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Castle Mudcat
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Mbo Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:25 AM Do any of those Sidhes out front lead to this...other world? --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: MMario Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:31 AM Look for large white horses, with blue eyes, and an uncommon manner. They might lead you thither... |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: InOBU Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:35 AM Ah my my my... A cat in the wee castle. Genie and I have to leave the third member of our family behind, Bongo Knock, (a mouse who lives in a six room plastic house known as the Bongorium). Bongo, who s name means broken nose in Romaness (Gypsy), is not nearly as fond of cats as they are of him. In fact, our Bongo is a health food nut, the only one in the family and would not touch the roast beef, though I will- though shouldnt - especially if it is the good old solid English beef (made from good old merry English Mad Cow) and my ould favorite, Yorkshire pud, which I would be there early enough to make... Bongo, who loves Uilleann pipe music, has eclectic tastes, he loves medievil music, so where it not for above said cat, he would enjoy the castle, however, Genie my wife, has caught him on occation watching Clint Eastwood movies - not at all the kind of thing for a well run castle... So, Bongo keeps the home fires burning, while the old Uilleann Pipe case goes over the shoulder, and we make our way through the brack to Castle Mudcat (which I hope fares better than Castle Otway Co. Tip. Ire, - now a ruin like the rest of us Otways -a casualty about 1922) Save a place by the fire for the piper Larry Otway |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Roger ye skiffler Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:38 AM Your poor fool here entertaining (?) you with my cap, bells and bladder ( bladder...oooh, back to the garderobe again- well, I'm that age...). I've just noticed the cask of brandy, it's cold in that dog kennel, do I wait to be offered a sup or is it self SERFice? Every one a little gem, boys and girls, same jokes, different frocks [Oh my gaaawd, I'm turning into a pantomime dame ] And now a little ditty: "She was only the farmer's daughter but she left him with a couple of acres". I'd throw Mars bars off the battlements to the overexited audience but they haven't been invented yet. What? You'd rather have Blondel [not the failed Tim Rice musical!]? Never been keen on these singer-songwriters myself, where's Allan a' Dale? He'll sing you a song, a merry old song...[poor Elton Hayes impression]. Nurse, the screens. Back to the Neil Young Cave... RyS |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Guy Wolff Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:47 AM Oh pray do not kill this humble wolff if I may come in... Years ago I found this story in the deep deep caves of my mind.I was working in Pembrokshire at the time... Once there was a famous musician who went from castle to castle playing to all the best houses...His stringed instroment was ancient and of a beautifull dark ebony.. Finaly our hero got to play for the good King of the land.. Now as we all know the kings castle was white and his banners were white and all the beautifull maidens were in Yes WHITE.. Well our minstle was led before the king and his court to play and as the King looked up he was heard to say ... Hey what is the musicion with the black instroment doing in my court ...Have him be gone...So with a fallen heart our hero was led out of the hall and down the stairs BUT on the stairway was a young lady in waiting up on a step ladder white washing the walls... So what did he say to her??????? Wait for it<<<>>><><><><><><>< He said " Come on baby white my Lyer"" Sorry can I stay anyway...Pugging clay can do something to a poor potter ... All the best Guy |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: IceWolf Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:48 AM "Friend Mbo, the world is a most strange and wondrous place. The Iron Hills I speak of are the domain of the Wolf-folk, in the fair land of Naverone. I speculate that the ley-lines whereon this glorious castle is built have caused worlds to merge, hence the confusion. Friend MMario makes reference to Velgarth, a world once torn by wizard wars." And (stepping out of character for a moment): If you'd wish to know more of Velgarth, read "Magic's Pawn", "Magic's Promise", and "Magic's Price" by Mercedes Lackey. As for Naverone, it exists in my imagination only, though you may see a glimpse of it here. