The Land of Heart's Desire_THE LAND OF HEART'S DESIRE

THE LAND OF HEART'S DESIRE

A room with a hearth on the floor in the middle of a deep alcove to the Right. There are benches in the alcove and a table; and a crucifix on the wall. The alcove is full of a glow of light from the fire. There is an open door facing the audience to the Left, and to the left of this a bench. Through the door one can see the forest. It is night, but the moon or a late sunset glimmers through the trees and carries the eye far off into a vague, mysterious World.

MAURTEEN BRUIN, SHAWN BRUIN, and BRIDGET BRUIN sit in the alcove at the table or about the fire. They are dressed in the costume of some remote time, and near them sits an old priest, FATHER HART.

He may be dressed as a friar. There is food and drink upon the table. MARY BRUIN stands by the door reading a book. If she looks up she can see through the door into the wood.

BRIDGET. Because I bid her clean the pots for supper She took that old book down out of the thatch; She has been doubled over it ever since. We should be deafened by her groans and moans Had she to work as some do, Father Hart; Get up at dawn like me and mend and scour; Or ride abroad in the boisterous night like you, The pyx and blessed bread under your arm.

SHAWN. Mother, you are too cross.

BRIDGET. Youve married her, And fear to vex her and so take her part.

MAURTEEN (to FATHER HART) It is but right that youth should side with youth She quarrels with my wife a bit at times, And is too deep just now in the old book But do not blame her greatly; she will grow As quiet as a puff?ball in a tree When but the moons of marriage dawn and die For half a score of times.

FATHER HART. Their hearts are wild, As be the hearts of birds, till children come.

BRIDGET. She would not mind the kettle, milk the cow, Or even lay the knives and spread the cloth.

SHAWN. Mother, if only??

MAURTEEN. Shawn, this is half empty; Go, bring up the best bottle that we have.

FATHER HART. I never saw her read a book before, What can it be?

MAURTEEN (to SHAWN) What are you waiting for? You must not shake it when you draw the cork its precious wine, so take your time about it.

(SHAWN goes.)