But that’s not all. The other night, while he was playing it, A beautiful young man and girl came up In a white, breaking wave; they had the look Of those that are alive for ever and ever. FIRST SAILOR. I saw them, too, one night. Forgael was playing, And they were listening there beyond the sail. He could not see them, but I held out my hands To grasp the woman. SECOND SAILOR. You have dared to touch her? FIRST SAILOR. O, she was but a shadow, and slipped from me. SECOND SAILOR. But were you not afraid? FIRST SAILOR. Why should I fear? SECOND SAILOR. ’Twas Aengus and Edain, the wandering lovers, To whom all lovers pray. FIRST SAILOR. But what of that? A shadow does not carry sword or spear. SECOND SAILOR. My mother told me that there is not one Of the ever-living half so dangerous As that wild Aengus. Long before her day He carried Edain off from a king’s house, And hid her among fruits of jewel-stone And in a tower of glass, and from that day Has hated every man that’s not in love, And has been dangerous to him. FIRST SAILOR. I have heard He does not hate seafarers as he hates Peaceable men that shut the wind away, And keep to the one weary marriage-bed. SECOND SAILOR. I think that he has Forgael in his net, And drags him through the sea. FIRST SAILOR. Well, net or none, I’d kill him while we have the chance to do it. SECOND SAILOR. It’s certain I’d sleep easier o’ nights If he were dead; but who will be our captain, Judge of the stars, and find a course for us? FIRST SAILOR. I’ve thought of that. We must have Aibric with us, For he can judge the stars as well as Forgael. [_Going towards AIBRIC._ Become our captain, Aibric. I am resolved To make an end of Forgael while he sleeps. There’s not a man but will be glad of it When it is over, nor one to grumble at us. You’ll have the captain’s share of everything. AIBRIC. Silence! for you have taken Forgael’s pay. FIRST SAILOR. We joined him for his pay, but have had none This long while now; we had not turned against him If he had brought us among peopled seas, For that was in the bargain when we struck it. What good is there in this hard way of living, Unless we drain more flagons in a year And kiss more lips than lasting peaceable men In their long lives? If you’ll be of our troop You’ll be as good a leader. AIBRIC. Be of your troop! No, nor with a hundred men like you, When Forgael’s in the other scale. I’d say it Even if Forgael had not been my master From earliest childhood, but that being so, If you will draw that sword out of its scabbard I’ll give my answer. FIRST SAILOR. You have awaked him. [_To SECOND SAILOR._ We’d better go, for we have lost this chance. [_They go out._