The Finnesburh Fragment:
Alike Beowulf, Hnaefs men are attacked in the hall by Finn's retainers, real early in the morning. Beowulf's men were also attacked in the hall at night while they were sleeping. There was a feud and Finn ended up marrying Hnaef's sister, who was given to him as a peace pledge. Hrothgar's wife was also given to him as a peace pledge. Hnaef is visiting Finn and Beowulf was also visiting Hrothgar when they were both attacked. Hnaef's men were attacked by Finn's men because of the feud that had been on before. Finn, however, may not have been aware of the attack. The story of Finn and his wife and men is in Beowulf. It is that short poem inside of Beowulf.
Widsith:
Beowulf is almost not a book we read today, for it was almost lost in a fire. Someone found it and translated it and now we have the poem today. The only text of Widsith
is in the Exeter Book. Offa was the youngest of all the warriors who won in such a great battle. He achieved more glory than anyone else his age. Beowulf and Widsith are both great warriors and the both travel. They both like to brag about themselves and be the best.
The Saga of Grettir the Stong:
Evil beings have struck them and no one knew quite what was happening. Grendel also kept appearing, attacking the men in there sleep, however the men knew it was he, who kept coming back for them. Grettir was strong and brave. He went to Sandhaugar on Christmas Eve to take care of the ghost and hauntings that were occurring. He was very full of himself and knew he was strong. So he stayed with them and Steinvor went to Mass. Grettir cut the trollwomen's arm off, just as Beowulf pulled Grendel's arm.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Dialectical Journal
20.) Pg. 99 - Line 1417 - "It was a sore blow to all of the Danes, friends of the Shieldings, a hurt to each and every one of that noble company when they came upon Aeschere's head at the foot of the cliff."
-Stating simply that Grendel's mom has revenged. To show that she has repaid the Geats for Grendels death she puts Aeschere's head at the foot of the cliff so all can see it. It is a symbol of Grendel's arm that once hung in there building.
21.) Pg. 103 - Line 1480 - "If this combat kills me, take care of my young company, my comrades in arms."
-This show Beowulfs loyalty to his people and his possessions. He wants to make sure, as he goes into battle, that he has someone to take care of his men, if he shall die. Beowulf also decides to send his gifts to a friend. He asks Hrothgar to be a father like figure and send his possessions to Hygelac if he should perish.
22.) Pg. 103 - Line 1495 - "It was the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom."
-Thus meaning he swam all day to get to the bottom of the lake/mud sludge to slay Grendel's mom. He has the strength to hold his breath for a very long time.
23.) Pg. 105 - Line 1522 - "But he soon found his battle-torch extinguished: the shining blade refused to bite."
-Beowulf realizes that his sword is not going to help him slay Grendel's mom. He finds out that the sword will not kill her or damage her in anyway.
24.) Pg. 107 - Line 1557 - "Then he saw a blade that boded well, a sword in her armoury, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants, an ideal weapon, one that any warrior would envy, but so huge and heavy of itself only Beowulf could wield it in a battle."
-Beowulf finds an ancient sword in Grendel's moms lair. He decides to use it in battle against her, thinking it is magical. He knows that it is an heirloom and believes it was not made by man. It will slay her and he will be a hero.
25.) Pg. 109 - Line 1588 - "The body gaped at the stroke dealt to it after death: Beowulf cut the corpse's head off."
-Beowulf found Grendel's body and decides to prove Grendel dead by cutting off his head and swimming to the top of the water with it.
-Stating simply that Grendel's mom has revenged. To show that she has repaid the Geats for Grendels death she puts Aeschere's head at the foot of the cliff so all can see it. It is a symbol of Grendel's arm that once hung in there building.
21.) Pg. 103 - Line 1480 - "If this combat kills me, take care of my young company, my comrades in arms."
