Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 3

ON THE POEMS OF OSSIAN. 201
ther OiTian, on that occafion, we learn that
it was not long fince he began to lift the
fpear. *■■ Few are the marks of ray fvvord
" in battle j but my foul is fire," He is
■with fome diificulty reihained by Olliaa
from going to attack the enemy ; and com-
plains to him, that his father had never al-
lowed him any oppoituuity of fignalizing
his valour. " The king hath not remark-
" ed my fword ; I go forth with the crowd j
*' I return without my fame." Soon after,
■when Fingal, according to cu'lom, was to
appoint one of his chiefs to command the
array, and each was ftanding forth, and
putting in his claira to this honour, Fillaa
is presented in the following molt pi£lu-
refque and natural attitude. " On his fpear
*' flood the fon of Clatho, in the wander-
" ing of his locks. Thrice he raifed his
" eyes to Fingal •, his voice thrice failed
*^ him as he fpoke. Fillan could not boall
" of battles ; at once he ftrode away. Bent
** over a diltant flream he flood ; the tear
** hung in his eye. He flruck, at times,
** the thiftle's head, with his inverted fpear."
No lefs natural and beautiful is the defcrip-
tion of Fingal's paternal emotion on this
occafion. '• Nor is he unfcen of Fingal,
** Side-long he beheld his fon. He beheld
*' him with burfting joy. He hid the big
*' tear with his locks, and turned amidit
" his crowded foul." The command, for