A friend suggested to me the subject of this play, an Irish folk-tale from Lady Wilde's _Ancient Legends_. I have for years struggled with something which is charming in the naive legend but a platitude on the stage. I did not discover till a year ago that if the wise man humbled himself to the fool and received salvation as his reward, so much more powerful are pictures than words, no explanatory dialogue could set the matter right. I was faintly pleased when I converted a music-hall singer and kept him going to Mass for six weeks, so little responsibility does one feel for those to whom one has never been introduced; but I was always ashamed when I saw any friend of my own in the theatre. Now I have made my philosopher accept God's will, whatever it is, and find his courage again, and helped by the elaboration of verse, have so changed the fable that it is not false to my own thoughts of the world. * * * * * Printed in the United States of America. * * * * * The following pages contain advertisements of books by the same author or on kindred subjects. * * * * * BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS Reveries Over Childhood and Youth _$2.00_ In this book the celebrated Irish author gives us his reminiscences of his childhood and youth. The memories are written, as is to be expected, in charming prose. They have the appeal invariably attached to the account of a sensitive childhood. The Hour Glass and Other Plays _$1.25_ "The Hour Glass" is one of Mr. Yeats' noble and effective plays, and with the other plays in the volume, make a small, but none the less representative collection. Stories of Red Hanrahan _$1.25_ These tales belong to the realm of pure lyrical expression. They are mysterious and shadowy, full of infinite subtleties and old wisdom of folklore, and sad with the gray wistful Celtic sadness. "Lovers of Mr. Yeats's suggestive and delicate writing will find him at his best in this volume."--_Springfield Republican._ Ideas of Good and Evil _$1.50_ Essays on art and life, wherein are set forth much of Yeats' philosophy, his love of beauty, his hope for Ireland and for Irish artistic achievement. The Celtic Twilight _$1.50_ A collection of tales from Irish life and of Irish fancy, retold from peasants' stories with no additions except an occasional comment. * * * * * THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Publishers 64-66 Fifth Avenue New York * * * * * The Cutting of an Agate _12mo, $1.50_