But they must all give a present to the man and
woman that are newly married.
ANOTHER BOY. Why would they come in? They can have a dance of
their own at any time. There is a piper in the big town.
BLIND MAN. Say to them that _I myself_ tell them to come in;
and to bring every one a present to the newly-married woman.
BOY. And who are you yourself?
BLIND MAN. Tell them it is Raftery the poet is here, and that
is calling to them.
(_The boys run out, tumbling over one another._)
MARTIN. Are you Raftery, the great poet I heard talk of since I
was born! (_taking his hand_). Seven hundred thousand welcomes before
you; and it is a great honour to us you to be here.
MARY. Raftery the poet! Now there is luck on us! The first man
that brought us his blessing, and that eat food in my own house, he to
be Raftery the poet! And I hearing the other day you were sick and near
your death. And I see no sign of sickness on you now.
BLIND MAN. I am well, I am well now, the Lord be praised for
it.
MARTIN. I heard talk of you as often as there are fingers on my
hands, and toes on my feet. But indeed I never thought to have the luck
of seeing you.
MARY. And it is you that made 'County Mayo,' and the
'Repentance,' and 'The Weaver,' and the 'Shining Flower.' It is often I
thought there should be no woman in the world so proud as Mary Hynes,
with the way you praised her.
BLIND MAN. O my poor Mary Hynes, without luck! (_They hear the
wheels of a cart outside the house, and an old farmer comes in, a frieze
coat on him.
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