Ossian Collection > Aspects of poetry

IX.] SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS. 275
for it has been recovered from old Highlanders, who
never read a word of MacPherson's Ossiaii, nor heard
of it. I give the translation not of MacPherson, but the
much more literal one lately done by Dr. Clerk.
Swaran, King of Lochlan (Scandinavia), has invaded
Erin, and sent forward a scout to reconnoitre, and bring
him word of the movements of the Irish host. This is
the description, with which the scout returns, of the
chariot and the appearance of Cuchullin, leader of the
warriors of Ulster : —
' Rise, thou ruler of the waves,
True leader of dark-brown shields,
I see the sons of Erin and their chief,
A chariot — the greatest chariot of war —
Moving over the plain with death,
The shapely swift car of Cuchullin.
Behind, it curves downward like a wave.
Or mist enfolding a sharp-cragged hill ;
The light of precious stones is about it.
Like the sea in the wake of a boat at night.
Of shining yew is the pole of it ;
Of well-smoothed bone the seat.
It is the dwelling-place of spears,
Of shields, of swords, and of heroes.
On the right side of the great chariot
Is seen a horse, high-mettled, snorting,
Lofty-crested, broad-chested, dark.
High-bounding, strong-bodied son of the mountain,
Springy, and sounding his hoof;
The spread of his forelock on high
Is like mist on the dwelling of deer ;
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