THE COLLEEN BAWN.ACT I.
THE COLLEEN BAWN.
SCENE I.—[Night.]—Torc Cregan, the Residence of Mrs. Cregan, on the Banks of Killarney. House,L.2E.;window facing Audience—light behind—light to work in drop at back. Stage open at back. Music—seven bars before curtain.
EnterHardress Cregan,from house,L.
Hard[Going upC.] Hist! Danny, are you there?
Dannyappearing from below, at back.
DannyIs it yourself, Masther Hardress?
HardIs the boat ready?
DannySnug under the blue rock, sir.
HardDoes Eily expect me to-night?
DannyExpict is it? Here is a lether she bade me give yes; sure the young thing is never aisy when you are away. Look, masther, dear, do ye see that light, no bigger than a star beyant on Muckross Head?
HardYes, it is the signal which my dear Eily leaves burning in our chamber.
DannyAll night long she sits beside that light, wid her face fixed on that lamp in your windy above.
HardDear, dear Eily! after all here’s asleep, I will leap from my window, and we’ll cross the lake.
Danny[Searching.] Where did I put that lether?
EnterKyrle Dalyfrom house,L.
Kyrle[L.] Hardress, who is that with you?
Hard[C.] Only Mann, my boatman.
KyrleThat fellow is like your shadow.
Danny[R.] Is it a cripple like me, that would be the shadow of an illegant gintleman like Mr. Hardress Cregan?
Kyrle[L.] Well, I mean that he never leaves your side.
Hard[C.] And he nevershallleave me. Ten years ago he was a fine boy—we were foster-brothers, and playmates—in a moment of passion, while we were struggling, I flung him from the gap rock into the reeks below, and thus he was maimed for life.
DannyArrah! whist aroon! wouldn’t I die for yez? didn’t the same mother foster us? Why, wouldn’t ye break my back if it plazed ye, and welkim! Oh, Masther Kyrle, if ye’d seen him nursin’ me for months, and cryin’ over me, and keenin’! Sin’ that time, sir, my body’s been crimpin’ up smaller and smaller every year, but my heart is gettin’ bigger for him every day.
HardGo along, Danny.
DannyLong life t’ye, sir! I’m off.
[Runs up and descends rocks,C.toR.
KyrleHardress, a word with you. Be honest with me—do you love Anne Chute?
HardWhy do you ask?
KyrleBecause we have been fellow-collegians and friends through life, and the five years that I have passed at sea have strengthened, but have not cooled, my feelings towards you.[Offers hand.
EnterMrs. Cregan,from house,L.
Hard[L.] Nor mine for you, Kyrle. You are the same noble fellow as ever. You ask me if I love my cousin Anne?
Mrs. C[C.,between them.] And I will answer you, Mr. Daly.
Hard[R.] My mother!
Mrs. C[C.] My son and Miss Chute are engaged. Excuse me, Kyrle, for intruding on your secret, but I have observed your love for Anne with some regret. I hope your heart is not so far gone as to be beyond recovery.
Kyrle[L.] Forgive me, Mrs. Cregan, but are you certain that Miss Chute really is in love with Hardress?
Mrs. CLook at him! I’m sure no girl could do that and doubt it.
KyrleBut I’m not a girl, ma’am; and sure, if you aremistaken—
HardMy belief is that Anne does not care a token for me, and likes Kyrle better.
Mrs. C[C.] You are an old friend of my son, and I may confide to you a family secret. The extravagance of my husband left this estate deeply involved. By this marriage with Anne Chute we redeem every acre of our barony. My son and she have been brought up as children together, and don’t know their true feelings yet.
HardStop, mother, I know this: I would not wed my cousin if she did not love me, not if she carried the whole county Kerry in her pocket, and the barony of Kenmare in the crown of her hat.
Mrs. CDo you hear the proud blood of the Cregans?
HardWoo her, Kyrle, if you like, and win her if you can. I’ll back you.
EnterAnne Chute,from house,L.
Anne[L. C.] So will I—What’s the bet?
Mrs. CHush!
AnneI’d like to have bet on Kyrle.
HardWell, Anne, I’ll tell you what it was.
