Ossian Collection > Fingal

Book I. AnEPICPOEM, 17
In other days *, Carril replies, came the fens of Ocean to Erin. A
thoufand veffels bounded over the waves to UUin's lovely plains.
The fons of Inisfail arofe to meet the race of dark-brown fhields.
Cairbar, firft of men, was there, and Grudar, ftately youth. Long
had they ftrove for the fpotted bull, that lowed on Golbun's -f ec-
choing heath. Each claimed him as their own ; and death was of-
ten at the point of their Heel.
Side by fide the heroes fought, and the ftrangers of Ocean fled.
Whofe name was fairer on the hill than the name of Cairbar and
Grudar !— - But ah ! why ever lowed the bull on Golbun's ecchoing
heath ; they faw him leaping like the fnow. The wrath of the
chiefs returned.
On Lubar's ^ grafly banks they fought, and Grudar like a fun-
beam, fell. Fierce Cairbar came to the vale of the ecchoing Tura,
where BralTolis 1|, fairefl of his fifters, all alone, raifed the fong of
grief. She fung of the aftions of Grudar, the youth of her fecret foul.
She mourned him in the field of blood ; but ftill flie hoped for
his return. Her white bofom is feen from her robe, as the moon
from the clouds of night. Her voice was fofter than the harp to
raife the fong of grief. Her foul was fixed on Grudar ; the fecret
look of her eye was his. — When fhalt thou come in thine arms, thou
mighty in the war ?
* This epifode is introduced with pro- find Cahnar and Connal perfeflly recoii-
priety. Calmar and Connal, two of the ciied in the third book.
Irifti heroes, had difputed warmly before f Golb-bhean, as well as Cromleach,
the battle about engaging the enemy. Car- fignifies a crooked hill.
ril endeavours to reconcile them with the % Lubar — a river in Ulfter. Labhar,
ftory of Cairbar and Grudar ; who, tho* loud, noify.
enemies before, fought yJ</^ by fide in the || Braflblis fignifies a K'swan xwV/; « li'/vVf
war. The poet obtained his aim, for we breoJI.
D Take.