reverence, the Beauty of Ballinacree, and it's
Michael Byrne is below in the ditch.
PRIEST. A holy pair, surely! Let you
get out of my way. [He tries to pass by.
SARAH -- keeping in front of him. -- We
are wanting a little word with your reverence.
PRIEST. I haven't a halfpenny at all.
Leave the road I'm saying.
SARAH. It isn't a halfpenny we're ask-
ing, holy father; but we were thinking maybe
we'd have a right to be getting married; and
we were thinking it's yourself would marry
us for not a halfpenny at all; for you're a
kind man, your reverence, a kind man with
the poor.


20

PRIEST -- with astonishment. -- Is it mar-
ry you for nothing at all?
SARAH. It is, your reverence; and we
were thinking maybe you'd give us a little
small bit of silver to pay for the ring.
PRIEST -- loudly. -- Let you hold your
tongue; let you be quiet, Sarah Casey. I've
no silver at all for the like of you; and if you
want to be married, let you pay your pound.
I'd do it for a pound only, and that's making
it a sight cheaper than I'd make it for one