PHILLY——[withsuspicion。]——DidheseeChristy？
WIDOWQUIN。Hedidn’t。（Withawarninggesture。）Letyounotbeputtinghiminmindofhim，oryou’llbelikelysummonedifthere’smurderdone。（LookingroundatMahon。）Whisht！He’slistening。Waitnowtillyouhearmetakinghimeasyandunravellingall。（ShegoestoMahon。）Andwhatwayareyoufeeling，mister？Areyouincontentmentnow？
MAHON——[slightlyemotionalfromhisdrink。]——I’mpoorlyonly，forit’sahardstorythewayI’mleftto-day，whenitwasIdidtendhimfromhishourofbirth，andheadunceneverreachedhissecondbook，thewayhe’dcomefromschool，many’stheday，withhislegslamedunderhim，andheblackenedwithhisbeatingslikeatinker’sass。It’sahardstory，I’msaying，thewaysomedohavetheirnextandnighestraisingupahandofmurderonthem，andsomeislonesomegettingtheirdeathwithlamentationinthedeadofnight。
WIDOWQUIN——[notknowingwhattosay。]——Tohearyoutalkingsoquiet，who’dknowyouwerethesamefellowweseenpassto-day？
MAHON。I’mthesamesurely。Thewrackandruinofthreescoreyears；andit’saterrortolivethatlength，Itellyou，andtohaveyoursonsgoingtothedogsagainstyou，andyouworeoutscoldingthem，andskelpingthem，andGodknowswhat。
PHILLY——[toJimmy。]——He’snotraving。（ToWidowQuin。）Willyouaskhimwhatkindwashisson？
WIDOWQUIN——[toMahon，withapeculiarlook。]——Wasyoursonthathityoualadofoneyearandascoremaybe，agreathandatracingandleppingandlickingtheworld？
MAHON——[turningonherwitharoarofrage。]——Didn’tyouhearmesayhewasthefoolofmen，thewayfromthisouthe’llknowtheorphan’slotwitholdandyoungmakinggameofhimandtheyswearing，raging，kickingathimlikeamangycur。[Agreatburstofcheeringoutside，somewayoff。]
MAHON——[puttinghishandstohisears。]——WhatinthenameofGoddotheywantroaringbelow？
WIDOWQUIN——[withtheshadeofasmile。]——They’recheeringayounglad，thechampionPlayboyoftheWesternWorld。[Morecheering。]
MAHON——[goingtowindow。]It’dsplitmyhearttohearthem，andIwithpulsesinmybrain-panforaweekgoneby。Isitracingtheyare？
JIMMY——[lookingfromdoor。]——Itisthen。Theyaremountinghimforthemuleracewillberunuponthesands。That’stheplayboyonthewinkeredmule。
MAHON[puzzled。]Thatlad，isit？Ifyousaiditwasafoolhewas，I’dhavelaidamightyoathhewasthelikenessofmywanderingson（uneasily，puttinghishandtohishead。）Faith，I’mthinkingI’llgowalkingfortoviewtherace。
WIDOWQUIN——[stoppinghim，sharply。]——Youwillnot。You’dbesttaketheroadtoBelmullet，andnotbedilly-dallyinginthisplacewherethereisn’taspotyoucouldsleep。
PHILLY——[comingforward。]——Don’tmindher。Mountthereonthebenchandyou’llhaveaviewofthewhole。They’rehurryingbeforethetidewillrise，andit’dbenearoverifyouwentdownthepathwaythroughthecragsbelow。
MAHON[mountsonbench，WidowQuinbesidehim。]——That’sarightviewagaintheedgeofthesea。They’recomingnowfromthepoint。He’sleading。Whoisheatall？
WIDOWQUIN。He’sthechampionoftheworld，Itellyou，andthereisn’tahop’orthisn’tfallingluckytohishandsto-day。
PHILLY——[lookingout，interestedintherace。]——Lookatthat。They’repressinghimnow。
JIMMY。He’llwinityet。
PHILLY。Takeyourtime，JimmyFarrell。It’stoosoontosay。
WIDOWQUIN——[shouting。]Watchhimtakingthegate。There’sriding。
JIMMY——[cheering。]Morepowertotheyounglad！
MAHON。He’spassingthethird。
JIMMY。He’lllickthemyet！
WIDOWQUIN。He’dlickthemifhewasrunningraceswithascoreitself。
MAHON。Lookatthemulehehas，kickingthestars。
WIDOWQUIN。Therewasalep！（catchingholdofMahoninherexcitement。）He’sfallen！He’smountedagain！Faith，he’spassingthemall！
JIMMY。Lookathimskelpingher！
PHILLY。Andthemountaingirlshooshinghimon！
JIMMY。It’sthelastturn！Thepost’sclearedforthemnow！
MAHON。Lookatthenarrowplace。He’llbeintothebogs！（Withayell。）
Goodrider！He’sthroughitagain！
JIMMY。Heneckandneck！
MAHON。Goodboytohim！Flames，buthe’sin！[Greatcheering，inwhichalljoin。]
