University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A Private Apartment in the Palace of the King of Duntrone.
Enter Eogan Mor to the King.
EOGAN MOR.
Great King! I have good news for you!

KING.
What news?

EOGAN MOR.
Never, till this bright day, have I beheld
A wife worthy of you.

KING.
What one is she?

EOGAN MOR.
The one I saw wrapped in Naisa's bed
This morning—the only one on earth
Meet for the Sovereign of these Western Isles.
Let him be killed that you may have her now.

KING.
No, let him not be killed: for that might prove
Disastrous to our cause; but go to her;
Solicit her fair hand—see her alone—
Promise her everything; if she refuse,
Then we will see what we can do.

EOGAN MOR.
I will;
It shall be done as you desire.

KING.
But stay;
Before you go, order the Soldiers out,
That we may draw Naisa into battle;
And, thereby, have full time to talk with her.

EOGAN MOR.
I will. It shall be done at once. I go.

[Exit.
KING.
What lovely thing is this he tells me of?
Of all the men I ever knew, he is
Most faithful to his trust. I will resort
To her during his absence in the war,
And there confer with her in his own Tent.
If she be beautiful as he describes,
I will not rest until I make her mine.

[Exit.