-This show Beowulfs loyalty to his people and his possessions. He wants to make sure, as he goes into battle, that he has someone to take care of his men, if he shall die. Beowulf also decides to send his gifts to a friend. He asks Hrothgar to be a father like figure and send his possessions to Hygelac if he should perish.
22.) Pg. 103 - Line 1495 - "It was the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom."
-Thus meaning he swam all day to get to the bottom of the lake/mud sludge to slay Grendel's mom. He has the strength to hold his breath for a very long time.
23.) Pg. 105 - Line 1522 - "But he soon found his battle-torch extinguished: the shining blade refused to bite."
-Beowulf realizes that his sword is not going to help him slay Grendel's mom. He finds out that the sword will not kill her or damage her in anyway.
24.) Pg. 107 - Line 1557 - "Then he saw a blade that boded well, a sword in her armoury, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants, an ideal weapon, one that any warrior would envy, but so huge and heavy of itself only Beowulf could wield it in a battle."
-Beowulf finds an ancient sword in Grendel's moms lair. He decides to use it in battle against her, thinking it is magical. He knows that it is an heirloom and believes it was not made by man. It will slay her and he will be a hero.
25.) Pg. 109 - Line 1588 - "The body gaped at the stroke dealt to it after death: Beowulf cut the corpse's head off."
-Beowulf found Grendel's body and decides to prove Grendel dead by cutting off his head and swimming to the top of the water with it.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Literary Devices
1. Conceit -n.- egotism, self-admiration - In Emily Dickinson's poem “There is no frigate like a book.”
2. Connotation -n.- undertone, hidden meaning, hint - Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" which includes the famous line "water, water, everywhere."
2. Connotation -n.- undertone, hidden meaning, hint - Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" which includes the famous line "water, water, everywhere."
3. Colloquial Diction - A level of language in a work that approximates the speech of ordinary people - Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, where the main characters Huck and especially Jim speak using slang.
4. Comedy -n.- satire, slapstick, drama - The Three Stooges, - "A Modest Proposal"
5. Controlling Metaphors - Metaphors that dominate or organize an entire poem. -
Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day Sonnet 18 William Shakespeare
6. Cosmic Irony - Fate, the Universe, God, or whichever omnipotent force you choose makes it their sole purpose to mess with your life -
Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat" - In "The Open Boat," Crane's theme,cosmic irony, is illustrated through the use of symbols for isolation,insignificance, and indifference.
7. Denotation -n.- the literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the fellings or ideas that the word suggests. - "The Mending Wall" by Robert Frost
8. Dramatic Irony - when the words and actions of the characters of a work of literature have a different meaning for the reader than they do for the characters. - Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter"
9. Dramatic Monologue - a piece of spoken verse that offers great insight into the feelings of the speaker - "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning
10. Echo -n.- a close parallel or repetition of an idea, felling, style, or event - In Eliot's "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."
11. Elegy -n.- a poem of serious reflection - Walt Whitman's "When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd"
12. Epigram -n.- a short poem having a witty or ingenious ending - Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "On a Volenteer Singer" compares and contrasts the death of swans with that of humans. "Swans sing before they die- 'twere no bad thing
Should certain people die before they sing!"
Should certain people die before they sing!"
13. Existential Character - A person, real or fictional, who, whatever his or her past or conditioning, can change by an act of will.
14. Extended Metaphor - comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph or lines in a poem - the grass in Whitman's "Song of Myself"
15. Farce -n.- an absurd event - The play "Charley's Aunt" by Brandon Thomas
16. Flashback -n.- a scene in a movie, novel, set in a time earlier than the main story - Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" uses flashback to relate Willy Loman's memories of the past.
17. Formal Diction - language that is lofty, dignified, or impersonal. -
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Dialectical Journal
15.) Pg. 63 Line 941 - " Whoever she was who brought forth this flower of manhood, ... Lord of Ages bestowed a grace on her."
-The role of women is to have sons. These sons are then to be turned into warriors. The women are to please the men and raise there sons to be warriors to defend there country.
