Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

Duan L] CATII-LODUIXX. 3
The clang of swords was heard on shields ; 50
They all took the hill in their march ;
The men stood in the twilight shade,
On the dusky ridges of night,
Raising snatches of quiet song
On the freshening breeze of the hills. 55
Full and slow the moon was on waves.
Dubh, the son of Eoinn', chief of heroes,
Mighty hunter of the dun boars,
In grey mail will come from the steep.
The man's delight was the brown craft 60
Rising up on the sea of ships,
When Cromthormod would wake the wood.
In a land of deceit and foes,
No fear was in the soul of Duir.
" Son of Cumhal, shall I stretch my steps 65
Through the night ? from the dented shield
Shall I look on our foemen all,
In silence under heaven's gloom,
Round the stern cruel king of Lochlin,
And fierce Suaran, the foe of strangers, 70
Yonder pouring their chant together,
To Loduinn's stone of spectres cold ?
Xot in vain are their solemn words
To Loduinn of the mighty Galls.
" But, chief, should Roinn's son not return, 75
His modest wife must walk alone,
Where meet the great streams of the hills,
That from Cruailinn are pouring down.
On each side are mountains and rocks,
Ocean's roar, high peaks, and green woods. 80