You shall go with me, newly-married bride, And gaze upon a merrier multitude: White-armed Nuala and Ardroe the Wise, Feacra of the hurtling foam, and him Who is the ruler of the western host, Finvarra, and their Land of Heart's Desire, Where beauty has no ebb, decay no flood, But joy is wisdom, Time an endless song. I kiss you and the world begins to fade. (FATHER HART: Daughter, I call you unto home and love!) Stay, and come with me, newly-married bride, For, if you hear him, you grow like the rest: Bear children, cook, be mindful of the churn, And wrangle over butter, fowl, and eggs, And sit at last there, old and bitter of tongue, Watching the white stars war upon your hopes. (FATHER HART: Daughter, I point you out the way to heaven!) But I can lead you, newly-married bride, Where nobody gets old and crafty and wise, Where nobody gets old and godly and grave, Where nobody gets old and bitter of tongue, And where kind tongues bring no captivity, For we are only true to the far lights We follow singing, over valley and hill.

The Child Monologue from The Land of Heart's Desire

Rehearse The Child's monologue