Mrs. C[C.] Hardress!
Anne[L. C.] Pull in one side aunt, and let the boy go on.
Hard[R.] Kyrle wanted to know if the dark brown colt, Hardress Cregan, was going to walk over the course for the Anne Chute Stakes, or whether it was a scrub-race open to all.
AnneI’m free-trade—coppleens, mules and biddys.
Mrs. CHow can you trifle with a heart like Kyrle’s?
AnneTrifle! his heart can be no trifle, if he’s all in proportion.
EnterServant,from house,L.
ServantSquire Corrigan, ma’am, begs to see you.
Mrs CAt this hour, what can the fellow want? Show Mr. Corrigan here. [ExitServantinto house,L.] I hate this man; he was my husband’s agent, or what the people here call a middle-man—vulgarly polite, and impudently obsequious.
Hard[R.] Genus squireen—a half sir, and a whole scoundrel.
AnneI know—a potatoe on a silver plate: I’ll leave you to peel him. Come, Mr. Daly, take me for a moonlight walk, and be funny.
KyrleFunny, ma’am, I’m afraid Iam—
AnneYou are heavy, you mean; you roll through the world like a hogshead of whisky; but you only want tapping for pure spirits to flow out spontaneously. Give me your arm. [Crossing,R.] Hold that glove now. You are from Ballinasloe, I think?
KyrleI’m Connaught to the core of my heart.
AnneTo the roots of your hair, you mean. I bought a horse at Ballinasloe fair that deceived me; I hope you won’t turn out to belong to the same family.
Kyrle[R. C.] What did he do?
AnneOh! like you, he looked well enough—deep in the chest as a pool—a-dhiol, and broad in the back as the Gap of Dunloe—but after two days’ warm work he came all to pieces, and Larry, my groom, said he’d been stuck together with glue.
Kyrle[R.] Really, Miss Chute![Music.—Exeunt,R.1E.
Hard[Advancing, laughing.] That girl is as wild as a coppleen,—she won’t leave him a hair on the head.[Goes up.
EnterServant,showing inCorrigan,from house,L.
[ExitServant,L.
Corrigan[L.] Your humble servant, Mrs. Cregan—my service t’ye, ’Squire—it’s a fine night, entirely.
Mrs. C[C.] May I ask to what business, sir, we have the honor of your call?
Corrig[Aside,L. C.] Proud as a Lady Beelzebub, and as grand as a queen. [Aloud.] True for you, ma’am; I would not have, come, but for a divil of a pinch I’m in entirely. I’ve got to pay £8,000 to-morrow or lose the Knockmakilty farms.
Mrs. CWell, sir?
CorrigAnd I wouldn’t throubleye—
Mrs. CTrouble me, sir?
CorrigIss, ma’am—ye’d be forgettin’ now that mortgage I have on this property. It ran out last May, and byrights—
Mrs. CIt will be paid next month.
CorrigAre you reckonin’ on the marriage of Mister Hardress and Miss Anne Chute?
Hard[Advancing,R.] Mr. Corrigan, you forget yourself.
Mrs. CLeave us, Hardress, a while. [Hardressretires,R.] Now, Mr. Corrigan, state, in as few words as possible, what you demand.
CorrigMrs. Cregan, ma’am, you depend on Miss Anne Chute’s fortune to pay me the money, but your son does not love the lady, or, if he does, he has a mighty quare way of showing it. He has another girl on hand, and betune the two he’ll come to the ground, and so bedad will I.
Mrs. CThat is false—it is a calumny, sir!
CorrigI wish it was, ma’am. D’ye see that light over the lake? your son’s eyes are fixed on it. What would Anne Chute say if she knew that her husband, that is to be, had a mistress beyant—that he slips out every night after you’re all in bed, and like Leandher, barrin’ the wettin’, he sails across to his sweetheart?
Mrs. CIs this the secret of his aversion to the marriage? Fool! fool! what madness, and at such a moment.
CorrigThat’s what I say, and no lie in it.
Mrs. CHe shall give up this girl—he must!
CorrigI would like to have some security for that. I want, by to-morrow, Anne Chute’s written promise to marry him, or my £8,000.
