through the wide and high entrance of the dun, whose doors no man
had ever seen closed and barred. Aloft, suspended from the dim
rafters, hung the naked forms of great men clear against the dark
dome, having the cords of their slaughter around their necks and
their white limbs splashed with blood. Kings were they who had
murmured against the sovereignty of the Red Branch. Through the
wide doorway out of the night flew a huge bird, black and grey,
unseen, and soaring upwards sat upon the rafters, its eyes like
burning fire. It was the Mor-Reega, [Footnote: There were three
war goddesses:--(1) Badb (pronounced Byve); (2) Macha, already
referred to; (3) The Mor-Rigu or Mor-Reega, who wag the greatest
of the three.] or Great Queen, the far-striding terrible daughter
of Iarnmas (Iron-Death). Her voice was like the shouting of ten
thousand men. Dear to her were these heroes. More she rejoiced in
them feasting than in the battle-prowess of the rest.

When supper was ended their bard, in his singing robes and girt
around the temples with a golden fillet, stood up and sang. He
sang how once a king of the Ultonians, having plunged into the
sea-depths, there slew a monster which had wrought much havoc
amongst fishers and seafaring men. The heroes attended to his
song, leaning forward with bright eyes. They applauded the song
and the singer, and praised the valour of the heroic man
[Footnote: This was Fergus Mac Leda, Fergus, son of Leda, one of
the more ancient kings of Ulster. His contest with the sea-monster
is the theme of a heroic tale.] who had done that deed. Then the
champion struck the table with his clenched hand, and addressed
the assembly. Wrath and sorrow were in his voice. It resembled the
brool of lions heard afar by seafaring men upon some savage shore
on a still night.