Ossian Collection > Fingal

96 FINGAL. canto r
" And," cries the king with bright'ning eye,
" Does Eliua know what her command
To Kenneth's stranger guest hath given ?
Knows she that princely nobles vie
For entrance into Comhal's band ?
They vie when they the tide have driv'n
Of war, and to advance their claim
They tell their toils and show their fame."
" Thou hast not pledg'd thee on thy sword,"
The maid returns, " forget the thing,
'Tvvas but a jest, a passing word,
And may not, must not bind the king."
" I've pledg'd me to that gentle eye,
I've pledg'd me to that blushing cheek,"
He answers, " and so lov'd a tye
Will Comhal never w ish to break.
Th' unknown, whom beauteous Elraa's voice
Enrolls in Comhal's chosen band.