Where's Maine Morgor and old Usnach's children, And that high-headed even-walking Queen, And many near as great that got their death Because you hated peace. I can remember The people crying out when Deirdre passed And Maine Morgor had a cold grey eye. Well, well, I'll throw this heel-tap on the ground, For it may be they are thirsty. A KING. Be silent, fool. ANOTHER KING. Be silent, Daire. CONCOBAR. Let him speak his mind. I have no need to be afraid of ghosts, For I have made but necessary wars. I warred to strengthen Emain, or because When wars are out they marry and beget And have their generations like mankind And there's no help for it; but I'm well content That they have ended and left the town so great, That its mere name shall be in times to come Like a great ale vat where the men of the world Shall drink no common ale but the hard will, The unquenchable hope, the friendliness of the sword. (He takes thin boards on which plans have been carved by those about him.) Give me the building plans, and have you written That we--Cuchullain is looking in his shield; It may be the pale riders of the wind Throw pictures on it, or that Mananan, His father's friend and sometime fosterer, Foreknower of all things, has cast a vision, Out of the cold dark of the rich sea, Foretelling Emain's greatness. CUCHULLAIN. No, great King, I looked on this out of mere idleness, Imagining a woman that I loved. (The sound of a trumpet without.) CONCOBAR. Open the door, for that is a herald's trumpet. (The great door at the back is flung open; a young man who is fully armed and carries a shield with a woman's head painted on it, stands upon the threshold. Behind him are trumpeters. He walks into the centre of the hall, the trumpeting ceases.) What is your message? YOUNG MAN. I am of Aoife's army. FIRST KING. Queen Aoife and her army have fallen upon us. SECOND KING. Out swords! Out swords! THIRD KING. They are about the house. FOURTH KING. Rush out! Rush out! Before they have fired the thatch. YOUNG MAN. Aoife is far away. I am alone. I have come alone in the midst of you To weigh this sword against Cuchullain's sword. (There is a murmur amongst the Kings.) CONCOBAR. And are you noble? for if of common seed You cannot weigh your sword against his sword But in mixed battle. YOUNG MAN. I am under bonds To tell my name to no man, but it's noble. CONCOBAR. But I would know your name and not your bonds. You cannot speak in the Assembly House If you are not noble. A KING. Answer the High King. YOUNG MAN. (Drawing his sword.) I will give no other proof than the hawk gives That it's no sparrow.