The Playboy of the Western World: A Comedy in Three ActsSynge, J. M. (John Millington)
Philosophy
The Playboy of the Western World: A Comedy in Three Acts
Synge, J. M. (John Millington)
Ireland -- Drama
SHAWN.
_with plaintive despair._—I’m afeard of Father Reilly, I’m saying. Let
you not be tempting me, and we near married itself.
PHILLY.
_with cold contempt._—Lock him in the west room. He’ll stay then and
have no sin to be telling to the priest.
MICHAEL.
_to Shawn, getting between him and the door._—Go up now.
SHAWN.
_at the top of his voice._—Don’t stop me, Michael James. Let me out of
the door, I’m saying, for the love of the Almighty God. Let me out
(_trying to dodge past him_). Let me out of it, and may God grant you
His indulgence in the hour of need.
MICHAEL.
_loudly._—Stop your noising, and sit down by the hearth. [_Gives him a
push and goes to counter laughing._]
SHAWN.
_turning back, wringing his hands._—Oh, Father Reilly and the saints of
God, where will I hide myself to-day? Oh, St. Joseph and St. Patrick
and St. Brigid, and St. James, have mercy on me now! [_Shawn turns
round, sees door clear, and makes a rush for it._]
MICHAEL.
_catching him by the coattail._—You’d be going, is it?
SHAWN.
_screaming._—Leave me go, Michael James, leave me go, you old Pagan,
leave me go, or I’ll get the curse of the priests on you, and of the
scarlet-coated bishops of the courts of Rome. [_With a sudden movement
he pulls himself out of his coat, and disappears out of the door,
leaving his coat in Michael’s hands._]
MICHAEL.
_turning round, and holding up coat._—Well, there’s the coat of a
Christian man. Oh, there’s sainted glory this day in the lonesome west;
and by the will of God I’ve got you a decent man, Pegeen, you’ll have
no call to be spying after if you’ve a score of young girls, maybe,
weeding in your fields.
PEGEEN.
_taking up the defence of her property._—What right have you to be
making game of a poor fellow for minding the priest, when it’s your own
the fault is, not paying a penny pot-boy to stand along with me and
give me courage in the doing of my work? [_She snaps the coat away from
him, and goes behind counter with it._]
MICHAEL.
_taken aback._—Where would I get a pot-boy? Would you have me send the
bell-man screaming in the streets of Castlebar?
SHAWN.
_opening the door a chink and putting in his head, in a small
voice._—Michael James!
MICHAEL.
_imitating him._—What ails you?
SHAWN.
The queer dying fellow’s beyond looking over the ditch. He’s come up,
I’m thinking, stealing your hens. (_Looks over his shoulder._) God help
me, he’s following me now (_he runs into room_), and if he’s heard what
I said, he’ll be having my life, and I going home lonesome in the
darkness of the night. (_For a perceptible moment they watch the door
with curiosity. Some one coughs outside. Then Christy Mahon, a slight
young man, comes in very tired and frightened and dirty._)
CHRISTY.
_in a small voice._—God save all here!
MEN.
God save you kindly.
CHRISTY.
_going to the counter._—I’d trouble you for a glass of porter, woman of
the house. [_He puts down coin._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account