succour Cuchulain and had taken his stand on Ard ('the
Height') of Roch. Curoi knew there was not in the host a man to compete
with Munremar. These then it was who carried on this sport between them.
The army prayed them to cease. Whereupon Munremar and Curoi made peace, and
Curoi withdrew to his house and Munremar to Emain Macha and Munremar came
not again till the day of the battle. As for Curoi, he came not till the
combat of Ferdiad.

[1-1] LU. fo. 71b, in the margin.

[a] Here a sheet is missing in Eg. 1782.

[2-2] LU. 1415-1486.

"Pray Cuchulain," said Medb and Ailill, "that he suffer us to change our
place." This then was granted to them and the change was made.

The 'Pains' of the Ulstermen left them then. When now they awoke from their
'Pains,' bands of them came continually upon the host to restrain it again.

* * * * *

[Page 143]

XIIe

[1]THE SLAUGHTER OF THE BOY-TROOP[1][a]

Now the youths of Ulster discussed the matter among themselves in Emain
Macha. "Alas for us," said they, "that our friend Cuchulain has no one to
succour him!" "I would ask then," spake Fiachu Fulech ('the Bloody') son of
Ferfebe and own brother to Fiachu[b] Fialdana ('the Generous-daring') son
of Ferfebe, "shall I have a company from you to go to him with help?"

[1-1] LU. fo. 71b, in the margin.

[a] The LU. version of the episode is given under XVIIa, page 184.

[b] Fiachna, in LU. 1436.

Thrice fifty youths accompany him with their play-clubs, and that was a
third of the boy-troop of Ulster. The army saw them drawing near them over
the plain. "A great army approaches us over the plain," spake Ailill Fergus
goes to espy them. "Some of the youths of Ulster are they," said he, "and
it is to succour Cuchulain they come." "Let a troop go to meet them," said
Ailill, "unknown to Cuchulain; for if they unite with him ye will never
overcome them." Thrice fifty warriors went out to meet them. They fell at
one another's hands, so that not one of them got off alive of the number of
the youths of Lia Toll. Hence is Lia ('the Stone') of Fiachu son of
Ferfebe, for it is there that he fell.

"Take counsel," quoth Ailill; "inquire of Cuchulain about letting you go
from hence, for ye will not go past him by force, now that his flame of
valour has risen." For it was usual with him, when his hero's flame arose
in him, that his feet would turn back on him and his buttocks,