if PLAYS
Brian Friel Translations
I OCwi MA Q3d± Donegal
it I—
, - ,
Iris!, Dramatists (Macmillan)
This is his poetic vision.’ Michael Etherton, Contenzioraiy
deepening the and ironies contradictions our of age.
makes able us to understand our human condition and
lost sight of. Brian End sharpens our perceptions and
actually we share the playwright with but which we have
of language drama works through wider poetic sensibilities
of language to theatre communicate difficult ideas. This
central a poetic vision has which found, and enhanced, a
working in today. English His is work developed around
Brian is Friel one of the most accomplished playwrights
Home and Place Per[orniances.
Faith Healer, Histon’, Making at Dancing Lnghnasa. The
His plays include Philadelphia, I Here Conic!, Translations,
1-del born County Otnagh,
Brian Tvrone, was ii 1929. in Translations &v the some author BRIAN FRIEL THE ENEMY WITHIN PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! THE LOVES OF CASS MAGUIRE LOVERS lansiations VOLUNTEERS LIVING QUARTERS • THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY THREE SISTERS (Chekhov)
- -- . ARISTOCRATS TIlE COMMUNICATION CORD MAKING HISTORY FATHERS AND SONS (afterTurgenev) THE LONDON VERTIGO (after Charles Mackiln) DANCING AT LUGIINASA
• - WONDERFUL TENNESSEE
- - MOLLY SWEENEY GIVE ME YOUR ANSWER, DO FAmI IIEALER THREE PLAYS AFTER PERFORMANCES TIlE HOME PLACE UNCLE ANYA (ChekhoV)
BRIAN FRIELI PLAYS ONE (Philadelphia, Here I Conic!, Tile Freedom of the Gift, Living Quorren, Aristocrats, Fair/i Healer, Translations)
BRIAN FRIEL: PLAYS TWO (Dancing at Lughnasa, Fat/zen and Sons, Making Histo0’,
•
. 117,nde,ful Tennessee, Atollv Sweeney)
also available
FABER CRITICAL GUIDE: BRIAN ERIE!. (Philadelphia, Here I Conic!, Translations,
. Dancing at Lughnasa) • A-faking History,
ABOUT FRIEL: TIlE PLAYWRIGHT AND TIlE WORK ft E faber andfaber
L
FSC’ C020471
r..ooo.iW. saws,.
so.,, Pip.t
MIX
FSC
ISBN 978—0571—117420
available is from the Library British
CIP A record this for book
this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
is which in being published it and without sunder a condition iticludnig
prior consenr pzsblisliers unvforni in of binding or cover other tItan that
be or otherwise, lent, resold, hired our othenusc or circulated the without
This
book sold is subject condition to rho that slid! nor, wai’ by of trade it
No performance maybe given unless licence a has first been obtained.
Samuel French Ltd., Fitzroy 52 Street, London 6JH. WI!’
be made in advance, before begin, rehearsals to
Amateur applications for permissions perform to this play must
The amateur play this rights for by are held Samuel French
24 Pottery Lane, Holland Park, London WI’ 4LZ
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All rights in play are this reserved by the Propnetor
Brian Fnel, 1981
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First published in 1981 1
: •
-*
& -
- - :J
H
production. first their was Translations Rea. Stephen and
by Friel Brian Formed was Company Theatre Day held
Murray b’ Rupert Lighting
Friel Macv and Rubalcava by Magdalena Assisted
Boyle by Consolata Designed
0 Briain Art h3’ Directed
Scott Shaun Yolland Lieutenant
Heap David Lancey Captain
Rea Stephen Owen
McAnally Ray Hugh
Scallon Brenda Bridget
Neeson Liam Doalty
Hayes Nuala Maire
Hanlon Roy Jack Jimmy
Hasson Ann Sarah
Lilly Mick Maims
in
the
publication of
this volume. cast: following the with ‘980 September
assistance
of the
Arts z Council of on Tuesday, Derrv, Northern the Guildhall, Ireland in Company
The
publisher
Day Theatre vith Field cknowiedgcs by thanks the presented first was financial Translations
.4-
1
a
I
I
the Appendix.)
together
with the
Latin
and literal
translations,
appear in
Greek
words
and
quotations
in
the text. The
originals,
with
the
language,
roman
letters
have
been
used
for
the
(For
the
convenience
of
readers and
performers unfamiliar
ACT THREE
The
evening of the
following
day.
ACT TWO
A few days later.
ACT
ONE
An afternoon
in late August 1833.
County Donegal.
of Bade
BeaBailybeg,
an Irish-speaking
community
in
The
action
takes place
in a
hedge-school in the towniand
-‘3
I
ft tie.
thirty— to
from age se,’enteen be could alit] appearance any
ivaiflike a has S/ic sounds. nasal unintelligible niakes
and grunts she to co,nnnuilcate, wishes she when this:
accepted has she and be to locally thnnb considered been
has she life her all that so is hat] defect speech Sarah’s
lame. is
he that see rue lie and rt’he,, arc motes shabby; clothes His
father. his to monitor a assistant as unpaid
an
— works —
and intense, built, light!)’ is I—Ic pale—faced, somi. older
thirtiesc master’s the twenties/early in is late his Manus
a ofeal. kind with — does
even’thing he with and finnlv and gently her Lis — coaxing
is He her ott knees. a slate chttchhig very down, tense,
her head stool, low is She a her. beside kneels on He sitting
opens, play the to speak. SLIrah When teLlchmg is AELmus
hand.
0/
u’onzan a trace no functional is there and dush’ —
and is comfortless room The towel. and water soiled of Li
a pail door the At master. for chair the table a and and use
pupils the which bench-seats and stools also are the There
etc. churn, ha3’, of battle a tools, farming LI lobster-pots,
sonic cart—wheel, implements: forgotten alit! Li broken are
room the son. Around (oil) his and schoolmaster the of
living—quarters to upstairs the leads banister without LI
stairway
A ,t’ooden A right. wnzdou’ enter. to cart allow LI
to left, enough large door double A bedded. and nulked
once were where totes chai,zs and posts wooden
— stalls —
six or five of remains the ivall hack the byre. are Along
or hay-shed or barn a disused in held is hedge-school The
One Act —
Jimmy
alla
‘...
hekelos
esta’
en
AtreIdao
donio:s
stools?
the
out
e
you set Mayb Sarah)
‘
(to -
...‘
Manus
Raise
your
head.
y, what Shout James
it . out. —
nobody’S
listening.
of Sarah head My... ent
my..•
tt5
have
that b ‘II vo
Soon Manus
Manus
Great. My
name
Manus. to this,
Listen Jimmy
— Sarah My.--
the; to
comes over
text, us at chuckling Jimmy,
Come
on. —,
One
more
try.
‘My
name
is—’
Good
Manus girl,
wide the in Get
your
tongue
and wohtd
your
lips
Nothing
now! working. us
‘My stop
Nothing’Ii
reall name we’re Now
I
Jimmy
‘To,,
d’emeibet
epeita
thea
glaukoPis
up. stands g anu an;
a her Athene
I Ma; at ‘ugs
- this. laughs 1215
- Sarah ...‘
-‘
Nobody’s
‘istening.
Nobody
hears you.
at.
we’re
Again
vigorous
and
what
know doesn’t
Prodigy Infant le stubboril TI
Sarah) (to bell. a shakiiig
of
Sarah’s
head.
a
clear Sarah’
is
name — Come
jimmy? that, hear you on, —
Did
Sarah.
This is our secret.
Sarah
pleasure. shakes her
head
vigorously
and
embarrassed 5bbor;ily.
5 She s,,rilec Sarah. 2,2
Mamis hugs ),
deep
and
out
...
in
and ... out...
...
once marvel!
Bloody
more Marvellous! Manus
just
— once
more.
Now
relax
— and
breathe
Manus in
We re
doing
very
is we!!. Sarah.
name My And Sarah
we
going re
-
,
to - try it
slowly
and
distinctly
into
her
-. 1150. Then iii pauses. face. r a Sarah
.
Maims
holds
Sarah’s
hands
in
his
and
he
articiilate5
as
Yes everyday Mantis
life
in
the
of own1a,td
Bade
Beag.
the
gods and
the
ancient
myths is
My is name
Sarah as
real
and
as
smiles
immediate hr
profound
satisfactiolr.
For
Jimmy
the
world
winter,
of Yes day Manus
and
night.
He
irole reads
in
a
he
quiet
and voice
wears
7:011’ are
— filthy
and
name he My
- Sarah lives
hr
them
sun
washes.
and
viler His
clothes
heavy
(op
—
coat,
hat,
mittens,
bun which it
is
Great
Manus
perfectly
,zor;nal
to
speak
these
tongues.
He
fluent
in ijever
Latin
and
Greek
but
is
My in
Sarah no
way
pedantic
company
to
— and
partly
for
the
i,,tellectl!aI
stinndatioul.
alone, He
is
Good and Manus comes
to
these
evening
classes
partly
for
the s,nihng
to
himself.
He
isa
bachelor wY
ah
Si hi
‘ his sixties,
by lives -
himself,
outentedly
reading
Honier
in
Greek
u p.’ Head and open
‘‘ 1outn
now.
on Come Jimmy Good gtr name
Jack —
Cassie
know’;
as
—
the
Infant
P.
Prodi’ more once Just —
more Once — ase! sits Jimm Manus — a
TO.
—
¶
That’s
it!
The
all.
it knows flashing-eyed boy. 1-lomer Athene!
By
Cod,
all, knows Manus it Homer Sure Hah! ‘Flashing-eyed’!
Jimmy ‘GlaukoPis Athene.’
Jack.
Jimmy man, jimmy
bloody a
dangerous You’re Mantis You
know
what they call her?
Mantis reading.
his and seat,
You
couldn’t
watch
her,
jimmy.
to his back
goes linznn’ does Sarah.
So laughs. Maims
Made
him
into
a
tramp!
Isn’t
she ecstasy.
the
tight
one?
staff
and
a
wallet’!
pained in raised Ha-ha-ha! cc his
salutes, and
attention to Athene
did
that
to
Ulysses! hind,
stripped
of the
stands Jnn’nv spasiir, hair,
if
as in and nzomentardv,
and
Suddenly into
his
hand
she
thrust
a Jimmy
‘And
about
him
she
cast
the great
skin
of a
filthy constant!
Manus
Of
course
up I jigged a man keep would. fair would eyes flashing sir, them
God, By
Athene.
for go bull-straight his
to but
choice bald no I’ve
head.)
Would
you
call
that
flaxen
think I
But hair?
Manus. Crania,
own our to has harm no
indeed done
to
myself!
(He
rapidly
removes
his and
hat Artemis;
to harm no to
and Helen;
to
harm No smoke! display Jimmy
D’you
see!
Sure
look
at
what
the
same
turfsmoke begrimed
with
filthy
Sarah? I
take,
smoke should Sarah)
. Which (to
Mantis
Do .‘! . you
see!
Smoke!
were
so
beautiful
and
clothed
him
in
a
viLe
ragged you
take? would
cloak which ‘K,zzizose”
de
oi
osse
‘She
‘ dimmed
his them, two between
picking the eyes had
you if now, Athens! that — of
hoivi.
parish one in the all that like
daughters powerful-looking
As
Mantis
descends three
imagine girls
Zeus’s them of the all three Troy — stairs
— be
toasts
Sarah
with
his
of
Helen and
Arremis
and Athene
between choosing And the
wait
till
you
hear!
She’s
not
finished
you had if last night: with to myself him thinking
just was I
yet! Jimmy
piece of bread.
impossible.
you’re
jimmy, Manus
Mantis
has
emerged
again
with
a
bowl
of ,,,,lk
and
a
men. of fill her get can’t she sure And Jimmy
limbs
she
put
the
skin
of Manus Mi.
an
old
man
...‘l
tie
divik!
The
destroyed
the
flaxen
hair
froni
off
his Crania.
Diarmuid’s
head Crania
Crania and
— Jimmy
— about
his wand.
She
withered
the
lair
skin
of
his
supple
limbs
and
‘After
Athene
had Who?
Manus said
this,
she
touched
Ulysses
JimmY with
her
‘Hos
ara
mhz
phanzene
rabdo
and goddess
— epenza551t
— Athene
a of Manus class
a
Crania
own Go our isn’t still. Sure
Better ahead! Jimmy I’ll
be straight down.
Jimmy
goddess,Jimmv. a
i’as Wait She Manus till
you hear this, Mantis.
eh?
about thinking he
you’d — Ma,IIis turf-bank a
stripping not ruus it’s up
the
stairs.
house, the about that like woman a had you if sir, Manus, Jimmy
—
t
It,
6 7
that,
Manus?
to Jimmy. goes
and this
ignores Maire
swineherd
who
‘o oi
hiotoio — inabsta
kedeto’
what’s
—
place
where
Athene hay. at the
our had you
saw
I shown
Mantis
him
he
could
find
the
good
forth
from
the
harbour
and
through
the
woodland
to the reply. a
grunts
Sarah
Jimmy
‘Autar
o ek
lhnenos
prosebe
‘But Ulysses
went —,
Sarah?
How’s milk.
Durlig
this:
your
There’s
sight. a pretty
that isn’t
now, Well
Maire
floiters she has hidden there.
chest. Sarah at
his
formally goes
abnost over to flowers the
the
with and Sarah straw
and
produces a
bunch
of
chalk, kissing
texts caught been etc. having awkwardly, beside the stands seats. Mantis
Mantis
begins
to
distribute
some
hooks,
slates
take it. and i’ll back, not my lather’s
If Manus
then.
evening?
this
school no there Is
here? all’s
this Is
Maire
Great.
She’ll fill
him up.
I
suppose I may take the
class
milk. of
can
small
Yes.
That’s
it.
a
is carn’ing She hair. of curly head a with
twenties her
Anna in na
ivoman rnBreag’S? strong—bodied a strong-nnnded, enters, Mairc
No.
To
the
you. right Thank of flowers. there. beautiful they’re And
Con
head. Connie
Sarah’s of top the Tim’s? kisses and dozen leans Mantis
No.
Further
away. off! you’re see? You — Mantis
Gracie’s?
Flowers. Sarah
Sarah
indicates. flow-ers. on Come — flow-ers. word: the Say
You
may
be
sure. up. look Which not does Sarah pub? Pause.
quickly.
Flow-ers.
Sarah
nnnws
pouring
drinks
and
tossing
to
her. theft goes back Mantis a book. hi
buried
head
her
all
day
has
and to
seat
her to a put
name
embarrassment hi on a fled
has baby, Sara?;
But
does
it?
Yes,
I
know
be’s
at
the
hristcning
but
it doesn’t
take Sarah. lovely, them are Those
Manus
rocking
a
baby.
to
Mantis.
flowers the
presents
Sarah
Sarah
goes
to
Mantis
and
touches
his
elbow.
She
nzi;;Jes
possessed
Ulysses
that
slaves the all
above
substance
his
Manus
Where
the
hell
has
he
got
to? for most
cared who swineherd good ‘The it! That’s
Jimmy
Mantis
goes
to
the
window
and
looks
out. substance’. his for most cared ‘Who Mantis
S 9
Jimmy
Sure you
man.
know busy a I be to Great have
Maire only Irish like yourself.
know
what back. got it I the time means, by midnight after
was It jimmy? gCaorach.’
that
when
na I
at was Poll above built being
about is
schools four, national
new them
whatever
it
means.
