University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Naisa's Tent. Enter Naisa and Ainli.
NAISA.
But look! the Messenger returns!
Enter Eogan Mor (as Messenger).
What now?

EOGAN MOR.
I have returned to say the King demands
The immediate surrender of your wife.

NAISA.
What! now?

EOGAN MOR.
Even now—brooks no delay—but bade
Me bring her instantly!

NAISA.
Take her from me
Against my will?

EOGAN MOR.
If with your will you will
Not give her up.

NAISA.
By Heaven! lay but the weight
Of your small finger on her—touch her even—
And I will cut you all to pieces! Go!—
Go—to your King—tell him to come himself,
And take her off! If he will not, then send
His army here! we long for that bright day
When we will seat ourselves on Scotland's throne!
A Son of Usna sends this word to him—
Son of a King! Daidra's loyal lord—
And Ulster's King! Away to him! tell him
That forty thousand thrones were far too poor
To purchase one small lock of hair from out
The luscious vineyard of her clustering curls!
Away to him!

EOGAN MOR.
This will be news to him—
Such as was never sent to him before.
Before to-morrow's sun shall rise in Heaven,
His army will be here to force her from
Your arms.

NAISA.
Tell him to come; but not to fail
To bring his daughter in exchange. We are
Most anxious to behold her heavenly face.
Tell him to come along with her.

MESSENGER.
Farewell.
I go to do your bidding—but beware
Of Scotland's King!

[Exit.
NAISA.
I will beware of him—
Ensnare him too. The Net is laid for him—
The old Lion—no mortal rat shall gnaw.

Enter Ardan.
ARDAN.
What think you of this Scottish King, good lads?

AINLI.
I think that Want will be his master—he
The utmost vassal of that want.

NAISA.
By Heaven!
He will, dear brother! Thus do some vile Kings
Serve their desires as they make others serve.

ARDAN.
As the parched traveller, in his hour of thirst,
Pants for the cooling streams, so does my soul
For that dear daughter's love.

NAISA.
What daughter's love?

ARDAN.
The King's—the daughter of Duntrone.

NAISA.
By Heaven!
Well, this beats all! Where saw you her?

ARDAN.
At home—
In the King's Garden.

NAISA.
What! not in a dream?

ARDAN.
A Dream, indeed—she seemed more beautiful
To me, than Day does unto Night appear,
After long darkness, when there is no Moon—
As if the Sun should rise up at midnight!

NAISA.
A Vision of Delight!

ARDAN.
Seen through the Ivory Gate
Of Dreams.

NAISA.
Well, this is wonderful indeed!
In the broad daylight of the opening Heavens!
But did she see you with the same couched eyes,
Through the same gate?

ARDAN.
I hope she did—for through
Each other's eyes we seemed to feel, as two
Rapt spirits enter Heaven, our souls' embrace—
Each one taking the other's place in joy—
Interpreting the Pythagorean dream
Of transmigration in our lives of love.

NAISA.
Then we will bargain for this old man's child—
Exchanging you for her, instead of my
Daidra here.

ARDAN.
God grant you may!

NAISA.
In this
Way we will liquidate his great demand.

ARDAN.
But should we fail, what then?

NAISA.
We will not fail.
If, with the riches of her love for you,
You fail to purchase pardon of the King,
Then we will settle in the Isle of Skye.
Come—let us now to arms—that, when he comes,
We may be ready to abide the worst;
Or, with his daughter, fly to that bright Isle
Where we will reign Kings over Scotland's King.

[Exeunt omnes.