love.

NAISI--(caressing her head with his hands) Poor timid dove, I had
forgotten thy weakness. I did not mean to wound thee, my heart. Oh,
many will shed hotter tears than these for thy sorrow! They will perish
swiftly who made Naisi's queen to weep! [He snatches up a spear and
rushes out. There are cries, and then a silence.]

LAVARCAM--(entering hurriedly) Bear Deirdre swiftly away through the
night. (She stops and looks around.) Where are the sons of Usna? Oh! I
stepped over many dead bodies at the door. Surely the Lights of Valor
were not so soon overcome! Oh, my darling! come away with me from this
terrible house.

DEIRDRE--(Slowly) What did you say of the Lights of Valor?
That--they--were dead?

[NAISI, AINLE, and ARDAN re-enter. DEIRDRE clings to NAISI.]

NAISI--My gentle one, do not look so pale nor wound me with those
terror-stricken eyes. Those base slaves are all fled. Truly Concobar is
a mighty king without the Red Branch!

LAVARCAM--Oh, do not linger here. Bear Deirdre away while there is time.
You can escape through the city in the silence of the night. The king
has called for his Druids; soon the magic of Cathvah will enfold you,
and your strength will be all withered away.

NAISI--I will not leave Emain Macha until the head of this false king is
apart from his shoulders. A spear can pass as swiftly through his Druid
as through one of his slaves. Oh, Cathvah, the old mumbler of spells and
of false prophecies, who caused Deirdre to be taken from her mother's
breast! Truly, I owe a deep debt to Cathvah, and I Will repay it.

LAVARCAM--If you love Deirdre, do not let pride and wrath stay your
flight. You have but an instant to fly. You can return with Fergus and
a host of warriors in the dawn. You do not know the power of Cathvah.
Surely, if you do not depart, Deirdre will fall into the king's hands,
and it were better she had died in her mother's womb.

DEIRDRE--Naisi, let us leave this house of death. [The sound of
footsteps without]

LAVARCAM--It is too late!

[AINLE and ARDAN start to the door, but are stayed at the sound of
CATHVAH'S voice. DEIRDRE clings to NAISI. CATHVAH (chanting without)]

Let the Faed Fia fall; Mananaun Mac Lir. Take back the day Amid days
unremembered. Over the warring mind Let thy Faed Fia fall, Mananaun Mac
Lir!

NAISI--Why dost thou weep, Deirdre, and cling to me so? The sea is calm.
Tomorrow we will rest safely at Emain Macha with the great Ardrie, who
has f