Ossian Collection > Selections from the Gaelic bards

WILD ANIMALS. 253
'Tis the ostrich that glitters a momeut, to vanish,
Like the meteor that streams through the bright blazou'd sky.
Ah ! the gleam of its plumage, — how gaily it flashes !
Fast over the desert, exulting in speed ;
How fine is its scorn of yon rider who dashes
On its far-lengthening traces, the pride of his steed !
Aye, cheerly and swiftly she speeds, tho' the stranger
May crush her young nest in the sands of the mead ;
While away all-unthinking the heedless, rude ranger.
Her fleet course from fountain to palm-tree will lead.
How free, and yet servile — how proud, yet obedient !
How buoyant with spirit, yet happy to aid,
Is man's friend in wild war, and his friend in all seasons.
When spring yet is green, or when autumn fruits fade !
See the joy of the horse — his great heart, for the battle.
Now leaps up to welcome the clarion clear;
For the shield, and the dart, and the loose quiver rattle.
And flash through the war-dust, the sword and the spear!
He is snorting, and pawing the valley unresting —
He neighs for the conflict that sounds in his ear;
Let him loose, and he swallows the ground, and leaps breasting
Its red tides rejoicing, and laughing at fear.
As proud, but more lonely — as brave, but far fiercer —
As grand and as dread in its azure domain.
Is the regal-wiug'd, regal-throned bird of the dun hue.
From the air- way that bends not — returns not in vain.
Far up in tether how proudly she flutters!
High over the eyrie alone in the sky ;
Thence she sails o'er the crags to whose echoes she utters.
Wide heard in the stillness her terrible cry !
When down her broad pinions the swift spoiler carry,
Then gleams the far glance of her grim gazing eye ;