Deirdre. What has happened?

Lavarcham. It’s Owen’s gone raging mad, and he’s after splitting his gullet beyond at the butt of the stone. There was ill luck this day in his eye. And he knew a power if he’d said it all.

Naisi comes back quickly, followed by the others.

Ainnle (coming in very excited). That man knew plots of Conchubor’s. We’ll not go to Emain, where Conchubor may love her and have hatred for yourself.

Fergus. Would you mind a fool and raver?

Ainnle. It’s many times there’s more sense in madmen than the wise. We will not obey Conchubor.

Naisi. I and Deirdre have chosen; we will go back with Fergus.

Ardan. We will not go back. We will burn your curaghs by the sea.

Fergus. My sons and I will guard them.

Ainnle. We will blow the horn of Usna and our friends will come to aid us.

Naisi. It is my friends will come.

Ainnle. Your friends will bind your hands, and you out of your wits.

Deirdre comes forward quickly and comes between Ainnle and Naisi.

Deirdre (in a low voice). For seven years the Sons of Usna have not raised their voices in a quarrel.

Ainnle. We will not take you to Emain.

Ardan. It is Conchubor has broken our peace.

Ainnle (to Deirdre). Stop Naisi going. What way would we live if Conchubor should take you from us?

Deirdre. There is no one could take me from you. I have chosen to go back with Fergus. Will you quarrel with me, Ainnle, though I have been your queen these seven years in Alban?

Ainnle (subsiding suddenly). Naisi has no call to take you.

Ardan. Why are you going?

Deirdre (to both of them and the others). It is my wish.… It may be I will not have Naisi growing an old man in Alban with an old woman at his side, and young girls pointing out and saying, “that is Deirdre and Naisi had great beauty in their youth.” It may be we do well putting a sharp end to the day is brave and glorious, as our fathers put a sharp end to the days of the kings of Ireland; or that I’m wishing to set my foot on Slieve Fuadh, where I was running one time and leaping the streams, (to Lavarcham) and that I’d be well pleased to see our little apple-trees, Lavarcham, behind our cabin on the hill; or that I’ve learned, Fergus, it’s a lonesome thing to be away from Ireland always.

Ainnle (giving in). There is no place but will be lonesome to us from this out, and we thinking on our seven years in Alban.

Deirdre (to Naisi). It’s in this place we’d be lonesome in the end.… Take down Fergus to the sea. He has been a guest had a hard welcome and he bringing messages of peace.