What rumours and what
portents
of the famine?
Yeats
CATHLEEN.
He may come.
[_The HERDSMAN enters from the door to R. _
HERDSMAN.
Forgive this dusty gear: I have come far.
My sheep were taken from the fold last night.
You will be angry: I am not to blame.
But blame these robbing times.
CATHLEEN.
No blame's with you.
I blame the famine.
HERDSMAN.
Kneeling, I give thanks.
When gazing on your face, the poorest, Lady,
Forget their poverty, the rich their care.
CATHLEEN.
What rumours and what portents of the famine?
HERDSMAN.
As I came down the lane by Tubber-vanach
A boy and man sat cross-legged on two stones,
With moving hands and faces famine-thin,
Gabbling to crowds of men and wives and boys
Of how two merchants at a house in the woods
Buy souls for hell, giving so great a price
That men may live through all the dearth in plenty.
The vales are famine-crazy--I am right glad
My home is on the mountain near to God.
[_He turns to go. _
CATHLEEN.
They will give you ale and meat before you go.
You must have risen at dawn to come so far.
Keep your bare mountain--let the world drift by,
The burden of its wrongs rests not on you.
HERDSMAN.
I am content to serve your ladyship.
[_He goes. _
OONA.
What did he say? --he stood on my deaf side.
He seemed to give you word of woful things.
