Matheson Collection > Death-tales of the Ulster heroes

THE DEATH OF CONCHOBAR 9
9. In the meantime his physician was brought to Conchobar, even
Fingen. 'Tis he who would know from the smoke that arose from a
house how many were ill in the house, and every disease that was in
it. ' Well,' said Fingen, ' if the stone is taken out of thy head, thou
wilt be dead forthwith. If it is not taken out, however, I would
heal thee, but it will be a blemish for thee.' 'It is easier for us,'
said the men of Ulster, ' to bear the blemish than his death.'
10. His head was then healed; and it was stitched with thread of
gold, for the colour of Conchobar's hair was the same as the colour of
gold. And the physician said to Conchobar that he should be on his
guard lest anger should come on him, and that he should not mount
a horse, that he should not have connexion with a woman, that he
should not eat food greedily, and that he should not run.
1 1 . In that doubtful state, then, he was as long as he lived, even
seven years ; and he was not capable of action, but remained in his
seat only, until he heard that Christ had been crucified by the Jews.
At that time a great trembling came over the elements, and the
heavens and the earth shook with the enormity of the deed that
was then done, even Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, to be
crucified without guilt. ' What is this ? ' said Conchobar to his
druid. a ' What great evil is being done on this day ? ' ' That
is true, indeed,' said the druid [who then tells the story of the
Crucifixion]. ' Awful is that deed,' said Conchobar. ' That man,
now,' said the druid, ' was born in the same night in which thou
wast born, even on the eighth before the calends of January, though
the year was not the same.'
12. It was then that Conchobar believed. And he was one of the
two men that had believed in God in Ireland before the coming of the
Is fir or na druidi is gnim mor donither and .i. Crist mac De bi do chrochad la
Iudaidib .i. fer rogena[ir] a comais frit-si. Bachrach fili do Lagnib ise ro-indis
do Chonchobur Crist do chrochad Ed. 21 dochreit Ed. 22 do Christ add. Ed.
23 toisech add. Ed. 21 dochreit Ed. !s om. Ed. 26 mac Main add. Ed. 27 From here
to the end Ed. differs, as follows : ' Dofaetsat mile fer n-armach lim-sa ac tesarcain
Christ.' Roling iarsin 'chum a di gai 7 rusbertaig co tenn gurromuigiter ina dorn
7 rogab iarum a chlaidem ina laim 7 rogab don csallid uime co ndernaig mag don
to his druids Ed.