said, and -the candle put out, and he told me there -were so many characters in this new play, -that all the company were in it, whether -they had been long or short at the business,<!-- p006.png/Page 6 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_6" title="6"></a> -and that there wasn’t one left to speak the -prologue. Wait a bit, there’s a draught -here. [<span class="stage-direction">He pulls the curtain closer together.</span>] -That’s better. And that’s why I’m here, -and maybe I’m a fool for my pains. -</p> - -<p> -And my nephew said, there are a good -many plays to be played for you, some to-night -and some on other nights through -the winter, and the most of them are simple -enough, and tell out their story to the end. -But as to the big play you are to see to-night, -my nephew taught me to say what -the poet had taught him to say about it. -[<span class="stage-direction">Puts down candlestick and puts right finger -on left thumb.</span>] First, he who told the story -of Seanchan on King Guaire’s threshold -long ago in the old books told it wrongly, for -he was a friend of the king, or maybe afraid -of the king, and so he put the king in the -right. But he that tells the story now, -being a poet, has put the poet in the right. -</p> - -<p> -And then [<span class="stage-direction">touches other finger</span>] I am to -say: Some think it would be a finer tale if<!-- p007.png/Page 7 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_7" title="7"></a> -Seanchan had died at the end of it, and -the king had the guilt at his door, for that -might have served the poet’s cause better -in the end. But that is not true, for if he -that is in the story but a shadow and an -image of poetry had not risen up from the -death that threatened him, the ending would -not have been true and joyful enough to -be put into the voices of players and proclaimed -in the mouths of trumpets, and -poetry would have been badly served. -</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He takes up the candlestick again. -</p> - -<p> -And as to what happened Seanchan after, -my nephew told me he didn’t know, and -the poet didn’t know, and it’s likely there’s -nobody that knows. But my nephew thinks -he never sat down at the king’s table again, -after the way he had been treated, but that -he went to some quiet green place in the -hills with Fedelm, his sweetheart, where -the poor people made much of him because -he was wise, and where he made songs and -poems, and it’s likely enough he made some<!-- p008.png/Page 8 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_8" title="8"></a> -of the old songs and the old poems the -poor people on the hillsides are saying and -singing to-day. -</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>A trumpet-blast. -</p> - -<p> -Well, it’s time for me to be going. That -trumpet means that the curtain is going to -rise, and after a while the stage there will -be filled up with great ladies and great -gentlemen, and poets, and a king with a -crown on him, and all of them as high up -in themselves with the pride of their youth -and their strength and their fine clothes as -if there was no such thing in the world as -cold in the shoulders, and speckled shins, -and the pains in the bones and the stiffness -in the joints that make an old man that has -the whole load of the world on him ready -for his bed. -</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He begins to shuffle away, and then -stops. -</p> - -<p> -And it would be better for me, that -nephew of mine to be thinking less of his -play-acting, and to have remembered to -boil down the knap-weed with a bit of three-penny<!-- p009.png/Page 9 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_9" title="9"></a> -sugar, for me to be wetting my throat -with now and again through the night, and -drinking a sup to ease the pains in my -bones. -</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He goes out at side of stage. -</p> -</div> - -<!-- p010.png/[Page 10] --> -<!-- p011.png/Page 11 --> - -<h2> -<a class="pagenum" id="Page_11" title="11"></a> -THE KING’S THRESHOLD. -</h2> - -<div class="prose"> -<p class="scene-description"> -<span class="sd1">Scene:</span> Steps before the Palace of <span class="character-major">King -Guaire</span> at Gort. A table in front of -steps to right with food on it. <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> -lying on steps to left. <span class="character-minor">Pupils</span> before steps. -<span class="character-minor">King</span> on top of steps at centre. -</p> -</div> - -<div class="verse"> -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I welcome you that have the mastery</div> -<div class="line">Of the two kinds of music; the one kind</div> -<div class="line">Being like a woman, the other like a man;</div> -<div class="line">Both you that understand stringed instruments,</div> -<div class="line">And how to mingle words and notes together</div> -<div class="line">So artfully, that all the art is but speech</div> -<div class="line">Delighted with its own music; and you that carry</div> -<div class="line">The long twisted horn and understand</div><!-- p012.png/Page 12 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_12" title="12"></a> -<div class="line">The heady notes that being without words</div> -<div class="line">Can hurry beyond time and fate and change;</div> -<div class="line">For the high angels that drive the horse of time,</div> -<div class="line">The golden one by day, by night the silver,</div> -<div class="line">Are not more welcome to one that loves the world</div> -<div class="line">For some fair woman’s sake.</div> -</div> - -<div class="stanza"> - <div class="line indent-20">I have called you hither</div> -<div class="line">To save the life of your great master, Seanchan,</div> -<div class="line">For all day long it has flamed up or flickered</div> -<div class="line">To the fast-cooling hearth.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">When did he sicken?</div> -<div class="line">Is it a fever that is wasting him?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He did not sicken, but three days ago</div> -<div class="line">He said he would not eat, and lay down there</div> -<div class="line">And has not eaten since. Till yesterday</div> -<div class="line">I thought that hunger and weakness had been enough,</div><!-- p013.png/Page 13 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_13" title="13"></a> -<div class="line">But finding them too trifling and too light</div> -<div class="line">To hold his mouth from biting at the grave</div> -<div class="line">I called you hither, and have called others yet.</div> -<div class="line">The girl he is to wed at harvest-time,</div> -<div class="line">That should be of all living the most dear,</div> -<div class="line">Is coming from the South, and had I known</div> -<div class="line">Of any other neighbours or good friends</div> -<div class="line">That might persuade him, I had brought them hither,</div> -<div class="line">Even though I’d to ransack the world for them.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">What was it put him to this work, High King?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">You will call it no great matter. Three days ago</div> -<div class="line">I yielded to the outcry of my courtiers,</div> -<div class="line">Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law,</div> -<div class="line">Who long had thought it against their dignity</div> -<div class="line">For a mere man of words to sit among them</div> -<div class="line">At my own table; and when the meal was spread</div><!-- p014.png/Page 14 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_14" title="14"></a> -<div class="line">I ordered Seanchan to good company,</div> -<div class="line">But to a lower table; and when he pleaded</div> -<div class="line">The poet’s right, established when the world</div> -<div class="line">Was first established, I said that I was King</div> -<div class="line">And made and unmade rights at my own pleasure.</div> -<div class="line">And that it was the men who ruled the world,</div> -<div class="line">And not the men who sang to it, who should sit</div> -<div class="line">Where there was the most honour. My courtiers,</div> -<div class="line">Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law</div> -<div class="line">Shouted approval, and amid that noise</div> -<div class="line">Seanchan went out, and from that hour to this,</div> -<div class="line">Although there is good food and drink beside him,</div> -<div class="line">Has eaten nothing. If a man is wronged,</div> -<div class="line">Or thinks that he is wronged, and will lie down</div> -<div class="line">Upon another’s threshold until he dies,</div> -<div class="line">The common people for all time to come</div><!-- p015.png/Page 15 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_15" title="15"></a> -<div class="line">Will raise a heavy cry against that threshold,</div> -<div class="line">Even though it is the King’s. He lies there now</div> -<div class="line">Perishing; he is calling against my majesty,</div> -<div class="line">That old custom that has no meaning in it,</div> -<div class="line">And as he perishes, my name in the world</div> -<div class="line">Is perishing also. I cannot give way</div> -<div class="line">Because I am King, because if I give way</div> -<div class="line">My nobles would call me a weakling, and it may be</div> -<div class="line">The very throne be shaken; but should you</div> -<div class="line">That are his friends speak to him and persuade him</div> -<div class="line">To turn his mouth from the ill-savouring grave</div> -<div class="line">And eat good food, he shall not lack my favour;</div> -<div class="line">For I will give plough-land and grazing-land,</div> -<div class="line">Or all but anything he has set his heart on.</div> -<div class="line">It is not all because of my good name</div> -<div class="line">I’d have him live, for I have found him a man</div><!-- p016.png/Page 16 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_16" title="16"></a> -<div class="line">That might well hit the fancy of a king</div> -<div class="line">Banished out of his country, or a woman’s,</div> -<div class="line">Or any other’s that can judge a man</div> -<div class="line">For what he is. But I that sit a throne,</div> -<div class="line">And take my measure from the needs of the state,</div> -<div class="line">Call his wild thought that over-runs the measure,</div> -<div class="line">Making words more than deeds, and his proud will</div> -<div class="line">That would unsettle all, most mischievous,</div> -<div class="line">And he himself a most mischievous man.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">King, whether you did right or wrong in this</div> -<div class="line">Let the King say, for all that I need say</div> -<div class="line">Is that there’s nothing that cries out for death</div> -<div class="line">In the withholding of that ancient right,</div> -<div class="line">And that I will persuade him. Your own words</div> -<div class="line">Had been enough persuasion were it not</div> -<div class="line">That he is lost in dreams that hunger makes,</div><!-- p017.png/Page 17 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_17" title="17"></a> -<div class="line">And therefore heedless, or lost in heedless sleep.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I leave him to your love, that it may promise</div> -<div class="line">Plough-lands and grass-lands, jewels and silken wear,</div> -<div class="line">Or anything but that old right of the poets.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He goes out. The <span class="character-minor">Pupils</span>, who have been -standing perfectly quiet, all turn -towards <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span>, and move a -step nearer. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">The King did wrong to abrogate our right,</div> -<div class="line">But Seanchan, who talks of dying for it,</div> -<div class="line">Talks foolishly. Look at us, Seanchan,</div> -<div class="line">Waken out of your dream and look at us,</div> -<div class="line">Who have ridden under the moon and all the day,</div> -<div class="line">Until the moon has all but come again,</div> -<div class="line">That we might be beside you.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> turns half round leaning on -his elbow, and speaks as if in a -dream. -</p> -<!-- p018.png/Page 18 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_18" title="18"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">I was but now</div> -<div class="line">At Almhuin, in a great high-raftered house,</div> -<div class="line">With Finn and Osgar. Odours of roast flesh</div> -<div class="line">Rose round me and I saw the roasting spits,</div> -<div class="line">And then the dream was broken, and I saw</div> -<div class="line">Grania dividing salmon by a pool,</div> -<div class="line">And then I was awakened by your voice.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">It is your hunger that makes you dream of flesh</div> -<div class="line">Roasting, and for your hunger I could weep;</div> -<div class="line">And yet the hunger of the crane that starves</div> -<div class="line">Because the moonlight glittering on the pool</div> -<div class="line">And flinging a pale shadow has made it shy,</div> -<div class="line">Seems to me little more fantastical</div> -<div class="line">Than this that’s blown into so great a trouble.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Who has turned away again.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">There is much truth in that, for all things change</div> -<div class="line">At times, as if the moonlight altered them,</div> -<div class="line">And my mind alters as if it were the crane’s;</div> -<div class="line">For when the heavy body has grown weak</div><!-- p019.png/Page 19 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_19" title="19"></a> -<div class="line">There’s nothing that can tether the wild mind</div> -<div class="line">That being moonstruck and fantastical</div> -<div class="line">Goes where it fancies. I had even thought</div> -<div class="line">I knew your voice and face, but now the words</div> -<div class="line">Are so unlikely that I needs must ask</div> -<div class="line">Who is it that bids me put my hunger by?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I am your oldest pupil, Seanchan;</div> -<div class="line">The one that has been with you many years,</div> -<div class="line">So many that you said at Candlemas</div> -<div class="line">That I had almost done with school, and knew</div> -<div class="line">All but all that poets understand.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">My oldest pupil. No, that cannot be;</div> -<div class="line">For it is someone of the courtly crowds</div> -<div class="line">That have been round about me from sunrise</div> -<div class="line">And I am tricked by dreams, but I’ll refute them.</div> -<div class="line">I asked the pupil that I loved the best,</div> -<div class="line">At Candlemas, why poetry is honoured,</div><!-- p020.png/Page 20 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_20" title="20"></a> -<div class="line">Wishing to know how he’d defend our craft</div> -<div class="line">In distant lands among strange churlish Kings.</div> -<div class="line">And he’d an answer.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">I said the poets hung</div> -<div class="line">Images of the life that was in Eden</div> -<div class="line">About the childbed of the world, that it,</div> -<div class="line">Looking upon those images, might bear</div> -<div class="line">Triumphant children; but why must I stand here</div> -<div class="line">Repeating an old lesson while you starve?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Tell on, for I begin to know the voice;</div> -<div class="line">What evil thing will come upon the world</div> -<div class="line">If the arts perish?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">If the arts should perish</div> -<div class="line">The world that lacked them would be like a woman</div> -<div class="line">That looking on the cloven lips of a hare</div> -<div class="line">Brings forth a hare-lipped child.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-22">But that’s not all.</div> -<div class="line">For when I asked you how a man should guard</div><!-- p021.png/Page 21 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_21" title="21"></a> -<div class="line">Those images you had an answer also,</div> -<div class="line">If you’re the man that you have claimed to be,</div> -<div class="line">Comparing them to venerable things</div> -<div class="line">God gave to men before he gave them wheat.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I answered, and the word was half your own,</div> -<div class="line">That he should guard them, as the men of Dea</div> -<div class="line">Guard their four treasures, as the Grail King guards</div> -<div class="line">His holy cup, or the pale righteous horse</div> -<div class="line">The jewel that is underneath his horn,</div> -<div class="line">Pouring out life for it, as one pours out</div> -<div class="line">Sweet heady wine—but now I understand</div> -<div class="line">You would refute me out of my own mouth;</div> -<div class="line">And yet a place at table near the King</div> -<div class="line">Is nothing of great moment, Seanchan.</div> -<div class="line">How does so light a thing touch poetry?</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> is now sitting up. He still -looks dreamily in front of him. -</p> -<!-- p022.png/Page 22 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_22" title="22"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">At Candlemas you called this poetry</div> -<div class="line">One of the fragile mighty things of God</div> -<div class="line">That die at an insult.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">To other <span class="character-minor">Pupils</span>.</span>] Give me some true answer.</div> -<div class="line">For on that day we spoke about the court</div> -<div class="line">And said that all that was insulted there</div> -<div class="line">The world insulted, for the courtly life,</div> -<div class="line">Being the first comely child of the world,</div> -<div class="line">Is the world’s model. How shall I answer him?</div> -<div class="line">Can you not give me some true argument?</div> -<div class="line">I will not tempt him with a lying one.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Arias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Throwing himself at <span class="character-major">Seanchan’s</span> feet.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">Why did you take me from my father’s fields?</div> -<div class="line">If you would leave me now, what shall I love?</div> -<div class="line">Where shall I go, what shall I set my hand to?</div> -<div class="line">And why have you put music in my ears</div><!-- p023.png/Page 23 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_23" title="23"></a> -<div class="line">If you would send me to the clattering houses?</div> -<div class="line">I will throw down the trumpet and the harp,</div> -<div class="line">For how could I sing verses or make music</div> -<div class="line">With none to praise me and a broken heart?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">What was it that the poets promised you</div> -<div class="line">If it was not their sorrow? Do not speak.</div> -<div class="line">Have I not opened school on these bare steps,</div> -<div class="line">And are not you the youngest of my scholars?</div> -<div class="line">And I would have all know that when all falls</div> -<div class="line">In ruin, poetry calls out in joy,</div> -<div class="line">Being the scattering hand, the bursting pod,</div> -<div class="line">The victim’s joy among the holy flame,</div> -<div class="line">God’s laughter at the shattering of the world,</div> -<div class="line">And now that joy laughs out and weeps and burns</div> -<div class="line">On these bare steps.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Arias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">O Master, do not die.</div> -</div> -<!-- p024.png/Page 24 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_24" title="24"></a> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Three men come in. <span class="character-major">Cian</span> and <span class="character-major">Brian</span>, -old men carrying basket with food, -and <span class="character-major">Mayor of Kinvara</span>. They -stand at the side listening. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Trouble him with no useless argument.</div> -<div class="line">Be silent; there is nothing we can do</div> -<div class="line">Except find out the King and kneel to him</div> -<div class="line">And beg our ancient right. These three have come</div> -<div class="line">To say whatever we could say and more,</div> -<div class="line">And fare as badly. Come, boy, that’s no use;</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He lifts the <span class="character-minor">Boy</span> up. -</p> - - -<div class="line">If it seem well that we beseech the King,</div> -<div class="line">Lay down your harps and trumpets on the stones</div> -<div class="line">In silence and come with me silently.</div> -<div class="line">Come with slow footfalls and bow all your heads,</div> -<div class="line">For a bowed head becomes a mourner best.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>They lay the harps and trumpets down -one by one and then go out very<!-- p025.png/Page 25 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_25" title="25"></a> -solemnly and slowly, following one -another. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Let’s show the food that’s in the basket.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Who carries an Ogham stick.</span>] No,</div> -<div class="line">I must get through my speech or I’ll forget it;</div> -<div class="line">Besides, there is no reason why he’d eat</div> -<div class="line">Till he has heard my reasons.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">It were better</div> -<div class="line">To show what we have brought him in the basket,</div> -<div class="line">For we have nothing that he has not liked</div> -<div class="line">From boyhood.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Brian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">For we have not brought kings’ food</div> -<div class="line">That’s cooked for everybody and nobody.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">You are not showing right respect to me,</div> -<div class="line">Or to the people of Kinvara, when you wish</div> -<div class="line">That something else should come before my message.</div> -</div> -<!-- p026.png/Page 26 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_26" title="26"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">What brings you here? I never sent for you.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He must be famishing, he looks so pale.</div> -<div class="line">We had better get the food out first. I tell you,</div> -<div class="line">That we have brought the things he likes the best.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">No, no; I lost a word at every cross road</div> -<div class="line">And maybe if I do not speak it now</div> -<div class="line">I’ll have forgot it.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">Well, out with it quickly.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Why, what’s this foolery?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">No foolery;</div> -<div class="line">A message from the richest, best born townsman</div> -<div class="line">Of your own town, and from your aged father.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Run through it while I am getting out the food.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">How was I to begin? What was the word</div><!-- p027.png/Page 27 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_27" title="27"></a> -<div class="line">That was to keep it in my memory?</div> -<div class="line">Wait, I have notched it on this Ogham stick.</div> -<div class="line">“Chief poet,” “Ireland,” “Townsman”; that is it.</div> -<div class="line">Chief poet of Ireland, when we heard that trouble</div> -<div class="line">Had come between you and the King of Ireland</div> -<div class="line">It plunged us in deep sorrow, part for you,</div> -<div class="line">Our honoured townsman, part for our good town.</div> -<div class="line">The King was said to be most friendly to us,</div> -<div class="line">And we had reasons, as you’ll recollect,</div> -<div class="line">For thinking that he was about to give</div> -<div class="line">Those grazing lands inland we so much need,</div> -<div class="line">Being pinched between the water and the rocks.</div> -<div class="line">But now his friendliness being ill repaid</div> -<div class="line">Will be turned from us and our town get nothing.</div><!-- p028.png/Page 28 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_28" title="28"></a> -<div class="line">But there was something else—I’ll find the word</div> -<div class="line">That was to keep it in my memory.</div> -<div class="line">“Pride”—that’s the word,—we would not have you think,</div> -<div class="line">Weighty as these considerations are,</div> -<div class="line">That they have been as weighty in our minds</div> -<div class="line">As our desire that one we take much pride in,</div> -<div class="line">A man who has been an honour to our town,</div> -<div class="line">Should live and prosper, therefore we beseech you</div> -<div class="line">To give way in a matter of no moment,</div> -<div class="line">A matter of mere sentiment, a trifle,</div> -<div class="line">That we may always keep our pride in you.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Their pride, their pride, what do they know of pride?</div> -<div class="line">My pupils do not know it, for they beg</div> -<div class="line">From the King’s favour what is theirs by right,</div> -<div class="line">And how can men, that God has made so weak</div><!-- p029.png/Page 29 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_29" title="29"></a> -<div class="line">They need a rich man’s favour every day,</div> -<div class="line">Know anything of pride?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="character-major">Mayor</span>.</span>] You have spoken it wrongly.</div> -<div class="line">You have forgotten something out of it about the cattle dying.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Maybe you do not know, being much away,</div> -<div class="line">How many of our cattle died last winter</div> -<div class="line">From lacking grass, and that there was much sickness</div> -<div class="line">Because the poor had nothing but salt fish</div> -<div class="line">To live upon. The people all came out</div> -<div class="line">And stood about the doors as I went by.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">What would you have of me?</div> -<div class="line">For there are men that shall be born at last</div> -<div class="line">And find sweet nurture that they may have voices</div> -<div class="line">Even in anger like the strings of harps.</div> -<div class="line">Yet how could they be born to majesty</div> -<div class="line">If I had never made the golden cradle?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">What is it? “Father”—“Mother”; that is it;</div><!-- p030.png/Page 30 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_30" title="30"></a> -<div class="line">Your father sends this message.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-22">He is listening.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He says that he is old and that he needs you,</div> -<div class="line">And that the people will be pointing at him</div> -<div class="line">And he not able to lift up his head</div> -<div class="line">If you should turn the King’s favour away.</div> -<div class="line">And he adds to it, that he cared you well,</div> -<div class="line">And you in your young age, and that it’s right</div> -<div class="line">That you should care him now.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">And when he spoke</div> -<div class="line">He cried because the stiffness of his bones</div> -<div class="line">Prevented him from coming.