Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 2

287
The sworJ which he took from Srunion high,
AVhen ^lorni was liidden from hardship."
45 FiUau from Selma stood aloof
In his waving hair, (supported) by his spear.
Thrice he shjwly raised his eyes
To Fiugal, with hxboiiring chest :
His voice ebbed hjw without a word ;
50 FiUan was not embrowned by battles.''
Straightway he stretched his steps away ;
And sad he stood beside a stream.
His tears thick-gathering on his cheek.
AVielding his spear from time to time, he struck
55 With its shaft the hoaiy thistles of the field.
He was not unseen by the king,
As he looked with a sidelong eye.
His son he beheld with a conflict
Of joy which kindled in his breast.'^
60 He turned amid (the thoughts of) his great soul
In silence to Mora of green woods :
Under his locks he hid his tears.
Then was heard from the chief a voice :
FilUn, Fin-
gal's son, de-
sii-ous of a
chai'ge, tliiice
attempts to
adilress his
fatlier ; but
his lieart
fiiils liim, and
he withdraws.
Fingal was
pleased with
his aidour and
modesty, and
retires to the
hill of Mora
to watt'ii the
course of the
battle ; but
first addresses
Gaul;
" First son of ^lorni of keen blades,
65 Thou mountain-pillar in the storm.
Lead thou my battle to the fight,
eye. He strikes at times the thistle's head with his inverted spear.
Nor is he unseen of Fingal. Sidelong he beholds his son. He
heholds hiiu with bursting joy, and turns amid his crowded soul.
In silence turns the king toward Mora of woods. He hides the big
tear with his locks. At length his voice is heard.
" First of the sons of Morni ! thou rock that defiest a storm !