Ossian Collection > Selections from the Gaelic bards

IT'O ANCIENT GAELIC BARDS,
With the bay of the dogs, and the shout of the herws.
In the calm of the morning air,
They roused the Great Boar from his skimber.
And watch'd every pass from his lair.
Up he rose in his wrath when he heard thorn,
And rush'd round the glen where he stay'd^
He turn'd east, he turn'd west, ere he darted.
Foaming with rage, from the shade.
From the shade of the rock down he rattled
Past the hounds and huntsmen shear;
His huge bristles pointed like javelins.
And his tusks like the point of a spear.
Then slipp'd they the dogs, and they drove him
Down Lodram's mossy side ;
Long strove they to tear him, but could not
While the hunters cheerily cried.
" Son of Doon, dost thou wish to win honour ?"
Said Finn in his wrath and pride ;
" Slay that boar by thyself, thou gay victor,
Which the heroes so long has defied."
Diarmad's tough spear was soon chew'd into splinters.
Like reeds on Lego that grow ;
But the boar fell beneath his hard sword-blade^
Victorious o'er many a foe.
Then Finn he lay down on the green sward.
And moodily turn'd fram the sight ;
He grieved that the son of Doon had escaped
Without wound, from the furious fight.
" Diarmad ! measure the boar," he said,
" With thy bare feet, for great is his size."