<> Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg059 Manuscript Red Branch, Spirit, Supper English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg059 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg059_0.jpg LHL Archive Do love him better, were that possible Where love was always best, than e'er before. LEVARCAM. My pet, my precious one, we know not yet But that the king may treat us honestly. If to the Red Branch lodging we be sent, Mistrust him : but, elsewhere, set face to face, And other champions of the province by, He durst not venture such a villany As thy dark-omening spirit shudders at. But, see, we near the town. The sun sets red. And turns the low-hung awning of the clouds Into a lowering, crimson canopy. DEIRDRE. Blood-red it hangs. I know the augury But knowledge and forewarning now come late. NAISI. We near the palace. See, a steward comes To lead us to our lodging. Sir, precede : We follow. 'Tis the Red Branch, as I see, We are assigned to. Often in this hall Have I been merry, and will be again. Here's supper laid. Beseech you sit ye down And let's refresh ourselves, DEIRDRE. I cannot eat. 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. Text