She is blaspheming. THE CHILD And do you love me too? MARY I do not know. THE CHILD You love that young man there, Yet I could make you ride upon the winds, Run on the top of the dishevelled tide, And dance upon the mountains like a flame. MARY Queen of Angels and kind saints defend us! Some dreadful thing will happen. A while ago She took away the blessed quicken wood. FATHER HART You fear because of her unmeasured prattle; She knows no better. Child, how old are you? THE CHILD When winter sleep is abroad my hair grows thin, My feet unsteady. When the leaves awaken My mother carries me in her golden arms; I'll soon put on my womanhood and marry The spirits of wood and water, but who can tell When I was born for the first time? I think I am much older than the eagle cock That blinks and blinks on Ballygawley Hill, And he is the oldest thing under the moon. FATHER HART O she is of the faery people. THE CHILD One called, I sent my messengers for milk and fire, She called again and after that I came. (_All except_ SHAWN _and_ MARY BRUIN _gather behind the priest for protection_.) SHAWN (_rising_) Though you have made all these obedient, You have not charmed my sight and won from me A wish or gift to make you powerful; I'll turn you from the house. FATHER HART No, I will face her. THE CHILD Because you took away the crucifix I am so mighty that there's none can pass, Unless I will it, where my feet have danced Or where I've whirled my finger-tops. (SHAWN _tries to approach her and cannot_.) MAURTEEN Look, look! There something stops him--look how he moves his hands As though he rubbed them on a wall of glass! FATHER HART I will confront this mighty spirit alone; Be not afraid, the Father is with us, The Holy Martyrs and the Innocents, The adoring Magi in their coats of mail, And He who died and rose on the third day, And all the nine angelic hierarchies. (_The_ CHILD _kneels upon the settle beside_ MARY _and puts her arms about her_.) Cry, daughter, to the Angels and the Saints. THE CHILD You shall go with me, newly-married bride, And gaze upon a merrier multitude. White-armed Nuala, Aengus of the Birds, Feacra of the hurtling foam, and him Who is the ruler of the Western Host, Finvarra, and their Land of Heart's Desire, Where beauty has no ebb, decay no flood, But joy is wisdom, Time an endless song. I kiss you and the world begins to fade. SHAWN Awake out of that trance--and cover up Your eyes and ears. FATHER HART She must both look and listen, For only the soul's choice can save her now. Come over to me, daughter; stand beside me; Think of this house and of your duties in it. THE CHILD