Act 3 — ACT III

Interior of Murtagh Cosgar's. It is towards sunset. Murtagh Cosgar is standing before the door looking out. Martin Douras is sitting at the fire in an armchair.

MARTIN DOURAS It's getting late, Murtagh Cosgar.

MURTAGH COSGAR Ay, it's getting late.

MARTIN DOURAS It's time for me to be going home. I should be seeing Ellen. (He rises)

MURTAGH COSGAR Stay where you are. (Turning round) We're two old men, as you say. We should keep each other's company for a bit.

MARTIN DOURAS I should be going home to see Ellen.

MURTAGH COSGAR If she's going, you can't stay her. Let you keep here.

MARTIN DOURAS She'll be wondering what happened to me.

MURTAGH COSGAR Divil a bit it will trouble her. You're going to the fair anyway?

MARTIN DOURAS I have no heart to be going into a fair.

MURTAGH COSGAR It's myself used to have the great heart. Driving in on my own side-car, and looking down on the crowd of them. It's twenty years since I took a sup of drink. Oh, we'll have drinking to-morrow that will soften the oul' skin of you. You'll be singing songs about the Trojans to charm every baste in the fair.

MARTIN DOURAS We're both old men, Murtagh Cosgar.

MURTAGH COSGAR And is there any reason in your scholarship why oul' men should be dry men? Answer me that!

MARTIN DOURAS I won't answer you at all, Murtagh Cosgar. There's no use in talking to you.

MURTAGH COSGAR Put it down on a piece of paper that oul' men should have light hearts when their care is gone from them. They should be like—

MARTIN DOURAS There's nothing in the world like men with their rearing gone from them, and they old.

Sally comes to the door. She enters stealthily.

MURTAGH COSGAR Ha, here's one of the clutch home. Well, did you see that brother of yours?

SALLY I did. He'll be home soon, father.

MURTAGH COSGAR What's that you say? Were you talking to him? Did he say he'd be home?

SALLY I heard him say it, father.

MARTIN DOURAS God bless you for the news, Sally.

MURTAGH COSGAR How could he go and he the last of them? Sure it would be against nature. Where did you see him, Sally?

SALLY At Martin Douras's, father.

MURTAGH COSGAR It's that Ellen Douras that's putting him up to all this. Don't you be said by her, Sally.

SALLY No, father.

MURTAGH COSGAR You're a good girl, and if you haven't wit, you have sense. He'll be home soon, did you say?

SALLY He was coming home. He went round the long way, I'm thinking. Ellen Douras was vexed with him, father. She isn't going either, Matt says, but I'm thinking that you might as well try to keep a corncrake in the meadow for a whole winter, as to try to keep Ellen Douras in Aughnalee.

MURTAGH COSGAR Make the place tidy for him to come into. He'll have no harsh words from me. (He goes up to the room)

SALLY Father's surely getting ould.

MARTIN DOURAS (sitting down) He's gone up to rest himself, God help him. Sally, a stor, I'm that fluttered, I dread going into my own house.

SALLY I'll get ready now, and let you have a good supper before you go to the fair.

MARTIN DOURAS Sit down near me, and let me hear everything, Sally. Was it Matt that told you, or were you talking to Ellen herself?

SALLY O, indeed, I had a talk with Ellen, but she won't give much of her mind away. It was Matt that was telling me. "Indeed she's not going," said he, "and a smart young fellow like myself thinking of her. Ellen is too full of notions." Here's Matt himself. Father won't have a word to say to him. He's getting mild as he's getting ould, and maybe it's a fortune he'll be leaving to myself.

Matt comes to the door. He enters.

MATT Where is he? He's not gone to the fair so early?

SALLY He's in the room.

MATT Were you talking to him at all? Were you telling him you saw myself?

SALLY I was telling him that you were coming back.

MATT How did he take it?

SALLY Very quiet. God help us all; I think father's losing his spirit.

MATT (going to Martin) Well, you see I've come back, Martin.

MARTIN DOURAS Ay, you're a good lad. I always said you were a good lad.

MATT How did father take it, Martin?

