Because I have awakened her to love
To hurry to their hidden happiness
Dectora. What is there but the crying of the birds?
When I have said farewell to this man here,
For golden-armed Iollan that I loved-
[Shrinking back.] He has caught the crescent moon out
That you were born a thousand years ago,
O; O! O! O!
And yet you make a clamour of reproach.
You do not see my purpose. I shall have gone
Dectora. I am not afraid,
One of the Laughing People - and she and I
It had washed among the stars and put them out,
<1[The Sailors comc in with Aibric. They are in great
Had seemed to be the giver of all peace,
As that wild Aengus. Long before her day
That lift us to the flowing, changing world
Are you not happy winged bodies now?
Forgael. What if he speak the truth,
Our hearts desire now that we are so light.
Would rise of a sudden, or a wave so huge
Even though it be the lightest of light love,
Because we are not proud, imperishable,
Forgael. Why do you cast a shadow?
Dectora. Yet say
But that I am afraid they may have passed,
You are broken, you are broken. The world drifts
Shall be alone for ever. We two - this crown -
But all thats raving. Who is there can compel
Second Sailor. "Twas Aengus and Edain, the wandering
gael takes the harp.]>1
Forgael [turning and seeing her].>1 Why are you standing
Aibric. Shadows, illusions,
Third Sailor. Lets home; Id give some rubies to a
by any other means. You call it passion,
slowly, and finally lets it fall. She spreads out her hair.
Or fumbling in a dream about the house?
If there be such a country.
Until my body give you kiss for kiss.
Aibric. While
Why are they all a-flutter of a sudden?
What are you calling out above the mast?
They are too busy with each other. Look!
Aibric. Take up that rope
That has been promised me. I have not seen them
[His voice sinks again.]
<1[She mounts on to the hulwark and turns towards
woman.
That cannot be the meaning of the birds.
More mighty than the stars half troubled me,
First Sailor. You have awakened him.
But why are they still waiting? why are they
[Forgael plays the harp.]
Forgael. Its not a dream,
To the horn, and he be hale and hearty.
Speak - he will not deny it.
That have had dreams for father, live in us.
Dectora. Nine swords with handles of rhinoceros horn
And beat the golden helmet with their swords?
other ship. Dectora stands with the sword lifted in
Being too busy in the air and the high air,
In having one another?
To whom all lovers pray.
our own country, Forgael,
Second Sailor. My mother told me that there is not one
[The Sailors go out.]
That I will never lift a hand against you.
Forgael. Maybe it is but natural to doubt me.
For love is war, and there is hatred in it;
Theres not a man but will be glad of it
But for the ambergris and sandalwood.
And that old harp awakens of itself
To make an end of Forgael while he sleeps.
Blue-eyed, and a quick runner on bare feet,
Bend lower, O king, that I may crown you with it.
And all that murmurings but a marriage-song;
That is more mighty than the sun and moon,
If it be not that hearing messages
Theyll fly upon that secret way of theirs.
His name will come into our thoughts in a minute.
lovers,
These many days; and yet there must be many
Ill never give another thought to it;
It may be that the Ever-living know it -
To grasp the woman.
Forgael. Both you and I are taken in the net.
And where there is one woman therell be others.
ing dragged the net about us,
And set you dreaming.
Aibric. No, no, do not say that. You know right well
If railing and reproach and mockery
First Sailor. The hold is full of treasure.
She knows that it was but the cart-horse coughing
When we have neither brown nor yellow ale?
Whether he will or no; and better still
Aibric. They are besotting you as they besot
Aibric. Speak lower, or theyll hear.
Forgael. Have the birds passed us? I could hear your
That youll not let me go? I am a queen.
To cast his dreams away.
Aibric. The Ever-living have made you mad; but no,
Forgael. Do you not know me, lady? I am he
When I first heard the news? Ah, there it is!
Flashes as if it were a net of herrings.
And let the dream go by.
That you are weeping for.
And paid you on the nail.
You are not its core. My teeth are in the world,
As a lamp shadow - no - no lamp, the sun.
You have a Druid craft of wicked sound
And I would know if you will give me vengeance.
You cannot leap out of the golden net.
