Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

Duan I.] TIGHMOKA. 217
Darkly as the dun waves of ocean
Ere rises the wind on the waves,
Propelling their crests to the shore,
Cairbre's host came quick to his side. 270
Why, daughter of Toscar, thy tears 1
The great mighty chief has not fallen ;
Many deaths shall encircle the hill
Ere the brave one droop on his side.
Behold how they fall by the chief, 275
Like the woods on the barren hills
When in wrath comes the sprite of the storm
Amain under night from the desert,
His hand on the tops of the pines !
In death fell Mathronnan and Morla ; 280
Conachar fell to earth in blood ;
Cairbre fled from the hero's sword,
Crouching down in vindictive gloom
Behind the stone of forms and curves. 1
In secret he lifted his spear, 285
And struck Oscar's side : on his shield
The warrior fell to the ground,
Sustaining himself on his knee,
With his own long spear in his hand.
See Cairbre laid prostrate in dust ! 290
The point of the steel cleft his head,
Severing his red locks behind :
Like a broken rock fell the chief,
That suddenly slips from the height
When the green isle of Erin shakes 295
1 Seemingly a sculptured stone.