Ossian Collection > Poems of Oisin, bard of Erin

DIALOGUE. 127
" Aile Geal Snuadh, lamentable is this speak-
ing of Fionn of the steel hand: — in the most
>YrathfLil language I tell thee, not one person will
be left unto thee alive."
Fionn then sounded aloud the Dord, the cry of
battle's remembrance; the mighty men attacked
one another, with fury was the conflict maintained.
Alas ! Patrick, that battle was the most mighty
and most valiant of combats that has ever hap-
pened from the beginning of the world : to the
Queen of severe voice it was cause of sorrow.
Osgur marched at the head of the Fenii, in his
right hand his polished sword : we and our foes
arrived at the plain of slaughter and dire uproar.
I sing but the truth, O Patrick ! although the
other men were firm and magnificent, they all
fell by the Fenii, except three only and that
lovely woman.
In that battle most sad, there fell of the host
of the Fenii itself eleven hundred valiant men,
heroes who were strong in war.
The Queen and those three departed ; we knew