J. F. Campbell Collection > Selections from the Gaelic bards

158 ANCIENT GAELIC BARDS.
Cormac woo'd her, gloomy chieftain,
But him she hated worst of all.
Her I resolved to win, for I loved her
With pure heart and steadfast truth ;
And with twelve of Fingal's chiefs I went ;
We strode in the strength of youth.
We came to the dark lake of Lego ;
There a noble chief came to meet
And conduct us with honour to Bran no —
With honour and welcomings sweet.
Me he saluted — the twelve youths he hail'd;
We sat with Branno at the feast ;
But ere the evening pass'd away,
Ere yet the mirth had ceased,
Branno inquired, "What is your purpose?
What would you have of me ?"
And Cailta said, "We seek thy daughter.
Her would we have of thee."
Then Branno said, "But which of you would have her?"
"Fingal's son," said Cailta: "this is he."
" Mighty hero of the wide ship-havens,
Happy is the maid gets thee.
"So high the place, Ossian!
Do men's tongues to thee assign,
If I twelve daughters had," said Branno,
" The best of them should be thine."
Then they open'd the choice and spare chamber,
That was shielded with down from the cold ;
The posts of its door were of polish'd bone.
And the leaves were of good yellow gold.