Come quickly; if that woman had not screamed I would have lost my soul. ANOTHER PEASANT Come, come away. (_They turn to door, but are stopped by shouts of "Countess Cathleen! Countess Cathleen!"_) CATHLEEN (_entering_) And so you trade once more? FIRST MERCHANT In spite of you. What brings you here, saint with the sapphire eyes? CATHLEEN I come to barter a soul for a great price. SECOND MERCHANT What matter, if the soul be worth the price? CATHLEEN The people starve, therefore the people go Thronging to you. I hear a cry come from them And it is in my ears by night and day, And I would have five hundred thousand crowns That I may feed them till the dearth go by. FIRST MERCHANT It may be the soul's worth it. CATHLEEN There is more: The souls that you have bought must be set free. FIRST MERCHANT We know of but one soul that's worth the price. CATHLEEN Being my own it seems a priceless thing. SECOND MERCHANT You offer us---- CATHLEEN I offer my own soul. A PEASANT Do not, do not, for souls the like of ours Are not precious to God as your soul is. O! what would Heaven do without you, lady? ANOTHER PEASANT Look how their claws clutch in their leathern gloves. FIRST MERCHANT Five hundred thousand crowns; we give the price. The gold is here; the souls even while you speak Have slipped out of our bond, because your face Has shed a light on them and filled their hearts. But you must sign, for we omit no form In buying a soul like yours. SECOND MERCHANT Sign with this quill It was a feather growing on the cock That crowed when Peter dared deny his Master, And all who use it have great honour in Hell. (CATHLEEN _leans forward to sign_.) ALEEL (_rushing forward and snatching the pen from her_) Leave all things to the builder of the heavens. CATHLEEN I have no thoughts; I hear a cry--a cry. ALEEL (_casting the pen on the ground_) I have seen a vision under a green hedge, A hedge of hips and haws--men yet shall hear The Archangels rolling Satan's empty skull Over the mountain-tops. FIRST MERCHANT Take him away. (TEIG _and_ SHEMUS _drag him roughly away so that he falls upon the floor among the_ PEASANTS. CATHLEEN _picks up parchment and signs, then turns towards the_ PEASANTS.) CATHLEEN Take up the money, and now come with me; When we are far from this polluted place I will give everybody money enough. (_She goes out, the_ PEASANTS _crowding round her and kissing her dress_. ALEEL _and the two_ MERCHANTS _are left alone_.) SECOND MERCHANT We must away and wait until she dies, Sitting above her tower as two grey owls, Waiting as many years as may be, guarding Our precious jewel; waiting to seize her soul.