Deirdre (shaking her head slowly). There are as many ways to wither love as there are stars in a night of Samhain; but there is no way to keep life, or love with it, a short space only.… It’s for that there’s nothing lonesome like a love is watching out the time most lovers do be sleeping.… It’s for that we’re setting out for Emain Macha when the tide turns on the sand.

Naisi (giving in). You’re right, maybe, should be a poor thing to see great lovers and they sleepy and old.

Deirdre (with a more tender intensity). We’re seven years without roughness or growing weary; seven years so sweet and shining, the gods would be hard set to give us seven days the like of them. It’s for that we’re going to Emain, where there’ll be a rest for ever, or a place for forgetting, in great crowds and they making a stir.

Naisi (very softly). We’ll go, surely, in place of keeping a watch on a love had no match and it wasting away. (They cling to each other for a moment, then Naisi looks up.) There are Fergus and Lavarcham and my two brothers.

Deirdre goes. Naisi sits with his head bowed. Owen runs in stealthily, comes behind Naisi and seizes him round the arms. Naisi shakes him off and whips out his sword.

Owen (screaming with derisive laughter and showing his empty hands). Ah, Naisi, wasn’t it well I didn’t kill you that time? There was a fright you got! I’ve been watching Fergus above—don’t be frightened—and I’ve come down to see him getting the cold shoulder, and going off alone.

Fergus and others come in. They are all subdued like men at a queen’s wake.

Naisi (putting up his sword). There he is. (Goes to Fergus.) We are going back when the tide turns, I and Deirdre with yourself.

All. Going back!

Ainnle. And you’ll end your life with Deirdre, though she has no match for keeping spirits in a little company is far away by itself?

Ardan. It’s seven years myself and Ainnle have been servants and bachelors for yourself and Deirdre. Why will you take her back to Conchubor?

Naisi. I have done what Deirdre wishes and has chosen.

Fergus. You’ve made a choice wise men will be glad of in the five ends of Ireland,

Owen. Wise men is it, and they going back to Conchubor? I could stop them only Naisi put in his sword among my father’s ribs, and when a man’s done that he’ll not credit your oath. Going to Conchubor! I could tell of plots and tricks, and spies were well paid for their play. (He throws up a bag of gold.) Are you paid, Fergus?

He scatters gold pieces over Fergus.

Fergus. He is raving.… Seize him.

Owen (flying between them). You won’t. Let the lot of you be off to Emain, but I’ll be off before you.… Dead men, dead men! Men who’ll die for Deirdre’s beauty; I’ll be before you in the grave!

Runs out with his knife in his hand. They all run after him except Lavarcham, who looks out and then clasps her hands. Deirdre comes out to her in a dark cloak.