ded heart.

(THE CHILD _ceases strewing the primroses, and kneels
upon the settle beside MAIRE and puts her arms about
her neck._)

Cry, daughter, to the Angels and the Saints.

THE CHILD
You shall go with me, newly married bride,
And gaze upon a merrier multitude;
White-armed Nuala, Aengus of the birds,
Feacra of the hurtling foam, and him
Who is the ruler of the Western Host,
Finvarra, and their Land of Heart's Desire,
Where beauty has no ebb, decay no flood,
But joy is wisdom, Time an endless song.
I kiss you and the world begins to fade.

FATHER HART
Daughter, I call you unto home and love!

THE CHILD
Stay, and come with me, newly married bride,
For, if you hear him, you grow like the rest:
Bear children, cook, be mindful of the churn,
And wrangle over butter, fowl, and eggs,
And sit at last there, old and bitter of tongue,
Watching the white stars war upon your hopes.

SHAWN
Awake out of that trance, and cover up
Your eyes and ears.

FATHER HART
She must both look and listen,
For only the soul's choice can save her now.
Daughter, I point you out the way to heaven.

THE CHILD
But I can lead you, newly married bride,
Where nobody gets old and crafty and wise,
Where nobody gets old and godly and grave,
Where nobody gets old and bitter of tongue,
And where kind tongues bring no captivity;
For we are only true to the far lights
We follow singing, over valley and hill.

FATHER HART
By the dear name of the one crucified,
I bid you, Maire Bruin, come to me.

THE CHILD
I keep you in the name of your own heart!

(_She leaves the settle, and stooping takes up a mass
of primroses and kisses them._)

We have great power to-night, dear golden folk,
For he took down and hid the crucifix.
And my invisible brethren fill the house;
I hear their footsteps going up and down.
Oh, they shall soon rule all the hearts of men
And own all lands; last night they merrily danced
About his chapel belfry! (_To_ MAIRE) Come away,
I hear my brethren bidding us away!

FATHER HART
I will go fetch the crucifix again.

(_They hang about him in terror and prevent him from
moving._)

BRIDG