the house.

FOURTH KING.

Rush out! Rush out! Before they have fired the thatch.

YOUNG MAN.

Aoife is far away. I am alone.
I have come alone in the midst of you
To weigh this sword against Cuchullain's sword.

(There is a murmur amongst the Kings.)

CONCOBAR.

And are you noble? for if of common seed
You cannot weigh your sword against his sword
But in mixed battle.

YOUNG MAN.

I am under bonds
To tell my name to no man, but it's noble.

CONCOBAR.

But I would know your name and not your bonds.
You cannot speak in the Assembly House
If you are not noble.

A KING.

Answer the High King.

YOUNG MAN.

(Drawing his sword.)

I will give no other proof than the hawk gives
That it's no sparrow.

(He is silent a moment then speaks to all.)

Yet look upon me, Kings;
I too am of that ancient seed and carry
The signs about this body and in these bones.

CUCHULLAIN.

To have shown the hawk's grey feather is enough
And you speak highly too.

(Cuchullain comes down from his great chair. He remains standing on
the steps of the chair. The young Kings gather about him and begin to
arm him.)

Give me that helmet!
I'd thought they had grown weary sending champions.
That coat will do. I'd half forgotten, boy,
How all those great kings came into the mouse-trap
That had been baited with Maeve's pretty daughter.
How Findabair, that blue-eyed Findabair--
But the tale is worthy of a winter's night.
That buckle should be tighter. Give me your shield.
There is good level ground at Baile's Yew-tree
Some dozen yards from here, and it's but truth
That I am sad to-day and this fight welcome.

(He looks hard at the Young Man, and then steps down on to the floor
of the Assembly House. He grasps the Young Man by the shoulder.)

Hither into the light.

(Turning to one of the young Kings)

That's the very tint
Of her that I was speaking of but now:
Not a pin's difference.

(To the Young Man)

You are from the North
Where there are many that have that tint of hair
Red brown, the light red brown. Come nearer, boy!
For I would have another look at you.
There's more likeness, a pale, a stone pale cheek.
What brought you, boy? Have you no fear of death?

YOUNG