THE FAIRY BRIDE NORREYS JEPHSON O'CONOR Class P S -3 5' cLR Book . C fo ( 7 F "3 Copyright]^" 'l/fc COPYRIGHT DEPOSm THE FAIRY BRIDE BY THE SAME AUTHOR BESIDE THE BLACKWATER Boards, $1.00 net CELTIC MEMORIES AND OTHER POEMS Boards, $1.00 net JOHN LANE COMPANY PUBLISHERS NEW YORK THE FAIRY BRIDE A Play in Three Acts BY NORREYS JEPHSON O'CONOR With Music Composed and Arranged By ELLIOTT SCHENCK NEW YORK JOHN LANE COMPANY MCMXVI Copyright, 1916, By JOHN LANE COMPANY , All rights reserved, including rights of production and adaptation. The dramatic rights are controlled by Mr. Norreys J. 0' Conor. Application for the right of production, whether amateur or professional, should he made to the John Lane Company, 116 West 32d_Street, New York City. Press of J. J. Little & Ives Company New York APR i3[9i6 3)Cl.A427668 7-H> / TO THE OTHER PILGRIM The cares of the world to the world belong; But Love is ours alway; While the stars go out. And the moon sinks down. And day comes after day. And by our love shall we be made immortal. PREFACE The theme of the following play is that of the poem of the same name published in my last volume, "Beside the Blackwater." The idea of a blemished king who cannot reign, and the visit of a mortal to the Fairy other-world, are both common in early Irish literature; and it is a portion of the beauty and charm of this litera- ture that I have endeavored to enshrine. My attempt has been to write an acting play, not merely closet drama; therefore, while preserv- ing certain characteristics of the early Irish style in writing, I have sought to use language that will be intelligible to a modern audience and modern readers, particularly children who are already reading in school the plays of Shakspere. The plot of "The Fairy Bride" is not intricate, and the stage settings should be easy to arrange. In the Appendix I have suggested an alternative setting for the second act, in case the outdoor scene should not be 7 8 PREFACE feasible. I trust the play may often be acted and read in connection with the English in- struction in our schools and colleges, forming an introduction to the Celtic imagination which, through so many years, has enriched English literature. Should some readers turn to early Irish literature itself, I shall feel that my work has not been in vain. N. J. O'C. PERSONS OF THE PLAY King Fergus Queen Buan Dermot, her step-son CoNNLA, her son DoNN, chamberlain to Fergus CuNEDDA, a prince of Britain DoMNALL, a countryman King of the Fairies Ethne, his daughter Druids, Nobles, Servants, Fairy Queen, Fairies Place : Ireland Time: Before the introduction of Christianity Note: Information concerning costume, etc., may he found in '^A Social History of An- cient Ireland,'' hy P. W. Joyce. Complete parts of the music may be obtained from Mr. Elliott Schenck, care of John Lane Company, New York City, 9 SCENES OF THE PLAY ACT I The Great Hall of the Palace of King Fergus, AT Dun Faithci ACT II The Fairy Other-world. ACT III Same as Act I. THE FAIRY BRIDE ACT I Scene: The great hall of the palace of King Fergus, at Dun Faithci. At the right a dais with two thrones, on the right of which a window, on the left a door leading into the open air. A door, right, leading to the royal apartments; on the left two doors, that in the hack leading to the rooms of the Princes, that in the foreground to the rooms of Nobles of the court, etc. A horn on the wall, left. Stools, etc., about the hall. As the curtain rises, Donn enters, left front, and meets Servant, who enters back, SERVANT A stranger without asks refreshment for him- self and for his steed, O Donn ! 11 12 THE FAIRY BRIDE DONN Bid him enter. [Servant goes out, hack, and returns with CUNEDDA.] Welcome art thou to the hospitality of this house, O stranger! Whence art thou come? CUNEDDA I come from Britain, and my name is Cu- nedda, son to King Urien. My father sends me to Tara to the High King's court, there to learn the duties of a king ; for none more famed than are the Irish Druids, Far have I journeyed, and my steed is weary. I would rest me a day. In whose hall am I? DONN In that of Fergus, King of all the lands thou seest down to Inver Caragh. Welcome art thou indeed. [To Servant.] See to the Prince's steed. [Servant goes out, hack.'] THE FAIRY BRIDE 13 DONN Fortunate thy coming on this day. CUNEDDA Why so? BONN To-day the King has summoned all the nobles of the court, and first of all the Druids, to this hall, here to choose one who will follow him upon the throne. CUNEDDA Has the King no son? DONN Two, born of different mothers. As the cus- tom is, they are considered first as heirs to the throne. Whoever has the nobles' voice is brought before the Druids, who examine him; for no king may reign who bears a blemish either in his person or his mind. Not only must he know the stories taught him by the Druids, but must be skilled in war; and, were he blem- ished, he could lead neither in the field nor at the council-board. 14 THE FAIRY BRIDE CUNEDDA Even so. Which son will be the nobles' choice ? DONN Dermot, the elder, son to our former queen. Well is he loved, and learned not only in the Druid studies and the art of war, but is gener- ous and loving, eager in the chase. His brother, Connla, no less learned, but more sullen; not given to company nor sport, though able in the art of war. He, it is said, is skilled in craft, and favored, as thou mayest well surmise, by his mother and our present queen. CUNEDDA Can she persuade the nobles, then, to change their choice? DONN 'Tis said that she will stop at naught; and (I must whisper, for the walls have ears) that she is in league with evil powers, Balor and the spirits of the air, enemies of the Fairies and all the powers of good. She has made use of gold, so rumor says, and there's a party 'mongst the THE FAIRY BRIDE 15 nobles who will raise their voices in Prince Conn- la's favor. Some fear that Queen Buan may even attempt mischief with Prince Dermot's per- son. CUNEDDA Indeed I have arrived at a most fortunate time. When will the ceremony take place? [Enter Servant, hacl:.'] DONN Within an hour's time. \To Servant.] What wouldest thou? SERVANT A countryman, O Donn, waits without, and asks to see the Queen. DONN His name? SERVANT Domnall. 16 THE FAIRY BRIDE DONN She told me he would come. Bid him enter. [Servant goes to door, back, and beckons to DoMNALL, who cntcrs,'] [To CUNEDDA.] The servant will show thee to thy chamber. If thou returnest, I shall present thee to the King before the ceremony. [To Servant.] Conduct Prince Cunedda to the stranger's room, and see him properly attended. [To DOMNALL.] I go to tell the Queen that thou art here. [Servant and Cunedda go out, left front; Donn, right; while Domnall goes to window and looks out,^ DOMNALIi It is the time she said; the sun is just above the summit of the hill. I must have done a weighty service, since she offered me three cows. [Enter Queen Buan and Donn, right. '\ THE FAIRY BRIDE 17 QUEEN [To DONN.] Thou art dismissed. [He bows, and goes out, left front, ^ [To D0MNAI.L.] Hast thou performed my bidding? DOMNALL All that thou asked is done, O Queen ! QUEEN Didst mix the potion with Prince Dermot's drink ? DOMNALI. All the phial that thou gavest me. QUEEN When and where ? DOMNALL Three days ago I attended the Prince upon the chase that went across the green Plain of the Kings and up the slope of Royal Mountain. Well ran the boar that day, and loud the baying 18 THE FAIRY BRIDE of the sweet-tongued hounds. We paused for rest beside a spring within a cool green glade. My task it was to mix the drink for those who shared in the chase; and in Prince Dennot's mead I poured what thou gavest me, O Queen! QUEEN [Joyfully.] Then is Prince Dermot doomed. To-day he will appear blemished before the Druids ; for his skin will turn brown as a leaf in autumn. Well hast thou served me, man, and thou shalt not lack reward. Three cows are thine from out the royal herd. [She claps her hands and Servant ap- pears, left front. Then she takes a neck- lace from round her throat and gives