Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

338 The Poems of Ossiayt.
high-bosomed maids. The friends of the births of
heroes. The cure of the sons of toiL Ten shells
studded with gems shall shine in Sora's towers : the
bright water trembles on their stars, and seems to
be sparkling wine. They gladdened once the kings
of the world,* in the midst of their echoing halls.
These, O hero ! shall be thine ; or thy white-bosomed
spouse. Lorma shall roll her bright eyes in thy
halls; though Fingal loves the generous Aldo !
Fingal, who never injured a hero, though his
arm is strong !"
"Soft voice of Cona!" replied the king, "tell
him, he spreads his feast in vain. Let Fingal pour
his spoils around me. Let him bend beneath my
power. Let him give me the swords of his fathers;
the shields of other times; that my children may
behold them in my halls, and say, " These are the
arms of Fingah" " Never shall they behold them
in thy halls!" said the rising pride of the maid.
* ' They are in the hands of heroes, who never yielded
in war. King of echoing Sora ! the storm is gather-
ing on our hills. Dost thou not foresee the fall of
thy people, son of the distant land ?"
She came to Selma's silent halls. The king be-
held her downcast eyes. He rose from his place,
in his strength. He shook his aged locks. He
took the sounding mail of Trenmor. The dark-
brown shield of his fathers. Darkness filled Selma's
hall, when he stretched his hand to his spear: the
ghosts of thousands were near, and foresaw the
death of the people. Terrible joy rose m the face
of the aged heroes. They rushed to meet the
foe. Their thoughts are on the deeds of othe»
years ; and on the fame that rises from death !
Now at Trathal's ancient tomb the dogs of the
chase appeared, Fingal knew that his young heroes
followed. He stopped in the midst of his course.
Oscar appeared the first ;thenMorni's son, and Nemi'e
* The RomiiD empeioii.