Mrs. CIt is impossible, sir; you hold ruin over our heads.
CorrigMadam, it’s got to hang over your head or mine.
Mrs. CStay; you know that what you ask is out of our power—you know it—therefore this demand only covers the true object of your visit.
Corrig’Pon my honor! and you are as ’cute, ma’am, as you are beautiful!
Mrs. CGo on, sir.
CorrigMrs. Cregan, I’m goin’ to do a foolish thing—now, by gorra I am! I’m richer than ye think, maybe, and if you’ll give me yourpersonalsecurity, I’ll take it.
Mrs. CWhat do you mean?
CorrigI meant that I’ll take a lien for life onyou, instead of the mortgage I hold on the Cregan property. [Aside.] That’s nate, I’m thinkin’.
Mrs. CAre you mad?
CorrigI am—mad in love with yourself, and that’s what I’ve been these fifteen years.[Music through dialogue, tillAnne Chuteis off.
Mrs. CInsolent wretch! my son shall answer and chastise you. [Calls.] Hardress!
Hard[Advancing.] Madam.
EnterAnne ChuteandKyrle,R.
CorrigMiss Chute! }
HardWell, mother? } [Together.]
AnneWell, sir? }
Mrs. C[Aside.] Scoundrel! he will tell her all and ruin us! [Aloud.] Nothing.[Turns aside.
CorrigYour obedient.
AnneOh![Crosses withKyrleand exit,L. U. E.—Music ceases.
CorrigYou are in my power, ma’am. See, now, not a sowl but myself knows of this secret love of Hardress Cregan, and I’ll keep it as snug as a bug in a rug, if you’ll only say the word.
Mrs. CContemptible hound, I loathe and despise you!
CorrigI’ve known that fifteen years, but it hasn’t cured my heart ache.
Mrs. CAnd you would buy my aversion and disgust!
CorrigJust as Anne Chute buys your son, if she knew but all. Can he love his girl beyant, widout haten this heiress he’s obliged toswallow?—ain’t you sthriven to sell him? But you didn’t feel the hardship of being sold till you tried it on yourself.
Mrs. CI beg you, sir, to leave me.
CorrigThat’s right, ma’am—think over it, sleep on it. To-morrow, I’ll call for your answer. Good evenin’ kindly.
[Music.—ExitCorrigan,in house,L.
Mrs. CHardress.
HardWhat did he want?
Mrs. CHe came to tell me the meaning of yonder light upon Muckross Head.
HardAh! has it been discovered? Well, mother, now you know the cause of my coldness, my indifference for Anne.
Mrs. CAre you in your senses, Hardress? Who is this girl?
HardShe is known at every fair and pattern in Munster as the Colleen Bawn—her name is Eily O’Connor.
Mrs. CA peasant girl—a vulgar, barefooted beggar!
HardWhatever she is, love has made her my equal, and when you set your foot upon her you tread upon my heart.
Mrs. C’Tis well, Hardress. I feel that perhaps I have no right to dispose of your life and your happiness—no, my dear son—I would not wound you—heaven knows how well I love my darling boy, and you shall feel it. Corrigan has made me an offer by which you may regain the estate, and without selling yourself to Anne Chute.
HardWhat is it? Of course you accepted it?
Mrs. CNo, but I will accept, yes, for your sake—I—I will. He offers to cancel this mortgage if—if—I will consent to—become his wife.
HardYou—you, mother? Has hedared—
Mrs. CHush! he is right. A sacrifice must be made—either you or I must suffer. Life is before you—my days are well nigh past—and for your sake, Hardress—for yours; my pride, my only one.—Oh! I would give you more than my life.
HardNever—never! I will not—can not accept it. I’ll tear that dog’s tongue from his throat that dared insult you with the offer.
Mrs. CFoolish boy, before to-morrow night we shall be beggars—outcasts from this estate. Humiliation and poverty stand like specters at yonder door—to-morrow they will be realities. Can you tear out the tongues that will wag over our fallen fortunes? You are a child, you can not see beyond your happiness.
HardOh, mother, mother! what can be done? My marriage with Anne is impossible.
