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_ 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 your charge?
LAVARCAM.
All is well.
CONCOBAR.
Is there peace in Deirdre's heart?
LAVARCAM.
She is happy, not knowing a greater happiness than to roam
the woods or to dream of the immortal ones can bring her.
CONCOBAR.
Fate has not found her yet hidden in this valley.
LAVARCAM.
Her happiness is to be here. But she asks why must she never leave the glen. Her heart quickens within her. Like a bird she listens to the spring, and soon the valley will be narrow as a cage.
CONCOBAR.
I cannot open the cage. Less ominous the Red Swineherd at a feast than this beautiful child in Ulla. You know the word of the Druids at her birth.
LAVARCAM.
Aye, through her would come the destruction of the Red Branch.
But sad is my heart, thinking of her lonely youth.
CONCOBAR.
The gods did not guide us how the ruin might be averted. The Druids would have slain her, but I set myself against the wise ones, thinking in my heart that the chivalry of the Red Branch would be already gone if this child were slain. If we are to perish it shall be nobly, and without any departure from the laws of our order. So I have hidden her away from men, hoping to stay the coming of fate.
LAVARCAM.
King, your mercy will return to you,
and if any of the Red Branch fall, you will not fall.
CONCOBAR.
If her thoughts turned only to the Sidhe her heart would grow cold to the light love that warriors give. The birds of Angus cannot breathe or sing their maddening song in the chill air that enfolds the wise. For this, Druidess, I made thee her fosterer. Has she learned to know the beauty of the ever-living ones, after which the earth fades and no voice can call us back?
LAVARCAM.
The immortals have appeared to her in vision
and looked on her with eyes of love.
CONCOBAR.
Her beauty is so great it would madden whole hosts, and turn them from remembrance of their duty. We must guard well the safety of the Red Branch. Druidess, you have seen with subtle eyes the shining life beyond this. But through the ancient traditions of Ulla, which the bards have kept and woven into song, I have seen the shining law enter men's minds, and subdue the lawless into love of justice. A great tradition is shaping a heroic race; and the gods who fought at Moytura are descending and dwelling in the heart of the Red Branch. Deeds will be done in our time as mighty as those wrought by the giants who battled at the dawn; and through the memory of our days and deeds the gods will build themselves an eternal empire in the mind of the Gael. Wise woman, guard well this beauty which fills my heart with terror. I go now, and will doubly warn the spearmen at the passes, but will come hither again and speak with thee of these things, and with Deirdre I would speak also.
LAVARCAM.
King of Ulla, be at peace.
It is not I who will break through the design of the gods.
(CONCOBAR goes through the woods, after
looking for a time at the door of the dun.)
But Deirdre is also one of the immortals. What the gods desire will utter itself through her heart. I will seek counsel from the gods.
[DEIRDRE comes slowly through the door.]
DEIRDRE.
Is he gone? I fear this stony king with his implacable eyes.
LAVARCAM.
He is implacable only in his desire for justice.
DEIRDRE.
No! No! There is a hunger in his eyes for I know not what.
LAVARCAM.
He is the wisest king who ever sat on the chair of Macha.
DEIRDRE.
He has placed a burden on my heart.
Oh! fostermother, the harp of life is already trembling into sorrow!
LAVARCAM.
Do not think of him. Tell me your dream, my child.
[DEIRDRE comes from the door of the dun
and sits on a deerskin at LAVARCAM's feet.]
DEIRDRE.
Tell me, do happy dreams bring happiness, and do our dreams of the Sidhe ever grow real to us as you are real to me? Do their eyes draw nigh to ours, and can the heart we dream of ever be a refuge for our hearts.
LAVARCAM.
Tell me your dream.
DEIRDRE.
Nay; but answer first of all, dear fostermother
--you who are wise, and who have talked with the Sidhe.
LAVARCAM.
Would it make you happy to have your dream real, my darling?
DEIRDRE.
Oh, it would make me happy!
[She hides her face on LAVARCAM's knees.]
LAVARCAM.
If I can make your dream real, I will, my beautiful fawn.
DEIRDRE.
Dear fostermother, I think my dream is coming near to me.
It is coming to me now.
LAVARCAM.
Deirdre, tell me what hope has entered your heart?
DEIRDRE.
In the night I saw in a dream the top of the mountain yonder, beyond the woods, and three hunters stood there in the dawn. The sun sent its breath upon their faces, but there was a light about them never kindled at the sun. They were surely hunters from some heavenly field, or the three gods whom Lu condemned to wander in mortal form, and they are come again to the world to seek some greater treasure.
LAVARCAM.
Describe to me these immortal hunters. In Eire we know
no gods who take such shape appearing unto men.
DEIRDRE.
