Ossian Collection > Gaelic bards

182 ANCIENT GAELIC BARDS.
For my strength and my vigour forsake me : —
With one draught, O my king ! make me well."
" Shall I bring thee a draught, thou fair hero !
From the lake, with my life-giving shell,
When the ill in one hour thou has done me
Outweighs all the good thou canst tell Ì "
" Eastward and westward I've served thee.
And ne'er did thee ill, till the day.
When Gràinne, with love- witching magic,
Drew me her captive away.
" Remember the smithy of Luno,
How I in that fray help'd thee well.
When that sword was first won thou now wearest,"
" Thou shalt yet get no drink from my shell."
*' Remember the conflict with Draidgal,
And the strokes on thy shield that fell ; —
'Twas I who then succour'd and saved thee."
" Thou shalt yet get no drink from my shell."
" Then, thou'st forgotten the battle of Conhail,
And the fate which that day had assign'd.
With the army of Bairbar before thee,
Had not I and the Feinn' been behind.
" Alas ! that I saw thee, Ben-Goolbain !
Alas! that I faced thee to-day.
With the strength of my youth streaming from me-
With my life-blood ebbing away !
" Hill of my love, O Ben Goolbain !
Where the deer and the roe wont to be ;