MARTIN DOURAS Quietly, quietly. You saw Ellen?

MATT Ay, I saw Ellen (gloomily). She shouldn't talk the way she talks, Martin. What she said keeps coming into my mind, and I'm troubled. God knows I've trouble enough on my head.

MARTIN DOURAS (eagerly) What did she say, Matt Cosgar?

MATT It wasn't what she said. She has that school in her mind, I know.

MARTIN DOURAS And is there anything to keep her here, Matt Cosgar?

MATT I don't know that she thinks much of me now. We had a few words, but there's nothing in the world I put above Ellen Douras.

MARTIN DOURAS I should be going to her.

MATT Wait a bit, and I'll be going with you. Wait a bit. Let us talk it over. She wouldn't go from you, and you old.

MARTIN DOURAS God forgive my age, if it would keep her here. Would I have my Ellen drawing turf, or minding a cow, or feeding pigs?

MATT I'm fond of her, Martin. She couldn't go, and I so fond of her. What am I doing here? I should be making it up with her. What good will anything be if Ellen Douras goes? (He turns to the door, then stops) I came to settle with him. I mustn't be running about like a frightened child.

The room door opens, and Murtagh Cosgar is seen. Sally has hung a pot over the fire, and is cleaning the dishes at the dresser.

MURTAGH COSGAR (at the room door) Sally, it's time to be putting on the meal. If you have any cabbage left, put it through the meal. (To Matt) You put the thong in the harness?

MATT I did (pause) Well, I've come back to you.

MURTGAH COSGAR You're welcome. We were making ready for the fair.

MATT I'll be going out again before nightfall.

MURTAGH COSGAR I'll not be wanting you here, or at the fair.

MATT (sullenly) There's no good talking to me like that.

MURTAGH COSGAR You said, "I've come back," and I said, "you're welcome." You said, "I'm going out again," and I said, "I'll not be wanting you."

MATT Father, have you no feeling for me at all?

MURTAGH COSGAR Sure the wild raven on the tree has thought for her young.

MATT Ay, but do you feel for me, and I standing here, trying to talk to you?

MURTAGH COSGAR You're my son, and so I feel sorry for you; and you beginning to know your own foolishness. (He turns to Sally) I'm not taking the pigs. Put a fresh bedding under them to-night.

SALLY I will, father.

MURTAGH COSGAR Be up early, and let the cows along the road, or they'll be breaking into the young meadow.

SALLY I'll do that, too.

MURTAGH COSGAR Be sure to keep enough fresh milk for the young calf.

SALLY I'll be sure to do it, father.

She goes out. Martin takes out his paper, and begins to read it again.

MATT (turning on Murtag) Before I go out again there's something I want settled.

MURTAGH COSGAR What is it you want?

MATT Would you have me go, or would you have me stay?

MURTAGH COSGAR Don't be talking of going or staying, and you the last of them.

MATT But I will be talking of it. You must treat me differently if you want me to stay. You must treat me differently to the way you treat Sally.

MURTAGH COSGAR You were always treated differently, Matt. In no house that ever I remember was there a boy treated as well as you are treated here.

MATT The houses that you remember are different from the houses that are now. Will you have me go, or will you have me stay?

MURTAGH COSGAR You're very threatening. I'd have you stay. For the sake of the name, I'd have you stay.

MATT Let us take hands on it, then.

MURTAGH COSGAR Wait, we'll see what you want first.

MATT You have no feeling. I'd go out of this house, only I want to give you a chance.

MURTAGH COSGAR Stop. We can have kindness in this. We needn't be beating each other down, like men at a fair.

MATT We're not men at a fair. May God keep the kindness in our hearts.

Martin rises.

MURTAGH COSGAR Don't be going, Martin Douras.

MATT Don't be going yet. I'll be with you, when you're going.

Martin sits down.

MURTAGH COSGAR (to Matt) You'll be getting married, I suppose, if you stay?

MATT Maybe I will.

MURTAGH COSGAR (bitterly) In the houses that are now, the young marry where they have a mind to. It's their own business, they say.