16.) Pg. 69 Line 1034 - "Next the king ordered eight horses with gold bridles to be brought through the yard into the hall."
-These horses are a reward to Beowulf for killing Grendel and saving the men. These horses are a symbol of power and strength. Beowulf is given these horses as a gift for protecting his men.
17.) Pg. 71 Line 1052 - "And compensation, a price in gold, was settled for the Geat Grendel had cruelly killed earlier--..."
-Hrothgar feels bad that Grendel killed one of the Geat men while they were there helping him and his men. Hrothgar feels responsible for the loss of a Geat. These men were there to help serve Hrothgar and his men, so if it weren't for Grendel and his problem with Grendel, the Geat man would probably not have died.
18.) Pg. 71 Line 1070 - "Hildeburh had little cause to credit the Jutes:...Over sea-lanes then back to Daneland the warrior troop bore that lady home."
-This is a poem about a battle that happened between the Danes and the Freshlins. It is a foreshadow of what is going to happen at Heorot when it gets burned down. This fits under the theme of ambush. Heorot is going to be ambushed and the Danes ambushed the Freslins also.
19.) Pg. 89 Line 1278 - "But now his mother had sallied forth on a savage journey, grief-racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge.
-This is a foreshadow of what she will be doing to anyone that gets in the way of her path. She is the mother of Grendel who just got killed. She is a grieving mother and will do anything to revenge his death.
-The role of women is to have sons. These sons are then to be turned into warriors. The women are to please the men and raise there sons to be warriors to defend there country.
16.) Pg. 69 Line 1034 - "Next the king ordered eight horses with gold bridles to be brought through the yard into the hall."
-These horses are a reward to Beowulf for killing Grendel and saving the men. These horses are a symbol of power and strength. Beowulf is given these horses as a gift for protecting his men.
17.) Pg. 71 Line 1052 - "And compensation, a price in gold, was settled for the Geat Grendel had cruelly killed earlier--..."
-Hrothgar feels bad that Grendel killed one of the Geat men while they were there helping him and his men. Hrothgar feels responsible for the loss of a Geat. These men were there to help serve Hrothgar and his men, so if it weren't for Grendel and his problem with Grendel, the Geat man would probably not have died.
18.) Pg. 71 Line 1070 - "Hildeburh had little cause to credit the Jutes:...Over sea-lanes then back to Daneland the warrior troop bore that lady home."
-This is a poem about a battle that happened between the Danes and the Freshlins. It is a foreshadow of what is going to happen at Heorot when it gets burned down. This fits under the theme of ambush. Heorot is going to be ambushed and the Danes ambushed the Freslins also.
19.) Pg. 89 Line 1278 - "But now his mother had sallied forth on a savage journey, grief-racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge.
-This is a foreshadow of what she will be doing to anyone that gets in the way of her path. She is the mother of Grendel who just got killed. She is a grieving mother and will do anything to revenge his death.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Dialectical Journal
6.) Pg. 39 - Line 365 - "Instead, in the morning, mangled and sleeping the sleep of the sword, they slopped and floated like the ocean's leavings."
-This is an understatement. It means that the sea monsters are dead but instead of saying that, they say that they are sleeping. Beowulf killed them and now the pieces of their body are just floating in the sea.
7.) Pg. 41 - Line 587 - "You killed your own kith and kin, so for all your cleverness and quick tongue, you will suffer damnation in the depths of hell."
-Killing your kin is the sin of all sins. One that may not be forgiven. Also a symbol of Cain, who killed his brother Abel. Beowulf accused Unferth of killing his kin.
8.) Pg. 41 - Line 412 - "Wealhtheow came in, Hrothgar's queen, ... courtisies." and "...she graciously saluted the men in the hall, then handed the cup first to Hrothgar, their homeland's guardian, ... dear to them."
-Wealhteow is a symbol of the role of women. The womens role is to serve the men. She is the hostess, required to please the men and do what they ask of her. She is also a symbol of peace. She is supposed to relieve the men of their stresses and she is there to provide the men comfort.
