THE GREEN SHEAF

        DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

CONCOBAR … … Ardrie of Ulla.
Naisi
Ainle
Ardan… … … Brothers of Naisi.
Fergus
Buinne
Ilann … … Sons of Fergus.
Cathvah … … A Druid.
Deirdre
Lavarcam … … A Druidess.
            Herdsman, Messenger.

❦      ❦      A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS       ❦     ❦

                        ACT I.

Scene.—The dun of Deirdre’s captivity. Lavarc m, a Druidess, sits
before the door in the open air. Deirdre comes out of the dun.

Deirdre. Dear fostermother, how the spring is begin-
    ning ! The music of the Father’s harp is awaken-
    ing the flowers. Now the winter’s sleep is over,
    and the spring flows from the lips of the harp. Do
    you not feel the thrill in the wind—a joy answering
    the trembling strings ? Dear fostermother, the
    spring and the music are in my heart!

Lavarcam. The harp has but three notes; and, after
    sleep and laughter, the last sound is of weeping.

Deirdre. Why should there be any sorrow while I am
    with you? I am happy here. Last night in a
    dream I saw the blessed Shee upon the mountains,
    and they looked on me with eyes of love. (An old
    herdsman enters who bows before Lavarcam.)

Herdsman. Lady, the High King of Ulla is coming
    through the woods.

Lavarcam. Deirdre, go to the grianan for a little. You
    shall tell me your dream again, my child.

Deirdre. Why am I always hidden from the King’s
    sight?

Lavarcam. It is the King’s will you should see no one
    except these aged servants.

Deirdre. Am I indeed fearful to look upon, foster-
    mother? I do not think so, or you would not love
    me.

Lavarcam. It is the King’s will.

Deirdre. Yet why must it be so, fostermother? Why
    must I hide away? Why must I never leave
    the valley?

Lavarcam. It is the King’s will. (While she is speaking
    Concobar enters. He stands still and looks on Deirdre.
    Deirdre gazes on the King for a moment, and then covering
    her face with her hands, she flies into the dun. The
    herdsman goes out. Lavarcam sees and bows before the
    King.)

Concobar. Lady, is all well with you and your charge?

Lavarcam. All is well.

Concobar. Is there peace in Deirdre’s heart?

Lavarcam. She is happy, not knowing a greater happi-
    ness than to roam the woods or her dreams of the
    immortal ones can bring her.

Concobar. Fate has not found her yet hidden in this
    valley.

Lavarcam. Her happiness is to be here. But she asks
    why must she never leave the glen. Her heart
    quickens within her. Like a bird she listens to the
    spring, and soon the valley will be narrow as a cage.

Concobar. I cannot open the cage. Less ominous the
    Red Swineherd at a feast than this beautiful child
    in Ulla. You know the word of the Druids at her
    birth.

Lavarcam. Aye, through her would come the destruc-
    tion of the Red Branch. But sad is my heart,
    thinking of her lonely youth.

Concobar. The gods did not guide us how the ruin
    might be averted. The druids would have slain her,
    but I set myself against the wise ones, thinking in
    my heart that the chivalry of the Red Branch would
    be already gone if this child were slain. If we are
    to perish, it shall be nobly, and without any depar-
    ture from the laws of our order. So I have hidden
    her away from men, hoping to stay the coming of
    fate.

Lavarcam. King, your mercy will return to you, and if
    any of the Red Branch fall, you will not fall.

Concobar. If her thoughts turned only to the Shee,
    her heart would grow cold to the light love that
    warriors give. The Birds of Angus cannot breathe
    or sing their maddening song in the chill air that
    enfolds the wise. For this, Druidess, I made thee
    her fosterer. Has she learned to know the beauty
    of the ever-living ones, after which the earth fades,
    and no voice can call us back?

Lavarcam. The immortals have appeared to her in
    vision, and looked on her with eyes of love.

Concobar. Her beauty is so great it would madden
    whole hosts, and turn them from remembrance of
    their duty. We must guard well the safety of the
    Red Branch. Druidess, you have seen with subtle
    eyes the shining life beyond this. But through the
    ancient traditions of Eri, which the bards have kept
    and woven into song, I have seen the shining law
    enter men’s minds, and subdue the lawless into love
    of justice. A great tradition is shaping a heroic
    race; and the gods who fought at Moytura are
    descending and dwelling in the hearts of the Red
    Branch; and deeds will be done in our time as
    mighty as those wrought by the giants who battled
    at the dawn; and through the memory of our days
    and deeds, the gods will build themselves an eternal
    empire in the mind of the Gael. Wise woman,
    guard well this beauty which fills my heart with
    terror. I go now, and will doubly warn the spear-
    men at the passes, but will come hither again, and
    speak with thee of these things; and with Deirdre
    I would also speak.

Lavarcam. King of Ulla, be at peace. It is not I who
    will break through the design of the gods. (Concobar
    goes through the woods, after looking for a time at the door
    of the dun.) But Deirdre is also one of the immortals.
    What the gods desire will utter itself through her
    heart. I will seek counsel from the gods. (Deirdre
    comes slowly through the door.)

Deirdre. Is he gone? I fear this stony king with his
    implacable eyes.

Lavarcam. He is implacable only in his desire for
    justice.

Deirdre. No ! No ! There is a hunger in his eyes
    for I know not what.

                              4 THE GREEN SHEAF SUPPLEMENT TO No. 7.

Lavarcam. He is the wisest king who ever sat on the
    chair of Macha.

Deirdre. He has placed a burden on my heart. Oh!
    fostermother, the harp of life is already trembling
    into sorrow!

Lavarcam. Do not think of him. Tell me your dream,
    my child. (Deirdre comes from the door of the dun and
    sits on a deerskin at Lavarcam’s feet.)

Deirdre. Tell me, do happy dreams bring happiness,
    and do our dreams of the Shee ever grow real to us
    as you are real to me? Do their eyes draw nigh to
    ours, and can the heart we dream of ever be a refuge
    for our hearts?

Lavarcam. Tell me your dream.

Deirdre. Nay ; but answer me, first of all, dear foster-
    mother—you who are wise, and who have talked
    with the Shee.

Lavarcam. Would it make you happy to have your
    dream real, my darling?

Deirdre. Oh, it would make me happy! (She hides
    her face on Lavarcam’s knees.)

Lavarcam. If I can make your dream real, I will, my
    beautiful fawn.

Deirdre. Dear fostermother, I think my dream is
    coming near to me. It is coming to me now.

