SCENE I
SCENE.--_A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky. The walls are of one colour. The scent should have the effect of missal painting._ MARY, a_ woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern_.
MARY
What can have made the grey hen flutter so?
(TEIG, _a boy of fourteen, is coming in with turf, which he lays beside the hearth_.)
TEIG
They say that now the land is famine struck The graves are walking.
MARY
There is something that the hen hears.
TEIG
And that is not the worst; at Tubber-vanach A woman met a man with ears spread out, And they moved up and down like a bat's wing.
MARY
What can have kept your father all this while?
TEIG
Two nights ago, at Carrick-orus churchyard, A herdsman met a man who had no mouth, Nor eyes, nor ears; his face a wall of flesh; He saw him plainly by the light of the moon.
MARY
Look out, and tell me if your father's coming.
(TEIG _goes to door_.)
TEIG
Mother!
MARY
What is it?
TEIG
In the bush beyond, There are two birds--if you can call them birds-- I could not see them rightly for the leaves. But they've the shape and colour of horned owls And I'm half certain they've a human face.
MARY
Mother of God, defend us!
TEIG
They're looking at me. What is the good of praying? father says. God and the Mother of God have dropped asleep. What do they care, he says, though the whole land Squeal like a rabbit under a weasel's tooth?
MARY
You'll bring misfortune with your blasphemies Upon your father, or yourself, or me. I would to God he were home--ah, there he is.
(SHEMUS _comes in_.)
What was it kept you in the wood? You know I cannot get all sorts of accidents Out of my mind till you are home again.
SHEMUS
I'm in no mood to listen to your clatter. Although I tramped the woods for half a day, I've taken nothing, for the very rats, Badgers, and hedgehogs seem to have died of drought, And there was scarce a wind in the parched leaves.
TEIG
Then you have brought no dinner.
SHEMUS
After that I sat among the beggars at the cross-roads, And held a hollow hand among the others.
MARY
What, did you beg?
SHEMUS
I had no chance to beg, For when the beggars saw me they cried out They would not have another share their alms, And hunted me away with sticks and stones.
TEIG
You said that you would bring us food or money.
SHEMUS
What's in the house?
TEIG
A bit of mouldy bread.
MARY
There's flour enough to make another loaf.
TEIG
And when that's gone?
MARY
There is the hen in the coop.
SHEMUS
My curse upon the beggars, my curse upon them!
TEIG
And the last penny gone.
SHEMUS
When the hen's gone, What can we do but live on sorrel and dock, And dandelion, till our mouths are green?
MARY
God, that to this hour's found bit and sup, Will cater for us still.
SHEMUS
His kitchen's bare. There were five doors that I looked through this day And saw the dead and not a soul to wake them.
MARY
Maybe He'd have us die because He knows, When the ear is stopped and when the eye is stopped, That every wicked sight is hid from the eye, And all fool talk from the ear.
SHEMUS
Who's passing there? And mocking us with music?
(_A stringed instrument without._)
TEIG
A young man plays it, There's an old woman and a lady with him.
SHEMUS
What is the trouble of the poor to her? Nothing at all or a harsh radishy sauce For the day's meat.
MARY
God's pity on the rich. Had we been through as many doors, and seen The dishes standing on the polished wood In the wax candle light, we'd be as hard, And there's the needle's eye at the end of all.
SHEMUS
My curse upon the rich.
TEIG
They're coming here.
SHEMUS
Then down upon that stool, down quick, I say, And call up a whey face and a whining voice, And let your head be bowed upon your knees.
MARY
Had I but time to put the place to rights.
(CATHLEEN, OONA, _and_ ALEEL _enter_.)
CATHLEEN
God save all here. There is a certain house, An old grey castle with a kitchen garden, A cider orchard and a plot for flowers, Somewhere among these woods.
MARY
We know it, lady. A place that's set among impassable walls As though world's trouble could not find it out.
CATHLEEN
It may be that we are that trouble, for we-- Although we've wandered in the wood this hour-- Have lost it too, yet I should know my way, For I lived all my childhood in that house.
MARY
Then you are Countess Cathleen?
CATHLEEN
And this woman, Oona, my nurse, should have remembered it, For we were happy for a long time there.
OONA
The paths are overgrown with thickets now, Or else some change has come upon my sight.
CATHLEEN
And this young man, that should have known the woods-- Because we met him on their border but now, Wandering and singing like a wave of the sea-- Is so wrapped up in dreams of terrors to come That he can give no help.
MARY
You have still some way, But I can put you on the trodden path Your servants take when they are marketing. But first sit down and rest yourself awhile, For my old fathers served your fathers, lady, Longer than books can tell--and it were strange If you and yours should not be welcome here.
CATHLEEN
And it were stranger still were I ungrateful For such kind welcome--but I must be gone, For the night's gathering in.
SHEMUS
It is a long while Since I've set eyes on bread or on what buys it.
