Of pardon and safe-conduct both for her
And him, and them, and all their company,
And, ere this present rounding moon come full,
I'll fetch the troop of truants back again."
" Ah, ha," said he, " thou knowest then where they
hide ? "
" Well do I know," I answered, " but not tell,
Till first in open court thou'st said me yea."
NAISI.
What said he then to that ?
FERGUS.
He sat awhile,
Revolving in his mind I know not what,
And something whispered Barach sitting by.
" Say yea," said Conall. Said Cuchullin, " king
Say yea, and we will be their sureties."
" Yea then," said Conor, and the thing was done ;
And here am I ; and there my galley rides
Will land us safely this same afternoon
At Bon-a-Margy, upon Irish ground.
NAISI.
Oh noble Fergus, let me kiss thy hand 1
AINLE.
Our dear befriender and deliverer 1
ARDAN.
In whose safe-conduct we do all confide.
FERGUS.
What say'st thou, daughter Deirdre, shall we go ?
DEIRDRE.
Ah me, among you all what voice have I ?
Ye leap like fishes to the baited hook
And like young salmon will be drawn to land.
I knew 'twas Fergus ere I saw his face,
And knew he came a messenger of ill ;
For I am daughter of a seer sire,
And prescience of disaster came on me
With first announcement of his sail on shore.
NAISI.
Say not disaster ; Fergus brings a boon ;
Even when, unpardoned, I’d have risked return,
Our pardon, on condition of return.
