Put on my shoes, old mother. Now I would like to dance now I have eaten, The reeds are dancing by Coolaney lake, And I would like to dance until the reeds And the white waves have danced themselves asleep. (BRIDGET _puts on the shoes, and the_ CHILD _is about to dance, but suddenly sees the crucifix and shrieks and covers her eyes_.) What is that ugly thing on the black cross? FATHER HART You cannot know how naughty your words are! That is our Blessed Lord. THE CHILD Hide it away! BRIDGET I have begun to be afraid again. THE CHILD Hide it away! MAURTEEN That would be wickedness! BRIDGET That would be sacrilege! THE CHILD The tortured thing! Hide it away! MAURTEEN Her parents are to blame. FATHER HART That is the image of the Son of God. THE CHILD (_caressing him_) Hide it away, hide it away! MAURTEEN No, no. FATHER HART Because you are so young and like a bird, That must take fright at every stir of the leaves, I will go take it down. THE CHILD Hide it away! And cover it out of sight and out of mind! (FATHER HART _takes crucifix from wall and carries it towards inner room_.) FATHER HART Since you have come into this barony, I will instruct you in our blessed faith; And being so keen witted you'll soon learn. (_To the others._) We must be tender to all budding things, Our Maker let no thought of Calvary Trouble the morning stars in their first song. (_Puts crucifix in inner room._) THE CHILD Here is level ground for dancing; I will dance. (_Sings._) "The wind blows out of the gates of the day, The wind blows over the lonely of heart, And the lonely of heart is withered away." (_She dances._) MARY (_to_ SHAWN) Just now when she came near I thought I heard Other small steps beating upon the floor, And a faint music blowing in the wind, Invisible pipes giving her feet the tune. SHAWN I heard no steps but hers. MARY I hear them now, The unholy powers are dancing in the house. MAURTEEN Come over here, and if you promise me Not to talk wickedly of holy things I will give you something. THE CHILD Bring it me, old father. MAURTEEN Here are some ribbons that I bought in the town For my son's wife--but she will let me give them To tie up that wild hair the winds have tumbled. THE CHILD Come, tell me, do you love me? MAURTEEN Yes, I love you. THE CHILD Ah, but you love this fireside. Do you love me? FATHER HART When the Almighty puts so great a share Of His own ageless youth into a creature, To look is but to love. THE CHILD But you love Him? BRIDGET