In The Seven Woods Part 9

They're dumb. They're dumb. How many of you would meet (drawing his sword) This mutterer, this old whistler, this sand-piper, This edge that's greyer than the tide, this mouse That's gnawing at the timbers of the world, This, this--Boy, I would meet them all in arms If I'd a son like you. He would avenge me When I have withstood for the last time the men Whose fathers, brothers, sons, and friends I have killed Upholding Ullad; when the four provinces Have gathered with the ravens over them.

But I'd need no avenger. You and I Would scatter them like water from a dish.

YOUNG MAN.

We'll stand by one another from this out.

Here is the ring.

CUCHULLAIN.

No, turn and turn about But my turn is first, because I am the older.

Cliodna embroidered these bird wings, but Fand Made all these little golden eyes with the hairs That she had stolen out of Aengus' beard, And therefore none that has this cloak about him Is crossed in love. The heavy inlaid brooch That Buan hammered has a merit too.

(He begins spreading the cloak out on a bench, showing it to the Young Man. Suddenly Concobar beats with his silver rod on a pillar beside his chair. All turn towards him.)

CONCOBAR.

(In a loud voice.)

No more of that, I will not have this friends.h.i.+p.

Cuchullain is my man and I forbid it; He shall not go unfought for I myself--

CUCHULLAIN.

(Seizing Concobar.) You shall not stir, High King, I'll hold you there.

CONCOBAR.

Witchcraft has maddened you.

THE KINGS.

(Shouting.) Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft.

A KING.

You saw another's head upon his shoulders All of a sudden, a woman's head, Cuchullain, Then raised your hand against the King of Ullad.

CUCHULLAIN.

(Letting Concobar go, and looking wildly about him.)

Yes, yes, all of a sudden, all of a sudden.

DAIRE.

Why, there's no witchcraft in it, I myself Have made a hundred of these sudden friends.h.i.+ps And fought it out next day. But that was folly, For now that I am old I know it is best To live in comfort.

A KING.

Pull the fool away.

DAIRE.

I'll throw a heel-tap to the one that dies.

CONCOBAR.

Some witch is floating in the air above us.

CUCHULLAIN.

Yes, witchcraft, witchcraft and the power of witchcraft.

(To the Young Man)

Why did you do it? was it Calatin's daughters?

Out, out, I say, for now it's sword on sword.

YOUNG MAN.

But, but, I did not.

CUCHULLAIN.

Out, I say, out, out!

Sword upon sword.

(He goes towards the door at back, followed by Young Man. He turns on the threshold and cries out, looking at the Young Man.)

That hair my hands were drowned in!

(He goes out, followed by Young Man. The other Kings begin to follow them out.)

A KING.

I saw him fight with Ferdiad.

SECOND KING.

We'll be too late They're such a long time getting through the door.

THIRD KING.

Run quicker, quicker.

DAIRE.

I was at the Smith's When he that was the boy Setanta then--