MAHON[withhesitation。]What’sthat？They’reraisinghimup。They’recomingthisway。（Witharoarofrageandastonishment。）It’sChristy！bythestarsofGod！I’dknowhiswayofspittingandheastridethemoon。[Hejumpsdownandmakesforthedoor，butWidowQuincatcheshimandpullshimback。]
WIDOWQUIN。Stayquiet，willyou。That’snotyourson。（ToJimmy。）Stophim，oryou’llgetamonthfortheabettingofmanslaughterandbefinedaswell。
JIMMY。I’llholdhim。
MAHON[struggling。]Letmeout！Letmeout，thelotofyou！tillIhavemyvengeanceonhisheadto-day。
WIDOWQUIN——[shakinghim，vehemently。]——That’snotyourson。That’samanisgoingtomakeamarriagewiththedaughterofthishouse，aplacewithfinetrade，withalicense，andwithpoteentoo。
MAHON——[amazed。]Thatmanmarryingadecentandamoneyedgirl！Isitmadyousare？Isitinacrazy-houseforfemalesthatI’mlandednow？
WIDOWQUIN。It’smadyourselfiswiththeblowuponyourhead。ThatladisthewonderoftheWesternWorld。
MAHON。Iseenit’smyson。
WIDOWQUIN。Youseenthatyou’remad。（Cheeringoutside。）Doyouhearthemcheeringhiminthezig-zagsoftheroad？Aren’tyouaftersayingthatyourson’safool，andhowwouldtheybecheeringatrueidiotborn？
MAHON——[gettingdistressed。]——It’smaybeoutofreasonthatthatman’shimself。（Cheeringagain。）There’snonesurelywillgocheeringhim。Oh，I’mravingwithamadnessthatwouldfrighttheworld！（Hesitsdownwithhishandtohishead。）TherewasonetimeIseentenscarletdivilslettingonthey’dcorkmyspiritinagalloncan；andonetimeIseenratsasbigasbadgerssuckingthelifebloodfromthebuttofmylug；butInevertillthisdayconfusedthatdribblingidiotwithalikelyman。I’mdestroyedsurely。
WIDOWQUIN。Andwho’dwonderwhenit’syourbrain-panthatisgapingnow？
MAHON。Thentheblightofthesacreddroughtuponmyselfandhim，forIneverwentmadtothisday，andInotthreeweekswiththeLimerickgirlsdrinkingmyselfsilly，andparlaticfromthedusktodawn。（ToWidowQuin，suddenly。）
Ismyvisageastray？
WIDOWQUIN。Itisthen。You’reasniggeringmaniac，achildcouldsee。
MAHON——[gettingupmorecheerfully。]——ThenI’dbestbegoingtotheunionbeyond，andthere’llbeawelcomebeforeme，Itellyou（withgreatpride），andIaterribleandfearfulcase，thewaythatthereIwasonetime，screechinginastraightenedwaistcoat，withsevendoctorswritingoutmysayingsinaprintedbook。Wouldyoubelievethat？
WIDOWQUIN。Ifyou’reawonderitself，you’dbestbehasty，forthemladscaughtamaniaconetimeandpeltedthepoorcreaturetillheranout，ravingandfoaming，andwasdrownedinthesea。
MAHON——[withphilosophy。]——It’struemankindisthedivilwhenyourhead’sastray。LetmeoutnowandI’llslipdowntheboreen，andnotseethemso。
WIDOWQUIN——[showinghimout。]——That’sit。Runtotheright，andnotaonewillsee。[Herunsoff。]
PHILLY——[wisely。]You’reatsomegaming，WidowQuin；butI’llwalkafterhimandgivehimhisdinnerandatimetorest，andI’llseethenifhe’sravingorassaneasyou。
WIDOWQUIN——[annoyed。]Ifyougonearthatlad，letyoubewaryofyourhead，I’msaying。Didn’tyouhearhimtellinghewascrazedattimes？
PHILLY。Iheardhimtellingapower；andI’mthinkingwe’llhaverightsport，beforenightwillfall。[Hegoesout。]
JIMMY。Well，Philly’saconceitedandfoolishman。Howcouldthatmadmanhavehissensesandhisbrain-panslit？I’llgoafterthemandseehimturnonPhillynow。[Hegoes；WidowQuinhidespoteenbehindcounter。Thenhubbuboutside。]
VOICES。Thereyouare！Goodjumper！Grandlepper！Darlintboy！He’stheracer！Bearhimon，willyou！[Christycomesin，inJockey’sdress，withPegeenMike，Sara，andothergirls，andmen。]
PEGEEN——[tocrowd。]——Goonnowanddon’tdestroyhimandhedrenchingwithsweat。Goalong，I’msaying，andhaveyourtug-of-warringtillhe’sdriedhisskin。
CROWD。Here’shisprizes！Abagpipes！Afiddlewasplayedbyapoetintheyearsgoneby！Aflatandthree-thornedblackthornwouldlickthescholarsoutofDublintown！
CHRISTY——[takingprizesfromthemen。]——Thankyoukindly，thelotofyou。