Lavarcam. Deirdre, tell me what hope has entered
    your heart?

Deirdre. In the night I saw in a dream the top of the
    mountain yonder, beyond the woods, and three
    hunters stood there in the dawn. The sun sent its
    breath upon their faces, but there was a light about
    them never kindled at the sun. They were surely
    hunters from some heavenly field, or the three gods
    whom Lu condemned to wander in mortal form, and
    they are come again to the world to seek some
    greater treasure.

Lavarcam. Describe to me these immortal hunters. In
    Eire we know no gods who take such shape
    appearing unto men.

Deirdre. I cannot now make clear to thee my remem-
    brance of two of the hunters; but the tallest of the
    three—oh, he stood like a flame against the flameless
    sky, and the whole sapphire of the heavens seemed
    to live in his fearless eyes ! His hair was darker
    than the raven’s wing; his face dazzling in its fair-
    ness. He pointed with his great flame-bright spear
    to the valley. His companions seemed in doubt,
    and pointed east and west. Then in my dream I
    came nigh him, and whispered in his ear, and
    pointed the way through the valley to our dun. I
    looked into his eyes, and he started like one who
    sees a vision; and I know, dear fostermother, he
    will come here; and he will love me. Oh, I would
    die if he did not love me!

Lavarcam. Make haste, my child, and tell me, was
    there aught else memorable about this hero, and
    his companions?

Deirdre. Yes, I remember each had the likeness of a
    torch shedding rays of gold embroidered on the
    breast.

Lavarcam. Deirdre, Deirdre, these are no phantoms,
    but living heroes ! O wise King, the eyes of the
    spirit thou wouldst open have seen further than
    the eyes of the body thou wouldst blind! The druid
    vision has only revealed to this child her destiny.

Deirdre. Why do you talk so strangely, fostermother?

Lavarcam. Concobar, I will not fight against the will
    of the immortals. I am not thy servant, but theirs.
    Let the Red Branch fall! If the gods scatter it,
    they have chosen to guide the people of Ulla in
    another path.

Deirdre. What has disturbed your mind, dear foster-
    mother? What have I to do with the Red Branch?
    And why should the people of Ulla fall because of
    me?

Lavarcam. O Deirdre! there were no warriors created
    could overcome the Red Branch. The gods have
    but smiled on this proud chivalry through thine
    eyes, and they are already melted. The waving of
    thy hand is more powerful to subdue than the silver
    rod of the king to sustain. Thy golden hair shall be
    the flame to burn up Ulla.

Deirdre. Oh, what do you mean by these fateful
    prophecies? You fill me with terror. Why should
    a dream so gentle and sweet portend sorrow?

Lavarcam. Dear golden head, cast sorrow aside for a
    time. The Father has not yet struck the last chords
    on the harp of life. The chords of joy have but
    begun for thee.

Deirdre. You confuse my mind, dear fostermother,
    with your speech of joy and sorrow. It is not your
    wont. Indeed, I think my dream portends joy.

Lavarcam. It is love, Deirdre, which is coming to thee.
    Love, which thou hast never known.

Deirdre. But I love thee, dearest and kindest of
    guardians.

Lavarcam. Oh, in this love heaven and earth will be
    forgotten, and your own self unremembered, or dim
    and far off, as a home the spirit lives in no longer.

Deirdre. Tell me, will the hunter from the hills come
    to us? I think I could forget all for him.

Lavarcam. He is not one of the Shee, but the proudest
    and bravest of the Red Branch, Naisi, son of Usna.
    Three lights of valour among the Ultonians are
    Naisi and his brothers.

Deirdre. Will he love me, fostermother, as you love
    me, and will he live with us here?

Lavarcam. Nay, where he goes you must go, and he
    must fly afar to live with you. But I will leave you
    now for a little, child: I would divine the future.
    (Lavarcam kisses Deirdre and goes within the dun.
    Deirdre walks to and fro before the door, Naisi enters.
    He sees Deirdre, who turns and looks at him, pressing
    her hands to her breast, Naisi bows before Deirdre.)

Naisi. Goddess, or enchantress, thy face shone on me
    at dawn on the mountain. Thy lips called me
    hither, and I have come.

Deirdre. I called thee, dear Naisi.

Naisi. Oh, knowing my name, never before having
    spoken to me, thou must know my heart also.

Deirdre. Nay, I know not. Tell me what is in thy
    heart.

                              THE GREEN SHEAF SUPPLEMENT TO No. 7. 5

Naisi. O enchantress! thou art there. The image of
    thine eyes is there, and thy smiling lips; and the
    beating of my heart is muffled in a cloud of thy
    golden tresses.

Deirdre. Say on, dear Naisi.

Naisi. I have told thee all. Thou only art in my heart.

Deirdre. But I have never ere this spoken to any man.
    Tell me more.

Naisi. If thou hast never before spoken to any man,
    then indeed art thou one of the immortals, and my
    hope is vain. Hast thou only called me to thy
    world to extinguish my life hereafter in memories of
    thee?

Deirdre. What wouldst thou with me, dear Naisi?

Naisi. I would carry thee to my dun by the sea of
    Moyle, O beautiful woman, and set thee there on an
    ivory throne. The winter would not chill thee there,
    nor the summer burn thee, for I would enfold thee
    with my love, enchantress, if thou earnest to my
    world. Many warriors are there of the clan Usna,
    and two brothers I have who are strong above any
    hosts, and they would all die with me for thy sake.

Deirdre (taking the hands of Naisi). I will go with thee
    where thou goest. (Leaning her head on Naisi’s
    shoulder.) Oh, fostermother, too truly hast thou
    spoken! I know myself not. My spirit has gone
    from me to this other heart for ever.

Naisi. Dost thou forego thy shining world for me?

Lavarcam (coming out of the dun). Naisi, this is the
    Deirdre of the prophecies.

Naisi. Deirdre!—Deirdre!—I remember in some old
    tale of my childhood that name. (Fiercely.) It was
    a lying prophecy. What has this golden head to do
    with the downfall of Ulla?

Lavarcam. Thou art the light of the Ultonians, Naisi,
    but thou art not the star of knowledge. The druids
    spake truly. Through her, but not through her sin,
    will come the destruction of the Red Branch.

Naisi. I have counted death as nothing battling for the
    Red Branch; and I would not, even for Deirdre,
    war upon my comrades. But Deirdre I will not
    leave nor forget for a thousand prophecies made by
    druids in their dotage. If the Red Branch must
    fall, it will fall through treachery; but Deirdre I
    will love, and in my love is no dishonour, nor any
    broken pledge.

