Ossian Collection > Fingal

FINGAL. U
the strangers of ocean fled. Wliose name was fairer
ou the hill than the name of Cairbar and Grudar ?
But ah ; why ever lowed the bull on Colbun's
echoing heath? They saw him leaping like snow.
The wrath of the chiefs returned. »
On Lubar's *) grassy banks they fought: Gru-
dar fell in his blood. Fierce Cairbar came to the
vale, where Brassolis, fairest of his sisters, all
alone, raised the song of grief. She sung of the
actions of Grudar , the youth of her secret souL
She mourned him in the field of blood , but still
she hoped for his return. Her white bosom is
seen from her robe, as the moon from the clouds
of night, when its edge heaves white on the view,
from the darkness which covers its orb. Her voice
was softer than the harp to raise the song of grief.
Her soul was fixed on Grudar. The secret look
of her eye was his. " When shalt thou come in
thine arms . thou mighty in the war ? „
" Take . Brassolis .„" Cairbar came and said,
"take, Brassolis, this shield of blood. Fix it oa
high within my hall, the armour of my foe!..
Her soft heart beat against her side. Distracted,
pale, she flew. She found her youth in aU his
blood ; she died on Cromla's heath. Here rests
their dust. CuthulUn ! these lonely yews sprung
from their tombs , and shade them from the storm.
Fair was Brassolis on the plain ! Stately was Gru-
dar on the hill! The bard shall preserve their
names , and send them down to future times ! «
" Pleasant is thy voice. Carril, >, said the blue-
eyed chief of Erin. " Pleasant are the words of
other times ! They are like the calm shower of
spring, when the sun looks on the field, and the
light cloud flies over the hills. strike the harp
in praise of my love, the lonely sun -beam of
Dunscaith I Strike the harp in the praise of Bragela,
she that I left in the isle of mist, the spouse of
Semos son! Dost thou raise thy fair face from
the rock to find the sails of Cuthullin ? The sea
is rolling distant tar: its white foam deceives thee
for my sails. Retire, for it is night, my love;
') Liibar, a river in Ulster. " Labhar , „ loud, noisy.