He cried ‘Beast, beast!’ and in a blind-beast rage He ran at me and fell into the nets, But we were careful for your sake, and took him With all the comeliness that woke desire Unbroken in him. I being old and lenient— I would not hurt a hair upon his head. DEIRDRE. What do you say? Have you forgiven him? NAISI. He is but mocking us. What’s left to say Now that the seven years’ hunt is at an end? DEIRDRE. He never doubted you until I made him, And therefore all the blame for what he says Should fall on me. CONCHUBAR. But his young blood is hot, And if we’re of one mind, he shall go free, And I ask nothing for it, or, if something, Nothing I could not take. There is no king In the wide world that, being so greatly wronged, Could copy me, and give all vengeance up. Although her marriage-day had all but come, You carried her away; but I’ll show mercy. Because you had the insolent strength of youth You carried her away; but I’ve had time To think it out through all these seven years. I will show mercy. NAISI. You have many words. CONCHUBAR. I will not make a bargain; I but ask What is already mine. You may go free If Deirdre will but walk into my house Before the people’s eyes, that they may know When I have put the crown upon her head I have not taken her by force and guile. The doors are open, and the floors are strewed, And in the bridal chamber curtains sewn With all enchantments that give happiness, By races that are germane to the sun, And nearest him, and have no blood in their veins— For when they’re wounded the wound drips with wine— Nor speech but singing. At the bridal door Two fair king’s daughters carry in their hands The crown and robe. DEIRDRE. Oh, no! Not that, not that. Ask any other thing but that one thing. Leave me with Naisi. We will go away Into some country at the ends of the earth. We’ll trouble you no more. You will be praised By everybody if you pardon us. ‘He is good, he is good,’ they’ll say to one another; ‘There’s nobody like him, for he forgave Deirdre and Naisi.’ CONCHUBAR. Do you think that I Shall let you go again, after seven years Of longing and of planning here and there, And trafficking with merchants for the stones That make all sure, and watching my own face That none might read it? DEIRDRE [_to NAISI_]. It’s better to go with him. Why should you die when one can bear it all? My life is over; it’s better to obey. Why should you die? I will not live long, Naisi. I’d not have you believe I’d long stay living; Oh no, no, no! You will go far away. You will forget me. Speak, speak, Naisi, speak, And say that it is better that I go. I will not ask it. Do not speak a word, For I will take it all upon myself. Conchubar, I will go. NAISI.