Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

78 GAOL-NAX-DAOIXE.
Night descended with sable locks ;
The maid loved by chiefs raised the song ; 115
Among the harps her strain was heard,
Gaol-nan-daoine of the white arms.
Toscar paled in his place, before
The loved of hundreds. On his soul
She came like a gleam of the sky 120
On the dark ridge of bounding ocean,
When the light breaks forth from a cloud,
On the hoary foam of the waves.
With morning we aroused the hill ;
Our steps were on the track of deer ; 125
They fell by their ever-loved streams.
We returned through Crona of conquests ;
From the wood on us came a youth,
With puny shield and harmless spear,
" Whence the beam that comes from the hill I "
Said Toscar from Lotha of hundreds. 131
" Is there peace in Caol-amhainn of strings,
Round the graceful light o'er the harp ? "
" In Caol-amhainn of streams," said the youth,
' Dwelt the light of chiefs o'er the harp ; 135
Her movements are now on the hill,
With the son of the great, brave king,
Who took captive her soul through love ;
For a time she strays from the hall."
" Young stranger of the woful tale, 140
Hast thou seen his aspect and course ?
He shall fall into lasting sleep.
Render quickly to me thy shield."
In anger he tore oil' the shield ;