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Roger ye skiffler Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:52 AM Guy, I wish i had told that one! [You will, Roger, you will!] RyS |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Mían Date: 15 Dec 99 - 01:20 PM I be saving a flask of uisce beatha (water of life) for Big Mick & the Fair One and all who be out for a romp in the snow... Thanks be to Lord and Lady, the elbow Pipes have arrived, now the dances shall have more spice... Wolf, I have a home for thee by the fire. Storyteller, please go on with the tale of Fionn MacChumaill... |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Ian Stephenson Date: 15 Dec 99 - 03:12 PM WHY IS IT that when I hath pull-ed this banjo from outeth thiseth rock, it budgeth not? I fear its machine headth are embedded in the magical singing granite.. SWEET ICE MAIDENS, I fear I may have once again embarres'd me-self in front of thy delicate company....."Thou isth wimpyest of all wimps" I hear you quoth, but I have been punished for taking on a task greater than my strength. WHO DARES pull the banjo from outeth the rock, and who has the almighty strength to be KING OF MUDCAT. BUT BEWARE! for the goblins are rife with evil spirits of the night. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Caitrin Date: 15 Dec 99 - 04:10 PM My first feast seems to be coming along nicely. I am most heartened to see such fine merrymaking among my guests here at Castle Mudcat! IceWolf, MMario, I think that's the one set of books in the Valdemar-related chronicles that I didn't read. The Mage Winds/Storms series was my favorite. Milord Mbo, your tale was begun first, therefore it must first be finished before the tale of the ghost of Castle Mudcat may be told. 'twould be rude to do otherwise. Susan, the ale and musicians seem to be gathering by the fire with the cat. Roger, you may serve yourself or send for a page, as suits you best. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Mbo Date: 15 Dec 99 - 05:01 PM Thank you, Lady Caitrin, I will continue. Ah yes, so the man with the hairy knees came walking up with his long, bony ould mare. The man had an iron studded club, and kept beating the horse with it. The horse didn't seem to mind, but as the man laid powerful blow after blow, it made a sound like wind ripping down a sail. And everytime he beat his horse, the Fianna thought he would knock the horse to the ground. As he came closer he bawled "You're Finn Mac Cumhal" to the head of the Fianna. "I want to be part of the Fianna. What will you pay a lad like me?" "Who ARE you?" asked Finn. "I'm known east and west and south and north as the Gruff Gillie, or if you like, the Rough Gillie, or Tough Gillie. I'm called that because I've notions of my own about what to do and no master that I've ever had has been able to change them. And you," he said to Finn and the Fianna, "don't ever try to get me to do things I don't want to do!" "Shall we take the Gruff Gillie for a camp-servant" asked Finn to the Fianna... --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Peter T. Date: 15 Dec 99 - 05:04 PM But while the great hall sparkled in merriment, in a high dark tower 2nd right past the donjon (where Don Jon was ensconced with his sconce), a beauteous figure lay in a trance, ensorcelled beneath a glass canopy. On the side table, ancient issues of TEMPORA and ADOLESCENTES HUMANUM yellowed. A flicker of cold wind occasionally swayed the candlelight, revealing a stack of unpaid wax bills, and the dimness was briefly illumined. A watcher would have been startled to see in those brief moments of light, the face of the sleeping lady -- for it was LADY CAITRIN HERSELF!!! And yet indeed there was a watcher there, unstartled, unsmiling, listening in mocking disdain to the rioutous music below. What could this mean? Who wast eh watcher? What was the dark secret of Castle Mudcat? And