Ossian Collection > Fingal

A POEM. 129
Such were the words of the bards, when they came to Selma's
halls. — A thoufand lights * from the ftranger's land rofe, in the midfl:
of the people. The feaft is fpread around; and the night paflcd away in
joy. — Where is the noble Clefsammor -|-, faid the fair-haired Fingal ?
Where is the companion of my father, in the days of my joy ? Sul-
len and dark he paffes his days in the vale of ecchoing Lora : but, be-
hold, he comes from the hill, like a fteed ;{: in his ftrength, who
finds his companions in the breeze ; and tolTes his bright mane in
the wind. Blefh be the foul of Clefsammor, why fo long from
Selma ?
Returns the chief, faid Clefsammor, in the midltof his fame ?
Such was the renown of Comhal in the battles of his youth. Often
did we pafs over Carun to the land of the ftrangers : our fwords re-
turned, not unftained with blood : nor did the kings of the world
rejoice. Why do I remember the battles of my youth ? My hair
is mixed with gray. My hand forgets to bend the bow : and I lift
* Probably wax-lights ; which are often He fnufFs the females in the diftant plain
mentioned as carried, among other booty. And fprings, exulting. Pope.
from the Roman province. ^alls ubi abruptis fugil prtsfepia vir.c'h
■\ Cleflamh mor, mighty deeds. Tandem liber equus, campoque potitus apertc,
X Hall thou given the horfe ftrength ? — IIU in pajlui armentaque Undit equarum :
Haft thou clothed his neck with thunder: arreSliJque fremit cervicibus alCe
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in Luxurians,luduntque lubie per colla, per ar-
his ftrength. Job. mos, Virg.
"ili S"ori Tti fx-ii 'iTTTTi; tx.iiofr,<7x; Itti Freed from his keepers, thus with broken
(parn!, reins,
^i<7tj.ii/ an-cjiprija;;, &c. HoM. 11. 6. The wanton courfer prances e'or the plains:
The wanton courfer. thus with reins un- Orintheprideofyoutho'erleapsthemounds,
bound. And fnufFs the females in forbidden grounds.
Breaks from his ftall, and beats the trcm- O'er his fhoulders flows his waving
bling ground ; mane :
His head, now freed, he toffes to the (kies ; He neighs, he fnorts, he bears his head on
His mane diflievel'd o'er his fhoulJers flies; hi^h. Dryden.
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