Why don't you speak to me? Why don't yo...

Why don't you speak to me?

Why don't you say:

"Are you not weary gathering those sticks?

Are not your fingers cold?" You have not one word,

While yesterday you spoke three times. You said:

"The well is full of hazel leaves." You said:

"The wind is from the west." And after that:

"If there is rain it's likely there'll be mud."

To-day you are as stupid as a fish,

No, worse, worse, being less lively and as dumb.

Your eyes Ere dazed and heavy. If the Sidhe

Must have a guardian to clean out the well

And drive the cattle off, they might choose somebody

That can be pleasant and companionable

Once in the day. Why do you stare like that?

You had that glassy look about the eyes

Last time it happened. Do you know anything?

It is enough to drive an old man crazy

To look all day upon these broken rocks,

And ragged thorns, and that one stupid face,

And speak and get no answer.

For full extended monologue, please refer to clips or the script edition cited here: William Butler Yeats, At the Hawk’s Well, Public domain, 1916. Full Text.

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