Butyou’dsayitwaslittleonlyIdidthisdayifyou’dseenmeawhilesincestrikingmyonesingleblow。
TOWNCRIER——[outside，ringingabell。]——Takenotice，lasteventofthisday！Tug-of-warringonthegreenbelow！Comeon，thelotofyou！GreatachievementsforallMayomen！
PEGEEN。Goon，andleavehimfortorestanddry。Goon，Itellyou，forhe’lldonomore。（Shehustlescrowdout；WidowQuinfollowingthem。）
MEN——[going。]——Comeonthen。Goodluckforthewhile！
PEGEEN——[radiantly，wipinghisfacewithhershawl。]——Well，you’rethelad，andyou’llhavegreattimesfromthisoutwhenyoucouldwinthatwealthofprizes，andyousweatingintheheatofnoon！
CHRISTY——[lookingatherwithdelight。]——I’llhavegreattimesifIwinthecrowningprizeI’mseekingnow，andthat’syourpromisethatyou’llwedmeinafortnight，whenourbannsiscalled。
PEGEEN——[backingawayfromhim。]——You’verightdaringtogoaskmethat，whenallknowsyou’llbestartingtosomegirlinyourowntownland，whenyourfather’srotteninfourmonths，orfive。
CHRISTY——[indignantly。]Startingfromyou，isit？（Hefollowsher。）I
willnot，then，andwhentheairsiswarminginfourmonths，orfive，it’sthenyourselfandmeshouldbepacingNeifininthedewsofnight，thetimessweetsmellsdoberising，andyou’dseealittleshinynewmoon，maybe，sinkingonthehills。
PEGEEN[lookingathimplayfully。]——Andit’sthatkindofapoacher’sloveyou’dmake，ChristyMahon，onthesidesofNeifin，whenthenightisdown？
CHRISTY。It’slittleyou’llthinkifmylove’sapoacher’s，oranearl’sitself，whenyou’llfeelmytwohandsstretchedaroundyou，andIsqueezingkissesonyourpuckeredlips，tillI’dfeelakindofpityfortheLordGodisallagessittinglonesomeinhisgoldenchair。
PEGEEN。That’llberightfun，ChristyMahon，andanygirlwouldwalkherheartoutbeforeshe’dmeetayoungmanwasyourlikeforeloquence，ortalk，atall。
CHRISTY——[encouraged。]Letyouwait，tohearmetalking，tillwe’reastrayinErris，whenGoodFriday’sby，drinkingasupfromawell，andmakingmightykisseswithourwettedmouths，orgaminginagaporsunshine，withyourselfstretchedbackuntoyournecklace，intheflowersoftheearth。
PEGEEN——[inalowervoice，movedbyhistone。]——I’dbeniceso，isit？
CHRISTY——[withrapture。]——Ifthemitredbishopsseenyouthattime，they’dbethelikeoftheholyprophets，I’mthinking，dobestrainingthebarsofParadisetolayeyesontheLadyHelenofTroy，andsheabroad，pacingbackandforward，withanosegayinhergoldenshawl。
PEGEEN——[withrealtenderness。]——AndwhatisitIhave，ChristyMahon，tomakemefittingentertainmentforthelikeofyou，thathassuchpoet’stalking，andsuchbraveryofheart？
CHRISTY——[inalowvoice。]——Isn’ttherethelightofsevenheavensinyourheartalone，thewayyou’llbeanangel’slamptomefromthisout，andI
abroadinthedarkness，spearingsalmonsintheOwen，ortheCarrowmore？
PEGEEN。IfIwasyourwife，I’dbealongwithyouthosenights，ChristyMahon，thewayyou’dseeIwasagreathandatcoaxingbailiffs，orcoiningfunnynick-namesforthestarsofnight。
CHRISTY。You，isit？Takingyourdeathinthehailstones，orinthefogsofdawn。
PEGEEN。Yourselfandmewouldsheltereasyinanarrowbush，（withaqualmofdread）butwe’reonlytalking，maybe，forthiswouldbeapoor，thatchedplacetoholdafineladisthelikeofyou。
CHRISTY——[puttinghisarmroundher。]——IfIwasn’tagoodChristian，it’sonmynakedkneesI’dbesayingmyprayersandpaterstoeveryjackstrawyouhaveroofingyourhead，andeverystonypebbleispavingthelanewaytoyourdoor。
PEGEEN——[radiantly。]Ifthat’sthetruth，I’llbeburningcandlesfromthisouttothemiraclesofGodthathavebroughtyoufromthesouthto-day，andI，withmygownsboughtready，thewaythatIcanwedyou，andnotwaitatall。
CHRISTY。It’smiracles，andthat’sthetruth。Metheretoilingalongwhile，andwalkingalongwhile，notknowingatallIwasdrawingalltimesnearertothisholyday。