O flower of the branch, 0 bird among the leaves,
Aibric. I am on his side,
Land for your children or money in a pot.-
Aibric. Speak to him.
series of steps hehind the tiller, and the stern of the ship curves
Second Sailor. Theres nobody is natural but a robber,
The flagstone under all, the fire of fires,
And not a roof of ivory and gold.
Your raving of a message and a harp
And when we have it we are no happier,
The Immortal Mockers have cast into his mind,
What are the birds at there?
And all the birds are scattered.
Or look upon them.
And in a tower of glass, and from that day
And if you say that she came willingly -
Ill show you that I am made differently,
Forgael. Have I not given
Forgael [who has remained at the tiller]. There! there they
Third Sailor. Dragons with eyes of ruby.
eyes to.
Second Sailor [beginning to keen]. Ohone! O! O! O!
Having their life in him.
Of the Ever-living half so dangerous
And has not yet been waked.
For golden-armed Iollan has been killed.
For we will gaze upon this world no longer.
A Sailor [calling from the other ship]. Come hither, Aibric,
That were clear messages from the Ever-living,
that dead king? Arthur of Britain?
promised.
Youll hear them calling out to one another
Let go my hands!
Forgael. You say that also? You have heard the voices,
If he were dead; but who will be our captain,
That I may drown myself?
What are they? Unto what country do they fly?
First Sailor. He played all through the night.
And cut the rope, for I go on with Forgael.
But the reality that makes our passion
But have not bitten yet.
"There is a country at the end of the world
Forgael. It was so given out, but I will prove
As for this woman, I think she is coming with me.
That set him to the fancy.
Who cannot put me from his sight for ever.
And there, in juggleries of sight and sense,
Forgael, because you cannot put me from you.
Well put this man to death.
Where the dead drifted, I could see a bird
And bodily tenderness, and finds that even
And having lit upon this woman there,
And that he died a thousand years ago.
But desolate waters and a battered ship.
Who have slain my husband and laid hands upon me.
As those that can outlive the moon have known it,
<1[He goes close up to Forgael with his sword lifted.]
For neither I nor any living man
Ill strike a blow for him to give him time
Upon his shoulders.
For everything is gone.
I will strike at him.
Where passion grows to be a changeless thing,
And now
Dectora. Why do you turn away and hide your face,
They would not send me one that casts a shadow.
Must be substantial somewhere.
coming through an opening in the bulwark. The deck rises in a
Forgael. I do not know for certain, but I know.
All that is not the meeting of our lips.
"Loves in brief longing and deceiving hope
What name to call him by?
Aibric. Be of your troop! Aibric be one of you
And drags him through the sea,
Second Sailor.>1 He has put a sudden darkness over the
No, no, nor half a thought; but do not speak.
First Sailor. O she was but a shadow, and slipped from
Their heads being turned with praise and flattery;
portion of the deck towards the front of the stage. Two Sailors
Aibric. Put by these thoughts,
That you may never hear the cry of the birds,
Second Sailor. Theres somebody Id give the amethyst
excitement.]>1
That follows after.
Ill give my answer.
And that is why the world totters about
away,
It was that harper put it in my thoughts,
First Sailor. I will strike him first.
Has ever come but those man-headed birds,
Dectora. Ill give a golden galley full of fruit,
Forgael. The movement of time
Wrung from the cold women of the sea -
And for this end they gave me my old harp
Dectora. And if there is,
Forgael. If youll but listen closely to that crying
When she knows that.
Aengus and Edain, those passionate wanderers,
Dectora. Theres nothing in the world thats worth a
Dectora. My husband and miy king died at my feet,
It shall be in the country of the dead,
Or wave to drown. But I have done with words,
For he will shelter you and bring you home.
And though theyre but the colour of grey ash,
It was this woman in her womans vengeance
Forgael. But he that gets their love after the fashion
For we have found a treasure thats so great
Out of all reckoning.
And I will follow you and cut the rope
[They go out.]
"How light we are, now we are changed to birds!
broken into two,
And yet you talk of love.
<1Dectora [first trembling back from the mast where the harp is,
Forgael. I have deceived you;
us
First Sailor. They cannot hear;
Now I can hear. Theres one of them that says,
He does not hate seafarers as he hates
are standing near to the mast, on which a harp is hanging.
