ing
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 silen