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">But your mother</div> -<div class="line">Has sent no message, for when they had told her</div> -<div class="line">The way it is between you and the King</div> -<div class="line">She said, “No message can do any good,</div> -<div class="line">He will not send the answer that you want;</div> -<div class="line">We cannot change him,” and she went indoors,</div> -<div class="line">Lay down upon her bed and turned her face</div><!-- p031.png/Page 31 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_31" title="31"></a> -<div class="line">Out of the light. And thereupon your father</div> -<div class="line">Said, “Tell him how she is, and that she sends</div> -<div class="line">No message.” I have nothing more to say.</div> -<div class="line">Cian and Brian, you can set out the food.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He sits down on steps. <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> is -silent. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I have a horse waiting outside the town</div> -<div class="line">To bring me home, and all the neighbours wait</div> -<div class="line">Your answer. What answer am I to bring?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Give them my answer—no, I have no answer:</div> -<div class="line">My mother knew it.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">Maybe you have forgotten</div> -<div class="line">That all our fields are so heaped up with stones</div> -<div class="line">That the goats famish, and the mowers mow</div> -<div class="line">With knives, and that the King half promised us——</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Thrust that old cloak of yours into your mouth</div><!-- p032.png/Page 32 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_32" title="32"></a> -<div class="line">Till it’s done gabbling.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12"> But——</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">You have said enough;</div> -<div class="line">I knew that you would never speak it right.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Our mothers know us, they know us to the bone,</div> -<div class="line">They knew us before birth, and that is why</div> -<div class="line">They know us even better than the sweethearts</div> -<div class="line">Upon whose breasts we have lain.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Brian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">We have brought your honour</div> -<div class="line">The food that you have always liked the best,</div> -<div class="line">Young pigeons from Kinvara, and watercress</div> -<div class="line">Out of the stream that’s by the blessed well,</div> -<div class="line">And dulse from Duras. Here is the dulse, your honour,</div> -<div class="line">It is wholesome, and has the good taste of the sea.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">O Brian, you would spread the table for me</div><!-- p033.png/Page 33 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_33" title="33"></a> -<div class="line">As you would spread it when I was in my childhood;</div> -<div class="line">But all that’s finished.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">I knew he would not care</div> -<div class="line">For country things now that he’s grown accustomed</div> -<div class="line">To the King’s dishes. I told Brian too</div> -<div class="line">He’d have his pains for nothing. But he’s old.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Goes over to table at right. While he -is speaking <span class="character-major">Cian</span> and <span class="character-major">Brian</span> are in -vain offering <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> food. -</p> - -<div class="line">And what dishes! Venison from Slieve Echtge</div> -<div class="line">Fattened with poor men’s crops; flesh of wild pig;</div> -<div class="line">Not fat nor lean, but streaky and right well cured;</div> -<div class="line">Bread that’s the whitest that I’ve ever seen.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">You’re in the right, you’re in the right, he will not eat.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Pouring wine into cup. -</p> -<!-- p034.png/Page 34 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_34" title="34"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Mayor.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Bring him some wine, it will give him strength to eat.</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Brian</span> brings wine over towards -<span class="character-major">Seanchan</span>. -</p> - -<div class="line">No wonder if the King is proud and merry,</div> -<div class="line">And keeps all day in the saddle, when even I</div> -<div class="line">Am well-nigh drunken with the odour of it,</div> -<div class="line">And if I dared—I dare not.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-18">Drink it, sir.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Brian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Drink a few drops.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">Drink it yourself, old man,</div> -<div class="line">For you have come a journey, and I daresay</div> -<div class="line">You did not eat or drink upon the road.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">How can I drink it when your honour’s thirsty?</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He offers cup again. The <span class="character-minor">King’s Household</span> -comes in. <span class="character-major">Chamberlain</span> with -long staff, a <span class="character-minor">Soldier</span>, a <span class="character-minor">Monk</span>, two -<span class="character-minor">Ladies</span>, followed by <span class="character-minor">Cripples</span> who -beg from the ladies, who keep close -together at right, talking to each -other at intervals. <span class="character-minor">Soldier</span> goes -over to <span class="character-major">Mayor</span>, and talks to him. -</p> -<!-- p035.png/Page 35 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_35" title="35"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Well, have you it in imagination still</div> -<div class="line">To overthrow the dignity of the King,</div> -<div class="line">Or is the game finished?</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>A pause.</p> - - -<div class="line indent-16">How many days</div> -<div class="line">Will you keep up this quarrel with the King,</div> -<div class="line">With the King’s nobles and myself and all</div> -<div class="line">Who’d gladly be your friends if you would let them?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Soldier.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Who has been speaking to <span class="character-major">Mayor</span> and <span class="character-minor">Servants</span>.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">Was it you that sent his servants and the Mayor</div> -<div class="line">Of his own town to wheedle him into life?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">It was the King himself.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Soldier.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">Was it worth our while</div> -<div class="line">To have got rid of him from the King’s table</div> -<div class="line">If he is to be humoured and made much of?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">It seems that he has not eaten yet, although</div> -<div class="line">He’s had another dozen hours of hunger.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Soldier.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">If he’s so proud and obstinate a neck</div> -<div class="line">I’d let him starve.</div> -</div> -<!-- p036.png/Page 36 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_36" title="36"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Monk.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">Persuade him to eat, my lord.</div> -<div class="line">His death would make a scandal, and stir up</div> -<div class="line">The common people.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-14">And I have a fancy</div> -<div class="line">That if it brought misfortune on the King,</div> -<div class="line">Or the King’s house, we’d be as little thought of</div> -<div class="line">As summer linen when the winter’s come.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="character-major">Cian</span>.</span>] You’ve had no luck, old man.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-24">We have not, lady.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Maybe he’s out of humour with your ways,</div> -<div class="line">Having grown used to sprightlier service.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-26">Maybe.</div> -<div class="line">But the King’s messengers have gone for one</div> -<div class="line">That will persuade him. [<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="character-major">Brian</span>.</span>] Come, let us go;</div> -<div class="line">For she might lose her way in this fine place.</div> -<div class="line">Come, we have been too long upon the tree,</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Plucking sleeve of <span class="character-major">Mayor</span>. -</p> - -<div class="line">And there are little golden pippins here.</div> -</div> -<!-- p037.png/Page 37 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_37" title="37"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Soldier.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Give me the dish, I’ll hand it him myself.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I wonder if she is pretty.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Mayor</span> and <span class="character-minor">Servants</span> have gone out. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Soldier.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-18">Eat this, old hedgehog.</div> -<div class="line">Sniff up the savour and unroll yourself.</div> -<div class="line">But if I were the King I’d make you do it</div> -<div class="line">With wisps of lighted straw.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">You have rightly named me,</div> -<div class="line">I lie rolled up under the ragged thorns</div> -<div class="line">That are upon the edge of those great waters</div> -<div class="line">Where all things vanish away, and I have heard</div> -<div class="line">Murmurs that are the ending of all sound.</div> -<div class="line">I am out of life, I am rolled up, and yet,</div> -<div class="line">Hedgehog although I am, I’ll not unroll</div> -<div class="line">For you, King’s dog. Go to the King, your master,</div> -<div class="line">Crouch down and wag your tail, for it may be</div> -<div class="line">He has nothing now against you, and I think</div><!-- p038.png/Page 38 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_38" title="38"></a> -<div class="line">The stripes of your last beating are all healed.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Don’t answer, you were never to his mind.</div> -<div class="line">And now you have angered him to no good purpose.</div> -<div class="line">But put the dish down and I will speak to him.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">You must needs keep your patience yet awhile,</div> -<div class="line">For I have some few mouthfuls of sweet air</div> -<div class="line">To swallow before I have grown to be as civil</div> -<div class="line">As any other dust.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">You wrong us, Seanchan,</div> -<div class="line">There is none here but holds you in respect,</div> -<div class="line">And if you would only eat out of this dish</div> -<div class="line">The King would show how much he honours you.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Giving <span class="character-minor">Cripple</span> money.</span>]</div> -<div>You are always discontented. Look at this cripple,</div> -<div class="line">He has had to cover up his eyes with rags</div><!-- p039.png/Page 39 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_39" title="39"></a> -<div class="line">Because they are too weak to look at the sun,</div> -<div class="line">And has a crooked body, and yet he is cheerful.</div> -<div class="line">Stand there where he can see you.</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-minor">Cripple</span> goes over and stands in front -of <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span>, bowing and smiling. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-22">We have come to you</div> -<div class="line">Because we wish you a long, prosperous life;</div> -<div class="line">Who could imagine you’d so take to heart</div> -<div class="line">Being put from the high table.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">It was not I</div> -<div class="line">That you have driven away from the high table,</div> -<div class="line">But the images of them that weave a dance,</div> -<div class="line">By the four rivers in the mountain garden.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Monk.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He means we have driven poetry away.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">It is the men who are learned in the laws,</div> -<div class="line">Or have led the King’s armies that should sit</div> -<div class="line">At the King’s table. Nor has poetry</div><!-- p040.png/Page 40 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_40" title="40"></a> -<div class="line">Been altogether driven away, for I,</div> -<div class="line">As you should know, have written poetry,</div> -<div class="line">And often when the table has been cleared</div> -<div class="line">And candles lighted, the King calls for me</div> -<div class="line">And I repeat it him. My poetry</div> -<div class="line">Is not to be compared with yours, but still</div> -<div class="line">Where I am honoured, poetry is honoured</div> -<div class="line">In some measure.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">If you are a poet,</div> -<div class="line">Cry out that the King’s money would not buy,</div> -<div class="line">Nor the high circle consecrate his head,</div> -<div class="line">If poets had never christened gold, and even</div> -<div class="line">The moon’s poor daughter, that most whey-faced metal,</div> -<div class="line">Precious; and cry out that none alive</div> -<div class="line">Would ride among the arrows with high heart</div> -<div class="line">Or scatter with an open hand, had not</div> -<div class="line">Our heady craft commended wasteful virtues.</div> -<div class="line">And when that story’s finished, shake your coat</div><!-- p041.png/Page 41 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_41" title="41"></a> -<div class="line">Where the little jewels gleam on it, and say</div> -<div class="line">A herdsman sitting where the pigs had trampled</div> -<div class="line">Made up a song about enchanted kings,</div> -<div class="line">Who were so finely dressed one fancied them</div> -<div class="line">All fiery, and women by the churn</div> -<div class="line">And children by the hearth caught up the song</div> -<div class="line">And murmured it until the tailors heard it.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Monk.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">How proud these poets are! It was full time</div> -<div class="line">To break their pride.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-14">And I would have you say</div> -<div class="line">That when we are driven out we come again</div> -<div class="line">Like a great wind that runs out of the waste</div> -<div class="line">To blow the tables flat.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">If you’d eat something</div> -<div class="line">You’d find you have these thoughts because you are hungry.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">And when you have told them all these things, lie down</div><!-- p042.png/Page 42 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_42" title="42"></a> -<div class="line">On this bare threshold and starve until the King</div> -<div class="line">Restore to us the ancient right of the poets.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Let’s come away. There’s no use talking to him,</div> -<div class="line">For he’s resolved to die, and that’s no loss:</div> -<div class="line">We will go watch the hurley.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Monk.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">You should obey</div> -<div class="line">The King’s commandment and not question it,</div> -<div class="line">For it is God himself who has made him king.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Essa.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Let’s hear his answer to the monk.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-22">Stoop down,</div> -<div class="line">For there is something I would say to you.</div> -<div class="line">Has that wild God of yours that was so wild</div> -<div class="line">When you’d but lately taken the King’s pay,</div> -<div class="line">Grown any tamer? He gave you all much trouble</div> -<div class="line">Being so unruly and inconsiderate.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">What does he mean?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Monk.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">Let go my habit, Seanchan.</div><!-- p043.png/Page 43 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_43" title="43"></a> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Or it may be you have persuaded him</div> -<div class="line">To chirp between two dishes when the King</div> -<div class="line">Sits down to table.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Monk.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">Let go my habit, sir.</div> -<div class="line">What do I care about your insolent dreams.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">And maybe he has learnt to sing quite softly</div> -<div class="line">Because loud singing would disturb the King</div> -<div class="line">Who is sitting drowsily among his friends</div> -<div class="line">After the table has been cleared——</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Monk.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-22">Let go.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> has been dragged some feet, -clinging to the <span class="character-major">Monk’s</span> habit. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Not yet; you did not think that hungry hands</div> -<div class="line">Could be so strong. They are not civil yet—</div> -<div class="line">I’d know if you have taught him to eat bread</div> -<div class="line">From the King’s hand, and perch upon his finger.</div><!-- p044.png/Page 44 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_44" title="44"></a> -<div class="line">I think he perches on the King’s strong hand,</div> -<div class="line">But it may be that he is still too wild.</div> -<div class="line">You must not weary in your work; a King</div> -<div class="line">Is often weary and he needs a God</div> -<div class="line">To be a comfort to him.</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>The <span class="character-major">Monk</span> plucks his habit away. -<span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> holds up his hand as if -a bird perched upon it. He pretends -to stroke the bird. -</p> - -<div class="line indent-16">A little god,</div> -<div class="line">With soft well-coloured feathers, and bright eyes.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">We have listened long enough.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Essa.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">Let us away,</div> -<div class="line">Where we can watch the young men at the hurley.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Yes, yes, go to the hurley, go to the hurley,</div> -<div class="line">Go to the hurley, gather up your skirts,</div> -<div class="line">Run quickly. You can remember many love songs;</div> -<div class="line">I know it by the light that’s in your eyes,</div><!-- p045.png/Page 45 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_45" title="45"></a> -<div class="line">But you’ll forget them. You’re fair to look on,</div> -<div class="line">Your feet delight in dancing, and your mouths</div> -<div class="line">In the slow smiling that awakens love.</div> -<div class="line">The mothers that have borne you mated rightly,</div> -<div class="line">For they had little ears as thirsty as are yours</div> -<div class="line">For many love-songs. Go to the young men:</div> -<div class="line">Are not the ruddy flesh and the thin flanks</div> -<div class="line">And the broad shoulders worthy of desire?</div> -<div class="line">Go from me. Here is nothing for your eyes,</div> -<div class="line">But it is I that am singing you away,</div> -<div class="line">Singing you to the young men.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>The two young <span class="character-major">Princesses Buan</span> and -<span class="character-major">Finnhua</span> come in. While he has -been speaking <span class="character-major">Aileen</span> and <span class="character-major">Essa</span> -have shrunk back holding each -others hands. -</p> -<!-- p046.png/Page 46 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_46" title="46"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">Be quiet;</div> -<div class="line">Look who it is that has come out of the house.</div> -<div class="line">Princesses, we are for the hurling field.</div> -<div class="line">Will you come too?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Princess Buan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">We will go with you, Aileen,</div> -<div class="line">But we must have some words with Seanchan,</div> -<div class="line">For we have come to make him eat and drink.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I will hold out the dish and cup for him</div> -<div class="line">While you are speaking to him of his folly,</div> -<div class="line">If you desire it, Princess.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He has taken up dish and cup. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Princess Buan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Give me the cup.</div> -<div class="line">My sister there will carry the dish of meat:</div> -<div class="line">We’ll offer them ourselves.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">They are so gracious,</div> -<div class="line">The dear little princesses are so gracious.</div> - -<!-- p047.png/Page 47 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_47" title="47"></a> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Princess Buan</span> holds out her hand for -<span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> to kiss it; he does not -move. -</p> - -<div class="line">Although she is holding out her hand to him</div> -<div class="line">He will not kiss it.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Princess Buan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">My father bids us say</div> -<div class="line">That though he cannot have you at his table,</div> -<div class="line">You may ask any other thing you like</div> -<div class="line">And he will give it you. We carry you</div> -<div class="line">A dish and a cup of wine, with our own hands,</div> -<div class="line">To show in what great honour you are held.</div> -<div class="line">Will you not drink a little? Does he not show</div> -<div class="line">Every befitting honour to the poets?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Aileen.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">O look, he has taken it, he has taken it!</div> -<div class="line">The dear princesses, I have always said</div> -<div class="line">That nobody could refuse them anything.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> takes the cup in one hand, -in the other he holds for a moment -the hand of the <span class="character-major">Princess</span>. -</p> -<!-- p048.png/Page 48 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_48" title="48"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">O long soft fingers and pale finger-tips</div> -<div class="line">Well worthy to be laid in a king’s hand;</div> -<div class="line">O you have fair white hands, for it is certain</div> -<div class="line">There is uncommon whiteness in these hands.</div> -<div class="line">But there is something comes into my mind,</div> -<div class="line">Princess. A little while before your birth</div> -<div class="line">I saw your mother sitting by the road</div> -<div class="line">In a high chair, and when a leper passed</div> -<div class="line">She pointed him the way into the town,</div> -<div class="line">And he lifted his hand and blessed her hand;</div> -<div class="line">I saw it with my own eyes. Hold out your hands,</div> -<div class="line">I will find out if they are contaminated;</div> -<div class="line">For it has come into my thoughts that may be</div> -<div class="line">The King has sent me food and drink by hands</div> -<div class="line">That are contaminated. I would see all your hands,</div><!-- p049.png/Page 49 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_49" title="49"></a> -<div class="line">You’ve eyes of dancers, but hold out your hands,</div> -<div class="line">For it may be there are none sound among you——</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>The <span class="character-major">Princesses</span> have shrunk back in -terror. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Princess Buan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He has called us lepers.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Chamberlain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">He’s out of his mind,</div> -<div class="line">And does not know the meaning of what he said.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Standing up.</span>] There are no sound hands among you. No sound hands.</div> -<div class="line">Away with you, away with all of you,</div> -<div class="line">You are all lepers. There is leprosy</div> -<div class="line">Among the plates and dishes that you have brought me.</div> -<div class="line">I would know why you have brought me leper’s wine?</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He flings the wine in their faces. -</p> - -<div class="line">There, there, I have given it to you again, and now</div> -<div class="line">Begone or I will give my curse to you.</div><!-- p050.png/Page 50 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_50" title="50"></a> -<div class="line">You have the leper’s blessing, but you think</div> -<div class="line">Maybe the bread will something lack in savour</div> -<div class="line">Unless you mix my curse into the dough.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>They go out to <span class="sd2">L.</span>, all except the -<span class="character-minor">Cripples</span>. <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> is staggering -in the middle of the stage. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Where did I say the leprosy came from?</div> -<div class="line">I said it came out of a leper’s hand</div> -<div class="line">And that he walked the highway; but that’s folly,</div> -<div class="line">For he was walking up there in the sky</div> -<div class="line">And there he is even now with his white hand</div> -<div class="line">Thrust out of the blue air and blessing them</div> -<div class="line">With leprosy.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">A Cripple.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He’s pointing at the moon</div> -<div class="line">That’s coming out up yonder, and he calls it</div> -<div class="line">Leprous, because the daylight whitens it.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He’s holding up his hand above them all</div><!-- p051.png/Page 51 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_51" title="51"></a> -<div class="line">King, Noblemen, Princesses, blessing all.</div> -<div class="line">Who could imagine he’d have so much patience.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">First Cripple.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Come out of this.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Clutching other <span class="character-minor">Cripple</span>. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Second Cripple.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">If you don’t need it, sir,</div> -<div class="line">May we not carry some of it away?