Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

344 THE POEMS OF OSSIAN.
sands is on its steel. He came first to the shore,
strong in the gray hair of age. Full rose his sinewy
limbs, as he strode in his might. That sword is by
his side, which gives no second wound. His shield
is terrible, like the bloody moon, ascending through a
storm. Then came Ossian, king of songs. Then Mor-
ni's son, the first of men. Connal leaps forward on
his spear. Dermid spreads his dark-brown locks.
Fillan bends his bow, the young hunter of sti-eamy
Moruth. But who is that before them, like the ter-
rible course of a stream ! It is the son of Ossian,
bright between his locks ! His long hair falls on his
back. His dark brows are half inclosed in steel.
His sword hangs loose o5q his side. His spear glit-
ters as he moves. I fled from his terrible eyes, king
of high Temora!'
' Then fly, thou feeble man,' said Foldath's gloomy
wrath. ' Fly to the gray streams of thy land, son of '
the little soul ! Hare not I seen that Oscar? I be-
held the chief in war. He is of the mighty in dan-
ger: but there are others who lift the spear. Erin
has many sons as brave, king of Temora of groves !
Let Foldatb meet him in his strength. Let me stop
this mighty stream. My spear is covered with blood.
My shield is like the waU of Tura !'
' Shall Foldath alone meet the foe V replied the
dark-browed Malthos. ' Ave they not on our coast,
like the waters of many streams 1 Are not these the
chiefs who vanquished Swaran, when the sons of
green Erin fled ? Shall Foldath meet their bravest
hero? Foldath of the heart of pride! Take the
strength of the people ! and let Malthos come. My
sword is red with slaughter, but who has heard my
words?'
' Sons of green Erin,' said Hidalla, ' let not Fingal
hear your words. The foe might rejoice, and his arm
be strong in the land. Ye are brave, O warriors !
Ye are tempests in war. Ye are like storms, which
meet the rocks ^vithout fear, and overturn the woods.
But let us move in our strength, slow as a gathered
cloud ! Then shall the mighty tremble ; the spear
shall fall from the hand of the valiant. We see the