Ossian Collection > Works of Ossian, the son of Fingal > Volumes 3 and 4

62 T E M O R A: Book II.
*) Why delights Foldath , faid the king^
to pour the blood of foes, by night? Falls his
arm in battle , in the beams of day ? Few are
the foes before us , why fhould we clothe us
in mill? The valiant delight to flilne , in the
battles of their land.
Thy counfel was in vain , chief of Moma ;
the eyes of Morven do not fleep. They are
watchful, as eagles, on their moiTy rocks.
Let each collect, beneath his cloud, the Itrength
of his roaring tribe. To - morrow I move , in
light , to meet the foes of Bolga ! Migh-
ty **) was he, that is low, the race of Borbar-
Puthul.
Not
* ) From this paflage , it appears , that it was Fol-
dath who had advifed the night - attack. The
gloomy character of Foldath is properly contrafted
to the generous , the open Cathmor. Ofllan is
peculiarly happy la oppofing different charailers,
and , by that means , in heightening the featu-
res of both. Foldath appears to have been the
favourite of Cairbar , and it cannot be denied
but he was a proper enough minifter to fuch
a prince. He was cruel and impetuous , but
feems to have had great martial merit.
■""■* ) By this exclamation Cathmor intimates , that he
intends to revenge' the death of his brother
Caiibar.