who was the smiling mine hostess below? Into what trap had they all fallen so easily, drawn as they so often were by cut-price mead and cheap troubadour music? |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: MMario Date: 15 Dec 99 - 05:12 PM Peter T....it's not just the cut-price mead and the cheap troubadour music! What kinda fools do you think MudCats are? (THAT WAS A RHETORICAL QUESTION!! !!) There's FREE FOOD as well...... |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Bert Date: 15 Dec 99 - 05:17 PM There was a knight who travelled far and wide across the fair land helping maidens in distress. After helping many such maidens his fortune was at last dissipated and he was forced to sell his trusty steed in order to survive. As he was of small stature he found a replacement for his steed in the form of a large mastiff. He continued his travels mounted upon his new 'steed' and one evening during a heavy storm he arrived at Castle Mudcat seeking shelter from the storm and a place to rest his weary head. The manservant answered the heavy pounding on the door and saw the wretched, soaking wet knight at the door, mounted upon his wretched soaking wet dog. He said "I know you not Sir Knight, I cannot let you enter" At that very moment Lady Caitrin passed and overhearing the manservant, admonished him with the words...< wait for it >... "You can't send a knight out on a dog like this" |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Peter T. Date: 15 Dec 99 - 05:54 PM Meanwhile, only a few furlongs distant, a gallant prowed boat touched the windswept shore, and three figures leapt out, flung themselves on the beach, and kissed the fair land that they had never expected to see more. They made a great noise in the night, as they were in full armour, and needed to be helped to their feet by their trusty servants. Then they embraced each other in turn, disentangled themselves, and breathed in the fresh air of home. The obvious leader of the trio, armour emblazoned with a strange device -- a circle with a cross subordinate -- pulled out a great broadsword and held it up, so that it caught the moonlight in a slice of silver. "We come to free the Lady Caitrin!!!!" And the other two repeated the solemn oath, that rang through the charmed night. With that, the powerful knights pulled off their great helms. There were gasps among the servants, none of whom had ever seen the faces of those they served; and now they realized for the first time the heights of the privilege that had been bestowed upon them. For the three were none other than Katlaughing of Wyomingtane, wisest of those who wove the Net of Cyberfate, brown as rope from her years of crusading in farthest Afghanland; Bonnie of Banjo, the Hot Troubadeuse who had once sat at the feet of Fieldyn, Dreamerbard, and learned the dropped unicorn trick that none but he had mastered, and had learned all the quotes of the indefatigable Mbo and could recite the hundred thousand lines of the futile story of Big Mick and the Fair Alysoon, and was all around Top Lute; and, last but not least, Sherry Aims, Crusader Nurse.
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird) Date: 15 Dec 99 - 08:03 PM (steps back into the hall through the passage from the back stairs) Hello, Gentlefolk all! More folk have arrived, I see. And it cheers my heart to see a wolf and a wolfhound putting aside their differences and enjoying the fire's warmth. In case you are wondering, the being floating by my left shoulder is the ghost of the tumbler-lass Matilda Makejoy, the very same Matilda Makejoy who performed for the royal family of England in 1296, 1306, and 1311. You may have to take my word for it that she's here. I'm sure once she is reassured that we are all fellow-minstrels, kindred spirits as it were, she'll allow more of us to see her. Here, sirrah, you have no minstrel to cheer your supper. Allow me to offer for your delight a song, dedicated to our lovely hostess, the Lady Caitrin. (sings "Oh Mistress Mine", which can be found in the DT) |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Caitrin Date: 15 Dec 99 - 09:43 PM Wow, Peter...this is getting interesting. Greetings, Matilda. I'm sure you'll get along fine with Elinor. (Our official castle ghost.) |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Mbo Date: 15 Dec 99 - 09:59 PM **Gets up, smoothes out kilts** What madness has fallen upon us? Ghosts, watchers, evil twins(?!) are making Castle Mudcat a more and more frightening place! It's 'up the sword and down the torches' and let's find out what's going on here! Anyone want to lead a search to discover...the mystery of Castle Mudcat? --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Caitrin Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:27 PM I suppose that, as an obviously integral part of the mystery, I'd best come along. After all, I'm the one who has a twin somewhere in the castle and just might be an evil imposter. