FERGUS--I would not have crossed the sea of Moyle to bring thee ill tidings, Naisi. (He sees DEIRDRE.) My coming has affrighted thy lady, who shakes like the white wave trembling before its fall. I swear to thee, Deirdre, that the sons of Usna are dear to me as children to a father. DEIRDRE--The Birds of Angus showed all fiery and crimson as you came! BUINNE--If we are not welcome in this dun let us return! FERGUS--Be still, hasty boy. ILANN--The lady Deirdre has received some omen or warning on our account. When the Sidhe declare their will, we should with due awe consider it. ARDAN--Her mind has been troubled by a dream of some ill to Naisi. NAISI--It was not by dreaming evils that the sons of Usna grew to be champions in Ulla. And I took thee to my heart, Deirdre, though the Druids trembled to murmur thy name. FERGUS--If we listened to dreamers and foretellers the sword would never flash from its sheath. In truth, I have never found the Sidhe send omens to warriors; they rather bid them fly to herald our coming. DEIRDRE--And what doom comes with thee now that such omens fled before thee? I fear thy coming, warrior. I fear the Lights of Valor will be soon extinguished. FERGUS--Thou shalt smile again, pale princess, when thou hast heard my tale. It is not to the sons of Usna I would bring sorrow. Naisi, thou art free to return to Ulla. NAISI--Does the king then forego his vengeance? DEIRDRE--The king will never forego his vengeance. I have looked on his face--the face of one who never changes his purpose. FERGUS--He sends forgiveness and greetings. DEIRDRE--O Naisi, he sends honied words by the mouth of Fergus, but the pent-up death broods in his own heart. BUINNE--We were tempest-beaten, indeed, on the sea of Moyle, but the storm of this girl's speech is more fearful to face. FERGUS--Your tongue is too swift, Buinne. I say to you, Deirdre, that if all the kings of Eri brooded ill to Naisi, they dare not break through my protection. NAISI--It is true, indeed, Fergus, though I have never asked any protection save my own sword. It is a chill welcome you give to Fergus and his sons, Deirdre. Ainle, tell them within to make ready the feasting hall. [AINLE goes into an inner room.] DEIRDRE--I pray thy pardon, warrior. Thy love for Naisi I do not doubt. But in this holy place there is peace, and the doom that Cathvah the Druid cried cannot fall. And oh, I feel, too, there, is One here among us who pushes us silently from the place of life, and we are drifting away--away from the world, on a tide which goes down into the darkness! ARDAN--The darkness is in your mind alone, poor sister. Great is our joy to hear the message of Fergus. NAISI--It is not like the king to change his will. Fergus, what has wrought upon his mind?