Do
you
Make
God of
one
God have
‘Thank
all down. mercy taking on
it me And my Mantis
Aunt
Mary she taught me —
Again
Maire ignores did not! Matins. She Maire
Manus
Maypole. this. at laugh to has Maire
What
about
money.’ that! and time good
people’s wasting school,
‘In
Norfolk hedge- the we in
about footering besport are
still his of son
lame ourselves that
around
the
Inaypoll.’
and
schoolmaster
aul drunken to: ‘The dictating was she is
saying.
who forgot she
that
it in
engrossed got so
she And Mantis
language
and
because
she
does
not
understand
what
she
Her
accent
is
strange better.
That’s because
(drinking) Maire
she is speaking a foreign
have
off
by
heart.
Ned Frank.’ Big but now for \Vhat’s it nothing this
There’s good. it was?
Maire
Three
no
but words. last
week times three
the ‘Wait bull to
cow the
brought there
was
a —
spake
I
used
to
I parish. the of gossip
the All
Scotia.
Nova in
sister Jimmy
English?
1
thought
you
had
some
her English? to letter a to write me for sent Hanna
Biddy
Mantis
even that much
English.
matter.
Doesn’t
Maire
Maire
That’s
the
height of my
Latin.
Fit
me
better
if
I had
night. last up get I couldn’t I’m sorry Manus
Jimmy Bene! Optinie!
of milk.
bowl his Maire gives
Matins
l%kaire Si,;;; fatiga tissinni.
about?
of water a drop
there Is (Rises.) know.
would jimmy
Esne
[atigata?
you word
English one the that’s be sure may You Maire
Jimniy
her hands.)
Look
at the
blisters.
bosom. powerful say; two
but
I
don’t
want
to
see
another
like
it.
has
she (Shoving huntress, die
Diana,
know
you bo-som
— som
— Maire
—
Ooooh.
The
best
harvest
in
living
memory, bo
hands.) his they with — illustrates (He know You
— Jimmy
?vlaft’
flops
on a
stool
beside (inuny.
ho-som? a
What’s Maire
Jimmy
No safer man
in
Donegal.
Bo-som. Jimmy
Maire Would I bc safe?
What? Maire
jhnmy
Sit
down
beside
me,
Maire.
word. English one know I a lie: you telling
I’m Jimmy
Maire
And
how’s
Jimmy
jack Cassie?
And Greek. Latin. And Maire I
jSt:
— 4——
-.
-‘:1
To II
full
as a pig!
the side.
to paces thirry
or twenty
Bridget
He’s
coming
down
shift it and
up past
creep I’d Carraig hog, the na across move Ri and and ground he’s
as
the
into poles these of one
stick they’d Doalty
time every
Anyway, Vesperal
salutations
to
all. you
you! eejit aul you up, shut you
Will
‘Shape!’
Doahy
Doalty
enters -.4
doing
!;is
imitation
of
the
,;zaster.
yoke? the
shape’s What
vain, and
goddess! a --.4
thea wit!; a
— count
nwOiflall
‘5
i,istinctiUe
cif,I?ling.
Maybe a
god. with do
to
something
theos
Bridget
Theo Jimmy is
— a
— plump,
fresh
young
girl,
ready to laugh.
young man.
story. the with on Get
Bridget
open.minded.
open_!;earted
generous
V..’
and slightly thick
idea.
No Doalty Manus is
a brandishing surveyor’s
pole. He is an
twenties.
Man us?
Doalty and
Bridget
enter
word, that
of noisily. etymology the Both
what’s are in Theodolite — tl;eir Jimmy
Manus
What
the hell
are
so you 4—--’ crabbed about?! raining.
it’s
if
sometimes at night byre
our hut in sure it leave They that Maire
doesn’t matter, does
it?
hand.
I don’t
know
a
word
they’re
saying, know? you
nor do How they
Bridget
me;
tents,
them
sapper
fellows,
they’re
coming
up
to
give us a
Maire
Suit Theodolite. Maire
yourself.
The
English soldiers below in the
Manus Manus? of name If it, the the know day’s
good.
you them
with
— everywhere about lug
they machine big
Scholar
in
the
Hayfield’
that or
is a
through it peeping reel? and
chains — an)
them dragging
Mona,
Maire
That’s
the
name of
a
na Cnoc of hornpipe, loot at the isn’t across
just
were it? Coats
Red the ‘The
—
and
fella, aul her
and
Bridget with Manus
bog
the I in Up
can
Doalty give you a
hand at the hay tomorrow.
days.
these one of
arrested be He’)) Was
him.
it four? warned I
Bridget No wonder we’re in pieces.
Doaln’?
weapon. the Sara!; What’s l;olds Maire up four fingers.
sober? last you were When Master home? C, — Question Bridget
It
must have
been
near three
o’clock
by the time you respoizde! got
Responde face)
(into — Maire’s sober? I Sara!; Am B nods and
— Question snzzks.
drunk? I
Am A
Question
— questions. Three Doalcy
Maire
(to
Sarah)
Wasn’t
your
father in
great
voice last
night?
o’clock.
at
eleven home ones wee
the
was
too
late
to call.
sent he
morning; this
since hatter
the on been He’s
Bridget
Manus
I
could
hear
music my on
way
but past 1
thought
it
illegitimates. and
semi-literates
— whelps
Maire
moves
att’a3’. Iv! anus
peasant and follows. pot-boys rustic: stulti, — Ignari, Doahy C
12. ‘3
Slowly,
relzsctanth’
the3’
begin
to
move to their seats an&Torace heart off
by
Manus
I don’t of Satires the think book of first the you know heard we’ll He Doalry
wait
for him. Let’s get started.
do
before Big Hughie Doaltyi Maire comes.
Bridget
Let
go
of
me,
you
dirn
brute!
I’ve a headline him Someone told to
Doalty
churn?
DoaJc Come
on, Maire
Bridget?
Wouldn’t
that make
a
great aol
shaft
for
your
Doalty
What
d’you
make me?
jimmy for of that for an implement,
physically.
He ‘row
looking you. grabs
for (ella’s aid
Bridget
around
the
waist.
When
Doalty Ruadh’s Nellie
Jimmy, Hi, is lie? embarrassed you a Would cell I
Doatry
or
pleased —
he reacts —
Bridget
I’m telling
Doafty. you liar, a You’re
Bridget you’ll be — arrested.
Maire
Flab! Jimmy.
call going it to Sunday was
she
fast me told She
Doalt3r
Manus
Just
to indicate
a presence. ...
dac
this
Maire
What
sort
of a
gesture?
Beag Baile about bucks uneasy of hot there’s a Bridget
So
Manus was It a gesture.
Ah. Doalty
Maire
That
was
a very clever
piece
of work. I-on! donkey you point, the That’s Bridget
Doalty
What
d’you
mean?
father? the Doaltv Who’s
Maire
You
must
he
proud
of yourself,
Doalr3c
lather. after call its going to it
Bridget
That’s
was the she threat ening was image she Seamus says Our Bridget of them!
Yen’
agitated
and
confused
Make No, sappers in
rapid
conversatIon.)
nnuurethasely
lie
speaks
in gibberish
an
imitation — of
two
Maire?
you, Did
Doalty
They
took the
bloody
machine apart!
(And
grunts: No. Sarah
Bridget
Wait till you hear!
Sarah? You, doing?
Did
called she what
it?
yous of h1ar any
Did
morning. heads.
And
Cripes,
d’you
know
what
they
christened this ended
be up Was
baby Ruadh’s tO Nellie Bridget
their
calculations
and
stare
at
again it
and
scratch
their
Doalty
Then
they’d
hair. come her combs
and nnrror back
and
stare
at
and it
look
at
hand a sets Bridget up baud5 washes
his and door Bridget
God!
the wafer at of bucket goes the to Doalty tasks. specific
se i’ II:
14
15
of
yours
corn,
not — spuds.
do Can you
it? ‘1anus
for
corn.
That’s
what
you
should
have in
that
upper
Jimmy
fieldBret
Isn’t
that a
dose. hut you’re God what
I’m always
telling you? Black soil
Doalty ‘Slow Tacitus. of Agricola the rimmy Three, hullocks! Book
wending
to
recall it.’ than
homeward learning out
to stamp easier ‘It’s behind Bridget
slow
bullocks.’
Virgil!
There!
jimmy
‘From
no
other
land
will
you
see you? set more father my did wagons headline What Manus
Doalty
There
you are.
that. like thing slippery an aul on write could nobody
main
best Sure
slate? aul for this
of whistles the corn.’ hear slate.) D’you her There on
you
are.
Jimmy
chalk
with ‘And
writing
begins with
and suddenly cu
stops
i (She
and
putre
with ...
crumbly —
soil
is
in
the —
Buide at Machaire
the cliffs
foot
of at the night last
found
Doalty
Give
a inc
chance!
were horses soldiers’ the of two says Seamus Our Bridget
of the
plough...’
know? I
would How
Doalrv
Maims
‘Land
that is
black
and rich
beneath
the
pressure
then? they are Where
Manus Jimmy Manus?
No. Doalty
boys
(He — ;IJjI;IL’S great
conce,ztr1tio)
Doalty
Steady
on
home?
at they now Aren’t Mantis
easy,
boys,
easy — don’t rush me, —
s:il;
vouzere alert. and terra silent is
atmosphere the
Stiddetily
.4
...
Jimmy
Listen
teeth. to
his through this,
whistling
begins Doalty Manus.
‘Nigra
fere et presso puiguis
would
you? days. about these çher Not seen them. ,mrror) Haven’t Doalty
Bridget
You
clown
you!
(to
Sarah)
Hold this For me. them? ask you Did
Doalty Be
God,
that’s
my territory
all
right. and turns away. shrugs Doalty
in
Book
Two
of
Virgil’s
Georgics.
any
more?
coming not
twins
Donnelly
the
jimmy
I
came
across
this
last
night
this’ll Are Dual/TI (to interest twins? Donnelly the — about you What salmon.
Jj,;zi;n’ the at he’s coming isn’t frtnzbk’s
Beag Sean in know I his — done. work
— pockets.
some get
and
down settle
Let’s right.
all
right All
— Manus
Doalty
He’s busting to hear
together. corn some
plant
we’ll
and Sarah,
Jimmy
I’ll
do
that
for
him
certainlY,
certainly. me, this with of out away Come Sarah.) (Grabs Cassie!
Doalty
Jack
jimmy and yourself, at
he race
running a take wants go ...
and
you you to
recite it
For
him.
Would agriculture! on me
lecturing he’s and himself
wash
Jimmy
That’s
true,
to bejasus lazy Too fella! to that listen you \Vould Doalty
1 ‘• — •..
i6 17
pay flower? to go In to Doaky a hedge.schoOl.
Maire
When
it
opens,
is this
finished:
think. nobody’s I Fine to going — Bridget
Mantis I said I
might.
look? tops the did Manus HOW
Maire You said you
would.
Some. Bridget
Manus No.
Port? in the crops He saw Doalty
school?
head. my
of out
‘vent
It Bridget
Maire
Did
you apply
for that
job
in
the
new
national
that.
me told
never You
Doalty
Manus Do you want to
go?
everywhere.
was
smell sweet the
the maps
— making
the
house.
What
do
you
are
suggest? soldiers
the
where beyond
just
Mona na
— Cnoc
Maire
There’s
ten
below at
gap me
the
to be over crossed he as raised as and soon that no man said in He this.
you
to tell
I forgot
this
hear you
till wait — Manus
And
You Bridget
don’t want
to go. You said that yourself.
morning. this
early fair
Port the Maire
to off
heading Because I
haven’t
seen
you
since,
have!?
Seamus your saw I
Bridget) (to
yourself.
Suit
Maire
Manus You never told me
that.
The,::
second. a
[or hi,;, at looks Maire
last Friday.
him.
against go
in can’t I
Maire couldn’t I
Map Mantis
— of America.
(Pause.) The passage money came
never he’d
know
— you
sure sake, I Can
God’s help For Maire you? What are you at?
yesterday. before Day others
swap Mantis hooks, talk quietly. etc.
Maims
goes
to
Maire.
While
he is talking to not! her has the He Maire
My
is name
Sarah.
for it. applied has father Mv Manus
Sara!,
nods: Yes.
Mainis
leans down you would. to her inc ear. promised You Maire
Manus Do
you
understand
those sums?
for it. apply can’t I Manus
Mantis mOVeS
to
Sara!;.
away. throwing you’re a year ft’s £56 Maire
Doalty
at Pm
the
seVen-times
table. I’m could 1 maybe that perfect, thinking skipper. I was
side. Doalty?
again. away
moves She
shoulder.
his at
Manus
It’s
very
good.
ICeep
listening,
your obviously Sarah, elbow in sees he off closer because to breaks your He
Bridget
There.
is
it bad?
Will he ate me? I and that know I Mantis ( didn’t say. Bridget Did you know that you start at the age of six and I don’t know. I think so. He Bridget you have to stick at it until you’re twelve at least — no
— that’s all? matter how Manus just the sweet smell smart you are or how much you know. it snakes in, don’t they? Doalrv Who Bridget They say that’s the way told you that yarn? one morning the stalks are all First the smell; and then Bridget And every child from every house has to go all black and limp. day, every day, summer or winter. That’s the law. makes the you stupid? It’s the rotting stalks Doalty Are Doatty I’ll tell you something — nobody’s smell is — going to go near for God’s sake. That’s what the sweet smell them — they’re not going to take on — law or no law. rotting stalks. year at this time Bridget And everything’s free in them. You pay for Sweet smell! Sweet smell! Every Maire of the sweet smell. nothing except the hooks you use; that’s what our Seamus somebody comes back with stories sa vs. fail in Baile Beag? Well, Sweet God, did the potatoes ever There was never blight here. Doalty ‘Our Seamus’. Sure your Seamus — Never! wouldn’t pay did they ever ever? aren’t we’re always sniffing about for it, anyway. She’s making this all up. Never. Never. But up disaster. The rents are going to go we? — looking for have Bridget Isn’t that right, Manus? going to be lost — the herring again — the harvest’s to he evictions. Honest Manus — going I think gone away for ever there’s so. people aren’t happy unless you’re to God, some of you Bridget And from the very flrst day you not be content until you’re dead! go. you’ll miserable and you’ll not hear one word of Irish spoken. You’ll be taught to speak Colmcille Bloody right, Maire. And sure St. English and every subject will be taught through English Doalty here. He said: prophesied there’d never be blight and everyone’ll end up as cute as the Buncrana people. Beag Sarah suddenly ,niines a zcarmng The spuds will bloom in Baile grunts and that the Till rabbits grow an extra lug. master is conung. The atmosphere changes. Sudden business. Heads dart’,,. So we’re all right. And sure that’ll never he. rwenty-eight; are nventyOne seven fours are Doaltv He’s here, boys. Cripes, he’ll make yella meal out Seven threes you fancy my — Jimmy do of me for those seven fives are forty-nine Hi, bloody tables. national school? chances as boss of the new Bridget Have you any extra chalk, Manus?
