Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

344 The Poems of Ossian.
death. The blood of thousands is on its steel.
lie came first to the shore, strong- in the grey hair
of age. Full rose his sinewy limbs, as he strode in
his might. That sword is by his side, which gives
no second wound. His shield is terrible, like the
bloody moon ascending- through a storm. Then
came Ossian king of songs. Then Morni's son, the
first of men. Connal leaps forward on his spear.
Dermid spreads his dark-brown locks. Fillan bends
his bow, the young hunter of streamy Moruth.
But who is that before them, like the terrible
course of a stream ? It is the son of Ossian, bright
between his locks ! His long hair falls on his back.
His dark brows are half- enclosed in steel. His
sword hangs loose on his side. His spear glitters
as he moves. I fled from his terrible eyes, king
of high Temora!"
" Then fly, thou feeble man," said Foldath's
gloomy w-rath. " Fly to the grey streams of thy
land, son of the little soul ! Have not I seen that
Oscar ? I beheld the chief in war. He is of the
mighty in danger : but there are others who lift
the spear. Erin has many sons as brave, king of
Temora of groves 1 Let Foldath meet him in his
strength. Let me stop this mighty stream. My
spear is covered with blood. My shield is like the
wall of Tura !"
" Shall Foldath alone meet the foe ?" replied the
dark-browed Malthos. "Are they not on our
coast, like the waters of many streams ? Are not
these the chiefs who vanquished Swaran, when the
sons of green Erin fled ? Shall Foldath meet their
bravest hero ? Foldath of the heart of pride !
Take the strength of the people ; and let Malthos
come. My sword is red with slaughter, but who
has heard my words ?"
point of his spear forward, it denoted in those days, that he came in a
hostile maimer, and accordingly he was treated as an enemy ; if he kept
the point behind him, it was a token of friendship, and he was imme
Uiately invited to a feast, according to the hospitality of the tinges.