Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

434 THE POEMS OF OSSIAN.
three blue streams. The sun is there in silenc
The dun mountain-roes come down. On the
are turned the eyes of Sul-malla in lier thoughtf^
mood.
Fingal beholds Cathmor, on high, the son of Bo
bar-duthul ! he beholds the deep-rolling of Erin, o
the darkened plain. He strikes that warning bos |(jt
which bids the people to obey, when he sends hi
chief before them, to the field of renown. Wid
rise their spears to the sun. Their echoing shield'
reply around. Fear, like a vapour, winds uot amon
the host: for he, the king, is near, the strength o
streamy Selma. Gladness brightens the hero. W
hear his words with joy. ;
" Like the coming forth of winds, is the sound o
Selma's sons ! They are mountain waters, determinei
in their course. Hence is Fingal renowned. Henc
is his name in other lands. He was not a lonel;
beam in danger: for your steps were always near ;
But never was Fingal a dreadful form, in your pre
sence, darkened into wrath. My voice was no thun
der to your ears. Mine eyes sent forth no death
When the haughty appeared, I beheld them not |
They were forgot at my feasts. Like mist Ihej
melted away. A young beam is before you ! Fev,
are his paths to war ! They are few, but lie is valiant '
Defend my dark-haired son. Bring Fillan back witt
joy. Hereafterhe may standalone. His formis likt
his fathers. His soul is a flame of their fire. Son
of car-borne Morni, move behind the youth. Le<
thy voice reach his ear, from the skirts of war. Nol
unobserved rolls battle, before thee, breaker of the
shields."
The king strode, at once, away to Cormul's lofty
rock. Intermitting, darts the light, from his shield,
as slow the king of heroes moves. Sidelong rolls his
eye o'er the heath, as forming advance tlie lines.
Graceful fly his half-grey locks round his kingly
features, now lightened with dreadful joy. Wholly
mighty is the chief! Behind him dark and slow L
moved. Straightcameforward thestrength of Gaul. '
His shield hung loose on its thong. He spoke, in j
]iaste,to Ossian. "Bind, son of Fingal, this shield!