Lavarcam. Remember, Naisi, the law of the king. It
    is death to thee to be here. Concobar is even now
    in the woods, and will come hither again.

Deirdre. Is it death to thee to love me, Naisi? Oh,
    fly quickly, and forget me. But first, before thou
    goest, bend down thy head—low—rest it on my
    bosom. Listen to the beating of my heart. That
    passionate tumult is for thee ! There—I have
    kissed thee. I have sweet memories for everlasting.
    Go now, my beloved, quickly. I fear—I fear for
    thee this stony king.

Naisi. I do not fear the king, nor will I fly hence. It
    is due also to the chief of the Red Branch that I
    should stay and face him, having set my will against
    his.

Lavarcam. You cannot remain now.

Naisi. It is due to the king.

Lavarcam. You must go; both must go. Oh, do not
    cloud your heart with dreams of a false honour. It
    is not your death only, but Deirdre’s, which will
    follow. Do you think the Red Branch would spare
    her, after your death, to extinguish another light of
    valour, and another who may wander here?

Naisi. I will go with Deirdre to Alba.

Deirdre. Through life, or to death, I will go with thee,
    Naisi.
(Voices of Ainle and Ardan are heard in the wood.)

Ardan. I think Naisi went this way.

Ainle. He has been wrapt in a dream since the dawn.
    See! this is his footstep in the clay.

Ardan. I heard voices.

Ainle (entering with Ardan). Here is our dream-led
    brother—

Naisi. Ainle and Ardan, this is Deirdre, your sister. I
    have broken through the command of the king, and
    fly with her to Alba, to avoid warfare with the Red
    Branch.

Ardan. Our love to thee, beautiful sister.

Ainle. Dear maiden, thou art already in my heart with
    Naisi.

Lavarcam. You cannot linger here. With Concobar
    the deed follows swiftly the counsel; to-night his
    spearmen will be on your track.

Naisi. Listen, Ainle and Ardan. Go you to Emain
    Macha. It may be, the Red Branch will make
    peace between the king and myself. You are guilt-
    less in this flight.

Ainle. Having seen Deirdre, my heart is with you,
    brother, and I also am guilty.

Ardan. I think, being here, we, too, have broken the
    command of the king. We will go with thee to
    Alba, dear brother and sister.

Lavarcam. Oh, tarry not: tarry not! Make haste
    while there is yet time. The thoughts of the king
    are circling around Deirdre as wolves around the
    fold. Try not the passes of the valley—but over
    the hills. The passes are all filled with the spear-
    men of the king.

Naisi. We will carry thee over the mountain, Deirdre,
    and to-morrow will see us nigh to the isles of Alba.

Deirdre. Farewell, dear fostermother. I have passed
    the faery sea since dawn, and have found the Island
    of Joy. Oh, see ! what bright birds are around us,
    with dazzling wings! Can you not hear their sing-
    ing? Oh, bright birds, make music for ever around
    my love and me!

Lavarcam. They are the Birds of Angus. Their sing-
    ing brings love—and death.

Deirdre. Nay, death has come before love, dear foster-
    mother, and all I was has vanished like a dewdrop
    in the sun. Oh, beloved, let us go. We are leaving
    death behind us in the valley. (Deirdre and the
    brothers go through the wood. Lavarcam watches, and,
    when they are out of sight, sits by the door of the dun with
    her head bowed to her knees. A fter a little Concobar enters.)

                              6 THE GREEN SHEAF SUPPLEMENT TO No. 7.

Concobar. Where is Deirdre?

Lavarcam (not lifting hev head). Deirdre has left death
    behind her, and has entered into the kingdom of her
    youth.

Concobar. Do not speak to me in portents. Lift up
    your head, Druidess. Where is Deirdre?

Lavarcam (looking up). Deirdre is gone!

Concobar. By the high gods, tell me whither; and
    who has dared to take her hence?

Lavarcam. She has fled with Naisi, son of Usna, and
    is beyond your vengeance, king.

Concobar. Woman, I swear by Balor, Tethra, and all
    the brood of demons, I will have such a vengeance
    a thousand years hereafter shall be frighted at the
    tale. If the Red Branch is to fall, it will sink at
    least in seas of the blood of the clan Usna.

Lavarcam. O king, the doom of the Red Branch had
    already gone forth, when you suffered love for
    Deirdre to enter your heart.
(Scene closes.)

                        ACT 11.

Scene.—In the dun by Loch Etive. Through the open door can be
    seen the lakes and wooded islands in a silver twilight. Deirdre
    stands at the door looking over the lake. Naisi is within binding
    a spear-head to the shaft.

Deirdre. How still is the twilight! It is the sunset,
    not of one, but of many days—so still, so still, so
    living! The enchantment of Dana is upon the
    lakes and islands and woods, and the Great Father
    looks down through the deepening heavens.

Naisi. Thou art half of their world, beautiful woman,
    and it seems fair to me, gazing on thine eyes. But
    when thou art not beside me, the flashing of spears
    is more to be admired than a whole heavenful of
    stars.

Deirdre. O Naisi! still dost thou long for the Red
    Branch, and the peril of battles and death.

Naisi. Not for the Red Branch, nor the peril of battles,
    nor death, do I long. But—

Deidre. But what, Naisi? What memory of Eri hast
    thou hoarded in thy heart?

Naisi (bending over his spear). It is nothing, Deirdre.

Deirdre. It is a night of many days, Naisi. See, all
    the bright day had hidden is revealed! Look,
    there! A star! and another star! They could not
    see each other through the day, for the hot mists of
    the sun were about them. Three years of the sun
    have we passed in Alba, Naisi; and now, O star of
    my heart, truly do I see you, this night of many
    days.

Naisi. Though my breast lay clear as a crystal before
    thee, thou couldst see no change in my heart.

Deirdre. There is no change, beloved; but I see there
    one memory warring on thy peace.

Naisi. What is it then, wise woman?

Deirdre. O Naisi, I have looked within thy heart, and
    thou hast there imagined a king with scornful eyes
    thinking of thy flight.

Naisi. By the gods, but it is true! I would give this
    kingdom I have won in Alba to tell the proud
    monarch I fear him not.

Deirdre. O Naisi, that thought will draw thee back to
    Eri, and to I know not what peril and death beyond
    the seas.