EnterDanny Mann,up rock, at back.
Danny[R. C.] Whisht, if ye plaze—ye’re talkin’ so loud she’ll hear ye say that—she’s comin’.
Mrs. CHas this fellow overheard us?
HardIf he has, he is mine, body and soul. I’d rather trust him with a secret than keep it myself.
Mrs. C[L. C.] I can not remain to see Anne; excuse me to my friends. The night perhaps will bring counsel, or at least resolution to hear the worst! Good night, my son.
[Music.—Exit into house,L.
Danny[R. C.] Oh, masther! she doesn’t know the worst! She doesn’t know that you are married to the Colleen Bawn.
HardHush! what fiend prompts you to thrust that act of folly in my face?
DannyThrue for ye, masther! I’m a dirty mane scut to remind ye of it.
HardWhat will my haughty, noble mother say, when she learns the truth! how can I ask her to receive Eily as a daughter?—Eily, with her awkward manners, her Kerry brogue, her ignorance of the usages of society. Oh, what have I done?
DannyOh! vo—vo, has the ould family come to this! Is it the daughter of Mihil-na-Thradrucha, the old rope-maker of Garryowen, that ’ud take the flure as your wife?
HardBe silent, scoundrel! How dare you speak thus of my love!—wretch that I am to blame her!—poor, beautiful, angel-hearted Eily.
DannyBeautiful is it! Och—wurra—wurra, deelish! The looking-glass was never made that could do her justice; and if St. Patrick wanted a wife, where would he find an angel that ’ud compare with the Colleen Bawn. As I row her on the lake, the little fishes come up to look at her; and the wind from heaven lifts up her hair to see what the divil brings her down here at all—at all.
HardThe fault is mine—mine alone—I alone will suffer!
DannyWhy isn’t it mine? Why can’t I suffer for yez, masther dear? Wouldn’t I swally every tear in your body, every bit of bad luck in your life, and then wid a stone round my neck, sink myself and your sorrows in the bottom of the lower lake.
Hard[Placing hand onDanny.] Good Danny, away with you to the boat—be ready in a few moments; we will cross to Muckross Head.[Looks at light at back.
[Music.—ExitHardnessinto house,L.
DannyNever fear, sir. Oh! it isn’t that spalpeen, Corrigan, that shall bring ruin on that ould place. Lave Danny alone. Danny, the fox, will lade yez round and about, and cross the scint. [Takes off his hat—sees letter.] Bedad, here’s the letter from the Colleen Bawn that I couldn’t find a while ago—it’s little use now. [Goes to lower window, and reads by light from house.] “Come to your own Eily, that has not seen you for two long days. Come, acushla agrah machree. I have forgotten how much you love me—Shule, shule agrah.—Colleen Bawn.” Divil an address is on it.
EnterKyrleandAnne,L. U. E.
Anne[C.] Have they gone?
Kyrle[L. C.] It is nearly midnight.
AnneBefore we go in, I insist on knowing who is this girl that possesses your heart. You confess that you are in love—deeply in love.
KyrleI do confess it—but not even your power can extract that secret from me—do not ask me, for I could not be false, yet dare not be true.[ExitKyrleinto house,L.
Anne[L. C.] He loves me—oh! he loves me—the little bird is making a nest in my heart. Oh! I’m faint with joy.
Danny[As if calling after him.] Sir, sir!
AnneWho is that?
DannyI’m the boatman below, an’ I’m waitin for the gintleman.
AnneWhat gentleman?
DannyHim that’s jist left me, ma’am—I’m waitin’ on him.
AnneDoes Mr. Kyrle Daly go out boating at this hour?
DannyIt’s not for me to say, ma’am, but every night at twelve o’clock I’m here wid my boat under the blue rock below, to put him across the lake to Muckross Head. I beg your pardon, ma’am, but here’s a paper ye dropped on the walk beyant—if it’s no vally I’d like to light my pipe wid it.[Gives it.
AnneA paper I dropped![Goes to window—reads.
Danny[Aside.] Oh, Misther Corrigan, you’ll ruin masther will ye? aisy now, and see how I’ll put the cross on ye.
