Ossian Collection > Fingal of Ossian

Book VI. F I N G A L. 4.15
510 The Monarch fpoke— We feafted on the Ground,
Sung jovial Songs, and high the Goblet crown'd.
Cuthullifis, Soul arofe, its ufual Might
His Arm recover'd, and his Face grew bright.
Old Carril Tung, tall UlUn ft ruck the Lyre,
515 I rais'd my Voice, and join'd the tuneful Choir.
We fung, (while all attentive lent an Ear)
In lofty Strains, the Battles of the Spear :
Of
young Women danced. The old Warrior related the gallant Adions of
his Youth, and ftruck the young Men with Ambition and Fire. The
whole Tribe filled the Chieftain's Hall. The Trunks of Trees covered
with Mofs were laid in the Form of a Table from one End of the Hall to
the other. Whole Deer and Beeves were roafted and laid before them on
rough Boards or Hurdles of Rods wove together. Their Pipers played
while they fat at Table, and Silence was obferved by all. After the Feaft
was over, they had ludicrous Entertainments, of which fome are ftill acted
in the Highlands. Then the Females retired, and the old and young War-
riors fat down in Order from the Chieftain, according to their Proximity
in Blood to him. The Harp was then touched, the Song was raifed, and
the Sliga-crechin, or the Drinking Shell, went round.
V. 514. 0/i Carril fung, iaU\J\X\n ftruck the Lyre !\ I have here, and
in fome other Places, ufed the Word Lyre : Yet, whether that mufical
Inftrument called a Harp, was the Cilhara or Lyra of the Ancients, has
afforded