youth is gone away, so you'd best come this
night, for you'd have great pleasure putting
out your foot and saying, "I am in Ireland,
surely."
DEIRDRE. It isn't pleasure I'd have
while Conchubor is king in Emain.
FERGUS -- almost annoyed. -- Would you
doubt the seals of Conall Cearneach and the
kings of Meath? (He gets parchments from
his cloak and gives them to Naisi. More
gently.) It's easy being fearful and you alone
in the woods, yet it would be a poor thing if
a timid woman (taunting her a little) could
turn away the Sons of Usna from the life of
kings. Let you be thinking on the years to
come, Deirdre, and the way you'd have a right


55

to see Naisi a high and white-haired justice
beside some king of Emain. Wouldn't it be a
poor story if a queen the like of you should
have no thought but to be scraping up her
hours dallying in the sunshine with the sons of
kings?
DEIRDRE -- turning away a little haught-
ily. -- I leave the choice to Naisi. (Turning
back towards Fergus.) Yet you'd do well,
Fergus, to go on your own way, for the sake