</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He points to food. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Who’s speaking? Who are you?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">First Cripple.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">Come out of this.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Second Cripple.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Have pity on us, that must beg our bread</div> -<div class="line">From table to table throughout the entire world</div> -<div class="line">And yet be hungry.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">But why were you born crooked?</div> -<div class="line">What bad poet did your mothers listen to</div> -<div class="line">That you were born so crooked?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">First Cripple.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-22">Come away.</div> -<div class="line">Maybe he’s cursed the food and it might kill us.</div> -</div> -<!-- p052.png/Page 52 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_52" title="52"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Second Cripple.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Yes, better come away.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>They go out.</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Staggering and speaking wearily.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">He has great strength</div> -<div class="line">And great patience to hold his right hand there</div> -<div class="line">Uplifted and not wavering about;</div> -<div class="line">He is much stronger than I am, much stronger.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>He sinks down on steps.</p> - - -<p class="scene-description"> -Enter from <span class="sd2">R.</span> <span class="character-major">Fedelm</span>, <span class="character-major">Cian</span> and <span class="character-major">Brian</span>. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Brian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">There he is lying. Go over to him now</div> -<div class="line">And bid him eat.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">I’ll get him out of this</div> -<div class="line">Before I have said a word of food and drink;</div> -<div class="line">For while he is on this threshold and can hear,</div> -<div class="line">It may be, the voices that made mock of him,</div> -<div class="line">He would not listen.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Brian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-14">That is a good plan.</div> -<div class="line">But there is little time, for he is weakening.</div> -</div> -<!-- p053.png/Page 53 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_53" title="53"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Crying.</span>] I cannot think of any other plan</div> -<div class="line">Although it breaks my heart.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Cian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">Let’s leave them now,</div> -<div class="line">For she will press the honey from her bag</div> -<div class="line">When we are gone.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Brian.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">It will be hard to move him</div> -<div class="line">If hunger and thirst have got into his bones.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>They go out leaving <span class="character-major">Fedelm</span> and -<span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> alone. <span class="character-major">Fedelm</span> runs -over to <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> and kneels down -before him. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Seanchan! Seanchan!</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>He remains looking into the sky.</p> - - -<div class="line">Can you not see me, Seanchan?</div> -<div class="line">It is myself.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> looks at her dreamily at -first, then takes her hand. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Is this your hand, Fedelm?</div> -<div class="line">I have been looking at another hand</div> -<div class="line">That is up yonder.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">I have come for you.</div> -</div> -<!-- p054.png/Page 54 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_54" title="54"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Fedelm, I did not know that you were here.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">And can you not remember that I promised</div> -<div class="line">That I would come and take you home with me</div> -<div class="line">When I’d the harvest in? and now I’ve come,</div> -<div class="line">And you must come away, and come on the instant.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Yes, I will come; but is the harvest in?</div> -<div class="line">This air has got a summer taste in it.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">But is not the wild middle of the summer</div> -<div class="line">A better time to marry? Come with me now.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Seizing her by both wrists.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">Who taught you that, for it’s a certainty,</div> -<div class="line">Although I never knew it till last night,</div> -<div class="line">That marriage, because it is the height of life,</div> -<div class="line">Can only be accomplished to the full</div> -<div class="line">In the high days of the year. I lay awake,</div><!-- p055.png/Page 55 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_55" title="55"></a> -<div class="line">There had come a frenzy into the light of the stars</div> -<div class="line">And they were coming nearer and I knew</div> -<div class="line">All in a minute they were about to marry</div> -<div class="line">Clods out upon the plough-lands, to beget</div> -<div class="line">A mightier race than any that has been;</div> -<div class="line">But some that are within there made a noise</div> -<div class="line">And frighted them away.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-14">Come with me now;</div> -<div class="line">We have far to go, and daylight’s running out.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">The stars had come so near me that I caught</div> -<div class="line">Their singing; it was praise of that great race</div> -<div class="line">That would be haughty, mirthful, and white-bodied</div> -<div class="line">With a high head, and open hand, and how</div> -<div class="line">Laughing, it would take the mastery of the world.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">But you will tell me all about their songs</div><!-- p056.png/Page 56 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_56" title="56"></a> -<div class="line">When we’re at home. You have need of rest and care,</div> -<div class="line">And I can give them you when we’re at home,</div> -<div class="line">And therefore let us hurry and get us home.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">That’s true; and there’s some trouble here, although</div> -<div class="line">I cannot now remember what it is,</div> -<div class="line">And I would get away from it. Give me your help.</div> -<div class="line">But why are not my pupils here to help me?</div> -<div class="line">Go, call my pupils, for I need their help.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Come with me now, and I will send for them,</div> -<div class="line">For I have a great room that’s full of beds</div> -<div class="line">I can make ready, and there is a smooth lawn</div> -<div class="line">Where they can play at hurley and sing poems</div> -<div class="line">Under an apple-tree.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">I know that place,</div> -<div class="line">An apple tree and a smooth level lawn,</div><!-- p057.png/Page 57 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_57" title="57"></a> -<div class="line">Where the young men can sway their hurley sticks.</div> -</div> - -<div class="verse"> -<div class="stage-direction top1">Sings.</div> -<br /> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">The four rivers that run there,</div> -<div class="line">Through well-mown level ground,</div> -<div class="line">Have come out of a blessed well</div> -<div class="line">That is all bound and wound</div> -<div class="line">By the great roots of an apple,</div> -<div class="line">And all fowls of the air</div> -<div class="line">Have gathered in the wide branches</div> -<div class="line">And keep singing there.</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Fedelm</span>, troubled, has covered her eyes -with her hands. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">No, there are not four rivers, and those rhymes</div> -<div class="line">Praise Adam’s Paradise.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-14">I can remember now.</div> -<div class="line">It’s out of a poem I made long ago</div> -<div class="line">About the garden in the east of the world,</div> -<div class="line">And how spirits in the images of birds</div> -<div class="line">Crowd in the branches of old Adam’s crab-tree;</div><!-- p058.png/Page 58 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_58" title="58"></a> -<div class="line">They come before me now and dig in the fruit</div> -<div class="line">With so much gluttony, and are so drunk</div> -<div class="line">With that harsh, wholesome savour that their feathers</div> -<div class="line">Are clinging one to another with the juice.</div> -<div class="line">But you would take me to some friendly place,</div> -<div class="line">And I would go there quickly.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">Come with me.</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>She helps him to rise. He walks slowly, -supported by her till he comes to the table at <span class="sd2">R.</span> -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">But why am I so weak? Have I been ill?</div> -<div class="line">Sweetheart, why is it that I am so weak?</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He sinks on to the seat. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I’ll dip this piece of bread into the wine,</div> -<div class="line">For that will make you stronger for the journey.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Yes, give me bread and wine, that’s what I want,</div><!-- p059.png/Page 59 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_59" title="59"></a> -<div class="line">For it is hunger that is gnawing me.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He takes bread from <span class="character-major">Fedelm</span>, hesitates, -and then thrusts it back into her -hand. -</p> - - -<div class="line">But no, I must not eat it.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">Eat, Seanchan,</div> -<div class="line">For if you do not eat it you will die.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Why did you give me food?</div> -<div class="line">Why did you come?</div> -<div class="line">For had I not enough to fight against</div> -<div class="line">Without your coming?</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">Eat this little crust,</div> -<div class="line">Seanchan, if you have any love for me.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I must not eat it: but that’s beyond your wit;</div> -<div class="line">Child, child, I must not eat it though I die.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">You do not know what love is, for if you loved</div> -<div class="line">You would put every other thought away</div> -<div class="line">But you have never loved me.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Seizing her by the wrist.</span>] You, a child,</div><!-- p060.png/Page 60 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_60" title="60"></a> -<div class="line">Who have but seen a man out of the window,</div> -<div class="line">Tell me that I know nothing about love,</div> -<div class="line">And that I do not love you. Did I not say</div> -<div class="line">There was a frenzy in the light of the stars</div> -<div class="line">All through the livelong night, and that the night</div> -<div class="line">Was full of marriages? But that fight’s over.</div> -<div class="line">And all that’s done with, and I have to die.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Throwing her arms about him.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">I will not be put from you, although I think</div> -<div class="line">I had not grudged it you if some great lady,</div> -<div class="line">If the King’s daughter, had set out your bed.</div> -<div class="line">I will not give you up to death; no, no,</div> -<div class="line">And are not these white arms and this soft neck</div> -<div class="line">Better than the brown earth?</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">I swear an oath</div> -<div class="line">Upon the holy tree that I’ll not eat</div> -<div class="line">Until the King restore the right of the poets.</div><!-- p061.png/Page 61 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_61" title="61"></a> -<div class="line">O Sun and Moon, and all things that have strength,</div> -<div class="line">Become my strength that I may put a curse</div> -<div class="line">On all things that would have me break this oath.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Fedelm</span> has sunk down on the ground -while he says this, and crouches at -his feet. -</p> - - - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Seanchan, do not curse me; from this out</div> -<div class="line">I will obey like any married wife.</div> -<div class="line">Let me but lie before your feet.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">Come nearer.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>He kisses her.</p> - - -<div class="line">If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart,</div> -<div class="line">The kiss of multitudes in times to come</div> -<div class="line">Had been the poorer.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Entering from house.</span>] Has he eaten yet?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fedelm.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">No, King, and will not till you have restored</div> -<div class="line">The right of the poets.</div> -</div> -<!-- p062.png/Page 62 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_62" title="62"></a> - -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Coming down and standing before <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span>.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">Seanchan, you have refused</div> -<div class="line">Everybody that I have sent, and now</div> -<div class="line">I come to you myself, and I have come</div> -<div class="line">To bid you put your pride as far away</div> -<div class="line">As I have put my pride. I had your love</div> -<div class="line">Not a great while ago, and now you have planned</div> -<div class="line">To put a voice by every cottage fire</div> -<div class="line">And in the night when no one sees who cries</div> -<div class="line">To cry against me till my throne has crumbled.</div> -<div class="line">And yet if I give way I must offend</div> -<div class="line">My courtiers and nobles till they too</div> -<div class="line">Strike at the crown. What would you have of me?</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">When did the poets promise safety, King?</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Seanchan, I bring you bread in my own hands,</div><!-- p063.png/Page 63 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_63" title="63"></a> -<div class="line">And bid you eat it because of all these reasons,</div> -<div class="line">And for this further reason that I love you.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> pushes bread away with -<span class="character-major">Fedelm’s</span> hand. -</p> - - -<div class="line">You have refused it, Seanchan.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">We have refused it.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I have been patient though I am a king,</div> -<div class="line">And have the means to force you—but that’s ended,</div> -<div class="line">And I am but a king and you a subject.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>He goes up steps.</p> - - -<div class="line">Nobles and courtiers, bring the poets hither</div> -<div class="line">For you can have your way: I that was man</div> -<div class="line">With a man’s heart am now all king again,</div> -<div class="line">Remembering that the seed I come of, although</div> -<div class="line">A hundred kings have sown it and re-sown it,</div> -<div class="line">Has neither trembled nor shrunk backward yet</div> -<div class="line">Because of the hard business of a king.</div> - -<!-- p064.png/Page 64 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_64" title="64"></a> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-minor">Princesses</span>, <span class="character-minor">Ladies</span>, and <span class="character-minor">Courtiers</span> have -come in with <span class="character-minor">Pupils</span>, who have -halters round their necks. -</p> - - -<div class="line">Speak to your master, beg your life of him,</div> -<div class="line">Show him the halters that are round your necks;</div> -<div class="line">If his heart’s set upon it he may die,</div> -<div class="line">But you shall all die with him; beg your lives;</div> -<div class="line">Begin, for you have little time to lose;</div> -<div class="line">Begin it you that are the oldest pupil.</div> -</div> - - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Going up to <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span>.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Silence, you are as crazy as your master.</div> -<div class="line">But that young boy that seems the youngest of you,</div> -<div class="line">I’d have him speak. Kneel down before him, boy,</div> -<div class="line">Hold up your hands to him that he may pluck</div> -<div class="line">That milky coloured neck out of the noose.</div> -</div> -<!-- p065.png/Page 65 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_65" title="65"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Arias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>All the <span class="character-minor">Pupils</span> turn towards the <span class="character-major">King</span>, -holding out the ends of their halters. -</p> - - - -<div class="speaker">Senias.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Gather the halters up into your hands</div> -<div class="line">And lead us where you will, for in all things</div> -<div class="line">But in our art we are obedient.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>The <span class="character-major">King</span> comes slowly down the steps. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Kneeling down before <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span>.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">Kneel down, kneel down, he has the greater power.</div> -<div class="line">I give my crown to you.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>All kneel except <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span>, <span class="character-major">Fedelm</span> -and <span class="character-minor">Pupils</span>. <span class="character-major">Seanchan</span> rises -slowly, supported by one of the -<span class="character-minor">Pupils</span> and by <span class="character-major">Fedelm</span>. -</p> - - - -<div class="speaker">Seanchan.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-14">O crown, O crown,</div> -<div class="line">It is but right if hands that made the crown</div> -<div class="line">In the old time should give it when they will.</div> -<div class="line">O silver trumpets be you lifted up</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He lays the crown on the <span class="character-major">King’s</span> head. -</p> -<!-- p066.png/Page 66 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_66" title="66"></a> - - -<div class="line">And cry to the great race that is to come.</div> -<div class="line">Long-throated swans among the waves of time</div> -<div class="line">Sing loudly, for beyond the wall of the world</div> -<div class="line">It waits and it may hear and come to us.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Some of the <span class="character-minor">Pupils</span> blow a blast upon -their horns. -</p> - -</div> - -<p class="sd1 top4 center">Curtain.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"> -<p> -<a id="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#Anchor_1" title="Return to text.">[1]</a> Written for the first production of “The King’s -Threshold” in Dublin, but not used, as, owing to the -smallness of the company, nobody could be spared to -speak it. -</p> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<!-- p067.png/Page 67 --><!-- deleted double title --><p><a class="pagenum" id="Page_67" title="67"></a></p> -<!-- p068.png/[Page 68] --> - - -<!-- p069.png/Page 69 --> - -<h2><a id="ON_BAILES_STRAND"></a>ON BAILE’S STRAND.<a class="pagenum" id="Page_69" title="69"></a></h2> - - -<ul id="character-list"> -<li><span class="character-major">Cuchullain,</span> the King of Muirthemne.</li> -<li><span class="character-major">Concobar,</span> the High King of Ullad.</li> -<li><span class="character-major">Daire,</span> a King.</li> -<li><span class="character-major">Fintain,</span> a blind man.</li> -<li><span class="character-major">Barach,</span> a fool.</li> -<li>A Young Man.</li> -<li>Young Kings and Old Kings.</li> -</ul> - - - -<div class="prose"> -<p class="scene-description"> -<span class="sd1">Scene</span>: A great hall by the sea close to -Dundalgan. There are two great chairs -on either side of the hall, each raised a -little from the ground, and on the back -of the one chair is carved and painted -a woman with a fish’s tail, and on the -back of the other a hound. There are -smaller chairs and benches raised in -tiers round the walls. There is a great -ale vat at one side near a small door, -and a large door at the back through -which one can see the sea. <span class="character-major">Barach</span>, a<!-- p070.png/Page 70 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_70" title="70"></a> -tall thin man with long ragged hair, -dressed in skins, comes in at the side -door. He is leading <span class="character-major">Fintain</span>, a fat -blind man, who is somewhat older. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> - -<p> -I will shut the door, for this -wind out of the sea gets into my bones, -and if I leave but an inch for the wind -there is one like a flake of sea-frost that -might come into the house. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p> -What is his name, fool? -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p> -It’s a woman from among the -Riders of the Sidhe. It’s Boann herself -from the river. She has left the Dagda’s -bed, and gone through the salt of the sea -and up here to the strand of Baile, and all -for love of me. Let her keep her husband’s -bed, for she’ll have none of me. Nobody -knows how lecherous these goddesses are. -I see her in every kind of shape but oftener -than not she’s in the wind and cries “give -a kiss and put your arms about me.” But -no, she’ll have no more of me. Yesterday<!-- p071.png/Page 71 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_71" title="71"></a> -when I put out my lips to kiss her, there -was nothing there but the wind. She’s -bad, Fintain. O, she’s bad. I had better -shut the big door too. -</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He is going towards the big door but -turns hearing <span class="character-major">Fintain’s</span> voice. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Who has been feeling about with his stick.</span>] -What’s this and this?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>They are chairs.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>And this?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>Why, that’s a bench.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>And this?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>A big chair.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Feeling the back of the chair.</span>] -There is a sea-woman carved upon it.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>And there is another big chair -on the other side of the hall.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Lead me to it. [<span class="stage-direction">He mutters -while the fool is leading him.</span>] That is what -the High King Concobar has on his shield. -The High King will be coming. They have -brought out his chair. [<span class="stage-direction">He begins feeling the -back of the other chair.</span>] And there is a<!-- p072.png/Page 72 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_72" title="72"></a> -dog’s head on this. They have brought out -our master’s chair. Now I know what the -horse-boys were talking about. We must -not stay here. The Kings are going to -meet here. Now that Concobar and our -master, that is his chief man, have put -down all the enemies of Ullad, they are -going to build up Emain again. They are -going to talk over their plans for building -it. Were you ever in Concobar’s town -before it was burnt? O, he is a great King, -for though Emain was burnt down, every -war had made him richer. He has gold -and silver dishes, and chessboards and -candlesticks made of precious stones. Fool, -have they taken the top from the ale vat?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>They have.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Then bring me a horn of ale -quickly, for the Kings will be here in a -minute. Now I can listen. Tell me what -you saw this morning?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>About the young man and the -fighting?</p> -<!-- p073.png/Page 73 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_73" title="73"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Yes.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>And after that we can go and -eat the fowl, for I am hungry.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Time enough, time enough. -You’re in as great a hurry as when you -brought me to Aine’s Seat, where the mad -dogs gather when the moon’s at the full. -Go on with your story.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>I was creeping under a ditch, -with the fowl in my leather bag, keeping -to the shore where the farmer could not see -me, when I came upon a ship drawn up -upon the sands, a great red ship with a -woman’s head upon it.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>A ship out of Aoife’s country. -They have all a woman’s head on the -bow.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>There was a young man with a -pale face and red hair standing beside it. -Some of our people came up whose turn it -was to guard the shore. I heard them ask -the young man his name. He said he was -under bonds not to tell it. Then words<!-- p074.png/Page 74 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_74" title="74"></a> -came between them, and they fought, and -the young man killed half of them, and the -others ran away.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>It matters nothing to us, but he -has come at last.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>Who has come?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>I know who that young man -is. There is not another like him in the -world. I saw him when I had my eyesight.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>You saw him?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>I used to be in Aoife’s country -when I had my eyesight.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>That was before you went on -shipboard and were blinded for putting a -curse on the wind?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Queen Aoife had a son that -was red haired and pale faced like herself, -and everyone said that he would kill -Cuchullain some day, but I would not -have that spoken of.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>Nobody could do that. Who -was his father?</p> -<!-- p075.png/Page 75 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_75" title="75"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Nobody but Aoife knew that, -not even he himself.