Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

ARGUMENT TO BOOK III.
Cuthullin, pleased with the story of Carril, insists with that
bard for more of his songs. He relates the actions of Fingal
in Lochlin, and death of Agandecca the beautiful sister of
Swaran. He had scarce finished when Calmar the son of
Matha, who had advised the first battle, came wounded from
the field, and told them of Swaran's design to surprise the
remains of the Irish army. He himself proposes to withstand
singly the whole force of the enemy, in a narrow pass, till the
Irish should make good their retreat. Cuthullin, touched
with the gallant proposal of Calmar, resolves to accompany
him, and orders Carril to carry off the few that remained of
the Irish. Morning comes, Calmar dies of his wounds ; and,
the ships of the Caledonians appearing, Swaran gives over
the pursuit of the Irish, and returns to oppose Fingal's
landing. Cuthullin ashamed, after his defeat, to appear
before Fingal, retires to the cave of Tura. Fingal engages
the enemy, puts them to flight ; but the coming on of night
makes the victory not decisive. The king, who had observed
the gallant behaviour of his grandson Oscar, gives him advices
concerning his conduct in peace and war. He recommends
him to place the example of his fathers before his eyes, as the
best model for his conduct ; which introduces the episode
concerning Fainasollis, the daughter of the king of Craca,
whom Fingal had taken under his protection, in his youth.
Fillan and Oscar are dispatched to observe the motions of the
enemy by night ; Gaul the son of Morni desires the command
of the army, in the next battle ; which Fingal promises to
give him. Some general reflections of the poet close the third
day.