CATHLEEN
So you are starving even in this wood, Where I had thought I would find nothing changed. But that's a dream, for the old worm o' the world Can eat its way into what place it pleases.
(_She gives money._)
TEIG
Beautiful lady, give me something too; I fell but now, being weak with hunger and thirst And lay upon the threshold like a log.
CATHLEEN
I gave for all and that was all I had. Look, my purse is empty. I have passed By starving men and women all this day, And they have had the rest; but take the purse, The silver clasps on't may be worth a trifle. But if you'll come to-morrow to my house You shall have twice the sum.
(ALEEL _begins to play_.)
SHEMUS (_muttering_)
What, music, music!
CATHLEEN
Ah, do not blame the finger on the string; The doctors bid me fly the unlucky times And find distraction for my thoughts, or else Pine to my grave.
SHEMUS
I have said nothing, lady. Why should the like of us complain?
OONA
Have done. Sorrows that she's but read of in a book Weigh on her mind as if they had been her own.
(OONA, MARY, and CATHLEEN _go out_. ALEEL _looks defiantly at_ SHEMUS.)
ALEEL (_singing_)
Were I but crazy for love's sake I know who'd measure out his length, I know the heads that I should break, For crazy men have double strength. There! all's out now to leave or take, And who mocks music mocks at love; And when I'm crazy for love's sake I'll not go far to choose.
(_Snapping his fingers in_ SHEMUS' _face_.)
Enough! I know the heads that I shall break.
(_He takes a step towards the door and then turns again._)
Shut to the door before the night has fallen, For who can say what walks, or in what shape Some devilish creature flies in the air, but now Two grey-horned owls hooted above our heads.
(_He goes out, his singing dies away._ MARY _comes in_. SHEMUS _has been counting the money._)
SHEMUS
So that fool's gone.
TEIG
He's seen the horned owls too. There's no good luck in owls, but it may be That the ill luck's to fall upon his head.
MARY
You never thanked her ladyship.
SHEMUS
Thank her, For seven halfpence and a silver bit?
TEIG
But for this empty purse?
SHEMUS
What's that for thanks, Or what's the double of it that she promised? With bread and flesh and every sort of food Up to a price no man has heard the like of And rising every day.
MARY
We have all she had; She emptied out the purse before our eyes.
SHEMUS (_to_ MARY, _who has gone to close the door_)
Leave that door open.
MARY
When those that have read books, And seen the seven wonders of the world, Fear what's above or what's below the ground, It's time that poverty should bolt the door.
SHEMUS
I'll have no bolts, for there is not a thing That walks above the ground or under it I had not rather welcome to this house Than any more of mankind, rich or poor.
TEIG
So that they brought us money.
SHEMUS
I heard say There's something that appears like a white bird, A pigeon or a seagull or the like, But if you hit it with a stone or a stick It clangs as though it had been made of brass, And that if you dig down where it was scratching You'll find a crock of gold.
TEIG
But dream of gold For three nights running, and there's always gold.
SHEMUS
You might be starved before you've dug it out.
TEIG
But maybe if you called, something would come, They have been seen of late.
MARY
Is it call devils? Call devils from the wood, call them in here?
SHEMUS
So you'd stand up against me, and you'd say Who or what I am to welcome here. (_He hits her._) That is to show who's master.
TEIG
Call them in.
MARY
God help us all!
SHEMUS
Pray, if you have a mind to. It's little that the sleepy ears above Care for your words; but I'll call what I please.
TEIG
There is many a one, they say, had money from them.
SHEMUS (_at door_)
Whatever you are that walk the woods at night, So be it that you have not shouldered up Out of a grave--for I'll have nothing human-- And have free hands, a friendly trick of speech, I welcome you. Come, sit beside the fire. What matter if your head's below your arms Or you've a horse's tail to whip your flank, Feathers instead of hair, that's but a straw, Come, share what bread and meat is in the house, And stretch your heels and warm them in the ashes. And after that, let's share and share alike And curse all men and women. Come in, come in. What, is there no one there? (_Turning from door_) And yet they say They are as common as the grass, and ride Even upon the book in the priest's hand.
(TEIG _lifts one arm slowly and points toward the door and begins moving backwards_. SHEMUS _turns, he also sees something and begins moving backward_. MARY _does the same. A man dressed as an Eastern merchant comes in carrying a small carpet. He unrolls it and sits cross-legged at one end of it. Another man dressed in the same way follows, and sits at the other end. This is done slowly and deliberately. When they are seated they take money out of embroidered purses at their girdles and begin arranging it on the carpet_.)
TEIG
You speak to them.
SHEMUS
No, you.
TEIG
'Twas you that called them.
SHEMUS (_coming nearer_)
I'd make so bold, if you would pardon it, To ask if there's a thing you'd have of us. Although we are but poor people, if there is, Why, if there is----
FIRST MERCHANT
We've travelled a long road, For we are merchants that must tramp the world, And now we look for supper and a fire And a safe corner to count money in.
