The Complete Works. William Butler Yeats

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СКАЧАТЬ there about a king, that’s in the world

      From birth to burial like another man,

      That he should change old customs, that were in it

      As long as ever the world has been a world?

      SECOND CRIPPLE.

      If I were king I would not meddle with him,

      For there is something queer about a poet.

      I knew of one that would be making rhyme

      Under a thorn at crossing of three roads.

      He was as ragged as ourselves, and yet

      He was no sooner dead than every thorn tree

      From Inchy to Kiltartan withered away.

      FIRST CRIPPLE.

      The King is but a fool!

      MAYOR.

      I am getting ready.

      FIRST CRIPPLE.

      A poet has power from beyond the world,

      That he may set our thoughts upon old times,

      And lucky queens and little holy fish

      That rise up every seventh year——

      MAYOR.

      Hush! hush!

      FIRST CRIPPLE.

      To cure the crippled.

      MAYOR.

      I am half ready now.

      BRIAN.

      There’s not a mischief I’d begrudge the King

      If it were any other——

      MAYOR.

      Hush! I am ready.

      BRIAN.

      That died to get it. I have brought out the food,

      And if my master will not eat of it,

      I’ll home and get provision for his wake,

      For that’s no great way off. Well, have your say,

      But don’t be long about it.

      MAYOR.

       [Goes close to SEANCHAN.]

      Chief Poet of Ireland,

      I am the Mayor of your own town Kinvara,

      And I am come to tell you that the news

      Of this great trouble with the King of Gort

      Has plunged us in deep sorrow—part for you,

      Our honoured townsman, part for our good town.

      [Begins to hesitate; scratching his head.

      But what comes now? Something about the King.

      BRIAN.

      Get on! get on! The food is all set out.

      MAYOR.

      Don’t hurry me.

      FIRST CRIPPLE.

      Give us a taste of it.

      He’ll not begrudge it.

      SECOND CRIPPLE.

      Let them that have their limbs

      Starve if they will. We have to keep in mind

      The stomach God has left us.

      MAYOR.

      Hush! I have it!

      The King was said to be most friendly to us,

      And we have reason, as you’ll recollect,

      For thinking that he was about to give

      Those grazing lands inland we so much need,

      Being pinched between the water and the stones.

      Our mowers mow with knives between the stones;

      The sea washes the meadows. You know well

      We have asked nothing but what’s reasonable.

      SEANCHAN.

      Reason in plenty. Yellowy white hair,

      A hollow face, and not too many teeth.

      How comes it he has been so long in the world

      And not found Reason out?

      [While saying this he has turned half round. He hardly looks at the MAYOR.

      BRIAN.

       [Trying to pull MAYOR away.]

      What good is there

      In telling him what he has heard all day!

      I will set food before him.

      MAYOR.

       [Shoving BRIAN away.]

      Don’t hurry me!

      It’s small respect you’re showing to the town!

      Get farther off! [To SEANCHAN.] We would not have you think,

      Weighty as these considerations are,

      That they have been as weighty in our minds

      As our desire that one we take much pride in,

      A man that’s been an honour to our town,

      Should live and prosper; therefore we beseech you

      To give way in a matter of no moment,

      A matter of mere sentiment—a trifle—

      That we may always keep our pride in you.

      [He finishes this speech with a pompous air, motions to BRIAN to bring the food to SEANCHAN, and sits on seat.

      BRIAN.

      Master, master, eat СКАЧАТЬ