Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg035 Manuscript Original, Ferguson English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg035 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg035_0.jpg LHL Archive Origianl proof for printer Oct 1879 S.Ferguson Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 545 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg036 Manuscript Naisi, Deirdre, Wretched English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg036 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg036_0.jpg LHL Archive DEIRDRE. Thou'rt sad. NAISI, Not sad. DEIRDRE. Say not thou art not sad, Else I, more sad, shall say thou lovest me not. NAISI. I love thee, Deirdre ; ever : only thee. DEIRDRE. Whence, then, that naughty knitting of the brow And turning of the eye away from mine ? NAISI. Not wholly sadness ; but I own at times My mind is fretted with impatience Of longer exile in these Alban wilds. DEIRDRE. And, wretched me! I am the cause of it NAISI. Think not I would reproach thee. Were't to do Again, again I'd do it ; and defy Conor's worst malice. Justly he may rage Losing his destined jewel, which to wear, I glory ; though but few its splendour see. DEIRDRE. Enough for me the wearer. Were the world Peopled by but us two, I were content. NAISI. Not so with me. Love makes the woman's life Within-doors and without ; but, out of doors, Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 546 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg037 Manuscript Keel, Silence, Judgements English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg037 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg037_0.jpg LHL Archive Action and glory make the life of man. Here I have room for neither : here there's room Only for solitudes interminable, For desert vastness and vacuity. I see yon wave that never felt a keel Since first it rose, break white along the beach So far beneath my feet, I hear it not. The winds that whistle by me through the grass Bring never sound of life but 'tis a beast Or bird that sends it ; save, perchance, at times My brothers' or -my house-knave's hunting-cry May stir the silence to a moment's life. I am impatient to consort again With men, my equals : once again to speak My thoughts in council, or in public court. Swaying the judgments of attending throngs, And charming minds to unanimity With manly, warm-persuasive argument ; Or in the front ranks of embattled hosts To interchange the cast of flying spears, 'Mong bloody Mar's high competitors. With poets to record us standing by. Nay, at the fair, the games, the feasting board, To look on friendly faces and to grasp The trusted hands of other men, were joy Worth even daring the worst ; and back again Taking my customed place on Eman Green, Though there he sat, and all his hosts were there. DEIRDRE. Alas, infatuate, who would shelter me When thou, fast bound, shouldst see me dragged away To death it might be, or to worse than death ? Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 547 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg038 Manuscript Cuchullin, Nessa, Conor English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg038 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg038_0.jpg LHL Archive  NAISI. Renowned Cuchullin never would sit by And see thee wronged. Were Conall Carnach there, Or his own step-sire, Fergus, son of Roy, No man should do my Deirdre injury. DEIRDRE. Cuchullin do I trust, and Conall too ; But Fergus gave his kingdom for a toy. NAISI. For love of Nessa laid he kingship down. A lovelier Nessa, for the love of me. Spurned the same crown when it was offered to her. DEIRDRE. Nessa now dead, he haunts the drinking-hall, More than is seemly in a nobleman. NAISI. Hall or hill-side, would we were with him now! DEIRDRE. Here we are safe ; keep to our shelter here. Here we have both been blest, and yet may be. Forgetting Conor, and beyond his reach NAISI. My loving, loyal brothers, too ; they left Home, pleasure, and renown, to follow me In this elopement. I must think of them. Are they to waste their bloom of manly youth Here in this desert, without hope to wive ? DEIRDRE. They ask but to partake their brother's lot ; Happy if he be happy. Me indeed They love as a true sister. Never yet Have I beheld on either gentle face Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 548 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg039 Manuscript Banishment, Ainle, Brother English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg039 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg039_0.jpg LHL Archive Gloom or reproachful look ; though, were it there 'Twere not for me to wonder or complain ; For I, alas ! am she that tempted you To that rash, rapturous, defiant deed That wraps us all in bonds of banishment. No, never have they shown themselves to me Other than sweet, affectionate, and gay. NAISI. Thou would'st not have them lose their joy of life To keep us happy? DEIRDRE. Happy in thy love, I can but think of that estate alone. Love is all-selfish. Love but thinks of one. Its own fulfilment is love's world to love. But here comes gentle Ainle from the chase. NAISI. Good brother, welcome : what is next afoot ? AINLE. We hunt to-morrow in the corrie, sir. NAISI. Ay, I have hunted in the corrie oft. And there seen buck and doe, but never a man. And when I've slain my quarry, I have said, " Beast, thou wast happy as compared with me, For thou wast of a good town citizen, And mingledst antlers bravely with thy peers." AINLE. What ails our brother ? DEIRDRE. 'Tis a fond regret, Bred of the solitary life we lead. AINLE. Not solitary. I were well content, In such good company as still we have. To spend my days a-hunting ; and at eve Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 549 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg040 Manuscript Sea-birds, Conor, Ulster English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg040 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg040_0.jpg LHL Archive Sing to the harp, or listen to old tales Of love, and lover's perils, hopes and joys ; While Ardan and Lord Naisi seated by Beguiled the swift time in their chess-play-wars DEIRDRE, Lo, Ardan comes in haste. He wears the look Of one who presently has news to tell. No news were now good news. I pray the Gods We're not found out ! ARDAN. A sail, I've seen a sail Unless the sea-fog cheats my sight, a sail. DEIRDRE. A flight of sea-birds, haply ; not a sail. NAISI. Nay, wherefore, not a sail ? Were't Conor himself And all his ships, I'd hail the face of man. Let's forth and see it, whatsoe'er it be. AINLE. Hark, heard ye not a cry ? DEIRDRE. No. Keep within, 'Tis the fox barking, haply ; not a cry. ARDAN. 