— what’s that? Jimmy What’s that? %4aire And the atlas for me. back home to Greece, spn. DoaltY Agh, g’way Doalty goes to Maire who is sitting on a stool at the back. Maire You ought to apply, Doalty. maybe I will. Hah! )oalty you Doalty D’you think so? Cripes, Swap seats.
i8 19
I
• • - ,.r ‘,.. —______
20 II
residual
dignity.
shabbily dressed,
carrying a Master. )oalty
stick. He
And
immediately
Hugh enters.
A large
man, with
bath. cold the
— baptisterium’
bugger’s
hardly
fit
to
waLk. the of
speaks
Minor Pliny
friend our Indeed
— Iugh
False
alarm,
boys. The bugger’s
not
coming at all.
Sure
hJ1my
dip immerse. or
to
— ‘Baptizehi’
eyes and (ooks around.
James?
A slow. ugli Too few
more
seconds
of
work. Then Doalty
opens his
oh ah be
Would it Doaky
— Doalty — — Will you
shut up!
I can’t concentrate!
Doaln’?
scholars? are Greek my where ‘baptise’? it? — word
the of
derivation The
pleasant.
very
Altogether
Bridget occasion. Is ‘g’
this
right,
Manus?
How do
you
put a
tail
oi
the to
mark libations few a had
then
we
Hugh
— Indeed
After a few seconds:
naming. of ritual The
his Maire tables; Sarah doing stinis.
studying
the
atlas;
Doaltv,
Maire? his eyes
nonunatiosus shut
the caennmonia
— tight, alter And
,noutbingHugh
in a low
voice;
Bridget
copying
her
headline;
Maire
Gripes! br! from
Donal
Eamon Bridget Now the
quiet
hitmim
o[,vork:Jb;mniy reading
Homer
Doalty
gooses
Bridget.
She squeals. Eamon. was Yes, it Eamon? it Was Hugh
Bridget Watch
where
you’re going, Doalty!
Master?
on
it,
put she did
name
Onirocentiy) What
laboriously
Bridget
on a slate
resting on top of a
bench-seat.
Bridget who
is
kneeling on the floor
baby. and Ruadh’s
Nellie of writing
baptism
I,:
his
haste
to
get
to the
hack the seat ceIe wating were we Doalty arrLval: late my humps for Apologies into
God, I’m
dying
about
you. a to footman. as if Maims, to stick
his and
them im,cI hands
coat and bat his removes Sarah He gives hi;,m nime.
James. Cripes, Hugh I’m wrecked.
God
love
you. (aloud)
Anyone got a bloody Hugh. Ave. Jimmy tabLe-book?
Make rises.
responses. Various
Doalty
Please,
Maire.
I
want to ouk in all. the you to back salutations here. Vesperal
quip. your
overhear to sobrius but adequately Mairc perfecta I’m fine here.
sobrietate in nor
Perhaps adsum. Doaln’,
Adsun:, Hugh
Doalty
There’s
an
empty
one
beside
the
Infant
Prodigy.
sixties. early his
He in is drunk.
means no
Maire
Why?
is he bitt taken, drink of a quantity large always, as has, Hugh Gratias tihi ago. (He sits at his table.) Hugh Doalty? Before we commence our studth I have three items of talk then about baptising a Doalty I suppose you could information to impart to you — (to Maims) a bowl of tea, you? sheep at sheep-dipping, could strong tea, black — Laughter. Co,nniefltS. Manus leaves. were is there — the day you Hugh Indeed — the precedent Item A: on my perambulations today — Bridget? Too slow. — nines? appropriately named Doalty seven Maire?
Doalty Whats that, Master? Maire Peranthulare — to walk about. Hugh Seven times nine? Hugh Indeed—I encountered Captain Lancey of the Royal
nine — Engineers who is engaged in the ordnance survey of this — seven times Seven nines — seven nines Doalty on the tip of my tongue, area. He tells me that in the past few days two of his — it’s k seven times nine are Cripes, — that s thehorses have strayed and some of his equipment for sure this morning funny seems to Master — I knew it be mislaid. I expressed my regret and suggested he address only one that foxes me — you himself on these matters. He then explained that he
Bridget (prompt) Sixty-three. . does not speak Irish. Latin? I asked. None. Greek? Not a sure seen nines are fifty-syllable. He speaks — on his own admission — only English; Doalty What’s wrong with me: nd to his credit he seemed suitably verecund — James? three, Master.
with Doalty lames Vereczindus — humble. Sophocles from Colonus would agree Hugh ‘To know nothing is thCugh Dan Doalty from Tulach Alainn: Indeed — he voiced some surprise that we did not sweetest life.’ Where’s Sean Beag? peak his language. I explained that a few of us did, on
)ccasion — outside the parish of course — and then usually the salmon. Manus He’s at br the purposes of commerce, a use to which his tongue
Hugh And Nora Dan? :eemed particularly suited — (shouts) and a slice of soda back any more. wead — and I went on to propose tlat our own culture and Maire She says she’s not coming he classical tongues made a happier conjugation — Doalty? write her name — Nora Hugh Ah. Nora Dan can now the Donnelly twins? )oalty Conjugo —I join together. Dan’s education is complete. And Doahy isso pleased with himself that he prods and Then: Brief pause. winks at Bridget. turf. (She goes to Hugh. Bridget They’re probably at the for last quarter’s lugh Indeed — English, I suggested, couldn’t really the 0ne-andeight I owe you There’s for this quarter s xpress us. And again to his credit he acquiesced to my arithmetic and there’s my one-and-six )gic. Acquiesced — Maire? writing.
23 I 22
-, :‘W
S’ ‘S’t
-4
14 as
Maire
J
I’m
talking
about
the
Liberator,
Master, as steps. the goes you towards
Hugh we
Hugh
Does
she
mean V that
little
Kerry
politician? you. take of care will Manus rises.) (He ii.
Maire
I’m
talking you of am I
and weary day strenuous a had about have I ndeed. Daniel O’Connell.
Hugh
Silentinin!
(Pause.) sits. non’ Maire Who
is she talking about?
Jimmy
run. be Who_who_who? how is will it hopes that
he that md emphatically
Who’s this? Who’s
this?
courteously retorted Alexander and
Indeed Mr
— lugh woman’s
sale from that (ella.
Bridget
And
sleeping filled’. cannot be cask
that ‘The with limmy
married
women.
Sure no
—1
scrounging votes. James? pithos’ ‘aplestos the calls Euripides 3ur
— friend
Doalty
It’s
Irish
he what filling
years uses thirti.five past the for hedge-school — when
he’s travelling
around
I this as run have run to free it were I if only
that do
could
Jimmy
What’s
she
saying?
What?
What?
I that and explained thanked him I opens. of it when it
5uddenly
several charge to me take invited Alexander Mr speak school. national together.
new the
discussed We Peace. the of Justice
Alexander,
all
learn
to
speak
English the
better.
George
Mr meet to chanced I
this
morning christening
O’connell
said
last
month
in
Ennis.
He sa id
the
the to way my
On yes B Item B Item sooner
Indeed
— eHugh — — what — my
mother
says.
That’s
what I
say.
That’s
what
Dan
Maire
We
should
all
be B. learning
to
speak
English.
That’s
Item at
Master. You’re of information, Three Doalty iteTfls Well, girt?
we?
were
Where
Maire
7
gets
to
her
feet
uneasily
hut
deter,niiredlY. diver/crc diverto diverted
have We
Pause. been
— Hugh —
—
Hugh Yes?
Then: pocket. his into back flask the pit/s
cap,
Maire
Master. the hack, replaces it tosses a into it, drink pours caf),
the He
n’hiskv. renror’es
flask a of produces and pocket
Hugh
indeed
and
kern B... —
his into baird his puts Hugh standing. remains
Maire
Bridget
Acquie5co
acquieScere
acqlIieL’i acqitietit’l. saved. all harvest’s the as
soon as America
Hugh
procede. to going I’m because English speak to able be to want I
Bridget
Acquiesco. above. the platfonn on reappears Mantis
Too slow.
Bridget? English.
want I want Latin. don’t 1 Greek. want don’t I be’s right. gesture.
And
month. last that said He
progress.’ modern to barrier
Maire
trails
away
impatient!)’.
Hugh is a is nira old language •The of ware this: was said he what And the know.
1Ft*L___
;i I
2.7
Hugh’s
Dodging
my about.
eyes are
moist
partly
joy, — partly the drink.
geliiLiliely.) Jimmy,
you wen
are well?
Great
to see
you,
Father.
Great
to
be
back.
Come
here
to
me.
(He
embraces
)ait Bloody - right,
Owen. Hugh
warmly
and
Owen
Fair?
For
God’s sake
you
never
looked
better!
wen And Doaln’
Dan Doalty hasn’t either! changed
Hugh
Fair fair. —
round the room.
Owen
And
how’s
the
old man General It laughter. himself? opens little pockets of conversatiom;
on
his father’s
shoulders.
Jimmy Jack’s oalty feet.
Owe,;
is
now
in
front
of
Hugh.
He
puts
his two
hands
straw? .e
Maire
How
are
you,
Owen?
.me smell this place always had. What is it Is anyway? it
ivo
man! iangcd! Nor thing! a (Sniffs.) Even that smell that’s the —
Owen
ter six years and everything’s It’s
just as
was! it
Nothing’s not—?
Yes,
it is
Maire
Chatach!
God!
A
youngm;;d,
outstretched.) arms can’t I believe back it. come
I
Bridget
You’re
welcome,
Owen. know I Iwen And it’s am. I (He to great here. be turns
Owen
And
Bridget!
Give
us a lanus kiss. You’re welcome, Owen. Aaaaaah!
Jimmy Fine. Fine.
Manus! nd
quid
agis? Are
you
well?
bread. soda The)’ meet at the bottom;;.
Oi’en
Doalty!
(playful
punch)
O;ve;; How sees
Mapigis coming do;;’;; the are steps u’ith tea and you,
boy?
Jacobe.
t.- I •t
a
word
for each
person.
get footless drunk. ) That’s arranged.
Owen
enters.
As
he
crosses
the All the better. (to room
And Hugh.) you and are I going he hJ)Wen touches
and
Hugh!
They
say ndgct puts Frogs she in it!
Doalty
It’s
Owen
Owen
—
Hugh!
Look boys
it’s
Owen — Her )oalty poteen’s worse than ever.
O’Donnell
holds his
hedge.schoOl?
Owen )wcn Why not? Could
anybody
tell
me is
this where
Hugh
Mor
travelling Not
oa1 there, Owen. hag
across
his shoulder.
e,itlntsiasl.
He
now
stands
uBreag’s framed
the iii
doorway, a
eventhing
he
does
is
invested with
do tonight? up are going We
to na go Anna to
co,zsideratiouz
and
sniartly
a
cit) — mail.
His
manner
l;a,zdkercl;ief.
iou
is Do know what easy , I you and going
are
and
charming:
attractive
young
inn,;
in his
fluent/es. Come Jiven on come
on come on (He gives
Hugh
He
— is — —
dressed
Owe;;
enters.
One,;
is
the
younger so,;,
a
handsonie,
I’m I Hugh pa
to no I’m attention
— —
— —
1 r Owen Any word of the big day? Owen begins to phi; this gauze — his father’s gauze — partLy to involve his classroom audience, partly to short’ ‘ahs’. This is greeted with ohs’ and he has not forgotten it, and indeed partLy because he Time enough, Jimmy. Homer’s easier to live with, isn’t he? enjoys it. Maire We heard stories that you own ten big shops in limmy A maker of maps.
— is it true? Dublin )wen Indeed — and the younger man that I travelled with Owen Only nine. om Dublin, his name is Lieutenant Yolland and he is
— Ltflched to the toponymic department — Father? And you’ve twelve horses and six servants.. Bridget •esponde — responde! you Owen Yes — that’s true. God Almighty, would l5tCfl4ugh He gives names to places.
them — taking a hand at me! )wen Indeed — although he is in fact an orthographer — did you arrive? Manus When — )oal too slow — Manus? spent last nigh5 Owen We left Dublin yesterday morning, The correct spelling of those names. in Omagh and got here half an hour ago.
— indeed! - — -, Manus You’re hungry then. Owe,, laughs aiztl claps his hands. Sonic of the others
— — food get him a drink. - -: Hugh Indeed get him job: in.
— am I intcrrupting0jf1i Owen Not now, thanks; later. Listen Beautiful! Honest to God, it’s such a delight to you all? c back here with you a)) again — ‘civilised’ people. Hugh By no means. We’re finished for the day. wyhow— may I bring them in? Owen Wonderful. I’ll tell you why. Two friends of minelugh Your friends are our friends. you are waiting outside the door. They’d like to meet be straight back. I’d like you to meet them. May I bring them in? • -: - There is general talk as Owen goes towards the door. Hugh Cerrainl. You’ll all eat and have... He stops beside Sarah. Owen Nor just yet, Father. You’ve seen the sappers hat’s a new face. Who are you? working in this area for the past fortnight, haven’t you? -•I• S-i Well, the older man is Captain Lancey... A very brief hesitation. Their: L Hugh I’ve met Captain Lancey. irah My name is Sarah. Owen Great. He’s the cartographer in charge of this wen Sarah who? 3 whole area. Cartographer —James? trah Sarah John Sally. —Th
iS 2.9
---- ;1nz..
•‘*,
%_ :-ana
r-•-. •
-
1 —
3’ 30
Manus
You didn’t tell me you were definitely leaving.
‘Yes.
Lancey Mantis goes to Maire who is busy tidying.
sir. -i already
met, have and I Festinate! You Hugh (He pouts another drink.)
slates?
Somebody take these dishes away. Festinate!
visitors.
Come
on,
Sarah hide
that bucket.
Whose — his with are courtly, these almost expansive,
becomes Hugh
Hugh
Move move — move! some Put order
on things! —
evening.
Good Lancev
the King’s
good English.
(He
goes
out.)
IC..
father.
my Lancey
Captain
are.
— we
Here
Owen quaint, archaic
tongue you people persist in speaking into
underpaid,
civilian
interpreter.
My
job to accident. is translate by soldier the
A
I’wmnier awkward
shy,
Owen
Me
a
soldier?
I’m employed
hair, as a a blond part-time, gangling, and thin and tall is He thirties.
twenties/earl;’
late his is in Yolland Lieutena,zt Sarah moves away.
words.
not
deeds,
with
is skill
Manus
You
havcn’t
enlisted, have His you?! civilians. foreign these especially civilians, especial/v
people uneasy
with hut canographer — field as Owem: his
expert in
officer,
sniall, crisp
middle.aged; a
Lancej’ is
Matins ignores
Sara?;.
He
is
itiuch
more
interested
in
-
-
Captain Yolland. and Lance;’,
lvi!?, enters
Owen
Sarah
I said
Manus! it,
Matins. front au’av moves Maire
Sarah,
very
elated
at
her
success, C
is beside Agh Mantis. cows? the to classics Teach — What? Maire
Owen I’m on
their pay-roll.
always can I Manus
Hugh Silentiunz!
nothing. you’ve now finished and
is now this
and got
he’s
it now Well that.’ for in Owen father’s One
small thing,
Father.
‘Mv
no hut — school; new the
for
go you suggest
I foot.
Owen
stops
at
the
door.
your under ground of sod a nor head your over roof a
neither
with married getting — about me to talk You best, Maire Master.
Doalty
Right,
Master;
certainly, Master; I’m ahead! doing Go my ahead! Go Fine! Fine! Manus
books off the floor.
you.
