Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal

ok II. AN EPIC POEM. 167
' Take Swaran's peace," the warrior spoke, " the
peace he gives to kings, vs^hen the nations bow before
hiin. Leave UUin's lovely plains to us, and give thy
spouse and dog. Thy spouse high- bosomed, heaving
fair. Thy dog that overtakes the wind. Give these
to prove the weakness of thine arms, and live beneath
our power."
' Tell S\varan, tell that heart of pride, that Cuthul-
lin never yields. I give him the daik-biue roliing of
ocean, or t give his people graves in Erin 1 never shall
a stranger ha^e ihe lovely sun-beam of Dunscaich ; nor
ever deer fly on Lochlin's hills before the nimble-footed
Luath."^
' Vain ruler of the car," said Morla, " wilt thou
fight the king ; that king whose ships of many groves
could carry oiF thine isle ; so little is thy green-hilled
UUin to the king of stormy waves."
•' In words 1 yield to many, Morla, but this sword
shall yield to none. Erin shall own the sway of Cor-
nice, while Connal and Cuthullin live. O Connal, first
Uiiq-hty men, thou hast heard the words of Morla ;
shall tiiy thoughts then be of peace, thou breaker of the
'shields? Spirit of fallen Ciugail why didst thou threaten
us with death I The narrow house shall receive me in
the midst of the light of renown. Exalt, ye sons of
Inisfail, exalt the spear and bend the bow; rush on
the foe in darkness, as the spirits of stormy nights."
Then dismal, roaring, fierce, and deep, the gloom of
battle rolled along; as misf^ that is poured on the val-
ley, -A'hen storms invade the silent sunshine of heaven.
The chief moves before m arms, like an angiy ghost
before a cloud ; when meteors inclose him with fire;
and the dark winds are in his hand. Carril, far on the
heath, bids the horn of battle sound. He raises the
voice of the song, and pours his soul into the minds of
fceroes.
" Where," said the mouth of the song, " where is
c As evening mist
Risc-n from a river o'er the mRrish glides.
And gathers ground fast at the iab'rer'i heels.
Homeward rfcturniug. MILTON.