'Tis a man's cry ; a hunter's hallo, hark ! NAISI. I know the call ; an Ulster man is he Who gives it. If my old and glorious friend Fergus, the son of Roy, yet walks the earth, It is his hunting-call. Ho, Fergus, ho ! DEIRDRE. Vain my contention. Here, alas, he comes. FERGUS. Found in good hour. Hail ! sons of Usnach, hail! NAISI. Comest thou, Fergus, enemy or friend ? FERGUS. Friend as of old ; to well-loved friends I come, Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 550 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg041 Manuscript Spell, Freedom, Maev English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg041 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg041_0.jpg LHL Archive And welcome may the message be I bring. NAISI. From whom and what the message? Sends he peace? FERGUS. Conor sends peace and pardon. I myself Your warrantor and convoy. NAISI. Favouring Gods ! What spell has wrought him to forgive my wrong? DEIRDRE. We did him not a wrong. The wrong was his. He kept me as a dainty for his use. Locked in a prison-garden shamefully ; Beast, who might well have been my grandfather I Till Naisi gave me freedom, and I gave Naisi the love was only mine to give. FERGUS. What, daughter : thou shalt come as well as he, And have him for thyself, be it wrong or right. 'Tis fixed and warranted ; and here's the hand Will make it good. Naisi, the case stood thus : My politic, learned step-son found his Maev A partner somewhat over-arrogant, And broke the marriage. Maev, imperial jade, Has wed with Ailill, Tinne's son, and reigns With him o'er the Connacians : in his halls Of battlemented Croghan nursing hate 'Gainst now-detested Conor ; and from wilds Of Irrus drawing Gamanradian braves And fierce Damnonian sworders, sends them forth 'Gainst the Ultonian borders, host on host. Pressing the Red Branch with perpetual war. We've fought them, and we've chased them oft, but still They issue from their heathy western hives As thick as summer midges, and our swords Are dulled with slaughter, and our arms are tired. We've missed thee, Naisi, and thy brothers here ; There's the plain truth. We missed and needed you. And we, — Cuchullin, Conall, and myself, — Avowed it in full council. And, said I, " Sir, give me liberty to carry them The royal message with assurance firm. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 551 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg042 Manuscript Truants, Irish, Fergus English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg042 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg042_0.jpg LHL Archive 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. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 552 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg043 Manuscript Fergus, Deputy, Conor English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg043 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg043_0.jpg LHL Archive EIRDRE. Ay, by a time is now impossible. Under the very wording of the boon. The moon, then rounding, rises full to-night : How then return before the moon be full? NAISI. 'Tis our return, and placing of ourselves At Conor's orders, not the hour precise Of our return, that will entitle us To that which he has promised in return. ARDAN. And, say that time were of the bargain part, Enough if by to-night we reach his realm, Returning, so, in jurisdiction. AINLE. Lord Fergus here stands as in Conor's place, And here we yield us freely to his will To stay or to return as he commands. DEIRDRE. After to-night his function's at an end, And he no longer Conor's deputy. FERGUS. Why, Deirdre, thou'rt chief justice of the court ! Had I but had thee by me on the bench, I ne'er had ceased to rule for lack of law. But lay these puzzling niceties aside. You journey back on my protection And warrant of safe-conduct, all of you. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 553 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg044 Manuscript Desires, Sceptre, Nature English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg044 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg044_0.jpg LHL Archive  DEIRDRE. What warrant did false Conor ever allow To stand between him and his own desires ? Thou deem'dst his sureties good when in thy place Thou sett'st him for a year, and thought he'd yield The loaned dominion when the time was out. Thou hadst the sighs of Nessa and his oath For surety then ; but when the day was come To yield thee back the sceptre, robe, and crown. He king'd it still ; and rates thee, ever since, His valiant subject and good stepfather. NAISI. Injurious Deirdre, thou art beautiful, But hast a bitter and unguarded tongue. Fergus allowed young Conor to retain The sovereignty he lent him, not because Conor demanded, but himself so will'd. For who would fill a royal judgment-seat Must study close the law's intricacies, And leave delights untasted, Fergus loves Better than balancing litigious scales. And hearing false oaths bear the jargon out Of wrangling pleaders. Nature him has framed Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 554 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg045 Manuscript Chess-board, Levarcam, Nessa English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg045 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg045_0.jpg LHL Archive For love, for friendship, and for poesy ; Nor rules there king in Erin, not himself, Th' arch-king of Tara, Conary, glorious son Of Ederscal, would venture, or have power, To violate safe-conduct given by him. FERGUS. Daughter, thou art the wife of my good friend ; I therefore hear not any word ill-timed, If such were spoken. But beseech you, come The tide now serves us, and the wind sits fair. Array ye quick, and let us seek the shore. NAISI. Bring forth my chess-board and its furniture, My battle-tackle, and my hunting-gear, For glad I am, and full resolved to go. DEIRDRE. Call me nurse Levarcam, and bring my harp. Sirs, I am ready. Yes, I knew thy cry, Fergus, for, I remember, once you rode To hunt with Nessa close beneath my bower : And I could tell you still what robes ye wore. And what the several names ye called your hounds. 