Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

Book III.] FINGAU . 6,J
And near liim, leaning on his bending spear
My young, my lovely Oscar glowing stood. otJQ
Whilst he the king of JMorven view'd, his soul
SwcH'd with reflections on the hero's deeds.
* Son of my son, O Oscar, said the king,
* Thou pride of youth, I saw thy shining sword .
' And gloried in my race. Our father's fame SG^i
' Pursue, and tread the path they trod in war.
' When Trenraor liv'd, the first of mighty chiefs ;
* And Trathul, who to heroes gave descent :
* They fought the battle in their days ofyouth
* With growing fame, and are the song of bards, 370,
* O Oscar, bend the strong, but spare the weak.—*
* Against thy people's foes be thou, in strength,
* A stream of many tides ; but like the gale,
* That moves the grass, to those who ask thy aid.
' So Trenmor liv'd ; such Trathal also was ; 375
* And such has been Fingal. My ready arm
* Redress'd the injur'd, and behind my steel,
* As ligiituing beaming, found the weak repose.
' In youth's meridian bloom, O Oscar, once
* Like thee I shone, when Tainasollis came, 380
* That radiant sunbeam, mildest light of love,
* Daughter of Craca's king. — From Cona's heath
* I then rcturn'd, and few were in my train. —
* Far off appear'd a white-sail'd boat ; like mist
* To us it seem'd, that rode on ocean's blast. S8S
' It soon approach'd; — and soon we saw the fair,
* Whose snow-white bosom turgid heav'd with sighs.
' Wild blew the wind in her loose, dusky hair,
' And down her rosy cheeks flow'd pearly tears.
■*' Daughter of beauty," * calm I said, " what woe 390
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