Deirdre of the Sorrows | Page 8

calling me to Emain. (To Naisi.) Bring in Ainnle and Ardan, and take
me from this place, where I'm in dread from this out of the footsteps of
a hare passing. [He goes.
DEIRDRE -- clinging to Lavarcham. -- Do not take it bad I'm going,
Lavarcham. It's you have been a good friend and given me great
freedom and joy, and I living on Slieve Fuadh; and maybe you'll be
well pleased one day saying you have nursed Deirdre.

LAVARCHAM -- moved. -- It isn't I'll be well pleased and I far away
from you. Isn't it a hard thing you're doing, but who can help it? Birds
go mating in the spring of the year, and ewes at the leaves falling, but a
young girl must have her lover in all the courses of the sun and moon.
DEIRDRE. Will you go to Emain in the morning?
LAVARCHAM. I will not. I'll go to Brandon in the south; and in the
course of a piece, maybe, I'll be sailing back and forward on the seas to
be looking on your face and the little ways you have that none can
equal.
[Naisi comes back with Ainnle and Ardan and Old Woman.
DEIRDRE -- taking Naisi's hand. -- My two brothers, I am going with
Naisi to Alban and the north to face the troubles are foretold. Will you
take word to Conchubor in Emain?
AINNLE. We will go with you.
ARDAN. We will be your servants and your huntsmen, Deirdre.
DEIRDRE. It isn't one brother only of you three is brave and courteous.
Will you wed us, Lavarcham? You have the words and customs.
LAVARCHAM. I will not, then. What would I want meddling in the
ruin you will earn?
NAISI. Let Ainnle wed us. . . . He has been with wise men and he
knows their ways.
AINNLE -- joining their hands. -- By the sun and moon and the whole
earth, I wed Deirdre to Naisi. (He steps back and holds up his hands.)
May the air bless you, and water and the wind, the sea, and all the
hours of the sun and moon.
CURTAIN
ACT II.

Alban. Early morning in the beginning of winter. Outside the tent of
Deirdre and Naisi.
ACT II
Alban. Early morning in the beginning of winter. A wood outside the
tent of Deirdre and Naisi. Lavarcham comes in muffled in a cloak.
LAVARCHAM -- calling. -- Deirdre. . . . Deirdre. . . .
DEIRDRE -- coming from tent. -- My welcome, Lavarcham. . . . Whose
curagh is rowing from Ulster? I saw the oars through the tops of the
trees, and I thought it was you were coming towards us.
LAVARCHAM. I came in the shower was before dawn.
DEIRDRE. And who is coming?
LAVARCHAM -- mournfully. -- Let you not be startled or taking it bad,
Deirdre. It's Fergus bringing messages of peace from Conchubor to
take Naisi and his brothers back to Emain. [Sitting down.
DEIRDRE -- lightly. -- Naisi and his brothers are well pleased with this
place; and what would take them back to Conchubor in Ulster?
LAVARCHAM. Their like would go any place where they'd see death
standing. (With more agitation.) I'm in dread Conchubor wants to have
yourself and to kill Naisi, and that that'll be the ruin of the Sons of Usna.
I'm silly, maybe, to be dreading the like, but those have a great love for
yourself have a right to be in dread always.
DEIRDRE -- more anxiously. -- Emain should be no safe place for
myself and Naisi. And isn't it a hard thing they'll leave us no peace,
Lavarcham, and we so quiet in the woods?
LAVARCHAM -- impressively. -- It's a hard thing, surely; but let you
take my word and swear Naisi, by the earth, and the sun over it, and the
four quarters of the moon, he'll not go back to Emain -- for good faith
or bad faith -- the time Conchubor's keeping the high throne of

Ireland. . . . It's that would save you, surely.
DEIRDRE -- without hope. -- There's little power in oaths to stop
what's coming, and little power in what I'd do, Lavarcham, to change
the story of Conchubor and Naisi and the things old men foretold.
LAVARCHAM -- aggressively. -- Was there little power in what you
did the night you dressed in your finery and ran Naisi off along with
you, in spite of Conchubor and the big nobles did dread the blackness
of your luck? It was power enough you had that night to bring distress
and anguish; and now I'm pointing you a way to save Naisi, you'll not
stir stick or straw to aid me.
DEIRDRE -- a little haughtily. -- Let you