AINLE—Having seen Deirdre, my heart is with you, brother, and I also am guilty.
ARDAN—I think, being here, we, too, have broken the command of the king. We will go with thee to Alba, dear brother and sister.
LAVARCAM—Oh, tarry not, tarry not! Make haste while there is yet time. The thoughts of the king are circling around Deirdre as wolves around the fold. Try not the passes of the valley, but over the hills. The passes are all filled with the spearmen of the king.
NAISI—We will carry thee over the mountains, Deirdre, and tomorrow will see us nigh to the isles of Alba.
DEIRDRE—Farewell, dear fostermother. I have passed the faery sea since dawn, and have found the Island of Joy. Oh, see! what bright birds are around us, with dazzling wings! Can you not hear their singing? Oh, bright birds, make music for ever around my love and me!
LAVARCAM—They are the birds of Angus. Their singing brings love—and death.
DEIRDRE—Nay, death has come before love, dear fostermother, and all I was has vanished like a dewdrop in the sun. Oh, beloved, let us go. We are leaving death behind us in the valley.
[DEIRDRE and the brothers go through the wood. LAVARCAM watches, and when they are out of sight sits by the door of the dun with her head bowed to her knees. After a little CONCOBAR enters.]
CONCOBAR—Where is Deirdre?
LAVARCAM—(not lifting her head). Deirdre has left death behind her, and has entered into the Kingdom of her Youth.