Part 2

_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.