Ossian Collection > Waifs and strays of Celtic tradition > Volume 4

II.— OSCAR.
Each hero had a separate story or adventure ascribed
principally or peculiarly to himself; thus, Oscar, who is
said to have derived his name from his grandfather
asking, when he fell in battle, "Is there a voice left in
him ?" (^'Bheilan t-oscar annf"), was the son of Ossian and
grandson of Fionn, the company which he commanded
being of importance, and his banner ranking next to that
of Fionn. The banner of Oscar's company was called the
Sgiiab GJiabJiaidJi (the Terrific Sweep or Broom), of which
it was said, that when the news of fight came to head-
quarters there was no inquiry but as to the fate of this
banner, the Sguab GdbJiaidh (the Terrible Brush or
Sheaf).
" That is no other than the Terrific Brush,
The banner of strong, heroic Oscar ;
When the fight of chosen men was reached.
The only inquiry was for the Terrible Sheaf."
" Cha 'n i sud ach an Sguab-gabhaidh,
Bratach Oscar chrodha laidir ;
Nuair a rigteadh cath nan cliar
Cha b' fhiu a fioraich ach an Sguab-gabhaidh."
{Gillies, p. 311.)
In the versions of "Lays about the Fians", it is said of it
that it never went a foot backwards, till the heavy grey
earth trembled ; but in other versions the same is said
of the banner of Goll, leader of the Clanna Morlum.
In the opinion of many, Oscar is the one heard of
in the tale of " How Goll Killed his Mother", and
with whom he disputed about the marrow-bone. Ac-
cording to some, Oscar's first name was The Bent One of
Bones {Crom nan CnaviJi). He grew big and gawky,