Fool, fool! Although you have looked into my face
Forgael. You turn away. Why do you turn away?
Were in the body thats impossible.
Forgael. If you will give me all your mind awhile -
But no, that is not it.
Second Sailor. Holy fire
Like a grey gull upon the breast of each.
We are alone for ever, and I laugh,
[They go out keening.]
First Sailor Well, net or none,
They cannot hear my voice; but whats the meaning?
Has hated every man thats not in love,
The yew-bough has been broken into two,
First Sailor. Look there! there in the mist! a ship of spice!
But with a mans head, or a fair womans,
Forgael. To unimaginable happiness.
What more have you to look for on the seas?
That much is certain. I shall find a woman.
More riches than they ever hoped to find?
Consideration, generosity;
He could not see them, but I held out my hands
That he has been all night upon the hills,
with a large square sail hiding a great deal of the sky and sea
Forgael. Why should you be more faithful than the rest,
Have we not everything that life can give
With the Ever-living.
Dectora. Have I not loved you for a thousand years?
Or called before his eyes.
darken. The Sailors hesitate in fear.]
To cry aloud to the grey birds, and dreams,
Become our captain, Aibric. I am resolved
To tell them a plain story.
That every man should carry his own soul
Id drown him while we have the chance to do it.
his hands, and remains leaning against the bulwarks
First Sailor. There is none to take his side.
Dectora. O, I can hear them now.
First Sailor. Ill do it.
Aibric. What riches can you find in this waste sea
Circling and circling over the masthead?
And get into their world that to the sense
That I would look upon for ever?
Dectora. I would grow jealous of the ivory roof,
And all the birds are scattered - O! O! O!
[To Second Sailor.]
First Sailor. NO; but opoponax and cinnamon.
Forgael. I weep - I weep because bare nights above,
Youve never known, Id lay a wager on it,
All, all, the very bottom of the bowl -
O silver fish that my two hands have taken
Forgael. Yes; if they give us help.
upon the deck. They lift their swords to strike Forgael,>1
Dectora. No, not there,
Mutter such things as they awake from trance.
Not in its image on the mirror!
And strike the golden pillars with my hands.
And flying towards their peace.
Because of that old draught under the door,
follows, one hears the wailing of the Sailors from the
Forgael. Do you, too, doubt me? Have you joined their
playing,
Forgael. Were they but lowlier
Than a strong body and a ready hand.
First Sailor. I saw them, too, one night. Forgael was
Had the worlds total life gathered up, it seemed,
Bend lower, that I may cover you with my hair,
Forgael. Where the world ends
Dectora. Youve nothing but wild words,
Is it that though your eyes are full of love
How are we better off than Seaghan the fool,
That I have the best of pilots.
They that have all the wisdom thats in life,
Forgael. Look there!
Where do you come from? Who brought you to this
First Sailor. Nothing to fear.
And listening to the cry of wind and wave
Dectora. That is not true, for he has promised me
I know that he died a thousand years ago,
Dectora. Is that true?
First Sailor. The whole ship
And blew me hither to my lasting sorrow,
Forgael [taking the tiller from Aibric]. The Ever-living have
The Others. And I! And I! And I!
To the other side, and higher in the air.
A good round Sum upon this cruise, and turn -
It was in all his battles. I will spread my hair,
know
Before a hand can touch me.
First Sailor. There is a king and queen upon her deck,
With so red lips, and running on such feet,
Second Sailor. Its certain Id sleep easier o nights
I have good reason for that thought.
What the worlds million lips are thirsting for
Forgael. No, I am not mad -
Breathe on the burnished mirror of the world
Aibric. I have seen nothing pass.
You did not know what brought him to his end,
<1who is about to play the harp. The stage begins to
That it was yesterday and not to-day
From lasting watchers, that outlive the moon,
Dectora. No. Take this sword
And then one asks another how he died,
For I am getting on in life - to something
fear.
Farewell! farewell! [He goes out.]
Dectora. No, for he is dcad.
He carried Edain off from a kings house,
Id do your will, but they are too high - too high.
[While he has been speaking, and through part of what
Dectora. But I will cover up your eyes and ear?,
And almost wept because they could not find it.
And kiss more lips than lasting peaceable men
Forgael. Our love shall be like theirs
But what is it that made me say I loved him?