PEGEEN。Andmyself，agirl，wastemptedoftentogosailingtheseastillI’dmarryaJew-man，withtenkegsofgold，andInotknowingatalltherewasthelikeofyoudrawingnearer，likethestarsofGod。
CHRISTY。AndtothinkI’mlongyearshearingwomentalkingthattalk，toallbloodyfools，andthisthefirsttimeI’veheardthelikeofyourvoicetalkingsweetlyformyowndelight。
PEGEEN。Andtothinkit’smeistalkingsweetly，ChristyMahon，andIthefrightofseventownlandsformybitingtongue。Well，theheart’sawonder；
and，I’mthinking，therewon’tbeourlikeinMayo，forgallantlovers，fromthishour，to-day。（Drunkensingingisheardoutside。）There’smyfathercomingfromthewake，andwhenhe’shadhissleepwe’lltellhim，forhe’speacefulthen。[Theyseparate。]
MICHAEL——[singingoutside]——
ThejailorandtheturnkeyTheyquicklyranusdown，AndbroughtusbackasprisonersOncemoretoCavantown。[HecomesinsupportedbyShawn。]
TherewelaybewailingAllinaprisonbound……[HeseesChristy。Goesandshakeshimdrunkenlybythehand，whilePegeenandShawntalkontheleft。]
MICHAEL——[toChristy。]——TheblessingofGodandtheholyangelsonyourhead，youngfellow。Iheartellyou’reafterwinningallinthesportsbelow；
andwasn’titashameIdidn’tbearyoualongwithmetoKateCassidy’swake，afine，stoutlad，thelikeofyou，foryou’dneverseethematchofitforflowsofdrink，thewaywhenwesunkherbonesatnoondayinhernarrowgrave，therewerefivemen，aye，andsixmen，stretchedoutretchingspeechlessontheholystones。
CHRISTY——[uneasily，watchingPegeen。]——Isthatthetruth？
MICHAEL。Itisthen，andaren’tyoualoutyschemertogoburyingyourpoorfatherunbeknownstwhenyou’darighttothrowhimonthecrupperofaKerrymuleanddrivehimwestwards，likeholyJosephinthedaysgoneby，thewaywecouldhavegivenhimadecentburial，andnothavehimrottingbeyond，andnotaChristiandrinkingasmartdroptothegloryofhissoul？
CHRISTY——[gruffly。]It’swellenoughhe’slying，forthelikesofhim。
MICHAEL——[slappinghimontheback。]——Well，aren’tyouahardenedslayer？
It’llbeapoorthingforthehouseholdmanwhereyougosniffingforafemalewife；and（pointingtoShawn）lookbeyondatthatshyanddecentChristianI
havechosenformydaughter’shand，andIaftergettingthegildeddispensationthisdayfortowedthemnow。
CHRISTY。Andyou’llbeweddingthemthisday，isit？
MICHAEL——[drawinghimselfup。]——Aye。Areyouthinking，ifI’mdrunkitself，I’dleavemydaughterlivingsinglewithalittlefriskyrascalisthelikeofyou？
PEGEEN——[breakingawayfromShawn。]——Isitthetruththedispensation’scome？
MICHAEL——[triumphantly。]FatherReilly’safterreadingitingallousLatin，and\"It’scomeinthenickoftime，\"sayshe；\"soI’llwedtheminahurry，dreadingthatyounggafferwho’dcapsizethestars。\"
PEGEEN——[fiercely。]He’smissedhisnickoftime，forit’sthatlad，ChristyMahon，thatI’mweddingnow。
MICHAEL——[loudlywithhorror。]——You’dbemakinghimasontome，andhewetandcrustedwithhisfather’sblood？
PEGEEN。Aye。Wouldn’titbeabitterthingforagirltogomarryingthelikeofShaneen，andheamiddlingkindofascarecrow，withnosavageryorfinewordsinhimatall？
MICHAEL——[gaspingandsinkingonachair。]——Oh，aren’tyouaheathendaughtertogoshakingthefatofmyheart，andIswampedanddrowndedwiththeweightofdrink？WouldyouhavethemturningonmethewaythatI’dberoaringtothedawnofdaywiththewinduponmyheart？Haveyounotawordtoaidme，Shaneen？Areyounotjealousatall？
SHANEEN——[Ingreatmisery。]——I’dbeafeardtobejealousofamandidslayhisda。
PEGEEN。Well，it’dbeapoorthingtogomarryingyourlike。I’mseeingthere’saworldofperilforanorphangirl，andisn’titagreatblessingI
didn’twedyou，beforehimselfcamewalkingfromthewestorsouth？
SHAWN。It’saqueerstoryyou’dgopickingadirtytrampupfromthehighwaysoftheworld。
PEGEEN——[playfully。]Andyouthinkyou’realikelybeautogostrayingalongwith，theshinySundaysoftheopeningyear，whenit’ssooneronabullock’sliveryou’dputapoorgirlthinkingthanonthelilyortherose？