Naisi. I will not war on the Red Branch. They were
    ever faithful comrades. Be at peace, Deirdre.

Deirdre. Oh, how vain it is to say to the heart, “Be
    at peace,” when the heart will not rest! Sorrow is
    on me, beloved, and I know not wherefore. It has
    taken the strong and fast place of my heart, and
    sighs there hidden in my love for thee.

Naisi. Dear one, the songs of Ainle and the pleasant
    tales of Ardan will drive away thy sorrow.

Deirdre. Ainle and Ardan! Where are they? They
    linger long.

Naisi. They were watching a sail that set hitherward
    from the south.

Deirdre. A sail!

Naisi. A sail! What is there to startle thee in that?
    Have not a thousand galleys lain in Loch Etive
    since I built this dun by the sea?

Deirdre. I do not know, but my spirit died down in
    my heart as you spake. I think the wind that
    brings it blows from Eri, and it is it has brought
    sorrow to me.

Naisi. My beautiful one, it is but a fancy. It is some
    merchant comes hither to barter Tyrian cloths for
    the cunning work of our smiths. But glad would I
    be if he came from Eri, and I would feast him here
    for a night, and sit round a fire of turves, and hear
    of the deeds of the Red Branch.

Deirdre. Your heart for ever goes out to the Red
    Branch, Naisi. Were there any like unto thee, or
    Ainle, or Ardan?

Naisi. We were accounted most skilful, but no
    one was held to be braver than another. If there were
    one, it was great Fergus, who laid aside the silver
    rod which he held as Ardrie of Ulla; but he is in
    himself greater than any king.

Deirdre. And does one hero draw your heart back to
    Eri?

Naisi. A river of love, indeed, flows from my heart
    unto Fergus, for there is no one more noble. But
    there were many others, Conal, and the boy we
    called Cuculain, a dark, sad child, who was the
    darling of the Red Branch, and truly he seemed
    like one who would be a world-famous warrior.
    There were many held him to be a god in exile.

Deirdre. I think we, too, are in exile in this world.
    But tell me, who else among the Red Branch do you
    think of with love?

Naisi. There was the Ardrie, Concobar, whom no man
    knows, indeed, for he is unfathomable. But he is a
    wise king, though moody and passionate at times,
    for he was cursed in his youth for a sin against one
    of the Shee.

Deirdre. Oh, do not speak of him! My heart falls at
    the thought of him as into a grave; and I know I
    will die when we meet.

                              THE GREEN SHEAF SUPPLEMENT TO No. 7. 7

Naisi. I know one who will die before that, my fawn.

Deirdre. Naisi! You remember when we fled that
    night; as I lay by thy side—thou wert yet strange
    to me—I heard voices speaking out of the air. The
    great ones were invisible, yet their voices sounded
    solemnly. “Our brother and our sister do not
    remember,” one said; and another spake: “They
    will serve the purpose all the same”; and there
    was more which I could not understand, but I knew
    we were to bring some great gift to the Gael.
    Yester-night, in a dream, I heard the voices again;
    and I cannot recall what they said, but as I woke
    from sleep my pillow was wet with tears falling
    softly, as out of another world; and I saw before me
    thy face, pale and still, Naisi, and the king, with his
    implacable eyes. Oh, pulse of my heart, I know
    the great gift we will give to the Gael will be a
    memory to pity and sigh over; and I shall be the
    priestess of tears. Naisi, promise me you will never
    go back to Ulla—swear to me, Naisi.

Naisi. I will, if—(Here Ainle and Ardan enter).

Ainle. Oh, great tidings, brother!

Deirdre. I feel fate is stealing on us with the footsteps
    of those we love. Before they speak, promise me,
    Naisi.

Ainle. What is it, dear sister? Naisi will promise
    thee anything, and if he does not, we will make him
    do it, all the same.

Deirdre. Oh, let me speak! Both Death and the Heart’s
    Desire are speeding to win the race. Promise me,
    Naisi, you will never return to Ulla.

Ardan. Naisi, it were well to hear what tale may come
    from Emain Macha. One of the Red Branch
    displays our banner on a galley from the south. I
    have sent a boat to bring this warrior to our door.
    It may be Concobar is dead.

Deirdre. Why should we return? Is not the Clan
    Usna greater here than ever in Eri?

Ainle. Dear sister, it is the land which gave us birth;
    which ever like a mother whispered to us, and its
    whisper is sweeter than the promise of beloved lips.
    Though we are kings here in Alba, we are exiles,
    and the heart is afar from its home.

(A distant shout is heard.)

Naisi. I hear a call like the voice of a man of Eri.

Deirdre. It is only a herdsman calling home his cattle.
    (She puts her arms round Naisi’s neck.) Beloved, am
    I become so little to you that your heart is empty,
    and sighs for Eri?

Naisi. Deirdre, in my flight I have brought with me
    many whose desire is afar, while you are set as a
    star by my side. They have left their own land,
    and many a maiden sighs for the clansmen who
    never return. There is also the shadow of fear on
    my name, because I fled, and did not face the king.
    Shall I swear to keep my comrades in exile, and let
    the shame of fear rest on the chieftain of their clan?

Deirdre. Can they not go? Are we not enough for
    each other, for surely to me thou art hearth and
    home, and where thou art, there the dream ends,
    and beyond it there is no other dream.

            (A voice is heard without , more clearly calling.)

Ainle. It is a familiar voice that calls! And I thought
    I heard thy name, Naisi.

Ardan. It is the honey-sweet speech of a man of Eri.

Deirdre. It is one of our own clansmen. Naisi, will
    you not speak? The hour is passing, and soon
    there will be naught but a destiny.

Fergus (without). Naisi! Naisi!

Naisi. A deep voice, like the roar of a storm god! It
    is Fergus who comes from Eri.

Ardan. He comes as a friend. There is no treachery
    in the Red Branch.

Ainle. Let us meet him, and give him welcome! (The
    brothers go to the door of the dun. Deirdre leans against
    the wall with terror in her eyes.)

Deirdre (in a low, broken voice). Naisi! (Naisi returns to
    her side, Ainle and Ardan go out. Deirdre rests one
    hand on Naisi’s shoulders, and with the other points
    upwards.) Do you not see them? The bright
    birds which sang at our flight! Look, how they
    wheel about us as they sing! What a heart-rending
    music! And their plumage, Naisi! It is all
    dabbled with crimson; and they shake a ruddy dew
    from their wings upon us! Your brow is stained
    with the drops. Let me clear away the stains.
    They pour over your face and hands. Oh! (She
    hides her face on Naisi’s breast.)