<1[Aibric goes in front of Forgael with drawn sword. For-
Bring madness?
To take him while he sleeps and carry him
I shall have love in their immortal fashion;
There is no measure that it would not burst.
It whirls into the foam. O ancient worm,
And that youll bring me there?
They have it that the plans of kings and queens
Forgael. Your soul shall give the kiss.
living,
and then laughing].>1 For a moment
But now it is your thoughts that wander away,
These dozen weeks.
<1[He starts up, listening to the birds. The harp slips from
To be his bedfellow?
The ropes in two - it falls into the sea,
Straying too far into the north or south,
Second Sailor. But were you not afraid?
Dectora. O why do you not lift your eyes to mine?
That drove you to it, and I fool enough
And I will hear them talking in a minute.
plot?
One moment has no might upon the moment
Dectora. I am a woman, I die at every breath.
My courage came again.
And all that tossing of your wings is joy,
Forgael. I cannot - I am going on to the end.
[Forgael changes the tune.]
A meaning in that circling overhead?
First Sailor. Ive thought of that. We must have Aibric
Second Sailor. Aye, long and long enough.
Towards the country of the dead.
If you will draw that sword out of its scabbard
The other night, while he was playing it,
Where no childs born but to outlive the moon.
Dying at every moment in the world,
Another Voice. Why have you broken our sleep?
A Dramatic Poem
By magic strings, Ill make this answer to it:
Flew westward; and many a time since then
Now that my body has begun to dream,
And having such wide-open, shining eyes.
Forgael. How could I rest
And he my master from my childhood up!
Forgael. My grief!
Second Sailor. You have dared to touch her?
That had but the one eye.
Aibric [half falling into the keen]. The yew-bough has been
At the most quiet midnight is to be stricken.
While theres a rope to run into a noose
The only riches that have hit my fancy.
I have fled to my beloved in the air,
Dectora. The sword is in the rope -
Dectora. Being too high, their heady prophecies
me.
First Sailor. What good is there in this hard way of
Now that hes dead I have no need of it,
I almost long that it were possible;
with your eyes upon me?
place?
Dectora. He has flung a Druid spell upon the air,
But dreams that hurry from beyond the world
To make her fast while we are plundering her.
Youd never doubt that it was life they promised
It was their hands that plucked the winds awake
But when I had eaten and drunk myself asleep
First Sailor. But what of that?
Forgael. I weep because Ive nothing for your eyes
Where I am rid of life - the events of the world -
A beautiful young man and girl came up
believed there was some other near at hand,
To some sure country, some familiar place.
The bed of love, that in the imagination
And carries it between us.
on that side. The tiller is at the left of the stage; it is a long oar
Can know that ecstasy. Forgael! Forgael!
Upon its bandy legs.
Aibric. I have good spirits enough.
My enemy?
But if it be reproach, I answer this:
A shadow does not carry sword or spear.
Have called me their beloved, Ill not kiss them.
And you will recollect my face and voice,
A lucky battle, or a womans kiss
That I should keen him from the full of the moon
has begun looking for his sword as if in a dream.]>1
And after circling with strange cries awhile
He has stooped down and kissed her on the lips.
I would not let you speak, for I would know
And blew you hither; and their mouths have
Of that more powerful life?
Why linger? Run to your desire,
And has been dangerous to him.
That has less ups and downs than robbery.
That raised their hands against him.
That nothing can amend it but these waters,
That the Shape-changers, the Ever-laughing Ones,
And drowned the treasures of nine conquered nations,
Forgael. And yet I cannot think theyre leading me
slain!
Until the overburthened moon is dead.
A Voice. Armed men have come upon us! O I am slain!
And hid her among fruits of jewel-stone
Dcctora [laughing]. Why, its a wonder out of reckoning
Forgael. There are some
Forgael [to Dectora], Go with him,
Aibric [taking Forgaels hand]. Ill do it for his sake.
Until you stood before me on the deck -
And now they will not follow, while I seek
In the imagination and intellect?
We have fallen in the dreams the Ever-living
deck. Aibric stands by the tiller. Forgael sleeps upon the raised
And now a laggard with a womans head
For I have heard that he was proud and laughing,
An unimaginable happiness.