Thank Jimmy
to!)
of his table
with sleeve.) his
Move,
Doaln’
lift
those —
James?
books, vow-
these
Are
Hugh Hugh Come
on
now. Let’s tidy this place tip. (He rubs the
me. told have least might You Manus Duthig
at this Orveit—Saral;
exchange:
•
:‘
style.
the That’s
Bridget. girl,
Good Owen Hugh Hugh
Mor. From Bade Beag.
You. Good to see
A, -
Owen
Of From course!
Bun na
hAbhann! I’m Owen now. Not Maire —
-—- --
33 rnLi 32.
on
that so embarked has been task
enormous This Lancey Hugh
holds up a rest hand. raining
proceed. to indicates and Jimmy reassuringly Nonne Latine loquititr?
smiles Owen all? that Is Owen: to
looks Lance)’
a map — and
country. whole
the
of made is
being new
map in Own
A this
place you
understand?
to — a
make map
a —
map —
in this
section
section?
working. \Ve are —
here —
here Owen. at looks
Lancey —
—
excessively.)
You may have seen me
seen
me
working —
—
excellent.
Excellent drink)
a
(pouring
Hugh — addressing
children a shade too dl)’ tort — and
enuncuit
rug
Lancey
I
see.
(He
clears
his
throat. He speaks as mile. if English he the to teen of inches six a to scale
be executed which will
and information topographic Owen and Don’t worry. I’ll translate.
hydrographic detailed
will embrace which
triangulation
as possible.
Do
they
speak any
English, general a Roland?
country this entire of
— survey comprehensive
Lancey
I’ll
say
what I
have
to
say, if I rst ever and may, as the briefly has ordered government Majesty’s His
Hugh Later
perhaps
when
. .
reassuringly.
nods Owen
Owen. at looks He .
Lancey No, no.
this. is doing are we What
right. \Vell. you’re Perhaps well. Very Yes. see. 1 our aqua Lancey vitae?
I
Hugh Perhaps
e
a
modest
refreshment? A little along. sampling you go as of translate I’ll And Owen
Lancey A
what?
I Yes? Lancey
Hugh
What about 1’ a drop, sir?
you —
understand
they assume you
if he better might
‘I Would It Owen you like to a say few words, Captain?
quickly.
in leaps He Owen
pauses
to allow
Lance)’
to
speak.
Lance)
does not.
Sarah.
Then Bridget.
Then
sniggers. Doalty Suddenl
c
well
you’re
among the best
in people
Ireland
now.
of
of of
on
paper drawing
scaled these
— a — — are miniature
some of — the
people
of
Baile
Beag and
— what?
—
in
country your
showing yes? country
this Owen
And representing
— I’ll
— make no other
introductions
except
that
showing, picture paper a
picture?
you — understand
—
Hugh
Ga,tden
vos
hic
adesse.
a picture paper on
representation
a is map — A — Lancey
Yolland How do do. you
on. Carry Owen
Hugh
You’re very welcome,
gentlemen. Owen.)
at (He looks sir. Gaelic, I speak not i-ny do (toJmmn’) Lancey father.
Owen
And Lieutenant
Yolland
both Royal Engineers — James. Hugh —
r3
I
34
35 -
Lancey Lieutenant Yolland?
Hugh
Our Iplease. pleasure,
Captain. —
Please
quiet) for up (hands Father. Go ahead, — 1Owen
anentively to him.
in
Ireland
table. and the
captain
thanks
you
for
listening so
of
the Owen edge the to on holds
He
is drunk. This survey now Hugh
demonstrates
the
government’s interest -
advance
...? I the Please May ... Hugh interests
of
Ireland.’ My
sentiments,
too.
received
as
proof of the
disposition of
this
government
all. you loves he
and to
undertaken in
England.
So
this survey
Beag; cannot
Baile loves he but
know %at..- we
Jimmy
he
right,
All Owen ‘
—
—
•
Lancey
‘Ireland is
privileged. No such
survey is
being
He loves
— Jimmy B?
Hugh
A Hibernophile committed a He
already worthy is — Owen enterprise
opus
ho,zestunz! — And Extract
taxes here. very are happy,
be to happy, reduced. going I’m that k
:
And
know with I your lives. the
on
intrusion an crude sappers too
too not and
that
— the new
map
will
mean
that
Owen
we’re hope I
already. with The it love in fallen I’ve
captain beautiful.
hopes
that the
public
will
cooperate
very is is is is countryside your
think I
— Yolland — —
taxation.’ I
the
sir.
proprietors welcome, doubly
are You Hugh and
occupiers of
land
Irom
unequal
survey
has
for its
object
r
the
relief
which
can
be Irish!
him me afforded teach ro He wants to
Owen
forfeiture and
violent transfer
of
property;
the
present
do. I indeed (Reads.) help Roland’s
with that rectify ‘All to — intend former
— surveys
of
Ireland
originated
in
I
But from language. your the speak to
not here white and be
working to paper which
is
our
governing
charter:
to
to
foolish Lancey very feel
feel I I In
say
that can I
— only — class) conclusion
— I wish
to
quote
two
brief
extracts
(to you ... thank
you of kind Very Maire) (to
— Yolland
what is yours in law.
agent’s you.
to hear map
dying she’s says so She
Owen that
from
now on
you
will know
r exactly
Owen
This
new map
will
take
the
place
of the sorry? estate- Sorry Maire) (to — Yolland
can
be
reassessed for
purposes
of
more
equitable
say? to taxation. he
anything Has
Maire
Lancey
And
also so
that
the entire basis of land
valuation
too?
skilled
in
this work.
George,
hear
to want you Don’t
(to class) you.
hear to like
Owen
The
job
is
being
done
by
soldiers
they’d words because few a Just
they Yolland.) correct. are (to — are map . . .
.4 this the on place-names Empire. the that see to is task George’s map.
new
the and
makes
actually
accurate who man the is
captain
The Owen
information
on
every
corner
of this
9- part —f— of
the military
-
authorities
will
be
equipped
really with to say up-to-date nothing — 1—1—I’ve — Yolland ______
37
Owen Yes
yes
soon
soon. —
— —
Mantis Aren’t you going to tell them?
I
was afraid
some of you bastards would
laugh.
from the
very
beginning
or
else they can’t
— pronounce
Owe
Owen
Shhhhh.
Isn’t
ridiculous?
it I They seem to get it wron
Roland!
Manus
And
they
call you Roland! They both call you
Owen
Where
there’s ambiguity, they’ll be Anglicised.
Manus
You
mean changed
into English? t:S:: •1
standardised.
Owen
Nothing
all. at They’re just going to be
names we have here?
‘wet;1
Yolland’s
function?
What’s ‘incorrect’ about
the
place-
said:
a it’s bloody
military
operation, Owen!
And
what’s
Mantis. Matins
staring at
is Sarah There
was 4 —(4 nothing
uncertain
about
what
Lancey
giggling.
their reliving are Bridget and Doalty
said that?
text. a
lost Jimmy in is
Owen
‘Uncertainty —:
in
meaning
is
incipient
steps. poetry’ the negotiate to who tning is Hugh —
Manus
You Yolland. weren’t
saying
what
Lancey was
saying!
introducing
her to
and hand by
the Maire
taking flow;
Owen
Did
I make
a
mess
of
it?
across the fiden cots Owen watches move fly Matins
Manus
What
sort
of a translation
1 was that, Owen? between?
job go- the for
a this How isn’t vhom?
met
are you has right who
— anyway?
4
All
goes:)
others. he As the Owen
turns and Lancey’s join playtll, to a
bloody
ramrod
but
George’s
all
right.
lightly,
Matins
r punches (He
other. “tr%;;
each complement
•
Matins
and
Owen ;iwet
dozv;z stage.
we way a And Manus. in
same the Owen
And
conversation. a
The soldiers
piwet the
locals.
Owen. same A
the It’s few Indeed is desultory it. Mantis
claps. The fornzalities are over. General
a4
isn’t
it? Well, isn’t
it? me, same the that you name. a may It’s It’s only require.
Gentlemen
welcome! —
hell.
the what
Roland
Owen you easy. — man, — our Easy, friendship, Owen
our hospirahry
and every assistance
Hugh
And
we,
gentlemen,
we in turn are happy to offer But they... Manus
D -
—-_._-c -.
2
* I
•1
39 38
Book, a bottle of
flesh. poteen, nor neither 6th sonic clips
that’s etc. somehow but Bunowen.
F2r
Around to them Anglicise are it various could we suppose reference books, I that. got Nanie the they wherever
church
registn’ Binhone!
lies
God! open
on
called his lap.
— it’s lists jury — — — grand the in And
-F
His
mind text) is (a;zother elsewhere. parish. One
of the the of reference end west
books
the at river
big the a
—
be fore Owenmore’s him, his wrong:
back
resting against completely a creel, that’s Owenmore eyes his &rn.1 closed. calls
— it
uioic’.
He freeholders is sitting of list on the The floor, (Consults his long legs text.) wrong. That’s stretched out Owen
Yolland’s
hesitancy has
vanished
is at he home
here —
Banowen
see... Let’s Yolland
pursues :vith energy great and efficiency.
consulting
He it. is total!)’ eyes. his open engrossed Yolland in his task does which now he Only
out on the floor.
Queen
is o,z his
hands
and knees,
registry? church
the in
called
is
it
What
Owen
A
large niap one
of the izeic’ blank maps is —
spread —
shirts
and socks. that. like sound a for
the shafts equivalent of the English cart no a and
nail There’s the in alone.
traIl;
leave it it on Let’s are sonic Yolland
-
Stage
right:
an
improvised
clothes—line
strung
between
river. the of mouth the
literally
it’s So river. means Abha
days
later.
And
bottom.
for
word Irish
the
is Bun better.
That’s Owen
The hot weather continues. It is late afternoon some
tra,:slation. hAhhann. na Bun Yolland
each
;:zn:e in Iris?,
timid the;: provide
the English
hAhhann.
na Bun
Owen
Owe:: ‘s official
function as translator is to pronounce lit
I
appeared
they contained all again. Say these sorry. it I’m new Anglicised know. I names. Yofland
entered into the
Name—Book,
and when the new imiaps
George. terrible, That’s
Owen
translated
Hill. Fair
These
new standardised —
names ivere
4
like
Qzoc na,ze Ban could becwne
hAbhann. Knockban or na Bun Yolland
direct/v —
translating
into it English
words.
For example, a Gaelic
hAbhann.
na
Owen Bun
changing
into it
its approximate English sound by or
distinctive
Iris?, na;;ie and Anglicise either Again. it, by — Yolland
even
every patch
ground
iv!
,id, of possessed its au’;:
hAbhann. na
Bun
Owen
take
each of
the Gaelic ;ia;nes - even’ hill, stream, rock, —
Yolland’s
official
task, which Owe,: is again? name doing, now to is Irish
sappers The the Say have
call already it? you do mapped What
listening. most of I’m the Yolland area. Yes.
,t _—t_ .4_/_
George!
et•’-”
-.
SCENE
ONE
there.
beach little tiny that sea the enters stream — that
where point the
Yes
got
we have
to? — Where Now. Owen
*csø
, L,
<‘1
1
Act
Two
the floor. the on map to returns
and Name.Book
the entry in Owe;: an completes Yolland closes his eyes again. Lancey and Lancey screams at me. But I wasn’t Yolland I give up. intimidated. - - Owen (at map) Back to first principles. What are we Mantis emerges from,: upstairs and descends. trying to do? ‘I’m sorry, sir,’ I said, ‘But certain tasks demand their own Yolland Good question. tempo. You cannot rename a whole country overnight.’ — Your Irish air has made me hoid. (to Mantis) Do you want Owen We are trying to denominate and at the same time us to leave? describe that tiny area of soggy, rocky, sandy ground Mantis where that little stream enters the sea, an area known Time enough. Class won’t begin for another half- hour. -t - locally as Bun na hAbhann ... Burnfoot! What about Burnfoor? Yolland Sorry — sorry? Yolland (indifferently) Good, Roland. Burnfoot’s good. Owen Can’t you speak English? Owen George, my name isn’t... Mantis gathers the things off the clothes-line. Owe:: Yolland B-u-r-n-f-o-o-t? returns to the map. Owen I suppose so. What do you think? We now come across that beach
Yolland Yes. Yolland Tra — that’s the Irish for beach. (to Mantis) I’m picking up the odd word, Manus. Owen Are you happy with that? Mantis So. ‘Yolland Yes. Owen ... on past Burnfoot; and there’s nothing Owen Burnfoot iris then. (He makes the entry into the around here that has any name that I know of until we come Name-Book.) Bun na hAbhann — B-u-r-n down here to the south end, just about here ... and there Yolland You’re becoming very skilled at this. should be a ridge of rocks there... Have the sappers marked it? They have. - ii.- - - Look, George. Owen We’re not moving fast enough. Yolland Where are we? Yolland (opens eyes again) Lancey Lectured me again last night. Owen There. I Yolland I’m lost. Owen When does he finish here?
t Yolland The sappers are pulling out at the end of the Owen Here. And the name of that ridge is Druim Dubh. week. The trouble is, the maps they’ve completed can’t be Put English on that, Lieutenant. printed without these names. So London screams at Yolland Say it again.
40 4’ C- Owen Druim Dubh. Mantis (leaving) I’m sure. But there are always the Rolands, aren’t there? (He goes upstairs and exits.) Yolland Dubh means black.
Yolland What was that he said? — something about Owen Yes. Lancey, was it?
means ... what? a fort? Yolland And Druim Owen He said we should hide that bottle before Father Owen We met it yesterday in Druim Luachra. gets his hands on it. Yolland A ridge! The Black Ridge! (to Mantis) You see, Yolland Ah. Ma nu Owen He’s always trying to protect him. Owen We’ll have you fluent at the Irish before the - Yolland Was he lame from birth? summer’s over. Owen An accident when he was a baby: Father fell across wish I were. (To Matins as he crosses to go Yolland Oh I his cradle. That’s why Manus feels so responsible for him. back upstairs.) We got a crate of oranges from Dublin today. I’ll send some up to you. Yolland Why doesn’t he marry? Manus Thanks. (to Owen) Better hide that bottle. Father’s Owen Can’t afford to, I suppose. without it. just up and he’d be better Yolland Hasn’t he a salary? speak English before your man? Owen Can’t you I Owen What salary? All he gets is the odd shilling Father
Mantis Why? throws him — and that’s seldom enough. I got out in time, didn’t I? Owen Out of courtesy-. Yolland is pouring a drink. Manus Doesn’t he want to learn Irish? (to Yolland) Don’t you want to learn Irish? Easy with that stuff— it’ll hit you suddenly.
Yolland Sorry — sorry? I—I — Yolland I like it.
Manus I understand the Lanceys perfectly but people like Owen Let’s get back to the job. Druim Dubh — what’s it you puzzle me. called in the jury lists? (Consults texts.) Owen Manüs, for God’s sake! Yolland Some people here resent us. Manus (still to Yolland) How’s the work going? Owen Dramduff— wrong as usual.
— Yolland The work? — the work? Oh, it’s it’s staggering Yolland I was passing a little girl yesterday and she spat at
- — — lost along — I think (to Owen) isn’t it? But we’d be me. without Roland. Owen And it’s Drimdoo here. What’s it called in the registry?
42.
