Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

CARRIC-THURA. 47
the slow-rolling eyes of Comala. He loved her in the
flame of youth, and rushed to seize the white-armed
maid. Cathulla met the chief. The gloomy battle rose.
Frothal was bound in the hall ; three days he pined
alone. On the fourth, Sarno sent him to his ship, and he
returned to his land. But wrath darkened in his soul
against the noble Cathulla. When Annir's stone* of fame
arose, Frothal came in his strength. The battle burned
round Carric-thura, and Sarno's mossy walls.
Morning rose on Inistore. Frothal struck his dark-
brown shield. His chiefs started at the sound ; they
stood, but their eyes were turned to the sea. They saw
Fingal coming in his strength ; and first the noble
Thubar spoke. "Who comes like the stag of the
desert, with all his herd behind him? Frothal, it is a
foe ! I see his forward spear. Perhaps it is the king of
Morven, Fingal the first of men. His deeds are well
known in Lochlin ; the blood of his foes is in Starno's
halls. Shall I ask the peace of kings ? His sword is the
bolt of heaven ! "
Son of the feeble hand, said Frothal, shall my days
begin in a cloud ? Shall I yield before I have conquered,
chief of streamy Tora ? The people would say in Sora,
Frothal flew forth like a meteor ; but a darkness has met
him ; and his fame is no more. No : Thubar, I will
never yield; my fame shall surround me like light. No :
I will never yield, chief of streamy Tora !
He went forth with the stream of his people, but they
* That is, after the death of Annir.