Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

OINA-MORUL.
ARGUMENT.
After an address to Malvina, the daughter of Toscar, Ossi i
proceeds to relate his own expedition to Fuarfed, an island
Scandinavia. INIal-orchol, king of Fuarfed, being hard pres-t
in war by Ton-thormod, chief of Sar-dronlo (who had demandi
in vain the daughter of Mal-orthol in marriage), Fingal scsit
Ossian to his aid. Ossian, on the day after his arrival, came.
to battle with Ton-thormod, and took him prisoner. Mal-orchol
offers his daughter Oina-morul to Ossian; but he, discovenu;,'
her passion for Ton-thormod, generously surrenders her to lier
lover, and brings about a reconciliation between the two king>.
As flies the unconstant sun oyer Larmon's grassy hill,
so pass the tales of old along my soul by night ! When
bards are removed to their place, when hai-ps are hung
in Selma's hall, then comes a voice to Ossian, and
awakes liis soul ! It is the voice of years that are gone!
they roll before me with all their deeds ! I seize the
tales as they pass, and pour them forth in song. Nor
a troubled stream is the song of the ting, it is like
the rising of music from Lutha of the strings. Lutha
of many strings, not silent are thy streamy rocks,
when the white hands of Malvina move upon the
harp ! Light of the shadowy thoughts that fly across
my soul, daughter of Toscar of helmets, wilt thou not
hear the song? We call back, maid of Lutha, the years
that have rolled away ! It was in the days of the king,
while yet my locks were young, that I marked Con- ,
cathlin* on high, from ocean's nightly wave^ IMy
course was towards the isle of Fuarfed, woody dweller
of seas ! Fingal had sent me to the aid of Mal-orchol,
king of Fuarfed wild : for war was around him, and
our fathers had met at the feast.
In Col-coiled I bound my sails : I sent my sword to
Mal-orchol of shells. He knew the signal of Albion,
and his joy arose. He came from his own high hall,
and seized my hand in grief. ' Why comes the race
of heroes to a falling king ? Ton-thormod of many \
spears is the chief of wavy Sar-dronlo. He saw and
loved my daughter, white-bosomed Oina-morul. He
* Con-cathlin, ' mild beam of the wave.' What star was vi
called of old is not easily ascertained. Some now distinguish lUu
pole-star by that name.