Ossian Collection > Original collection of the poems of Ossian, Orrann, Ulin, and other bards, who flourished in the same age

A HEROIC POEM. 97
brooked no sliame, were watch iiii;' the white foam-
ed ocean, the gallant Ryno, Fingal's son, and
strong Caol, the offspring of Grudo, While these
watched the main, they sunk into a deep repose,
until the skifl' of the great warrior came near
them, bounding on the strand. Forth from his
hollow bark sprung the beauteous hero; he hauled
her over the ridges of the bright pebbled shore.
His yellow hair glittered as gold over the smooth
brow and rnddy cheek: his blue eyes looked as
the mountain berry, in the comely face of the chief.
The offspring of the kiug of princes grasped two
spears for combat. A goUl-gleaming buckler
hung on the left shoulder of the monarch's illus-
trious son. Fearless of combat, he bore a sword
of destructive force. A helmet*, polished and
studded with gems, shone on the temples of the
thundering v.arrior. The champions of the east-
ern land did homage to Dargo, the son of Drudin,
for majestic and graceful beauty, for equal combat,
and for gallant soul.
Ryno, the son of Fingal arose, witli the shapely,
vigorous, and valiant Caol; they grasped theii
■weapons, and rushed to meet him. Declare thy
story, mighty chief; ours it is to watch the ocean;
we two boast of a king for our sire, the king o(
the puissant Fions of A I bin.
* Mionn, a helmet, as it stands in the Irish copy_, is the true reading
Dhtalhh has nothing to tlo with the context.