r, believe me, you'll
go facing home on shank's mare!

_Taig: (Whimpering.)_ It's a very unkind thing
you to go screeching that out before the King,
that will maybe strike my head off!

_Sibby_: Did ever you know of anyone making a
quarrel in a whisper? To wed with the King's
daughter, you would? To go vanquish the water-worm,
you would? I'll engage you ran before you
went anear him!

_Taig_: If I didn't I'd be tore with his claws
and scorched with his fiery breath. It is likely
I'd be going home dead!

_Sibby_: Strip off now that cloak and that body-coat
and come along with me, or I'll make split
marrow of you! What call have you to a suit
that is worth more than the whole of the County
Mayo? You're tricky and too much tricks in you,
and you were born for tricks! It would be right
you to be turned into the shape of a limping
foxy cat!

_Taig: (Weeping as he takes off clothes.)_ Sure
I thought it no harm to try to go better
myself.

_Prince of Marshes: (Giving his cloak and coat.)_
Here, I bestow these to you. If you were a while
ago a tailor among kings, from this out you will
be a king among tailors.

_Sibby: (Curtseying.)_ Well, then, my thousand
blessings on you! He'll be as proud as the world
of that. Now, Taig, you'll be as dressed up as the

best of them! Come on now to Oughtmana, as
it is long till you'll quit it.

_(They go towards door.)_

_Dragon: (Putting his head in at window.)_ Manus,
King of Sorcha, I am starved with the want of food.
Give me a bit to eat.

_Fintan_: He is not put down! He will devour
the whole of us! I'd sooner face a bullet and
ten guns!

_Dragon_: It is not mannerly to eat without
being invited. Is it any harm to ask where will
I find a meal will suit me?

_Princess_: Oh, does he ask to make a meal of
me, after all?

_Dragon_: I am hungry and dancing with the
hunger! It was you, Manus, stopped me from the
one meal. Let you set before me another.

_King_: There is reason in that. Drive up now
for him a bullock from t