Dr. Swineherd Holds Forth, Informally
Apparently, Ray was confused this morning. I, Dr. Swineherd am not hear in a learned capacity. I am here fer a visit. Nevertheless, since Ray arranged this get together, I will share my thoughts on the subtopic of Crunniuc, which I believe Ray termed “Why Crunniuc may not be a Complete Idiot.”
Ahem.
Red and I both know Crunniuc and Red knew him personally, a previous iteration I deduce, during the times alluded to in “The Labor Pains of the Ulaid.” That makes us not only older that the rest of you, but experts on this subtopic as well. But just because we are old and experts on a subtopic, doesn’t mean we have the right take on the situation. Perhaps we lack the judgement to interpret events properly. Perhaps our wits are clouded by old age. Nonetheless, neither Red nor I believe Crunniuc is an idiot, then or now.
However, I grant you that on the face of it, Crunniac’s actions of a great while back on this particular occasion appear idiotic. Why would a grown man, drunk or sober, brag that his pregnant wife could outrun the fastest horses in the kingdom, especially in front of a great crowd of slack-jawed Ulstermen, every man jack of them a tattletale.
Well then, consider this. Crunniuc was correct. Macha was faster than the king’s horses, so on this occasion Crunniuc told the truth. But does telling the truth, when he could have just as easily kept silent, excuse Crunniuc for placing Macha in such inconvenience and peril on his account, when he could just as easily have kept his mouth shut, maybe.
Well then, consider Macha. She came seemingly out of nowhere and married Crunniuc. From the day of their marriage, the farm prospered and Crunniuc, who had previously been of average to no account, suddenly found himself not only “well-heeled,” but an up and comer among the Druidry in those parts. Everybody knew that this was Macha’s doing, although no one could ever figure out why She chose to dispose of her favors on the likes of Crunniuc. Plus, well, Macha is Macha, and if yer married to a Goddess, perhaps it’s Okie Dokie to trot her out once in a while.
Also, consider this. Crunniuc told me his version of the events of that day at the great fair of Emuin Machae a great while back, and again, a good while back, and his role from one telling to the next lacked the gaseous imminence and expansion characteristic of a lie.
What is Crunniuc’s explanation? Easy that to tell. The Ulaid of those days needed a reminder on the subtopic of civil behavior. And he figured Macha was just the One to provide that reminder, but he couldn’t figure out how to get her attention on the subtopic of civil behavior because she wasn’t much interested in that particular subtopic, having concerns and priorities of Her own. So Crunniuc determined to fix her attention on civil behavior though himself. And knowing that Macha is a Goddess and a horse Goddess to boot, wasn’t much concerned that any harm would come to Her on his account. And if this be truth, Crunniuc was foresighted on all counts.
So that’s all I have to say on this subtopic fer now. Ray, make yerself useful fer once and fetch me a orange soda.
Ahem.
Red and I both know Crunniuc and Red knew him personally, a previous iteration I deduce, during the times alluded to in “The Labor Pains of the Ulaid.” That makes us not only older that the rest of you, but experts on this subtopic as well. But just because we are old and experts on a subtopic, doesn’t mean we have the right take on the situation. Perhaps we lack the judgement to interpret events properly. Perhaps our wits are clouded by old age. Nonetheless, neither Red nor I believe Crunniuc is an idiot, then or now.
However, I grant you that on the face of it, Crunniac’s actions of a great while back on this particular occasion appear idiotic. Why would a grown man, drunk or sober, brag that his pregnant wife could outrun the fastest horses in the kingdom, especially in front of a great crowd of slack-jawed Ulstermen, every man jack of them a tattletale.
Well then, consider this. Crunniuc was correct. Macha was faster than the king’s horses, so on this occasion Crunniuc told the truth. But does telling the truth, when he could have just as easily kept silent, excuse Crunniuc for placing Macha in such inconvenience and peril on his account, when he could just as easily have kept his mouth shut, maybe.
Well then, consider Macha. She came seemingly out of nowhere and married Crunniuc. From the day of their marriage, the farm prospered and Crunniuc, who had previously been of average to no account, suddenly found himself not only “well-heeled,” but an up and comer among the Druidry in those parts. Everybody knew that this was Macha’s doing, although no one could ever figure out why She chose to dispose of her favors on the likes of Crunniuc. Plus, well, Macha is Macha, and if yer married to a Goddess, perhaps it’s Okie Dokie to trot her out once in a while.
Also, consider this. Crunniuc told me his version of the events of that day at the great fair of Emuin Machae a great while back, and again, a good while back, and his role from one telling to the next lacked the gaseous imminence and expansion characteristic of a lie.
What is Crunniuc’s explanation? Easy that to tell. The Ulaid of those days needed a reminder on the subtopic of civil behavior. And he figured Macha was just the One to provide that reminder, but he couldn’t figure out how to get her attention on the subtopic of civil behavior because she wasn’t much interested in that particular subtopic, having concerns and priorities of Her own. So Crunniuc determined to fix her attention on civil behavior though himself. And knowing that Macha is a Goddess and a horse Goddess to boot, wasn’t much concerned that any harm would come to Her on his account. And if this be truth, Crunniuc was foresighted on all counts.
So that’s all I have to say on this subtopic fer now. Ray, make yerself useful fer once and fetch me a orange soda.
posted by ray pistrum at Sunday, August 14, 2005
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