AnneA love-letter from some peasant girl to Kyrle Daly! Can this be the love of which he spoke? have I deceived myself?
DannyI must be off, ma’am; here comes the signal.[Music.
AnneThe signal?
DannyD’ye see yonder light upon Muckross Head? It is in a cottage windy; that light goes in and out three times winkin’ that way, as much as to say, “Are ye comin’?” Then if the light in that room there [points at house above,] answers by a wink, it manes No! but if it goes out entirely, his honor jumps from the parlor windy into the garden behind, and we’re off. Look! [Light in cottage disappears.] That’s one. [Light appears.] Now again. [Light disappears.] That’s two. [Light appears.] What did I tell you? [Light disappears.] That’s three, and here it comes again. [Light appears.] Wait now, and ye’ll see the answer. [Light disappears from window,L.] That’s my gentleman. [Music change.] You see he’s goin’—good night, ma’am.
AnneStay, here’s money; do not tell Mr. Daly that I know of this.
DannyDivil a word—long life t’ye.[Goes up.
AnneI was not deceived; he meant me to understand that he loved me! Hark! I hear the sound of some one who leaped heavily on the garden walk.[Goes to houseL.—looking at back.
EnterHardress,wrapped in a boat cloak,L. U. E.
Danny[Going down,R. C.] All right, yer honor.
[Hardresscrosses at back, and down rock,R. C.
Anne[Hiding,L.] It is he, ’tis he.
[MistakingHardressforDaly—closed in.
SCENE II.—The Gap of Dunloe.[1st grooves.]Hour before sunrise.
EnterCorrigan,R.1E.
CorrigFrom the rock above I saw the boat leave Torc Cregan. It is now crossing the lake to the cottage. Who is this girl? What is this mysterious misthress of young Cregan?—that I’ll find out.
[Mylessings outside,L.
“Oh! Charley Mount is a pretty place,In the month of July——”
“Oh! Charley Mount is a pretty place,In the month of July——”
“Oh! Charley Mount is a pretty place,In the month of July——”
“Oh! Charley Mount is a pretty place,
In the month of July——”
CorrigWho’s that?—’Tis that poaching scoundrel—that horse stealer, Myles na Coppaleen. Here he comes with a keg of illicit whisky, as bould as Nebuckadezzar.
EnterMyles,singing, with keg on his shoulder,L.
Is that you, Myles?
MylesNo! it’s my brother.
CorrigI know ye, my man.
MylesThen why the divil did ye ax?
CorrigYou may as well answer me kindly—civility costs nothing.
Myles[L. C.] Ow now! don’t it? Civility to a lawyer manes six-and-eight-pence about.
Corrig[R. C.] What’s that on your shoulder?
MylesWhat’s that to you?
CorrigI am a magistrate, and can oblige you to answer.
MylesWell! it’s a boulster, belongin’ to my mother’s feather bed.
CorrigStuff’d with whisky!
MylesBedad! how would I know what it’s stuff’d wid? I’m not an upholsterer.
CorrigCome, Myles, I’m not so bad a fellow as ye may think.
MylesTo think of that now!
CorrigI am not the mane creature you imagine!
MylesAin’t ye now, sir? You keep up appearances mighty well, indeed.
CorrigNo, Myles! I am not that blackguard I’ve been represented.
Myles[Sits on keg.] See that now—how people take away a man’s character. You are another sort of blackguard entirely.
CorrigYou shall find me a gentleman—liberal, ready to protect you.
MylesLong life t’ye sir.
CorrigMyles, you have come down in the world lately; a year ago you were a thriving horse-dealer, now you are a lazy, ragged fellow.
MylesAh, it’s the bad luck, sir, that’s in it.
CorrigNo, it’s the love of Eily O’Connor that’s in it—it’s the pride of Garryowen that took your heart away, and made ye what ye are—a smuggler and a poacher.
MylesThim’s hard words.
CorrigBut they are true. You live like a wild beast in some cave or hole in the rocks above; by night your gun is heard shootin’ the otter as they lie out on the stones, or you snare the salmon in your nets; on a cloudy night your whisky-still is going—you see, I know your life.
