Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

48 OSSIAN
meet the race of dark-brown shields. Cairbar, first of
men was there, and Grudar, stately youth ! Long had
they strove for the spotted bull, that lowed on Golbun's*
echoing heath. Each claimed him as his own. Death
was often at the point of their steel ! Side by side the
heroes fought; the strangers of Ocean fled. Whose
name was fairer on the hill, than the name of Cairbar
and Grudar ! But ah 1 why ever lowed the bull, on
Golbun's echoing heath. They saw him leaping like
snow. The wrath of the chiefs returned 1 "
On Lubar's t grassy banks they fought ; Grudar fell
in his blood. Fierce Cairbar came to the vale, where
Brassolis,t fairest of his sisters, all alone, raised the
song of grief. She sung of the actions of Grudar, the
youth of her secret soul ! She mourned him in the field
of blood ; but still she hoped for his return. Her white
bosom is seen from her robe, as the moon from the
clouds of night, when its edge heaves white on the
view, from the darkness which covers its orb. Her
voice was softer than the harp to raise the song of
grief. Her soul was fixed on Grudar. The secret look
of her eye was his. "When shalt thou come in thine
arms, thou mighty in the war ? "
"Take, Brassolis," Cairbar came and said, "take
Brassolis, this shield of blood. Fix it on high within
my hall, the armour of my foe! Her soft heart beat
against her side. Distracted, pale, she flew. She found
her youth in all his blood ; she died on Cromla's heath.
Here rests their dust, Cuthullin ! these lonely yews
sprung from their tombs, and shade them from the
storm. Fair was Brassolis on the plain ! Stately was
Grudar on the hill ! The bard shall preserve their
names, and send them down to future times ! "
" Pleasant is thy voice, O Carril," said the blue-eyed
* Golb-bhean, as well as Cromleach, signifies a crooked hill.
t Lubar, a river in Ulster. Lahhar, loud, noisy.
+ Brassolis signifies a woman with a white breast.