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>Not even he himself! Was Aoife -a goddess and lecherous?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>I overheard her telling that she -never had but one lover, and that he was -the only man who overcame her in battle. -There were some who thought him one of -the Riders of the Sidhe, because the child -was great of limb and strong beyond others. -The child was begotten over the mountains; -but come nearer and I will tell you -something.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>You have thought something?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>When I hear the young girls -talking about the colour of Cuchullain’s -eyes, and how they have seven colours, I -have thought about it. That young man -has Aoife’s face and hair, but he has -Cuchullain’s eyes.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>How can he have Cuchullain’s -eyes?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>He is Cuchullain’s son.</p> -<!-- p076.png/Page 76 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_76" title="76"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>And his mother has sent him -hither to fight his father.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>It is all quite plain. Cuchullain -went into Aoife’s country when he was a -young man that he might learn skill in arms, -and there he became Aoife’s lover.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>And now she hates him because -he went away, and has sent the son to kill -the father. I knew she was a goddess.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>And she never told him who his -father was, that he might do it. I have -thought it all out, fool. I know a great -many things because I listen when nobody -is noticing and I keep my wits awake. -What ails you now?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>I have remembered that I am -hungry.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Well, forget it again, and I will -tell you about Aoife’s country. It is full of -wonders. There are a great many Queens -there who can change themselves into -wolves and into swine and into white hares, -and when they are in their own shapes they<!-- p077.png/Page 77 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_77" title="77"></a> -are stronger than almost any man; and -there are young men there who have cat’s -eyes and if a bird chirrup or a mouse squeak -they cannot keep them shut, even though -it is bedtime and they sleepy; and listen, -for this is a great wonder, a very great -wonder: there is a long narrow bridge, and -when anybody goes to cross it, that the -Queens do not like, it flies up as this bench -would if you were to sit on the end of it. -Everybody who goes there to learn skill -in arms has to cross it. It was in that -country too that Cuchullain got his spear -made out of dragon bones. There were -two dragons fighting in the foam of the sea, -and their grandam was the moon, and nine -Queens came along the shore.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>I won’t listen to your story.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>It is a very wonderful story. -Wait till you hear what the nine Queens did. -Their right hands were all made of silver.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>No, I will have my dinner first. -You have eaten the fowl I left in front of<!-- p078.png/Page 78 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_78" title="78"></a> -the fire. The last time you sent me to steal -something you made me forget all about it -till you had eaten it up.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>No, there is plenty for us both.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>Come with me where it is.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Who is being led towards the -door at the back by <span class="character-major">Barach</span>.</span>] O, it is all -right, it is in a safe place.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>It is a fine fowl. It was the -biggest in the yard.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>It had a good smell, but I hope -that the wild dogs have not smelt it. [<span class="stage-direction">Voices -are heard outside the door at the side.</span>] Here -is our master. Let us stay and talk with -him. Perhaps Cuchullain will give you a -new cap with a feather. He told me that -he would give you a new cap with a feather, -a feather with an eye that looks at you, a -peacock’s feather.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>No, no.</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He begins pulling <span class="character-major">Fintain</span> towards -the door. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>If you do not get it now, you<!-- p079.png/Page 79 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_79" title="79"></a> -may never get it, for the young man may -kill him.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>No, no, I am hungry. What -a head you have, blind man! Who but -you would have remembered that the -hen-wife slept for a little at noon every -day!</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Who is being led along very -slowly and unwillingly.</span>] Yes, I have a good -head. The fowl should be done just right, -but one never knows when a wild dog may -come out of the woods.</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>They go out through the big door at the -back. As they go out <span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span> -and certain <span class="character-major">Young Kings</span> come -in at the side door. <span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span>, -though still young, is a good deal -older than the others. They are all -very gaily dressed, and have their -hair fastened with balls of gold. -The young men crowd about -<span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span> with wondering attention. -</p> -</div> -<!-- p080.png/Page 80 --> - -<div class="verse"><a class="pagenum" id="Page_80" title="80"></a> -<div class="speaker">First Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">You have hurled that stone beyond our utmost mark</div> -<div class="line">Time after time, but yet you are not weary.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Second Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He has slept on the bare ground of Fuad’s Hill</div> -<div class="line">This week past, waiting for the bulls and the deer.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Well, why should I be weary?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">First Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">It is certain</div> -<div class="line">His father was the god who wheels the sun,</div> -<div class="line">And not King Sualtam.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Third Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">To a <span class="character-major">Young King</span> who is beside him.</span>] He came in the dawn,</div> -<div class="line">And folded Dectara in a sudden fire.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fourth Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">And yet the mother’s half might well grow weary,</div> -<div class="line">And it new come from labours over sea.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Third Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He has been on islands walled about with silver,</div> -<div class="line">And fought with giants.</div> -</div> - - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>They gather about the ale vat and -begin to drink. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Who was it that went out?</div> -</div> -<!-- p081.png/Page 81 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_81" title="81"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Third Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">As we came in?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">Yes.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Third Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Barach and blind Fintain.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">They always flock together; the blind man</div> -<div class="line">Has need of the fool’s eyesight and strong body,</div> -<div class="line">While the poor fool has need of the other’s wit,</div> -<div class="line">And night and day is up to his ears in mischief</div> -<div class="line">That the blind man imagines. There’s no hen-yard</div> -<div class="line">But clucks and cackles when he passes by</div> -<div class="line">As if he’d been a fox. If I’d that ball</div> -<div class="line">That’s in your hair and the big stone again,</div> -<div class="line">I’d keep them tossing, though the one is heavy</div> -<div class="line">And the other light in the hand. A trick I learnt</div> -<div class="line">When I was learning arms in Aoife’s country.</div> -</div> -<!-- p082.png/Page 82 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_82" title="82"></a> - -<div class="speaker">First Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">What kind of woman was that Aoife?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-24">Comely.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">First Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">But I have heard that she was never married,</div> -<div class="line">And yet that’s natural, for I have never known</div> -<div class="line">A fighting woman, but made her favours cheap,</div> -<div class="line">Or mocked at love till she grew sandy dry.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">What manner of woman do you like the best?</div> -<div class="line">A gentle or a fierce?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">First Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">A gentle, surely.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I think that a fierce woman’s better, a woman</div> -<div class="line">That breaks away when you have thought her won,</div> -<div class="line">For I’d be fed and hungry at one time.</div> -<div class="line">I think that all deep passion is but a kiss</div> -<div class="line">In the mid battle, and a difficult peace</div> -<div class="line">’Twixt oil and water, candles and dark night,</div> -<div class="line">Hill-side and hollow, the hot-footed sun,</div><!-- p083.png/Page 83 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_83" title="83"></a> -<div class="line">And the cold sliding slippery-footed moon,</div> -<div class="line">A brief forgiveness between opposites</div> -<div class="line">That have been hatreds for three times the age</div> -<div class="line">Of this long ’stablished ground. Here’s Concobar;</div> -<div class="line">So I’ll be done, but keep beside me still,</div> -<div class="line">For while he talks of hammered bronze and asks</div> -<div class="line">What wood is best for building, we can talk</div> -<div class="line">Of a fierce woman.</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Concobar</span>, a man much older than -<span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span>, has come in through -the great door at the back. He has -many <span class="character-minor">Kings</span> about him. One of -these <span class="character-minor">Kings</span>, <span class="character-major">Daire</span>, a stout old -man, is somewhat drunk. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">To one of those about him.</span>] Has the ship gone yet?</div> -<div class="line">We have need of more bronze workers, and that ship</div> -<div class="line">I sent to Africa for gold is late.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I knew their talk.</div> -</div> -<!-- p084.png/Page 84 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_84" title="84"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Seeing <span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span>.</span>] You are before us, King.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">So much the better, for I welcome you</div> -<div class="line">Into my Muirthemne.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">But who are these?</div> -<div class="line">The odour from their garments when they stir</div> -<div class="line">Is like a wind out of an apple garden.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">My swordsmen and harp players and fine dancers,</div> -<div class="line">My bosom friends.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I should have thought, Cuchullain,</div> -<div class="line">My graver company would better match</div> -<div class="line">Your greatness and your years; but I waste breath</div> -<div class="line">In harping on that tale.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">You do, great King.</div> -<div class="line">Because their youth is the kind wandering wave</div> -<div class="line">That carries me about the world; and if it sank,</div><!-- p085.png/Page 85 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_85" title="85"></a> -<div class="line">My sword would lose its lightness.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-24">Yet, Cuchullain,</div> -<div class="line">Emain should be the foremost town of the world.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">It is the foremost town.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">No, no, it’s not.</div> -<div class="line">Nothing but men can make towns great, and he,</div> -<div class="line">The one over-topping man that’s in the world,</div> -<div class="line">Keeps far away.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Daire.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-8">He will not hear you, King,</div> -<div class="line">And we old men had best keep company</div> -<div class="line">With one another. I’ll fill the horn for you.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I will not drink, old fool. You have drunk a horn</div> -<div class="line">At every door we came to.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Daire.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-18">You’d better drink,</div> -<div class="line">For old men light upon their youth again</div> -<div class="line">In the brown ale. When I have drunk enough,</div> -<div class="line">I am like Cuchullain as one pea another,</div> -<div class="line">And live like a bird’s flight from tree to tree.</div> -</div> -<!-- p086.png/Page 86 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_86" title="86"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">We’ll to our chairs for we have much to talk of,</div> -<div class="line">And we have Ullad and Muirthemne, and here</div> -<div class="line">Is Conall Muirthemne in the nick of time.</div> -</div> - - - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>He goes to the back of stage to welcome -a company of <span class="character-minor">Kings</span> who come in -through the great door. The other -<span class="character-minor">Kings</span> gradually get into their -places. <span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span> sits in his -great chair with certain of the -young men standing around him. -Others of the young men, however, -remain with <span class="character-major">Daire</span> at the ale vat. -<span class="character-major">Daire</span> holds out the horn of ale to -one or two of the older <span class="character-minor">Kings</span> as -they pass him going to their places. -They pass him by, most of them -silently refusing. -</p> - - - -<div class="speaker">Daire.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Will you not drink?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">An Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">Not till the council’s over.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">A Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">But I’ll drink, Daire.</div> -</div> -<!-- p087.png/Page 87 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_87" title="87"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Another Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Fill me a horn too, Daire.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Another Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">If I’d drunk half that you have drunk to-day,</div> -<div class="line">I’d be upon all fours.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Daire.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">That would be natural</div> -<div class="line">When Mother Earth had given you this good milk</div> -<div class="line">From her great breasts.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">To one of the <span class="character-major">Young Kings</span> beside him.</span>]</div> -<div class="line indent-14">One is content awhile</div> -<div class="line">With a soft warm woman who folds up our lives</div> -<div class="line">In silky network. Then, one knows not why,</div> -<div class="line">But one’s away after a flinty heart.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">The Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">How long can the net keep us?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">All our lives</div> -<div class="line">If there are children, and a dozen moons</div> -<div class="line">If there are none, because a growing child</div> -<div class="line">Has so much need of watching it can make</div> -<div class="line">A passion that’s as changeable as the sea</div><!-- p088.png/Page 88 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_88" title="88"></a> -<div class="line">Change till it holds the wide earth to its heart.</div> -<div class="line">At least I have heard a father say it, but I</div> -<div class="line">Being childless do not know it. Come nearer yet;</div> -<div class="line">Though he is ringing that old silver rod</div> -<div class="line">We’ll have our own talk out. They cannot hear us.</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Concobar</span> who is now seated in his -great chair, opposite <span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span>, -beats upon the pillar of the house -that is nearest to him with a rod -of silver, till the <span class="character-minor">Kings</span> have become -silent. <span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span> alone continues -to talk in a low voice to those about -him, but not so loud as to disturb -the silence. <span class="character-major">Concobar</span> rises and -speaks standing. -</p> - - - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I have called you hither, Kings of Ullad, and Kings</div> -<div class="line">Of Muirthemne and Connall Muirthemne,</div> -<div class="line">And tributary Kings, for now there is peace—</div><!-- p089.png/Page 89 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_89" title="89"></a> -<div class="line">It’s time to build up Emain that was burned</div> -<div class="line">At the outsetting of these wars; for we,</div> -<div class="line">Being the foremost men, should have high chairs</div> -<div class="line">And be much stared at and wondered at, and speak</div> -<div class="line">Out of more laughing overflowing hearts</div> -<div class="line">Than common men. It is the art of kings</div> -<div class="line">To make what’s noble nobler in men’s eyes</div> -<div class="line">By wide uplifted roofs, where beaten gold,</div> -<div class="line">That’s ruddy with desire, marries pale silver</div> -<div class="line">Among the shadowing beams; and many a time</div> -<div class="line">I would have called you hither to this work,</div> -<div class="line">But always, when I’d all but summoned you,</div> -<div class="line">Some war or some rebellion would break out.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Daire.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Where’s Maine Morgor and old Usnach’s children,</div> -<div class="line">And that high-headed even-walking Queen,</div> -<div class="line">And many near as great that got their death</div> -<div class="line">Because you hated peace? I can remember</div> -<div class="line">The people crying out when Deirdre passed</div><!-- p090.png/Page 90 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_90" title="90"></a> -<div class="line">And Maine Morgor had a cold gray eye.</div> -<div class="line">Well, well, I’ll throw this heel-tap on the ground,</div> -<div class="line">For it may be they are thirsty.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">A King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-20">Be silent, fool.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Another King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> Be silent, Daire.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">Let him speak his mind.</div> -<div class="line">I have no need to be afraid of ghosts,</div> -<div class="line">For I have made but necessary wars.</div> -<div class="line">I warred to strengthen Emain, or because</div> -<div class="line">When wars are out they marry and beget</div> -<div class="line">And have their generations like mankind</div> -<div class="line">And there’s no help for it; but I’m well content</div> -<div class="line">That they have ended and left the town so great,</div> -<div class="line">That its mere name shall be in times to come</div> -<div class="line">Like a great ale vat where the men of the world</div> -<div class="line">Shall drink no common ale but the hard will,</div><!-- p091.png/Page 91 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_91" title="91"></a> -<div class="line">The unquenchable hope, the friendliness of the sword.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He takes thin boards on which plans -have been carved by those about him. -</p> - - -<div class="line">Give me the building plans, and have you written</div> -<div class="line">That we—Cuchullain is looking in his shield;</div> -<div class="line">It may be the pale riders of the wind</div> -<div class="line">Throw pictures on it, or that Mananan,</div> -<div class="line">His father’s friend and sometime fosterer,</div> -<div class="line">Foreknower of all things, has cast a vision,</div> -<div class="line">Out of the cold dark of the rich sea,</div> -<div class="line">Foretelling Emain’s greatness.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-22">No, great King,</div> -<div class="line">I looked on this out of mere idleness,</div> -<div class="line">Imagining a far-off country and one</div> -<div class="line">That held it with a sword, although a woman.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">A woman needs but laugh, or a friend sigh,</div> -<div class="line">And you’re afar off sounding through the world,</div><!-- p092.png/Page 92 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_92" title="92"></a> -<div class="line">While I plan Emain’s greatness.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>The sound of a trumpet without. -</p> - - -<div class="line indent-20">Open the doors!</div> -<div class="line">I hear a herald’s trumpet, and await,</div> -<div class="line">It may be, the heavy fleeces of the sea</div> -<div class="line">And golden and silver apples or ancient crowns</div> -<div class="line">Long hidden in the well at the World’s End,</div> -<div class="line">Or glittering garments of the salmon, tributes</div> -<div class="line">From the Great Plain, or the high people of Sorcha,</div> -<div class="line">Or the walled garden in the east of the world.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>The great door at the back is flung open; -a <span class="character-minor">Young Man</span>, who is fully armed -and carries a shield with a woman’s -head painted on it, stands upon the -threshold. Behind him are trumpeters. -He walks into the centre of -the hall, the trumpeting ceases. -</p> - - -<div class="line">What is your message?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">I am of Aoife’s army.</div> -</div> -<!-- p093.png/Page 93 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_93" title="93"></a> - -<div class="speaker">First King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> Queen Aoife and her army have fallen upon us.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Second King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> Out swords! Out swords!</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Third King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> They are about the house.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fourth King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> Rush out! Rush out! Before they have fired the thatch.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> Aoife is far away. I am alone.</div> -<div class="line">I have come alone in the midst of you</div> -<div class="line">To weigh this sword against Cuchullain’s sword.</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>There is a murmur amongst the <span class="character-minor">Kings</span>. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">And are you noble? for if of common seed</div> -<div class="line">You cannot weigh your sword against his sword</div> -<div class="line">But in mixed battle.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">I am under bonds</div> -<div class="line">To tell my name to no man, but it’s noble.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">But I would know your name and not your bonds.</div> -<div class="line">You cannot speak in the Assembly House</div> -<div class="line">If you are not noble.</div> -</div> -<!-- p094.png/Page 94 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_94" title="94"></a> - -<div class="speaker">A King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">Answer the High King.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> [<span class="stage-direction">Drawing his sword.</span>] I will give no other proof than the hawk gives</div> -<div class="line">That it’s no sparrow.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He is silent a moment, then speaks to all. -</p> - - -<div class="line indent-12">Yet look upon me, Kings;</div> -<div class="line">I too am of that ancient seed and carry</div> -<div class="line">The signs about this body and in these bones.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">To have shown the hawk’s gray feather is enough,</div> -<div class="line">And you speak highly too.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span> comes down from his great -chair. He remains standing on the -steps of the chair. The <span class="character-minor">Young -Kings</span> gather about him and begin -to arm him. -</p> - - -<div class="line indent-16">Give me that helmet!</div> -<div class="line">I’d thought they had grown weary sending champions.</div> -<div class="line">That leathern coat will do. The High King there</div><!-- p095.png/Page 95 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_95" title="95"></a> -<div class="line">Being old in wisdom can think of times to come,</div> -<div class="line">But the hawk’s sleepy till its well-beloved</div> -<div class="line">Cries out amid the acorns, or it has seen</div> -<div class="line">Its enemy like a speck upon the sun.</div> -<div class="line">What’s Emain to the hawk when that clear eye</div> -<div class="line">Is burning nearer up in the high air?</div> -<div class="line">That buckle should be tighter. Give me your shield.</div> -<div class="line">There is good level ground at Baile’s Yew-tree,</div> -<div class="line">Some dozen yards from here, and it’s but truth</div> -<div class="line">That I am sad to-day and this fight welcome.</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He looks hard at the <span class="character-minor">Young Man</span>, and -then steps down on the floor of the -Assembly House. He grasps the -<span class="character-minor">Young Man</span> by the shoulder. -</p> - -<div class="line">Hither into the light.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Turning to one of the <span class="character-minor">Young Kings</span>. -</p> - - -<div class="line indent-14">The very tint</div> -<div class="line">Of her that I was speaking of but now:</div><!-- p096.png/Page 96 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_96" title="96"></a> -<div class="line">Not a pin’s difference.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>To the <span class="character-minor">Young Man</span>.</p> - - -<div class="line indent-14">You are from the North,</div> -<div class="line">Where there are many that have that tint of hair,</div> -<div class="line">Red-brown, the light red-brown. Come nearer, boy!</div> -<div class="line">For I would have another look at you.