'Twas then I heard it, and I know it still, But feigned I knew it not ; and to no end. Yes, from that turret on my garden wall I oft have viewed the Brethren of the Branch, And learned their cries of combat and of chase ; And there I oft saw him my eyes preferred, As my heart prizes still above all men. And where he goes, I go along with him. FERGUS. See here our galley. Send us forth a plank. Hold by my hand. Deirdre, I swear to you, My heart is lighter now you are on board ; For a good ending shall our journey have, And I am sure thou 'It thank me for it yet. Cast off ! Up sail ! She feels the wind. We fly. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 555 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg046 Manuscript Harp, Etive, Glades English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg046 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg046_0.jpg LHL Archive  Call me nurse Levarcam, and bring my harp. Sirs, I am ready. Yes, I knew thy cry, Fergus, for, I remember, once you rode To hunt with Nessa close beneath my bower : And I could tell you still what robes ye wore. And what the several names ye called your hounds. 'Twas then I heard it, and I know it still, But feigned I knew it not ; and to no end. Yes, from that turret on my garden wall I oft have viewed the Brethren of the Branch, And learned their cries of combat and of chase ; And there I oft saw him my eyes preferred, As my heart prizes still above all men. And where he goes, I go along with him. FERGUS. See here our galley. Send us forth a plank. Hold by my hand. Deirdre, I swear to you, My heart is lighter now you are on board ; For a good ending shall our journey have, And I am sure thou 'It thank me for it yet. Cast off ! Up sail ! She feels the wind. We fly. NAISI. The hills race past us See, we leave the lake And breast the sea. There Jura bares her paps Amid her cloudy sucklings, nurse of storms. We steer betwixt her and the mainland here, For outside lies the whirlpool in whose gulf Brecan of old and all his ships went down. Dance, sparkling billows, as my spirits dance ! Mine now were perfect joy were thou but gay. DEIRDRE. Give me my harp, and let me sing a song ; And, nurse, undo the fastenings of my hair ; For I would mingle tresses with the wind From Etive side, where happy days were mine. I. Harp, take my bosom's burthen on thy string, And, turning it to sad, sweet melody, Waste and disperse it on the careless air. II. Air, take the harp-string's burthen on thy breast, And, softly thrilling soul ward through the sense, Bring my love's heart again in tune with mine III. Bless'd v/ere the hours when, heart in tune with heart. My love and I desired no happier home Than Etive's airy glades and lonely shore. IV. Alba, farewell ! Farewell, fair Etive bank ! Sun kiss thee ; moon caress thee ; dewy stars Refresh thee long, dear scene of quiet days ! FERGUS. 'Tis loved companionship makes nature fair; And scenes as fair as Etive wait thee yet. Thou soon shall have that company thou wouldst, And choice of Ulad to enjoy it in : Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 556 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg047 Manuscript Buino, Illan, Usnach English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg047 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg047_0.jpg LHL Archive For, see, the capes of Erin heave in sight, Fair Foreland yonder on his eastern watch. And there Dunseverick. Lo, the warning fire That gives the signal we are seen from shore NAISI. What concourse this that waits us on the beach ? FERGUS Methinks 'tis Barach's ensign I discern, Our well-loved, valiant Brother of the Branch. Yea, it is he : and yonder, by my life. Two not unworthy, hopeful candidates For brotherly admittance, my own sons. Dark Buino Borb, and Ulan Finn the Fair. BARACH. Welcome to Fergus. Push the plank to shore. Descend, fair daughter. Sons of Usnach, hail I FERGUS. My noble brother Barach ! Nay, great sir, 'Tis not for thee to be our cup-bearer. BARACH. To better use could none commend the cup, Nor goblet offer from a riper cask. FERGUS. Wine, this, the king of the world might drink and die. BARACH. Drink, and long live. And, noble Naisi, thou Drink too. NAISI. This cup to health and thanks : no more. BARACH. What, Fergus, thou must sup with me to-night ? FERGUS. I pray thee, Barach, hold me as excused. We journey hastily, as thou may'st see. Fetch forth the chariots. Have the posts been warned ? BUINO. Relays are ready, and the inns prepared. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 557 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg048 Manuscript Dunseverick, Brethren, Fergus English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg048 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg048_0.jpg LHL Archive  FERGUS. Mount, daughter Deirdre. Fill the cup again, And fair farewells and healths to all of you. BARACH. Fergus, thou wilt not pass a brother's door ? We wait thee at Dunseverick. Let thy wards Take the protection of thy own good sons. They'll see them safe. To that end Buino Borb Is this same morning from Emania come, And here finds Ulan by a lucky chance Journeying thither with his company. Thy honor shall not suffer in their hands. DEIRDRE. Fergus, thou'rt pledged to us. Say nay to him. BARACH. He shall not say me nay. My board is spread ; The choicest Brethren of the Branch are there, And much would marvel should his place be void. His sons are well-sufficient in his room. What though ye journeyed to the Branch alone, None dare molest you, such a sheltering shield Is the pledged word of Fergus ; and they know, From post to post, 'tis on his guarantee And pass-word that ye travel ; since the king On his assurances has pardoned you. DEIRDRE. Fergus, I put thee under bond and vow, Pledged but to-day, that thou desert us not. BARACH. Fergus, I put thee under bond and vow. Pledged when we made thee Brother of the Branch, Thou pass not further till thou sup with me. FERGUS. I pray thee, Barach, to forbear thy suit. