oo
truly hast thou spoken! I know myself not. My spirit has gone from me to
this other heart for ever.

NAISI--Dost thou forego thy shining world for me?

LAVARCAM--(coming out of the dun). Naisi, this is the Deirdre of the
prophecies.

NAISI--Deirdre! Deirdre! I remember in some old tale of my childhood
that name. (Fiercely.) It was a lying prophecy. What has this girl to do
with the downfall of Ulla?

LAVARCAM--Thou art the light of the Ultonian's, Naisi, but thou art
not the star of knowledge. The Druids spake truly. Through her, but not
through her sin, will come the destruction of the Red Branch.

NAISI--I have counted death as nothing battling for the Red Branch; and
I would not, even for Deirdre, war upon my comrades. But Deirdre I will
not leave nor forget for a thousand prophecies made by the Druids
in their dotage. If the Red Branch must fall, it will fall through
treachery; but Deirdre I will love, and in my love is no dishonor, nor
any broken pledge.

LAVARCAM--Remember, Naisi, the law of the king. It is death to thee to
be here. Concobar is even now in the woods, and will come hither again.

DEIRDRE--Is it death to thee to love me, Naisi? Oh, fly quickly, and
forget me. But first, before thou goest, bend down thy head--low--rest
it on my bosom. Listen to the beating of my heart. That passionate
tumult is for thee! There, I have kissed thee. I have sweet memories for
ever-lasting. Go now, my beloved, quickly. I fear--I fear for thee this
stony king.

NAISI--I do not fear the king, nor will I fly hence. It is due to the
chief of the Red Branch that I should stay and face him, having set my
mill against his.

LAVARCAM--You cannot remain now.

NAISI--It is due to the king.

LAVARCAM--You must go; both must go. Do not cloud your heart with dreams
of a false honor. It is not your death only, but Deirdre's which will
follow. Do you think the Red Branch would spare her, after your death,
to extinguish another light of valor, and another who may wander here?

NAISI--I will go with Deirdre to Alba.

DEIRDRE--Through life or to death I will go with thee, Naisi.

[Voices of AINLE and ARDAN are heard in the wood.]

ARDAN--I think Naisi went this way.

AINLE--He has been wrapt in a dream since the dawn. See! This is his
footstep in the clay!

ARDAN--I heard voices.

AINLE--(entering with ARDAN) Here is our dream-led brother.

NAISI--Ainle and Ardan, this is Deirdre, your sister. I have broken
th