Ossian Collection > Temora, an ancient epic poem, in eight books

ip T E M O R A: •
Bripht, ill Iier locks, before him, Sul-mallaliftened to the tale; the
tale of the kings of Atha, in the days of old. The noife of battle
had ceafed in his ear : he ftopt, and raifed the fecret figh. The
fpirits of the dead, they faid, often lightened over his foul. He
favv the king of Atha low, beneath his bending tree.
Why art thou dark, faid the maid ? The ftrife of arms is pall.
Soon * fiiall he come to thy cave, over thy winding ftreams. The
fun looks from the rocks of the weft. The mifts of the lake arife.
Grey, they fpread on that hill, the ruiliy dwelling of roes. From
the mill; fliall my king appear ! — Behold, he comes in his arms.
Come to the cave of Clonmal, O my befl: beloved !
It was the fpirit of Cathmor, ftalking, large, a gleaming form.
He funk by the hollow ftream, that roared between the hills. — " It
was but the hunter, llie faid, who fearches for the bed of the roe-
His fteps are not forth to war ; his fpoufe expeds him with night.
— He fliall, whirling, return, with the fpoils of the dark-brown
hinds." Her eyes are turned to the hill ; again the ftately form
came down. She rofe, in the midft of joy. He retired in milt.
-Gradual vaniili his limbs of 'fmoak, and; mix rSvith "the mountain-
wind. — Then flie knew that he-fell ! "King of Erin art thou.low !'
■ — Let OlTian forget her grief; it wailes tlie foul of age -f-.
E V i- N I >; G
a csve. This fcene is awful and folemn, quits the dory of Sul malla, is judicious.
and cukulated to throw a nieljncholy "His fubjsil led him immediately to relate
gloom over the mind. the reftoration of the family of Conar to
* Cathmor had promifcd, in the fevcnth the Irilh throi;e ; which wc may conCder
book, to ccnie to the cave of CI nmal, af- efFeiTlually done, by the defeat and death
tcr the battle was over. of Cathmor, and the arrival of Ferad-ar-
f The abrupt manner, in which OiTan tho in the Caledonian army. To purfuc,
here.