NAISI. — _still more eagerly._ — Come away, Deirdre, and it’s little we’ll think of safety or the grave beyond it, and we resting in a little corner between the daytime and the long night. DEIRDRE. — _clearly and gravely._ — It’s this hour we’re between the daytime and a night where there is sleep for ever, and isn’t it a better thing to be following on to a near death, than to be bending the head down, and dragging with the feet, and seeing one day a blight showing upon love where it is sweet and tender. NAISI. — _his voice broken with distraction._ — If a near death is coming what will be my trouble losing the earth and the stars over it, and you, Deirdre, are their flame and bright crown? Come away into the safety of the woods. DEIRDRE. — _shaking her head slowly._ — There are as many ways to wither love as there are stars in a night of Samhain; but there is no way to keep life, or love with it, a short space only. . . . It’s for that there’s nothing lonesome like a love is watching out the time most lovers do be sleeping. . . . It’s for that we’re setting out for Emain Macha when the tide turns on the sand. NAISI. — _giving in._ — You’re right, maybe. It should be a poor thing to see great lovers and they sleepy and old. DEIRDRE. — _with a more tender intensity._ — We’re seven years without roughness or growing weary; seven years so sweet and shining, the gods would be hard set to give us seven days the like of them. It’s for that we’re going to Emain, where there’ll be a rest for ever, or a place for forgetting, in great crowds and they making a stir. NAISI. — _very softly._ — We’ll go, surely, in place of keeping a watch on a love had no match and it wasting away. (_They cling to each other for a moment, then Naisi looks up._) There are Fergus and Lavarcham and my two brothers. [_Deirdre goes. Naisi sits with his head bowed. Owen runs in stealthily, comes behind Naisi and seizes him round the arms. Naisi shakes him off and whips out his sword._ OWEN. — _screaming with derisive laughter and showing his empty hands._ — Ah, Naisi, wasn’t it well I didn’t kill you that time? There was a fright you got! I’ve been watching Fergus above — don’t be frightened — and I’ve come down to see him getting the cold shoulder, and going off alone. [_Fergus and others come in. They are all subdued like men at a queen’s wake._ NAISI. — _putting up his sword._ — There he is. (_Goes to Fergus._) We are going back when the tide turns, I and Deirdre with yourself. ALL. Going back! AINNLE. And you’ll end your life with Deirdre, though she has no match for keeping spirits in a little company is far away by itself? ARDAN. It’s seven years myself and Ainnle have been servants and bachelors for yourself and Deirdre. Why will you take her back to Conchubor? NAISI. I have done what Deirdre wishes and has chosen. FERGUS. You’ve made a choice wise men will be glad of in the five ends of Ireland.