With human voices
O! O! O! O! for golden-armed Iollan.
That has the heady flavour of new wine,
Is shaken in these seas, and what one does
He knows that he is taking you to death;
Aibric. I have called you master
it and takes it up before he can reach it.]>1
But it was all deceit, and flattery
Dectora. I am a queen,
In the waste of the high air, that we may wander
First Sailor. Why should I fear?
Had drowned me also. But, being yet alive,
<1[He has moved away. She follows him. He is looking out
Is no more than a wine-cup in the tasting,
That he is being driven to his death.
First Sailor. Treasure on treasure.
Or cry about ones ears.
Where no ship sails, where nothing thats alive
I could give all my heart to that Red Moll
If I refused the messengers and pilots
Aibric. Run at them now,
While I was looking they rose hurriedly,
With sailors that were sworn to do your will,
And all that prophesying images
In happy dances under a windy moon,
Second Sailor. Until the moon had set; and when I looked
Weret not that there is magic in his harp,
For long enough?
[Breaking loose from the Sailors who are holding her.]
I have done right. What could I but obey?
To him that strikes him first!
of the sky,
Alone and winged.
Ive heard a rustling overhead in the wind.
Aibric. Its certain they are leading you to death.
First Sailor. Better steer home,
Aibric. And if that happiness be more than dreams,
All the Sailors. O! O! O! O!
I had forgotten that we must go wake him.
First Voice. Armed men have come upon us! O I am
linger there?
Has beautiful women to please every man.
Aibric. You have taken pay and made your bargain for it.
Dragon that loved the world and held us to it,
No mortal can.
[Going towards Aibric.]
That he is holding up between us there,
Out of the running stream, O morning star
Strange creatures flutter up before ones eyes,
And keep to the one weary marriage-bed.
Longing to knead and pull it into shape
[She runs suddenly on to the raiscd part of the poop.]
Or chrysoberyl, or beryl, or chrysclite;
First Sailor. I am so tired of being bachelor
First Sailor. I saw a flagon of brown ale aboard her.
Women are hard and proud and stubborn-hearted,
I can put fear away as a queen should.
Riding to hurley, or in the battle-host
Aibric. Let the birds scatter, for the tree is broken,
And you have grown to be a burning sod
Second Sailor. Do you remember when we sank that
Will look upon his face again.
For you are looking at the sea. Do you not know
Miracle, ecstasy, the impossible hope,
If something thats most fabulous were true -
Dectora. I promise it.
To burn us to the marrow if we strike.
That weigh and measure all in these waste seas -
Could not amend.
And listen to me for a while. The sailors
There is not one among you that made love
Dectora. No, I have need of it.
To death; for they that promised to me love
First Sailor. I have heard
Become one movement, energy, delight,
Aibric. Why do you need a sword? But you may keep it.
Second Sailor. I dare not do it.
That the heart longs for. What is love itself,
For that brief sighing.
As now.
For you have listened to me playing it
Upon that other ship we are to wake.
Through wicked spells. That is not all the tale,
One of the Ever-living, as I think -
Aibric. And yet the world
<1[Her voice hecomes dreamy, and she lowers the sword
<1[He goes dreamily towards the sword, but Dectora runs at
First Sailor. Ivory images with amethyst eyes.
Dectora. Protect me now, gods that my people swear by.
Have driven travellers mad for their own sport.
In a white breaking wave; they had the look
First Sailor. No need to drown, for, if you will pardon
But I have done so great a wrong against you,
Theyre crying out, could you but hear their words,
Among substantial things; for it is dreams
To him that wounds him to the death.
Forgael. When she finds out I will not let her go -
Tectora. Is it not tme
Forgael. I have deceived you
Dectora. And did those watchers bid you take me
They have been circling over our heads in the air,
I have deceived you utterly.
Have loved that way - there is no other way.
Dectora. How can that be?
Care more about the kegs of silver and gold
But it is true. Why did they run upon him,
Second Sailor. But thats not all.
And for a dozen hours have been a part
Forgael. Youre certain of it? I never wake from sleep
And measure out a course and bring us home,
I would that there was nothing in the world
I will confess it all.
Forgael. Queen, I am not mad.
captive?
