Ossian Collection > Deirdre of the sorrows

where it isn't given, and asking questions where
you've no call to . . . If you'd a quiet place settled up
to be playing yourself maybe with a gentle queen,
what'd you think of young men prying around and
carrying tales? When I was a bit of a girl the big
men of Ulster had better manners, and they the like
of your three selves, in the top folly of youth. That'll
be a story to tell out in Tara that Naisi is a tippler and
stealer, and Ainnle the drawer of a stranger's cork.
NAISI
(quite cheerfully, sitting down beside her) At your
age you should know there are nights when a king
like Conchubor would spit upon his arm ring, and
queens will stick their tongues out at the rising
moon. We're that way this night, and it's not wine
we're wanting only. Where is the young girl told us
we might shelter here ?
LAVARCHAM
Asking me you'd be . . . We're decent people, and I
wouldn't put you tracking a young girl, not if you
gave me the gold clasp you have hanging on your
coat.
NAISI
(giving it to her) Where is she ?
LAVARCHAM
(confidential whisper putting her hand on his arm)
Let you walk back into the hills and turn up by the
second cnuceen where there are three together.
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