9.) Pg. 45 - Line 669 - "And the Geat placed complete trust in his strength of limb and the Lord's favour."
-Saying Beowulf believes that God will help, whoever, he thinks should win. Beowulf thinks that God wants him to win, which means that God will help Beowulf win. Beowulf later takes off all of his armor and puts down his weapons. He is putting his whole body in the arms of God, for God to guide him the way he pleases.
10.) Pg. 47 - Line 683 - "No weapons, therefore, for either this night: unarmed he shall face me if fave me he dares. And may the Divine Lord in his wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit."
-Beowulf now takes off his armor. He fully believes that God will help him win. Beowulf thinks that God will take care of him and help him defeat Beowulf. He also believes in wyrd/fate. He trusts God but also he thinks that if it is meant to happen it will happen.
11.) Pg. 49 - Line 730 - "And his glee was demonic...but his fate that night was due to change, his days of ravening had come to an end."
-This is a foreshadow of Grendel's fate. This basically hints that Grendel will not make it much longer. It states that Grendel is going to die. Beowulf is going to kill him.
12.) Pg. 51 - Line 754 - "He was desperate to flee to his den and hide with the devil's litter, for in all his days he had never been clamped or cornered like this."
-Grendel is a monster. He has never been contained in a space. He doesn't like to be around others and he is never actually fought against. No one has ever made it as far to make him want to run away. He is tired and wants to go to his lair and rest.
13.) Line 799 - "When they joined the struggle there was something they could not have known at the time, that no blade on earth, no blacksmith's art could ever damage their opponent."
-Grendel is strong. Many men tried to fight him. However, Grendel has the "mark of Cain." This is a mark by God. God told Cain that he would protect him with the mark, people around them knew who he was.
14.) Pg. 55 - Line 832 - "Clear proof of this could be seen in the hand the hero displayed high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel's shoulder and arm, his awesome grasp."
-Beowulf took Grendel's arm to show off that fact that he killed Grendel. His arm is like a trophy. Beowulf is arrogant and wants everone to be proud of him. He wants to be important.
-This is an understatement. It means that the sea monsters are dead but instead of saying that, they say that they are sleeping. Beowulf killed them and now the pieces of their body are just floating in the sea.
7.) Pg. 41 - Line 587 - "You killed your own kith and kin, so for all your cleverness and quick tongue, you will suffer damnation in the depths of hell."
-Killing your kin is the sin of all sins. One that may not be forgiven. Also a symbol of Cain, who killed his brother Abel. Beowulf accused Unferth of killing his kin.
8.) Pg. 41 - Line 412 - "Wealhtheow came in, Hrothgar's queen, ... courtisies." and "...she graciously saluted the men in the hall, then handed the cup first to Hrothgar, their homeland's guardian, ... dear to them."
-Wealhteow is a symbol of the role of women. The womens role is to serve the men. She is the hostess, required to please the men and do what they ask of her. She is also a symbol of peace. She is supposed to relieve the men of their stresses and she is there to provide the men comfort.
9.) Pg. 45 - Line 669 - "And the Geat placed complete trust in his strength of limb and the Lord's favour."
-Saying Beowulf believes that God will help, whoever, he thinks should win. Beowulf thinks that God wants him to win, which means that God will help Beowulf win. Beowulf later takes off all of his armor and puts down his weapons. He is putting his whole body in the arms of God, for God to guide him the way he pleases.
10.) Pg. 47 - Line 683 - "No weapons, therefore, for either this night: unarmed he shall face me if fave me he dares. And may the Divine Lord in his wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit."
-Beowulf now takes off his armor. He fully believes that God will help him win. Beowulf thinks that God will take care of him and help him defeat Beowulf. He also believes in wyrd/fate. He trusts God but also he thinks that if it is meant to happen it will happen.
