Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal > Volume 2

(kV. AN FPIC POEM. 163
; when he sends his chiefs before them, to the field
mown. Wide rose their spe.irs to the sun ; their e-
juing sliields repiy around. Fear, hke a vapour, did
not wind among the host : For he, the king, was near,
the strength of streamy Morven. Gladness brightened
the hero ; we heard his words of joy.
" Like the coming forth of winds, is the sound of
Morvcn's sons ! They are mountain-waters, determin-
ed in their course. Hence is Fingal renowned, and
his name in other lands. He was not a lonely beam in
danger; foryourstepswerealwaysnear. But never was
I a dreadtul form in your presence darkened into UTath,
My voice was no thunder to your ears : mine eyes sent
forth no death. When the haughty appeared, I beheld
them not. They were forgot at my feasts : like mist
they melted away. A voung beam is before you : few
are his paths to war. They arc few ; but he is valiant j.
defend my dark-haired son. Bring him back with joy :
Hereafter he may stand aione. His form is like his fa-
thers ; his soul is a flame of their fire. Son of car-borne
Morni, move behind tlie son of Clatho : let thy voice
reach his ear, from the skirts of war. Not unobserved
rolls battle, before thee, breaker of the shields."
Thekingstrode, atonce,awaytoCormul'sloftvrock,
As, slow, I lifted my steps behind, came forward the
strength of Gaul. His shield hung loose on its thong ;
he spoke, in haste, to Ossian. " Bind c, son of Fingal,
this shield, bind it high to the side of Gaul. The foe
may behqld it, and think I lift the spear. If I shall fall,
let ray tomb be hid in the field ; for fall I must, without
my fame : mine arm cannot lift the steel. Let not Evir-
choma hear it, to blush between her locks. Fillan, the
mighty behold us ! let us not forget the strife. Why
should they come, from their hills, to aid our flying
field :"
c Iris nece«sary to remember, that Caul was wounded; which
occasions liis requiring the aisistunce cf Ossiaa to bind hu sluvild OA
Ilia 5i4c.