A Play for Narrator and Mummers
by G. R. Grove
Cast:
- Narrator
- Young Cúchulainn
- Cathbad
- Druidical students
- King Conchobar
- Servant
Narrator: Many of you have heard of the great Irish hero Cúchulainn, the Hound of Ulster, who was according to some tales the son of the God Lugh. This is the story of how Cúchulainn came to take arms, even though he was a young boy – for in Ancient Ireland, it was the taking of arms which made a boy a man.
(Cathbad and his students enter, seat themselves at one side.)
One day when Cathbad the Druid was teaching his students, one of them asked him, “Master, what is today lucky for?”
(Cúchulainn passes behind Cathbad, stops to listen.)
“Today,” said Cathbad, “is lucky for taking arms, for the boy who becomes a warrior today will be famous forever in Ireland.”
When Cúchulainn heard this, he went at once to his foster-father, Conchobar the King.
(Cathbad and others exit, Conchobar enters followed by servant, Cúchulainn joins them.)
“Father Conchobar,” said Cúchulainn, “give me weapons, for it is time I became a man.”
“Why today?” asked Conchobar. “Wait a while. You are still a little boy.”
“Cathbad the Druid advised me to do so,” said Cúchulainn.
“Very well,” said Conchobar. “Servant, bring him arms.”
(Servant brings spear and shield. Cúchulainn waves them around, breaks them.)
“These arms are no good,” said Cúchulainn. “Give me better ones.”
(Servant brings more arms, Cúchulainn breaks them.)
“Bring him my arms,” said Conchobar. “He will not break those.”
(Servant brings Conchobar’s arms. Cúchulainn cannot break them.)
“These are good,” said Cúchulainn. “I will keep them.”
(Cathbad enters, mimes astonishment and distress.)
Then Cathbad entered. “Why are you giving this boy arms today?” he asked Conchobar.
“Cúchulainn said you had advised him to take arms today,” said Conchobar.
(Cathbad shakes head emphatically.)
“By all the Gods I swear by, I never did so,” said Cathbad.
“Why did you lie to me, little devil?” asked Conchobar.
“It was no lie, King of warriors,” said Cúchulainn. “I heard him teaching his students this morning, and I came to you.”
“Well,” said Cathbad, “it is true that the boy who takes up arms today will be famous forever in Ireland. But he will not live to see the first gray hair in his beard.”
“That is a fair bargain,” said Cúchulainn. “If I win such fame I will be content, though I live only one day.”
(Cathbad and Conchobar nod.)
“So be it, then,” said Cathbad. “Your life will be short, but you shall have your fame.”
And that is the story of how Cúchulainn took up arms, and so became a man.