43
._j._ ryjpfl[ “I i. Yolland Do you know the Donnelly twins? Yolland I hear music coming from that house almost every night. Owen Who? Owen Yolland The Donnelly twins. Why don’t you drop in? Yolland Owen Yes. Best fishermen about here. What about them? Could I? Owen Yolland Lancey’s looking for them. Why not? We used D-r-o-m then. So we’ve got to call it D-r-o.m-d-u-f-f_ all right? Owen What for? Yolland Go back up to where the new school is being Yolland He wants them for questioning. built and just say the names again for me, would you? Owen Probably stolen somebody’s nets. Dramduffy! Owen That’s a good idea. Poolkerry, Bally Beg — Nobody ever called it Dramduffy. Take your pick of those Yolland No, no; three. as they still are — in your own language. Owen Poll Yolland My head’s addled. Let’s take a rest. Do you want na gCaorach, a drink? Yolland repeats the Izanies silently after him. Owen Thanks. Now, every Dubh we’ve come across Baile Beag, Ceann Balor, Lis Maol, Machaire Buidhe, Baile we’ve changed to Duff. So if we’re to be consistent, I na gCall, Carraig na Ri, Mullach Dearg — suppose Druim Dubh has to become Dromduff. Yolland Do you think I could live here? Yolland is now looking out the window. Owen What are you talking about? You can see the end of the ridge from where you’re Yolland standing. But D-r-u-m or D-r-o-m? (Name-Book) Do you Settle down here — live here. remember — which did we agree on for Druim Luachra? Owen Come on, George. Yolland That house immediately above where we’re Yolland I mean it. camped — Owen Live on what? Potatoes? Buttermilk? Owen Mm? Yolland It’s really heavenly. Yolland The house where Maire lives. Owen For God’s sake! The first hot summer in fifty years Owen Maire? Oh, Maire Chatach. and you think it’s Eden. Don’t be such a bloody romantic. You Yolland What does that mean? wouldn’t survive a mild winter here. Yolland Do Owen Curly-haired; the whole family are called the you think not? Maybe you’re right. Catachs. What about it? Doalty enters in a rush.
44 45
5..--
47 46
at father was his wits’
end with me and begot finally The job a day in Do Ballybeg in I fate? believe I belief. me — arrived
might have been in Bombay instead of Ballybeg. You see, his my nor his I’ve his energy, neither to nor coherence, him.
to me this morning, I was thinking that at that moment disappointment I’m to m happen great a afraid about I
I suppose I couldn’t live here... Just before came is Apocalypse up Doalty just that. still The believes He exciting. and
And! have no words to thank him ..I suppose man’s you’re were Possibilities potential. any endless to right: frontiers .
my feet won’t get wet with the dew. Wasn’t kind that longer were skin. no There its of old cast world him? off had The
round my tent
and the down from to tens road so the end. Ancient Year was at One. an time the was that born
he — —
tome pointed and the long to grass cut and a then day pathway a the inherited could? you world think He Do new it
was passing with a scythe across his and shoulder he life his up its whole that character. gave maybe caine thought often
Yolland I
was outside washing my tent morning this he I’ve Bastille day and fell. the the very Born Yolland in — 1789
Owen Good luck! What were you thanking Doalty he? is Owen for? age What
Doalty rushes off. Mantis follows hini. mind up to his to Wellington attack. make
the for were when Waterloo night waiting was
they before
luck, boys!
still he says minutes.
sat time
longest himself ever He
the
end up Loch in
if an
Iubhair
they’re not capped. Good
still of Can’t to the for the Empire end five sit other.
Doalty They say.
wouldn’t
Come on. The bloody beasts’ll
hopping one roads He indefatigable from builds energy.
Manus What about? that dedication; has too; that Father that drive,
done the
excellence. done be job must be must
with it — you.
servant: only colonial The handwriting.
nor perfect the
Doalty Never
eyes
clapped
on them. They want to talk to
of neatness on commenting paper the and of the texture
Manus (descending)
Who are they? the report examining single even every He — inspected
horses. the kitchens.
examined the He field checked
in. He asking for you.
as they sappers of
reported met night. every
He last
group
saying. Hi, Manus,
there’s
bucks down two the road there
him watching father. so like was I my Yolland
Lancey’s
Doalty Wasting your time. I know a don’t word you’re
believe Do you
fate? in Owen
Yolland Thank you for I
I’m very gratelul
to you
for —
— —
not be to here
Bombay. in am and
appears. Mantis
very, the very was I Tra how across lucky! thinking Bhan,
skipper? morning looking this was and washing here. And me while!
all over the place. (to Yolland) How are you doing, me and Engineers sent And to posted Dublin Dublin. the into
The cattle’s going mad in that heat Gripes, running And me the they Army. joined stuck sailing, wild the I next until —
Manus! Doalty about to hang money enough and lace hadn’t couldn’t Father
since! And Literally. the I boat. missed I Unfortunately
— — I Owen He’s upstairs.
Give
him a shout.
for months ten, London. So set I eleven off ago. was
Doalty Hi, boys, Manus is about? This of some Company clerkship. East kind India the — with no, Bade Beag — the moment you brought me in here, I I dabble in verse, Lieutenant, after the style of Ovid. (to had a curious sensation. ft’s difficult to describe. It was a Owen) A drop of that to Fortify me.
momentary sense of discovery; no — not quite a sense of Yolland You’ll have to translate it for me. discovery — a sense of recognition, of confirmation of
something I half knew instinctively; as if I had stepped Hugh Let’s see — No matter Owen Back into ancient time? how long the sun may linger on his long and weary journey Yolland No, no. It wasn’t an awareness of direction being At length evening comes with its sacred song. changed but of experience being of a totally different Yolland Very nice, order. I had moved into a consciousness that wasn’t sir.
striving nor agitated, but at its ease and with its own Hugh English succeeds in making it sound ... plebeian. conviction and assurance. And when I heard Jimmy Jack Owen Where are you off to, Father? and your father swapping stories about Apollo and
Cuchulainn and Paris and Ferdia — as if they lived down Hugh An expeditio with three purposes. Purpose A: to
— — the road it was then that I thought — I knew — perhaps I acquire a testimonial from our parish priest (to Yolland)
could live here . . . (now embarrassed) Where’s the pot-een? a worthy man but barely literate; and since he’ll ask me to write it myself, how in all modesty can I do myself justice? Owen Poteen? (to Qweiz) Where did this (drink) come from?
Yolland Poteen — poteen — poteen. Even if I did speak Irish Owen Anna na mBreag’s. Pd always be an outsider here, wouldn’t I? I may learn the password but the language of the tribe will always elude Hugh (to Yolland) In that case address yourself to it with circumspection. me, won’t it? The private core will always be ... hermetic, (And he instantly tosses the drink back in won’t it? one gulp and grbnaces. (Aaaaaaagh!) Holds out his glass for a refilL) Anna na mBreag means Anna of the Lies. And Owen You can learn to decode us. Purpose B: to talk to the builders of the new school about Hugh emerges front upstairs and descends. He is dressed the kind of living accommodation I will require there. I for the road. Today he is physically and mentally jaunty have lived too long like a journeyman tailor.
and alert — almost self-consciously jaunty and alert. Yolland Some years ago we lived fairly close to a poet — Indeed, as the scene progresses, one has the sense that well, about three miles away. he is deliberately parodying himself. The moment Hugh gets to the bottom of the steps Hugh His name? Yolland leaps respectfully to his feet. Yolland Wordsworth — William Wordsworth. Hugh (as he descends) Hugh Did he speak of me to you? Q uantumvis cursun: longuni fessumque moratur Sol, sacro tandem cannine vesper adest. Yolland Actually I never talked to him. I just saw him out walking — in the - distance. a n 4
48 49
\n. :‘I__.
-4-
j. Srr.
1-
A.
- - -
ST
50
return
To
there.)
stops
and
door --
to the
goes
(He
moment.
lives?
priest
the where
of
know work you
Do
Owen
interrupting I’m
And goes. phrase The Hugh
nonsense? What
Nonsense?
Hugh
not.
do certainly You Yolland
Father.
nonsense, that
stop you
Will Yolland)
you?
do
before
o[embarrassme;zt out
calf,
,i,ore unkindly;
magnificent (not
a
Owen
produced
has it
because
just
cow the
of
dispose
don’t
you all
After
now? people.
it
spiritual
drop a to us
call ought I could
you
think
suppose
you do
me
upon
— I
lives.
thrust
was material
their
in school lacking
national
entirely new
the ostentations
before
written
was
that and
energies Master’ a
— acquisitive of
Help syntax
and the
‘without vocabularies
their
phrase
last
— that on
And
expend
cultures Hebrew.
certain
speak that sir,
fact,
in find, I,
do You’ll Nor
literature.
enterprise.
the
of
part
best A rich the
language.
rich A — ourselves Lieutenant. Between Indeed, Hugh Hugh
title!
ornate.
and
wonderful a rich
enormously That’s it’s (laughs) understand I Yolland Yolland
Master’. a
of
Help
airaid. the
I’m without Latin, in Only
Learn
Hugh
to Wish
may
as
Gentlemen
and Ladies
Such of
Instruction
the for
yourself
Calculated —
Particularly
Languages;
Irish
and
a
poet
you’re
literawre
Gaelic
Latin —
your
Hebrew, And
Yolland Greek, English,
the of
Institute
Elementary
or Preceptor
Pentaglot
‘The
entitled: is
ft posited.
Yolland)
immemorialLy
(to
book.
new
my
of truths
around publication endure the we
for to think
collecting like We
Hugh
I’m
subscriptions
the of
out
you
repay
I’ll
half-a-crown?
of
astonishing.
realLy
it’s loan It it
the
me
boundaries.
— of give —
god you
Can
Owe,,)
(to
inevitabilities.
to the
...
Terminus,
from
Termon,
replying morning? of
— this
across method
came
only
our
potatoes;
of
a
diet
and
cabins
we
one
the
was
what
names mud place
to — your And
response Latin. our and is
ft
tomorrows.
with
opulent
syntax
in Greek
converse
actually who a
Jack
jimmy and
— self-deception yourself
and
hope
and
fantasy
of
mythologies
like
people meet
To
is.
this
the
of community a full
remarkable
Lieutenant,
language,
a
rich
is
it
Yes,
Hugh
how
ago
minutes
a few to explain
trying
was
I
And
Then:
here. drink.
people
the from another
off cut so himself feel I pours mean I Hugh — Yolland
way?
your find to
Splendid. able
Hugh
be
you
Will
Sheepsrock.
at
it’s
gCaorach
— na
Poll at
isn’t
me.
school teaching new
the Roland’s
And Yolland
\Vhiteplains. and
Gort and
Strandhill
and
Head Fair
and
Greencastle
through
pass
you Good. Hugh
Swinefort to
get to
And
name.)
per
page a
— Name-Rook
sir.
Irish,
speak to
the of learning I’m pages
the Yolland
turning
(Now
Swinefort.
become
has
Pigs,
the
of
Fort
the
island. Muc, na your
Lis
overlook to tend doesn’t. We he No,
Mediterranean. Owen warm
the to
closer
feel
We
Lieutenant.
literature,
your
with
near...
over
Muc, na
Lis
At
Hugh
familiar not
we’re
afraid I’m
no.
Wordsworth? ... Hugh
r ___
-fl’s,
:ZWWH
53
52
can. as we
as sensitively
Name-Book? and
the in accurately write we do what you:
asking
I’m Owen
as
names those
standardising we’re and Owen
..
it.
remember You
Yolland
people conlused? the Are confused? Who’s Yolland
here. left I’ve
Owen
and confusion
you. with Except are riddled that Yolland place-names taking we’re And Owen
remembers?
parish
the
in
nobody story little trivial whose in
Not
Yolland
recognition,
beyond ‘eroded’
name
his
forgotten,
long
in that?
sinister
something there
dead, long man
a
with
piety
keep
we
do
Or
Crossroads?
F
Is
of
the country. map a six-inch
making
We’re Owen
Cross? The
what? it call — and — altogether Vree
Tobair
scrap we
Do
that?
like a name with do we of sorts. do what
an eviction this: It’s it.
is
Lieutenant,
you, to in ut my part I about question So the I’m But concerned sure. know. not I’m
don’t Yolland
they
I know
know? they’ll
think you
do
and Vree; Tobair
is happening?
What
Owen
called it’s why
Manus
even father — my
— even
— Bridget
or
or Maire
Doalty — ask But happening. me. — what’s to knows He told it Yolland
grandfather
my
because
story the know I up.
dried since long has
well
hah!
posited
immemorially —
that
though
even
Vree as — Tobair known
is
crossroads
truths
around Enduring
survival?
for
adjust to
that
since
ever
And well.
in
that
drowned
found
be able to
not astute
Is much. it too
he drinks
And
Owen
was
Brian
morning one and away; go didn’t
growth the
But in
it. face
his bathed astute, and But so there Yolland went he months
seven
for
day
every
and blessed; was well that in
water
the
that
pompous.
bloody
He’s
Owen
head his into
got it growth, enormous by an
disfigured
was face man. whose an
astute Brian, He’s Yolland called man old an And crossroads.
to the
close a field
in
but
simple
too be
— would
B. and
A
beyond gets
nevet
that
you
— mind crossroads, the at
not
there,
a
well be to he
and
points three
promises he always at him:
laugh
used
there ago
years
a hundred-and-fifw
Because
Bhriain.
children the purposes’: three
with
expeditio
‘An Owen
Tobair
of
erosion an Brian — pronunciation)
(Gaelic
leaves.)
of (He Brian
Gentlemen. corruption — a ft’s mean? Vree
does
what
But
fact.
of...
well. a the landscape
means matches
Tobair
why. you tell I’ll
Vree?
Tobair
call it
no longer
which we
contour do
linguistic in
a why And
imprisoned Vree. Tohair
crossroads
that
call
we
And
be
can
a civilisation
that
can at happen it! Look it
understand man! at it, look and —
here
Come
crossroads.
you’ll an
image
to use
this happen can to
it And come
immortal. We’ve — map.) at the
a finger
stabs
and
knees
not
are
They
counters. signals, are
words
and
that hands his
remember
drops (He to.
got on
we’ve
where
Look
But help. son’s my with
us
to access Fine! find will
Fine! you
trust right! All again.
the
romance
to
Back
Owen
I and here; a lile off from cut of being of
exclusion, sense
eroded.
being
is Something
your Yolland understand I Lieutenant. matter, other that to briefly
A r
;‘rflI%’
%Sfl
J t•
55 sl 54
Y 1kWt
know. don’t
I Owen christenings! hundred A Owen
from? come Roland did Where
Yolland baptism! A Yolland
Owen O-w-e-n. christening! A Owen
been But I’ve
— Yolland celebration? the What’s Manus
Owen. Owen elated. is very He enters. Mantis
explode.
they again And to say—? You mean Yolland
Oland! Owen Owen. Owen
OF- what? Yolland Roland? Not Yolland
UI about
what Or Owen Pause.
R-o-w-e-n! Yolland is Owen. My name (softly) Owen
NarneBook?
the in — Owen What? Yolland
write we
\Vhat’ll — Yolland Roland!
izot My is name
sake! God’s For George! Owen (explodes)
O-w-e-n. Owen
Pause. God! my 0 Yolland
too,
want, Roland. you what That’s
Yolland Roland. of fond getting was I Owen
get. you’ll
what That’s Fine. Fine.
