rough the command of the king, and fly with her to Alba to avoid
warfare with the Red Branch.

ARDAN--Our love to thee, beautiful sister.

AINLE--Dear maiden, thou art already in my heart with Naisi.

LAVARCAM--You cannot linger here. With Concobar the deed follows swiftly
the counsel; tonight his spearmen will be on your track.

NAISI--Listen, Ainle and Ardan. Go you to Emain Macha. It may be the Red
Branch will make peace between the king and myself. You are guiltless in
this flight.

AINLE--Having seen Deirdre, my heart is with you, brother, and I also am
guilty.

ARDAN--I think, being here, we, too, have broken the command of the
king. We will go with thee to Alba, dear brother and sister.

LAVARCAM--Oh, tarry not, tarry not! Make haste while there is yet time.
The thoughts of the king are circling around Deirdre as wolves around
the fold. Try not the passes of the valley, but over the hills. The
passes are all filled with the spearmen of the king.

NAISI--We will carry thee over the mountains, Deirdre, and tomorrow will
see us nigh to the isles of Alba.

DEIRDRE--Farewell, dear fostermother. I have passed the faery sea since
dawn, and have found the Island of Joy. Oh, see! what bright birds are
around us, with dazzling wings! Can you not hear their singing? Oh,
bright birds, make music for ever around my love and me!

LAVARCAM--They are the birds of Angus. Their singing brings love--and
death.

DEIRDRE--Nay, death has come before love, dear fostermother, and all I
was has vanished like a dewdrop in the sun. Oh, beloved, let us go. We
are leaving death behind us in the valley.

[DEIRDRE and the brothers go through the wood. LAVARCAM watches, and
when they are out of sight sits by the door of the dun with her head
bowed to her knees. After a little CONCOBAR enters.]

CONCOBAR--Where is Deirdre?

LAVARCAM--(not lifting her head). Deirdre has left death behind her, and
has entered into the Kingdom of her Youth.

CONCOBAR--Do not speak to me in portents. Lift up your head, Druidess.
Where is Deirdre?

LAVARCAM--(looking up). Deirdre is gone!

CONCOBAR--By the high gods, tell me whither, and who has dared to take
her hence?

LAVARCAM--She has fled with Naisi, son of Usna, and is beyond your
vengeance, king.

CONCOBAR--Woman, I swear by Balor, Tethra, and all the brood of demons,
I will have such a vengeance a thousand years hereafter shall be
frightened at the tale. If the Red Branch is to fall,