NAISI.
Nor I, in truth. I have been somewhat chafed.
Give me some wine ; and set the chess-tables.
Ardan will play with me, to pass the time,
Till haply Conor send us his commands.
And, Ainle, thou be umpire of the game.
AINLE.
Before we sit, sir, shall we set the watch ?
NAISI.
No. We are here in charge of trusted friends,
And what is needful to be done they'll do.
DEIRDRE.
Nurse, while in this defiant confidence
He sits, disdaining fortune, steal thou forth.
And, mingling with the concourse in the hall,
Observe what Conor does : and fetch me word.
NAISI.
Who's he who at the window there peeps in ?
Begone, base fellow, whosoe'er thou art !
I love not such espial. Play again.
Deirdre, set forth thy harp ; and let the air
Be brave and cheerful. We have nought to fear.
DEIRDRE.
I play my best ; though that be ill enough.
My heart is heavy at my fingers' ends.
NAISI.
How ! What ! Our spying overseer again !
Take that, thou villain, for thy impudence !
[Hurls the heavy chessman he is playing with at the spy,
striking him full on the face.]
DEIRDRE.
What has disturbed my lord ?
NAISI.
A spying knave
At yonder window, that, with brutal eyes,
Surveyed us as we sat, and took thee in
As he'd appraise thy beauties, charm by charm.
None here shall pry into our privacy.
Lords, think it not in your disparagement,
But I would crave to have that casement closed,
And, if it please you, let my battle-arms
Be placed beside me, ready to my hand.
There, Deirdre, see, thy nurse would speak with thee.