Naisi. Poor frightened one, there are no birds! See,
    how clear are my hands! Look again on my face.

Deirdre (looking up for an instant). Oh! blind, staring
    eyes.

Naisi. Nay, they are filled with love, light of my heart.
    What has troubled your mind? Am I not beside
    you, and a thousand clansmen around our dun?

Deirdre. They go—and the music dies out. What
    was it Lavarcam said?—“Their singing brings love
    and death.”

Naisi. What matters death, for love will find us among
    the Ever Living Ones? We are immortals, and it
    does not become us to grieve.

Deirdre. Naisi, there is some treachery in the coming
    of Fergus.

Naisi. I say to you, Deirdre, that treachery is not to be
    spoken of with Fergus. He was my fosterer, who
    taught me all a chieftain should feel, and I shall not
    now accuse him on the foolish fancy of a woman.
    (He turns from Deirdre, and as he nears the door
    Fergus enters with hands laid affectionately on a
    shoulder of each of the brothers; Buinne and Ilann
    follow.) Welcome, Fergus! Glad is my heart at
    your coming, whether you bring good tidings or ill!

Fergus. I would not have crossed the sea of Moyle to
    bring thee ill tidings, Naisi. (He sees Deirdre.) My
    coming has affrighted thy lady, who shakes like the
    white wave trembling before its fall. I swear to
    thee, Deirdre, that the sons of Usna are dear to me
    as children to a father.

Deirdre. The Birds of Angus showed all fiery and
    crimson as you came!

Buinne. If we are not welcome in this dun, let us
    return!

Fergus. Be still, hasty boy.

                              8 THE GREEN SHEAF SUPPLEMENT TO No. 7.

Ilann. The lady Deirdre has received some omen or
    warning on our account. When the Shee declare
    their will, we should with due awe consider it.

Ardan. Her mind has been troubled by a dream of
    some ill to Naisi.

Naisi. It was not by dreaming evils that the sons of
    Usna grew to be champions in Ulla. And I took
    thee to my heart, Deirdre, though the druids
    trembled to murmur thy name.

Fergus. If we listened to dreamers and foretellers, the
    sword would never flash from its sheath. In truth,
    I have never found the Shee send omens to warriors,
    they rather bid them fly to herald our coming.

Deirdre. And what doom comes with thee now, that
    such omens fled before thee? I fear thy coming,
    warrior. I fear the Lights of Valour will be soon
    extinguished.

Fergus. Thou shalt smile again, pale princess, when
    thou hast heard my tale. It is not to the sons of
    Usna I would bring sorrow. Naisi, thou art free to
    return to Ulla.

Naisi. Does the king, then, forego his vengeance?

Deirdre. The king will never forego his vengeance. I
    have looked on his face—the face of one who never
    changes his purpose.

Fergus. He sends forgiveness and greetings.

Deirdre. O Naisi, he sends honied words by the mouth
    of Fergus, but the pent-up death broods in his own
    heart.

Buinne. We were tempest-beaten, indeed, on the sea of
    Moyle—but the storm of this girl’s speech is more
    fearful to face.

Fergus. Your tongue is too swift, Buinne. I say to
    you, Deirdre, that if all the kings of Eri brooded ill
    to Naisi, they dare not break through my protection.

Naisi. It is true indeed, Fergus, though I have never
    asked any protection save my own sword. It is a
    chill welcome you give to Fergus and his sons,
    Deirdre. Ainle, tell them within to make ready the
    feasting hall.

            (Ainle goes into an inner room.)

Deirdre. I pray thy pardon, warrior. Thy love for
    Naisi I do not doubt. But in this holy place there
    is peace, and the doom that Cathvah the druid cried
    cannot fall. And oh, I feel, too, there is One here
    among us who pushes us silently from the place of
    life; and we are drifting away—away—from the
    world on a tide which goes down into the darkness!

Ardan. The darkness is in your mind alone, poor
    sister. Great is our joy to hear the message of
    Fergus.

Naisi. It is not like the king to change his will. Fergus,
    what has wrought upon his mind?

Fergus. He took counsel with the druids and Lavar-
    cam, and thereafter spake at Emain Macha, that for
    no woman in the world should the sons of Usna be
    apart from the Red Branch. And so we all spake
    joyfully: and I have come with the king’s message
    of peace, for he knew that for none else wouldst
    thou return.

Naisi. Surely, I will go with thee, Fergus. I long for
    the shining eyes of friends, and the fellowship of the
    Red Branch, and to see my own country by the sea
    of Moyle. I weary of this barbarous people in
    Alba.

Deirdre. O children of Usna, there is death in your
    going! Naisi, will you not stay the storm-bird of
    sorrow? I forehear the falling of tears that cease
    not, and in generations unborn the sorrow of it all
    that will never be stilled!

Naisi. Deirdre! Deirdre! It is not right for you,
    beautiful woman, to come with tears between a
    thousand exiles and their own land! Many battles
    have I fought, knowing well there would be death
    and weeping after. If I feared to trust to the word of
    great kings and warriors, it is not with tears I would
    be remembered. What would the bards sing of Naisi
    —without trust! afraid of the outstretched hand!
    frightened by a woman’s fears! By the gods, before
    the clan Usna were so shamed I would shed my
    blood here with my own hand.

Deirdre. O stay—stay your anger! Have pity on me,
    Naisi. Your words, like hot lightnings, sear my
    heart. Never again will I seek to stay thee. But
    speak to me with love once more, Naisi. Do not
    bend your brows on me with anger; for, oh! but a
    little time remains for us to love!

Fergus. Nay, Deirdre, there are many years. Thou
    shalt yet smile back on this hour in thy old years,
    thinking of the love and laughter between.

Ainle (entering). The feast is ready for our guests.

Ardan. The bards shall sing of Eri to-night. Let the
    harpers sound their gayest music. Oh, to be back
    once more in royal Emain!

Naisi. Come, Deirdre, forget thy fears. Come, Fergus,
    I long to hear from thy lips of the Red Branch and
    Ulla.

Fergus. It is geasa with me not to refuse a feast offered
    by one of the Red Branch. (Fergus, Buinne, Ilann,
    and the sons of Usna go into the inner room. Deirdre
    remains silently standing for a time, as if stunned. The
    sound of laughter and music floats in. She goes to the
    door of the dim, looking out again over the lakes and
    islands.)