I cannot now make clear to thee my remembrance of two of the hunters, but the tallest of the three--oh, he stood like a flame against the flameless sky, and the whole sapphire of the heavens seemed to live in his fearless eyes! His hair was darker than the raven's wing, his face dazzling in its fairness. He pointed with his great flame-bright spear to the valley. His companions seemed in doubt, and pointed east and west. Then in my dream I came nigh him and whispered in his ear, and pointed the way through the valley to our dun. I looked into his eyes, and he started like one who sees a vision; and I know, dear fostermother, he will come here, and he will love me. Oh, I would die if he did not love me!
LAVARCAM.
Make haste, my child, and tell me was there aught
else memorable about this hero and his companions?
DEIRDRE.
Yes, I remember each had the likeness of a torch
shedding rays of gold embroidered on the breast.
LAVARCAM.
Deirdre, Deirdre, these are no phantoms, but living heroes! O wise king, the eyes of the spirit thou wouldst open have seen farther than the eyes of the body thou wouldst blind! The Druid vision has only revealed to this child her destiny.
DEIRDRE. Why do you talk so strangely, fostermother?
LAVARCAM.
Concobar, I will not fight against the will of the immortals. I am not thy servant, but theirs. Let the Red Branch fall! If the gods scatter it they have chosen to guide the people of Ulla in another I path.
DEIRDRE.
What has disturbed your mind, dear foster-mother?
What have I to do with the Red Branch? And why
should the people of Ulla fall because of me?
LAVARCAM.
O Deirdre, there were no warriors created could overcome the Red Branch. The gods have but smiled on this proud chivalry through thine eyes, and they are already melted. The waving of thy hand is more powerful to subdue than the silver rod of the king to sustain. Thy golden hair shall be the flame to burn up Ulla.
DEIRDRE.
Oh, what do you mean by these fateful prophecies?
You fill me with terror. Why should a dream so
gentle and sweet portend sorrow?
LAVARCAM.
Dear golden head, cast sorrow aside for a time.
The Father has not yet struck the last chords on
the harp of life. The chords of joy have but begun for thee.
DEIRDRE.
You confuse my mind, dear fostermother, with your speech
of joy and sorrow. It is not your wont. Indeed, I think
my dream portends joy.
LAVARCAM.
It is love, Deirdre, which is coming to thee.
Love, which thou hast never known.
DEIRDRE.
But I love thee, dearest and kindest of guardians.
LAVARCAM.
Oh, in this love heaven and earth will be forgotten,
and your own self unremembered, or dim and far off
as a home the spirit fives in no longer.
DEIRDRE.
Tell me, will the hunter from the hills come to us?
I think I could forget all for him.
LAVARCAM.
He is not one of the Sidhe, but the proudest and
bravest of the Red Branch, Naisi, son of Usna.
Three lights of valor among the Ultonians are
Naisi and his brothers.
DEIRDRE.
Will he love me, fostermother,
as you love me, and will he live with us here?
LAVARCAM.
Nay, where he goes you must go, and he must fly
afar to live with you. But I will leave you now
for a little, child, I would divine the future.
[LAVARCAM kisses DEIRDRE and goes within the dun. DEIRDRE walks to and fro before the door. NAISI enters. He sees DEIRDRE, who turns and looks at him, pressing her hands to her breast. Naisi bows before DEIRDRE.]
NAISI.
Goddess, or enchantress, thy face shone on me at dawn
on the mountain. Thy lips called me hither, and I have come.
DEIRDRE.
I called thee, dear Naisi.
NAISI.
Oh, knowing my name, never before having spoken to me,
thou must know my heart also.
DEIRDRE.
Nay, I know not. Tell me what is in thy heart.
NAISI.
O enchantress, thou art there. The image of thine eyes
is there and thy smiling lips, and the beating of my
heart is muffled in a cloud of thy golden tresses.
DEIRDRE.
Say on, dear Naisi.
NAISI.
I have told thee all. Thou only art in my heart.
DEIRDRE.
But I have never ere this spoken to any man. Tell me more.
NAISI.
If thou hast never before spoken to any man, then indeed
art thou one of the immortals, and my hope is vain.
Hast thou only called me to thy world to extinguish
my life hereafter in memories of thee?
DEIRDRE.
What wouldst thou with me, dear Naisi?
NAISI.
I would carry thee to my dun by the sea of Moyle, O beautiful woman, and set thee there on an ivory throne. The winter would not chill thee there, nor the summer burn thee, for I would enfold thee with my love, enchantress, if thou camest--to my world. Many warriors are there of the clan Usna, and two brothers I have who are strong above any hosts, and they would all die with me for thy sake.
DEIRDRE
(taking the hands of NAISI)
--I will go with thee where thou goest.
(Leaning her head on NAISI's shoulder.)
Oh, fostermother, too truly hast thou spoken! I know myself not.
My spirit has gone from me to this other heart for ever.
NAISI.
Dost thou forego thy shining world for me?
LAVARCAM.
(coming out of the dun).
Naisi, this is the Deirdre of the prophecies.
NAISI.
