Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

Temora. 365
when thou roUest thy vapours before thee, over the
blasted host. But pleasant is thy beam to the hun-
ter, sitting bv the rock in a storm, when thou
sliowest thyself from the parted cloud, and bright-
enest his dewy locks : he looks down on the streamy
vale, and beholds the descent of roes ! How long
shalt thou rise on war, and roll, a bloody shield,
through heaven ? I see the death of heroes, dark
wandering over thy face !"
"Why wander the words of Caml ?" I said.
" Does the son of heaven mourn ? He is unstained
in his course, ever rejoicing in his fire. Roll on,
thou careless light ! Thou too, perhaps, must fall.
Thy darkening hour mav seize thee struggling as
thou rollest through thy sky. But pleasant is the
voice of the bard : pleasant to Ossian's soul ! It is
like the shower of the morning, when it comes
through the rustling vale, on which the sun looks
through mist, just rising from his rocks. But this
is no time, O bard ! to sit down at the strife of
song, Fingal is in arms on the vale. Thou seest
the flaming shield of the king. His face darkens
between his locks. He beholds the wide rolling of
Erin. Does not Carril behold that tomb, beside
the roaring stream ? Three stones lift their grey
heads, beneath a bending oak. A king is lowly
laid ! Give thou his soul to the wind. He is the
brother of Cathmor ! Open his airy hall ! Let thy
song be a stream of joy to Cairbar's darkened ghost!"
AKGUMENT.
Morning coming on, Fingal, after a speech to his people, devolves the
command on Gaul, the son of Morni ; it being the custom of the times,
that the king shoiild not engage, till the necessity of affair? required
his superior valour and conduct. The king and Ossian retire to the
rock of Cormul, which overlooked the field of battle. The bards sing
the war-song. The general conflict is described. Gaul, the son of
Morni, distinguishes himself; ki Is Tur-lathon, chief of Moruth, and
other cliiefs of lesser name. On the other baud, Koldath, who com-