Owen again. Owen Spell Yolland
Yes. Yolland Roland? a like I look Do Owen
Owen
certain? You’re me? tell you didn’t Why Yolland
Yes. Yolland overlap. lines
their about roll As the3’
drinks.
pours Ou’en laughter.
you
what That’s want? Owen
with explode They suddenly. strikes the,,; the situation
of
Vree. Tobair Yolland absurdity the Thezi another. one at stare They Pause.
Vree
does mean? the hell God! 0 my Yolland
and what anyway no well and there’s actual
— crossroads
—
Never. Owen from the yards a well is hundred the Even Owen though
Roland? never was It Yolland Vree. Tobair Yolland He’s been offered a job. Yolland A thousand baptisms! Welcome to Eden!
Owen Eden’s right! We name a thing and — bang! it leaps Yolland Where? into existence! Owen Well — tell us! Yolland Each name a perfect equation with its roots. Manus I’ve just had a meeting with two men from mis Owen A perfect congruence with its reality. (to Mantis) Meadhon. They want me to go there and start a hedge- Take a drink. school. They’re giving me a free house, free turf, and free milk; a rood of standing corn; twelve drills of potatoes; Poteen — beautiful. Yolland and — (He stops.) Owen Lying Anna’s poteen. Owen And what? poteen. Yolland Anna na mBreag’s Manus A salary of4z a year! Owen Excellent, George. Owen Manus, that’s wonderful! you yet. Yolland I’ll decode Manus You’re talking to a man of substance. drink) Manus? Owen (offers Owen I’m delighted. if that’s what it does to you. Manus Not Yolland \Vhere’s mis Meadhon?
— — up. You’re right. Steady — steady sober up sober Owen Owen An island south of here. And they came looking for Yolland Sober as a judge, Owen. you? Mantis moves beside Owen. Manus Well, I mean to say.. Manus I’ve got good news! Where’s Father? Owen punches Mantis. Owen He’s gone out. What’s the good news? Owen Aaaaagh! This calls for a real celebration. Manus I’ve been offered a job. Yolland Congratulations.
Come on, man — Owen Where? (now aware of Yolland) Manus Thank you. speak in English. Owen Where are you, Anna? Manus For the benefit of the colonist? Yolland When do you start? Owen He’s a decent man. Manus Next Monday. Manus Aren’t they all at some level? Owen We’ll stay with you when we’re there. (to Yo!land) Please. Owen How long will it be before we reach mis Meadhon? Mantis shrugs.
56 57 —
Yolland How far south is it? Owen A house, fuel, milk, potatoes, corn, pupils, what not! Manus About fifty miles. Manus I start on Monday. Yolland Could we make it by December? Owen We’ll have Christmas together. (Sings.) ‘Christmas Owen You’ll take a drink. Isn’t it great? Day on mis Meadhon Manus I want to talk to you for... Yolland (toast) I hope you’re very content there, Manus. Maire There’s your milk. I need the can back. Manus Thank you. Matins takes the can and runs up the steps. Yolland holds out his hand. Mantis takes it. They shake Manus (as he goes) How vi1l you like living on an island? warmly. Owen You know George, don’t you? Owen (toast) Manus. Maire \Ve wave to each other across the fields. Manus (toast) To mis Meadhon. (He drinks quickly and turns to leave.) Yolland Sorry-sorry? Owen She says you wave to each other across the fields. Owen Hold on — hold on — refills coming up. Yolland Yes, Manus I’ve got to go. we do; oh yes, indeed we do. Maire What’s he Owen Come on, man; this is an occasion. Where are you saying? rushing to? Owen He says you wave to each other across the fields. Manus I’ve got to tell Maire. Maire That’s right. So we do. Maire enters with her can o[milk. Yolland What’s she saying?
Maire You’ve got to tell Maire what? Owen Nothing — nothing — nothing. (to Maire) What’s the news? Owen He’s got a job! Maire Manus? Maire nioves away, touching the text books with her toe. Owen He’s been invited to start a hedge-school in mis Maire Meadhon. Not a thing. You’re busy, the two of you. Owen We Maire Where? think we are. Maire I hear the Fiddler O’Shea’s about. There’s some talk Manus mis Meadhon — the island! They’re giving me £4z of a dance a year and tomorrow night.
• - • .. 59 • :c:.&-.. 1 ———I
Owen Where will it be? Owen (to Yolland) Will you go? Maire Maybe over the road. Maybe at Tobair Vree. Yolland (to Maire) Yes, yes, if! may. Yolland Tobair Vree! Maire (to Owen) What does he say? Maire Yes. Yolland (to Oweit) What is she saying? Yolland Tobair Vree! Tobair Vree! Owen 0 for God’s sake! (To Mantis who is descending with the empty can.) You take on this job, Manus. Maire Does he know what I’m saying? Mantis I’ll walk you up to the house. Is your mother at Owen Not a word. home? I want to talk to her. Maire Tell him then. Maire What’s the rush? (to Owen) Didn’t you offer me a Owen Tell him what? drink? Maire About the dance. Owen Will you risk Anna na mBreag? Owen Maire says there may be a dance tomorrow night. Maire Why not. Yolland (to Owen) Yes? May I come? Yolland is sudde,dv intoxicated. He leaps up on a stool, (to Maire) Would anybody object if I came? raises his glass and shouts. Maire (to Owen) What’s he saying? Yolland Anna na mBreag! Baile Beag! mis Meadhon!
Bombay! Tobair Vree! Eden! And poteen — correct, Owen? Owen (to Yolland) Who would object? Owen Perfect. Maire (to Owen) Did you tell him? Yolland And bloody marvellous stuff it is, coo. I love it! Yolland (to Maire) Sorry-son’? Bloody, bloody, bloody marvellous! Owen (to Moire) I-Ic says may he come? Sbnitltaneouslv with his final bloodv ,,,arvellous’ bring up Lien’ loud Maire (to Yolland) That’s up to you. the iiztroducto;y music of the reel. Theti immediately go to black. Retain the music throughout Yolland (to Owen) What does she say? the vet,’ brief intervaL
Owen (to Yolland) She says —
Yolland (to Maire) What-what? SCENE TVO Maire (to Owen) Well? The following night. Yolland (to Owen) Sorry-sorry? This scene may be played in the schoolroom, but it
Hi would he preferable to lose — by lighting — as nzzich of the
6o
I
.,
4 :fl.1
63
sound of speech. your the love
Make Lieutenant
George.
at I all anything go on say on Yes-yes? Go
— Yolland — —
Maire
nods: Yes yes.
The,:: —
exercitu centurio hi Brita,,n,co c’s
l,1aire in Tn in
— — —
(Indicating himself.)
George.
co;nn:unicate in Latin.
will towards She singles. bin,. to moves Maire ti) She a long distance from one another.
Another pause.
Another
few paces apart. They are now —0 meal-to-black-calf— God. my it) futility of (the
Every-morning-I-see-you-feedingbrovnhensandgjjg Yolland Your feet must wet. The be grass is snaking.
ivord.
emphasis on each absurd Maire The grass must wet. be My feet are soaking.
with style articulating
and equal a staccato and in
and
Pause. Slightly
further
apart.
voice he ;;zeans. his raising a he Now tries thought: has
conununicative
with hi,;, will that inspiration provide Yolland I wonder did anyone notice us leave.
for
frustration sonic around, looks hoping he acute
In
Maire Manus’ll wonder where I’ve got to.
Sorry-sorry?
(eagerly)
Yolland
begin They to drift apart. Pause.
speech. your the at all.
of sound Say Maire love I anything beginnings of embarrassment. The hands disengage.
now They realise are they
alone and holding hands the — I—I—I—
Yolland We must
have
looked as if we being were chased. Yes-yes-yes. nods: Maire
Maire till Wait get I
my
breath back. George. and Maire
George. both.) (Points (Points.) Yolland (points) Maire. Yolland I could scarcely keep up you. with
(eagerly What-what? Maire me.
0 Maire my God, that
leap
across
the nearly ditch killed the past day for
and watching night been I you I’ve mean Maire. you’re from the dance.
I know Maire. Of course you’re know I Yes,
Yolland hands and excited by their sudden and impetuous escape
Maire and Yolland are
ijoic’ down front, still holding
Make Maire.
is lost and it replaced by guitar music.
Yes-yes. to points
herself. nods: Main’ The,,
Fade the music to distant background. Then a after time
They rig;: on, hand—in.hand.
They
have
just left the dance.
George.
Sorry—sorry? hunself again.)
Yolland to points (He
hear Main’ and
Yolland approach laughing and
running. —
What-what?
Maire
The ;;:ztsic rises to a crescendo. Then in the distance we
in a vaguely outside’
area.
Lieutenant.
schoolroom as
possible,
and
to play the scene dow;z front myself as of think never that. me Yolland I call Don’t ri
— — Maire et es in castris quae quae — quae stint in agro — Yolland Say it again — say it again —
(the futility of it) — 0 God. my Maire Shhh. (She holds her hand up for silence — she is Yolland smiles. He moves towards her. Now for her trying to retnember her one line of English. Now she English words. rententhers it and she delivers the line as if English were
her language — easily, fluidly, conversationally. George, in George — water. Norfolk we besport ourselves around the maypoll.
Yolland ‘Water’? Water! Oh yes — water — water — very Yolland Good God, do you? That’s where my mother — good water — good — good. comes from — Norfolk. Norwich actually. Not exactly Maire Fire. Norwich town hut a small village called Little Walsingham close beside it. But in our own village of Winfarthing we — Yolland Fire — indeed wonderful — fire, fire, fire —
have a maypole too and every year on the first ol May — splendid — splendid! He stops abruptly, only note’ realising. He stares at her. Maire Ab ... ah She in turn uzisuirderstands his excitement. Yolland Yes? Go on. Maire (to herself) Mother of God, my Aunt Mary Maire Earth. wouldn’t have taught me something dirty, would she? Yolland ‘Earth’? Pause. Yolland extends Maire Earth. Earth. his hand to Maire. She turns away front hint and moves slowly across the stage. Yolland still does not understand. Yolland Maire. Maire stoops down and picks tip a handful of clay. Holding it out She still moves away. Earth. Maire Chatach.
Yolland Earth! Of course — earth! Earth. Earth. Good She still moves away. Lord, Maire, your English is perfect! Bun na hAbhann? (He says the name softly, almost Matte (eagerly’) What-what? privately, yen’ tentatively, as if he were searching for a sound she might respond Yolland Perfect English. English perfect. to. He tries again.) Druim Dubh? Maire stops. She is listening. Yolland is encouraged. Maire George — Poll na gCaorach. Us Maol. Yolland That’s beautiful — oh that’s really beautiful. Maire turns towards him. Maire George — Lis na iGall.
64
I .
66 67
shoulders very white. is
crescendo. to Music Maire arms are long Your and thin and the skin on your
off rims Sarah
you are.
Manus! Manus
headed Sarah I Maire. like to would ... so how tell you beautiful
Yolland tell would I how you you beautiful are, curly-
herself.
to almost works. Then Her mouth your the,;,. at tent. staring
shocked, She stands sees the,,,. She Sarah Bhan enters. and you every morning wash yourself of front in
kiss. they Suddenly evening Maire Every walk by you along yourself Tra the
Pause.
second.
George. up you, away at your house with in me the hope Take that you’ll Maire appear a even for
you how
spend my I either days of you thinking gazing or
‘always’?
word is that What ‘Always’? — Yolland
Yofland you if Because could mel understand tell could
always. always
— all
—
hands; Maire a Soft gentleman’s
hands.
anywhere at
anywhere you live with to I want — — Maire
Yolland
to God I wish could you
understand me.
saying. you’re what I know stop Don’t — Yolland
speaks
Each
;zou’
to
almost
himself/herself
soldier. you, too, want to me. I Shhh
listen
— Maire out her She holds to hands He Yolland. takes the;;,.
here to
leave going
not I’m Yolland Maire Lag.
Shhhh. Maire Yolland Tor.
my mind up made I’ve Yoliand Maire Port.
in her hand.) face his (She holds too. trembling, I’m Maire Yolland Mullach.
of you. because trembling Yes, Yolland I’m Maire Cnoc na ncabhar.
trembling. You’re Maire Yolland Machaire Mor. Cnoc na Mona.
always. Yes-yes; Maire Yolland an Loch Machaire Iubhair. Buidhe.
‘always’? word that is What Yolland ‘Always’? na Maire Carraig na RI. Loch — nEan.
Carraig always. Phoill. an always, with you always
— here — —
to live here to he want I
how tell you would I
— Yolland
almost bnperceptihlv another. towards one —
They
saying. you’re
are other irow facing what earl;
know stop—I and begin Don’t moving Maire —
Maire Lis nGradh. na tell you would I Yolland I I
Name-Book. Mantis is now rooting about among the Act Three forgotten implements for a piece of rope. He finds a piece. He begins to tie the mouth of the flimsy,
overloaded bag — and it bursts, the contents spilling out on the floor. Manus Bloody, bloody, bloody hell! The following evening. It is raining. Sara?, and Owen alone in the schoolroom. Sara?,, more His voice breaks in exasperation: he is about to cry. waiflike than ever, is sitting very still on a stool, a;: open Owen leaps to his feet. pretending to read bitt her book across her knee. Sbe is Owen Hold on. I’ve a hag upstairs. eyes keep going iip to the room upstairs. Owen is working on the floor as before, surrounded by his reference books, He runs upstairs. Sarah waits until Owen is off Then. neither concentration map, Name-Book etc. But he has Sarah Manus... Manus, I nor interest; and like Sarah he glances up at the upstairs room;:. Mantis hears Sarah but makes no acknowledgement. He After a few seconds Maims emerges and descends, gathers up his belongings. carrying a large paper bag which already contains his Owen reappears with the bag he had on his arrival. clothes. His movements are determined and iirgent. He Owen Take this one — I’m finished with it anyway. And it’s up books, examining moves around the classroom, picking supposed to keep out the rain. each title carefully, and choosing about six of then: which he puts into his bag. As he selects these books: Mantis transfers his feit’ belongings. Owen drifts back to his task. The packing is now con:plete. Owen You know that old limekiln beyond Con Connie
Tim’s pub, the place we call The Murren? — do you know Manus You’ll be here for a while? For a week or two why it’s called The Murren? anyhow? Maims does not answer. Owen Yes. I’ve only just discovered: it’s a corruption of Saint Manus You’re not leaving with the army? a monastery Muranus. ft seems Saint Muranus had Owen I haven’t made up my mind. Why? somewhere about there at the beginning of the seventh century. And over the years the name became shortened to Manus Those mis Meadhon men will be back to see why I
the Murren. Very unattractive name, isn’t it? I think we haven’t turned up. Tell them — tell them I’ll write to them
should go back to the original — Saint Muranus. What do as soon as I can. Tell them I still want the job but that it you think? The original’s Saint Muranus. Don’t you think might be three or four months before I’m free to go. we should go back to that? Owen You’re being damned stupid, Manus. :i No response. Owen begins writing the name into the 68 69
.
.. •,.‘ ...... ,.‘ ‘P1! . a ____
Manus Will you do that for me? Manus (to Sarah) Will you give that message to the mis Meadhon men? Owen Clear out now and Lancey’ll think you’re involved so meh ow. Sarah I will.
