Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

Book v.] F I N G A L. 79
' That on sji'cen Inistorc's dark-rolling waves 7/>
* Nu white saird vessel may hereafter bound.'
They o'er the heath swift as the light'aing tlew.
I^ut, still as o"er the estive sultry plain
A eloud of thunder rolls, he slowly mov'd.
Dreadful as streams the meteor of the night, 80
His glitt'ring sword he, like a sunl)eam held.
Then tow'rds a chief of Lochlin bent his course.
And thus the son of snow-white waves address'd :
* Who there approaches, like a sable cloud,
* Near to the rock, where roaring waters stream ? 83
* Here he must stop, for o'er their raging course
* He cmnot bound ; yet stately is the chief.
* Upon his side his bossy shield he bears
* And his huge spear is like the desert-tree.
* Youth of the dark-brown hair, speak out and say, 90
' Dost thou approach Fingal, as Rrin's foe ?*
* I am a son of Lochlin,' loud he cries,
* And strong for war is my resistless arm.
* At home my wife in tears my absence mourns,
* But Orla never will again return.* Sai
* Or fights, or yields, the hero ?' said Fingal,
The king and hero of the noble deeds.
* Foes in my presence can't with honour stand :
* But in the hall my friends obtain renown.
* Son of the wave, me follow ; and partake 1(X>
* The feast of shells, and on my desert hills
* Pursue the deer, and be Fingal's ally.'
' No :' said the hero, * I the feeble help.
* To aid the weak in arms, my strength I'll give,
* Unmatched, hitherto, has been my sword, 106
* O warrior. Let the king of Morven yield,'