(She dances.)

Mary (to Shawn). just now when she came near I thought I heard
Other small steps beating upon the floor,
And a faint music blowing in the wind,
Invisible pipes giving her feet the tune.

Shawn.  I heard no steps but hers.

Mary.  I hear them now,
The unholy powers are dancing in the house.

Maurteen.  Come over here, and if you promise me
Not to talk wickedly of holy things
I will give you something.

The child.  Bring it me, old father.

Maurteen.  Here are some ribbons that I bought in the town
For my son’s wife—­but she will let me give them
To tie up that wild hair the winds have tumbled.

The child.  Come, tell me, do you love me?

Maurteen.  Yes, I love you.

The child.  Ah, but you love this fireside.  Do you love me?

Father hart.  When the Almighty puts so great a share
Of His own ageless youth into a creature,
To look is but to love.

The child.  But you love Him?

Bridget.  She is blaspheming.

The child.  And do you love me too

Mary.  I do not know.

The child.  You love that young man there,
Yet I could make you ride upon the winds,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame.

Mary.  Queen of Angels and kind saints defend us! 
Some dreadful thing will happen.  A while ago
She took away the blessed quicken wood.

Father hart.  You fear because of her unmeasured prattle;
She knows no better.  Child, how old are you?

The child.  When winter sleep is abroad my hair grows thin,
My feet unsteady.  When the leaves awaken
My mother carries me in her golden arms;
I’ll soon put on my womanhood and marry
The spirits of wood and water, but who can tell
When I was born for the first time?  I think
I am much older than the eagle cock
That blinks and blinks on Ballygawley Hill,
And he is the oldest thing under the moon.

Father hart.  O she is of the faery people.

The child.  One called,
I sent my messengers for milk and fire,
She called again and after that I came.

(All except Shawn and Mary Bruin gather behind the priest for protection.)

Shawn (rising) Though you have made all these obedient,
You have not charmed my sight and won from me
A wish or gift to make you powerful;
I’ll turn you from the house.

Father hart.  No, I will face her.

The child.  Because you took away the crucifix
I am so mighty that there’s none can pass,
Unless I will it, where my feet have danced
Or where I’ve whirled my finger-tops.