MAURTEEN
Being happy, I would have all others happy,So I will bring her in out of the cold.
(He brings in the faery child.)
THE CHILD
I tire of winds and waters and pale lights.
MAURTEEN
And that's no wonder, for when night has fallenThe wood's a cold and a bewildering place,But you are welcome here.
THE CHILD
I am welcome here.For when I tire of this warm little houseThere is one here that must away, away.
MAURTEEN
O, listen to her dreamy and strange talk.Are you not cold?
THE CHILD
I will crouch down beside you,For I have run a long, long way this night.
BRIDGET
You have a comely shape.
MAURTEEN
Your hair is wet.
BRIDGET
I'll warm your chilly feet.
MAURTEEN
You have come indeedA long, long way – for I have never seenYour pretty face – and must be tired and hungry,Here is some bread and wine.
THE CHILD
The wine is bitter.Old mother, have you no sweet food for me?
BRIDGET
I have some honey.
(She goes into the next room.)
MAURTEEN
You have coaxing ways,The mother was quite cross before you came.
(BRIDGET returns with the honey and fills a porringer with milk.)
BRIDGET
She is the child of gentle people; lookAt her white hands and at her pretty dress.I've brought you some new milk, but wait a whileAnd I will put it to the fire to warm,For things well fitted for poor folk like usWould never please a high-born child like you.
THE CHILD
From dawn, when you must blow the fire ablaze,You work your fingers to the bone, old mother.The young may lie in bed and dream and hope,But you must work your fingers to the boneBecause your heart is old.
BRIDGET
The young are idle.
THE CHILD
Your memories have made you wise, old father;The young must sigh through many a dream and hope,But you are wise because your heart is old.
(BRIDGET gives her more bread and honey.)
MAURTEEN
O, who would think to find so young a girlLoving old age and wisdom?
THE CHILD
No more, mother.
MAURTEEN
What a small bite! The milk is ready now. (Hands it to her.) What a small sip!
THE CHILD
Put on my shoes, old mother.Now I would like to dance now I have eaten,The reeds are dancing by Coolaney lake,And I would like to dance until the reedsAnd the white waves have danced themselves asleep.
(BRIDGET puts on the shoes, and the CHILD is about to dance, but suddenly sees the crucifix and shrieks and covers her eyes.)
What is that ugly thing on the black cross?
FATHER HART
You cannot know how naughty your words are!That is our Blessed Lord.
THE CHILD
Hide it away!
BRIDGET
I have begun to be afraid again.
THE CHILD
Hide it away!
MAURTEEN
That would be wickedness!
BRIDGET
That would be sacrilege!
THE CHILD
The tortured thing!Hide it away!
MAURTEEN
Her parents are to blame.
FATHER HART
That is the image of the Son of God.
THE CHILD (caressing him)
Hide it away, hide it away!
MAURTEEN
No, no.
FATHER HART
Because you are so young and like a bird,That must take fright at every stir of the leaves,I will go take it down.
THE CHILD
Hide it away!And cover it out of sight and out of mind!
(FATHER HART takes crucifix from wall and carries it towards inner room.)
FATHER HART
Since you have come into this barony,I will instruct you in our blessed faith;And being so keen witted you'll soon learn.
(To the others.)
We must be tender to all budding things,Our Maker let no thought of CalvaryTrouble the morning stars in their first song.
(Puts crucifix in inner room.)
THE CHILD
Here is level ground for dancing; I will dance.
(Sings.)
"The wind blows out of the gates of the day,The wind blows over the lonely of heart,And the lonely of heart is withered away."
(She dances.)
MARY (to SHAWN)
Just now when she came near I thought I heardOther small steps beating upon the floor,And a faint music blowing in the wind,Invisible pipes giving her feet the tune.
SHAWN
I heard no steps but hers.
MARY
I hear them now,The unholy powers are dancing in the house.
MAURTEEN
Come over here, and if you promise meNot to talk wickedly of holy thingsI will give you something.
THE CHILD
Bring it me, old father.
MAURTEEN
Here are some ribbons that I bought in the townFor my son's wife – but she will let me give themTo tie up that wild hair the winds have tumbled.
THE CHILD
Come, tell me, do you love me?
MAURTEEN
Yes, I love you.
THE CHILD
Ah, but you love this fireside. Do you love me?
FATHER HART
When the Almighty puts so great a shareOf His own ageless youth into a creature,To look is but to love.
THE CHILD
But you love Him?
BRIDGET
She is blaspheming.
THE CHILD
And do you love me too?
MARY
I do not know.
THE CHILD
You love that young man there,Yet I could make you ride upon the winds,Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,And dance upon the mountains like a flame.