The Unicorn from the Stars

make my whole life strong and beautiful like the rushing of the unicorns, and then, and then⁠— Johnny Bacach’s Voice At window. A poor person I am, without food, without a way, without portion, without costs, without a person or a stranger, without means, without hope, without health, without warmth⁠— Andrew Looking towards window. It is that troop of beggars. Bringing their tricks and their thieveries they are to the Kinvara Fair. Martin Impatiently. There is no quiet⁠—come to the other room. I am trying to remember. They go to door of inner room, but Andrew stops him. Andrew They are a bad-looking fleet. I have a mind to drive them away, giving them a charity. Martin Drive them away or come away from their voices. Another Voice

I put under the power of my prayer

All that will give me help.
Rafael keep him Wednesday,
Sachiel feed him Thursday,
Hamiel provide him Friday,
Cassiel increase him Saturday.

Sure giving to us is giving to the Lord and laying up a store in the treasury of heaven.

Andrew Whisht! He is entering by the window! Johnny climbs up. Johnny That I may never sin, but the place is empty. Paudeen Go in and see what can you make a grab at. Johnny Getting in. That every blessing I gave may be turned to a curse on them that left the place so bare! He turns things over. I might chance something in this chest if it was open. Andrew begins creeping towards him. Nanny Outside. Hurry on, now, you limping crabfish you! We can’t be stopping here while you’ll boil stirabout! Johnny Seizing bag of money and holding it up high in both hands. Look at this, now, look! Andrew comes behind, seizes his arm. Johnny Letting bag fall with a crash. Destruction on us all! Martin Running forward, seizes him. Heads disappear. That is it! O, I remember. That is what happened. That is the command. Who was it sent you here with that command? Johnny It was misery sent me in, and starvation, and the hard ways of the world. Nanny Outside. It was that, my poor child, and my one son only. Show mercy to him now and he after leaving gaol this morning. Martin To Andrew. I was trying to remember it⁠—when he spoke that word it all came back to me. I saw a bright many-changing figure; it was holding up a shining vessel holds up arms; then the vessel fell and was broken with a great crash; then I saw the unicorns trampling it. They were breaking the world to pieces⁠—when I saw the cracks coming I shouted for joy! And I heard the command “Destroy, destroy, destruction is the life-giver! destroy!” Andrew What will we do with him? He was thinking to rob you of your gold. Martin How could I forget it or mistake it? It has all come upon me now; the reasons of it all, like a flood, like a flooded river. Johnny Weeping. It was the hunger brought me in and the drouth. Martin Were you given any other message? Did you see the unicorns? Johnny I saw nothing and heard nothing; near dead I am with the fright I got and with the hardship of the gaol. Martin To destroy, to overthrow all that comes between us and God, between us and that shining country. To break the wall, Andrew, to break the thing⁠—whatever it is that comes between, but where to begin⁠— Andrew What is it you are talking about? Martin It may be that this man is the beginning. He has been sent⁠—the poor, they have nothing, and so they can see heaven as we cannot. He and his comrades will understand me. But how to give all men high hearts that they may all understand? Johnny It’s the juice of the grey barley will do that. Andrew To rise everybody’s heart, is it? Is it that was your meaning all the time? If you will take the blame of it all, I’ll do what you want. Give me the bag of money then. He takes it up. O, I’ve a heart like your own. I’ll lift the world, too. The people will be running from all parts. O, it will be a great day in this district. Johnny Will I go with you? Martin No, you must stay here; we have things to do and to plan. Johnny Destroyed we all are with the hunger and the drouth. Martin Go, then, get food and drink, whatever is wanted to give you strength and courage. Gather your people together here, bring them all in. We have a great thing to do. I have to begin⁠—I want to tell it to the whole world. Bring them in, bring them in, I will make the house ready. He stands looking up as if in ecstasy; Andrew and Johnny Bacach go out.

Act II

The same workshop. Martin seen arranging mugs and bread, etc., on a table. Father John comes in, knocking at open door as he comes; his mind intensely absorbed.

Martin	Come in, come in, I have got the house ready. Here is bread and meat⁠—everybody is welcome. Hearing no answer, turns round.
Father John	Martin, I have come back. There is something I want to say to you.
Martin	You are welcome, there are others coming. They are not of your sort, but all are welcome.
Father John	I have remembered suddenly something that I read when I was in the seminary.
Martin	You seem very tired.
Father John	Sitting down. I had almost got back to my own place when I thought of it. I have run part of the way. It is very important; it is about the trance that you have been in. When one is inspired from above, either in trance or in contemplation, one remembers afterwards all that one has seen and read. I think there must be something about it in St. Thomas. I know that