Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

224 TIGHMORA. [Duan I.
'Gainst the grey sky seeing a ghost ; 480
His great steps were from hill to hill,
His broad shield was dim on his side :
'Twas the conquering son of Seuma.
Well I knew the frown of the hero,
Who departed on his own blast ; 485
Darkness without ray was around.
My soul sank with grief overwhelmed ;
I hastened to the hall of towers,
The hall of bounteous sounding shells,
Where a thousand torches blazed high ; 490
Full a hundred bards were in tune.
Cormac stood in their midst, as lovely
As a young star risen in the sky
When it looks in its tranquil joy
From behind dark hills in the east, 495
Its fresh radiance brightening the dew —
Rising without speck from the sea :
Its course will be peaceful on high,
Without cloud to obscure its rays.
Artho's sword was in the king's hand ; 500
He drew it with the fire of youth ;
Three times did he draw it with might,
Three times in the sheath it remained.
His brown locks round his shoulders fell,
Brightness shone in his youthful face. 505
I mourned that a radiance so pure,
So quickly in darkness should set.
" With a pleasant smile, said the youth,
' Has Althan, the bard, seen the hero ?
The sword of Erin's king is heavy; 510