Mr. Yeats (corroborating Constable 170C): “I saw the defendant at the performance last night in the Abbey Theatre. There was an organized disturbance by a section of the pit to prevent the play being heard. I saw the defendant arrested, and saw him before the arrest rise up and yell at the top of his voice.”

Mr. Mahony (from the bench): “Did he say anything?”

Mr. Yeats: “He addressed some words to me in Irish.”

Mr. Mahony: “Were they complimentary or the reverse?”

Mr. Yeats: “I am sorry to say I understand no Irish.”

Mr. Mahony: “Well, I know some Irish, and I know that one can say very scathing things in Irish.”

Hugh Kenner, A Colder Eye