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

An epic poem. 127
Young branch of green-headed Lumon, why doft thou fliake
in the ftorm ? Often has Cathmor returned, from darkly-rolling
wars. The darts of death are but hail to me ; they have often
bounded from my fliield. I have rifen brightened from battle,
like a meteor from a ftormy cloud. Return not, fair beam, from
thy vale, when the roar of battle grows. Then might the foe
efcape, as from my fathers of old.
They told to Son-mor *, of Clunar-f-, who was flain by Cormac
In 'fight. Three days darkened Son-mor, over his brother's
fall. — His fpoLife beheld the filent king, and forefaw his fteps to
war. She prepared the bow, in fecret, to attend her blue-fhielded
hero. To her dwelt darknefs, at Atha, when he was not there.—
From their hundred ftreams, by night, poured down the fons of
Alnecma. They had heard the ilaield of the king, and their rage
arofe. In clanging arms, they moved along, towards Ullin of the
groves. Son-mor flruck his ihield, at times, the leader of the
war.
Far behind followed Sul-allin :[:, over the ftreamy hills. She
was a light on the mountain, when they crofTed the vale below.
Her fteps were flately on the vale, when they rofe on the molly
hill. — She feared to approach the king, who left her in echoing
* Son-mor, tall bcndfomerr.an. He was the quarrel between the Firbolg and Cael.
the father of Borbar-duthul, chief of Atha, f Cluan-er, man cf the field. This
and grandfather to Cathmor himfelf. The chief was killed in battle by Cormac Mac-
propriety of this epifode is evident. But, Conar, king of Ireland, the father of Rof-
tho' it appears here to be only introduced crana, the firft wife of Fjngal. The (lory
as an example to Sul-mulla ; the poet pro- 'S alluded to in other poems,
bably had another defign in view, which t Suilalluin, beau'lful tye, the wife of
was further to illuftrate the antiquity of Son-mor.
Atha