University of Virginia Library

SCENE X.

Another part of the field. Enter Fiacara to Illan the Fair.
FIACARA.
Friend Illan! know you not that we were born
On the same day?

ILLAN.
I've heard my father say so.

FIACARA.
Then we are of one age—though not of power.

ILLAN.
Thou mayst well say that, else we were now but one;
And should not fight because of being two.

FIACARA.
Thou hast thy father's sword—I mine. Now, then,
The World shall know who is the better man.

ILLAN.
That can be known only to God in Heaven—
Therefore, unknown to any in this world.

FIACARA.
Make no equivocation—for the time
Has come when we shall see who first leaves time.

ILLAN.
That sight is for the living—not the dead.
The one who stays must see the one go out.

FIACARA.
The time has come when I shall see that sight.

ILLAN.
Not if my eyesight does not fail me soon.

FIACARA.
The Night is coming, when no man shall see.

ILLAN.
Some see better by night than by the day—
There being those who cannot see at all.

FIACARA.
The Shades of Death are passing on thee now!

ILLAN.
To the true soul there are no Shades of Death;
But what you call Death-Shades, is light from Heaven—
The light of God's eternal smiles.

FIACARA.
Your voice
Sounds like the voice of one from Heaven, heard in
The joy of Dreams. But still we have to fight;
For I have pledged my soul never to leave
This field till one of us is slain.

ILLAN.
Well, thou wilt keep thy promise, if we fight.

FIACARA.
There is no if we fight—for we must fight.

ILLAN.
Then, if we must, we must. But have you sworn
To marry Death to-day, that you thus rush
Into her arms?

FIACARA.
To marry Death or Life—
One or the other. So, Chop-logic, you
Must chop me up, or I will chop you down.

ILLAN.
I never hack; I always cut.

FIACARA.
Come on!

ILLAN.
I come—as Death said unto Life—I come!
And, as I come, so fades before my sword
The life of Fiacara!

[They fight. Fiacara falls.
FIACARA.
Gods! he has
Me down!

ILLAN.
Never to rise again!

FIACARA.
Oh! God!
Have mercy on me! help me! help! help! help!
Oh! father! father! here on earth—in Heaven!
Have mercy on your son!

ILLAN.
Now I will let
Thee up, to show thee I can put thee down
Again!

FIACARA
(rising).
But not until you kill me first!

[Exeunt fighting.
Enter Conal Carnach. Alarums without.
CONAL CARNACH.
What sound was that? That was the fatal Shield
Of Ocean—Conor's iron Shield! But hark!
I hear the three great Waves of Erin roar—
The Wave of Clinda with the Wave of Thoth,
And the still darker Wave of Rory roar,
Responsive to the roar of Conor's Shield!
For it is fatal for his shield to roar!
Then was it meet that I should tarry there—
At Dunsobarke—he in danger here?
No, I will go to him! Come forth, my Sword!
[Alarums.
I hear again the repercussive clang
Of the great Gong of Ocean—Conor's Shield—
With voice altitonant loud as the Gods—
Like the unfolding of Heaven's iron Scroll—
Revealing the great Judgment Day of God!
Whose Carybantine waves, far seething wake
Multitudinous echoes in the far
Off fields of space—as if some mighty Star,
Bursting in seething thunders from its sphere,
Had, with its ponderous hammer, tolled upon
The azure Bell of Heaven the death of Time!
[Alarums.
Gods! how it roars! He calls for me! I come!
Now, then, Illan the Fair! prepare to die!
For Conal Carnach comes! I come! I come!

[Exit.