SHAWN。Andhaveyounomindofmyweightofpassion，andtheholydispensation，andthedriftofheifersIamgiving，andthegoldenring？
PEGEEN。I’mthinkingyou’retoofineforthelikeofme，ShawnKeoghofKillakeen，andletyougoofftillyou’dfindaradiantladywithdrovesofbullocksontheplainsofMeath，andherselfbedizenedinthediamondjewelleriesofPharaoh’sma。That’dbeyourmatch，Shaneen。SoGodsaveyounow！[SheretreatsbehindChristy。]
SHAWN。Won’tyouhearmetellingyou……？
CHRISTY——[withferocity。]——Takeyourselffromthis，youngfellow，orI’llmaybeaddamurdertomydeedsto-day。
MICHAEL——[springingupwithashriek。]——Murderisit？Isitmadyousare？
Wouldyougomakingmurderinthisplace，anditpiledwithpoteenforourdrinkto-night？Goontotheforeshoreifit’sfightingyouwant，wheretherisingtidewillwashalltracesfromthememoryofman。[PushingShawntowardsChristy。]
SHAWN——[shakinghimselffree，andgettingbehindMichael。]——I’llnotfighthim，MichaelJames。I’dlieferliveabachelor，simmeringinpassionstotheendoftime，thanfacealeppingsavagethelikeofhimhasdescendedfromtheLordknowswhere。Strikehimyourself，MichaelJames，oryou’lllosemydriftofheifersandmybluebullfromSneem。
MICHAEL。Isitmefighthim，whenit’sfather-slayinghe’sbredtonow？
（PushingShawn。）Goonyoufoolandfighthimnow。
SHAWN——[comingforwardalittle。]——WillIstrikehimwithmyhand？
MICHAEL。Taketheloyisonyourwesternside。
SHAWN。I’dbeafeardofthegallowsifIstruckhimwiththat。
CHRISTY——[takinguptheloy。]——ThenI’llmakeyoufacethegallowsorquitofffromthis。[Shawnfliesoutofthedoor。]
CHRISTY。Well，fineweatherbeafterhim，（goingtoMichael，coaxingly）andI’mthinkingyouwouldn’twishtohavethatquakingblackguardinyourhouseatall。Letyougiveusyourblessingandhearherswearherfaithtome，forI’mmountedonthespring-tideofthestarsofluck，thewayit’llbegoodforanytohavemeinthehouse。
PEGEEN[attheothersideofMichael。]——Blessusnow，forIsweartoGodI’llwedhim，andI’llnotrenege。
MICHAEL——[standingupinthecentre，holdingontobothofthem。]——It’sthewillofGod，I’mthinking，thatallshouldwinaneasyoracruelend，andit’sthewillofGodthatallshouldrearuplengthyfamiliesforthenurtureoftheearth。What’sasingleman，Iaskyou，eatingabitinonehouseanddrinkingasupinanother，andhewithnoplaceofhisown，likeanoldbrayingjackassstrayedupontherocks？（ToChristy。）It’smanywouldbeindreadtobringyourlikeintotheirhousefortoendthem，maybe，withasuddenend；butI’madecentmanofIreland，andIlieferfacethegraveuntimelyandIseeingascoreofgrandsonsgrowinguplittlegallantswearersbythenameofGod，thangopeoplingmybedsidewithpunyweedsthelikeofwhatyou’dbreed，I’mthinking，outofShaneenKeogh。（Hejoinstheirhands。）
Adaringfellowisthejeweloftheworld，andamandidsplithisfather’smiddlewithasingleclout，shouldhavethebraveryoften，somayGodandMaryandSt。Patrickblessyou，andincreaseyoufromthismortalday。
CHRISTYANDPEGEEN。Amen，OLord！
[Hubbuboutside。]
[OldMahonrushesin，followedbyallthecrowd，andWidowQuin。HemakesarushatChristy，knockshimdown，andbeginstobeathim。]
PEGEEN——[draggingbackhisarm。]——Stopthat，willyou。Whoareyouatall？
MAHON。Hisfather，Godforgiveme！
PEGEEN——[drawingback。]——Isitrosefromthedead？
MAHON。DoyouthinkIlooksoeasyquenchedwiththetapofaloy？[BeatsChristyagain。]
PEGEEN——[glaringatChristy。]——Andit’sliesyoutold，lettingonyouhadhimslitted，andyounothingatall。
CHRISTY——[clutchingMahon’sstick。]——He’snotmyfather。He’saravingmaniacwouldscaretheworld。（PointingtoWidowQuin。）Herselfknowsitistrue。
CROWD。You’refoolingPegeen！TheWidowQuinseenhimthisday，andyoulikelyknew！You’realiar！
CHRISTY——[dumbfounded。]It’shimselfwasaliar，lyingstretchedoutwithanopenheadonhim，lettingonhewasdead。
MAHON。Weren’tyouoffracingthehillsbeforeIgotmybreathwiththestartIhadseeingyouturnonmeatall？
