Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

178 THE DEATH OV CUCHULLIN.
* And faintly glcnnis the light on Sdrau's walls.
* Or, let the dark'ning grief of Lara rise,
* And Calmar's mother's sighs of heaving strength ;
' When on his hills he, but in vain, was sought,
* And on his bow within the hall she look'd.
* Carril, the shield of Caithbat on that braneh
' Suspend, and let Cuchullin's spear be near.
* That, with the morn grey-beaming from the east,
* The signal of my battle may arise.'
Upon his father's shield the hero lean'd,
And in sweet strains the song of Lara rose.
Far at a distance stood the hundred bards ;—
Carril alone is near the mighty chief.
His were the words melodious of the song.
And mournful was the warbling of his lyre,
* Alcletha with the hoary locks of age !
* Mother of car-borne Calmar ! Why, to see
* Thy son returnino:, tow'rds the desert look ?
' These that appear dark on the shadv heath
* Are not his heroes, nor is that the voice
* Of Calmar ; it is but the distant grove —
' The roar, Alcletha, of the mountain-wind.'
" Sister of noble Calmar, say who bounds"
* (Amidst her rising hopes, Alcletha said)'
" O'er Lara's stream ? Does not Alcletha see
" His spear ? But with old age her eyes are dim !
" O daughter of my love, attentive look,
" And say — if he indeed be Matha's son ?"
" It is, Alcletha, but an aged oak !"
* Alona said, the lovely, weeping fair.'
" 'Tis but an oak, Akietha, o'er the stream
" Of Lara bent. But who along the plain