Cuchulain
has gone out to die.
Yeats
What do you cry aloud?
FIRST WOMAN.
The ever-living have shown me what's to come.
THIRD WOMAN.
How? Where?
FIRST WOMAN.
In the ashes of the bowl.
SECOND WOMAN.
While you were holding it between your hands?
THIRD WOMAN.
Speak quickly!
FIRST WOMAN.
I have seen Cuchulain's roof-tree
Leap into fire, and the walls split and blacken.
SECOND WOMAN.
Cuchulain has gone out to die.
THIRD WOMAN.
O! O!
SECOND WOMAN.
Who could have thought that one so great as he
Should meet his end at this unnoted sword!
FIRST WOMAN.
Life drifts between a fool and a blind man
To the end, and nobody can know his end.
SECOND WOMAN.
Come, look upon the quenching of this greatness.
[_The other two go to the door, but they stop for a
moment upon the threshold and wail. _
FIRST WOMAN.
No crying out, for there'll be need of cries
And knocking at the breast when it's all finished.
[_The WOMEN go out. There is a sound of clashing swords
from time to time during what follows. _
[_Enter the FOOL dragging the BLIND MAN.
