LAVARCAM--Oh, tarry not, tarry not! Make haste while there is yet time. The thoughts of the king are circling around Deirdre as wolves around the fold. Try not the passes of the valley, but over the hills. The passes are all filled with the spearmen of the king. NAISI--We will carry thee over the mountains, Deirdre, and tomorrow will see us nigh to the isles of Alba. DEIRDRE--Farewell, dear fostermother. I have passed the faery sea since dawn, and have found the Island of Joy. Oh, see! what bright birds are around us, with dazzling wings! Can you not hear their singing? Oh, bright birds, make music for ever around my love and me! LAVARCAM--They are the birds of Angus. Their singing brings love--and death. DEIRDRE--Nay, death has come before love, dear fostermother, and all I was has vanished like a dewdrop in the sun. Oh, beloved, let us go. We are leaving death behind us in the valley. [DEIRDRE and the brothers go through the wood. LAVARCAM watches, and when they are out of sight sits by the door of the dun with her head bowed to her knees. After a little CONCOBAR enters.] CONCOBAR--Where is Deirdre? LAVARCAM--(not lifting her head). Deirdre has left death behind her, and has entered into the Kingdom of her Youth. CONCOBAR--Do not speak to me in portents. Lift up your head, Druidess. Where is Deirdre? LAVARCAM--(looking up). Deirdre is gone! CONCOBAR--By the high gods, tell me whither, and who has dared to take her hence? LAVARCAM--She has fled with Naisi, son of Usna, and is beyond your vengeance, king. CONCOBAR--Woman, I swear by Balor, Tethra, and all the brood of demons, I will have such a vengeance a thousand years hereafter shall be frightened at the tale. If the Red Branch is to fall, it will sink at least in the seas of the blood of the clan Usna. LAVARCAM--O king, the doom of the Red Branch had already gone forth when you suffered love for Deirdre to enter your heart. [Scene closes.] ACT II. SCENE.--In a dun by Loch Etive. Through the open door can be seen lakes and wooded islands in a silver twilight. DEIRDRE stands at the door looking over the lake. NAISI is within binding a spearhead to the shaft. DEIRDRE--How still is the twilight! It is the sunset, not of one, but of many days--so still, so still, so living! The enchantment of Dana is upon the lakes and islands and woods, and the Great Father looks down through the deepening heavens. NAISI--Thou art half of their world, beautiful woman, and it seems fair to me, gazing on thine eyes. But when thou art not beside me the flashing of spears is more to be admired than a whole heaven-full of stars. DEIRDRE--O Naisi! still dost thou long, for the Red Branch and the peril of battles and death. NAISI--Not for the Red Branch, nor the peril of battles, nor death, do I long. But-- DEIRDRE--But what, Naisi? What memory of Eri hast thou hoarded in thy heart? NAISI--(bending over his spear) It is nothing, Deirdre.