MATT Maybe it is their own business. I'm going to marry Ellen Douras, if she'll have me.

MURTAGH COSGAR Ellen is a good girl, and clever, I'm told. But I would not have you deal before you go into the fair.

MATT I'm going to marry Ellen Douras.

MURTAGH COSGAR Her father is here, and we can settle it now. What fortune will you be giving Ellen, Martin? That 100 pounds that was saved while you were in Maryborough gaol?

Martin shakes his head.

MATT (stubbornly) I'm going to marry Ellen Douras, with or without a fortune.

MURTAGH COSGAR (passionately) Boy, your father built this house. He got these lands together. He has a right to see that you and your generations are in the way of keeping them together.

MATT I'll marry Ellen Douras, with or without a fortune.

MURTAGH COSGAR Marry her, then. Marry Ellen Douras.

MATT Now, Martin, we mustn't let an hour pass without going to her. (He takes Martin's arm, and they go to the door)

MURTAGH COSGAR Marry Ellen Douras, I bid you. Break what I have built, scatter what I have put together. That is what all the young will be doing,

Ellen Douras comes to the door as Matt and Martin reach it.

MATT Ellen!

She shrinks back.

ELLEN It's my father I came to speak to.

MURTAGH COSGAR (going to the door, and drawing the bolt from the half-door) When you come to my house, Ellen Douras, you are welcome within.

Ellen comes in,

ELLEN It's right that I should speak to you all. Matt Cosgar, I am going from here.

MATT Ellen, Ellen, don't be saying that. Don't be thinking of the few words between us. It's all over now. Father agrees to us marrying. Speak, father, and let her hear yourself say it.

ELLEN I can't go into a farmer's house.

MATT You said that out of passion. Don't keep your mind on it any longer.

ELLEN It's true, it's true. I can't go into a farmer's house. This place is strange to me.

MATT How can you talk like that? I'm always thinking of you.

ELLEN I've stayed here long enough. I want my own way; I want to know the world.

MATT If you go, how will I be living, day after day? The heart will be gone out of me.

MURTAGH COSGAR You'll be owning the land, Matt Cosgar.

MATT (passionately) I've worked on the land all my days. Don't talk to me about it now.

Ellen goes to Martin. Murtagh goes up to the door, and then turns and speaks.

MURTAGH COSGAR Listen to me, Matt Cosgar; and you listen too, Ellen Douras. It's a new house you want maybe. This house was built for me and my generations; but I'll build a new house for you both. It's hard for a man to part with his land before the hour of his death; and it's hard for a man to break his lands; but I'll break them, and give a share of land to you.

ELLEN You were never friendly to me; but you have the high spirit, and you deserve a better daughter than I would make. The land and house you offer would be a drag on me. (She goes to the door)

MATT Ellen, what he offers is nothing, after all; but I care for you. Sure you won't go from me like that?

ELLEN Oh, can't you let me go? I care for you as much as I care for any one. But it's my freedom I want.

MATT Then you're going surely?

ELLEN I am. Good-bye.

She goes out, Martin follows her. Matt stands dazed. Murtagh closes the door, then goes and takes Matt's arm, and brings him down.

MURTAGH COSGAR Be a man. We offered her everything, and she went. There's no knowing what the like of her wants. The men will be in soon, and we'll drink to the new ownership.

MATT Oh, what's the good in talking about that now? If Ellen was here, we might be talking about it.

MURTAGH COSGAR To-morrow you and me might go together. Ay, the bog behind the meadow is well drained by this, and we might put the plough over it. There will be a fine, deep soil in it, I'm thinking. Don't look that way, Matt, my son.

MATT When I meet Ellen Douras again, it's not a farmer's house I'll be offering her, nor life in a country place.

MURTAGH COSGAR No one could care for you as I care for you. I know the blood between us, and I know the thoughts I had as I saw each of you grow up.

Matt moves to the door.

MURTAGH COSGAR Where are you going?

MATT To see the boys that are going away.

MURTAGH COSGAR Wait till the fall and I'll give you money to go and come back. Farrell Kavanagh often goes to America. You could go with him.

