Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 3

A POEBf. 34^
arm of snow. Her dark hair is in the wind. Hear,
son of Fingal, her song, it is smooth as the gliding
stream." We came to the silent bay, and heard
the maid of night.
" How long will ye roll around me, blue-tum-
bling waters of ocean ? My dwelling was not al-
ways in caves, nor beneath the whistling tree. The
feast was spread in Torthoma's hall. My father
delighted in my voice. The youths beheld me in
the steps of my loveliness. They blessed the dark-
haired Nina-thoma. It was then thou didst come,
Uthal ! like the sun of heaven ! The souls of
the virgins are thine, son of generous LarthmoT !
But why dost thou leave me alone, in the midst of
roaring waters ? Was my soul dark with thy death ?
Did my white hand lift the sword ? Why then hast
thou left me alone, king of high Finthormo * !"
The tear started from my eye, when I heard the
voice of the maid. I stood before her in my arms.
1 spoke the words of peace ! " Lovely dweller of
the cave ! what sigh is in thy breast ? Shall Os-
sian lift his sword in thy presence, the destruction
of thy foes ? Daughter of Torthomo, rise. I have
heard the words of thy grief. The race of ISIorven
are around thee, who never injured the weak.
* Finthormo, the palace of Uthal. The names in this epi-
sode are not of a Celtic original, ,