Ossian Collection > Fingal

An epic POE M. i8i
lay, like a fluttered rock, which Cromla fliakes from its fide. But
never more Hiall Olcar rife ! he leans on his bofTy fhield. His fpear
is in his terrible hand : Erin's fons flood diftant and dark. Their
flaouts arofe, like the crowded noile of ftreams, and Lena echoed
around.
FiNGAL heard the found; and took his father's fpear. His flops
are before us on the heath. He fpoke the words of woe. I hear
the noife of battle : and Ofcar is alone. Rife, ye fons of Morven,
and join the hero's fword.
OssiAN ruflied along the heath. Fillan bounded over Lena. Fer-
gus flew with feet of wind. Fingal ftrode in his ftrength, and the
light of his fhield is terrible. The fons of Erin faw it far diflant ;
they trembled in their fouls. They knew that the wrath of the
king arofe : and they forefaw their death. We firfl: arrived ; we
fought; and Erin's chiefs withfiood our rage. But when the king
came, in the found of his courle, what heart of fleel could fland !
Erin fled over Lena. Death purfued their flight.
We faw Ofcar leaning on his fhield. We fiw his blood around.
Silence darkened on every hero's face. Each turned his back and
wept. The king flrove to hide his tears. His gray beard whiftled
in the wind. He bends his head over his fon : and his words are
mixed with flghs.
And art thou fallen, Ofcar, in the midfl of thy courfe ? the heart
of the aged beats over thee ! He fees thy coming battles. He be-
tury : they fay, Jie was killed in battle a- their bards, the traaflator thinks that the
gainft Ofcar the fon of Oflian, but deny account of Ollian is as probable : at the
that he fell by his hand. As they have worfc, it is but oppofing one tradition to
uothing to 20 upon but the traditions ©f another.
holds