But why were you born
crooked?
Yeats
FIRST CRIPPLE.
[_Clutching the other CRIPPLE. _]
Come out of this!
SECOND CRIPPLE.
[_Pointing to food. _]
If you don't need it, sir,
May we not carry some of it away?
[_They cross towards food and pass in front of
SEANCHAN. _
SEANCHAN.
Who's speaking? Who are you?
FIRST CRIPPLE.
Come out of this!
SECOND CRIPPLE.
Have pity on us, that must beg our bread
From table to table throughout the entire world,
And yet be hungry.
SEANCHAN.
But why were you born crooked?
What bad poet did your mothers listen to
That you were born so crooked?
CRIPPLE.
Come away!
Maybe he's cursed the food, and it might kill us.
OTHER CRIPPLE.
Yes, better come away.
[_They go out. _
SEANCHAN.
[_Staggering, and speaking wearily. _]
He has great strength
And great patience to hold his right hand there,
Uplifted, and not wavering about.
He is much stronger than I am, much stronger.
[_Sinks down on steps. Enter MAYOR and FEDELM. _
FEDELM.
[_Her finger on her lips.
