Ossian Collection > Fingal

CANTO II. FINGAL 45
Clouds are their banners — flames their spears —
Consuming horror their arraj,
Death strews amidst them harrowing fears,
And anguish black'neth all their way.
Hell with impenetrable night
Surrounds them as an iron sheath,
And on they urge their dark stiU flight.
Nor shriek, nor groan, nor whisper breathe ;
The wakeful, watchful, awful ire.
Spreads silence o'er the wave of fire
'Till all had pass'd. — A hideous dream. —
Then wide was heard the distant scream
Of legions rushing on to war.
And the earth yawn'd with tremendous roar,
And the dread shapes are seen no more :
Following them last, th' eternal death
Sinks howling horrible — his breath
Pours burning pestilence afar.