Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal > Volume 1

ao fingal: Bool TI.
snlft. The fons of Innls-fail appear like a ridge of rocks
on the fhore.
" Go, Moria, go," faid Lochlin's king, *' and offer
peace to thefe. Offer the terms we give to kings
^ivhen nations hew before us. When the valiant are
dead in war, and the virgins Mxepirtg on the field."
Great Morla came, the fon of Swarth, and ftately
llrode the king of fhields. He fpoke to Erin's blue-
eyed fon, among the leffer heroes.
" Take Swaran's peace," the warrior fpoke, " the
peace he gives to kings, when the nations bow before
him. Leave Ullin's lovely plains to us, and give thy
Ipoufe and day. Thy fyoufe high-bofom'd heaving fair,
■'I'hy dog that overtakes the wind. Gis'e thefe to prove
the weaknefs of thine arm, and live beneath our power."
" Tell Swaran, tell that heart of pride, that Cuchul-
iin never yields. I give him the dark-blue rolling of
ocean, or I give his people graves in Erin ! Never ihall
a flranger have the lovely fun-beam of Dunfcaich ; nor
ever deer fly on Lochlin's hills before the nimble-foot-
ed Luath."
" Vain ruler of the car," faid Morla, " wilt thou
fight the king ; that king whofe fhips of many groves
«;ould carry off thine ifle ? So little is thy green-hilled
Ullin to llie king of flormy waves."
" h\ words I yield to many, Morla ; but this fword
iliall yl': 'd to none. Erin fliall own the fway of Cor-
mac, while Connal and Cue hullin live. O Connal, firlt
of mighty men, thou haft heard the words of Morla ;
fhallthy thoughts then be of peace, thou breaker of the
fhields? b'pirit of fallen Crugal ! why didlt tliou threat-
en us wi'h death ! The nan-ow houfc Ihall receive me
in the niidft of the light of renown. Exalt, ye fons of
Innis-fail, exalt the fpear and bend the bow ; rufh ou
fchefoe in darknefs, as the fpirits of ftormy nights."
Then difmal, roaring, fitrce, and deep the gloom of
t>aUle rolled along ; as mill If that is poured on the vai"
K As evening mift
Kis'n from a river o'er the m;iriIht:!Mes
And |;^.•r•.cr^(rr.mnd faft u; Uk UO'rci-hCel
Wwiucwaid isiuining. ~ WJLTi.'- .