SHEMUS
I thought you were ... but that's no matter now-- There had been words between my wife and me Because I said I would be master here, And ask in what I pleased or who I pleased And so.... but that is nothing to the point, Because it's certain that you are but merchants.
FIRST MERCHANT
We travel for the Master of all merchants.
SHEMUS
Yet if you were that I had thought but now I'd welcome you no less. Be what you please And you'll have supper at the market rate, That means that what was sold for but a penny Is now worth fifty.
(MERCHANTS _begin putting money on carpet_.)
FIRST MERCHANT
Our Master bids us pay So good a price, that all who deal with us Shall eat, drink, and be merry.
SHEMUS (_to_ MARY)
Bestir yourself, Go kill and draw the fowl, while Teig and I Lay out the plates and make a better fire.
MARY
I will not cook for you.
SHEMUS
Not cook! not cook! Do not be angry. She wants to pay me back Because I struck her in that argument. But she'll get sense again. Since the dearth came We rattle one on another as though we were Knives thrown into a basket to be cleaned.
MARY
I will not cook for you, because I know In what unlucky shape you sat but now Outside this door.
TEIG
It's this, your honours: Because of some wild words my father said She thinks you are not of those who cast a shadow.
SHEMUS
I said I'd make the devils of the wood Welcome, if they'd a mind to eat and drink; But it is certain that you are men like us.
FIRST MERCHANT
It's strange that she should think we cast no shadow, For there is nothing on the ridge of the world That's more substantial than the merchants are That buy and sell you.
MARY
If you are not demons, And seeing what great wealth is spread out there, Give food or money to the starving poor.
FIRST MERCHANT
If we knew how to find deserving poor We'd do our share.
MARY
But seek them patiently.
FIRST MERCHANT
We know the evils of mere charity.
MARY
Those scruples may befit a common time. I had thought there was a pushing to and fro, At times like this, that overset the scale And trampled measure down.
FIRST MERCHANT
But if already We'd thought of a more prudent way than that?
SECOND MERCHANT
If each one brings a bit of merchandise, We'll give him such a price he never dreamt of.
MARY
Where shall the starving come at merchandise?
FIRST MERCHANT
We will ask nothing but what all men have.
MARY
Their swine and cattle, fields and implements Are sold and gone.
FIRST MERCHANT
They have not sold all yet. For there's a vaporous thing--that may be nothing, But that's the buyer's risk--a second self, They call immortal for a story's sake.
SHEMUS
They come to buy our souls?
TEIG
I'll barter mine. Why should we starve for what may be but nothing?
MARY
Teig and Shemus----
SHEMUS
What can it be but nothing? What has God poured out of His bag but famine? Satan gives money.
TEIG
Yet no thunder stirs.
FIRST MERCHANT
There is a heap for each.
(SHEMUS _goes to take money_.)
But no, not yet, For there's a work I have to set you to.
SHEMUS
So then you're as deceitful as the rest, And all that talk of buying what's but a vapour Is fancy bread. I might have known as much, Because that's how the trick-o'-the-loop man talks.
FIRST MERCHANT
That's for the work, each has its separate price; But neither price is paid till the work's done.
TEIG
The same for me.
MARY
Oh, God, why are you still?
FIRST MERCHANT
You've but to cry aloud at every cross-road, At every house door, that we buy men's souls. And give so good a price that all may live In mirth and comfort till the famine's done, Because we are Christian men.
SHEMUS
Come, let's away.
TEIG
I shall keep running till I've earned the price.
SECOND MERCHANT
(_who has risen and gone towards fire_)
Stop; you must have proof behind the words. So here's your entertainment on the road.
(_He throws a bag of money on the ground._)
Live as you please; our Master's generous.
(TEIG and SHEMUS _have stopped_. TEIG _takes the money. They go out._)
MARY
Destroyers of souls, God will destroy you quickly. You shall at last dry like dry leaves and hang Nailed like dead vermin to the doors of God.
SECOND MERCHANT
Curse to your fill, for saints will have their dreams.
FIRST MERCHANT
Though we're but vermin that our Master sent To overrun the world, he at the end Shall pull apart the pale ribs of the moon And quench the stars in the ancestral night.
MARY
God is all powerful.
SECOND MERCHANT
Pray, you shall need Him. You shall eat dock and grass, and dandelion, Till that low threshold there becomes a wall, And when your hands can scarcely drag your body We shall be near you.
(MARY _faints_.)
(_The_ FIRST MERCHANT _takes up the carpet, spreads it before the fire and stands in front of it warming his hands_.)
FIRST MERCHANT
Our faces go unscratched, Wring the neck o' that fowl, scatter the flour And look if there is bread upon the shelves. We'll turn the fowl upon the spit and roast it, And eat the supper we were bidden to, Now that the house is quiet, praise our Master, And stretch and warm our heels among the ashes.
END OF SCENE I.