11.) Pg. 49 - Line 730 - "And his glee was demonic...but his fate that night was due to change, his days of ravening had come to an end."
-This is a foreshadow of Grendel's fate. This basically hints that Grendel will not make it much longer. It states that Grendel is going to die. Beowulf is going to kill him.
12.) Pg. 51 - Line 754 - "He was desperate to flee to his den and hide with the devil's litter, for in all his days he had never been clamped or cornered like this."
-Grendel is a monster. He has never been contained in a space. He doesn't like to be around others and he is never actually fought against. No one has ever made it as far to make him want to run away. He is tired and wants to go to his lair and rest.
13.) Line 799 - "When they joined the struggle there was something they could not have known at the time, that no blade on earth, no blacksmith's art could ever damage their opponent."
-Grendel is strong. Many men tried to fight him. However, Grendel has the "mark of Cain." This is a mark by God. God told Cain that he would protect him with the mark, people around them knew who he was.
14.) Pg. 55 - Line 832 - "Clear proof of this could be seen in the hand the hero displayed high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel's shoulder and arm, his awesome grasp."
-Beowulf took Grendel's arm to show off that fact that he killed Grendel. His arm is like a trophy. Beowulf is arrogant and wants everone to be proud of him. He wants to be important.
Dialectical Journal
1.) Pg. 23 - Line 316 - "May the Almighty Father keep you and in His kindness watch over your exploits."
This statement if a symbol of God and his hospitality. God is going to keep Beowulf and his men safe while the guard goes back to work down on the coast.
2.) Pg. 25 - Line 337 - "Stoutness of heart, bravery not banishment, must have bought you to Hrothgar."
This suggests that some might have been banished in the past. It is also saying that Beowulf and his men are brave and are going because they want to help, not because they feel like they have to.
3.) Pg. 27 - Line 377 - "A crew of seamen...with the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand."
Grendel killed 30 men as well. Symbol of strength. Beowulf killed 30 men in each hand. Grendel killed 30 men with both hands. This could mean that Beowulf is stronger then Grendel and might very well defeat him at a later time.
4.) Pg. 31 - Line 442 - "If Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day; ... flower of manhood as on others before."
Gruesome is an understatement in this sentence. If Grendel does win it will be a living Hell for all. Grendel will be fought hand to hand against Beowulf. Hopefully Beowulf wins and saves his people from a terribly troublesome life (an understatement as well).
5.) Pg. 31 - Line 445 - "Then my face won't be there ... in a cruel frenzy, fouling his moor-nest."
Grendel lives in a swampy area which is a moor-nest. This is a symbol of something dirty and cruel. Swamps smell bad and nobody wants to be around them. Same goes with Grendel. No one wants to be around him. God cursed Cain's land. Nothing grows in Cain's land. Nothing grows in a swamp, as far as the bog/mud pit, nothing grows. Things grow around the swampy areas but not in the swamp.
This statement if a symbol of God and his hospitality. God is going to keep Beowulf and his men safe while the guard goes back to work down on the coast.
2.) Pg. 25 - Line 337 - "Stoutness of heart, bravery not banishment, must have bought you to Hrothgar."
This suggests that some might have been banished in the past. It is also saying that Beowulf and his men are brave and are going because they want to help, not because they feel like they have to.
3.) Pg. 27 - Line 377 - "A crew of seamen...with the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand."
Grendel killed 30 men as well. Symbol of strength. Beowulf killed 30 men in each hand. Grendel killed 30 men with both hands. This could mean that Beowulf is stronger then Grendel and might very well defeat him at a later time.
4.) Pg. 31 - Line 442 - "If Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day; ... flower of manhood as on others before."
Gruesome is an understatement in this sentence. If Grendel does win it will be a living Hell for all. Grendel will be fought hand to hand against Beowulf. Hopefully Beowulf wins and saves his people from a terribly troublesome life (an understatement as well).
