Ossian Collection > Reliquiae Celticae > Volume 2

THE BOOK OF CLANRANALD. 'H'
I delight in thy coming, in my condition,
To listen to thy words attentively ;
From thy story of peace I do not dissent,
Through it I sleep rightly to-night.
Thou has brought with thee thy recent news,
Young man of the most skilful countenance ;
A. seal by which my breast is confirmed,
Xews from the personage by which I have been gladdened.
Donald, son of John, the defender of the trenches.
Is the secret of the excellent news which you have.
The safe arrival of the hero over the sea,
Love to tell it is due from me.
His safe arrival armed and young
Is a cause of increase to my pleasure ;
A scion of the united house, a tree that does not bend,
f will take delight in him unto my death.
I'd visit him I go at once
l'>y the rule if 1 follow custom ;
I am in haste to his society witliout restraint.
His beauty will bloom in accordance with my expectation.
[ behold him opening his eyes,
The personage by whom my substance was bestowed ;
[ recognise him at a distance beyond the sea,
His countenance flushed with blood like wine.
Why should I not know his ringleted hair
( 'orresponding with my expectation as I judged ?
The deeply beloved of the daughters of the queens of Ku-s,
Witli round hands and beautiful brown nails.
1 will know the words of his mouth.
And his teeth like pearls in brightness,
Which are not disclosed uncivilly to us.
And the cheerful eye of mild lustre.
1 know, though a gun-shot from me.
His eyebrow neat, shapely, narrow ;
A free young man with whom it is difficult to contend,
And his smooth side like the floating of lime.
i would know the steps of his feet
\\'hik' leaping nimbly over the fence ;
'I'lie heart of him of the victoi'ious bands has taken av-.i
The lock of my mind from me secretly