Deirdre. Farewell, O home of happy memories.
    Though thou art bleak to Naisi, to me thou art
    bright. I shall never see thee more, save as shadows
    we wander here, weeping over what has gone.
    Farewell, O gentle people, who made music for me
    on the hills. The Father has struck, the last chord
    on the Harp of Life; and the music I shall hear
    hereafter will be only sorrow. O Mother Dana,
    who breathed up love through the dim earth to my
    heart, be with me where I am going. Soon shall
    I lie close to thee for comfort, where many a broken
    heart has lain, and many a weeping head.

            (Music of harps and laughter again floats in.)

Voices. Deirdre! Deirdre! Deirdre!

(Deirdre leaves the door of the dun, and the scene closes as she
    flings herself on a couch burying her face in her arms.)

                        ACT III.

Scene.—The house of the Red Branch at Emain Macha. There is a
    door covered with curtains, through which the blue light of evening
    can be seen. Concobar sits at a table on which is a chessboard,
    with figures arranged. Lavarcam stands before the table.

Concobar. The air is dense with omens, but all is
    uncertain. Cathvah, for all his druid art, is uncer-
    tain, and cannot foresee the future; and in my
    dreams, too, I again see Macha, who died at my
    feet, and she passes by me with a secret exultant
    smile. O Druidess, is the sin of my boyhood to be

                              THE GREEN SHEAF SUPPLEMENT TO No. 7. 9

avenged by this woman, who comes back to Eri in
    a cloud of prophecy?

Lavarcam. The great beauty has passed from Deirdre in
    her wanderings from place to place, and from island
    to island. Many a time has she slept on the bare
    earth ere Naisi won a kingdom for himself in Alba.
    Surely, the prophecy has already been fulfilled, for
    blood has been shed for Deirdre, and the Red
    Branch divided on her account. To Naisi the Red
    Branch are as brothers. Thou hast naught to fear.

Concobar. Well, I have put aside my fears, and taken
    thy counsel, Druidess. For the sake of the Red
    Branch I have forgiven the sons of Usna. Now, I
    will call together the warriors of Ulla, for it is my
    purpose to bring the five provinces under the sway
    of the Red Branch, and there shall be but one king-
    dom in Eri between the seas.

(A distant shouting of many voices is heard. Lavarcam starts,
                                                                            clasping her hands.)

        Why dost thou start, Druidess? Was it not fore-
    told from of old that the gods would rule over one
    people in Eri? I sometimes think the warrior soul
    of Lu shines through the boy Cuculain, who after
    me shall guide the Red Branch; aye, and with him
    are many of the old company who fought at
    Moytura, come back to renew the everlasting battle.
    Is not this the Isle of Destiny, and the hour at hand?

            (The clamour is again renewed.)

        What is this clamour as if men hailed a king?
    (Calls.) Is there one without there? (Ilann enters.)
    Ah! returned from Alba with the fugitives!

Ilann. King, we have fulfilled our charge. The sons
    of Usna are with us in Emain Macha. Whither is
    it your pleasure they should be led?

Concobar. They shall be lodged here in the House of
    the Red Branch. (Ilann is about to withdraw.) Yet,
    wait, what mean all these cries as of astonished
    men?

Ilann. The lady Deirdre has come with us, and her
    beauty is a wonder to the gazers in the streets, for
    she moves among them like one of the Shee, whiter
    than ivory, with long hair of gold, and her eyes,
    like the blue flame of twilight, make mystery in
    their hearts.

Concobar (starting up). This is no fading beauty who
    returns! You hear, Druidess!

Ilann. Ardrie of Ulla, whoever has fabled to thee that
    the beauty of Deirdre is past has lied. She is
    sorrowful, indeed, but her sadness only bows the
    heart to more adoration than her joy, and pity for
    her seems sweeter than the dream of love. Fading!
    Yes, her yesterday fades behind her every morning,
    and every changing mood seems only an unveiling
    to bring her nearer to the golden spirit within. But
    how could I describe Deirdre? In a little while she
    will be here, and you shall see her with your own
    eyes. (Ilann bows and goes out.)

Concobar. I will, indeed, see her with my own eyes.
    I will not, on the report of a boy, speak words that
    shall make the Red Branch to drip with blood. I
    will see with my own eyes. (He goes to the door.)
    But I swear to thee, Druidess, if thou hast plotted
    deceit a second time with Naisi, that all Eri may
    fall asunder, but I will be avenged. (He holds the
    curtain aside with one hand and looks out. As he gazes,
    his face grows sterner, and he lifts his spear above his head
    in menace. Lavarcam looks on with terror, and as he
    drops the curtain and looks back on her, she lets her face
    sink in her hands.)

Concobar (scornfully). A druid makes prophecies, and a
    druidess schemes to bring them to pass! Well
    have you all worked together! A fading beauty
    was to return, and the Lights of Valour to shine
    again in the Red Branch! And I, the Ardrie of
    Ulla and the head of the Red Branch, to pass by
    the broken law and the after deceit! I, whose sole
    thought was of the building up of a people, to be
    set aside! The high gods may judge me hereafter,
    but to-night shall see the broken law set straight,
    and vengeance on the traitors to Ulla.

Lavarcam. It was all my doing! They are innocent!
    I loved Deirdre, O king! let your anger be on me
    alone.

Concobar. Oh, tongue of falsehood ! Who can believe
    you! The fate of Ulla was in your charge, and
    you let it go forth at the instant wish of a man and
    a girl’s desire. The fate of Ulla was too distant,and
    you must bring it nigher—the torch to the pile!
    Breakers of the law, and makers of lies, you
    shall all perish together! (Concobar leaves the
    room. Lavarcam remains, her whole being shaken with
    sobs. After a pause, Naisi enters with Deirdre. Ainle,
    Ardan , Ilann, and Buinne follow. During the dialogue
    which ensues, Naisi is inattentive, and is curiously ex-
    amining the chess-board.)

Deirdre. We are entering a house of death! Who is
    it that weeps so? I, too, would weep, but the
    children of Usna are too proud to let tears be seen
    in the eyes of their women. (She sees Lavarcam, who
    raises her head from the table.) O fostermother, for
    whom do you sorrow? Ah! it is for us. You
    still love me, dear fostermother; but you, who are
    wise—could you not have warned the Lights of
    Valour? Was it kind to keep silence, and only
    meet us here with tears?