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: alison Date: 15 Dec 99 - 11:34 PM Just remembered I was out dancing barefoot (in only a silk dress)in the snow.... (it's not so warm in Oz today) the fair alysoon enters the doorway and promptly collapses due to the frost bite in her feet...... "is there a kind knight in here who might carry me closer to the fire, that I might thaw out?" |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Big Mick Date: 16 Dec 99 - 12:46 AM Come to me, my FAIR ONE, and hold your tiny, ice cold feet to my breast. For the fire that burns there for you is surely hotter than the flames on the hearth..............hear the ancient rhythms of the drumbeat of my heart............and listen whilst we talk of mighty Finn The next morning all the Feinians of Erin were going to hunt, as the day before, and Finn said to Gilla na Grakin: "Will you take any man to you?" "I'll take no man with me but meself: and do let me go in one part of the country alone, and go yourself with all your men in another part". "Well," said Finn, "will you find dry glens of ridges, or go in deep boggy places where there is a danger of drowning?" "I will go in deep boggy places." All left the Castle to hunt. Finn and the Fenians of Erin went in one direction, and Gilla na Grakin in another, and hunted all day. When they came home that evening Gilla na Grakin had a thousand times more game than Finn and all his men together............ |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Big Mick Date: 16 Dec 99 - 01:02 AM Are your feet warming, my FAIR ONE? And your heart? Good, then we continue: When Finn saw this he was glad to have such a good man, and was pleased beyond measure with Gilla na Grakin. The whole company spent that night as they had the night before,......in ease and sport and sleep. Next day Conan Maol was outside with Finn and he said: "Gilla na Grakin will destroy the Fenians of Erin and put you and all of us to death, unless you banish him in some way from this castle." "Well," said Finn to Conan Maol, "I've never had a good man gbut you wanted me to put him away. And how could I banish such a man as this if I tried?" |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Lonesome EJ Date: 16 Dec 99 - 01:31 AM Enter LEJ onto the Battlements in company with Vesuvius and Metatarsal. LEJ:Tell to me quickly,knave, where saw you this Apparition? Vesuvius:Twas here,Sire, close by the North Tower. LEJ:And when saw you this stumbling specter? Metatarsal:Thrice within the last fortnight,lastly this very Eve, when it did make full circuit of this castle wall, moaning most horribly. V:In truth,Sire, and it did entreat us to summon you to its presence! LEJ laughing grimly:Methinks the pair of you have drunk deep and often of Lady Caitrin's meade this Christmas Eve, that you do fashion ghosts from gray shadow, and demons from dim moonlight.Tis folly! I would return to the merriment below,leaving you both to savor the nipping,eager air.turning to Exit M:But stay,m'Lord! Even now the wraith approaches! V:And in the likeness of...but it cannot be! Enter Ghost. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Roger ye skiffler Date: 16 Dec 99 - 04:14 AM Bert, you dirty rotten swine, you> I was saving that knight/dog story till later (why do you think I'm sharing the kennel with the wolfhound!)! You'll put a poor fool out of business! :o( RyS |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Alan of Australia Date: 16 Dec 99 - 05:29 AM Hey, don't tell Big Mick, but while he was away, it being a warm summer day in Oz, there was skinny dipping & nude volleyball at the home of The Bonny Irish Lass. It was great fun.
