Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

Dr A x in.] FIONNGAL. 151
So mighty, so dark, and so brave,
Came the race of ships down the slope. 330
The king great and strong was before them,
Sternly proud in his arms and shield ;
Wrath burned in his dark fearless face ;
His eye was like moor-fire in storm.
When Fionngal saw Starno's great son, 335
He remembered the maid of snow;
Suaran, when she fell, was in tears
For the maiden of lovely cheek.
Towards him went Ullin of songs,
To bid him to the feast on shore ; 340
Pleasant to the king of great hills
Was remembrance of his first love.
Ullin of the aged step came
And accosted the son of Starno.
" Man of might from the distant land, 345
Who seemest in thy mail and arms
Like a rock in the midst of waves,
Come thou to the banquet of chiefs ;
Spend a day in peace at the feast ;
To-morrow be breaking the shield, 350
Where in conflict shall press the spear."
" To-day,'"' said Starno's son, " to-day
Shall I break the spear on the hill ;
To-morrow thy king shall be foiled,
When Suaran and his chiefs shall feast." 355
" To-morrow the hero shall feast,"
With a smile, said the king of Morbheinn ;
" To-day I shall fight on the hill,
And break the unm at enable shield,