J. F. Campbell Collection > Report of the Committee of the Highland Society of Scotland, appointed to inquire into the nature and authenticity of the poems of Ossian

MR. M*PHERSON's POETRY. 159
He stood, then stretch 'd bis sceptre, all around
Hang in attention to the grateful sound ;
Down tow'rds the dust he bends Jiis reverend head.
And to th' Almighty supplicating praj'd ;
O Great Unknown, O all-creating Mind,
In greatness lost ; almighty uneonfin'd
To space or time, whose mighty hand informs.
The rattling tempests and the sable storms,
Absorpt in light, O Vast Infinitude I
Incomprehensible I supremely Good ;
Attend, O Heav'nly I from thy glory hear.
And to a dust-form'd worn> incline thy ear.
String the firm arm, and teach the hand to fight,
Confound the proud tha:t strut in mortal might.
All owns thy s^^'ay, and at thy great command
Success attends the weak and feeble hand
Thus said, the devout monarch suppliant bow'd,
And muttering prayers ran along the crowd.
In dazzling arms the chiefs terrific shine.
Glide thro the ranks, and form the lengthen'd line,-
While from th' imbattled foe a hero strode
A coat-of-mail hangs from his shoulders broad j
On his high-tow'ring head eventful wav'd
A crested helmet that the sabre brav'd;
On his left hand he bears a spacious shield^
Glitt'ring with iron terror o'er the field :
And in his right he waves the shining blade.
He greatly stood, and thus provoking said.
Ye Scots, ye nation full of fraud and guile.
Ye mean descendants of a barren soil.
Let one advance (the bravest I demand)
And form a victim to my conquering hand.
Forget your fears, your wonted fears controul,
liCt fate enlarge the ever-little soul. —