Scene 3 lyrics

SCENE.—Hall in the house of COUNTESS CATHLEEN. At the Left an oratory with steps leading up to it. At the Right a tapestried wall, more or less repeating the form of the oratory, and a great chair with its back against the wall. In the Centre are two or more arches through which one can see dimly the trees of the garden. CATHLEEN is kneeling in front of the altar in the oratory; there is a hanging lighted lamp over the altar. ALEEL enters.

ALEEL.
I have come to bid you leave this castle and fly Out of these woods.

CATHLEEN.
What evil is there here? That is not everywhere from this to the sea?

ALEEL.
They who have sent me walk invisible.

CATHLEEN.
So it is true what I have heard men say, That you have seen and heard what others cannot.

ALEEL.
I was asleep in my bed, and while I slept My dream became a fire; and in the fire One walked and he had birds about his head.

CATHLEEN.
I have heard that one of the old gods walked so.

ALEEL.
It may be that he is angelical; And, lady, he bids me call you from these woods. And you must bring but your old foster-mother, And some few serving men, and live in the hills, Among the sounds of music and the light Of waters, till the evil days are done. For here some terrible death is waiting you, Some unimagined evil, some great darkness That fable has not dreamt of, nor sun nor moon Scattered.

CATHLEEN.
No, not angelical.