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 558 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg049 Manuscript Childhood, Eman, Brethren English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg049 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg049_0.jpg LHL Archive  FERGUS. Mount, daughter Deirdre. Fill the cup again, And fair farewells and healths to all of you. BARACH. Fergus, thou wilt not pass a brother's door ? We wait thee at Dunseverick. Let thy wards Take the protection of thy own good sons. They'll see them safe. To that end Buino Borb Is this same morning from Emania come, And here finds Ulan by a lucky chance Journeying thither with his company. Thy honor shall not suffer in their hands. DEIRDRE. Fergus, thou'rt pledged to us. Say nay to him. BARACH. He shall not say me nay. My board is spread ; The choicest Brethren of the Branch are there, And much would marvel should his place be void. His sons are well-sufficient in his room. What though ye journeyed to the Branch alone, None dare molest you, such a sheltering shield Is the pledged word of Fergus ; and they know, From post to post, 'tis on his guarantee And pass-word that ye travel ; since the king On his assurances has pardoned you. DEIRDRE. Fergus, I put thee under bond and vow, Pledged but to-day, that thou desert us not. BARACH. Fergus, I put thee under bond and vow. Pledged when we made thee Brother of the Branch, Thou pass not further till thou sup with me. FERGUS. I pray thee, Barach, to forbear thy suit. BARACH. No : neither will I that forbear, nor bear This public scorn that Deirdre puts on me. FERGUS. Naisi, what answer wouldst thou I should make .'' I cannot halve myself : but these, my sons, Are part of me and will not shame the rest. They cannot fill my place at Barach's board, But, at your side for convoy, well they can. NAISI. Where vow conflicts with vow, first-vow'd, prevails, Therefore, though Barach's be a churlish choice. Made against woman and way-faring men, I judge him best entitled. Sup with him. Buino, I have not known thee until now, But deem thy father's son must needs be true, Courteous, and valiant. Ulan I have known Since childhood, and in saying that, say all That commendation vouches in a man. What then, young nobles, are ye ready, say, To be our convoy in your father's room, From hence to Eman gate, and thenceforward Till Fergus do rejoin us .'' BUINO AND ILLAN. Ready, sir. NAISI. I ask no oaths. I read in eyes of both Bright honor's pledge ; and so commit myself My wife, my brethren, and my serving train Into your keeping. Mount, and let us ride. FERGUS Sons, play the part of men, and show me well In your presentment of me at the court. Thou, Buino, have my spear : and, Illan, thou Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 559 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg050 Manuscript Fairyland, Knocklayd, Glenariff English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg050 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg050_0.jpg LHL Archive Take this good sword of mine. There -spreads no shield Before the breast of champion of the Branch But it will pierce it ; Conor's own except : For it was forged by smiths of fairyland, And all the voices of the floods and seas When loudest raised, are welded in its rim. But in this errand that I send you on No need will either have of sword or spear. NAISI. Mount, Deirdre Sons of Fergus, ride beside ; Set forward cheerly: son of Roy, adieu ! DEIRDRE. 'Tis hard to fancy fraud behind an eye So open blue. Ride near me, Ulan Finn ; And, as our chariot glides along the mead. Tell me the mountains and the streams we pass, The lakes, the woods, and mansions by the way. What hills be these around us ? ILLAN. That, Knocklayd To rightward, girded with his chalky belt ; Lurgeden yonder, smoothly-back' d to us, But browed like frowning giant toward the sea ; And now to leftward, haunted by the fays, Glenariff's birchen bowers and clear cascade. DEIRDRE. And in the distance, glittering to the west ? ILLAN. Our silver river, that; the humming Bann. DEIRDRE. Why humming ? ILLAN. 'Tis a pretty country tale — Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 560 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg051 Manuscript River, Liban, Gods English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg051 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg051_0.jpg LHL Archive How one who played the pipes to please his love, Was by a jealous water-sprite drawn in : And when the river buzzes through his reeds, They say 'tis he that still would pipe to her, But that the fairy has his chanter hid, And left him but the drone. An idle tale. DEIRDRE. Nay, nought is idle that records true love. From Neagh's lake, methinks, that river runs ? ILLAN. Yea truly DEIRDRE. And they tell another tale How that was once dry champaign, do they not ? ILLAN. Yes ; 'twas young Liban's task to watch the well. And duly close its covering-lid at eve. Lest something evil there inhabiting Should issue forth : but, on an afternoon, Walking with her true lover, with a mind That thought of nothing evil, she forgot Well and well-lid ; and so the under-sea Burst through and drowned the valley : but the Gods, Who favour constant lovers, spared their lives ; And there, beneath a glassy dome they dwell, Still pleased in one another's company. The lake lies yonder : we shall see it soon. DEIRDRE. Mark how the simple country people deck Each natural scene with graceful tales of love. While the strong castles and the towns of men Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 561 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg052 Manuscript Maidens, Hunters, Humanity English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg052 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg052_0.jpg LHL Archive Are by the poets and historians Stuck full of tragedies