Cheers, |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: alison Date: 16 Dec 99 - 07:27 AM far be it from me to spoil your story alan... suffice to say .. I CAN explain... but I'm not going to... hahahaha back to the plot..... aaaahhhh that's better, my feet are almost back to their usual tepid state... thank you my lord...... |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: MMario Date: 16 Dec 99 - 09:10 AM God's Teeth! Sire Alan of Oz! Ye canna be lahving us with such a wee lyttle tidbit of a tale! Pray, tell us more! |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Willie-O Date: 16 Dec 99 - 09:57 AM Forgive my late appearance on the scene, fair Lady Caitrin. I was entreated by an artisan of some repute, who has only lately returned from the great holiday markets of fabled Tirana The Good, pockets jingling, to construct a byre agin her humble farmhouse deep in the woods of Frontenac, wherein the faggots may be stacked out of the wet snow, to warm their hearth through the coldest months...and entranced by the merry clinking sound, I sez "I'll do it." So I must not tarry, but shall drink a deep toast of finest virtual uisge, the only vintage that agrees with my tragically jaded palate, to you and all your fine company, and grab a haunch of sumpin to go, and get my ass out in the snow and start flailin about fer filthy lucre. The sun, were it visible, would be more than somewhat over the yardarm. But e'er I part, anyone seen da capo what I left in the tavern, cantina, or barn? No matter. Farewell till mayhaps late this eve. yr humble hewer of trees William of Woodenhead William |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: jeffp Date: 16 Dec 99 - 10:35 AM Peter_T, I fear that da capo may be al fine. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: jeffp Date: 16 Dec 99 - 10:37 AM Oops! That was supposed to be addressed to Willie-O. A thousand pardons. *BSIG (Big sheepish ingratiating grin!)* |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Mbo Date: 16 Dec 99 - 11:02 AM Pray, sithee, Lord Allan, I would learn more of thy tale ere the eve passeth into the matin. Speak more unto us of thine engagement on the battlements! Dear woodsman Sir William-O-Woodenhead, methinks that thy capo may be discovered in the da capo aria. --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Big Mick Date: 16 Dec 99 - 11:08 AM AAAAAAHHHHHH, good lagerphone boy............truly an amateurish attempt, and unworthy of the attention of a warrior such as meself............we all know that THE FAIR ONE is the mother of two lovely wee kids,..........my guess is that is who was nude in the pool. And I really am flattered that you would imitate the multi colored hues in describing our lovely Alison......... And now, FAIR ONE, have your feet warmed? Then leave them against my chest whilst I continue on with the telling of "Gilla na Grakin and Finn MacCumhail" -------------------------------------- "The way to banish him," said Conan Maol, "is to send him to the king of Locahlin to take from the pot of plenty that's never without meat, but has always enough in it to feed the whole world, and bring that pot to this castle." Finn called Gilla na Grakin, and said; "You'll have to go for me now to the king of Lochlin, and get from him the pot of plenty that is never without meat, and bring it here to me." "Well," said Gilla, "as long as I'm in your service I can't refuse to do your work." So away went Gilla. He took a glen at a step and a hill at a leap till he came to the shore of the sea, where he caught up two sticks, put one across the other, then gave them a tip of the hand, and a fine vessel rose out of the two pieces of wood. Gilla na Grakin went on board the vessel, hoisted the sails, and off he went in a straight line. The music he heard on his way was the whistling of eels in the sea and the calling of gulls in the air, till he came under the king's castle in Lochlin. When he came, there were hundreds of ships standing near the shore, and he had to anchor outside them all; then he stepped from ship to ship till he stood on land. What should there be at the time he landed but a great feast in the castle of teh king. So Gilla went to the front of the castle and stood outside the door; but he could go no further for the crowd, and no one looked at him. At last he shouted: "This is a very hospitable feast, and you are a people of fine manners not to ask a stranger is he hungry or thirsty." "You are right," said the king, who turned to the people and said: "Give the pot of plenty to the stranger till he eats his fill." The people obeyed the king, and when gilla na Grakin got hold of the pot he made for the ship, and never stopped until he was onboard. He put the pot in a safe place below. Then Standing on the deck, he said to himself; "It is no use to take the pot by my swiftness unless I take it by my strength." Such is the honor of the Fianna. So he turned and went to land again. All the heroes and