Is it that old dried herring, that old red juggler who has made us quarrel for his own comfort? [_The _Horseboys_ and the _Scullions_ murmur excitedly._] He gave the Helmet to set us by the ears, and because we would not quarrel over it, he goes to Laeg and tells him that I am wronged. Who knows where he is now, or who he is stirring up to make mischief between us? Go back to your work and do not stir from it whatever noise comes to you or whatever shape shows itself. A SCULLION. Cuchulain is right. I am tired blowing on the big horn. CUCHULAIN. Go in silence. [_The _Scullions_ and _Horseboys_ turn towards the door, but stand still on hearing the voice of LEAGERIE’S WIFE outside the door._ LEAGERIE’S WIFE. My man is the best. I will go in the first. I will go in the first. EMER. My man is the best, and I will go in first. CONAL’S WIFE. No, for my man is the best, and it is I that should go first. [_LEAGERIE’S WIFE and CONAL’S WIFE struggle in the doorway._ _LEAGERIE’S WIFE sings._ My man is the best. What other has fought The cat-headed men That mew in the sea And carried away Their long-hidden gold? They struck with their claws And bit with their teeth, But Leagerie my husband Put all to the sword. CONAL’S WIFE. [_Putting her hand over the other’s mouth and getting in front of her._] My husband has fought With strong men in armour. Had he a quarrel With cats, it is certain He’d war with none But the stout and heavy With good claws on them. What glory in warring With hollow shadows That helplessly mew? EMER. [_Thrusting herself between them and forcing both of them back with her hands._] I am Emer, wife of Cuchulain, and no one shall go in front of me, or sing in front of me, or praise any that I have not a mind to hear praised. [_CUCHULAIN puts his spear across the door._ CUCHULAIN. All of our three wives shall come in together, and by three doors equal in height and in breadth and in honour. Break down the bottoms of the windows. [_While CONAL and LEAGERIE are breaking down the bottoms of the windows each of their wives goes to the window where her husband is._ _While the windows are being broken down EMER sings._ My man is the best. And Conal’s wife And the wife of Leagerie Know that they lie When they praise their own Out of envy of me. My man is the best, First for his own sake, Being the bravest And handsomest man And the most beloved By the women of Ireland That envy me, And then for his wife’s sake Because I’m the youngest And handsomest queen. [_When the windows have been made into doors, CUCHULAIN takes his spear from the door where EMER is, and all three come in at the same moment._ EMER.