The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand Part 2

_Brian._ We have brought your honour The food that you have always liked the best, Young pigeons from Kinvara, and watercress Out of the stream that's by the blessed well, And dulse from Duras. Here is the dulse, your honour, It is wholesome, and has the good taste of the sea.

_Seanchan._ O Brian, you would spread the table for me As you would spread it when I was in my childhood; But all that's finished.

_Mayor._ I knew he would not care For country things now that he's grown accustomed To the King's dishes. I told Brian too He'd have his pains for nothing. But he's old.

[_Goes over to table at right. While he is speaking CIAN and BRIAN are in vain offering SEANCHAN food._

And what dishes! Venison from Slieve Echtge Fattened with poor men's crops; flesh of wild pig; Not fat nor lean, but streaky and right well cured; Bread that's the whitest that I've ever seen.

_Cian._ You're in the right, you're in the right, he will not eat.

[_Pouring wine into cup._

_Mayor._ Bring him some wine, it will give him strength to eat.

[_BRIAN brings wine over towards SEANCHAN._

No wonder if the King is proud and merry, And keeps all day in the saddle, when even I Am well-nigh drunken with the odour of it, And if I dared--I dare not.

_Cian._ Drink it, sir.

_Brian._ Drink a few drops.

_Seanchan._ Drink it yourself, old man, For you have come a journey, and I daresay You did not eat or drink upon the road.

_Cian._ How can I drink it when your honour's thirsty?

[_He offers cup again. The KING'S HOUSEHOLD comes in. CHAMBERLAIN with long staff, a SOLDIER, a MONK, two LADIES, followed by CRIPPLES who beg from the ladies, who keep close together at right, talking to each other at intervals. SOLDIER goes over to MAYOR, and talks to him._

_Chamberlain._ Well, have you it in imagination still To overthrow the dignity of the King, Or is the game finished?

[_A pause._

How many days Will you keep up this quarrel with the King, With the King's n.o.bles and myself and all Who'd gladly be your friends if you would let them?

_Soldier._ [_Who has been speaking to MAYOR and SERVANTS._]

Was it you that sent his servants and the Mayor Of his own town to wheedle him into life?

_Chamberlain._ It was the King himself.

_Soldier._ Was it worth our while To have got rid of him from the King's table If he is to be humoured and made much of?

_Chamberlain._ It seems that he has not eaten yet, although He's had another dozen hours of hunger.

_Soldier._ If he's so proud and obstinate a neck I'd let him starve.

_Monk._ Persuade him to eat, my lord.

His death would make a scandal, and stir up The common people.

_Chamberlain._ And I have a fancy That if it brought misfortune on the King, Or the King's house, we'd be as little thought of As summer linen when the winter's come.

_Aileen._ [_To CIAN._]

You've had no luck, old man.

_Cian._ We have not, lady.

_Aileen._ Maybe he's out of humour with your ways, Having grown used to sprightlier service.

_Cian._ Maybe.

But the King's messengers have gone for one That will persuade him. [_To BRIAN._] Come, let us go; For she might lose her way in this fine place.

Come, we have been too long upon the tree,

[_Plucking sleeve of MAYOR._

And there are little golden pippins here.

_Soldier._ Give me the dish, I'll hand it him myself.

_Aileen._ I wonder if she is pretty.

[_MAYOR and SERVANTS have gone out._

_Soldier._ Eat this, old hedgehog.

Sniff up the savour and unroll yourself.

But if I were the King I'd make you do it With wisps of lighted straw.

_Seanchan._ You have rightly named me, I lie rolled up under the ragged thorns That are upon the edge of those great waters Where all things vanish away, and I have heard Murmurs that are the ending of all sound.

I am out of life, I am rolled up, and yet, Hedgehog although I am, I'll not unroll For you, King's dog. Go to the King, your master, Crouch down and wag your tail, for it may be He has nothing now against you, and I think The stripes of your last beating are all healed.

_Chamberlain._ Don't answer, you were never to his mind.

And now you have angered him to no good purpose.

But put the dish down and I will speak to him.

_Seanchan._ You must needs keep your patience yet awhile, For I have some few mouthfuls of sweet air To swallow before I have grown to be as civil As any other dust.

_Chamberlain._ You wrong us, Seanchan, There is none here but holds you in respect, And if you would only eat out of this dish The King would show how much he honours you.

_Aileen._ [_Giving CRIPPLE money._]

You are always discontented. Look at this cripple, He has had to cover up his eyes with rags Because they are too weak to look at the sun, And has a crooked body, and yet he is cheerful.

Stand there where he can see you.

[_CRIPPLE goes over and stands in front of SEANCHAN, bowing and smiling._

_Chamberlain._ We have come to you Because we wish you a long, prosperous life; Who could imagine you'd so take to heart Being put from the high table.

_Seanchan._ It was not I That you have driven away from the high table, But the images of them that weave a dance, By the four rivers in the mountain garden.

_Monk._ He means we have driven poetry away.