NAISI.
Renowned Cuchullin never would sit by
And see thee wronged. Were Conall Carnach there,
Or his own step-sire, Fergus, son of Roy,
No man should do my Deirdre injury.
DEIRDRE.
Cuchullin do I trust, and Conall too ;
But Fergus gave his kingdom for a toy.
NAISI.
For love of Nessa laid he kingship down.
A lovelier Nessa, for the love of me.
Spurned the same crown when it was offered to her.
DEIRDRE.
Nessa now dead, he haunts the drinking-hall,
More than is seemly in a nobleman.
NAISI.
Hall or hill-side, would we were with him now!
DEIRDRE.
Here we are safe ; keep to our shelter here.
Here we have both been blest, and yet may be.
Forgetting Conor, and beyond his reach
NAISI.
My loving, loyal brothers, too ; they left
Home, pleasure, and renown, to follow me
In this elopement. I must think of them.
Are they to waste their bloom of manly youth
Here in this desert, without hope to wive ?
DEIRDRE.
They ask but to partake their brother's lot ;
Happy if he be happy. Me indeed
They love as a true sister. Never yet
Have I beheld on either gentle face