Manus Will you do that for me? Manus picks lip all old sack and throws it across his shoulders. Owen Wait a couple of days even. You know George —
he’s a bloody romantic — maybe he’s gone out to one of the Owen Have you any idea where you’re going? and he’ll suddenly reappear tomorrow morning. islands Manus Mayo, maybe. I remember Mother saying she had maybe the search party’ll find him this evening lying Or cousins somewhere away out in the Erris Peninsula. (He somewhere in the sandhills. You’ve seen him drunk • picks up his bag.) Tell father I took only the Virgil and the drinking that poteen — doesn’t know how to handle it. Caesar and the Aeschylus because they’re mine anyway — I drink on him last night at the dance? Had he • bought them with the money I got for that pet lamb I
Manus I had a stone in my hand when I went out looking reared — do you remember that pet lamb? And tell him
for him — I was going to fell him. The lame scholar turned that Nora Dan never returned the dictionary and that she
violent. still owes him nvo-and-six for last quarter’s reading — he • always forgets those things. Owen Did anybody see you? Owen Yes. Manus (again close to tears) But when I saw him standing
there at the side of the road — smiling — and her Lice buried Manus And his good shirt’s ironed and hanging up in the
in his shoulder — I couldn’t even go close to them. I just press and his clean socks are in the butter-box under the
shouted something stupid — something like, ‘You’re a bed. bastard, Yolland.’ If I’d even said it in English ... ‘cos he Owen All right. kept saying ‘Sorry-sorry?’ The wrong gesture in the wrong language. Manus And tell him I’ll write. Owen And you didn’t see him again? Owen If Maire asks where you’ve gone ...? Manus ‘Sorry?’ Manus He’ll need only half the amount of milk now, won’t he? Even less than half— he usually takes his tea Owen Before you leave tell Lancey that — just to clear black. (Pause.) And when he comes in at night — you’ll yourself. hear him; he makes a lot of noise — I usually come down Manus What have I to say to Lancey? You’ll give that • and give him a hand up. Those stairs are dangerous message to the islandmen? without a banister. Maybe before you leave you’d get Big • Ned Frank to put up some sort of a handrail. (Pause.) And warning you: run away now and you’re bound Owen I’m if you can bake, he’s very fond of soda bread. to be
70 7’
-s?1 it,
4- -
P. - Owen I can give you money. I’m wealthy. Do you know Owen Is there class this evening?
what they pay me? Two shillings a day for this — this — Sarah nods: yes. this—
- I suppose Father knows. Where is he A/Janus rejects the offer by holding out his hand. anyhow? Sarah points. Goodbye, Manus. Where? Manus and Owen shake hands. Then Mantis picks up his bag briskly and goes Sarah mimes rocking a baby. towards the door. He stops a few paces beyond Sarah, I don t understand — where? tunis, comes back to her. He addresses her as he did in Act One bitt now without wannth or concern for her. Sarah repeats the mime and wipes away tears. Owen is still puzzled. Manus What is your name? (Pause.) Come on. What is your name? It doesn’t matter. He’ll probably turn up. Sarah My name is Sarah. Bridget and Doalty enter, sacks over their heads against the rain. They are self.consciously noisier, more Manus Just Sarah? Sarah what? (Pause.) Well? ebullient, more garrulous than ever — brmmmrg over Sarah Sarah Johnny Sally. with excitement and gossip and brio. Manus And where do you live? Come on. Doahy You’re missing the crack, boys! Cripes, you’re missing the crack! Fifty more soldiers arrived an hour Sarah I live in Bun na hAbhann. (She is now nying ago! quietly.) Bridget And they’re spread out in a big line from Sean Neal’s over to Lag and they’re moving Manus Very good, Sarah Johnny Sally. There s nothing to straight across the fields towards Cnoc na nGabhar! stop you now — nothing in the wide world. (Pause. He
looks down at her.) It’s all right — it’s all right — you did no Doaky Prodding every inch of the ground in front of them
harm — you did no harm at all. (He stoops over her and with their bayonets and scattering animals and hens in all
kisses the top of her head — as if in absolution. Their directions! briskly to the door and off) Bridget And tumbling everything before them — fences, Owen Good luck, Manus! ditches, haystacks, turf-stacks!
Sarah (quietly) I’m sorry m sorry m so sorry, Doalty They came to Barney Petey’s field of corn —
Manus . .. straight through it be God as if it was heather!
:ri Owen tries to work bitt cannot concentrate. He begins Bridget Not a blade of it left standing! folding up the map. As he does: I Doalty And Barney Petey just out of his bed and running
7Z 73
.:
‘i.! r.t.
—‘
i4e
..
-
1’i
4
-A
74
75
Bridget Gone where?
told our Seamus he’ll back a come for night Hallowe’en. at Owen Mantis is gone.
Santh) (to a
He’s powerful fiddler,
isn’t
O’Shea, he? He
Bridget Big
Hughie’s to fit take no class.
Is
Mantis
about?
• Silence.
Doalty to moves
over the window.
Come
away
on out
with me, Sarah, and
you’ll see
all.
it
Donnelly twins.
Doalty
You
never saw crack like in it your
life,
boys.
Yolland.
If you want to know about ask Yolland,
the
shouting, ‘Thermopylae!
Thermopylae!’
Bridget
Leave me alone, Owen.
I
know nothing about
Bridget
And
wee
jimmy Jack jumping up
and
down
and
went
home? By the back
road? That’s where you saw him?
Doalty
‘Ignari! Stuti!
Rzcstici!’
Manus’s gone. (back to That’s Bridget) the way George
Owen Bridget Because Lancey’ll question me when ‘Visigoths! he hears Hums! Vandals!’
Doalty
Doalty And know nothing. \Ve What Cripes are you asking for? us he starts roaring at them!
Bridget • 0 Owen my Manus And God! stayed the till end the of dance?
across the back countryside road didn’t we,
Doaln-? — —
Doalty
And your aul left • Bridget He Iclia, her home. We passed he them going sees up the the army stretched
behind him! Owen you Did see them again?
Bridget
Your
father in front; the Infant Prodigy
footless
Bridget No.
out to
the street
—
Owen Did
George
and Maire
to come
back the dance?
Doalty
And
they
hear the commotion and they all come
by
himself later.
all the
crowd from the
— wake
Bridget I didn’t see
him
going out
but
saw I him coming in
Bridget They
were all inside in Anna
na mBreag’s — pub
Owen Did you see
following Manus
them out?
Doalt
Cripes, if you’d seen your aul fella, Owen.
Bridget We did.
Didn’t Doaltv? we, Bridget Tell them about Big Hughie.
the Chatach
leave dance last night? Sarah begins putting out the seats.
Owen Bridget) (to Did you see George and Maire
was good.
Doalty
on Doalty in What’s
Mayo?
Too lazy,
the wee get, to cut when it the weather
Owen Bridget He doesn’t know. Mayo, First maybe. time he ever ran in his life.
corn, Doaltv you boors to? Where you!’
after
them in
his drawers; ‘You
hoors
you! Get
of out my
Owen He’s left gone away. —
c
___ __
L
77
76
called them’s of one beside it; right villages wee other
two
matter.
doesn’t Owen It
And there’s Winfarthing. There’s you Look. see. till here
Come
i;zap.) outline an out traces finger her with and empty’. isn’t it and it I into and look
— light?’
Thu
ago
a imnietes nap his had Owen floor where the on very can this ‘Isn’t think myself, I to and — here half-way
knees
and
her hands drops on suddenly (She Winfarthing. I’m my head. off be must going I God, to Honest Maire
place called wee from tiny a
comes He
Maire
the ,,iilk-can. is She car’ing distraught.
up, Maire. he’ll turn I’m sure Owen of being the on verge distress, is acute in but she
appear sionnal to attempts
disarray. She in
,ahi;
hair her
think? you do
What
right? all
the wet and from bareheaded is
She Maire enters.
he’s think you Do Owen! laughing, laughing
went, he
— off
away. moves
Owen
And wrong. word I that said because Maypoll!’ ‘Maypoll!
he said and cross get to he pretended much that
laughed land! the
whole levelling Gripes, they’re them! of millions
—
I And tomorrow.’ you see ‘I’ll
say to meant lie yesterday’ there’s place! Gripes, the all over — they’re crawling
Gripes,
r
see
you said, ‘I’ll Irish he in speak he to tried to me outside) the — in scene interest excessive — (with sudden
said he thing
the last And
Owen. home, me left He Maire
sort a enough right seemed he to but said me; he word
2
know a 1 I him didn’t met times half-dozen The my judge.
seconds.
God’s
As
know’. that’s
I
all left I
And Bridget. home, after
a only few here for He was talk.
didn’t
really \Ve
Owen
way my on wasn’t there It Port. at beached their boat
think? he does What Maire saw I the to on dance way this: my is know I God. All
to all
at swear I nothing
Owen know
nothing, I
— Doalty — morning. this since seen him haven’t I Owen
Doalty!
(Pause.)
say?
Lancey
does
What
Maire
do it? to with twins the have Donnelly Owen What
Nothing.
Owen
you. tell Doaln’ Couldn’t
anything?
him. to
happened know to
what’s ‘ant
I
Owen
Sit
heard you Have
around.) looks (She that... that’s ...
call black that than have you better Sure it it’s Maire So. Doalty
Maire. Honestly, Owen V of friend mine. a is Owen George
some. for up back go to all at time no me It’ll take Maire his teeth.) through
whistling ii were. (Begins they them see Didn’t
Doalty
thanks. Plenty, Owen
last night? about
they
sure?
you
Are
Maire
Were (Pause.) about the Donnellys? \Vhar’s this Owen
enough. have We Owen
tvmdozv.
tonight? for manage you will How Maire the out resolutely looks Doalty who to goes Owen Barton Bendish — it’s there; and the other’s called Owen Half an hour.
Saxingham Nechergate — it’s about there. And there’s Little Doalty Stupid bloody fool. Walsingham — that’s his mother’s towniand. Aren’t they odd names? Sure they make no sense to meat all. And Owen I told him that. \Vinfarthing’s near a big town called Norwich. And Doalty Norwich is in a county called Norfolk. And Norfolk is in Do they know he’s gone? the east of England. He drew a map for me on the wet Owen \X’ho? strand and wrote the names on it. I have it all in my head Doaltv The army. now: Winfarthing — Barton Bendish — Saxingham
Nethergate — Little Walsingham — Norwich — Norfolk. Owen Not yet. Strange sounds, aren’t they? But nice sounds; like Jimmy Jack reciting his Homer. (She gets to her feet and looks Doalty They’ll he after him like bloody beagles. Bloody, bloody fool, limping along the around; she is ainrost serene izow.) (To Sarah) You were coast. They’ll overtake him looking lovely last night, Sarah. Is that the dress you got before night for Christ’s sake. from Boston? Green suits you. Doalty returns to the rvindow. Lancey enters — now the (to Owen) Something very bad’s happened to him, Owen. connnanding officer. I know. He wouldn’t go away without telling me. Where is Owen Any news? Any word? he, Owen? You’re his friend — where is he? (Again she looks around the room; their sits on a stool.) I didn’t get a Lance)’ moves into the centre of the room, looking chance to do my geography last night. The master’ll be around as he does. angry with me. (She rises again.) I think I’ll go home now. Lancey The wee ones have to be washed and put to bed and that I understood there was a class. Where are the others? black calf has to be fed ... My hands are that rough; they’re still blistered from the hay. I’m ashamed of them. I Owen There was to be a class but my father... hope to God there’s no hay to be saved in Brooklyn. (She Lancey stops at the door.) Did you hear? Nellie Ruadh’s baby died This will suffice. I will address them and it will be in the middle of the night. I must go up to the wake. It their responsibility to pass on what I have to say to every family in didn’t last long, did it? this section. Maire leaves. Silence. Their: Lance)’ indicates to Owen to translate. Owen hesitates, trying to assess the change in Lancey’s manner and Owen I don’t think there’ll be any class. Maybe you attitude. should I’m in a hurry, O’Donnell. Owen begins picking up his texts. Doalty goes to hbn. Owen The captain has an announcement to make.
Doalty Is he long gone? — Manus. Lancey Lieutenant Yolland is missing. We are searching
78 79 C for him. If we don’t find him, or if we receive no Owen Druim Duhh. pursue the information as to where he is to be found, I will Lancey \Vhiteplains. following course of action. (He indicates to Owen to translate.) Owen Machaire Ban. Owen They are searching for George. If they don’t find Lancey Kings Head. him Owen Cnoc na Ri. Lancey Commencing twenty-four hours from now we will Lancey If by then the lieutenant hasn’t been found, we shoot all livestock in Ballybeg. will proceed until a complete clearance is made of this Owen stares at Lance;’. entire section. At once. Owen If Yolland hasn’t been got by then, they will ravish the whole parish. Owen Beginning this time tomorrow they’ll kill every
animal in Baile Beag — unless they’re told where George is. Lancey I trust they know exactly what they’ve got to do. live. Lancey Ii that doesn’t bear results, commencing forty- (Pointing to Bridget.) I know you. I know where you to are you? Name! eight hours from now we will embark on a series of (Pointing Sarah.) Who evictiOns and levelling of every abode in the following Sarah’s iiioittb 0/Jells and shuts, opens and shuts. Her
selected areas — face becomes contorted.
Owen You’re not—! What’s your name? Lancey Do your job. Translate. Again Sarah tries frantically. Owen If they still haven’t found him in two days’ time Owen Go on, Sarah. You can tell him. they’ll begin evicting and levelling every house starting But Sarah cannot. And she knows she cannot. She closes with these townlands. her niouth. Her head goes down. his list. Lance’ reads front Owen Her name is Sarah Johnny Sally. a Lancey Swinefort. Lancey Where does she live? a Owen Lis na Muc. Owen Bun na hAhhann. Lancey Burnfoot. Lancey Where? Owen bun na hAbhann. Owen Burnfoot. Lancey Dromduff. Lancey I want to talk to your brother — is he here?
“4’, So SI
.. I E4iL_ aifl2ri Owen Not at the moment. j The sweet smell! Smell it! It’s the sweet smell! Jesus, it’s the potato blight! Lancey Where is he? Doaky It’s the army tents burning, Bridget. Owen He’s at a wake. Bridget Is it? Are you sure? Is that what it is? God, I Lancey What wake? thought we were destroyed altogether. Come on! Come on! bee;: looking out the window all Doalty, who has She runs oft: Owe;: goes to Sarah who is preparing to announcements, now speaks — calmly, through Lancey’s leave. almost casually. Owen How are you? Are you all right? Doalty Tell him his whole camp’s on fire. Sarah nods: Yes. Lancey What’s your name? (to Owe;:) Who’s that lout? Don’t worry. It will come back to you again. Owen Doalty Dan Doalty. Sarah shakes her head. Lancey Where does he live? It will. You’re upset now. He frightened you. That’s all’s Owen Tulach Alainn. wrong. do we call it? Lancey What Again Sarah shakes her head, slowly, emphatically, and Owen Fair Hill. He says your whole camp is on fire. smiles at Owe,:. The;: she leaves. Owe;: busies himselfgathering his belongings. Doalty the window and looks out. The;: he Lance)’ rushes to leaves the window and goes to hi;;:. wheels on Doalty. Doalty He’ll do it, too. Lancey I’ll remember you, Mr Doalty. (to Owen) You carry a big responsibility in all this. (He goes off.) Owen Unless Yolland’s found. Bridget Mother of God, does he mean it, Owen? Doalty Hah! Owen Yes, he does. Owen Then he’ll certainly do it.