MATT I'll go by myself, unless Ellen Douras comes now. The creamery owes me money for the carting, and I'll get it.

MURTAGH COSGAR Then go. Good-bye to you, Matt Cosgar.

MATT Good-bye to you.

He goes out. Murtagh stands, then moves about vaguely

MURTAGH COSGAR The floor swept, the hearth tidied. It's a queer end to it all. Twenty years I bid them offer. Twenty years, twenty years!

Martin comes back.

MURTAGH COSGAR The men will be coming back.

MARTIN DOURAS I suppose they will.

MURTAGH COSGAR You're a queer fellow, Martin Douras. You went to gaol for some meeting.

MARTIN DOURAS Ay.

MURTAGH COSGAR Them was the stirring times. I can't help but think of you in gaol, and by yourself. What brings you back now?

MARTIN DOURAS Ellen told me to go back. I should say something to Matt, I think.

MURTAGH COSGAR He went out as you came in.

MARTIN DOURAS I'll go in when the house is quiet. I'll have a few prayers to be saying this night.

MURTAGH COSGAR I'm going to the fair.

MARTIN DOURAS I won't be going to the fair.

MURTAGH COSGAR Why won't you be going to the fair? Didn't you ask me for a lift? You'll be going with me.

MARTIN DOURAS I won't be going, and don't be overbearing me now, Murtagh Cosgar.

MURTAGH COSGAR You will be going to the fair, if it was only to be showing that, seemly face of yours. (Going to the door, he calls) "Sally!" (He turns to Martin Douras) I've a daughter still, Martin Douras.

MARTIN DOURAS You have, and I have a son.

MURTAGH COSGAR What would you say to a match between them, Martin Douras?

MARTIN DOURAS I have nothing to say again it.

MURTAGH COSGAR Then a match it will be.

Sally comes in from yard.

SALLY If you fed that baste on honey, she'd turn on you. Cabbage I gave her and got into trouble for it, and now she's gone and trampled the bad potatoes till they're hardly worth the boiling. I'll put the bush in the gap when I'm going out again, father.

MURTAGH COSGAR Ay. Is that Cornelius Douras that's coming up the path?

SALLY O faith it is. I'll get him to give me a hand with the trough.

Cornelius comes in.

CORNELIUS Well, Murtagh Cosgar, a great and memorial day is ended. May you live long to enjoy the fruits of it. Twenty years on the first term, and the land is ours and our children's. I met the men.

MURTAGH COSGAR Ours and our children's, ay. We've been making a match between yourself and Sally.

CORNELIUS Between me and Sally?

SALLY Between Cornelius and myself?

MURTAGH COSGAR Ay, shake hands on it now.

CORNELIUS And tell me one thing, Murtagh Cosgar. Is it true that Matt's going to America, and that Ellen will wait for him for a year at the school? I met them together, and they told me that.

MURTAGH COSGAR What they say is true, I'm sure. The land is yours and your children's.

SALLY (wiping her hands in her apron) O Cornelius.

CORNELIUS Aren't they foolish to be going away like that, father, and we at the mouth of the good times? The men will be coming in soon, and you might say a few words. (Martin shakes his head) Indeed you might, father; they'll expect it of you. (Martin shakes his head. Murtagh and Sally try to restrain him) "Men of Ballykillduff," you might say, "stay on the land, and you'll be saved body and soul; you'll be saved in the man and in the nation. The nation, men of Ballykillduff, do you ever think of it at all? Do you ever think of the Irish nation that is waiting all this time to be born?"

He becomes more excited; he is seen to be struggling with words.

END OF PLAY

THE LAND was first produced at the Abbey Theater, Dublin, in June, 1905, by The Irish National Theater Society, under the direction of W.G. Fay, with the following cast:—

MURTAGH COSGAR W. G. Fay MATT Proinsias MacSiubhlaigh SALLY Sara Allgood MARTIN DOURAS F.J. Fay CORNELIUS Arthur Sinclair ELLEN Maire Ni Gharbhaigh.