The Countess Cathleen | Page 8

runs on.
(SECOND MERCHANT goes Out. FIRST MERCHANT sits
cross-legged against a pillar, yawns and stretches.)
FIRST MERCHANT. And so I must endure the weight of the world,
Far from my Master and the revelry,
That's lasted since--shaped as a
worm--he bore
The knowledgable pippin in his mouth
To the first
woman.
(SECOND MERCHANT returns with bags.)
Where are those dancers gone?
They knew they were to carry it on
their backs.
SECOND MERCHANT. I heard them breathing but a moment since,
But now they are gone, being unsteadfast things.
FIRST MERCHANT. They knew their work. It seems that they
imagine We'd do such wrong to our great Master's name
As to bear
burdens on our backs as men do.
I'll call them, and who'll dare to
disobey?
Come, all you elemental populace
From Cruachan and
Finbar's ancient house.
Come, break up the long dance under the hill,

Or if you lie in the hollows of the sea,
Leave lonely the long
hoarding surges, leave
The cymbals of the waves to clash alone,

And shaking the sea-tangles from your hair
Gather about us.
(The SPIRITS gather under the arches.)
SECOND MERCHANT. They come. Be still a while.
(SPIRITS dance and sing.)
FIRST SPIRIT. (singing) Our hearts are sore, but we come
Because
we have heard you call.

SECOND SPIRIT. Sorrow has made me dumb.
FIRST SPIRIT. Her shepherds at nightfall
Lay many a plate and cup

Down by the trodden brink,
That when the dance break up
We
may have meat and drink.
Therefore our hearts are sore;
And
though we have heard and come
Our crying filled the shore.
SECOND SPIRIT. Sorrow has made me dumb.
FIRST MERCHANT. What lies in the waves should be indifferent To
good and evil, and yet it seems that these,
Forgetful of their pure,
impartial sea,
Take sides with her.
SECOND MERCHANT. Hush, hush, and still your feet.
You are not
now upon Maeve's dancing-floor.
A SPIRIT. O, look what I have found, a string of pearls!
(They begin taking jewels out of bag.)
SECOND MERCHANT. You must not touch them, put them in the bag,
And now take up the bags upon your backs
And carry them to
Shemus Rua's house
On the wood's border.
SPIRITS. No, no, no, no!
FIRST SPIRIT. No, no, let us away;
From this we shall not come

Cry out to' us who may.
SECOND SPIRIT. Sorrow has made me dumb.
(They go.)
SECOND MERCHANT. They're gone, for little do they care for me,
And if I called they would but turn and mock,
But you they dare not
disobey.

FIRST MERCHANT (rising) These dancers
Are always the most
troublesome of spirits.
(He comes down the stage and stands facing the arches. He makes a
gesture of command. The SPIRITS come back whimpering. They lift
the bags and go out. Three speak as they are taking ub the bags.
FIRST SPIRIT. From this day out we'll never dance again.
SECOND SPIRIT. Never again.
THIRD SPIRIT. Sorrow has made me dumb.
SECOND MERCHANT (looking into chapel door)
She has heard
nothing; she has fallen asleep.
Our lord would be well pleased if we could win her.
Now that the
winds are heavy with our kind,
Might we not kill her, and bear off her
spirit
Before the mob of angels were astir?
FIRST MERCHANT. If we would win this turquoise for our lord It
must go dropping down of its free will
But I've a plan.
SECOND MERCHANT. To take her soul to-night?
FIRST MERCHANT. Because I am of the ninth and mightiest hell
Where are all kings, I have a plan.
(Voices.)
SECOND MERCHANT. Too late;
For somebody is stirring in the
house; the noise
That the sea creatures made as they came hither,

Their singing and their endless chattering,
Has waked the house. I
hear the chairs pushed back,
And many shuffling feet. All the old
men and women
She's gathered in the house are coming hither.
A VOICE. (within) It was here.

ANOTHER VOICE. No, farther away.
ANOTHER VOICE. It was in the western tower.
ANOTHER VOICE. Come quickly, we will search the western tower.
FIRST MERCHANT. We still have time--they search the distant
rooms.
SECOND MERCHANT. Brother, I heard a sound in there--a sound
That troubles me.
(Going to the door of the oratory and peering through it.)
Upon the
altar steps The Countess tosses, murmuring in her sleep A broken
Paternoster.
FIRST MERCHANT. Do not fear,
For when she has awaked the
prayer will cease.
SECOND MERCHANT. What, would you wake her?
FIRST MERCHANT. I will speak with her,
And mix with all her
thoughts a thought to serve.--
Lady, we've news that's crying out for
speech.
(CATHLEEN wakes and comes to door of the chapel.)
Cathleen. Who calls?
FIRST MERCHANT. We have brought news.
CATHLEEN. What are you?
FIRST MERCHANT.
We are merchants, and we know the book of
the world
Because we have walked upon its leaves; and there
Have
read of late matters that much concern you;
And noticing the castle
door stand open,
Came in to find an ear.

CATHLEEN. The door stands open,
That