MylesBetter than the priest, and devil a lie in it.
CorrigNow, if I put ye in a snug farm—stock ye with pigs and cattle, and rowl you up comfortable—d’ye think the Colleen Bawn wouldn’t jump at ye?
MylesBedad, she’d make a lape, I b’lieve—and what would I do for all this luck?
CorrigFind out for me who it is that lives at the cottage on Muckross Head.
MylesThat’s aisy—it’s Danny Mann—no less and his ould mother Sheelah.
CorrigYes, Myles, but there’s another—a girl who is hid there.
MylesAh, now!
CorrigShe only goes out at night.
MylesLike the owls.
CorrigShe’s the misthress of Hardress Cregan.
Myles[SeizingCorrigan.] Thurra mon dhiol, what’s that?
CorrigOh, lor! Myles—Myles—what’s the matter—are you mad?
MylesNo—that is—why—why did ye raise your hand at me in that way?
CorrigI didn’t.
MylesI thought ye did—I’m mighty quick at takin’ thim hints, bein’ on me keepin’ agin the gaugers—go on—I didn’t hurt ye.
CorrigNot much.
MylesYou want to find out who this girl is?
CorrigI’ll give £20 for the information—there’s ten on account.
[Gives money.
MylesLong life t’ye; that’s the first money I iver got from a lawyer, and bad luck to me, but there’s a cure for the evil eye in thim pieces.
CorrigYou will watch to-night?
MylesIn five minutes I’ll be inside the cottage itself.
CorrigThat’s the lad.
Myles[Aside.] I was goin’ there.
CorrigAnd to-morrow you will step down to my office with the particulars?
MylesTo-morrow you shall breakfast on them.
CorrigGood night, entirely.[ExitCorrigan,L.
MylesI’ll give ye a cowstail to swally, and make ye think it’s a chapter in St. Patrick, ye spalpeen? When he called Eily the misthress of Hardress Cregan, I nearly sthretched him—begorra, I was full of sudden death that minute! Oh, Eily! acushla agrah asthore machree! as the stars watch over Innisfallen, and as the wathers go round it and keep it, so I watch and keep round you, avourneen!
Song.—Myles.
Oh, Limerick is beautiful, as everybody knows,The river Shannon’s full of fish, beside that city flows;But it is not the river, nor the fish that preys upon my mind,Nor with the town of Limerick have I any fault to find.The girl I love is beautiful, she’s fairer than the dawn;She lives in Garryowen, and she’s called the Colleen Bawn.As the river, proud and bold, goes by that famed city,So proud and cold, without a word, that Colleen goes by me!Oh, hone! Oh, hone!Oh, if I was the Emperor of Russia to command,Or, Julius Cæsar, or the Lord Lieutenant of the land,I’d give up all my wealth, my manes, I’d give up my army,Both the horse, the fut, and the Royal Artillery;I’d give the crown from off my head, the people on their knees,I’d give my fleet of sailing ships upon the briny seas,And a beggar I’d go to sleep, a happy man at dawn,If by my side, fast for my bride, I’d the darlin’ Colleen Bawn.Oh, hone! Oh, hone!
Oh, Limerick is beautiful, as everybody knows,The river Shannon’s full of fish, beside that city flows;But it is not the river, nor the fish that preys upon my mind,Nor with the town of Limerick have I any fault to find.The girl I love is beautiful, she’s fairer than the dawn;She lives in Garryowen, and she’s called the Colleen Bawn.As the river, proud and bold, goes by that famed city,So proud and cold, without a word, that Colleen goes by me!Oh, hone! Oh, hone!Oh, if I was the Emperor of Russia to command,Or, Julius Cæsar, or the Lord Lieutenant of the land,I’d give up all my wealth, my manes, I’d give up my army,Both the horse, the fut, and the Royal Artillery;I’d give the crown from off my head, the people on their knees,I’d give my fleet of sailing ships upon the briny seas,And a beggar I’d go to sleep, a happy man at dawn,If by my side, fast for my bride, I’d the darlin’ Colleen Bawn.Oh, hone! Oh, hone!
