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Among the unseen secrets of the world,
Christ that we knelt to once is lying dead.

Mairi. Father, have you forgotten God so soon?

Ian. I have forgotten all things save the song
Of Angus that I cannot follow now,
And the fierce music of the lords of war,
When fighting heroes meet in the glad ring
Of sword on sword and cries of wounded men.
[Recalls himself.
Mairi put meat and drink before the stranger.
I must be going with the sheep again.
[He goes out. Mairi bursts into tears.

Mairi. My sorrow on the people of the hills,
My sorrow on the heart that could forget,
My sorrow on you, stranger, who have cast
A misty spell before my father’s eyes,
So that the face of Christ grows dark to him.

Alastair (kneels beside her).
Oh beautiful in sorrow still weep on,
Shrouding your face within a veil of tears.
Weep, for your grief will roll away the years
That have drawn long forgetfulness between us.
[She turns away.

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