</div> -<div class="line">There’s more likeness, a pale, a stone pale cheek.</div> -<div class="line">What brought you, boy? Have you no fear of death?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> Whether I live or die is in the Gods’ hands.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">That is all words, all words, a young man’s talk;</div> -<div class="line">I am their plough, their harrow, their very strength,</div> -<div class="line">For he that’s in the sun begot this body</div> -<div class="line">Upon a mortal woman, and I have heard tell</div> -<div class="line">It seemed as if he had outrun the moon,</div> -<div class="line">That he must always follow through waste heaven,</div> -<div class="line">He loved so happily. He’ll be but slow</div><!-- p097.png/Page 97 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_97" title="97"></a> -<div class="line">To break a tree that was so sweetly planted.</div> -<div class="line">Let’s see that arm; I’ll see it if I like.</div> -<div class="line">That arm had a good father and a good mother,</div> -<div class="line">But it is not like this.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">You are mocking me.</div> -<div class="line">You think I am not worthy to be fought,</div> -<div class="line">But I’ll not wrangle but with this talkative knife.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Put up your sword, I am not mocking you.</div> -<div class="line">I’d have you for my friend, but if it’s not</div> -<div class="line">Because you have a hot heart and a cold eye</div> -<div class="line">I cannot tell the reason. You’ve got her fierceness,</div> -<div class="line">And nobody is as fierce as those pale women.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>To the <span class="character-minor">Young Kings</span>. -</p> - - -<div class="line">We’ll keep him here in Muirthemne awhile.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">A Young King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">You are the leader of our pack and therefore</div> -<div class="line">May cry what you will.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-14">You’ll stop with us</div><!-- p098.png/Page 98 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_98" title="98"></a> -<div class="line">And we will hunt the deer and the wild bulls,</div> -<div class="line">And, when we have grown weary, light our fires</div> -<div class="line">In sandy places where the wool-white foam</div> -<div class="line">Is murmuring and breaking, and it may be</div> -<div class="line">That long-haired women will come out of the dunes</div> -<div class="line">To dance in the yellow fire-light. You hang your head,</div> -<div class="line">Young man, as if it was not a good life;</div> -<div class="line">And yet what’s better than to hurl the spear,</div> -<div class="line">And hear the long-remembering harp, and dance?</div> -<div class="line">Friendship grows quicker in the murmuring dark;</div> -<div class="line">But I can see there’s no more need for words</div> -<div class="line">And that you’ll be my friend now.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">First Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-22">Concobar,</div> -<div class="line">Forbid their friendship, for it will get twisted</div> -<div class="line">To a reproach against us.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-16">Until now</div> -<div class="line">I’d never need to cry Cuchullain on</div><!-- p099.png/Page 99 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_99" title="99"></a> -<div class="line">And would not now.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">First Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">They’ll say his manhood’s quenched.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I’ll give you gifts, but I’ll have something too,</div> -<div class="line">An arm-ring or the like, and if you will</div> -<div class="line">We’ll fight it out when you are older, boy.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">An Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Aoife will make some story out of this.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Well, well, what matter, I’ll have that arm-ring, boy.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> There is no man I’d sooner have my friend</div> -<div class="line">Than you whose name has gone about the world</div> -<div class="line">As if it had been the wind, but Aoife’d say</div> -<div class="line">I had turned coward.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">I’ll give you gifts</div> -<div class="line">That Aoife’ll know and all her people know</div> -<div class="line">To have been my gifts. Mananan, son of the sea,</div> -<div class="line">Gave me this heavy embroidered cloak. Nine Queens</div><!-- p100.png/Page 100 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_100" title="100"></a> -<div class="line">Of the Land-under-Wave had woven it</div> -<div class="line">Out of the fleeces of the sea. O! tell her</div> -<div class="line">I was afraid, or tell her what you will.</div> -<div class="line">No! tell her that I heard a raven croak</div> -<div class="line">On the north side of the house and was afraid.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">An Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Some witch of the air has troubled Cuchullain’s mind.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">No witchcraft, his head is like a woman’s head</div> -<div class="line">I had a fancy for.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Second Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">A witch of the air</div> -<div class="line">Can make a leaf confound us with memories.</div> -<div class="line">They have gone to school to learn the trick of it.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">But there’s no trick in this. That arm-ring, boy.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Third Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He shall not go unfought, I’ll fight with him.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fourth Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">No! I will fight with him.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">First Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I claim the fight,</div> -<div class="line">For when we sent an army to her land——</div> -</div> -<!-- p101.png/Page 101 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_101" title="101"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Second Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I claim the fight, for one of Aoife’s galleys</div> -<div class="line">Stole my great cauldron and a herd of pigs.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Third Old King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">No, no, I claim it, for at Lammas’ time——</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Back! Back! Put up your swords! Put up your swords!</div> -<div class="line">There’s none alive that shall accept a challenge</div> -<div class="line">I have refused. Laegaire, put up your sword.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> No, let them come, let any three together.</div> -<div class="line">If they’ve a mind to, I’ll try it out with four.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">That’s spoken as I’d spoken it at your age,</div> -<div class="line">But you are in my house. Whatever man</div> -<div class="line">Would fight with you shall fight it out with me.</div> -<div class="line">They’re dumb. They’re dumb. How many of you would meet</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>Drawing his sword.</p> -<!-- p102.png/Page 102 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_102" title="102"></a> - - -<div class="line">This mutterer, this old whistler, this sandpiper,</div> -<div class="line">This edge that’s grayer than the tide, this mouse</div> -<div class="line">That’s gnawing at the timbers of the world,</div> -<div class="line">This, this—Boy, I would meet them all in arms</div> -<div class="line">If I’d a son like you. He would avenge me</div> -<div class="line">When I have withstood for the last time the men</div> -<div class="line">Whose fathers, brothers, sons, and friends I have killed</div> -<div class="line">Upholding Ullad; when the four provinces</div> -<div class="line">Have gathered with the ravens over them.</div> -<div class="line">But I’d need no avenger. You and I</div> -<div class="line">Would scatter them like water from a dish.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> We’ll stand by one another from this out.</div> -<div class="line">Here is the ring.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">No, turn and turn about,</div> -<div class="line">But my turn is first, because I am the older.</div><!-- p103.png/Page 103 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_103" title="103"></a> -<div class="line">Cliodna embroidered these bird wings, but Fand</div> -<div class="line">Made all these little golden eyes with the hairs</div> -<div class="line">That she had stolen out of Aengus’ beard,</div> -<div class="line">And therefore none that has this cloak about him</div> -<div class="line">Is crossed in love. The heavy inlaid brooch</div> -<div class="line">That Buan hammered has a merit too.</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He begins spreading the cloak out on -a bench, showing it to the <span class="character-minor">Young -Man</span>. Suddenly <span class="character-major">Concobar</span> beats -with his silver rod on a pillar -beside his chair. All turn towards -him. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">In a loud voice.</span>] No more of that, I will not have this friendship.</div> -<div class="line">Cuchullain is my man and I forbid it;</div> -<div class="line">He shall not go unfought for I myself——</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Seizing <span class="character-major">Concobar</span>.</span>] You shall not stir, High King, I’ll hold you there.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Witchcraft has maddened you.</div> -</div> -<!-- p104.png/Page 104 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_104" title="104"></a> - -<div class="speaker">The Kings.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> [<span class="stage-direction">Shouting.</span>] Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">A King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> You saw another’s head upon his shoulders</div> -<div class="line">All of a sudden, a woman’s head, Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="line">Then raised your hand against the King of Ullad.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Letting <span class="character-major">Concobar</span> go, and looking wildly about him.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">Yes, yes, all of a sudden, all of a sudden.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Daire.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Why, there’s no witchcraft in it, I myself</div> -<div class="line">Have made a hundred of these sudden friendships</div> -<div class="line">And fought it out next day. But that was folly,</div> -<div class="line">For now that I am old I know it is best</div> -<div class="line">To live in comfort.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">A King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">Pull the fool away!</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Daire.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">I’ll throw a heel-tap to the one that dies.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Concobar.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Some witch is floating in the air above us.</div> -</div> -<!-- p105.png/Page 105 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_105" title="105"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft and the power of witchcraft.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>To the <span class="character-minor">Young Man</span>. -</p> - - -<div class="line">Why did you do it? was it Calatin’s daughters?</div> -<div class="line">Out, out, I say, for now it’s sword on sword.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Young Man.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> But, but, I did not.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Out, I say, out, out!</div> -<div class="line">Sword upon sword.</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He goes towards the door at back, -followed by <span class="character-minor">Young Man</span>. He -turns on the threshold and cries -out, looking at the <span class="character-minor">Young Man</span>. -</p> - - -<div class="line">That hair my hands were drowned in!</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He goes out, followed by <span class="character-minor">Young Man</span>. -The other <span class="character-minor">Kings</span> begin to follow -them out. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">A King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> I saw him fight with Ferdiad.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Second King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-22">We’ll be too late,</div> -<div class="line">They’re such a long time getting through the door.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Third King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> Run quicker, quicker.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Daire.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-14">I was at the Smith’s</div><!-- p106.png/Page 106 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_106" title="106"></a> -<div class="line">When he that was the boy Setanta then——</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Sound, of fighting outside. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Third King.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line"> He will have killed him.</div> -<div class="line">They have begun the fight!</div> -</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>They all go out, leaving the house silent -and empty. There is a pause during -which one hears the clashing of the -swords. <span class="character-major">Barach</span> and <span class="character-major">Fintain</span> come -in from side door. <span class="character-major">Barach</span> is dragging -<span class="character-major">Fintain</span>. -</p> -</div><!-- end verse --> - -<div class="prose"> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>You have eaten it, you have -eaten it, you have left me nothing but the -bones.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>O, that I should have to endure -such a plague. O, I ache all over. O, I am -pulled in pieces. This is the way you pay -me for all the good I have done you!</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>You have eaten it, you have told -me lies about a wild dog. Nobody has seen -a wild dog about the place this twelve month. -Lie there till the Kings come. O, I will tell -Concobar and Cuchullain and all the Kings -about you!</p> -<!-- p107.png/Page 107 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_107" title="107"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>What would have happened to -you but for me, and you without your wits? -If I did not take care of you what would -you do for food and warmth? -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>You take care of me? You stay -safe and send me into every kind of danger. -You sent me down the cliff for gull’s eggs -while you warmed your blind eyes in the -sun. And then you ate all that were good -for food. You left me the eggs that were -neither egg nor bird. [<span class="stage-direction">The blind man tries -to rise. <span class="character-major">Barach</span> makes him lie down again.</span>] -Keep quiet now till I shut the door. There -is some noise outside. There are swords -crossing; a high vexing noise so that I can’t -be listening to myself. [<span class="stage-direction">He goes to the big -door at the back and shuts it.</span>] Why can’t -they be quiet, why can’t they be quiet! Ah, -you would get away, would you? [<span class="stage-direction">He -follows the blind man who has been crawling -along the wall and makes him lie down close -to the <span class="character-major">King’s</span> chair.</span>] Lie there, lie there. -No, you won’t get away. Lie there till the<!-- p108.png/Page 108 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_108" title="108"></a> -Kings come, I’ll tell them all about you. I -shall tell it all. How you sit warming yourself, -when you have made me light a fire of -sticks, while I sit blowing it with my mouth. -Do you not always make me take the windy -side of the bush when it blows and the rainy -side when it rains? -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>O good fool, listen to me. Think -of the care I have taken of you. I have -brought you to many a warm hearth, where -there was a good welcome for you, but -you would not stay there, you were always -wandering about. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>The last time you brought me -in, it was not I who wandered away, but -you that got put out because you took the -crubeen out of the pot, when you thought -nobody was looking. Keep quiet now, keep -quiet till I shut the door. Here is Cuchullain, -now you will be beaten. I am going to -tell him everything. -</p> - - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Comes in and says to the -fool.</span>] Give me that horn. -</p> -<!-- p109.png/Page 109 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_109" title="109"></a> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>The fool gives him a horn which -<span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span> fills with ale and -drinks. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Do not listen to him, listen to -me.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>What are you wrangling -over?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>He is fat and good for nothing. -He has left me the bones and the feathers.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>What feathers?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>I left him turning a fowl at the -fire. He ate it all. He left me nothing but -the bones and feathers.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Do not believe him. You do -not know how vain this fool is. I gave him -the feathers, because I thought he would -like nothing so well.</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span><span class="character-major">Barach</span> is sitting on a bench playing -with a heap of feathers, which he -has taken out of the breast of his -coat. -</p> -</div><!-- /prose --> - -<div class="verse"> -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Singing.</span>] When you were an -acorn on the tree top——</div> -</div> -</div> -<!-- p110.png/Page 110 --> - -<div class="prose"> -<a class="pagenum" id="Page_110" title="110"></a> -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Where would he be but for me? -I must be always thinking, thinking to get -food for the two of us, and when we’ve -got it, if the moon’s at the full or the tide -on the turn, he’ll leave the rabbit in its -snare till it is full of maggots, or let the -trout slip through his hands back into the -water.</p> -</div> - - -<div class="verse"> -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Singing.</span>] When you were an acorn on the tree top,</div> -<div class="line">Then was I an eagle cock;</div> -<div class="line">Now that you are a withered old block,</div> -<div class="line">Still am I an eagle cock!</div> -</div> -</div> - - -<div class="prose"> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Listen to him now! That’s the -sort of talk I have to put up with, day out -day in.</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>The fool is putting the feathers into -his hair. <span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span> takes a -handful of feathers out of the heap -and out of the fool’s hair, and -begins to wipe the blood from his -sword with them. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>He has taken my feathers to<!-- p111.png/Page 111 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_111" title="111"></a> -wipe his sword. It is blood that he is wiping -from his sword!</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Whose blood? Whose blood?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>That young champion’s.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>He that came out of Aoife’s -country?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>The Kings are standing -round his body.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Did he fight long?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>He thought to have saved -himself with witchcraft.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>That blind man there said he -would kill you. He came from Aoife’s -country to kill you. That blind man said -they had taught him every kind of weapon -that he might do it. But I always knew -that you would kill him.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>[<span class="stage-direction">To the blind man.</span>] You -knew him, then?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>I saw him when I had my eyes, -in Aoife’s country. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>You were in Aoife’s country?</p> -<!-- p112.png/Page 112 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_112" title="112"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>I knew him and his mother -there.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>He was about to speak of -her when he died.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>He was a Queen’s son.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>What Queen, what Queen? -[<span class="stage-direction">He seizes the blind man.</span>] Was it Scathach? -There were many Queens. All the rulers -were Queens.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>No, not Scathach.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>It was Uathach, then. Speak, -speak!</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>I cannot speak, you are clutching -me too tightly. [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="character-major">Cuchullain</span> lets him -go.</span>] I cannot remember who it was. I am -not certain. It was some Queen.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>He said a while ago that the -young man was Aoife’s son.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>She? No, no, she had no -son when I was there.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>That blind man there said that -she owned him for her son.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>I had rather he had been<!-- p113.png/Page 113 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_113" title="113"></a> -some other woman’s son. What father had -he? A soldier out of Alba? She was an -amorous woman, a proud, pale amorous -woman.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>None knew whose son he -was.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>None knew? Did you know, -old listener at doors?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>No, no, I knew nothing.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>He said a while ago that he -heard Aoife boast that she’d never but the -one lover, and he the only man that had -overcome her in battle.</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>A pause.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Somebody is trembling. Why -are you trembling, fool? the bench is shaking, -why are you trembling? Is Cuchullain -going to hurt us? It was not I who told -you, Cuchullain.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>It is Cuchullain who is trembling. -He is shaking the bench with his -knees.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<p>He was my son, and I have killed my son.</p> -<!-- p114.png/Page 114 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_114" title="114"></a> - -<p class="stage-direction"><span class="no-italic">[</span>A pause.</p> - -</div><!-- end prose --> - - -<div class="verse"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">’Twas they that did it, the pale windy people,</div> -<div class="line">Where, where, where? My sword against the thunder.</div> -<div class="line">But no, for they have always been my friends;</div> -<div class="line">And though they love to blow a smoking coal</div> -<div class="line">Till it’s all flame, the wars they blow aflame</div> -<div class="line">Are full of glory, and heart uplifting pride,</div> -<div class="line">And not like this; the wars they love awaken</div> -<div class="line">Old fingers and the sleepy strings of harps.</div> -<div class="line">Who did it then? Are you afraid; speak out,</div> -<div class="line">For I have put you under my protection</div> -<div class="line">And will reward you well. Dubthach the Chafer.</div> -<div class="line">He had an old grudge. No, for he is with Maeve.</div> -<div class="line">Laegaire did it. Why do you not speak?</div> -<div class="line">What is this house? [<span class="stage-direction">A pause.</span>] Now I remember all.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">He will kill us. O, I am afraid!</div> -</div> -<!-- p115.png/Page 115 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_115" title="115"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Who is before <span class="character-major">Concobar’s</span> chair.</span>]</div> -<div class="line">’Twas you who did it, you who sat up there</div> -<div class="line">With that old branch of silver, like a magpie</div> -<div class="line">Nursing a stolen spoon. Magpie, magpie,</div> -<div class="line">A maggot that is eating up the earth!</div> - - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Begins hacking at the chair with his -sword. -</p> - - -<div class="line">No, but a magpie, for he’s flown away.</div> -<div class="line">Where did he fly to?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-12">He is outside the door.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Outside the door?</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line indent-10">He is under Baile’s yew-tree.</div> -</div> - -<div class="speaker">Cuchullain.</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Concobar, Concobar, the sword into your heart.</div> -</div> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>He goes out. A pause. The fool goes -to the great door at back and looks -out after him. -</p> -</div> - -<div class="prose"> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>He is going up to King Concobar; -they are all under the tree. No, no, -he is standing still. There is a great wave -going to break and he is looking at it. Ah!<!-- p116.png/Page 116 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_116" title="116"></a> -now he is running down to the sea, but he -is holding up his sword as if he were going -into a fight. [<span class="stage-direction">A pause.</span>] Well struck, well -struck!</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>What is he doing now?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>Oh! he is fighting the waves.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>He sees King Concobar’s crown -on every one of them.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>There, he has struck at a big -one. He has struck the crown off it, he has -made the foam fly. There again another big -one.</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>Shouting without. -</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Where are the Kings? What -are the Kings doing?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>They are shouting and running -down to the shore, and the people are -running out of the houses, they are all -running.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>You say they are running out of -the houses, there will be nobody left in the -houses. Listen, fool.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>There, he is down! He is up -again! He is going out into the deep water.</p> -<!-- p117.png/Page 117 --><a class="pagenum" id="Page_117" title="117"></a> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>Come here, fool; come here, I -say.</p> - -<div class="speaker">Barach.</div> -<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Coming towards him but looking -backward towards the door.