CONCOBAR—Do not speak to me in portents. Lift up your head, Druidess. Where is Deirdre?
LAVARCAM—(looking up). Deirdre is gone!
CONCOBAR—By the high gods, tell me whither, and who has dared to take her hence?
LAVARCAM—She has fled with Naisi, son of Usna, and is beyond your vengeance, king.
CONCOBAR—Woman, I swear by Balor, Tethra, and all the brood of demons, I will have such a vengeance a thousand years hereafter shall be frightened at the tale. If the Red Branch is to fall, it will sink at least in the seas of the blood of the clan Usna.
LAVARCAM—O king, the doom of the Red Branch had already gone forth when you suffered love for Deirdre to enter your heart.
[Scene closes.]
ACT II.
SCENE.—In a dun by Loch Etive. Through the open door can be seen lakes and wooded islands in a silver twilight. DEIRDRE stands at the door looking over the lake. NAISI is within binding a spearhead to the shaft.
DEIRDRE—How still is the twilight! It is the sunset, not of one, but of many days—so still, so still, so living! The enchantment of Dana is upon the lakes and islands and woods, and the Great Father looks down through the deepening heavens.