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_ ACT II
SCENE.--In a dun by Loch Etive. Through the open door can be seen lakes and wooded islands in a silver twilight. DEIRDRE stands at the door looking over the lake. NAISI is within binding a spearhead 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 heaven-full 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--
DEIRDRE. 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 are 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 Sidhe.
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.
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. Yesternight, 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 gift we shall 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 dun. 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.
ILANN.
The lady Deirdre has received some omen or warning on
our account. When the Sidhe 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 Sidhe 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 Valor 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 Lavarcam, 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!--freighted 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 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 tonight. 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 dun, 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 is 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.] _
Read next: Act 3
Read previous: Act 1
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