Ossian Collection > Fingal, an ancient epic poem

240 CALTHON and COLMAL,
CALTHON AND COLMAL:
A POEM*.
PLEASANT is the voice of thy fong, thou
lonely dweller of the rock. It comes on the
* This piece, as many more of OfTian's compofi-
tions, is addreffed to one of the firll: Chriftian mifli-
onaries. — The ftory of the poem is handed down,
by tradition, thuc — In the country of the Britons
between the walls, two chiefs lived in the days of
Fingal, Dunthalmo, lord of Teutha, fuppofed to
be the Tweed ; and Rathmor, who dwelt at Clutha,
well known to be the river Clyde. Rathmor was
not niore renowned for his generofity and hofpitality,
than Bun'.halnio was infamous for his cruelty and
ambition. — Dunthalmo, thro' envy, or on account
of fome private feuds, which fubfifted between the
families, murdered Cathmor at a feaft ; but being
afterwards touched with remorfe, he educated the
tv/o fons of Rathmor, Calthon and Colmar, in his
ov/n houfe. — They growing up to man's eftate, drop-
ped fome hints that they intended to revenge the
death of their father, upon which Dunthalmo ihut
them up in two caves on the banks of Teutha, in-
tending to take them off" privately. — Colmai, the
daughter of Dunthalmo, who was fecretly in love
with Calthon, helped him to make his efcape from
prifon, and fled with him to Fingal, difguifed in the
habit of a young v.7arrior, and implored his aid
againft Dunthalmo. Fingal fent Oliian with three
hundred men, to Colmar's relief.— Dunthalmo ha-
ving prevloufiy murdered Colmar, came to a battle
withOflian ; but he v;as killed by that hero, and hi-3
army totally defeated.
Calthon married Colmai, his defiverer j and Offian
returned to Morven.
found