Stay and come with me, newly-married bride, For if you hear him you grow like the rest; Bear children, cook, and bend above the churn, And wrangle over butter, fowl, and eggs, Until at last, grown old and bitter of tongue, You're crouching there and shivering at the grave. FATHER HART Daughter, I point you out the way to Heaven. THE CHILD But I can lead you, newly-married bride, Where nobody gets old and crafty and wise, Where nobody gets old and godly and grave, Where nobody gets old and bitter of tongue, And where kind tongues bring no captivity; For we are but obedient to the thoughts That drift into the mind at a wink of the eye. FATHER HART By the dear Name of the One crucified, I bid you, Mary Bruin, come to me. THE CHILD I keep you in the name of your own heart. FATHER HART It is because I put away the crucifix That I am nothing, and my power is nothing. I'll bring it here again. MAURTEEN (_clinging to him_) No. BRIDGET Do not leave us. FATHER HART O, let me go before it is too late; It is my sin alone that brought it all. (_Singing outside._) THE CHILD I hear them sing, "Come, newly-married bride, Come, to the woods and waters and pale lights." MARY I will go with you. FATHER HART She is lost, alas! THE CHILD (_standing by the door_) But clinging mortal hope must fall from you, For we who ride the winds, run on the waves, And dance upon the mountains are more light Than dewdrops on the banner of the dawn. MARY O, take me with you. SHAWN Beloved, I will keep you. I've more than words, I have these arms to hold you, Nor all the faery host, do what they please, Shall ever make me loosen you from these arms. MARY Dear face! Dear voice! THE CHILD Come, newly-married bride. MARY I always loved her world--and yet--and yet---- THE CHILD White bird, white bird, come with me, little bird. MARY She calls me! THE CHILD Come with me, little bird. (_Distant dancing figures appear in the wood._) MARY I can hear songs and dancing. SHAWN Stay with me. MARY I think that I would stay--and yet--and yet---- THE CHILD Come, little bird, with crest of gold. MARY (_very softly_) And yet---- THE CHILD Come, little bird with silver feet! (MARY BRUIN _dies, and the_ CHILD _goes_.) SHAWN She is dead! BRIDGET Come from that image; body and soul are gone. You have thrown your arms about a drift of leaves, Or bole of an ash-tree changed into her image. FATHER HART