[4]Foill and Fandall and Tuachall, their names;[4] [5]Fer Ulli son of Lugaid was their father, and Necht [6]from the mouth of the[6] Scene was their mother.  Now the Ulstermen had slain their father; it was for that reason they were at war with Ulster.[5] “But are those not Necht’s sons, that boast that not more of the Ulstermen are alive than have fallen at their hands?” “The same, in sooth,” answered the gilla.  “On with us to the dun of the macNechta,” cried the little boy.  “Alas, in truth, that thou sayest so,” quoth Ibar; [7]"’tis a peril for us."[7] [8]"Truly, not to avoid it do we go,” answered Cuchulain.[8] “We know it is an act of great folly for us to say so, but whoever may go,” said Ibar, “it will not be myself.”  “Living or dead, go there thou shalt,” the little boy cried. “’Tis alive I shall go to the south,” answered Ibar, “and dead I shall be left at the dun, I know, even at the dun of the macNechta.”

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 620.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 623.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 623.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 624.

    [5-5] LU. 623, marginal note.

    [6-6] LU. 623, gloss.

    [7-7] LU. and YBL. 627.

    [8-8] LU. and YBL. 628.

“They push on to the dun [1]and they unharness their horses in the place where the bog and the river meet south [W.1227.] of the dun of the macNechta.[1] And the little boy sprang out of the chariot onto the green.  Thus was the green of the dun, with a pillar-stone upon it and an iron band around that, and a band for prowess it was, and there was a writing in ogam at its joint, and this is the writing it bore:  ’Whoever should come to the green, if he be a champion, it is geis for him to depart from the green without giving challenge to single combat.[1] The lad deciphered the writing and put his two arms around the pillar-stone.  Just as the pillar-stone was with its ring, he flung it [2]with a cast of his hand[2] into the moat, so that a wave passed over it.  “Methinks,” spake Ibar, “it is no better now than to be where it was.  And we know thou shalt now get on this green the thing thou desirest, even the token of death, yea, of doom and destruction!” [3]For it was the violation of a geis of the sons of Necht Scene to do that thing.[3] “Good, O Ibar, spread the chariot-coverings and its skins for me that I may [LL.fo.66b.] snatch a little sleep.”  “Woe is me, that thou sayest so,” answered the gilla; “for a foeman’s land is this and not a green for diversion.” [4]And Cuchulain said to the gilla, “Do not awaken me for a few but awaken me for many."[4] The gilla arranged the chariot-coverings and its skins [5]under Cuchulain, and the lad fell asleep on the green.[5]

    [1-1] LU. and YBL. 629.

    [2-2] LU. and YBL. 630.

    [3-3] LU. and YBL. 631.

    [4-4] LU. and YBL. 634-635.

    [5-5] Stowe.