Poems

TEIG

You speak to them.

SHEMUS

No, you.

TEIG

'Twas you that called them.

SHEMUS (coming nearer)

I'd make so bold, if you would pardon it, 

To ask if there's a thing you'd have of us. 

Although we are but poor people, if there is, 

Why, if there is——

FIRST MERCHANT

We've travelled a long road, 

For we are merchants that must tramp the world, 

And now we look for supper and a fire 

And a safe corner to count money in.

SHEMUS

I thought you were ... but that's no matter now— 

There had been words between my wife and me 

Because I said I would be master here, 

And ask in what I pleased or who I pleased 

And so.... but that is nothing to the point, 

Because it's certain that you are but merchants.

FIRST MERCHANT

We travel for the Master of all merchants.

SHEMUS

Yet if you were that I had thought but now 

I'd welcome you no less. Be what you please 

And you'll have supper at the market rate, 

That means that what was sold for but a penny 

Is now worth fifty.

(MERCHANTS begin putting money on carpet.)

FIRST MERCHANT

Our Master bids us pay 

So good a price, that all who deal with us 

Shall eat, drink, and be merry.

SHEMUS (to MARY)

Bestir yourself, 

Go kill and draw the fowl, while Teig and I 

Lay out the plates and make a better fire.

MARY

I will not cook for you.

SHEMUS

Not cook! not cook! 

Do not be angry. She wants to pay me back 

Because I struck her in that argument. 

But she'll get sense again. Since the dearth came 

We rattle one on another as though we were 

Knives thrown into a basket to be cleaned.

MARY

I will not cook for you, because I know 

In what unlucky shape you sat but now 

Outside this door.

TEIG

It's this, your honours: 

Because of some wild words my father said 

She thinks you are not of those who cast a shadow.

SHEMUS

I said I'd make the devils of the wood 

Welcome, if they'd a mind to eat and drink; 

But it is certain that you are men like us.

FIRST MERCHANT

It's strange that she should think we cast no shadow, 

For there is nothing on the ridge of the world 

That's more substantial than the merchants are 

That buy and sell you.

MARY

If you are not demons, 

And seeing what great wealth is spread out there, 

Give food or money to the starving poor.

FIRST MERCHANT

If we knew how to find deserving poor 

We'd do our share.

MARY

But seek them patiently.

FIRST MERCHANT

We know the evils of mere charity.

MARY

Those scruples may befit a common time. 

I had thought there was a pushing to and fro, 

At times like this, that overset the scale 

And trampled measure down.

FIRST MERCHANT

But if already 

We'd thought of a more prudent way than that?

SECOND MERCHANT

If each one brings a bit of merchandise, 

We'll give him such a price he never dreamt of.

MARY

Where shall the starving come at merchandise?

FIRST MERCHANT

We will ask nothing but what all men have.

MARY

Their swine and cattle, fields and implements 

Are sold and gone.

FIRST MERCHANT

They have not sold all yet. 

For there's a vaporous thing—that may be nothing, 

But that's the buyer's risk—a second self, 

They call immortal for a story's sake.

SHEMUS

They come to buy our souls?

TEIG

I'll barter mine. 

Why should we starve for what may be but nothing?

MARY

Teig and Shemus——

SHEMUS

What can it be but nothing? 

What has God poured out of His bag but famine? 

Satan gives money.

TEIG

Yet no thunder stirs.

FIRST MERCHANT

There is a heap for each.

(SHEMUS goes to take money.)

But no, not yet, 

For there's a work I have to set you to.

SHEMUS

So then you're as deceitful as the rest, 

And all that talk of buying what's but a vapour 

Is fancy bread. I might have known as much, 

Because that's how the trick-o'-the-loop man talks.

FIRST MERCHANT

That's for the work, each has its separate price; 

But neither price is paid till the work's done.

TEIG

The same for me.

MARY

Oh, God, why are you still?

FIRST MERCHANT

You've but to cry aloud at every cross-road, 

At every house door, that we buy men's souls. 

And give so good a price that all may live 

In mirth and comfort till the famine's done, 

Because we are Christian men.

SHEMUS

Come, let's away.

TEIG

I shall keep running till I've earned the price.

SECOND MERCHANT

(who has risen and gone towards fire)

Stop; you must have proof behind the words. 

So here's your entertainment on the road.

(He throws a bag of money on the ground.)

Live as you please; our Master's generous.

(TEIG and SHEMUS have stopped. TEIG takes the money. They go out.)

MARY

Destroyers of souls, God will destroy you quickly. 

You shall at last dry like dry leaves and hang 

Nailed like dead vermin to the doors of God.

SECOND MERCHANT

Curse to your fill, for saints will have their dreams.

FIRST MERCHANT

Though we're but vermin that our Master sent 

To overrun the world, he at the end 

Shall pull apart the pale ribs of the moon 

And quench the stars in the ancestral night.

MARY

God is all powerful.

SECOND MERCHANT

Pray, you shall need Him. 

You shall eat dock and grass, and dandelion, 

Till that low threshold there becomes a wall, 

And when your hands can scarcely drag your body 

We shall be near you.

(MARY faints.)

(The FIRST MERCHANT takes up the carpet, spreads it before the fire and stands in front of it warming his hands.)