AINNLE. — _in a frightened whisper._ — Naisi! [_Naisi looks up and Ainnle beckons to him. He goes over and Ainnle points to something on the golden mug he holds in his hand._ NAISI. — _looking at it in astonishment._ — This is the High King’s. . . . I see his mark on the rim. Does Conchubor come lodging here? LAVARCHAM. — _jumping up with extreme annoyance._ — Who says it’s Conchubor’s? How dare young fools the like of you — (_speaking with vehement insolence_) come prying around, running the world into troubles for some slip of a girl? What brings you this place straying from Emain? (_Very bitterly._) Though you think, maybe, young men can do their fill of foolery and there is none to blame them. NAISI. — _very soberly._ — Is the rain easing? ARDAN. The clouds are breaking. . . . I can see Orion in the gap of the glen. NAISI. — _still cheerfully._ — Open the door and we’ll go forward to the little cabin between the ash-tree and the rocks. Lift the bolt and pull it. [_Deirdre comes in on left royally dressed and very beautiful. She stands for a moment, and then as the door opens she calls softly._ DEIRDRE. Naisi! Do not leave me, Naisi. I am Deirdre of the Sorrows. NAISI. — _transfixed with amazement._ — And it is you who go around in the woods making the thrushes bear a grudge against the heavens for the sweetness of your voice singing. DEIRDRE. It is with me you’ve spoken, surely. (_To Lavarcham and Old Woman._) Take Ainnle and Ardan, these two princes, into the little hut where we eat, and serve them with what is best and sweetest. I have many things for Naisi only. LAVARCHAM. — _overawed by her tone._ — I will do it, and I ask their pardon. I have fooled them here. DEIRDRE. — _to Ainnle and Ardan._ — Do not take it badly that I am asking you to walk into our hut for a little. You will have a supper that is cooked by the cook of Conchubor, and Lavarcham will tell you stories of Maeve and Nessa and Rogh. AINNLE. We’ll ask Lavarcham to tell us stories of yourself, and with that we’ll be well pleased to be doing your wish. [_They all go out except Deirdre and Naisi._ DEIRDRE. — _sitting in the high chair in the centre._ — Come to this stool, Naisi (_pointing to the stool_). If it’s low itself the High King would sooner be on it this night than on the throne of Emain Macha. NAISI. — _sitting down._ — You are Fedlimid’s daughter that Conchubor has walled up from all the men of Ulster. DEIRDRE. Do many know what is foretold, that Deirdre will be the ruin of the Sons of Usna, and have a little grave by herself, and a story will be told for ever? NAISI. It’s a long while men have been talking of Deirdre, the child who had all gifts, and the beauty that has no equal; there are many know it, and there are kings would give a great price to be in my place this night and you grown to a queen.