Where There is Nothing / Being Volume I of Plays for an Irish Theatre

by W. B. Yeats

Aloysius. He wants the crown!

Paul Ruttledge. Where is Bartley?

Colman. He is gone. Come, you must go too, we can't leave you here. You have too much to do to throw your life away, we have all too much to do.

Paul Ruttledge. No, no. There is nothing to do; I am going to stay.

Aloysius. I will stay with you. [Takes his hand.

Paul Ruttledge. Death is the last adventure, the first perfect joy, for at death the soul comes into possession of itself, and returns to the joy that made it. [A great shout outside.

Colman. [Seizing Aloysius.] Come, come, Aloysius! come, Paul! We haven't a moment, here they are. [Drags Aloysius away.

Paul Ruttledge. Good-bye, Aloysius, good-bye, Colman. Keep a pick going at the foundations of the world.

Colman and Aloysius run on.

One of the Mob outside. They are here in the ruins!