J. F. Campbell Collection > Temora, an ancient epic poem, in eight books

An epic poem. 59
forms of his fathers. But, far before the reft, Duth-caron hewed
down the foe. Nor flept the arm of Connal, by his father's fide.
Atha prevailed on the plain : like fcattered mift, fled the people of
Ullin *.
Then rofe the fword of Duth-caron, and the fteel of broad-
fliielded Connal. They fhaded their flying friends, like two rocks
with their heads of pine. — Night came down on Duth-ula : filent
ftrode the chiefs over the field. A mountain-ftream roared acrofs
the path, nor could Duth-caron bound over its courfe. — Why ftands
my father ? faid Connal. — I hear the rufliing foe.
Fly, Connal, he faid ; thy father's ftrength begins to fail. — I
come wounded from battle ; here let me reft in night. — " But thou
fhalt not remain alone, faid Connal's burfting figh. My fliield is an
eagle's wing to cover the king of Dun-lora." He bends dark above
the chief; the mighty Duth-caron dies.
Day rofe, and night returned. No lonely bard appeared, deep-
mufing on the heath : and could Connal leave the tomb of his fa-
have been always fo difturbed by domeftic the divifions amongft themfelves, arif-
commotions, that it is difficult to fay, whe- ing from the bad conftitution of their go-
ther it ever was, for any length of time, vernment, that, at laft, fubjefled the Irifh
fubje£l to one monarch. It is certain, that to a foreign yoke.
every province, if not every fmall diftricf^, * The inhabitants of Uliin or Ulfter,
had its own king. One of thefe petty who were of the race of the Caledonians,
princes affumed, at times, the title of king feem, alone, to have been the firm friends
of Ireland, and, on account of his fupe- to the fuccefllon in the family of Conar.
rior force; or in cafes of publick danger. The Firbolg were only fubjedt to them
was acknowledged by the reft as fuch ; but by ccnftraint, and embraced every oppor-
the fucceflion, from father to fon, does not tunity to throw oft' their yoke.
ajip?ar to have been eftabliflied,— It was
I 2 ther.