Ossian Collection > Ossian, his principal poems

xi R G U ]\I E N T .
Arth, tlic son of Cairbre, supreme king of Ireland, dying, was suc-
ceeded by his son Cormac, a minor. Cuchullin, the son of Semo,
who had rendered himself famous by his great actions, and who
resided, at that time, with Connal, the son of Caithbat, iu Ulster,
was elected regent. In the twenty-seventh year of Cuchullin's age,
and the third of his administration, Torlath, the son of Cantela,
one of the chiefs of that colony of Belgse who were in possession of
the south of Ireland, rebelled in Connaught, and advanced towards
Temora, iu order to dethrone Cormae. Cuchullin marched against
him, came up with him at the lake of Lego, and totally defeated
his forces. Torlath fell in the battle by Cuchullin's hand ; but as he
himself pressed too eagerly on the flying enemy, he was mortally
wounded by an arrow, and died the second day after. The good
fortune of Cormac fell with Cuchullin, many set up for themselves,
and anarchy and confusion reigned. At last Cormac was taken oft';
and Cairbar, lord of Atha, one of the competitors for the throne,
having defeated all his rivals, became sole monarch of Ireland.
The family of Fingal, who were in the interest of Cormac' s family,
were resolved to deprive Cairbar of the throne he had usurped.
Fingal arrived from Scotland with an army, defeated the friends of
Cairbar, and re-established the family of Cormac in the possession
of the kingdom. The present poem is part of a larger one, cele-
brating Fingal's last expedition into Ireland; but which, with the
exception of a few detached portions, has been lost.