I never spoke to him of his wounded hand, And now he is gone. (She looks out.) I cannot see him, for all is dark outside. Would my imagination and my heart Were as little shaken as this holy flame! (She goes slowly into the chapel. The two MERCHANTS enter.) FIRST MERCHANT. Although I bid you rob her treasury, I find you sitting drowsed and motionless, And yet you understand that while it's full She'll bid against us and so bribe the poor That our great Master'll lack his merchandise. You know that she has brought into this house The old and ailing that are pinched the most At such a time and so should be bought cheap. You've seen us sitting in the house in the wood, While the snails crawled about the window-pane And the mud floor, and not a soul to buy; Not even the wandering fool's nor one of those That when the world goes wrong must rave and talk, Until they are as thin as a cat's ear. But all that's nothing; you sit drowsing there With your back hooked, your chin upon your knees. SECOND MERCHANT. How could I help it? For she prayed so hard I could not cross the threshold till her lover Had turned her thoughts to dream. FIRST MERCHANT, Well, well, to labour. There is the treasury door and time runs on. (SECOND MERCHANT goes Out. FIRST MERCHANT sits cross-legged against a pillar, yawns and stretches.) FIRST MERCHANT. And so I must endure the weight of the world, Far from my Master and the revelry, That's lasted since--shaped as a worm--he bore The knowledgable pippin in his mouth To the first woman. (SECOND MERCHANT returns with bags.) Where are those dancers gone? They knew they were to carry it on their backs. SECOND MERCHANT. I heard them breathing but a moment since, But now they are gone, being unsteadfast things. FIRST MERCHANT. They knew their work. It seems that they imagine We'd do such wrong to our great Master's name As to bear burdens on our backs as men do. I'll call them, and who'll dare to disobey? Come, all you elemental populace From Cruachan and Finbar's ancient house. Come, break up the long dance under the hill, Or if you lie in the hollows of the sea, Leave lonely the long hoarding surges, leave The cymbals of the waves to clash alone, And shaking the sea-tangles from your hair Gather about us. (The SPIRITS gather under the arches.) SECOND MERCHANT. They come. Be still a while. (SPIRITS dance and sing.) FIRST SPIRIT. (singing) Our hearts are sore, but we come Because we have heard you call. SECOND SPIRIT. Sorrow has made me dumb. FIRST SPIRIT. Her shepherds at nightfall Lay many a plate and cup Down by the trodden brink, That when the dance break up We may have meat and drink. Therefore our hearts are sore; And though we have heard and come Our crying filled the shore. SECOND SPIRIT. Sorrow has made me dumb. FIRST MERCHANT. What lies in the waves should be indifferent To good and evil, and yet it seems that these, Forgetful of their pure, impartial sea, Take sides with her.