(They embrace.)

Queen:  There now I have everything brought about very well in the finish!

(A scream at door.  Taig rushes in, followed by Sibby, in country dress.  He kneels at the Queen’s feet, holding on to her skirt.)

Sibby:  Bad luck and bad cess to you!  Torment and vexation on you! (Seizes him by back of neck and shakes him.) You dirty little scum and leavings!  You puny shrimp you!  You miserable ninth part of a man!

Queen:  Is it King or the Dragon Killer he is letting on to be yet, or do you know what he is at all?

Sibby:  It’s myself knows that, and does know it!  He being Taig the tailor, my own son and my misfortune, that stole away from me a while ago, bringing with him the grand clothes of that young champion (points to Manus) and his gold!  To borrow a team of horses from the plough he did, and to bring away the magistrate’s coach!  But I followed him!  I came tracking him on the road!  Put off now those shoes that are too narrow for you, you red thief, you!  For, believe me, you’ll go facing home on shank’s mare!

Taig:  (Whimpering.) It’s a very unkind thing you to go screeching that out before the King, that will maybe strike my head off!

Sibby:  Did ever you know of anyone making a quarrel in a whisper?  To wed with the King’s daughter, you would?  To go vanquish the water-worm, you would?  I’ll engage you ran before you went anear him!

Taig:  If I didn’t I’d be tore with his claws and scorched with his fiery breath.  It is likely I’d be going home dead!

Sibby:  Strip off now that cloak and that body-coat and come along with me, or I’ll make split marrow of you!  What call have you to a suit that is worth more than the whole of the County Mayo?  You’re tricky and too much tricks in you, and you were born for tricks!  It would be right you to be turned into the shape of a limping foxy cat!

Taig:  (Weeping as he takes off clothes.) Sure I thought it no harm to try to go better myself.

Prince of Marshes:  (Giving his cloak and coat.) Here, I bestow these to you.  If you were a while ago a tailor among kings, from this out you will be a king among tailors.

Sibby:  (Curtseying.) Well, then, my thousand blessings on you!  He’ll be as proud as the world of that.  Now, Taig, you’ll be as dressed up as the

best of them!  Come on now to Oughtmana, as it is long till you’ll quit it.

(They go towards door.)

Dragon:  (Putting his head in at window.) Manus, King of Sorcha, I am starved with the want of food.  Give me a bit to eat.

Fintan:  He is not put down!  He will devour the whole of us!  I’d sooner face a bullet and ten guns!

Dragon:  It is not mannerly to eat without being invited.  Is it any harm to ask where will I find a meal will suit me?