lomain, Conchobar's son, and three battles
they offered to the hosts, so that thrice their number fell and the youths
also fell, save Conchobar's son Follomain. Follomain vowed that never till
the very day of doom and of life would he return to Emain unless he should
bring Ailill's head with him together with the diadem of gold that was on
it. That was no easy thing for him to achieve, for the two sons of Bethe
son of Ban--the two sons of Ailill's foster-mother and foster-father [2]to
whom King Ailill's diadem had been entrusted[2]--attacked and wounded
[3]Follomain,[3] so that he fell by their hands. This then is the Massacre
of the youths of Ulster and of Follomain son of Conchobar.

[a] The LU. version of this episode was given above under XIIe, page
143.

[1-1] Stowe.

[2-2] Eg. 93 and H. 2. 17.

[3-3] Eg. 93.

Touching Cuchulain, he remained in his sound, heavy sleep till the end of
three days and three nights at the 'Gravemound on the Slopes.' Thereafter
Cuchulain arose from his sleep. He passed his hand over his face and he
became as a wild[b] wheel-thunder (?) from his crown to the ground, and he
felt his courage strengthened, and he would have [W.2497.] been able to
go into an assembly or on a march or to a tryst with a woman or to an
ale-house or into one of the chief assemblies of Erin. "How long am I
asleep now, young warrior?" Cuchulain asked. "Three days and three nights,"
the young warrior made answer. "Woe is me for that!" quoth Cuchulain. "Why
so?" asked the young warrior. "For that the hosts have not been attacked in
that time," answered Cuchulain. "Nay, not so were they spared," the young
warrior made answer. "I would fain inquire who then attacked them?"
Cuchulain asked. "The youths came hither out of the north from Emain Macha,
thrice fifty boys accompanying Follomain, Conchobar's son, and they the
sons of the kings of Ulster. And three battles they offered the hosts in
the space of the three days and three nights wherein thou wast till now
asleep, and thrice their number are fallen at their hands and the youths
themselves are fallen except Follomain [1]alone,[1] Conchobar's son. And
Follomain vowed that never till the very day of doom and of life [3]would
he return [2]north[2] to Emain Macha till he carried off Ailill's head with
the diadem of gold which was on it. Howbeit not such was his luck, for he
fell at the hands of the two sons of Bethe son of Ban, after engaging in