CHRISTY. It's miracles, and that's the truth. Me there toiling a long while,
and walking a long while, not knowing at all I was drawing all times nearer to
this holy day.
PEGEEN. And myself, a girl, was tempted often to go sailing the seas till I'd
marry a Jew-man, with ten kegs of gold, and I not knowing at all there was the
like of you drawing nearer, like the stars of God.
CHRISTY. And to think I'm long years hearing women talking that talk, to all
bloody fools, and this the first time I've heard the like of your voice
talking sweetly for my own delight.
PEGEEN. And to think it's me is talking sweetly, Christy Mahon, and I the
fright of seven townlands for my biting tongue. Well, the heart's a wonder;
and, I'm thinking, there won't be our like in Mayo, for gallant lovers, from
this hour, to-day. (Drunken singing is heard outside.) There's my father
coming from the wake, and when he's had his sleep we'll tell him, for he's
peaceful then. [They separate.]
MICHAEL -- [singing outside] --
The jailor and the turnkey
They quickly ran us down,
And brought us back as prisoners
Once more to Cavan town. [He comes in supported by Shawn.]
There we lay bewailing
All in a prison bound. . . . [He sees Christy. Goes and shakes him drunkenly
by the hand, while Pegeen and Shawn talk on the left.]
MICHAEL -- [to Christy.] -- The blessing of God and the holy angels on your
head, young fellow. I hear tell you're after winning all in the sports below;
and wasn't it a shame I didn't bear you along with me to Kate Cassidy's wake,
a fine, stout lad, the like of you, for you'd never see the match of it for
flows of drink, the way when we sunk her bones at noonday in her narrow grave,
there were five men, aye, and six men, stretched out retching speechless on
the holy stones.
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