Page:Plays in Prose and Verse (1922).djvu/144

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128
ON BAILE'S STRAND

cuchulain. Because I have killed men without your bidding;
And have rewarded others at my own pleasure,
Because of half a score of trifling things
You’d lay this oath upon me, and now—and now;
You add another pebble to the heap,
And I must be your man, well-nigh your bondsman,
Because a youngster out of Aoife’s country
Has found the shore ill-guarded.

conchubar. He came to land
While you were somewhere out of sight and hearing,
Hunting or dancing with your wild companions.

cuchulain. He can be driven out. I’ll not be bound.
I'll dance or hunt, or quarrel or make love,
Wherever and whenever I’ve a mind to.
If time had not put water in your blood,
You never would have thought it.

conchubar. I would leave
A strong and settled country to my children.

cuchulain. And I must be obedient in all things;
Give up my will to yours; go where you please;
Come when you call; sit at the council-board