DEIRDRE--It is a night of many days, Naisi. See, all the bright day had hidden is revealed! Look, there! A star! and another star! They could not see each other through the day, for the hot mists of the sun were about them. Three years of the sun have we passed in Alba, Naisi, and now, O star of my heart, truly do I see you, this night of many days. NAISI--Though my breast lay clear as a crystal before thee, thou couldst see no change in my heart. DEIRDRE--There is no change, beloved; but I see there one memory warring on thy peace. NAISI--What is it then, wise woman? DEIRDRE--O Naisi, I have looked within thy heart, and thou hast there imagined a king with scornful eyes thinking of thy flight. NAISI--By the gods, but it is true! I would give this kingdom I have won in Alba to tell the proud monarch I fear him not. DEIRDRE--O Naisi, that thought will draw thee back to Eri, and to I know not what peril and death beyond the seas. NAISI--I will not war on the Red Branch. They were ever faithful comrades. Be at peace, Deirdre. DEIRDRE--Oh, how vain it is to say to the heart, "Be at peace," when the heart will not rest! Sorrow is on me, beloved, and I know not wherefore. It has taken the strong and fast place of my heart, and sighs there hidden in my love for thee. NAISI--Dear one, the songs of Ainle and the pleasant tales of Ardan will drive away thy sorrow. DEIRDRE--Ainle and Ardan! Where are they? They linger long. NAISI--They are watching a sail that set hitherward from the south. DEIRDRE--A sail! NAISI--A sail! What is there to startle thee in that? Have not a thousand galleys lain in Loch Etive since I built this dun by the sea. DEIRDRE--I do not know, but my spirit died down in my heart as you spake. I think the wind that brings it blows from Eri, and it is it has brought sorrow to me. NAISI--My beautiful one, it is but a fancy. It is some merchant comes hither to barter Tyrian cloths for the cunning work of our smiths. But glad would I be if he came from Eri, and I would feast him here for a night, and sit round a fire of turves and hear of the deeds of the Red Branch. DEIRDRE--Your heart for ever goes out to the Red Branch, Naisi. Were there any like unto thee, or Ainle, or Ardan? NAISI--We were accounted most skilful, but no one was held to be braver than another. If there were one it was great Fergus who laid aside the silver rod which he held as Ardrie of Ulla, but he is in himself greater than any king. DEIRDRE--And does one hero draw your heart back to Eri? NAISI--A river of love, indeed, flows from my heart unto Fergus, for there is no one more noble. But there were many others, Conal, and the boy we called Cuculain, a dark, sad child, who was the darling of the Red Branch, and truly he seemed like one who would be a world-famous warrior. There were many held him to be a god in exile. DEIRDRE--I think we, too, are in exile in this world. But tell me who else among the Red Branch do you think of with love?