Ossian Collection > Fingal of Ossian

294- F I N G A L. Book IV.
But, oh ! ye Ghofts of Warriors flain ! vvhofe Forms
Here dwell on Crofnla^ and dired; the Storms !
570 Be my Companions, when I weep alone
In 7ura\ Cave, and echo Groan for Groan :
For I no more muft hold the firft Command,
Or from invading Foes proted: the Land :
My Fame hath vanifh'd, like a Beam that's paft,
575 Like Mifts that fly before the Morning Blaft,
When iffuing from the Eaft looks forth the Day,
And tips the Mountain with a golden Ray.
Ah!
V. 568. But, oh I ye Chop of Warriors Jlain ! fcfc.] In Cuihullin's Ex-
preffions of Grief, in this Place, we behold the Sentiments of a Hero,
generous but defponding. The Situation is remarkably fine. Roufed
from his Cave by the Noife of Battle, he fees Fingal on the Point of ob-
taining a complete Viftory. He is defcribed as kindling at the Sight, and
ready to rufh on the Enemy, did not Comial ftop him, by fuggefting, that
Fingal had routed them already •, and that he ought not, by the Show of
fuperfluous Aid, to deprive the King of any Part of a Vidory, which was
owing to him alone. Cuthullin yields to this generous Sentiment ; but we
fee it flinging him to the Heart with the Senfe of his Difgrace.
jEJluat ingens
Imo in corde pudor, luifuf^ue, et confcia virtus.