Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

CALTHON AND COLMAL. 259
She followed her hero through night, and dragged her
spear behind. But when Calthon came to Lena's rock,
he found his fallen brother. The rage of his bosom
rose ; he rushed among the foe. The groans of death
ascend. They close around the chief. He is bound
in the midst, and brought to gloomy Dunthalmo. The
shout of joy arose ; and the hills of night replied.
1 started at the sound ; and took my fether's spear.
Diaran rose at my side ; and the youthful strength of
Dargo. We missed the chief of Clutha, and our souls
were sad, I dreaded the departure of my fame. The
pride of my valor rose. " Sons of Morven," I said, "it
is not thus our fathers fought. They rested not on the
field of strangers, when the foe was not fallen before
them. Their strength was like the eagles of heaven ;
their renown is in the song. But our people fall by
degrees. Our fame begins to depart. What shall the
king of Morven say, if Ossian conquers not at Teutha?
Rise in your steel, ye warriors, follow the sound of
Ossian's course. He will not return, but renowned,
to the echoing walls of Selma."
Morning rose on the blue waters of Teutha. Colmal
stood before me in tears. She told of the chief of
Clutha : thrice the spear fell from her hand. JMy wrath
turned against the stranger ; for my soul trembled for
Calthon. " Son of the feeble hand !" I said, " do
Teutha's warriors fight with tears ? The battle is not
won with grief; nor dwells the sigh in the soul of war.
Go to the deer of Carmun, to the lowing herds of
Teutha. But leave these arms, thou son of fear ! A
warrior may lift them in fight."
I tore the mail from her shoulders. Her snowy
breast appeared. She bent her blushing face to the
ground. I looked in silence to the chiefs. The spear
fell from my hand ; the sigh of my bosom rose ! But
when I heard the name of the maid, my crowding tears