The Collected Works in Verse and Prose of William Butler Yeats, Vol. 2 (of 8) / The King's Threshold. On Baile's Strand. Deirdre. Shadowy Waters

by W. B. Yeats

SECOND MUSICIAN.

But her goodman answered her:

‘Love would be a thing of naught

Had not all his limbs a stir

Born out of immoderate thought;

Were he anything by half,

Were his measure running dry.

Lovers, if they may not laugh,

Have to cry, have to cry.’

[DEIRDRE, NAISI, and FERGUS have been seen for a moment through the windows, but now they have entered. NAISI lays down shield and spear and helmet, as if weary. He goes to the door opposite to the door he entered by. He looks out on to the road that leads to CONCHUBAR’S house. If he is anxious, he would not have FERGUS or DEIRDRE notice it. Presently he comes from the door, and goes to the table where the chessboard is.