Child, how old are you?
THE CHILD
When winter sleep is abroad my hair grows thin,
My feet unsteady. When the leaves awaken
My mother carries me in her golden arms.
I will soon put on my womanhood and marry
The spirits of wood and water, but who can tell
When I was born for the first time? I think
I am much older than the eagle cock
That blinks and blinks on Ballygawley Hill,
And he is the oldest thing under the moon.
FATHER HART
She is of the faëry people.
THE CHILD
I am Brig's daughter.
I sent my messengers for milk and fire,
And then I heard one call to me and came.
(They all except SHAWN and MAIRE BRUIN gather
behind the priest for protection.)
SHAWN (rising)
Though you have made all these obedient,
You have not charmed my sight, and won from me
A wish or gift to make you powerful;
I'll turn you from the house.
FATHER HART
No, I will face her.
THE CHILD
Because you took away the crucifix
I am so mighty that there's none can pass
Unless I will it, where my feet have danced
Or where I've twirled my finger tops.
(SHAWN tries to approach her and cannot.)
MAURTEEN
Look, look!
There something stops him—look how he moves his hands
As though he rubbed them on a wall of glass.