Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

Book v.] FIKGAL. ^1
* On streamy Loda's banks, shall reach my love,
* Whilst lonely in the silent woods she sits,
* And in the leaves the rustling breezes blow I llO
' Ko' — then reply'd the king of Morvcn's hills ;
' No, Orla, thee Fingal will never wound.
* Tiiee, safe escaped from the hands of war,
* On Loda's banks let fier once more behold.
* Let thy grey-headed father, who with age 145
' Perhaps is blind within the spacious hall,
* And for thee waiting ; listen to thy voice.
' With gladness let the aged hero rise,
* And for his son grope with his hands of age.'
' But he, Fingal, his son will never find,' L')0
The youth of streamy Loda then reply'd ;
' For, Lena's heath shall be my last abode,
* And foreign bards my name shall give to song.
* My deadly wound my spreading girdle hides,
* ^^ hich now 1 lieely render to the wind.' 15S
Black from his side then pour'd the flowing gore,
And pale and speechless on the ground he fell.
Then over him expiring bends Fingal,
And to !us younger heroes gives command : —
' O.^car and Filian, my beloved sons, 160
' High raise the monument of Orla's fame.
' In lasting sleep, far from his once-lov'd spouse,
' Here let the dark-hair'd hero ever rest.
* Far from the sound of Loda's roaring streams
* Within the narrow house let him remain. 165
' The sons of weakness, at his distant home,
' Shall find his bow, unable it to bend.
' Upon hie hills his faithful dogs do howl,
L