it to DoMNALIi.] Take this necklace from one who would be called a grateful Queen. [To Servant.] Lead this man before my steward, and tell Kian my will is the countryman should have three cows from mine own herd. THE FAIRY BRIDE 19 DoMNAIili A hundred thousand thanks, O Queen ; and all the blessings of the gods poured out upon thee ! [Servant and Domnall go out, hack, as DoNN and Cunedda enter from left front,'] DONN The time is here for the choosing of the heir to the throne, O Queen! This is Cunedda, son to King Urien of Britain. He journeys to Tara to learn the duties of a king. [DoNN presents Cunedda to the Queen,] QUEEN Welcome art thou, O Prince, to the hospi- tality of this house ! CUNEDDA My thanks, and blessings of the gods upon thee ! DONN I go to call the King. 20 THE FAIRY BRIDE QUEEN Stay; for he comes attended by the Druids. [Enter Fergus attended hy two Druids.] KING Summon, O Donn, the nobles for the cere- mony. Come with me, O Buan, to thy throne! [While Donn takes the horn from the wall, lefty goes to door, hack, opens it, and sounds a call. King Fergus and Queen Buan take their places on the two thrones, at the right of which stand the Druids. From the door at hack and that at the left front, enter the several Nobles of the court, each bowing to the King and Queen as he takes his place. As they are gathering, Donn presents Cunedda to King Fergus.] donn O King, this Prince, son to King Urien of Britain, craved the hospitality of thy house to- day for himself and for his steed; and in thy name I bade him welcome. THE FAIRY BRIDE ^1 KING Thou hast done well. \_To CUNEDDA.] Welcome again I bid thee. Whither journey- est thou? CUNEDDA To Tara, to the Druids of the royal court, from them to learn the duties of a king. KING Victory and blessing upon thee ! [CuNEDDA bows and retires. By this time the Nobles ha^e gathered.^ KING Well do ye know why I have summoned ye, O nobles ! [To DONN.] Go, and bring the Princes hither. [DoNN goes out by door, left bacJc.~\ [To Nobles.] I am grown weary of the kingship, and would have one succeed me on the throne. As the powers of a king are in your hands, I have 22 THE FAIRY BRIDE called ye hither to name a prince to follow me. Remember he must be of royal race; that my sons are learned in the arts of war and peace, and, as children of the present king, have claim to the first choice. The Druids here will give assurance that the prince ye name bears no blemish in person or in mind. Now, I charge ye, speak ! FIRST NOBLE I name as King Prince Dermot. \_A murmur of approval among most of the Nobles.] SECOND NOBLE And I Prince Connla. \^A few of the Nobles give shouts of ap- proval, but there are also cries of, *^It may not beT'^ THIRD NOBLE See where the Princes come! [^All the Nobles turn to look where Donn enters, left back, followed by the two Princes. Prince Dermot walks first, his skin turned brown and his head THE FAIRY BRIDE 23 bowed in sorrow. His step is slow and halting. After Mm comes Prince CoNNLA, head erect and glancing joy- fully about him. He walks with proud step. The Nobles give a subdued cry of horror as they notice Prince Dermot's plight, and fall back on either side, leav- ing a lane along which the Princes ad- vance towards the throne. The King, who has leaned forward eagerly at the entrance of the Princes, sinks back de- jected.^ SECOND noble He is blemished and he cannot reign! first noble A judgment, O Druids ! THIRD NOBLE Prince Connla is now the nobles' choice ! [The Princes have now halted before the throne. Queen Buan looks upon them with sparkling eyes. King Fergus slowly raises his head, which has been bowed upon his breast.^ 24i THE FAIRY BRIDE KING [To Dermot.] When did thine affliction come upon thee, O Dermot? DERMOT I looked this morning in the pool and saw my flesh as it is now. Last night, ere I slept, my head was fevered, and I dreamed fitful dreams. QUEEN Thou hast two sons, O King, and one is well ! KING Peace, woman! [He is silent and rests his head on his hand.~\ SECOND NOBLE We would make our choice, O King! FIRST NOBLE 111 were it should Dermot thus be made to lose the throne. I would that time were given for his healing. THE FAIRY BRIDE 25 THIRD NOBLE Yet Prince Connla is well, and as learned and as skilled as is Prince Dermot. The King grows old and would know who will succeed him. KING {^Rousing himself from his gloomy thought s.li Peace to your chattering tongues ! I ask the Druids now for judgment of Prince Dermot. FIRST DRUID King, he cannot reign ! Plain is the blem- ish which he bears, and clearly understood the law. QUEEN [To Fergus.] Bid them choose Prince Connla. KING 1 cannot slight mine eldest son, whom I have taught the art of war, and loved not only for himself but for his mother's sake. Long have 26 THE FAIRY BRIDE I dreamed to see him monarch in my stead. O nobles, I would give justice to Prince Dermot! DONN His sickness may be brought about by evil powers. There is sorcery in the land. QUEEN Yet the law is, he who is blemished cannot reign. [To Fergus.] Look on Connla, he is strong and well! I have loved thee long and taught my son to fol- low thee in word and deed. KING [In a stead?/ voice, though betraying emo- tion.'] Nobles, I will give a time to Dermot for his healing! It may well be that witchcraft has brought sickness on my son. My shame it were forever, should I let such misadventure keep him from the throne to which his birth, his learn- ing and his age entitle him. One year, O Der- THE FAIRY BRIDE 27 mot, do I give thee to find a leech to cure thy sickness. Travel where thou wilt in all the world; but in a year, when once again the sun is risen half above the hill, I bid the nobles and the Druids here assemble, and I charge thee come before them ! Then shall they choose ; and then their choice shall not be changed. If then thou art not well. Prince Connla, or whoever else the nobles choose, shall follow me upon the throne. O men, do I do well? {^Most of the Nobles crz/, "It is well done!'' although a few declare, "It is not well; uphold the lawT' hut their voices are drowned in the general approval. Queen BuAN catches the King by the sleeve and starts to speak- ; but he rises, casting off her hand.Jl KING Ye are dismissed, O men ; forget not this day year! Take, O Dermot, whatsoever thou wish- est for thy journey, and the blessing of a father and the gods be poured upon thee; vic- tory and healing be thine ! Attend me, Buan. [King Fergus sweeps from the hall, right, followed by Queen Buan, who looks ^8 THE FAIRY BRIDE Tneaningly towards Connla, who is now somewhat dejected. Dermot is more cheerful. He remains motionless while the Nobles leave the hall as they en- tered it. Prince Connla joining those who go out at hack. When they are gone, Dermot covers his face with his hands, half in sorrow and half in thought, and sits down on the step of the dais on which are the two thrones. The door at the hack opens, and on the threshold appears a maiden, Ethne, dressed in green and wearing a golden crown. In her hand a wand hung with hells. She stands an instant in the door- way, unseen hy Prince Dermot, then ad- vances towards him. When she is near him, she speaks. 1 ETHNE Tell me, O Prince, the reason for thy grief! dermot [Lifting his head from his hands, and looking in wonder and admiration on Ethne.] THE FAIRY BRIDE 29 Whence art thou come, vision of delight? I look into thine eyes and see worlds undreamed of, and my thoughts are in a maze. ETHNE Once more I ask what troubles thee, O Prince? DERMOT Maiden, I am sick at heart ; for the purpose of my life is ended. Look upon me; see my brown skin, the blemish that has come to keep me from my father's throne, — I who was born to be a prince and king! Well must thou know none who bears a blemish on his person may reign. My father. King of all these lands, is far ad- vanced in years, and would renounce the throne ; and I, who should succeed him, help him in his gathering age, who else had been chosen by the nobles, must give up my right because of sick- ness. ETHNE When did the sorrow come upon thee, Prince? 