Ossian Collection > Gaelic bards

OSSIAXIC POETRY. 181
From the shade of the rock down he rattled
Past the hounds and huntsmen shear ;
His huge bristles pointed like javelins,
And his tusks like the point of a spear.
Then slipp'd they the dogs, and they drove him
Down Lodram's mossy side ;
Long strove they to tear him, but could not
While the hunters cheerily cried.
*' Son of Doon, dost thou wish to win honour 1 "
Said Finn in his wrath and pride ;
^* Slay that boar by thyself, thou gay victor,
Which the heroes so long has defied."
Diarmad's tough spear was soon chew'd into splinters.
Like reeds on Lego that grow ;
But the boar fell beneath his hard sword-blade,
Victorious o'er many a foe.
Then Finn he lay down on the green sward.
And moodily turn'd from the sight ;
He grieved that the son of Doon had escaped
Without wound, from the furious fight.
*' O Diarmad ! measure the boar," he said,
" With thy bare feet, for great is his size,"
He measured the boar with the bristles,
Sixteen good feet where he lies.
" O Diarmad ! measure him back again ;
He is not so much," Finn cries.
He measures him back and a poisonous bristle
Pierces his foot as he tries.
"O Fingal!" said Diarmad, "vouchsafe me
One draught from thy life-giving shell,