Oh, Limerick is beautiful, as everybody knows,The river Shannon’s full of fish, beside that city flows;But it is not the river, nor the fish that preys upon my mind,Nor with the town of Limerick have I any fault to find.The girl I love is beautiful, she’s fairer than the dawn;She lives in Garryowen, and she’s called the Colleen Bawn.As the river, proud and bold, goes by that famed city,So proud and cold, without a word, that Colleen goes by me!Oh, hone! Oh, hone!
Oh, Limerick is beautiful, as everybody knows,
The river Shannon’s full of fish, beside that city flows;
But it is not the river, nor the fish that preys upon my mind,
Nor with the town of Limerick have I any fault to find.
The girl I love is beautiful, she’s fairer than the dawn;
She lives in Garryowen, and she’s called the Colleen Bawn.
As the river, proud and bold, goes by that famed city,
So proud and cold, without a word, that Colleen goes by me!
Oh, hone! Oh, hone!
Oh, if I was the Emperor of Russia to command,Or, Julius Cæsar, or the Lord Lieutenant of the land,I’d give up all my wealth, my manes, I’d give up my army,Both the horse, the fut, and the Royal Artillery;I’d give the crown from off my head, the people on their knees,I’d give my fleet of sailing ships upon the briny seas,And a beggar I’d go to sleep, a happy man at dawn,If by my side, fast for my bride, I’d the darlin’ Colleen Bawn.Oh, hone! Oh, hone!
Oh, if I was the Emperor of Russia to command,
Or, Julius Cæsar, or the Lord Lieutenant of the land,
I’d give up all my wealth, my manes, I’d give up my army,
Both the horse, the fut, and the Royal Artillery;
I’d give the crown from off my head, the people on their knees,
I’d give my fleet of sailing ships upon the briny seas,
And a beggar I’d go to sleep, a happy man at dawn,
If by my side, fast for my bride, I’d the darlin’ Colleen Bawn.
Oh, hone! Oh, hone!
I must reach the cottage before the masther arrives; Father Tom is there waitin’ for this keg o’ starlight—it’s my tithe; I call everytenth keg “his riverince.” It’s worth money to see the way it does the old man good, and brings the wather in his eyes, the only place I ever see any about him—heaven bless him!
[Sings.ExitMyles,R.—Music.
SCENE III.—Interior of Eily’s Cottage on Muckross Head; fire burning,R.3E.;table,R. C.;arm chair; two stools,R.of table; stoolL.of table; basin, sugar spoon, two jugs, tobacco, plate, knife, and lemon on table.
Father Tomdiscovered smoking in arm chair,R. C.—Eilyin balcony, watching over lake.
Father Tom[Sings.] “Tobacco is an Injun weed.” And every weed want’s wathering to make it come up; but tobacco bein’ an’ Injun weed that is accustomed to a hot climate, water is entirely too cold for its warrum nature—it’s whisky and water it wants. I wonder if Myles has come; I’ll ask Eily. [Calls.] Eily, alanna! Eily, a suilish machree!
Eily[Turning.] Is it me, Father Tom?
Father THas he come?
EilyNo; his boat is half a mile off yet.
Father THalf a mile! I’ll choke before he’s here.
EilyDo you mean Hardress?
Father TNo, dear! Myles na Coppaleen—cum spiritu Hiberneuse—which manes in Irish, wid a keg of poteen.
EnterMyles,R. U. E.,downC.
MylesHere I am, your riverince, never fear. I tould Sheelah to hurry up with the materials, knowin’ ye be dhry and hasty.
EnterSheelah,with kettle of water,R. U. E.
SheelahHere’s the hot water.
MylesLave it there till I brew Father Tom a pint of mother’s milk.
SheelahWell thin, ye’ll do your share of the work, an not a ha’porth more.
MylesDidn’t I bring the sperrits from two miles and more? and I deserve to have pref’rence to make the punch for his riverince.
SheelahAnd didn’t I watch the kettle all night, not to let it off the boil?—there now.
Myles[Quarreling withSheelah.] No, you didn’t, etc.
Sheelah[Quarreling.] Yes, I did, etc.
EilyNo, no; I’ll make it, and nobody else.
