Ossian Collection > Fingal

CANTO t. FINGAL. 25
Are the lightnings of fury on tempest' wings borne,
When the cloud's burning womb hath by thunders
been torn ;
And the shouts and the groans are the voice of the
blast,
When the blazing destroyer hath deathfully
pass'd ;
Ay, so wide and so dark, roll'd the storm of the
fight,
That with wild shrieks of terror, the spectres of
night,
Bursting fierce from the graves, howl' d aloud as
they flew :
" Oh thou tempest of midnight how black is thy
hue ;"
'Till afar from the battle, the noon-sun they saw,
And shrunk back to their darkness, and trembled
with awe.
" But why to valiant warriors tell.
How heroes fought, how heroes fell ?