and woes of war. ILLAN. Those are but tales to pass away the time, Invented by the fancies of poor swains And rustic maidens: but the chroniclers, Who note the deeds done in the haunts of men, Have oft but wicked actions to record. DEIRDRE. And therefore thou ? — ILLAN. Would rather if I might, Frequent the open country, and converse With shepherds, hunters, and such innocents. DEIRDRE. Yet wouldst thou not shun martial deeds of arms ? ILLAN. I dare not shun them, did they challenge me, For that were base, unmanly cowardice ; But I would rather win the smiles I love By mild humanity and gentleness. DEIRDRE. Thou lovest, then ? ILLAN. A peerless maid I love And, for her sake, methinks, love all the world ; For all the world's perfections are in her. DEIRDRE. Long be thou happy in believing so ; Have me in kind regard as I have thee, And pry thee let thy brother take thy place. Dark though he be, as thou art flaxen fair I trust I may esteem him equally. Ride near me Buino: let me talk with thee : Say, wherefore, do men call thee Buino Borb ? Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 562 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg053 Manuscript Fear, Rents, Estates English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg053 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg053_0.jpg LHL Archive BUINO. A something haughty that they find in me, — Or, as I fancy, fancy that they find, — Not unbeseeming in the eldest born Of him who once wore crown of all we see, Led some at first to call me by that name, Which now, by oft repeating, clings to me. DEIRDRE. Conor's young Cormac and thyself, methinks, Are of an age, and, haply, by and by. For that same crown may be competitors. BUINO. Small were my fear, were there but I and he. DEIRDRE. Why hold him, pry thee, in that light esteem ? BUINO. Because, too nice, and over-scrupulous, He weighs his actions in a tedious scale, Nor strikes when favouring fortune gives the ball. DEIRDRE. And thou ? — BUINO. I've won already from his sire Promise half-ratified of rents and lands Will make me higher in estate than he. 'Twas not by letting fair occasion slip I won that promise, let me promise thee. DEIRDRE. How called, the promised principality ? BUINO. Dalwhinny 'twill be, when the land is mine, DEIRDRE. But, ere the gift's complete, behoves thee snatch Some fresh occasion to commend thyself ? BUINO. Which doubtless yet will come. DEIRDRE. Turn here thy eye? And tell me, Buino, of thy courtesy, What do they under yonder aged tree, Itself a grove, a leafy temple-court ? Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 563 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg054 Manuscript Sun, Wind, Chambers English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg054 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg054_0.jpg LHL Archive BUINO. That is renowned Crevilly's sacred ash, And they beneath it are its worshippers Small the return their worship's like to bring, Made to dead wood and early-dropping leaves. DEIRDRE. Thou deemest, then, there is no God in it ? BUINO. No more than in the fountain or the earn, The pillar-circle or the standing stone, Where other worshippers perform their rounds. DEIRDRE Nor in the sun, or wind, or elements ? BUINO. No more DEIRDRE But thou believest in the Gods Who, whether present under forms of things Perceptible to sense, or whether lodged Apart in secret chambers of the air, Take notice of the impious acts of men As murders, treasons, lovers' broken vows ? BUINO. Sunshine and dew fall equal on the fields Of this man and of that : the thunderbolt Strikes, indiscriminating, good and bad. DEIRDRE. How, then, oblige men to the oaths they swear ? BUINO, Each nation has its proper swearing-Gods, Whom invocating, if one speak the Ue, Being found out, he's punishable here. DEIRDRE. But there ? BUINO I know not : I was never there, Nor ever yet met anyone who was But all these things may be as thou hast said. I know not : but allow it possible. DEIRDRE. Oh ! yonder see the lake in prospect fair, It lies beneath us like a polished shield. Ah, me ! methinks, I could imagine it Cast down by some despairing deity. Flying before the unbelief of men. There, in the vale below, a river clear Runs by a mounded mansion steep and strong Know'st thou the name and story of the place ? BUINO. 'Tis called Rathmore, and nothing more know I. Ulan belike has got some old romance, Passing with poets for its history Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 564 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg055 Manuscript Monster, Ollarva, Imagery English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg055 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg055_0.jpg LHL Archive DEIRDRE Ulan, what king was he dwelt here of yore ? ILLAN. Fergus, the son of Leidi' Lithe-o'-limb, Ere yet he reigned at Eman, did dwell here DEIRDRE. What, Fergus Wry-mouth ? I have heard of him, And how he came by his ill-favoured name, And struck his bond-maid, and should pay for it. 'Tis a fair valley. And 'twas here he lived ? Methinks I see him when he rose again From combat with the monster, and his face, That had that blemish till love wiped it off, Serene and ample-featured like a king ILLAN Not love, but anger, made him fight the beast. DEIRDRE. No, no, I will not have it anger Love Prompts every deed heroic. 'Tis the fault Of him who did compose the tale at first, Not to have shown 'twas love unblemish'd him. And so 'tis here we cross Ollarva's fords. And, with our wheels still dripping, skirt the lake } No longer shows it like the ample shield I pictured it, when gazing from above. 'Tis now a burnished falchion half-unsheathed From cover of the woods and velvet lawns. Oh ! happy fancy, what a friend art thou, That, with thy unsubstantial imagery, Effacest solidest and hardest things. And mak'st the anxious and o'erburthened mind Move for a while forgetful of itself, Amid its thick surrounding obstacles, As easy as a maiden young and gay Moves through the joyous mazes of the dance ' Thanks, gracious Ulan, for thy fair discourse That has beguiled the way so happily. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 565 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg056 Manuscript Athairne, Naas, Dundealga English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg056 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg056_0.jpg LHL Archive Till now, when almost nearing to the goal. Buino, thou'rt from Emania newly come : Say shall we find renowned Conall there } BUINO. A messenger from Leinster late arrived Reports Athairne, primate of the bards, Maltreated of Mesgedra, King of Naas ; And Conall has departed to his aid. DEIRDRE. And where Cuchullin ? BUINO. At Dundealga he, Repressing tumult of his borderers there. DEIRDRE. How lies Emania ; and Dundealga how ? BUINO. Straight on, Dundealga : Eman to the right DEIRDRE. My lord, I counsel that we journey on Straight to Cuchullin's mansion, BUINO. Surely no. Our charge is to conduct you to the king. DEIRDRE. We are not prisoners, Buino, in thy hands. Naisi, beseech thee, let's not trust ourselves At court of Conor, till our friends be there BUINO. Your friends are here : faith-worthy friends as they. NAISI. Let's on to Eman : 'twere a heinous slight Put on these frank and brave young noblemen To doubt their will and full ability For our protection, were protection claimed. But none will call in question or impugn The word of Fergus for our safety pledged Thy fears are groundless. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 566 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg057 Manuscript Forbear, Buino, Master English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg057 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg057_0.jpg LHL Archive DEIRDRE. Fergus is not here : Fergus has found occasion not to be Where our occasions do most call for him : Fergus consorts with whispering Barach now : He shifts us on his proxies, young and raw ; And thou hast heard on what support we lean, Trusting the faithless faith of one of them. NAISI. Thou wrong'st him, Deirdre. BUINO. Yea, she does me wrong. But not for that will I be false to you. DEIRDRE. Yea, not for that wilt thou be false to us. ILLAN. We both will spend our lives to see you safe. DEIRDRE. Thou wouldst. I well believe it ; but for him To whom the Gods are possibilities, May-be's, perchances, I've no trust in him. NAISI. Deirdre, forbear. Buino, good cause hast thou For thy displeasure ; but it rests with me To order our proceeding, not with her. DEIRDRE. Oh rash, insensate, weakly-credulous. That thinkest all men honest as thyself ! NAISI. One must be master ; and that one am I ; And I must judge this case for all of you. Man lives by mutual trust. The commonwealth Falls into chaos if man trust not man. For then all joint endeavours come to nought, And each pursues his separate intent, Backed by no other labour than his own. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 567 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg058 Manuscript Eman, Noble, Justice English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg058 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg058_0.jpg LHL Archive Which confidence, which bond of social life, Is bred in some of just experience, Of oaths and terror of the Gods in some, But, in the most, of natural honesty That God has planted in the breast of man, Thereby distinguishing him from the beasts. And where I find it, ground it as it may, In use, religion, or mere manliness, There do I love, revere, and cherish it. And since these courteous, brave young gentlemen Have taken it on their honor and their truth To hold us harmless, though we near the gates Of one who bears me great and just ill-will, I'll trust them wholly ; nor affront their faith With any scrupulous, unhandsome show Of base suspicion, diffidence, or fear. Drive on to Eman, therefore. Rightward drive. It is my will, and I will have it so. DERIDRE. Nurse Levarcam, rememberest thou the time We sat together on that hill we see There where the sky-line has a streak of gray. And snow was on the ground ? LEVARCAM. Aye, well indeed Do I remember, darling ; it was there Thou sawest him first, and said the sifted snow Was hardly fairer DEIRDRE. He has frowned on me Thrice, now, who never frowned on me before. Yet am I prouder to be ruled by him, And, for that noble justice of his mind, Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 568 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 ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 569 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg060 Manuscript Conor, Impudence, Lord English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg060 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg060_0.jpg LHL Archive 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. AINLE. Before we sit, sir, shall we set the watch ? NAISI. No. We are here in charge of trusted friends, And what is needful to be done they'll do. DEIRDRE. Nurse, while in this defiant confidence He sits, disdaining fortune, steal thou forth. And, mingling with the concourse in the hall, Observe what Conor does : and fetch me word. NAISI. Who's he who at the window there peeps in ? Begone, base fellow, whosoe'er thou art ! I love not such espial. Play again. Deirdre, set forth thy harp ; and let the air Be brave and cheerful. We have nought to fear. DEIRDRE. I play my best ; though that be ill enough. My heart is heavy at my fingers' ends. NAISI. How ! What ! Our spying overseer again ! Take that, thou villain, for thy impudence ! [Hurls the heavy chessman he is playing with at the spy, striking him full on the face.] DEIRDRE. What has disturbed my lord ? NAISI. A spying knave At yonder window, that, with brutal eyes, Surveyed us as we sat, and took thee in As he'd appraise thy beauties, charm by charm. None here shall pry into our privacy. Lords, think it not in your disparagement, But I would crave to have that casement closed, And, if it please you, let my battle-arms Be placed beside me, ready to my hand. There, Deirdre, see, thy nurse would speak with thee. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 570 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg061 Manuscript Royson, Cormac, Father English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg061 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg061_0.jpg LHL Archive LEVARCAM. My sweet, my darling, I am here again He means us ill. I've seen and spoke with him. He sat at table with his judges by. And made this question with them, whether we Not rendering ourselves before the full o' the moon, His promise made to Fergus Royson, held ? The judges differed. Half of them affirmed His promise was, in that, conditional, And, the condition failing, it held not. The other half as stiffly did maintain The point of time was nothing to the point, And that, though Fergus might be late a day. The pardon granted us did yet hold good. With these young Cormac, sitting by, agreed. And, to confirm his argument, did swear That, saving still the duty of a son Defending father, were his sire assailed, He never would raise weapon 'gainst poor guests Drawn in to jeopardy of life and limb By plotted covin and duplicity. Whereat — what I had never seen before — Conor, who, ever, was as temperate As his brave step-sire jovial, swallowed down Two mighty cups of wine ; and, spying me, He called me up, and, there before them all, Demanded many things concerning thee, And did thy beauty live upon thee still ? " No," said I ; " she is wrinkled, lean, and old, And nothing like the Deirdre that she was " — The Gods forgive me for the loving lie ! But while I spoke, one entering cried, " 'Tis false ! There lives not beauty on the earth's expanse Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 571 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg062 Manuscript Crafty, Quarrel, Usnach English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg062 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg062_0.jpg LHL Archive Fit to compare with her's. I saw her sit," The insolent eaves-dropper did go on, " A perfect goddess, lovely to behold. Upon a silken couch : she flung her arms. No ivory fairer, o'er her golden harp. And played a merry and delightful air So sweet, I stood as in an ecstacy ; When that strong traitor who consorts with her. Spying me, snatched a chessman from the board And flung it full at me : see here the wound." With that he showed his cheek besmeared with blood, — I would the just Gods it had been his brains. — And Conor, rising, cried to fetch his arms, And vowed he would avenge his messenger ; Then some cried " treason " ; others that denied. And Cormac called out, " Never better hap Befall a cranny-haunting, mousing spy ! " Whereat I judged it well to come away, And there I left them wrangling noisily. DEIRDRE. It is a crafty pretext for a quarrel ; That quarrel to be pretext for his death, And my deliverance into hands abhorred. Who here ? BUINO. Who here? PURSUIVANT. A messenger from Conor, I. BUINO. His will ? PURSUIVANT. He wills that thou deliver up Naisi the son of Usnach, who stands charged With wounding to effusion of the blood. BUINO. Under safe conduct is lord Naisi here, Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 572 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg063 Manuscript Private, Betray, Poisoned English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg063 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg063_0.jpg LHL Archive And we, as sons and lawful deputies Of his great surety, Fergus son of Roy, Are answerable for him. PURSUIVANT. Yield him up. BUINO. We will not yield him. There I plant the spear Of Fergus. Pass it, and I strike thee dead. PURSUIVANT. Buino, a message for thy private ear BUINO. Deliver it without. I follow thee. DEIRDRE. It is the confirmation of the grant That bribes him to betray us. ILLAN. Oh, no, no ! If that were possible, I'd die of shame. NAISI. Await him : he'll return. DEIRDRE. Oh trustful breast, Incapable of comprehending guile. As is the goblet of true crystal stone To hold the poisoned draught that shivers it. Would I could bear thy heart-break, now at hand 1 AINLE. He comes not back. Sir, shall we take our arms ? NAISI. What, Ulan, wouldst thou that we deem ourselves Discharged the duty to rely on thee ? ILLAN. Not while I live, and these, my father's men, Are here to make the pledge of Fergus good. NAISI. The move is with thee, Ardan. Play again. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 573 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg064 Manuscript Private, Crystal, Duty English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg064 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg064_0.jpg LHL Archive Lord Buino will come back to us anon. DEIRDRE. Dalwhinny's lord, he never will come back. NAISI. I hear one coming. DEIRDRE. Oh my heart ! not he. PURSUIVANT. In the king's name, yield ye my prisoner up, Or Conor's self will fetch him. He's at hand. ILL AN We will not yield him up, to thee or him. PURSUIVANT. Thy brother Buino spoke as brave as thou, And he has done his homage gratefully. And now is lord of lands and seigniories, NAISI. We're not betrayed ? ILLAN. Oh Naisi, what a word ! Thou soon shalt see I am not worthy it. PURSUIVANT. Ilan, I bear a message for thee too. Out with it. ILLAN. Out with it. PURSUIVANT. Let me have thy private ear. ILLAN. What, tampering villain, wouldst thou bribe me too ? Up, comrades ; thrust the fellow from the door. They shall not Uve who offer Ulan shame. PURSUIVANT. Assistance, ho, without ! Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 574 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg065 Manuscript Barracks, Blood, Glorious English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg065 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg065_0.jpg LHL Archive DEIRDRE. They force the door. ILLAN. We'll meet and drive them to their barracks back. Throw the door open ! Charge upon the knaves ! LEVARCAM. Oh ye good heavens, what a man is here We counted but an hour ago a boy 1 He darts upon them fiercer than a hawk Striking at pigeons. With a swifter whirl Than arms of windmills and than grinding wheels. He makes the red rout through and over them. Hah ! from his strokes they tumble and rebound As shocks that jump upon the threshing floor. There's Fergus's true blood ! The other one Is none of his : there Fergus was played false. Oh, well done, Ulan ! Glorious youth, well done ! DEIRDRE. 