Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal

252 T E M O R A : Book V^
vale. On either fide, on their hills, rife the tall forms
of the kings ; their people are poured around them,
bending forward to their words ; as if their fathers fpoke.
defcending from their winds. But the kings were like
two rocks in the midft, each wdth its dark head of pines,
■when they are feen in the defart, above low-failing mifh.
High on their face are ilreams, which fpread their foam
ojhblafts. - •-' - —
Beneath the voice of Cathmor poured Erin, like the
found of flame. Wide they ciime do.wn to Lubar ; be-
fore them is the ft ride of Foldath. But Cathmor retired
to his hill, beneath his bending oaks. The tumbling of
a ftream is near tlie king : he hfts, at times, his gleam-
ing fpear. It was a flame to his people,, in the, midft of
war. Near him flood the daughter of Con-mor, leaning
on her rock. She did not rejoice over the flrife ; her. foul
delighted not in blood, -A valley * fpreads green behind
the hill, with its three blue ftreams. The fun is there in
lilence ; and the dun mountain-roes come down. On
thefe are turned the eyes of Inis-huna's white-bofomed
maid.
Fingal beheld, on high, the fon of Borbar-duthul : he
faw the deep rolling of Erin, on the darkened plain. He
fl:ruck that warning bofs, which bids the people obey ;
when he fends his chiefs before them, to the field of re-
nown. Wide rofe their fpears to the fun ; their echoing
Ihields reply around. Fear, like a vapor, did not wind
among the hofl : for he, the king, was near, the ftrength
of ftreamy Morven. Gladnefs brightened the hero, we
heard his words of joy.
" Like the coming forth of winds, is the found of Mor-
ven's fons I They are mountain waters, determined in
their courfe. Hence is Fingal renowned, and his name
in other lands. He was not a lonely beam in danger ;
for your ftcps were always near. But never was I a
dreadful form, in your prefence, darkened into wrath.
My voice w'as no thunder to your ears : mine eyes fent
forth
Ferad-artho, the fon of Cairbre, the only perfon remaining; of the race of Conar,
lived concealed in a cave, during the ufurpation of Cairbar, the fon of Borbar-
duthul.
• It was to this vallej' Sul-malla retired, during the lafl and decifive battle be-
tween Fingal and Cathmor. It is defcribed in the leventh book, where it is caU
led the vale of Loaa, and the refidsMigi; cf a Druid.