Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

TEMORA. 435
Bind it high to the side of Gaul. Tlie foemaj' be-
hold it, and think I lift the spear. If I should fall,
let my tomb be hid in the field ; for fall I must with-
out fame. Mine arm cannot lift the steel. Let not
Evir-choma hear it, to blush between her locks.
Fillan, the mighty behold us ! Let us not forget the
strife. Why should they come from their hills, to
aid our flying field ?"
lie strode onward, with the sound of his shield.
My voice pursued him as he went. " Can the son
of Morni fall, without his fame in Erin ? But the
deeds of the mighty are forgot by themselves. They
rush careless over the fields of renown. Their words
are never heard!" I rejoiced over the steps of the
chief. I strode to the rock of the king, where he sat,
in his wandering locks, amid the mountain wind !
In two dark ridges bend the hosts toward each
other, at Lubar. Here Foldath rises a pillar of
darkness: therebrightensthe youth of Fillan. Each,
with his spear in the stream, sent forth the voice of
war. Gaul struck the shield of Selma. At once
they plunge in battle ! Steel pours its gleam on
steel : like the fall of streams shone the field, when
they mix their foam together, from two dark-browed
rocks ! Behold he comes, the son of fame! He lays
the people low ! Deaths sit on blasts around him I
Warriors strew thy paths, O Fillan !
Rotlmiar, the shield of warriors, stood between
two chinky rocks. Two oaks, which winds had
bent from high, spread their branches on either side.
He rolls his darkening eyes on Fillan, and, silent,
shades his friends. Fingal saw the approaching
t. The hero's soul arose. But as the stone of
Loda* falls, shook, at once, from rocking Druman-
ard, when spirits heave the earth in their wrath ;
so fell blue-shielded Rothmar.
Kear are the steps of Culmin. The j-outh came,
bursting into tears. Wrathful he cut the wind, ere
yet he mixed his strokes with Fillan. He had first
• By 'the stone of Loda' is meant a place of
■worship among the Scandinavians.