'Twas tender of dishonour set aflame His soul's unconscious reservoirs of wrath That, blazing forth, do so transfigure him, And of the soft-aff'ection'd, gentle youth Make the heroic, formidable man. He fires the very moonlight with his blade, Flash upon flash. LEVARCAM. Oh, hark the dreadful clang. DEIRDRE. He fights with Conor. It is Conor's shield Screams, clamours, and resounds beneath his blows. Speed him, kind Gods ! Ah me, who strikes between ? LEVARCAM. 'Tis Cormac to his father's rescue come. Alack, young Ulan cannot combat both. He falls : he's slain : his broken band return. DEIRDRE. Leaderless remnant of brave friends, come in. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 575 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg066 Manuscript Reproach, Weak, Battalions English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg066 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg066_0.jpg LHL Archive NAISI. Now, noble brothers, we may arm ourselves, Nor wound protecting pride. Make fast the doors. Give me my corselet. DEIRDRE. Let me brace it on. The helmet, Levarcam. LEVARCAM. We'll dress our lord Most like a royal champion, DEIRDRE. Like a God We'll send him forth to trample all things base. NAISI. Oh dear-loved Deirdre, thy advice was good. I had been wiser, had I taken it, And all of us, I dread, had safer been. Yet thou dost not reproach me. DEIRDRE. No reproach From lips of Deirdre shalt thou ever hear. All that my noble lord has done was right, Wise, and magnanimous. NAISI. I did my best, Though that but ill, for honour. DEIRDRE, I, my best, Though that but weak and petulant, for love : And now for love will do whate'er remains. NAISI. Ardan, learn for us what they do without. ARDAN. They've summoned fresh battalions. Till these come They siege us at a distance. NAISI. Then, we strike Before their aids come up. Thou'rt ready, dear. To share this venture ? DEIRDRE. Ready, if near thee. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 576 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg067 Manuscript Levarcam, Despair, Death English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg067 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg067_0.jpg LHL Archive NAISI. Ardan and Ainle, to your tender care I give my Deirdre. Fence her, right and left, With cover of your bodies and your shields. I take the front. Our cohort will make head For the King's Stables. There at least we'll find A shelter v/e may better hope to hold Till Fergus's return ; or, happily, Conveyance, and the chance of full escape. DEIRDRE. Stay, Levarcam. They will not harm thee. Stay. LEVARCAM. Alack, I'm hurt, and stay against my will. NAISI. Friends, keep together. Deirdre, thou shalt see What love can do, if honour were unwise. Cast wide the portal. Be the Gods our aid 1 LEVARCAM. I cannot see their onset. I but hear The hurrying and the clashing. Oh, ye Gods. Shield ye my darling one, or send her death Rather than life with loathing and despair ! I saw her, ere she left, prepare a cup ; What, and for what, I guess indeed too well. Would I could give it her, were that to do : 'Twere my last service, and would be my best. How dreadful 'tis to hear men dealing death. And not to know who falls and who keeps up. The tumult slackens. We are saved or lost. One side returns victorious. Deirdre comes : But ah, her sidesmen are not those they were ! 'Tis Cormac leads her ; these are Conor's men That bear the burthens in. Oh, heavy sight. Ardan and Ainle and lord Naisi dead ! DEIRDRE. Ye need not hold me. I am wholly calm. Thanks, gentle Cormac, who hast won for me The boon to see these nobles buried. Give them an honorable sepulture ; And, while ye dig their grave, let me begin My lamentable death-song over them. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 577 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg068 Manuscript Vile' Fraudulent, Maev English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg068 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg068_0.jpg LHL Archive CORMAC. Deirdre, 'tis time that I conduct thee hence. DEIRDRE. Sir, I am, sudden, faint. That cup of wine Is still untasted. Pray thee hand it me. N I would but kiss my nurse and say farewell. Now give me this refreshment. LEVARCAM. She'll not thirst More in this world ; now well past reach of harm. CORMAC. Ay ; so. 'Twas poisoned. She has freed herself Oh, wretched king, who now canst only hear That all for nothing thou hast been forsworn. Fair corpse, I'll have thee by thy husband laid. Thou art her nurse, and thou shalt see to it. LEVARCAM. Sir, I have heard a shout which I know well 'Tis Fergus who approaches. Stay not here CORMAC. To save a father vile and fraudulent, I've slain the noblest youth in all the world. For him I fight no more. I fear to face The grief of guileless Fergus whom I love, More even than his wrath. I'll get me hence, And, in the west, will seek a guardsman's pay With Maev and Ailill, till this storm be passed. FERGUS. Where are my wards, my wards that I have bailed ? Where are my sons who had my wards in charge ? Their danger was revealed me ere I sat. And hot upon their track I'm here, to find Confusion, horror, blood, and treachery. Where are my wards, the wards of Fergus, where ? Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 578 Deirdre Linen Hall Library 1880 Linen Hall Library Thursday, February 4, 2016 TIFF Ferg069 Manuscript Unhappy, Palace, World English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/ferg069 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Ferg069_0.jpg LHL Archive LEVARCAM. Too blind with passion to perceive them lie Here almost at his feet : he hurries past. Unhappy Fergus, what atrocious pangs Of rage and self-reproach will sting thee through When presently thou shalt have learned it all ! Ay, big with bitter knowledge, back he comes. FERGUS. Fire, bring me fire ! bring ropes and grapple-hooks ! I’ll pull his proud aspiring palace-roof Down to the ground and burn it over him, I'll take such vengeance on this traitor king All Erin, shore to shore, shall ring with it, And poets in the ages yet to come, Make tales of wonder of it for the world. The End. Text ​Sir Samuel Ferguson Monday, June 27, 2016 - 16:12 579