Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

28C THE POEMS OF OSSIAN.
blue-eyed chief, among the lesser heroes. " T
Swaran's peace," the warrior spoke, "thepeac(
gives to kings when nations bow to liis sword. Ja
Erin's streamy plains to us, and give thy spouse ( }
dog. Thy spouse liigh-bosomed heaving fair! \
dog that overtakes the wind ! Give these to pi 5
the weakness of thine arm ; live then beneath
power !"
" TellSwaran, tell that heart of pride, Cuthijl^
never yields. 1 give liim tiie dark-rolling sea I
give his people graves in Erin. But never sh a
stratiger have the pleasing sun-beam of my love
deer shall fly on Lochlin's hills, before swift-fo d
Luath." " Vain ruler of the car," said Morla, " It
tho*i tlien fight the king ? the king whose shiijjf
manj' groves could carry off thine isle ? So lit js
thy green-hilled Erin to him who rules the st j
waves I" " In words I yield to many, Morla. .J
sword shall yield to none. Erin shall own the >y
of Corraac, while Connal and CuthuUin livO
Connal, first of mighty men, thou hearest the % Is
of Morla. Shall thy thoughts then be of peace, |iu
breaker of tlie shields? Spirit of fallen Crugal ;iy
didst thou threaten us with death? Tlie nijW
house shall receive me in the midst of the li; of
renown. Exalt, ye sons of Erin, exalt the spea }i
bend tJie bow : rush on tlie foe in darkness, s ie
spirits of stormy nights !"
Then dismal, roaring, fierce, and deep the ; TO
of battle poured along, as mist that is rolled »
valley when storms invade the silent sunsh: of
heaven. Cuthullin moves before me in arms ike
an aiigry ghost before a cloud, when meteO|
close him with fire ; when tiie dark winds are
hand. Garril, far on tlie heath, bids tlie h'
battle sound. He raises the voice of sonj
pours his soul into the minds of the brave,
" Where," said themoutli of the song, " w
the fallen Crugal ? He lies forgot on earth; tl,
of Ehells* is silent. Sad is the spouse of C
* The ancient Scots, as well as the presei
landers, drunk in shells ; hence it is that wet'fl