Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal

F I N G A L. 6q
not here. He figlits Ulfadda mighty chief. He is not here, thou
first of men. But Lamderg never yielded. He will fight the son
of Cairbar."
" Lovely art thou," said terrible Ullin, " daughter of the ge-
nerous I'uathal. I carry thee to Cairbar's halls. The valiant
shall have Gelchossa. Three days I rennain on Cromla, to wait
that son of battle, Lamderg. On the fourth Gelchossa is mine,
if the mighty Lamderg flies."
" AUad!" said the chief of Cromla, " peace to thy dreams in
the cave. Fcrchios, sound the horn of Lamderg that Ullin may
hear on Cromla. Lamderg,* like a roaring storm, ascended the
hill from Selma. He hummed a surly song as he went, like the
noise of a falling stream. He stood like a cloud on the hill, that
varies its form to the wind. He rolled a stone, the sign of War.
Ullin heard in Cairbar's hall. The hero heard, with joy, his foe,
and took his father's spear. A smile brightens his dark-brown
cheek, as he places his sword by his side. The dagger glittered
in his hand. He whistled as he went.
" Gelchossa saw the silent chief, as a wreath of mist ascending
tlie hill. She struck her white and heaving breast; and silent,
tearful, feared for Lamderg.
" Cairbar, hoary chief of shells," said the maid of the tender hand 5.
*' I must bend the bow on Cromla; for I see the dark-brown hinds.
" She hafted up the hill. In vain ! the gloomy heroes fought.
Why should I tell the king of Morven how Wrathful heroes fight !
Fierce Ullin fell. Yoiing Lamderg came all pale to the daughter
of generous Tuathal."
** What blood, my love," the soft-haired woman said, " what
blood runs down my warrior's side?" " It is Ullin's blood," the
chief replied, " thou fairer than the snow of Cromla ! Gelchossa,
let me rest here a little v/hilc." The mighty Lamderg died.
" And sleepest thou so soon on earth, O chief of shady Cromla.?
three days she mourned beside her love. The hunters found her
I dead.
* The reader will find this passage altered from what it was in the fragments cf
ancient poetry. It is delivered down very diffei'ently by tradition, and the trar.tla-
tor has chosen that rsading which fivours least cf bombast;