30 THE FAIRY BRIDE DERMOT This day, as I went to bathe in the depths of yonder pool, I saw myself mirrored on its sur- face. My skin had lost the ruddy glow of health, and had become as now thou seest ito ETHNE Canst find no reason for thy wretchedness? DERMOT None. I have done naught out of order in my daily life. I have attended to the duties of a prince; practised the arts of war: thrown the javelin, wielded the sling and sword. As befits a kindly prince, I led the nobles in the chase. Three days past, we sought the boar upon the slopes of Royal Mountain. There we paused for rest, and, as is my wont, I drank but spar- ingly of mead; too much wine confuses in the chase. ETHNE Didst know the man who mixed thy horn of mead.P THE FAIRY BRIDE 31 DERMOT Domnall, a countryman who dwells in the Dark Valley. Once was he servant to the Queen, my stepmother; and by his service won the land on which he lives. He has attended me ere this, when Cailte, my chosen huntsman, has not been well. [Musing.~\ I have heard rumors that the Queen is skilled in witchcraft ; yet scarcely have faith she would dare outrage on my person ; she loves the King, my father, far too well. ETHNE Most trusting Prince! Dost not know a mother's love Exceeds the love and service of a wife? Well is it I am hither come to show The folly of thy trust. The Queen has borne Thee hatred ; through her servant and the pow- ers Of evil in the world, has done thee harm. But I am here across the tossing sea And all the mountain-peaks of lovely Erin, 32 THE FAIRY BRIDE To bring thee healing from another world. I loved thee from afar, and I have known The net of witchcraft that has drawn around thee. Look now and see, reading the hearts of men! [She waves the wand with little bells over Dermot. a look of horror comes into his face, and he covers his eyes.^ DERMOT I see ! I see ! And now I know the blackness of the heart of her I thought once loved me. Well do I read the spells of the powers of r'ark- ness, and know that in the glade upon the slope of Royal Mountain I drank to mine own doom. O damsel, sent me by the powers of good, and flashing in the Fair}^ color, green; what may I do to overcome my fate.^ ETHNE Come with me to another world Over the hills and the sea: To an island home by the waves encurled, A golden palace with roof impearled, And columns of porphyry. THE FAIRY BRIDE 33 DERMOT O Lady, I follow ; for now I know the end of all earthly desire since I know love. ETHNE Ride with me on my snow-white steed Born of the wind-blown foam, To the cool green grass of a Fairy mead. The joyous life that the Fairies lead In their distant Fairy home. There will they bring thee balm for thine ill Apples of silver and gold Crushed and pounded ; a drink to fill A golden goblet ; a drink to still Men's sufferings manifold. DERMOT Beloved, I go with thee for my healing. [He takes Ethne in his arms.'\ Truly, I am beyond the world. Lead on ! 34 THE FAIRY BRIDE ETHNE Come where, Time forgotten, Love is all. There are my sisters, waiting on the shore Beside the little waves that break in foam Upon the sanded beach. They'll welcome us; And we shall rest above the singing sea. Or walk along the meadows hand in hand, And in the night-time watch the orange moon Set in dark clouds, play with a silver sea. DERMOT Beloved, come! [They go out back, and as they go the stage darkens as though the sun had gone under a cloud. From without, the voice of Ethne dying away in the dis- tance as the curtain falls,^ ETHNE Come with me to another world Over the hills and the sea: To an island home by the waves encurled, A golden palace with roof impearled, And columns of porphyry. CURTAIN ACT II Scene: The Fairy other-world. The stage represents a glade at the edge of a wood. At the hack an expanse of mead- ow, with a glimpse of sea in the far dis- tance. There are two entrances on either side of the stage, one at the hack and one at the front. There is a grassy seat under a tree, left, large enough to he used as a throne hy the Fairy King and Queen. The Fairies who appear in this act are, in accordance with Irish tradition, of the size of ordinary human heings, unless the contrary is specified. They should all he dressed in green. When the curtain rises, it is early morn- ing, shortly after sunrise. Dechtire, a Fairy maiden, runs on to the stage from left hack. dechtire Away ! The sun has put his golden glance Upon the sleeping sea. Away, away ! [Enter Flann, a Fairy, left hack.'] 35 36 THE FAIRY BRIDE FLANN Whither, O maiden, wilt thou fly so fast? DECHTIRE To the green hills of Erin, and her leafy glades. Hast thou no work to do 'mongst mortal men? FLANN I lend a king my sword and Fairy strength. DECHTIRE Now must we hasten ; for 'tis said the Prince Whom Ethne brought from Erin, seeks to-day His father's kingdom. We are summoned hither By King's command to grace his hour of going. FLANN We must be swift. The Fairy gates Are open, and the charger waits ! [They hasten off, right front, Dermot, cured of his sickness, and Ethne, enter, left front.'] THE FAIRY BRIDE 37 ETHNE Wilt thou persist then in thy purpose, thus To leave her who has healed thee, and has won Thy love; thy comrades, too, in Fairyland? Hast thou not found that these our Fairy ways Are better than the round of mortal life? DERMOT Beloved Ethne, only happiness have I known since the day thou earnest to my father's hall and took me with thee back to Fairyland. Swiftly has my sickness gone, and I have re- joiced in the long days I have passed with thee, thy brothers and sisters on the meadows ; but I have duties as a prince. ETHNE Yet youth is made for love, and in this land Youth lives forever. Why wilt thou seek the cares That crowd on mortal kings : the din of war, And all the many trials of a state? Scarce a month thou hast been with me; the days Have slipp'd like pearls along a slender string. 38 THE FAIRY BRIDE DERMOT Time has been short indeed ; but I have gained strength of body and soul. Both thou gavest me: the one with thy potions and thy healing hands, the other with thy love ; and I would go, as every man must wish to go, and show the strength of this, thy love, to all the world. ETHNE That which it may not understand, why show The world, when here we know the worth of love ? DERMOT But should I let my father grieve? He reared me for my life's work, and the day I was to help him bear the burden with the strength of youthful years, that strength was taken from him. Lonely he sits in hall; now that health is come again, should I not seek him, tell him I am well.'^ ETHNE I fear thy going; slowly run the sands Down through the hour-glass here in Fairyland. THE FAIRY BRIDE 39 DERMOT Still must I go. But I will come again to claim thee. Thou knowest that I love thee, and thy father has promised I may return and take thee as my bride back to green Dun Faithci. ETHNE Even now I fear ; for in the world of men Are many pleasures, love but one of them. DERMOT Canst doubt me thus? Dost thou not know that I have longed for love ; for one to help me on the difficult days, when I am weary with the little things of hfe? I never knew my mother; all the love I should have given her is thine. ETHNE {Clinging to liim.'\ Go not ! Some maiden in the mortal world May win thy love by giving thee the joys Of home, and by the fireside thou'lt forget Thy Fairy lover ; unless at sunlight time The laughter of thy children in the fields Recalls the meadows of this happy isle. 40 THE FAIRY BRIDE DERMOT I am not such. Love for me is not so light- some. I have promised to return and wed thee, •and I can follow the star of Love until the time when thou shalt give me all my heart can wish. ETHNE If thou wilt stay, I'll give thee all things now. DERMOT [Breaking gently from her restraining hands and taking her in his arms.^ Peace to thy fears, Beloved ! I know my duty, and looking in thine eyes I find the strength to do it. I must gladden my father; show him I too know how to rule. Swiftly the days will pass, and soon my steed will turn to Fairyland. [Ethne claps her hands, and Fand, her handmaiden, enters, left hack.