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THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD

do, if it'd make the green stones cry some woman the like of you be lone-
itself to think of you swaying and some when all men should be throng-
swiggling at the butt of a rope, and ing around to hear the sweetness of
you with a fine, stout neck, God bless your voice, and the little infant chil-
you! the way you'd be a half an hour, dren should be pestering your steps
in great anguish, getting your death. I'm thinking, and you walking the
CHRISTY -- (getting his boots roads.
and putting them on.) -- If there's PEGEEN. I'm hard set to know
that terror of them, it'd be best, may- what way a coaxing fellow the like of
be, I went on wandering like Esau or yourself should be lonesome either.
Cain and Abel on the sides of Neifin CHRISTY. Coaxing?
or the Erris plain. PEGEEN. Would you have me
PEGEEN (beginning to play with think a man never talked with the
him.) -- It would, maybe, for I've girls would have the words you've spo-
heard the Circuit Judges this place is ken to-day? It's only letting on you
a heartless crew. are to be lonesome, the way you'd get
CHRISTY -- (bitterly.) It's more around me now.
than Judges this place is a heartless CHRISTY. I wish to God I was
crew. (Looking up at her.) And isn't it letting on; but I was lonesome all
a poor thing to be starting again and I times, and born lonesome, I'm think-
a lonesome fellow will be looking out ing, as the moon of dawn. (Going to
on women and girls the way the needy door.)
fallen spirits do be looking on the PEGEEN -- (puzzled by his talk.)
Lord? -- Well, it's a story I'm not under-
PEGEEN. What call have you to standing at all why you'd be worse
be that lonesome when there's poor than another, Christy Mahon, and
girls walking Mayo in their thou- you a fine lad with the great savagery
sands now? to destroy your da.
CHRISTY -- (grimly.) It's well CHRISTY. It's little I'm under-
you know what call I have. It's well standing myself, saving only that my
you know it's a lonesome thing to be heart's scalded this day, and I going
passing small towns with the lights off stretching out the earth between
shining sideways when the night is us, the way I'll not be waking near
down, or going in strange places with you another dawn of the year till the
a dog nosing before you and a dog nos- two of us do arise to hope or judgment
ing behind, or drawn to the cities with the saints of God, and now I'd
where you'd hear a voice kissing and best be going with my wattle in my
talking deep love in every shadow of hand, for hanging is a poor thing
the ditch, and you passing on with an (turning to go), and it's little welcome
empty, hungry stomach failing from only is left me in this house to-day.
your heart. PEGEEN -- (sharply.) Christy!
PEGEEN. I'm thinking you're an (He turns round.) Come here to me.
odd man, Christy Mahon. The oddest (He goes towards her.) Lay down that
walking fellow I ever set my eyes on switch and throw some sods on the
to this hour to-day. fire. You're pot-boy in this place, and
CHRISTY. What would any be I'll not have you mitch off from us
but odd men and they living lonesome now.
in the world? CHRISTY. You were saying I'd be
PEGEEN. I'm not odd, and I'm hanged if I stay.
my whole life with my father only. PEGEEN -- (quite kindly at last.)
CHRISTY -- (with infinite admi- -- I'm after going down and reading
ration.) -- How would a lovely hand- the fearful crimes of Ireland for two

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