PEGEEN。Andtothinkofthecoaxingglorywehadgivenhim，andheafterdoingnothingbuthittingasoftblowandchasingnorthwardinasweatoffear。Quitofffromthis。
CHRISTY——[piteously。]You’veseenmydoingsthisday，andletyousavemefromtheoldman；forwhywouldyoubeinsuchascorchofhastetospurmetodestructionnow？
PEGEEN。It’sthereyourtreacheryisspurringme，tillI’mhardsettothinkyou’retheoneI’mafterlacinginmyheart-stringshalf-an-hourgoneby。（ToMahon。）Takehimonfromthis，forIthinkbadtheworldshouldseemeragingforaMunsterliar，andthefoolofmen。
MAHON。Riseupnowtoretribution，andcomeonwithme。
CROWD——[jeeringly。]There’stheplayboy！There’stheladthoughthe’druletheroostinMayo。Slatehimnow，mister。
CHRISTY——[gettingupinshyterror。]——Whatisitdrivesyoutotormentmehere，whenI’daskedthethundersofthemightofGodtoblastmeifIeverdidhurttoanysavingonlythatonesingleblow。
MAHON——[loudly。]Ifyoudidn’t，you’reapoorgood-for-nothing，andisn’titbythelikeofyouthesinsofthewholeworldarecommitted？
CHRISTY——[raisinghishands。]——InthenameoftheAlmightyGod……
MAHON。LeavetroublingtheLordGod。Wouldyouhavehimsendingdowndroughts，andfevers，andtheoldhenandthecholeramorbus？
CHRISTY——[toWidowQuin。]——Willyoucomebetweenusandprotectmenow？
WIDOWQUIN。I’vetriedalot，Godhelpme，andmyshareisdone。
CHRISTY——[lookingroundindesperation。]——AndImustgobackintomytormentisit，orrunofflikeavagabondstrayingthroughtheUnionswiththedustsofAugustmakingmudstainsinthegulletofmythroat，orthewindsofMarchblowingonmetillI’dtakeanoathIfeltthemmakingwhistlesofmyribswithin？
SARA。AskPegeentoaidyou。Herlikedoesoftenchange。
CHRISTY。Iwillnotthen，forthere’stormentinthesplendourofherlike，andsheagirlanymoonofmidnightwouldtakepridetomeet，facingsouthwardsontheheathsofKeel。ButwhatdidIwantcrawlingforwardtoscorchmyunderstandingatherflamingbrow？
PEGEEN——[toMahon，vehemently，fearingshewillbreakintotears。]——TakehimonfromthisorI’llsettheyoungladstodestroyhimhere。
MAHON——[goingtohim，shakinghisstick。]——Comeonnowifyouwouldn’thavethecompanytoseeyouskelped。
PEGEEN——[halflaughing，throughhertears。]——That’sit，nowtheworldwillseehimpandied，andheanuglyliarwasplayingoffthehero，andthefrightofmen。
CHRISTY——[toMahon，verysharply。]——Leavemego！
CROWD。That’sit。NowChristy。Ifthemtwosetfighting，itwilllicktheworld。
MAHON——[makingagrabatChristy。]——Comeheretome。
CHRISTY——[morethreateningly。]——Leavemego，I’msaying。
MAHON。Iwillmaybe，whenyourlegsislimping，andyourbackisblue。
CROWD。Keepitup，thetwoofyou。I’llbacktheoldone。Nowtheplayboy。
CHRISTY——[inlowandintensevoice。]——Shutyouryelling，forifyou’reaftermakingamightymanofmethisdaybythepowerofalie，you’resettingmenowtothinkifit’sapoorthingtobelonesome，it’sworsemaybetogomixingwiththefoolsofearth。[Mahonmakesamovementtowardshim。]
CHRISTY——[almostshouting。]——Keepoff……lestIdoshowablowuntothelotofyouwouldsettheguardianangelswinkinginthecloudsabove。[Heswingsroundwithasuddenrapidmovementandpicksupaloy。]
CROWD——[halffrightened，halfamused。]——He’sgoingmad！Mindyourselves！
Runfromtheidiot！
CHRISTY。IfIamanidiot，I’mafterhearingmyvoicethisdaysayingwordswouldraisethetopknotonapoetinamerchant’stown。I’vewonyourracing，andyourlepping，and……
MAHON。Shutyourgulletandcomeonwithme。
CHRISTY。I’mgoing，butI’llstretchyoufirst。[HerunsatoldMahonwiththeloy，chaseshimoutofthedoor，followedbycrowdandWidowQuin。Thereisagreatnoiseoutside，thenayell，anddeadsilenceforamoment。Christycomesin，halfdazed，andgoestofire。]
WIDOWQUIN——[comingin，hurriedly，andgoingtohim。]——They’returningagainyou。Comeon，oryou’llbehanged，indeed。
CHRISTY。I’mthinking，fromthisout，Pegeen’llbegivingmepraisesthesameasinthehoursgoneby。
WIDOWQUIN——[impatiently。]Comebytheback-door。I’dthinkbadtohaveyoustifledonthegallowstree。