Lavarcam. O Deirdre, my child! my darling! I have
    let love and longing blind my eyes. I left the
    mountain home of the gods for Emain Macha, and
    to plot for your return. I—I deceived the king. I
    told him your loveliness was passed, and the time of
    the prophecy gone by. I thought when you came
    all would be well. I thought wildly, for love had
    made a blindness in my heart; and now the king
    has discovered the deceit; and, oh! he has gone
    away in wrath, and soon his terrible hand will fall!

Deirdre. It was not love made you all blind, but the
    high gods have deserted us, and the demons draw
    us into a trap. They have lured us from Alba, and
    they hover here above us in red clouds—cloud
    upon cloud—and await the sacrifice.

Lavarcam. Oh,it is not yet too late! Where is Fergus?
    The king dare not war on Fergus. Fergus is our
    only hope.

Deirdre. Fergus has bartered his honour for a feast.
    He remained with Baruch, that he might boast he
    never refused the wine cup. He feasts with Baruch,
    and the Lights of Valour who put their trust
    in him—must die.

Buinne. Fergus never bartered his honour. I do pro-
    test, girl, against your speech. The name of
    Fergus alone would protect you throughout all Eri;
    how much mere here, where he is champion in

                              10 THE GREEN SHEAF SUPPLEMENT TO No. 7.

Ulla. Come, brother, we are none of us needed
    here. (Buinne leaves the room.)

Deirdre. Father and son alike desert us! O foster-
    mother, is this the end of all? Is there no way
    out? Is there no way out?

Ilann. I will not desert you, Deirdre, while I can still
    thrust a spear. But you fear overmuch without a
    cause.

Lavarcam. Bar up the door, and close the windows. I
    will send a swift messenger for Fergus. If you
    hold the dun until Fergus comes, all will yet be well.
    (Lavarcam hurries out.)

Deirdre (going to Naisi). Naisi, do you not hear?
    Let the door be barred! Ainle and Ardan, are you
    still all blind? Oh! must I close them with my
    own hand? (Deirdre goes to the window, and lays her
    hand on the bars. Naisi follows her.)

Naisi. Deirdre, in your girlhood you have not known
    of the ways of the Red Branch. This thing you
    fear is unheard of in Ulla. The king may be wrath-
    ful; but the word, once passed, is inviolate. If he
    whispered treachery to one of the Red Branch he
    would not be Ardrie to-morrow. Nay, leave the
    window unbarred, or they will say the sons of Usna
    have returned timid as birds! Come; we are
    enough protection for thee. See, here is the chess-
    board of Concobar, with which he is wont to divine,
    playing a lonely game with fate. The pieces are
    set. We will finish the game, and so pass the time
    until the feast is ready. (He sits down.) The golden
    pieces are yours, and the silver mine.

Ainle (looking at the board). You have given Deirdre
    the weaker side.

Naisi. Deirdre always plays with more cunning skill.

Deirdre. O fearless one, if he who set the game played
    with fate, the victory is already fixed, and no skill
    may avail.

Naisi. We will see if Concobar has favourable omens.
    It is geasa for him always to play with silver pieces.
    I will follow his game. It is your move. Dear one,
    will you not smile? Surely, against Concobar you
    will play well.

Deirdre. It is too late. See, everywhere my king is
    threatened!

Ardan. Nay, your game is not lost. If you move your
    king back all will be well.

Messenger (at the door). I bear a message from the
    Ardrie to the sons of Usna.

Naisi. Speak out thy message, man. Why does thy
    voice tremble? Who art thou? I do not know
    thee. Thou art not one of the Red Branch. Con-
    cobar is not wont to send messages to kings by such
    as thou.

Messenger. The Red Branch are far from Emain
    Macha—but it matters not. The king has com-
    manded me to speak thus to the sons of Usna. You
    have broken the law of Ulla when you stole away
    the daughter of Felim. You have broken the law
    of the Red Branch when you sent lying messages
    through Lavarcam plotting to return. The king
    commands that the daughter of Felim be given up,
    and—

Ainle. Are we to listen to this?

Ardan. My spear will fly of itself if he does not depart.

Naisi. Nay, brother; he is only a slave. (To the
    Messenger.) Return to Concobar, and tell him that
    to-morrow the Red Branch will choose another
    chief. There; why dost thou wait? Begone! (To
    Deirdre.) Oh, wise woman, truly did you see the
    rottenness in this king!

Deirdre. Why did you not take my counsel, Naisi?
    For now it is too late—too late.

Naisi. There is naught to fear. One of us could hold
    this dun against a thousand of Concobar’s house-
    hold slaves. When Fergus comes to-morrow, there
    will be another king in Emain Macha.

Ilann. It is true, Deirdre. One of us is enough for
    Concobar’s household slaves. I will keep watch at
    the door, while you play at peace with Naisi.
    (Ilann lifts the curtain of the door and goes outside.
    The play at chess begins again. Ainle and Ardan
    look on.)

Ainle. Naisi, you play wildly. See, your queen will
    be taken. (A disturbance without, and the clash of
    aims.)

Ilann (without). Keep back! Do you dare?

Naisi. Ah! the slaves come on, driven by the false
    Ardrie! When the game is finished, we will sweep
    them back, and slay them in the Royal House,
    before Concobar’s eyes. Play! You forget to
    move, Deirdre. (The clash of arms is renewed.)

Ilann (without). Oh! I am wounded. Ainle! Ardan!
    To the door! (Ainle and Ardan rush out. The
    clash of arms renewed.)

Deirdre. Naisi, I cannot. I cannot. The end of all has
    come. Oh, Naisi! (She flings her arms across the
    table, scattering the pieces over the board.)

Naisi. If the end has come, we should meet it with calm.
    It is not with sighing and tears the Clan Usna
    should depart. You have not played this game as it
    ought to be played.

Deirdre. Your pride is moulded and set like a pillar of
    bronze. O warrior, I was no mate for you. I am
    only a woman, who has given her life into your
    hands; and you chide me for my love.

Naisi (caressing her head with his hands). Poor timid
    dove, I had forgotten thy weakness. I did not mean
    to wound thee, my heart. Oh, many will shed hotter
    tears than these for thy sorrow! They will perish
    swiftly who made Naisi’s queen to weep! (He
    snatches up a spear, and rushes out. There are cries,
    and then a silence.)

Lavarcam (entering hurriedly). Bear Deirdre swiftly
    away through the night. (She stops and looks around.)
    Where are the sons of Usna? Oh! I stepped over
    many dead bodies at the door. Surely the Lights
    of Valour were not so soon overcome! Oh, my
    darling! come away with me out of this terrible
    house.

