The Well of the Saints: A Comedy in Three Acts — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Well of the Saints: A Comedy in Three Acts
John Stuart Mill · en
TIMMY.
_anxiously._ — God help him... What will he be doing when he sees his
wife this day? I’m thinking it was bad work we did when we let on she
was fine-looking, and not a wrinkled, wizened hag the way she is.
MAT SIMON.
Why would he be vexed, and we after giving him great joy and pride, the
time he was dark?
MOLLY BYRNE.
_sitting down in Mary Doul’s seat and tidying her hair._ — If it’s
vexed he is itself, he’ll have other things now to think on as well as
his wife; and what does any man care for a wife, when it’s two weeks or
three, he is looking on her face?
MAT SIMON.
That’s the truth now, Molly, and it’s more joy dark Martin got from the
lies we told of that hag is kneeling by the path than your own man will
get from you, day or night, and he living at your side.
MOLLY BYRNE.
_defiantly._ — Let you not be talking, Mat Simon, for it’s not yourself
will be my man, though you’d be crowing and singing fine songs if you’d
that hope in you at all.
TIMMY.
_shocked, to Molly Byrne._ — Let you not be raising your voice when the
Saint’s above at his prayers.
BRIDE.
_crying out._ — Whisht.... Whisht.... I’m thinking he’s cured.
MARTIN DOUL.
_crying out in the church._ — Oh, glory be to God....
SAINT.
_solemnly._ Laus Patri sit et Filio cum Spiritu Paraclito Qui Suae dono
gratiae misertus est Hiberniae....
MARTIN DOUL.
_ecstatically._ — Oh, glory be to God, I see now surely.... I see the
walls of the church, and the green bits of ferns in them, and yourself,
holy father, and the great width of the sky.
[_He runs out half-foolish with joy, and comes past Mary Doul as she
scrambles to her feet, drawing a little away from her as he goes by._]
TIMMY.
_to the others._ — He doesn’t know her at all.
[_The Saint comes out behind Martin Doul, and leads Mary Doul into the
church. Martin Doul comes on to the People. The men are between him and
the Girls; he verifies his position with his stick._]
MARTIN DOUL.
_crying out joyfully._ — That’s Timmy, I know Timmy by the black of his
head.... That’s Mat Simon, I know Mat by the length of his legs....
That should be Patch Ruadh, with the gamey eyes in him, and the fiery
hair. (_He sees Molly Byrne on Mary Doul’s seat, and his voice changes
completely._) Oh, it was no lie they told me, Mary Doul. Oh, glory to
God and the seven saints I didn’t die and not see you at all. The
blessing of God on the water, and the feet carried it round through the
land. The blessing of God on this day, and them that brought me the
Saint, for it’s grand hair you have (_she lowers her head a little
confused_), and soft skin, and eyes would make the saints, if they were
dark awhile and seeing again, fall down out of the sky. (_He goes
nearer to her._) Hold up your head, Mary, the way I’ll see it’s richer
I am than the great kings of the east. Hold up your head, I’m saying,
for it’s soon you’ll be seeing me, and I not a bad one at all.
[_He touches her and she starts up._]