The Countess Cathleen | Page 3

his singing dies away. MARY comes in. SHEmus has been counting the money.)
TEIG. There's no good luck in owls, but it may be?That the ill luck's to fall upon their heads.
MARY. You never thanked her ladyship.
SHEMUS. Thank her,?For seven halfpence and a silver bit?
TEIG. But for this empty purse?
SHEMUS. What's that for thanks,?Or what's the double of it that she promised??With bread and flesh and every sort of food?Up to a price no man has heard the like of?And rising every day.
MARY. We have all she had;?She emptied out the purse before our eyes.
SHEMUS (to MARY, who has gone to close the door)?Leave that door open.
MARY. When those that have read books,?And seen the seven wonders of the world,?Fear what's above or what's below the ground,?It's time that poverty should bolt the door.
SHEMUS. I'll have no bolts, for there is not a thing?That walks above the ground or under it?I had not rather welcome to this house?Than any more of mankind, rich or poor.
TEIG. So that they brought us money.
SHEMUS. I heard say?There's something that appears like a white bird,?A pigeon or a seagull or the like,?But if you hit it with a stone or a stick?It clangs as though it had been made of brass;?And that if you dig down where it was scratching?You'll find a crock of gold.
TEIG. But dream of gold?For three nights running, and there's always gold.
SHEMUS. You might be starved before you've dug it out.
TEIG. But maybe if you called, something would come,?They have been seen of late.
MARY. Is it call devils??Call devils from the wood, call them in here?
SHEMUS. So you'd stand up against me, and you'd say?Who or what I am to welcome here.
(He hits her.)
That is to show who's master.
TEIG. Call them in.
MARY. God help us all!
SHEMUS. Pray, if you have a mind to.?it's little that the sleepy ears above?Care for your words; but I'll call what I please.
TEIG. There is many a one, they say, had money from them.
SHEMUS. (at door)?Whatever you are that walk the woods at night,?So be it that you have not shouldered up?Out of a grave--for I'll have nothing human--?And have free hands, a friendly trick of speech,?I welcome you. Come, sit beside the fire.?What matter if your head's below your arms?Or you've a horse's tail to whip your flank,?Feathers instead of hair, that's but a straw,?Come, share what bread and meat is in the house,?And stretch your heels and warm them in the ashes.?And after that, let's share and share alike?And curse all men and women. Come in, come in.?What, is there no one there?
(Turning from door)
And yet they say?They are as common as the grass, and ride?Even upon the book in the priest's hand.
(TEIG lifts one arm slowly and points toward the door and begins moving backwards. SHEMUS turns, he also sees something and begins moving backward. MARY does the same. A man dressed as an?Eastern merchant comes in carrying a small carpet. He unrolls it and sits cross-legged at one end of it. Another man dressed in the same way follows, and sits at the other end. This is done slowly and deliberately. When they are seated they take money out of embroidered purses at their girdles and begin arranging it on the carpet.
TEIG. You speak to them.
SHEMUS. No, you.
TEIG. 'Twas you that called them.
SHEMUS. (coming nearer)?I'd make so bold, if you would pardon it,?To ask if there's a thing you'd have of us.?Although we are but poor people, if there is,?Why, if there is--
FIRST MERCHANT. We've travelled a long road,?For we are merchants that must tramp the world,?And now we look for supper and a fire?And a safe corner to count money in.
SHEMUS. I thought you were .... but that's no matter now--?There had been words between my wife and me?Because I said I would be master here,?And ask in what I pleased or who I pleased?And so. . . . but that is nothing to the point,?Because it's certain that you are but merchants.
FIRST MERCHANT. We travel for the Master of all merchants.
SHEMUS. Yet if you were that I had thought but now?I'd welcome you no less. Be what you please?And you'll have supper at the market rate,?That means that what was sold for but a penny?Is now worth fifty.
(MERCHANTS begin putting money on carpet.)
FIRST MERCHANT. Our Master bids us pay?So good a price, that all who deal with us?Shall eat, drink, and be merry.
SHEMUS. (to MARY) Bestir yourself,?Go kill and draw the fowl, while Teig and I?Lay out the plates and make a better fire.
MARY. I will not cook for you.
SHEMUS. Not cook! not cook!?Do not be angry. She wants to pay me back?Because I struck her in that argument.?But she'll get sense again. Since the dearth came?We rattle one on another as though we were?Knives thrown into a basket to