And yet I cannot think they’re leading me To death; for they that promised to me love As those that can outlive the moon have known it, Had the world’s total life gathered up, it seemed, Into their shining limbs—I’ve had great teachers. Aengus and Edain ran up out of the wave— You’d never doubt that it was life they promised Had you looked on them face to face as I did, With so red lips, and running on such feet, And having such wide-open, shining eyes. AIBRIC. It’s certain they are leading you to death. None but the dead, or those that never lived, Can know that ecstasy. Forgael! Forgael! They have made you follow the man-headed birds, And you have told me that their journey lies Towards the country of the dead. FORGAEL. What matter If I am going to my death, for there, Or somewhere, I shall find the love they have promised. That much is certain. I shall find a woman, One of the ever-living, as I think— One of the laughing people—and she and I Shall light upon a place in the world’s core, Where passion grows to be a changeless thing, Like charmed apples made of chrysoprase, Or chrysoberyl, or beryl, or chrysolite; And there, in juggleries of sight and sense, Become one movement, energy, delight, Until the overburthened moon is dead. [_A number of SAILORS enter hurriedly._] FIRST SAILOR. Look there! there in the mist! a ship of spice! And we are almost on her! SECOND SAILOR. We had not known But for the ambergris and sandalwood. FIRST SAILOR. No; but opoponax and cinnamon. FORGAEL. [_Taking the tiller from AIBRIC._] The ever-living have kept my bargain for me, And paid you on the nail. AIBRIC. Take up that rope To make her fast while we are plundering her. FIRST SAILOR. There is a king and queen upon her deck, And where there is one woman there’ll be others. AIBRIC. Speak lower, or they’ll hear. FIRST SAILOR. They cannot hear; They are too busy with each other. Look! He has stooped down and kissed her on the lips. SECOND SAILOR. When she finds out we have better men aboard She may not be too sorry in the end. FIRST SAILOR. She will be like a wild cat; for these queens Care more about the kegs of silver and gold, And the high fame that come to them in marriage, Than a strong body and a ready hand. SECOND SAILOR. There’s nobody is natural but a robber, And that is why the world totters about Upon its bandy legs. AIBRIC. Run at them now, And overpower the crew while yet asleep! [_The SAILORS go out._ [_Voices and the clashing of swords are heard from the other ship, which cannot be seen because of the sail._ A VOICE. Armed men have come upon us! O, I am slain! ANOTHER VOICE. Wake all below! ANOTHER VOICE. Why have you broken our sleep?