champions of the king of Lochlin and his whole army were ready to fight, but if they were, so was Gilla na Grakin. When he came up to the army he began, and he went through it as a hawk goes through a flock of swallows, till he made one heap of their heads and another of their weapons. Then he went to the castle, caught the king in one hand and the queen in the other, and putting them under his two arms brought them out in front of the castle and killed each with the other. All was quiet and still at the castle. There wasn't a man alive to stand up against Gilla na Grakin, who went to his ship, raised the sails, and started for Erin. All he heard was the spouting of the whales, the whistling of eels, the calling of gulls, and the roar of the wind, as the ship rushed back to the place where he had made it in Erin. When he reached that place he gave the ship a tip of his hand, and there before him was the pot of plenty, and with it the two sticks which he had found on the shore of the sea when he was going to the castle of the king of Lochlin. He left the sticks where he found them, put the pot on his back, and hurried away to the castle of Finn MacCumhail. Finn and all the Fenians of Erin werfe glad to see Gilla na Grakin, and Finn thanked him for the work he had done. The first part of that night they spent in ease, the second in sport, the third in hurried sleep. Next morning they rose and had breakfast from the pot. From that day out they hunted for pleasure alone. They had enough and to spare, from the pot of plenty. ------------------------------------ The giant warrior known as Mícheál Mhor looks about. THE FAIR ONE is tired, and the warriors assembled have clearly drank much from the barrel. He rises, pulls the great Brat over his shoulders, bids THE FAIR ONE a good nights sleep, and begins to leave the hall............The maid inquires to his destination..........The hill, FAIR ONE, to see if the shade of Finn roams tonight. I feel his presence, and would have a word with him. "May I accompany you,?" she asks. "Aye, but a heavy cloak is needed for the night is cold and we will be gone much."............"And what of the rest of the tale of Gilla and Finn?" asked the good Caitrin. "Plenty of nights to tell more" said Mícheál Mhor as he and THE FAIR ONE disappear into the night............. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird) Date: 16 Dec 99 - 11:16 AM Marian, my fuzzy friend, I see you are showing appropriate feline disdain in the presence of a wolfhound and two wolves (not to mention all the two-leggeds). For my next number, a French chanson, the ABC to which can be found here. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Bert Date: 16 Dec 99 - 11:33 AM And at an old oaken desk in the corner, sits the great sage Bruce O (or should that be Bruce Og?), and by the guttering light of a candle he puts pen to parchment, ignoring the sounds of revelry that surround him, preserving the old songs and tales for posterity. Though his writing gets scrawly in places through dipping his pen in the mead. (with apologies to Stanley Holloway) |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: MMario Date: 16 Dec 99 - 12:20 PM Marion certanly should be showing disdain, she's polished off a sturgeon, three fresh trout and most of a smoked salmon! the wolf and wolff mostly seem to be guzzling, I mean drinking, but the wolfhound is *purring?* ???????? |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Peter T. Date: 16 Dec 99 - 02:17 PM As they moved towards the castle in the night, the three intrepid warriors hacked their way through interminable thorned woods, hacking and cursing curdled non-violent oaths in several Arab tongues they had learned in their distant travels and travails. Finally, they came to a clearing in the enchanted woods, and in the distance they could see Castle Mudcat, its great hall aglow with revelry and those dangling icelights that everyone seems to have this year. With her usual impetuousity, Katlaughing of Wyomingtane prepared to hurl herself in all directions to save the ensorcelled Lady Caitrin and stop Big Mick going on with more Irish legends, but the restraining hand of Sherry Aims, Crusader Nurse, drew her to one side. "Look", she whispered, pointing to the curve of a small hill overlooking his castle. A vast dark shape sat poised in the darkness. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Peter T. Date: 16 Dec 99 - 02:21 PM Sorry, overlooking the castle. As Merlin said, Alwaies profrede. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Mbo Date: 16 Dec 99 - 02:35 PM Ai! The eagles of the Lords of the West are upon us! Piper! Sound the note of defense--for my heart tells me that something fell is brewing in the cold night air! --Mbo Rua |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Caitrin Date: 16 Dec 99 - 05:56 PM Castle Mudcat certainly seems a fine environment for stories...the tales told here are most marvelous! LEJ, you must continue! And you also, Mick! I have been most fascinated by your weavings of words. More mead for all, and bring out the fresh food. Such storytelling calls for more merrymaking. MMario, Marian always shows disdain. She's a cat. It's what they do. :) Especially when they have been well fed. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Mbo Date: 16 Dec 99 - 06:12 PM A kitty, eh? Hey there, little fuzzykins! Mind if I scratch your woo? Ye ma me think of mine own kitty-bud Boo. Hmmm...Micheal Mhor's story seems to differ greatly from my version...until this is resolved, does anyone wish to give ear to another of my ramblings, the tale of the handless ghost piper who is can still be heard to play on dark nights like this... --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird) Date: 16 Dec 99 - 07:19 PM While Mbo is readying himself to spin his yarn, here's another love-song for your delight:
Volez vos que je vos chant
Chemisete avoit de lin
"Li rosignox est mon pere, T. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Big Mick Date: 16 Dec 99 - 07:40 PM Sweet babe! a golden cradle holds thee, And soft the sonow-white fleece enfolds thee In airy bower I'll watch they sleeping, Where branchy trees tot he breeze are sweeping Shuheen, sho, lulo lo! When mothers languish broken-hearted, When young wives are from husbands parted, Ah! little think the keeners lonely, They weep some time-worn fairy only Shuheen, sho, lulo lo! Within our magic halls of brightness, Trips many a foot of snowy whiteness; Stolen maidens, queens of fairy-- And kings and chiefs a sluagh-shee airy, Shuheen, sho, lulo lo! Rest thee, babe! I love thee dearly, And as they mortal mother nearly; Ours is the swiftest steed and proudest, That moves where the tramp of the host is loudest. Shuheen, sho, lulo lo! Rest thee, Babe! for soon thy slumbers Shall flee at the magic Ceól-sidhe*** numbers Where branchy trees to the breeze are sweeping Shuheen, sho, lulo lo! ***Ceol sidhe, pronounced roughly koelshie, means fairy music. |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Mbo Date: 16 Dec 99 - 07:58 PM Well, my goode friends, this tale is absolutely TRUE. It was told to me by a close friend of my Clan Buidhe Theamhdaigh, a fellow Jacobite, viz.--Diarmuid MacDonald, of Clan MacDonald. Here it is: Back in ye olde days in Alba (also is known to some as Scot-Land) there was a castle (much like this) overlooking a loch (Gan Ainm) that was the residence of a part of the Clan MacDonald. In their service was a piper (Great Hieland, mind ye) who was the official piper of the Castle. He was oft to be found atop the castle, upon the battlement, playing his pipes all alone. One night, in the pitch blackness, the murderous Clan Campbell (shudder) came up the loch in their boats, landed, and stormed the castle. With much bluidshed on each side, the Campbells managed to take the castle and force the MacDonalds out. The remaining MacDonalds escaped in their own boats--all but one--the piper upon the battlements. He stood there, alone, playing his pipes, which was the last thing the MacDonalds heard as their boats pulled out, swearing to return for their castle. Well, the Campbells found the piper, and imprisoned him on the battlement, and instructed him not to play his pipes, or he would be subjected to torture. Meanwhile, the Campbell soldiers, instead of moving on to their next attack, they garrisoned the castle with many troops in secret, counting on the MacDonalds to return, so they might wipe them all out. One day, the piper, from his high vantage point, saw the MacDonald boats coming through the fog to retake their own. The piper knew of the hidden troops, so he disobeyed the Campbells and started to play a air of retreat upon his pipes. His clansmen understood, and turned back, thus avoiding the Campbell ambush prepared for them. However, the Campbells heard him, and for his crime, cut both of his hands off with an axe, to make sure he would never play again... In that place, since that time, people have claimed to have heard the sound of a solo bagpiper coming down the wind off the loch, when there was no sign of a piper anywhere. In the 1960's, during a renovation of the castle, the workers came upon a crude grave. Inside was the skeleton of a man with no hands--and cut off cleanly at the wrists. The man was exhumed, and give a proper Christian burial. But still the ghost was heard, playing his lonely tunes... It was a later realization that the clergyman who performed the funeral service was Presbyterian (as modern Scots go, so I've heard) and of course the Clan MacDonald, as well as Theamhdaigh, were staunchly Catholic. A new Catholic funeral was performed by a priest, and from that day on, the ghost piper has never been heard again... --Mbo Rua |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Alan of Australia Date: 16 Dec 99 - 08:19 PM Dammit, never could pull the wool over Finn's eyes. OK, the kids were the ones having the most fun.
