Ossian Collection > Temora, an ancient epic poem, in eight books

i66 CATHLIN of CLUTHA:
of fteel the dark forms are loll: ; fuch is the meeting of meteors,
in a vale by night : red light is fcattered round, and men forefee the
ftorm. Duth-carmor is low in blood. The fon of Offian
overcame. Not harmlefs in battle was he, Malvina hand of
harps !
Nor, in the field, are the fteps of Cathlin. The flranger
flood by a fecret ftream, where the foam of Rath-col fkirted the
mofly ftones. Above, bends the branchy birch, and flrews its
leaves, on winds. The inverted fpear of Cathlin touched, at
times, the flream. 'Ofcar brought Duth-carmor's mail : his
helmet with its eagle-wing. He placed them before the flranger,
and his words were heard. " The foes of thy father have
failed. They are laid in the field of gholls. Renown returns to
Morven, like a rifingwind. Why art thou dark, chief of Clutha?
Is there caufe for grief?"
Son of Offian of harps, my foul is darkly fad. I behold the
arms of Cathmol, which he raifed in war. Take the mail of
Cathlin, place it high in Selma's hall ; that thou mayft remember
the haplefs in thy diftant land.
From white breads defcended the mail. It was the race of
kings ; the foft-handed daughter of Cathmol, at the ftreams of
Clutha. — Duth-carmor faw her bright in the hall, he came, by
night, to Clutha. Cathmol met him, in battle, but the hero fell.
Three days dwelt the foe, with the maid. On the fourth flie fled
in arms. She remembered the race of kings, and felt her burft-
ing foul.
Why,