Ossian Collection > Fingal

CANTO VI. FINGAL. 139
O'er the spread ranks his eye he roU'd,
And seem'd, as with one glance he told
Their gathered numbers. — " Ha," he said,
" A brave old soldier 'scapes mine eye,
Old Rerth, where is he?" Ev'ry head
Then hung, and ev'ry breast a sigh
Deep uttered. One at length replied,
" Beneath the scourge, oh chief, he died."
Vast, in the noble vet'rans breast.
Then rose the swell of soldier pride,
And there deep struggled rage represt.
" Scourg'd ! What ? — A soldier scourg'd," he
cried.
He half unsheath'd his sword, — " forbear,"
He whisp'red to himself, " Stay, stay —
Not yet thy time." On Feargus now
Darkly he bent his knitted brow.
" Thou rt midst thy foes," he said, " declare
What would'st thou for thy ransom pay ?"