Father TAisy now, ye becauns, and whist; Myles shall put in the whisky, Sheelah shall put in the hot water, and Eily, my Colleen, shall put the sugar in the cruiskeen. A blessin’ on ye all three that loves the ould man. [Mylestakes off hat—Womencurtsey—they make punch.] See now, my children, there’s a moral in everthing, e’en in a jug of punch. There’s the sperrit, which is the sowl and strength of the man. [Mylespours spirit from keg.] That’s the whisky. There’s the sugar, which is the smile of woman; [Eilyputs sugar.] without that life is without taste or sweetness. Then there’s the lemon, [Eilyputs lemon.] which is love; a squeeze now and again does a boy no harm; but not too much. And the hot water [Sheelahpours water.]which is adversity—as little as possible if ye plaze—that makes the good things better still.
MylesAnd it’s complate, ye see, for it’s a woman that gets into hot wather all the while.[Pours from jug to jug.
SheelahMyles, if I hadn’t the kettle, I’d bate ye.
MylesThen, why didn’t ye let me make the punch? There’s a guinea for your riverince that’s come t’ye—one in ten I got a while ago—it’s your tithe—put a hole in it, and hang it on your watch chain, for it’s a mighty great charm entirely.
[They sit,Sheelahnear fire,Colleenon stool beside her,Father Tomin chair,Myleson stool,L.of table.
Father TEily, look at that boy, and tell me, haven’t ye a dale to answer for?
EilyHe isn’t as bad about me as he used to be; he’s getting over it.
MylesYes, darlin’, the storm has passed over, and I’ve got into settled bad weather.
Father TMaybe, afther all, ye’d have done better to have married Myles there, than be the wife of a man that’s ashamed to own ye.
EilyHe isn’t—he’s proud of me. It’s only when I spake like the poor people, and say or do anything wrong, that he’s hurt; but I’m gettin’ clane of the brogue, and learnin’ to do nothing—I’m to be changed entirely.
MylesOh! if he’d lave me yer own self, and only take away wid him his improvements. Oh! murder—Eily, aroon, why wasn’t ye twins, an’ I could have one of ye, only nature couldn’t make two like ye—it would be onreasonable to ax it.
EilyPoor Myles, do you love me still so much?
MylesDidn’t I lave the world to folley ye, and since then there’s been neither night nor day in my life—I lay down on Glenna Point above, where I see this cottage, and I lived on the sight of it. Oh! Eily, if tears were pison to the grass there wouldn’t be a green blade on Glenna Hill this day.
EilyBut you knew I was married, Myles.
MylesNot thin, aroon—Father Tom found me that way, and sat beside, and lifted up my soul. Then I confessed to him, and, sez he, “Myles, go to Eily, she has something to say to you—say I sent you.” I came, and ye tould me ye were Hardress Cregan’s wife, and that was a great comfort entirely. Since I knew that [Drinks—voice in cup.] I haven’t been the blackguard I was.
Father TSee the beauty of the priest, my darlin’—videte et admirate—see and admire it. It was at confession that Eily tould me she loved Cregan, and what did I do?—sez I, “Where did you meet your sweetheart?” “At Garryowen,” sez she. “Well,” says I; “that’s not the place.” “Thrue, your riverince, it’s too public entirely,” sez she. “Ye’ll mate him only in one place,” sez I; “and that’s the stile that’s behind my chapel,” for, d’ye see, her mother’s grave was forenint the spot, and there’s a sperrit round the place, [Mylesdrinks,] that kept her pure and strong. Myles, ye thafe, drink fair.
SheelahCome now, Eily, couldn’t ye cheer up his riverince wid the tail of a song?
EilyHardress bid me not sing any ould Irish songs, he says the words are vulgar.
SheelahFather Tom will give ye absolution.
Father TPut your lips to that jug; there’s only the strippens left. Drink! and while that thrue Irish liquor warms your heart, take this wid it. May the brogue of ould Ireland niver forsake your tongue—may her music niver lave yer voice—and may a true Irishwoman’s virtue niver die in your heart!
MylesCome, Eily, it’s my liquor—haven’t ye a word to say for it?