FERGUS—He sends forgiveness and greetings.
DEIRDRE—O Naisi, he sends honied words by the mouth of Fergus, but the pent-up death broods in his own heart.
BUINNE—We were tempest-beaten, indeed, on the sea of Moyle, but the storm of this girl's speech is more fearful to face.
FERGUS—Your tongue is too swift, Buinne. I say to you, Deirdre, that if all the kings of Eri brooded ill to Naisi, they dare not break through my protection.
NAISI—It is true, indeed, Fergus, though I have never asked any protection save my own sword. It is a chill welcome you give to Fergus and his sons, Deirdre. Ainle, tell them within to make ready the feasting hall. [AINLE goes into an inner room.]
DEIRDRE—I pray thy pardon, warrior. Thy love for Naisi I do not doubt. But in this holy place there is peace, and the doom that Cathvah the Druid cried cannot fall. And oh, I feel, too, there, is One here among us who pushes us silently from the place of life, and we are drifting away—away from the world, on a tide which goes down into the darkness!
ARDAN—The darkness is in your mind alone, poor sister. Great is our joy to hear the message of Fergus.
NAISI—It is not like the king to change his will. Fergus, what has wrought upon his mind?
FERGUS—He took counsel with the Druids and Lavarcam, and thereafter spake at Emain Macha, that for no woman in the world should the sons of Usna be apart from the Red Branch. And so we all spake joyfully; and I have come with the king's message of peace, for he knew that for none else wouldst thou return.
NAISI—Surely, I will go with thee, Fergus. I long for the shining eyes of friends and the fellowship of the Red Branch, and to see my own country by the sea of Moyle. I weary of this barbarous people in Alba.