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

202 OSSIAN'S DISTRESS.
to dishonour the fame of the bards, and wholly to
cut off the Fingalians.
Inhuman tribe, without mercy, without virtue,
without friendship; race without love, without
compassion, without victory. Is there any praise
or valour in murdering the dead, when there is
none of them to oppose you in the comhat? Were
the Fingalians, as in the years that are past, draw-
ing near to you on the sloping heath, quickly
would you flee away from their fierce strokes,
in time of ire. Conan, the least of the Finga-
lians, would be sufficient to reduce your two
leaders into subjection; both the open-mouthed,
disfigured bear, and the long-eared dog that sup-
ports him.
But pity it is, O hero, that thou hast clothed
me in the filthy garb of the strangers, and that
thou hadst not given sufficient proof to my foes,
that my own garb was not lost.
In the north a man started up to preserve my
people alive, and wrote the history of our fame
anew in mild words, not deviating from the truth.
But blessing attend the souls of the heroes, who,
with indignation and ire, are coming down to de-
fend me and the Fingalians from the desire of our
merciless foes. Though this day my garment is
old and torn from side to side, its shape is not
yet aukward, and it proves my strength and
fame.
Thus, heroic friend, prove thyself Fingal's