Ossian Collection > Ossian, his principal poems

IxXXviii APPENDIX TO THE BARDS.
The following poem relates a circumstance which un-
happily terminated in a different manner. It is a transla-
tion of a lament, composed by a disconsolate father, from
under whose foot, Avhile catching Solan geese, along with
his two sons, a piece of rock gave way and killed one of
them.
John of the light yellow hair, well couldst thou climb the rocks ;
firm were thy steps on the lofty cliffs of St. Kilda. Thy death
bereft me of comfort, my support is lost, my strength hath mourn-
fully failed. Thou art silent, my son ; though thy wounds were
deep, yet I heard not thy moan. Woe to me, thou couldst not
complain. I laid my hand on thy bruised body ; alas ! it was lifeless
and cold. Thou stoodest on the tottering crag behind me. I shook
with terror, lest thy feet might fail; often did I turn, and beheld
thy steps with fear ; the slippery rock was unsteady, and my pain
was increased. He was skillful in every useful work ; mighty was
his strength, and his hands well formed for labour. Great cause
have I to be sad. I grieve because he can never arise. As I looked
around, the cliffs had a threatening aspect; dai-k i-oUed the waves
below, and gloomy was the face of the sea. Sorrow clouded my
sight ; grief sorely stung my soul ; with the throbbing of fear I
started ; I dreaded my all was gone, and that I was left to bewail
their fate in anguish.
John, thick grew the fair locks on thy head ! the sight of thy
father rejoiced thee ; strong was thy arm to support him ; thou
wouldst never leave him ; his absence gave pain to thy heart ; thy
brows were never seen to lower, nor did anger ever frown on thy
face. Thou wert faithful to me, my son ; dreadful was the fatal
hour which ended the course of thy life. Never can I cease to
lament ; dreadful was the force of the stone that fell — it rushed
down Avith a tremendous noise. Unhappy that I am, my foot moved
it from its place ! it struck at once my beloved son ! it overwhelmed
the strength of the brave. But thou art in peace, and I am sad,
desolate, and alone.