~\ ETHNE [Sadly, to Fand.] Bring my bugle horn. [Fand goes out, left hack,^ THE FAIRY BRIDE 41 l^To Dermot.] Since, Dermot, thou art firm. One gift have I beside mj love to give thee : The horn which oft has sounded in the glades Of green-hilled Erin, when the cavalcade Of Fairies rode through the forest in the chase. Sweet are its tones, and sweetly have they sung Joy to the huntsman, terror to the boar. Seldom have mortals heard its silver voice ; Then only children, poets, and the men Who love or sorrow — they alone can hear The unseen voices from across the world. [Fand enters, left back, bearing a bugle horn hung from a green and silver bal- dric. '\ FAND Here, Ethne, is the horn thy father gave thee. ETHNE To thee my thanks. \To Dermot.] Take thou this horn, O Dermot, And when thou findst thyself in need blow thrice Thereon. Straightway will I appear and bring Courage and counsel out of Fairyland. 42 THE FAIRY BRIDE DERMOT [Putting the baldric about him,^ I shall wear the horn, Beloved, as a gage of thy true love. Never will I lack it in chase or war. ETHNE I charge thee blow it only in thy need, Not for thy pleasure ; for I may not come To the light summons of a lovers' tryst. DERMOT I shall give heed unto thy counsel. [Enter a small Fairy, left bach.'\ FAIRY Hail, mortal Prince ! The King draws nigh With all the pomp of Faery, To wish thee good luck and good-bye ! [A sound of music without, and the Fairy King and Queen enter, left bach, with their train. Several small Fairies go in front of them scattering flowers. Others shake wands hung with silver THE FAIRY BRIDE 43 hells, and one or two have harps in their hands. The King and Queen take their places on the grassy seat, while the Fairies sing or chant the song which fol- lows.l fairies Hither comes the Fairy train Round the royal throne again. Strike the harp and shake the bells; Weave a web of Fairy spells : Colors from the rainbow caught, Music with Love's lightness fraught, Song far sweeter than the bird, Or deep voice in the sea-shell heard. Come, and with your merry play Make a Fairy holiday ! [When the King and Queen are seated, the Fairies, divided into two groups, join hands and dance in front of the throne,} FIRST GROUP OF FAIRIES Hither comes the Fairy train Round the royal throne again. 44* THE FAIRY BRIDE SECOND GROUP OF FAIRIES Come, and with your merry play Make a Fairy holiday ! [The Fairies dance and 'play merrily for some minutes. A few of them stop at last and speak as follows, the others con- tinuing their play and dancing. ~\ FIRST FAIRY Hail to the Fairy King ! SECOND FAIRY Hail to the loveliest of immortal women ! THIRD FAIRY Hail to the mortal Prince ! [Dermot and Ethne have stood a little apart during the rollicking. When the King raises his sceptre to stop the mer- riment, they are, however, in the front rank of the Fairies.^ THE FAIRY BRIDE 45 KING Peace to your laughter, though it glads my heart. Companions in Fairyland; subjects of my crown ! I called ye hither from the flowery meads, The sandy margent of the azure sea. And dearer duties in the distant world, Where ye were gone to heal the sick in mind Or body, to bring them here, perchance, for rest: I summoned ye to tell ye that our guest. The mortal prince whom Ethne brought and healed With all the cunning skill that makes her best Among her sisters of the royal house — This Dermot is determined he will leave Our pleasure and our play, to seek the world Once more : not led thereto for any lack In gratitude, but duty to his king And father, who rear'd his eldest son to reign. Ye know how Buan with malicious wiles Brought sickness on him which at last is healed. 46 THE FAIRY BRIDE FIRST FAIRY We know the wicked Queen who leagues herself With spirits of the air, our enemies. SECOND FAIRY Aye, and we would confound her utterly ! KING Stand forth. Prince Dermot ! I would give thee now My blessing, and a gift from Fairyland, [Dermot comes before the throne,'] DERMOT I am here, O King! KING Bring me the Fairy sword. \_A Fairy brings a sword in a beautifully embroidered scabbard and gives it to the King.] This sword, O Dermot, Was wrought by Fairy smiths on golden anvils ; The scabbard broidered by the slender hands THE FAIRY BRIDE 47 Of Ethne's sisters. Naught can withstand the blade — Nor rock, nor toughness of the forest oak. Read now the letters we have writ thereon. [He gives the sword to Dermot, who draws the blade from the scabbard.} DERMOT \^Reading.'] "Be patient." Thanks, O King, both for the gift and for the counsel! KING Patience is the toughness of the mind and heart ; The test of finer natures, that most surely wins Through all the conflicts of the mortal world. Wield well the sword ; for it shall never fail. Yet bear it only in a righteous cause ; Then will it flash in air as fire of lightning ; But, drawn to baser uses, dully gleam. DERMOT My thanks again, O King ! Now would I bid ye all farewell, comrades of Fairyland ! But ere I ride across the murmuring, tranquil sea back 48 THE FAIRY BRIDE to green Erin, I would ask again that which I asked before, and won thy kind consent; for I would have those words the last I hear in Fairy- land. KING Say on! Speak freely both thy mind and heart ! DERMOT Ethne, come hither! [Ethne comes and stands beside Der- MOT.] Well dost thou know, O King of Fairyland, thy daughter led me from my father's hall by the power of love; and, with the vision of Queen Euan's wickedness, I saw one too of per- fect love. Since I know no mortal may find his way hither without thy consent, I would ask to return and claim thy daughter as my bride. KING Once more I grant thy wish, since Ethne loves thee. ethne And have loved him from the morning of the world. THE FAIRY BRIDE 49 KING Yet I must charge thee, as thou wouldst re- turn, To touch no wine until the sun is set Upon the day that sees thee back again In green Dun Faithci ; till the evening hour To tell no mortal where thy sojourn was: Else shall the Fairy steed that waits thee now Without the forest glade, knowing the way From Erin into Fairyland, vanish ; And though thou shalt be longing to return, Until the world's end thou'lt not accomphsh it. DERMOT I give my promise. I shall count the days ere I come to wed with Ethne. For all who work in the world there needs must be a place to rest and dream — that place for me is Fairyland. [A Fairy enter Sy right hack.l FAIRY Now, O King, the Fairy gates Are open, and the charger waits! 50 THE FAIRY BRIDE DERMOT Once more, O King, I bid thee farewell, and give thee a hundred thousand thanks for all thy kindness and thy gifts — and to ye all, my comrades! Now will I speed with joy across the singing sea back to the world. [To Ethne.] Beloved, farewell! Thy skill hath healed me and thy love hath made me strong! Thy pres- ence will be with me, though unseen, until I come again. [Dermot and Ethne emhrace.'\ KING Remember well my words of caution, Prince ! FAIRIES Remember well! DERMOT In truth I will. No word shall pass my lips where I was healed, nor will I taste wine before the sun is set on the day I see the world again. THE FAIRY BRIDE 51 ETHNE Farewell, may my true love guard thee ever- more ! [Dermot goes out, right hack, the Fairies crowding up stage and waving good- hye.'] KING Music and song, O Fairies, to speed our guest ! [The Fairies join hands and dance and sing the following song; going, as they sing the last verses, out at right hack, leaving the King and Queen seated on the throne and Ethne standing on the left of it, as the curtain slowly falls,^ fairies Join hands again in the Fairy dance, And away to the flow'ring lea. Where the dew is cool On our dancing feet. And the breeze blows fresh from the sea. 52 THE FAIRY BRIDE The cares of the world to the world belong; But Love is ours alway; While the stars go out, And the moon sinks down, And day comes after day. Why reck we then of pain or woe, Since Love is over all; And Sorrow dies At the sight of Love, And Time is the lovers' thrall. Join hands again in the Fairy dance, And away to the meadows free! Where the sun shines clear. And the moon comes slow From the breast of the crooning sea. CUETAIN ACT III Scene: Same as Act I, after the lapse of a year. Enter Donn, left front, cross- ing to window. DONN The time is almost here for the gathering of the nobles. There is no word of Prince Der- mot, and the kingdom goes awry. [Enter Servant, hack,'\ SERVANT The British Prince who shared the hospitality of this house a year ago, craves the courtesy again, O Donn! DONN Bid him enter. [Servant goes out door, back, and re- turns with CUNEDDA.] 