Page:Plays in Prose and Verse (1922).djvu/93

Rh I have the words. They are all upon the Ogham. ‘Chief Poet,’ 'Ireland,’ ‘Townsman,’ ‘Grazing land.’ But what’s their order?

[He keeps muttering over his speech during what follows.

. The King were rightly served If Seanchan drove his good luck away. What’s there about a king, that’s in the world From birth to burial like another man, That he should change old customs, that were in it As long as ever the world has been a world?

. If I were king I would not meddle with him, For there is something queer about a poet. I knew of one that would be making rhyme Under a thorn at crossing of three roads. He was as ragged as ourselves, and yet He was no sooner dead than every thorn tree From Inchy to Kiltartan withered away.

. The King is but a fool!

. I am getting ready.

. A poet has power from beyond the world, That he may set our thoughts upon old times, And lucky queens and little holy fish That rise up every seventh year——

. Hush! hush!