Shield

Act 1 Scene 6

A field in Ireland

BRANWEN

Here at this set of tents in this sceptered isle of Badb and Morriagan (1), foul Matholwch seeks parley. Blessed are the peacemakers it is said.

ALBANY

Cheese makers? Something stinks here other than that, if you say one word here, incubus and I will strike you. Your sorceries interfere with the proper running of a state.

BRANWEN

Suffer not a witch to live.

FALCON

[aside]

Yea I will not move unless the other power I sense is worth my interest. For this land is still full of snakes and me a good falcon should deal with them right out or let some squirrel come to sow woe (2).

[Enter Matholwch, Eliawras, and retinue]

MATHOLWCH

Why should I do this, lord with antlers in you hair? I have Longanis' might, do I not? For if anyone understands its secrets

may rule the whole of the world.

ELIAWRAS

True my lord it has be written as such. From the liver of a fresh ewe I have seen that if your spear meets his sword, both of you will be stuck dead. You will be tossed to become Pluto's fool.

[Aside]

By a mirror, I say that this that if he fights. I will be stripped of limbs and slink bout stuck in the guise of what lay Cleopatra low. For the sight of me will cause a black blade to be drawn in a parley with a greater man and will be lain dead but not - mortally wounded - he promises to return at the crack of doom for one last fight (3). I will wind on 'til I am stuck dead, in self-love I do not want to be cursed so.

ALBANY

What another druid? Is he a friend of yours, falcon? You two planned this meet so that peace is wrought. I trust your kind not.

FALCON

I do not know this man, for Eliawras slithers only in Matholwch's ear. I make no distinction to serve Bran or not. I care not where the squirrel strips the wood and eat the corn of the all powerful world tree, under which mother Fortune sits. (2)

MATHOLWCH

[seeing King Bran]

Ho! Is that the king, I have a longer beard than he!

MANAWYDDAN

Hold your tongue or I will have it out through your stomach. For Jove, Odin, Dagda, and all above have set him to sit on the Liagh Fail.

KING BRAN

Hold brother Manawyddan; better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his tempter than one who takes a city. We came to talk not to start a fight. Come friends let us sit and do such for the equable wooing of Venus albeit I have my own queen to love me and advise me.

MATHOLWCH

Woe to any country that is ruled by a child or a woman. (4)

KENT

Say that again and I will make a haggis out of you.

FALCON

[amused]

Hag's dish? Out of the innards of sheep, suet, and meats boiled and brewed, very delicious indeed for "the ladies from hell."

[To King Bran]

Show the sword and speak the words.

ALBANY

[starts to draw his sword]

You are not to interfere!

BRANWEN

Peace, Albany. Take note of this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life. Peace Kent. Peace, brother Manawyddan. Hold your anger not for that is what Christ taught.

QUEEN DRAGONFLY

Dearest husband, lord. My advice you seek, show them the sword and say the words that changeling taught you to speak. For peace with a man despised is better than the enemies that we do not know there of.

KING BRAN

Behold! Behold, Matholwch, this sword.

[He draws his sword; it gives off an unnatural hue]

Look onto it well Eiru, Badnbha, Fodla. (5) Behold the sword of power begotten of all words, all gods, made when man was young when field and flower were one with man and man with them. Made when the rainbow had more than seven colors.

MATHOLWCH

I quake in fear of it - for I am almost blinded by the shine of this lighting made steel.

ELIAWRAS

Hold fast, lord, forget you Longinis in your hand?

[Pauses to think]

My lord, yield to it.

MATHOLWCH

What? Why should I?

ELIAWRAS

Play along petty tyrant for you are under my sway.

AILILL

[aside to Nissyen]

I do not like this situation. Eliawras the Druid is no fool. He is a blight of venom and vigor.



NISSYEN

[aside]

You would know, blue-painted Pict. If only I were chose king instead of he, yet I must be content as caswallawn of the Privy Purse. From my place there, I put Gwawl Llwyd into debt. To pay his due, Pryderi took away his wife.

MATHOLWCH

If I yield to the sword of power, what will be mine?

BRANWEN

Four and twenty white horses, quick of speed and a gold plate as big as your head...

QUEEN DRAGONFLY

Two ermine cloaks and a chalice of gold, silver, emerald, and jade...

KENT

[aside]

These women give away too much, if we are not careful they might give away the whole of the kingdom.

MATHOLWCH

Is this an insult? Do you want to war with my bleeding spear? That is not enough for me.

KING BRAN

So then, Matholwch... The land of Eire from here to there and the hand of Branwen, my sister, for by blood and steel peace is best maintained. For I will not raise my hand against by brother-in-law and Justice will strike me dead and anyone who would kill their own family with some horrible curse. May this be so to anyone who breaks this bond forged here...

Extent

One:

Badb and Morrigan, Irish Goddesses

Two:

Reference to the World Tree where in its branches sits a hawk, falcon, or eagle that is at war with the wyrm, snake, or serpent at its roots. The squirrel runs messages between the enemies and brings about the end of the world.

Three:

Snake references

Four:

Child or Woman. He is saying that because Bran does not have a beard is not a man, but a child. He is also insulting that it seems that Queen Dragonfly advises him.

Five:

Eiru, Badnbha, and Fodla principal Irish Goddesses of Sovereignty