ARDAN. We will not go back. We will
burn your curaghs by the sea.


64

FERGUS. My sons and I will guard
them.
AINNLE. We will blow the horn of Usna
and our friends will come to aid us.
NAISI. It is my friends will come.
AINNLE. Your friends will bind your
hands, and you out of your wits.
[Deirdre comes forward quickly and
comes between Ainnle and Naisi.
DEIRDRE -- in a low voice. -- For seven
years the Sons of Usna have not raised their
voices in a quarrel.
AINNLE. We will not take you to Emain.
ARDAN. It is Conchubor has broken our
peace.
AINNLE -- to Deirdre. -- Stop Naisi go-
ing. What way would we live if Conchubor
should take you from us?
DEIRDRE. There is no one could take
me from you. I have chosen to go back with
Fergus. Will you quarrel with me, Ainnle,
though I have been your queen these seven
years in Alban?
AINNLE -- subsiding suddenly. -- Naisi