5.) Pg. 31 - Line 445 - "Then my face won't be there ... in a cruel frenzy, fouling his moor-nest."
Grendel lives in a swampy area which is a moor-nest. This is a symbol of something dirty and cruel. Swamps smell bad and nobody wants to be around them. Same goes with Grendel. No one wants to be around him. God cursed Cain's land. Nothing grows in Cain's land. Nothing grows in a swamp, as far as the bog/mud pit, nothing grows. Things grow around the swampy areas but not in the swamp.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Efnisien
Character Research Project
Efnisien
Efnisien
1) Efnisien is the son of Penarddun and Eurosswydd. He is a twin to brother Nisien. He also has 3 half siblings, Bendigeidfran, Manawydan, and Branwen. Efnisien mutilated the horses that were given by king Mathowch so he could marry Branwen. He felt insulted they didn’t ask his consent before taking her. I guess that warrior would fit Efnisien. When, at the end of the story, he goes and kills all the men and he blows his heart up in the cauldron so they couldn’t resurrect anyone, he was trying to save them trouble.
2) Efnisien is only in one story “Branwen Daughter of Llyr.”
3) I think that Bendigeidfran was ashamed that Efnisien hurt all the horses. He didn’t really set a very good beginning for the family. At the start of the story he was kind of the outcast son but towards the end he started to help the family and then killed himself for them.
4) Efnisien is a considerate man to think of helping Branwen. He did not want her to have to marry king Mathowch if she didn’t want to. King Mathowch was also abusive to Branwen and only wanted her for him to be able to have a son, and then he locked her up. Also Efnisien was thinking of himself and what he felt when they were “insulting” him. He thought it to be rude of them not to ask him his permission before taking his half sister.
5) Drawing or Photo
6) Literary Device – Horses is a symbol of revenge in a way. Efnisien hurts the horses to show that he is insulted. He wants to punish the king for not having the proper attitude towards him. Also horses are a symbol of wealth and royalty.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Branwen Daughter of Llyr
In "Branwen Daughter of Llyr" there are many Motifs to think about such as magic, birds, cauldrons, and horses. I am going to talk about horses. Horses is a symbol of wealth and security. If one has a horse, one would assume royalty for the royal have money. The security comes into play because not many will be brave enough to fight back against one who is wealthy for they possess the most power. In the story, Efnisien is insulted, so he cuts off all Matholwch's horses' lips, ears, and tails. Then he permanently damaged the horses so they were useless. Later on, Efnisien repays back a horse for each of those he deformed as a form of blood money. This way Matholwch won't punish him for the wrong he has done and the trouble he has caused.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Death of Conchobhar Rewrite
The Ulstermen were drunk. A debate of great frustration was among them. Conall spoke to two of his men saying, “Bring me the brain of Meis-Geghra, so that I can talk to the warriors. It was common that the Ulstermen take out the brains of the warrior of whom they had killed in a single combat. Then they would harden the brain by mixing it with lime, so it could become a heavy ball. And when they argued, the brains would be brought to them so that they held them in their hands. “Conchobhar” said Conall, “when the warriors kill a man in singles combat like I did, they can speak to me.” “True” said Conchobhar.
The brain now sits on a shelf. Cet, son of Madu, came on a tour to Ulster. The Ulstermen hated Cet, for he was a great warrior of Ireland. He carried three warrior heads. While playing with the head of Meis-Geghra, one buffoon said to the other, “this is the head of Meis-Geghra.” Cet, angered by their foolishness, took the brain and carried it with him. Cet knew Meis-Geghra would one day avenge his death. Cet held the brain close through every battle fought with the Ulstermen. Cet came from the east with his cattle knowing the Ulstermen would follow. However, Connaught was waiting on the other side for the battle to begin. Conchobhar fought in the battle until the women of Connaught persuaded him to go with them. For they told him that there wasn’t a figure like him on all the earth. He had such shape and size, wisdom and good manners, weapons and amplitude. Conchobhar is perfect. It was Cet’s plan that the women take Conchobhar away and occupy him.
