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.

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