Ossian Collection > Poems of Oisin, bard of Erin

DIALOGUE. 109
he proclaimed stern battle against the others : to
oppose him came a champion, whose surname was
Cian son of Lachda.
Mighty, valiant, dire was the attack of these
two brave heroes : not long time till we were joy-
ful ; the others sorrowful, filled with gloom.
Ere Faolan could give the second blow to Cian
son of Lachda of the firm hand, we perceived a
stately Queen approaching the Hill of Slaughter.
ARRIVAL OF AILE GEAL SNUADH, WIFE OF
MEARGACH. *
Before she came near nnto us Cian son of
Lachda fell by Faolan's hand : hushed was the
noise of battle on each side, waiting for the arri-
val of that fair woman.
Our foes raised a shout of delight when they
knew she was their Queen : the Fenii were with-
out pleasure, in silence beholding her, for she was
shedding tears.
■f- The an-ival of Aile, her receiJtion by Fionn, and her la-
mentation over the corpses of her husband and two sons, are
most vividly set before us : it would not be easy to point to
any piece of description more perfectly beautiful.