Second Sailor. How can we have a wake
And take the captains share of everything
Am I to fear the waves, or is the moon
Judge of the stars, and find a course for us?
And you have told me that their journey lies
come! Gull, gannet, or diver,
other ship, which cannot be seen because of the sail.]
And Forgael in the other scale! kill Forgael,
What do you call it? - that old promise-breaker,
And overpower the crew while yet asleep!
behind him.]>1
Forgael. All would be well
earned
And theres no help in words. [To the Sailors.]
I ask a fitting punishment for all
promised
<1[The Sailors throw Aibric on one side. He falls and lies
moon.
Or creaky shoes. And at the end of all
Being as doubtful?
Yes, voices! but I do not catch the words.
Dectora. What is it that you are muttering -
First Sailor. She will be like a wild cat; for these queens
his face.]>1
Aibric [silencing thcm with agesture]. We would return to
To make low laughter more than meat and drink,
galley
But laughter and tears - laughter, laughter, and tears;
And the high fame that come to them in marriage,
For theyre my only pilots. If I lost them
A magic that can call a demon up,
Twas you that egged him to it, for you know
Aibric. Shadows before now
But whats the meaning? [He cries out.] Why do you
[A number of Sailors entcr hurriedly.]
We have to follow, for they are our pilots;
With all those sights and all that crying out?
Like charmed apples made of chrysoprase,
Dectora. O carry me
Would rise against me.
But in some island where the life of the world
Of the great golden net that is about us.
And that is why their lovers are afraid
Are plotting for your death.
For it is love that I am seeking for,
The roots of the world.
Forgael. O no!
And ask for satisfaction upon these
with us,
Wander a moment when one is in love?
Had you looked on them face to face as I did,
dGmes crying, "I have run upon the sword.
Id never come upon the happiness
Forgael. What matter
As they have known it. Now the secrets out;
Broken-hearted, having lost his queen
But my beloved - that night and day had perished,
front of Forgael.]>1
Being driven on by voices and by dreams
Second Sailor. We had not known
<1[She passes Forgael and stands for a moment looking into
Aibric [sleepily]. Queen, give it me.
And know that it is fearless.
Had run into one fountain.
But no, no, no! your cry is not against me.
For all his spells will vanish when he dies,
That the grave-diggers in a dreamy frenzy
And I would have you look into my face
Into their shining limbs - Ive had great teachers.
And as soon finished.
Dectora. What do I care,
Peaceable men that shut the wind away,
voice,
You are not the worlds core. O no, no, no!
First Sailor. We have not come upon a shore or ship
Is shadow, and not linger wretchedly
overhead. When the play opens there are four persons upon the
And I am left alone with my beloved,
[The Sailors go out.]
What power that is more mighty than desire
That is not in the world.
She takes off her crown and lays it upon the deck.]>1
Forgael. How have I wronged her now that she is merry?
And killed a lover or husband at my feet -
They take a kiss for what a kiss is worth,
When it is over, nor one to grumble at us.
Listen to that low-laughing string of the moon
For he can judge the stars as well as Forgael.
Second Sailor. Full to the hatches.
Leaps upward, as if all the streams o the world
Aibric [half to Dectora, half to himself]. What name had
And says, "A sword-blade pierced me in my sleep.-
Too many years to lift a hand against you.
Third Sailor. How can we raise the keen that do not
If I am going to my death? - for there,
If there be half a hundred more, what matter?
And bring us into populous seas again?
Forgael. Although you are more beautiful than any,
And find their laughter sweeter to the taste
Another Voice. Wake all below!
First Sailor. No otherll do it.
It was golden-armed Iollan, and he died
Forgael [gathering Dectoras hair about him]. Beloved, hav-
Forgael.]>1
Forgael. I never have been golden-armed Iollan.
And Ive but half!
None but the dead, or those that never lived,
Second Sailor. Though it be the moon
Or somewhere, I shall find the love they have
I would be of your mind; but when he plays it
Shall light upon a place in the worlds core,
Aibric. Where is my sword that fell out of my hand
To the other ship,
They hover over the masthead awhile
Sccond Sailor. And I had thought to make
Dectora. I will end all your magic on the instant.
Trembling in the blue heavens like a white fawn
Aibric, His wife knows better.
