Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

T'he Battle of Lor a. 335
Son of tlie secret cell ' dost thou delight in songs ?
Hear the battle of Lora. The sound of its steel
is long since past. So thunder on the darkened
hill roars and is no more. The sun returns with
his silent beams. The glittering rocks, and the
gTcen heads of the mountains smile.
The bay of Cona received our ships from Erin's
rolling waves. Our white sheets hung loose to the
masts. The boisterous winds roared behind the
groves of Mor\en. The horn of the king is
sounded ; the deer started from their rocks. Our
arrows flew in the woods. The feast of the hill is
spread. Our joy was great on our rocks, for the
fall of the terrible Swaran. Two heroes were for-
got at our feast. The rage of their bosoms burned.
They rolled their red eyes in secret. The sigh
bursts from their breasts. They were seen to talk
together, and to throw their spears on earth. They
were two dark clouds in the midst of our joy ; like
pillars of mist on the settled sea. They glitter to
the sun, but the mariners fear a storm.
" Raise my white sails," said Ma-ronnan, " raise
them to the winds of the west. Let us rush, O
Aldo ! through the foam of the northern wave.
We are forgot at the feast : but our arms have
been red in blood. Let us leave the liills of Fingal,
and serve the king of Sora. His countenance is
fierce. War darkens around his spear. Let us be
renowned, O Aldo, in the battles of other lands !"
They took their swords, their shields of thongs.
They rushed to Lumar's resounding bay. They
came to Sora's haughty king, the chief of bounding
steeds. Erragon had returned from the chase. His
spear was red in blood. He bent his dark face to
the ground; and whistled as he went. He took the
strangers to his feasts: they fought and conquered
in his wars.
Aldo returned with his fame towards Sora's lofty
walls. From her tower looked th« spouse of Erra-