Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

Luthnon. 307
tliou in the lialls of Selma, and hear of our renown.
Bid tlie harp to be strung, and the voice of the bard to
arise, that those who fall may rejoice in their fame,
and the soul of Morni brighten with joy. Ossian !
thou hast fought in battles ; the blood of strangers
is on thy spear ; thy course be with Gaul in the
strife ; but depart not from the side of Fingal, lest
the foe should find you alone, and your fame fail
in my presence."
" * I saw Gaul in his arms ; my soul was mixed
with his. The fire of the battle was in his eyes !
he looked to the foe with joy. We spoke the words
of friendsliip in secret ; the lightning of our swords
poured together ; for we drew them behind the wood,
and tried the strength of our arms on the empty air."
Night came down on Morven. Fingal sat at the
beam of the oak. Morni sat by his side with all
his grey waving locks. Their words were of other
times, of the mighty deeds of their fathers. Three
bards, at times, touched the harp : Ullin was near
with his song. He sung of the mighty Comhal ;
but darkness gathered on Morni's brow. He rolled
his red eye on Ullin : at once ceased the song of
the bard. Fingal observed the aged hero, and
he mildly spoke : " Chief of Strumon, why that
darkness? Let the days of other vears be forgot.
Our fathei-s contended in war ; but we meet together
at the feast. Our swords are turned on the foe of
our land: he melts before us on the field. Let the
days ofourfathersbe forgot, hero of mossy Strumon!"
"King of Morven," replied the chief, "Ire-
member thy father with joy. He was terrible in
battle ; the rage of the chief was deadly. My eyes
were fiiU of tears when the king of heroes fell.
The valiant fall, O Fingal ! the feeble remain on
the hills ! How many heroes have passed away in
the days of Morni ! Yet I did not shun the battle;
neither did I tiy from the strife of the valiant.
* Ossian speaks.