Deirdre (slowly). What did you say of the Lights of
    Valour? That—they—were dead—? (Naisi, Ainle,
    and Ardan re-enter. Deirdre clings to Naisi.)

Naisi. My gentle one, do not look so pale, or wound
    me with those terror-stricken eyes. Those base
    slaves are all fled! Truly, Concobar is a mighty
    king, without the Red Branch!

Lavarcam. Oh, do not linger here. Bear Deirdre away
    while there is time. You can escape through the
    city in the silence of the night. The king has called
    for his druids: soon the magic of Cathvah will
    enfold you, and your strength will be all withered
    away.

Naisi. I will not leave Emain Macha until the head of
    this false king is apart from his shoulders. A spear

                              THE GREEN SHEAF SUPPLEMENT TO No. 7. 11

can pass as swiftly through his druid as through one
    of his slaves. Oh, Cathvah, the old mumbler of
    spells and of false prophecies, who caused Deirdre
    to be taken from her mother’s breast! Truly, I
    owe a deep debt to Cathvah, and I will repay it.

Lavarcam. If you love Deirdre, do not let pride and
    wrath stay your flight. You have but an instant to
    fly. You can return with Fergus and a host of
    warriors in the dawn. You do not know the power
    of Cathvah. Surely, if you do not depart, Deirdre
    will fall into the king’s hands, and it were better she
    had died in her mother’s womb.

Deirdre. Naisi, let us leave this house of death. (The
    sound of footsteps without.)

Lavarcam. It is too late. (Ainle and Ardan start to the
    door, but are stayed at the sound of Cathvah’s voice.
    Deirdre clings to Naisi.)

            Cathvah (chanting without.)

                        Let the Faed Fia fall;
                        Mananaun Mac Lir.
                        Take back the day
                        Amid days unremembered.
                        Over the warring mind
                        Let thy Faed Fia fall,
                        Mananaun Mac Lir.

Naisi. Why dost thou weep, Deirdre, and cling to me
    so? The sea is calm. To-morrow we will rest
    safely at Emain Macha, with the great Ardrie, who
    has forgiven all.

Lavarcam. The darkness is upon his mind. Oh, poor
    Deirdre.

            Cathvah (without).

                        Let thy waves rise,
                        Mananaun Mac Lir.
                        Let the earth fail
                        Beneath their feet.
                        Let thy waves flow over them,
                        Mananaun:
                        Lord of ocean.

Naisi. Our galley is sinking—and no land in sight! I
    did not think the end would come so soon. O pale
    love, take courage. Is death so bitter to thee? We
    shall go down in each other’s arms; our hearts
    shall beat out their love together; and the last of
    life we shall know will be our kisses on each other’s
    lips. (Ainle and Ardan stagger outside. There is a
    sound of blows and a low cry.) Ainle and Ardan have
    sunk in the waters! We are alone. Still weeping!
    My bird, my bird, soon we shall fly together to the
    bright kingdom in the West, to Hy Brazil, amid the
    opal seas.

Deirdre. Naisi, Naisi, shake off the magic dream. It
    is here in Emain Macha we are. There are no
    waters. The spell of the druid and his terrible
    chant have made a mist about your eyes.

Naisi. Her mind is wandering. She is distraught with
    terror of the king. There, rest your head on my
    heart. Hush ! hush! The waters are flowing
    upward swiftly. Soon, when all is over, you will
    laugh at your terror. The great Ardrie will sorrow
    over our death.

Deirdre. I cannot speak. Lavarcam, can you
    not break the enchantment?

Lavarcam. My limbs are fixed here by the spell.

Naisi. There was music a while ago. The swans of
    Lir, with their slow, sweet, faery singing. There
    never was a sadder tale than theirs. They must
    roam for ages, driven on the Sea of Moyle, while
    we shall go hand in hand through the country of
    immortal youth. And there is Mananaun, the dark
    blue king, who looks at us with a smile of welcome.
    Ildathach is lit up with its shining mountains, and
    the golden phantoms are leaping there in the dawn.
    There is a path made for us! Come, Deirdre, the
    god has made for us an island on the sea. (Naisi
    goes through the door, and falls back smitten by a spear-
    thrust.) The druid Cathvah! The king! O
    Deirdre! (He dies. Deirdre bends over the body,
    taking the hands in hers.)

Lavarcam. O gentle heart, thy wounds will be more
    bitter than his. Speak but a word. That silent
    sorrow will kill thee and me. My darling, it was
    fate, and I was not to blame. Come, it will comfort
    thee to weep beside my breast. Leave the dead for
    vengeance, for heavy is the vengeance that shall fall
    on this ruthless king.

Deirdre. I do not fear Concobar any more. My spirit
    is sinking away from the world. I could not stay
    after Naisi. After the Lights of Valour had
    vanished, how could I remain? The earth has
    grown dim and old, fostermother. The gods have
    gone far away, and the lights from the mountains,
    and the Lions of the Flaming Heart are still. O
    fostermother, when they heap the cairn over him,
    let me be beside him in the narrow grave. I will
    still be with the noble one. (Deirdre lays her head
    on Naisi’s body. Concobar enters, standing in the
    doorway. Lavarcam takes Deirdre’s hand and drops it.)

Lavarcam. Did you come to torture her with your
    presence? Was not the death of Naisi cruelty
    enough? But now she is past your power to wound.

Concobar. The death of Naisi was only the fulfilling of
    the law. Ulla could not hold together if its ancient
    laws were set aside.

Lavarcam. Do you think to bind men together when you
    have broken their hearts? O fool, who would conquer
    Eri! I see the Red Branch scattered, and all Eri
    rent asunder, and thy memory a curse after many
    thousand years. The gods have overthrown thy
    dominion, proud king, with the last sigh from this
    dead child; and of the pity for her they will build up
    an eternal kingdom in the spirit of man. (An
    uproar without and the clash of arms.)

Voices. Fergus! Fergus! Fergus!

Lavarcam. The avenger has come! So perishes the
    Red Branch. (She hurries out wildly.)

Concobar (slowly, after a pause). I have two divided
    kingdoms, and one is in my own heart. Thus do I
    pay homage to thee, O Queen, who will rule, being
    dead. (He bends over the body of Deirdre and kisses
    her hand.)

Fergus (without.) Where is the traitor Ardrie? (Con-
    cobar starts up, lifting his spear. Fergus appears at the
    doorway, and the scene closes.)

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