53 54 THE FAIRY BRIDE CUNEDDA Once more, O Donn, I seek the shelter of the roof of King Fergus and refreshment for my- self and for my steed. I journey home from Tara. BONN Welcome art thou. [To Servant.] See to the Prince's steed. [Servant goes out, hach,'\ [To Cunedda.] Was thy sojourn happy at the High King's court .f^ cunedda Right royal was my entertainment, and weU was I instructed in the duties of a prince. The King himself took me with him to the west; taught me the art of war. From the High Druid I learned the famous tales of Erin: of Deirdre, the beauteous maid, and the deeds of the boy champion of Ulster. I was trained too in law and custom. Now am I worthy to help my father rule. THE FAIRY BRIDE 55 DONN Indeed there is no court in all the world where thou couldst have been better taught. CTJNEDDA I would ask, O Donn, for tidings of Prince Dermot. I mind me on the day I sojourned here a year ago, he was to have been chosen heir to his father's throne. A sore affliction kept him from the nobles' choice. DONN The King, his father, in all love granted him a year for healing; but on that very day Prince Dermot disappeared; and there has come no word of him, nor did he take aught with him for a journey. Messengers were sent to all the courts of Erin, but none has seen him. CUNEDDA Thou toldest me a tale of witchcraft, if I am not at fault. The Queen, stepmother to the Prince, was rumored in league with evil powers. 56 THE FAIRY BRIDE DONN In truth there has been doubt of the Queen, and yet no proof. Some say she has been heard to utter spells, though no mischief has been proved upon her. All who were with the Prince ere he vanished, are well, save only Domnall, who served him on the hunt. One day, close by the field in which he kept his cows, Domnall was found slain with a sword-thrust through the body. He attended Prince Connla in the chase ; and Prince Connla is a violent man. All is most strange. Domnall once was servant to the Queen. CUNEDDA Since Prince Dermot is gone, do not the nobles meet around this time to choose his younger brother .^^ DONN Again hast thou been happy in thy coming; for on this day, and soon, the nobles gather ; but there is doubt they will choose Prince Connla. THE FAIRY BRIDE 57 CUNEDDA Since he is son to the reigning King, should he not have the nobles' voice? DONN Thou sayest truth, and well at Tara hast thou learned the law. Yet is it but custom the nobles should choose from the household of the reigning king. "A prince of royal race" is all the law demands; and there is more than one such within the boundaries of the kingdom of Fergus IS. CUNEDDA If not Prince Connla, whom will the nobles choose; and why do they scorn the monarch's second son? DONN Donagh Mac Colum is favored; but there is a party for Prince Connla. I told thee once of Connla's sullen temper. Seldom has he led the nobles in the chase, and has been sparing in gifts and entertainment, save to a few— and they needs must love him well. Quick is he to wrath. 58 THE FAIRY BRIDE and slow to stay his hand. The death of Dom nail has not served to give the nobles trust. CUNEDDA What news, then, of the King and Queen? BONN Oft Queen Buan urged the King to have the Druids and nobles name Prince Connla ere the year was gone ; yet has King Fergus ever been firm. "A year I gave, and till the year is ended I shall not change," has Fergus oft re- plied ; although the Queen has whispered that the Fairies, or mayhap evil powers, has^e taken Dermot, and no more will he be seen of mortal eyes. \_Enter, right. King Fergus and Queen Buan, attended hy two Druids and one or two Nobles.] KING O Donn, thou art in idle chatter when the time is come to bring the nobles hither. THE FAIRY BRIDE 59 QUEEN The sun is half above the summit of the hill. BONN O King, I shall do thy bidding; but first I would present the Prince who on this day one year ago craved rest and entertainment. CTJNEDDA Cunedda, son to Urien, King of Britain, I journey home from Tara. I ask to share thy house this day and night. KING Thy wish is granted. Never shall it be said that Fergus grudged comfort to a stranger. Summon, O Donn, the nobles hither ! Buan, come to thy throne 1 [King Fergus leads Queen Buan to her throne and seats himself beside her, DoNN takes from the wall, left, the trumpet, as in Act I; goes to the door, back, and sounds a call. Through this 60 THE FAIRY BRIDE door^ and that at the left front, enter the Nobles ; each saluting the King and Queen as he takes his place. While the Nobles are gathering, the King and Queen speak together.^ QUEEN Now, O Fergus, the year is sped, and thou hast no word of Dermot. Truth did I speak in saying he was gone from mortal sight forever. KING And yet another is not chosen; there is still time for Dermot. O Dermot, if thou art not beyond the world, hasten and come ; I long to see thee reign ! queen [Smiling,'] There is no answer. Thy words beat upon the air as the wings of a caged bird. Look, the nobles are now assembled ; send for Prince Conn- la, that he may be chosen as befits the law ! THE FAIRY BRIDE 61 KING [Rousing himself from reverie.^ O Bonn, go and bring Prince Connla hither! [DoNN goes out door, left hack. The King sinks again into reverie.^ FIRST NOBLE Has no word been heard, then, of Prince Der- mot? SECOND NOBLE None; and he will no more be seen in the world The powers of evil have him, and even now he is at the court of Balor. Choose thou Prince Connla; he is well and strong, and e en as proper a prince as Dermot. aUEEN Well said. FIRST NOBLE My voice shall ne'er be raised for Connla. Skilled is he in the arts of war, and yet more skilled in trickery. Seldom has he led us on the hunt, or greased our knives in feasting. 62 THE FAIRY BRIDE And he who last went hunting with him lies underground. SECOND NOBLE Peace to thine insolence! [Showing a bracelet. '\ He gave me this not three days since. My voice is raised for Connla. \_One or two other Nobles cry, "Prince Connla!"] THIRD NOBLE Since Dermot is not here, I am for Donagh Mac Colum. Noble his lineage, and ere this his fathers have sat upon the throne. Generous is he, and eager in the chase. [A majority of the Nobles cry, "Donagh Mac Colum !" There is some confusion, due to the Nobles shouting for their favorites, which awakens the King from brooding. '\ KING Silence ! This is the royal court and not the place for brawls. THE FAIRY BRIDE 63 DONN \_Appearing at door, left back.'] Way for Prince Connla! [^The Nobles are silent, and separate to allow Connla, preceded hy Donn, to approach the throne,] CONNLA I am here, O King ! KING Once more, O nobles, are ye summoned to choose one to follow me upon the throne. The year is past I gave Prince Dermot for his heal- ing. He is not here, nor has there come word of his welfare. Now will ye choose one in his stead to reign. The Druids will examine him, that he bears no blemish. As the custom is, I offer first Prince Connla for your choice. [The door at the hack opens, and Dermot appears on the threshold, wearing Ethne's bugle horn slung from his shoulder and the Fairy sword.] 64i THE FAIRY BRIDE DERMOT Victory and blessing of the gods upon thee, O Fergus ! And on ye all, O nobles ! [^The court is astounded by the reappear- ance of Dermot well and strong y and for a moment no one speaks.