[_Fergus and others come in. They are all subdued like men at a queen’s wake._
NAISI. — _putting up his sword._ — There he is. (_Goes to Fergus._) We are going back when the tide turns, I and Deirdre with yourself.
AINNLE. And you’ll end your life with Deirdre, though she has no match for keeping spirits in a little company is far away by itself?
ARDAN. It’s seven years myself and Ainnle have been servants and bachelors for yourself and Deirdre. Why will you take her back to Conchubor?
NAISI. I have done what Deirdre wishes and has chosen.
FERGUS. You’ve made a choice wise men will be glad of in the five ends of Ireland.
OWEN. Wise men is it, and they going back to Conchubor? I could stop them only Naisi put in his sword among my father’s ribs, and when a man’s done that he’ll not credit your oath. Going to Conchubor! I could tell of plots and tricks, and spies were well paid for their play. (_He throws up a bag of gold._) Are you paid, Fergus?
OWEN. — _flying between them._ — You won’t. Let the lot of you be off to Emain, but I’ll be off before you. . . . Dead men, dead men! Men who’ll die for Deirdre’s beauty; I’ll be before you in the grave!
[_Runs out with his knife in his hand. They all run after him except Lavarcham, who looks out and then clasps her hands. Deirdre comes out to her in a dark cloak._
LAVARCHAM. It’s Owen’s gone raging mad, and he’s after splitting his gullet beyond at the butt of the stone. There was ill luck this day in his eye. And he knew a power if he’d said it all.
[_Naisi comes back quickly, followed by the others._
AINNLE. — _coming in very excited._ — That man knew plots of Conchubor’s. We’ll not go to Emain, where Conchubor may love her and have hatred for yourself.
AINNLE. It’s many times there’s more sense in madmen than the wise. We will not obey Conchubor.
NAISI. I and Deirdre have chosen; we will go back with Fergus.
ARDAN. We will not go back. We will burn your curaghs by the sea.
AINNLE. We will blow the horn of Usna and our friends will come to aid us.
AINNLE. Your friends will bind your hands, and you out of your wits.
[_Deirdre comes forward quickly and comes between Ainnle and Naisi._
DEIRDRE. — _in a low voice._ — For seven years the Sons of Usna have not raised their voices in a quarrel.