MARY.  Oh, it’s too good you all are to me.  Whether it’s asleep or awake I am, I thank you kindly.

BLIND MAN.  Don’t forget the fiddler.

GREY-HAIRED MAN.  Are you Raftery?

BLIND MAN.

    Who will give Raftery a shilling? 
    Here is his platter:  who is willing? 
    Who will give honour to the poet? 
    Here is his platter:  show it, show it.

GREY-HAIRED FARMER.  You’re welcome; you’re welcome!  That is
Raftery, anyhow! (Puts money in the plate.)

BLIND MAN.

    Come hither, girls, give what you can
    To the poor old travelling man.

GREY-HAIRED MAN.  Aurah Susan, aurah Oona, are you looking at who is before you, the greatest poet in Ireland?  That is Raftery himself.  It is often you heard talk of the girl that got a husband with the praises he gave her.  If he gives you the same, maybe you’ll get husbands with it.

FIRST GIRL.  I often heard talk of Raftery.

THE OTHER GIRL.  There was always a great name on Raftery.
(They put some money in the plate shyly.)

BLIND MAN.

    Before you go, give what you can
    To this young girl and this young man.

FIRST GIRL (to MARY).  Here’s a couple of dozen of
eggs, and welcome.

THE OTHER GIRL.  O woman of the house!  I have nothing with me here; but I have a good clucking hen at home, and I’ll bring her to you to-morrow; our house is close by.

MARY.  Indeed, that’s good news to me; such nice neighbours to be at hand. (Several men and women come into the house together, every one of them carrying something.)

SEVERAL (together).  Welcome, Raftery!

BLIND MAN.

    If ye have hearts are worth a mouse,
    Welcome the bride into her house.

(They laugh and greet MARY, and put down gifts—­a roll of butter, rolls of woollen thread, and many other things.)

OLD FARMER.  Ha, ha!  That’s right.  They are coming in now.  Now, Raftery; isn’t it generous and open-handed and liberal this country is?  Isn’t it better than the County Mayo?

BLIND MAN.

    I’d say all Galway was rich land,
    If I’d your shillings in my hand.

(Holds out his plate to them.)

OLD FARMER (laughing).  Now, neighbours, down with it!  My conscience!  Raftery knows how to get hold of the money.

A MAN OF THEM. Maisead, he doesn’t own much riches; and there is pride on us all to see him in this country. (Puts money in the plate, and all the others do the same.  A lean old man comes in.)

MARTIN (to MARY).  That is John the Miser, or Seagan na Stucaire, as they call him.  That is the man that is hardest in this country.  He never gave a penny to any person since he was born.