^ FIRST NOBLE He is come again! DONN And he is well once more ; the glow of health is in his cheeks. QUEEN The Fairies have given him up. CONNLA The gods have turned against me, SECOND NOBLE Now is my favor doomed! THIRD NOBLE We'll make our choice in truth, O Fergus ! THE FAIRY BRIDE 65 KING \_Who has risen to his feet at sight of Der- MOT.] Welcome art thou indeed, my son ! QUEEN Welcome, forsooth, to me ! DERMOT I am come, O Father, to tell thee I am healed. \^Looling about him.] Yet why do I see this gathering of men— the Druids of the court, as on the day I left thee? Thou gayest me a year for healing; and m a month I find the nobles gathered as though they would choose one to supplant me in my right by ancient custom. Wouldst give me but a month, O Father? BONN A month, O boy? The year has turned to autumn, and the spring is come again, since thou didst leave this hall a year ago. 66 THE FAIRY BRIDE DERMOT A year ! [Half to himself.^ Then was that month by mortal time a year? QUEEN [Aside to Connla.] See how he changes color. He has been to Fairyland, where a year seems but a month. CONNIiA I mark him well. KING A year, O son! But thou art still in time. The Druids have not chosen. DERMOT Well am I sped. I must give thee greeting, O my Father ! \_He approaches the throne. The King embraces him^ as does the Queen, half- heartedly. His brother, Connla, fol- lows suit.'] THE FAIRY BRIDE 67 QUEEN I am ungracious I did not bid thee welcome long ere this. So glad was I of thy return, joy robbed me of my voice. CONNLA As it did me. QUEEN Yet I would ask thee, since thou seemest healed, in what place thou wert cured; for I would know, should any here be sick. Truly, the leech who cured thee was well skilled; for thou wert sick indeed! DERMOT Swiftly have I come from the court which saw my healing, and am but just in time. I ask thee. Father, bid the nobles and the Druids now give judgment. I am well, and I am fit to rule. KING O nobles 68 THE FAIRY BRIDE QUEEN [Catching him hy the sleeve and breaking in upon him.^ Justice I ask, O King, before thou callest for judgment! There is no true judgment without justice. FIRST NOBLE We shall give justice indeed: Dermot has re- appeared. [^There are cries of "Dermot!" from sev- eral Nobles.] KING [Turning to Queen, and fiercely,^ What wouldst thou, woman ! FIRST DRUID She has a right to justice. queen I ask, O King and nobles of the court, but justice for my son and for Prince Dermot! Thou hast upheld the law that none can reign THE FAIRY BRIDE 69 who bears a blemish. Of a sudden was Prince Dermot smitten with sickness, and there was whisper round the court of witchcraft and spells — laid at my door by some. I know ye well, O nobles, who are my friends ! Then did Prince Dermot vanish, and no word from him until to-day he comes and says that he is cured. May not this, too, be witchcraft.? THIRD NOBLE She speaks some truth. SECOND NOBLE She has spoken well, as must the mother of Prince Connla. ITJiere is an uneasy stir among the No- bles.] second druid In truth, O King, there is reason in what she says! aUEEN Since there is room for doubt, I bid thee wait, O King, to see if Dermot shall be well. In a week's time call the nobles hither. 70 THE FAIRY BRIDE FIRST DRUID She asks but justice, O King! KING And as a just King I can but grant her plea. [He leans his head on his hand and again falls into a reverie. li QUEEN Thy son, O King, has not yet said where he was healed ; he answered, when I asked, that he came swiftly thence unto thy court. KING [To Dermot.] Thou hearest what the Queen says. DERMOT Until the sun Is gone behind the hill, as now he is half gone, I will not tell my story. Then would I summon the leech who tended me. THE FAIRY BRIDE 71 KING Since ye may not choose now, O nobles, I bid ye come with me to the green without, there to hold games in honor of my son's return; and, when ye have your fill of sport, come once more within the hall to feast with me and hear Prince Dermot's story. See, O Donn, that all is well ordered. [Donn goes out at 6acA:.] NOBLES Victory and blessing be upon thee, O Fergus ! KING Follow me ! \_The King goes out, hack, followed hy the Nobles. The Queen and Connla lin- ger in the hall. Donn reenters from hack and goes out again, left fore- ground, from where Servants appear hringing a tahle which they set up in front of the throne, so that the King and Queen may he at the head of the tahle. Donn, who has entered with Servants 72 THE FAIRY BRIDE and given them directions, then goes out at hack. Throughout the following scene the Servants are up stage, and the Queen and Connla down. Occasional shouts are heard from those in the games without,^ QUEEN Now, O Connla, is mine hour ended, and I am overthrown. Balor and the powers of darkness assist me ! [She paces up and down,'] CONNLA Mother, do not grieve, there still is hope. All is not lost. Thou sayest Dermot has been healed in Fairyland? QUEEN Such my belief, since he will not tell his tale till after sunset. This speaks a custom of the Fairy King, who bids those mortals who have seen the Plain of Light never to say where they have visited till sunset on the day they reach the world again; else may they nevermore see THE FAIRY BRIDE 73 Fairyland. All who have found it long to tell of its perfection. CONNLA We may not hope to make Dermot speak be- fore the appointed time; his mind is given to the games. All I have done is vain : the death of Domnall lest he should tell thy secrets, the pres- ents I have given to win the nobles. QUEEN The spells that I have woven. [Both the Queen and Connla are moodily silent for a moment. Then a joyous look overspreads the Queen's countenance.^ Though we may not keep Dermot from the throne ; yet may we deprive him of the Land of Youth forever. There is another custom of the Fairy King I had well nigh forgotten. Each mortal who has been to Fairyland is charged to drink no wine before the evening of the day he is returned to earth. Through this may we trick Dermot in the coming feast and win our revenge. 74 THE FAIRY BRIDE CONNLA We may indeed; for I, his loving brother, will sit beside him. Long is it since we have sat together, and my love is grown during his absence. QUEEN I shall take his attention at the feast by guile. CONNLA And when he thinks on what thou sayest, I will spill wine from out my cup upon his food. QUEEN And he will taste of it, and thus be doomed. We may not win the throne, but we may win his happiness ! \_B2/ this time the Servants have made ready the table in front of the throne, DoNN enters from hack.'\ SERVANT [Who has been arranging table,'\ The feast is ready, O Donn! THE FAIRY BRIDE 75 DONN I go to call the King. [DoNN goes out, hach^l QUEEN Watch well, O son, that we miss not our chance ! CONNLA I shall watch thee as the cat his mother. QUEEN Be thou as quick. [Enter King, Donn and Nobles, hack,'] KING Welcome are ye, O nobles, at the feast! Come, O Queen, and sit beside me on the throne. Warriors and nobles, range yourselves about us ! [The King and Queen take their places and the Nobles follow their example. As they seat themselves the -following dialogue occurs.^ 76 THE FAIRY BRIDE FIRST NOBLE Well matched were the games. [To CUNEDDA.] O Prince, thou hast learned much skill with weapons at Tara ! CUNEDDA My thanks. Great is the prowess of the King and the warriors about him. [jB?/ this time the guests are seated, Der- MOT at the right of the King, Cunedda on the left, and next Cunedda, Donn. Only CoNNLA is left standing,'] CONNLA Long is it since I have been with my brother, O King, and lonely were the days I passed with- out him ; deeply I sorrowed for his sickness that granted me the right which now is his again. May I then sit beside him at the feast in proof of love.^^ KING Seemly thy speech, O Connla, and thy request is granted. [CoNNLA sits down beside Dermot.] THE FAIRY BRIDE 77 The royal house of Fergus is now one again ! Let the feast begin ! [Servants enter from left front, bearing a roasted boar on a large platter which is set before the King. Other Servants go about with jugs, filling the guests' cups with meadJ^ DONN [Rising. 