Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

54 OSSIAN
Swaran's peace," the warrior spoke, "the peace he
gives to kings, when nations bow to his sword. Leave
Erin's streamy plains to us, and give thy spouse and
dog. Thy spouse high-bosom'd, heaving fair I Thy
dog that overtakes the wind 1 Give these to prove
the weakness of thine arm ; live then beneath our
power 1 "
"Tell Swaran, tell that heart of pride, CuthuUin
never yields. I give him the dark rolling sea ; I give
his people graves in Erin. But never shall a stranger
have the pleasing sun-beam of my love. No deer
shall fly on Lochlin's hills, before swift-footed Luath."
"Vain ruler of the car," said Morla, "wilt thou then
fight the king ? The king whose ships of many groves
could carry off thine isle? So little is thy green-hilled
Erin to him who rules the stormy waves!" "In words
I yield to many, Morla. My sword shall yield to none.
Erin shall own the sway of Cormac, while Connal and
Cuthullin live I O Connal, first of mighty men, thou
hear'st the words of Morla. Shall thy thoughts then
be of peace, thou breaker of the shields? Spirit of
fallen Crugal ! why didst thou threaten us with death ?
The narrow house shall receive me, in the midst of the
light of renown. Exalt, ye sons of Erin, exalt the
spear and bend the bow : rush on the foe in darkness,
as the spirits of stormy nights ! "
Then dismal, roaring, fierce, and deep the gloom of
battle poured along ; as mist that is rolled on a valley,
when storms invade the silent sunshine of heaven !
Cuthullin moves before in arms, like an angry ghost
before a cloud ; when meteors inclose him with fire ;
when the dark winds are in his hand. Carril, far on
the heath, bids the horn of battle sound. He raises
the voice of song, and pours his soul into the minds of
the brave.
"Where?" said the mouth of the song, "where is
the fallen Crugal ? He lies forgot on earth ; the hall of