Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

jfingal :
AN ANCIENT EPIC POEM.
ARGrMFNT.
cmU'LLIX, pleased with the siory of Carril, insists with that bard for more
of his suiigs. He relates the actions of Fingal in Lochlin, and the death of
Agjiidecca, the beautiful sister of Swaran. He had scarce finished, when
Calniar, the son of Matlia, wlio iiad advised the fust battle, came wounded
from the field, and told them of Swaran's design to surprise the remains of
tfie Irish arniy. He himself proposes to withstand singly the whole force of
the enemy, in a nariow pass; till the Irish should make good their retreat.
C'uchuUiti, touched with the gallant proposal of Oalmar, resolves to accom-
pany hiiji, and orders Carvil to carry off'the few, that remained of the Irish.
Morning comes, Calmar dies of his wounds ; and, the ships of the Caledo-
nians appearing, Swaian gives over the pursuit of the Irish, and returns to
oppose Kingai's landing. C'lichuUin ashamed, after his defe-it,to appear be-
foie lingal ; retires to the caveof 'I'ura. I'ingal engages the enemy, puts them
to flight; but the coming on of the night prevents tiie victory from being
decisive. The King, wlio lud observed the gallant behaviour of his grand-
son Oscar, gives him his advice concerning his conduct in peace and war.
lie recommends to him to place the example of his fathers before his eyes ; as
the best model for his conduct ; which introduces the episode concerning
Fainasollis, the daughter of the king of C'raca, whom Fingal had taken under
his protection, in his youth. Fillan and Oscar are dispatched to observe
tlie motions of the enemy by night ; Gaul the son of Morni desires the com-
mand of the army in the next battle, which Fingal piomises to giv8 hiia.— •
Some geneial retlectious of the poet close the third day.
BOOK III.
DELIGHTFUL is the song ! Cuchullin said,
And lovely are tht tales of other times .'
In cahnness they resemble morning-dew
Upon the hill of roes, when on its sides
Faint shines the sun ; whilst in the vale below
Settled and blue the spacious lake appears.