Deirdre! Deirdre! I remember in some old tale of my childhood that name. (Fiercely.) It was a lying prophecy. What has this girl to do with the downfall of Ulla?
LAVARCAM.
Thou art the light of the Ultonian's, Naisi, but thou art not the star of knowledge. The Druids spake truly. Through her, but not through her sin, will come the destruction of the Red Branch.
NAISI.
I have counted death as nothing battling for the Red Branch; and I would not, even for Deirdre, war upon my comrades. But Deirdre I will not leave nor forget for a thousand prophecies made by the Druids in their dotage. If the Red Branch must fall, it will fall through treachery; but Deirdre I will love, and in my love is no dishonor, nor any broken pledge.
LAVARCAM.
Remember, Naisi, the law of the king. It is death to
thee to be here. Concobar is even now in the woods,
and will come hither again.
DEIRDRE.
Is it death to thee to love me, Naisi? Oh, fly quickly, and forget me. But first, before thou goest, bend down thy head--low--rest it on my bosom. Listen to the beating of my heart. That passionate tumult is for thee! There, I have kissed thee. I have sweet memories for ever-lasting. Go now, my beloved, quickly. I fear--I fear for thee this stony king.
NAISI.
I do not fear the king, nor will I fly hence.
It is due to the chief of the Red Branch that
I should stay and face him, having set my mill against his.
LAVARCAM.
You cannot remain now.
NAISI.
It is due to the king.
LAVARCAM.
You must go; both must go. Do not cloud your heart with dreams of a false honor. It is not your death only, but Deirdre's which will follow. Do you think the Red Branch would spare her, after your death, to extinguish another light of valor, and another who may wander here?
NAISI.
I will go with Deirdre to Alba.
DEIRDRE.
Through life or to death I will go with thee, Naisi.
[Voices of AINLE and ARDAN are heard in the wood.]
ARDAN.
I think Naisi went this way.
AINLE.
He has been wrapt in a dream since the dawn.
See! This is his footstep in the clay!
ARDAN.
I heard voices.
AINLE.
(entering with ARDAN)
Here is our dream-led brother.
NAISI.
Ainle and Ardan, this is Deirdre, your sister. I have broken through the command of the king, and fly with her to Alba to avoid warfare with the Red Branch.
ARDAN.
Our love to thee, beautiful sister.
AINLE.
Dear maiden, thou art already in my heart with Naisi.
LAVARCAM.
You cannot linger here. With Concobar the deed follows
swiftly the counsel; tonight his spearmen will be on your track.
NAISI.
Listen, Ainle and Ardan. Go you to Emain Macha. It may
be the Red Branch will make peace between the king
and myself. You are guiltless in this flight.
AINLE.
Having seen Deirdre, my heart is with you, brother,
and I also am guilty.
ARDAN.
I think, being here, we, too, have broken the command
of the king. We will go with thee to Alba, dear brother and sister.
LAVARCAM.
Oh, tarry not, tarry not! Make haste while there is yet time. The thoughts of the king are circling around Deirdre as wolves around the fold. Try not the passes of the valley, but over the hills. The passes are all filled with the spearmen of the king.
NAISI.
We will carry thee over the mountains,
Deirdre, and tomorrow will see us nigh to the isles of Alba.
DEIRDRE.
Farewell, dear fostermother. I have passed the faery sea since dawn, and have found the Island of Joy. Oh, see! what bright birds are around us, with dazzling wings! Can you not hear their singing? Oh, bright birds, make music for ever around my love and me!
LAVARCAM.
They are the birds of Angus.
Their singing brings love--and death.
DEIRDRE.
Nay, death has come before love, dear fostermother,
and all I was has vanished like a dewdrop in the sun.
Oh, beloved, let us go. We are leaving death behind
us in the valley.
[DEIRDRE and the brothers go through the wood. LAVARCAM watches, and when they are out of sight sits by the door of the dun with her head bowed to her knees. After a little CONCOBAR enters.]
CONCOBAR.
Where is Deirdre?
LAVARCAM.
(not lifting her head).
Deirdre has left death behind her,
and has entered into the Kingdom of her Youth.
CONCOBAR.
Do not speak to me in portents.
Lift up your head, Druidess. Where is Deirdre?
LAVARCAM.
(looking up).
Deirdre is gone!
CONCOBAR.
By the high gods, tell me whither,
and who has dared to take her hence?
LAVARCAM.
She has fled with Naisi, son of Usna,
and is beyond your vengeance, king.
CONCOBAR.
Woman, I swear by Balor, Tethra, and all the brood of demons, I will have such a vengeance a thousand years hereafter shall be frightened at the tale. If the Red Branch is to fall, it will sink at least in the seas of the blood of the clan Usna.
LAVARCAM.
O king, the doom of the Red Branch had already gone
forth when you suffered love for Deirdre to enter your heart.
[Scene closes.] _
Read next: Act 2
Read previous: Dramatis Personae
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