Forgael [folding his arms]. My hands are still;
That I might lay it on your head as a crown.
This sword is to lie beside him in the grave.
And you had spread a sail for home, a wind
And now they all wheel suddenly and fly
come
Why are you looking at the sea?
First Sailor. I saw them on that night as well as you.
First Sailor. Come to his ship.
First Sailor [falling into a dream suddenly. But you were
Dectora. What is there but a troop of ash-grey birds
First Sailor. Has he not led us into these waste seas
Dectora. Would that the storm that overthrew my ships,
Forgael. Until your lips
They have made you follow the man-headed birds,
One - and one - a couple - five together;
But there were others.
In islands where the children of Aengus wind
And tell me who it is that we are waking.
<1[Aibric has risen from the deck where he had fallen. He
But of a beautiful, unheard-of kind
A melancholy that a cup of wine,
"You will have all you have wished for when you have
But if I were to put you on that ship,
For neither I nor you can break a mesh
They killed him at my feet. O! O! O! O!
And drop him from the gunnel.
Has she not seen him lying like a log,
kept my bargain for me,
Or than the shivering casting-net of the stars,
No, no - not Arthur. I remember now.
If you had taken me by magic spells,
Second Sailor. Can no bewitchment
And beat the bulwark of your ship on mine,
The Shadowy Waters
Aibric. I have heard the Druids
<1[The Sailors have returned. Dectora is with them.]
When we have put their changeless image on.
That none might take you from me.
Third Sailor. Boxes of precious spice.
And they were listening ther& beyond the sail.
More than the froth, the feather, the dust-whirl,
Aibric. When they have twenty years; in middle life
The crazy nothing that I think it is,
Made of dim gold rave out in secret tombs;
Some other woman has a claim on you,
Dectora. I looked upon the moon,
<1[Voices and thc clashing of swords are heard from the
Of those that are alive for ever and ever.
Unless we drain more flagons in a year
Dectora. I understand you now.
These thousand years.
<1[He goes out.]
She may not be too sorry in the end.
Could we but give us wholly to the dreams,
over the sea, shading his eyes.]>1
The daughter and the granddaughter of kings
Forgael. Yet never have two lovers kissed but they
Better than my own hands.
aboard
Forgael. Thats not the story;
As I am doing now. [A pause.] Why do you weep?
Though it but set us sighing? Fellow-wanderer,
Second Sailor. When she finds out we have better men
And if she hear him mutter of wild riders,
Transform these rascal billows into women
Knowing it for the worlds end?
You know the counsels of the Ever-living,
Withholds them now? Have the Ever-living Ones
Aibric. All that ever loved
Could we but mix ourselves into a dream,
And all that is and all that is to be,
Second Sailor. You are in the right;
For that is what they say - all, all the shadows -
That unimaginable storms of wind and wave
Another answers, "Maybe we shall find
Forgael. Do what you will,
I half remember. It has been in my dreams.
The Ever-living hold us. Do what you will,
Vectora. I do not understand. I know your face
And wring my hands, and wail him bitterly,
Second Sailor. I think that he has Forgael in his net,
The crazy herdsman that will tell his fellows
Imagination cannot reckon it.
The deck of an ancient ship. At the right of the stage is the mast,
And we are almost on her!
And all the others; but it must be love
That fly into the west?
Dectora. Does wandering in these desolate seas
To wait their Fiends; but when their friends have
How great a wrong it is to let ones thought
In their long lives? Will you be of our troop
And then smooth out with ivory hands and sigh,
The mist has covered the heavens, and you and I
At the full moon?
Upon the misty border of the wood,
And knitted mesh to mesh, we grow immortal;
But now that they have taken to the road
To fancy that shed bring you home again.
To win a woman in her own despite,
For he was killed. O! O! O! O! O! O!
Aengus and Edain ran up out of the wave -
Have buried nothing but my golden arms.
Wed better go, for we have lost this chance.
The mind is made unchanging, for it finds
I loved him; I would cover up my ears,
Aibric. If you had loved some woman -
But it was sudden.
saying there is somebody
Forgael. But listen, listen!
Among the windy meadows of the dawn.
The cozening fortune-teller that comes whispering,
But harry us with hopes that come to nothing,
That never did a hands turn? Aibric! Aibric!
