Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 1

like the flower on Avhich the sun hath looked in his
strength after the mildew has passed over it, when
its head is heavy "vvith the drops of night. Attend
to the tale of Ossian, O maid ! He remembers the
days of his youth !
'J he khig commanded ; I raised my sails, and
rushed into the bay of Croma ; into Croma's
sounding bay in lovely Imsfail^ High on tW.
coast arose the towers of Crothar king of spears ;
Crothar renowned in the battles of his youth ; but
age dwelt then around the chief. Ruthmar had
raised the sword against the hero ; and the wrath
of Fiugal burned. He sentOssian to meet Roth-
mar in w ar, for the chief of Croma "was the friend
of his youth. I sent the bard before me with
songs. 1 came into the hall of Crothar. There
sat the chief amidst the arms of his fathers, but
his eyes had failed. His grey locks waved around
a staff, on which the warrior leaned. He hum-
med the song of other times, when the sound of
our arms reached his ears. Crothar rose, stretch-
al his aged hand, and blessed the son of Fin-
gd.
*' Ossian I" said the hero, "■ the strength of
'' Crothar's arm has failed. O could 1 lift the
'' sword, as on the day that Fingal fought at
*• Striitha ! He was the hrst of men ; but Crothar
'• had also his fame. 1 he king of Morven prais-
'*■ ed me ; he placed on my arm the bossy shield
" of Calthar, whom the king had slain in his wars.
*^ Dost thou not behold it on the wail ? for Cro-
'*• thar's eyes have failed, ,Is thy strength like
* It.js/uU, one of the ancient names of Ireland.