LAVARCHAM. He did not, then. It was Owen destroyed himself running mad because of Deirdre. Fools and kings and scholars are all one in a story with her like, and Owen thought he’d be a great man, being the first corpse in the game you’ll play this night in Emain. CONCHUBOR. It’s yourself should be the first corpse, but my other messengers are coming, men from the clans that hated Usna. LAVARCHAM. — _drawing back hopelessly._ — Then the gods have pity on us all! [_Men with weapons come in._ CONCHUBOR. — _to Soldiers._ — Are Ainnle and Ardan separate from Naisi? MEN. They are, Conchubor. We’ve got them off, saying they were needed to make ready Deirdre’s house. CONCHUBOR. And Naisi and Deirdre are coming? SOLDIER. Naisi’s coming, surely, and a woman with him is putting out the glory of the moon is rising and the sun is going down. CONCHUBOR. — _looking at Lavarcham._ — That’s your story that she’s seamed and ugly? SOLDIER. I have more news. (_Pointing to Lavarcham._) When that woman heard you were bringing Naisi this place, she sent a horse-boy to call Fergus from the north. CONCHUBOR. — _to Lavarcham._ — It’s for that you’ve been playing your tricks, but what you’ve won is a nearer death for Naisi. (_To Soldiers._) Go up and call my fighters, and take that woman up to Emain. LAVARCHAM. I’d liefer stay this place. I’ve done my best, but if a bad end is coming, surely it would be a good thing maybe I was here to tend her. CONCHUBOR. — _fiercely._ — Take her to Emain; it’s too many tricks she’s tried this day already. (_A Soldier goes to her._) LAVARCHAM. Don’t touch me. (_She puts her cloak round her and catches Conchubor’s arm._) I thought to stay your hand with my stories till Fergus would come to be beside them, the way I’d save yourself, Conchubor, and Naisi and Emain Macha; but I’ll walk up now into your halls, and I’ll say (_with a gesture_) it’s here nettles will be growing, and beyond thistles and docks. I’ll go into your high chambers, where you’ve been figuring yourself stretching out your neck for the kisses of a queen of women; and I’ll say it’s here there’ll be deer stirring and goats scratching, and sheep waking and coughing when there is a great wind from the north. (_Shaking herself loose. Conchubor makes a sign to Soldiers._) I’m going, surely. In a short space I’ll be sitting up with many listening to the flames crackling, and the beams breaking, and I looking on the great blaze will be the end of Emain. [_She goes out._ CONCHUBOR. — _looking out._ — I see two people in the trees; it should be Naisi and Deirdre. (_To Soldier._) Let you tell them they’ll lodge here tonight. [_Conchubor goes out right. Naisi and Deirdre come in on left, very weary._ NAISI. — _to Soldiers._ — Is it this place he’s made ready for myself and Deirdre? SOLDIER. The Red Branch House is being aired and swept and you’ll be called there when a space is by; till then you’d find fruits and drink on this table, and so the gods be with you.