SHAWN. _coming forward a little._—Will I strike him with my hand? MICHAEL. Take the loy is on your western side. SHAWN. I’d be afeard of the gallows if I struck him with that. CHRISTY. _taking up the loy._—Then I’ll make you face the gallows or quit off from this. [_Shawn flies out of the door._] CHRISTY. Well, fine weather be after him, (_going to Michael, coaxingly_) and I’m thinking you wouldn’t wish to have that quaking blackguard in your house at all. Let you give us your blessing and hear her swear her faith to me, for I’m mounted on the spring-tide of the stars of luck, the way it’ll be good for any to have me in the house. PEGEEN. _at the other side of Michael._—Bless us now, for I swear to God I’ll wed him, and I’ll not renege. MICHAEL. _standing up in the centre, holding on to both of them._—It’s the will of God, I’m thinking, that all should win an easy or a cruel end, and it’s the will of God that all should rear up lengthy families for the nurture of the earth. What’s a single man, I ask you, eating a bit in one house and drinking a sup in another, and he with no place of his own, like an old braying jackass strayed upon the rocks? (_To Christy._) It’s many would be in dread to bring your like into their house for to end them, maybe, with a sudden end; but I’m a decent man of Ireland, and I liefer face the grave untimely and I seeing a score of grandsons growing up little gallant swearers by the name of God, than go peopling my bedside with puny weeds the like of what you’d breed, I’m thinking, out of Shaneen Keogh. (_He joins their hands._) A daring fellow is the jewel of the world, and a man did split his father’s middle with a single clout, should have the bravery of ten, so may God and Mary and St. Patrick bless you, and increase you from this mortal day. CHRISTY _and_ PEGEEN. Amen, O Lord! [_Hubbub outside. Old Mahon rushes in, followed by all the crowd, and Widow Quin. He makes a rush at Christy, knocks him down, and begins to beat him._] PEGEEN. _dragging back his arm._—Stop that, will you. Who are you at all? MAHON. His father, God forgive me! PEGEEN. _drawing back._—Is it rose from the dead? MAHON. Do you think I look so easy quenched with the tap of a loy? [_Beats Christy again._] PEGEEN. _glaring at Christy._—And it’s lies you told, letting on you had him slitted, and you nothing at all. CHRISTY. _clutching Mahon’s stick._—He’s not my father. He’s a raving maniac would scare the world. (_Pointing to Widow Quin._) Herself knows it is true. CROWD. You’re fooling Pegeen! The Widow Quin seen him this day, and you likely knew! You’re a liar! CHRISTY. _dumbfounded._—It’s himself was a liar, lying stretched out with an open head on him, letting on he was dead. MAHON. Weren’t you off racing the hills before I got my breath with the start I had seeing you turn on me at all?