W.B.

Yeats, On Bailes Strand

Excerpt

FIRST WOMAN: I have seen, I have seen!

SECOND WOMAN: What do you cry aloud?
FIRST WOMAN: The ever-Living have shown me whats to come.
THIRD WOMAN: How, Where?
FIRST WOMAN:
In the ashes of the bowl.
SECOND WOMAN: While you were holding it between your hands?
THIRD WOMAN: Speak quickly!
FIRST WOMAN:
I have seen Cuchulains roof-tree
LEAP INTO FIRE, AND THE WALLS SPLIT AND BLACKEN.
SECOND WOMAN: Cuchulain has gone out to die.
THIRD WOMAN:
O! O!
SECOND WOMAN: Who could have thought that one so great as he
Should meet his death at this unnoted sword!
FIRST WOMAN: Life drifts between a fool and a blind man
To the end, and nobody can know his end.