(To
Mahon.) Take him on from this, for I think bad the world should see me raging
for a Munster liar, and the fool of men.
MAHON. Rise up now to retribution, and come on with me.
CROWD -- [jeeringly.] There's the playboy! There's the lad thought he'd rule
the roost in Mayo. Slate him now, mister.
CHRISTY -- [getting up in shy terror.] -- What is it drives you to torment me
here, when I'd asked the thunders of the might of God to blast me if I ever
did hurt to any saving only that one single blow.
MAHON -- [loudly.] If you didn't, you're a poor good-for-nothing, and isn't
it by the like of you the sins of the whole world are committed?
CHRISTY -- [raising his hands.] -- In the name of the Almighty God. . . .
MAHON. Leave troubling the Lord God. Would you have him sending down
droughts, and fevers, and the old hen and the cholera morbus?
CHRISTY -- [to Widow Quin.] -- Will you come between us and protect me now?
WIDOW QUIN. I've tried a lot, God help me, and my share is done.
CHRISTY -- [looking round in desperation.] -- And I must go back into my
torment is it, or run off like a vagabond straying through the Unions with the
dusts of August making mudstains in the gullet of my throat, or the winds of
March blowing on me till I'd take an oath I felt them making whistles of my
ribs within?
SARA. Ask Pegeen to aid you. Her like does often change.
CHRISTY. I will not then, for there's torment in the splendour of her like,
and she a girl any moon of midnight would take pride to meet, facing
southwards on the heaths of Keel.
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