Ossian Collection > Fingal

134 G A R T H O N:
the dark helmet rile on every head ; and the mail pour its lighten-
ing from every fide. — The battle gathers like a tempeft, and foon
fliall ye hear the roar of death.
The hero moved on before his hoft, like a cloud before a ridge
of green fire ; when it pours on the iky of night, and mariners
forfee a ftorm. On Cona's rifing heath they ftood : the white-
bofomed maids beheld them above like a grove ; they forefaw the
death of their youths, and looked tovs'ards the fea v/ith fear. — The
white wave deceived them for diftant fails, and the tear is on
their cheek.
The fun rofe on the fea, and we beheld a diftant fleet. — Like the
mift of ocean they came : and poured their youth upon the coaft.
— The chief was among them, like the flag in the midft of the
herd. — His fnield is ftudded with gold, and llately flrode the king
offpears. — He moved towards Selma; his thoufands moved behind.
Go, with thy fong of peace, faid Fingal; go, Ullin, to the king
of fwords. Tell him that we are mighty in battle ; and that the
ghofts of our foes are many. — But renowned are they who have
feafted in my halls ! they fhew the arms J of my fathers in a foreign
land : the fons of the ftrangers wonder, and blefs the friends of
Morven's race ; for our names have been heard afar ; the kings of
the world fliook in the midft of their people.
Ullin went with his fong. Fingal refted on his fpear : he fiw
the mighty foe in his armour : and he bleft the ftranger's fon.
J It was a cuftom among the ancient different families, as monuments of the
Scots, to exchange arms with their guefts, frientlfliip which fubfifted between their an-
and thofe arms were preferved long in the ceftors.
How