Deirdre. I’ll say so near that grave we seem three lonesome people, and by a new made grave there’s no man will keep brooding on a woman’s lips, or on the man he hates. It’s not long till your own grave will be dug in Emain, and you’d go down to it more easy if you’d let call Ainnle and Ardan, the way we’d have a supper all together, and fill that grave, and you’ll be well pleased from this out, having four new friends the like of us in Emain.

Conchubor (looking at her for a moment). That’s the first friendly word I’ve heard you speaking, Deirdre. A game the like of yours should be the proper thing for softening the heart and putting sweetness in the tongue; and yet this night when I hear you I’ve small blame left for Naisi that he stole you off from Ulster.

Deirdre (to Naisi). Now, Naisi, answer gently, and we’ll be friends to-night.

Naisi (doggedly). I have no call but to be friendly. I’ll answer what you will.

Deirdre (taking Naisi’s hand). Then you’ll call Conchubor your friend and king, the man who reared me up upon Slieve Fuadh.

As Conchubor is going to clasp Naisi’s hand cries are heard behind.

Conchubor. What noise is that?

Ainnle (behind). Naisi.… Naisi.… Come to us; we are betrayed and broken.

Naisi. It’s Ainnle crying out in a battle.

Conchubor. I was near won this night, but death’s between us now. (He goes out.)

Deirdre (clinging to Naisi). There is no battle.… Do not leave me, Naisi.

Naisi. I must go to them.

Deirdre (beseechingly). Do not leave me, Naisi. Let us creep up in the darkness behind the grave. If there’s a battle, maybe the strange fighters will be destroyed, when Ainnle and Ardan are against them. (Cries heard.)

Naisi (wildly). I hear Ardan crying out. Do not hold me from my brothers.

Deirdre. Do not leave me, Naisi. Do not leave me broken and alone.

Naisi. I cannot leave my brothers when it is I who have defied the king.

Deirdre. I will go with you.

Naisi. You cannot come. Do not hold me from the fight.

He throws her aside almost roughly.

Deirdre (with restraint). Go to your brothers. For seven years you have been kindly, but the hardness of death has come between us.

Naisi (looking at her aghast). And you’ll have me meet death with a hard word from your lips in my ear?

Deirdre. We’ve had a dream, but this night has waked us surely. In a little while we’ve lived too long, Naisi, and isn’t it a poor thing we should miss the safety of the grave, and we trampling its edge?

Ainnle (behind). Naisi, Naisi, we are attacked and ruined!