CHRISTY——[indignantly。]Iwillnot，then。Whatgood’dbemylife-time，ifIleftPegeen？
WIDOWQUIN。Comeon，andyou’llbenoworsethanyouwerelastnight；andyouwithadoublemurderthistimetobetellingtothegirls。
CHRISTY。I’llnotleavePegeenMike。
WIDOWQUIN——[impatiently。]Isn’ttherethematchofherineveryparishpublic，fromBinghamstownuntotheplainofMeath？Comeon，Itellyou，andI’llfindyoufinersweetheartsateachwaningmoon。
CHRISTY。It’sPegeenI’mseekingonly，andwhat’dIcareifyoubroughtmeadriftofchosenfemales，standingintheirshiftsitself，maybe，fromthisplacetotheEasternWorld？
SARA——[runsin，pullingoffoneofherpetticoats。]——They’regoingtohanghim。（Holdingoutpetticoatandshawl。）Fittheseuponhim，andlethimrunofftotheeast。
WIDOWQUIN。He’sravingnow；butwe’llfitthemonhim，andI’lltakehim，intheferry，totheAchillboat。
CHRISTY——[strugglingfeebly。]——Leavemego，willyou？whenI’mthinkingofmyluckto-day，forshewillwedmesurely，andIaprovenherointheendofall。[Theytrytofastenpetticoatroundhim。]
WIDOWQUIN。Takehislefthand，andwe’llpullhimnow。Comeon，youngfellow。
CHRISTY——[suddenlystartingup。]——You’llbetakingmefromher？You’rejealous，isit，ofherweddingme？Goonfromthis。[Hesnatchesupastool，andthreatensthemwithit。]
WIDOWQUIN——[going。]——It’sinthemad-housetheyshouldputhim，notinjail，atall。We’llgobytheback-door，tocallthedoctor，andwe’llsavehimso。[Shegoesout，withSara，throughinnerroom。Mencrowdinthedoorway。Christysitsdownagainbythefire。]
MICHAEL——[inaterrifiedwhisper。]——Istheoldladkilledsurely？
PHILLY。I’mafterfeelingthelastgaspsquittinghisheart。[TheypeerinatChristy。]
MICHAEL——[witharope。]——Lookatthewayheis。Twistahangman’sknotonit，andslipitoverhishead，whilehe’snotmindingatall。
PHILLY。Letyoutakeit，Shaneen。You’rethesoberestofallthat’shere。
SHAWN。Isitmetogonearhim，andhethewickedestandworstwithme？Letyoutakeit，PegeenMike。
PEGEEN。Comeon，so。[Shegoesforwardwiththeothers，andtheydropthedoublehitchoverhishead。]
CHRISTY。Whatailsyou？
SHAWN——[triumphantly，astheypulltheropetightonhisarms。]——Comeontothepeelers，tilltheystretchyounow。
CHRISTY。Me！
MICHAEL。Ifwetookpityonyou，theLordGodwould，maybe，bringusruinfromthelawto-day，soyou’dbestcomeeasy，forhangingisaneasyandaspeedyend。
CHRISTY。I’llnotstir。（ToPegeen。）Andwhatisityou’llsaytome，andI
afterdoingitthistimeinthefaceofall？
PEGEEN。I’llsay，astrangemanisamarvel，withhismightytalk；butwhat’sasquabbleinyourback-yard，andtheblowofaloy，havetaughtmethatthere’sagreatgapbetweenagallousstoryandadirtydeed。（ToMen。）Takehimonfromthis，orthelotofuswillbelikelyputontrialforhisdeedto-day。
CHRISTY——[withhorrorinhisvoice。]——Andit’syourselfwillsendmeoff，tohaveahorny-fingeredhangmanhitchinghisbloodyslip-knotsatthebuttofmyear。
MEN——[pullingrope。]——Comeon，willyou？[Heispulleddownonthefloor。]
CHRISTY——[twistinghislegsroundthetable。]——Cuttherope，Pegeen，andI’llquitthelotofyou，andlivefromthisout，likethemadmenofKeel，eatingmuckandgreenweeds，onthefacesofthecliffs。
PEGEEN。Andleaveustohang，isit，forasaucyliar，thelikeofyou？（Tomen。）Takehimon，outfromthis。
SHAWN。Pullatwistonhisneck，andsqueezehimso。
PHILLY。Twistyourself。Surehecannothurtyou，ifyoukeepyourdistancefromhisteethalone。
SHAWN。I’mafeardofhim。（ToPegeen。）Liftalightedsod，willyou，andscorchhisleg。
PEGEEN——[blowingthefire，withabellows。]Leavegonow，youngfellow，orI’llscorchyourshins。
CHRISTY。You’reblowingfortotortureme（Hisvoicerisingandgrowingstronger。）That’syourkind，isit？Thenletthelotofyoubewary，for，ifI’vetofacethegallows，I’llhaveagaymarchdown，Itellyou，andshedthebloodofsomeofyoubeforeIdie。
SHAWN——[interror。]——Keepagoodhold，Philly。Bewary，fortheloveofGod。ForI’mthinkinghewouldliefestwreakhispainsonme。
