Ossian Collection > Fingal

THE DEATH OF CUTHULLIN. 75
grove, Alcletha! but the roar of the mountain-
wind! — " *) Who bounds over Lara's stream,
sister of the noble Calmar? Does not Alcletha
beliold his spear? But her eyes are dim! Is it
not the son of 3Iatha, daughter of my love?,,
•It is but an aged oak. "Alcletha ! „ replied the
lovely weeping Alona. " It is but an oak, Alcletha,
bent over Lara's stream. But who comes along
the plain? sorrow is in his speed. He lifts high
the spear of Calmar. Alcletha, it is covered with
blood ! ., — " *) But it is covered with the blood
of foes, sister of car-borne Calmar! His spear
never retiu'ned unstained with blood: nor his bow
from the strife of the mighty. The battle is con-
sumed in his presence: he is a flame of death,
Alona! — Youth of the mournful speed I where is
the son of Akletiia? Does he return with his
fame, in the midst of his echoing shields? Thou
art dark and silent! Calmar is then no more!
Tell me not, warrior, how he fell. I must not
hear of his wound ! „ Why dost thou look towards
the desert, mother of low- laid Calmar?,.
Such was the song of Carril, when Cuthullin
lay on his shield. The bards rested on their harps.
Sleep fell softly around. The son of Semo was
awake alone. His soul was fixed on war. The
burning oaks began to decay. Faint red light is
spread around. A feeble voice is heard! The
ghost of Calmar came ! He stalked dimly along
the beam. Dark is the wound in his side. His
hair is disordered and loose. .Joy sits pale on hi»
face. He seems to invite Cuthullin to his cave.
"Son of the cloudy night! „ said the rising chief
of Erin; "why dost thou bend thy dark eyes on
me. ghost of "the noble Calmar? Wouldst thou
frighten me, Matha's son! from the battles of
Cormac? Thy hand was not feeble in war : neither
was thy voice for peace. How art thou changed,
chief of Lara! if thou now dost advise to fly!
But Calmar. I never fled. I never feared the ghosts
of night. Small is their knowledge, weak their
hands; their dwelling is in the wind. But my soul
*) Alcletba speali*.