</span>] What is it?</p> - -<div class="speaker">Fintain.</div> -<p>There will be nobody in the -houses. Come this way, come quickly; the -ovens will be full; we will put our hands -into the ovens.</p> - -<p class="stage-direction"> -<span class="no-italic">[</span>They go out. -</p> -</div><!-- end prose --> - - -<hr /> -<!-- p118.png/[Page 118] --> - - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/colophon.jpg" height="200" width="143" alt="Publisher's colophon" /> -</div> - -<div class="publisher">CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO.<br /> -TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON.</div> - -<div id="transcriber-note"> -<div class="center">Transcriber's Note:</div> - -<p>Punctuation has been standardised. Spelling and hyphenation have been preserved as printed.</p> - -<p>The cover included for the EPUB and MOBI versions -was made by the transcriber and has been placed in the public domain.</p> - - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's -Strand, by William Butler Yeats - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - -***** This file should be named 41102-h.htm or 41102-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/0/41102/ - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/41102-h/images/colophon.jpg b/old/41102-h/images/colophon.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8178005..0000000 --- a/old/41102-h/images/colophon.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/41102-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/41102-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3ddd0f3..0000000 --- a/old/41102-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/41102.txt b/old/41102.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 983743a..0000000 --- a/old/41102.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2758 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand, by -William Butler Yeats - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand - -Author: William Butler Yeats - -Release Date: October 18, 2012 [EBook #41102] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - - -_BY THE SAME AUTHOR._ - - THE SECRET ROSE. - THE CELTIC TWILIGHT. - POEMS. - THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS. - THE SHADOWY WATERS. - IDEAS OF GOOD AND EVIL. - - - - -PLAYS FOR AN IRISH THEATRE - -VOLUME III. - - - - - THE KING'S THRESHOLD: - AND - ON BAILE'S STRAND: - - BEING VOLUME THREE OF PLAYS - FOR AN IRISH THEATRE: - - BY W. B. YEATS - - - LONDON: A. H. BULLEN, - 47, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, W.C. - 1904 - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - - -NOTE - - -Both these plays have been written for Mr. Fay's "Irish National -Theatre." "The King's Threshold" was played in October, 1903, and "On -Baile's Strand" will be played in February or March, 1904. Both are -founded on Old Irish Prose Romances, but I have borrowed some ideas for -the arrangement of my subject in "The King's Threshold" from "Sancan the -Bard," a play published by Mr. Edwin Ellis some ten years ago. - - W. B. Y. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - THE KING'S THRESHOLD 1 - - ON BAILE'S STRAND 67 - - - - -THE KING'S THRESHOLD - - - - -LIST OF CHARACTERS - - KING GUAIRE. - THE CHAMBERLAIN OF KING GUAIRE. - A Soldier. - A Monk. - THE MAYOR OF KINVARA. - A Cripple. - Another Cripple. - AILEEN, } Ladies of the Court. - ESSA, } - PRINCESS BUAN. - PRINCESS FINNHUA, her Sister. - FEDELM, Seanchan's Sweetheart. - CIAN, } Servants of Seanchan. - BRIAN, } - SENIAS, } Pupils of Seanchan. - ARIAS, } - SEANCHAN (pronounced Shanahan), Chief Poet of Ireland. - - Pupils, Courtiers. - - - - -A PROLOGUE.[1] - - Footnote 1: Written for the first production of "The King's - Threshold" in Dublin, but not used, as, owing to the smallness - of the company, nobody could be spared to speak it. - - - _An OLD MAN with a red dressing-gown, red slippers and red - nightcap, holding a brass candlestick with a guttering candle in it, - comes on from side of stage and goes in front of the dull green - curtain._ - -_Old Man._ I've got to speak the prologue. [_He shuffles on a few -steps._] My nephew, who is one of the play actors, came to me, and I in -my bed, and my prayers said, and the candle put out, and he told me -there were so many characters in this new play, that all the company -were in it, whether they had been long or short at the business, and -that there wasn't one left to speak the prologue. Wait a bit, there's a -draught here. [_He pulls the curtain closer together._] That's better. -And that's why I'm here, and maybe I'm a fool for my pains. - -And my nephew said, there are a good many plays to be played for you, -some to-night and some on other nights through the winter, and the most -of them are simple enough, and tell out their story to the end. But as -to the big play you are to see to-night, my nephew taught me to say what -the poet had taught him to say about it. [_Puts down candlestick and -puts right finger on left thumb._] First, he who told the story of -Seanchan on King Guaire's threshold long ago in the old books told it -wrongly, for he was a friend of the king, or maybe afraid of the king, -and so he put the king in the right. But he that tells the story now, -being a poet, has put the poet in the right. - -And then [_touches other finger_] I am to say: Some think it would be a -finer tale if Seanchan had died at the end of it, and the king had the -guilt at his door, for that might have served the poet's cause better in -the end. But that is not true, for if he that is in the story but a -shadow and an image of poetry had not risen up from the death that -threatened him, the ending would not have been true and joyful enough to -be put into the voices of players and proclaimed in the mouths of -trumpets, and poetry would have been badly served. - - [_He takes up the candlestick again._ - -And as to what happened Seanchan after, my nephew told me he didn't -know, and the poet didn't know, and it's likely there's nobody that -knows. But my nephew thinks he never sat down at the king's table again, -after the way he had been treated, but that he went to some quiet green -place in the hills with Fedelm, his sweetheart, where the poor people -made much of him because he was wise, and where he made songs and -poems, and it's likely enough he made some of the old songs and the old -poems the poor people on the hillsides are saying and singing to-day. - - [_A trumpet-blast._ - -Well, it's time for me to be going. That trumpet means that the curtain -is going to rise, and after a while the stage there will be filled up -with great ladies and great gentlemen, and poets, and a king with a -crown on him, and all of them as high up in themselves with the pride of -their youth and their strength and their fine clothes as if there was no -such thing in the world as cold in the shoulders, and speckled shins, -and the pains in the bones and the stiffness in the joints that make an -old man that has the whole load of the world on him ready for his bed. - - [_He begins to shuffle away, and then stops._ - -And it would be better for me, that nephew of mine to be thinking less -of his play-acting, and to have remembered to boil down the knap-weed -with a bit of three-penny sugar, for me to be wetting my throat with -now and again through the night, and drinking a sup to ease the pains in -my bones. - - [_He goes out at side of stage._ - - - - -THE KING'S THRESHOLD. - - - SCENE: _Steps before the Palace of KING GUAIRE at Gort. A table in - front of steps to right with food on it. SEANCHAN lying on steps to - left. PUPILS before steps. KING on top of steps at centre._ - - _King._ I welcome you that have the mastery - Of the two kinds of music; the one kind - Being like a woman, the other like a man; - Both you that understand stringed instruments, - And how to mingle words and notes together - So artfully, that all the art is but speech - Delighted with its own music; and you that carry - The long twisted horn and understand - The heady notes that being without words - Can hurry beyond time and fate and change; - For the high angels that drive the horse of time, - The golden one by day, by night the silver, - Are not more welcome to one that loves the world - For some fair woman's sake. - - I have called you hither - To save the life of your great master, Seanchan, - For all day long it has flamed up or flickered - To the fast-cooling hearth. - - _Senias._ When did he sicken? - Is it a fever that is wasting him? - - _King._ He did not sicken, but three days ago - He said he would not eat, and lay down there - And has not eaten since. Till yesterday - I thought that hunger and weakness had been enough, - But finding them too trifling and too light - To hold his mouth from biting at the grave - I called you hither, and have called others yet. - The girl he is to wed at harvest-time, - That should be of all living the most dear, - Is coming from the South, and had I known - Of any other neighbours or good friends - That might persuade him, I had brought them hither, - Even though I'd to ransack the world for them. - - _Senias._ What was it put him to this work, High King? - - _King._ You will call it no great matter. Three days ago - I yielded to the outcry of my courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law, - Who long had thought it against their dignity - For a mere man of words to sit among them - At my own table; and when the meal was spread - I ordered Seanchan to good company, - But to a lower table; and when he pleaded - The poet's right, established when the world - Was first established, I said that I was King - And made and unmade rights at my own pleasure. - And that it was the men who ruled the world, - And not the men who sang to it, who should sit - Where there was the most honour. My courtiers, - Bishops, soldiers, and makers of the law - Shouted approval, and amid that noise - Seanchan went out, and from that hour to this, - Although there is good food and drink beside him, - Has eaten nothing. If a man is wronged, - Or thinks that he is wronged, and will lie down - Upon another's threshold until he dies, - The common people for all time to come - Will raise a heavy cry against that threshold, - Even though it is the King's. He lies there now - Perishing; he is calling against my majesty, - That old custom that has no meaning in it, - And as he perishes, my name in the world - Is perishing also. I cannot give way - Because I am King, because if I give way - My nobles would call me a weakling, and it may be - The very throne be shaken; but should you - That are his friends speak to him and persuade him - To turn his mouth from the ill-savouring grave - And eat good food, he shall not lack my favour; - For I will give plough-land and grazing-land, - Or all but anything he has set his heart on. - It is not all because of my good name - I'd have him live, for I have found him a man - That might well hit the fancy of a king - Banished out of his country, or a woman's, - Or any other's that can judge a man - For what he is. But I that sit a throne, - And take my measure from the needs of the state, - Call his wild thought that over-runs the measure, - Making words more than deeds, and his proud will - That would unsettle all, most mischievous, - And he himself a most mischievous man. - - _Senias._ King, whether you did right or wrong in this - Let the King say, for all that I need say - Is that there's nothing that cries out for death - In the withholding of that ancient right, - And that I will persuade him. Your own words - Had been enough persuasion were it not - That he is lost in dreams that hunger makes, - And therefore heedless, or lost in heedless sleep. - - _King._ I leave him to your love, that it may promise - Plough-lands and grass-lands, jewels and silken wear, - Or anything but that old right of the poets. - - [_He goes out. The PUPILS, who have been standing perfectly quiet, - all turn towards SEANCHAN, and move a step nearer._ - - _Senias._ The King did wrong to abrogate our right, - But Seanchan, who talks of dying for it, - Talks foolishly. Look at us, Seanchan, - Waken out of your dream and look at us, - Who have ridden under the moon and all the day, - Until the moon has all but come again, - That we might be beside you. - - [_SEANCHAN turns half round leaning on his elbow, and speaks as if - in a dream._ - - _Seanchan._ I was but now - At Almhuin, in a great high-raftered house, - With Finn and Osgar. Odours of roast flesh - Rose round me and I saw the roasting spits, - And then the dream was broken, and I saw - Grania dividing salmon by a pool, - And then I was awakened by your voice. - - _Senias._ It is your hunger that makes you dream of flesh - Roasting, and for your hunger I could weep; - And yet the hunger of the crane that starves - Because the moonlight glittering on the pool - And flinging a pale shadow has made it shy, - Seems to me little more fantastical - Than this that's blown into so great a trouble. - - _Seanchan._ [_Who has turned away again._] - There is much truth in that, for all things change - At times, as if the moonlight altered them, - And my mind alters as if it were the crane's; - For when the heavy body has grown weak - There's nothing that can tether the wild mind - That being moonstruck and fantastical - Goes where it fancies. I had even thought - I knew your voice and face, but now the words - Are so unlikely that I needs must ask - Who is it that bids me put my hunger by? - - _Senias._ I am your oldest pupil, Seanchan; - The one that has been with you many years, - So many that you said at Candlemas - That I had almost done with school, and knew - All but all that poets understand. - - _Seanchan._ My oldest pupil. No, that cannot be; - For it is someone of the courtly crowds - That have been round about me from sunrise - And I am tricked by dreams, but I'll refute them. - I asked the pupil that I loved the best, - At Candlemas, why poetry is honoured, - Wishing to know how he'd defend our craft - In distant lands among strange churlish Kings. - And he'd an answer. - - _Senias._ I said the poets hung - Images of the life that was in Eden - About the childbed of the world, that it, - Looking upon those images, might bear - Triumphant children; but why must I stand here - Repeating an old lesson while you starve? - - _Seanchan._ Tell on, for I begin to know the voice; - What evil thing will come upon the world - If the arts perish? - - _Senias._ If the arts should perish - The world that lacked them would be like a woman - That looking on the cloven lips of a hare - Brings forth a hare-lipped child. - - _Seanchan._ But that's not all. - For when I asked you how a man should guard - Those images you had an answer also, - If you're the man that you have claimed to be, - Comparing them to venerable things - God gave to men before he gave them wheat. - - _Senias._ I answered, and the word was half your own, - That he should guard them, as the men of Dea - Guard their four treasures, as the Grail King guards - His holy cup, or the pale righteous horse - The jewel that is underneath his horn, - Pouring out life for it, as one pours out - Sweet heady wine--but now I understand - You would refute me out of my own mouth; - And yet a place at table near the King - Is nothing of great moment, Seanchan. - How does so light a thing touch poetry? - - [_SEANCHAN is now sitting up. He still looks dreamily in front of - him._ - - _Seanchan._ At Candlemas you called this poetry - One of the fragile mighty things of God - That die at an insult. - - _Senias._ [_To other PUPILS._] Give me some true answer. - For on that day we spoke about the court - And said that all that was insulted there - The world insulted, for the courtly life, - Being the first comely child of the world, - Is the world's model. How shall I answer him? - Can you not give me some true argument? - I will not tempt him with a lying one. - - _Arias._ [_Throwing himself at SEANCHAN'S feet._] - Why did you take me from my father's fields? - If you would leave me now, what shall I love? - Where shall I go, what shall I set my hand to? - And why have you put music in my ears - If you would send me to the clattering houses? - I will throw down the trumpet and the harp, - For how could I sing verses or make music - With none to praise me and a broken heart? - - _Seanchan._ What was it that the poets promised you - If it was not their sorrow? Do not speak. - Have I not opened school on these bare steps, - And are not you the youngest of my scholars? - And I would have all know that when all falls - In ruin, poetry calls out in joy, - Being the scattering hand, the bursting pod, - The victim's joy among the holy flame, - God's laughter at the shattering of the world, - And now that joy laughs out and weeps and burns - On these bare steps. - - _Arias._ O Master, do not die. - - [_Three men come in. CIAN and BRIAN, old men carrying basket with - food, and MAYOR OF KINVARA. They stand at the side listening._ - - _Senias._ Trouble him with no useless argument. - Be silent; there is nothing we can do - Except find out the King and kneel to him - And beg our ancient right. These three have come - To say whatever we could say and more, - And fare as badly. Come, boy, that's no use; - - [_He lifts the BOY up._ - - If it seem well that we beseech the King, - Lay down your harps and trumpets on the stones - In silence and come with me silently. - Come with slow footfalls and bow all your heads, - For a bowed head becomes a mourner best. - - [_They lay the harps and trumpets down one by one and then go out - very solemnly and slowly, following one another._ - - _Cian._ Let's show the food that's in the basket. - - _Mayor._ [_Who carries an Ogham stick._] No, - I must get through my speech or I'll forget it; - Besides, there is no reason why he'd eat - Till he has heard my reasons. - - _Cian._ It were better - To show what we have brought him in the basket, - For we have nothing that he has not liked - From boyhood. - - _Brian._ For we have not brought kings' food - That's cooked for everybody and nobody. - - _Mayor._ You are not showing right respect to me, - Or to the people of Kinvara, when you wish - That something else should come before my message. - - _Seanchan._ What brings you here? I never sent for you. - - _Cian._ He must be famishing, he looks so pale. - We had better get the food out first. I tell you, - That we have brought the things he likes the best. - - _Mayor._ No, no; I lost a word at every cross road - And maybe if I do not speak it now - I'll have forgot it. - - _Cian._ Well, out with it quickly. - - _Seanchan._ Why, what's this foolery? - - _Mayor._ No foolery; - A message from the richest, best born townsman - Of your own town, and from your aged father. - - _Cian._ Run through it while I am getting out the food. - - _Mayor._ How was I to begin? What was the word - That was to keep it in my memory? - Wait, I have notched it on this Ogham stick. - "Chief poet," "Ireland," "Townsman"; that is it. - Chief poet of Ireland, when we heard that trouble - Had come between you and the King of Ireland - It plunged us in deep sorrow, part for you, - Our honoured townsman, part for our good town. - The King was said to be most friendly to us, - And we had reasons, as you'll recollect, - For thinking that he was about to give - Those grazing lands inland we so much need, - Being pinched between the water and the rocks. - But now his friendliness being ill repaid - Will be turned from us and our town get nothing. - But there was something else--I'll find the word - That was to keep it in my memory. - "Pride"--that's the word,--we would not have you think, - Weighty as these considerations are, - That they have been as weighty in our minds - As our desire that one we take much pride in, - A man who has been an honour to our town, - Should live and prosper, therefore we beseech you - To give way in a matter of no moment, - A matter of mere sentiment, a trifle, - That we may always keep our pride in you. - - _Seanchan._ Their pride, their pride, what do they know of pride? - My pupils do not know it, for they beg - From the King's favour what is theirs by right, - And how can men, that God has made so weak - They need a rich man's favour every day, - Know anything of pride? - - _Cian._ [_To MAYOR._] You have spoken it wrongly. - You have forgotten something out of it about the cattle dying. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you do not know, being much away, - How many of our cattle died last winter - From lacking grass, and that there was much sickness - Because the poor had nothing but salt fish - To live upon. The people all came out - And stood about the doors as I went by. - - _Seanchan._ What would you have of me? - For there are men that shall be born at last - And find sweet nurture that they may have voices - Even in anger like the strings of harps. - Yet how could they be born to majesty - If I had never made the golden cradle? - - _Mayor._ What is it? "Father"--"Mother"; that is it; - Your father sends this message. - - _Cian._ He is listening. - - _Mayor._ He says that he is old and that he needs you, - And that the people will be pointing at him - And he not able to lift up his head - If you should turn the King's favour away. - And he adds to it, that he cared you well, - And you in your young age, and that it's right - That you should care him now. - - _Cian._ And when he spoke - He cried because the stiffness of his bones - Prevented him from coming. - - _Mayor._ But your mother - Has sent no message, for when they had told her - The way it is between you and the King - She said, "No message can do any good, - He will not send the answer that you want; - We cannot change him," and she went indoors, - Lay down upon her bed and turned her face - Out of the light. And thereupon your father - Said, "Tell him how she is, and that she sends - No message." I have nothing more to say. - Cian and Brian, you can set out the food. - - [_He sits down on steps. SEANCHAN is silent._ - - _Mayor._ I have a horse waiting outside the town - To bring me home, and all the neighbours wait - Your answer. What answer am I to bring? - - _Seanchan._ Give them my answer--no, I have no answer: - My mother knew it. - - _Mayor._ Maybe you have forgotten - That all our fields are so heaped up with stones - That the goats famish, and the mowers mow - With knives, and that the King half promised us---- - - _Seanchan._ Thrust that old cloak of yours into your mouth - Till it's done gabbling. - - _Mayor._ But---- - - _Cian._ You have said enough; - I knew that you would never speak it right. - - _Seanchan._ Our mothers know us, they know us to the bone, - They knew us before birth, and that is why - They know us even better than the sweethearts - Upon whose breasts we have lain. - - _Brian._ We have brought your honour - The food that you have always liked the best, - Young pigeons from Kinvara, and watercress - Out of the stream that's by the blessed well, - And dulse from Duras. Here is the dulse, your honour, - It is wholesome, and has the good taste of the sea. - - _Seanchan._ O Brian, you would spread the table for me - As you would spread it when I was in my childhood; - But all that's finished. - - _Mayor._ I knew he would not care - For country things now that he's grown accustomed - To the King's dishes. I told Brian too - He'd have his pains for nothing. But he's old. - - [_Goes over to table at right. While he is speaking CIAN and BRIAN - are in vain offering SEANCHAN food._ - - And what dishes! Venison from Slieve Echtge - Fattened with poor men's crops; flesh of wild pig; - Not fat nor lean, but streaky and right well cured; - Bread that's the whitest that I've ever seen. - - _Cian._ You're in the right, you're in the right, he will not eat. - - [_Pouring wine into cup._ - - _Mayor._ Bring him some wine, it will give him strength to eat. - - [_BRIAN brings wine over towards SEANCHAN._ - - No wonder if the King is proud and merry, - And keeps all day in the saddle, when even I - Am well-nigh drunken with the odour of it, - And if I dared--I dare not. - - _Cian._ Drink it, sir. - - _Brian._ Drink a few drops. - - _Seanchan._ Drink it yourself, old man, - For you have come a journey, and I daresay - You did not eat or drink upon the road. - - _Cian._ How can I drink it when your honour's thirsty? - - [_He offers cup again. The KING'S HOUSEHOLD comes in. CHAMBERLAIN - with long staff, a SOLDIER, a MONK, two LADIES, followed by - CRIPPLES who beg from the ladies, who keep close together at - right, talking to each other at intervals. SOLDIER goes over to - MAYOR, and talks to him._ - - _Chamberlain._ Well, have you it in imagination still - To overthrow the dignity of the King, - Or is the game finished? - - [_A pause._ - - How many days - Will you keep up this quarrel with the King, - With the King's nobles and myself and all - Who'd gladly be your friends if you would let them? - - _Soldier._ [_Who has been speaking to MAYOR and SERVANTS._] - Was it you that sent his servants and the Mayor - Of his own town to wheedle him into life? - - _Chamberlain._ It was the King himself. - - _Soldier._ Was it worth our while - To have got rid of him from the King's table - If he is to be humoured and made much of? - - _Chamberlain._ It seems that he has not eaten yet, although - He's had another dozen hours of hunger. - - _Soldier._ If he's so proud and obstinate a neck - I'd let him starve. - - _Monk._ Persuade him to eat, my lord. - His death would make a scandal, and stir up - The common people. - - _Chamberlain._ And I have a fancy - That if it brought misfortune on the King, - Or the King's house, we'd be as little thought of - As summer linen when the winter's come. - - _Aileen._ [_To CIAN._] - You've had no luck, old man. - - _Cian._ We have not, lady. - - _Aileen._ Maybe he's out of humour with your ways, - Having grown used to sprightlier service. - - _Cian._ Maybe. - But the King's messengers have gone for one - That will persuade him. [_To BRIAN._] Come, let us go; - For she might lose her way in this fine place. - Come, we have been too long upon the tree, - - [_Plucking sleeve of MAYOR._ - - And there are little golden pippins here. - - _Soldier._ Give me the dish, I'll hand it him myself. - - _Aileen._ I wonder if she is pretty. - - [_MAYOR and SERVANTS have gone out._ - - _Soldier._ Eat this, old hedgehog. - Sniff up the savour and unroll yourself. - But if I were the King I'd make you do it - With wisps of lighted straw. - - _Seanchan._ You have rightly named me, - I lie rolled up under the ragged thorns - That are upon the edge of those great waters - Where all things vanish away, and I have heard - Murmurs that are the ending of all sound. - I am out of life, I am rolled up, and yet, - Hedgehog although I am, I'll not unroll - For you, King's dog. Go to the King, your master, - Crouch down and wag your tail, for it may be - He has nothing now against you, and I think - The stripes of your last beating are all healed. - - _Chamberlain._ Don't answer, you were never to his mind. - And now you have angered him to no good purpose. - But put the dish down and I will speak to him. - - _Seanchan._ You must needs keep your patience yet awhile, - For I have some few mouthfuls of sweet air - To swallow before I have grown to be as civil - As any other dust. - - _Chamberlain._ You wrong us, Seanchan, - There is none here but holds you in respect, - And if you would only eat out of this dish - The King would show how much he honours you. - - _Aileen._ [_Giving CRIPPLE money._] - You are always discontented. Look at this cripple, - He has had to cover up his eyes with rags - Because they are too weak to look at the sun, - And has a crooked body, and yet he is cheerful. - Stand there where he can see you. - - [_CRIPPLE goes over and stands in front of SEANCHAN, bowing and - smiling._ - - _Chamberlain._ We have come to you - Because we wish you a long, prosperous life; - Who could imagine you'd so take to heart - Being put from the high table. - - _Seanchan._ It was not I - That you have driven away from the high table, - But the images of them that weave a dance, - By the four rivers in the mountain garden. - - _Monk._ He means we have driven poetry away. - - _Chamberlain._ It is the men who are learned in the laws, - Or have led the King's armies that should sit - At the King's table. Nor has poetry - Been altogether driven away, for I, - As you should know, have written poetry, - And often when the table has been cleared - And candles lighted, the King calls for me - And I repeat it him. My poetry - Is not to be compared with yours, but still - Where I am honoured, poetry is honoured - In some measure. - - _Seanchan._ If you are a poet, - Cry out that the King's money would not buy, - Nor the high circle consecrate his head, - If poets had never christened gold, and even - The moon's poor daughter, that most whey-faced metal, - Precious; and cry out that none alive - Would ride among the arrows with high heart - Or scatter with an open hand, had not - Our heady craft commended wasteful virtues. - And when that story's finished, shake your coat - Where the little jewels gleam on it, and say - A herdsman sitting where the pigs had trampled - Made up a song about enchanted kings, - Who were so finely dressed one fancied them - All fiery, and women by the churn - And children by the hearth caught up the song - And murmured it until the tailors heard it. - - _Monk._ How proud these poets are! It was full time - To break their pride. - - _Seanchan._ And I would have you say - That when we are driven out we come again - Like a great wind that runs out of the waste - To blow the tables flat. - - _Chamberlain._ If you'd eat something - You'd find you have these thoughts because you are hungry. - - _Seanchan._ And when you have told them all these things, lie down - On this bare threshold and starve until the King - Restore to us the ancient right of the poets. - - _Aileen._ Let's come away. There's no use talking to him, - For he's resolved to die, and that's no loss: - We will go watch the hurley. - - _Monk._ You should obey - The King's commandment and not question it, - For it is God himself who has made him king. - - _Essa._ Let's hear his answer to the monk. - - _Seanchan._ Stoop down, - For there is something I would say to you. - Has that wild God of yours that was so wild - When you'd but lately taken the King's pay, - Grown any tamer? He gave you all much trouble - Being so unruly and inconsiderate. - - _Aileen._ What does he mean? - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ Or it may be you have persuaded him - To chirp between two dishes when the King - Sits down to table. - - _Monk._ Let go my habit, sir. - What do I care about your insolent dreams. - - _Seanchan._ And maybe he has learnt to sing quite softly - Because loud singing would disturb the King - Who is sitting drowsily among his friends - After the table has been cleared---- - - _Monk._ Let go. - - [_SEANCHAN has been dragged some feet, clinging to the MONK'S - habit._ - - _Seanchan._ Not yet; you did not think that hungry hands - Could be so strong. They are not civil yet-- - I'd know if you have taught him to eat bread - From the King's hand, and perch upon his finger. - I think he perches on the King's strong hand, - But it may be that he is still too wild. - You must not weary in your work; a King - Is often weary and he needs a God - To be a comfort to him. - - [_The MONK plucks his habit away. SEANCHAN holds up his hand as if a - bird perched upon it. He pretends to stroke the bird._ - - A little god, - With soft well-coloured feathers, and bright eyes. - - _Aileen._ We have listened long enough. - - _Essa._ Let us away, - Where we can watch the young men at the hurley. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, yes, go to the hurley, go to the hurley, - Go to the hurley, gather up your skirts, - Run quickly. You can remember many love songs; - I know it by the light that's in your eyes, - But you'll forget them. You're fair to look on, - Your feet delight in dancing, and your mouths - In the slow smiling that awakens love. - The mothers that have borne you mated rightly, - For they had little ears as thirsty as are yours - For many love-songs. Go to the young men: - Are not the ruddy flesh and the thin flanks - And the broad shoulders worthy of desire? - Go from me. Here is nothing for your eyes, - But it is I that am singing you away, - Singing you to the young men. - - [_The two young PRINCESSES BUAN and FINNHUA come in. While he has - been speaking AILEEN and ESSA have shrunk back holding each others - hands._ - - _Aileen._ Be quiet; - Look who it is that has come out of the house. - Princesses, we are for the hurling field. - Will you come too? - - _Princess Buan._ We will go with you, Aileen, - But we must have some words with Seanchan, - For we have come to make him eat and drink. - - _Chamberlain._ I will hold out the dish and cup for him - While you are speaking to him of his folly, - If you desire it, Princess. - - [_He has taken up dish and cup._ - - _Princess Buan._ Give me the cup. - My sister there will carry the dish of meat: - We'll offer them ourselves. - - _Aileen._ They are so gracious, - The dear little princesses are so gracious. - - [_PRINCESS BUAN holds out her hand for SEANCHAN to kiss it; he does - not move._ - - Although she is holding out her hand to him - He will not kiss it. - - _Princess Buan._ My father bids us say - That though he cannot have you at his table, - You may ask any other thing you like - And he will give it you. We carry you - A dish and a cup of wine, with our own hands, - To show in what great honour you are held. - Will you not drink a little? Does he not show - Every befitting honour to the poets? - - _Aileen._ O look, he has taken it, he has taken it! - The dear princesses, I have always said - That nobody could refuse them anything. - - [_SEANCHAN takes the cup in one hand, in the other he holds for a - moment the hand of the PRINCESS._ - - _Seanchan._ O long soft fingers and pale finger-tips - Well worthy to be laid in a king's hand; - O you have fair white hands, for it is certain - There is uncommon whiteness in these hands. - But there is something comes into my mind, - Princess. A little while before your birth - I saw your mother sitting by the road - In a high chair, and when a leper passed - She pointed him the way into the town, - And he lifted his hand and blessed her hand; - I saw it with my own eyes. Hold out your hands, - I will find out if they are contaminated; - For it has come into my thoughts that may be - The King has sent me food and drink by hands - That are contaminated. I would see all your hands, - You've eyes of dancers, but hold out your hands, - For it may be there are none sound among you---- - - [_The PRINCESSES have shrunk back in terror._ - - _Princess Buan._ He has called us lepers. - - _Chamberlain._ He's out of his mind, - And does not know the meaning of what he said. - - _Seanchan._ [_Standing up._] - There are no sound hands among you. No sound hands. - Away with you, away with all of you, - You are all lepers. There is leprosy - Among the plates and dishes that you have brought me. - I would know why you have brought me leper's wine? - - [_He flings the wine in their faces._ - - There, there, I have given it to you again, and now - Begone or I will give my curse to you. - You have the leper's blessing, but you think - Maybe the bread will something lack in savour - Unless you mix my curse into the dough. - - [_They go out to L., all except the CRIPPLES. SEANCHAN is - staggering in the middle of the stage._ - - _Seanchan._ Where did I say the leprosy came from? - I said it came out of a leper's hand - And that he walked the highway; but that's folly, - For he was walking up there in the sky - And there he is even now with his white hand - Thrust out of the blue air and blessing them - With leprosy. - - _A Cripple._ He's pointing at the moon - That's coming out up yonder, and he calls it - Leprous, because the daylight whitens it. - - _Seanchan._ He's holding up his hand above them all - King, Noblemen, Princesses, blessing all. - Who could imagine he'd have so much patience. - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - [_Clutching other CRIPPLE._ - - _Second Cripple._ If you don't need it, sir, - May we not carry some of it away? - - [_He points to food._ - - _Seanchan._ Who's speaking? Who are you? - - _First Cripple._ Come out of this. - - _Second Cripple._ Have pity on us, that must beg our bread - From table to table throughout the entire world - And yet be hungry. - - _Seanchan._ But why were you born crooked? - What bad poet did your mothers listen to - That you were born so crooked? - - _First Cripple._ Come away. - Maybe he's cursed the food and it might kill us. - - _Second Cripple._ Yes, better come away. - - [_They go out._ - - _Seanchan._ [_Staggering and speaking wearily._] - He has great strength - And great patience to hold his right hand there - Uplifted and not wavering about; - He is much stronger than I am, much stronger. - - [_He sinks down on steps._ - - _Enter from R. FEDELM, CIAN and BRIAN._ - - _Brian._ There he is lying. Go over to him now - And bid him eat. - - _Fedelm._ I'll get him out of this - Before I have said a word of food and drink; - For while he is on this threshold and can hear, - It may be, the voices that made mock of him, - He would not listen. - - _Brian._ That is a good plan. - But there is little time, for he is weakening. - - _Fedelm._ [_Crying._] I cannot think of any other plan - Although it breaks my heart. - - _Cian._ Let's leave them now, - For she will press the honey from her bag - When we are gone. - - _Brian._ It will be hard to move him - If hunger and thirst have got into his bones. - - [_They go out leaving FEDELM and SEANCHAN alone. FEDELM runs over to - SEANCHAN and kneels down before him._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan! Seanchan! - - [_He remains looking into the sky._ - - Can you not see me, Seanchan? - It is myself. - - [_SEANCHAN looks at her dreamily at first, then takes her hand._ - - _Seanchan._ Is this your hand, Fedelm? - I have been looking at another hand - That is up yonder. - - _Fedelm._ I have come for you. - - _Seanchan._ Fedelm, I did not know that you were here. - - _Fedelm._ And can you not remember that I promised - That I would come and take you home with me - When I'd the harvest in? and now I've come, - And you must come away, and come on the instant. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, I will come; but is the harvest in? - This air has got a summer taste in it. - - _Fedelm._ But is not the wild middle of the summer - A better time to marry? Come with me now. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by both wrists._] - Who taught you that, for it's a certainty, - Although I never knew it till last night, - That marriage, because it is the height of life, - Can only be accomplished to the full - In the high days of the year. I lay awake, - There had come a frenzy into the light of the stars - And they were coming nearer and I knew - All in a minute they were about to marry - Clods out upon the plough-lands, to beget - A mightier race than any that has been; - But some that are within there made a noise - And frighted them away. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now; - We have far to go, and daylight's running out. - - _Seanchan._ The stars had come so near me that I caught - Their singing; it was praise of that great race - That would be haughty, mirthful, and white-bodied - With a high head, and open hand, and how - Laughing, it would take the mastery of the world. - - _Fedelm._ But you will tell me all about their songs - When we're at home. You have need of rest and care, - And I can give them you when we're at home, - And therefore let us hurry and get us home. - - _Seanchan._ That's true; and there's some trouble here, although - I cannot now remember what it is, - And I would get away from it. Give me your help. - But why are not my pupils here to help me? - Go, call my pupils, for I need their help. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me now, and I will send for them, - For I have a great room that's full of beds - I can make ready, and there is a smooth lawn - Where they can play at hurley and sing poems - Under an apple-tree. - - _Seanchan._ I know that place, - An apple tree and a smooth level lawn, - Where the young men can sway their hurley sticks. - - _Sings._ - - The four rivers that run there, - Through well-mown level ground, - Have come out of a blessed well - That is all bound and wound - By the great roots of an apple, - And all fowls of the air - Have gathered in the wide branches - And keep singing there. - - [_FEDELM, troubled, has covered her eyes with her hands._ - - _Fedelm._ No, there are not four rivers, and those rhymes - Praise Adam's Paradise. - - _Seanchan._ I can remember now. - It's out of a poem I made long ago - About the garden in the east of the world, - And how spirits in the images of birds - Crowd in the branches of old Adam's crab-tree; - They come before me now and dig in the fruit - With so much gluttony, and are so drunk - With that harsh, wholesome savour that their feathers - Are clinging one to another with the juice. - But you would take me to some friendly place, - And I would go there quickly. - - _Fedelm._ Come with me. - - [_She helps him to rise. He walks slowly, supported by her till he - comes to the table at R._ - - _Seanchan._ But why am I so weak? Have I been ill? - Sweetheart, why is it that I am so weak? - - [_He sinks on to the seat._ - - _Fedelm._ I'll dip this piece of bread into the wine, - For that will make you stronger for the journey. - - _Seanchan._ Yes, give me bread and wine, that's what I want, - For it is hunger that is gnawing me. - - [_He takes bread from FEDELM, hesitates, and then thrusts it back - into her hand._ - - But no, I must not eat it. - - _Fedelm._ Eat, Seanchan, - For if you do not eat it you will die. - - _Seanchan._ Why did you give me food? - Why did you come? - For had I not enough to fight against - Without your coming? - - _Fedelm._ Eat this little crust, - Seanchan, if you have any love for me. - - _Seanchan._ I must not eat it: but that's beyond your wit; - Child, child, I must not eat it though I die. - - _Fedelm._ You do not know what love is, for if you loved - You would put every other thought away - But you have never loved me. - - _Seanchan._ [_Seizing her by the wrist._] You, a child, - Who have but seen a man out of the window, - Tell me that I know nothing about love, - And that I do not love you. Did I not say - There was a frenzy in the light of the stars - All through the livelong night, and that the night - Was full of marriages? But that fight's over. - And all that's done with, and I have to die. - - _Fedelm._ [_Throwing her arms about him._] - I will not be put from you, although I think - I had not grudged it you if some great lady, - If the King's daughter, had set out your bed. - I will not give you up to death; no, no, - And are not these white arms and this soft neck - Better than the brown earth? - - _Seanchan._ I swear an oath - Upon the holy tree that I'll not eat - Until the King restore the right of the poets. - O Sun and Moon, and all things that have strength, - Become my strength that I may put a curse - On all things that would have me break this oath. - - [_FEDELM has sunk down on the ground while he says this, and - crouches at his feet._ - - _Fedelm._ Seanchan, do not curse me; from this out - I will obey like any married wife. - Let me but lie before your feet. - - _Seanchan._ Come nearer. - - [_He kisses her._ - - If I had eaten when you bid me, sweetheart, - The kiss of multitudes in times to come - Had been the poorer. - - _King._ [_Entering from house._] Has he eaten yet? - - _Fedelm._ No, King, and will not till you have restored - The right of the poets. - - _King._ [_Coming down and standing before SEANCHAN._] - Seanchan, you have refused - Everybody that I have sent, and now - I come to you myself, and I have come - To bid you put your pride as far away - As I have put my pride. I had your love - Not a great while ago, and now you have planned - To put a voice by every cottage fire - And in the night when no one sees who cries - To cry against me till my throne has crumbled. - And yet if I give way I must offend - My courtiers and nobles till they too - Strike at the crown. What would you have of me? - - _Seanchan._ When did the poets promise safety, King? - - _King._ Seanchan, I bring you bread in my own hands, - And bid you eat it because of all these reasons, - And for this further reason that I love you. - - [_SEANCHAN pushes bread away with FEDELM'S hand._ - - You have refused it, Seanchan. - - _Seanchan._ We have refused it. - - _King._ I have been patient though I am a king, - And have the means to force you--but that's ended, - And I am but a king and you a subject. - - [_He goes up steps._ - - Nobles and courtiers, bring the poets hither - For you can have your way: I that was man - With a man's heart am now all king again, - Remembering that the seed I come of, although - A hundred kings have sown it and re-sown it, - Has neither trembled nor shrunk backward yet - Because of the hard business of a king. - - [_PRINCESSES, LADIES, and COURTIERS have come in with - PUPILS, who have halters round their necks._ - - Speak to your master, beg your life of him, - Show him the halters that are round your necks; - If his heart's set upon it he may die, - But you shall all die with him; beg your lives; - Begin, for you have little time to lose; - Begin it you that are the oldest pupil. - - _Senias._ [_Going up to SEANCHAN._] - Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - _King._ Silence, you are as crazy as your master. - But that young boy that seems the youngest of you, - I'd have him speak. Kneel down before him, boy, - Hold up your hands to him that he may pluck - That milky coloured neck out of the noose. - - _Arias._ Die, Seanchan, and proclaim the right of the poets. - - [_All the PUPILS turn towards the KING, holding out the ends of - their halters._ - - _Senias._ Gather the halters up into your hands - And lead us where you will, for in all things - But in our art we are obedient. - - [_The KING comes slowly down the steps._ - - _King._ [_Kneeling down before SEANCHAN._] - Kneel down, kneel down, he has the greater power. - I give my crown to you. - - [_All kneel except SEANCHAN, FEDELM and PUPILS. SEANCHAN rises - slowly, supported by one of the PUPILS and by FEDELM._ - - _Seanchan._ O crown, O crown, - It is but right if hands that made the crown - In the old time should give it when they will. - O silver trumpets be you lifted up - - [_He lays the crown on the KING'S head._ - - And cry to the great race that is to come. - Long-throated swans among the waves of time - Sing loudly, for beyond the wall of the world - It waits and it may hear and come to us. - - [_Some of the PUPILS blow a blast upon their horns._ - - -CURTAIN. - - - * * * * * - - - - -ON BAILE'S STRAND. - - - CUCHULLAIN, the King of Muirthemne. - CONCOBAR, the High King of Ullad. - DAIRE, a King. - FINTAIN, a blind man. - BARACH, a fool. - A Young Man. - Young Kings and Old Kings. - - - SCENE: _A great hall by the sea close to Dundalgan. There are two - great chairs on either side of the hall, each raised a little from - the ground, and on the back of the one chair is carved and painted a - woman with a fish's tail, and on the back of the other a hound. - There are smaller chairs and benches raised in tiers round the - walls. There is a great ale vat at one side near a small door, and a - large door at the back through which one can see the sea. BARACH, a - tall thin man with long ragged hair, dressed in skins, comes in at - the side door. He is leading FINTAIN, a fat blind man, who is - somewhat older._ - -_Barach._ I will shut the door, for this wind out of the sea gets into -my bones, and if I leave but an inch for the wind there is one like a -flake of sea-frost that might come into the house. - -_Fintain._ What is his name, fool? - -_Barach._ It's a woman from among the Riders of the Sidhe. It's Boann -herself from the river. She has left the Dagda's bed, and gone through -the salt of the sea and up here to the strand of Baile, and all for love -of me. Let her keep her husband's bed, for she'll have none of me. -Nobody knows how lecherous these goddesses are. I see her in every kind -of shape but oftener than not she's in the wind and cries "give a kiss -and put your arms about me." But no, she'll have no more of me. -Yesterday when I put out my lips to kiss her, there was nothing there -but the wind. She's bad, Fintain. O, she's bad. I had better shut the -big door too. - - [_He is going towards the big door but turns hearing FINTAIN'S - voice._ - -_Fintain._ [_Who has been feeling about with his stick._] What's this -and this? - -_Barach._ They are chairs. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ Why, that's a bench. - -_Fintain._ And this? - -_Barach._ A big chair. - -_Fintain._ [_Feeling the back of the chair._] There is a sea-woman -carved upon it. - -_Barach._ And there is another big chair on the other side of the hall. - -_Fintain._ Lead me to it. [_He mutters while the fool is leading him._] -That is what the High King Concobar has on his shield. The High King -will be coming. They have brought out his chair. [_He begins feeling the -back of the other chair._] And there is a dog's head on this. They have -brought out our master's chair. Now I know what the horse-boys were -talking about. We must not stay here. The Kings are going to meet here. -Now that Concobar and our master, that is his chief man, have put down -all the enemies of Ullad, they are going to build up Emain again. They -are going to talk over their plans for building it. Were you ever in -Concobar's town before it was burnt? O, he is a great King, for though -Emain was burnt down, every war had made him richer. He has gold and -silver dishes, and chessboards and candlesticks made of precious stones. -Fool, have they taken the top from the ale vat? - -_Barach._ They have. - -_Fintain._ Then bring me a horn of ale quickly, for the Kings will be -here in a minute. Now I can listen. Tell me what you saw this morning? - -_Barach._ About the young man and the fighting? - -_Fintain._ Yes. - -_Barach._ And after that we can go and eat the fowl, for I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Time enough, time enough. You're in as great a hurry as when -you brought me to Aine's Seat, where the mad dogs gather when the moon's -at the full. Go on with your story. - -_Barach._ I was creeping under a ditch, with the fowl in my leather bag, -keeping to the shore where the farmer could not see me, when I came upon -a ship drawn up upon the sands, a great red ship with a woman's head -upon it. - -_Fintain._ A ship out of Aoife's country. They have all a woman's head -on the bow. - -_Barach._ There was a young man with a pale face and red hair standing -beside it. Some of our people came up whose turn it was to guard the -shore. I heard them ask the young man his name. He said he was under -bonds not to tell it. Then words came between them, and they fought, -and the young man killed half of them, and the others ran away. - -_Fintain._ It matters nothing to us, but he has come at last. - -_Barach._ Who has come? - -_Fintain._ I know who that young man is. There is not another like him -in the world. I saw him when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ You saw him? - -_Fintain._ I used to be in Aoife's country when I had my eyesight. - -_Barach._ That was before you went on shipboard and were blinded for -putting a curse on the wind? - -_Fintain._ Queen Aoife had a son that was red haired and pale faced like -herself, and everyone said that he would kill Cuchullain some day, but I -would not have that spoken of. - -_Barach._ Nobody could do that. Who was his father? - -_Fintain._ Nobody but Aoife knew that, not even he himself. - -_Barach._ Not even he himself! Was Aoife a goddess and lecherous? - -_Fintain._ I overheard her telling that she never had but one lover, and -that he was the only man who overcame her in battle. There were some who -thought him one of the Riders of the Sidhe, because the child was great -of limb and strong beyond others. The child was begotten over the -mountains; but come nearer and I will tell you something. - -_Barach._ You have thought something? - -_Fintain._ When I hear the young girls talking about the colour of -Cuchullain's eyes, and how they have seven colours, I have thought about -it. That young man has Aoife's face and hair, but he has Cuchullain's -eyes. - -_Barach._ How can he have Cuchullain's eyes? - -_Fintain._ He is Cuchullain's son. - -_Barach._ And his mother has sent him hither to fight his father. - -_Fintain._ It is all quite plain. Cuchullain went into Aoife's country -when he was a young man that he might learn skill in arms, and there he -became Aoife's lover. - -_Barach._ And now she hates him because he went away, and has sent the -son to kill the father. I knew she was a goddess. - -_Fintain._ And she never told him who his father was, that he might do -it. I have thought it all out, fool. I know a great many things because -I listen when nobody is noticing and I keep my wits awake. What ails you -now? - -_Barach._ I have remembered that I am hungry. - -_Fintain._ Well, forget it again, and I will tell you about Aoife's -country. It is full of wonders. There are a great many Queens there who -can change themselves into wolves and into swine and into white hares, -and when they are in their own shapes they are stronger than almost any -man; and there are young men there who have cat's eyes and if a bird -chirrup or a mouse squeak they cannot keep them shut, even though it is -bedtime and they sleepy; and listen, for this is a great wonder, a very -great wonder: there is a long narrow bridge, and when anybody goes to -cross it, that the Queens do not like, it flies up as this bench would -if you were to sit on the end of it. Everybody who goes there to learn -skill in arms has to cross it. It was in that country too that -Cuchullain got his spear made out of dragon bones. There were two -dragons fighting in the foam of the sea, and their grandam was the moon, -and nine Queens came along the shore. - -_Barach._ I won't listen to your story. - -_Fintain._ It is a very wonderful story. Wait till you hear what the -nine Queens did. Their right hands were all made of silver. - -_Barach._ No, I will have my dinner first. You have eaten the fowl I -left in front of the fire. The last time you sent me to steal something -you made me forget all about it till you had eaten it up. - -_Fintain._ No, there is plenty for us both. - -_Barach._ Come with me where it is. - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led towards the door at the back by BARACH._] -O, it is all right, it is in a safe place. - -_Barach._ It is a fine fowl. It was the biggest in the yard. - -_Fintain._ It had a good smell, but I hope that the wild dogs have not -smelt it. [_Voices are heard outside the door at the side._] Here is our -master. Let us stay and talk with him. Perhaps Cuchullain will give you -a new cap with a feather. He told me that he would give you a new cap -with a feather, a feather with an eye that looks at you, a peacock's -feather. - -_Barach._ No, no. - - [_He begins pulling FINTAIN towards the door._ - -_Fintain._ If you do not get it now, you may never get it, for the -young man may kill him. - -_Barach._ No, no, I am hungry. What a head you have, blind man! Who but -you would have remembered that the hen-wife slept for a little at noon -every day! - -_Fintain._ [_Who is being led along very slowly and unwillingly._] Yes, -I have a good head. The fowl should be done just right, but one never -knows when a wild dog may come out of the woods. - - [_They go out through the big door at the back. As they go out - CUCHULLAIN and certain YOUNG KINGS come in at the side door. - CUCHULLAIN, though still young, is a good deal older than the - others. They are all very gaily dressed, and have their hair - fastened with balls of gold. The young men crowd about CUCHULLAIN - with wondering attention._ - - _First Young King._ You have hurled that stone beyond our utmost mark - Time after time, but yet you are not weary. - - _Second Young King._ He has slept on the bare ground of Fuad's Hill - This week past, waiting for the bulls and the deer. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, why should I be weary? - - _First Young King._ It is certain - His father was the god who wheels the sun, - And not King Sualtam. - - _Third Young King._ [_To a YOUNG KING who is beside him._] - He came in the dawn, - And folded Dectara in a sudden fire. - - _Fourth Young King._ And yet the mother's half might well grow weary, - And it new come from labours over sea. - - _Third Young King._ He has been on islands walled about with silver, - And fought with giants. - - [_They gather about the ale vat and begin to drink._ - - _Cuchullain._ Who was it that went out? - - _Third Young King._ As we came in? - - _Cuchullain._ Yes. - - _Third Young King._ Barach and blind Fintain. - - _Cuchullain._ They always flock together; the blind man - Has need of the fool's eyesight and strong body, - While the poor fool has need of the other's wit, - And night and day is up to his ears in mischief - That the blind man imagines. There's no hen-yard - But clucks and cackles when he passes by - As if he'd been a fox. If I'd that ball - That's in your hair and the big stone again, - I'd keep them tossing, though the one is heavy - And the other light in the hand. A trick I learnt - When I was learning arms in Aoife's country. - - _First Young King._ What kind of woman was that Aoife? - - _Cuchullain._ Comely. - - _First Young King._ But I have heard that she was never married, - And yet that's natural, for I have never known - A fighting woman, but made her favours cheap, - Or mocked at love till she grew sandy dry. - - _Cuchullain._ What manner of woman do you like the best? - A gentle or a fierce? - - _First Young King._ A gentle, surely. - - _Cuchullain._ I think that a fierce woman's better, a woman - That breaks away when you have thought her won, - For I'd be fed and hungry at one time. - I think that all deep passion is but a kiss - In the mid battle, and a difficult peace - 'Twixt oil and water, candles and dark night, - Hill-side and hollow, the hot-footed sun, - And the cold sliding slippery-footed moon, - A brief forgiveness between opposites - That have been hatreds for three times the age - Of this long 'stablished ground. Here's Concobar; - So I'll be done, but keep beside me still, - For while he talks of hammered bronze and asks - What wood is best for building, we can talk - Of a fierce woman. - - [_CONCOBAR, a man much older than CUCHULLAIN, has come in through - the great door at the back. He has many KINGS about him. One of - these KINGS, DAIRE, a stout old man, is somewhat drunk._ - - _Concobar._ [_To one of those about him._] Has the ship gone yet? - We have need of more bronze workers, and that ship - I sent to Africa for gold is late. - - _Cuchullain._ I knew their talk. - - _Concobar._ [_Seeing CUCHULLAIN._] You are before us, King. - - _Cuchullain._ So much the better, for I welcome you - Into my Muirthemne. - - _Concobar._ But who are these? - The odour from their garments when they stir - Is like a wind out of an apple garden. - - _Cuchullain._ My swordsmen and harp players and fine dancers, - My bosom friends. - - _Concobar._ I should have thought, Cuchullain, - My graver company would better match - Your greatness and your years; but I waste breath - In harping on that tale. - - _Cuchullain._ You do, great King. - Because their youth is the kind wandering wave - That carries me about the world; and if it sank, - My sword would lose its lightness. - - _Concobar._ Yet, Cuchullain, - Emain should be the foremost town of the world. - - _Cuchullain._ It is the foremost town. - - _Concobar._ No, no, it's not. - Nothing but men can make towns great, and he, - The one over-topping man that's in the world, - Keeps far away. - - _Daire._ He will not hear you, King, - And we old men had best keep company - With one another. I'll fill the horn for you. - - _Concobar._ I will not drink, old fool. You have drunk a horn - At every door we came to. - - _Daire._ You'd better drink, - For old men light upon their youth again - In the brown ale. When I have drunk enough, - I am like Cuchullain as one pea another, - And live like a bird's flight from tree to tree. - - _Concobar._ We'll to our chairs for we have much to talk of, - And we have Ullad and Muirthemne, and here - Is Conall Muirthemne in the nick of time. - - [_He goes to the back of stage to welcome a company of KINGS who - come in through the great door. The other KINGS gradually get into - their places. CUCHULLAIN sits in his great chair with certain of the - young men standing around him. Others of the young men, however, - remain with DAIRE at the ale vat. DAIRE holds out the horn of ale to - one or two of the older KINGS as they pass him going to their - places. They pass him by, most of them silently refusing._ - - _Daire._ Will you not drink? - - _An Old King._ Not till the council's over. - - _A Young King._ But I'll drink, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ Fill me a horn too, Daire. - - _Another Young King._ If I'd drunk half that you have drunk to-day, - I'd be upon all fours. - - _Daire._ That would be natural - When Mother Earth had given you this good milk - From her great breasts. - - _Cuchullain._ [_To one of the YOUNG KINGS beside him._] - One is content awhile - With a soft warm woman who folds up our lives - In silky network. Then, one knows not why, - But one's away after a flinty heart. - - _The Young King._ How long can the net keep us? - - _Cuchullain._ All our lives - If there are children, and a dozen moons - If there are none, because a growing child - Has so much need of watching it can make - A passion that's as changeable as the sea - Change till it holds the wide earth to its heart. - At least I have heard a father say it, but I - Being childless do not know it. Come nearer yet; - Though he is ringing that old silver rod - We'll have our own talk out. They cannot hear us. - - [_CONCOBAR who is now seated in his great chair, opposite - CUCHULLAIN, beats upon the pillar of the house that is nearest to - him with a rod of silver, till the KINGS have become silent. - CUCHULLAIN alone continues to talk in a low voice to those about - him, but not so loud as to disturb the silence. CONCOBAR rises and - speaks standing._ - - _Concobar._ I have called you hither, Kings of Ullad, and Kings - Of Muirthemne and Connall Muirthemne, - And tributary Kings, for now there is peace-- - It's time to build up Emain that was burned - At the outsetting of these wars; for we, - Being the foremost men, should have high chairs - And be much stared at and wondered at, and speak - Out of more laughing overflowing hearts - Than common men. It is the art of kings - To make what's noble nobler in men's eyes - By wide uplifted roofs, where beaten gold, - That's ruddy with desire, marries pale silver - Among the shadowing beams; and many a time - I would have called you hither to this work, - But always, when I'd all but summoned you, - Some war or some rebellion would break out. - - _Daire._ Where's Maine Morgor and old Usnach's children, - And that high-headed even-walking Queen, - And many near as great that got their death - Because you hated peace? I can remember - The people crying out when Deirdre passed - And Maine Morgor had a cold gray eye. - Well, well, I'll throw this heel-tap on the ground, - For it may be they are thirsty. - - _A King._ Be silent, fool. - - _Another King._ Be silent, Daire. - - _Concobar._ Let him speak his mind. - I have no need to be afraid of ghosts, - For I have made but necessary wars. - I warred to strengthen Emain, or because - When wars are out they marry and beget - And have their generations like mankind - And there's no help for it; but I'm well content - That they have ended and left the town so great, - That its mere name shall be in times to come - Like a great ale vat where the men of the world - Shall drink no common ale but the hard will, - The unquenchable hope, the friendliness of the sword. - - [_He takes thin boards on which plans have been carved by those - about him._ - - Give me the building plans, and have you written - That we--Cuchullain is looking in his shield; - It may be the pale riders of the wind - Throw pictures on it, or that Mananan, - His father's friend and sometime fosterer, - Foreknower of all things, has cast a vision, - Out of the cold dark of the rich sea, - Foretelling Emain's greatness. - - _Cuchullain._ No, great King, - I looked on this out of mere idleness, - Imagining a far-off country and one - That held it with a sword, although a woman. - - _Concobar._ A woman needs but laugh, or a friend sigh, - And you're afar off sounding through the world, - While I plan Emain's greatness. - - [_The sound of a trumpet without._ - - Open the doors! - I hear a herald's trumpet, and await, - It may be, the heavy fleeces of the sea - And golden and silver apples or ancient crowns - Long hidden in the well at the World's End, - Or glittering garments of the salmon, tributes - From the Great Plain, or the high people of Sorcha, - Or the walled garden in the east of the world. - - [_The great door at the back is flung open; a YOUNG MAN, who is - fully armed and carries a shield with a woman's head painted on it, - stands upon the threshold. Behind him are trumpeters. He walks into - the centre of the hall, the trumpeting ceases._ - - What is your message? - - _Young Man._ I am of Aoife's army. - - _First King._ Queen Aoife and her army have fallen upon us. - - _Second King._ Out swords! Out swords! - - _Third King._ They are about the house. - - _Fourth King._ Rush out! Rush out! Before they have fired the thatch. - - _Young Man._ Aoife is far away. I am alone. - I have come alone in the midst of you - To weigh this sword against Cuchullain's sword. - - [_There is a murmur amongst the KINGS._ - - _Concobar._ And are you noble? for if of common seed - You cannot weigh your sword against his sword - But in mixed battle. - - _Young Man._ I am under bonds - To tell my name to no man, but it's noble. - - _Concobar._ But I would know your name and not your bonds. - You cannot speak in the Assembly House - If you are not noble. - - _A King._ Answer the High King. - - _Young Man._ [_Drawing his sword._] - I will give no other proof than the hawk gives - That it's no sparrow. - - [_He is silent a moment, then speaks to all._ - - Yet look upon me, Kings; - I too am of that ancient seed and carry - The signs about this body and in these bones. - - _Cuchullain._ To have shown the hawk's gray feather is enough, - And you speak highly too. - - [_CUCHULLAIN comes down from his great chair. He remains standing on - the steps of the chair. The YOUNG KINGS gather about him and begin - to arm him._ - - Give me that helmet! - I'd thought they had grown weary sending champions. - That leathern coat will do. The High King there - Being old in wisdom can think of times to come, - But the hawk's sleepy till its well-beloved - Cries out amid the acorns, or it has seen - Its enemy like a speck upon the sun. - What's Emain to the hawk when that clear eye - Is burning nearer up in the high air? - That buckle should be tighter. Give me your shield. - There is good level ground at Baile's Yew-tree, - Some dozen yards from here, and it's but truth - That I am sad to-day and this fight welcome. - - [_He looks hard at the YOUNG MAN, and then steps down on the floor - of the Assembly House. He grasps the YOUNG MAN by the shoulder._ - - Hither into the light. - - [_Turning to one of the YOUNG KINGS._ - - The very tint - Of her that I was speaking of but now: - Not a pin's difference. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - You are from the North, - Where there are many that have that tint of hair, - Red-brown, the light red-brown. Come nearer, boy! - For I would have another look at you. - There's more likeness, a pale, a stone pale cheek. - What brought you, boy? Have you no fear of death? - - _Young Man._ Whether I live or die is in the Gods' hands. - - _Cuchullain._ That is all words, all words, a young man's talk; - I am their plough, their harrow, their very strength, - For he that's in the sun begot this body - Upon a mortal woman, and I have heard tell - It seemed as if he had outrun the moon, - That he must always follow through waste heaven, - He loved so happily. He'll be but slow - To break a tree that was so sweetly planted. - Let's see that arm; I'll see it if I like. - That arm had a good father and a good mother, - But it is not like this. - - _Young Man._ You are mocking me. - You think I am not worthy to be fought, - But I'll not wrangle but with this talkative knife. - - _Cuchullain._ Put up your sword, I am not mocking you. - I'd have you for my friend, but if it's not - Because you have a hot heart and a cold eye - I cannot tell the reason. You've got her fierceness, - And nobody is as fierce as those pale women. - - [_To the YOUNG KINGS._ - - We'll keep him here in Muirthemne awhile. - - _A Young King._ You are the leader of our pack and therefore - May cry what you will. - - _Cuchullain._ You'll stop with us - And we will hunt the deer and the wild bulls, - And, when we have grown weary, light our fires - In sandy places where the wool-white foam - Is murmuring and breaking, and it may be - That long-haired women will come out of the dunes - To dance in the yellow fire-light. You hang your head, - Young man, as if it was not a good life; - And yet what's better than to hurl the spear, - And hear the long-remembering harp, and dance? - Friendship grows quicker in the murmuring dark; - But I can see there's no more need for words - And that you'll be my friend now. - - _First Old King._ Concobar, - Forbid their friendship, for it will get twisted - To a reproach against us. - - _Concobar._ Until now - I'd never need to cry Cuchullain on - And would not now. - - _First Old King._ They'll say his manhood's quenched. - - _Cuchullain._ I'll give you gifts, but I'll have something too, - An arm-ring or the like, and if you will - We'll fight it out when you are older, boy. - - _An Old King._ Aoife will make some story out of this. - - _Cuchullain._ Well, well, what matter, I'll have that arm-ring, boy. - - _Young Man._ There is no man I'd sooner have my friend - Than you whose name has gone about the world - As if it had been the wind, but Aoife'd say - I had turned coward. - - _Cuchullain._ I'll give you gifts - That Aoife'll know and all her people know - To have been my gifts. Mananan, son of the sea, - Gave me this heavy embroidered cloak. Nine Queens - Of the Land-under-Wave had woven it - Out of the fleeces of the sea. O! tell her - I was afraid, or tell her what you will. - No! tell her that I heard a raven croak - On the north side of the house and was afraid. - - _An Old King._ Some witch of the air has troubled Cuchullain's mind. - - _Cuchullain._ No witchcraft, his head is like a woman's head - I had a fancy for. - - _Second Old King._ A witch of the air - Can make a leaf confound us with memories. - They have gone to school to learn the trick of it. - - _Cuchullain._ But there's no trick in this. That arm-ring, boy. - - _Third Old King._ He shall not go unfought, I'll fight with him. - - _Fourth Old King._ No! I will fight with him. - - _First Old King._ I claim the fight, - For when we sent an army to her land---- - - _Second Old King._ I claim the fight, for one of Aoife's galleys - Stole my great cauldron and a herd of pigs. - - _Third Old King._ No, no, I claim it, for at Lammas' time---- - - _Cuchullain._ Back! Back! Put up your swords! Put up your swords! - There's none alive that shall accept a challenge - I have refused. Laegaire, put up your sword. - - _Young Man._ No, let them come, let any three together. - If they've a mind to, I'll try it out with four. - - _Cuchullain._ That's spoken as I'd spoken it at your age, - But you are in my house. Whatever man - Would fight with you shall fight it out with me. - They're dumb. They're dumb. How many of you would meet - - [_Drawing his sword._ - - This mutterer, this old whistler, this sandpiper, - This edge that's grayer than the tide, this mouse - That's gnawing at the timbers of the world, - This, this--Boy, I would meet them all in arms - If I'd a son like you. He would avenge me - When I have withstood for the last time the men - Whose fathers, brothers, sons, and friends I have killed - Upholding Ullad; when the four provinces - Have gathered with the ravens over them. - But I'd need no avenger. You and I - Would scatter them like water from a dish. - - _Young Man._ We'll stand by one another from this out. - Here is the ring. - - _Cuchullain._ No, turn and turn about, - But my turn is first, because I am the older. - Cliodna embroidered these bird wings, but Fand - Made all these little golden eyes with the hairs - That she had stolen out of Aengus' beard, - And therefore none that has this cloak about him - Is crossed in love. The heavy inlaid brooch - That Buan hammered has a merit too. - - [_He begins spreading the cloak out on a bench, showing it to the - YOUNG MAN. Suddenly CONCOBAR beats with his silver rod on a pillar - beside his chair. All turn towards him._ - - _Concobar._ [_In a loud voice._] - No more of that, I will not have this friendship. - Cuchullain is my man and I forbid it; - He shall not go unfought for I myself---- - - _Cuchullain._ [_Seizing CONCOBAR._] - You shall not stir, High King, I'll hold you there. - - _Concobar._ Witchcraft has maddened you. - - _The Kings._ [_Shouting._] Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft. - - _A King._ You saw another's head upon his shoulders - All of a sudden, a woman's head, Cuchullain. - Then raised your hand against the King of Ullad. - - _Cuchullain._ [_Letting CONCOBAR go, and looking wildly about him._] - Yes, yes, all of a sudden, all of a sudden. - - _Daire._ Why, there's no witchcraft in it, I myself - Have made a hundred of these sudden friendships - And fought it out next day. But that was folly, - For now that I am old I know it is best - To live in comfort. - - _A King._ Pull the fool away! - - _Daire._ I'll throw a heel-tap to the one that dies. - - _Concobar._ Some witch is floating in the air above us. - - _Cuchullain._ Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft and the power of witchcraft. - - [_To the YOUNG MAN._ - - Why did you do it? was it Calatin's daughters? - Out, out, I say, for now it's sword on sword. - - _Young Man._ But, but, I did not. - - _Cuchullain._ Out, I say, out, out! - Sword upon sword. - - [_He goes towards the door at back, followed by YOUNG MAN. He - turns on the threshold and cries out, looking at the YOUNG MAN._ - - That hair my hands were drowned in! - - [_He goes out, followed by YOUNG MAN. The other KINGS begin to - follow them out._ - - _A King._ I saw him fight with Ferdiad. - - _Second King._ We'll be too late, - They're such a long time getting through the door. - - _Third King._ Run quicker, quicker. - - _Daire._ I was at the Smith's - When he that was the boy Setanta then---- - - [_Sound, of fighting outside._ - - _Third King._ He will have killed him. - They have begun the fight! - - [_They all go out, leaving the house silent and empty. There is a - pause during which one hears the clashing of the swords. BARACH and - FINTAIN come in from side door. BARACH is dragging FINTAIN._ - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have eaten it, you have left me nothing -but the bones. - -_Fintain._ O, that I should have to endure such a plague. O, I ache all -over. O, I am pulled in pieces. This is the way you pay me for all the -good I have done you! - -_Barach._ You have eaten it, you have told me lies about a wild dog. -Nobody has seen a wild dog about the place this twelve month. Lie there -till the Kings come. O, I will tell Concobar and Cuchullain and all the -Kings about you! - -_Fintain._ What would have happened to you but for me, and you without -your wits? If I did not take care of you what would you do for food and -warmth? - -_Barach._ You take care of me? You stay safe and send me into every kind -of danger. You sent me down the cliff for gull's eggs while you warmed -your blind eyes in the sun. And then you ate all that were good for -food. You left me the eggs that were neither egg nor bird. [_The blind -man tries to rise. BARACH makes him lie down again._] Keep quiet now -till I shut the door. There is some noise outside. There are swords -crossing; a high vexing noise so that I can't be listening to myself. -[_He goes to the big door at the back and shuts it._] Why can't they be -quiet, why can't they be quiet! Ah, you would get away, would you? [_He -follows the blind man who has been crawling along the wall and makes him -lie down close to the KING'S chair._] Lie there, lie there. No, you -won't get away. Lie there till the Kings come, I'll tell them all about -you. I shall tell it all. How you sit warming yourself, when you have -made me light a fire of sticks, while I sit blowing it with my mouth. Do -you not always make me take the windy side of the bush when it blows and -the rainy side when it rains? - -_Fintain._ O good fool, listen to me. Think of the care I have taken of -you. I have brought you to many a warm hearth, where there was a good -welcome for you, but you would not stay there, you were always wandering -about. - -_Barach._ The last time you brought me in, it was not I who wandered -away, but you that got put out because you took the crubeen out of the -pot, when you thought nobody was looking. Keep quiet now, keep quiet -till I shut the door. Here is Cuchullain, now you will be beaten. I am -going to tell him everything. - -_Cuchullain._ [_Comes in and says to the fool._] Give me that horn. - - [_The fool gives him a horn which CUCHULLAIN fills with ale and - drinks._ - -_Fintain._ Do not listen to him, listen to me. - -_Cuchullain._ What are you wrangling over? - -_Barach._ He is fat and good for nothing. He has left me the bones and -the feathers. - -_Cuchullain._ What feathers? - -_Barach._ I left him turning a fowl at the fire. He ate it all. He left -me nothing but the bones and feathers. - -_Fintain._ Do not believe him. You do not know how vain this fool is. I -gave him the feathers, because I thought he would like nothing so well. - - [_BARACH is sitting on a bench playing with a heap of feathers, - which he has taken out of the breast of his coat._ - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top---- - -_Fintain._ Where would he be but for me? I must be always thinking, -thinking to get food for the two of us, and when we've got it, if the -moon's at the full or the tide on the turn, he'll leave the rabbit in -its snare till it is full of maggots, or let the trout slip through his -hands back into the water. - - _Barach._ [_Singing._] When you were an acorn on the tree top, - Then was I an eagle cock; - Now that you are a withered old block, - Still am I an eagle cock! - -_Fintain._ Listen to him now! That's the sort of talk I have to put up -with, day out day in. - - [_The fool is putting the feathers into his hair. CUCHULLAIN takes a - handful of feathers out of the heap and out of the fool's hair, and - begins to wipe the blood from his sword with them._ - -_Barach._ He has taken my feathers to wipe his sword. It is blood that -he is wiping from his sword! - -_Fintain._ Whose blood? Whose blood? - -_Cuchullain._ That young champion's. - -_Fintain._ He that came out of Aoife's country? - -_Cuchullain._ The Kings are standing round his body. - -_Fintain._ Did he fight long? - -_Cuchullain._ He thought to have saved himself with witchcraft. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said he would kill you. He came from -Aoife's country to kill you. That blind man said they had taught him -every kind of weapon that he might do it. But I always knew that you -would kill him. - -_Cuchullain._ [_To the blind man._] You knew him, then? - -_Fintain._ I saw him when I had my eyes, in Aoife's country. - -_Cuchullain._ You were in Aoife's country? - -_Fintain._ I knew him and his mother there. - -_Cuchullain._ He was about to speak of her when he died. - -_Fintain._ He was a Queen's son. - -_Cuchullain._ What Queen, what Queen? [_He seizes the blind man._] Was -it Scathach? There were many Queens. All the rulers were Queens. - -_Fintain._ No, not Scathach. - -_Cuchullain._ It was Uathach, then. Speak, speak! - -_Fintain._ I cannot speak, you are clutching me too tightly. -[_CUCHULLAIN lets him go._] I cannot remember who it was. I am not -certain. It was some Queen. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that the young man was Aoife's son. - -_Cuchullain._ She? No, no, she had no son when I was there. - -_Barach._ That blind man there said that she owned him for her son. - -_Cuchullain._ I had rather he had been some other woman's son. What -father had he? A soldier out of Alba? She was an amorous woman, a proud, -pale amorous woman. - -_Fintain._ None knew whose son he was. - -_Cuchullain._ None knew? Did you know, old listener at doors? - -_Fintain._ No, no, I knew nothing. - -_Barach._ He said a while ago that he heard Aoife boast that she'd never -but the one lover, and he the only man that had overcome her in battle. - - [_A pause._ - -_Fintain._ Somebody is trembling. Why are you trembling, fool? the bench -is shaking, why are you trembling? Is Cuchullain going to hurt us? It -was not I who told you, Cuchullain. - -_Barach._ It is Cuchullain who is trembling. He is shaking the bench -with his knees. - -_Cuchullain._ He was my son, and I have killed my son. - - [_A pause._ - - 'Twas they that did it, the pale windy people, - Where, where, where? My sword against the thunder. - But no, for they have always been my friends; - And though they love to blow a smoking coal - Till it's all flame, the wars they blow aflame - Are full of glory, and heart uplifting pride, - And not like this; the wars they love awaken - Old fingers and the sleepy strings of harps. - Who did it then? Are you afraid; speak out, - For I have put you under my protection - And will reward you well. Dubthach the Chafer. - He had an old grudge. No, for he is with Maeve. - Laegaire did it. Why do you not speak? - What is this house? [_A pause._] Now I remember all. - - _Fintain._ He will kill us. O, I am afraid! - - _Cuchullain._ [_Who is before CONCOBAR'S chair._] - 'Twas you who did it, you who sat up there - With that old branch of silver, like a magpie - Nursing a stolen spoon. Magpie, magpie, - A maggot that is eating up the earth! - - [_Begins hacking at the chair with his sword._ - - No, but a magpie, for he's flown away. - Where did he fly to? - - _Fintain._ He is outside the door. - - _Cuchullain._ Outside the door? - - _Fintain._ He is under Baile's yew-tree. - - _Cuchullain._ Concobar, Concobar, the sword into your heart. - - [_He goes out. A pause. The fool goes to the great door at back and - looks out after him._ - -_Barach._ He is going up to King Concobar; they are all under the tree. -No, no, he is standing still. There is a great wave going to break and -he is looking at it. Ah! now he is running down to the sea, but he is -holding up his sword as if he were going into a fight. [_A pause._] Well -struck, well struck! - -_Fintain._ What is he doing now? - -_Barach._ Oh! he is fighting the waves. - -_Fintain._ He sees King Concobar's crown on every one of them. - -_Barach._ There, he has struck at a big one. He has struck the crown off -it, he has made the foam fly. There again another big one. - - [_Shouting without._ - -_Fintain._ Where are the Kings? What are the Kings doing? - -_Barach._ They are shouting and running down to the shore, and the -people are running out of the houses, they are all running. - -_Fintain._ You say they are running out of the houses, there will be -nobody left in the houses. Listen, fool. - -_Barach._ There, he is down! He is up again! He is going out into the -deep water. - -_Fintain._ Come here, fool; come here, I say. - -_Barach._ [_Coming towards him but looking backward towards the door._] -What is it? - -_Fintain._ There will be nobody in the houses. Come this way, come -quickly; the ovens will be full; we will put our hands into the ovens. - -[_They go out._ - - - - -[Illustration] - - CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO. - TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Punctuation has been standardised. Spelling and hyphenation have been -preserved as printed. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The King's Threshold; and On Baile's -Strand, by William Butler Yeats - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KING'S THRESHOLD; AND ON *** - -***** This file should be named 41102.txt or 41102.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/0/41102/ - -Produced by Brian Foley, Jennifer Linklater and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/41102.zip b/old/41102.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e1f171e..0000000 --- a/old/41102.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/readme.htm b/old/readme.htm deleted file mode 100644 index b9970b2..0000000 --- a/old/readme.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html> -<html lang="en"> -<head> - <meta charset="utf-8"> -</head> -<body> -<div> -Versions of this book's files up to October 2024 are here.<br> -More recent changes, if any, are reflected in the GitHub repository: -<a href="https://github.com/gutenbergbooks/41102">https://github.com/gutenbergbooks/41102</a> -</div> -</body> -</html> |
