I was at the Smith's
When he that was the boy Setanta then--

(Sound of fighting outside.)

THIRD KING.

He will have killed him. They have begun the fight!

(They all go out, leaving the house silent and empty. There is a
pause during which one hears the clashing of the swords. Barach and
Fintain come in from side door. Barach is dragging Fintain.)

BARACH.

You have eaten it, you have eaten it, you have left me nothing but the
bones.

FINTAIN.

O, that I should have to endure such a plague. O, I ache all over. O,
I am pulled in pieces. This is the way you pay me all the good I have
done you!

BARACH.

You have eaten it, you have told me lies about a wild dog. Nobody has
seen a wild dog about the place this twelve month. Lie there till the
Kings come. O, I will tell Concobar and Cuchullain and all the Kings
about you!

FINTAIN.

What would have happened to you but for me, and you without your wits.
If I did not take care of you what would you do for food and warmth!

BARACH.

You take care of me? You stay safe and send me into every kind of
danger. You sent me down the cliff for gull's eggs while you warmed
your blind eyes in the sun. And then you ate all that were good for
food. You left me the eggs that were neither egg nor bird. (The blind
man tries to rise. Barach makes him lie down again.)

Keep quiet now till I shut the door. There is some noise outside.
There are swords crossing; a high vexing noise so that I can't be
listening to myself. (He goes to the big door at the back and shuts
it.) Why can't they be quiet, why can't they be quiet. Ah, you would
get away, would you? (He follows the blind man who has been crawling
along the wall and makes him lie down close to the King's chair.) Lie
there, lie there. No, you won't get away. Lie there till the Kings
come, I'll tell them all about you. I shall tell it all. How you sit
warming yourself, when you have made me light a fire of sticks, while
I sit blowing it with my mouth. Do you not always make me take the
windy side of the bush when it blows and the rainy side when it rains?

FINTAIN.

O good fool, listen to me. Think of the care I have taken of you. I
have brought you to many a warm hearth, where there was a good welcome
for you, but you would not stay there, you were always wandering
about.

BARACH.

The last time you brought me in, it was not I who wan