a voice crying out, "You remember, Con, Con, Conaire Mor,
you remember!" and in an instant he was torn from himself and had grown
vaster, and was with the Immortals, seated upon their thrones, they
looking upon him as a brother, and he was flying away with them into the
heart of the gold when he awoke, the spirit of childhood dazzled with
the vision which is too lofty for princes.

1897

DEIRDRE

A LEGEND IN THREE ACTS

Dramatis Personae:

CONCOBAR............... Ardrie of Ulla.
NAISI
AINLE, ARDAN............ Brothers of Naisi.
FERGUS
BUINNE, ILANN.......... Sons of Fergus
CATHVAH................. A Druid
DEIRDRE
LAVARCAN................ A Druidess
Herdsman,
Messenger

ACT I.

SCENE.--The dun of DEIRDRE'S captivity. LAVARCAM, a Druidess, sits
before the door in the open air. DEIRDRE comes out of the dun.

DEIRDRE--Dear fostermother, how the spring is beginning! The music of
the Father's harp is awakening the flowers. Now the winter's sleep is
over, and the spring flows from the lips of the harp. Do you not feel
the thrill in the wind--a joy answering the trembling strings? Dear
fostermother, the spring and the music are in my heart!

LAVARCAM--The harp has but three notes; and, after sleep and laughter,
the last sound is of weeping.

DEIRDRE--Why should there be any sorrow while I am with you? I am happy
here. Last night in a dream I saw the blessed Sidhe upon the mountains,
and they looked on me with eyes of love.

(An old HERDSMAN enters, who bows before LAVARCAM.)

HERDSMAN--Lady, the High King is coming through the woods.

LAVARCAM--Deirdre, go to the grianan for a little. You shall tell me
your dream again, my child.

DEIRDRE--Why am I always hidden from the King's sight.

LAVARCAM--It is the King's will you should see no one except these aged
servants.

DEIRDRE--Am I indeed fearful to look upon, foster-mother? I do not think
so, or you would not love me.

LAVARCAM--It is the King's will.

DEIRDRE--Yet why must it be so, fostermother? Why must I hide away? Why
must I never leave the valley?

LAVARCAM--It is the king's will.

While she is speaking CONCOBAR enters. He stands still and looks on
DEIRDRE. DEIRDRE gazes on the KING for a moment, and then covering her
face with her hands, she hurries into the dun. The HERDSMAN goes out.
LAVARCAM sees and bows before the KING.

CONCOBAR--Lady, is all well with you and y