Cet put himself amongst the women and took out Meis-Geghra’s brain. He hit Conchobhar in the head with the brain so that two/thirds of the brain was indented into his head. Conchobhar fell to the ground. The Ulstermen carried Conchobhar off. The fight lasted until the same time the next day. Finghin, Conchobhar’s doctor, was brought to him after the battle. “Well,” he said, “if the stone is taken out of you head you will die immediately. If it is not taken out, I can heal you, but it will damage your figure.” The Ulstermen replied, “we would rather have is disfigurement than his death.”
His head was healed, sewn up, and hair the color of gold. The doctor told Conchobhar he should take care that he not get too angry, ride horses, do with women, eat too much food, or run. Conchobhar remained as he was for the rest of his life. For his remaining, seven years, he was able to only sit in his seat and do nothing. When he heard the Jews crucified Christ he was frightened. “What is this?” said Conchobhar to his druid. The druid replied, “ It is a great deed that is done there, Christ the Son of the Living God crucified by the Jews.” Conchobhar agreed. The druid told Conchobhar, “that man was born the same night that you were born, on the eighth day before the calends of January, though the year is not the same.
Then Conchobhar believed. He was one of the two men in all of Ireland that believed in God before the coming of the Faith. “A thousand armed men shall fall at my hand in rescuing Christ” said Conchobhar. He leapt for his spears and in fury broke them. Then with his sword he attacked the forest. In great rage the brain of Meis-Geghra popped out of his head and with it his own brain and he died.
The brain now sits on a shelf. Cet, son of Madu, came on a tour to Ulster. The Ulstermen hated Cet, for he was a great warrior of Ireland. He carried three warrior heads. While playing with the head of Meis-Geghra, one buffoon said to the other, “this is the head of Meis-Geghra.” Cet, angered by their foolishness, took the brain and carried it with him. Cet knew Meis-Geghra would one day avenge his death. Cet held the brain close through every battle fought with the Ulstermen. Cet came from the east with his cattle knowing the Ulstermen would follow. However, Connaught was waiting on the other side for the battle to begin. Conchobhar fought in the battle until the women of Connaught persuaded him to go with them. For they told him that there wasn’t a figure like him on all the earth. He had such shape and size, wisdom and good manners, weapons and amplitude. Conchobhar is perfect. It was Cet’s plan that the women take Conchobhar away and occupy him.
Cet put himself amongst the women and took out Meis-Geghra’s brain. He hit Conchobhar in the head with the brain so that two/thirds of the brain was indented into his head. Conchobhar fell to the ground. The Ulstermen carried Conchobhar off. The fight lasted until the same time the next day. Finghin, Conchobhar’s doctor, was brought to him after the battle. “Well,” he said, “if the stone is taken out of you head you will die immediately. If it is not taken out, I can heal you, but it will damage your figure.” The Ulstermen replied, “we would rather have is disfigurement than his death.”
His head was healed, sewn up, and hair the color of gold. The doctor told Conchobhar he should take care that he not get too angry, ride horses, do with women, eat too much food, or run. Conchobhar remained as he was for the rest of his life. For his remaining, seven years, he was able to only sit in his seat and do nothing. When he heard the Jews crucified Christ he was frightened. “What is this?” said Conchobhar to his druid. The druid replied, “ It is a great deed that is done there, Christ the Son of the Living God crucified by the Jews.” Conchobhar agreed. The druid told Conchobhar, “that man was born the same night that you were born, on the eighth day before the calends of January, though the year is not the same.
Then Conchobhar believed. He was one of the two men in all of Ireland that believed in God before the coming of the Faith. “A thousand armed men shall fall at my hand in rescuing Christ” said Conchobhar. He leapt for his spears and in fury broke them. Then with his sword he attacked the forest. In great rage the brain of Meis-Geghra popped out of his head and with it his own brain and he died.
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