MICHAEL.
If we took pity on you, the Lord God would, maybe, bring us ruin from the law to-day, so you’d best come easy, for hanging is an easy and a speedy end.
CHRISTY.
I’ll not stir. (To Pegeen.) And what is it you’ll say to me, and I after doing it this time in the face of all?
PEGEEN.
I’ll say, a strange man is a marvel, with his mighty talk; but what’s a squabble in your back-yard, and the blow of a loy, have taught me that there’s a great gap between a gallous story and a dirty deed. (To men.) Take him on from this, or the lot of us will be likely put on trial for his deed to-day.
CHRISTY.
with horror in his voice.—And it’s yourself will send me off, to have a horny-fingered hangman hitching his bloody slip-knots at the butt of my ear.
MEN.
pulling rope.—Come on, will you? [He is pulled down on the floor.]
CHRISTY.
twisting his legs round the table.—Cut the rope, Pegeen, and I’ll quit the lot of you, and live from this out, like the madmen of Keel, eating muck and green weeds, on the faces of the cliffs.
PEGEEN.
And leave us to hang, is it, for a saucy liar, the like of you? (To men.) Take him on, out from this.
SHAWN.
Pull a twist on his neck, and squeeze him so.
PHILLY.
Twist yourself. Sure he cannot hurt you, if you keep your distance from his teeth alone.
SHAWN.
I’m afeard of him. (To Pegeen.) Lift a lighted sod, will you, and scorch his leg.