Ossian Collection > Poems of Oisin, bard of Erin

THE BATTLE OF VENTKV HARBOUR. 243
Uallach, son of Oisiii, at the old wood of the
Fenii, called CJeire ; Aicill, son of Broin O'Neab-
hain, at Rosshmn; Bran O'Buachna at the threaten-
ing harbour (New Merchandise) ; Cmnslio, son
of Baineola,at the Bead Women's shore (Youghall) ;
Donn Monaig, king of Alban, at the stream of the
v;hite ivell (Sligo) ; Aonda Turbhotha watched
from Drom Cliahh to Heirne ; and he who had
charge of Ventry Harbour when the foreigners
landed was Conn Crither, mac Bran, mac Sam-
huil, from Teabhair Luachra Deag.
When the fleet came into the harbour Conn
was in a heavy sleep, on the highest pinnacle of
Mangerton ; he was awakened by the cries of the
women and children around him, for the king of
Spain was putting to death all he met, without
sparing young or old, the blind man or the lame,
so that the whole country was in turmoil.
Sorrow for the hour of his birth seized Conn
when he saw the harbour filled with ships and
the whole country in flames ; he said, " The mis-
chief which has happened through my neglect of
duty is great : in this very critical juncture all I
can do is to bid a final farewell to Fionn and the
rest of my friends and relations, for I will go
against the enemies of my country ; as I am
alone and without aid I shall surely fall in this
undertaking, but I will sell my life dearly, for I
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