FIONAVAR
Old mother, dost think they will soon return?
THE OLD WOMAN
Have patience, child, the day is not yet done.
FIONAVAR
See, in the distance, dost thou not discern
Their helmets flashing in the setting sun?
THE OLD WOMAN
Tis but the river glittering on the plain.
Young eyes are dazzled by a dream of strife
In every stream.
FIONAVAR
I strain my eyes in vain.
This is the longest day in my whole life.
MESSENGER
The battle is over — the Ultonians fled.
I have seen Cuculain fly before the Queen,
He saved himself by flight — now he is dead
And Ulla has fallen.
FIONAVAR
I would I had seen
The triumph of Maeve!
MESSENGER
Lady, even now
She stands victorious in her battle-car
Lonely among the dead. Grief is on her brow —
She speaks but of thee, Princess Fionavar.
FIONAVAR
I will go forth to meet her.
THE OLD WOMAN
Nay, child, rest
A little while.
FIONAVAR
I cannot rest, my heart
Does not know peace. The sun is in the west,
I must see her ere the last gleams depart
From the world.
THE OLD WOMAN
Oh! I am old and feeble grown;
I pray thee wait awhile.
FIONAVAR
I cannot stay.
THE OLD WOMAN
Wilt thou leave me mourning here alone?
FIONAVAR
I must be with her ere the close of day.
THE OLD WOMAN
Oh! wild and passionate will, ye shall not meet
Before the daylight deepens into night.
FIONAVAR
Yet will I run to find her, with swift feet
Chasing the last rays of the fading light.
THE OLD WOMAN
Ah, do not go; a sharp and shuddering chill
Warns all my soul against this deed of thine.
FIONAVAR
My heart is on fire, and my mortal will
Is but a wine-cup for the spirit's wine
That overflows in deeds.
THE OLD WOMAN
Oh, rash and reckless one!
The Queen feared much for thee this battle plain.
FIONAVAR
I will be with her there ere set of sun,
The battle is over and all her fears in vain —
I go to find the sweet and shining hour
I have seen mirrored in each running stream
And in the heart of every wind-blown flower —
I go to find the glory of a dream,
The triumph of Maeve!
Old mother, dost think they will soon return?
THE OLD WOMAN
Have patience, child, the day is not yet done.
FIONAVAR
See, in the distance, dost thou not discern
Their helmets flashing in the setting sun?
THE OLD WOMAN
Tis but the river glittering on the plain.
Young eyes are dazzled by a dream of strife
In every stream.
FIONAVAR
I strain my eyes in vain.
This is the longest day in my whole life.
MESSENGER
The battle is over — the Ultonians fled.
I have seen Cuculain fly before the Queen,
He saved himself by flight — now he is dead
And Ulla has fallen.
FIONAVAR
I would I had seen
The triumph of Maeve!
MESSENGER
Lady, even now
She stands victorious in her battle-car
Lonely among the dead. Grief is on her brow —
She speaks but of thee, Princess Fionavar.
FIONAVAR
I will go forth to meet her.
THE OLD WOMAN
Nay, child, rest
A little while.
FIONAVAR
I cannot rest, my heart
Does not know peace. The sun is in the west,
I must see her ere the last gleams depart
From the world.
THE OLD WOMAN
Oh! I am old and feeble grown;
I pray thee wait awhile.
FIONAVAR
I cannot stay.
THE OLD WOMAN
Wilt thou leave me mourning here alone?
FIONAVAR
I must be with her ere the close of day.
THE OLD WOMAN
Oh! wild and passionate will, ye shall not meet
Before the daylight deepens into night.
FIONAVAR
Yet will I run to find her, with swift feet
Chasing the last rays of the fading light.
THE OLD WOMAN
Ah, do not go; a sharp and shuddering chill
Warns all my soul against this deed of thine.
FIONAVAR
My heart is on fire, and my mortal will
Is but a wine-cup for the spirit's wine
That overflows in deeds.
THE OLD WOMAN
Oh, rash and reckless one!
The Queen feared much for thee this battle plain.
FIONAVAR
I will be with her there ere set of sun,
The battle is over and all her fears in vain —
I go to find the sweet and shining hour
I have seen mirrored in each running stream
And in the heart of every wind-blown flower —
I go to find the glory of a dream,
The triumph of Maeve!