1 Carve the boar, O King! [He gives the King a large knife, with which Fergus cuts up the boar, the por- tions being distributed by the Servants. J^ CONNLA [Raising his cup,'\ I call upon ye all to drink to Dermot ! NOBLES Victory and blessing upon thee, O Dermot! [They drink.'\ DERMOT I give ye all thanks. 78 THE FAIRY BRIDE CUNEDDA Wondrous thy deeds in the games, O Dermot ! Well was thy sickness cured. DERMOT Skilled was the leech who tended me. KING Thou art more hardy than e'er before. Well didst thou win the race ; although Cunedda, who finished nearest thee, has been trained by the High King, famed for skill and hardiness in war and sport. DERMOT And well, Cunneda, didst thou win with the javelin. CUNEDDA A sport I practised in mine own land ere I crossed the sea to Erin. KING I missed thee in the games, O Connla ! THE FAIRY BRIDE 79 aUEEN I was not well disposed, and bade my son stay with me here. THIRD NOBLE Wondrous thy sword feats, O Dermot ! SECOND NOBLE I do not know thy sword. 'Tis not the one thou hadst a year ago ? DERMOT A present of the King in whose court I was. FIRST NOBLE I looked upon the rock thou smotest; a mighty boulder that three horses scarce might move ; yet was it split asunder. DERMOT Wondrous the temper of my sword ; for cun- ning were the smiths who fashioned it. 80 THE FAIRY BRIDE THIRD NOBLE E'en did it cut a tiny thing as well. I marked me when the bird flew by, scattering his feathers, thou clovest one of them in twain as it fell through the air. QUEEN Since thy sword can do such feats, canst cut the bee now flying round thine head in twain ? [Dermot turns round in a vain search for the bee. The Nobles are watching him. He half draws his sword as he looks. By a quick movement, Connla spills wine from his goblet over Dermot's food un- noticed by any one but the Queen.] dermot I see no bee. aUEEN Thou wast not quick enough; he darted by. [Dermot turns to the table again. He tastes the wine on his food, and im- mediately leaves his plate untouched. He pretends to drink to cover his con- fusion which, however, the Queen no- tices. 1 THE FAIRY BRIDE 81 QUEEN The time must now be here, O Dermot, for thee to tell the story of thy healing. DERMOT Go thou, O Ere, and see if the sun be gone behind the top of Royal Mountain. [first noble rises and goes to window. J FIRST noble The sun is just now hidden, and the western sky is changed to many colors ; the shadows lengthen on the mountain-side. DERMOT The hour is come, O King, when I must keep my word and tell ye all my story; but first I would summon the leech who healed me. Know, O King, that I am one of those blest mortals who has been to Fairyland. king To Fairyland! And thou hast returned? 82 THE FAIRY BRIDE QUEEN Connla, did I not speak truth? DERMOT 1 have returned, O Father, because my duty is to reign. Well didst thou train me in the duties of a prince. I could not leave thee; though for a time I must bring grief unto thine heart. KING O son, my labors have not been in vain ! DERMOT Yet, with all mortals who have fou«nd the Fairy world, I long again to travel thither ; and chiefly since a maiden fairer than all mortal women waits me. Ere I speak further, wound- ing thine heart with a tale of baseness that must touch thee nearly, I would summon her; with whom I ride, when all this state is settled, back to Fairyland, to wed her at her father's court. Sweet Ethne, come! THE FAIRY BRIDE 83 \^He puts the horn to his lips and blows, but there is no sound despite his efforts. After a moment of respectful silence, the Nobles break into derisive laughter.^ SECOND NOBLE Thou hast not breath enough; far is it to Fairyland. FOURTH NOBLE Methought I heard a sound. FIFTH NOBLE Being mortals merely, we may not hear the Fairy horn. CONNLA Thou sayest, brother, thou hast been to Fairyland, yet canst give no proof. QUEEN The Fairy horn was taken from our cow that died this morning. 84 THE FAIRY BRIDE SECOND NOBLE Out with the imposter; he is not really well! Let him go back to Fairyland and bring us a sign ! \_Several Nobles rise, go over to Dermot and put their hands on his shoulder, as if to hurry him out of the hall. He sits dejected and unresisting in his place. '\ FIRST NOBLE [Rising.^ I will not have him touched. To me all who will defend Prince Dermot ! [A number of the Nobles group themselves about him, crying, "/, /," and "Dermot forever!^'^ THIRD NOBLE There is trickery abroad. CONNLA Out with him ! I should have been chosen by the Druids had it not been for his tales. To me all who stand for justice in this land! THE FAIRY BRIDE 85 {Several Nobles group about Connla, crying, ''JusticeT and "Connla for- everr''\ QUEEN Well done, my son ! [There is considerable clamor,'] KING Sound the horn for silence, O Donn ! [DoNN is unable to get across the hall in the confusion.] KING Silence ! Silence ! \The Nobles give no heed to the King, who is about to step from the throne to interpose between the parties, when the door at the back opens, revealing Ethne on the threshold, dressed as in the first Act. The sound of the door opening attracts the attention of those in strife. They pause, and are aston- ished hy the sight of Ethne.] 86 THE FAIRY BRIDE ETHNE What means the clamor in thine hall, O Fer- gus? l^No one answers for a moment. The Nobles unconsciously step aside, leaving a passage for Ethne to advance to- wards the throne,} KING [After a pause, and slowly.'] I now see wonders. The dreams of youth are made reality ! QUEEN My strength is overthrown ; the powers of Fairyland are come to help him. DERMOT \Who has watched with rapture the ar- rival of Ethne.] It is thou hast kept the tryst, O Ethne ! THE FAIRY BRIDE 87 ETHNE Now will I tell, O Fergus, all the tale Of Dermot. Sit thou upon the throne once more; There majst thou best give judgment at the end. \_The King resumes his place on the throne. The Queen looks with frightened eyes on Ethne.] KING Say on, O maiden! ethne Thou seest Ethne, daughter to the King Of Fairyland. Long did I love Prince Dermot ; And when I saw the spells Queen Buan wove To win the kingship for her son. Prince Conn- la, The magic sickness by her brought on Der- mot — I came in haste across the western sea, And bore him with me to the Land of Youth. 88 THE FAIRY BRIDE KING Queen Buan, a traitor to my bosom! ETHNE One final Fairy gift have I, power To show thee and thy court the hearts of Buan And Connla. Behold, and judge them justly now! l^She shakes her wand with little hells. An expression of horror comes over the faces of the King and Nobles.] FIRST NOBLE Blackness of heart, and all the practices of wickedness, I see ! SECOND NOBLE Murderer, thy hands are stained with Dom- nall's blood! [Connla shrinks from several Nobles who seize him.l THIRD noble Unnatural woman ! THE FAIRY BRIDE 89 FOURTH NOBLE Traitor to thy brother, thy doom is death! FIFTH NOBLE With trickery thou thoughtst to gain the throne that was thy brother's right. KING Lead hence Queen Buan ancIPrince Connla ! [^Several Nobles seize the Queen.'] To-morrow will I judge them; I may not defile the happiness of this meeting. [Nobles go out left front, with Queen Buan and Prince Connla.] aUEEN \^As she is led off.] The vengeance of Balor and the powers of evil fall on ye all ! CONNLA \_As he goes out.] False friends ; for this have I paid ye gold ! 90 THE FAIRY BRIDE [During the following scene the Nobles who have taken off the Queen and CoNNLA return.^ ETHNE Now, justice done, I will complete my story. On the happy meadows was Prince Dermot healed. And there I won his love; yet could not win His promise to remain with me forever. The mortal call of duty sounded still Upon his ears ; he had not learned that Love Is all, and Love and Duty one in Fairyland. KING Well hast thou proved thy father's trust, O Dermot ! ETHNE Then, since he would return, my bugle horn I gave him ; bade him in his direst need Blow thrice thereon. Straightway would I ap- pear. My father granted then his suit : consent To come again to Fairyland and wed THE FAIRY BRIDE 91 With me; yet charged him he should touch no wine Before the sun was set upon the day That saw him in thine hall once more; to tell No mortal of his healing, under pain Of coming nevermore to Fairyland. DERMOT But I have tasted wine, and so am doomed. ETHNE Peace to thy fears. Beloved; for the King, My father, in his wisdom judged not thus. The spirit of thy promise thou hast kept, Broken the letter only. I am come, A mortal woman, here to wed with thee. Bearing my father's blessing. Fairy nature Is mine no more. Because thou hast touch'd wine, Never mayest thou return to Fairyland; But I will stay henceforward in the world. And by our love shall we be made immortal! 