Bridget We’ll have to hide the beasts somewhere — our Doalw When my grandfather was a boy they did the same Seamus’ll know where. Maybe at the back of Lis na thing. (simply, altogether without irony) And after all the
nGradh — or in the caves at the far end of the Tra Bhan. trouble you went to, mapping the place and thinking up Come on, Doalty! Come on! Don’t be standing about new names for it. there! Owen busies himself. Doalty does not move. Bridget runs to the door and Pause. stops sniffs the air. Panic. suddenly. She (ahnost drean:ily.) I’ve damned little to defend but he’ll •!%‘
8z 83 4tbi ‘I
t- inIt,
84
are he said infelicitious,’ Bridget? Doalty? slow. Too Who? Hugh —
Mister justice Alexander, George the of Peace. ‘?vly tidings
Athene. Jimmy To
Hugh Indeed experience I when a plucking elbow: my at —
Splendid. Hugh
Jimmy house. wake The
Christmas. At Jimmy
Chatach?
Hugh the enter to about and
donius gubris hi
Maire Well!
Hugh . . - —
Hugh Jimmy married. to going get Jimmy I’m —
the to condolences my bread. soda of bereaved mother... slice a And (Shouts,) James. Hugh
Hugh
There
appropriately was, I disposirioned proffer to
Hugh! me, listen you to Jimmy Will
clarity. its retains
arms. his holding and front in of hint standing
drunkenness: is there a nnnd his of portion which
by
is attention Hugh’s get can Jinnny way only The
equally is Hugh drunk bitt more experienced in
to trying Hugh, behind break in Hugh’s on Black! tea! Strong declamation. (Shouts.) won’t it?
wet Jmuny drunk. and easy, too be will He But is it bacon-curer. and is unsteady. very trotting schoolmaster
As Owe;: ascends, Timlin, Jimmy and Hugh on Bartley Master Jack compose satire a Both enter. will I
leaves hesitates He it. upstairs. goes Manus! Tea!
(Shouts.) Hugh
Indeed — —
It carrying.
floor. the to falls stoops He
it pick to up —
by anyone.’ understood
momentarily,
top on it puts the;: of pile the is he
not am I because place this in barbarian a am Jimmy ‘I
Owen picks up He Name-Book. the it at looks
Procede. Hugh
know something then. leaves.) (He
a shout me you’ve after Lancey. with finished might I Ovid. - Jimmy
could they If Doalty found. be to goes (He
Give door.) the
James? ulli intelligor ito,: sum;: ego quia — hic
Owen they If could found. be Barbarus bacon-curer! Cork The Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Hugh
Doalty twins Donnelly The how. know Hugh — Jimmy
a Against Owen army. trained curer’!
bacon- skilled very a also is he the to asset community:
ourselves. defend
major a he will he And Cork. from schoolmaster ‘A
Doalty stick all we’d If If together. knew we to how
Timlin?’ is Who ‘Timlin?
a That’s Owen matter for you. national school.’ the to new appointed
been has Timlin Bartley ‘Master indeed. Unhappy Hugh
the think as same me.
me put nor out without fight. a be there’ll And unhappy.
who others Infelix — Jimmy
I -
L
F
attN
::r - 2,
86 87
Owen home. on Then Drink away There this. Here. go Hugh Correct.
what—what? What
— Jimmy Companionship correct, Hugh? Correct? —
na Beann Gaoithe
you’ve no idea how lonely is. it — up, man. Wake Jimmy.
companionship,
company, someone talk to. Away to up in lun;;n’.) crosses and to table Jimmy. oz’er the up, Wake
companionship,
Hugh at my time of life, — the enough. (He book throws strong that’s hope on (tea)
really looking for, Hugh
what I really
want — us. Owen do nothing
I with A mistake to
mistake —
my
—
—
Hugh don’t you? all you know
that. But what
I’m — —
I
Hugh what
know it
is.
but routine abandons it instantly.) You know yourself,
them you
know?
he (Again
the attempts pathetic — — names.
to say mean I
you
I know
I joke I like the
rest
of — —
— — (in apology) take Owen that. I’ll a of catalogue It’s only
You Jimmy know what i’m for, looking Hugh, don’t
you?
hook Owen from snatches Hugh. the
Hugh James; Honoured, profoundly honoured.
Dunboy. Hill. Green Bank.
best
man?
Fair Head. Hugh Kings Burnfoot. Ballybeg. Whiteplains.
I’m Jimmy meeting Zeus tomorrow. Hugh, you will
be my
tea.
And
Hugh her father? begins, emerges with desce;;ds Owe;; of two and bowls
pronouncing as na;nes does. strange he Just he the as stock.
He the up Book through and picks floor. leafs on it, it Jimmy
Metis from Hellespont?
Decent people good
—
a to about is sees :c’hen the dri;;k and Name— he pour
What
Hugh
her mother does say? Hugh all flask of zeatches he this. his produces The;;
against the cart. is at broke;: asleep. once Alniost he Jimmy Last night.
his the slides of feet floor, back hi;;:. in to front his
Ah.
Hugh
was When
this? Now staggers sit misses on tries a azc’ay, he stool, to it,
and of secrecy gestures to intimacy. absurd his lips iii Jimmy She asked me —1 assented.
tn’ing head, and to a balance, keeji finger holding his up
The
Hugh
has lady assented? sal’s Jmnm’ last As is cn’ing, lines those his shaking lie
The gesture tinit’. is
grotesque.)
now, all. Hugh. know it
You
ecstasy
but
body does
the not respond efficiently this — Jimmy You all know story. The all, whole Hugh. That’s it
monwntan’ spasm, tim salute, the face raised in pained
Hugh
Indeed.
the gesture he has made before: to standing attention, the
Jimmy
Flashing-eyed, Hugh, flashing-eyed! (He attempts Jimmy to. to Someone talk
Hugh Glaukopis Athene? Hugh James. Correct,
Jimmy Pallas Athene. always Jimmy Hugh. liked I Correct? her, And
- r —
I I
88 89
the and words available the with you room, the around looks (He madness. of form carefully, provide will I much. -
too expect don’t But a everything remember To Owen. care, Take Hugh (Ascending.) tomorrow. is begin We’ll
funeral. the After perhaps. Tomorrow, today. Not Hugh
exits: Owen As
start? we can ‘When Maire
soon. back be I’ll Owen
ascend.) to begins and steps the towards
about? What Hugh
goes (He pupil. only my he well may you Indeed Hugh
Doalty see to got I’ve go. to got
Doalty. Dan
learn to need I learn must it. I Master? you, it. Will Maire
I’ve clothes. wet those of out change should You Owen
Chatach. Maire English, you teach will I Yes, Hugh
Ah. Hugh iniperatoris. Edictmn
here. back came I So where. remember couldn’t
order. the issued has Lancey
but! somewhere for out set I again. back I’m Maire
not evicted. be to going all are we found, is Yolland
if ‘fact’: unalterable single, one Father C, And Owen enters Maire —
do, because condition. ignoble an not bread? soda no there Is fossilise. we we once is confusion
My friend, Jinn;iy.) (Toasts cease must we B Hugh made. ever I back images; those renewing never miles three —
twenty- longest the was that And things. quieter older, for
Father. me, lecture Don’t Owen
was James, pietas, Our own. our for need the — nostrorum
desiderium The Ulysses. like discrimination. just Athens, for homesick
got we that pub, past Phelan’s in there, was that make to ceased has James language. in embodied And day. it
one in miles
twenty-three of All of the past, Glenties! the of images but us, shape that history, ‘facts’
was where it? —
as far as marched to thoughts three We magni&ent. were we literal the not is that A me: occur it sir, God,
— By —
too. heroic, was that cradle his in son and James at look too.! knows, he thinks James Hugh infant my and — her
leave to And peace. in rest she may Reactainn, Nic Dubh
live. where! know I Owen
Caitlin my goddess, married recently had I and James;
morning, that gods were We sack a finds Owe;s accelerated. shoulders. his across throws and it consciousness
of enterprise whole The heightened. perception of rhythms
must We our them make home. new our them make own.
The land. green fresh, the across Striding possibility.
must We Hugh to learn must We live. where learn we
and present and past and hope of matching miraculous
a congruence, a spring that definition a see you Did around) (searching Owen find to about? lying sack — seemed
Everything pockets. their in Aeneid the and shoulders
names.
their across pikes with gallants young Two James?
those learn must We Name-Book) (indicating Hugh new
remember, you Do battle. into Going morning. 1798.
spring A Sligo. to road The again.) asleep trouble. Jimmy,
at looks he Then ever. for leave to be may it about were if be may There Jimmy? me, hear you Do trouble.
he as
-
I .-
:4#t’1r :z
¶
:--- -
9’ 90
by
fate What the hell’s wrong
with me? I Sure know . . it .
was the
course such was the course
ordained
ordained — —
would come
forth for Lybia’s downfall was such
such — —
superbunz kings of broad realms and in proud war who —
day these Tyrian towers a people late regent belloque —
race was springing from blood Trojan to overthrow some
perchance allow that. Yet in she truth discovered that a
should be the capital of all nations should the fates —
was the goddess’s and aim cherished hope that here
which, ‘tis said, Juno loved all above the lands. And it
Hugh Urbs fuit antiqua there was an ancient city —
people to my and people? You think about that.
sufficiently the godlike for marriage to be acceptable her to
the is problem this: Is Athene sufficiently or mortal am I
those borders casualty both sides get very angry. Now, —
means marry to outside the tribe. And you don’t cross
means to marry within the tribe. And the word exogantein
Jimmy Do you know the Greek word endogantein? It
Jiunny sits beside Maire.
He told me this where is was he happiest.
Maire he When comes back, this is where he’ll come
to.
B Lick
it on knee. her
downfall
Maire sees the Nauw-Book,
picks
it up,
and
sits with
forth for come
Lybia’s would war and
proud
who
in
is Jinmzy awake. gets to He feet.
his
kings realms people a of broad towers these Tyrian
— day
(He sits.) some overthrow Trojan to blood from springing was race
‘Ge?. k’s not a word I’d start with. ft’s a silly word, that discovered a girl. she in truth that. Yet allow perchance
Hugh per
Sent
per onuna saecula. The
Greeks fates called all should nations capital be the of the should — it —
that here hope cherished aim goddess’s and was
the And it mean?
Maire Master, what does the English word ‘always’ the bring lights. Begin dow;: to
have no at all. (He idea is izoto at the top.) lands.
between privacies? have I all no the above Juno idea. ‘tis loved said, which, But it’s city an we ancient all have. 1
available grammar. will But there help was fuit a;znqua that backways, Urhs begin you again. to I’ll
— interpret -
93 92
page
Nigra
14 fere et presso pinguis sub vomere terra the the camp in field
0th a
goddess
es Ft quae
castris in sunt
you agro: in are And in
page (Tho; a
god
12
centurion the Army in
British
Responde
responde!:
Answer answer! — page 6 es Tu in centurio exercitu You Britannico: are a —
peasants
expeditio:
an expedition
page
Ignari,
i
stulti,
rustici!: Ignoramuses, fools, At length evening its comes with
song sacred
Bene!
Optime!: Good! Excellent! weary course
Sum
latigatissima:
I
am very tired
No marter how long
the sun his delays
on long
page 8
Esne
fatigata?:
Are
you tired? sacro Sol, tandem vesper carmine
adest
Lit:
he
cared
very ‘. . much . for his substance page o
Quantumvis longum cursum fessumque
moratur
page
ol 5
flib
row
patiavu
3—4) (Homer, Odyssey, 35 page opus honesturn: an XIV, honourable
task
Lit:
‘But he vent forth from the harbour...’ Latin?
33
(Homer,
Odyssey, page Nonne
Latine loquitur?:
he XIV, not
speak Does i)
page
6 AOvâp
0
EK Aipévo;
irpoaâ/Jij page Gaudeo adesse:
vos hic Welcome 32
Lit:
flashing-eyed
Athene
page Festinate!: Hurry!
31
5
page rMluwwmiç
A0qvq
Jacobe,
quid agis?: how James,
are you?
Lit:
‘She
dimmed his eyes’ page z6 ä2rqaro; irWin:: cask unflhlahle
Kl’vwUC1
Ôé Sane VI (Homer, 433) Odyssn’, diverto, divertere: away XIII, turn to
wand’
a page Silence! Silentium!:
Lit: ‘As
she spoke Athene touched him with procede: her proceed
(Homer,
Odyssey,
acquiesco, XIII, acquiescere: rest, to
to find 42.9) comfort in
4
page
12:
upa
/111’ 4rn/Ievq
pa/JO qn;nepaaaat ‘A0rq page I conjugo:
join together 24
of
Athens
verecundus:
shame-faced, modest
Lit:
but he
sits at ‘.. ease in the of halls the perambulare: Sons to walk through
(Homer,
Odyssey, studia: studies XIII, 423—4)
ucq;’oç (iij.a
IfCW(
Cl’ tfnJ ‘II page (UI i)O/IOI Gratias I tibi you ago:
thank 23
replied
to him’
a baptisterium: cold
bath,
swimming-pool
Lit:
‘But the
grey-eyed goddess Arhene then flanrijeiv: or to dip immerse
(Homer,
Odyssey, page
22 XIII,
naming caerimonia nominationis: 420) ceremony
of
page
a
ö’ Toy
,prJflcr’ i$mr.ira 0th ;‘tavKWThic ‘A0ivq aye: hail
sobrius: sober
Greek
and
Latin
Used in the Text sobrietate perfecta: with complete sobriety
page I am present adsum: zi
A
1
— purre: crumbly cui soil
APPENDIX of the plough
that Land and is black beneath rich the pressure I page 87 domus lugubris: house of mourning infelix: unlucky, unhappy Barbarus hic ego sum quia non intelligor ulli: I am a barbarian here because I am not understood by anyone page 91 edictum imperatoris: the decree of the commander page 91 desiderium nostrorurn: longing/need for our things/people pietas: piety
Semper — per omnia saecula: Always — for all time page 93 (ZR? always ñiôo;ajziiv to marry within the tribe cço;npciv to marry outside the tribe Urbs antiqua fuit: There was an ancient city late regem belloque superburn; kings of broad realms and proud in war
94 r
‘Translations is a modern classic. It engages the intellect as well as the heart, and achieves a profound political and philosophical resonance through the detailed examination of individual lives, of particular people in a particular place and time.’ Daily Te1cgrapI
‘This is Brian Friel’sfinest play, his most deeply thought and felt, the most deeply involved with Ireland hut also the most universaL:haunting and hard, lyrical and erudite, bitter and forgiving, both praise and lament.’ Sunday Times
The action takes place in late August ‘833 at a hedge- school in the townland of Baile Beag, an Irish-speaking community in County Donegal. In a nearby field camps a recently arrived detachment of the Royal Engineers, making the first Ordnance Survey.For the purposes of cartography, the local Gaelic place names have to be recorded and rendered into English. In examining the effects of this operation on the lives of a small group, Brian Friel skilfully reveals the far-reaching personal and cultural effects of an action which is at first sight purely administrative
A-I,EvEL SF.T TEXT itr 4.
‘V’.’. t:ibcrcotik
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