CHRISTY——[almostgaily。]——IfIdolaymyhandsonyou，it’sthewayyou’llbeatthefallofnight，hangingasascarecrowforthefowlsofhell。Ah，you’llhaveagallousjauntI’msaying，coachingoutthroughLimbowithmyfather’sghost。
SHAWN——[toPegeen。]——Makehaste，willyou？Oh，isn’theaholyterror，andisn’tittrueforFatherReilly，thatalldrink’sacursethathasthelotofyousoshakyanduncertainnow？
CHRISTY。IfIcanwringaneckamongyou，I’llhavearoyaljudgmentlookingonthetremblingjuryinthecourtsoflaw。Andwon’ttherebecryingoutinMayothedayI’mstretchedupontheropewithladiesintheirsilksandsatinssnivellingintheirlacykerchiefs，andtheyrhymingsongsandballadsontheterrorofmyfate？[HesquirmsroundonthefloorandbitesShawn’sleg。]
SHAWN——[shrieking。]Myleg’sbitonme。He’sthelikeofamaddog，I’mthinking，thewaythatIwillsurelydie。
CHRISTY——[delightedwithhimself。]——Youwillthen，thewayyoucanshakeouthell’sflagsofwelcomeformycomingintwoweeksorthree，forI’mthinkingSatanhasn’tmanyhavekilledtheirdainKerry，andinMayotoo。
[OldMahoncomesinbehindonallfoursandlooksonunnoticed。]
MEN——[toPegeen。]——Bringthesod，willyou？
PEGEEN[comingover。]——Godhelphimso。（Burnshisleg。）
CHRISTY——[kickingandscreaming。]——O，glorybetoGod！[Hekicksloosefromthetable，andtheyalldraghimtowardsthedoor。]
JIMMY——[seeingoldMahon。]——Willyoulookwhat’scomein？[TheyalldropChristyandrunleft。]
CHRISTY——[scramblingonhiskneesfacetofacewitholdMahon。]——Areyoucomingtobekilledathirdtime，orwhatailsyounow？
MAHON。Forwhatisittheyhaveyoutied？
CHRISTY。They’retakingmetothepeelerstohavemehangedforslayingyou。
MICHAEL——[apologetically。]ItisthewillofGodthatallshouldguardtheirlittlecabinsfromthetreacheryoflaw，andwhatwouldmydaughterbedoingifIwasruinedorwashangeditself？
MAHON——[grimly，looseningChristy。]——It’slittleIcareifyouputabagonherback，andwentpickingcocklestillthehourofdeath；butmysonandmyselfwillbegoingourownway，andwe’llhavegreattimesfromthisouttellingstoriesofthevillainyofMayo，andthefoolsishere。（ToChristy，whoisfreed。）Comeonnow。
CHRISTY。Gowithyou，isit？Iwillthen，likeagallantcaptainwithhisheathenslave。GoonnowandI’llseeyoufromthisdaystewingmyoatmealandwashingmyspuds，forI’mmasterofallfightsfromnow。（PushingMahon。）
Goon，I’msaying。
MAHON。Isitme？
CHRISTY。Notawordoutofyou。Goonfromthis。
MAHON[walkingoutandlookingbackatChristyoverhisshoulder。]——GlorybetoGod！（Withabroadsmile。）Iamcrazyagain！[Goes。]
CHRISTY。Tenthousandblessingsuponallthat’shere，foryou’veturnedmealikelygafferintheendofall，thewayI’llgoromancingthrougharompinglifetimefromthishourtothedawningofthejudgmentday。[Hegoesout。]
MICHAEL。BythewillofGod，we’llhavepeacenowforourdrinks。Willyoudrawtheporter，Pegeen？
SHAWN——[goinguptoher。]——It’samiracleFatherReillycanwedusintheendofall，andwe’llhavenonetotroubleuswhenhisviciousbiteishealed。
PEGEEN——[hittinghimaboxontheear。]——Quitmysight。（Puttinghershawloverherheadandbreakingoutintowildlamentations。）Ohmygrief，I’velosthimsurely。I’velosttheonlyPlayboyoftheWesternWorld。
CURTAIN
THEPLAYBOYOFTHEWESTERNWORLDwasfirstproducedbytheNationalTheatreSociety，Ltd。，attheAbbeyTheatre，onSaturday，26thJanuary，1907，underthedirectionofW。G。Fay。
ChristopherMahon，W。G。FAY
OldMahon，hisfather，asquatter，A。POWER。
MichaelJamesFlaherty（called\"MichaelJames\"），apublican，ARTHURSINCLAIR。
MargaretFlaherty（called\"PegeenMike\"），hisdaughter，MARIEO’NEILL。
ShawnKeogh，hersecondcousin，ayoungfarmer，F。J。FAY。
smallfarmers，PhillyO’Cullen，J。A。O’ROURKE。
JimmyFarrell，J。M。KERRIGAN。
WidowQuin，SARAALLGOOD
villagegirls，SaraTansey，BRIGITO’DEMPSEY
SusanBrady，ALICEO’SULLIVAN
HonorBlake，MARYCRAIG。
Peasants，HARRYYOUNG。
U。WRIGHT。