92 THE FAIRY BRIDE DERMOT \_Embracing Ethne.] By such love am I made immortal now! We shall reign together through the years ; and, at the end, pass in the fullness of our time to the meadows we once have known ; there live and love forever! KING O Ethne, a hundred thousand thanks were not enough for all that thou hast done ! I am forever grateful to the Fairies, the unseen spirits who live to favor mortal men. I wel- come thee and Dermot, giving him my throne, and to ye both my blessing. O nobles, choose now whom ye will have to reign ! NOBLES [With one voice. 1^ We choose Prince Dermot! KING \_To Druids. 1 Ye have heard the nobles' choice, O Druids, and seen Prince Dermot safe and well from THE FAIRY BRIDE 93 Fairyland. Speak, that we know him free of blemish, and fit to reign according to the law! FIRST DRUID [Coming before the throne.'\ We know him clean of sickness. SECOND DRUID Skilled is he in the learning of the land which we have taught him. KING O son, from this time forth I grant to thee my sceptre ! [The King comes doxan from the throne and hisses Dermot and Ethne, giving Dermot his crown and sceptre, while the Nobles acclaim "King Dermot !" The new King and Queen tahe their places on the thrones,'] Now will I leave thee with thy bride, O Der- mot ! Thy wedding shall be soon, and I pro- claim a month of games and feasting in thine honor. 94 THE FAIRY BRIDE [The Nobles leave the hall by the bach and left front, each bowing to Dermot and Ethne. When they have all departed, Dermot turns to Ethne.] DERMOT Beloved, they are gone; and I would put aside a monarch's state awhile. The moon must now be risen past the hill, and all the earth bathed in silver light. Let us look upon that scene of peace together. [They come down from their thrones. Dermot places his arm round Ethne's waist, and they go to the door at back. When the door is open, the fields and distant mountains are seen shimmering in moonlight. The lovers pause, enrap- tured, on the threshold. From the dis- tance a murmur of Fairy voices, sing- ing.] fairies Join hands again in the Fairy dance, And away to the flow'ring lea. Where the dew is cool On our dancing feet. And the breeze blows fresh from the sea. THE FAIRY BRIDE 95 The cares of the world to the world belong; But Love is ours alway; While the stars go out, And the moon sinks down, And day comes after day. [^There is a momentary pause in the song,'\ ETHNE The Fairies to the mountain-top are come For dancing; I can almost hear their voices. [^The song continues more faintly, dying away in the distance. As the curtain falls, Dermot and Ethne go out into the moonlight. '\ FAIRIES Why reck we then of pain or woe, Since Love is over all, And Joy is born In the heart of Love, And Time is the lovers' thrall. 96 THE FAIRY BRIDE Join hands again in the Fairy dance, And away to the meadows free ! Where the sun shines clear, And the moon comes slow. From the breast of the crooning sea. CURTAIN APPENDIX In case an outdoor setting for Act II cannot be arranged, the stage may be set as follows : Scene. — The throne room of the palace of the King of the Fairies. This should preferable/ be lit by artificial light (one account of the palace of the Fairy King describes it as il- lumined by a single diamond). Two thrones are arranged at the left. There are two doors on either side of the stage, and one at the bach, leading into the outer air. There is also a window at the back, through which can be seen a glimpse of meadow with the sea in the dis- tance. To suit this setting, the speech of the Fairy King on page 49, line 7, must be changed to read: Without the palace door, knowing the way. Of course by a few simple changes the whole play can be given outdoors. A few suggestions in regard to costume and properties may be useful for those who have 97 98 THE FAIRY BRIDE not Joyce's "Social History of Ancient Ire- land" accessible. The ancient Irish wore clothes of linen and woollen; but the upper classes were fond of silk and satin. All loved bright colors, and one of the kings made a regulation that the number of colors a man might wear should indicate his rank: a slave might wear one color, a farmer two, and so on up to kings, queens and high Druids, who might each wear six. Sons of chiefs are to be dressed in red, green or brown clothes, and those of in- ferior ranks in grey, yellow and black. The mantles of sons of inferior kings should be fast- ened with a silver brooch. The most usual costume for the ancient Irishman engaged in outdoor life, seems to have been a loose tunic coming to the knee: the kilt originally came from Ireland. This tunic was generally dyed saffron. Over this might be worn a cape for the shoulders with or without a hood. Such a costume would be appropriate for the Princes and most of the nobles : indeed for all who could be classed as warriors. Instead of the short cape, the Druids, and some of the older men, might have a large, loose, though shaped cloak reaching to the knees or ankles. THE FAIRY BRIDE 99 and having a fringed border. This cloak may be all of one color, or spotted or striped with several colors. King Fergus might wear, in- stead of the cloak, a tight-fitting coat with sleeves and no collar, reaching to the middle of the thigh. Below this he would have the kilt. One or two of the characters, especially the older men, could wear trousers tight enough to show the shape of the leg, and fastened by a strap under the foot. The fighting men should wear sandals ; others, and the women, shoes of soft leather similar to moccasins. The women should wear a long gown or kirtle, and over this either the long cloak described above, or a tunic of many folds and much ma- terial, reaching to the feet. The Nobles should be armed with swords in scabbards, and carry small wooden or wicker- work shields of from thirteen to twenty inches in diameter. Some of them could also carry spears. The Irish trumpets were curved and made of bronze. Moderate. ETHNE'S SONG. Music by Elliott Schenck, 5^a ^ p Come with me to an - oth er world i q: ■^^ ^ ^^—^ * ^ ^ O - ver the hills and the To an i i 53 i is - land home by the waves en - curled, A — = — :: ~ dim, e sosL -H \ 1 ^ r ¥ £ gold - en pal - ace with roof im - pearled, And kl col of por phy HITHER COMES THE FAIRY TRAIN. Moderato. Irish Air. Arr. by Elliott Schenck. mf Hith - er comes the Fai - ry train, '^■ i=3^ Round the roy al throne gain. Strike the HITHER COMES THE FAIRY TRAIN.— Concluded. f—M—Jd—f harp, strike the harp and shake the bells;. P:t Weave web of Fai - ry spells: Col ^# ^ i^i ors from the rain - bow caught ^^=^=f=^' ^ #^=^# Mu - sic with loves' light - ness fraught, Song far sweet ■^ a^ -J^-J- $ Or deep voice in the sea - shell heard. ±_a: =#— )t Come, and with your mer - ry play, i ^ S 0^ Make Fai ry hoi day. FAIRIES* SONG. Animato. Irish Air. Arr. by Elliott Schenck. :fci3E^3St*^^=^!^ -^ — ^■ 1^=^ mf Join hands a - gain in the Fai - ry dance. And a J^4 ^v--X-Z |^ -N- ^—t-t^t=^ way to the flow'ring lea, Where the dew is cool on our tif m ■* I danc - ing feet, And the breeze blows fresh from the it :jK— ^- The cares of the world to the y\ ^ ^ ^ ^ t^_ K h. ■ r. ■ N A. r> k IB 1 i K* •^ ^ s N r ('TV^ ^ m m _i^^ w R J \]) • • * ^ L^.* • #- « ?? 1 world be - long; But love is ours al- -k-i^ :^£=i -0 — ^;=^ way; While the i stars Sost. go out, and the :fcz?: -^— =^ ^- 91 V^3t moon sinks down, And day comes aft - ter day. V) LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 929 975 2