If I've your leave I'll take this
challenge
up.
Yeats
tell her
I was afraid, or tell her what you will.
No; tell her that I heard a raven croak
On the north side of the house, and was afraid.
CONCHUBAR.
Some witch of the air has troubled Cuchulain's mind.
CUCHULAIN.
No witchcraft. His head is like a woman's head
I had a fancy for.
CONCHUBAR.
A witch of the air
Can make a leaf confound us with memories.
They run upon the wind and hurl the spells
That make us nothing, out of the invisible wind.
They have gone to school to learn the trick of it.
CUCHULAIN.
No, no--there's nothing out of common here;
The winds are innocent. --That arm-ring, boy.
A KING.
If I've your leave I'll take this challenge up.
ANOTHER KING.
No, give it me, High King, for this wild Aoife
Has carried off my slaves.
ANOTHER KING.
No, give it me,
For she has harried me in house and herd.
ANOTHER KING.
I claim this fight.
OTHER KINGS [_together_].
And I! And I! And I!
CUCHULAIN.
Back! back! Put up your swords! Put up your swords!
I was afraid, or tell her what you will.
No; tell her that I heard a raven croak
On the north side of the house, and was afraid.
CONCHUBAR.
Some witch of the air has troubled Cuchulain's mind.
CUCHULAIN.
No witchcraft. His head is like a woman's head
I had a fancy for.
CONCHUBAR.
A witch of the air
Can make a leaf confound us with memories.
They run upon the wind and hurl the spells
That make us nothing, out of the invisible wind.
They have gone to school to learn the trick of it.
CUCHULAIN.
No, no--there's nothing out of common here;
The winds are innocent. --That arm-ring, boy.
A KING.
If I've your leave I'll take this challenge up.
ANOTHER KING.
No, give it me, High King, for this wild Aoife
Has carried off my slaves.
ANOTHER KING.
No, give it me,
For she has harried me in house and herd.
ANOTHER KING.
I claim this fight.
OTHER KINGS [_together_].
And I! And I! And I!
CUCHULAIN.
Back! back! Put up your swords! Put up your swords!