Cheers, |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Willie-O Date: 16 Dec 99 - 09:01 PM Good news for all thou concerned fellow wastrels. I found da capo at de end of da bar! W-O-W |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Caitrin Date: 16 Dec 99 - 10:33 PM Would de end be al fine? |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Willie-O Date: 16 Dec 99 - 10:42 PM Whoops! Ya scared me sneakin up like that. Thought everyone here was asleep...all I hear's snoring. What was in that meade? I must apologize for my feeble jest...sure know how to chill a party... al fine? Whatever...great shindig Lady Cait--look around at the Shambles that was once yer immaculate castle. Wonder what happened to those three intrepid women stomping around in the woods... I presume you'll be calling a prefessional cleanup crew?
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Roger ye skiffler Date: 17 Dec 99 - 06:53 AM Enter poor fool playing "Serfin' Serfari" on an out of tune kazoo..."Merry friends have you heard the rumour that Sir Garth o' the Brook is planning to retire from being a troubador to spend more time with his family and retainers? Was it something I said?" RyS [now off to what I hope is the final meeting of the institution Y2K committee, chairman retires at the end of the month...hmmm does he know something he's not telling us? Still it's a good excuse to miss the department Xmas lunch, soemone's already been in the office with tinsel in her hair and a set of plastic reindeer antlers! Bah, Humbug! Roger the Scrooge] |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Roger ye skiffler Date: 17 Dec 99 - 08:31 AM Back again [Y2K meeting short; everything done & dusted but not sending the minutes out till Jan in case we need to rewrite!] .Met a scrivenor outside who pointed to the device above the gateway about abandoning sanity: he said it has no legal merit, apparently there is no sanity clause. I also met a sooth sayer who sayeth that in 400 years or so someone called Groucho Marx will still be telling that joke. (Good to be here in the Middle Ages whe my jokes are only half as old!) [Just had a glass of something sparkling (the Moroccans do wonders with oil derivatives these days) so I'm ready to headbutt anyone who comes into the office (will anyone notice the difference?)] There are a lot of men in armour riding deer out there, apparently one is marrying a fair damosel and one of them is a Stag Knight. RyS |
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Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat From: Big Mick Date: 17 Dec 99 - 11:42 AM The tall warrior with the red-gold hair strides into the Great Hall, and finds young Caitrin seated.So, young one, you like the old stories?............It gladdens my heart to know this, for I fear that they will be lost in the clatter of those that would make up new heroes to replace the old. Let me tell you of another of the Fianna, one Conan Mac Morna........it is a good night for a story.......From behind a curtain, out steps Alison, THE FAIR ONE.Come sit with me FAIR ONE, and let us teach this lovely young one of our people. ---------------------------------------- There was once a man called Conan mac Morna. He was big and bald and unwieldy in manly exercises, but his tongue was bitter and scurrilous. No brave deed was done that Conan the Bald did not mock and belittle. It is said that when he was stripped he showed down his back and buttocks a black sheep's fleece instead of a man's skin, and this is the way it came about. One day when Conan was hunting in the forest along with some other members of the Fianna, they came to a stately dun this is a fort, dear Caitrin) |
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